6th Anniversary at Calvary Baptist Church

Yesterday, Adam had the privilege of preaching for the 6th anniversary at Calvary Baptist Church here in Athens. Calvary is a Filipino church and we attended and helped out there when we first arrived in Greece in 2004. We have come to love the people there and we especially love their food. We had a wonderful filipino meal after the service and spent some time catching up with our many friends there. We would like to say a special "Thank You" to Pastor Jimmy and his sweet wife, Vren, for having us in their services yesterday.

Here are some random pictures of the service and fellowship afterwards.

The chior did a beautiful job!

The children's chior sang and quoted scripture memory verses.

Adam preaching to the people.

The Church Family and many visitors.

Eating and Fellowship

Adam and Brandie along with Pastor Jimmy and Vren Siapno

Here are Emily and Pastor Jimmy's son Jeremiah snatching from the dessert table!

Abigail and Adalyn loved the attention from all of their adoring fans. (but then who can resist two cuties in such sweet little dresses?!) Emily was adorable also in her "Pretty Lellow Dress" as she called it!

Emily's Revelation

Tonight, my mom, Emily, and I went for a walk down to the port to do a bit of diaper shopping. We had to walk several blocks and as we were walking, we heard some American music coming from one of the apartments at the top of one of the buildings that we were walking by. We were looking up trying to find where the music was coming from when we noticed that Emily was looking up as well with a funny look on her face. My mom made the comment that she thought it was coming from a certain apartment when Emily said "Its GOD!" It was so cute because she was so serious. We couldn't help but chuckle though!

Emily has been such a trouper during this whole huge change in her life. She has had some jealously, but for the most part, she has become a wonderful helper. She is our little gopher. She goes for diapers when we need them and whatever else we need for the babies. She is also starting to help with feeding the babies. She is adjusting well. We are very proud of her. She is such a big girl, and she's pretty cute also, but what can I say, I'm a very proud momma of 3 BEAUTIFUL girls!

The Embassy Visit!

I know, I know, it has been several days since our last post and I know you are all wanting to see new pictures of our beautiful girls. We have had a crazy week with many things going on in our lives. I am just going to tell you about one of them.

On Tuesday, we took the twins to the U.S. Embassy to get their birth certificates, passports and Social Security numbers. The Embassy is in the center of the city and it is much too difficult to find parking, so we decided to take the girls in their carriers by taxi. We finally made it down to the Embassy and had to go through a tight security check and then took our number and waited in line. We finally got all of our papers filled out, got the babies pictures taken for their passports, and we were about to take our oath that all that we said was true when the alarms started going off. Over the lowd speakers, we heard the man say that this was not a drill and that we had to evacuate the Embassy. We didn't have to leave the compound area, but we did have to wait in a garden area outside. After about a half hour, we found out that their had been a fire in the cafeteria area and that it was really not a big deal. We finally were able to go back inside and gave our oath and waited for the Birth Certificates to be finallized. Now, to make a long story short, our daughters are officially American citizens. YEAH! Now we just have to wait for the passports to come back and then we can finalize the application for their Social Security numbers.

First Doctor Visit!

When we moved to Piraeus, we found a new pediatrition for Emily. Just after the first of the year, Emily was due for a couple of shots. Adam went to make the appointment and we found out that she had retired at the first of the year. When he came home and told me, and my first thought was "Great, here we are getting ready to have 2 more babies and now we don't have a pediatrition." We began the great search for a new doctor for the kids, but that is not really an easy task. We really wanted one that would speak pretty good English because we want to make sure that we understand what we are being told about our children's health. We looked and looked for almost a month and then we finally found a new doctor. We went to meet with him and liked him immediately. He lives in the same area that we have the Bible Study on Tuesdays. We were very glad to find him.

Last week was our first time to take the twins to the doctor for a check up. We were excited to see how much weight they had gained since leaving the hospital. Emily was also going for a check up and for a shot as well, so we piled all three of our girls into the car for our first road trip as a family. Adam was quiet nervous driving in Greek traffic with all of the kids. He said that every time he looked in his rear view mirror, he could see six little eyes looking back at him. I thought,"How sweet!"

We made it to the doctor and had a great visit. Each of the babies have gained a little over a pound each and are doing great! He is very pleased with their size, especially since they were born almost 4 weeks early and they were small when they left the hospital. He says that he couldn't ask for more healthy babies. Emily had a good time standing next to the table and talking to the babies during their exams. She kept telling them that it was okay and that they didn't need to cry. We were proud of her. When it came time for Emily to get checked out, she said "I don't want to take off my clothes!" We laughed! We explained that she didn't have to get undressed today and then her daddy held her while she sat bravely and got a shot in each shoulder. She did a wonderful job and was rewarded with fryfries from McDonalds for her efforts. I have attached a couple of pictures of our Doctor visit. Enjoy!

Dr. Vlagopoulos with Abigail and Emily

Dr. Vlagopoulos with Adalyn

A Good Big Sister!

