Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Happiness Is....


Happiness Is.... Creating incredible memories with my bear cubs - I am the luckiest mom alive!

Happiness Is... Castles, castles & more castles ~ I love going on weekly adventures and finding amazing discoveries around every corner.

Happiness Is... Spring in Germany ~ These yellow flower fields are everywhere, and they surround all of the villages ~ they make this country even more magical.

Happiness Is... Brilliant use of space ~ There is not a vacant space in Germany that hasn't been thought out and well planned. I love the rolling hills covered in vineyards.

Happiness Is... Pride in your country and it's history ~ Germans love Germany, and I have to say that I can't blame them. They all work very hard to make this country an incredible place. I love the fact that I live each and every day with No Regrets about our decision to come and live in this fabulous country.

Happiness Is... Blue skies and 70 degree weather for 10 days straight! Everyone is out walking the cobblestone streets and eating in the outdoor cafes. The villages are coming alive and it is so much fun to experience these German delights.

Happiness Is... Having the time of my life with my best friend!

Happiness Is... Going on a Mother's Day drive along the Neckar River with the sunroof open, great music playing & my boys singing & giggling.

Happiness Is... Climbing the 200+ stairs of the castle tower to reach this amazing view of the red tile top roofs.

Happiness Is... So many beautiful churches in each of the villages. I will definitely miss the bells ~ they make me feel at peace every time I hear their chimes.

Happiness Is... Driving 1 1/2 hours on Mother's Day to an American Diner for a huge club sandwich and chocolate milkshake ~ this was by far the best meal I have had since we got here. You won't be able to understand driving so far for a meal until you live in another country and crave a little piece of American love. They had tap water with ice (impossible to get free water in Germany - and they do not do ice here) They had free refills on diet coke! They had chocolate milkshakes! All the free ketchup you could handle! My mouth is watering~ This was the 2nd best Mother's Day gift of the day ~ My favorite by far was from Cole, he made me breakfast in bed (nutri-grain bar and tea) and he also gave me a beautiful card he made at school.

Happiness Is... Spending Saturday mornings watching Cole play baseball. I dreamed of these days and they are finally here. It is awesome that Steve is able to be his coach ~ They are having such a good time together.

Happiness Is... Having Boys!

Happiness Is... Having a great group of women to have playgroups with! We get together every Tuesday and I love the fact that when we all get together we are from all over the map ~ South Africa, Jamaica, England, New Zealand, Canada, America, Asia & Germany - everyone brings something different to the group!

Happiness Is... Ladies Night Out ~ I have had more of these in the past 9 months then I did in the past 9 years. I love it!

Happiness Is... Good food, good friends, and lots of laughs!

Happiness Is... Using my Polish Pottery ~ In case some of you were wondering what Polish Pottery is, I wanted to share a picture of my purchases. I actually use these more often then I thought I would. I love them and it is fun having a souvenir that is useful and also will remind me of my adventures for many years to come.

8 comments:

Em said...

Well first off I like your haircut. It's cute! Second, I like your polish pottery, you did a good job. It will look great with a solid color polish pottery. Third, I am still waiting for the pictures from our Edelweiss trip. :)

Sarah Young said...

What a great post Kristine! I love all the beautiful pictures of Germany and all of your happy things!

Lindsey said...

I love your pottery. It was absolutely beautiful, along with all the places you get to see. What a fun Mother's Day!

McAllister Family said...

I love that posting! Beautiful pictures! I love the picture of Cole playing baseball...so cute! I'm glad you had such a wonderful Mother's Day....you deserve it!

Barb McLean said...

Happiness is seeing my FAMILY BEING SO HAPPY. Wish we were there to see Cole playing baseball. Loved the pictures!

hilla said...

What a fabulous post! You are so optimistic and positive about all of your experiences, which says alot! I am sure there are many a wives that moan the entire time they are overseas. What amazing experiences you are having. Love the views, LOVE the pottery, love the pics, love Cole playing baseball-the all American sport, love that you have tons of chick friends, love that you drove so far to down a greasy American meal, love that you are so happy! :)

likeschocolate said...

I agree with happiness is. I am an American and a member of the church who is living in Switzerland. We finally got a sunny day and I can't wait for my boys to get home from school. I am glad you are having such a great time. p.s. I need to go to Poland too to get me some of this pottery.

likeschocolate said...

p.s.s. You must live close to my sister in law. She took my nephew to these Gardens in October and has pictures of these pumkin scultures. I wish we could have seen them. She live in Bennigen near Fridrickbourg ( ? spelling). We will be going to the Maerchen Gardens.