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Bagpipe Fever

  • Fashionably Late

    Number of comments: 1
    Like most first babies, our little guy has decided to wait a bit longer than his due date to make his grand entrance into our lives. Since I am now 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant, we have officially started the waiting game. But, even as I say "officially," I [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2009, 9:09am EST
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Déjà Vu

    Number of comments: 3
    These last few days of rain, wind, and gray skies have transported me back to Scotland.

    Typically, this long of a stretch of weather like we've had this week would have quite the depressing effect on my demeanor, but this time it has a slightly comforting appeal to it.' [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2009, 10:55am EST
    by I'm Jennifer

  • 38 Weeks, and a Realization

    Number of comments: 4
    About a week ago, a funny thing happened. I saw my profile in a mirror and realized that for the first time, my big belly seemed normal to me. Up until then, I would see my reflection and be surprised or just shake my head in disbelief that this ever [...]
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    Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:09am EST
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Almost 37 Weeks, and a Few Random Tidbits

    Number of comments: 3
    Even as I type the title, I have trouble believing it. As each day passes, I'm getting more and more excited about meeting our son. And surprisingly, I'm also getting more and more excited about the process I'll have to go through to meet our son. Maybe it's a case [...]
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    Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:17pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • The Latest

    Number of comments: 1
    I've been hesitant to post anything lately about what life has been like since we moved back, and it could be for one of the following reasons, but I'm going to go with the idea that it's probably a combination of all of them

    -I'm 29 weeks pregnant and [...]
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    Posted: September 02, 2009, 11:00pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Mark the Calendar

    Number of comments: 1
    I received my first, "you look like you're ready to pop" comment from a total stranger today. I knew the tactless, random comments from strangers were inevitable, I just didn't expect it quite yet.

    Maybe it was the surprised look on my face, or the fact that I [...]
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    Posted: September 02, 2009, 10:43pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Funny Signs

    Number of comments: 0
    I laughed all the way through reading Stacy and Kyle's report on the Funny Signs Exhibition in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.' [...]
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    Posted: September 01, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • At the Beach

    Number of comments: 0
    I've had the chance to relearn what the word "relax" means.

    We're halfway through our week-long family beach vacation (my first instinct was to write beach holiday, UK English is still prominent in my mind sometimes) and I've realized I haven't truly relaxed, for an extended period of [...]
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    Posted: August 19, 2009, 9:39pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • The Mystery Solved

    Number of comments: 2
    Though it's been less than a month since we've returned to Richmond from our two years in Scotland, it feels like we've crammed 8 weeks of life into the last three.

    The most exciting event thus far has to be finding out that we're having a BOY!!! AND, that [...]
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    Posted: August 11, 2009, 2:37pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • And the Ultrasound Results are...We're Having a....

    Number of comments: 4
    Sorry for the let down, but we still don't know. Our little one just didn't feel like spreading his legs for us to get a good view of his nether regions. (I know, I know, it's probably confusing that I'm still writing "he," even though we don't know which pronoun' [...]
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    Posted: July 03, 2009, 3:27pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Year of the Visitor: Part 11, The Final Chapter

    Number of comments: 0
    In keeping with my recent life tendencies, this post is overdue, but I'm getting it done nonetheless.

    Six days ago we said goodbye to our last set of visitors (unless of course, we have some surprise visitors sometime in the next 16 days, which we are open to!)' [...]
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    Posted: June 29, 2009, 6:21am EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Here it comes...

    Number of comments: 3
    The end. It's scarily close. I still can't believe we'll be moving away from Dornoch in merely a month and four days. I feel like we were just preparing for goodbyes and taking care of all the details of moving to Scotland a couple of months ago, not' [...]
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    Posted: June 11, 2009, 6:59pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • a few pregnancy related items

    Number of comments: 3
    *We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time yesterday! It was even more amazing than I expected.

    *We're finding out the sex of the baby on July 1st. I'd like to say I could keep it a secret, but as I've learned in the past, I'm not' [...]
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    Posted: June 04, 2009, 6:31pm EDT

  • A Newfound Skill

    Number of comments: 4
    Yawning.

