We've had a lovely day today.
It's been the boys' dedication at church - where we've said thank you to God for bringing the boys into our lives, we've asked God to use them for his purposes, and we've promised to be the best parents we can be, bringing them up to know Jesus. With the help of a multitude of god-parents!!
We were joined in church by our immediate family (though my lil sis couldn't make it because of work), good friends, McGrew and Cuthbert's head teacher and class teachers, our social worker for the past 18 months, and our fantastic church family. It really was a celebration!
The boys had asked if we could sing their favourite song during the service - all five of us were therefore made to stand on the stage to do the actions of 'Our God is a Great Big God' - Cuthbert had a fantastic time with the actions, and by all accounts his face was a picture!
We had lunch at home for family and god-parents, and thankfully the sun shone, so boys could play in the garden, expertly looked after by multitude of god-parents, while Mrs DHG and I had some grown-up conversation!!
A great day of thanksgiving and celebration!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Legal at last
An epic day today.
McGrew, Cuthbert and Dibble got a new name.
They're now legally Masters 'DHG'.
The day didn't go without its hitches, mind you!
We didn't get stuck in traffic.
None of us was ill.
We didn't get lost.
We weren't late.
We didn't break down.
We didn't get the wrong day....
... but the boys' social worker did!
Yes, as incomprehensible as it may seem, she put the wrong date in her diary.
So no social worker, no adoption hearing.
Thankfully she managed to organise one of her colleagues to come in her stead, and we had a very accommodating judge who agreed to wait. So instead of things happening at 10 o'clock this morning, it was nearer 11.15. And what a long hour that was!
But the boys now have lovely certificates, which they are so proud of. And the judge gave them each a tractor too! Dibble asked for the 'geen' one, and being the youngest, he got it!
So the end of one chapter of the boys' lives.
And the start of a new one.
With a new name.
Adopted into our family.
Forever.
McGrew, Cuthbert and Dibble got a new name.
They're now legally Masters 'DHG'.
The day didn't go without its hitches, mind you!
We didn't get stuck in traffic.
None of us was ill.
We didn't get lost.
We weren't late.
We didn't break down.
We didn't get the wrong day....
... but the boys' social worker did!
Yes, as incomprehensible as it may seem, she put the wrong date in her diary.
So no social worker, no adoption hearing.
Thankfully she managed to organise one of her colleagues to come in her stead, and we had a very accommodating judge who agreed to wait. So instead of things happening at 10 o'clock this morning, it was nearer 11.15. And what a long hour that was!
But the boys now have lovely certificates, which they are so proud of. And the judge gave them each a tractor too! Dibble asked for the 'geen' one, and being the youngest, he got it!
So the end of one chapter of the boys' lives.
And the start of a new one.
With a new name.
Adopted into our family.
Forever.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Happy Birthday Dibble!
2 today!
Many happy returns...
And thanks to all who made today so special for him - a very happy boy is now fast asleep, dreaming of fire engines, Thomas the Tank Engine, his new guitar (OK, it's a Ukulele), special colours all for himself, oh, and hitting Lynne with a big stick till it broke :o)
Many happy returns...
And thanks to all who made today so special for him - a very happy boy is now fast asleep, dreaming of fire engines, Thomas the Tank Engine, his new guitar (OK, it's a Ukulele), special colours all for himself, oh, and hitting Lynne with a big stick till it broke :o)
Friday, April 03, 2009
Adoption Order granted today
Some fantastic news - we have just heard that the Adoption Orders have been granted today in court.
We now need to go to the final hearing together as a family in a couple of weeks - but this is really just a formality.
So as one chapter comes to an end, we can now focus on the future... and the boys can have absolute certainty that they are secure in our family.
We now need to go to the final hearing together as a family in a couple of weeks - but this is really just a formality.
So as one chapter comes to an end, we can now focus on the future... and the boys can have absolute certainty that they are secure in our family.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The fort
This has just appeared at the bottom of our garden...
Well - perhaps not just appeared!
After much toil (45 man-hours), driving wind, temperatures as low as 2 degrees, and with the help of Mrs DHG and 6 good friends, not to mention Nana and Bog for keeping McGrew, Cuthbert and Dibble out of the way during construction, the fort is now complete and open for business...
All welcome to make use of it - just give us a phone to make sure we're in first!
And when we're not all on it, children can use it too!
Well - perhaps not just appeared!
After much toil (45 man-hours), driving wind, temperatures as low as 2 degrees, and with the help of Mrs DHG and 6 good friends, not to mention Nana and Bog for keeping McGrew, Cuthbert and Dibble out of the way during construction, the fort is now complete and open for business...
All welcome to make use of it - just give us a phone to make sure we're in first!
And when we're not all on it, children can use it too!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Martha and Arthur
It would appear that young Cuthbert has been learning songs at school...
