Morning time plans

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Finally found the camera, learnt to put pics onto computer and blog them!

 These were taken Tom's birthday, bright eyes and bushy tailed.  Phinns tongue tie was snipped the day after and has made such a difference!  They are both smiling now, but trying to catch that on camera is near impossible!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Ah the reality of a Calgary winter and babies and toddlers......

Hands dry and scratchy, two knuckles cracked already, actually make that three.

Guess all the cream we have in the house only works if you put it on!


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Getting ready for Christmas seems wonderful and strange all at the same time.

I am sitting in a quiet house, all others are asleep in bed and its not yet 9.30.  All evidence of the crazy busy noisy day is cleared away, and the temptation to start several projects is great. 

But I am restraining myself to the basics, the advent calender is up, each little pocket containing a decoration and a section of the Christmas story. There will be two excited girls in the morning, this is the first year we have had to share hanging the decorations.  I wonder how that will go.  And I have found the devotional book, it takes us from Genesis to the manger in a wonderful and simple way, there are activties to do together each day.  I am looking forward to it.  It was in the wreath box, oh I want to hang it, and maybe some of the other decorations, but I will regret it if I get started. 

A short few hours and there will be some small bleats, a snuffle or two and if they are ignored then a loud complaining eruption will sound.  And then his brother will join in.........

The peace of everyone in bed is so inviting, so calming, so energizing.  It is a promise that there will come a time when nights are again for sleeping and days are for activity and laughter. 

But the stage we are in now, is given as a gift.  Each and every part. Christmas is about the ultimate gift, and it Christs coming was not as expected.  I want to make a conscious effort to look of the joy in each moment of each busy day, and give thanks for it is a good gift given by a loving Father. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Safely arrived

Here we are, back in Calgary, enjoying the Christmas carols on the radio and the dusting of snow we woke up to this morning. It all seems very peaceful, that I am sure will be shattered shortly by two small boys, or two smallish girls or even both.

The journey back was certainly easier than we expected. Thank you to all who were praying that day. From the taxi stand at Gatwick right through to immigration in Canada we were helped with bags and children and taken the front of queues and generally treated like kings. How many couples traveling with four children four and under could boast that they watched a movie in peace or had a 2 hour nap? 5 hours in all of the kids were asleep, and the girls stayed so pretty much until we had to get them sat up for landing. The airline had their heads screwed on too, and had activity bags for the kids which included headphones for the in-flight entertainment and served the kids meals first so Tom and I could each help one and we didn't have the stress of lots of trays in a confined space at the same time.

We were embarresingly moved straight to top of the line at passport control in Canada and then again at the immigration section. This probably saved us at least a good 2 hours. We were grateful.

Off to change nappies......will try and finish later :)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A picture, only 9 days late!


Hosea Timothy and Phinehas Paul in the delivery suite, a few hours old. Handsome hey?

Sunday, September 25, 2011

our plans......

It is fair to say that not a lot of the plans that we made about this home leave haven't taken place as we intended.

Today was no different.

The induction was canceled after waiting around for 4 hours, and we are to go back in tomorrow at 7.30 am.

I am off to bed now to get some sleep and then start the mad dash of dropping the girls off to friends and getting into the hospital.

We covet you prayers. Thank you for all that you have prayed on our behalf today, we are grateful.

Looking forward to sharing news, SOON!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Induction date.......

Well, there's a plan.

Sunday morning 9 am I am going into the hospital, to have an induction.

The good news from the consultant appointment on Tuesday is that twin 2 has turned and so both are now head down. How he turned without me noticing is beyond me:)

The two little ones may not be so little. When the consultant was doing the scan she was unable to measure the femur length as it was too long for the screen! We shall see how long the legs really are. I think that was the point she took pity on me and offered me the early induction.

So please pray for us. We have prepared as best we can I think, but there is still all the unknowns. There are no unknowns for the Lord and we are grateful that the babies birthday is known to Him as are all the days of their lives before anyone of them has come to pass.

I aim to get some of our summer pics on the blog before sunday so I can clear them out the way ready for the big unveiling. Snuggly twin pictures are too cute.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Looking good!