    While James's mom was taking a photo of this lovely bridge, I was caught in the act doing something I seem to spend a lot of time doing lately.

    I've heard lots of ladies describe the exhaustion they feel while pregnant, so it was [...]
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    Posted: May 25, 2009, 5:09pm EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Catching Up: Holiday Bible Club 2009

    Number of comments: 0
    I'm going back in time a bit to review some of the events of the past few months. We've been so busy with said events that I haven't had the chance to share the details with you. So here goes!

    The Dornoch Free Church hosted their second annual Holiday' [...]
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    Posted: May 24, 2009, 11:16am EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Today's Photo Shoot

    Number of comments: 7

    Mostly I loathe the National Health System in the UK (and I'm not looking forward to the day when there might be one in America. Seriously people it won't work in America. Don't believe me? Live here for a while.) but today I'm okay with it [...]
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    Posted: May 22, 2009, 11:45am EDT
    by I'm Jennifer

  • Year of the Visitor: Part 10

    Number of comments: 0
    With all the excitement of the last few days, I've neglected to inform you of our most recent visitors. James's parents, Paul and Janet, have joined us in Dornoch for an exciting two weeks. We picked them up from the airport in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning and drove back to [...]
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    Posted: May 08, 2009, 5:17am EDT

  • Guess what guy's'...

    Number of comments: 8
    A Baby!!! Our Baby!!!


    Excitement, joy, relief, and overwhelming gratefulness don't even begin to express what we're feeling.

    Since we lost our first baby to miscarriage, we were a bit apprehensive this time around. Well, alright, more than a bit. I couldn't let' [...]
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    Posted: May 07, 2009, 7:18am EDT

  • Our 5 Minutes of Fame

    Number of comments: 2
    Actually, our 5 minutes of fame probably won't be a full 5 minutes, but we think it's pretty cool anyway! James and I are gonna be on television!

    A family member of mine saw a request on TLC for crazy wedding videos and sent in our video [...]
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    Posted: April 30, 2009, 1:26pm EDT

  • Year of the Visitor: Part Nine

    Number of comments: 1
    I know, I know, it seems the only time I post these days is when we have visitors. Other exciting things do happen in our lives (like our FIFTH wedding anniversary! can you believe it's been FIVE YEARS?!), so much so, that I never get around to blogging about it.' [...]
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    Posted: April 07, 2009, 7:22pm EDT

  • Report: Bill & Kathy's Visit.

    Number of comments: 2
    It was full of laughter. That's one way to sum up the Anderson's week in Dornoch. Anyone who knows the Anderson's knows that you can't get away from them without smiling or laughing. That's a great thing if you ask me. They kept everyone in stitches while they were' [...]
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    Posted: March 30, 2009, 7:16pm EDT

  • Year of the Visitor: Part Eight

    Number of comments: 2
    First of all, let me say that I think it is awesome that in the past 7 months we have had 8 sets of visitors; all but one of them have come from across the ocean. It's been so fabulous. And we're looking forward to many more before we leave [...]
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    Posted: March 19, 2009, 2:14pm EDT

  • Year of the Visitor: Part Seven

    Number of comments: 1
    The exciting saga continued last weekend with another special guest in the Murphy house.

    Stacie and her husband Kyle moved to Edinburgh, Scotland last fall for Kyle to start grad school and for Stacie to be a lady of leisure. j/k, j/k, she's working very hard in the' [...]
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    Posted: March 12, 2009, 11:01am EDT

  • The Cox Brothers

    Number of comments: 0
    Coleman and Spencer (ages 11 & 9) are friends of ours from our church Stony Point in Richmond. They've been sick since Thanksgiving of last year with some sort of illness that a mountain of doctors are having a hard time definitively diagnosing. They know it is some sort of' [...]
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    Posted: February 25, 2009, 1:39pm EST

  • Year of the Visitor: Part Six

    Number of comments: 1
    It's been about a month since our last visitor, but this weekend we were excited to continue with the sixth occurrence of visitors in our home over the past 6 months. Check out installments 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you'd like to catch [...]
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    Posted: February 21, 2009, 11:12am EST

  • This is nice.

