Thanksgiving 2010

For thanksgiving this year we were thankful just to be able to be together! There were 2 things conspiring against us. Firstly the big snow hit a day or 2 before the 25th making any travelling either impossible or very slow and dangerous. Secondly I was a ticking time bomb having been checked by the midwife earlier in the week and told that I was already 3-4 cms dilated and contracting on and off the whole week.

Despite all these things we headed off on Thursday to Aberdeen to gather at Russell, Rachael, Lewis and Libby house. John A, Kristen, Brennan, Jonty and mum were invited also. We all contributed to the meal which was magnificent but in my pregnant state I was not able to eat as much as I wanted to! The kids had fun playing together but, as is always the case, they were tired out. I had some strong contractions and we almost thought the evening would end with a trip to the hospital, but everything settled and we decided it was safe to travel home. We didn't get to stay as long as we wanted, the time past so quickly and the weather was against us so we headed for home. It was a slow journey home and we put the kids straight into their PJ's and into bed when we got home.

I am sorry to say that we did not take any pictures of our night. I don't remember if we forgot the camera or were just to lazy to get it out but this will have to be a picture less post.

Tribute

As most of you know my dad died on October 6th. He had been living with cancer for about 4 years and had done extremely well during most of that time. In the early part of this year he began to suffer from lymphodema in one of his legs and by the end of the spring it had begun to affect his other leg. It got to the point that the entire lower half of this body was swollen. This caused him considerable discomfort and greatly reduced his mobility which in turn led to muscle wastage. There was nothing that could be done medically to alleviate the problem. Though the weakening of his body seemed a slow process the end of his life on earth came quickly. He was bedridden on the Tuesday (5th) and died on the Wednesday. This occurred in the final week before David was due his 2 week October break which meant that when we arrived in Stirling on that Wednesday we were able to stay for almost 3 weeks. My brother and his family were also able to be with us for about the same time. The funeral took place on the Saturday (9th) and it was beautiful, a real celebration of his life and the victory he gained in going to be with the Lord. We were amazed at the number of people that attended the funeral and reception and we were so thankful for their support. The congregation at Stirling held a service/tribute to my Dad on the Sunday, which was again very thoughtful and appreciated. We would also like to mention and thank Mitch, Isobel, Dick and Anne. Their help and friendship made this difficult time more bearable.

We also celebrated my Mum's birthday on the Sunday (10th); we had a meal together at a restaurant and later the kids helped to decorate a birthday cake for her.

After things had calmed down we decided we all needed a fun, family distraction and so planned a day out to the Sea Life aquarium at Loch Lomond. We ALL went - Grandad, Mum, JA, Kristen, Brennan, Jonty, David, Me, Abby and AJ. It was a great outing and though the kids were exhausted we made lots of fun memories and had some retail therapy in the gift shop.

Mum's birthday






Our family outing













All the family are doing reasonably well despite it being an obviously difficult time. We are happy for my Dad knowing he had made it home and claimed his reward but we also feel the loss of a great Christian gentleman, husband, father and grandfather. There are times when it still doesn't seem real and I wonder where he is or when he will walk through the door. So many times I think I will just call him and seek some wisdom on a task or problem, only to remember that fountain of knowledge is no longer there. Dad I love you and know I will see you again someday.

Video's

Here is a video of AJ and Abby




Abby driving







More video's soon......

Our Summer

Well, what else did we do with our summer?

We visited my parents twice while David was off. The first time we went down we did a lot of running around. The highlight for Abby was her first train ride. We took the train to Glasgow for the day. It was exhausting - a pushchair, 2 toddlers, nappy bag, backpack, and a pregnant belly! Abby loved it. We thought she would be a bit afraid on the underground but she loved how fast it went. We explored one of the museums for a while and had lunch there before heading back to Grannie and Grandads house. Abby and I also attended my one of my Aunts 60th Birthday party. Abby had a blast staying up late and dancing the night away.

We also spent a lot of time visiting my brother and his family in Aberdeen. Abby LOVES her cousins and AJ enjoys seeing all the "big" kids playing, she is already at the point where she is desperate to join in. We stayed with them on 2 different occasions. The 2nd time was so that we could all take turns attending a lecture series organised by Aberdeen CoC given by John Clayton. Kristen, David and I took turns staying at home with the kids. We all enjoyed some kid free time.

We got a few of those wee jobs done around the house. We went out to a park or two. Mostly we just enjoyed all being together.

The other big activity we got to do was a trip to the Safari Park near my parents home. Other than fighting away the swarms of wasps that were everywhere the kids had fun and we were all exhausted from a fun filled day.

On the train.....









Dancing the night away....





We borrowed their cousins rain jackets as the girls did not have any at the time



Just having fun acting goofy...



At one of our favourite parks.....











Plant the little seeds.......



All in a row.....





Cover them up....



and God will make them grow......













