Can't believe how much we have accumulated in the last 21 months....I have had to concede to Si that I am in fact a hoarder and really don't throw anything away (until we move that is). I am going to try especially hard in the new house to dispose of stuff more regularly but with a loft, who knows what I will be able to stash away.
We are visiting the house tomorrow for a final measuring of all the rooms for curtains beds etc and then we can collect the keys on Friday the 14th to start moving in. Shopping for paints tomorrow and now have the floors and white good ordered so doing well. Have packed about 8 boxes so far but it isn't even a dent, Si and I are going to have to really get stuck in this weekend.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Tuesday 4th January 2011
My first entry of this new year, and I have a wonderful positive feeling that it is going to be another AWESOME year for the Robertson family....and if it is not, and the road does rise up to meet us at some point, I know that we will once again huddle down against the hardship and come out stronger on the other side.
On that note I find myself wanting to blog the following experience, and some of the thoughts that it has generated in me......I had a long chat with a good friend of mine on the phone earlier, she has just returned from South Africa where her family spent the Christmas holidays and the sound of despondency when she said "but we had to come back here" (meaning England) really really struck me. So much so that I found myself mentioning it to my family over dinner.
Are we really that different? What has made us genuinely able to settle in this country? Why didn't we feel it a "punishment" to have to come back here? I honestly don't know why it is working for us, but I do know one thing for sure...all 5 of us are genuinely and honestly happy and settled here.
My children love the freedom of walking and Independence (from their mouths) and the weather really isn't an issue for them. We give ourselves the 3 months from Mid November to Mid February to "veg", to completely hibernate and spend whole days in our jammies - I don't nag them about television and laptops and I don't force them to venture out in the freezing cold just because they need some exercise, we read huge numbers of books and spend hours cuddled under warm snuggly blankets.....bears and squirrels do it after all (hibernate that is) and they are happy productive creatures in the summer.
In the summer we LIVE....our souls are restored and our spirits rejuvenated, we go places and we do things and I make sure that all the way through the relatively short bitter cold weather we have something to look forward to....an outing a month from March to October, places they want to visit and wild swimming in the rivers. We have stopped trying to fight the changes this emigration has brought into our lives, we are "doing as the Romans" so to speak, we have held onto our African values, morals and beliefs but we have learned to embrace the changes, accept the losses and find our bliss.
All that is not to say that every day is perfect, we have moments filled with terrible longing for the people we left behind, but life is a choice after all.....we chose to live here and now like I have said to my children we can choose to be happy or we can choose to focus on the bad and spend the rest of our time here longing to be somewhere else which just seems such a waste of our few precious days in this world. Guess it may just simply boil down to us being some of the lucky ones.
On that note I find myself wanting to blog the following experience, and some of the thoughts that it has generated in me......I had a long chat with a good friend of mine on the phone earlier, she has just returned from South Africa where her family spent the Christmas holidays and the sound of despondency when she said "but we had to come back here" (meaning England) really really struck me. So much so that I found myself mentioning it to my family over dinner.
Are we really that different? What has made us genuinely able to settle in this country? Why didn't we feel it a "punishment" to have to come back here? I honestly don't know why it is working for us, but I do know one thing for sure...all 5 of us are genuinely and honestly happy and settled here.
My children love the freedom of walking and Independence (from their mouths) and the weather really isn't an issue for them. We give ourselves the 3 months from Mid November to Mid February to "veg", to completely hibernate and spend whole days in our jammies - I don't nag them about television and laptops and I don't force them to venture out in the freezing cold just because they need some exercise, we read huge numbers of books and spend hours cuddled under warm snuggly blankets.....bears and squirrels do it after all (hibernate that is) and they are happy productive creatures in the summer.
In the summer we LIVE....our souls are restored and our spirits rejuvenated, we go places and we do things and I make sure that all the way through the relatively short bitter cold weather we have something to look forward to....an outing a month from March to October, places they want to visit and wild swimming in the rivers. We have stopped trying to fight the changes this emigration has brought into our lives, we are "doing as the Romans" so to speak, we have held onto our African values, morals and beliefs but we have learned to embrace the changes, accept the losses and find our bliss.
All that is not to say that every day is perfect, we have moments filled with terrible longing for the people we left behind, but life is a choice after all.....we chose to live here and now like I have said to my children we can choose to be happy or we can choose to focus on the bad and spend the rest of our time here longing to be somewhere else which just seems such a waste of our few precious days in this world. Guess it may just simply boil down to us being some of the lucky ones.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Friday 31st December 2010
As I cleaned the kitchen this morning I found my mind wondering and, as I am sure is expected on New Years Eve, I found myself reflecting on 2010 and what it has meant for the Robertson Family. It has been another stellar year for us and I am continually grateful to God for the blessings our family have again received this year.
