Busy Day!

So, yesterday I kept busy. Not that I sit around like a lump on a log every other day, however.
I got up and got dressed, got Alaina up and dresssed. Made and fed her breakfast. Made my decaf coffee. Did my Bible study. Studied my Spanish. Blogged. Cleaned up the kitchen. Unloaded the dishwasher and reloaded it. Ironed, folded and put away a load of laundry that was already dry. Played with Alaina. Made and fed her lunch. Put her down for her nap. Put a load of towels in the dryer. Changed the linens on my bed and Alaina's bed. Put my sheets in the washer. Changed the linens in the bathrooms. Got Alaina up from her nap and rocked her for a while. She just loves to cuddle! Alaina played with her upstairs toys while mommy straightened up our rooms. Made and fed her dinner. Had her pick up her toys downstairs and then upstairs. Got Alaina ready for bed. Cuddled with her while she had her bottle. Put her to bed. Read a magazine. Ordered some things online. Read some blogs. Went to bed.

Now mind you this is not the exact order everything happened in, but it got to Alaina's supper time (7 pm) and I couldn't believe it! It was time for supper and the evening routine! Amazing. Today seems to be going the same way.

Winter Blues

I'm looking out my window,
The snow is falling fast,
Discouragement is coming on,
I thought the snow had passed.

Take heart my soul!
I cheer myself,

This snow will not last long,
Spring will come
With new green grass,
And Winter lose its icy grip,
on Germany, at last.


I wrote this poem this morning as I looked out the window and found the ground covered with snow and more falling.

Food For Thought

A friend sent me this story in an email.


Take My Money, PleaseIn a local restaurant my server had on an 'Obama '08' pin on his work uniform. Not sure how much the server knows about the Obama plans for the country. But, this is a good time to do some practical study, and see how the Obama plan resonates with the real people of the world.When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. However, he was no closer to getting a job, or a home. Just bought some smokes, and some alcohol.At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment, I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed the money more.I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application. I wonder what the server is going to think when Obama gets elected, and the redistribution is done by force of law?

More Pictures From Auschwitz

The first picture you see is one of the bathroom barraks. This was where they could clean up or do their business. There were two of these barraks for maybe 20,000 people to use. They could only use it in the morning after on the way to roll call or after working 14 hour days on their way back. In the mornings they only had a few minutes to get to roll call. If they were found relieving themselves during the workday (or if they couldn't hold it and went on themselves) they were beaten.

The next picture is of the gate the train came through. Most people who came through this gate were sent directly to the gas chambers which was literally at the end of the train line. It is my opinion that those were the lucky ones.

The next is one of the many barraks for sleeping. The bunk beds had paper thin mattresses and were 3 tiers high. They slept 8 to one mattress. So 24 men in one 3 tier bunk bed.

The next was a picture of the kitchens.

The last is a picture of one of the many guard towers.

If someone escaped or was caught trying to escape they would chose other prisoners out of the camp at random to make examples of. Some would be sent to a starvation cell where he would starve to death. Some would be sent to a standing cell where after working so hard all day he would be forced to stand all night.

Pictures From Auschwitz

The first 2 pictures you see are of the courtyard where prisoners were shot for misbehavior (always in the nude) and the memorial to them.

Then you see 2 views of the brick barracks where the prisoners slept and the fencing around the perimeter.

The last picture is of the gate they came in through. The words mean work will set you free. Though that was not the case.

My Little Beauty

I couldn't resist a few pics of Alaina today. She looked so cute in her little overalls and messy hair!

Pictures From Our Trip

Here are som pictures from Krakow

Memmorization

I have committed to memorize the names of all the countries of the world for the purpose of praying for them. My friend Matt blogged about his commitment to do so. I have been challeged by his world outreach for Jesus. When he mentioned praying daily for them I felt again the desperate need of all of them for Jesus. So, I'll let you know how it's going.

The Weekend

We spent last weekend in Poland. We drove through the Czech Republic and onward to Poland landing ourselves in Krakow. Interestingly enough, it is also known as Cracow. Traveling in the off season, we get to stay in nicer hotels in better locations. In this case we stayed at the Hotel Elektor. We had a suite and enjoyed every moment. The beds were even comfortable. The hotel is located just outside the old town square. So it's in the best location for shopping and sight seeing. We visited Auschwitz while we were there. There is a lot one could say about that. I'll just say the picture of the children that Joseph Mengele performed human experiments with was one that will never leave me. I will not describe it for you. I do not wish for you to have the mental picture I am carrying. I will say this. The tour guide told us regretfully that Dr. Mengele never paid for his crimes. She said he moved to South America and lived there until he died. I know better. Unless he somehow came to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, his punishment in Hell will be worse than anything he did to those children. Of this I am certain. When hubby comes home and I find the camera I'll post pictures of our trip.

