National Sister Week: This One's for You Ash

Tonight I said a teary, temporary goodbye to my sister on Skype because she's leaving for Africa tomorrow for three weeks and we don't know what kind of communication she'll be able to have with us. She's going on a mission trip through our church, MDPC, to teach English to teachers in Ethiopia. Last year Ash went to Uganda and assisted a village and its orphanage, so this is her second mission trip. Since arriving in Zurich, I have Skyped with her every few days and it's brought me more comfort than I realized, so now that she's leaving and I don't know how much or if I will get to see her face and hear her voice for 20 days, it's hitting me hard. I think we talk more now that I'm gone than when I am at home just 15 minutes away! Ash has had a challenging year with many transitions, and I think it's a perfect time for her to get away. I fiercely admire her courage and initiative in going on this journey. She is doing the Lord's work with a serving heart...and of that I'm truly proud.

I don't recall my life without her, my memory doesn't stretch back that far. She came along when I was three and a half and my mom says that I called her my baby instead of my sister. And so began the adventures of Briana and Ashley. All the home videos of us when we were young depict the typical big sis/lil sis dynamic: she followed me everywhere and wanted to do everything I did, and I pretended to hate it! When I was performing my first ballet routine for the camera, Ash ran through the den in a diaper and a cowboy hat, saying "Hi Daddy". Of course this meant I had to start all over! She generally copied my every move and let me do pretty much anything to her, including decorate her face with paint! She had the cutest voice, and there are some famous clips at my parent's house of her singing "Tomorrow" from Annie. We loved to dress up and sing for the camera every week, which my parents were always kind enough to indulge. I remember making blanket forts with my Dad, and him taking us Trick or Treating each year while mom stayed home to hand out candy. I remember countless amazing vacations, all meticulously planned out by my mother. And ohhh, the matching outfits!! I recall gymnastics classes and piano lessons, and birthday parties with clowns who made balloon animals. We did summer camps together at Laity Lodge, Sea World, and TUTS. Ashley has a really beautiful voice, something I've always envied. I love to sing with her because I know her voice will carry mine as well, and we like jamming to the Dixie Chicks. There were countless times over the years that the giggles were contagious and unending. We trade movie quotes and share inside jokes that no one else understands. I got married a few weeks before Christmas, and I just couldn't bring myself to break Ashley's and my lifelong tradition of sleeping in the same bed on Christmas Eve, sooo, sweet Michael humored me and I slept in between them, hehe! Not to mention the Euro-trip we took in 2006 when the three of us shared hotel rooms for weeks! I often say that Ash is the female version of Michael because they have a lot of similar personality traits. She has dyed her hair numerous colors and literally they all look good with her eyes and skin! And she has these amazing curls which totally match her vibrant personality. She is such a spontaneous free spirit, like a breath of fresh air, a true individual. I knew when I got pregnant I'd ask Ashely to be our baby's godmother. She and Jake have such a sweet and fun connection that is so special to see. When he first started talking, he could only call her "tee" but now he is able to say "Auntie", always with a big smile on his face that shows just how much he loves her. She's a really devoted teacher with a true heart for children. I think it's one of her best qualities and yet it's sadly one of the most under appreciated jobs. She cares so much about the impact she has on her kids, and I know each child is blessed by her genuine heart.

Ashley and I were the perfect amount of time a part in age. We were near enough that we stayed really close, but not so much that we were ever competitive with each other. We had one year of high school together, her freshman and my senior, which was so much fun! I loved being a Freshman Young Life leader to her and her friends my last year at Memorial. Our nicknames for each other are Sasquatch and sissy. Something my Dad's mom always used to say was that we needed to be kind and love one another because we are the only sister each other has. She was an only child and I think it was important to her to help us recognize what a gift a sister is. My parents always encouraged a strong, loyal, healthy bond between us and I am so thankful for how they shaped our relationship. They allowed us to develop as individuals while fostering our desire to respect each other's differences with love. In many ways Ash and I are very much alike, and in others, not at all. I think we've done a good job of giving each other room to discover and grow into who we each want to be. We can fight hard, but we always love harder. I know her influence makes me a better person, and I can expect her to tell me the truth in ways others probably won't. No one knows us like we know each other or our family's dynamic, and there is comfort and camaraderie in that. I know her sh-- and she knows mine, and we love each other just the same. Our bond is unspoken, unconditional, and unseverable.

ASHLEY is beautiful, funny, witty, earth friendly, fun-loving, animal activist, patient, music junky, sarcastic, forgiving, avid reader, playful, early riser, silly, kind-hearted, computer savvy, yummy cook, artistic, generous with her time, boho chic, Christ lover, devoted teacher, creative, hippy spirited, loyal, independent thinker, brave, doting aunt and godmother, loving sister and daughter, and my best friend.

