were here

Were here! I cant believe I havent updated this blog since June!  Really, the reason it has been so long is because I shipped our computer in June. Then found it very difficult to blog on my IPad! Our computer arrived last week...along with other damaged items which was very disappointing.  Im still trying to deal with the insurance aspect of that.  Our latest challenge... finding our dream home!  Im serious, this has been so hard.  I really thought that once we got the pre approval for a mortgage, it would be nothing but joyful times ahead...as we finally were able to buy a home with a garden for the kids to play in...and room to make memories in.  But instead, it has been a part time job, filled with disappointment, disillusionment and tears.  More later...but I will leave you with this.  A new friend of mine who just moved here a few months ago...said to me...'Do you believe that I (God) am bigger?".  This is something she felt the Lord saying to her regarding her own house hunting journey.  I do...I really do! I just need to trust Him! He will bring us the right house...in His timing.

Oh, and PS...I LOVE it here. Any im not being overly positive. i really am loving the people, the church we go to, our new routine... I really do sense Gods presence over our move, which gives me peace and joy!

A and E

Well this weekend clearly wasn't the productive, fun filled weekend I thought it would be. Instead it was filled with stress, breakdowns and disappointments. I look forward to a better week ahead.

On Friday, we had arranged a double date with some of our good friends. After we both got ready and got both the girls to bed by 7, they rang to cancel last minute. So Chris and I changed our date destination and went for a curry at our favourite curry house, valley junction in Jesmond. We were both exhausted because the girls were up all night on Thursday night, so we barely made it through dinner before getting home and crashing. Saturday morning we needed to go to town for a few jobs. Chris needed an eye test, and I needed to look for outfits for the girls to fly in. When I walked to next (where I had set my mind on an outfit from their website), it was absolutely crazy. They had there sale on and I could not find a thing. In the end I got a cute outfit for them from boots on sale...2 for 8£. We got home and Liv and I went to friend Daniels for a little splash in the paddling pool. It was nice to spend some time alone with Liv. Later that afternoon we enjoyed a lovely BBQ with Chris' dad and some ice cream from archers in Jesmond. It's amazing there ..fresh jersey ice cream. Yum!

Fae was up all Saturday night coughing, so I stayed home from church with her. We did a few jobs around the house. In the evening, the real craziness began. Liv was super hyper so we let her jump around the bouncy castle. She ended up knocking it over and hitting the built in closet! Ouch! We had to call the paramedics and she was taken to hospital . It was very sad but with a happy ending, as all she had was a big bump on her forehead. Very thankful for the NHS!!!

heat wave

We are having a heat wave in Newcastle Upon Tyne.  Highs of 78 have hit the North East and we are all melting. I must admit, I was grumbeling a bit yesterday in the flat, and complaining of the lack of fans and air conditioning. this all seems a bit silly when we wil be moving into 90 plus degree weather in a few weeks.  But when you arent used to hot weather, any type of heat becomes difficult.  Our flat is really warm and cozy in the winter.  As a resut, we have been spending loads of time outside. Yesterday we went to the park and played in the really nice water feature there.  Liv loved splashing around in the water with her friend Caitlyn.  We have known Caitlyn (and her mummy Helen and little sister Emma) since she was born... Liv and Caitlyn are months apart.  Today we went over to my friend Shona, who has Daniel and Lewis, who we have also known since birth.  Both Helen and Shona are from my NCT birth class which I did when I was 6 months pregnant with Olivia.  We will truly miss these friendships, but Im positive we will keep in touch!  

Olivias books arrived yesterday, so we spent the morning reading them together. She really liked the Bernstein Bear one on moving...but quickly said, I dont want to leave my house, afterwards. Hmmmph!  So, we are going back to not talking too much about it.  I still have so many little chores to get done. Time is flying by! I must admit, Im a bit slow on getting stuff done this past week. The girls arent sleeping well, and so Chris and I are walking zombies.  I have resorted to just snacking and drinking coffee all day, which is making me feel very sluggish. I am praying for a better tomorrow, and a fresh start at being a more energetic mum! 

The beach

This weekends jobs went on the back burner due to lovely weather. It is a rare thing to have such nice weather in the north east. So, on Saturday afternoon, we took the girls to the beach. We had to verge for a wedding in the morning, but as soon as that was over, we hit the road. The beach was extremely busy, but we managed to find a parking spot and a place on the beach. Olivia loved paddling in the water, while Fae hung out with me on our blanket. After a few hours of water play, we back up the cliff for some ice cream and fish and chips. I just love tyne mouth. It's beautiful, with the priory ruins overlooking the beach. It's even more beautiful when the weather is nice! I'm trying to take it all in. To soak up as much of England as possible before we leave. I want to keep the memories of England sweet.

