My Blog is Having an Identity Crisis

Since we are all moving back to the US this summer, I find myself wondering if I can still be Mama Carson Across the Pond?  I suppose I will still be across the pond from all of my British friends, right?  Perhaps my title will need a bit of a tweak.  I am open to suggestions.  I am also open to the immense feelings of "reverse culture shock" that I expect to be experiencing this summer.

Soon you will be able to read about all of the things I miss about the UK.  You can look forward to reading about my yearning for the almost daily walks that my friends and I take along the Taff Trail.  These walks out in the fresh air really feed my spirit, and there is practically nothing that we haven't discussed whilst walking.  (I mean it.  Nothing. Trust me on this.)  I am finding it difficult to imagine finding a way to fill the void that will be left when I no longer have my morning walks with Sonia, Jo, Rose, and the others who join us on occasion.  The scenery isn't bad either...

Right now everything is green and vibrant, but there is a different kind of stark and dormant beauty along the trail during the winter time too.

The truth is that after we move, I am unlikely to find the same kind of company, and the British countryside will not be available to me in Michigan.  I do hope, however, that I can find something to fill the void.  Moose and blueberries, anyone?

Happening Now at My House...

All of my babies are growing... growing up and growing lovelier and lovelier by the minute.  These clever girls are keeping me on my toes with their developmental milestones and general fabulousness...

Lili has been rocking back and forth revving up her motor all week...

I am just waiting for her to take off.

Sophie just lost her first tooth.  The expression on her face right after her Dad pulled it out was priceless.  This pic was taken a few minutes later.  She is one excited little girl.  Her mama proudly held it together and didn't cry like a silly woman.

Emma is now reading novels and developing an astute understanding of human relationships, queen bees and wannabees.  (She and Lili have also toyed with the idea of starting up a book discussion group.)

When life is getting you down, a round of applause delivered by a delectable, half- naked, little elf is pretty much just what the doctor ordered.

YAY!!

No, no one is pregnant.  This is just a photo of Lili's gorgeous tummy.

You know it's just begging for a raspberry.  Try to control yourself. Your co-workers may find it odd to see you with your mouth pressed against the computer screen as you exhale an explosive zerbert onto this photo of the world's possibly cutest outie.  Just saying.

Because It Needed Doin'

We girls made up a lovely little picnic and headed out to the green at lunchtime today.  This was followed by some frisbee throwing with a friendly dog and a few rousing hands of Go Fish!  I love Saturday and sunshine.  Happy Weekend!

p.s. Kool-Aid is gross now that I'm a grown up.

Joe Mama Versus the Volcano

I have not been feeling exceedingly inspired about writing lately despite the fact that the weather here has been very beautiful and inspiring.  I have been trying to get out and take walks as much as possible this week.  Walks with friends are always preferred, but today it was just me and Lil and my iPod.  Justin Timberlake is still my boo.

I think I have had a lot on my mind.  My brain has been reeling over all of this "Icelandic volcanic ash chaos."  I have been watching the BBC a little too much.  We got lucky in that we got back into the UK the day before Eyjafjallajokull erupted.  Our travel plans weren't affected at all, but my heart goes out to all of those who have been stranded for days and days... especially those with young children.  Travel with little people is harrowing enough when all goes according to plan.

I've also been thinking about the fact that George is supposed to return to the US without us again in June, and I just cannot cope with the idea of him getting stuck over there and being unable to return if this volcano does its thing again.  If we get stranded, I think we should do it together as a family.  I'm also not sure I believe these airlines, who have lost billions of dollars, when they swear that travel is perfectly safe again. You see, I am really not interested in being that guinea pig who proves them right or wrong.  Hmmm, yes, so I have been obsessing about all of this a little. 

We were hoping to holiday in Italy this summer before we returned to the States, but now I am feeling a bit reluctant.  I am a worrier.  At night I dream about volcanos and flying... and sometimes vampires too.  It is better to dream about Italy and sunshine and fat, happy babies.

