Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas at our house
We had a nice, relaxing Christmas morning in our home. The boys took their time opening gifts and played with each one for quite some time before going to the next one. I couldn't get over their patience... I remember digging in and going nuts as a child.
Nate and I both looked out the window when we got up to see if the weather man was wrong and some snow had decided to come anyway... but no luck. So as we're opening gifts and doing our traditional watching (well, ok... 'listening') to "White Christmas" I saw something out between the curtains and jumped up! It was SNOWING! I mean, really flying thru the air... at one point it was blowing completely horizontally. It didn't really stick though, but Nate & I were so excited :) Danny & Micah stood behind the double doors in the living room-in the warmth. Wimps. Micah kept saying "It cold." haha.
Danny takes care of our traditional brunch. It's homemade biscuits, gravy, sausage, and eggs. Yes, I wrote sausage from scratch. We don't get any of that 'Jimmy Dean' or 'Owens' sausage from back home. It's really yummy and taste just like those brands. Since it's just the 4 of us we have a tradition to just make a big breakfast and have cold cuts or cheese and crackers later in the day, just so long as it's simple.
We were able to talk with both sides of our families. My family has video chat capabilities so that was lots of fun. My niece, Anna is just growing up so fast. I can't believe she'll be at least 18 months till we see her. I miss my parents, brothers, and sis-in-laws. We always have such a good time together. Danny's family is doing Christmas in shifts this year... so we'll talk to more of his siblings tomorrow (Sat.). But we did chat with a few of them and his parents. We miss hanging with the Caldwells too. There's so many of us and there's always games, conversations, and laughter going on.
How was your Christmas? Tell us of any traditions that are special to you!
I'm off to have a family movie night with my guys. Nate has about 3 picked out and since it's Christmas vacation I just might let him watch them all--assuming I or Danny can keep our eyes open :) haha.
-Krista-
Nate and I both looked out the window when we got up to see if the weather man was wrong and some snow had decided to come anyway... but no luck. So as we're opening gifts and doing our traditional watching (well, ok... 'listening') to "White Christmas" I saw something out between the curtains and jumped up! It was SNOWING! I mean, really flying thru the air... at one point it was blowing completely horizontally. It didn't really stick though, but Nate & I were so excited :) Danny & Micah stood behind the double doors in the living room-in the warmth. Wimps. Micah kept saying "It cold." haha.
Danny takes care of our traditional brunch. It's homemade biscuits, gravy, sausage, and eggs. Yes, I wrote sausage from scratch. We don't get any of that 'Jimmy Dean' or 'Owens' sausage from back home. It's really yummy and taste just like those brands. Since it's just the 4 of us we have a tradition to just make a big breakfast and have cold cuts or cheese and crackers later in the day, just so long as it's simple.
We were able to talk with both sides of our families. My family has video chat capabilities so that was lots of fun. My niece, Anna is just growing up so fast. I can't believe she'll be at least 18 months till we see her. I miss my parents, brothers, and sis-in-laws. We always have such a good time together. Danny's family is doing Christmas in shifts this year... so we'll talk to more of his siblings tomorrow (Sat.). But we did chat with a few of them and his parents. We miss hanging with the Caldwells too. There's so many of us and there's always games, conversations, and laughter going on.
How was your Christmas? Tell us of any traditions that are special to you!
I'm off to have a family movie night with my guys. Nate has about 3 picked out and since it's Christmas vacation I just might let him watch them all--assuming I or Danny can keep our eyes open :) haha.
-Krista-
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas gatherings
**I wrote this earlier today**
I hope you've had a great time as the weeks have been approaching to this wonderful time of celebrating Christ's birth. I know sometimes we feel overwhelmed, but I guess I just view it that we're so blessed to have people to celebrate this time of year.
Sunday morning we had our Christmas Service. We had 13 in attendance with one family coming for the first time! Two other families were already out of town for the holidays and are looking forward to having them back with us. Danny read about the events surrounding and leading up to the birth of Christ and we sang songs that went with the Scripture readings. It was just a great morning.
