our pictures

I finally scanned some of the pictures we had taken last month--and here they are. The girls' pictures are great and the family ones turned out okay. Click on the collage to make it bigger.

emma's first day of school

Have you ever tried getting a serious picture of a clown. These are my attempts yesterday before taking Emma to school. I never did get one serious one. She is a cheeky monkey.

Emma Shea had a great first day of school yesterday. All of her friends returned and the class is very small. Her class is all the children who missed the cut off for Reception (Our Kindergarten) Emma missed it by TWO days. The teachers feel she is ready, but there is no compromise on the cut-off date. You are either 4 by August 31 or you wait another year. Oh well. I am not ready to have her gone all day yet anyway!!

She had fun playing and meeting her new teacher. Her teacher from last year decided after 20 years of being a Nursery Nurse to go back to school and become a teacher for the upper grades. Emma had no transitional problems and was ready to go back today!

Ballet started back up also yesterday, so we went up the hill after school and went to ballet class for 40 minutes. Needless to say, by the time she got home she was zonked!!

first day of secondary school!!!!

Michaela is officially a "Year Sevener" {i.e 6th grader}. She was very nervous this morning about going to secondary school, but excited about seeing her friends again and getting back into the routine of school. She is attending Magdalen College (this is what they call the secondary schools here. 11 year olds through 16 attend secondary school and then British children are finished with school at the age of 16. They go onto take GCSEs and continue on to Uni at the age of 18--or they can be finished and go into the work force. The system is complex. This is a simplified version). Mornings are easy--Are you wearing the black pants, white shirt, tie, and jumper?" or "Are you wearing the black skirt, white shirt, tie, and jumper?" Stephen or I take her in and pick her up (She nor I were thrilled with the idea of her standing at the bus stop in the village and riding the bus with 16 year olds, etc.)

She had a fantastic day yesterday. She loves her music teacher and history teacher. We are just praying for a successful year in Math:) The school is separated into two sites and her Music class is in the other site, so the students walk 5 or so blocks through town to get to some of there classes throughout the day. She was very nervous about that (as was I since this is such a foreign concept to an American public school teacher--where the students could not even be in the hallway without a teacher), but she made it--to find her long haired, cute music teacher:):)

She was all smiles and full of stories about her day when I picked her up.

I think this will be a great year for her

its unofficially official..

We received approval from Stephen's unit in Blue Ash to stay another year here. We are now waiting on notification that funding has been approved by the government for the Air National Guard.
We are all very excited about staying.
We love England and the experiences we have had so far.
We would also love to stay and continue working with the church in Mildenhall. Having lost three families to PCSing, we are down to three men to do all of the services. With such a small group, absences are truly felt.
Hopefully we now something definite soon-but the government works on its own schedule, so we will know when the orders are in our hands. We will keep you updated.

happy 4th birthday emma shea!!!!

This is just a quick update--more to come when I have more time.

Yesterday, as a birthday treat, we were taking Emma out to a restaurant. This is something we RARELY do over here, so it is a big treat. When we gave her some choices--Frankie and Benny's, TGI Fridays, Nandos, Pizza Hut (the few within an hour of here) she looks at us and says, "I want chicken nuggets from the bowling alley." The bowling alley is one of two places on the base that we have that serves food--the other is Subway--and we can go to anytime. It took about 20 minutes of talking to her to finally convince her to go to a restaurant on the economy!!
What is she going to do in the states when there are restaurants everywhere??? She will probably still want chicken nuggets from the bowling alley:)

Emma Shea has been telling people for over a week that her birthday was September 2nd and she was going to be 4!!! When she woke up this morning she was very excited that the day had finally arrived. Steve and I sang Happy Birthday to her--she had the biggest grin on her face.
She loved the balloons we snuck in last night for her (especially since I do not like balloons and she always has to let hers go outside when she does get one:).
We then headed up to church--where she ran in and told everyone that she was 4 now!! After church services we had a potluck and a small celebration with the entire church (all 14 of us!!.)

Emma Shea chose a princess theme again--I tried to give her other options but she is very headstrong in her opinions(yea, yea, I hear all of you saying "We know where she gets that from.")--so princesses it was. We ate cake and ice cream, opened presents, and had a good time. (I just dread when she grows up and looks at pictures of Michaela's parties and compares her first few parties to those--we are in trouble:):)

Emma and Michaela are at home now playing with the cash register and grocery store goods Emma received today. She is in her element using her 'magianation' as she puts it. Our liberal arts child!!!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

michaela is 11!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday, Michaela!!!

