Perfect for the summer!!!
My Turn
Now it was my turn. My sister Kerri thought it was time I got a little more than just a trim - and she was right! So what do you think of my new cut and color???
Perfect for the summer!!!
Perfect for the summer!!!
Locks of Love
Shaylee has been talking about cutting her hair for weeks. She had gorgeous long hair - but recently she had to wear it in braids so it wouldn't be a tangled mess. We decided that when we got back to America we would get it cut by aunt Kerri. We also decided that if her hair was long enough we would donate it to Locks of Love. Well the day finally arrived (Wednesday, May 25). Aunt Kerri measured Shaylee's hair and found out that she did have 10 inches to cut off- but Kerri would have to cut it level with her chin - that seemed VERY short! But Shaylee was all for it! So aunt Kerri put it in a pony tail - and snipped it off! Shaylee was so excited to be able to donate her hair - and more so excited to finally have short hair! The cut is absolutely ADORABLE on her - and Shaylee LOVES it. She is super cute now with her short hair- and best of all - no more tangles!!!!
Before - those long locks!!!
Shaylee proudly holding up her pony tail!
The new do - short and sweet! Thanks aunt Kerri!!!!!
Before - those long locks!!!
Shaylee proudly holding up her pony tail!
The new do - short and sweet! Thanks aunt Kerri!!!!!
Flights
All checked in and ready to board that plane for our long flight back to the US. We checked 9 bags - all of which were jam-packed full! (Why do we have so much stuff??) We took one last photo in the Frankfurt airport - not sure when we'll be back again.
Flight to the US went well - although in the beginning the kids were cranky and fighting over who got to sit where. We had a whole row (except for one window seat) and yet it seemed like each kid wanted to sit by mommy (I'm so loved) or by a window, or in the middle and not on the end...good grief! We finally got the seating figured out and then I realize that the two video screens in front of my seat and Silas's seat aren't working - GREAT! It will be a long flight not being able to watch a movie (or two or three). Soon after takeoff they served us breakfast - the person in front of Shane decided right off the bat to recline his seat ALL the way back - and drift off to sleep. Shane couldn't barely eat his breakfast due to having NO room. I'm surprised Shane could even watch a movie because the seat was reclined so far back. Fortunately things started looking up about 3 hours into the flight. Shelby drifted off to sleep - as did Silas. While looking at the broken video screens I realized that I could see some things faintly on the screen in front of Silas and so tried some buttons to see if any channel was better - I then figured out that the brightness button was all the way on low - therefore causing a black screen. And on the screen in front of me the brightness was all the way turned up - therefore causing the screen to be almost white. Apparently when Silas first sat down he messed with all the buttons and I didn't realize what he had done. Easily fixable - we now could watch some movies! The rest of the flight went fine without further incidents - just a lot of trips to the bathroom (must be all the ice and pop the kids were drinking) - fortunately we were in the 3rd to last row - so had easy access to the toilets!
Claiming our luggage, going through customs, and rechecking our luggage in Chicago went well - having to wait in line for about 40 minutes to go through security again wasn't so much fun. But we made our connecting flight and had no delays - so of this we were grateful. We were so ready to be done with this long trip! Here are the kids and daddy on our small flight (we had the whole back of the plane to ourselves)!
Flight to the US went well - although in the beginning the kids were cranky and fighting over who got to sit where. We had a whole row (except for one window seat) and yet it seemed like each kid wanted to sit by mommy (I'm so loved) or by a window, or in the middle and not on the end...good grief! We finally got the seating figured out and then I realize that the two video screens in front of my seat and Silas's seat aren't working - GREAT! It will be a long flight not being able to watch a movie (or two or three). Soon after takeoff they served us breakfast - the person in front of Shane decided right off the bat to recline his seat ALL the way back - and drift off to sleep. Shane couldn't barely eat his breakfast due to having NO room. I'm surprised Shane could even watch a movie because the seat was reclined so far back. Fortunately things started looking up about 3 hours into the flight. Shelby drifted off to sleep - as did Silas. While looking at the broken video screens I realized that I could see some things faintly on the screen in front of Silas and so tried some buttons to see if any channel was better - I then figured out that the brightness button was all the way on low - therefore causing a black screen. And on the screen in front of me the brightness was all the way turned up - therefore causing the screen to be almost white. Apparently when Silas first sat down he messed with all the buttons and I didn't realize what he had done. Easily fixable - we now could watch some movies! The rest of the flight went fine without further incidents - just a lot of trips to the bathroom (must be all the ice and pop the kids were drinking) - fortunately we were in the 3rd to last row - so had easy access to the toilets!
