Temporary (Cont...)

No pictures for this post. :(

I completely forgot to write about another awesome way God provided for us!
When we arrived at RAF Mildenhall on the bus, we were all exhausted, and (as you may remember from the last picture in this post) we had a LOT to carry. The bus dropped us off at the lodging office so we could check in. Scott unloaded all our stuff from underneath the bus onto the sidewalk, and a really nice airman who was returning home to Mildenhall (his wife was there to pick him up) helped us carry everything inside. The kids were soooo tired and sluggish. As Scott was checking in, another guy (a pilot who is here TDY) came in and asked me if the bus had already come and gone. Apparently, he was supposed to pick up a friend who was supposed to be on the bus (but wasn't). This guy, Jason, overheard the desk clerk telling Scott where our room was (and where the TLF buildings were); it was going to be a long walk for us...like a mile...literally...with all our stuff, and the kiddos, in the rain.

I think I might've burst into tears if I'd realized how far it actually was.

But before it ever got to that point, this Jason talked with Scott and offered to ferry us (in a few trips because his rental car wasn't big enough for all of us and all our stuff) over to where we would be staying!

We accepted his gracious offer! I went first with 2 suitcases, all the backpacks except Scott's, and all the kids but Ian. Scott came a few minutes later with Ian and the rest of the stuff.

What a blessing!

After this, we gave the kids a small snack and laid them down for a nap (for a few hours). We went over to the BX food court thingy for an early dinner (Pizza Hut and Burger King, woohoo, haha!), came back around 6:30, got everyone ready for bed, and went to bed! The kids have adjusted really well already to the time change. Scott and I haven't been quite as quick, but even we are getting rested and acclimated. And now it's the weekend (and a long one even, since Labor Day is Monday), so hopefully a more relaxed pace will mean we can start figuring out the rest of the puzzle toward settling and making this home.

Scott found a rental car today, so that makes exploring a little easier. We ventured out with some new-ish friends tonight for dinner in Mildenhall village. (Scott knew the husband from Sheppard...they were both instructors there, and the wife is friends with one of my friends from Wichita Falls...she actually put us in contact with each other when she found out about our orders here!) Anyway, my first time riding in the passenger seat in a "backwards" car, and already I think this whole driving thing might be doable. (Someday.) :)

We still have to find a vehicle large enough for our family; the best lead we had before arriving here is already gone, so we're basically starting from scratch. And we also need to find a house. It's hard to know where to start because there are so many different communities around here. The farther away from base you go, the larger the houses seem to be for the money...but being close means less money in gas/transportation plus there's the added convenience. I have no doubts that it will all work out fine in the end, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready to get moved in somewhere and back into some sort of "normal."

Tomorrow, we're hoping to go explore Bury St. Edmunds, the closest larger town. We hear it's beautiful out that way (not that it's bad here), and that there are some nice stores...even something similar to a small Walmart. We shall see!

I'll take pictures if I can. :)

Temporary

It rained all day yesterday. I think the temperature was still in the upper 50's, but it felt SO COLD! Of course, we're also still acclimated to balmy Texas and Kansas weather. :) This playground is just across the street as we look out the window in our room! Pretty awesome, eh?

The next several pictures are of our "apartment" in TLF (Temporary Lodging Facility)
This is the living room, and the first room you seen when you walk in the front door. The couch pulls out into a full bed, which the boys share at night.

This is the girls' room with two twin beds and a large closet! (It takes up one whole wall!)

The bathroom. The kids think it's hilarious that you have to flush the toilet by pushing a button on the top of the tank. (And the button is actually two buttons...I haven't figured out why there are two, as it seems to do the same thing regardless of whether you push on or both... Maybe it's the pressure, like both buttons can be used for the "tougher" jobs. Haha!)

The kitchen/dining room. The table has 6 chairs and a high chair (it's almost like they're prepared for our family!) Other than the outlets being (mostly) UK spec, it's a very American-like kitchen. We have plenty of dishes and cookware, an oven and flat-top range, and a full size refrigerator. The sink has a garbage disposal, and there's a NICE dishwasher! (Woohoo!!!) Oh, and they supplied a coffee pot. It's basically heaven. The door to my room is back there on the right.

This is my room (and Scott's and Julia's). It also has closet space all along one wall. We don't have nearly that much stuff with us, but it's nice anyway.

Looking back at the kitchen...(and the awesome dishwasher!) Oh, and there's a microwave. That's definitely handy, too.

And I saved the best for last! Do you know how excited this makes me?! No coin operated, hike-for-a-mile-in-the-rain-to-do-a-million-loads-of-laundry-at-once-just-to-find-that-all-the-machines-are-full laundry rooms for us! WOOOO!!!

