On the Move

Hello Everyone! I know its been almost SIX Months since my last post however if your following on Face-book you haven't really missed much.. Except... Rich and I have been mulling about our future. 
  We had found NZ to be a difficult adjustment after his job in Afghanistan and my independence of City living. Rich found the laid back atmosphere at work difficult after such a high pressure-get it done now mentality, and I found myself where I would never choose to live; in the Sub-burbs feeling very removed from life in general. We were both unhappy and were thinking that perhaps it was time to leave the FS and move on to where we want to be. So Rich began the painstaking job of searching and applications...things progressed slowly which was a GOOD thing because during that time we were able to pray about everything and put more thought into what I believe now to have been a knee-jerk decision.
  All and all..we love our life in the FS, Rich is "for the most part" happy about what he does everyday and we both continue to love our chance to experience life in other cultures. To make an even longer story short....We are moving into a Penthouse downtown in Wellington Central. Rich will be able to walk to work and We'll have access to everything City life has to offer plus, I'll be able to see and speak with people everyday!! Of course the PH is smaller than the house we have now but we still have three bedrooms, two and a half baths and room for company. Rich rented a larger storage locker because we will for sure be downsizing again! We will continue to live here until 2015 so if you plan to visit, please give us you planning information so we can be sure to be around.
These next two weeks will be spent re-packing for storage and moving....again. 

                                                      February 18, 2014

Today is our oldest sons Birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG ALLEN!!!!!!

So Lately Ive been thinking about our life and all our travels. Just memories, but they were amazing and there's not one single thing that I would do different.
I thought today I would share with you all the places that we've lived since beginning our life together, so grab something to drink/munch before you continue.
                                            READY?
Lacey WA.
Olympia WA.
Ft. Lewis WA.
Columbus GA.
Ft. Benning GA.
Lawton OK.
Nuremberg Germany {we had two different homes there}
Lawton OK.
Ft. Drum NY. Carthage
Governor
Potsdam
Amberg Germany
Parsburg Hoenfelts Germany
Waukesha WI.
Seaford, VA.
Ft. Monroe VA.
Neubruecke Germany {we had two different homes there}
Freiburg Germany
Butzbach Germany
San Pedro, CA. {Craig joined the Coast Guard, Chris began College and Corey went to Private School for the first time}
Lansing, KS. {we arrived with only one child..Corey}
Seoul Korea
York, Va. {Corey left for College}
Lyman Germany
Nussloch Germany
Arlington, VA.
Ballston, VA.
Tel Aviv Israel- Patuia
Annandale, VA.
Bern Switzerland
Manchester, NH/Afghanistan 
Alexandra, VA.
New Zealand
                                             There you go, in case you lost count somewhere along the list; we are currently in "Home # 34. Now, if anyone has any questions..Please ask, Ill be honest with my answers.
With all our moves, I think the one thing that our Boy's "MEN" will agree: 
We always kept with traditions-
At least one parent was always home-
Home always had the same things-
We had fun times and made warm memories---
And whenever we left Germany- the boys would always get sick by eating an American candy bar or a doughnut. Followed by: Can we go home now Mommy? 'merica makes us sick...
LOL..Out of the mouths of babes....come untold truths.
Anyway, Like I said; I wouldn't have changed a thing, and I find myself wanting to turn the hands of time back so we could Have the pleasure of sharing those moments once again.
 

                                                         New Zealand...STILL
So here we are four months into this tour and I'm counting the days until we can leave.     

                                                            Thanksgiving 2013

 I was watching the local news last evening- when the Story about the US Embassy serving dinner to the Homeless came on. It was followed by a report on how Americans spend Thanksgiving in the United States today. All of a sudden they showed videos of BLACK FRIDAY, saying it's a day when Americans rush to the stores pushing,shoving,biting and hitting people to grab an item for a few dollars off. Hundreds of people are hurt every year trying to get to a popular item before anyone else. Even if it means the disgusting behavior you may perform to get it! "Its a far cry from what we experienced from the US Embassy here today."
 I have to tell you that I was applaud. Not by the misinterpretation they have of Americans; but by the FACT that the story rang true.
 When I was growing up in the small town of Freedom, Thanksgiving was always a Holiday that I looked forward to. I knew that I would get to spend the whole day eating yummy food and playing with my cousins that I didn't get to see very often. The WHOLE Family would show up at Mimi and Pappy's house, everyone would bring a dish and a dessert and we would all be together; if only for one day the entire year. The excitement in the house was almost overwhelming, all the love and attention it was so warm and comfortable. If only for a day- we were family. We loved each other. "unbreakable" I remember being sad whenever the first family would leave because I knew that we wouldn't be all together in that house until next Thanksgiving. I'm very lucky, because I still have the memories of Holidays past. One of the most difficult things about growing up and moving away was, and is never being able to do that that again. It was always important for me to create wonderful memories for our children, and I truely hope we did! 
 I PRAY that every American will bring those days back to their families, get together if only for ONE day a year, teach your children and grandchildren about giving and being thankful. Let them know that no matter how old they are- they can make a positive impact in someone life. Teach them how important it is to be a FAMILY.     Its  NOT about shopping.
 

