The Week of Laughter

Jennifer and Michaele's trip was non-stop laughter. This country is even more beautiful with all the lights and decorations. We went to Trier, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Worms and Belgium. Trier really has the better Christmas Market, but I think Rothenburg's is the oldest. If my memory is correct is has been going on every year since the middle ages. All the churches smelled wonderful with the fresh trees and greenery inside. It was truly a sight to behold.

A life-size pyramid whose base is a store (Trier)

The girls outside Kathe Wohlfarht's (Rothenburg)

We also we to Bruge, Belgium via train. It took us 6 hours to get there and 6 hours back, all to spend 4 hours at the Ice and Snow Festival. This year's theme was inspired by Harry Potter. There were wizards and dragons. I am amazed at how talented these artists really are. 40 artists sculpted the event on ice brought in from Iceland.

I was sad to see them go, but I am glad they had a great time.

Time for a little celebration...

I just got my grade for my Economics class that had me frazzled all semester...drum roll...I got an A!!! I can't believe it. I have been working on that class since August. It feels so good to have it behind me. Of course, I would not have been able to do it without awesome editing from Becca and Jason. Becca really worked extra hard on this one, as I had a tendency just to quote and as she says...just not enough of me in it. Well, she has once again helped me. I am going to have to do something extra special for her. She is even helping me on my last paper for the semester while tending to a teething child and being pregnant. I swear she's super woman!

Jason has a few more weeks on mid-shift and switches. I am not sure which shift he is going to. It will either be days or swings. He also just finished his semester with at least B's - but we are waiting for the final results. All depends on the finals he took yesterday. I am sure he did fine. He is smart. I am just glad he is continuing his pursuit of a degree.

I have been blessed to keep in touch with our friends we made in Ireland and had a nice lunch with some of them when I was in Wiesbaden. Sad news...they all will be gone by April. But I hope to get to see them again before they leave.

Also, please pray for my job opportunity. I am hoping to know something by the end of the year. I am still in the running which is fantastic and I heard about it through another friend we made in Ireland. The job will be in Kaiserslautern, so just a quick 15 minute drive. If I can just get in the door I know I can land it.

Other than that, I am preparing for my cousin's visit and totally stoked she is coming. It will be non-stop laughter the entire time she is here, especially since she is bringing Michael. Michael has been her friend for as long as I can remember and she is just a doll. I haven't seen her since Jennifer's wedding and I absolutely love her!

Everyone has been asking when we are going to make an appearance state-side. No tickets have been booked, but it is looking like May or July. More likely July. I promise to tell everyone as soon as something is confirmed.

I love hearing from all of you and hope you will post a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

Swimming Adventure

So Becca deserves the best friend of the year award! She has been awesome with her wonderful morale boosts and support. Friday night, Blake watched Cara so Becca and I could go out for our monthly Bingo. Which we skipped and opted for a little shopping at one of my favorite stores, Mobil Martin. This is a three-story furniture and decorations store. It had not donned on me the store would have its' christmas decorations out. It was magical!!

Saturday was extra fun...I finally checked out the new indoor pool at Ramstein. It was fantastic and only cost $3! It looked to be Olympic size and there was a separate kid pool area with about the same size pool and with a crazy slide that winded all around. Becca was kind enough to go with me and take Cara for a try at a public pool. She did wondeful and had so much fun. Kicking her little legs. It felt so good to swim a few laps and watch Cara having fun. We are going back tomorrow with another friend and her son. I am hoping I am not sore tomorrow.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I had more than plenty to be thankful for, but the most important was I didn't have to cook a full meal :) !

We were fortunate enough to be invited to friends house to celebrate Thanksgiving. There was about 16 of us and it was a nice relaxing evening.

Cara, also had a good time eating all the delicious food

The rest of the weekend was filled with me working non-stop on a paper for my Economics class. This was the most difficult paper I've ever written. Econ in undergrad was study and test there was no paper writing, so while I understand what is going on - putting it into words for a paper was an overwhelming tast. Thankfully, my wonderful editor did an awesome job giving me the energy and thoughts needed to get it finished.

To thank Becca and her smart brain, I took her to dinner at the Wooden Spoon tonight. She could have picked anywhere, but Canneloni was what she craved. Cara came along for the ride and had a fabulous time showing Aunt Kimmy how to eat spaghetti.

I only have one more paper, that is due on the 14th, and then I am finished for the semester.

I am hoping to start getting the tree up soon. It will be up for when Jennifer and Michael come to visit. I am so excited to see both of them and feel blessed they are coming all the way over here to spend some time with me during the most magic time of the year.

