We would like to wish all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas. As I have reflected back on this past year it has been one CRAZY ride. Here is a quick family recap of 2011. Last December 22nd we occupied the home that we are currently renting, painted a couple of rooms, spent a night sleeping on the floor covered in our clothes from our suit cases to keep warm, and awoke bright and early to the door where our shipment was waiting. Accident? Chance? Nope. Blessing! We hurried and moved all of our things into the house that had shipped from the US and began putting things in their place as we decorated for Christmas. It was now Dec. 23rd and we had lots and lots to do. We managed to get settled, get a gammon, put together a Christmas feast, and enjoy some time as our own little family all alone for the first time EVER.
With Christmas out of the way it was time for things such as: learning how to drive on the opposite side of the road, what needs to be recycled and which bin to put it in, how to operate electric showers, lawn vacuums, where to find anything at the grocery store, school uniform shopping, where to buy clothes, appliances, t.v.'s, ect... After a full year in this area I have finally learned some of the best places to get things, and am still finding new shops each week. I have also learned that English and American aren't always the same languages ;) Apparently I don't speak English, but American. With a huge learning curve out of the way it was time to have some fun.
We decided to join the National Trust and English Heritage which are inexpensive season passes to hundreds of manor houses, castles, gardens, beaches, all throughout the UK. Day tripping is one of our favourite things to do as a family and has become a sort of glue that binds us together every Saturday. We have had our fill of fancy houses, castles, battlefields, and gorgeous green hills with sheep. I love how lush and green everything is, but it comes at a heavy price of cold and rain year round. Some days I crave orange dirt, sweltering heat, and rock formations... a few sage brush and tumble weeds would be nice too. But green is good.
Adessa started school and loved it instantly, I sat at home twiddling my thumbs with William, and John got up each day and worked his guts out. It is really hard/strange/surreal not having friends, family, dance, work, or anything to occupy my time. I thought I was going to die, but alas, things got better. My friend Carol introduced me to the Orpington Road Runners which is a running group that her husband Ross runs with. I joined the group because I love to run, I love to run with people, and I have really enjoyed my membership in the club. My William is also now in pre-school 2 days a week for 3 hours a day which frees me up to be able to do something/anything. It has been a new experience surviving on my own when the car breaks down, getting kids to school when I have the flu, taking both kids to London's children's hospital for ultra sounds and appointments, or simply not having anyone to watch the kids while hubby and I take a much needed date. I have become quite good at having new experiences :)
Since the time we had left the US Adessa had been complaining about having a pain in her side and had started having pee accidents. She had a 2.5 inch kidney stone removed in June and has been much much better since. They aren't sure why she developed the stone, but are keeping a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't develop another and that he kidney function is normal. I have been pleased with the medical help we have received here. The kids love riding the train into the city and William really enjoys the toys in the children's hospital. I on the other hand, really enjoy sanitising their hands after riding the train and after letting them play on the toys at the children's hospital.......which is gross.
We have been able to take some fun trips because everything here is so close, for example it takes us the amount of time to get to belgium (3.5 hours), as it would to get to Cedar City from Bountiful. Living in Europe makes it really easy to see Europe. My favourite trip was going to Sweden with my dad and meeting my cousins Inga and Gunilla. My dad's mother is from Sweden (my Far Mor) and my grand father's (Far Far's) parents were also from Sweden.
We have had a lot of visitors and loved seeing different and same things with each and every one of them. We love having friends and family come and see us. John was able to go back to Utah for his sister Jen's funeral. This was one of the most difficult moments for us and a moment when we particularly felt the distance. We miss Jen terribly and pray each day for Grandma Jan, Pop, Joey, Nick, and Jeff. It is really hard sometimes for things to seem real to me because I am so far away, most of my life in America really sort of feels like a dream, and yet I know it wasn't. There are days when I really understand the concept of limbo.
I had a temporary moment of insanity where I decided to put in for the Brighton Marathon lottery, I couldn't possibly get picked......right? Wrong. I was selected and so it looks like I will be running the Brighton Marathon on April 15th. Ads is doing great in school, Will is doing great in school, and work is clipping along busily for John. We are particularly grateful for our church and the wonderful people we have met. Although we are VERY spread out here, there is a comfort in seeing friendly faces each Sunday when we go to worship.
There are so many things that we took for granted in America and there are also many things that we had or wanted that weren't necessary. I guess that is the great blessing of our journey, we have been able to look at our lives, purpose, and the people we allow into our lives with greater objective. I am super grateful for this opportunity and journey, and though it has been the most difficult thing I have ever done, I feel like my wings have expanded and strengthened and I know that I will be able to fly to heights greater than I ever could have before. I don't know why we have the opportunity to take certain paths in our lives, but I do know that when we do take advantage of the opportunity presented great things happen.
I am grateful for each of my family members, friends, neighbours new and old, and we miss them terribly. I appreciate all of the prayers, emails, skypes, laughs, FB interactions, cards, and randomly unexpected packages :) I have been so blessed in my life and I wish all of my friends and family a new year filled with joy and blessings. Love you.
