Merry Christmas (a little late!)

So I guess I have been doing too much shopping and visiting and not enough blogging, but you guys understand, right?! I sure hope so! Anyway, now that they have all been received (hopefully) I thought I would share our card and letter.

Pictures L-R: Berlin, Eagle's Nest, Ireland

This year has been another wonderful one at our house. We have truly been blessed, and are constantly reminded of God’s love. As we go into the Christmas season we are again blessed that we have not (yet) had a day of snow. Now THAT is a miracle! (That has not held true! Dang it!)

As many of you know, we are entering what will most likely be our last Christmas in Germany. We have enjoyed the first two and a half years of our tour here and are looking forward to cramming in even more fun in the next six months. Next summer we will be PCSing (aka moving) to a new base. Where are we going? Wouldn’t we like to know! We should find out in a few months. For now, our top choices will again have us living overseas. While we miss family, we are also looking forward to being overseas a little longer. Our favorite part of living overseas? Travel, of course!  So here is our year in milestones and trips, but mostly trips. :) We don’t have kids, what else can we do?!

January- We were visited by Jordan’s parents, and traveled with them to Dublin, Luxembourg, and France. Dublin was one of our favorites. Speaking English and enjoying things from back home (Papa Johns!) was a real treat. Casey took her GRE and started applying to graduate school. Jordan began the 2nd year of his Masters.

February- Jordan went TDY (like a business trip, 3 weeks) to Italy, and I was able to follow along.  One part of the TDY was a formal event, our first in the Air Force. We enjoyed Venice (Carnivale) for a few days, then drove to Slovenia and Croatia for the weekend. Casey was accepted to graduate school at the University of North Texas.

March- Jordan was sponsored by his organization to attend Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace counselor training in Tennessee. He was able to meet Dave himself and gather some great skills to help military members. Casey visited an Easter Egg Market in Michelstadt with some friends. Reagan (our cat) was cute. :)

April- We took the trip of a lifetime to Egypt! We spent seven days cruising the Nile and seeing the ancient sights...it was incredible! To walk where Moses once stood was quite an experience. We saw Tut’s tomb, held crocodiles, and visited temples. Casey got a serious sunburn and Jordan found out what happens when you eat Egyptian fruit!

May- Jordan was promoted to 1st Lieutenant! Hooray! He was very excited to give up the “butter bar” title. Just before the promotion we took a weekend trip to Berlin with friends. Seeing the history from WWII and Cold War was quite interesting, the zoo was great too! The nude park? Not so much! Back on base, Jordan met Mack Brown.

June- Casey finished up her second year of teaching (Kindergarten this time) as we celebrated our third anniversary, hard to believe three years went by so quickly! Casey was selected for two scholarships, enabling her first year of grad school to be free! (Dave Ramsey would be proud.) Jordan spent the month wrapping up at his exec. position, and Casey visited Texas for most of the month.

July- We were visited by my mentor teacher from college and her husband. We enjoyed showing them around town and around base. Casey visited Luxembourg with a friend, and we both visited Bernkastel Kues during one of Jordan’s TDYs.

August- Graduate school started up for both of us and Casey began her third year of teaching. We drove to Salzburg, Austria and enjoyed the sights (and the sounds of music!). We also visited the Eagle’s Nest and Munich. It was a busy trip, but a very fun one...the Alps never disappoint. Casey went to Poland for pottery shopping with friends.

September- We were visited by Texas friends, and enjoyed an area wine festival (on the Mosel) with them. The Ramstein Bazaar was back and kept Casey busy with volunteer work for the third year in a row. Reagan was still cute.

October- We headed to Italy for our cruise! We really love to cruise, and this one was no different. We visited Rome, Genoa, Cinque Terre, Nice, Monaco, Barcelona, Mallorca, and Sardinia. It was hard to go back to cold Germany! Jordan visited Vegas.

November- Jordan headed to the states to be in a friend’s wedding, and really enjoyed his (quick) visit. Thanksgiving was at our house with friends, and luckily this year the oven worked!

