the allen family

Moving Sites

2010-04-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

The last few day my husband and I have been working on a new blog for me. I am making a move to http://theallens.walkbygrace.com

I please make note of my new blog so you can follow up on what is going on with the Allen's. I will give a proper update on the new blog this weekend. Hope to see you all there.

Love ~ Allenia

Feeling Inspired

2010-04-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

SO I have been working on a few projects. As some may well know we have made the decision to home school...I think it is the perfect decision for us. Homeschooling isn't for everyone and I can completely understand that, it takes a lot of work and even more sacrifice on the part of the parents to do it well. We haven't started the "proper curriculum" as of yet because I feel that Judah is still too young. We will be starting after his fourth birthday. In the mean time we are working on some Montessori schooling, what that boils down to is home chores, everyday things that he will need to know to function as a young person. I said all that to say that since we will be starting Judah in his homeschooling from when he is four I wanted to get him involved with other children who are in the same or similar life situations as he. We have met a lovely family called the Brooks. Jeremy and Lydia have five gorgeous kids. Eleni, Noah, Alice, Ezra and Naomi. Judah just so happens to be smack dab in the middle of Alice and Ezra in age. Alice is four and Ezra is two. They all get along so well. I think it can be a bit overwhelming for Judah at times. Recently Lydia told me that she was having trouble finding aprons for her children to wear while helping her cook that fit properly. She showed me one that she has that is totally adjustable and in a way I have NEVER seen before. So I told her that if she would lend me hers I would sew some up for the kids. So that is one of the projects I have been working on...they have turned out really well! (I will post photos soon). I will tell about the other projects as they are closer to completion. I am so thankful to have met Lydia she is so lovely and is a great example to be on how to be a homeschooling Mom and keep your sanity! I figure if she can do it with 3 of her 5 with the younger two running around then I can surely do it with just my 1!

In other news, Matthew and I made a decision that we really haven't shared with many people. Mothers Day here is different to America...and it was about 4 weeks ago now. During that Sunday morning I really felt the Holy Spirit begin to speak to me about things that are time stealer's...and one of them being our TV! When Matthew and I got home from church I shared with him what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart and being the wonderful leader in our home that he is said "well then, if this is what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, we will get rid of it". So that is exactly what we did. We took the TV out of the living room and stored it until we can sell it...and have canceled our cable service. Judah woke up to a whole new world! He asked his daddy when he got up the next morning and finally noticed that the TV was gone..."Daddy, where are my movies". Poor boy.. but I will tell you that I have seen a major difference in him.

Now that we have more free time we are listening to sermons online and reading more books. God has been revealing so much to us in the last 4 weeks. We are so very blessed. I am looking forward to posting some of the thoughts, revelations and even teaching material that has come out of this process.

Thank you Lord for the growing pains for in the end I will be beautiful....

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

2010-04-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today the love of my life celebrated his 30th birthday. He asked me last night if I could bake a coffee cake for him to take to work....and of coarse I did! I made a two layer rum glazed coffee cake! It was delicious!

This evening we went out to Johnny Wongs in Birmingham (UK) to have a meal out with his family. It was a great time....we were there 2 1/2 hours.

I hope that his birthday was brilliant! I am so blessed to have him. God has been so good to me.

My Beloved

2010-04-02T12:50:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard women say that they can't wait for their husbands to "get back to work" or "get out from under their feet" or "get out of their hair"??? Well I just can't understand it. I enjoy having my husband around. He is my best friend. He is so helpful to me....He honors me and loves me. He is a fantastic Father...I love to watch him with Judah. Judah adores his father and with good reason. I can honestly say that I look forward to the days he gets to be off work for holiday's or vacation time. I am so very very very thankful that God has gifted me with such a wonderful husband, friend and father to our son. I fall in love with him more and more every day. That feeling that I got when I knew for the first time that I loved him and that he was the man I would marry....I feel it over and over.... I still get butterflies in the pit of my stomach when he looks at me. Thank you Lord for a man I can love and who loves me totally and completely. You have graciously gifted me with such a special man.

Back into the swing of things!

2010-03-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

After being inspired and motivated by my friend Lindsey for being so good about updating her blog I figured it was time for me to get back into the swing of things!

