Missing the kids...

Jeanine, my older sister, sent me pictures of Chloe and Hudson today. They are getting so big! I really miss those kids. Its times like these that I really miss being close to my family. They were at Rilleys farm, picking pumpkins for the harvest season. With Halloween coming up, and those cute little ones are going to be Max and Rubey (bunnies), and Thanksgiving right around the corner, I really wish I could be there. I cant wait to see them in a few months... Chloe is going to be a flower in the Christmas play at church. She was really upset because Chris and I werent going to be there. But now I think things are looking like we will be. I cant wait to surprise her. I am still sad over missing her dance recital where she was a little sailor and danced to a Shirley Temple song, the Cod Fish Ball. Anyways, I cant wait to see them!

Carols

Last night Chris and I went to music group at church. It was the first practice for the Christmas Carols, which will be happening in December. While Chris went to band practice, I had my first choir rehearsal. It reminded me of the old times as a Silver Note in show choir. I dont think we are going to be wearing any costumes, especially not silver sequence dresses, but I have put in a request to be Suzy Snow Flake. Ian, the choir instructer and one of our friends, said this may or may not happen. I guess its one of those things I just have to get over, you can only be Suzy Snow Flake when you are a child...unfortunantly I had to be the elf in the Christmas play when I was 5. I guess somethings you just cant get over. But that aside, it was a really fun night and we met loads of new people. I cant wait till next week.

The Case of the Missing Rings

(Above: Jess and I at Cherish 2007)
Last night our dear friend Jess came over for dinner. It was a yummy meal of pasta with pesto and mascarpone cheese. I also made some homemade bread sticks...all gluten free of course. While kneading the dough, I slipped off my rings so that they didn't get included in the mixture. After we had devoured the meal, and were sitting in the living room enjoying a nice cup of tea and chatting, I noticed my rings were gone. So, I jumped up to get them, and to my surprise they weren't there. After 3 hours of taking apart our entire kitchen (literally taking the cabinets off the walls and moving the oven), we found the beloved rings in the trash can, covered in dough. I am so thankful for my loving husband who took up the awful task of going through the trash with his bare hands, and for putting up with my crying as I thought about my irreplaceable Tiffany's Engagement ring he so lovingly bought a few years ago. I am also thankful for Jess, for being by our side and supporting us during our mini crisis. Just another night at the Parrys house.

Greece

Chris and I had a great time in Greece. We stayed in a small village, called Old Alykanas, which is outside the larger resort, Alykanas. Villa Thea, our villa, was pink with green shutters. We loved it. The beach was a minute away, which was very nice. Villa Thea had a veranda in the front which we would sit on each day and read books, drink coffee, and relax. I read 3 books while away, which was nice, since I ususally have no time to read. One day we rented a boat, whcih we drove to a smaller island off the coast of Laguanas beach. Unfortunantly our boat broke down when we got there, and our 1 hour boat ride turned into a few hours waiting for help. But we had a good laugh. Greece was amazing, and we loved being able to go to all the yummy restaraunts. We were especially blessed to spend our 1 year wedding anniversary with beautiful surroundings, and being with one another. We are very thankful that the Lord has strengthened us through this year, and look forward to many more years together.

"Happy Birthday"

Today we celebrated Chris' dads birthday. His parents came over for a yummy stir fry created by Chris, followed by a chocolate pie sort of thing. Instead of putting it in a pie tin, I put it in martinee glasses....it was yummmy, and will have to make it again sometime soon. We all wore hats (even Benji) and played with the balloons. It was a really nice night. Later we played the Game of Life Twist and Turns, which Chris one by a landslide. I dont think we will be playing that game anytime soon, as we have played it way too many times. As usual, Benji was the highlight of the night. However, he has a slight limp in his right front paw which is concerning us all. He may have to go to the vets in the morning if it doesnt get any better.

Tired...

Chris and I are leaving on our holiday next Friday, after a stop over at his parents house to drop of Benji Bunny. We are really excited for our holiday, and cant wait!!! I think we are both just exhausted and in need of a break. I cant wait to go to Greece, as I have never been. Up until next week, we are having a few friends over for dinner on various nights, and have a small celebration for Chris' dads birthday. It will be a busy next couple of days. Hopefully we will be able to get some rest so that we arent too tired for our trip.

Craigside

Today Chris and I went on a day trip to Craigside. It is a beautiful home near Morpeth in Northumberland, dating back to the 1800's. We had a nice time exploring the grounds, gardens, and of course the house. We started off with some tea and scones, as it started to rain as soon as we got there (typical British weather). I had a cream tea, which I absolutely love. For those of you who dont know what that is, its a scone with jam and cream on it. Yum Yum. Chris had a chease scone with coffee. After the rain stopped, chris and I took off down the winding paths to the formal gardens. They were beautiful, with a lovely rock garden. We sat by a fountain and enjoyed a picnic lunch of homemade hummus and chili sauce wraps, which I made earlier that morning. We then took off towards the main house. It was huge, and had loads of different rooms you could explore and read about the different things which happened there. After that we took off for home. When we arrived back at our house, we discovered that Benji wasnt too impressed with us leaving him for the day and had decided to tear up a piece of carpet in the office. what a naughty bunny! Chris and I wanted to do a bit more walking and so we ventured off to the Jesmond Dene for an hour, which was lovely. After that, we needed a rest before dinner, so we sat outside in the garden with Benji for a cup of tea. What a lovely day it was!