Our Families Journey.....

Day three-Week of Aleia's 6th Birthday.....

2011-05-28T13:44:00.002+02:00

We celebrated Aleia's Fourth Birthday in Croatia, ever since then it has been a request of hers for us to take her there once more. We tried to plan a trip to Italy for her 6th Birthday but the plans weren't working out, so we decided to take her to a beautiful hotel in the down town area of Vienna.

There she was able to have her own little space, her own bed, bathroom and even got to go swimming and eat all the little snacks the hotel had to offer.

After the girls swam in the pool, they took a long warm bath, ordered room service and played with all of Aleias toys she opened a few days before.

Her week has been full of wonderful blessings and surprises but there is one more day left of this little girls Birthday week.

Can't wait to share it with ya.

Five more days.....

2011-05-25T20:01:00.003+02:00

Only five more days until this little munchkin turns three.

She has been an amazing little two year old, one who loves Watermelon, Cucumbers, and lots and lots of bread.

She makes you think she is fearless but that is just a small show, she can't walk into a room without someone right by her side, she is scared to death of any bug even the smallest ant, and she can not stand to be alone, not anywhere and not at anytime.

Brienna, loves her Sissy Aleia, and most of all her Daddy.

She uses her sleeve as a napkin and prefers to be bare footed but must always have a purse around her arm.

Brienna Grace is very loving, affectionate, helpful and compassionate to animals, people who are hurting or to the elderly. She will share and even give her last bite.

She gets her way almost every time, either by screaming, saying "but I'm a baby" or just by her big contagious smile and bright blue eyes.

Looking forward to another interesting and fun year with our little Boo-bear.

Day two-Week of Aleia's 6th Birthday...

2011-05-24T11:49:00.002+02:00

We woke up to a great big knock at the Lord, threw our robes on and ran to the door.

Knowing that anytime we hear that kind of sound it means the mail man has a surprise package from the states.

Our mail man rides up on a cute little yellow motor bike and almost bangs the door down until we come to it. I suppose he knows subconsciously that if the box is from the states it must be a great surprise or it could be the way we all come storming to the door as if he is handing us a ticket the stars.

Aleia and Brienna opened the special package from Lowell and Kim Dunning. It had two matching osh gosh rain coats, all pink with green and white accents. Along with a fabulous life size door book for Brienna and a magically fairy tale work book for Aleia.

They were thrilled.....what a great way to start out the second day of a week long Birhtday.

We all prepared ourselves for a long day out. We took the bus and then the U-bahn to a very neat fair that Vienna has year round. Aleia got her choice of 3 rides and what ever she wanted to eat. She chose a hot dog, water and an ice cream. She road lily the pony, the bumper cars and went down an amazing slippery slide.

At the end of the day we found a little stand that sold blue slush puppy's.....our train ride home was blast, there was blue on most every part of Brienna and Aleia was amazed that her tongue was blue and she wanted to show everyone.

Days and Days after we were still seeing blue....oh yes Brienna's Poo-Poo stayed blue for days and that was very entertaining because we couldn't figure out why this was happening and after the third day we realized it was from that blue slush.

Can't wait to tell ya what we did on the third and the fourth day....we are having a blast.

...and Aleia said turning 6 is awesome!

Day one-Week of Aleia's 6th Birthday

2011-05-23T11:08:00.005+02:00

Aleia had one Birthday after another. She wanted a friend party this year with all 24 students in her Kindergarten class, but that just didn't work out this year so we promised her we would make it a week she would never forget and that seemed to be just perfect for her.

Her number one request was that Daddy be with her all week!

The morning she woke up, she requested Birthday Breakfast...we had Pancakes! Yummy. She decided she would be sophisticated and use a knife and a fork to eat with, just like Daddy does. She was successful for the first 3 cuts but then decided she just wanted me to cut it up, because it was easier.

She got dressed all by herself, I did her hair just like she wanted and we put the Birthday badge on her and we were out the door, for an adventure of a life time.

Day one consisted of:
1. Birthday Breakfast
2. Ice cream at the mall
3. A small Rapunzel Party with presents and a chocolate cream cake with strawberries
4. Circus with the whole family

Aleia had the time of her life today, can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.

Generation to Generation.

2011-03-18T15:12:00.002+01:00

It is so lovely as the church family is growing. Generation to Generation being blessed by the Lord and being taught the word of God.

In the 3 in a half years that we have been Missionaries to this beautiful country we have had the honor in dedicating 18 babies to the Lord.

This little princess will be dedicated as well and will mark number 19.

We are so blessed to be Pastoring such an amazing people, who we love and cherish so much.

A song of Encouragement.

2011-02-25T00:10:00.002+01:00

It's gonna be worth it all, it's gonna be worth it all, it's gonna be worth it all some beautiful happy day, it's gonna be worth every long mile every heartache and every trial, it's gonna be worth it all some beautiful happy day.

Don't get discouraged when trials bring you low. Jesus is gonna take care of you so take courage in your soul And when you get weary and you think that you'll surely fall
Just remember that some sweet day, It's gonna be worth it all.

It's gonna be worth it all, it's gonna be worth it all, it's gonna be worth it all some beautiful happy day it's gonna be worth every long mile every heartache and every trial, It's gonna be worth it all some beautiful happy day.

I love this song. As a kid my Mom had a tape in the car with this song on it and even as a little child I loved it and even more now in my life it brings such encouragement to me. I know that it is going to be worth it all, and one day it will be beautiful.

The journey may not always be easy but what I have to look forward to is much more rewarding then any one persons expectation or responsibility that I must fulfill.

It will be worth it all....just hang on to that promise

Fun new hair style

2011-02-02T19:04:00.004+01:00

I love to try new hair styles, it's fun when you don't have a new outfit, you can make it look new if you just try to spice the hair up a little more then usual, that way the focus isn't on what your wearing but on the glory and beauty of your hair.

Chocolate chip brownies....

2011-01-18T15:45:00.004+01:00

Aleia, Charles and Brienna, spending a little quality time in the kitchen.

A little bit of flour, chocolate chips, brown sugar and lots of constructive instructions and finally we had some delicious Chocolate chip brownies with a little whip cream on the side.

It made for a fun night and a good memory for the girls with their Daddy.

He is there hero!!!!

When I turn 6....

2011-01-14T12:27:00.008+01:00

As Aleia and I are walking up to her school today, she grabs my hand and says "Mom when I turn 6 I'm gonna do my own hair" and "when I turn 18 I'll make my own bed" and "when I'm 28 I'll watch Brie-Brie so you and Daddy can go on a vacation and if you don't want me to watch her well then I'll just go on vacation"........ I'm loving her logic here.

I tell her she doesn't have to worry about those things right now, that she is suppose to just play, have fun and be a 5 year old. She tells me "Mom, I know but I think I look like I'm 6 so I could start doing things that 6 year olds do"

As much as I don't want her to grow up I do hope that when she is 18 she'll be making her own bed, but until she does I'll continue to help her make it in hopes that by my example and training she'll pick up on it all sooner or later.

Lately she's been saying the cutest things. She is tons of fun and my little best friend.

Enjoying the moments we have while she is still 5

Wordless Wednesday.....

2011-01-12T12:49:00.002+01:00

No rules.....

2011-01-11T12:51:00.003+01:00

There are days when we make exceptions....I guess this day was one of them.

My little double dippers.

Be sure when you're at our home you ask for a unopened jar.

Or just get your own spoon and join along!

Cultural differences and your opinion....

2010-12-30T20:58:00.008+01:00

Have you ever just been walking in a mall, driving down the road or sitting at a cafe and felt like the world was going around you in slow motion, you can't hear anything, no one see's you and it feels like you just might me in a dream.

It isn't until that one person steps in front of you or the bright tail lights of an SUV illuminates to give you a wake up call that if I don't snap out of this dream I'm going to hit the back of this truck....... that is when total instinct takes over and your foot thankfully slams on the breaks.

As you sit on the bus, you see so many faces come and go....some with their family, some with a friend and some with no one at all, one wonders what are they thinking, do they have someone they are going home to, does anyone love them, is there something that gives them purpose, what is it that makes them so different then me.

They seem foreign!

Yes maybe they speak a different language and yes maybe they are of a different culture and back ground, they may eat different foods and their perspective on things might be a just a little different then mine, but one thing remains the same, everyone longs to have purpose, everyone wants to feel loved and everyone wants to be heard.

What makes it so easy to judge one that is vastly different then us?

As a foreigner in the country of Austria I am more aware of the mind sets of others and opinions of one might be towards those that may dress differently, might not know the language and just simply stand out from the rest because of their lack of knowledge or experience.

It is often that I go about my day thinking what is that makes us all so different from one another?

Culture, Politics and Religion set us apart....this is true!

But let us be aware that life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people, learn to accept each others faults and choose to celebrate, accept, and appreciate each other for their differences. That is when I believe we all will truly understand that we really aren't much different from the next and when judging of cultures, criticizing and fear of the unknown will no longer set the opinion of those who have not experienced cultural differences for themselves.

A lack of exposure and knowledge of other cultures is often how our opinions, our critical attitudes and our mindsets become misconstrued.

There is no doubt that each and everyone of us notice the differences between one another. Even my small children notice the difference between a child that is sad, sick, of another color or behavior but what makes then so different?

Are they blessed or are we blessed.....are they different or are we different? What and who determines that? Often we allow our opinion to determine what culture is normal, or we choose to allow our government, our own culture, our Biblical beliefs or even Hollywood to determine what is acceptable or normal.

Live, Laugh, Love.....the reality of your life might differ from mine but we all are living in this world together, we must laugh along with the good and the bad that comes our way, and Love the challenges that we face that are meant to make us a better person....we stand for what we believe, we fight for freedom and we are convinced that our reality is the only one out there.

I challenge you to go beyond the four walls of where you live, and dig past the prejudice feelings of what you might think, feel and seem to believe is true. I promise that you will be amazed how much you have in common with whom you thought was so different and foreign from yourself.

...love for onions

2010-10-19T13:05:00.002+02:00

I love onions and garlic. As a teenager, I remember any time I would walk into the house my Mom would say "Yuck" you smell like you've been eating garlic. You see she didn't really enjoy garlic and doesn't like onions at all, so of course she didn't have an appreciation for the great flavor both of these things give.

I still love the taste of things that have a pinch of garlic in them and at any chance, that is when my husband is not around I order my Cheeseburger with onions.

It's pretty funny how both of my children have completely different likes for foods.

*Aleia likes more bland and simple foods...but everything must be dipped in Ketchup, and I mean everything.

*Brienna likes stinky, sour and spicy foods...and she doesn't like to dip her food into anything. She also loves coffee, she calls it "Faffy"

Aleia doesn't like Cheese or Carrots but loves Broccoli and Yogurt.
Brienna doesn't like Gummy bears but loves hard candy.

They both love Rice, cereal and Pop corn :-) at least three things they agree to eat the same of. Just recently Brienna has been enjoying spaghetti, so that makes one more thing they both enjoy eating together.

I was thinking back wondering if my Sister and I were the same way. I do remember her liking the more healthy bland foods and me enjoying more spice and saucy things. It's funny how raising my girls is bringing so many memories of me, my Mom and my Sister all back so fresh to the surface of my memory.

There are times that my strength and patience are gone but then a little remembrance of how my Mom made it and how she raised us seems to give me the courage and strength that is beyond explanation....I do know that other peoples life experiences are another persons greatest lessons to follow (how to or how not too) and I'm so thankful for the courage and strength my Mom taught me through her life experiences...Even if she didn't like onions or garlic she sure was an amazing Mom to a challenge like me.

Something is wrong with this picture.....

2010-09-28T17:32:00.004+02:00

On my way to pick Aleia up from school I saw a few disturbing things that make me want to put her in a box forever, but as we all know we must allow our children to fly and pray that we have taught them the right direction to go.

