Owen goes to the farm

Owen and I went to Miller Farms in Clinton, MD this Friday with our friends from the MOPS group. It was lots of fun. His favorite part by far was riding on the tractor. He did like the animals, but not how loud the goose was. So, not too many pictures of him with the farm animals. He choose a really nice pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. It was a fun day, complete with farm fresh donuts! yum!

Hair Cut

Well, I had been thinking about cutting my hair a bit. It was so long, down to the middle of my back- and I loved it. But, it was getting tired and I needed a change. SO, I was ready to cut it, three inches maybe... So, I asked around to where people had there hair cut here, and I made an appointment at Ollie's in LaPlata.

Then, as the day of my appointment grew closer, God put something on my heart. To cut it short and give the hair away. OUCH! That seems like so much to ask! WHY there are so many emotional issues tied up in hair I will never understand! SO, I agonized over this decision for a while, prayed about it, asked Aaron, posted the idea on Facebook... Prayed some more...

I guess I am leaving out a pretty big part of this story though.... Recently, the niece of one of my best friends was just diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. Jordan is the sweetest girl. I got to know her last summer when she was visiting. Jordan is strong, and sweet and has just SO much LOVE in her heart. That was incredibly apparent even from the short time we got to know her last summer. She is in for a long fight with "Filipe", her cancer enemy. I have been praying for her, along with a whole army of prayer warriors.

But there has to be something more that I can do. But, apparently, GOD already had that all figured out....

Up to the moment I walked into the salon, I wasn't sure if this was something I could do. (here is a little secret... Don't tell! I am not a natural blonde! shh!) Could I even donate my hair? Carla sat down with me, and asked me "so, what are we going to do today?" I told her what I was thinking, and she said "oh, that is no problem. We have two charities we donate to. And one takes colored hair." Locks of Love and The Lombardi Foundation. So, that ends the debate!

So, as I was sitting down to have my hair washed (donated hair has to be cleaned and dried), I started telling them this story and Jordan's story... And you know me.. I start crying!! Just pure tears of joy! Carla made the whole process so much fun, and so easy.

When I got home, I looked up the Lombardi Foundation (what a great story!), and you will NEVER believe who they donate hair to - The American Cancer Societies Wigs for Young Adult Girls!

GOD has a plan. His wisdom is infinite! His hands are in all that we do. This story just has to many "coincidences" otherwise. Choose to believe what you wish..

Even up until the moment

Ballet Arts Academy

Katie's First Day at the Ballet Arts Academy

Katie began her ballet lesson's at the Ballet Arts Academy today. It seems like a really nice school. It is located in the Old Waldorf School. It is a really nice facility. They study the Vaganova Technique, a Russian style. This is new for Katie, but many of the positions are the same. She is in the Level One class, and takes lessons twice a week for an hour each time.

Her teacher, Oscar said to be prepared for the first class to be hard, and it was. They did a lot of stretching, even before I left, so knew that she would be challenged. When I picked her up, Oscar told me she did really well. In fact, surprised at how well she did!! Quite a compliment!! (she was a little sore the next day..)

She is really excited to go back again on Thursday. She likes her classmates and teacher very much. She is also VERY excited about her chance to preform in the Nutcracker!!

Skating Practice

While Katie was at her dance lesson I took August to get in a little time at the rink.

He was a little unsteady at first, but after a few slips he did pretty well. He was making little goals for himself, get to the second part of the wall, make it to the red circle and did pretty well. (I was pretty proud of him for coming up with this all on his own! Baby steps!!) Then, I challenged him to make it all the way across. And he almost made it! He got just to the door of the home box, and slipped! Next time! We are so proud of him for doing so well after just one lesson and one practice!

Next stop, Olympics!!

Skating Lessons

August had his first skating lesson! He had a really fun time and likes his teacher Siegfried, or Miss Sig. They practiced taking a few steps and getting up. He was so excited to be the first one in his class to be able to stand up on his own. (a pretty important thing to learn, in my humble opinion!)

The program they have here is pretty nice. He takes his lessons at the Capital Clubhouse, right here in Waldorf. It is a new facility and looks like it has everything a boy needs to get started on a hockey career. Part of the lesson package is a pass to come and practice, so guess what Mama gets to do this week... It is a good thing he can get up on his own (maybe he can teach me!)

He likes his classmates too. There are just 3 in his class, nice and small. He has 2 other girls in his class. He is having FUN! And that is the most important thing!!

Back to School

Well, it was bound to happen... Summer vacation came to an end...

Today, was back to school day. Katie and August were so excited about it! They have young, fresh teachers who will have just as much energy as they do!! Another great thing about new teachers is they aren't afraid to try new things! They are just so cute and sweet!!

They start school at 9:20, pretty late. SO, they had lots of time to get ready, there certainly was no last minute rush to get out the door. Hopefully, that remains throughout the year. Unfortunetly, it gave Katie extra time to worry a little! But we said a little prayer, and headed out the door.

As much as they wanted to ride the school bus, I wanted to drive them to school. I find great comfort in dropping them off with their teachers the first day back. August was ready to break free, gave me a hug at the end of his hallway and told me, "this is good, Mom". Sorry son, I am taking you the whole way there! It was nice to see his teacher again, take a picture and send him on his way for the "first day in the first grade".

Katie was a completely different story. She was walking so slow to her class. It was kinda funny... She gave things a good looking over, and then greeted her teacher, and then sheepishly took her seat.

I didn't even cry this year!! Guess, we are all growing up!!

They got to take the bus home to their relief, and had the best time! I cannot help but wonder when this love of the bus will end. (probably about the same time I am no longer available to chauffer!)

I got a full report over brownie sundaes, and it sounds like it is going to be a great year!! They made friends, liked PE and art, August skinned his knee and they both brought home piles of forms for me to fill out... Guess I better get started with MY homework!!

