a little behind...

back in Cincinnati and the reality of snow

Christmas morning

Christmas Eve with Britty's family

so excited about the Christmas lights at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville

They got to ride in the back-back seat

We went to a Chinese restaurant and Fiona asked for chopsticks and ate her entire meal with them. No one taught her and she didn't just stab the food, I was impressed!

this is how noelle says cheese

got into puzzling this year, Grant, not so much

trip to wal-mart with gunk-u-gunk (uncle Grant)

Christmas trip to Tennessee, Noelle did not feel well, as evidenced by cuddling

mother daughter trip to Starbucks

best bud, Jack

visiting with Johannes

pretty excited about this huge lollipop

2. Advent, what a tired cutie!!

Thanksgiving in PA

Family (well, minus noelle) movie night.

we carved a pumpkin!

Fiona's class had a little production--12 days of Halloween

celebrating my birthday at Don Pablo's across the river

reading with Opa when mom and dad came to visit in October

hanging up some curtains that mom and I made.

leading a little German story time in September

is it really november?

Well, soccer's over. This picture may be deceiving, it did not go as planned, but she says it's her favorite sport (besides golf, which her father has successfully talked her into loving, how convienent).
I only have three more weeks of school, which seems impossible considering how many projects are still unfinished. Overall it has been very challenging and overwhelming, but I'm glad I'm doing it.
Brett is doing much of the same, though I have no pictures to prove it. He is playing the stay at home dad game and preaching on Sunday in addition to his two classes.
Busy, busy. Noelle is just wondering why in the world everyone is acting so crazy.

pictoral update

first day of school!

moving day, we had so much help!

obviously a very fitful sleep

visit to Tennessee--great times were had by all!

"Cousins"

An overdue update...

So I wanted the pictures in the opposite order, but that's the way it goes...

July 5

Fiona turned 6, can you believe it? She wanted to invite some friends from school to a water party at our house--slip and slide, water balloons and water guns.

Independence day

July 2--family birthday

Noelle loves rocks, she was so happy to found this little slice of heaven on earth!

learning to golf in Pennsylvania--June

weeding and reading the Secret Garden with Oma and Opa

just because it's summer doesn't mean there's no homework

meeting new friends

visit to the zoo

going to church

to the store

first official haircut

and last day of school, obviously wearing the fanciest dress she owns.

When one door closes...

So I checked the emails the other day, without expectations for something great. As I read and clicked, deleted and laughed, I had to stop, re-read and re-read again. My adviser at UC had written, which was much unexpected since I've had to postpone starting on my MA in German to meet residency requirements. So when I read "I have some very good news..." my heartrate quickened. He went on to explain their offer, someone made ME an offer!! In exchange for teaching an undergrad German course and working full-time on my MA, they will pay for my schooling and give me a stipend. My jaw dropped and the tears they were a flowin'. I called my mom to make sure I had understood it right. I had and Brett and I cannot believe this provision.

To say we have been worried about where things should go after this semester, would be a gross understatement. I mean, we have hopes and dreams, made plans and backups, but THIS was not on our radar! God knew what he was going to provide and when. Why His timing is such, I'm satisfied not to know. I'm just thankful He lets me tag along for the ride.

Breaking News in the Seybold household