The German Way

These are my very tired feet! I felt very "German" today, as I did a whole lot of walking! Jonathan had the car today and I had some things I really wanted to get done. Among these things I wanted to accomplish were going to the library to print out some maps so I could do this awesome picture frame idea I found on pinterest.

This cute idea shows a map in the shape of a heart of where we met, where we married, and where we live. I had some frames that I have been letting collect dust since my mom sent them to me because I wanted to do something extra cute with them. When I saw this idea on pinterest.com I immediately knew it was time to get those frames dusted and cleaned! Now if I can just get them on the wall where I want them. We have concrete walls all over the apartment and the wall I want this to go on (above our bed) is particularly stubborn. I managed to find some special nails at the store that I am hoping will work out.

Anyhow, after walking to the library, working out, walking to the store, then home, back to the store, on the train, walking to a different store, walking back to train, then walking home from train stop my poor feet are begging for rest. This was probably a total of 5 and a half miles all together. Needless to say I felt very "German" today with all the walking I did and am quite proud of myself. Now if I can just rest my feet enough to where I can get up and fix dinner and finish cleaning around the house...not sure if it will happen! :)

Ride the Wind

Today is ride the wind day. I immediately thought of dandelions. I never thought dandelions would be something I would find myself thankful for but I do. I remember picking them proudly as a little girl for my mother, who always graciously accepted them- she never pointed at that they were weeds. I remember my friends and I blowing as hard as we could to make all the little seedlings spring loose in hopes that whatever we just wished for would come true. I am little bit older now so I no longer pick dandelions for my mom, I do not think she would enjoy withered weeds in a package from Germany. I do, however, still make wishes. I am a firm believer in continuing to be a kid at heart. I think you should never stop making wishes. So I am thankful for dandelions because they mean I get to retreat back to childhood, blow as hard as I can, and make a wish. So today I will be sure to pick one up and let my wish ride the wind!

How Fitting!

How fitting that today is friendship day as well as sister day. If you are as lucky as me you have a package deal! If you would have asked me when I was a little girl if my big sister was my friend I probably would not have hesitated to tell you, "no." Shocked? Haha. Don't get me wrong, my sister is an amazing person but being 6 years older than me I wasn't always the coolest accessory to my big sis. However, I would have told you even then that my big sister was my idol and that I wanted to grow up to be just like her! Perhaps, that is why we grew to be friends somewhere along the way- or so I thought. The reality is that we were friends all along. It happened without me even noticing it. I think it was somewhere in between coloring together to helping my sister take her adorable boys to the swimming pool for the day. I still look up to and admire my big sis more than I think she knows. I miss her more than I think she knows, and I have to stop right there before my keyboard becomes soaked in tears. My sister and I are friends and I am proud to say I can celebrate sister and friend day with one person...thinking about you big sis!! I love you!

This weekend has been a fun and busy weekend. Friday night Jonathan and I made a trip 30 miles to Ramstein to pick up some items, catch a movie, and get dinner at the Chili's on base there. It was our anniversary date since he will be working on the day of our actual anniversary, which I will proceed to post a mushy gushy post about tomorrow! ;) Anyhow, dinner was delish! It had been forever since I have been to a Chili's and it was particularly exciting to be going to one in Germany! Saturday we were able to plan a trip to the zoo in Heidelberg with a family that is our platoon. We have been trying to get together with them for a while and it finally worked out to hang out yesterday. We enjoyed walking around the "zoo." I put that loosely because this was by far, the most interesting zoo I have ever been to. I, by no means, claim to be a zoo expert but I still don't know if I would consider this a zoo. Half of the animals in the zoo were interesting typical zoo animals- i.e. elephants, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, etc. Then we had goats, donkeys, pigs, and a bee exhibit! We agreed that the bee exhibit was probably the most ridiculous thing. I am unaware as to if there was ever more to this "bee exhibit" at some point in time, but when we happened on the exhibit we saw a lot of pictures and facts about bees on the poster and this fenced in area with wide open air! There was no roof, no beehives, none of that. So take what you will out of that. Here are a few of the pictures from our zoo trip.

We caught the tail end of the seals show!

Dumbo!

The flamingos that Isaiah wanted to take home.

Sleepy tiger!

This little guy really liked Jonathan.

We also were privileged enough to get an up close encounter with a couple of birds that we later discovered had escaped from their exhibit. They came strolling down the walkway and I snapped a couple of pictures. We thought it odd that those kind of birds would just be walking around. Well, about two minutes later we saw two employees- one with feed, one with a net. We then laughed and figured those birds must belong elsewhere. It was definitely an interesting day. Here is a picture of the escapees.

Tonight I have been busy attempting to make a delectable dessert for the first time, well let's hope they are delectable! I tried my hand at Oreo Truffles. I have not had a chance to eat one yet as they are chilling in the fridge but they sure do look yummy. Check out what we will be having as an anniversary treat tomorrow!

