Lakewood

On December 20th, we were introduced to my home church, Lakewood. Lakewood is one of our supporting churches, and it is incredible to me that I first went to Eastern Europe with Lakewood over ten years ago. My youth group took a two-week trip in 1998. Lakewood and several dear family friends have been supporting me ever since on all my short-term trips. We had the honor of being introduced as Lakewood missionaries.

In addition, Pastor Dan also did a dedication ceremony. We committed to raising Cecelia to know and understand who Christ is--the hope He brings to her and to the world.

The "Ten" of Us

Dave, Jen, Aleisha, Joel, Rollie, Neal, Kathy, Melanie, Mark and Luke--the ten of us has grown quite substantially in just five years, really.

Here is a picture of us vacationing together the summer of 2001:

Here we are at one of the weddings this summer:

Here we are this Christmas; we have almost doubled in size, and Melanie is pregnant, so soon there will be nineteen:

It is getting more and more difficult to get all "ten" of us together at the same time. The reality that we are going to be living on the other side of the ocean will likely make it even more difficult. This Christmas we found one evening that we could all get together--we met in Maple Grove at Joel and Crista's, spent a few fantastic hours together, and then, dispersed to our individual holiday plans.

I sure love my family, and you better come and visit me in Czech!!!

"Jack--son"

Cece has a few names that she can say very clearly: Jill (the dog), Daddy, JT (her friend), Kendall (her cousin), and Jackson (her cousin). Jackson is six months old and weighs as much as Cece (he's a Gaalswyk boy). They are the center of attention now when the Gaalswyk's get together--can you see why?

Minnesota--stop one on our way to Czech

Well, our journey to the Czech Republic has really begun. Cece and I flew to Minnesota the day after her birthday, on the 11th. Brian had his last day of work on the 17th. Then, he drove our one remaining car to Minnesota. This is the beginning of our move--we have a few stops along the way, and then, if we raise 100% of our support, we fly to Czech on February 28th!

"Uncle Rollie is teaching me how to play video games!"

"MMM . . . Lollipops are good."

"Then, Mommy took it away . . . ."

"I love Grandma!"

We visited my cousins in Duluth--beautiful, but cold . . . .

Well, this is only a few of the pictures that we have taken in Minnesota, and don't you worry, more posts to come . . . .

Cece's "Third" First Birthday

Well, this is the last, first birthday celebration for Cecelia! Our dear friends, Brian and Janelle, offered to host Cece's birthday party (on her actual birthday--December 10th). It was also Cece's and my last night in Charlotte! Some of our dearest friends came to celebrate Cece's birthday and to say good-bye. It meant so much to us to share this special day with such good friends who we have lived life with these past few years!

I forgot to take pictures of our "adult" friends. The picture above is actually a few nights before Cece's birthday with the Burdette's, who were at her party. I guess that just means they all need to come visit us in the Czech Republic! We will miss you all so very much!

Cece's "Second" First Birthday

On Saturday, we met Cece's birthfamily to celebrate her "second" first birthday. Brian had a genius idea of going to Build-a-Bear. Cece and Mackenzy (her biological sister) made matching bears. We just cannot believe it was one year ago (on Thursday) that we first met Cece in the hospital and spent hours getting to know her birthfamily. We are so thankful that we serve a God who truly makes all things possible!

Go Gators--Cece Style

Our dear friends, the Seeligs are letting us watch the SEC championship at their house. They are actually watching it there! This is how Cece watches the Gators!

This is her mid-lips saying, "Ggggaa Gaaa", which means, "Go Gators!"




"What is the defense doing???"




"This is getting a little scary."


"My mommy and my aunt Karen made this hair clip!"


"I love the Gators, but I really love this big, stuffed dog."


"Thank goodness the Gators just scored a touchdown; otherwise, we never would have been able to get my daddy to take this picture."


This is only the first half! We're still watching it; please win, Gators! "We weathered the storm. Now it's a matter of going in the lockerroom and figuring it out," says Brian, who has been just a little bit stressed.