Six

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My sweet Cerys,

I can hardly believe you are six years old today. Last night as I was driving home from Tesco's and passed through the hospital grounds, a song came on the CD by Casting Crowns and I just started crying.

"Your mercy saved me, your mercy made me whole
your mercy found me, called me as your own"

Cerys, I want you to know that it was God's mercy that got us through some tough days. You were born with no heartbeat and not breathing, after a very long labor. Your Daddy and I were so scared. God has plans for you girl, He loves you so much. I look at you today and I'm so grateful that God heard our prayers and that you have grown into such a lovely young girl, with no health problems whatsoever. I'm sure I'll tell you this story over and over, but I really struggled after your birth. I was exhausted, scared and felt so helpless and at times hopeless. Since you were in the SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) for a week, your Daddy and I made trips back and forth to the hospital until a room became available for us to stay in so we could be closer to you. I watched you, my perfect 8lbs. 12 oz. baby girl next to babies that were so tiny- with all your IV's and tubes and I felt so overwhelmed. There were many nights where I slept with my Bible, I was so desperate for God. We got so many emails from people all over the world praying for you. We were so humbled by God's love. Your Gigi got on a plane right away and arrived the next day and while they normally don't let anyone in the SCBU but Mommy's and Daddy's they let your Gigi come in and see you since she had flown from Texas to be with us. Mom, I know you are reading this, so let me just say that we would not have made it without you that three weeks you stayed, thank you for dropping everything and coming to us right away!

Cerys, I want you to know that our prayer for you is that you love Jesus with all your heart and desire to follow Him. Happy 6th Birthday, Care Bear.

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(Almost home, only one tube left!)

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(Our little room we stayed in at the hospital, the most uncomfortable bed of your life)

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(The day you came home from the hospital, Thanksgiving Day, 2004)

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We love you!


It's Good To Learn

I've mentioned before that our girls are in an inner city school. Tomorrow is a Muslim holiday which means there will not be many children at school tomorrow. The girls came out of school with "Happy Eid" cards they had made. Cerys was jumping up and down saying, "It's Eid tomorrow, it's Eid tomorrow!" She seemed quite excited since it was being talked about all day at school. I quietly asked her to calm down, we were for sure getting some looks since we are in the minority here. We might have gotten a few laughs at this, not sure.

As we drove home from school (It was really cold today so I drove!) the girls were telling me all about this holiday. They actually taught me something I didn't know! Cerys said they watched a film about it and as I quizzed her on it, she knew quite a bit. I was impressed with her listening skills. I was careful what I said. I gently was able to tell her that yes that is what is believed but that we believe in The One True God and his son Jesus. I explained the freedom that we have in Christ- freedom to pray anywhere and anytime. Inside I was just pleading with God for the right words to say and praying that the girls would love Jesus. That is my main prayer for our girls. Cerys then says, "Mummy, that is right, we can pray anywhere, just like today when I prayed on the playground for a girl who got hurt." I am so proud of her. Then she says, "We don't believe in Eid, but it's good to learn about it isn't Mummy?"

Yes, honey, it's good to learn. Thank you for teaching me that today!

Friends and Pumpkins

Growing up, we never really trick or treated. Unless it was to our relatives house. We always went to our church's Fall Festival though which was really fun. Since living in the UK, it's never really a big deal this time of year, so we just carved some pumpkins and I bought some sweets at the store!

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Marc's amazing Tinker Bell creation:

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On Saturday night we got dressed up in "clashing colours" for a party at a local church. The girls thought it was fun to just grab random pieces of clothing, which for Bailey is pretty much an everyday occurrence!

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Thanks to some amazing friends and uni students who babysat our girls last night, Marc and I were able to drive to Heathrow Airport to visit some good friends of ours. They have been living in Africa for 4 years and are going back to the states for a time of rest and refreshing. They have 3 kids that are all close in age with our girls, but I knew it would be a late night so I'm thankful we got a babysitter! They have not been back to the states in 4 yrs, and have been living in the African bush y'all. Their youngest has never been to America either! They were in the beginning stages of reverse culture-shock and it was really cute. I'm praying for them as they re-adjust- even living the UK I found big changes going back - especially to Dallas where everyone dresses up constantly and you have too many choices of shampoo. Anyway, we ate dinner in the airport and then took them to their hotel room and they were all oohing and ahhing over the clean, white bathroom and sheets. It was so cute.