I hope everyone is doing well and having a fantastic holiday season!

Welcome little one

We are pleased to announce Jess, Becca's sister, had her baby Sunday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away and I am no where near ready for Christmas.

Last week I had a Career Development class in Wiesbaden. This time I stayed in the entire week there instead of driving back and forth. I learned last time that I waste too much time on the road. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good night's sleep the entire week. My room was underneath offices and the lady up there loved to walk as loudly as possible in her high heels. One morning there was even a fire alarm. I have to admit. I didn't take it very seriously since I was still lounging in my PJs. I called down to the front desk to inquire if it was real. It was not. I guess if no one had answered the phone I would have gotten out of there. I always wondered if they did fire alarm tests in hotels, now I have my answer.

I have until the 30th to write and send my econ paper. This one is proving to be a bear. Mostly due to time constraints, but where there is a will there is a way.

Jason had some nice alone time with me away. He was able to work on his school work and continue the bonding process with the cat.

Facebook is proving to be detrimental to getting things accomplished around here. Monday night I spent an hour chatting with an old friend from college instead of working on my take home final. However, reconnecting with an old friend was good food for my soul.

Thursday we have been blessed to attend a Thanksgiving feast at a friend's house. I am so glad I do not have to cook this year. To be honest, I don't think I would have the time and it would be just a tv dinner. Jason is happy he gets real food.

I only have a total of two papers to write and I am finished for the semester. Please keep my sanity in your prayers.

I wish everyone a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Getting ready for the season!

We have been extremely busy this past week. Jason has been working and I've been studying. I leave Tuesday for Wiesbaden. I learned from my last trip that it's easier to stay the whole week up there then drive back and forth. Unfortunately, because I am not on orders, I have to play it day by day. But I was able to reserve the weekend no problem. Please pray that they aren't over-booked and I can stay the whole week.

We have started cleaning up the house so we can start decorating for Christmas. Jason is getting anxious to put the tree up and has even offered to shampoo the carpets to help get the house ready. Personally, I really can't imagine having the tree up before Thanksgiving, but it's not too far away, so it will be fine.

We have been invited to attend our friend's Thanksgiving Meal. This is perfect for us. With Jason on mids and me in school I was dreading all the cooking, but now we can both sit back and enjoy.

We are wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have many things to be thankful for!

We're a sickly crew....

This week was not our best week. First Jason got extremely sick and even had to miss a day of work. He was so upset. He has not missed a day of work in 10 years. But, it was best that he wasn't getting everyone else at work sick.

However, he did finally learn to share, by sharing his virus with me. So then I had my round of it and now I'm left with just a runny nose and a cough which is normal for me this time of year. I am just grateful that it didn't hold me back from class this week.

This week was my ECON class. All that's left is a paper and it will finally be behind me. I will be so glad when it's all over. I've been studying it since August and I'm about all Econ out.

I have this week off to prepare for my next class, the following week. This time I head back to Wiesbaden. Unfortunately, Jason will have four days off during that time. So he will at least go and spend one day with me up there and then spend the rest back at the house working on his school work. We just seem to stay two ships passing in the night. Luckily all will get better in December. YAY FOR DECEMBER!!!

Jason seems to be plugging right along and is not nearly as stressed out as I am. I don't know how he goes to work and school without being a basket case.

Other than that we are still alive and doing well.

Becca's Exciting News!!

So Becca had her doctor's appointment today. She is having a...drumroll...BOY! His name is David Alexander Henry. They will call him Alex. Both Jason and I are so excited she is having a boy. We both kept trying to tell her we thought this one was not another girl. We are excited they will have one of each.

We are moving a little slowly this week. Jason is working mids and I am trying to gear up for my ECON class which starts next week. I have so many theories swirling around in my head, I am having a hard time keeping them straight.

It is official... I filled out the paperwork to change my major yesterday. If I get accepted, I will have a double masters. One in Human Relations and one in International Relations. Say some prayers they will let me into the IR program.

Michelle has made it home from the hospital with Robbie. It looks like things are going well for her. And it seems Emma Clare is doing well with having a little brother and is helping her mom out.

Jessica, Becca's sister, is due in two weeks, but there is some talk she may go this week. She is also having a boy, Matthew. Which means Alex and Matthew will only be a few months apart and should be great friends! We are praying that she has a smooth delivery!

Our nephew, Christian, is beginning to talk and is saying mama and dada. It won't be long until we can teach him to say Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Jason. We can't wait to hear those words out of his mouth.

Our prayers are going out to all of our friends and family. May God keep you safe and we hope to see everyone soon!

