What An Adventure....

Saturday June 26:  It was a beautiful, sunny day.  I think I slept in....but not too late because I had gone to bed at a very reasonable time! We (Mary, the kids, and I) had a yummy brunch and then off to the Garden Center we trooped to buy flowers for Mary's Healing Garden ministry for mums!  When I say "trooped" I mean it.  We had two adults, two children, a baby stroller, and a scooter.  We finally made it to the bottom of the hill, bought loads of beautiful flowers, and then had to make it back up the hill.  Well, we made it.  Then I took the cart back down the hill and walked back up.  I definitely got my workout for the day!

I then prepared for my lovely and relaxing picnic in the secret garden!  What a wonderful picnic it was!  Lovely weather, beautiful garden, blanket, book, sandwich, smoothie, and chocolate : )  I also replied to a letter.....that I need to send.

Then, on my way home, I came across this girl in the woods who was calling for help but informed me she was not really in need of help.  She was just trying to get her cousins to hurry up and get there : )  She then asked me a slew of questions (aka, are you American, how old are you?, you look older than that, where do you live, etc. etc. etc.)  When her cousins arrived she introduced them all to me and it turns out I was the first American they had met.  They showed me their den they were making and then Ben (5) proceeded to tell me he is actually Chinese and a master ninja.  To this I had to tell him about all the guys at school who dress up as ninjas on a regular basis.  And have fights.  He thought this was pretty cool!

I had asked God for the opportunity to share with the kids but had NO idea how that would happen.  Well amidst being asked if I swear and other fast questions....I was asked if I believe in God.  Wow. Well, I am asking God that he use SOMETHING I said to make some sort of sense to them because.....well....I was not a very good explainer and was kind of all over the place.  Anyway, a bit later, as I was preparing to leave Chloe (11) asked if I wanted to meet her mum, aunt, and uncle (I had already met her dad).  I said sure and off we went.  So, I ended up having a lovely chat and ok tinsey glass of wine with her family.  Quite eye opening at the end as I was asked if I have ever been drunk and when I said no was told by the 11 year old I needed to (or something like that).  Then the parents began talking about their drunk times and the kids chimed in about their parents.  How sad!  Anyway, two hours after I left my picnic I got home....what a wonderful time!

Sunday June 27:  I got up and got ready to go into London to meet Lenae and Megan.  As I was walking out of the house I saw my bus drive by....gah.  Almost 25 minutes later I got on the next bus.  Then, I missed my train by a minute and a half.  So ten minutes later (maybe more) I got on my train.  So, I was late.  I told them to go ahead to church and we would meet up later.  Toward the end of the service I checked my phone and found a message saying they were going to the hospital.  I got up and called the number back.  It was a lady from church.  She came down and told me where to go.  They were in the A&E (Accident and Emergency) at the hospital.  So, I hurried and ended up spending close to two hours there, I think.  We left and Lenae was rather happy on pain meds : )  So, off to Oxford St., Regent St., Hamley's Toy Store, St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, The Fountain (where I realized I was in London with friends and no parents and having a wonderful time....what I have always wanted to do : ) ), Hyde Park, an awesome tree, a wonderful cafe, and a classy dessert cafe : )  What a day it was!!!  Oh...England lost : (  BUT aside from that it was GREAT!  Many wonderful memories and I got to watch Megan loving seeing London for the first time!!!

Sweltering heat, crazy tennis, busy children...and a little surprise : )

Oh my word!  It is SO hot!  Ok, so compared to Florida maybe not, but in Florida there is air conditioning. I am on the top floor of my house with no AC.  So yes, I am boiling!

However, since I last posted on here I have had some lovely time off, during which, I watched England win, Nadal win, Murray win, Serena win, Isner win (finally!!!), Roddick win (although, I may not have seen it all), and Federer win (I didn't watch it all).  This has been a VERY exciting Wimbledon!  Record breaking match, the "greats" having to fight for their positions, and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II visited Wimbledon today for the first time in 33 years to watch Andy Murray win.  Chances are, if he makes it to the finals, she may come again :  )  I was thinking, if I was the Queen of England and I had an ENTIRE Royal Box at my disposal (a front row seat at that), I would definitely be attending more Wimbledon than just every 33 years!  I am assuming everyone in the Royal Box knows her because everyone seemed to be quite content watching the match instead of freaking out that the Queen was RIGHT THERE! Ok, that SO would have been me!

