Autumn is 3!

There is a unique ache when your baby, your youngest, has birthdays.  While we celebrate our little sweetie's three years of blessed life, we also grieve a little bit for the end of a stage.  The baby stage? Gone and now the toddler stage is fading into memory.  She's a little girl now, full of spunk and personality.  Autumn Mae, you hold a special spot in our family.  You will always be OUR baby, meaning not just mine and daddy's, but Emma's and Chloe's and Sawyer's too.  Emma says all the time, "I'm so glad I have Autumn for my sister, it's so fun to be older with a baby sister".  Chloe carries you around and entertains you with make believe every waking hour you're together.  You like to play that you're the princess and she's your maid or your dog... and those roles aren't too far from the truth little Noot!  Sawyer has a precious affection for you, a protective love that melts my heart to see.  The other day, you were throwing a fit because you didn't want to walk up the stairs by the grocery store.  I was holding two heavy bags of groceries and you were having a lazy moment.  Your brother came to your rescue by insisting that you needed help and he would hold your hand.  You beamed as he helped you up and then you continued to hold hands all the way to the bus stop.  Sawyer doesn't kiss many of us regularly, he's a bit afraid of germs, but he can't kiss your head enough:).  You had your third birthday in the Swiss Alps, lucky girl!  You may not remember much of our time here, but we are having so much fun exploring this beautiful country together.  You are the sunshine (and a bit of patience testing) to my days.  I think God knew how much your affectionate love language would minister to my heart, we share that love language sweet girl!  You hug my neck with passion and say, "I love you so much my sweetie mom!"  Or "you smell so cute my sweetie mom!"  My heart really breaks for those who never in this life time get to know the joy of the love between mother and child, it is truly a gift.  To my sweet little last arrow (with pink feathers and a wiggly dance), I thank God for the blessing of you!  Happy birthday Mootie!

 (This is what we call the "feed the children" shot, LOL!)

(Does this not look a lot like me at this age, to anyone who knew me then?)

Journal- the ups and downs

Nearly two months, yes you heard right.  We can officially say we're not in vacation mode any more.  I think unknowingly, it started out feeling that way.  So many new things, the kids feeling the same way. But now it's becoming clear that we live here.  Autumn said to me the other day, "I miss our old house, I want to fly on a airplane and go home".  She says what she really feels and thinks, and I think it really captures what we all feel from time to time as we experience the natural pangs of homesickness.  I think it doesn't help that we're in the dead of winter still, feeling a bit cooped up, and that germs have attacked our family in full force.  I have been coughing from what seems like the minute we got here, one cold after another and I'm getting pretty weary of it.  On the positive side, perhaps full wellness and the first signs of spring will coincide for a fresh dose of joy.  I noticed tonight as we were walking back from dinner that it was still a bit light!  The days are getting longer and before we know it the cows will come back to the mountains and we'll hear bells all day long:).  The kids first school vacation break is coming up next week as well and we have some fun trips planned, just what the doctor ordered I think.  I need to get better about uploading pictures to my computer from my phone.  When I'm out and about, capturing stunning views as they happen, I usually don't have my big camera with me.  I'll try to get caught up with pictures on here soon since I know many of you don't do Facebook.  Autumn turns three this Saturday, we'll be having a little party for her that she absolutely can't wait for!  I need to take her out one of these days soon to take some three year pictures.  We are certainly well stocked with great locations for pictures here.  Say a little prayer for us friends, whenever you think of it, for wellness and lifted spirits, as we adjust to and embrace our new life here.  We are counting our blessings daily and enjoying the little things, but also allowing ourselves to be real and feel the full effect of this huge move.  God is present in both, and His goodness never waivers despite our waivering.  One of the things I'm most thankful for these days is how He's been drawing me to His Word and presence.  He has blessed us with a wonderful church body/family who has been such an encouragement to us!