The latest one (as sung to us at tea time yesterday) goes like this:
Martha and Arthur
Martha and Arthur
Martha and Arthur
Come Lord Jesus, Come.
This prompted many questions among the DHG house...
Who is Arthur?
Why is he going around with Martha?
And what do they have to do with Jesus' return?
The latest one (as sung to us at tea time yesterday) goes like this:
Martha and Arthur
Martha and Arthur
Martha and Arthur
Come Lord Jesus, Come.
This prompted many questions among the DHG house...
Who is Arthur?
Why is he going around with Martha?
And what do they have to do with Jesus' return?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Goodbye Bugga Bugga
Goodbye 'Bugga Bugga'.
Hello 'Piggle Piggle'.
A sad day indeed :(
But I suppose inevitable...
We couldn't have Dibble talking like that for ever!!
Hello 'Piggle Piggle'.
A sad day indeed :(
But I suppose inevitable...
We couldn't have Dibble talking like that for ever!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
God in the bed
The local grandparents were babysitting for us last night so we could go out - and on Valentine's day as well!! We had a lovely time: meal, wine, film...
While we were out, at bed time, Cuthbert had a lengthy conversation with Nana about God and where he was... Cuthbert brings this up a lot, but this has to be the funniest so far!
The conversation went something like this.
Cuthbert: God is everywhere, Nana
Nana: Yes he is.
Cuthbert: Is he is my bedroom?
Nana: Yes
Cuthbert: Is he in my bed?
Nana: Yes, he is
Cuthbert: Well, he'd better get down to the bottom, cause there's no room for him at the top!
While we were out, at bed time, Cuthbert had a lengthy conversation with Nana about God and where he was... Cuthbert brings this up a lot, but this has to be the funniest so far!
The conversation went something like this.
Cuthbert: God is everywhere, Nana
Nana: Yes he is.
Cuthbert: Is he is my bedroom?
Nana: Yes
Cuthbert: Is he in my bed?
Nana: Yes, he is
Cuthbert: Well, he'd better get down to the bottom, cause there's no room for him at the top!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Tchaikovsky?
In the car yesterday...
CD: 'Half a pound of tuppany rice, half a pound of...'
Cuthbert: 'I know who wrote this!'
Me: 'Do you?'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, it's Tchaikovsky!'
Me: 'Hmm - good try, but I don't think Tchaikovsky wrote about rice, treacle and popping weasals!'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, he did!'
In the car today...
Radio: 'dum diddly dum dum dum dum dummmm'
Cuthbert: 'I know what this is!'
Me: 'Do you?'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, it's Tchaikovsky and it's called March of the Toys.'
Seems they are teaching him something at nursery after all!!
CD: 'Half a pound of tuppany rice, half a pound of...'
Cuthbert: 'I know who wrote this!'
Me: 'Do you?'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, it's Tchaikovsky!'
Me: 'Hmm - good try, but I don't think Tchaikovsky wrote about rice, treacle and popping weasals!'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, he did!'
In the car today...
Radio: 'dum diddly dum dum dum dum dummmm'
Cuthbert: 'I know what this is!'
Me: 'Do you?'
Cuthbert: 'Yes, it's Tchaikovsky and it's called March of the Toys.'
Seems they are teaching him something at nursery after all!!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Mummy's work
Mrs DHG said I had to post this video... and who am I to refuse?
I would like to point out that as of last week, I am now no longer grounded!!
Enjoy!
I would like to point out that as of last week, I am now no longer grounded!!
Enjoy!
Monday, February 02, 2009
Awesome!
So was McGrew's description of HMS Ark Royal when we visited her on Saturday.
I think Dibble enjoyed it too - he just kept saying 'wow, wow'!
She is definitely a fair size!
I think Dibble enjoyed it too - he just kept saying 'wow, wow'!
She is definitely a fair size!
Happy Birthday me
From Cuthbert...
From McGrew...
From Dibble...
And a lovely cake - thanks to the wonderful culinary skills of Mrs DHG!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Highlights of Christmas
1. Christmas Eve
We put up the stockings. We set out a plate with biscuits, a carrot and a glass of sherry.
We looked on the internet to check Santa's progress.
They were so excited. It was just lovely to see the anticipation on their faces.
And the innocence that believes Santa actually comes down the chimney into our sitting room!
2. Ben-10
McGrew getting a Ben-10 watch from Santa - we're now safe from aliens, as they've all been annihilated in at least a 50 mile radius! He's hardly had it off his wrist.
3. Bugga Bugga
Dibble going to the front at church on Christmas Day to tell the pastor what he'd got for Christmas - he was clutching his new Iggle Piggle (which he calls Bugga Bugga)... we were all praying very hard he wouldn't say anything into the microphone when the pastor said 'and what is this, Dibble?'!!