Claiming our luggage, going through customs, and rechecking our luggage in Chicago went well - having to wait in line for about 40 minutes to go through security again wasn't so much fun. But we made our connecting flight and had no delays - so of this we were grateful. We were so ready to be done with this long trip! Here are the kids and daddy on our small flight (we had the whole back of the plane to ourselves)!
Its good to be back in the US - and we are glad we don't have to make that long trip again - at least for awhile :)
Sweet Sleep
We took these sweet photos of the kids while they were sleeping at the hotel...
4 little blessings who were very exhausted from a full week!
Now if we could all get some sweet sleep over here....especially for this tired momma who has one particular little girl who doesn't seem to want to fully adjust to the time change!
4 little blessings who were very exhausted from a full week!
Now if we could all get some sweet sleep over here....especially for this tired momma who has one particular little girl who doesn't seem to want to fully adjust to the time change!
Auf Wiedersehen
Friday, May 20th was the kids last day of school and Silas's last day of Kindergarten. Silas's teacher (and also head of the Kindergarten) Kirsten, made Silas a t-shirt. On the front is a smurf with Silas's name and on the back it says "du Schlumpf Auf Wiedersehen". The reason behind his shirt is this: She would often ask Silas "bist du ein Schlumpf" (are you a smurf?) and he would respond "nein, du" (no, you are). It was a little joke between them.
Silas with Kirsten and also in front of his Kindergarten his last day.
We loved this Kindergarten. Sydney and Shaylee also attended here - and learned to speak fluent German because of it. The teachers were so kind to us and the kids loved them in return. I am so thankful for all they have done for my kids - and how they made our 4 year stay here in Germany a wonderful experience. Vielen Dank!!! We have many fond memories of the Kindergarten and the kids made great friends here. It was sad to say goodbye- definately harder on mommy than on Silas.
Silas didn't want to get in the picture -so he's in the background....but here are his two friends Mike and Sophia.
Silas with Kirsten and also in front of his Kindergarten his last day.
We loved this Kindergarten. Sydney and Shaylee also attended here - and learned to speak fluent German because of it. The teachers were so kind to us and the kids loved them in return. I am so thankful for all they have done for my kids - and how they made our 4 year stay here in Germany a wonderful experience. Vielen Dank!!! We have many fond memories of the Kindergarten and the kids made great friends here. It was sad to say goodbye- definately harder on mommy than on Silas.
Silas didn't want to get in the picture -so he's in the background....but here are his two friends Mike and Sophia.
Later that afternoon at the kids' school.....saying goodbye to their friends. Shaylee's class made her a book with pictures of each of the kids and a little message from each one. It was so thoughtful of them. Its gifts like these that make me cry. Shaylee had a few very special friends. Here she is with her friend Elli.
Shaylee and her friend Elektra
Shaylee and her friend Leticia
She will definately miss her friends! And mommy will miss the parents - sniff, sniff.
Sydney and Shaylee with their friend Jacey. And me with my good friend Sibylle (Jacey's mom). Sibylle is German and married to an American. She moved to Germany around the same time we did back in 2007. Sydney and Shaylee went to Kindergarten with Jacey...and from there our friendship grew and grew. Sibylle is the type of friend you can always count on. She was always there for me - whenever I needed something. She'd help translate stuff for me from German to English. She watched the kids for me when I needed a babysitter. I knew she was just a phone call away if I needed anything. She was also one of the teacher's at the Kindergarten - and spent the last year teaching Silas's class. It was so nice to have her there to help him adjust those first few weeks when he didn't understand much German. Knowing she was there helped both him (and me). He loved her and always wanted to go home with her after Kindergarten. There was just something welcoming about her place. I loved going over to her place just to hang out - never needing to impress - just be yourself. She is such a awesome friend and I will miss her so much.
My friend Verena just happened to be visiting her family in Germany the week I was moving. Verena knows all about the moving process as she moved to the US from Germany in January of 2010. It was great to have her stop in. She brought me some German cheese cake and a coffee on Tuesday morning when I was in the midst of packing and the packers. I look forward to being on the same side of the ocean as her now....even though we are a few states away we've already started planning trips to see eachother!
Shaylee and her friend Leticia
She will definately miss her friends! And mommy will miss the parents - sniff, sniff.
