Hello, Monday

Another week of linking up with Lisa Leonard as we greet a new week.

Hello, Monday...this morning is a bit different: both Monkey and Sissy are away, just me and Bubba:) 

Bubba coloring...it's so amazing to see him standing in one place!

Also, Igor told me to pick him up from work at 6pm - he has a surprise family dinner planned.  I love surprises!

I love this guy:)

Hello, one more week of kindergarten.  I am really looking forward to Ivan's summer break!

Monkey and Sissy playing in a fountain at our local pool

Hello, trying new outfits...I'm in that can't-fit-into-regular-clothes-but-too-small-for-pregnancy-clothes phase.  After wearing the same two outfits the past two weeks, I'm ready to try a few other alternatives...mal schauen (we'll see).

Hello, week full of potential! I love starting the week out, thinking about the various activities there are ahead of us. I am learning to limit my activities and do much less. It's not an easy lesson, but it is necessary, and I'm hopeful for a week of living within my new limits.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Linking up to say hello to another week with Lisa Leonard.

Hello, summer weather!  We've enjoy sunshine, warmer temps and a few thunderstorms - I hope this keeps up! (especially the sunshine and warm weather)

Bubbles are a big part of our outdoor fun:)

Hello, Fourth of July!  I have way less energy/strength than previous years, but I'm very happy to be having a simple Fourth of July picnic on Wednesday - I hope the kids can get at least a small taste of American holidays through our family celebrations.

I'm still amazed at this guy - he's taking off early to celebrate July 4th:)

Hello, saying good-bye to good friends.  I'm so thankful, though, that they're moving within Germany and not across the world - finally, we have friends to visit who live in the country! (most friends live in larger cities)

Hello, week of accomplishing more "outside" work (by that I mean, not just the basic housework)....we'll see. I've been hoping to have much more energy since the beginning of June....guess I just need to keep being patiently hopeful:)


Hello, almost kindergarten break!  I am counting down the days until Monkey can stay home with us - although there is some extra work when everyone's home, it's really fun having us all together (except Igor who needs to work during Monkey's break).

Igor teaching Monkey and a friend some soccer basics

Hello, being patiently hopeful. I like the sound of that and hope I can apply it to my daily life.  There are quite a few "construction sites" in our life right now, and I want to keep working on them and not simply resigning myself to being disappointed.  "Patiently hopeful" sounds like a good attitude for me during this time.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday!

Greeting another week and linking up with Lisa Leonard.

Saturday we attended a lovely wedding, where Sissy gathered several ideas...for her birthday party - this girl has high expectations! (including releasing doves, having a gospel choir sing and enjoying a carriage ride)

Hello, changeable weather - we go from beautifully, sunny mornings (between 5 and 10am it's lovely!) to cloudy, rainy afternoons...this is what makes me nostalgic for Arizona sunshine (and crazy but dry heat) or Pennsylvania heat waves!

Hello, final week of the European cup.  Hopefully we'll be watching Germany play next Sunday (in the final) :)

Hello, week of feeling better and having a doctor's appointment.  I'm 14 weeks pregnant (due date is Christmas Day...great timing:) and have been thankful for a healthy pregnancy but am ready to get back to feeling healthy again.  Slowly but surely I'm getting a few hours in my day where I feel normal:)

Hello, summer!  Monkey's kindergarten group had its Summer Festival Friday.  He was a flower in a play - so cute!  This was a new experience for me (and now I can totally understand feeling super-proud of your little one uttering a few lines - love this feeling!).

What are you saying hello to?

Hello, Monday

So, we'll see if I can re-enter the blogger world with another Hello, Monday link-up with Lisa Leonard.

The past few weeks (in keeping up with this past amazingly-crazy spring) have been pretty incredible.

That said, there have been lots of moments of laughter and crying, resting and dancing, so we'll see if I can be a bit more regular in updating this blog about life in Germany.  Also, May 21 my laptop died, so I'm typing on Igor's (and haven't yet started uploading pics on his computer...).

Hello, week after having 3 weeks of vacation!  It was a very full time and we're actually feeling a bit exhausted. But we are super-thankful for living in Germany, where we have many holidays (like 3 in the last 3 weeks!) and where Igor can take many more days of vacation than if he worked at a bank in the U.S.  We're going to miss him, though!

