30 Weeks

In less than 10 weeks, we'll meet our little girl. Even though that's not much time, much will take place before she arrives. On Tuesday, we turned in the keys to our flat and enjoyed our sea view for the last time. We are currently living with generous friends while we wait for Garrick to defend his thesis on the 14th of April. Then, we move to Germany. So, the birth seems ages away, even though it's very soon.

I'm feeling okay. By 8 o'clock, I usually like be be horizontal due to my sore back. My favourite part of pregnancy is feeling each and every wiggle, kick, and somersault. It's even better when Garrick's hand is pressed to my belly during these moments. I've learned that pregnancy is filled with highs and lows, like most life experiences. But, even during the lows, this life inside of me is growing, healthy, and a precious gift from God. Garrick's sense of humour keeps me laughing (most of the time) and makes the days pass quickly.

Our daughter has a name: Eloise Harper. Referring to her by her name has helped each of us feel bonded with her. We have a one-line a day memory book that we're writing in to capture this unique season. Garrick thinks we're cool parents already, but I'll leave that up to her to decide. Soon, her nursery will be underway at our flat in Germany. She already has quite the wardrobe and lots of books to read thanks to our lovely friends and family. Introducing her to her grandparents will be very special, and both sets are coming to Germany soon after her birth!

That's all for now. More to come soon.

(A friend in St Andrews took these photos of us last weekend in front of our flat. Thanks, Kate!)

February Update

We have 45 sleeps until we drive to Germany. Our Bucket List is keeping us grounded as we prepare for the big changes ahead. And today, I added and completed another thing: breakfast at Balgove followed by a manicure with Liana! (Thanks, Garrick, for this thoughtful Valentine's gift.) There's lots to cover, so we'll just get started.

Pregnancy

I'm in my 26th week and now require at least 6 pillows to sleep at night. Our baby girl is most active in the afternoon and evening, and we watch in awe as my stomach moves and bounces. We have a name, which I'm sure we'll share here soon. Last weekend, my lovely friends planned shower for me, and I'm still overwhelmed at the kindness of the community here. Liana, Elissa, and Rachel made a delicious brunch that had everyone going back for thirds. (Thanks to Kate Sherrard for the photos!)

The Thesis

Garrick printed out a copy of his entire thesis and is reading through it one last time. After a short trip to Birmingham for a conference early this week, he plans to submit Thursday or Friday. Much celebrating will be required, and an entire blog post will be devoted to that momentous occasion!

Admissions

Monday marks three weeks until my last day. This job has been one of my favourite things about living in Scotland. The role suits me, and I get to work with wonderful people. Higher Education is a challenging and exciting environment, and I hope to continue to do this type of work in the future. It won't be too hard considering Garrick's chosen profession.

The Move

With just 31 days until we need to be out of our flat, I've planned a moving event for the end of March. We've found a new home for most items, and the rest will go to a charity shop. After we move out, we'll stay with Jesse and Liana for the remaining two weeks before Garrick defends his thesis on 14 April. We are grateful for this blessing of housing! Then, we'll be Germany bound. Our current plan is to drive to Dover, England, take the 30 minute ferry to Calais, France, and then drive to our new home, Wuppertal. It will be an adventure, and there will be several bathroom stops along the way.

So, how are we doing?

Some days we feel excited and grateful for the upcoming changes: moving to a new country, a new job, and baby due in June. Other days, we wonder if we're slightly insane. Having gone through an international move once before, we feel like we have a good grasp on what to expect. There will be tears, fights in Ikea, and doubts about our new life. But, there will also be a sausage stand in the town centre, new friends, beautiful places to explore, and the birth of our first child.

Moving to Scotland has been the best decision we've ever made. I have loved living here, and leaving is really hard. But, I know I will likely feel similarly when it comes time to leave Germany. For those who are curious, yes, we do hope to get back to the Pacific Northwest someday, we just don't know when that will be. I am sure of two things. God is faithful, and home is wherever I am with Garrick Allen.

It's a...

GIRL!

On Thursday, we took a half day and road the bus up to Ninewells Hospital for our 20 week scan. The technician laughed when she saw the position of our baby: she had her feet by her head and was spinning in circles. With big smiles and teary eyes, we watched blood flow in and out of her heart and identified all ten fingers and ten toes. Everything is progressing normally, and at the very end, the technician confidently told us we're going to have a daughter! After our appointment, we bought her some new outfits and then came home to Skype our families, followed by fish & chips for dinner. It was a lovely day, indeed.

