it all happens so fast

Monday, August 12, 2024

Americans In Germany!! Day ONE

Julie Eastridge, Olivia and I jumped on a late morning flight July 24th, 2024 and landed in Frankfurt early July 25th, 2024. We had a delayed but quick flight to Dallas then a long 8 hour flight to Frankfurt. Praise God we made it on the flight out of Dallas to Frankfurt. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the 8 hour flight passed by.

I just think this looks cool

DAY ONE:

Liv and I eagerly anticipated the food and the scenery of Germany, so be prepared to see that in the next several posts. First let me talk a bit about the food. I am restricted to a gluten free diet. I have heard from many people who travel to Europe that they were able to eat gluten there without experiencing the same symptoms as eating gluten in the US. I decided to give it a try on day one. Worst case scenario, I would be sick for one day. Best case scenario, I would get to eat bread, pasta and pastries for the next 13 days with out painful consequences. And I'm so glad I did...no migraines and no vomiting.

(Not getting on my soapbox right now but seriously, the US should be ashamed of what we have allowed in our food. We are creating a chronically sick nation!)

Chicken Schnitzel: thin sliced meat, breaded and fried

I didn't know what I was ordering but it was delicious. I didn't expect fries or gravy. Julie didn't expect a salad so we made some switches. This time I was glad she has a very select palate.

Our friend Monica Hauk arrived at the airport with bottles of water (oh yeah, I like still water) and fresh picked plums and figs for us to snack on then spent the day as our personal chauffeur. Bless her!

MAINZ, GERMANY

We knew we wanted to go over to Mainz to see the Cathedral with blue windows, while we had a ride, it was the perfect time to do it. Mainz is about a 40 min drive by car but 1.5 hours by public transit and we honestly were a little nervous to jump on the buses and trains on day one. The whole inside of the building had a blue glow. St Stephan was first used in the year 990, renewed in 1338, destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt in 1959. In 1887 the Jewish artist Chagall created the world famous blue windows.

Coffee is different in Germany

I ordered an iced coffee which I thought I was getting coffee with ice in it but I got coffee with ICE CREAM in it. Well, that wasn't terrible. I would order it again!

Right behind us was a lovely pastry shop.

Olivia's first German latte

Look at this! I love the buildings

We went to several cathedrals on day one.

Why don't have I have the name of this one???

I don't remember details about this chapel other than it was down the stairs under Dom St Martins. No lights, just the one small window above the alter.

DOM ST. MARTIN

After a long day of travel and LOTS of walking, Olivia and I left Julie in the hotel and we found a little restaurant. We were both so thirsty, I could have drank 3 of these bottles of water. That would become a theme...being thirsty.

WE MADE IT TO 7PM!!! After dinner we walked back to our hotel and got ready to crash but not before I took a few moments to figure out how many hours we had been awake...over 28 hours. Did I sleep on the plane? I know I dozed off a couple times for maybe a total of 1-2 hours. What a first day and the whole time we kept saying, "I can't believe we are in Germany!"

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Germany Bound

I'm only 3 months late in posting this, I'll back date it to July even though today is actually October 19, 2024. Our summer was filled with the preparation of Olivia's departure. Honestly, the whole last semester of her senior year was filled with thoughts of picking a family, getting to know the family, getting the necessary legal documents and especially the visa. By the time I got back from taking her to Germany, school had started and the summer was over. Wow! She is gone but we had a lot of fun getting her there.

This blog post is filled with pictures of gatherings and good-byes. She had special lunch dates, coffee dates, surprise visitors and a farewell party. Our girl is loved by so many. It's so fun to watch her thrive in her element but also know that this new journey is going to be life changing.

July 24th

Here we go...Germany Bound

Lunch date with Oma

Liv loves Bella and Luna

I had a fun night with Liv, Michelle and Caitlyn making bracelets.

Liv and Kayla became BFFs at age 2.

Never ending Playdates, Sleepovers, Picnics,

Walking to school, Fights, Laughs, Dances,

Parties, Justin Bieber Fever

It's been fun to see the girls reconnect this past year.

Olivia spent every other weekend for 6-7 years volunteering in the kids area of our church. On her last Sunday I was suddenly very emotional. Just one more step closer to our girl leaving home. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for her and also just a bit sad that this chapter is closing.

The fam minus a sleeping Willow

These two are so similar. Right now the 7 year span between Em and Liv seems big. But as a mom, I see who they are, two very beautiful spirits right here.

Everyone needs wonderful neighbors!

Josh and Rosie are the best

Our adopted Emma

Addison and Liv met each other at church in the very early years

Another life long friend.

These ladies have been incredibly supportive and wonderful mentors for Olivia over the last couple years. What a blessing to have women who are willing to pour into the lives of our children

Aw Po had to get in the picture too

Big sister love

Liv just might be Auntie Holly's mini-me

Crystal and Liv can talk show choir all day long!

***Hmm, this picture got deleted and now I can't find it. I will add it later***

As I go through these pictures I realize how many of these kids have been friends for many years. Is that normal? Morgan and Liv met each other in church and then also went to the same schools. Grace and Liv met in elementary school and remained friends through out their school years. Grace ended up going to youth group with Liv. So cool.

Liv's besties and their parents

Riffles, Raabes, McAllisters, Prows

Shayla getting Facetimed in :)

One more family meal at an iconic Omaha restaurant

If you are a burger fan you gotta go to Stella's!!

Riss, another adopted daughter

Joe, the best brother she has ever had.

We are so proud of our girl!

Caitlyn and Michelle met us at the airport bright and early the day we left Omaha. Best friends who are all ready to leave the nest and do exciting things. Caitlyn off to UNL in Nebraska, Michelle to BYU in Utah and Liv headed to Germany. Their lives will change greatly over the next year. When Liv gets home in 11 months, 2 weeks and a few days they will finally have a chance to reconnect. Looking forward to the growth each of these friends experience.

We are proud of our baby girl and can't wait to watch her journey over the next year in Germany! This will be an incredible adventure for Liv but also for us. As our children grow and leave, we too must learn to live without them under our 24-hour care. You got this Girl!!!

Love you forever and ever, Mom

There are two times when parenting is very difficult. When the baby first arrives at home, and when the adult first leaves home.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Smiles and HairBows

Spending time with our baby girl is the best!

I’m going to say that again, spending time with our baby girl is the best!!

I have both the joy of helping with childcare and the privilege of spending time with this precious grandchild on Tuesdays and Fridays. Emma went back to work in late January and my hours were suppose to be 8:30am - 5pm. There has been only one day that I have stayed past noon. Ha. Cracks me up! Emma has a fantastic boss who is so understanding and accommodating. Honestly, Em doesn’t mind going home early one bit, she would love to be a stay at home mom.

So many people told me that being a grandma is better than words can express. They were 100% accurate! Seeing the smile of little Willow when I walk in the door makes everything in the world ok.

Here are a few updates…

-Little Will is 7 1/2 mos old and just broke through her first tooth, bottom left

-Little Will has started eating solids, she loves carrots and fruits. This week she showed me how much has despises peas and green beans.

-Little Will is constantly on the go, seems like she is ready to walk but not willing to even try to crawl

-Little Will loves her momma most of all and of course her daddy too but now when she sees Mimi she reaches out. That makes me feel so good

-Little Will loves her dog, Molly Moo Yesterday Molly was ignoring her and baby girl was not ok with that! I couldn’t help but crack up watching her make noises at Molly and tap her back while she was sleeping. Molly isn’t totally sold on this little human in her house but she also comes to her rescue when mama puts her in the bathtub

-Little Will is nosy, she always has to know who is talking, where Molly Moo is and what’s going on