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Carrie Rodriguez 
Here are a couple points I forgot to make yesterday about arriving to see our family:
Get on and see, "Yahoo! Deutschland". Yup. We are here. Looks very much like Rhode Island and the NAPS base Eleon was at. The obvious difference is signs we can't read. Being on base gives a sense of familiarity. Driving up to their home, Diego sees his friend and runs over calling out his name with so much joy we just have to laugh to express how happy it makes us feel. So young and still so connected to others. Adrianna is looking so pretty with a smile to put us at peace as she tells us details on their life, like buying German bread, touring their home, visits they have had with great friends recently, history of the base Andres works on. Andres has much to share, too, from adding to the history and his pride as he points out historic details as we drive on the base he works at, his new camera and appreciation of precision and technology, ordering enough pretzels for all of us. Julie and I taking it all in.
Forgot to say we said thank you to the two in Paris who helped us. The first kindly responding, “OK, go”…rushing us off to the stairs just around the corner. The second, “It was a small thing.” We knew it was a small act she did, a call. But it was a large thing she did for us; they were the only ones willing to do the small task to ensure our entire trip met its planned conclusion.
So today after a couple hours online last night, I got up about 8 to see Diego who was calling me and getting ready for breakfast. Spent a few minutes with him and Andres, then went back to sleep. Then got up when he was calling me again a bit later but he was on his way into his mama's room and went back to sleep again.
While I was sleeping, Andres and Adrianna headed out for a check and sonogram, and came back with the news Isabella is doing well and a new photo of her pretty face. She looks lots like her brother.
So, it ends up being 1pm...get a nice lunch with everyone and made plans to go to the base to drop off Adrianna's passport and see about the seat belt for the rental car for Julie's seat (no lap belt). There ended up not being an option to switch the car at the time so we went into town to walk till the rental was to be returned and we could exchange it. The walk was nice; pretty weather and unique buildings. One was from 1717. There are some new remodels and more very old. The little mall was full of small shops, no big department stores. Lots of small food shops from bakery, gelato and coffee to Chinese and the Italian with pizza and pasta. Diego chewed his pizza into a gun and began putting it to use. We made it back to the base in time to check on the car but it was not returned so no exchange. An officer stopped to ask Andres about mountain biking. Andres let him know he liked it but did not have a mountain bike (his is for the street and speed). "I have more than one mountain bike..., I will get with you next week". Hope he gets to go riding again. Home to soccer lead by Julie for Diego on the soccer field behind their home. Run, run, run. He was so happy. Back inside for a bath, big event in itself. Greg and Jasmin came over while Greg was on break from the night shift he is on. They hope Isabella arrives before they leave next week to pick up a puppy a few hours away. We do, too. Then live entertainment while Diego rides and Andres pulls the firetruck around and around at lightening speeds with Diego (and me) laughing. Andres pretends he is asleep and Diego has to go wake him up to get Daddy back into the game. Sleepy boy, a little talk and a few snacks and we are pretty much done for the day.
Get on and see, "Yahoo! Deutschland". Yup. We are here. Looks very much like Rhode Island and the NAPS base Eleon was at. The obvious difference is signs we can't read. Being on base gives a sense of familiarity. Driving up to their home, Diego sees his friend and runs over calling out his name with so much joy we just have to laugh to express how happy it makes us feel. So young and still so connected to others. Adrianna is looking so pretty with a smile to put us at peace as she tells us details on their life, like buying German bread, touring their home, visits they have had with great friends recently, history of the base Andres works on. Andres has much to share, too, from adding to the history and his pride as he points out historic details as we drive on the base he works at, his new camera and appreciation of precision and technology, ordering enough pretzels for all of us. Julie and I taking it all in.
Forgot to say we said thank you to the two in Paris who helped us. The first kindly responding, “OK, go”…rushing us off to the stairs just around the corner. The second, “It was a small thing.” We knew it was a small act she did, a call. But it was a large thing she did for us; they were the only ones willing to do the small task to ensure our entire trip met its planned conclusion.
So today after a couple hours online last night, I got up about 8 to see Diego who was calling me and getting ready for breakfast. Spent a few minutes with him and Andres, then went back to sleep. Then got up when he was calling me again a bit later but he was on his way into his mama's room and went back to sleep again.
While I was sleeping, Andres and Adrianna headed out for a check and sonogram, and came back with the news Isabella is doing well and a new photo of her pretty face. She looks lots like her brother.
So, it ends up being 1pm...get a nice lunch with everyone and made plans to go to the base to drop off Adrianna's passport and see about the seat belt for the rental car for Julie's seat (no lap belt). There ended up not being an option to switch the car at the time so we went into town to walk till the rental was to be returned and we could exchange it. The walk was nice; pretty weather and unique buildings. One was from 1717. There are some new remodels and more very old. The little mall was full of small shops, no big department stores. Lots of small food shops from bakery, gelato and coffee to Chinese and the Italian with pizza and pasta. Diego chewed his pizza into a gun and began putting it to use. We made it back to the base in time to check on the car but it was not returned so no exchange. An officer stopped to ask Andres about mountain biking. Andres let him know he liked it but did not have a mountain bike (his is for the street and speed). "I have more than one mountain bike..., I will get with you next week". Hope he gets to go riding again. Home to soccer lead by Julie for Diego on the soccer field behind their home. Run, run, run. He was so happy. Back inside for a bath, big event in itself. Greg and Jasmin came over while Greg was on break from the night shift he is on. They hope Isabella arrives before they leave next week to pick up a puppy a few hours away. We do, too. Then live entertainment while Diego rides and Andres pulls the firetruck around and around at lightening speeds with Diego (and me) laughing. Andres pretends he is asleep and Diego has to go wake him up to get Daddy back into the game. Sleepy boy, a little talk and a few snacks and we are pretty much done for the day.
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