Scotland Bucket List

Garrick and I woke up on 1 January and thought, "Here we go!" Our move to Germany is just three months away. We're getting excited about this next chapter, but are also sad to leave St Andrews and want to say goodbye well. Transition is messy and comes with lots of ups and downs, so I hope this list can add some structure and happy memories to our time of packing and preparing. Garrick will buy a car on his next trip to Wuppertal at the end of January and drive it back to St Andrews, so we'll be able to travel more easily. Here is our bucket list for our remaining time here:

Crail Pottery: Garrick has wanted a custom pottery mug since we moved here, and this is the place to go. Crail is also in the beautiful East Neuk and home to lots of sea glass filled beaches. (Completed 17/01/15.)

The Cocoa Tree: We've been here several times, but is there such a thing as too much chocolate? Also, their bean and chorizo soup is our favourite. (Completed 17/01/15.)

Isle of Skye: We visited here with Garrick's family during our first year, but we'd like to see the Fairy Pools. We have plans to go with friends around March.

Beach walks: The West Sands, Castle Sands, and East Sands are all gorgeous beaches in walking distance of our flat. I'd like to go at least once a week to one of these places.

Balgove: Hands down, the best breakfast in St Andrews. It's also a nice walk to get there on a Saturday morning. (Completed 10/01/15, but I'd like to go again.)

Edinburgh: We've gone on several day trips to this city, but I've yet to hike Arthur's Seat. I'd also like to visit our friends Will and Jackie one more time.

The Peat Inn: This is a beautiful 5-start Scottish restaurant near St Andrews. Garrick is taking me here for my birthday in February!

Burns' Night: On the 25th of January, we celebrate poet Robert Burns and eat haggis, neeps, and tatties. I think we have two celebrations on the calendar this year.

Jacobite Train: This 84-mile scenic railway journey takes you from Ben Nevis, this highest peak in Scotland, and ends at the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. I'm not confident we'll have time for this, but I'd love to make an effort.

The Grange Inn: This is a 17th century farmhouse near St Andrews that serves Scottish food. We're going in early February with friends.

Tartan: I have a tartan throw, but I'd love to get a few other items before leaving Scotland. Our friend Chris recommended this site: http://anta.co.uk/.

Fish and Chips: Enough said.

Bonfires: Our Christmas tree is currently drying out in our back courtyard so we can light it down at the beach for a bonfire. Once it's a wee bit warmer, we'll be ready!

Castles: Our Historic Scotland passes proved the perfect way to see Scotland during our first two years here, but there are still a few more castles I'd like to see, namely Glamis, Kellie, and Balmoral.

Photographs: I need to get out and photograph our favourite places in St Andrews. Because we live here, I forget the charm of this cobble-stoned town.

Time with friends: In this case, this one is last, but definitely not least. In fact, it's the most important one of all! This community of people is so special to us. Garrick's viva date is set for mid-April, and as our lease runs out at the end of March, we'll get to stay with our good friends Jesse and Liana. I'm so grateful for this time with them before we leave and for their generosity.

Loch Fyne

A major perk of working for the University is that we have a full week off for Christmas and New Years. I've met some wonderful friends through work, so we all decided to rent a cottage together on Loch Fyne over the break. After many planning meetings and messages, we found a perfect place, organised food, and coordinated transportation. We even managed to go grocery shopping with all seven of us. On our first morning there, we went for a long walk on the icy trail near our cottage. 

Most mornings, we woke around 9:30am and turned on the kettle for tea and coffee. We spent three days working on a jigsaw puzzle, watched movies, knitted, and truly r e l a x e d.

Loch Fyne is famous for the best oysters in Scotland, so we visited the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar for lunch. The group ordered a plate of crispy oysters, and Garrick and I shared a plate of crab claws before our mains arrived. I had the Salmon and Cod Burger, and Garrick, the Hand Dived Scallops. This was one of the best meals I've had in Scotland, and would highly recommend a visit.

After lunch, the sun was setting (oh, Scotland), and I snapped this photo of the loch.

For Hogmanay, we stayed at our cottage for a game and curry night. I made naan breads and the rest of the group each made a delicious curry. On New Years Day, we went to dinner and a ceilidh at The George Hotel in Inveraray. Garrick and I partnered with our friends to learn the dances, and came back together for Strip the Willow at the end. At one point, Garrick missed a step and a member of the band said, "Pay attention!" in the mic. I couldn't stop laughing.