- We have all continued in good health with only a very few visits to doctors through the year
- Si found, obtained, started and loved his new job
- Megs managed to work her way up into the top streams for year 8 through hard work, commitment and determination
- Phil has finally found a teacher he really relates to and is settling down at school
- Nick continues to thrive and capture the heart of all he meets
- We had the most awesome trip to South Africa and a chance to reconnect with precious family and friends after almost 3 years
- We have found and bought our home with the help of my parents and I really believe this is the beginning of a huge new chapter in our lives.....in fact as of tomorrow the Blog will be renamed "Burgess Hill and Beyond - a new Chapter"
- After a fair amount of trying we were finally blessed with a much anticipated 4th pregnancy to complete our family
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Tuesday 28th December 2010
Another bank holiday here today so Si and I took the opportunity to get the house back into some semblance of order and start clearing out for the move.....well for the morning anyway.
This afternoon while Si and Phil played on the X-box and Megs watched telly, Nick and I built trains.....I love love love his wooden train set (as does he) and we spend many happy hours building and playing together.
Lovely end to a lovely weekend.
This afternoon while Si and Phil played on the X-box and Megs watched telly, Nick and I built trains.....I love love love his wooden train set (as does he) and we spend many happy hours building and playing together.
Lovely end to a lovely weekend.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Monday 27th December 2010
It has been a good Christmas.....it hasn't been a traditional Christmas in the sense of time spent with family, but it has certainly been one filled with love and amazing fellowship.
After a magic day with the Viljoens on Christmas day we went on to spend boxing day with Dave, Hillary and their two gorgeous boys, George (one of Nick's best friends) and Ben and then this evening it was off to drinks with Sarah, Jack (one of Phillip's best friends) and Megan. It has been good to feel included in so many warm homes and to know that our life here and circle of friends is ever increasing and enriching.
Spent the afternoon shopping in the annual sales for things for the new house and I am LOVING all the savings we are making on items we would have had to buy anyway....the countdown has now begun and we only have another 18 sleeps before we can start moving.
After a magic day with the Viljoens on Christmas day we went on to spend boxing day with Dave, Hillary and their two gorgeous boys, George (one of Nick's best friends) and Ben and then this evening it was off to drinks with Sarah, Jack (one of Phillip's best friends) and Megan. It has been good to feel included in so many warm homes and to know that our life here and circle of friends is ever increasing and enriching.
Spent the afternoon shopping in the annual sales for things for the new house and I am LOVING all the savings we are making on items we would have had to buy anyway....the countdown has now begun and we only have another 18 sleeps before we can start moving.
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Saturday 25th December 2010
Our third Christmas in England and I really can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday that the Viljoen's were taking our homesick little family into their home for the first time and today we have just spend another very special day with these very special friends, who really have become our English family.
The morning started in the dark at 7am with a new family tradition.....present opening on skype with Granny and Papa in South Africa. This 30mins really helps to close the gap and make the family feel whole again if even for a little while. My parents get to see (and hear) the chaos that ensues and celebrate in the festive season with our children, and Megs, Phil and Nick get to have familiar and much loved family voices as part of this special morning.
As Si and I have both been unwell we took the opportunity of children playing with their presents to have a much needed sleep before heading off to the Viljoens for lunch. Rob had as always out done himself with the meal and we were as ever grateful to be amongst people we have grown to love so much.
A happy Christmas's despite missing family in South Africa.....we are slowly coming to terms with the fact that Christmas will never really be the same again and are learning how to make it a special occasion non the less.
The morning started in the dark at 7am with a new family tradition.....present opening on skype with Granny and Papa in South Africa. This 30mins really helps to close the gap and make the family feel whole again if even for a little while. My parents get to see (and hear) the chaos that ensues and celebrate in the festive season with our children, and Megs, Phil and Nick get to have familiar and much loved family voices as part of this special morning.
As Si and I have both been unwell we took the opportunity of children playing with their presents to have a much needed sleep before heading off to the Viljoens for lunch. Rob had as always out done himself with the meal and we were as ever grateful to be amongst people we have grown to love so much.