It has been so long since I last posted I could write a book...but to save you all from that LONG and what could be a dull read I will give you the best condensed version I have.

It is now March and I feel like the year is flying by so quickly. My Mother and Sister flew over to visit. What a much needed visit it was might I add. I was getting to the point where I was homesick, not for the place but for the people in my life. I have always been the type of person that can adapt quite easily to most situations, moving here has been no exception. We have been here now going on 2 years and I have adapted to life here rather well. Things are different but you learn to cope. I think that the hardest part is being so far from family and friends. I can't just jump in the car and drive a day or two to get home or go see friends.....I have to get in a plane and fly over the big ole ocean. ahhhh. So as you can imagine a visit from my family was just what I needed. We had such a great time. We went to all the standard touristy spots and a few that weren't. One of the places we went was to Stratford Upon Avon...which is the birthplace of Shakespeare...we did a walk through of his home - It is amazing to me how these people had like 6 + children and lived in a house that feels the size of a sardine can! We also went to Warwick Castle...which was brilliant!

View of the castle grounds from the tower.

Mom, Michaela and I also did a girls weekend away to London and the Paris! It was amazing!!! I love London anyway and was able to show them around as I have been 6 or more times now since we have lived here. But Paris...wow! I have to say that London has Paris beat on the Underground/Metro system...much easier in London than Paris. We got to go up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower and it Snowed while we were doing our tour. My favorite place in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe -- the view from the top was breathtaking...and so was the 300 odd stop up a narrow spiral staircase to get to the top! Still laugh thinking about it. Here are some photos of that...

In other news... I just said goodbye to my baby and hello to my big boy about 5 weeks ago. That was the day I cut his hair. What a sad and very emotional day for this Mama! As I was cutting tears were streaming down my face, because although I knew that my little boy needed a haircut and was ready for that next step, I wasn't! The minute I finished I looked at him and proceeded to cry like a big baby because there in that moment my baby was no more...I was face to face with my big boy! Not two weeks later was his third birthday and in that two week span I saw him change more than I have in all the time I have know him. He began to come into his own. I see before me this little person who has personality, independent thought, tenderness, kindness, curiosity, strength and love. Then I think to myself that God has placed him in mine and Matthew's care to shape and mold him...in the physical but most importantly the spiritual. I stand in awe that God would choose me to be his Mother. What a mighty responsibility! My prayer is that the Lord God would guide me in every way...that I may train him up the way that he is meant to go and that I don't fail him. Here is a before and an after! The top photo was taken in January when my Mom and Sister flew over for a visit! More about that to come.

Below: 1 March 2010

We are now homeschooling which is great! God is good gracious and is teaching me daily how to teach Judah......talk about lessons in patience! At the moment we are using the Montessori Method. Basically it is child lead learning and life skills at this age. Everyday, Judah says to me..."Mommy, I do my work today". So he is excited he is also asking for jobs/chores to do around the house. That just blesses my heart. He is also taking an interest in praise and worship in the house and then bible story after. It is amazing to me how much he knows and remembers about God's Word. He has memorized 2 scriptures so far and I am excited to continue planting (hiding) the Word of God in his heart.

There are so many more things I want to say but for now I will just have to leave it......I suppose this isn't such a condensed version after all....but I did have lots to update!

Love to you all!
Allenia

Enjoying Everyday Life

2009-03-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

We have been working on a new schedule for Judah as he had be struggling with his sleep schedule. This week we have been doing nightly baths (we had only been doing them every other night or so because he wasn't out doing a lot of stinky boy stuff!) and reading him one of our big books that we have been reading as a couple. At the moment it is The Dream Giver by D Wilkinson. We eat dinner, listen to some worship music for a bit then off to bath time the to bed. This week has been so good...we lay him in bed...say our prayers, tell a quick story and then we say good night and leave the room.....last week he was screaming at the gate until he figured that he better go to bed...now he just lays in bed and goes right to sleep and SLEEPS ALL THRU THE NIGHT!!! 7:30 -7:30!

So I thought that I would put in some photos of Judah at bath time last night.

