Ma and Pa

I am one blessed girl. I could start a list of what I am blessed with but it would take my whole life to complete. I really am that blessed. However, at the top of the list of blessing would have to be my ma and pa. They support me, love me, listen to me, think I am funny and think that I am great. They do all this even though they have seen me in my worst. They even let me have New Year's Eve Parties until 4 in the morning blasting the music and having dance parties. Mind you, they were trying to sleep in the next room. Yep, pretty amazing.
While in New Zealand they have visited and they also made trek to Germany to spend time with non other than ME! I love them beyond words and the two weeks were hilarious and crazy all at the same time.

I wore them right out. They say that all they do with me on vacation is walk. There may be some truth to that. I couldn't resist this epic picture. They sit down for two second and instantly fall asleep. Jet lag may have had something to do with it. 

I even got them to try the german cuisine. They both liked it more than Taiwan cuisine. 

Highlights of our vacay:

• Traveling with a fan
• None of us really speaking german
• Guten Morgen. Good morning!
• "DAD! This is a two lane road!"
• "HOW DO YOU GET INTO THE WC?" 
• Going into EVERY store
• Mom bouncing around in the car looking at castles
• "How much is this?" "18 dollars, half price"
• Touchy brakes and unlocked seats
• Getting lost many times and taking an hour to turn around
• Not having any plans other than to travel and have fun
• Just the three of us 

Hello Mom and Dad. Thank you so much for all the memories. I love you and I am ready for another memory filled vacation anytime you are. 

Shawn was in Norway so was unable to attend the fun.

Settled

We arrived in New Zealand on the 12th of September. Due to the fact of being overseas most of our stuff was in storage. So... for the last two weeks we have slowly been moving in. This week we made the last trip. It feels good to have all of our New Zealand belongings under one roof, even if they are all still boxed up and will remain so for the next 4 months.

I spy with my little eye.... some bananas. We went grocery shopping on the way home!

Which brings me to my next topic. We are currently living in Raglan and will be until the beginning of January. We invite you ALL to come and play with us. We even have a bed for you, something we will not always be able to offer. I might be a bit desperate for some friend time.... Shannon I'm speaking to you! 

The Red White and Blue

It seems like a dream. A very good dream. A dream I wished that I could relive. We were able to visit the U.S. of A. in May and June. While it was fast and furious we had lots of fun and even had some special moments that I will always cherish.

Most importantly, while we were in Salt Lake, Shawn was able to go through the temple to receive his own endowments. Then we were able to be sealed together eternally. I loved sitting in the celestial room with my love. I love the thought of being with him forever. I love that we have made this eternal decision together. I love how handsome he looked in the temple. I love that we now can go to the temple together. I love that we get to discuss the temple, in the temple. I love that I no longer have to tell him that I can't tell him the answer to his question. Now I get to say "we'll talk about it next time we go to the temple." I love that we are in this together. Mainly, I just love him. Oh and let us not forget... I love that we have two anniversaries!

We also were able to spend very precious time with Mutti, Shawn's grandma. We were married in her yard and it is because of her that Shawn and I ever met. I feel eternally grateful for her and her relationship to Shawn. Because of this relationship he valued her opinion and decided to see what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was all about. His second week at church I met him and the rest is history. Mutti (mother in german) is just what every grandmother ought to be. Loving, kind, patient, sweet, tender, particular, hard worker, good cook, beautiful gardener, confidant and Christlike. The time that Shawn and I spent with her on this trip are held tenderly in our hearts. We love her.

I was also able to spend time with my Grandma Spanos. She too is just what every grandma ought to be. My mom recently told me that I am just like my grandma, it made my heart happy. I hope that one day I can be what she is. The conversation my grandma and I had, just the two of us, has left me thinking and pondering over the last 4 months and I am sure will continue for years down the road. I love this woman and how she lives her life. In my eyes she is perfect.

We did many other things while in Utah such as seeing a few friends and many family members. We also managed to get hair cuts. Mine included BANGS! Never done before on this head of hair... I actually really liked them but you always have to get them cut, so currently I just pull them back and bobby pin them. HA

We also made a trip out to Denver and Fort Collins to see Shawn's family. It was great being able to get to know them better. Shawn's grandpa, Pop, told him that I seem to not be as quite. Shawn told me and I just laughed, I have never been one to be known for being quite. Shawn and Pop played pool into the late night. I loved being about to listen to their deep and educated discussion about things that I didn't even know existed.

