in and outs :)

Well-we're in London! Our house sitter for the week e-mailed me these pix of Gertie from her phone. She got her new pink tag this week--cute huh? We have some pretty cute dogs I must say :).

Saturday is Helen's wedding and she seems to have it all together. We met her fiance yesterday, and he's pretty fun. Dave and he get along well--they give each other a lot of crap, but each seems to return it with as much gusto, so I guess it's ok, lol. Not sure what the plans are for today, but I'm sure Mervyn will inform us when he and Sylvia get back from town, lol.

Yesterday was extremely wet, so we hung around Helen's house, played Scrabble (i won), and had a nap here and there. Dave and I hadn't had a full night's sleep in two days, as we left for the airport 1:30 am on Monday morning and were on the plane Monday night. We did get 1st class on the way though, which was EXTREMELY nice and fun to enjoy together this time around.

Tomorrow Dave is heading back to Belfast for the day as his grandfather is not doing so well (please pray for him), and I will be staying here and sight seeing. I'm going to Westminister Abbey and Kings Cross Station. I've never been in Westminister Abbey, and am quite excited about it (as a lit. major for sure). Kings Cross Station is where Harry Potter gets on the train to Hogwarts, lol, and they actually have a platform 9 3/4 now as the books are so popular. There's even a trolley half-way through the wall there like they are passing through the barrier (you know what I mean if you've read the books). I can't wait to get my picture taken with it!

Well, that's all the info for now! I'm sure I'll have pictures to post soon. TTYL!

Gertie's first walk

The day we decided to keep Gertie, Erin had a bag of fun stuff for her to send home with us.  In the bag was this adorable pink harness, a leash, and puppy food.  It was a fun surprise.  

This evening Gertie, Sleepy, Dave and I went on a short walk.  There is a little loop near our house that is about 2 or 3 blocks long.  Gertie walked the whole way (except when a big dog scared her and she refused to walk for a minute or two)!  I was very impressed.  

She gets tired very easily and sleeps a lot of the time at the moment.  She and Sleepy have been sharing a bed at night (it is TOO cute), and I think this is helping her transition a bit more.  

With the help of our friends, Gertie has spent a lot of time out of doors, (they let her out during the day when we are working) and she is making a lot of progress with training to "go" outside.  We are thoroughly enjoying having a puppy again :).  I think Sleepy is a bit annoyed by her following him around constantly, but I'm sure he'll love her once she can play with him a bit more.  Well--that's all for now!

Pup's for sale!!!...or else we may end up w/ 2 dogs

UPDATE: Leigh and Dave are getting a new puppy tomorrow!!!! We're taking the girl and bringing her home around noon! Her names is Gertrude, but we'll probably call her Gertie for short.  So excited...and a little nervous. More detail, and I'm sure pix, soon!
These guys are pretty darn cute--sure you don't want a puppy? I'll bring it to ya!!! They'll be ready to be taken home--shots and all--next Saturday!
This one is a girl--we really love her!


the only boy!!!

another girl



The three individual pix are the ones left to adopt!!!

a few short thoughts

~you realize the value of a baby's smile when you meet one that does not have one--one who hasn't had enough touch, emotion, love, and care in its life to muster the energy to learn how to smile. The joy that comes from making a baby smile, coo, and giggle is amazing because you know it is a healthy thing. In that moment the baby feels well, comforted, and loved. Door of Hope is an amazing place. Babies come in weighing their birth weight or less at several months old and, in just a couple of months, grow strong and healthy in that loving environment. Every person that works or volunteers there must love and adore God and children--even the house keeper and the secretary. The smiles on those children's faces show how much they are loved and adored daily. Each child is held, smiled at, called by its name, cuddled, and cared for. Each child is celebrated, photographed, praised, and raised to love Jesus, even if they're not old enough to speak His name. I would gladly go back to love on those babies some more--and am already planning to next year. If anyone has a place in their heart for some place like this, I ask you to donate to them. They always need diapers (called Nappies over there), formula, baby food, and much more. If you were considering getting me something for my upcoming birthday, PLEASE send a donation to them instead. Their website is: http://www.holeinthewall.org.za And you can go to their "donation" tab to find out how to send them money from the USA. They are an amazing organization working to reach abandoned babies and their families for Christ. I can't think of a better place to send my money.

fun pix

So I know I haven't posted in ages (thanks for the reminder S), but I promise to catch you up on my feelings on my trip, etc, when I have time to sit and think about it. Here are a few pictures from G's game the other night that Dave and I went to watch. I love that they all get their names on the back of their shirts!
--an action shot of Coach Shaun :)

I'm here!!!!!! And I can't believe it :)

When they called my name out Tuesday afternoon to say I'd made the flight, I was ecstatic! I said, "Did they just call MY name" to people who didn't know my name so wouldn't really know anyway :). The flight was long, but great. The first half I was in economy in the middle seat (ugh), so I didn't get ANY sleep at all. I was sat in between two African men from Senegal, and I had a great, involved conversation with one of them. He was a 41 year old man who looked to be about 28 (I was aghast when he told me his real age). He has a duel citizenship between the U.S. and S. Africa, lives in L.A., has 2 kids (4 & 16), owns a really cool business (but just sold it because he wants to spend time in the important things in life--family and god), he designs all sorts of things he sells, he's a Muslim, and he eventually wants to move back to Dakar where he's from. He talked most of the time, but it was extremely interesting and made sitting in the middle so much better.