Shane's classmates gave him a t-shirt with a class photo on the front and signed their names on the back. Here he is with 3 of his best buds - Eric, Zack and Thomas.
Sydney's classmates also gave her a t-shirt with a class photo (thanks Catia for organizing). I'm not sure why, but for some reason I have NO photos of Syd with her friends on that day. When I realized this I was sooo sad. (So if any of you happen to read this and happen to have a photo of your child with Syd - would you be willing to email a copy to me? I'd be so grateful.) Sydney's class also put together a book with information on each child and some photos. Sydney sure treasures this book and has spent time looking/reading through it daily. I think she is missing her friends the most so far.
Thursday evening we had supper with our friends Sergey and Lilianna and their boys Gosha and Yura. They have been great friends to us and we've so enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them the past few years. We will miss them dearly!
Sydney's classmates also gave her a t-shirt with a class photo (thanks Catia for organizing). I'm not sure why, but for some reason I have NO photos of Syd with her friends on that day. When I realized this I was sooo sad. (So if any of you happen to read this and happen to have a photo of your child with Syd - would you be willing to email a copy to me? I'd be so grateful.) Sydney's class also put together a book with information on each child and some photos. Sydney sure treasures this book and has spent time looking/reading through it daily. I think she is missing her friends the most so far.
Thursday evening we had supper with our friends Sergey and Lilianna and their boys Gosha and Yura. They have been great friends to us and we've so enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them the past few years. We will miss them dearly!
Sydney and Shaylee with their friend Jacey. And me with my good friend Sibylle (Jacey's mom). Sibylle is German and married to an American. She moved to Germany around the same time we did back in 2007. Sydney and Shaylee went to Kindergarten with Jacey...and from there our friendship grew and grew. Sibylle is the type of friend you can always count on. She was always there for me - whenever I needed something. She'd help translate stuff for me from German to English. She watched the kids for me when I needed a babysitter. I knew she was just a phone call away if I needed anything. She was also one of the teacher's at the Kindergarten - and spent the last year teaching Silas's class. It was so nice to have her there to help him adjust those first few weeks when he didn't understand much German. Knowing she was there helped both him (and me). He loved her and always wanted to go home with her after Kindergarten. There was just something welcoming about her place. I loved going over to her place just to hang out - never needing to impress - just be yourself. She is such a awesome friend and I will miss her so much.
My friend Verena just happened to be visiting her family in Germany the week I was moving. Verena knows all about the moving process as she moved to the US from Germany in January of 2010. It was great to have her stop in. She brought me some German cheese cake and a coffee on Tuesday morning when I was in the midst of packing and the packers. I look forward to being on the same side of the ocean as her now....even though we are a few states away we've already started planning trips to see eachother!
And there are many more of you that we will miss dearly. I can't begin to list you - for I know that I'll forget someone (but hopefully you know who you are). Wether you were co-workers with Jeremy, fellow Expats, parents of classmates, etc...we've enjoyed getting to know each one of you - and we will always treasure the memories made in Germany. So many of you have helped us out in one way or another. Especially these past few weeks with the kids - having last minute playdates or bringing the kids' home from school so that I could get some things accomplished around the house. Each little thing you did for us was a blessing and I am so grateful. It is the relationships that we've made these past 4 years that will stick in our hearts. We are forever changed because of having met you. This isn't goodbye - instead Auf Wiedersehen - we hope to see you again!
Alles Leer
The house is empty!! The girls were dancing around - enjoying the space. It was so loud and echo-y. Shelby would sit on the floor and make a squealing noise - hear the echo of her voice - and then do it again and again. She loved it!
I must admit it feels weird. I still don't think the whole reality of moving has hit me yet. Seeing these photos reminds me of when we first moved in. Has 4 years really gone by? Is it really our turn to return to the US? We've seen so many families come and go. Part of me has been waiting for this day since the day we moved in - and now here it is, and I just can't believe its all happening. The past weeks have been so busy - and I've just been go, go, go and haven't taken time to be emotional about it. I have had a few episodes of tears - often hitting me at times when I least expect it - something little will set me off. It is probably the little things that happen everyday that I will miss the most. Am I sad - yes and no. Knowing that the place where we've spent the past 4 years is empty - the place we called "home" is no longer our home, makes me sad. We've had some good memories made in this house (and some not so good ones too). It's the memories that I will treasure and the people that we had into our home that I will miss. And when I think of them - that is when I will tear up - not knowing when our paths will meet again. But am I excited about what adventures are ahead - absolutely!!! And God has been with us through it all. The strength I've had these past weeks has not been my own - it has been God in me - helping me - giving me HIS strength to lean on and to get through.