We are so blessed to have family and friends that love us and we love them. They say "home is where the heart is" I guess my heart is still in Utah because that is where I feel at home.

Competition

Meet my 5 year old niece, Emma. She is cute, funny, sassy, energetic, adventurous, she sings and she plays the violin. What is not to love about this girl with that adorable face?

Let me tell you ... she and I are in a competition for MY husbands love. Funny? I think not.

Case in point 

1) Every time the song "So Call Me Maybe" come on the radio Shawn says, "Oh I love that Emma sings this song."

2) Today's text message conversation

     S: Hey... I just met you

     S: This is so bad...

     C: You are a dork

     C: But here's my number so call me baby

     S: MAYBE

     S: Well... Emma can sing in correctly

3) Just three nights ago Shawn told me that he wished Emma was here.

4) I Skype with Ali and Emma gets on and says "let me talk to my boyfriend." To which Shawn promptly comes to the computer to talk with Emma. 

While in Utah, Emma and Shawn went on a date. They fed the horses, went on the swings, petting the chickens and even watched the stars while cuddling. Emma was the one that pointed out that it was like a date. 

She also told me that she would make a better wife than I. 

Who is this girl? At least we know that she has good taste. 

Derby and Deutschland

Anyone who knows me knows I live for the Heber Derby and to add the cherry on top ... my little brother was in it. Made me proud. Did you know that I once had the great desire to be in the derby myself. I even found me a boyfriend that would build me car. Laughable? I think so.
Did I mention I love Germany? I do. The language is my only problem, but give me 9 more months and I would totally have it down. I love the bread, cheese, chocolate, people, public transportation, apartment, cost of living, not working, culture, history and everything else.
When we first got to Bremen we lived a week in a hotel and still hadn't found anything. Needless to say I was stressed. In our nightly prayers we prayed that we would find something quickly and fit all of our needs (small, inexpensive, fully furnished and in a good location). The next day at school one of Shawn's colleague invited us to stay with his family until we found a place. We moved in the next day. A family with 4 children. They all speak english but the mother, who speaks german and CHINESE! We stayed with this amazing family for 10 days, all the while speaking 3 languages. It was pretty interesting but oh so great of them. Let me mention that while we were there they were getting married, going on vacation and also having two birthdays. They were so busy and still welcomed us and made us feel at home. We are ever grateful for them. The day we moved in we found a place that we could move into in 10 days. It worked out perfectly. We live in the "happening" part of town and it fits ALL of our needs. We are comfortable. Answered prayer? I say so.
I would upload pictures but internet is painfully slow.

What the....

I love this man. Right now he is working really hard, I think. I am sitting by his side using internet at school. If I could show you a picture of his screen we would all be lost. He is one smart, funny, interesting, hilarious, kind, thoughtful, adventurous and hairy faced soul. I am lucky. 

To all of you who thought you might be getting more. Nope! I am going to head home on the tram. Just know this. I LOVE GERMANY! I wish we could stay here and not go back to NZ. It is that wonderful and I don't even speak the language. 

List of things that I will blog about in the very near future:

• apartment
• living with a german family
• church in germany
• linds and denise visiting
• public transportation
• how i spend my days
• what to ALWAYS have when living in a foreign country
• why i love germany
• school trips and school friends
• funny things and thoughtful things
• if i get really ambitious i might fill you in on what we did in the usa, we'll see  

Lots to blog about. Stay tuned. I know you can. I mean honestly how long have you been waiting? You can wait a bit longer. 

Creating Ruckus

I am a peacemaker. Honestly, I am. Ask my husband. Actually, please refrain he may be unpredictable in his answer.
Here is a little article that was in the paper. Hope you enjoy and it softens your heart to pray for my registration to go through.
Speaking of ruckus. Did you know that nearly every morning Shawn and I create ruckus in our house?

Our toilet is too high and our legs are too short. We bought this blue step and it creates ruckus as you drag it across the floor. Don't worry though it makes the toileting experience so much better.
Educational tip: Completely and totally proper to say "Can I go toilet?" or "He is going toilet." Weird? I think so.
On a happy note... only 16 days.