Say What?

Ok, something completely amazing happened today at church!!! I was actually able to understand and follow the sermon. Can you believe it? Did I mention it was ALL in German? I'm not saying I got every word, but I got the scripture refernces (which I looked up in my English NIV) and understood enough words being spoken to gain something from what was being said. I don't think I can truly communicate how excited I am about this, but I am EXCITED. Sundays continue to be the most challenging days for me, but today was good.

Mostly for the grandparents

Here are a few pics of Abby taken in the last few days. These are mostly for the grandparents, who I'm not sure will ever forgive us for taking her away :)

We were supposed to be hurrying to the bus...


Enjoying some icecream





Cheesin' for the camera

The Many Faces of Abby

For all those who have been waiting on the edge of your seats...my birthday present from Jake was a way cool, way cute little Nikon Coolpix camera. I have been wanting a little camera I could carry around in my bag and be able to always take pictures of neat Vienna things and cute little Abby. Jake has a really nice, big Nikon that I'm very intimidated by, not to mention terrified I'll drop. So, on Monday the very nice Wiener Post guy delivered a birthday wish to me. Here are a few pics of Abby. As you can see, she is not nearly as thrilled with my gift as I am. The Post also brought a nice card from my mom and a small packet from Joanne and Stafford North. Thanks to all you wished me a Happy Birthday.



It does video, too!!!

The big 3 1

Well, it has happened again. As much as I try to slow down the inevitable, it continues. That's right, I am now 31 years old. That makes me still the oldest person on the Vienna Team. Well, I guess it is better than the alternative :) I had a great day, despite the fact I'm am now "in my 30's" officially. Jake made me breakfast, eggs and speck (Austrian equivalent to bacon, sort of) and toast. He said he would have served it in bed, but didn't think I would appreciate the mess he created getting it there. I agreed. We spent the morning just hanging out here at home and he put a shelf together for me that we had got awhile back from Ikea. I was thrilled to be able to put away some of my crafting supplies that I brought with me. For lunch Jake went and got schnitzel sandwiches and brought them back here. They were yummy!!! Then in the afternoon, Kim had graciously offered to take Abby not only for the afternoon, but for the entire night. I was a little apprehensive about this for whatever reason. I mean really, Kim manages to keep 3 children alive and cared for on a daily basis. So, we dropped Abby off and headed for the events Jake had planned. First, we went to see "Bourne Ultimatum". I thought it was a great movie. This judgment could easily have been influenced by the fact this was the first movie we have seen in the theater for months. Yes, it was in English, in case you were wondering. After the movie, Jake wanted to take me to see this mosaic of the last supper, but when we got to the church were it is housed, it was closed. So, we headed to dinner. We went to this little place we had heard about that has traditional Viennese food. It actually isn't too far from our house. We have been wanting to try it since we were here last November. So, we had a great dinner. I had pork medallions with salami and mozzarella cheese and noodles. Jake had a filet steak with a baked potato. We both agreed this is one of the best meals we've had since arriving or maybe ever. It was nice to just sit and talk to each other and enjoy Vienna going on around us. So, you might be asking, "What about your present?" Well, it is pending. Jake said it was supposed to come in come Friday, but no luck. So, I'll have to wait, he wouldn't even tell me what it was.
In other news....language school continues, unpacking continues, shopping list for Ikea continues. I think we have hit some sort of a pattern. Abby is well and continues to love kindergarten. Please continue to pray for us as we are still adjusting to life here in the foreign place. Love to all.

School Days

Well, last week is a blur. We all had our first day of school on Monday. Jake and I started German classes and Abby started kindergarten. Ok, no one freak out you didn't miss a couple of birthdays, kindergarten here is more like American preschool. Kids don't start school until 1st grade at age 6. Well, Abby LOVES her school. She doesn't bat an eye when we drop her off, even on the very first day. She just runs right in and starts playing. It is a German speaking school, but her teachers do speak English. She is already singing songs she has learned there (auf Deutsch). Jake and I aren't quite as enthusiastic about our reentry to the scholastic world, but we have learned quite a bit already, or at least been reminded of what we forgot. Jake and I go Monday through Friday for 3 hours a day. It sounds pretty bad, but its not. Both of our teachers do a good job of keeping things moving and interesting. Well, more later, hopefully. I've got to study and go to bed. We have to get up pretty early and to get everyone where they need to be on time in the morning. Love to all.