Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (14)

And before I know it, it's this time of the week again. I am getting better and better every day (besides hurting my back while coughing today). It was definitely a week with many, many things to be thankful for (besides this wonderful link-up; as usually, thank you so much for hosting, Lizzi!!)

1. Having the best hubby in the world who's working on those impossible knots in my shoulders with his delicate musician's hands. You're awesome, love!!

2. Lily being the sweetest big sister and sharing a snack with her little sister, without being asked to do so. So sweet!

3. A work week ending on a high note when my boss told me just before I leave work on Friday that I get to be a coach at the upcoming training at work. I'm over the moon excited!!

4. A beautiful weekend with great plans.

5. A great 16-year old who changed her weekend plans on a short notice to babysit for us tonight.

6. Getting to go out with the hubby sans children. I love our little ones to the end of this world and beyond, but every once in a while, we just need to spend time out as a couple, and I appreciate this rare occasion!

7. The smell of warm apple pie.

8. Lily getting to meet a friend today who she hasn't seen since August.

9. A clean house.

10. The 30 minutes in a crazy busy day to myself to reflect and be thankful.


Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

2013

Happy New Year everyone! I have been off the blogosphere for a couple of weeks due to visitors from the U.S. and the general sickness in our family afterward. I am still not 100% recovered but getting there in due time I'm sure.

Today, we have started in a new year together with good friends, food, and conversation. The firework was awesome and the girls couldn't have been better behaved, we really had a great evening; this morning we started with a family breakfast after what is considered sleeping in for the girls, followed by Toy Story 2 and playing Mr. Potato Head afterward. I feel very lucky and grateful having such a wonderful and supportive family.

On the other hand, we are starting this new year with the realization, that things will not be the way we expected when we decided to move to Germany 3 years ago. Don't understand me wrong, we are very happy with the life we have built for ourselves. I am thankful for the job I have, the benefits we receive, our home, the new friendships we built, etc. But one of the big things I was looking forward to was, that the girls would grow up with an extended family as I did: caring grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This was the ideal for me, and I was excited that the girls would be able to share this experience. Well, today I stand once again corrected. I had to learn again that blood family cannot be relied upon. There were two decisive events in the past three weeks that proofed that more than anything. I have made excuses and tried to understand for too long, but that will stop now. I am finally at the point where I know that the fight for acceptance and acknowledgment is futile and that I will no longer waste any energy towards it. We four only need each other, and the family we have built over time. And even though it is sad that the girls are obviously loved more by their "adopted" grandparents than their blood ones, we are thankful that we have all those wonderful people in our lives who love those girls as if they were their own blood. And it is comforting for us to know that no physical distance will ever change the lasting bond we have formed. We love you all and consider ourselves happy to have you in our lives!

Our plans for 2013: Build a house and move; find a way to visit with our family in WA and NM; spend more quality time with the girls; spend more time outside; be happy.