It's a sad day in the neighborhood...

Okay, well not that sad, but I am just having one of those mornings! (It's not even 10am yet.) Ugh, perhaps I am just feeling sad for myself, with no reason at all really. I have come to wonder though, am I very unlikeable? Or do I appear to people as not a good person? Or am I just being too sensitive and over-exagerating the whole thing. Well either way, I am bummed. And I have decided today, that I will NOT be attending my 10 year HS reunion, and I will NEVER again live in Litchfield. That may perhaps be one of the worst places to live. After being away from "home" for so long, I will never live in a small town again. I may chose to live in MN again, but definitely in the city or right outside. I'm just needed time to vent, and this is the only place I can do it at this time of day!

Adding to my sad day, my baby has a mean cough and runny nose! Last night she had a temp of 104! My poor girl, at least she is doing much better this morning! :D She is about to go play with a new friend, and experience with a new sitter. Let's hope it goes well, which I am sure it will!

So I am now working at Service Credit union as some of you know, and we have a lot of birthdays, baby showers, and pot-lucks coming up. They are requesting donations for EVERY event, how do I know how much is enough to donate, as I am struggling for money myself? I would feel quite bad if I didn't donate, but how much is enough or not? Any suggestions would help me out! :D

Well last weekend Tuan and I attended a marriage retreat in Garmisch, Germany. One of the most gorgeous cities next to the Alps. It reminded me a bit of Colorado. Anywho, it was a nice vacation! Briahna joined us, and they offered free child-care! We deffinitely couldn't turn that down! We also visited Munich. The pictures are just of the hotel view of the mountains and some buildings in Munich. It was a nice city, but too cold to really explore! Maybe this summer!

This picture of the sign was mostly for Dachau. Just driving through that area gave me the chills. I really wanted to visit the camp, but I wasn't ready. That whole place gave me the chills, and it was hard to believe what actually happened there, as well as in Munich. It is pretty crazy to know that somethin like that happened so close to where I live and stayed. But I do hope to go back and visit some day!

Well I guess that's all I have for now! We are still trying to make it back home in June, but we'll see how that goes! Anwyays, miss everyone and thanks for letting me vent a bit! Til next time...

It's Raining, It's Pouring, Grandpa John is Snoring...

Can anyone see what is wrong with this picture? :) Comment if you can find it! HINT: Look at the blurry body!

It sure is raining! Woke up this morning to find my car covered in solid ice, and almost lost my face when I slipped on the sidewalk. I wasn't happy at all! I was already running late to get Briahna to school on time, and of course I couldn't really hurry, as it was extremely icey! I started driving, the main roads seemed fine, but as soon as I enetered the village of Mackenbach, it was a whole different story. I got towards the center of town and had to turn around due to road closure. So I took the long way to school, I was pretty much driving on pure ice, as they don't plow side roads in Germany. I was coming up on a hill, I started slipping and the wheels were spinning! Yikes! I was a bit nervous, but kept going. Briahna's school sits on a hill, so as I was approaching the hill, I see a line of cars all trying to truck it up the hill. Needless to say, after 10 minutes of waiting, I asked someone if they were open (they were) but I wasn't going to slip my way up the hill just to drop her off. I turned around, and drove my ass home. And about 20 mins later, they cancelled school.

The current road conditions are BLACK. Which really means "stay home and don't drive, forget any plans you had today." They closed the gates to the base, so no one is going on or coming off. So here I am, stuck at home! :D Basically on stand-by if work decides to open today.

On a brighter note, I think Tuan's mom is coming to visit us in March! I am excited to have visitors finally! She is super excited to see Briahna! :D And I am super excited to finally travel! I am hoping to visit Paris, England, A-dam, and a few places in Germany while she is here! Yay!

Oh I forgot, Briahna when pee in the potty yesterday! it is the second time she has done it for me at home! She does it at school sometimes too, but she still isn't quite ready! I am definitely not going to force her until she is really ready. I'm not a fan of washing blankets EVERY day!

Briahna is my little artist! I bought her a small art desk after Christmas! she loves it! She loves drawing pictures for Nana and Granpa! She is also a fan of painting and playdough! Soon I'll get her into some more advance artsy stuff, but for now, I'll stick to the crayons! She tends to make a big ol' mess that this mama doesn't like to clean! :D

NO! We don't make her sweep the driveway! That keeps her occupied while we shovel the driveway! And speaking of that, I wonder how I went 21 years in Minnesota without hardly ever shoveling! Shoveling is some haaard work!

A friend of mine invited Briahna and I to join them to a family night on base. This was their version of Winnie the Pooh, and I am going to spare the laughter and not even post a picture of Tiger. It was more of a yellow cat with stripesn and I have a feeling the whomever was inside, was a bit naughting! They were swining their tail and pokin the kids with it...with the tail between the legs, yes very inappropriate for the little ones! Quite hillarious though! Briahna was exstatic though! She played catch with them and danced! She is such a friendly little girL!

SO sorry for the absence...

Well I believe the last time I wrote was in October! So sorry I haven't had any updates! So here is a quick summary:

November:

This month was spent being much more busy than any other month yet! Briahna started pre-school at a school in Germany. She attends 2 days a week from 9a-3p. She absolutely loves it! She has learned so much in the short time she has been there! I was offered a job at the Service Credit Union on base. Tuan was busy working, driving, and hanging out! We had Thanksgiving over at our house with some of Tuan's foreign friends. We wanted to show them a typical American Thanksgiving. They seemed to definitately enjoy the food, however they don't eatlike Americans.

