Grandparents

On our second full day in the UK we all headed south to visit my maternal grandparents. Toby had only ever seen my grandparents on our laptop, and Emma was just 1 year old the last time she visited. Since we do Skype them weekly I was confident the kids would be quite comfortable.

Immediately Emma found the toys and Gramps was there to play with her. Toby barely stayed in one room for more than a minute as he explored ways to get into trouble!!


The glass kitchen door became quite the source of amusement for all the kids.

But Eloise and Emma found themselves as gaming buddies, playing on the DS systems my sister brought...
Here the pair are 2 years ago...

Since we are all rarely together, we try to take a family picture when we are. Unfortunately Dad drew the short straw of not being in it (to his delight)...

And here we are 2 1/2 years ago!
Here's me and my sister Nicola with our 5 kids - number 5 is in the oven, so to speak!! Due in March!

Here we are 2 years ago with Eloise and Emma... my, how they've grown!

Scott and I headed to my grandparents again the next week as my Dad's father was in the hospital and I wanted to see him before I left. It's not a place for the kids, so Scott and the kids went back to Gan and Gramps house while I went to the hospital with my Dad.

The kids were even more comfortable this time, and ran them ragged!!



This was too good an opportunity to miss...

We love you guys!!

The Trip

So, we made it to England - finally!! We got there on Tuesday December 28, 6 days late, but we returned on Saturday January 8, 4 days later than planned, so it kind of balanced out. We could have moved the return back later still, but we needed to get back for Scott to work.

You might think that 11 days is a long time to fill, and if you were going somewhere new on vacation during the winter months you might be right. However, not the case when you visit family for the first time in 2 years, and you're not sure when you'll be back. Not to mention experiencing the things I miss from home (all that list is dwindling over time).

Out of necessity, for the first time, we rented a car for the duration of the stay. It was supposed to be a big sedan, but it was a slightly sportier model (usually good) but meant that we had to cram the car with our stuff - and no room to bring extra back!!

Since we missed spending Christmas Day with my parents and sisters family, we arranged a part-two, a second, simulated Christmas Day on our first full day. We had the traditional meal



and exchanged gifts with the family.




Getting the kids to sit for a picture was challenging to say the least!
Even with my Mum in the mix, it was chaotic...

(left to right: Eloise, almost 3; Mum; Toby; Caitlin, 6; and Emma)

However, if you take Toby out, things were a little better!



Even time for a little dancing later on!!

It was so much fun to be with everyone, especially all the kids together.

More to come of the rest of the trip...

The Flight

We returned to the airport on Monday, December 27 with heavy hearts. The 15" of snow that dropped overnight had been cleared, but the wind was still gusting at 40mph. No international flights had taken off at the time we arrived at the airport, and many domestic flights were being delayed.

When we reached the check-in desk we were assured that we would be taking off as scheduled. That left us little more than an hour to grab some food for the kids and get ready to board.

(NB: Never have I been more thankful for the universality of McDonalds than these past few weeks!)

We boarded the plane and got the kids settled. Except that kids don't really like to settle for long, and by the time they had to sit seatbelted, they were itching to get up!! Still we persevered and they were really well behaved.

Emma playing peekaboo with the eye mask...

A spot of coloring (for all of 3 minutes!)...

Mid-flight, Toby entertained the group of cheerleaders he had entranced...
(They really were all about Toby, Scott was barely even noticed!!)

There were just enough spare seats that the seat next to Emma became vacant and she got to lay down for a while. Unfortunately she has a cough which was bothering her almost as much as the seatbelt!
Finally, maybe 2 hours before the end of the 7 hour flight, Toby passed out!. Not bad for a kid who had only slept 7 hours the night before!


We landed in a cold, gray England at 7am - but I don't think we could have been more thankful to just get there, regardless of the weather!!

No, I didn't sleep on the plane. Unfortunate since I'd had about 6 hours the night before, and had to drive a further 2 hours after the flight. But that's why God gave us adrenaline, and caffeine!

Flight Night[mare]

On Sunday December 26, after a few days if self-imposed quarantine (to avoid any sickness before our trip), we decided we simply needed to be in church.

The weather forecast was calling for 10"+ of snow, before our flight was scheduled. It was the worst sort of limbo to be in, the week of Christmas and simply waiting to know if your plans were going to be called off. It was not the prospect of cancellation - it was the WAITING!!

