Before Christmas Phill and I decided to run the "Big Bicycle Recycle" in Burgess Hill. We aimed to collect a few bikes which we could donate to less privileged children in our community and although the start was a bit slow the Lindfield parents soon came on board and today we were able to drop off 15 bicycles and 3 scooters to children aged between 3 and 14 years.
It was such a humbling experience for Phillip and I to be able to walk the street knocking on the doors of the allocated houses and watching little faces light up as the kiddies realised that today they would be given something for nothing....the road soon filled with the shrieks of excited children and it was wonderful to watch them riding up and down on the pavements, some in their pajamas, and to see the smiles which quite literally seemed to light up the street.
A real privilege to be a part of something like this in our community and Phill and I have decided that it is definitely something we want to do more of. The rewards of giving without gain can not be described in words but suffice to say that Big Bicycle Recycle 2012 will hopefully see us collect even more bikes and we will also be running a "Baby Bygone" collection in July during which we will collate donated baby goods into "care packets" for young disadvantaged mums.
A humbling and beautiful afternoon that will stay in our memories for a very long time.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
How Beth has grown
Elizabeth was 7 months old yesterday and is growing more delightful every day, she is a very social little creature who is happiest in the company of friends and family. Ready with a smile for all who encounter her she has just recently started chuckling and finds her brother's a laugh a minute :0)
Still the dribbliest baby I have ever encountered she is yet to cut any teeth but I am sure that it won't be long now as literally anything she can lay her hands on goes in her mouth, including paper, banana muffins and Lunar's fur.
Having been sitting securely for a few months now she is very ready to move, but not on her hands and knees it would seem, preferring instead to try and scoot along on her bottom, which is particularly effective on slippery floors I must add. Although she is still breastfed she is now eating two solid meals a day and loves love loves her fruit (veggies not so much) so it looks like the female family sweet tooth is going to continue for another generation at least.
Being an extremely vocal baby, she enjoys sitting on the floor in the lounge "talking" to her toys and has even started "singing" along with the radio in the car in the morning. A typical Robertson, the television has already caught her attention and we have a few firm favourites we watch on Baby TV during the day.
Elizabeth was by far our greatest blessing of 2011 and I am sure as she continues to grow and thrive through 2012 she will give us many wonderful moments to treasure with her.
Still the dribbliest baby I have ever encountered she is yet to cut any teeth but I am sure that it won't be long now as literally anything she can lay her hands on goes in her mouth, including paper, banana muffins and Lunar's fur.
Having been sitting securely for a few months now she is very ready to move, but not on her hands and knees it would seem, preferring instead to try and scoot along on her bottom, which is particularly effective on slippery floors I must add. Although she is still breastfed she is now eating two solid meals a day and loves love loves her fruit (veggies not so much) so it looks like the female family sweet tooth is going to continue for another generation at least.
Being an extremely vocal baby, she enjoys sitting on the floor in the lounge "talking" to her toys and has even started "singing" along with the radio in the car in the morning. A typical Robertson, the television has already caught her attention and we have a few firm favourites we watch on Baby TV during the day.
Elizabeth was by far our greatest blessing of 2011 and I am sure as she continues to grow and thrive through 2012 she will give us many wonderful moments to treasure with her.
Wednesday 4th January 2012
2011 was a brilliant year for the Robertson family, yes there were lows but they were far outweighed by the highs and as I am getting older I am realising the importance of leaving the lows in the past and focusing on all the wonderful blessings we are given each year.
In 2011
In 2011
- We moved into our new home midway through January
- I spend a wonderful weekend with some of my closest friends in Edinburgh to celebrate my birthday
- Nicholas started and loved nursery school in April
- We celebrated 3 happy years spent in England in May
- Our beautiful second baby daughter was born at the beginning of June
- My mother visited us for 6 weeks in the June/July
- My Sister-in-Law Jann spent a week with us in August
- I became God-Mother to little Tom Card in October
- We found a wonderful new church to attend where we feel comfortable
- We all continued in excellent health
- Simon's job has remained secure despite the recession which may be one of the biggest blessings of all.