This was taken last weekend, so at 33 weeks. Not doing too bad!

The doctor will see me again at 37 weeks and then book in for an induction at 38 weeks. They are pleased with how well they are growing, and the position, and no one seems that bothered by my moaning about how bulky and sore my body is! I keep getting told I'm doing great and I'm carrying 2 normal size babies for their gestation :)

A maximum of 4 weeks and I get to meet my little men. Hurray.

And in a miracle turn of events, the Hindles have decided on names weeks before the delivery date. Sadly no white board tally chart this time the night before!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Update

As of Monday this week we know that we will be staying in the UK for the birth of our twins.

I think it would have been an easier thing to find out, had we not come so close to booking flights ie planned to book Monday afternoon and to fly yesterday. To be going home seemed so close, so right and so exciting. All the familiar things would be ready in the house to bring two tiny boys home to, I guess I was looking forward to it being easy to plan.

But, the Lord has a good plan for us. We are still unclear what that it, but it seems prudent to stick around here and keep the same medical team that I am under currently. We have started looking for accommodation for the 4-6 of us, but so far finding that a little difficult. It is hard to find places for only 3 months.

Our girls are doing well. Hope of course has all she needs and remembers around her. Heidi was a little tearful when we told her, but when we enquired as to why she was crying she was at least honest! She wants to be the only British one of the 4!

There is much to sort out, and things to bog us down and rob us of the joy of living here, now, because this is what God has lovingly and rightly provided for us.

But there is also a small glimmer of excitement welling up in me. In just a few weeks I will get to meet my sons. That indeed is cause for joy.

Monday, August 8, 2011


Still no news.

Another week has started and the post has come and gone.

No work permit.

The clock is ticking, there is no one I am allowed to contact yet, and the struggle to strive for joy continues.

I was sorting through my diary, adding in scan dates and making consultant ones, all in the uk this morning, and as is far too normal these days was having a small cry by myself. (My sweet girls are merrily feeding cows and pigs and horses and donkeys and chickens and sheep blissfully unaware of anything but the beauty of a summer spent on a farm.) My diary is one with a bible verse for each week and this ones it beautiful and pertinent to this week.

'We may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"' Hebrews 13:6

For some reason I flicked on to the verse for the week the babies are due. And laughed loudly and long. It begins, 'In peace I will both lie down and sleep'. I hope that makes you chuckle too.

We are calling out to the Lord to please show us what he would have for us. Not knowing is so hard, and yet, we only have 3 more weeks to wait and we will know for sure. Then the planning begins of how do we get organised to have them here, and then get them back to Canada........the possibilities and difficulties seem vast. But today is not for worrying about tomorrow, today the sun is shining and my small girls will need a Mummy who is there to guide and teach and train them in following Christ. Please may my life show what that is to follow him where ever he leads me.


Picnic supper while burning all the cut fern. Salmon, garlic bread, bananas and chocolate all cooked on the bonfire. Mmmn



Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer road trip

The girls and I have been in Maidstone these past few days and had a LOT of fun.
Playing with cousins in the park, and trying to get the perfect picture!



Sisters loving one another. I wish this had been a video and you could hear the adorable way Hope says her sisters name. Just as well she can say Heidi as she has no idea what her name is. Any time you ask she's called Heidi too!




Getting ready for a princess party for Becky's 6th birthday. Complete with real princess who ran all the party games! It was a lot of fun.


We have had a full time, a fun time, and a good visit with family.


Tomorrow we head to Poole for a few days at the seaside with good friends.





Sunday, July 24, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

Our baby boys are growing big and strong. Every time they kick and wiggle it feels a little more like they are looking for a bit more space. There is one quiet and one active. I wonder if that will continue through life? They are 27 weeks old. I am hoping to be meeting them in about 10 weeks time. That excites me and scares me. And fills me with questions.

Where will we be living?
How long will the labour be? Can I do it all myself?
When will my paperwork arrive, and when if does come, will it be too late? That's a lot of wasted tears and time! How will we get all the new paperwork done for the boys when we are juggling feeds, small girls who need us and being in transition?
Will we get settled into Canada in time before they come providing the flying happens?
34 - 27 = 7. 7 more weeks before we can't come even if we want to.

