Sixteen months old

Nora Kathryn Shipp, who brings us joy every day and causes us to pray for wisdom as parents.

Happy Birthday to my best friend

I'll be away for Stephen's actual birthday, but I tried to make up for it with a three-day celebration. Yesterday, a Salmon dinner (a real treat for us!) and presents; today, a hike of part of the Fife Coastal Path (about 4.5 miles) ending in Anstruther and tomorrow night, a trip to the movies (I can't remember the last time I went to a theater!) to see the new Bond movie.

We couldn't have asked for more pleasant weather -sun and no rain. It was a beautifully wild path complete with rock formations, green rolling hills, farm land, "watch for the livestock" signs and stone fences with rock "steps" when the path intersected with them.

For Thomas (and Carrie), our friend, with whom we'd love to explore this island (we'll have to get a hold of the song...)

Our fixer-upper. It was love at first sight, and as soon as we get a roof on it, we're moving in!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Even a plastic, table-top tree can make a place more festive. I bought lights, the tree , tinsel and one box of shiny red ornaments the other day after work and Nora and her friend, Sam, who I was babysitting at the time, "helped" me decorate it. I wish I had pictures from that experience...what a hoot. I was undecided for a while about whether I wanted to spend the money for just that bit of decorations. I'm glad I did.

Just 3 more days until my Christmas visit to Indiana...yeah!

The ones we take for granted

As I was walking back from Bible study tonight, I was struck with a wave of gratefulness for my husband. Unfortunately, this happens much too infrequently. I was hurrying to get back by 9:30pm as I said I would so Stephen could head to the library to reference books for a paper he's drafting. I could have huffed my way home -miffed that I had to cut an evening of fellowship short. Unfortunately, again, that is too familiar a response for comfort. By God's grace though, I was in awe as I thought about how devoted Stephen is to us, Nora and I, his family. He spends quality time -some days- hours with Nora. He's attentive, playful and patient in training and discipline. And he always takes time for me when I need it. I am so incredibly grateful for my husband, and I don't tell him that enough. I realized it's been that way my whole life through with those who invest the most in me -my parents, siblings...then roomates and professors in college. They were "just there" and I took them for granted; far too often looking at the handful of annoyances loosing sight of the ocean of love and grace they offered me.

So, now, I'll say to the ones I take for granted: "You are dear to me. I thank God for you, and may He bless and keep you."

Now for a Nora update. She's become a total daddy's girl, and I didn't even realize it until the last few days, and then it became impossible to miss.

Scene: Stephen comes home for dinner. As it's later (keep in mind he's been with Nora for a number of hours, most days, when I'm at work), I've already fed Nora. Stephen sits down to enjoy his dinner. Nora, who is playing (sometimes destructively, sometimes not) leaves all to find a book to bring to Stephen. When he asks her to wait for story time or directs her to me (I've already eaten too...), she's throws herself on the floor (this is a new response to distasteful things in general) and cries as if the world is about to end. No one can read a book like a dad, I suppose :-)

Thanksgiving week

Our Thanksgiving celebration will last a week long this year. This may be obvious, but a month or so ago, the reality hit me that Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Thus, Stephen's Thursday 5-7pm class would be held and I would be working. There was no way I could make Thanksgiving the family gathering time it was in the States, but we've been able to make some fun plans that stretch from yesterday through next Sunday. A week of Thanksgiving festivities -not bad :-)

Yesterday, I baked a Thanksgiving-themed dinner, which we shared with some American friends (my running buddy and her husband). Chicken (no 40 cents a pound Turkeys here...), stuffing, sweet potato casserole, rolls, spinach and cranberry salad, pecan pie. Yum.

Thanksgiving day we will go to a potluck organized by a American student. I'm designated to bring the pecan pie.

Next weekend we'll head to see some friends in Airdrie. They're hosting a Thanksgiving meal and we'll be able to go to church with them the next day. I went on a short-term mission trip to the RP church there in high school, so it will be a fun (surreal) reunion. We're renting a car for the weekend. Stephen, my brave and amazing husband will be driving -his first UK driving experience. It's possible we'll die on the road. Even more possible we'll kill each other from the stress of him driving and me attempting to read a map (haha). Should be fun! And if we survive, we plan to rent a car again the next weekend so Stephen can take me to the Edinburgh airport where Nora and I have a flight to Indiana. Yahoo! Our eleven day trip was only planned last week, so it has all happened quickly. Lots to do before then -buy Christmas presents, pack, celebrate Stephen's birthday early (December 3 and I'll be gone...what kind of a wife am I?!). He encouraged us to go though and I think is looking forward to being able to focus on his studies and grad school applications without needing to take breaks to change dirty diapers. I bet he'll miss being greeted with toddler kisses though...

We'll I'm off for the night. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

The simple things

...a small vase of flowers in a window.

...my husband and daughter laughing together.

...dark chocolate.

...tea on a cold night.

...Tropicana orange juice when sick.

...my favorite song on the radio.

...a warm smile from a stranger.

...family worship as we cuddle on the couch.

...letters from home.

The list is endless. I hope I never take for granted the blessing of these "little" joys.

Crail

After a week indoors, we were itching to explore. We headed on a whim (we had mentioned it in passing last night, but didn't plan anything...) to Crail, a nearby fishing village. We planned to bus there then walk part of the Fife Coastal Path to another fishing village, Anstruther. It rained off and on for the first hour, but then cleared up beautifully.

Stephen coveted that home with the sunroom overlooking the sea.

The harbor. We saw a number of fresh fish delivery trucks that went up and down the main street and door to door. The town had so much character.

Here is the Fife Coastal Path. We saw a rough wooden sign that indicated it was three miles to Anstruther. It was a more "natural" path than we anticipated...definitely not stroller friendly. So, when it became this (below), we finally had to admit that we would have to come back another day -adults only :-)

Back in Crail, we had a half hour before our bus was due to arrive, so we went into the community center that advertised a flower show and...stepped into a Wallace and Gromit movie. There were a plethera of enormous vegetables with various colored ribbons and elderly Brits fawning over them and gingerly patting the Chrysanthemums. So fun and worth the 50 pence admission.

In sickness

This past week has been one of those "in sickness" periods of our marriage. Good health is certainly something I take for granted until times like this come. God is gracious as it could have been much worse. Even knowing that though I was weary of days of exhaustion and being ill. I'm feeling much better and hope to be back to 100% soon. Stephen was sick just over a day (very sick), and even though it was his reading week during which time he hoped to get much accomplished in school, he watched Nora for large chunks of time so I could rest. Trying to be a good wife though, I wouldn't let him do that constantly and insisted on watching Nora some while he went to the library. It was then I realized this is the first time I've been that sick since before Nora. IT IS VERY DIFFERENT being sick when you're a parent. No lounging in bed peacefully. I did recline on my couch, while Nora -as if sensing her freedom- raided my purse, food cabinets, etc, etc. I am thankful she did not get sick, but part of me wished that she could somehow feel as lethargic as I did.

The pictures are from last weekend. Stephen had a conference on Saturday and Nora and I explored the outskirts of St. Andrews. I'm not sure what tomorrow holds -perhaps rest or perhaps I'll be so sick of being indoors that I'll do something crazy.

My new workout...

...as soon as I acquire eight treadmills and three exercise partners. Click here for details on how I plan to get in shape and have fun doing it. Thanks Kate for the inspiration.