Wonderful Weekend

Our weekend was lovely with 60-70 degree weather! Saturday, we went biking again and took Jackson to our village playground. He was quite brave and climbed a 7 foot ladder without any help. I was so nervous but let him climb by himself at the insistence of his squeals. (Jace and I both stood on either side of the ladder ready to catch him if he fell.) Jackson also enjoyed playing with the sand that covers the ground at the bottom of the slide. He poured it on his head and tried eating it too. Jason and I had fun watching him be a kid while we swung on the swings.

Saturday night was NFL draft time, and Jason was thrilled to watch it while drinking Coke and eating Haribo Pico-Ballas. Sunday after church, we all had a very satisfying afternoon nap and then walked to our town's restaurant to have a wonderful German meal. This was the first time we've been able to eat there. We usually decide to go spur-of-the-moment and the place is always booked. We were excited to finally get to go, and I was thrilled that I was walking to a restaurant instead of driving! Here are a few photos of Jackson thoroughly enjoying drinking water from my glass:

After the drink, "Ahhhhh!"

After dinner, we walked to the playground. Here's the ladder he climbed yesterday:

This is one happy boy with two handfuls of sand ready to be dumped somewhere:

Climbing:

Jace and Jackers on the zip line:


On our way back home, we saw Linda coming down the street. When Jackson saw her, he started speed-walking towards her. He didn't want to hold our hand as he walked up our street, but he was more than happy to hold hers!

This morning, Jackson had his very first dental appointment. He was a trooper. He didn't like the dentist brushing his teeth or painting on the fluoride, but he still did well. Afterwards, the dentist tried to give him a sticker and he just looked at him and said, "No, no, no." The dentist said his teeth look great and his bite looks just as it should. He has 12 teeth and his canines are on their way. He has his front four on both top and bottom as well as his first four molars. He has handled teething very well and really hasn't complained. The only nuisance we've experienced is EXCESSIVE drool. You'd have to be around him, but he seriously drools more than any child I've ever known. I'm not kidding or exaggerating either. I promise!

First Bike Ride

This morning, I took Jackson on his first bike ride. The sun was out and the sky was beautiful. But in the words of Hitch, "I saw that going differently in my mind." Once we got moving, he was fine; but, getting him into that seat and then trying to keep him from taking his helmet off was a huge hurdle to cross. Note to self: put the helmet on after he's in the seat!

Jackson seemed to enjoy the ride. We passed by the chickens, sheep, cows, horses, and goats and stopped at a playground that we found hidden in our town. Linda, our neighbor, told us about it last night...praise God. It was so fun! There was a tall slide with a fort at the top, two swings, sand, and a zip line. We had so much fun. Jackson would swing in my lap for hours if my hamstrings wouldn't burn off.

The ride home from the playground was a KILLER. I seriously thought I might not make it. Just so you know, our town is VERY hilly. There are hills EVERYWHERE. We were going up the main street (literally...up) and about 100 feet before my turn (and a downhill section), I had to get off of my bike and walk the bike and Jackson up the rest of the way! I thought my legs might collapse under me. They felt like jell-o and I wasn't even done with the steepest part of the ride - MY STREET!

Since I'm a glutton for punishment, I couldn't wait to go again once Jason got home. I wanted to take the trails behind our house that go through the forest. Well, take the trails we did. But we took a trail that's across the forest from our house. Jason decided to take it once we had approached it and stopped (no running start...thanks Jace), and let me tell you...it was uphill FOREVER!!! Jason had Jackson this time, but I still had to get off and walk my bike up for about two minutes. I needed a break! And my pelvic bones were so sore.

(Ronald, I think this was harder than biking in Switzerland. Well, it was for me since I'm not as in shape as I was back then.)

The trail was awesome! It was so beautiful. We saw two deer and we got to go through water and mud! I had mud splattered on my pants and arms. It was great!

Jackson seemed to enjoy the ride. You'll see in the photos that his seat rides in front of the rider, not in the rear like most. I think he liked it because he could see so much more. We had a great time. Once we were home, we both looked at each other and said, "That wasn't that bad." No, it really wasn't. Two times in one day and on the first day on a bike in over 2 years was probably overly ambitious! Oh well, I've gotta start somewhere!

Hymns and Hikes

I just praise God for beautiful days, sunshine, rolling hills, forests, hiking trails, and playgrounds! We have had wonderful weather lately. It's been so nice that we've been outside every day, which is why my kitchen hasn't been completely clean since Saturday or Sunday!

Sunday night, we found a hiking trail just right up the hill from our house. We never noticed it because we never ventured across the field that backs into our backyard...unsure of who the land belonged to. Turns out, it belongs to our landlord! We went across the field and up to the fence line where the horses always are. Jackson loves horses! That's when we stumbled upon the trail.

