Some Commonly Asked Questions (with answers)

How are the kids doing with being in Germany?

Overall, they are doing well. Out of the older three, I think Micah has had the most difficult time adjusting so far. He will often say, "mommy, I want to go back to our house!" And when I say, "Micah, this is now our house", he'll shake his head and say, "no, this is NOT our house!" The other day, he slipped and fell down on the floor and said, "I don't like this house! The floors are slippery! I want our old house!" Poor guy.

Aria just wonders why we eat bread all the time now. =) We don't really eat bread all the time, but, since being in Germany, we do as the Germans do and often have sandwiches for breakfast, and sometimes supper too. And all three of the older kids find the "spicy water" (carbonated water) some-what... um, aggravating. It hurts their throats too much to actually swallow it, and doesn't seem to quench their thirst. (I, on the other hand, really, really like it!) Just little things they need to get used to.

The babies are s-l-o-w-l-y adjusting. They have been very whiny this past month with all the business and changes which took place. They are also very clingy when we are around other people that they do not yet know well, and they just want mama or papa. But, they seem to slowly be doing better... or at least, I'm hopeful!

How are the kids doing with the German language?

The three older kids understand the important commands and everyday simple phrases in German, as they learned them from their papa. But, English by far is their 'mother tongue' and is the easiest for them to communicate in. (We speak mostly English together as a family. Although, since being in Germany, we are starting to talk more German together.) Aria does fairly well getting her point across in German, although her grammar is not perfect and her vocabulary is quite limited. But she tries and wants to speak like everyone else around her. Nina, on the other hand, is content to not say anything when around others, or she will just continue to speak in English. =) Micah knows there's a difference in language, and often says in a frustrated tone, "I can't speak Deutsch!" Often, he will just speak in English to people, and then gets frustrated when they don't understand him. He'll then repeat what he just said louder and slower, saying something like, "I... s-a-i-d... I WANT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!!!" It really is quite funny. =) Again, we aren't worried about the kids learning German, as we know they will quickly. Already, we've seen improvements in all 3 of them in the last 12 days since we've been here.

Can both of the twins walk now?

Hanna walks very well... and can get away from us fast! Heidi still prefers to crawl instead of walking. She takes steps every now and then, but doesn't seem so interested in actually walking. Is she just lazy? Perhaps. But with all the changes her little life has just experienced, we aren't pushing her at all. Are we worried that she's not yet walking? Not at all. We know that when she's ready, she'll take off too.

How is your pregnancy going?

FAST! With all that has been happening in our lives the past several months, I haven't really had the time to actually soak in the fact that yes, I am pregnant! Of course, I know I'm pregnant, but, as weird as it may sound, sometimes in the business of every day life, I forget that I am! Of all my pregnancies, this one is definitely going by the quickest! And so far, thankfully, this pregnancy has definitely been one of my easiest... what a blessing! If anything, I just feel SO BIG already, but I guess that is to be expected following a twin pregnancy and being the 5th one.

Today, I was able to have my first pre-natal! Yeah! We are so, so thankful that everything looks great with the baby, and that I'm doing well too. It was kinda funny for me at the doctor's office today. There was a new nurse there, and she kept asking me all these questions. She then asked me if this was my second child, and I just kinda smiled and replied with, "no, sixth". She acted a little startled and said, "oh... um, that's nice", and then there were no more questions. =) My doctor also joked with me, asking if I had 5 children, or if I had sneaked having another one in there somewhere. Nope, just 5 at home!

Here I am at 31 weeks. (Sorry, not the best of pictures, but my photographer, Aria, is still in the learning process. =D)

Have we all adjusted to the time change?

Yes, we are now living and sleeping on German time. =) Although, I might add, I still don't think David and I are totally rested up yet from the last month of packing/selling stuff and the trip here.

Are you all staying healthy?

Although right now, 6 out of the 7 of us have quite the runny noses and sniffles, we can not complain. We have all stayed very healthy the last several months, for which we are extremely thankful.

Are you overwhelmed thinking about having 6 kids, ages 6 and under? Three of them under the age of 2?

Honestly, I wasn't at all until the last few weeks. But lately, Hanna and Heidi have just been a handful... a complete handful... and they wear.me.out. I know that people say that the hardest time with twins is their first year. And I do agree that the first year was definitely challenging and exhausting... especially nights. But, honestly, I would have to admit that I always kinda dreaded when my kids turned '1'. Not sure why, but I always find them to be a bit more challenging then... they are getting into everything, are starting to exert their own will more, yet are still very, very needy. And, I guess through all the recent changes and stuff going on, H & H have just gotten very whiny as well. As they are getting bigger, and my stomach is expanding too, well, it's just getting more and more difficult carrying them both at the same time. I just find them exhausting right now. And, I get overwhelmed thinking about taking care of a newborn with those two little ones whining for attention, while tending to Aria, Nina, and Micah too. But, we're not there yet. =) I know that His grace will be there for me when the time comes, just like it is for me today. All that to say, we are still very, very excited for our new baby to come! What a gift!

* If you have any other questions for us, please feel free to ask us in the comments, and we'll try to answer them if we can. =)