Our Lastest Events!

We went to chapel on Sunday and it was nice to meet some new people. Everyone here is very nice and helpful. The sermon was good and they are preparing for advent and did the advent candles. Aubrey went to children's church after some help from me telling her the teacher was my PWOC teacher too. She had a great time and they made an advent wreath to finish this Sunday. It is hard to believe that Christmas is here. It has come so fast.
We went to eat at the dining facility on post for lunch then after a quick drop off and change of clothes at the room we took the bus to Grafenwoef. We went to the PX there and did some Christmas shopping. I am learning already that when you see something get it because it may not be there next time. The keyboard we wanted to get the kids for Christmas we had just saw last Saturday but waited of course this week they didn't have any. It was hard to buy things because I had my list and thoughts on things I had seen the week before but they didn't have it all. I had to rethink my plan and do different shopping. I think the kids will be happy with what we got them. I took them through the toy area first to see what struck their eyes and what they wanted. Then Phillip took them for a while so I could shop for them. I took my rolling bag that Aubrey used as her carryon for the plane so we could hide the gifts from them. They didn't even ask questions or try to sneak a peak so that was helpful. We went to the commissary quick before the bus came. It was cold waiting outside for it to come get us. When we arrived at Vilseck it was icy because the snow had started to melt that day and it had gotten cold again that night so it had frozen the water. We knew we had to be careful. The bus dropped us off at the PX/commissary. I young lady asked if she could help us and take one of us with one child and the bags. We agreed to all buckle up and let her take us to our room. It was such a blessing and also shows how God always provides for us. It was nice until we got to the room and I realized I had lost my phone. Monday was they day I called the Graf PX and commissary and contacted the bus people they checked the bus three times and it was not there. We didn't know what else to do except contact the girl, Diana, from the commissary. We had promised Aubrey that after she did well with her shot that day we would take her for ice cream at Baskin Robbins. She was so excited and did wonderful so we did that and also tried to find Diana. We found out she worked later. After a while at the ice cream place and the PX we checked with her. She didn't know if my phone was there because she had not checked or even looked. Sure enough when we looked it was laying in her backseat. Praise the Lord. We were so thankful. She is from Thailand and is a very nice girl. I plan to take something to her some time soon to thank her. It is such a blessing as she helped us so much.
Also Monday night the chapel hosted a handbell concert. It was really great and helped us get into the Christmas spirit and the reasons behind the season. Aubrey really enjoyed it and Ethan just wanted to play the bells. We had a nice time. They were impressed with my plate of strawberries and grapes that we just happened to have in the refrigerator for fellowship time.
Aubrey got her shot she needed to start school and her first day was today. I think I really like her teacher. Aubrey is having to adjust to a schedule and stuff all again so it has been a hard day. We have had alot going on. She did well today and really enjoyed it. I will try to take pictures maybe tomorrow.
We bought a car here today. WHOOOOO!!! That is such a blessing too since we have been walking everywhere. It is a 1991 BMW in good shape and runs good. It will be Phillip's work car since it is really cold here alot of the time. We are so proud to drive to the commissary today. We get so used to having a car that when you don't you realize what all we rely on it for.
Phillip has started his german language and customs classes today and will have it through Friday. He has already learned alot that he has been able to share with me. We look forward to learning the language and sharing it more with you all.
We we will move into our home tomorrow so I will probably have very spastic internet for the next few weeks. I think it takes about 14 days to get phone and internet hooked up here so I will update as soon as possible. We are excited about the holidays and having our home and being together during this special time and season.
We love all of you and hope to add more before Christmas but just in case. Merry Christmas!!!
We love you all!!

Our Adventure Today!

Oh my what a different country. I will start with saying it has beautiful countryside and the snow looks so pretty. Then you get out in the snow, walk at least two miles to the train station through snow, yuck mud, sidewalk and road to get there. Purchase a ticket to go to the closest spot hopefully to see the Christmas market. When we arrive at the train station finally after lots of my feet hurt and I am cold, I want down and accompanied by lots of whines and cries, Aubrey feet were really red and cold. She was crying that they really hurt. I was going to give her my socks when a lady whose husband had helped me purchase our ticket because it was all in German came and asked if she needed socks. She had her son about the same age and gave us his socks she had packed extra. It helped, we put newspaper in her shoes to help dry the water out from the snow. I wrapped her feet in our scarfs until the train came. We jumped up and go on to it. It was very pretty and we enjoyed our trip. After we got off the train we realized we were not at the right spot. There was not anything around, the men in the room could not speak English for us to even get food. At this point we are hungry, cold and just ready to get home. We waited about 15 minutes and when the next train came by we got on it which luckily took us to Vilseck. We tried to get pizza but the place was closed until 5PM. We then called a taxi to come get us we didn't care how much it cost to get us back we just needed a ride. One kind lady who was waiting at the bus stop at the beginning had given us a card with the taxi number on it to call so that was helpful. She arrived and took us to the PX. It was so nice to get off and be able to order in English, feel warm and know we were on our way home. After we ate we came back to the hotel and later were able to call a man to look at a car to buy. It looks great and Phillip drove it and it seems like a really good deal. We are excited and hope to get it situated Monday or Tuesday.
After our canned soup and grilled cheese for dinner we went to the bowling alley. It was great fun. Phillip won. Aubrey came back at the end and got a stike to add to her spares already.Ethan had a strike and did really well. I of course came in last but like we all said it was fun no matter who really won the game. Well my family is in bed and starting to drift off so I will go for now and write more later. Thanks for reading.