The official announcement was posted in the church bulletin this Sunday. It made it feel even more real. The weeks are ticking by. Liv is really struggling with everything. I think it's because everyone keeps saying how sad it is we are leaving...which in turn makes her think leaving should be a sad thing. It is a bittersweet thing really. But I'm trying to make it very exciting when talking about it I front of her. God has great plans for our family and it is very exciting to watch!

Breakdowns

We have rached the stage of the moving process that involves major toddler breakdowns! Olivia is not handeling the move as well as I thought she would. Yesterday Liv spent the morning clinging to a picture of her class mates and asking for her teacher. Then in the afternoon, was quite emotional that she wouldn't see her little friend, Daniel, who she has known since birth. This morning she spent 30 minutes crying when Chris went outside to mow the lawns, as she didn't want him to leave. When we sat down to talk it over after she had calmed down, she said," I don't want to move. I don't want to say goodbye to our car. I want to stay in the house forever. " it was like a dagger to my heart. I know once we get there and get settled, and make some friends, she will be fine. But it's this transition time.  I'm so glad we are moving earlier than we had originally thought, because it is really hard once you have made the decision to move, but then still have time in "transition".  The moving process is a very emotional thing. I think it's even more emotional moving internationally... As you are moving to different cultures, and in the back of your head you know, that as much as people say they will visit you, very few actually do. In all the years I have lived in europe and England, only a few friends made the trip.  So saying goodbye in August will be a BIG goodbye!  To help Olivia, I just bought a few books on amazon for children on moving, which will come next week. I'm hoping this will help!

Happy 4th of July

Today we celebrated, Lor willing, our last 4th of July in England.  I didn't have much planned because its not a celebrated holiday here in England, for obvious reasons.  I had planned on my making the traditional flag cake with the girls. But as I was getting everything together to make my cake and fresh whipped cream topping, I realised I was missing a BIG instrument needed to make this cake.  Can anyone guess what I probably shipped already? You guessed it, my kitchen aid mixer! I about fell out of my chair when I realised this.  Both girls were in the kitchen, ready to bake...how could I possibly pull the plug on this exciting task. So, I looked around and saw I had a whisk. Ok, no problem, I could whisk this cake and make whipped crime by hand...all I need is a mixing bowl. Oh wait, another big problem... I sold all my mixing bowls at the carboot sell (well, actually, Steph fell in love with them and couldn't let them go lol). Ahhhhh! So again, I scoured the kitchen, both girls beginning to get restless. So, I ended up mixing the cake in a giant plastic popcorn container. Oh, and since I got rid of all my rectangle lasagna trays, I had to use two square trays and then just push them together afterwards. Now, the whipped cream...all I can say is, my arm is still so so sore! I put one of the girls small princess bowls in the freezer, along with the whisk. I took the container of double crime and , shake shake shake shake shake...you get the picture.  After about 5 minutes of doing this, I poured it in the cold bowl with powdered sugar and vanilla and whisked it with my cold whisk for a very long time! Powdered sugar was EVERYWHERE! The kids though this was hilarious!  By the time it came to decorating, I was so tired that I just let the kids go crazy. The store had ran out of blueberries, so we used grapes. Olivia was in charge of that section...and would bite them in half and stick them on lol (don't worry, we didn't serve that bit to anyone). In the end it turned out.., lovely.  Our good friend Rebecca (who is canadian..,close enough) and her daughter Olwyn came over for vegi burgers, twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob, baked beans and watermelon. Oh and our lovely cake served with cookie dough ice cream. Yummy. It was a really nice Fourth of July.

So, the moral of the story...when preparing to move... Don't get too ahead of yourself and get rid of everything too soon!

Last day at school

Today is Olivia's last day at Church High girls school. It just feels like yesterday I was dropping her off (well, it was only January). She was really excited to see her friends and hug them goodbye. When I dropped her off, the school was in an assembly. It was so cute to see how excited she was to join them in the hall to sing. I will miss this school...the experience of Olivia being part of an all girls school, the lovely teachers, and the manors they instilled in my daughter (let's just say, Liv was a bit of a Tom boy to start with...and still is in some degree..but has learned to play with other little girls). I told her I would get some nice bouquets from our favourite florist, the secret garden, so she can give them to her teachers. My mind could not think of something creative, so bouquets it is. One thing about moving, saying goodbyes in stages is hard!

