Lake Placid...

Rub-a-Dub-Dub...

lots of bubbles in the tub :)

Milka turns 2!

We love to celebrate...so it is probably no surprise that we threw a little party for Milka's 2nd Birthday!

This is one happy dog who loves to hang out on a boogie board!

 Once the kiddos got out of the pool, they decorated some "bones"...with cookies and cream sprinkles to match Milka's spots

Ethan and Coleman

 

Mackenzie and Abby    

Rowan looking cute as always!

Levi saying cheese

 Luke flaring his nostrils because he knows it totally annoys me :)

and 2 of my bestest buddies...Kim and Shannon

and Milka even got some homemade dog treats shaped like cats from the Smith family!

She certainly is well loved!  Happy Birthday Milka Joy Chili Pepper Hunter :)

Celebrating in Heaven...

On the 15th, Neena would have celebrated her 70th birthday.  Fortunately, as a family we celebrated a few weeks ago when she was still able to. 

This morning her battle with cancer ended and now she is celebrating in Heaven.

For those who are in the area, here are the funeral arrangements:
  Friday evening, September 10, 6-8pm   Visitation
  Saturday morning, September 11, 10:30am  Funeral

Both the visitation and the funeral will be held at--
  St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
  500 North Park Road
  Hollywood, FL 33021
  church phone #954.989.2655

Thank you all for your love and prayers,
Brad, for the family

From Vienna with love...

Yesterday we received a package in the mail from our teammate Lindsay, and our friend Whitney.  It was filled with goodies from Austria and notes of encouragement!  The kiddos were so excited, and can't wait to pack some of the treats in their lunches on Tuesday so they can show their friends here.

I also got a special treat...my comfy, over-sized sweatshirt that I have had since I was pregnant with Luke! Anyone who comes over to our house after 7pm, knows that this is usually what I have on! Everyone in our family makes fun of me when I wear it, but I love it!  I think the girls knew I needed a little taste of home :)  How sweet and thoughtful!

We are settling into a routine now, but the gravity of Neena's cancer still lingers like a heavy, dark cloud.  She grows weaker by the day, but continues to amaze us with her sweet spirit.

The stress has been tangibly felt...with tempers that have been short with one another, kiddos that are sometimes in tears after saying goodnight, and Brad even found himself in the ER earlier this week, struggling with chest pain.  Nothing serious was found, and now he is taking medicine for acid reflux, most likely brought on by...you guessed it...stress.  Often we find ourselves emotionally drained and physically tired as we watch Neena suffer.  Still, we are grateful for the ways we can serve her and spend time with our extended family.

So that is the latest on us.  We are waiting, trusting and hoping in Him to get us all through this trying time...

and a little love from Vienna doesn't hurt either :)

Friday Family Night

THIS totally inspired me...

Normally on Friday nights, we watch a movie and eat pizza together.

This week we kicked it up a notch! We added rainbow-colored silly string, rainbow-marshmallow treats, rainbow-plates, homemade ice cream with rainbow M&M's (are you noticing a theme yet?) and "Dorothy" made a surprise visit!

nice tube socks Dorothy!

Have a great weekend!  Find something to celebrate :)

Go Sharks!!!

Guess who's playing football?

We almost forgot...

In Austria when kids start 1st grade, they get a Schultuete.  The day before Levi started school here, he asked if he was still going to get one.  We couldn't believe he remembered...but we were thankful that he reminded us!  When we picked him up we presented him with a homemade one filled with lots of goodies!

We are so proud of our little first grader!

Benefits of 2 Worlds...

     Yesterday we sent out an e-mail describing our decision to stay in Florida until January, and the challenges that come with that decision.  We received so many encouraging e-mails and messages letting us know that you are thinking about us and praying for us.  Thank you.  It does mean a lot.

One friend who had lived overseas for a long time, wrote about some of the benefits that she has seen in her sons as a result of experiencing life in 2 worlds...

Here is some of what she wrote:
*They have friends from all over the world and know how to make new ones.
* They know the Rock who provides what they need even though everything else around them changes.
* They have a strong family support because we have had to grow closer through these changes.
* They have become prayer warriors because God is the only One who knows what will happen next.

Lately, I have been so consumed by the challenges of living between 2 worlds that I have neglected to think about the potential benefits.  It was a good reminder to me!

First day of school...

After much prayer and counsel, we have decided that it is best for our family to remain in the States until January.  As a result of that decision, we enrolled our kiddos back in the school that they attended before we left for Austria.  Last week was actually their first day.  Everybody is adjusting to the "American" way of doing things, but not without a bit of frustration and tears.  We understand that this is a big transition once again, and we are trying to be patient and provide all the stability and encouragement that we can.  We know that this is where we need to be right now, but please pray for us, as we still are struggling on many levels..

"When I was a kid"...

The kiddos have loved hearing stories at night about when Memoo (my mom) was a kid... and tonight she brought a childhood memory to life::
blowing bubbles with old empty spools

Here Memoo updates her bubble-blowing experience by bringing out a pool "noodle"

Oh the fun you can have when you are staying with your Grandma! :)

One good thing about a herniated disk...

is that your Dr. will write you an order for one of these fancy carts at Disney, and you don't have to wait in line for the rides...