3 Month Anniversary

This past week marked our 3 month anniversary since we landed on this side of the big pond. It is more difficult to realize that summer is over with, especially since we have been experiencing cool temperatures (mid 50's) and sporadic rain showers daily for the past few weeks. We have adapted to apartment living and living in the city.  We have also gone through our 1st/2nd round of supplies we brought over with us as most containers/items are made for about 2 to 3 months use in the US. Plus, we are now establishing a routine with the  girls in school, so there are less impromptu outings as when we first arrived.

This week began with frowns on Monday as we started another week of school, but by Friday, the frowns were turned upside down. The girls have recognized that no one speaks English in the classroom with them and this was very frustrating to them. However, by Wednesday, Adeline was invited over  to play with one of her classmates in the afternoon and she informed me she was chatting with the girls while they were changing their shoes for gym class. When I asked her what they chatted about, she just commented, "Oh  Stuff." I still am not sure what they discussed, but I was happy to hear the comfort in her voice about being with her classmates. As the week progressed, Emmie was happily telling me when I picked her up how the big girls in her class were playing with her and helped her out. Emmie is learning German very quickly from Adeline through the songs she comes home and recites to me and by Adeline correcting my German pronunciation. In addition, Emmie is constantly asking what everything is German- to the point I have to get out the translation dictionary.

Our weekend was  planned out with the various types of festivals going on in the area. Saturday afternoon, we spent in downtown Frankfurt at the Museumsuferfest. Christina, a Michigan friend, was in town doing some work with her Chrysler supplier, so she met up with us as we walked the 8km festival along the Main River. Food, drink, and gift vendors lined the riverfront walk along with stages for bands and dance acts. The weather brought a light rain shower, but it did not discourage us from the enjoying the festival. When the crowd started to get thick, we ventured over to old town Frankfurt to show Christina. Here we found a Starbucks which brought a smile to Christina's face and the bier bike. This time, Eric managed to get a picture of it which shows the drinkers powering it as they peddle while sitting at the bar.

Sunday morning was an exceptionable service at church, as the new pastor, Carston Lotz, and his family had their induction ceremony to ICF. It is amazing how God works in his own ways for the church's timing of searching for a new pastor and the Lotz family's ideal church to ministering in to be the best fit for each other at just the right time.

Sunday afternoon, we spent the afternoon in Mainz. The Mainz Winemarkt is held in the city park. Instead of food treats, we allowed the girls to have their faces painted. There was a 30 minute wait, so Eric and I enjoyed a wine. It is here Sarah discovered Eric ordering a wine at the vendor. We all then enjoyed the atmosphere while the girls got their faces painted. Adeline requested a butterfly and Emmie asked for a flower. We then continued  strolling through park when their faces were finished. We ran into Uschi and her husband while we were strolling around. All of us gathered around a table and enjoyed the later afternoon in the park. Unfortunately, it started to rain and then pour. Luckily, we were under a large umbrealla to keep us dry and we had an excellent wine vendor close to keep us happy. The rain was not lightening up, but the time was getting late, so we just took a run for the car, 5 plus blocks away with our umbrellas and rainjackets.  Monday morning would come about quickly and ALL of us girls will be attending school in the morning.