April 17, 2006

We have safely arrived to our new digs in Cheltenham, England! After a tearful goodbye, we embarked on our journey and all went fairly smoothly. We arrived in London tired but excited and I was sure my plan for managing our jet lag (mostly Aidan's) was going to work. Of course after an exhausting day of driving and exploring, we collapsed into bed that night and enjoyed three hours of sleep before Aidan's little body told him it was time to get up and party! So much for my grand plans! Aidan is always in control!

Our freight arrived (the container was actually a box car!) the following day and was the talk of our narrow street! Little old ladies shuffled by asking me if I had ever seen such a sight. The police were called. With my American accent there was no denying the shipment was mine. Stuart, the caretaker from the beautful Methodist church next door stopped by later that evening to welcome us to the neighborhood. He told us that street had never seen anything like that before. I beleive him, too. He was as old as most of the buildings around here! I tried to tell him that our belongings hardly made a dent in that large container, but he'd hear nothing of it. I'm sure we're pegged as the crazy Americans already! The move in went fairly well. Our wardrobe and headboard wouldn't fit in our room, so Jim and I are enjoying all the comforts of a college apartment bedroom. With a mattress and box spring on the floor, we're currently on the lookout for cinderblocks. With the wardrobe in our small conservatory, we'll be needing some milk crates as well!

The kids love their new rooms and the house itself. They are impressed with the beautiful campus at Cheltenham College, the school they will be attending. The area where we live is just beautiful. The shops are wonderful and Siobhan is happy to exercise her independence and takes off to discover new shops. We're meeting up with a family that we have spoken with tomorrow. The wife is an American (who grew up in Crystal Lake, not far from where I grew up) who married a Brit. Her daughter, Lydia, is Siobhan and Michael's age. Ryan and Michael are loving the tree house atmoshere in their attic bedroom. They look out the sky light and see the old rooftops like a page out of Willy Wonka. Siobhans's room is sunny and cheerful. Our bedroom looks out sweet, wavy glass paned windows onto an old church. Easter Sunday, we could hear each mass. It was lovely.

Yesterday, we went to Stonehenge and a drive in the country. It was amazing. We feel blessed to be here. The house is beautiful. Just waiting for visitors! It still feels like vacation. I'm certain that will end sometime (like when the novelty of my washer/dryer that takes five hours to wash/dry a small load wears off), but for now I'll enjoy it.

Thank you all for your love and support these past few months. The madness of the preparation paid off when we could settle in here so quickly. We miss you all. The kids are doing well and still have another week before school starts. I'll get pictures to you soon.

God Bless,

T-Ann