We headed to the airport around 2pm, as the snow was coming down heavy. Our minivan was doing well in the thick snow and we made it to the airport in good time. We checked in only to wait inside the airport.

The flight was already delayed due to the plane being late coming in and after it arrived there was no decision on when or if it would leave. After several non-decisions, the call was made - cancel the flight. At this point we'd been waiting at the airport for over 6 hours, and our kids were just as wired.

While we all waited to see if we were going to fly out, Emma made some new friends and had them captivated!

We had to collect our bags only to return the next day for the re-scheduled flight. At midnight, with terrible road conditions and a ton of luggage we had no idea how we were going to get home for the night.

Toby and Emma did not sleep the whole time we were waiting for our flight, and through the delay! Here they are around 11pm while we waited to get our bags and go home:


I totally underestimated my friend Christina, who braved the conditions to come and pick us up, and take us home, when no-one else could! We can't thank her enough for that.

Emma fell asleep on me as we waited for Christina, but Toby was as wired as ever.
We tried to let him burn it off the whole evening, but he was still going at midnight!

We got home around 1am, and the kids were up at 7am as usual! We spent the next few hours trying to gauge the forecast and see if our flight would take off that day. I had been regretting not re-booking onto the Monday flight at the first sign of snow - until we learned the flight scheduled for the Monday had been canceled to make room for ours!! You see, if I had re-booked our flight prior to the snow it would have been canceled, to be replaced by our re-scheduled flight. This was quite the unusual scenario, and we believe, totally a God thing.

We finally took off on Monday December 27, around 7.30pm, 5 days after our original flight and the latest we would have flown before forgetting the whole thing altogether!

White Christmas

It's December 25th, Christmas Day, and never have I been so anti-white Christmas!!

This has been one of the longest weeks of my life. Obviously the week after your due date is the longest week ever (or even the second week after!!). Yet waiting to see if we will be able to fly to the UK has been a constant mystery!

After our flight was canceled on Tuesday and re-booked for Sunday we have been watching the weather forecast with borderline insanity. The forecasts have been predicting snow anytime from Christmas Eve through Monday. No definitive prediction from anyone.

I made the step of faith today and printed out the documents for our flight and car. I have yet to pack the few items I unpacked earlier in the week - with 8 hours to kill on Sunday, I can do that when we have a better idea that we'll be getting out.

As for it being Christmas Day, well, we spent the morning playing with the kids new toys and waited until they took a nap to finish up the chores that we want to get done before we go. (I like to come back to a clean and tidy house!!)

Only time will tell what the weather will do, and what the airports decide. All we can do is continue to pray for God's will and protection - and be okay with whatever that is!

The week Christmas was cancelled

As I write it is December 20. A few days before Christmas, 2 days before we are booked on a flight to London.

When I told my family of our plans to visit for Christmas it was my Granddad who said "Why Christmas? What if it snows?" I think I actually laughed and said it snows here all the time, no big deal."

I don't think anyone could have expected the worst snow in 100 years to hit the UK, much less shut down one of the largest airports in the world - and our destination!

We are catching glimpses of the chaos on the news, not sure how much is reality versus media hyperbole. We are packed though, as of yesterday - that's a late start for me! And by all accounts flights between here and Heathrow are running, with only an hour delay.

If the flight is not canceled we'll be on it. Then comes the drive from London to my parents house, across the country. The highways are said to be single file each way! If that's the case and it's slow going, Scott can drive!!

But as I sat rocking Toby in my arms before bed tonight I realized that whatever happens - and it's really out of our hands - Christmas could be anywhere, as long as I'm with my family.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13-15

_________________________

It's December 21. T minus 26 hours to take-off and the phone rings. It's my Mum, telling me that my sister (who has been stalking the flight status) called and told her our flight was canceled. One click on line and it's confirmed.

Chaos ensues. Scott's in the shower, the kids are running around in that mid-afternoon hyper way before they eat dinner. And I'm trying to figure out what to do.

I can't get through to the airline on the phone. I go online and select to change my booking. For when? No flights on the 23rd. No flights on the 24th.

"SCOTT - DO WE WANT TO FLY ON CHRISTMAS DAY?"

"SURE, IF WE CAN."

No - no flights on the 25th! Next flights for booking are December 26th, Boxing Day (a national holiday in the UK.) That would bring us in on the Monday, two days after Christmas.

After the back and forth deciding how long we should stay after everyone goes back to work, we book the flights. I change the car hire.

