Forget Autumn, it feels like Winter has arrived overnight!

We had no rain last week - a miracle, but what a short lived "Indian Summer"as we call it here. Yesterday and today has been like the middle of winter with wind and rain. Below is some photos of the girls all bundled up, to head out to get a few groceries this morning. I love it when they hold hands. Sophie loves to have Samantha hold her hand when they are out and about. When we pick up Samantha from Nursery school Sophie always runs in to the classroom to give her a big hug and out they walk hand in hand (until they get home, then it's business as usual, fighting over the toys lol).

"Granny in America"

That is how we used to refer to my dad's mum growing up. She left Ireland when my older sister Rachael was 6 months old, to marry John Tinnes, an American who she'd met a few years prior. She said she wouldn't leave to marry him until her eldest son (my dad) had married and settled down. She lost my grandfather who I never met, to a heart attack when she was just 47 years old. Granny spent the remaining 30+ years of her life living in Dunedin, Florida. She loved the weather and the ability to be able to remain very active in that kinda of climate until she passed away 18 months ago. We always enjoyed her visits home to see us. I loved her baking and cooking. She taught me how to make a strawberry flan and a Victoria sponge cake. She used to bring us varnish shells that she would make "roses" out of, and always seemed to bring the latest American gadgets as gifts. I was first introduced to "dial" soap when she would bring it over in her wash bag and leave it in our bathroom when she went home. We too, in return visited her a few times in Florida. Her house smelt of "America" to me, and I can still smell that same smell when I step off a plane in the USA, don't ask me to explain it, it just has a smell. She had great grapefruit trees out her back garden we could pick for breakfast, she was always happy, and had lots of good friends. Mum and Dad has just begun their mission 3 weeks when she died, so it was decided upon to wait to bury her ashes here in Northern Ireland until they returned. Saturday we drove down to Portrush on the Antrim coast to lay her ashes to rest. We had a nice dry day, and a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean. I love this part of Northern Ireland, it is truly beautiful. It was great to see my dad with his siblings and to have all our "American " cousins join us. We had not been together for over 11 years, and this may well be the last time we will all be in one place together again. After a brief informal service we drove to Bushmills for a pub lunch, then spent Sunday afternoon together enjoying a lovely meal and some good company. Sadly Deldon was sick over the weekend, so missed out, wish he could have been with us. Wish I had a photo of my Granny handy, but the ones I do have are in the loft or round at my parent's house. If waited to get a picture, I'd probably never get round to doing this post.

Tagged Again

I am always... with my girls and taking potty breaks thanks to baby nos. 3
I am... going to start taking iron today as my bloods came back with low iron, maybe that's why I feel so blahh about life right now, I have zero energy for anything.
I think ... way to much, I over analysis everything and everyone
I know... there is a purpose to this life and Jesus Christ is my Saviour
I want... to be a beautiful person on the inside and out
I have... a very patient, loving, husband and 2 gorgeous girls in my care
I wish... I could live in both Ireland and America
I hate... long haul flights and people being late
I miss ... carefree days and just doing my own thing when and how I want to
I fear ... labour or that I will be widowed and have to rear 3 kids on my own
I feel... tired and my baby moving
I hear ... only what I want to hear, and Samantha drawing, glad to say it's not on the floor, but on paper.
I smell ... everything intensely, but right now it's my air fresher plugged in beside me
I regret... not choosing a college degree that I could have made use of whilst at home with the kids
I love... hugs and kiss from Deldon and the girls, chocolate, crisps, sitting down to a meal, eating out, shopping for food, General Conference, spending time with extended family, having my feet rubbed, checking email, facebook, blogs, when the girls get excited about things, when Samantha says "thank you mum" or "I love you mum."
I care... way to much about getting fat in pregnancy, and not being a good enough mum and wife to the girls and Deldon, I constantly fall short.
I always... have TV or music on for background noise, it keeps me company especially at nights if Deldon is out
I believe...The Book of Mormon to be another witness of Jesus Christ
I dance... only to cbeebies kid songs in my prego state, but before this pregnancy I would put on some old club tunes from my teenage days and would dance with the girls or with small weights (figured it was some exercise too). I also loved being in the youth program so I had an excuse to go to the discos and have a good boogie.
I sing... way too little, I regret it as I have lost the ability to sing high notes and in general have lost any decent singing voice I have. It's true if you don't use a talent you will lose it.
I'm a bit... prone to moaning and focusing on the negative in a situation (thank goodness Deldon is an optimist)
I write... email and lots of notes to people on facebook
I win... arguments constantly as I am too stubborn to admit I'm wrong. (Deldon has learnt it's easy just to let me think I'm right, even when I'm not lol).
I lose... my patience and keys way to often
I never... buy women's magazines or watch movies over a 12 rating
I listen... to as much of General Conference as I can. I start to fall towards the end of the afternoon sessions due to time difference, then read the rest asap.
I'm scared of... mosquito bites, I get huge hive like lumps that itch for weeks and scar for months. I am also scared of any transatlantic plane I am on crashing into the middle of the Atlantic ocean in darkness, surviving it, then floating for hours in ice cold water trying to keep the girls alive too.
I am happy about... Christmas getting closer, Samantha loving her nursery school, mum and dad living around the corner again, and having a baby boy.

