Augusta - Warm in Temperature and Relationships

Nathan and I were treated to a week of sunny skies and warm moments reconnecting with family and friends. My hunny had very generously given me a trip back home for my birthday. So Nathan and I drove to Manchester on a Sunday night, flew out the next morning and arrived back in the sunny south on Monday. Naturally, Nathan wanted a chic-fil-a sandwich straight away. The next day Nathan and I ran errands with Mom and went to the dentist office - how's that for a great first day back! Na did get to go and play with Luke, Josh and Isabel so that made up for the dentist visit. The next day he went to Westminster to be tested so I could have a US guage of where he is in math and language. Luke got to leave school early for us to hit the BMX track but not without the usual challenges of bikes not working and flat tires. I then headed to Davidson School of Fine Arts to take AC's friend,Taylor, out for Starbuck's and talking. That night the girls and I got to spend a luxurious few hours laughing and catching up at PF Changs. (Note who got sunburned at the BMX track)

Nathan got to spend a whole day in Miss Buurma's 4th grade class to experience 4th grade here. They were so helpful. He commented that they did a lot more work and it was actually harder. , Miss Buurma said other than some math tutoring, she thought he would do just fine transitioning back. She said he was enthusiastic and tracked along well with the class. He even had to take a few tests- he passed one.

Before the weekend came Na and I were able to have lunch with Julie Blakey to plan her trip to England in June! We also got to share with Beth Westergreen's K-5 class at Heritage Academy about life in England.

My brother and his family came over Friday and Saturday for some good cooking and craziness! It was great to be with the cousins again. My niece Riley told me she has a sign on her bedroom door that says, "I miss my cousins" Awww - we miss you too, Riley! I think my bro and Walker may join Mom on her August trip. If not then, later, England is calling my brother's name loud and clear.

We had one of Matt's gourmet meals on the grill. Matt told Na we were having beer butt chicken. After a minute of pondering, Nathan asked how a chicken butt could fit in the tiny hole of a beer can? Oh the mind of a child!! I also assigned Matt the task of taking Na to purchase the Daddy sanctioned air soft gun to bring back. A gun in Nathan's hands, even if it is a plastic pellet gun, seems like a crazy idea. So far, all is okay.

Sunday took us to worship both morning and evening at First Pres - nothing like being back with the people of God you did a lot of growing up with! Then over to the Westergreens for Jeff's famous burgers and a swim for Caleb and Na with the Paulk's dog, Belle. We started thinking through their trip to England in July - woo-hoo!

Na got to go on a date with Grammy while I then went out with Julian and his girlfriend, Mary. Monday Na and I were able to go back to our house and spend the evening with the Barretts which is always a boost.

In between all of that Mom and I got to do some good talking, praying and crying. Buddy got loads of love and a bath from both me and Na. Pam and I tried to maintain a steady conversation throughout the week inbetween lots of coming and going. We are used to that anyway - it seemed like old times. We even had to pull over on Wheeler Rd. to throw Na into her car inbetween running errands. We enjoyed trying to pronounce a lot of German words while looking through the info on Vienna which took us to tears of laughter.

Though this is a run down of some of the week - there were still many other meaningful moments and people not mentioned. It was a refreshing time back home. So much so, we are sending the girls home this summer for two weeks to have their own hearts nourished by people that have known and loved them all their lives! We obviously don't give plane tickets for birthday presents but this year as Dennis' card said, 'There is only one thing I can think to give you...a trip back to sunny Augusta!" That it was. Dennis and the girls did just fine without us though I'm sure we were missed. Still, it's good to be back with the family.

This last picture is Nathan trying to stay warm while we waited for the shuttle to pick us up. He's a creative guy no doubt! Yesterday, I wore a turtleneck sweater here in England - last week my son was swimming!