We Are Moving!

It is official. We will be moving to Mooresville, NC in the end of March. During our road trip, we looked at two houses to rent and this week, we signed a contract for one of them and will be moving in on April 1st. It is a two-story house with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms, a garage and a beautiful fenced in backyard. 

I'm excited and really looking forward to exploring a new State, city, neighborhood and landscape. I am also happy because we will start a new season of life. Derrick will be taking off work for some time to be home with me and the kids. We will enjoy lots and lots of quality time together and since Mooresville is located next to a big lake, Lake Norman, I see lots of fishing and boating in our future.

But I am also a bit nervous because now I have a month to pack up this entire house and get my family ready for the move. For sure it will be stressful and hard but I think the joy of finally having a set date and place to move to is much bigger than the stress we will endure along the way.  Hopefully everything goes smoothly and we can enjoy the Easter holiday in our new home.

Other than filling out applications and talking about the move, we have been back to our normal routine after traveling for the past 4 weeks. On Sunday we were invited to Enzo's 4th birthday party and it was a blast. Except for the heat: 2 hours in the backyard and I got my first sunburn of the season. There was a bounce house for the kids and a Power Ranger came by for a visit (even though Amelia had no idea what he is and didn't care to play with him).

We also went on our usual Sunday walk and played with the kids in the yard. It feels so surreal because on Friday morning when we left South Carolina, it was 23F (-5C). On Monday, it was not even 10am and the kids played in the water because it was so hot. For snack, we harvested strawberries and the air smelled like sunscreen. It definitely doesn't feel like February here. 

On Tuesday we did something special: The kids and their friends went to visit our local fire station and got a tour. It was very nice for Firemen Kenny and his team to take time out of their busy schedules to show us around. He did a good job at explaining things and answering our questions. But the highlight for sure was sitting on the big firetruck. 

Because we are so thankful for their service to our community, we delivered some homemade cookies and muffins and made a huge thank-you card. The firefighters really appreciated the gesture and invited us to come back again.

Now, we are looking forward to a quiet weekend at home with Daddy. I'm making lists for moving and Derrick is researching the surrounding area and scheduling our moving truck. Lots of things going on here...but good things.

Road Trip to the Carolinas

The past week, we have been on a family road trip to search for a new place to call home. We have spent hours and hours in the car and despite the fact that the kids just traveled over 5000 miles in an airplane, they have been great travel buddies. Derrick and I shared the driving, so it wasn't too exhausting for us either. And while he drove, I  crocheted some scarfs. 

The farther we drove north, the colder it got. We went from sunshine and 70F degree weather to temps in the 30s. Thanks to a couple of winter storms moving across the Northeast last week, we even had temperatures dipping as low as 18 degrees and snow and ice on the ground. It made this trip a real adventure. 

The first day we made it to South Carolina and spent a night there before completing our trip the next day. It's approximately 740 miles (11 hours) from Pembroke Pines to Mooresville, NC. Mooresville is a suburb of Charlotte, around 25 miles north of the city. When we got to Mooresville, it was cold but no snow or ice yet. This allowed us to explore this small town of approximately 35,000 people. Mooresville seems to be divided into two parts: an old downtown area, with small shops, government buildings and older homes; and the newer part with shopping plazas and newer constructed homes. 

Between touring houses, we made sure the kids get out and about. They loved playing on the playground or running around on empty grassy fields.

And then it started snowing on Monday and at night the snow turned into ice. The kids enjoyed seeing the snow and gliding/ eating icicles.

Amelia definitely had more fun in this winter weather than Elliot did. After a few minutes, my little boy usually had enough of being cold and wanted to take off all those layers and layers of clothes. As you can see, my handmade scarfs came in handy.

Since the weather forecast predicted more ice and snow for Wednesday, we decided it was time to head South before we get stuck in the winter storm. And so we made a surprise visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house near Charleston, SC. At that point, we all were tired from driving.

Despite the unannounced visit, Grandma and Grandpa were happy to see us. And Marty the dog was too. The kids loved playing ball with him.

Amelia discovered her love for the electronic piano (keyboard) and was constantly playing on it. Her musical talent must come from her grandfather, who once played with BB King in a band. He can play the saxophone, guitar and the drums. Also, her Opa (my father) plays the keyboard.

And while we were there, we celebrated Grandma's upcoming birthday with her. HAPPY 77th BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA!

Me and my boy.

Uncle David stopped by to see us too.

On Friday morning when we left South Carolina, it was 23F (-5C) but it was balmy 67F (19C) when we arrived in South Florida in the late afternoon. We sure enjoyed our trip and also the cold weather. It definitely was a change from the usual winter weather here in Florida.

Now, we are waiting to hear from the Realtor to see if we got approved for one of the 3 houses we toured. If all goes well, we will be back very soon to the Carolinas.

Remembering my Uncle Bernhard

One of the reasons why I traveled so spontaneously to Germany was my uncle Bernhard was very ill. He had been laid up in the ICU for several weeks, waiting on a transplant. And since I wasn't able to call my favorite uncle, I knew I needed to go and see him. I visited him almost every other day while I was there. The first couple of times I saw him, he was awake, in good spirits and we chatted for over two hours. We even took a selfie together...

