The Pickett-Holt Family Christmas

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Picture Updates

Rob had Tuesday off so we ran some errands- including getting some fresh milk at the place I mentioned in the last post. (Thanks Leslie for showing me this spot!) Rob says the Nalgee bottles will work for now but we need to find some of those old glass milk jugs soon.

Also: Here are some pictures from the Christmas Markets we visited and a picture of us at the Knights Meal at Auerbach Castle.

Moo-ving On

Well as some of you know we were planning on adopting a cow from Switzerland. We would get to pick out a Swiss cow- and Lea above was the one we would pick- get to visit and work the farm and get her cheese in September. Well- after looking into it further it turns out it would cost far more than we could reasonably afford for such a silly venture and so we are simply praying our dear Lea will be adopted by some other loving family. (Who wouldn't fall in love with that face? who, I ask you, who?)
And so we are mooving on.
A friend has shown us a place nearby where we are able to get raw milk so we drank it in honor of the Swiss cows (even if the milk is from German cows- they all speak in the same German moo.)
In other news: We went to some Christmas markets yesterday and had a medieval dinner at a castle last night. It is late though so pics will have to wait for now.

Couch Sleeping & Wine

Well, Rob is sick. He was told not to come in to work today. Last night he fell asleep on the couch- of course I covered him with a blanket before I headed off to sleep in the middle of the bed. But not before I took a picture of him sacked out on the couch. You'll just have to trust me that it was quite the funny picture because he has said there is NO WAY that I am posting that picture on the blog. (Sorry, folks but he is cranky enough with being sick that I'm just not up for risking it.)
Today was special in that we received the wine hutch that we bought at the Ramstein Bazaar 3 months ago. We didn't realize at the time that the wine hutch we saw was only a model and ours was to be shipped from India- hence it taking so long. But now it is here and we have a little furniture shifting to do that Rob says we can putoff until later this weekend- when he will hopefully be feeling better. At least you get to see a picture of it.

13 Years

So, Yesterday was our 13th anniversary. No, not our wedding anniversary (we're just coming up on 4 1/2 years for that one.) This was the anniversary of the night we met. It was Saturday, December 9th, 1995- one month before I turned 15. There was a winter tolo (informal, jean wearing dance- that was western themed this time.) We decided to go as a big group so 3 other girls came over to my house to make a spaghetti dinner for the 4 guys. Rob was actually the date of my best friend, Kristen.
Though Rob actually talked more to my mom than to me that night- it still is the first time we met.
Later in January I started going to youth group where both Kristen and Rob went and came to know him better there. You can see some of our earliest pictures of us playing around at youth group here. The dark haired guy in the middle is actually Rob's younger brother, Mike.
We did end up going to a handful of dances together, the first being the homecoming dance you can see us pictured at below. Funny, but I just wore a dress of the same color this past Saturday at the Battalion Formal.

A Busy Weekend

This weekend:

Friday was my mom's birthday. (Happy B-day Mommy!)
Rob and I had our first Suppers for Seven group meeting. It was a great night of food and fun with friends (even if the guys beat the girls in both board games we played).
Next time we meet is on my birthday and Mike even offered to make me a red velvet cake. We've even picked out a game to play that the girls can't help but win- Friends Trivia (from the TV series).
On Saturday:
We got all fancy and went to the Battalion Formal at Schwetzingen Schloss. Again it was an evening of fun, food and friends. We even received two bottles of Gluhwein to take home.
On Sunday:
They had an all musical service at church followed by lunch out down by the river with everyone. We were going to go to the Christmas Market downtown but decided to go rent some movies and stay warm at home.

