The Sadler Family

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

Almost 9 weeks old!

2011-12-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-11-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

We were excited to add a sixth stocking to our collection this year! It's a sweet sight to see them all lined up together.

Anne and Faith

2011-11-30T17:20:00.000-08:00

Home from school and ready for some cuddle-time with baby Faith!

Christmas Pictures Preview

2011-11-28T21:56:00.001-08:00

The Three Piggy Opera

2011-11-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

Anne's kindergarten class performed the "Three Piggy Opera" this morning. It was precious! Anne was the second piggy whose house is made of sticks. She did a great job! All the girls wore pig-tails in honor of the performance. =)

Anne's Piggy Solo

2011-11-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

A tiny smile at 4 weeks old!

2011-11-05T20:37:00.001-07:00

Faith's Baptism

2011-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

Faith Adele was baptized yesterday at our church. My in-laws were able to come down from Nashville to witness it and celebrate with us. We had a lovely afternoon breaking bread together with them, along with a few friends from church.

We are so thankful to the Lord for this beautiful little girl! She is such a sweetheart and such a good gift from Him!

Fall Festival

2011-10-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Our church hosted a fall festival this past Saturday. It was a fun evening of hotdogs, games, cotton-candy (the girls' first time!), and pony rides! I ran out of princess outfits, so Joy got to be an Eastwood kindergartener instead. =)

A Visit from Opa and Oma

2011-10-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

My parents came for a 2 1/2 week visit this month. We had a great time together--eating, shopping, playing with the girls. We were completely spoiled by them!

We love them and miss them very much!!!

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

While Oma and Opa were here, we visited a pumpkin patch. We didn't see much of a pumpkin patch, but the girls had fun riding ponies, jumping around, playing around, and eating cookies. It was a beautiful--albeit slightly warm-day!

Opa and Faith

2011-10-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Faith Adele Sadler

2011-10-09T21:40:00.001-07:00

This free picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Backyard Picnic

2011-09-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

We love our backyard play-set!!! The girls could spend hours outside playing on it. In fact, that's what they did this morning while Brent did yard-work! It was an outside kind of day for them, starting with breakfast out on the screened porch, playing, then wrapping up with a picnic on the play-set. We're thankful the temperature--and HUMIDITY!!--finally went down a bit today.

New Home: Dining Room

2011-09-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

We were so happy to be able to bring our dining set back with us! It was my parents' set in Germany, so it's very special to us. Many families have eaten at this table over the years. One thing we said we would miss from our old home was the lovely location of the dining room. It was in the back of the house overlooking the yard with a door to go outside. Thankfully, this house has doors going out to a screened porch (which still needs fixing up), which leads to the backyard. God is so kind, even in the details!

New Home: Living Room

2011-09-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

The living room has also been fun. TJMaxx has been quite helpful for a few things. I was very thankful my piano made it over in one piece! It wasn't even that out of tune! The entertainment center was a Craiglist find to store the TV Nana and Papa gave us as a home-warming gift. It was the perfect fit! All of our bookshelves are stored in the garage now because of the built-in ones in the living room. We still haven't unpacked all our million books (and probably won't) or even really organized the ones on the shelves--one thing at a time, I guess.

New Home: Getting ready for Baby!

2011-09-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's been so fun setting up the crib again and washing the same bedding we've used with all the girls! I'm VERY ready for little one to make her appearance!! The chest and mirror was another find on Craigslist up in Nashville. Brent kindly picked it up when he went there a couple weeks ago to pick up his desk. It will double as a changing table/dresser. Anne's bed can be seen in the reflection. She will be sharing the room with the baby, while Lydia and Joy share another room.

Home Tour: Master Bedroom

2011-09-12T12:14:00.001-07:00

Brent and I got to pick out and purchase our first mattress set in 7 years of marriage! It was a lot of fun. We've been blessed in our marriage by different family members who have given us bedroom sets. The last set was a German one from my uncle, which we left in Germany. The chest and mirror was a find on our local Craigslist. It's been fun starting over in this room!

A New Home Tour

2011-09-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

We are loving our new little home! It is a cozy little 3-bedroom, located on a dead-end. We have a nice big yard with the coolest swingset for the girls!

Pig-tails!

2011-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten!!!

