We Made It!

We just wanted to let everyone know that we made it safely to Munich. We arrived at 4:30pm this afternoon and we were greeted by Katrin's sister, Sabina. (Kathrin is my German friend who used to attend church with us at Southeast. Now she and her family live in Las Vegas.) Sabina helped us pick up our rental car and make our way to Kathrin's mother's home in Ismaning, just outside of Munich. Isolde (Kathrin's mom) had dinner waiting for us when we arrived...curry chicken...yum!

The plane ride went smoothly...hooray! We spoke with the airline supervisor when as we checked our luggage and she helped us change our seats to the bulkhead which was perfect for Brad (lots of leg room). Although Brad didn't sleep until his head his the pillow at Isolde's home, he was reasonably comfortable for the duration of the flight. That was indeed an answer to prayers because I was very concerned about how he was going to fold himself (6 foot 3 plus injured leg) into a regular plane seat. But the Lord was looking out for us because we had terrific seats.

We flew in a BA 777 which proved to be a very nice, very large aircraft. Brad's only complaint for the flight was the cabin temperature. All joking aside, I think it was about 60 degrees for most of the flight. By the time we were in the air, Brad had confiscated 3 airline blankets and was wrapped from head to toe. The only part of his body still showing were his eyes. Aside from the Rockets cap (which he put over the blanket that was wrapped around his head), he looked like an Arab woman. I had packed my camera in my luggage and was kicking myself for missing such a great photo opportunity. He looked so funny!

Tomorrow we have plans to SLEEP IN, have a lesuirely breakfast, and then head out to the grocery & market to put up some necessities and staples for our apartment. We then plan to take everything and find our way over to Markt Berolzheim. We plan to spend a little time acclimating ourself to the surroundings and resting up for the week.

Hoping to find internet access again soon....
Love you all & thank you for your prayers!

And.....We're Off!

Today is the big travel day! Brad, Sandra, David & I leave from Intercontinental Airport tonight at 8:00pm to arrive in Munich at 5:00pm, May 30th. The kids will be spending time with cousins Jack & Callie & later...Mimi & Sherri while we are gone. Then G.G. & Papa C. will embark on the exciting trip of taking our children on a 14- hour journey to come join us. Please pray for my parents. That should be an interesting trip.

Following our flight, we will spend the weekend catching up on rest & getting settled into our apartment. On Monday morning we will meet with Dr. Thaller to discuss his treatment plan for Brad and to make initial arrangements.

The town that we are staying, Markt Berolzheim, is very small (about 1500 people). Although, we are without internet access there, we plan to drive into neighboring towns to use the internet cafes so that we can send/recieve email...and of course, so that I can update our blog!

On a very exciting note...I FOUND MY CAMERA!!! Yippee! As I was repacking my suitcase last night..I found my camera pushed in amongst my clothes. The reason I know Kaelyn put it in there (although Brad doesn't believe me) is because it was without it's case and cords. A mom would never put an uncovered camera in a suitcase to be thrown around and smashed by baggage handlers! Brad thinks I use Kaelyn as my scape goat (ok, maybe sometimes), but this time...I know it was the little rascal! Plus, I caught her in the act of riffling through my bag last week...unpacking and repacking...so that proves it, right?

We will be in Germany through most of June, returning to Houston on the 25th. Several have asked about numbers and addresses. I believe the best way to send mail would be through the clinic. Their address is:
Praxis-Klinik
Brad Wims
c/o Dr. Arno Thaller
Benzing 6
91801 Markt Berolzheim
Germany

Jane mentioned to me that she had researched postal prices and found:

Postage on a normal size greeting card is 94 cents...if it's over
1 oz and less than 2 ozs, then it would be $1.75...this is air
mail...3-5 business days.

I believe the phone at the clinic is also the best way to contact us. We will be there for treatment M-F from about 8-3pm. Because Germany is 7 hours ahead, between the hours of 6-8am (Central/Standard) might be the best time to try a phone call. The number at the clinic is 011-49-9146/311.