I love you, Ash and I'm immeasurably blessed to have you as my sister! I'm so proud of who you are and what you stand for. I know God has big things in store for you and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Thank you for all the memories so far, I know there is a lifetime ahead of many more! Have an amazing trip and DON'T FORGET HOW MUCH YOUR BIG SISTER LOVES YOU!!

Jacob Knox in Zurich

On his scooter at the lake

Since we have arrived in Zurich, it seems like Jake has grown and changed in so many ways. He used the potty for the first time here and is starting to take off his own clothes at bath time. He is ridiculously opinionated about what clothes he wears each day, to the point that I told him a little white lie that the pony on a polo shirt is a dinosaur, ha! Now at least he will wear more than just his baseball shoes, but only because we call his tennis shoes soccer shoes and his sandals pool shoes-- I guess he likes them to have a specific purpose! He is definitely expanding his vocabulary on a daily basis now. Michael and I constantly look at each other asking, when did he learn to say that? He can ride a scooter, which we finally caved in and bought for him because of how adoringly he looked at all the young kids here who ride them everywhere. We weren't sure he would be able to maneuver it, but we should have known better! He quickly became a pro and is quite the big boy pushing himself along. He loves that he has a scooter just like Daddy, and talks all the time about how his is blue and Daddy's is green. Colors are another thing he is really into now. Green, blue and red seem to be his favorite. He can count higher, all the way to ten now. He only has one speed, which is GO. Many times people ask me if he always has that much energy, and I always smile and laugh when I tell them a truthful yes!

Pushing himself along

Horsies at the foot of the Zurichburg forest

Riding the train

He is fiercely independent about doing lots of things entirely on his own, such as getting on and off the train and taking off his shoes and socks, and he will exclaim "myself" if he does not want our help. And when we ask him if he needs our assistance, we generally are told "no way"! Every day he goes onto our balcony and sings loudly for all to hear, while standing in a chair and gesturing with his new sword that our friend Martin was so kind to give him. I think he pretends to be Peter Pan fighting Captain Hook (or Captain Hookten as Jake refers to him). And he exuberantly waves and yells "Hi" to anyone walking by, which cracks me up because most people act so confused as to why this kid is talking to them! One of his newest things is putting his finger on our lips and shhhing us when he's trying to watch a movie or doesn't want us to talk to each other. He's also started saying "C'mon, lets go!" a lot, especially when he's excited or wants to run ahead of us. He will even grab my purse and try to put the key in the door when he really wants to leave and we aren't moving fast enough! Another cute phrase is "Hear that?" when there is a loud noise or siren. He likes to go down and "check the laundry" with us in the basement too, although he's not much help folding clothes!

He eats like a racehorse sometimes, to the extent that he has eaten four yogurts for breakfast! One night recently he ate an entire pizza by himself, and was still hungry afterwards! His favs are strawberries, peaches, corn, and chicken. And now of course he loves Swiss chocolate, or "chocten" as he calls it. At the indoor pool yesterday, he jumped happily off the diving board no less than 20 times into Michael's or my arms, and he never got tired! But Michael and I were near drowning from treading water and catching him over and over again! He really has no fear the majority of the time. He is so comfortable in the water or climbing up high and jumping down from things, which usually causes us some momentary panic when we realize we were too late in trying to stop him! But even when he crashes on the ground, he doesn't stay down for too long. He really is tough. The one thing he is afraid of now for some reason is the street sweeper trucks. He used to like them but now he cries and says they're going to get him if they come our way, poor guy. The other day, Michael accidentally kicked a light rubber ball in Jake's face and JK grabbed his face and threw himself on the ground, with a huge smile! Then later he purposely banged his head on the goal post and goofily fell to the ground --and repeated this numerous times-- each time seeking a reaction from us with a scheming grin! I guess he's taking after his Mama's dramatic nature already, I love it, ha! He's also an avid storyteller-- sometimes we understand what he's talking about and other times we have no clue, but we just nod and agree and act as though we totally get it!

Playground at the Zurich Zoo

Too close to the swan, it was not happy!