Once we landed in Dakar, Senegal to refuel, my new friend got off (we made sure to exchange facebook names, lol), and I moved to business class. ~sigh~ There was something wrong with a gage or something, so we had to stay for a couple of hours in Senegal. The up-side to that was--I got to see the sun rise in Africa for the first time! It was scrub brush land mostly, and had lots of apartments. As we lifted off we had a champagne breakfast (though I just got o.j.--what was I thinking refusing champagne????) and 3 diff. courses. I laid my seat ALL the way back, took out my full size fluffy pillow and blanket, put on my fluffy eye cover and inserted my earplugs, and promptly fell FAST asleep! It was wonderful! I was sat beside an oil tycoon (crazy eh?), who flies all over the world looking for more oil and jumping from rig to rig.

Today was my first day at the baby house. Things I learned on my first day: 1) how to feed more than one baby at a time 2) how to entertain 3 babies at a time 3) how to pick up a baby while holding another 4) how to chart every intake and outtake of a child 5) babies are not that fragile---really :)
I took loads of pictures, and it's just my first day! I can't wait to show them all to you, but I won't be able to put many up. We are only allowed to post profile pictures or non-full face photos of the babies, but I will try my best to get a few. I worked a long day. Trying to keep 13 babies fed, diapered, burped, and happy is a huge job with only 2 to 3 people at a time. But it's a good time. Will post more later! I love love love you all and miss you too!

UPDATE

Well--i didn't make it out today. I'm flying on a standby ticket, so if the plane is full i don't go. Today was overbooked, they even asked people to give up their seats. Tomorrow is overbooked by 26, so I'll not be going tomorrow either. Sigh. SO, I went ahead and got a ticket (standby again) for Wednesday, which still has some slots. So pray there aren't a ton of standby people and I get to go Wednesday! I may extend my trip a few days (or at least one) so I can get some extra time in SA. Anyway--that's the news for now! I bought a wireless pass for the airport (since I'll be spending some time in it for the next couple of days) so I'll be on Skype and Facebook if you want to talk! Love you all!

So long for now!

I'm going to Africa!!!!! I'm so excited! You can check with Dave for updates, but I should be flying out tomorrow (Monday) at 3:50 pm. Last I checked there were 7 seats left on that flight--so pray I'm one of them!

I will miss all of your smiling faces and conversations, but I know that you'll be there with me in spirit. I love you all! God ended up blessing me with over $1000 in support for this trip---PRAISE THE JESUS! I tell you, if it was up to MY faith to get things done, everyone would be outta luck! But God came through, even though I wasn't really expecting him to!!!

Don't worry, be happy--as old Bobby sings--cause everything's gonna be alright (another bob--the marley)! I will take LOTS of pictures of those babies (oh I love them already!!!) and all the wonderful things that happen in S. Africa. I will publish most often through facebook probably, because that seems to be easier internationally (w/ uploading time and such). Family--I'm in good hands, HIS hands, so be at peace, and PEACE OUT!

It's a....PUPPY!

So Sassy and Sleepy's puppies were born yesterday and we got to see them this afternoon. They are SO CUTE! There are four girls and one boy. The lady said the puppies could be sold in less than six weeks, so if you want one you need to speak now! Only 3 girls and the boy are for sale (they're are keeping the pure white girl). All the puppies (hers and our one) are for sale for $200 ($150 to family). Here are some pictures of them! Enjoy!

Sassy and her puppies


This is the boy <===we really like him

all white one--no spots at all--so far :)


She said you can't tell if they'll be long or short hair yet, and probably won't be able to tell for several months, but they sure are cute!!!

