Heartbreaker

I'm working right now and don't want to be, so I am posting this incredibly handsome little man.

Don't be fooled- RIGHT after this, he was quite naughty....

Catching up and last Dallas pis

So, we are doing better sleep-wise- I really can't complain at all- except for those 2 hours Sunday night, the kids have adjusted beautifully!!!! The past 2 nights, both have slept from 8pm-ish until I awakened them after 8am. You may think I'm mean for waking them, but we have to live by Scottish time. We continued to skip R's naps- today is the first day I have put her down- I have no illusions that she will sleep and I don't really care, but I need SOME time from 8am-8pm that is not child-filled. :) I have already heard full conversations (she does both sides), as well as "Row, row, row your boat" and "I've got a new way to walk" several times. Funny girl. We also got to reconnect with friends this morning- my parents had told Rebekah thta when she got back to Scotland she got to see her friends- so the SECOND we pulled up, she asked "Where are my friends?! Are they in my flat? Are they in my room?" Needless to say, we were eager to see our buddies. We saw Melissa and Jamie, Rachel and Ethan, and Kate and Lily. Rachel and Kate are expecting #2 in the next month or so.

I DID finish my obligations for today- I actually have deadlines every 2 weeks, but this being the first part of the project, they are having us turn in part of it today so they can see how we're doing. PTL! Josh took his first final today and felt good about it. He takes his 2nd one Friday morning. He has next week off and we are hoping to take a day to travel a bit. We'll see!!

These are our last days in Dallas....Rebekah already wants to go back and can't wait to get on the next plane- I can! Altho, Dallas would be fine!

Dual bath for the cousins

I French braided her hair- sorry for the tag...

Just liked how she HAD to use chopsticks like Daddy! This was at Pei Wei- we also ate there 2 days before we moved to IA (I was 8 mos pregnant with R at that time), so Pei Wei has some bittersweet memories for me.

Grasshopper Mama

Josh used to work at a church in Frisco, TX as the college pastor. He kept telling me how cool this girl, Mary, was who was also working/volunteering there. Our paths didn't cross that much. In the meantime she got married and had kids at the same time we had ours- their 2 were even closer, tho! Those crazy cats! She found my blog somehow and therefore I found hers. We are faithful posters on each others' blogs and I told Josh I know she'd be a dear friend for life if we lived closer. Besides the fact that's she's incredibly beautiful, Mary has a lot going for her- extremely funny, great mom, and consistent blogger (see Grasshopper Mama in my blog list)!

So, when we were in Dallas, I told my family I really wanted to see her. I felt silly since we don't really even know each other in real life, but she's just that cool. (Did I mention she's over halfway thru her 3rd pregnancy?) We only had 2 weeks in Dallas and were on a tight schedule. :) Rebekah was being bratty and mentioned how much she missed us (by that I mean "I miss you, Daddy" which made us think maybe we needed a little reconnect time with her). So we randomly ended up in Plano and went to a mall play area we've never been to. God is soooooooooo good- guess who was there with her whole family???? Mary!!!!!

Before we spotted Mary (seriously, I was working my way over to photograph a North Dallas phenomenon- about 10 women had their infants and toddlers all in parked strollers in a line while they ran up and down the stairs and worked out...only in Dallas. before I got to them, we saw Mary) this was what Rebekah was doing.

How we're adjusting

Well, it's always hard to lose 6 hours. God has been good, though, and we got a lot of rest we didn't count on. Saturday, we got that long nap and then both kids went down at 8 and 8:30pm- they both awoke around 10:30pm, but quickly went right back to bed until we woke them at 10am!!!! That was glorious! So, Luke took naps every few hours and we skipped R's. I put them both in bed at 8 again last night- sadly, it felt like their naps apparently- they were up from 10pm-12am as we talked them into sleeping again. Actually we bribed Rebekah and until she fell asleep after midnight, we heard "I want a red popsicle, mommy- red, red, red!!!" After that, tho, they slept until I got them up at 9am. We are trying to win back some time each day- I shouldn't have put them in bed so early last night. Anyway, the hardest part is that I have to work when they're sleeping, so I need them down at reasonable times. I ended up taking them both to creche this am and got some work done. Josh went in to his office and is studying for his 2 finals. the bright side is that he is off next week- the negative side of me wishes they could have had their finals pre-Xmas and we could have stayed 2 weeks longer in TX...