A 12 year old boy offers a cigarette to a 9 year old boy, he takes it, inhales and then passes it to his other friend not more then 7 or 8 years of age....as the 12 year old flips the car behind me off he then inhales from the same shared cigarette, what I describe as a community smoke!......then on the other side of me a 15 year old boy is walking down the side walk and takes a piece of gum out of his mouth and makes sure that it is properly dispensed into the trash bin.....there is something wrong with this picture.

How can it be that we get more upset if someone litters or we correct a young person if they throw trash on the ground but we pass by and don't say a thing to those that are polluting their bodies or disrespecting someone or even them own selves.

Something is wrong with this picture!

It blows my mind what we over look and what we actually pay to much attention to. I go to a local park in the neighborhood and a lady informs me that I'm not welcomed because I'm not apart of the community or someone gives me a hard time for still having my winter tires on in the Summer yet they all just walk right past a 7-12 year old smoking a cigarette....something is wrong with this picture.

What matters to one seems to be trivial to the next...what matters to me the most is that I raise my girls to be leaders and not followers....how about you?

My 2yr Blogoversary

2010-09-05T18:47:00.002+02:00

It's hard to believe that today marks my blogoversary.....2 years since I started writing about our Families Journey.

Brienna was almost 4 months and I realized that I didn't have the same time I had before to send letters, write out numerous Birthday cards, and be as organized in the sentimental department as I would like.

I have always been big on recording Birthdays, anniversary's and reminiscing about the past through pictures and through the many hand written journals I have done in the last 17 years....but as time seems to not be my friend these days I find that I am content with my blog as it has filled many pages and covered 2 wonderful years of our families journey.

Hopeing that you all have enjoyed the journey along with us and that you will continue to walk with us as I blog about the many wonderful mile stones, challenges, obstacles, joy's, victories and just plain life experiences.

As I look back on the last two years of my blog I realize how much joy it has brought me; I have met many friends and been able to be encouraged by the life experiences of others and hopeing that I as well have left a line or two or even a picture that has a brightened someones day.

Many people have a grand prize give away on there blogoversary....... my gift to you is that I'm still here and gonna stay here to record the empty pages with the many memories we still have to make and get to climb as a family together.

Hope you enjoy our Families Journey!

Don't want to grow up

2010-09-04T11:49:00.003+02:00

Charles came home last night and Aleia was still awake...waiting for her Daddy to get home from work-church. He tucked her in and she whispered in his ear "I don't want to grow up". Of course the conversation goes as you would think, Charles asked her why and she said "cause if I grow up I can't sit on your lap anymore, or sit on your shoulders or play with my toys".....So Daddy I want to stay this big forever.

Aleia so small and petite....I love her little fingers and toes!

He explained to her that she would always be his baby and always be able to sit on his lap and she can play with her toys as long as she wants, not to worry about growing up or getting bigger....just to enjoy life right now.

Most kids want to get bigger, that's how you get them to eat their green veggies, but not my girls, I've tried that tactic on them....if you eat your veggies you'll grow big and strong like Mommy and Daddy.....are you kidding...they won't eat anything they think is gonna make them bigger, they both want to stay small forever!

As much as we would love for them to stay as petite and small as they are, we know the process of life is to grow, learn and leave! So until then we will hang on to all that we can until the natural process takes it's course.

My husband Rocks-Friday

2010-09-03T13:38:00.002+02:00

So amazing the love two can have for one another, the simple things in life that make one happy is fulfilled just by the love of that one special person.

Just a few days ago, we celebrated our 16th year wedding anniversary and as you've heard many say, "wow where did the time go"....I feel that way but only in the perspective that I want it to slow down because I want more memories and more time with the one I love. It seems we get so busy, other things take priority, children fill up space, work and ministry seem to take over.

Making time for the one you love.....it is truly our responsibility to make sure that the one we love stays priority over all else that matters.

.....my husband rocks because even in the business of life, he still finds time to make arrangements such as being in one of my favorite places in the world on our anniversary and having the whole day to ourselves, to reminisce of our days spent there, eat great food, enjoy each others smile and take lots of picture to always make sure we remember such a special and beautiful day.

He knew how happy it made me to be there and by me being happy it made him so happy as well and that is true love......and one of the many great reasons MHR's (my husband rocks)

A story worth telling....

2010-09-02T13:07:00.003+02:00

As I was taking a walk with my girls yesterday Aleia said....Mommy tell me a story of when you were a little girl.

Oh no....I just never thought that question would ever arise. My response was "Um when I was a little girl....Well!

How come when she asked that question butterfly park stories didn't come to my mind, cotton candy with Dad at the fair didn't come to mind, but hardship of a young child, trials and just trying to make it in a world that seemed against me.....came flooding to the surface!

I wanted to tell her stories of taking walks with my Mom, and getting ice cream at a beautiful parlor. Yet still stories of loneliness flooded my mind....stories of having to be strong at a very young age came to mind.

As I was walking I was praying in my mind that good memories would come to me and a few did. But I was able to tell Aleia God has blessed her with a Mommy and Daddy who both love the Lord, who love her and are striving there best to provide a loving and stable environment for her so that when she grows up she can sit and tell her little daughter wonderful stories.

Don't get me wrong...I had some wonderful times as a kid, but how many of us really live our childhood in the hopes that one day our daughters will ask us to tell them all about it. I have to admit some of those days are a fading memory and I'd like it to stay that way....but I know that from now on I will be giving my girls a chance to tell beautiful stories full of healthy great memories to their children.

I'm not naive to think that everyday will be full of rose, butterfly and candy stories but I do know that the goal I'm striving for is that my children have a life full of stories to tell....stories that will one day write a complete and beautiful book of a life happily and securely lived.

I am thankful for the strength that my childhood gave me....my life has been touched by so many wonderful people...without it all I wouldn't be the person I am today....and although I've had some bad days, I've had some hills to climb, when I look about and see where it has brought me....I have to say God has been good to me and I can't complain.

....AND with all the stories my girls have to tell one day to their little ones ends with ---they have had some bad days and some hills to climb but when they look back God has really been good.... then I can say I gave them a life story worth telling.

Our street car...

2010-09-01T20:07:00.002+02:00

This is a street car.....one of the many options we have for public transportation. I really enjoy the new street car that you see here but often the old one comes and I have Aleia, my bags, and the stroller with Brienna in it. The old street car has about 3 of 4 steps to get up into it and the new street car you just roll right onto it from the curb.

The color of them are very attractive, they ride nice, they are clean and have a lot of space for the stroller.

When the old one comes we either wait for the next street car, to see if it's a new one or we just walk to the next place or next stop of transportation such as the bus or U-Bahn.... our under ground transportation.

Many of you have asked if we take the public transportation here....and yes!!! We often do, we are grateful that it was an easy system to learn and that we have the option of using it. We actually have a bus stop right outside our house, which is super convenient.

2010-08-31T12:05:00.000+02:00

Moments to ba-member

2010-08-30T22:53:00.006+02:00

Aleia just got out of bed....not 1x, not 2x's and not 3x's but after about the 10th time I finally just gave in and sat her on my lap.

The conversation went like this:

Me: Aleia why are you so wonderful?
Aleia: Oh Mom cause you love me
Me: I sure do, I think you are amazing and I am so glad your my best friend
Aleia: Well Mom I'm so glad God made you
Me: Awww I love you Allie....you are the best.

And she gave me a great big hug and kiss and said Mom I'm glad your not sick.

Not sure what all is going through her little mind but I know moments like these are the ones I want to "ba-member" as Aleia says......and treasure all of my days.

How can you get mad at such a precious little one who gets out of bed time after time and in the end thanks the Lord for a Mommy like me.

These are the moments.....to remember...or in Aleia's words "ba-member"!!!

Brienna's 2nd Birthday

2010-08-03T18:55:00.005+02:00

A Mothers Observation:

2010-07-30T00:08:00.002+02:00

Saw a tall very distinguished lady today walking down the side walk in the rain with her 3 small children. One seemed to be about 5 years of age, then 3 and a new born in a stroller. All boys!!!

I looked at her and felt such compassion for her, yet something in me felt very proud of her and I didn't even know her....she had her hands full and she seemed to be totally in love with her task (3 little boys)! She was pushing the stroller with one hand, then with her other hand she was directing the 5 year old to hold the umbrella just right. It was as if every part of her body and senses were in the moment....she seemed together, protective, alert, nurturing and one of the most important things....she didn't seemed stressed in the moment at all.

As I begin to observe what kind of Mama she was....I had to ask myself "what do I look like when people are looking at me from a far off with my girls". Do I at times look stressed out, to busy, not together, unconcerned and frazzled .....or to others do I look like a perfectly fit Mother to my very busy, dependent, demanding beautiful 5 and 2 year old.

Do I look in love with the blessings that have been given to me? or do I look irritated and overwhelmed?

I often remind myself during these very challenging stages of my girls, that I must stay patient, give myself plenty of time when I'm out for any mishaps...because with Brienna there will be plenty of those....be sure to have a whole package of baby wipes anywhere we go. ...but most of all I have to remind myself the way I react and respond to my Aleia and Brienna's needs and demands I am instilling things in them that will affect them for the good or bad for the rest of their lives.

I have to ask myself am I the Mother to my children that when they grow up they will say my Mom taught me what kind of Mother not be....or am I the Mama to my girls that they will say...I want to be the best Mama ever, just like mine was to me....!

My girls are my responsibility and I want to be the best at it.

I want to make it look easy but real, in saying that sometimes real is when my clothes look like bib, I don't always have bio snacks preparred, my diaper bag is not alphabetized and I don't always have the right answer..... but at the end of night when my girls can lay down, kiss me and say I'm the best Mama ever, then I feel I did my job.

I want my responses to be kind, patient, creative, understanding and in every part of Motherhood I want to be teaching my girls what kind of Mama they want to be and not the kind of Mama they don't want to be.

2010-07-13T13:48:00.002+02:00

Just a few things that I always have on my grocery list and in the house.

We love Mexican....so every Monday I prepare taco meat and beans to makes nachos, taco's, taco salad and chips and salsa. It always makes an easy snack and a fast meal to prepare if I'm in a hurry. Everyone loves it.

Strawberry jelly and peanut butter is a must...for the little ones and big ones :-)

Pop corn, hot dogs, yogurt and cereal.

For the Summer since we got a small gas grill I've been making grilled potatoes and onions, chicken and hot dogs. We all love to grill and it makes great fun memories to be outside with the girls.

Lately it's been so hot that we have found ourselves on the not so busy days sitting in a small tub outside full of cold water.

It seems that the Summer is fading quickly so we are trying to make the best of what time we have left.

What do you all have planned or have done this Summer?

Set your fear's aside

2010-07-10T12:41:00.004+02:00

Could it be the very thing we are afraid of and verbalize that we are fearful of doing when it is no longer there or it is taken from us is the one thing we regret not ever taking the opportunity and even long for it the more.....Fear has an ugly way of ripping what could have been from us if we allow it to.

Knowing that the fear we have now controls our situation, our decisions, our out look, our perspective and what people perceive in us as well.

Fear of the unknown is normal, being worried that you don't know enough or have enough experience to step into that responsibility is normal, feeling inadequate is normal.

The problem is when we put it into our own hands and allow the fear, the insecurity's and the unknown control the outcome of what our purpose is and was suppose to be.

Sometimes there is a set plan, a process of how things are to be, what position you are to take next, things are lined up just accordingly but fear takes control, it causes doubts, questions and eventually takes you out from underneath the umbrella of God's protection and His true will and purpose for your ministry and life.

Often our human nature gets in the way.....all ages of life compete with fear.

Our fear's are the very thing that keeps us from being so great, feeling accomplished or even being fulfilled and ever having a true sense of purpose.

The very thing you were afraid of is then taken from you, and you wish it was back, you wish the opportunity would present itself again, you wish you had never expressed that you felt inadequate. Instead you wish you would have trusted that you were strong enough to do the task at hand.