December:

I was so excited for the holidays, but this year, I had seemed to be extremely home-sick. I missed home more than ever! We made it though, we celebrated Christmas Eve at home with just the 3 of us, and had friends over for dinner on Christmas Day. The kiddos had a good time and Briahna was spoiled as always. Just want to thank everyone who send cards/gifts this year! We always love a little something from home! I started working at the Credit Union at the beginning of the month, and it seems to be going okay. Hm, Tuan and I babysat a few kids, and I was hoping it would cure his desire for another baby...but did that blow up in my face or what! That just made him want MORE! :D Sooner than later I guess! Anyways, It was another busy month with work, school, and such! Tuan and I spent NYE together, didn't do anything special, but had some time without Briahna! She is such a joy, but sure can be busy!! :D Tuan had 2 free weeks of leave, he got to catch up on his quality time with briahna while I was busy training at work!

As I was uploading pictures, I totally forgot about some things we did in december! Briahna had her first school program, her class sand Rudolph! It was too cute! :D We attened Tuan's holiday party for NATO. Needless to say, we were about the only American's there. There were families from the UK, Germany, Czech, and Belgium. It's pretty cool to meet people from other countries.

On with the new year:

January 2010:

Last year was good, let's hope 2010 is better! We started off the year with the same old stuff, work, school, and Briahna! We have a coupld trips planned in the next coming months, a trip to Garmish (An army resort in the Alps) and hopefully a trip to Paris, England, and A-dam! That's all I ask :D.

Recently I have been thinking about how absolutley blessed we are. We have more than most people could ask for. I can't help but think about the terrible things going on in the world today. I am so blessed we are where we are. I pray that everyone stay's safe, healthy, and happy! I hope that those dealing with tragedy, illness, and any other unfortunate events can find happiness and know that in the end, things will be okay. All we can do is live each daY to it's fullest and strive for excellence in all that we do!

And that's about as much as I have to say for now, I will do my best to keep updates coming more frequently! Thanks to those who read and continue to check for updates! :D

Skipped fall...directly into winter

So this year we went straight from summer into winter with maybe a week of fall. I heard it was about the same for Minnesota too! I am quite suprised as to how much of a baby I am. I grew up in Minnesota for 21 years. You would think I was used to the cold. YEA RIGHT! I hate being cold, and am a weenie when it comes to having cold weather here. Maybe it is different because I spend more time outside here than I did in MN? Not sure, but I hate it. Or maybe I just got used to the warm weather in Cali and AZ. I might just have to move to AZ where it is HOT everyday, all year round! :D

Anyways, I am done with my first week of school! So far so good! Briahna will be starting at the Children's Learning Academy in November, 2 days a week. It is a preschool setting, but of course not as strict as 2 year olds don't always cooperate! :D I am excited for her to get to be with other kids and to have some time to myself for school and what not!

My mom just sent us a new bed cover and tons of throw pillows and osme other room decorating stuff. She does a great job with that stuff! Our room finally feels more like home! :D She is sending a quilt for Briahna soon as well, I will have to post it once it gets here! I think I already talked about that!

Halloween is coming up next week! I am soooo excited! We are going to do the whole trick or treating thing and they have a little function on base with activities for Briahna! She is either going to be a princess or Tinkerbell...not sure yet! I got a girly eskimo costume and tuan is going to be mr. michael jackson of course. Can't wait to see this ha! I'll be sure to post pictures!

Well I don't have much else to say, just a quick update !miss everyone, have a great halloween!

Making A Change...

5 Generations- G.G.Gladys-->Patricia-->Danita-->Ashly-->Briahna

Since I have been back home to Germany, I have been thinking and rethinking what to do next. (As far as school, work, life, etc.) I am unsure really what the next step is. But as of right now, my next step is heading back to school! I am going to work at getting a Bachelors in Health Care Administration/Health Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. I am excited to go back and finally do something productive! I am going to continue looking for jobs in hospitals and clinics as a secretary type. That's what my AAS degree is in. But it's quite difficult here in Germany to find a job in that area. I am slowly trying to earn more responsibility at Chili's. Things like becoming a certified trainer and hopefully bartender soon. I know it's not a "real" job, but I'll tell you this, not just anyone can be a good server. I have seen many people fail at this job and it can be quite challenging for some! Maybe someday become an manager or something. I have learned in the last few years, I like to be the boss!! And I am pretty good at delegating others in a positive way! So we will see how that goes! Wish me luck!

On another note, Briahna is getting soo big! She is 2 years and 3 months already! She has learned so much in those 2 short years, it just blows my mind! I have been trying to get her into a child care program or German Kindergarten. I want her to interact with other children and be in a somewhat organized environment! She strives to learn newthings EVERY day! She is quite amazing, ask my dad! He was so amazed with her while we were home! The two things on the top of his mind: the shop and Briahna. My mom, Molly, and I wonder how come we don't rate that high! And it's only because, of course, Briahna can do no wrong! If you know my dad, you understand! :D But yea, all is going well with her! I just bought her some new little Old Navy outfits, so cute! And am waiting for the rest to come from my mom! Speaking of my mom, she made a super cute quilt for Briahna's bedroom! As soon as we get it, I'll post up a picture! Briahna loves it!


My mom, dad, and Briahna before we headed back to Germany.

Well, I suposse I shall do some real work on the computer! I thank all those who do read my blog. I was also wondering, to those of you who do read it, I would like some idea's to make my blog more interesting to read. I know talking about my life can 't get boring sometimes! Maybe some topics you'd like to read about? I have been thinking about blogging about a few things, other than just my life but can't come up with any good ideas at the moment! so just comment and let me know! Thanks again and miss all those far away!

Briahna chasing the goat at the Amazin' Farm yard in Eden Valley, MN.

Please keep my cousin Ben and Uncle Terry in your thoughts as they serve our country in Iraq and Afghanistan! Thanks! :D