Settling into a rhythm

Pattersons at Portobello

Kirk and I have come to the realization that even though we missed each other terribly while we were apart, we still have to adjust to the patterns that we both established seperately during this past month. He had days that were baby free and could focus on his work for as long as possible, and I had every one of Micah's grandparents to lean on daily. So, we are here now, and it is a beautiful thing- it is just taking some time to figure out our "roles" (I don't really like that word, because it doesn't usually attach itself to grace) as I stay with Micah through the day and Kirk is at school. I am also noticing that God has a purpose beyond school for us to be here. We are being refined and drawn closer to Him and each other on a regular basis. We are consistently evaluating our motives and our focus to ensure that neither one of us operate with an independent heart. It's a weird balancing act that cannot be attempted outside of God's spirit, because in an effort to work in step with Kirk and his busy school schedule, I have to be mindful of my tendency to be too dependent (on him) for affirmation and attention. Like I said, without grace, this would be like shoving elephants into a straw!
Our focus this week is to simply enjoy being together, being completely honest (which I admit is a toughy), and settling in without unrealistic expectations of ourselves and each other. Thank you, Jesus for guiding this process!

The adventures continue as we explore Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Yesterday, Micah and I traveled into the city centre and enjoyed the national gallery, library and museum. It was a FULL day, but since she is so portable, I'm milking it (and she is milking me...Kirk's addition to the blog)!

Today, the three of us walked about 2 miles down the road to Portobello Beach, which reminds me quite a bit of Hampton Beach, NH, where my mom grew up. They have a nice promenade, which was quite entertaining due to the witty banter between locals and their families :) gotta love the Scottish sense of humor!  There are art shops, coffee shops, and attractions for all ages, so this will probably be a frequent stop for us.

At the beach, we were excited to see that there is a Scottish equivalent to a New England favorite-the cider donut, and we tried it as we set beside the beach. They serve these little "crumbs" with Nutella as a dip- super yummy!

It was such a great family day, and I'm pumped to have more of them!

Daddy/Daughter love

Cider donuts and Nutella dip