Siblings

The boys just love their sister! They always want to hold her (though usually their timing is a little off... like time to feed her or burp her and she's on the verge of a screaming fit--haha). But definitely at bedtime they want some cuddle time with her. So she goes with me to help tuck them in and say 'good night'. Last night, Micah called her "mein Lieb". In German it means "my love" as a term of endearment. He is such a sweetheart! Nate likes to talk to her and tell her who is holding her "it's your big brother, Nathan." When we're in the car and she gets unhappy both boys will sing to her. Micah usually takes a phrase and repeats it to death. His "song" and I use that term very lightly goes something like this (in a monotone voice)... "go to sleep. go to sleep. go to sleep." Nate, however sings "lalalooo lalalooo" and when that doesn't work he sings 'Jesus loves me' and that seems to work! He's very proud that she has stopped crying many times to hear him sing. Nate is very gentle with her and Micah is very protective of her. Those are what seem to stand out in their personalities with how they treat her--not that one is not gentle or protective versus the other brother--but those traits seem to stand out more in each of them.

Gracie is staying awake more during the day. She's sleeping so well at night too! All my kids seem to have caught on quickly to sleeping thru the night. Which makes for very happy, rested parents.

Pictures-- Micah & Nate like to comb their own hair after baths...

-krista-

Micah

Micah has really taken an interest in drawing over the last year and one day last week came to Danny and asked him to trace his head the way you can trace your hand. It was so funny! He tried to get Danny to trace all his hair too. Oh the stuff this boy comes up with now-a-days. He tries us the hardest, but melts my heart so easily too!

-krista-

Conversations with Daddy - Part Two

Yesterday I posted the account of a conversation I had with Micah this past Thursday. Today I want to share with you a conversation I had with Nathan on the same day. Krista and I had a great laugh about both of these stories. I hope they make you smile as well.

So without further adieu, two days ago after I picked the boys up from kindergarten I took them out for lunch for some daddy time. They chose Burger King. No big surprise. The only other option would have been Mickey D!

After we finished with lunch I asked them if they would like a chocolate milkshake for dessert. Nathan informed me that he doesn't like chocolate shakes. (He is always very reluctant to try new things). I told him it was just chocolate ice cream that you drink. That convinced him and he decided he would have one. He then asked if they had vanilla. I told him they did and asked if he would rather have vanilla instead of chocolate. He said no. (I'm thinking ok, then why did you ask, but anyways).

As I get ready to go up to the counter he says, "Dad make sure to ask them not to put vanilla in mine!" I explained that if I ordered him a chocolate shake they would only put chocolate in it.

As we were driving away (we got them to go), before Nate would take a drink, he asked me once more if I had asked them not to put vanilla in his shake. So I explained once more, that if you order a chocolate shake you only get chocolate, just as if you order strawberry that is all you get and the same with caramel and vanilla. Finally he was convinced to give it a try. To his surprise, it tasted good.

Wow! I've never known anyone to have to work so hard to convince a child to try sweets before. I wouldn't trade him for the world though, even if he is a picky eater, like his... Maybe I should just end that thought right there.

I posted this conversation and the one yesterday because, I found them humorous. In all honesty I cherish the conversations I get to have with my kids. The older they get the more insightful they get. It is awesome to watch them grow into the people that God designed them to be. Kids are truly a blessing from the Father.

Danny

Conversations with Daddy - Part One

Yesterday I arrived at the kindergarten to pick up the boys just in time to see Micah's teacher leading him away from the playground by the hand to sit in time-out. As I approached the teacher told Micah that he lucked out because I was there and he would not have to sit and serve his punishment. I asked what he did. Apparently he had shoved another kid, who by the way was quit a bit bigger than Micah. (The teacher and I both chuckled a little at that fact -- not at Micah's actions, but at his lack of fear). I made Micah go apologize to the kid, which he did very reluctantly.

After we got home later that afternoon, (you can read what happened between the time we left kindergarten and arrived home tomorrow in my post tomorrow) I sat Micah on his bed to discuss the situation further. Our conversation went something like this:

Daddy: "Why did you push [this boy]? Did he do something to you?" (I've withheld the boy's name to avoid any embarrassment or animosity).

Micah: "No, he didn't do anything."

Daddy: "Well, why did you push him?"

Micah: "Because I don't like him! He's a lollygagger!"

(Lollygagging is a term that Nathan has obviously picked up from Krista and/or I and has since popularized. He uses it to describe his actions in any situation where he gets in trouble for being rowdy, not listening or not paying attention to what he should be doing. It is actually quite frustrating, because he generally only provides this generic term rather than giving the actual details of what he got in trouble for. But that is for another time. Let's get back to the conversation with Micah!)

Daddy: "Why is he a lollygagger?"

Micah: "That's what they call him!"

Daddy: "That's what who calls him? Nathan, (who is sitting across the room on his bed) do you call him a lollygagge?."

(They are the only two English speakers in the kindergarten. Obviously if anybody is calling someone a lollygagger -- in english -- the source can be traced back to one of them).

Nathan: "No I call him [his name]."

Daddy: (Looking back to Micah) "Who calls him that?"

Micah: "I do!"

