I'm sorry if this is question has already been answered already. It is entirely possible my google fu isn't strong.

What is the protocol with bitcoin transfers (specifically concerning the bitcoins involved in a transaction) when the client/reciever software isn't running. I've had a few coins sent to me over the past few days in 6 or so transactions but my client hasn't been connected to the network because of internet connectivity issues at the time these were sent. I've since reconnected and my client has been running for a few hours now but the transactions still haven't been registered at my end. Two questions, is this normal and should I be doing anything and also are these bitcoins now lost to me?

Regards, Peter