An Empty House

I ran from the hotel to the house last night to check on how the movers did and didn't expect to feel what I felt. Empty. As empty as the house.

Now, keep in mind, this is not the house of my dreams. Maybe if I lived in 1976. But, avacodo toilets are just not for me. Funny enough, over the past 2 1/2 years I've found that I barely notice it anymore. And now here I am, in an empty house listening to Jeb's voice echo throughout the house.

I'm actually very sad to leave here. It's not about the house, but what this empty house now holds - our memories. Aiden sleeping in a big boy bed for the first time, Jacob going to school in his uniform, disco dancing while making meals in the kitchen, many teas with various friends, watching Jeb walk for the first time, and the list goes on and on. I find something with each room that I walk in.

If these walls could speak...they would have a tale to tell. But, the next people to live here will just never know. So, we'll take the memories with us.

Surprise!

Last weekend we got surprised and I really can't believe that our friends pulled it off! We went to our friends, the Martins, after getting picked up by the Clarks, only to be led out into the back garden to all of our British friends! Before I go into the story, let me tell you about how we almost found out.

I must admit that I was feeling a bit down when I spoke to Jane (Martin) a few weeks ago and asked if she wouldn't mind asking 'the girls' if they'd like to have one last dinner out. Little did I know that they were planning something bigger. Then, on Saturday, the boys went to play at a friends house and when I went to pick them up, their mum asked if I'd like a cuppa (that's tea for you yanks). When I said yes, she looked as if she really didn't want me in the house. That is because she was making rice salad for the party (which I told her sounded totally gross!). But, she told a great story and I didn't have a clue. Until I called Sarah (Clark) and told her that we'd walk to the Martins and not to pick us up. She said ok, but I got a text 10 minutes later saying Jane wasn't quite ready and to meet them at the pub. I kind of thought maybe there was a surprise, but pushed it to the back of my mind. And then we arrived...

The night was fantastic! We had such a mix of people - Welsch, Irish, American, Scottish and British. There was a lot of laughs. And then the music started and we moved to the drawing room. It was a disco! Tom even showed off his moves and it's still being talked about a week later! Thanks everyone, we had the BEST time! We love you all!!

The girls

Nicola teaching us how to do the Irish jig

Thanks Jane!

Goodbye to Goldie, Goodbye to the Queen

Last week I got a weird email from Tom saying Goldie, the fish, said her last goodbye. Now, if you don't remember, Goldie is a fish that was won at the fair two years ago, after I told Tom NOT to bring a fish home. Well, two years later Goldie is still around and is huge. I didn't realize that Goldie had become a cherished pet until this email from Tom came to me while I was in the states. I kind of freaked out thinking she went to fishy heaven, but it was just that Tom gave her away while I was gone. Sniff, sniff!

Goldie has a great life now living in a pond in Alfie's, Jacob's mate, back garden. I was a bit sad to see her go, but I must say, she will have a better life. Unless one of the bigger fish gets hungry...

Jacob and Alfie - Goldie's new master

Getting ready to put her in

Freedom, Goldie, Freedom!!

While Tom was in the states, I took the boys on one last trip to London to say goodbye to the Queen. They put on quite a farewell show for us! Marching bands, guards, the whole fanfare! Ok, it wasn't for us, but it was a cool thing to see - the changing of the guard that is. Jeb preferred chasing the ducks in St. James Park. And, thanks to Jacob, we decided to go to the Horse Calvary and happened upon the changing of that also, which was cool. All in all, a great last day in London. Good bye HRH!!

The guard at the Horse Calvary

The horse calvary heading to Buckingham Palace

Changing of the guard

My princes outside of Buckingham Palace

A Few Days Away

There is nothing like a few days away, especially when it's so badly needed. Not that I'm complaining, but I did spend the weekend alone with the boys. Plus the fact that Monday was also a holiday. That makes three days with three high energy boys, with rain each day. We all needed a break from each other in order to appreciate each other a little bit more.

So, off I went to the states to find a house. I'm not real sure that this counts as time away, but I'll take what I can get. I was sooo excited for 8 hours on a plane sans kids. Just me and an abundance of movies to choose from. Ahhh. Then we hit Chicago. Maybe I should have tried to grab a few minutes of shut eye.

Rental cars. Never an easy experience. First I had to wait 1/2 hour. Finally got to the desk and surprisingly, I was quite chipper. The lady must have thought so too cause she upgraded me. Most days, this would have been nice, but the car was a huge Jeep. I was so looking forward to driving a small car and, let's face it, getting away from the Chyrsler family. Ok, I can do this. Keep in mind, it's been 1 1/2 years since I drove on this side of the car and on this side of the street. Think, Joy, think. As long as your body is on the center line, you are fine. Made it to the highway only to find something new - Ipass lanes for the toll way. Yikes, where do I throw my change?? There is something that looks like an exit/cash toll, but GPS lady is telling me not to go there and she will yell if I do this wrong. I go to the right lane. No, I change my mind, I go left. NO! I only see Ipass lanes! And then I proceed to pull right, rocking the big Jeep and cutting off someone. But! I have chosen correctly.

I finally get to the hotel and crash into bed. Now, I have to skip everything that happens the next two days of house hunting. That is simply another blog post and one that actually hasn't come to an end yet. So, I'll take you to Friday.

