Happy Birthday Sammy!

A picture is worth a thousand words!
Sam, would you please buy a doll liederhosen costume for our 37" Sammy Elf?
Hey Sam, dad wants you to pass the salt!
Ducky sends her love.
Happy 19th Sammy!

Guess What?

I've been dating this really cute, adorable, amazing guy Richard for nine months. On December 22nd he became my fiance. That's right--I'm engaged!!!!!! Wedding date is set for June 30, 2007. (This is only 5 days after Samantha gets home from Germany.) More info to come at later date.


The ring is a family heirloom from Richard's mother's side. It has 6 small diamonds around a larger center diamond.










This is a picture of me and my sweetie taken during our family annual river rafting trip (July 2006). This is my favorite picture of us. It shows our adventurous side. He is an EMT-I and works at Pioneer Valley Hospital in the Emergency Room. That is where we met--I work in the Lab at the Hospital. Richard's hobbies include ultimate fighting, jujitsu martial arts, snow boarding, mountain biking, hunting, and just about every other out-of-doors activity and sport.

See I told you he was a cutie!!!!!!


Merry Christmas. Love to all!

Concerned about flying with Robyn

Beverly, do you know of an over the counter seditive i could give robyn to sleep on an airplain? one that wont harm her.

Samantha Elf

We have a 37 inch daily reminder of Sammy on our kitchen table. On the scarf I put a small angel pin and a larger heart pin with a sister poem on it. On the hat we put a picture of Sammy blowing us a kiss. The Smile on our Samantha Elf reminds us of Sam's beautiful smile. The Samantha Elf helps us not miss her so much especially during the holidays. WE LOVE YOU SAM!

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving Family!

Hello agian! I wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. My family here decided to have a Thanksgiving dinner so I won't feel homesick, but the trick is, I have to cook it!! I've help my mom for years with Thanksgiving dinner but I don't really pay close attention to things like that, I just help. Well now I'm stuck learning how to make a Turkey, let alone ALL the other food...Oops! I wish I knew what I was doing. This calls for a mommy and daddy to the rescue!

Other than that, Germany is great. I have to addmit that I haven't been feeling my best for the last while but I've been working on it. I have been sick for two weeks cause it's getting colder and I have to ride my bike every morning to school. I've just started feeling better. I've been keeping busy here, for the most part. I am in the community theater, surprise surprise I know. I have also been doing a lot with my host mom, running erands mostly but if I can help I try. I have friends but only do things on the weekend with them. And my teachers in school are taking me more seriously, which is a bad thing cause now I have to much homework and I only understand every third word. Over my head! Well that is about whats going on here in Deutschland for me. Surprised it's only 5 sentences? I am!

Happy Thanksgiving Family!! I wanted to tell you know how thankful I am for everyone of you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't have you guys. Every single one of you mean so much to me. Love you, Take care.

**Samantha-isms** (lost in Danglish) ....To feel = "tasten" in German, that one is self-explanatory. I know I lost my Sanity but I didn't think I was getting my five senses mix up....until now.

You all know I love pickles!! Pickles pickles pickles I'll eat them anywhere, anyhow, anytime. Love Pickles, yummy!! Now that you know how much I love eating pickles, guess what pickle mean in German???......ZIT. that's right, zit. Now with that in mind go back and read the first few sentences again. YEP, I know....gross! I deffinatley made that mistake. I actually said that, I love eating pickles, of course I got a lot of grossed out looks...I actually felt like vomitting after all that....So now I hope you all enjoy eating your pickles and that it "feels" good. Thank you, Thank ya very much....peace out

The Drumm's new addition!!!

Wow! This is my beautifull family.

Bethany Elaine Drumm arived on Monday the 13th of November at 3:24pm. Weighing at 8 bls 1 oz.

They induced me at 12:00pm, broke my water around 2:00pm (while diolated at a 5) and checked my cervex again an hour later. The nurse said, "Oh! I can't find your cervex!! Your ready!" Doc. Swainston was in the middle of a C-section and said to hold for 5 min. I started to get the urge to push right before he came in. He checked me and said,
"Yep! There's a baby in there."
"Are you sure?" lol
"Well, we'll soon find out. Do you feel a contraction?"
"Yeah, I feel one right now."
"Okay, push."
2 1/2 mins later, Bethany was born.

