Party of 5

Kinect, A&E and they are not related!!!!!!

2012-02-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

So, it is half term and so far we have been to A&E once and it is only tuesday!

Yesterday, Jaime swallowed a magnet! Mmmm, I know! It took alot to get her to admit she swallowed it though, basically she kept playing jokes on me, this went on for an hour or so, so much so that in the end I had no idea whether she was joking or not! I had to scare her into telling me. (not my proudest parenting moment) Anyway, we shot off to A&E after looking it up on NHS direct, had an Xray which all the kids got to have a look at and thought was brilliant. It was already in her stomach so we were sent home to just let it come out naturally! The joy of parenting!

Last night, we woke to Millie barking like a seal....croup had returned, again, the joy of parenting! She is fine today quite croaky but hopefully we are in for a quiet night tonight.

Going back in time though, we had a fab weekend. We got a Xbox Kinect......my girlfriends from school all gave me vouchers for my 40th, with the idea that it could be towards a Kinect for the family. We got it this weekend and it is a blast, I love it, Bill is playing it right now and the kids love it. I do have to limit them though as they get a little crazy after a while, taking turns is so hard! But it is a great thing that we can actually all do together! I NEVER thought I would say that about a computer game but there you go!

The rest of half term I am hoping is going to be less eventful and hopefully we might even get a bit of sunshine!!! If we do I'm heading to the coast with the kids for a bit of a winter walk xx
x

A non valentine Valentine

2012-02-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

The snow has gone and it is back to being grey and miserable! February is always so hard! It is Valentines Day and I am blogging and Bill is playing on the Kinect (more about that later), we don't really do Valentines. Mainly because of the money, but also, Nov is our anniversary, Dec is Christmas and January is both our birthdays!! Could it get more expensive! Luckily our children were born in the summer months! But also it is just that we don't feel the need for a day to express our 'love' for each other. Every so often Bill will come home with a bunch of flowers, or some other token and I will take that over a double the price bunch of red roses any day..BTW yellow roses are my fav, red is so cliche! He makes me laugh, he gives the best hugs, he is a great dad, he works his butt off providing for our family allowing me to stay at home with our children, he loves my family, he is fab at quizzes (I can't answer anything), he loves playing games, he is loyal and passionate and he is a man of God. For me, I couldn't ask for more. Little did I know that when I went to nanny for a friend I would meet the man I was going to marry...He had me at Hello!

Happy Valentine babe
xx

Snow day xx

2012-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Meet our snowman

Jaime off walking in the snow

Beautiful trees with so much snow

The view outside our front door

Cute kids and snowman

Cute snow girl

Her impression of a snowman

Cute pic I took friday night on my phone x

40th Celebrations! - Post long overdue

2012-02-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I am now officially 40!!

Celebrations started on Friday as my sister arrived from Cornwall...We had my whole family here for the weekend (minus Kenny). Saturday morning I escaped the house early and went for a run....I know, can you believe it...my choice too. I had a fab one, 4 miles on my own just with my Ipod..fantastic. 11am, the hairdressers. I had planned on just having my hair dried straight, it is naturally frizzy/curly so always a treat to have done nicely. My lovely hairdresser said def not, I need to have an up do and she was right. I had an Audrey Hepburnesque bun, with gorgeous curls at the back. I felt soooo glamourous, I've never had such a gorgeous up do, I even did my own hair for my wedding! When I went to pay, Debbie informed me the birthday hair fairy had already been in to pay!! That made me cry as she told me it wasn't any of my family, infact, she didn't know who it was! Once I got home, it was to a bit of a mess. Our new Ikea sofa had arrived.....nothing like pressure...2 hours later it was up and ready to go and I love it, it makes our room so much more liveable esp when mum and dad are here. Bill went off at 4 to help decorate the bar, while we all hung out at home. The party was brilliant. I've never had a party before and we had chosen the local bar round the corner from us which is owned by a family at our school. I was spoilt rotten by everyone. The bar outdid itself catering for us, my friends and family treated me like a princess and I had soooo much fun!! There were about 60 of us in total, friends from church, school, neighbours and family, it was wonderful having all the important people in my life in one space coming together....I would thoroughly recommend it!!!!! I even bought a new dress!!

Sunday saw Bill going to church with the kids, the rest of us getting showered and ready to go out for lunch at our fav restaurant Rendezvous..again fab as all of us together.....we spent the rest of the day chilling together watching a movie. Clare left early monday morning, everyone else got up early to wish me Happy Birthday and I got to open all my amazing cards and pressies. Let me tell you, I was truly blessed xxx I then spent the day meeting some girlfriends for coffee then having lunch with some other girlfriends and mum and dad. I had a wonderful day The turn around is quick though because it is Bill's birthday 2 days later and mum and dad kindly babysat for us so we went out to eat with friends to a local sushi restaurtant. We have been wanting to go there for ages as I am a sushi virgin. The friends we went with go there every week on saturdays for lunch so they knew what to order. It was amazing, we had a fantastic meal with amazing food and great company.

Mum and dad left the following day and life is slowly resuming back to normal, you've probably already read the post before this so you know where I stand there!!

Transition!

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have a post on my birthday hanging around but I just haven't had the time to download the pix etc etc etc...excuses I know.

The reason mainly is because I have lost all focus!   I have finally realised/admitted that I have really struggled with the girls going to school full time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that they are getting on really well, they adore their respective teachers, they are happy going into and coming out of school and they are well rounded gorgeous children. I was so ready for them to go too. In the UK, children go to school the September term after they turn 4, William is a July birthday so he went to school 2 months after his 4th birthday, the girls on the other hand are Sept 11th, a week after term starts so they stayed home for a whole year longer than him. I had them home for effectively 5 years. As many of you know, I struggled for at least the first 3 years of their lives with postnatal/postpartum depression but I have overcome that, it took a while but I am there.

