Somnolent Sunday

It's been very calm around here today. I skated my way to church this morning. Over night, we had a couple inches of ice and then a few inches of snow on top of that. It took me ten minutes to get my car cleaned off before leaving for church. After brushing all the snow off, I had to work at scrapping off all the ice. It wasn't so fun to do in heals in a skirt. Surprisingly, it wasn't all that cold though. I would have loved to go play outside!! Even though it wasn't fun to drive in, it made for some beautiful scenary.

Here is Jay's car that I need to dig out! I'm hoping it melts soon so I don't have to dig all the way around it! I haven't started it for a couple weeks, so need to get in to do that! I have to get it inspected and the registration renewed one of these days. I have to have it done by the 11th of February. I doubt it will melt by then! The day I don't wear a skirt to school would be the day I should do it!

After church, I hit up the PX and the commissary before heading home. The rest of the day was spent working on more scrapbooks. I finished two more today and have pictures uploaded for another one. I'm chipping away at them, one at a time!!

I talked to Jay tonight. He was doing well. He had been playing poker all evening. He said he's getting good! He was actually winning when he had to leave the table. They don't actually play for money, so it's a good time to learn! He went out on a mission on Saturday. They were trudging through a couple feet of snow. By the time he got back on post, he said his hands and feet were freezing. He was ready to go to bed and warm up! I hope his flannel sheets get to him soon!! He could certainly use them!

Here is a picture of Jay and our friend Tim! They are in different troops, so don't see each other much. They were both out of the gates for the day and happened to be at the same spot.

A Great Saturday!

It's been a great day around here! I really haven't left the house, but that's what made it so great! It was nice to stay put and get so many things done. I was able to sleep in a bit this morning, which felt so wonderful! I love waking up on my own and being lazy to get going! Once I was up and going, I had the house cleaned, laundry done and put away, and cookies and a cake made all by noon! That left the rest of the day all to myself! I don't even know what I did all afternoon, but the time disappeared quite quickly!

I started to work on digital scrapbooks. I did two books awhile back and haven't been back on to do more. My goal is to do a book for every country we've been to. I have three countries printed, finished two books tonight, and have only 15 more to go!! It's going to take me the next year to get them all done! They will be great to have in the future. It's been fun to look through the pictures and remember all the fun things we have done. I can't wait to go to even more places!!

These are two I have done already.

After making two books tonight, my eyes are ready for a break from the computer. Too many hours spent staring at the screen. So, now it's time to enjoy a piece of cake!!!

As I was making the cake this morning, this happened....

I can put it back together, but as soon as I start mixing again, it falls apart. This made it rather difficult. I ended up using a whisk. Took longer to get out all the chunks, but it worked. Anyone have a good idea on how to fix it so it doesn't keep falling apart?

A Big Change!

Not much new on the home front, but a big change happening for Jay in Afghanistan. He will be changing jobs here in the next month. Instead of being Troop XO, he will now be with S9. This is a shop that will work directly with the local Afghan government, discussing issues and working to make the government stronger. I don't know many details on it yet, but I'm sure Jay will fill us in when he has time!

With a new job comes a lot of change. The hardest change is going to be leaving the guys he has been with for the past two years. These guys are like brothers to him. They've been through a lot! It's going to be hard for Jay to move away from them. On the flip side, he will be moving to a much nicer location, that actually has running water, toilets that flush, and even a chow hall!! It will be a like a resort to him!! He'll get to shower, brush his teeth, and wash his clothes more than once a month!! The guy Jay will be working under is a great guy, which will really help. Jay has been following in his footsteps the past two years, and is able to follow again. It's going to be an exciting change, that will bring about new challenges and opportunities. As for now, he's staying extremely busy!

He recently turned in paperwork for the first inventory of equipment since everything was handed over! He was able to account for everything and had his papers turned in with time to spare. He worked hard at it and stressed over it, but came out on top! He is excited that it is over because now he has a chance to go outside the gates a few times. He has been stuck inside searching for equipment the past two months. He's ready for some fresh Afghan air! I told him while he's out there to do some shopping for me!! I wouldn't mind a rug from there!!

He has really appreciated all of the care packages, letters, and words of encouragement that he has received so far. Thank you for being so considerate! Also, thank you for all the prayers you are sending his way. Every one of them is appreciated, knowing that he is completely surrounded by God's protective hands. Please continue to pray for contentment, strength, and protection.

Long Weekend

It's been a long two days and I have several hours left until this day is over! All I've done for the past 35 hours is lay in bed or lay on the couch!! Real exciting!! All my plans for yesterday and today went down the drain. Because of that, I have 40 mini cheesecakes in the trunk of my car. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do with them now. I guess I'll either take them to church tomorrow or to school on Monday. They'll get eaten somehow!! I also have a stack of papers sitting here waiting to be graded, but I haven't had the energy to pull them out. Hopefully tomorrow!

I was lucky enough to talk to Jay yesterday. He was doing great! He didn't have much to say, but that's a good thing. Means everything is going as normal. Their temps are up to 40 and 50 during the day. They are getting their spring early! Hope it stays that way and doesn't get cold on them again! He has been receiving lots of care packages and is enjoying them! Thanks to all of you who have sent one!! Jay is really enjoying having good food to eat!! Continue to keep Jay and all the guys in your prayers! As it continues to get warmer, it could become more active!! Please pray for protection and strength for the troops!

Ice Skating!

Yesterday afternoon, I went ice skating with a few middle school kids for Club Beyond! The kids weren't too in to skating. They did more sitting around and eating than skating. They would skate a couple of rounds and then sit for several. There were three adults there. We were making laps around the rink and then would notice that none of the kids were on the ice. We found them all sitting out. Nonetheless, we had a good time. Fortunately, I never fell! I was lucky!

