And Then It Was Over

We've just returned from a weekend away at a soccer tournament. B's team was selected, for the first time in a large number of years, to be the team that represented our area. (Because no one knows exactly how many years, we've taken to saying large or great. It isn't really an exaggeration and it makes it sound super awesome!)
The team did wonderfully! They won 2 out of 3 games. Even with that spectacular performance, due to the way the tournament pool was set-up, they didn't make it to the finals. And that successfully puts an official end to our soccer season. Whatever will we do without 5 days of practices and games between the two boys? Perhaps not live in the car quite so much? :)
The tournament was a revelation to hubby. One, he was able to see B play for the first time in 3 seasons. Second, that I scream, holler and generally cause a ruckus when we are playing. Normally, that may be pretty usual for any soccer mom (there, I said it!) but not so typical for me. Only a few short years ago I would get after hubby for hollering. Now I think I embarrass him. How the tides have turned!

Bulk Trash

There is a phenomenon that happens twice a year here in Germany. You are allowed to put your large "bulk" items, that you no longer want in your home, out on the curb for pick-up. Americans lovingly refer to it as "junking" time. One mans junk is another mans treasure....right? And so begins the other part of the phenomenon when people drive around hoping to find their treasure on the roadside.
For the first time ever, we are participating in the unloading portion of the junking. Now sits on the curb our sofa, an old chair/pull-out bed (that has, for the last 3 years been Christo's anyway) and a little table that we have had since we were married but no longer find a place for in our home. It's actually a bit embarrassing. I feel a little redneck having my furniture sitting outside. Let the night fall come quickly and the trash man come early!
There are no new pieces in my future apparently. When hubby stated that we were putting these select choices out, I had visions of furniture shopping in my head. That was put to a quick halt with the statement "You know, we still are not planning on replacing anything until we get back to the states."
Hmmm, if you plan on coming for a visit, make sure you make a bee-line for the love seat or recliner. Otherwise, you will be sitting at the dining room table!

Settling In

10 days ago, our world finally came back together. Better Half and Dad came home from the 15 month RLBT. Hooray! Not only is he home but all of the other heroes, whom we love as well, are now home too.
We are adjusting to a two adult household again! I'm actually cooking again! The brain seems to be functioning at a normal level again! Things are good. We've been laying low...for the most part...participating in the typical Smith household day-to-day.

And is OVER!!!!

The day finally arrived when the RLBT was complete and hubby came home! Just when I had given up that it would even be this weekend, and then the call came. It was a wonderful ceremony and there will be pictures and more posted soon. Right now we are just having a good time being together:)

And continues......

Sorry for the repeat titles! I really think it is the best way to describe the situation and also have discovered that this is best forum to communicate to my "masses" and keep you up to date. I love you all and am blessed by your emails and messages.
I have to say that, although I am still hum-drum in my waiting, I am rejoicing that gutsy dad is home from the RLBT!!!! Congrats on the reunion of the gutsy family---love ya'! :)
Okay, so where we are in the process....with a bit of explaination as well. Coming home is a multi-part process. Moving from point A, B, C, etc. before reaching the ultimate final destination which is home. Better half is stuck at point B---at least he is on the move. The weather and planes are not cooperating much apparently. Can't say when to expect him, but it is now a couple of days past our hoped for date.
Well, we are going to go on with our busy lives and Log has a bowl-a-thon tonight and Bry has a soccer game. Both start at roughly the same time.....15 miles apart! Thank goodness for friends!

And continues....

In an ideal world where everything goes "just so", I would have different news to share. Hmm, apparently I haven't realized that we do not now, or have we ever, lived in an ideal world. Still no word on when the better half will return. Having anticipated a date and that date passing us by, I'm feeling rather blah. I know we've made it this far and we are able to hold out a little bit longer. That's what my head says anyway. There is also no real timeframe now. So we wait.....

And the waiting continues....

A phone call from hubby and they are close to moving from their 'home' and on to the next leg of their journey. So we wait. Until then, we have guitar lessons, soccer practice, and laundry. I'll take some pictures today of our neighborhood and the decorations....