I had no idea that I would feel like this. I had plans, lists, the house was finally going to get tidied, washed, scrubbed after years of only surface cleaning. Paint was going to be touched up. I was going to focus on and grow my business BUT, I have no focus! It is hard. I come home and float around. I feel I don't have an identitiy. I don't know where I want to be, what I want to do, it's hard. FB, sitting not actually doing anything, doing small jobs but not actually achieving anything happens alot. Dec and Jan have been wiped with mum and dad being here, stuff gets done but we also hang out and I love it.  They don't live locally so when they are here I'm not going to just go off and do jobs! It's hard.

Anyway, after finally admitting this out loud (I have to do this, otherwise I don't admit it) I am starting over. You know what, I have craved time for myself to properly catch up with friends...without being pulled on by a child, to go to the gym and then do, just stuff....I am letting myself do this in the hope that I will move on and get it out of my system. I am not putting any pressure on myself with lists, goals or anything else I have to achieve. I am trying to be happy with what I am doing/feeling/being right now..not what I could be, or what other people want/expect me to be. I am going to say No, I am going to say Yes, I might even say Maybe, but I will only say any of these things if it is right for me. I have been a full time mum for 8 years (yep remember I got fired at 15weeks pregnant with William). I haven't been ME for that long in any long term capacity. I have lots of different friends that I want to get to know and friendships that I want to maintain too!

Watch this space, it could all change in a week but right now this is how I am feeling, right here, right now. I have always and do always try to be honest here. It helps me realize what is going on and I hope if anyone out there still reads this it helps them to realise that we don't feel like this alone.   It took me a LONG time to realise this family raising business is hard. I pray for me and my family that we can find a happy place where we are all fulfilled and settled.
xxxxx

Random updates!

2012-01-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hey all, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to here! Below is a very small taste of what we have been up to. Please excuse the quality of the pictures, the ones that are fuzzy are from our crappy camera which I think I may just throw away and the others are from my phone!! But it at least gives you a rough idea of what I've been up too recently....

This first pic is just classic excitement of Christmas with the kids.....I love it xx

Before Christmas we went for a weekend to Sue and Jims and had a fab walk...we are so lucky to have these guys in our lives. x

I went to Paris!!!! Amazing!

I've been working alot over Christmas, kind of a given for a greeting card seller huh!! I really enjoy it and am just working out where to go next with it

More Paris xx

This was our secret santa, pink champagne, pressies all at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower!!!

I want this picture/art installation....just beautiful...I took this picture through a window, can you imagine what it would look like in real life!!

Anyway, that is a small snippet! I am turning 40 in a few weeks so am finding that a bit odd, we are actually having a bit of a party at the local pub. I've never actually had a party before, I didn't have a wedding shower but I did have a baby shower for the twins....so this is going to be odd....can't decide if I am happy about turning 40 or not!!!!!!

Paris!!!

2011-11-30T03:19:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Paris tomorrow so watch out for pix next week. I am so excited. A weekend with my sister, no children till Sunday and fun. Praying Bill and the kids have a peaceful weekend here, I am sure they will. Our church is hosting a lunch on Sunday which I have bought tickets for and he is going into the girls classes on Friday to talk about Thanksgiving.

Clare is already on the train up here from Penzance, so all is good.

Abientot!!
x

So it continues.........

2011-11-26T01:14:00.000-08:00

So, I'm still on my Dukan journey...well, as much as I can be anyway.

I've lost another 1lb, which totals 10 so far. I didn't do it at all while my moomin was here and it has been a bit of challenge getting back to it.. I was talking with my diet buddy and we were looking ahead at Christmas and how it is going to be so hard with all the things we have got coming up and I've decided to do Dukan as much as I can during the week when nothing is going on. The main problem I, well we, have with it, is that mostly it is meat which is fine and alot of it is cold. With winter closing in that just doesn't cut it. I am changing my lunches to low cal soups as well as lots of protein to hopefully stop me reaching out for carbs.....

The past week or so has been busy with Phoenix events which have all been great and I'm really enjoying doing more of them..I've got my plans set for next year which is good. I've been Curving too, which I know is helping with toning me up. I put on an outfit I haven't worn in a while and it felt good as it fitted much better than the last time I wore it. I figure slow but steady......xx

The weather here has been really weird...this time last year we were in snow, this year it's still 10 deg most days! Cannot get my head round it at all and am just waiting for the cold weather to arrive. It is typical I actually bought the children snow boots too!

School is kicking up into the next gear till the Christmas with kids nativity plays and performances and consultations and school fairs.....they are going to be exhausted by the time the holidays hit but I really love this time of year. So far, the girls have shared all the songs they are going to be singing and I have to say they are sooooo cute xx

Not much else is happening with us, Bill work, me kids, kids school......what a life huh! But you know what, I wouldn't swap it for the world....ESPECIALLY as I get to go to Paris next week with my sister...it is my 40th birthday present from her...how blessed am I....actually can't contain my excitement, can you tell xxx Worth turning 40 for I say xx
Till next time xxxx

A little bit of moomin

2011-11-17T05:37:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago I was on the phone to my mum saying that Bill was going away for nearly a week with work and man, I was busy with Phoenix.....did she fancy coming to stay and give me a hand.......