You live with a life full of regrets because you let fear take control!

It is not bad to express your feelings of doubts, fears and inadequacy! Just don't allow the verbal part of it be what sets you back and keeps you from your greatest dreams.

So often I have seen as I am offered opportunities, I'd like to decline and take the high road from the responsibilities that have been presented to me but knowing if I go beyond my fears, go beyond what I think I can accomplish and do what seemed impossible is when I see the big picture and find that I have even more strength in me then I ever knew.

Facing my fears..... Has given me boldness, it has given me experiences I may not have other wise had, going beyond my fears has given me confidence, it has taken me out of my comfort zone and prepared me for even greater things I felt I could never do or accomplish in my life.

Set your fears aside and see what you can do if you just trust and take the opportunities that are given.

Conquer your fears TODAY!

1. Go back to School
2. Teach a Bible Study
3. Except that position in ministry
4. Have a baby
5. Mentor a young person
6. Do street evangelism
7. Get a job
8. Do something in your community
9. Be consistent and faithful
10. Start something new....cake class, learn a language, go sky diving, lose weight, take up an instrument, give up an addiction.....what ever it is set your fear's aside TODAY!

You are not a failure if you try and don't succeed, you are a failure when you don't try at all!

When you don't try to overcome your fears you not only fail and disappoint yourself but ultimately your fear affects your family, your ministry, your walk with God and eventually interferes in every aspect of your life.

SET YOUR FEAR'S ASIDE!!!!

Independence Day-2005

2010-07-03T21:51:00.004+02:00

Here is our little Aleia on her very first 4th of July. She was amazed by the fireworks, they were loud and bright and she was fascinated by it all.

It was the best 4th of July.

This picture is a special reminder of that great day....Aleia was showing us she loved it too by giving us the peace sign.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July....Independence Day!!!! My favorite Holiday ever.

A firework reminds me of life: Fire=Trials of life, Boom=Anticipation of what is to come, Crackles=Potential of greatness, Color=Richness of life, Illumination=Great expectations.

All in one little firework....such brightness and possibilities.....and most of all FREEDOM!

bubble fun

2010-07-01T15:54:00.002+02:00

Such a unique present Aleia was given for her Birthday. The whole family has enjoyed a little bubble fun.

We also took the bubble set to our recent church in the park picnic and it drew in many other little children from the surrounding area of the park.

Bubble time, Bubble fun! Aleia has a bed time story she loves for me to read it goes like this:

Dirty fingers, dirty toes,
Dirty shoulders, dirty nose
All my dirty deeds are done.
Time to have some bubble fun.

Yellow Ducky, “Quack, quack, quack.”
Hello Froggie! Now I’m Back!
Dip a finger, dip a toe~
No more waiting, in we go.

Bubbles, bubbles in the tubbles,
Splashy, splashy, splooshy scrubbles.
Glimmer, glitter through the air.
Bubbles, bubbles everywhere

Scrub the tummy, scrub the knees,
Scrub the elbows, if you please.
Bubbles on my shinny shin.
Shasaam! They’re on my chinny chin!

Rubba-dubba pink shampoo,
Make a scary, hairy do.
Bubble moustache, bubble wishes~
Blow a million soapy kisses.

Bubbles, bubbles in the tubbles,
Splashy, splashy, splooshy scrubbles.
Glimmer, glitter through the air.
Bubbles, bubbles everywhere.

Squeaky Ducky, leaky Frog,
Everybody’s waterlodgged.
Flippy flappy, slippy slosh~
What a fishy, wishy wash!

Twinkle fingers, twinkle toes,
Shiny shoulders, shiny nose.
Give a shimmy, give a shake~
Bring a towel, for goodness sake.

Dry the tootsies, dry the mop.
Squeaky clean from tush to top.
All the water’s disappeared~
Raise a scrubbly, tubbly cheer.

Flannel bottoms, flannel shirt~
Good~bye bubbles, good~bye dirt.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-23T10:55:00.003+02:00

Such a great help

2010-06-22T12:48:00.003+02:00

Preparing for the last conference....we had many task that had to be done. Sis. Suppan, Sis. Amber, Aleia and even Brienna helped in making the welcome boxes for all of the ministers and their wives.

Our whole team helped in so many ways for the conference. It was such a great success. We couldn't have done it without them all.

It was a great conference, one that we are still reaping from and will for years to come.

Trials birth Compassion

2010-06-19T14:36:00.007+02:00

So often we make the mistake of taking the trials of life as a set back, or think that the mishaps we face are meant to make us miserable, unlucky and bitter.

I have been thinking lately of my past...growing up and also as a married adult.

Thinking of my set backs
Thinking of my mistakes
Thinking of the many, many trials that I feel were meant to destroy me and set me back!

.........my trials only made me stronger, they were meant to make me feel like a failure but only made me succeed and try harder, the trials were suppose to make me give up and believe in the failure and not see or believe in the success from my failures.

Without the trials, heart breaks, and the mistakes, I feel I would not be who I am today.

Through our trials compassion is birth.

Yes set backs will come, mishaps will occur, we will face trials as we try to succeed.

Often we blame our enemies, whether that is the enemy of the flesh or enemy of the spirit. When actually our trials are often brought upon us by our own pride and stubbornness, unwilling to submit, unwilling to admit we are wrong or unwilling just to try what has never been done before.

We have often given credit to the enemy for our trials when the credit should be given to the Lord....the trial of our faith worketh patience and are most often brought and put upon us to perfect us.

Our trials are not meant to make us feel:

Bitter, Cautious, Critical, Leary, less compassionate and like a failure!
..........our trials are meant to make us wiser, more loving, more giving of our time to others, less critical and more compassionate..

Let us learn from our trials, and become better because of the mishaps that are brought not only to protect us but to perfect us.

Trials birth Compassion...Trials birth wisdom...Trials birth Love...Trials birth maturity...Trials birth Memories! Don't be bitter in the trial you are facing, look for the blessing in the trial and look forward to the better person you will become through the storm of life you are facing.

Don't believe in the failure.....but believe in the final success from your failures!

When you fail and don't succeed try, try again!!!

Aleia turns 5

2010-06-14T20:06:00.001+02:00

Aleia recently celebrated her 5th Birthday.

It was on the Sunday of Mothers Day so a few ladies got together and surprised us all with a little party for her along with 2 other young people in the church. She was so happy and enjoyed the day very much.

The next day we decided to celebrate her Birthday as a family. Just the four of us. It was simple and sweet, just as she prefers it. We opened a few gifts from family and friends from America and had a small chocolate muffin cake....the theme of her party was tinker bell....she said turning 5 was the best ever!

Hard to believe 5 years ago she was so tiny and fragile....Aleia has brought such great joy to us. She is an amazing little girl!

Do you stare?

2010-06-11T14:45:00.008+02:00

Do you wonder why they stare...?

*Is it because you look funny
*Is it because they think you don't match
*Is it because they think you look weird
*Is it because they are curious
*Is it because they think you look fat
*Is it because they think you are a terrible Parent

Could it be they stare because:

*They admire you
*They wish they had the boldness and confidence you have
*They see a difference in you
*They are just curious
*They need a friend
*They are lonely
*They are bored
*They think you are beautiful
*They have an opinion and would like you to ask
*They are just people watchers
*They are learning from starring at you
*They want to be in love just like you
*They want to be a parent just like you
*They wish they could put a hot outfit together like you

Why is it that we always think when people stare it is for a bad reason....why is that when someones stares we feel defensive and awkward, why when someone stares we often turn to them with a sarcastic stare back instead of smiling and giving them a friendly gesture.

Lately Aleia has been bringing to my attention that people stare....first I asked her what staring means to her and she gave me this big open eye look....she has questions such as "Mama why can't I stare at them, or Mama why are they staring at me."

We all stare....!

We all have people staring at us....!

Next time someone stares at you, maybe give them the benefit of the doubt, hold your head up high, be friendly, bold and confident and see what a difference it will make in you and in the one staring at you.

Can I ask.....why do you Stare???? :-)

Have a Snickers bar

2010-06-08T11:10:00.002+02:00

Don't be angry have a Snickers bar.

The Decision to be Anger free is all up to us. The Bible says we can be angry and Sin not....it's not a sin to be angry. Anger turns into sin when it becomes a heart issue.

Anger can easily become a heavy weight that we carry around our neck. Just as we get use to carrying our natural weight around...the weight of Anger becomes invisible to us but very evident to those around us.

Often we are unwilling to let go of anger, because it is the one reminder we have of the hurt that was once done to us.

Anger takes our joy away!
Anger affects our prayer life!
Anger makes it difficult for others to relate to us!

The anger we carry around, will lead to a heart of bitterness.

There are so many ways to overcome anger....Don't be angry have a snickers bar.

I'm certainly not promoting weight lose but the time it takes to go to the gas station buy a snickers bar, tear it open and eat the candy bar slowly should be enough time to calm yourself down and realize what you were angry about is not worth the fight in the first place.

Focus on what you can change and ignore what you can not change

Hand it all over to God....he will complete the work He started in us.

In the church, at home, and in the work place we must purpose in our heats to exhibit the love of Christ....Don't be angry have a snickers bar.

There is an old song I love: If I hold my peace and let the Lord fight my battles victory, victory shall be mine.

Balance

2010-05-20T13:51:00.003+02:00

Family and Ministry is my life and I couldn’t imagine one without the other.

I’m a Mother first to children who need me in this very important time of their lives. At times I’m not able to focus all of my efforts on the church part of ministry but I know that in this phase of ministry my family is my number one responsibility.

Balancing Family and Ministry is not a one time fix, but it takes continual adjustments, daily communication and consistency between you and your spouse in which also might be your Pastor.

We are all searching for a true sense of balance in every area of our lives whether it be in our diet, our schedules, education, parenting, our marriage, and the work of the Lord.

You will find it is easier to juggle one or the other but in time, with practice, consistency, and prayer you will find a solution that fits and works best for you and your family.

In a world where carrier status, higher education and busy schedules rank over family time and certainly have priority over full time ministry, more then ever it is time for us to recognize what truly is priority.

Never before has there been a time where we as ministry must make a conscience effort that everything we do be put in check. Our time is limited and, because of that we must balance our whole day between so many things that require time. Here are a few ways to keep ourselves in check.

>You must know your limits

>Know how to say NO

>Have a weekly plan

>Communicate

Balance is letting go of the things that aren’t going to matter ten years from now, and riding the waves with the things that do count at the present time.

>God

>Family

>Ministry/Church

Balance is doing the very best you can, and at the end of the day handing it over to the Lord with a sigh of relief.

Sometimes Balance goes to the extreme of letting go and letting God.

Presented to the Austria/Germany "Voice of the the Vision" magazine in this months issue.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T14:31:00.003+02:00

True Sweetness......

2010-05-11T11:12:00.003+02:00

Chocolate, Apple pie, suckers, ice cream, cotton candy, frosting, donuts, cookies and sugar are all sweet but this is what true sweetness is..........two sisters who love each other and will forever.

Yes they fight, they push and they pull but they love, kiss, hug, stand by each other, defend one another, share, and miss the other when one is gone and that folks is what true sweetness is all about.

Chocolate, sugar and cookies might satisfy your sweet tooth but the sweetness between the love of two sister goes beyond anything you can imagine.

I'm so thankful I have two girls that love each other and are best friends. Often they remind me of my Sister and I......and that is always a good memory.....Love you Bran!

Toe digger....

2010-05-06T10:58:00.002+02:00

She is our little toe digger. She is addicted to pulling all the little specks of dirt, fuzz and even nothing at times out of her toes. She's a toe digger....looking for treasure so it seems.

She doesn't like shoes or socks on....mostly because toe digging is not as accessible with them on.

Just for fun

2010-04-30T23:11:00.005+02:00

My little Lady.....

2010-04-29T22:15:00.006+02:00

Crazy yet calculated, Daring yet cautious.....she's a girl with an amazing imagination, great ideas and a spunky attitude.

