And we're back.....

So, it has been quite awhile since I posted here.  I sort of lost my groove I guess, became unsure of what to post about and basically lost interest in this little project.  Well, for the moment, at least, I am interested in giving it another go.  The most recent mile high event in the Haskew household was little Katy's 3rd birthday.  Every mother says it, but where does the time go.  This little stinker is growin' up too fast.  Currently, she loves Cars, Playdough, harrassing playing with her big sister, and singing.  She's speaking a wee bit of German and understands a whole lot of it.  We had a small party here at our house yesterday and invited a few of her favorite people.  This kids played in the backyard (yes, we moved recently and are now enjoying a green area right out the back door), we ate sandwiches and cake, and had a low key afternoon.  BTW, highly recommend these types of birthday parties.  Forget about that over the top stuff the kid doesn't care about anyway.  Anyway, I'll leave you with a few recent pics of both the girlies. *Note to self, upload better pics from camera.

P.S.  Anything in particular you'd like to read about or see from our side of the pond?

Giveaway

Hey, friends. Head over here and check out a great giveaway. She was has some great things in her newly opened Etsy shop. Good luck.

Furlough

For six weeks this summer we made a groovy, little trip across the pond. We had a great time seeing friends and family and talking about what we do here in Vienna. Here are some pics of our time in the US. I have more pictures to post, but they aren't on my computer yet.

Abby and her hero. We love Natalie.

The girls at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Abby, Katy, Grandpa and Nana
Jake, Abby and our nieces Madison and Taylor.

Katy, Mary and Abby

First Day of School

Today, Abby started the second year of her school career. She was full of jitters and jetlagged as we started off the day on slightly rocky ground.

Once we got to school and she met up with some of her friends again, the storm clouds seemed to pass.

We started off the day with a short Bible lesson and corn flakes. Then off to school for the semi-anticlimatic (is that even a word?) first day, a whole 1 hour long. One of the many things I love about school here is that the kids stay together in the same class for 4 years. So, as Abby was getting reacquainted with some of her friends I was doing the same. After school, we headed to the mall for the traditional first day doughnut. She opted for pink this year, not that this was a hard choice since pickin's are slim in the doughnut department around here.

Afterwards, we headed home, not before baby sister had a total meltdown, to have lunch.

This afternoon we also had special friends join us. Abby and Tom were in the same kindergarten 2 years ago, before his family moved back to Nepal to do mission work. We love Tom and his family and were so happy to spend a few precious hours with them today.

All in all, a pretty good first day.

Coming Home?

Hello, all (or more likely 3 people who still attempt to read this blog)!!! I've been a bit quiet on the blog front, but have no doubt that life is rolling along here in the land of schnitzel and lederhosen. Spring has flown by and has given way to summer. Abby finishes up first grade in just 2 days. I'm slightly mortified that this chapter is about to close for my little girl. She has done so well this year and I'm so proud of her.

Four years ago (July 1, 2007) we sold out and packed up to move across the world. The days and nights since we chose to accept that call have been filled with tears of sadness, fear, joy and relief. We grieved the loss of the familiar and safe and slowly learned and embraced the new and strange. While we will, of course, always feel a slight pull to land where we came from, we've made a home here in Vienna. And that for that today I am thankful. And also because of that, I can look at pictures like this and get teary eyed. Because I have a tiny inkling as to what these photos really mean.

So we'll be headed back west in two weeks. We will be in Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. We're going to hug necks, kiss cheeks, sing praises, catch up, and hang out. All the while, though, we'll be feeling a little pull to cross the ocean one more time and go home.

Happy Mother's Day

I've had a great day today. Jake and the girls brought me pancakes in bed this morning, yummy. Abby made a couple of little gifts for me at school which were just adorable. My fav is the poem below.

And my ever so awesome hubby surprised me with tickets to.....

And just to keep me humble this is what Katy had to say to me first thing this morning.

Hope all you mommies had a great day, too.

Joy and Bliss

Eleven years ago today I married this super, cool guy. Best thing I ever did. Love you, Jake.