I am going to start off with telling you about my last month in Germany. It went way too fast. We had so fun together. The boys had the last couple of days before I left, off of school and we were able to just spend so much time together. I said my goodbyes to my ward and that was difficult, but it was good. I already miss them so much. December was full of fun. The boys slept in my room so many times, we had people over visiting, we just had fun together. We went Christmas tree cutting. That was one of my most favorite things we did. We went to this cute little area and hunted through hundreds of trees, until we found the perfect one, then we cut it down! And by we, I mean Zeljko, Luka, Nevena and I! We did good! Then we got it packaged up and brought it home.
We decorated the house all adorable for Christmas, and it was so fun! On Christmas Eve (which is their Christmas), we had a candlelight dinner, which was so fun. Nevena and I made a ton of food and it was so yummy. :) Then we opened presents. That was a lot of fun. I enjoyed that a lot. We then just spent the day and night together. Then on Christmas (First day of Christmas for them) we had a pajama movie/game day! It was SOOOO much fun! We played games and watched so many movies. I also was able to Skype with Kurtis! That was so nice. My family was on for a bit, then they left to do their Christmas, Kurtis and I were able to talk for another hour by ourselves, then my family came back on and I left. It was so great. I loved it so much. It was so good to see him. Oh and the BEST Christmas present ever.... Maria started walking 2 days before I left!!!!!!!!! And I was the only one home to see it!!!!!!!! I almost died I was so excited. I miss that baby girl of mine so much.
Then on the 26th, we just hung out and Nevena and I went to see a movie. We saw the third Hobbit. It was so good. So we had a girls night and it was much needed. After we came back, we hung out and just stayed together because I left the next morning......
Oh the 27th. What a day that turned out to be. I woke up and finished getting my stuff packed. Then before I knew it, Zeljko was down in my room taking my suitcases up to the car. I double and triple checked my room to make sure I had everything then up the stairs I went. And I almost started bawling. I don't know how I kept my emotions down so well.... cause it was hard. Nevena and the girls weren't coming with me to the airport and I didn't know how to say goodbye to them. I just held my baby girl forever and then had to say goodbye to Doro and I almost lost it. Then I hugged Nevena and I started crying, but not too hard. Then we got in the car and drove away. The boys and I were on our way to the airport. We got there way too fast. They were with me when I checked in and then they left. I hugged my boys for ages. And then Zeljko... and they were gone. I was alone. But I was so excited. I wanted to get on that plane and get home. I did get home but it definitely took me way longer than I thought it would. I was supposed to fly from Munich to Iceland, then Iceland to Seattle and Seattle to home. Well.... it started snowing in Munich the day before and turns out the airport wasn't prepared for it so I ended up sitting on the place in Munich for about 4 hours before we even moved. It was AWFUL.
I completely missed my flight out of Iceland. But thankfully once we landed in Iceland, I found out that almost everyone had missed the same flight and the airport was awesome. They got us free hotel, taxi and meals for that night and day. I was so relieved. (I couldn't believe how much Heavenly Father was looking out for me.) I got to my hotel and went to my room. I was so excited that I was in ICELAND of all places for a day. I called my dad and told him what was happening. Then I called my mom and told her what was happening. I was in ICELAND. Hah I couldn't get over it. I went down to dinner and made some friends, who I went with to a viking museum the next day. It was AWESOME. It was the coolest museum I have ever been to. The food they fed us at the hotel was amazing. And before I knew it I was back at an airport, waiting to board my flight. I had been rerouted to fly to Denver. The flight from Iceland to Denver was great. I was in a window seat and the person who was supposed to be in the middle seat never showed up so I had so much extra room! It was fantastic! I had WI-FI on my flight and everything was great. I stayed awake the whole time so that I could adjust easier to home time.
Once we landed in Denver, things kept going smoothly. I got through customs just fine, even though it was a pain. I called my parents and found a place to eat. Then things got worse. My flight from Denver to home ended up being delayed 2 hours. So I was stuck in the Denver airport for about 7 hours (my layover was almost 5 hours) and then I found out that I didn't actually have a seat on the plane because they overbooked. I was so angry and so frustrated I started crying. I couldn't stay in an airport for the night. The lady who helped me must have seen my anxiety and soon called asking for volunteers to give up their seat. After about a half hour of waiting, some very nice man went up to the counter and volunteered. I then started crying tears of joy. I wanted to hug him, but figuring that would be weird, I did not. So I got on the flight. I was so exhausted, physically and emotionally that literally, as soon as I sat down, I was out. I slept through take-off. (Who does that!?!?!) I woke up right as the flight attendant called that we were about to land and that we needed to fasten our seatbelts. We landed and I almost ran through the airport to get to my family. And then I was in my mom's arms. It was great. I just started bawling. It was 3 in the morning, I was exhausted and overwhelmed that I was finally home. When we arrived at home, I ended up opening my Christmas presents (haha at 4 in the morning). Then we went to bed. I passed out as soon as I hit my pillow. I was gone. I woke up the next morning tired but alive. We went to breakfast as a whole family and I met my niece. She is adorable and I love her to pieces. It was such a great day.
So ever since then I have just loved being home. I got home on the 28th of December and started work and school on the 5th of January. I completely jumped right into everything. I love my job so much. I work at the elementary school again and I LOVE it. I have recently been given more hours at work so I am working about 30 hours a week and I am a full time student. I am constantly tired, but it is worth it.
I cannot believe that my year in Germany has come and gone. It went way too fast. I cherish every single moment over there, the good and bad. It made me into such a better person. I grew so much closer to my Father in Heaven. My relationship with Him now is so much more stronger than I ever imagined it could be. He is my best friend and I love Him with all my heart. I miss Germany every single day and especially my adorable German family. But I know that I have another family now and I couldn't have asked for anything different. They mean the world to me and I am so grateful they are in my life. I love skyping with them and I love it that Maria gets excited when I skpye with her. It makes me so happy. I love the relationship I have with them.
A year ago today I could have never thought I made it this far and that I grew this much. I would have never thought that I even stayed in Germany. I was sure I was going to come home. It was so hard. The hardest thing of my life so far. But Heavenly Father knew I could do it, and I did. And I am incredibly proud of myself. I cannot wait to see what other adventures He has in store for me. I will keep you all posted on where He takes me, because even though my German adventure is over for now, I am on a whole new adventure. :)
Thank you to everyone who helped me out this last year. I felt all of your prayers and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to have in my life. I love you all so much!
Love-
Kasey :)
ps I did not proof read this....so I apologize if there are mistakes. ;)
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