Our apartment

Jake is very affectionate and cuddly when he wants to be. He is easily bribed to get what he wants by us insisting that he first give us a "kiss you, hug you, love you". But its the unsolicited affection that melts my heart the most, when he just randomly wraps his arms around me and gives me a big kiss. His favorite movies are How to Train Your Dragon, Finding Nemo, and Shrek. He also is obsessed with dinosaurs and any show that has them in it. Of course, the T-Rex is his favorite, and my child gets sad when something happens to this vicious carnivore, so much that he says "Poor T-Rex"! When he prays, he puts his hands together and tells Jesus that he loves him and then he screams "AMEN!" really loud while flinging his hands in the air! It really is the most joyful prayer I've ever witnessed! He always asks me to sing songs with him, the most common requests being Take Me Out to the Ballgame, ABC's, I See the Moon, and Jesus Loves the Little Children. Riding the train downtown to the lake has got to be his favorite thing here, the minute he sees the water he is yelling about the boats and ducks, saying "yay yay yay, the water!".

We've definitely had our share of terrible two moments in Switzerland, but I think he's getting more adjusted each week and I hope some of the struggles will dissipate the longer we are here. Hence the "No I'm sorry!" when he is being a little twerp in time out and refusing to apologize! I think one of the hardest things at this age is that he just wants what he wants and he can't understand any reasoning of why that may not be able to happen right then. Occasionally we have to just let him freak out and throw a fit until he realizes that it won't change the outcome! I try to remind myself that to him, staying a little longer to play or getting that toy feels like the most important thing in the world, and even though I have the logic to understand it isn't, he doesn't yet. Patience is one of the hardest things during these moments, and as my Young Life leader, Laura, always used to caution us, if you pray for patience, God won't just give it to you, He will put you in tough situations to develop it! And boy do I get my share of those developmental moments with my headstrong child! JK is starting to nap more thankfully, a few times a week, which is helping all of us. It's amazing the difference in his behavior and demeanor when he gets a nap! Jake definitely needs to be outside and free to roam and run on a daily basis, which is not the easiest thing here since we live in an apartment in the city, but we make it work by going to parks every day, many times twice a day! He's not the biggest fan of being strapped in his stroller, but sometimes we just need to get a move on. I think we will be even more thankful for our fenced backyard and beautiful swing set when we get home, simply because of the freedom it allows him.

Playing soccer

Pizza, one of his favorites

My lil slugger

Pitching at the field

Jake is a really friendly child. If he sees other kids playing together at the park he has no qualms about joining in their fun. And he usually becomes the center of attention after charming everyone, especially elementary school girls! He quickly becomes attached to people, which is precious.  Aside from talking about his extended family back home, he loves talking about Manu, Ueli and Julia. He loves pretending to talk on the phone with one of them. We see him walking around with the cordless phone saying their names and telling stories, its pretty cute. He will take them by the hand and show them what he wants to do or play with. The other night at the baseball game, his friend Ileonora was not there, and Jake kept asking me where she was because he wanted to play with her. I know he will be beside himself with glee when we get back to Texas and are re-united with our family and friends that we miss so much. He also really misses his doggies, Bailey and Bella, who he talks about hugging and kissing when we get home. Playing baseball and soccer each day occupies most of his time. For months now he has slept with a baseball, glove or bat! I have to fight him to wear clothing that doesn't include baseballs or soccer balls. He wears his own uniform to the games, complete with real baseball pants that are too big, which are held up by a belt! Often times Jake will ask to wear whatever hat Michael has on, so his Daddy adjusts the size for his little head. He loves cheering on the "Barratunas" and he anxiously awaits the end of the games, when he can go in the dugout and onto the field. I'm hoping Michael will hit a home run this summer, just for Jake's sake, since he screams "home run over the fence" when his Dad is up to bat!

Posing on the mound

Jake's "ready" position on the soccer field

When I look at Jake, I see the most amazing blessing of my life. Sometimes I still can't believe he's mine, that we created him, and that he grew inside of me for 9 months, and 9 extra days! He was a HUGE baby, weighing 10 lbs and stretching nearly 24 inches long! But now that I know him, it makes sense that he was big, because he has a rather big personality as well! He's still in the top percentile for height and growing like a weed! As silly as it sounds, I always hoped if I had a little boy that he would look just like me and if it was a girl that she would look like Michael. But I knew odds were that our baby would probably have Michael's physical traits since his dark colored genes were dominant...but boy did God deliver in giving me a blond haired, blue eyed baby boy, AMEN!! Its overwhelming the love you immediately feel for your child. I don't think you can describe or explain this unconditional, powerful, loving bond, and you can't truly understand it until you experience it first hand and have one of your own. All I know is when he hurts, I hurt. And I love that he still wants my TLC when he gets an ouchie. When he is overjoyed, so am I. When I spend just one day without him, I am missing him like crazy. I miss his precious voice, his sweet smell, and his bear hugs. If he is not around I find its just way too quiet and still! From a young age, I always knew that I wanted to be a mom, but I couldn't begin to grasp the fulfillment I would get from it. I truly feel that being a parent is THE most important job, and a great privilege as well. Even on days when Jake is a real challenge, I would rather be with him than at any other job I've had. Sometimes I get sad when I think about how quickly he is growing up, because I know it won't be long before I'm the one begging for his attention instead of vice versa. In some ways he still seems so little, yet in others he is not a baby anymore at all. There are days that he can sense I am not at my best and he will do the sweetest or funniest things that crack me up or touch my heart and immediately make me feel better. An ear to ear dimpled smile or his infectious laughter is the best medicine. Every day I pray for his happiness, his health, and his success in life, but mostly that he will always look to the Lord for everything. In many ways the past two years, he has been my saving grace, a welcome distraction to the trials we have faced. As a parent, even when your life may be a mess, you still have to put your child first and keep their life in tact. Having Jake reminds me not to take the little things for granted, and to have a sense of humor whenever possible, even when things seem at their worst.

