tour of london

Not too long ago we got back from a short trip to London.  In part I was ready (nearly desperate!) for a getaway and it was Andrew's birthday.  My sweet husband is now entering the mid-30s.  Which by association makes me getting older too! :)

We had our share of ups and downs on the trip, but I'll try not to make it too long and post the good pictures.  London is supposedly one of, if not the, most expensive cities to vacation in.  We definitely felt that! Even for dumpy hotels it was nearly $200 a night or more.  Nicer hotels were $500+ night! Anyway, after we got our jaws off the floor and realized planning the week before would be harder than we realized, we started getting creative.  We shifted our dates around and shortened the time we'd be there.  Then we started looking for short stay apartments instead...that would help us so we could cook for a few meals but still enjoy a good location in the city close to all the must-see sites.  AFter several days of scouring the internet we finally found one we could make work and we were pumped.  We booked it and had our train tickets.  Two days later we took a morning train to London and around lunch we got to the apartment.  Only no one was there and we couldn't find out what to do next. After calling a few times, the company informed us that we had only made a request for the stay, though they sent us an email confirmation (or so we thought) and took all our payment info.  Well, apparently that morning while we were on the train, they emailed us to tell us the apartment was booked earlier and wasn't available to us.

So here we are.  Pushing our hungry and ready-for-naptime twins, Andrew with some luggage, standing on a street with no where to stay! Well my thankfully cool under pressure husband began going door to door for hotels.  Praise the Lord there was a small park nearby to keep the boys busy and happy.  A while later Andrew comes back and said every single one of them is booked because Wimbledon is going on. We were in the Paddington area, near the Underground, next Hyde park and not far from where Wimbledon was going on.  The only place he could find was a not so ideal hotel.  But in the end we booked it so we could have somewhere to stay and the boys could get a much needed nap in.  Then we searched for a hotel for the next night and eventually found another one close by, with much better standards, but still for around what we would have paid for the apartment.  Anyway, despite the hotel fiasco in the beginning, it was a great trip.  It made me so thankful for Andrew! What a trooper! He is so great under pressure and held it together for me!  Also, though our boys are a little crazy at times, they too can be super flexible and help keep me grounded in more stressful times with their smiles.

On the 2 hour train from Sheffield to London

After finally getting into a hotel the first day we headed to Big Ben

Westminster Park next to Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey! 

Playing in Hyde Park on Daddy's birthday, our 2nd day, so he could explore his dream of visitng Churchill's War Rooms

Stunning St. James Park

Watching the duck 

Watching the changing of the guards at the Horse Guards Parade...G and J liked the "ho-ses"

Buckingham Palace

We headed to Borough Market for lunch and I found this incredible Paella. It was amazing!

Delicious looking oysters!

So much fresh fruit...of course we got some local fresh blueberries for the boys too!

 

After lunch and naps, we took a boat cruise to see more of the city in a new way

On the Thames...Tower Bridge and an old war ship

The London Eye in from of the former Town Hall

A replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theater from the river

The Tower of London

After the cruise, we ate at a pub Shakespeare frequented and then walked along the river at sunset.  The Capital looking building is St. Paul's CAthedral- one of the only buildings to survive the intense bombings of WW2.  

 On our last day we headed to the nearby Hyde Park for G and J to get some energy out!

My two boys and me at Kensington Gardens in Hyde Park

While waiting for our luggage the boys "played chess" outside our hotel.  Note the black and white pattern and line...they did that by themselves!

After that we were off to the train station and back to Sheffield.  I think taking the bus, the boat and the trains were maybe the boys' favorite things. And of course whenever they go to "wun 'round" in parks.  They did great, but we're all glad to be back after a busy few days!

celebrating + a bit of travel

Celebrating Father's Day was such a fun family day for us this year.  While it's customary to send cards in England, it definitely did not seem to hold even a sliver of importance as it does in the States.  Andrew greeted several friends with "Happy Father's Day" and most of them seemed surprised and often no one in their families had even remembered.  But at our house, we made a day of it! One of the things Andrew and I both value is finding things to make life fun and making traditions for our family for worthy things.  Well, Andrew himself and his fathering are definitely worth a noting.

 

Because of busyness and travel plans we made Saturday our Father's Day.  Andrew has been wanting to run this park 5k for nearly a month now, but it's either been raining or we've had plans every single Saturday morning!  It's at one of the bigger public parks and is held every week in the summer.  You get a chip and timed, but there are no fees (reaping the benefits of other's taxes, I guess!).  Andrew was also determined to run with the boys! We got there a few minutes before the start time and he lined up.  I felt like we were getting the same looks as when we get on an airplane...no one wanted to be near the massive double jogging stroller!