2011-08-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Our Anne-girl started Kindergarten today!!! It was a big day for all of us. Anne jumped out of bed this morning ready to go. Her enthusiasm level was even higher than normal. =) We started out in the sanctuary for assembly, then each teacher took their class down to the rooms. Anne was so excited to go with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Cox. I admit that I teared up--is she really old enough to be doing this??? Brent handled it like a man, although I think I saw his eyes glistening a bit. =)

We are excited for this opportunity for our Anne. Poor Lydia kept asking if we would ask Mrs. Cox to let her come, too! Joy just kept shrieking Anne's name long after she left the sanctuary. What are these 3 sisters going to do now with one of them gone? Well, fortunately, it's only 3 mornings a week!

All the girls got to celebrate the big day together, though. We made our way to Chick-Fil-A for a celebratory lunch afterwards!

Daddy's New (Old) Truck!

2011-08-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

Moving: A Couple Pictures Along the Way

2011-08-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

The girls have done very well adjusting to all the change. They've made some new friends, been spoiled by our hosts in Montgomery, learned to make cake balls...and been a little tired.

Moving: Family in Nashville

2011-08-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

We got to spend a few days with Brent's family in Nashville. Lydia enjoyed walking with her great-grandmother. We enjoyed lunch with Nana and Papa. One of our last evenings was spent with Mom-mop and Pop-pop at Five Guys Burgers.

Moving: At the Airport

2011-08-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the girls eating McDonalds the morning we flew out of Frankfurt. This tradition of eating breakfast and watching the planes started many years ago with my family. It was a bittersweet morning...

Joy sings

2011-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

We were at the house today organizing and getting rid of a few things. Joy climbed up on the TV with her "hymnbook" and started singing "Jesus Loves Me." Very sweet!

Switzerland Retreat 2011

2011-06-26T07:32:00.001-07:00

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Lydia & Lydia

2011-05-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

The girls received ballerina dolls from their Pop-pop and Mom-mop for Christmas. They've had a bunch of fun with them, but Lydia especially has taken a fancy to hers. She recently put this purple shirt on her doll--purple is her favorite colored shirt to wear--and named her Lydia. She takes her everywhere! "Lydia" goes with us in the car all the time, even to church sometimes. I had to put a stop to that, though, after Lydia left "Lydia" at church this past week and fussed about it until she had her back. This special friendship with "Lydia" follows a couple months of some imaginary friends that have been hanging around. For awhile, Lydia had 2 brothers that went everywhere with her, then she had "Julia." Our Lydia, the real one, is such a funny gal! She's always cracking us up with her sweet grin and silly antics.

Post-recital party

2011-05-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

After the recital, we returned home for a little party with some friends. Another little girl in the party had a birthday this week, too, so the girls celebrated together. It was a fun time!

Ballet Recital

2011-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Anne had her first big ballet recital yesterday afternoon. Her dance studio performed "Sleeping Beauty." Anne's class played princesses, and she did a great job! Earlier in the year, her teacher moved her up to the 6-8 year old class because she had been doing so well. It's been a challenge, but she has risen to the occasion. We are so proud of her!

Anne's 5th Birthday

2011-05-24T13:50:00.001-07:00

Today was a low-key birthday for our firstborn. Lydia woke us all up at 6AM, which was a tad early for the rest of us girls, but we made the best of it and piled in our bed for Anne to open her presents from us. She got two books and a Doris Day movie, so there will be lots of new songs to sing around here soon. =) Her daddy took her to the local bakery for breakfast. She was so excited about their date, she would have gone at 6 if she could have! We ate Doener Kebabs for lunch with our good friend,Lou Priolo, who is here doing a marriage conference at our church. The girls were equally excited about seeing Mr. Lou and eating Doeners. Anne easily polished off her half Doener and fries. The girl has two hollow legs! Since our entire family is on antibiotics due to ear infections/sinus infections/bronchitis, Anne and I spent the afternoon naptime snuggling on the sofa watching her new movie. I noticed the sweetest thing lying next to her with our legs outstretched--we have the exact same feet! It struck me as being so incredible that this little girl was a part of me and God thought she should have my same feet! Maybe I'll blog about that another time...=)

I've spent a lot of the day thinking about her birthday 5 years ago. Brent and I reminisced about that early morning drive to the hospital, me smiling happily before the induction began, not knowing what lay ahead of me, lots of pain, my mom coming into the room just in time for the delivery, my doctor handing me my firstborn, the incredible joy of finally seeing our Anne-girl, and realizing that life had changed forever for us.

