2 years in Germany

I just realized that I missed our 2 year anniversary in Germany! How time has flown. Last year I did a recap of all the things that had changed over the past year. Let's see, Adam had back surgery and wow, what a difference that has made! My hair went from blonde to brown, we had several visits from family members, I've given up knitting and replaced it with photography. Last year we were planning a baby shower for a friend, I can't believe that baby is almost a year old! My pregnant friends have had their babies and now I other friends expecting.  (There is always someone expecting LOL). We've experienced a lot as a family. We visited 3 more countries, many many castles, and for the first time went to some Christmas markets. We are planning to add two more countries to our list this weekend and hopefully a couple more this summer as this will be our last year in Germany. We have had to say goodbye to some good friends and will have a lot more leaving in the months to come. I hope we can make the most of our time left in Europe and look forward to meeting new friends as old friends move away and new people filter in.

Obstacles

We all have obstacles in our life everyday that we find a way to maneuver around. I ran into some (minor ones) on my way to pick up my daughter from school the other day and it got me thinking about my new years resolution (which I totally forgot to post here by the way!) 

Do you ever feel like once you get past one a whole new set crop up?

My resolution this year was to not let fear or anyone else's opinion get in the way of doing what I want to do. I want to be a photographer. Right now it's still a hobby but I'd like to make it more someday. Am I afraid? Definitely. I'm worried I won't be good enough. I'm worried people won't like my work (which is actually part of last year's resolution too, don't worry about what anyone else thinks of you.) There are many obstacles in my way. We're not allowed to accept money for pictures while we live here in Germany, it goes against the SOFA agreement. I also don't have many options for taking photography classes while we are stationed here. Of course money for equipment will most likely continue to be an obstacle even after we leave but I will keep practicing and keep learning all I can online.

 I'm just hoping I can stick to my resolution so I won't end up being the obstacle and if I keep climbing, eventually the sky will be the limit :)

Of course the next day when I went walking the same direction I found that the army had decided complicate things even further....

Thanks! Just what I needed ...

but then that's how life is right?  Just when you think you've figured out your path life throws one more hurdle at you. I'm looking forward to seeing what the future has in store. 

When I grow up...

Apparently I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. You see, in my head I don't always feel like a grown up. I still see myself as a young person figuring out what they want to do. Don't get me wrong, I love my life. I love my husband and daughter and I love staying home. It gives me a lot of time to try things out. I learned how to knit, and I liked it but I didn't love it. I learned how to crochet and I liked that even more. However, I have learned I prefer to crochet for myself and not so much other people. 

I think maybe when you're afraid to say something out loud because it might not come true, that's when you know you really want it. Right now it's just a hobby but I've been thinking about going back to school. I want to learn how to do things the right way so when I do them the wrong way it will be because I like it that way and not because I didn't know any better. If I know how to do things I can CHOOSE to do them MY way. 

I will continue finding myself and maybe something else will come along, but maybe not. Maybe I have finally found the right path. Either way it's pretty exciting and I'm enjoying the journey! 

Thanks for your support and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!