Tamah's first snow

Over the last few days, Jack Frost has being doing his work round Dromore. It has been the first time that Tamah has experienced the snow and ice, and she has loved it.

To tell you the truth, when the snow falls, I become a big kid too. It was also great to have my dad down on Sunday, (for Joel's Nativity), and for him to see the kids playing in the snow.

Joel and Tamah had great fun with the Little Tike's horse. They turned it into a sled and had a lot of joy from being pulled up and down the driveway. I was wrecked!

Sadly now it is all beginning to thaw and all we are left with is a pile of slush. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm praying for a white Christmas... just enough snow on the ground to slide around, but not too much, because we're driving up to Belfast on Friday!

I'm sure I will blogging over Christmas, so for now I'll just say... wrap up warm!!!

Thai Christmas Party

สุขสันต์คริสต์มาส

Today was the Thai Christmas Party and after finishing a baptism in church, and then driving for 45 minutes as quick as was possible, we got to the Tullylagan Hotel in Cookstown.

Joel had had a rough morning; Tamah had bashed him with the bathroom door, and he wasn't really feeling the best. However, when he met up with Nathaniel and a few others that he knew, then he transformed back into the happy little boy that we know as our son.

We had a great day, and the kids were brilliant... really proud of them both.

When we got home, it was great to have a little bit of play time before we put them to bed. So, we brought out the bubbles... you can see for yourself below.

Tamah for the last few weeks has been sleeping in her bed. She got the idea from Upsy Daisy in The Night Garden, that beds were good. Going to bed is one thing, staying in it is another... She keeps getting out and crying which is quite hard. But once she goes to sleep, she's there to at least 6.30am which is good.

Here is Upsy Daisy... time for bed!!!

Random photos

Here are some random photos of Tamah with her brother and some of her cousins...

Happy Birthday to me

Happy 2nd Birthday Tamah...

This is your first birthday with us and we're so excited about it.

We love you so much and are really happy that you are settling into life here really well.

You love "In the Night Garden", "Peppa Pig" & "Jesse from Toy Story"... Joel bought you that toy.

Papa and Nanny bought you this lovely "Upsy Daisy" hat, and gloves and scarf too. We had your birthday party at their house and all your uncles and cousins were there...

All your cousins dressed up (including little Dylan) for the party and we had lots and lots of food, and a big birthday cake.

You now have so many toys you don't know which one to play with. We are just so happy that you were with us this year. We are so blessed to have Joel and you... and to have all of our nephews and nieces...

Happy Birthday

สุขสันต์วันเกิด

A belated half year

It's getting harder to discipline myself to blog once a month, but for those who are following this blog, I thought that you might look at a few pictures and a video of Joel and Tamah on the tractor.

Here is one of Tamah, a.k.a Wee Willy Winky...

This is Joel, Tamah & myself in Dublin Zoo... the kids loved it, but we were down in Dublin for my Dad, (he was having a heart operation.) He's doing great now, but wouldn't say fully fit yet.

And just so that Lesa doesn't think that I'm giving her some blog time, here is a picture of her with the kids.

Tamah is just getting more confident, (what, why, no...) Her language skills are amazing for just being home just over 6 months.

At the end of this month, we get to celebrate her 2nd birthday... can't wait!!!

5 Months later

As Lesa was pointing out to me yesterday, it has been five months since Tamah has joined our family, and so I thought a blog was well overdue

Summer has been a real family affair. First of all a week at New Wine with Lesa's family in Sligo, and then another week with them in Brittas Bay, (for Heather's birthday). We then had another two weeks in Coleraine.

It was such a good time, and it was a really positive time for Tamah building her relationship with the rest of the family. Speaking of family, you may notice from the photo below that our family is about to grow again in January. Yes, Lesa is pregnant... We cannot believe it, but the scan does not lie...

As we have been commented to others, "it's like waiting for a bus... you wait and wait, and then 2 come along at once".

Tamah is just thriving, growing bigger, bolder and brighter every day. Her realtionship with Joel is such a joy... who can believe so many changes can happen in just 5 months?!

Tamah's baptism

To be honest, I'm writing this about 2 weeks after Tamah's baptism... but I have only got round to writing this blog now.

It was great to have all the friends and family here in Dromore for Tamah's baptism. Norman has the one doing the baptising, so Tamah when you read this when you're older you need to chuck a bit of water round your grandad.

I think all 65 or so guests enjoyed themselves, and it was great to have Manu cooking for us; it saved us a pile of work, so thanks mon ami. The cake was cooked and iced by Maureen, my sister in law's, (Ruth's), mother. It was delicious!!!

The day was really good as the family then came over to the house, with Jonny & Claire, and we kicked about the garden with the other kids, and Tamah got a chance to show off her new play house.

I tell you we all slept well when we went to bed; there had been a load of organising, which again because of Lesa feeling really tired, we had to pass on to someone else... so thanks Heather!

Over the last few weeks, we have had the chance to chill out with Tamah & Joel - it's now the school holidays. Tomorrow, we got to Sligo, but over the last fews days, Lesa and the kids have been able to meet up with the McKays & Ledwith Mills families.

We're really looking forward to the summer as it will be an extended family break... first of all Sligo with all of Lesa's family... then down to Wicklow... and then back up to Coleraine.

Roll on the summer holidays...

Settling at home

Well it's nearly three months since we've had Tamah, and I don't think I have slept so poorly in all my life.

It's really strange to hear her speak with a Northern Ireland accent, all be it that it's just a few words, but I'm worried she's going to have a Tyrone accent.

Eating as you can see is no problem, and as far as her relationship with Joel is concerned, it's growing from strength to strength. Everyone comments on how well they play together. Last Sunday, Lesa and I were watching them sit together as Joel was explaining all the cartoon

characters in his comic... he's such a great big brother!