We give thanks to the Lord today for His gift to us of our sweet Anne. Of the 6 children He has given us, He chose this girl to be our firstborn, the one to have difficulty nursing, the one we were probably too uptight with at first, the one with whom I'm having to learn how to teach a child to read, the one who has quite a "zest for life" as her Opa says, and the one who tells us we need Jesus.

We love our Anne-girl and are so happy to be her parents!

Mother/Daughter Tea

2011-05-14T05:51:00.000-07:00

Anne and I attended our church's mother/daughter tea on the last day of April. It was a lovely time of sweets and fellowship. Anne loved getting dressed up with Mommy for a date!

He is Risen!

2011-04-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a beautiful Easter Sunday! Church, feasting, resting, and an egg hunt to end the day brought lots of joy to our family. We are thankful for our Risen King, and the new life He has brought us.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

Slideshow design created with Smilebox

Another New Life

2011-04-24T11:24:00.001-07:00

You are my sunshine...

2011-03-12T04:26:00.000-08:00

Birthday Fun

2011-01-15T01:22:00.001-08:00

Brent and I had a fun time celebrating my birthday this week. He took me to Da Gino's, a cute little Italian place in Landstuhl. We dined on bruschetta, prawns, and pizza. It was a lovely time. He also spoiled me with some beautiful roses! It's been a great 29 years!

A Visit from Rachel

2011-01-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

The girls were delighted with an overnight visit from their former babysitter, Rachel, who now lives in England. They had a blast playing, building a gingerbread house, and eating at the mall on base. We can't wait to see you again, Rachel! Come back soon!!!

Christmas Day 2010

2011-01-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

Pillow Pets!

2011-01-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

Oma and Opa sent the girls Pillow Pets this year for Christmas. Needless to say, these pets have been a huge hit! The girls love them and carry them all over the house. They are super soft and cuddly, and I wish I had one! =)

Christmas Eve 2010

2011-01-08T05:25:00.001-08:00

We had a lovely Christmas Eve in spite of the weather. Our service at church was canceled due to terrible road conditions, but our friend, Miss Beth, was able to make it over in her 4-wheel drive truck. While her husband soaked up the sun in Crete, we stayed warm with hot buttered rum punch! It was a fun and quiet evening of dinner, Scripture, carols, and gifts. We had a great time together and were thankful Beth got to stay with us through Christmas!

Trier Christmas Market 2010

2010-12-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

We made our annual trek to Trier this past week to visit the Christmas market. As always, it was a great time of eating and shopping! The potato pancakes and mulled wine lived up to expectations! The old-fashioned carousel was back after a year's absence, as well. Lydia got to ride on it for the first time, and she loved it! She couldn't stop smiling the entire ride! It was a very cold day, but we warmed up with a nice dinner at our favorite restaurant in Trier before heading back home.

A Fun Time!

2010-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

The girls always have such a great time in Trier!

Ladies' Christmas Tea 2010

2010-12-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

The ladies of TRC gathered again for the 17th annual Christmas Tea this past Wednesday. It was a lovely evening of cookies, carols, Scripture readings, fellowship, and an ornament exchange!

Let it Snow!!!

2010-12-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

This winter is going down as one of the coldest winters on record in Europe--we completely agree! We haven't seen much of the ground since Thanksgiving, and it just keeps coming! Services were canceled this morning due to most people being snowed in at their homes. Here are a few pictures from some Sunday afternoon fun in our backyard with good friends.

'Tis the Season

2010-12-14T07:16:00.001-08:00

Anne's 12 Days of Christmas

2010-12-03T11:36:00.001-08:00

Anne loves "The 12 Days of Christmas." It is one of her favorite songs to sing. She spends a large amount of time dwelling on the 12 days of Christmas. It is very important stuff...

