Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Test...and Talent!
So this was a test...I tried to shrink the pictures so maybe it'll look different on our blog and not take up so much space. Hmm. I hope this works.
Secondly...I think it's time to give Cole a bath, don't you think? I'm not really sure how he got that all up his face. He's quite talented!
Friday, May 26, 2006
2 Months
2 months old & already chillin' in one of our comfy green chairs. we didn't plant the pacifier, either. promise.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Family Fun Day
Today was a national holiday in Austria, so the country takes off work. Each year, VCS capitalizes on this and has Family Fun Day at a local park. Students and staff are required to come from 10 to 2 and play games, eat, and just hang out. Maryam hung out with me & Cole on our blanket a little bit. Maryam was in my fourth grade class this year, and is from Nigeria. She has younger siblings so she's naturally a great baby holder:).
Chris played on the faculty basketball team today for the annual match up against the high school team. The faculty won, OF COURSE!
Spaghetti Science
Yesterday was Elementary Science Day at VCS. Cole & I took a trip to school to check out the kids' projects. The most interesting event I think is the Spaghetti Structure contest. Kids receive 1 box of Barilla spaghetti with which they are to build a structure using only glue that weighs 100 grams or less. The goal is to create a structure that will bear as much weight as possible. On the big day, the structures are tested by first applying a board. Then, a bucket with 2 kilograms of weight is placed on the board. Mr. Schwartz, our famous principal, then pours salt into the bucket until the spaghetti structure collapses. The bucket is weighed to determine how many kilgrams the structure held. The structure you see above weighs about 45 or50 grams and sustained 25 kilograms of weight before buckling under the pressure. It's a pretty amazing accomplishment for the 4th and 5th graders!
Monday, May 22, 2006
The latest with us...
The latest from us...
We visited the Vienna Zoo at the Schonbrunn Palace on Saturday. Cole slept through the whole thing, we I saw the strangest anteater-looking animal I've ever seen!
We also went to a goodbye party for some friends who are leaving Vienna at the end of this school year, and Cole took some good naps, as you can see below.
We visited the Vienna Zoo at the Schonbrunn Palace on Saturday. Cole slept through the whole thing, we I saw the strangest anteater-looking animal I've ever seen!
We also went to a goodbye party for some friends who are leaving Vienna at the end of this school year, and Cole took some good naps, as you can see below.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
A Great Idea!
So, thanks to Matt, I've decided to copy his idea on our blog. Here's the deal:
Do a shuffle of all your songs on your iPod/MP3 Player/computer (including ALL songs - no cheating). Then come to our blog and list the first 10 songs that come up. It's not going to be your favorite songs or what best represents you, but it'll be interesting at least. I already played on Matt's website, so I'm going to try again and see what comes up.
My list:
1. Hymn - pedro the lion
2. The Way You Look Tonight - michael buble
3. Father Figure - t-bone
4. O Come All Ye Faithful - percy faith
5. Steady As She Goes - andrew peterson
6. Omaha - counting crows
7. Baby Girl - musiq
8. Nobody - five for fighting
9. I Like Birds - the elms
10. One Step Closer To Life - mxpx
There you go - join the fun by adding comments!
Do a shuffle of all your songs on your iPod/MP3 Player/computer (including ALL songs - no cheating). Then come to our blog and list the first 10 songs that come up. It's not going to be your favorite songs or what best represents you, but it'll be interesting at least. I already played on Matt's website, so I'm going to try again and see what comes up.
My list:
1. Hymn - pedro the lion
2. The Way You Look Tonight - michael buble
3. Father Figure - t-bone
4. O Come All Ye Faithful - percy faith
5. Steady As She Goes - andrew peterson
6. Omaha - counting crows
7. Baby Girl - musiq
8. Nobody - five for fighting
9. I Like Birds - the elms
10. One Step Closer To Life - mxpx
There you go - join the fun by adding comments!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Frankly Granddaughters
Look at those cute girls:).
Leighton, Emilee & Carrington...three of the 4 Frank granddaughters. Get ready...Cole is preparing his arrival onto this girly scene this summer in California! I have a feeling he'll get more hugs & kisses than he'll know what to do with.
