Lazer Tag in Idaho

So we went and played lazer tag the other day, and my team was suddenly overrun by a group of young boys (7-10 yr olds).  So we planned an "attack" on their level, and all had retreated but one child. So I came around the corner, pointed my lazer gun at him and said "ALL your friends have deserted you. You're ALL alone. What are you going to do?!" . . . . He started crying. And then I felt really bad, and hugged him and said "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to scare you. I'll protect you.". . . . So, basically, . . yeah. . . I laughed about it later. I made a kid cry. But BOY, would I make a crappy soldier. If the enemy cries, I go soft on 'em.

Finally. . . we have verification!

So, our PCS (permanent change of station) date from Germany has been Oct. 9th, for a little while.  Yet, some of the paperwork we needed so we could schedule movers and reserve plane tickets, etc. etc. has been held up because. . . . well, because we're in the army (wink, wink). 
  Anyhoo, we finally were able to get solid paperwork, which means that we were able to reserve and now it's starting to really feel real.
  In 8 days, the movers will show up to start packing up our main household goods.  In six days, we ship our suburban.  And on Sept 28th, we send our unaccompanied baggage (about 1000 lbs of the most needed smaller stuff = kitchen supplies, clothes, etc.)
  And in exactly six weeks from yesterday, on Oct. 9th, we will be flying from Germany to Idaho.  Because we are going from OCONUS duty station to OCONUS, the military pays for us to take a trip home.  We are so grateful for this (since travel from Alaska is not cheap).  So, we will spend a few weeks visiting family and then head north to Fairbanks, Alaska.
  We are really excited for the move.  Alaska seems beautiful and amazing.  Though it'll be quite the different environment from the current one we have grown accustomed to.
  We are so excited for our visit home to see family.  There are family members we haven't seen in three years (and some sadly, even longer).  Many have not met our baby Angela, and I'm so excited for them to see her and her spunky personality.  I'm excited for them to see how much my children have grown and matured. 
  I feel many times like a vagabond.  I get antsy after being anywhere for two years or so.  This is our 19th home, after all (and I think it's my 28th, personally - or something like that).  I just get restless.  So, moving is a good thing, because I'm ready for our next adventure and new place.
  That said, I'm really dreading this move as well.  I love Europe.  I love that almost EVERYTHING is within our reach.  There's beaches, historical significance, castles, beautiful cities, shopping, good food, international gems, etc. etc.  We have LOVED touring around Europe.  Our kids have all experienced at least 12 countries, and the older five have been to 14.  I personally, just went to my 20th country last month = Poland.
  I LOVE Europe.  Bavaria, Germany is such a beautiful place to live. 
  And I love love love the people here and the amazing friends I have gained.  I have never felt so accepted by large groups despite my crazy quirks and goofy humor.  In fact, so many here ALSO have warped senses of humor, which makes for wonderful wonderful times.  I love so many people here and feel so connected to them.  Maybe it's because we are sharing so many experiences together, or maybe it's just because we are all just "that awesome"  ha ha. 
  A week or two ago, I made the mistake of singing through "For Good" from "Wicked".  It has a line that says "It well may be, that we will never meet again in this lifetime.  So let me say before we part, so much of me is based on what I learned from you.  You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart."  Well, maybe I was just a little more emotional that day, but I couldn't make it through it.  I kept crying.  Even now, thinking about it chokes me up.  I HOPE with all that's in me, that there ARE reunions some day with my "Germany family".  I know the reality is that I may NOT get to see some.  And THAT hurts.  They really are my family here. 
   I could go on and on about how much I love each and every friend here, but will save that for another time. 
  I know when time does come for goodbyes that I will be crying my eyes out (The "ugly cry", if you will).  I've already had those cries for friends who have already left.  I hate goodbyes.  But am SOOO glad to share so much love with so many, that are the REASON the goodbyes are hard.  (If that makes sense).
  Anyhoo, on that note, I will sign off for today.  I have a house to get ready for movers :)  (And so glad that MOVERS get to do the brunt of it this time, and not me.  I've done, after all, 18 of the last 19 moves). 
  Life is good.