Every year Danny & I host a Christmas party at our house with friends God has placed in our lives since moving to Austria. I think every year a new family has joined us, except this year there were 2 new families and what fun we had! Our house was nice and cozy with 19 people in it :) We usually divvy up the menu and for some reason we always have too much food! The kids draw names (usually the moms have gotten together a few weeks before and have drawn the names) and get a little something to open and while they play with their new gifts the adults play "white elephant"/"chinese christmas" exchange. There are a few hot items that re-appear every year and it's soooo funny watching everyone try and exchange their gift for something less tacky or useless. haha! I think it's so great to have traditions already with friends who have become like family to us.
We also have a friend who is very gifted musically and he brought along his guitar. It was so nice to sing carols in English and German with those families sitting around our living room enjoying time together. There are a few pictures below from Sunday night. There is one of Nate and 2 little girls and they are 2 of his best buds. They were trying to do actions to 'Away in a Manger'.
Sunday also marked a week since we lost our Baby. Our friends were all concerned that the weekend would be too much for us, but we assured them it was going to be needed as a distraction for us. Emotionally, Saturday night was rough-- to be brutally honest with you all. I was trying to get the songs in order for our service, get all our clothes clean and laid out for an easy morning and I just didn't want to do it. But after a good cry, some prayer, and a good night's rest... Sunday was just a breath of fresh air. To be surrounded by friends and worshipping our Heavenly Father was just what our hearts needed.
Monday we headed to Slovenia to the Brinlee's home and our kids just really had lots of fun playing together. I'll have to post those pictures another day. I've not downloaded them yet. Also that morning when we went to pick up Nate from Kindergarten I was surprised that a party had been planned for me by Nate's teachers. The kids that I have been teaching English wanted to sing me some songs they had worked so hard on (in English) and give me a poster they made with a list of things I had taught them! How absolutely precious.
Tuesday was Nate's last day of school and his party. It was also his last day to see his teacher, Andrea. Before we left he made sure we got her address, phone number, and the color of her house. He has been so worried we'd lose touch with her. She made it very clear that she would love to hear from us and meet up sometime. She really made Nate's first experience with school here and learning German so much easier... I truly believe it. Andrea was a God-send. I personally will miss her very much. She had a way of working with Nathan. Also on Tuesday I helped the Browns empty some boxes in their newly rented house. Danny made us all a big pot of his homemade chili and homemade cornbread-- oh my goodness it was soooo yummy! He's such a good cook!
We've had a very busy week already and I am in between baking cookies and apple bread for our neighbors. I try to deliver them every year fresh from the oven. Last year I wasn't able to since we had just arrived back from our mini furlough. Micah is napping while Danny & Nate help the Brown family move some more things.
Every night this month we've read Scripture and sang songs with the boys about Jesus and his birth. They've really absorbed it. Today while running some errands I had a Christmas CD playing in the car and a song about 'Emmanuel' and Nate says, "Hey, they're singing about Emmanuel and that means God is with us!" I was so proud!
Ok, I think I've bored you all enough, but for those that were interested in how we are... there you have it.
Frohe Weihnachten--Merry Christmas--Maligayang Pasko!
-Krista-
I hope you've had a great time as the weeks have been approaching to this wonderful time of celebrating Christ's birth. I know sometimes we feel overwhelmed, but I guess I just view it that we're so blessed to have people to celebrate this time of year.
Sunday morning we had our Christmas Service. We had 13 in attendance with one family coming for the first time! Two other families were already out of town for the holidays and are looking forward to having them back with us. Danny read about the events surrounding and leading up to the birth of Christ and we sang songs that went with the Scripture readings. It was just a great morning.
