Happy Birthday Josiah!

Today, August 12, is Josiah's 2nd birthday. I've included a slide show so you can see what a wonderful little boy he's become.

Josiah loves to giggle and chatter. He tells silly stories and funny jokes that make Nathaniel laugh, too. He charms everyone at our church because he remembers names and says hello to them each Sunday. He brings such joy to our lives and to the lives of many around us. He gives great hugs. He comes to my bed every morning for a couple minutes for a snuggle after Daddy's gone to work and before Nathaniel has woken up. I cherish those quiet little moments with him. He is tough, too. He argues with Nathaniel about anything and everything (recently heard from the bathroom : "No! No! No! It's not! It is my turn to go potty!!"). He likes to grab other children's toys and make a run for it. He usually succeeds with this method with other children in the nursery because he is quick. He is able to quietly and quickly open doors and escape. He gets roughed up a lot outside and just keeps on truckin'. He likes to climb high and run fast. He loves to dig in the dirt. He is learning to ride a trike and a laufrad and enjoys these "big boy" activities. He's growing up very fast. Only his chubby cheeks and chubby thighs reveal how much of a baby he still is. Otherwise, he is all BOY! Happy Birthday Sweet Funny Josiah! We love you! (If you're curious to see Nathaniel's 2 year old slide show, follow this link!)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Summer Travels, achey hearts, and new friends

Hello Again Friends! Sorry for the delay, but we've been gone again. I guess that is why our blog is titled "Our Life Far Away" - because we are always far away from somewhere, usually from home. In June we enjoyed a visit from Tom's cousin, Nick. We did a few local travels and enjoyed having a German and French spokesman with us! Nick is quite the linguist and quite the super-babysitter. I was able to catch up on a dental cleaning while he watched the kids, as well as a few other errands. We enjoyed his stay with us. As I usually say, anyone is welcome to come visit and stay in our home!! We enjoy playing tour-guide =)!





















This July we were traveling in Minnesota, my former home, and hopefully our future home, too (after Germany, and before Heaven, that is)! My brother Mark got married to a super girl named Krystal. What a blessed and joyful wedding it was! Tom and I sang and the boys were ring-bearers. We also enjoyed time at a family reunion. And we celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday with a surprise party. We spent lots of our hours outdoors- hiking, boating, fishing, and just hanging out at various playgrounds all across the Twin Cities. The flight was LONG (alone without Daddy), but our airplane neighbors were so nice and helped me with carrying the boys and the stuff when both of them were fast asleep and we had to stand in long customs lines. It was as though this one man was an angel placed in the seat next to us. He was never annoyed and played legos with Nathaniel and read him a story while I walked and rocked Josiah.

While in MN it was such a JOY being able to catch up with a couple friends from years ago, and made a new friend, too. Let me admit, that I am struggling with loneliness like never before in my life. I just cannot seem to grow close to anyone. Everyone is so busy, and kids are so demanding, and this is just a tough time in life. Many ladies have told me how the pre-school years are draining and that this phases will pass...and I know it will, but it is a lonesome place to be right now. It was so nice to have extra hands and hugs while staying by my parents, and less household responsibilities, too! I recently read a couple days of devotions in the "My Utmost For His Highest" book that admonished me to look out the world in need and to look up to God, letting go of my sin and constant self-evaluation and allowing Him to give the joy and the fulfillment. Yeah, tough to do. I am always introspective and pondering my failures, my hopes, my desires for my children....my...my...my... and I have a hard time letting go to look up to Him to rejoice in His great salvation!! Does anyone else feel this way? Do you have any stories or joys or a practical advice to share on how God changed your self-inspection to God-reflection?

Please enjoy the pictures of the kids and our travels in Minnesota. Thanks for listening (watching?) to my personal and spiritual longings.