Speaking of... I do have one of those.  Lili is growing up like crazy without any sign that she intends to slow down.  She now sits well on her own and can busy herself with toys whilst I scrub the toilet.  It's a fascinating life that we lead.  She is rather stingy with her big, belly laughs, but if you kill yourself trying to be hilarious, she will throw you a bone with a light-hearted giggle.  Never fear, however, for she is truly a very happy monkey.  We know this because she is not at all stingy with her (extremely loud and vociferous) screams of delight.  The girl can let loose with some serious shrieks as well as delighted growls when the mood strikes.  Sophie and Emma say she can impersonate nearly all of the animals found in the rainforest.   These are her main party tricks at the moment, but I can tell from that gleam in her eye, that she is working on something new, which will  be emerging soon... or is that just the creamy cauliflower she had for lunch??

p.s.  Lil also claps her hands on demand (sometimes), which totally makes her a genius, right?  I thought so.

Ooh, Look at All the Nature!!

There was beautiful sunshine in Wales today despite the fact that there is an invisible cloud of Icelandic volcanic ash somewhere up in the stratosphere over our heads.  So all of us girls threw on our sun dresses and set out (with George, who opted not to wear a dress) to the Amelia Trust Farm in Barry.  We spent a little bit of time checking out the animals, including the lovely new baby lambs.  But we mostly enjoyed the garden and the forest trail (also knows as the Wild Piglet Trail).

Lili was completely enchanted by the experience.  She was anxious to explore every leaf and stick as well as my shiny earrings.  I enjoyed vicariously experiencing her awe and curiosity.  To her EVERYTHING is new and worthy of exploration.  Typically for Lil, exploring involves grabbing the new item and chewing on it with her drooly, gummy mouth for as long as it remains pleasant.  Often we grown ups forget to notice all of the little, ordinary, awe-inspiring miracles around us: flowers, dew drops and butterflies.  Babies are good at reminding us to look as if it were the first time and to really see the beauty and busy-ness of life that is all around us.

At one point, George also reminded us all that if we got really quiet, we could hear the sounds of life all around us.  So we did.  And it was lovely to hear bumblebees and countless different birds.  They were there all along, but we just didn't notice.  As "New Agers" would say, we were not fully conscious of all that was happening around us.  Wrapped up in our cozy, modern homes (which I am a big fan of-- don't get me wrong), it is easy to forget about what is real and beautiful out there in the woods.  Driving around in our cars, sitting at our computers, we are disconnected from what is organic... and we don't even realize it. 

I am very happy about the return of this springtime weather, and I look forward to reconnecting again soon. 

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth will find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." ~ Rachel Carson

Success in Michigan

I climbed into my bed back here in Wales with a sleeping Lili at 3 o'clock this morning.  We had a successful house hunting trip to Michigan and are now feeling like we will be ready to "do this" when summer rolls around...soon!  We found a great house just outside the city.  It has lots of woods and a firepit out back.  This means you can come over and make s'mores if you want to.

I don't have any photos of the house since we weren't exactly sure which house would be "the one" until we left Michigan.  We were negotiating with two different sellers, which put us in a pretty favorable position.  When I'm able to get pics, I will share.

To break up the trip a bit for our littlest one, we stopped for the night in Dulles on the way in and out.  This means that before we returned to the UK, we were able to spend the day with everyone's favourite uncle, David.  We also got to enjoy a lot of sunshine.  (Let's just not discuss the snow flurries, rain, and gloom we had all week while in Michigan, Kay?)

David was rather enamoured with Lil and the Baby Bjorn, which he wore all day...even when the baby wasn't inside.  We thought it made for a fabulous metrosexual accessory.  Fabulous!

"Mommy?  What's that big yellow thing up in the sky?"

All of us poor ex-pats had a bit of sunburn after a day out at the carnival in Dulles,  but we didn't mind!

While we were away over yonder, we all acknowledged a few of the things we had missed about the USA like: big ole breakfasts with hashbrowns and apple butter on biscuits, rainbow sherbet, HUGE parking spaces and WIDE roads, peanut butter M&M's, American-style washers and dryers (so quick!), friendly & chatty people almost everywhere, Target, root beer, Twizzlers, other parents who yell at their kids in public and make us feel better about ourselves (of course I'm kidding...sorta), and finally THE SUN!!!

I took this photo of Emma and Sophie at about 6 am yesterday morning, just before I woke them up to head back to the airport.  This trip was so exhausting not even your sister's foul morning breath right in your face could disturb this slumber.

