Busy, Busy, Busy

Again I am down to the last day of the month, procrastination always gets the BEST of me. This month has flown by. Well we have been busy this month and it's going to keep getting busier.

We started the month with basketball tournaments and the boys did so good. They only won a few games but we were all very proud with their progress. Most of the boys have not played but they all did very good and I know next year it will be even better. Jordan did not play at the tournaments because she was not able to attend to all of the practices due to math tutoring. She did had fun at the practices she attend on Mondays. Now since basketball is over Jordan has started dance on Wednesday after math tutoring and guitar lessons on Tuesday's. She also has choir on Friday's as they are getting ready for AMIS choir in Luxembourg. Christian is still attending fitness club on Tuesday's and Thursday's and starting this Friday he will start rugby. Yippeee! We have been waiting 7 months for this. He still has violin lessons on Saturday and they will both start extra math tutoring on Saturday's. Along with all that Jordan is switching classes, she is needing extra help. We had her tested last month and I meet with the Dr. this week to find out what we need to do to help her more.

I am also excited to say that I will be board member of the American Women Association doing hospitality. I also got a call the weekend before last asking me if I would be the middle school representative and board member for the PTO (rather than a room mom). After talking with Vince I decided to go for it! I am still a bit nervous because of all the responsibility of both and the school always has so much going on, but I know I can do it! I love being a part of the school and making women feel welcome when the move to Aberdeen will be my cup of tea..lol Let the FUN Begin, wait that's my lie already.

Last but not least a few pictures for our adventures and my new camera from my wonderful hubby and a few things from my new friends. Thanks Hannah and Linda.

My favorite things in Aberdeen

Well this year I told myself, I will write in my blog at least once a month.. Today is the last day of January and I have tons to do so I thought I would write about some of my favorite things that I have discovered here in Aberdeen.Lets start with places to eat. The place we eat most when we do go eat is Little Italy. It is right down the street and they have great pasta a wonderful prices (plus the cook with wine). On Friday and Saturday they have a lot of hen parties and the girls dance on the table which is so fun to watch. Everyone in the restraunt gets involved and before you know it everyone is on a table :)
http://www.littleitalyaberdeen.co.uk/

As far as fast food they have a few American places like KFC & Mc Donalds but we love fish. The Ashvale is great and then there are a few Chinesse food places here and there we have not had bad luck with Chineese yet. We do not eat out much because I just think my cooking is better. They do not season stuff much here and I LOVE to cook.

Here are some random things I really like.
Twinings earl grey tea
Digestive biscuits (cookies as we call them) for dipping in coffee
Options hot chocolate (brownie my fav)
Huntley Herbs - Strathbogie Sizzler Chutney (great on a croissan wich with sun dried tomatoes, cucumber, a good cheese, and turkey)
Balsamic & Honey dressing by Ola Oil
Black Currant fruit spread by Tiptree
The Hammerton Store - http://www.hammertonstore.co.uk/
where I buy Oakwood Irish Smoke Cheddar Cheese, Huntley Herb Chutney & sundriend tomatoes, Kelly of Cults muffins (english muffins), milk bread, croissants and pancakes. The Kelly of Cults store is about 2 miles from here and they have tons of great bread and meat.
I also like Dobbies for salad dressings, breads and cakes (it is a garden center)

I am not big on shopping here as the styles are so different. Mark and Spencers would be like our Target. It has a bit less and cost more but the food is great and you can by good undies and bras there..lol
Lakeland (American Williams - Sonoma)
Dillars (Debenhams)

I almost forgot the most inportant BEER
Innis and Gunn Original & Desperados

I will update this as I find more....

Living in another country

I keep tell myself I am going to write stuff down and I just keep putting it off. Yes, I am a BIG on procrastinating. Lets start before the big move. We found out in March that there was an opportunity opening for my husband to take a new position in another country. He has been working in Aberdeen, Scotland since January 2010. So the fact that we would be able to be together more and explore a new country really sparked our attention. We went back and fourth with the pros and cons and talked to our family. Then we accepted the offer.
Time went by so fast the months to follow. Our plan was to leave by June 1st but that did not happen. For a couple of years we had discussed changing the kids last name to "Rivera." Well we finally took the time and spoke to a attorney. What better time as to start in a new country and no confusion. This took a little longer than expected so we ended staying in Houston until everything was official. A new beginning all around! Of coarse we did have so bumps the last 2 weeks from forgetting to sign our names on our Visa paperwork to finding out we had to much stuff packed to go over seas. IF MOVING BE SURE YOU ASK QUESTIONS.... A good one is how much stuff can we take. We had 1,300 pounds worth of stuff we wanted to take and found out after it was packed that we could take only 600 pounds and the crate it all goes in weighs so much..Needless to say I think we will have some clothes, shoes, guitars and an xbox.
Moving forward. We have now been in Scotland for over a week. Vince has been busy at work so the kids and I have been exploring. We have walked, shopped, ate, got lost, taken lots of pictures and just been soaking it all in. Over the weekend we all went to the Chinese Circus. It was something I recommend it for anyone who has the opportunity. No animals just people doing amazing performances.