The kids are doing okay- Luke was a terror yesterday, but is much better today. Rebekah has been doing great most of the time- a few meltdowns, but overall much more herself than even in TX sometimes. She was sooooo excited to get Mickie back and to reclaim all her belongings- I am amazed at how much she remembered she had! It has been fun watching her play with the things she got for Christmas. She has asked for TX and grandparents, but has mostly handled it well that we're not there.

In terms of daily life, it has been a much easier adjustment this time around. Having a car, knowing where things are and how they work, etc. has been great. However, it is sad thinking about how long we'll be here without seeing many special people we love. I keep looking around and seeing things I did in preparation for leaving or going somewhere and reliving how excited I was to go home. Granted I am tired and a bit stressed, but I am still feeling homesick. My mom is coming in April for Luke's 1st birthday and Josh's parents are coming in July for Rebekah's 3rd birthday. With this in mind, tho, I am striving to really make a life for us here and not simply exist between visits to or from family. This will be challenging, but I am so blesses to already have some really sweet friends here who were even nice enough to email us while we were away- that made me feel really special and glad to know them, of course.

p.s. R is in room time while Luke naps right now- we're way off schedule-wise. :) You know me, tho, super-flexible, rolls with the punches...ha! Anyway, I digress...for several minutes now, R has preciously called out "I LIIIIIKE these fruit snacks, Mommy! (what Mamama sent with us- so good, job, Mamama) I love you, Mommy! I love you, too, Mommy!" Oh my gosh- highlight of my day. Thank you, Lord. (Similarly, Luke has been giving me the goofiest, sweetest, I-love-you-so-much-Mommy grins from his high chair, it has been killing me!)

Feeling like Supermom

Maybe it's just that the flight to TX was so traumatic, but I am feeling rather super-humanish at the moment...We all arrived to Aberdeen safely and a even a bit early with MINIMAL crying on the plane and just a 5-minute burst from Luke b/w flights. In fact, we are so thankful to the Lord (maybe He was just tired of hearing from me about it... :)) for providing us with the bulkhead seat and the whole row to ourselves for the 8-hr flight to Amsterdam. Seriously- Luke barely fussed and I just patted his chest/tummy as he drifted off to sleep several times in the bassinet. (Now that I think about it, he did scream off and on for 30 or so minutes to the point that the flight attendant so cleverly pointed out maybe he wasn't happy in the bassinet- I politely told her this was not his loudest scream and if she'd like to hear it, I could pick him up. She responded by not making me awaken him to buckle him on my lap when the fasten seatbelt sign came on during turbulence- wise move.) Rebekah also took several naps and Josh and I were able to watch some movies and have dinner with 2 peacefully sleeping children- sadly, the flight attendants carried on conversations (loudly) over their sleeping heads and both awoke before they needed to...sigh...what can you do? I did not sleep a wink and was so tired I was almost nauseous as we landed and taxied for seriously 15 minutes- gratefully, Luke and I drifted off to sleep (he was even in my arms- I guess he expressed all his rage publicly in the lobby b/w flights because by the time we got on the 2nd flight, he just turned towards me and closed his eyes- happy moment) together for the 2nd flight. Our friends, Rachel and Mark, were nice enough to pick us up in 2 cars to accomodate all our luggage. We got home, fed everybody and we all took 3-hr naps!!!! That is amazing for us! The reason I'm feeling superhuman is that family nap and the fact that not only have I unpacked and put up 300 pounds of luggage in a flat with no closets, I also had groceries delivered and we bathed both kids. This is all quite unprecedented for us. (side note: I should mention that Josh carried the bags (with Mark's help of course!), worked on getting my new computer online and hooked up, went thru mail and messages, and entertained the kids. I guess I'm not the only superhuman in this family)

So, it's 8pm and Luke is asleep for the night, R is on her way soon (she told us at nap time and just now that she was tired- CRAZY for her!) and Josh and I have to hit the books- he for finals and me for a new project that is partially due Wednesday- yikes!!! A bit overwhelmed, which is probably why I am resting on the laurels of my previous accomplishments.