Nothing unusual with that for most people I should imagine EXCEPT, my mum is petrified of flying! I would never have expected her to come and only really said it in jest. I went on with my day, kids school run, Curves, errands then came home about lunch time to listen to 2 messages saying give her a call.....I did....and she asked me to pick her up at the airport the next evening!!!!! I was beyond excited and so pleased for her. Well, 2 weeks has passed, way to quickly and she is now back in France.....having flown home by herself! I am so proud of her for doing this and really, really hope that she now knows in her heart that she can do it again, she may hate it but she knows it is now possible. It was sooo lovely having her here, it made the week Bill was away doable, I really didn't want to have to turn work down and knowing the kids were with her was so much nicer and easier than having to land them with my very kind friends. Also, we got to do lots of Christmas shopping and coffee and breakfasts out, which has just been lovely.

I love you moomin and can't wait for you to come again. Again, I am sooo proud of you and Thank you xxxxx

Wow, it been ages!

2011-11-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

I was doing so well for a while, wasn't I!!!

Been so busy for the last couple of weeks. So much been going on. Work has been awesome, I've set up a FB page for it, done lots of parties and got a big fair this weekend. Still looking for traders, esp overseas if anyone reading this is interested in joining me. Bill is away this week in Brussels with work and I asked my mum to come to England to help as I was really busy. Now anyone reading this who knows my mum will wonder how on earth that would happen as she doesn't fly!!! Well, she is happily ensconsed beside my cross stitching!!!! She flew. I am soooo proud of her and it is so lovely having her as company and back up for the kids while Bill away and I am working. It is typical that my busiest week is the one when Bill is away!

Still doing the Dukan and curving, so far lost 9lbs and 10 inches all over. Getting bored of Dukan so am going to adapt it a bit, by just cutting out the carb part but still doing it. Really hoping I can loose a bit more before Paris xxxx

xx

Wedding Days - part 2

2011-11-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd post some wedding pix as they take me back to this time 15 years ago!!!!

I know we look young and comments on FB have reminded me of that but we were that young!!!

Enjoy, I've certainly enjoyed looking at them again x

Doing the deed!

Our Wedding party x

With my mum and dad

With my new in laws

Me!

Bill and his best man, Tom

Can't remember what he was saying but I seem happy

Me and my dad!

Our gorgeous cake x

Bill and I x

Wedding Days!

2011-11-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

15 years ago tomorrow, Bill and I got married!

I absolutely adore him....even when we get snippy with each other :-) and cannot imagine life without him! We got married quickly, there was no mucking around for us. We started dating in January '96, got engaged in July and then married in Nov. I knew!

We don't go in for gift buying as we never have any money spare as it is so close to Christmas! Today though was different! Bill came home from work early, nothing weird there and gave me these:

And then he gave me this:

They are absolutely gorgeous and sit so beautifully. I don't think I have had such stunning jewellery ever! They could be used on a wedding day!
Thank you gorgeous, I love you more now than I did then and I am blessed to have such a loving, wonderful husband and father to our children xxxx

BTW, the reason I got them today rather than tomorrow is because he gets up earlier than the kids and wanted them to see me open them....xx bless xx

Oh and I am wearing them right now!
x

Half Term madness!!

2011-11-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful half term. Here's a quick rundown and then some pix
Saturday - Haircuts for all the kids - they hadn't been done since before the summer!
Sunday - Church and movie day
Monday - spent day with gorg friend Caro and her family
Tuesday - Bill and William went to Museum of London to check out Roman stuff and girlies had a birthday party
Weds - Cornwall till Saturday night - see pix
Sunday - Church and Twins club Autumn fancy dress party

All the above was lovely, we are suitably tired and I for one was ready for the kids to go back to school just for a break but it was so wonderful spending time as a family and hanging out with Clare and Kenny too. Weds was the drive down and a lovely walk to park and seafront, Thursday it was raining so we got to see Cars 2, Friday we went to the beach with my cousin and his family which are what the pix are off, I couldn't post anymore as they were all of naked children, it was that warm....freaky and Saturday was swimming!! then drive home!
x

Dukan update

2011-11-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Half term was wonderful, pictures in another post......

Dukan however was not so easy! To cut a long story short I put on 3lbs but this morning when I weighed in I had managed to get most of it off and am only a lb away from my last weigh in. If I can loose 1lb this week I will be happy as I am back on my way!!!

That will only happen if I stick to it!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll keep you posted!!
x

A week on!!

2011-10-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry for lack of blogging just really busy!!

We are still on Dukan, it's hard but worth it. I lost another 2lbs this week so half a stone so far for my UK readers!! Haven't found any amazing meals to tell you about, it is pretty much the same thing day in and day out!! We did do the school quiz, I ate the fish, no batter and about 8 chips and then we were back on it! Bill is still doing it too and that really helps!

Half term is now upon us so it is going to be harder with the children at home but it is not going to stop me. I have come this far and am not going to waste it...By my 40th, I'd like to be at goal!

Been curving lots this week which is awesome and working too so not much free time. Went for a farewell lunch with a dear friend today, I am gonna miss her so much even though she is only moving an hour away and we have only known each 4 ish years, we have been thru soo much together it will be strange and it won't be till she leaves that I will realise just how much I see her and depend on her. Love you Rach xx (I know you are reading this and see you on the 20th)

I'll keep you posted on the Dukan thing but probably not much this week as going to see my sis on weds til sat and so won't weigh in till Nov xxxx

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!

2011-10-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Posting early as out tonight!!!!!

I did the attack phase for 4 days and lost 5 and 3/4 lbs!!!!! So pleased, Bill lost half a pound more but we are stoked.

