Despite my good intentions (and they were good!), I never made it back to the blog to describe our three-week visit to the States in December/January. And at this point, it seems a little silly to go into any great detail. The weeks were packed and we needed a vacation after our vacation, but we feel so lucky to have spent time with our loved ones, in addition to spending some quality time to ourselves. Our adventures took us from Atlanta to Disney World to Asheville to Ohio to Massachusetts and Connecticut. And all by car! Fortunately, it was our brand spankin' new car that we picked up in Florida, my auto baby, Maleficent Gant (a Mazda CX-7). Other highlights were Disney World, a week with my fabulous stepdaughter Elyssa, some new bling (a beautiful 'upgraded' engagement ring), several days with Jerry's family, a zombie New Year's Eve party with so many people that I love, time spent with my family, a visit with my wonderful grandparents, and new tattoos that were extra special because my talented cousin did them for us. And that's just the quick version! Obviously, it was time well spent and much needed after the year of deployment and separation.
In one of my last posts, I described our newest fambly member Moxii. She is growing so fast and is truly living up to her name. I think that she might be in her terrible twos right now. Every day she finds something new to get into. Lately, she discovered that we'd let her go outside if she scratched at the glass door to let her out. It was great because she'd go right out and do her business. But now she just does it because she wants to go outside...about 50 times a day! On the second floor, our windows go to the floor so she's taken to scratching at them to0. And she discovered that while doing that she can also pull down the curtains! Her favorite toy is Jerry's UNCA jacket, which she drags around the house and wraps around things so that she can tug on it better. No matter how many times he takes it from her, she always pulls it back down and carries it around the house with pride. Of course, if Jerry really didn't want her to have it, he'd hang it in a place that she couldn't reach. Moxii has also discovered that she really enjoys chewing on many different items. Items such as pillows, shoes, and papers. She definitely makes our life more fun and interesting. Her funny antics and my obsession with them are turning me into that crazy cat lady. Except with dogs.
Hmmm. I had hoped this entry would be about inspiration. But it seems that instead of side-stepping the last six-month period, I'm briskly stepping through its puddle and dragging you with me! And I'm not even breaking it up with pictures! (Well, I wouldn't want them to get muddy and wet!)Moving right along....
In late April, Jerry's mom came to visit us for a month. Her visit was a great excuse to go out and do stuff! We enjoyed several fests and castles. And lots of ice cream. Jerry's mom discovered a real love of Radlers (beer mixed with Sprite). I don't think she was quite prepared for the culture shock, but ultimately she had a good time. We did have a pretty incredible weekend, during which we saw Cirque du Soleil (!!), the Hofbrauhaus, Chiemsee Palace (one of Ludwig II's unfinished palaces...modeled after Versailles), and a three-country bus tour! While Barbara was here, Jerry also completed his first marathon! By the end he had jello legs, but he made it! He's now training for a marathon in Berlin in September. Actually, right now, he's in the middle of a 100-mile ruck march in the Netherlands! That man puts me to shame! (Though I could totally kick his butt in an organizing marathon!!)
In April, I took the GMAT and applied to an MBA program. And was accepted! I'm going to be completing the coursework online and working on a concentration in Health Care Management. There will be more on that when I make it to 'Inspired'. I've been tremendously busy at work and have been given greater responsibilities. This has been really exciting for me, because when I first arrived in Germany, I thought that I would have very little opportunity to find a rewarding and challenging job. Thank goodness I was wrong! It can be tough being an army spouse and feeling like you are just tagging along on your husband's ride. I still have to move when he moves, but I've been carving my own place in this system and will be able to move within it as my own person as well. I think most everyone knows that I'm pretty independent. So the idea of riding my husband's coattails did not sit well with me. Fortunately, I am able to ride my own coattails, though it's very difficult to contort myself into that position!
That's just about all I can take of you right now! But I'll be back soon. And this time I mean it. Because I want to tell you a little bit about inspiration!
