I know I will do this every once in a while during our time here - look back over my past posts and read what we have gone through. I did that tonight - reading back from my very first post when we first arrived - the excitement, the new-ness of it all. The timidity even, of just my walking downtown. I felt so out of place, like a foreigner - ha-ha. I still feel like a foreigner, but I no longer feel timid, thankfully.
I think it's good to look back sometimes - just to remind myself what God has brought me through. I read about our first night in this house - how we didn't have anything but a bed and a sheet and Patrick and I froze because the floods made it so cold - in the middle of July. It was nearly impossible to be "happy" to be here at that point and I remember thinking - I can't believe we came all this way for THIS. How we lost water not two days later and we became part of the refugees who escaped the region during all the flooding. How being in a hotel for three nights was a respite even though we had finally moved into our home that would be "home" for three years.
For weeks all we had in this house was borrowed furniture, a few games we had sent ahead, and a cheap set of dishes and cutlery we bought at the local grocery store that I had to wash after every single meal. We had our laptop, which saved my sanity. Even though we didn't have internet for weeks, we were able to play a few card games and watch movies on it.
Now, we have a house full of our own furniture, satellite TV, all my own kitchen things - all our "stuff." I look back at what we have gone through the past six months, and I am so incredibly grateful to God for bringing us to this point. As if He wouldn't have - as if He would ever have abandoned us! I don't think I ever doubted God's sovereignty, but I doubted that I could handle it.
Even with all the headaches - the house issues - here and with our own home in the states - all the changes, the adjustments for me and the kids, coming to understand a completely new culture - even with all of that, I wouldn't change what we have done. I would do it all over again. I have benefited in ways I never would have if we hadn't moved here - in ways I never could have imagined. I have grown as a person; I have grown as a believer. I am thankful for all of it. And I am looking forward to the times ahead.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Aunt Cwaitwin and Baby Cousin Yael
We had a wonderful visit with Caitlin and Lael. Thank you so much for coming all this way to spend a few days with us! We loved having you here and getting to see Lael again. She is beautiful and joyful and well-loved by all of us. I couldn't get enough kisses on those cheeks, and Joshua, Gillian and Aidan couldn't get enough baby-time with Lael.
Saturday, 19 January 2008
We Got Snow! For a minute ...
Check it out! Last Friday night Patrick was grilling when he popped his head in and said, Tell the kids to look outside. And this is what we beheld. Excitement was palpable. Everyone wanted to get their boots and snow gear on and run outside to play. I nixed that idea as it was already completely dark outside (not the fun mom that night). Plus, I thought, you can play in it first thing tomorrow! Well, America this is not. After about an hour of snow, it started raining. Our snow was all gone. But it was beautiful while it lasted!
Thursday, 10 January 2008
My Third-Born Child
I always wanted more than two children. I wasn't sure how many, but definitely more than two. God has been good to us and blessed us with three beautiful children. Joshua wasn't exactly an easy baby - the first is never easy, I think, because you don't really know what you're doing as first-time parents. But he has been a pretty easy kid. He is very personable, and genial, and almost always aims to please his parents. Gillian - well, Gillian was perfect from day one. Sleeping through the night in the hospital, sweet-tempered, always eager to obey. We like to refer to our first two children as "Boline" children. Bolines are all so genial and easy-going. Bolines are smilers, they are easy to please, they rarely get angry, they love easily.
Then we had an Owen. I didn't know what to expect from this third child. From all accounts, third children are easy-going. They are comics. They are laid back. They are joyful. And we have all of this in our third child. But he is not a Boline. He is an Owen.
Aidan is a spit-fire. He is his own baby. He has an opinion and no one is going to change it. He wants what he wants and that's that. He can shout "NO!" with the best of them. But more than all of that, he suffers from a touch of OCD. Which - I have to admit, Joshua has these tendencies as well. And there was Gillian with her desperate need to have bare feet at night so she could run the satin edging of her "panky" between her toes. But these things are small compared to my third-born.
The Bumps:
When you put on a winter coat, and it is a little long - say it comes down over your booty. And you sit down. It kind of bunches up in the front. They kind of look like bumps. And when you are a 2 1/2 year old with a touch of OCD, these bumps are the end of the world. When his mommy his holding him, the bumps are there. When he is sitting in his car seat, there is no escaping the bumps. BUMPS, MOMMY! BUMPS! NO BUMPS, MOMMY!
So, you might think, well, just don't zip up the coat! Then you won't have the bumps! However, not zipping up the coat would create much the same reaction as the bumps themselves. So you think, Well, use a different coat! Don't use the long LL Bean coat that all of the children in this family have worn. So I have tried. We have several coats from which Aidan can choose every morning. A cool red corduroy coat with Mickey Mouse on it. A forest green fleece that would definitely keep him cozy and is a pull-over which would eliminate the entire zipper conversation! But no, the only coat that will do is, "DAT ONE, Mommy. Da geen coat." So we suffer along with the bumps. I can't wait for the warm weather. No more coats.
