Lots of Animals

The week isn't over yet, but we can definitely call it "Animal Week". The kids saw and interacted with lots of animals the past few days and loved every minute of it. On Tuesday night we went to our favorite, kids friendly restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, as they offer kids night every Tuesday. This means that their mascot Andy (the Armadillo) is making the rounds during dinner time as well as they do a line dance every hour and have an arts and crafts section. The kids love going to "Andy's house". This Tuesday they also had a wildlife exhibit on their porch. The kids were allowed to touch a parrot, a tortoise, a rabbit, and a snake and look at a spider and a baby porcupine. It was interesting to see Amelia and her friend Noah interact with these "wild" animals. Elliot wasn't too fond of touching any of the animals but rather enjoyed eating his food. It was an easy and fun night out for all of us.

On Wednesday morning, we had arranged a play-date and horseback riding at Blue Heron Ranch for Amelia and 3 other friends.

Since they enjoyed themselves so much a few months back, we figured we repeat it and it was a hit. The kids loved feeding the horses, chasing the big turkey around and riding on the miniature pony. 

Elliot had a as much fun as the bigger kids and couldn't get enough of sitting in the saddle and feeding the horses with hay. This kid is not afraid of anything. Luckily, after a good picnic lunch, Amelia and Elliot were both totally worn out and took a good nap at home. 

The rest of the days we spent at home sorting thru stuff and getting organized so that I can start packing some boxes on the weekend. While I was busy doing that, the kids played nicely with each other. It seems like that they build a closer bond daily and enjoy playing with each other more and more, which makes me a happy mommy. 

A Date, a Sprinkle and Some Showers

This weekend was a rainy one. I was lucky to go running early Saturday morning before the rest of the day was rained out. Luckily, the kids were equally happy to play indoors with us as they would have been outside. Daddy doesn't mind playing dolls and dress-up with Amelia.

Since the last few days have been very rough with Amelia (she is having some behavioral issues) I decided to spend some one-on-one time with her. So we had a mommy-and-daughter date at the mall yesterday. She enjoyed going to the Disney store and choosing an Ariel barbie doll, riding the carousel with me and eating Chick-fil-a. She was a well-behaved and happy little girl and it felt good spending time with only her. I need to remind myself that it can be tough being 3 years old and being a big sister. So the move and all the upcoming changes will be good for us as we will have more time to spend together as a family of 4 but also can have more one-on-one time with the kids. 

Yesterday we also had a little sprinkle (baby shower for second-time mommies) at a nearby restaurant for our dear friend Ellie. She is expecting a little miracle baby boy named Luca in May. We are so happy for her and her husband and big brother Noah. My friend Melissa did a great job at planning and organizing the baby shower and everything turned out great. 

Mommy-to-be

Melissa, Ellie and Fran

Beatriz & Fran; my gift basket for Ellie; Ellie & Fran

Group shot

Sunday started off rainy but I hope that it dries up a bit as the sun is peaking out now. The kids love playing with our neighbor. Even Elliot gets in on the action when the barbie dolls are out.

I hope you all have a restful Sunday and a good start to the week. We will start to sort thru stuff this week and pack some boxes. Doesn't sound too exciting but for us it is because it means we are one step closer to moving :) 

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