Pictures of Baby Gage and family and Germany

I just have to say, I LOVE GERMANY! That place is so beautiful. Well, it ought to be. It rains nearly every day, or so it seemed. After about a week, I asked Cymony and Danny which way their house is facing. Neither of them had the correct answer. It took me a full day of watching the sun and the shadows to figure it out. The sun just didn't shine!

Here are some of the cute pictures of took of Cymony's little family. They are such a cute little family and adapting well to life in the Air Force. I was so impressed with both of them and how well they deal with the ups and downs. This is a real growing experience for them.

Home Sweet Home

Dear Family –
I cannot let this computer snag me this morning. I’m home and have some serious things that need attending to – not the least of which is seeing my little Lybbert family. I wanted to stop last night, but I don’t know when I’ve been more exhausted than I was as we drove past the exit to their home.

Cymony and I set alarms (notice the plural) so I wouldn’t sleep through the time to get up and get ready to leave. I had her little travel clock plus I decided to set the alarm on my wrist heart monitor just for safe keeping. Rather than change the time on my watch, I just set it for six hours, which was 9:15 p.m. That should have worked just fine. However, I didn’t factor in my sleepy head factor. I woke up for my 1:30 pit stop and took a look at the watch. It said 5:30 and I jumped out of bed, grabbed my stuff and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, makeup and getting dressed. I was thrilled my hair didn’t need scrunching or anything. I finished in record time and headed to the bedroom to have prayer and close my suitcase. I knelt down and took a quick glance at the clock on the floor. It said 2:00 a.m. What!!! You have got to be kidding. I had looked at the wrong time device. Needless to say, I went back to sleep. That was a good one on me.
When the alarm did go off, I was ready to go. Tee hee. I was actually glad for the little mistake, because I needed every minute before we walked out the door.
Cymony dropped me off at the train station. We had no hiccups on the way. Mikah woke up just as we were leaving and I got one last hug before I had to leave this precious little girl. I know she knows how to web cam, so my relationship with her will be on the computer now. It’s amazing to see how she grew up in the two weeks I was there. Baby brothers will do that to their older siblings.
When I walked in the train station I asked the lady at the desk where I get a ticket for the airport. She very German-like pointed to the Kiosk. What?!!! Clyde said I would be talking to a ticket agent. I went to the Kiosk and said a silent prayer for angels. One quickly appeared and helped me through the process only to find out I was on a Kiosk that did NOT take plastic. I still think it did, but she said not. I saw the slot. Oh well, I went through the process the second time kind of alone, but she reached over and hit buttons for me when I looked confused. What a sweetheart. She said she was fine time wise.
I went to the platform where I waited. Another angel was right there and walked me through my process. She invited me to her private berth. I guess that’s what it’s called. We visited for the 45 minute ride to Mannheim where she walked me through my transfer to the train that would take me to the airport. I told her I had prayed for angels before leaving and she could feel good about herself this day because she had truly been my angel. We parted friends.

I will never travel again with a huge suitcase. Why I didn't take two the size of carry-on luggage I do not know. It made real work for me, and I had to stand in the hall because there was no way I could get my bag down the aisles without a lot of work. Fortunately, it was a 30-minute ride.
Getting to the airport from the train station was as seamless as Clyde said it would be. I was quite pleased with myself that I didn’t have major anxiety, arrived in plenty of time and even grabbed a bite to eat before heading to my departure gate.
The long of it was this: I was on the go (Utah time) from 9:30 pm Tuesday night until 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night. For me, that is a very long day. I read mostly – the Twilight series. Book #3 isn’t quite as interesting, but I feel it’s laying down characters. I’m enjoying it, but will be glad when it’s finished. Three movies and a ton of TV was in there as well. I discovered that if I watch a 30-minute anything, I could fall asleep by the end of it and doze for 15-30 minutes before discovering I was asleep.
On this trip I finished reading “Younger Next Year” which is a book that embraces much of my thinking, so it was easy reading. I don’t believe in the author’s theories on evolution, but I do believe in the power of positive thinking and exercise. I will order the companion book for the male species that was actually written first, so that Clyde can read it. It’s a must read for baby boomers, who have the potential to live into their eighties and nineties. It is a guide to enjoy it which I intend to embrace as best as my own lifestyle will let me. His philosophies don’t factor in the business of our lives in the gospel.
Clyde looked like manna from heaven as I descended the stairs to baggage claim. Fifteen days traveling is really about five more than I will sign up for again. I get homesick around ten. Had I not been with Cymony and her little family, having grandkids to keep me from really being homesick, it would have not been a pretty sight. Even with the 15 days, as I leaned over Gage’s little bed to kiss him goodbye Tuesday night, the Grandma tears threatened and a lump entered my throat that was serious pain. There really should be a law against this, but I know it’s life and the world we live in. I’m grateful for Danny’s willingness to serve in the military. Folks, this lifestyle is not for just everyone. There is sacrifice.
Well, back to my day. Clyde and I picked up my bag and got a bite to eat at Rio Grande. Mmmm, Mexican food. But it was good. I was so tired, I’m afraid I didn’t eat much. We came home and I pushed through a couple of things on the computer – calling Cymony and letting them know I was home. Then I crashed.
It’s now early morning. I was up at 5:30 and couldn’t see the sense in fighting it any longer. I had a glorious night’s sleep. Home is a wonderful place to be. It looked so good to me when I walked in the door last night. Clyde (with Carli’s help I suspect) kept the house looking like I’d left it for the most part. I still haven’t gone through the mail. I have Primary Leadership Training invitations that must hit the street today. I’d like to attend the temple with the RS at 9:30. And I’d like to go for a quick run – not to mention the phone calls, laundry and unpacking, getting reacquainted with grandchildren and grocery shopping, not mention posting pictures of Gage and Mikah and their family. I’ll be busy today.

