London Lately

A random update of life in London...

It was Charles Dicken's 200th birthday this month and since he used to live in my neighborhood; I feel a special connection to him.  I started reading Great Expectations last summer but unfortunately a little thing called grad school happened and Pip's life was put on hold.  Hopefully I'll finish it someday even if it's a year later.  Happy B-day Charlie! 

I started volunteering one Saturday a month at the London temple.  When my alarm went off at 4am last Saturday, I was seriously rethinking my decision. 

 After the most stressful term yet, my classmates and I let off steam pretending to be tourist at M&M world.  C, our British friend, had never been and was mesmerized by all the choices.  I was disappointed by the fact that there were no peanut butter M&Ms.  What is it with this continent and peanut butter?  European's life would improve if they would just embrace the wonderfulness of peanut butter!

 This was the scene out my window Monday morning.  Considering I live in a pretty urban neighborhood, I was a little confused.  But living in London has taught me a few things one of which includes NEVER being surprised by what I see on the streets.

 I got a job!  And by job I mean a part time job.  And by part time job I mean my flatmates are paying my to clean the house.  As luck would have it, I was already cleaning the house and now I am being rewarded for the effort.  It's pretty great to have a little extra spending money and the control freak in me is satisfied that the house is cleaned how I want it done. Plus all the scrubbing reminds me why I decided to go to grad school.  Basically it's a win-win!

I taught Relief Society on Sunday and my lesson was on Elder Anderson's talk entitled Children. (You can find it here).  Teaching about parenthood to a bunch of single women is no easy task.  Highlights from the audience comments included:

"Even if I can't be a mom now, I can make sure to be a kick ass aunt"

"I was told by a former leader to just freeze my eggs if I'm worried about getting older"

"You know our biological clocks are ticking so we really need to get on it"

Other then that I think it went ok...I hope.

Portland Zoo: One Year

One year ago today, Keith was diagnosed with brain cancer.  I seriously cannot believe it has been one whole year.  In the beginning, there were some dark days, and while the fight is not over yet, I am so proud of Keith and all he has accomplished.  I am also so impressed with Darcee and Brent who both deserve medical degrees after this last year.  And of course Cole and Ally are amazing because they lighten the mood and make everything more fun.

New Years Eve we spent at the hospital keeping Darcee and Keith company as he still had not yet been released. We spent the night eating sushi, drinking Martenillis, playing Boggle, and cleaning up throw up.  You know a typical New Years.  The nurses let Darel and I spend the night since it was a holiday and we spent the night spooning on the window seat while Darc and Keith shared the hospital bed.  I'm not really sure who had a worse night.

New Years Day we took Keith for a wagon ride around the hospital and as luck would have it he was released later that day.

Not wanting to celebrate Christmas while Keith was in the hospital, Santa was informed not to come to the Burnett house until Keith was feeling better. 

A few days later we celebrated Christmas.  And since I was in town helping for the week I got to celebrate Christmas round two.  On Christmas Eve we watched the Grinch, Mickey's Christmas Carol, and some other lame Christmas movie the kids like.  We set out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.  The kids of course had no idea Christmas had actually passed over a week before. Here they are Christmas morning waiting to see what Santa brought them.  (Yes, Ally slept in the tutu--it was Christmas so how could I tell her no?)

Christmas with little kids is so much fun.  It was like sensory overload for them as they screamed and yelled and showed us each gift.  I think it was a little overwhelming as they weren't sure whether to play with the new gift or keep opening more.  

I am so glad I got to be part of their Christmas even if it wasn't planned.  It really did feel like Christmas which reminded me that it's not really the day but how you celebrate that matters.  This family has been through a lot this year and I'm so glad they could have some normalcy outside of hospitals and clinics even if it was a week late.  You can read more about them here or watch a cute video Sydney made for Keith here.  It is amazing how much someone so little can teach you. Love you Keith!!