Moving Day

We've moved!

Our new address is:

Carli Knits In Public

Hope to see you there!!!

It's been a long year...

And it's only mid February!

Bubby's had one thing right after another since early January. Now he's on the tail end of a cold.

Hazel? She woke up this morning with a fever of 104. Thankfully, we've done the whole ibuprofen and acetaminophen and cold bath thing and her temp is going down.

I feel blessed that this is all we're dealing with, because I'm very aware that things could get much much worse. However, I'm hoping the rest of the year goes quick and smooth.

I'm ok with getting all the crap out in the first 2 months :)

Glad He knows me so well...

Does God test us to show us our limits? Right now, that seems really the only logical explanation for any trials and tribulations. He knows our limits. He knows what we're capable of. He knows exactly who we are, what we can do, what we're made of.

I'm glad He knows.

Right now I'm struggling with my own strength...

Fuzz...

It's what my brain feels like. There's only about 10 billion things going through my brain right now and it's making me sleepy just trying to organize any of them.

I need to sew Hazel's reclaimed dress. It's cut out and ready to go, I just need to get the lead out and sew it up. But that requires me to break out the sewing machine, which I may do tonight.

I need to finish the back of my sweater I started last week so I can have my #8 needles back and finish my hat :)

I need to re-pack the suitcases so I can take 2 back with me...as well as the 2 kids and their carseats/strollers. I'm pretty sure I can make this trip back to NI with them alone. We're going to go with, "YES! I CAN make that trip alone." Just so I don't have an anxiety attack between now and then. (But I really do think I can completely do it alone. Seriously, we'll be A-Ok).

I need to get my driver's license renewed for the good ole US of A.

Get Bubby to the doctor again on Thursday to make sure his ear infection is cleared up before we head out on Saturday.

I can't believe we've only 1 week left for this trip. I can't believe we aren't here for good. 11 months will go really really fast, right?

One Year Later...

A lot has gone on in the months that have followed my last post.

We're still in Northern Ireland. And will be for another year.

We've had a gorgeous baby boy named, Callum Elijah.
He's perfect, and amazing, and literally everything I could have ever asked God to bless me with (just like his big sis)....

I flew to London in September.

Hazel turned 3 in September.

and started school 1 week later....

We visited Rome in October.


don't ask about the picture...I'm still angry about the pictures (I got duped out of 20 Euro).

Then we headed home for Christmas about 3 weeks ago. I still can't believe we've been here for 3 weeks already, but time flies when you're runnin' about havin' fun, huh??

I promised myself this year wasn't going to start off with resolutions that I wouldn't keep. I've never really done it in years past, but I really don't think I should start now, either.

But I have decided to do things to make this year fly by as completely fast as possible. I get to move home in 11 months, and I have decided to approach this year as time I get to prepare for our return home. Knit until my fingers fall off, sew all I can while I have access to my sewing machine, start a FYI book for Adam and Lindsay for their move to St. Andrews, Scotland in August.

I may not be Martha Stewart. But darn it, I'm gonna do my best.

I'm wondering at what point my kids will get sick of my blow-through-the-year-at-lightning-speed attitude?

Where to begin?

We have been informed that 11 weeks from last night we absolutely have to be where we are going to be. I will be 28 weeks pregnant and of the 2 OBs I'm currently under (here and in America) neither of them will give me the written permission I need to travel during my 3rd trimester. Period. This, I have been informed, is non-negotiable.

That being said, we have zero idea where we are going and as fun as that is for single people and couples without kids, it's almost more fun to have a root canal when you're trying to move a family at last moment (I've done both. Atleast you get general anesthesia with the root canal).

But I'm straying from the original thought I had when posting this. I could go on for days about how I think businesses would be more...well, EVERYTHING positive...if they worked a little harder on their time management, but that's not where I'm going with this, and so I'll get on with it.

Where do I begin to get ready to go home??!!!??

I think I'm dragging my feet because I don't want to pack what we're taking home and sell/donate the rest if everyone's going to change their mind.

