Dookie assails my senses... Must be spring in Germany...

Indeed, the beginning of spring has been marked  by the unmistakable, undeniable scent of pig poo all around our lovely farm community of Ansbach, Germany.  It's basically terrible.  Jason and I went on a bike ride the other day and as we were enjoying the scenic countryside of Germany we found ourselves nausiated by the smell!  It is so gross.  It's weird, also, because somehow it is like an invisible line of dookie... One minute, it's safe to breathe, then next, you're about to vomit through your nose...  We've decided that the lack of dookie smell was the best part about winter.  

So Jason and I have been married for 1 year (and 4 days).  The first year of marriage was awesome.   Sure, we discovered some things about each other that we didn't fully know before, but all-in-all it's made us love each other more and realize how blessed we are to have each other.  Jason thinks that we should have goals for our second year of marriage; you know, like what we want to have learned by anniversary #2.  I asked him what he suggested and he said that he thought it would be good if -I- learned how to properly split food items.  He maintains that 1/2 and 1/2 is not even... Who knows what he thinks IS even.  *rolls eyes*   But I love him, so I will sacrifice my portion of delectable treats.   *sometimes even without a fight!*  :)  

We had a wonderful weekend though.  We went down to Munich and saw a concert.  Then on Monday we enjoyed the park/hunting grounds of Nymphenburg Palace.  It's a beautiful place and we really enjoyed spending the day together, relaxing.  Then on Tuesday we went for our bikeride (as previously mentioned) and went to visit the castle that is in our village of Lichtenau.  It was fun and, against my better judgement, I am posting a historical video for your reference.... *sighs* 

Here's a picture of the Lichtenau Castle, of which you are now thoroughly informed... 

Just a small portion of the "approachable" castle of Nymphenburg.  View is from the front lawn. 

:)  

Happy us.

That's it for now folks.  Hope everyone is doing well.  :)  

KT

Counting Quarters...

So yesterday, at work, I was going through all my currency and organizing it in order of dates (yes, I really did that and, yes, I really was that bored...) and I came across two quarters in my drawer from 1967.  I'm going to keep an eye out and see if I can find another one older than that...   

It's Not About the Coffee

I'm sitting here reading a book about a well-known company...  Crying and praying that the door would soon be opened for me to pursue my dream.   

Prayer Request

Would you all please pray for my good friend Jana Hendershot and her son, Nathan Paul Hendershot.  I'm not sure of the specifics, but I know that baby Nathan was born approximately 10 weeks early...  

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!

Jason's birthday was this past Sunday.  We had a great day of celebrating - full of fun and good food! (If I say so myself...)  I'll just chronicle the day for you with pictures! :)  

The Birthday boy's table for breakfast

The presents.  

It turned out to be a lot like Christmas morning... :) 

Self portrait with all his presents.  He was - well - excited. 

The hat says "Birthday Prince".  Pretty much sums it up.  

The necklace does indeed match the sweatshirt!!!! 

Opening his cards.

Being a "Puma".  Inspiration=new sweatpants

His surprise present from me. 

Him acting like like this is the first time he'd seen it... I try to hide things and they always get found!!!!  At least he found it on his actual birthday... 

Neiman Marcus Cake with SPARKLERS!!!!  

All-in-all a great day together!  

So sad...

How sad.... Miss Natasha Richardson died after a fall while skiing.... 

Our "Falling" trip :)

This past weekend Jason and I had a wonderful time going with the chapel on a "Snow Day" to Garmisch, Germany.  It is in the German portion of the Alps, close to Austria.  Truly beautiful!!  Most people enjoyed skiing.  Some enjoyed sledding.  Jason and I went for the enjoyable art of "falling".  

The Alps - one small speck of God's beautiful creation

On the lift, on the way up the mountain

Before all the "falling" began

The bigger they are, the harder they fall... :) 

*happy Kate sigh*

God's creation always causes a man to ponder...

These were the skiers - the category of which we are not... 

Our sweet friend Mary before we went sledding down the mountain

Our Chaplain - big 'ol dork that he is.  I tried to get a picture of the side of the glasses - just trust me when I say they were - well - strange.  

A little sun-burned, but happy after a day of "falling" 

sunshine... sunshine...