Now that we have a huge chunk of stuff sorted I feel I can relax a bit. I still only have 2 weeks until our car needs to be sold. I put an ad up on gumtree, but no joy yet. This weekend we will put an ad on autotrader and see what happens. Our last stop is taking it to the Ford dealership we bought it from. I guess we will reserve that for our last day of insurance. Hopefully it will sell before then. I have various bits and bobs I need to sell.some which being up emotions as I hadn't thought of bringing them out of the loft for the shipping company. These items are big and bulky, and since our new apartment doesn't have a loft, and there won't be masses if space, I won't have anywhere to put it. I'm going to give myself a few days off of planning for sanity purposes and enjoy a movie with Chris and Ben and Jerry's tonight. We have a date night planned for Friday night which is exciting. And then another double date booked in for the following Friday night. I really think its important to stay connected as a couple during these moving times. We are a unit, making huge decisions for our family together. As lovely as other people's opinions are, it is Chris and I who, with God, have chosen to move to America.  We firmly believe this is Gods will and His best for our family. I doubt anyone else has prayed about this move as much as we have... All this in ind, these dates are important for us to reconnect and share our fears, excitement and dreams together.

Well, I must get going. I have a headache and I want to relax a bit before the rest of this day unfolds.

Whitley Bay Car boot sale

Sale, Sale, Sale!  Yesterday's car boot sale was amazing.  To get the day started, I was going to use my reusable Starbucks cups (all I can say is they are great. They only cost a pound, and Starbucks gives you 20% off your coffee purchase if you use it) to make Steph and I coffees to go.  However, we were completely out of coffee. 6:30 am on a Sunday morning and no coffee..serious problem. There were a few more items I wanted to stuff in my already bursting car.  So I ran around putting it all in, then took off down the coast road to pick up Steph and head for the Whitley bay car boot sale.  Thankfully there was a costa coffee kiosk at the petrol station on the way.  A few spills from hot coffee on myself, a ridiculously full car, and a fun friend, made for a great morning of selling.. I was so thankful to have Steph to help me. There were a few items I was having a hard time letting go of.  One was a wood train Chris and I had bought before we had kids. Chris lovingly restored it and we would display it at Christmas time.  However, two Christmases ago, Olivia and one of her little play mates decided to ride it all through the house. The wheels left black marks everywhere and it took me ages to get them out. We didn't bring it down when the movers were here, and so it had to go.  Oh I had a hard time with that one! There was only one item I sold, and then immediately said, stop, never mind! It was my cute union jack bunting! The buyer wasnt very happy, but I was glad I rescued it. All in all, we were very successful and I made about 142£! All of which went towards my Pottery Barn kitchen for the girls.

All gone

Well, Fridays big move went rather successfully. The movers showed up at 9:40, and by 10 am my entire hallway was filled with boxes. My great plan of taking the girls to mums and toddlers wasn't able to happen. Instead we watched back to back episodes of Little Bear, and I prayed Olivia wouldn't need to use the potty because it was blocked.  By 11:20, the entire job was done and all my cherished things were on a truck headed for the docks! Later that afternoon, Steph came around and we went from room to room, putting stuff together for a car boot sale. It felt good to clean out the flat!

Ready to go

Chris and I spent the eveing getting everything ready for the movers who are coming at 10 am.  We had to pack up the computer, the expresso machine, etc.  No more vailla lattes to get me through the day!  We also got a load of those vacuum bags.  Now, I had ordered some off of amazon for 12.99, for a pack of 10 large ones.  Chris went to Lakeland Plastics in Eldon Square and bought 4 large ones which came up to 20 pounds.  Ok, I kinda got a little upset at him for spending so much for only 4.  But when we used the cheaper ones from amazon, they quality could not even begin to compare to the Lakeland plastic ones!  Lesson learnded, dont buy cheap vacuum pack bags!

I must admit, im a bit nervous for 10 am. I dont know how its going to go.  Moms and Toddlers will be going on downstairs, so atleast I can take the girls there.  We shall see. I will update you all with the outcome!  We are also going to clean out the car on saturday, and put it on Gumtree for sale!  Bye Bye old friend!

the movers are coming!