Out for dinner tonight but can't drink as on antibiotics so no wasted calories there and really looking forward to it.

It's a beautiful day here, blue skies and sunshine and just turning cooler into Autumn weather. Love it.

The world in our place is really good right now we are truly blessed. Thanks for bearing with me if anyone is still reading......
xx

Day 4!

2011-10-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

I know these posts are probably quite boring but I need to write down what I eat and how I'm feeling for me really so just indulge me!!

Comfort eating. - so not kicked it's butt yet but got a feeling I am due on any day now as my mood is THROUGH THE ROOF!!! Watch out kids and Bill you always get the brunt of it. I love you really x

Breakfast - Dukan galette - yummy and cup of decaff tea
Green tea from Starbucks, I think I am converted to this from here now until the red cups come out
Lunch - scrambled eggs (2) with smoked salmon. Put a bit too much salmon in to be honest!!! Didn't think I would ever say that......and a big glass of water
No snacks but really struggled at tea time. - Didn't give in though
Supper - the best yet. skinless boneless chicken thigh fillets wrapped in lean bacon and baked with FF fromage frais instead of mayo!!!! Soooooooooo good, both Bill and I agree this hands down!!

Again, not hungry at all just feel the need to eat out of comfort!!

Managed to get to Curves again which I'm really pleased about, even though my sinuses were still sore but wasn't going to let that stop me!!!

Thanks for the indulgence
xx

Day 3!!

2011-10-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm not hungry...at all....but man I comfort eat.....

If I don't loose much weight then this will at least be a psychological lesson for me on my eating habits!

Giving the kids tea is the hardest bit. Especially as they now have school dinners so I just give them a light tea, sandwiches, fruit, cucumber, tomatoes etc, all really easy things to pick up and snack on....BUT, I have been strong so far and not succumbed. I try to either have a cup of tea or a diet coke to ease my cravings...hard but hoping it will be worth it. I have seen a cute little corduroy skirt which will look lovely with my gorg boots I bought last year and I'm hoping to be in it comfortably by beginning of Dec for Paris.

Food today:
Breakfast - fat free fromage frais mixed with sugar free jelly and a slice of Dukan bread ( so not bread but not bad, at least has a sort of texture)
Lemon and ginger tea at church, I abstained from the AMAZING brownies there
Lunch - packet of prawns with hard boiled egg and mustard/ff fromage frais dip. - not bad actually. Large glass of water and my new antibiotics!
Supper - baked mackerel with same dip, diet coke and ff fromage frais and sf jelly for pud. It is really nice to have something sweet

Going to try to get to curves tomorrow if sinuses allow. Looking forward to it.

On normal things, work is suddenly going crazy. I have one week in Nov where I have 5 jobs and get this Bill is away all week....actually having child care issues but hopefully will be able to sort them soon. It will be lovely to really get going on this and they should lead to more bookings as well which I am really stoked about....

Kids are all doing well, all seem to be over the cold now which is lovely. And everyone enjoying school with no major issues to report which is good.

I weigh in on Friday morning so will let you know how the Attack stage has gone!!
x

Dukan Day 2

2011-10-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

It's not been too bad...Haven't felt hungry but was really craving sugar once I'd picked the kids up. I had diet coke while they had their snack and that took the edge off. It doesn't help that my sinuses are still really hurting as I just want to comfort eat!! The actual food isn't the hard part, it's actually quite easy, for me it is the reaction to snack!

I am going to kick this though, I had my first workout at Curves this morning and REALLY enjoyed it, can't wait to go again. Will try again tomorrow if there is time.

Menu today?
Breakfast - sweet galette, yummy,
had green tea at Starbucks with friends who gave me a 70% dark choc bar which I have stored away for a later date, talk about willpower.... I was desperate!!!
Lunch - Smoked mackeral with a couple of pickled onions and a hard boiled egg!! (smelly huh)
Supper - beef which had been slowly cooking in crockpot since 7am.

The beef was hardest to eat as just meat does get quite dry even with lovely broth! I have made Dukan bread though, so we'll see how that fits into life tomorrow.

Bill is doing this with me and the only thing I am worried about is the fact that he is going to lose more than me alot quicker.....but as long as I am loosing I can't complain!

Back tomorrow
xx

A date with Dukan!

2011-10-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well, Bill and I have made it through our first Dukan day! It was amazingly good. Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon for breakfast, roast chicken with a dodgy homemade mayo (bleurgh), lots of water, some crabsticks for snacks and for dinner a Dukan gallette with smoked mackrel! So far so good!!

I rejoined Curves today too and am planning on jogging there from school then working out....I am actually really excited about it.

Not much else to say really, delivered some more orders and catalogues which is fab and did a bit of work round the house.

I'll keep you posted on how I'm getting on food wise :-)
xx

Feeling better for the weekend!!

2011-10-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

William went back to school on Thursday and it he definitely feeling better but still really tired! I on the other hand still have cracking sinuses and a horrid chest. It is amazing how I can go from running 6 miles one week to not even being able to get up the stairs and do the school run the next!! They are still really painful but it didn't stop me having a great weekend.

Thurs and Fri I spent catching up on work and house cleaning with a girlfriend and we also watched a couple of chick flicks which was such a guilty pleasure! On Friday afternoon our gorgeous friend Jim and Emma came for the weekend. I love having them come down as they are the easiest house guests and the kids LOVE having them stay. The weather stayed fairly nice, Jim, Bill and William went to see Tunbridge Wells play football at the local ground which was fun, girlies had a birthday party and today we went to church, had a roast dinner then headed to the common to play on the rocks. We all had a fab time and we are just now waiting to hear that J and E got home safe, they had a 4 hour drive!

