Christmas in Texas

Here are a few shots from our time in Texas so far. They are mostly of Christmas Eve and Day, but a few others at the end from when we first got here. 

 Me and Catherine with our buddies, Mason and Camden (They really had a fun time playing together tonight).

 Camden and soon to be Aunt Lauren having a fun play time at my parents house.

 Uncle Andrew and Camden in their matching Chelsea jerseys. We got Andrew the shorts to go with his jersey for Christmas.

 Me with Meme by the Christmas tree! It's so great to have her here with us this Christmas.

 Papa Mac helping Camden get baby Jesus out today on the final day of the Advent calendar!

Me reading to my niece Carson on Christmas Eve

 Camden and Carson in their matching cousin pj's that Aunt Jordan got them! So adorable!

Brient Family Christmas Eve before church service.

 Buddy in his Christmas finery!!!! I can't even handle this picture!!

Grandma with the two babies on Christmas Eve. (4 months apart)

Cousin Clare and Camden (She was so great with Camden!).

 Carson playing with the scarf I got Clare for Christmas.

 Camden trying to scale the wall!

 Buddy in his flying hat!!

We got to see Shannon and Rhodes a few days ago! It was so great to see them but we were sad to miss Reese.

A family pic before a night out. We enjoyed the sun the first few days we were here, but then the London fog and rain decided to follow us!

 Me and my little one. I will be printing this one out when we get back to LA!

Grandmummy  (my mom's mom) and Camden the first day she got to see him when we got back. He was having a great time playing with her and for a 91 year old had a surprising amount of energy to follow him around for an hour!

More pictures to come, I'm sure, so I figured I'd get a head start so I won't get behind!

Last Sunday in London

Here are some pictures from our last Sunday at Reality London. We will miss these friends probably more than they will ever know. Our time at Reality London was filled with amazing people who loved and encouraged us, and gave us so much knowledge and wisdom! We are so grateful to God that He blessed us with such amazing people in our lives for 20 months!! 

Camden was loving all the attention!

 Bye Lizzie and Chrissie!

 Mark and Lizzie are on the left (Our pastor and wife). :( We will miss them so much!

 Jo and I. There were many tears. It didn't hit me until the service was over that we were actually leaving...

 The Dent's and The Brient's! We have each welcomed a baby in to our families since we met. :)

 Their daughter Bella and Jared trying to copy her face. Hehe!

Ted and Sarah and us. One final fish and chips night at ours after church! More tears of course...

I know we will be reunited someday with these lovely people! May it be faster than we think!!

The Pink Buggy

Camden is learning to walk with his Cousin Carson's pink buggy! Luckily my grandma got him a slightly more manly version for Christmas. :)

We are still a little jet lagged, but Camden is making the adjustment very well. The first morning he got up at 2 and 4, the second morning 4 and 6, and this morning 4 and 6:30. So gradually we will get back on schedule.

One week to go

It's official...one week until we leave on a jet plane for Houston. Here are some shots I got of Camden the other day! He's growing so fast. He's pulling up and walking all around the furniture, but hasn't let go quite yet!

 Contemplative stare out the window

 Blurry but couldn't resist this face!!

Chewing on the beefeater

Advent

I stumbled across this resource from The Village Church in Dallas thanks to a friend on facebook who posted it. It's a way to reflect during this season of Advent. There's a little write up about different topics every week and then questions to reflect on after.

I'm really looking forward to redirecting all of my anxiousness about the upcoming move in 2 weeks to focusing on celebrating the past Advent (coming/arrival in Latin) of Jesus as a baby, and look forward to the future (second Advent) arrival of Jesus!

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/advent-guide.pdf

What a better way to anxiously await an arrival to the states!

I also thought this is such a brilliant idea for an advent calendar. Unique and creative! I hope to make it next year when we are settled in our LA home. 

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/11/our-simple-advent-calendar.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PassionateHomemaking+%28Passionate+Homemaking%29

Time

Our time here in London is quickly flying by and way too fast for my taste! Have you ever felt like you are trying to be so intentional with your time but see it slipping away so fast right in front of your eyes? Time is a strange thing, isn't it? I've been thinking a lot about this phenomenon lately and haven't come to very many conclusions. I have realized that I can't be so concerned with the fact that I'm "running out of time" because it will just go faster and I won't actually have time to do what I want to do before I leave. Make any sense??

