back to what we call home

Kirk and I had the wonderful opportunity to go home for about two weeks for Christmas. It was fabulous. We went to all of our favorite American restaurants including: Chipotle, Sweet Water Tavern, Panera, Starbucks, Manhatten Bagel (hadn't had a bagel since I've been in Germany), and Chik-fil-A. As much as we love our mothers' home-cooked meals, we had to opt out a few times so we could get in all of our USA favs. Was that rude?

Aside from loving the American grub, we absolutely loved being with our friends and family. It was a much needed break from Army life (for Kirk) and housewife life (for me). Living in Germany has been and will continue to be a wonderful and unique opportunity for us as a couple and as individuals, but we definitely miss the comfort of home and the time with friends and family...

There is something so special about sitting on the couch with my mom and just catching up. I also cherish our time spent shopping together and getting mani/pedi's. Spending quality time with our siblings is always so fun and reminds me of how blessed we are to have such tight bonds with our brothers and sisters. Seeing our nephew reach new milestones (like rolling over) is so incredible and makes me wish that I could be there for ALL of his milestones. I'm jealous that my mom will get to hear him babble his first words, chase him around the house when he starts crawling, and eventually watch him take his first steps. We hate being the Aunt and Uncle that live so far away. But, I guess we have to look at in a different light. We will be in little Britton's life during some very influential years once we move back to the States. For now, we should soak up our opportunities and be grateful to God for presenting them.

That is easier said than done though sometimes. At times, I look at living in Germany as an annoyance, a hassle, a stressful circumstance. BUT, I also look at living here as a blessing, an adventure, and a time to learn how to live outside my comfort zone (which I think everyone should do every once in awhile). Yes  it was SO nice to be able to speak to the employees in Target and ask questions if I wanted to. (side note: I did ask a Target employee where the shoe section was JUST because I could....In Germany I would walk around forever until I found what I was looking for because I wouldn't know how to ask). But, it forces me to learn and stretch myself when I want to communicate in German. I could go on and on about the pros and cons of living in Germany but I'll save that for another post. When it comes down to it -- I love the new "normal" that we've created here, I just wish our friends and family could share it with us!

Kirk and I slept in WAY too late today and that is the reason we are both still up at 2:52AM. I guess we should start hittin' the hay...  I'll leave you all (and by "all" I mean the one person that follows me) with a picture of our sweet nephew, Britton who just started on solid foods over Christmas break! Yay for Britty :)

-MB