Eva saying her farewell and give a wee smile as well. She totally looks like a Charles!!!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2005
What a day! I mean what a bloody day. Have you ever had one of those days where everything is just great until you realise that there is something important which you have completely forgotten to do, something which will cause you immense amounts of stress and something which puts whole projects in jeopardy??? Well that was today for me. I was in the office and working on getting some paperwork finalised for this summer's mission trips. I hate paper work but in general it was going okay and I had everything that I needed and as I said, things were peachy. So I called into Gladys's office. Gladys had just come back from her vacation, an Alaskan cruise, and I wanted to welcome her back and find out how she had got on up there. I should also point out that Gladys is the fountain of all church administrative knowledge and very much keeps me right in all things administrative including deadlines, bills and general business stuff. So I get into her office and we are chatting through her trip and she asks me how things are going for the mission trip and I tell her they are well and that everything, including the paper work is finally coming through. It is at this point that she looks at me and asks if I have sent in the bus insurance forms. Every year before we go on a mission trip we are supposed to send in the destination and numbers information to our insurance people two weeks before the departure date of the trip. We are leaving for our first trip on Sunday, two working days away. To be frank and crude -I almost sh*t myself on the spot and plucked up the courage to tell her that I had forgotten to do it. My heart began to beat harder and faster as the panic and realisation of the possible consequences of this particular brainfart set in. It could happen that the insurance people will not let us go because they have not had their two weeks notice(though they are never that rushed when you need information or the settlement check!!!) I think for the next hour or so while I sorted it all out, I was in a daze, I could not hold a conversation because this was all that was running through my head. To cut a long story short, I got the information and Gladys remained very calm - the break has done her good. We faxed it off to them and hopefully it will all come through tomorrow or Friday that we are good to go on our first of the summer mission trips.
Today was also Pauline's last day with us in the USA. Tomorrow, she begins her journey back to Belfast and back to normal life. I don't think it is setting into us all yet that she is actually leaving us tomorrow. Margaret was with her for some time today as she came round to say goodbye to her and Eva. When Pauline was going, Margaret was saying good bye as if we are going to see her tomorrow or next week or something. It really is weird. I had to remind Margaret that this was goodbye for now and that she needed to give Polly a hug!!! Quite funny in a way but in another way, completely reflective of how Pauline has become very much a part of our lives and family here in Port St Lucie. Personally, I am going to miss her so much. Pauline told me the other day that I was the one who knew her most and knew her best over here - I was really privileged to be that person for her during her stay here. But, and there is always a big hairy butt, it should be stated that apart from Margaret, Pauline is the one who knew me best and knew me most over the last year and as such I have always been able to consider her very close and receive very easily the wisdom of her words and actions. The future holds much for Pauline Joanne Watt, I am convinced of it. She will be a mighty warrior in and for the Kingdom of God and I for one, will always be right there with her applauding her every move for Him.
Now this would not be a blog during the Lions Tour to New Zealand if I did not make some comment about the latest from NZ. Woodward announced his selection for the second test this weekend and made a massive 7 changes to the squad from the last game. I must say that I am very glad to see that the two Irish boys are the second row partnership, this is a good move by SCW. I am though somewhat befuddled by the selection of Thompson at hooker. Now don't get me wrong I am not an advocate of picking Shane Byrne again after his disastrous display last week but I hardly think that Thompson will create anything more spectacular in the lineout. My choice at hooker would have been to give Bulloch a chance and have Thompson on the bench. Byrne should have been dropped completely. The back row is interesting in that I thought Martyn Williams would have got a run out over Lewis Moody who has not shown us anything on this tour. Though to be fair to the selectors, Williams has not done that much either. At half back, I must once again say how upset I am with the choices and ask what it is that Cusiter and Hodgson have to do to get their chance in a test match. Jonny Wilkinson was one of the few decent players last week and as such is deserving of having retained his place in the team, but I do feel sorry for Charlie Hodgson, he has not put a foot wrong on this tour and I reckon he could do alright in the test. It is not that I think he is better than Wilkinson, in fact Wilkinson's all round game is much better than Charlie's, it's just that somewhere in my heart I still believe in earning things on merit and Charlie's merit is deserving of his chance. The only other cock up I think SCW has made is the continued inclusion of Jason Robinson. Now Jason is a brother of mine in Jesus and I like that, but his playing of late has been crap. I cannot believe that he has been selected. I understand why Thomas was moved in to the centre (though I think Greenwood could have done the job at 13) but I cannot belive that Robinson remains on the wing. He could have picked Murphy or Horgan or Hickie to play at wing, even Cueto could have had his chance!!!!!!!! Either way the side is picked now and again I wish them all the best, however I want it to be known that I cannot see them doing the All Blacks over at all. I can see this series being a whitewash.