This I do know, that Christ will strengthen me, we can do all that He asks of us.

May we never loose sight of where our strength and help will come from.



Friday, July 8, 2011

I had plans today.....

Today is the day of the year I get up super early.

And wake my children early.

We find jeans, and button down shirts in the second drawer down in the white drawers in their bedroom.

We find boots and hats by the back door and in the shoe cupboard. We even have some for the baby.

We put beautiful blonde hair in braids, and make sure the picnic breakfast is packed.

We pile in cars, park at a friends, load children into wagons and strollers and slings and walk and then run across the bridge, calling for everyone to keep up.

We stand on the pavement and wait till the whistle blows at 7.30, then we pile onto the road, and set up chairs in a long line.

Then we crack open the picnic and Nicky goes for coffee. I have a good excuse ready every year as to why it is her turn to go and get them! None as good as this year I may add.

Then the fun begins, the bands begin to play, and the horses come on by. The sun-cream is applied, we peel off layers of clothes, and try not to get too hot.

When it's over, we do it all in reverse, except that there is less energy for getting back up the hill and into the cars.

I guess the reality is that my plans for the day are not going to happen.

I am learning a little more each day that my plans are not important.

I must trust. The Lord has His plan, and it is for me to spend the morning in the house in the pouring rain, playing hard to keep the girls amused and trying not to cry when Heidi unknowingly tears at her Mummy's heart by playing parades this morning. I had plans! and I need to trust that we are in exactly the right place for this season.

Dying to self and living for Christ is the key to joy. Today I will fight for that joy, and trust. He is faithful.

Friday, July 1, 2011


Happy Canada Day

We spent the day wishing each other a Happy Canada day, and missing all of you there :(

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ice

Crunching ice, and enjoying it a lot!

I think I may finally be feeling pregnant :)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Visa update, no cause for excitement, yet.

We've had a couple of queries, and have been poor communicators of all the little details.
And I have been poor at posting pictures of my sweet little girls.
So this post is a combination of unrelated photos and text :)



We are waiting. Does this sound familiar?

2 weeks ago the embassy emailed us and requested some more documents in 15 days or they would cancel our application.
There were certain complications with getting the new paperwork to them, we were in Scotland when the request came through, copies of our passports which were in the embassy were needed and time. The Lord undertook for us, and through the hard work of some special people (thank you Mike and Nicole and Tom) and the willingness of others to accomodate my bizarre requests (thank you Jim) we got the paperwork in.


On Friday last week our registered post envolope arrived, my handwriting on the front recieved from the embassy. We all gathered round, and opened it. 4 passports and a receipt for the money we sent for the visa.


Nothing else.

So we have to continue to wait.

Everyday we wait for the postman to come, and then come to terms with the fact there is no news and then continue with the day.

Today we are baking, the fire is in, and Heidi and I have whipped up a few goodies. We have many other things to be grateful for.

The steadfast love of the Lord ever ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion says my soul", says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.


In His time.


Saturday, June 11, 2011

Chicken pox has come to the Hindles!
Trust Heidi to be the kid who still catches it after being immunized.
At least the next few days are taken care of, we are in, doing crafts and reading and watching tv!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Hope's pleasure in small things

This is my view down these days, and only half way there!


I love this babies enthusiasm for the out doors, just want to eat her up, the green wellies add to the cuteness.


Sorry this is on the side, no idea how to change it over.

Walking backwards, spinning, rocking side to side.
Perhaps I should try them all too and see if it makes walking up the hill more fun!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

4 years ago today......



A tiny girl was born.......


She turned one.....

Then two......

then three......

Happy Birthday big 4 year old. We love you very much.

More pics of the birthday girl later, off to open more pressies!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Sweet baby boys

We had a scan on Wed, and spent a wonderful 15 mins or so watching our two little ones on the screen.

The sonographer taking the pictures is pretty sure that there are two boys in there.

Two boys!

