Wild Windy Night

I didn't realize how many windows we have always open until some wild wind hit during the night.

Thankfully a little noise was our only recourse, but there are lots of trains down and property damaged and power lost this morning.

The storm seems to be blowing over quickly, though.

It was also the first night of Project-No-More-Thumb-or-Paci-Sucking for the girls, so the combination made for a wild night indeed!

Prayers appreciated :)

Driving

After much trepidation and ringing of hands, I DID IT.

I drove our car into central London today.

I took a couple trips to the grocery store this week, just to get a little comfortable.

This is what I look like when I drive:

Total focus. Using every single available brain cell.

We woke up this morning to another Sunday of pouring rain and no Northern Line rail service into the city. It was time for the big test.

This is how I felt before we left:

I felt like singing when we made it. Robert was a road map warrior. He guided us the entire way while I gained confidence with every mile.

Driving past Buckingham Palace Gates

They say soon I'll get used to driving on the other side of the car and the other side of the road... I'd settle for just NOT banging my head into my driver's side window every time I put the car in reverse. My brain is convinced I should be looking the other way!

Our car is one of the many ways God has provided for us through extremely generous friends. We really are so thankful for it and excited for the convenience and opportunities it will bring!

Official Members

We finally made it to the local library. We peeked our heads in on the way home from BSF yesterday, and I promised the girls we'd come back today.

They excitedly asked me about it first thing this morning, as the rain drizzled outside our window. One of those moments where you feel like the weather is taunting you... oh, you want to go to the library today, do you?? PROVE IT. And we did. It's not too long of a walk and I don't remember any complaints - except for maybe some cold fingers. I think they loved the adventure, actually.

AND we walked in the door to find about thirty 0 to 3 year olds and their caregivers and their push chairs (strollers) packed into the children's section... Hah!

We still found a couple books to read in a quiet-ish corner, chose a couple books and movies to check-out, and...

got our library cards!

Very exciting indeed. They even both signed their own names.

Precious.

There are moments when I think I would give my every last penny for a babysitter for just a few hours to just sit somewhere quiet. There are, thankfully, more moments when I feel a deep sense of gratitude that I get this time to love and serve them through a library visit.

One of the verses that came out of our BSF study this week has been particularly helpful in finding gratitude:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:12-16

Robert is hoping to update the blog again soon from his perspective. He's been working really hard keeping up with the readings and languages and writing, etc. It's been a lot to take in, but very exciting also for him (and me!). Though there must be tremendous benefits in completing seminary single, I'm glad I get to walk alongside him in his studies. But he'll tell you more... soon!

Girls Night (and day)!

Robert has had a busy week of study and activities! Anticipating this, the girls and I have tried to have a little fun of our own.

Yesterday we ventured out to the a place we'd found with Dad last Saturday: Avenue House. This beautiful house and gardens is only about half of a mile from our house!

Exploring Avenue House grounds last Saturday

Our return visit to the grounds was almost as fun as the first. The girls played on the playground and then we stopped at a cafe on the way home. We enjoyed a ham & cheese croissant, fruit & yogurt, and a large mocha. We'll be back!

We sat outside and enjoyed our girls time in the midst of a little London drizzle. I'll let you guess what their favorite part was...

Then last night, Robert was able to attend a preaching seminar in the city, so we had girls-night-in with popcorn and a movie.

Their excitement over popcorn really amazes me. They do "come by it honest" as popcorn-loving is in their mama's genes.

We've had fun, but really can't wait for Daddy to get back this afternoon! Praying for a fruitful time for him as he continues to pursue this purpose of faithfully preaching God's Word.

Multitasking?

I may have to eat my words on this one...

Robert learning Hebrew alphabet while watching Auburn game

... maybe men can multitask! I'll have to quiz him tomorrow to really find out :)

Fun Find

While the girls are watching their very favorite show here - Mr. Tumble - I thought I'd post a few pics from a great park we found yesterday.

I had to take the girls on the bus to a post office that would certify some documents for us, so I thought we'd check out a nearby park while we were over that way. We had a couple great parks in Alabama, but living in such a big city now has afforded us many more fun finds. This one turned out to be fantastic!

There was a nice playground to use, but the open space next to us called our name. There were bridges to cover...

... and a curious trampoline-spider-contraption to conquer.

It was as exciting to climb on and off as it was to jump!

There was also a tire swing for two!

But the BEST feature was this zip-line! I think they would have stayed on this one until Christmas if I'd let them!

Meg refused her jacket over and over again. It was almost 60 degrees so I let her enjoy the freedom!

At first I (over) cautiously ran the length of the line with them, and then realized I could just send them down on their own!

I even wised up and let them start towing each other back to the platform...

... I should have brought my Kindle! =)

We were all wonderfully dirty by the end of it!

Can't wait to take Daddy back next time!

Two things on Tuesday

After a FULL day of wonderful things, I think I may only be able to eek out a couple things I've been wanting to record. We'll keep it to the girls and food.

1. When the girls were little I sometimes wondered if life might have been a little easier had they been born a little further apart. These days I'm praising God for His keeping them close in age - they really enjoy each other and I have the joy of watching them play. Some days they like dragging all of their toys to the top bunk and conducting school for their stuffed animals:

They also love painting, especially if princesses are anywhere in the picture.

I've also included "less worthy" pictures as we're still learning our letters. It seems they'll learn about anything if they can paint it afterwards!

2. Robert seems to think I've become some kind of a gourmet since we've moved across the pond. Though I know that's not the case, the compliments make it so exciting to cook for my little family.

One recipe I've been using over and over again is this crock pot chicken recipe. I have cooked the whole chicken in the crock pot this way, but I've also just used the seasoning for a rub on a pack of leg and thighs. I've found that even I can't dry out bone-in chicken!

We've also been eating LOTS of tacos... I think it's a combination of Taco Bell and Morris Family withdrawals!

I also broke down and bought a mini muffin pan. I've realized I'm just not whole without one in my kitchen. This apple muffin recipe was a hit - I just added about 1/2 cup of oats.

And after all that cooking comes the "washing up" as the English say. For some reason washing dishes is one of my more favored household chores (I know my parents or sisters will NEVER believe this, but it's TRUE). This really comes in handy when you're dishwasher-less. It has actually become something of a competition to see how many dishes I can balance on the drying rack. Sometimes I feel like I'm in one of those stacking competitions where the kids have to speed stack all those cups.

I can't believe I just confessed that. Must have lost my inhibitions somewhere in that "fullness" of this day. Night friends!