It's Funny NOW!!

Just in case you wondered where your ATM card goes when you place it in a cash machine and then the following happens: you put in your magical number to withdraw a substantial amount of money in a tourist vacation spot and while you are listening to the machine count your money, right before it spits it out at you, the bank is struck by lightening and the power to the machine goes out leaving your card and money inside. It is 5pm...bank is closed...lets just say you return to the machine, because after all, your card is in there, and stand there and wait and wait and wait and wait....ah! the lights come back on. You patiently wait as you watch "Windows" load on the ATM machine and the beginning screen come on "Welcome to the Bank of ********. Please insert your card to begin your transaction." Uh...my card IS IN THERE!! Frantically you hit the "cancel" button several dozen times. Then, it begins to pour down rain and then HAIL! You see that the light is on in the bank...so you knock loudly and pray hard! Someone comes to the door but can only open it as far as the chain will allow. She does not have the key to the ATM machine..."If only you had come 10 minutes earlier that person with the key would be here to open it" (your thought: "If I had been here 10 minutes earlier, I would be in my car, on my way to dinner with my card and cash in hand!!"). She continues, "You will not be able to pick it up until Monday morning. We'll hold it for you and if you don't come Monday we'll simply cut it up." You think, "Good thing I'm staying until Monday and not simply passing through!"

So.............where does your go?? Well, there is a big silver box inside the bank that keeps the card when you go to withdraw money from the bank's machine. It simply opens with a key and your card can be taken out...and given to you...with proof of identification of course. Oh, and the money, that was deducted from your account, but not in your hands...where does that go?? The bank cannot simply hand it over to you when you go to pick up your card, which, is understandable. You tell the banker, "Well, my bank will contact you to dispute that." And, with a simple call, the money is up for dispute by the two banks.

And, in case you wondered, this really did happen...to Cody on the first day of our much needed break from reality. And yes, this was our reality for the moment!! Thankfully, he was able to put a temporary hold on the card with our bank. Another "funny" part, he forgot to take the hold off and went to purchase something with the card. He got that angry, "Your card has been denied," voice from the cashier. "Oh," he responded with a laugh and told the two cashiers behind the counter the story as he handed over another card. The cashiers looked at us funny, I'm sure thinking, "Yea right!!"

It's funny NOW!!

Castles, Parks, and Seasons

I never would have imagined that there would be so many parks for children within the confines of castle grounds. Who knew?? Last weekend we took a trip about 20 minutes away from our house to explore a little fishing village called Broughty Ferry. We ate at a little restaurant tucked in a corner (kinda neat!) and then ventured through the town centre and into a park. When we looked up, we realized that Broughty Castle was right there...as the backdrop for the park! Mind you, we didn't stay long, as autumn has quickly approached here, and we are averaging highs of about 45-50 degrees with huge wind gusts! I couldn't bear the wind too long, Cody and Jackson could have been there for much longer, I think!





It has occurred to me that we never really wore short sleeves, shorts, or even cut-off pants much at all. Maybe all together one week, maybe two, this "summer." I love the weather change. The leaves are beautiful and the scenery fabulous in autumn. I love that the leaves are falling and that there are visible changes in the weather, but I am wondering if I'm going to survive the winter. Apparently last winter was considered a "mild winter." What?!!!!!??? I was frigid!! Oh, and we've discovered that when people say it doesn't snow here, they mean the snow doesn't stick on the ground. If it sticks on the ground, then it's considered snow. Hmmmmm, interesting...as far as I'm concerned, if there is white stuff falling from the sky, it's snowing...stick or not!!

Believe It or Not...We Have A Two-Year Old!

I cannot believe another year has gone by, and we can no longer really call our son a "baby" now...he is a little boy. We are so very proud of the little boy that he has become and continually pray that he will grow to know Christ and live a life for him. Just last night, as we were sitting down to requested fish sticks dinner, he turned to Cody and said, "I love Jesus." I had been out of the room to grab some napkins for us, and when I came back in and Cody told me, my heart melted and sang. I must say, those are the sweetest words he has said yet...and on his second birthday. What a blessing that was from God...just as our Jackson has always been...a true blessing from God.