Tagged

Shelley Rowan tagged me with "I love your blog." The answers can only be one word, and then I have to tag others! Here we go:

1:Where is your cell phone? ~ Bag
2:Where is your significant other? ~ Work
3:Your hair color? ~ Brown
4:Your mother? ~ Unselfish
5:Your father? ~ Spiritual
6:Your favorite thing? ~ Chocolate
7: Your dream last night? ~ None
8:Your dream/goal? ~ Space
9:The room you're in? ~ Lounge
10:Your hobby? ~ Eating
11:Your fear? ~ Rats
12:Where do you want to be in 6 years? ~ Happy
13:Where were you last night? ~ Home
14:What you're not? ~ Skinny
15:One of your wish list items? ~ Camcorder
16:Where you grew up? ~ Ireland
17:The last thing you did? ~ Played
18:What are you wearing? ~ Clothes
19:Your TV? ~ On
20:Your pet? ~ Cats
21:Your computer? ~PC
22:Your mood? ~ Happy
23:Missing someone? ~ Yes
24:Your car? ~ Renault
25:Something you're not wearing? ~ Purfume
26:Favorite store? ~ Tesco
27:Your summer? ~ Wet
28:Love someone? ~ Yes
29:Your favorite color? ~ Green
30:When is the last time you laughed? ~ Today
31:When is the last time you cried? ~ ?

I tag : Mandy Heal, Michelle Merrill, and Jen Ruggles

Samantha's special friend

Well it appears Samantha has an imaginary friend, only he has some real historical context. She is "Nephi" in the brain. Nephi is everywhere right now and keeps her safe at night. She wants to show Nephi all her toys and "her boy baby in my tummy." I'm sure her school nursery teachers will wonder where the heck she came up with that name for a friend, as it's not your usual run of the mill name in these parts of the woods. I picked up some LDS living scripture movies over the summer, one of which is Nephi going back to Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates. She loves this mini-movie and asks to watch it and the "Jesus is Risen" one every day. For those of you not of my faith, Nephi left Jerusalem with his family about 600 B.C. as a young boy under the direction of his father Lehi who foretold it's destruction. They were led by the Lord to a "promised land" which was the Ancient American Continent. There a great civilization arose. Nephi became a great prophet and saw many visions including one of the Saviour, Jesus Christ being born into this world. He taught his people to look towards the Saviour's coming. The crowning event in the Book of Mormon is the appearance of Jesus Christ in person on the American Continent after he was crucified. They were indeed the "other sheep" the Christ said in the Bible he would visit that "were not of this fold" (the Jews). They did in reality hear him, he taught, and blessed them. This is all recorded in the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which was translated by the power of God through the young prophet Joseph Smith. I am personally thankful for this additional witness of my Saviour that I can read hand in hand with the Bible. The Book of Mormon has taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's plainness and fullness. If anyone would like to find out more go to http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/


As I'm typing this post Samantha is sitting with her Book of Mormon open to a picture of Nephi bending over talking to his father Lehi. She has had it with her since she came into our room this morning and picked it up from Deldon's bed side table. (She couldn't pick mine up as I was busy reading mine like a good spiritual mum lol) But the real truth is I'm doing really good if I even get about 10 minutes of scripture reading in the mornings these days. I just about manage to keep up with the Sunday School reading schedule this year.

