I Really Did Not Want To Know That...

So every week we get the local newspaper pushed through our mail slot in the door. Today I sat down to read it and read an article about the cemetery across the street from our home. (Why is it we have been surrounded by cemeteries in this country? When we lived in Pontypool, we lived in a flat above a church and every window but one in our home looked out onto the church cemetery.) Anyway- the cemetery across the street is celebrating (?) it's 150th Anniversary this weekend so they have written up some stories about it in the local paper.

Here's one-

"A rather gruesome story is told about one of the heaviest bombing raids on Cardiff on May 18, 1943. High-explosive bombs fell on ------- Road and a land-mine also fell on the cemetery exposing some of the graves to such a degree that dogs were seen scavenging for bones and were reputedly spotted running up and down ------- Road with human remains in their mouths."

Nice. I could have done without knowing that. And you probably could have to.

Nursery Class Reports

Happy (early) 4th of July everyone! It will be business as usual here tomorrow. (Oh, and Happy Birthday to my sweet mother-in-law!)

So we got Nursery Class Reports today from school. What is that? Well, it's a two page report about how Cerys has developed this past school year. (They are still in school here until July 20th) I have laughed and laughed at the wording of some things. I had to call my mom today and read it to her and we thought it would be funny to let you know some of what was written in her report.

First of all, let me just say that we are extremely proud of Cerys and how far she has come since September. She is like me, and is painfully shy (when you first meet us) so I would just cringe some mornings dropping her off because I knew in the beginning that it was hard and scary for her.

So, here you go-

"Cerys can organize herself well and she shows care and concern for others. Cerys often comes to report problems and is becoming more able to sort difficulties within her circle of friends."

"Cerys was initially very shy on entering Nursery and was often reluctant to respond in a group situation. Cerys has made huge steps since then and sometimes she is a proper chattberbox!"


"Cerys has blossomed over the year from a very shy, often quiet little girl to a confident, outgoing, chatty young lady. Her behavior is excellent and she is developing a lovely sense of humour."

"Cerys is also very affectionate and the big sister instinct in her does a very good job at looking after other children."

"Cerys responds very well to everyday instructional Welsh. I hear Cerys giving instruction to others spoken in Welsh. It's lovely to hear words in Welsh coming out in a Texan accent! Cerys is developing a good Welsh vocabulary including counting to ten."

"Cerys has good physical skills in both gross and fine movements. She can pedal trikes and negotiate a safe pathway around obstacles when riding and running."

And my favorite comment-

"Cerys has developed a good vocabulary, very rarely responding with one or two words when six or seven are possible." (Don't we know it!!!!)

So what I get from all of this is that she likes to be in charge and talks non-stop. Hmmm, I think I remember seeing that on someone else's reports cards growing up.

Cerys, we are SO proud of you. You are growing up into a lovely young lady and we love you so much!

(Don't you think the British language is so polite? It cracks me up!)

What A Week!

As I mentioned in the previous post, we were having issues with Bailey and our group of 15 interns arrived. We are still having issues with Bailey and and another group of 80 students arrives today. Oh, and we are having a heat wave. So since I can't really think straight right now and my head is throbbing, I will use bullet points.

*Heat wave- it's hot y'all. And having no A/C makes a huge difference. I am not complaining because it's a nice change from the rainy/grey/cloudy weather but it's still HOT. I think the main thing is no air circulation. We have fans in all our bedrooms and we move another fan from the living room to the kitchen as we need it. Ceiling fans would really come in handy right now. I think it's suppose to be near 80 degrees today.

*Bailey- well not long after I wrote my previous post about her behavior, she puked everywhere! That instantly explains part of her awful behavior- she was obviously not feeling well. She must have some sort of stomach bug. She threw up all that night and morning and since has thrown up a couple more times around 1am. Very strange. I thought she was feeling better and so on Sunday night we were together with our interns for dinner. We also celebrated Marc's (34th!) birthday that night with cake and ice cream. I don't know if it was the cake or what , but she came into our room about 1:15am on Monday and right as she was about to tell me she was going to be sick, out it came! And y'all- I need you to know that no bowl could have caught this. I kid you not, in the dark, Marc and I both heard the loudest splatter sound ever. It was so disgusting. Poor girl. It was all over the carpet, the end of our bed and up the side of our wardrobe. I thought Marc was going to be sick while cleaning it up. (What a daddy!) Aren't you glad I'm describing it for you? EEK! She has been sleeping on the floor by my side of the bed for almost a week now because of her random throwing up issues. I hope she is over it now, if not I'm going to have to take her to the doctor. And I am really not in the mood to deal with that.

*80 students arrive today for a cultural exchange trip. Our 15 interns will be leading them around the city and engaging people in conversation. They will be here for one week, then we have a week to catch our breath, then another group of students will come for a week. This is the second summer we have done this and it is fun and really cool, but it's a lot of work and wears us both out. Marc has been with our interns pretty much since they arrived, which leaves me with the girls and my bad attitude. Just being honest here, but I struggle sometimes being bitter that I can't just get up and go and be with everyone like he can. I really love having the interns around, they are young and American and that is always fun- especially for our girls! They love the attention. Last year they cried for several days when the interns left. It will be sad day at the end of July when we have to say goodbye again. It's hard explaining that to your children that this is the life we lead. There are always going to be goodbyes. We are planning a girl night next week with the 11 female interns so that will be a fun time for me to get involved and hang out. One of the girls said that she wanted to get to know me better because she was just going to adopt me as ...get ready for it...another mom. EXCUSE ME? :) I so thought she was going to say friend, sister, something other than mom. I'm only 32!!!!

*I washed my brand new pink skirt last night. With other clothes. They are all now pink. I have tried 3 times to get it all out and it did not work. I was so sick last night. I had 2 new dresses for the girls in there and some of Addison's clothes. The burp cloths and bibs are not a big deal, most of them were pink and are now just bright pink. I can't believe I did that.

Well, my bullet points have turned into paragraphs. Here are some photos from yesterday afternoon. It was a lovely, sunny day so we had a picnic after Cerys got home from school. And yes, Bailey was still in her pj's.


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Help Mommy, my legs are too fat for this Bumbo!

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Some days Cerys feels the need for a bow, headband and a clip.


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She's looking a little rough, but you should see me!!! It's been a rough week huh Bales?


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Watching a little Wimbledon last night! Go Andy Murray!

4 Months

I've had a rough few days. I suddenly remembered that 3's are more "terrible" than 2's and Bailey and I have each had to go to our rooms. Lord, help us survive raising kids.

So, Addison was 4 months old this past Monday and I have yet to take her picture. So this one will have to do. I just took this picture. It's 9pm and she'll be up for her last feed any minute now. I just love her fatness. She will not keep a blanket on her during her naps, she loves to snuggle with them and her Taggie. I'm not sure what is happening to me but I can't seem to get on a regular schedule. I love schedules. I need them. I was a crazy woman when I had Cerys and would not mess her schedule up for anything. I was a bit more calm with Bailey and relaxed a bit. This time around I find myself completely relaxed and on some-what of a schedule. Very strange. But it's working I guess because Addison is super happy and I think it's safe to say that she is getting enough milk :)


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Happy 4 Months old baby girl! It seems like yesterday I was in a room with 3 other ladies while we were all being induced. Ah, good times. We love you so much!


P.S.- Fifteen American students arrived this afternoon and will be here for a month with us. They will be super busy (as will we) so we would love it if you would pray for divine encounters! And while you are praying, you might as well pray for Bailey. And me. Actually, just pray for our family. Thanks! :)

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