Know you're not alone; cause I'm gonna make this place your home.

there isn't a song on the radio right now, German or American that explains life for me better than Home by Phillip Phillips. Seriously, check that out.

So by now I think everyone's realized i made it to Germany and am finally reunited with Dane. It wasn't a long flight by any means and honestly I shouldn't have been as worried as I was over everything- but that's how I am: constantly paranoid. ANYWAY-

This is wonderful. My apartment is gorgeous. Dane really, really did well. And he deserves SO much credit. He was able to do all of this, give me all of this as a husband does for a wife, and do so much more. A lot of the times I had doubt in him because well, if you met him or know him you know details are not his strong suit.

not anymore. He's done amazing. He got this apartment, he is getting our car this week and obviously set up a phone line and Internet for us. My husband is seriously the best I could ask for.

As for Germany: this place is where fairy tales come from. Literally. It's gorgeous. Dane says it reminds him of northern Michigan. We live in the country so pretty much everything is like the sound of music here.

Shall I continue or is your jealousy just eating away at you?

Hahah. It's really nice though. We have been out a handful of times since I got here and everything is so similar yet so very different. Baked goods are everywhere and out of this world. Chocolate is something else too- I got so excited over my first Kinderegg !

There's so much more to write for you all but I'm writing from my iPad right now and I'd rather show you- so expect
pictures soon.

I love you, I miss you, and until I write again-
mrs s.

home is wherever i'm with you.

here, have a playboy esque shot of my husband on our new bed.

So if you've been in the loop, you know that our lives are changing very, very quickly. I *finally* was granted command sponsorship, meaning that we could go get our home and get my patoot to Germany. We lucked out: Dane was able to find us a amazing apartment on base! 

He did good. I sing the praises of my husband a lot, but oh my goodness. Picture text after text this morning, I was totally stunned by the place. Spacious, and lots of light! We have two bedrooms, one of which we'll convert to a office. The kitchen is super cute, and we have new appliances...someone was looking out for us. And, if you know me in the slightest- I'm already making lists of things I want to fill our apartment with! Dane has already agreed to  a Ikea trip...sightseeing AND Ikea?! Lucky, lucky girl.

It really hasn't hit me that I'll be in Germany a week from today. I'm so wound up in finishing things here that I haven't had the chance to really take it in. I'm nervous, excited, and beyond ready to begin my life as Mrs. Schlief with Mr. Schlief close by.

We both want to thank everyone who has supported us both during this crazy journey. We both rely so heavily on our family and friends for support, and we're so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives. for everyone thats busted their butts in helping us get together again, from the bottom of both our hearts- Thank You.  We are beyond blessed for all of you in our lives.

love,

hannah.

love is patient, love is kind.

Patience is something I've always struggled with, before marriage even. I just can't wait to save my life. My parents are patient people, and my brother's pretty laid back so I have no idea where it comes from. Maybe it's me being an American and always wanting instant gratification. I'm going to go with that.

Patience and time has been on my mind lately. The other day i realized that out of the 9 months we've had in 2012, I've spent maybe a total of 3 full ones with Dane. 6 months apart. when you've spent nearly everyday for almost 2 years together, 6 months is a particularly long time. i am so used to knowing what he's doing, where he's at,  who he's with. But during this year, he's done so much without me. i don't understand a lot of what he does with the army. He'll explain it to me, but i can't really explain it and understand it. It was easier when he was working at the home- he snaked toilets, repaired screen doors, and helped little old ladies. I've tried looking online, at maps to see where these cities he tells me about are, but again- I'm not there, I can't visualize it or understand. The closest I get is with pictures. I'm so used to his only friend being Fish, but now he's met so many people that I can't get names straight.

Now, don't get me wrong: as Dane's wife, I am loving all of this. I am so excited that my husband is doing something he enjoys, exploring Europe, and making friends. A wife couldn't ask more for her husband. But, I want to be there to do these things with him.

If you ask Dane, he'll say the same. He misses being apart of everyone's daily life. He misses going to his mom's on Sundays, seeing Alex grow up, being at his dad's with Loki. He misses everyone and being apart of their lives. So many people looked to Dane- he's dependable, helpful, and a good person to have on your side. It's surreal for all of us not having him here. I had such a weird first months without him, not having him by my side Dane is not only my husband, but my superhero.