awesomeness

tan lines

Dave and I worked again this weekend at NOC. We had our first raft trip of the summer on Saturday and it went great! Dave was nervous--but he enjoyed it, and I was so glad he did! I think he was just over-thinking everything. We had a morning alpine tower yesterday morning and that went well too--plus--we got great tips this weekend! Sooo...I got an AWESOME pair of sunglasses as my treat to myself (with my tip $). I will post pix of them when I get home today--they are SO COOL :). They're turquoise aviators. yeah i know--awesome huh? You're jealous I can tell ;). Saturday night we got together with our friend Philip and taught him how to play Settlers (the coolest game ever--Shannon you know you love it). Yesterday afternoon, after we got off work, we went kayaking with the LDP that are down here from Canada right now. It was my first time in a boat in a LONG time--and I was nervous to say the least. But, I tried rolling and I got it...well...when I was practicing anyway. The times when I just accidentally fell over I had to have some help--ugh--but I will get it if I just get in a boat more often. I want to--I just got to get off my lazy butt more often this summer and get in my boat! It was fun though :). This morning I dropped Dave off to carpool with a friend down to NOC. He's working there several more days this week (praise Jesus--we needed some more clocked hours). Then I went to the coffee shop in town and called all the schools in the area. I'm trying to observe at a different school every day this week and possibly get some job applications in the door too (even though most of the schools have position freezes at this time--they'll be off in July), so I can get put at the top of the position waiting list. Well, that's all for now! Pray for Dave today as he may be getting a call back about a job application and position!!!

It's Saturday right?

^me in the school library during planning period :)
All of my assignments are turned in and now all I can do is wait to graduate in a few weeks. Well, I guess I'm technically graduated now, since I'm not actually walking or anything. They'll just mail me my diploma some time early June. Anyway, every day feels like a weekend now. I don't have to plan anything or do anything really, just observe. I have been helping with organizing in the classroom and setting up several online quizzes and test, but other than that I don't do a whole lot. Every morning I think, what day is this? I still have to get up early, but it's so much easier now! I'm working at NOC on the weekends (was on the alpine tower last Friday and Saturday), and have my first rafting trip this Saturday afternoon! So does Dave, but he's not as happy about it. He doesn't really like raft guiding, but I told our boss she could put him on the list. He just doesn't like the entertaining part of it, because some groups really are hard to please. But, if he's going to be working at NOC all summer, he's going to have to guide, so he might as well get comfortable with it. Our group this weekend is 12 yr olds; kids are so much easier to guide and generally have a lot more fun too! Anyway--that's all for now!

Winter has come for the last time....hopefully

It's snowing here--quite hard actually. It's been snowing on and off since yesterday afternoon. Sunday I sat out and burned my shoulders while grading papers in the yard. Monday it's snowing. So weird. Most people around her expected this though. It usually snows in April at least once. My host teacher was just telling me the other day she remembers watching the tulip blooms fill up with snow one year. That's now! I've been fighting a snotty cold for the last week, and though it is getting better it seems to be lingering. Should be fun for our anniversary tomorrow :). I think we'll probably celebrate on another night though, since Wednesday is usually busy. I don't mind telling you, it almost slipped by me this year. It's been so busy with trying to finish my Teacher Work Sample (only the hugest amount of work a student teacher has to turn in analyzing every last piece of information you have gone over for the last two months) and focusing on teaching. Dave got better last week, but still has a runny nose. I'm so ready for a break! I can't wait till the weekend! I will be working on this and that during Spring Break, but not getting up early every day. We had a two hour delay this morning because of snow, and MAN was I excited when the phone rang at 6 a.m. to tell me I could go back to sleep for 2 hours! I am glad we had school today though. I think if we had any more snow days they would have had to do Saturday school, which no one was excited about. Anyway, that's the news! Three more days of student teaching and then I'm basically done! See ya then!

break-ing news

Two weeks folks! Two weeks until Spring Break! I just want you to know I'm pretty darn excited. I mean, I'm SOOO ready to sleep in and do fun stuff that's doesn't involve high schoolers and 6 am mornings. Don't get me wrong, I love my students, I'm actually gonna miss them, but I need a break from the drama! Sometimes I catch myself trying to tell them things they can't possibly understand or even remotely would take my advice on. I want to say, "You are so wrong for each other--get out now!" and "Wake up people, you're life started 17 years ago, you're driving it now, so don't expect mom to pick up the pieces," and, last but not least, "I am NOT YOUR MOTHER! I told you AT LEAST 15 times when that paper was due AND it was on the board, so it was up to YOU to REMEMBER IT!" They are such lovely children :), really, mostly, well I love them anyway :). Anyway--I don't even care where I am during Spring Break, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!!! Of course, it WOULD be nice to be camping Easter weekend with my lovely older sister and her wonderful family...i really do hate last minute decisions here :)...alas the life of a farmer I suppose. I truly am my mother's daughter with the whole being early and knowing everything in advance thing though. Oh well. Of course, if that doesn't work out, I might be heading to the beach with most of the other family members, which would also be lovely and relaxing, though it does involve much more car time than the mtns....about 10 more hours to be exact. Don't worry mom, I will tell you if I'm tagging along before.....Thursday morning of next week :). Can Dave come too? Just thought I'd ask :-D..I love yoU! That's the news for now! P.S. If you got an e-mail from me but can't open the attachment please let me know!!! It's pretty important :)

Lent and other fuzzy things

You know when your older brother, who you didn't think ever read anything of yours anyway, says you haven't blogged in awhile, that it's time to update the blog. So here's to you Shaun--and if you read you should really comment ya know--it's just the polite thing to do ;).