Thanksgiving in Poland

This past week has been busy. I made my first solo turkey (and then made another one, a ham, a green bean casserole and 2 pies) to freeze and take to Poland.
Thursday morning we loaded up and drove to the Elim Christian Center in Poland (arriving in time for dinner). Friday I spent the whole day in the kitchen helping make a traditional Thanksgiving meal for about 400 people. My feet were very sore at the end of the day- but it was worth it.
On Saturday we went to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. It was drizzling while we were there which only seem fitting for visiting such a place. As we left however, the rain had stopped and we saw a gorgeous sunset over Birkenau. The picture of us has the gate to the camp behind us. It says "Work makes you Free." Only by working so hard that it killed them were they able to be free in death. I can't begin to describe what it was like being at Auschwitz- so I won't even try to explain the feelings I had at seeing the site where so much had happen and so many had died.
On Sunday we packed up and returned to Mannheim as the end of the Thanksgiving weekend approached.
I am so glad that we went and had the opportunity to serve, reflect, fellowship with others from our chapel and give thanks for all our blessings.
My friend Stacy went on this trip and her blog describes the weekend far better than I did. To read her blog click here.(Go ahead, click it- it is really good and you know you want to anyway....)

The Baby Bug seems to be Biting

Oh, no! Not me. I'm not the one preggers, folks.

But it seems that there is a Baby Bug flying about.
You see, 4 of my friends that I had met here in Mannheim (but who have all gone back the States) are pregnant. But that isn't the strange part because you see:
One is expecting her first child.
Another is pregnant with her second baby.
Yet another is just recently found out that she has her third bun in the oven.
and, yes, you guessed it- the last is expecting her fourth little bundle of joy.

LOL!

How crazy is that?? Oh well, congrats to all of them. (I just wonder who- and where- that bug is gonna be biting next though!!)

2 and 1/2 Years

That's how long we've been in Germany- 2.5 years. It has been a pretty good time so far- with new travels, experiences and friends. God has blessed us something fierce (because He loves us something fierce) and I'm giving Him nothin' but praise for this time.
We aren't sure how much longer we have here. Technically the Army says we have another year and a half left (having us leave in May of 2010)- but we are aiming to be back in the States sooner if Robs gets accepted to flight school. (So for those friends and family who have been putting of seeing us- don't wait too long!)

This past week I had the joy of going with some of my fellow PWOC gals to Willingen for the annual Worship and Study Conference. This was my 3rd year (and sadly, possibly my last for the European Region). I can't begin to tell you how amazing these conferences are for the refocusing of the soul, the building up of friendships and the quiet listening and learning from the Spirit. Each time I come back and feel so hopeful and refreshed.
And luckily this weekend is a weekend due to Veterans' Day so I get to spend 4 whole days with Rob. We've rented movies, done some shopping, some lazy book reading and are planning to head out to Worms tomorrow if the weather agrees with our plans.
For now we are off to do some more reading. I have a pile of books waiting for me- but Rob and I are reading together "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. It is the story of an unexpected hero, a tiny mouse with large ears, and his love, the Princess Pea. We are loving it so far and are looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation to come out very soon.

A week closer

Our week closer to home is over. *sigh*

Since Europe falls back the last Sunday of October and the States now don't fall back until the first Sunday in November-- there is a whole week that I get to be an hour closer to my family and friends back in Washington. (My mom swears she can feel the cord stretching and linking our hearts give a little slack during the week.)
But now that one special week of the year is gone.

On other news fronts:

Our kitchen was leaking for 2 weeks from the apartment upstairs (yes, it took the repair people 2 full weeks to figure out how to stop the water from coming down our walls.) Then it took a week to dry out. Now it is repainted and we are only in need of a new cabinet. (The current one is water damaged and stinky.)

I have a PAINful middle ear infection. And it hurts. I can't touch my ear or sleep on my left side because even if it brushes against the pillow-- OWIEEE! Not to get too visual for you but it makes we wonder if my brain isn't trying to be birthed through my left ear.
( Yeah, did I mention my left ear has quite the boo-boo?-- And all before I leave tomorrow for PWOC's annual Worship & Study Conference.)
I pray that my ear doesn't ruin my time of faith building and fellowship.
Well.. I'm off to pack and then bed. Just thought it was about time I did some catching up.