Saturday 24 August 2013

A new school year...

Abi and Matthew with Grandad in Scotland.
It has been a month since our last blog and so much has happened.  July has been filled with fun with friends and swimming in outdoor pools. We enjoyed a weekend away to Cincinnati as a family to visit the creation museum which was amazing.  Myself and all three children were also able to make an unplanned trip to Scotland to visit my family for a few weeks.  This was such a blessing to be in Scotland in Summer time and be in the same location for a whole two weeks!  Over the last three years on our visa trip home we are lucky if we get to spend a few days with our family so it was a very special time.  Flying with three children myself was an adventure but they were all very well behaved.  The worst part was arriving home jet lagged and Andy being away at a missions festival in Pennsylvania.  
Andy making little airplanes
with kids in Pennsylvania
 
He flew with a friend and others drove and as flying was much quicker we thought he would be home before the rest of the group.   Unfortunately small planes are very dependant on good weather and he returned two days later than planned!  Meanwhile the children were up at 3am, 4am and 5am and we regularly had breakfast before the sun had risen.  Glad to say we are all back on the correct time zone and enjoying being a family of five again :0)  




Abi's first day in 2nd Grade (P3)
Since we have come back, Andy is now on full time study leave and is working hard on preparing for his exams.   Abigail started 2nd Grade this week and Matthew had his first day at school today.  Matthew LOVED his first day at school. He was excited to see his sister in the passing and other's he recognized throughout the day.   I have opted out of the yellow school bus this school year as their time table has changed meaning Abi and Matthew would be picked up 20mins earlier and be on the bus for over forty minutes before and after school.  We only live five minutes drive from the school so I felt this was not in their best interest.  We are walking to school in the mornings - my attempt to get fit.  This is a quite a workout for myself pushing Eilidh in the stroller and two school bags up a very long and steep hill.  As we climb the hill we have a rest once we reach each mail box. That and a Haribo helps us stay focused!!  I am loving the exercise and the mornings are nice and cool.  We have seen rabbits, chipmunks, frogs, squirrels,  yellow birds and red birds so far on our walks.


Matthew's first day in Kindergarten (P1)
Time is moving fast and by the end of November we will be packed up and ready to leave the USA for good.  I have started the process of sorting through our stuff into things we will try and sell and things to give away.  We have received our "Welcome to Uganda" pack and are enjoying reading through and understanding more about what our lives might be like for the next eight years.  We are discussing options with MAF regarding a look and see visit to Uganda in October and will let you know as plans progress.  

 

Eilidh took her first few steps while we were in Scotland and is getting more confident every day.  She is not running yet but I know it won't be long.  She is keeping me very busy ripping any paper or tissues she finds into thousands of microscopic pieces.  She continually clears any surface she can reach of all my paperwork, books,  fruit bowl - what ever is on a flat surface apparently has to be launched onto the floor.  Her favorite pastime of all is emptying the complete contents of the nappy bag out onto the floor which I let her do frequently as it lets me get on with a task for five minutes :0) I have to hide the step stools in the house as she can now climb onto them and can reach even higher - nightmare! She is such a happy baby and I wish I could freeze her age right now.

Andy would appreciate your prayers this month as he studies and sits his exams.  Thank you so much to those who send us cards and letters.  We love to hear from you can't tell you enough how much we value your support and prayers. 
Lots of love
Heather x