I'm a little late with this

but back in June before the whole seizure thinggy, we headed out to Graz, Austria (home on Schwarzenegger) for a little summer fun. We just walked around and enjoyed the view, Austria is a beautiful country. Anyhoo, Graz has several large hills and so we took off to the top of one for a look-see. 

Luckily we didn't have to take the stairs up, there is a shorter little tram thinggy that takes you up for a small fee and let me tell you it was so worth it. 

At the top we discovered this guy playing for his supper. He was good and entertaining. The girls enjoyed dancing around to his music.
I totally fell in love with this clock. Is it amazing or what and it actually worked. 


On the other side of the clock was this beautiful little garden. We had a ball taking photos under the rose laced trellis. 

BTW, we went to Austria kinda as a celebration of our 19 wedding anniversary. Since it's only about 45 minutes from home it's not too costly and it's another country!
The view from the top of the hill was awesome. Graz is breath-taking.


Oh yea and check out the hippo shaped building to the left, a little of the 21st century amidst the past.
I think this metal shell shaped thinggy in the river was a coffee bar, I think!

On the way back down we took the stiars and found a great place to catch a photo. 



Thought about hitching a ride with this guy buy decided against it. It does look like a sure fire weight loss plan though.


The next photos were taken from the inside of an Austrian armory, billions of swords, suits of armor and killing stuff. We weren't allowed to film inside so I filmed through the windows.


Can you imagine this being your view from your window?

I fell in love with this roof. Isn't this the most interesting roof ever. I love the different shape tiles. Beautiful!

Oh yea and out one of the windows was the charming little bistro. So sweet.

One of the more intesting buildings in town was this one that had a fresco painted all over the outside. 

I also love all the detail on the fasad of the buildings.


Kids were exhausted and ready to go home.

Took this one just because.

Don't know who he is but he must be someone important. If you know, give me a hollar!

Oh the Swarovski building was incredible. The detail was so intricate and interesting.
Okay the video down below I took while we were walking back to the van. The bells starting ringing and regardless of their origin I loved it and thought you would too.
WARNINGThis video has links on it to other videos on Photobucket. Please keep in mind that PB is not a Christian place and therefore all sorts of evil could be at the end of any of these links. I have tried to remove the links but with no luck. :0(



On our way out of town I saw this chair, a little bit big for my living room but I like the color!

Anyhowm, thanks for sharing my trip with me. There are some serious perks to being a missionary in Europe, Graz, Austria is one of them!

I LOVE CROATIA post and First fun of the summer

Well Monday we all loaded up in the cars and headed down to see the closest thing to the Garden of Eden that I've ever seen. Plitvička Jezera is one of Croatia's most beautiful national parks. The park is basically multiple lakes emptying into each other as they go down the mountains. It's like something out of a story and I'm so glad it's in Croatia for us to enjoy.

Anyhoo, here is some of the beauty we were blessed to enjoy on Monday.
Oh yea and BTW, I know the photos are hanging off the side of my page, yea it stinks but there is no way I am going to redo this post, so ignore it.   k?   thanks!




Yea, it really is that beautiful.

Is it amazing or what??? YEA, it is.

The girls trekking through hoping for the end sometime soon. It was a long trek but well worth it.

Loved how the cut out just enough tree to fit the walkway.



My 17 year old Cody.







Yes Bro. Sam, our new co-laborer in Croatia always wears this uniform. He's always ready for a soul-winning opp.

Just build me a little shack on that little knoll on the other side of the lake and I would be happy.













Seen this little guy along the path, I don't know if he was dangerous or not but there were lots of his kind around.







This sign shows how the lakes dump into one another. We were way down at the bottom with a few steps left.

Beautiful ehh???
God sure is good to let us live in Croatia, we're so blessed!

Two Weeks,Too Long!

Wow, I can't even believe that it's already been two weeks since I left Croatia for my little trip to the States. I have to be honest; as much as I liked seeing family, friends and Wal-mart, I was dying to get back to home. I missed Johnny more than I can say and the kids, well I called the several times daily.God has been so good to me. I have the most wonderful husband ever, great kids and the privilege of getting to live in Croatia and work for Him. Hey and by the way, I don't have to live in Croatia, I am blessed to get to. He is way too good to me!

Anyhow, I noticed something very interesting while I was in the states...

I remember moving to Croatia in 2000 and with everything being so different it was hard not to compare Croatia to the U.S.. I caught myself constantly saying how much better things were in Croatia. For instance: grocery stores were better, bigger, larger selection, just better some how. Our roads were wider, we had Pay at the Pump, people were mostly on time, and just things like that.

During my time in the states I noticed a change, in me! I was no longer comparing the U.S. to Croatia and Croatia coming up short. No, now it was all turned around. I caught myself comparing the U.S. to Croatia and Croatia winning most of the time. ***No, I am not against the U.S., I love it and it'll always be home*** but I guess after 10 years in Croatia my likes have changed. I prefer the small grocery down the road. I like having less choices, it saves me time and why waste all that extra space for huge cars when we manage rather well with our small ones.

I don't know if this means I am getting liberal or just love the home God has called me to. I don't know but it sure helps with a contented life.

Anyhow, while I was gone everyone here was hard at work. They had Friend Day and my son Cody sang. *PROUD* I'm am so proud of him and thank God for him daily.

So I know this post is actually overdue and I have been home for two weeks already but better late than never! I have really fallen behind in my blogging and even considered doing away with it but I think I'm gonna stick it out and work a little harder to share what life throws our way here in Croatia.

Many thanks to those of you who are faithful readers and many prayers.