Random German (or European) Fact

Spanking your kids in public will result in the police being called and your child being taken away. Not beating your kid, mind you, but spanking.

However, I have personally noted, it is okay to leave your infant in a sled at the side of a busy road rendered slippery after a huge snowstorm, while you shovel your driveway.

Leaving your kid in harms way – fine. But public displays of discipline – BIG no-no.

Just a Theory...

If you're a mother, could you please do me a favor? Look at the skin between your thumb and pointer finger – that webby stuff – and tell me, is it calloused?

Wanderings: Paris, France 2008

In May 2008, my youngest sister, Jeline, and her husband, Aaron, came to visit us in Germany. Unfortunately, we had just moved into our castle and our furniture had not yet arrived, so we were still bummin' it in rented furniture that was spartan at best. We were still waiting for our kitchen to be installed (it's common here in Germany for renters to move with their kitchen), and all we had for entertainment was a dinky old t.v. and a borrowed dvd player. I can't even remember what we did for entertainment at the end of each day, but I'm sure it was no better than thumb wrestling.

I swear, the next time you come to visit, sister, it'll be ten times better! Or at least, more furnished!

Their main goal was to visit Paris, but during our meanderings we found ourselves in:

Aachen, Germany

Auntie Jeline and Lia with her "shocked" expression

The Aachen Dom

Cologne, Germany

One of the Koln Dom spires

Amsterdam, Holland

One of the pretty canals

The view across the canal from the Anne Frank House

... and most notably, Paris, France

Parisian Landscape

Aaron in a bohemian reverie, with dreams of baguettes and cheese
(or actually just looking at a battery store)

Sister and me, hamming it up in front of the Louvre

A fun time was had by all, despite the rain that kept preventing us from going to outdoor markets. Eventually our household goods arrived and we managed to convince Sister and Aaron to help us unpack boxes and move large pieces of furniture (with the promise that the Wii was in there somewhere!).

Thank you Aaron and Jeline for coming to visit and, more importantly, for helping me out on moving day. I could not have done it without you guys! Come back soon, you hear?

Awww Sissy!

My sister, Jeline of OhMyGuiles, was on the front page treasury today!

Edit: Sissy's hubby provided me with a better screen cap, with fully loaded pics and everything. Dang fancy American internets!

Many a Mile...

This past year marked many milestones for our little family. In March, we moved from our little house in Alaska, stayed a little while with my parents in Oklahoma, then flew on over to Germany where we will reside for the next 3+ years. We dreamed and hoped and pushed for Europe to be our next duty station, and by the luck of the draw (and the help of a good friend), our wishes came true! Maybe there is some truth to the universe listening to your whispered wishes.

Two-oh-oh-eight also marked Amelia's first birthday. Unfortunately, Daddio was not present because we were in Oklahoma and could not find a flight home in time. But he was sorely missed and was surely there in spirit.

This year brought many firsts for our little Lia as she learned to smile, laugh, sit up, roll over, stand and walk! Every time I look at her, she seems older and wiser. Where did my little Droolie Badoolie go? She's been replaced by this cheeky, ill-tempered at times, cackling maniac!

We have also been lucky enough to visit many different countries this year: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, England... with trips to Denmark and the Philippines on the horizon. Though we've traveled many a mile, our wanderlust never seems to wane. Some time soon I will post some pics and stories of our travels. I truly feel blessed to be able to explore the world.

Lia gallivanting around Paris

Love, Love, Love!

During my search for art prints, I ran across the Etsy store of Jayme McGowan, called Roadside.

"Flight by Kite" by Jayme McGowan

As an artist and illustrator in California, Jayme creates these beautiful works of art and then sells them in print form for cheapskates like myself. At $15-$20 a pop, I think these prints are well worth the money for something so lovely and unique.

I am in love with these two prints, especially the "Flying Umbrellas" print (as seen below), and will hopefully be purchasing them in the near future!

"Flying Umbrellas" by Jayme McGowan

First and Foremost...

and so it begins once more
we've cleaned house
and started anew...

won't you be our guest?