Amsterdam with the Family

Amsterdam was full of surprises for me. Surprises that I kind of expected but was surprised anyway



to surprises that I totally did not expect! Like so much dang good food! As I said on my Facebook page, as it's the munchies capital of the world, it's not that surprising ;-)






Amsterdam was not on my list of places to go when I first hit European soil. It just looked like a big place of trouble as a young airman. Little did I know that it probably was the perfect place for me. This town is where everyone was true to themselves, really chill, friendly, and just fun. It's a great place to rid yourself the prudes, to eat well, to be in awe in all the lovely architecture, to explore the canals, to engage in culture and  history. It's not just a sexed up/drugged out town I am happy my children got to experience this lovely town and I wish we visited more than once. But I hope anyone in Europe or looking to go to Europe read this and give it a chance. It has everything, culture, fun, family friendly restaurants with GREAT food and service, and something to do all the time. Besides Amsterdam, Holland itself has so much to offer with its magnificent beauty and charm.




We stayed a Meininger Hotel which is located outside the city but about a minute from the train station for about 8 euro you can easily venture to the center of the city. The public transport is easy to use as well. You can also board their hop on hop off buses or boats. We chose to take a  tour and our captain was awesome!!!Click Here for a list of Amsterdam City Boat Tours



We have small children so their interest in the Anne Frank's House and the Van Gogh Museum is pretty close to nil, though we would have loved to go. Instead we went to the Nemo Science Center filled with sooooooo much for children. It's all interactive with shows, and food. We had a great time. There were some racy areas for small children, which is mostly targeted for older kids learning about their bodies.








MOVE UPDATE:
All in all, I learned Amsterdam has everything a family with young or older children will love. Again, if I could I would visit many many many more times. 3 days was not enough! We would have stayed four, but our son's grandparents needed us back Sunday night. However he was supposed to come with us, but they gave us the puppy dog grandparent eyes so we gave in. They're going to Morocco for two weeks and wanted some QT with their grandson which is understandable as we're leaving Germany soon. In fact, we've put in our two months' notice too our landlord!!!!! OMG. Are we acting like we're moving? Kinda. We've sold a car and aren't buying anything for the house. Right now we're focusing on travel plans and house repairs. Still trying to see as much of Europe as we can. Look out on my Instagram or Facebook Fan page for the upcoming trip. It's TOTALLY Griswold in nature and I am a nervous wreck about it yet also very excited!

25 Things About Me

Trying to blog more often and this is a pretty good way to keep at it. A random 15 things about me. Some of the questionnaires were a bit juvenile so I am just going to add random facts about myself. It's my blog so it's about me right??

1. I am still in denial about my dad's passing. This is so hard to get over. Perhaps because the death is so close to my brother's passing. It literally gives me the chills every single day.

2. I dream about my daddy every single night. It's so weird. Like he wants to pass something to me. Something just seems unfinished, not with our relationship but other aspects of his life. Or perhaps it's how I keep him with me all the time?

3. I listen to old school jams my daddy played all the time when me and my brothers were kids. It makes me sad and happy.

4. I am always wanting to get away. Everyday I go online and look at beautiful places I'd love to travel to. Living in Germany really made me appreciate what the world's got to offer.

5. I watch food-centric movies when I am cooking.

6. I think way too much into some things. I wish I didn't. 

7. Scrubs ALWAYS makes me cry as much as it makes me laugh.

8. I collect aprons from different cities. I just started this after we went to Paris.

9. My hair is in the awkward stage of length. I have a mullet. I am trying to get creative with the styles to hide it! It usually takes me a good six months. to reach a bit of normalcy all around. When it gets to a nice length I will trim all around.

10. Me and my mother argue. But always make-up. She said the sweetest thing, you are as sweet as you are beautiful. I never heard my mother call me beautiful, it was really nice. Not in a vain way, but that she doesn't see me as a lil kid, but a woman and I not just her irritatingly defiant daughter :-)

11. Marvin Gaye is my favorite male singer.

12. I am really tall. 6'2 to be exact. But when people look at me say, "you're really tall" irritates the HELL out of me. OF COURSE I KNOW THIS. 

13. I am a ridiculous worrier.

14. I am very impatient. But patient when it really matters.

15. I was supposed to do 25 facts about me but that's too much. I think you guys agree too, amirite?

So here are 10 pictures you may have never seen.....aka throwbacks

Baby girl in 2009

Me and my Friend Tessie in the Eiffel Tower's elevator in 2010 that's not us but I am taking the picture lol

At the zoo in our city! 

DDs first Halloween not to happy with the Hand-me-down

Now he's OK?

Chunky Baby Thighs! I MISS THESE

JJs surgery

DD drove us to Munich

Chris made Amara's cake for her 2nd birthday! Peppa Pig. He tried! Good daddy

My Handsome Man heading to his German Kindergarten

Man looking through these pics made me teary eyed. They grow so fast. Live for now and cherish every moment. Sometimes it seems like it's something so easy to forget.

Thanks for reading!!!!

Paris with the Family

Paris


Oh Paris.