Octuplets

The controvery surrounding the recent birth of octuplets to an unwed mother who is already recieving food stamps and other government hand outs in CA is the topic for today. I haven't seen this addressed on any of the blogs I read. I've struggled with my feelings about this. I don't think she really started out to have 8 kids as she only had 6 embryos implanted. I understand the public's outrage that with no job and no way to care for the 6 she already had she purposed to have more children. The problem I have with all the anger and outrage I see is that these children ARE here. Regardless of how and to whom they arrived they ARE here. They need to be taken care of. My main struggle has been as a Christian how should I feel? What is my responsibility? Today I read a verse in a piece of mail I just recieved. "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:15&16. Right there God spoke to my heart. "There is your answer." It is not our business how or to whom these children came. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, comming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like the shifting shadows." James 1:17 It is our job to love them and care for them. For ALL of them. No matter what. The Lord did not put any exemptions in there. Then too we know better than to judge like the media is doing, don't we. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1&2
Ouch.

Just my thoughts for today. Feel free to leave your comments.

Valentines Day Sexism

Six inches of snow on the ground and Valentines day coming up. Alaina and I went shopping today. We were buying cards for February as there are tons of family birthdays and anniveraries this month. I was looking for a card for Alaina to give her papa for V day. That's when I noticed it. There are no cards for little girls to give their daddys. None. I saw a few cards for mom and dad. I saw lots of cards for mommy, mom, grandma, aunt and mother. I also saw one for dad specifically from a pre-teen girl, but none for daddys from little girls or even grown girls who might not have a hubby to send one to. Sexist! Seriously this calls for a letter to the editor. Except that I live in Germany and therefore have no editor to write. Maybe we should email the Hallmark people. Don't daddys count? It seems to me they deserve a valentine just as much as mommys.
What did we do? Alaina was not to be deterred. We bought construction paper, doilies, stickers and crayons and made our own card to give to papa.

Recovery

Alaina has turned the corner. Athough she still has a way to go to completely recover, she is no longer in danger. Praise the Lord! Thank you for all your prayers.

Up Most Of The Night And I'm Beat

Sorry I've been away. Alaina has been sick and it turns out to be pneumonia. Please say a prayer for her. The doctor only let her come home instead of being admitted to the hospital because I'm a nurse. However, if she doesn't improve withing 24 hours and if she wont drink, we'll have to admit her anyway. I'm giving breathing treatments and oral medication here. We're praying that it works and she doesn't have to go.

Mrs. Wilt

Does anyone know what became of Mrs. Wilt of the Sparrow's Nest? She hasn't posted since November. Last I knew she was expecting her third child and it seems they were fixin to sell thier home. I'm just worried about her. If life is too hectic to blog right now I certainly understand. I hope she and her family are alright. Let's all send up a prayer for the Wilt family.

Orders

That's right. Alan has orders and we will be proceeding to Ft. Leavenworth toward the end of the summer. lol 6 years of marriage in April and our 7th move this summer. Sigh, such is Army life. I will however be glad to be back in the States. As a friend of mine put it, "Back to the land of the shopping mall." lol. I'm ready. We'll take 6 weeks off this summer and tour Europe before we go. Seeing all the places we've yet to see. Alan has like 3+ months of leave on the books so we'll get to take a lot. He got special permission to have that much due to the nature of his position so that was good.

Sunday

It's quiet and peaceful this Sunday afternoon. Alan and Alaina are both having their naps and mommy is catching up on odds and ends. Last night we went to a 25th wedding anniversary for friends of ours in Bamberg. It was quite wonderful and we had a great time. We got a babysitter for Alaina. This is the first real couple thing we've done since Alaina came home. We had a blast. It was so much fun, and Alaina had fun with her sitters. We got a really good nights sleep, and went to church this morning. The sermon was good. It was about tithing and giving. Then we went to the DFAC for brunch, filled up with gasoline, bought wiper fluid, came home, put baby down, filled my wiper fluid thing, discovered some other fluid was low, hubby took care of it, emptied the dishwasher, refilled it with a few dishes, hand washed others, wiped down the counters, set up the coffee pot, cleaned out the diaper bag, filled up the baby wipe dispensers, straightened up the entry way, and now for blogging. It's warm today. Nearly 40F and sunny outside. I love days like this.

Computer Problems Fixed

My computer has been acting up and it seems I had too many cookies for it to function properly. So, now they are gone, and I can blog again. This, then is the blog from yesterday.

Today I managed to get a lot done. I understand Pam from Midnight Musings a lot better now. When my back feels good I can do a lot. When it hurts I can't do much and I don't like it. Anyway, today I managed to finish 3 loads of laundry (including a huge ironing pile) and wash and dry a fourth. I also made the bed and cleaned up the bedroom. I emptied the dishwasher. Reloaded it and ran it again and hand washed Alaina's bottle parts. Supper consisted of left overs for Alan. I ate poptarts. I know. Not incredibly healthy, but I've been craving some wierd foods lately. So, even though that doesn't really sound like much, when you consider running after Alaina and taking care of her, it is. At least for me.
I hope your day went well too.

This Past Weekend

This past weekend we went to Rothenburg, Germany. Rothenburg is a walled medieval city that can really take you back a thousand years. Here are some pics from our trip.

Pictures

Last weekend (not this past one but the one before) we attended the Bavarian Medac Ball in Garmisch, Germany. It was very nice and we had a good time. Here are some pics from it. During the weekend, Alaina had her first ride on a merry - go - round ( the kind that you put quarters in) We have created a monster. Pitched herself a big fit when we were out of coins and she had to get off. lol Oh well. She'll learn.

The other picture is of Alan's 1st seargeant. He rarely smiles so this is a sight to behold!

Some Scenes From My Windows