Daddy: (Biting his lip to keep from laughing) "Does it make God happy when we call people lollygagger? I want you to be nice to him."

Micah: "But he is a lollygagger. I don't like him."

Daddy: (Trying ever harder not to laugh and ruin a chance for discipline and reconciliation) "How would you feel if he called you a lollygagger? Would you like that?"

Micah: "No"

Daddy: "Okay, I want you to be nice to him."

We discussed it a little longer, but I'm not quite sure I got through to him, because we had a similar conversation this morning on the way to school. Oh the joys and frustrations of parenthood. Even the tough times are worth it though. May God give me the strength to model Christ in my own life before my boys and teach them that God loves us and that we should, because of His love in us, desire to love others, even lollygaggers!

Danny

'Round here...

Grace's baby dedication

On March 7th we had a great opportunity to invite many of our friends to our church services for what we had planned as our "friend day". The families that attend were going to be inviting neighbors, family members, or even co-workers. We also realized that it was going to coincide with my parents visit and most probably Gracie's first Sunday. So we decided to also make it our "baby dedication" service as well.

The first purpose of having a baby dedication is for me & Danny to stand before God, friends, and family and promise to use wisdom that can only come from God to raise our children the best way possible with God leading us and guiding us every step of the way. To also promise to point Gracie to God in all areas of life. Giving her the best opportunities to know about our Lord and give her a chance to make a personal relationship with Him one day. We want to make it public to also be held accountable.

Here in Austria the average Austrian is Catholic, whether they are really active or not, they will do the traditions of the church usually. So we were asked by almost everyone we invited what the difference is between a baby baptism and a baby dedication and we simply answered that we believe it's not a decision for us to make and that we can not save our child. It's something between them and God... a personal decision. But as parents and believers ourselves we want and should point our children to the only One who can save... and that is God. Everyone commented or nodded about how that is different from what they know, but good.

Another reason we chose to do this was because my Dad would be able to do the 'charge to the parents' part of the service for us. Danny thought it would be awkward to be the Pastor and the parent and so we jumped at the blessing of having my dad (if you don't know my dad (our family) was a missionary in the Philippines for 27 yrs. or so) here in Austria for this special time. Another reason to do this with our church was so we could use it to invite friends who might not come for just any service, but would come out of friendship, curiosity, and/or genuine interest in what another church was like compared to what they've always known.

We tried to be as prepared as possible and what an awesome day it was in terms of a turnout from the friends we had invited. We had maybe 2 or 3 chairs empty! My dad did a great job and we had some people, who understand English well, go on and on about how they loved the way he explained that children were a gift from God (I have a story about Nathan and that topic for later) and that we needed to teach them well. Next, Danny preached in German and did a great job. One very good friend told me a few days later at a birthday party that he was very impressed with Danny. That friend is also very musically talented and he and his kids provided the music for that Sunday.

So here are some photos from that day. We had such a great time and were excited to see some of our friends involved in the process of inviting their friends. We're starting to see more and more progress here.... they are small steps, but steps nonetheless!

-Krista-

Life with Grandparents

The 2 week visit my parents spent with us was so fantastic! We loved it and they did too. After 2 1/2 yrs. of not being able to hug each other or be in the same room together it was very special to share this time with them. The last time they had seen Nathan he was 3 1/2 yrs. old and Micah had just turned 1 yr. old. Now Nate is nearly 6 yrs. and Micah is 3 1/2 plus we have Gracie now! I also was under a certain age when they saw me ;) ahem....

The boys got to wrestle, cuddle, play games, color, play, do puzzles, ride their bikes (we did have a few days where the sun came out and chased some of the chill away) and soak up attention that only Grandparents can give. Gracie never lacked for attention either.... plenty of cuddlers and diaper changers... ok, maybe not plenty of those... but still well cared for during those weeks.

We ventured out a few times, but because our car only seats 5 (and our family is now 5 in a small car) and with 2 extra people it was a bit of a hassle to meet places. The bus line here is great, but someone was always a bit early or late than the ones in the car. So with a newborn and it still being winter here we opted to spend a lot of time at home.

My mom was so great to help me keep the kitchen clean (our dishwasher was broken!!!) and she made some incredibly delicious chocolate chip cookies and apple bread. Danny was disappointed that there weren't extras of either of those in the deep freeze after they left. Grace likes to be held and it was nice to have extra arms to do that when I needed to get something done or give the boys some attention too. My dad kept the boys busy though.... or actually I think they might've actually been the ones keeping HIM busy! haha. Nathan and Micah love to wrestle. Danny enjoyed having a little break from getting beaten up and gladly gave Grampa the joy of having 2 very active little boys use your body has a jungle gym ;) LOL!

It's been 2 weeks since they left and we're still missing them. My mom & I tell each other how much we love seeing each other and spending time together, but we're also open about how we miss our personal space/routines. haha. Though that is true and it has been easier to get a rhythm going with just our family of 5 under one roof.... this time was really hard to say good-bye. I guess those first few years here in Austria we were able to visit nearly every year due to a sibling on my side or Danny's getting married. We love living in Austria.... but if we could change one thing it would be to see family more often. We miss both of our families very much.

-krista-

Grampa & Grammy visit!!