Visit to Isle of Skye 13th-14th October 2007

Because life is busy (or I'm just lazy) I thought I'd just keep you up to date with photos and then quarterly put up a newsletter. So you can see a little more of us.

The Skye landscape.....

The People......

On the beach on the east coast of skye

Lovely !!!!

Beautiful !!!!!

Handsome?????

October 2007

Alyssa sleep in her door way

Alexis after a Light party (halloween alternitive)

Lexy and her best friend Rebecca

My beautiful Baby

Photos from Australia

Alexis and Alyssa having a ride in the trailer behind poppy's mower

Alyssa and I have fun at the park in Keperra, Brisbane

The Girls with Great Papa

And with Great Grandma - the girls are the only great granddaughters from 8 great grandchildren

Alyssa have cuddles with Poppy and Auntie Courtney

Alyssa having fun at the Park in Coolum with Auntie Laura and Kaleb.

"Let me help Aunty Courtney" --- Alyssa at Mum and Dad's House in Tamworth

Australia

I know that I have been really slack in not posting for the last few months. I had hoped to post when I was in Australia but time just got away from me and this last 6 weeks have been harder than I thought getting us to normal again and I have been sick.

I know that they aren't very good excuses so I'll just say I'm sorry for not posting.

My time in Australia was great we had a wonderful time seeing friends and family. Enjoying the sunshine and shocked that it got cold on us.

Here are a few facts about the trip

• 43 hrs on Airplanes
• 70 days in Australia
• Coldest day - -6.1 in Stanthorpe 18th July
• Hottest day - 24.5 in Brisbane 28th July
• traveled over 7000km
• traveled the New England Highway 6 times
• traveled the road from Tamworth to Sydney 6 times
• longest time in the same bed 10 nights

That just a little but I did so much more I'll post a few photos, as they say picture say a 1000 words

Naomi

I'm going on a Jet Plane

Well all I'm off today, I head to London tonight (Mon) and then leave th UK on Tues night, and land in Sydney on Thursday morning. I really looking forward to being home. Well I must run..... Talk to you soon

count down is on!!!!

I can hardly believe that it is only 9 sleeps till I leave in Inverness and 10 sleeps till I'm on a plane heading for the home land. I've been busy packing and organizing meal for Mike and Alexis to have till they leave. Life is so busy there is always something that needs to be done. I really so excited about a little R&R and lots and lots of Coffee. Well my friends I'll see you very very very soon..

Coming Home

Well the time for my trip home is fast approaching and I'm really looking forward to catching up with all my Aussie friends and family. At this stage I should be in Brisbane from the 2June- 7thJune and then again from 15thJune to 21stJune give of take a day or two. But if you would like to catch up then let me know.

It is only 3wks today till I fly from Inverness, but I have to overnight in London before fling to Oz, then Landing in Sydney on the 30th May. Mike and Alexis then arrivein Oz on the 30th June.

I'm really looking forward to seeing all my MATES!!

(we still have not got internet at Home)

Just Briefly

Well I must apologize for not posting recently , we have not had Internet at our new place and they are saying that it will still be another couple of week till we are up and running. There is so much that I would like to post on. But all my Internet access is from Michael's work, so time is kept to a minimum and blogging has not been on the "to do List". So I'll give you a few high lights from that last few weeks.
- We all went to a Colin Buchanan Concert in Inverness.
- Trip to Elgin to see the Dennis'
- Trip to Ullapool for Mike to preach
- Getting settled in our new home

I'll post some photos and more details when we are online at Home.

But I must run, I have to get Alyssa from Nursery
All My Love to you all and Look forward to see you in about 5weeks.

New Home ----again

Well this last week has been so busy. But we have finally moved house(for the third time). Our new place is small but it feels better (And it's not just the central heating). We look forward to this beening our home for the next couple of years. For those who have phone number it is still the same so please feel free to give us a call. I'll send out our new address by email soon.

Happy Birthday Baby

Did someone say presents. (if you look closely at the paper you'd think it was christmas)

The Cake














Blow baby blow

Well my baby was 2 last week (22nd). I have been so busy trying to pack and clean that I haven't had time to post about her birthday. For her Birthday we had a couple of her friends for cake, not a party just cake. It seem strange to think of her as 2, it just seem like yesterday that we were having treatment to get a new bundle of joy. Well my baby girl both Daddy and I pray each day for you and May this year be an even bigger adventure than this past year.