So, I was cracking up today as I listened to her singing her own version of the song. While I was working in the kitchen, not paying much attention to her, I overheard a few catchy lines that caused me to peak in on her. There she sat on the sofa, all prim and proper, peeling a clementine and very seriously singing about

9 houses
8 teddy bears
7 smoking pipes
5 Ipods
3 cats
2 dogs
and a partridge in a pear tree.

The four-year-old mind is so fascinating!

Thanksgiving Day 2010

2010-11-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

We woke up on Thanksgiving Day to our first snowfall of the season! What a fun way to start the day! That afternoon, we celebrated with our congregation at church. It was a great time of fun and feasting!

Just 'cause

2010-11-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

Another picture of Joy using a spoon just because she's so cute!

Anne and Morris the Moose

2010-11-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

Anne's new favorite book is "Morris the Moose." That was one of my childhood favorites, too! She loves "reading" it, and has quite a memory!

What a big girl!

2010-11-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

Joy fussed at the dinner table tonight, so I rather thoughtlessly gave her a spoon thinking that might distract her. Well, she proved herself to be quite a big girl! I remember with the first two girls taking the time to work with them on using a spoon. Poor Joy--the third child--has been neglected. I guess she's been paying attention, though!

Birthday Fun

2010-11-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

I was able to help a good friend from seminary days celebrate her first birthday over here in Germany recently. We had a great evening catching up, exchanging kid stories, and eating Mexican food! We topped off the fun night with some delicious crepes from a local Italian ice-cream parlor. Yummy!!!

All Saints Day 2010

2010-11-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

We all went over to St. Ingbert today to visit my Omi's grave. I am thankful to know that she made a profession of faith in Christ during her visit to the US when I was born. Although I did not know her very well, I remember telling her I loved her on the phone in German when I was very little, and I remember her sending a big box of German chocolates every Christmas.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on His way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Our Second Annual Bodensee Vacation

2010-11-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

Create a free slideshow design

TRC Reformation Party 2010

2010-11-01T01:50:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Reformation Day at TRC on Saturday evening with a play, a silly song about Martin Luther, a serious song about God's Word, a medieval feast, and a bunch of games and candy for the kids. Anne and Lydia had a blast nailing the 95 theses to the door, making stained glass windows, and finding Martin Luther in the forest!

Joy walks!

2010-10-18T04:19:00.001-07:00

Lovely Ladies

2010-10-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

Whether they're working hard in the kitchen making pies or looking pretty in their Sunday best, I think my girls are some of the sweetest little ladies around!

Fall Days and Kite-flying

2010-10-14T07:09:00.001-07:00

We've been enjoying some lovely weather here in Germany! It definitely feels like fall. We took the girls out for their first time kite-flying the other day. They loved it!

An Afternoon at Hitscherhof Farm

2010-10-10T12:21:00.001-07:00

Make a free slideshow design

A visit from Pop-pop and Mom-mop

2010-10-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

We were blessed with a visit from Brent's parents the third week of September. My mother-in-law has put up several posts from their trip with some lovely pictures of our time together. We are so thankful they were able to visit. It was a special time, especially as it was their first time to meet Joy!

inthegates.blogspot.com

"Apple"

2010-10-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Naptime

2010-10-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sleepy Joy

2010-09-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Our Sixth Anniversary

2010-07-31T13:21:00.001-07:00

For our sixth anniversary, we took an afternoon trip to Heidelberg today. A sweet friend from church came over and watched the girls while we enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine, walking, beautiful architecture, and delicious Indian food! It was a wonderful day!!!

Anniversary dinner--Indian food!

2010-07-31T13:15:00.001-07:00

Brent got Tandoori Lamb and I got Chicken Murgh. Delicious!!!

Dancing Queen

2010-07-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

A Day at the Pool

2010-07-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

I Love Spaghetti

2010-07-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-04T13:31:00.001-07:00

We celebrated the 4th of July with a church picnic at the Brown's home. Their lovely backyard and orchard, along with a local swimming hole nearby, and tons of delicious food made for a fun day! As you can see, some of us got a bit sleepy. =)

Switzerland 2010

2010-07-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

More pictures to come...

Waking Anne

2010-06-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sundays

2010-06-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from today and last Sunday.

Little Girl Blue

2010-06-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Ballet Recital

2010-06-05T12:15:00.001-07:00

Anne had her first ballet recital this afternoon. She danced in a piece called "The Flower Dance" and did a great job! All the little girls looked so sweet in their costumes and--for the most part--seemed to enjoy dancing on stage for their parents.=) We can't believe we have a child old enough to be in a recital!!