Two boys!!!!!

Reality of the two is sinking in, especially as we had the privilege of watching them reaching out toward each other, and then one head down on his brothers tummy. There are times when I wonder how they are going to have enough room in there, but I guess they will only know what it is like to be close to someone, and not to have lots of space to stretch around in.
It was very exciting to be able to share the news with the girls. Two boys was the squeal from Heidi!

Two boys is mine too!

Monday, May 2, 2011

We are alive and well!!

Here's a few pictures of what we have been getting up to these last few months, I have by all accounts been a poor communicator, apologies.

2 weeks ago was a Louden family holiday on the south coast. We were blessed to be playing in the sand, and slurping on melting ice creams for a whole week in April.


Some of us enjoy sand more than others!


Some of us are getting larger than others!


Some of us have less problem with how we look than others. This baby has a fabulous tan now and loves the waves so much!


Which takes us back to those of us who love sand more than others. In fact she may love it more than anyone. Heidi may one day set up life on a beach just so she can make things in the sand!


We also had a wonderful 3 weeks in Wales working alongside all the animals and spending time with more family. The girls and Tom took me out to the castle for my birthday. Heidi said she thought it would be a real treat! She was right, it was beautiful and we got some lovely pics too.
And my big girl was loving having full access to riding a pony. She informs us she would prefer a pink riding helmet and pink halter and reins but nothing takes away from the smile and excitement when she is on there. Tom did observe how pleasant long walks were when she was on horse back rather than her own 2 feet!

We are now starting our deputation properly and are starting down the road of lots of meetings, cups of tea, and new people. Please pray for our stamina and that we would be able to clearly communicate the work Tom has been doing and the work of Wycliffe.

Other news, our visa application is in the Canadian embassy in London. Please pray that they would process it quickly.

And, for those who have not caught up fully. Yes we are expecting a baby, but more precisely two of them. They are 161/2 weeks and we have scan booked for the 25th of May to find out a little more about them!

Will endeavour to be a better blogger!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

First blog post!

This is my first blog post on my blog. Since Esther has been blogging for over three years, I thought I would have a go!


So heres a picture of me, taken a few weeks ago at my desk, in Calgary.
Even though my desk isn't that tidy, I did clean it up a bit for the photo, (mainly removing food containers, although I see I missed one)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Back in the UK

Well the Hindle's are back in the UK, tucked safely away in Kent for another day, and then off to explore the rest of the country!

The journey was surprisingly good, the girls did wonderfully and Tom was showered with praise for being such a wonderful dad by several ladies! I think the contrast to the bedraggled crying gang who turned up to the gate was quite good.

We have been getting over the jet lag quite well and although I am still battling my morning sickness the world is starting to right itself.

Which leaves us with the reality, we are not in Calgary and the pain strikes hard at times.

We trust that the Lord will lead, and are grateful that he will do it gently.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Family Day

A holiday in Alberta.

We plan to head to the foothills, not enough energy for the mountains.

Will take the camera......

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Chinook fun

We were out at the Sewlal's for brunch on Saturday morning.

I love brunch it really is the best meal of the day.

Anyway, we set off all happy, knowing that is was due to be a warm day, and that we could have some fun outside with the snow without feeling too cold.

We got a little more than we bargined for on the way there.

Blowing snow overnight had created drifts about 6-8 inches deep accross the road so Tom was taking it careful.

We slipped and drifted toward the side, all in slow motion, and whoops, we ended up in the ditch!

May I emphasis,
we were not going fast
we were not in danger
we did not go far into the ditch, in fact we thought that we could get out with a little digging! The back wheels were still on the road.

In a short time we had 3 trucks stop.

The first was an elerly gentleman with his wife and a friend.
"How did you end up in there" he asked in a joking fashion.
"My husband was driving" said I, smiling and relieved that is wasn't me driving.
His wife smiled and said sweetly "Isn't that a good thing!"

The third truck pulled up just as we were out of digging in the snow options, and as I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make brunch. They had a rope and pulled us out, all with smiles and friendlyness. We were grateful.

What made me laugh was Heidi's perspective.

