Happy New Year!

Happy 2009 everyone!

I had a few things on my mind that I wanted to post before 2009 arrives.

First I wanted to share New Year's German style with you. The Germans are crazy about their quiet hours and holidays. In fact, you can be fined for depositing your glass bottles in the recycle dumpsters during certain hours of the day and after 9 pm at night. At first I thought this is crazy, but it is great never worrying about your neighbor blaring music at midnight or a crazy loud party...it just doesn't happen. So when people told me the German's go crazy over New Year's, I said...yeah right. My neighbors said that everyone in Germany shoots off fireworks on New Year's Eve right at midnight. Seriously? The quiet Germans? Okay. So our houses are kind of like the east coast...packed in tight and built up. There is simply no room for safe fireworks...however the cement house probably wouldn't burn if we tried...cement blocks, metal, and stucco probably don't even ignite. So last year when the clock struck midnight...I was ready! A few pops and bangs and I headed off to bed....then it happened. Everyone set theirs off. I swear if I didn't know better, I would have sworn we were under attack. It was scary. I panicked, the dogs barked, and John and the kids slept through it all. The mayhem continued at least until 3 am…the only night when fireworks are legal in Germany. The next morning John rolled his eyes as I replayed it for him, until he went in the yard and cleaned up the remnants. Our yard was covered with fireworks. My favorite were the ones that looked like bottle rockets (aren't those illegal in the US...and with good reason) on steroids. The sticks on these things were about 3-4 feet long. So this year I'm ready. Again, John and the kids sleep, while the dog and I are ready to fear for our life. Happy New Year's to all my crazy German friends! They truly are nights I will never forget!

I also wanted to say how grateful we are for everything that 2008 brought us. Perspective is such a wonderful thing. Looking back, I realize how blessed our family really is. Our lives are rich and full because of our dear friends and loving families. We wish we could have cloned ourselves to spend the holidays with each of you. However, you were in our thoughts and prayers, and always in our hearts. Thanks always to our Lord and Savior who gets credit for every good and perfect thing in our lives. Our cup is full and runs over.

Happy New Year to you all. May blessings abound and bring the best life has to offer.

Ein gutes und gesegnetes neues Jahr!