a week's worth of inital observations

Just a week ago we were arriving to Sheffield after a long day of traveling from Minneapolis via London.  Seven days later and we feel much more comfortable here.  God's given us lots of mercies and help!  Currently Gray and Jacks are running around in their diapers playing with blocks! They've adapted so well, which has made everything easier.

Andrew and I have talked a lot about cultural differences.  It's so interesting! When you think about England, you'd assume it would be one of the more similar places to the US.  While that might be so, it is still entirely different!  England much more associates with Europe rather than the US, and in many ways scoffs at some parts American culture (or at least stereotypes).  One pastor we talked with said "Think Amsterdam when you think of England." He has seen many Americans shocked (and disheartened) by the differences between here and England.

You might also assume that another English speaking place would be so easy!  But many times we still can't understand people! We really do at times have to concentrate when we listen to people!  I almost always ask someone to repeat what they're saying multiple times in a conversation! Andrew and I have had to ask people to explain terms or what they mean more than we'd like to think...simple idioms, or just different words used in another way.  For example, the word "precious" here can be used to describe someone's attitude, which more means they're very particular about everything.

We're currently reading "Watching the English" by Kate Fox.  It was given to us by one of the church pastors who's really taken us under his wing.  He's from Australia and said is really helped him understand fundamental cultural differences despite similar-seeming cultures on the surface.

Here are some of the highlights of the book about British culture so far:

• It's a social norm to talk about the weather with people in conversation; not because everyone cares immensely about the weather but it's a "safe" topic all should be able to agree on in order to start a conversation or bond with someone.  This reveals their dislike for disagreement
• It considered brash and sometimes offensive to introduce oneself in a very straightforward way.  Like we would in the States.  Asking straight up questions can feel "too personal" right away.  They'd on the whole prefer to slowly get to know someone by beating around the bush and then casually catch someone's name at the end of an initial conversation. 
• Humor is also different and is subtle and ironic.  They're very proud of their humor and many foreigners are always left wondering wether or not a Brit was joking or not...that's a mark of good humor. Quite different from the slapstick and in-your-face humor we're used to in the US.

Anyway, this is just the start.  It's been fun to read with Andrew and then go on about our day and see if we can catch any of these observations.  Though despite the generalizations of being cold, reserved-natured, very private, the church we're connected to has been warm and inviting, though still very British! We are grateful!

we made it

We've been in Sheffield, England for a few days now.  Wow, what a difference a year makes when traveling with our boys! They had their own seats on the airplane, slept for 5+ hours and we all arrived pretty rested.  It took us forever to finally rent our van (loaded with more luggage than you could imagine!) and drive 3 hours to Sheffield.  Again, the boys napped on the way and were generally entertained by the passing cows and going through tunnels until the very end. They essentially have slept through the nights and are on a loosely similar schedule here.  What troopers!! ...When I think about the plane flights and jet lag in Beirut I still feel a little tense- how did we make it?!

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Andrew and Gray enjoying the midnight dinner service...Grayson loved his first ever Oreo and was even feeding them to his puppy!

Jackson fell asleep first and woke up first. But he's livin' the life: paci, blankie, puppy, all tucked in and watching Toy Story 3 ("Dino! "Cowboy!" "Choo choo!") before breakfast!

Gray out cold on the drive from London to Sheffield

Here's what we've been up to for our first few days:

• Checked out grocery stores- they are pretty good! Definitely no Super Target, but more European with less options (which makes it a little quicker!).  There's a range of tiny stores to supermarkets though all close by. 
• Found 3 parks easily in walking distance that the boys have LOVED! "Running...pease" is one of Grayson's more frequent requests lately! 
• "Loads" of walking (British term)! We seem to walk at the least a few miles everyday...and I'm feeling how out of shape I am!  Thankfully we're run across a few Starbucks on our walks too...
• Tried to figure out the National Health Service (NHS) and register our family, which we actually didn't need to, so much less paperwork than anticipated.  Hoping we don't have any hospital visits, but I'm also so curious about the healthcare here!
• Cooking. I do feel more at home when I can cook! There are several things, mainly Mexican related (no black beans?! thankfully I packed some dried ones so our boys wouldn't starve!), that we haven't found here, but overall it's been easy.  I'm also looking forward to exploring new foods!
• Unpacking.  We're staying in a 3 floor townhouse.  The bottom level is walkout and has a storage area which is great to not need to lug strollers up any stairs. The main level is a living room/dining room and kitchen.  The upper level is 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.  The third bedroom is teeny tiny currently serving as storage and a mini office for A. 

