Less than 200 days

I just had to post that it is less than 200 days til we see Daddy again. Even though 200 days still sounds like to many, at least it is not 365 days! Have to think positive :) I am just looking forward towards coming back to Florida the end of June for a month!!!!!

I have never really thought to much about Memerial Day until this year. I really do not like this Holiday I have come to realize. The reason for this is I keep seeing things on TV about wives that have lost their husbands at war and how they remember their soldier, not my favorate thing to think about.

Our first bike ride

I got a bike trailer for Dane's bike last October but never used it because it got to cold outside. I finally got it hooked onto the bike and went out. I was SO tired afterwards, but Devin loved it. Here are some picture we took while I took a break!

This week

Within a few days, we have been in Germany for 1 year. I can not believe it. Time flies...deployment needs to also!! I live and breath Army now so forgive me. One thing I remember when I first got here was the wonderful fields of yellow flowers. I love it! Here is a picture I finally got since I had to slow down driving. It was a cloudy day but you can see all the yellow.
April is the month for Military kids, so they had a kinderfest! There was much more, but I did not take pictures of everything. Here is Devin on a pony.

Always have to have the bouncies!

Military dog

They had a little parade on Post

Beginning of parade

I have a weakness!

I do not know why, but I have such a hard time letting people help me. I guess I want to be super woman and do it all. I think I feel a little scared to rely on someone else even if it is a one time help. I really do not know why I am this way. A family from church offered to come and help me in my huge yard this weekend. It almost stressed me out all week thinking about it. Why?? I just wanted to call them and say, "my yard is not bad please do not waist your time to come over." But "NO" my husband talked me out of it! I kept my mouth shut and let them come. I could have never gotten all that work done by myself. They cleaned up things I would have never bothered with, but it looks so much better. Maybe this is what they call "good stress." I am thankful for the members of my ward and all they do to help each other as a ward family. Thank you :)

Devin

I have to say something weird is going on with Devin. He is actually helping me more. I asked him to do something and he actually does it, very weird for Devin. I normally have to tell him like 5 times before he would do something of me. He is such a helper with Jarom. I see him do the same as I do with Jarom to calm him down, so cute. I put my hand on Jarom's face and say, "it's okay." Devin has the same, so funny! Watching Devin be so gentle is very weird! I think having siblings might be a good thing for Devin or maybe he is finally growing up!

April 19

Today marks 1 year since Dane and I have been sealed in the Temple for All Time and Eternity! I am so happy to be with him and to have my family together forever. If he was just home, that would be better. I feel like the deployment keeps going and going and going and going with no end and its not even half way yet :(

I went to a Volunteer lunch and we all got a certificate of Appreciation. It was nice to be thanked!

Devin has started baseball for the first time, so cute in his uniform.

Easter Fun!

Devin is in the middle with the red hat, racing off to get Easter eggs.

Jarom did not like the Easter bunny. An Hawaiian girl here gave me a flower to wear around my ear. I thought Easter was a good time to wear it.

Sunday morning, ready for church

Resurrection Cookies
1 c whole pecans
1 t vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c sugar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. (this in important - don't wait until you are halfway done with the recipe!) Place pecans in a zipper bag and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered ookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!

Spring Time is Here in Germany!

My new tradition: Have to have Lillies for Easter!

I have plants and flowers grow all in my yard I did not even know I had! They are so pretty.

I did not know I had this pretty white flower tree!

I had to get plants for my window boxes!

I am really enjoying spring time here since the Winters are so grey. It is like 60 degrees and sunny now. Anyone want to visit me in Germany now???

"Junior Heroes"

Monday my kids were"Junior Heroes." They got to make "Dog Tags", make a pillow case for Daddy, make a video, and T-shirts with Daddy on them. It was all free! I hope you enjoy sleeping on our pillow case Daddy!!

This weekend!

As Melody would call me "goofy" I ordered Daddy Dolls for the kids to remember DADDY. Jarom was so cute hugging his Daddy Doll and he even said "daddy" one time for me. It was great!

We are back from our mini vacation from Garmicsh and the weather was perfect, maybe 60 degrees, sunny skies the entire time!

Below is the restaurant we ate at for every meal, really cool place.

Devin near the front of the Resort with a nice view with the ski lift in the background

Devin's funest place, the pool

Below is the view as I walked over to the PX. Army wives seem to love going to the PX!

Anther view as I walked.

So Cute!

I went into Jarom's room to wake him up so I could take Devin to the bus for school and this is how I found him.

I thought it was so cute with his arms up and showing some chest! Of course after the flash on the camera, he woke up.

I will post some pictures after I get back from Garmisch, Germany vacation!