Have Visa Will Travel

It's official....we picked up our Visa's from the Chinese Embassy in Frankfurt Friday. I am super stoked!!!

Now I just have to read two books, attend a week of class, write a 10 page paper, enjoy a visit from a friend and then pack for China.

Of course this is not to mention when we get back I have to write another 10 page paper, read a text book and attend another class. Then it will be smooth sailing until we come home in July.

I am so looking forward to having an entire month off from school!!!

This week is finals week for Jason so he gets a pass on helping with the cleaning.

Also, it looks like he'll be gone for his birthday for another NASA mission. Luckily these missions are only a week long and they are a little extra cash for us. This definitely helps the pocketbook, since we decided to plan China and our trips to the states so close together.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

I know it's been awhile since I've up-dated the blog, but things are just a little busy.

I decided to overload myself and take two classes in March. This has lead to a significant reduction in hair, but I some how made it. I just have one more paper to write and secure another A. This really keeps adding fuel for me to continue.

April holds a class that I think will be the most interesting of them all: Modern Japan and the Atomic Bomb. I have four books to read for this course and after the first one, I can already tell there really is a lot regarding the Pacific War the average American doesn't know.

Jason is still plugging along in his studies and doing very well. He may be taking a few classes with BYU to help him finish his degree before we leave.

Since we had to cancel our trip to Venice because of Jason's NASA misstion, we booked a trip to China. We leave mid-May and will come home towards the end of May. I am super stoked about this trip and I even get to earn graduate hours for this trip.

Also, we have finally booked our flight home. We will fly into Louisville around midnight on June 30th and leave to come back on the 14th of July. We will let everyone know our schedule when it gets a little closer.

Becca had her baby! He's a handsome baby boy named David Alexander Henry. He will go by Alex. Everything went really well for her. She's blessed to have her mom here to help her adjust to dealing with two kids.

Other than that, we have boring lives.......until May.

Sorry

I am truly sorry it has been so long since the last post. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and is enjoying a very Happy New Year!

Today is Jason's last shift of mids for about 2 months. Instead of going to a day shift, he will be going back to swings. Swings are my favorite work schedule of his, as I get to see him the most. He'll be leaving in February for a week for another mission and when he gets back we are planning on going to Venice and Florence for Carnavale. I am really excited about this! It will be the first time away since seeing Tammy and the family in July. It's just for a few days, but I am still looking forward to getting away.

Jason and I are both well into our new school term. This time Jason is also taking a class through University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Upon completing this course he will officially have his Associates degree from the Community College of the Air Force. This will also put him one step closer to his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State.

I am really excited about some of my classes this semester and look forward to learning all kinds of new ideas and theories.

Other than that, we are leading a pretty boring life. Wish I had more fun things to post, but I am sure I will after our trip in February.

I hope everyone is doing well and look forward to hearing from each of you!

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!