                                                          Whats New
Well the weather is getting warmer and the sun seems to be getting brighter. Our calendar is filling up with Thanksgiving and Christmas activities and the BIG news is; our household goods have arrived in country and will be delivered Monday! Its been a year since things were packed up in Switzerland and some things we asked not to be delivered here....so I have no idea whats coming...kind of scary isn't it? I just hope my kitchen things will all arrive. Hopefully soon they will come to put in my kitchen cabinets so I'll have a place to put everything!
Im looking forward to decorating our Christmas Tree, I'm so grateful with all our moves in this world that I have everything our boys made in School. I always pack them very carefully and they have been hanging on our Tree every year, since the day they were made. We have so many other things in storage..I'm thinking by the time I get to see everything again not only will my tears overflow with memories but We should have a lot of antiques in very good condition! 
 I know while many of you are preparing for Snow-over here we are getting ready for Summer. The BBQ Grill will soon be up and running, the Patio table and chairs have been set up on the patio for Rich and I to enjoy our morning coffee and warm evenings. The winds are ever present and with only the birds singing, the quietness of the neighborhood is very calming. 
         I DO wish it would SNOW!!!

Wait-What?

Hello everyone! Rich and I have sure been having fun here...we went shopping for a car last weekend. Of course we're looking for second-hand due to time in country, so we went to a recommended dealer and {NO LIE} Every car he showed us either smelt like wet dog or smoke!!! Needless to say we went elsewhere with our money. We found a very nice Outback with all the bells and whistles along with low mileage and it had a built-in GPS system, comfortable seats and smooth ride; Perfect. Sold. After starting the car...we were greeted by our new GPS...."what did she say?" Youkoso irasshai mashita. Yes. That's right, she spoke Japanese. Now we know some Korean but not Japanese so off to the electronic store to purchase a new GPS- Problem solved right? Wrong...now she has an Aussie accent. Have you ever listened to a conversation between two people with an Aussie slang? Now in all fairness I can understand when she says Rite, leaft and roundabout but the road names and the way their signs are turned is a bit of a buster! I still have yet to drive here, I know I'll have to give it a go at some point but I'm not ready yet- it still freaks me out to ride!
  I keep re-arranging the house and I know Rich will sure be happy when I finely get it figured out. We also purchased a new living room set which will be delivered tomorrow. Next month our shipment will arrive and I'll really be able to settle in.
  Now, for those of you planning a visit- I must tell you that they do not call it Windy Wellington for nothing. In fact it has almost blown me off my feet a couple of times. I do recommend a lined windbreaker and a pair of waterproof walkers. DO NOT bring an umbrella, it will be destroyed in one swoop. Right now the days are nice sweater weather and the nights are cold. Of course it is the beginning of Spring so every month I'll keep you updated. It can be poring rain one minute and sun shining the next. Oh, the SUN..it's very very bright here in fact quite extent, so you will need a very good set of sunglasses. Even the ones I brought from NH are not good enough, Rich and I will be getting subscriptions because it does hurt our eyes. But I do love the brightness over here, it has colors I've never seen before. It's just Beautiful. 

                                                     Hello from NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!
It began with a wonderful trip over, I got bumped-up to First Class from SF to Australia, then on our Flt to Wellington we had an "on board emergency". I happened to be the only person on flight with Medical background {EMT-MA} so I was put to work...and the next Day received an E-mail rewarding me with an extra 2,000 miles.
  The drive from the Airport was terrifying! I've become quite an expert in hanging on the door handle for dear life and screaming- although in my mind I was thinking that if I die, its sure a beautiful place to do it! No need to tell you that I'm not ready to drive over here.
  We have a very nice newer home in Churton Park, we're lucky because most of housing is older with no heat and they have to use space heaters. I'll post pictures once we get settled in, although we wont be getting our home shipment until next month. Rich and I have been busy running around getting things done. So far: I've had my Welcome lunch by the Embassy wives, Security briefing, applied for my pass, got a Dr's appointment, bought a car and got a new TV. Last but NOT least...Mikey gets to come home tomorrow!!! All this in just four days...when I tell you that we hit the ground running, I'm not kidding!! We also have our new cell phones, but we will not have our Magic Jack until we get it in the mail. Rich decided to pack instead of carry- so if you need to contact us, please do so by e-mail. Hopefully it will be in sometime this week. New Zealand is truely amazing and we're excited to explore. We look forward to Hosting as many of you that come to visit and are looking forward to our next three years.