Alicante

Back at the end of June, when we were so tired of hotel living, I found a beach house and a bus to take us there.  Everyone thought I was brave (or nuts) for taking off across a foreign country with not knowing the language.  But we did it and I feel stronger and braver for it. 

We had a lot of fun hanging out at the beach and pool.  We had a view of the Mediterranean from our living room and bedrooms.  It was beautiful.  It didn't occur to me that Spain might have Palm trees.  So that was so exciting to walk the palm tree-lined streets of Alicante.  It reminds me of Florida.

Off to the Beach in my Big American Van

I can't even put into words how happy I am to have my van here in Spain.  I know it will cost be a bundle in gas and I can't take it easily into the city, but all the other benefits make up for those things.

We are off to the beach today for a week.  Not only do we stand out as Americans because of our van, but check out the license plate.  We are still waiting or our diplomatic tags.  Definitely couldn't fit all this stuff in a Prius (especially Nathan's nine stuffed animals).

New Piano Teacher

With piano lessons at about $60 an hour, we have decided to hire a much cheaper teacher-Erin.  This is her first lesson and it's taking place at 10 pm.  It's amazing how quickly we adjust to the Spanish time and do everything so late.

I pay her $20 an hour for the boys lessons and will increase that to $30 if she does a good job and the boys cooperate for her.  It's a really good deal for both of us especially since Erin won't be able to work until next summer and it will have to be at the U.S. Embassy just for the summer.  Americans aren't able to take jobs away from the locals.  With high unemployment rates here, that is completely understandable.

Thank goodness the piano arrived with not even a scratch!  It did have some goo which at first we thought was a scratch, but with some heavy scrubbing, it came off.

Finally in Spain

We made it to Spain, FINALLY!  The wait felt like forever.  Usually the military only gives us about 3 months notice for our next assignment.  I mean, we know we are moving but have no idea where.  This time we knew almost a year in advance.  I am not sure what I like better.  The anticipation was sometimes too much.  But Mario and I say everyday how grateful we are that we were able to visit Spain last September.  That has made the move so much easier.  We found a ward, a house, a school, and learned the metro all in advance.  What a blessing because moving overseas to a foreign land is stressful enough.  Not to mention I don't speak the language!

The flight over went well other than being stuck in Atlanta airport for about 7 hours while they fixed our plane.  Mario flew over a about 10 days before us.  Eric flew in a couple weeks after us.  

The kids and I spent a couple weeks exploring Madrid and the castle in Segovia. First thing we did was buy metro passes so we couple take public transportation all over the city because buying individual tickets gets very expensive.  We took a bus to Segovia.  The kids and I loved it.  We went while Mario was at work since we saw it in September.  

Madrid has the most amazing parks.  The kids line them and choose to visit them over all other activities.  One called the Rio is a brand new park along the river. Until recently, it was a highway that they moved underground and put a 7 KM park running alongside the river. There a great parks and paths for biking, rollerblading, and running.  It is fantastic.  Then they have the Retiro park that people compare to Central Park in NYC.  It is an oasis inside a big city.  

We went to visit our new house.  It is amazing.  More on that in a different post.  It's a small miracle we get to move into that house.  We move in July 3.

Since we can't move in until July 3, the kids and I were going crazy in a small hotel (we have two rooms but still too small for a family of 6).  I told Mario that I was taking them to the beach for a few days.  Unfortunately he couldn't join us because of a big work party that is mandatory this Saturday.  

I found a bus to take us to Alicante (someone mentioned that beach at church and said it was nice).  So that's how I chose it.  Then I looked on HomeAway and found a great beach house just 50 meters from the beach.  It has great views.  I was a little nervous because we'd have to get a tram from bus station to our house, but after navigating Madrid public transportation, I knew I could do a smaller city.  I actually almost missed the bus from Madrid because I mistakenly went to the wrong metro stop and couldn't find it.  I asked several people for help and they all tried to tell me I was at the wrong place but I didn't understand them.  Finally we jumped the light rail and found the right stop with about 8 min to spare.  

Anyway, we took the 5 hour bus to Alicante with no problems then took the tram about 45 minutes the the house.  We excitedly got on swimsuits and walked down to the beach.  As I rounded the corner, I noticed that there were several topless women.  I didn't know what to do.  My kids has obviously already noticed.  Eric said welcome to Spain, Mom.  I didn't know if I should turn around or continue down.  This is the only beach at our tram stop.  I told the kids to walk right away from most of the people.  But the women were leisurely walking the beach and getting in and out of the water.  I told the kids not to look.  It was so odd for me, but obviously very much their culture.  I texted a friend who told me it is all over Europe.  So I guess if we plan to go to the beach, it's something I'm going to have to live with.  This morning we came down early and found a few families.  Fortunately no topless women here yet.  We may have to play at the beach in the mornings and swim at the pool the rest of the day.