I've decided to pack what we aren't using that we KNOW is going home. That includes Hazel clothes that she's outgrown, books we've read, things I can't wear in my pregnancy.

Then we have to hold a Car boot sale to get rid of stuff. That'll consume one of the 11 Saturdays we have left.

Then I have to clean a house that never stays clean because I have a 2 year old. Anyone who thinks that will take a weekend is dillusional and should avoid ever having children.

10 weeks. 69 days. 1656 hours.

11 Saturdays.
-1 for Brett
-1 for Hazel
-1 for Me
-1 for Carboot sale
-3 for family outtings (which we are NOT giving up...don't even mention it or you'll quickly regret it, I promise I will not hold back and you'll wish you'd kept it to yourself)
= 4 Saturdays to get our affairs in order

Combine this stress with Pregnancy hormones (which, unfortunately, are not the happy-go-lucky hormones I had with Hazel), I'm a pretty mean human right now.

So as I sit and stare at my messy living room, all I can think is, where do I begin?

Why Can't I pick when I get to have energy?

Yesterday was planned out to be super productive. I had my plans set and I was feeling good, motivated, and set to make my plans happen.

But they didn't happen as I wanted them to, but that's a whole other story we won't get into.

Anyway, my kitchen is now full of mounds of laundry. My bedroom is barely showing hints at having a wood floor in it. Hazel's room is nice and tidy, bed is made. I feel accomplished in that and the amount of laundry I have succeeded in doing up to this point, but there's a long way to go, and as we're not exhibitionists, we dirty up more laundry every day, so unless i buckle down and stay on top of laundry that requires 2-3 hours a load, it'll never get done...but DARN IT, I am determined. It will absolutely happen.

Hazel and I are stayng home from mom and tots to get stuff done, but today I am exhausted, and although I've had a shower, she's had a bath, we've done a load of laundry, folded another and put it away, I still need to do so much more and can't muster the energy. Hazel's clearly worn out from the past couple days b/c she's so mellow and having a good time watching TV, and building with her blocks, that I feel guilty pushing us too hard today.

In other news, Little Miss has decided that being potty trained sounds great, although it's only at her discression and when she wants a gummy bear. Otherwise she's in no hurry and really has no interest in actually BEING potty trained. Suppose to wait until we move home in April anyway, so I'm not too worried. She's wearing a large 3T, but 4T in most things, plus she's got this enormous vocabulary and comprehension skills, so we tend to forget that she is only 2 years and 4 months, not 4. There's no rush. It'll happen. She's proven she can do it, so it's just a matter of waiting until she's ready and willing.

I've recently (as in 2 months ago) discovered Bakerella. If you've never seen or heard of this blog, run as fast as your web browser will let you and just spend 1/2 hour skimming. You'll never be the same, I swear. Go to the Brownies section and try the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies. Brett's addicted, they're sinfully simple and you can mix and match the cookie dough in it. I used the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie mix once...fantastic. Then, if you're daring and don't mind a little mess, try the Cake Balls. Oh my goodness, will life at your house never be the same. Bakerella rocks my socks off.

Now, I'm a die hard fan of The Yarn Harlot, as many of you know, but I'm slowly being won over by the dear lady who gives us free baking recipes and tips....sorry, Stephanie, you'll never be replaced, but you're quickly having to share a spot in my heart....

Scrambled Eggs**

**please be aware that this post contains gross child related content. those of you with weak tummys...just be prepared...

Yesterday started out as every Sunday does. Brett got up, then Hazel, then they had to con Mommy out of bed. Sunday mornings in America were always Church then Brunch at Bob Evans. Well, Hazel and I have attempted church 2ce here. The first time was a disaster. The 2nd was no less a disaster, but it was for a friend's baptism, so we endured. The thing about church here is that they don't have nursery's during the service. So I wrestle a antsy 2 year old, then take her to the narthex so she doesn't interrupt other parishoners, so I don't hear any of the sermon. Not worth it. I don't go to church for Bonus Points or to look good. I go to learn and be closer to God, and as that doesn't happen with a 2 year old and no nursery, we just don't go. Grill me all you want, but if you expect me to go when I can't be there for the proper purpose of going to church, then maybe YOU aren't going for the right reasons. End of story.