    Number of comments: 2
    Sitting in the conservatory (a room made up of 95% glass), feeling the bright sun on my face and soaking in how warm it's making the room (so I can pretend it's actually this warm outside and I don't live in a place where summer doesn't exist), listening to someone [...]
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    Posted: February 21, 2009, 10:41am EST

  • A dreaded day redeemed.

    Number of comments: 2
    (For some background on the topic of this post, you can read this, this, and this, if you are so inclined.)

    As time passes, the intensity of the grief from a miscarriage subsides, but the feeling and knowledge of the loss of your child never [...]
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    Posted: February 13, 2009, 6:00am EST

  • 25 random things

    Number of comments: 3
    A cut and paste from my Facebook profile...

    1. I absolutely love all fruits and vegetables. Except brussel sprouts and cauliflower. At Christmas I had to eat brussel sprouts twice in two days because it's the traditional thing to eat at Christmas in Scotland, and I couldn't offend the [...]
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    Posted: February 05, 2009, 7:11pm EST

  • another great sound

    Number of comments: 3
    Ages ago, I mentioned this as one of my most fave sounds. I've discovered another, similar one.

    James is teaching himself how to play the guitar (with the help of a short tutorial from his sister Jenna when she was here). I like hearing him singing, but' [...]
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    Posted: January 30, 2009, 10:08am EST

  • The Conclusion

    Number of comments: 1
    Finally, three weeks after Hannah and Jenna left Scotland, I'm getting around to posting about the last two days they spent here.

    Some friends of ours from Dornoch (who happen to be visiting Richmond as I type this) own a small farm and recently added some little piglets to' [...]
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    Posted: January 24, 2009, 5:05pm EST

  • Harry & Charlie

    Number of comments: 2
    One of these days I'll get around to finishing documenting Jenna and Hannah's visit to Scotland, but not today. Today, I will share with you one of my most favorite videos of people I don't know.

    I saw this for the first time last summer, and since then' [...]
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    Posted: January 22, 2009, 6:22pm EST

  • Self-taken photos are the best.

    Number of comments: 1
    [...]
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    Posted: January 11, 2009, 10:12am EST

  • More New Traditions

    Number of comments: 8
    As stated in a prior post, the crackers, poppers and confetti cannons will be newly adopted Christmas traditions in the Murphy household.

    I've decided on adding two more, these have to do with food. Yum.

    1. The night before Christmas I made a sausage and egg [...]
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    Posted: January 10, 2009, 6:04pm EST

  • Christmas *slash* New Year's Day

    Number of comments: 6
    After a long lie (Scottish way of saying sleeping in) on New Year's Day, we got up and got to work. Jenna and Hannah hadn't had a true Christmas Meal, and James and I hadn't had one at our house so we decided to have a Christmas/New Year's meal. It [...]
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    Posted: January 03, 2009, 5:24pm EST

  • A Great End to the Year

    Number of comments: 2
    We woke up to the sun Wednesday morning, it was a glorious sight. I called our favorite pie shop in Lochinver and found out they would be closed for the next two weeks, if we wanted to partake in the goodness, we'd have to go that day.

    We' [...]
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    Posted: January 02, 2009, 4:04pm EST

  • Fog and Frost Galore

    Number of comments: 4
    Tuesday marked the third day in a row of incredibly thick fog. It was also the third day of frost. When it's as cold as it has been, the frost doesn't ever melt but builds on itself, and eventually it starts to look like snow.

    The lack of visibility [...]
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    Posted: January 01, 2009, 6:55pm EST

  • Christmas Movies, Lips, and Ice Skating.

    Number of comments: 1
    The Murphy adventures continued today, but first, enjoy some more pictures of our beach/golf course walk that Hannah took.