Farewell

Just now we have said farewell to our good friends Neil and Rachel. They came by this morning to drop off the key to their old place which is to be our new place. Rachel has been a wonderful friend to me since we arrived in Dingwall in Aug 2005. She has been such a blessing from the Lord and I'm going to miss her greatly. But I pray that as they move to Asia that God will bless them ever so abundantly.

I seem to have this affect on people, Rachel isn't the only one to leave. Two other ladies that became lovely friends with left and moved back to the USA. Really I don't smell, but if you want to leave the country maybe we should become friends!!!

the bird's nest newletter

here is the newsletter I emailed out last night, I hope that you didn't have to many trouble with it. I'll attach the photos later.... Naomi

The BIRD’S NEST

Greetings to our friends and family.

We pray that this newsletter finds you all well. We thought that we would fill you in on the happenings in the “Birds Nest”. We have been blessed with a wonderful year first full year in Scotland thought we have now been here 18mths. God has been faithful and ever present. We have had our ups and downs but the up far outweigh the downs. We have been involved in Dingwall Baptist Church, even though they are without a pastor we have felt at home and I have formed some wonderful friendships. Check out their web page and you may catch a glimpse of one of us in the photo gallery (www.dbc.org.uk)

We have done some great trip this past year. We have been from Lands End (most southern tip) to John a Groats (most northern tip) in the summer when Naomi’s family where visiting from Australia. We spent time in London with Naomi’s Aunty and Cornwall looking at the Lanyon Family Heritage. We have driven around the top of Scotland, an amazing trip many unspoilt spots but the roads can be a little hairy, Not in a great hurry to do this trip again soon – it took 14hr to go around the top. Visited Dundee and St Andrew in October and look forward to exploring a little more later this year, St Andrew is just amazing. A few day down in the Durham Area (December), this is where the above photo was taken. Another place we wish to visit again.

We moved into a bigger house in March 2006 (bottom) hoping that we would be here long term but our landlord up the rent making it hard to stay. So come March 2007 we will move to Marybourgh only 2 miles away from Dingwall, Into a smaller 3 bedroom terrace. We feel blessed to have been in this bigger house when Naomi’s family visited but staying would make it very hard to save for our own home and trips to Oz and Europe. We’ll keep you up to date with contact details when we move.

Here is al little about each of us.

Michael, Has had a busy year with work, conferences and writing books. Having attended approx 10 conferences (I’ve lost count) from Aberdeen to Sheffield to Budapest to Washington DC – he’s been every where. This has given him a chance to network with others in his field and make some great friendships. In his Second academic year he has taken on a full teaching load doing 4 subjects, NT Intro, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Exploring the other Faiths as well as being the BA coordinator. He was very relieved and happy about having 2 of his books released in the last couple of months. He is hoping for another book this year and 2-3 books next year. It is a real blessing to see him doing something he enjoys and putting to use the 7 yrs of study. And don’t worry about him getting to proud – I keep him well and truly grounded.

Naomi, I have been busy with all the usual mummy stuff. I have been blessed with some growing friendship and the opportunity to get involved with the Church, I am co-leading the toddler group and running a ladies ministry called “Unfinished Project” (we all have those). I have been trying to get some scrapbooking done but time, and fewer recourses make it hard (it isn’t very big in Scotland). Fortnightly I attend a time out session, were I get a chance to do scrap-booking and Monday night have a couple of friends over for craft. I have missed not being in a bible study group this year, but you never know what the New Year will bring. After the stress of the move and everything I have been working hard to lose the baby weight and the lets move country weight, so far I have lost 2stone (12kg) and Hope to have lost another stone before my trip to Australia. I feel so much more confident and happy within myself for the change.

Alexis, is nearly 7 and is just growing so fast. Being a big P2 (Gr2) girl, it has been amazing how much she is being independent and learning to read. She read a scripture passage in Church a couple of months back and did a wonderful job. With a creative mind she could make a castle from a couple of sheets of paper and sticky tape. This year has seen her lose 7 baby teeth and grow 6 adult teeth. After being on the waiting list for swimming lesson for 12 mths she is now doing swimming weekly and loving the chance to shed several layer of clothes. She is a real thinker like her daddy and coming out with some weird and wonderful thoughts.