I also had to take one last picture of my stairs....I don't think I will miss going up and down these stairs umpteen times a day....although I may now have to invest in a stair-stepper machine in order to stay in shape :)
Boxes, Boxes, and More Boxes
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - The movers/packers arrived and started boxing up all our stuff. Stuff, stuff and more stuff = boxes, boxes, and more boxes!
They packed on Tuesday and Wednesday and a bit on Thursday morning. The container was scheduled to arrive Thursday at noon. While waiting for the container the movers moved all the boxes from the upper floors down into the living room area - it was packed in there tight! What a lot of BOXES!!!!
Silas was a big helper - he wanted to vacuum and clean up. Let me just say that there were more dust bunnies hiding in my house then I could have ever imagined! Even though moving is a ton of work - it might be worth it to do some every so often just so your house gets a real good cleaning!
Shane up in his room with the boxes.
Silas with the big container! Loading it up...
Hardly any room to spare....do we really have that much STUFF!!!!!
They packed on Tuesday and Wednesday and a bit on Thursday morning. The container was scheduled to arrive Thursday at noon. While waiting for the container the movers moved all the boxes from the upper floors down into the living room area - it was packed in there tight! What a lot of BOXES!!!!
Silas was a big helper - he wanted to vacuum and clean up. Let me just say that there were more dust bunnies hiding in my house then I could have ever imagined! Even though moving is a ton of work - it might be worth it to do some every so often just so your house gets a real good cleaning!
Shane up in his room with the boxes.
Setting stuff outside waiting for the container to arrive....it was suppose to arrive at noon on Thursday, but noon came and went. Finally it arrived at 1:30. By 4pm it was loaded and on its way.
Silas with the big container! Loading it up...
Hardly any room to spare....do we really have that much STUFF!!!!!
The Beginning of Goodbyes
Not sure where to start with the next several posts - so I guess I'll just start...and see where it takes me.
The past several weeks (more like months) we've been preparing to move back to the US. In preparation - one of the things we had to do was sell our vehicles (which we purchased back in 2007).
Here I am with my trusty van - the morning we sold her. She's been a faithful member of our family for almost 4 years! She's taken us on so many trips around Europe - from the hill country of Italy to Normandy on the coast of France - from the North Sea to the heights of the Alps. She's been my daily companion bringing the kids to and from school day after day after day. Silas and Shelby have probably spent more time in her than out. She's been spilled in, peed in, thrown up in, slept in, filled with noise, yelling, laughter, and more memories than we could count! Toward the end we were really hoping she would hold together. I recently had a fender-bender, and it seemed she was getting new bumps and bruises each day. But she made it - and although thinking back on the memories made with her makes me tear up - knowing that she's sold and we've got the money in hand makes me feel good and sigh with relief (phew). Now to look for another vehicle in the US that will provide for our family as well as she did.
Jer also had to say goodbye to his BMW. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of his car on my computer right now...so you may have to check back in a week or two and I'll be able to post one - and maybe even get some sentiments from him on his car too.
The past several weeks (more like months) we've been preparing to move back to the US. In preparation - one of the things we had to do was sell our vehicles (which we purchased back in 2007).
Here I am with my trusty van - the morning we sold her. She's been a faithful member of our family for almost 4 years! She's taken us on so many trips around Europe - from the hill country of Italy to Normandy on the coast of France - from the North Sea to the heights of the Alps. She's been my daily companion bringing the kids to and from school day after day after day. Silas and Shelby have probably spent more time in her than out. She's been spilled in, peed in, thrown up in, slept in, filled with noise, yelling, laughter, and more memories than we could count! Toward the end we were really hoping she would hold together. I recently had a fender-bender, and it seemed she was getting new bumps and bruises each day. But she made it - and although thinking back on the memories made with her makes me tear up - knowing that she's sold and we've got the money in hand makes me feel good and sigh with relief (phew). Now to look for another vehicle in the US that will provide for our family as well as she did.
So since my van is sold - we needed a rental vehicle for the remaining week in Germany....thus the GIAGANTIC Volkswagon Transporter. Some of you may remember that I had a lovely transporter when we first arrived in Germany. Being new to the country of narrow and winding roads - the transporter wans't my favorite back then - and I was SOO thankful when I finally got my van. Fortunately this time around the transporter wasn't such a BIG deal...it does hold us all - plus all our luggage with room to spare! And I guess in a way driving it around is just preparing me to drive around a big suburban in the US (but here the roads are wide and pretty much straight as an arrow!)
