My First Business Trip To Germany

On Mother's Day I had a lovely breakfast with my kids and husband but the day was cut short as I was heading to the airport around lunch time to go on my first business trip to Germany. The company I'm working for is growing their European Market, with a heavy focus on Germany (my homeland), and needed me there to assist with a trade show. Since this was my first business trip after having kids and one that spanned an entire week, there were lots of preparations to make beforehand to ensure everything goes smooth while I'm away. I'm so thankful for my husband who stepped up and willingly took over to make sure I can go on this trip. Before I left, I made sure everyone got a little goody and note from me:

After a long overnight flight, I arrived Monday morning in Stuttgart and my dear friend, Anita, picked me up from the airport. We spent some wonderful and much needed hours together that day, exploring the city, eating ice-cram and chatting away.  

And then for the next three days, I was there to do what I came to do: representing my company at Maintenance Stuttgart. 

Finishing the work day off with a rustic German meal and a beer. Prost!

The trade show went pretty well for us and I enjoyed the experience even though it was exhausting as there was lots of networking, smiling, all-day standing, and blisters on my toes. On Thursday, I even had special guests stopping my booth: my father and his girlfriend Petra. 

Getting along with other exhibitors is always a plus, especially if there is champagne involved:

Meanwhile at home:  

Please note the picture of me on the dinner table because they missed me.

On Thursday night, my co-worker and I packed up the booth and then I headed for a couple of days to Berlin to visit my family before flying back home. By coincidence, my father and Petra were in Stuttgart visiting his aunt and were able to take me back to Berlin by car. But before driving back, I met my dad's aunt and her husband for the first time. Tantchen und Onkel are the two sweetest people and so funny. I don't think I laughed that much during a dinnertime conversation before. 

On Friday I enjoyed a slow start with a sunny breakfast in the yard at my mother's house after arriving around 2:30am in Berlin. We did some shopping that morning before I visited my best friend Nadine and her family for a couple of hours that afternoon. Even though, the visit was very short, we loved catching up with each other and just hanging out for a bit. Despite the distance, I am blessed to have a few great friends in Europe who are there for me and don't mind if we can't see each other for several months or years. But that is also why we savor these short and infrequent visits much more and the  time we do spend together becomes more precious. 

Continuing the tradition of a friendly game of cards between mother and daughter. My grandma always loved played cards with us when we visited her and both my mom and I enjoy following in her footsteps. 

On Saturday, my mom, Juergen and myself went to window shop and eat some lunch in the nearby town of Potsdam. 

Like mother, like daughter:

That day, my little brother and his wife Anna also stopped by for a few minutes to say hello before continuing on to their vacation domicile. 

I also made sure to visit my grandma's and uncle's grave site while I was in town. I still miss them both a lot and no visit back home is the same anymore... 

That night, Juergen ensured that my well-being concerning food was guaranteed:

Actually, the entire week I ate good food and I was especially fond of the fact that it was asparagus season. 

And on Sunday morning, it was already time to say goodbye as my flight back to the U.S. was leaving early afternoon. After checking my luggage in at the airport, my dad and Petra took me get one last German meal and my favorite summer beverage (Berliner Weisse).

A last hug goodbye before going thru security: 

This first business trip of mine was definitely an exciting one and I'm fortunate to be employed by a company who allows me to extend my stay a couple of extra days so that I can to spend time with my family. Even though the time in Berlin was way too short to see everyone, it felt great being home for a few hours. But I was also ready to get back to my family as I missed my kids and husband tremendously that week and couldn't wait to be in their arms again. Silly faces for the win:

Goodbye Kindergarten, Hello First Grade

Today is a bittersweet day for me as it was Amelia's last day of Kindergarten. Sweet that summer break is upon us with late nights, lazy mornings, pool days and beach trips. But sad that my firstborn's first year of school came and went with a blink of the eye and even sadder knowing that this is just the first of many more years that will pass too quickly. Over the past 9 months, my little girl has not only grown in size but also her personality, social skills, wisdom and confidence have flourished. 

    First Day and                             Last Day of Kindergarten

Due to our move, she had the privilege of getting to be part of two Kindergarten classes and being taught by two great Kindergarten teachers. There was not one child Amelia did not like or did not get along with and her teachers always commented on what a joy it is to teach this sweet and bright child. I might be biased as her mother, but she truly is a joy to be around and her love for learning is endless. May this always be the case! 

Mrs. Wyatt                                    Mrs. Griffin

Her grades this year have been excellent but we are more proud of the person she is becoming and the fact that Amelia does not differentiate among people and treats everyone the same, with a smile and a helpful hand. These are the qualities we try to instill at home and will lead her to success later on in life. In this house, good work is rewarded with a treat:

Her first year in elementary school was filled with lots of fun adventures (field trip, field days), class parties, special events (book parade, 100 days of school, crazy hair day), music performances and tons of laughter and new friendships. Here is a little collage of all the fun Amelia has had:

The Kindergartners finished the year off with a pizza party, reading awards and a firetruck spraying down the kids. Even though it was much cooler and wetter than anticipated, the kids didn't mind. 

