Actually, our 5 minutes of fame probably won't be a full 5 minutes, but we think it's pretty cool anyway! James and I are gonna be on television!
A family member of mine saw a request on TLC for crazy wedding videos and sent in our video of James's proposal. If you're one of the 5 people in our circle of friends and family who hasn't seen it, I'll sum it up for you: In 2003, I surprised James with a skydiving trip for the two of us for his birthday. He then surprised me by proposing to me while I was in mid-air by displaying a humongous sign on the ground that said, "Marry Me Jenn." The skydiving company got it all on video for us.
And we're pretty sure our friends Jeremiah, Zach, and J.R. who displayed the sign while we were ascending in the plane, will be on the show too!
So if you're near a t.v. tomorrow (May 1st) at 7:00pm or 2:00am and you have TLC, take a look and let us know how it goes. Here's the schedule. We won't be able to see it since there's no such thing as TLC in the UK.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Year of the Visitor: Part Nine
I know, I know, it seems the only time I post these days is when we have visitors. Other exciting things do happen in our lives (like our FIFTH wedding anniversary! can you believe it's been FIVE YEARS?!), so much so, that I never get around to blogging about it. I won't make any promises, but maybe this is the start of more consistent blogging...as soon as life slows down next week.
The visitors this week are many, 10 to be exact. A group of 9 Americans are here to help us and the Dornoch Free Church run a Holiday Bible Club during one of the two weeks of the kids Easter school holidays. Eight have come from our home church, Stony Point, in Richmond. The ninth member is also from our home church but he had a shorter journey since he's living and working as a teacher in England. The tenth member of the team is a videographer who works for the same mission organization we do. We're so excited about the work he's here to do: document the entire week, so you too can see just how amazing the week has been so far (and will surely continue to be).
Our days are jam-packed with lots of great things and I'm needing some sleep, so for now you can read the daily updates that team members post to Stony Point's website. To the right of the posts, you'll see the photo gallery where you can click on "Dornoch Mission 2009" and check out over 300 photos (and the week isn't even half over, many more pictures to follow).
If there's one word I could use to sum up the Holiday Club so far it would be "joy." To see the joy on the kids, teachers, and helpers faces is so incredible. I hope the photos and reports can communicate some of that so you can catch a glimpse of how great the week has been so far.
The visitors this week are many, 10 to be exact. A group of 9 Americans are here to help us and the Dornoch Free Church run a Holiday Bible Club during one of the two weeks of the kids Easter school holidays. Eight have come from our home church, Stony Point, in Richmond. The ninth member is also from our home church but he had a shorter journey since he's living and working as a teacher in England. The tenth member of the team is a videographer who works for the same mission organization we do. We're so excited about the work he's here to do: document the entire week, so you too can see just how amazing the week has been so far (and will surely continue to be).
Our days are jam-packed with lots of great things and I'm needing some sleep, so for now you can read the daily updates that team members post to Stony Point's website. To the right of the posts, you'll see the photo gallery where you can click on "Dornoch Mission 2009" and check out over 300 photos (and the week isn't even half over, many more pictures to follow).
If there's one word I could use to sum up the Holiday Club so far it would be "joy." To see the joy on the kids, teachers, and helpers faces is so incredible. I hope the photos and reports can communicate some of that so you can catch a glimpse of how great the week has been so far.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Report: Bill & Kathy's Visit.
It was full of laughter. That's one way to sum up the Anderson's week in Dornoch. Anyone who knows the Anderson's knows that you can't get away from them without smiling or laughing. That's a great thing if you ask me. They kept everyone in stitches while they were here. The funniest conversation had to be when Bill was explaining to a group of Scots what the phrase "Bless his heart..." means when you live in the southern states of America. I wouldn't be surprised if that phrase was adopted in the Highlands of Scotland.
We didn't have them come all the way here just to work, we made sure we did some fun outdoors stuff with them too.
Here we're at the top of Ben Bhraggie (proves my point about the laughing!)
All those little blobs on that first sandbar are seals.
They came to Youth Club with us and joined right in.
Bill and Kathy came up with a great idea to have the Youth Club kids sign banners for Coleman and Spencer and let them know they're thinking of and praying for them. The HBC won't be the same without you this year Coleman and Mel!
These are some of the attendees of one of the training sessions Bill led.
It was awesome having them here, they were a huge help to us!
We didn't have them come all the way here just to work, we made sure we did some fun outdoors stuff with them too.
Here we're at the top of Ben Bhraggie (proves my point about the laughing!)
All those little blobs on that first sandbar are seals.
They came to Youth Club with us and joined right in.
Bill and Kathy came up with a great idea to have the Youth Club kids sign banners for Coleman and Spencer and let them know they're thinking of and praying for them. The HBC won't be the same without you this year Coleman and Mel!
These are some of the attendees of one of the training sessions Bill led.
It was awesome having them here, they were a huge help to us!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Year of the Visitor: Part Eight
First of all, let me say that I think it is awesome that in the past 7 months we have had 8 sets of visitors; all but one of them have come from across the ocean. It's been so fabulous. And we're looking forward to many more before we leave in July!