Another First

I thought I'd send Samantha into her wardrobe today to find her own clothes to put on. It was no shocker that pink was involved. At least she didn't clash, and at the purple rainbow socks injected some colour into her outfit (don't think you can see them to clearly in this photo). We've had some rain free days lately, so I thought we'd better get down to the park before the rain sets in again. The funny thing about my girls is they get to the park, play for like 15 minutes, then Sophie starts looking in my bag, and Samantha announces that she's hungry! Their favourite thing seems to be eating and drinking at the little table under the slides. I've ruined Sophie the past few weeks with my chocolate fest. (Samantha was ruined long ago). Sophie calls it "knock" for some reason and demands it every time she gets put at the table to eat..ooops!!! Anyways, here they are having their "picnic" of crisps and juice, with Samantha doing her fake smile for me. The other quirky thing is Samantha, a 3 year old wants to be pushed in the pram, and Sophie, the one that should get tired and want to get in the pram has to walk beside me. Guess I'll be busting out the double buggy again when this little boy comes along.

This week's Celebrations

We had two family B-day's this week. Deldon's dad was on the 18th and "Lukey Boy," my nephew was the 20th. We had some fun yesterday having a birthday dinner and cake. Sophie was in love with Luke's birthday gifts, poor wee guy lost his toys for a while. Last night, after eating Kentucky fried chicken for an early dinner, Deldon and I met up with some friends, Graham and Sarah to try out the new Chilis in Belfast. They were laughing at us, we already had our meals picked out in seconds, whereas they were so lost in all the choice on the menu. Sadly though they don't do strawberry lemonade here (a/c to our waiter 3 people had already asked him for one that night, his reply to me was "sorry we're not in America" .....too bad). All in all it was very exciting, even the decor and tables were the same, so we felt for a few hours as if we were across the pond.

Samantha's first talk in Primary was today

I am a child of God. Just as my mummy and daddy know me, so does Heavenly Father, because he created me and I lived with him before I came to earth. He knows when I am happy. He knows when I am sad. I can pray to him anytime I need his help. I get on my knees beside my bed at night, and thank Heavenly Father for all I have. I ask him to help me have a good night's sleep. I can ask Heavenly Father for anything I need and he will answer my prayers in ways that are best for me. I love Heavenly Father and Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Some more birthday fun

Happy Birthday to me

We were nearly ready for this photo

Sophie and Lucky Boy get their own wee special table, as we can only fit 10 around ours

The characters of one of Sophie's favourite tv shows called "In the Night Garden". It's from the makers of teletubbies, so you can just imagine.

Granny and Grandad's present, everyone enjoyed getting in there

" Peek-a- boo, I see you" -One of Sophie's favourite phrases.

What a busy day it has been. I think Sophie got the clue it was "her day". She loves a little B-day song that comes on the cbeebies channel here, so I just kept singing that to her all day. She got some fun toys and a pop up fairy tent.

On a more annoying note, I went to get a tyre replaced today as we got a flat last week. It cost me £96 pounds to buy, that's about $170 for one tyre...crazy money in my opinion! The guy told me they were a "new" size and more budget makes haven't started producing that size yet, so I had to buy an expensive brand name one. Here's hoping the rest of our tyres last a very long time.

Our baby is TWO today

Happy Birthday Sophie, we hope you have a lovely day. Here's some pictures from this morning, more will follow later when we have a family pizza party for her at dinner time. We love Sophie so much, she is the cutest little thing, with so much love to give. She's never done giving out hugs and the softest kisses in the world!

I am so outta control!

So these tins of chocolate are buy on get one free right now.....I've bought 4 in the past 5 days....not good, I know!!!

Nursery School watch out....here I come!!