I cannot believe my baby is 11--but it has happened. We had planned on having a ski party (at an indoor ski facility near here) with 5 or so of her friends, but since we have extra children all the time, we thought we would take advantage of 4 days without any extra children and head away just as a family.




So Monday morning, after dropping Hannah, Alyssa, and Max off at their house, we loaded into the van and headed towards the beach. Our first birthday surprise for Michaela was a stop at RocBlok--a rock climbing facility in Rutland--near a man made lake. She had a great time doing the climbing walls and the obstacle course--in the air!!! We had a great time WATCHING!!! She is actually a natural at the rock climbing and is interested in finding a club!?! Who would have thought!!

We decided to take advantage of the sunshine and walk around the lake and watch the sailboats and windsurfers--

and of course Emma NEEDED an ice cream!

We then headed towards Whitby. We took a chance on finding a hotel--which in this country is a gamble--but we found one and we found a Frank and Benny's--a little touch of America. We ate dinner there and then headed to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

The next morning--Michaela's birthday--we got ready to go to the beach!! We packed up the van and then went down to eat breakfast. The restaurant had the proper English breakfast--we all opted for portions of it and we convinced Michaela to try some Marmite. It is either a love it or hate it kind of thing.

Can you tell what Michaela's reaction was!!!
It is VERY DISGUSTING--taste like thick beef bouillon

We then headed to Whitby--to swim in the North Sea!!

Or maybe not--cloudy, windy, and COLD!!! Of course, a few weeks of sunshine--until we decide to head to the water.
Oh well, we had a great time walking the boardwalk, seeing the Whitby Abbey, walking up and down the 199 steps to the Abbey and shopping.

We headed back home yesterday. On the way we saw a sign for an 11th century priory that was used during the preparation of the attack on Normandy--D-day. So we stopped. Walked around fro an hour and then headed back on the road.

We made it home safe and sound--ready for the next birthday adventure in 2 weeks--when Emma turns 4!!!!

family portraits!!!!

Today the Martin Family had their first ever family portraits taken. We went to a huge landscape garden with stone temples scattered everywhere. The weather cooperated--was actually gorgeous--too sunny at times for the photographer--and the girls (or more accurately, Emma) cooperated. Paula does black and white photos and hand develops them so we will have the proofs in a couple weeks. I am anxious to see them because I HATE my photo taken. We'll see if they are shared with others:) I have many other pics to upload but have to pick up my surrogate children for the night in a short time, so I will come and do them tomorrow. Now I am going to go out and enjoy the fantastic sunshine!!!

last dance

leaving barbeque

michaela's class presentation

The two Year 6 classes had their leaving presentation this last week of school. The play was based on British shows. There were spoofs on Supernanny (Michaela's part), X Factor (Our American Idol), Mr. Fix It... It was quite humorous. I had planned to video tape the play, but unfortunately my camera is here and the charger is in Kentucky!

pizza party

On Tuesday, Steve and I treated the two Year 6 classes to pizza, crisps, and ice cream cake. 16 large pizzas, 100 bags of crisps, and 3 ice cream cakes were devoured by the 57 students, teachers, and head mistress in record time. They LOVED all the American food!!!

rain rain go away....

There's nothing better than a pair of Wellies and a puddle--this one was not as deep as she would have liked, but it was still some good splashing!!!



But with the rain comes the rainbow!!!

the last week of school!!!!!!

This is the girls last week of school. YEAH!!!
Michaela is very busy with Year 6 presentations, special lunches, leaving barbecue,...
Emma is wanting to stay home and play with the various kids I am babysitting this summer, but she goes to Nursery--usually happily.

I will have loads of pics to share on Friday. I just needed to update so the Fourth of July was not the most recent posting:)

another 4th of july in the UK

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July celebration.

We had a fantastic day here. The weather was off and on all day--thunder and lightening, torrential downpours and then sun. So we had a great time doing what we could do when it was dry and then hiding under the pavilion when the sky let loose.

We played lots of games--the three-legged race (which George and I almost won), spoon and egg relay (I actually won that once, tug of war, and the balloon toss (which George and I won TWICE!!!).

Michaela and three of her friends left school at noon to come to the celebration.