Anyway,  the other morning my devotions were very awesome!  Although, I hugely need prayer because I feel this disconnectedness from God and I hate it!  I just want to feel His presence!  I want to hear His voice!  I must say, I am not doing the greatest of jobs learning the lessons He is trying to teach me.  So, prayer that I would be obedient and open to being molded into His image even more would be greatly appreciated and welcomed!!!

Today I went to call a friend and leave a voicemail for them, because they are at camp.  However, when I called, their phone rang!  I was so surprised, and I was even more surprised when they answered!  Anyway, I was blessed with an almost 15 minute conversation with a great friend!  Surprise!

I am making plans for the weekend.  It looks as if I will be attending Hillsong again but this time Lenae and Megan will be accompanying me!!!  SO excited!  We will then explore London!  Let us prepare for some intense walking!  I hope it is not too warm!  Ooooo I just realized.....there are tennis stars in London...maybe I will bump into Nadal!

Anyway, the kids are doing well.  Providing many laughs for me as well as teaching me patience.....which I still have not learned.

Anyway, bed soon and a COLD shower!!!

p.s.  GO ENGLAND!

Ahhh....Dear Loverly Weekend On the Coast!

If you are funny like my uncle you will make fun of me for generalizing "the coast" since I am on an island....hence, surrounded by coasts : )

I saw my first sheep of my trip yesterday!

Now, I would say "close your eyes and imagine...." but you can't close your eyes and imagine because you won't know what you are supposed to be imagining.  So, read and then close your eyes and imagine, when I tell you!

I am living right outside of London (technically I am in London).  I live on a busy road (I can hear the cars driving by as I type) and can get anywhere I need to via bus.  If you walk down the hill about 2 minutes trees abound, there is a golf course, and further down is a farm.  (Try to imagine this).

Now, my heart has been longing for green, rolling hills, old houses, flowering gardens, narrow back roads, and Kent.  Well, yesterday and today my desire was satisfied!  Today, when we left the caravan we drove along the coast.  English houses trimmed with flowing gardens abounded.  Fields full of sheep ran along the road as well.  We reached several towns and they are so quaint and full of character!  Brick and stone buildings with window boxes full of flowers!  Decorative edging around the doorways.  Beautiful, old windows!  Oh, take away the cars and replace the roads and you could be transported back two or three hundred years (and trust me, I would LOVE that)!  Uncle Gavin and I took the dog for a walk through the park along the river.  Positively picturesque or book like!  Do you know the pictures that have someone sitting along some European river on a low wall fishing?  YES!  That!  With two swans and six cygnets (swan babies).  There were also three or four ducks! Yes, the dog wanted to chase them.  Oh, in the grass are little daisy-like flowers...but they are very low to the grass!  So beautiful!  In the distance, just past the beautiful, English houses were the green, rolling hills!!!  *Ready?  Set... Imagine!*

So, that ended my lovely caravan, World Cup, sudoku, freezing cold beach, two ends of a rainbow, early to bed, early to rise, sausage, egg, and toast with marmite, loads of tea, one cup of hot chocolate, good book, and GREAT company weekend = )

Cheers!

Would You Like Some Wensleydale, Gromit?

Quote of the day:
Julia, "I am going to tell Nickt about your naughtiness!"
Me, "What is my naughtiness?"
Julia,"You were going to eat me!"
(ok, I was pretending to eat her).

Wanna know how to get a great workout?  Live at the top of a long sloping hill and push two children down it in a stroller.  Know why?  You have to then push one of them back up : )

Yes, I did that this morning.

Then we proceeded to chill (aka, breakfast, telly, etc.)  Then, BATH TIME for Julia : )  Her hair is AMAZING!  When it is wet it just hangs in a mass of teeny tiny curls....I would love to have hair like that....for at least a day.