Anyway, back to my story...

Sunday mornings are dedicated to our family since we can't go to church, and we do our best to get to Breakfast between 9 and 10:30. Ulster Fry (google pics, it's a big heart attack on a plate) is Brett's fave meal over here, and Cafe Spice has the best we've found up to this point, so we get dressed and go!

We get there, get settled at our "usual" table, and I go order our breakfast. Brett's never changes, and Hazel's always varies between Eggs and Peem Peems (Pancakes...ask Brett), and mine is never the same now that I'm preggo and can't have fried eggs (I want runny yolks, none of this cooked all the way through business), so after figuring out what H wants, I go up and order for us.

Yesterday she wanted eggs, so I got her scrambled eggs.

Now, let me preface by saying that scrambled eggs over here...regardless of where you get them...are gross. As in, really really nasty, think really bad hospital/airplane scrambled eggs. I don't know what the collective masses over here do to their scrambled eggs, but they're either insanely watery (not under done watery, like soaked in water watery) or feta cheese dry. Both are equally nasty. But I digress...

She got her eggs, I got my bagel, and Brett got his fry.

We were happy.

We were together.

Life was good.

We were almost done with breakfast and Hazel got a very strange look on her face, then proceeded to let out this enormous belch. She giggled, we tried not to laugh (twas impossible) and let her know she should say, "excuse me," and then the funny look returned.

Without warning, scrambled eggs projectiled out and down. All down her front, all over the place.

And it smelled.

to this pregnant woman, it smelled so bad that Brett had to clean it up as I couldn't even be near the table (have I mentioned what an incredible hubby and daddy Brett is? Not lately? Oh, let me tell you he is by far the best and most amazing...hey, he cleaned up scrambled egg puke and didn't complain).

Breakfast was over. That fast.

Need a quick exit for a meal? Take a 2 year old and encourage her to vomit. Will do the trick every time.

All the way home she complained of her tummy hurting. We got home, got her some water, changed her into Jammies and she laid on the couch watching Tinkerbell for about 45 minutes, just being mellow. Near naptime, she acted better, and post naptime she was great.

We decided to end our Sunday with a family movie. It was our first family movie and it went great. Hazel inhaled a large popcorn, which was amusing, and luckily didn't end in a tummy ache. We watched Alvin and The Chipmunks 2, which, in it's defense was the perfect movie out for Hazel and was significantly better than the first. Worth taking your kids to.

That was our Sunday. Interesting, but memorable.

That's all I ask for any day of the week...

It's a Rather Blustery Day

Wind. And lots of it. It's blowing over the chimney, making it sound like there's an air raid going on above our house. It's doing it's best to break in through the patio doors in the dining/toy room. It's cutting out our Satellite so that every so often while I was giving Hazel a "tubby" I would hear Brett cry out as it was interrupting his Rugby match (go Ulster!).

It's windy outside.

I'd never experienced real wind until we moved here. "Gale force" is such a mild sounding name for the insanity going on outside. Used to be that it would make me very nervous as, in the Midwest, if you get this kind of wind, you better be prepared for whatever season appropriate weather was blowing in. Now, it's just annoying to have to turn up the TV to hear. It's hard to ignore when you're trying to fall asleep and hear nothing but the banshees SCREAMING outside your walls. And all of it is just wind...for no reason!

I, personally, prefer Thunder. At least it has an almost symphonic resonance to it...

Another Crazy Year Ahead

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to 2010!!!