At the start...

...just before finishing

Gray enjoying a lemon during at brunch...proof he's got some of my genes!

Anyway, the race course was smaller so I got to see him and the boys 3 times throughout the race.  It was really fun to watch.  Despite the on and off drizzle (and zero training!), Andrew pushed through and ran it in under 25 minutes.  I was happy to watch and cheer them on from the sidelines.  After the race we headed to a favorite breakfast place and had a big brunch complete with Belgian waffles.  While the boys (and I mean all three of them) were napping, I made magic cookie/7 layer bars for Andrew.  They're his favorite.  I had been looking at American ex-pat blogs for how to use English ingredients for a few things.  They don't have any graham cracker products, no butterscotch and no sweetened flaked coconut.  Anyway, we made it work and they were so good! Then we headed over to the park next door for an all day festival.  It was hilarious to people watch.  We felt so out of place because it was a total hippie-fest.  The park has set up a "healing area," yoga tent, bar tents, lots of bands in different tents and people everywhere.  With the pot wafting in the air and the tie dye shirts, long hair and unique hair colors, we felt suddenly very straight-laced.  Anyway, we spread the blanket and enjoyed some ice cream, but let the boys run around shirtless and they were LOVING it! So at least our kids were a little hippy-fied for an hour or so.  Anyway, we were thankful to be able to spend time together and enjoy a nice, mainly sunny day outside.

at the park

our free spirited two!

The next day, we packed up and after we got back from church and had lunch and the boys quickly napped, we headed to the train station.  We hopped on a made it to Birmingham an hour later.  It was fun to change up our normal routine and get our in a different area. The boys loved running on the balcony of our hotel room and jumping on the hotel bed.  They opened every drawer and door they could- I love that they naturally want to explore everything!

the best part about hotels for these two!

Monday morning Andrew was out in meetings and I got to meet up with a friend Jane.  She has two boys and her husband pastors a local church there.  We enjoyed some tea in a play area so we could actually talk while G and J played.  Then we met up with Andrew for some delicious burgers.  It was crazy, but the hostess actually had family living in Dunwoody, GA.  Wow, small world.  

Anyway, Birmingham is a beautiful and much bigger city than Sheffield, about 1 million people, I think.  We were staying in the "city centre" aka downtown and it was bustling.  It was an incredible mix of old and new buildings.  Modern meeting centuries old with a beautiful hills around it as a backdrop.

Later that night after we grabbed some dinner and explored a few more areas of the city, we stayed up until 1am to watch the USA vs. Ghana soccer/football match.  We never would have even sat to watch it bad we not come here, but the sport is obviously much bigger here.  Plus Andrew knows of the players and he wanted to support him and watch the game.

Oh, and in between A's meetings, he also bought us a temporary car (since getting around has been difficult).  Its a beautiful '99 Ford van! But really, it will help out a ton.  So he drove it back and I took the boys on the train and met Andrew back at our place since we didn't have car seats.  I'm so thankful train rides aren't bad with our guys! So much less hassle than flying! We've just arrived back in Sheffield and are getting settled back in.  I think we're all feeling grateful for a refreshing past few days and all the lavished grace we're gotten.

shepherding this heart

Lately I've seen God's hand molding and shepherding my heart more evidently.  He is reminding me and teaching me so much while here in England.  I am thankful when spiritual things especially intersect so clearly with daily life and truth feels so real.

Since getting to Sheffield, the church we've attended has been going through 1 John.  We hear it preached on Sunday and then in our life groups in the week, we further unpack the sermon and verses.  We've also been encouraged to personally study the verses throughout the week and it's been so good for me.

This upcoming Sunday we will hear about 1 John 2:28-3:3.  As I was studying it this week (such a grace!), I really wanted to understand more about "abide" and it led me to look more into the theme of love throughout the whole book. Essentially, the link between abiding and loving became nearly redundant and clear!

As I looked up abiding, it resounded with words like: endure, continue, stay connected to.  1 John talks about abiding in Jesus specifically abiding in Jesus' love. We are both commanded to love our brothers and love like Jesus while wading in His love for us.  That led me to think more about defining Jesus' love.  It felt fresh (thankfully) to look through a few verses from a concordance about Jesus' love.  The compilation was that Jesus' love involved: dying, laying life down, die for ungodly, give self up for others, be an offering and sacrifice, sacrificing to leave comfort that others might gain and have life.