To look forward to in 2012
- The culmination of the "Big Bicycle Recycle" in January
- Choosing Megan's GCSE subjects in February
- A weekend in Bath with my gorgeous girlfriends to celebrate my birthday in March (the start of a tradition I think)
- My dad's visit in May/June
- Phillip starting secondary school in September
- Nicholas starting infant school in September
- My Mom spending Christmas with us in December
- The launch of my new business at some point during the year....this is the year it will happen
Such a lot to look forward to and I am without doubt that there will be more blessings along the way for our family.
Friday, 30 December 2011
27th December 2011
After much begging Linnie and I were able to convince Cayne to go home to Weston-Super-Mare from London via Burgess Hill and it was with much excitement that the Robertson family quickly did a team clean this morning while waiting for them to arrive.
As I think I always say, time with the Andrew's is time spent with family and it wasn't long before the kiddies where all curled up on various chairs playing on laptops and Ds's, Cayne and Si were in deep discussion and Linnie and I were drinking mulled wine and soaking up the loveliness of being in each other's company.
Time spend doing absolutely nothing is never as much fun as when we do it with the Andrew family and apart from a quick trip to Tescos to forage for food and a walk to our nearby park for a game of basketball and a little bit of fresh air, we simply spent all our time just being, and it was absolutely PERFECT!
Wonderful time with wonderful friends....what a lovely way to bring a close to what has been a wondeful year for the Robertson family.
Christmas Day 2011
Incredibly the children only stirred at about 07.45 this morning so at least it wasn't with heavy eyes that we contacted my parents on skype for the much anticipated present opening. It has been wonderful to be able to have this new tradition of my parents watching our living room for an hour or so, seeing the children opening their gifts and all the general chaos and mayhem that it entails...almost like having them with us for a little bit of the day.
All the children seemed generally happy with "Santa's" deliveries and where quickly ensconced in various parts of the house, playing or reading depending on the nature of the gift. Beth and I took ourselves off to Church at about 10ish (no one else had managed to migrate into clothes at this point and I don't believe that Church is about shouting and screaming so was happy to leave them too their slow morning) and after that it was off to the Viljoen's for the most scrumptious lunch ever. 
Kerry and Rob have been so so good to us during our time here and Rob had made such and effort to decorate the table beautifully. We feasted on Lamb and Gammon, roast potatoes, green beans, Brussel sprouts, carrots and broccoli followed by a yummy cheese board (complete with biltong) and tiny mouth size cheesecakes. Fat and happy we all crashed on couches for the afternoon watching movies just as we would with family and it was a very happy Robertson family that finally made our way home on Christmas night. 
This is the first year England has felt even marginally like home at Christmas and although family's absence was as keenly felt as ever, 4 years of sharing this sacred day with the Viljoen's has allowed us to create a kind of history with them and we are starting to develop new traditions which leave me feeling, once again, so so blessed to have these incredible people in our lives.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Earth, Sun, Moon and Stars
My EARTH
Meggie is the one who grounds me, she is the person who I can always trust to tell me the truth and she is not afraid to stand up and be counted for her beliefs. Megan is solid and stable, she is a strong, powerful young woman who nurtures without smothering and has a courage which inspires me daily. She is the center around which her siblings revolve, and they all rely on her to understand them when everyone else had given up. As she matures I believe Megs will do great things with her life, not necessarily in a big global sense but she will make a positive difference in all the lives she touches just as she has in mine.
My SUN
Phillip is all that is warm and generous, he has a compassion for people which is sometimes beyond comprehension to me and his ability to understand what people are feeling is incredible. Phill is the one to often remind me that I take life to seriously, quick witted and amazingly funny, my gorgeous boy brings the sunshine into my life daily. Friends with the world, Phill is a natural leader who encourages people to follow him just by his enthusiasm, he is the fun in our home and the sound of his laughter is often the best sound I hear in a day.
My MOON
There is something about Nicholas which defies explanation to me, this little person has entered our lives and changed them forever. Nick has a light which shines from his soul that lights the darkness and his quiet strength is already becoming evident. There is little drama in Nick Nick's life, he handles situations with a quiet grace which is way above his years and is exceptionally tolerant of people's shortcomings, quickly forgiving transgressions in the way of a much much older child. I know that this little man is going to literally shine all the days of his precious life.