Judah loves to help me cook, clean, do laundry and vacuum ...so last night I was making toad in the hole (sausages in a Yorkshire pudding batter and baked in the oven) and Judah wanted to help. He helped mix the flour and water/milk and egg mixture. Then he put in the herbs and whisked away! After I put the toad in the hold in the oven he wanted to continue to cook so I let him make a pretend soup! Soooooo sweet!
Just before dinner was finished in walks my wonderful husband with a lovely surprise for me....and gorgeous purple Orchid flower plant and a card. Here are the photos of the orchid.

Judah turns 2

2009-03-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

The morning of Judah's birthday I was very emotional. I had been writing in his birthday card, and as I have had the great pleasure of reading lovely things my mom had written to me when I was a tiny tot I thought that I would do the same for Judah. I sat to write to him about how very blessed I feel to have him as my son and how I feel that God has blessed me beyond measure to have chosen me to be his mommy. I told him how special he is and I know that God has big plans for his life. As I was writing my mind traveled back in time 2 years earlier when I was in the hospital waiting to have my little bundle of joy and wondering if my baby was a boy or a girl. The events continued to play on the big screen of my mind. The long labor, then the decision made by the doctor to proceed with the C-section....being in the operating room and then hearing the first cries my baby would ever make!!!! As I sat there enjoying the memories of that most special time I found myself in tears of joy and great gratitude. I realized how abundantly blessed I am to have this very special person in my life. Then a great heaviness came over me, the realization that I have this massive responsibility to shape and mould this little person. Knowing that every word, action and attitude is being carefully studied and mimicked was like being hit by a ton of bricks. Wow, all I could think is that God has entrusted me with this beautiful and perfectly wonderful creation. Even now I am so overwhelmed!

Every day that I get to see his beautiful face, precious little smile, sparkling eyes, curious hands, fast and sporty feet, experience his exciting and playful personality and hear his contagious and joyous laugh I am honored to be his mommy and blessed that God trusted me enough to give him to me.

Just a bit about his party!
I can't believe he is 2! We had such a good time at Judah's party. He had a few friends and a few family members come. I think the decision to have the party at Jitterbugs was both good and bad. Good because I didn't have to set up or clean up. Bad because it was PACKED.... a lot of big kids and they don't watch the smaller children.

When it came time for the kiddos to sing happy birthday to Judah, he didn't want to sit down to have the cake brought to him to blow the candle out....he wanted to open his presents. So to keep him from being upset...he got to open a few presents while the kids sang to him. I was glad he didn't cry when everyone was singing to him.

And some photos for your viewing pleasure.

The Rush is Over

2009-01-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

Now that Christmas and New Years have come and gone things are settling down. We had a lovely Christmas. Judah was big enough this year to enjoy ripping all the paper off the presents...his and everyone else's that is if they would let him. He got lots of fantastic stuff. Electric Drum set, Art table and all the stuff that would go with it, educational puzzles, trucks, clothing. New Years was good...we had a few family member here as well as Matthew's best mate, Steven. We played Taboo, guys against girls, and the guys beat us pretty bad!!
Now that the new year is in full swing Judah is starting pre-school...at home. I have found a fantastic Pre-School Homeschooling Curriculum. I am constantly amazed at how quickly he learns things. He isn't speaking english yet...well some things but most things are still Judahish! I have lots of plans for him this year and am looking forward to watching him grow and learn and Succeed!

Matthew and I have a few things on our own goal list for the year. Those things will be kept to ourselves for a while until we feel it is time to release them. As for life things are good. God is faithful and we are just living everyday life.

Until the next time,

Allenia

Breakthrough

2008-12-12T02:03:00.000-08:00

After months on end of sleepless nights we had a major breakthrough. After a couple of days of our new "sleep plan" we have had success. I must admit that the "sleep plan" we decided on was probably the hardest for me to deal with. I don't like hearing my son cry so this was a challenge for me as well as for Judah.
We made a few changes that we think have helped along with the sleep plan. We moved Judah to the back bedroom where there is no road noise or noise from the neighbors (who sometime get into it late at night and have been so loud they have disturbed his sleep). Not only did we move his bedroom...we gave him a single bed with a feather top mattress.
Our sleep plan goes like this...we take him to his room...say his prayers with him....lay him down and tell him we love him....then I walk out as he follows me to the gate and begins screeming. I let 10 minutes pass ... go back to his room and cuddle him....lay him back down and walk out again...then let 5 minutes pass...then again with the checking on him then another 2.5 mintues then check on him then if he is still going for it....I start over with 10 minutes...he hasn't made it past the second round of the first 10 minutes yet.

