Guten Tag!

I am so happy to be back in Germany again! This time I get to see Frankfurt. I was so anxious to come and see some amazing historical sights. What I found was quite different from my expectations. I knew Frankfurt was an international busy place but I didn't realize how much. Banks, banks everywhere.... And very little old country historical flair. We did find the old downtown area in Frankfurt am Main and that was neat. But I wanted more!

So I am heading down to Heidelburg today for a one day sightseeing tour. I hear it is a beautiful. I hope so! I have seen some of southern Germany before and loved it. I have one goal for sure. I want to get to Schloss Neuschwanstein some day. It is too far away for me to get to on this trip so I guess that will happen once I move to Italy next year.

I'm really anxious to post pictures of my trip so far but I don't have what I need to upload off my camera. It will have to wait until I get home.

Mom & Dad have been so gracious enough to take care of my sweet little girls while I am away. I miss them all so much! But I am so glad to be here with my husband if even for a short while!

Pumpkins!

I have never really enjoyed carving pumpkins for Halloween. Mine always looked pretty pathetic. But last night I decided to let me girls have the experience. Of course Sami was oblivious since she's not even two yet. But Olivia had a good time! She talked to the pumpkins first to tell them what was going to happen. She made sure they knew it wouldn't hurt. Listening to her chat with them was really memorable!

So I carved a jack-o-lantern face, an owl (messed up on), and a skeleton/cat combo. The last one turned out the best I think. I need to charge up my camera and take some pictures. When I do I'll add them to the blog.

Now I think I kind of enjoy pumpkin carving. But my neck and shoulder are really sore this morning. All of that sawing motion! I think I need some Ben Gay!

Why oh why?

Sometimes I sit here and wonder why is everything so difficult? Actually I often sit here wondering why everything is so difficult.

I have been working on a medical issue for Olivia. She needs a VCUG test done because she has had several urinary tract infections in her short 5 years of life. Long story short... we tried to have the test done resulting in a lot of trauma and nothing accomplished. Now I have been working to get the test rescheduled using a sedative so Olivia doesn't have to go through the trauma again. But I cannot seem to get the doctor's office and Texas Children's to get things right! Why oh why does it always have to be such a difficult experience when it comes to arranging anything medical?

Anyway... complaining and whining doesn't do me much good. Just patience and continuous follow-thru is going to be the answer in the long run. I know this and yet I still continue with my "why oh why?"

Silly me!

Catching up in July

I know I haven't been keeping up on the blog! Yikes! Here's a few pics from July. It has been both a good month and a bad month. But the good always outweighs the bad. We all just miss Matt so much.

Early in the month Shaleign came to visit when Mom & Dad moved in. It was nice to see all three again. Pearlette was out of town too so the Johnson's got to have a mini reunion with Mom, Dad, Casey, Shaleign and Andi. It was kind of fun! We all went to the movie "Eclipse" and we had a nice dinner together at Olive Garden.

Then everyone left. Shaleign home, Mom & Dad on vacation to the west coast, and Casey to Washington, D.C. I have to admit I felt pretty lonely for awhile there. Mom & Dad have yet to return from their vacation. The girls and I are really looking forward to them actually living with us!

I have a couple of pictures of the girls to share. They are both such divas for the camera these days. Gotta' love 'em!

The Wonder of Netflix

Netflix is one of my latest fun toys. Whenever I need a new movie to entertain Olivia and Samantha I just turn on Netflix! Their top choices have been anything Scooby Doo for Olivia, the Wiggles for both of them, and any random "kid" movie Olivia hasn't seen yet. The other day it was Double, Double, Toil & Trouble - with the Olsen Twins during their younger years.

I know it's not too cool to use it as a babysitter but this morning I was really tired. Turned on the Wiggles Space Dancing and I had about 30 min of free time to close my eyes! When you're a stay-at-home mom living the single life a fake babysitter can be kind of a blessing.

The kids aren't the ony ones enjoying instant movies at home. I love it! There are so many great movies out there. I especially like the old movies that I really never think about renting when at Blockbuster. And I absolutley love not having to go to the video store to get a movie. It is just delivered to my door! I just found the Wonder Woman TV series on there and thought that would be fun to re-live again. And Isis too! When I was really small I remember Isis being on early Saturday morning television.

But I've also realized the dangers of Netflix too! There is so much to watch it can be really tempting to just let everything else in my life go away and turn on a movie to relax. Do this too much and then my home/life turns into chaos.

So if there's anyone out there that hasn't tried Netflix give it a try! Who knows... I may be one of the last people on earth who finally signed up!

Nothin much

Don't really have much to blog about today. I am anxious though to see my little girl again and my parents and sister this coming Thursday! I've really missed Olivia. She keeps me on my toes!

So here's to a happy reunion this coming Thursday!

My Parents

I hope Mom & Dad don't mind me posting their photos but they are so beautiful! Joel Galbraith... my brother-in-law is their photographer.

Okay.... the first one maybe not beautiful......




I really can't decide which photo I like the best. There are more but I tried to only put some of them. I am a lucky girl to have such wonderful parents. And a wonderful family to top it off!

This evening I spent Father's Day in Richmond, TX, at James & Shelley's home. The Simiskey's got together for a Father's Day BBQ. It was fun seeing all of the cousins playing together.

I only managed to get a couple of photos for the night. Here is the head of the Simiskey clan, Pat, playing with a nerf gun!


The cousins were having some nerf wars going on. Thankfully I only got shot once! And no one was seriously injured! It was nice spending some time with family yet again! I really love living in the States!

Milk and Cookies

So who doesn't love milk and cookies? Especially homemade cookies baked with love from Mommy! Ummmm.... Chocolate Chip! My favorite!

Fun in Lake Jackson

The really nice thing about living in the States this year is knowing that my kids and I get to spend some much needed time with family. Yesterday Sami, Katy and I drove to Lake Jackson to stay the night with Grandma & Grandpa Simiskey!

We had a really good time just relaxing and visiting. Don't these looks like some happy grandparents?

Grandpa Simiskey likes to be a bit of a goofball and Samantha loved every minute of it! Who couldn't like hanging out with such a silly Grandpa?

Katy had to get in on some of the action too. She really likes going to Lake Jackson. It is the first home she lived in and she definitley recognizes it when we drive up for a visit. But we did have a bit of a problem. Sweety Katy Belle has anxiety issues. This trip she got all worked up because of the car trip and then soon after I left her alone at the house while we went out to lunch.

I put Katy in the backyard when we left. When we got back she was in the front yard sitting under the Pecan tree panting like crazy! Thankfully she didn't run away since she wasn't wearing any dog tags!

Anyway... back to the point. Katy had a pretty severe anxiety attack. Her breathing was extreme and she couldn't stop panting really hard for about an hour. I really thought I was going to have to take her to the emergency vet. Thank goodness her panting did calm down. And today she is doing much better. Even the car ride home was pretty good. Katy is currently laying next to me on the bed snoozing away!!!

Graduation Day!

Wanted to share some photos of my nephew Ian's graduation. I'm glad I got the chance to attend. It's not often I get to share in events in my family's life because of our overseas travels. Ian graduated from high school and the ceremony was held in the Toyota Center in downtown Houston.

Is the proud father of the graduate asleep?????

Caught in the act! Casey wasn't sleeping. He was messing around with his iPhone during the graduation ceremony.....

Grandma Loui, Packa, Emily, Madeliene, Casey & Pearlette all paying rapt attention! Olivia, Samantha, Tristen and Maegen were in attendance as well.

Here are a few after shots outside the Toyota Center. Those are some proud looking parents! Congratulations Ian!

After the graduation we had dinner at "Sweet Tomatoes" restaurant. Pretty yummy salad bar and a nice time visiting. Although it was really, really crowded that night. Here's a shot of Madeliene, Ian, Pearlette and Casey across from us in the salad bar line.

A Girl and Her Toothebrush

Samantha and I have a daily ritual now of brushing our teeth together. Nothing like starting a good habit early! She gets so excited when I tell her it is time to brush our teeth. She toddles into the bathroom, very carefully gets up on the bathroom stool and then she squeals with laughter. It is so cute and makes me smile and laugh every time. What a cutie!

Here are a few more pictures of Sami just for fun. Now she seems to really like the camera and she likes to show off her new teeth! Good thing she likes to brush them!

Bicycle fun!

With Olivia gone on a trip with Grandma Loui & Packa it is kind of quiet around here. I've got Samantha and Katy to keep me company though. And both require plenty of attention! I've been a bit slow in getting blogs out this week.

But I have been busy trying to get our home in order. We leave in about a year so I want to get everything unpacked and organized soon. The earlier the better. Then I will actually feel like I got to live here for a while! I know... I'm a bit mental!

So I haven't been taking a lot of pictures lately but I decided to post some photos of Olivia riding her bicycle just before she left on her vacation.


She loves to rider her bicycle! It is new. We promised to buy her one when we returned to the States. I also promised her I would buy a bicycle for myselft too. She wants us to go riding together. Sounds like fun to me!

This picture of Olivia and Samantha is one of my favorites. I gave Samantha this blanket so she could have one like Olivia and sit on the couch with her. She thought it was so much fun. They are so cute together. Sami follows Olivia around all of the time and tries to do everything she does. Just how a little sister should be!

For Daddy

Olivia wanted Daddy to have this picture. So here you go Daddy! You'll have to ask her about it so she can tell you her rendition of it. We miss you!

Steak & Shake

Went to lunch today with my girls, Packa & Grandma Loui. It has been too hot outside and it was nice to be inside someplace cool! And the mint oreo cookie milkshake was yummy! I should have taken a picture of it to share!

Anyway, here's a couple of photos to share...

Grouchy is as grouchy does!

I really dislike grouchy days! I woke up grouchy and I'm going to bed kind of grouchy. Who knows why.... could it be because I'm really tired and didn't get enough sleep? Could it be because Matt got on an airplane today and flew to the Middle East? Could it be that it is so freaking hot here that it's no fun going out in the sun? Could it be that I'm just plain hormonal?

I do know one thing for sure.... tomorrow I am going to have a better day!

In Texas

Finally returned home. So glad to not be living out of a suitcase (kinda of... still haven't unpacked.) Got home Friday night. The house is a mess still from the big move but I will work on it some each day.

Yesterday I got some work done! The girls are so happy to be home with their toys that I got to spend some "alone" time. Even Sami played and played and played and let me get some work done. Nice!

Later that afternoon I decided to load up the girls and head to Casey's house to visit family. Checked the mail on my way out. Hit the curb, twisted my foot and fell to the ground. Ouch! This is the same foot I sprained while in Moscow and it still hasn't healed all of the way. Drove to my brothers and my foot ached the entire way. I did put some ice one it when I got there.

Then I noticed my belly was itchin'. Got to lookin' at it and realized I had a big welt. Something bit me I guess.

Then on my way home I noticed one of those lights on the dashboard of my car was on. Warning me about one of my tires. Dad met me at the gas station and gave me a mini tutorial on how to fill up a tired with air. Then I headed home again. Again... the light came on. Same problem. So I still haven't checked my car this morning to see if the tire is flat. Hope not! 'cause I need to head to church!

Speaking of church I need to go and get ready! Aaahhh... I'm late!

Lil' Chefs

Grandma Loui made some adorable little chef aprons and hats for Olivia and Grace. So they donned their new gear today and did some baking! Here are some fun pictures for you to enjoy! So cute! What a nice grandma!

And I have to add one extra shot of Samantha being bad..... she has learned to crawl up onto the big table!!!!! Ahhhhh! She's getting a little too brave for her britches!

A great movie & 80's flashback

Went to a movie with my sister today. We saw Letters to Juliet. Cute movie! Made me cry. I took Shaleign for her birthday. Nice spending some alone time with her.

Then after the movie we came home and helped her girls get ready for an 80's dance. It was so fun doing their hair, makeup and clothes! Here is the end result.

Don't they look great? They all thought their hair was messy and too big! Brough back a lot of flashbacks for me and Shaleign! Way fun!