This morning I rang Kelleys removas again (a loca newcastle branch that is under the donnee bonner umbrella).  Their quote was the best 1385 pounds, and i thought they were a bit more proffessional than Pickfords (well atleast the people who answer the phone there were a bit more on the ball).  I really dont think it matters who you go with, they are all as bad as the other...and you will get good reviews and bad reviews from each company.  Well, when I rang, the rep asked if we were ready to go.  I said, yes, that everything was in one room ready to be packed.  So, he suggested they come at 10 in the morning! Ahhhh!  Tonight is going to be filled with lots of last minute sorting and insuring everything we want to go is packed up!

Going through every emotion

I am literally going through every emotion right  now.  We received our new address for our apartment when we arrive in Franklin…well its actually in Brentwood. We have decided to sell the car by the 14^th of July, which means we need to clean it up this weekend and put it up for sale.  We had another moving company come to give a quote…1385 this time (Kelleys removals in Newcastle).  Pickfords, the first company who quoted in the 2200, has said they will come Friday morning for a re-quote.  Either way, all this stuff will be picked up next week. 

All this is causing me to go on a rollercoaster of emotions.  One minute I am excited, one minute I am sad, one minute I want to keep my dining table because of all the memories made with it, the next I want a new one. I cant make any decisions! I look forward to Friday, as my good friend Steph is going to come over and help me go through everything once again.  Then Sunday we, along with my other good friend Jess (who is going through a big moving process as well to Scotland with her husband and two boys), are all going to a car boot sale in Whitley Bay.  I’m hoping to make a little cash so that I can put it towards all the stuff we need to re-buy. 

Now for the really sad part… we cant take all the girls toys.  I don't know who’s more sad about this, them, or me, who is going to have to explain to my 3 year old where her goofy soft toy is.  It is going to be way too expensive to send everything.  So, I have come up with a plan. If I can make 699$ in the next couple of weeks through selling different things, I’m going to buy the girls the pottery barn kitchen.  It is every little girls dream kitchen (and every mummy’s dream too).  It is super pricey, but what is funny, it is cheaper to buy that brand new kitchen, than to bring all their existing toys!  They already have a super cute kitchen, but again, it is going to cost more than the value of the kitchen to ship! So we shall see. I have our leather sofas to sell, our bed, a wardrobe, a dining table, and various bits and bobs.  My hope is that they both get so excited over the new amazing kitchen that they don't notice the missing stuff!

Like I said this is an emotional time.  I am trying to be very sensitive to Olivias needs. Her tantrums are out of control and we are trying our hardest to help her through this process and not involve her in rather stressful conversations (such as car insurance quotes). I too am sad about leaving behind my security net... my friends, my church, my support network.  I was overwhelmed with a lonely feeling last night just thinking about it.  It took us so long to make good friends...the kind you can call on in the middle of the night if you need someone to watch your kids. I know God will provide new friends, a new support network... but this will all take time.

A life without...

Since living in England, I have done without many things.  For years, I have hand washed all my dishes. It was fine when it was just Chris and I. But when Olivia joined us, and then Fae, life without a dishwasher began becoming rather time consuming. This especially was hard at different events like Thanksgiving with 12 guests.  Not to mention her baby dedication, when I decided to have afternoon tea for 100 using real tea cups and saucers!  But I have learned to do without a dishwasher, and have actually enjoyed the peace that comes with washing dishes after dinner while Chris gives the girls a bath.  I enjoy looking out my kitchen window, at the gargoyles (Yes, I said gargoyles , and the stained glass window of the church.

The other thing I have learned to do without is a dryer.  For years I have line dried all my clothes.  Again, this wasn't an issue when I was single, or when it was just chris and I.  But when you add all the laundry that comes from children, it becomes a major chore.  Since moving to the flat we live in now, getting the clothes on the line (which happens to be on the church roof) has been difficult with the kids. And since it rains alot here, you never can guarantee good weather for drying outside.  But, I have grown used to the nice smell of line dried clothes... and have appreciated the fact that I dont have to worry about them shrinking!

Today we realised that our car insurance runs out on the 14th of July!  Now, we can either renew our existing policy for the year, and pay the cancelation fee when we sell the car.  Or look up a monthly car insurance.  Or... we can live without a car for a month and a half.  This option definently has some perks... no more buying petrol; we can sell our car sooner rather than later; and we can enjoy the extra exercise that comes from walking everywhere.  If we lived anywhere other than in the heart of a city, I wouldn't even consider this as an option. But since we live next to a metro station (yes, we live a few steps away from one), which can take us to various friends houses, the grocery store, the dr, the city centre, the airport, etc; this actually could be a possibility   Chris brought up the question of what if one of the girls needs to go to the hospital... and I guess we could call a taxi, or an ambulance for a real emergency.  It would just limit our range of activities which require driving to rather than the use of public transportation.