Sorry it's been over a month, but what an insane month. Traveling home is wonderful, but doing so over the holidays is exhausting. We ran pretty much from the moment we left our house in Larne until 2 days ago when I dropped Matt and Eric off at the airport. It was a whirlwind, but it was fantastic. We saw lots of family and only a couple friends, but we weren't worried as we're moving back to the states in April! YAY!!! We SHOULD be able to catch up with all then :)

Matt and his friend Eric came back with us and did a very speedy visit of Northern Ireland...even made the trip to the Republic to see Dublin for one day. It was a lot of fun to have them here. We were all really really tired, but it was worth it. I, personally, think the coolest thing they did was sneak into Cairndhu house. They both took some cool pictures and Matt even got a little video. I'm so jealous. I am not, however, going to climb through an old derilict house while preggo. Things that aren't safe for someone who's not pregnant, is a major no-no for those who are, ya know? But they were sweet enough to bring me back a roof shingle...a shale tile. Too fantastic. It needs scrubbing.

I told Brett I was taking this week to recover from the past month, and then, on my honor, I am going to tackle this house. We have 13 weeks to divide everything up into "sell it", "ship it", or "recycle it". Marina and I are going to have a couple of carboot (think, TRUNK...brits call it the boot) sale to try to get something out of some of this stuff. It seems ridiculous to think that we moved over here with 4 suitcases full of stuff. It's grown a bit.

We are mid-cataloging our movies to start the organization process and just going through Brett's DVD case (H and I have one each, too) and NOT counting all the individual DVDs within seasons of different shows, he has 282. That being said, there's 3 DVDs unaccounted for in Little Britain, 25 DVDs not accounted for in Knight Rider, then there's the entire BSG series and miniseries, 2 seasons of Big Bang Theory, 4 seasons of Star Trek Enterprise, and well, you get the point. Tonight we have to go through Hazel and my cases and then we have a whole case in America. It's an illness, I swear.

Well, not much other to report, just taking it easy while we're here. Supposed to go to Emma's house today but we haven't heard anything from them and I suddenly have about 10 phone calls to make to America, so we'll see what happens!

Big hugs!

Christmas at Glenarm...

I'll be pretty quick with this post...

Took Hazel to the Christmas evening at Glenarm Castle tonight. We went last year and it was the best Christmas celebration. Live manger scene, live reindeer, she gets to see Santa and recieves a really nice present from him, then afterwards we all get a plate of snacks and she gets juice while Daddy and I get mulled wine or tea and coffee.

They added a few things and re-arranged everything, but it was essentially the same and just as wonderful!

Here are a few pics...

Writing Santa a letter...Posting the letter...In Santa's sleigh with Mommy...with Daddy...Snacks and warm food afterwards!

Hazel's first Christmas present for 2009...

A little update....

Brett's contract is up in June of 2010. Hazel and I are moving home in April (hopefully Brett will be, too), and that leaves a short 14 weeks of life here in Northern Ireland once we're home from Christmas.

Due to those facts alone, Brett and I have decided that we won't do a whole lot by way of Presents for Hazel for Christmas. We'll be bringing the bare minimum back from our Holiday trip home, so stuff for the little miss will simply be left there and that's just not fair to her, epecially when she's too little to know whether she's getting much or not.

We decided, as one of her "presents" this year, that it would be fun for her to get a mini-pedicure this morning while I was getting my manicure for the FG Wilson christmas party tonight. It's not something I would normally do for a 2 year old, but it's not an everyday occasion and it's fun everyonce in a while to have a girls day out at the spa.

She's just thrilled about everything. "Sparkwie pink, mama." We had to show daddy right away (he was at home). It was a great morning.Diane taking off Hazel's shoes...Bare Tootsies...Toes seperated...Now for the left foot...

"This one, peeze."Letting our tootsers dry...This is the color I got, Mommy...Pretty "sparkwie pink" toes...A pampered girl....

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know it was yesterday and thoughts of turkey and pumpkin pie have long gone, but being in NI and not celebrating until tomorrow, I thought I would split the difference.

I think it's important to think of what you're thankful for every day, and I try to, I just don't always say it. So here's my holiday appropriate thanks...

I'm thankful for...

A God who loves me and blesses me every day and night. Who never gives up on me even when I give up on Him. Who wraps His loving arms around me when things get hard, even when He knows He won't change it, and Cheers louder than anyone for me when I get something right.A husband who is sweet, handsome, thoughtful, smart, caring, fun-loving, and less than perfect. But he's perfect for me and perfect in the way God made him and at the end of the day, those are the only 2 things that matter.A daughter who blows my mind everytime I see her. Who teaches me every day what is truly important in life. Who lets me smother her in smooches and hugs and wants nothing more than to make me proud of her, not knowing that she makes me prouder than I thought was possible every day she wakes up.



