Austrian Bowl XXIV

Last Friday night, Nathan and I along with our friends the Brinlees, were able to attend the Austrian American Football Championship in Wolfsberg, aka Austrian Bowl XXIV. This past fall I had the opportunity to go to a regular season Cowboys game at Texas Stadium. The two events were night and day different. For starters, the Dallas game had more than 15 times the amount of attendees as the Austrian Championship. It didn't help that the game fell between the semi-finals and Championship game of the European Football (soccer) Championship which was co-costed by Austria. I don't know that there would have been a huge difference otherwise, though. Another noticeable difference was the cost of tickets. I paid around $70 for near nosebleeds in Dallas. Here I paid 15 Euro (about $24) and because it was free seating (as opposed to having assigned seats), we sat in the first row on the 40 yard line. And because Nathan was under six he did not have to have a ticket. Another thing; at the Dallas game I had to pay about $20 for parking and then had to walk 15 minutes to the Stadium. In Austria I parked for free and was in the stadium about a minute after getting out of the car. Also the play-by-play commentary suggested that the Austrian fans were not as informed about the rules and game play. That is understandable, however. American football is still catching on here. It would probably be comparable to the popularity of soccer (regular football as Nathan calls it) in the States.

All in all though, it was the same game. There were two opponents each wanting desperately to defeat the other, their respective fans with the same desire. In fact the Austrian fans were undeniably louder than American fans per capita. The supporters of the opposing teams sat on opposite sides of the Grandstand and constantly cheered and jeered back and forth at each other throughout the game. Many brought with them musical instruments (which the played as loudly as possible), air horns, and other noise makers. My ears were ringing as I walked out of the stadium. Despite throwing 4 interceptions in the game, the Turek Graz Giants' (our home team) quarterback, Chris Gunn, was able to lead his team to a 31-21 victory over the Swarco Raiders of Tirol. There was plenty of excitement in the game including long bombs, break away runs, and hard hitting collisions. I was a lot of fun! Nathan seemed to enjoy being there as well, though he spent more time playing with his buddies than focusing on the game. In the end, it was great guys night out and it didn't hurt that our team won the Championship!

Mohawk Brothers

Danny said it was time for a haircut.

Praise

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Micah. He's doing much, much better. He's still coughing and has a runny nose, but overall he's great. It's amazing what antibiotics do when you're really sick! Just a few hours after he got the first dose you could already see improvement. His ears must not be hurting much because he's just in better spirits now. He's still waking up in the night with some discomfort, but I think it's just the "blah's".

Nathan is great too! What little sickness he had didn't really slow him down. Danny & I are back to 100% too. Have a great Sunday!!!

-Krista-

Cherry Pickin' time!

We have one big cherry tree and it gives us more than we need every year. This weekend was time to pick them and so it was a family ordeal. Nathan really enjoys it and likes to eat them right off the tree. Micah liked them too, but wanted more than anything to climb the ladder and pick his own. So we found a few limbs that he could clean off. This tree gives sweet cherries that are perfect for a warm summer day snack under the tree... but difficult with which to cook. So I looked online and found a Sweet Cherry Cobbler. Danny said it was pretty good.

Have a great weekend!

-Krista-

Zaylee Ann

Danny's sister, Zandra and her hubby, Matthew have a new baby girl!!! Zaylee Ann Peyton was born June 12th. She's so pretty and we can't wait to see her and hold her. It'll be awhile before that's possible, but thank goodness for technology! Here's a couple of pics to show off our newest niece!

Sick boy

Pray for Micah. I took him to the Dr. this afternoon and he has a bad double ear infection, croup, and laryngitis! I'm just so thankful though that his lungs were clear. He is having a hard time breathing with all the coughing he's doing. Some of you may remember last year and how he spent 13 days in the hospital with RSV & a very bad case of bronchitis. He was a very sick boy. So even though he's miserable I'm very grateful that it's not in his lungs. We've all been sick over the last month but whenever Micah catches it, he really catches it!

Nathan had his end of the school year party today--but there's still 2 1/2 weeks of school left! haha! Their last day is the 4th of July. I am still trying to get used to the fact that he's still in school and it's mid-June. The reason for the party was because every year they plan the party it has rained. The school has a big, beautiful 'garden' ( think of a glorified back yard, but they call back yards/playgrounds 'gardens' here). Guess what... it rained today! I felt so bad for the teachers that were trying to make this a better planned day for the kids. But it was really just a drizzle. Nate had so much fun. They had little booths and fun things to do and all had a hand painted shirt from their own hands they had worked on earlier. Now because of the lack of sleep last night due to Micah's constant waking with his coughing, I was thrown this morning with the plans of the day. The parents were encouraged to stay and get to know other parents, play with the kids, etc. I was originally going to go because Danny is usually pretty busy in the mornings, but I had decided to get myself ready to take Micah to the Doctor. So Nate and Danny drove off to school. A minute or two after they left I realized what I had to do this morning. So I called Danny and the great Dad that he is stayed with Nate for the morning. Nate came in the door at lunch time saying "Mom, we looked for treasure today!". It was so cute. In the big sandbox/pit they had buried shells and everyone had to dig for them.

I canceled my tutoring session today because I didn't think I'd have the energy, but as it turns out I wouldn't have even been home in time. I was at the dr.'s office all afternoon then to the pharmacy for 3 different meds. When I got home Micah wanted to go to bed and so we had an easy dinner. Now I sit here with both boys in bed (hopefully for the night) listening to the France vs. Italy fußball game (soccer) with Danny. I'm exhausted.