Every year Danny & I host a Christmas party at our house with friends God has placed in our lives since moving to Austria. I think every year a new family has joined us, except this year there were 2 new families and what fun we had! Our house was nice and cozy with 19 people in it :) We usually divvy up the menu and for some reason we always have too much food! The kids draw names (usually the moms have gotten together a few weeks before and have drawn the names) and get a little something to open and while they play with their new gifts the adults play "white elephant"/"chinese christmas" exchange. There are a few hot items that re-appear every year and it's soooo funny watching everyone try and exchange their gift for something less tacky or useless. haha! I think it's so great to have traditions already with friends who have become like family to us.
We also have a friend who is very gifted musically and he brought along his guitar. It was so nice to sing carols in English and German with those families sitting around our living room enjoying time together. There are a few pictures below from Sunday night. There is one of Nate and 2 little girls and they are 2 of his best buds. They were trying to do actions to 'Away in a Manger'.
Sunday also marked a week since we lost our Baby. Our friends were all concerned that the weekend would be too much for us, but we assured them it was going to be needed as a distraction for us. Emotionally, Saturday night was rough-- to be brutally honest with you all. I was trying to get the songs in order for our service, get all our clothes clean and laid out for an easy morning and I just didn't want to do it. But after a good cry, some prayer, and a good night's rest... Sunday was just a breath of fresh air. To be surrounded by friends and worshipping our Heavenly Father was just what our hearts needed.
Monday we headed to Slovenia to the Brinlee's home and our kids just really had lots of fun playing together. I'll have to post those pictures another day. I've not downloaded them yet. Also that morning when we went to pick up Nate from Kindergarten I was surprised that a party had been planned for me by Nate's teachers. The kids that I have been teaching English wanted to sing me some songs they had worked so hard on (in English) and give me a poster they made with a list of things I had taught them! How absolutely precious.
Tuesday was Nate's last day of school and his party. It was also his last day to see his teacher, Andrea. Before we left he made sure we got her address, phone number, and the color of her house. He has been so worried we'd lose touch with her. She made it very clear that she would love to hear from us and meet up sometime. She really made Nate's first experience with school here and learning German so much easier... I truly believe it. Andrea was a God-send. I personally will miss her very much. She had a way of working with Nathan. Also on Tuesday I helped the Browns empty some boxes in their newly rented house. Danny made us all a big pot of his homemade chili and homemade cornbread-- oh my goodness it was soooo yummy! He's such a good cook!
We've had a very busy week already and I am in between baking cookies and apple bread for our neighbors. I try to deliver them every year fresh from the oven. Last year I wasn't able to since we had just arrived back from our mini furlough. Micah is napping while Danny & Nate help the Brown family move some more things.
Every night this month we've read Scripture and sang songs with the boys about Jesus and his birth. They've really absorbed it. Today while running some errands I had a Christmas CD playing in the car and a song about 'Emmanuel' and Nate says, "Hey, they're singing about Emmanuel and that means God is with us!" I was so proud!
Ok, I think I've bored you all enough, but for those that were interested in how we are... there you have it.
Frohe Weihnachten--Merry Christmas--Maligayang Pasko!
-Krista-
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Precious faces
Just look at these faces!!! The last one is hilarious! I told them to smile really big and to stand still. Nathan did it... Micah, well, he's always kinda been in his own world, but he stood to attention and threw his head back and cheezed! haha! I love these crazy guys.
-a proud mommy-
ps- THEY requested ties for Christmas. He has been playing "police man" and needed a blue shirt and a tie he informed me one day. So I came across these shirts that came with ties at H & M... Nate was thrilled to pieces! Daddy, however, before all this pain-stakingly made a tie out of paper for Nate and he LOVED it. But the "real thing" is more stable.
Here's the homemade tie and "gun" (hanger). Did I ever mention my boys are easily entertained?
-a proud mommy-
ps- THEY requested ties for Christmas. He has been playing "police man" and needed a blue shirt and a tie he informed me one day. So I came across these shirts that came with ties at H & M... Nate was thrilled to pieces! Daddy, however, before all this pain-stakingly made a tie out of paper for Nate and he LOVED it. But the "real thing" is more stable.
