Countdown to Christmas Day 12

Today I had to nanny in the morning.  I was expecting to have this whole week off, but I ended up working all week long – but I didn't mind.  The kids were so excited for Christmas and we tried to fill our time with Christmas crafts and other fun things that we normally wouldn't do (like watching a movie or going to a biscuit party!).  Today as I was leaving the dad handed me a large bunch of beautiful red, green, and white flowers along with a very touching Christmas card signed by all of them and a bit of a bonus. 

I started looking after these kids about 4 years ago.  I love them as much as I love my own nieces and nephews and I couldn't have better parents to work with. This arrangement kind of (luckily) fell into my lap those years ago and I am so grateful for it.

Countdown to Christmas Day(s) 8 and 9

I know, I forgot a picture yesterday – well I didn't really forget, there just wasn't anything too memorable that happened yesterday.  Rain, Waiting in the Car,  Rain, Cold, Still Waiting, etc.  Anyway…  I will make up for it today with 4, yes 4 pictures!

The twins and I were invited to a cookie decorating party today, thrown by a lovely Sister from church.  Because we go to church near the American Base, I am lucky enough to have started to meet and make friends with some amazing women – who happen to be American – who happen to do “American” things like throw cookie decorating parties.

We had such a good time.  The twins couldn't stop talking about it and I had a really nice time getting to know the women better.  The best thing about it was, that I was invited to the party before she even knew that I was looking after the twins.  That might not be a big deal to most, but as someone who has been excluded from lots of family and church things here in England because of my lack of children – it really made me feel good that I was invited to a child based event – EVEN THOUGH I DIDNT HAVE CHILDREN! SHOCKING!  It feels so nice to be included as a friend, not excluded because of my infertility.

Anyway…. (I could say a LOT more but, I’ll leave it – seeing that this a public blog).  Here are some of the pictures:

There were so many cookies – gingerbread and sugar cookies and lots of fun decorations!

“M” and I decided to be twins and she got the reindeer clips for her hair and I got matching earrings (lucky me!).

Keeping with the “American” feel of the day, We got back to the twins house and I put on FM100 – Here it is playing one of my favourite cheesy Christmas songs – “Hey Sannna” (That is how they said it in Utah).

Here is “M”’s Lego nativity.  Pretty creative, I’d say!

Today was such a fun day.  It has been really hard this Christmas to be away from family – but making new friends who I have a lot in common with both religiously and culturally (I realize now how much I’ve missed being around fellow Americans) really cheered me up and has been a great highlight of this year’s Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas Day 7

My lovely niece singing the song, “You’re Important” from her school nativity.  I love the words – simple, but important to remember.

Countdown to Christmas Day 6

These pictures were taken about 3:30 this afternoon.  I was relaxing watching A Christmas Story (yes, on English TV) and waiting for the forecasted snow, that still hasn't shown up.

Quite relaxing.

Countdown to Christmas Day 5

Here are some funny things J said today while I was watching him and his sister….

M and I are looking for a party dress – J heads downstairs…

J:  I am leaving, you girls are wasting my TIME!

-

J:  What if we pooped out money, then if we wanted to be rich, we’d just have to go to the toilet.

They had a birthday party today at a soft play centre.

All the Christmas trees there were decorated just in the front – kind of like mine.

These are the only gifts we bought this year (at the end of summer).  They are for our nieces and nephews – 7 this Christmas, 10 by next (no not an announcement just 3 due next year).  The first year we were here we got the few that were born books – a tradition that has continued ever since.  It makes things really easy – knowing what we are going to get them each year. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 4

Babysitting again today – we finished our clay craft from Tuesday.  We made Christmas tree’s in the clay with thumb prints and painted them.

My clay project was a bit more simple.  I love the story of the Forgotten Carols and it became a tradition to go and see the show every Christmas, until I moved to England.  I really miss seeing it every year but, I have the DVD and the children's book (and the necklace, and the decorations, and the CD).  I have gone through phases of loving different carols for different reasons, but this year the carol – Mary Let Me Hold Her Baby – really hit home:

Mary let me hold her baby
Her newborn son
Though I'd never be a mother
I felt like one

Mary let me hold her baby
So she could rest
And ever since that night
I held Him
My life's been blessed

Those like me
who can't have children
Still can be mothers
Something in His eyes
convinced me
I could serve so many others

Mary let me hold her baby
So soft and warm
Mary let me hold her baby
And I was reborn

Something in His eyes
convinced me
I could serve so many others

Mary let me hold her baby
So soft and warm
Mary let me hold her baby
And I was reborn

Each carol has a special ornament and this one is just a simple rag that the baby was wrapped in.  So that was my craft – an ornament for my tree of a simple white rag, to remind me of the song and the message of the song.

Countdown to Christmas Day 3

Today I did a bit of babysitting and even more sleeping (trying to get rid of a pesky migraine).  So the pictures aren't the best - but, its still a post right?

The first picture our our nativity.  We bought it it Belgium a few years ago and I had to have it because my Grandma used to have a much bigger one, she’d bring out at Christmas time.  I remember spinning it round and round and just watching it at many Christmas parties. When I saw it for sale at the market, I was sold!  Unfortunately it was the trip that Chris got his wallet stolen from his pocket so what started out as a fairly reasonably priced souvenir turned into one expensive one.  But, I love it and love the memories it stirs up.

This second picture is just the view from every window that faces the church.  Luckily my bedroom isn't facing that way – or I’d feel a lot less festive about it.