YUMMMM!!!

Happy John Giles Day!!

My big brother cleans up nice!

Ok so I am actually a day late on this one but I didn't get a chance to do this yesterday and really wanted to. Yesterday my big brother turned 35! He is such an amazing brother and person in general! So not only was yesterday "Take Your Pants for a Walk Day" but it was also John Giles' Day. My big brother has been such an inspiration to me in so many ways. I am so proud to be his baby sis!

Jack and John last year on his birthday.

John Giles...
...you are someone I admire.
...you are the best big brother a girl could ask for.
...you are the reason I think every girl should have a big brother, blood or not.
...you always make me feel safe (and small) when I am in your arms.
...you put up with Laura and me tag teaming you on several occasions.
...you taught me how to do so many things, some mom and dad probably did not like.
...you worked with me on my goalie skills in the yard when I was in high school, I ate grass numerous times!
...you are the true example of a southern gentleman.
...you were the peacemaker to many a fight between Laura and me.
...you were my protective second father when I started dating, more protective than dad actually.
...you are an opinion that I always value.
...you are a heart who has always shown me how important I am and I just want you to know I love you and truly wish I could be home to celebrate with you.

Oh yea, he is a great uncle too! :)

I love you big bro! I hope your birthday was one of the best, and that you got to take your pants out for a walk? ;)

Hot Dog!

Yippee! It is is hot dog day! I know I will be having hot dogs sometime today. We might even grill up some hamburgers for those who prefer cow to well uhh...nevermind. One thing I have discovered about being in the army overseas is that it is a little more difficult to get out and do things on the economy which is why we barbecue around here like nobody's business. In the past month alone I think we have had or been to at least three cookouts! It is what we do around here to keep ourselves entertained!

Around here we have been "patiently" anticipating the arrival of a package from my mom of things we left behind and some things we had ordered online. One of the most annoying things about living overseas is that when we order things online, sometimes the company does not ship to APO addresses so we have to send it home to my parents and then have them send it on to us. We are very fortunate to have such willing parents to do this for us every now and then. This particular package held a new bed for little Cash and new TOMS for Jonathan and I.

Look, I can burrow in my own bed now!

Our shoe shelf is being overtaken by TOMS!

Junk in the trunk?

Junk in the trunk...no I do not mean what you think I mean. It is international junk food day!! So how much junk food do you find in your house? If your household is anything like mine, the amount of junk food seems to grow when my husband makes the trip to the grocery store with me. :) I wish I could say the healthy stuff outweighs the junky stuff but I fear I cannot lie. I think my favorite junk food would have to be chips- they are my junky weakness!!

Jonathan is out playing soccer as I am here at the house. I am glad that he has soccer to go to with friends because I know how much he loves it. I do miss him when he is gone but I love that he has a passion and is able to still enjoy that passion.

We are dog-sitting for a couple that will be gone for a little while so we are a two dog household for a little while. I have determined we are not destined to have two dogs for a while because it tends to bring out the worst in Cash. lol. He tends to be very selfish with his belongings and his mommy and daddy. Haha. He has gotten a little better since Lola's first night with us. Hopefully they will continue to get along so that we can have hope for getting Cash a playmate in the future.

Raspberry Cake...mmmm

I know I have been a little out of touch with the blog world lately and I greatly apologize! I have no valid excuses other than my own pure laziness. I appear to have chosen a delightful day to make my appearance as it is National Raspberry Cake Day. I, personally have never had raspberry cake but I am sure it is delightful and I might just make a point to try it soon and get back to you.

On the Rupard front, we have been doing very well. I have been working out and trying to manage the spoiled little daschund. He keeps me on my toes some days and just plain makes me laugh all the other days. Cash has been in my life for about a year and a half now and I am still so glad that I chose to be his mommy.

Jonathan has been studying for a promotion board he has coming at the end of the month. He is hoping to be deemed promotable so that he can make his Sgt soon and be a NCO, non commissioned officer. I may be biased but my baby deserves it!! I know he would make a wonderful NCO.

We have kept busy with BBQs and having friends over whenever we can. A few days ago we bid goodbye to one of Jonathan's NCOs. His wife and he will be moving on to a different location. This particular outgoing NCO decided he wanted to have a water fight at his outgoing BBQ, because you know all men in the military are really just little kids. Needless to say, the kids (old and young) really enjoyed this BBQ. Here are some pictures from that fun day.

Landon says, "Freeze or I'll shoot!"

Frisbee time!

Yummy food!!

Surprise attack on Sgt Bebe

Time for smores!

While I have been away from blog world we celebrated the 4th of July in Heidelberg so I will include some pictures from there before I leave for the day.

Human fusbol!! The coolest inflatable ever!

Lots of great music!

Relaxing at our picnic spot in the shade.

Andrew and Isaiah waiting to hop in a bumper car.