Jer also had to say goodbye to his BMW. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of his car on my computer right now...so you may have to check back in a week or two and I'll be able to post one - and maybe even get some sentiments from him on his car too.
Happy Birthday Silas!
Silas is 4!!!!! He has been such a sport waiting patiently for his birthday to arrive. He woke up this morning and was so sweet. I finished his cake up late last night (right before midnight) and am so glad I did - because he was super excited to see it this morning. We took a quick picture before Kindergarten - but the actual celebrating with family will happen later today.
Silas, we love you to infinity and beyond!!!
Look Who is ONE!!!!
Happy Birthday to our sweet, sweet Shelby!
Can she really be ONE year old already??
She really wasn't so sure what to think of the cake and presents...but I still got this cute photo of her lifting one gift up and hiding behind it...she'd smile and laugh, but the gift was always in front of her face...she is so silly!
Shelby with Mommy and her cake! Shelby ate a bit of it...but wasn't sure what to think of the frosting....her siblings on the other hand gobbled their slices right up! I'm sure in time Shelby will too:O)
Can she really be ONE year old already??
She really wasn't so sure what to think of the cake and presents...but I still got this cute photo of her lifting one gift up and hiding behind it...she'd smile and laugh, but the gift was always in front of her face...she is so silly!
Shelby with Mommy and her cake! Shelby ate a bit of it...but wasn't sure what to think of the frosting....her siblings on the other hand gobbled their slices right up! I'm sure in time Shelby will too:O)
Happy Birthday Shelby - you have brought sooo much joy into our lives. We can't imagine life without you in our family. God has blessed us so much. We are so thankful that he gave you to us. Love you bunches!
In Christ Alone
At Crossroads Church on Easter Sunday we sang the song In Christ Alone. It brought tears to my eyes then -and still does as I listen to it daily...especially in light of all that is happening in our world lately. No matter what happens - my hope is found IN CHRIST ALONE! I love this song and it speaks right to my heart and I want to share it with you. The version that I listen to is by Phillips, Craig, and Dean from their Let the Worshippers Arise album.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from he grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from he grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Easter Sunday in Holland
We got up Easter Sunday morning and said good-bye to our little bungalow by the sea. When I look at this picture I'm struck by how my kids have grown! They all are getting so big and growing up so fast...can I really be a mom to 5 kids?? Jer and I look at eachother sometimes and seriously wonder how/when this all happened - and if they are getting older, that means that we must be getting older too?!?! What, were not in our 20's anymore?!?
God is good -and he has been so good to us. He has blessed us beyond measure in so many ways, often ways we ourselves do not realize at the time. We've had our share of struggles (daily)! But through our trials God is working in us. And if we keep our focus on him, he will guide us. One of my favorite verses from the Bible that reminds me of this is Proverbs 3: 4-5. It states: Trust in the Lord with all yor heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. These same verses taken from The Message state: Trust God from the bottom of you heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Amen!
As we were driving back up towards Amsterdam (we were attending Easter Sunday services at Crossroads Church in Amstelveen) we saw these windmills along the highway. The new standing next to the old....great picture lesson.
We enjoyed a wonderful Easter service at Crossroads! Great praise and worship music and great teaching. We are so thankful for Jesus Christ. For his sacrifice for our sins, by dying on the cross....but the story doesn't end there. Christ is ALIVE. He rose from the dead and conquered death! He stands in victory! He is ALIVE today, everyday!
God is good -and he has been so good to us. He has blessed us beyond measure in so many ways, often ways we ourselves do not realize at the time. We've had our share of struggles (daily)! But through our trials God is working in us. And if we keep our focus on him, he will guide us. One of my favorite verses from the Bible that reminds me of this is Proverbs 3: 4-5. It states: Trust in the Lord with all yor heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. These same verses taken from The Message state: Trust God from the bottom of you heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Amen!
As we were driving back up towards Amsterdam (we were attending Easter Sunday services at Crossroads Church in Amstelveen) we saw these windmills along the highway. The new standing next to the old....great picture lesson.
We enjoyed a wonderful Easter service at Crossroads! Great praise and worship music and great teaching. We are so thankful for Jesus Christ. For his sacrifice for our sins, by dying on the cross....but the story doesn't end there. Christ is ALIVE. He rose from the dead and conquered death! He stands in victory! He is ALIVE today, everyday!
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