ThIS is Cool

We just want to say that we are so thankful for the school that Scott works at and Stanley and Holly get to attend. Great Colleagues, Teachers, and friends. They are getting a great education and doing so many fun things.

Holly giving her first book report on "Frozen: A Tale of Two Sisters." She dressed up as Elsa, and her doll as Anna. Her teacher Mrs. Mari is incredible and absolutely adores all the children.

Stanley's teacher Kay is also incredible. He is loves to read and is always talking about the fun activities they do in class.

On January 23rd our Thuringia International School had it's annual Winter Arts and Music Festival. Stanley and Holly were both performing with their respective classes and it was a lot of fun. The theme was 80's and Stanley's class sang a classic German song "Ich Möchte ein Eis Bär sein" (I want to be a Polar Bear), and Holly's class did a freeze frame slide show to the song, "Time of My Life."

Holly as an 80's ballerina for the Winter Arts and Music Festival.

Stanley dressed as a Polar Bear

Stuart just loving life with his two foxes.

Here is a recent promotional video about the school.

Good-bye 2014, Hello 2015

2014 was a year full of blessings in the Overby home.  We are so thankful to be a family, to be living in Germany, to be ministering where God has us, and to be enjoying life together.

We have been blessed this year with several visitors. Heather’s dad Gene visited us at Easter, Scott’s mom came out in June, both of his parents in October, and to finish the year Heather’s mom Cinda and her husband Ron were with us for Christmas. We have enjoyed our time this year with family.

Gene was with us for Easter

Grandma Sue was with us during the summer

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Steve were here in October on his 60th birthday

Nana (Cinda) and Grandpa Ron were here for Christmas

We have also said goodbye to family members this year. Scott’s Grandmas, Bettie Mills and Carlene Overby both passed away during the summer. Heather also had a miscarriage in October where we said goodbye to our little Silas at 14 weeks. But even in the hard times we can still praise God for His blessings.

Grandma Bettie's European trip summer 2012

Grandma Carlene and Grandma Bettie Fourth of July picnic summer 2013

Grandma Bettie holding Stuart summer 2013

Grandma Carlene wearing Holly's hat summer 2013

Grandpa Stan and Grandma Carlene summer 2013

Scott is blessed by his job at Thuringia International School where he teaches mathematics to upper school students. He also loves that Stanley and Holly are both able to go to the school where he teaches.

Class trip to Berlin

Heather is thankful to be home with Stuart and has many opportunities to minister to other women in our community. She also loves learning new things pertaining to homemaking, crafting, and hospitality.

Heather and her best friend Susanne

Stanley is our intelligent first grader who loves to climb everything, play LEGO, and get dirty at recess.

Stanley has enjoyed the bouldering gym in Weimar

Stanley has been riding his new bike to school this year.

Can you already see him as a teenager? He's growing up quickly.

Holly is thriving in early primary and has already learned so much. She enjoys imaginary play (always in German), playing with dolls, and being a princess.

Holly's new doll (Heather's old one)

Stuart enjoys going on outings with Mommy, swinging, music, dancing, and applesauce packets.

During the year we were also able to travel a little bit. We visited Berlin with Grandma Sue, Switzerland to visit some relatives, Leipzig with Grandpa Steve and Grandpa Sue, and of course Erfurt here and there.

Brandenburg Gate Berlin

Berliner Dome

Erfurt

Leipzig

Leipzig Zoo

Heather trying out an Alp horn

Lake of the Jewel

Summer swimming fun

Another Grandma for Stuart

Switzerland with Rochet family

We thank the Lord every day for how he has blessed us and we pray that you are enjoying His blessings as well.  Merry Christmas and God’s blessings in the New Year!

Christmas 2014

Overby Fall

Happy Fall!

It has been a crazy last couple of months for our family. We've had a lot of fun and have also had some major life events happen. Let's start with the positive.

During our fall break Grandpa Steve and Grandma Sue came to visit us. We had a great time having them here with us and we are so thankful they made the trip out. During their time here we celebrated Steve's 60th birthday, went swimming at the local pool, went bowling, visited Erfurt, traveled to Leipzig to see the zoo, and enjoyed the Weimar Onion Market. Wonderful memories with them.

See more pictures from their time with us 

Our low point these last couple months was Heather's miscarriage. Heather was 14 weeks pregnant when during a routine check-up the doctor couldn't find a heart beat. That was on October 23, and then on October 24 Heather was able to deliver little Silas. He was only 15 grams and fit in the palm of Heather's hand. It was a time of sadness but also rejoicing that we serve a mighty God who is able to take any circumstance and use it for His glory. This was a path that Heather felt God was going to have us walk down at some point, and the amount of love and support we've received has been truly amazing. It has been a weird year with the death of both Grandma Bettie, Grandma Carlene and now our little Silas. God has been good and has given us hope in the midst of it all.

To end on a fun topic, our Stanley is becoming quite the "Spiderman." He likes to climb the door frames in our home and hang from them. A friend from church was telling me about this bouldering gym in Weimar and how I should take Stanley there. Peter, Stanley and I went there October 31st and absolutely loved it. Stanley's favorite part was the training rings, but he also enjoyed scaling the walls. When we were done, my arms were aching and I could barely hold on any more, while Stanley continued to climb anything he could as we walked home.

To see more pictures from October click here

To see more pictures from September click here.