Addicted to Facebook

I am finding it hard to study since I discovered Facebook. What a fantastic web-site! I can play games with friends and find people I haven't heard from in years. For instance, I am incredibly happy tonight, because I finally found my long, lost friend Janey Stoddard. Janey was a friend of mine from high school and I haven't spoken with in almost a decade. It was so good to hear her sweet little voice! Yay for Facebook and finding long, lost friends!

Papers, Papers, Papers

Since Monday I have been working on nothing but papers to finish up my class. I had to write three of them. Finally my last one is in my editors hands, Becca. Without her I would be lost. Reviewing is not one of my strong points.

Jason is a little under the weather from the Flu Mist. But he gets to spend the weekend recovering.

Becca stopped by today so I could see Cara in her Halloween outfit. She's just so cute. The monkey outfit is perfect for her since she is constantly pulling up and climbing on everything.

Here's a picture of Becca and and the little monkey:

Welcome to the World Robert Doepke, Jr. !!!

So our house is buzzing this morning. We just were informed that our friend Michelle delivered her baby on Wednesday.

She writes:

"We welcomed baby Robbie into the world today at 1:49pm. He is a beautiful young man. He weighed in at 9 pounds and 10 ounces and is 21 inches long. Daddy and Nana were wonderful coaches along with our nurse and doctor and Mommy did it without an epidural!! We are all doing great."

We are so relieved everything went so well for her!

Book Fair Pics

As you know, I was able to attend the World's Largest Book Trade Fair on Sunday in Frankfurt. I now have a little more information about the event. Originally, the Fair was held in Leipzig, but when Germany split it was moved to Frankfurt. There are over 900 vendors that attended this event each year. The doors are only open to the public on the last day and the expected 40,000 people on Sunday. Some of the vendors were willing to sell their books at half-price so they don't have to pack them up and take them back. I only bought one book. It is a book on prophets and the guy sold it to me for 20 euros. It normally sells for 40. It's a nice coffee table book and I look forward to reading it when I have some downtime. Luckily it was in English. There was one book I really wanted to buy about the Google Empire, but it was only published in German.

Here are some pictures of the event:

The class poses outside the entrance

A vendor demonstrates an old fashion system of printing books

Dean (OU site director) and I look at art that has been painted on recycled newspapers

Dr. Solomon makes his own print on a lithograph machine

Art that looks like a book



People dressed up as their favorite Anime characters for the Comic book exhibit

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today is our 3rd anniversary. It's hard to believe it has already been 3 years and Jason is still alive. Ha, Ha. Of course I am kidding on that.

Unfortunately we both were a little preoccupied with school and sleep, but did manage to go out to dinner to celebrate.

We already bought our anniversary gift to each other when we were in Prague. We bought a nice decanter with matching glasses. We hope to be able to settle down one day and put it to use in our dream house. For now, it sits on display.

The end of the month is an exciting time for us. Becca finds out if they are having a boy or a girl and Michelle will hopefully deliver Robbie into this world (if he's finally ready to come out). We are anxiously awaiting both arrivals.

Jason has been selected to attend a Professional Development Seminar at Ramstein later this month too. There are a few of them that get to go and he is one of the lucky ones. I am extremely proud of him and all his accomplishments.

We found out the other day that our nephew Christian is talking. He is saying mama and dada. We share in his parent's excitement. We really wish we were closer to watch him grow into a young man.

Wiesbaden

This week I have been driving back and forth to Wiesbaden for an Introduction to Graduate Studies class. Wiesbaden is about an hour away from our house and it is a beautiful drive. The class is going well and I am enjoying it.

Jason has been working and going to school. Both have been a little stressful this week, but it will get better. He just took is midterms and seems to be on track to definitely pass all his classes this semester.

Sunday the class is going to hop a train to Frankfurt to attend the world's largest trade fair for books. Here's the link if you would like some more information: http://www.buchmesse.de/en/fbf/. It sounds exciting and a great way to get out of the classroom.

It will be a few days before we have anything to post, but please check back often to find out what is going on in our lives.

Invite

Many of you have now been invited to begin viewing our blog. We are still in the developing phase and did not want to wait to roll it out to everyone. Only those who have received an invitation will be able to view and read our on-line journal. I just have a problem with someone we don't know reading our thoughts and experiences. Thank you for accepting if you have choosen too.

Welcome to our new site

Welcome to our new web-site!

It is so difficult to keep up with everyone, so we thought we would give you a web-site to find information on what is going on in our world.

We will try and up-date it at least once a week, but no guarantees.

We hope each of you will take time to click on it and post a note or two.