Are you ready for some Football?!?

I'm so proud of Danny.  If you know him, he's not the most out-going guy (those of you who know us as a couple are rolling laughing because you know we are so opposite).  So last summer/fall (I can't completely remember when it was...) when he found that our city, Graz had an American football team he said he would be interested in seeing what it was all about.  It all kind of happened pretty fast, actually.  The deadline for tryouts was actually already over, so he emailed the person on the website just to get info and well, the rest is history.  We had no idea what all it would entail, but God has been good.  Danny goes to almost all the practices.  They have 2 during the week and 1 on Sundays.  Most games are on Saturdays so that doesn't affect our church services. Playing on the team has helped his German a lot, especially "dialect".  He's made some good friends and it's given him an outlet from the 'everyday' stuff.  It's a way for him to also do ministry.  He's been asked to pray for/during games and has given 'spiritual' pep talks too.  Some guys on the team have asked him for advice, talked religion with him, and shared some of their life stories with him.  These are things that wouldn't have happened unless he took a step out of his comfort zone.  

**Insert question:  Are you stuck in your comfort zone?  Is there something you need to try that might stretch you?  Stretch your faith?  Stretch your social circle?  I know there are times that I feel like I've been stretched as far as I can be... then something crosses my path and I just think... "Lord, I don't want to miss an opportunity.  If this is in line with Your will... give me the time, strength, patience, words--in GERMAN to try this."  He won't let you down.

Nathan and Micah really like going to the games.  Shortly after his first "friendly/exhibition" game last Fall the boys were watching a sports channel at home that had some highlights of the NFL from the States and they thought it was their Daddy.  It was soooooo precious and hilarious at the same time :)  We've had fun at the games because we've always invited friends and the boys, Nate especially has enjoyed pointing out his Dad to his friends. 

Danny has a game tomorrow (Fri.) night in Vienna.  The boys & I have opted not to drive the 2 hrs. because we'd be on our own and I'm not familiar enough with Vienna to drive just me & the kiddos at night.  Danny will go early with the team so we thought it safer to stay home.  After this he'll only have home games so we're excited for those.

Though this is fun for Danny.  Please do keep him in prayer.  This is a hobby and an outreach.  Pray that he stays safe and will always be able to keep pointing his team mates to Christ thru his testimony and sportsmanship.

-A proud wife-

p.s- for those of you (probably only my female readers) that are wondering--No, I have no clue as to why they wear all white uniforms.  A couple of weeks ago, the wife from the family we invited to watch the game with us just kept mumbling to herself "why would they pick all white?"

They scored a touchdown on he first drive!  **Added later**  I forgot to mention they've won their first 2 games.  The pictures below are from the 2nd game and they won!  49-0!  It was said that the other team was better and the Bears probably won't win much, if any of their games since they're a newly developed team this year.

There he is- #73.  He plays O-line, right tackle.

The picture below is a proud Nathan.  He is looking at the teams program and loved seeing Danny's picture in it.  He was pointing him out to all the people in the stands around us.

A tradition for most sports teams here to come and thank the crowd- win or lose.
He's so handsome!
The Styrian Bears

the last day of April

So I've been busy around here!  We've touched base with some families and are ever praying for them to see Christ in us.  Several families were out of town this past weekend and so our services were very low in attendance.... actually, our lowest since we began in November of last year.  Keep praying that we would be able to develop a 'core' group.  It's hard to develop any set plans when our group changes every time.  We're just here living life day to day and making sure we give honor to God in the big and little things of life.

In terms of home life... Danny always has some kind of office work to do.   But he's also been working on our yard.  We have a rather large flower bed and it's in need of a lot of work since Spring has arrived with weeds popping up everywhere.  I don't do much of the gardening (though I thoroughly enjoy mowing--really, I do!) because well, poor plants don't have much of a chance with me for whatever reason?!?  So I cheer him on and bring cold drinks to all 3 of my  guys :)  I don't mind being outside... especially with the beautiful weather we've been having, but I'm not very good at keeping plants alive.  haha.  We have 4 grape vines and Danny's building something to help them grow up around our patio.