During Brandie’s pregnancy, we tried to prepare Emily for the arrival of the babies. We drilled her every day about what was in mommy’s belly. She’d always answer, “Two babies!” We weren’t sure if she really understood this or not. My aunt Kathy even sent her twin baby dolls (two girls). She’d play with them and even named them the same names we were planning to use. But, when Emily first saw the babies, she just stood there looking at them and said…“Two babies?” and then smiled really big! She’s been a very big helper during the first days at home. She’s loved on the babies, held them, kissed them, and even read books to them. She’s done a lot better than we thought she would. She’s become like a second mother to the twins! Here are some pics we took today. Hope you enjoy!!!

Emily, Abbie (L), & Addie (R)

Emily & Addie

Emily kissing Addie

Emily & Addie


Emily holding both Abbie (L) & Addie (R)

NOTE: The twins were dressed alike this morning; however, Abbie had an upet tummy and kept spitting up. So, she got new clothes.

Trash Strike

As we have posted before, Greek have a constitutional right to strike. For the past three weeks, the sanitation workers have not picked up the trash throughout the country. The way it works here (since we don't have driveways with regualr trash collection) is we throw our trash away in dumpsters located throughout our neighborhood. These dumpsters are now overflowing. To make matters worse, yesterday it rained and some of the trash was ran over by cars causing a trashy "mush" in the streets! This makes for a very unsafe environment and possible health hazard. Right now, there is no end in sight! Take a look at the following pictures to see what we're going through right now!

YUK!

Thank You from Mommy!

I just want to say a huge "THANK YOU" to everyone that has been praying for me and the girls over the past few months. You have all been such an encouragement to me during the entire pregnancy and I felt your prayers even more during the delivery and hospital stay. The morning of the delivery, I was in the room waiting to be put to sleep for my surgery and it was just me and my doctor talking. I told the doctor to take care of my babies while I was out and he said that he knew that Adam and my family was out in the waiting room praying for him. I quickly told him that not only them, but there were literally people all over the world praying for him at that moment. He just stopped and looked at me. I then told him that I knew that God would be in the room with us and that he would take care of me and my girls, as well as him. He didn't say much after that, but I know that God was there because soon after he had delivered the babies, I began to himerage and it took them almost an hour and a half to stop the bleeding. He told me later that he was thankful for those that had been praying for us because under normal circumstances I would have had to have a transfusion, but I did not have to after all. I am so Thankful for all of you that were praying for us and the testimony that it had for the Doctor.

I have a special thanks for all of the letters and emails that we have received. Everyday when Adam would get to the hospital, he would spend the first several minutes telling me about all of the many emails that we had received. It was Wonderful to know that all of you were thinking of us. It kept a smile on my face!

I would also like to thank the special friends that were able to visit us while we were in the hospital. That can be long and lonely at times and you were all a huge encouragement to me and my family. I am adding a few pictures below of those that came and hope that you will enjoy them.

Thanks again,

Brandie

Lousa Dimakos and Christina Sinde


Caterina from Samos and our new friend Irene

Tracey

Comfort

Michael

The First Night At Home

Rough.

We're Home!

Today Addie & Abbie came home from the hospital. Here are some pics from the past couple of days!

Abbie

Addie

Explanation: Their left ear is the only visible difference that we can see up to this point.

Can you see the little "notch" in Addie's left ear?

Getting ready to go home today!

Our New Normal

Life as we knew it is over! Real life started today when Adalyn Grace & Abigail Ruth were born at 11:30 & 11:31 am this morning. They were both 5 pounds and 5 ounces. Brandie and babies are doing great. Enjoy the first couple of pictures taken.

Mommy, Daddy, Abbie, & Addie...or is it Addie & Abbie?

Nope, this is a different kid.

One Proud Pappa!

The Day Has Finally Arrived.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), babies are coming!

More SNOW!!!!

Well, you may be tired of hearing about our snow, but it is so cool to actually have it and then to have this much! The first couple of pictures were taken just before bed last night. When we woke up this morning, we found that the entire city had shut down! It was 23 degrees and everything was covered with snow and ice! We were suppose to have a doctor's appointment today, but we called and told him that we couldn't come. Adam went down to check things out and found that our car was burried and was blocked between 2 other cars that were parked on both of our bumpers. Since we live on a hill, it is impossible to get out at all today. The doctor still wants to see me later today, but we will have to wait to see if we can even get out.

Adam took Emily out to play this morning at the park near our house and they had a great time playing in the snow. I have added some pictures of their fun adventure.

Brandie

These couple of pictures were taken about mid-night last night! It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

All of the kids were out of school today because all of the public transportation was shut down. It was fun to see everyone out playing and many people with video cameras. There was an electricity in the air that everyone was enjoying!

Emily wasn't sure what to do at first, but when she saw all of the other kids throwing snow, she joined right in! She had a great time and was thoroughly soaked and frozed by the time she came home!