I do have to add that the bumps can come in other fashions, too. You know those great Carter's footie pajamas that are fleecy and warm and great in the wintertime? Well, it turns out that they have bumps, too. And when you're 2 1/2, lying in bed, feeling those zipper bumps with your little baby fingers, it is unbearable to wear those pajamas to bed. So they will be in great shape for Camden when it is time to pass them down ...
The Bathtub:
It is a mystery to us where this particular OCD tendency came from. But when Aidan is having a bath, he cannot have anything else in the tub with him except the one toy he is playing with at that particular moment. He literally freaks out if the washcloth is floating around the bottom of the tub. When he is finished with one toy, he hands it to me and asks for the next toy. If there happens to be a toy on the run in the tub and he notices it, it is like the end of the world. Even tonight I had him out of the tub. Gillian had been playing with two little bathtub dolphins. One of them escaped her and Aidan saw it. He nearly fell back in the tub in his frantic attempt to pull that errant dolphin out of the water.
Aidan hates to wear his school uniform. I mentioned this before. It is a sweatshirt. It is a big, cozy, warm sweatshirt. He has other sweatshirts. But when I go to put this sweatshirt on him he puts up a huge stink. And it's not that he doesn't like school - he loves it!
I guess in the grand scheme of things, these issues in Aidan's life aren't that big of a deal. I mean, he doesn't arrange his stuffed animals in any particular order in his bed (yet). He doesn't color code his clothes. He does have a particular order in which he lines up his trains, but that will serve him well in the future as he learns organizational skills, right?
For now, we'll chalk up this behavior to the fact that he is half Owen. Okay, mostly Owen. In attitude only.
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Observations
I realize that I started this blog six months ago as an effort to share with our family and friends what our life is like here in England. Looking at my most recent posts, I see that I have also been using this blog to share things about our family, too. Which is fine, I think, but I want to try to get back to sharing my observations about England and our travel adventures more than anything. I don't know how well this is going to go since I am actually starting to settle in more and things are more familiar to me. Plus, since I'm a mom, most of my focus throughout the day is on my children, and so that's what I end up posting about the most. Sometimes there are things that I just want to share about one or more of my children. So we shall see how this blog progresses.
As always, I want to make a special point of saying that I never, in any way, ever intend on offending the fine people of this country, that these are merely the simple observations of an American who has never lived outside her country until the past six months.
So, on that note, here I go.
I have decided that people here are not necessarily unfriendly. Everything just takes time. In America, you can walk down the street and say hello to a complete stranger, smiling, even perhaps speaking to someone in line (sorry, it's 'in queue' here) at the store, and no one will think anything of it. Here, that is just not really done. Although I still do it. You can take the girl out of America, but you can't take the American out of the girl! But most of the time, people look at me like, Did you just speak to me? And sometimes they react well and speak back to me, but more often than not they do not. At first, I wouldn't talk to people, I was nervous and uncomfortable. But the longer we've been here, the more I realize that I am who I am, and I am one of those friendly, chatty Americans who doesn't mind striking up a conversation wherever I am. So what I am leading to here is my interaction with other parents at my children's school. When school first started, people were somewhat polite when standing around waiting for the children to be let out. They would occasionally speak to me, say something like, "You alright?" Which is the English phrase for saying, "How ya' doing?" But over the past six months, I've made friends. And people smile back at me now, and I always have someone to chat with after school. It's getting better! All that to say, the English are not unfriendly, but generally it does take time for them to warm up to you.
Which, while I'm on this topic, let's talk about Germany for a moment. As most of you know, my sister, Caitlin, lives in Germany now with her German husband. We visited there over the New Year and I cannot resist making a couple of observations about the differences we have with Germans, too. First of all, most of them are definitely NOT friendly. When Caitlin and I were out shopping, she would occasionally ask someone a question - in German - very friendly-like, on the street. This happened twice in one afternoon. She asked two different people, "Are these shops closed for the day since it is New Years' Eve?" And BOTH times, two different people looked at her as if she were dense and replied, in German, "Naturally." In England, people don't really look at you. They look down, or they look past you, rarely do they look right at you. But in Germany, not only do they look right at you, but they STARE at you. Several times I said to Caitlin, Why are they staring at us? And she said, They just do. There is no reason. They just stare. It is weird.