Tomorrow, Bill and I are embarking on a new eating plan. We are joining the Dukan revolution!! It is kind of like Atkins so we'll see how we go!! Lots of meat and eggs!!!! Mmmm, can't wait...Thinking of rejoining Curves, I do love that gym and really miss it. I could manage to go much more easily now the children are all at school. I need something fun to do!!

Got a bit of work to do this week too which is great and basically just catching up on last week without bending over too much as that is agony!

xxxx

Sick, sick, sick!!

2011-10-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a cold last year, not one that was more than a runny nose anyway! Man, am I paying for it now. Both William and I are poorly. William has an ear infection and is now on antibiotics but even woke up today with croup and a temperature. I on the other hand have a horrid head cold with a sore chest thrown in!

It does mean this week has been thrown to the dogs. W is off school and I am hanging out with him on the sofa nursing both of us....Girlies and Bill bless them are going on normally. It has meant my list has come to a halt apart from Phoenixing. My order from the party came today and I've already unpacked it and delivered some of them on the school run. Gotta love how I can fit this into my life, however poorly!

Haven't run in a week, can barely walk without wheezing and can't imagine trying to run. I really need to get my running mojo back, I've lost it somewhere and have no idea where to look for it! I've just ordered the Dukan Diet book, well you know me, I'll try anything once and it was only a fiver. My friend started it this week and I'm going to join her! I am such a sucker for diets, anything to help me feel better and more confident about myself is worth a go in my book..Basically, it's a protein only, then protein and veg thing with these weird oatbran things thrown in according to said friend!! I'll keep you posted on this then! Can't start it till Monday as have Jim and Emma here for the weekend. I'm really hoping we are all feeling better for them or they will be in for a rotten weekend!

Anyway, I've been going on for a while now so I'll cough and splutter my way out of here...xx

Sunshine and New cards!!

2011-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Woke up to sunshine this morning and 25 degrees!! Crazy isn't it, Saturday is October 1st! This makes for a lovely walk to school and a great run in the shade on the Groombridge trail with a good friend.

The rest of my week has been going well, I've been getting more jobs done and Bill and I got the shed and garden tidied at the weekend. A trip to the tip and charity shop makes for a very happy mummy and daddy!! I'm loving getting on top of stuff finally.

I've got my first major Open house for Phoenix tomorrow, I have invited lots of people and am really hoping that it goes well. What with the trip to Disney and now having to get US passports for the children before we even book tickets we really need the money. I was worried about doing it at the end of Sept as on 1st October the next new release is out but today I got an email from Head office to say that the products are ready to order early and the supplement is available to download now!! Wow, I've checked it out and think it is the best one to date!! I love my job!!!!

Got loads to do for the event tomorrow but have the whole day to do it and after school because William is at Beavers and my lovely neighbour is having the girls for tea....gotta love great friends.

I'm leaving you with my weblink so you can check out all the lovely new cards!! Feel free to order!!

http://www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/vickithompson

A job done!

2011-09-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

I can mark Kitchen off my list of things to do!!!! Woo hoo!!

Poor Millie has had croup the last couple of nights. I kept her off school yesterday but sent her in today, I'm praying I've done the right thing but also think that they are all really tired. William is still crying at the drop of a hat and I'm finding it hard, I want him to thrive at school but really not sure he is. He is on the edge of some friendship groups at the minute and he hasn't found his footing yet with anyone in particular. He comes home saying he hasn't played with anyone and it really hurts! I pray for him to be happy and contented and wanting to learn! Man, being a parent is hard isn't it!

As for the rest of my week.....it's gone better. I've got lots of little jobs done and am still going strong...I ran on weds and it was lovely and enjoyable woo hoo!!

Here's to the weekend
xx

First full day and I'm full of good intentions.......

2011-09-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

I have my list. In fact, I have a list just for this week! Blogging was one thing on it so after this I can check my first thing off. BUT! Mmmm, where do I start..I'm feeling lost...I have spent so long as a full time mum I'm scared of the thought of having this time to catch up.. I know, I know you only have to look back at the posts of how hard I was finding it when they were little to remind me that I was waiting to this time. BUT...I still feel empty. I want so much to have a tidy house and to run more and to Phoenix more but today......it's just not there...I'm looking at my hideous desk and can't actually work out where to start, I look in my kitchen and see the mess but can't work out where to put everything. I look at my catalogues and know I have to dress them and price up all my gorgeous Christmas stock ready for my Open house next week but just can't bring myself to do it.....Why??? My heart starts beating faster than normal, I feel guilty for feeling like this but I feel at such a loss!!! I NEVER thought this would be how I would feel...not in a million years...I've been to laid back about them starting, I got them all second hand uniform, pe bags that don't match,. drinks bottles that leak...maybe I was subconsciously not letting myself do it properly like all the other mums!!!

So, unsettled it is...however well my children are settling in, I will go with UNsettled for me!! I long for my children to enjoy school and learn so much about themselves and the world...it is their oyster after all. I will be there to pick them up when they come out, there to kiss them and cuddle them because they miss me and there to feed them, bathe them and snuggle them into bed but I need to find me in all of this..I am no longer a mum with children at home, I am free with restrictions from 9am till 250pm!!

Answers to all this jumble on the back of a postcard please!!!!

Friday!

2011-09-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

Dinner is in the oven and I have half an hour to blog! Kids are having a flop in front of the TV as they are all shattered. Man, going back to school and starting school is wiping us all out.