Current Cute Stories

So, on Sunday, Adam gave a talk in church.  He started out by saying "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Adam Beck.  For those of you who DO know me, it's now Bob.  Got it?  BOB!" 
 Paul and I just laughed, as did many in the congregation.  And so far, many people have been calling him Bob.  It so cracks me up.  A little funny add-on.  We had a visiting high council speaker that day.  He's German, and didn't quite understand the joke, because in his talk, he mentioned a "Robert Beck" that he used to know, and turned around to ask Paul (who was sitting on the stand), if we had named "Bob" (AKA=Adam) after a relative named Robert Beck who had lived in Germany.  Paul just smiled and said not that he knows of.  Too funny

Another cute moment:  The other day, Angela was watching "Elmo in Grouchland" and while sitting on the couch, suddenly started crying and became very upset.  Upon investigating, I discovered that she was upset because Elmo's blankey was flying away from him, and he couldn't catch it.  The idea of losing a blankey was just too much, ESPECIALLY when it was happening to Elmo (she LOVES Elmo). 

This morning, I was showing Isaac a picture of the girls and I.  He kind of just shrugged his shoulders, and I said "Don't you think it's a nice picture?"  To which he responded:  "Yeah, it's nice.  But I'm not in it, so it's not TOO nice" .  Ha ha.  Seriously, I so love these kids that make me laugh all the time.

Last week, I was talking to the kids about the different kinds of kisses.  It's kind of a joke I learned many many years ago about the "peach" "pear" "Plum" and "alfalfa".  Paul says, "Let ME try".  He puts his lips right in front of mine, and then, very loudly says "PEACH!"  I laughed so hard, I almost fell over.  He made the kids and I laugh even more, when he said right after "Yup.  I just don't get it."   There are so many reasons I love this man.  The fact that he makes me laugh so much, is one of the big ones.

Recap of our summer so far 2012

I just finished another semester last week, and start another condensed semester today. I'm down to 20 credits until my bachelors degree. I'm so close I can taste it, and it feels so good (It also feels like I have been at this FOREVER!)

Of course, this means I'll be in the middle of a semester during our move across the globe, (With family time thrown in there), but I'll make it work. The thought of taking a semester off at this point just drives me crazy. I'm SOOO close!

Okay, so moving on:

To start off our summer we feel so super blessed to have had Grandpa Curtis join us for our European adventure of the summer. It was awesome. When we picked him up at the airport in Nuremberg, we went straight to the WWII Documentation museum (I think it is one of the best historical museums we have been to in all our travels). Then we went and walked around at the old Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Zeppelin field). The next day, we set off for Munich and walked around the city. We also went to Dachau concentration camp. The kids have already been to two concentration camps (including Dachau) and asked if they could "please bypass" it this time. They were so cute about it. They said they totally think Grandpa should get to see it, and it was cool information, but would be happy to hang out in the car and just play card games.

So, Paul and Grandpa went in and the kids and I hung out, and they were awesome. We were entertained and they never complained.

It's interesting, because I truly believe places like Dachau are important reminders. It is sobering to realize just the extent of brutality that can occur when hatred is allowed to exist. The memorial is very well done, and it explains so much with well placed picture and reader board displays. However,once through is enough for me. I'm glad that we were able to experience it. As I was talking to Dad about it, we commented about it seems odd to say "I enjoyed" the experience of it. There is a solemn presence that exists, and great respect is shown, with hushed voices everywhere. Yet, how else do you express that you're glad you went somewhere but not disresepect the atrocities that took place? It's a complete conundrum.

Well, on to brighter and happier things. That same evening, we continued on to one of our favorite places, Edeleweiss (an army lodge in the alps that border Germany and Austria = Garmisch). We swam and enjoyed the beautiful scenery there. The next day we headed over to Croatia. We stopped in Austria outside of Salzburg, at the place where Silent Night was written. It was only supposed to take us 2 1/2 hours. Yet 4 1/2 hours later we finally arrived. It wasn't what we expected, but we thought it would be a cool thing to be there. (I LOVE musical history).

Later on our trip, we realized that we had not gone to the actual "silent night chapel" (where it was first performed) but instead, only the place where it was written. DOH! And the actual chapel was less than 2 miles from where we stopped. So we COULD have gone to both. ha ha. Oh well, you live you learn.

So, we continued on through Slovenia (absolutely beautiful country), and arrived in the Istria provence of Croatia. The little resort we stayed at was actually on a peninsula, so we felt surrounded by water. It was pretty cool. Croatia is known for non-sandy beaches. They are mostly pebbles and rocks. Luckily, we were prepared and had water shoes for everyone. There were a few different beaches available within walking distance of our apartments, so we had fun exploring the different ones and moving around. The snorkling was so fun. SO many differenet kinds of fishes. One of of our highlights was getting to see a squid while diving. Man, it was UGLY! ha ha.

Paul was even able to get in one scuba dive with Grandpa while we were there. I was so happy for him to get back out there (one of these days I need to find my scuba card and get out there myself ;-)

Another highlight of our beach time was our very own version of "Wipeout". I SO wish we would have had a video camera! There was an inflatable playground in the water that the kids went on with Paul (as I hung back with tiny girl). They would try and run across inflatable logs, and climb up inflatable mountains, and jump on trampolines in the water. They biffed it so many times, and Grandpa and I just laughed and laughed.

I absolutely love seeing all of my kids loving the water. They are excellent snorkelers and it was so wonderful to take one of them out with me as "a swim buddy" as I swam out to the buoys and other areas to explore. They are such a fun age!

One of the days we were in Croatia was spent in the town of Pula. What amazing history! They had one of the most in tact Roman amphitheatres there. It was HUGE! And dated back to around 6 A.D.! Can you even imagine?! And as if I wasn't blown away enough by that, we were later shown an archway that was built in 46 B.C!!!!! Isn't it amazing to thinking of a man made structure that has survived over 2000 years?! I really enjoyed our time in Pula. I love walking around these European cities.

We stayed in Croatia for 5 days and then were off again. Our next day was spent going to Vienna, Austria. We walked around the Schonbrunn palace which was absolutely beautiful! It was much larger than I anticipated and very well kept.

A fun little fact: The next day we were watching "Three Musketeers" (the 90's version with Charlie Sheen) which is my favorite movie. Well, as we were watching we totally recognized the balcony of the palace and confirmed at the end of the movie that it was indeed the Schonbrunn palace that was used! We were JUST THERE! I thought that was so fun. I really enjoyed Vienna.

The next day we drove to Prague, and took a walking tour of the city. Paul and I have been there a few times already, but it is such an enjoyable city to walk around. It was so fun to have Grandpa along for it. It is seriously one of the prettiest cities we have been in.

That night, we drove home (Thank goodness Prague is only 2 1/2 hours away :). THe next day was spent going to church and then a town called Bayreuth. It is another european gem of a city. We toured the castle there, and the opera house which is amazingly ornate and beautifully lit. We also walked around the Ermitage which is a conservatory/ outdoor sculpture garden area. It is another one of my favorite spots around here. The problem: It was pouring down raining. Paul wasn't completely thrilled with the idea of getting soaked, but I thought it was a blast (and so did the kids). AND Grandpa was able to get the FULL Bavaria experience that way, since Bavaria is ALL about rain, and he needed to be rained on at least once. ha ha

Grandpas last day here was spent going to Flossenburg castle which dates back to the 1500's (I think). The kids and Paul LOVE it, because you can climb in and out and explore to your hearts content (of course, I have to look away and take deep breaths a lot. My family is full of crazy monkeys!).

We were sad to have to give Grandpa back at the end of his visit. But it was awesome knowing that it will only be a few months til we can see him again.

Moving on, that same week we went hiking in a place referred to as the Rock Labyrinth. It is a pretty moss covered, boulder infested mountain. There were so many giant boulders and rocks to climb over, under, and through. THere were rock staircases chiseled away in some places, and very tiny tunnels to crawl through in others.

Adam even managed to terrify his mother. Keep in mind, I have gotten very used to his (and the other kids) crazy climbing. Not to mention their DAD! He so can't control himself when climbing possibilities are anywhere nearby. Well, the kids had all run ahead when we were headed down the mountain. I came around a corner and there is my Adam up on a steep sloping boulder about 15-20 feet high. I tell him it is time to come down, and he shouts okay, and starts sliding. He sat down with his legs bent in front of him sliding on his bum at a very fast pace. TOO fast. He then gets almost to the bottom and launches himself over to another group of rocks about six feet away and it looks to me that he was missing the rocks and jumping into an open drop off. I squealed just as he landed on a rock that I hadn't seen right by the other big ones I could see. He then fell on his back because he was laughing so hard at his Mom. (as was Paul who was standing behind me). I cursed EVERY Beck boy at that moment. (Yes, ALL of you! It's all your fault! ha ha.). Like I have said before, there is NO DOUBT that my kids take after the Crazy climbing Becks!

Anyhoo, it was still a fun hike. A few days later I got to go with a friend to Poland for the night. It's one of the trips I have wanted to do since we got here, and it was so much fun. I bought a lot of fun polish pottery, and for an added bonus, I'm now able to say that I have been to TWENTY countries! Pretty Cool, huh?

The day after we got home, Paul and I were given another awesome opportunity.