I bought Mario an underwater camera for his birthday and Father's Day.  He was too scared to try it underwater but the kids and I brought it and it works great.  Hopefully he won't mind.

Anyway, I think I will love it here.  It definitely doesn't come without challenges. But in time, we will get accustomed to the way things work here.  I'm so excited to travel and see Europe.  But many tell me Spain is their favorite so  I guess we are lucky to live here.

Family Pictures

One of my major to do list items this year has been to get family pictures done.  The last time we did  professional family pictures, my twins were one.   So it was time especially since one is leaving home for college.

Auxiliary Training with Elder Oaks

At the last minute, the Relief Society counselors were invited to an auxiliary training with Elder Oaks in Council Bluffs. Originally only the presidents of each organization were invited. I had secretly hoped our president wouldn't be able to make it so I could fill in. But she booked a plane ticket around the meeting. My disappointment turned into pure excitement at the late invitation.

Not having attended BYU or serving a mission, it isn't often that I get the opportunity to see a prophet in person. So these rare occasions are very special to me.

Elder Oaks was so fun. His talks are usually very serious in nature and he has a very serious demeanor when delivering them in General Conference. I love his talks because he tells it exactly as it is even if it may offend someone. He explains that he is only trying to please God, not man and it's a message we all need to hear.

Although still serious in nature, I saw a different side of Elder Oaks. He was extremely funny and lighthearted at times. He was quoting scriptures but had no idea where the reference was found. Elder Clayton, who accompanied him would whisper the references to him. He told us that he was the only one of the 12 apostles that doesn't have those all memorized. I loved that because I am not a person that remembers references. Mario is so much better than I am and now I see that that is ok. Another thing that I loved about Elder Oaks is that he laughs at his own jokes. He obviously cracks himself up. Another similarity I feel I have in common with him. My kids get so annoyed that I laugh at myself all the time.

Elder Oaks talked about feeling the spirit and receiving revelation. He said he receives many letters from people stating that their prayers are going unanswered. He said that he doubts that is true, people just aren't recognizing the answers. But he also reminded us that God answers in His own time and His own way. We should never try to tell the Lord when to answer our prayers. He reminded us to remember the teachings of Christ. Christ expressed love and concern, not judgment when he lived on the Earth. He left time for people to repent. He gave us the Savior's formula-firmness in truth and love.

After he spoke, he opened the meeting up to questions and answers. It was so much fun to see his personality and to see he really truly is just a man like us but has a call to be an Apostle. He has dedicated his life to helping us return to our Heavenly Father. I didn't ask a question, but the general feeling I got from the questions being asked was concern for the youth. They seem very lonely. Leaders wanted advice on how to help them. I think that we haven't done a good job of teaching our youth that life can be lonely as we strive to do what is right, but we always have the Lord. We are never truly alone if we keep that in mind.

Elder Oaks has always been one of my favorites, but I love him even more now.

Big Events the Past Month

I guess we were crazy when we decided to move out of our house at the end of April.  It has been nothing but craziness and busyness this past month.  I thought when we moved into our TLF (temporary living facility) that things would calm down.  But it seems to only be worse because we spend most of our day in the car driving the kids back and forth to Papillion.  School is out Thursday and Mario flies to Spain on Monday while the kids and I drive to visit my sister, Melissa in Missouri. Hopefully the next few weeks will be more relaxing but somehow I doubt it.  I have been very busy with my callings in the Relief Society Presidency and Temple Prep teacher.  I haven't been asked to be released because the president and other counselor will be out of town a lot in the next month and I didn't want to overwhelm a new person.

Here's a recap of some of the highlights, completely out of order because I don't have time to fix it right now:

Erin's last piano recital.  Oh how she loved her teacher, Mrs. Black.
She will really miss her.  I think the feeling is mutual since
Erin was her best student.

Having fun with Eric in our empty house

Zach had a yard sale and made a few bucks.

We had to paint over the growth charts.

Poor Eric hasn't grown a lot

Mother's Day purse Eric picked out for me.  I'll treasure it always.

Elder Wirthlin and I have the same birthday so we
took him and his companions to Texas Roadhouse
for dinner.

Celebrating Eric's graduation with a store bought
cake since I didn't have any supplies to make him one.

Family pictures.  Hopefully the professional photographer
pictures are better than my iPhone ones. I'll post those
when I get them back.

Finished up Temple Prep classes and here's
Lori Conklin going for the first time.  What a blessing to be
asked to teach that class with Mario.

Eric and Caitlin went to prom

They took pics in our home since it was raining outside
and the movers had already taken everything.

Graduation on Mother's Day

Erin didn't want to leave church early so she missed out on pictures.

Walking across stage