Settling In.....

Wow, it’s been a while! We have been without internet since we arrived, and though we bought a USB internet stick, I haven’t won the battle of “winning the chip” to log onto my regular computer. I do have access to email and stuff from my phone, but it’s too difficult to write here. So, for now I write in Microsoft word, and will copy/paste into the blog when I can “sneak” the internet stick from the kids.

At times if feels like we have been here for a while, but when we look at the calendar, we've been in-country for only 1 week!!! 

We have been overwhelmed by the welcome we have received since we arrived in Germany! The command team, that we are replacing, has been such a blessing to us, and I am so sad that they are leaving (though if they weren’t leaving we wouldn’t be here – so it’s another crazy-mix of emotions). The great thing with military life is that we know that we will meet up again, and until then we will be very happy to keep in touch via email, Facebook and phone.

We are slowly getting settled in. I have all our suitcases unpacked and all the boxes from our “advanced shipment” unpacked!

I have some curtains hung, though these are only temporary until our shipment of household goods arrive in August. They will do for how, though, as they really help make us feel “at home”. I even have a picture hung – definitely a home now!

Views of our living room:

View of the front of our house....we're unit #5 (our friends

View of park adjacent to our house.....it's even bigger than what is shown!

We have a large park right next to our house! This is great because we’re there MANY times during the day, and it helps the kids meet other kids. They’re already having friends come knock on the door to ask them to “hang out” (since they’re too “old” to “go out and play” these days!) :)

We’re hoping to get regular internet and phone service by the end of next week. Everyone is looking forward to that, though the kids are sad that their very small TV show selections will not change! The price of “cable” is high, so we’ve decided to stick with the AFN (Armed Forces Network) channels that the post gives us for free! About 20 channels, but not always stuff they want to watch. I think the prospect of at least having internet has kept them from totally losing their minds!

Actually, they have all done very well with the move. They are playing great with one another, helping out, stepping out of their comfort zones and going to talk to new kids, and even today Rebecca walked up to someone and said (in German) – do you speak English? Unfortunately, they didn’t, but I was so proud of her for asking!

Yesterday, the headquarters detachment from our battalion, had a family picnic. We thought it was great that we were there for it, only to find out (once we arrived there) that the picnic was a “welcome” for us!!! We got to meet some great soldiers and families, and are really excited to start our amazing adventure with them on Friday! Pictures and videos to come!