2 Today

Well I had gone to bed at 7pm as I was exhausted after a busy day of birthday celebrations. Typically it all was a bit too much for Ollie and the terrible twos looked like they were emerging from dawn – not a pretty sight! Between Ollie giving off the whole way round M&S and screaming as a friend brought him in a birthday cake while singing ‘Happy Birthday’! Cal nearly burning his lips trying to get close enough to blow out the candles and also being ‘a follower’ and flooding the bedroom of the boy we were visiting to make a sceletric work better – I was fit for nothing come bedtime for the kids!

I was woke up by Chris at 9.30pm and typically haven’t been able get back to sleep. Instead I have lifted my laptop and have started to reminise over the last year. I thought I would look at blogs for the first time in about 3 months – where has the time gone??? I miss Lilytodd and the days when Cal was at nursery.  I’ve said before I don’t like change and the thought of going back full time come January makes my tummy churn and my eyes well up – part of me screams ‘Why am I doing this ?!!!!”, and then the sensible part of me says calmly – “It’s only 6 months – chill out”, but I can feel the sense of panic welling up inside me as the time is imminent . What will I miss in those 6 months? Will Ollie love me less? I know it’s all silly but my heart is sore.

Back home

Well I’m sitting at midday with the kids still in their pjs, the house a mess and all my washing on the line soaking! I’m on the verge of either giving up and chilling for the day or doing a massive summer clean up – not sure which way I will sway but hey as long as no one calls in I’ll be fine!:-)

We’re just back from being up the North Coast in the caravan and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It’s not always easy, bedtimes, Cal taking a reggie along the promenade at Portstewart and the general hustle and bustle but it’s truly a wonderful way of life! I am so happy we took the step (or rather Chris took the step) in getting the caravan. I love sitting each day not worrying about what I should be doing round the house or starting to prepare for work. Family and friends, I have to say make it all the more special, new and old!

Last night Chris got his motorbike! It hadn’t worried me in the slightest until I saw him driving up the road in it. The funniest part was seeing my mum and dad reminiscing of their dating days sitting on the bike literally raring to go!

Morning post

As I sit here Cal is flicking through the Christian aid news magazine that has just come through the door. I can’t help but smile as he sings his own made-up song thanking God for the fact we live in Northern Ireland.

He’s looking at the photographs devastated at the thought of not having lots of clothes or food, and having to live in a hut. He is realising there are other children in the world who don’t have what he has. The idea of having rice every day for his stable diet makes him very thankful for what he has! I just hope I can continue to instill in him thankfulness as well as for myself.

Another chapter over

An end of a major chapter in Cal’s life today and mine as it was his last day at nursery. I was quite emotional for many reasons, but as I reflected on the last year I realised I am so thankful for many things. A few prominent ones would be that Callum had a very enjoyable year at nursery and that God answered my prayers by placing into my life two wonderful girls.

One in particular makes me believe in kindred spirits. It’s just unfortunate that times in our life change, people we meet and places we go. I’ve already started praying for what the next year may hold, I just hope it’s as good as this year has been.

22nd June

A typical Sunday, church then the in-laws for lunch. A relaxing day but I’m dreading the next 3 days, really trying not to think of it. It really doesn’t seem possible I’ll get everything done that I need to in such a tight time frame. Roll on holidays:-)

mums and daughters

Today I spent a wonderful day with my mum for her 50th birthday. As we had lunch together and searched the exquisite shops on the Lisburn Road for a mother of the groom outfit, we reminisced over the last 28 years. As we chatted, mum talked of living in Belfast in her student days as a nurse and living her first few years of marriage not far from the Lisburn Rd. She recalled doing her messages with me in the pram, and talked of how people would always stop to look and admire her wee baby girl. I’m so thankful my relationship has continued to grow with my mum, she truly is a best friend none the less a wonderful mummy. I’m also grateful for the fact my two little boys reap the benefits for having her as a nana – they are very blessed.

Sunday/Monday

A lovely day spent at mums with all the family together for a barbi.

Let’s Party!!

Well last night it was LT’s birthday party, as many of you know. It was like entering blogsville and catching a glimpse further into who everyone is. I had so much fun! It was lovely to let my hair down and have a great laugh – my tummy was actually sore from laughing some of the time – not much beats that feeling. I met some lovely people, some which I’d heard a lot about! It was lovely to put faces to the names. I was a bit disappointed some weren’t able to make it – but that just gives an excuse for another party in the not so distant future!

Today was magic waking up and …silence. A lie in and a trip to Papa Browns was greatly appreciated – a gorgeous fry was a perfect ending to a night off mummy-hood! Mind you greeting the kids at mums makes you realise how worthwhile it all is. However, it is true that sometimes a night off helps you appreciate it that bit more. Why Ollie always lies in at mums I will never know – what can be her secret??

Ice-cream

Today Callum was in great form after not being well recently with sore ears etc and Chris got home early as he was on a course. We headed off with Cal’s bike and Ollie on the reins for the first time, trying to make it fun by pretending he was a horsey. The kids had a ball doing burleys until they were dizzy including us! Then it was off to Mauds for a yummy ice-cream – lush! A lovely afternoon.

Keeping score

Tonight we were following on with John Ortberg’s book ‘It all goes back in the box’. We were talking about the difference of how God keeps score of what we do in our lives in comparison on how we keep score of our lifes in relation to our achievements, money and status. I always feel it challenges me, and makes me more content with my life and what I have when we discuss these topics.