Hello, week of being a bit more business-minded (lots of sewing to do!).

Hello, hoping to keep our bedroom big - Igor cleaned our bedroom when I was away last week (and it practically doubled in size! a bit embarrassing that it came to that state, but I am loving the extra space now that it's finally picked up!).

Hello, week of sunshine and thunderstorms.  The plan is to spend as much time as possible outside while we can - there are enough cold, rainy days during the year.  I want to enjoy the warmer days while I can.

Hello, returning to choir.  I finally returned to singing regularly with my choir, which is so nice!  We've had two lovely concerts (English Cathedral Music - think Elgar and the like - and Mendelssohn's Elijah).  It's nice to be back:)

Hello, EM - European Meisterschaft (Soccer Championship).  Igor's schedule is already revolving around the Croatia and German game plans:)  It's always a fun atmosphere to have so many people united by a common interest.  Our church is having showing on the big screen for the Germany games and Sunday games, which is lots of fun for the whole family.  So far, Germany's off to a good start - we'll see how Wednesday goes.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Linking up with Lisa Leonard to say hello to another week.

Hello, warm, cloudy (rainy?) weather - I love spring!

Hello, week without Igor. He's in the Schwarzwald hiking and fasting (weird but it's good for him), so we're realizing just how much he does at home (a lot!). And I am super-thankful that my brother-in-law is bringing Monkey to kindergarten most days this week (what a huge help!)

Hello, choir rehearsal (concert next Monday), German-American-Namibian Sewing Club (love!), friends visiting and just hanging out with the kids.

Hello,  more time sewing and blogging (hopefully...maybe). Oh and I shouldn't forget to say hello to taking care of myself, mainly by resting (something I find so challenging to actually do!).

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday!

Linking up with Lisa Leonard and greeting another week.
Hello, Monday!  I'm so glad you're sunny!

Hello, week after two markets - lots of fun and lots of prep work (last week was very busy!).



Hello, trying to corral all my Sissy Sue things into one organized area in our house (ha!).

Hello, German-American-Namibian Sewing Club - I love this group!

Hello, visiting parks, riding bikes, having picnics - there's a lot of outside activities our family is looking forward to this week.

Hello, being appreciative of this month, with its many holidays and with Igor's vacation in just 1 1/2 weeks!

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Saying hello to the week with Lisa Leonard.

Hello, April weather.  It's been rainy and sunny, windy and calm, cold and warm the past few weeks, and I'm expecting that to continue this week.  Makes for difficulty planning outings with the kids, but I love seeing the amazing colors of the clouds, sun and rain.

Hello, preparing for the US Consulate Bazaar in Frankfurt and Kaufladen in Darmstadt- I'm excited to participate in these events (and hoping to accomplish much this week!).


Hello, cute kids!  I am really glad to be photographing more of our life since beginning this blog.  It helps me remember how many really great moments we experience as a family.

Hello, choir - it's been so nice to be back singing!  Hello, Grapevine (English-speaking Bible study in Oberursel) - I'm looking forward to returning (with healthy kids!).  Hello, being thankful for the many, many things that I have and experience.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Another Monday, another chance to anticipate with gladness what lies ahead of me.  I'm happy to have started this habit of linking up with Lisa Leonard.

Hello, Monday.  You're gray but that doesn't mean you'll stay that way.  We are having very changeable spring weather, which makes for lots of spontaneity.

Hello, Igor being healthy enough to be back at work.

Hello, apartment that is continuing to make steps towards being organized...this is so difficult for me to do/maintain!

Hello, ideas of picnics in the orchard, times swinging and riding bikes, reading books in my new-favorite place (I need a photo of our couch with the afternoon sun - herrlich!), making good food and simply enjoying this wonderful life I've been given!

What are you saying "hello" to this week?

Hello, Monday

I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard to greet the week.

Hello, Monday!  I have high hopes for you - the sun is shining, Ivan has no kindergarten (Yeah!), and we're planning to go to the orchard this morning.

Hello, sunshine and spring! The plum trees are blossoming in our orchard - beautiful!

Hello, having more time for my family, now that Eintagsladen is successfully over - it was a lot of work but very fun!

