American girls off to the UK!

After a year of waiting and catalogue perusing, Claire finally had her moment. With some cousins and grandmas, we traveled to downtown Chicago to the famous American Girl store located adjacent to the Lego metropolis if any of have boys...The tradition in the Jagger extended family is for the little girls to pick out an American girl when she turns 5. Since we will be overseas when Claire turns 5, she was allowed to get one half a year early to accompany her on the plane ride to Scotland. She thoroughly delighted in the shopping and tea party afterwards.

The American Girl store is overwhelming- dizzying even with the walls lined with books, dolls, accessories and who knows what else... I at least find it positive that the dolls each represent a historical period about which the girls can learn through books and the dolls' clothes and styles. Claire chose the 1970's doll while the 1800's or early 1900's dolls seemed more appealing to me. I had to let go of control, though, and Claire chose her Julie doll (whose long blonde hair makes me think Claire chose her because she most resembles the typical Barbie doll), who interestingly enough, is moving to a new home and school in her first book. Should be a helpful way for Claire to work through her emotions and thoughts during our major move and transition.

Updates? Keith leaves this week for the UK. We have been packing and organizing into the wee hours of the night. Claire, Autumn, and I along with Grandma Chris will be leaving about a week from now. I am unsure what the furnished place we have rented will look like, but it is in town (though on the outskirts) and within walking distance of the supermarket and Claire's school which will be helpful with no car. Claire will actually be starting kindergarten or primary school as they call it because she only has to be 5 by Feb in the UK. She is more than ready and with no friends yet, I'm not sure what I'd do with her in the house all day- especially while Im trying to figure out the local culture. I'm most excited that she will be wearing a uniform and we won't have to fight over her morning outfit;)

Aside from the long plane rides, we are excited to get there and get settled. We have enjoyed our families this summer, but we are ready for our own little family time and more than ready to stop living out of a suitcase. There is a great deal we could be worried about, but God continues to remind us to have faith, take a leap, and enjoy the journey. We will be in touch. I plan to use this blog as a way to share stories, experiences, and regular updates. I changed the blog name, as you might have noticed, and replaced it with one that shares a phrase from the Scottish poet Robert Burns in his poem, "To A Mountain Daisy". So mark your calendars for a visit to the UK!

Jagger clan update!

Before I begin, I just want to share what Claire said to me today as she was furiously cleaning the toilet bowl with the brush (which she begs to do frequently and thoroughly enjoys). After she told me to pretend that she was "unclogging" it she said "I just wish I could get all the way down in the toilet hole and see what's down there!". Proceeding this was a detailed question and answer session regarding where the stuff in the potty goes, who cleans it, and if those people smell because they clean the "poopy".
As for the rest of the Jagger family, we are beginning to make our much awaited move out of Wilmore. Yes, hard to believe and I still wonder if something will pop up and keep us here last minute BUT I am pretty sure we are ACTUALLY leaving this time. Much to our dismay the Forbes family made it out of Wilmore before we did. JK, We do wish them well and will miss them greatly, but are glad they have found a great place to move on to. I just hope Claire runs into Nathan sometime, the cuddliest boy on earth who will be quite the heartbreaker in the future...
So we are headed to Illinois to stay with Keith's parents for most of June. Then we will be around the Midwest, visiting WI some in July and August. I'll be taking it easy with the kiddos while Keith starts to do some PhD prep. Come September, we plan on Keith heading to Scotland to settle in at the beginning of the month with the rest of us to follow (with the help of Keith's generous mother) a few weeks later. After that, I have NO idea what life will be like, but I trust there will be much FOOTBALL in my future and I don't mean the American kind;)
Autumn is growing fast and continuing to endure the thousands of kisses she receives daily from her big sister. Mom is recovering well and Keith is tying up loose ends with his work at the seminary. With many of our friends moving as well there are many parties and goodbyes in the coming weeks...We came to Kentucky engaged and in need of a great deal of formation. We leave with 2 beautiful daughters and hearts more prepared for facing the challenges of the world.