Little Things I'm Missing About London

Boden

Much better prices on organic (What is up with nearly $7 per gallon for organic milk?!)

BBC

My electric tea kettle

Digestive biscuits

Covent Garden

Museums like this one and this one and this one

The hustle and bustle of the city

Our happy little town

The accent

Lots more things, but I'm making myself sad, so I must stop.

Back and Kids Stuff

I've been away from the blog-o-sphere for over one month according to the date on my last post. Unbelievable! I'm going to try to update more regulary, now that our lives at home are in back to semi-regularity. So, if I do have any readers left after my long absence, hopefully you'll have something new to read on a fairly regular basis. I do have to say, though, that the break provided me with a freedom that I have enjoyed. Not being so tied to regular posting, not wondering about comments, etc. were freeing for my mind and heart during a season where my mind has been consumed with lots of other real-life stuff, such as re-establishing rhythm and routine to our American life, jumping back into my ministry role at church, and unpacking. Oh! And homeschool!

Anyhoo, we are starting a new little fun family thing at our house tonight. We are establishing "kid days". Each child in our family will have a day once a month when it is "their" day to have some special time with mom and dad all by themselves. They will also get to choose a special breakfast and get their meals served on the special red plate. We'll be using the children's birthdays to figure out when these days will be. For example, my son's birthday is on September 19, so on the 19th of every month, it will be his special day. Tonight, we're taking him out to dinner, while grandma watches his sisters and then we're going to make a list of things to do during the next year on his special day. I'm hoping to come up with lots of inexpensive ideas. We want this time to be a blessing for each child, to let them know they are special and unique, a time to listen to them and give them individual attention. But what we don't want is lots of expense. So, that's why for this first time, we're making the list for the year.

So, what's been up with you, long lost readers? How are things in your world?

I Guess She Forgot A Lot About Me

We were getting ready to go and get the girls hair cut today. "C,mon," I said to all of the children. "Let's get in the car so we can go and get our hair cut." Shocked beyond belief, my sweet middle daughter (4) incredulously replied, "What, mamma? You mean, you can drive?!?"

I guess having one car, walking everywhere, and taking loads of public transportation while we were living in London had convinced the dear child that mamma simply couldn't drive.

So, as that little story attests, we arrived safe and sound in America last week. Many thanks for all of your prayers. I should be around the blog more often now.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane; Don't Know When We'll Be Back Again

You've probably noticed my sparse posting lately. We're in the midst of moving home again, and all that is entailed in an overseas move. So, please pray for us as we make the transition home. And please pop in again in about a week's time for a new post.

Future Dr. Doolittle

DD4 to DS5: "I can talk English and Spanish."

DS5 in response: "Yeah, but can you talk squirrel-ish?"

She's Art Literate At Two

Upon seeing that I was wearing the shirt I got on our recent trip to the Louvre, emblazoned with their most famous painting, the two year old excitedly pointed, while screaming, "Mamma Wisa! Mamma Wisa!" It was a proud moment. Who knew that she was paying so much attention while we got lost...er... toured... the Louvre?

Fun

Get yours here.

The Great Crust Debate Continues

Aaahhh...the important discussions that grace our table. ;)

Upon examining their sandwiches prepared with crustless bread:

DD4: "Do you like crust, brother?"

DS5: "Yes, especially this kind. 'Cause look! No crust!"

Good Definition of Legalism

"Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and achieve acceptance by God through obedience to God." C.J. Mahaney

Hmmm. Guilty as charged.

Good Friends. Good Trip Reports.

If you enjoy trip reports, hop on over to my friend, Annette's blog. She and her husband, Tony, just got back from a fabulous trip to Portugal. The photos are to-die-for and made me want to GO! With 16 days left in this part of the world, however, I don't believe we'll have time to fit that one in.

Also, my friend, Paula, has been posting about her summer in Central Asia. Some amazing photos as well. Be sure to check out their new Tajik-wear. She has some great photos of a trip to London with a certain friend as well. ;)

Enjoy!

Travel Photos - Lincolnshire, York, and Scotland Part One

The York Minster --Europe's largest Gothic cathedral. Enormous!

Shopping the "The Shambles" in York, the medieval shopping district in town. Cute!

The cannons at Stirling Castle in Scotland.


Stirling Castle as seen from below in the town of Stirling, Scotland.


Some boy bagpiping buskers in the town of Stirling, outside the shopping area. They were great!


Belton House in Lincolnshire where some of the BBC's Pride and Predjudice was filmed.


The gorgeous area where we stayed in Scotland. I've seen more sheep in the past week, than I have in my entire life. And I'm a farm girl, so that's a lot of sheep!

Home from a Wee Scottish Adventure

We just got back from our last little adventure before we prepare to depart for home. We have only 18 days left in London. It seems quite hard to believe, as it often feels as if we arrived only yesterday. I will be posting some pictures soon of our last adventures, but here is where we stayed for most of the time. Drummonie was delightful, as was the Perthshire area of Scotland. Hubby did (barely) achieve of his lifelong dream of playing golf here. The children and I tagged along one day to see the town of St. Andrews and were delighted. We also spent some time reminiscing about one of our favorite movies here. And we relaxed with a drive and some stops through this area of Scotland, finding the gravesite of the hero of another favorite story. Our last little jaunt involved a delightful stop in the
Lake District of England to visit Peter Rabbit and friends. I hope to post some photos for you in the next few days.

The Last Hurrah

I've been kind of quiet this week because we had some visitors here. Plus, things are getting a bit hectic here because of the impending move. We're really in full "going home" mode these days. We're heading off for our last holiday here in England, with hubby hopefully achieving his lifelong dream of playing at St. Andrews, plus many more adventures along the way. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post for the next 10 days or so. I will if I can. I will continue my London Lessons when I return. Thanks for reading!

A Very Special Guest

Today, during our daily tea party (today we used the Barbie china tea set), dd4 ran upstairs quickly to get something. She came down breathlessly carrying her Bible. "Mommy," she shared, "today I'm inviting Jesus!"

Oh, may she always invite Jesus into every little aspect of her life! BTW, do you think Jesus takes one lump or two?!

Gifts in My Landscape

"The landscape of a day

is never barren. . .

Upon each hour is painted

at least one gift"

B.J. Hoff


A few gifts from the hours of my day so far...

*playing Candyland with my oldest.

*receiving a lovely card filled with rainbows and sunshines from Miss Middle.

*cuddling with my baby on the couch because she's so sleepy.

How about you? What are the gifts God is painting upon your landscape today?