Well, Lent started a couple of weeks ago, and our church challenged us to get involved this year. If you remember, last year I gave up Hollywood gossip sites and magazines. Surprisingly enough, I basically haven't picked one up since! This year our church challenged us to give up OR add something that would help us focus on God more during this period of time (it ends Easter Saturday). I decided to add having my quiet time every day (yes I SHOULD already be doing that). So, I decided to make myself get up at 6:00 am every day to do this (since I have a very tight schedule in the morning). I like sleeping in--I mean--seriously--sleeping in my bed is something I look forward to daily. Sometimes I even start thinking about the next time I can take a nap or sleep as soon as I get up in the morning. I know 6 a.m. is not that early for you parents, but my dog doesn't even get up that early o.k? (he just stays curled up in his bed until Dave gets up at 7--guess I'm not important enough, lol). Anyway--it has been going well (except Saturday which I totally missed on--I don't get up early on Saturdays though). Dave has given up looking at this particular climbing blog-ish site--which he used to spend a lot of time on checking and posting on each day. I excited about this time --I really like Lent! I wonder how come other denominations don't do Lent? I mean, it is supposed to symbolize Jesus' time fasting in the desert.

In other news--we are not sure if Sleepy is going to be a daddy yet. The lady said she would know within two weeks. So, keep your fingers crossed! I really want to see what his puppies would look like :). Anyway--that's the update for now!

Big Pimpin'

Well--we're going to mate Sleepy. Someone who had heard about our Jack Russell puppy what looking for a male to bread with their female. Dave and I talked about it the other day and decided that it would be ok with us. We get the pick of the litter and will either sell it or give it to a friend. The lady is supposed to call me back when the female is in heat, which could be today or a few days from now. Sleepy will go over there for 4 to 5 days and then we just have to wait. How long does it take for a dog to have puppies anyway? Someone said 3 months--is that around the right time? The woman said she takes all the puppies to the vet and gets their shots and tails docked and everything. Then, when they're weened, we can go over and pick one. It will definitely be a boy that we; I'm almost sure of it. It will be really neat to see what Sleepy's puppies look like. I'm excited and a little nervous. I'v never left him with a stranger before and I want to make sure he's taken care of :). Well--today is Friday--yay! That means I get to sleep in late tomorrow! It's supposed to rain all day, so that means Dave will probably stay home too--so it should be a nice weekend. That's all the news I have for now. Oh! Keep Dave in your prayers for jobs. He's been applying for different positions but nothing has happened with those yet.

Fun hair day

Ok---so you tease me about taking pictures of myself and posting them on my blog--but that's what people do who don't have kids. The only pictures we post are of our pets and husbands. Tease away--but I had fun taking them--so there :oD

sick

Dave's all sick right now. I woke up yesterday morning to find he had moved to the couch because he was afraid he'd wake me up with his coughing and blowing his nose. He dropped me off at school yesterday so he could have the car if he needed it, but once he got back home he fell asleep until noon! He NEVER sleeps in, so that he probably really needed it for recuperation. He is pretty pitiful. He's tired, his throat is achy, and he's already gone through a box of tissues. When he woke up this morning he said things seem to be "solidifying." :) He was SOOO excited to find he could breath out of his nose with a little effort! lol He's home again today--putting some finishing touches to his resume for job applications and resting a bit more. I hope he feels better by this afternoon. I ALSO hope I am not coming down with what he had. I didn't feel great this morning--so I need to hit the Airborne asap. Anyway--I'm at school and actually all done planning and grading for the morning. So, I'm writing to you! Now just pray the interactions with the students go well today. I hate confronting them with bad behavior, but they seem to be testing me to the point I can't just say "stop that" anymore. Be brave Leigh :). Talk to you guys later!

Plans

It's been quite a while since I posted. There have been plenty of times when I thought about sitting down and blogging, and then I would invariably find something else that needed or could be done and get distracted. One thing that has been on my mind to tell you guys though, is about my trip this summer. I am graduating on May 9th. Oh, by the way family, I don't plan on walking, so don't worry about coming up for all that nonsense. I am probably leaving that week for my trip. My dear friend Beth is leaving me in a week or so for South Africa to go work with an orphanage there. I have always wanted to go on a trip kind of by myself, and she presented the perfect solution. So, I am going to South Africa to visit Beth for a couple of weeks during May. I'm extremely excited about it! It will be my first flight alone in quite a while, and it will be my first 24 hour flight too. I have a friend who is in the airline industry who is helping me get a cheaper ticket to get over there. Once I'm there I'll be working with Beth in the orphanage for the majority of the time. Then, we'll take off for a few days and explore some parts of South Africa!!! The orphanage is called Door of Hope and is in Johannesburg. Since this will be pretty much my first mission trip ever, I don't even know what to do with myself! I would love to think about raising some money, but I don't exactly know how that works (mom, dad, B?). So, I guess we'll just see how it goes. Anyway--that's my big news for now!

