Day 10 in AMERICA!

It has really been a whirlwind, but I'll try and catch up. 

We had our final walkthrough of our house on the 6th of June.  All was well, all was great (except the oil, which is still being looked at as the heaters have been messed up).  On the 7th, we had a great going away dinner for me and Delilah with some of our closest friends (and it was our 9 year anniversary!!!). 

On the 8th, we prepared to leave.  I finished packing up the suitcases, making sure every little thing was in the right spot and anything I needed to be accessible was accessible (like orders/passports/health paperwork/pet paperwork).  Ben loaded the car, and we went to go check in at the airport.  Stood in line about 40 minutes with pets and heavy bags, and discovered that our flight was actually 4 hours delayed!  So after dropping off the bags, we went with the pets and had a happy meal picnic at a playground where Delilah played and Ben and I just sat peacefully.  It was the perfect temperature outside, and we just enjoyed the company.  

He dropped us off at the airport, stood in line with us until we finally had to go through security.  That's when I started breaking down, Delilah was breaking down, he was breaking down.  We hugged tight and gave kisses, and he had to leave.  Watching him walk away was so hard.  I know this isn't a long separation, only a month, but it's still hard.

We made it through security, Delilah found some friends to play with before we boarded.  Once we were herded onto the plane, we were just about to sit down in the middle seats of the middle section of this giant plane when a man stopped us.  He asked how many were in our party, and offered us seats in the executive suite.  I was SO thankful.  A little more room and an aisle seat for my pregnant butt.  Plus, I had a little more space to get up and move around so I didn't get bad feet swelling or anything.  It was a long flight (8 1/2 hours), and I think I got about an hour and a half of sleep.  Delilah got about 3.  We landed in Baltimore at midnight and finally got our bags at 1:30am.  God bless Katie who was waiting for us and took us to the hotel so we could rest for a couple hours before our next flight.  Delilah fell asleep right away, but I couldn't.  I got about an hour in the hotel, then woke up with too much racing through my head.

Left for the airport again at 4am, got there and in line by 4:30ish, and it took a full hour to get the pets checked in.  Everyone was moving so SLOWLY.  It was 5:30 by the time I got to security, and the line was about 50 people long. I knew we were going to miss our flight...so I grabbed Delilah and cut everyone.  Yeah, dick move, but I was 26 weeks pregnant with a 5 year old and pets flying across the world on 2.5 hours of sleep.  Sue me.  Got through security (which is a pain because I can't go through the detectors, Delilah can, so we are separated and all our stuff AND this lady tried putting her baskets in between min), but we got through it.  We both RAN to our gate, and made it in time to grab a water right next door to the gate to get on the plane.  (I forgot about added tax in America, that was stupid)  Could have missed our flight...but we didn't.  Had some kind of angel pushing my slow booty faster to that gate.  God bless my child who is also running on little sleep for being amazing and a trooper and generally the best kid ever dot com.

Got on the plane, and we treated ourselves to a reese's pb cup and she had some m&ms.  Candy at 6am?  Why the heck not?  We deserve it at this point.  She got our her kindle and read some books while I sat there just being thankful that we were on the flight.  That one was short, Baltimore to Detroit.  Once we got to Detroit, she still had some airline pretzels in her purse (because the flight attendants were super kind and gave her a ton...that reminds me, I gotta tweet the Delta flight twitter and thank them), so she snacked while we waited at the gate, which wasn't long.  About 30 minutes and we were on the next flight headed to KC!  

Landed early in KC, so mom hadn't made it yet.  We were waiting for our baggage when I turned around and THERE SHE WAS!  I can't tell you how wonderful it was seeing her after 3.5 years and how much it made my heart burst when Delilah yelled, "GRANDMA" and just hugged her.  it was just so sweet.  Her friend Mike came with to help get all our things home and we had an easy ride home.  Delilah slept some on the way, but I was too jazzed.  We stayed awake visiting and hanging out with my mom and Jack all day, and they grilled for us!  Delilah fit right in with everyone, it was like we hadn't been gone at all.  Even all the dogs got along, formed their own little pack right away.  My 9 year old dog is out running in the yard with the 2 and 3 year old pups that my mom has.  It is just so neat to see!  

We haven't really taken a "break" since getting here.  I had a house inspection to go to (omg the house we are buying is in such good condition), and everything went great on that.  The sellers are fixing the minor issues (like fixing a light socket) and so that's taken care of.  It's so roomy and homey and I've already got big plans for it!  If everything goes according to plan, we can sign closing papers on July 17th, so I'm just trucking along, making that happen.  

Been looking for a car too.  I've got a nice guy at a Honda dealership looking for the exact model/year/price range I want, so I'm kind of letting him take the reigns because I have told him exactly what I want and they have an extensive buying network.  

Got seen by the doctor I wanted to be seen and will deliver the twins at the hospital that I chose.  Excellent NICU, nursing staff, maternal heart clinic, and came with a personal recommendation from a friend.  Met the doctor today, and I'm very happy with my choice.  The twins are doing well, both feel very strong, they definitely do some interesting flips/moves once I lay down for the evening.  I am a couple days shy of 28 weeks, and I've gained about 19lbs.  Not doing anything except eating when I'm hungry and eating well.  I do stretches and some body weight exercises (very lightly) each evening, and that seems to help me sleep...except my hips hurt and I have to switch sides all the time.  

