Challenging thought on parenthood...

A woman in my church is expecting her fifth child. She and her husband have four children -their oldest is six. She has been sick throughout her pregnancy (she is 28 weeks now), her sons have been in and out of the hospital in the last months, and they have much financial strain. Her family has had recent trials too numerous to list here. And I have been so encouraged by her example of faith, joy and sincerity. It is no secret that she would like a quiet girl to balance her four rambunctious boys. At Bible study last night though, on the eve of the day when she hopes to find out the sex of her new little one, she referenced this quote. She said if God wants them to raise a quiver of boys, then she is excited to see how He will use them. What a challenge to see a parent put their children in God's hands in that way with the proper perspective that we are entrusted with raising and training them -but not keeping them for ourselves. They are God's and what a privilege it will be to see God do his work in and through them.

Jim Elliott to his parents shortly before traveling to serve in Ecuador:

"I do not wonder that you are saddened at the word of my going to South America….Grieve not, then, if your sons seems to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly. Remember how the Psalmist described children? He said that they were as an heritage from the Lord, and that every man should be happy who had his quiver full of them. And what is a quiver full of but arrows? And what are arrows for but to shoot? So with the strong arm of prayer, draw the bowstring back and let the arrows fly – all of them straight at the Enemy’s hosts."

A plus for more pink...

I had another gal from church over for lunch today to visit and get as much information as I could from her about her birth experience. She delivered at the same hospital where we will have baby2. She had great practical advice and I really appreciated her description of the birthing facilities as tours are not offered. I found out that routine circumcisions are not done at the hospital (not in the UK in general, I believe). She said that upon request you can be placed on a waiting list for "cosmetic surgery" and have it done -for a fee. Her boy is six months though and they haven't heard anything. So, as much as we would like a boy, we could avoid that predicament if it was a girl. Also, after talking with her I was more firmly resolved in my (our) recent decision to go for a natural birth. It was a more pressing decision as the UK system prefers the natural approach and will not give epidurals unless asked for in your birth plan during pregnancy (not in labor). I'll just have to review my Bradley material and gear up mentally for it.

Changing seasons...

Pretty yellow flowers (name?), tree in bloom and the Kinessburn Creek

"Snowdrop" flowers...the blooms that announce spring

Winter will not last forever...

"Ducks, ducks, ducks...."

"Just a little closer..."

I have hope that spring will come:

...flowers and trees are starting to bloom
...days are getting longer
...temperatures are slowly climbing

We've been warned though that March can be a setback (it's more likely to snow in March than in the winter, we're told). So, we're enjoying the gradual change without counting on spring to arrive in all its glory until April. This morning Nora and I went on a walk along the Lade Braes trail to go feed the ducks. I took a few pictures for your viewing pleasure (and mine :0)

While we were out, we ran into a friend and invited her and her boys for lunch. It still takes me by surprise that I will run into someone I know -without fail- whenever I'm out. Living in a small community is still a novelty -a welcome change of pace from the greater D.C. area.

Our jumping bean...err, onion

Baby Shipp is a jumping bean these days...or nights rather. After putting Nora to bed about 8pm and beginning to relax myself...that's when I feel the wee one the most. I'm sure this is a foretaste of things to come. As soon as child 1 is in bed, child 2 demands attention. But, "I have a dream..." of coordinated and deep sleeping patterns for our children. Some day.

I'm sure you're all dying to know that baby is now "the size of" an onion. Last week, baby sized up to an avocado. I guess we won't question BabyCenter's assumption that onions are bigger than avocados or wonder too much into how the produce item most-resembling-baby-at-this-stage is chosen. It's all rather fascinating. Stay tuned next week for..."our baby looks like a grapefruit."

Stephen's day

Today was not the best day.

But God is good.

And so is Nutella.

My day

Today was one of those days. You know -one of those days. Not bad start to finish or even progressively worse until you collapsed in bed and prayed for a new day. Rather, you find that one stress builds on another until you start to buckle. And then, God graciously reminds you how blessed you are.

Of course, the "you" is me. I remember an unpaid bill ...and stress over money ....and allow myself to worry about finances -not for tomorrow, but a year from now. I do too much lifting at work- more than required -and feel guilty for not putting baby ahead of pride. I get angry at hubby for forgetting something I thought was clearly established and overlook my own faults. Fretting, home from work, I rush about as Nora begs for a hug and some attention. Guilt again.