Student teaching is going well. My students are tough sometimes--they like to test me--but I am really enjoying it so far. By the end of the day I'm pretty socially exhausted. This is why you haven't been getting many phone calls from me. I get home and don't want to talk at all after forcing social interaction with teenagers all day.

Weekend wonders

This morning Dave had the whole day planned out for our date day. We haven't had a lot of time to ourselves lately because we've had so many events to attend and friends to see. He made me breakfast of apple waffles (the BEST!) and fruit smoothies (I picked up an easy recipe at the gym the other day). It was so good. The smoothy recipe is really good. It's just:
1 banana
1 cup frozen fruit
1/4 cup of flax seeds (optional)
1 cup orange juice
1-2 cups of yogurt
2 cups soy milk (I use vanilla flavored)
and MIX!

This afternoon we are going to the flea market and then off to Asheville. I think we might pick up a book to read together and read for awhile at Barnes and Noble and then see a movie I've been wanting to see for awhile, Slumdog Millionaire. Then dinner some new place :). Probably drinks afterwards with a friend too! Can't wait to spend the rest of the day together!!! Hope you guys are having a good weekend so far!

Wednesday I start my student teaching and I am done with my lesson plans for the first month --woot woot! I'm excited, nervous, scared, but mostly excited. I just want to do a good job and still enjoy teaching by the end of it :). Well, I'm off for the day! see ya later!

p.s. B--sorry about pressuring you to move up here for the summer, I know you want to make your own decisions, I would just be ecstatic if you were closer to me! I love you!

Time flies when you get up early :)

Wow--it's been a bit since I've posted. So, I've been up to--well not that much actually. We got back from our trip to Ireland and I immediately went back to school schedule. I've been observing/assisting at the high school 5 days a week and planning like crazy for when I start teaching full time on the 27th. The students have their final exams this week for this semester (their 1st semester doesn't get over till after Christmas--rather sucky if you ask me), so all the students are pretty stressed right now. We had 1st period's exams today and most of the students passed the class, but a couple are pending. I hate when students fail a class. I know that must be embarrassing, plus it's a lot of work wasted, but these students just really slacked off and figured they would pass, and it didn't turn out that way. Anyway--my host teacher's test is crazy hard--I seriously don't think I would come even close to passing it myself right now--without studying of course (horrible for an English teacher to say you think--you should see the test). I love the students though--I really do, even the ones that scared me stiff at the beginning of the semester-and that gives me just a tiny bit of hope I may feel the same way about the ones I'll have this coming semester. It does make me scared of if/when Dave and I have teenagers though--is there any way of SKIPPING the whole "I hate my parents faze," cause some of the things they say about their parents--oh man--why can't we all just get along???? :) lol One thing I have learned about parenting a teenager--sometimes you should just let them fall on their butt, because trying to kick them up the hill to success only prolongs them being a child and not an adult (learned from some students who just don't have the urge to push themselves up the hill). Oh--and I think I like going to bed early and getting up early now--I know--never thought you would hear me say that huh??? lol But my body has responded quite nicely actually--I get up at 6:30 every morning, alarm or not I wake up, and I feel...wait for it...RESTED! It's quite the epiphany. Well--that's all I've got for now. I've enjoyed reading everyone's blog so much lately--dont' stop posting all the adorable family and friend pix (I LOVE the pic of A with the grocery cart Carey!)

P.S.--update on New Year's resolutions--I have been enjoying readying the Bible again--doing a deeper dig in Romans right now and starting to read The Sacred Romance which I'm really excited about. Plus, I ran for 45 minutes on the elliptical at school yesterday then swam/treaded water for about half an hour--and it felt SOOO good. Dave was exasperated that it took till my 3rd year of school at WCU to figure out I like their facilities--lol

Following suit

well, Shannon posted a New Year's Resolution post, and it got me thinking. Usually New Year's Eve I think, "What's the point of New Year's Resolutions--they always seemed destined for failure," but then I usually make some anyway. So, here's a list of my own resolutions--hopefully something good will come from them.

