Ludwigsberg: Kürbisausstellung Ludwigsberg (Pumpkin Fest)

Visiting the World's Largest Pumpkin Fest can be checked off our list of things to do in Germany. We ventured out to the Ludwigsberg's Pumpkin Fest earlier last month and saw lots of pumpkins and gourds (and when I say lots, I mean thousands). We also got to see our first real castle, Schloss Ludwigsburg and it's lovely garden. I'd love to go back again without the boys to tour the inside of the castle (the tour is a few hours long).

Don't worry. Asher's coat was taken off and his straps were adjusted before we left the house :)

So were Liam's straps :)

After wandering around the fest for a few hours, we decided to relax in a park across the street. I fell in love with this park. Germany really has spoiled us a bit with space like these.

Nürnberg: Tiergarten Nürnberg (Nürnberg Zoo)

During the summer, we took a trip to the Nürnberg Zoo with our neighbors. It was Asher's first time at the zoo and Liam's third. Honestly, the zoo wasn't much different than the one's we've been to previously. We had a great time although we did run into some PETA activists on the way out.

Back to the Basics Life Diet

Earlier this month I wrote a post about making conscious decisions. Well, Will and I have decided to actually embark on a bit of a journey together. We're calling it our "Life Diet" and I figured what better way to make it real than to put it on our blog. Our goal with this "diet" is to simplify our lives a bit while enriching it.

We plan to make the following changes starting tomorrow (Friday, Oct 10th since we'll have the long weekend to detox and start a bit of a routine):
     •No caffeine or alcohol
     •Mostly vegetarian diet (meat on weekends)
     •Whole foods/Little to no processed food
     •Cut down on sugar
     •Exercise 3-4 times weekly
     •More Will and Jaye time
     •Cut down on electronics
     •Follow schedule
     •Be nice, be kind and have fun

I'm actually excited to give this a shot. This is the first time that Will has been 100% on board with the changes I've wanted to make in our lives. To give him credit, this diet was actually his idea. I think the hardest part for me will be the caffeine, sugar and electronics but I plan to give this my all.
So, if I am writing about hating the world in a few days, don't worry. It's probably just caffeine withdrawal.

Making Conscious Decisions

I have neglected this blog. Honestly, I never really knew what I wanted from this space. I knew I wanted to share our lives but I also wanted to use this space as an outlet.

Over the last year, I have lost myself. Being a stay at home mom was never in my plans. Even though I didn't work a traditional full-time job when we were in the states (I worked as a Breastfeeding Counselor as well as served at my Guard base), I still had an identity of my own. Moving to Germany and staying home definitely changed that. I finally realized that I need to reclaim my identity. Don't get me wrong, I love staying home with my boys but I know that I need to make some changes in order for me to be the best possible mom for them. I feel like October is a good month for change. It's the first full month of Autumn (one of my favorite seasons), the leaves are changing, the weather is changing so why not implement some changes/self-improvement as well.

Source

1. Release negativity from our lives. 

This means breaks from Facebook (the main source of social media I use) and removing negative people and conversations. I'll also make a conscious effort to put out a positive energy. 

2. Eating sensibly

I know that clean eating means so many different things. To me, it means eating less processed foods and using whole, organic ingredients whenever possible. I tend to hold the boys to a stricter standard than myself but that will change. If they can't eat it, neither can I. 

3. Take care of myself

This is the one I will have a hard time doing. I have let myself become such a low priority that I have forgotten who I am. I'm going to invest time in myself, doing things I enjoy. I think that will make a world of difference.

I'm hoping to use this space to document this journey, to express my feelings, fears, insecurities and to share our imperfectly perfect lives.

Dear Facebook, It's not me, it's you... (A Breakup Letter)

Well, not you personally (although you have made quite a few changes that affect my privacy, but I digress) but more the environment you have created. When I first joined way back in 2004, only college students (or people with a .edu email address) were allowed to join. I loved having the opportunity to connect with other students. When you opened membership up to everyone, I wasn't too happy then I realized that I could connect with even more people. You brought people together, allowing me to feel involved in the lives of people who may have faded from my memory otherwise. 

Then things changed. 

I'm not sure if it's because we've been in a pretty steady relationship for the past 10 years (man, I'm old) but the thrill is gone. That thrill has been replaced with disgusting videos/pictures, judgemental posts, hateful comments and just a lack of the main thing that drew us together in the first place: connection. I honestly feel less connected than ever before.

With that said, I think our relationship is coming to an end. Not a complete, "I'm deactivating my account", end but more like an, "I won't be logging in as often end". Don't worry, I'll still come to visit (at least until I get out of the habit of logging in). With your millions of users, I'm sure I won't even be missed. 

So long for now Facebook! If you miss me, I'll be connecting in real life. 

Nürnberg: Volksfest

On Saturday, our family met up with another family (of seven with one on the way!) in Nürnberg to check out their Volksfest. Volksfest is pretty much a large fair. There were rides and games (and beer, I mean it is Germany). We had a lot of fun (even though Liam was pretty cranky most of the time) and plan to attend more fests and attractions since the weather is nicer (you know, when it's not raining).