Our Home Soon!

Front door area, back yard looking at the house and the front area again.

We went and looked at a new home yesterday and we told the housing office we will take it. It is in downtown Vilseck about 10-20 minutes away depending on traffic. It really doesn't seem very far. It is just down the street from a german grocery store, german pharmacy and a cell phone place. It is up a hill. It has a basement and three additional floors. It has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a dining area, living area, kitchen and lots of storage. The basement has an extra room that will probably be Phillip's painting area or maybe the kids play room. It has a foyer with an area for shoes and things. It does have alot of stairs and it may be tricky getting all of the furniture up the stairs. Phillip says that is the movers job to get it where we want it. I think it will all be fine. We don't have furniture that is really big. It has a small covered back porch and a back yard that is fenced with trees on each side and in the back. We are excited about moving from this hotel. It has been okay but we will all have better sleeping habits in a home with more than one room. We will meet with the housing office sometime this week and see when we can get the keys. It has some government furniture in it now, beds, dining table and chairs and other necessary items. I think it will be fine and it may allow us to purchase some new items to help fill it. I will try to attach a few pictures of it from the outside. It is an apartment style with two neighbors one on each side. Our home should stay heated. It has a skylight on the top floor that overlooks the city and is beautiful. It also has a small balcony off of one of the bedrooms on the second floor. That will be nice too for us to sit and enjoy.
The kids are really excited. Aubrey will start school probably Tuesday and once we move she will be able to ride the bus. She thinks that is great.
We have opened a bank account here and got Euros from the ATM. It gives you a choice on which money you want. Today the exhange rate was much better than even yesterday it was .86 Euros to equal $1 so that means the dollar is worth more. That is really good for us. It flucentuates daily.
We will go to chapel tomorrow for our first time. I did go to PWOC on Tuesday of last week. They are between bible studies and will start in January. I am excited about being a part of the group. Many of the ladies are gone for the holidays and I look forward to meeting them when they return.

Snow Pictures!

Our First SNOW Day!!!

We woke up to a great start of our first SNOW day!! This morning as Phillip got ready for work, he and Ethan were looking outside. He realized it was snowing. In a quite voice he told me when I said it IS snowing we quickly saw a jump out of bed from a deep sleep with Aubrey at our side looking outside. She was so excited. Needless to say I didn't get to eat my cereal or drink my coffee then. I was able to get dressed and go play outside. We enjoyed the snow outside. We threw snowballs at each other and the kids made snow angels in the snow. It was so fun. I took pictures and videoed a little bit too. We really walked in the snow today to Aubrey's school. We registered her for school. Thanks to her old school they had everything we needed in the packet they sent with us. Praise the Lord!! She will start either Monday or Tuesday. It seems to be a good school. It took the kids and I about 30-45 minutes to walk to her school. I think we will be fine.
We were able to go to the Thrift store today. It was really good. We bought about a 3ft. Christmas tree with lights on it already, a few red bows, some pine cone ornaments with hooks, an angel topper, a basket of poinettas with lights and a real nut cracker that has a nut cracker on top and a toy my little pony for Aubrey and a phonics radio for Ethan all for just $17.75. It was really great we were able to start getting into the Christmas spirit especially after the great snow.
We also got a cell phone today so that will help. We plan to buy another one from a man who is leaving on Friday so that will give us two.
Yesterday housing told Phillip they have a house for us to look at in downtown Vilseck. It is 3 bedrooms. It will not be far from post. We will look at it either tomorrow or Friday. That would be great for us to get although we will not have regular furniture until mid January maybe the 19th or so.
Tomorrow Phillip will take his german driving test. Please pray he passes. It seems to be really hard, but he has really studied alot and I think he will do fine.
The day has really been fun as we all walked together in the snow as a family together which makes it all worth being here and just together. We miss everyone and will continue to update. We love all of you.

