Our Family & Our Life

Dear Diary, The days since Colin has left for Denver have been passing by quickly and we have had lots of family and friends popping by to say hi and to meet Isla. Auntie Aaf Aunt Jane ... and Isla even made a new friend, little Maiya! Maiya is 6 weeks older than Isla and is the daughter of my friend Karen. Isla also got a cuddle from Maiya's mommy... At least I didn't have to worry Karen stealing her :-) And I should mention that she gets an occasional daily hug from her Oma too... We are settling in just fine to our own routine without Colin (sorry dear, but we really do miss you) and as I mentioned before, Pearl and Dixie have made themselves at home with Ziggy. I found Dixie since my last post, in Isla's bed... ... bad kitty... Pearl is good as always and snuggled up on the softest spot in the house, Mom's sheepskin rug... Colin has been interviewing and house hunting this weekend and we may no longer be homeless by Monday - woohoo!. If we decide to rent ...

Dear Diary, I know, it's been a long time and I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've been told, "I checked the blog but NOTHING new has been added!". Well, we've been busy, very busy and sadly the blog hasn't been my first priority. I'll start by recapping the last couple of weeks. Colin was in Denver for almost three weeks and arrived home in Larne on Saturday, May 17. Pretty much from the time he came home until we left on the 22nd we were swamped but THANK YOU very much to everyone who helped us in so many ways and even after we left. It was an overwhelming challenge for us two alone and we appreciate all the help and support we recieved. The house is still for sale so feel free to make us an offer..... The house was packed up by Pickfords on Tuesday and it took 4 or 5 hours to finish. Our stuff is now somewhere in England and will be making it's way over to Mom and Dad's barn shortly. We spent Wednesday cleaning and visiting and since w...

Dear Diary, I thought I should show you a couple of pictures of the office so you can see how it is progressing. I have been busy this week setting up the computers, however it has been frustrating as well, but I have made some good progress. I am looking forward to Friday when I fly back home to see Heather and Isla. Heather told me today that she is sure Isla said "Daddy". I was lost for words. Anyway, I believe Dixie needs a good talking to as she has been up to no good, so Heather says. I guess she has been missing our play times. Bye for now folks and a few xoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxo for Heather and Isla. Colin.

Dear Diary, Isla is 12 weeks old today! Any parent would tell you time goes fast and I would certainly agree. I weighed her today and according to my calculations, she weighs 13 lbs. 6 ozs. and sleeps 8 to 9 hours every night. This afternoon I put her on her playmat - she likes to "hit" Pooh Bear and Tigger or at least look at them dangling in front of her - and she was wide awake when I went upstairs. When I came down again, this is what I saw... ...ahh, isn't she adorable, fast asleep! Being little is tiring work. The nice thing about her sleeping is that she wakes up again and this is what I see.... .... she's all smiles! .... and more smiles..... We just love her to bits and can't wait to show her off soon in Canada. Our flights have been booked from Dublin to Toronto on 22 May which is less than two weeks away!! We still have loads of little things to organize and pack. Whoever picks us up from the airport, I'm warning you all now, bring at least t...

Dear Diary, Isla and I are doing well on our own in the middle of nowhere! Thankfully the weather has been very nice, Northern Ireland tropical 21 degrees, and we've been out for afternoon strolls and then coming back to the house to enjoy the outdoors in the back yard with the cats. I've taken a few photos this afternoon since I found the old digital camera hanging in the closet.... Isla with her floppy hat Isla without her floppy hat The hat is a size 6 to 12 months but it was tight on her. It must be her above average size head! And a little smile for her daddy xo - it's hard to get her to smile when the camera is on her.... Gotta run, I'm typing this as she is falling asleep in her bed beside me...

Dear Diary, Thought I should update you all on the office preparations. As you can see from these pictures, blue is the colour. The notes on some of the pictures were to let the office know what I was planning. I have also been out looking at possible houses to rent this afternoon. This one seemed nice enough, and only 20mins from work. Of course I couldn't leave you without another picture of the rockies. Take care, and some xoxoxoxo for Heather and Isla, I miss you more and more each day..

Dear Diary, One of the tasks that is high up in our list of priorities is to find a church where God can use us and we can find fellowship. Notice that God uses us first then we find fellowship.... Anyway, after searching the internet for local OPC's and RPC's etc I attended Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3411 Albion Street, Denver Co. 80207. It's a small OPC and the Pastor is Matthew Kingsbury. The morning service was at 11am and the church was only 5 mins from the hotel. The people in Park Hill were very friendly and I even had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with the Moores, Merlin and Janet. They invited me over for lunch at their home and we had a great afternoon of fellowship and chat. I would again like to thank them for their fellowship and I know they'll be checking out the blog. I will leave you with some more pictures of the rockies at sunset.. Until next time... Love to Heather and Isla, I miss you both dearly.... Colin..

Dear Diary, I thought I should share some pictures and bring you up to date with what's been happening. I arrived quite late into denver on monday night as my flight from newark, New York to Denver was delayed by 3 hours. But when you take into account the extra 2 hours due to mountain time then I didn't lose too much. However it was near 11pm when I got to my hotel. http://marriott88-px.rtrk.com/hotels/travel/densa-renaissance-denver-hotel/ The next day I went to the Metro taxi office at 10am and had my first look at my new office. As you can see there is much to do even before I start to install the autocab system, I haven't even got somewhere to set up and prep my computers, which should arrive next monday, hopefully. So I have had to get painters, an electrician, and the local carpet guy in to get things going, hopefully they will be starting tomorrow. This will be the view from the office... The view from the hotel room is a little better and you can see the rockies in...

Dear Diary, I think this will be a long post so prepare yourselves.... First of all, Colin and I would like to say thank you to all for your telephone calls, prayers, emails, cards and kind words after the passing away of his mom. It was very much appreciated and comforting to know that we were in your thoughts and prayers these last few weeks. Secondly, an update on the Colorado situation. We are leaving at the end of May (date to be determined) but only after Colin spends the next three weeks in Denver. He is leaving on Monday to set up the office and start the installation and return home on or about the 16th. He also hopes to have time to find us a place to live, arrange for a company car, cell phone, locate the shopping malls, restaurants, hair dressers, etc... phew, he'll have a lot to do and I'll give him a list to make sure he doesn't forget anything! In the meantime, I will stay behind and really buckle down on sorting the house and packing up. We have collected so...

Dear Diary, Yes, her Daddy really thinks she can say her name. Apparently she can say "Isladlkjfaj" and that's her name!!! Whatever, he's been trying to teach her since she was two weeks old to say "Daddy" so he is marginally disappointed that was not her first word. I will be contacting the folks at Guinness World Records later on this afternoon. She went for a check up at the hospital with the pediatrician on Tuesday and they were very pleased with her progress and growth. She was 52.5 cm. long and weighed in at 8lbs. 11ozs. We've even noticed her lifting her head up when she is on my shoulder or laying on her daddy's chest. Sitting in her chair at 6.5 weeks old Look, she has hair on her head (and eyebrows) In case you were wondering what it says on her shirt, it says "Daddy's little Princess". Enough said, right? Have a blessed Sunday. Heather, Colin and Isla