I love this Amy Butler laminated fabric - so pretty!

Another favorite of mine - this retro fabric clutch

I love that we have a sunny picture of the two of us!

Hello, remembering the significance of this week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Another Monday, another week of saying hello with Lisa Leonard.

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Hello, week with possible sunshine and warm temps - last Thursday, Friday, Saturday were such amazingly nice spring days!  I hope we have more of these days this week!

Hello, Spring Cleaning (still!) and starting on some major re-arranging - can't wait to see how the changes look (mostly to be done next week but starting this week).

Hello, pretty normal week - meeting with friends, Bible study, cleaning, playing, going to parks and kindergarten.  I think you're going to be fun:)

Hello, week before Igor's vacation - I hope I use you well to get work done, so we can enjoy time as a family next week.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Another Monday, another Lisa Leonard link-up.

Hello, Monday with sunshine and chirping birds - wonderful!

Hello, returning to hanging out the wash (since it actually has a chance to dry, not just freeze or remain wet).

Hello, continuing reading The Wind in the Willows aloud to the children - I love sharing this book with the kids!

Hello, spring cleaning - I love/hate that this involves cleaning in places that other people will not notice (behind the closets, etc.)  I'm not sure if  I'll accomplish all I'd like to, but at least I'm motivated to start!

Hello, week full of promise - birthdays, park visits, sewing, a wedding, the German-American-Namibian Sewing Club, date night!

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

I'm very excited to say hello to this week with Lisa Leonard.

Last week was basically on "beam me up, Scotty" mode since Wednesday (3 sick kids...).

Hello, week with healthy family members (please!)

Hello, getting ready for Create! am Main this Saturday!!!!!

Kids helping prepare pom-pom activity

funky crayons:)

Hello, trying not to forget about the people I love (while I get ready for Create! am Main).

My main supporter - I couldn't do what I do without him:)

Hello, yarn, material, sticks, glue, paper and lots more craft things:)

Hello, warm weather and sunshine (we'll enjoy however long that lasts:)

Hello, busy, busy week - I hope I can enjoy every minute (or at least most minutes!)

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Another week of thinking about what I get to say hello to:) (joining Lisa Leonard)

Hello, week with Igor on vacation! We're staying home, enjoying friends' watching the kids a few times this week (thank you!) and Igor is looking forward to this project:

Our apple, pear and plum trees need to be pruned by March 1st, so Igor is taking advantage of this week - and hoping for dry, warm weather.

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Hello, Fasching...Germany goes a bit crazy this time of year (right before Lent).  This is our first year to fully experience Karnival with children, since Monkey is now in kindergarten. Today, we have a Roman soldier going to kindergarten; tomorrow I think he's planning to be St. Martin. (more info on that tomorrow:)


Hello, Rita Storee!  We loved attending her first (English!) story time and are very excited to have another chance to listen to her read some of her favorite stories.  If you're in Frankfurt and have kids 3 and older, come to the Saalbau Bornheim this Thursday at 4pm.

And hello to the chance to travel with Sissy (just the girls!) to visit good friends and a new baby:)

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello, Monday

Another week to say "Hello" to with Lisa Leonard.

Hello, first full week of our reduced schedule...needing to make hard decisions in order to put a bit more relaxing time into our lives (we'll see how it goes).

Hello, three date nights! Valentine's Day, dinner with friends and our normal Friday Date Night - we're a lucky couple:)

Hello, warmer and less-chapped hands...thanks, Igor!  The pattern might be funky, but it's absolutely worth it in this weather (and match my outfits better than the bright yellow ski gloves I used last week:)

Hello, another week to try to do my best with this life I've been given...so glad God's mercies are new each day.

What are you saying "Hello" to this Monday?

Hello, Monday

I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard to say hello.

Hello, more sunshine and cold!  It's been extremely cold here but also extremely lovely: blue skies and sunshine!  I think I can handle bundling up in exchange for sunshine:)

Hello, not procrastinating on sending out big emails/posts...for church, Create!am Main, and Sissy Sue.  Lots of work to do but it's all worth it!



Hello, to remembering the greatest joy and job I currently have:

What are you saying "hello" to this week?