Edinburgh Trip -- Days 3 & 4

Saturday, July 25, we headed to the Edinburgh Zoo. My parents had given us money to pay for it and we all had a great time! The sky was blue and the air was fairly warm – a perfect day to be outside.

Our first stop – and one of our highlights – was feeding the lorikeets in the aviary. We bought two servings of nectar, which Naomi and I held out in our hands. The birds were a bit cheeky: they wanted to stay on their rails and not make the effort to fly to us. But we stood firm and eventually they came.

I was proud of Naomi. Though sometimes shy among people, she showed no fear with birds! She bravely let the lorikeet come sit on her hand, tickling her a little with its talons.

The birds were brilliantly colored. My biggest reason for liking any zoo is the reminder of how awesome God is. What a creative mind He has, to come up with such diverse, beautiful creatures, each species uniquely designed to thrive in their own habitat.

Naomi and Josiah excitedly ran from exhibit to exhibit, thrilled to be seeing monkeys and lions, hippos and zebras. They could hardly wait for the 2:15 “penguin walk,” when zookeepers open the penguin gate and let penguins walk down the pavement in front of onlookers. We’d gotten there early and staked out a good spot. We were not disappointed as we saw cute little guys waddling right in front of us.

Naomi also bravely tried a turn on a trampoline/bungee jumping gizmo. It wasn't quite as fun as she expected, but we were impressed that she gave it a go!

At the end of the day, our friend Kate picked us up and drove us to the home we’d be staying in for the rest of our holiday. Kate’s friends from our old church were away for the week, leading a Scripture Union camp, and had offered to let us stay in their flat. It was so nice to have a 2-bedroom place to crash each night after long days out. I especially appreciated having a dishwasher, and the kids enjoyed the Legos.

On Sunday we worshipped at Gorgie Parish Church, close to where we used to live. I was amazed at how many people greeted us, as though 3 years hadn’t gone by. It was a blessed morning.

From church we went to the home of our friends Quintin and Fiona Bradshaw. They are both medical doctors, prior missionaries to Thailand, and parents of 4 teens. We had been blessed 4 years ago by their youngest two kids (twins Rory and Kirsten) befriending Naomi and Josiah, and also by their sweet hospitality as they had us for meals and let us use their home.

Fiona made an amazing spread of Thai dishes for our Sunday dinner. It was all very yummy! Our kids enjoyed the spacious yard, bouncing on a big trampoline, climbing and sliding, and playing with the Bradshaws’ springer spaniel Tia. They also got to go on a countryside romp, through woods and farmland, while Steve and I played a game of Settlers of Catan with Rory (14) and Chris (17).

We had so much fun playing Catan that we decided to do another round of it, pausing for tea-time. Fiona had baked homemade scones and served them with jam and clotted cream, along with tea and biscuits. Our Sunday gave us the best of two cultures’ cuisines!

Grateful for friendship and fellowship, we reluctantly returned to our flat. Our tummies and hearts were full. Thank you Lord for friends!

Trip to Edinburgh: Days 1 & 2

On Thursday, July 23, we left Oxford by train, heading first to Birmingham (an hour away) and then to Edinburgh (another 5 hours). We were going “home” to where we’d lived during the school year ’05-’06. Steve and I were excited to spend time in a city we love, as well as catch up with old friends. We also looked forward to re-acquainting our kids with places and people that used to be important to them.

The trip there was fairly uneventful. Ethan was thrilled to be on a train! This was his first long-distance train ride. We had a 3 hour layover in Birmingham, during which we explored the city a little bit on foot, and got caught in a rainstorm. The kids liked chasing pigeons in a grassy square we found.

The 5-hour ride to Edinburgh was trying on our nerves. By the end, the kids were stir-crazy and tired (we didn’t arrive ‘til after 9 PM) But we survived! At least the train was almost empty by the time we were in Scotland, so the kids’ noise wasn’t bothering loads of people. Naomi and Josiah spent the last 20 minutes of the journey picking up rubbish from throughout our car, and filling a bag with it. At last, a useful way to expend their energy!

For our first two nights, we stayed with good friends, Kate and Hugo Allan. Their daughter Rebecca is Josiah’s age and was one of Naomi and Josiah’s best friends. They also have a 2 year old foster son. It was a delight to see the kids play together, as if three years hadn’t gone by since they last saw each other. Rebecca and Naomi even had a “sleepover” together on Friday night in Rebecca’s room.

On Friday, we took the kids to see our old cottage. We didn’t see the inside, but took pictures of the outside. Two big changes had occurred in the last three years: 1) the car park that used to be completely empty (and available for tricycle riding) behind our house was now full of cars; 2) the huge derelict building that used to be such an eyesore from our kitchen window is gone, and in its place is a huge Sainsbury’s (grocery store).

