Downgraded to coach? Oh no, make that second hand luggage!!!

Well it's finally happened - I should have known it would eventually, I mean a girl can't enjoy Princess status forever I suppose. It's now official that I've been downgraded to the status of second hand luggage.

I asked my Mom (hi Mom! If you are reading this stop right now or proceed with caution. I had to blog this because I really don't think anyone will ever believe me anyway) yes I asked my MOTHER, the person that gave me birth, if she would come and visit me in Germany. She could have come up with a million good excuses I'm sure but this was her reply "I heard that people that travel overseas often lose their luggage and this FREAKED me out - so I'll just see you when you get back here in a year!!!" Ok, it freaked me out that my 72 year old Mom used the terminology "freaked me out" in the first place but to have her freaked out about losing luggage...this is incredible! I mean she still has clothes in her closet from the 50s! Obviously they are a bit more valuable than her only daughter.

So...I guess I must not be as important to her as the outfits in her suitcase would have been. It's only been 2 years since we've seen each other and will be another year before we are able to get back to America. But what difference does that make when you have luggage to think about?

Yes, I am a bit annoyed and hurt that I can't even get my MOM to visit. No one seems to care that we are here all alone and no one will even consider visiting us. Anyone want to adopt me? It seems I'm available but not of much value :(

Julia Marie Stephens

She is so precious! I had to share these photos to show you what an incredible change occurs when these babies are placed in the arms of the ones that love them. Julia blossomed the moment she was placed in her Mommy's arms! What a beautiful gift!

Prayers for my friend

Please say a prayer for my friend Klaudia. She lives in Ireland and was expecting a referral call this month. Instead of a referral call she recieved a refusal from the CCAA for no reason other than she is a citizen of Austria and China does not have an agreement with them! After all this time of waiting patiently she has to watch the rest of her travel group go get their babies without her. I can't imagine anything more painful for a Mother to endure but I do believe when God closes one door he will open another. Please pray that she has peace during this difficult time and maintains her trust and faith in the Father's plan. She is a very kind and dear friend and has been such a blessing to me during this wait. My heart is breaking for her. This news has been devestating.

Saturday in the park

It was a gorgeous day on Saturday - warm and sunny! We had our friends the Slater family come over for a barbeque and then we walked to the park. We all had a great time, especially on the bicycle go round :) There were hot air balloons floating over us too which was really cool! Don't the Dads look cute on the swings? After the park we came home and made icecream sundaes! My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip...what's your favorite?

Create your own video at One True Media

Stephens Family on their way to China!!!

My friend Heather and her husband Ray are on their way to China to bring Julia home!!! YAY!!! Heather is my first "adoption sister" that I met at the beginning of this journey long long ago. She has been my motivation and my support when I needed someone to listen to my aching heart. I owe her dearly. I don't think I could have gotten through without having friends like her to care about me when nobody else understood what I needed. I am so blessed to have made her aquaintance on this journey. Thank You Heather! I can hardly wait to see Julia wrapped in her Mommy's arms :)

Fathers Day at Berg Eltz

The weather was just gorgeous - sunny and warm so we took a trip to Berg Eltz on Sunday afternoon. We had a wonderful time - the castle was so beautiful and there was a stream down the hill so Jared enjoyed wading and rock throwing. We all had such a great time and everyone made the hike back up the hill without needing a ride! Jared crashed out in the car on the way home and could not be waked up so he slept for 13 hours! Needless to say he was ready to eat when he woke so I had breakfast already prepared.
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Ode to summer

For maybe just a moment and the moment will be gone, but for one brief moment the sun has graciously blessed us with it's presence and the air has warmed to moderately high warm temps. It is Fabulous!!! I've been soaking up as much as my pale, freckled skin will endure for as many moments as I can before I worry that I will become a lobster hovering in the shade for the remainder of the sun's visit here. I try to moderate myself and not try to soak it all up in one sitting like I'd love to do. It would be nice to just fall asleep in the warmth of the sun, with the breeze softly blowing kisses across my cheek and the birds singing a sweet lullabye in the trees. If only for a moment, then the moments gone...ahh sweet sweet summer. Please don't get away from me again. I cherish every moment of your visit and mourn for you desperately when you are gone. Why must you go? Can't you see you bring happiness and laughter? Can't you see how many rush outdoors on those gorgeous sun filled days? I almost hit at least a dozen hikers and bikers on the roads today - they were everywhere! Filling up every crook and turn of these windy, hills in the Eifel. I can't blame them for taking the chance to make the road their pathway to solar solace. It's been a great day, a beautiful day and a day to get out and explore and unwind. We explored many roads today (ok I was a little lost) but found many treasures along the way. The Eifel region is breathtakingly beautiful when the sun shines. Steeply crooked roads give way to lush fertile valleys with villages tucked inside them like something in a painting. Time slows to a crawl here and you share a lane barely the width of your car with a tractor loaded with plow blades sticking out each side. Sleepy cattle laze and graze by the roadside, you occasionally see a herd of deer the size of large dogs...it's so tranquil here you would not think the world was anything but a beautiful place. Life is good here...during summer anyway :)

What kind of personality do you have???

