Childers in Ireland

I took the girls on the 4th of July over to Scotland for the weekend to see Gill and Bob and the kids.  We had a great time all around.  It was so fun to see the whole Kellock/Ross clan again as well as visit Alford and Crookmore.  Please forgive all the quick snap shots of Alford in the album of the trip.  I threw those in for my family but I realize they won't mean much to anyone else.  For those who don't know - Alford is the village near where we lived and Crookmore is the house we stayed in while living in Scotland. 

I just wrote that title and I still can’t believe it is true!  I joked that I couldn’t move back to Seattle until I met Bono but never in my wildest dreams did I think it’d happen!!

Here’s the story – I am a frequent stalker of U2’s  recording studio as it is a mere 15 min walk from my house.  I also swing by the gates of Bono’s  house whenever I get a chance which is out of town a little ways.  I thought if I ever saw him it’d just be a glimpse which would have made me very happy.  So on Friday night, as I met friends at a The Duke to go on a Literary Pub Crawl, my friend Eimear said that she saw Bono and Adam Clayton earlier in the day down at the studio which is by her work.  Bono announced to the crowd that he’d be back out at 8:30.  Then and there I knew, whatever my friends did, I was going to be waiting at the studio.  I think, for a laugh or to humor me, they skipped the crawl and tagged along. They didn't believe he'd actually come out.  Still, I thought IF I saw him he just be driving by in a car but it was worth to me. 

And good to his word, out he came at 8:45!  I rushed over with the smallish crowd and again, I was just happy to see him.  I wasn’t going to push my way up to him.  Eimear made her way around to his side and Amy wasn’t going to let me get away with just hanging back so I handed the camera to Amy and went to stand near Eimear who started chatting to Bono like she would anyone and then introduced me!   She made a lifelong dream come true that I wasn’t willing to make come true myself! She will forever be my hero! 

Being the only famous person I really would care to meet, I’ve had an “if I ever meet Bono” speech planned in my head about how much I appreciate all the good that he has done with his fame and fortune – I mean the guy is trying to eradicate PROVERTY.  He not just throwing money at Africa – he is trying to balance the world's resourses!  So I wanted to tell him how much I admire him and instead I told him basically that I’m a stalker and the dreaded “I’m a huge fan…”  Doh!  Ah, well….

Oh!  And the best bit – he kissed my cheek and I got an autograph that says “A flower for Sugar ..from Bono” with a little drawing of a flower.

Roll credits…I can now come home.

The latest two albums are from our travels this month to Portugal (also Spain for a day) for our summer holiday and then Jessica and Kalle’s marriage celebration in Waterford. 

Portugal was full of interesting sites and beautiful beaches as you can see from the photos. But I think what made it extra special for everyone is the family visiting their mum who owned the property we were staying on had a 10 year old girl and a 6 year old boy!  Instant playmates for the girls and they all got on so well that it was very relaxing for all the parents and fun to make new friends!

The wedding celebration in Waterford was such a blast!  It was a beautiful setting, great group of people and the wedding was just perfect.  It was a great ending to our holiday.

I know there are a lot of photos but it can’t be helped.  I tried to put my favs at the top of the Portugal Album so it wasn’t too overwhelming but you might just have to look at ‘em all!

Hope you like them!

I really like this album!  There are so many great shots!  It was just one of these days (two actually) where the surroundings were so beautiful (cherry blossoms in full bloom!) and the girls where in the mood so taking pictures was especially fun!   I hope you enjoy looking at them… I know there is a lot. 

 

I’m calling this entry with album “Spring” because Spring starts February 1^st here in Ireland.  They apparently go off the weather and not the moon like we do.  Ben lost a bet with G on this point and his wallet is now a ten spot lighter.  Smart girl.  But it really does feel like Spring lately.  I swear that the birds have tripled over the last few weeks and new growth is starting everywhere! 

My “Spring” photos feel a little self-indulgent to me as I look through them.  Some of you know that I tend to take photos of weird things but I don’t usually post them because I think people want to see photos of the girls mostly and not, for example, my breakfast.  I don’t know if that is true or not but I’m showing you some of my favs realizing that they might not be for everyone so I’ve stuck in enough of the girls to keep the Grandparents happy! 

There are also quite a few that G took of R and me at the park.  I love the shots she captured.  It’s fun to see the world through kids' eyes sometimes! 

One other group of photos is my trip to Chicago for the Oprah Show!  Most of you probably now know about the story because I emailed many of you but if you haven't heard, my friends Kari and Dave got a new house built for them by Nate Berkus.  Go to Oprah's website and search for "Nate Build a Dream House" or something similar if you are interested in seeing photos and video shorts etc.  The whole thing was such a great experience and I'm so happy for them!

I hope as you read this you are happy and well and have a nice steaming cup of coffee in your hands!

Much love,

Christiana

It's been a while since I've written an update so I thought I'd say a little something about the last album I've added which is mostly just bits and pieces from the last month but it seems like it is longer time frame as this month was packed!

 

I threw in a few photos from the end of Nov when Scott, Mary and Jude were visiting.  We loved having them here and getting to mix some of our new friends with long-time friends on Thanksgiving.  That was my favorite part of the visit.  Something tightens in my chest when I get to introduce people I love to each other!  We ended the evening with a Sing Song which is a very Irish thing to do.  Love it when Kalle walks in our house with his guitar! 

 

The following weekend we all headed back to Seattle for a very quick visit.  It was great to be back and to see loads of people, celebrate my Mom's recovery, celebrate my sister's birthday, celebrate my birthday, see the Lindberg's new home, and on and on... I threw in some photos from our trip home.  It was so great to spend some time in the old neighborhood.  The girls where like little rock stars with all the excitement of them being home. I felt like we'd never left, it was so normal to be there.  As I was walking over to Kari's house for a visit, Gillian said, "Mom, I wish that we wouldn't have told anyone we were coming then we could have surprised the whole village."  Love that.  The week was too quick to satify but I look forward to being back someday...

 

The Childers Clan (minus Jake and Courtney *boo* due to new babe *yeah*) where set to arrive the weekend after our return.  After many delays and nights spent at each stop they made it!  We had a great Christmas day.  I have a few photos up of the girls and their gifts from Santa.  R is learning to ride a two wheeler!  I have loads of shots of Ben running beside her or behind her as she learns.  I didn't include them all but again, heart tightening...

 

I hope as you read this that you are happy and well.  We thank God for all of our blessings and the biggest blessing in our lives are our dear friends and family.  Thank you for being supportive and loving to us!

 

"put up your little arms

and i'll give them all to you to hold

every finger shall have its ring

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy"

-from 'little tree' by e.e. cummings

 

That was in Adam and Erin Jones Christmas card this year and I'm borrowing it.  They always have a quote/poem that gives me pause.  (Check out www.jonestopten.com for some excellent writing and a new book coming out in August "Rose Bowl Dreams" which I'm looking forward to!)

 

Happy Christmas (that is what they say here!) and a Happy New Year!!

 

Much love,

 

The Childers