For the tiny little person growing in my belly. Who is working so hard every second to get bigger and never rests in "his" pursuit of life. Who makes me feel so blessed to be a mom. Who is getting ready for whatever God has planned for him in this great big scary world.


For parents who love all of us more than they have to. Who are always there whenever we need them. Who don't want to let us grow up b/c that means we might need them less (we never do or will). Who love each other through the thickest and thinnest parts of life. Who love each other through sickness and health, even when sickness seems to reign. Who taught us all what true love should look like and be like. Who let us see lately that they're only human in much of life, making it easier for us to handle tragedy.
For brothers who are simply the most amazing siblings a big sister could have. Who are so different from each other and from me, but won't imagine life without each other. Who enjoy life exactly as they can, not how they should. Who don't live up to others' expectations but set expectations for themselves according to God's word and direction and never once waver from hard times.
For a Sister in law who loves my brother unconditionally. Who lets him be himself, and never asks for more than he is. Who's hard working. Who loves God. Who loves life and friends and family. Who is becoming a fantastic pedicure pal.

For Theresa and her family. 5 people I can't imagine life without...and don't want to, quite frankly. Who is my sanity every day and just quite honestly, the best friend I could ever wish for.

For Brett's family who've welcomed me into the family with open arms. Who raised a boy to become the man I love more than I could have imagined.

For PMAlliance who took a chance on "Matt's bartending friend" 3 years ago and gave us this incredible opportunity to live in a foreign country and meet amazing people and experience amazing things. Who continues to allow us to pay bills in an economy where many struggle to find a job.

For the women I've met here in NI. Marina who is my rock. Michelle who is my peace. All the women in the knit group who are my laughter. To the guys and gals Brett works with who've become dear to my heart and took me into their little group when they didn't have to.

For friends and family that I haven't seen in ages, but still hold a special place in my heart for who they are and what they've meant in my life.

I could go on for ages about what I'm thankful for. The air I breath, legs I walk on, food we eat. I'm truly blessed, and while I tend to forget it every once in a while, I know in my heart there just simply isn't anything in the world that could make me richer in life than I am right now.

Lots of love and Thanks,
Carli

Trying to catch up...

I've still got the london post in progress, which is why I haven't posted in so long. Everytime I log in, I work on it, and now it's been nearly 3 months since I posted!!!!

What have we done....

We went to Donaghadee for a weekend over Halloween weekend, it was fun!

We got to see Mount Stewart, a large estate just south of Donaghadee along the coast. The house is still a residence for a Lady Maerie of Londonderry (sounds like a rhyme, huh?).

(enoying candy apples at Mount Stewart)A group of men turned an old beater car into a boat and drove it over to Scotland from Donaghadee. It was funny as the car started to sink about 100 yds off the pier. But they got there!!! Saturday night we ate dinner at the oldest pub in Ireland, opened in 1611...We took Hazel to the Exploris Aquarium for the day on Sunday before making the hour drive home. It wasn't the prettiest of weekends, but it was fun.

Hazel's been to 2 birthday parties this month already. Emma's and Inara's. It's really cute to see them all get so much bigger. Brett went with us to Inara's party, and him and Hazel had a blast. I think he played as hard as she did!!!!

Well, that's us for the past couple of months...pretty boring, huh?

Hazel's birthday and a Trip to London

Wow. I can't believe I haven't posted since August 23. That's crazy!

Nothing much has happened though since, so I suppose there isn't much to tell :) We went to a party and Matt and Jenn's where too much liquor was consumed and Hani stepped on my ankle, but other than bruising that's lasted 2 1/2 weeks, we're pretty lowkey.

Last Thursday we went to London for the weekend! Hurray!!! It's our second trip to London and it was far better this time.