December- Jordan finished graduate school (he will walk in May), and Casey made it through her first semester. Jordan now has his Masters Degree from Liberty University. Yeah Jordan! We visited several Christmas markets around Germany. Casey will be heading to the states to celebrate Christmas in Texas.

Clearly we are enjoying our time in Europe. We are continuously grateful for the opportunity we have been given. However, we are even more grateful for wonderful friends and family like you! May you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. We hope to see all of you soon.

                            Merry Christmas!
                            Jordan, Casey, and Reagan

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright

I. Love. Texas. Seriously. The last few days have just been awesome. Seeing family, shopping to my hearts content, eating more than I should, and enjoying 70 degree temps. What's not to love? The good news is I can't afford to live here. I shop too much. (I have been to Target every day this week.) If not for that (well, and Jordan of course), I might have canceled my flight back to Germany. Freezing cold, non-Target, non-ChickfilA, Germany.

So far I have been to: Target, Old Navy, Starbucks, Chick Fil A, Mexican Food, Papa Johns, Charming Charlie, Ulta, Sephora, Ann Taylor, Gap, Nine West, Lakeshore, Pei Wei, TGI Fridays, HEB, Express, and CVS. I have watched TV (with real commercials) and enjoyed having so many choices. I even got to watch COPS, my favorite! I have parked in parking spaces that are big enough for cars other than Smart Cars. I have enjoyed central heat and air in the house. Heaven. It's the simple things really.

I hope all of you (especially my other Europe buddies visiting the states) are having an awesome Christmas week as well. We are so blessed here in the states!

Pictures to come...

Travel Observations

1. When your first plane is delayed, although they tell you they will hold the next plane, they lie. You will have to beg and cry and then run with your heavy carry on to make the plane. Once you make it you will see a tubby guy stroll in behind you making the same plane. You will be pissed that you had to run.

2. If you do have to do such pointless running, you will then enter the plane and cough for the next hour as your heart and lungs try to recuperate. People will think you have swine flu and will not want to sit next to you. This gives you an extra seat. Cough away.

3. A plane originating in France is the smelliest plane you will ever experience. It might be a stereotype, but I'm telling you it's true. Note to French people- even in the winter you need to wear deodorant.

4. If you see a lady wearing gray tights, a gray skirt, a gray shirt, and gray shoes- avoid her. She likes to walk up and down the aisle and stare at you. For 12 hours.

5. If you hear your name called while standing at the baggage claim, this is not a good sign. They will tell you your bags didn't make the flight. Boo. Then they will tell you that because you don't live here, you get up to 100 euro reimbursed to buy necessities. The definition of necessity is up to you. It's a Christmas miracle.

6. After hearing your Target shopping will be reimbursed (and remembering the free wine/champagne/beer on the flight) you will forever declare your love for Air France, but next time, you will bring a nose plug.

More Help Needed

Thanks for all your shopping and movie ideas. Sounds like The Blind Side is a must see! I am really looking forward to going home! What I am not looking forward to? My flight leaves at 7:25, which means I have to be at the airport at 5:25, which means I have to leave my house at 4am. Nice. It's okay though, I will be in Texas by 4 pm!

Okay, now I need your help again. My Dad entered a holiday photo contest and is a finalist. The picture is my sister and precious niece opening a Doodle Pro I gave her several years ago. She was jumping up and down and screaming. So cute. Anyway, if you vote, he could win an awesome prize!

Go here...
http://www.ktrh.com/pages/xmasmemory-vote.html

It's the 6th picture down, choose the circle underneath next to "Mike R." Then, scroll to the bottom and click vote! That's all!

Please please help! Thanks so much!

HELP!!!!

So in 5 days I will be in God's country (you know, the greatest place on earth, aka Texas) and I will need to use my 10 days to catch up on life in the real world. I live in a bubble. A AFN commercial, no food, no mall, go to France for the weekend, bubble. So I need your help!

-What do I buy?
-What movies do I see?
-What shows do I watch?
-Who has good sales?
-What is fun and new?

Heeeeellllpppppppp!

8 Days!!

8 short days until...

Be still my heart!