Hitchin a ride on mom's shoulders

Jake and me

The verse on Jake's birth announcement was Psalm 127:3, "Behold, children are a gift from the Lord", and with all my heart I think he is the best gift Michael and I have ever received. Your Mama loves you to the moon and back Jacob Knox, more than any words or actions can express. God bless you my precious boy, you bring me indescribable JOY!

A priceless kiss for mom

Swiss Mountain Majesty

WE FINALLY had a clear enough day that allowed me to take some scenery pics, yay! These are on Lake Zurich, with the snow capped Alps waaayyyy in the background, sort of blending with the clouds. Some are from the main bridge (Quaibruke), some are from our walk along the water to the park, (General-Guisan-Quai), and some are from the park on the water near the yacht club (Arboretum). When it gets hot enough we plan to swim at the lake, but it hasn't happened yet because its been unusually cool and rainy. We may also get up into the mountains a bit at some point. Hopefully there will be even clearer weather ahead with cloudless, sunny skies so I can take better pics later, but these were pretty enough to share. I don't think they need much description from me to do them justice-- they are beautiful all on their own! It makes me think of the opening scene of Sound of Music...the hills are aliiivvve!

Isaiah 55:12 "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing..."

Tough Loss, Bittersweet Life

I CAN'T REMEMBER the very first baseball game I ever watched Michael play. It would have been in the spring of 2001, my freshman year at TCU, his sophomore. We had been dating since school started that fall, so we were serious by then. We had long since met each other's families and friends and pretty much spent all of our free time together or with groups of each other's friends. But when it was baseball season, our lives were predominantly spent at the stadium-- him playing and me cheering on the Horned Frogs. There was a special sort of unspoken connection between us when he was on the field and I was in the stands. He told me once that it completed his happy feeling of playing baseball to know he could look up and see me there. I grew up playing sports and I went to baseball games with my family as a kid. But I didn't love baseball until I fell in love with Michael Harris Settle. He was not the typical cocky athlete with a chip on his shoulder, but he was still extremely competitive. It was obvious he was well liked by his teammates. As an upperclassman, I eventually scheduled my classes around his baseball games because I hated missing them! His last year at TCU, a new baseball stadium was built, and Michael hit the first ever home run out of it. Michael received the Most Valuable Player award his senior year, and a previous year he was named Best Defensive Player. It was well deserved. And he will HATE that I mention that, because he doesn't like me to talk about this stuff! When Michael asked me to marry him, he was down on one knee in head-to-toe baseball uniform because he had just come from coaching a high school game! And our rehearsal dinner was at none other than the home of the Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park. Between the time that he graduated and our wedding, Michael played for numerous independent minor league teams, namely a season with the Pensacola Pelicans. Before getting signed, he was an assistant baseball coach at TCU in 2004. And why you may ask, for this trip down memory lane? Well it's not because of the College World Series!

