4 am wakeup... on a Monday!

Totally had grand plans for today. Was taking kiddos to school and then hit the gym. Then nothing. There is some paperwork that needs to be dealt with at home and some laundry to finish.

Instead- my cell rang at 4:03am. I have been keeping my phone in my room for the last two weeks cause my neighbor Melissa is due on March 1. I am responsible for her kiddos when they head to the hospital. So- when the phone rang- I knew it was game time!

She was having contractions every 3-4 minutes. This is baby #4 for her- so you knew it would be fast once it started.

Our house is a duplex of sorts... with a common utility room downstairs. So we can go back and forth without having to go outside. So I knew her kiddos get up at 5:45... so I headed over there about 5:30. I got her kiddos ready and brought them to my house about 6:30.

Happy big brother and sisters!

Then the five kiddos and I headed out about 7:10. I dropped the three oldest at the bus stop and brought my youngest and her youngest to the daycare.

Then headed in to see this precious little thing!

Lexi Briley C. was born at 5:55am on Feb. 27, 2012 at the Ansbach Klinikum. Melissa was hoping to not have a leap year baby- so at least she got her wish!

She is in the room that I was in after having Carter there in 2010! So cool!!!

As much as a 4am wakup stinks- what better way can you start a week??

Coffee shop mornings

Sitting in a coffee shop brings about a lot of fun discoveries and observations. Maybe even more so in a foreign country. Usually two of my girlfriends and I meet at our favorite coffee place once in awhile to chat. I tend to come early on those mornings and have alone time... Sit and read or just people watch...

Some fun things from this morning....

...people will actually sit outside in the rain to be able to smoke! Craziness...

...apparently, disco music is still HUGE here. Cause a song came on and one of the baristas rushed over and turned it up... And then two of the, proceeded to dance around. Honestly, I only knew it was disco music because she said it and apparently disco is the same in English and German

...German dogs are so much better behaved. They sit outside the door waiting for their owners...usually not even on a leash!

...something about sitting in a coffee shop... Makes me more introspective. Certain songs can come on and it can make my eyes watery:( Maybe cause it is the only time I have to myself, lol. The rest of the week I am chasing a toddler...

...a cake in a German bakery may look sweet but typically is not (by American standards)....

...how a place can become such a piece of your heart. Just over a year left here and I am ready to head back to the states... But I will miss this place. I have spent sooo much time here with friends... Friends who have already left. One table makes me think of countless mornings last deployment with T. I look out at the patio furniture and think of when B told us she was preggo. Or where C unwrapped presents for his first birthday from T and N. or the mornings with N and K...chatting about our fertility issues. This is the last place I saw G and B.... Ugh... So many awesome memories!

...how Germans eat some weird stuff for breakfast! I have seen boiling pots of liquids holding huge sausages that look uncooked (I know they are though). But I know I will miss the bread,cheese,meat breakfast option...

...they are not here today but usually there are the clubbers crashed out on the outside seating...sipping coffee, getting some bread in their systems. All curled up in the blankets they put out there...and totally just laid out!
I will post this but add some pictures later... Cause it needs pictures!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Fischer Brot Haus... Ansbach Germany

Randomness

I love random bits of info about people. I am soooo one of those people that likes the "fill in the blank" question surveys that go around. How fun is it to find out the random things about others?

So- I will link with Cait over at Fit, Fierce and Fabulous...

1- I love water. Seriously. Sometimes with Crystal Lite in it (only the lemonade, orange or wild strawberry flavors though). Sometimes I drink so much throughout the day- I end up with an upset stomach. I seriously have a TON of water bottles. Yet I still buy cases of the tall Smart Water Bottles. Did I mention that we have bottled water delivered from Culligan every other week...

Just some of the bottles we have... I actually have two in my bedroom right now!

2- I love One Tree Hill!! I am too old for it. But honestly- it is "that" show. You know the one. The one you cannot miss. And heaven forbid I do miss it- I download it on iTunes!

