Emeline Goes to Paris

Last week Emeline and I met some friends for 3 days of girl-only fun in Paris. It is only 4 hours by train from were we live, and we shared a hotel room with friends. We celebrated a friend’s birthday, and Emeline got to meet a dear friend of mine for the very first time. We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre—I even got Emeline’s picture with her! We also spent some time at the Eiffel tower where my other friend took some pictures I will treasure for the rest of my life. Emeline clapped when the tower lit up and started twinkling. I think Emeline’s favorite thing was riding the carousel near the Eiffel tower. Oh, and did I mention Emeline got kissed by a boy in front of the Eiffel tower—and she not even 2 years old??

We also saw visited Notre Dame, and Emeline also got to go on a boat ride and have hot chocolate at the famous Angelina’s in Paris. She also had macaroons from Laduree. Did I mention this was an all girls’ trip?? She also went to a very famous shopping mall in Paris to see all the perfumes. Though it was hotter than expected and navigating the subway system in Paris with a stroller was not easy, we made it and had a great time with the help of our good friends.

Emeline’s big purchase was a book called Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman.

Here is a quote from this children's book about a little girls adventures on her first trip to Paris:

Shop a fancy France-y store. Eat a pretty petit four. Discover! Sightsee! Explore! On this fun and friendly tour, everybody says “Bonjour!”

I thought it was a perfect gift for Emeline to have to remember our trip, and she just loves to read it with us.

She also got hot pink French boure' which she insisted on wearing even in the heat. More and more I am seeing I have a girly girl on my hands! It was a trip I will always remember…I kept looking at her and thinking that I was so glad to have her with me and not believing we were in Paris.

Happy Father's Day

Emeline gives sweet kisses to Daddy.

Posing with Uncle Martin...

Daddy with Emeline...

Happy Father’s Day, Chris… Emeline and I love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives!!!You are a Father who treasures his daughter and seeks to show her who Jesus is every day. What a gift you are to both of us.

Emeline LOVES her daddy. I think the pictures above really speak for themselves. (By the way these pictures were actually taken --today June 15th-- on Father' Day 2008.)

I bought the song “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman for Chris for Father’s Day. I am including some of the lyrics below. What a joy it is to see Chris with our little princess. Thank you, Lord, that she is home with us to celebrate this very special day. May we never forget what a precious gift she is! May we soak of every moment and never be too busy to treasure every day we have with her.

Steven Curtis Chapman recently lost his 5 year old daughter Maria Sue, who he and his wife adopted from China. The Chapmans have adopted 3 daughters from China and also have 3 bio children. Maria Sue was killed in a tragic accident at their home a few weeks ago. This makes this song even more meaningful to me. The Chapman's have a charity called Shaohannah's Hope that helps orphans in China as well as families who are adopting children. They gave us a grant towards our adoption, so needless to say this family has a special place in my heart. I am including a link to the song with a tribute to Maria. Please keep this family in your prayers....and take some time to snuggle with your little princes and princesses today.

Here is the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay1vgulzR8I&feature=related

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways

To whatever song plays without a care in the world

And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day and there's still work to do

She's pulling at me saying "Dad, I need you…

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited

And I need to practice my dancing

Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew.

Oh, I will dance with Cinderella, I don't want to miss even one song

'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone...



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, BUNNY!!!

Here are some more recent pics of our Guatemalan princess.

Emeline Tiptoes through the Tulips

These are my favorite pics of Emeline and me together in the tulips in Holland (May 2008) and some of my favorites of Emeline. I am going to some other pictures of just the tulips and more of Emeline in the tulips in a slide show. I did finally get through the millions (ok, not really but it seemed like it) of photos I took of the tulips. The gardens are called Keukenhof, and they are located not too far away from Amsterdam. We went to the gardens on a little day trip as they are only about 3 hours away from us. We also got to go with some friends one of which is an expert gardener of tulips—which made our time so much more exciting. I am including the link here, so you can see some professional pics on their website if you want. Pictures just don’t do the flowers justice, but let’s face it whoever is reading this (probably only my mother) is really more interested in seeing Emeline. So, I will post these pics and hopefully/maybe a slideshow with more pictures and more of the actual flowers later.

Here is the link to the gardens:
http://www.keukenhof.nl/nm/english.html

In other news, our speaking at the ladies church breakfast went really well. That was my very first presentation like that all in German. I have done other presentations in language school and for a seminary class we took here, but I count this as my first presentation in the real world. I talked for around 30 minutes in German about our work here and about the Book of Ruth. I could have looked at my notes less, but I think next time I won’t be so stressed. Of course, my German friend proofread everything beforehand. Chris did really well. He hardly looked at his notes, but as I reminded him—he’s the preacher!! Thanks for all of your prayers for us.

We also left Emeline with sitters for the first time for that presentation. She cried for around 10 minutes, but did great the rest of the time. Our friends David and Krista watched her. She had a fabulous time playing with them. They were kind enough to come to our apartment and watch her, which I think also helped. I am so proud of her. I think it was harder for me than for Emeline! She was also fine after we got home, and not too clingy. She is really adjusting so well. I am so proud to be her mommy.