We flew out of Belfast City Airport Thursday night, landed in Heathrow about 10:30, took a taxi to our hotel, and tried to check in.

That's right. We TRIED to check in. Hotel was paid for in full along with our flights, and the travel engine that we used, didn't send our hotel reservation OR payment to the hotel. Luckily it was a Thursday night and they had an room for us. So finally, about 1 am, we were all in bed.

Morning came quick, though. We got up, had breakfast, and set out on our day! I really wanted to go to Buckingham Palace, but we weren't sure how Hazel would do on the tour, so I went to the palace and Brett took H to the London Aquarium. I was at the palace so early that I made one of the first tours, had no wait to buy a ticket and was in the palace in no time. No cameras were allowed, so I can only pass on stories....

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to actually live in Buckingham as a palace. It was originally a grande house or mansion that was added to and expanded upon by George IV.

It was beautiful, and amazing, and mindblowing that I was even there. But it was also really sad. I mean, this is a place of residence, and it LOOKED like a museum. There was no warmth, no "homey" feel. I ached to place an old beaten up lazy boy somewhere. A couch that appeared to have years of lazy Sundays, flu-ridden children camped out, movie nights on it. But everything was pristeen, playing out just a little more of the illusion that we want when we think of when we imagine being king, queen, princess, or prince.

Meanwhile at the aquarium.....

They had a great time. I guess Hazel wasn't so sure about it at first and REALLY didn't like the sharks, but after a few minutes, she warmed up to the idea and ended up loving all the fish.

We met up afterwards, I caught the guards' precessional down the road called the Mall, to the changing of the guard at Buckingham, on my way to Westminster Abbey. We attempted to walk through Westminster Abbey with the nut, but A) it was PACKED with people, so moving about with a stroller was rough, and B) you had to be quiet (it's an Abbey after all) and our 2 yr old is less than ok with being silent...so we saw the cool tombs, like Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary and quickly retreated...

Hazel and I headed back to the hotel after having lunch and took a nap while Brett did some more sight seeing. This is St. James' palace. The last remaining Tudor palace.and I can't remember what this is, I'll have to ask him...On Saturday, I headed off early to IKnit day while Brett and the nut headed to The Natural History Museum. There were lots of things to see,But hazel's favorite part was the Butterfly exhibit....Daddy bought her a magnifying glass so she could do some detective work...

That night we took Lil Miss to The Rainforest Cafe for her birthday! She had a great time, and since we didn't throw her a birthday party, we decided to go all out....She got a butterfly painting on her cheek...Did lots of coloring at the table...Got the kid's activity pack with her dinnner, and had to try on everything...But wasn't sure about Mama wearing it....Had the world's biggest Ice cream sundae...

Sunday we spent the day at The Tour of London. It's soooo cool. It's where many people, including Anne Boleyn were beheaded, and acts as a residence to the monarchy at times and it's a whole city inside itself! We're entering the oldest entrance here, and behind us is the Moat that has been long since filled in...This is the first thing we say upon entering the ToL. This just begins to show you how BIG this place is....

The Traitor's Gate, where traitors would have been boated in from the Thames to await trialKing Edward's bedroom...original beams and brick...Royal bedroom recreated next to the orginal bed chamberThe White Towe that takes up a majority of the center of the fort...Hazel and I walking along the inner wall...

Reinactment of The Anne Boleyn trial. Lady Kingston is on the left and Anne Boleyn is on the right.Cromwell, telling all how Queen Anne had done wrong...A pic with Queen Anne (I know, I'm a dork)The hospital ward, this portion sustained pretty heavy damage during the bombing of London in WWII...The Chapel where Anne Boleyn was buried....

This is the Queen's House...There's a Beefeater standing guard in front...Sir Walter Raleigh's room in the Bloody Tower...This is the tower that houses the crown jewels. Definitely cool to see. There's a lot more to the crown jewels than I realized!!! No pics allowed inside, though!Finally, on our way out of the ToL, Brett in front of the Tower Bridge. Pretty cool to see in person.After that we headed back to the hotel, got our belongings and headed to the airport to come home!

It was a great trip!