One little piggy went wah, wah, wah all the way home.

 

I'm just going to keep things real for a moment.  I am VERY prone to complaining.  I'm really trying to work on this, so even though I want to list off all the tiny things that have been bugging me--I will refrain because I know at the end of the day I am really blessed.  

I'll just fast forward to the fact that due to some major oversights we found ourselves having to move out of our temporary housing (of which we stayed in for 1 month).  We have 5 days until our permanent housing is ready, so picking up to move (on my birthday to boot) was like hanging a big grey rain cloud over us.  The situation isn't the toughest thing, except moving our sized family is like really ANNOYING! Ok I complained, but I could've said more and I won't.  In the end, like most things, this nuisance has been SUCH a blessing in disguise.  

Derek and I (who am I kidding Derek mostly as I was like a chicken with her head cut off!) scrambled to find housing.  We decided that the only way to keep us (mostly me) from having a mental break down was to turn this move into a mini excursion.  Derek lucked out and called a vacation rental place that caters to families.  The company owns farmhouses throughout the UK and France.  They happened to have a farmhouse available right when we needed it (not before and not after).  

The house is lovely.  It reminds me of what the Weasley's house might have been like from Harry Potter.  Instead of garden gnomes they have cute pigs and piglets (The manager raises the pigs and offered us some delicious bacon.  As the children are enamored with the pigs

we had to decline--I didn't want to traumatize the kids!).  The house is encircled by charming pink flowers of many varieties.  The bedrooms are so cozy and cottage like in their perfection.  It's the retreat we needed from the storm which was last week. 

The kids have made themselves quite at home.  They've gone swimming, walked down footpaths (and were stung by a lot of stinging nettles--this sandal wearing family invested in some wellies even though we have some coming in our air cargo-doh!).  

The kids have all assumed their positions here.  Tommy is our wild and crazy country kid constantly outside throwing rocks, finding slugs, or kicking the ball. Xela is our official sidekick and when ever anyone needs a buddy to go here or there she is always game.  Leah is the official flower artist and has arranged some very beautiful bouquets.  Sophie has taken charge in naming the pigs and often runs off to go and pet them and talk to them.  Overall we are very content.  The downside is we will just have to pick up and move again, but thankfully that will be IT for a long while!

I will post more pictures of our cute temporary home, when I figure out how to upload from our various devices!  

Hairdresser On Fire! (100 points if you know the reference for that!)

So life in England has had it's fair shares of ups and downs.  I'm not going to lie, when you are in a two bedroom (albeit gorgeous) temporary housing with 5 kids, AND there is no immediate space for your children to run around and be loud, the downs can really get to you.  But I guess as is the case with most situations the good outweighs the bad.

Yesterday, after a morning of running Sophie and Tommy around for various appointments, I returned home ready to make lunch.  Unfortunately Leah and Xela were itching to get out of the house and baby was in one of her "I need my Momma NOW" moods.

My plan of attack was to:
1.  Allow Leah and Xela to walk to a Bistro and buy themselves some sandwiches.
2.  Make Sophie, Tommy, Georgie, and I lunch.
3.  Calm Georgie down after lunch and everything had been settled.

Now looking back I probably should've flipped that order.  Oh well!

Leah and Xela were busy getting all spiffed up for their lunch date while Sophie and Tommy were busy playing.   Georgie was clutching on to my leg by the stove.  I noticed she had something in her mouth.  However, I was really determined to cut up tomatoes while the pasta boiled, so I called  Sophie to come and get whatever was in baby's mouth out.   Sophie had her hair in a high ponytail and as she whipped down to get what ever was in Georgie's mouth, Sophie's hair must have caught the flames.  As she stood back up her hair was literally on FIRE!  I screamed and she ran to the sink to try to get the hair to stop smoking.  We were like two frantic maniacs!

Sophie immediately started to sob, loud, wailing, uncontrollable sobs.  Leah and Xela rushed up to see what was the matter.  It didn't help that when Leah patted Sophie's hair to assure her no real damage was done, a large clump of melted hair fell right off.  Oh Sophie's panic at that point was monumental!

After hugging her and reassuring her that now she could get that haircut Mckenzie (her best friend in MD) had suggested, she seemed a little more at ease.  We promptly googled haircuts.  And finally she settled on a short bob a la Jessica Alba.

I wish I could say we all pulled together and tried to comfort Sophie.  But the truth of the matter is that when Xela and Leah realized Sophie was going to get a haircut ASAP they started to whine and BEG for a haircut as well.  There was a lot of angry temper tantrums (I blame the temporary, close living quarters).

In the end Leah and Xela ate pasta and salad with us.  Afterwards a chld who shall not be named went downstairs depressed for the rest of the afternoon.

Sophie on the other hand was happy as a Lark anticipating her "new do".

In the end even the sisters were happy for Sophie's hair resolution and now they are saving up their own money to go and get stylish haircuts.  *side note* after explaining to she who will not be named, that Sophie was only getting a haircut because her hair got burnt off, she asked if I'd do the same for her if she were to "accidentally" burn her's. Which of course I said I would.  To which (half seriously) she started the burner and gave me this look like--well I AM getting my hair cut!  Crazy girl!**

We went to a salon close by (Tommy had just gotten a haircut there).  I'm sure all nice hair places do this, but we do not go to fancy places, so we were all feeling pampered when they asked us if we wanted a drink.  I got a hot chocolate and Sophie (feeling too nervous) got bottled water.  In the end it was a very nice experience.

So the upside of the burning of the hair fiasco is that Sophie's hair looks beautiful!  She loves it and we are all (after a good night's sleep) very happy FOR her!

BEFORE-Her hair was so long!

DURING-It was so strange to have that first snip!

Almost done

AFTER-She was so pleased with the results!  It's a lot healthier looking and it just goes to show there is always an upside to a down situation!

Sudeley Castle through the eyes of Sophie (with a hint of Leah awesomeness)

written by: Sophia
photos by Sophia and Leah 

Yesterday we went to Sudeley Castle and it was an AMAZING experience. The ride up the hills was kind of crazy. At first it's ok, the hills slowly incline and the view's amazing, but then you hit a road and it winds all the way up to a village. With the speed limit 50 mph and cars on the "wrong side of the road" with steep hills, turning onto that road you almost wonder why you're even wanting to go to this place! But we turn on to the crazy winding road and head up that hill. As we go up Cleeve hill (I believe that's what it's called) the view is amazing. You see the sheep grazing on the hill side looking like big groups of maggots on the hillside, the green grass, the old cute little cottages with their weird names like ... well actually I don't remember them, but they were weird. The roads here have weird names too. On our way up I saw a road called Kidnappers road, I wonder how many kids disappear on that road. Despite of of this and also getting lost, I FINALLY see a majestic rock thing in the distance hidden be hind trees. That's when I realize OH THAT'S THE CASTLE!!!!!

We get there and the castle was amazing! The castle its self is surrounded by a grove of trees, making it look mysterious as it peeks out behind the grove making it secret. The medieval castle that still stands has the prettiest grounds I've ever seen.

This was the pond in part of the garden. In the pond were some fish, I think they were koi but, my mom said they were carp , I don't know they were fish. Anyways it was funny because if you threw anything in they'd go after it and try to eat it.

Anyways Leah and I were given the phone to take pictures and here's what happened.

Here's our parents and Georgie next to what's left of a 15th century barn.

I found a little archway hidden by grape vines in the barn.

Leah's wonderful panorama taking skills sort of ..... um... well... how do I put this nicely to you Leah.... well we'll work on it, but it's interesting.

Another hidden archway.

Leah under the same hidden archway thanks to moi!

I found some flowers and I thought this one was photogenic even though some of it's petals fell off.

Same flower not hidden this time.

Not too shabby for only using an IPhone if I do say so myself. Anyways moving along to the kids part of the castle. The castle on the inside most of it has been turned into a museum and has creepy mannequins and some old beds and stuff but yeah I guess it was cool. Well as we were going along of course we come across my favorite part DRESS UP IN DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS OF CLOTHING!!!!!! They had Medieval, they had Roman, they had Renaissance , they had princess costumes and prince costumes and Pride and Prejudice looking costumes it was fun.

They had costumes of all sizes even one for little Gorgie (Georgie+gorgeous = Gorgie)

Getting dressed was stressful

SO MANY COSTUMES!!!!!!!!!!!!

And FINALLY the finish products

Well after all of this awesomeness, I came across this little gem:

This is dedicated to all my classics club friends and my Latin/Classics club teacher who I know would've enjoyed this wonderful Roman mosaic. We had previously recreated a replica of this mosaic for a classics conference this past year, but it was never finished so unfortunately we couldn't enter it. Anyways it was cool to have come across this.

The last part of our little journey to the castle was the cool playground they had for the kids. It was this awesome treehousey thingy that looked like a castle or a fort and it was big enough for adults to go into and play as well. Everyone loved the zipline. Yes I just said it , a zipline. This playground had a mini zipline!!!! It was strong enough to hold me so I'd say most parents there could've gone on it, but they didn't. They don't know what they were missing.

Overall I had a wonderful time going to the castle, and I'd definitely go again in the future. 

The Cotswold Way

We hiked a small portion of the Cotswold Way

Through out the years Derek and I have been on a "moving journey".  It wasn't a planned out career choice, just life dictating economical housing, graduate schools and lastly career.  Once we hit the career milestone, I was for sure that our traveling roots would finally grow in soil that would keep us firmly planted in one place.  How I have whined and cried over feeling as if we'd never have that. Little did I understand God's plan for me, or the reliance I needed to place on him.

Speaking of reliance....Georgie and Sophie have had terrible congestion and though over the counter medication works fine temporarily we'll have to try out the British surgeries tomorrow to get expert help.  Unfortunately I'm getting sick too.  So it looks like a grand total of 3 Smiths will need see a doctor tomorrow.  I wish it stopped there but I have been so grumpy that I gave my kids a long scolding for not doing their kitchen chores after dinner and I'm pretty sure a sweet sister from my ward heard the whole terrible thing.  I sound like the Trunchbull when I'm mad, so welcome to the Smith Abode folks. 

Georgie pre-wheezy cough, chillin on the play equiptment.

Other than the sickness, house-hunting, and child management we really have been cherishing these moments.  Derek and I found a great deal on a Volvo XC 90, so we bought it.  It seems to drive well and there is enough space for all of us so we're happy.  With the car comes broadening our scope of exploration.  We went on a beautiful trail yesterday which is part of the Cotswold Way.  It was the first completely blissful outing since we've arrived.  I'm pretty sure we're nature lovers.  We like shops fine, but give us pastures and rolling hills and we're home.

Breath taking views from our hike.

As a professional daydreamer living in la-la land, it has been hard for me to accept that life isn't always rose colored and that true joy doesn't have a sugar coating.  With each move I have come to understand that joy is hard earned and life's rosy glow is really a dull, rainy day watching Bondi Doctor.  With that being said, the Lord has been good to Derek and I.  He must've been listening when I begged him to help me travel the world and explore new places and cultures.  I just didn't realize it would mean the "over-weight, middle-aged me--with 5 kids in tow", looking for the British equivalent to Children's Dimetapp and deciding whether or not to live in the city or outside of it. Somehow, the Cotswolds and the regency era has got lost in translation.  It takes quiet moments, long walks and a lot of exhaling to remember to take advantage of this blessing and to cherish it.  I have come to understand in these moments what a tender mercy it is to live here, with all of my family.  It is like a little present delivered to my door, wrapped up in a bow.  Now I need to be a grateful receiver of this gift.

Silly panoramas are becoming a Smith Family tradition.

I hope we can keep journaling our experiences here in the UK.  Seeing how my last post was a year ago I'm not holding my breath, but I have high hopes :)

How to have a baby Canadian style

After giving birth to my son Tommy in Washington DC I was pretty sure we were done having children.  I was getting older, the gap between Tommy and another sibling seemed too large (5 years) and further more I just didn't know if I had it in me to endure one more bout of morning sickness which only leads towards being as large as a hippo, and ultimately giving birth.  But sometimes things just happened and when I finally realized I was pregnant again I think it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I swear there were many times when I felt dying would be the more humane thing for myself than throwing up all day long, or when I just wanted to sit in a pool because I felt like a 500lbs. hippo.  But alas the day finally arrived when little Georgiana was born and I think her birth was the perfect punctuation mark for our little family.  After having a terrible experience at the hospital in Washington DC I knew this time around I was going to go total granola.  Here in Canada they have a midwifery program that is integrated into their mainstream health care.

So I decided to throw caution to the wind and have the baby all hippy-dippy at home.  Here are my fabulous midwives who were so wonderful during all the action.  The birth went smoothly and I found being at home to be so comfortable and relaxing.  And here is the book my sister Adriane gave me to read when I was in Arizona over the summer.

Adriane warned me when she gave it to me that it was a little "out there" but that the information was totally priceless for a natural home birth.  

When I read it I laughed my pants off.  The wordage reads like an episode of the Brady Bunch.  Everything is psychadelic, heavy, or telepathic.  Granted it was written by women who gave birth in the 1970's, so it just seems funny now.  When I read excerpts to Derek I could tell he was worried that I'd totally succumb to the dark side and encourage him to become a woodcutter and live in a converted school bus by a river.  But I digress,  when my hour of need arose and I was right there staring natural, home birth in the face, this psychadelic, hippy-dippy, book made SOOOOO much sense.  I will never laugh at it again--well not as much as I did before.  

Derek took a lot of revolting post birth photos of baby and I.  This one is semi-decent.

