London Show

Our last evening togeter. We went to a London show, The Lion King and it was GREAT!!! The show was amazing!!! We were sitting in the 8th row back so we could see all the expressions of the actors. We also spent quite a bit of time with the
cast before and after the show, they loved the kids, they were so excited to interact with them. Before the show they spent some time teaching the kids a song or two from the show and we all sang it with them. The kids sang one of our songs for them, and then the cast wanted the kids to teach them a few dance moves. After the show we went back stage to see the cast in costume, and it was the cutest thing, we went back and the cast excitedly told us that they have have been practicing and
they have something to show us, they all line up and did the dance
moves that the kids had taught them!!! It was so funny to see them in
costume, these amazing actors, all lined up like excited children to
show us that they had practiced and they wanted us to see. It was the
best last evening we could have had, I can't think of anything better
that could have happened, we will all always remember it.

Chocolate

We just went to the Cadbury chocolate factory. We had just read the book Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and then they watched the movie. So on the bus ride there we gave them all a golden ticket and told them where they were going. O boy there were a lot of excited kids!! It was a lot of fun and they give out a lot of chocolate!! By the end the kids were asking if they had to eat it, because they did not want any more.

4 Day Holiday

Holiday!! Yes I have had a wee holiday and it has been lovely. My wonderful Erica friend from Bellingham is getting her masters in Glasgow Scotland so I took a few days off to come and visit her. We have had a wonderful time catching up, shopping, and lazing around. The lazing around has been wonderful. We spent a couple days just moving from one location to another to sit and visit and watch TV. Although this may not sound like the most exciting, I think it was the best rest I could have had. My mind has found rest. An interesting aspect to this visit is that Erica is currently in between flats. So we have been flat hopping. Actually it has just been between two homes. We have slept in two different places and have spent our days in both flats, along with some time out while we were locked out of both places. And all of this has come to the end result of: feeling very rested, getting caught up with a friend, ready to go back to my kids and other aunties and uncles, and I have met a lot of fun new people during my time here.

Sheep and Cows

We covered Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in a couple of quick weeks. Nothing very eventful happened except for when I stayed on a sheep farm with three of my boys. Our host uncle took us out to the fields to see the sheep, and he brought his sheep dog. He sent the dog out to show the boys how he rounded up the sheep, and my boys thought that was so great that they started to herd the sheep also! I stood by and laughed as I watched three children running around the sheep. The poor sheep and dog were quite confused with the situation and did not know what to do.

We are now back in Scotland and will be heading to England at the end of September. I have to say one of my favorite things about the UK is all of the rolling fields filled with sheep and cows. As we are driving along in our bus the view goes something like this: sheep, sheep, cows…sheep, sheep, cows… and I love it. I have also seen some of the hairiest cows. You would not believe. They have some name or other but I call them Yak Cows.

Edinburgh, Scotland

For the month of Aug. we were in Edinburgh Scotland. Every year there is a month long festival called The Fringe. We had the pleasure of being one of the shows. For the month we had a flat that we spent our days at, it was really nice to spend a month in one place. I was asked to write something for our website about the Fringe, so I wrote the following:

The Fringe

Right now the city of Edinburgh is living and breathing the Fringe Festival. It is the heart beat that everyone is living to. Every time we step outside the quiet of our flat we are aware of the festivities around us. Everywhere we go there are crowds of people, all looking for the next street show or entertainment that will pop up next. Our evening concerts are just one of many shows that are taking place all over this area. It is fun knowing that we are one part of such a large ordeal. People are here from all over the world, all hear to appreciate the arts in all forms. Everywhere we look there is some different for of show, from dancing and singing, to drama or magic tricks. Fun is in the air at the Fringe.

Italy

We had 5 days in Italy. It went something like this:
-food, food, food
-people talking to us...we don't know what they are saying
-food, food, food
-we had two concerts while we were there
-food, food, food
-we stayed a few nights at a hotel, and a few night in an abby with nuns (the sisters)
-food, food, food
-I helped sell product to people who I could not communicate with and with money I had never seen before in my life
-food, food, food
-we experienced about an hour of night life...wow...hmmm...more people all out having a good time than I have ever seen before...wow...very full bus, standing room only...wow
-food, food, food
-every meal has a lot of food

Dinner

I was sitting next to Galale at dinner tonight. One of the foods we had were hard boiled eggs. By the time Galale got done with his egg he had shell all over himself and the floor. As he noticed what a mess he had made, the most frustrated look came over his face and he began shaking his head. Smiling, I said something about the mess he made, asking him what happened. Galale replied "Even me myself, I don't understand myself"..."I know, I am disgusting!" He then continued to mutter to himself about how messy he was while he cleaned up his mess.

Coming to an End

Well in a few short days (10 to be exact) we will be leaving the US! We will be going to Italy for a few days and a few concerts, and then we will be heading to the UK for the rest of our tour. I have never been to Europe, so I am really excited! Although we still have five months to go, I feel like tour is almost over. This last little bit is going to go so fast. In a way I am ready to be done, I am tird and I do miss staying in one place for more that three nights in a row. But at the same time I am going to miss this life, and most of all I will miss the kids. Anyway, I am looking forward to this next part of the adventure. Thanks to all of you who have stuck with me through all of this. My next blog will be coming from the UK!!!

Gettysburg

Today I had a half day off. So myself and two others, Jessica and Jamie, made our way to Gettysburg. There we went on a self guided tour of the civle war battle at Gettysburg. The land is so beautiful here, I have a hard time understanding how so much blood shed and fighting could have happened here. Most of all I love that I had the opportunity to see this area, it was very educational.

The picture of the view is of Little Round Top and Big Round Top

Photo Shoot

At one of my host family homes they had a beautiful yard with flowers, trees, and a pond. I pulled out my camera, and the kids I had with me that night and myself, had a great time taking pictures. Cissy, Rebecca, and Mwikali were quite the picture takers!! These are some of the pict's.

Hair

For any of you who care, I now have blond hair. I have told my kids that I would not cut my hair so the next best thing is to change the color...so now it is blond...well actually more of a yellow.

Recording

We had a recording with Jars of Clay (a Christian music group). The recording was a took the whole morning and afternoon. The group was really nice. Dan, the lead singer worked with the kids to get the recording they wanted. The song the kids recorded will be out on thier next album (coming out in Sept.)

Roller-Skating

We took the kids roller-skating for the first time! That was quite the adventure. Just think of 25 children who have never been on roller-skates before. They had so much fun! They were on the ground probably more than they were on their feet, but they were all having them time of their lives.

Flying

So, I am quite proud of myself! As many of you know I am not all that good with airports and flying, but on my way home from my vacation I did quite well. I had to change flights in Dallas and that was quite the adventure. I found the little TV's and found my gate, I took the sky train to another part of the airport, I had to walk and walk and walk, my flight was delayed and changed gates, and I did just fine!! I tell you what, although I still do not really like airports, I think I have graduated from needing a flying buddy to being able to fly on my own (international flying does not count). I no longer go into a complete state of panic and cling to the nearest person next to me wondering why in the world I would willingly walk into such a big place so full of people and lines and security, and such. But no worries, I am no longer an embarrassing display of disaster when I travel.