    Saturday night the Mackay's had us over for a delicious dinner.' [...]
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    Posted: December 29, 2008, 4:44pm EST

  • Year of the Visitor: Number Five

    Number of comments: 3
    Year of the visitor continues with a fabulous visit from two of James' sisters: Jenna and Hannah. We've been stoked about their visit for a while. It's so great to have them here, and even cooler that they can be here during Christmas and the New Year. It seems so' [...]
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    Posted: December 28, 2008, 11:26am EST

  • Seeing More Clearly

    Number of comments: 1
    With the winter solstice behind us, I woke up with a renewed sense of gratitude, knowing that we're again in a season of each day getting longer and longer, and increasingly bright. But why should that be what gratifies me, and not the knowledge that God designed the changing of' [...]
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    Posted: December 22, 2008, 8:50am EST

  • the joys of children

    Number of comments: 1
    It never fails: hearing the fast, excited, jumbled, chatter of a handful of 8 year old boys coming through our front door brings a smile to my face every time.

    Today is the first day of Christmas vacation for the schools, the kid's are completely wild with expectation for' [...]
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    Posted: December 22, 2008, 7:33am EST

  • Here comes the Sun!

    Number of comments: 1
    Today we woke up to day 5 of absolutely no sign of the sun. It really is quite a drag. Living in Richmond, I knew I loved the sunshine, but I didn't realize how much of an affect the lack of consistent sunshine would have on me, and people in' [...]
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    Posted: December 16, 2008, 10:38am EST

  • Irn-Bru

    Number of comments: 2


    Scotland is fiercely proud of their very own fizzy juice (the Scottish way of saying soda): Irn-Bru. Pronounced Iron Brew, the soda originated here in 1901 and is still produced here. It has been the most popular soda in Scotland for many years, outselling [...]
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    Posted: December 15, 2008, 6:46am EST

  • Year of the Visitor: Numero Quatro

    Number of comments: 1
    Tim & Jenna! (The spanish is in honor of Jenna who spent some time working with street children in Mexico. What a gem!)

    The year of the visitor continued last week with a rejuvenating visit from some very dear friends. The excitement began July 18th when [...]
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    Posted: November 25, 2008, 7:25am EST

  • Big Burn

    Number of comments: 4
    Contrary to what it may seem, this is actually not about fire, but this kind of burn.

    James and I took advantage of a recent sunny saturday and went for a hike on a trail called Big Burn to see some waterfalls. It was in a local town [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2008, 8:10am EST

  • Guy Fawkes, Year Two

    Number of comments: 0
    It's crazy to think we've been here long enough to see a holiday twice. Last year was our first experience with Guy Fawkes Night, and I went again this year to the annual Bonfire Night in Inverness with a few of my girls from Dornoch Academy. [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2008, 7:42am EST

  • You too will die from the cuteness

    Number of comments: 2

    If my godson Jackson continues to increase in adorableness at this rate, I don't think that my heart will ever stop melting into a puddle like it is now.' [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2008, 7:06am EST

  • about to die from the cuteness

    Number of comments: 0
    Congratulations Ross and Val!

    Jackson is absolutely adorable and he's got a wonderful life ahead of him with parents as amazing as the two of you.

    I can't wait to meet him! [...]
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    Posted: November 17, 2008, 6:33pm EST

  • Required Reading

    Number of comments: 0
    Val and Ross's baby is almost here! And due to the wonder of technology, and the Catrow's generosity, you can be there every step of the way!

    You'll want to read the last 27 posts (don't worry, it won't take long they're all really short) to catch up [...]
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    Posted: November 17, 2008, 1:21pm EST

  • Why didn't anyone tell me...

    Number of comments: 4
    That if I started watching 24, I wouldn't want to do anything else until I've seen the entire season?

    If you don't know the premise, (but you probably do, because apparently I'm the last to know about the wonderfulness of this show) there are 24 episodes in each [...]
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    Posted: November 15, 2008, 8:49am EST

  • "What's it like living in Scotland?"

    Number of comments: 2
    I've tried to answer that question more times than I can remember. It hasn't always been worded exactly that way, there are several variations, all of which are equally difficult to answer succinctly, which is what most people are looking for.

    Recently a friend used an analogy that I [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2008, 2:30pm EST

  • Just a few of the traits that prove my husband's awesomeness.

    Number of comments: 3
    Awesomeness proving reason #5,347
    He's passionate about things he loves.

    Reason #5,348
    He's no fair-weather fan. That kind of commitment shows in all areas of his life: sports, relationships, work, you name it; if he's committed to it, he'll follow through till the end.