Here's the homemade tie and "gun" (hanger). Did I ever mention my boys are easily entertained?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Bring the Rain
Music touches my soul. No matter the mood, beat/rhythm, situation, time of year... I can find music lifts me when I'm low, heals me when I'm wounded, makes me grab my boys and dance around the kitchen when I'm happy and act all goofy till we're laughing so hard it's difficult to breathe.
I've been humming this song since Sunday. Just popped into my head while I was trying to fall asleep Sunday night in the hospital room all by myself. We are honestly doing good. We have our moments thru out the day. We can be laughing or just doing something routine and it'll hit like a ton of bricks that we won't be welcoming this Baby into our earthly family in June 2009. It's a blessing beyond description to have Nathan and Micah who are very good at being the precious little boys they were made to be ;) God has blessed us so much.
On Sunday I kept thinking, "This can't be happening again. Why would God allow me to carry a baby only to take it away?" A special family friend and veteran mother wrote in an email (they have gone thru more than we ever have). "Our greatest purpose is to praise Him. This little life was not wasted! This child is already doing what God created him to do.... praise God and bring glory to Him. I'm privileged to have been used by God to create one more soul to live in Heaven. This life we are living is just temporary." Wow. Just what I needed to be reminded of. Danny & I are blessed to have so many people all around the world to lift us up in prayer and just tell us how much we're loved. We truly believe that this life was not wasted. God is good all the time.
-Krista-
Bring the Rain
by Mercy Me
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You?
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than the pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me, what's a little rain?
So I pray
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
I've been humming this song since Sunday. Just popped into my head while I was trying to fall asleep Sunday night in the hospital room all by myself. We are honestly doing good. We have our moments thru out the day. We can be laughing or just doing something routine and it'll hit like a ton of bricks that we won't be welcoming this Baby into our earthly family in June 2009. It's a blessing beyond description to have Nathan and Micah who are very good at being the precious little boys they were made to be ;) God has blessed us so much.
On Sunday I kept thinking, "This can't be happening again. Why would God allow me to carry a baby only to take it away?" A special family friend and veteran mother wrote in an email (they have gone thru more than we ever have). "Our greatest purpose is to praise Him. This little life was not wasted! This child is already doing what God created him to do.... praise God and bring glory to Him. I'm privileged to have been used by God to create one more soul to live in Heaven. This life we are living is just temporary." Wow. Just what I needed to be reminded of. Danny & I are blessed to have so many people all around the world to lift us up in prayer and just tell us how much we're loved. We truly believe that this life was not wasted. God is good all the time.
-Krista-
Bring the Rain
by Mercy Me
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You?
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than the pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me, what's a little rain?
So I pray
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Sunday, December 14, 2008
More Info
I wanted to quickly follow up on Krista's post from last night. Unfortunately, we learned today that Krista miscarried. She is currently in the hospital recovering from a D&C. She should be released tomorrow morning. We haven't told the boys yet and I'm honestly dreading trying to explain to Nathan what has happened. He has been so excited about having a new baby. We would really appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.
Danny
Danny
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tonight...
... we're asking for special prayer. I'll elaborate more later if needed.
-Danny & Krista-
-Danny & Krista-
Thursday, December 11, 2008
December activities
We began the month with my 30th birthday on December 1st. Yes, I know... there's no way I'm 30?!?! haha ; ) My guys took me out to dinner that night. I was having my pregnancy cravings and at the last minute I asked for mexican food. Well, the only place for that is 45 min. away in Slovenia. So we headed that way and had a really nice relaxing family night (sorry, B's).