We've all had tears this week, but only once each. Millie, going into school, William in the playground at lunch when he saw me picking up the girls and Jaime, randomly when I picked her up on weds? ~Overall though everything is going well. Girls go full time on Monday and I am anticipating alot of tiredness and quite few tears!!

I've managed to get loads of work done this week, lots of orders from France are now winging their way way to Cornwall for mum and dad to take back with them. I've organised an Open House here to launch Christmas and get the ball rolling. We are saving to go to DisneyLand Summer 2012 so I need to make some serious cash! If anyone out there is reading this and they want to join my team, drop me a line!

I'm finding the transition weird. I somehow expected it to be all plain sailing and didn't anticipate wobbles from Jaime but they've happened and now I'm not sure what I am supposed to be doing. This week has been odd as they have only been there till 1pm, so not enough time to get stuck into too much but I have managed to do most of my desk and am getting there, so check one off my list!

This weekend is Rain, Rain, Rain. But, to be honest considering how busy last weekend was it will be lovely to not do much at all!! Movies, popcorn and lots of cuddles for all of us! Oh and of course, Homework!!! Man, William seems to be getting loads. I'm sure it's really not that bad but when you are fighting the tiredness too it is HARD!

Till the next time
xx

Birthday Princesses!!!

2011-09-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend was awesome! The girls party was brilliant thanks to Lizzie from school who was our party entertainer and my mum and dad who helped so much in the kitchen. The girls had a blast even though they were shattered from being at school all week and still are now! Here are a couple of pix to show you how it went. Jaime here enjoying her party tea

One of my lovely parent friends is an amazing face painter, thanks Imo

Millie showing off her lovely face!

The tea party madness

The gorgeous new party dresses that nanny and grampie got them

Jaime on her new bike

Millie on her new bike

Mad present opening on actual birthday

Naughty cupcake for breakfast on birthday

This is what our dining room table looked like before the girls got to it. The problem/bonus on having a big party is all the presents the children get. It is lovely that everyone is sooo generous but I did feel rather uncomfortable seeing all the things they were given.

On Sunday, we went to church in the morning then had my God parents round for lunch which was great and I think mum and dad enjoyed catching up with them too. Mum, Sue, the girls and I nipped off to TKMaxx for a bit of dress shopping and the picture above is what we came out with. I just love that shop!!

Mum and dad are gone now, off to my grandparents for a couple of days then my sisters for 2 weeks. We won't get the pleasure of their company now till Christmas which seems ages away but I'm sure will come round really quickly. Talking of Christmas, check out my website as all the Christmas stock is available now. Feel free to place an order.

Still haven't managed to sort the rest of my conservatory yet. Lots of going back and forth to school still as the girls not yet full time. They did stay for lunch today though, which they loved but it did only give me an extra half an hour. I'll bide my time, next week they are full time and I can really get cracking!!!

Day off!

2011-09-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Didn't do anything on my list but really enjoyed my morning! Caught up with friends and ran errands. Worked out what cakes I'm doing for the girls party on Saturday...cupcakes with pink fondant icing and a letter M for Millie and cupcakes with yellow fondant icing and a J for Jaime. They may be having a joint party but I really want them to have their own candles to blow out. Still got quite a bit to do for the party, aiming to make the cakes tomorrow evening and ice them in the morning. They are counting down the sleeps which isn't very many anymore. Bill goes and picks their new bikes up as well, not sure where we are going to keep them until Sunday. I really don't want them to see them before, I'm hoping the weather is going to be good enough for us to go for a bike ride after church and lunch.

Nearly at the end of the first week of school, all going well so far. All 3 kids are tired and there are more than the normal amount of moody tears at bathtime but all in all it is going well. Next week the girls get to have lunch and they are super excited. I had to choose what they were going to eat and it was hilarious hearing what they would say about the choices, it will be interesting to see what they say once they get to eat them :-)

This weekend will be mad, not sure I'll blog now till Sunday but will come with pix of party, cakes, bikes and basically general excitement. I can't believe 5 years has gone by. I sat the other night and looked back to 2008 when I started blogging, WOW, so much has gone on. Seeing the pics were amazing, reading was hard but then it was lovely to see how far we/I had come. I've made some great friends along the way and it put me back into wanting to blog again...the nights longer helps too. But in reality, Facebook has as lot to answer to for me as it killed my posting. I'm back now, probably not everyday but I need to do this! xx

Strike One!!!!!

2011-09-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

Or nearly!! I got started with the help of mum and dad on the conservatory/office/phoenix stuff. Dad built the shelves (gotta love Ikea) and I filled them.. Well it says nearly for a reason. It is looking better but I still have a LONG way to go! I did manage to get all my Phoenix stuff into one place, (the shelves) and mum seriously tidied the kids area she even separated boys and girls stuff so they have a set of shelves each and they can all now reach the things they want to play with which is quite exciting for all. I do love it when tidying has been done because the kids come in and they seem to think they have all new toys.....not true they are just able to get to them and can see the ones they buried months ago :-)

Tomorrow, I'm having the morning off and meeting some girlfriends for coffee. 2 of us will have no children with us, 2 with but only littlies. I haven't caught up with these girls all summer so it will be a great morning. Should really be carrying on tidying but you know what, nah!!! Life is too short!

Just realised I've blogged two days running, my friend Jen will fall off her chair!! Probably a patio one too
:-)

School, Autumn and a new chapter!