Telling Dad to hit a home run

Love his arm around Michael's neck

I GUESS BEING HERE and watching him play again has brought back a lot of our history for me. Tuesday night the Barracudas had a tough loss, 5-7. It was a perfect summer night, with a good crowd. But when Jake and I arrived in the second inning, they were already down 0-4. Some of my favorite games are the biggest comebacks. I love the underdog and I love seeing a team rally together and fight like hell for the win, even if they still end up losing. I can recall having that fighting spirit on the volleyball court and soccer field, and it even carries over into life experiences that require determination and relentlessness to give up. I could tell how frustrated Michael was Tuesday night, that he felt like he couldn't do enough to bring his team to victory. And I had to remind him today that all that matters is that he gave it everything he had. Cliche, yes, but still true. I had a great time yelling for the Barracudas, as did Jake, whether he was in the stands with me or sitting in the dugout with his dad. It was a bummer seeing them come so close but not quite able to pull it off. I know winning is ideal, but when it comes to losing, I'm learning a bigger lesson in life. You take what you can from it and you move on, aspiring to do better next time if or when you are lucky enough to have another chance. And when I look at our son, I feel it's just as important to teach him how to lose as it is to teach him how to win. Michael and I want Jake to be a good sport on the field and in life, regardless of whether he wins or loses in a particular situation.  No one likes a sore loser, right? Nor is there anything more annoying than the gloating jerk who won. I guess what I want Jake to learn over time is to win AND lose with grace, which God knows isn't always easy, in life or on the field! I have seen my share of hissy fits at ball games, and I'm glad I haven't ever seen Michael lose complete control out there. I can see the strong competitive edge that's growing inside of Jake already, and while I love it, I also want to shape it. I want him to be able to laugh at his mistakes but also take things seriously enough to learn from them. Right now every time he swings the bat, he wants to get a hit. And occasionally, when he misses a few in a row, he gets frustrated. But I always tell him, "It's okay buddy, you don't have to hit it every time." Thankfully he likes it when we exclaim "Strike one" or "Foul ball", so we generally can distract him with those antics!

Go Daddy!

Cheering for the Barracudas

SO, COMING FULL CIRCLE, when I think about Michael's baseball career, I hope he looks at it the same way I do. I understand he may always feel a bit of disappointment that he didn't make it to the big leagues. But I hope he loves the great life that God had planned for him instead. And that he doesn't allow this life to diminish what he accomplished on the field all that time ago. He has fallen in love with coaching sports and teaching PE, and he does it well, as I know the parents, kids and staff at St Francis would agree. Our almost 11 years together has been full of immense joy and some great sorrow. Particularly in the past few years, we have endured great difficulty. Our plans and expectations for our life were completely derailed, not unlike his hopes to play professional baseball back then. But sometimes when you keep trying something over and over again and its just not working, you have to try something else all together. And this isn't giving up. It's allowing the Lord to work in your life and lead you, rather than driving yourself crazy by continuously doing the same thing and not getting any new results. Who is to say that Michael wouldn't have made it eventually? But who is to say he would have? I think the point is that we have to own our choices in the game of life. We have to stay true to ourselves by being right with God and those closest to us.

Look at him punt!

Tuckered out on the soccer field

MICHAEL and I lost each other for a while, but then we found each other again in the most miraculous way. And that is because we were brave enough to take the chance and make the choice to do something different than we were doing before. We are better than ever now-- but we had to be broken first-- there was A LOT of loss. Now, the Lord's presence in our marriage is stronger than it ever was, and I hope we can instill this rock of faith in Jake. Sometimes I have homesick days here in Switzerland, when I just wish I was back in Texas, where many things are easier, more comfortable and more convenient. But then I think about what my friends reminded me of, which is trusting God's purpose for us being HERE. No where else, but HERE. And there is peace in that. For myself, I think this is about strengthening my faith and reliance on the Lord. He wanted to unplug me from my comfort zone so I would be forced to rely completely on Him and my husband, which is admittedly something I am not the best at doing! I tend to try and control things on my own rather than trust and allow God or others to lead me. So, I tell myself, on the days I feel like I'm losing, that there are lessons to be learned here, precious memories to be made, countless blessings to be grateful for in this beautiful country. And as long as I don't give up the fight, I will win overall, even if I lose on certain days. And I know that, even if life has not played out the way Michael or I planned or expected, I am where I should be, and in losing sometimes we gain more than we ever imagined we would. I am where the Lord guided my heart, which is with my husband and our son, and that happens to be in Zurich at the moment. But what really matters is that we are together, as a family, happy, healthy, and strong. We aren't perfect, and just like the Barracudas the other night, sometimes we make costly mistakes. But we pick ourselves and each other up and we stay a team. And with the Lord as our coach and our family and friends cheering us on, something tells me that we will be just fine, no matter where we are...even if we don't win every time.

At the field

Thank you God for giving me THIS life, the one you planned for me, because when it comes down to it, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Help me to live to the very fullest and to TRUST in the path you are leading us down...where ever it may go.

Father's Day

THERE ARE three guys in my life; my husband, my son and my Dad. Today is a day to celebrate fathers, and I feel immeasurably blessed to have the Dad that I do and for the one that Michael is to Jake! Happy Father's Day to Mike Love and Michael Settle, I love you both very much!