Here she is using her stuffed dog's leash as a swing from our stair well. She loves to prove she can do anything and I believe she can and will.

Her hands are tiny yet so strong, she wants to be grown up like her Daddy yet still is such a baby, she eats all the time yet stays hungry......& SKINNY!

Each day that she gets closer to turning 5 I can't help but hang on to each memory leading to that day, knowing that each year that passes she will become more of a women yet still my little lady.

Getting things in order.......

2010-04-27T12:57:00.004+02:00

Charles will be home from Africa tomorrow morning. The Church Saints, our girls and I are looking forward to his return. We adjust while he's gone but when he is back home, everything seems to feel more safe, and secure.

Yes he adds a sense of intensity when he comes home, because he is over flowing with dreams, ideas, goals, passion, meetings, phone calls, and has a bad cause of what I have diagnosed as overly organized disorder...OOD better known to most as OCD. He loves things in order, he loves to eat in silence and as many of you know with a almost 5 year old and almost 2 year old that doesn't happen often around here.....order or silence:-)

But as it comes closer to him arriving, we always feel a wind change. The girls and I pull ourselves together, get things in the order how Daddy likes them, and prepare ourselves for the one thing the 3 of us have in common..... and that is Loving the most precious, sweetest and greatest man we know.

Can't wait for him to finally get home, and although he's only home for a short while we will enjoy each moment we have as a family together.

Hope to have pictures and a detail description of Charles mission trip to Africa....(coming soon!)

Like Memaw

2010-04-26T11:53:00.003+02:00

I found this picture of Aleia while we were in Michigan last year and it reminded me of my Mom....Aleia's Memaw! If any of you know my Mom she can make some serious moody faces and here's one of them:-)

The older I get the more I miss my Mom, wishing sometimes she were here with us to see our girls growing and learning how to be little ladies.

So often, I'm amazed that even though Aleia hasn't seen Memaw or spent a lot of time with her, how much she is so much like her.

As much as I hated it when my Mom would refer me to someone if I said something or did something that reminded her of someone, I find myself weekly saying to Aleia 'Ok little Robin"...you're just like your Memaw and in many ways I love it, cause I feel like through Aleia I still have a little part of my Mom....Memaw with me all the time.

On a side note....have you every made an egg and it still smelt wild......if not maybe it's just the eggs here, I guess thats what hot sauce is for.

Monday Madness

2010-04-19T10:29:00.003+02:00

Mondays are to be set aside as a day off, a family day but it just so happens to be the busiest day of my week. It's a day I get organized, re-set my weekly goals and my annual resolutions, making sure that I'm staying on track with what is truly important.

-God
-Family
-Church

Today we're crossing our fingers that the planes will be going out of Vienna so that Charles can catch his next flight from Amsterdam to Kenya then onward to Malawi.

He is looking forward to being with the wonderful team and seeing great things done in Africa. I'll post more on his trip while he is there at another time.

Until then, I'm packing his clothes, putting dishes away, doing laundry, blogging, cooking, organizing and looking forward to going to bed tonight EARLY!

Charles getting all his papers together for his trip

......another year older

2010-04-16T15:32:00.005+02:00

As many Mothers do....... I find the closer my girls get to being another year older I start reminiscing of stages that have come and gone.

With both of their Birthdays just one month away, one daughter just about the height of my rib cage and the other one just about ready to be out of diapers...I find that I'll miss when my first born couldn't tie her shoes, even though her putting them on herself makes things easier, or when she had to ask me for a word she was thinking of, or maybe even the most simple things as straping her seat belt around her little chest to be sure she was safe for the journey.

In the time I've been a Mama I've changed approximately 4,341 diapers and yet the closer our second born gets to being potty trained I find that changing one more diaper is not so bad, it means she's still that much farther away from being a big girl and not needing us as much as she does now.

I can say even though some stages have been challenging and have caused restless nights, and yes I do know there are yet some stages that we must go through that won't be so easy I'm sad that some have gone and I look forward to many more wonderful and challenging stages with my beautiful angels.

Being a Mother has brought the greatest joys, worries, challenges and victories to my life and I'm so thankful I was chosen to be the Mama for the job.

Can't wait to celebrate another year with the two most amazing little people in my life..................forever my baby girls!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T09:54:00.003+02:00

S.L.S.S

2010-04-12T21:41:00.003+02:00

Silly little Sally Sue sits as she slurps her special kind of cereal with her big girl spoon.

Her smile is simply spectacular especially with her sweet dimple on the sides of her silly smile.

She is sweet, stubborn and super smart.

Our Silly little Sally Sue!

Diaper rates

2010-04-05T19:07:00.004+02:00

Ok so the day we land back in Austria from America I seem to think I have enough diapers to last Brienna till I can get to the grocery store to buy some more. Yeah 10 diapers should last me for 3 days but what I didn't factor in was that the day after Easter would be a Holiday and all the stores would be closed.

So on Saturday night I realize that we have only 3 diapers left for Brienna and that will not last her until Tuesday, so I call Charles on his way back from AMTC Bible school in Germany to tell him before he gets home to stop at the OMV gas station to get me a small package of Pampers for Brie to last her through Tuesday when the stores will re-open.

He complies and when he gets home he hands me the package of pampers and the receipt to file in our April envelope of expenses. I glance at the receipt and it says 33.48 Euro......What? I say to him the diapers cost 33 Euro he says "no I bought 2 rolls of toilet paper to" hahahaha......no way that is high way robbery, 29.99 euro for a package of diapers.

Well I guess that is the diaper rate at the gas station, I will remember this when I'm almost out and either use cloth diapers or better yet not wait till I only have 3 pampers left before I head to the grocery store.

By the way the Diapers rates at the local grocery store are half the cost of the ones at the gas station.

For all of you who need to know the exchange rate on 29.99 for a package of diapers in the dollar is 41 American dollars.....yeah we could have eaten at red lobster for the cost of those butty covers for that little white rear end:-) oh well, it was a good lesson learned......never run out of diapers over the weekend or before a Holiday.

Saved treasure

2010-03-31T20:19:00.004+02:00

Moments like these are when I'm so thankful each time Charles wanted to sell his base ball cards I convinced him to save the treasure.

We've had moments when selling the base ball cards would have come in handy but each time he gets them out, we all enjoy hearing the stories of how he got the card, who signed it and how he left his most precious cards on a cruise, even though it was a bitter sweet time, the story is always so sweet when he tells it, cause it's like he still see's where he left them and how fresh it is of the little boys disappointment when they weren't there when they called the cruise line.

It's always nice to get the big gray box out and reminisce about the saved treasure. They always seem to bring the little kid out in all of us.

Memories like these you can not put a price on.

Common colds....HA!

2010-03-12T17:08:00.004+01:00

What appeared to be common colds for both girls has turned into something so much bigger.

We took Brienna to the doctor last Friday because she kept saying "ah-wa pamper" and she wouldn't eat anything, come to find out the poor little thing had strep throat and a urinary tract infection. They checked Allie and she seemed to just have the sniffles and a little cough.

Wednesday rolled around and Brienna was feeling better but Aleia then was complaining of not feeling so well, I checked her fever and it was 103, due to her history of spiking febrile seizures we don't mess around when it comes to her fevers. I personally go into instant Mama panic mode.

Took Allie to the doctor today and she has her first ear infection, due to all the drainage from from sinuses.

The doctor gave us a nose spray for her and I had to convince this sweet little 4 year old that spraying solution up her nose was going to make things all better, at this point she thinks I'm crazy, and tells me this is the worse day of her life:-) I get the spray to go in her nose and she then tells me "Don't do that again mama, ur just trying to make me nervous".

It was hard enough getting the drops in her ears, I don't think I'll attempt the nose spray again unless her Daddy is around. She want's to be a diver so badly, just like her Daddy so I told her that her Daddy some times has to put things up his nose before he goes diving and she said "well I never want to dibe (dive) then.

Brienna seems to be over the worse, she isn't complaining about her "ah-wa pamper" and she's eating a little better.

Sure makes you appreciate when they are well......the only fresh air I've had since last Friday has been back and forth to the doctors and the pharmacy, and you have to know it is not an easy thing for me over here......the language barrier always frustrates me and truly gets me out of my comfort zone.

Reconnecting

2010-03-06T11:21:00.003+01:00

It was so wonderful to go back 15 years later to the place where our ministry began. In 1994 surprisingly Charles joined the military out of Bible College (IBC) and received orders to Ramstein, Germany. Where Rev. Arlie Enis was the Missionary at that time to the Military Ministries.

Who would have ever known the path the Lord was taking us on would come full circle.

Jaime Manson and Danielle Hollinger. Two ladies I've had the privileged in knowing through the journey God has lead my husband and I down. So awesome to reconnect with the two of them and reminisce about great memories we made together. It was like we never missed a beat.

Courtnee Hollinger.....I babysat her when she was just a baby. Now look at how much she's grown, so talented, doing great in school and working for the church in an area she can.

My heart was full of joy to see Bethel, and to show Aleia and Brienna where their Mama and Daddy first began the journey we are now on.......Missionaries to Europe!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T09:51:00.004+01:00

Finding more time

2010-02-22T19:18:00.002+01:00

Lately I have been working on finding more time to pray, study, organize, read to my girls, practice the ABC's with Allie, be more patient and feed my family healthier choices.

As "women", (mothers and wives) we spend an incredible amount of time preparing grocery list, organizing meals for the week, grocery shopping, putting the groceries away, washing and cutting what needs to be put in baggies, preparing the meal, feeding it to our family and then cleaning up after the mess. Then the whole process begins again.

I have found an easy way to eliminate some of the stress, save more time and feed my family quicker and more healthy.

Monday's are my day of madness. I plan our meals, make the list, shop for the food, bring it home, pre- wash, pre- cut and organize 3 solid meals and 3 left over meals for my family to eat for lunch and dinner. Most Mondays are revolved around food and the kitchen.

Since I have found this system that works for my family, it has saved an enormous amount of time and money throughout the week.

Monday's are busy but the prep time for the week sure does make more time for the things that are just as important to keeping my family happy.

By preparing our meals in advance, it makes meal time so much easier and faster. When my girls say they are hungry it only takes 5 minutes to make a very delicious healthy plate to set before them and it taste as if I slaved over the stove for hours. This also is helpful for Charles when he comes in from a late night of work and is starving, he has a meal already prepared for him, he just has to eat it up.

This system not only enables me more time but it helps that I don't have to offer my family a Peanut butter sandwich, chips or any other unhealthy choice. Don't get me wrong we do eat these things occasionally but when I've taken the time to prepare properly it eliminates feeding my family what I call "empty fuel food"

What easy tips do you have in finding more time for yourself, your family, God and others?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T14:11:00.003+01:00

MY WIFE ROCKS EVERY DAY!

2010-02-17T01:55:00.002+01:00

Well she is probably going to throw "rocks" at me today because I hijacked her blog to tell all her web friends that SHE ROCKS!

She is the best wife in the world! (I asked all of your husbands and they told me its true.)
She is the best mom in the world! (I asked your kids too.)
She is the best pastors wife in the world! (Ok, your getting the drift now.)
She is the best kisser in the world!
She is HOT!
She is so cute when she uses words that she just heard the wrong way!
She is so smart! (OK, sentence above seems to contradict this one but take it in context and lets stay on point.)
She is the best cook in the world! (This is simply a fact.)
She is so patient with me!
She is so faithful to me!
She is so loving to me!
She is so sensitive! (She is a German Indian so there are moments where the blades come out, but overall she is sensitive and i'm not just saying that because she scares me.)
She is so creative! (Especially with her blades.)
She is so gentle! (Well, like 27 days out of the month but there is that week. Gets a little edgy around here. Ha)
She smells like the sweetest roses!