Thank you for all your prayers! Truly- great travel day, minus the sadness of leaving...

Back to Scotland

We're leaving today at 3-something pm and will arrive in Aberdeen tomorrow at 10 am if all goes well. The weather looks clear, so we should make it there. We've had a wonderful time with both families and many friends. It has been a full, yet fast month. Lots of great family time and and great food, of course. We feel very blessed to have so many people who love us so dearly. Thanks, Mom and Dad and Mike and Phyllis for great times with you. we love you and miss you all already.

In all honesty, I am already tired of good-byes and feel like a wreck emotionally. It's not that I don't like Aberdeen, it's that I'm close to our families and friends here and it is devastating to have to say good-bye for such a long time this time.

Please pray for us:

Smooth travel
Sleep for the kids on the overnight flight
Adjusting to being 6 hrs ahead again
Josh is going back to 2 finals next week
I am heading into a new work contract with a quick deadline (praise the Lord for a great-paying contract!!)

It's hard to go into finals and a big new work contract while adjusting to weird sleep patterns, especially with the 2 small children- so we appreciate your prayers!

See you on the other side!

"Craft Day"

My mom's mom started "Craft day" when my brother and I were wee ones. My grandmother, her sister, and their daughters would get together and do crafts. This was back in the day when women actually did crafts! Anyway, some worked on scrapbooks, others sewing, others handicrafts- my mom ironed. Another way we are alike- why be crafty when you can be efficient and go home with fewer tasks left to do? :)

Anyway, all of us are grown up and few of us do crafts! I can't help but think how happy my grandmother would be to know that craft day is still happening and that my kids and I got to attend this past Friday!

Me, my 2nd cousin Whitney, my sister-in-law Becky, my 2nd cousin-in-law Ali

Luke Duke

Rebekah and Olivia (her mom is Whitney)- my fave was when the 2 girls (1 year apart) climbed into a Dora tunnel and chatted privately

Luke and Marshall (Olivia's little brother- LOVE the red curls- I hate that Whit and I are not geographically closer- it's so fun to her exactly a year ahead of us with their kids!)

Some fun pics for you!!

Crazy!!

Well! It has been a crazy week already!

On Friday, Josh and I helped his sister, Sarah, move to a new place in College Station and we were eager to do that because our best friends live there! So, Josh drove the flatbed and actually did the work, while I got a very cute new haircut! We went to Matt and Shannon's and got some awesome time with them and their 2 girls.

Then, on Saturday, Josh, the kids, Nana, and I got in the car bright and early Sat morning to meet my dad to go back to Dallas to spend time with my family. Sadly, there was no sleep for Rebes and only a hard-won 30 minutes for little man (who has been crashing in his crib!) over the course of the 6 hrs in the car....oh well. Anyway, we arrived to a very excited set of grandparents and we have been having great times!

Some fun highlights:

Josh and I were supposed to get our teeth cleaned on Monday since dental care is virtually impossible to get in the UK. We took the roads instead of the highway because of hard rain and possible ice and I didn't want to drive my parents' new car in those conditions. On those back roads, the traffic lights were all out and there was a wreck we got stuck behind...we were glad the backup traffic didn't make us late to our appointments. As we walked up to the office, we noticed their lights were out, too! No biggie, they squeezed us in for the next afternoon. We drove home to a DARK house- my parents had our 2 children and my niece (who was staying for the day) in the lightest room they had- all 3 had awakened from sound naps when their fans suddenly went off! So, Josh and I huddled with them and played and we picked up dinner. Because of questionable weather, my niece ended up staying over again, which was fun! Finally, after 5 hours, Rebekah said, "Turn on the lights!" and they came on!! Praise the Lord we didn't have to sleep 3 babies without heat.