Joy is one of those friends in life that you only meet once and are forever bonded. We spent about 5 days together back in 2006 and we were fast friends. We both had nursing babies and raging hormones- all in the midst of making major life decisions and getting ready to move our families overseas. Joy is a treasure and I'm so glad we got to see each other, even if it was only for a few hours!

Don't they look cute, all squeaky clean in their hotel room!

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Bailey saw a picture of me when I was her age with braids in my hair and this morning before school she asked if I could fix her hair like that- "like a real cowgirl" Then of course Cerys wanted her hair done the same. I just look at these precious faces and can't believe how fast they are growing or that God has entrusted us with them!

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Bowling..again

This picture has nothing to do with bowling, but I thought it was cute. However I just noticed I buttoned her coat wrong. Nice. This was Sunday as were headed out to church.

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It seems like every fall half-term we go bowling around here! They do a cheap deal but you have to book a lane in advance. Marc booked us a lane for 9am. Who bowls at 9am? Apparently us! We got up just like it was a school day and it was pitch black outside and raining!!! I sure didn't feel like getting us all up and dressed for bowling but we did! I remember doing this when I was very pregnant with Addison. Then I remember going and she sat in her pushchair. Today she was ALL over the place but I was okay with it because it was only 9am and we were the only ones there! HA.

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She was so precious- cheering for her Daddy and sisters! And every time a ball would come up the return thingy she would shout "OH! BALL!" Every. Time. So funny.

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Daddy let her have a go and she was so proud!

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We were done by 9:40am and so we headed to Costco of course! We were hoping they would have some free food samples out but I think it was too early. They had some lame nasty tasting yogurt and some bread. Oh well. We laugh at our Costco purchases because we go for three things: popcorn, peanut butter and coca-cola. What else do you need? :) Oh, wait...four things- add diapers/nappies to that list.

Warwick Castle

Last Friday we loaded up the car with kids and snacks and drove two hours from here into Warwick, England to visit the castle! The day before some friends of ours had given us a small ziploc baggie of candy corn they had received in the mail and it was our perfect companion to driving through the beautiful fall leaves...more on that later.

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This castle has lots to explore- a Princess Tower, a Dungeon, some Victorian rooms and large gardens to run around in. If you have ever been to London and have visited Madame Tussauds you will know how neat their wax figures are. Warwick Castle has some sort of partnership with them so there were wax figures all over the place, plus real live people who are in character. As we entered the Victorian house we were greeted as "Your Ladyship Cerys and Bailey" and it was so fun. I love things like that!!! The only thing we didn't realize is that since it's the week of Halloween that the workers would be in costume, so that was a bit traumatic!

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We headed straight for the Princess Tower and that was really cute. Princess Arabella is getting married and needs help choosing her wedding dress, sash, tiara and shoes! Then you get to dress up and have your picture taken in a really neat chair and the picture only costs 800 pounds. Just kidding, it was only 10 pounds I think and no we didn't buy it. *ahem*

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There were two really cute signs out front that made me chuckle:

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Trying to pull the sword out of the stone!

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Just some of the "characters" walking around- these were the tame ones...not too scary. The ones we didn't like were walking around with their chopped off heads in their hands. Eek!

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And after exploring the castle and grounds, having lunch, and watching a real life Trebuchet launch, we headed to the playground of course to get some more energy out!

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Remember that candy corn I took for snacks and bribing? You see Bailey spinning around? She's our sensitive stomach child. About 45 minutes after we got home Bailey says to me, "Mommy, I think I'm going to be....." Yep, you got it. :) Great start to the half term!

Autumn

This week was the Harvest Assembly at the school. Bailey's class was "taking the assembly"- meaning they were leading it and did most of the singing. Here's a little song for your enjoyment...