Kim has a Type B+ Personality :)

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Photos

Out on the veranda - anyone care for coffee???


Jaiden and Ceanna's dolls. Jaiden's is green and Ceanna's is pink. The roses are growing in the front yard and the tomatoes I just bought on Monday, and need to plant.

The Glassmaker's shop

Saturday 10 June 06 we took a trip to Weiden, Germany and toured some of the many glass and crystal factories there. In one of the shops there was a man who makes the glass and you can sit and watch him work. Jared even got a chance to go up on stage and help him to turn the glass and blow it. That was too cool! There were so many beautiful things to see in this town. I hope the video works. PLEASE let me know if it does OK?
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing


Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

So many boxes...but without any presents

Box cutter...check Pen...check rip rip rip paperwork paperwork check...Boxes and boxes are off loaded from the trucks...and boxes and boxes are opened and their contents identified...this process is now my days as I am doing my stint of AF Reserve duty in the Recieving section of Supply. It is rather exciting at first but gets rather monotonous after a while. After a while the fun of opening a box to see what's inside just loses some of it's luster...

ooooh....! but I got a box in the mail yesterday that will not lose it's luster for a long long time!....I ordered a baby doll for Ceanna (finally found "the one") and it is adorable!!!! Her sweet little face is all lit up in a smile and her hair and body were so soft and warm...could be from baking in the car all afternoon, but her smell and warmth brought a comfort and happiness to me that I've not had in a long time.

Yes, I will get a photo on here but for now I am off to bed. Got a long day of box cutting ahead of me tommorrow :)

Trek across Germany and beyond

Congratualtions Class of 2006!

It is always fun to go but it is certainly good to be be home again. We are back from our trip to Grafenwoer to see Mike graduate from High School. A momentous leap for our firstborn. He will be heading off to Osh Kosh for college in a few weeks and it was so hard to say goodbye. No more fun summers spent exploring and taking family vacations, no more ingenious surprise dinners from our budding chef, long talks about the great big dreams he has, playing every kind of sport...Mike is such a versatile and talented kid (er young man) he has grown up way too fast. The years flew by way too quickly. It seems like he was a tiny slip of a boy with a high pitched squeaky voice just a moment ago...now he is a very handsome man with a deep sultry voice on his way to making the world a much better place with all he has to contribute.

I don't need to wish him luck because I know he will be great at whatever he puts his mind to doing. I don't have to pray that his life be without trial because I know that he will meet each challenge and build upon it. I don't have to wish him love because his heart is big and strong; it can weather the heartaches and bring joy to the mournful and someday it will burst with the joy of a lifetime fullfilled with good moments, with sad moments, and every moment unique. I wish him a lifetime of moments that will be cherished forever. May God Bless You Always Mike!

Why do I talk to myself...

I wonder why I do this blog thing. I don't know....oh ok maybe because I love to write. But I also LOVE to hear from my friends and family but there doesn't seem to be anyone out there who cares about writing in response to what I post. No comments or even a quick email...I'm totally alone in cyberspace. Hellooooo out there - is anyone listening????

This girls got skills!!!

A week ago I didn't know diddly about the inside of a computer but as of Friday I'm a nearly certifiable technician - I got a 97 on my test!!! Woo Hoo! I am taking a two week A+ Hardware and Software course and I am learning so much great and useful information. I can now take apart and put together a computer ;) I haven't tried it at home yet though. But I can identify on sight all the different kinds of RAM (memory) and various other components of the system board. The instructor did an awesome job of making dull boring material become working knowledge...I give him an A+ as well :) This week we are learning about software...extremely boring and way over my head but hopefully I will learn something useful this week.

June 8, 2006 - UDDATE - I Passed!!! Woo Hoo! I got 100 on my Software Applications test :) I was sweating bullets big time but I got through it and now have one more class under my belt. YAY! This class was really tough and lots of information was being thrown out in the 4 days of class...my brain hurts! I am so exhausted now.

I am really bummed that I am going to miss the HTML class next week...I could really use this info to assist me with this blog...

When you wish upon a star...

I was missing a Walmart fix really bad so I was at my next best shopping place Amazon and found a way to make my wish list public knowledge (My birthday is coming up hint hint) I'm just messing around - but if you would like to see what we like you are welcome to visit my list. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/1WK2NLMOZJ3Q2 Copy and paste the link if there is no hyperlink...i can't seem to get this thing to work.

Congratulations MSgt Scott Klein

Today is the day!!!! It's official! Scott is now a Master Sergeant!!!! Woooo HOOO! This day has been a long time coming and we are so excited that it has finally arrived. The boys and I got the opportunity to "tack on" Scott's stripes today at the Stripes Ceremony in Club Eifel. Scott was the only Master Sergeant inducted into the Senior NCO tier for Spangdahlem this month and I am so very proud of him.