Birds

Our late afternoon adventure yesterday.

Not the best picture but essential to the story.

They were chased.  They were also videoed by strangers getting chased.  Fun times.

Mojo

I think I'm back.  Back from the edge of that awful darkness that completely smothered me for a couple months.  Like the clouds that smothered the sun.  I sure did take that sun for granted living in CO.  I wonder if I will anymore?  Will I ever be able to see the sun again and not think DAMN that's gorgeous?

I am different.  I am bright!  Maybe it's in the same way that the sun looks so much freaking brighter after months of clouds and rain.  I went through the worst depression of my life (worse than after Piper was born and that other thing) and I feel so great!  Is it just the light after the darkness?  Maybe.  But maybe it's one of those events that forever alters who you actually are.  And it makes you better.  Is this what a mid-life crisis feels like?  I feel like I should go out and buy a motorcycle.  Or maybe I'll just start enjoying the people around me instead. 

I am positively buzzing with goodness right now. Buzzing! I hope this drives me every day to be a better wife and a better mom and a better sister and a better aunt and a better daughter and a better friend. I feel like I haven't been giving anyone my best of anything. Nobody. Not even myself. Everybody just gets...meh. That is a crappy way to live.

I tell you, right now I wish I could bottle the way I feel (and I don't think it's just the vitamin D).

KISS MY ASS DEPRESSION!!  I've got my mojo back.

Kristin


p.s.  I heard yesterday that this was the darkest/gloomiest winter Germany has seen in close to 60 years!

Palmengarten in Winter

We went to the Palmengarten last week.  You may remember our first visit here and here.  While it's not quite as amazing in the winter outside... inside the greenhouses it's lovely.  Warm, humid, and smelling like dirt.  We met up with our friends Audra and Hollis to run around for the day.

Sweet Hollis offering to share a cracker.

Here is where Fisher learned first hand (ha ha) about cactus defense.   Yes, he touched one.  I remember him saying, "look at this furry one".  Then suddenly he says, "my hand is really itchy".  Upon closer inspection he had a bunch of super tiny prickers in his fingers.

We tried to get as many out as we could.  They were so tiny and hair like that I had a hard time being able to focus on them to grab hold.

After both moms had a turn I think we got most of them out.  I guess I should carry tweezers and duct tape in my bag at all times with this one.  (Or you know, he should just not touch them!  He knew what greenhouse we were in!)

Proud on the playground

It really was a lovely day even it if wasn't completely sunny.

These guys are everywhere!

Audra came up with an excellent photo shoot idea and the kids loved it.  Tossing leaves.

We had a super fun time prickers and all.  (I sure do hope he learned his lesson.)

JKFP

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

 

 

Playing along with Soule Mama.

 

 



Today Was Good. Today was fun.

Today we took part in a fantastic celebration.  It's called Fasching here but back home it's Mardi Gras.  It's basically a massive party before Lent.  Today we went to our very first Fasching parade.  It. Was. Awesome.  Everyone dressed up and they threw candy at the kids.  Piper kept screaming, "I LOVE THESE PEOPLE"!

Right after we got there but before the parade started.
Fisher was a pirate and Piper was a garden fairy/gnome thing.

They played with this little girl the entire time.

Little friend, Piper, Hollis, and Fisher.
I know, I know.  Sun glare.  But wait...SUN!

Taking a minute to warm up in the stroller.

Check out that blue sky!

Fisher yelling Helau!  They yell
something to you,  you yell "Helau" back and
they throw candy at you.  He was in.

 

Shortly after this I realized I'd committed the cardinal sin of
photography when my camera battery died.  And no, I don't have
a backup. 

We met up with some new friends and had candy thrown at us until we were too cold to stand it anymore.  Did I mention the SUN was shining?  It was a beautiful day even if it was on the chilly side.

Today was good.  Today was fun.

JKFP

Gray: Grau

It's gray here.  Really gray.  Like- those vampires in Twilight should have come here instead of Forks, Washington cause I guaran-damn-tee you it's less sunny here- gray.  The lack of sunlight is very seriously jacking with my sunny disposition.  (Hence the not so frequent postings.  You don't really come here for crying.) 

Anyway, the kids and I went to our favorite (because it's close) playground today and played in the snow or in Piper's case ate snow and ice off playground equipment. 

We tend to make friends with older ladies and their
dogs.  This is Baloo.

We got new boots last night so our feet were warm and toasty.

We pretty much all have the blues or maybe the grays would be more accurate.  We could use your good thoughts or juju or prayers or whatever as this transition is still proving to be difficult.  And should any of you be blessed with the ability to change the weather... help a sister out!

JKFP