Danny and some of my friends wanted to throw me a surprise party... but because it was going to be after my birthday they decided to let me in on when it was happening. So Sunday afternoon about 20 people showed up (quite a few families couldn't make it and really..... I have no idea where we'd have put them!). Our friends took care of the food, cake, snacks.... everything. They even did the clean up. Now that's my kind of party! haha. It was really fun and just so great to look around and see how God has blessed my life with friends who just a couple of years ago I didn't even know. We've already got a Christmas party in the works. It's become a yearly event and every year a new family attends. There is always lots of laughing and yummy snacks. The kids are starting to out number us though :)
Our Sunday bi-weekly services are continuing. There have been many families "hit-n-miss" and it's discouraging at times. But we press on... still lots more people to meet! We're having a Christmas service on the 21st with carols and of course the Christmas Story.
Earlier this week there was a holiday in Austria and Nate didn't have Kindergarten. So we made it a family day. We baked cookies and made chocolate dipped pretzels, watched some Christmas movies, etc. Usually, I do most of the decorating and baking, but this year Nate has taken interest and even helped me put up the tree last week and it was really fun. I have an ornament that is a nail with the name JESUS etched into it and we talked about what it represents. Every night this month we've read parts of the Bible that focus on the time around Christ's birth. We read, sing some songs (Nate has really taken to 'Away in a manger'), and pray. Micah is sooooo cute as he is wanting to pray at bedtime and for meals, it's kinda hard to describe how he does it, but it's just so funny and cute.
Hope your week has been off to a good start. I know this time of year gets busy (I kinda like it), but make sure you take time to enjoy it too. We've got a few Christmas parties to attend/host and between all of our normal routine/schedules it can get pretty busy. But it's a wonderful time of year celebrating the birth of our Saviour and seeing how Nate is understanding/absorbing the meaning of Christmas makes it all the more fun!
-krista-
Danny and some of my friends wanted to throw me a surprise party... but because it was going to be after my birthday they decided to let me in on when it was happening. So Sunday afternoon about 20 people showed up (quite a few families couldn't make it and really..... I have no idea where we'd have put them!). Our friends took care of the food, cake, snacks.... everything. They even did the clean up. Now that's my kind of party! haha. It was really fun and just so great to look around and see how God has blessed my life with friends who just a couple of years ago I didn't even know. We've already got a Christmas party in the works. It's become a yearly event and every year a new family attends. There is always lots of laughing and yummy snacks. The kids are starting to out number us though :)
Our Sunday bi-weekly services are continuing. There have been many families "hit-n-miss" and it's discouraging at times. But we press on... still lots more people to meet! We're having a Christmas service on the 21st with carols and of course the Christmas Story.
Earlier this week there was a holiday in Austria and Nate didn't have Kindergarten. So we made it a family day. We baked cookies and made chocolate dipped pretzels, watched some Christmas movies, etc. Usually, I do most of the decorating and baking, but this year Nate has taken interest and even helped me put up the tree last week and it was really fun. I have an ornament that is a nail with the name JESUS etched into it and we talked about what it represents. Every night this month we've read parts of the Bible that focus on the time around Christ's birth. We read, sing some songs (Nate has really taken to 'Away in a manger'), and pray. Micah is sooooo cute as he is wanting to pray at bedtime and for meals, it's kinda hard to describe how he does it, but it's just so funny and cute.
Hope your week has been off to a good start. I know this time of year gets busy (I kinda like it), but make sure you take time to enjoy it too. We've got a few Christmas parties to attend/host and between all of our normal routine/schedules it can get pretty busy. But it's a wonderful time of year celebrating the birth of our Saviour and seeing how Nate is understanding/absorbing the meaning of Christmas makes it all the more fun!
-krista-
Monday, December 08, 2008
Schöckl (name of mountain in Graz)
Here's the last of my updates regarding David & Britney's visit. We took them up to a beautiful point in Graz, it was very, very cold and foggy, but still got some good pics (the ride up/down was interesting with Danny & David trying their best to frazzle Brit). The next day we had to say 'see ya later'. We had such a wonderful time with them and really enjoyed bonding more. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the attention of Uncle Dav and Aunt Brit. Thanks for coming to see us!