Time marches on

It's now one week since our little Gage entered this world. He had a bit of a rocky start, but he's doing great now. I have to be honest here. I have never seen a newborn who has adapted as quickly to life as he seems to have done. He nurses like a champ. Cymony is delighted with that bit of fortune as Micah never was able to get the hang of it and she spent five months pumping. That's devotion. Cymony has tried Gage with a bottle, but he's not particularly interested. He likes it first hand.

He came home from the hospital on Sunday, only to return Tuesday night after spending the afternoon in the ER. It turns out his circumcision stopped the flow and there was infection and he would have been in trouble. Fortunately, 48 hours after admission into the hospital, he was given the green light and is now home. He has been an absolute jewel since returning home.

Micah loves her little brother. She is fascinated with him and wants to help as much as Cymony will let her. We got a good laugh last night. She's been fascinated with his little eyes. You know the routine. Older (little) sibling just wants to poke them. Well, Joshua (friend of family and home teacher) looked at her doll. She had poked the eye in! So needless to say, we'll need to keep a close eye on her (no pun intended).

I've loved being with this little family in Germany. This place is so picturesque. I went for a walk this morning and went up the mountainside for 45 minutes before turning around and returning. The grade of this mountain could not be less than 15 percent. It was quite a hike. I passed an old man. We stopped to talk for a minute. Of course, I don't speak German and he used all the English words he could think of - none of them making any real sense. He then pulled me close to him so he could kiss me on the cheek. We said goodbye and went our separate ways. I thought that was really sweet. It started my day off on a delightful note.

Cymony drives all over like it's no big deal. I just hope they don't get tired of me and push me out of the car. There is no way I could get myself back to familiar territory. I have driven a few places with the GPS. That's no sweat. But without it? I'd be toast.

The military is a breeding ground to teach patience. I've been impressed at how patient Cymony and Danny are. There is no choice. The wheels move slowly with government work. For example, when Gage was told they were going to release him to go home, it was 3:00. Danny and I headed straight over there. We left the hospital at 8:00 p.m.! No apologies either. It is quite interesting to me.

I have pictures, but won't be able to post them until I return to the states on Wednesday. Of course, we all know it will take a bit of time to get back on board.

The longest day ever!

I'm finally at Cymony's home. It was a long day and I'm afraid a stressful day for Danny, though he handled it all like a champ. I left Salt Lake at 9:50. I had to create my own little drama, just so I'd know I was flying. I was on the Park and Jet shuttle when I thought I had left my phone in the car. I wasn't carrying my usual purse, so I couldn't see it. I got off the bus and ran a long distance back to the car, only to discover that I had to have it since it wasn't in the car. A deeper look into the purse exposed the black phone in a black hole. Grrrr. I had stopped off at WalMart to pick up Desitin for Cymony. I knew my big bag was 50# and couldn't handle another thing, and without even thinking, I threw that 8-oz tube in my carry-on, so proud of myself that I had picked up everything she had asked of me. Well, that was quickly confiscated as I went through x-ray. Grrrr. It turns out Cymony really wanted the unscented deodorant too, so I'll be bringing that home with me as well. The flight from Utah to JFK was peaceful. As I was walking down the runway to my plane, I saw Greg and Amy Bengtzen who had just returned from Hawaii. They'd been there eight days. That was fun to get a quick run down of how they did it, etc. They looked rested.