Austrians enjoy visiting around a table and a lot of good, important conversations happen over coffee or a meal.  We have a beautiful house and have decided to focus a bit more on being able to host more than a family or two at a time.  So we're working and saving up to do a few things this summer.  

Tomorrow is a holiday and usually things are closed around here so I'm off to make a small grocery run.  Nathan will be home from Kindergarten and since it's been raining I need to prepare to have stuff to eat/do around the house for them tomorrow :)  

-krista-

Soccer or Fußball as it's called here

Nathan has started playing a sport!  A couple of his buddies from Kindergarten play and when we asked him if that was something he'd like to do as well, he jumped on it!  He has practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings, then games on Saturday mornings.  I'd like to say he's in the middle of it all and just running with everyone, but well, we fit into the category of parents who have hilarious stories to tell about their kids that are in their own "world".  haha!  As it goes for everything in life, Nate is learning to 'listen'.  Listening to instructions is a daily lesson for him :)  I think this will be very good for him.  

Our handsome, almost 5 yr. old is full of life.  During practices and during the 3 games he had this past Saturday--Nathan has been caught with arms out and pretending to fly thru the air, a couple of times he 'high-fived' the other team when they scored (I have to admit that made me smile that he was happy for them... instead of being all upset and throwing a fit), he's been seen watching the other teams play (while his game is in progress), and asking me (also while his game is in progress), "What is Micah playing with?  Can I have one too?"  LOL!  Ahhh, I love it!

Danny has been asked to help out because our team is actually 2 teams.  I guess there weren't any other parents that were available, so Danny said he'd help out.  He did tell the Coach that he doesn't know that much about soccer, but the Coach said that was fine.  So Saturday arrives and Danny got stuck coaching Nate's entire team--all 3 games.  Neither of our 2 teams won, but the Coach told all the kids that it didn't matter... we are here to learn how to play and have lots of fun!  He congratulated all the kids for all their hard work and that he was looking forward to seeing them at practice.  He's a nice older guy... though a bit spastic at times :)  

After the games, one of the moms bought the boys some ice cream snacks.  We then spent the afternoon with these 2 other families at one of their homes.  We were there about 8 hrs.  What fun we had connecting with them!  It helps that our kids all get along and are buddies from Kindergarten as well.  One of the most relaxing and fun afternoons we'd had in a long time.  

-krista-

*The first 3 photos are from practice.  The rest of them are from this past Saturdays games.

He did a lot of 'poses'.  It was so cute!
Can you see Micah?  He was getting tired by the end of the 2nd game.  He's having a snack here and trying to be happy ;)

Lunch in Slovenia

One day during Spring Break we drove to Slovenia (45 min.) and had some so-so Mexican food.  It's better than nothing :)  We walked around and I found some Yankee Candles!!!  It made my day.  The boys rode some rides thru-out the mall (cheap thrills-ha!), got some snacks and saw a very cool display made from oranges and lemons.  They were promoting the Pinocchio film from Disney.  It's also refreshing to go to a country where you don't speak their language and you can give them 2 options (English or German).  Thankfully, almost everyone speaks one or the other so we can order food or purchase something :)  It also makes coming home to Austria even more relaxing.  We know we can talk to anyone here!  

I'm almost caught up... I just need to share about Danny's football game he had recently and some stuff from Nathan's Soccer (Fußball) practices and his first game--ever-- tomorrow!

-krista-

Gardening

The week before Easter we spent preparing for our church services, but also some outside yard work.  The weather was really nice and Nathan was out of school for the week.  The boys really enjoyed being helpers and working on the garden.  The last couple of years Danny has only grown peppers, so this year he decided it was time to expand.  One side of our house gets good sunlight and receives rain well (no flooding).  So they took up the grass and replanted it where the kiddie pool was last year.  They picked rocks out... studied bugs and were protective of the earth worms.  After a day or two of working the ground, they planted watermelon (Nate loves fruit), carrots (probably the boys favorite vege... mine too!), onions, 5 types of peppers (big surprise I'm sure ha!), and tomatoes.  Then came inside to make signs.  The pic below with Nate & his signs are for the watermelons.  This should be an interesting summer!