Last week, we had to send off our first report back to Thailand. It was weird to think that we have to send off another 2 of those, and then one for her year placement and then really that's it... we should then get her Article 23, and we can then get her a British Passport. Time is flying by so fast...

The weather has been quite kind, so we have been able to sit out most afternoons, which the kids just love... roll on the summer when we can really kick back and enjoy ourselves.

Thank you Christine

Last Wednesday we had our review to see how things were going... it was also the point at which we changed Social Health Care Trust. As you can see by Tamah's face, we didn't really want to do it!

This blog is by way of thanks to Christine, Michael and all those who have helped us from Belfast.

Thai meet up

On Sunday, we took off to Cookstown via a cold picnic in Drum Manor. I don't know what Tamah made of it, but I was freezing!

I didn't know how Tamah was going to cope with another load of Thai kids, but she coped. Yes, it was a bit strange for her seeing a load of new folks, but she was able to settle with Lesa and I around her.

Joel met a group of new friends too, including a bunch of pigeons, (he was picked as the magician's assistant and I wouldn't have believed it unless I had seen the photos myself).

After spending the good part of the day at Tullylagan, (the Sat Nav was sending us to a Dominican Friary), we then went up to Coleraine.

We put Tamah into our room and she slept really well... the paediatrician's advice about her medicine has helped her, (and us), no end.

Thanks Dr. Sharma!

The Martins

Today we had my Mum & Dad down... as usual they spoiled Joel, and this time they had another grandchild to spoil.

Lots of fun was had with the flying dinosaur, (remote control bug).

It was good to have my folks down, although dad did act like Lord Lichfield/David Bailey with his new camera. 

Jerry Ryan Fluffy Martin

Sadly, Joel today found out that his pet hamster had died... he wanted to mark this sad occassion with his own words...

"Jerry you were the best hamster ever. You gave me so much joy. I am going to really miss you. You were one of my best friends".

Jerry had been losing hair and wasn't looking the best before we went to Thailand. We are glad that we got to spend some time with him at home before he died. We will miss him running around his wheel at night, pooing on the floor when he broke out of his cage and hiding in Joel's hood.

To say good bye to Jerry, we had a short burial service where Joel was able to say thank you to God for all his memories of him. 

A month with Tamah

It feels as if she's been with us forever, but in reality we have only had Tamah for a month. She has fit so well in to the family and apart from the sleeping part of things.

Last Friday we went to a family wedding in Banbridge and it was interesting that Tamah was shy with most folks and yet ran around with most of the kids. Again, she was great bu

t as the night went on you could tell that the "wheels were coming off the cart".

Norman and Heather then made their way down to meet us in Omagh and then come down to Dromore to spend the weekend. Amazingly, the weather was great and we had good fun together as the video shows...

Tamah and Joel played really well and it was great to see their relationship blossom... I love watching them play together, hug each other and grow together.

Joel has to go to school tomorrow after a 5 week break, and I begin to get back to work properly. It will be interesting to see if Tamah misses both of us and if Lesa can get through the day without pulling her hair out.

We are thankful that Thailand has calmed down a lot, although looking at the news this morning we heard that an assignation had been made on Sondhi Limthongkul, (the leader of the yellow shirts). Inevitably, this means that the 2 political parties will move further apart and in the coming days there will tit-for-tat attacks.

I really pray that things calm down...

Home a week & thankfully so

What a week we've had... Joel, Lesa, Tamah and I have been learning and loving each other more and more this week & Tamah has been growing in confidence and courage.

Yesterday, was a lovely sunny Easter morning and it was Tamah's first experience of Holy Trinity Dromore. She had been on edge until the choir struck up 'See what a morning', which she danced through. Everyone was besotted with her - naturally!

After the service we travelled up to Belfast and met up with

 Norman & Heather, Paul & Ruth, Bethan & Joe and Maisie. She was delighted to see Tamah... 

The kids were great and had great fun together, looking for Easter eggs round the garden.

On a totally different note, we are so happy to be home now... everything seems to be kicking off in Thailand at the minute.

There are so many people we know now and we hope they are alright - we knew that things were tense and we are devastated for those we know who were planning to head out to pick up their child next week. 

The Home Office is saying not to fly at the moment, (it must be so frustrating). Please pray for peace in Thailand...

Tamah at home

Since my Thailand travels blog was such a hit, my son asked if we could continue posting under a different guise... and here it is a record of Tamah at home, for as long as she wants me to do it, or as long as I can be bothered to post.

Tamah has been amazingly flexible - imagine flying to the other side of the world, living in temperatures 30 oC below what you're used to, getting up when you should be asleep (and visa versa), eating "foreign muck"... she has had to change in so many ways and yet she's done it with style.

Yesterday, we had Heather with us and I have to say she was a God send... she helped Lesa with the clothes and with tidying the place up... thanks Heather. It was really special to see Tamah and Heather play together, hug each other and talk with each other.

We also had 2 health visitors call in, and whilst Miss Martin was none to pleased about being stripped and put on to a freezing weighing machine and then being laid out flat to gauge her length... we were happy to see that she is gaining weight and growing well.

Today, we had Paul, Ruth, Bethan & Joe and for a while it wasn't going so well. Tamah wasn't in the greatest of forms from the off today... but after a sleep and a bottle, she started to thaw a bit with Bethan and then with everyone else. Joel was his typical hyper self when the family was around.

Tomorrow, a local social worker is calling round for a quick visit... it will be interesting to see how Tamah copes with her.

For now she is away to the land of nod & Joel will be soon behind her... and I'll be there just after that.