It is Cold Here!

Okay so we did have a good day. Tonight though we were walking to the PX and commissary and it was cold. We are on foot until we get other transportation and it is 29 degrees. We had gotten a rubbermaid container for George the cat and realized after we were half way home we left it at the commissary at the front. Oh my how cold it seemed on my fast walk back while Phillip brought the kids on home well to the hotel. I tried to hurry before they closed. The lady was really nice and had put it back for me and knew I would return. That was good. It was really cold on my walk back. We got it all situated and it worked out fine.

Praise the Lord we made it!!! We will try to call as soon as we can. The number here if you want to call is 011-499662-44-1801 We are going to the commissary and will be going to eat at the food court so it will be a while when we get back. It is 5:20PM here. The kids did fairly well. It was a long day and a very long trip. The people here seem to have handled families before and so that was helpful.We will share more when we get a chance. We love you all and already miss you!!!
It is cold here but it is nice too. Yesterday the high was 34 and the low 31. We stayed in until afternoon and they just walked around a while. We went to a tex-mex restaurant on post and it was nice to sit and eat in a nice atmosphere. Today we went out a few times already. We went to the continetial breakfast they have for us and it was fine. It was pre-packaged items but good. We went to the vet but they do not have a litter box or clippers. We can get an appointment for that in Jan. but they are booked for now. Oh well we are going to get a tupperware/rubbermaid container for litter for now. It will be better than the aluminum cake pans he is using now. He is adjusting fine. Just a purring. We have two windows on the front with window sills and he likes it. Also on top of the cabinets in the kitchen there is space he jumps up to. We found military clothing and will go there soon. We went to the chapel and checked on PWOC. It is tomorrow so we will plan to go. We got a PO box today so our address isCH(CPT)Raybon, Phillip or you can use Misty, Aubrey, Ethan3 SQD 2D CAV REG CMR411 BOX# 4574APO AE 09112 The man at the post office said make sure it is correct or it will take alot longer for us to get our mail. One lady said it takes about 11/2 weeks now to get mail. We will see. Aubrey is ready to send things also. She said it takes about 3 weeks for that. I got some information to fill out for the kids to be in erolled in childcare on post. I can't find their shot records and for Aubrey's school I can't find her birth certificate. I have the others but not hers. I will have to look again. Phillip is studying for the driving test. He has to take it on Thursday. We are not sure if we will get a vehicle before ours comes or not. We may see about renting one. I don't know yet. Our sponsor CH Mashack is going to pick us up later and take us to downtown Vilseck to tour around. Ethan is asleep now so that is good. It is his first real nap since we have arrived. I think we will get into a schedule soon. We walked around today and it was nice. Aubrey and I picked up so ice and through it at each other. It was fun. They can't wait until it snows!! Things seem to be going well. We slept better last night and woke up fine this morning. The cold weather is working on Phillip's sinuses but he is doing fine. We love you and hope to hear from you soon. Please forward this to other family members I didn't get emails for yet. Thanks! Praying for you,Misty, Phillip, Aubrey and Ethan

We made it to Germany!

Oh my what a trip we have had. We left New Orleans on Thursday morning and finally got settled into our lodging around 4PM on Friday afternoon well it would be about 9AM in the states.
It was a good trip just really long. After we left Dallas Ethan didn't really want to watch TV or movies like I had anticipated so he was a little whiny, but overall it was an okay trip. Aubrey did really well except that she didn't eat much dinner because she was watching TV and she was asleep during breakfast. She again was asleep on the bus ride during lunch. She ate pretty good last night. The kids did really well considering. We were at the Frankfurt Airport from around 6:30AM until around 10AM in the family room watching movies and playing so that was helpful after arriving. It allowed us all to relax while Phillip had briefings.
We are now in lodging and will have to wait a while for housing they say. We should find out more this week. There is a playgr0und right next to our building but it is rainy and maybe snowy tonight but we hope to play there soon.
Our sponsor took us to the commissary and food court yesterday and today we walked there. We also took the shuttle bus to the Grafenwoef PX this afternoon and it was nice but still didn't have some of the things I was looking for. It seems that I will have to get used to that. I think I will be fine though.
It was cold today and we think we saw sleet or snow flakes at the Graf PX in the lights. It was cool to see. We had a fun trip.
We are now able to watch the Alabama vs. Florida game on TV and so that is really good except that it is now 12:30AM on Sunday morning and Aubrey is still not asleep. It is hard because the sleeper sofa and bed are in the same area. Just an open area for everything. We do have a stove, refrigerator and small eating table to accomodate us. It just seems like a small place for us if we have to stay here a long time, but I am sure we will adjust. Hopefully soon!
Well I will go for now and share more experiences soon.