Free At Last

Thank God Almighty.

Next Stop: Harvard

This morning while we were having breakfast, I asked Liam if he could trace the letters on one of his little dry erase workbooks. He hasn't even looked at these books since this past summer.

He looks at the letters, goes, "Trace? Oh, okay!" and came up with this masterpiece:

Buon Compleanno, Liam!!*

Our little man is three years old today. I posted pictures so you can see what a fun day we have been having!

So far, Liam has eaten 3 cupcakes. I'm sure at least 3 more will "go past the uvula" before the day's end. (Seriously, Liam's words exactly. He is fascinated with the uvula.)

We were hoping to visit with some friends for a dinner out tonight, but we got hit with almost 6" of snow this weekend. Lots of shoveling, zero driving. It is times like these that I am thankful Liam takes after his parents: somewhat anti-social, a bit of a homebody, and much more interested in relaxing on the couch with a glass of Jameson than partying it up downtown. Okay, well maybe that last part is "a glass of bubble water" for Liam, but you get the idea. No matter how many times or in what ways I asked him, Liam did not want a birthday party. He just wanted a cupcake.

So I made him 24.

And I don't know if we will have any left to share with friends by tomorrow.

Happy birthday, our sweet Liam. We are so proud of the bright, witty, charismatic, inquisitive, handsome young man you are turning out to be. We love you!

* This title is in Italian because Vicenza, Italy looks to be our next duty station... we are a lucky bunch! More to come...

Gedenkt Macht Frei

Loosely translated: Remembering frees.

As the prisoners entered the Dachau contraction camp, they were greeted with the words ARBEIT MACHT FREI in wrought-iron letters. The door slammed behind them and they entered a world of forced labor, starvation, medical mistreatment, and intentional mass murder. When the SS told the Holocaust victims that "labor frees" it was a disgusting and horrible mockery of an idea otherwise valid and venerated in society.

What does make those tortured souls free -- what will make us all free -- is remembering. Taking serious note of what happened, sharing with others the truth of the past, and vowing to rise above, appreciate our differences, and find a better way.

Somehow we have managed to reach our picture limit for Google's Blogspot (unless we want to start paying... no thank you). From here on out, we will post thoughts and reflections on here and then provide you with a link to any pictures related to the topic. Videos will still be linked directly on this site.

Please check out Our new picture venue! to see some of the photos from Dachau. Seeing these photographs comes nowhere near providing you with the direct experience every human needs to have at a camp memorial, but it gets you started.

Willkommen in München!

No clue who these fun Deutschers are.
Two things I do know:
1.  Their outfits are not a joke
2. They didn't try to charge for this picture. I think they grabbed Grammy
and threw her in the sleigh with them.

The capital of Bavaria is easily one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world.  I have been to Munich three times now, with a trip already on the books to go back there next weekend. When Zeke and I knew Grammy and Pappy were coming to visit, we knew we had to fit Munich in on our family vacation.

Here is a glimpse of Bavaria's capital -- enjoy the tour!

MEXICAN FOOD IN MUNICH!

GERMAN BEER IN A MEXICAN RESTAURANT!

This is what happens when countries don't believe in air-conditioning

Schloss Nymphenburg

So there is this nice little humble home in Munich. Based on its name, you're possibly thinking this place was a glorified brothel. (Completely possible, being that it has been the residence of Bavarian royalty during its existence.)  However, we like to think its name gains more meaning from one of the more peculiar rooms in the palace. There is a large study whose walls are graced with bust portraits of 32 random women considered "beauties" -- their societal roles ranged from seamstresses to noblewomen.

Nymphenburg is the birthplace of King Ludwig II, arguably Bavaria's most famous and intriguing leader. You'll learn more about him from me in upcoming posts.

View of the castle (this picture captures maybe 1/3 of the entire set of buildings)

Swans were everywhere -- paying homage to Ludwig II,
who was given the nickname "Swan King" during his life

The ceiling in the Great Hall.  Very simple decor, right?

Shot of the gardens

And they say men can't multitask

Liam is LOVING him some Grammy!

Karlstor Tor, one of the four city gates marking the bounds of old Munich

Someone finally discovered a better use of those silly size-clasps found on the tops of hangers

The infamous Munich Rathaus-Glockenspiel (dates back to 908 -- more than 1000 years old!)

The Hofbräuhaus has been around since 1589.
Can you imagine just how cool you'd have to be to qualify for your own
padlock-protected drinking mug at their establishment? 

Duck!... Duck!... GOOSE!

Picture nominated for Best Parents Of The Year 2012

The National Theatre Munich

Easily Liam's most favorite piece of art in the world: The Walking Man

"Daddy. DADDY. DAD! LOOK! The Walking Man won't stop staring at us!!"

Falling in step with a long-standing Munich tradition:
you make a wish while rubbing each of the three lion faces 

Beautiful city, beautiful faces to share it with, and beautiful memories to cherish.

Memory Lane Series: Grammy & Pappy in Bamberg!

Circa, yeesh... April? My preliminary New Year's resolutions are already set:  I vow to do two big, fabulous, outstanding things before 01 JAN 2013:

1.  Finish the INSANITY program (Day 17 of 60 and counting!). With a successful conclusion. Despite the fact that (1) I am hosting a kickass Thanksgiving potluck and (2) my dear friend Tiffany and I will be stalking every single Bavarian Christmas market within her 4-Runner's reach. Oh yes. It is ON.

2.  Get this blog back up to date... which means reminiscing about visits from grandparents, a bittersweet deployment update, pictures and videos of Sir Cuteness, and photographic glimpses of some of the most amazing views in Europe.  Oh, and rundowns of almost every single one of the 25+ Christmas markets throughout Bavaria. It is ON.

So in true Grammy & Pappy fashion, Steve and Maralyn made it out here as soon as we got comfortable in our Euro ways and Zeke had the ability to take some time from work.  We raced them down the Autobahn at 100 MPH in our Ford Fiesta (I still remember how white Steve's knuckles looked as he "rested" his hands on his knees in the passenger seat). 

And also in true Grammy & Pappy fashion, they settled in here at our home and fit right in, making coffee, helping with dishes and meals, and bringing more joy and laughter into our days.

Showing Grammy how good he is at eating noodles while playing cars

Grammy was my saving grace, wanting to take this picture...
because she knows I jump at the chance to smother this guy
in hugs and cuddles

On the shoulders of the very best giant

Grammy wanted Stateside folks to see the prices on these accessories.
Remember it's in Euros, so 216 earrings? Yeah, around $300 a pair. OUCH.

I'm allowed to brag because he's deployed: we are so beautiful together.

Grammy and Pappy thought this was both hilarious and odd:
This cigarette machine is permanently fixed on the siding of a private residential home.
The profits go to the State.
Welcome to Socialism, America.

Perfect depiction of The Grandparents' Bill of Rights:
(giving a grandchild candy he'd never be allowed to have before dinner 
while letting him play on toys too expensive for any toddler to appreciate)

Operation TJBIZSM: Was I NMC?

For those of you not obsessed with military acronyms, NMC means Not Mission Capable.

I did not win the finals. I believe I did well with the moment that was given to me, and for a very good and important reason, God has me remaining here -- being Zeke's Sugar Mama in the intangible ways that only a good wife and mother can do.

My first thought? I felt a strange relief afterwards when I realized I wouldn't have to deal with the stress of leaving our home, coordinating care for Liam while competing in the Army-wide finals, arranging for someone to replace me here with my church group, etc...

Funny enough, my second thought was this:

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

...

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.

Ernest Lawrence Thayer (1888)