My Favorite Christmas Gift

This being our first Christmas as just our little family, we had to take pleasure in the little delights that came our way. This morning, we woke up and saw something that we haven't seen in quite some time.

Though the temperatures dropped by 10 degrees, we got bundled up and enjoyed the sun. We never thought we would miss the sun. We have come to believe that the sun, like the Son, is not to be taken for granted. There may be dark times where we cannot feel warmth or see much light. Embrace the days when we can bask in His light, feel His warmth, and let His love fill us with peace.

Merry Christmas

Would you like to take off your coat?

I was shopping one day in a fairly large deparment store--similar to Macy's. I had been in the store for quite some time and chasing Natalee around warmed me up. So, I took my jacket off and put it in my cart. I wandered into the book deparment, walked away from my cart for a moment, and, before long, a woman approached me and asked if I knew where the children's Christmas books were. I said, no I'm sorry I don't. She replied with something I didn't completely understand, but I realized she was quite shocked that I didn't know. It occured to me that she thought I worked at the store. I wondered why. Then, I looked at the checkout line and saw every single person wearing their large winter coat...except for the cashier. So, because I was not wearing my coat, someone thought I worked there.


Do people not know that there is heating in the stores? Don't they know that if they take their coats off inside that they'll be warmer when they go back out into the winter air?


I now reluctantly wear my winter coat inside stores.

Germans also really bundle up their children. It could be only about 45 degrees outside and children are dressed like Eskimos. Infants--tucked every so snuggly into their covered strollers.

My rule of thumb has always been--if I am comfortable wearing something, then my children should also be just as comfortable. One day at the grocery store, Natalee's leg was exposed because her pants had ridden up and a stranger in the parking lot approached us and commented how cold Natalee must be.

I am now getting used to putting hats, gloves, scarves and boots on the girls even when its not overly cold.

Luggage

Over the past 6 weeks, we have hauled around 8 suitcases, 2 carseats, and a stroller (oh yah, and 2 kids). This was no one way trip, however! We made several stops along the way from our home in Chandler, Arizona to Ratingen, Germany...our final destination:

1. Ben leaves
(only 2 bags for him)

2. Jess packs the rest

3. Resituate luggage at Thomases
4. Unpack at Ben and Jill's in Washington D.C.
5. Repack at Ben and Jill's
6. Unpack at the Wheelers
7. Repack at the Wheelers
8. Unpack at temporary apartment
9. Repack at temporary apartment

10. Unpack in hotel

11. Repack in hotel

12. Unpack in new house

(still working on that)

It wasn't all bad. We had fun along the way. Take a look....

Luggage Fun

Atlanta Airport: I forgot to mention that we each had 2 carryon bags. That equalled 8 carryons. We also had Natalee's carseat on the plane. We land in Atlanta and have only a 30 minute layover. We have no stroller, as we let it get transferred to the next plane to decrease our wait time. So we have to carry Natalee. How we manage to get from the end of the terminal --to the escalators-- to the train-- back up the escalators and back down to the far end of the other terminal with 8 carryon bags and 2 whiney kids in 30 minutes...is an absolute miracle.

Washington D.C. Airport: Ben is getting the luggage off the carousel while I find 2 carts. Kaitlyn gets a bloody nose while I'm gone. Natalee is all over the place. Finally load it up and can barely see over the top. Kaitlyn has to push Natalee in the stroller while we push the carts--and its a slanted exit. It was fabulous.

Before any of you decide to pack everything you own, including small children, and move across the Atlantic Ocean, talk with us. We may have some tips.