US Citizen
It's official...Cole is a United States Citizen. Today we received his US passport and his Consular Report of Birth Abroad. That's a fancy document to say that yes, Cole was born to American parents in Vienna, Austria, and he has US citizenship. Cool.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Some Changes
With all of this baby hubub, I haven't really written much of anything about school and finances and my work there. I still really like it - it's challenging sometimes but I'm learning a lot. I'm planning to take a class or two in the fall towards an MBA. I'm not stuck on getting a degree, but I do want to learn some more things about business, accounting, budgeting, etc. That will definitely help me do my job better. Plus VCS will pay - bonus.
Recently I and some other people on the VCS financial aid committee had to sort through a huge pile of applications for financial aid for next year. It's not easy because some families have a lot of need and there is only so much the school board has approved to give. We do a lot for many families, but there are always some that aren't happy with what we gave them. It can be frustrating to feel like we're being generous and then to be begged for more. One huge encouragement was a handwritten note I got from a parent just a few days ago. It said "Thank you so much for the excellent discount for for 06-07 school year. For me it is a really big help." Even just that makes me feel like - Yes!! - all of the stress and hours I put in to this financial aid stuff was worth it. And it helps even more to think of the individual children that this is helping by the education they're getting and encouragement to follow Jesus with their life.
One other cool thing - I get to play volleyball tonight with a club of Austrians I hooked up with. :) They're pretty good, too.
Recently I and some other people on the VCS financial aid committee had to sort through a huge pile of applications for financial aid for next year. It's not easy because some families have a lot of need and there is only so much the school board has approved to give. We do a lot for many families, but there are always some that aren't happy with what we gave them. It can be frustrating to feel like we're being generous and then to be begged for more. One huge encouragement was a handwritten note I got from a parent just a few days ago. It said "Thank you so much for the excellent discount for for 06-07 school year. For me it is a really big help." Even just that makes me feel like - Yes!! - all of the stress and hours I put in to this financial aid stuff was worth it. And it helps even more to think of the individual children that this is helping by the education they're getting and encouragement to follow Jesus with their life.
One other cool thing - I get to play volleyball tonight with a club of Austrians I hooked up with. :) They're pretty good, too.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Morning Playtime
Cole & I have started somewhat of a morning playtime routine. First, we wake up and he eats, and then we change his diaper. Then, we usually read 2 stories and today we played with an elephant that makes all kinds of noises. This elephant lives on the side rail of Cole's crib, so they're becoming friends. Maybe the elephant will make his blog debut someday soon. Above are some photos from this morning. I just love those HUGE eyes and that dimple. Love them.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Today's Victories
First victory...
We've had a window repair man at our house all day every day this week except for Monday. That's not the victory. The victory is that today in talking with him in German I found out that his son graduated from VCS three years ago! He asked if I was affiliated with a church I guess from something he saw in our apartment. He mentioned that his son went to an English speaking Christian school in the 22nd district. That's VCS! Woah, small world. He's still here working on our windows since they were messed up from the construction above our building all last year. They're looking goooooooood.
Second victory...
For a few months before Cole was born, we attended an Austrian church called Gemeinde Tulpengasse. It's one of the first evangelical churches in Vienna, founded by three Canadian believers many years ago. Anyway, we began attending because we wanted to be a part of a stable Austrian church and meet Austrians, and we wanted to work on our German. Honestly, though, it was a struggle for us because it's just hard to pick up anything in German and getting to know people is hard for that reason as well. We tried, yes, but not as much as we could have. So my victory. Today a lady called looking for a phone number of a friend of ours in the states. She mentioned that her son was going to the states and she'd gotten our number from a friend of ours here. So, long story short. She goes to the same Austrian church we'd been attending, and we had decided to go back this Sunday with Cole and see how that goes. I told her that, and she was SUPER excited for us to come back, and SUPER excited to get to know us. In the grand scheme of things, that's nothing, but to me today, that was HUGE and what I needed to realize that it's okay to go back, people will remember us, and that just trying our best in German is all we can do. We dont' have to be German professionals to attend an Austrian church. I'm pretty sure that's not a requirement. Good news. I'm now kinda looking forward to Sunday. We'll see how it goes:).
We've had a window repair man at our house all day every day this week except for Monday. That's not the victory. The victory is that today in talking with him in German I found out that his son graduated from VCS three years ago! He asked if I was affiliated with a church I guess from something he saw in our apartment. He mentioned that his son went to an English speaking Christian school in the 22nd district. That's VCS! Woah, small world. He's still here working on our windows since they were messed up from the construction above our building all last year. They're looking goooooooood.
Second victory...