Sunday Randomness

1. If you STILL haven't figured out how awesome Rue La La is, now is a great time to sign up! What is it? A members only sale site for designer goods. Vera Bradley, Lilly Pulitzer, Citizens of Humanity. LOVE! Anyway, right now they are offering you $10 in credit to sign up. Time to buy a Christmas present for yourself! Check it out!

2. As I near 300 followers I am planning something big. HUGE. GIANORMOUS. If you are a promoter, maker, or seller or items that you think my readers would be interested in and would like to partner for a giveaway, please contact me. If you are not a follower yet, trust me, you want to be. These super top secret sneaky plans will be awesome!

3. On my question post someone (Katie, I think) asked about our choices for our next base. Yes, Korea is actually something we are choosing. From what we have heard all the couples that have gone to Osan together have loved it. I have heard nothing but wonderful things. Lajes and Turkey I have heard some negative opinions, but they offer warm weather, and I really really really need warm weather.

4. I told you this was random.

5. It hasn't snowed here yet! How crazy is that?! The last two years we have had a white Thanksgiving. I love global warming. Love it.

6. I'm a huge dork. I want to be a librarian so I can get paid to be a dork. I even read cartoons about libraries. I saw this and laughed. A lot. Maybe too much. I need to travel, I've been inside too long.

The Parent/Teacher Relationship

To all parents and future parents, here are some tips for a successful and pleasant parent/teacher relationship.

1. Communicate! Just like in any relationship, communication is key. This does not mean you should send a message through your child. Call, email, or write a note. Five year olds don't have the best memory. If something is going on, do not wait until the day before report cards to bring it up with the teacher.

2. Participate! When things are sent home for practice, work with your child to practice. If your child was able to sit and work on these skills alone, teachers would not be necessary. And yes, even if your child says they already did it, you should practice with them. Just as dentists can not hold all the responsibility for clean teeth, teachers can not hold all the responsibility for education. Same goes for behavior. If behavior is an issue, participate at home. If you make it clear that bad behavior is not tolerated, their school behavior will improve.

3. Ask! If an issue comes up, something is not understood, or you are in need of something- ASK. Do not tell. Do not force. Do not accuse. Do not attack. Ask for the teachers input. We are people. We do not work for you, so please do not treat us as employees.

4. Mind your tongue! If there is an issue in the class with the teacher, with a specials teacher, or with the school itself, do not discuss it with or in front of your child. Your negative attitude or lack of respect will rub off on your child. Guaranteed. Children should not discuss adult issues, so don't discuss it with them. The worst thing a teacher can hear is, "Well my MOM said that you..." I don't divulge your parenting issues to your child, and I expect the same respect.

5. Read! If something is sent home, read it. All of it. Do not blame your child's teacher for your lack of understanding due to not reading. (If you still don't understand after reading, see 3.)

6. Volunteer! Make yourself available as much as possible. For projects, parties, or even just for conferences. Let your child's teacher know that education is important to you. However, do not be a leech. Your child is now in school. What a perfect time to get a hobby. A hobby that does not include being up the teacher's butt.

7. Understand! Please know that while your child is special, precious, and totally lovely, they may also act differently at school. Your child will be held responsible for his/her decisions. Your child will not be treated with kid gloves because you have no hobby. (See 6.)

8. Respect! Respect that we have gone to school for this position. While we may not be perfect, most of us do everything in our power to help your child. While I am sure that you believe your child is gifted/not ADD/perfect/etc., please respect the teacher's opinion as a trained PROFESSIONAL.

9. Share! Just as you do not want to receive notes only when your child is bad, teachers do not want to only receive notes for problems. Are you noticing your child has become a super reader? Are they really enjoying school? Did they mention something funny? Share that with the teacher as well. Goodness knows we don't get paid enough, so kind notes go along way to make up the difference.

10. Prepare! Set your child up for success. Get them to school on time, dress them appropriately, work with them before Kindergarten, feed them meals that increase focus, discuss correct choices. YOU are an equal part in the ultimate success or failure of your child in school. Help them to put their best foot forward by making sure they are prepared.



Are you a parent? Print this out! Review it! Your child's teacher will be thankful.
Not a parent? Study now. Don't be a whacko. Trust me, they will talk about you in the lounge.