Yum, yum, in my tum!

My version of 'Chicken Pot Pie on the Fly'

'Mummy could I have a straw?!'

Oh the places it's been!

It is a sad day for our family - tomorrow our most beloved and faithful van will be towed away.

Looking a little worse for wear!

We bought this van from a family member almost 10 years ago! 

It has taken us many places, carted around many missions teams, taken us to the hospital for the birth of children, brought children home from the hospital, moved many people to new places to live, survived camping trips (with kids using it as a tent),....oh the places it's been and the things it's seen!

Our poor van was slowly dying. It has been a bit hit-or-miss as to whether or not it would start up when we needed it. Unfortunately, we are not in a position where we can afford all the work that it would need besides the fact that the repairs would most likely cost more than the van is worth. The decision maker for us is that London has now introduced a 'Low Emission Zone' and we were given notice that our van doesn't meet the criteria. We would be fined (a hefty, daily amount) for driving our van from the 3rd of January 2012.

Therefore we are now having to say goodbye to our van and the Dryden family will now be without a vehicle for the foreseeable future.

We are thankful that London has a great transport system, and are trusting God to supply our needs for future transportation.

One of Levi's favorite things to do!

Check out Abby Rocks for my latest post! I accidentally posted it on Abby's site.
Merry Christmas - Joy to the World!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Levi Benjamin!

Check this out! This is a video (in a series ...Street Essentials) created by the pastor of the church where we are now ministering. There's a bunch more of these on youtube and you can also check out the link for New Life Church on the side bar. This is a glimpse of where we are at and what we are doing. ENJOY.

Hi there! I know...it's December already! Here's a few things that we've been up to recently.

We had a visit from Flat Stanley.  We took him out and about around our neighborhood.

The street we live on.

A willing bus driver.

The local post box.

Richmond Park ...(Kelli - you would LOVE this place)

Our favorite climbing tree.

Playing 'London buses' with Levi and Aleah

Thanks for visiting, Flat Stanley! Hope you have a safe journey back to Florida!

Have any of you mothers found that there is a certain time almost daily when chaos erupts in your house? Usually in my house it's that hour before dinner - when I'm trying to fix dinner, someone is trying to finish up their homework and needing help - immediately, another one is practicing piano, hunger is setting in along with that comes a bit of grumpiness, and usually there is at least one phone call...at least one!

Then, finally we sit down to eat. With four children this can also mean that there is a bit of competition to be heard as we go around talking about our day. One interrupts, another gets frustrated because they were cut off.    My picky eater is shuffling food around on his plate and has to be reminded again and again that the food has to go on the fork and into the mouth. A bit more conversation ensues. Another reminder to eat the food, and another. Children who are finished waiting to be excused from the table, while one sibling is still thinking about eating.

Needless to say that I was feeling a bit stressed and drained by the time dinner had finished. Knowing that we were having Bible study at our house, I also knew that dishes had to be done, pronto! Bed time routines needed starting, and I hadn't had a chance to read the chapter of the book we were studying yet.
My lovely husband have me a 'time-out'! I was sent to my room to read and have a break.

Aleah instantly piped up with - 'Mummy, I'm going to make you a card while you are upstairs. I'm sorry we've made you tired!'

 When I came down (after fighting off sleep, and reading the chapter) this is what was waiting for me.

 Outside:  It reads...'To Mummy we all love you very much, from Aleah, Daddy, Levi, (Sam and Abby are there somewhere I think)

Inside: Levi, Aleah, Abigail, Sam














Things like this completely wipe away all stress and frustration, and God reminds me how much of a blessing my little ones are.