Changing Over

For all of you who read our blog regularly - thank-you.  I have switched to wordpress as Google holds the rights to Blogger and with wordpress you hold the rights to you material.  So, keep reading at:  http://debstaylorfamily.wordpress.com/

Arrival

Our internet at home has been dodgy so I haven't had the opportunity to update the blog so here is a crash blog on being back.
We arrived back at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday the 10th July.  We actually had a quick disembarkation through immigration and the luggage carousel but immediately confronted the reality of traffic in Manila.  We finally arrived at the Manila Mission Home about 8.45.  We had Chicken Adobo and Buko Pandan to eat which was a truly Filipino welcome back.
We travelled to our house Weds morning and began the mammoth task of organising, unpacking, sorting and settling!  The kids picked their own room with no fuss or conflict.
And so we have begun the process of adjusting back to life here.  It was 31 degrees the night we landed and we have enjoyed being warm - for me it feels like the first time in a year!  Naomi and Rose have suffered from heat rash a bit and Naomi is the one who has struggled the most adjusting to food and life here.  We have been swimming many times and we managed a quick trip to the beach - avoiding the worst of the rain.  Then we experienced a tropical depression which sat over us for a few days and meant football was cancelled for Rose and Joshua last Friday but it finally cleared Sunday night and they played again this week.
Mostly things have gone well but there are adjustments to be made.  Steve has worked hard on the house, making it more secure and suited to us.  I found driving here again difficult.  Other drivers were getting frustrated with me as I was too tentative! It has also been a n adjustment back to shopping here - much cheaper but less choice.
We have been up at school to do work, Steve was also around at the New Staff orientation as part of the Admin team and tomorrow is our All Staff retreat.  School begins next Thursday.

Last Week

Our last week in England was special.  I was glad we took the kids out of school and allowed time to "finish off".  We spent some time with Steve's mum and brother, including celebrating Rose's birthday.   The kids fed the ducks for the last time, we went bowling, and Rose's highlight was blowing out candles on the oatcakes. 

On the way back we stopped to ice skate and then we had a couple of days to spend with family and finish up packing.  On Sunday we had a big family meal with both sides of our families and then got to watch the Wimbledon Final with Andy Murray in.  Great finish!

Warwick Castle

You would think that scheduling something for the 2nd July would be fairly likely to get reasonable weather, wouldn't you?  Well, the weather was naff.  We had rain from the moment we left the house till we were leaving the castle!  None of us had coats with us (in fact, I have already boxed mine up, in the optimistic hope we would experience summer before leaving England!) so we were all pretty much washed out by the end of our visit.  However, it's a cool place and we got to see most of it - at least around the castle, not bothering to venture too far in the grounds.  We did watch a display of the trebuchet which was impressive.
The killer for us all was the 530 steps you walk up and down round the towers and ramparts, although Josh did it twice with Steve.

Re-commissioning

Today our church re-affirmed our call and their partnership with us.  It was a brilliant service and our pastor did a great job of designing the service.  We were particularly impressed how he included our children and the children of the church in challenging them to remember and pray for the Taylor children.  It was a meaningful service and we feel like we have a strong connection with our church as we return to the Philippines.

Last Day of School

The school did a great job of sending our children off.  We were invited in to watch them "ringing the leaver's bell" - a tradition the school has.  (Because part of the school was built in the 1800s as an extension of the church it still has the original bell tower). Aside form ringing the bell, each child's class had a party for them and their teachers had organised cards for them and presents.  Naomi was given a recorder and the other two were given a (Jubilee) bear.  It was a great end to their year there - we have been very grateful for the way the school have embraced the children and how the children have had an impact there.