Next on the list are our friends Bill & Kathy Anderson. They are great friends of both of our families. We've known them for years, ever since they started coming to our home church in Richmond, which was what feels like ages ago. As it typically goes with good friends, they seem like they've been around our entire lives; it's hard to imagine a time when they weren't a part of our lives!
They've both been a huge support to James and me in more ways than I can count. The trend continues as they are coming to train and instruct a large group of people, from the church we work with, to transition into teaching and leadership roles. They are perfect for that role and we're looking forward to seeing how God uses them.
Next on the list are our friends Bill & Kathy Anderson. They are great friends of both of our families. We've known them for years, ever since they started coming to our home church in Richmond, which was what feels like ages ago. As it typically goes with good friends, they seem like they've been around our entire lives; it's hard to imagine a time when they weren't a part of our lives!
They've both been a huge support to James and me in more ways than I can count. The trend continues as they are coming to train and instruct a large group of people, from the church we work with, to transition into teaching and leadership roles. They are perfect for that role and we're looking forward to seeing how God uses them.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Year of the Visitor: Part Seven
The exciting saga continued last weekend with another special guest in the Murphy house.
Stacie and her husband Kyle moved to Edinburgh, Scotland last fall for Kyle to start grad school and for Stacie to be a lady of leisure. j/k, j/k, she's working very hard in the HR department of a large accounting firm. James and I have known Stacie for ages from going to the same church when we were younger, but I hadn't seen her for about 4 years and James hadn't seen her since high school.
The Sale's had planned on taking the train up to the Highlands for the weekend, but at the last minute Kyle was informed of some mandatory school meetings he had to attend, so Stacie braved the long train trip on her own. We were sad that Kyle couldn't join in on the fun of the weekend, but his meeting could possibly land him a new job after graduation, so we totally understand why he couldn't come!
I was a slacker and didn't take any photos, but Stacie did, so check out her blog post for photos and the description of our fun weekend.
One thing Stacie was kind enough not to mention was the fact that we had NO HOT WATER OR HEAT the entire time she was here. Geez, why do these things have to happen when guests come!
We're not used to the whole using oil as the main source of heat and hot water, so we forgot to check the tank and see if it was time to refill. Wednesday night I said to myself, "wow, it's kinda chilly in here, and I wonder why the dishwater isn't getting warm." It didn't take too many more thoughts for me to realize that we'd run out of oil.
I had to laugh when we woke up the next morning to SNOW. The oil company estimated that the oil probably wouldn't be delivered until Monday. I didn't explain that we had a visitor coming because I didn't think the lady would care, can you imagine how many stories like that she hears from people hoping to have their oil delivered super fast? Many prayers were said for the oil to come in time so our friend wouldn't have to spend a weekend in the frigid cold.
Prayers were answered when the oil was delivered as we were on the way home from the train station!
But, the celebration was premature. There were more problems, most of which I don't understand, but the short of it is, we didn't have heat or hot water until Monday. Stacie was such a trooper. Thankfully, we have a gas stove and borrowed some space heaters, electric blankets, hot water bottles, and friends shower.
Lesson learned: make sure all utilities are in working order before visitors arrive.
Stacie and her husband Kyle moved to Edinburgh, Scotland last fall for Kyle to start grad school and for Stacie to be a lady of leisure. j/k, j/k, she's working very hard in the HR department of a large accounting firm. James and I have known Stacie for ages from going to the same church when we were younger, but I hadn't seen her for about 4 years and James hadn't seen her since high school.
The Sale's had planned on taking the train up to the Highlands for the weekend, but at the last minute Kyle was informed of some mandatory school meetings he had to attend, so Stacie braved the long train trip on her own. We were sad that Kyle couldn't join in on the fun of the weekend, but his meeting could possibly land him a new job after graduation, so we totally understand why he couldn't come!
I was a slacker and didn't take any photos, but Stacie did, so check out her blog post for photos and the description of our fun weekend.
One thing Stacie was kind enough not to mention was the fact that we had NO HOT WATER OR HEAT the entire time she was here. Geez, why do these things have to happen when guests come!
We're not used to the whole using oil as the main source of heat and hot water, so we forgot to check the tank and see if it was time to refill. Wednesday night I said to myself, "wow, it's kinda chilly in here, and I wonder why the dishwater isn't getting warm." It didn't take too many more thoughts for me to realize that we'd run out of oil.
I had to laugh when we woke up the next morning to SNOW. The oil company estimated that the oil probably wouldn't be delivered until Monday. I didn't explain that we had a visitor coming because I didn't think the lady would care, can you imagine how many stories like that she hears from people hoping to have their oil delivered super fast? Many prayers were said for the oil to come in time so our friend wouldn't have to spend a weekend in the frigid cold.
Prayers were answered when the oil was delivered as we were on the way home from the train station!
But, the celebration was premature. There were more problems, most of which I don't understand, but the short of it is, we didn't have heat or hot water until Monday. Stacie was such a trooper. Thankfully, we have a gas stove and borrowed some space heaters, electric blankets, hot water bottles, and friends shower.
