More September Happenings

Well, actually, a lot has been happening in September . . . adjusting to life without Christian :(, tons of homework and late nights of studying for Lissie and Bryant, dance lessons and soccer practices, Madrigals and a new Junior Class President (congrats, Bryant!), a couple of days as a sub in the nurse's office for me, and a "calling free" period for Tracy. I also decided to buy an annual pass (only 22 euros) to visit the Schwetzingen Gardens where I like to go walking at least once a week, and I've been going to the fresh farmers' markets and trying out some new and healthy recipes. Tracy has been enjoying his quiet evenings and low-key Sundays. And here are a couple of pictures from our Labor Day excursion to Schwetzingen and downtown Heidelberg, and then a picture of a fun triple date that Lissie and Bryant got to do with some of their Ramstein friends over the stake conference weekend.

You photography enthusiasts would love this site for a professional shoot --
so many beautiful settings

Here are Bryant, Ezra and Brother Clark after some shopping adventures

And finally, the fun group date - making pizza at the Clark's

Those are just a few of the pictures from our very busy September . . . I can't believe we are already almost to October!

This is What Happens . . .

Christian has been so anxious to be off on his own. It was hard for him last year to watch many of his 18-year-old friends head off to college while he still had one more year of high school.
No Fun and No Fair!  But now he is out on his own and enjoying his first semester at BYU.

Here he is on his first real day in Provo, on his friend's (Aaron Steffen's), motorcycle,

and proudly driving around his friends for a group activity (in Emily's car, by the way),

and hiking up to the Y on a beautiful autumn day,

with time to stop for a "cool" pose,

and a group picture up on top.  Such a fabulous view!

And getting ready for church? I like the bow ties! (He has a great group of roommates, by the way.)

So, yeah, this is what happens when you send a kid off to college.  Do you think he's having fun yet?

Time for Transitions

Transition #1

Two weeks ago on September 9, 2012, Tracy was released as the president of the Kaiserslautern Military Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany. It is a one-of-a-kind stake here in Germany that is made up mostly of soldiers and civilians that work for the Armed Forces that are stationed in this area. He served for 8 1/2 years as president, and 3 1/2 years as a counselor in the stake presidency prior to being called as president. My youngest children (CLB and maybe E) cannot remember Tracy ever being able to sit with us in church, except during General Conference or if we were on vacation. It's been so long that I can barely remember myself!  Before he served in the stake presidency for 12 years, Tracy was the bishop of the Heidelberg Military Ward for 2 1/2 years, and a counselor in the bishopric for many years before being called as the bishop.  No wonder we cannot remember! But last week, we had Tracy on the bench with us in church. He is, in fact, "calling free" right now.  He seems to be adjusting to his free time quite easily.  He did tell me that he's "not going to miss getting up at 4:30 a.m. to drive to Bitburg anymore!"  But we are happy for the time that Tracy was able to serve as the stake president; he served with and got to know so many wonderful and faithful people in the stake and that has been a blessing. And now we are happy to have him home with us more often, and "on the bench" with us too.  I think we can get used to that!

Transition #2:

I finally finished my bachelor's degree in general studies from BYU in July, and my official diploma arrived just last week.  I don't think I will display it or anything, especially since it is a general degree, but also because I didn't have my name printed the way I should have.  It reads Lisa Marie Allred, and I wish I had included my maiden name, Hermes. It took me seven years to complete that degree and I should have at least remembered to honor some of my Hermes heritage. . . (I'm sending a heartfelt "sorry" up to heaven to my Grandma and Grandpa and Dad -- I know how much you all valued education).  But on to the transition explanation: After I finished the last final of my last class (back in July) I experienced at least two weeks of feeling lost. I did not know what to do with myself.  I actually was disappointed that I wasn't needed to drive girls up to camp, I finished a quilt for one of the YW that was moving, I considered calling the RS president to tell her that I could make some visits for her, and I volunteered to teach seminary if I was ever needed (and I HATE getting up early)!  But I have found somewhat of a routine now with being on call for the nurse's office at the school, and completing volunteer requirements for the Red Cross, and walking with friends, and trying new, more healthy, recipes.  Oh, I also get an occasional nap!  It feels good to have school behind me and more opportunities out front.

Transition #3

Basically, this is the beginning of our Empty Nest phase.  Christian just left us (for college), Lissie will leave next year (probably in June), and then Bryant will leave the next year.  I keep telling Tracy that I am going to fall apart when they all leave.  I actually told him this (on his birthday, no less) that he just is not enough.  I need to be around my children (it must be a mother instinct) which will mean more visits to the states, or a move to the states, or something!  It is hard for me to imagine life without some daily kid interaction.  Obviously, I don't have this transition resolved yet, but I'm sure that Tracy and I will figure it out . . . we have two more short years!

Transition #4

One more exciting transition:  Christian will become our first missionary in February! He just received his mission call last Wednesday to the California Roseville Mission.  He will report on February 6, 2012.  We are so happy for him.  This should be a very rewarding transition for us to have a missionary out in the field.  We have been looking forward to this time for a long time!

High Adventure August 2012

The boys had a wonderful opportunity to join with other boys and leaders of our stake for a high adventure week in Garmisch (yes, Garmisch, again!).  They hiked to the Eibsee in the pouring rain, went river rafting in Austria (I think), had a day at the ropes course, and then an amazing one day climb to the top of the Zugspitze (the highest peak in Germany).  I put together a couple of photo collages (thank you, Nelsons, for the photos) to remember their adventures.

The first collage is from the river rafting day, and the second is from their amazing Zugspitz climb.

Way to go boys!

Just Do It . . . Say Yadidit!

Bryant decided last week that he would run for Junior Class President.  The campaigning has begun, and the voting will be completed by the end of the week.  We brainstormed for some catchy campaign slogans and ideas, and just last night he put the finishing touches on his first campaign fliers. Here is a what he came up with . . .

I think he's gonna win it!

Really Tough or A Big Baby

As Tracy and I were leaving from a visit to a dear friend last Friday morning, I noted that the janitors had just finished mopping in the apartment complex. We had to walk right through their freshly mopped floors to get out the front door, and I felt a little bad about messing up their work.  But just as we started down the front stone steps, my wet feet slipped and I fell down (a few steps) really hard. Ouch!  I had broken the fall with my right arm, and I honestly thought I had actually broken my arm! Tracy said he has never heard me scream like that . . . (and I didn't even know I had screamed). All I knew was that I could not possibly drive my car home.  Luckily, Tracy was right with me the whole time.  We went straight to the University Clinic for an exam and x-rays which revealed NO break.  It was just a badly bruised bone, which was surprising but Good News.  So, I am either just really tough or a big baby . . . because I really thought it was broken!