Wow.  Love IS dying!  I know that.  But I've forgotten it.  It's a grace to be reminded of it!   This is especially real and pertinent because of my stage of motherhood.  With my cute and fun boys now growing up and learning to say "no," to demand, to hit, fight, push, to manipulate, and to throw tantrums, it's been a struggle to feel loving toward them.  It's often the case that I'm frustrated, or just exhausted with breaking up the little fights or calming them down after each lays on the floor crying because they wanted to wear the blue shirt and not the red one. I felt like the Lord was reminding me of the JOY it is to love my boys and the fight it is too.  I want to lay down my life for them.  To set aside convenience and ease and die for them.  I am thankful that Jesus left the perfection of Heaven to come and live a life of humiliation and pain so that I could be His daughter.

God has also been reminding me of truly loving others in marriage as well.  Trudi, who is in our life group (small group) has been so warm and welcoming.  Her husband and family host a lunch every week after church for lunch.  

 I was telling Trudi about how since coming to the UK (or anywhere out of your comfort zone), as we'd be warned, with the subtle load of stresses here, we have reverted to out default tendencies easily.  For me that means, nagging and control.  Oh, I have an opinion about how the boys are fed breakfast and what they're dressed in, and where my purse gets moved to.  Such frivolous things!

As Trudi began to talk about the beauty and weight of two becoming one, I was so struck.  I was so thankful for the Lord to use her to remind me of the blessing of my other half.  Not just the man I married, or my partner, but literally he's a part of me.  She talked about how she's grown to view everything in marriage as an evaluation if something is good for them as a marriage unit.  Not viewing it as good for him or good for me.  To buy a nice bike that would help her husband stay fit, have an outlet, and get around town is good.  And since they're one, she doesn't need to in turn ask for a shopping spree because he gets something and now its her turn.  Oh, that was convicting for me.  I often think something like, "I've been with the boys all day, now I need you to take a turn." I often feel like Andrew owes me something for the gift of being able to care for our kids.  Yes, I do need breaks, and yes, I do need help.  I do not however, want to demand that, even in my heart, or feel entitled.  How distorted things are in my heart!  How ironic that we've been trying to teach the boys that "It's not all about you," and yet that's exactly how I live even with my husband!  A sweet parallel God has put in my life! I realize I often act like G or J who currently in the midst of the "terrible twos" (I hate that saying though), will throw themselves on the floor or immediately start crying, whining and hitting when they don't get their way.  I just do it more civilized...I nag and manipulate.

Oh, how I need Jesus! I am so thankful for Him reminding me of my innate desire to be in control, right and at the center of everything.  That leads me to being superior-minded, mean, and hurting those around me.  What incredible grace that God would call me His child.  That he would invite me into His family even while I throw my own form of tantrums.

pesudo memorial day

Today was a "bank holiday" in England and we made it our version of Memorial Day.  No American flags or red, white and blue desserts, no cookouts, but we did get outside and spend time as a family.  We went to the Peak district which is a gorgeous national park about 10 miles outside of the city.  And though it was nice to get out of the city, it was actually exhausting! Since we're carless, we had to wait on two buses.  We figured out the routes online, but the first bus actually wasn't running on a holiday.  Then we decided to literally hike (this is a very hilly place!) 30+ minutes to the other bus stop.  Then we caught the needed bus and it was a 10-15 minute ride out. The country side was beautiful. Low stone walls, sheep and rolling green hills- what I'd pictured England to look like.  And not to disappoint, it was cool and gray.  No sprinklers and kiddie pools were out here! We all had on jackets!

Anyway, we finally got there and I was tired! So we grabbed some coffee sat for a bit to take in the scenery and then found some trails to walk on.  We were headed down a hill when we spotted a friend from church who was cycling.  He actually stopped and told us a good path to walk with strollers.  Wow, what great timing!  We followed his advice and it was beautiful.  So green and lush, and the blue sky was starting to peak through.  We walked along the beaten path with the old low walls nearby and loads of families around us.  Passing through a few little wooden gates we saw some sheep.  Just gazing out in the open.  We let the boys get out of the stroller (or "buggy") and they loved hearing the sheep say "baaa" and get up-close with them.

 

We saw rams and baby lambs and even a few little black sheep.   The trail continued toward a pond, but we had to turn around and head back.  It was time for lunch.  We stopped at a pub and had a "lovely" lunch.

