Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

Saturday, 28 August 2010 Exploring Celle with Elisabeth Was it really only a week ago that I sat down to type? Things have been up and down so much in the last week, I have lost track. There are certainly the “romantic overseas experience” moments—such as this morning, walking to the market via the lovely French Gardens and seeing the kids enjoy the ducks and the gigantic flower pot, then navigating the market more successfully than the last two times (having a list helps), then walking to the playground (Spielplatz) with happy children, carrying flowers they bought for me. Then there are the not so romantic moments of dealing with a grumpy, exhausted three year old who crosses with my grumpy, exhausted self, or walking home from the Celle Bahnhof (train station) in the rain again, trying to push too big Henry in the stroller and realizing the stroller is about to break, or meeting German mothers at the international school who look so elegant and well dressed in their black an...

I am relieved that I do not have to worry about Henry being the loudest one in the building anymore. the house next door is getting a new roof or something and it is very loud. the old roof is tile, so you can Imagine the noise of it being disassembled. fortunately workers' hours here are very good, so they don't work very long into the evening! I have figured out that I can post to my blog from the I pad, but still no facebook, unless you reply to my posts or post on my wall. thanks for all your messages! I am sorry I cannot check your pages yet. (yes, yes, I suppose I could find an internet cafe or something, but try to imagine what Henry would be doing then! I am so sorry that I haven't figured out pictures yet. I accidentally bought tart cherries the other day, so I was trying to make something with them, but we have no baking pans here. so Henry helped me cook them with sugar, and maybe we will eat them like that or on ice-cream. if you know me, these new thi...

Saturday August 21, 2010 7 PM Celle, Germany (This is not short, but is meant to catch up those who want to be caught up on our lives! Thanks for the emails, and please keep using the gmail address for us. That is all we have access to right now.) We have tucked the kids in to their shared bed and the cries of “He’s too close to me!” and “I don’t like this sheet! I’m not tired!” are starting to settle down. We’ve been here a week now and they have improved greatly in being able to share a bed that is slightly smaller than a double bed. The first few nights they woke up between 11 and 2 AM, sometimes for three hours, but as the week has gone by they have shifted to waking up at 6 AM. That actually works well for getting Elisabeth to school on time. Wednesday was her first day at the International School-Hannover Region, and we have made adjustments each day in our routine. I had to remind myself today (after personal meltdown #3) that this is a big transition and it won’t ...

It has been a long and exhausting day of preparing to leave for Germany. I didn't realize how much work had to be done before the packers even begin! Now that our documentation for insurance is finished, I can breathe a little bit. I'm breathing, and reflecting on the blessings God has given us in the time we've been here. So many friends and neighbors who have taken care of us--shared this great area with us, hugged us in our joy and in our grieving, brought us meals and cookies, watched our kids. This is community. I will miss you, Woodlands friends. Pictured is the fabulous cake that Jenny made for our farewell party on Sunday. I've never had a globe cake before! I found our temporary apartment on Google maps today. It is in Celle--a 20 minute walk to work for John, and a 40 minute (minimum) car ride to school for Elisabeth. This is not our ultimate plan. We will be looking at homes in Hannover, close to the International School-Hannover Region. I still h...