I can't wait!!

okay, seriously… this seems to be my favorite phrase lately.

here's just a few reasons I CAN'T WAIT to move back stateside…

• internet speed that is lightning fast
• my friends & family & the wonderful support they provide
• stores that are open 24/7
• Ted's Cafe Escondido (my Oklahoma peeps will appreciate this one)
• endless food & restaurant variety
• a little thing called shopping heaven
• having storage in my house & let's not forget to mention closets!!
• the sound of rolling thunder (and maybe a little storm chasing…)
• being a homeowner again
• Target (isn't this everyone's?)
• I'll be able to remember phone numbers again!!
• cable television (seriously I may never leave my house again)
• there's a store for literally everything
• having a dog door
• crushed ice
• tinted car windows 
• a REAL furniture store with items made of wood - not plastic or laminate
• pay at the pump (this one may come close to the top of the list)
• air conditioning
• money bills that are all the same size (I mean really…)
• mail & packages coming to my front door (super exciting stuff!!!)
• a venti skinny cinnamon dolce latte with lite whip, mmmm… 
• lean cuisine's sante fe rice & beans (I hope they never discontinue it!)
• those pretty twinkling Christmas lights decorating trees & houses
• good old Hobby Lobby

now that being said, I know I'll miss SO many things about Germany…

• the autobahn & the fact that the left lane is used only for passing
• Paris being two hours away
• beer being cheaper on the menu than water 
• my favorite flea market (a few tears are being shed over this one)
• the gorgeous green, & forests that reach up to the heavens
• the prettiest, most colorful window boxes I've ever seen!
• festivals & Christmas markets (ooh & yummie glühwein!)
• traveling Europe on a whim
• minivans flying past me when I'm doing 100mph (it's pretty funny)
• being able to take Grace with me pretty much everywhere
• seeing those sweet older couples stroll hand in hand
• fresh food markets & being able to walk to them
• public transportation (haha, never thought this would be one)
• seriously the best strawberries I've ever tasted from my corner vendor
• how crazy they are about their soccer here
• environmental respect & awareness
• did I mention the autobahn?
• sidewalk cafés
• floor heating & the fact that heating can be controlled room by room
• the wonderful fresh bread & bakeries located on every corner
• my kickass basement
• the way the doors & windows vent & open, not to mention rolladens
• seeing cars pull boats & horse trailers… it's crazy!
• German mustard, it's yummie delicious!!
• roundabouts

oh & seeing things like this…  Garmisch, I love you.

So what did I miss?  What would you add to these lists?

Oh & did I mention our stateside move will be taking place TOMORROW?? Where did the time go?  It has definitely snuck up on us… so goodbye Germany, for now.

Auf Wiedersehen!!

feelings of nostalgia...

As the story goes, it seems the more years that go by, the more I enjoy looking back at treasured memories from the past.  I've also noticed that moving to Europe seems to have had an interesting impact on me… I've become even more attached to the idea that everything has a history and can tell us a unique story.  In fact I find myself giddy just thinking about upcoming flea markets & what treasures lay undiscovered for me to scoop up & love.  

For this week, I've incorporated one of my favorite photographs of my great-grandfather as a boy, saluting while dressed in uniform.  Although it appears to be a lighthearted photo, I can't help but be reminded of all those families who are separated from their loved ones while they protect our country's freedoms…   

week twenty-nine :: nostalgia

me :: Laura

thankful...

With the week of Thanksgiving (and yes, we're posting a tad late, 

but everyone deserves a break, and it was a holiday after all…)  

Well, we decided what could be better than the theme "thankful?"  

and I am thankful for so many things…

Grace seems to be doing much better, although she's been a bit mopey the last few days, which I'm hoping is due to the fact that her dad has been gone for a bit now.  And even though he does seem to be away from us more so since we've moved here… he was able to be here for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Some families may not have been so lucky.  Being away from family is especially hard during the holidays.  So to all the men & women out there away from home…
I'm incredibly thankful to you for serving our country & protecting our freedoms.
Thinking of you, may you all return home safely.

week eighteen :: thankful

Laura :: me