The Fox House Pub

We finished up and hurried out to catch our bus back.  Only we waited, and waited... apparently the bus had broken down before it got to our stop.  So we had to wait 45 minutes for the next bus to come by.  That felt very long with two tired boys.  So we loaded on the bus and this time took it another route to avoid the long walk home.  To avoid tireless details, it still took us another 45 minutes to get home! We were really feeling and missing not having a car.  We love our independence, our convenience, and our control!

We finally got home and put the boys down for a nap. J slept for 30 minutes on hubby's shoulder on the bus so he was just talking, but G was out! I needed a nap too after a 6 hour ordeal for a few hours in the peak district.

We then caught a taxi over to a friend's house.  This family is originally from Australia, goes to our church and has 3 kids.  Another family was over as well for afternoon tea.  We joined them as the scones were coming out of the oven.  Yum!  These actually reminded us somewhat of Southern biscuits.  What a treat! But with clotted cream and jam instead of honey and butter!

A long day, but full of family and friends.  It really does remind me of what community really is.  It can be so idealized, but it's bearing with one another, getting through, and making time for others.  Andrew did a whole lot of bearing with me today.  We attempted a lot of bearing with our boys, enjoying them, disciplining them and loving them.  Our friends invited us in when it would have been easier not to include us.  There are so many things to be thankful for.  Our bus escapades revealed much in my heart and now, looking back I more clearly see the Lord's grace in it.

Some other snippets from last week:

...after opening a package of stickers sent from Gram and Grandpa Link.  Note J's blurry excitement! 

A wonderful package from Papa and Grandma Knight!

Both boys have had fevers and been queasy, but after a day or two they both got better.  This was J after we watched movies all day and his fever came down!

We went out for breakfast in the "city centre" and we saw a horse and tractor and had to stop! 

sunny stretch

We all are so excited about the past couple and ext couple of days here: sunny and 70 without much chance for rain.  It's been beautiful and people are out everywhere.  The park near us went from us being the only people there and me bringing a towel to wipe down the swings and slides to crammed with families all out together.  There's such a transformation when it's nice outside!


In case you needed a dose of diaper-clad boys throwing new toys around...

With another week under our belts, a lot has happened:

• church service

Hubs with Gray out to eat after nursery at church (where he got his "cown" that he insisted wearing to nap time also!)

• second small group + post church lunch
• meals and tea at several church members/small group members' homes
• discovering the tram and downtown accessibility
• getting library cards and checking out books for the boys
• working out kinks of no TV and lots of restrictions with online TV here (no hulu or American TV networks or even American amazon prime)
• figuring out laundry without a dryer

 laundry day!

• finding some of the last few grocery items I was hoping for: pretzels, black beans, avocados, tortilla chips, how to do our boys' half and half (whole milk mixed with single cream), 
• doing more baking- conversions! oven temps in Celsius and everything in grams instead of cups
• took boys to Weston Park Museum

 The Museum had this exhibit...can't seem to escape it!

 Enjoying the boat area at the Museum

 Holding hands at the Museum

• learning and venturing out by taking taxis
• realizing how long the health system takes...a week to get anything done it seems! 
• cooking: white chicken chili, egg hash with potatoes, ham, asparagus and peppers, my attempt at bangers and mash (sausages and potatoes), chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies (I've gotta keep A happy!)

Highlights:

• Church- We already feel like a part of the family here.  So welcoming! Sunday preaching has been great too.
• Encouraged spiritually by going through 1 John at church + life groups
• The sunny weather, obviously
• Feeling like we're getting our bearings
• Time with people

Tougher things:

• Gray and I are sick...allergies or cold? We're not sure. Either way we've both been a little on the cranky side with runny noses.
• Boys have been tough to handle...I think they're bored or too cooped up in our small apartment and don't get to run around as much.  Though parks are great and they are exhausted at the end of the day when we can get them outside.  It's been pretty draining for both me and Andrew at times.  Then again this could be a stage of having twin high energy, loud, emotional two year old boys!  Plus, we also know our personal capacities are smaller...so it might just be a combination of it all!
• Transitioning to life without a car.  It's felt like one of the the biggest changes so far.  It's doable, but exhausting to push our (thankfully small) guys up hills to get anywhere!

Other snapshots of the week:

 watching the ducks at Weston Park

 double rainbows

 swinging at Ponderosa Park!

 Gray waiting outside our door to load in the stroller

 Jackson watching the "leedy bug" on the flower

 looking out over downtown Sheffield

 Gray has moments of such sweetness, like when he found a flower and brought it straight to me, completely unprompted! I wanted to cry it was so adorable.

Playing at the Peace Gardens downtown in front of Sheffield's City Hall