Honest Scrap Award

My friend, Esther, has ever so graciously awarded me with this lovely award that requires me to share 10 honest things about myself and then pass it on to 10 other bloggers I know. Hmmm. This is a bit of a challenge for me as I do not like to be so brutal on my blog! It has been more a place for me to share our happenings while living in England, but I'm up for the challenge, and I guess it's good to mix it up every once in a while!

1. I love reading mysteries. From the time I could read and discovered Encyclopedia Brown books, Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew I have been reading mysteries. As I got older I read Poirot, Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and essentially any mind-challenging mystery I could get my hands on. I still love them - but my taste is a bit more grown-up as I love Elizabeth George and Dalziel books.

2. Seriously not very good at this. Am struggling to think of anything that might be even remotely interestingly honest about myself.
Hmmm. Let's see. I would rather stay at home most days than go anywhere. I love hanging around the house getting bits of things accomplished, cleaning, etc.

3. I believe in my heart of hearts that God has blessed me with an amazing family and set of friends. I rarely feel lonely and am thankful for a number of people I could call on at a moment's notice. I hope I am a true friend like this to my friends and family, too. At least, that's my desire!

4. I love to play Word Twist on Facebook. I have a secret addiction and play at least once a day. In fact, I am playing right now while I'm thinking of more honest things to write on this blog post.

5. I don't like cake.

6. I have a huge fear of losing people I love. (Like, them dying.)

7. This is really hard! I'm starting to think that I am not very deep. Perhaps this is an honest thing about myself! Let's see. How about this one? When Patrick and I met, neither one of us were walking with the Lord. My parents still saw fit to give us their blessing to get married, though. I am often amazed at this as I look back over the last 15 years and see what paths God has brought us on, the direction our lives have taken, and how God has worked in us and through us. It's really a miracle as far as I'm concerned.

8. I love to have people in my home and entertain. I have a deep desire for people (and my own family) to feel at home in my home. I don't know if I always accomplish this as I am also an introvert who really needs down time (which nowadays I rarely get), but it is my desire.

9. No one can do my laundry except for me. I get really upset if Patrick tries to "help" by doing laundry for me. I am also a bit OCD about how the clean laundry and linens are folded ... I have a system!

10. Last one! Whew. Wow. Having trouble coming up with a last one. I think I have to admit that I cannot imagine my life having turned out any better than it has. When I was young I had grand plans and ideas about how I wanted to live and what I wanted my life to look like. Now, I realize that God's plan for me has always been much more amazing than anything I could have dreamt up. Not that my life is spectacular - I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that God has met me where I am each and every step of the way. I know His tender love and care, and I can see how His plan for me has, and continues to be, the best thing for me.

A Day Out with Thomas

So, because Josh got to go on a big fancy trip to America, we decided to take the train to Forest of Dean and visit Thomas the Tank Engine last week. We really thought this would be the cat's meow for Aidan.

It was fun, but I've come to realize that my 4-soon-to-be 5 year old, as the third-born, is more sophisticated in his taste and has already pretty much outgrown Thomas. It makes me a little sad because I love that little boy who was so train-crazy.

He has moved on to bigger and better things now. Like Star Wars. And even though he has, sadly, outgrown his Thomas days, he's awful cute walking around town wearing a Darth Vader costume.

Back to the day out with Thomas:








Face painting:


Aidan is Thomas the Train!


Going for a ride with Thomas:

Growing Up

Last week, Joshua and I took a train from Cheltenham to Heathrow so I could put him on a plane to fly back to Baltimore for a long week to spend with his best friend and his family. I took a pic at the train station and then one on the train - we had such a great time visiting on the train. My boy is growing up.


I have to say, though, that by the time I left him at security with the chaperon who took him through, I was too distraught to remember to take one last photo.

He is having a great time, though, and I am so, so, so thankful for the Bensing family who include Josh as one of their own. Thanks you guys! Can't wait for Josh to get home, though. He is really missed around here!

Some pics of the boys courtesy of Jackie:


Pics visiting with the Dore family:

Bruges

Long Easter weekend where Patrick gets a 1/2 day off Thursday, all of Good Friday and then Easter Monday - well, we had to go somewhere! Our time is too short now to not do something, even over Easter weekend!

So we opted for somewhere close where we could drive to. I don't even remember how Bruges came up, but somehow it was decided this was where we should go. One thing I did want to do was see the tulips in Holland, and we thought we might be able to do both things. Alas, that did not happen, so our weekend was spent entirely in Belgium.

Instead of taking the ferry from Dover to the continent, we decided to try the Eurostar - WITH the car. The whole idea of the Eurostar freaks me out a tad, but we've ridden on it once - sans car. So we thought we'd give it a go with the car. Much faster than the ferry, and no seasickness!


The whole system is very efficient. We pulled onto the train and the cars park practically bumper to bumper. Set the emergency brake, roll down windows and open sun roof, 40 minutes later you are in France!
We arrived in Bruges at about 4 PM, settled into our flat which was situated right off the main square - a very nice flat and quiet considering how close we were to all the action!
We promptly walked into the square as it started pouring rain. After living in England for nearly three years, a little rain is not going to stop us from enjoying ourselves. We spent a good two hours walking around and getting acclimated with our little map.

Finally, we decided to head to the restaurant where we had made reservations to see if they would seat us early! Everyone was soaked.
Saturday morning we got an early start and headed right for Belfort Tower. We wanted to walk all the way to the top - 366 steps. It dates from the 13 century.
We made it to the top with a break here and there. I thought we'd be carrying/dragging Aidan by the end, but he was faster and more ready than the rest of us!
Belfort Tower is the main landmark right in the center of the square - we used it all weekend to keep our bearings.


Some interesting artifacts located in the tower:


Rainy view from the top of the tower:
Next up, the canal boat tour. The weather actually cleared up for us as we walked to the canal. We got on a boat just in time. As the weather cleared, people were lined up at each boaters' dock for rides. We got on just in time! Lovely, lovely city.







Look at the baby chicks we saw in the canal!

All about town:


Belgian chocolate!The coat of arms seen about Bruges from 1477 - of the Dukes of Luxembourg. Pierre of Luxembourg, Knight of the Golden Fleece, had the concession to levy import taxes on goods entering the ports of Bruges.
Our second night in Bruges a band was playing in the square - The Bootleg Beatles. Patrick took the older kids to see them play for a while. They were none too impressed so came home after about 1/2 an hour.

The French Fry Museum!



Rather than drive three hours one way to visit tulips, we decided to drive to an American WWII cemetery in Neuville-en-Condroz (The Ardennes).


Last meal in Bruges: I had white asparagus with scallops and North Sea shrimp. Josh had his first REAL steak - all on his own. And Aidan is always happy with ice cream. Especially when accompanied by chocolate sauce. I couldn't even get him to look at the camera!


A side note - the people of Bruges preferred for us to speak English rather than Patrick speaking French. They were always a little miffed when they realized we could speak English and Patrick had been speaking French. So many old grudges - still held today. Love the history!