This is a dream destination for many. And many have been able to fulfill their dream. Me? I never thought I would ever leave the United States. My dream was to visit New York and Chicago as a kid. They are two incredible cities and one, I've been lucky to see thanks to many trips with my dad and Chicago is still on my list.

But Paris? Nah. And to have been twice? That's just insane to me. There millions who's done it, but I never thought one of them would be me. People put Paris on this pedestal, and that they should! It's a magical city, full of culture, sound, love, and beauty.  

When I first arrived to Germany, a friend told me that Paris doesn't live up to the hype. They said it stunk and was dirty. I didn't believe it. I am a see it then I'll make up my own mind dammit kind of lady lol. I went there a few years ago with a friend for her birthday on a day trip. It was a bit overwhelming because I wanted to experience it ALL and we only had about 8 hours to do so. There were a lot of peddlers, but that was the only negative aspect, it was just everything I dreamed of. Then being able to visit with my family was AMAZING. We got to spend 4 days and 3 nights there. We were originally only going to spend 3 days and 2 nights, but decided we needed MORE. So we used every day off my husband had. We new our late arrival home would be worth it and it was. 

We stayed at the Source Hotel. It was a great hotel in a so-so location, but we were across the street from a Patisserie that was just amazing. We were a bit away from the central city, thus every restaurant we chose in the area was reasonably priced, and everyone was happily willing to speak English to us, was super friendly, not the snobby french stereotype that you hear of. We've visited a few cities in France during our time here, and everyone was sweet to us. It's the attitude you give is what you get back, I always believed to be true. 

We chose to visit the Eiffel Tower first as the kids were asking to go since they found out that we were going to Paris. We enjoyed some great eats, and beautiful sites at every turn. It was a beautiful so it was busy with tourists. There were less peddlers as well. In fact there were a lot of police officers around, whenever they'd show up the peddlers would scurry quickly. The first time I went there were sooooooo many beggars. I had to not look at anyone after a while because of all the notes asking for money I was given within my first hour there.  If I so much sneezed in their direction, they handed me a sob story in English on tattered money asking for money.

We saw many sites, had conversations with many of the locals, ate well, played well, and just had an enjoyable experience all around. I hope everyone has an opportunity to visit.

Some Helpful Tips.
Find a hotel a little on the outside the central area. Initially we were going to get a centrally located hotel, but from experiences in other cities, we thought we'd get something on the outside of the main attractions. Not only is the hotel cheaper, but parking was free, and the restaurants were a lot cheaper. Check for Source Hotel. The staff is very friendly and very eager to help!

Take the BUS to get to the sights! Much cheaper than the subway/metro and takes you to all the places you need. We found this out on our third day there.

Avoid driving as much as you can. People drive incredibly aggressive there. So put your big girl/boy pants on because driving there is no joke!

Buy tickets to go inside the Eiffel Tower in advance!!! Those lines are looooong you get first priority. Here's a site to do that: http://www.city-discovery.com/paris/search/Skip%20The%20Line%20Eiffel%20Tower?gclid=CJT18uTL-LUCFczHtAodwR4AJQ

And enjoy yourselves. Which most of you will!!!!

Some photos:

Thank you for reading!!!!!!!

First of many farewells to Germany

I've lived in Germany for 8.5 years.

Never thought that'd happen.

I dropped out of college and joined the Air Force 9 years ago.

Never thought that would happen either.

I always had expectations of myself. I thought as a child that I would stay in my home state of Maryland and work in a inner city school, helping underprivileged children gain a better education. I always had in my mind that I was going to make a big impact on the world. Pretty ambitious, huh?

Do I think that's in the cards for me now? I don't know. I'd like to hope so. Let's get to the point.

My point is, life throws curve balls constantly. We are currently awaiting notice of where the hell we be for the next four years. This wait is stressful and annoying.

What makes this wait less annoying is the fact that I live in Germany. Meaning, while I wait there is so much exploring and soaking in all the things I love about living in Germany. Whenever I go back to the states, what stands out the most is what I love about Germany. I love the US, but as a military spouse living in Germany, there are so many opportunities for me to live out my dreams. From being a stay-at-home mom while going to school, to being able to go to a different country at least once a month!

I am going to miss living here. I grew up here you can say.

I arrived here Friday, August 13, 2004. I lost my debit card that day and was broke for the first week and a half of my arrival due to lack debit card! LOL.

I partied too much, was the other woman, then befriended the other woman, got my heartbroken a couple times, saw the great and others, and saw the the worst in others but mostly myself, had a baby, found a great group of people who are my friends for ever and met and fell in true love with my now husband. There is a lot more, but my mother reads my blog now. All of that in my first 2 years living here. That's why I can say I grew up here. I experienced a lot in a condensed time.


Never thought I would lead the life of a Maury Povich guest all in my first two years living in Germany. I look back at those days often with a lot of coulda shoulda wouldas but I am not pressed over that.

So I am thankful for the many bad times that plagued my first few years in beautiful Germany. This is the first of a few farewells.

Fortunately I do not have any pictures on hand of that time. And if any of you do, please do not share LOL. Unless it's a cute picture :-)

I tried to access my other photos but my photobucket account isn't working.