We are so proud of our Anne-girl!

Joy's Caterpillar

2010-06-05T01:29:00.000-07:00

Joy got her birthday present a little early. Since we'll be in Switzerland on her birthday, we wanted her to be able to start enjoying her new rocking caterpillar. She is definitely enjoying it!!!

Black Hawk Time!

2010-06-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

Brent got to fly a mission over Afghanistan yesterday! A pilot from church invited him to check out their flight simulator--very cool!

The Soldier’s Rough Charity | First Things

2010-06-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Soldier’s Rough Charity | First Things

This is a belated Memorial Day read, but one that is quite thoughtful.

Memorial Day in Luxembourg

2010-05-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Slideshow design created with Smilebox

Joy LOVES Spaghetti!!!

2010-05-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Joy's new favorite food is spaghetti!! The first picture is her getting started, the second is the damage about 20 minutes later...=)

Anne turns 4!

2010-05-24T09:40:00.001-07:00

Free picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Joy Crawls!

2010-05-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday Afternoon Playtime

2010-05-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

2010-05-13T06:05:00.001-07:00

Joy has made the transition to table food/feeding herself in the past week. Although I'm so proud of her, I'm a bit sad my baby girl is growing up so quickly.

May Day

2010-05-01T02:50:00.000-07:00

Meeting Opa

2010-04-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

This month, my dad got to meet our little Joy for the first time. It was a precious meeting. Joy loved her Opa at first sight and enjoyed lots of cuddles with him! We can't wait to introduce her to the entire family!

We had a GREAT visit! The girls had a blast with their Opa. He played with them, got to watch Anne's ballet class, and took us on base a bunch of times to eat Taco Bell and play at the KMCC. =)

Keeping Opa busy...

2010-04-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Cuddle-time with Opa

2010-04-30T13:21:00.001-07:00

We always knew where to find Lydia--cuddling with Opa!

Joy in her bonnet

2010-04-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T03:02:00.001-07:00

Customize a free digital slideshow

Behold the Lamb of God

2010-04-02T01:38:00.000-07:00

Ordinary Days

2010-03-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

At the hospital

2010-03-20T01:29:00.000-07:00

Joy was admitted to the Kinderklinik at the hospital in the small university town of Homburg (not to be confused with Hamburg--the large port city up north). These are a few pictures of her stay there.

Time passes so quickly...

2010-03-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

A bit of time has passed since I last blogged. We've had sickness, deaths in our family, and some visits from family these past couple months.

As many of you know, our sweet Joy ended up in the hospital very sick for 5 days last month. Thank you for all of your prayers--she is much better! Although right now our whole family is battling sinus infections/colds and she is all gunky, as well. We are still trying to discover the answer to some strange redness, hotness, and swelling in her arms, so please pray for wisdom for us to know how to proceed. All in all, she was a real trooper throughout her stay at the hospital and continues to bring us so much joy with her sweet personality. The picture above was taken this afternoon of her. She was just lounging around in her new stroller watching everyone else have fun in our gorgeous spring weather.

Our other two little girls are doing well. Anne's busy learning her letters, Lydia's busy being two, and they're both busy making messes for Mommy to clean up. =) I'll post more pictures of everyone tomorrow, hopefully.

Again, thanks to all our friends and family who have covered us in love and prayers during this season. We have definitely felt your love for us.

Three girls and a fort

2010-01-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

Happy girls

2010-01-15T06:20:00.000-08:00

Peek-a-boo!

2010-01-15T06:12:00.000-08:00

Father-Daughter Date Night

2010-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

On Friday night, Anne and I went with another dad and daughter on a date to a local army post to see The Sound of Music. Here are the pictures from before we went out to eat (McDonalds), snacking at the theater, standing in line at the intermission for a Capri Sun, and then leaving. The play ended at 10 PM, so Anne was very tired! I had a great time. I pray for many more of these to come with my three girls.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T03:26:00.000-08:00

(Many thanks to our friend, Jessica, who took these pictures!)

Anne dancing to the Nutcracker

2009-12-22T04:48:00.000-08:00