Blog, What's a Blog? Who Cares, Look at My Handsome Husband!

The world's most striking 40 year old man, Mark Hambo

Marina performs with the Middle School Orchestra

I can never get a clear shot of her with all those other kids in the way :)

Beautiful Trafalgar Square Night Shot (courtesy of Mr. Allison)

Nico in the reflecting pool at Salisbury Cathedral

Mark & Nico at Stonehenge, yet again!

Emma & her good friend, James

Nico blocks a goal (from his Dad)

Always the dirtiest player on his team

Cute Scramblers in costume

Madge & Mason strike a pose

Really? Posting a picture from October in December (yes, that's my life)

Some People that I See Everyday Who Make Me Happy

Mark, many moons ago in 6th grade

Marina, 5th grade

Emma, pre-school

Nico, a.k.a Vlad the Impaler, 2nd grade

Mason, 8th grade

Auschwitz-Birkenau

This will not be the most uplifting post, in terms of what was photographed, but it was very enlightening and interesting. Words cannot describe what occurred at this concentration/work camp, however, it is a place I've always wanted to visit and see for myself . . . I guess the pictures tell the story.

I will say there were no other children around, unless you count high-school age kids visiting on school break tours. Our stroller and young ones set us apart and probably caused some people to think we were a bit strange to expose our children to something they may not remember or understand. Perhaps, but when you're this close to something so historical, so incredibly important, how can you not go? The history major in me had to be there. We were touched and haunted by the materials, the possessions, the photos of all the people--Jewish, gypsy, disabled--from many nations that were left behind. It was horrible to see how the Nazis dehumanized them in every way possible from shaving their heads to labeling them for "crimes." And that's just the tip of the iceberg as we all know.

Auschwitz seemed much smaller than the huge Birkenau camp. They're 3 km apart and were both used for various experiments, labor, and ultimately death. I kept having images flash in my head from "Schindler's List, " especially the train arrivals, screaming of people in the showers and gas chambers, the boy hiding in the latrines, and so on. On a positive note, we were heartened to see many groups of Jewish teens walking with Israeli flags, leaving memorial candles here and there, and hopefully taking pride in all their people endured and survived. We say never again, but the adversary works hard to harden people's hearts and minds . . .

Krakow's Rynek Square

The kids had their fall half-break and that meant it was time to travel! Fortunately Mark got some time off as his schedule allowed a few days for us to visit Krakow, Poland. What a beautiful place. As a history buff (and student of many a WW2 specialist professor), I've always wanted to see the sights in the region, particularly Auschwitz-Birkenau. Pictures of that to come. We rented an apartment in the city, which outside looked like something out of a communist ghetto but was tastefully renovated on the inside. Yea, it's that concrete monster on the left, right beside a beautiful terre-cotta hued hotel.





Marina and Emma enjoyed riding the clock tower's guardian lions (Nico, too).
Everyone wanted to pose in front of or inside of the cool blindfolded head on its side statue.







The figures on top of the Cloth Market, which is in the process of being refurbished.

And,
Marina amongst what seemed like legions of pigeons, Europe's cockroach species (not my description). I will post more pictures of Mark and the kiddies' adventures with the

pigeons, yes, it's that exciting! :) There were a few cool statues and Mark even broke down and let the kids go on a horse-drawn carriage ride. It was pretty cold the first day, yet we considered ourselves fortunate to experience decent weather and even some sun during the last two days of our stay. We enjoyed some talented street performers who used helmets to protect their heads for some of their more daring moves. There were also the standard costumed mimes who move, pose for photos, and perform for money. Nico is drawn like a magnet to those guys! I think I'm going to make a photo book of his adventures while we've lived abroad because I have so many pictures, and he can't resist them (unless it's a clown, of course). The beautiful St. Mary's Church housed a huge wooden-carved mural at the front/center of the cathedral. There is so much color and detail, it's incredible. I think the architecture is somewhat similar to Prague, another place I've only seen in pictures but would love to visit. The food was also very tasty with copious portions. Lots of potatoes, meat/game, cabbage, pierogies (yummy), etc. And it was so much cheaper than London!! But what isn't, actually? We had a wonderful time and there were no injuries so this was a great trip for the Hamberlin's.

Lifting Burdens

Lifting Burdens . . . I know that my Redeemer lives, what joy this sweet sentence gives . . .