HER FIVE CENTS

I've always thought these posts were kind of silly. I've written a few here and there for various children of mine and when I've gone back to read them, I've really appreciated them. So this is my disclaimer. Sorry it's kind of lame for you dear reader. I like how blogging allows for an online time capsule to take place.

Dear Jackson,

Happy 7th Birthday dear son! Right in this very moment you are snuggled in the corner of the couch with a Nevie leaning on you, and a Sadie laying in her lap. The other day you told daddy you wanted a big brother because you "always have to take care of your sisters." It's true. Being a boy, and being the oldest, you have been provided lots of opportunities to be big brother. You take the role very seriously too. You are always and constantly worried about your sisters. You never want to go anywhere or do anything unless you know they are safe.






Right now, you're super into Pokémon and Legos, and YouTube videos about Minecraft and therefore, Minecraft itself. We played a live role Pokémon game the other day. I always have this way of outdoing you, but then you outdo me with the Pokémon special trick things. I should know what those are called huh?

You're learning to ride a bike right now. It's pretty great watching you be excited about it. I'm glad we never pushed or hurried these things, especially for you. You're super sensitive to a lot of things in life, but especially failure. While I believe in letting you fail, I also believe in helping you succeed and you're doing so good at it!

You're favorite color is Red! We painted your room Red here in Germany. Unfortunately, you don't sleep in there much. Most of the time, you're in Sadie and Nevie's room because they don't want to sleep in their room alone. Last night though, you and Sadie were in your room on the floor. Why did you pick the floor I wonder?

One of my favorite things about you is your sensitive and sweet soul. You aren't a rough boy. You are very easy to get a long with because you don't demand a lot. a lot of the kids in the neighborhood really have taken a liking to you, especially the German kids from across the street. Zack and Ellena.

You're a really good reader. You don't like to do it but when you do, you do it so well!

You are in the phase of life where you like to tell a lot of stories. They are usually REALLY long. I know I am going to miss these days.

There's so many things I want to say to you. But what I want you to know most is that I love you! I'm so grateful for who you are. You've often been my savior when daddy is gone. I've asked you to help me with Sadie and Nevie and you've always been willing. Thank you for that!

Thanks for being such a great kid! I can't wait to continue to watch you grow!

Nevie and I just enjoyed a corn dog for breakfast lunch. Sadie had one too. Hers was the kind that was actually a sausage wrapped in a pancake. Fancy huh? Bet you didn't know they had those in Germany.

They might not have corn dogs, but they do have these! This was at the German grocery store Edeka. I love how it has cucumbers on it. Cause we all love cucumbers on our hot dogs.

My family isn't super military so I wanted to explain a couple of things. They have what's called a commissary on post. It's pretty much like a Safeway. Not as fancy. They have regular things. Like corn dogs and pizza pockets. and milk. Expensive milk. The dum thing about the commissary is you have to tip the baggers. They work off tips. It's somewhat irritating because sometimes I don't have small change and so then I go through the self checkout and it's all lame cause I have a hundred bags and a hundred kids.

Anyway, I have always thought that commissary is such an outdated word. Here is some history on the commissary.

They have a PX too. Post Exchange. That's like a Target/Wal-Mart. It's a little more fancy because they carry name brand things that are usually in their own store. Like Victoria's Secret smelly things and Bath and Body works stuff too, usually at a discounted price. Nothing like you can get when you are awesome like me and use coupons and sales together, but still nice nonetheless. They have fancy handbags and name brand clothes. Clinique has a setup in there too. So it's pretty great. They have your incidentals. You know how I love my incidentals.

I am stuck at home for the next little while without a car. David was gone for a week and I thoroughly enjoyed going to the gym and things. That's basically all we did. But it was nice to at least have the OPTION to go somewhere. We aren't gonna buy a hoopty until David gets back. That wouldn't make sense.

My life is hard because we can't decide where to go on the next 4 day weekend. There are so many options! Seriously. Where would you go in Europe if you had the chance?

Lately, as in, yesterday and today, we have been hanging out inside all day. It's been hot. as in, 90 degrees and humid. Haha. are you laughing? Do you see how my a won't work when I capitalize it? It's broken. No me gusta.

I want to go back to school. I'm feeling stressed out because there aren't any classes open right now. I should have figured this out before. But now, if I want to even take a class, I have to apply to somewhere else and then get accepted and do a lot of hassle work things. Maybe I'll just pray that something opens up.

This is quite possibly the lamest post ever. So sorry you wasted 1 minute of your life. However, I would really like to know where you would want to go in Europe.
 

So I'm sure there is some new age quote about how "things" don't equal happiness, but in my case, they do. We've been living without our "stuff" for a long time now. Essentially since November. We have it now! Life is complete!

It was delivered just 2 days ago and it's like Christmas. But better. It's like a birthday and anniversary and Valentines Day. Presents everywhere!

They wrapped everything! I mean, everything. Like the plastic cup we use in the bath for the kids. And individual shoes. And also, little army men.

I'm so glad we brought our old disgusting pans across the country.

We came from a really small house so there were a lot of things in storage we didn't get to use in the trailer. So reopening it up was so fun! Wedding pictures, frames I didn't know I had!

It's also pretty great because there are pieces of people I love all over now. Keep in mind, I'm still very much in the process of moving in. But that China hutch Megan passed along to me? I have that! Guess what's inside of it? China that Belle gave me. There's plates from Trish I never gave back. And a typewriter from Grandma and Grandpa Menlove.

David unpacked my dad. Hahaha. It's not funny. But he said it was pretty awkward. He was just unpacking boxes and the item he pulled out seemed heavy. There's a reason why! I meant to give him to Steph and Chelsi. But in the midst of everything, I forgot. I'm kind of glad he's getting to be here in Germany with me. He would have loved it here. Wait! He is loving it here!

I can't wait for everyone to come visit. I'm hoping by the time people want to come here, I'll at least have cleared a space for you/them to sleep. Right now there is a lot of boxes and children and crumbs and food and plastic totes hanging around.

The best thing we brought with us so far is our record player. We have loved having it because for me, having it is like having our parents here. Davids parents love Bread and Neil Diamond and I have the Eagles and Billy Joel to remind me of mine. It's really great. Then we have some Jack Johnson and Michael Jackson to keep it real. Haha.

Anyway, I know in real life "things" don't really mean that much. But right now, they bring me comfort which is something I've been missing a tiny bit. But not now. :-)

Before we got our furniture!