Christmas Countdown Day 2

Words to describe today:

WINDY, freezing, bitter, working, cosy, roaring fire, crafts

Countdown to Christmas

Hello Few and Faithful Readers:

Because the money tree in the back garden isn't growing (I lie, we don't have a back garden or a money tree for that matter), I thought I might document my Christmas this year as a kind of gift to my most favourite women – Mom and Grandma.  It isn't much but I hope that the countdown in (mostly) pictures will be a little something from me to you.

This year Chris and I decided to get a real tree for Christmas.  Chris had never had a real one, and I hadn't since my childhood (yes Amy, I am excluding the tree we had in the apartment).  It is just the right size and now that I have to do the hoovering I realize what a pain the pine needles are (I know, mom – you told me so!)  The candle topper (or hat as Madie says) in the picture is from a friend and, it has to be my favourite decoration.

This is Madie being Mary and the teddy being baby Jesus. She’s gorgeous isn't she?

Autumn Catch Up

I think maybe I just do this blog for my mom and Grandma – and I don't even do that very faithfully.  I didn't know how much time had passed since I last updated it….. oooopppppsssss!  While September was a very slow month filled of not much at all – October (upon looking at the pictures I have taken) has been quite busy.  Chris and I are continually blessed to be able to be a big part of our nieces lives. 

Georgia’s Birthday

Georgia turned 5 this year!  It is crazy and even crazier to think that if Chris and I hadn't struggled with infertility we’d have a child nearly that old (although, I try not to think that TOO much).  She wanted to go to Pizza Hut with her family and me, Chris,  Nana.  These pictures were taken before dinner….

I love the last 2 pictures… Sisters and then…. Reality (just look at their expressions!).

Halloween Birthday Party

Georgia had a friend who was having a Halloween themed birthday party and when Naomi and I were talking about it I offered to make the girls costumes. I asked the girls what they’d like to be (from a list I made) and they picked – Georgia: Fairy Princess, Madie: Ladybird (In England they are called Ladybirds – I don't understand why, as I think Ladybug makes more sense), Lilly: Ghost.   I found some ideas (thanks Pinterest) and slowly put them together.  I really enjoyed it (of course I picked all NON-sewing costumes), but realized the stress my mom used to have when I couldn't find any fairy wings for Georgia or shoes to match for any of them (I completely forgot).  The day before the party I drove to the costume shop and luckily found some wings.  The day of the party (the day I remembered the shoes) I have never felt so happy about finding red shoes in my life!  I think they turned out alright. 

I have a million times more respect for my mom and all the other moms out there that put so much effort into even FINDING a costume.  Hey mom, remember when I was like, 22 and asked you to find and sew me an angel costume??  Did I ever say -  THANK YOU?

Thetford Forest

Last time we went to Thetford Forest it was so lovely we decided to take Madie this year and see the changing leaves.  We got there (FINALLY) after being lost 2 times and the sat nav taking us to places other than the park (Chris says user error – me – I say NO WAY – but really, yes).  We got there and the cafe had nothing on the menu for kids and didn't have the things Chris and I wanted.  We made due, but waited for AGES to get the food.  Then after that we went outside where it had turned quite cold and cloudy.  Madie play for about 10 minutes on the toys and after all three of us getting frustrated with each other Chris and I decided it wasn't worth it and headed for the hour journey back home.  But this time, the sat nav took us the back way so it took longer through tons of country roads.  That would be okay if it didn't double the time it takes to get home and if we weren't worried about the little girl in the back who we are finding gets car sick.  Needless to say we’ll think twice next year if we decide to make the trip out.

 

Ferry Meadows

After the disaster that was Thetford Forest, Chris and I tried our luck again at a more local place, when everyone was feeling better and this time we got to take Georgia as well.  It was a lovely afternoon until the storm clouds started to roll in and forced us to end our day out sooner than we wanted to. 

After the park, we went shopping, I got into a crash in the car park (both peoples fault after backing out of spaces into each other).  The guy in the other car was saying, “You should be careful!  You should look where you’re going!!”  Chris was dealing with him so I shut my door and as soon as I did Georgia said, “You should be careful!!”  He wanted our details but then Chris pointed out that we would need his as well, because our car was scratched too – and he decided just to leave it.  After dinner when we got in the car Madie said, “No more crashes!”

Halloween

This Halloween has felt so much more like Halloween than any other year that I have been here.  It has been so interesting to see England gradually pick up on the American traditions of Trick or Treat that, when I moved here, were pretty much non-existent.  They still don't go as crazy as us Americans – but they are getting there.  Our ward had a Trunk-or-Treat, thanks in part to the many Americans who live on the military base nearby.  It was so fun and we took Georgia and Madie.  Before we went we carved pumpkins.

Summer Post

Well we’ve been quite busy this summer – surprisingly.  After Naomi had Lilly we just started having the girls over every day.  It was helpful to Naomi and we love having them all around.  It makes our days less boring (VERY less)  and gives us a change to spend time with some of our favourite people.  Not only has it helped us develop a closer bond as a family, but Naomi and I have become more than just sister-in-laws – we are good friends and that is such a great bonus! 

The twins I look after have been on holiday for 3 weeks so I’ve not watched them – but have been able to concentrate on the girls.  If you came to our flat you’d be forgiven for thinking we have children, because minus the beds, we’ve tried to make our flat as fun and “homey” for the girls as possible – and it has never felt more like a home.

I plan on writing more once the summer is over , but for now here are some pictures loads of pictures from our summer so far:

Good Behaviour Chart – 5 animals they get a surprise!

Lilly’s Blessing Day Pictures:

More summer pictures: