Munich Day 2

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One thing about visiting Europe, is it is not a relaxing vacation!

But it is AMAZING!

Can I just say, being able to focus on one child is also AMAZING! It is super fun to share all this with Gabe, and see his excitement in seeing this part of the world.

I also LOVE seeing him and his Daddio together (you might be able to tell by the number of pictures I am taking of this dynamic, handsome duo).

They are so similar in so many ways! Just love seeing this bond deepen.

And it is a special treat for me too, to get to know Gabe on an even more intimate level.

Today, we walked. And walked. And then walked.

Then took the u-bahn too (subway system here – it is so efficient!)

We woke up and had this incredible breakfast on the terrace of our hotel. The perks of staying in a little, local, family run place!

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The boys’ luggage still did not arrive, so we had to shop for a couple of shirts — and socks for Gabe. Teenage feet!

We then wandered through some gorgeous churches, climbed the New Town Hall and saw some incredible views, and then watched the Glockenspiel at noon.

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We then took the u-bahn out to the BMW welt, where the boys were in their glory and Gabe took a ton of pics! We had planned to rent a car for a couple of hours (not just a car apparently, but an M5…) but had forgotten our passports (which they needed to let us rent it.) Oh no!!

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Luckily, they had time tomorrow and are letting us rent it for the whole day for the same price as 3 hours! The boys are seriously thrilled:)

We explored a bit of the Olympic village, before heading back into Munich and toured around the Residenz (amazing – 90 rooms – although I understood 19…), so after 68, my feet were dying! We skipped a couple of rooms and the security guard (thinking I was German, so spoke to me in German), told me how we were missing certain rooms. I just smiled and said, “Ya” (wish I still remembered a bit of my college German course!), and we headed out. Beautiful but our feet and backs were killing.

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We recharged at a great beer garden restaurant in the Hofgarten, then got our second wind, walked through the gardens. We then hopped back on the u-bahn and headed out to the Bayern Munich Allianz-Arena (just so I could say to Zach and Josh I’ve been there – so competitive:))

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We headed back and sat on our hotel terrace and had some herbal tea and chocolate. Best way to end an amazing day!

Love these boys!

Here’s our video of the day!

https://vimeo.com/98975043

Arriving in Munich

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We made it to Munich!

Travelling with 1 “child” is pretty easy. We saw a young couple in the waiting area at our gate at the airport, with young babies – twins no less – about 8 months old and I felt for them. But I have done my time! Of course, they ended up sitting in front of us. There is a time, there is a season…all stages are just really good… I’m just appreciating this stage now to its maximum!

We hung out in a nice airport lounge and even bumped into our long time friend Shaun (a little family joke; Shaun is a little sheep Josh bought in New Zealand, and he photobombed so many of our pictures, that we now make it a point to travel with him and get him in a few. I secretly brought him and Josh and the kids only saw him on Instagram. Big plans for this fella!)

 

Airport – Leaving for Munich
Watching the Germany/Ghana game
Waiting in the airport

We were pretty excited on the flight to Brussels and so didn’t get much sleep. We were completely zonked during our layover in Brussels, and by the time we were on our flight to Munich, I’m not sure any of us knew how we ended up on the plane – we just sort of sleepwalked on. Just too old to pull all nighters!

Unfortunately, we were missing a bag in Munich. Apparently it was left behind in Brussels; I have a sneaky suspicion that the baggage people were a bit too busy watching the soccer game with Belgium and missed our bag (well, it was Rob and Gabe’s bag). Apparently it will be here by morning!

We freshened up, took a quick nap and headed out to explore beautiful Munich. While I have my guidebook, and we have a few “must sees”, part of the fun and adventure in Europe is to just walk the streets!

So we did. We did go to Marienplatz (the oldest and main town centre), St Peter’s Church, and got a bit lost but stumbled upon the Hofbrauhaus and Frauenkirche just as they were starting Sunday Mass.

 

We had had a nice Schnitzel sandwich for lunch on the train into the city from the airport, and Gabe had a craving for Italian, so we ended up finding the cutest little Italian restaurant on a side street. We feasted on some delicious pasta (salmon for Rob) and just relaxed and soaked it all in (while trying hard to stay awake!)