I totally adore Sophia Bush. I could totally stand being married to Nathan Lafferty. I thought that when Lucas and Peyton left- I would not enjoy it anymore but honestly- I like the current cast even better!!!

3- I have a degree in Sociology from UNC-P. Not what I wanted. I was 5 classes and my student teaching away from my Elementary Ed degree when we got orders to Europe. I did not want to switch schools (again), so I went to my advisor and said, "What can I finish completely online from here." Sociology. I toy with going for my Masters- since I could then have a degree in something I want (School Counseling). Yet, with a deployment coming, two kids and a move back to the states in a year- seems super daunting.

4.Everytime we go back to the states to visit- I am SO excited. Then after a few weeks and we return here... I vow to not go back until at least a year later. I am SO over traveling and living out of suitcases and rushing around to see everyone. So- when we came home after our 5 week trip to NC and California in Nov/Dec... I was not planning on returning til next Thanksgiving... but I am feeling that itch!!! I wanna see my mom and dad. I wanna go running with my BFF. I wanna hug some babies that were just born... I will have to hold off til summer regardless but I wanna go home!!!

Friday Confessions

Yay for the weekly Mamarazzi link up!

I Confess....

I have these grand plans that when my new desktop computer comes in- I will get my office set up. It will finally give me a place for organization of bills, paperwork, etc...

I will probably spend too much time on the computer now.

I Confess....

I am looking forward to having the area all set up before hubby leaves. When he is gone- once the kiddos are in bed- I like to go to my room. I hate sitting downstairs by myself. So- having the office set up in our room in the nook- will be perfect. I will have the tv and computer all in one room.

Recipe for laziness...

I Confess....

I have been really wanting to get out and run. I have the desire. But that desire always comes when I know it is not possible. Convenient right??

For instance... driving down the road. Or lying in bed at 11pm. Or when C is napping.
Of course- running cannot happen at any of these moments.

Do I run when it is possible to? No.

I Confess....

Today I have eaten like crap. I started good with some egg whites and a thin whole wheat bagel with WW cream cheese.

Then it was followed with two cake cookies and a HUGE bowl of ice cream. Yeah- not good people.

Can I mention something though?? No candy. So technically- I am still following my vow of no candy. Lol

I Confess....

I love my kiddos but absolutely adore my own time!! I look forward to the four hours in the morning that I get to myself. Hais is at the bus stop at 7:25 and C is dropped at school at 7:30. Then I am on my own til 11:30.

Honestly though- it is not like I sit down and eat ice cream every morning (well- not normally)... and watch Dr Phil. This time is filled with mommy duties... I usually try to rush them though (so I can watch Dr Phil!)

Next year- C will go to school for two more hours!! So exciting!

Lil Bits of Happiness

I love Stephanies new link up- the Happiness List! Days get crazy and weeks are gone before I know it... so this is a fantastic way to appreciate the little things that make me happy throughout the week!

An empty waiting room at a Dr appt... when it is normally packed!

Snow covered road in my neighborhood!

Seeing my hubby look at me like this after 12 years of marriage! ( Read this post for info on why we look like vampires!)

Spur of the moment friend dinners... beer/wine/board games!

Red wine. No kids. Good friend.

Coffee shop. Cappuchino. My favorite magazine ever. (No kids. Again)

Such a fun link. Thanks Stephanie!

Saying No-No-No...

For the next thirty days...

*I am saying no-no-no to candy and soda.

*I am doing the 30 day Shred... Not sure I can commit to 30 days straight but the plan is to do it AT LEAST 5 out of 7 days of the week...

*I just had to put that in writing. Somewhere. For someone to read. Accountability people!

*I am interested to see what changes happen in the next 30 days... I will keep you updated!

Ball der Vampire Wrapup!

I cannot believe I actually went. Even as we were driving the two hours to Heidelberg- I was trying to think of a rational way out of it. Me? Dressed as a Vampire? SO not me. Yet- I went...

