Great Website....

I have to admit I am not one to purposely seek out "fair trade" eco friendly"... politically correct stuff.... I mean I care about the planet and I care about the environment but I am not going to pay 3 x's as much for an item to be part of the superiority club...... Now I do try to find environmentally friendly things and buy local I use reusable bags... I recycle..... I am always happy to do my part....

This all started..... I found these awesome rock crayons for the kids.... I lucked out the are soy based and eco friendly and within a reasonable budget.. this is win win... plus they are just plain cool. I saw them in a family magazine and got all excited to check out the web site.....

This website called ROMP has the coolest things for kids, I mean really creative things and toys clothes.. and plus it is all politically correct..... some of the items are over priced but a vast majority are reasonable and unique.. I like this.... This would be the place to go for unique kid/baby gifts.... so if you get a chance check it out.....
I may even add it to my list.....

Finding Unexpected Angels

My day started ordinary like they usually do... maybe it was different because I told myself today I was going to be productive, today I was going to smile more..... but really it was any day...

I ran my errands sat for breakfast with the kids smiled and laughed giggled and dressed the kids.... made beds, cleaned crumbs....

I made a blog post, and someone responded someone unexpected.. it reminded me that even though we think life is predictable it isn't. Sometimes simple words said at the right time by a friends or family member or a stranger can make a big difference.....

This reminded me I used to smile all the time out in public because you never know how a smile might change your day or someone else 's.... here in Germany I don't smile as often they find it strange and weird..... and once I had an old man yell at me in German and English that us American's shouldn't smile so much.....

I was reminded that when I feel alone all I have to do is look at friend's and families pictures, read my e-mails, letters and know that somewhere in this world people love me.... and I love them and think about them......

I spilled all of my change out of my coin purse at the bakery..... a group of German girls smiled and helped me pick up all of it ..even the little tiny Euro pennies ( they are so small) The talked to me and smiled one even hugged me...which is odd and unheard of.... but I thought it was wonderful.....

Several of my friends called and offered advice on buying a house ( something that is a possibility with our move) Jenny and Liz thank you for being there even though I am neurotic....

My husband wrote me a note that made me smile.. they were simple words less than 10 but I felt loved....
my children hugged and kissed me and told me they loved me....

I ran into a friend when walking home from the post office who literally ran up to me and hugged and kissed me on the cheek and showed such enthusiasm for seeing me I felt lucky to know them.... genuine friendship....This friend was having a good day and was healthy and happy.....this made me feel lucky... truly to have seen them

another friend was laid off from his job.. and I felt thankful I have a roof over my head I can be at home with my children and my husband has a secure job...... they are in my thoughts I hope a job comes to them soon.....

several other things happened today.. another friend called to tell me I was loved and thought of...

All day I kept thinking I have so many wonderful friends and family... I am blessed and thankful for this.... Spring is here and things are changing and blooming... life is slowly turning.... small details today made the world feel perfect...
why am I rambling on like a crazy lady..... Because we all get caught up in our own worlds with tunnel vision... we forget all those perfect little moments that make us feel loved and blessed... from family, friends or strangers...... today was a perfect day because of all of the loving small details that were perfectly filled with happiness and joy.....a perfect day of small and unexpected angels and blessings....the perfect day.....

The coming move....

The flurry of activity here is wonderful and irritating all at the same time. Moving time is upon us again and we have to prepare..... We are going to be overweight I can see it now.... remember the couch? not to mention some dressers and a cabinet.... I am more concerned with getting our ducks in a row than this. We have to coordinate movers, car shipments, work, plane tickets, a stop over to see T, and finding housing all in 3 weeks. I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. Our new base will be different we won't be able to live on base so the scramble has begun to find housing from overseas for us to move to. Sam will have some work related things going on when we arrive and will be off adventuring again also so this will leave us 1 week upon arrival to find a house and get settled. I feel like I am in another one of those mission impossible episodes where I have been handed a flaming challenge......

Things are being sorted and organized......special things have been packed. The kids are already planning and plotting. Research has started, day dreams have begun, the e-mail has gone out.... The move has begun. It is hard to believe we are moving again already how time flies by. I have to say that this has been our shortest stay in one place ... beating our 9 month record from Maryland. Our time has not been wasted we have traveled and explored, learned and grown. The path has not always been easy or clear, the plan often messy and complicated, but over all we have learned so much to enrich our lives. We appreciate our time here and the things we have learned, strengths we have gained, despite some new weakness uncovered we have experience to challenge us. We are all excited to be heading back to the USA.... soon we will be a part of T's progress and healing. Our family is forever changed by our experiences here. I am so glad we have been able to share these here. the good, the bad and the ugly..... I know the move will be filled with challenges, and we will be tired at the end, but enriched.

Without anymore sappy reflections .... Let the move begin...... we'll keep you posted on this new adventure as well as what our new home will have to offer..... Adventure awaits us even in the move....

Burg Hohenzollern

Burg Hohenzollern is a castle approximately 65 KM outside of Stuttgart. Getting to know our area despite leaving it shortly has been wonderful. This castle is wonderful and full of enough adventure the whole family can enjoy a day spent here. There are tours in English they vary in time and relationship to the season. There are German language tours every 15 minutes however and despite the language barrier the tour will take you though the rooms of the castle that are open to the public. The rooms of the castle have been preserved beautifully and the intricate details are fascinating. You have to wear large felt "slippers" over your shoes and seeing a large group of people shuffle though a building is comical enough to warrant going on the tour.... I have to admit the ceiling so delicately painted caught my eye again and I found myself gazing up often. I couldn't believe how detailed the painting on the ceiling were, and the patterns were gorgeous. I am so glad Sam was able to get a few pictures. there ae no pictures allowed due to flashes. Sam didn't use a flash of course.

