MIA

Also, I know we've been MIA for a couple of weeks. Danny wanted to post and so I didn't look at the blog then he forgot and before you know it we were invited to be a part of another families vacation this past weekend. We only stayed 2 nights, but much needed family time as well. It was our boys first time to see the ocean! What an opportunity to get to know this family more and share our faith with them too.

School starts in about 3 weeks and we're gearing up for it. We pass by Nathan's school nearly every time we drive somewhere. So he's pointed it out and is ready! Danny & I are looking into taking some refresher courses for our German. Primarily for more contacts. I can't tell you how many friends we've made just from going to language school. It constantly amazes me how God moves and works thru and with people.

Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of things. I'm starting a Bible study on Monday with a sweet lady. She's also going thru a rough patch in life, marriage, family, etc. Please, please pray for me. I pray God speaks thru me. Danny & I will be offering counseling and though we've done pre-marital counseling for others, this will be a new journey. The Bible is where it needs to start. They need Christ.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of the last few weeks!

-Krista-

I see the moon...

... and the moon sees me!

Ok, the reason I'm writing about this: Tonight while driving home from being at a friends house Nate and I had a funny conversation. It started when he couldn't find the moon so as we drove he kept a look out for it.

Mom: "Oh, look Nate! I found the moon. Straight ahead."
Nate: "Mom, that's not the moon. That's the earth" (by the way... it WAS the moon!)
Mom: "I'm sure that's the moon because we live on earth."
Nate: "Oh, then that must be the other earth"
Mom: "I don't think so sweet Nate.... God made the earth and we live on it."
Nate: "Hmmm.... then who lives on the moon?"

Ok... you get the point. It was hilarious and so innocent. I truly love having talks with Nathan. He's 4 yrs. old and full of questions.


-Krista-

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Today is my brother's birthday! He is a wonderful brother. We probably butted heads the most growing up, now we can't handle going a week or so without chatting on the phone. Danny, me, and the boys have been able to stay in Matt & Sherina's home off and on last year while on furlough. What a chance to make memories... for the boys too. They love their aunts and uncles on both sides of our families.

God truly has blessed us with great siblings. They've all married well and I'm enjoying the journey!

-Krista-

Matt holding Nate in NICU


Matt & Sherina


Me & Matt in Manila


One of my favorite pics... that's our real parrot! He really liked Matt.

After a long day...

...is this not precious?!?

Zaylee pictures!!!

So I am finally in possession of some adorable pictures of our niece, Zaylee Ann. She is now 6 weeks old--today. We can't get over how cute Zaylee and Anna are and wish we could see/hold them! So I hope you've enjoyed this week and all the cute, cute pictures of our newest family members on both sides of our families!!!!!

-Proud Aunt-

VACATION!

Wow!

The FREE 2 day/1 night mini-family-get-away was just woooonderful! The place was so nice, family friendly, relaxing, close (just an hour drive), and much needed for us. Here it is in pictures. Our room wasn't ready till later in the afternoon so after a walk and lunch in the center of town (it's a small town) we were able to get our towels and robes then head to the ParkTherme (thermal park). Of course, we were unsure of what we were getting in to, but it turned out to be so much fun! It was a bit of an overcast day, but the sun came thru for the most of the afternoon. The boys played non-stop and after just a couple of hours, Micah took a nap. The water is warm and the air was surprisingly chilly. For cryin' out loud, it's July and we were cold! So I wrapped him up and he laid so still and fell asleep for an HOUR--outside, with kids playing/splashing all around. Then up to go back to playing. We took a break and checked into our room, the boys chilled out and watched some cartoons on tv, then we went to dinner, and back to the pool till 8:30pm-ish. We had snacks in the room and the boys went out for a good solid night's sleep! This morning we had to wake them up, go to breakfast (which we made a faux pas at--showed up in our ready to hit the pool gear, everyone else was dressed kind nice--oops! lesson learned.) and then back to the pools. We checked out of our room and hit the road...

Nate said our vacation was so much fun that he didn't want it to end. He suggested we go to the Brinlee's house. We compromised and said we'd call them and see if they wanted to meet for lunch. We were so close to the Slovenia/Austria border already so we went to the mall there (it has a little store that carries some Yankee candles--my favorite kind of candles!!). Anyway, lunch and a walk thru the mall, a visit to the grocery store there (things a very slightly cheaper and we were already there....), a ride on a big monster car and headed home. The boys had an absolutely wonderful day. Danny & I loved it and wished it was a day or so longer. It was a much needed break. We will definitely be visiting again.

So to Rob, thanks so much for the gift. So glad to hear the wedding went well and know that we miss you over here!

-Krista for us-

More Anna..

Well, first of all... I am a bad aunt. I misspelled my little nieces name :( Anna René is the correct spelling. Here are a few more pictures of her from my parents camera and Zach & Jill's.

In other news, Danny & I were given a free overnight stay at a hotel about an hour away for our whole family. It's got a thermal pool and kid play area, etc. So we're excited to have our first family vacation--even though it's only one night and one day. I am so very excited! I hope the place is nice and all it's supposed to be (we've been told) either way though, it was FREE! We're aiming to have a long weekend in August with some friends. You know me... there will be pictures in a few days. So we leave in the morning.

Have a great week!!

-Aunt Krista-

ps-- Yes, we have another new niece, Zaylee Ann on Danny's side of the family and I posted the ONLY pictures I have of her. So I'm not playing favorites ;)

Anna Renee!!!!

Ok. I am proud to announce that my baby brother has a baby girl! Anna Renee was born July 20th at 7pm. She weight 7lbs. 3oz. and she hadn't been to the nursery yet so no length yet. But I am so excited for them. Jill looked great and Zach couldn't have looked prouder! These pics are from my ichat with them. I had been on ichat with them since my 9pm (their 2pm) when they said she was a 10 and ready. If you didn't notice she was born at 7pm ;) Soooo, me and whoever was in the waiting room chatted and I watched people eat, stare at walls, etc. haha! Is technology not cool!?? The hospital had free WIFI. What a blessing.

So now I'm off to bed. It's 3am and I'm so glad we chose tomorrow to be our 'day off'. God is so good and though I'm so heart broken I couldn't physically be there to hold her like everyone else, I'm blessed to have "walked" into the room when everyone else did. God is great!

ps--Nate is in one of the corners of the ichat photo because we promised to wake him and just in case he remembered in the morning we wanted to keep that promise... but I don't think he was thrilled at the time... he will be tomorrow!


-krista-

Giving credit where credit is due...

Nathan will say things like:

'What a sunny day... God made the sun and it's hot!'

'God did a good job on making that... (whatever it might be)'

Well, today was no different. While waiting for lunch he was looking thru the free little magazine by Lego that he got at a recent visit to a toy store. He was asking me to "check it out, Mom!" or "what is this spaceship called?". Then I hear him say, "Wow, God made all of these and they're so cool, aren't they?!?!".

So as much as I hated to burst his bubble....we had to have a very short recap on what God, Himself, made and what He gives people the ability to do. I'm so proud and think it's just so sweet how Nate automatically gives God credit for everything around us. Something I need to remember everyday.

God, our Creator. The Creator of all things. All praise & honor belong to Him.

Just the boys in pictures...

Just a few pics of our week:

Nate wanted to help make grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch one day


He did very well... don't worry I was right next to him and the pan ;)


Micah taking a break at the park--his idea of cheesin'


Nate on the rock wall


Micah is yelling his version of 'cheese'--it takes his whole body :)