Afterwards, I went out to eat with two other ladies! It was a nice end to a full day, actually a full weekend! Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am! Going to the spa... going ice skating... being with such good friends. God has blessed me in so many ways. He has kept me so content, even with Jay being gone!! What a wonderful life!!

A Relaxing Day at the Spa

Yesterday was such a wonderful day! I went with 8 other teachers to a Spa in Bad Kissingen. It was so great to relax and have nothing to worry about! We spent the entire day moving from pool to pool. They had every type of pool you could imagine. Warm pools, hot pools, cold pools, salt water pools, hot tubs, saunas, and of course all the specialty things (massages, facials, etc.). Most of the pools were indoors, but some of them traveled outside. It was very neat to be in the water and be warm as we were outside in the 30 degree temps! The steam was just rolling off the water. To take a break from the pools, four of us decided to take a mud scrub!! We plastered ourselves with hot treated mud. It looked like we had on black body suits! Then we layed down under heat lamps and the mud tried on. After 10 minutes, we were pretty stiff. We then scrubed it all off. It left like we were in a car wash as we were scrubbing. It felt so great though and it left my skin so soft!! We left the spa at 8:00 and then went out to eat. I was pretty tired by then. After letting my body relax all day, I didn't have much energy left. I didn't get home until 11:00 last night! It was all well worth it though!! I would love to take Jay there some day, but not sure he would enjoy. He doesn't know to relax very well. He may get bored! But we just might have to try it out!

Back into the Swing

It's been a week since I've posted... and a week since I've been home! It feels good to get back into the swing of things!! Although I absolutely loved laying around and being lazy over break, I like having a schedule!

I've started on the second week of school today. The kids are getting back into the swing of it too. I almost have everyone back from break, but still have one stuck in the states. I wish I was stuck there too!!! It snowed quite a bit the past couple of days, and today, the kids were constantly asking if we were going to get out early. There was only 6 inches of snow on the ground, but to some of them, that was a big deal! It was very beautiful outside, with the ground covered, trees and white, and the air is still. I would have loved to go out and play! Too bad Jay isn't around to build a snowman with!

Nothing else too exciting these parts of the town! Same days as usual! (That's why I haven't written all week.)

The best part of the week so far... Jay called last night! His voice was enough to make me smile! I didn't even care what he said, it was just so good to hear from him!! I did listen though! He is doing well and staying extremely busy! Something we have in common I guess!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead! Stay warm and enjoy the snow!!

Back Home to Schweinfurt

I'm finally home! It was a long journey, but I made it! I left Cedar Rapids at 2:00 and got in to Chicago at 3:00. I was supposed to board at 6:50, but didn't until 8:00. Once we got on and situated, the plane lost all power. The engine went off and all the lights went off. It got really quite on board. Thankfully we hadn't left yet! We waited in our seats for a half hour until they decided it wasn't fixable. They told us the plane was not suitable to fly. So we all got off and went back into the airport. We had to wait an hour for another plane to arrive and to transfer all of the luggage. We finally left Chiacgo at 10:00 last night and arrived into Frankfurt a little after 1:00 this afternoon. I then took a bus to Schweinfurt and arrived around 5:30. When I walked in to the house, I realized I must have been completely and utterly stressed and exhausted when I left to go home. My house is an absolute disaster! It looks like I've been robbed!! I have Christmas presents and things from the parties all over the place! As soon as I get the unpacking finished, cleaning the house is next on the list. It's driving me nuts, but I need more time!! That will have to wait until another day. Not sure when as I have something every night this week. Perhaps I'll be up in the middle of the night because of jet leg and can do it then! Otherwise it will be next Sunday!

It's was kind of hard coming home here. I hated to leave my family and come back to an empty house. I have a long year ahead of me. I'm so glad I have people all around me to keep me busy and to do fun things with!

What I am going to miss most from home... this lil' dude! He's going to be crawling all around the house next time I see him!

What I'm going to miss the least.... the temperatures! It was -19 degrees fahrenheit back home this morning! I new record! When I arrived at Frankfurt, I was steaming outside with 32 degrees! I had to take my coat off!

I just really hope this next year flies, and that I can keep myself under control and not reach a point of such great fatigue! One day at a time!! Before I know it, I'll be in this man's arms again!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed New Year's Eve and that you all have a wonderful start to your new year! We celebrated very simple with family and friends! Before people came over, we were able to talk to my sister and her kids in China! It was fun to see Alex walk all around the room. This is the closest I have been to them for nearly two years! I haven't seen them since our wedding!

Once people arrived, we had soup and sandwiches and then pulled out the games. We played pictionary with the kids. Then we played Imaginiff and Apples to Apples! It's always fun to play games with big groups!

We watched the ball drop at 11:00 because some were falling asleep already. Especially Carson and Adam! I would have been in this group too, but I was forced to take a nap in the afternoon so I would be able to stay awake!

We watched the ball drop at midnight again. There weren't very many awake still (we weren't a real lively group). This is when I got to kiss my husband!!! (It's the best we could do. Maybe next year.)

After midnight, most of the crowd left. Amy and Ashley stayed to play Phase 10. We thought we would let Jay play with us! He's over on the far side.

It was a nice and calm New Year's Eve celebration, especially after last year's, when Jay and I were in Bamberg shooting off fireworks all night. I was glad to be with my family and friends! I hope 2010 speeds by and next December comes fast. There will be lots of things happening throughout the year that I am excited for! I know we'll stay plenty busy! Right now, we just have to take it one month at a time!