Rachel/Mommy Pics 2019

I ask for pictures with the children for my birthday gifts. It always seems like such a hassle in the moment but I'm so grateful to have a series of images with me in there with the children. Thanks, Collin, for taking control of the camera. And thank you children, for being willing (ish). They will be one of my greatest treasures in years to come, I know.

At the same time I'm over here gawking at this picture and wondering how in the world I have four children. I mean, I know how, but HOW? I feel gawky awkward fourteen years old inside half the time, making stuff up as I go along, knowing less than I did when I was five and knew everything. I've lost myself and found myself in these kids time and time again. I hope they someday know a portion of how much they mean to me.

And next year (heads up, Collin!) I'm going to request a picture with my husband. Because watching us grow old together is going to be a bit fun, too. Not as fun as seeing the kids grow, but almost.

Happy 34 to me.

Israel Video

I don't imagine anyone besides us will ever watch the whole 15 minutes of this trip video! It was a dream trip and I'm so grateful we were able to go with our family. I thought putting a check mark next to 'go to Israel' on my live list would make it 'done' but no. I'll be anticipating returning someday.

Little Things We Miss About London

It's been more than a year and a half since we left London. Not a day goes by I don't miss our time there and the city and the country and the life we built with friends in the neighborhood and church and school. Sometimes the homesickness is so strong I feel a physical ache in my heart. I would jump at the chance to return someday. However, I am trying to move forward and learn to enjoy now--only just!--I'm certainly taking my time at this! Davy reminded me the other day when I used the word 'rubbish' that we're not in London any more. (Imagine that in the tone a 10 year old is perfecting in preparation for the teen years.) True, we're not. But some parts will live on forever. Like the word 'rubbish'. I'll never let that one go. Ha!

Here are some other random bits we've reminisced about, thinking London does it better.

"I'll tell you for why"

The use of the word "whilst"

The yellow light as transition between both changes of traffic light

The words painted on the street reminding you which way to look for cars

Being asked, "Alright there, love?"

Could do

And here is a video I slopped together with some bits and bobs of clips I found while trying to organize our digital life. I don't promise this is the last--I think I've found another motherlode in the dark recesses of my backed-up files. In the meantime, I'll be watching this one repeatedly and weeping a little. ;)

Davy Double Digits

Davy is a full two hands--he's 10 years old and every inch a handsome boy on the brink of growing up beyond me. I'm starting to see the future looming up in front of us and am equal parts nervous and excited. Davy has a heart overflowing with all the feelings, if not yet words to say them all out loud. I'm going to embarrass him by writing all this, I know. And I'm sorry, sweetie! I'm just so in awe of who I see you are and can become. 

Davy has the unenviable role of first and oldest. Sometimes I suppose it's not so bad but sometimes it's very difficult to be the "guinea pig" of the family. I tell him I'm new to this mom of a ___ old same as he's figuring out being ___ old. He is such a wonderful biggest brother, though. He loves his littlest sibling perfectly. He's learning the art of gentle teasing of his sister. Eddy would not know how to do life without Davy leading the way, they are the best buddies.

Davy enjoys Minecraft (earning screen time with extra piano practicing--he's really coming along! He can play a couple hymns for us to sing along to!--and reading Mom-assigned books and conversations), Catan (which he bought with birthday money from his aunts), and riding his bike to and from the bus stop for school. He's found new independence with riding the bus to his school and getting a bike lock with his own combination and a watch to keep track of the time. His birthday gift was headphones and a vintage iPod Shuffle with a playlist put together by dad. A good mix--from Beach Boys to Imagine Dragons. We see some budding tastes in music and it's fun to see him explore that.

The biggest gift was a staying-up later privilege. Once a week Davy gets to stay up with us after the other kids are sent to bed. I'll never forget the slow smile on his face as we told him that was part of being 10--getting to have some adult time. He requests it now and I'm so happy. I'm sure we'll need to bribe him with food at some point just to get his time and attention but for now he's happy with the privilege. We've talked, laughed, edited family videos, listened to music. Good times.

Davy loves his black hoodie, has an impressive eye-roll, and an all-in laugh. 

We love Davy very much, more than he knows or can even believe.