So, the next day, Josh and I were off for our rescheduled appointments. I wanted to leave the new car for my parents and the kids' (car seats, you know?), so we decided to drive "Lester," my dad's faithful blue Explorer of 13 years. Let me say, I have driven Lester many times before- afterall, he was part of my high school days. So, off we went. We decided to hit the highway this time since there had been troubles the other way...there was an accident, so we exited, just as Lester let out a very piercing squeal that never stopped, even when I stopped at a light. We pulled over, Josh determined that it was a belt, but we both thought it would be fine. At the spotting of smoke, we decided we weren't going anywhere but the nearest parking lot. Sadly, that parking lot was just past me having power steering. Josh helped man handle the steering wheel thru a huge intersection and cross 4 lanes of traffic to a car lot. We don't have cells here in the US, so we borrowed one from a patron at McDonald's and my dad picked us up and had Lester towed. So, we still haven't seen the dentist.

In other news, my dad took Rebekah to a listing of my mom's (she is a realtor)- Rebekah was very excited and once in the house, she spread her arms wide and said, "This house is wooooonderful!" No idea where she gets this stuff....

As for Luke, he is dropping the bottle like nobody's business- seriously, the kid is already weaning himself. I guess it's linked to his new found ability to feed himself! That's right, my boy has mastered his pincher grasp!

I will work on some pics later! ;)

The duck pond

Rebekah in her make-shift cape...

Luke got a new do- it's short and sporty and showcases his perfectly round head. That's our way of saying, yes, it's shorter than we anticipated. But doesn't he look oh so cute?

Nana, Rebekah, Luke, and I met Aunt Salsa (aka Aunt Sarah, but Rebes called her salsa last year when she was just talking) and her friend, Toni, at the duck pond. As Josh would say, this is Luke's classic "put-out" look- he gets this from my brother. However, Luke is not at all put-out- in fact, he was mesmerized by the ducks!

Rebekah LOVEs to feed the ducks- I heard her talking to herself, saying "No, it's not tiny enough," as she ripped the bread smaller. :) Great progress from the summer, when she threw whole pieces in.

Nana and Luke again

Me with Aunt Salsa

In related news, the kids are doing great! We have FINALLY figured out that many of Luke's fussies are due to constipation. The golden syrup from Scotland does the trick in just a few hours and he's a new baby. Thank you, Lord, for wisdom.

Luke and Rebekah ate their weight in lasagna tonight!

Rebekah strapped on her backpack and headed off to "school." Nana, always looking for teachable moments, asked her if she was going to obey her teachers because they were the bosses at school. Rebekah thought for a moment and decided she didn't want to go to school anymore!

Today I went in to her during nap time and said, "You need to be quiet and sleep." She replied, "I need to talk about my balloon." She did not nap. :)

In a tender moment, Papa searched for Annie and Rebekah snuggled up right next to him and they watched Annie, as Rebekah plagued him (in a good way, of course) with questions about Annie, Sandy, and the orphans, the not nice lady, etc...

On our walk today, Rebekah started singing "Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood...who are the people in your neighborhood...?" I didn't even know she knew that!

Today, she asked why I put her sweater on, to which I replied, "Evidently, you were cold." She then said, "What was I evidently cold for?"

Hope you enjoyed some snapshots of our daily lives!

Christmas in Victoria

I guess because these pictures document the only time I wasn't holding Luke for Christmas morning that explains how few pictures I actually got!

This is mid-gesture. Our girl uses her hands to talk almost as much as her never-ending words!

He LOVES to eat paper...who needs toys?

This was at the friends' house for dinner (Luke was probably stuck under the bed at this point!)- anyway, Rebekah is trying out Wii!!

This was at the grocery store this am- I loved the explosion of color! (Sadly, Rebekah just popped her balloon- each time, she cried... :( )

Fun updates:

Yesterday at lunch, Rebekah declared, "I can not eat because I am not comfortable in this chair." She was, in fact, in a real chair minus a booster.

She got up from her nap yesterday and said, "What do I smell basil for?" We were cooking a lasagna. Next Top Chef anyone?

Based on the number of Stars stuck to Luke's chin, he is indeed trying to get a food product into his mouth!! Yippee!!

Yesterday morning, Rebekah woke up singing "Row, row, row your boat..."- nothing before that.

Well, I hear my boy waking up! Have a great day!