Wednesday Mailbag

Dear faithful blog readers,

It has come to our attention that you are out of questions for us.
We like the Wednesday interactions, so instead of doing away with the mailbag, we're turning the tables. Instead of you asking us questions, we will ask you questions.

For example, is this normal behavior for a five month old pup, or do we have a doggie assassin on our hands?

Thanks,

Sarah and Chris

Now Since It's Official...

We've been holding off on our Pete footage and news because we wanted to make sure he checked out at the vet before getting ourselves and everyone else too attached, but now that he has checked out and is part of the family, let's roll the footage.

This is Pete the first day we brought him home, Saturday January 31st.

After he sniffed around the whole house, we played our first game of fetch.

We next headed to the hills behind our house for a walk/run/human drag.

Then we came home and began to earnestly worry that maybe Pete would never, ever, ever go to sleep or get worn out.

I played some sock war with him, then I had to go take a nap. 

Pete - 1, Sarah - 0, Chris - 2.

While napping, Pete self-selected Christie's wreath to chew on. I was going to make something with that, but oh well. (Thanks Christie!)



When I woke up, I found Pete and Chris chillin' out on the couch. Pete finally sits still!!



But it was not to last. Ten minutes later we all stumbled onto a fun laundry basket game.

I really don't even know what happened after that. At some point it all became a blur.

But Pete is happy and healthy, vet approved, and Texan-tested. He is testing his every boundary and I feel exhausted. But it's worth it.



If the historical architecture, rich Biblical history and sun-drenched beaches weren't enough of a lure to get you to visit us, maybe Pete will be!

Welcome to the Newest Wehkamp

Meet the newest member of the Wehkamp family.

(Click here)

Growing

I'm with Chris.

I don't want this blog to become a storehouse of only funny things, I want it to be as honest as is possible.

That being said, I did find myself shying away from it last week.

It's hard to write from an unbiased point of view. Especially when I know old teachers and co-workers and in-laws and the President are reading. But I will try.

Last week was the most difficult week I have had in Turkey.  

And it wasn't just because of one thing.

It started with unrealistic report-writing for school (involving calculators to average grades...what are we, cavemen?) and ended with the ATM eating my debit card for no good reason (seriously, I called the bank...no good reason...just ate it).

I do know that what my great grandma use to tell her daughter that she use to tell her daughter that she now tells me "This too shall pass," is very true.

I have video evidence.

When Chris and I first arrived here, we couldn't even order a pizza.

Now, not only can we order one, we can call when it's late and successfully demand that it be free.

Not being able to find food was extremely frustrating.  Chris and I were so annoyed and frustrated and defeated.

But now?  Now we're proud and confident and happy.

We experience rough times and we grow.

It's so cliche, but it's true.

Only when we are testing the limits of our life can we increase confidence and grow personally.

I will try in the future to be more open on this here blog when the going gets rough.

I will grow.

And you our readers will grow with us.

Hopefully without too much judgement, but maybe with lots.

Either way we won't really know because you are there and we are here.

In conclusion, happy groundhog day and congrats to the Steelers.