Well I could go on and on but really I am probably already in trouble for what I have said so far as well as for hijacking her blog. Actually, I did not know that password until today when she was working on it with me looking over her shoulder. So this will probably be my last post.

LOVE YOU BABY! Be at peace my little German Indian.

I would like to wake up with all my hair.

MY WIFE ROCKS EVERYDAY!

Bedtime memories

2010-02-15T12:16:00.003+01:00

These are the moments that we never want to fade from our memory. When it's cool that Daddy reads Bible stories, sings songs and cuddles with his little princesses.

Moments when they open up and tell us all that they are feeling not holding back anything.

Aleia loves her bedtime routine especially when Daddy is home.

She is totally a Daddy's girl and we wouldn't have it any other way. She feels secure when he is home, she depends on her Daddy to make all the boo-boo's go away, she knows he can fix anything and he makes bedtime stories up that have you on the edge of the bed, the whole time he's telling them.

Moments like these we will always remember and hope that as they grow older that bedtime remains a bonding time for learning and sharing.

Snow, Snow, go away!

2010-02-13T10:33:00.003+01:00

This is our third winter in Vienna and the snow keeps falling. Just when you think it's almost gone and cleaned up, we get hit with another big snow fall.

The girls of course are loving it. Aleia could play in the snow all day and all night. She even had a little party out in the snow with all her little children as she calls them. (Barbies and figurines)

Snow, Snow go away come again another day, and make sure it's a day when we aren't in town;-)

Being from Michigan you would think the snow wouldn't bother me but it is so different there then it is here.

In Michigan, it can snow and by the next hour the roads, side walks, and paths are completely clear.....AND the sun shines!

When you hear Austria you might think lots of snow, but normally not in Vienna. The snow will lightly fall and it's gone. So they aren't real preparred it seems for this much snow and everyday. It's a mess, and pretty dangerous at times.

Faith:

2010-02-09T20:22:00.004+01:00

Is not believing that God can.....

......It is knowing that He will!

I was very encouraged by a message I recently heard by a great leader in our church.

He said that just as we have faith that when we sit down in a chair it (will) sustain us, not believing it will but knowing it will, is the same kind of faith we must have in God, that when we call upon Him He will listen, when we ask of Him He will provide, and when we lean upon Him He will be there to hold us up.

That is the kind of faith I want to have.....not just to believe but also to KNOW!

Kid Quiz

2010-02-08T16:05:00.002+01:00

Answers dictated by Aleia, age 4.

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
Don't touch

2. What makes Mommy happy?
For her daughter to be nice

3. What makes Mom sad?
When I makes a mess

4. How does mom make you laugh?
Tickles me

5. What was Mommy like as a kid?
I don't know

6. How old is your Mom?
(5)

7. How tall is she?
(holds hand up)

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do?
Cook

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Goes Shopping

10. If your mom becomes famous, what would it be for?
A crocodile

11. What's your mom really good at?
Cooking

12. What's your mom not very good at?
Taking out the trash

13. What does your mommy do for a job?
Computer

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Guacamole

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
When you make me french toast

16. If your mom were a cartoon, whom would she be?
a bird from Cinderella

17. What do you and your mommy do together?
Make some food

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We're Daddy's girls

19. How are you and your mommy different?
Mom,this job is making me tired and I'm so tired of it

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
When she takes care of me

21. What does mommy like most about daddy?
When he is home

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
The mall

Time for coffee

2010-02-08T12:32:00.003+01:00

Here is my new beautiful coffee cup. There's nothing like drinking a yummy cup of coffee in a beautiful coffee cup. To me you don't need the atmosphere of a cafe as long as you have a gorgeous mug to drink it out of.

I was never a coffee drinker. Always loved the smell of coffee but was disgusted by the taste. I would do my best to enjoy a flavored coffee from Starbucks in attempt to be social but now I have to say I am a hard core coffee drinker, I still need a little pinch of sugar but can do without the cream, oh yes folks espresso, cappuccino the stronger the better, I love it and it's not just for social anymore.

The turning point for me was when we moved to Austria almost 2 1/2 years ago, I had to learn how to make coffee for different activity's for the church and one man came to me and said the coffee I made tasted like American Tea, well I said "SIR" then teach me how to make European coffee and he proceeded to teach me, and I've been making it like that ever since.

I think it's time for a cup of coffee, how about you?

The Team!

2010-02-06T11:23:00.003+01:00

They are all gone, it's just Aleia, Brienna and myself here on the home front. The Suppan family have left for the states to see family and to be appointed in Missouri as our first Austrian Missionaries. Bro. Nathan Hulsman is in Germany doing the AMTC Bible college orientation. We have around 42 registered students. Charles is off to Switzerland to stabilize a house work that has been going for many years without a full time Pastor.

I'm happy to say I'm sticking around here, I'm teaching in the morning to the great leaders of the church on "the spoken word.....being Positive in your SPEECH) looking forward to that. Also Aleia has Sunday school in the morning and she's thrilled that she knows her Bible verse. It was a hard one this week.

We are so happy to have such a great team, without them it wouldn't be possible. We make a super team and we do even better making memories. So thankful for our church family and can't wait until they all are back home safe.

Stand to be corrected

2010-02-03T13:29:00.002+01:00

It was brought to my attention that our blue fish is named Holly not Lily:-) Lily was the last fish we had that we had to send down to his family in the big world below us cause he needed a fish doctor to help him get better.

Holly is the blue fish, I'd been calling that silly little fish Lily for months, I stand to be corrected.

H.O.T (Holly, Oscar and Tax) our 3 little fish.

Monday Charles and I were treated to a fabulous 5 course meal by a sweet dear saint in the church who works at the Arc Hotel. The meal and setting of the 2 days were just what we needed. Even though we were in Vienna just having a sitter for our girls and being out of our house was a good enough get away for me.

We were able to go to the SiSi museum, enjoy a good lunch, do some shopping and relax. It was a timely get away, a much needed one.

Thank you to Sis. Debbie and the Capule Family for making it possible to have such a great time.

L.O.T

2010-01-31T23:28:00.004+01:00

(L)ily...... is a fat blue fish who has taken over the castle as her home, she shares with no one and any other fish who dares to enter is immediately attacked.
(O)scar..... is so unique, as a baby he was transparent, not real aggressive, kind of makes his home in a corner and gets along with the other two pretty well. Now that he is older he changes daily in his color, I suppose it depends on his mood. He goes from Red with gold spots, transparent in the morning and in the night has a little blue/red color going on. Very NEAT.
(T)ax...... He's the cool fish, looks like a taxi cab, he's pretty aggressive and does the most damage in the tank, he makes little mountains out of the rocks each night. When we wake in the morning the tank looks like a completely different home.

L.O.T not to be mistaken for the Lot in the Bible but better none as Lily, Oscar and Tax, 3 little fish who have made their way into our little families heart.

Happy Birthday....Dad

2010-01-28T14:40:00.004+01:00

Today my Dad turns one year older. He still doesn't act or seem a day over 29, he can keep up with the best of us. He's a hard working man, who has served in the Navy, retired from Saturn and is now doing many things for the Veterans department in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

I am so thankful to have such a fun, loving and understanding Dad. When I think no one understands me or I just need to smile I give him a call and he seems to know just what to say to brighten day.

The older I get and the more things that come my way, I am so thankful I have my Dad to lean on.

He always comes through for me. My most recent memory is when I had to move my Mom to Arkansas, he was there every step of the way for me. He helped me pack, drive, move and then set her home up all in one week. We made some great memories and I could have never gotten trough such an emotional and physically hard time without him by my side.

Happy Birthday Dad, your the best Dad to me.

Oh how they grow

2010-01-27T11:00:00.009+01:00

Brienna 7 1/2 months Last Christmas
Brienna 19 1/2 months This year

Allie and Brie-Brie last year

The two of them together this year. Wearing the same PJ's as last year:-)

Aleia's little friends

2010-01-26T18:13:00.002+01:00

Chicka Obuh (right) and Sara Krauss (left) are Aleia's two great little friends. Chicka is one year younger then Aleia but is almost as tall as she is, as soon as Aleia grows out of something we pass it along to Chicka so she can benefit from wearing it until Brienna grows into it. Chicka speaks 3 languages and is an amazing little person.

We only get to see Sara every three month, she lives in Germany. Sara is only 2 weeks younger then Aleia and they both love it when we make time for them to get together, Sara has a brother named Bryan who actually Aleia is more interested in :-) Sara speaks German and finds a way to make herself understood by Aleia, she is such a fun little girl.

Aleia has another great little friend in her Pre-K class, her name is also Sara. They eat, play and communicate in their own little way. Sara likewise only speaks German, but they seem to be the very best friends ever.

So happy Aleia has found such great friends here in Austria and Germany. It is very important to us that she make friends and feels a connection with other children in the church and the community. She has already invited several of her class mates to church and is excited about them coming.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-20T09:41:00.002+01:00

Back from Croatia

2010-01-19T10:45:00.007+01:00

Our trip to Croatia was a short one day trip but very enjoyable. We traveled to the city of Zagreb, it took about 4 hours to get there. We checked into a very affordable hotel, it was clean and just big enough for us to enjoy. My favorite part of the hotel was the bath tub and it would have been the morning buffet at breakfast but since we are on the Daniel fast I wasn't able to enjoy it as much.

A beautiful lamp and building that caught my eye

The evening we arrived in Zagreb we were able to find a very nice restaurant that served an assortment of vegitarian meals, we were thrilled. Not completely satisfying or filling but thankfully I had brought a back pack full of grapes, dried fruit, nuts and some cucumber wedges.

That night Bro. Hulsman, my husband and I enjoyed a long game of travel scrabble. The girls jumped on the beds, explored every little detail of the hotel room and at the end of the night we were all very happy, tired and ready for the morning to come so that we could tour a bit and then get our well needed stamp in our pass ports.

On the cable car, headed to the oldest church in Zagreb
Aleia's new tiger face, yeah it's her way of hiding that she is really starting to be pretty shy these days. I'd say it's a terrible cover up, hopefully this phase passes as quickly as all the other ones she has gone through.

Bro. Hulsman is our aimer here in Austria, he came with us since he also needed an updated stamp in his pass port. We were successful yet again to get a stamp but it is getting more difficult each time to get through the borders. Keep us in your prayers that we are able to obtain a Visa in the near future.

MHR's Friday

2010-01-15T17:20:00.003+01:00

Charles has been very busy the last few weeks, of course I know that I say that a lot but the beginning of the year is always a very busy time for him. It is at the beginning of each year that he cast new vision for the church in Vienna, and works on getting things in place to do more then has ever been done before in the countries of Austria and Germany.

My husband rocks (MHR's) because even though the schedule, planning, training and the vision seems to be continually evolving he is sure to never make me feel left behind and always makes an effort to assure me that the most important responsibility I have right now are our two beautiful girls.

Meeting the FMB

2010-01-13T14:33:00.003+01:00

Pastor and Sister Suppan have been our faithful, loyal and hard working Aim workers for almost two years and they have recently been asked to come and meet the Foreign Missions board in St. Louis. We are so excited for what this not only means for our family but for the church of acts and for the countries of Austria and Germany.

We are so thrilled to have this family apart of the team that is seeing revival happen in Europe.

We look forward to the Suppan family being full time missionaries and working side by side with our family and the rest of the team God has hand picked for this time.

Team work makes the dream work!

All ready to go......

2010-01-10T23:15:00.002+01:00

It's that time again.....Yes it's been 90 days so the suit cases are out, the Croatia money is set aside and the cooler is full of vegetables and fruit to snack on while on our journey.

As I was getting the things ready that we needed for our trip to Croatia tomorrow, Aleia saw that I put her little pink ballerina suit case out, which only means to a 4 year old that she must get to pack her own suit case for the fabulous road trip.

