Welcome to our family blog.
We hope that you enjoy each photo and story that reflect our little families journey.
Even though we are miles apart we trust that each post will keep us connected until we meet again.
I am 34 years old and have been happily married to my best friend (Charles) for 16 in a half wonderful years. We are the proud parents of Aleia Calais and Brienna Grace. We are Missionaries to the country of Austria and after 3 in a half years on the field we are happy and proud to call this our home.
Born 5/9/05 Aleia Calais means High, exalted, God's being. She loves her Daddy, drawing, playing in water and eating cereal. Aleia is practical, a great little helper, and has an amazing imagination.
About Boo Bear
Brienna Grace was born in Vienna on 5/30/08. Her name means: Strong, Virtuous, Honorable and Graceful. She has taken our family out of it's comfort zone, and has brought a level of chaos that we were needing. She loves music, eating, and making messes.
Happy Birthday to my adorable little niece who is full of life and who brings life everywhere she goes. Hadassah Elise turned 3 today. She is full of spunk and has a personality that has taken her parents by surprise. There is never a dull moment when in the presence of "Dassah" as Aleia calls her.
You hear it so often that time flies so quickly, but seriously it seems like just a year ago that she was born, but as I dressed the baby today I was reminded of the day Hadassah was born because I dressed Brienna in the same outfit Aleia wore when we went to see Hadassah for the first time. I know you all say "how can she remember what her 3 1/2 year old wore 3 years ago, when you can't even remember what you wore yesterday", YES!!! it's true I have a vivid memory, it's like my mind takes pictures and stores them in some data base until the time comes that I need it again.
The girls and I are packed and hopefully mentally prepared for the trip back to America, I thank all of you for your thoughts, e-mails, comments and prayers...it sure has helped. Thanks so much.
Treadmill+Eliptical+ Tennis shoes+ a balanced diet= 15 pounds of baby weight off by May 30th.
Here's my way of getting the baby weight off and getting motivated to get back to a fat burning work out each day. It's not easy getting back into the swing of a work out each day nor finding time with two very busy girls, a house, the church and all the other task that keep me busy during the day but it is important and makes me feel good, healthy and hopefully in the end thinner:-)
Kick boxing is another fun way of getting back in shape.
The girls and I must leave Vienna and head back home to Michigan unexpectedly and unfortunately.
My Mom as many of you know has sensory neuropathy. A genetic degenerating illness. I knew that this day would come upon me but I was hoping not so soon. My Mom just celebrated her 50th Birthday, so she is still young. Sad to say she has progressed in the illness and must have more care.
Grandma was her means of transportation and unexpectedly, my Grandma who is 81 was admitted to the hospital with a severe infection in her leg due to her diabetes and must be on an IV (antibiotic) for 6 weeks. They wanted to admit her to a nursing home but instead my dear Aunt Karen came to pick her up and take her to Arkansas where she can have better care.
The decision was hard but we have all decided to move Mom, Grandma and Uncle Todd to Arkansas where they can be close to Aunt Karen and live in a safer environment with a better system of care.
So Aleia, Brienna and I will be traveling home on February 9th to pack both homes, hopefully find renters for both homes, transfer medical records, do changes of address and do many other things that involve moving 3 people to a different state. We have found a beautiful home for them to rent and we all feel that they will be happy, safe and well taken care of.
This next month will not be easy but I know that I'll have the help and encouragement from my family and all my friends. The hardest thing will be packing the home up that I've live in since I was 9 years of age and seeing someone else live in the home I grew up in, so many memories come to my mind even now.
If anyone knows of anyone looking to rent a home for a good deal send them our way.
We were brave in buying this gorgeous 2000 piece Ravensburger Puzzle. We thought it would be easy considering there were so many distinct colors. Well it took us forever but it made for some fun memories and many nice family nights.
If you are looking for something you can do on a cold day with your family, or if your love language is "quality time" this is a great thing to do.
Most of these sites on the puzzle Charles and I have been or plan on visiting at some point.
