lately...

Well I've not been on top of the blog this past week or so, but basically I've been working hard to finish up the semester.  I have one more week of normal classes and assignments and then testing at the end of May.  After that is all said and done I begin working on my Master's project in June and will finish up the end of August.  After that who knows, but the tentative plan is to make a move stateside.  We're kinda thinking New York City would have the best options as far as jobs for the both of us..so we'll see!  It can be a bit overwhelming thinking of moving again and figuring out jobs in the SAME country for both Richy and I, but I know God will take care of us.  We just have to be open to his plan. Happy last week of may! :)

guilty but love good food.....?

The guilt I have over eating the lamb is consuming my mind!!! My Dad grew up on a farm in Iowa.  When we were younger and went for trips to the farm Leah and I would spend hours with the chicks and baby pigs.    

I think we went back for Thanksgiving one year and I asked my mom where the chicks were..

Her answer was "in the freezer" 

We also had pet rabbits growing up though and I've had rabbit for dinner too...(not our pets..at a fancy restaurant)

Bottle fed lambs....sure enjoyed my lamb dinner...

I draw the line with horses, dogs, cats...  only saying that cause i know these are on the menu in some countries not to far from Ireland..

Where do y'all draw the line...or what is the strangest thing you've ever eaten???

Irish Easter

Well meet my new baby..........We decided to bottle feed for obvious reasons! lol!  Seriously how cute are these little guys?  

I'm a natural I know I know! :)

"Bonding" with the Richy Mac!

A great ending to my great Easter Weekend

Poor little guys and girls were abandoned by their "real" mothers.....actually a blessing though cause they are now "pet" lambs and that keeps them from being someones dinner when they get way bigger.

Anyway after Mass we had a nice Sunday in Armagh/Madden.  We got to see friends and family that we hadn't seen in a while.  Mary Mac fixed us a fabulous Easter meal.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather and had a few drinks on the patio.  The next day we headed to Cavan to see Andrea and John's progress on their new home.  This is where the my little babies come into the story! John's family are sheep farmers and their house is on the farm.  It is lambing season so there were baby lambs everywhere!  

After a tour of the farm Andrea and John fixed us an amazing dinner, BUT I don't even have the heart to tell you what the main course was..................................  : (   

Visitor round two!

finally we drove through Belfast.  This wall keeps two neighborhoods completely separated....i've seen this now a few times either on the tour bus in Belfast or with Richy giving tours to visitors...it really is hard for me to wrap my mind around.  I drive Richy and I'm sure his family crazy asking questions about all the troubles in Northern Ireland, but it really is such a complex issue...that the questions will keep coming I'm sure.
nothing like climbing in castle ruins
attempt to get a group shot!
weather was so much nicer than the last time I was here with my parents and sister..

Giant's Causeway..it doesn't look it but we are on a mountain of these rocks..
at the giant's causeway...Cristin and I got stuck up on the rocks...kinda like climbing a tree and then you are too scared to get down! Exactly what happened to us..
Crossing is actually scary...obviously not for Richy though
Rope bridge..in Northern Ireland
surveillance camera!! too funny
love the ads.....
Don't love the beer....but it makes for a nice photo
a "session"
shaking it on the dance floor! ha!
With the bride to be Joan!
At the McCusker home getting ready for the "hen"night
Armagh cathedral
Dinner at Millers
a pint of beer...i mean cider..in temple bar!
love the smoking ban in Ireland..cept don't love on a pretty day sitting outside all you smell is smoke...notice women in background!

As I mentioned before Cristin Lane Glover Groce came to stay with us in Dublin.  We had a great 5 days.  She wasn't jet lagged really cause the flight was so short from Newark to Dublin so the minute she was off the plane away we went! We spent some time in Dublin shopping for art, seeing the sites, eating in fun restaurants, and hitting a few pubs.  We also worked in a "hen" party in Armagh for one of our friends.  What a night! We then spent our last day touring the north coast with a quick spin through Belfast on the way home!  By the end we all had bags under our eyes! It was so great to spend time in Ireland with Cristin!  It is always nice for my friends to see what I'm up too across the pond.

Cristin in Dublin

Well about a week after Jess and Brian left..Cristin arrived in Dublin!  I feel so spoiled lately with my visitors!  Anyway we had a great time messing around Dublin, attending a "hen party" in Armagh, and taking a day trip to the north coast!  I'm a little behind on school so once I get feeling better about that...up go the pictures! Sad to see her leave, but will always remember the fun we've had these last 5 days!