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.