Super Saturday

Well the big day finally came. Those of you who have served missions or had friends and family away will know what I'm talking about. You think the day will never come when you or they will return home, but thankfully it does. Although I must say the 18 months went by way quicker than I ever expected it to, but it may have helped that it was broken up by us visiting with them twice during that time. The kids were so excited - my nephew Andrew kept blocking everyone trying to leave the baggage area as he wanted to see them so badly. It took them forever to come out as their luggage didn't make their connection from London, but when they did make it out their was great excitement. Even little Sophie gave a shout for joy! I am so proud of them, and the ever constant example they set to us as children. I couldn't ask for more faithful parents in the gospel if I tried. How blessed am I?

Well back to the real world- Dad is going out car shopping tomorrow morning and mum is on her first babysitting duty when I take Samantha to her first day of Nursery school. I always feel like a really bad mum when I read other peoples blogs about how they miss their kids when they go to school, but I can't wait to get Samantha back to getting out to play with other kids. I think it's the best thing ever, especially after we've been indoors most of the summer with the rubbish weather. I really loved the 3 days she went to playschool last year. Samantha gets to make friends, make fun crafts (and I don't get the mess to clean up), and Sophie gets some one on one time with mummy....Happy Days! Bring on October when she gets to go every day and for free!!!!!

Sophie's Favourite friends - The Sister Missionaries

She gets soooooooo very excited when they arrive at the door. Then after dinner she sandwiches herself in between the 2 of them. Samantha loves the sisters too, but I think she misses flirting with the Elders - I know she's only 3, I dread to think what she'll be like when she's older!!!

Chillis will be helping my bump grow too.........

.............Not that I need much help as you can see from these photos. I'm amazed, and a little embarrassed at just how quickly and far my bump is sticking out this time. People keep telling me it's because it's my third and a boy. Thanks for trying to make me feel better, you are all so kind. Every picture I take I just look massive. I thought when I got up this morning I didn't look too big, so I quickly got Deldon to take photos, but alas I still look big!!!! Also, it's not a good look when you've just rolled out of bed 10 minutes earlier, I look half asleep. But I give up on trying to get good pregnancy shots, so there I am in all my morning glory just approaching 26 weeks. What I am going to look and feel like at 40 weeks? I dread to think!! In fact, I should just show you some other photos taken last week, they are awful looking too....I have no pride left!!

It's too good to be true!!

Chillis - Belfast Victoria Square Now Open! Deldon just left the house and heard this on the radio, he even announced to me that maybe he could live in Ireland the rest of his life now (yeah right)! We really struggle for a good variety of restaurants and food here. Most of you are probably thinking Chillis, what's the big deal? But it is a big deal for here. I had to check out their menu asap and it looks the same, and has all our favourites. Can't wait for their fajitas, you can't get decent Mexican style food here for any price, it's just not available. The wild thing is the cost, it won't sound too out there price wise to anyone living here, but for those who know what you pay for a meal in the States at Chillis, you are in for serious sticker shock! Their bottomless salsa and chips a pricey $9. Any burger is about $18-$20, and my precious fajitas start at $25. The icing on the cake is that Deldon's favourite dessert out of all the chain-restaurants is on the menu, paradise pie even though again the price is crazy $11. The up-side is at least Mum and Dad will be home for free baby-sitting to off-set the cost lol.

Spring cleaning in Autumn

Today was a major clean out of my parents' house. My brother does not believe in cleaning. The house had not been vacuumed since my sister and her family had moved out in January after living there for 4 months whilst their house extension was being built. Scary I know, so you can imagine what the place looked and smelt like. We took about 5 bags of rubbish to the dump this morning, then at 7 pm we arrived to do a major clean. A big thank you has to go to all the sisters from our ward who came and helped us clean and......... eat chocolate, ( I mostly eat chocolate lol, just kidding). My batteries did have to die on me whilst there so I only got a few photos. Roll on Saturday 10:15 a.m, doesn't seem real, but I can't wait!!!!

Let's see what happens

I got this from a friend's blog, lets see what memories people have so please do this...although I wont be too offended if you don't. But I'm curious what the memories that stick out to people would be and I'll can do the same for you too if you want to play this game.

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory (or many, I don't mind!) that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I know a lot of my family read this blog with no login, so feel free to send an email with any memories, if you want.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Impressionism

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?