Today, the sun has been shining and it's been BEAUTIFUL! I didn't check on the temp, but I'd guess it was up in the low to mid-70's. Gorgeous! Oh, and just in case it wasn't cool enough that there was a playground right across the street from us, THIS one is just out the door of our building! We spent quite a while out there today. :) 

Nana, this one's for you: the boys with their swords! :)

This was staged, I promise. ;)

One (of the MANY) chicken-sized pigeons! (Seriously, they are the size of chickens, and they sound like gargling owls...and they are everywhere.)

These trees form a hedge...in various places around the base. They're really tall (TX/KS standards), and the chicken-pigeons love to play in them and scare you to death...and poop on you. ...or so I hear. ;)

God continues to amaze us with His provision. Several people that Scott knew from McConnell are stationed here, too. One of them (and his family) have invited us over for dinner tonight, mostly because they're friendly and great, and partly so we can see what British housing is like. Another family, who just got here three weeks ago, has offered to babysit ALL our kids while I do some in-processing with Scott next week! This is a life-saver, since one of the things I have to take care of is my driving test...and I'm pretty sure it would be much harder to have all the kids with me for that. (It's just a written one, and no, I'm nowhere NEAR brave enough to venture out on the roads yet!!) I hear it's hard and tricky and that 40-50% of the people fail it every time it's given. And the signs here are pretty different... It's amazing how much of that kind of thing just soaks in by osmosis over time. Before I took driver's ed. in the States, I knew what all the signs were and what they meant, just from being in the car with my parents. Hmmm...  But really, we already have a babysitter! We've been here a day...just crazy awesome, I tell you.

Scott checked in with his squadron today and has a long list of stuff to take care of. It's overwhelming, I know, and trying to get our family situated with a vehicle, a house, and a phone (even if just for local calls right now) adds a lot of pressure. We continue to be so appreciative for all your prayers! He is already answering them...we are adjusting to the time change well, and things really are going very smoothly. :) So, while we ache to be settled, this whole phase of temporary-ness is alright! Love you all!

Adventures in Airports: Part 2

Chicago O'Hare

At our gate with a couple hours to spare. We thought the plane you see there would be the one we would ride on, but it wasn't. It pulled away a few moments after I snapped this picture. When our plane arrived, tough, the pilots waved like crazy at my kids...totally made their day, and it was funny. :) Of course, we had a different crew for our flight, but still...

Chicago skyline out the window

On the 777...we took up 7 of the 9 seats in a row! Emily and Scott (and Julia for part of the time) had the two seats by the window...

Ian and Katy were on my right in the middle section

And Collin was on my left. Cheeseball. :)

He did fall asleep for part of the time, but he was the only one that really caught a decent nap. No one else could do better than doze occasionally. Oh well...the kids still were AWESOME! Even at the end, they were still saying they loved that airplane and wanted to ride on it again. :)

Just after sunrise, we flew over Ireland. It's hard to make out the land in the picture, but it's there... (Scott took this since I couldn't see out the window.)

Julia was happy!! (Praise God!) She had ZERO screaming issues on the trip...including the 2 hour bus ride at the end! After the last couple of weeks of traveling with her, there is NO WAY that this wasn't the direct intervention and provision by God...thank you to everyone who was praying!!!

Emily took over photography at the end of the flight <3 td="td">

Pretty clouds! (Gotta say, they're prettier from above than below. London, true to its reputation, welcomed us with a steady drizzle.)

Em also captured FF trying to catch a peek out the window

This is a huge part of the kids' success in flying for 8 hours..."Brave" was viewed no less than 4 times all the way through. :)

Ian is hard to make out in this picture because of the glare from the window behind him, but there's our whole middle row.

There's London! 

London Heathrow

(We saw lots of Olympic and Paralympic signs, too!)

At the Heathrow baggage claim
We lined up all our bags (with the kids and FF) :)
Believe it or not, we carried ALL of this through the airport without any assistance or carts! Collin pushed one (until I took over at the end), Ian pushed one, Em and Kate each had two, and Scott had two...and I had the stroller, diaper bag, and carseat bag (and Collin's suitcase at the end)...and everyone carried their own backpack. Whew! It was doable, though! I'm SO proud of my little trooper kids! What a day, and they were great listeners/obeyers and had great attitudes...despite the stress of trying to figure out how/where/when to catch the bus out to Mildenhall/Lakenheath. Love my sweeties! 

Now, we're all checked into TLF and the kids are catching a little nap. Scott has already been calling about vehicles that look like possibilities for our family (talk about being on top of things!), and someone from his new shop already brought a welcome package over to our room with plenty of kid-friendly snacks and supplies. It's still raining, but there's a nice little playground just across the street from our room, and the room itself (actually several rooms) is pretty nice! It even has a washer and dryer!!!  I'll post pictures of that sometime later (not today).

