Welcome to Deuchland

7 weeks later I am trying to pick back up where I left off. In a way, this little blog is no different than a journal. I am not really sure if anyone will ever read it. I hope the kids will someday sit down and read the blog, smile, and remember these moments. 

So the trip to Germany was about 11 hours long from Seoul. The kids actually did a pretty good job traveling. They all got a small bit of sleep and at least right now I don't remember any major emotional meltdowns. I do remember Charlotte watching the same movie about ballet 2 or 3 times.

We rented a car and drove north but I think we will tell that story at another point. For now, I will say that we were blessed as on our first Sunday here some friends at Church let us know that they had just moved out of a home in Zemmer, Germany in order to live on base (Sister Blanchard teaches dance and so she was driving to and from Spangdahlem Air Base 2 to 3 times daily and she was ready to not be driving so much). They invited us over for dinner and then drove us out to the home. Most people have to look for a long while to find a home they like, but within 1 day of arriving, we had a home lined up. We had to wait a week to get our driver's license and then some more time to buy a small car before we could actually move off base but here we are now. It also took a while to get cell phones lined up here in Germany as we had to open a bank account locally and then they did not have phones so we had to order them in... but after all the pain of transition (2+ weeks) we were in our home with a car. 

Germany was colder on our arrival than we had anticipated. We shipped all of our cold weather stuff due to the weather we had in Korea: humid and hot. But we quickly saw the error we had made. But a quick jacket hunting trip to TK Max (logo looks just like TJ Max... same company? I think so) we had what we needed until our stuff arrives (hoping end of September).  Here we are on a quick walk to the store in Zemmer. In the USA we have earthworms, Germany has large slugs. The kids have loved looking at slugs. 

Zemmer is located south of the base, about 8 miles from the Medical Group where I work. It is a nice little farming community with surrounding walking trails. 

Every day I drive or run to work I am amazed at how lovely the landscape is here. It feels like we are in a fairytale at every moment. 

One thing I remember about Vegas was the pig farm in North Las Vegas. It smelled SO BAD. Now we are here in Germany where they have endless sausage yet I have not seen a single pig farm (or smelled on). Bratwurst is delicious. 

Camille has grown so much and loves to be part of the family. She is happy as long as we are close to her and either holding her or interacting with her. Here she is sporting the noodles we bought at the local store. 

Our backyard is shared with our neighbors. The kids have made use of the trampoline already. While we do miss our friends in Korea it has been so nice to be able to send the kids outside to play on the trampoline or swing set. The landlord lives next door and she has a nice fish pond and even a swimming pool which she has said we can use when the weather is nice again. 

Many of the homes are old here and rather than tearing them down, the Germans simply renovate. We have noticed that each house looks cute and friendly but inside they use radiator heat with small divided rooms (so they only have to heat the area in use).

Here is a local church that rings its bells at random times (1:15, 3:05, 9:37...). It is just far enough away we don't hear them unless our windows are open. 

One Sunday morning this cat found us and as soon as the door was cracked ran in and made itself at home. It was super interactive and kids were thrilled while Jari was cringing. I quickly set it outside and it has returned home just down the street and occasionally comes out to find us. 

Here is Zachary at the entrance to our new home in his new rain boots. One thing about Zachary these days is how much he loves his Church Pants.

Our Polish neighbors are really nice. They love to go hunting for "self-made mushrooms" and are good to share treats with us. 

On a more sunny day, we have some pretty stunning views. 

Just outside the Church, there is this war memorial for WWI. I did note the dates on the stones though date more to WWII. So I am not sure which war this is to commemorate. We go to Church about 25 minutes away in a town called Bitburg which was nearly entirely destroyed in WWII by the bombing campaigns. It is hard to imagine this land all torn up as it once was. 

Views from a morning walk,

I love this tree and how twisted it is on the bottom. Random? Yes. But it is really neat. 

We are grateful to be here and have a home. With our small car, we have made some short day trips which I will do my best to record. I hope this place will bring peace and joy to our little family over the next 3 years.