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!