Wordless Wednesday

More Birthdays

Jason has finally entered his third decade. I thought he would never catch up to me, but it feels like he has!

And so we celebrated!

Swimming with the girls in morning.

Lunch date just the two of us (and we even remembered to take a picture).

Pizza and arcades in the evening.

Thirty gifts from the girls and I to celebrate every year Jason has been alive.

And then of course, German Chocolate Cake.

Happy Birthday Jason! We love you!!!

Camping Trip

I have always loved to camp. In fact before I got married I would camp almost every weekend during the summer, even if it just meant throwing a tent up late Friday night in a nearby canyon only to take it down at first light the next morning. When I am in the mountains I feel more alive, more like my true self.

Once I got married and then after Antalya was born, we still camped quite often. In fact, the within a week of Antalya getting released from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) the three of us were sitting around a camp fire with friends for the weekend. She was still on oxygen (ya, I know, having my infant and an oxygen tank near a fire is not the smartest thing I have ever done - good thing I'm getting smart with age).

But then life caught up to us. And I suddenly realized it has been almost four years since I have been camping. So when my brother-in-law invited us to go camping with them, Jason and I jumped at the chance.

We were a bit nervous of how they would be with the campfire, how anyone of us would sleep all in one tent, and how to keep Antalya from wandering off, but they both did surprising well. Only once did Antalya wander off, and it doesn't even really count because she went to the horses at the camp next to us, they stayed a safe distance from the fire the whole time, and as far as sleeping in a tent - not a peep all night (which is a complete miracle for Antalya who normally wakes up crying several times a night).

I only got a few pictures before the camera died, but the girls loved roasting hot dogs over the fire, going for a hike the next morning, playing in the hammock, and even taking a short ride on the neighbor's horse.

Just Like Riding a Bike

While we were living in London, we had a small toddler trike that I would push the girls on inside our small flat. I tried over and over to teach Antalya how to pedal the bike, but it seemed she just couldn't get the alternating motion of it.

Several weeks ago, we were at a friends house when Antalya hopped on a trike and starting pedaling down the street. Once the shock of it wore off, I realized a few tears were trickling down my face. I was so proud of her.

Either this is something she learned at nursery in London and the bike we had at our place was just too small for her to pedal, or it just all happened to click at the right moment when she hopped on the trike. But whatever the case, Antalya can now pedal a bike!

Maybe next summer we'll try a two-wheeled bicycle?!

Antalya

Here is a post I just found that I had written a couple months ago, but forgot to publish:

Antalya is so excited to be going to Papa's house in a few more days. She's flown on airplanes enough that I think she understands pretty well what is happening. When I pulled out the first suitcase to start packing last week she instantly said, "airplane, papa's house!" Her enthusiasm is wearing off on Victoria who now says "papa's house" whenever we see a airplane.

It's been quite the year for Antalya in terms of growth and development. And since it's been awhile since I have done a post about her, here's a snapshot of Antalya at 4 1/2.

She continues to be an early riser - getting earlier every year. She's now at a 5:30am wake up time - much earlier than this momma would like, but I've learned that there's just not much I can do about it. She is finally sleeping through the night most nights which is something she has always struggled with. She still takes a nap most afternoons - in fact, she is usually more in need of a nap than is Victoria.

She is a thrill-seeker! This week we were at a play place that had some monster-scary slides with a completely vertical drop. There were a few older girls in line for the smallest one, but all were debating on who would go first since they were all too scared. Without batting an eye, Antalya climbed right up in front of all of them and off she went, laughing the whole way down. Next she moved on to the highest one that begins with a two-story vertical drop. As I sent her off the edge, my heart stopped for a moment. But sure enough when she got to the bottom she burst out in laughter and yelled "again". I climbed up on the platform to join her, but after one look down decided it was more than I had the guts for.

Every day at lunch she requests a "cheese-meat-munch" which means a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. It is her absolute favorite and has eaten it nearly every day for about two years.

She loves other people and frequently reaches out to grab other's hands as we walk by or are standing waiting to cross the street. I've try to stop it as much as I can, but most people don't mind. She grabs their hand and then looks up at their face with a huge smile that is full of so much love. People can't help but smile back.

She loves to dance and sing and talk to herself in front of the mirror, using anything she can find as a pretend microphone.

