Parents

Scott and I consider it a blessing that we both have parents who are still happily married. We were each raised by parents who love each other deeply and after 34 years, their relationships continue to grow. They've each raised 3 children (who all turned out pretty normal) and are now enjoying their many grandchildren.

When you become a parent, and face the challenges that parenthood presents; it's a privilege to have parents and siblings (who are also parents) to turn to for advice, reassurance, help, friendhship, love, and laughter!

And even a for a little DIY (Do It Yourself) project/projects. My parents (aka...Mims and Gramps) offered to come and help us unpack and settle into our new home. They kept saying, "we'll only come if you promise to save us something to do." I kept reiterating that I would!

Poor Mims and Gramps. They did not know what they'd gotten themselves into. It just so happens that Scott ended up in Asia the same week they were here. So not only did I have many little projects for us to do during the day while the boys were at school, but they were subjected to the madness of homework, after school activities, dinner, bath and bedtime routines and we were one parent down! My poor parents were taking Aleve every night and waking to little boys in their bed every morning!

Mims and Gramps hung pictures, changed light bulbs, power-washed the deck, power-washed the patio furniture, stained the deck, stained the patio furniture, unpacked boxes, took loads to the dump, polished all of the silver, went to the hardware store, went back to the hardware store, took more stuff to the dump, weeded the flower beds, played with the boys, cooked dinner, went to all of the sports practices and much more! The evenings have never been so organized at our house with their extra help. We could use 2 loving grandparents around here full time! Any volunteers? We promise not to move again.

Scott made it home for the weekend and was able to spend a little time with them. He kept giving me a hard time because my dad was limping and mom was so tired! Sorry Mims and Gramps. I really didn't mean any harm! We loved having you here to work, visit and play! Thanks again, love, Gwen, Scott and the boys

Mims, are you having fun? You face says not so much.

Oh, that's better. Now you are enjoying this! I'll stop taking pictures.

The biggest helper!

One month.....

Well, I wanted to see what would happen if I waited one month to post here!

Okay, not really. But embarassasingly so, it's just taken me that long to get around to it! Thank you to those of you who've asked about the pictures of the new house. I didn't think anyone really read this blog!


We've unpacked and unpacked and we are really feeling settled into our new house! We love it. It is so much more spacious and we seem to fill up space rather quickly. Each of the boys has their own room, we have a dining room, a garage, a kitchen with a breakfast room, a guest room, 4 bathrooms, and a beautiful deck and garden and much more. God's timing and plan always seems to be better than we imagine. This house suits our family to a T and with this one jus
t down the block from our old one, we have not had to adjust to a new neighborhood, commute, etc.

So when are you coming to visit?????

Here are the pics:

Our old house is just up this hill on the right.....

New House

We're in it! It's been so long since my last post because we we've been moving. We've been in our new house one week and we are finally starting to get our heads above water!

We love it. It's huge and charming (100 year old Victorian with original features) and in our same neighborhood.

Scott's been traveling and I've been trying to keep up with the boys while unpacking and settling in. Friends have come to help and we've had a busy week with birthday parties, comedy festival and sports!

Mims and Gramps are coming Monday to help and I've written a list for both!

Will take pictures soon and post asap. Just wanted to give you an update.

Six Nations Rugby

Scotland vs. Italy

Scott, Ethan and Christopher had the fun opportunity to go to Edinburgh to watch the Six Nations Rugby match on Saturday. They travelled with approx. 100 other parents and children from Glasgow (arranged through our mini-rugby club) to see the match.

Christopher said the bus ride was boring but the match was super! With the exception of Ethan, we are all still learning the rules of this game and Scott and I find in so interesting to watch. It's rough but it's fast moving like basketball (think I've said that before).

Just wanted to share a few of the pics. Check out the band. Bet they could give the Aggie Band a run for their money!

Charlie and I hung out at home because some sore throat virus found him! ARGH. He's better now.

The Cleansing Properties of Mud!

We've been enjoying longer days here in Scotland. It's made a world a difference in our afternoons and evenings. Last night it was light enough to play outside until 6:15 pm and our boys made every minute count.

Like the three little pigs. They found a muddy patch in the garden and they entertained themselves for 2 hours. Digging, mixing, throwing, and bathing in it!

Boy do I miss my Texas Size Laundry Room!

Fun, fun, fun.

The Loo

"Charlie, if you could choose, would you choose to live in a mansion or a cabin?" said Christopher.

"Mansion" replied Charlie.

"Not me. I'd choose a cabin becuase you could get lost in the mansion trying to find the toilet. And if you were in a hurry and you really needed to go, you'd be in trouble!" said Christopher.

Good point.

(all this overheard from my seat here at the computer)

Thinking ahead that one! Thinking ahead.

We're Moving......

Down the street!

Remember in October when we were moving to that chocolate box cottage that didn't quite pan out?? And we were devastated. I kept trying to remind myself that everything is according to God's timing and everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes, I have a harder time remembering this than others.

Anyway, we've continued to look for a house that ticked a few more boxes on our wish list and guess what? The one at the end of our street, on the corner, that we pass every single day, multiple times, just became available. It has a garage, a driveway, a few more rooms, a second refrigerator and a laundry room. It is an old Victorian like our current house but instead of half of a house, it's the whole house. It's Texas sized and we couldn't be more excited!

We take possession March 1st and the movers come on March 4th. We are all thrilled and I'll keep you posted over the next couple of weeks. I keep saying I need to be packing or need to be making a list and crossing things off but the movers are doing everything for us. So all I need to do is RELAX. Yea right. Just seems so weird since our last move was one that was a little further away and a little more challenging to organize!

God is good, all the time!