It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!... : )

Well hello people and Merry Christmas to all!

We're soooo very excited in this house...we just love this time of year! We just love Christmas-on so many levels!  Jonathan shared the following message with our friends at church at the beginning of the month and so I thought we'd share it with you too.

‘Tis truly the most wonderful time of the year! As Christians we outwardly show our gratitude for the King of all kings with joyous celebrations. There are many other little traditions and ceremonies that have accumulated in the past 2000 years, and some of them are family traditions. I love all the symbols of Christmas – decorating our home, sending cards, the food, being with family and friends, playing games together, the food, snow, singing carols, Father Christmas, little acts of service/giving, Christmas parties, and the food. As a grown-up (in physicality at least) these acts have grown in their meaning. I know the ‘world’ may seem swept away with commercialism, but I know the true origins of Christmas. It is in fact a universal theme – gratitude for life and this earth and the bounty of it; gratitude for the opportunities of mankind and mortality; gratitude for feelings and family, kindness and kinship. In reality: gratitude for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I believe that the spirit of Christ is woven into every nuance of Christmas if our heart remains true to the honesty of the meaning of Christmas.

So our tree has been trimmed (as well as most of the house!), baking for our friends and family will happen very shortly, lights are twinkling through out , the smell of Christmas has taken over and shopping lists are being made for a truly lovely christmas dinner......oh how we love it all! Most of all though, we love the feeling that comes when we spend time with our family and those we hold dear. When we try to be a little more like we should be- giving ourselves to those around us. We love to look at our Nativity and be reminded of the true reason why we celebrate. We've discovered the importance of giving grateful thanks for all that we have.   We love you all and are so grateful for you being in our lives.  Thank you for your love and support.  Thank you for being you.

We hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and truly feel of the spirit of this Holy holiday!

Much Love Jonathan and Becks xx

I love this little film...hope you enjoy it just as much.

Face Masks, Chinese food and no wax-no blade hair removal!

Hopefully you guessed it, but we finally got around to having a family girlie-night (minus Heidi :( we missed you H).  It was great... a real bonding experience.... welcome to the family Rachael!

October...where did it go?!?!

Hello peeps, we hope all is well with you.  We can't believe how fast this month has gone....it's crazy!  It's been a busy month for us though.  Jonathan had his op on the 6th.  Thankfully, all went well, and he's now on the road to recovery.  He's some lovely little scars on his belly-not quite as impressive as mine, but hey-ho!

We had our first taste of the ADOPTION PANEL on the 20th- it was by far the scariest expereince we've had.  A huge room, with a massive table in the middle and eight people sat around, all eyes on just Jonathan and myself....eeek...and I thought taking my driving test was bad enough!  They asked me a few questions about my health and then directed the rest of the questions at Jonathan-with reguards to how he would be able to cope IF I got any worse, became in-capacitated or passed on......Delightful thoughts I know.  Anyhow, we tried to answer the best we could.  The verdict was split, and it was decided that they would wait untill we have our full panel to make a final decision.  (Which is likely to be end of december or in January).  So still pressing on with that one....we'll keep you posted.

On a lighter note, mega excited for Christmas already in this house! Roll on the 1st December so we can put the tree up!
Love to all Jonathan and Becks xx

Autumn days when the grass is jewlled.....

.... And the silk inside a chestnut shell.  Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled, all these things I love so well....

.... So I mustn’t forget, No, I mustn’t forget, To say a great big thank you, I mustn’t forget.


Clouds that look like familiar faces, And a winter’s moon with frosted rings. Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces, And the song the milkman sings.....
.... So I mustn’t forget, No, I mustn’t forget, To say a great big thank you, I mustn’t forget.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered, And a swallow curving in the sky. Shoes so comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered,And the taste of apple pie...... 
.... So I mustn’t forget, No, I mustn’t forget, To say a great big thank you, I mustn’t forget.

Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling, And a minnow darting down a stream. Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling, And a win for my home team......
.... So I mustn’t forget, No, I mustn’t forget, To say a great big thank you, I mustn’t forget.

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Don't you just love this time of year?  The air is a little crisper, the wind a little stronger and the nights start drawining in.  Hot chocolate and comfort foods like stew and dumplings, Shepards pie and home made soup!...yes I think that Autumn is indeed my favourite time of year!

Summer is long gone, i'm back at school after a lovely summer playing.  Jonathan starts to slow down towards the end of the month-which he's looking forward to! We've kept ourseleves busy, and have strated decorating the house! It's been a little bit of a nightmare....but a great learning opportunity.  Our living room feels a little warmer, and the dinning room looks very classy-dinner parties are a must in the new year!