Then reality sets in. We'll be home for Christmas. Except home is not particularly Christmassy - we didn't decorate since we wouldn't be here. We also didn't get the kids gifts because, well, they don't need anything and we weren't going to take it with us only to bring it back. (I gave them a slew of gifts on Black Friday though!!)

An unexpected emotion - guilt! The failure to provide the kids with the "normal" Christmas experienced elsewhere. Even without the acquiescing to the Santa myth, we would have made the day a little more "festive" had we planned to be here.

Then there's my family. I expect they are disappointed we won't be there, but it's comforting that they can go about their day as planned, with a little less noise and a lot more food! We were looking forward to joining in with out nieces, now 6 and almost 3, as were they.

The house feels so cold and bare, and I'm not sure why.

The up-side is, (and there always is an up-side!) Scott will be off Thursday and from then on, so we will have a few days to spend time as a family. It's been a rarity recently with all the work - for which we are truly thankful.

The dilemma is whether to unpack or not!! All my favorite clothes (for me and the others) are squeezed artfully in to one of three suitcases. To remove it all and expect the same balance of weight and protection for fragile items would be insanity! I guess we'll just have to live out of the cases for the next 5 days.

Only time will reveal if the trip is to be delayed further - in which case we will cancel and rebook at a later date.

I sent an email to family and just said "Let's assume there's a good reason we are not to be on a plane tomorrow."

“If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
______________________

Well, it's December 22nd, and we should have been taking off in about an hour. Instead we will be waiting an hour and four days! We did manage to speak to an airline call center today and they confirmed no earlier flights, unless you pay for first class! He also said our flight was gold dust right now, so apparently re-booking that quick was a good move after all.

Scott called my Dad this evening and we learned that my Mum and both nieces are sick! My paternal Granddad is also sick, so my Dad is heading south tomorrow. Seems like we might be better off waiting a few days after all!

I was pretty miserable today, like someone let the wind out of my sails! I'm not sure I could well explain what it is like to wait two years to visit your "home" and the emotions that go along with preparing to return. It's not all good - you place some serious expectations on yourself and project other expectations from others! I felt prepared for it all, only to be delayed.

What do you do in such high-stress times? Eat, of course!! That's been my default, to just eat for pleasure. We had Indian food last night, then Scott made hot chocolate. That said, I only binged on the leftover Ritz crackers in the cupboard - I did not bake brownies! How ironic would that be, if none of the clothes I have packed fit when I get there!!

Scott's done work now though, so we will try and make the most of this free time at home.

Happy New Year!!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Years Day, and every day thereafter.

We spent a quiet evening with family, ringing in the New Year at midnight.

It's been a tricky few days as Emma has a terrible cough, and last night I broke the nebulizer! We are now reliant on home remedies until we can get a replacement. Sleep is now at a premium, but despite it all I am so thankful to have this time to spend with my beautiful kids and husband.

Looking back over the year, it's been one of the less eventful. We have enjoyed the balance of two kids, and finding a happy medium between work and family time.

Spiritually, Scott and I have continued to grow as we took steps to lead others in discovering the potential in true discipleship. Allowing God to freely have His way in yor life is truly freeing.

On a different note, we experienced Emma's first dream/nightmare last night. She woke up when I brought her into our bed and said "I have to find the pig!" Whose pig? "The princesses!"

A while later, she was back in her bed and I heard some cries and then "Mummy!!" I went in and asked what the matter was. She replied "He ate my teddy bear!" I asked who, but couldn't understand what she said. I reassured her that, sure enough, her teddy bear was right there, under her arm! And of course, brought her back into our bed!

May your year be full of 'princesses' and not too many teddy-eating monsters!

What will you give Jesus?

by Rick Warren

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (MSG)

What do you give the guy who's got everything? What do you give to Jesus? You can give him your trust.

Because God gives you a choice, he doesn't have your trust until you give it to him. Faith is voluntary. God will never force you to trust him. It is up to you to decide how much you will trust God in 2011.

So let me just get real blunt, what are you expecting God to do in your life in 2011? If you expect him to do a lot, God can do a lot. If you expect him to do a little, God can do a little. If you don't expect him to do anything, he won't do anything because Jesus says, "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29 NIV)

Are you going to trust yourself, are you going to trust the economy, are you going to trust somebody else, or are you going to trust God?