    Reason #5,349
    I [...]
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    Posted: November 08, 2008, 1:40pm EST

  • Year of the Visitor: Part the Third

    Number of comments: 3
    The trend of welcoming visitors (versions 1 and 2) into our home during our second year in Scotland continued last week with a surprise visit from my Mom! Well it wasn't a total surprise, but it was planned about two weeks before she came. We had so much [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2008, 12:12pm EST

  • Year of the Visitor: Part the Third

    The trend of welcoming visitors (versions 1 and 2) into our home during our second year in Scotland continued last week with a surprise visit from my Mom! Well it wasn't a total surprise, but it was planned about two weeks before she came. It was so awesome [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2008, 7:44am EST

  • Back to the Summary of Our Summer

    Enclosure: [download]
    Number of comments: 4
    To finish catching you up on our summer travels, here's a bunch of photos from our trip to Marseille, France.

    It wasn't a trip we'd planned on taking at all, it totally came out of nowhere. A family who works with the same mission organization as we do' [...]
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    Posted: October 17, 2008, 5:00pm EDT

  • Sleepover!

    Number of comments: 2
    The kids are in the middle of their October Holiday; this is the 2.5 weeks (12 school days!) they get off school that originated in the days when kids had to help on the farm to pick all the "tatties" (potatoes).

    We've organized some events for the kids [...]
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    Posted: October 16, 2008, 1:54pm EDT

  • My Most Fave Sport Ever

    Number of comments: 1
    Field Hockey!

    I discovered my love for the sport in the 8th grade when I first played for my high school's J.V. team. I've got so many fond memories of all my years playing field hockey and being with my team. Oh how I miss those days!

    [...]
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    Posted: October 15, 2008, 7:14pm EDT

  • Riding a Wave

    Number of comments: 2
    Grief comes in waves. Today I'm experiencing one of those waves.

    At times I try to just hang on till I make it through, hoping and waiting for it to end so I can get on with my day. Today I'm trying to let go, let myself fully experience [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2008, 10:06am EDT

  • Year of the Visitor. Part Deux

    Number of comments: 0
    Here I mentioned how we're really looking forward to all the visitors we expect to have this year.

    We just said farewell to visitor number two, of year number two, in Scotland. His name is Vince and he stayed with us for a couple of nights.

    [...]
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    Posted: October 01, 2008, 9:58am EDT

  • Cereal

    Number of comments: 10
    We love cereal. I'm pretty particular about it, and it was trial and error finding kinds that we like here. I think we've pretty much narrowed it down to our favorites.

    I got the idea to share them with you from my friend Andrea.

    We're only [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2008, 8:15am EDT

  • the little things in life

    Number of comments: 5

    Fellow Americans, I'd like to introduce you to a heated towel rack. Flip the switch, and hot water flows through the rack, which in turn dries your towel. In a wet climate, like Scotland, it can take days for a towel to dry. But with one [...]
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    Posted: September 15, 2008, 6:00pm EDT

  • What's there to do on a Saturday in Dornoch?

    Enclosure: [download]
    Number of comments: 0
    Well, from May to September you can go to the town square at 8:00 and watch the Pipe and Drum band march up and down the square and play a few tunes. Here's a short video to give you a taste of Scottish culture. Sorry it's kinda dark, but you [...]
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    Posted: September 15, 2008, 5:59pm EDT

  • Happy 1st Anniversary!

    Number of comments: 1
    Nope, it's not our wedding anniversary that we're celebrating(we're half way into year number 5 of wedded bliss), but the one year anniversary of living in Scotland!

    Time is such a crazy thing. In a way, it feels like we've been here for 5 years, but on the [...]
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    Posted: September 13, 2008, 3:58pm EDT

  • great timing

    Number of comments: 1
    I went to bed last night right after writing my last post and woke up this morning to a package that had been delivered. My mom had sent me this book (thanks mom!). I know that things like the timing of the arrival of this book are not [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2008, 7:17am EDT

  • A difficult emotion.

    Number of comments: 2
    Grief.

    It has absolutely no predictability. One minute, all is right with the world, then all of the sudden I'm a total wreck and there's nothing I can do but be completely overwhelmed with feelings of remorse.