Aleia is a perfect little traveler and count's the days until the next trip we take......she's a bit like her Father in that way I'd have to say:-)

She asked if she could pack her things and I say of course. So as I'm ironing my clothes for tomorrow the conversation goes like this:

Aleia: Mom can I take my I-pod Nano and 10 books
Me: You can take your I-pod Nano and 3 small books
Aleia: That's a great idea
Me: So are ya all ready to go
Aleia: Yes Mam
Me: Well let me see what cha got in there

As Aleia wipes her forehead and lifts the very full pink suit case up to me, she then goes on to say:

Aleia: Mom this was very hard work
Me: (I laugh) and say yes I'm sure it was

The suit case for the one night trip consist of 3 small books, 1 I-pod Nano, 1 Leapster game, Cheerleader pom-poms, 2 movies, 2 barbies, 1 blanket, 3 small stuffed dogs and her Bible.

Me: What were you going to wear tomorrow
Aleia: Oh yeah I forgot, well um let me see......my Cinderella dress!
Me: (I laugh) Um yeah NO I don't think so
Aleia: Well you let me on my 2nd Birthday
Me: Honey that was your 4th Birthday and before you'll be ready to go you'll need to take some of these toys out to make room for your clothes
Aleia: Yeah I think then I'll be ready to go

It was such hard work deciding what to bring for her one little over night trip to Croatia that when I put her to bed, she was asleep within minutes.

Quick View of 2009

2009-12-31T13:33:00.003+01:00

As much as I'm looking forward to a new year, of new beginnings, new goals and new memories, I'm sad that one more year is gone, I don't want the memories made this year to fade or ever go away.

One more year passes, people change, life goes on, babies grow into toddlers, toddlers grow into teenagers and life just keeps going. I look back on this year and wonder how at times I even made it through some of the emotional battles that hit my family, my home and our church, But through it all I feel God was right there, holding my hand and leading me each step of the way.

We still have so much to give thanks for and so much to still work through but I'm glad to say I have a loving husband and two great healthy girls who give me all I ever need. I am blessed and look forward to a new year full of grand possibilities.

A Quick View of 2009

January: Brienna started to crawl. Amber H. Arrived as our Aim worker

February: Renovated the church, moved my family to AR, got Todd on S.S, started the Bible school

March: Got my crown replaced, Brienna got 5 teeth all at once, Brienna was dedicated, Twins turned 9

April: Charles traveled to Spain, Taiwan and the Philippines, Rev. Lee Stoneking arrived

May: Apostolic Power conference, Aleia turned 4, stamp in our pass ports (croatia), Month full of family Birthdays, Brienna stood for a few seconds, Brienna turned 1.

June: Brienna hurt her leg, our great Sis. Hilda passed away, Charles did a lot of traveling

July: Youth on mission came from the U.S.A, Bro. Cole Passed away, Charles went to the states

August: I turned 33, Croatia for a stamp, Brie got more teeth, Heather and Brianna came from Wisconsin, Charles back from the states, celebrated 15 years of marriage, Croatia again, Charles did his first wedding at the C.O.A in German, trip to Africa was canceled

September: Aleia started Pre-School, Met Natasha and Zorica, Church gave us an Anniversary party, Charles went to America

October: Charles turned 35, Van Broke down, house infested with bee's, Brienna was stung twice, left Brienna for the first time over night with Sis. Amber, took a small trip to Germany, Charles was elected as Superintend of Germany and Austia, Bro. Nathan Hulsman arrived

November: Got a different Van, Joined the Vienna Babies club, Croatia for a stamp, Brienna got a bad cold, had everyone over for Thanksgiving....Missed Family!

December: Aleia missed the whole month of school, Brienna is saying and signing many words,
Leaders Christmas party, Cookie banquet, shopping, trip to Madrid, left girls with Sis. Amber for a week, had a good Christmas Eve, Missed Family!

Just as quickly as this year has passed another year will come and go, let us not allow words of love to be unspoken and goodness be brought to someone in need. Love you all, and thank each of you for your support, love and prayers. Hope and pray you have a wonderful New Year. Lord bless you!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-30T13:07:00.001+01:00

Monday Madness

2009-12-28T11:32:00.005+01:00

The busy day is yet ahead of us. We are beginning a bit late but it's been good, very relaxing. We are enjoying all the wonderful gifts, cookies and treats on this Monday after Christmas. I am counting the days that the new year is here and I can consume more then cake, chocolate and anything full of cream cheese, a piece of delicious fruit or at least something that is healthy would be nice.

We have many things on our to do list, as of right now the day consist of:

-My friend (a mother) from Aleia's school, Natascha had her baby on Saturday night, so we will be heading over there today to greet them and give baby Konstantin Valentin a little gift from our family. She had him all natural in 4 hours and he was bottom FIRST. Here Natascha is with her Benjamin just a few days before Konstantin was born.

Other things to do for the day are:

-Dry Cleaners
-Bank
-Down town to get a few things
-Grocery store to get a few things
-Bratislava to get Pizza Hut and take back a few things
-Home
-BED (MY FAVORITE) part of the day.

We're going to enjoy the last few last we have left in 2009.....can't believe we're going into 2010, that sounds and looks weird.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-23T17:20:00.005+01:00

Traditions

2009-12-21T19:42:00.003+01:00

So hard keeping all the traditions staying fresh. Do find that you look forward to the holidays for that yummy taste of your favorite punch, sound of Christmas chorals while you wrap that special gift, cookie night with your best friend or sisters, picking that one ornament out that will bring memories to come..........???

Yeah probably not!

I've learned in my short little lived years that not as many people look forward to keeping to traditions as I do. I spend most of my Holidays trying to keep all traditions fresh when really people just get to busy to appreciate the small things.....of making memories.

I guess it's so important to me because growing up, even though I was brought up primarily by my Mother who didn't have much to give, she always seemed in her special way to give a unique touch to every holiday....even if it meant she'd be late, she brought tradition to the forefront of EVERY holiday or special event....from the time I was in Kindergarten until the last Christmas I had at home, I can remember the snow man and little plastic bear my mother would put in the window every year.

Although our tree was to tiny and not much to speak of, it had our little special ornaments we would put on each year. When I moved my Mom to Arkansas this last year, it was one of the request I had was to take some of the ornaments home to my kids, along with a few other things that have a lasting hold on my memory.

Looking forward to that beautiful stocking full of the most unique thought out gifts from my Mother in Law.....to the delicious punch my Father in law makes (it's so good you just can't drink enough of it).

I hold dear to every special tradition, I make a mindful heartfelt memory of all the things that made my holiday so special and even though miles, circumstances, business of life, illness or just age might change things, I'll never forget the wonderful memories that special traditions brought to me.

I plan to fill my daughters lives with traditions that stay just as consistent as when Charles and I were growing up. It is important and I suppose it is as important as you believe it to be or want it to be.

Speaking of traditions, I found this really neat thing that I plan to incorporate into our Christmas dinner tradition.

Special Dinner Seating Idea:
During Christmas dinner with your family and friends, place an ornament by each place setting that represents something regarding that person. Each person has to figure out where they are sitting by picking their ornament. Example: If someone is expecting a baby, you could put a baby ornament by her place setting. Whatever your company enjoys, or if they have a favorite hobby, you could use a similar token as their place setting ornament. It should be so much fun to see each family member and guest try to their place setting. It is also interesting to see how children ornaments change from year to year as they mature and their interests change. Not only does it add to the festivity, but each person keeps the ornament as a gift.

Keep true to tradition it is the thread that keeps memories knitted so tightly together.

Sunday Sickness

2009-12-20T11:22:00.002+01:00

The last Sunday before Christmas and I'm home with sick babies. Just when Aleia was starting to feel better Brienna came down with something. So I've now been in my soft purple barney robe since Tuesday. It's covered in buggies, cookie dough, bananas and spaghetti sauce.

Matching Christmas dresses from Mimi and Big Papa were all set out for the girls, bows, tights, camera battery charged, snacks, sippy cup, change of clothes and a full day of diapers were ready in the diaper bag.

Christmas cards were signed and sealed by the door for all the great saints of the C.O.A. Little candy gift bags wrapped with a pretty red bow for all the children. So many plans and expectations of the day but Sunday sickness has taken over any plans I had.

My plan for the day now consist of Tylenol, humidifiers, hot rags to wash the every so flowing snot from Brie's nose, thermometers, warm oatmeal, lots of elmo stories, and another day in this crazy barney robe.

It's amazing how sickness can so easily change your perspective and add such a different since of chaios to the day. What was priority is no longer, what seemed important will have to wait.....Sick Babies come first!

MHR's Friday

2009-12-18T11:32:00.003+01:00

Three girls with long hair can cause a shower and sink after a while to plug up.

Recently we were in ankle deep water wondering if maybe one of the girls toys got stuck down the drain. Charles used Drano and a few other chemicals to see if it would eat what ever it was up. Unfortunately nothing was working.

It was time for plan B, he took a hanger and pushed it down the drain and after a few minutes he pulled out the most massive hairball I've ever seen. You'd think we'd all be balled by the size of this thing. I was so proud of him, you see this is the man who can not stand the sight of one strain of hair on the bed, his clothes or even near him.

Charles managed to pull the enormous hair ball out of the drain without loosing his lunch or his love for the long haired ladies in his life.

So many thoughts but nothing to say

2009-12-16T19:34:00.005+01:00

A clunk of of mess in my mind but nothing to write or say. So until it is all clear and my thoughts and emotions are more understandable even for me I'll just leave you with this cute picture of a little mess that brings such happiness to our lives.

Missing my family more then ever during this Holiday season. Surrounded by so many people yet I feel so alone...... in a crowd of people who love me but still just want to be with those who mean more to me then anything...."My Family in the states" Love you all and miss you all more then you'll ever know.

Never to late.....

2009-12-02T11:37:00.004+01:00

Charles turned 35 on October 1st but celebrating his special day came around a little later, I say it's never to late to celebrate. The girls had a blast preparing his chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.....one of his and Aleia's favorite.

Aleia help mix the batter, once it was done cooling she frosted it and Brienna helped lick the spoon and then we all helped put the candles on. We put 3 in one corner and then 5 in the other corner for "35".
The girls got him a bag of his favorite gummy bears! I had Aleia wrap the gift, and when he opened the box to our surprise there was a half eaten bag of gummy bears and an awesome watch, she said "I knew Daddy would understand". It was so funny and so Aleia.

He had a great Birthday....one month later! Like I said it's never to late to celebrate.

MHR's Friday

2009-11-27T12:09:00.003+01:00

Lithuania was the trip of the week for Charles. Great things happened during the time he was ministering there.

He got to meet The Miller family and spend an early Thanksgiving with them. Just in time to get some practice on making a Turkey for our little Thanksgiving gathering here in Vienna.

He came home on Tuesday.......each trip he takes he comes home baring many gifts to the girls and I. He got Aleia a beautiful princess story sticker book and Brienna a little Elephant we named "Ellie". To my surprise he didn't have a gift for me. I needed him to run to the store to get a few things for the dinner I was preparing an when he came in he had a bouquet of 12 beautiful long stem red and pink roses in his arms "all for me". My husband Rocks....what a thoughtful man.

His next trip planned is Germany and then to Spain............girls love gifts, girls love purses, perfume and flowers but most of all they love it when Daddy is home in his big brown chair reading stories, praying and showing us how much he loves us.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T14:28:00.004+01:00

Parenting Challenges.....

2009-11-23T11:01:00.002+01:00

As many of my readers know Charles and I had our first baby after 11 years of marriage, then 3 years later I turned 31 and had another baby. We've been married now 15 years and although the wedding bells still ring loud and clear in my ears, it is parenting that has brought many surprising issues to the table.

We have found it is necessary to weekly evaluate the many stages are girls so quickly phase into.

It is not always an easy task being in unity as we come together and address the parenting issues that bring such daily challenges to us. We have found that it is very important to communicate on how we will deal with each demanding challenge our beautiful girls go through.