For a few months before Cole was born, we attended an Austrian church called Gemeinde Tulpengasse. It's one of the first evangelical churches in Vienna, founded by three Canadian believers many years ago. Anyway, we began attending because we wanted to be a part of a stable Austrian church and meet Austrians, and we wanted to work on our German. Honestly, though, it was a struggle for us because it's just hard to pick up anything in German and getting to know people is hard for that reason as well. We tried, yes, but not as much as we could have. So my victory. Today a lady called looking for a phone number of a friend of ours in the states. She mentioned that her son was going to the states and she'd gotten our number from a friend of ours here. So, long story short. She goes to the same Austrian church we'd been attending, and we had decided to go back this Sunday with Cole and see how that goes. I told her that, and she was SUPER excited for us to come back, and SUPER excited to get to know us. In the grand scheme of things, that's nothing, but to me today, that was HUGE and what I needed to realize that it's okay to go back, people will remember us, and that just trying our best in German is all we can do. We dont' have to be German professionals to attend an Austrian church. I'm pretty sure that's not a requirement. Good news. I'm now kinda looking forward to Sunday. We'll see how it goes:).
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
COLE hard facts
A new way of sleeping? It's like he's on guard or something...or raising the roof?
We had our 6 week doctor visit today. All is in order! Cole is growing and growing.
12.1 pounds
23 5/8 inches
Not always...
peaches & cream.
Life here in Vienna for some families is not always peaches & cream. I talked to a VCS mom today who was really burdened for her elementary aged son. He's having a tough time fitting in after living here for almost 2 years. Classes here are small, so you don't have 4 sections of 4th grade to choose friends from, or a neighborhood full of kids who speak your language. It's just a tough thing, and I often forget that when I'm having such a good time teaching and being with the kids at VCS.
In other news...a girl from my 4th grade class this year was recently suspended for multiple accounts of theft. Sad news, because maybe she was really seeking approval from someplace, and using theft to get it. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't the best way.
Please continue to pray for kids & families at VCS, and for us as we carry out the roles God has given us here for this time. It's a really cool place, yet not immune to hard things in life.
Life here in Vienna for some families is not always peaches & cream. I talked to a VCS mom today who was really burdened for her elementary aged son. He's having a tough time fitting in after living here for almost 2 years. Classes here are small, so you don't have 4 sections of 4th grade to choose friends from, or a neighborhood full of kids who speak your language. It's just a tough thing, and I often forget that when I'm having such a good time teaching and being with the kids at VCS.
In other news...a girl from my 4th grade class this year was recently suspended for multiple accounts of theft. Sad news, because maybe she was really seeking approval from someplace, and using theft to get it. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't the best way.
Please continue to pray for kids & families at VCS, and for us as we carry out the roles God has given us here for this time. It's a really cool place, yet not immune to hard things in life.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Weekend Highlights
Yesterday at VCS the elementary kids put on a Mother's Day Coffee. This event is one of the most highly attended events all year at school. Moms come and have breakfast with their kids and there is a small program made up of skits and songs that make moms cry:). It's a great thing. I had the privilege this year of being the MC of this event. I did it last year too, yet this year it took on new meaning because I too, am now in the mom club. The moms and students flocked to Cole yesterday morning! They loved hugging him and watching his faces. It's been amazing to me to see that people from many different cultures all react to babies the same way. They coo and cuddle and want to touch his tiny fingers and toes. What a testament to God's miracle of creating life. It spans cultures and languages.
Another highlight of our weekend is yet to come! The Vienna City Marathon is tomorrow. The course runs three times in our neighborhood, so we have a prime watching spot. Three of our friends at VCS are running it. We're armed with signs and cheering voices! Good luck Mike, Matt, and Lance!
Another highlight of our weekend is yet to come! The Vienna City Marathon is tomorrow. The course runs three times in our neighborhood, so we have a prime watching spot. Three of our friends at VCS are running it. We're armed with signs and cheering voices! Good luck Mike, Matt, and Lance!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Cole & Chris Time
After work yesterday, Cole and Chris sat on the bed and debriefed the day.
Today after work, Cole & Chris danced around our living room to Jungle Boogie. I managed to capture the moment! Chris also had Cole singing Jungle Boogie with a whisk microphone in the kitchen, but I was too slow to capture that one. Bummer.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Cole's Pastimes Lately
Cole likes just chillin' in his rocker seat...staring.
Cole has a new fascination with walls. He's once again...staring!
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