We havent made a decision regarding the car situation yet... we are just going to wait and see what quotes we get from temporary insurance companies.  Its all becoming real...the move that is.  It will especially feel real when we say goodbye to our beloved car!  

Overwhelmed.com

Well, we have spent the weekend cleaning out our entire house of everything we want to take and putting it in a nice little...oops, I meant HUGE, pile in the dining room. I am overwhelmed as the boxes keep coming from the loft. I cant believe this is just some of our stuff. Where are we going to put it all when we get there!  I just ordered some vacuum pack storage bags to use on all the old baby clothes (just incase we have a 3rd).  I need to just go through all this stuff another time and eliminate things. I know I will be even more overwhelmed when it all comes and I have to put it away!  I would post pictures but its just too overwhelming at the moment.  I cant wait till this part of the process is done!

prayer chain and Tickets booked

Our tickets are booked! Last night Chris and I searched the internet for the best deal regarding flights to Tennessee.  We booked through our airline of choice, British Airways, even though they were slightly more than Air France.  We are used to British Airways, and are hesitant to change airlines.  The date... August 31st at 6:15 am!  We arrive into Nashville at 6 in the evening. We wanted to take the flights schedule that would only be a 13 hour journey, but it only gave us an hour and ten minutes in Chicago airport to go through customs, recollect our checked luggage, go through security, re check the luggage and get to our plane.   America has a rule that international passengers must recollect there checked luggage and recheck it before boarding your next flight.  Errrrr. Since we are taking 4 huge tubs, 4 carry ons, 2 car seats, 1 stroller, 1 diaper bag, and 2 back packs, we really dont think there will be enough time to race through the airport! So, we will now fly through New York and have a 3 1/2 hour delay, bumping our journey up to 16 1/2 hours.  Our kids are really going to be fun when we arrive in Nashville. Lol. 

I wanted to share with you something we did a long time ago which has helped our family throughout this entire process.  We started a prayer chain which lead up to Sept 30^th (our originally moving date). Every day, I wrote a prayer request and sometimes a verse to go along with that prayer.  Every day we have pulled a chain off and prayed over that specific need for our trip.  The chain has gotten shorter and shorter…and even shorter now that we have bumped the actual moving date earlier.  I want to be a family that prays!

This is what the chain looks like this morning.  Todays prayer request... That Chris would find a job!

Tripit

Ok, who out there doesn't know about Tripit?  I just discovered it when we were planning our vacation to Tennessee in May.  Its a super clever little app, I wish I had discovered it ages ago.  Basically, you go to www.tripit.com and sign up, which is free.  You can also download the app on your iphone which is really helpful. Once you sign up, all you have to do is forward all your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and Tripit will automatically build an itinerary for your trip. You can also put maps, directions, dinner reservations...just about anything into your trip it itinerary  The best part is, you can access it either online or from your phone while you are on your trip. I printed my entire itinerary out and put it in a binder so everyday we could read our itinerary  use the maps, etc. I know, a bit OCD, but it is really useful! Im so excited to start my tripit for the move!

Last night all the puzzle pieces for our trip began to come together.  We have found a place to live (Praise God!!!), that will allow us to take out a 6 month contract.  We are still working through all the forms, so I dont want to get too excited and show you pictures of how pretty the apartment complex is. But once everything is finalised I will share with you where we are going to be living for our first 6 months of our adventure!  The move in date for that particular apartment is sept 3rd, which means we will be flying out before then.  My mom, and possibly my sister and niece will be joining us.  My mom kindly booked the cutest little cottage in Franklin from August 31-Sept 7th. So we can enjoy a little rest and relaxation before we move into our new flat! Im sooo excited.  The cottage looks amazing, and its right in the center of Franklin. Chris and I will be celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary on September 1st.  We originally thought we would fly out on the 2nd, but have decided to change it to August 31st. We could either celebrate 6 years with last minute packing, OR celebrate it by sitting on a porch, sipping sweet tea, and enjoying our adventure together. Hmmmm, what would you do = ).

Ive included a few pictures from our vacation to Tennessee in March. We loved it there and cant wait to return! Enjoy!

Yummmmmy, coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries!

The famous Loveless Cafe... The pecan pie was delish!

How much?

