Hey Everyone!
I keep meaning to update, but it's hard to find time! The Cross kids and I are enjoying their last days of summer vacation. Fun activities like slip&slide, sprinkler-trampoline jumping, going to the pool and Disney next week! Mr. Cross, and Claire are doing a half triathlon this Sunday. Makes me feel pretty bad about just sitting home and eating chocolate. Warning: I may not be recognizable upon returning home, since I will have gained about 40 pounds in chocolate and bread. 
I would now like to take the time to thank all of you mothers. wow. I have so much respect for the work you do in raising kids! Sometimes I get overwhelmed, and I'm just the nanny :) Mom, you are wonderful.
Hope all my friends starting college are having a great first week! Praying for you guys.
With love,
Summer Brooke

After living in Europe for three weeks, I have learned a thing or two. 

1. It's quite common to see castles. everywhere.

2. European cereal is far superior to American. Chocolate squares with nutella in the center. SO good.

3. Pandora is not available here, which makes me sad.

4. A French dinner consists of four courses (at least). 

5. They have a meal in between lunch in dinner (Guteau)

6. Bread and Chocolate is served at almost every meal

I have been trying to tech Audrey (the baby) to say Summer. Yesterday she say Nummer a couple times :) Which could either mean she can't pronounce her "s", or that she wants to eat me. (Num-Num is said when she wants to eat) I'm hoping for the first, however she did bite Thomas yesterday. Here is a picture of us from conference in Poland:

Bittersweet.

Today my best friend left for college. The college we both visited, fell in love with, and made plans to attend this fall. Well she is headed down to Nashville to Lipscomb University, and I am in France as a nanny for a missionary family. When I look back I wonder how I got here?! Don't get be wrong, I love being here, and am so thankful for this opportunity to serve. Still, part of me wishes Carlissa and I were heading into this new chapter of our lives together. She has been my best friend since fourth grade, and the fact that I won't see her until Christmas breaks my heart. I'm so glad God has my future planned out, because I have absolutely no idea. Hopefully I will attend Lipscomb next fall :) But I will go wherever God calls me. I know His plans are far better than mine! Missing all my friends and family back home! Thank you for your continual prayers&support!
With love,
Summer

I keep meaning to update, but the past couple of days have been so busy! The house is going through some major renovations, including new paint, bedroom, bed, and window! There has also been a moth problem Mrs. Cross and I are trying to solve. I think the only solution is to freeze or throw out a lot of food, and deep clean all the cupboards in the kitchen. I did have the afternoon off yesterday :) Friends I met at the conference (we worked in the nursery together) came over yesterday, and we went to tour the Chateau de Chantilly. If you get a chance google it. Kellie and I watched the kids (plus two friends) last night while the adults went to dinner :) 

This morning Thomas, Audrey and I went to the neighborhood park. I constantly have to pinch myself, I still can't believe I'm in France. It is so beautiful here :) I have been making dinner lately too! And no, it hasn't burned (yet). School for the kids starts in three weeks. I think Mrs. Cross and I are looking forward to having a schedule, and routine. Hope you all have a great night! 

Love,

Summer

Sunday.
Hope you all had a wonderful day worshiping our great God!! This morning was my first time going to church with the Cross family as a nanny. (I came with my parents once before in May) Very much different than what I am used to, 2 hours service all in French. It was really amazing to see other cultures, and hear other languages praising the same God I do back in Michigan. I think sometimes it's easy to forget how BIG our God is, and how many people around the world serve Him. Although I failed miserably, I sang their hymns in french, all the time laughing at how silly I sounded. Then members of the congregation prayed, and the Pastor began his sermon. He and his family are young missionaries from the states. I was told he was reading from Matthew, the story of John the Baptist's execution. Even though I thought it strange to spend an hour on such a little portion of scripture I (tried) to follow along in my English Bible. Turns out the sermon was about a passage in revelations. haha. After service, we had a great lunch, and had quiet time. Mom, and Dad you will be happy to know I took my usual Sunday afternoon nap :) Mr. Cross, Sophie and I still have colds, but hopefully they will be gone soon. This evening we had family worship, which consisted of singing, prayer, and reading Nehemiah 8&9. I am so blessed to be in such a wonderful, God-honoring family. Claire has decided to memorize James with me! Hopefully I will be able to keep up :)
Summer

Well, I never thought I would be coming"home" to Paris. We all made is safely (praise God) with most of our sanity :) I'm glad we had time this morning for one last walk, and a gourmet cupcake to go. SO good. The plane ride went well. Mr. Cross, Thomas, and I all have colds. Hopefully they go away quickly! The kids all went to bed, and I finished unpacking. Very glad to be done living out of a suitcase. I am currently enjoying my Earl grey tea, listening to Jack Johnson and looking at the pictures of Poland. an excellent combination. Shout out to Mrs. Shaw for sending my very first letter ever received in France! :) Made my day! Hope you all have a great night!
Love from Paris,
Summer

Goodbye Poland.

It's been real, it's been fun, and it certainly has been REAL FUN. I can't believe I have only been in Europe 10 days!  crazy. I had the best last day starting with: breakfast, God's word, and Polish coffee. A perfect start to any day! After family worship and prayer, we walked into town to shop and eat lunch. (which of course was followed by dessert and coffee) I'ts vacation.. why not? We then shopped for few hours at a "market" where I purchased some gifts :) Then came quiet time, one of my favorite parts of the day. I spent this time on our balcony people watching, and trying to memorize James. One of my favorite books of the Bible, and I want to try to commit it to memory! If anyone would like to join me, I would love the accountability! following quiet time, we went to see a candy making demonstration, and then stopped for gourmet cupcakes. Chocolate covered strawberry cupcake? yes please!! After dessert, we enjoyed walking around, and watching dance performances, and parades. Apparently Krakow knew it was our last night. We were all in the mood for American so we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. haha! Please pray for safety as we travel back to Paris tomorrow. I'm sad to leave this beautiful city, but hope to come back someday!!
With love,
Summer Brooke

The conference ended last night :( I had so much fun helping in the nursery! I will miss all the wonderful missionaries, and I'm so thankful for their ministry throughout Europe. We took a two hour bus trip to Krakow, where we are staying for a couple days before returning to France. Krakow is beautiful!!! They have a huge walking trail that runs through the whole city. Our apartment is right in the middle of "the square". Can't wait to explore more of this great city, where my great grandpa, Frank lived!
With love from Krakow,
Summer Brooke

Day 3.

The conference has been great so far! I spend most of my time either helping with the Cross kids or in the nursery with Audrey. I did have the chance to see Auschwitz today. It was very hard, especially knowing my two great uncles died there. I'm so glad I went, but I don't think I ever want to go back. To see and walk where 1.1 million men, women and children were tortured, starved and poisoned was very sobering. Sorry for the lack of description, I guess you just have to experience it for yourself. 

The kids are watching a movie with friends, so I'm left to relax. Hope you all have a great night!

Love from Poland,

Summer