I have also been worrying way too much over canceling final bills, selling items on gumtree, shipping boxes, giving away stuff and the like instead of relaxing and trusting God that it will all get accomplished because He has given me the gift of organization (definitely to a fault in this case). I'm learning how to use my gift to help our family, but not let it take over to where it's becoming a hindrance to enjoying time with  Jared and Camden, and also enjoying time spent alone and with friends. 

I have anxiety about what life will be like for us as we transition back to the states because we have lived here for 19 months now and have immersed ourselves in the culture here. 

I am wondering how the plane flight back to Texas will be with a 13 month old who is almost walking! 

I worry about how Camden will adjust to being in someone else's house for a month, then another house in LA for a couple weeks until we find a flat there. Then he will have to adjust to our new home (which I am worried about finding!)! 

I get stressed about seeing everyone in Texas over the holidays.

So there's everything out on "paper"! I'm working on releasing these things from my grip and handing them over to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit (the Helper) to help me gain a different view on these things. 

John 16:7 (Jesus speaking before his death)
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."

Playtime!

Camden had fun with his friend Isla at our house today trying to follow her around and figure out how she climbed up on the couch. They have both had growth spurts recently and are so big!! Camden doesn't have other kids in the house very often so he was VERY excited the whole time.

Guess what??

I'll give you one guess... 

We are moving back to the states in December! Yes, we have been thinking and praying about when we should move back for a good while, and we finally decided that it's time to pack up our lives here after 20 months and head back. Jared got a job offer from Sony a month or so ago and we decided to go for it. We are leaving London mid-December to spend the holidays with our families in Texas, then we will be moving to LA in January. It's such a bittersweet time for sure. We are so sad to end our time here. We have made so many great friends and really do love a lot about the city, but there have also been a lot of challenges, too. We are excited to be closer to family (ie the same country, cheaper flights, seeing them more often, etc.!) and will be reunited with many of our LA friends! Camden and I are looking forward to the sunshine and we are also excited about spending time in Texas for Christmas. Needless to say we have had a lot going on this last month as we literally have to shut everything down here. Moving out of the country, having a baby, and living in a different country is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to experience, but it has been a wild and crazy ride I wouldn't trade for anything!

More to come!

Camden's b day party

On Saturday, we had Camden's proper birthday party at the nearby pub, The Queen's Head. He had 10 friends come to the party (Mostly adults, and his one little friend out here, Isla). She is so adorable and they always hold hands in their buggies when we hang out! I think he had a great time!

 Camden blowing out his candle.

 Yay for birthday! He can clap now and it is oh so cute.

 The birthday cake I made. My first attempt at fondant. It was really fun to make!

 Isla...so gorgeous! We met her and her mum, Laura on the green right outside the pub.

 icing hands :)

 thoroughly enjoying the cake!

 the fam

 birthday boy! Thanks Meme for the party decorations! They were a big hit!

Camden showing Isla his party trick....wah wah wah wah...Don't know if she's impressed or not!

Well, I can't believe my little boy is 1 year old! Sniff Sniff...but he is such a precious little one and we are amazed at all the blessings we have had this year through him and just how much more he can do every day! :) Can't wait for many more celebrations to come.

Camden is 1 year!!

Here's a short video of Camden's first birthday pancake! He wanted to pull the whole plate closer soooo bad! He enjoyed his 1st birthday celebration immensely. At the end of the day, Jared and I shared a few tears in thinking about how much we have been through out here in London this first year of his life. It has definitely been the most difficult year of our lives so far, but also the best year of our lives! We can't wait to see what else God has in store for us and Camden in the many years to come! We love you soooooo much little buddy!!!! More than you will ever know (probably until you have kids of your own one day).

The Incredible Hulk

Camden was the Incredible Hulk for Halloween! We kept trying to make him grunt at us and finally did. :)

Parents arriving any minute!

Today my parents are arriving to celebrate Camden's first Halloween and more importantly Camden's first birthday on the 2nd of November and my birthday on the 7th! They should be here soon! The thing I hate about not having a car here is not being able to ever pick anyone up from the airport. I have to anxiously wait at my flat while they travel on the tube. If Camden wakes up from his nap, I might walk down to the tube station and "pick" them up there.