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Can’t believe we are finally here and so excited to be here! More exploring tomorrow!

Day 1 video

Let the 16 (15) trips begin!

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When I met Rob, as I have said before, I warned him of my intense desire to travel.

I mean, warned like, “Honey, there likely won’t be fancy cars or electronics, or things like expensive shopping sprees, big home renos, or updating gadgets constantly going on. We will skip out on fancy restaurants and expensive weekly excursions. I’m all about travel and it’s only going to get worse.”

Luckily, I quickly passed along the travel bug, and he somehow was able to squeeze in taking care of his car and electronic needs (and we seem to be in sync with other things, although our home needs some landscaping badly…) Luckily, we have been blessed with the work hard, play hard mentality and blessed with jobs and discipline that help support our dreams.

I told him of my dream of two HUGE family trips I wanted to take with my boys: one to Australia and New Zealand; and then one to Africa. He supported that dream for all 7 of us and five years later, we checked the first one off our list when we went to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand in March of 2013. In March of 2015 the CDF’s take on South Africa!

A couple of years after we had been married, one of my best friend’s announced she and her husband were taking one of their kids to Europe. It was to be an “alone” trip with their 12 year old son, and they planned to do a “12 year alone trip” with each of their kids.

What a fantastic idea!!

I loved the idea of having some special time with just one child, especially with a blended family when there are 5 kids to compete with! I’m not sure if Rob rolled his eyes, cried, or jumped for joy, when I told him the idea and thought that we should do it too. But, I do know that he knew that if I set my mind to it, we would make it happen.

Of course, we needed to make a few minor adjustments…there was no way we could do it when they were 12 as there was just not enough savings to go around in such a short period of time. So 16 became the magical goal (and it has since turned to 15 for future logistical purposes for our family.)

We told the kids about our plan years ago, and they loved it. (They have all been bitten by the travel bug too). Most of them already have researched and planned out where they want to go.

That was part of the deal too. They get to pick the spot.

There are some travel logistics and cost restrictions of course, but generally, they get to choose.

I can’t say that they are not influenced though…

We have talked about these “16 trips” (recently converted to “15 trips”) for years and they seemed so far away.

Until now.

Gabe turns 16 on July 4th.

We are leaving for Munich, Germany tonight!!!!

Just the three of us. With hugs and kisses and well wishes from all the other kids, who are totally excited for him rather than jealous, as they firmly know their time will come!

Gabe selected Munich, Germany with some heavy influence from his Dad, I have to say.

They are both car guys, so the allure of the German car was strong. They booked a tour of the Audi car factory months ago. I plan to find a nice cafe and read while they do that so I’m not a downer around them when I complain about how boring it is and ask when we are leaving a million times.

We are also planning a little side trip to Salzburg, Austria (home of the Sound of Music – which we will be sure to check out some favourite things), and I am making both boys come to Neuschwanstein Castle (inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle). (And wait until they see the princess dress I am planning on wearing. Just kidding. But not a bad idea….lol)

To finish off the week, we are heading to Venice for the weekend. It is our anniversary, and what better way to spend a romantic anniversary weekend, riding a gondola, getting lost in the Venetian streets…just the two of us lovebirds… and Gabe. Poor guy. I’ve heard rumours that he’s planning on singing us “That’s Amore”.

We were so worried in March when Rob had his heart attack that we would have to cancel this trip as it is one that we have been excited for for years. We were thrilled when we got the ok from his doctor last week (and feel blessed that our travel insurance still covers everything, not that we will need it, but it’s still a nice reassurance!)

Hopefully I’ll be able to blog along the way, as I know my other kids will want to live vicariously through us too!

I may try to post on our family instagram that we just started too! Follow along, if you’d like! We can be found on Instagram @CDFfoto (will eventually figure out how to link it up here!)

 

 

The people I meet in heaven

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“Mom, do you like your job?”

A simple question, asked by Zach, as I sat down finally at 10pm to write my progress notes for the clients I saw that day. (The older kids were still up watching a hockey game — these late nights  kill me. Get to bed already!!!)