-krista-

Alot has happened....

...since I last posted.  I didn't have time at first to post anything and then I just didn't feel like it.  Ever have one of those days or a week of just "blahs" and nothing seems to feel/go right?  Well, I have and just didn't feel like writing since I couldn't be all that upbeat ;)

We did have a wonderful Easter.  The week before we had our annual get together with friends and let our kids hunt eggs since we don't all go to the same church.  

Then Easter Sunday we had 15 bodies present.  The Bible study time was good and always great conversation around the Scripture that we read and discussed.  We're a work in progress and learning more about how to connect everything together.  We have some great ideas, but just aren't in a position to put them to use yet.  Keep us in prayer as we have quite a few kids when everyone is there... that's one area that needs some tweaking.  

We always get to church early and Easter Sunday was no different.  It was just beautiful outside and the boys wanted to run around while Danny set-up.  We didn't have to bring our heaters on this day so there wasn't as much unloading from the car.  I got "camera-happy" :)  But when you have these 2 handsome faces to work with... well, it's just fun!

I am teaching English to a group of --as my mom says-- 'mature' women ;)  It's on Monday mornings right after I drop Nate off at Kindergarten.  Then Tuesday mornings I teach English to Nate's class.  We have a few nights a week that either Nate or Danny have practice.  I try to fit in visits with fellow moms, do house keeping, and keep up with life in general.  Lately I've not felt like I'm doing a good job because I can't seem to say 'no' to some of the appointments I've made.  I just don't want to miss an opportunity to be there for someone.  So this is all I'm going to write tonight.  It's a little after 9pm and I'm going to bed.  For those of you who know me this is strange!  I'm usually catching my 2nd wind about now.  But I'm zapped today.  

Hope your week is off to a good start.  Next few posts will include: Gardening/Spring Break, Soccer (Fußball), and Football (American).  

-Krista-

Flower beds

These dainty little flowers have started sprouting up all over our flower beds.  Danny's planting a garden and I'll get some pictures up when he's done tilling, fertilizing, planting, etc.

Bike/Tractor

Nathan received a bike last year for his birthday, but he just didn't seem to take to it very well.  This year he's a riding machine!  

He wants to learn without the training wheels. I was holding the back of the seat and once he got pedaling he said, "ok, mom, let go!" (mind you, he's never gone without the training wheels and this was the first time I've held on for him). I told him it might not be a good idea yet, but I'd stay real close if he wanted to try. Well, he started to lean and kept leaning....
After some cleaning (he never cried--a little wimper because of the medicine, but I can't get over what a tough little boy we have!) and a band-aid he said it might be a better idea if he kept his training wheels on a little longer ;)  But I told him that we could keep working on it this Spring/Summer and I was sure he'd get the hang of it really soon.  I think he didn't realize how much of a help those training wheels are to him.  Like I said, he didn't ride it much last year.  He struggled just riding with the TW last summer.  This year he's quite fast with the help of the TW, he just needed to do it step by step.

Micah is enjoying having the tractor all to himself.  He can really tear down the street in it!  But it does frustrate him that he can't keep up with Nate.  So he pedals for awhile and then stops and yells at Nate (who is at the end of our dead end street) to "Come back here!".  He also insists on wearing the helmet he normally wears when I or Danny take him on our bikes.  Safety first :)  

Laundry & Tractors

I went down to the laundry room early this morning and found the boys' riding tractor sitting on top of a pile of laundry!  They had been playing outside yesterday and the laundry room is next to the garage, so I thought someone had been playing in the LR which is a 'no-no' in our house.  I went to ask Nate & Micah about it and Nate knew nothing about it.  So that left, Micah.  I ask him and he said, "tactor durty... Mommy peez wash."  LOL!  

-krista-  

aka-- 'tactor washer'

Around here...