So here's where my impatience comes into play. I have had a hard time lately with the wait to get to Germany. There is a ton of paperwork involved, lots of waiting in offices, lots of signatures.  I got bummed because I am so ready to be back in my husband's life. To understand what he's talking about work wise, to visit these places with him, to meet his friends. I want to be an active part of his life again.

But here's where it comes into perspective: I was at Kirstie's (my amazing mother in law, I'm so serious) today and she told me she really misses Dane. And it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'll get there eventually, that these six months will just be that- six months, nothing in comparison to the years we'll have in Europe together. But there's people in Dane's family- like Alex for example- that won't have that luxury. Alex won't get to see Dane everyday, and vice versa. I'm so fortunate. I will be able to spend everyday with Dane, and grow with him.

So love IS patient. To be a good wife, a kind wife, and a PATIENT wife, it comes with accepting that it will happen when it happens. To not just let these last few weeks pass by, to truly cherish all the time I have with my amazing family. Because patience will make the days go by, and we will be together soon, in Germany, living for real as husband and wife!

auf wiedersehen,
mrs s.

first post :)

funny how life throws you so many change ups. to think a year ago i was beginning my senior year of college, and spend a few months with my then boyfriend before he left for basic. i had no idea what i was doing after college. a year ago, i wasn't the same- there are people in my life now who weren't there then, and vice versa.

fast forward a year and some change...2012 has become MY year. January I started a new job...and while the job itself sucked, I found so many good people there...one of which was one of my best friends, Amy. If anything, gaining Amy as a friend made the job worth it. In March, I said goodbye to the love of my life and he left me to embark on the biggest journey of his life. While Dane was becoming a U.S. infantryman, I was frantically completing my last semester of college.

 In May, I graduated from university (i went to a university, not a college...not sure why I keep calling it that) in under 4 four years, debt free (thanks dad!) and with a fairly decent GPA. I remember sitting in that auditorium, hoping Dane would bust through the doors to see me walk across the stage...but he was doing amazing things, too.

June brought a month of waiting. Dane graduated from the military at the end of the month, which meant the weeks prior were spent with me on pins and needles, waiting to see what the Army had done to the man I loved. Luckily for myself and my blood pressure, the day finally came- along with tears, and I saw a changed man, but he was still my man. to see that he had grown up, become strong and confident- it seriously brings me to tears now. if i could love him more than I did, I did then. to see him happy, there's nothing I wouldn't give. And to see our relationship become more rock solid through the time apart, well that was amazing too.

July was another month of agonizing waiting. due to the army being completely lovely (sarcasm), Dane had to wait longer than most to hear where he would be stationed. Out of the blue, he called me on a Thursday afternoon:
"So...how do you feel about Europe?"
"...what?"
"How do you feel about me coming home in two weeks?"
".......what?"
"How do you feel about getting married when I get home?"
"FWHJERSHGJF YESSSSSSSS!"

So began the craziest wedding planning/put together I believe has existed. In a little less than two weeks, arrangements were made, food was catered and a wedding dress was bought. i picked Dane up at the airport, trying to run in sandals (bad idea...) to get to Dane, decked out in his ACUS. we spent a few awesome days together until the big day came.

On August 1st, with shaking hands and a heart swollen with love for not only my husband, but for the amazing family I had- and was gaining, I married Dane. The whole day went by as a blur, but I have never seen Dane smile like he did when he was reciting vows, or just looking at me and everyone that day. One of my favorite memories was later, after I kicked off my heels. I started jumping on the bed in the hotel screaming "We're married!!!!" I even got Dane to do it with me ;) Life should be about amazing moments like that.

Five days later, Dane left for Germany. I have only spent 5 days with my husband as his wife. Weird, I guess. Then after that came all the fun stuff- paperwork, medical paperwork, fighting with medical people regarding medical paperwork. I want to say all that stuff was super easy, but I'm not kidding anyone and it sucks hardcore.

But now we are farther along in the process: Command Sponsorship should be approved for me within the week, meaning I can finally call the movers and book a flight. Dane will be able to go househunting, and then pick me up at the airport...where we will finally be reunited after two months apart. Plus, we get to enjoy a 10 day leave Dane will be granted once I get there!

So I guess blog will serve it's purpose to keep everyone stateside updated about our lives across the pond. I hardly think Dane will ever update this himself, but maybe...sillier things have happened.  I'll be sure to include some history and pictures every so often, too. :)

with that,
 auf wiedersehen!