Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Monday, August 19, 2013

TGFH

Thank God for Hana... traveling with us.  We had THE longest ride to Rhode Island.  Had a great time visiting with family.  Have lots of photos.  Will share soon.  Had an easier ride to Maine.  Hana made every thing easier.  She is wonderful.

Some photos...



Staying in the most beautiful rental and the kids love the beach.  Ran right into Maine water with no troubles.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Fun with Hana



You cannot understand the massiveness of these horses without seeing them in person.





Belgian wagon ride.



He looks like such a little man.  Holds himself and has mannerisms of a Galkowski.  Stacey took this photo last night.



My little lover of life.  Henry calls me "honey" all the time now which just cracks me and everyone else up.




Fire.  Fall weather here in Maryland and it is so nice!



Taken with ipad.



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

I Have Arrived



That's what I think Hudson is feeling in these photos.  So cute.



We took our neighbor friends to Stacey's farm (thanks, Stacey) today while our house was being shown.  It was their first time on a horse. 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Our House on the Hill


It's been the smallest house.  Maybe not the nicest house.  But our house on the hill has been the best house.  Because of the memories made here.  It's where our little boys call home.  Hudson's first house and the only house Henry remembers.  It has a special place in our hearts.  But it still has to go.  If it's God's will.

Three Kids Today



Three kids doing errands today.  Because sometimes it's easier to have more.  Wait.  Did I buy into that?  It is easier once you're are at your location but certainly not easier loading and unloading and making sure no one gets hit in the parking lot.  Angel is just that.  A perfect Angel.  She was right by my side at all times.  She's our neighbors daughter.  The African family.

Remember the Lord your God Brought You

Deut 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Vinny Food Story

Anyone who knew Vinny for longer than five minutes knew he had issues with food.  Like eating all of it.  I still laugh at hearing others' encounters with Vinny and food.  Here's one from Brian:

Hello Rachel,
 
I am sitting here in my office, the boss is out of town and all my work is done.  So I thought I would send one of the stories about your brother I have floating around in my head.
 
I know you understand Vinny's thing for food.  I never saw anyone eat as much as he did and not weigh 500 pounds.  He loved protien shakes, the kind you make from powders with a little water.  We both lifted weights and drink these shakes.
 
One day I was able to travel to another base in Germany and bought a protein mix called "Hot Stuff".  It was protein mix with a extra caffiene and probably ephedra in it.  It would rasie your metabolism up and help you get a better work out.  I did not like the stuff because it made my skin crawl.  I gave the rest of it to Vinny with a warning of not to take it in the afternoon because it would keep you from sleeping.
 
The next morning at 6:30 for work, I saw Vinny and he looked horrible.  I asked him if he felt ok and he told me that he was mad at me.  I asked why?  His words were "I know you told me not to take that protein in afternoon but at 9:00 last night I got hungry so I made a glass of it and I couldn't fall asleep till 4am."  I asked how that is my fault?  He said "You know how I am with food, I had to have something to eat last night and you knew I would eat it anyways". 
 
That was the thanks I got for giving him food.
 
Vinny would wait for pay day and then have someone take him to the Commissary to buy eggs.  I remember he bought 4 dozen eggs one time and boiled them in the kitchen on our floor.  He put them in his refridgerator and had eaten them in 2 DAYS!!  I never knew someone could eat 48 eggs in 2 days.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Chia Seeds

One of my new obsessions...

Possible Move

We put our house on the market this week.  It went on the MLS yesterday.  We are planning on moving back to Maine if our house sells.  Please pray for the details of it.  Quick Sale, purchase of a house in Maine with coinciding closing, a transfer for David and a smooth move with the kiddos.  It can all be overwhelming at times.  Gives me good practice on trusting God and don't we all need it.  Especially trying to keep the house in order.  So far, no showings.  We are praying for that to change.





Henry shooting "deer" out of the car window this afternoon.



Going on a walk with mommy yesterday afternoon.



Henry drew Barney while I was on some phone calls this morning.  I have it sideways here.



Henry eating his peanut butter & Jelly for lunch.  And mushing his banana.  He is VERY proud of the flowers we picked out a Trader Joe's.  He just keeps telling me how beautiful they are.



Roasting marshmallows with daddy the other night.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

wet day in mary-land



taken with mobile... eldest child begged to go to neighbors.  so we went and got muddy in the wet weather.  was fun though!



this kid will asked to be picked up by men.  little man's man.  it's our african neighbor i have been mentioning.

so happy to have hudson feeling better.

Friday, August 2, 2013

I got this email today from an old friend of Vinny's:

My name is Brian Pickard and I was a friend of your late Brother.  We were stationed together in Germany, were in the same unit and lived on the same barracks floor.  I have been looking for him off and on for a few months and found your Blog with pictures of Vinny.  I am truely sorry for your loss.  Vinny was great guy, with a huge personality.  He would spend alot of time in my barracks room and we explored the city of Augsburg on more than one occasion. 
 
I may have a photo or 2 of Vinny and I know I have some video (still on VHS) of us in Germany.   I am planning on scanning all my photo's for safe keeping.  I could send you a copy if you would like them.  I also have alot of stories I would love to share as well. 
 
If you could please send me a back a reply so I know that you got this email and it didn't go into your junk folder I would appreciate it.  If you do not want any furher contact from me I understand.  Just know that your Brother had a big impact on many people, he will be missed.

I replied and then received this email:

I had been stationed in Germany for over a year when Vinny showed up. We were in the same barracks and I had a large room with TV, VCR and places for everyone to sit and watch.  Vinny's routine was always the same.  He would walk into my room, open my fridge and check for food.  Look in my drawer for more food then sit down and say "Whats up"  To me it was comical.  He wouldn't take food without asking but he would ALWAYS check for food first before sitting down and saying hello.   
 
I live in Southeast Missouri.  I have a wife and 10 year old daughter.  I was raised on farm in the middle of nowhere and think that is why Vinny and I got along so well because we were both rednecks.  The funny thing was I never thought of rednecks coming from Maine but he told me about him growning up and it was so much like mine I remember. 
 
I only mention this next story because of your obvious devotion to Christ on your blog.  While I was stationed in Germany I was an athiest.  Vinny on several occasions explained to me that I was wrong.  In the middle of 2008 I came to Christ myself.  I have comfort knowing that I will get to see him again.  His belief had an impact on me over the years.
 
Once again I am so happy that you answered my email.  I hope I'm not causing difficult feelings talking about your brother.  He really was one of my close friends while we were in Germany and I am very saddened by his passing.  I have alot of stories that keep popping into my head as I think about him and I plan on writing them down and will share them with you in the future.  All the stories bring a smile to my face, whether they were good or bad stories we always had fun. 

I love so many things about this.  That five years after my brother's death, we are still hearing new stories of how he impacted people.  I love that he never changed about food.  And most of all his friend Brian came to the Lord the year Vinny died.