Danny & I are busy making plans for Easter Sunday.  Please keep us in prayer.  We're praying that those we've invited and have yet to come will take us up on our offer to come that Sunday.  If everyone would show up we would probably have standing room only in our meeting place.  But we'll take one step at a time.  God has coming who He wants there for now and that's fine with us!  

We also want to squeeze in a family day or two next week since Nathan will be on a break from Kindergarten.  He's got some ideas of what he wants to do.... we'll have to see what we can do :)  haha.  He's been seeing a speech therapist and I can see little improvements every week.  It's tough learning two languages. 

This week we got a letter saying the Kindergarten is already full for the Fall enrollment.  So Micah won't be starting there (he would've started in November because he doesn't turn 3 till October) this year, unless there's a cancelation.  That's not really a disappointment for us because I don't know if Micah would be as ready to go as Nate was at 3 yrs. old.   Last summer the government made all Kindergartens free of charge in Austria, so there has been a rise in enrollment. We had placed Nathan in the school so he could get a start on learning German.  He begins "elementary" school in the Fall of 2010.  So that means Nate & Micah won't have a year together in Kindergarten and that makes me a little sad.  But don't worry.... they'll pull--I mean, I'll pull thru (sniff).  haha.  

So have a wonderful weekend and if your weather is looking as good as ours is... go outside and play!

-krista-

Now I've seen it all!

Danny said this is his new favorite sport!  What craziness!

Still seeing my prayer answered...

When we made the decision to move to Austria in December of 2001, I began praying for a friend.  We made it to Austria July 27, 2004 with a 9 week old baby.  My memory is a little fuzzy, but I believe it was the end of September that we started attending a church in Graz while going to language school.  On our first Sunday we met Penny & Ian (from England, so as an English speaker I took to them!).  We really enjoy hanging out with their family.  Their boys are a bit older, but Peter & Simon have always been so good to entertain our boys.  Also, they are so sweet to pass down "boy" toys and Nathan thinks they're the coolest.  A couple of weeks after meeting we had lunch at their house and we've been friends ever since.  We laugh a lot when we're together.  They are dear to us.  Now, they read my blog--so PIPS, don't get to excited that you made it here!  haha.

Then I met Dora (from Hungary and married to Herbert from Austria) who had 2 older daughters, and a son just 2 months younger than Nate.  But we couldn't communicate.  Karen (also from England) walked in to the church and started chatting to Dora in German.  We exchanged 'hellos, where are you from, etc.'  then services began.  After services, while having coffee we started talking again.  After a few minutes Dora, Karen, and myself had made a plan of getting together during the week and Karen would come to also be the translator.  We've been having play dates and dinners together ever since. Dora and I have spent many hours learning languages. I can remember sitting on her couch both of us with dictionaries in hand looking up words for the simplest of conversations.  She now speaks great English and I'm jealous of how fast she picked it up.  She has tutored me in German and our boys are good friends.  Herbert & Dora have also become our Catan couple.  It's a German board game that we really like and thankfully they do too!  Here is Herbert & Dora's family.

Karen & I were able to grow as friends faster because we didn't have a language barrier.  She was wanting kids and just 3 weeks after we met she came up to me at church and shared the good news!  Emily was born 2 weeks before Nate celebrated his first birthday.  What friends they have been!  Nina was born 5 months after Micah.  They are funny together!  Now Karen is expecting #3 and it's another GIRL!  Before we lost our baby last December, our due dates were only 3 weeks apart.  Karen is one of my closest friends here.  She's a great friend and always so fun to hang out with for a girls night.  She also introduced me to Angela (that's another post) who has become a great friend as well. Here's Karen & hubby, Hannes.

Here are some pics I took a few days ago.  We hadn't seen them in a few weeks due to illness, Karen's family visited, and then she went to England.  Have I mentioned how much I like taking pictures?!?!  haha.  I'm quite impressed with these.

So these are just some of the people with which God answered my prayer.  I know for our family and friends in the States you've asked about our life here, so that's why I've posted pictures of places we go, things we see, and now people we know. These friends we have known the longest since moving to Austria.  I prayed for a good friend and now I've got so many that it's hard to keep up with each other sometimes.  Thank you, Lord.

-krista-