Revival

I can't tell you how long it's been since I've posted...okay, so I can. I am sure there is a date stamp on my last post. I am just too lazy to go check. All I know is that I announced I would be moving to Germany. Well, a lot has changed since that. For one, I am actually IN Germany now! Believe it or not, we have been here 6 months and one week. Life has changed so much in these last few months. Originally I gave up on my blog because I felt I had nothing interesting going on to talk about. I am also lazy and easily distracted lol. However, now that we are situated here and good weather is upon us, I feel there is so much more to share. Besides, it may be the perfect outlet for me so I can spare my husbands ears, and my friend's Facebook feeds!

So where to start? There is so much to catch up on! First of all, I am due in 2 weeks and 4 days with a precious baby girl. No name chosen yet, yes I know we are slackers. My son Kaelen is now 3.5 years old, he outsmarts me daily and amazes me in every moment. The pending arrival of our baby is bittersweet. I will miss Kaelen being my one and only, I worry about how I will share my focus. I worry he will feel less loved, or ignored. However, when I watch him interact with the pointy feet and elbows protruding from my sides I know how wrong I am. He is going to be an amazing big brother, and I will be ever more proud of him. I know that I can love them both, and they will each be special in their own ways. I look forward to the journey!

Of course, right now I am just running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Despite being a parent already, and having pretty much all we needed without having to even shop this time around, I feel unprepared. I know it can't be avoided, I am facing a huge change. I am also juggling another child and full time college! I must be insane, but I seem to do my best work this way. I am sure we will be fine. Actually, to be honest, I am very exciting about her arrival. Last time I was in such denial that I would ever have to do the hard part and give birth lol but this time I am looking forward to it. No, I am no masochist, I do not look forward to the pain. But I am looking forward to the experiance this time. At approximately 35 weeks I decided I couldn't bare to dump Kaelen off on a friend (and am not really close with anyone just yet anyhow) while I'm in the hospital. I also was very unhappy with my care at the military hospital here. So I contacted a doula service and was connected with an amazing lady who is working towards her certification. I get to be her second birth experiance as a doula, I feel really happy being able to help her with her goal. Anyway, my lovely doula gave me a lot of wonderful info and I realized I DO have choices! So to make the story short(er), I am now going to a German hospital. The staff there is amazing and totally in line with my beliefs and wants (including a labor tub OMG!), and my precious Kaelen and husband will be allowed to stay the night with me in a private room. I could not be happier!

Other than my pregnancy - which has been wonderful, minus the part at 10 weeks when we moved from the West coast overseas and I had some hellacious morning sickness - I have just been busy with said college (finals next week for 3 of my 5 courses!), making/hanging out with friends (there are some awesome ladies here!), and exploring Germany (so far just some stores and a castle). I also FINALLY got my USAREUR license so I can legally drive here. Put it off for months! We also bought a second vehicle, our first manual, so I don't have to be trapped at home all the time while hubby works. I will drive our automatic though, at least until I learn how to drive a clutch! I am also trying to get my garden started up for summer, I would like to get it done before baby arrives lol.

All in all, I don't think I could be any happier right now. Life is going really well for us, for once. We have a huge German house out in a quiet town, with an equally huge yard (and pool!) and lots of nature nearby. Between PCS reimbursment and taxes we were able to pay off debt as well as buy our second car and some other fancy things like a new couch and a DSLR camera (must have something nice for photographing Europe!). Even bought a trampoline, which I am pretty sure made my son's year lol. My marriage is content, my son is a prodigy (okay, maybe not but he is way ahead on milestones!), my pregnancy has gone smooth (and I am glowing so much I have been offered 3 maternity modeling gigs. Can you say ego boost?!), our landlords leave us alone, and heck....I live in Europe. I really can't complain! I do miss family and friends back home, but with all the leave my husband has accrued I am sure we will visit this fall after we spend our summer vacationing in the many amazing places Europe has to offer!

So yes, that sums it up. Sorry if that is too much reading. I am going to just treat this post as a journal entry, so I won't be offended if you get bored and don't finish it all hehe. I am just glad to "be back" so to speak. I hope that I can stick with it more, everyone keeps telling me I should. Only time will tell, but one thing I can say is this....it feels good to get it all out! Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful spring weekend with whatever plans they may have for Easter or otherwise. May you be blessed with sunny skies, a cool breeze, some good eats and great companionship! Tschüss!

Wir bewegen uns in Deutschland!

Hallo everyone! Long time, no blog. Sorry! There hasn't been much to talk about lately. I had been planning to move back to Northern California for college because it was likely my husband would deploy. However, he wasn't on the list. Last night we found out why......

.....we are moving to Germany! Yes, the Air Force is sending us there later this year. I am excited but also worried about such a big move. Also, I am really sad about not going to college back home. My major isn't available just anywhere (Equine Science) and I only receive my free tuition in California (although I'm sure I can qualify for grants too). And most importantly, Ill miss family. But, we don't get to see family as it is right now so it really isn't all that different. I am going to stay positive about and make the most of it. It is a chance of a lifetime!

Finally!

All four books I ordered have all finally arrived! I cannot wait to share my thoughts, but first I must read up. I have had a few recommendations towards other books as well, but I am putting any more on hold until I get through these four. I have been very eager to dive into these books, but I seem to find a distraction at every turn. From dealing with the DMV from out of state and trying to get our smog waved, to trying to file our taxes for the first time on our own. What a pain being an adult is! On a good note I did get an appointment set finally for my vision. I am nearsighted and in moving I lost my glasses. The DMV also never sent me my new license, so between having no proof of a DL and my vision impaired I am nervous to drive even the shortest of distances! So I rely on my husband, which means I only get errands done when he is off work (these errands are the bulk of my distraction from reading). Its a vicious cycle for sure, but soon it will all be resolved I hope and then I can get cozy with some good reading and forget all my woes!