We spent yesterday morning at church, where the entire congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to him. We became members of our church yesterday, and so, as Cody mentioned up at the podium that it was Jackson's birthday, the pastor stopped Cody straight away and said, "We should all sing 'Happy Birthday' to little Jackson," and so they did. Jackson wasn't sure what to think, but I was so proud to be holding our little two-year old as he cuddled up to me. In the afternoon, Jackson had his family time with me and Cody. Here are a few pictures from the celebration.



I would venture to say that probably the biggest reaction we got to a gift went something like this: "Ha...(with a huge open mouth and smile) THOMAS JAMMIES!" Yes, that is right, he loved his Thomas jammies that we got him the most. Although, he isn't yet wearing them, as they are intended for much colder weather. That isn't to say he hasn't asked to wear them! His piano was an attempt to foster his love for music that we have discovered. We'll see where that leads us!

Our American friends here, also thought they would foster that love for music and bought him a drum set. I must say, that was a hit at his little "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" party that we had for him on Saturday.



Our Scottish friends got him a "memento from Scotland" ...a Scotland shirt (which, as you can see from the pictures above, he put on right away) and a Scottish brougue children's book (which, I cannot read...they said they may have to read it to him first...I must agree with that statement! It's a cute little book!). Our British friends got him a "Tractors" book. And, as I said before, our American friends, the drum set. It's amazing...three families at the party, three different accents (might as well be "languages" at times!)but yet, all coming together to celebrate Jackson's 2nd birthday. How neat! We are truly blessed. These three families are probably the families we have grown closest to and do the most with ... one from our church, one from the squadron and one from our country of citizenship! Funny to think about.

Anyway, here are the pictures of the cake I created for the theme...I even added a Thomas!!





All in all, it was a great weekend. And, believe it or not, we now have a 2-year old in the house! What a wonderful two years it has been! Happy Birthday, Jackson!

(The song "More Precious than Silver" that is playing is one that I used to sing to Jackson when he was just weeks old. It kept me awake, my mind focused and calmed him down when he was crying. I will never sing this song again, without thinking of how God sustained me during those first few sleepless months of Jackson's life and how he continues to guide Cody and I as we parent Jackson. God truly is "more precious than silver and more costly than gold!")

...Not My Forte!

Alright, so apparently me taking World Geography in college as an elective to assist me in my very poor geography skills was not worth the money! I've never been really good at Geography, History or anything that comes close to those two subjects...hence, why I married a History major to keep me straight with all of this. I mis"spoke" in my previous blog...Auswitz is in Poland, not Germany. Oops!! And...Cody is still in the Czech Republic. I believe I have that right. I keep saying we should get Jackson a cool globe for Christmas...maybe Santa needs to get the both of us one!!

I've Been Here Before!

Cody left this morning to go pick up a jet in the Czech Republic (rough...I know) and was supposed to (yes, reference that "supposed to"...can you see where this post is going??) be back in Scotland tomorrow morning. When he left, he said, I'll see you tomorrow. Uh huh, right. I've done this a few times. Historical statistics show that about 30% of the time he gets back when he's supposed to. So, the phone rings about an hour ago. (Mind you, he's now in the THIRD country for the day...arriving in Poland from Scotland, now in Germany and heading to the Czech Republic tonight.) "I'm in Auswitz," he begins. "Oh good," I reply. "Jet's not fixed. Not sure when it will be fixed." "Oh, ok," because, remember, I really didn't expect him home tomorrow, so it came as no surprise to me. "Sending someone out to hopefully fix it by Wed. morning," he continues. "Uh huh," I reply, because I've heard that before too. You get the jist. So, I told him to have a good vacation..."Enjoy Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic." His reply, "I'm sorry. Go out and treat yourself to something." I already did that...spent a lovely morning with our little man shopping and having muffins and a special latte at Starbucks, so I'm not bitter. I also bought some flowers for the vases...because, I knew where this was going, so I didn't feel badly buying a few "pretties" for the house. I plan to scrapbook, not cook and not clean much (although Jackson's Birthday party is Saturday, so I must clean a little!) He'll just have to explore those places and take me back sometime! I figure, it's a trial run...he explores, then takes us back to see all the good stuff!!

