"Growing Old Together" ... not so bad!

The other day, Greg and I took the bikes out of storage, put air in the tires, donned our helmets and headed out for a lunch time bike ride! (Yep, we look like dorks, but what fun!!!) It was a spring day, my favorite time of year in Germany (really, anywhere) and with a friend watching Shane, it was AWESOME to have some time alone together ... even if we were gasping for breath and pedaling furiously uphill most of the time!!!!

As we rode along, I started thinking about the fact that it doesn't really feel like we're getting older. In fact, when it comes to Greg and me -- it really just feels like we keep getting BETTER! Honestly, after 11 years of marriage, we're more in love than the day we married (even though we thought that wasn't possible at the time). We're more comfortable with one another and more assured of the strength of our bond (or maybe its that we are more assured of God's faithfulness to be our strength when we are weak!) Its a great place to be and I imagine it will continue to get better as the years pass by. Not a bad thought at all!

Truth is: even if I could, I wouldn't go back to the early days of our marriage. I like where we are now! It has more to do with my own growth and maturing than with Gregs (Even though I LOVE what God has done in his life ... and he gets better looking by the day!!!!). I dealt with some pretty hefty insecurities in my mid to late 20s. Today, I'm more secure in the Lord and with myself. I am aware of what God has done to turn around my ability to over-analyze EVERYTHING, worry needlessly and probably drive my husband crazy! I'm thankful for the calm I usually feel (ok, Greg, maybe NOT at 6 am in the RyanAir terminal when 3 children are crying and our passports didn't get stamped appropriately ...). I have learned NOT to place unfair expectations on Greg. I continue to learn to place my hope, trust, self-worth, future, etc in the Hands of the All-capable Father, instead of burdening my husband with the "job" of fulfilling my every need.

So, all to say, I'm enjoying growing older ... especially with my amazing husband at my side ... and 3 great kids, who make me smile and laugh every day. I'm truly blessed and thankful for the life we have together, the ministry HE has given us and the opportunities ahead. (You guys remind me of this when the big 4-0 rolls around a few months from now.)

Oh, and, by the way, our bike ride was invigorating but short-lived the other day. My gears and tires were not co-operating. Eventually, we gave up and enjoyed lunch overlooking the vineyards. AMAZING!!!!!! Thanks, Greg, for a wonderful date lunch! Growing old with you is the best thing ever.

Spring Break!

This year, we decided to find somewhere WARM for our Spring Break trip. After much searching (hours and hours and hours trying to coordinate flights with places to stay, car rentals, things to do, etc, etc, etc), we decided to go to Alicante, Spain. And what a GREAT decision it was!

Our vacation began early in the morning on April 11. We left Stuttgart at 6:30, with very sleepy kids, to make our 9:20 RyanAir flight from Karlsruhe. RyanAir was an experience in itself! It is a low cost airline, with NO frills. We stood in the cold waiting to board the plane. There was no assigned seating, no free drink or food service and no in-flight movies! But, everything went great. Our flight was smooth. And we had only paid 11 euro per ticket to Spain (well, with some taxes and fees on top of that.)

During the week, we enjoyed the very "beachy" feel of Costa Blanca. Although the weather didn't cooperate the way we hoped it would (it was quite windy and cloudy) We walked on the beach ... played in the sand ... and enjoyed the sunshine (well, when it would finally appear). We went to Terra Mitica, a theme park and Terra Natura, a zoo. We also found some great play areas for the kids. And of course, we ate some great food. Our first big meal was at Tony Romas, one of our favorite bbq rib places in the States. It was so yummy! I think the highlight of the week was a restaurant we found at the end of the week, La Neuvo Alcazar. Food was amazing and we enjoyed talking with the owner of the restaurant. Ashley, Lexi and Shane spent most of the evening in front of the lobster tank. Unfortunately, those guys were probably dinner for someone later in the evening.

One thing we found very interesting about Spain was the schedule for meals. They eat breakfast late in the morning. Lunch is not until 2 or 3. Dinner is after 8 pm in the evening! Made it difficult for us to find open restaurants when our kids were ready to eat.

I think the highlight of the week for me was the fact that we rested. It was not a vacation where we drove for miles to see a castle or take a tour. We didn't do any sight-seeing at all. We mostly stayed close to home and took our time getting ready and getting out of the house every day. The kids loved where we were staying, so they were content to play in the backyard or watch movies while Greg and I drank coffee on the balcony off of the Master Bedroom in the mornings. We sat on the beach while the kids played in the sand. We had lots of opportunities to talk while they hit the playground or play area we had found. It was just what we needed!

Yesterday, April 16, we got up while it was still dark to make our way to the airport in Alicante to head home. Our flight took off at 6:30 and we were back in Stuttgart and on the way back to Robinson Barracks by 10! Although we were all tired from our early morning travels, we all agreed it was a GREAT vacation. Shane was ready to go back to Spain before the day was even over. I'll post pictures soon!

** by the way, our week was full of laughs! While at Terra Mitica, we were taking a boat tour around the park. At one point, we saw two Sea Gulls resting on some rocks. No big deal. Well, not to us. But Shane couldn't stop watching them. One was standing up, the other was sitting (is that how you say it????) Anyway, after staring those birds down for a few minutes, Shane turned to me and pointing at the bird that was sitting, said, "That one is broken." I love the way a 4-year old brain works!!!!!