Gondolas for the win

I love it when things work out better than expected. In July I had a list of places we could go. One of them was Rüdesheim to ride the gondola along the Rhein River. For a variety of reasons it didn’t work out but it really wasn’t a big deal. After arriving at Olivia’s host parents’ house they said they really wanted to take us to this great Christmas market and ride the gondolas. What??? This is awesome! 

The food and environment was just what we hoped for and the rise up the mountain was gorgeous 

Day 2 in Deutschland and it was GUDE 

Aunt Angie and Uncle John sent Liv a very thoughtful Christmas gift. 

On our way up

This was funny. 

At the top of the ride we came across this proposal sight. Could have been sweet but it was dinner the top, I expected the bachelor/bachelorette to show up. 

Marry Me sign ✔️ Camera crew ✔️

Red roses ✔️ Red carpet✔️

Violinist ✔️ stage management✔️

And to top it off there were about 15-20 on lookers just waiting for the surprised bride-to-be to pop around the corner. We waited a good 30 minutes but finally gave up. 

I hope they have a happily ever after 

Denis and Chris

Creepy Deutschland Santa 

The food at this market was really good and prices right 

Käsewürst, pommes, smoked salmon, crepes, chocolate covered fruit and Glühwein (hot spiced wine)

Isn’t she the cutest

Here we are in front of the famous street, people travel near and far to see this 

D R O S S E L G A S S E

Only 144 meters long but all is GUDE. 

 

Celebrating 50 trips around the sun

Raabes with Julie and Scott Eastridge

I had so much fun surprising Chris with Denver Bronco football tickets to celebrate his 50th birthday! Thanks to our good friends’ (the Meints) connection to some season tickets, I was able to snag 2 seats in the lower bowl for a great price. I love it when things like this work out. And who else would we invite to go with us but the 2 biggest Bronco fans we know, Scott and Julie.  

Friday was our travel day

Saturday was spent in Golden shopping, at the Coors plant and some light hiking. Julie really enjoyed some of the interesting crystals at one of those new age stores. We found the best restaurant in Golden and then enjoyed drinks back at the hotel. 

Sunday was game day

Monday was our travel home day

Coors Brewery tour in Golden

G A M E. D A Y

I might have been a little nervous about going to an outdoor football game in Colorado on December 31st but God blessed us with some amazing weather. I’m wearing several layers but no winter coat. 

Chris’ favorite Bronco - Elway

Getting ready to ring in the New Year

Stadium food

A Bronco Win

Denver Broncos 16  - LA Chargers  9

Happy 50th Birthday Babe!!

 

Her First Graduation

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come

As a "victim" of the vid-19 (like everyone else) this girl did not get a high school graduation ceremony. Today was her first. We are proud of her hard work, great grades, multiple interests, overcoming obstacles and fighting to finish strong.

This last semester was a rough one, rehabbing from ACL surgery and struggling to figure out what her future would bring. Time and time again God meets us right where we are. I hope she knows she can do hard things because God has given her great strength. Reagan can meet a challenge and turn it into good. I'm not sure that she is sold on that message yet, but I know it to be absolutely true...every time.

 After graduation Reagan will begin a master's program in Nutrition and Exercise Science and play her 5th year with the soccer team. We look forward to seeing #7 on the pitch once again. The healing path continues but Reagan thrives in competition, she will do well!

Mom and Dad with the Grad

Liv and Regs

Joe, Emma and Willow were there in spirit

I really thought we would retake this picture but it didn't happen. Dang. 

Uncle Rodger and Aunt Laura got up at 4:30am to make it to Lincoln in time for 9am graduation. Now that is dedication. So good to have their support. 

Funny note, Laura is a nursing instructor at UMKC in Kansas City. About half way through our brunch today, Riss' older sister said, "Hey Reagan, your aunt was my sim-lab instructor during nursing school." What a small world. Amber is now a nurse in North Carolina so I guess Laura did a good job preparing her for working in the field. 

Family and friends celebrating our two favorite graduates

Reagan and Riss became teammates and best friends within days of meeting each other back in January of 2020. I am thankful that their friendship brought this whole group together. Ben and Christine are lovely people, too bad we didn't get to know them sooner. 

And then below is one of my chalkboard creations. It's just a fun thing I like to do.

However, it was raining so didn't even take it to brunch today.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

Senior Husker Soccer Media Day

She looks like she's about to take you down

These girls have been besties since freshman year

Gwen Lane

Marissa Poppola

Audra Clark

Reagan

Riss, Reagan & Jordan Zade

I just love the unbridled joy on their faces

Buzzy is Reagan's ACL buddy

I guess this is the bicycle.

Not sure about this but they are having a blast!

