The hills are alive.....

Ok - that's Austria - but Heidelberg Germany was a hit!

I had read it's the most beautiful town in Germany - don't know about all of that. But I loved it.

The castle is amazing - and dates back to AD1214.

315 steps up to the top (they're numbered) gives a great view of the city and the river below.

The shops, the churches and the restaurants on the streets below were so charming.

And then of course, if you know my love for doors - you'll understand the other picture. I've gotten a few so far that I really like. Still looking for the favorite yet!

We're off to Switzerland!!!!

The story of the tooth

So, the dentist says Matti's tooth must have been loose for about a year - because his permanent tooth is on it's way in. Since this is all happening about 2 years too early - there's no room for that new tooth. SO.... it's coming in sideways.

In lieu of all of that - we ran to get the boys pix taken before the crazy "tooth experiment" happens. The resolution isn't great - but you get the idea.
Enjoy.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Off we go....

Road trip tomorrow.

I'm ready.

Part of Abby's 14th birthday present was a week long trip to her best friends house in Nashville. So we're heading south.

I'll leave in the morning with the 3 kids and hopefully be in Nashville Sunday, Monday the boys and I are off to Alabama where they'll enjoy "Camp Grandparents" for a while.

Then ... next Wednesday I fly to Germany to meet Jeff for a week in the Alps.

Jeff's been in India for a week and has to return their the first of August. Then he spends the month of September in Seattle preparing for his new gig.

We're in desperate need of some quiet time together.

I struggle with what to do with the few days we have together - it's been a pattern for our entire married life. If you have one weeken in 6 weeks - what do you do with it?

I guess everyone would handle it differently. For me when the guilt train roars thru with how we should be taking the family on a family vacation instead of just him and me and a bunch of mountains and chocolate - I come back to the hard choice of priorities.

I find "priorities" to be a hard discussion with moms - especially stay at home moms. Not necessarily the concept or ordering of priorities -but the willingness to walk it out. We become so focused on the kids that everything gets out of kilter.

The hard truth today is that this mom is running on empty; mom and dad are strangers they've been a part so much recently - and that's not really a great way to have a "family" holiday.

In lieu of that - mom gets a quiet 9 hour flight across the pond to decompress and a week with just Jeff - we're going to leisurely tour some of our favorite spots in Germany, Austrai and a few new ones in Switzerland and check the Ward foundation for cracks.

The kids will definetly win in this deal.

Talk to you when we return.

Boys Sports Show - 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

a Holiday to remember!!!

What a great week we've just had. The Chalklettes and their parents were here for more fun than we've had in a long time. We LOVE you Chalks - and are counting the days till you come back - we actually want you to move in our basement....pretty please.

I stand at the door.....

So tonite's devotion was from Revelation 3 where John explains that Jesus stands at the door and knocks.....

The boys were tired, so I read quickly and then read a book on "Faith".

Before we prayed, I asked Michael if Jesus was in his heart. He responded "no, I haven't heard him knock yet".

To which Matti replied, "Michael, Jesus is in my heart, he came thru my stomach and this is what it sounds like, do you hear this?". He then starting playing drums on his belly while I rolled in laughter!!!

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Yesterday Jeff was out playing baseball with the boys and something got him frustrated.

Michael offered a work of encouragement; "dad, you just have to have patience."

Jeff told him what a great idea that was and thanks for thinking of it - to which Michael replied, "no problem dad, an old friend told me that once".

Of course Jeff knew immediately that the "old friend" just happened to be me. :)

SLOW down.....

So the birthday blitz is over -

This was our first year without a combined party for the boys and it was good (not necessarily cheaper), but good.

The big news is that Matti lost a tooth...this is incredibly upsetting to me. Those baby teeth are the last thing that makes them still look little - I hate it when they start going and Matti's way too young for this.

But they were wrestling and giggling and then all of a sudden Matti was asking if Daddy could e-mail the tooth fairy.

Hmmmm....I'm really wanting another baby - this is all happening way to fast.