I went with the intent to order a meal. It wasn't offered. I think I must not know how to do that, as others did get a meal. I ate my nuts and fruit and was happy enough with that. However, I did get a meal at the airport before boarding for Germany. They are so slow in getting the meal out, that I didn't want to risk getting a headache. I sat next to a pleasant couple headed for Italy. We had a nice conversation about Utah and its beauties and the beautiful skiing available. I personally can't see either of them skiing, but they talked like they do it a lot. I invited them to Utah. The flight from JFK to Germany was exactly what I was expecting - long. I fell asleep for about 45 minutes. That means, that with the exception of 10-15 minute catnaps from the airport until we arrived at Tarin's about eight hours later, I've been up 32 hours! I really feel a little loopy. I met up with Cymony, Danny and Micah as soon as I walked out of baggage claim. They arrived exactly at the same time I came out. My baggage had to be dead last off the plane. About 30 minutes into the ride to Niederscaufenvach (kneader stauffen bach), their car lost power. Danny inched along for about a mile until he came to an exit and pulled into a little village where he called his work looking for help. A work associated arrived about four hours later to transfer us to his vehicle and take us to a car rental place. That adorable Micah just entertained us the whole time in the car. I can't believe how patient she was with the whole setup. I had some licorice, nuts and dried peaches that kept her happy. When we got to the car rental place, we discovered Danny and Cymony had left their driver's licenses in their car. We were in a bit of trouble. She would rent to me without any bother, but I would have to pay in Euros without their vat discount (value added tax), which would have been considerably more. So, she took an imprint of my credit card (since I was renting because only I had a driver's license), and we raced 45 minutes back to their car to pick up the stuff from their car and race back before close (6:00 p.m.). We made it. This is the scary thing. After being away all that time, I was driving on the autobahn. Actually, the adrenalin flow made me quite alert. Once we got to the cars and Danny had his driver's license, he was legal to drive. I was glad to give him the wheel for the return trip. We made it just in time. Phew!

It was about 6:30 when we arrived at Tarin's home. They had no idea when they left at 9:00 this morning that they wouldn't be back by noonish. Micah's diapers were long gone, and she did nothing but eat treats all afternoon. We enjoyed a good meal. I was introduced to Kimchi, which wasn't bad mixed with the rice, and zuchinni.

I feel almost human after a warm bath and nice meal and I'm about ready to call it a day - hey call it two days.

Camber, I thought I'd be able to log into my Waldron website and also my email account. I left my Palm Pilot home which tells me how. I thought I knew it. Would you please forward this to Grandma and Grandpa for me. It would be nice if someone out there could comment on this and tell me how to log into Waldron site. If not, then Iguess I just wait until I get home.

I hope all is well in Utah. I'm tired and think I'll see if my body agrees with me. Take care. Love Mom/Connie

Micah's baby

Okay Cymony, this is the baby doll. She really is cute.

Tanner's Birthday

Well, I tried to do a repeat of the fun experience I had with Marissa, Desi and Tyler for Tanner's birthday. Somehow in his young eyes, he pictured that they had a better time than he had. So I failed something royal. You don't like to bring your grandchild home in tears. We had a fun time until we went to Chuck E Cheese's for pizza. My big mistake is in not notifying them that we are coming. He was fortunate that they did a birthday song, but it wasn't for our little party of two. Robyn and her boys were there with friends, and it was for their 3-year-old. Nonetheless, he marched around with them and joined in their little party. The hostess gave him a birthday crown after he told her it was also his birthday. I've decided it gets harder to "ring that bell" when the kids get a little older. I will need to set my boundaries before going in the future.

Cymony asked to see my walls

Okay, this is what I did. It's real simple still, but with room to grow as I get new pictures. I mostly put just the current family pictures up. I'm a little embarrassed that it cost me so much, but Jan's help was appreciated. A good friend (or daughter) could probably have accomplished the same for free. Heck, Dad and I could have done it. It was the grouping that was the big deal. Oh well. The picture of the Savior is called "Friends" by Liz Lemon Swindle.