Ben...Ben just got done running an ULTRAMARATHON at the Zugspitz because he is amazing and a badass.  Ran 62k, including up a mountain and I couldn't be more proud.  

GO, BEN! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!

Seriously though, look at that guy (in the orange).  I'm one lucky lady. 

Next on the list?  Just making lists for the house and waiting patiently until Ben comes back to us.  (COME TO AMERICA QUICKLY, PLEASE)

So there's a brief (long) catchup of our 10 days in America.  

I don't know what I would do without my mom and Jack.  Mom has been amazing and helping us with basically everything.  She and Delilah are so much like me and my grandma it's uncanny.  I love seeing their relationship blossom and bloom.  It's making me so happy.  I'm so thankful for my mom, she has no idea how deep my gratitude goes.  I just hope that by telling her every day how much I appreciate it and how much I love her that she knows. :)

That's all for now. I'm going to go wash my face/brush my teeth and watch The Office.  

Moving to America is exciting and stressful!

I think the title pretty much sums up how I'm feeling.  Next week, our first shipment of goods will be packed up and leave our home here to get to America.  Most of what I'm sending is baby things, some of Delilah's toys, and some necessities we'll need right away.  Since we are staying with my mom for a good portion of it, we won't need a whole lot, so that's nice. 

We have our companies set up to pick/pack up our goods, and I'm just hoping and praying that we make it through without any damages.  We have acquired some irreplaceable things along our travels throughout Europe, and I would be devastated if something broke.  

Ben's birthday is this Friday.  His presents have already arrived, and Delilah and I have a very specific cake in mind to make him.  We are going out to dinner with friends that night as well.  Very low key and personable.  The next day is the baby shower that some girls are throwing for me out here, which is just totally sweet.  

Getting the car checked out today to make sure the balance is right on it.  I want no problems on our drive to Paris at the end of the month.  Speaking of that, I ordered Delilah her Aurora mouse ears.  She still has no idea we are doing Disneyland Paris, and I don't plan on telling her until we are parked and walking up to the entrance.  I'm so excited!!!

Made the official social media announcement yesterday.

We are officially 4 months along with TWINS!  

Completely and totally thrilled (and scared) to add TWO new baby Wards to the world.  

Found out right after NYE, kept it very quiet (just Ben) for awhile.  After a scare at 7 weeks, I was even more tight lipped, and I believe the only people that knew were us, my mom, and a couple close friends who noticed I wasn't enjoying the occasional IPA at gatherings.  After several more ultrasounds and 12 week check up, we began to tell more family and friends.  We were holding out making an announcement in hopes that we could tell a couple close friends in person.  Our schedules wouldn't allow it, so we told them, then made it public.  

We've gotten so much love and support, and we are SO thankful for that.  We are also moving back to America this year, and are stationed close to my mom!  So incredibly thankful for that, she is already ready to be a big help, so excited to get us back to America.  

So for now, we are making preparations to move and getting the house in order.  All of our flight information (at least for Delilah and I) is prepared and reserved.  Ben is sending us back early to find a doctor, a car, and get our household goods sent out earlier.  Our first shipment of things leave at the beginning of MAY!  Going to get crackin' on organizing after I finish some custom watercolors that have been requested by someone in the local area.  

Everyone have an excellent day. 

Getting this dang old thing started back up

Life has gotten in the way of writing.
Last year was a whirlwind, and it taught me a lot about family, friendships, and what is important in life.  I learned who I can rely on, who I can't, and why it's important to always take a step back and evaluate situations/people.  

Updates: 

My family is really dope, and about to be even doper.

I have traveled to some amazing places.

I have eaten some great food.

I was in a theater production of Mary Poppins and it was amazing.

Through theater, I have met some of the most interesting and delightful friends.

I have learned a lot about friendship.


Delilah is on spring break this week, so I'm planning on having us take a couple outings to the local animal places this week.  I love going, she loves going.

We also have been getting our house/plans in order for our return to America this year.  I'm thrilled to say that we will be returning to Missouri after not living there since 2008!  We will only be about 40 minutes drive from my mom, and that just makes me so happy.  Delilah cannot WAIT to get there.  Ben is sending us (along with the pets) back at the beginning of June so we can get a car, get established and comfortable, and begin looking for a house.  That's right, we are going to BUY!  He will join us in July when his duty in Germany is complete.  It's only a month until our first shipment of goods gets picked up and taken to America, so time is quickly running out for us to get organized for that!  Today, we made some strides and pulled things from the attic to donate/organize for the movers to pack.  The guest room is slowly transforming into the "moving room", which is fine.

Tomorrow brings errands to the on base store, German grocery, the post office, and possibly to the flower fields to pick some beautiful blooms to have at our home.
Seems like the perfect way to spend a Monday.

Hope you all had an excellent weekend!