So, here's to overcoming our jetlag and anticipating our glorious Stateside return!  Not long now!

Happy Easter, Peeps!

Sophie dressed me this morning when I told her I didn't think I had an Easter dress.  Taking one look at her sundress and black leather boots, I realized that she was obviously qualified for the job.  So I sat down on the bed and left her to it.  Happy Easter to you all!

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." 

~ Martin Luther

Them Babies is Nekkid!!

The sun peeked its head out today, so I went out for a brisk walk in hopes of dislodging some of those Cadbury creme eggs from my thighs.  When I returned, I found this delightful sight!  Rub-a-dub-dub, three kids and George in a standard sized British bathtub.  I'm surprised there was any room left for the water!

I'm not sure which one is cuter?

Happy Easter weekend!

Rat-a-tat-tat! Ahh-cha-cha!!!

There's no business like show business...

This may be just a taste of what I have in store if Lilianna decides to follow in her parent's theatrical footsteps.  What is most funny is that my Sophie is the one who set up this scenario.  She even stuffed the top of the hat with toilet roll so that it would sit at that perfect jaunty tilt on little Lil's head.  Sophie and I definitely share a sense of humour and an appreciation of all things fabulous... "Everything about it is appealing..."

There is a little game I like to play at my house.  Usually it is my own little secret game, but sometimes George catches on to the fact that I'm playing.  The game involves singing a line from a random song within earshot of someone else in the family.  Then I just wait... only a few seconds before that person unconsciously picks up where I left off.  I don't know why it amuses me so.  I love the fact that it seems completely involuntary.  We Carsons just GOTTA SING!!!  It works on everyone in the house except Lili, but I assume she will be an unwitting participant before too long.

Imagine this familiar scenario....

Meredith: The phone rings in the middle of the night...

(Approx. 2 second pause)

George (in the same key): My father says, 'What you gonna do with your life?'  Oh Daddy Dear, you know you're still number one, but girls, they wanna have fun.  Oh, girls just wanna have fun... (And he will finish the entire song whilst I snigger in the corner.)

Next time you visit, you should have a go. 

Ball of Fun

"How long do you wanna be loved?  Is forever enough?  Is forever enough?"

Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words.

I am counting my blessings today...

and remembering how I used to be that flexible once.

When I reflect upon what Good Friday commemorates, it seems rather incongruous to call it a "Good" day.  But if you celebrate Easter, you know that it is all good in the end.  Our egos and human cruelty cannot kill God.  The story has an extraordinarily happy ending.  So instead of wishing you a "Happy" Good Friday, I will just say that I hope today you catch multiple glimpses of grace and that you experience a few moments of true peace... like when a baby sighs and finally rests her head on your shoulder.  Thanks be to God.

Sophie Hits Six

On her big day, Sophie looked outside and saw throughout the course of the day: sunshine, rain, wind, hail and snow.  Well, we ARE in Wales, aren't we?  Turning six was a great thing to do on March the 31st, and Sophie insisted she felt a little taller the moment she woke up in the morning.  During the day, she and Emma went off to Sport Stars camp, while I prepared the house for the celebration.  This included, of course, baking and assembling her berry-licious birthday cake, which was divine if I do say so my own self.  I also prepared a Mexican feast with fajitas and burritos and all of the trimmings.  It was nice to set a table without having to include knives and forks.  We were joined by our adopted family, the Collinses, and they coped well with our crazy meal wrapped in tortillas.

Sophie took ages contemplating her wish, but the candles were eventually blown out.

I love this picture of sweet sisters not posing at bit for my camera.  I believe this is what they refer to as a "Kodak Moment," y'all.

Of course, she' still young enough to be fooled by George's suggestion that she check out how nice her cake smelled!

This, on the other hand, is an example of a fabulously posed photo.  I have trained my daughter well, as she came up with the whole, "Oops!  Did I eat all of that cake?" concept on her own.  Michael was an obviously willing participant.

Watching the children in our lives grow up reminds us how quickly time can just slip through our fingers.  It seems like just yesterday that Sophie was the little cheeky toddler who groped me publicly and then loudly announced, "I like your breast, mom!"  My how they grow!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Sophie!  May all your dreams come true.

"It takes a long time to grow young."

~ Pablo Picasso