School rules

Easy enough!

The Giving Tree

I love this stump!

The Test

Today was a tough parenting day. It was pretty tough on Cole too, but let's get back to me, shall we?

It's been exactly two weeks since we touched down in Germany. We aren't settled, camping in our own house for an unforseen future, and I shoved my first born out into the world.

He attended a soccer camp last week with his new buddy Aiden. Aiden is really good. Really good.... And he showed Cole the ropes. He translated for Cole and introduced him to the coaches and friends. Aiden is doing other soccer things this week, so Cole started camp all over again - SOLO.

We got him dressed and tried to settle his nerves. We told him it will be hard but one day, worth it. He will learn to pick up a few German words and slowly meet new people.

As Keith was signing him in this morning, the director came up to say hello. He speaks English and is fully aware Cole doesn't know a Lick of German. I told Klaus that Cole was nervous because he didn't know the language. That's when he thought Cole the hard truth about soccer. He said "Cole, you know scheize is shit and if you want them to play the ball to you, you say speigel" And that is apparently all you need to know!
Welcome to Germany.

Cole was so nervous. It was tough to smile and be confident leaving him. He sat by himself at lunch. (break my heart now please) I know it's only temporary, and I hope Cole can understand. He's going to be an amazing young man. Character building is a hard lesson. Scheize!

Say what!?!

I found a Thai massage place just down the road today. I had a 30 minute back massage and it was awesome! I will be returning!! This place might not be so bad after all!

Soccer time

It's Monday morning and we just dropped my tiny newborn off at soccer camp (in a foreign country and he doesn't know the language).... Gulp!

There's the fine line between preparing him for adversity and just wanting him to have fun. I don't think I'm doing a good job at it. Have fun, but pay attention. Just do what you love, but don't go first and watch the other kids. Meet new friends, but please dear Lord don't let him be picked on. Be aggressive but you have the skills.

The camp is from 10am to 4pm. They will feed him lunch. I hope I packed enough water, rain jacket, extra shin guards, and my heart........ I already miss him, but can't wait to hear about his day!

Litha.......something, something park

One day I will learn German. I thought I was going to be able to get by without it. Turns out I was very wrong!

We went to a park today with the Cumbies. It was an excellent walk and so beautiful to see in the gorgeous weather.

We have noticed a few of Brad's tics are in full force. He's doing well but I can tell he's stressed out. Cole has found a great friend in Aiden. They are both great kids that share an intense love of soccer and videos games. Is there any more to life?

Odd things

When we lived in Korea, we found so many things "different and odd" we started taking pictures of them. Turns out you quickly grow accustom to little crazies..... So while I still think they're funny, I will try to post them!

This was a billboard on our walk to the mall. Ok.

Home sweet home

This is a picture of our new house. It's the great room, if you will. I'm sitting where the kitchen will be, facing the living room. We have a fenced in yard and a bedroom just to the left past the metal railing. Down the stairs are two more bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room. All completely empty for the time being!

Welcome to Crazy

I'm sitting on my new doorstep with my dogs in a foreign country. My husband is gone with all the money and keys to said door while my children are upstairs in someone else's house doing who knows what...... But let's back up, shall we?

It seems life has placed us in Germany for the next 2-5 years. Keith's job with FedEx opened doors for us to explore new opportunities. (I'm going to positively spin many of these stories for the sheer number of them would cause one to be permanently depressed)

So we said "see you later" to our houses, friends, family, cars, belongings, and every other comfort in life. We spent about a month in total chaos stumbling over one road block after another to board a plane bound for Germany. It was hard, painful, frustrating, stressful, and downright shitty - and that's the positive spin!

I could tell you about the awesomeness of business class and their massage chairs, or the shrimp and scallops in the 4 course meal, but I will sum it up by saying I can never go back to coach. I believe there was a Seinfeld episode about it and it's all the funnier now!

We landed in Germany and it's been one swift kick in the ass. Actually, several of but we're being positive. We've had a productive week while battling jet lag. We registered with the city/country. They track their boarders this way. Crazy concept. You have to register before you can have a bank account. You have to have a bank account for their debit cards. No credit cards accepted here. We ordered a kitchen and bought some couches to sleep on. We're still working out the phone situation.

This morning we checked out of the hotel and arrived at our house. We were told the day before we got here that the basement had severe flooding issues. Turns out it's unlivable for the next two weeks. Yea! We are going to try to rough it in the living room. Oh! The kitchen will take 7 weeks to get here too. Not even a sink! This is as close to camping as I get.

So as the jackhammer is pulling up my floor, I will sit and wait for my husband to return, and Ikea furniture to arrive. I will focus on the positives. The weather is beautiful, I have a beautiful beautiful scphula coming (another post!), and my little family of 4 has found their newest landing pad. Welcome to Germany!