Alyssa, is about to turn two. I can hardly believe that we have had this little bundle of joy for that long. She is a constant source of joy and laughter, but also a right little monster when she wants to be. A couple of weeks ago she scared me to death twice in 2 days. Firstly we found out that she can open the front door, she was half way down the street when I finally caught up. And the next day she takes off from the front off the church –which is on a main road- catching her only inches from the curb. She is a joy most of the time but know how to push my buttons. Her favourite things are little cups and spoons, Hi-5, Wiggles, and jumping on the bed, almost forget that she just loves food, but not the stuff that mummy puts in front of her for dinner. We look forward to seeing how much she grows and changes this year.

I hope that fills you in our goings on. We look forward to catching up with everyone when we come home for holidays mid year. I thank all of you who have been keeping in contact with us regularly, it has been wonderful to see what you have all been up to and see photos of all your little ones.

For more photos and updates about us you can see my blog at www.naomibird.blogspot.com I try and update it weekly but it doesn’t always happen and for those of you who are interested to read Michael’s thoughts and happenings on his blog address is www.euangelizomai.blogspot.com but I will warn you some it can be very academic.

Blessings to you all and our love to you in Christ our Lord

Michael, Naomi, Alexis and Alyssa Bird

We're Moving ........again

Well It is back to packing for me. After having some issues with our landlord and an increase in rent it is time to move again...in three weeks. This will be our third house in 18mths, I'm so sick of moving. We are moving to a smaller place but just by moving we are saving £100 per month, that has to count for something.

We will no longer be in Dingwall after this move, we are moving to the next village over called Maryburgh (if only it was Maryburgh QLD) . Mike will still be able to walk or ride to work. Alexis will probably change school on our return from Australia to a smaller school but much better reputation. Will I must be off.

PS 15weeks and 3 days till I'm Home ...... but nobody is counting LOL

17weeks and 4days

Boy has the time gone fast. It is so hard to believe that it is such a short time away and I will be in Australia. We have so much do do in this time. We move house in 6wks, we have Alyssa's birthday in 3 weeks, we are going away for our wedding anniversary in 2 and half weeks...... then there is my birthday, Sarah goes home , Lexy's birthday, Easter, Dave and Heidi's visit and they are just the things I can think of this very moment. We are going to be so busy. I do apologises to all those who have emailed me and I haven't replied yet, I have very little spare time, and what time I do have I tend to dose on the couch. See you all soon!!!!

New Years Day

We spent New Years Day with Neil and Rachel Rae, these are some of the first friends we made in Scotland. We had a very relaxing day eating, talking, eating some more and trying to entertain children indoors. It was a really great day, this is one of the last chances that we will have to spend with Rach and Neil as they head off with OMF http://www.omf.org.uk in early March. Some of you may remember that I asked for prayer for this family last year, Lucie is a living miracle of the power of Prayer. Anyway here are some photos Enjoy

Michael doing what Michael does best!!!

Alyssa just loves shoes, here she is wearing Rachel's boots

Baby Lucie.... you may remember I asked for pray for Little Lucie back in September when she was fighting Meningus. Isn't she just beautiful!!

Trying to entertain the kid because of the rain outside

from Left.. Alyssa, Alexis, Ben

Alyssa showing off her hat and her new dance move.

Christmas

Mike and the Girls Christmas Morning

Greetings to everyone, We pray that you have had a great time over Christmas and the New Year. Thought I'd fill you in on our happenings.

We had a very peaceful Christmas day, unfortunately we didn't wake up to a snowy Christmas but it was very white care of a very heavy frost. After opening Presy in our PJ's we had pancakes and Ice cream for breakfast, (I know but it is only one day of the year). As usual the Children got some great pressies and I can say I did well also. We potter about the house in PJ's till about 11am, having made the calls to grandparents. We went to some friends for Lunch and Dinner, which was just wonderful, they wouldn't let me do anything- not even the dishes. So apart from cleaning up the mess after the children descended on the tree I did nothing else apart from my 2 favorite things --- eat and talk.

icicle hanging from the hose
our tree
the frosty white Christmas

This being our 2nd Cold Christmas is sometimes hard to believe. I must say that I haven't really missed have 35c on Christmas Day. I feels more like Christmas in the cold and dark. I'm sure it is going to be few years yet until we have a hot Christmas again.

We have had a blessed year.

But We must always remember that OUR Savior Lives and that is really all that is important

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.