Danke

Pig-tails.....



Hugging Emma...
Daddy pulling Emeline is her play baby stroller...Go Germany!!! This is before the European Cup Final between Germany and Spain. Sadly, Spain won, but we were still proud.

Emeline is starting to say a few words…and they are not in English. Ok, so she says Daddy and Mama in English—and I like that. She has been saying “Tschüss” which is a casual way to say goodbye for a couple of months. This week she started saying “Danke,” which means thank-you in German. When she says "Danke" it just melts my heart…

Now we speak almost all the time to her at home in English, so I am a bit surprised that she is still saying most of her words in German. However, she has two main play-mates—Emma who is American and her little German buddy “M”. I believe Emma taught her to say “Danke.” Emma says “Danke” all the time and we go crazy when she says it, because it is so sweet. When Emeline said it we all went crazy, too. Emeline has started to copy sounds, so that has led to her repeating words. Our German friends also love it when she says “Tschüss” and “Danke” and try to get her to say these words. So, I guess she is getting lots of reinforcement for the German words in particular. I am not 100% sure, but I think she is also saying “Nein,” which means “No” and “süß” which means “sweet.” Her little German buddy M probably taught her the “Nein.” I have heard her say it a couple of times, so I think she knows what she is saying and is beyond just copying. I also sometimes say “Nein” instead of “No” to her, but I am more than sure she knows what “No” means in English. I am always saying “How sweet” (Wie süß) in German—Why?? because I am from the South and Southern women say that all the time. So, she learned the “süß” from me.

Emeline amazes me. She is learning so much all the time. She also still understands some Spanish words. I was reading a Dora the Explorer book the other day to her, and she got very excited and squealed with delight when I read the word “Hola.” She also continues to understand more and more English. I know this might seem a bit boring, but the way she is learning language just fascinates me.

Yep, I am one proud mama, but I bet you already knew that!

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.

My Pretty Girl...15 months already

Above: Simply gorgeous...and getting so big.

Below: Check out the almost pigtails.

She's pitching a fit and I am thinking, I need to get a picture of this for my Blog. She's just too cute for words even when she having a tantrum moment.

Ok, I have so much to say that I am not telling you all, and it’s a long story…for another post. I still haven’t sorted through the Holland Tulip pictures, but when I do I will still post them.

However, I cannot deprive people of Emeline’s cuteness. Thus, I am posting these pics. She is 15 months old already, and learning new things every day. She is really starting to understand English. Also, I have to say that Emeline has the best hair in the world. It is gorgeous and she has lots of it. People think she is much older, because of her hair and because she is so coordinated (she walks and dances like a champ). Needless to say I am putting all those bows to good use! She is generally a good sport about it, and I am having a blast. Yes, I am loving it.

Oh, and she threw the cordless phone in the bath tub—and yes, the tub was full o’ water at the time!

Lastly, please pray Chris as he preaches tomorrow. Also, next Saturday, May 31 Chris and I both speak at a ladies breakfast for some churches here in our city. Please pray for us both. We have to talk for an hour—in German. Pray for wisdom in what to prepare and for us to have a good German language day on Saturday so that these ladies can understand our Southern American accents auf Deutsch.

Missing so many of you...and sad that you are all not getting to see my girl and the little things she does each day. I hope this blog helps just a little...at least it helps me.

Mother's Day 2008

Emeline in the Park--May 10, 2008 (above)

Cupcakes for my cupcake for Mother's Day 2008 (below)

Well, in honor of Mother's Day, I baked some yummy rainbow chip cupcakes--with rainbow chip icing. Now, if you don't live overseas you cannot fully appreciate the pure extravagance of using some precious cake mix from the US and real icing on an event other than a birthday. In honor of our first Mother's Day together I stripped Emeline down to her diaper and gave her not one, but 2 iced cupcakes which she ate with great pleasure. She was laughing and squealing with pure joy as she made a huge mess. I ate not one but 3 cupcakes right along with her! (Calm down, healthy people, she hardly ever gets sweets like that--she eats bird seed bio muesli for breakfast!!!)

Yesterday we had a picnic and went to the aquazoo. I will blog more about the aquazoo later. We have season tickets to go, so it is one of our regular outings. This Saturday Chris came along with us, and we had a picnic in the park beforehand. We have had unusually pretty and warm weather here for over a week--really that is unheard of. It has been warmer this week than it was the whole of last summer. Emeline and I have been out every single day soaking up the sun while we can. I am becoming German in that respect. When the weather is fine, the Germans are outside enjoying it and making the most of the sunshine while it lasts. I even let Emeline go without her shoes for a bit, and she loved it. She has been playing in the sand and getting totally filthy this week. We have been to several different parks--she loves playing outside.