Tomorrow I'm going to a mother & child group/Bible study that I've been a part of since we moved here. The sweet woman who's been leading it is taking a break (just from leading) and it's our last meet for the summer and so her last one to lead. Danny will keep Micah at home for me, but he can do computer work upstairs so his morning won't be completely shot.

Ok, so now that you know exactly what we did today I'll let you go. haha.

-Krista-

Father's Day

Last Sunday was Father's day in Austria. So I told Danny he had to pick one... he wasn't getting two ;) LOL! (Mother's day is the same day here as it is in the US). We did go out to eat last weekend with friends from our Bible study group and had a great time celebrating those Dad's too. Today the boys and I made Danny his favorite egg and cheese grilled sandwich and served it in bed. He received a cool hand painted (by Nate) pen/pencil holder type-of-cup-thing last weekend that Nate had made in Kindergarten. So from all of us he got 2 small bottles of Dr. Pepper (which we don't get very often) and two small pints of very nice, but a bit expensive, almost Blue Bell, ice cream. I made him his favorite friend chicken nuggets with homemade gravy and mashed potatoes for lunch and then ordered pizza for supper. If I do say so myself, he had a nice day ;) So to this very important man in my life--- thanks for the great Dad that you are to our 2 blessings from heaven. The way both boys have spent time at the front door waiting for you to come home from a day visiting or from school speaks volumes of the importance of your presence in our home. I couldn't have asked for a better friend, husband, father, or a leader of this family. We love you, Babe/Daddy!!

To my Dad: You've always had a listening ear for me. I remember when I was really struggling with school and after hours of studying still couldn't seem to do well enough. Tests were/are hard for me. You were always so encouraging and reminding me that if I did my best then that's all you & Mom asked of us. You and Mom have always loved us - no matter what. You pray for me and with me. It's been so great to know that you're a phone call or ichat away. You were what I measured guys up against when I started dating. You were what made me fall in love with Danny. I knew what to look for in a guy--from the simplicity of opening of doors for me to respecting me, honoring your requests if he was going to date me, having integrity, a walk with God, a love for others, etc.... Thanks for all that you & Mom do for us and have ever done for us, I love you, Dad.

To my Dad-in-law: You are one of the reasons why Danny turned out the way he did. Thank you for raising him with a knowledge of God and a respect for others. Thank you for taking the time to find a church for your family to be involved-this led him to camps then eventually to BBC where we met. Thanks for all you do for us. We love you.

My Heavenly Father: You have given me life and even more importantly-eternal life. You've given me unconditional love. I don't deserve it, but I do thank You and pray that I'm ever mindful of it as I go about my days. Thank you for Danny. Thank you for entrusting Nathan and Micah to our family. My heart is overwhelmed that you would bless us. Thank you for the promise that we will see our first child one day in Heaven. Thank you for the opportunity to be a light for you in so many different lands. Only You would think I'm worth the trouble of learning yet another language ( we need to talk about this plateau I've been on though). haha. Thank you for the heart to heart talks. Only you know me inside and out. We adore, praise, love, and worship only You.


My favorite guys:

My Dad and Nate @ Matt & Sherina's wedding:

My favorite pic of Ronny & Micah:

Full day

Today I did loads and loads of laundry it seemed... then I rode my bike to pick up Nate from school. He really likes it and well, it's good exercise. After lunch the rain came and it just poured! More laundry... then I took Nathan to my tutoring session this afternoon since it was at my friends house and she has a little boy.... one of Nate's very first friends here that he made back in '04. I learned a lot today or actually clarified a few things. My head does hurt a bit though. Once home I made fried rice w/ chicken and Danny got the boys in bed while I cleaned up. i was on the phone too with a few people I had hoped to get a hold of this week and get a set date for our ladies Bible study. It's been a bit of a headache trying to work around everyone's schedules. But I'm praying it'll work out and that God will get all the glory!

Well, I'm sure your life is richer knowing about my day :) What did you do today?

-Krista-

Neighbors helping neighbors...

Last week Danny helped our Landlord and his wife bail hay and load them on a trailer and then drive them down to a barn. This is the 2nd year Danny has been a help to them and they are so thankful when he does. It was a hot day, but a storm was coming and they had to work fast. Danny grew up with this type of work so he was "at home". haha. I love the way our community, more specifically our street, really pitches in when someone needs help. Any chance we get to share God and be a light!

Nate really wanted to help so once the bailer was finished I sent him out and he rode in the truck and then swept out the trailer when they were finished. He had so much fun! Our Landlord and his wife really care for our boys. They remember their birthdays and leave little surprises at the front door for special holidays. What a sweet couple.... we pray they come to know Christ one day.

I'm it!

I was tagged by my friend, Amanda so here it goes.

Here are the rules:
*Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog
*Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
*Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
*Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

1. I have lived on 3 continents.

2. I crave chocolate covered coffee beans

3. If Danny would let me, I'd watch "White Christmas" all year long!

4. Growing up I was the messiest kid you'd know... now I'm a neat-freak.

5. Re-arranging furniture helps me clean the house and feel like things are "new" haha!

6. I went to boarding school my Jr./Sr. years of high school and absolutely loved it!

7. I bake nearly everything we eat (here in Austria) from scratch.

Ok, now I'm supposed to tag some people... Amy, Steph, Angie, Kristi, Cassie, Kelli, Toy, Val, Patty, and Amanda.

-Krista-