Then, it was time for cake and.....Wallace and Gromit!!!!! Or in the words of Julia, "Wallace and Dromit." I have been trying to watch it for ages and she kept not wanting to.  Well, FINALLY we did : )  My cup of tea was fantastic and her cake (and mine) was amazing!!!
(I need to have some more cheese and cream crackers).

I had a skype date with Daddy which was wonderful!  Michael is now in Florida = )

I then did basically nothing....oh except I watched Fran and Shister Meffield get married ; )  Not the same without my wonderful and dear Roommate whom I love dearly!

We ordered pizza, watched Shrek 2, watched England NOT beat Algeria....ugh, and FINALLY got to talk to my wonderful roommate!!! It was sooo great to speak with her!  She, as usual, gave me more wisdom in another aspect of walking with Jesus.  I love her for that.  And many other reasons as well!

Then another skype date and the BEACH tomorrow!  I must figure out my bus route and pack : )

Books...

Books.
I love them.
I love to read them.
I think like one.
I think about writing one.
I sometimes feel as if I am in one.

The way my mind works is I play situations out as if it were a novel.  I then tend to act the way I think the heroine/main character would act.  I love reading old novels.  I love reading old mysteries.  I love reading Enid Blyton.  She is an English author who died in the 60's but before she died she wrote 600 books.  She wrote the infamous Noddy books.  The Famous Five.  The Secret Seven.  Mallory Towers.  As well as many many more!  I have read many of them!  Since being in England I have, on many occasions, felt as if I was in one of those books.

Yesterday we went for a walk and Mary and the kids showed me The Secret Garden.  Almost the whole time I was walking there I felt as if I should be trying to solve some mystery in an Enid Blyton story.  Yes, I would love that!

A few other things yesterday, I discovered dogs in England can be very well behaved!  As in, I would actually like one....maybe.  Although, I still love cats!  These dogs just roam freely in the park without a lead on and BEHAVE!  It is crazy!

We were walking along and Julia found a pine cone.  However, in her excited voice she said, "LOOK!  A coconut!!!" Hahaha I laughed so much because she kept saying it.  Then she called them "polkadots"!  Then...she called them "cocopats."  Oh. My. Word.  Hilarious!!!

We found a castle.  Well, they knew where it was.  I got to see it = )  I want to explore a castle!  Find a secret passageway and a mystery that needs solving!

Well, au revoir!

Parenting....

You know, I love kids.  I have always looked forward to getting married and having children someday.  The past three weeks (as of tonight) have been trying at times.  The kids are so sweet but I find myself getting frustrated so often.
This afternoon we were going over numbers (which shows me how much learning I have yet to do about being a teacher) and then playing Candy Land (I didn't get Queen Frostine : ( They changed her name to Princess Frostine. Lame.).  I kept getting impatient and kindness and love were definitely not exuding from me.  I realized, they are 3 and 5.  I need to show them love and patience.  I can't expect them to know everything.  It is hard because looking back I feel as if I knew so much when I was there age.  Chances are I acted very similarly.  Actually, funny, because Julia plays pretend a lot and has conversations with herself and "others" and it reminds me of myself : )

I have been wondering if I will be able to handle motherhood.  I hope so.  It is scary to think about....  I guess since they will be my own it will be different than watching other people's children.

Anyway, I just need to work on loving with God's love. Well, asking Him to give it to me!
I need to remember these children are young.  I am given the gift of instructing them and being an example.  I need to make sure I am an example that they should look to.

Look Out London!!!

***World Cup Update:  I went to a pub and watched the first half of the USA vs. UK match.  It was GREAT when England scored!***

***Book Update:  I bought three books for less than £4.  I have been thinking about The Wind in the Willows.  I bought it.  I bought Cranford (I need to tell Lindsey).  I bought an Enid Blyton book.***

TODAY!  