Know what? It was one of the funnest nights of my life.

The story behind it- it is Fasching season here in Germany right now. Basically- German Halloween. So- this is Heidelbergs grownup Halloween Party. They have the theme of a Vampire Ball but as you will see- there were plenty of other costumes there.

The venue was the KongressHall of Heidelberg. A historic building set down on the river. There were so many rooms with things happening- I am not sure we saw it all. This is the main ballroom- with an awesome band!! There was a second floor that overlooked the dance floor. It was crowded! It was also creepy to look up and see "vampires" looking down on you! lol

I took some pictures of my favorite costumes of the night. It was so neat that there we were- in Germany- at a German event- and everyone was sooo friendly! Not to say Germans are not friendly--- btu it was so cool to feel sooo comfortable!

The girl above on the right was one of my favorites. Her dress was stunning!

These women were a part of a huge group. Their dresses were simply stunning.


I love this picture of Lee and I. He is looking at me so sweetly!!

Fun story about this one. Wendy and I were in the bathroom. Wendy was still in the stall but this girl walked in and her outfit was SOOO amazing that I made Wendy open her stall door and hand me her camera cause I had to have a picture of this costume. So this is totally a bathroom picture! lol

Creepy right? He has a "zipper" face!

Just pretty! Check out her ears!

Lee and I were sad that we have been here for three years and missed the opportunity to go to this before. Lee may be here or may not be here next year. Either way- I am going to this again. It may actually be fun with a big group of girls!!

It is funny- this is SO not something Lee and I would ever have imagined us doing. Yet we did. It was fantastic!!

One-Two-Three glasses a night?

Some observations as of late...

*I look forward to my wine all day. I look forward to dinner time when I can casually have a glass while standing in the kitchen.

* I find myself having not one- not two- but three or so glasses a night. Bring on the Reisling, White Zin, Pinot... whats-ever we have...

*I actually found myself text messaging the hubby from our bedroom on the third floor to the living room on the first floor- Bring more wine.

*Not only do I like how I feel- but I am liking different wines. I have always been strictly a sweet white girl. Now I like it all. The other night when out with Kim for dinner- I enjoyed two glasses of a dry,earthy red wine. It was fantastic!!

*I do not NEED the drink but I look forward to it. Lee has always been the person who liked a glass or two a few nights a week. Not me. Until. Now.

*I have learned it makes me more lovable and emotional too. My BFF called tonight. We had a normal conversation. Other than me telling her that I wished more than anything that I was there with her. These are the moments that I realize how much I am missing right now. I am missing out on daily life. That is the stuff that stinks. I love my hubby. I love what our life entails- supporting our country with everything we have. We give up so much. We lose daily life with friends, family and best friends. Our children give up super close relationships with grandparents. It stinks. Listening to her talk about life makes me miss her even more.

*Clearly- three glasses of wine makes me the "emotional one." Lol...

*Heading to bed- early morning tomorrow- night all!

How Pinteresting!

Lets link up!!!

via pinterest via here

via pinterest via here

via pinterest via here

via pinterest via here

via pinterest via here

via pinterest via here

“Send gratitude to your physical body for taking care of you on this earth… Knowing that if you take care of yourself you are so much more able to take care of others. Bow your head to your heart. [...]Let a sea of gratitude come flooding in your minds eye.”

Move it Monday....Ummm...Tuesday I mean!

Sadly- I cannot say that I have moved it much this last week. Other than a few laps I did at Spouses' Club Bingo last week between the table I was at and the wine bar- and walking around Prague... not much to report!

I have had grand plans. I bought new shoes. I bought new running pants and an awesome running top that will keep me plenty warm outside... But how do you get motivated to run outside when the high this week was 21. I lie- right now we are having a heat wave- it is 32... But did I mention the 3 inches or so of snow on the ground? I am "that person" that will eat it on the trails in this weather!