Well, we received the quote from the first movers... 2300£! And that is not including all the 'extra fees'. So Im calling around other companies. They all want exact measurements, which I dont really have at the moment. So, Chris and I have decided that the best course of action will be to clean out the dinning room of everything, sorting through what we want to keep and what we dont. Then we will take our bit 'tubs' down and start filing them... and see where that takes us. I am going to ask my good friend Steph to help me... she wont be emotionally attached to all the stuff I have... Especially all the party supplies.  We are going to really have to limit everything.  If we all bring an extra suit case on our flight, it will be 232£. So that is one option, but it can only weight 51 lbs per item.  So, we might even just bring 8 'tubs' with us, and 4 carry ons. We need to make decisions.  Last night we were both so exhausted, as the kids arent sleeping due to ear infections. We couldn't even think of what to do. So, we just sat down with ben and jerrys with a hot moon pie on top   and watched the Help. We brought a few boxes home to give away as gifts, but the boxes were ruined.  So Chris and I decided to keep them and have been thoroughly enjoying them heated up with ice cream on top!  A true Tennessee treat! Ive included a picture of a moon pie ice cream sundae... ours wasn't as fancy as that but I think I might have to try that! Also, I found a picture of some moon pie turkeys for thanksgiving. I really want to make those! There is also an RC cola and Moonpie festival in Bell Buckle, Tn! Ok, it sounds like so much fun! Google maps says its only an hour away from Franklin.  Our family is going to plan on going to that next summer! Anyone wanna come out to visit us for it lol!

RC and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, TN—June 15, 2013

What’s more southern than an RC Cola and a Moon Pie? Nothing, if you ask the residents of this central Tennessee town, who celebrate these treats every summer with deep-south events like a synchronized wading demonstration, a watermelon seed–spitting contest, the Moon Pie toss and a hog-calling contest. There’s also a parade of cola bottles and snack cakes, and the festival’s finale: the cutting of the world’s largest Moon Pie. Visit BellBuckleChamber.com for more information. Photo courtesy of Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce.

Read more: Wacky Summer Festivals - Summer Travel Ideas at WomansDay.com - Woman's Day 

FlapJack

One thing I will really miss about the UK... flapjack. I dont think they sell Golden Syrup in America... I definently am going to have to bring some with me when we go. This morning I started the day off by making a batch of flapjack. I slightly overcooked it because everyone went a bit crazy at the moment I was taking it out of the oven.  But it still is yummy...especially with coffee! I needed it this morning!  Yesterday was a bit overwhelming. Im not sure how it all started... maybe because the kids were super cranky. Liv had her first and last british sports day. It was really cute and well done...however, at the end they had a wee race. The only people who received ribbons were those in 1,2,3 rd place... and since Liv came in last, she didnt get one. I didn't think it would affect her, because immediately afterwards the girls all got ice creams. But, it did. She wouldn't stop talking about it.  I tried to distract her, encourage her in how well she did, etc, but it seriously spoiled her mood for the rest of the afternoon.  Needless to say, I was exhausted and worn out by the time Chris got home. The kids also fell asleep at 3 and slept till 4:30...I didn't have the energy to keep them up.  So, they were both up until 9:45!  Chris and I really didn't get a chance to chat, and I was just in a horrible mood... on the verge of tears.  Moving does that to you I suppose. I just want to get it over and done with, as I hate feeling unsettled.  Im trying to trust God! I handed the pile of junk...the emotions, jobs to be done, everything, to Him last night. It really did help. Im also trying, and I mean trying really hard, to not be that contentious wife... Proverbs 19:13b, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.  There are a few references to this "contentious' wife in Proverbs... I just read this one this morning and was reminded of it. How annoying is that drip, drip, drip of the tap!

Mary Berry Flapjack

PREP 10 MINS

COOK 30 MINS

125g butter plus extra fro greasing

90g golden syrup

90g light muscovado sugar

250g rolled oats

roasting tin or shallow cake tin, about 20 x 30 cm

1 LIghlty butter the roasting tin or cake tin.

2 Combine the butter, syrup, and sugar in a saucepan and heat gently until the ingredients have melted and dissolved. Stir in the oats and mix well. (if you use a bit less oats, the flap jack are more sticky, ooey gooey yummy)

3 Spoon into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with a palette knife. Bake in a preheated oven at 180C (160C fan, Gas 4) for about 30 minutes.

4 Leave to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then mark into 24 fingers. Leave to cool completely, then cut and remove from tin.