First week of Lasts

This week is a series of lasts for us:
Last week at school for the kids.
Last time we return our books to the library.
Last swimming lessons.
Last use of the gym.

farewell party

We had a big farewell party for all the people who have been part of our lives this year.  We had friends from the school community, church and family.
It was a fun barn dance which worked really well as it didn't matter whether people knew each other and what age they were.
It was very successful and we were especially moved when a group of parents gave us a gift voucher as a thank-you for the support we have offered to football and the school PTA.  When I think back to what our prayers were for this year I can see how God has answered them.  We have built relationships with the parents of the friends of our children, established a niche for ourselves at Church.  We are at the point where, even though we are excited about returning to our life in the Philippines, we have become comfortable here, we have made friends.

Sports Days

Sports Days (because between the 3 children we have 2 days) was postponed from last week because of the rain.  Thankfully, it stayed dry and nice - in fact, it was even warm for Josh and Naomi's day!  We were worried it would be perpetually postponed because of the weather but it was one of the things Josh really wanted to do before we leave so we are glad he was able to take part.

The final phase

As we enter our last three weeks in England, the pace of life has picked up to a blistering pace as we tie up loose ends, make sure we have everything we want to take with us, see people for the last time and generally wind up life here.
Monday we had our last official deputation meeting and spent the afternoon packing the boxes which are being picked up tonight.
We are also preparing for our big farewell party on Friday which involves cooking and baking.
Today and yesterday we had sports day for the children and we finally got some decent sun to enjoy the proceedings!

Long Day

We left Claire's house at 6.15 a.m. and caught the ferry back to Scotland at 7.30.  We made use of the special deals on cabin to get ourselves a nice space on the boat.  I even managed to sleep a little.  We arrived in Scotland at 9.45 and ended up being on the road till 8.30 p.m.  Even allowing for two stops it was a very long time.  (Perhaps good prep for being back in the Philippines!!).  It only took us about 6 hours drive the other way.
By the time we got home, we were all very keen to be done.

Chippy

We were going to Claire's local chippy for dinner and it is called the "Codfather".  Steve jokingly said,  "Will we get fried horse head?" 
The kids obviously overheard this because I heard them chatting and saying,  "Will we really get fried horse head?" to each other and Rose said, "I expect that's just for the adults". As Claire said,  "That's a child used to living in a different culture where strange food doesn't faze her!"

Olympic Torch

This is more than a once-in-a-lifetime thing, it is a maybe-once-ever thing!

The Olympic torch has been wending its way round the U.K. and today went right past the top of our drive.  The children prepared a banner and the family members who were off work came over for a barbecue.  We had lovely weather and it was a great day.  The torch will continue on until the start of the Olympics.

Lunches

When I came into the kitchen this morning the kids asked where Steve was. 
D: "in bed"
Rose: What?  Who's going to do our [packed] lunches?
D: Umm, the same person who's done them all week.  Me!  I do still have the capability despite daddy being home.

Winging it on a prayer

I arrived at the Church I was presenting at this morning 45 minutes early to make sure everything worked as it should.  As I was driving to the church I realised I had left behind the folder with our notes in as I had been reading through and making changes last night.  From the emails I had been told I had a 20 min presentation slot.  When the worship leader came up to let me know where I was speaking it began to dawn on me that I was actually doing the main slot of speaking.  Steve and I have a principle that if invited to do the main bit of a service we do a "proper" sermon.  The folder I forgot has sermon notes in too! I started to pray very earnestly for inspiration but had little time to write any notes as my computer was not co-operating with the projection software.  Plan B was to try a flash drive but even though one chap nipped home to get two, neither worked.  About 5 minutes before the service things were still not working out.  Eventually I dug in my box and found a DVD which we then had to track through to find the 2 videos I really wanted to show.  We got them just as they began singing and wanted the words on the screen!
Thankfully, I have used a passage of scripture a few times in our shorter presentations so I used that as my springboard.  The morning was a powerful reminder that God uses our weakness to display his strength and brings glory to himself.
After that, I headed to the airport to pick Steve up.  Except the boot of our car won't open (Dad and I had to unload the car when i got back from my mother-in-law's by taking down the back seat and pulling it all through!) so I borrowed Dad's car which thankfully had enough space for our display things and Steve's cases.
Can't tell you how good it was to see Steve again.