Today Eva has had her second day of being awake a lot during day light hours. I know I keep saying this but everyday something new happens. Today she was able to grab onto a toy fish on her swinger and she has been guzzling 5oz of milk at a time. She drinks lots and she drinks fast - a chip of the old block eh???? She is still beautiful and was very brave as she said good bye to Pauline.
Fatherhood is wonderful - being able to look down on this wee baby and know that she is flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood is just a huge moving thought for me. I have been taking time to tell her things as I hold her in my arms each day - you know, fatherly advice and all that. I tell her that she is never to be afraid of anyone or anything or to let herself be put down by other people. I tell her that I hope she always knows how loved she is by Jesus and by us her parents. I tell her I love her over and over again as I kiss her wee head. I tell her that she can do anything and to never underestimate herself or her dreams. I tell her that I will always look out for her and protect her and provide her with everything I can and as much love as she can take. Strange that she might not understand the words I am saying to her each time I start talking, but somehow I think she gets it.
Blessings
Charlie
Today was also Pauline's last day with us in the USA. Tomorrow, she begins her journey back to Belfast and back to normal life. I don't think it is setting into us all yet that she is actually leaving us tomorrow. Margaret was with her for some time today as she came round to say goodbye to her and Eva. When Pauline was going, Margaret was saying good bye as if we are going to see her tomorrow or next week or something. It really is weird. I had to remind Margaret that this was goodbye for now and that she needed to give Polly a hug!!! Quite funny in a way but in another way, completely reflective of how Pauline has become very much a part of our lives and family here in Port St Lucie. Personally, I am going to miss her so much. Pauline told me the other day that I was the one who knew her most and knew her best over here - I was really privileged to be that person for her during her stay here. But, and there is always a big hairy butt, it should be stated that apart from Margaret, Pauline is the one who knew me best and knew me most over the last year and as such I have always been able to consider her very close and receive very easily the wisdom of her words and actions. The future holds much for Pauline Joanne Watt, I am convinced of it. She will be a mighty warrior in and for the Kingdom of God and I for one, will always be right there with her applauding her every move for Him.
Now this would not be a blog during the Lions Tour to New Zealand if I did not make some comment about the latest from NZ. Woodward announced his selection for the second test this weekend and made a massive 7 changes to the squad from the last game. I must say that I am very glad to see that the two Irish boys are the second row partnership, this is a good move by SCW. I am though somewhat befuddled by the selection of Thompson at hooker. Now don't get me wrong I am not an advocate of picking Shane Byrne again after his disastrous display last week but I hardly think that Thompson will create anything more spectacular in the lineout. My choice at hooker would have been to give Bulloch a chance and have Thompson on the bench. Byrne should have been dropped completely. The back row is interesting in that I thought Martyn Williams would have got a run out over Lewis Moody who has not shown us anything on this tour. Though to be fair to the selectors, Williams has not done that much either. At half back, I must once again say how upset I am with the choices and ask what it is that Cusiter and Hodgson have to do to get their chance in a test match. Jonny Wilkinson was one of the few decent players last week and as such is deserving of having retained his place in the team, but I do feel sorry for Charlie Hodgson, he has not put a foot wrong on this tour and I reckon he could do alright in the test. It is not that I think he is better than Wilkinson, in fact Wilkinson's all round game is much better than Charlie's, it's just that somewhere in my heart I still believe in earning things on merit and Charlie's merit is deserving of his chance. The only other cock up I think SCW has made is the continued inclusion of Jason Robinson. Now Jason is a brother of mine in Jesus and I like that, but his playing of late has been crap. I cannot believe that he has been selected. I understand why Thomas was moved in to the centre (though I think Greenwood could have done the job at 13) but I cannot belive that Robinson remains on the wing. He could have picked Murphy or Horgan or Hickie to play at wing, even Cueto could have had his chance!!!!!!!! Either way the side is picked now and again I wish them all the best, however I want it to be known that I cannot see them doing the All Blacks over at all. I can see this series being a whitewash.