Michael & Dad, Wrigley Field

Michael & Dad in Montana

MY DAD...Growing up, I always felt really fortunate to be just as close to my dad as my mom. Dad was very engaged with my sister and me in all that we did. He helped me with school work and attended all my extra curricular activities, memorably cheering me on at my games with his loud booming voice. We did things together, such as shoot hoops, and hang Christmas lights, or clean the garage, which surprisingly, I enjoyed! He used to let me sit in his lap and drive up the street to the video rental store, which was like the greatest thing ever. I know his smell, a mixture of Old Spice and grass from playing golf. He would bring Ash and me to the driving range while he hit balls and we would gather all the extra tees laying around. He likes his coffee really hot and black, especially if it comes from the gas station by his house. By his chair in the den, Dad always has a jumbo size box of Twizzlers to munch on. He also loves Laffy Taffy and Neccos. He drinks chocolate milk with a spoon, made with regular milk and Hershey's syrup, which we always tease him about. Hearing his laughter, which sometimes turns into a familiar cackle, is a sound I love to hear in the next room, most likely because he's watching some slap stick goofy comedy. He religiously records and watches Bill O'Reilly every night, and will even call my sister and me if he thinks that evening's topic is particularly worthwhile. He has a list of go-to phrases that those closest to him know all too well, probably the most notorious being "Now that's just stupid" in his subtle Texas drawl. I grew up listening to good timing music in his car whenever he took me anywhere- the Beach Boys, Allman Brothers, Beatles, Willie Nelson, lots of soft rock, old country, and the good stuff from the 60s and 70s. I've watched him be the most incredible, helpful friend and family member to so many. He takes care of those around him with pride and assurance. He has been the most phenomenal rock in my life and there is no one I respect or admire more for their hard earned accomplishments and character. He has been irreplaceable in my life in the countless words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement he has instilled. He's taught me the importance of working hard and being a good person. My Dad is loving, supportive, strong, extremely hardworking, loyal, dedicated, generous and fun. He's also a super fun and loving granddad to Jacob Knox, his name sake. Dad and his dad have Knox as their middle name, and it was a super special moment the day Jake was born to surprise my Dad and tell him Jake would share it too, in honor of him. They have so much fun together, playing ball, wrestling and watching TV in granddad's chair. Eating popsicles and walking Bear are also among the favorites. They love to ride the carousel and train at the mall, usually getting an ice cream along the way. Jake excitedly "drives" in the driveway while sitting in my Dad's lap, just the way I used to do, usually blaring the horn with a grin on his face. Experiencing the joy and pride my Dad has with Jake is one of the most precious things to me, and I know they will always have a strong and loving bond, just like Dad and me do. I could not ask for a more amazing father, and I've told him numerous times that words really can't express my respect or appreciation for who he is to me and all that he has done and continues to do. But that doesn't mean I will stop saying things to make sure he never forgets how loved he is. I hope I do as great of a job with Jake as my mom and dad did with me. I love you Dad, thank you for being the best father anyone could ask for!!

Dad & me in Chicago

Dad being silly with my baby bump

Jacob Knox & Granddad

Jake's 1st Halloween

MY HUSBAND...Two years and almost five months ago, Michael became a Dad to our precious son, Jake. I will never forget the day we found out we were having a boy, it was full of indescribable joy and excitement. Pretty much the only thing I recall about my terrible c-section was Michael exclaiming to me, "He's here babe, he's here!" I always imagined Michael being a great father, but when it actually happens, it changes your marriage in the most special way once you share the bond of parenting. Jake idolizes his Daddy, there is no question. He wants to do everything Michael does, down to what he wears and how he swings a baseball bat. Jake screams with glee louder and happier than any other time when his Dad gets home from work. Michael doesn't even get a chance to change clothes or take a breath when he gets home because Jake meets him at the door, begging for his coveted Daddy play time in the evening! I think Michael's biggest strengths as a Dad are his patience and his playfulness. He can distract Jake and help him to let something roll of his back in the most natural way. Michael doesn't take life too seriously, which has always been one of my favorite things about him, and he is lovingly teaching Jake to see the world the same way. He's an excellent cook and Jake and I are lucky to eat his yummy dishes that he usually just makes up as he goes from things he's learned on the cooking channel! There are times when Jake will give me a look or make a face that is exactly like ones his Dad makes, and it reminds me how much of us is in our kids. Michael is a really involved with everything Jake does, and his engagement as a Dad is such a blessing. Bath time is their time each night, and its usually full of squeals and giggles. Michael is the baseball coach at St Francis, and every game Jake and I attended showed spectators just how much this child loves his Dad. Jake would yell consistently through the fence throughout the entire game "Dad, Daddy, hi Daddy!", exchanging high fives and kisses in between innings. They have a special playlist of songs they listen to in Michael's truck, which is Jake's favorite place to ride. Seeing Jake jam to Justin Beiber never gets old! This year Michael started what he wants to make a family tradition-- playing a bit of baseball with Jake after church on Easter. I have precious pics of Jakey on the field with his Daddy, probably where he is happier than anywhere else. Michael calls and texts throughout each day while he's at work, checking to see what Jake is up to and how the day has been. He is very encouraging, creative, and affectionate with Jake. He knows how to set limits without being a dictator and he's not afraid to give due discipline with a constructive message. When Jake was hospitalized and had his three surgeries, Michael stayed every single night at the hospital with me, and took off work to be there during the day as well. He is undoubtedly dedicated to Jake and understands the importance of a Dad's role in his son's life. He makes it clear that there's no where else he'd rather be than with Jake and me. As a teacher and coach, Michael is exposed to many sad situations between parents and kids, and I think that has only made him more motivated and committed to being the best Dad he can be. Some of the best conversations we've ever had were about Jake and how much we love him and how lucky we feel to be his parents. Watching Jake with Michael, you can't miss the undeniable connection they have, its heartwarming. They are inseparable, so strongly bound together at the heart. Being parents has strengthened our relationship in many ways. I am more in love with Michael because of who he is as a father and how he loves our son. As a Dad, he is thoughtful and kind, silly and energetic. He's rough and tough, a teaser and a teacher of so many things to Jake, most importantly, unconditional love. We are the ones who know Jake better than anyone else, which is a special privilege only we share. MICHAEL, I am so thankful for the amazing Dad you are to Jake, he is so blessed to have you. I cherish being mom and dad with you. Thank you for being such a dedicated Daddy, I love you!