Olivia and Grace are lovin' life! They have been inseperable since Monday when we arrived here in Durham. They play and play and every once in awhile they come up for air. Today I saw them digging in the dirt with hand spades, riding bicycles, coloring together, watching a movie, taking a bath, playing some b-ball, exploring in "the woods", and who knows what else...


After their bath tonight Gracie pointed out that Olivia had a tick on her back. I took a look and sure enough there was a tick! Personally, I have never experienced a tick and I don't know how to remove them. I know it can be tricky. But Grandma Loui was prepared. She showed me this nice trick. They have a little plastic tool that with a slide and few twists just took the tick right off and didn't leave anything behind. Nice! Olivia is traumatized though. Grace told her that ticks "suck your blood!" Olivia cried and said "I don't want to go into the woods Mom.... Hey Mom, you're a good head remover... You're a good ticker remover...." So I guess saved the day!


Now as an added treat to the blog... April (my niece) took this cute photo of our dog Katy and sent it to me on my phone. Isn't she cute? Although it's a bit hilarious... There are four other dogs here and they are all smaller than Katy. Two of them are chihuahuas. Any time Katy makes any agressive behavior all four of them really gang up on her. A real "pack" mentality. Katy just cowers and seems confused. Rosie, the smallest chihuahua, is the ring leader. If Katy thought about it she could probably whip all four of them in a dog fight! Too funny! Poor Katy...

Just an update this time

Not a lot to blog about today. Spent the morning replacing my cell phone. Happy now to have another one!

I also started a new book today. "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens. I kind of have a goal to broaden the spectrum of books that I read. One goal is to read more books written by some of the "classic" writers. I've also decided to read more books on history and some biographies. (Like I have so much time to do all of this reading.) Of course I always like to read even just a little bit right before going to sleep at night. Helps me to relax and get my mind off of stressful things that might keep me up at night.

This afternoon/evening drove to Wade, NC, and hung out with my Sis & Sami at Mom & Dad's house. I'm really enjoying spending time with my family here in North Carolina!

I am exhausted though. Need to get more sleep!

The Cell Phone Blues

Lost my cell phone today. Majorly bummed out. And disappointed. I was having a great day and took some nice pictures. Blahhhh!

Here's a pictures of my long lost phone.......

Things to be grateful for...

Being with Grandma Loui & Packa is a lot of fun for my girls. I'm glad they get to see both sets of grandparents a lot during the next year. I guess there are good and bad things about the Baghdad tour. At least I get to visit with a lot of family while in the States!

It's kind of a nice break for me right now. Olivia is having the time of her life. She is playing, and playing, and playing with her cousin Grace. In fact I barely even see her during the day. She just disappears and pops up now and again so I know she's alive. I am so glad she finally has someone to play with.

Tomorrow I think we are going to the Museum of Life & Science here in Durham. Should make for a fun and interesting day. I just hope I get some sleep tonight because we need to get up early!

Today was a day of errands. I took our Honda to the dealer to get it fixed. Strange thing.... in Houston we noticed the car sounded like an airplane taking off when we accelerated the car. They said it was the wheel bearings on the right front side I think??? Anyway... it was all covered under warranty. But then while on our trip to Washington, D.C. we noticed the left side was making the same noise. So I took it in today and same problem. At least it was all covered under warranty. And good for me!.... I actually accomplished something I would normally send Matt to take care of!

While at the mall today Samantha played in yet another playplace. I think she had a good time. Here are a couple of shots of her playing.

Sami was so funny with the raft. It was about as tall as her chest. She wanted to get in because a lot of other little ones were in it. She would make loud noises and point to it trying to get my attention. Finally I helped her in. Then she wanted right back out... of course. So this time I showed her how to lay on her belly, straddle it and then go over the side. She figured it out and then she had to do it over again... and again... and again... and again......

The second mall we went to today had a pretty nice carousel. When Sam saw it she got really excited and bounced around as much as she could while being strapped in her stroller. I was surprised at her reaction. When I didn't stop and just rolled her right on passed boy was she mad!