One of my good friends here was able to get tickets to a very elite classical concert in Prague. It was a harpist and flutist, and her cousin was the flute player. It was held in a Palace with less than 100 people there, and the U.S. ambassador for the Czech Republic was there! Now, granted, Paul and I thought he was a conceited dork. BUT< he was still there. ha ha. This was a very expensive fancy event though. We were in a group of seven and had so much fun laughing about our lack of knowledge pertaining to social decorum at an event like this. AND, I even got to try caviar! (Another item checked off my bucket list :)

They served amazing sushi, and mini creme brulees (one of my favorite desserts here in Europe), and all sorts of other amazing delicacies that I so don't even know the names of.

The eveing was really magical, and I was so glad that Paul got to experience it with me.

Paul and I were also able to spend a night away the next weekend and go to the Frieberg temple. The session was held in Hungarian with german and english translations available. I LOVE all the languages and cultures that are nearby here.

This week, Adam is at scout camp in Garmisch (Austrian border). We join him there on Friday for a family retreat at the resort for the weekend (It's paid for by our unit. I love perks like that). So we will be celebrating Timmy and Paul's birthdays in the Alps. We're really hoping to finally make it up to the top of the Zugspitze while there. It is the highest peak in Germany. We'll see if we can work it out.

Next week, Adam and Isaac head to youth camp for boys, and Breanna heads to girls camp (through our stake). I can't believe my twins are old enough to go to things like that! It's going to freak me out to only have three kids at home for a week. I'm so glad they get to experience things like that though.

Adam also has a robotics camp coming up, and possibly we will be able to get a few more day trips in here and there

We really are excited to get back to the U.S, and move on to our next chapter. We're happy to be leaving this current post. But there are definitely a lot of things we are going to miss about Germany and Europe. We're trying to get in all we can before we move on.

I know this is horrendously long, but hope it wasn't all boring.

I can't wait for what lies ahead.

Children with Integrity

AWESOME kid moment today: We let our kids go to the shopette by themselves to get some goodies. They noticed when the cashier gave them their change though, that she gave them $5 too much. So they turned back around, handed her the $5 bill, and informed her of the mistake. She was very grateful and gave them a treat for being honest. Paul and I couldn't be prouder!!! It's amazing to see them making awesome choices like that, when no one would have noticed. Did I mention how proud I am? ;-)

Always a story. . .

So, the other day, I was putting Angela down for a nap.  I always sing her two songs before putting her down for bed or a nap.  As I starting singing, she started singing back to me, in the sweetest little voice "No, no, nooooo. . . "  I don't know if she was referring to my singing, or going to bed, but either way, it made me laugh (and I like to think it was just to the nap).

Today, Angela kept begging and begging me for a cookie.  "Cookie, please!  Cookie, please"  Well, I gave in, and as I pulled the bowl down so she could get one, she smiled ever so sweetly, pulled one out, and handed it straight to me while saying "Here, Mom."  Well, I say, if she thinks I need to eat more cookies, well, by golly, I should eat more cookies.

Also today, I was telling my 8 yr old to clean up her room before dinner. She gave a look of fear, and I said "Is that a problem?" To which she responded "Well, I DO get distracted very easily!" (as if that's MY fault. LOL. Oh goodness. . .)  She also thought it would help NOT distract her if I didn't let her brothers play video games (keep in mind, they are in another part of the house from her room)  ha ha.


I was reminded today as I went to pick up Timmy from school, that if I ever need to pick him out of a lineup, I just need to look for the bounciest child.  I saw his class walking by (from a distance), and sure enough, I was immediately drawn to the bounciest child, and THAT, ladies and gentlemen, was MY Timmy! ;-)


Last week, we were discussing travel plans with Grandpa Curtis, when he comes out for a visit.  I mentioned that Grandpa had never been to Europe.  Isaac acts all surprised and said "HOW is that even possible if he fought in WWII?"  I just started laughing.  And then gave a brief history lesson while mentioning Grandpa was born almost a decade AFTER the war ;-)

Have I mentioned lately how much I completely adore my children?!

Funny kid moments May 2012

More Fun =

May 2012  -- Angela started calling me Lydia and saying "Hi, Lydia" and then when I say "no. . . you call me Mommy" she just laughs and laughs.

Last week at the table, we were discussing going to the movies and Breanna said how excited she was to go.  Paul said "Sorry Breanna, but they have a new rule posted at the theatre that no cute girls with curly hair can go."  To this Isaac responded, "Well, then that doesn't affect Breanna cause she's not cute." and he started laughing.  Paul said "Well, there's a rule that boys who are mean to their sisters can't go either",  His response was "I am not mean.  See?  Hey, Breanna, GOOD JOB!"  .  We laughed and laughed.  Love that boys goofiness.