Until then, stay safe and warm! And remember to appreciate the little things and let everyone know you love and care about them!

Books and Better Living!

I ordered four books a couple days ago from a few different Amazon.com vendors. I received two already, and I'm so excited to start reading them! One is The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. I have heard so many great things about this book, especially in regards to the horrid factoring farming conditions in this country. My other book is Food Rules by Michael Pollan. Its a simple guide, but very useful. I have already flipped through a lot of it. Most eating tips are common sense, but are quite often overlooked, so it will be useful to have around as a reminder!


Part of my set of resolutions for the new year is to commit more to my going green. I have made a lot of strides in the last year, and have done a lot of research, but there is so much more I could be doing. One really important thing I could be doing is eating healthier! I intend to start my own garden once the weather warms, and I am working towards buying local and organic from a co-op not too far away. These ideas, along with Food Rules, should help my family a lot. I have also been looking up a lot of recipes online as well as making healthier versions of my passed-down family recipes. One recipe I found online is a healthier version/knockoff of McDonalds Chicken Nuggets, as well as some homemade fries. Still not the healthiest choice, but much better than actually eating out! Besides, I always throw some veggies on my plate too.


I should be receiving my other two books soon. One is The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith, the other is Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride. I have had many recommendations for both, and am eager to get them. I am still looking through books, but Id eventually like to buy some on herbs and gardening. I have also stumbled upon a website that sells herbs, oils, butters, etc. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com sells only organic or sustainable wild-harvested goods, and all I hear is rave reviews about them, so you can imagine my excitement! Anyway, Ill update as I get more into my books or make an order. I love sharing my finds with everyone!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Remember to live every day to the fullest. And don't forget to send your thoughts or prayers to those (both human and animal) in Haiti dealing with the aftermath of a tragic earthquake. If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross, you can visit their site or text "Haiti" to 90999 and it will charge $10 to your phone bill. You can also donate via Yele, or the ASPCA. Millions have already been raised! If you can afford it, please help. Karma will always come back in full!

Just a quick hello!

I just wanted to stop in and let you all know that my resolutions are going slow but well. For some things, it requires my ability to get out of the house and I only really do that on the days my husband is off work. He is off the next two days, so I plan to take advantage! Also, I was commenting the other day how much I love http://www.etsy.com and how useful the site is.

Etsy is a site dedicated to sellers who sell their home/handmade goods, or vintage items. Most think of clothing and jewelry. But I have seen soap (as well as purchased!), shampoo/conditioner, henna hair dye, candles, TOOTHPASTE, crotchet patterns, FOOD, makeup, seeds for gardening, paintings, corsets, etc. There is so much there! Youre also helping support small, family owned business as well as very earth friendly (most products are very natural do to the nature of making goods by hand) products. It is also a great way to find unique items for the holidays or gift giving. Prices are often very reasonable as well. I have hundreds of items saved to my list, so that when I eventually have money to spare I can buy them! Anyway, I just really wanted to share the link with all of you. Its definetly worth a look!

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!

A New Year

It has been awhile since I last posted. I have definetly been neglecting my blog. I feel like I have been neglecting a lot lately, including myself. Given its a new year though, I decided that there is no better time than now to improve and set some resolutions! I know we are already a week into the new year, but I am still carefully laying out my plans on paper. It might seem a bit silly to some, but I am very detail oriented and if I dont write it all out, then it will never happen! I am starting off with listing out my main goals, and then writing out specific ways of accomplishing those goals. For example, one of my goals is to have more family time. Things I can do to make that happen is cutting down on internet and television, eating dinner at the dining table, game nights, going to the dog park more often, etc.


Another goal of mine is to return to college. I took time off from it because of my husband going into the Air Force and our subsequent move. Now that we are well established here though, I am eager to return! Only issue is paying for it. My mother is a disabled veteran and I recieved free tuition in California because of that, but I cannot get it in Washington. We are on a single income now, with no one to watch our son, so it puts me in a frustrating situation. However, I was used to being a full time student, but if I get my foot in the door with one class at a time then that is still better than nothing!


Anyway, that is just my little update! I still need to organize myself a bit more, and work on the most important resolutions first, then make some time for my blog. I am thinking though, that if I treat this blog somewhat like a public diary, then it will keep my honest and true to following through with my resolutions. We will see how it goes, but I have high hopes for 2010. I am hoping it will be 200% better than last year. Of course, hoping only goes so far. I need to work for it, and MAKE this year better than the last. For myself, my son, my family, and the world around me! Wish me luck, and I wish all you the best for this new year. I hope that it will be exactly what you want it to be!

NOM - Gathering Storm

This video is hard to take seriously. Its almost as if these people fear gays. I am really disturbed by this whole "separate but equal" idea going on. Havent we done that with "blacks" and women? Didnt that turn out really bad? I think we have worse things to worry about, like the staggering divorce rate and all the 20 second marriage/annulments that cheapen the meaning of marriage. I see it like this: if gays truly want to marriage, and be unhappy like the majority of the population, then by all means. LOL Anyway, what gets me the most is the whole teaching kids about gay marriage in school. I hear it all the time, but I worked for a school in California. We discussed policy with schools from all over and not one has ever heard of kids being taught this. Its an outright lie, and a ridiculous one at that...

Anyway, just my $0.02 :) if you dont like it, keep it to yourself. This is my blog, where I have the right to share my thoughts. If you want to hate on it, go elsewhere please. Ive heard the argument a million times. Try spreading your beliefs through love, not hate. Thanks. And for all of you that may enjoy this post, thanks to you as well for being awesome as usual!