He slept from 7:30 last night until 5:10 this morning! Then went back to bed until 7:15!!!!

SO excited. I have finally got to sleep in my bed with JUST my huband.

Well that is all for now but will update when I get another free minute!

Allenia

JitterBug Fun

2008-12-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

Below are a few photos of my little man having a blast at JitterBugs...it is a fantastic indoor play center for children. But don't be fooled. A lot of parents are climbing through the huge apparatus. I feel completely comfortable sitting down with a cup of coffee to chat to some of the Mom's I have met there while he runs around and plays. The way it is set up it is easy to keep an eye on your little one while you sit and enjoy some adult conversation.

As I was laying in bed last night...with Judah just next to me (he came running in crying), I kept humming these tunes in my head. When Matthew came to bed I told him how I felt so silly because I kept singing all these crazy kid songs that are from the shows that Judah watches. Then I started singing them to him so he could feel a bit crazy with me! He just laughed. Thank God for other mother's who understand me.
Yesterday afternoon I took Judah to the JB we played until Matthew got off work...he walked to the JB to meet us...the took a few minuted to play with Judah in the play areas. He is such a good daddy. While we were there I met another Mom. Her name is Marjam (she is Iranian) she is so lovely. When we were chatting she said that she knew I must be American because I was so naturally social. (She and her husband lived in California for a while -- her son was born there). We have made plans to meet up again and let the boys play. What a great opportunity to show the Love of Christ.

Here are a few photos of my lovely little one having a big time at our favorite play center.

Playing the the Under 3's play area.

Coming down the BIG slide ALL BY HIMSELF! The top of the slide starts where the light is on the top right hand side of the photo.

Going up the "mountain" to get to the big slide! Again all by himself!

Big rotating part to a mini obstacle coarse.

Playing foosball!

Judah in the futbol/soccer pitch

I will add more photos as we will be doing some more outings soon.

BBC's Good Food Show

2008-12-01T12:02:00.001-08:00

What a blast!!!! Yesterday I got to go to the BBC's Good Food Show in Birmingham at the NEC. It was so much fun. The NEC is about 2 miles long and was packed full of stalls/vendors and wall to wall people. At one point it was hard to walk thru the crowd. Vanessa and I sat for nearly 3 hours to wait to see Gordon Ramsey cook at one of the shows...however he couldn't be there so Angela Harnett took his place. She is brillant. Very interesting personality and quite a dry scense of humor....I liked her. I got a few things at the show, a couple of knives, some different food items a plate and bowl for Judah. All in all it was great. I think that Vanessa and I will plan to got to the Summer Food Show again at the NEC.

On to Judah updates... So my little man is beginning to talk. It has only been one week but in that week something has changed. He was jumping up and down on me yesterday and was saying onnnn (1) ewhhhh (2) eeeee (3) and then he would jump and sit down. He is also saying oohse -- juice... he also says "what?" and no, gone gone, all gone. It is so funny to hear what he sounds like when he actually uses words. Too cute! He has become very confident in other areas.. Much more indepentent, he lets us know when he is ready to go to bed and when he wants a bath, if he doesn't want something we know very quickly. He is something. I love my little man...this is such a great adventure. I must be off now.. until then.

Good Friends...

2008-11-27T01:37:00.000-08:00

...but oh so far away! So I have some of the best friends in the world. Those who I have a face to face relationship with...others I have met via xanga or other blog sites...those I went to church with...those I went to school with...and others I have met along the way.

I find that some people in mxany life have been only just a seasonal gift from the Lord for a specific time, place and situation. There are others who I would have never really imagined I would be friends with, then there are those who are just lagniappe...just that little extra from God.