I thought about it a bit before I answered. Of course, I’ve thought about it before. You do have to ask yourself whether you like what you do 40 plus hours a week for years and years….

“Yes. There are some aspects I love, like helping people, and other aspects I don’t like, like documenting how I help people.”

It then led to a discussion how I always want to do my best in my job , so you have to like it enough.

I shared with them what has really been on my mind a lot over the years as I have worked with people.

When I listen to them, or talk to them, give them advice, hand them tissue for their tears, or high five them for their accomplishments, it always enters my mind, “Long after we are both gone, if I meet these people again in heaven, will I feel proud of how I have treated them? Will I know that I gave them my all? Will they know if I gave them my all?”

That is one of my guiding principles. At least one I try to think of frequently, but often fall short of. We are blessed to interact with people on a daily basis. Our interactions with them can be positive or negative. We never know when something we do or say will make a difference in someone else’s life. People never know how they impact our lives either.

But one day, I believe, we shall meet again, and it will be crystal clear how we impacted each other. I want to be able to look someone square in the eye to say, “I might have messed up at times, but I did my best.”

I want to be able to feel like the 40 hours a week that I spent away from my family working with clients was contributing to making the lives better of these people that I will one day be accountable to in heaven.

Liking my job is one thing, but I want to like the work that I have done within my job and be proud of it.

I want to be able to face all the people I will one day meet in heaven and be able to look them in the eye and have them know that I tried my best. I don’t want to have to avoid any one, or lower my eyes, or bow my head in shame.

That is one thing that motivates me to do my best (even though it may sound weird to some), to correct my wrongs as best I can, to let go of grudges and hurts, and to offer forgiveness wherever and whenever I can (or at least be working on that goal).

I told my son that I’m blessed that my job offers me the opportunity to directly serve people when they are going through some of their greatest trials. But,  whatever our “jobs” here are – outside or within the home  – my hope is that we will all be mindful that one day, we may meet again, and we want that to be a happy occasion, so we need to live our lives accordingly.

 

Quote of the Week

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“If you look at a thing, the very fact of your looking changes it…if you think about yourself, that very fact changes you.”  – Robert Penn Warren

 

I have found myself using this quote several times in the past few weeks, so I knew it was one I needed to share, or one I just needed right now.

It goes along nicely with something I heard at a work conference: Observation = Treatment.

What does that mean? Well, the very fact that someone can notice or observe or be aware of a problem or challenge often means they will automatically be inclined to do something different or “treat” it. Just observing it’s an issue is often enough to change something.

Sometimes we bring up issues, and do not have a solution or think they will ever get resolved. But the mere fact the issue was brought up to begin with often changes things, just a little bit. And like one degree on a compass, that little change can mean the world of difference down the road.

So instead of berating ourselves for not make big changes, or instead of constantly complaining to someone about something, perhaps we can just bring it up, or just think about it for a bit, and then sit back and let the little degrees change.

I guess this quote also highlights the importance of being introspective, and the importance of reaching out and learning, growing, reading, sensing, exploring.

AND…the fact that you are reading this, and now thinking about how much you think about things has just changed you:)

 

 

Welcome next six months…

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It dawned on me this past weekend that we are in June. June is half way through the year. The last month before hitting the real halfway point.

Where did the year go?

The first 5 months have flown by and were marked with events that I had not planned. A lot of what I had planned slipped by the wayside. A lot of the routine happened and then I didn’t get a chance to document the little stuff, being so preoccupied with the bigger stuff.

But now, heading into the last 6 months, I’m excited to move past some heavy things, and welcome summer, vacations, camps, soccer and baseball games, starry nights and ice cream (frozen yogurt:).

This past weekend we made the 7 hour trek to our friend’s cottage, stopping for our favourite pizza in Montreal. It was a super quick trip, but the only weekend we had free between our two families.

Normally, I take a ton of pictures, but forgot my camera, and left my phone in my purse to be “disconnected.” So no pictures to share:( But everyone had a great time, enjoyed the beautiful weather, the good food, the great company.

My two favourite parts of the trip were just simple things.