Prego with Jacob Knox

JK & Michael resting in hospital after he was born

Swimming with Daddy

Kisses for Daddy in the dugout

Our family

Week 2: Fondue, Dream House, Swimming & Night Game

Fondue & Friends

SWISS FONDUE...Saturday night Manu invited us to his house to have Swiss fondue with him, Julia and Ueli. It was sooo yummy and we were so appreciative of him cooking for us! We had a great night with our friends, talking and laughing and taking turns running after Jake. Manu has a drum set that he and Jake put to good use, which was hilarious to watch them jamming together. Then Manu got out his man toys, a Vespa and a motorcycle, which Jake only enjoyed as long as the loud, scary motor was off, hehe! Just as in 2006, our friends have really gone out of their way to make our time here happy and comfortable, and we can't wait for them to finally visit us in Texas someday so we can play hosts to them and return all the kindness!

Peas in a pod, jamming away

Balcony view, look at the mountains back there!

DREAM HOUSE...On Sunday we had a really fun, special day with Julia and Ueli. We took a beautiful country drive out to Beinwil, a suburb of Zurich about 40 minutes out, where they are almost finished building their gorgeous new home! The von Burgs are moving this weekend and we cannot wait to get out there and spend time with them! As you can see from the amazing pictures, their home has THE most spectacular views overlooking a serene lake and the Alps! The town is so quaint, peaceful and idyllic, I want to live there too, ha! I really have never seen such a place. Michael and I were just freaking out as we took the tour-- especially about the master bathroom, wow! The pics I took don't do any justice, and the only way I can explain it is that it reminds me of a white, modern, Malibu mansion. We took a stroll around the lake on a trail covered in shade by sprawling trees, and then we ate lunch at the neatest waterfront restaurant where Julia & Ueli know the owner. The food was great and Jake had a blast throwing bread into the water to feed the fish, ducks and swans from our table. He excitedly yelled "hi boat" and "bye boat" to every boat that passed by, which was cracking everyone up. We are so happy for our friends to finally be moving in to their new home and we are thrilled to be able to share fun memories with them this summer as they get all settled in. I have a feeling we will be in their pool, soaking up the sun and the indescribable views from the incredible wrap-around decks! Once the outside is complete and they are all moved in, I will post more pics.

Group shot on their balcony

Master bath sauna

Lakeside Restaurant in Beinwil

Mama & Jakey in Beinwil

Cold but happy!

SWIMMING...On Wednesday we went to the pool for the first time. We had been waiting for a really hot, sunny day and this one was perfect. We were super impressed with the huge facility-- it has 3 pools, one which is for toddlers, a big slide, acres of grassy park area to picnic or lounge, sand volleyball courts, a mini soccer field, a cafe, a playground, and super clean showers and bathrooms. We were not expecting it to be so large and so nice and we walked in thinking we had hit the jackpot! Jake could not get in the water fast enough, but then we discovered the catch 22... FRIGIDLY COLD water!!! And I am NOT exaggerating! We were in shock at how freezing the water was! We even were wondering if they somehow intentionally keep it that cold. We guessed it had to be 50 degrees. Kids everywhere we laying flat on the pavement, just trying to warm up their frozen little bodies! Admittedly I was such a wimp that I could not get in further than my knees. Michael thankfully was a good sport and froze himself to numbness while getting in with Jake, who honestly looked as though he was having mini convulsions the entire afternoon from shaking so hard! But, blue lips and all, he had so much fun, and I know we will go back. In the meantime though, we are going to try some other local pools -indoor and outdoor- just in case there is warmer water somewhere else!