Emilee loves her baby sister. "Bunny" as she calls her. Emilee has been wonderful. Bethany sleeps through the night and isn't colicy and takes my milk really well. She also takes a pacifier and a bottle. I wanted to test a bottle the other day to see if Josh would be able to take me to a Birthday movie ("stranger then fiction"-great movie) while mom watched the kids. :) Even Emilee did well without us. It could be cause we left Emilee with Mom for a whole 24 hours the day Bethany was born, with the help of Aunt Beverly (thank you). I have a beautifull family and it just keeps getting more beautifull.

Bethany doesn't look like Emilee. She looks just like baby pic's of Josh. But they both have my double-jointed thombs. ;) And we think Bethany might have my green eyes.

Well, it all feels like another dream. I'm ready to do it again!!! :) Well, maybe I should wait a while and just enjoy the moments with my new family.

i found some pics

hey guys i found these pictures i took that i forgot all about. hope you like it. its nothing fancy but you guys look great.

lots of love,

sarah

Happy Birthday Dylan!

What's worse than one teenage boy playing "Halo 2?"

Answer: 15 teenage boys playing "Halo 2."

For Dylan's 16th b-day party he had the Halo party of the century. Seven tvs, two router stations, and 15 controllers attached to 15 pairs of teenage boys hands spread out from the garage, dining room, hallway, and livingroom. The noise level could be compared to a sonic boom except it lasted for 7 hours... 6 pizzas, 5 boys sleeping over, 4 cases of pop, 3 quarts of ice cream, 2 cakes, and a partridge in a pear tree!

I'm glad he will only turn 16 once. All in all I think he had FUN.

And yes, he does have his driving permit. He got it last month.

Samantha-isms..My struggles with taking it literally

How cute am I? I love those pictures...by the way, Donnie is the guy is the first picture. I love my Donnie! So, now the good stuff. There are so many things here I think of that make me laugh and I wanted to share them with you. Yes, I do think.. These are some German words that always make me laugh... But it's only because, at the moment, I'm thinking in Doinglish....German/English. (I explain the Samantha-ism before telling it, Samantha-ism = ** )

1. The word "trip" in German is Fart, and that word always makes me laugh. So when I say, "I'm going on a school trip to Paris" this is how it sounds from me, "I'm going to Paris on a class..hee hee...fart....(checks turning red) hee hee."
**"You have to fart to get anywhere around here, what a trip!"**

2. I found it odd that, coming straight from the dictionary, Chaste, Modesty, Well-behaved, decency,and good manners all have the same word. "Sittsam" or how I see it, **"SIT SAM!" "Don't play with the boys, just sit there."**

3. The word "Sinn" in German means "to have a sense of something, consciousness"..**sinning, consciousness, sinning, consciousness, I'm so confused...what do I do? Oh I get it, sinning is like being conscious!..?"** ( that probably wasn't a good one to follow the last one)

4. In German "to be horny", sexually, and "to think something is extremely cool, or interesting" is the same word. "Geil" so you have to watch out how you use that word. **True story, I said once, wow that tree makes me horny...I wanted to say, I find that tree extremely cool..Oops!**

5. The word "Smoking" has nothing to do with smoking. Only in the form of have we use it as slang...Wow she's smokin! In German it means "dinner jacket, Tuxedo...to be wearing" **Germans wouldn't understand when the American girls see a half naked guy at the beach and we say He's smokin! The Germans would say, no he's not....he's half naked...he's horny!**

And you would only get that one if you paid attention to # 4.

Well I think I'm done for now, but I'll let you know when I find something else that is completely stupid forth telling you... I'm still alive..

p.s. You know you are an American in Germany when you are the only one in your gym class that doesn't smoke....and you're still the one dragging behind, gasping for air.

From Sam (Via Beverly)

Pic 1: Friends from language camp.
Pic 2: Looking out over Hedersleben.
Pic 3: The courtyard of language camp which is a renovated old monastery.
Pic 4: Hi Guys! I'm having tons of fun!


Sam's computer won't let her send pictures, so she sent me some using her host mama's computer. She also sends the following Samantha-ism.

Samantha is looking for her Sanity. She lost it when she left Hedersleben. If you have any information about where her Sanity might be, please contact her asap.

Hedersleben was where she was for language camp. Apparently school and life have caught up with her and stolen her sanity. At least she's in good company with herself because she's always been a little insane anyway!

Here are the finished pictures of Elliots room, we'll post some of our house soon, I've been busy getting things organized. We also bought a new car a 2005 Mazda6 hatchback, its pretty nice, nicer then any other car we owned so we're kinda excited.