But for grace, it would have been an awful, no good, very bad day. But God gives grace in our weakness. He gave grace in our marriage and we had a wonderful, productive discussion over dinner. He gave grace to our family and we worshiped Him together in song, reading the Bible and prayer. He gave grace in parent-child relationships and I cuddled with my toddler at bedtime, received sweet kisses and heard sleepy "love yous." He gave grace in physical provision and I enjoyed a warm shower and delicious, fresh grapefruit. I am richly blessed -receiving abundant provision daily.

It's what's for dinner...

"Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday..."

Nearly all my co-workers and a number of our customers said they would be having pancakes for "tea" (dinner). At the market later, I noted a special display of pancake supplies including the only two maple syrup options. Here, I was told, pancakes are usually eaten with a sprinkling of sugar. "Do you eat them with maple syrup?" inquired John (an elderly regular who always orders "brown toast with the crusts cut off and a steaming coffee with frothy milk" which he lingers over before napping on our leather couch for an hour or two). I nodded the affirmative. He seemed amused at the novelty. "They're quite pleasant with a bit of lemon juice as well," said Katherine, John's wife. I had heard Pancake Day referenced in the preceding days, but didn't realize it was so widely observed. And so, we had pancakes for dinner. Not UK approved pancakes (thin) as I didn't start the batter soon enough to let it set for a half hour. Instead, I made the American buttermilk version -some plain and some with blueberries. On the plain, I tested the sugar and lemon (freshly squeezed) combination, and decided it was a keeper. Maybe pancake day is too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sigh. I love my husband. He made my day. I do believe red tulips are my favorite flower. Gerber daises are great, too, but they are more of a happy flower. A "Congratulations!" type flower. Tulips (especially red ones) are more brilliant, more romantic, more an "I love you" flower. But really, what flower isn't that type when it comes from someone you love?

I wish...

Stephen is days away from finishing his third season of grad school applications. After that we wait patiently and in quiet hope as we have the past two years (ahem...so maybe that is how I strive to be in the days of waiting).

If he gets accepted with adequate funding, we will be heading to grad school in one of the following four places:
-Washington, D.C.
-Dallas, TX
-Northern IN
-Scotland

If grad school is not an option, I suppose we could go just about anywhere we'd get paid for work :0)

With all of these possibilities before us, it's hard not to have particular wishes. There is one that I'm have a hard time surrendering to the will of God.

I wish to live (once again, but unlike this year) in a place that has an electric dishwasher. I didn't realize how blessed I was or imagine, at the time, how much longer it takes to wash up by hand...

Ramblings...

Sundays are good days. Maybe my favorite day of the week. Stephen sets aside school work, so it's more of a family day. We are also most likely to have guests over on a Sunday, and it's always fun to meet new people or get to know friends better.

Nora is in bed. I would say she is asleep as it's mostly quiet, but then I just heard her talk. Still, maybe she is asleep and just takes after her dad (heehee).

I am tired, and getting more relaxed by the minute. I don't work tomorrow, so I know that I can just "catch up." The dishes can wait. I am eating toast. I just had a clementine. I take a break periodically because there is not much to say, and because I love looking at the daffodils on the table across the room. The bunch was only a pound ($2). They didn't look the healthiest, but have surprised me and opened beautifully.

This afternoon I read a couple chapters from "The Cost of Discipleship." The first focused on fasting or, more broadly, self control and discipline in the Christian life and the second on laying up treasure in heaven, trusting in God for provision and not being consumed with possessions. Ouch. Those challenges touch really close to home. It's uncomfortable to think about, and even more unsettling to know I need to change.

Stephen has started his second term at a break-neck speed I wasn't prepared for due in large part to application deadlines for grad school funding that are fast approaching. In fact, by this time next week that will all be behind us. Unfortunately, the postmark deadline is February 15 -no doubt set by the most unromantic person on the planet- so that means our Valentine's date will be postponed. Maybe Nora and I will make sugar cookie hearts. If you can't have romance, at least have sugar! Haha...Or maybe Stephen and I can edit his applications over candlelight :0) The realities of marriage and grad school. By the time we get through a PhD (Lord willing) I'll be a pro-gradschoolstudent wife. Right?

The shadow and other discoveries

"Dad, is this a good idea?"

"Wearing red makes me feel confident."