Today Eva has had her second day of being awake a lot during day light hours. I know I keep saying this but everyday something new happens. Today she was able to grab onto a toy fish on her swinger and she has been guzzling 5oz of milk at a time. She drinks lots and she drinks fast - a chip of the old block eh???? She is still beautiful and was very brave as she said good bye to Pauline.
Fatherhood is wonderful - being able to look down on this wee baby and know that she is flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood is just a huge moving thought for me. I have been taking time to tell her things as I hold her in my arms each day - you know, fatherly advice and all that. I tell her that she is never to be afraid of anyone or anything or to let herself be put down by other people. I tell her that I hope she always knows how loved she is by Jesus and by us her parents. I tell her I love her over and over again as I kiss her wee head. I tell her that she can do anything and to never underestimate herself or her dreams. I tell her that I will always look out for her and protect her and provide her with everything I can and as much love as she can take. Strange that she might not understand the words I am saying to her each time I start talking, but somehow I think she gets it.
Blessings
Charlie
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
So we had Eva's first bath time today. Now before any of you wonder about the fact that it has taken us three weeks to bath her and have Children and Family Services onto us for neglect, I want to say that we have been washing Eva, just not in the bath - we have been waiting for the stump of her umbilicle cord to fall off, as you are not allowed to get that bit wet. So it finally fell of over the weekend and we decided to give her a bath today. It did not start well. The baby bath that Margaret thought would be very cool and help with bath time turned out to have a leak in it and so we went to the traditional method of bathing her in our hands inside our bath, which if you ask me, worked just as well as the other piece of kit might have worked had it not had it's leak. Anywho, so we got the water at good temperature (between 96 and 100F) and Margaret had Eva in her hands and was about to put her into the water when she decided that she was too scared of harming Eva and so, she swiftly accepted my offer to put her in the water. I did my fatherly duty and then stepped back and became the photographer - have I mentioned how snap happy we have become since having a kid???? It is a huge change for us as we have always been crap at taking photos. Anyway, Eva gave us a few of her best screams as we washed her from head to toe. You know there is nothing worse than hearing your kid scream. Bath time was cut short because we could not bear to be making her cry like that any more - but don't worry we kept her there long enough to make sure she was as clean as a new pin before we took her out.
Enjoy the pic.
Blessings
Charlie
Enjoy the pic.
Blessings
Charlie
Monday, June 27, 2005
Well, it has been a number of days since the last time I posted something to the blog. Eva remains well and continues to grow and change every day which is very cool.. It is so amazing to see how she grow each day and how she is able to do something different. Tonight, Margaret and I have just been mesmerized by how she was able to hold on to her toy giraffe. I am left wondering if there is an age that Eva will get to where we will stop noticing these subtle but amazing things.
The other thing that has happened in the last days is that the British and Irish Lions got absolutley thumped by the New Zealand All Blacks. I hate to say i to you so but I did tell you all so in a previous blog entry that I thought they would get beaten based on the team selection. The game play by the British and Irish Lions was simply awful. their inability to win their own line out and their lack of dominance at any break down was what ruined them. Their lack of ball retention meant that I don't think we even got to see our wingers get the ball once through the game. It was a disgraceful performance played by a team that should never have been. Shame on Sir Clive Woodward for his team selection. however, I will give him credit for standing up and saying that he is somewhat to blame and the he did make mistakes in picking his team.