My STARS
Baby Beth is too little to have a real personality at this stage but this little girl simple twinkles with life and energy, she is bright as a button and friendly to all who encounter her. Quick to smile Beth can light up a room with her little face and the joy she brings to our lives is unquestionable.
Meggie is the one who grounds me, she is the person who I can always trust to tell me the truth and she is not afraid to stand up and be counted for her beliefs. Megan is solid and stable, she is a strong, powerful young woman who nurtures without smothering and has a courage which inspires me daily. She is the center around which her siblings revolve, and they all rely on her to understand them when everyone else had given up. As she matures I believe Megs will do great things with her life, not necessarily in a big global sense but she will make a positive difference in all the lives she touches just as she has in mine.
My SUN
Phillip is all that is warm and generous, he has a compassion for people which is sometimes beyond comprehension to me and his ability to understand what people are feeling is incredible. Phill is the one to often remind me that I take life to seriously, quick witted and amazingly funny, my gorgeous boy brings the sunshine into my life daily. Friends with the world, Phill is a natural leader who encourages people to follow him just by his enthusiasm, he is the fun in our home and the sound of his laughter is often the best sound I hear in a day.
My MOON
There is something about Nicholas which defies explanation to me, this little person has entered our lives and changed them forever. Nick has a light which shines from his soul that lights the darkness and his quiet strength is already becoming evident. There is little drama in Nick Nick's life, he handles situations with a quiet grace which is way above his years and is exceptionally tolerant of people's shortcomings, quickly forgiving transgressions in the way of a much much older child. I know that this little man is going to literally shine all the days of his precious life.
My STARS
Baby Beth is too little to have a real personality at this stage but this little girl simple twinkles with life and energy, she is bright as a button and friendly to all who encounter her. Quick to smile Beth can light up a room with her little face and the joy she brings to our lives is unquestionable.
24th December 2011
The eve of our 4th Christmas in England and even though we miss time with family as much tonight as we did on our first Christmas Eve here, we at least have the comforting familiarity of knowing that tonight is carols, mulled wine and munchies at the Viljoen house and then tomorrow we will join them again for a lovely hot sit down lunch.
Robert, Kerry and their children are undoubtedly our English family, we have laughed together, cried together, bickered together and 3.5 years after meeting this wonderful family we are probably as close to them as we have ever been to anyone.
I know that these are the people we can turn to in a crisis but we can also sit and watch movies together on a Sunday afternoon curled under blankets, Kerry and I can spend hours talking and she has become the person I often turn to when I need to unpick something in my head.
When we first met and Kerry and I discovered that our life paths had already crossed twice before, Kerry told me that she felt God had a purpose for each of us in the other's life and whatever that purpose turns out to be I am just so grateful that she is one of my "people" and that her precious family are as close to me as my own.
Robert, Kerry and their children are undoubtedly our English family, we have laughed together, cried together, bickered together and 3.5 years after meeting this wonderful family we are probably as close to them as we have ever been to anyone.
I know that these are the people we can turn to in a crisis but we can also sit and watch movies together on a Sunday afternoon curled under blankets, Kerry and I can spend hours talking and she has become the person I often turn to when I need to unpick something in my head.
When we first met and Kerry and I discovered that our life paths had already crossed twice before, Kerry told me that she felt God had a purpose for each of us in the other's life and whatever that purpose turns out to be I am just so grateful that she is one of my "people" and that her precious family are as close to me as my own.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
A love story
We first brought Lunar and Titch home in February, when I was around 5 months pregnant and, if possible, it would almost seem that that may have been when the love affair between Lunar and the then unborn Beth started.
During my pregnancy Lunar would spend hours curled up on my belly, she would watch it move as Beth kicked, and lick my stretched skin whenever she got the chance. Since the day we brought Beth home Lunar has been very vigilant whenever they are together and it has been a source of great joy for me to watch Beth smile with recognition every time Lunar enters the room.
