We are FINALLY up and running!

Alright...we finally have internet! It only took us 3 weeks, but hey, its here!

Today was a rough day- I was fine until we had problems at T-mobile. After they took basically every shred of my personal information I had, they still wouldn't let me sign a cell phone contract. We have to prove to them that we are going to be here for 2 years. Now, I just figured they would want our business- and yes, I realize it makes sense- but I HAVE GOT TO HAVE A PHONE!

Ok, enough of my soapbox. I am a foreigner in this country and I have to realize that things are not going to be as easy--well realize it and accept it or go home! But, I will be victorious as my mom would say and not give up! Thanks to my Aunt Ruth saving the day with a phone call and encouraging words, I think I am going to be ok. Its weird, I will be talking about how great it is and one thing with happen and it reminds me of how it wouldn't be like that in the States, and my whole outlook will change. And its not that it wouldn't be like that in the States, but more like "home" where you know the language and have a credit score, etc. Has anyone been there before?

We went to Heidelberg last week and it was so cool to see the giant castle the town is known for.



I want to thank everyone who sent me a birthday wish or called me on skype! It was nice to see feel like I wasn't so far away! Also, if you sent me an email and I have not returned it, its coming. We are going to go try the phone thing again, and we shall see if they will let the "typisch Americanisch" have a "handy"!

love to all

Happy Birthday to ME! I am filled with glee...

Hahaha! Nice title I know! Hey- there are two kinds of people-- those who say their birthday is "just another day"(the liars) and those that milk it for like the whole month and go on and on about it. I am the second one!

We are in Praha, Czech Republic and have just had the longest day of tours and pictures and videos...etc. Here is a pic of my birthday dinner and it just so happens the guy at the table next to us was a prof. photographer- he made sure I didn't look too old!




Here are a few pics from Strasbourg, France. We live about 2 hours from the French border by train and this little town was a really cute border town. It was half french(the language) and half german(the food) and 100% worth the train ride!



Now, who says the French don't care about American politics?


More pics of Prague to come...

Greetings from Prague

Hey guys! We are currently in Prague and have WIFI with our hotel! Yay! We are here to celebrate my birthday! Turning 25 on the 25th is the biggest deal, so we had to go somewhere really cool.

We have been busy little bees going and seeing while Ryan has some time off. We figured we have forever to keep getting stuff for the apartment...its time to get going!

I wish I could have updated as we went, but its hard doing it from the internet cafes and such...so here is the first place we visited (wont bore you with lots of details- my brother informed me that he thinks most people only look at the pictures.)

Ryan spent a semester in Tubingen in college, so we went there first...





Also, I took these to show a little glip of the german culture...
This little boy is all of like 3 years old and sitting there sippin a beer...ummm...would that saying fit here, "It builds character" ?



This baby is outside the bookstore and sleeping soundly while his trusting mother is inside reading a book... At first I thought this was the kind of thing you call the cops on people in the States for...but it gives me one of the warm fuzzy moments to know I am somewhere that is that safe for a child to be left unattended and sleep safely in a crowded city. wow...


I will update with pics of Prague tonight or tomorrow. We just got in, so its time to explore!

The suspense is over....

OK- the suspense is over...we are here and we are safe and sound! Luckily our apartment was ready, and we have been busy filling it up! We have basically been living at ikea! We are mostly done, still waiting for some things, it seems like it takes a lot longer for things to happen here. We still dont have internet, they told us 2 more weeks, so I am writing from a cafe. Things move slower here, and I am trying to get used to it. Its good for both of us-lets not kid ourselves- mostly me- to be removed from my phone, internet, tv and enjoy the outdoors. We take walks and stop for coffee. I think I can really get used to this! The people have been really helpful, and our neighbor has taken us under her wing and we bombard her with questions!

I am paying by the minute so here are some pics and I will write more when I can!

We had the extra security check so this was our farewell party as we got patted down!


Where is Courtney when we need her? We should have brought the farewell party with us to help with this!!!



Keep checking and I will update when I can...

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Well, this is going to be the last post on US soil for awhile. Being at home was so much fun, mostly we ate, ate, ate, and hung out with family. It was so easy to come back and feel like we hadn't left at all. The time with our families was priceless.

This was our farewell toast...our mom's sent us off with words of encouragement and lots of prayers! I know we are ready to get there and start our new adventure!

If you notice, I changed the name of the blog from "The Beginning" to "The Adventure". We have been married almost two years, and thus begins chapter 2 of our lives!

Some more news- we have a brand new ring in the family....



While I was gone my brother got his beloved Aggie Ring! WHOOP!!

I want to leave everyone with some parting words that pretty much sums up our time here in big Tex--


Stay tuned for our arrival in Germany!