We are here! I don't know how coherent this message will be, because I am half asleep. It is 11 a.m., but to me it is 3 a.m., and I haven't had any sleep. I just wanted to let everyone know we got here safely. Our temporary apartment is beautiful, and our landlady has outdone herself with setting up bunk beds for the kids and a crib, high chair, changing table and baby tub for Liam.

We miss you all, and I will write more later. After I take a nap! Now, hopefully I can figure out how to post this on German Blogger. I'm sure there's a way to change it to English, but this is more authentic.

Parting is such sweet sorrow . . .

That quote has become so cliche, but I don't mean to sound trite. I have been thinking a lot lately about the "sweet sorrow" of parting, and about the pain associated with it -- particularly when it comes to my children. Braden has a best friend named Alex. I think those two would spend every single minute together if we let them. After spending a couple of hours with the two of them when he was visiting, Morgan's Dad commented, "to call them best friends is an understatement!" They are already planning on being college roommates in ten years! They have one of those rare friendships that we all wish for. They love spending time together so much that they usually cry when we have to split them up. So the thought of putting thousands of miles in between them makes me so sad for my sensitive, loving little boy. He won't understand my thoughts on the "sweet sorrow" of parting right now, but maybe someday. I remember crying for three days straight when I had to leave my friends Amanda and Jenny when I was in third grade. Now I understand how my Mom must have felt -- how helpless as she watched her child experience real pain for the first time.

I have a better understanding now -- I know that I will always be friends with those who I love, and that the world really is small. So we will see each other again. But I still mourn the passing of my life as I know it, and my separation from those I see every day. So with my new, grown-up understanding, I think I'll only cry for two days. Yes, there is still so much sorrow in saying goodbye, but the sweetness is in the sorrow. Because there wouldn't be sorrow if there was no love.

As for the pain, I understand that a little better now, too. I know I can't fix everything for my kids, as much as I want to. If I did, they wouldn't experience what they need to in order to become who they are supposed to be. So maybe pain isn't all bad. Of course, some pain is bad, and senseless, but other pain is useful and the means for attaining great things. Most worthwhile accomplishments involve pain -- running a marathon, going to school, childbirth! But the pain makes the end result that much sweeter. The thought that gets me through childbirth is "this pain is progress." I know that as each wave of pain comes over me I am that much closer to holding my beautiful new baby. So maybe thinking of this pain as we part from our loved ones as progress will help us achieve our end result -- whatever the Lord has in store for us.

A Camping We Will GoLast weekend we went camping with our dear friends, the Nielsons. We had a wonderful time! We camped at Three Rivers Lincoln National Forest Campground. When we got there Friday morning, the campground host showed us a special site where we could camp that was really beautiful. It wasn't an official site, but it was cleared for tents and had some fire pits. We loved it, because it was quiet and away from other campers, but still close enough to the potties for the little ones. But the best part was its proximity to the beautiful creek. We had our very own rocky path down to a cool wooded area with a cold, rocky creek rolling through it. Our kids had a wonderful time playing in the creek and cooling off.

Of course, what's a camping trip without s'mores? Morgan did a great job planning some yummy dinners and a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and fire roasted potatoes. He is a great camper, and thinks of everything. One night we had foil dinners cooked on a fire that he and Ryan started with wood that Braden and Alex helped them gather. The next night he used his favorite new toy -- his camping stove/grill -- to make bratwurst.

The boys having fun in the creek. Even Liam had a great time splashing around!

Saturday morning we slathered on the sunscreen, put on hats and bandanas, and went hiking at the Three Rivers Petroglyph site. It was so interesting seeing drawings that Native Americans made over a thousand years ago.

We had a wonderful time, and look forward to seeing what kind of camping there is in Germany!

Mamaw and Papa Visit

We had a wonderful, happy time with Morgan's parents last week. We had fun hiking, going to a ghost town, and swimming at their hotel.

We feel so blessed to have so many people in our children's lives who truly love them and want to be with them. Mamaw and Papa are such loving grandparents, and they make our children feel so loved and special.

The End of the School Year

We have had a really busy couple of weeks! The end of the school year brings awards assemblies, graduations, concerts, etc., and this year we have had all that on top of moving-related activities!

The first and second grade classes performed the cutest concert for us. Braden played the xylophone, sang and even did a really cute dance! We loved it, and were so proud!

Braden and Morgan finished up their Cub Scout year with a bang! Braden earned lots of awards, and the pack recognized Morgan for all of his hard work. We will miss Pack 147!

Braden received the Reading award this year. He is really an excellent reader. He reads at a fifth grade level in second grade!

Morgan showed Braden's class how to dust for fingerprints. They had a great time, and I think Braden's teacher may be interested in changing careers!

Other activities we have finished with include Braden's riding lessons and Lydia's ballet classes. We look forward to finding new teachers in Germany and starting those activities again. Braden is doing really well with riding. He has gained excellent control over the horse, and can even trot! He is excited to learn how to jump over hurdles.

May was such a busy month, and when I look back over the pictures I can hardly believe they were all taken in one month! Right now is a bittersweet time as we finish our preparations for our move. We look forward to new adventures, and look back on fond memories and dear friends.