Saturday, June 13, 2009
Our last month
Well we fly back to Africa in 1 month! Time in the UK has be so wonderful and we can't believe how fast it has gone, We are now thinking through all the things we need to take back with us - the list is long! There are so many emotions as we consider our return, excitement at seeing the rest of the team again and our friends out there, trepidation when we think about how Joshua will cope with the heat, bugs, malaria and lack of medical care and sadness as 2 sets of grandparents, 2 uncles and 2 aunts say goodbye to their first grandchild and nephew. Here are more recent photos for your viewing pleasure, he really is a gift from God, so many smiles and gurgles - gorgeous!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
It is now almost the end of May, can't believe where the time has gone, Joshua will be 2 months old next week, he is growing so fast it is truely amazing, he is now 10lb 6oz, gurgling and smiling and so much fun! We are planning to return to Africa on the 8th July so are starting to get prepared now, as I womder round Tesco's I try to think through all the things that I will be desperate for in a few months time and what I can take back to make life a bit easier. We are just loving our time at home, catching up with so many friends and family and having doting Grandparents around is just so precious.
We will be hosting an Africa evening on Thur 18th June at Ebenezer Church in Filton, Bristol 8pm, there will be spices and other African things available and we will be sharing some updates of the project work for the vocational training school and more about life out there, please do come and join us if you can.
For now here are more photos of the little one.
We will be hosting an Africa evening on Thur 18th June at Ebenezer Church in Filton, Bristol 8pm, there will be spices and other African things available and we will be sharing some updates of the project work for the vocational training school and more about life out there, please do come and join us if you can.
For now here are more photos of the little one.
.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Introducing Joshua Andrew Kittow
Joshua Andrew Kittow arrived at 4.02pm Sunday 29th March, 6lb 12 oz. 48 hour labour, but we praise God for a speedy recovery for Julie and Joshua is already back to birth weight. We have just loved every minute of this first 10 days with him. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers for us.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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)
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)
Monday, December 29, 2008
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
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
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