Updates on us and Alexis – We are still doing well, still counting the days until Christmas, though we know we are coming back out to Europe for January and February. The question is where, either Paris or Munich. I did love Paris, but now living in Munich I love it more. I have a church, playgroup and friends here that would be hard to recreate in Paris. Munich has definitely grown on me and the people here are so nice and warm. It will be hard to leave, but we also are ready for home and family again. Alexis and I have been sick for about a month – just congestion gook that won’t go away.

Ronnie is doing well, no more headaches, but stress is still there. He has been home in Texas this past week and comes home tomorrow! YAY! The whole trip was crazy for him because he went to work and reloaded on many products we need. At the same time, he really wanted to spend time with family, friends and co-workers – then add the jet lag. UGH! So pray for him that he catches up on his sleep! He was definitely happy to see everyone and be home. He did say it was weird going to Target and seeing the way people dressed in shorts and flip flops (they just don’t dress that way here – even on hot days they don’t). Also the convenience of everything in one store was nice. I’m jealous he got some of my dad’s home cooking and saw much missed family members. Sniff, sniff…we miss you guys! Sadly the Cowboys did not win for him – as he was more than pumped to be at home to see a football game. Better than waking up at 2AM here to listen to the game online. J

Alexis is doing great. In 7 days she will be 15 months! She is growing – I can finally say I feel like she has gained weight (though I have no scale) and she is about 30 in tall now. She is still dainty and full of energy. She is talking up a storm and repeating all kinds of words and knows many animal sounds. She follows many directions without me showing her. She still has not decided to walk on her own yet – she insists that she holds on to my hand or a piece of my pants. Eating – she eats pretty much anything I eat. She eats pretty well, her favorites at the moment: breakfast is eggs and potatoes, lunch is penne pasta, with broccoli in a white cream sauce, snack is banana, and dinner is a turkey meat patty, corn and Mediterranean rice. She only drinks whole milk and plain water. She drinks her milk out of a handless sippy cup and water out of a cup with a straw. She just started to try to use her spoon and fork with success this week, but not exclusively yet. She is still surviving without ever having a pacifier or sucking her fingers, but she does always have to have something in her hand. She usually carries around a small plush toy of some kind – funny because they are only a little bigger than the size of her hand. She still loves books! She’s pretty demanding of attention at all times from anyone who will give it to her. When we are out, trust me she gets it! Even from monkeys….

The other day we took her to the zoo with the playgroup. It was 5 of us mommies and the babies. A little monkey got loose and was just strolling around the zoo. We saw him in a tree and watched him for a bit, then decided to look at the ducks nearby. The next thing I know everyone was yelling my name. Alexis was standing on the ground holding onto a guard pole and the monkey came walking along the pole up to her. Alexis was not scared and proceeded to try to pet him. I had to pull her away because the little guy had some claws on him and was actually going to let her touch him. It was funny though and we got a few photos of it.

Please pray for us as we have been having a real rough time during bedtime. She is throwing really bad tantrums on us – can go for 40 mins. Been weeks now that she is doing this, she basically just wants us to hold her while she sleeps, and we won’t. It is awful hearing her tantrums, so please pray for us!

That’s about it! Hope everyone is doing fine! Please email us updates on you guys as I love reading them!