From one extreme to the next!
Well I have been home jut over 2 weeks now and I am loving the English weather! From the mid 30's + high humidity to 0 degrees centigrade - quite a change but so much nicer - believe me!
I have put up some photos with various explainations so won't write too much here. Alex and I are half way through our time apart. He has been very busy with lots of paperwork for the vocational training school and a ground beaking ceremony (finally after 3 years) happening on the 24th Jan (for photos and a short video follow the link to Roxannes blog) in fact she is much more gifted that I am at keeping these things up so reading her pages will give you areally good idea of what life is like in coastal Tanzania!
Alex is now in his last week before leaving for Kenya for a conference with the rest of the team and some relaxation time, he flies home (horray) on 21st Feb landing at 5.20am (very inconsiderate)
I have loved my last 2 weeks, I get to wear proper maternity jeans (thanks mum) rather than holding my normal jeans together with elastic bands! I have had a great time catching up with friends and family in Guildford and Bristol, my lovely girlfriends in Bristol threw me my second baby shower so I am truely spoilt. I am living with my parents and brother at the moment as he has just handed in his masters dissertation, I don't think mum ever thought we would both be at home again, but we are all enjoying being together. I have also seen a midwife for the first time and with only 7 weeks to go it is not a moment too late, Everything is fine with the pregnancy and the baby so we praise God for that.


My gorgeous team girls threw me a surprise baby shower. Alex had managed to keep a secret, I was totally surprised!
The amazing food, consisted of BLT sandwiches (you have no idea how precious bacon is – thanks Rich) peach iced tea, tortilla baskets and proper cadburys chocolate – amazing – oh and chocolate cake with creamy icing for dessert!



A baby shower - complete with pressies – I am so spoilt



Lovely ladies


The Girls!


My last Sunday in Africa, one week later I had a lot more clothes on!
Megs (great friend who runs a volunteer program, Roxanne, me and Paula


The Last day
It was Paula’s birthday the following day so we threw her a little surprise birthday party – choccy cake and pressies! (This is our lounge)


The Official Team Photo
Back Row – Rich, Alex, Jason, Hans, Anneli
Front Row – Paula, Romi, Julie, Roxanne and Annikah, Doro, Nasia
(this photo is missing baby Joel)

Christmas 2008

Hope you all had a very happy Christmas and we are wishing you a wonderful 2009.
It has definitely been a different Christmas for us this year. The heat and humidity make it pretty hard to do anything let alone feel 'christmassy' we have missed the cold, the twinkly lights, the rush, the Christmas trees and most of all time with friends and family, but were so blessed to be reminded that Jesus was born into a culture and climate similar to this one and Him coming to Earth is really what is important.

We had various events happening, the main one was a Christmas party for our local friends with plenty of food and a story about the real meaning of Christmas, for most it was the first time they would have heard this. It was a great day, we played Christmas music, Alex did some fire juggling and balloon modelling (my husband is so talented) prepared a tonne of food thanks to the help of the ladies that work in our houses, played games and spent time chatting.

Another event was Christmas Eve with the Osborn's, games, Home Alone 2 (to get us in the mood) and of course food, If you saw my oven you would be impressed with what was produced (with help from Paula with the stuffing, bread sauce and mince pies (you rule girl!!) all of which Has to made totally from scratch.
Alex and I had the day together on Christmas day we enjoyed some games, DVD's and talking to our families on the phone, apart from a puncture (thankfully in our drive way) that took 2 hours to sort out the day was good.
On Boxing day we had a team BBQ (more photos below) It was the first time we have been all together so that was very exciting we did secret santa and watched some photos of each others previous lives.
So that was Christmas for us this year. I leave here and return to the UK in just over 2 weeks and Alex follows 5 weeks later (contrary to some rumours which have me having this baby all by myself with Alex remaining in Africa)

Looking forward to seeing you all soon

Christmas parties wouldn’t be complete without Kristmasi (real word) tree

Set up 10 am 34°C + humidity


Our lovely helpers

Alex practising his balloon modelling skills

Roxanne and Paula demonstrating ‘duck duck goose’

Key ingredient to any party!

Alex providing a little entertainment

Our Christmas party for our local friends

Paula and I (and bump) with some girlfriends

Christmas eve meal

Check out the food, we had stuffing and everything!!

All the team girls together – First official photo

Team boys – doing what they do best

Christmas day – playing cards. Alex thinks the bump is cool – so do I

An introduction

We would like to introduce a new member of our family. We are expecting a baby at the end of March. We plan to come home for the birth so look forward to seeing lots of you then! Please join us in praising God for this miracle

Baby Kittow is expected to say hello to the World on 27th March ‘09

Praise God for his wonderful gift.

It is waving at you & even has Alex’s quiff.







I am well, but have felt nauseous all day and very tired since the 6th week. (I am now coming up for 14 weeks) I have never missed Tesco's so much, to the point I dream of walking down the isles being able to choose what ever I want to eat! Alex has been wonderful, if I suddenly realise I can eat whatever is on his plate he will give it up for me!! Anyone who know Alex knows this could only be love!!

If anyone feels moved to post some twiglets or ready salted 'crunchy sticks' I would be forever grateful! What I really want though is a ham sandwich or a BLT baguette, unfortunately the only part of that I can get here is the tomato!!