1. Spend more time enjoying God--in nature, reading, quiet time, prayer, and fellowship with friends and family.
2. Find some sustainable exercise activity I actually enjoy doing and therefore might do for longer than a day or two
3. Stop complaining--God has blessed me so much and I complain about everything--ugh
4. Enjoy and support my husband--with time spent together, good conversation, etc

So far that's it. I really would love the jump on the exercise band wagon--but I usually fall off because I realize I hate doing whatever I keep trying to do (ie. running, cycling, etc). I love hiking, but the winter hours are not really best for that-so it turns into a weekend thing and that's just not enough.
Anyway-I'm going to do some dishes and get some baking done. I finally got to the grocery store and our cupboards are now stocked--now I just need to work up the energy to get off the couch :)

Goodbye sheep

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we'll be off to the airport in Dublin. It's about a 2 hour drive, so we're leaving here around 6:40 am. Our flight leaves around 10:50 am this time, and arrives 3:10 NC time--so we'll be gaining 5 hours (and probably arrive somewhat tired). But at least we'll be able to get a good night's sleep before we head off. On the way over I slept very little, maybe an hour or two, so it'll be nice to get home fairly well rested, even though we'll have to stay up for 5 more hours in the day. We're hoping since we are flying on Dave's birthday something awesome will happen, like the airline will give us an upgrade to business or 1st class (fingers crossed). Who knows--it could happen! Anyway--just thought I would say goodbye to you from Ireland, and next time I blog, I'll be typing from NC. Miss you all!

Goodbye Ireland, until next time, and thanks for all the sheep ;).

Week

I went to my first ever rugby game on Saturday night and it was loads of fun! It was an Ulster v. Leinster game (Belfast is in Ulster--N. Ireland, and Dublin is in Leinster--S. of Ireland--Republic of Ireland). Dave explained most of the main rules to me, and I think I got it down o.k. I kept thinking about American football and how dissimilar/similar the game was to it--it helped me understand it better (even though everyone seems to think they are nothing alike). The main differences (in my novice opinion of course) are that you can only pass the ball backwards and the play is continuous (minus half time, injuries, or penalties which result in a scrum or a penalty kick). A scrum looks like a huddle except the two teams are facing each other head-to-head and pushing to get the ball. Anyway--it was pretty exciting. Ulster wasn't great though--and Leinster beat them 20 to 13.

Yesterday we went for a great hike at Fair Head--close to Port Stewart in the northern part of N. Ireland by the sea. It was really beautiful--but a bit cold and windy. Dave and I decided to head towards the bottom of the cliffs on the way back and meet the rest of the family at the parking lot. It was a difficult climb down--but we made it and had a lot of fun doing it too. The boulder field at the bottom was amazing--huge boulders you had to crawl over everywhere for ages and ages. My thighs are sore as ever from climbing down and over for so long, but it was worth it. Afterwards we went to Uncle Doug and Aunt Mercle's house for dinner. Their daughter, Elaine, and her family were there and we got to play with her one year old, little Finn (adorable). Dinner was great, and I always love talking to Uncle Doug--he's a trip really.

Helen went back to London this morning and she'll be back at work tomorrow.
Tomorrow Dave and I are heading to the Mourne mtns for a hike, then to a pub for a pub dinner afterwards (they're the best!).
New Year's Eve Mervyn and Sylvia are heading to a friend's house and we are probably going to order Chinese food and have a movie night--sounds relaxing! Anyway--Dave it begging me to get off here and go to sleep--it's 11:30, so I guess I better head off. We'll be back in the States at the end of the week--so I'll call you all then! Miss you!

Fun with pictures

I did a few more pictures since we have been here, just messing with the color and light balance and different features, but they were more colorful and wouldn't upload. So, here's the only one the would (though it's not the best one, I thought it was fun--enjoy!) This was from our last day out in Rome. We were above the area overlooking the Spanish Steps.

Merry Christmas family

Well--I don't have any Christmas pictures to post, but I did want to send some love out to those I'm missing most today. Yesterday I kept thinking what time it would be at home and what you guys would be doing. I wondered when you all got to Grandmama's house, when you sat down to eat or open presents, what time you would be heading to the candle light service (which was about the same time we were heading to our midnight service here). I kept thinking this morning about what times Shannon and Shaun's kids would try and wake up, and if you guys would have to tell them "not yet." I figured B and David wouldn't be up before 9 or so, so you guys are probably still in bed. We are about to have Christmas lunch here with Nana and Gaga--we've seen the rest of the extended family throughout this week and last and now they are all off to other family member's houses. I will miss opening stockings with you guys (and getting one too-they are still my favorite), having a big breakfast with grapefruit, and sitting around in our pj's watching Christmas movies. Don't forget to call us on Skype and keep trying if it doesn't work the first time. I love you all dearly! Merry Christmas!

"Grazie"...

is the only Italian word I tried to say while in Italy (which means Thank You). Good thing so many Italians speak English, or we would have been lost. A big of sign language and pointing served us well (though I felt bad I didn't try to learn any other words before venturing into the country--very American of me). Well, we had a wonderful time in Rome (my computer tells me we took around 226 photos--Dave likes to take doubles/triples of things). The first day was absolutely beautiful and sunny! We walked lots and actually a bit too far--we kept saying "oh this is close by, let's just go to that too," and walked further and further away from our hotel. The second day was rainy rainy (downpour at a few points), but we managed to duck in to a place in just the moment usually. Tuesday was a little drippy but not bad, and we were at the Vatican that day so mostly inside. The food was wonderful and the wine was great (and cheap!). But my FAVORITE was the Gelato (their version of ice cream))---SOOOO good!!! I got it twice. Anyway, I'll post the pictures up on facebook pronto. And mom, tell Bethany to get on facebook and let you see the pictures. I love you guys!