So that's that about that. I can't remember if I've touched on this subject before, but people here in this country have the TALLEST fences and hedges around their property. I can't really figure it out, except to say that these are a private people. If you meet your neighbors on the street (You alright?), that's one thing. They are perfectly pleasant and friendly. But don't expect backyard get-togethers here. It's weird to me, but for those of you who know what our backyard in Sykesville was like, you know why it's weird!
Bits and Pieces:
Joshua noted during the Christmas season while in rehearsal for the carol service at school that everyone there pronounced Hosanna - Hosanner. He thought that was hysterical. Also, you don't "get in trouble" at school, but you do get "told off" by a teacher.
'Pants' are underwear. So do not tell your son in front of his friends that you need to take him shopping to buy new pants. And, when your daughter has a friend over after school and you want to let the friend borrow something to wear, do not ask her if she wants to wear some of Gillian's pants. She will give you a very strange look. Call them 'trousers.'
At children's birthday parties here they do not serve birthday cake, even though there is a cake present. Instead, they wrap a piece up in a napkin for each child and hand it out at the end of the party as a favor to take home.
And finally, never, EVER say the word "fanny." That is a nasty, bad word here in England. Which my friend, Lynn, found out the hard way when she and her husband were on a bike tour in Wales and mentioned using her fanny-pack to the biking guide.
As always, I want to make a special point of saying that I never, in any way, ever intend on offending the fine people of this country, that these are merely the simple observations of an American who has never lived outside her country until the past six months.
So, on that note, here I go.
I have decided that people here are not necessarily unfriendly. Everything just takes time. In America, you can walk down the street and say hello to a complete stranger, smiling, even perhaps speaking to someone in line (sorry, it's 'in queue' here) at the store, and no one will think anything of it. Here, that is just not really done. Although I still do it. You can take the girl out of America, but you can't take the American out of the girl! But most of the time, people look at me like, Did you just speak to me? And sometimes they react well and speak back to me, but more often than not they do not. At first, I wouldn't talk to people, I was nervous and uncomfortable. But the longer we've been here, the more I realize that I am who I am, and I am one of those friendly, chatty Americans who doesn't mind striking up a conversation wherever I am. So what I am leading to here is my interaction with other parents at my children's school. When school first started, people were somewhat polite when standing around waiting for the children to be let out. They would occasionally speak to me, say something like, "You alright?" Which is the English phrase for saying, "How ya' doing?" But over the past six months, I've made friends. And people smile back at me now, and I always have someone to chat with after school. It's getting better! All that to say, the English are not unfriendly, but generally it does take time for them to warm up to you.
Which, while I'm on this topic, let's talk about Germany for a moment. As most of you know, my sister, Caitlin, lives in Germany now with her German husband. We visited there over the New Year and I cannot resist making a couple of observations about the differences we have with Germans, too. First of all, most of them are definitely NOT friendly. When Caitlin and I were out shopping, she would occasionally ask someone a question - in German - very friendly-like, on the street. This happened twice in one afternoon. She asked two different people, "Are these shops closed for the day since it is New Years' Eve?" And BOTH times, two different people looked at her as if she were dense and replied, in German, "Naturally." In England, people don't really look at you. They look down, or they look past you, rarely do they look right at you. But in Germany, not only do they look right at you, but they STARE at you. Several times I said to Caitlin, Why are they staring at us? And she said, They just do. There is no reason. They just stare. It is weird.
So that's that about that. I can't remember if I've touched on this subject before, but people here in this country have the TALLEST fences and hedges around their property. I can't really figure it out, except to say that these are a private people. If you meet your neighbors on the street (You alright?), that's one thing. They are perfectly pleasant and friendly. But don't expect backyard get-togethers here. It's weird to me, but for those of you who know what our backyard in Sykesville was like, you know why it's weird!
Bits and Pieces:
Joshua noted during the Christmas season while in rehearsal for the carol service at school that everyone there pronounced Hosanna - Hosanner. He thought that was hysterical. Also, you don't "get in trouble" at school, but you do get "told off" by a teacher.
'Pants' are underwear. So do not tell your son in front of his friends that you need to take him shopping to buy new pants. And, when your daughter has a friend over after school and you want to let the friend borrow something to wear, do not ask her if she wants to wear some of Gillian's pants. She will give you a very strange look. Call them 'trousers.'
At children's birthday parties here they do not serve birthday cake, even though there is a cake present. Instead, they wrap a piece up in a napkin for each child and hand it out at the end of the party as a favor to take home.
And finally, never, EVER say the word "fanny." That is a nasty, bad word here in England. Which my friend, Lynn, found out the hard way when she and her husband were on a bike tour in Wales and mentioned using her fanny-pack to the biking guide.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
It's Been Far Too Long
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you! We had a busy but fun-filled several weeks in December, thus the lack of regular blogging. First of all, let me just say this: In England, at Christmas-time, McDonald's offers a special dessert pie along with their regular apple pie - MINCEMEAT AND CUSTARD pie. Um, gross. Not that I go to McDonald's regularly .... and I ALWAYS get the salad ....
