Thought I would update everyone about what is happening with our family. Let me start by saying we are all doing well. The summer has seen Beth home for most of it, but Amy has been coming and going like a yo-yo! However, on the occasions when we have all been at home together - they have been priceless! We sometimes think that Holly and Hannah are missing out a bit not getting the benefit of having their big sisters around all the time. We are happy that the four girls are close and any time the family is complete - there is joy. Well, the summer is gone and I don't know where to begin! I think I want to get stuck into our time in London. There is no doubt that this was a once in a lifetime event! I commented in my last family update about both Amy and Beth getting the honor to play during the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. This made for a frantic period leading up to the performances as we tried to find reasonably priced accommodation around the London area during the time when the Olympics were on! We settled on Hemmel Hempstead, which was about half and hour outside London by train. We decided to drive down breaking the journey at Newcastle. We enjoyed 6 days down south and although we all had sore feet for most of the time we did find time to relax and unwind some too. We took Holly and Hannah to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and they loved it! (You may have noticed Fenella's facebook profile picture was taken there on Hagrid's motor bike :) We spent three hours looking at the props and buildings from the movies and even tried a cup of "Butter Beer." If you are a Harry Potter fan this is a must see and the last room you enter is really quite stunning and takes your breath away! I won't spoil the secret in case you visit at a later date. Anyway, getting to the good stuff - Amy was first to perform with The National Youth Choir of Scotland. We arrived at the Albert Hall and took a moment to admire and take in the atmosphere and setting - it was a wee bit overwhelming thinking that our two daughters would be performing here! My mum was with us and she couldn't contain her joy saying, "I Canna believe we are here!" We got to our seats and for the next three hours we beamed as we sat listening to some of the most beautiful voices you will hear and of course we were beaming inside knowing that Amy was part of this beauty. As if that was not enough we were back again just four days later as Beth took to the stage with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. As with Amy it is quite something to know your girl has the privilege to be a part of something so good. The concert was gorgeous and they had the double honor of having the violin soloist, Nicola Benedetti play with them. It was definitely a "wow" week in our lives! After Beth's concert we drove all the way back home and was pretty well done by the time we got through the front door. What a summer!!!
We have been preparing for Beth going off to Glasgow in September to begin her further studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she will continue to perfect her performance and music skill playing her oboe. Amy was up and down the road to Edinburgh securing a flat for this coming year and found a nice one that she is sharing with her friend Julie. The house will be empty again come September and rather than the six of us there will only be four :( Holly and Hannah have crossed another milestone as they moved up to the Academy last Wednesday! They are doing great and have both adapted very well to life in the big school. They are in separate classes and have both got their own bunch of friends. With our house just a stones throw from the Academy they are fortunate that they can come and go in no time at all.
Fenella is just about managing to juggle everything. Between work and family, both of which she does amazingly well, Fenella has a full load. Alexa, Fenella's mum is doing better and was strong enough to be at church this past Sunday for the first time. In everything like most families we have our stresses and struggles and there are always things that could have been done better. We are thankful for all four of our girls and we pray that we are ready to meet the next stages in their growth and development.
God is good!
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