Let's hope there's not another suitcase mishap like in June when my mom came and I had to drag her 50 lb. suitcase for a mile back to my place bc the wheel broke! Haha! We are planning some fun outings while they are here! I'll make sure to take lots of pictures!

One of the most exciting things about today is that my good friend Joanna had her baby this morning! A healthy baby girl (Isabella-Rose). I can't wait to meet her and see Jo! Good timing that my parents are here  so I can go visit them without Camden. :)

Tearing Paper

Camden's Autumn Photo Shoot

Here are a few shots from our walk Saturday. On Thursday I found a gorgeous street in South Kensington when I was wandering around with Camden and my friend Joanna. It's called Cale St. There were a bunch of jewelry shops, kids clothing stores, and even a cake decorating shop! I finally found one in London! :) It kicks Swoozies' you know what! I decided to take Jared back there on Saturday and we had a nice walk around the South Ken market, too. There were a bunch of autumn leaves at the park by our house, and we just couldn't pass up taking a few shots of Camden in the gorgeous sunlight! It has been absolutely gorgeous here this Autumn so far, but the cold weather is definitely starting to set in! It's been 50 or so during the day, but the bright sun is makes for a really great combo! Not having rain for the last few weeks has been epic!

This last one is from Hyde Park the other day when Camden and I had a picnic in the park! 

Camden is also starting to pull up to standing on almost anything now! It's so great to see how fast he is learning. He also has started saying more words and is able to communicate with us a lot more. He said "ma" and put his hands together (the baby sign for more) this morning at breakfast. He also will say "ba ba" when he finds his Brown Bear book. I can't believe this little boy will 1 year old on November 2nd. This year has been so exciting and we can't wait to celebrate his life with our friends on November 5th for his birthday party! My parents are also coming out from October 26-November 5 which will be so fun for Camden to have them here for his birthday and right before mine. :)

Post Tea Time exercise

Camden decided to do some post tea time work out by climbing the stairs tonight. He did it for the first time last week and has continued to get more stable. I spotted him up the rest of the steps and he made it all the way to the top tonight which was a huge accomplishment! He's growing up so fast!

He's also learning how to clap and it's super cute when we say "yay" and clap, he will do it back to us!

:)

Milestones!

So Sunday night Camden was sorting out a lot of things in his sleep:

1. 2 top teeth breaking through the gums.

2. learning how to pull up on the furniture without our help.

(Note to worried grandmas..Camden was not actually up in the night figuring this out...hehe).

These two things have been contributing to a lot of whining and a lot of frustration both for buddy and for his momma! I have definitely learned a lot more about what it looks like for me to be patient, truly patient, with a child who is learning so much and trying new things but just can't seem to get it quite yet. Also, the poor guy couldn't help that his teeth took so long to break through the gums. I could see them for 2 weeks right under the skin! These last few weeks have also taught me so much about our loving heavenly Father who guides us and helps us through difficult situations. Coming to understand my love for Camden even through these difficult times has helped me to understand God's love and faithfulness towards us even when we are struggling through life. Something that also stood out to me was that God never gets irritated or frustrated with us...rather He continues to teach and discipline us so we will be sanctified in His truth and understanding of who He is and who He has created us to be through His word (John 17:17...the entire passage of John 17 has helped me gain a greater understanding of who God, Son, and Spirit are recently through this time.) Read and enjoy the many wonderful truths that are so eloquently stated for us to live out and enjoy! "All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them." (John 17:10). "...That the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:26). Jesus desires for God's love to be IN US. This is the same love that God has for his only Son, Jesus. Jesus also says that he is dwelling within us. This is so overwhelming when I think about the magnitude of God's love. He loves me as much as he loves his only son (which is more than the love I even have for my only son). Not only does God give us his love, but also his Son to dwell with us forever. :)

Thank you for letting me share my revelations with you!

Eye and Aquarium

Last Saturday we went to the London Eye and Aquarium and had such a fun family day out! We had been wanting to take buddy to the aquarium for a while and we had wanted to do the London Eye since we moved here! It was a spectacular view of London!!

Camden had a great time and stood on the floor and was banging on the glass :)
Parliament and Big Ben in the distance
Southbank Centre lit up by the sun
Another pod above us


Buddy hugging his new shark toy from the Aquarium