She loves electronics - cameras, computers, phones, stereos. And she seems to just know exactly how to work the devices. If I let her have her way, she would spend all day on the computer.

She is busy, busy, busy. She has always been my little tornado - going from room to room leaving some giant mess to clean up in her wake.

She loves her little sister and is always so thoughtful to share with her, and give her a kiss when she gets hurt or is sad. She is very much the leader and is happy to have Victoria follow her around, and copy her every action.

She gives the biggest, most sincere hugs of anyone I have ever met!

I love you Antalya!!!

Look Who's Two!

Victoria turned two last week and boy did we celebrate! We took the girls out to eat for breakfast (something we do about once a year, and then we remember why we only do it once a year), then to swimming lessons.

When we got back Antalya helped her open her gifts just like a big sister should. Jason spent the two nights prior to her birthday repairing, sanding, and repainting a baby cradle that was my mom's when she was little. It had been broken for years and was on it's way to the trash pile when I rescued it and volunteered Jason to bring it back to life. Victoria loves it!

That night we had a birthday celebration at the park with many of Victoria's cousins. Victoria was heartbroken when the party ended!

Victoria at age two...

• never stops moving (I don't know where this girl gets her energy)
• constantly has bruises everywhere (just tonight, while I was in the next room, jumped from the desk to the bed in one giant leap which sent her flying across the bed smacking her forehead so hard against the wall it left a dent in the wall)
• loves to make up games to play with Antalya
• goes absolutely crazy for anything sweet - her favorite being marshmallows
• hates when I leave the room
• likes to do everything herself
• loves babies and all animals to the point of going a bit crazy whenever she sees one
• loves to laugh and scream (usually at the same time)
• adds so much fun and craziness to our family!

Swinging with Papa

Nothing can elicit a smile from Antalya quite like when Papa swings her in the backyard.

Memories

Coming home is like hitting play on a movie that had been paused. It doesn't feel like we missed anything, and somehow we are just picking up right where we left off. It makes London feel almost like a dream, although I know that just a week ago it was our life and all the girls really new.

In many ways it feels so good to be back home, but then there are moments when I have to stop the tears because my heart aches for England - for the simple life we had, our friends, the noise of the city, the High Street shops, the sights and smells, walking to school, and so many other things.

So before I begin journaling our adventures here in Utah, I want to finish with our last memories in beautiful England.

Our last Saturday in London we had a great get together with some of our friends from our church. Not everyone could be there, but we had a great time with those who were. We miss our little ward and all the great friendships we formed there.

The day before we left, we had to say goodbye to all our friends from Antalya's nursery school. On that day, story time was all about Antalya, and Jason, Victoria, and I got to be there.

They looked at Antalya's book that documented some of the things she has done these past two years, and then sang some of Antalya's favorite songs.

We love these amazing ladies who have made such an impact on Antalya and helped her grow and develop so much during her time at nursery.

And then we took our final walk home. This walk from our house to the nursery has been the biggest part of my life with the girls during our time in London. We walked the path twice a day, five times a week.

Every day we would make the same pit-stops. The first stop was to walk on the wall.

Then Victoria would have to give two kisses to the elephant flower stand - one kiss in front, and one in back.

Next was the run through the woods (a line of trees with a small path running behind the trees), followed by jumping practice on the steps.

Then after a quick rest on the grass, the girls would usually ride in the stroller for the rest of the walk home.

That afternoon we said farewell to our not so beloved van. Although we don't miss how unreliable it was at times, we do have many fond memories surrounding that vehicle.

And then it was done - our bags were packed and we went to sleep for the last time in London.

The next morning, after a quick sandwich on the balcony for breakfast we were on our way (can you believe this picture was taken at 5:45am? I miss the early morning sunshine we had there).

The flight went reasonably well. We were so blessed to have an angel sitting right behind us that was so sweet to the girls and was happy letting them climb over the seat and sit with her when they needed a break from us.

And before we knew it, we were at Papa's house. And the girls haven't stopped since!

The Beginning of the Farewells

The time has come. And whether I'm ready for it or not, in a few days time our two year adventure in London will have ended. I'm trying to feel excitement about going back home, but right now I think the having-to-part emotions are running a bit deeper.

