Generosity

As of 3:30pm today, I am officially on maternity leave. I feel a sense of relief on some level, but I still don't think the reality of what is coming next has really sunk in yet. Despite all the baby stuff that is now set up throughout our flat, it's just hard to believe that this active little baby in my belly is actually going to be joining us as an autonomous human being in the coming weeks. I keep wondering how I will feel when labor begins - part of me thinks I might burst into tears over the sheer velocity with which our life will change in the proceeding days. I'm beyond excited to finally meet this little one and to transition into this new phase of life, but I have to admit that the rate at which everything will happen is a bit intimidating to me!

I'm sitting on the couch this evening feeling overwhelmed by the generosity of the people in our lives. There is a big box full of pampering items for momma and essentials for the baby sitting on the coffee table, so thoughtfully put together by my coworkers as a send-off gift. A changing table from one of the members of our Board of Directors at work is to the right, stocked with baby gifts from the shower my mom and sister threw back in Denver this summer. Our stroller, which I am in love with, is next to it and will always be a reminder of my parents amazing generosity and thoughtfulness. I have bags of clothes passed along from a dear friend here in town, along with books and resources from my sister that have been my companions of the last 9 months. We have a crib, baby bath, monitor and Moses basket all given to us by coworkers. I'm just amazed at the provision of all these things by the generous people around us. God has supplied for all our needs, and we feel so loved and cared for as we're walking ahead into unknown territory. It really is humbling to just look around and see these many reminders of the generosity in this world, as it's easy to lose sight of it with the many tragic news stories and reports of suffering in this world.

Looking at the next week, I'm hoping to do a few more posts with pictures from recent events and perhaps a pic of my massive belly in celebration of maternity leave. I am so excited to have some free time on my hands - oh, I just can't wait to soak it up tomorrow!

A little cultural lesson...

November 5 is Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night, in the UK. Anyone out there ever heard of this before? I certainly hadn't until we moved to Edinburgh, but with fireworks going off outside tonight and the smell of bonfire that filled the air earlier this evening I suppose I am now not only aware of, but somewhat experienced in the British tradition.

Although we were living here at this time last year, I didn't actually learn about this tradition until this year. Why? Because last year I was holed up in our flat desperately looking for jobs and manically filling out applications with little to no contact with the outside world. Oh, there are no words to express my gratitude for being out of that situation!

Guy Fawkes Night is the annual celebration of the day back in 1605 when Fawkes and a group of conspirators were discovered and stopped in their attempt to kill King James 1 and most of the protestant aristocracy by blowing up the House of Parliament. The plan was uncovered, Fawkes was arrested, and he and his conspirators were subsequently tried and hung.

The Brits now commemorate that fateful day every 5th of November by burning effigies of Guy Fawkes, setting off fireworks and lighting bonfires. It's quite the celebration going on tonight!

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

November??

In the middle of September I remember looking at my calendar and eagerly anticipating the arrival October, which I expected would be a calm and far more low key month than the ones before it. Inevitably my calendar filled up with work responsibilities, an ever growing personal to-do list as we're preparing for the baby, and mid-week social engagements as we've been trying to get more connected in our community here. And now we've turned the calendar page into November and I can hardly believe it!

November holds a lot of exciting dates for us and I'm so glad it's finally here! Here are the highlights:

This weekend: a mini-vacation from the chaotic work schedules we've both been managing - our last chance for a little getaway as a couple before the baby arrives and life becomes wonderfully different.

Nov 14/15: our 2-day intensive prenatal classes (I'd be curious if this qualifies as an "exciting event" for Tony...I think I'm speaking for myself on this one!).
Nov 18 - my last day of work!
Nov 19 - maternity leave begins! I've got big plans for the following 2 weeks before my due date - lots to get done!
Nov 26 - not just Thanksgiving, but also the day my Mom arrives in Edinburgh!
Nov 28 - my original due date, which I'm still attached to even though I know it will most likely come and go along with my new date of Dec 2.

And then we're into December which holds a whole other bundle of exciting events - my dad coming for the last part of my mom's visit, my sister, brother-in-law and niece coming for Christmas, and most definitely the arrival of Baby Bolos (hopefully earlier in the month than later)!!

Beyond the routine responsibilities that have been keeping us busy this last month, we've managed to have a lot of fun. I've been thoroughly enjoying the autumn season and all the beautiful colors and crisp, cool air that come with it. We enjoyed having a weekend visit from a friend studying down in London. We've been spending time with new friends and settling into our new home church by joining several groups. And we've been mesmerized by the active little baby that now has the ability to shift my entire stomach from one side to the other as it moves around! Life is full and I'm grateful for the connections we're finally starting to make after being here for a year.

A few picture highlights from recent events:

A recent walk through The Meadows

Our new Moses Basket for the baby, kindly lent to us by my manager at work

Tony's hands on my ever-growing belly!

A gorgeous autumn sunset in Edinburgh
(this is our neighborhood, by the way! I still love all the chimney stacks around here...)