So Patrick and Joshua had a great visit to Normandy. They took the ferry from New Haven to Dieppe and drove to their hotel. They spent five full days exploring battle sights, beaches, monuments, cemeteries, craters caused by naval bombardments in preparation for D-day, and several fine eating establishments where Joshua has decided that France has the best bread in the world!
Christmas Day was a wonderful time for our family as we spent it with just the five of us, enjoying the day together, thanking the Lord for the blessings He has provided us and the grace He continues to pour out on us every day. And the kids, of course, had fun playing with all their new toys all day long. Patrick bought me a guitar, which I am so excited about. I can't wait to start lessons. Aidan's favorite toy is the Thomas Lego set that Marmee bought for him. He does not leave it alone.
Two days after Christmas we were off to Germany. We drove to Dover, took the ferry to Calais, then drove to Heidelberg. Which we will not do again. Am now all about flying. But Heidelberg was incredible. Just beautiful. We visited the castle on our first day.
See the castle in the far distance behind us on the mountain. We walked up 315 steps to get there. With a very cranky two-year old. Who stepped in a big pile of dog poop without our noticing and then Patrick proceeded to pick him up and get poop all over his jeans and coat. But that is beside the point. Caitlin climbed the steps with a 3-month old in the Baby Bjorn! She's tough - very German.
So yes, we did get to see Lael. And Caitlin and Artur - and Artur's wonderful family. But Lael. Lael, Lael, Lael. Beautiful little Lael. She is so totally cutie I just could hardly stand it. Neither could Joshua, Gillian, and Aidan. Aidan kept saying to me, "Hold him, Mommy." And he was referring to Lael - Aidan is still figuring out his pronouns.
We had several visits with the Penners in Osthofen. What wonderful, godly hospitality was shown to us at every moment. Megan and Caitlin are blessed to be part of this family.
So Patrick and Joshua had a great visit to Normandy. They took the ferry from New Haven to Dieppe and drove to their hotel. They spent five full days exploring battle sights, beaches, monuments, cemeteries, craters caused by naval bombardments in preparation for D-day, and several fine eating establishments where Joshua has decided that France has the best bread in the world!
Christmas Day was a wonderful time for our family as we spent it with just the five of us, enjoying the day together, thanking the Lord for the blessings He has provided us and the grace He continues to pour out on us every day. And the kids, of course, had fun playing with all their new toys all day long. Patrick bought me a guitar, which I am so excited about. I can't wait to start lessons. Aidan's favorite toy is the Thomas Lego set that Marmee bought for him. He does not leave it alone.
Two days after Christmas we were off to Germany. We drove to Dover, took the ferry to Calais, then drove to Heidelberg. Which we will not do again. Am now all about flying. But Heidelberg was incredible. Just beautiful. We visited the castle on our first day.
See the castle in the far distance behind us on the mountain. We walked up 315 steps to get there. With a very cranky two-year old. Who stepped in a big pile of dog poop without our noticing and then Patrick proceeded to pick him up and get poop all over his jeans and coat. But that is beside the point. Caitlin climbed the steps with a 3-month old in the Baby Bjorn! She's tough - very German.So yes, we did get to see Lael. And Caitlin and Artur - and Artur's wonderful family. But Lael. Lael, Lael, Lael. Beautiful little Lael. She is so totally cutie I just could hardly stand it. Neither could Joshua, Gillian, and Aidan. Aidan kept saying to me, "Hold him, Mommy." And he was referring to Lael - Aidan is still figuring out his pronouns.
We had several visits with the Penners in Osthofen. What wonderful, godly hospitality was shown to us at every moment. Megan and Caitlin are blessed to be part of this family.
The Germans, I have to give it to them, really know how to celebrate the New Year. Beginning precisely at midnight, an incredible display of fireworks began - all over the city. These are not your side-of-the-road-bought-in-the-USA fireworks. These are fireworks that I'm sure would be illegal in the States. It was amazing. And beautiful. And it started snowing right around midnight - it was perfect. We let the kids go outside and play in the snow and watch the fireworks. It was a wonderful introduction to 2008!We left for home on the 2nd. Driving back to Calais, back on the ferry to Dover, then home last night for us all to fall, exhausted, into bed. Kids back in school today, including Aidan - who did not want to wear his uniform which consists of a sweatshirt, so I have no happy first-day-of-school photos of Aidan. We'll try again next week!
On the ferry, leaving Calais.
Having fun on the ferry ride!
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