Photo Update ---- again

Here are few photos of us to see how things have changed.

Any thoughts on the Goatie???

Daddy and Lissa in the cold at Aviemore
Do you think she is Michael's Daughter???? (Taken last night 5th Dec)
Lexy having a leaf shower
Me, after losing almost 2 stone that's 12kg for the metric people

(Taken Sat 2nd Dec)

We have fire!!!

It is so exciting to finally have an open fire. After having to waiting for 6 weeks just to get the chimney done, we are lapping up the warmth of the fire. We just hope that this will reduce our electricity bill some what. Well we shall think of you Aussies has you sweat out the summer month as we toast marshmallows on the fire.
PS under 6mths till I'm in OZ -- you didn't think I would forget did you?????

28 weeks and 2 days, 6 mths and 2 weeks and 3 days, 199 days.......

It really doesn't seem that far away. But that is when I arrive in Australia, I can hardly believe that it is so close. We have so much to do in the time also like........Visit with Duncan and Alison in Durham, Christmas, Away for our Wedding anniversary, Lyssa Birthday, My Birthday, Lexy's birthday, Moving house again, a visit from Dave and Hiedi, and that is just what I can think of right now. The time will just fly by. I look for to see you all very soon.

Dingwall Floods

Here are some footage of the Dingwall floods 26th October 2006. Just amazing the amount of water throught our little village. Thankfully we remain unharmed and dry --- thank you LORD!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owC_a3Xwau4

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6087168.stm

We continue to pry for rain in beloved Australia.

7mths and 18days

That doesn't seem like long does it??? Well, that is how long till I arrive back in Australia for a Holiday!!! HOOORRRRAAAAYYYY!!!!!! We have booked and paided for our flights this week, I'm so excited. Does anyone fancy meeting me at Sydney Airport at 5:15am on the 30th May???? So Alyssa and I arrive on the 29th May and Mike and Lexy will come on the 29th of June. We are looking forward to catching up with you all. See you SOON, VERY SOON!!!!!!!

Photos

Lissa and an ice cream cone
Lexy (left) on a climbing all at Landmark
Lissa watch 10, 9, 8, God is great
Lexy and Mike on the water slide at Landmark

Catch up

HI All, it seems so long since I have posted. I keep thinking what do I post on. It feels like I do the same thing day in day out. Sept has been a busy month with Michael preaching 3 out of 4 Sundays. All the groups starting back after the Summer break. And not to forget the Pray and help that went out to Little Lucie (I saw her today and she is doing well, just pray that she starts to sleep better, Mum is getting by on about 4hr a night). Then there was 4 wonderful friends having babies. Congratulation to Jeff and Anya, Pete and Jen, Matt and Laura, and Tammy and Dylan.

The girls are growing fast.

Alyssa is 19mths old, where has all that time gone. She is very mischievous and busy a few thing that I have found her doing lately is--- climbing up the front of Mike's 8ft Book case, eating butter out of the tub, drinking olive water while trying to get to the olives, toilet is a great fun toy (not), and that's just a few things. She is always on the go, loves her food and finally has a little hair. She brings many joyful moments and also much frustration. You just can't help but love her.

Alexis is 6 and a half, going on 26. She is constantly talking and you better be listening. Loves to be the center of attention. Loves to sing and dance, love craft and knowledge. She came in tonight with a new fact saying that a Red Kangaroo was 6inches, she just forgot the 6ft and the beginning at the fact. She still misses Australia lots, it breaks your heart when she starts crying because she misses her friends or Church. How do you tell her that we aren't going home for a few years. At the moment she is looking for to swimming in the mid-term break. My baby is growing up.

We are looking forward to the next few months with a trip to Stirling for me, a family trip to Dundee, a trip to Washington DC for MIke, and then at Christmas a trip to Durham to catch up with some Aussie friends. We are also in the process of booking our flights to Australia next year. It's under 8mths till I arrive -- the count down has begun. I must go and do what I always do, washing cooking cleaning

I've added some photos of the girl taken over the last month. Happy looking

Photos

Lexy and Lissa in London with in the 32c heat wave

Me and My girls Photo taken early July.

I'm Back!!!

Hi All, Sorry for the delay in posting, things have been very busy here. Lexy started back at school 2 weeks ago. I can't believe that my baby is in P2. Just getting back into the swing of things after 6 wks of Holidays. Getting up and ready after 6wks of not getting dressed before 10am does take a little getting use to. This week was a big week for mild stones.

• Firstly the on 19th August it was 12mths since we left Australia,
• On the 20th a year since arriving in the UK,
• 22nd Alyssa was 18mths old and
• 24th it was 12mths since arriving here in Dingwall.

That makes a very big week of Celebrations. Well I must go but Hope to post again in the week.

Firstly please continue to pray for Lucie there is no change, but no baby should have to fight this hard for life.