-krista-
-krista-
Shopping in Italy
The day after Thanksgiving we headed to Italy and did some shopping. David & Britney got a good deal on leather jackets. It was a lot of fun! The Italian shop owners were very.... interesting I should say :) They hollered for us to come to their shops and started yelling prices for this or that... what a riot we made! My birthday was in 3 days and so Danny bought me an Italian leather purse. We got a GREAT deal... under 30 euros! I guess my skills of bartering in the Philippines paid off ;)
It started snowing in Graz days earlier, but had mostly melted by Friday. Then as we were getting ready to leave Italy it started snowing again and it was so pretty!
-krista-
It started snowing in Graz days earlier, but had mostly melted by Friday. Then as we were getting ready to leave Italy it started snowing again and it was so pretty!
-krista-
Thanksgiving day
While I prepared for Thanksgiving dinner, the boys were occupied by the building of their first gingerbread house. It was really funny watching the adults keep the melted sugar from hardening and making the walls and roof stick at the same time. Aunt Britney and Nate did a great job decorating. I wanted to have dinner ready around 3pm, but it was a bit after 4pm instead. But it was sooooo yummy. This was the first time to have family visiting for Thanksgiving since we moved here. What a blessing to have them here.
-krista-
-krista-
Day in Slovenia
We have friends, the Brinlee's, that live in Slovenia... just 45 min. away and we had lunch with them and asked them to show us around the old part of their city. Danny & I go to Slovenia often to the mall (they have a couple of things in their grocery store we can't get here in Austria and vice versa for them too and a mexican restaurant that isn't that bad when you're not around it at all-haha!) but don't know anything about the city itself. We also learned more about history. There is a picture of a building with a little balcony and that is where Hitler stood and gave a speech. Interesting. I also discovered awhile back a coffee place in the mall that makes a very similar mocha frappaccino from starbucks and so of course I had to stop there and get some. Danny, David, and Britney were practical and got warm versions. haha. Nathan enjoyed seeing the B's kids and getting some play time in as well.
-krista-
-krista-
A night in Graz
I'm still playing catch-up with my blog, so here's another post about what went on while David & Britney were here. We went to downtown Graz and looked at the lights and just walked around showing them where some of our German classes were and cute places we've discovered. We met up with some of our closest friends and let the kids ride the carousel and train. We did some shopping and had supper at a hotdog stand in the cold! Britney and I discovered this waffle booth and ohhhhhh, were they good! Hot and fresh off the griddle and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon... mine of course had chocolate syrup. Great memories were made.
-krista-
Just finished wrestling before bed
Roasted Chestnuts stand
-krista-
Just finished wrestling before bed
Roasted Chestnuts stand
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Norma Stratton
I wanted to thank many of you who have written and said you have been praying for my family. My Grandma (my mom's mom) passed away last month and though I didn't grow up around her or my Grandpa (he passed away nearly 2 yrs. ago) I know they loved us and prayed for us and of course we loved them and prayed for them too.
One of my memories... mainly because there are adorable photos of this memory... is of a time when my parents were visiting my grandparents in Michigan and the story goes that I was helping do the dishes, but it was more of having fun with the kitchen hose. You can see in a photo (that I don't have, sorry) me and the kitchen--soaking wet and in the background my Grandma, smiling :) Do I need to tell you that I was the first grandchild?? haha! Years later we were on furlough and all the family was going to meet in Michigan and we were in the house my mom grew up in ( I think she was born the night they moved in and left when she moved to Missouri for college). I remember waking up to a warm, cozy feeling in the house and it seemed I was the only one awake. So I went downstairs and found my Grandma in the living room eating an apple. Now I know I had apples before... I'm sure I had. But I believe that is where my love for apples began. It was sweet, cold, and crisp. We sat there and watched tv and ate apples. It's a very strong memory and I can almost see it in my head like it was yesterday. I have a few ornaments on my tree that my Grandma made for me and Danny our first year as a married couple. I love decorating for Christmas and I love having ornaments that are significant to me. I handled them differently this year, like they were made of glass... I found myself thinking, "please don't get lost or torn". I miss getting emails from my Grandma. She always wrote, " ... I feel sorry for people who don't have beautiful grandkids (or now she would write great grandkids)."