Well, I got up 37 minutes later than my alarm told me too.  Good thing I am in charge.  When I finally crawled out of bed I quickly began to get ready, threw on some makeup, ate a pancake, checked the online map, and dashed out the door.  As I was walking to the bus stop I was asking God to let a bus get there quickly, I checked over my shoulder and there was my bus!  I dashed across the road and hopped on!!!  My very first adventure into London by myself had begun!  I got to the train station and waited for my train.  When it arrived I hopped on hoping I would not get sick.  The last time I rode into the city I felt terrible!!!  This time was a breeze.  It was fun watching everything go by.  I began to get closer to the city eco-friendly flats began to appear.  The fun thing is, since there are so many windows you can see how people furnish their apartments.  Some of them look at modern-esque(sp) like on the movies : )  Anyway, I got to Charing Cross and the familiarity began to set in!  I saw the pasty shop where I was introduced to my first pasty!  Next time I will hopefully get one : )  

I walked out of the station and began to see where we walked the last time I was there and the phone booth where I think Daddy made a call, etc.  Well, I bumped into Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, where I will be visiting next time :)  So, I started up a road that looked like the one I need on the map.  Oh, PS, I was trying to find Hillsong Church.  Well, road signs are funny in London.  They are on the sides of buildings.  So, I finally asked where I was and I was on Charing Cross Road.  NOT where I needed to be. So I cut over and eventually ended up at Picadilly Circus in front of the Ripley Believe It or Not museum.  I called Mary and then went into a little place to ask for directions.  The lady was so nice and printed me off directions.  I began to follow them until I had to take a slight detour.  This detour took me down a sketchy alley and I could totally imagine being kidnapped and no one would ever know.  Don't worry, Daddy.  It was short.  Anyone, I got out on the other end and it was a busy street = )  I asked a bus driver where the road was I needed (I hated sounding like a tourist).  So, I follow his directions and am standing on the corner by this theatre.  I begin wondering if it was Hillsong or if I could ask where it was.  I flip over my directions and it says "Dominion Theatre" so I look and there is the Hillsong sign underneath.....brilliant.  So, I go up, they take me inside saying it is a special day...I don't know why.  *Sidenote*  The whole time I was walking I knew I was late, 20 minutes late.  I LOVE the musical worship time of the service and was bummed that I was missing it.  I just told God, ok, You have it under control.  You're timing.  I get there and it was a special Sunday because Hillsong UNITED was doing the worship that day so the format was different.  No sermon!  I was soooo excited because I didn't miss it!  It was fantastic!!!  Afterwards this girl gave me some info, she was so nice!  I think I am going to go back!

I left the theatre....and headed back the direction I came.  Avoiding the sketchy alley, of course!  When I got back to Picadilly Circus I decided to walkup Regent Street to the Apple Store.  Well, a few other stores, mainly Anthropologie, got in my way and I didn't make it there.  Next time.  Maybe.  After Anthropologie I walked a bit more and then decided I needed to start heading back to the station to meet Auntie Michele, Jess, and Bex.  I waited at the bus stop until I realized the bus I needed did not stop there.  I walked to the next one.  It did :)

I got to Charing Cross and after waiting for 10 minutes or so I went into this little shop only to look up and three strange people are staring at me.....I only say strange because they are related to me : )

It was SOOOO great to see them!!!  We then walked to St. James park where we had a picnic, courtesy of my aunt and cousins : )  A squirrel visited and I seriously thought he was going to jump on one of us! We then walked around the park, visited Buckingham Palace since the Queen was in ; )  Bex can now remember visiting!  Then we headed out for Regent Street where we occupied a Starbucks for a good while!  It was so fun to chat and plan and chat some more!  Then we decided to head to Leicester Square and Covent Gardens!  Needless to say....after yesterday I know my way around quite a bit more than before!

After dinner in Covent Gardens we headed back to Charing Cross and went our separate ways!  When I got on the train two interesting fellows sat across the aisle from me.  One is an antique dealer who does not look like one.  He sells telescopes to the other fellow who is a French Chef but also collects different things.  They were a lot of fun to talk with!  The chef's name was John and he is from Eltham and his friend made the joke, he is, "Eltham John." lol.  Dave, the antique dealer, plays the harmonica very nicely!

When I got off at my stop and walked to the bus stop....who should be standing there but Tim and Jude! So, we rode back to the house together.  

All in all a FANTASTIC day and weekend!!!