Lesson learned: make sure all utilities are in working order before visitors arrive.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Cox Brothers
Coleman and Spencer (ages 11 & 9) are friends of ours from our church Stony Point in Richmond. They've been sick since Thanksgiving of last year with some sort of illness that a mountain of doctors are having a hard time definitively diagnosing. They know it is some sort of toxic mold illness, but they're still fighting a long, hard battle to find the right treatment. Catch up on what they've been through by reading Jeff and Mel's blog (their parents), and if you feel inclined, keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Year of the Visitor: Part Six
It's been about a month since our last visitor, but this weekend we were excited to continue with the sixth occurrence of visitors in our home over the past 6 months. Check out installments 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you'd like to catch up.
This amazing nature of our visitors didn't end with this installment. Ralph and Sylvia Hill of Georgia were strangers to us on Thursday, but they are now life-long friends. Unfortunately they were only with us for a mere 36 hours, but it was time enough for us to fall in love with them and want to adopt them and add another set of grandparents to our family tree.
They were in Brussels for the month of January, (on the same training trip James and I attended in 2007) and are now traveling through some parts of Scotland, meeting with people, and doing some research to find out more about what the next season of their life might look like. They're planning on moving to Scotland later in the year and will be working through the same organization that we are (Mission to the World).
The Hill's are an incredible couple. They are loving, thoughtful, encouraging, real, and just all around great people. The only way I know how to really get across their awesomeness is to say that they reflect God's love in an incredibly vivid way.
We were sad to see them, go but we are sure we'll see them again at some point. What a treat it was getting to know them!
This amazing nature of our visitors didn't end with this installment. Ralph and Sylvia Hill of Georgia were strangers to us on Thursday, but they are now life-long friends. Unfortunately they were only with us for a mere 36 hours, but it was time enough for us to fall in love with them and want to adopt them and add another set of grandparents to our family tree.
They were in Brussels for the month of January, (on the same training trip James and I attended in 2007) and are now traveling through some parts of Scotland, meeting with people, and doing some research to find out more about what the next season of their life might look like. They're planning on moving to Scotland later in the year and will be working through the same organization that we are (Mission to the World).
The Hill's are an incredible couple. They are loving, thoughtful, encouraging, real, and just all around great people. The only way I know how to really get across their awesomeness is to say that they reflect God's love in an incredibly vivid way.
We were sad to see them, go but we are sure we'll see them again at some point. What a treat it was getting to know them!
This is nice.
Sitting in the conservatory (a room made up of 95% glass), feeling the bright sun on my face and soaking in how warm it's making the room (so I can pretend it's actually this warm outside and I don't live in a place where summer doesn't exist), listening to someone playing the bagpipes at a wedding down the street, remembering our wedding (we had a bagpiper pipe us in and out of the church...almost FIVE years ago!), procrastinating the long to-do list for the moment, and enjoying a sense of peace.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A dreaded day redeemed.
(For some background on the topic of this post, you can read this, this, and this, if you are so inclined.)
As time passes, the intensity of the grief from a miscarriage subsides, but the feeling and knowledge of the loss of your child never goes away. It's inevitable, and I know every other mother or father who has lost a child, due to miscarriage or any other tragedy, can verify this. I realize it's hard for people who have not experienced this to understand, and I don't expect them to, but it is a very difficult thing to go through.
I've been reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. It's the journal he kept after the loss of his wife. Lewis has an incredible way of putting into words feelings and experiences.
Here, he explains so eloquently the process of grief:
"Sorrow turns out to be not a state but a process. It needs not a map but a history...There is something new to be chronicled every day. Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape. As I've already noted, not every bend does. Sometimes the surprise is the opposite one; you are presented with exactly the same sort of country you thought you had left behind miles ago. That is when you wonder whether the valley isn't a circular trench. But it isn't. There are partial recurrences, but the sequence doesn't repeat."
While I don't question God's actions in a way that judges them to be right or wrong, (as if a slug could even begin to understand why humans do what they do, how could I expect to understand why God, the creator of the universe, does the things he does) I do wonder why he allows certain things to happen and question in a respectful way. He graciously reveals aspects of Himself to us, but I don't believe that we have the capacity, in this life, to experience the full glory and mind of God.
Here, Lewis does an amazing job of putting into words the question we hear so often of, "Why would a good God permit suffering."
"The more we believe that God hurts only to heal, the less we can believe that there is any use in begging for tenderness. A cruel man might be bribed-might grow tired of his vile sport-might have a temporary fit of mercy, as alcoholics have fits of sobriety. But suppose that what you are up against is a surgeon whose intentions are wholly good. The kinder and more conscientious he is, the more inexorably he will go on cutting. If he yielded to your entreaties, if he stopped before the operation was complete, all the pain up to that point would have been useless. But is it credible that such extremities of torture should be necessary for us? Well, take your choice. The tortures occur. If they are unnecessary, then there is no God or a bad one. If there is a good God, then these tortures are necessary. For no even moderately good Being could possibly inflict or permit them if they weren't."
For the past 6 months I've been dreading yesterday: February 12th. The date has been rolling around in my head, wishing I could somehow just sleep through the day entirely. February 12th was my due date. The possible (though unlikely, I realize, since most people don't deliver on their due date) birthday of our first child.
I had visions of it being a horrible day when nothing else would matter and I'd be on the verge of tears all day. I woke up yesterday, and I had a thought, I know it was placed in my head by my loving and gracious Heavenly Father, because it's not something I would come up with by myself.
I thought, "Why can't today be a celebration?" Most birthdays are days of parties and fun and thankfulness for a person's life. Our child was alive, though for a short time, but he (or she) was still a part of our lives, and for that I am thankful. I'm also thankful for the fact that I know he is in heaven enjoying nothing but pure joy. I'm thankful that he never has to experience any pain or heartache that comes with living life on this earth. I'm thankful for the assured hope we have that we will get to meet our child one day.
So to celebrate we had banana splits. It was the best banana split I had ever had. We shared this celebration with a family here who has become like our own family. It was great.
No longer will I look forward to February 12th with dread, but with the same anticipation as you would look forward to any birthday. And if you'd like to join us for banana splits next year, we'd love to celebrate our child's life with you, the one he had here and the one he is enjoying in heaven!
As time passes, the intensity of the grief from a miscarriage subsides, but the feeling and knowledge of the loss of your child never goes away. It's inevitable, and I know every other mother or father who has lost a child, due to miscarriage or any other tragedy, can verify this. I realize it's hard for people who have not experienced this to understand, and I don't expect them to, but it is a very difficult thing to go through.
I've been reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. It's the journal he kept after the loss of his wife. Lewis has an incredible way of putting into words feelings and experiences.
Here, he explains so eloquently the process of grief:
"Sorrow turns out to be not a state but a process. It needs not a map but a history...There is something new to be chronicled every day. Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape. As I've already noted, not every bend does. Sometimes the surprise is the opposite one; you are presented with exactly the same sort of country you thought you had left behind miles ago. That is when you wonder whether the valley isn't a circular trench. But it isn't. There are partial recurrences, but the sequence doesn't repeat."
While I don't question God's actions in a way that judges them to be right or wrong, (as if a slug could even begin to understand why humans do what they do, how could I expect to understand why God, the creator of the universe, does the things he does) I do wonder why he allows certain things to happen and question in a respectful way. He graciously reveals aspects of Himself to us, but I don't believe that we have the capacity, in this life, to experience the full glory and mind of God.
Here, Lewis does an amazing job of putting into words the question we hear so often of, "Why would a good God permit suffering."
"The more we believe that God hurts only to heal, the less we can believe that there is any use in begging for tenderness. A cruel man might be bribed-might grow tired of his vile sport-might have a temporary fit of mercy, as alcoholics have fits of sobriety. But suppose that what you are up against is a surgeon whose intentions are wholly good. The kinder and more conscientious he is, the more inexorably he will go on cutting. If he yielded to your entreaties, if he stopped before the operation was complete, all the pain up to that point would have been useless. But is it credible that such extremities of torture should be necessary for us? Well, take your choice. The tortures occur. If they are unnecessary, then there is no God or a bad one. If there is a good God, then these tortures are necessary. For no even moderately good Being could possibly inflict or permit them if they weren't."
For the past 6 months I've been dreading yesterday: February 12th. The date has been rolling around in my head, wishing I could somehow just sleep through the day entirely. February 12th was my due date. The possible (though unlikely, I realize, since most people don't deliver on their due date) birthday of our first child.
I had visions of it being a horrible day when nothing else would matter and I'd be on the verge of tears all day. I woke up yesterday, and I had a thought, I know it was placed in my head by my loving and gracious Heavenly Father, because it's not something I would come up with by myself.
I thought, "Why can't today be a celebration?" Most birthdays are days of parties and fun and thankfulness for a person's life. Our child was alive, though for a short time, but he (or she) was still a part of our lives, and for that I am thankful. I'm also thankful for the fact that I know he is in heaven enjoying nothing but pure joy. I'm thankful that he never has to experience any pain or heartache that comes with living life on this earth. I'm thankful for the assured hope we have that we will get to meet our child one day.
So to celebrate we had banana splits. It was the best banana split I had ever had. We shared this celebration with a family here who has become like our own family. It was great.
No longer will I look forward to February 12th with dread, but with the same anticipation as you would look forward to any birthday. And if you'd like to join us for banana splits next year, we'd love to celebrate our child's life with you, the one he had here and the one he is enjoying in heaven!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
25 random things
A cut and paste from my Facebook profile...
1. I absolutely love all fruits and vegetables. Except brussel sprouts and cauliflower. At Christmas I had to eat brussel sprouts twice in two days because it's the traditional thing to eat at Christmas in Scotland, and I couldn't offend the generous host's. They are just as gross as they were the few times I had to eat them as a child.
2. All through my life I've been blessed with amazing girl friends. I could try to expound on how incredible of a gift that is, but I can't really find the words to accurately express my thankfulness for them.
3. When I'm trying to fall asleep, i have an intensely sensitive sense of hearing. Ticking clocks are my enemy. I can't even have ticking watches in the same room. Meanwhile, James can only fall asleep while listening to sports radio, with headphones of course.
4. I've always wanted to learn sign language. I plan to when I retire.
5. Me and two of my best and most long-term friends from childhood have a plan to buy an RV and drive around the country when we retire. It was understood, that if our husbands-to-be didn't agree to this, the wedding was off.
6. I love teeth. I really miss my dental assisting job, and miss talking about teeth and seeing teeth and learning about teeth. I want to go back to school to be a dental hygienist. I know, the teeth obsession thing is really weird, especially since most people's mouths are pretty gross, but somebody's got to love these kinds of things, right?
7. I have a bad habit of not finishing a book before I start another. Right now I'm in the middle of 5. I've resolved to finish all of them before starting a new one; it's been tough because there are so many other ones I want to start reading.
8. The two things about my husband that first caught my attention were his sense of humor (namely his laugh) and how much he loves his sisters.
9. If the rest of the world saw how ridiculously silly I am when it's just me and James, I think most people would pretend they didn't know me.
10. I love kids. I want some of my own. I think twins would be the most amazing gift ever. But of course, I'd be thrilled with just one.
11. I'm not a huge fan of getting flowers as a gift, unless it's every once in a long while or totally unexpected. I'd rather someone pick me some nice wildflowers, or flowers from their garden as opposed to buy them for me. I would like a plant as a gift too, those last longer. I hate red roses, they're so trite. My husband stole my heart when he bought me yellow roses right after we started dating, and I'd never mentioned my dislike of red ones to him.
12. I have a slight fear of falling. Any kind of falling: down stairs, when I'm running, off of a high structure, even falling when I'm going upstairs. The worst part about falling would be if I broke any teeth. Don't talk to me about this, it will just perpetuate the irrational fear.
13. I've never broken any bones. I have sprained my wrist and big toe. The wrist happened as a result of some moshers getting out of hand at a hard core show (I myself wasn't doing any moshing, but isn't that a funny image? )The toe has been sprained for about 2 years; I don't think it will ever heal because won't take a break from running long enough for it to heal.
14. I refuse to buy any item of clothing at full price. I used to spend money like mad without a second thought, but then I got married and the word "budget" was introduced into my vocabulary.
15. The first time James and I went to the grocery store together (before we were married), our opinions of what to buy and how much to spend were so divergent, and a fight was so imminent, we had to abandon the cart and return another day.
16. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the fact that my parents are now my friends.
17. I also have great in-laws.
18. I lived in the same house from birth until I left for college. In the 10 years since I graduated from high school, I've lived in 13 different houses. My incredible parents have helped me move each time.
19. My 10 year old nephew is one of the most amazing people I know.
20. I love the sun and can't stand several gray days in a row. In regard to that aspect of life in Scotland, it's been challenging.
21. I think I've learned more about myself and God's grace in the last 16 months, than I have during the rest of my years combined. I don't think it's a coincidence that during the last 16 months I've experienced some of the most challenging and difficult circumstances of my 28 years.
22. I'm addicted to Burt's Beeswax lip balm and probably always will be.
23. James' marriage proposal to me was the best ever. EVER. I dare you to challenge me on this. I know you *think* yours will be the best because it's your spouse and you're in love and yadda yadda yadda, but it's still not actually better than James' proposal.
24. I love running. It's my form of therapy, it keeps me sane.
25. I wouldn't change for a minute the fact that I grew up in the little ol' city of Hopewell, but I'd never move back there. I love bigger cities too much.
1. I absolutely love all fruits and vegetables. Except brussel sprouts and cauliflower. At Christmas I had to eat brussel sprouts twice in two days because it's the traditional thing to eat at Christmas in Scotland, and I couldn't offend the generous host's. They are just as gross as they were the few times I had to eat them as a child.
2. All through my life I've been blessed with amazing girl friends. I could try to expound on how incredible of a gift that is, but I can't really find the words to accurately express my thankfulness for them.
3. When I'm trying to fall asleep, i have an intensely sensitive sense of hearing. Ticking clocks are my enemy. I can't even have ticking watches in the same room. Meanwhile, James can only fall asleep while listening to sports radio, with headphones of course.
4. I've always wanted to learn sign language. I plan to when I retire.
5. Me and two of my best and most long-term friends from childhood have a plan to buy an RV and drive around the country when we retire. It was understood, that if our husbands-to-be didn't agree to this, the wedding was off.
6. I love teeth. I really miss my dental assisting job, and miss talking about teeth and seeing teeth and learning about teeth. I want to go back to school to be a dental hygienist. I know, the teeth obsession thing is really weird, especially since most people's mouths are pretty gross, but somebody's got to love these kinds of things, right?
7. I have a bad habit of not finishing a book before I start another. Right now I'm in the middle of 5. I've resolved to finish all of them before starting a new one; it's been tough because there are so many other ones I want to start reading.
8. The two things about my husband that first caught my attention were his sense of humor (namely his laugh) and how much he loves his sisters.
9. If the rest of the world saw how ridiculously silly I am when it's just me and James, I think most people would pretend they didn't know me.
10. I love kids. I want some of my own. I think twins would be the most amazing gift ever. But of course, I'd be thrilled with just one.
11. I'm not a huge fan of getting flowers as a gift, unless it's every once in a long while or totally unexpected. I'd rather someone pick me some nice wildflowers, or flowers from their garden as opposed to buy them for me. I would like a plant as a gift too, those last longer. I hate red roses, they're so trite. My husband stole my heart when he bought me yellow roses right after we started dating, and I'd never mentioned my dislike of red ones to him.
