Tenaciously Patient

July 8, 2011

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.

April 11, 2011

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.

March 13, 2011

Breaking News in the Seybold household

March 4, 2011

Cameraless

After a Cameraless February, now begins a Camerafull March!!

Princess with princesses. Cannot believe this is my baby girl!

Neighbor, classmate and friend, Emma.

This is truly a 5 pound (2,5 kilos) tube of ground beef. Random, I know, but just more proof that EVERYTHING really is bigger in America.

Opening the package from the Pauls, it was long awaited and, apparently, Fiona's present even more so than her own.

Not impressed

Wacky Wednesday, celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. They were supposed to be as mismatched as possible.

Roller skating!! If you haven't been in a while, you should totally go with your kids! A trip back to the 80s never hurt anyone!

They even blew up the bounce house for us.

February 2, 2011

Noelle, Ellie Bell, Seybold turns one!!

A big thanks to Taylor Caddell for the birthday garb, a tick too big, but whatever, I still rocked it.

Searching for the birthday gifts due to the wrapping paper deficit.

Figuring things out with big sis.

Our new favorite game.

Totally looking forward to that cupcake.

"I cannot believe mom is letting me get this messy."

This will be shown at your sixteenth birthday party.

Not wanting to get left behind.

That's about all a one-year-old can take.

January 13, 2011

so you may have been waiting...

It has been a while, a long while. Living without something you have grown accustom to isn't easy. It is annoying and brings the feeling of complete unsettled-ness. That is the way we feel about leaving our lives in Germany and getting started here. We had a life, it made sense and we knew how it worked. Getting settled, even in what might be "home" has been a long haul. Slowly things are falling into place and turning into a routine.
None of it, though, would have been possible without friends and family taking care of us in more ways than we can count. It is humbling to be on the recieving end of such grace and hospitality.
So here are some long awaited pictures, begging to be commented on...