Picture problem

I've tried to upload photos here several times and it seems the internet here just isn't fast enough. So, I've uploaded them all on facebook--check them out there.

We decorated the Christmas tree today--huge thing since it was topped off the tree in front of the house (it's almost as wide as it is tall), but it's pretty! Got to see Nana and Gaga (Sylvia's parents) today and will see the rest of the Nelson clan tomorrow at their's. Sunday around 5 am we'll be heading off to the airport. Our flight for Rome takes off at 7:10 am (ouch!), so we'll do what we can about getting to bed early. Dave and I will be there from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday sometime. I'm SO excited about seeing everything. We'll definitely see the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and some of the Vatican--other than that who knows! I'll post the pictures from there on facebook too, along with the rest of the pix while we're here cause it just seems to be easier. Well, that's everything for now. I'm the last up, it's 11:30 pm here, so I'd better head to bed too. I would love to talk to any of you guys if you are on facebook (but you gotta let me see you--hint hint S) or skype (B--get on EARLIER!) tomorrow before we leave. Soon as you get on let me know or leave a comment for the time (in YOUR time zone) when you'll be on to talk. Love you and miss you all!

safe

Hey guys. Just wanted to update you. We are here and safe. We arrived about 8:30 am in Dublin time (5 hours ahead) today and hung out in Dublin for most of the day. We went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was stunning and so very very neat. I got lots of pictures and hopefully post those tomorrow if all goes well (this internet is rather slow). Anyway--we're here. B--don't forget to get on skype whenever you think about it. Love you all--goodnight.

All Ready....almost :)

Well we're pretty much packed--minus the random things lying around the apartment we keep remembering need to be packed. I think I did pretty well actually :). My last presentation was tonight and went fine; then we had a party at the professor's house--pretty awesome I know. Before class (and I mean RIGHT before class, I decided to give blood. Pretty smart, I know--but I did. And I'm gonna tell ya, I may turn in good service badge, because I am TIRED of getting screwed when it comes to the good needle people. They seriously whacked up my arm! It's already bruised and it's killing me! It hurt so much I almost cried during it--and I've given blood at least a half dozen times. They couldn't find the vein again--kept jiggling it around like it was a slinky. It hurts to even straighten it out. And then, when I was done and they have to fill up those three little vials, they jiggled it around some more because how it was put it made the blood clot so much it would hardly pump any more. Ugh. I really do think giving blood is a good thing, especially cause I'm the O+ universal donor and all, but I'm going to be sore for a week afterwards I think I might retire. Here's a picture of my arm 3 hours after the fact. P.S. Guess next time I talk to you guys I'll be in Ireland (or at least an airport--have a great Christmas!)

Thanks Mom and Dad

I was reminiscing with a girl friend of mine about Christmas memories during coffee this morning and I just wanted to say "Thanks" to Momma and Daddy for making those memories what they are. I never had "Santa" memories because they chose not to do that with me, and I didn't miss it. I but I do remember the scavenger hunts for presents on Christmas morning, the Christmas story being read first thing, eating grape fruit for our first course at breakfast, opening stockings first (always my favorite present), and having egg nog while we decorated the Christmas tree. I don't have memories of loads of toys or things, and I'm SO thankful that Christmas presents were never the central theme of Christmas in our family. I loved that we just spent time together on Christmas day and didn't do anything else. I want to do that with our kids if we get that chance--to show them what Christmas is about--to spend less and make a bigger deal of family and the importance of helping others during their times of need. I love our family Christmas, and I hope to incorporate it into my family too. So, thanks again Mom and Dad, for showing me what Christmas is about and giving me memories to last a lifetime. I love you both so very much.

Grove Christmas Parade--The Grinch

Two days and NO exams!!!

Well--we have two days left until we leave for Ireland. Sleepy was picked up by mom and dad today, and we already miss the guy :(. The house is emptier without his snuggles and excitement. I hope he's enjoyed there though.
I finished my last exam Saturday afternoon and now there's just a million other things to do before Wednesday. I still haven't done laundry for the trip, cleaned the house, or even started packing (though I've been thinking about it for about a month--that counts right?). I also need to clean out the car for the drive down the ATL, charge all the electronics, pick up prescriptions, develop film, and wait for the plumber to come fix the leaking problem from our--wait for it--chimney (we have a chimney for a stove pipe hook up, we've never used it of course). So fun stuff to do tomorrow and Tuesday. Tonight Dave was going to cut his hair short, so I decided to have some fun with it. Being my premier hair cut, it turned out like one of the New Kids on the Block--the first time around, lol. Here's some pictures to prove it :).

