Offenbach Fireside

Our area here in Frankfurt was invited to attend a Fireside at the church building to hear President Uchtdorf speak tonight! I could hardly believe it - I've always wanted to meet him! It was originially going to be held tomorrow (Sunday) evening but last minute, due to so many planning to attend, they divided them up and our Stake was asked to attend the meeting on Saturday night and the other Stake the following night. Saturday arrived and both John and Andrew were still very sick! John and I going together wasn't going to happen and I was really bummed. We were on base getting groceries earlier in the day and it was just taking way too long that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it in time to the Firesdie and was starting to get a little disappointed. Before I gave up all hope, I called up my friend Ashley to see how the parking was (she went early to save seats) and found out that it was actually going to start at 7pm and not 6pm and I had an extra hour than I thought I had. The girls and I quickly got ourselves ready and jumped into the car and got there an hour early! Which was perfect timing might I add! We got the very last parking spot at the very end going out the driveway! It was truly a miracle! You'd know this if you knew how hard it was to find parking in Europe. It's no wonder people walk or find other means to get around! The missionaries also ended up saving our seats for us (Ashley got there when there was only a handful of people) so we were very close to the pulpit. Another miracle! We were for sure blessed being there! When we got inside the building, it was PACKED! Everyone shared the same excitement as we waited for him to arrive. Ashley is such a good friend and I'm so thankful she was able to help me and I'm also thankful to my husband for keeping the boys for the evening even though he was sick so I could attend this once in a lifetime experience!

Another new experience for us here in Germany is that we got to have an English speaking translator. Someone up front translated into a microphone. We stuck on our ears the awkward ear piece and turned on the device and enjoyed hearing him and his wife speak to us for about 1 1/2 hours. She started first, to introduce him to us. She even had us laughing a few times! :) About us not being perfect, including her husband, President Uchtdorf. And how they were here visiting their homeland and area for President Uchtdorf's birthday and that their driver drove them all around Frankfurt to see the shops and for some lunch. They were so excited to get some green sauce (a treat to have as she stated) and some other delicious German food and because they couldn't find one single parking spot, they had to go back to their hotel and eat a salad! All this way for a salad! :)

President Uchtdorf talked to us of many great things. That we should use the short time here for the good as it goes by way too fast. That Jesus Christ is at the head of this church. We need to focus on scripture study and temple attendance. The simplicity of the gospel. To go on with our faith and do as we believe no matter what people think about us. We, through our example, have an influence on others. Help and strengthen each other. If we have faith, it can be done through Him. It is His work. It's not up to us or our desires. It's the Lord's will. Let us do His work with an open heart. Jesus Christ lives. He is reality. Through our faithfulness, miracles will happen. These are just a few things he mentioned that I felt inspired to jot down.

When the Fireside ended, he quickly mentioned that he wanted to chat with people before leaving and for us not to run off. :) As he was making his way down the isle of the chapel where we were (and many many others), he finally turned around where we were standing and smiled at Ashley's daughter and my daughters. He came over and started talking to us in German and Ashley quickly mentioned that we were Americans and spoke English. He was super excited to hear that and asked how we were doing and where we were from. He then shook our hands and gave the girls hi fives. He was super sweet and kind to take the time to have mini conversations with so many people tonight. What an inspiration he is to me and to so many other individuals. I'm very thankful I was given this opportunity to see him and have him meet my daughters and to go and be spiritually fed. :)

Fall in Germany

Fall here, in our neck of the woods, was starting to fade fast! Fall happens to be my most favorite season and I was watching it slip away from the window in Landon's room while we were playing - with all the beautiful colors and leaves starting to fall. While the boys slept, Aubrey stayed and watched them while doing homework and Jocelyn and I headed out and took some pictures of Fall before it slipped away! I'm so glad we did too because just a few days later, it painted an entirely different picture! One with most of the leaves already scattered to the ground. So here's a little slide show of Jocelyn and I's mommy-daughter date outside enjoying the view and some fresh air! Oh, and we can't forget to include her baby doll and stuffed animal she included in our afternoon fun! ;) Such a funny little girl.

Mini-Photo Shoot

So Andrew is turning 18 months on the 19th of this month. I had hopes that I could get his photos taken but luck would have it that our backyard projects took all of the reserved funds to do so - which left me with the attempt to take them myself. And one of my dear friends may help me as well!

To gear up for the event, I took the kids to the community playground by our house and had a little fun with the camera so I could practice for the big day. For the most part, it went pretty well. Besides the sun setting and shining in our faces (I now have a UV lens which should help with that) and the big swarm of wasps I found near the slide. Hence why a lot of them are taken near the swing set! :) Please don't be shy to tell me what you think! I need all the pointers and suggestions I can get! Here are some of my practice takes (including my dear daughters - I just couldn't leave them out!):

Canning Jam

As promised, Aubrey and I spent a few hours in the kitchen together and made strawberry jam from the berries that were picked at the farm.

{Berries hulled and ready to smash!}

{We took turns smashing the berries to get 5 cups each batch}

{Time to fill those jars!!}

{We had a great time canning jam - and look forward to doing more canning this summer.}

{Our finished product!}

10 cups crushed strawberries...

14 cups of sugar...

1/2 cup lemon juice...

 2 whole batches...

2 packets of pectin...

LATER

we made 10 (12 oz) jars of canned strawberry jam!

DELICIOUS!

(now we need to make some bread to go with it)

Mother/Daughter Tea Party

For Activity Days, the girls ages 8-11 from church, put on a Mother/Daughter Tea Party with a puppet show. They did an awesome job - the food was great, the puppet show was hilarious and the time spent with just my oldest daughter was priceless! Even though I was sick, I mustered the energy and went because I knew how important it was to her and how much time she spent preparing for the event. And of course I wanted to be there! I'm so glad we were able to spend this fun time together! :)

{Aubrey enjoying the food and herbal tea}

{Pretty china for the Tea Party!}

{Aubrey with her friend}

{The dessert table}

{Yummy fruit water}

{Aubrey helped narrate the boy who cried wolf - she's the puppet on the right}

{And she made & played the puppet on the right - the lion}

{Aubrey with her lion puppet}

{Aubrey with some of her friends}

{Activity Day girls}

{Me & my sweet daughter}