First Half Term Recap

We have had a great half term at St. Matthews.  The boys have done great transitioning and we are thoroughly enjoying a week break.  They were both pretty tired and ready to be able to wear what they wanted and play all day long.  

Now that Ben is in year one, he can be involved in after school clubs.  He was so excited to start football club with his best friend L.

Nate had a week and a half of half days to transition to reception.  I really enjoyed my afternoons with just him.

While Ben is at football club, we hang around and Nate conquered the climbing wall.  He has a lot of upper body strength and he is determined!  

One of the things that I LOVE about St. Matthews is that it is connected to a church.  So, they have their assemblies at a church where they sing christian songs and learn about God.  This was their fall harvest assembly where they sang about God's goodness and provision.  Sorry, the pic is blurry.  

They also had an open morning where we went into the school and observed learning time.  This is Ben showing us the things he likes to play/learn with.

Nate intent on learning about the letter/sound R.  RRRR for Robot

They both are doing great in school and transitioning back to life in England.  Ben was voted onto Student Council.  He gets to wear a pin on his tie on Monday.  He is so excited and proud. 

Raising them right!

During our last week in Anderson, we made one last trip over to Clemson.  We had a great time!  Did a little shopping, ate at Mellow Mushroom, Clemson Ice Cream, etc.  I remember my first trip to Clemson with my dad.  So, it is really fun to be able to share the same with our boys.  Allen and I have such sweet memories at Clemson and the boys love all the Tigers!  

Trudy gave us this cute onesie for our little one!  At the time, we didn't know if it was a girl or boy.  Before Anna arrives, I will be making an orange tutu!

Ben didn't want to be in the picture but he was definitely having FUN!

Go TIGERS!!

It's a Girl!!!!

Introducing Anna Joy Hawkins:

Anna meaning gracious or favor.  

Luke records that Anna was present when infant Jesus was presented at the Temple.  As soon as she saw Him she knew.

 And there was a prophetess, Anna...She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.  

Luke 2:36-38 ESV

Anna was one who continually lived in the presence of God, recognized her savior the first time she saw Him, and proclaimed Him to all.  This would be our prayer for our Anna.

(Anna's middle name is the same as Sara's)

Our last day, a perfect day at the lake...

The day before we left the US, we had the awesome opportunity to spend the afternoon at the lake with family.  What a special afternoon!  We worked hard all week to be packed and ready to just relax and it was worth it!   We played in the water all afternoon and finished the night with steaks and homemade ice cream.  Definitely the perfect way to end four and a half special months in the US. 

I loved seeing the boys with all of their cousins this summer.  Such a blessing! 

My boys had never been on a seadoo before and they LOVED it!

Their first tubing experience was a hit!

Brothers!

I had the pleasure of sitting back and taking in all the smiles and laughs.  Storing them up for the years when we are apart.  What a gift from God the last four months were to my heart and soul.  There is no doubt in my mind that we are exactly where we are supposed to be but there is a price for living overseas.  Thankful for the sweet gift of time and memories!

The Lake with the D's and the D's

So, I am not even sure how to start to blog about this summer.  They are just too many good pictures and memories.  I will slowly but surely try to plug away at them.  

In August, we had an awesome weekend with two wonderful families.  We have all known each other since we were newly married.  Living overseas and being away from friends, it is always such a blessing and encouragement to get together with long time friends and see how seamless it is to be together.  Our kids all played wonderfully together.  Lots of different personalities and fun memories!

The boys LOVED the water!

We had kayaks prior to moving overseas.  We sold mine the last time we were in the US.  But this summer, we quickly realized that it was a mistake.  Allen's kayak has been outside for 7 years and it was like new after a trip to the car wash.  So, we bought the red one off of craigslist and I am so glad that we did.  The boys were great in the back of them.  

Ash with her precious little girl!  The boys were all very much in love!

This sweet boy could not get enough of the water!  

7 kids and two on the way!

Thankful for sweet, sweet memories!

The Earl of Sandwich

Yesterday we took a road trip to a little town called Deal to pick up some chairs for our kitchen table. A cute little seaside town. We drove through Dover on the way and then headed to Sandwich afterwards. Kind of fun to be able to go to where the sandwich was first "created". We had a beautiful day and found a fun park/playground on the bay. 

Year 1 and Reception!

We are back from 4 and a half amazing months in the US.  We had a fabulous time seeing family and friends!  Just a gift from God.

So, we are back in England and the boys have started school.  Ben is in year 1 and Nate is in Reception.  They are so sweet and tell me every day about how they saw each other at school.  Nate really struggled with letting me go last year when he went to nursery every morning.  But he has been a champ this year.  He is a hedgehog and has the same teacher as Ben had, plus a lot of his friends from Nursery are in his class this year.  They are just too stinking cute in their little ties!  LOVE IT!!

This week Nate has half days and then next week he goes all day long!  So, I am entering a new chapter of life, having the boys gone all day!  I am looking forward to it and have all sorts of plans for what the time will look like...we will see. 

Sunny Days!

So,  I have taken a bit of a break from the blog.  In February the boys had a half term break from school.  We had a beautiful sunny day so we decided to head into London.  Here are some pictures from that day. 

 

Reading the paper on the train. 

 

Love how my boys love their daddy!

 

On the Arab Emirates Tram over the Thames.  The boys loved it! I would definitely recommend it.

Silly Boys!

Memories from Jordan

 

A little stop at a coffee shop for hot chocolate and croissants!

 

More daddy lovin'

 

Allen getting excited about our time in the states this summer! 

Biggest smile I have seen in months!

 

A spur of the moment movie.

We had a long day in London but it was really fun!  The sun shining, the sky clear, no rain in sight.  The boys are at such a fun easy age to explore.