You start by hiking up a series of trails and stairs to the fortress it's self. This is vigorous exercise and up hill the entire time, an excellent way to wear children out. For those not able to walk far or up a steep hill there are shuttle buses available at the parking area ( I wanted to take the shuttle but the boys said no) I have to admit despite the steep incline the views of the surrounding area are gorgeous ..especially because we are now in spring and the fields are green. The small villages in the surrounding area stand out against the green with their bright orange roof tops. This mountain can be seen for miles and the view is unobstructed, this is especially rewarding considering the uphill walk. Once you reach the top the adventure begins...

This fortress begins with the customary draw bridge entrance complete with carved stone work and formidable spires. You journey in a spiral movement up the cobble stone pathway..as horses or carriages would have when the castle was in use. Each turn of the spiral brings new views of the castle and the surrounding countryside. I can see why this location was perfect for a fortress you can see for miles and the steep spiral to the inner courtyard seems to go on for a mile. The kids loved to look in every nook and cranny out every window and peer into stone alcoves (which they were convinced the dungeons were) Once you leave the spiral entry way fit for any kings carriage you come to the main courtyard. Here the castle and the chapel and all of the buildings of the grounds are laid out before you in a spectacular view. The stone work and sculptures are so interesting. The chapel holds a sculpture of a figure on a horse, which the kids find to be very "knight like" in their words. There is a cannon where everyone gathers for pictures, a restaurant and a gift store.... and of course the tour through the actual "home" portion of the castle.

Each room had a theme, including a room where the family tree was painted on the walls going back hundreds of years. There was a blue room and a green room, this one was especially nice with green velvet everywhere. There is a room of portraits, and a room with the most artistic Stain glass windows. The kids love being in a "real" castle, I enjoyed the artwork and the sunshine..and Sam was happy for the walk so it was an ideal family outing. I would recommend this to anyone living in the area or visiting. The castle isn't as famous as others but the history is rich and the stories exciting and the walk beautiful....

Leaving Croatia

The Bistro 3 doors down from us with the most fabulous Eggs Benedict.....

Fabulous windows everywhere....
Me on the promenade..everyday we sat and looked at the sea while drinking Orangina or cappuccino.. Oh the views are wonderful.....
This bakery has fabulous nut rolls with pastry... yummy for breakfast.....
I love the green windows....

The fish market where the fabulous grilled Calamari comes from... sooo yummy.
After a wonderful trip it is often hard to say goodbye, as was the case with Split. Split Croatia was a fabulous Spring trip........one of my favorite trips.....

Plitvice Lakes National Park

I know I am behind in posting.... We finally have orders !!! We are moving to San Antonio in the next month. Things here have reached near chaos levels trying to prepare for another international move. We have lived in Germany for 7 months and 4 days and we are moving again.
I will quickly finish Croatia with view of the beautiful National park Plitvice Lakes. The park is a UNSECO sight as well,as a national park, Croatia is very proud of this park and with good reason. The drive from Split is 3 hours through winding country roads. The lakes are a beautiful sight. There are a series of cascading lakes that create multiple waterfalls both small and large. There are all kinds of tours with boats, trams and walking options through the park. Some can be 5 hours others 2, all of the tours take you through gorgeous scenery. We choose a tour through the upper lake system where a majority of the waterfalls are. We took a tram to the top and walked along a wooden boardwalk down through the lake system and ended with a short boat ride across the lake. The sun was shining and trees were begining to bloom, it was a wonderful spring day. The end of our time in Croatia, but a beautiful sight. Despite all of the gorgeous things we saw my favorite spot was Split , the city is full of rich history wonderful people and fabulous food..... not to mention the gorgeous Adriatic Sea.

The Island of Hvar

The 2nd day of our trip was raining and cold..... very cold..... This was the perfect day to board the ferry for a trip to the Island of Hvar. The ferry ride from Split to Hvar takes 2 hours and 20 minutes..... and the Ferry runs twice a day so once you are there you have to make sure you get back for the last ferry home. Once you arrive on Hvar you are in the city of Stari Grad you have to take a short bus ride over the mountain to the town of Hvar. The island is very mountainous and rocky.... Hvar town is a small seaside town with tiled roof tops, green shutters and, a view of the surrounding Pakleni islands.

We arrived in the rain...
hiked to the top of the forest in the rain, and then the sun came out, Hvar is rumored to be the sunniest island in Croatia.....We hiked to the top of the mountain to Spanjola a medieval citadel overlooking the city and the sea. While the wind gusts nearly blew us over the views were spectacular. The walk was beautiful and took about 30-40 minutes to the top. Which is a great way to see the city.
Beacause the Monday after Easter is a holiday here most of the city was closed for services, however like all towns the cafe's were open and the perfect place to sit and gaze out at the sea. The day was cold but, the sun did shine eventually and sitting by the sea sipping cappuccino was a great lazy afternoon. Sam even squeezed in a nap at the cafe while sitting on a couch.....
The bus ride back went well.... however the ferry back to Split ( last ferry of the day at the end of a holiday..) Was packed to the gills full of people and luggage straight out of a scene from Indiana Jones..... although lacking the chickens.......
Great way to spend a semi rainy day......Being forced to relax makes you stop and really experience everything.... I think I need to sit still more often..... Once we made it back to split we stopped at this pizza resturant right next to our "apartment"...... a lot of locals were coming and going so we figured it had to be goood.... Pizza Bakra..... they cook the pizza's in a brick oven and so on a cold and rainy night we had a seafood or Bakra pizza with mussels, shrimp and even anchovies.... and a beer from Croatia....