Post 163: England Year One

Well yesterday was the one year anniversary of our arrival in England. Ashlynn says that only the three of us have been in England for year, because Daddy has been gone for 4 months. She does have a point. I can’t believe it has already been a year!

A year ago we were saying goodbye to family and trying to prepare ourselves for everything we could think of. I remember waking up to a 7 a.m. phone call on 9-11-08 from my sister, Holly. She called to say she was thinking of us, praying for us, and that she loved us. I sure miss her. I can’t believe I’ve not seen any of my family for a year…except my Mom.

I remember trying to write everything down every chance I got so that I would not forget any step of the journey – so that I could blog it and share it with everyone. I remember emotional goodbyes, prayers, excitement, fear, and oh the nerves! My nerves were going wild. I was the first awake and I was trying to mentally prepare myself for what was about to happen.

I was excited and sad all at the same time. Mom2Mom was beginning their fall session the same day and I wasn’t there – and I so missed them – I still do. I sat writing about the night before and watching my family sleep. I prayed and I thanked God for allowing the night before to end with smiles and laughter after all the goodbye tears.

We arrived in England on 9-12-08 at like 7:30 a.m. completely exhausted. I don’t think any of us had ever been so tired. I’m still not sure I ever want to be on a plane for that long again – but my family might get a little upset with me if I don’t at some point. I remember being mad that our sponsor was not there to pick us up – that still gets under my skin to tell you the truth.

I remember my first reaction to British roads and driving – SCARY! So I had a blast when my Mom came to visit – her reaction to the British driving was pretty much the same and fun to watch.

I have however – figured out the time change and how to use my oven – no math class needed after all…just a little practice. I think we’ve gotten used to a lot of the road signs, words, and things. I don’t have to question things as much as I used to.

However, the other day my landlord, James, had on what we American’s call “suspenders” – you know the things old men use to hold their pants (trousers) up? Well, apparently that’s not what they are called here. Apparently suspenders are used to hold your stockings up – and for the life of me I can’t remember what Janet called the “suspenders”. I’ll have to ask her again. Then they asked me, “Don’t you wear stockings” or something like that – and I was like “Are you nuts!” If you know me – pantyhose/stockings, whatever you want to call them – are the worst thing ever to have to wear – and I avoid it at all cost.

My sleep schedule is still whacked, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the time change now. It’s more to deal with the fact that my husband is not home and I simply sleep better when he is here.

I am handling the driving a lot better than I ever thought I would. I prefer to drive a UK spec car over here than our US spec because I find it easier to remember what side the road to be one and so forth. I haven’t had any major curb checks since we first got here – so my husband is probably very thankful for that. I’ve also learned my way around pretty well – I rarely use the GPS, unless I’m going somewhere I’ve not been. I’ve also gone to London a few more times! Aren’t you proud of me? I’ve even drove to the airport by myself.

I’ve figured out how to get the most food that I can in the house and stored in the freezer and what not without having to go to the store every week. This is very nice. I hate grocery shopping. Going out to dinner has not been too horrible – I’ve had some rather unique experiences that I never dreamed of having, but you know what? I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.

I can not believe everything we have done and seen in this last year – it’s just amazing. I still say England is a very beautiful country, very open, and the air is so fresh…the Kansas plains don’t hold a candle to it

Let's recap the last year:

• 9-12-08 Arrived in England - completely and utterly exhausted.
• Day 2 - whacked sleep schedules, funky cars, crazy road signs, British driving, BX's, different words and food packaging, and cooking/heating in Celsius.
• Day 3 - rough night, bumpy roads, and Ely Cathedral.
• Day 4 & 5 - Met Lydia and looked at some homes.
• Day 6 - slept through the night and looked at more homes.
• Day 7 - we passed our driving test!
• Possible home - Yeah we got it!
• Laid back in England - Cars, paperwork, plans with Lydia, and talked with family.
• Back to Business - more paperwork, cars, and growing impatient.
• School day, school day, golden rule day - Car, Military Spouse, Bank, lunch, schools, and movie.
• A trying comical day in England - errands, shopping, McDonald's, car troubles, mailing us things, money, and cell phones for soldiers.
• A walk through the forest - Church ruins & Brandon Country Park.
• 1st Day of school - kids survived school and met Amanda.
• Landlord & Keys - Met James - got the keys to the house.
• First delivery & driving alone - getting moved in and taking to the roads.
• Forgotten Keys & Chinese Cheese Tag - joys of moving in and the things kids say.
• Welcome to the sea of cardboard - moving in - in full swing & missing the M2M road trip.
• He learned it all at the Pub - unpacking and making friends.
• Cardboard Hell -unpacking, cooking, jacuzzi tub, and asthma.
• He's a strange one, yeah? - David is the village entertainment.
• Down to minimal cardboard - house nearly put together, cooking issues, first British birthday party, and a horse in our garden.
• Yes Mama you were right - David went shopping -he spoils me!
• 1st night at the Pub - a message from David.
• Awful Beautiful Life - touring a stud - horse ranch.
• Box-o-goodies - Good friends send great goodies!
• Happy Halloween - organizing, dark, and British Halloween.
• 1st trip to London - not pleasant, huge crowds, and underground issues.
• What does this look like to you - England weather.
• Sometimes they amaze me - kids settling in.
• Thanksgiving in England - British style.
• It's been awhile - British Christmas Dinner. Highly humorous.
• Kid's Christmas Plays - amazing!
• What a weekend - no power, not feeling well, and Church.
• Merry Christmas - Letter to all.
• Happy New Year - British style.
• Little Sniffles - sad and difficult time.
• Welcome Lady - we got a dog and saw Stonehenge.
• Lady - she settling in.
• Life with Lady - more about Lady.
• Kids & Lady - Lady's trip to the vet - kids parent/teacher conferences.
• Grumpy, sick, and Gross - More English weather.
• Ashlynn's masterpiece - for school contest, sadly she did not win.
• Shrove Tuesday - British lesson 1.
• Travel Fair 101 - for way too much travel information.
• Post 118 - Banner club, Dog training, Parking problems, Church, and Tea room.
• Post 119 - Red Nose Day
• Post 128 - Woburn Safari Park
• Post 130 - Angry little boy.
• Little bit of everything - Hailie, Office People/Lunch, and Ashlynn.
• Joy of watching her read - Ashlynn.
• Italy - Venice Day 1 - I think I forgot to blog the rest of our trip!
• Putting on our Brave Faces - deployment.
• The Laundry Monster - Mommy!
• Partylite & Rude neighbors - what an experience.
• Morris Men & Great Yarmouth - more British experiences.
• 1st Coach Trip - with Pub.
• He was called home - Family loss.
• Mom visits - day 1 - still need to finish blogging this too!
• Favors - how nice is too nice?
• Celebrating 10 years - I miss you honey!
• Reflecting - thank you family & friends.
• Nearly There - English summer, school, and a soon home coming.
• School Routines - back at it.

Some of the things we've seen are not blogged yet - because apparently I forgot to blog. We traveled to Italy - seeing Venice, Roman, Florence, and Pisa - I loved it! I'd go back to Venice any day! When my Mom was here we went to London, City of Bath, Stratford apon Avon, Warwick Castle, Hunstanton, and a few other castles.

We have seen a good bit in our first year here in England, and I've loved every moment of it. I look forward to the things we will see this coming year. We've made some good friends and had some really good times. I still miss my Ohio friends greatly and my family too - but having Mom visit this summer really helped with that.

We have truly been blessed with an amazing opportunity and we are enjoying it to the fullest!