They had a great time riding the bull and "fighting" on the podiums (I am not sure what it is called). They also rode the kiddy rides.

Emma had a great time seeing her friends and riding the rides. She got her face painted--AND SHE CHOSE SPIDERMAN. My little girl who wants to wear a dress and 'clickety-clack' shoes everyday chose spiderman. She made it until about 10:45pm and Steve had to take her home to put her to bed.

If any of you are following Wimbledon, you know what crazy weather England--actually all of the UK--is having this year. We are wet and COLD. The weathermen are actually saying we are not having a summer this year. WE wear long sleeves and have had the heat on a few nights lately. I am quite happy with the cold--better than 90* and humidity:)

Fireworks were great, but it was funny seeing everyone in coats or wrapped up in heavy blankets--It is July isn't it???

We also had a special celebration to honor the men and women who have just returned to the base from Iraq. In your prayers please remember the 16 Security Forces who are still over there from this base and the spouses and children we see every day trying to maintain some normalcy as they wait for their loved ones to come back home.

happy 4th of july

I know it is really the 3rd, but we are having our celebration and fireworks today--so that everyone who has tomorrow off can enjoy it with their families. Mommy will add more later when Michaela and her friends get here from school (they are getting out early to come to the celebration, so they are all very happy!!!)

Oh, did you notice my hair has been cut!! Let me tell you I was NOT happy!! Mommy cut it the other day and I voiced my disgust the entire time. I kept telling her I wanted long hair, but she says I look better with short--so you can see who won that battle.

and finally...

Okay, I only have a few more 'lemons to squeeze' and then I am moving on...

because life is too short...

and God is in control!

So, to put things somewhat in perspective, Steve's former boss was a friend. We have known her and her husband for over 15 years. We worshiped with them for many years. They are the couple that checked on our house while we were in England. We thought she was a good Christian friend. Of course, when Steve was offered the job I had my reservations about him working for her, but we needed an income....

I am not saying that because we were friends there should have been leeway given. Job performance should be honestly and truthfully accessed, friend or not. We, as employees, should do our best and give our all. Employers should be truthful and fair with their workers. Sadly, this was not the case with his boss.

Only she knows why she has acted the way she has. Only she knows why she has said the untruths she has.

But, I find it interesting that the attack on job performance began after Steve confronted her, as a friend, not on company time, about the sins he had seen her partaking in at work. She told him she had wondered when he was going to bring it up to her and that was who she was and she was not going to change.

I can not say that his confronting her was the beginning of the end, but it is slightly coincidental don't ya' think?

And lastly, SHE ESCORTED HIM TO HIS OFFICE AND OUT THE DOOR!

E.S.C.O.R.T.E.D. H.I.M!!!

She has known this man for over 15 years. She knows there is not a more honest, good-hearted person out there, and she escorted him like a common criminal.

Shew!

I am done. It is time to move on. What's done is done! We can only move forward. We were given lemons and we are making lemonade.

We have good Christian friends that are there for us. And God has a plan. We just have to put our faith in Him and know that His will for us will be done.

and yes, as sure as I may be sounding in the above sentences, I am still worried. I am still making myself sick thinking about what is to come, but I am trying to give it to God! Really, I am!!

a taste of cincinnati!

Last night, the girls had a treat for dinner---SKYLINE CHILI.

One of the police on base had to go to a

school in Lexington (or maybe Louisville?) and he brought us back 2 cans of the chili. Joe and Kathy had sent us 10 cans last year, but we ate all of that and this was the first taste of it in over a year. You can see from the picture of Michaela how delicious she thought it was. She smelled it cooking and begged to eat it then and not have to wait until Steve finished his softball game!--she got her way:) Emma enjoyed it, especially sucking up the noodles. She actually ate TWO helpings--which for her is unusual. The only things missing were the oyster crackers!!

a trip to pooh country

On Saturday, we loaded up into the van and headed south toward London. The weather wasn't the greatest, but we had been trying to get to Ashdown Forest for weeks and something always came up--so we braved the weather anyways. The drive down was dry, so we held out hope that the weathermen were wrong! We arrived at Pooh Corner, bought a few souvenirs, and then headed to the forest. Our luck was holding out and we were feeling confident about staying dry. We hiked up and down hills, seeing the sites Pooh and his friends explored during their adventures. After about 45 minutes, we began the 2.5 mile hike over to Pooh Bridge to play Pooh Sticks--it is no wonder Pooh and his friends got lost in the 100 acre woods. That is alot of area to play in!!. The girls enjoyed collecting sticks and playing the same game we have read about in The Adventures of Pooh. We finished up at the bridge and began walking back up the hill--and the sky let loose! We were drenched!! We continued walking the 2.5 miles back and about 15 minutes before arriving at the car park the rain stopped!! We sludged through the mud and decided since we were already drenched we might as well continue to the other side of the forest to look for Eeyore (he was smart and was in his house staying dry).

