I Miss Germany!

I absolutely LOVED living in Germany.  I miss it dearly now that we are back in the states.  Here are just a few reasons why I would do anything to go back to Germany to live again!

* My children are got an incredible education!  Germans have some serious math skills!  My 2nd and 4th graders were given the most abstract math questions that even I didn't understand.  It's also just plain cool that 4 of my children understand German,  3 of those can speak it very well, and 2 of those are fluent and are being taught and tested in German grammar.

* Saying "Guten Morgan" every morning.  Some say the German culture is cold and unfriendly but I have to strongly disagree.  Every morning when I took my children to the kindergarten everyone says Morgen, which is Good Morning.  Unfortunately, when someone didn't make eye contact with me and/or didn't greet me with a "Morgen" they are usually American.  Isn't that ironic?!  And sad?!

* Driving!  Oh how I love how organized German driving is!  Everyone drives on the right except to pass.  Yes, you are suppose to do that here in the U.S. but nobody does it. Ever.

* The Bakery's!  YUM!  They have the most delicious pastries and breads.  Every Tuesday after school I took the kids to the bakery.  We came to love that tradition and miss it so much.

* Family Time!  Life was more simple over in Germany.  Life wasn't so hectic and chaotic.  I feel like I'm running around like a crazy lady most of the time here.  I miss our simple, family-oriented, life. 

* Kid Activities were CHEAP over in Germany.  My kids (the three oldest) took tennis lessons for 6 months for only 30 Euro.  Soccer was basically free since we couldn't sign a year contract with them. The Germans bent over backwards to help us out, they just wanted the kids to have fun and learn how to play soccer.

* Traveling!!  Oh, how I miss traveling!  I miss the beautiful sites and the little towns rich with history.  I miss driving 2 hours to Prague and 4 hours to Poland to buy Polish pottery.  I miss researching things to see and having the ability to go and actually see it.  I love Europe!

* The people!  I miss the connection and the kindness.  I miss the love and the sincerity.  I miss the feeling of deep, rich, friendship.  I miss the feeling of going to church and knowing that anyone in the congregation would help you with anything you asked because we were there to support and love one another.  We were away from family so we were each others 'family', each others support system.  I miss feeling the wonderful and beautiful spirit of the German Saints that willingly give everything to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I miss seeing and feeling their strong testimony through their eyes and their kindness in serving.