Tonight we said some farewells to Pauline at church. We had a pot luck and some of the most yummy food was brought along. We winged a bit of a program and asked people if they wanted to saying anything to Pauline. There were a long line of people that had some amazing things to say to her. You know, she arrived here in Port St Lucie and was still Wee Polly from home but over the course of her gap year I have seen her grow and become a strong woman of God. Pauline, I know you are reading this and so I say to you well done. You have grown in ways that neither of us could have imagined. I said to our church before you got her that this year was never going to be about what we could get out of you but more about what we could do for you and how we could be the next stage in your discipleship. I think we all won on all counts because you have given so much and have grown so much. praise God for the heart that He has placed in you. Never stop moving forward with him Polly and always make those leaps of faith and always remember what faith is!!!!!!!!
Anyways, I will call it quit for tonight in terms of my words and I will let the images we have caught on our camera create any remaining words that need to be said.
Blessings
Charlie
The other thing that has happened in the last days is that the British and Irish Lions got absolutley thumped by the New Zealand All Blacks. I hate to say i to you so but I did tell you all so in a previous blog entry that I thought they would get beaten based on the team selection. The game play by the British and Irish Lions was simply awful. their inability to win their own line out and their lack of dominance at any break down was what ruined them. Their lack of ball retention meant that I don't think we even got to see our wingers get the ball once through the game. It was a disgraceful performance played by a team that should never have been. Shame on Sir Clive Woodward for his team selection. however, I will give him credit for standing up and saying that he is somewhat to blame and the he did make mistakes in picking his team.
Tonight we said some farewells to Pauline at church. We had a pot luck and some of the most yummy food was brought along. We winged a bit of a program and asked people if they wanted to saying anything to Pauline. There were a long line of people that had some amazing things to say to her. You know, she arrived here in Port St Lucie and was still Wee Polly from home but over the course of her gap year I have seen her grow and become a strong woman of God. Pauline, I know you are reading this and so I say to you well done. You have grown in ways that neither of us could have imagined. I said to our church before you got her that this year was never going to be about what we could get out of you but more about what we could do for you and how we could be the next stage in your discipleship. I think we all won on all counts because you have given so much and have grown so much. praise God for the heart that He has placed in you. Never stop moving forward with him Polly and always make those leaps of faith and always remember what faith is!!!!!!!!
Anyways, I will call it quit for tonight in terms of my words and I will let the images we have caught on our camera create any remaining words that need to be said.
Blessings
Charlie
Thursday, June 23, 2005
So, today we took Eva on her first shopping trip. We are in America and what kind of first shopping experience would it be if we did not take her to Walmart. We got there and everything was going swimmingly until Eva realised that she was awake and that she did not like it one little bit. margaret and I had split up - I was looking at birthday cards for some people back home and she was getting some other thing. So there I was all alone, trying my best to keep the cart moving because that was all that seemed to keep her quiet. Then it happened, I was forced to stop and Eva let out this loud cry, letting everyone know that she was there and they better pay attention to the big guy pushing her cart around. Okay, maybe I am using some dramatic license here but, she definitely cried loud at Walmart tonight. We had to lift her and get her to sleep so she would remain quiet while we got a few bits and pieces. She did and we did and it all ended up good. I took a picture for you to see.
After that we got home, Margaret fed Eva while I took the stuff we had bought and put it all away. We got some dinner then I was off to a mission trip meeting and then youth. The mission trip meeting was okay - I realised that it is only about ten days until our trip starts and I have got bucket loads of stuff to do. No doubt it will get done, even though it might be a bit of a rush job. After that meeting we had our first youth gathering in a couple of weeks. I was teaching the kids from John 3 where Jesus meets Nicodemus and tells him he must be born again. I guess I really wanted those kids to come out understanding what actually being born again is all about and seeing the Christian experience as a rebirth of the soul, a fresh start and a new beginning. I think that some of them got it - I hope they did. They are a great bunch of kids, I love them so much and love getting to work with them. may God grant all of us who work with them the wisdom and guidance we need to make a difference in their lives.
Okay, Eva is stirring and Margaret has been with her all day long. I am going on daddy duty - what an honour.
