This Christmas season is so fun! Victoria
is finally old enough to know what Christmas is and really enjoy decorating and
making Christmas cookies. Seeing her
eyes light up every morning as she reminds me about our advent calendar is
priceless. We are spending our days watching Christmas movies, ice skating, and
shopping for Christmas gifts.
Victoria is about to turn three,
and Gloria had her first birthday in October.
Victoria is old enough now to pick her own birthday theme, so this year
it is Minnie Mouse, though I don’t think she really cares that much about the
theme or gifts. What she really cares about are the people attending. Before we have an event at our home, she asks
me continually who is coming. Because
she loves people so much, it really saddens me that she can’t see her family
more. Thankfully we are going to make a whirlwind trip home this summer to
visit everyone!
As a reminder, we are here in
England as Drew works on his dissertation to get a Ph.D. He was given a
scholarship for 3 years to do this. Drew
was blessed to get an early reply to a post-doctoral position in Helsinki,
Finland, so we are not moving home quite yet, but rather spending the next 2.5
years in Finland!!
I’ve learned some interesting facts
about Finland. It has one of the best educational systems in the world. The
game Angry Birds was designed there. There is a law in Finland that states that
all citizens are able to obtain broadband internet, which means that even if
you live in the country you can have high speed internet at a low cost. If America had this law we would have far
better Skype sessions with my dad! You
can also see the beautiful northern lights (Picture Included) from Finland in a
rented igloo, if you like. J And though I hate the cold, I am really excited
about the move. Christmas in Finland
sounds a bit magical. The country is
full of reindeer, snow, and Christmas markets!!
Another thing that really excites me about Finland is the saunas; most
every home has one in it!!!
It seems both of the girls love to
travel. This past year we have been able
to go to Ireland, Germany, Scotland, and France. And out of all the places I’ve
been I think I like England best. The English countryside’s autumn has got to
be the prettiest thing in the world. Our
very dear friend and neighbor John Grosvenor took the girls and me out for a
drive to the country, and it literally took my breath away; it was just so
pretty. I’ll really miss living here……….. but there is no place like home!
I am very excited to go home this
summer. We had hoped to visit this year,
but plans didn’t work out. But this time we will certainly be going, because
Drew’s brother Kyle is lucky enough to be marrying Sarah Turrentine!! We are so
excited about the wedding! I’m hoping to also be able to attend my little
sister’s graduation from high school and maybe even get to see the new Da Silva
baby! But with Drew’s scholarship and
foreign tax obligations, I think we can only be out of the United Kingdom for a
month. So we will see what we can fit
in!
Victoria is growing up fast and is
quite the talker. She also loves to
sing. Victoria and Gloria both started baby ballet this year. The teacher is amazing, and they both love
it! Gloria just loves music. No matter
what she is doing, if she hears music, she stops to have a little dance. Gloria
is a very good child, but her hands just always seem to find something naughty
to do. She gives me a run for my money! She is such a precious thing. One look into those sweet brown eyes or one
cuddle makes you forget what a mess she has just made. Having two children has
proven to be a lot harder than one. But
I can’t remember a year filled with so much joy. I love my girls so much and am very lucky to
have a husband who goes straight from working on his dissertation to helping me
with the girls. He gets very little rest,
and we love him for his devotion to us. Hope to hear about your year as
well. We miss you all very much. God
bless!
