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!!!

Sonogram....

I have been forgetting to post these photos of the baby...Ian reminded me last night. I think he was trying to find something for me to do with Jeff gone again. Anyway, the baby is doing great!! The doctor says I am in wonderful health and everything should go fine...actually I have gained less weight thus far than with Ian the first time around...although...my stomach is bigger this time...you know that after being stretched from before...thanks Ian.
We don't have a name yet, but when we do decide we will just wait...you know so that people can't tell you how they don't like that name or know a horrible rotten kid named that name...it just makes it easier. I still remember the whole Ian incident...it took forever for people to get it right....??? My mom was the worst...she liked the name but called him Enus or Anus for a short period...looking back she was only getting about 50% oxygen to her brain at the time, so I will excuse you mom.
Today I am spending the day taking down stuff in Ians room and trying to organize it so that when it does come back I won't have to sort it than...I am getting rid of all the little stuff that he won't miss...I hope he won't.
We are counting the days until we leave...sorry Jeff...you will only be alone for about 5 or 6 weeks...and you will be traveling probably anyway...well I must get back to work or else I will never get done...my phone usually starts ringing at about 1:30-2:00...you know 7:30-8:00 Illinois time.

Maybe I clean a little too much....

I have always loved to hear kids say things about their parents...you know the stuff they are not suppose to say to others!! Anyway, I had to share this because it made me laugh so hard...the kids have been working on sensory this week...they had to wear a mask and say the first thing that came to their mind when they smelled this smell....simple things like lemons, grapes, apples, etc.
The teacher than went on to ask if any scent reminds them of their moms...Ian raised his hand and explained the following...
"After she gets out of the shower she smells like flowers or vanilla"..pretty good, but he just couldn't stop...he than went on to explain that I smell like BLEACH alot during the day!! I think he is saying this because I have been going around with a bottle of bleach and water mixed...wiping down everything in sight...I don't want to get sick...ok. Anyway...I am getting rid of the straight bleach and going to buy a lemon scent of some sort.

Christmas 2008 photos.....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I actually took alot more photos, but I forgot to download those and left the card at home. Here are just a few photos from our time in the states....

We made it back to England....

We came back yesterday afternoon...got at this house, unpacked some things, had dinner, showered, and went to bed and slept for 18 hours! We are finally up and trying to get a few things done before going to bed again. We weren't very excited to come back here...we had decided that there is no place like our home!! We had so much fun at our house...playing in the snow with Beau, hanging out by the fire, seeing our family whenever we wanted to, going to movies, and just so much more!!
Ian and I will be traveling back in 6 WEEKS to prepare for the baby to be born....I promised him today that I would put up a calendar to mark everyday down so he knows how much time he has left. He wanted to stay and wait for me to come back, but I knew he would miss us....well we think he would.
We did get most of the things done that we wanted to get done....mind you I only visited with one friend...and that was only for about 30 minutes, but I couldn't pass the chance to see you beautiful baby...Lennon. The highlight was Lennon went to the bathroom on his mother...just a tiny bit...but it made Ian's trip!!
I will post some photos later today...I have lots from Christmas....I do have some highlights from the trip....

1. Finding out we are having a GIRL!!
2. Going to dinner and dealing with the shock of having a GIRL!!
3. The clothes for a girl...need I say more
4. Amanda turning 17...it just seems like yesterday she was born
5. Helping my parents pick out stuff for their new condo
6. Our roof leaking in the sunroom and getting a new roof for the whole house....wow those are expensive...but necessary
7. Getting my new Jeep...that seats 7..that was my main concern...and yep Jeff pulled through for me...thanks!!
8. Getting new windows for the house...again needed...not wanted...
9. Deciding how we were going to budget our finances for the first time in at least 10 years...anyone who knows me well knows that I love this....Jeff is not as good at it as I am...
11. Spending time with our family during this season...it really didn't get to out of hand this year...we really cut back...