I have begun to make a new German friend who has a baby boy not much older than Emeline. I am so thankful for this, and she has been taking us all around and showing us things to do--she grew up in the neighborhood we live in. She has invited us to go swimming next week at an indoor pool in our city. We had 3 play-dates last week. She even bought Emeline a "Hello Kitty" shirt just to be nice. She has been going out of her way to include us and invite us places. She has also offered to help us score a place in a baby play group that her sister leads (this class already has a waiting list for when Emeline will be 2!!). I am a bit overwhelmed at her kindness to us. It is not the norm. It is nice to be the one being invited instead of trying to do the inviting all the time. It is not that Germans are not nice, it's just that they are not usually quick to include outsiders in daily life--especially foreigners such as myself. Of course, we have known her for almost a year. I believe having Emeline has made all the difference. Now we have much in common with our little ones. I am hopeful that this is a door opening for our family here in our neighborhood. May it be so--and the beginning of many good things to come!

P.S. I am working on getting some videos uploaded to the blog. I need to figure some stuff out, and then I will post them--hopefully soon. It is easier to video Emeline than to take pics, because she is always in motion! Also, I will post pictures soon of our visit to the tulip gardens in Holland.

This Time Last Year

Waiting to meet Emeline

Emeline in my arms for the first time

Counting fingers and toes

This time last year we had just met our baby girl for the first time. We were in Antigua, Guatemala spending time with Emeline…and she was only 11 weeks old. In honor of that special time I am going to share about the day we met Emeline and a few memories.

We awoke our first morning in Antigua to cannon fire—I am not kidding--and roosters and chickens making noise in the wee hours of the morning. We had just traveled from Germany to the US and then on to Guatemala. I believe it was around 18 hours of travel. We had gotten in to our hotel very late the night before. We were so excited and thought we would be getting Emeline late afternoon some time the day after our arrival. However, we got a call asking if she could be brought at 11:00 instead. We were thrilled and began hurriedly getting ready. We were waiting outside before the appointed time on the street in front of our hotel. I was truly surreal. Outside the gates of our hotel folks were honking at me as they went by in cars or even converted golf carts. There were dogs running around everywhere. The buildings were painted bright colors and the streets were cobble stones. We waited for what seemed like and eternity and eventually figured out it was only 10:00 am, and that we had our times confused. By that time the lady who works with our adoption agency called and said they were sitting in traffic. Finally, they arrived and Karina, Emeline’s foster mom, came walking up with Emeline and placed her in my arms. She was fast asleep and had a yellow long sleeved with pants onesie on and a matching yellow hat. I said to her as I kissed her, “Hello, Emeline, I’m your mommy.” Chris was right there beside me. We noticed right away that she had her ears pierced and big gold stud earrings. In Guatemala all baby girls have their ears pierced, and we can’t imagine Emeline without her sweet little earrings now. We proceeded to get information about how to care for her for about 30 minutes. We took tons of pictures, but she slept through every bit of it.

After her foster family left we walked back to our room. Chris had always said when we got our hands on her we were going to bring her back to our hotel room and just put her in the middle of the bed to admire her. We just took her in…she was so beautiful. We had already removed her hat when we were with her foster mother. Emeline had a head full of black hair…I said her hair looked like black feathers as it was so fine and soft. When she opened her big brown eyes she looked right at us and gave us a big smile. She was not in the slightest bit afraid. As we began to talk to her, her eyes got very big (she had probably never heard English before), and she cooed right back at us. I took her socks off and we counted her fingers and little toes. Then, we fed her a bottle. She was a happy girl the whole time. It was like something in a movie. I really could not have asked for a better experience for our first meeting.

We had just over a week with Emeline. We got to experience feeding a baby around the clock. She also spit up all the time. We were exhausted, but in heaven. We also got to bring her around Antigua. We ate local restaurants and saw the sights. That time in Guatemala is like a wonderful dream. We were determined to soak it all in and experience all we could with Emeline. It beyond difficult to give her back at the end of the trip, but I left Guatemala with a bond in my heart that I knew would never be broken. I knew no matter what happened I would love her for the rest of my life.

I have included a few pictures from our trip as well as a link below to the visit trip slide show I sent out last year. Last year I spent my first Mother’s Day oceans and continents apart from my baby girl. I am so thankful that this year she is here right by my side. I really could not ask for more than that. I am so very blessed to be Emeline’s mommy.



Here is the link to the vist trip video montage set to music (this pictures are from late April-early May 2007:

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/cV8aE5yt