When we were digging out, I was in the drivers seat and Tom was pushing. We went no where.
Heidi saw me going to the other side of the road with the lady and Tom get into the drivers seat. He then popped the car into reverse and with the help of a big truck, got out of the ditch.
This is Heidi's take. "When you went to talk to the lady, Dad tried to get us out of the ditch and we just vrooomed out"! Nice one hun, Dad did vroom out with a little help from his friends!

Anyhoo, all was well, the roads had been scraped by the time we headed home, and brunch was superb as always.

They are huge in real life.
Hopie is completly safe in this picture.
Fun jumping off the snow hill created from clearing the driveway.
A gorgeous bunch.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I am a little bit, well quite a big bit excited about this.



I got the pattern here and decided that seeing as my Gran had let me crochet blankets with her on various occasions and I had recently made a scarf under close supervision while snowed in at a friends, I was vastly able to whip up a bag in the course of an evening.

But it really was as easy as it said it was, as long as I kept counting right!

The flower was a little fun at the end with the wool I had left over, so I doubt I'll ever be able to reproduce it again!

And all for the bargin price of $1.31 as the wool was on sale this week!




Happy Birthday Ivey Grace, who as Heidi keeps pointing out has already had her birthday. So, I guess more accurate it is Happy Belated Birthday Ivey Grace!


And on the note of belated Happy Birthday's I missed my wonderful sister in laws because I muddled it with the coffee date I had with my neighbour of the same name next week. I am sorry Karen, you really so mean the world to us, and we are excited about seeing you soon. Happy Birthday Karen! I could always make a bag for you too!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Go Flames Go!

On Saturday night we went to the Hockey with some friends after a very generous gift from some other friends! Thank you.

So, here's what I know about hockey before I came to Canada.
1. It was a girls sport, played in the winter on a muddy pitch, and involved those awful hockey socks and lots of running around.

In Canada, not so much.

More like national sport, institution on which this great nation is built and divided on depending on who you support, male sport, on ice!!

What I know as hockey is field hockey, not to be confused with street hockey and definitely do not taint the great game of Ice Hockey with either of those lesser forms of the game! Oh and do not call it ice hockey, there is no need for the ice, everyone in Canada knows what we mean when they say hockey......

So in Calgary the team is know as the Flames.
Here they are warming up.


And here are the LA Kings. From LA.

I do love that at every sporting event be it the hockey or the rodeo (probably others, I have only been to the hockey and the rodeo) they sing the national anthems of the teams. Canada has such a nice anthem that it's fun to be in a stadium with thousands of people singing away.

So the rules of Hockey still evade me, but I do know that you have to get the puck in the net.
There are 5 men and a goal keeper on at any given time and that they change over at any given time during the game. Tom assured me that there is a system to the jumping on and off the ice directed by the coach, but to the untrained eye there is a lot of spontaneous oning and offing!
The players are incredibly on skates I am not sure it should be possible to do some of the things that they can do.
Nachos taste so good.
Periods are 20 mins each, there are three, so the game lasts 1 hour. Except that there are commercial breaks, and ice scraping breaks and intermissions etc, so in effect you get entertained for 3 hours.
Oh and you can get sent to the other side of the ice and made to sit out if you do something bad like hooking.... although I am yet to be able to identify when someone is hooking. There were many people sent to the little glass box though throughout the game.
Which leads to me to my last observation, in a game where you are sent off for hooking, why is it that it is perfectly normal for teams to get into big punch ups when they do not like what the other team is doing? Look. Two teams not happy with one another. I maintain that I saw a fight, but no one else who saw the game will back me up. But I am pretty sure you are all wrong!

We loved it, it was a fun evening, a good game to see, fun people watching.

Lets not talk about the end result though.

Go Flames Go!

PS There is poetic licence for the last picture, it was taken right at the beginning and not at the end, but it fitted well there. The truth is I have never moved so fast as we did to get out of the stadium that night. Home to our babies fast asleep and dreaming.

Edit:
PPS I am now reliably informed that all the comings and goings on the ice/pitch/field are on a timer. Clear as mud.