Bailey was so cute, she had a few lines to say and she did great! I'm still amazed in this public/state school that the songs they were singing were about giving thanks to God for all his provision. They may not know what they are singing about or who they are singing to, but I think it's just so cool.

The girls are off school tomorrow and all next week because it's "half-term." We are taking a day trip to Warwick Castle tomorrow, about two hours away. We are packing our food and heading out in the morning and I'm really looking forward to it. This castle has a Princess Tower and I know two little girls who can't wait to explore it!

Happy Autumn!

Suggestions?

*Thank you all for your suggestions. I do have the Strong Willed Child by Dobson and I got it out again today. However, I just spoke to my mom about this and she reminded me that I was kicked out of the church nursery when I was 2 yrs old for being mean to the other kids and biting them. She said she cried while reading the book by Dobson because he wrote it about me. I apologized to her and just hope I can survive the next few years! :)

So I need some suggestions. Or book titles.

We are really struggling with Addison's - searching for a good word....behavior? age? I don't really now. I don't want to magnify our issues with her, maybe all of this normal stuff but we did not struggle this much with Cerys or Bailey at this age.

Example 1: This morning at a school assembly for Bailey. We took the back row seats so I could be near the door. I took a drink and snack for Addie. She refuses to sit in my lap or stroller and is so loud in letting us now she is not happy about either one. I finally ended up taking her out in the hallway, annoyed to be missing Bailey singing, but happy to at least have her out of everyone's ear shot. That didn't last long and I soon ended up having to get Marc to come take her because she was arching her back and getting louder and louder when I would try to direct her.

Example 2: Also this morning. After leaving the school assembly we went to our weekly playgroup. She is normally quite happy and plays the whole time. Today she got mad when it was time to tidy up and threw the playdough tub at a lady. I was shocked and mad and embarrassed. I distracted her and tried to get her to help tidy up the other toys and she kept throwing herself on the floor screaming. A nice older lady tried to give her a toy and talk to her and she threw that toy as well. I scooped her and wrangled her to our car, which was quite a task. I had to park 3 streets away so by the time we got to the car I was exhausted. She would not walk, so it was all I could do get us to the car. She screamed the whole way home. And I cried. She is now suppose to be napping and she is in there crying and not sleeping.

She is not sick. No teeth are coming in that I've noticed. I just don't get it. I now some of it is her being 20 months old. But honestly, I'm freaking out a little bit. I have NEVER been so embarrassed by my child until today. Like I'm really starting to feel like I've failed here.

So that is why I would love to hear from you. Books? Anyone relating to me? Anyone have some hope for me?

A Lesson Learned

The house is clean. Dinner is in the crockpot. Addison is down for a nap. The only noise is the hum of the washing machine from the kitchen. It has not gotten to the spin cycle yet, but in a few minutes it will sound like a helicopter is landing. I have a few minutes to do nothing before a uni student comes over for coffee. She's been in the Philippines for several months, I'm so proud of her! She is in her last year of med school and she spent weeks there going into the jungle, literally, to give medicine and serve people. I can't wait to hear about it!

I'm fighting a head cold. But at least it has not rained in over a week, I think. How awesome is that?

Marc is London today for a meeting, so I'm flying solo for a few hours. We made it to school in time, barely. Again, at least it's not raining! Marc took our van so I knew we would be walking and I'm very thankful for the sun today. It is getting cooler though, in the 40's in the mornings. Brr!

God did something really cool this morning. Don't you love how He does things when you LEAST expect it? Like when you are dreading the walk to school and He just does something that you know is from Him? I walked home with a big grin on my face.

On a funnier and annoying note, here is a picture:

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This my friends is a lovely, standard size baking sheet from Pampered Chef that does not fit in my oven! UGH!!! I wanted to get some PC stuff while in the States but it was too expensive so I never did. Right before we crated, my awesome sister-in-law said, "Hey, I have two Pampered Chef stones, do you want them, I don't ever use them!" Um, yes! So she gave me this baking sheet and a round casserole dish. I could not wait to get the crate so I could use them! Well last week I got all domestic and made our own pizza. I was so proud. Crust and everything! I rolled it out and put it on this baking sheet and loaded her up with yummy toppings. Then as I went to put it in the oven, it would not fit! I knew we had a small oven, but it didn't even occur to me to check it first. Last year we had a muffin pan that was too long so Marc bent the edges for me and it now fits. Can't do much with a stone though. Lesson learned.