12. I have a slight fear of falling. Any kind of falling: down stairs, when I'm running, off of a high structure, even falling when I'm going upstairs. The worst part about falling would be if I broke any teeth. Don't talk to me about this, it will just perpetuate the irrational fear.
13. I've never broken any bones. I have sprained my wrist and big toe. The wrist happened as a result of some moshers getting out of hand at a hard core show (I myself wasn't doing any moshing, but isn't that a funny image? )The toe has been sprained for about 2 years; I don't think it will ever heal because won't take a break from running long enough for it to heal.
14. I refuse to buy any item of clothing at full price. I used to spend money like mad without a second thought, but then I got married and the word "budget" was introduced into my vocabulary.
15. The first time James and I went to the grocery store together (before we were married), our opinions of what to buy and how much to spend were so divergent, and a fight was so imminent, we had to abandon the cart and return another day.
16. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the fact that my parents are now my friends.
17. I also have great in-laws.
18. I lived in the same house from birth until I left for college. In the 10 years since I graduated from high school, I've lived in 13 different houses. My incredible parents have helped me move each time.
19. My 10 year old nephew is one of the most amazing people I know.
20. I love the sun and can't stand several gray days in a row. In regard to that aspect of life in Scotland, it's been challenging.
21. I think I've learned more about myself and God's grace in the last 16 months, than I have during the rest of my years combined. I don't think it's a coincidence that during the last 16 months I've experienced some of the most challenging and difficult circumstances of my 28 years.
22. I'm addicted to Burt's Beeswax lip balm and probably always will be.
23. James' marriage proposal to me was the best ever. EVER. I dare you to challenge me on this. I know you *think* yours will be the best because it's your spouse and you're in love and yadda yadda yadda, but it's still not actually better than James' proposal.
24. I love running. It's my form of therapy, it keeps me sane.
25. I wouldn't change for a minute the fact that I grew up in the little ol' city of Hopewell, but I'd never move back there. I love bigger cities too much.
Friday, January 30, 2009
another great sound
Ages ago, I mentioned this as one of my most fave sounds. I've discovered another, similar one.
James is teaching himself how to play the guitar (with the help of a short tutorial from his sister Jenna when she was here). I like hearing him singing, but the singing combined with the guitar playing is fabulous too!
James is teaching himself how to play the guitar (with the help of a short tutorial from his sister Jenna when she was here). I like hearing him singing, but the singing combined with the guitar playing is fabulous too!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Conclusion
Finally, three weeks after Hannah and Jenna left Scotland, I'm getting around to posting about the last two days they spent here.
Some friends of ours from Dornoch (who happen to be visiting Richmond as I type this) own a small farm and recently added some little piglets to their list of animals. I was excited to see the little oinkers before they grew up to be big and fat and not so cute.
We also got right up close to their cows. I don't think I've ever been so close to cows before. I never realized how huge their noses are.
They've got a pretty horse too. Here she is galloping toward us.
Having not lived in a city for the past 16 months, I thought I could possibly become a "country girl", but amongst all the animals and farm machinery and what not, my "city girl" side came shining through. While it was all very intriguing and beautiful, I just don't think I could live on a farm.
It was freezing, but we took one last walk on the beach.
We took the opportunity to work on our "leaping over old concrete barriers" skills.
The girls flew out of Edinburgh early on a Wednesday, so we left Dornoch Tuesday morning to get in a day of sightseeing in Edinburgh. As per usual, it was cold and windy, but that didn't stop us from taking in the sights from the top of a double decker bus.
In the background is Edinburgh Castle, in the foreground is me with what looks like a small animal on my head. Laugh if you'd like, but hey, at least my ears were warm.
Starbucks always brings a smile, especially on a frigid day like that one.
Jenna treated us to a delicious Italian dinner and a Friendly's-esque dessert.
So that's it, the end of a jam-packed, fun-filled two weeks with two of James's sisters. Thanks for coming girl's, it was so great to have you here!
Some friends of ours from Dornoch (who happen to be visiting Richmond as I type this) own a small farm and recently added some little piglets to their list of animals. I was excited to see the little oinkers before they grew up to be big and fat and not so cute.
We also got right up close to their cows. I don't think I've ever been so close to cows before. I never realized how huge their noses are.
They've got a pretty horse too. Here she is galloping toward us.
Having not lived in a city for the past 16 months, I thought I could possibly become a "country girl", but amongst all the animals and farm machinery and what not, my "city girl" side came shining through. While it was all very intriguing and beautiful, I just don't think I could live on a farm.
It was freezing, but we took one last walk on the beach.
We took the opportunity to work on our "leaping over old concrete barriers" skills.
The girls flew out of Edinburgh early on a Wednesday, so we left Dornoch Tuesday morning to get in a day of sightseeing in Edinburgh. As per usual, it was cold and windy, but that didn't stop us from taking in the sights from the top of a double decker bus.
In the background is Edinburgh Castle, in the foreground is me with what looks like a small animal on my head. Laugh if you'd like, but hey, at least my ears were warm.