This week I have gotten to chat via email, myspace messages, facebook messages and even telephone with some of these wonderful blessing. My heart has been so lifted by the sincere and thoughtful comments and even just genuine conversation I have had with these lovely people. I stopped and for a moment the Holy Spirit reminded me via the love of friends how very much the Lord loves me and cares for me that he would give me such lovely people to come along side of me and lift me up and care so genuinely about me. Thank you! I am so blessed to have each of you in my life.
Kendra, thank you for a constant laugh or amusement, you always put a smile on my face...I know we have yet to meet face to face but you have been a source of encouragement just being you. Reading your thoughts and honest blogs on xanga have been wonderful. Our emails, though few and often brief, have been lovely and I always look forward them.
Angela, you are one of the ones that came into my life many years ago via Chi Alpha...and although we haven't seen one another in ages..we always seem to be able to pick up just where we left off and it feels very natural. I am so proud of you. You have a heart of gold...and I am so blessed by you.
Mel Howard, Wow, what are friend you have been to my family...my mom and dad. Although you started off as my mom and dads friend...we have always just clicked...you are so fun to be around, I always know that whenever I am around you there will always be laughs! Thank you for all the little emails, comments, love you show me. You are a blessing and I love you girl. I miss you.
One of my friends from home, who I got to see and spend some time with while our boys played together at the park when we were home last has become more of a blessing than she may know...during the last couple of weeks during all that yuckiness...she emailed me via myspace to check that I was alright...and to just see if I needed to chat...asked how Judah was doing. My family have been there always but for a friend to check on you when you are down somehow makes you feel that much more special and loved. Allison THANK YOU, your concern and care have been such a blessing to me. Whats more your love for simalar things has been just so fun.. I have enjoyed our emails back and forth about homemade/handmade gifts and crafts. You are a fantastic friend and I am thankful for your friendship to me...even if it is one of distance. These four people are just a few there are others but to go thru and thank each of you would take days...and I think that this post is quite long enough...If you weren't mentioned personally today you are no less special...I am pretty sure you (who weren't mentioned today) will be in another post...but these three are the ones I have had on my heart the last few days.

Thank you again to all my friends and especially to my family...I know I didn't mention much about them but then again they are ALWAYS the first to be called upon and I always know that they will be there. THANK YOU!

Only By His Grace,
Allenia

Strange Days

2008-11-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

It seems that over the last few weeks life has been in a bit of a muddle. Matthew, Judah and I were all ill with some little cold type bug. A week later, at 6:47 pm on Sunday, out of no where or so it seemed Judah had a fibral convulsion, by the way for any parent to see their child convulse or seize...it is probably one of the most unsettling things in the world. I had heard of it happening to other people and you feel sympathy for them but until you see it happen you have no idea. Although the doctors tell you that it is "normal" is almost laughable. I must say that I did panic, since I had never experienced that before, however, now that I have been through it (not that it will be any easier to see) I at least know how to proceed and deal with what is going on. Then the Thursday after Judah's FC I got shouted at by some man in our church...and pretty much told off for something that I didn't even do. I was very upset and just so down in the dumps. This last Sunday was suppose to be the day when this man was to meet with me, Matthew the pastor and some of the other leadership to sort out and apolgise but that didn't happen, he came with guns loaded and backup...all ready to attack. I took it for only so long before I cried and then spoke my peace about the whole thing. I went home that evening and Matthew and I spoke about the day. I told Matthew that I felt that it was less about me and more of a breaking point of this mans anger. He has a lot of grievences agains people in the church and people who don't do things the way he thinks they need to be done, I was the easiest target as Matthew and I are new to the fellowship. In the end we believe that we will be moving on as it was made clear to the pastor and the assoc. pastor that the people in this fellowship don't really want the young/middle aged people involved or even taking leadership positions in this fellowship. We are waiting to see where we will be placed by the Lord for the next step in our journey.

On a more positive note while at this church I have made some very dear friends and look very forward to pursuing relationship with these ladies. I will be going to the BBC's Good Food Show with my friend Vanessa. I am so excited... it is this Sunday. It will be a nice break from all the drama of the last couple of weeks.

Matthew and I will be going to his mom and dads for Thanksgiving. Although it isn't celebrated here as it is an American holiday, we will be having a Thanksgiving celebration...it will be on Saturday instead of on Thursday as my m-in-l will be working a 14 hr day on Thursday.

Until the next time Maxwell.....

Only By His Grace ~ Allenia