I end up seeing two schools and decide to risk it and see if I could fly stand-by on an earlier. No-can-do. The woman at the desk informs me that the morning flight to London has been cancelled due to volcanic ash. And mine may be effected too. Please, no! So I make my way to the lounge and wait it out.

Now comes the sad part, and believe me, I was standing there bawling while the others were snapping pics. I had noticed fire trucks gathering by the terminal and when the plane came in, they doused it with water from two trucks. I was intrigued. All the firemen stood standing in a line. The cargo door opened and a coffin emerged. What I hadn't seen before was 5 Marines standing in front of the firemen. They went to the coffin and unwrapped an American flag, draping it over this honored Marine who was coming home for the last time. There are no words for the small ceremony that followed. We have so much because of selfless people who protect us from afar. My stresses as a mom are nothing compared to watching your son come home this way. It puts a whole lot into perspective of needing a few days away...

CRAAACK!

The definition of Murphy's law: "If anything could go wrong, it will go wrong."

Well, this weekend I experienced it. Tom left for the states and hadn't been gone even 24 hours when it happened. I was cooking dinner while Aiden and his mate, Mac, were playing in his bedroom. Jacob was at a friends, so Aiden was showing off a bit. Maybe a little too much. That is what has led to the sound that rung off the walls - 'craaack!' It was immediately followed by, "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" And then I saw the chandelier hanging cracked in half. A chandelier that I've always hated, but we dealt with because it was so hard to replace. So now it will be replaced by us (with the help of an electrician) and I will only enjoy it for 3 more weeks. Yes, Murphy's law.

That, followed up by 'Things always happen in 3s'. The following day, we walked into town to pick up a few things at the grocery store. One was a big bag of toilet paper, which Aiden offered to carry home (bags are a bit different from the states). We went to cross the road and Aiden said that he couldn't carry it anymore. I wasn't really thinking that he'd been dragging it a bit. I just attached it to the handle of the stroller and started to cross. Yep, the bag popped open and all 12 rolls dispersed into the middle of the road.

Things happen in 3s. Aiden, please make the next one small!

Happy Birthday Aiden!!!

Aiden is finally five years old! "Finally" is the word that he would use. "Wait!" is the word I would use. It's gone too fast.

He wanted a birthday party with just boys, so we risked the English weather and hired a football pitch and a football coach (soccer for you yanks!). It was a hit both with the boys playing football and, unbelievably, the weather. The only thing that kept some of the kids away was the volcanic ash cloud covering the UK and much of Europe. A rare phenomenon that we'll always remember. The skies weren't covered in dark ashy clouds, but instead were the bluest I've seen them in months. A birthday to remember for more than one reason.

In honor of his birthday, I thought I'd write down some of the quirky things he's been saying. And believe me, there have been some funny ones. So, thought I'd document some from the past few months...

1. I decided to take the boys to McDonalds, which we never do. I said that we were just going to run in and grab some stuff and go, so no happy meals. Aiden says in a small little voice, 'Oh, then will they be sad meals?' We stayed. We had happy meals.

2. Jacob was feeling a bit down about not being the best at times tables. I told him everyone has something special that they are talented at. Aiden: 'Is yours doing the washing Mummy?'

3. Dinner time is always Aiden question time and Tom is never there when he asks one of these doozies - 'How does this rice turn into poopies?' , 'Does the sun have gravity?', 'How do babies get out of mummies tummies?' (I acted like I needed to help Jeb with something, but the question came back again) The next night: 'How do babies get into mummies tummies?' (I just left the room, Tom needs to explain some things!)

4. Last but not least, while praying before bed Aiden asked if he could pray that our new house has a room for me to sleep in with my own bed. I asked why and he said, "so you can have a place to go when daddy toots."

"Let me show you how to play football, Aiden"

Football bowling!

The team

The champion

After the game

Picnic time

The cakes (two requested and mom aims to please!)

Aiden on his new scooter

21st Century Birthday Party with Grandma and Papa via Skype

Biking the New Forest

Almost forgot to post this! Last weekend we took a day trip and had a great time biking in the New Forest. The New Forest is a national park in the South of England that has some great cycling trails and, lucky for us, has many places that rent bikes out.

So, we took off in the morning with Tom's bike and Jacob's bike packed into the car - all our little van could hold. We rented a bike with a baby seat and a tag along bike that attached to Tom's bike. We were all set to go! Except Aiden refused to get on the tag along bike. Tears and a stubborn stand off ensued, but he eventually got on the bike. One minute in and he was telling us how much he loved it. Figures.

We took a trail that was a bit on the road (yikes!) and then off onto an old railway that has been converted. It rains a lot in England. Rain turns to mud puddles in the New Forest. We got a bit dirty. Poor Aiden suffered from mud spattering off Tom's tire onto his face and mud off from his own tire onto his back. He thought it was great.

We cycled for 9 miles that day. It was great to ride through the heathland and see all the wild ponies grazing. Aiden and Jeb giggled and told us how much fun they were having all day. They had it easy. Jacob was a trooper. Even on the hills he didn't complain. Just said, 'I'm all puffed out and ready to be done.' Tom suffered the most. His bike is an inherited mountain bike from my oldest brother. Greg raced with it. Racing bikes have tiny seats, comparable to a metal rod. Tom, is not a racer and doesn't wear padded pants. He was in pain by mile 6. So, we switched. I managed along, but let's just say, it was hard for both of us to sit the next day!

Tom and Aiden with their new pony

Jeb and Jacob with ponies along the road

Jacob was awesome at conquering the hills!!