Last night, we went walking to see how far the trail went. It goes farther (or is it further?) than we hiked (we were losing daylight and had a tired boy in our arms), but passes by the forest and a lot of prairies. It was such a wonderful walk! We sang hymns and I told Jason that I felt like this is what it must have been like for John Paton and his family when they made the 4 mile walk to church every Sabbath day! Even though I have not been gifted with any kind of vocal talent, the sound was so beautiful and the words so rich. I was hoping that times like that would continue.

This afternoon, we went to the playground with Jackson. Normally, we go earlier in the day and all of the older children are in school. Today, they were all out on the playground and I was fascinated with watching Jackson watching them. He was very interested in the other children and not intimidated to approach them. A little girl from church, Reese, came over to play with Jackson. He loved her! She played with him for about 30 minutes and it was precious to watch them interact.

Tonight, our German neighbor's daughter came over to play with Jackson. We just met Linda last night and I already love her. We had a blast talking back and forth. I'm sure she went home laughing at my failed attempts to pronounce extremely difficult German sounds!

Tomorrow, Lord willing, I'm taking Jackson on his first bike ride. My parents mailed his bike seat and it arrived today. Jason installed it tonight and we're ready to go. I can't wait!!

Lord, thank you for the beautiful weather and the opportunities to get outside. You know how I love being outside!

Burg Eltz

This afternoon, we visited Burg Eltz, a castle in Germany's Mosel Valley. We enjoyed a wonderful 20 minute hike to the castle and then a guided tour of the inside, which is furnished as it was 500 years ago. Jackson was terrific, especially for a one-year-old who's normally napping during those hours. Jason and I juggled him back and forth, as we went from room to room, trying to keep him quiet. He was marvelous and the guide really liked him!

On Saturday, we went to a store where I buy my wheat berries, popcorn (for cornmeal) and other hard-to-find items. While Jason and I were looking at something, we put Jackson on the ground so that he could walk around. Not five seconds later, we looked down and he was gone. We weren't worried at first because the store is small and we underestimated how quickly he could move. We called his name and we could hear him giggling...the giggle he makes when he's running away from us while we're chasing him. When I didn't see him on the aisle that I thought he was on, I started to panic. I could hear him, but I couldn't see him. I've never let him out of my sight in a public place before. (When I was a child, I watched that heartbreaking movie, Adam, The Life of a Child. I've never been the same since.) There were only two other shoppers in the store and all of the employees know me, so I wasn't worried someone was going to snatch him. Nevertheless, I wanted to find him. Not even ten seconds later, I hear Jason shout, "Adrienne, I found him. Do you want to know what he's doing?" Well, see for yourself:

The store has grocery carts for children that line up right beside the ones for adults. I guess he sees them every time we come in, but he's never acted interested. That little boy knew what he wanted and made a beeline for it. Jason and I just sat back and laughed as he pushed his cart around the store.

Jason having a little fun with him:

The Haircut Story

Sorry that I haven't blogged in a while. My mom sent me an email because she was worried about me since I haven't posted anything in ten days. We are doing well. We've just been spending lot's of time with our friends who moved today (see the post below). I'm making up for lost time and posting what's been going on this past week.

I never posted a photo of Jackson's haircut because, honestly, it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. Bless her heart, the stylist double-booked and was understandably in a hurry. (I wanted to chicken out and come back at another time but she insisted!) She cut his hair a little crooked in the front and didn't trim the hair above his ear on one side. I think she should have gotten his hair wet. She did leave it long, which we had requested, and I really appreciated that. We like longer hair on him.

I wanted to take Jackson to my stylist and have it straightened out, but we've been too busy this week with our friends and other responsibilities. I was emailing with my friend Sharla, and she said, "The difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is two weeks." She's right! It doesn't bother me nearly as much 11 days later.

I don't want to sound ridiculous. I'm not obsessed with my baby's hair. But when I look at him and it's lopsided, it just bothers me. I could cut it myself, but I'm very afraid that the result would be a buzz cut. This happened to one of my friends.

So here is a photo that we took after his haircut. I didn't want to post it because my posture isn't exactly feminine and you can't really see the escapees hair. Oh well, I'm tired of worrying about posting the picture that I promised 10 days ago. Sorry!

Farewell, Friends

Very soon after our arrival in Germany, the Lord put an amazing family in our lives. This family was an answer to our heart's desire for a couple who would challenge us spiritually, love us unconditionally, and enjoy spending time with us. God went even one step further because Kevin and Sheri have a little boy only two weeks younger than Jackson. It couldn't have been more perfect! In September, I started going to a playgroup with Sheri and we also started attending an in-home Bible study at their home. They were an incredible blessing to our family in so many ways.

Today, Kevin, Sheri, Caleb and the newest family member, TJ, are moving. They'll get on a plane in about an hour and say goodbye to Germany. My heart is so sad because I don't want the nearness of their friendship to end. I know that we will remain friends, but countries apart isn't convenient for play dates. Although I wish that we could have them a little longer, I am so thankful to God for the time that He gave us. I can't imagine this season of our life without them.