Adoption news..... well we've completed all our interviews with our Social worker, and now just waiting to go to early panel...well it's not quite so early anymore...but we're there on the 20th October.... it'll be my grilling over my health, so all fingers and toes crossed that I can answer the questions in the right way.  If all goes well there, we'll be at our final panel on the 17th November!  We're trying not to get too excited just yet...but our long wait might soon start taking shape. Anyhow, we'll keep you posted!

I've popped some new pictures of Sam and our beautiful canadian ones on their page, so be sure to check them out.  If you want any of the pictures by the way, you can left click them and 'save picture' on to your desktop...(Hint hint mum)

Mum and I spent a lovley day with Heidi last month....thanks for having us H.  Good luck with all your beautiful dressmaking....you should all go and have a look at her master pieces at the link to the side!

Anyway, we love you alll, hope you're well and happy!
Love always Becks and Jonathan x

July....here comes the sunshine....?!?!?

Hello everyone,
We hope you're all well and happy.  We're doing well! Jonathan is working hard as always...and playing hard too! (He's become an expert at table tennis on the Wii.... Almost as good in real life we discovered when we visited our family last month....Nobody beats Aunty Rosemary though!!!)

Summer holidays are here once more, but this year we're staying home due to Jonathan's work.  I'm off for a few days to Northumberland with my good girlie friends...a girlie week-plus Ted! (Our protection!) I'll be popping some pics up here as soon as I get back have no fear...

Other than that, we've a Summer full of weddings- most of which Jonathan is playing the organ for...so lots of practise! I've been out and about with Sarah (Jonathan's sister) and her little ones.  We spent a lovely day on Wednesday at a working farm in a little town near us....as you'll see from the pictures on the 'Photo Frenzy' page, we had a whale of a time.... and saw some very unexcpected farm animals!

I've tried to get out in the garden...in between the blessed rain that is...!! Honestly, our area was put on a hosepipe ban...and two days later, it chucks it down..and didin't stop for a week! Anyhow, i've mangaed to get out and plant some new plants that I purchased for my birthday..and due to tall the rain..they're blooming quite nicley!
Well, we're on the countdown for Jonathan's op, he's got to go see a haematologist on Monday... and then goes in for his op in September.  Then a month of being pampered by moi!

We hope you feel a little caught up, we'll update again soon! Adoption is still in progress, just got to get certain things in place before we can move forward...so fingers crossed.
Love ya all, Beacks and Jonathan

Update....

Hello peeps, we hope yo're all well and happy!  We've been busy as always, enjoying the sunshine and moving forward with the essentials.  Adoption is moving along... We've just completed our medicals-which the Doctors have kindly paid the bill for us...so all good! Joanthan needs a minor op in the next month or so, but nothing too major.  As for me...they sent me straight through...ironic or what?!

Check out our 'photo frenzy' page to see what we've been upto.

Anyway, get on here and update us with all your news!

love Bex & Jonathan x

FW: Sammy

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Subject: Sammy

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 22:25:36 -0600

Here's some new pic's of Sammy, including his first ride

Jessica

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More baby pics

What a lovely bunch of McLeans...AY?!

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The newest member of the family: Samuel Joseph McLean

"Hey guys, hope you like the pic's! Sam was born May 3, 2010, at 7:17am. He weighed 7lbs and 15oz and is 20.4 inches long. He is a very happy baby, Sleeps wonderfully so far (fingers crossed) and the girls are in heaven!

Love ya all!

The McLean's"

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Pic's of our Canadian Girls

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Subject: Pic's of the Girls
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:10:22 -0600

Here are the pic's I promised. Hope you enjoy them!

Jessica

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Updates....

Hello everyone, well I thought it was about time that I brought you up to speed with the Abery household!

We had a little scare a few weeks ago....thanks to Jonathan. As some of you will know Jonathans job at the moment is keeping the gardens neat and trimmed for all the church grounds in the North-west. A week last friday I had been visiting a good friend-taking part in a rather interesting psychology experiment. When I arrived home I was greeted by a rather forlorn looking husband with a bandaged hand. Aaaagh! What's happened?! Was my instant reaction. It turns out that he'd been repairing a lawn mower, a job which he has done a thousand times before. This time however,the blade had sprung back, and managed to slice his hand; right between his index finger and thumb. He said he now knows what the inside of his hand looks like....blah! A trip to A&E and seven stitches later.... thankfully no permenant damage (as far as we can tell).

