Future teacher

Cody is back, a fact which is making me more and more thankful for each day I have with him. The distance was difficult, but I know that I benefited greatly both personally, and in regards to our marriage during the last 7 weeks apart. I expected that God had some big lessons in store for me, and he sure did. I've been trying hard to live each of these days with Cody very purposefully, holding onto the things I've learned, and seeking to implement them into life with my husband, instead of falling back into the ease of bad habits. So I'm enjoying these days, but very carefully.

In addition, being together again has helped me see all things I love about Cody so much more clearly. This picture of him giving a bunch of kids a nature lesson captures just one of those things.  Isn't that kid in the navy tee a cutie??!

Welcome home, honey.

Mann | Zwei Wochen lang von sieben

Cody beträgt zwei Wochen in sieben Wochen Sprachprogramm in Middlebury, VT. Es ist ein Eintauchen Programm, und aus diesem Grund habe ich noch nie glücklicher gewesen, dass ich Deutsche kennen. (Das ist, warum deutsche Übersetzungen wurden zeigt sich in meine Beiträge). Das klingt schlecht, aber ich wusste nie, ich konnte ihn vermissen so viel, und nicht, weil er nützlich ist, und hilft mir durch die Betreuung unserer Kinder und die Zahlung von Rechnungen. Er ist ganz einfach, ein unersetzlicher Teil unserer Familie, und alles ist schief ohne ihn.

Die erste davon ist ein Bild Cody schickte heute Morgen von der Wand über seinem Schreibtisch. In der rechten Ecke können Sie sehen, eine smidge des Buches ich für ihn gemacht durch Artifact Uprising. Ich habe es nur über Facetime gesehen, aber ich bin so mit der Art, es stellte sich heraus zufrieden. Wenn Sie in den Markt für ein Fotobuch sind, sollten Sie sie besuchen. Ich hielt es einfach mit allen weißen Hintergründen, aber Sie können praktisch jede Farbpalette für Ihr Buch wählen.

Das zweite Foto ist ein noch ich aus einem Video Cody nahm schickte die Jungen von ihm singen ein Lied für sie. Bester Mann der Welt? Ja. Die meisten attraktiv? Ja. Ich würde sagen, ich bin ein sehr gesegnet Dame.

Wir vermissen Dich, lieber!

_____________________

Cody is two weeks into a seven week language program in Middlebury, VT. It is an immersion program, and for that reason, I've never been happier that I know German. (That is why German translations have been showing up in my posts). This might sound bad, but I never knew I could miss him this much, and not because he is useful, and helps me by taking care of our kids and paying bills. He is, quite simply, an irreplaceable part of our family, and everything is askew without him.

The first of these is a picture Cody sent this morning of the wall above his desk. In the right hand corner, you can see a smidge of the book I made for him through Artifact Uprising. I've only seen it over Facetime, but I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. If you're in the market for a photo book, you should visit them. I kept it simple with all white backgrounds, but you can choose virtually any color palette for your book.

The second photo is a still I took from a video Cody sent the boys of him singing a song for them. Best man in the world? Yes. Most attractive? Yes. I'd say I'm one very blessed lady.

We miss you, dear!

Home | Changes and slow days

I have a lot of catching up to do on this poor neglected blog of mine, but since I despise blogging just to catch up (because I simply force myself to do it and write as little as possible, which always turns out poorly anyway) I’m going to share a bit about today, and yesterday.

The four of us went to the airport yesterday and only three of us came back. Cody jumped on a flight to Vermont, where he’ll stay for the next seven weeks. (How melodramatic do I sound right now?) Seven weeks is kind of long, but not really. It depends on who you ask I suppose. It seems long to me sometimes, and then short other times. Regardless, he'll be back, and then eleven definitely short days later, we'll move to Germany.

I am trying to work on things right now to prepare for our move to Germany, but also I’m attempting to enjoy these slow, peaceful days. After all, we did just move from North Carolina to Ohio! The boys and I are nestled in this heavily windowed, albeit tiny space mere yards from my childhood home. My only complaint is that the disc drive on my computer doesn’t work, which means I can’t watch horribly cheesy/girly movies in the evenings while I attempt to knit. Worse things have happened, I’m quite aware. So all in all, we’re taking it slow, and we're having loads of fun living near our families for a time. For Sebastian and Bruno, that means lots of time spent milking the cows and jumping on the trampoline. For me, that means, for today at least, a trip to Goodwill with my mom, two of my sisters, and the boys. They were have a 50% sale! My #1 treasured find will have to appear in another post, as it’s currently hanging in our bedroom where Sebastian is sound asleep.

Oh Sebastian, he misses his daddy. At breakfast, I asked him if he wanted to try to call daddy, to which he promptly responded, “I want to Facetime on daddy!” I am so thankful that we live during a time when this separation doesn’t mean my children can’t see their daddy, and talk with him, even though he’s miles away. 

What about Bruno, you ask. All you need to know about Bruno is that, at the ripe old age of one, he has red hair, is trying desperately to walk, and loves dogs and cats more than anyone I know. Oh this kid is a force, I tell you! I can't get enough of him.

As for Cody, if any of you would like to send him awesome doodles or pictures, since he can’t read, speak, or write anything but German starting tomorrow evening, let me know. I would be happy to pass his address along to you. 

Contact me at strecker dot me at gmail dot com.

P.S. Don'tcha love my knitting?? This is the beginnings of my first attempt at following a pattern. Methinks I need a longer needle? Also, calling all you lovely knitters: What are your favorite needles, patterns, yarns, etc.??

Husband | Twenty-eight

   

Cody's birthday was on Thursday, and we had a great day together. The two of us went out to lunch at Chipotle, and then spent the afternoon in a paddle boat. Later, Anna arrived and we all drove to Newport, Kentucky, and enjoyed an amazing dinner at The Hofbrauhaus. We Streckers do love German things! The weather was perfect, and we had a lovely little nook outside. After dinner, we came home, put Bruno to bed, and had some delicious icebox cake and icecream.

We even had some unexpected prehistoric guests!

Happy Birthday, my love. I am and always will be thankful for every new year with you.

Husband | Cody graduates

We arrived home from our vacation yesterday at 4 p.m. and headed to Duke Chapel at 5 p.m. for Cody's graduation ceremony. It seems that we haven't stopped since then! It was tricky getting the kids to stay content during the ceremony, so we spent most of it outside. But with Katie's help, we did okay! I got to see Cody go to the front to be recognized, and he got to see us when he walked in, and even got to witness some of Seb's antics, which were memorable, I assure you.

We are so proud of you, my love!

Home | Life is full

So many things! This week has been so full. Full of a cold gone rogue, a super-man like husband who makes calzones when his wifey is sick, eternally snotty-noses, silly sing-a-longs with my kiddos, bumped noses, chocolate to make it feel better, hopefulness and excitement about what this coming year holds, sleepless nights, tv catch-up with Cody, library outings, the "mall place" as Sebastian calls the play place at the mall, and cleaning, packing, grocery shopping, and readying of all kinds for our Spring break trip home this weekend.

Life is full and God is gracious. Shout out to the best husband ever who took a whole two days off of studying and classes to take care of our kids while I was sick to the core. Blessed blessed blessed.