I'll try and up load some video soon but it always takes so long.

4th July BBQ (Still catching up)

We had a great time at the 4th of July BBQ. We were invited once again to Russell and Rachael's to celebrate with them. Since the 4th was a Sunday the BBQ was on the Saturday. As always there was good food and fellowship. The girls looked adorable in their patriotic dresses and the day was dry with some sunshine.



After several attempts to get a cute picture of the girls we gave up and this was the best we could do.








We had bought and filled a pinata for Abby's birthday and then forgot to use it at her party so we took it with us to the BBQ. The kids had a great time trying to break it and the adults stood back and enjoyed the show.


We tried to get a picture of all the dual national kids. Again tired kids and photography sessions just don't mix. Here are the 2 best shots we got.




Can't wait until next year....

Our Anniversary

This really should have come before the girls birthday's but since we didn't get to celebrate it till a few weeks ago I guess this order is better.

There is not a lot to say about it, even though it was our 5th anniversary. We could not celebrate at the time as not only were we babysitter less but we were in the middle of a campaign. So we decided to postpone it until a more convenient time.

Time marched on and we finally went out for dinner together a few weeks ago. We have decided that our funds for anniversary gifts would go towards getting a patio in our garden.

Well all that remains is to share with you that these 5 years have been the best of my life. They have gone by so quickly but just as quickly my love has sored for my wonderful husband. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am that God brought this godly man into my life. He is never too busy to do anything for me from getting me a drink or snack to bending over backwards to help me with the girls. He is great with our children and loves spending time with them. Despite the fact that he doesn't share my need to have a clean and tidy house he does his best to help me. His thoughtfulness amazes me daily. I would say that compared to some we have had a reasonably smooth 5 years, we went into our marriage with our eyes open, having prepared as much as you can through books and premarital counselling, I don't think we would have done so well had it not been for that preparation. I can't imagine two more compatible people, even in our differences we seem to compliment each other beautiful. Everyday I grow more proud of the man that my husband has and is becoming. He is the man of my dreams but better yet the man of my prayers! David Rodney Chapman in front of those reading this - I LOVE YOU!

Abby's Birthday

At last I am getting to Abby's birthday. Okay so it was over a month ago - I'm pregnant with number 3 so I think I deserve a break :)

We celebrated the weekend after AJ's party. We had family and friends for a small party over a lunch time. Abby picked the party foods - Hotdogs, jam sandwiches, cream cheese sandwiches, crisps, chocolate. I decided that we should also have sausages and some grown up sandwiches as well as some fruit. She picked the paper plates and other tableware, red and some ladybirds (red has become her favourite colour). We decided that instead of having a big cake we would do cupcakes which you will see in the pictures. After the food the kids enjoyed playing and Abby opened her gifts (again we kept a few back for her actual birthday). It was a fun day and we had good weather so the kids spent some time in the garden. She really enjoyed her day.

So what is 3 year old Abby up to:
She communicates beautifully, almost too well
She can count up to about 40 but can get to 100 with a few prompts
She loves books and colouring and does a great job at tracing over letters, numbers, shapes, etc.
She loves being in the garden and taking walks. Loves to try and help with the gardening.
Sill loves parks and the beach
Wants to ride the Ferris wheel at Aberdeen fun beach
Loves baking and cooking
Loves crafting about anything I can think of to do
Loves to spend time with her family
Is great at sharing
Can dress and undress herself from the waste down
Eats well and a wide variety of foods
Favourite CD's Steven Curtis Chapman - Beauty will rise and Cindy Lauper - Seven deadly sins
Loves all things Dora and Diego
Watches on TV - Something Special, Me Too and I can cook
Only movies she has seen Mary Poppins and Ice Age
Has an amazing memory
Has a great knowledge of the beginning of the Bible - Adam and Eve through to Jacob. We are in the midst of Joseph at the moment.
Has a basic understanding of death/heaven
Loves to make AJ laugh
Is a wonderful helper
Usually sleeps great at night and still enjoys a quiet time every day
Has just informed us she wants to be a Doctor!
Has become little Miss Independent, wanting to do everything for herself
Is quite skilled in using a knife as well as her fork
Has good manners, most of the time
Loves singing
Can be trusted to amuse herself without getting into trouble
This list is endless so I will have to stop there. Needless to say we are SO PROUD of our girl and her achievements.

Abigail Faith:

Birth

One Year

Two Years

Big THREE
Party time. Enjoying the food

The Cupcakes - they are supposed to look like ice-cream cones.

Small cake so we could blow out the candles and have a cake fountain (like a small roman candle firework)
Blow....
AJ's reaction when she thought she wasn't getting a cupcake

That's better

Great faces...


Opening presents

Dora fairy dress up

Her first costume

Balloon fights (only boys)

If only I knew you could propagate them in this way!

Relaxing at the end of the day