Our first morning at the apartment

Yes, please note the fuchsia-colored rose theme...

Swinging in the a nearby park

On a walk

Andrew challenged the boys to find some flowers for me...it was a race!

loving the green open space!

My men outside this morning!

As of late...

It's been quite a while, more than 3 months actually, since I've posted on here.  But I guess that in and of itself is an update of life with twin two year old boys! Busy and not much time for sitting down!

December was filled with traveling as a family.  Down to Georgia to spend Christmas with family. Then off to Milwaukee for a conference with our organization.

Decorating cookies with Papa and Grandma!

                   
January was more traveling.  This time mainly for Andrew and I.  After getting back from Milwaukee, Andrew and I left for 10 days for England.  We were there for part-work, part-personal, since our work and personal lives overlap quite a bit. It was cold and rainy, but it was warmer than Minneapolis and there was no snow!

Upgraded to first class on our way to England!

February was the month of sickness! First it was the stomach bug, then it was cold, then it was strep and an ear infection.  Not so fun.

March has been the recovery month! First was a trip to Louisiana.  As the boys recovered from being sick, we were all recovering from being stuck inside all day.  A few warm days and all sunny ones were in and of themselves worth it.  But on top of that time with family was awesome.  The boys met some uncles, aunts and cousins for the first time.  We also got to celebrate Court's pregnancy and baby girl coming in May.  Since that trip, we've had spring break.  Lots of family time, some fun family outings, date nights, and just more relaxing days have been so welcome.

On the plane with Gram! 

Jackson celebrating Mardi Gras! 

Riding on Uncle Jim's lawnmower!

Grayson riding the horse with Aunt Brenda!

Playing on the backhoe! 

           Loving the swing Uncle Jim built them!

Visiting the fire station near Great Grandmaw's!

Soon it will be April and that means...anniversary and boy's birthday.  Then lots of hosting, which we're looking forward too and packing, which I'm not looking forward to.  A few days into May we fly out to Sheffield, England for 3 months!

Grayson and Jackson are fun, energetic boys who love to laugh! They are emotional and expressive too.  Here are some things they've enjoyed lately:

Going to the library and reading books

they are both still completely obsessed with trains, cars, trucks, airplanes and other modes of transportation!

visiting the gardens at a nearby conservatory

going to the Children's Museum 

that was just the 5k

Well, that last post was timely.  That verse would carry me through the next week! Actually the next day while I was about to take Jackson to the doctor for his stomach bug and Grayson to check in with the pediatrician about his lack of weight gain, hubby was snow-blowing the driveway and had a little accident.  I'll spare you the semi-gory details.  He came in and said, "Sara, don't freak out.  I'm hurt, but I'm OK.  Can you get a towel to soak up the blood?" Wow. Ew.  Anyway, later that week he had surgery to repair his finger, which is all in tact now and healing.  So really God was preparing my heart for the marathon that was ahead.  Then the boys have started getting a couple of hives after they eat and we're wondering if it's a food allergy or what.  Just running the race.

Aside from all our medical issues, here's what we've been up to in the last month:

Enjoyed our last times playing outside before the bitter cold

         

Traveling to Georgia for Thanksgiving

Taking the boys to their first Georgia game. Dawgs won!

What we've been thinking on:

• Winning the War Against Envy sermon (envy, part 1)
• Learning to Love the Dance of Grace sermon (envy, part 2)

What we've been eating:

• Roasted mushroom and white bean soup (one for the gluten-frees)
• Mexican chicken lime soup
• Spinach salad with bacon dressing
• Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, several times this month!

running the race

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

• Race: “agon”- battle, trial, struggle or context; a place (and contest) where Greeks would gather to celebrate games of athletes and charioteers    
• Endurance: “hypomone”- steadfastness, constancy, endurance, patiently, not swerved from his deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith even by the greatest trials and sufferings
• Set before “prokami”- to set before, be placed before, stand forth, appointed, destined, be there, be present, be at hand, lie in sight; Same in vs. 1 and 2 (before us and Jesus)
•  Joy “chara”- joy, gladness, happiness; Matt 13:44, treasure hidden in field

As I sit here in my house with 2 napping boys, and barely up Christmas decorations, and pretty falling snow outside, I was reminded of these words.  Jackson has been sick since about 4 am this morning.  Not keeping anything down or in.  Poor little guy.  And we just wen to the doctor for Grayson yesterday.  He still is not gaining weight after all the sausage, cheese, full-fat yogurt, protein bars, and milk replaced by half and half, we've tried for the last month.  We'll see if there a more serious issue soon.  It could be a malabsorption issue, allergy, intolerance, or range to something far more severe.  Or it could be that he's a tiny and picky toddler.  The Lord knows.  