Now, in no particular order, are some glimpses into life with Nora:

-She discovered her shadow on our afternoon walk today. She kept turning around to make sure it was still there.
-She has added to her growing love for dress up an attachment to accessories particularly scarves and purses. She insists on having one or the other -sometimes both with us when we leave the house. At church on Sunday, she approached a number of the college age girls and pointed at their scarves. Unfortunately, her begging eyes didn't work and no scarves were bestowed.
-Prayer time at meals is more strictly observed these days. Today I was serving her lunch in courses as I chopped/ prepared each bit. Apparently I was too slow, and Nora bowed her head, squinted her eyes and said her own prayer. It warmed my heart to see her remember to thank God.
-Potty training. It's a messy business, but it has to be done sometime. I'm just asking myself, four days in, is that time now? At first Nora insisted on taking off all her clothes to go "pobby." We have made progress there and the top stays on. Socks are optional depending on her whim at the moment. Her preference to stand rather than sit on the potty is an issue. I believe we may also have confused her by associating a sound effect to going to the bathroom "pssss." She apparently thinks the job is done if she sits for two seconds, makes the sound effect and gets up. I'm a bit at sea on this one.
-Nora loves to be outside -nothing new. She frequently requests to go out or get her "Jacky" (jacket). She loves to walk and explore...today it was the moss and ivy growing along a stone wall on our way to town. She also enjoys the backpack carrier (pictured above), which we've (and by we, I mean Stephen) have used more in recent days.
-Nora's bedtime is a highlight of my day and not just because it signals the start of my own few hours of downtime. She grows sweeter every day with her hugs, kisses, giggles and "luv ouuu" declarations.

I love these little moments and memories.

Family pictures

Yeah! Thanks to Garry and Susan, we have some recent family pictures!

A Visit from Paw Paw and Oma

1. Nora models her Scottish hat from Oma and PawPaw
2. At a fishing villiage
3. Atop Edinburgh Castle
4. Playing peas porridge hot with Oma
5. The king, queen and grandbaby princess at Stirling Castle
6. Showing Oma where her eyes are
7. Posing with PawPaw in St. Andrews
8. Tight fit through arch in St. Andrews wall
9. Light streaming into Edinburgh Castle

Amalfi

We traveled down to Amalfi on Sunday (returned to Rome to fly home on Tuesday afternoon). By the time we waited for and rode a number of trains, it was early evening when we arrived at our hotel. It was a beautiful place. The views were awesome. The downside was the hotel sat along a busy street (no sidewalk). Buses come infrequently. Stephen went in search for food, and was gone for over 2 hours. He arrived with the hugest pizza I had ever seen. I was tired and thus a bit cranky, but I took one look at him and burst out laughing. He looked ridiculous with his nearly 3-foot long pizza. I love my hubby. Apparently at the place he found, pizza is ordered by the cm. It was so cheap, he didn't really think about size and just ordered one of the bigger sizes knowing I was "really hungry." Thankfully, it was really good pizza, and it lasted us for a number of meals (we had a fridge in our room). We spent Monday along the Amalfi coast -taking an hour and a half bus ride there and then back again. I've never been that car sick while still loving the ride! The road hugged the side of the cliff and when a bus would come from the other direction, I still don't know how both buses stayed on the road. As you can see, the views were out of this world. We enjoyed the most amazing gelatto (ice cream) in Amalfi. You'll see Nora quite content holding two cones. Walking along the streets in Amalfi with the sun shining on our faces was one of the best moments of the trip. Check out some pictures here.

A Roman Holiday

We spent four full days touring Rome. On day five (Sunday), we joined a church of Scotland congregation for worship before heading down to Amalfi. We loved our time in Rome. It rained off and on the first day, but we enjoyed clear skies the rest of the time. The city is amazing. I read in a travel book prior to our trip that Rome is a city that people either love or hate. We quickly came to love it. It is a fascinating, thought-provoking place. We found ourselves wishing we could see the ruins as they were. It was sobering to see the Colosseum in person and think of the many Christians who gave their lives for Christ there. Visiting the catacombs was possibly my favorite experience...One of the most vivid pictures in my memory is a stone inscribed with a rough sketch of three symbols: a fish -icthys (Iesus-Jesus; CHristos-Christ; THeou -of God; Yios -Son; Soter -Savior), a monogram of the name of Christ in Greek and an anchor. It was a powerful reminder of the hope we have as the anchor of our soul, the temporal nature of our lives and the calling we have as Christians to live, and if necessary, die for Christ. We weren't able to take pictures in the Catacombs or in another of our most-favorite sites, the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo spent nearly four years painting the ceiling. I found a couple pictures online which are posted above. To see a selection of our pictures from Rome, click here.