Easter bonnets

The school have a tradition of making Easter bonnets for a competition so all three entered with gusto.  I think mum and dad had just as much fun!

Book Day

This was the kids dressed up for book day.  Josh was "football hero", Naomi was Cinderella and Rose was Charlotte (from Charlotte's Web).
Rose got a little narked at one of the boys in her class who wouldn't recognise her own legs counted towards the 8!

Easter Bunny

Naomi and I went shopping and on the way back she was pestering me about dressing up for the school disco next week.
Naomi: I really want to go as the Easter bunny
Debs: Well I am not interested in spending a lot of time and energy on a bunny costume.  Easter is not about bunnies and eggs, is it?  What is it about?
Naomi: Jesus.  He died and rose again.
Debs: That's right.  Good.
Naomi: (in one of those tones) But we can't dress as Jesus.
I decided it was better not to say anything else!!

Legoland

Josh was so excited when we woke up this morning.
"We're going to legoland, today."

The kids each had a map and were busy planning how we were going to conquer the park.

First stop had to be the Star Wars exhibit.  Naomi hated it when Darth Vader showed up, though.  Josh thought it was great! Rose was happy to have her picture by the lego version but not the "real" one!

We spent two full days round the park.  It was brilliant and, thankfully, it did not rain despite being overcast a lot of the time.  Even when we did see the sun it was not warm but we had prepared for that.
We did the wet rides on the first day (twice each!) learning after our first ride on the rapids to leave them till the end as we got soaked.  We did use the big dryer after the first time as it was early in the day.

Windsor Castle

The childrens' school was having a training day so that the teachers could attend the Education Show (we went yesterday and got to hear some interesting people) so we decided to make the most of the week day off and booked to go to Windsor Castle today and Legoland (with grandparents) on Saturday and Sunday.

It was a lot of walking and the kids hit saturation pint about halfway round but it was great to see the castle (the queen was in residence too!) and I especially liked the opportunity to see the photo exhibition - 60 years of the Queen's reign in 60 photos. 
The highlight was watching the guards come up the hill ready for the changing of the guard.

Book day

On Thursday it was Book Day.  Here are the kids in their costumes. (Rose is Charlotte from Charlotte's Web but we couldn't find the book!)

Celebrity Mum

Sometimes I feel like being Josh's mum makes me a bit of a celebrity.  Today on the playground one of the mums was telling her partner, "That's Josh Taylor's mum".  This is partly because he is the star football player on his club team and partly because he is a bit of a favourite amongst the girls in his class.  It's kind of a strange feeling!

Tea Party

Not the Boston kind!
Nor the Republican party spin-off kind.
The Naomi kind.
She has been bugging me for a while about having various friends over to play so one afternoon while she and I were playing tea party I suggested we have her friends over for their own tea party (thus, in my head killing all kinds of birds with one stone).  What I had not counted on was my darling daughter's social proclivities and we ended up with a list of 11 girls to invite.  Well, in for a penny, in for a pound!  I figured (wrongly as it turned out!) that some would be unable to make it due to other commitments.
We designed and filled in some invites and started planning.
I made mini cupcakes which Naomi and Joshua helped me to ice, mini jam and lemon curd tarts, sandwiches and crisps.  I had cookie dough made and separated into 10 (1 couldn't make it) piles and when they arrived they started cutting shapes and we put them in the oven ready to decorate later.  The girls played outside for a bit (thanks goodness it was pleasant again) then ate, then played, decorated their cookies, played and it was time to go home.  Very successful - although I felt bad when I realised 2 girls from Naomi's class were the only ones NOT to be invited.  They will have to come another time.  More an oversight on Naomi's part rather than malicious.

Learning about Lent

The kids have been learning about Lent - one of the benefits of going to a Church school. Rose made me laugh, though, as she has got the idea of giving something up for lent but rather than saying "I'm giving up for lent", she says "I'm lenting..."  As Emma pointed out, it sounds quite appropriate!

While eating our pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and talking about why we have pancakes on that day and its tie to Lent, Rose decided she might give up (or lent) sugar for Lent.  She was just tinking about the straight sugar she was putting on her pancakes so I said, "You know that means things with sugar in them too?"
Rose: No.  But not much has sugar in it
Josh: Loads of things have sugar in.  All sweet things.
Debs: Cakes, biscuits, sweets.
Rose: Biscuits don't have sugar on.
Debs: But they have sugar in. 

After a period of short reflection Rose decided giving up sugar was not a good idea as she may have to cut too many things out!

Long weekend

Over the half-term Naomi asked me if she was going to school tomorrow.
Debs: No, not until Monday.
Naomi: Is that tomorrow?
Debs: No, it's a few days, yet.
Naomi: Wow! This is the longest weekend, ever!

And then on Saturday we had the following conversation:
Naomi: Is it school tomorrow?
Debs: No, it's Sunday , so it's church.
Naomi: And then it's school, right?
Debs: Yes, are you looking forward to going back (thinking my daughter has finally deided to like going to school!)
Naomi:Yes, because I want to show Mrs. O my new shoes.

As I said to Steve, well, that will be the first 5 minutes of school and then what?

Guernsey

We have just returned from a wonderful few days in Guernsey, staying with my gran and catching up with family.  We had the opportunity to present what we do for a few of Gran's friends  - many of whom contributed to the gift we received in lieu of flowers at my grandpa's funeral. 
It was great to be near a beach again! - our mad kids obviously cannot wrap their heads around the fact that beaches do not necessarily equal warm or being in the sea.  Despite being bundled up in our warmest coats, scarves, gloves and hats (it snowed in the Midlands the day before we flew out) they insisted they wanted to  paddle in the sea.  After warning them how cold it would be we figured they may as well get it out of their systems so they stripped of socks and shoes and waded in.  Well, Naomi didn't  Her toe touched the water and she was done.  Josh and Rose both went in up to their knees.  Of course, afterwards, Josh said his feet were so numb he couldn't walk on them!!

Eating ice-cream

We did a couple of the touristy things - The Little Chapel and Guernsey Candles but mostly it was just a refreshing trip and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Snow Fun

Not long after the snow started.  Josh has his pyjama trousers on and Naomi just a nightie under her coat. MAD!

Our kids' wishes have come true.  We got a decent fall of snow and they have had a lot of fun outside (in the FREEZING cold).  Once it started falling thicker, Josh and Naomi went for a walk in the forest with Simon.  They were so excited when they got back because they made snow angels.  I have to admit, the thought of lying in the snow really does not appeal to me, but I made all the right noises like a good mum does! (Rose was finishing her school project before going to a friend's birthday celebration).

Snow's a bit deeper now

We weren't sure Rose would make it to her friend's house as they live not far from us but their road is even more country than ours.  However, the friend's dad came and picked Rose and the other friends up in his 4x4 so that was great.  When she returned today she was very excited to have been sledging on the hill near them.
The kids managed (with adult help) to build a couple of snowmen and Naomi and Esther kept us entertained in the afternoon as they sculpted (and Esther ate) the snowman.
I'm gad my kids have experienced real snow but I will be perfectly happy if that was it!

Bath

Steve and I were speaking at a couple of groups in Trowbridge and decided to take advantage by staying a couple of nights in Bath just the two of us.  Granny Taylor came and stayed and we had a lovely time.  We arrived in Bath on Weds evening and were pleasantly reminded by Orange that as we have now swapped to their service (it is so nice to finally be able to send and receive anywhere at home now!) we get their two for one cinema deal so we went to see War Horse. 
The following day we did a tour of the Roman Baths.  We were the first ones through the door!  They offer audio commentaries so we took our time (about 2 hours) and mooched round.  It is a brilliant place. 