And many congratulations to Jeff and Anya on the safe arrival of a little girl.

Photos from our road Trip around the top of Scotland

Getting out of the bus at John O'Groats

Sign at John O'Groats
Mum, Lexy, Courtney and Sarah Complaining of the cold at John O'Groats - it was about 17.c, a nice day for the Highlands.

Looking into a bay up the top somewhere

clouds rolling in over the highlands near Tongue - yes that is the name of a town
looking over the Loch at Ullapool

The day we did the trip around the top we covered about 340mile but it took us around 12hrs and we only stopped for about 4hrs of the time. The roads are very narrow and windy, and with small passing places for you to stop to let other cars or BIG buses pass. We had a wonderful day, we were all able to be together in a mini bus (thanks to the Dingwall Free Church), so much better than 2 cars.

Well we went to London and Now we are back.

Inverness Castle - my bedroom in the second window from the left.

alexis enjoying Lunch at Lands End in the boot of Poppy's car

the Lanyon Quoit near St Just in Southern Cornwall - an ancient burial thing.

Life has been very busy over the past few weeks. Mum and Dad arrived from Oz 2 and half weeks ago and we have been on the move ever since. Here are some highlights of our trip a way

• We had a lovely trip down to London, apart from Alyssa getting sick.
• The waiting at the airport was almost to much to bear, it was so wonderful to see mum and dad and the girls
• Alyssa getting sicker and needing a couple of trips to see the Doc - she had bacterial thing that showed as a throat infection and lots of mouth ulcers - she was very Poorly as the english say.
• We has a week in Cornwall staying in a typical Cornish village which roads are glorified footpaths.
• Seeing the graves of our ancestors in St Allen, Cornwall
• Enjoying weather over 21.c

These are just a few of the wonderful things crammed into two weeks. I'm trying hard not to think that Mum and Dad head back to London next Wednesday. The time has gone too quickly, I'd like for it to stretch for another couple of months. But the fact that Sarah is hanging around for a while is good ( I think).

Hope you like the Photos of our trip. Lookforward to hearing from you all sometime

We're OFF - to London that is -

this bude in Cornwall where we will be staying

Well tomorrow we head south - which is a good thing since the north pole is not to far away. We are making our way down to London for when Mum, Dad, Sarah and Courtney arrive from OZ. I'm so excited but sad also because the closer it is to them arriving the soon they will be going home :( .But I'm looking forward to some time in London and them off to Cornwall. Finally we get to see some of this amazing country. We I must run as we are leaving at 5am tomorrow (Saturaday). I'll try and post some photos while I'm away but I don't like my chances.

11 Sleeps

The count down is about to start. Only 11 sleeps till Mum and Dad arrive for there visit, which also means I only have 7 days till we leave for London- AHHHHHH. So much to do so little time. Just looking at the calendar now make me realize that on Tues (20 June) we had been living in the UK 10 mths. The time sure does fly by.

A Layout at Last

Hi Friends, Well I'm sorry I haven't being blogging much laterly. Things have been very busy with end of school things, sick children etc... etc... Anyway thought you might like to see one of my scrapbook layouts I did a few weeks back.

Scrapbooking

After barely doing in scrapbooking since ariving in Scotland 9mth ago, last night I got off my bottom and got to work. It took along time to get the creative juices flowing but I really enjoyed it. I managed to finish 2 pages up to the journaling. I'm proud of my efforts. I even left my stuff out on the table with the hope of doing some more today. When I have a chance I'll take some pictures of my layouts and post them so that you can all see.

Photo Update

Heavy snow storm we had the week we moved to our new house at the end of March - that's right in spring. We had more snow in March than we did all winter.

After Church One Sunday, (the dress Alyssa is wearing My baby sister wore)

My Flower Child

Chicken Pox anyone!!!!

7 reasons not to mess with children.

Thanks Alina for the great email, if this don't make you at least smile, I'll be very worried.

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"

The little girl replied, "Then you ask him ".

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.

She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"

Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say,'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."

"Yes," the class said.

"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"

A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

Comments

I have spoken with a few people that have said they tried to post a comment but have not been able to. When going into the comments page they will ask to choose if you are a blogger, other or anonymous. If you do not have a blog just choose other and you shouldn't have any problem. It would be great to see that people are reading my blog.

Blessings to all my special aussie friends.

Sunburnt???????

I can scarcely believe that I'm even doing this post. But today I helped a friend with a yard sale or as the Aussies say a Garage Sale, and we ended up having our 3rd day in a row of wonderfully warm weather (ok 17c isn't that warm but after -6c it is bliss). I just did not even think to "Slip, Slop, Slap." And as a result I have very red shoulders, chest and neck. I really couldn't believe that Sunburn and Scotland would mix. I wonder if they even sell sun-cream here??????It feels more like home very day!!!