ADOPTION NEWS.....

We've just had our second interview with our social worker.....was a little deflating to be honest, but we are assured that sometimes that's just the way they go and it will get better. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers said that all will work out the way it should.

AND FINALLY..but by no means least.....

Congratulations to Joe and Jessica who are now the proud parents of four.... finally a son! Poor boy with all those older sisters. I'm sure the girls will love him to pieces though. Will let you all know more information when I get it! The only information I have is from an e-mail form Joe yesterday....'It's a boy! No name or weight yet but that was quick. Two pushes and pop. Keep you posted'

Robert the Artist....

I think this boy needs his own gallery! He and Grandma Rosalind spent the day finger painting. Mum wanted to be cleaning the house...but as we all know...'Cleaning the house when the (grand)children are growing up is like shovelling the snow when it's still snowing!' Needless to say mum gave up cleaning and enjoyed the day with Blobbert!

Enjoy!

Any guesses on what this is?.... I'll paint you a rainbow..with a load of rain!

This is where the sunshine came in...Robert had spent sooo long painting the sun on this picture that he thought better of exerting that much energy again...one sun was all Grandma was going to get!

So...this is a green forest!

And this is a.....Black forest!!! (I love it!)


A scooter!

A snail..... and....the crème de la crème....


His best friend... Hartley the dog!

Time to reminisce....

Ok, here'e the deal, I want you all to be thinking...and then sharing... you're foundest memories from childhood. It could be times spent with a brother or sister, a parent or Grandparent....a first day at school, or getting an award...anything. Please try and give as much detail as possible and dates/ages. if you've any photo's to put up here that would be great too! Dust off those cobwebs on those memories and let them all flow here!

One step for the social...one GIANT leap for the Abery's....

Hey guy's and gals, I know it's been a while. We hope that you're all keeping well. For us, we're still busy with work and what-not. Jonathan has just started a correspondance course in copy editing. It looks very interesting and will open employment options, as well as give his customers a little more confidence in his abilities, so fingers crossed.

I'm doing much better health-wise you'll be happy to know! I'm on new medication, which seems be to be working a treat! I've also cut my hours at work to just three days a week- this makes a hughe difference too! So yeah! When i look in the mirror now I actually look awake!

ADOPTION NEWS..... we've just been allocated our social worker....YIPPIE!!! We have our first home visit next Friday....so the Abery household is tres excited! (And a little nervous).

Well spring has almost sprung! We're having our annual easter egg hunt on easter monday, so please come along it'll be great to get together!

Love Becks and Jonathan x

Family 3D night

Well, we tried at least! Shame the glasses didn't work too well...but hey ho, we had fun taking these pics, and robbert looks cute! We'll just have to all save up and go see 'toy story 3d' when it comes out!!! Hands up who's in?! Thanks to mum and Sarah for putting the evening together.... i enjoyed it and loved spending the day with blob! xx

Update on adoption and other things...

Well just so you're up-to-date, we recieved a letter requesting our second stage interview for this month! (Fingers and toes crossed please people-thanks). I'm not quite sure where we go from here, but i'll be sure to keep you informed.

As for me and my health, you'll be pleased to know I was extreeeeeeemly brave today and went for a blood test..... with NO TEARS!!!! should get the results back next week sometime, just in time for my MRI scan! (Lots of prayers on the 12th of this month please- i'm a little nervous to say the least.) Hopefully the specialist will be able to find out what's causing all the pain-but who knows! In the mean time you'll be pleased to know that i've cut my hours at work to three days a week. This is in the hope that on my days off I can get some extra rest and do 'intelligent exercise'- doctors suggestion! So yes, for once I'm actually doing as I'm told! (Something Jonathan is most pleased about!)

Anyhow, that's it in a nut shell! Love you all! x

Happy New Year peeps!

Well, another year has begun! Let's hope it's a super one! Just wanted to say thanks for a fantastic Christmas....Sarah I love my bag and gloves...much needed in this crazy weather we're having! Jonathan and I enjoyed a somewhat relaxed holiday, bless him, he went back to work today! (I'm back tommorrow though!)

Well one of our family goals this year is to keep in touch more, and have you all around often.... so get out your diaries and let me know when you're free!

We hope this coming year is full of fun and laughter, joy and happy memories.

Take care and we'll see you all soon- hopefully(?!)

Love Jonathan and Becks xx