We made the walk down our road to nearby Saughton Park, where I used to take the kids to a Winter Garden on cold days and the playground on

warm days. We enjoyed the goldfish in the greenhouse, the beautiful rose garden, and the huge sandpit in the playground.

From there we crossed the street to our old library. Balgreen Library had seemed so small to me when I first arrived from the Chicago suburbs. It’s only one room and has no bathroom. It is much bigger than our current local library in Marston, Oxford, though! We checked e-mail, read to the kids, colored

unicorn and dragon coloring sheets, and waited out a brief rainstorm.

We began the 40 minute walk back to Kate and Hugo’s, passing the McDonald’s we ate at every now and then, and discovering that a brand new Aldi grocery store was in our neighbourhood. It would have been only a 5 minute walk from our old house – a bit farther than the Sainsbury’s across the street, but not much!

At home we enjoyed the Allan family. Kate served the kids their own supper, we bathed them all, and then Hugo made a special meal for us adults. It was very nice to catch up in person with good friends!

Touch

I love to touch...

a rose petal
sand between my toes
the hair of someone I love
the new, soft skin of a baby
flour
summer rain
kittens
my husband's hand

What do you like to touch?

Sickness Abounds

I'm not sure what is happening to our once-healthy family. It seems like we're the house of contagion these days.

Six weeks ago Naomi and Josiah each came down with some kind of sore throat virus thing (a week apart), and I followed them with my own cold. All five of us got head lice and it's taken 2 weeks to get rid of it by wet-combing.

Naomi's been battling impetigo on her mouth and nose for a few weeks. I was diagnosed with erysipelas (a superficial skin infection) on my cheek last Sunday, and now my visiting sister-in-law has come down with tonsillitis.

What is going on?? These are not major issues, but it's getting a bit tiring always having someone not feeling good! Naomi's impetigo and Genelle's tonsillitis are the current prayer needs .... let's get this family healthy again!!

Enjoying Owen

My nephew Owen has been with us since Friday, and solely in my care yesterday and today. The kids and I are having so much fun with him! At times it’s a bit tough having four, mostly because it changes our normal dynamics. (Both Ethan and Owen idolize Josiah and fight for his affection.) But mostly it’s been great!

The best parts have been going to playgrounds and parks, watching the boys wrestle together, and hearing the three older kids having conversations more intelligibly than ever before!

We’ve spent time at every park we know of: Christ Church Meadows, South Park, Headington Hill, Parson’s Pleasure, Meadow Lane playground, and our local playground. Lots of space to run around is just what the kids need. They also love throwing rocks and sticks into water, feeding ducks, finding bugs, and using their imaginations on play equipment. (Owen said his favourite part of yesterday was “riding the boat” at the park, referring to a large steering wheel on a jungle gym.)

Though an only child, Owen seems to be adjusting well to my physical boys. He’s jumping right in when Ethan tackles him, or whacks him with a pillow. And there are remarkably few tears resulting!

And it’s just great over-hearing the kids’ conversation. I love listening to them compare Virginia and England, share favourite parts of funny movies, and explain things to each other. I wish I could capture all their cute voices!

My last experiences with Owen had been less pleasant. A little over 9 months ago, he seemed grumpier, a bit rebellious and whiny, and a pickier eater. It’s amazing how much can change in that time period! He seems like a different kid! I am so thankful for this chance to spend time with him now that he’s a little older. He’s been fairly easy-going, cheerful and respectful.

And he makes me laugh everyday when we talk about our upcoming rest time. He reminds me repeatedly, “I don’t have to shut my eyes, right Lisa?” I assure him that he most definitely does not have to shut his eyes; he just needs to lie down for a quiet time. And every day, he falls fast asleep. Smile…

Family Visit

Steve's sister Genelle, her son Owen, and her boyfriend Bill arrived in Oxford last Friday, just in time for Naomi's 7th birthday (July 3). We had a great weekend together before Bill left on Sunday morning. Since then we've continued to enjoy local parks together and general cousin fun!

This is actually the most visiting time I've ever had with Genelle and I'm really enjoying getting to know her better. Owen (age 3 1/2) has matured a lot in the past 9 months and is fun to hang out with. We're getting some extra time with him while Genelle does research at the Bodleian Library.

See the post below for some pics of our time together so far...
1) Steve, Owen, Josiah, Genelle and Bill
2) Bill and Steve talk in Pembroke College Chapel
3) Ethan and Owen both love "Cars"!
4) Feeding the ducks and swans by Christ Church meadows
5) Fun at the local playground
6) Bill and Genelle try punting
7) The kids take shelter during a light rain.
8) 4 kids in a tub is pretty full!
9) Yummy ice-cream on a hot day
10) and 11) Enjoying the horses near our house

P.S. If anyone can give me tips on how to mesh text and pics on blogger, I'd appreciate help! I can't seem to give my pictures captions...

Family Visit Pics