This photo is a couple of years old, but it's 4 generations. I'm so glad she got to meet Nathan. We'll have great stories to pass on to Micah and this new baby on the way.
-krista-
One of my memories... mainly because there are adorable photos of this memory... is of a time when my parents were visiting my grandparents in Michigan and the story goes that I was helping do the dishes, but it was more of having fun with the kitchen hose. You can see in a photo (that I don't have, sorry) me and the kitchen--soaking wet and in the background my Grandma, smiling :) Do I need to tell you that I was the first grandchild?? haha! Years later we were on furlough and all the family was going to meet in Michigan and we were in the house my mom grew up in ( I think she was born the night they moved in and left when she moved to Missouri for college). I remember waking up to a warm, cozy feeling in the house and it seemed I was the only one awake. So I went downstairs and found my Grandma in the living room eating an apple. Now I know I had apples before... I'm sure I had. But I believe that is where my love for apples began. It was sweet, cold, and crisp. We sat there and watched tv and ate apples. It's a very strong memory and I can almost see it in my head like it was yesterday. I have a few ornaments on my tree that my Grandma made for me and Danny our first year as a married couple. I love decorating for Christmas and I love having ornaments that are significant to me. I handled them differently this year, like they were made of glass... I found myself thinking, "please don't get lost or torn". I miss getting emails from my Grandma. She always wrote, " ... I feel sorry for people who don't have beautiful grandkids (or now she would write great grandkids)."
This photo is a couple of years old, but it's 4 generations. I'm so glad she got to meet Nathan. We'll have great stories to pass on to Micah and this new baby on the way.
-krista-
back in November...
Nathan had a school function one night in November and I just didn't post because well, I just didn't have it in me to do much of anything. I don't like to keep blaming the pregnancy when I talk to people or post here... but really, just getting thru the day was quite the accomplishment for the last 2 months. So with that said... I feel GREAT now! I'm 12 weeks and it was just like my other 2 pregnancies when I felt better. I just woke up last Tuesday and felt good. I cleaned house, ran errands, decorated, cooked, etc. Danny didn't hardly recognize me! haha. Seriously, he's been the best husband ever. He's very understanding and just really took on both of our jobs. I'm very blessed.
In November they celebrate Lanternenfest. It falls on November 11th and is St. Martin's day. The kids had been working at building lanterns and are made of paper and are decorated. It was a cold, rainy night so we met at the sports complex for our community and the kids sang songs, while walking in with their lanterns. They told stories and quoted poems. It was really cute. I couldn't believe they had given real FIRE to these kids though, but you know... I didn't see any kids playing around. Afterward we went for a walk thru the neighborhood and when we returned to the building we had snacks and warm cider/tea. Nathan loved it and did so well during the 'performance'. He did lots of swaying to the music and you could tell he was trying to keep up with the German, his lips moved periodically :)
In November they celebrate Lanternenfest. It falls on November 11th and is St. Martin's day. The kids had been working at building lanterns and are made of paper and are decorated. It was a cold, rainy night so we met at the sports complex for our community and the kids sang songs, while walking in with their lanterns. They told stories and quoted poems. It was really cute. I couldn't believe they had given real FIRE to these kids though, but you know... I didn't see any kids playing around. Afterward we went for a walk thru the neighborhood and when we returned to the building we had snacks and warm cider/tea. Nathan loved it and did so well during the 'performance'. He did lots of swaying to the music and you could tell he was trying to keep up with the German, his lips moved periodically :)
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