Ready, set... ok, sitting down with a coffee

Getting motivated for this move is, well, rather hard. I have so much stuff swirling around my head and so much stuff that I need to get done. Olivia is at school at the moment, Fae is snuggled up in bed... and Ive just spent the last hour and a half praying, reading my bible, catching up on my diary... and now im sitting here with my second vanilla latte, blogging.  I need an action plan. I know i have my weekly list, but I also need a schedule. A routine per sa.  Liv only has two more weeks of school and that means only 4 more mornings child free.  Yesterday was such a busy day visiting friends, doing celebrate recovery stuff, etc, that now im exhausted and unmotivated.  Todays task... make a summer schedule! I want to make sure I enjoy my last weeks in the UK, as well as get through the mass amount of things that need to get done.  Like, I need to sell our tvs now, and sign Liv up for ballet, etc etc. So by tomorrow I will try and figure this all out!  Ready, set, .... GOOOOO

Movers!

The first moving company came today to survey our items. They wont give an estimate until Wednesday  so Im trying to guess how much it will all be.  1,000 pounds? 2,000 pounds?  We really aren't going to be bringing too many things, as alot of the stuff we do have is from charity shops, second hand, etc.  We also just found out that our tvs wont work in the US, so that is another item we can sell on gumtree closer to the time.  Olivia has an ear infection, so alot of the things I thought I would get done this morning while she was at nursery were put off for another time. I started going through a bag of 'junk' today from the loft of our other property and found loads of old diaries, pictures etc.  I started to read some of the diaries and found them rather unhelpful, so they went in the bin.  One piece of advice the movers said that is rather helpful is, 'If you have to spend over 40 seconds trying to decide rather or not to keep an item, then it doesn't really mean that much to you, so dont pack it'. Wow, permission has been given to just get rid of almost all of my things lol. I must admit, I do struggle with hoarding. Everything has potential in my book. But this is an exciting opportunity to start afresh! We shall see how it all goes!

International Moving...Are we crazy!

International moving… well, I think I was a bit naive to think it was a simple thing.  Moving from one city to another is stressful and difficult…but moving from one country to another is, well, beyond belief stressful! But I am thankful that I have God to lean on! Everyday I must lay everything at His feet, trusting that He has a plan and purpose in everything. And so I start this blog. Not only to encourage myself by having something else to vent at besides Chris = ), but also to encourage others in the future who will be going through this process.

We arrived back from Franklin Tennessee refreshed. I can honestly say that was one of the most relaxing holidays ever.  I would even rank it in the same category as our trip to Maui, Greece and to the Laguna beach hotel that was catered to adults only.  Sitting on the porch swing, sipping cups of coffee and sweet tea (my new favourite), and just driving around the new area. Oh and frozen yogurt at sweet ce ces. Yes, that was definitely a high light for our entire family. 

So now we are back in Newcastle getting ready for our trip back to America!  There is so much to do and only weeks to do it in. I think its officially 11 weeks…we are thinking of bumping the moving date forward as everything starts up in the beginning of September and may prove to be an easier transition.

Today is Fathers day… Kinda just arrived before I was ready.  Liv painted Chris a dinosaur picture, which we turned into a card, and she had picked out a glass star a few weeks ago that says “number one dad” on it. We then proceeded to make, what I now term, triple chocolate disaster cookies. I always forget how hard it is to make, bake, or cook anything with two little ones in the smallest kitchen around.  Fae wanted to help, Liv wanted to help, eggs were going everywhere, chocolate powder was smeared everywhere…Phew, it was a mess! But the result was amazing yummy cookies from a recipe I played around with. I will include it at the bottom in-case you want to try them with your little ones as well…or without them and actually relax while you cook = ).

This weekends tasks are:

            -    To get through all the laundry from the vacation and put it all away

            -    Finish all the paper work for the solicitor from our flat (Yes, we sold our

                        rental property last week)
            -       Put luggage away from our trip

            -       Make a list of everything we want to take so we can get a proper estimate from the moving      
                      company

Since the weekend is almost over, I need to get onto all of this stuff today.  Next weeks tasks are waiting for me tomorrow.  I found it really helpful to break down all the tasks into weekly lists. That way it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I need to remember that life is happening now,  as I prepare for the future, and I need to live that way!

                          Triple Chocolate Disaster Cookies

1 cup butter, softened                                    2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 cup packed dark brown sugar                    ¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup white sugar                                         ¼ teaspoon salt

2 eggs                                                            1 cup crushed up white choc bar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract                             1 cup crushed up milk choc bar

2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Stop yelling at the kids at this point and savour the moment together!  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt (yes, allow your toddler to measure out the flour…it makes the cookies more interesting that way).  Stir into the butter mixture and mix well.  Mix in crushed up chocolate bars.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet either greased, or lined with parchment paper. 

