As Wyatt would say: 'Awkward'

Yesterday was the first time I felt like a tourist. Awkward.

We had just arrived to the house we were going to look at but the landlord wasn't there yet. Kylee, of course, had to use the bathroom. Keep in mind that these villages are NOT a small little town in the states. I could even compare it to Beach City, Ohio. You can't just find a little convenient store in most of these villages to use the bathroom, and I wasn't going to have her squat along the road right in front of our potential house. Up the road there was an illuminated sign that said 'Bitburger' (which is apparently a local beer). It was the only place that seemed to be open to the public so we ventured in. It was a pub or some sort. Several older men where play foosball when we walked in and turned around as soon as they saw the door open. They must not be used to people coming in. Anyhow, they gave us a funny look, I said something about 'toilette' with a funny look on my face, and got another funny look back. Eventually they figured out what I wanted. We must have missed the signs on the door because Kylee ended up using the men's bathroom. Oops.

I realized I should try to remember some of that German I was learning. But really, I get nervous and go blank. And I decided that I wouldn't get mad at people in the states that don't speak English well. Cause I am sure these German's are tired of us American's not knowing their language.

Send me your expired coupons!

So, I noticed things at the commissary were a bit more expensive than normal. I am going to start using coupons. The cool thing is, I can used expired coupons up to 6 months past the expiration date! So, would you mind saving your coupons you don't use and mailing them up our way? I would REALLY appreciate it, especially since there are not ads here that have coupons in them.

We made it!

Here we are, in Germany. So far I'm loving it. I will admit that first day we got here I wanted to go home, but in my defense I had NO sleep in over 24 hours, I didn't feel good from the plane ride, and its was raining here. Plus, it just wasn't Minot. BUT after much needed sleep I woke up ready to enjoy Germany.

So, the plane actually ended up leaving at 1130pm Baltimore time. It was a horrible wait as we had to be out of our hotel at 2pm. The kids were so well behaved though. They took the boredom much better than I did actually. We hung out at the USO most of the time so at least there was TV, snacks, and comfy chairs to sit at.

Once we boarded the plane Wyatt literally fell asleep right away. The plane didn't even move away from the gate before he fell asleep. Kylee dozed off shortly after take off. James is apparently used to sleeping on long flights so it was easy for him to go to bed. However, I was just too uncomfortable to fall asleep. Plus, I watched a few movies on the plane. Dinner and Breakfast were both served but I wouldn't suggest trying the food. James enjoyed it but I thought it was horrible. I guess when your used to eating food at the Chow hall for a year any type of food is considered good.

Anyhow, we were originally scheduled to land around noon Germany time, but the airport was closed. Odd isn't it? Actually, Germany is pretty big on going to Church and closing around lunch time so there are quiet hours in place. Our plane was landing on a Sunday so there could not be any noise from the base until 1pm. The pilot told us he flew super slow over the ocean to try to get to Ramstein AB around opening time, but still ended up having to do a few circles for about an hour before we were able to land.

The landing was HORRIBLE!!! I thought I was going to throw up. I'm usually a pretty good flyer, but for some reason this was bumpy and had my stomach in knots until we touched down. Once we departed the aircraft we had to have a customs briefing. Basically we were told what we could and could not have. We couldn't bring in more than 10,000 euros. (We obviously didn't have THAT problem.) We also couldn't bring in meat, dairy, and some other type of product. Getting our luggage was easy and we weren't checked going through customs either. Our sponsor met us at the airport so that we had a ride from Ramstein AB to Spangdahlem AB which is about an hour or so away. I really wish I would have taken a picture of ALL of our luggage. It was an ungodly amount of stuff: 7 bags, 2 carseats, 5 carry-ons plus the kids (they are considered luggage as we had to carry them half the time).

Ok, I will have to update about our current living quarters later today. Its pretty awesome I must admit, even with all the quirky cute German touches. I will hopefully add some pictures of it as well.

I have a friend taking me to the commissary later today so that I can get more than a few things. After James' briefings today we are going to look at a house (hopefully). I'll update later on that as well.

Back at the airport

We are sitting at the USO at the airport in Baltimore waiting till we can try to get tickets for the next flight to Germany. It shouldn't be a problem getting on the plane, but they wanted us here 4 hours early to check in. We are to check in around 530 but not fly out till 930. I really hope we get on this plane. I know we have priority over most of the other travelers because we are on military orders and they are just trying to fly back to Ramstein AB after being on leave. We should land in Ramstein AB around 1pm Sunday (German time). The drive to Spangdahlem is only about an hour, thankfully. We are all so ready to be there! Lets just hope they have a room for us!

I'll update again once we get settled. :D

Good Bye Minot....

Hello Baltimore???

Yes, we are stuck in Baltimore for a few days.

Because it was -35 in Minot the morning we left and because it took 2 hours for a mechanic to change a light bulb in the cabin of the plane, we missed our flight from Minneapolis to Baltimore and therefore missed our flight from Baltimore to Germany. So, here we are stuck in a hotel room in Baltimore till Saturday evening when the next flight leaves for Ramstein AB, Germany. The kids are doing pretty well being in a hotel room again, but we all are bored. On the bright side, we only have 24 hours left till we can head to the airport again :D

Here are some pictures from the flights so far...

Kylee and I on the plane in Minot, waiting to take off (which was an hour wait)

Daddy and Wyatt waiting as well. 

Finally taking off! Bye Minot. :(

Somewhere over North Dakota. 

Welcome Home James

Goodbye house

Today I had the final inspection on the house. After several days of packing and cleaning we are officially homeless. It was very hard to leave the house. I didn't think too much of it until I saw the growth chart we did on the kids' wall. I realized our new house wouldn't have that.

We are staying in the Temporary Living Facilities (TLF) here on base. Its not too small and has all that we need. There is two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and small dinning room as well as two bathrooms. I will have to take pictures after I finish putting stuff away. Its pretty cluttered at the moment.

James will be home in TWO days!!! 48 hours and we will be on our way to the airport! He leaves Korea tomorrow night, so he's got about a full days worth of traveling to do. Poor guy. I feel bad for him because a week after he gets back we are headed back overseas.

I'll update later. I have to go switch laundry before someone steals it from the laundry room :D