Blessings
Charlie
After that we got home, Margaret fed Eva while I took the stuff we had bought and put it all away. We got some dinner then I was off to a mission trip meeting and then youth. The mission trip meeting was okay - I realised that it is only about ten days until our trip starts and I have got bucket loads of stuff to do. No doubt it will get done, even though it might be a bit of a rush job. After that meeting we had our first youth gathering in a couple of weeks. I was teaching the kids from John 3 where Jesus meets Nicodemus and tells him he must be born again. I guess I really wanted those kids to come out understanding what actually being born again is all about and seeing the Christian experience as a rebirth of the soul, a fresh start and a new beginning. I think that some of them got it - I hope they did. They are a great bunch of kids, I love them so much and love getting to work with them. may God grant all of us who work with them the wisdom and guidance we need to make a difference in their lives.
Okay, Eva is stirring and Margaret has been with her all day long. I am going on daddy duty - what an honour.
Blessings
Charlie
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Evening all
I just got to watch the Lions playing against Southland in New Zealand. pardon my french but they were shite. I have been closely following the Lions Tour to New Zealand and have finally been disapointed with most of their performances. These are supposed to be the cream of the professional crop in Northern Hemisphere rugby but they just don't seem to be cutting it. After watching this match I came on here to read the news that China Doll Wilkinson has been selected as one of the starting centre's for the test against New Zealand. I am disgusted with some of Clive Woodward's selections
British & Irish Lions: Jason Robinson; Josh Lewsey; Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Jonny Wilkinson, Gareth Thomas; Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne, Julian White, Paul O'Connell, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Martin Corry.Replacements: Steve Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Ryan Jones, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Shane Horgan.
The wing and full backs I agree with, Woodward has picked the best that he has with him. I have already told you what I think of the centre selection of Wilkinson. I would have had Henson or Shanklin there. The half backs should have been Peel along with Hodgson. Charlie has done nothing wrong this tour and his kicking and moving of the game have been great every time he played.
In the pack, I am so happy that Steve Thompson has not made the starting line up. I would have him no where near the squad - his throwing has been awful in every game we have played - to the point where we are losing ball at our own line out which is not acceptable. Thank goodness Sir Clive had the sense to pick the Lord of the Mullet at hooker. Second's should be O'Connell and either Grewcock or O'Callaghan. I have seen nothing from Kay that has impressed me.
The back row is perhaps where I am most upset though. Easterby has not put a foot wrong since his arrival to the squad and he deserved a look in somewhere for the test, but it would seem that Clive has an inability to move on from his world cup winning team. Should someone not remind him that that was in 2003 and this is almost two years on????? Hill is a legend and in my opinion one of the greatest players in the recent game but he has not produced nearly what he is capable of in the tour so far. Corry has played okay but I would have had that Welsh kid in there. Ryan Jones played a stormer the other night and he should be given his chance. Martyn Williams will be disapointed to have been ousted by the old man of the tour, but you know, Neil Back played a stormer the other night in his game and he showed that he can still do it. Fair play to him and I hope he does the same job against the All Blacks.
I am sorry to those of you who have no interest at all in the Lions Tour but I really had to vent all of that. Clive Woodward has let British and Irish rugby down in my opinion through his squad selection for this first test at the weekend. I really really hope that I am proved thoroughly wrong, but I cannot see it. I predict that the All Blacks are going to piss all over the Lions on Saturday - our only hope is that we will learn the appropriate lessons from it.
For those of you who read this to find out about Eva and other things in our lives here, I am sorry. She has had an okay day but has not dirtied her nappy/diaper. We are going to have her checked tomorrow if she does not fill it some time tonight. Other than that she is still beautiful and still perfect. Each day she shows us that she is growing either by being more active or by being more alert - it is so cool to see how she just grows. She is blessed with the best and most devoted Mum - I wish you could all see Margaret with her, it is like she was created for these moments. I am so happy and privileged to be Margaret's husband and Eva's dad.
Blessings
Charlie
I just got to watch the Lions playing against Southland in New Zealand. pardon my french but they were shite. I have been closely following the Lions Tour to New Zealand and have finally been disapointed with most of their performances. These are supposed to be the cream of the professional crop in Northern Hemisphere rugby but they just don't seem to be cutting it. After watching this match I came on here to read the news that China Doll Wilkinson has been selected as one of the starting centre's for the test against New Zealand. I am disgusted with some of Clive Woodward's selections
British & Irish Lions: Jason Robinson; Josh Lewsey; Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Jonny Wilkinson, Gareth Thomas; Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne, Julian White, Paul O'Connell, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Martin Corry.Replacements: Steve Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Ryan Jones, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Shane Horgan.