4. Cuthbert at church on Christmas Day...
Cuthbert got a pair of fairy wings from Santa (a compromise with Mrs DHG, who was up for getting him the thing he'd put at number one in his letter to Santa - a Cuthbert-sized purple Barbie dress! - I vetoed this). He also got a dragon mask and hat. And a flashing rudolph nose. Put them all together.... what do you get? A fairy dragon, of course! I haven't laughed quite so much in church as I did during 'O come, all ye faithful' - which was accompanied by Cuthbert dancing a fairy dragon dance on the stage! Oh, yes!
5. Pride in my boys
Sitting so patiently at the table at their grandparents' house on Christmas day waiting for pudding. Behaving so well at the DHG annual extended family gathering on Sunday - so many new people to meet (2 great uncles, 2 great aunts, and 3 cousins once removed, plus some others too, as well as all the family they already knew). My littlest cousin was a particular hit - we've even had tears from McGrew because she's so lovely and he misses her so much!
6. Flashing red noses
Cuthbert came through wearing two of them - round his waist. It was very very funny, but I guess you had to be there!
7. Picking up leaves in the garden
McGrew and Cuthbert helped me pick up leaves from the garden. 'Helped' is perhaps the wrong verb, but they did try... they also threw them in the air and pretended it was snowing... they kicked them, stamped on them, stuffed them down each others' coats, and generally had a fantastic time...
8. Talky walkies
McGrew and Cuthbert's name for one of their presents.
9. Tale of Despereaux
A daddy treat with McGrew and Cuthbert at the cinema - though they were more interested in the popcorn than the little mouse saving the day!
10. Dibble's inability to say mummy
He can say 'daddy' (even at 4.30 in the morning!)
He can say 'McGrew', 'Cuthbert' and 'Dibble' (or very good attempts at them)
He can say 'doglet'
But point at Mrs DHG, and say 'who is this, Dibble?', and he laughs and says 'daddy'!
Mrs DHG is actually relishing the fact that Dibble calls for me in the middle of the night - though I maintain that he really means mummy!
We put up the stockings. We set out a plate with biscuits, a carrot and a glass of sherry.
We looked on the internet to check Santa's progress.
They were so excited. It was just lovely to see the anticipation on their faces.
And the innocence that believes Santa actually comes down the chimney into our sitting room!
2. Ben-10
McGrew getting a Ben-10 watch from Santa - we're now safe from aliens, as they've all been annihilated in at least a 50 mile radius! He's hardly had it off his wrist.
3. Bugga Bugga
Dibble going to the front at church on Christmas Day to tell the pastor what he'd got for Christmas - he was clutching his new Iggle Piggle (which he calls Bugga Bugga)... we were all praying very hard he wouldn't say anything into the microphone when the pastor said 'and what is this, Dibble?'!!
4. Cuthbert at church on Christmas Day...
Cuthbert got a pair of fairy wings from Santa (a compromise with Mrs DHG, who was up for getting him the thing he'd put at number one in his letter to Santa - a Cuthbert-sized purple Barbie dress! - I vetoed this). He also got a dragon mask and hat. And a flashing rudolph nose. Put them all together.... what do you get? A fairy dragon, of course! I haven't laughed quite so much in church as I did during 'O come, all ye faithful' - which was accompanied by Cuthbert dancing a fairy dragon dance on the stage! Oh, yes!
5. Pride in my boys
Sitting so patiently at the table at their grandparents' house on Christmas day waiting for pudding. Behaving so well at the DHG annual extended family gathering on Sunday - so many new people to meet (2 great uncles, 2 great aunts, and 3 cousins once removed, plus some others too, as well as all the family they already knew). My littlest cousin was a particular hit - we've even had tears from McGrew because she's so lovely and he misses her so much!
6. Flashing red noses
Cuthbert came through wearing two of them - round his waist. It was very very funny, but I guess you had to be there!
7. Picking up leaves in the garden
McGrew and Cuthbert helped me pick up leaves from the garden. 'Helped' is perhaps the wrong verb, but they did try... they also threw them in the air and pretended it was snowing... they kicked them, stamped on them, stuffed them down each others' coats, and generally had a fantastic time...
8. Talky walkies
McGrew and Cuthbert's name for one of their presents.
9. Tale of Despereaux
A daddy treat with McGrew and Cuthbert at the cinema - though they were more interested in the popcorn than the little mouse saving the day!
10. Dibble's inability to say mummy
He can say 'daddy' (even at 4.30 in the morning!)
He can say 'McGrew', 'Cuthbert' and 'Dibble' (or very good attempts at them)
He can say 'doglet'
But point at Mrs DHG, and say 'who is this, Dibble?', and he laughs and says 'daddy'!
Mrs DHG is actually relishing the fact that Dibble calls for me in the middle of the night - though I maintain that he really means mummy!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
'Twas the twenty-third day of advent...
An angel for the top of the Christmas tree - made by Cuthbert using a paper plate and glitter!
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