One week and counting!

Next week at this time, we'll be in Atlanta, preparing for our overnight flight to Germany!! I know that this next week will fly by!

We have spent the last week in Georgia, living in a log cabin. No internet, no cell service. It was a great time! The first few nights we had a large cabin with a loft for the kids to sleep in. It was great until we heard some wildlife creature in the wall- we narrowed it down to a mouse or bat with it's squeaking. Luckily we only had one night left at that cabin, so the kids slept on the 2 leather couches downstairs. The night before brought a HUGE thunderstorm, so for a good 3 hours we had all four of us packed onto a double bed. Made for little sleep and bad backs once we got up the next morning. There were several herds of deer on the property and Chris caught a glimpse of feral (wild) pigs. We switched cabins and ended up with a smaller one, with bunk beds for the kids.



We were able to spend 1 day in Atlanta, visiting the Atlanta Aquarium and Olympic Park downtown. We were able to finish the day with a fun supper with a Japanese chef preparing the meal in front of us....plus some sushi!


We saw the Airborne students jumping out of planes and saw a Blackhawk land, among other things. Got to take the kids to the National Infantry Museum for lunch (which was DELICIOUS!!!) and the toured the museum. The highlight of that may have been watching the kids shoot at targets in an indoor shooting range (all electronic). We had dinner with one of Chris' buddies and his wife- our first taste of Indian food! It was a great first taste! Mmmm....curry!

We got the last of the briefings and paperwork done, with an exception to our No-fee passports, which we'll do in Germany.

Chris graduated from the Career Course Friday morning and after signing out, we were on the road and back in South Dakota the next day. 20 hour drive, plus stops for gas, food, and hotel. Had Legos for Tristan, season 1 of NCIS for Isabelle ,and season 1 of Lie to Me to keep us occupied! We were well prepared! :) Going to spend this last week packing, tying up loose ends, getting together with friends and saying our goodbyes to everyone!

We have all kinds of things planned for traveling in Europe and can't wait for the next chapter of our lives!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes....

In about two weeks we'll be on our way to Germany!!! It's is such an exciting/anxious/stressful/amazing/wonderful time for us! Pretty much everything is in order for us to go- just a couple of last minute things to finish up, but can't do that until we are in Georgia.

It is finally hitting me that it's happening. The Army has skewed my expectations of things. I try not to allow myself to get excited about things until they are REALLY happening. I am finally at the point of excitement- I mean, our vehicle and household goods are en route and we know the unit Chris will be going to, so it's getting real.

We have a whole year together! This is great for us, as it hasn't happened in about 6-7 years. Separations never get any easier, but that is what our life has consisted of. I hope we don't drive each other bonkers in that time! LOL I like to joke that our marriage works so well because by the time we get sick of each other, it's time for him to leave. Although being a military family has it's struggles, I think it makes us appreciate each other and TIME so much more. We make the most of it- and I know we will be able to experience Germany and all it has to offer leaving lifelong memories for us and the kids. I mean, how many people have the opportunity to live in another country?

Once we get to Germany, we'll start house hunting. The housing for us is being remodeled, so we will likely move off post and live off the economy. The kids will go to a DoDs (Department of Defense) school even if we are off post. They will be learning German in school, so hopefully they can teach me some more! :) We've been learning German from Rosetta Stone, so I know some basic phrases and words. I can take language classes on the base to learn more if I want- SIGN ME UP!!

The kids and I are headed to Georgia this weekend for a week! Looking forward to warmer weather and spending time together! Chris will be graduating from the Career Course and then we will be driving back to SD in his truck and get the last minute packing and such done and we'll be jet setting across the world!

Only a month to go...

and we will be boots on the ground....in GERMANY!!! LOL Well, maybe Chris will be in boots. I will likely be in slippers. Or at least something comfy for the 12 hour plane trip over the ocean.

The whole No-fee passport debacle has finally blown over...yes we need it, but not to fly overseas. They are like a visa, so that we can stay more than 90 days in the country without being deported. Maybe we are an exception as many people have told me we need the no-fees before we fly. Who knows....all I care is that we get to go all together! I really didn't want to make the trip by myself with the 2 kids. Just have to remember the benedryl to knock them out! And something stronger for me! :)

The car should be there about a week after we get in...but who knows about our household goods. Luckily we can borrow the essentials from the loan closet until our things get in. First we need to find a place to live! The on post housing appears to be quite lacking in the space department! (No surprise there!!!) And as of right now, they are renovating the quarters for Chris' rank...so even if we wanted to live on post, it's not available. Hopefully we can find something quick that fits our needs!

Not much left to do now! The kids and I will be heading to Georgia in a couple of weeks for Chris' graduation and then doing some last minute things in order to move. Have to apply for the passports and then attend a briefing in order to go overseas. Once that is done, we'll get our plane tickets and make our way to South Dakota to get the last of our things packed up and say our goodbyes! Trying to plan a going away party to see everyone before we go.