Update
It is time for an update! So much has happened in the 12 days we have been here. Our first week was filled with in-processing tasks: getting new ID cards, going to the finance office, opening a German bank account for paying rent, taking driving tests, etc. I think the driving test was the most stressful part . . . I had unpleasant flashbacks of sitting in the BYU testing center, trying to remember all of the facts I had studied and memorized. The test was surprisingly difficult for someone who has been driving for 16 years! I never realized just how different driving rules can be in different countries. In Germany, right of way is different than in the states. There are relatively few Stop Signs compared with back home, so if you come to an un-marked intersection, the person on the right has the right of way. It's not like four-way intersections in the States where we take turns. There are also things called Priority Roads, and Priority Intersections, where intersecting traffic always has to yield. You just have to be really attentive, and watch for signs so you know who has to yield. It will take a while, but I'm sure it will become second nature in no time.

Our car arrived yesterday, and we were so happy to have it again. A very nice woman at Morgan's work had lent us her little car, so we were able to go house-hunting together, and run our errands. But I have missed my car! After leaving behind all of our family and friends, selling our house and a lot of our possessions, it was so good to have something familiar. It now has German license plates on it, and has had its first Autobahn experience.

We have found a wonderful house that is only nine minutes away from Morgan's work. It is absolutely huge, so I don't know what we are going to do with all of the rooms! In its 3400 square feet it has 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, three living areas and an open kitchen. We wanted to find something big so we will have room for guests. Anyone who comes will have plenty of room in our new house! It also has a nice backyard, and is walking distance to a really nice playground that is nestled back in a wooded area. And we will also have easy access to some hiking trails that go through the forest. I am really excited to get settled in. The current residents won't leave until the end of the month, so we are going to move in in a few weeks.

In the meantime, we are staying in a really nice temporary apartment. It is owned by a German lady who rents her six furnished apartments to Americans who are coming and going. The apartment has three bedrooms, a washer and dryer, satellite TV (from England), and a nice big kitchen. So we are definitely very comfortabe, but we are still anxious to have our own things in our own space.

The kids are doing well, despite their boredom. I can't imagine how boring it must be for them to have to wait in waiting rooms while we do all of our in-processing business, but they are doing great. Lydia got sick last week, so we met our new pediatrician. We just use the German medical facilities, and they were wonderful. Morgan and I are really looking forward to learning German. We don't like going to other countries and not being able to communicate, so hopefully we will pick up the language fast!

Well, that's it for now! I will post some pictures soon, and keep you all updated on our new life in Germany!