But due to more health complications, on January 30th, 2015 my uncle went home to be with the Lord. We are heart-broken because he passed away way too early and we miss him dearly, but we know that he is not suffering any longer and is now reunited with his dad, my Opa Franz.

He is survived by his loving wife Angela, his son Thomas as well as my grandmother, his sister (my mom) and his two brothers. Even though I wasn't able to attend his funeral (my return flight was already booked), I feel thankful and content that I was able to be with him while he was still alive.

Uncle Bernhard and his wife Angela, October 2011 

     

My grandma and her 4 children/ My mom and her brother Bernhard

When I was little and before my uncle Bernhard had his own family, he spent lots of weekends visiting my mom, brother and me in Berlin. Those weekends were always full of laughter, roughhousing and fun. Even when I moved to the U.S., I stayed in close contact with my godfather via letters and postcards. My uncle was a dedicated philatelist and loved receiving stamps and postcards from all around the world. His other favorite pastime was traveling, especially by car and bus. We always joked that one day they will build a bridge between Russia and Alaska and then he will come and visit me in Florida.

  

Me and my uncle in August 2008

Amelia and Elliot with my Uncle 

I'm still trying  to understand why such a good and God loving person had to endure so much and leave this world far too young but I know that his spirit lives on. And one day we will see him again when we are all called home.

"Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26 

Weekly Round Up

It has been a week since we are back from Germany and some of you are wondering what we have been up to. Well, not much. The kids and I have been battling a cold we brought back home as well as getting the kids back to their normal routine in this timezone. The first couple of nights after our return had been rough since the kids were awake at 2am...

Other than that we are delighted to be back home. The kids and I have missed Daddy dearly. As soon as we came home, all they wanted to do was play with him. And of course, Amelia was happy to see our cat as well.

On Thursday morning (the day after we arrived), Amelia had her semi-annual dental cleaning. And it was no fun since both kids were jet lagged and sleep deprived. Also, it didn't help that the last time Amelia was at the dentist, they had to fix a cavity. Lots of tears....but at least her teeth are healthy and shiny.

On the weekend, we participated in our community-wide garage sale and were able to sell a lot of baby toys and stuff we don't need any longer.

Elliot also got his second haircut on the weekend. It is quite short, but since his hair grows so fast, I figured I don't need to cut it for several weeks. I think he looks like Brad Pitt....very handsome and a little cheeky.

Winter in South Florida feels very nice. It has been quite cool here over night and in the mornings a tad breezy, just enough for a light sweater. So the kids and I are constantly outside, either for a long walk or playing in the backyard.

For sure, the kids are happy to be back home and enjoy playing in their own rooms with their own toys. Their two distinct personalities are really shining through lately and it is interesting to see them becoming their own person. They are totally different from each other. Elliot is easy going. He doesn't fight back much, loves to eat, is easy to please, and usually just a happy little fella. On the other hand, Amelia is very dominant, pushy and headstrong. She likes to be in charge and loves to talk back and doesn't take "No" for an answer. Despite their differences, they love playing with each other and every day, they grow closer and enjoy being silly with each other. Here is a picture that shows exactly their distinct personalities:

Today I am packing again as we are hitting the road tomorrow morning. We are driving up to the Carolinas to look for a new place to call home. I have high hopes that we will find something suitable. Once we return, we have 3 weeks left to pack up the house and move out. Busy month ahead but also exciting. 

This year we are skipping over Valentine's Day. Since we are traveling this weekend and haven't been home much. Hence, I have not decorated or done anything for Valentine's Day. I'm not missing it and I won't regret it because all it matters that we are together with the ones we love. 

Happy Valentine's Day  

Spontaneous Winter Visit to Germany - Part II

The kids and I just came back from an unplanned and short  2-week trip to Germany. While the reason for the trip was more a necessity for me than a vacation, I'm so happy that we did go. And while my time was mostly spent at hospitals, the kids had fun playing and being with my family. 

Elliot and my aunt Angela/ Amelia and her godmother Julia/ Oma and her 2 grandbabies

Opa Juergen and his godchild Amelia/ Elliot and his godmother Kathi

My sister-in-law and her kids stopped by one afternoon for a surprise visit too. 

Since I didn't had much time to see any friends, my best friend Nadine and her son, Elias, came by for a visit one Sunday. Even though we didn't had much time to talk due to whiny children, we at least saw each other and shared a hug or two. And the boys enjoyed playing together, just as best buddies do. 

And my "little" brother and his fiance Anna, who live in Hamburg, stayed with us for a weekend too. It was great seeing everyone.

A few days before we left it even snowed. Amelia was so excited to play in the snow that one morning she and Oma build a snowman before 7am. On the other hand, Elliot wasn't so sure about the snow and rather enjoyed being pulled in the wagon. 

One afternoon I took the kids to a small zoo near the hospital where my grandma was staying at. It was cold and we only were there for an hour, but the kids enjoyed seeing some small animals and feeding the ducks.

This visit was all about family: eating dinner together, cuddling on the couch, meeting up with new and old family members and just being together. This trip made very clear to me that it is important to enjoy the little things in life because one day when we'll look back, we realize those were the big things.

And so after 2 weeks, we said bye again to our loved ones there.  One last cuddle, one last look back and off we were....flying home.

Even though this trip was short and physically as well as mentally very draining, it was so worth it to me that I had the chance to be with my uncle for one last time and to spent time with my ailing grandma.