My sweet husband basically made my day this morning.  He gave me a kiss and went to get ready for work.  Just a few moments later, much to my surprise, he returned and gave me a back massage!  What a wonderful way to wake up on a Monday morning! :)  

<3

This little piggy...

He referred to my big toe as "obese"....

Nooo, NNNoooo, NNNNOOOO *Sing-song voice*

Ha, that simple phrase can bring smiles to my heart and face quicker than almost anything. You see, the special fondness for this simple phrase originated about 9 years ago. At that time, my baby sister was 2. For sisterly bonding time we would frequently watch the movie White Christmas (ok, ok, the BOYS would be there too, but we would pretend they weren't ;)...). Abby loved to sing and couldn't pronouce her s's. She and I would sing through the whole movie and dance along to our special song "Sisters". The best thing that came out of our sisterly bonding White Christmas time was the fact that it helped us understand to what Abby was referring when she said the word "no". If she just spoke the word "no" (or yelled it), then she was probably talking to her brothers. However, if it came out in the form of a tune, she was referring to the precipitation that was falling from the sky. It was funny also, because when she sang the tune, it would never just be any old song; with each "no", it would build in intensity and volume... Her mouth would open in a perfect O shape as she expertly belted out her favorite lyrics. Funny how some things don't change... :D

We got a few inches of snow last night... I think I'm going to be singing a certain song for the rest of the day! "Nooo, NNNoooo, NNNNOOOOO!!!"

"0-6-hundred... what does that mean? Oh my gosh it's early!" - Good Morning Vietnam

Hey everybody.

Boy have things been busy around here lately!!! The last two weeks have been especially insane because Jason has had to go into work at 6 am. Since we only have one car at the moment, this also means that my eyes are seeing something that they HATE to see - a clock that reads 5 AM! *eek* It's been ok for the most part; I've just been reading and working out before I have to go to work.

Work is going well... I'm still getting used to the job and wishing I knew all the answers to the questions I'm asked. That's the Katie way, of course. I'm sure it will come with time (hopefully not too much time though!).

So my cousin Erica always used to say that only cool people have stalkers. Well, I am pleased (kinda) to tell you that my husband and I have arrived. We have a stalker. A very old, senile stalker. You see, my sweet husband offered to give this lady a ride one day as she was walking up the hill in our neighborhood. She declined, but asked if Jason was a soldier and if we lived in the area. Jason told her that we lived a few streets up and to have a nice day. About a week later some strange things started occurring on Martin Behaim Weg... There began to be packages delivered about every 2-3 days on our doorstep. The first day it was just a men's sweater laid over the fence. Then it was a couple women's sweaters and some used rags. Then it was a light fixture. After that was a whole bag full of sweaters, a beer glass, a stein and a wrapped bottle of cheap cologne. The final gift appeared to be a few more sweaters, but we left it setting on the doorstep over night and did not bring it into the house. The following day when we returned from work we realized that the gift from the previous day had disappeared. As strange as the gifts were, having one taken back was even stranger. A few days later, on Saturday, we had a visitor on our doorstep, instead of a gift. We invited Theresa in for a visit and coffee (that's her name, evidently). Over the course of about one and a half hours she told us about 6 stories... about 10 times each. She seemed very nice though. We invited her over for lunch this coming Saturday. We haven't received any gifts this week, which means that she could have forgotten about us or is just saving them all up for Saturday. Any thoughts on what I should make for lunch? In all seriousness, we're just hoping that we can learn some things from her and are able to give her some company - she seems very lonely...

On another note I have made a dire mistake: I experimented in the kitchen and made a good tuna melt sandwich. Why was this a mistake you might ask? Because now my husband is obsessed with them and we are having them every other day it seems. I like them and all, but seriously...

Also, we know about 15 couples who are expecting babies (including my dad and step-mother). If you could keep all those pregnant people in your prayers... Jason and I know a couple who had twin boys last week. The boys are doing well, but the mom is still in the hospital and has had some complications. We're hopeful that she will be released on Monday though. Their names are Justin and Grace (and Caden and Cameron for the boys). :) And no, I haven't been drinking the water....

So how are you all doing? It seems like forever since I've talked to most everyone.

Hope you all are well. Love & hugs,
KT