snow

We got our first dusting of snow on Friday, it was very light and melted fast. Sunday night we had snow in the forecast and it actually was snowing on our way home from dinner and kept snowing all night and all day monday. We got at least 6 inches of snow. Today we had the most beautiful day with blue skies, snow flurries and the sun shining. This is my garden today around noon. It was glorious.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we took a break from our big blow-out Thanksgiving celebrations and had just our team (and extended family) over to celebrate. It was really fun to have a small, intimate, fancy evening. We set up tables downstairs in our playroom/ office area and pulled out the china and wine glasses and ate and ate and ate. We had so much fun being together although a bit loud with all the children including lots of giggles, laughter and a few Thanksgiving knock knock jokes.

All pictures by the fabulous Talitha

Owen's birthday!

Happy Birthday to Owen! We had a great time celebrating Owen's 6th birthday. It has been a great joy to watch him grow up from such a wee little one to what seems like such a big guy. We have lived so much life with the Syvertsens that they seem so much like a part of our family. All of our kids love each other somewhere between cousins and brothers. It is a great privilege to celebrate Owen and the the year that he his lived, and to celebrate what is to come. We love you O!

hours of fun

This box was originally obtained for Clark's book club and it was a rocket that was decorated, it made its way home and then provided more hours of entertainment then one would think possible. All three of them have spent many hours gluing, coloring, placing stickers and pushing each other around. I love the creativity of it all.

Velvet17

We are so proud of our teammate Talitha, who had a photo exhibit earlier this month with a number of other photographers. The exhibit was called Velvet17, in honor of the Velvet Revolution that took place here in 1989 (on November 17th). The photographers represented a number of different countries, and each had their own theme and perspective, dealing with Czech's post-communist life.

The museum was a great space in a great location, and her opening was very successful - over 350 people, a former underground communist-era band, and good reviews.

Talitha interviewed a number of Czechs to ask them how their lives had changed, positively or negatively, since 1989. The interviews, along with her pictures, were wonderful! Here's Talitha with one of her subjects, Anna, on the left, and a fellow photographer Sarka on the right.

Way to go, Talitha! We love you!

Membership Class

Friday night and Saturday morning last weekend Faith Community Church had its first-ever membership class. We spent time learning about the history of the church, what we believe and where we hope to go. Phil and Jake did an amazing job laying it all out. It was exciting to be a part of the first membership class with 20 others. It is amazing to think that each year this little church continues to grow. God is working in and through it and it is such a privilege to be a part of it.

tell me what these have in common

poor

pour

paw

Lucy has learned that these are in fact homophones... if said with a british accent. These were some of her spelling words this week. We are truly breaking all American english rules here.

after church socializing

Church kids with their parents' iPhones

travels

I got to spend 5 days in charlotte with Laura. We had been planning a girls trip that we would take together at our 5 year mark in Prague so we decided to cash in those frequent flier miles and head out. We went mainly for the Uptown's women retreat that happened over the weekend. It was so refreshing and encouraging. It was great to be with women I know so well and meet lots of new ladies. We also spent time doing Christmas shopping and meeting up with friends and meeting new babies. The best part of the whole trip was all the uninterrupted girl time that Laura and I got to have. It was bliss. Thank you sweet friend for a fabulous trip!

One day before I flew home Phil actually had to fly to the US for a Team Leaders Training in Philly. So while we were in transatlantic travels passing each other in the air... we had a team of friends loving on and caring for the kids. Melissa shuttled Piper around and provided 2 fun afternoons with Sam. Nina picked the big kids up from school, did homework, cooked dinner, bathed all three of them and tucked them sweetly into bed. She stayed the night and got them off to school the next day. We had several friends on call just in case I was delayed. It was truly amazing to be so cared for so well and to know those caring for my children love them just as much as we do. Thank you so much Melissa and Nina!!!

Phil had fun at his training too. He loved getting to see all of the other World Harvest Team leaders, to share and pray and to be encouraged.

We were all sweetly reunited 10 days later with lots of hugs and kisses.