Garrick reminded me that next year we will be making new memories in Germany over the holidays. I am so grateful for our time in Scotland, and I know it's a blessing that we're so sad to leave. The night ended with a live piper, and then we were off to our beds.

We love these people: (left to right) Sam, Ken, Jane, Nicole, Robbie, and us. Happy New Year! 2015 is a big year for the Allens with another international move around the corner. Stay tuned.

A St Andrews Christmas

This year, we enjoyed our first Christmas in St Andrews since moving here nearly four years ago. On Christmas Eve, I went in to work for a half day, and then came home to make toffee, iced oatmeal cookies, and overnight cinnamon rolls. Midway through the sugar-fest, we took advantage of the sun and my new tripod (thanks, Garrick!) and spent a few hours wandering around the cathedral.

That evening, the Brewers hosted us along with three other couples for drinks and appetizers. Time spent in their living room is always fun! As usual, Rachel's decorations were very festive. Their boys each opened a new pair of pajamas and we all participated in their advent reading. 

On Christmas morning, Garrick organised our presents into piles while I prepared breakfast. Some gift highlights were a new pair of slippers for me, and plaid pajama pants for Garrick. We bundled up and walked to the harbor, hearing many "Merry Christmas!" greetings along the way.

The Nickels hosted us for Christmas dinner along with other dear friends (group photo will be added soon). Liana took care of the turkey, and the guests brought the sides. We did a gift exchange, relaxed, and ended the night with cookies and Catch Phrase. Garrick and I stayed over and woke up to warm croissants and coffee. We'll be over again soon!

Although we weren't in Washington with our families this year, Garrick and I made it a special Christmas. He is my family, and I couldn't be more grateful.

I'll close with one of my favourite verses, Isaiah 6:9: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

GERMANY

It is finally time to talk about our next adventure: we're moving to Germany on 1st April 2015!

We've been making plans, changing them, and changing them again since we first heard the news in early August. Now we have a place to live, dates, and a good grasp on what our life will look like. 

Garrick was offered a three year research post at the Kirchliche Hochschule (Ki-Ho for short), a university associated with the protestant church in Wuppertal, Germany, beginning 1st October of this year. As this would have been far too soon for us to say goodbye to St Andrews and for me to learn German, we requested a later move date. We need to be there for 1st April as the funding body requires, and until then Garrick will continue working from abroad. 

There are six Biblical scholars on the project  and they will create a new critical edition of the Greek text of Revelation. Garrick will read manuscripts, translate manuscripts into English, manage the student helpers, and possibly teach Hebrew and Greek (in German!). The post goes until September 2017. 

Wuppertal is in Western Germany near Dusseldorf. Spend two hours on a train, and you can be in Amsterdam, Brussels, or even Paris. It has a suspended railway that cuts the city in half and has a population of 350,000. It was mostly destroyed after the war, and has since been rebuilt. It's fairly industrial, but has lots of green space and amenities. I've visited once, Garrick twice. The people have been friendly and welcoming, and it's good to picture ourselves there. When we moved to Scotland, we got on a plane having never seen our new town!

We've been blessed to meet Moritz, a current MLitt student, and his wife Kim, who are from Wuppertal. They have given us lots of information and will even be moving back to the area in June, two months after we move! They are wonderful friends here and will continue to be in Germany. 

Transition isn't easy. We love our life and friends in St Andrews. A woman came to look at our flat this week and after she left, I cried. This season has been one of the best in our lives and in our marriage. We've lived in Scotland longer than the US since marrying in 2008. But, we can't stay forever; our visas tell us that. And soon our friends will start leaving, and we've already said goodbye to several others. I still remember thinking during our first year here that leaving was a long way off. Time flew!

It's great to have an answer to the question of "Where will we go after St Andrews?" Plus, GARRICK HAS A JOB! We still have hopes of settling in the Seattle area (or anywhere on the West Coast) after Germany. This research post will likely make that goal more achievable. If all goes according to plan, Garrick will graduate in June 2015 and officially be Dr Allen, although I'll never call him that. :) 

So, the over the next few months, you'll find us at the beaches in St Andrews, reading in our favourite coffee shops, and most importantly, spending time with our cherished friends. Oh, and I'll be learning German with the help of Rosetta Stone and our German friends. Upon arriving in Wuppertal, I plan to enroll in an all-day German immersion course at a local university. At this point I can say most colours, numbers, and body parts. I have a long way to go!

Thanks for reading. As always, we give thanks to God for his provision and guidance. 

Here is the Schwebebahn (the suspended train) that we'll be riding very soon!