Recently I was feeling like I was not meeting up to the expectations of Charles as the Mother to his babies.....it seemed that when he would come around he would be implementing boundaries for them that I was not aware of so therefore I was not following through with them once he left. We had a long discussion on what I felt was a fight worth fighting over with a 1 year old and a 4 year old and he expressed the fights he felt were worth fighting over. It came to one common ground rule or equal expectation and that is "being consistent", which is a full time job all in it's self.

Wouldn't it be nice if parenting came with blue prints or an instructional book that way you could avoid some of these issues before that put their nasty head up.

My mother raised me and my sister on her own, I saw the hardships she faced in being a single parent, yet through it all I think she did an amazing job, she was such a great example of a loving, praying and hard working mother. I can only pray and hope that I will be as good of a Mama as my mother was. She wasn't super strict but the things she had issues with she stuck strong to them, even if I didn't understand them. Many would say she wasn't strict or consistent enough but I suppose the fruit of her labor stands the test of time and tells the critics in her day the final story.....she was an AWESOME mother under all the circumstances she raised us the best she could. (Thank you Mom)

I often tell Charles I don't know how my Mom did it, she was a strong women, is all I can say.

The most difficult challenge of all is that Charles is gone about 2 weeks out of every month, many of you military Mama's will be able to relate to this one. Well I'm the Mama and Daddy for those 2 weeks, then I am immediately suppose to take the Daddy hat off the minute he comes home.......how do you do that? Well it is not easy.....but I love him, respect him, honor him and I am submitted to him, so those in itself make it easier to defer to him as the Daddy and Man of the home. Our girls need his consistent affection, his instruction, his correction, his encouragement and his love.

Several things I have found to make these parenting challenges a bit less stressful is:
-Setting boundaries
-Communicate Weekly
-Be Consistent
-Priority's/Balance

We are striving to be the best parents we can be, to raise our girls to be respectful, well behaved, God fearing women. Through all the daily challenges parenting brings, I can say at the end of the night, I am so proud and thankful God blessed us with such beautiful, healthy little girls.

For it is the challenges in life that make us who we are and what we will become.

Thanksgiving dinner list

2009-11-21T12:02:00.003+01:00

We were debating on having Thanksgiving at a restaurant this year, since in Austria they don't celebrate this great Holiday. It isn't easy to come by a good full 23 pound turkey, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie. Not to mention all of the work it requires to prepare and clean up after such a feast.

As I sat thinking about the memories I had growing up.....many Thanksgivings at The Robinette home, lots of food, fun games and a great spirit of togetherness I can't help but give in and say yes "I'll cook" this year. Besides I really am a softy when it comes to making the most out of a memory and am truly the most sentimental person you'll ever meet.

We have 6 Americans here not including our family of 4. So it should be a great time of fun and fellowship.

Thanksgiving Dinner list:
-Rolls & Butter
-Drinks, Coffee, Cream & Sugar
-Broc/Cali salad
-Turkey (if we can find one)
-Mash Potatoes & Gravy (a must)
-Corn
-Cranberry sauce
-Pears
-Small relish tray
-Dressing
-Green bean casserole
-Baked Mac n cheese
-Macaroni Salad
-Crab dip
-Grape salad
-Dessert

Is there anything I'm missing?

What is on your list for Thanksgiving? Any easy great Turkey Day recipes? Send them my way....To a great week of preparing wonderful food, fun and togetherness. Let us all be reminded of the things to be Thankful for.

MHR's Friday

2009-11-20T19:18:00.003+01:00

This Monday we had to drive to Croatia to get mine and the girls stamp updated in our passport's, although Charles did not need a stamp since he just recently arrived back from America he still was willing to take us there and set two good days aside. Even though it was not on his schedule and actually not the most convenient thing for him to do he still planned a wonderful time away and made it special for all of us.

For me: He knows how much I love to take a bath and since we do not have one in our house he always makes sure that is one perk the hotel has before booking it. We stayed in the Regent hotel in Zagreb, Croatia. It was so beautiful, the tub was GREAT!

For Aleia: She loves it when we go to a hotel that has a private room for her, it makes her feel so big....it had just that, one room for us and a separate room where we made her bed on the sofa, she was in heaven.

For Brienna: Great staff who are taken by her at every chance they get to see her. Her smile can make any bell boy smile:-) and the more attention she gets the happier she is. It also helped that the hotel had tons of drawers and closets for her to hide in and open.

My husband rocks: He is always so thoughtful, that even though we must travel often he makes sure that all of our needs are met.

I think I might have gotten our Christmas picture while we were in Zagreb.....very cool city, they have the cafe's outside, and they are heated with tall heaters, it was a city full of history, great food and amazing fashion. I look forward to going back there again.

Not one but 2 WINner's

2009-11-15T18:28:00.003+01:00

I was hoping that the sound of a delicious blend of Vienna Coffee would prompt more of you to leave a dream get away comment. I have to say the 2 of you that left a comment, I was able to go right to the place that a nice warm cup of coffee takes you. I would say at this point just going up stairs to the bathroom by myself would be a dream get away....sure most of you can relate.

To Karen and Kendra thank you for your relaxing comments.....your reward will be delivered to you soon.

I plan to have more great giveaway's in the next coming year. I want to thank each and everyone of you for coming along with us on our families journey. Hope you all enjoy the posts and updates on the journey we are on and know that we love receiving all of your great comments.

Wasn't able to do my normal MHR'S Friday post...(my husband rocks)! So here it is:

Charles has always been a dreamer, the most amazing thing is that he has always been able to convey his burden, and cast a believable vision that is tangable .....he has the wonderful ability to see big possiablitys, look past set backs, and see the grand picture. He knows just how to deal with things case by case, priortize and hardly ever gets discouraged. He rocks at seeing things before they go wrong and fixing them before they get out of hand. He truly is amazing and is always surprising me with the patients, love and persistence he has for his family and the church. (I think My Husband Rocks......if you were wondering):-)

Coffee give away

2009-11-12T16:38:00.006+01:00

Read on to find out about the great coffee give away!!!!

Just when I think I'm safe and can get by with the little German I know and tell myself there is no need to stress myself out in taking an intensive German course, that is when my precious little toddler decides while we are standing in the grocery line, ready to place all the items on the belt, grabs the huge glass bottle of garlic salt and drops it right on the slab floor.....oh no Rexie did not just do that.

Thoughts going through my head at that very moment:

1. This is not happening
2. I'm in a hurry
3. I don't want people to know I'm American
4. I want to seem like I'm fine
5. Oh this is normal, but why now
6. How do I tell someone my daughter made a mess
7. Do I just leave it and let everyone behind me think I'm irresponsible
8. Need to take a German course
9. Will I be apologizing on Brie's behalf much longer:-) (Probably)lol!
10. Oh Lord just get me out of here, now and fast.

Well I did just leave it, said excuse me about 5 times in German cause that's all that would come to mind.....got out to the car, chest pounding, back dripping in sweat, put Brienna in the car, loaded the groceries, popped my favorite cd in and turned it up as loud as I could without blaring our ear drums out, drove through the Mcdonalds drive through to get a coffee and sat in the parking lot on Brunner strasse sipping on my coffee dreaming of being on a an island (by myself),where facials, pedicures, all you can eat, sheets so soft you felt like you were in heaven, bathing in a tub full of mint and rose, and catering to only me was available.

Oh my are all of you feeling like it is about time for me to get a break.....? Or most of you are probably wishing you could come along too. Sounds pretty selfish, but it's real, I get tired, and overwhelmed but it isn't anything that a 1 great nights of sleep can't fix.

Share what great place a hot cup of coffee takes you.....the best journey that you take me on will win a wonderful blend of Vienna coffee. You have until Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T14:30:00.002+01:00

Song on my heart

2009-11-08T10:14:00.008+01:00

Today is Sunday, a day where I normally rise 2 hours before
the family, iron clothes,prepare snacks for the day, prepare
my mind for the day, get myself ready, wake Aleia up
get her ready, wake Brie up,get her ready, feed them, drink
a cup of coffee and head out the door in order to make it
to church on time to unlock the doors and welcome all the
great saints of the C.O.A.

Yet this morning was a bit different.  Well I should say
last night was a bit different.  Brienna was coughing all
night, which had me so worried. There is so much sickness
going around lately that a runny nose, sniffle, or any kind
of cold symptons seem to lead to something a lot worse.
I couldn't rest very well, just thinking of Brie being sick,
thinking of Stellan's heart surgery today, MckMama and her
family.

Counting my blessing of healthy strong children, I couldn't
help getting all emotional about thinking this could be my
child, in it all I could not sleep, stayed up most of the
night,praying, crying, and of all things missing my own Mom.
Just remembering all the wonderful things she has taught me
and wishing so much I could grab a cup of coffee and sit
and chat with her, knowing that if she could hear me, she
would encourage me and say something that would lift my
spirits and if she didn't have anything to say, I know
she would fall on her knees and pray.

My Mom taught me how to pray, she taught me everything
I know about being a great Mother to my own babies.

I miss her so much.

As I sit here knowing that our own service is going on,
I have a song on my heart and I pray it encourages you
all as it has me.

Dancing Generations

Your mercy taught us how to dance

To celebrate with all we have

And we'll dance to thank You for mercy



Your glory taught us how to shout

To lift Your name in all the earth

And we'll shout to the praise of Your glory



It's the overflow

Of a forgiven soul

And now we've seen You, God

Our hearts cannot stay silent



And we'll be a dancing generation

Dancing because of Your great mercy, Lord

Your great mercy, Lord

And we'll be a shouting generation

Shouting because of Your great glory, Lord

Your great glory, Lord

MHR's Friday

2009-11-06T13:44:00.003+01:00

A rare moment where Brienna is cuddling, she is so busy and would rather be making a mess or wrestling.

So proud of Charles, with him just getting back from the states where he really worked so hard to raise funds for the church here in Vienna. I know it is so hard for him to be away from the church and not to mention his girls and myself. He hasn't been feeling very well and he's been very busy yet finding time to do a few little things around here to help with the girls and get some things that have been suffering around the house.

He ordered Aleia's darkening shade for her room..2 weeks for delivery.
He got a new windshield wiper for the van
Bought the caulk for our room to seal off all the wholes so no more bee's.....yes! On Monday night he actually got stung by one while we were sleeping, he thought it was a dream but when he ripped the covers off their sat (Bary Bensin) just chillin out in our bed. His thumb is red, swollen and itchy.

My husband rocks because with all the things he has to juggle and all the things that are at hand taking his attention he has still found time to help put Aleia to bed for the past 2 nights, and make time to wrestle with Brienna.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T23:15:00.001+01:00

Full Boxes

2009-11-03T15:56:00.005+01:00

Charles has been home now for one full week and we are getting back into our normal routine, well normal to us that is.

He arrived on Tuesday of last week and was home Wednesday and Thursday, then we had to drive to Germany for the weekend for district board meetings where he was voted in as Superintendant of Austria and Germany.

We left Aleia with Savannah and for the first time we left Brienna over night with Sis. Amber. It wasn't easy having to take them to someone's house and having them stay at two different places, I had to pack double of everything.

I have to say it is easier just to take them with you.....you don't worry about them getting lost, hurt, hungry or afraid. Plus when you come home it takes 4 days to make them understand (1) that your not leaving again for a long time and (2nd) "We are the boss" (LOL)!

When we got home we had 2 full boxes of goodies from America. One box was what Charles mailed while he was in the states full of things from him and from Mimi and Big Papa, the second box was from Scott and Kendra. Thanks a bunch for all the wonderful goodies.....we love when full boxes come to our door.

Charles Arrives (Finally)

2009-10-27T11:25:00.002+01:00

Last night we prepared all that needed to be done to make a nice welcome home for Charles. He had his 35th Birthday without us in America so we decided to plan a small intimate family Birthday party for him when he gets home today.

Aleia and I made his favorite chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, even though we will eat more then he will at least he knows we were thinking about him.

