Kaleb's First Half-Birthday!

We are celebrating Kaleb's first half year of life today, complete with his first ever serving of veggies and lunch out at a favorite restaurant. I've said it before and I'll say it again. It seems like just yesterday that we were waking up after a stormy night with restless sleep, ready to head to the hospital to meet our little guy. Yet at the same time, I can hardly remember what life was like before him... before I heard his first cry or kissed him for the first time.

The other day I was pushing Kaleb in his stroller and listening to a sermon on being a mommy. The last time I listened to that sermon was last spring in Germany, when I was pregnant and Kaleb was still moving around in my womb. It seemed so surreal to me and I couldn't help but to be in awe of God's plan not only for my life, but for Kaleb's as well.

I'm off to check on the yams baking in the oven, waiting to be pureed for Kaleb's half-birthday luncheon. (I will be sure to get it on video!) In the meantime, here is a preview of our Christmas in the States. Oh how I love the sweet faces he makes. Happy half-Birthday Kaleb Josiah!

Local Newspaper Article.

While it is pretty common for John to be interviewed by the media, it isn't often that a reporter sits down to ask me questions. So... the link below is one of those rare occasions you will find me in a newspaper. My favorite part? Kaleb's sweet little face, of course! I just love his little expressions.

Suikerkoekjes bakken voor Suzanne (Which I think means "Sugar Cookies baked for Suzanne." Our first "date" was baking sugar cookies for our high school girls' basketball team! I can't understand the article in its entirety because it is in Dutch, but if I get a translation of it I will pass it along.)

For those of you who don't want to bother with the article because you can't understand it anyway, I managed to cut the photograph out and post it below. (Photo taken by Pepijn van den Broeke)

I hope you are enjoying your day, wherever you may be. It is dark and gloomy here but we are enjoying lots of cuddles indoors. We are starting to wake Kaleb up to the song, "This is the day that the Lord has made" each morning and it is a good reminder for me to be thankful for each day and every moment that we have been given. Even the dark and gloomy ones. I hope that you are able to do the same.

- Suzanne

From Holland to bella Italia to the good ol' U S of A and back.

After a wonderful three and a half weeks back at home in the States, Kaleb and I have arrived back in Groningen. Although our time home was incredibly special, by the end of our trip I was also anxious to get back to our life here in Europe. I missed John terribly (he was only home for less than a week right around Christmas.) And I must admit, I thrive on routine. I was always the one who was actually excited for school to start so that I could back into a better schedule. Also, knowing my time at home was limited, I probably wore myself a little thin trying to squeeze in everyone I wanted to see and everything I wanted to do. 

I'll save the rest of our recapture and photos for another blog post. For now, the long awaited photos of our trip to Italy! We left for Bergamo, Italy and drove up to the Como area the beginning of December. I had been to Lake Como before and was beyond excited to return. One of these days I must get John there to vacation as well... I love the area that much. It was different his time around as the weather was much colder and we even got to see snow on the ground (not exactly how I was imagining a trip to Italy!) But, the view was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Downtown Como by night with lights already up for Christmas.






Our dependable method of transportation from the airport to our hotel and back!


Snug as a bug in a rug. :)


I love fruit stands anywhere in the world... but everything just seems better in Italy.






Cured hams and cheeses. Although I found the meat a bit disturbing, the cheeses did look delicious. Although frankly, my favorite part about this photo is probably the sign. I find Italian to be ever so romantic.


These delicacies were more up my alley.


Marzipan anyone?


Kaleb's first trip to Italy... I think he fell in love too. :)






Kaleb's first boat trip too! I took a video so "daddy" could watch it later since he missed out.





Oh Como, I miss that place already. Someday I hope to return for a relaxing getaway at a hotel right on the lake. Until that day, I will relive my memories through my photos. :)