The first was having everyone piled into our truck. Road trips are a fave of ours. We popped some Friday Night Lights into the DVD player and it took us right back to the OuterBanks – our last road trip where we watched many, many FNL shows. We ate snacks, talked about upcoming trips, school, work, friends, health, future dreams etc. Just having everyone together for yet another road trip made me so happy and appreciative of life.

My second favorite part was a little tradition my friend created a few years ago: Happy Hour. What is unique about Happy Hour is she has a deck of questions that get asked and we all have to answer, while we drink yummy drinks. This year Josh read the question and chose one where we had to go around the circle and say a trait in each person that we admire or wish we had. It was so awesome hearing each kid express themselves and share positive things about each other. Sometimes we were surprised by the traits that were identified, (and Josh misunderstood a few – but we quickly cleared that up!), and surprised by the words they used! Great vocabularies. It was just so nice to be sitting around with our kids hearing all the good that actually think of each other.

Little things like this are what it’s all about. Looking forward to getting back to the little things, and capturing them on camera too! This summer Zach is going to a two week photography camp, so I’m hoping he’ll be taking some pretty cool snaps to share too! Wish I were a kid sometimes and could attend some of these camps!!

Quote of the Week

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“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God”

Apparently this was the last tweet Maya Angelou sent out before she passed away.

What a beautiful woman, who has said and written many beautiful things over the many years of her life here on earth.

I don’t think we appreciate quietude enough, or realize the profound things we can hear, and the direct conversations we can have with God where we can find solutions to many of our life’s challenges.

Sometimes we just need to sit with our thoughts and leave room for inspiration.

Emergency Rooms

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I think I have had enough of Emergency Rooms.

First was Rob’s heart attack in March. A few nights pushing chairs together to catch a wink.

Then came April. Rob had another scare, which resulted in another emergency visit, and admission to ICU. I got to sleep in the waiting room that time.

But both times it was so worth not having a good night sleep, as Rob’s health was taken care of.

Along comes the last day of May and I thought we were clear!

But no, another uncomfortable sleep was to be my destiny….

Last night I went biking with Josh and Zach. Josh was so excited to try out his brand new bike (just bought it that day!).

We had a great time biking, and headed home before sunset.

To get home we have to go up a HUGE hill, so Josh went up ahead and hopped off his bike to walk it up. He decided to try to “beat” Zach and I and started running beside his bike. Unfortunately he ended up “bumping” into the bike and somehow his leg rubbed up agains the gears and left huge gashes. Like I’m talking “clawed by a tiger or bear” gashes. I caught up with him and then almost passed out when I saw it. I took his bike, and instructed him to walk and not look at his leg and we miraculously made it home. (I am so grateful for so many small and big miracles in our lives.)

We headed to the ER where we sat from 9pm until 2am before they called us!

On a side note, Rob and I both took him to the hospital and Josh’s Dad and Stepmom met us there too. At one point some little kid walked up to us all in the waiting room (as we were all sitting and talking together) and asked who Josh’s parents were. Josh’s Dad just told him that Josh had “2 Moms and 2 Dads”. The kid was clearly confused by this unique arrangement!

Anyhow, we got called in at 2am, saw the doctor at 3:30 and then from 4-5:45  they carefully stitched him up with 23 stitches:( I would prefer anytime to take pain instead of my kids having to endure it, so it was tough to hold his hand only and not be able to do much more than that.

His biggest heart break is he won’t be able to play soccer for a couple of weeks – which places a big tournament in upper NY state that he has been so looking forward to, in jeopardy. But we have faith that he will heal quickly, and am trying to keep him still long enough to recover a bit!

We rolled in home around 6:15am and fell into our beds completely exhausted.

The end result again, is we are blessed to have good care, and miracles abounding.

But, please. No more emergency room visits!

 

 

Quote of the Week

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“Be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.”

As my kids are getting older, their personalities are radiating through. I can see them adopting certain traits, and “trying out” other traits. I see them developing certain habits and try to help them avoid others.

I read somewhere the advice a father gave his son as he was growing up and seeking some “secrets” to a happy life. “Be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light” was the advice he gave him.

What good advice.

That is the smart advice I want to give my kids too.

And the advice that I think all grown ups should take too. After all, our kids learn from the way we are — and they see us in both the dark and the light (so there’s no hiding from them)!