Obviously we don't take any chances and never allow Lunar in a room alone with Beth while she is asleep, but during Beth's awake hours (and of those there are many) it is never a surprise to find her either lying with her cat or chewing an ear or paw. Lunar is incredibly tolerant of being pulled around and amazes me in that she seems to actually enjoy the attention.
Love the fact that Beth is going to grow up knowing the special love of an animal and I hope that she will continue to be as sweet with the cats as she grows up as she is now.
Obviously we don't take any chances and never allow Lunar in a room alone with Beth while she is asleep, but during Beth's awake hours (and of those there are many) it is never a surprise to find her either lying with her cat or chewing an ear or paw. Lunar is incredibly tolerant of being pulled around and amazes me in that she seems to actually enjoy the attention.
Love the fact that Beth is going to grow up knowing the special love of an animal and I hope that she will continue to be as sweet with the cats as she grows up as she is now.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Thursday 8th December 2011
Tonight is the last night of Alpha and I am feeling really sad about it. I initially began the course because my Phillip had started asking some difficult questions about religion and Christianity and I quite frankly felt out of my depth trying to answer them, knowing that what I was telling him could impact his future belief patterns.
That was why I started but over the last 12 weeks I have really rediscovered my own faith and have had many of my own spiritual questions answered (some that I didn't even know I had). I have met people who inspire me in every way and have heard stories that have literally blown my mind, through some pretty intense conversation I have deepened my understanding of the true meaning of Christianity and what it means in my every day life.
I am looking forward to continuing this journey, living my life with a purpose greater than my own and maybe, just maybe paying forward some of the incredible certainty that I am coming to understand.
That was why I started but over the last 12 weeks I have really rediscovered my own faith and have had many of my own spiritual questions answered (some that I didn't even know I had). I have met people who inspire me in every way and have heard stories that have literally blown my mind, through some pretty intense conversation I have deepened my understanding of the true meaning of Christianity and what it means in my every day life.
I am looking forward to continuing this journey, living my life with a purpose greater than my own and maybe, just maybe paying forward some of the incredible certainty that I am coming to understand.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Wednesday 7th December 2011
Last weekend our church held an "Out There" Sunday where various teams went out into the community on outreach projects or to pray in the surrounding villages. Having chatted with the family, we decided to join the team working in a very poor community in one of our neighbouring villages and it was one of the most amazing mornings I have had in a long long time.
The aim of our morning was three fold, a small sub-team got on helping an elderly lady paint her newly acquired (but severely neglected) council flat, Megan and my group manned the free furniture give away and Phillip's group wondered around offering help and assistance where ever it was needed.
One of the most touching moments of the morning for me was watching a tiny boy (not very much older than Nick Nick) put his hand lovingly on a small bicycle that someone had donate and being able to tell him that he could take it home with him....the expression on that child's face defies words but the impression it had on my heart will be there a very very long time.
As a result of the impact that that little man had on me, Phillip and I have decided to try and organise a "Bicycle Recycle" over the coming weeks where we will collect bikes that kids have grown out of or no longer use and then in the days before Christmas we will go into another nearby impoverished area and offer them to the local children.
Christmas is about sharing love and kindness, not about expensive gifts, indulgent food and credit card debt and last weekend really put that into stark reality for me, so maybe this year the Robertson family can give a little more than we receive and really change someones holiday season.
The aim of our morning was three fold, a small sub-team got on helping an elderly lady paint her newly acquired (but severely neglected) council flat, Megan and my group manned the free furniture give away and Phillip's group wondered around offering help and assistance where ever it was needed.
One of the most touching moments of the morning for me was watching a tiny boy (not very much older than Nick Nick) put his hand lovingly on a small bicycle that someone had donate and being able to tell him that he could take it home with him....the expression on that child's face defies words but the impression it had on my heart will be there a very very long time.
As a result of the impact that that little man had on me, Phillip and I have decided to try and organise a "Bicycle Recycle" over the coming weeks where we will collect bikes that kids have grown out of or no longer use and then in the days before Christmas we will go into another nearby impoverished area and offer them to the local children.
Christmas is about sharing love and kindness, not about expensive gifts, indulgent food and credit card debt and last weekend really put that into stark reality for me, so maybe this year the Robertson family can give a little more than we receive and really change someones holiday season.
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