Getting back into the swing of things

Rich started back at college this week. He has a study week (a whole week devoted to one subject) this week on sex and marriage and yesterday followed the story of Peter, the vicar who became Pauline, or something like that!

It's been exhausting getting used to single-parenting again. That's the downside of the long holidays. I get so used to Richard being around and so dependent on him and then term starts again!

This term feels quite busy for us. My wives' small group want me to do a session on worship with them. Rich and I will be teaching the Circle when our church does Lifeshapes for Lent. We'll lead worship there a few times and probably do the under 3's group. We're also going to Greg Sharples' church in Bristol to do a weekend teaching on worship and something else, can't remember. I've been asked to sing with one of our friends, Toby, at a bar night our church is running which is something completely different. So, I'm not doing my evening course at Wycliffe this term - too much!

This weekend, we're back to Sheffield for the first time since we left. Going to catch up with friends and go to the TOM inductions on Saturday night.

Bring it on ...!

Growing girls

Welcome 2007 and Happy New Year!

My first post of the year celebrates the occasion of Emily starting nusery today. We walked through the park and across the bridge (can't believe I've got to do that twice nearly everyday for the forseeable future!) - took about 10 minutes. She had a great time and stayed the full two-and-a-half hours without me, not that that's a huge milestone for her. I was a little sad to leave her but got home to find our friend Yann chatting to Rich, so he was a welcome distraction. Emily was pretty exhausted for the rest of today. I'm planning on jumping right in there and making her go every day but we'll see how she goes!!

Joannah is 14 months and is beginning to stand unaided. In fact, she took her first step today, though I wouldn't call it walking. It was nice to spend some time with her just the two of us; she deserves some of my undivded attention.

Christmas time

We had a fab Christmas this year. It all went really smoothly, perhaps 'cause we stayed in Oxford, I don't know.

We managed to all get up and dressed with time to spare before church to open presents. Our little church doesn't have anywhere to meet during holidays so we met in the common room at Wycliffe Hall with mince pies and a guitar! For the first time, I really missed Philadelphia and that Christmas morning atmosphere.


We had an early lunch which was our best yet and got cleared up while Joannah was having her afternoon nap. Then, we had party games of musical bumps and charades - our aim to begin a tradition.

Boxing Day we travelled to Tunbridge Wells to visit Rich's mum and step-father and the following day we all went to London to see Rich's sister and family.

Emily doing some baking with her Granny (Rich's mum).

Joannah practising that great British tradition of TV at Christmas.

Finally ...!

After 4 months of waiting, our new sofabed arrived this morning. I've been feeling quite nervous about it as I'd forgotten what it looked like and suspected my tastes would have changed in that time! Also, this last week I've been waking in the night having nightmares about the delivery!!

Well, it's here now and we're very grateful for it. It's a bit more milk chocolate than the dark chocolate I remember but that's ok - note to self: take a piccie of my purchase in the shop to keep myself company whilst I wait for it's delivery!

Now our guests will be able to stay over in relative comfort, unlike their experience so far cooped up in our study on the floor. (Sorry Ruth, you missed out by just 2 days!)

Joannah's first shoes

Christmas is coming!

Our first term at Wycliffe is over already. We're looking forward to the break - all of us pretty worn out.

Christmas came to our house today. We've put lights up at the windows for the first time and it feels really warm and Christmassy which is lovely as our house is actually quite cold!

Emily is 3

We had a little party yesterday to celebrate Emily's 3rd birthday. When I woke her in the morning, the first thing she said was, "Can I go to nursery now?" - I've been promising she can go when she's 3! Here are a few piccies of the party: