Shane

Okay. There is so much to talk about. I could tell you about how our household goods FINALLY arrived (yippee!!!). Or I could talk about the awesome new Bible Study I am a part of (thank the Lord for Christian "girlfriends"). Or, I could tell you how Greg and I got stuck in traffic coming home from IKEA yesterday and had to call the school to HANG ON to our girls until we got there (we felt so lame). But I'm not. Instead, I have to tell you all about my sweet little Shane.

This week, I was preparing to go to my Tuesday morning Bible Study, which my 2 1/2 year old son calls "school." Ran through the regular routine. Got myself ready. Got Shane dressed. Prepared his diaper bag and snack. As we were walking out the door, Shane had a thought and ran back towards the Master bathroom. He stood by Greg's cabinet, and said, "Daddy." I knew what he wanted. Hair gel. I fixed him up, we checked out his "spikes" in the mirror, and left for class.

Now, this is not really an extraordinary story. Except for us. Shane wanted to look like Greg does when he leaves for church. Hair gel and all. One year ago, Shane really didn't know his dad. In fact, until February of this year, Greg was a guy in a picture or on the computer screen. He knew we always made a big deal about Greg, but I don't think he really understood why. Now, he knows. And he couldn't be more in love with his daddy!

The day we picked Greg up on post after the homecoming ceremony, Shane wouldn't look his daddy in the eye. As we drove home, Greg could feel Shane staring at him from the back seat, but when he would turn around, Shane would quickly look away. We stopped at The Waffle House (yes, sadly, that was our "homecoming meal"), and Shane was blowing the straw paper. Greg blew it back at him, and the ice was broken. Someone to play with! As the days and weeks passed, Shane grew more and more comfortable with Daddy. Now, he can't wait for Greg to get home. Greg says, "Shane, are we buddies?" And Shane always shakes his head yes and with a big smile says, "Bubbies!"

I remember a lot of moms were kind of sad to "lose" their children to daddy when he got home from Afghanistan or Iraq. Believe me, I couldn't be happier that Shane adores Greg so much! (And Ashley and Lexi, well, they were ALWAYS "Daddy's girls!) God certainly had a plan when He designed a family. We are so blessed!

It's here!

On Wednesday of this week, our minivan arrived in Stuttgart after a month and 1/2 on a ship from the states. What a wonderful day! Now, you might be thinking, why in the world would getting a minivan make your day? Well, I too once believed the minivan was the ultimate "mom mobile" ... I wanted no part of it. But let me tell you, after more than a month of living without it, I couldn't wait for that car to get here!!! From here on out Shane's feet will not be close enough to Ashley and Lexi to tempt him to kick ... Ashley will not have to sit crooked in her booster so all three seats will fit in the back ... I will be able to haul all three kids, groceries, a stroller, 2 backpacks and whatever else I need without any problem ... I will not have to juggle a 30 pound 2 1/2 year old and a cart full of groceries to get my car keys out and the truck open -- in the pouring rain, I might add (yes, this did happen) and will instead be able to open all doors and the back with the push of a button ... and finally, we are ONE STEP CLOSER to feeling "normal" in Germany! I guess I am a "minivan mom" after all! Now, if we could just get our furniture, dishes, pots and pans, clothes ...

A Perfect Song!

"There's the witch!"

It can be frustrating to live in place where we are barely understood. However, sometimes it works out to our benefit!!! Today, we took Ashley, Lexi and Shane to a castle. The girls literally couldn't wait to get there. In their minds, it would be like something out of one of their fairy tale books, complete with talking mice and beautiful princesses. And in the end, except for the mice, mommy and daddy delivered!

We walked through beautiful gardens, as you can see in the pictures, one was decorated completely in pumpkins. Pretty cool! The kids even got to roll around in some hay bales. The best part of the day, however, was when we entered the massive courtyard of the castle. There, we saw at least 5 bridal parties ... princesses in their flowing wedding gowns -- JUST FOR ASHLEY AND LEXI! And there, smack dab in the center of the courtyard was a lady dressed for the Venetian Fair (a masquarade thing) down the road. She was all in black, down to her pointy-toed black shoes. Her hair was wild with some hot pink streaks ... and she was wearing a black mask (again, for the fair). Lexi took one look at her, pointed and SHOUTED, "Mommy, THERE'S the WITCH!!!" Greg and I just laughed. Thank goodness the poor lady in black couldn't speak English.

A day at the Castle

We live in Germany!

Over the past couple of years (since we became "army people"), several of my friends have asked me to blog about our experiences ... and life in general. So, here goes! I never really thought I'd have much of interest to say -- but we live in Germany now!!! There is just no end to the "newness" we are experiencing on a daily basis. And, I might add, no end to the craziness, either.

Hopefully, our "Great Adventure" blog will help keep our family and friends updated on our life here at Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany ... plus, give me an opportunity to go back several months, and share with you all a little of how we got through 15 months of separation while Greg served the Lord and our country in Afghanistan. It has taken me this long to feel like I can write about our time apart with some level of understanding of God's purpose and plan through the entire ordeal. Time and perspective make a world of difference!

Enjoy, friends! And come back when you can. I will do my best to stay on top of this ... and hope you will keep in touch, too.