2 seniors, a sophomore and a freshman

Ella Guyett, Abby Vacek, Reagan and Riss

Oh how I wish this girl was going to be taking her place on the pitch this fall but I have complete faith in the work God is doing in her life. We are shaped in the trials of life.

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Here's another one I love...

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

 Romans 5:3-5

 

Headed for the Mission Field

We just got home from an 11pm drop off…our girl and 45 others headed to KC and then across the ocean. This is Liv’s first mission trip. Prayers are appreciated for safety, health, rest, cooler temps, peace and for the Holy Spirit to move this week. 

More info to come…

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Birthday Wishes

We love Birthdays

The Raabes do food and birthdays well. I have always made a big deal of celebrating my girls' special days. Now that Emma is out of the house I don't spend the week making all her favorite foods nor do I decorate her bedroom while she's sleeping. I guess Joe would find that quite creepy if I were sneaking in their house with balloons and streamers in the middle of the night. Instead we met at Emma's favorite Sushi place. I made Cherry Brownies and the family came together for laughs, stories and some special gifts. It's such a joy to celebrate the amazing woman she continues to become.

Look at that Glow

I was fortunate enough to be included in Emma's Friend Celebration

Does that mean I've hit a new level of acceptance? We hit up her favorite Taco place in Blackstone, Mula Mexican Kitchen and then walked across the street for Coneflower ice cream. It's was pretty cold to be eating that frozen deliciousness but oh so worth it! Some of these girls I have know for decades while others I met this year. Emma has found some great gals. Missing Emma L and Kaylee

Happy Birthday Sweet Emma!!! Love, Mama

May blessings follow you through life wherever Christ may lead you. 

May love be right beside you, and joy and peace precede you. 

May God's Word light your path each day while grace and patience guide your way.

 

She was just 17!

As I started to write this post the song by the Beatles popped into my head. 

“She was just 17 and you know what I mean” 

It doesn’t really apply to Olivia’s birthday but you are welcome because I know you now have that song stuck in your head. 

So many fall birthdays in this family! The following pictures will show the story of Liv’s birthday week (or weeks). We had a great time celebrating our girl. 

Saturday morning coffee and quality time together. 

Sunday morning: she wakes up to balloons on the floor, steamers, notes and a birthday sign. 

Sunday Lunch: LaMesa…a girl after my own heart

Sunday afternoon: finally double pierced ears

Wednesday: family dinner at Tap House, strawberry pretzel salad and gifts

Papa’s creativity shared: flying pigs, dinosaurs and so much more 

Friday: Friend Party

her 2 favorite desserts

1. strawberry pretzel salad 

2. cherry brownies

This girl is beautiful on the inside and outside. What a joy and honor it is to be her mama! Thrilled to celebrate her today! 

Lord, give me your wisdom to be the best mom I can be. Draw her to you and allow her to see every day that she is cherished by you and created perfectly for your purpose. Amen. 

Happy 17th Birthday Liv

thankful for you

Our 2022 Thanksgiving Crew!

Dean . Lynn . Chris . Ryan

Helen . Levi . Kelly . Selah . Lisa . Linda . Melanie . Joe

Jael . Reagan . Olivia . Emma . Emma L

Davis' are missing from photo

We are thankful for these peeps

We hosted the great day of gluttony and football, which I enjoy. It gives me motivation to really clean and usually do a couple little projects around the house that have made it from the "to-do" list to the "procrastination" list. Chris has said before multiple events, "you aren't repainting a room!" So I may have done that in the past. I try to keep the projects on the smaller side now. This year it may seem like I redid my fire place for thanksgiving. In actuality, I planned that project about 2 years ago and we finally got it started this November. There are a few things that need tweeked but for the most part I love it! You can kind of see it in one of the pictures. 

I am thankful for the clean house and revamped fireplace.

We had 4 people unable to come at the last minute which brought our numbers down to 19 people and 2 dogs. Poor Bella and Luna were shipped to Nana and Papa's house for a couple days. They cats don't like dogs and I'm not sure how well the dogs tolerate cats. We didn't want to perform a Black Friday burial. We are thankful for good health and well behaved pets

The other thing I really enjoy doing is cute little chalk board drawings or quotes. I started with just a plain piece of black board. Before Emma's wedding I had Chris build an easel. I love it! Now I use it all the time- birthdays, celebrations, holidays, work, husker games. 

I am thankful for Chris' ability to make things and my love of doodling.

Thanksgiving Chalk Sign 2019 above .  2022 below

We have so much to be thankful for even in the midst of really hard situations. I'm trying to focus on the blessings I do have. The world is full of negativity and sin but Jesus came as the solution. We all need a little more Jesus. That's my daily goal. More Jesus!