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg nog if we are decorating a tree at my parent's, and Hot Chocolate on normal days.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Ummm...dunno, no one ever did Santa with me.

3. Colored lights or white?
White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but I think it's a fun idea--Grandmama always hangs fake mistletoe and I like it

5. When do you put your decorations up?
We only put up a tree every other year and it's usually the week after Thanksgiving. On the other year we just put up a few Christmas decorations since we leave for Dave's parent's house the 2nd week of Dec.

6. Favorite holiday dish?
Grandmama's cream corn

7. Favorite memories as a child?
Going on scavenger hunts to find where our presents were hidden, reading the Christmas story the morning of Christmas, and opening stockings.

8. When/how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember ever being told that Santa existed, but I told all my friends that he didn't! lol

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Only if we are at Grandmama's

10. How do you decorate the tree?
First Dave trims off the bottom part of the tree so it will fit in the stand and cuts a few bottom branches off. Then we bring it in, put the lights on it, and put all the special ornaments on first. Most of our ornaments are from places we have traveled or are gifts from family members or things that mean something to us.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Love it! Snowboarding soon hopefully! Plus, when you teach--day off!!! Woot woot!

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes, last time was in Ireland--hopefully go again this year.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Not a specific one, but opening the stockings was/is always my favorite part.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?
Spending time with family.

15. Favorite holiday dessert?
Christmas pudding thing they eat over in the U.K.--not exactly sure what it is but you light the sugar on fire to crystalize it right before you eat it--yumm!

16. Favorite Christmas Tradition?
Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grandmama's church.

17. What tops your tree?
An angel Dave and I bought the year we got married.

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving.

19. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night and Mary Did You Know

20. Candy canes. Yum or yuck?
Yuck.

21. What do you want for Christmas?
Snow and some black boots.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?
Do, but we have an annual friends Christmas dinner party at ours--just last Thursday--so fun!

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear P.J.'s?
Dress up--wherever we are there is a Christmas Eve service to attend.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
Nope.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Every other year we are with my parents and the other year with Dave's parents. Hopefully that will continue for a long long time.

Excited

The week ahead excites me. There are events almost every day and then next week we'll be headed to Ireland!!! Today we are getting a few friends together for a Friend's Christmas Dinner. Dave and I (mostly Dave really, unless he tells me what to do) are cooking two chickens for the main course and some stuffing. Dave is going to walk me through all of it, because he always likes doing the chickens and there's not much room in our kitchen (or marriage?--lol) for two cooks :). Everyone else is bringing the side items. I'm very excited about it. Dave is home today because it is raining and the part of the house they are working on now can't be done in the rain. So, he's helping me put out a few Christmas decorations (we have the Christmas tree candle smelling the house up so nice) and figuring out how 9 people are going to fit around our table (he's rigged up quite the nice extension board since our table didn't come with one--it's beautiful really).

Tomorrow is Erin's house warming party--which somehow I am the one hosting it (at her house of course). I'm not really an events coordinator, mostly because I have no clue how these things work. But, I sent out a list of everything Erin still needs to all her friends and called a few people to bring some snacks. That's it right? I also sent everyone directions on how to get there and what time they should arrive.

Saturday is the town Christmas parade. Our church always does a massive float (last year we won with best design!). It helps to have a lot of builders in our church. This year we are doing the theme of The Grinch that Stole Christmas. The pastor's daughter is Cindy-Loo-Who (so cute!) and his son is Max (he wanted to be on the float too, so they had to give him some part, lol). There are three ladies who are singing in flannel pj's and then the band will be playing on it too! Hopefully I'll get a chance to post some pictures of it--so cool.

Sunday Mom and Dad are coming for lunch and to pick up their grandpuppy, lol. Sleepy is staying with them for the holidays--and I'm sure he'll have a blast. Mom pretends to not like dogs, but she loves Sleepy :).

Monday is my only day of not doing anything--though I'll definitely be packing by then because Tuesday of packed FULL! Tuesday I have my last night class and then we have a party--so we'll be out pretty late.

Wednesday if flight day! Beth and Jodie are taking us to Atlanta to catch our flight--and then we're off to Dublin! Very exciting week so you see :). well, that's about it, I should do some more decorating. I do love Christmas. Love!

A week in pictures

--The whole family--we should get dressed up more often, we look good!

Grandmama and Joshua dancing at his wedding

All the Fisher kids and Grandmama--amazing--I got one without them all talking!

All the Eddy kids--this is the best one, and Mom is in the background :)

The nieces and nephews opening early christmas presents from us since we're heading to Ireland for the holidays

The whole family--great picture I think

Sleepy--he did drive Mom a little crazy this week, but he's back home and all cuddled in a blanket. It's snowing outside right now so it's pretty cold here.