American licence will not do

After 27 years of driving, Dennis and I have to take a driving theory test; if we pass, then we can 'book' for the driving practical test. An American licence (British spelling for all you English teachers out there) is only accepted for one year at which time you either pass the tests or lose your insurance. Before returning to the States for a visit, we will each take the theory test and hopefully book the practical test which has a six week waiting period.

Some folks told us we could just go to Ireland and get an international licence and be done with it. Sounded great to me but Dennis won't have any of that - he says, 'this will make you a better driver.' Gee thanks, and give me a few more gray hairs to be sure! None of the other Americans have taken the test yet so we are the guinea pigs for the team.

Apparently the British driving test is the most difficult or picky in the world with few passing the first time through. Given the fact that I failed my first driving test in the States at age 15 do you think I'll be able to pass here at age 43? You'll love this, we've actually taken a few driving lessons to assess our driving and get the tips on UK driving. They have the quirky requirements of keeping hands at 10 and 2 o'clock positions, never allowing the hands to cross over the 12 o'clock position or release the steering wheel. If you go over the speed limit once - it's a fail. If you hit the curb when doing your 3 point turn or parallel park - Fail. You have to use the handbrake if you are stationery for more than 5 seconds - in other words - no putting it in neutral and holding position. If you don't take the manual test, you can only drive automatic cars which means that even though I have an automatic car here since Dennis has a manual I will need to pass the manual test in order to drive his car. Can you tell I'm excited about this?

So far, in the year we have been here, I've had 4 incidences with the cars Dennis' company has provided - three have been in our driveway. I have scraped the wooden fence, the rock wall and stone pillar. To get to our driveway you drive through a maze of cars parked all over the alley and then take a very, very sharp right avoiding the necessary driveway obstacles. Dennis hasn't had this problem - just me so obviously I'm the hazard. The road hasn't been my greatest challenge, though it is challenging, it's the driveway! The kids make fun of me as I still comment as I drive and make gasps and other weird noises expressing my true feelings about driving here. However, Dennis is right, I've maneuvered the car in ways I never would have attempted back home.

This summer Anna Catherine hopes to get her learner's permit while we are home. I will be able to relate all too vividly to her feelings of anxt.

Most Improved

When we came to England, Nathan naturally took up soccer or 'football' as they say here. I guess he could have taken up rugby or cricket just as easily but he chose soccer. They are serious about their soccer here - with an 11 month season. He came not able to handle a ball or even kick very well but he has steadily improved. He kicks the soccer ball all of the time in our back alley. The practice paid off when he received the "Most Improved" trophy from his coach at presentation night. Keep up the good work, Na!

We are watching the semi finals of the European cup. Last night Germany beat the Cinderella team of Turkey 3-2. Spain and Russia play tonight. Dennis is of course hoping to see Spain in the finals. He has really enjoyed the easy access to soccer on the 'tellie'.

Celebrating Differences

15 years into our marriage Dennis and I had this tell-tale moment which really captured our temperaments. We were celebrating our anniversary on God's amazingly gorgeous creation of the island of Kauai. It's the outdoorsy person's island of Hawaii - well preserved, no commercialism - stunning raw beauty. We went to this scenic spot and enjoyed the view but Dennis wasn't content to stand where the other 'tourists' stood - he wanted to venture out onto the rocks further down which required walking a path that required real shoes rather than the flimsy flip flops I was wearing. We finally got to the rocks - the only ones there; while I was standing back taking in the splendor, Dennis decided he wasn't done - there was still more adventure to be had - a better view still.

Well, now I'm annoyed. Why can't he just be satisfied with the view safely here on the ledge, why must he jump across gaps in order to have the 'best' view -you know feel the spray on your face view? (Adam and Christine Ray will remember this story with a laugh) He invited me to join him as he leapt toward 'his spot' while I stubbornly refused. Begrudgingly, I joined him for the picture where I'm looking all sweet and happy when really I'm just irritated with the notion that 'good enough' was up there and wasn't 'good enough' for Dennis. We had a heated discussion about his quest for the thrill, the prettiest spot, the most creative picture vs. my attitude of adventure tamed with what I would say was reasonablenss.

Why this story? It's about enjoying the differences. June11 is our 20th anniversary and I celebrate the glory that God made Dennis different from me and though I'm often baffled and sometimes irritated with it...I love who he is! Dennis has the same twinkle in his eye that his dad has. It's mischief, adventure, surprise and delight all rolled into one. I am all too often content with 'good enough' but Dennis hungers for more; it pushes him to find the coolest picnic spot, the exhilerating bike ride, the scenic hike. Consider the way we ski, slow and steady wins the race for me but his eyes have to be watering and trees have to be flying by in order for him to be having a good ski. Same with the tube - he tries no hands even if it means being flung off while I safely take one hand off...restrained adventure.

