This post that I read today so wonderfully captures what has been on my mind and weighing on my heart the past couple of weeks.  Thought I would share:

http://www.lauraleighparker.com/2011/12/when-skype-falls-woefully-short-on-living-far-away-from-family/

Though we may not be together in person this Christmas, you are all very much with us in our hearts.

Cook Christmas Party

Nate had a taste for fish and chips last Sunday, so we decided to try Durty Nellie's, the oldest pub in Ireland.  It opened in 1620 and is supposedly the best place to get a pint of Guinness. 

Nate and Scarlett had a staring contest while we waited for our food.

Me and my boy.

After lunch we headed to the Cook Christmas party.  The kids had a great time.

Scarlett was thrilled to have her face painted like a fairy princess, and Grayson was completely engrossed while we watched the magician.

They were a little hesitant about seeing Santa at first, but walked right up to him with their letters as soon as they saw him.

Nate and I were so impressed with this party.  Face painting, balloon animals, a magician.  Each child got a gift from Santa, a treat bag with a juice bottle and treats, AND a box of chocolates.  It was amazing.  The kids have already been talking about going again next year.  :)

O Christmas Tree

We went in search of our Christmas tree a little over a week ago.  We didn't get to walk through fields of trees looking for just the right one to chop down, but we all enjoyed the experience none the less.

"How about this one?"

I love these two.

A lot.

"Look Mom!  We have antlers!"

Freshly delivered.

It was strange leaving the lot without the tree, but the kids LOVED the anticipation of waiting for it to be delivered.  Stay tuned for the decorated version.

Catching up

Almost every night I compose post after post for this blog in my head as I lay in bed waiting to fall asleep.  And day after day I think about sitting down and actually writing how I'm feeling about living in Ireland.  And then I don't.  I'm not sure why, really, but today I'm going to attempt to change that.  Especially since my last post was such a downer and I don't feel like it's a good representation of our life here at all.  Yes, there are difficult days, days when I miss our friends and family like you wouldn't believe and want nothing more than to stay home and dwell on how hard it is to be away from everyone.  But mostly?  Things are good here, we like where we are in our life and are loving the opportunity that has been given to us. 

I ran up to the petrol station the other night to grab some milk before they closed....at 7pm.  ;)  I parked the car, ran in and grabbed the milk, paid for it, and was back in the car in about 5 minutes.  And that's when it struck me.  I am so incredibly happy right now and totally and completely love this moment in life.  It was one of those moments when it just kind of hit me and made me pause for a moment.  I love where we are right now.  I love the life that we are creating for ourselves.  I love that it felt incredibly normal to run into the petrol station at 6:30 on a Saturday night for a jug of milk.