Visiting us, the cheap way...

It may be a bit late for this helpful information (as this itinerary requires approximately 29 days and 13 hours), but it came to our attention tonight that Google maps provides an economical option for travel to the UK. Check it out here, taking special note of step 31.

In England, part III

A picnic lunch

Nora and Lauren putting flowers in their hair

Such a peaceful setting

Nora with her 2007 Peter Rabbit calendar (on clearance for 25 pence :0) Lauren taught her to say "Peter Rabbit" and he's now her favorite B.P. character

Photo op in front of Beatrix Potter's home, "Hilltop Farm," the setting of a number of her books

In England, part II

I had to go through approximately 300 photos; so this series will be in three parts :0)

At the Beatrix Potter museum

Pausing to take in the landscape, conversation and a snack

Nora loves ladybugs (or ladybirds as they are called in the UK)

Shipps and Brownfields in England

We went to the Lake District in England for a few days -enjoyed beautiful weather, breathtaking hikes and fun times...

Stephen helping our little hiker...Nora really was quite a trooper during our travels.

A group photo at the panoramic view over Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere

English countryside

Shipps and Brownfields in Scotland

Taking in St. Andrews' beauty...

In Edinburgh. Nora loved Lauren's enthusiasm! (she calls her something like "Lor-na;" but "Matt" is quite clear)

In front of the Palace of Holyrood House -residence of the Queen in Edinburgh.

Looking toward Holyrood Park. We walked more than half-way up (not more due in large part to a certain pregnant woman :-)

Resting on the way up...

Pittenweem

Snippets of the Shipps' life:
-Stephen turned in final drafts of his papers for the semester yesterday; he starts his Master's thesis in a week.
-We had a wonderful, relaxing Saturday, the first in months when Stephen wasn't studying; we took a bus to a coastal town (Pittenweem) in the AM. Nora loved the ride though the actually touring in town was not the most pleasant as it was really, really windy.
-Three dozen homemade cinnamon rolls sit in our fridge for our church's fellowship meal tomorrow (with a few to sample for breakfast :0) I can't believe how much butter I've used today!
-The Brownfields come on Monday night; we leave for a few days in England with them on Thursday.

A new look...

just to post the obvious.

If you like the old color scheme, don't worry, it's bound to come back within a few weeks when I get tired of this.

At the beach

The weather is getting nicer :0)

Happy Mother's Day!

To our wonderful mothers across the ocean we owe you more than we can say and wish you the best of days. We love you!!!

Stephen blessed me on my third mother's day by watching Nora so I could sleep an extra hour this morning. When I woke up, he had a delicious breakfast waiting for me. It was all set out on a tray -pancakes, strawberries and cream, slightly frozen OJ (just the way I like it) and piping hot Starbuck's coffee- because I was going to get breakfast in bed, but I choose to eat in the kitchen with my family instead. I should also mention that Stephen is an inspiration to me in food presentation. He didn't just cook the meal, he laid it out tastefully complete with a flower and candle. Colors arranged tastefully. It was a good reminder for me to not just think about what food I will cook for my family, but also take care in how I serve it and the atmosphere I create. That can add so much delight to the whole experience.

Nora's fort

Yesterday was a gray, rainy day. Thankfully (for Nora and Momma), Nora has a daddy who can make really cool forts to entertain her for a few hours.

That said, the weather is starting to get to me. I want sun and enough warmth to make a few trips to the beach before we leave. Is it wrong to pray for good weather? I hope not because I've started.

Onions and rainbows

And you're thinking, "What a combination." I just love picking out post titles. Maybe I'll start numbering them. So, the alternate title for this one is "Post 192." (I think).

The pictures above were taken today. Nora "helped" me with dinner tonight by peeling the skins off a whole bag of onions. Now if I could get her to chop them, we would be making progress. Today is my first back-to-back full day with Nora by myself since I began working. She has hit toddler-hood in the meantime. I'm actually loving the flexibility and spontaneity of my new schedule (we surprised Stephen at "work" -his study spot in Classics library- with a latte and donut today), but it does require more patience and creativity to fill long days.

Also note in the first picture that Nora's shirt is inside out and unbuttoned in the back. She's starting to develop an "I can do it myself" attitude. While it sometimes results in disobedience, it often manifests itself in creative play. She spent about an hour this morning trying on the majority of clothes from the drawers she could reach. I'm really impressed overall with how well she can dress herself.

We've been having more typical Scottish weather (as opposed to the drier, warmer climate that St. Andrews often offers). Rain. More accurately, rain one minute, bright sunshine the next with very little forewarning. It's also been more windy. I keep hoping "summer" (with its 70 degree average temps) will arrive so I can enjoy a few weeks of it before I leave. I'm keen to have a picnic on the beach, and it's just been too cool for that. On the up side, we saw a double rainbow after dinner tonight. Shortly after Stephen snapped the picture above, I headed out to my Tuesday night Bible study. I love the smell and colors of the outdoors after a good rain. Everything was so bright and renewed and clean. As Stephen has been known to say, "It was good for the soul."

Work goodbyes and baby planning

I started the week knowing that I was free of Cafe work for my remaining 5.5 weeks in Scotland. What a great feeling! The last couple weeks went at a hectic pace, and I was glad to be saying goodbye for that reason. Today I went in to pick up my wages and found the place packed and my co-workers stressed. Part of me wished I could help them. Most of me was glad I could leave.

During Nora's nap, I continued researching possibilities for doctors in Tennessee. I found one that looked really promising -reported to be a Christian and offers VBACs -but when I called a bit ago I found out he doesn't accept the insurance I'll have. I was disappointed. Having a C. doctor would be very reassuring. Thankfully, the overall feeling I was left with after looking online today was peace that God is in control and I'm not. I was struck looking over different parenting/ expectant mothers posting boards how much women agonize over the C-section vs. VBAC dilemma -feeling like a failure if they have to have a repeat C-section and their own hero if they have a VBAC. I can understand that feeling, but really am struck at the futility of worrying in advance, beating yourself up if your birth doesn't "go as planned" or boasting in an ideal experience. I pray for a healthy baby. I also pray for a good birth experience, but ultimately, I define that as resulting in a healthy baby. All that to say, I plan to keep doing what I can from Scotland, but feel so helpless in lining things up from here that I really just keep coming back to the realization that I need to lean on God to direct my steps. And that gives me hope and peace.