London has become our home. The English have become our family. But now it is time to say goodbye. I know the Lord will continue to guide our path the way He always has. And wherever the journey of life takes us next will soon feel like home.

Today we said farewell to the toddler group at Antalya's school. Victoria and I have been going to the group since it started in January, and have made some great friends.

We will miss seeing their smiling faces every Friday.

And I will miss these amazing women who juggle work and being a mom, and are filled with so much patience and love for their children. Each of them is truly an inspiration to me. Every week I leave wanting to be a better mom. So, thank you ladies! It's been wonderful!

We had planned to have a farewell picnic in the park today with some of our friends from Antalya's school. As luck would have it, the weather was great all morning until school got out at 11:30. Then the clouds starting rolling in, and just as we all made it up the big hill and crossed the street to the park the rain started.

Luckily I had parked my car at the park this morning thinking that the girls would be too tired after playing to walk home. So we rushed into our van to stay dry while we waited the rain out.

After 10 minutes, the rain wasn't letting up, so we decided to just make do and have our picnic in the car. The kids loved it. We put the seats down, spread out a picnic blanket, and had the most memorable time crammed into our car, munching on sandwiches, while the rain poured down.

It was a special treat that Antalya's amazing aid from school got to come along with us. I owe so much to this wonderful woman! She is so patient and loving, yet firm when need be. Antalya absolutely adores her (and Victoria does too). Every morning when we get to school Antalya hangs up her coat, finds her name and puts it on the peg, and then runs off to find Michelle, saying "chell, chell, chell" as she runs through the classroom. Once she finds her, she rushes into her arms and gives her a big hug.

We had a lovely time, and I was so touched that these wonderful friends came out to be with us, despite the awful rain and cold.

I think it is fitting that for our last picnic in England we would have a downpour. It made it all the more memorable (and I must admit, it was much more relaxing for me to have my girls confined in the car instead of running all over the park).

TGIF

The week has flown by in a big blur of sleepless nights, crying fits that seems to last for hours, yucky colds, long exams, death-defying plummets over crib railings, long afternoon naps, and packing suitcases, with a few intermittent trips to the park thrown in to keep the sanity.

So to celebrate the fact that it is Friday and we have successfully made it to the weekend, the girls and I took a morning adventure to Highgate Wood - a park we haven't yet explored.

It's a straight shot from our house on either the bus or the train. Victoria has been wanting to ride the train for the last couple weeks, but since it's almost a mile walk to the train station, I decided we would take the train there, and then the bus to come home (since it drops us right outside our door).

We took our time getting to the train, stopping along the way at all our usual stops (it's the same route we take to Antalya's school everyday). Victoria was so excited when we made it to the train (you'd think this girl had never ridden the train before), but she played it cool sitting in her own seat for the entire 10 min ride.


The park was beautiful. But then again, all English parks are truly amazing. It's one of the things I will most miss about living in London. I loved walking through the wooded area, but Antalya all too quickly spotted a bright colored something in the distance and took off at mach-speed through the trees in hopes it was a playground.


The girls were happy to play while I chatted with a friend. It was like a little piece of heaven. I can't remember the last time I sat down on a park bench with a friend and was able to hold a conversation. Only once did I walk search the entire playarea in a bit of frantic wondering where Antalya had run off to (she was there the whole time, just hidden from my searching eye).

When we had had enough of the playground, we headed back to the wooded area for some climbing.


And then after a quick stop for ice cream we were on the bus back home - dirty and a bit tired, but happy!

And now for an update on all of us:

Jason is three exams down, two to go!

Sunny has surprisingly convinced her body that sleep isn't really all that necessary and is managing to get the house organized and things packed (hoping to be completely done and ready to go by next Saturday).

Antalya is finally on antibiotics for her sinus infection and eye infection. She was able to sleep last night, so I think we are on the mend (although watching Monsters Inc and eating popsicles at 1:00am was memorable, it's not something this momma enjoys on a regular basis).

Victoria has decided she is ready to be a big girl (despite my wishing that she would stay in a crib for another year). I took the side rail off her crib this morning and she was thrilled. And today instead of going down for a nap she got to sit on the couch with Antalya and watch a show. I was pleasantly surprised when this happened: