A New Look

Derek moved into Bradley's former study at the end of last summer. Not until this vacation did we take the time to make the room more personal for Derek. For the last couple of days he and I worked on moving three of Bradley's book cases out into the hall to open up a wall for a bed. This afternoon Derek stirred up his paint (the swirls were fascinating!) and painted his room (after first "posting a message on his wall" for his big sisters) until it was done several hours later. We think he did a great job. (We'll post a finished look when it is done.)

Belated Birthday Date

Derek and Brad had a great time at supper together tonight. They posed for me after they got home, too. :)

This is the Day We Go to the Dump :)

In our seemingly never-ending process of de-cluttering, a trip to the dump was on the agenda for today. As you see, the kids and Bradley went on a very sunny day! That made the loading and unloading process very pleasant. The three troopers, Dustin, Danika and Donovan enjoy this outing with Daddy. It is usually combined with some other opportunity. Today it was lunch at Subway (a very special treat!) and helping Daddy put the rest of the Chinese calendars in the boxes of university students whose names look Chinese. Today is Chinese New Year!

Clips that Donia took during the Shoot-Outs

Devon shot three goals during the games (10 minutes each), blocked four in the shoot-outs and shot one in.

Soccer Tournement

Often the teen guys, and sometimes the men, go into Magdeburg on Friday afternoons to play soccer for awhile at a field close to our former church facilities. This past week-end the teens were invited to take part in a tournament for 13-15 year olds. Only Devon fit the age bracket, so he became part of a team of soccer players who play on the school's soccer field. There were 12 teams to begin with from various schools around Magdeburg. Some were school teams, but some seemed to be as loosely formed as Devon's. They played their way through to the semi-finals (which ended up necessitating a shoot out (7 meters when you are inside) and the finals which they won, also in a shoot out. We had a great time cheering him and his team on! :)

Puzzling is Fun--especially with Miss Juanita

We made the soccer puzzle (1000 pieces)in January and got it in a frame and hung this past week-end in the little boys'room. Those little figures are the well-loved "gummi-bears"--the German candy that is so well-known. This week southern Germany is also having their winter break, so Juanita was able to come up this past Sunday to spend her vacation here in the area. We have greatly enjoyed having her here. After missing several opportunities for pictures, I finally got some on Tuesday! The puzzle of the world has only 200 pieces. :)

Winter Vacation

Today is Carnival Monday, but it was not noticeable in our part of Germany. Most of the parades and parties take place in the old west. For us it meant the first day of winter vacation. Our vacation lasts all week, and today we enjoyed the opportunity for some special projects around the house. Danika created this scene of the cross for us with Duplo blocks. Tonight we played a game with our kids and their overnight guests/cousins. :) Derek, behind the camera, played, too.

Greenville Glimpse: Study Time

Trips to the library (where I worked during college) for research and projects and many hours of studying have kept the girls very busy. Thankfully, Danae has been able to get caught up. Dalene has tests every day this week except tomorrow, the Day of Prayer. She also has a paper and a project due this week. This semester has been especially challenging for Dalene with many verses for three different classes. (That was her verse sheet last week-end.)

Party for Two!

My brother Kirk and my nephew Andrew were born one day and 36 years apart. They (top picture) celebrated Saturday evening with the Greenville family. (Erik and Laura are next, then a family shot, and in the bottom picture Danae is holding Rachell!)

Greenville Glimpse: Laundry Opportunity

On Saturday afternoon Dalene and Danae were at Grandpa and Grandma McKenzie's home. They were happy to get their laundry done, while enjoying baking cookies and muffins and getting homework done for the coming week.

"Singt und Spielt dem Herrn"

What a blessing and joy it was to receive the song book a few days ago. Kevin brought us up a copy as soon as he got the first shipment. ("Up", because we live on the hill on the south side of the village.) We trust the Lord will use it for His glory!

Spring in the Air

This past Friday was a sunny day, and since the ground isn't frozen, the kids wanted to do some weeding. Donovan and Danika had discovered the crocuses earlier in the day. It seems hard to believe that our first flowers are peaking through already! The kids' hard work spruced up our front gardens very nicely!

Around Home

The last weeks have been filled with school work, trying to make headway with laundry, and for Danielle it meant many more opportunities to ring our Swiss bell (that Bradley brought me from ski camp last year)-- for meals and devotions. :) All the children from Danika through Doreen enjoyed roller blading or skating inside due to cold weather, Dustin and Donovan loved setting up miniature soldiers (from our Risk game), and everyone got going on piano lessons again. We even have a tent set up downstairs in our activity room (which also doubles as my laundry and ironing room).

Derek turned 17 on Sunday

We enjoyed "raclette" for dinner on Sunday, and later in the afternoon the Matthia family joined us for coffee, cake and fellowship. How thankful we are for our oldest son.

Greenville Glimpse: Rounding the bend

"Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised." After sleeping, resting and drinking lots of fluids for most of the 6 days Danae was on "cuts," the Lord helped her to start back to classes yesterday morning with her hardest day of the week: six hours in a row, no lunch hour. She is still coughing, but had a check-up this afternoon. The pictures were taken this week-end. Friday she sat up to do some sketching, and the next two days she was able to do some reading. Grandpa M. got her roses, and Dalene brought the balloon from her roommate when she went off campus Friday night. The Get-Well balloon was attached to a bag of goodies.

On the Mend

We thank the Lord for helping us on to the road of recovery. We have seen much improvement in the last week. The pictures above were taken when four of the family went to the doctor due to very persistent coughs. The inhaler (which was boiled and dried between patients) and other medicines were part of our prescriptions. Derek continues to enjoy the beautiful grand we were given, and Donovan was practicing his reading with Daddy in that last shot. (Yes, Bradley has a pair of reading glasses, which make a big difference!)

Our Sick Girl Across the Sea

Dalene took this picture of Danae when she checked into Barge on Sunday. She got out Monday, but was feeling so poorly that she took cuts to her grandparents' house (Matthia) that evening. Today they took her to the doctor, who diagnosed pneumonia, and told her to take cuts through Sunday. Normally the Dr. said she would prescribe 2 weeks for recuperation, but since she is a student she said she would check her again next Tuesday. She is supposed to sleep, drink a lot and take her meds. We are praying for the Lord to give her a speedy recovery. Obviously this is a difficult beginning to the semester. Right now she is very weak, tired, and sore from all the coughing.

Coughing Up A Storm

No pictures from the home front. :) We are all at some stage of sickness. Everyone is coughing, some have fever, three men have strep (Bradley and the big boys). We are praying that this week we'll turn the bend :) This has been very unusual for us!

Greenville Glimpses: Lovable Cherubs

Dalene shared some pictures from work during the last days. Both girls were asked to work in the 0-6 month department this semester. The older kids were part of a supper responsibility. What a blessing, when you love your little charges like the girls do theirs.