The wing and full backs I agree with, Woodward has picked the best that he has with him. I have already told you what I think of the centre selection of Wilkinson. I would have had Henson or Shanklin there. The half backs should have been Peel along with Hodgson. Charlie has done nothing wrong this tour and his kicking and moving of the game have been great every time he played.
In the pack, I am so happy that Steve Thompson has not made the starting line up. I would have him no where near the squad - his throwing has been awful in every game we have played - to the point where we are losing ball at our own line out which is not acceptable. Thank goodness Sir Clive had the sense to pick the Lord of the Mullet at hooker. Second's should be O'Connell and either Grewcock or O'Callaghan. I have seen nothing from Kay that has impressed me.
The back row is perhaps where I am most upset though. Easterby has not put a foot wrong since his arrival to the squad and he deserved a look in somewhere for the test, but it would seem that Clive has an inability to move on from his world cup winning team. Should someone not remind him that that was in 2003 and this is almost two years on????? Hill is a legend and in my opinion one of the greatest players in the recent game but he has not produced nearly what he is capable of in the tour so far. Corry has played okay but I would have had that Welsh kid in there. Ryan Jones played a stormer the other night and he should be given his chance. Martyn Williams will be disapointed to have been ousted by the old man of the tour, but you know, Neil Back played a stormer the other night in his game and he showed that he can still do it. Fair play to him and I hope he does the same job against the All Blacks.
I am sorry to those of you who have no interest at all in the Lions Tour but I really had to vent all of that. Clive Woodward has let British and Irish rugby down in my opinion through his squad selection for this first test at the weekend. I really really hope that I am proved thoroughly wrong, but I cannot see it. I predict that the All Blacks are going to piss all over the Lions on Saturday - our only hope is that we will learn the appropriate lessons from it.
For those of you who read this to find out about Eva and other things in our lives here, I am sorry. She has had an okay day but has not dirtied her nappy/diaper. We are going to have her checked tomorrow if she does not fill it some time tonight. Other than that she is still beautiful and still perfect. Each day she shows us that she is growing either by being more active or by being more alert - it is so cool to see how she just grows. She is blessed with the best and most devoted Mum - I wish you could all see Margaret with her, it is like she was created for these moments. I am so happy and privileged to be Margaret's husband and Eva's dad.
Blessings
Charlie
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
It is 12.05am on Tuesday 21st June 2005. Eva has just gone down and I finally get to write something on here for you to read.
It has been a long day. I had to drive to Leesburg to take some of our youth to camp. Leesburg is about three hours north of Port St Lucie and it would not be so bad except it is all Florida Turnpike driving and is nothing but flat and boooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggg.
Pauline was with me for company and in some way it was her last official task as our Youth and Children's Ministry Intern. What a year she has had and what a job she has done. It has been so cool to watch God working in her life since I met her as a quiet, shy, timid wee 14 year old at East Belfast Mission. What a journey!!!!
Eva is stirring again...I am on the night shift tonight and trying to let Margaret sleep. She has been looking after my sleep for a week now and it is time she got some herself.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Blessings
Charlie
It has been a long day. I had to drive to Leesburg to take some of our youth to camp. Leesburg is about three hours north of Port St Lucie and it would not be so bad except it is all Florida Turnpike driving and is nothing but flat and boooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggg.
Pauline was with me for company and in some way it was her last official task as our Youth and Children's Ministry Intern. What a year she has had and what a job she has done. It has been so cool to watch God working in her life since I met her as a quiet, shy, timid wee 14 year old at East Belfast Mission. What a journey!!!!
Eva is stirring again...I am on the night shift tonight and trying to let Margaret sleep. She has been looking after my sleep for a week now and it is time she got some herself.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Blessings
Charlie
Sunday, June 19, 2005
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