    At a moment's notice I can go from feeling [...]
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    Posted: September 10, 2008, 11:12pm EDT

  • More on the America Trip

    Number of comments: 0
    When we took some Scottish friends to the mission trip in West Virginia, we figured they'd enjoy a week of relaxing and sightseeing after a week of working in the mountains.

    We arrived in Richmond on July 26th and let them rest for at least 8 hours before [...]
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    Posted: September 10, 2008, 10:36pm EDT

  • All Boy

    Number of comments: 4
    You know that expression, "he's all boy"? These boys are definitely that. We've had the privilege to get to know them over the last year. I have so much respect for their mothers because these guy's are full of energy and wild antics. They love to come over and play [...]
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    Posted: September 08, 2008, 7:42pm EDT

  • Jennifer needs...

    Number of comments: 4
    I've decided to participate in an "on-line experiment" after reading the results Anna had during the experiment she conducted. It made me curious about what I "need."

    Here's what you do: go to Google, search for "(insert your name) needs," and then laugh at the hilarious things [...]
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    Posted: September 01, 2008, 5:23pm EDT

  • The Year of the Visitor: Part I

    Number of comments: 0
    It's super easy to communicate with friends and fam from home, and friends all over the world for that matter. I'm so grateful for email, internet phone, instant messaging, etc, it all helps us feel more connected with people we can't see regularly. And actually, being in Scotland has helped [...]
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    Posted: September 01, 2008, 7:37am EDT

  • I Heart Tesco

    Number of comments: 5
    As foreign as the word "Tesco" sounds to most Americans, it's a household word here in the UK.

    Tesco is a grocery store that we love and buy most of our groceries from. If I had to compare it to American stores, I'd say it's a mix [...]
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    Posted: August 27, 2008, 5:55pm EDT

  • West Virginia, Mountain Momma

    Enclosure: [download]
    Number of comments: 2
    That John Denver song always conjures up a warm spot in my heart. It reminds me of the trip to little Fairmont, WV that I've been a part of for 7 of the past 9 years. My church in Richmond joins churches from around the country for [...]
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    Posted: August 26, 2008, 7:10pm EDT

  • Hello Again

    Number of comments: 7
    Yikes, it's almost been a month. Though to be honest, I probably wouldn't be posting today if it weren't for the kind encouragement of a great friend expressing her "kilt withdrawal."

    I've been avoiding posting because I knew I'd be sharing some sad news: James and I [...]
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    Posted: August 22, 2008, 10:13am EDT

  • Where in the world are the Murphy's?

    Number of comments: 0
    Not Scotland, America. Virginia to be exact. We flew in July 16th and are flying back to Scotland August 4th. It's amazing to be here, we're having a fabulous time. One of the coolest things about this trip home is we brought 7 Scottish friends with us! They're having a [...]
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    Posted: July 31, 2008, 11:46pm EDT

  • Not that camping trip again

    Number of comments: 2
    Yup, I decided to dwell on that week I spent in the wild just a bit more. In case you missed it the first time around, you can read about it here, here, here, and here. I took so many photos, it'd be a shame [...]
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    Posted: July 11, 2008, 3:57pm EDT

  • Bright Nights

    Number of comments: 1
    That's how Scots refer to the glorious summer days when the sun hangs out in the sky all day and most of the night. The super long summer days almost make the 3:30 pm sunsets during the middle of winter worth it. Almost; but the thought of all that darkness [...]
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    Posted: July 11, 2008, 3:33pm EDT

  • You know what's kinda awkward?

    Number of comments: 0
    Celebrating American Independence Day in the country we celebrate independence from, and with people who are from that country.

    But, we have some awesome friends here, because a few families threw a BBQ in honor of July 4th. Granted, no one had the day off work, we [...]
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    Posted: July 05, 2008, 11:44am EDT

  • It was my birthday...

    Number of comments: 0
    ..and I rode on a cow.

    I wish I had a photo to share with you, but it was a totally spontaneous event that I wasn't expecting at all, and definitely couldn't have planned for.