Bought him a really nice gift from the girls and I and Aleia is suppose to be making him a welcome home Birthday card in pre-school today, by the way that is the only way I got her to go to school today, cause she didn't want me to get her Daddy without her. He doesn't arrive until 7:40 tonight so she has all day to think about him coming home.

The house is cleaned, the girls have had their baths, home made chicken noodle soup is done, chocolate cake is made, Birthday gift is wrapped, took garbage out, gas in the van, vacuumed van out, laundry is done, legs are shaved, and fresh sheets on the bed. I think I've covered all that needs to be done before he gets home to make his first day home happy and comfortable.

We can't wait.....the girls and I are so excited!

3 safety steps

2009-10-25T20:51:00.004+01:00

As a Mommy to young children, I find myself asking many other Mothers who have older children the question of "when did you know it was time to teach on _____ and _____ and _____? well the answer is always the same.....as they tell me, you'll know when the right time will be for your child.

So I've started realizing it is true what they say, you really will know when it is time and when your child is ready to learn about certain things.

Aleia is now 4 1/2 and has started pre-school, and so many new situations and conversations have been brought up, such Crossing the street, what do we in case of a fire and what is a stranger. So I've decided to use this little 3 liner 3 step rule system to help her remember what we do when we are:

#1 crossing the street, #2 in a fire, or #3 Stranger alert

Rule #1 = Stop, Look and Listen (crossing the street)
Rule #2 = Stop, Drop and Roll (in case of a fire)
Rule #3 = Run, Yell and Tell (Your heart alarm tells you somethings not right.....Stranger alert)

I found a few really good educational video clips off of lilyguanausa.org and they have been so helpful in re-emphasizing what I've been trying to teach Allie about the 3 safety steps that I feel are very important for her to learn at this time in her life.

Do you have any good safety steps you are teaching your child at this time that could be helpful?

Great giveaway

2009-10-22T14:45:00.003+02:00

Recently over at Karens2cents blog (My 3 little women) she was having a give away for the re-naming of her blog. She's had 3 girls in 3 years and she wanted a few ideas. My name was chosen as the prize winner and the package just arrived.

It was a great to surprise to win and to know that Karen was going to be putting a package together and sending it all the way here.

The package was put together with such thought and love. Thank you so much Karen for all the little goodies you not only put in there for me but for Aleia, she was thrilled.

Good luck with those 3 little women.

Now it's time to go use some of that Mary Kay that was in the prize wining package.

Two best buddies

2009-10-20T12:37:00.008+02:00

Aleia and Brienna are two best buddy's. One is lost without the other. They fight, fuss, kiss, hug, share, take, laugh, and cry but at the end of the day, they love one another and can't be apart.

When Aleia is gone to school, Brienna is my little shadow, she follows me room to room calling (A-ya) Aleia's name all day long. She loves her big Sister. Brie is quite the aggressive one.
When Brienna is gone, Aleia continually ask when are we getting our baby back. Aleia is very protective and loving but still has a hard time sharing her precious toys with T-Rex and rightfully so, because everything Brienna touches you can be sure she will loose or break it:-)
My sweet little babies miss their Daddy. He gets home in 7 days and the girls are thrilled. Hurry home Dad!

A little update on the bee situation: The exterminator came today and spayed, we had 2 bee hives one by my bedroom window and one by the bathroom window, he said we had thousands of bee's. We should see 1 or 2 here and there for the next 3 weeks but after that they should all be gone. I can't tell you how relieved I am that they will be gone. I've killed over 100 bee's in the last week.

It's been 2 years...

2009-10-19T19:13:00.003+02:00

In so many ways it feels like I can't even remember my life before arriving to Vienna. Some how the church, our home, my girls, the city, the people, Vienna it's self has taken over me. Although as I think about today being the anniversary of when we first step foot onto the soil of Vienna I can say we still have so much learn.

Living and adjusting to a new place not to mention a Foreign country brings new challenges each day that we must over come, look past and be inspired to learn from.

As with each transition we have faced in our marriage and ministry I find myself feeling vulnerable and in a infant state of many things as I try to learn the language of each country we are in, learn how the people think, grocery shop, driving, adjusting to cultural difference, adapting to the newness, having patients when I make mistakes, swallowing my pride, finding my way around and being confident in the environment I'm in at the present time.

I can say although it seems when I look back I can hardly remember my life before this, I can also say the time has passed by like a face fret train. So many great things have happened in the two years we've been missionaries to Austria, we are happy this is our home, we look forward by the grace of God that we have many more years in this great country, reaching the wonderful people of Vienna and knowing that we will continually be learning, growing from mistakes and adjusting to a culture we were not born in.

A little over view of the past 2 years:
1. Lived in a 1 bedroom 650 sq.meter apartment for 3 months
2. Bought a kia van
3. Charles went to German class for 3 months 6 hours a day
4. Moved into our beautiful home
5. Dad came to help us unpack and get our home together
6. Got stuck in Egypt
7. Suppans came to Vienna
8. Have had 4 assistant missionaries
9. Started 2 daughter works
10. Had a baby (Brienna Grace)
11. Remolded the church
12. Double in the church
13. Lost a precious saint in the church
14. Dedicated 9 babies in 2 years
15. A beautiful couple were married in the church
16. The Dadzie family were blessed with Oliver
17. Moved my Mom to AR
18. Celebrated 15 years of marriage
19. Two great friends came to visit us (Kim and Heather)
20. Aleia started pre-school
21. Brienna turned 1

Looking forward to another wonderful year of making great memories, training women and men, reaching Austria and finding balance in becoming the women I need to be for the Lord, my family and for the church.

Prisoner

2009-10-17T21:59:00.004+02:00

The bee's and spiders have taken over our home. Not sure what it is about my house but since it got cold every little crawly thing has seemed to have found a place to hide in our home. In total since Wednesday I have killed over 60 wasp in the upstairs of our home. I plugged every hole in our room only to find the next morning that the bee's found a way into Aleia's room.

I feel like a prisoner in my own home.....every corner I turn I'm sure to have a can of spray and a swatter in my hand to defend myself from the creepy crawlers that have invaded my home. Are any of you itching yet???

Finally Aleia, Brienna and I took a trip to the store and bought 2 of the largest cans of spray we could find. It was all in German but a wasp looks like a wasp on any can, American or German. I got home and sprayed the whole upstairs and now every little crawling thing is making it's way out of their hole and I'm finding dead spiders and bee's every where. I should have gotten that spray a long time ago.

The girls and I are still camping out in the guest room for the night, the smell of that spray is to strong for us to be up there sleeping. Allie and Brie are finding it pretty fun for all of us to be in one room. Actually Brienna slept better then she has in a long time. It's been my goal to not nurse her anymore, hopefully by the time Charles is home we'll be done. I have to go to Germany with him for 2 nights for board meetings and I'm not able to take her with me.

Charles will be home in 9 days. Aleia's bed time prayer tonight was that the Lord would keep her Daddy safe so that he could bring her a baby kitten named mittens home with him......the simple little prayers of children. I said don't you want to pray that you and sister sleep good tonight and that you obey Mama tomorrow, she said "No I just want a kitten".

MHR's Friday

2009-10-16T23:38:00.006+02:00

It's not midnight yet on this side of the world so I've still got some time to post about how amazing my husband is.

Tonight I had an emergency, well actually it was a terrible day, one thing after another seemed to be happening.

Aleia didn't have pre-school today so I planned the day to be a down day for us other then getting ready and going to church....our Bible study night is on Friday night.

Not to get into everything that occurred today and only stay on the emergency part of the day, Aleia, Brienna and I decided to take a nap, well about 20 minutes into the nap, Brienna screams out this terrible cry, the one that any Mother would drop what they are doing to check. I picked her up immediately and there were two bee's in her crib. Each one stung her, one on the hand and one on her little chubby thigh. I couldn't tell at first if one had stung her in the mouth or the hand until I noticed her hand turned completely blue and ice cold.

As many of you would be, Stressed! What do I do, who do I call, why is Charles not here, is she allergic, will she react to the sting and how, where are these stupid bee's coming in at, gotta get dressed.....all these things rushed into my mind.

My heart went out for both of my girls, Brienna was in such pain and Aleia acted so grown up but you could tell she was very nervous, she got herself completely dressed and said "mama, I look pretty and I'm here to do whatever you need me to do", I was so stressed I told her "I just need you to go to your room" and now looking back on my reaction, tears flood my eyes because I know how worried she must have felt and how proud she also felt to have gotten herself all dressed up to help me. I love that kid, she has such a compassionate heart.

Called our church secretary and she called the hospital and a saint in our church who is a bee keeper. They are saying that the 21st district is infested with these certain wasp. So ok the district is infested but where in the world are they coming in at......I still don't know, I've plug every hole I can find in our room with toilet paper and tomorrow I have to call our land lord to see if he is able to fix the problem.

As of now the girls and I are camped out in the guest room and all the doors to the upstairs are closed. I just told Aleia we're making great memories that we can tell Daddy all about when he gets home. She wasn't sure about all of it and just said Mama ur so crazy!

I was finally able to reach Charles today, I told him about our ordeal and he was able to calm me down and helped me think more rationally about killing over 40 bee's in our room over the last few days. He gave me a step by step plan to follow. That is what I love about him so much is that he can always come up with a strategic plan to solve just about everything. When I over react about Brienna almost chocking on a hair bow, or when I find her on the counter top ready to put her hand in the toaster or when I can't find her at all and when I do, she is behind the curtain on the window ledge, or when she's just been stung by 2 bee's....Charles always seems to calm me down and helps me to think more clearly. You rock honey and I thank you for always having a plan.

......Brienna thankfully did not have a reaction to the bee stings, her finger and thigh are a bit red but no swelling. She cried for a little while but after about 30 minutes she was back to making messes and fighting with her sister. She really is a trooper, better known as T-REX, our little Rexie.

No more counting

2009-10-15T22:01:00.005+02:00

For the past two days I've decided not to do the whole count down in my mind for when Charles finally arrives. Of course Aleia is still taking one loop off the chain she made for her count down, but I found the days lasting a little bit longer as I waited for the next day to be just one more day closer to when Charles would arrive back from America. If I don't know what day it is, it seems to go by a little quicker.....one day just runs into the next. For a Mothers job is never done!

I've stayed pretty busy actually, not much changes with our routine when Charles is gone or here. He travels often and we try to keep consistency with bed time, eating, errands, school, church and play time, to insure that the girls learn how to go with the flow with having a Daddy who is so high in demand.

I can tell that at this point in time, they are both very anxious for his arrival. I am so thankful for Skype, it has helped Brie Brie stay connected with Charles. He called on Skype yesterday and he taught her how to blow kisses, (now she blows kisses to everyone). Aleia was able to show him the picture she painted in school today and that brightened up his day.

Just a few things that have happened since he's been gone:
1. Was without a vehicle for 2 weeks-in the shop (took public)
2. Got the vehicle back (just in time for cold weather)
3. Brienna has a bad diaper rash
4. Killed 14 bee's in my room in one day
5. Drove to the post office to get a certified letter for Charles and they wouldn't give it to me
6. Friday it was 85 and today it snowed
7. Had lunch with a Natasha (a wonderful lady I met at Aleia's kindergarten)
8. Had a pedicure
9. Have not slept well since he's been gone
10. Found Brienna on the counter top in the kitchen
11. The fish have gotten bigger and oscar has turned a little more red
12. My internet was done for one whole day
13. Started drinking tons of water
14. Carried a heavy load from the church, while he's gone
15. Really have bonded with Aleia (we're best buds)
16. Took the girls to the library
17. Haven't cooked at ALL
18. Changed 7 poo poo diapers today
19. Had the young ladies over my house for Bible study and a sleep over
20. Missed Charles a lot

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T22:01:00.002+02:00

14 days to go......

2009-10-13T20:59:00.004+02:00

Only 2 more weeks, and our Daddy will be home