Dennis sees God's creation as His glorious reflection, His gift to explore, enjoy, and savor! As I said on Dennis' birthday blog entry - he loves variety. What's the point of eating if you take out the fat, sugar and spices? Yet, in his love for variety - he has always loved just one woman and one woman who often settles for, 'good enough'. Wow - what a gift to me that he has stayed the course and taken the desire for adventure and better than 'good enough' into our marriage in a way that didn't require dumping me for someone more exciting, more satisfying, more____fill in the blank but invited me into the investment of the grand adventure of a sweeter marriage, a deeper relationship and more honest intimacy. I'd love to say that I have scaled walls to take him on in this most vulnerable of places in all of life but often I have selfishly protected what was 'good enough'.

Still, 20 years in, I love Dennis more and enjoy him far more than I ever used to even compared with the googley eyed bride smitten with him that I was at the altar. I think I'm getting better at letting go, it certainly is my desire for I know that all that self protecting limits the joy and depth of relationship.
Bud, thank you for an adventurous 20 years - they keep getting better! Looking foward to the remaining decades with you.

Queen Elizabeth Comes to Whitehaven!

Russ Gladden and Julian Battle always told us to tell the Queen, 'ello'; well today Nathan got to give the Queen flowers! Of course, so did lots of other little kids but she actually came over to him with a sweet smile on her face and told him he was a beautiful boy! She looks like someone's regal granny - note the signature hat and gloves and purse (why she needs a purse I don't know -it's not like she needs a license or cash for any reason, right? Maybe she carries it for her lipstick and hanky.)

I'll back up a bit...2008 marks the 300th Anniversary of Whitehaven so Queen Elizabeth and her hubby, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh came to celebrate the moment. Being the enthsusiastic participant that I am, I bought the little flags and flowers to have in hand. (The girls thought I was nuts - they said, "What? Why did you buy a British flag, you're not even British?" I said, " She's the British Queen isn't she?!!" They just laughed, crazy Mom. I asked my British friends if they wanted to go because Nathan's school gave permission to take your child out of school for the morning. They laughed and said, "No, but we know you are. You've seen more of England than we have."

So Nathan and I met the two other Washington Group wives here early in the morning to get a good spot. Good spot...we were front and center. The St. Bees School brought the 6th graders so Julieanne and her buddies were able to be in the front with the school groups.

The Queen walked over and talked with her friends which thrilled them.

Some funny differences we noted between a Royal visit and possibly a Presidential visit (which I've never had the oppotunity to attend) In the States a moment like this would have been a capitalist's dream - selling flags, buttons, t-shirts, drinks, books...no such thing over here. I even went late the night before to the store next to the train station where the Queen was arriving to buy an extra flag - not one patriotic item to be found so thinking I had just missed out on the rush, I asked the clerk. Sheepishly she admitted they had nothing, to which I replied, "But your Queen is coming tomorrow, that's sad." She agreed. Oh well.

Also, in the States where people sleep on sidewalks for days to buy electronic games, people would have lined the sidewalks hours before in hopes of getting a good seat. None of that here, we walked to the harbor an hour and 40 minutes before she arrived in town and got a fabulous spot.

So what do you know about Queen Elizabeth II? If you're like me you need a book so I got one. I went to the library on Monday and checked out a book to read up in prep for the Royal visit. (another funny thing to my kids. I know that secretly they like that about me even though it is a bit annoying at times) She was not even supposed to be the queen. Her Uncle Edward VIII was the heir but he abdicated in favor of Wallis Simpson, a woman he was not allowed to marry because she had been divorced twice. Now there's a choice for you; do you want to marry this woman you love or be the king of England, you can't have both. He went for love of a woman whom he was married to until his death in 1972. That meant that the crown came to the second son of King George V and Queen Mary, Elizabeth's dad, King George VI. He was king only 16 years when he died in his sleep leaving his eldest daughter, 25 year old year Elizabeth, Queen. As a young wife and mother of two little children she became England's next queen.

At 82, she has traveled more than any other Sovereign in history. As constitutional monarchy she plays a ceremonial and representational role which is what brought her to Whitehaven. She has 430 engagements a year! Though the 'Royals' get lots of bad press from their countrymen for being a waste of money, they do a staggering amount of charity work -something a President could never do. She is a true queen - elegant, refined, graceful, lovely and given completely to her duties and responsibilities which she has paid dearly to uphold.

It was an exciting day but as our dear friend Jonathan Stamberg said, imagine the King of Kings, Jesus Christ inviting us into His presence! If I was this jazzed about seeing a queen of a country I'm just living in, I can only imagine the thrill of spending eternity with my true King!

A Biking Adventure with the Girls

It doesn't happen very often. This last Saturday I opened my eyes to something unique. Sunshine! As I opened the curtains of our bedroom to let it come through, even Julie woke up with a smile (something even more rare than sunshine).

In England, when the sun comes out, then it is time to change plans and take advantage of the beautiful weather. Bills can wait to a rainy day. "Julie, I am going to take the girls on a biking adventure", I explained, quickly getting dressed. And so we did.

And quite the adventure it was. I took the girls to Keswick, about 30 minutes away, and we set off into the country side. Anna Catherine and I have edited a six minute video capturing our experience. I have chosen to superimpose music so that you don't have to hear the "Is that another hill?", or "I hate you, Dad!" or "I think we're lost". However, I have captured enough of thier facial expressions to give you a taste. You be the judge. Do you think they enjoyed the adventure?