    Before you get too excited, it wasn't a real cow, but two [...]
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    Posted: June 30, 2008, 1:47pm EDT

  • Hil.lar.i.ous.

    Number of comments: 3
    This won't mean a thing to most of you, but my friend Anna has posted some memories from high school in light of our upcoming TEN year reunion. Yup. I'm getting that old. Old enough to be out of high school for a decade. She's listed some ridiculously funny [...]
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    Posted: June 24, 2008, 5:56pm EDT

  • Weekend Review: It's Back!

    Number of comments: 1
    I used to do this a while back (I copied the idea from Val) and stopped after we moved to Scotland. We're in more of a rhythm now, so I'll attempt to get back in the habit. Here goes...

    Friday
    -Up at 8:00
    -Prepared for Scripture Union(SU)
    [...]
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    Posted: June 22, 2008, 6:57pm EDT

  • A Day to Celebrate!

    Number of comments: 2

    It's James' 27th Birthday!!! If you'd like, give him a call or send him an email and wish him a great day; feel free to tell him how fabulous we all know he is! [...]
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    Posted: June 16, 2008, 6:40am EDT

  • One more midge picture

    Number of comments: 0
    This orange thing is an emergency shelter, which was affectionately referred to as the "orange bubble." When the midges were really bad, about 11 kids would crowd in it and cover themselves. My favorite part would be when suddenly and rapidly, they would all disperse in various directions yelling and [...]
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    Posted: June 11, 2008, 9:38am EDT

  • The Midge

    Number of comments: 1
    Since we've been in Scotland, we've heard about an infamous insect that plagues the country during the summer months: the Midge (pronounced Midgie).

    While camping, I was introduced to them. Yes, they are as horrible as everyone says. Actually it's worse.

    Imagine gnats, but in much [...]
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    Posted: June 10, 2008, 6:38am EDT

  • More on Camping

    Number of comments: 1
    The camping trip I just returned from was run by an organization called World Challenge, and took place on Alladale Wildlife Reserve.

    Twenty-two kids ages 13-14, 3 adults, and one 16 year old helper, all from Dornoch, attended the trip. The leaders from World Challenge were very [...]
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    Posted: June 08, 2008, 10:49am EDT

  • Back from the Wild

    Number of comments: 0
    I made it. I survived 5 nights and 5.5 days in the wild outdoors. I didn't step foot in a building other than a tent for the entire time. I've never spent that much time outside in my life.

    It was an awesome trip. Challenging, yes, but really great. [...]
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    Posted: June 07, 2008, 4:52pm EDT

  • Away 'till the 7th

    I'll be "under canvas" until Saturday. If you love me you'll pray for these things:
    -no rain
    -no illness'
    -a scorching sun every day all week, because in Scotland that is a miracle.

    I'll be back soon to fill you in on the adventure, because I have no doubt [...]
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    Posted: June 01, 2008, 5:07pm EDT

  • The word "challenge" should have clued me in.

    Number of comments: 4
    James and I are both going camping next week. But we will be on different trips, very different trips.

    Here's where I'll be. Did you check it out? See those nice rooms and the sauna, full gym, and even clay pigeon shooting?

    Oh, wait, I'm actually on [...]
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    Posted: May 29, 2008, 11:34am EDT

  • Hi there. Let's get reacquainted.

    I'd like to introduce myself, I'm the author of this blog, but you might not remember me, I've been away for quite some time.

    If you look here, you'll find one of the reasons I've been MIA. When I wrote that post back in the beginning of April, [...]
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    Posted: May 28, 2008, 6:10pm EDT

  • The Price of Petrol

    Surprise, these might be the first positive comments you'll hear about gas prices (or petrol, as it's referred to in the UK). I'm thrilled that gas is only $3.50 here in Virginia, compared to about $10 per gallon in Scotland.

    Here's my encouragement for you Americans for the [...]
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    Posted: May 06, 2008, 10:39pm EDT

  • Ahhhhh...

    Number of comments: 1
    It's so great to be home. I can't express the joy and relief I felt when our flight from Edinburgh landed in Newark, New Jersey. No, New Jersey is not home, but it is America, and it was an amazing feeling just to be in America.