Home Sweet Home

Here we are! We made it to DC!

We are adjusting to things here. We are still waiting to get the rest of our furniture and our van,,, but soon we will be all settled.

Hopefully, now that we have our mac back I can post more often and share all of our wonderful DC adventures!

The Emperor and the Nightingale

Katie had a wonderful Ballet last night!

Here in Heidelberg the children do not do the normal each class running out on stage and doing their little bit.  They do a full ballet production.

They put on a fantastic performance of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor and the Nightingale.  The girls and boys must have worked so hard, because it was flawless! They had wonderful costumes, the music was great and they were such expressive story tellers.   Just more proof that kids can do phenomenal things when given the opportunity.  Of course, having fantastic teachers like Mrs Christy and Mrs Covey DOES help!  What a great experience for all the young dancers to see how a full production is put on. Kudos!

Katie was a dragon and a lilly pad.  When she was a dragon, her class put on a cute show that was to entertain the Emperor.  Then the Emperor gets bored with all this nonsense and sends them away- but not before picking up Katie and Erin, spinning them in a circle where the kick and complain.  It was TOO cute.

Then, the emperor goes off to find the nightingale where he passes a frog and lilly pad.  Katie and Erin were so cute, popping up and down with great big smiles!  The audience loved it.  We were so proud of Katie, she was such a confident dancer.  Usually, she gets a bit timid when it comes show time.  I think she has finally figured out how much joy she can bring to people with her dance.

It was a great show! 

Bravo!  Bravo!  Bravo!

Getting Make-up 

A scary dragon!

The Dragons!

ROAR!

OK...

So it has been a month since I blogged.  Not because I was doing nothing.  It just seemed that everything was happening so fast with our move, and the things that were happening didn't seem to be filled with much JOY!

Packing our house,,, well.  Where to begin with this..  Lets just say it was an experience.  We had packers unlike any other before.  I am not sure they really understood how much faith I was giving them.  I was trusting them to treat my things like their own.  I am not sure they did... But we sure did learn a lot from  it.  After so many moves, I thought I had seen it all!  Guess not..

So, now we are living in a house with just the barest of  essentials.  Some days it feels great, freeing.  And other days, you just miss your "stuff".  I do have to say, there is more joy in cleaning now.   I enjoy, not having to step over so many toys, and not having to remind the kids not to pick them up.

I also have not been enjoying saying farewell to so many friends. (Or "'til we meet again" as I prefer.) It has been such a blessing to make so many wonderful friends in the year we have lived in Heidelberg.  

So,  now you know a little of what we have been up to this month... 

302nd MI Hail and Farewell

Heidelberg Spouses Club Luncheon- "Run for the Roses"

It was so much fun to have a special day like this and get so dressed up-hats and all!

Boxes,,, boxes EVERYWHERE!!

I always think this is the craziest way to carry a big box!

Heidelberg Half Marathon

I did it!  

I made it all the way!  A half marathon, 21 km, 13.1 miles!

Up mountains, down mountains, past creeks, across  bridges, down the hauptstrasse and into the arms of my husband.

I loved running this race!  It was so much fun.  I had lots of challenges preparing for it,  a fractured toe, blisters, and "life".  But somehow, I was able to over come it all and complete this race!

One HUGE thing that helped was all the support of our friends.  It was so incredible to come running down the street to see them cheering, waving pom-poms and holding up signs.  It was an amazing feeling, and I am so grateful they were there and brought our babies along to cheer!

The kids are a huge reason for my running.  I want to have a long life and be able to keep up with them for a long time to come.  In my little running group there was the sweetest little old man, he must have been at least 75, and he was so nice and encouraging.  

This run was beautiful.  We started out running through the streets downtown, then across the Alte Brucke (old bridge), through some neighborhoods then UP to Philosophers Weg.  That was quite the climb,  it was like running up stairs!  But it was beautiful.  The most amazing thing though, was when I got to the top the song on my IPod was "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.  That was quite a moment...   Then we ran down the hill, past some streams and then up to again..  to the Castle, another awesome view.  Finally, we came running down the Haupt Strasse to more cheering crowds.

Crossing the finish line!

Wow!  

What a great feeling! 

I was so happy to see Aaron there waiting for me!

I couldn't help but burst into tears (you know me...).

I was so happy that I had done it! 

I RAN A HALF MARATHON!

After I got a long hug from Aaron I ran over to my biggest little fans!

I was so proud of them for being there for me, and cheering so loud!

It is a moment I will never forget!

(but I would like to forget about these blisters!)

2009 Season Opener

August had his first T-ball game of the season today.  He and his team did really well.  August had two hits and made five outs at first base.  Everyone had a lot of fun.

GO RED SOX!
"Good Game!  Good Game!  Good Game!"
August made a nice hit...

..Made it to First Base (eventually got as far as third)

(I am not sure why this pictures never post in the order I want them in!  It is different everytime!)

First Step to the USA

WELL...

Today, Aaron sent the Saab on its way.  It will be sent by Saab, to Baltimore, then to the closest dealership in DC.  Aaron tells me it was an incredibly easy process.  I am not surprised, given the amount of love and TLC he has given his car over the last 3 years. 

So, here we are... One step on our way the US!

August took some pictures while he helped his Papa prepare the Saab for shipping.

Garmish and Linderhof Castle

Aunt Holly, Owen and I also took a little trip to Bavaria this week.  We went to Garmish and to Linderhof Castle.  After all the warm weather we had in Heidelberg, we were surprised to see so much snow still on the mountains.  It was still fairly warm there and we had lots of sun.  

We came home through Austria and drove through the mountains and around Planersee, which is a beautiful green lake.  It was a really beautiful trip.