Thank you so much, friends, for all your prayers and encouragement thus far! You have brightened some dark and overwhelming days and made our journey truly amazing! I've loved all your comments both here and on Facebook and your emails and messages. Please keep them coming and continue to lift us up in prayer. We know there's still a lot left to do before we're "settled" again, but we're also confidently resting in the promise that God has laid things out ahead of us. Much love to you all!!

Adventures in Airports: Part 1

Wichita Mid-Continent Airport

In the big church van (the only way to transport all of us and all our stuff) on the way to the airport yesterday morning. That's my dear friend, Debbie, in the back. Her family put us up on our last night in the States. :)

Our sweet friends, the Kinnans, made an awesome sign to see us off! Angie and I agreed it was probably best not to reopen the goodbye-wounds for the kids, so we just drove by (and honked and waved). It started the tears flowing for me, though...I'm so touched by the kindness and thoughtfulness of my awesome friends! (Thanks, Angie, Camron, Hannah, Benjamin, and Lydia for all your effort! It meant (means) the world to us!)

Debbie and me and the kids

And I just thought this was a good picture of us, so I'm including it, too. :)
Debbie has been one of my closest friends in Wichita. She reached out to me when Scott deployed the first time and we were still fairly new in the church...she even came over to keep me company one night every week because she knew it was hard for me to make it out with other adults.  She also volunteered, during the second deployment, to be with me when Julia was born last year...and she did everything helpful, from having worship music playing in the background to keep me focused and relaxed, to getting nurses as needed, to taking pictures, to answering the phone when it was "time" so that Scott could witness the birth as much as possible, too! We kind of just "get" each other in a lot of ways, and that has been so refreshing. I've learned a ton through her encouragement and service to others and to the Lord, and I hope to follow her example in future friendships. Love you, lady, and thank you!

Our whole family in front of the same silver artsy thingy 

FF and the kids
Shortly after this, our pastors arrived to see us off and prayed with us. I am terrible at goodbyes, but I'm so thankful God placed these folks in our lives, and I'm hopeful that our paths will cross again someday!

FF and the kids were so excited to see our luggage getting loaded onto the plane! It's awesome having distinctive bags... ;)

Ian, FF, and Emily on the plane

Julia was excited, too!

...as was Collin, haha!

Although Ian proclaimed that take-off was "so COOOOL!!!"...he crashed a few minutes later and slept for the entire flight. Good thing, too, because it was the only sleep he got the whole trip, LOL!

Adventures in the Metroplex: Part 3

The Pool!

Big pool

Kiddie pool

Julia in her raft

She's cute...when she isn't screaming. ;)

This little dog escaped from her house and stayed with us at the pool for hours. We tried calling the owners, but couldn't reach them. Nana and Papa were super kind and let us bring her to their house until we could get her back where she belonged. She was very sweet and well-behaved, and she took an extra strong liking to Katy.

We wished our visit could've been longer, but we're so thankful for the time we did have. Thanks again, Mike and Brenda!!!

Driving back to Wichita

We met up with some of our oldest longest friends in Oklahoma City on our way back to Wichita. Both our families have grown since the last time we saw them!

Silly picture. :) Hoping to see more of these guys in Europe! They're stationed in Germany and were just home to visit extended family when we caught them. ;)

Adventures in the Metroplex: Part 2

Medieval Times

FF couldn't come inside with us, but he got to see the castle.

All of us :)

Nana and her little men

My prince and his littlest princess

The big kids in front of one of the suits of armor. Collin was a little afraid at first; it really was founded since, when we went over by the torture chamber, there was a statue of an executioner...with a battle axe...who ended up NOT being a statue and totally startled us all. (...and made Collin shake and cry. The end.)

Scott was knighted by the king. (haha!)

Then the real show (and dinner) began! This was part of the opening. It was awesome!

Collin was mesmerized.

Huzzah! The yellow knight! (Our knight.)

First course: garlic bread and tomato bisque. There were no utensils.  For the main course, we had half a chicken (per person!), a barbecued rib, and baked potato wedges; and for dessert, we had apple strudel. It was all delicious! (By the way, the pictures look yellow because there were yellow spotlights shining on our section...to match our knight.)

Ian was captivated.

The knight would kiss these flowers and then throw them into the crowd.

He threw one to each of the girls. :)

There was a dramatic battle (several, actually.)

Collin watched intently.

See the sparks flying off the swords?

The girls with our knight (and the flowers he threw to them) :)

The boys with our knight

The girls with the princess

The whole clan. <3>

We had a GREAT time! It was unlike anything I'd ever been to before, and it was a hit with the whole family! Thanks so much, Nana and Papa, for the fantastic memories!