End of a chapter

It is really hard to believe we are almost at the end of our time here in Germany! We have had some really good times here along with some very frustrating times, too. I decided to homeschool this school year and it is going pretty well. The kids seem to do well and we are still deciding on whether we will continue when we get to TX.
We have a week before they come and pick up our furniture. That is when I think it will definitely hit that we are leaving. I am looking forward to being back Stateside but I have to admit I am a little scared too. One, we will be in an area of the country that none of us have really been to, second we have been out of the country going on 2 years. It is going to be awkward getting used to TX. I fully expect for us to go through a culture-shock when we get there.
One thing I am looking forward to is getting into a church. We have been starved here. It is really hard to find a good church in the States, but here it is impossible. We are beyond desperate for fellowship with other believers and the Word.
On another note, Germany has decided to give us more snow than we have ever seen for our last winter here. I got out to take a few pictures this morning. It really is beautiful but I don't like getting out in it. While our dog Tank loves it, I am looking forward to warmer weather!!
This has been quite a journey here and I am looking forward to the next chapter in this blessed life I have!

Germany

So it has been awhile since I have posted on here. Lots has happened in over a year. The biggest thing is that we are in Germany!! It took quite a lot to get here. We have had paperwork issues and other various obstacles that would drive anyone crazy! I was beginning to think we would never get here.

Phil is finishing up his 2nd deployment. It will be great to have him with us again!! I am so excited! The kids are too. Jessie has already said he is taking to long to get here.

We are planning to go see some castles when Phil gets home. He has waited to go see most of the stuff b/c he was waiting for us to get here. Well now it is our turn to wait. It won't be too long though. :)

We have gone to Amberg, a couple of weekends ago. It was fun except there were 6 kids and two adults. It was a little crazy. We ate lunch at the bakery. It was very good. The kids got to paint plastic ducks for charity and I got to go shoe shopping for Michael. All in all it was a great trip. It was fun trying to find a parking area that would fit our Explorer. Germans drive little cars. Of course, gas is really expensive here.

I am looking forward to getting to explore this great country. It is beautiful here.

That is all I can write for now. I will try to explain more later and add pictures too!

God Strong

My friend Sara Horn has written a new book called "God Strong: A Military Wife's Spiritual Survival Guide" She is a really good writer and this book helps put into perspective whose strength we can rely on in this military life.

We are expected to deal with separations, deployments, PCS moves, etc... If we try to take all this on ourselves we will very quickly become overwhelmed. GOD never meant for us to rely on ourselves. It is my His strength that we can endure and enjoy the blessings along with the struggles.

I recommend to any military wife to check out this book. It is available on Amazon.com and if it isn't already it will be available in bookstores February 15th. Please check it out! You will not be disappointed!

Running

I decided I needed a stress relieving outlet. Well my sister in-law Katherine is currently doing this program C25K which is a 9 week running/walking program designed to have you being able to run a 5k at the end. I have been doing it with her for about 2 weeks now. I have been improving each time I go but I am horribly out of shape. My goal is not a 5k but I do want to be able to get into shape and also go running with Phil. I probably won't be able to keep up with him but it would be nice to try.

My knees, ankles, and shins hurt. All that aside though I do enjoy running. I think it is knowing that I have exerted energy in a positive way and also having someone to do it with. Plus it has allowed me and the kids to spend more time with Clayton, Katherine and kids.

Breather

Wow it has been a while since I have been on here. Let's see Phil has graduated bootcamp and is now stationed in Germany. I have packed the whole house and we have done the paperwork even fixing some over and over. We are hoping to get over there soon. Of course since it is a government operation nothing goes the way you want it to. I really want to get over there soon so we can start getting adjusted and also spend as much time with Phil as possible before the upcoming deployment. I am starting to get used to the "hurry up and wait" game. It is improving my patience. I will just be happy to get out of being surrounded by boxes. Oh well, for now I will go back to waiting.

I am a person who thinks alot, perhaps too much sometimes. I know that Satan has taken the opportunity on several ocassions to put doubt and fear in my head. I know that God is in control and he is watching over me and my family. I wish I was a stronger person to deal with things. I know that the direction we are going in is right but I feel overwhelmed. I sometimes feel that maybe we should just play it safe and we will be ok. I don't know what God has in store for me and my family, but I know the man I married and we will never take the "safe" road. I have a feeling that I could get so much more out of life if I just relied on God and let Him take full control of everything in my life.

I feel so overwhelmed, confused, and just lost. I know it sounds weird but it is hard to think clearly sometimes. The worst part is that I don't think I can talk to anyone and tell them everything I feel. I try to pray but that is hard too. I don't know, hopefully one of these days it will get better.

School

Well tomorrow is registration day!! My son will be in 1st grade! How crazy is that?!? I am hoping that he has a good teacher. I know he will learn a whole lot. It is amazing to me how quickly he is growing. He is a lot like his father. He is very smart. It amazes me how much he knows and how his mind works. If he doesn't let things frustrate him, he is going to be an excellent student. Just hope that I can be the parent he needs to help him in whatever he needs.

My mom is coming to registration tomorrow morning. I am happy she wants to be involved. She is not around a whole lot so I am happy she wants to be involved. Here's hoping for a good day tomorrow. 1st grade here we come!