Buzz, buzzz, buzzz

So much has happened in the past few weeks. Busy, busy, busy--I should be a bee! We learned last week that Jeff's medical condition was caused by the medicine the Doctor prescribed to counteract the side effect of yet another medicine. And to top it all off the Doctor had the wrong diagnosis and Jeff was on a medicine he didn't even need! Now I understand why Doctors are nicknamed "pill pushers." I also found out the reason I've been in so much pain this summer is that my hip is about two inches out of alignment and my s-i joint is locked. Physical therapy has been wonderful so far. I hate growing old!!!!!!!!!

Sam hasn't had time to add anything lately so I will update you the best I can. Sam's school is taking a field trip (I think she said for four days) to France. Nice field trip. I never had school field trips like this when I was in school. A week after this trip, she will be spending 5 days in another part of Germany with a friend she made through the exchange program. With hope we will all see some pictures from Sam -- Hint, hint, are you reading this Sam?

Did You Already Forget About Me?

Hey Hey Hey, remember me? That's right Sam I Am. Soooo Germany is practically amazing, of course. I got to my host family's house yesterday, it's beautiful! I'm in love with the town, their house, my host parents, my 4 year old host brother, my baby sister, the food, the cars, EVERYTHING!! There is so much to tell you and so little time. I've eaten so much food, I'm always full and NEVER Hungry.
Everything is so beautiful, I can't wait to send you all pictures... Hopefully soon. I start school tomorrow morning. I go in with my host mom, Aruna, and then later I'll be getting registered to live here. The only friends I've made thus far are my host family and a few of their friends, of course they are all almost 30 and older but they all act like kids.
So far I'm surviving. I think that's the best news I can give you. Maybe next time I'll have more time to good into detail about some of my experiences. I just wanted to make sure you all still remember who I am. I have been gone now for about a month, YIKES! Nine more..But who's counting.....Not me. I could live here forever.

Thanks mom for keeping the Samanthaisms alive. I definitely have more for you, but I'll give them to you later....ok fine I'll give you one now to keep ya'll happy.

*** "The only things that run in my family are noses..............and kitties!"

Much Love und Viel Glück zu alle. Bitte vergess mich nicht...

Liebe Deine Austaschulerlin in Deutschland,
Sammy Sam Sam Po-well

Robyn Verena Rockwood is here!

hi everyone! i just wanted to let everyone know that Robyn is here. she arrived on aug 30th my water broke at 4am and i had her by 6:40am. speaking of things happening fast, huh! well she is 3weeks and 3days early but is very healthy. she was 6lbs 2oz, 18in long. here are some pics of our special day!

It's all happening so fast!

well i went to the doctor today and he said i was 3 centimeters dialated and 70% effaced. so what that means is that i can have her in the next week or 2. he said that i will for sure haveing her before her due date. i am so excited about it. i just thought i would let you know so you can expect a call from me soon! love ya all!

Another Samantha-ism!

Even with Samantha gone, her Samantha-isms continue. Found the following words of wisdom in Samantha's room taped on her bookshelf as I was cleaning her room. Thought all of you would enjoy them...

"No matter how much the idiots outnumber you, remember they are still the idiots."

Savannah ;o)

This weekend was great! Savannah was such a good girl in the Temple and during her blessing on Sunday. The Spirit was so strong. The Lord has definatly blessed us.

Update: School, Jeff, Sam, Blah, etc...

Dylan will be taking Drivers Ed this year. He is currently studying the handbook preparing for the permit test. Andrea is being homeschooled again this year except for science and choir.

Jeff is still having problems. He's on new meds, but will have to go to pulmonary specialist soon.

It has been 11 days since Sam left. It has definitely been quieter around here. Sam told us that on the first day there some kid racked up a 50 Euro (approx $65 US) telephone bill so now no one is allowed to use the Language Center telephone. Sam had to walk into town and call us from a telephone booth. She still does not have a host family yet (Yikes!)

Blah, blah... (Sam's favorite word just seems appropriate here!)

Love ya'll

Farewell America!

I'm listening to dad yell, "Get in the car! Let's go!" as I quickly type. I can't believe 'the day' has finally come--I am leaving. I love you all and I hope to read lots of posts and comments on the blog from all of you. I want to know what everyone is doing while I'm away. I promise to add to the blog as often as I can.
Hugs and Kisses,
Samantha

Samantha leaves tomorrow. She still doesn't have her host family assigned yet. She's getting just a wee bit nervous. It's amazing to see how little she is taking for a year abroad. The first month she will be at a language training center, then she will, with hope, have a real address with a real host family. She may not be able to post anything for a while, but she'll get on and read comments as often as she can. I'm going to get off now so she can say farewell.

