Hi there! Its good to be back here on the blog after taking an unexpected year-long hiatus. A strew of visitors last Spring and Summer combined with an increasingly busy schedule and an aging computer made it difficult to sit and capture glimpses into our lives here in Germany. However, this time of reflection is valuable to me. It gives me an avenue to freeze frame these days and the adventures we experience around our neighborhood and our borders. Growth is continuing in all directions and my desire to seize the day remains. Thus, I’m back at it. Thanks for coming along with us on the journey!

We are just coming off of back-to-back visits with some of our extended family. My parents flew in on March 16th for a whirlwind visit for my birthday. They have been dedicated to celebrate my entrance into this world together as much as possible over the years. I can count on one hand the birthdays I have celebrated from a distance…and I have quite a few now to my name. I know this is pretty rare in this day and age and speaks of their commitment to not even let a vast ocean and several time zones keep them away. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Though our time together was short, it was definitely sweet! I appreciate these times together even more as we all get older and I see our boys relishing the grandparent love and attention they are showered with. With age comes perspective. Here’s a glimpse at  some of the memories we added to the books…

My parents arrived in time for lunch on Friday. Mein Mann joined us at a restaurant we all like in the village to have a delicious meal and adult conversation before picking up the boys from school. As we were talking about the daily special, our waiter told us to “ask Angela what she thought of it.” Angela was sitting at a table nearby and shouted out her approval. The fun thing about it all was that we actually know Angela through the International Tea we attend on a weekly basis. She is British. Oh, the quaintness of village life!

Arctic air moved in over the weekend, dropping the temperatures into the 20’s…a good sixty degrees colder than what my parents are accustomed to during this time of year. They were quite the troopers! We decided to still go ahead with our plans to attend the Ostern (Easter) Market in St. Wendel. It was like attending a Christmas market in March! We bundled up, drank hot drinks and ducked inside a restaurant, cathedral and a bunny tent full of fun dioramas seeking warmth throughout the day.

My birthday was a sweet time with family and friends…chatting at a café with village girlfriends, meeting up with Mein Mann for lunch, strolling around downtown with my parents, soccer practice and dinner out. I was spoiled in the best ways!

The days slipped by with school, time spent together and Easter egg decorating…

Even Adi enjoyed having her grandparents here!

Before heading home, Dear and Pop Pop joined the boys at their school for lunch dates. Lots of love was shared before saying “see you this summer” which was easier than the unknowns of goodbyes. Even still, tears ran down my cheeks as I hugged my parents. I’m between two generations and they both pull on my heartstrings!

With another year under my belt, I’m deeply grateful that my parents were here to celebrate the gift of life, family and Germany. My Mom kissed my forehead before leaving. When I got home, I realized her lipstick kiss was still there. I left it for the rest of the day as a sweet reminder of their presence. You are never too old to be loved!

Bis Später!