Weee! Look at Michael's face, haha, he's so cold!

NIGHT GAME...Wednesday night Michael had his first night game, which was against the Barracudas' biggest rival, the Zurich Challengers. And we won big time, 14-1, yippee!! Michael played really well, with a beautiful double that nearly went over the fence for a home run. Jake yells for his dad so loudly and proudly, its pretty adorable. The picture is of Jake sitting in the dugout with Manu, while watching Michael's at bat. Playful "Uncle" Manu has become a favorite of Jakey's, they have a great time together. The team has been really sweet to Jake in including him as much as possible at the games, which has made him one happy boy! His friend Ileonora has also been so much fun for Jake at the games, they cheer their daddies on together. He can't wait until the next home game when the team has field clean up duty afterwards, just so he can ride the baseball tractor that smooths the dirt!

Sitting in Manu's lap in the dugout

JAKE used the potty for the first time this week, which was such a huge accomplishment!!! He was extremely proud of himself, as were we of him! I made up a celebratory song and he dances and sings along after he goes! He couldn't wait to tell his Lovey and Granddad about his exciting news on Skype, which has been so much fun to stay connected with family back home. Hearing their voices AND seeing their faces makes a big difference! Michael and I have started downloading some TV shows and movies to watch at night after Jake goes to bed, mainly because there are no English speaking channels here except CNN, blah. We are enjoying our gelato and quiet TV time together. We ate at McDonald's for the first time and Jake actually exclaimed "ohhhh wow" when I opened his chicken nuggets, haha!! And guess how much it cost-- are you ready-- about $30 American dollars for us all to eat, geez!! Thus, we will NOT be eating Mickey D's very often! The cuisine here is too fresh and amazing to eat fast food anyway, but sometimes you just have that craving, you know?! So now I have to get on my soapbox for a minute...one thing that is so odd to me here is that, while Europeans seem to really take pride in taking good care of themselves and eating healthily...sooo many of them still smoke! I am an asthmatic who's really allergic to cigarette smoke, so I get headaches whenever I'm around it, and I get upset when I see parents doing it right in front of their kids, because its so unhealthy. Twice on the train, men have lit up before the door even opens to let them out, so gross! Makes me proud of the smoke free initiatives taking place in Texas. Ok, I am done ranting now, no offense meant to anyone! I totally respect everyone's right to make their own choice for themselves. I'm sure there are tons of things Europeans could put down Americans about as well!

Park at Lake Zurich where we play ball

I THINK in general our favorite place to be is down the by lake at the park. Jake likes to watch the sweeper trucks that clean the roads downtown. He's is always asking to ride the train down there to see the boats, ducks and fish and to play ball at the park. It's so lush, green, and clean, with beautiful waterfront views. One thing that is so refreshing that I wish was the case in the states is that picking up after your dog is a law, so you don't have to watch your step in the grass! And the other day when we were downtown Michael had to pay $1 to use a public bathroom, which isn't uncommon throughout Europe. He said it was one of the cleanest, nicest bathrooms ever and worth the fee, which you don't often hear about public restrooms! Another admirable Swiss quality that I wish the US would adopt is making recycling a law. Here, if you don't separate your recycling from your trash, you get charged!

Lake Zurich on a cloudy day

I guess that covers almost everything for this week...Sleep has been better and Jake is napping occasionally, which is SO nice. I got a little homesick earlier this week, but my girlfriends back home sent me some amazing encouragement that got me right back on track. I have the best friends in the world! I am trying to take some good scenery pics but clouds sometimes impede the true magic of the views and hide the Alps. I need to start using the video camera too so Jake can watch it later in life! Since we aren't at church each Sunday right now, a verse that has been on my heart is 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. It sums up how I want to live, especially while we are here, and how I want to reflect on this time...that it was all in God's glory and that we kept Him in the forefront of our hearts, even though we were so far removed from our normal spiritual life. I want to bask in the glory of the this beautiful city that God created, and the friends he gave us to enjoy it with, Amen! 


**HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER ASHLEY today!! We love you so much and hope its an awesome day! You are the best Auntie Godmother and sister!! XOXO**