Here is the video of the fun they had: 

Due to the weather these past two weeks, the children had to postpone their field trip, the field day and the firetruck got almost canceled this morning. I'm just glad I was able to be there for today's event as I had to miss out on the other two due to scheduling conflicts.  A class picture from their field day last week:

A last lunch with her classmates: 

Amelia got a reading award, which is no surprise as she loves to read:

And with that, we have a 1st grader in the house (and its only fitting that her first tooth is loose and 4 new molars are coming in). We are so proud of our star student and all her accomplishments this year. I know that many of the memories Amelia made this year will fade with the passage of time but she will always build on the important things she learned in kindergarten such as reading, writing, and socializing with others. Amelia, may 1st grade be as exciting to you as Kindergarten was and we pray that you never get tired of learning and meeting new people. 

The Shack

For my book club a couple of month ago, we read "The Shack" by WM. Paul Young. I took my time reading this work of fiction as the message was so powerful and thought-provoking and honestly stirred something up in me that for a long time I have tried to make sense off. This Christian novel tells the story of a man, Mack, who spends a weekend in an old shack with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity) after a horrific tragedy impacted his life. The bulk of the book narrates the conversations Mack has with each of the personifications of the Trinity and how the protagonist comes to terms about his daughter's death and his relationship with God. "In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?". The answers Mack gets astounded me and not only transformed him but penetrated my heart deeply and  impacted my way of thinking about God, my life and what relationship I want to have with him. (www.amazon.com)

While reading some reviews online, I found out that there are a few people out there that did not like the book due to it's theological implications. However, as I understood it, the book should not be viewed as a "doctrinal treatise" but rather as a parable. It is not written to recite the bible (that's what the bible is for) but to help us understand what the attributes of God described in the Bible mean and how He and the Holy Trinity work. The book definitely altered my thinking of who He is and who I am in His eyes and why it is so easy to forsake Him.

According to the author, the title of the book is a metaphor for "the house you build out of your pain... for the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged..the thing where shame or hurt is centered." It is written to help one heal and tackle tough situations and confront them before God. But mostly, it delivers a powerful message about forgiveness and why we should seek God.

After reading the book, our book club met up to watch the newly released movie (they did a good job of staying close to the book) and then discussed both. While this book is not written to convert people or teach the Bible, it does discuss very powerful questions about our belief systems and what it means to love, to trust (my word of the year is Trust) in Him and to let go. Reading this book was a very moving experience for me and I highly recommend it. I totally understand that there are many other views about the book, especially among Christians as they cite that it has no biblical groundings, it's heretical, and it's overall message about mercy. But for me it was inspiring and the story told made sense to me and enlightened me how everything fits into God's plan. I was able to get a personal image of God and use that to create a closer relationship with Him. As I mentioned before, it is a work of fiction and everyone can choose what they want to believe in and it is up to each of us how to interpret things. This book just guides us along in the never-ending question of who we are as a human being, what we can contribute to society and what God means to each of us.

The Ones Who Made me a Mommy

God blessed me with two wonderful children and trusted me to take good care of them. 

The best gifts ever!!!

The first kisses I ever gave them will never be forgotten.

Mommy may not be my first name but for sure is my favorite name. And I'm so thankful these two are the ones that made me a Mommy:

My firstborn and favorite girl in the whole wide world:

My sweet, fun and loving baby boy. And yes, I will call him that till the end of my days:

Of course, some days are easier than others though. Right now, it takes a lot of patience and putting my own needs on the back burner but soon enough they don't need me as much and I will look back at these long, monotone days of repeating myself over and over, of constantly wiping things clean and wish my babies would still be little and needy. So I try to cherish all what this season of life has to offer and collect handmade cards, pictures dripping  with paint and little surprises sent home from school. I totally got spoiled this Mother's Day with these loving gifts from my two children:

Happy Mother's Day to my fellow Mommy warriors.

A Morning at the Salon

Today, Amelia spent the morning at the Spa with her friends. She was invited to her girlfriend's Greilyn 6th birthday party at a local salon for children. That my girl was excited about seeing her old classmates and friends again and getting pampered is an understatement. Her she is all dressed up and ready to party:

Upon arrival every girl put on her Luau outfit as the theme of the party was based on the movie Moana.

And then it was time to get their hair, nails and make-up done. Amelia chose a bun on her head and everyone got glitter spray. They looked, smelled (strawberry aroma) and felt like royalty:

They played some games, like Limbo and Ball Toss, and then had a little fashion show:

The birthday girl and all her friends:

There was also pizza and cake and lots of dancing, squealing and laughing:

And lots of happy girls going home after a fun birthday bash:

Unfortunately, all the partying didn't agree with Amelia's stomach (it's not the first time -cake and juice is not a good mix for her and only recently she started eating some cake again after 3 years of not wanting it) and so we took the afternoon easy and relaxed at home.

While the girls were out of the house this morning, the boys did some yard work and then relaxed together: Like Father, like Son!

Now, I have to finish packing  my suitcase as I will leave tomorrow on my business trip to Germany. I'm just a wee bit excited!