Will you trust Jesus enough to give him your whole life? Jesus makes an amazing promise for anybody who does this. He says, if you will seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, then he will give you the other things as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

But we must seek his kingdom first. We must seek God's purpose and plan and righteousness for our lives, and that requires that we give him our trust. Ask God to help you give your trust entirely to him this coming year, and then watch what he does in your life.

Christmas: God Is for You

by Rick Warren

But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

Knowing God is for you will change your whole perspective on life. You'll stop thinking of God as someone looking down from heaven, ready to yell, "Gotcha!" anytime you mess up.

Instead, you'll realize God loves you; God is with you; and God is for you! God is for your success in life; he created you for a purpose and he wants you to succeed. It is God, your Creator, who will measure your success in life, and no one else.

This is extremely good news!

It means you don't need to be afraid of God because God is for you. Yet, some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him. Do you know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, "If I get close to God, he's going to lecture me. He's going to remind me of all the things I've done wrong, and then I'll feel even worse!"

Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said, "I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I didn't come to scold you, I came to save you."

And if God is for us, who can be against us?

Jesus came to save us, not to scare us. That's why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he says is: "Don't be afraid!"

In fact, when God sends a message to people in the Bible, it's not unusual for the first words to be: "Don't be afraid." There are 365 messages from God in the Bible that begin with a phrase like, "Fear not!" In other words, every single day of the year you can read a message from God that says, in effect, "You don't need to be afraid. I am for you; I am with you; I love you."

We celebrate Christmas because of this good news from God!

HOPE

We have heard that when Jesus was born on that first Christmas, He brought peace to our troubled relationship with God.

We understand that Jesus was sent by God, who is love, as an expression of that love for us. A love that would sacrifice His only beloved Son so that we too might become His children.

We understand the joy that comes from knowing that God is for us and has made a way for ALL people to spend eternity with Him. Something we could never achieve ourselves.

And we rejoice in this news at Christmas, when we are so focused on God’s expression of love for us.

Yet throughout the year we struggle when things are tough. We understand that we have been delivered from sin, but lament that we were not delivered from problems. When we allow our circumstances to be the focus of our lives.

It is then that hope becomes so powerful.

Hope should never be confused with positive thinking nor is it a physical emotion. Hope is not the strong desire that tomorrow morning your spouse will hand you a set of keys to your brand new BMW on the driveway – that’s wishful thinking!

Hope happens when all circumstances in your life are bleak, when you don’t understand and every cell in your body is crying out for you to panic, take control, run and cry.

But you don’t, because you can’t. Your heart is filled with peace and joy.
The unknown becomes a source of limitless possibilities.

Hope is living according to the promises that you know God will keep.

Hope is understanding that the deity of Jesus means He can save us, and the humanity of Jesus means He understands us.

Hope is saying that there may not have been room in the Inn, but I will make room for Jesus in my life. Not just at Christmas, but every day.

JOY

“Joy to the World! The Lord is come!” the song goes.

To say that the angel was probably excited to be delivering such good news is a huge understatement. Soon after “a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel” – masses of angels appearing to unsuspecting shepherds.

When the Shepherds were visited by the angel as they watched their sheep, joy was not the first emotion that sprang to mind! If a large winged person appeared before you on a dark night in the middle of nowhere you probably would be scared too!!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

Not the most routine night with the sheep!

With the incredible delivery of this message, the shepherds could be forgiven for missing one of the most significant parts of what the angels said.

The “good news” was not for a few good men. It was not only for the Jews.

The “great joy” the angel spoke of is for ALL people. You. Me. Everyone.

Being happy is a fleeting emotion based on what is happening.

On the contrary, Joy gives you strength to fight your trials, and if you'll fight the trials, you will overcome.

Joy is a powerful state of mind that is rooted in the truth that Jesus came to deliver us out of the sin that leads to death, and into a life of freedom. Jesus came to set each one of us free.

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9

Therefore: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Here comes the snow...

It's been snowing for almost 4 hours and we are expecting it to
continue for 18 more at least!! Not quite a white Christmas, but
almost!

LOVE

At Christmas, maybe more than any other time of year we seek to put Christ’s words into practice. We go crazy: racing around to buy gifts for our friends and family, wondering if you should tip the mailman, paper boy, or that person that leaves the take-out menu stuffed in the door handle!

For others the focus is on family traditions that take on a life of their own – staying up really late on Christmas Eve to decorate a tree for the kids, only to be woken up after 2 hours sleep by the very same kids!

There’s a reason that Jesus gave this command to love one another. Verse 35 of John 13 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” As special as our gifts or traditions are, they are merely expressions of the love we have for one another. And when the turkey grows cold, and the lights come down, Jesus wants us still to love one another as He loved us.

Tonight we are celebrating the night that Jesus joined us here on earth as a baby. But this was not the start of His love for us. He was with God in the beginning when the earth was formed. He loved us enough to leave His throne in Heaven in exchange for a manger in a stable.

Jesus, Son of God, became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14) An expression of God’s love, in human form, reaching out to us with the offer of redemption. Stepping down from His throne in heaven might seem sacrifice enough for some, but He did not stop there.

After entering this world in the most humble, if not humiliating of circumstances, there was no parade or royal treatment. Instead His birth was announced to a small band of shepherds, themselves pretty low on the social scale.

Jesus lived a daily life of humility, grace and love. He walked the earth seeking out those who were lost or weary. And He died in our place, that we might live forever in glory.

This Christmas, show your love for others by sharing the good news of Christ’s birth with them. And every day remember:
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. John 4:16

Bonus gifts

Yesterday we were all fortunate enough to have something new to enjoy. The kids had some new toys...

I got a new necklace that I had hinted for, but forgot about (I left the webpage up for weeks and showed it to everyone who came in. I don't do subtle!)...
Emma brought it to me, hands behind her back. "I've got a present for you Mummy, you have to close your eyes" - she knows how to lay it on for a surprise!!

And Scott got a most precious gift - peace and quiet, aka noise-canceling headphones!!...

We are so thankful that even though Scott has been laid off for 3 months we have not once had to go without anything we need, and have most things we want. God's promise of blessing is not worldly wealth or possessions, but He does love to bring joy to His children and occasionally it comes wrapped in pretty paper and a bow!!

Merry Christmas

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the gift of love that God sent for you.

We are having a quiet, family Christmas at home with the kids. It's been a great day, just spending time together and enjoying the blessings we have.

Whatever you are doing today, or beyond, I hope you will take some time to count your blessings. And if you don't feel particularly blessed, take a look at the cross and remember the gift of salvation that trumps all else.

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11

PEACE

“Peace on Earth” has become so linked to Christmas that it makes us think of the image of a baby sleeping in a manger, or tranquil snow-scenes that adorn cards sent by family and friends.

Yet throughout the rest of the year “peace” is far from this soothing feeling that warms our hearts. Peace is the absence of conflict in a society or relationship. An ideal that people are literally fighting and dying to obtain each and every day.

Wars rage worldwide as governments seek “peace” for their nations. Troubled souls are hurting, seeking peace for their troubled minds. Drugs, alcohol, sex and money being used to produce a temporary peace in a chaotic world.

We can trace our pain, suffering and unrest back to the original conflict – our separation from God, caused by sin entering the Garden of Eden. Since then man has struggled to find peace, wandering the earth restlessly like Cain.

For years the Jews believed that the Messiah would give them “peace” through victory over the Roman rulers of the time, but that was never God’s intention or Jesus’ purpose.

Isaiah 9:6 says “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

God didn’t send His Son to Earth to bring peace between men. God sent His son to restore peace between us and Himself. To restore the loving relationship God had always intended for us to have with Him.

From His chaotic birth, and through his perfect life, Jesus fought the battle for our very souls, and claimed victory over death.

At Christmas and every day we can find peace through Jesus Christ. Spiritual peace, rest for our weary and burdened souls, and a relationship with God the Father.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” John 14:27

Peace, Love, Joy & Hope

In February of this year I was honored when Pastor Bob asked me to produce 4 readings for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service - one of the most attended services of the year. Thankfully he also gave me a book on some of the aspects of Christmas, from which I could pull inspiration!

Despite the early notice, it took be about 8 months to get through the whole book - time being a big motivator! However, once I had read the book (which was awesome) I was able to write. I was inspired (by God no less) to focus on the themes Peace, Love, Joy and Hope, so widely discussed at Christmas.

I would like to share them with you over the next few days...starting with Peace.

Man time

I sent Scott and Toby out to the store. Toby's growing up so fast -
already a 20oz coffee!!

Quote of the Day

Scott to Toby: You can't expect Mummy to know how to drive a truck - she combs doll hair for a living!

(We were rolling a Tonka truck to each other as we fed the kids breakfast - I kept pushing it off the table!)

The snowman

By Emma