No that is not sasquatch, that is me the day of the birth of our little munchkin.  If anyone wants to know the secret of going into labor just make your way to Gatineau Park and hike the King Mountain Trail the day after your due date.  You'll get home and be in labor within minutes, worked for me at least.

The kids have adjusted well to having a new baby.  Tommy is especially enamoured with being a "big brother".  He is so offended when I won't let him hold little Georgiana.  In fact he's a little bit of a bully when it comes to holding her.  I have like a gazillion pictures of Tommy holding the baby, because he'll whine, lie, and cheat just to hold her.

 We have managed to squeeze in a few other people with little Georgie.  All the kids have been super helpful and loving and I consider myself one lucky Momma to have the kids that I do.

Derek's been a trooper too.  One nice thing about being in Canada is that his co-workers here would be more offended if he tried to go back to work rather than stay home with us.  It's nice to feel like people actually want you to spend time with your family.  Also he has endured my post baby mood swings like a champ.  We've mostly weathered my bad/happy moods by watching this guy be grumpy.

Ahhh...Good old Doc Martin.  He's sure to make you think twice about acting like a total jerk.  I don't know how Lew-eeser puts up with him.   Plus watching this show makes you want to go to Cornwall and hang out at Large and Son's restaurant, watch the scenery and wait for someone to pass out.

I feel so blessed to have had the experience of carrying and giving birth to little Georgiana.  She is the sweetest little newborn.  We have opened our hearts even wider to make space for this little one and miracle of miracles there is always room for more love.

Winter stuffs and Maple Syrup Adventures

So this winter has been a major doozy.  It seemed that winter started the moment my morning sickness went full throttle and now that I am feeling more like myself wouldn't you know winter is still hanging around the Great North.  Doesn't Canada know I'm feeling better!  Which means bring on the green grass, wild flowers, and birds singing.  Not ice pellets, frigid wind and the sound of scraper trucks driving past my house! Mother Nature is seriously one confused old lady!
Thankfully Canadians seem to have this long winter thing under control.  Once the holidays subside after, New Years, they begin preparing for Winterlude.  The canal gets a make over and yummy hot food stands pop up.  Then in February they turn downtown into a winter wonderland, transforming the snow into slides, mazes and statues.  Once you wrap your head around dressing appropriately for the weather, being outside doesn't seem so bad.

"sliding at winterlude"

"hanging tuff at winterlude"

                                               "being idiots in front of snow sculptures"  

Derek and I have the "embarrassing parent" pose down to a science!

    "partying Canadian style with french? english? soldiers and a giant inflatable beaver.  And of course       zip-lining in below zero weather--good times people!"

However when March comes, the snow has turned into gray mush.  Melted snow creates mini ponds in your back yard and everything starts looking really icky.
Enter "sugar bush" season.  Where the fluctuating temperature creates the perfect environment for extracting syrup from the maple trees.  Through out the country side little farms open up for the city folk to inspect the sticky harvest.  Added bonus are carriage rides, animal farms, and red cheeked kids running amok through puddles, while parents ooh and aah over maple syrup.

Thankfully we have good friends who watch over us here in Canada.  They make sure we experience the authentic traditions.

 Derek and I had the pleasure of accompanying our friends to a "leave the kids at home" night at a proper sugar bush restaurant called "Bean Town".  Complete with bon fire, French Canadian maple food, carriage rides, Old Lumberjack man making maple syrup taffy, and of course music and dancing.  It was like New France at Busch Gardens only colder and with out fried pickles.

  Outside "Bean Town" sugar bush farm.

 Mmm...pickled beets--I'll forgive them for not having fried pickles :)

 Our pea soup, cole slaw, foie gras, and bread--All the "non" maple syrup foods

Sorry about the creepy group shot.  What's up with our eyes?  

We had pancakes, bacon, beans, potatoes, egg souffle 

and like 2 quarts of maple syrup to drench everything in.  It was all you can eat and I think we might have taken too much advantage of that. 

 Old Lumber Jack man preparing the maple taffy. How you ask?  Boil maple syrup, get some snow, and pour.  I think when I'm an old Lady I'm gonna rock overalls and a Davey Crockett hat  :)

**Warning--Prepare to feast your eyes on some post maple syrup feast hotness!

 Here's what Charlie's Angels look like after consuming a bazillion calories of maple syrup!

Pretty sexy eh?

    

 

Watch out Cameron Diaz here we come!

After all that "hotness" we decided to chill out in the attic with the men-folk.

We ended the night back at the restaurant where they had a local guy playing some French Canadian tunes.  Then they switched over to club mode all I have to say to defend this video is I "blame it on the boogie".  Hahaha--we had a great time.  Now if I can only get Mother Nature to lighten up a bit.....