Back for 8 to 10 min until set. These are really yummy hot!

Birthday Parties

Week two of nursery, and Olivia has already been invited to 3 birthday parties! Im thinking this could be quite pricey, depending on how many parties she is invited to over the course of her time at Church High.  I was able to get a really cute Cath Kidston purse and handbag for £10.50. So that takes care of one little gift.  I also got a stamp set and sticker book for another little girl, whose party is tomorrow.  One of the parties is a joint party, and I think we will have to miss that one.  Im really nervous about tomorrows party. It will be interesting how it goes and how the other mums are.  I am trying my hardest to build Olivia up and to support her during difficult times. I think friendships is going to be one of these areas. Olivia seems so shy and unsure of herself at times. At home she is so confident. As well, at church events. But in new surroundings she crumbles.  I need wisdom on how to support her through this!

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it

proverbs 22:6

I am deeply moved by these scriptures, as I sat praying for Olivia this morning. Last night she did not sleep well, and had a rough day yesterday. I was trying to put on Mary Poppins for her in the afternoon, but for some reason the apple tv wasn't working.  I had to go to the main computer to try and set it up, but while I was doing that, Beauty and the Beast accidentally turned on. It just happened to be on the part where the beast kills Gastov. Olivia started screaming her head off and before I realised what had happened, she saw a bit of it. Now, I dont know if that is why she didn't sleep last night, or that the adjustment to nursery has been hard. But whatever it is, I am concerned. When I dropped her off at nursery this morning, she looked sad. She wasn't the happy, responsive little girl I thought we had. It is almost as if her spirit has been broken. At 3, i dont believe any huge damage has been done. But I do believe it is something I need to be very aware of. Are we disciplining her correctly, are we training her in the way of the Lord? Are we loving her the way we should. All these are questions that are running through my mind right now. I want her to know God. Not just a sunday morning kinda way. But in a deep and intimate type of way. I want her to know that Jesus is real, and that He loves her. I want her to have wings, to fly above this hurtful world.  As I work on my celebrate recovery inventory, and look at my past hurts that have shaped who I am, i am increasingly aware of the hurts Olivia can be developing. Her fear of the hospital is one of them. I pray that God will help lead us as parents.  

Olivias 3rd Birthday invite

Wow, how fast time has flown by since my last post. I sit here, with a cup of cofee in my cowboy mug while Fae naps, and Liv is at nursery. I am completing my online shop as well so that I dont need to brave the shops with the kids this week. I am really basking in my thankfullness to God for what He has provided us! Chris started his new job today. He was very nervous, and although I wasnt very encouraging about his appearance before he left (something I really need help from the Lord with), he left confident in the job God had given him.  We are praying about moving to Franklin Tennessee. I am very nervous but excited about what the Lord may have in-store for us there. We are anxiously awaiting Chris' interview with the US government in London so he can get his visa. Then we will visit Franklin in May and see what God has in-store for us. He will have to open every door along the way, because we cannot do it without HIM! I was reading in my Bible today, proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead
surely to plenty
But those of everyone who is 
hasty, surely to poverty 

I am struck by these words. I just want to move NOW, but the Lord wants us to wait. Wait for HIS timing, HIS guiding, HIS opening of doors. Oh how hard that is. Just to WAIT! Yesterday I got completely overwhelmed. All I wanted was a dishwasher...I spend hours washing breakfast dishes, lunch dishes, dinner dishes...Im already tired just thinking of all those dishes! All I want is a home that doesn't have mold. That I dont have to hear the slamming of the front door all the time from church goers...the list can go on and on. But I must WAIT! And rejoice in the now. In the fact that we have somewhere warm to live...that we can run the heating as much as we want and not pay a dime. That we have a church family around us at all times that loves us. Wow, that is a blessing.

I am also reminded yet again of these verses, from Proverbs 21:9

Better to dwell in a corner of a 
housetop
Than in a house shared with a 
contentious woman.

And again in verse 19

Better to dwell in the
wilderness
Than with a contentious and
angry woman.

I think of that poor man, having to dwell in the wilderness, or on a rooftop...to have a better life, than in a nice warm house with a woman who is contentious and angry. God help me not to be that woman!

I am truly blessed by these times to reflect, to write, to read Gods word, while Fae naps and Liv is at nursery... at least for a Monday and Tuesday! Thank you Lord! Now I need to soak up all this wisdom from Proverbs and apply it to my life! And stop using my IPHONE all the time when the kids are around!

Faes birth announcement