Two weeks ago, Timmy had his first soccer game.  He LOVED LOVED it.  He was grinning the whole time.  His team lost, but you wouldn't know by watching it, because he was so happy.  After the game was over, we were leaving the field, and Timmy sees a player from the other team, makes eye contact, points his finger, and says very exuberantly, "HEY!  That was a GREAT game!".  Then as we walked on, he muttered under his breath with a huge smile "That really WAS a great game!"  Oh, how I love this boy.

Last week, after picking up the kids after school, Breanna immediately turned to Isaac and said "Hey Isaac. What were you guys talking about at lunch today.  I know I heard my name".  He said "OH.  "James" has a crush on you."  Breanna turned up her nose, and said "That's weird."  I asked her why and she said "Cause it's just weird".  And I said "You think that it's weird that a boy would find you cute and fun?" To which she said "YEAH!".  And then asked if she thinks it's weird that girls think Isaac's cute, and she said no.  "But, you think it's weird if anyone likes YOU?"  "YES!" she said!  And I laughed at my silly little girl.

Natalee was playing soccer, and they were given a water break,.  She suddenly got down on all fours and crawled over quickly like "Smeagle" (from Lord of the Rings), grabbed her water bottle from Breanna, started caressing it and saying "My precious, my precious." .  What a crazy girl!  ha ha.  She concerns me sometimes. . . .

Then there's Adam.  My mind is going blank on funny stories for him at the moment, but gee, I love the kid.  He's got so much spunk, and his Mom's sarcasm (not always a good thing)

I sure love my kids.

 

Fun thoughts and quotes

--Words of wisdom from my 5 year old= T: "Mom, you know how I make friends so easily?. . .Well, everyone just keeps joining and joining to BE my friend!" -Feb 28, 2012

--"My thought for the day: I love my home so much better when my soldier is in it. . . But in the meantime, I will be happy in knowing he loves it more here as well . . ." --Feb 27, 2012

--Uncle Josh:" I saw this on a card today, and it made me think of you. :) "I always wanted to invent something that would move around & make funny noises & would change the world as we know it & I forgot all about that until we had kids & now I see I came pretty close." :-) - Feb 19, 2012

--"Cigarettes are like squirrels. They are completely harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire."

--Things that scare my children to death, SO make me laugh sometimes: Like baby Angela, who just picked up our remote, turned on the TV, and proceeded to turn the volume (on the static channel), ALL the way up. She dropped the remote, bolted, and cried in terror. I laughed. . . . (Do you think my kids will need therapy later? ha ha) - Feb 1, 2012

My 10 year old (Adam) told an AWESOME joke yesterday. "What's black, and white, and red, and blue, and green, and purple?" "A lady wearing a white and red dress, that's climbing a black flag pole, wearing a purple hat, and a blue scarf, and carrying a green flag." Ha ha. I serioulsy laughed and laughed as it kept going and going. I did NOT see that coming. It opens a whole new REALM to jokes in our house. - Nov. 28, 2009

--My 3 year old (Timmy) just told a friend. "Oh yeah? Well MY Dad can lift up my sister with his pinky!" (We may have to test that theory, in 11 DAYS!!!) - Oct 28. 2009

--out of the mouths of babes. My daughter (BK) looked at a paper from school that talked about H1N1 and said "Mom, what's a Hiney shot?" :-) And when taking my 3 year old (TE) to the chiro today, he said "But mom, if he touches my neck, my head will fall off, like with a knife!" (I think his dad/ chiro has been gone too long. .. . ;-) - Oct 24, 2009

--I asked my 3 year old today (Timmy) if he wanted to talk on the phone to his Dad for a little bit. He said "No mom. I want to talk a BIG bit!" :-) I just love him! - Oct 12, 2009

--Thought for the day "Except For Ending Slavery, Extermination, Fascism, Nazism, and Communism,WAR has Never Solved Anything." - Oct 2009

--my 3 year old (Timmy) was explaining to me this morning that Grandpa is bigger than his Daddy, because Grandpa's house isn't as tall. . . . .I SO love the logic of preschoolers. - Oct 8, 2009

--conversation with my Timmy. Me "Did you take those cookies?" T: "Yes Mom, they were so yummy." Me: "You need to ask before you take something, okay? " T: "But Mom! It was just an accident!" I love it! :-) - Sept 28, 2009

--Isaac did the lesson for FHE tonight. SO he started out with him acting out charades of animals and then taught us that we shouldn't shoot birds with sling shots (I'm glad I know that now) He also made badges for us that said "Don't kill birds". great night! - Sept 29, 2009

--my LOL moment of the day: "I have no respect for gangs today. They just drive by and shoot people. At least in the old days, like West Side Story, the gangs used to dance with each other first." - Sept 2009