Starbucks always brings a smile, especially on a frigid day like that one.
Jenna treated us to a delicious Italian dinner and a Friendly's-esque dessert.
So that's it, the end of a jam-packed, fun-filled two weeks with two of James's sisters. Thanks for coming girl's, it was so great to have you here!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Harry & Charlie
One of these days I'll get around to finishing documenting Jenna and Hannah's visit to Scotland, but not today. Today, I will share with you one of my most favorite videos of people I don't know.
I saw this for the first time last summer, and since then I've watched it too many times to count, mostly when I need a laugh and a warmed heart from some adorable brotherly love. With over 76.5 million views on You Tube, you've probably seen it too, but in case you haven't:
I mean seriously, how adorable are they? There are so many things about this that make me laugh and the cuteness makes my heart melt into a puddle on the floor.
If you're hooked on Harry and Charlie like I am, you're in luck, their parents have kindly shared a bunch of other videos of them with the world via You Tube.
I saw this for the first time last summer, and since then I've watched it too many times to count, mostly when I need a laugh and a warmed heart from some adorable brotherly love. With over 76.5 million views on You Tube, you've probably seen it too, but in case you haven't:
I mean seriously, how adorable are they? There are so many things about this that make me laugh and the cuteness makes my heart melt into a puddle on the floor.
If you're hooked on Harry and Charlie like I am, you're in luck, their parents have kindly shared a bunch of other videos of them with the world via You Tube.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
More New Traditions
As stated in a prior post, the crackers, poppers and confetti cannons will be newly adopted Christmas traditions in the Murphy household.
I've decided on adding two more, these have to do with food. Yum.
1. The night before Christmas I made a sausage and egg casserole, the kind you have to leave in the fridge overnight. So in the morning, all you have to do is throw it in the oven and voila, you've got a delicious Christmas treat! Since it's just the two of us, we don't have a super busy morning with tons of crazy present opening going on, but I'm sure we will appreciate this plan even more if, down the road, any little one's come along.
2. James picked out a super huge ham to cook for our Christmas/New Year's meal, so there was tons of leftover meat. I used the bone and extra ham to make a potato soup. So delicious. And there's nothing like a hot soup on a Scottish day like today: windy, rainy, and cold.
Yay for traditions.
Now fill me in on some of your holiday traditions...Go!
I've decided on adding two more, these have to do with food. Yum.
1. The night before Christmas I made a sausage and egg casserole, the kind you have to leave in the fridge overnight. So in the morning, all you have to do is throw it in the oven and voila, you've got a delicious Christmas treat! Since it's just the two of us, we don't have a super busy morning with tons of crazy present opening going on, but I'm sure we will appreciate this plan even more if, down the road, any little one's come along.
2. James picked out a super huge ham to cook for our Christmas/New Year's meal, so there was tons of leftover meat. I used the bone and extra ham to make a potato soup. So delicious. And there's nothing like a hot soup on a Scottish day like today: windy, rainy, and cold.
Yay for traditions.
Now fill me in on some of your holiday traditions...Go!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Christmas *slash* New Year's Day
After a long lie (Scottish way of saying sleeping in) on New Year's Day, we got up and got to work. Jenna and Hannah hadn't had a true Christmas Meal, and James and I hadn't had one at our house so we decided to have a Christmas/New Year's meal. It was absolutely delicious; there was tons so we'll be eating leftovers for days.
The working
The eating
We also adopted some new traditions (thanks goes to our Scottish friends for introducing them to us) that will be a part of James and Jennifer Christmas's from now on.
First we had about 100 of those little confetti poppers; they created a wonderful mess.
Then we introduced Jenna and Hannah to crackers. We don't understand why Americans don't have this tradition. We're definitely introducing them to our families when we get home. You and a friend pull them apart and whoever gets the bigger half gets the prize inside. The prizes vary, some of our prizes were a bottle opener, miniature scissors, a little mirror, a yo-yo, etc. You also get a crown (and of course you must wear it the rest of the night) as well as a really cheesy joke that you take turns telling.
But the best after dinner treats were the Confetti Cannons. So much fun. They contain a CO2 cartridge that's activated when you twist it, and tons of confetti gets shot out, accompanied by a loud popping noise. We all got a huge kick out of Hannah who was the most entertained by these toys, if only we had her reaction on video.
What do you do when you have a huge mess? Might as well make a bigger one!
"Pretend you're bored!" It doesn't take much to amuse us.
After that huge meal, we needed to do something active on Friday, so we went for a hike. In Golspie, the town 10 minutes from Dornoch, there's a mountain called Ben Bhraggie (you'll see it in the background of this photo. It's not quite tall enough to be a mountain, but we'll just call it that for now) and on top of it is a statue of the first Duke of Sutherland (Sutherland is the county we live in). You can read all about what the Duke is known for here.
It was a steep trail but the views were more than worth it.
James was looking up at the statue, it's right in front of us and it's huge.
Check out that blue sky, it's a rare and glorious sight when you live in Scotland.
This picture is for Janet. We used your gift! Christmas/New Years dinner leftovers made it all the way to the top with us and we enjoyed delicious ham sandwiches. It wouldn't have been possible without the handy dandy picnic bag you so generously gave us last year.