A happy Christmas's despite missing family in South Africa.....we are slowly coming to terms with the fact that Christmas will never really be the same again and are learning how to make it a special occasion non the less.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Tuesday 21st December 2010
A hugely significant day in this adventure of our.....this morning we signed all the documents for our new home and as of 4.30pm exchange of contracts was finalised and we are now home owners in the UK.
I never cease to be amazed by what we have achieved in less than 3 years here, and pray that our next 3 years will be as filled with wonder and growth as the last. My parents have been a not insignificant part of this journey and without their constant support I have no doubt that we would not be standing where we are today.
A very very special day indeed.
I never cease to be amazed by what we have achieved in less than 3 years here, and pray that our next 3 years will be as filled with wonder and growth as the last. My parents have been a not insignificant part of this journey and without their constant support I have no doubt that we would not be standing where we are today.
A very very special day indeed.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Monday 20th December 2010
The snow started again on Friday and it looks like we may well be in for a white Christmas. Fortunately it isn't nearly as deep on the ground as it has been so the roads have been clear and we were still able to get out over the weekend.
Sunday morning we joined Kerry et al at church to watch their Nativity which Kerry has been working hard on with the Sunday school - I always like to include this story in our holiday time as it serves as a good reminder to our children that Christmas is about more than just the presents and decorations.
Lovely lunch at The Acorn in Burgess Hill with the Viljoens and then back to church in the afternoon for roasted chestnuts and carol singing. A group of us sang carols in the street and handed out mince pies to the homeowners while the balance remained at the church cooking. Once the sun set we all went inside for a carol service while the snow fell gently outside.
Such a special memory and one I really never thought I would live to experience.....looking forward to Christmas now and a fab day with the Viljoens.
Sunday morning we joined Kerry et al at church to watch their Nativity which Kerry has been working hard on with the Sunday school - I always like to include this story in our holiday time as it serves as a good reminder to our children that Christmas is about more than just the presents and decorations.
Lovely lunch at The Acorn in Burgess Hill with the Viljoens and then back to church in the afternoon for roasted chestnuts and carol singing. A group of us sang carols in the street and handed out mince pies to the homeowners while the balance remained at the church cooking. Once the sun set we all went inside for a carol service while the snow fell gently outside.
Such a special memory and one I really never thought I would live to experience.....looking forward to Christmas now and a fab day with the Viljoens.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Wednesday 15th December 2010
Hilary, Romy and I took the children to meet Father Christmas in his grotto at Tulleys farm today.
The "experience" started with a ride through the wood on a tractor drawn sleigh, followed by a story from Santa before each little one was given a gift. Although Nick wasn't 100% sure about the big man with the loud voice wearing a red suit, he certainly enjoyed the rest of the experience and I was as, always very impressed with the effort put into the event. The decor was truly magical and I think I was as enthralled as my two year old by the scenes in the "Elves Barn".
Such a lovely day despite the sub zero temperature and icy rain.
The "experience" started with a ride through the wood on a tractor drawn sleigh, followed by a story from Santa before each little one was given a gift. Although Nick wasn't 100% sure about the big man with the loud voice wearing a red suit, he certainly enjoyed the rest of the experience and I was as, always very impressed with the effort put into the event. The decor was truly magical and I think I was as enthralled as my two year old by the scenes in the "Elves Barn".
Such a lovely day despite the sub zero temperature and icy rain.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Saturday 11th December 2010
While lying in the bath this morning I suddenly decided an outing to the City was in order and before long I had the whole family ready and rearing to go. The weather was crisp and clear which is always good considering the amount of walking required in London and we had a lovely time first visiting St Paul's Cathedral (complete with picnic on the steps) and then one of our old favourites, the Science Museum.
All three children are becoming more accustomed to tube and train travel and it really is remarkably easy to get around with them now. Nick was as good as gold for the entire 8.5 hours we where up there and I think loved the interactive exhibits as much as his big brother and sister.
The day was finished off with a visit to Piccadilly Circus to see the Christmas lights (always something to behold) and then a stroll down Lester Square for dinner. I never cease to be amazed by this wonderful vibrant city and I love, love, love the fact that it is literally almost on our doorstep.
All three children are becoming more accustomed to tube and train travel and it really is remarkably easy to get around with them now. Nick was as good as gold for the entire 8.5 hours we where up there and I think loved the interactive exhibits as much as his big brother and sister.
The day was finished off with a visit to Piccadilly Circus to see the Christmas lights (always something to behold) and then a stroll down Lester Square for dinner. I never cease to be amazed by this wonderful vibrant city and I love, love, love the fact that it is literally almost on our doorstep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)