I was able to go to our church Moms gathering this morning and hear specifically applied truth and talk with friends, and hear from another mom (of twins) who is here on furlough from an Islamic African region. Sweet perspective.  Thankful that Andrew could watch our sicky boy and let me go for the morning.  Thankful to come home full and refreshed to needy boys.  After lunch Jackson sat in my lap and just curled up. Until he got sick again all over himself and me and our kitchen floor.  Poor guy.  

Which is why the current silence of the resting twins, hoping they are regaining strength and building up appetites to grow is so sweet now. 

And today feels like a "running the race" day.  But I too am thankful for my God who has run the race already before me.  Blazed the trail.  And he blazed it for me.  He came for the sick and not the well.  He came to comfort and suffer, not to be pampered.  He held me when I was sick, and suffered and sacrificed for me.  He endured for me.  And He endured with me, even when I don't want to endure for my kids.  With joy he ran His race for me.  Oh, Lord, mothering is not for the faint of heart.  Mothering is a call to be like Jesus and to connect with Him in new ways.  I am not a true mom, one who really loves, if I only am here for the well, comfortable, pampered moments.  No, I am a loving mom because my King has given me grace to be all here (hopefully with joy) in the sick, suffering, sacrificing moments.  Praying this for today

one step at a time

Wondering, thinking, praying about what's next.  We have been in a season of discerning and asking and waiting for what the future holds for us.  We're thankful for lots of wise people in our lives, for a strong church we're a part of and supportive family and friends. We're thankful that our God is good to us and that the Lord keeps His promises too.  His Word and His promises have been sweet in a season fluctuating with surety and uncertainty. So, we're taking one step at a time, trusting our God who is all-knowing, who Created everything we can see or imagine, and has a perfect plan for us.  Thank goodness!

Anyway, that has been always on our minds this past fall.  I talk about the fall in the past tense now because it is now full on winter in my mind here since it snowed earlier this week.  Not thankful for that right now.

We are grateful for a healthy house right now though.  G ended up getting sick the evening my Mom left town- great timing. Fever, throwing up, crabbiness, etc.  A few days later, in typical form, J too got it.  I and the doctors thought it was just some virus. After a few days, some google searches, and another Dr. visit, we landed on hand, foot, and mouth disease.  Seriously not as bad as it sounds.  All was getting better but hubby who had been traveling like crazy got home.  With jet lag, and a low immune system, he got it! A now had hand, foot, and mouth disease (a virus where you sometimes break out into blisters). Poor guy, he had it way worse than the boys.  It took a week or two for him to recover, but right now I'm basking in the non-sickness at our place.  Though I know it's looming and coming, I'm thankful for a reprieve since it is already winter here.  

Here are some of the latest happenings:

Jackson loving the "puh-puhs"

The day Daddy got home from South Africa...and pre-hand, foot and mouth disease for him!

Wahoo! When Daddy was laid out I took the boys to the brand new Chick-fil-A and it made our day!

Taking a walk pre-snow

My punkins on Halloween.  This was as festive as we got.

Family day last week!

Our ministry's women's retreat from last weekend.

barefoot in the kitchen

One of the things that makes me feel at home is getting to cook.  We've been in our house for a couple of months now, and I've loved cooking in our new kitchen.

Here are some of our favorite recipes from the end of summer and beginning of fall:

• Twice Baked Butternut Squash- we have it at least once a year during the fall!
• White Chocolate and Cranberry Biscotti- yum! maybe would halve the almond extract next time
• Orzo with Roasted Vegetables- our old stand by.  We love making this with farmer's market veggies
• Fried Quiche- another good farmer's market meal and a quick and easy one at that! ...And we subbed spinach for the dandelion greens (obviously)
• Dittalini Pasta Salad- a light and summer salad
• Baked Tacos- another standby when needing a make-ahead meal,  Andrew adores it
• Thai Chicken Salad- so good! We love edamame and A loves crunchy textures. 
• Restaurant Style Salsa- we needed a change up from the usually black bean and corn salsa!

And because I can't help it, here are a few pictures of the boys lately!  Mom came to visit all last week since A is in South Africa (only 2 more days until he's home!).

Jackson enjoying the wind!

Sweet Gray