The trip down was a slip-slidy mess; it was getting colder and the path was turning into ice.
Poor Hannah had shoes with not much tread and ended up going down on her bum for a bit since it was easier than falling over and over again. But she was a trooper and smiled through it all!
And to catch you up to current events, today was a day of shopping and sightseeing in Inverness
We discovered if you jump up and down enough, the pedestrian bridge shakes a whole bunch. (Remember what I said about it not taking much to amuse us?)
The working
The eating
We also adopted some new traditions (thanks goes to our Scottish friends for introducing them to us) that will be a part of James and Jennifer Christmas's from now on.
First we had about 100 of those little confetti poppers; they created a wonderful mess.
Then we introduced Jenna and Hannah to crackers. We don't understand why Americans don't have this tradition. We're definitely introducing them to our families when we get home. You and a friend pull them apart and whoever gets the bigger half gets the prize inside. The prizes vary, some of our prizes were a bottle opener, miniature scissors, a little mirror, a yo-yo, etc. You also get a crown (and of course you must wear it the rest of the night) as well as a really cheesy joke that you take turns telling.
But the best after dinner treats were the Confetti Cannons. So much fun. They contain a CO2 cartridge that's activated when you twist it, and tons of confetti gets shot out, accompanied by a loud popping noise. We all got a huge kick out of Hannah who was the most entertained by these toys, if only we had her reaction on video.
What do you do when you have a huge mess? Might as well make a bigger one!
"Pretend you're bored!" It doesn't take much to amuse us.
After that huge meal, we needed to do something active on Friday, so we went for a hike. In Golspie, the town 10 minutes from Dornoch, there's a mountain called Ben Bhraggie (you'll see it in the background of this photo. It's not quite tall enough to be a mountain, but we'll just call it that for now) and on top of it is a statue of the first Duke of Sutherland (Sutherland is the county we live in). You can read all about what the Duke is known for here.
It was a steep trail but the views were more than worth it.
James was looking up at the statue, it's right in front of us and it's huge.
Check out that blue sky, it's a rare and glorious sight when you live in Scotland.
This picture is for Janet. We used your gift! Christmas/New Years dinner leftovers made it all the way to the top with us and we enjoyed delicious ham sandwiches. It wouldn't have been possible without the handy dandy picnic bag you so generously gave us last year.
The trip down was a slip-slidy mess; it was getting colder and the path was turning into ice.
Poor Hannah had shoes with not much tread and ended up going down on her bum for a bit since it was easier than falling over and over again. But she was a trooper and smiled through it all!
And to catch you up to current events, today was a day of shopping and sightseeing in Inverness
We discovered if you jump up and down enough, the pedestrian bridge shakes a whole bunch. (Remember what I said about it not taking much to amuse us?)
Friday, January 02, 2009
A Great End to the Year
We woke up to the sun Wednesday morning, it was a glorious sight. I called our favorite pie shop in Lochinver and found out they would be closed for the next two weeks, if we wanted to partake in the goodness, we'd have to go that day.
We drove the same route across Scotland to the west coast as we did with other visitors, so we stopped at the same castle ruins that we've been to before.
More jumping for joy
This scene look familiar?
The most amazing part of the day was the drive along the west coast. We detoured off the main road to stop at a lighthouse. We had no idea what this lighthouse and the land around it was going to be like, but we were all amazed at what we found.
Jenna was the most adventurous of us all.
Don't worry, where I'm standing is not quite as treacherous as it looks
It felt like we were on the edge of the Earth
We made it to the Pie Shop just in time to get our pies and take them to-go; we found a nice spot to sit and watch the sunset and enjoy the deliciousness.
Next, it was home for just a bit, then out again to our friends house for some New Year's Eve hang out time before heading to the town square for the Hogmanay celebration.
Jenna taught everyone how to play spoons, it was a hit.
The lone piper playing at midnight at the top of a building in the square.
There was a fantastic fireworks show.
Could be a North Face ad
I love my mountain man.
Precious.
After the party in the square, some friends met us at our house for some more hang out time, then it was off to bed. Must rest up for future adventures!
We drove the same route across Scotland to the west coast as we did with other visitors, so we stopped at the same castle ruins that we've been to before.
More jumping for joy
This scene look familiar?
The most amazing part of the day was the drive along the west coast. We detoured off the main road to stop at a lighthouse. We had no idea what this lighthouse and the land around it was going to be like, but we were all amazed at what we found.
Jenna was the most adventurous of us all.
Don't worry, where I'm standing is not quite as treacherous as it looks
It felt like we were on the edge of the Earth
We made it to the Pie Shop just in time to get our pies and take them to-go; we found a nice spot to sit and watch the sunset and enjoy the deliciousness.
Next, it was home for just a bit, then out again to our friends house for some New Year's Eve hang out time before heading to the town square for the Hogmanay celebration.
Jenna taught everyone how to play spoons, it was a hit.
The lone piper playing at midnight at the top of a building in the square.
There was a fantastic fireworks show.
Could be a North Face ad
I love my mountain man.
Precious.
After the party in the square, some friends met us at our house for some more hang out time, then it was off to bed. Must rest up for future adventures!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
