I can't believe it is already here....

It just seems like yesterday that Jeff came into the kitchen and asked it I wanted/would move to England. We are not movers...we were very settled in our home. We decided to go ahead and move because it would be a easy move...you know it is still English. I look back and laugh at that now.
It is now over and it has flown by so slow/quick...if that makes since. I had those days that just flew by and those days when I just wanted to talk with my sister or mom...face to face.
I have LOVED my neighbors!!! Saying good-bye to them has not been easy..they have given us so great going away gifts to remember them and England. Our village was awesome!! Our travels were great!! I do plan on making an album to post of all the fond memories here.
I love it that Ian has had this experience of living here and traveling the world. I don't know how much he will remember someday, but I hope the photos will keep it alive.
Thanks so all the great ladies I have met here...all the fun times that Ian had with the other ISE kids, and too many other things to list!!!

Gettting packed up....

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I should be doing about one million other things....but it is not happening. I always seem to do this and than kick it in at the very end. I have gotten most of the stuff organized and ready for Jeff to finish up....ugh!! Tomorrow is Ian's last day of school...he is so excited about moving home!! That makes it so much easier...I have been a little sad about him leaving his school, but he is fine with it. I was looking through some photos of us when we first arrived...Ian was so little...he has grown so much. I have gone from light to dark hair...and long to short. It is amazing how you don't realize how much you change until you start looking back.
I really do like Bush..someone just handed us a sign during a protest and we thought we should be polite and carry it. Anyway, I really NEED to attempt to continue to do some things around here...time is ticking away!!

It is official....

It became official at about 5:30 this evening....we are officially all moving home!!! Ian and I are leaving early because of the baby, but Jeff will be following about 6 weeks after this....YEA!!! This has been soooo stressful....it has turned out just they way we wanted it in the end, but the ride to get there has been up and down. I finally just had to tell Jeff to not tell me anything anymore...the process starts Monday...you know setting up Paragon and all that stuff. Jeff will be packed up and out of here by or on April 1st!!!!

It's snowing in England.....

It snowed today!! Ian didn't have school and we got to sleep until 10:00 a.m....NOT!! Ian didn't have school, but Jeff did get up and explain to me that I shouldn't drive Ian to school...this was at about 5:30...he than attempted to go to work...at about 6:00...with his shoes still on...he started working from our living room....his shoes clicking, CLICKING, CLICKING...his voice echoing throughtout the house...needless to say...I didn't go back to sleep and I finally got out of bed at 7:30 a.m.! The day got better from there....a little coffee can do wonders....
All of our neighbors in the village came out at the same time..about 10:00 a.m. and everyone played in the snow. The kids had a ball...Jeff enjoyed himself as well...although I somehow didn't get any photos of him...he was hiding. We all came inside and dried off, had lunch, and off to work Jeff went...the 605 was open again. I was glad he didn't attempt this in the morning because those that did had to abandon their cars and walk home...with no salt or snowplows this snow has shut things down...which is nice for a day.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Anniversary to You.....

I looked at the date and just realized that today is my parents anniversary!! They have been married for 48 years today...50 is just around the corner. I wish I had some old photos of them to post, but I left those in the states. I will go over some background though.....

They met on a blind date at Club Peoria...which when on to be a gay dance club before buring down....

My mom was working as a nanny and my dad had come up from Tennessee to stay with his sister and her husband...

They got set up by the people my mom worked for...my dad was on his bowling team...

When my mom first saw my dad she was not impressed...which really surprises me...he was very nice looking...he could and STILL can dance....he is petite...I think that is what she didn't like...

My dad spent lots of money on my mom...this hooked her...only for her to later find out he was borrowing from my Aunt Bea to "court" my mom like this....

They dated for several months...decided to get married....the next week they went to the court house and got married with my Aunt Bea and Uncle Valmer as their witnesses...

My mom got pregnant right away...she always was told with all the polio treatments that she wouldn't be able to have kids....this would be why her former boyfriends parents made him break up with her...he became a raging alcoholic and was married about 5 times....lucky break for my mom...whew...

Their first baby was a boy...Jeffrey John...he was born early and passed away after 3 weeks..soon after came my sister..Tammy...than came me...

My parents always made sure that we had what we needed...not what we wanted...my sister and I are so lucky to have them as parents....

I really saw just how much my parents love each other a few years ago when my mom almost passed away...they have a nice relationship...they are friends and in love....

Happy 48 years.....

I am alive......

I will be posting some photos later...maybe even today!! I just haven't felt like writing anything lately....I think I like to "avoid" things in life that are unpleasant. I hate good-byes!! I knew when I got back from Christmas I would have tons of good-byes to say to friends...some I will see again and some I will most likely never see again. Ian is very excited to get back home....he has his count down on and we go over it everyday.
I will miss my little village so much...I love it here...the perfect place for our family to live in England!! I look back at some of the highlights of living here....

Ian learning to ride his bike in this driveway!!
Ian finally using the toliet on his own at this house!!
Jeff and I finding out we were going to be parents all over again.
I was not able to understand ONE word these English people said when I got here...I just looked at them with a blank stare.
We have had sooo much family time here...quiet weekends..trips...etc.
We don't watch TV here at all!!!

I will post some photos later...you know because I have tons of time on my hands....I love to put things off....I need to be packing!!!