    The first 5 [...]
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    Posted: May 05, 2008, 10:31pm EDT

  • Two Weeks Until I'm At HOME!

    Number of comments: 5
    In exactly two weeks we will be about to land in Newark, NJ to then transfer to a flight that will take us to the very best place in the world...RICHMOND, VIRGINIA!!!

    I can not wait for our visit. It's going to be so great.

    James and [...]
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    Posted: April 16, 2008, 11:35am EDT

  • WOO-HOO!!!!!!!

    I'm so stoked for Val and Ross! They're having their first baby! Seriously I want to tell everyone I know, even the people here in Dornoch who have know clue who they are, because, I'm sure they'll be absolutely thrilled for them, how could you not!?!

    You [...]
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    Posted: April 15, 2008, 10:38am EDT

  • The Joys of Moving

    Number of comments: 2
    I Probably won't be around much in the next, oh, 10-15 days. That's how long it takes to transfer our internet service to a house 6 doors down.

    But there are many many positives to our move, so I'll accept the inconvenience of limited internet access with a smile. [...]
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    Posted: April 04, 2008, 6:03pm EDT

  • Moving Day

    Number of comments: 1
    Tomorrow we're moving from our current house to a new one that's only 6 houses down. There are a few different reasons for this, and the new house is an answer to all those!

    Today we've packed up pretty much everything in record time; it only took about [...]
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    Posted: March 31, 2008, 1:09pm EDT

  • Shattered

    Number of comments: 3
    Scots use this word as as a descriptor when one is exhausted to the point of uselessness. Shattered would be an accurate way to describe my state at the moment.

    The past week has been hectic, inspiring, stressful, encouraging, joyful, sad, exciting, and jam-packed; overall, completely awesome. We just [...]
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    Posted: March 30, 2008, 10:08am EDT

  • The American's are Here!

    Number of comments: 2
    I've been MIA. It's because there are TWELVE Americans here in Dornoch! Those 12 Americans are all from our home church in Richmond, Virginia. And of those 12, they are all awesome friends of ours, one of them is James' mom! It's absolutely amazing. The only thing that would make [...]
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    Posted: March 26, 2008, 6:58pm EDT

  • Air-Con

    That's how people here refer to air conditioning, or A/C as we would say. Air-con isn't used much, actually next to never. I was surprised to find that our car doesn't have it, neither do any cars that I've ever ridden in. My spoiled American question was, "well what do [...]
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    Posted: March 18, 2008, 4:38pm EDT

  • It was St. Patrick's Day?

    Number of comments: 3
    I didn't even realize yesterday was St. Patrick's day until I saw mention of it in a Richmond, Virginia newspaper online. If I were in America, there's no way I could get past the day and forget it was time to drink green beer, pinch every person not wearing green, [...]
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    Posted: March 18, 2008, 12:23pm EDT

  • just a few more London photos

    I know, I know, it's been a month since we left for our vacation to London, and I'm still talking about it. The only excuses for the numerous posts about this trip are that it was fabulous, and vacations for us are few and far between. If you're bored of [...]
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    Posted: March 17, 2008, 10:37am EDT

  • When Stress is Funny

    Number of comments: 6
    James has decided he wants me to be his hairdresser. This totally stresses me out. To date, I've given him three haircuts; each one is preceded by about a week of him begging me to do it and me procrastinating and making excuses. He's all into how much money this [...]
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    Posted: March 14, 2008, 11:12am EDT

  • Month Six

    Number of comments: 1
    In a way it's hard to believe today marks 6 whole months in Scotland, but in a way I'm wondering how it hasn't been 12 months. Isn't time funny like that?

    That means we've reached the 25% mark of the time we've committed to be here. Unbelievable. It helps [...]
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    Posted: March 13, 2008, 11:31am EDT

  • Best thing I've heard all day.

    Number of comments: 4
    "I wish I could have jelly beans for peas, lollies (lollipops) for broccoli, and chocolate for bacon. I do like bacon, I just wish bacon was made out of chocolate."
    -said by a 7 year old boy from Dornoch [...]
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    Posted: March 11, 2008, 12:10pm EDT
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