Officially Ours ;o)

From left to right: Dondi, Vickie, Joshua, Judge Jennifer Elliot, Savannah, Sherry, John, Joey, & Todd Moody (our Lawyer).

hello

hey guys i just wanted to make myself known in the blog. its so nice to keep in touch with family. we dont get out much. i hope everyone will be able to go to Robyn's baby blessing in November. its coming up quick. 7 more weeks! love ya all!

What a weekend!

I posted a really long post on the Sellers Blogg. I wanted to copy it here as well but it wont let me? please visit the Sellers Family blog to see what happend to us this weekend...It was a doozy!

Love you all,
Joshua, Sherry & Savanah Carter (officially)

Hi everyone. It was good to see some of you last week. I don't have my own blog account yet so mom is letting me use hers. This summer has been fun and busy. So busy, in fact, I haven't had time to do everything I've wanted to do like take more swimming lessons. Last year I started on the pre-swim team, but stopped because of my rehearsal schedule for some plays I was in. With hope I'll be able to get on the pre-swim team again. Since I am going to be homeschool for most of the day (I'm going to take two classes at school), I can add swimming as a p.e. class next year. Mom said she would take me to Salt Lake and get an agent in the fall. I am thinking of using this picture as one of my portfolio pictures. What do you think? I also have to have some black and white pictures. Dad is home from the hospital now, but he has to stay on oxygen until the lung infection goes away. Sherry and Josh, I wish I could be there for you when you finalize the adoption. Definitely going to be a good day to remember! Mom said we won't be able attend Savannah's bessing now either because of medical bills. Sorry!!!
My love to all,
Andrea

Family Snake River Rafting and Camping Trip

We had fun this weekend rafting down the Snake River (Wyoming). This trip has become one of our family traditions. The good river pictures are on film and won't be developed for a few days. I'll add them later.
Meghann's boyfriend (Richard) joined us. He's an "Ultimate Fighter." His next competition fight is in August. I think it would be interesting to watch.

Andrea had an interesting 13th birthday. It started in Wyoming taking down camp, then the long drive home, then going to a Chinese restaurant for her birthday dinner where Richard ate octopus (yuck!), and then all of us went to see Pirates of the Caribbean. (Good movie.) The birthday banner is another family tradition!
As soon as we got home Samantha learned that her friend Christine was killed in a car accident while we were gone. Christine was going to go to Germany with Samantha. Needlesstosay Sam is very distraught.
Hey Donna, while we were at the movie I spoke with an old acquaintance who is the HR manager of the University Credit Union. She told me there are currently two full time positions open. Bring your resume when you come up for Elliot's blessing! (hint, hint)
My love to all.

HRH has spoken

Well here I am. This is way cool. Thanks Becca for showing Beverly how to do this. Hey Sherry want a noogie?

Germany here I come!!

Ja Deutschland! Ich bin fertig! 5 1/2 weeks until I leave. I'd like to say I'm excited but I'm more nervous. I hope ya'll use this while I'm gone. Just because I'm not going to be here to annoy you in person doesn't mean I can't annoy you over the net. HA HA HA HEE HEE!! Oh that's awesome! Anyway, lets keep in touch because i love you all.

Update on Germany status: I know I'm going, but I have no idea where I'm being sent. That's the tricky part -- Where I'm going to live, who I'm going to live with, Where I'll be going to school, If I'll have host siblings... As you can see I've thought about it for awhile now. I guess I'll let you know when I know. Bis Spaeter!

pic

Here are some fun pictures!

Hello There ;o)

Here is a recent picutre of Savannah(06-10-06)...I can't believe how big children get, so fast...

Anyway, I really like using the family bloggs. I didn't like it at first, but I grew to like it. I find myself checking the blogg at least once a day ;o)

Thanks for the invite, can't wait to see what everyone is up too...

All Grow'd Up

It was time for a new picture of the children. It has been two years since the last one of all of them was taken.

the computer doesn't bite afterall!

For months I have been dreading even the mention of "blog." Ignorance is not bliss. But thanks to the help I received from Rabecca, I am well on my way to eliminating my "blog" fears. My original intent in creating this blog was for people to keep in touch with Samantha while she's in Germany for the year. I hope you all use it often so Sam doesn't get homesick!