I yelled for Marc who was in the garage doing something and he came running in to see what was wrong. He took one look and then just busted out laughing. Thank goodness we can laugh together. I cooked it just like it is in the picture. Not a good idea. A few minutes later I smelled something burning and all my cheese and toppings had slid down to that one end and spilled onto the oven. Good times, y'all.

And Addison would like to say that she loves it when her big sisters are at school:

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I'm not a big fan of our burnt red/orangey carpet either.

What Have We Been Up To?

Well, let's see...in no particular order...
  • We had parent/teacher conferences this week. Both of them went really well. The girls have had no trouble settling back into school. Bailey is doing good, apart from one day when she hit a girl because she didn't want to sit next to her. I'm hoping that getting trouble at school and at home will nip that in the bud. I was in shock to hear this news, but perhaps it was a rough day for her?? Cerys is doing good, slightly behind according to her teacher since she missed 7 months of school last year. When I saw the list of words they are learning to read I felt a bit better. Words like "everyone" and "wanted" - really? For 5 year olds? I'm not worried anymore. She knows all her letters and sounds and is reading simple books.

  • We were in the ER last Sunday with Addison. She had a "pulled elbow" from acting like a wild woman at church. I was holding her hand and trying to keep her from hitting her head on the floor while she was throwing a fit and her elbow pulled out of place basically. After a quick, painful twist of the arm the nurse had it back in place. Then just yesterday she fell face first while at the park and now has concrete marks on her nose and forehead. Lord, help us.
  • We have new neighbors. This is the first time we've had another family living next to us. It's usually young medical students or doctors that live together since we live near the hospital. Earlier in the week I realized there was a new girl in Bailey's class and then we saw them moving boxes in next door. The mom, who wore a beautiful head covering, and I spoke once on the school yard and then I saw her in town on Friday and we briefly spoke again. She was very friendly and they have 4 kids. I'm sure we will be seeing lots of them as we walk to and from school everyday!
  • This morning we took the big girls to see Ramona and Beezus. Sometimes on Saturday mornings a theater in town will show a kids movie for only 95p. So we got a sitter for Addison and the girls loved it! I cried 4 times, not sure what my deal was. You know those laughing then suddenly you are crying times? When she was packing her suitcase to move out and her mom was helping her, that was one of those times for me. I did that to my mom when I was younger and it made me laugh so hard, then the tears came and I could not stop crying. Strange. It was a really cute movie I thought.
  • My youngest brother turned 18 on Thursday. So hard to believe I was a sophomore in high school when he was born! He also really hurt his ankle on the same day and we were all really worried. He's a senior star basketball player with offers coming in and to have a hurt ankle is not good!! Thankfully after x-rays, it's only a severe sprain so he will be back on the court in a few weeks. I was really proud of his facebook status throughout the day, even though he was devastated, he knows there is more to life than basketball and that God has a plan for him!
  • I made cake balls for homegroup and it was a good thing I got to share them or I would have eaten all of them. On that note, I've worked out 3 times this week and I'm about to workout once more...so that is 4 in one week! My back is holding up and I'm feeling pretty good! I'm just taking it slower than normal. I remember when my friend Amanda was talking about exercise and eating right and how it's easier to just get up and do it- that the guilt from not exercising and eating right was worse than the actual getting up and doing it. (I hope I got that right Amanda!) Anyway, all that to say that the working out is working out for me and I'm feeling better for just doing it rather than sitting around complaining that I haven't done it. I have no clue if that makes sense.
Happy Weekend!

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When You Are...

...the Daddy of three small girls you get to play Princess Shopping and be the cashier.

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But don't worry, you also get a cheering section when mowing the lawn! Because of Papa and Uncle Caleb, the only cheers they know are for TCA but it was still cute!

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Posterous theme by Cory Watilo