Trip to Hungary

Here are a few slides about our travel experience with Bella and Tomi to Hungary. It went quick, they did awesome and we even made new friends on our way to Budapest.

Our spring trip to Hungary

Annabelle, Tomi and Manna were so blessed that we got to travel to Hungary and be part of Uncle Zoli and Virginia's beautiful wedding on April 6th 2013. We prepared not just lots of little gifts but our hearts with songs, greetings and a special poem. Here is a qucik overview of our trip. The trip went very well from start to finish. The kids did fantastic. So much fun to travel with and it really went by so quickly. We spent the first few days before the wedding in Gyor with Manna's parents then the wedding took place in Budapest. We had the chance to stay with Noemi, Mate and their little daughter Luca in Budapest right after the wedding. We also had a fun visit in the Ocean museum nearby. We took a train to Cegled to spend some time with Great Grandma and the rest of the family there. We had the awesome privilege to visit Grandpa's grave. This was the first time for Bella and Tomi to be in a cemetery. It was great so spent some time with Aunt Teca, Cousin Aniko and Uncle Gyuszi. After a couple days Grandma traveled with us back to Gyor via Budapest. On the train we got to see my dear room mate Minci. We had a couple more gorgeous days in Manna's hometown, Gyor. Our last full day we took a quick trip to visit Manna's other best friend Detti and her girls. It was an amazing fellowship. It's so much fun to see our kids connect and play. Thu, April 11th we traveled back. This was another trip, which we will never forget and forever cherish.

Slippery fun moments

Love sliding. Thankfully no broken bones. Translation: they would prefer to be penguins rather than slippery snowmen. Giggle is universal :)

Here is a little update from us. The new year started fresh and wonderful. This cold and snowy winter sweet and faithful Friends like Caroline and Brent hang out with our children quite a bit allowing us to get away a little bit. We celebrated both of our birthdays and Valentine's day as well. These are much needed dates and help us to be better parents.
We enjoy homeschooling every little time we have. We are working our way through My Father's World (not so much handwriting and phonics yet). It has been a wonderful journey discovering our world through God's eyes. We learn little reminders with each letter like: "I will live and grow in Jesus", like the leaf or "Big and small, God made them all". My favorite is: "God made me wonderful". We were reading and learning about the Sun, Moon, Leaf, Nest, Apples, Five Senses, Dinos and now we are entering into the deep see and discovering Octopuses.
It's neat to see how much they soak up only by reading and crafts. (The rest will come later).
We are also preparing our hearts for Easter this lent season.
The colored pillows are part of a sewing project with my dear friend Penny. Yes, my great and long cherished dream to learn how to sew is becoming true week by week. They love to snuggle with their own soft, colored letters.
I have to say the biggest progress we have made is with chores around the house. Five is really the magic age when they start to be actually helpful. They do dishes, fold their laundry (least favorite), sweep, clean sinks, water plants and help cooking (this is their favorite).

That's all as far as a quick update and a few recent photos.

Reflection on 2012

As we reminisce about this year behind us, our hearts are filled with joy and thankfulness. In many respects 2012 was a year of independence as it is really getting easier with the quints, yet we learned to depend on the Lord even more through some challenging times. We get fresh grace for each new day and that keeps us going. In the beginning of the year the kids and Manna were so blessed to be able to spend two amazing months in Hungary. The spring brought some significant changes in our diet, which is really a life style for us as we go everywhere with Pyrex dishes and our Crockpot. By the way it’s fun to pack peas and Brussels sprouts for school snacks and Sunday school. This summer we had an intense therapy trip to Alabama where Matthew made a remarkable progress using his left upper extremity and gained much needed independence. Fundraising, lining up help, being hosted by hospitable Birmingham friends and participating in 8 hours of therapy daily were all incredible for Matthew and Manna. This school year all the kids are involved in the last year of their preschool. Lili and Matthew are benefitting from some services; the other three are peer friends. They go different days, different times in two classes. Thankfully most of the year we can enjoy walks back and forth to the school, which makes us feel like Hungary. It’s fun to see them grow and change as they learn so much in school and what we teach here at home too. Annabelle is still rising up as the oldest, most responsible and independent child. She became a lot more lady like but she still dressed up as a fireman this year  She is quite an artist and so creative. Tomi loves school and plays for hours with building toys in his room. He still blows us away with his imagination and inventive spirit. He is also a little handyman and fixes things mommy can’t. Love it. Hanna is still so dainty and grew probably the most in eager and obedient spirit. She is definitely willing to help and is a wonderful role model in the family. Her love for books is contagious. Lili: if I can only count how many princesses we drew, colored and cut out this year! She cheers us up with her sweet, bubbly, butterfly spirit. She still gets away with more than she should but responds quicker and obeys a lot more. Matthew is really into, dogs, papers, letters, numbers and addition. He is making a ton of progress. He is our sunshine and we love him to pieces for his joyful spirit and hilarious humor. This November he had an orthopedic surgery in New Jersey. Time will tell the gain. Dave and I were able to take a couple trips this year to Cincinnati and Lexington. We are thankful for each other as we tag team daily. He is the most appreciative person when it comes down to my cooking. We are so grateful for a diligent and tender hearted Husband and Daddy who continues to lead our family to love and pursue our beautiful and sufficient Savior.

Have an abundant New Year!

Fall and Thanksgiving slides

New Jersey slides/ November 2012