Family Fun Day

Well the event at the boys' school was a great success and I think everyone had a great time. The weather this morning was a bit scary as it was raining but it soon ended and the weather ended up being just fine.

Tim was a great help and worked the entire day from set up to clean up. The company we hired did most of the work so we could enjoy the event with our families ~ it was SO nice to actually be able to enjoy the day!!

Isn't the bug bouncy castle ADORABLE? I must admit it was my favorite. We also had an activity called the pillow bash where two people sat on a pole and tried to know the other person off. The highlight was the headteacher and the school bursar attempting to get on the pole, let alone knock each other off. Not to be outdone, the athletic director and the history teacher had a round on the activity as well and had a great time.

I've made it back to the UK and am back into the swing of things. Upon my arrival yesterday morning I made cupcakes for an event at Maggie's school this afternoon. I had forgotten that I needed to make them until I saw my reminder note on the message board ~ oops!! Today, I am at the boys' school getting ready for the family fun day on Saturday. Myself and another mom are the event organizers so we will be busy.

Tim and the kids did fine while I was away. I prepared meals before I left so all that needed to be done was defrost and reheat!! I know they all missed me :-} However, Christopher told me he didn't miss me asking him to pick up his stuff around the house.

A Beautiful Service

Today was the funeral service for Diana's mom and it was very nice. The words spoken about her mom were touching, special and funny. She was so full of life it was not surprising to hear so many fond memories. I cry at commercials, so I knew I would shed tears, but I was doing OK until Tyler started sobbing and then the tears really started to flow. I know it was a difficult day for the entire family but I do think they find peace in the fact Mary is no longer in pain and is looking over them all.

The weather here is HOT (91 and sunny). I think I have been away too long as I actually complained about the heat....hello, I LOVE hot and sunny days. There is something very wrong with me....I think I need to move back to the US...I am starting to forget what hot weather is like :-}

Away For A While....

I am off to the states so I will not be blogging for few days. While the reason for my trip is sad I will be happy to finally be able to offer support to Diana in person rather than 4000 miles away. Tim and the kids are all set to live on 'their own' for a week and I know they will do fine. I have a couple of friends who will be helping with school time pick up so that is a great help.

Please remember Diana and her family in this most difficult time. I know her mom is in a better place and without pain but it is still very hard.

In Memory:

A thousand times we needed you.

A thousand times we cried.

If love alone could have saved you;

you never would have died.

A heart of gold stopped beating.

Two twinkling eyes closed to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove he only took the best.

Never will a day go by that you’re not in our hearts and our souls.

adapted poem by K. Chastain

I received the sad news this morning that Diana's mom has passed away. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Please keep the entire family in your prayers in this difficult time.

Happy Birthday Andrew!!

This cute little boy is celebrating his birthday today! Yep, Andrew is 14!! Where has the time gone? A couple of years ago he was excitedly looking forward to being a teenager...now he is looking forward to driving {Oh my}

He has selected one of his favorite meals for dinner tonight {lasagna}, the cake is made and his gifts are wrapped and all ready for him. I asked him if he wanted to do anything else special and in typical teen boy conversation replied "No, not really".

He sure is a boy of many words.

Sweet Victory ~ Go Browns!!

The Cleveland Browns Vs. Cincinnati Bengals rivalry is old and great! Since the Browns rejoined the NFL they had yet to beat the Bengals until NOW! {51 - 45} The game on Sunday was amazing ~ who would have thought that Browns could not only score 51 points in a game but manage to win it as well. {Sorry Diana and Ryan, your team was not as good today} This was the eighth highest scoring game in NFL history. When the two teams played each other in 2004 , the 58-48 final score was the second highest with Cinci winning that one.

New starting quarterback Derek Anderson, proved why he was the starter with an amazing show of skill and patience - 5 touchdowns and 326 yards of passing.

They looked like the Browns of old and lets hope they hold on and win some more games this season in such fashion. The Cleveland fans have supported the team year after year....maybe the team will start to give a little back.


The Colts won as well, but everyone expects them to win. The Browns victory was an upset as NO ONE expected them to win.
**Photo by David Maxwell / Getty Images**