Forgiveness, Answered Prayers and Blessings!

So, I did it to myself again this morning. It all started last night, when I decided to online shop for Christmas gifts on ebay. This was my first ebay bidding experience...so I was hesitant (and now I'm hooked!). But, being over here, I got the last bid and won the gift for Cody that I wanted (I'm not writing it here, as he checks my blog!)...for a steal, I might add. I thought to myself, "Watch, this will not work somehow," real positive thoughts, I know. Well, lo and behold, th PayPal didn't work and it didn't work and it didn't work and...well, you get the idea. So, what do I do...worry about it all night. Granted, I did pray a lot, since I was awake and all, but I slept very little. I got up this morning, still no Paypal working!! UGH!! I tried not to be in too foul of a mood, and I did better, but still not great. I took Jackson to a indoor play area and spent several hours with a friend who was also up all night thinking of something just as important that was resolved this morning. Anyway, I got home, dabbled (without frustration, mind you) and was able to get it all to work!

OK, so the point of this post...GOD FORGIVES, WORKS IN ALL THINGS AND HE ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYERS. He has blessed me with several things today that I'd like to share:

1. A great Christian girlfriend, who listens to my rantings and has some to share that are similar, so completely understands me!
2. A phone call from another Christian friend in our couple's Bible Study that ended in a lovely chat about life and blessings.
3. Pay Pal is working...in its own quirky way...but now, oh the possibilities!!
4. A beautiful sunny (cold, I might add) day! How refreshing!!
5. The weekend ahead.
6. My decision to boycot "nap exercising" today and enjoy blogging and sewing.
7. Did I mention, answered prayer and a forgiving God who forgives my foul attitude that seems to happen more frequently these days????!!??
8. A wonderful husband who puts up with me...in all of my moodiness.
9. A son, who, understands that sometimes my fuse is short and will give me a "big hug" even though I have just raised my voice at him.
10. Uh, a forgiving God...did I already mention that???

So, carry on, I will today, for God has granted me life and forgiven me for my poor start to the day!

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10

24/7

I was sitting in the living room, just now, relaxing a bit when I was reminded of a "laughable" moment that happened the other day that I thought I should share. I was at ASDA the other day (which is the UK equivalent of Super Walmart...only not quite as good, but run by Walmart anyhow) doing some grocery shopping. As I'm about a quarter of the way through bagging my groceries (because here in Scotland, they do not bag them for you...and now they do not provide bags either, so I bring my own...however, not the point of this post!), and Jackson is sitting in the cart being ever so good, the check-out clerk, who was about 18, said to me, "Are you just finishing up work for the day?" Uh, did I hear him right, "I'm sorry?" I say. He asks again, "Are you just finishing up work for the day?" Yup, I heard him right the first time. I look at him, in all his 18 years of age, and smile and then look at Jackson, smile again. As I look back at the clerk I respond, "Well, he's (pointing to Jackson) my work, so I guess I'm never finished with my work." I said it with a smile and a little laugh. "Uh....(pause) oh," responds the clerk. He was speechless...he said no more than "thank you" after that. I had another chuckle as I loaded Jackson, the groceries and myself into the car at 5:30pm to head back home to cook dinner, play, bathe Jackson, read the Bible to him and gently place him in bed. I again, was reminded at what a priviledge it is to be a wife and mother...FULL TIME!