Getting Settled - Thursday, June 3rd

We have had our first night sleep in Germany, though not a very long sleep, as Rebecca decided (AGAIN) that 3am was a good time to wake up! UGH!  At 6am, everyone was up and getting ready for breakfast in our hotel and to begin our day. We had a lot of “errands” to run in the morning, including getting an ID card for Samantha (now that she’s 10, she gets her own) and then to get everyone post ID card pictures.


Have you ever heard about ACS (Army Community Services) Loan Closet? I had heard of them, but never had the privilege of using them. At the loan closet, we were able to sign out plates, cups, bowls, forks, spoons, knives, pots, pan, baking casserole, colander, can opener, toaster, coffee maker and a cutting board, until our household goods arrive in August. This is SUPER COOL, since having to buy these items would cost us a lot of money. This service is available to ALL army families (or single soldiers) and I think it’s awesome that the Army has come up with such a great program.

We then had to go to the PX and commissary to pick up some small house hold items and groceries. Once we returned from our errands, we went back to our new house and officially moved in! 

Our house is smaller than it looked in the pictures, and even the pictures looked small, but we love it. It is a newly renovated home on post, so we are the first family to live in it since being renovated. The kids quickly ran up the stairs to locate their rooms, and make “dibs” on them. Surprisingly, everyone is happy with their room choices, and we didn’t have to step-in.

OH….I mentioned the loan closet, but did I mention the temporary furniture the Army provides us?!?!?! We have 4 twin bed, 1-queen bed, 5 dressers, 6 night stands, 2 arm chairs, a couch, a dining room table and 6 dining room chairs…….to be used until our furniture arrives in August! The furniture is not the most beautiful looking to many, but it is to us! Not having to sit on the hard floor, or sleep in a sleeping bag is GREAT!!!! Thank you, Army Housing!!!

The hardest part of today has been trying to keep everyone awake. With a 6-hour time change, everyone is really tired today. We’ have been “pushing through” the day, in hopes of getting set to the new time zone quickly. It’s 5:56 pm, and Rebecca JUST fell asleep, and Jason has quickly followed……..  Fortunately, we have to leave for dinner in a few minutes, so hopefully the 15 minute nap doesn’t mess up their sleeping tonight. More will have to follow on that story! 

Today, we also started unpacking our suitcases into the dressers we were provided. It’s a great feeling to “unpack” – it means “we’re home”! There’s a saying in the Army – “Home is where the Army sends you”, and our family has learned to embrace that! The kids are quick to acknowledge our new home, and love the “setting up” part – including unpacking bags, and making up the beds for the first time. It’s probably the cleanest their rooms will look the whole time we’re here! 

Tonight we will go to a BBQ dinner at the current commanders’ house, and we’re so excited to have this opportunity to chat with them, learn more about the soldiers of this great unit, and to meet others in the unit that will work directly with Jason.

Time to go and wake up the “sleepers”, and head to the BBQ!

Auf Wiedershen!