We appreciate your prayers during this time of travel. We feel confident in the work being done by Dr. Thaller and we are excited to see God work through him. We can't wait to return home to see each of you soon. Thank you for your unwavering support & love. We love you all.

Camera Withdrawel

I feel like I am without my right arm. I haven't been able to find my camera the past several days and it's driving me nuts. I didn't realize how dependent I am on it...until it came up missing. I know it's around here somewhere...I just can't seem to find it. I have a feeling my small brunette friend has helped me relocate it...I just hope it turns up before we leave on Thursday. Kaelyn...you better get to lookin' girl!

So, you are all stuck with my verbal descriptions. No visual representations through pictures today (I hate that because I am VERY visual.)

This morning Brad got up at 6 with the kids....I got to sleep in until 8...what a treat! When I woke up I came out of our room. The kids were playing in the den, they had already had breakfast, Brad had dried & folded all the laundry and was in the kitchen making his own breakfast. Wow...what a man.

Once I joined him in the kitchen he proceeded to tell me how the morning went. Brad said that at one point he didn't see either child and called out to Zeke to see where they were.

B: Zeke where are you?
Z: I am in the bathroom and Kaelyn is in the bathroom.
(Since this is a big trouble zone...Brad headed towards the bathroom and on his way this is what he heard)
Z: Uh... Da- (he started to call Dad and then let out a big exasperated) AAAAAUUUUHHHHHHHHH!
Z: (still yelling at Dad) Kaelyn just put my socks in the toilet and she's pulling them out!!! (ok, that's gross)

After this story, Kaelyn walks into the room with her brother's spiderman underwear pulled over her diaper. She thinks this is hysterical. I tell you...everyone in my house thinks they are a commedian. There is a constant battle over who thinks they can hold the stage the longest...sheesh! Brad took one look at her and said, "Great, I have a son who likes to wear makeup & speedos AND a daughter who is a cross-dresser....wonderful."

As we watched her walk across the floor I made the comment that she is truly a toddler at this point. Brad said, "Yeah...she's a toddler all right...she's constantly going around the house looking for what she can mess up, mark up, break up, tear up or destroy." She really is quite the "helper" there is no doubt.

Firey Personality

This is a picture of Kaelyn in her favorite rocking chair.

This ia a picture of Kaelyn after we told her that she couldn't stand up in the chair.

Kaelyn doesn't like to be told "no." She has a little flair for the dramatic.

Funny Stories I Have To Share...

I have been meaning to share these stories for a while, and kept forgetting to post them. These are both stories of Zeke using a little Brad-lingo.

When Zeke & K were last in Kerrville, one night everyone was sitting around the table for dinner. Everything got quiet for a moment....Zeke turns to Kendall....looked her straight in the eye and said, "Kendall, you are a SORRY SUCKER! Ha, Ha, Ha!!! My daddy always says me that! Ha, Ha, HA!" He's right...his daddy always says him that....I mean says that to him!

Last weekend we had a visit from Uncle Matt. One afternoon Matt took both kids into the back yard to play in the playhouse. After several minutes, Zeke came running back towards the house, crying for me because he had gotten hurt somehow. When I asked him what happened he cried out saying, "I was just playing & then Uncle Matt jacked me up in my arm pit!"

A Visit from Allison & Jordan

Allison & Jordan Kirksey brought us dinner on Monday evening. Both kids were fascinated by Jordan...even Kaelyn kept looking at her as if to say, "wow...look at the little baby!" As if they are SO different in age! It was cute to see Kaelyn with a baby. Z & K just wanted to love all over her.

Visit from Great Grandparents

Grandma & Grandpa Crotts came into town for a visit this past week. It was so good to see them and have a chance to show off the kids' new tricks (ie. Kaelyn's new walking skills & Zeke's swimming). Although you can't tell from the last picture, Kaelyn really enjoyed the visit too.

Thanks for coming to see us Grandpa & Grandma!!