We hiked some more, following the meandering (Michaela's word!!!) stream that A.A. Milne played in as a boy and then continued back to the car.

We had a great family day out.

Emma walked all but the last 30 minutes of the hike ( 4 hours of hiking is pretty good I think for her little legs!) and was asleep within minutes of getting into the car to head to the hotel at Lakenheath. You can see from the picture how she completed the hike--much to her Daddy's delight!!

what's been happening in croughton, england

Well, the girls are back in school for the last term.
Michaela danced at the Brackley fair with her jazz class from school--they did very well and have been asked to dance on July 7 for another group. She is looking forward to the end of school, but that will last about a week and then she will be ready to go back! She has had a good time marching in a parade, dancing at the Calypso Carnival, seeing Polynesian dancers, and riding her bike and playing with her friends after school. She enjoys the freedoms she has on this VERY small base and I am afraid is going to have a hard adjustment if we come back to the states and she cannot just ride her bike 2 miles to her friends. Being on a military base certainly has its benefits (especially when your dad is a cop and is patrolling or one of our friends is patrolling), but it also allows for a false sense of safety--that is not there "out in the civilian world".

(No pic here because I HATE my pic taken:) My friend Justine and I walked in the RACE FOR LIFE last week at Silverstone race track--one of Britain's Formula One race tracks. Michaela and three of her friends from school joined us--of course they had to make sure they beat us "old ladies"--which they did. We all had a great time and the rain stayed away until we were finished.

Emma is enjoying school and playing with friends. Today was Storytime at the library--she LOVES the stories and the activity--and then lunch at the bowling alley. That is one of our two choices for fast food restaurants!!! Subway is the other choice. What will she do if she goes back to the states and has 7 restaurants 2 miles up the road from the house???. Emma is enjoying her two ballet classes and playing with her friends. The weather has been back and forth between cold and rainy and sunny and hot--so we are outside as often as the weather permits. Emma is funny to listen to--if you were in a different room listening you would think there was a British child in the house. She has picked up the accent, but unfortunately will lose it quickly when she is away from her schoolmates for a few weeks. I am trying to record her to remember this speech. She told us yesterday she planted a tomato plant at school--pronounced TOE-MAW-to.:) She definitely keeps us on our toes!!

Steve is doing well. He works his 15 days a month--ROUGH!
He just finished his 2 Microsoft classes--A's in both. YEAH! There are two civilian jobs he has applied for--one here on Croughton and the other is a State Dept. job--in Foreign Embassies around the world. He has also been asked to extend here in Security Forces for another year. I guess time will tell. The girls and I are planning to be home the second week of September. We are going on that premise and if things change we will go on to the next stage of our lives.


I am not doing much at all. I am still driving Megan to school in the morning and picking her up in the afternoon, but other than that I play with Emma in the morning and take her to school in the afternoon. I am a lady of leisure!!!

Things in England should be interesting in a few weeks. On July 1, it will be illegal to smoke in any building in all of the UK. All pubs, restaurants, etc.. will be smoke-free. I can't see that ever happening in Kentucky. We will also be here for the change of Prime Ministers. Elections here are great--No commercials, no billboards... just an announcement that Tony Blair will be stepping down and that there is a new PM. We will see how this affects our lives. We are just wishing either the economy here would suffer a little or the economy in the States would improve so that the exchange rate could be better than $2.05 to a British pound. It is ugly when you buy something for 40 pounds but have to subtract $80.00 from your account. UGH!!!!

We are loving it here and pray that we will be able to stay longer, but we do miss the conveniences of the States--T.J Maxx, Target, Crest Neat Squeeze toothpaste,mixer taps in the faucets, pay-at-the-pump petrol stations...and Michaela misses OLIVE GARDEN. It's the little things.....