2011-09-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Well that is it, I now have 3 children at school and none at home!! Bless my gorgeous little girls, they are doing brilliantly and I'm really proud of them. We changed schools last year so that our girls could go into different classes giving them chance to make their own friends and become their own person rather than hide behind each other. This week is weird because mum and dad are here so our first week is not normal yet.. The school run has been good so far, we leave by 815am and walk just over a mile to get there for 845am. It's a fun walk if its sunny but not quite so much if it's raining like it was today!!!! It has been pouring with rain accompanied by 60mph winds! Fun, it was so chilly in the house today I even had to turn the heating on, welcome Autumn! The girls are still only going to school till 12 this week then 1pm next week and finally they go to full time finishing at 315pm by the 19th...I have so much on my mind till then I am beginning to feel overwhelmed!!

Firstly, our summer was awesome so different for the last 2 years. No breakdown for me and no illness for Dad, phew! We did a bit of camping, went to France, met friends and managed to get to the park a few times. We had 6 weeks and even though day to day it felt long the whole thing really did go soooo quickly. I promise I will post pictures soon but they are on my parents computer at the minute so need to get them on here first. Kids had a blast all summer and Bill was off for nearly 3 weeks which was so wonderful. Now I have to face reality!

I have so much I want to get done and feel I need to get done and have absolutely NO idea where or how to start. I can't even get motivated to get running again. I did my 10k at the end of July and knocked 8 mins off my last time which I was thrilled about but have barely run over the summer and am dreading going for my first run in the morning (6am!). I think I may have to write a list on here so that I can maybe check things off as I go along, please be aware it is a nightmare of a list and will be all over the place!!!! Any suggestions on how to do it, or if anyone fancies helping, I can pay you in cake!! Oh all this below is once we have the got the girls birthday over this weekend. Mum, dad and I spent the morning getting supplies for it and so far I think I am getting there.

Ok here goes my list!!!!!

Clean, 7 years of proper cleaning needs to be caught up with. I've put this at the top but so much of can't actually be done until I've done so many of the other things on my list
Phoenix - I've got my Christmas stock and supplements that need to be sorted. I have great plans but still no time at the minute and I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into it.
Put up new shelving unit which will lead into tidying the conservatory/office/phoenix space. I look in my conservatory and just want to be ill. It is such a mess, you can't see my desk for kids stuff that just hasn't quite made it to it's home and paperwork...where does it all come from??? This also leads to making more room in my understairs cupboard as my phoenix baskets get to go in the shelving, which then leads to me being able to put my Kenwood mixer, my slow cooker and my breadmaker in prime positions in said cupboard. Currently, the breadmaker is stuck in a cupboard, the mixer is taking up lots of kitchen counter space as is the slow cooker, and this one is also covered with paperwork. Any US readers, please bare in mind that my kitchen is tiny, if there is more than one person in it you can't move!!!
Run, more!
Pray more!
Making weekly menu plan and then actually sticking to it. I find meal planning one the hardest jobs I do as a mother/wife.. I need to get my weight under control, see point 7. I've started to do this today and have made my first planned meal. I have all the food I need for it all as I shopped online and it got delivered today! Cooking for 4 adults and 3 kids though is a challenge as my fridge is feeling a little tight!
Blogging more consistently. This is fairly low on the list however much it changes but I miss it. I spent a couple of hours checking out my old posts the other day and wow, did it bring back some memories. Some harder than others but the pictures were awesome. I want carry on doing that!
Catch up with neglected friends. The summer played havoc with friends, we didn't see anyone really for 6 weeks and although this was great for our family, I've missed them.
Touch up paintwork, esp white wood work. It is all starting to look messy from where we have all knocked it!
Garden, we've done alot with it over the summer but it is now time to put it to bed for the winter, today's weather wasn't really conducive to that, let's hope we get some better weather soon.

Well there we go, I said it was long and that I had no idea where to start! Sorry for such a long and rather boring post but as most of you know it is so lovely putting your heart and head on paper, as such! I plan to come back to this post and strikethrough as I go along...wish me luck!!!!

Anyway, finish the week off and see in the girls 5th birthday, that is the plan so far.
xxxx

Williams 7th Birthday!!!

2011-07-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

This is what we did yesterday!! We deposited the girls with our lovely friend Vicky and took 10 boys out for the day!! They got to do Archery and Crate Challenge at Blackland Farm. It was AWESOME!!!! Happy Birthday my Gorgeous Boy!!!!!

Blogger Frustrations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

2011-07-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

I have just spent the last hour and a half blogging about us al, catching up as feeling so bad about not posting only for BLOGGER to loose half the post....I cannot go over it all again so will be back when I am in a better mood!!! I am soooo annoyed as it was such a lovely long post...sorry guys xxxxx

Holidays

2011-04-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Hello! If anyone out there is still looking at this, it's the Easter holidays and the sun is shining so we are all out and about soaking up the sunshine....I haven't known an April like this in forever and we are all just too busy hanging out together....girls in summer dresses, William in shorts playing in the garden!! What more can we ask for.

Off to Cornwall on friday to visit my sis, I'll be back soon with all the pix of that visit and all the other lovely things we have been up too...

xx

My ABC's

2011-03-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Stole this from Joy, who got it elsewhere and I've never done one before so thought I'd have a go. If you do it yourself let me know so I can be equally nosey!!

A. Age: 39!! Can't believe I'll be 40 next year

B. Bed size: Double, would love to go bigger but no room

C. Chore you dislike: All of them, before kids I was Monica from friends now, I just can't be bothered, as soon as you tidy give it just a minute then it's trashed again!