So Proud!!!

It still amazes me what a child can remember. Yesterday Mike was up for preaching at our church in Dingwall. The passage he preached on was Colossians 1:15-20 "The sufficiency and Supremacy of Christ". Being one of his favorite passage, it became a memory verse for Alexis. Well to get to the point - Alexis did the bible reading for Michael from memory, she did an amazing job, putting all us adults to shame. Well done Lexy keep up the wonderful work.

Photo Update

Lissa in the bath her favourite thing to do, with spag bol still all over her face
Lexy with a few remaining spots from the chicken poxs
ME on the banks - this is one of my favourite photos
Mike, Lexy and Lissa on the banks of the LOCH NESS.

(It was freezing cold)

Out of touch

Things have been a little hard lately, after moving house I had trip to the A&E and Lexy woke up on her birthday with Chicken Pox, and just to top things off Lissa has decided that she no longer need to sleep through the night. So I am totally shattered. But the the new house is great, things are slowly finding there places - It feels like home-. And today -Tuesday- has been wonderful weather the sun is shining and I even hung my washing on the clothes line. I thank God for all the wonderful things in my life. I must go this is just a short update as we have been without internet for over 2week and it will be another week till it is connected again. So to all those friends who think I have disappeared I'll be back blogging again soon.

We're Moving

Well the week has finally come. On Friday we are able to move to our new House. The house is bigger then what we are in currently. I'm scared and excited about the move. Scared because it is like the finally piece to the puzzle, unpacking everything means we are here and here to stay. And excited because I'll finally be able to unpack our stuff which hasn't see the light of day in almost 9mths. It's a catch 22. I so do not feel like packing, I'm doing all I can to avoid the inevitable. Like posting on my blog and even doing my ironing. Anyway I better get back to it.

Sunday Driving -ok it is Saturday - Sunday sound better

We had a wonderful time to day. We drove down to the Loch Ness went down to the shore, almost froze from the wind off the Loch and freshly fallen snow on the hill. Then followed a back road home again. The Highlands of Scotland are so beautiful, even in the winter - sorry spring - it still feels like winter here. The rolling hills with streams running between them and many a little secret waterfalls running off the peak from the snow last week. I can't wait to go back in the summer when the trees form a canopy over the stream and narrow country roads. But all in all we had some wonderful family time.

Snow

Looking from our front door.

Lexy and Her Snow Friend

Lexy woke us this morning with a greeting of "it's Christmas!!!"
It has been snowing for 2 days now, we are feeling the affects of the snow. Lexy is pleased to finally get a day off because of the snow. We a basically house bound because I'm still scared about driving in the snow - and partly because we also live on a hill and gravity and ice aren't a great mix. I just hope it doesn't last to long.
But there is something peaceful about the snow, watching as the snow flakes drift on the wind waiting for a soft spot to land. It feels like Christmas in March.
Here are a couple of photos I have taken on minutes ago of Lexy enjoying the snow.

My First Cake

I have never seen a fairy cake disappear so quickly. Alyssa devoured it so quickly and loved each bite. Tomorrow we are having a little party with a proper cake. So I am sure that here will be even more cake photos.

Happy Birthday to You!!!

It seems so hard to believe that my baby is 1 yr old. This was Alyssa at about 7days. Followd by a our little girl today on her 1st birthday. To my wonderful little girl, I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Alyssa,
Happy Birthday to you!!

The Tooth Fairy.

Well what a surprise we had this morning when Lexy came into us at 6:30am with blood everywhere and carrying her tooth. She was so pleased that her first tooth had come out. Here is a picture of her minus a tooth.

Can anyone tell me what the going rate is for a tooth these days? I never got more that 20c AUD.

JUST A QUICK UPDATE

Well can you believe that it is 6 mths since we landed here in the UK????? Where does the time go?? Well I can truly say that this has been the hardest yet most challenging 6mth of my life. God has continued to supply our needs. Currently we are preparing to move house in 3wks and 3days. God has blessed us with a bigger house (plenty of room for Australian Visitors!! LOL) that is only a 5min walk for Mike for work. I'm really looking forward to unpacking our stuff, most of it hasn't been unpacked in almost 9mths. It will be like Christmas all over again. Yesterday was also our 7th Wedding anniversary, I cooked Michael a lovely candle lit meal, and He wrote me a wonderful Poem. Isn't married life wonderful. Tomorrow is Alyssa 1st Birthday, I can hardly believe that she is one. She is continually keeping me on my toes, and is very fast on her feet. God have blessed us greatly with 2 wonderful girls. Anyway time is passing fast. Must run but first our Congratulations to the Becker's on Amy, the Gilchrist on Adelaide, and Matt and Laura on WinterBabe (EDD Aug). All our love and best wishes to you all. Also here are the Edinburgh photos I promised. God Bless and have a wonderful day.

