My German Came to Visit!

I mentioned in my Christmas decoration post that my German Cousin was coming to visit! I met Vanessa when she stayed with us for a month back in 2011. 

 We hit it off so well and, for the first time ever, I cried when I dropped her off at the airport. Then in 2013 she came back to the United States to stand by my side when I pledged my life to Philip. She stayed for 6 weeks last summer and we grew even closer. 

This time was a little different, she only had 3 days before she needed to be back in Germany after spending 3.5 months in Costa Rica exploring, learning, and growing. 

She came in Monday the 15th of December and left for home Thursday the 18th of December. It was a whirlwind visit but we managed to squeeze as much as we could in. 

We spent all day Tuesday at the mall. A full 6 hours getting all kinds of Christmas deals. Then we ran home and got ready for the evening. 

Vanessa, Philip, and I drove an hour to get to Lansing to Vanessa could see the capital building.

Look, I know I am pale but she just spent 3.5 months in Costa Rica and I, well I live in Michigan! 

Then we gave her her Christmas present: A journal, a passport cover, and a book- The Reason for God.

Had our waitress take this and we were gloriously photobombed.

Wednesday Vanessa and I spent all day at home chilling, as the kids these days are saying. We had a German lesson and made a video of some Christmas words that she taught me!

Wednesday night we had dinner with my family and some close friends. Good gravy, my family is good lookin'

Thursday she helped me make some sets at church for the Christmas Eve gathering, we grabbed lunch, stopped at another mall and then dropped her off at the airport. It was way, WAY too short a visit. But I am so glad I got to see my sweet Vanessa!