Congratulations to our friends Rick & Barbara Taylor who just delivered Isla's sister into the world!
We can't wait to meet your new bundle of joy!
March 30, 2008
March 23-29, 2008
I have been really sick this past week so I haven't posted. I am not a frequent visitor of the hospital or doctors (those of you who know me really well - you know I must be REALLY sick to go to the doctor or this guy must be treating me!). So with all the coughing, sneezing, aching, and difficulty breathing the boys and I were off to be evaluated. Everyone except Carson ended up on medication and inhalers...yuck. Now, we are all feeling much better, gaining strength, and catching up on what we let slide last week.
Jim was attending the "off-site" this week with the wonderful people from our new unit. Thanks for the invitation and our apologies we could not have all been there with you. We are excited about our new journey and looking forward to meeting all of you this summer.
No news from our agency this week with reference to our submission. Thank you for the prayers, words of encouragement, and new friends we have made so far on this journey.
This week we will begin the process of purging those items we are not taking with us back to the United States and begin placing those things we don't foresee using before we leave back into their orginial boxes.
I love moving - it gives you the chance purge, clean, and begin anew!
March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
May the gloryand promise
of this joyous time of year
Bring peace
and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear,
And may Christ,
Our Risen Saviour,
always be there by your side
To bless you
most abundantly
and be your loving guide.
March 21, 2008
Waiting & Wishing
Many of you have asked if there are any updates with our journey to bring Ella home. We're sorry to report no additional news. It's out of our hands and all we can do is have faith that we will be guided to Ukraine when the timing is right. We appreciate all of your support, prayers, love, and words of encouragement.
March 20, 2008
Spring Break 15-24 March 2008, Garmisch, Germany
We are having a great Spring Break!
Now, when many of you think Spring Break, you may think of sand, sun, bikini's....not us. We packed our parkas, hats, and gloves and made a run for the mountains of Garmsich, Germany - COLD and SNOWY but SNUGGLY!
Although we have had a few coughs, mild fevers, runny noses - our true friend Triaminic Flu relieved those symptoms - for 8 hours anyway.
We have enjoyed taking a horse and carriage ride around this cozy, snowy, beautiful town of Garmisch; taking a winding mountain road to Wattens, Austria the home of Swarovski Crystal (Jim took the boys out to play and I shopped and shopped and shopped - you getting the picture here?); a trip to Ettal to visit the Monastery and Basilica (we purchased beer made by the Monk's and wood carvings at a local shop); then on to Neuschwanstein Castle (sometimes referred to as "The Disney Castle") where we stood patiently (cough, cough) in line (inticed by ice cream) for 45minutes for a horse and carriage ride to the top of the mountain - it was NOT light hiking to the top as the brochure suggested! We wondered around at the top enjoying the view and some gluevine; we finally got some sledding in while Patrick took 6 hours of skiing lessons...go Patrick!
While we are 3/5ths still sick,
the day was beautiful, snowy, and P-E-R-F-E-C-T!
March 17, 2008
St. Patrick's Day History
Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá 'le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially is the feast day which annually celebrates Saint Patrick (386-493), the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17. It is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland (a bank holiday in Northern Ireland).
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by many of non-Irish descent. Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades. The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five day festival, with over 500,000 people attending the 2006 parade. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and it is watched by 2 million spectators. The St. Patrick's day parade was first held in New York City on 17 March, 1756 when Irish soldiers marched through the city. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. Other large parades include those in Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Coatbridge, Montreal, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, Savannah, Pittsburgh, Denver, Sacramento, Scranton and Toronto. Large parades also take place in other places throughout Europe and the Americas, as well as Australia and Asia.
As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland (among other churches in the Anglican Communion) and some other denominations. The day always falls in the season of Lent. In church calendars (though rarely in secular ones) Saint Patrick's Day is moved to the following Monday when it falls on a Sunday. It is traditional for those observing a lenten fast to break it for the duration of Saint Patrick's Day whenever March 17 falls on a Friday.
In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia, expatriate Irish, those of Irish descent, and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually by drinking alcoholic beverages (lager dyed green, Irish beer and stout, such as Murphys, Smithwicks, Harp or Guinness, or Irish whiskey, Irish Cider, Irish Coffee or Baileys Irish Cream) and by wearing at least one article of green-colored clothing.
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by many of non-Irish descent. Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades. The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five day festival, with over 500,000 people attending the 2006 parade. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and it is watched by 2 million spectators. The St. Patrick's day parade was first held in New York City on 17 March, 1756 when Irish soldiers marched through the city. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. Other large parades include those in Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Coatbridge, Montreal, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, Savannah, Pittsburgh, Denver, Sacramento, Scranton and Toronto. Large parades also take place in other places throughout Europe and the Americas, as well as Australia and Asia.
As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland (among other churches in the Anglican Communion) and some other denominations. The day always falls in the season of Lent. In church calendars (though rarely in secular ones) Saint Patrick's Day is moved to the following Monday when it falls on a Sunday. It is traditional for those observing a lenten fast to break it for the duration of Saint Patrick's Day whenever March 17 falls on a Friday.
In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia, expatriate Irish, those of Irish descent, and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually by drinking alcoholic beverages (lager dyed green, Irish beer and stout, such as Murphys, Smithwicks, Harp or Guinness, or Irish whiskey, Irish Cider, Irish Coffee or Baileys Irish Cream) and by wearing at least one article of green-colored clothing.
March 10, 2008
News
We spoke with our agency today trying to figure out a tenative time line - we are still waiting to be submitted. This has got to be the hardest part - waiting.
If you haven't heard, we are moving this summer back to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. We will continue our journey to bring Ella home during our move while balancing purging of unwanted and unmoveable items, sorting household goods from whole baggage, packing out, moving to a hotel and school ending. Of course, there will be a few TDY's thrown in there with a dash of spring break and a pinch of summer fun.
We promise to keep you posted as events unfold. Pray for our submission and a smooth transition for our family.
If you haven't heard, we are moving this summer back to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. We will continue our journey to bring Ella home during our move while balancing purging of unwanted and unmoveable items, sorting household goods from whole baggage, packing out, moving to a hotel and school ending. Of course, there will be a few TDY's thrown in there with a dash of spring break and a pinch of summer fun.
We promise to keep you posted as events unfold. Pray for our submission and a smooth transition for our family.
March 4, 2008
Bryan & Rachel Arrived!
Today, Bryan & Rachel arrived from NY. After landing at the airport and gathering up the suitcases, we headed to OTAN for a cafe con leche and to meet up with Jim. Then, we headed off to the banco Santander to exchange American money into Euro and to grab a few groceries. We headed home to meet up with the little people, cook some dinner, drink vino, and catch up before the sleepies set in! Great job staying up guys! From there, the next days were filled with visiting the heart of Madrid, where we happened upon the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace and strolled around the city seeing the sights and enjoying a cafe con leche...or two. At our visit to Osborne Winery - Amanda showed us around the winery and let us sample some vino - BEFORE we made our purchases - hmmm...is that the trick? We managed to fit in a trip to Valderrama Olive Oils, Toledo, Segovia & Avila. It was a busy week but we had a GREAT time with our wonderful friends! Thank you for coming to Spain to visit us and for the wonderful time we had while you were here!
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