I would like to share some of the things that I love about this family. They are truly "set apart for the gospel." In so many ways, they live in a way that reflects a life changed by the blood of the cross. They are not in love with worldly pleasures. Even when their life is busy with two boys only 14 months apart, they still make time to pray for friends, call, send an email, or even send a note though the mail. They are genuinely concerned about the lives of others. They are very understanding of the uncertainties of life (that especially come with a toddler in the home) and never make you feel bad for having to change plans. They are generous with money AND time. They challenge us, not harshly or with judgment, but with a spirit that genuinely seeks our growth in the Lord. And very importantly, our boys play so well together! Their personalities are very different but compliment each other perfectly. Maybe it's their age, but we never had trouble with them while they were together.

We've been through a lot with this family. When we first met, our babies were crawling and TJ was only around 20 months gestation. Now, our toddlers are walking, climbing, sliding, trying to run, into everything, feeding themselves, and very independent. We've been through teething together, Sheri's second labor, delivery and postpartum recovery! Man, we're going to miss them!

Here are some photos of our families and of Jackson helping me prepare for our dinner together on Thursday night. We had them over for salad, pizza and strawberry shortcake. The food was good and the fellowship was awesome!

Their last Sunday at church:

Jackson mopping the floor in preparation for dinner with their family:

Jackson helping me make the pizzas:

Kevin, Sheri, Caleb and TJ - We will miss you so much!!

Praise God for the gift of friendship!

Playground Days Are Here!

For the last week, we've seen the sun several days and the temperatures have been in the upper 40's and lower 50's - bearable weather for the playground! We've been so excited to get our adventurous little boy outside where he can feel the sun, hear the birds chirping, and test his constantly developing abilities. His friend Caleb is moving on Saturday so we've been spending a lot of time with him and his family. Here are lots of photos of the boys at the playground on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I think his hair looks so 70's in this picture.

This is Caleb, AKA Mr. Posey Poserton. He loves the camera and my index finger loved him.

Caleb sharing his "treasures" with Jackson:

Boys will be boys!

I got you Caleb!

Jackson was content to slide over and over again.

He only wanted Sheri to pick him up and put him on the slide. This was my first experience with Jackson wanting someone other than me and I honestly thought it was so wonderful to see him loving and trusting someone else.

Jackson was very interested in baby TJ, Sheri's 6-week-old infant.

Jackson especially loves sliding down on his belly.

The only photo we could get of the boys standing (somewhat) side-by-side. They are so busy!


DAY 2
We couldn't believe the difference in the boys from Tuesday to Wednesday. They were much more confident in climbing the stairs and sliding. It was neat to watch them do exactly what we had taught them to do - climb, sit on their bottoms and then slide down.


Jackson likes to turn while he's already begun sliding, which totally scares me!





What a big boy!

Later that afternoon, Jackson and I went to a German playground. Their playgrounds are so much fun. Jackson loved this swing. He looks like spider's prey.

Baths are for Babies!

Since Jackson's earliest days, we've been in the habit of putting him in the shower with us from time to time. When he was an infant, we did it either out of convenience (because a shower was easier and much faster) or because we were trying to clear his nose. Once he got older and baths became really fun for him, we rarely put him in the shower. Well, the past two weeks, he's been waking earlier than usual, which doesn't give me time to complete my morning routine AND take a shower. So, I decided to put him in the shower with me. He LOVED it! He walked right up to the stream of water, put his hands in, and then ducked his head under it. He didn't want to get out, so I let him shower a little longer while I did my stuff (lotion, moisturizer, etc.) Now, he'll choose a shower over his bath if given the choice. Here are a couple of shots of him holding the shower head (a personal favorite of his):

Baby's First Haircut

Our sweet baby had his very first haircut today. He's 16 months old. We've been putting off cutting his hair for a couple of reasons: it solidifies his move from babyhood to toddlerhood, we like the look of longer hair, and we're rebelling against all of the people who say, "Oh my gosh! His hair is so long. It needs to be cut. He looks like a girl." (Just kidding on the last part; however, it does bother us.)

I actually had a hard time going through with it! I love his hair and the sweet curls in the back. However, the curls never have a chance to be curls because we have to dry his hair with a hair dryer since it's so cold here. When I dry his hair, the curls somewhat straighten and then have that half straight/half curl/crimped look. It's awful. I've even been tempted to use my flatiron on the back of his hair! (And NO, I have NOT used it...that's just how bad it bugged me.) On top of that, his hair had grown past his eyebrows and was into his eyes. It combs to the side, but let's face it, he's a boy and it never stays in one place. So, I decided that it was only right to get it cut...but only a little bit.
Here are two photos I took of him when he woke this morning. That's not bad bed head!

Jackson and I got ready and headed out the door to the salon where we met Jason. We photographed and videoed. Jackson was great! He sat on daddy's lap for the whole thing. He moved his head unexpectedly a few times, but nothing horrible resulted...thank goodness! Here are some photos:

I didn't get a photo of the finished cut because Jackers was ready to get down, run around, and kick his soccer ball, which we did do once we got outside. I'll take a photo and post it tomorrow.