Steve with Hadrian

The main pool of the Roman Baths

After that we had a snack in the "Pump Room" - including some of the warm mineral water from the spa.  Then we walked around on a Jane Austen tour of buildings of our own devising!  It was actually quite thrilling for me to connect with those places in her novels.  In the afternoon, we enjoyed about 5 hours in the thermae spa, partly through the generosity of christmas present vouchers from my mother-in-law.  They had a rooftop pool which was open-air and, even though the view was great, it was freezing getting in and out of the pool!  It wasn't as warm as I would have wished in the pool either.  We did also venture up there when it was dark to get a night-lit view, but not for long!  Our favourite place was the steam room, which was warm and humid.  We also got a massage so all in all a relaxing and fun day.
The following day we met up with the vicar who married us and enjoyed coffee together in a lovely Georgian church (where Austen's parents married).  It was good to catch up with each others' news. Then we popped into the Jane Austen Centre to the shop and after buying some lunch to go began the trip home.
It was a great getaway.

Gran's 90th

A landmark occasion - my Gran's 90th birthday.  The whole family went out for lunch to celebrate.  It was sobering (in a good way) to realise there were 4 generations of us gathered around the table.

Cool Days

Having been through two consecutive days of hard frost and temps of -4 degrees, it has made me realise how mild our winter has been and, while that might make our children sad as they have not had a proper snow (yet!), I am quite happy as it has been cold enough for my blood!  However, Steve and I bought a new mattress last week and it is definitely warmer and more comfortable so that has helped.
Friday I took the bike into the forest and it was a gorgeous day which was spring-like except for the very cold temperature.  There was a bright blue sky and some sun(!!) and the beautiful forest to enjoy.  Then I look at the temp in Manila and sigh (27).

Books, glorious books

There's been a bit of hype about the ascent of the kindle and how "the book will never die".  But I don't see that the two are contradictory.  I got a kindle from Steve for Christmas and I love it.  One of the benefits - I think - is that when I read a book on the kindle I don't look at how many pages are left (because you can't, you only get a percentage read) and estimate how much longer it will take me to get it finished and so stay up too late finishing it.  Which I did on Saturday night, finishing "The Help" (outstanding, by the way) and then felt dreadful on Sunday!!  The other thing I love about my kindle is that I get to carry all my favourite books with me wherever I go, and after spending a lot of time this week unpacking boxes full of books which have been sat in the loft (which HAD to be emptied because it was being re-insulated) this has had extra resonance with me.  It seems wrong to leave books to rot in a box on the off chance we may own a bookcase in this country some time in the future!  We had decided we would try and sell or give away a lot of them this time and that decision is made a little easier by knowing I can get copies on my kindle that can travel to and from our homes in different countries.
So, this book-lover is perfectly happy with her kindle and has no problem with books on technology.  In fact, I was watching 'Horrible Histories' with the girls the other day and they did a brilliant skit on how books succeeded scrolls!  Pause for thought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkQkeKbTP_w

Couple Time

The kids went back to school today so we decided to make the most of it and go to the cinema to watch Sherlock.  Shockingly, we realised the last time we were at the cinema was to watch HP last summer.  We will have to make this more of a habit!!

What's for Dinner?

Today my siblings and I and my mum took our children to this huge soft play area in Bromsgrove.  Our kids are old enough to sort themselves out and even took the role of looking after Esther too so Sam and Emma could sit for a bit.
On the way home the kids asked what we were having for dinner.
"Rabbit."
"WHAT?"
"Rabbit."
"You're joking!  Is it Flossie or Simba? [the pet rabits!]"
"No. Grandpa was given one by someone at work and I'm cooking it tonight."
"Well, we are not eating it."
"Suit yourselves."
The rabbit was pretty good.   We had it in a cider cream sauce which was lovely.