Please come Spring! Please. I long for the early morning runs I was doing last year... Walking out the door at 530am... turning on my music and getting lost in mommy time for at least an hour. Then being able to walk back in the door at 630 and go wake up my kiddos. Those were the best days. I was awake and motivated. I was such a happier momma than the momma now- who is pulling herself outta bed at 630- trying to get motivated to greet the kiddos with a smile!

I need to get out there again. I am that person though that needs to work out first thing in the morning. Otherwise- I am busy (i.e. making excuses) all day long. And no way I can do it in the evening.

I best get motivated... I have a 10k in Bad Windsheim in March. A 1/2 in Bad Durkheim in April and a 10K I want to do here in Ansbach in May... so bring on the motivation!

Any tricks- tips to running in the freezing cold/snow??

Quick overnight trip...

After being home all week with lil man- on Friday night... I decided we needed to do something fun over the weekend. I looked at some various zoos and such and then somehow ended up on booking.com...

Found such an awesome deal on a 2BR apartment in Prague (one of my favorite cities EVER)... that I booked it. It was 9pm Friday night when we decided to head to Prague the next day.
My absolute favorite section of the city is the Jewish Quarter. Not only is it full of amazing history and buildings but it is just beautiful. It is only a 3 hr drive- so we were there and checked into the apartment by lunch time.
We then headed to TGI Fridays... yummy American food!! Yay!

3/4 of the fam with Prague Castle across the river...
We have been to Prague before- so we were not interested in touring. The Castle is amazing but it is also like 500 steps to get up to it... not fun! lol

So- we walked around the city and stumbled upon the Lego Museum. For the equivalent of $20- the entire family got to come in from the cold and tour tthe museum...

After a yummy dinner at the Hard Rock- we walked to the Old Town Square. The kids ran around- while Lee and I sipped on some hot mulled wine... So amazing. To sit in the middle of this historic square and watch the kiddos play... These are the moments we will miss when we return to the U.S.

The next morning we had breakfast at a little place called Ebel Cafe. Totally one of those places that you question from the outside. When we went in though- so charming! The best croissants... toast... hot chocolate for the kiddos...

And a yummy hot tea with milk- that brought back memories of sitting in the B&B in York England.

My boys...

My second favorite part of the city- Charles Bridge. Usually it is lined with artists- that have the most amazing work! We were there too early though... so we just enjoyed the view!

Look at the steam coming off the water. It was probably 16 degrees outside...

Oh- and the BEST part of going to Prague...

These amazing beauties!

I absolutely love them. I cannot wait to go back and get more. These are all going to some very awesome ladies...

I will miss being able to overnight trip to other countries...

Prague- I adore you! I will hopefully see you Memorial Day Weekend!!!

How Pinteresting!

via pinterest via here

I do not know what I love more in this outfit- the killer heels or the bag. Or maybe it is the laid back looking top that is dressed up with the heels and bag?? Anyhow- love it!

via pinterest via here

What woman doesn't agree with this??

via pinterest via here

I made these suckers for Hailee's class for Valentines Day. Super easy and super cute!

via pinterest via here

Awesome way to display your kiddos artwork. That piece of scribbled paper that you cannot bear to part with? Now it can be a part of your living room!



via pinterest via here

I am always watching my phone while I am on the treadmill- hoping it won't go flying off in the middle of my run. How cute is this?? If only I had even basic sewing skills!

via pinterest via here


White, Clean, greens, browns, organization. Perfect!

via pinterest via here

I have done 7.7. Over halfway. Hoping to accomplish this in May, here in the Ansbach Run. Then again back home in Sacramento in December!

via pinterest via here

This makes me smile. It makes me think of my daughter and all the many things I want to teach her and tell her...

via pinterest via here

This is perfect... totally describes my son to a tee! How awesome!


Thanks for following!

I love this weekly link up with The Vintage Apple...

Go check it out!