Edinburgh Photos

Michael and Lexy with a John Knox in St Giles Cathedral.
It was here that John Knox preached his Calvinist message, and he launched the Scottish Reformation from here.

This Highlander told us about the Scottish History with England and The Battle of Culloden, which happened Just down the road from Us.

Phone Box in Australian or a Calling Box in British- Taken By Lexy

Wonderful view over looking Edinburgh from the Castle - Taken by Lexy

Mike, Lissa, and Lexy at the Gate to Edinburgh Castle.

AUSTRALIA DAY

Well, Yesterday was Australia Day. It made me reflect on Home, which of course means home sickness. It just didn't feel the same, not many people knew it was Australia Day, and everyone had to go to work and school. No Picnic in the park, with the BBQ and a game of cricket, enjoying the warm Aussie sun (something we are lacking here). Some even asked me what it was for? But what was strange was I didn't know. Why do we Celebrate Aust Day??? IS there a smart person out there who know why?? Being a born and bread Aussie you just accept it. It is a public holiday after all. We wouldn't want anyone to take that away. Well for now AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI!!!!!

Catch Up

Well I keep meaning to update this blog, but things like washing, ironing and looking after children seem to get in the way. Well what have we been up to since my last log. Michael is back at work and Lexy is back at school. This as meant that we have to get organized in the morning again and that has not always been easy. It was great having them home but it's it always nice to be able to get thing back to what is normal. We have just spent the past weekend in Edinburgh - what a beautiful city - and that was in the middle of winter. I'm really looking forward to seeing it in Spring and Summer. We only stayed over night and only saw such a small part of it. We went down by Bus thinking that is would be a great way to save money not have think about where we were going, next time I say that can someone remind me how hard that journey was. Alyssa didn't sleep at all coming home that 4hrs going into the evening. WE have learnt our lesson. Anyway we visited The Childhood museum, Lexy loved this, mostly because of the doll display. And after Church on Sunday we visited Edinburgh Castle. WE spent 4hrs there and still miss some of the displays. I learnt a lot about the history of England and Scotland. We saw the Crown Jewels also. I look forward to many more visits to Edinburgh. Above is lovely picture of the castle (not taken by me).

Just a quick Congratulations to all our friends have had Babies - Kesni, and Alison??? (must not be far) and those who announced they are expecting - Tammy, Trudy, and Anya. And I eagerly await the new from all those due in the next few months.

PS Please feel free to had comments to the blog for those who are new at this just click on comment at the bottom of the log and follow the props

Welcome

Hello Friends and Family, Welcome to the unveiling of "the bird's nest". I hope that this will keep you up to date on the happenings of Us. I pray that you had a blessed Christmas and a Happy New year. I'm sure that you have many exciting things ahead of you in 2006. Here are a few things that we are looking forward to in 2006.

• My family coming to visit in July.
• Trips to Cornwall, Paris - Euro-disney, Edinburgh, Washington DC for Mike, London and several day trips around Scotland.
• Aussie Friends visiting in December.
• Some Aussie friends moving to Manchester in August.
• All our wonderful friends who are having a baby.
• Moving to a bigger and more permanent house in March.
• Celebrating 2 lots of Mothers days and Father Days.

We would also like to thank all our friends and family for their prayers has 2005 was a very hard and emotional year. Here is a look at what happened in 2005

2005 at glance

• January - Job interview for Canada (didn't get it)
• February - Lanyon family reunion, The birth of Alyssa Kate (22nd), 6th Wedding Anniversary.
• March - Mike tells me of Job interview for Scotland.
• April - Job interview for Scotland, told we had the Job in Scotland (25th), never been so scared in my life.
• May- the start of OPERATION HAGGIS KILT.
• June - time with family in Moree
• July - Our stuff is shipped, tickets are booked, and moved out of our house and into the Beckers.
• August - final goodbyes to friends and family, arrive in London & spend time getting over jet lag, land in Inverness 24th Aug - what a beautiful land this is.
• September - Mike goes to Edinburgh for conference, Beckers and Grants visit,
• October - getting use to life in Scotland, my Grandfather died in Australia
• November - Mike to USA on Conference again, First really cold day -6c, first snow fall, Mike awarded Ph.D
• December - I visit A. Sue in London, Lots of Christmas parties, Cam and Leah for Christmas (yummy they tasted great).

What a year.

thanks again for the prayers, phone call, and emails keep them coming.

Cinderella

We had the privilege of Cinderella's company for Christmas dinner. Isn't the dress beautiful?

My Christmas Pudding

This my beautiful tastie christmas pudding on Christmas Eve. Lissa is choosing to walk over crawl these days .

the snow girls

Here are my girls in the Snow on Saturday, Lissa loves the taste of snow and Lexy loves to throw snow balls at Daddy.