... a long time coming!

And after a mess of exams, birthdays, studies, anniversaries and o.s.c.e’s Lee is now a final year medical student. Wow, a long time coming. When we set out on this adventure we had no idea how hard it would be, and how much we would love it! We have developed an eternal love hate relationship with London, which I’m sure will distill to pure love upon our final journey north.

So the first week of Lee’s fifth year he decided to take as annual leave (ha!) and south west to the beauty of St Ives, Cornwall. Our first holiday since our honeymoon, sad yes, and definately too long in coming! In tow: Kiddies, Nanny Nicola and Uncle Tom. We had one busy, fun filled week which included a 6am wakeup call every morning to “BE QUIET SEAGULLS” and “SHUTUP SEAGULLS” coming from Rosa and Finn. I’m sure you can probably guess that we couldn’t even hear the silly birds, but after Finn had a sausage roll pinched out of his hand by a cheeky gull he tuned his senses to them and we reaped the aftermath. So, not much sleep - which was ok because there was so much to do. We saw Lands End, Penzance, St Michael’s Mount, Took in the 3 miles of Golden Sands, The Minack Theatre – which is possibly one of my favourite places in the world, breathtakingly stunning with all the arts and culture saturating the sea breeze, shear perfection! Had a boat ride, went swimming, attempted church – disaster.  And The Eden project which we loved so much, despite the small fortune we spent in the gift shop. The more we did to try and wear out the kiddies them the more wired they became – can’t wait till Lee can just bring home some diazepam! 

 Tom spent the week taking pictures of flowers... I'd mock him, but they were pretty good :)

 This picture really doesn't do it Justice. The Minack Theatre.

The Eden Project.

 Rosa loved having Nanny Nicola's hand to hold.

 I really hope Finn was taking a picture of the motorbike...

After all the fun and frolics of the Holiday we journeyed to Birmingham to say a fond farewell to Jet and his beautiful new wife Laura who are beginning an adventure down under. I’m so happy for them and this incredible experience. However, I can’t help but feel I’m going to miss them so much! There will be a temporary hole; that I expect filled in a year.

   

Lee is having a great experience in his Surgical Elective, already seen so much and stitched on a thumb! High Five!

And I can’t go without saying a word about the London (and the rest) Riots. I couldn’t help but feel anger and condemnation toward those involved. I felt a little scared and vulnerable when they talked of spreading to Southgate – then I realized Southgate is full of takeout’s and charity shops, not much to rob there! But my anger has given way to pity now. I think it’s a sad reality when people behave this way, with complete disregard to anyone or anything around them. I read this in the ensign this week, Elder L Tom Perry of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We live in an interesting world. The desire for worldly toys seems to be overpowering. Developed nations are becoming so secular in their beliefs and actions that they reason a human being has total autonomy. The pursuit of so-called individual freedoms without regards to laws the Lord has established to govern His children on earth will result in the curse of extreme worldliness and selfishness, the decline of public and private morality, and the defiance of authority. Amidst the bustle of the secular world, with its certain uncertainty, there must be places that offer spiritual refuge, renewal, hope and peace.” Need there be any more evidence that this man is inspired of God. It is so true that events like the riots are a result in a lack of Christ and his Laws in the lives and hearts of all His children.