A New Twist on Black Friday!

Instead of going shopping with the mad crowds, which is pretty impossible being in Germany anyways... we went to Velkenburg, Holland to the Velvet Cave. They have a Christmas Market set up inside the cave, which was once used as a shelter during WWII for US soldiers, Jews, and locals, as well as an escape passage from the original castle. This was our first trip together since Gabe's homecoming!! :)

Here are a few pictures from our trip:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2113936&l=75634&id=25104255

Thanksgiving!

Well, our plans for Thanksgiving have fallen through... so we'll enjoy the day together, and then we're going to Holland!

There's a USO trip that sounds incredibly interesting and fun! :)

Christmas Market in Valkenberg Caves, Holland
A Christmas event for visitors of all ages, never to forget...! Under the Castle of Valkenburg is the Velvet Cave, a labyrinth of passages over a thousand years old. Once used as an escape route, they enabled the knights and their warriors to secretly vanish from the castle, and attack the enemy from behind. During the German occupation in World War II, the cave served as a shelter for Jewish people, locals, and American troops. Now, Christmas transforms this underground world with twinkling lights, magic illumination and music. You can shop at stalls with quality Christmas items, and watch demonstrations of Old Dutch handicrafts. Visit the garden in the heart of the cave, to have a bite to eat and try the famous Christmas "Glühwein".
(description from http://www.uso.org/rheinneckar/default.cfm?contentid=218 )

I am looking forward to traveling with Gabe, in Europe, for the first time since the deployment!!

HOMECOMING!!

As most of you know, Gabe has been in Afghanistan for the last 15 months. No, he doesn't come home on weekends... no, I don't go visit him, or live there with him... he's been there, and I've been here. :)

Needless to say, it's been a long road with lots of obstacles (which is pretty typical seeing as how Afghanistan is a war-zone!).... but he's home now!! This first week he has reintegration training every day for half the day. The second half of the day is ours to enjoy!

Due to the time difference, I'm not sure when we'll start making phone calls back home. Right now it's about 3 a.m. for most of you!

Both Gabe and I are still in awe of the fact that it really ended. It felt like a never-ending experience, with no light at the end of the tunnel, and then yesterday we were thrust out. In no way is that a bad thing!! We are both excited to be together, to start living our lives TOGETHER again... He's Home!! Praise God!!

We love and miss everyone!!! Please continue to pray for us as we walk through this reintegration process.

THANK YOU everyone, for praying us through this deployment!!! Your love and prayers were felt daily!! They saved Gabe's life on MANY occassions. Thank you!!!