D. Dogs: Mmmm, sore subject! When in severe post natal depression I agreed to get a gorgeous springer puppy, called Mabel, 2 years later I resurfaced into normality and realised I/we really couldn't give her the home she deserved so we rehomed her

E. Essential start to your day: Shower on weekdays but if it's a pj day, tea!

F. Favorite color: Yellow - sunshine

G. Gold or silver: Gold, but can only wear silver earrings

H. Height: 5′ 4"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I wish! Have just joined the church choir and LOVING it

J. Job title: Mum, homemaker and Independent Phoenix trader

K. Kids: William (6), Millie (4) and Jaime (4)

L. Live: Kent in the UK

M. Mom’s name: Hazel

N. Nicknames: Mummy, Mama, Vix, Ki and Bicki

O. Overnight hospital stays: 7 nights with William - he came 5 weeks early and 3 nights with M and J, they were C Section

P. Pet peeves: I've lost my vocabulary, since I've had the kids I just can't use my words. I'll literally stumble over them all which gets quite embarrassing esp in professional situations

Q. Quote from a movie: “you had me at hello" - I know, cheesy but soooo good

S. Siblings: Gorgeous and lovely sister - Clare. She now lives 5 hours away which I hate but she is loving it and it makes a great place to go stay but wish she was closer

T. Time you wake up: 540am mon and weds to run the rest 645am

U. Underwear: yep and they have to be from M&S

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Pretty much like them all

W. What makes you run late: Kids!!!!!

X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth

Y. Yummy food you make: WW moroccan lamb and most recently a fab pavlova, recipe courtesy of my gorg mum. I've the recipe for years but never had the guts to make it.

Bikers in the family

2011-03-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

As most of you probably know, Bill is bike MAD!!! He would cycle all the time, he mainly mountain bikes but has just got a road bike which he is really looking forward to taking to France and doing some of the Tour routes on. I no longer have a bike but think I will eventually have to get one because the girls learnt to ride 2 wheelers over half term!!!!

My dad was over from France and we had a nice day so decided to see how they would get on, it took them about 10 mins! With all 3 of the children we have invested in Puky balance bikes and they have been worth their weight in gold. They now just want to ride them all the time, although we haven't managed to get out as much as we have hoped as the weather hasn't been great but hey ho!

Look no stabilisers!

No really, no stabilisers!!

Me too, me too!

The Bike Gang!!

William was so sweet while this was going on, he was really encouraging and played on the girls old balance bike or his scooter because his bike is just a bit too big to ride in the road with both girls out too. I was really lucky as well because we were given Jaimes bike and I managed to pick up Millies for £8 at a second hand toy barn....bargain and loved by her as it is pink and purple!!

We've done lots of other things too, but this was just too precious not to share. It won't be long till we are all out on family cycle rides...how exciting

xxxxx

Wow has it been that long!

2011-02-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

I had no idea....the time has just gone by!

Loads has been going on, Bill and I both had a birthday, I went on our Church women's retreat weekend, Mum and Dad have come home for a visit and I have started running loads thanks to my Garmin.

So, birthdays first. Mine was on a Sunday and I happened to be leading our 2-4yr children's group at church that day, not my first choice of activity but more on that later. It ended up being fine. I got tea in bed with the kids who gave me all the cards and pressies that had been delivered. William picked out the most gorgeous rose earrings for me, in fact I haven't taken them off. After church we all went out to Sunday lunch at Rendezvous our fav restaurant as a treat for both of our birthdays and to be honest I really didn't want to be cooking! We then walked up to my lovely friend Jen who had asked us for tea... spent a fab afternoon playing board games, puzzles and then watching a movie with all the kids whilst having a great spread of food. I am sure I have said this many, many times but Jen is the bestest hostess! I aspire to be like her in that dept! All in all a fantastic birthday weekend. My others friends had treated me to a lovely dinner on Friday night and gave me a loaded Starbucks card, they know me soooo well.

Bills birthday was on Tuesday but it was all normal here, he did stay home long enough to have pressies and tea with kids before going to work and we had a nice dinner when he got home...but that was it.. Birthdays suck on a work day! Rest of the week went in a blur as we, us women, were all looking forward to Friday 5pm....retreat time!! Wow, I love it. Ruth picked us up and we drove to The Oasts we go here every 2 years and it is always the most enriching weekend I can have. There were 47 of us, our speaker was awesome and the topic was Prayer. Wow, how wonderful talking through the Lords Prayer over the weekend, she was awesome. I joined the music team led by my awesome friend Lou. This was my first time singing and fourth retreat and it was fantastic, I am soooo enjoying worshipping God in this way! We sang such wonderful songs and it was a privilege to belong to such a great team. Such a wonderful time.

Back to normal Sunday eve but then Mum and Dad came home. I spent Monday doing cleaning and washing after a 6am run with Ruth and they managed to get home really early which was fab...they weren't due in originally till 1130pm and got in by 9pm. Lovely. I managed to run, Mon 6am, Tues 930am, Weds 6am and then Thurs 730pm and tonight. I have even changed the girls nursery to Tuesday morning so I can run with Sarah's Runners who Lou and I started running with on Thursday eve. Brilliant fun running with others and different places for me. Just loving running at mo, don't normally do more than 3 miles but that is just great for me. It is certainly more than I ever did before and having the Forerunner just makes it more fun. Geeky I know, I never imagined I would get like this but I am!! I am a bit bummed though as I have put on weight since I started running so both Bill and I are back on WW starting tomorrow. I will be accountable on here for that and keeping up the running.

Gosh I have really gone on a bit here, well done if you have stuck it out. Got a major busy week coming up. Phoenix meeting with one of my traders Monday, Tuesday, Sarah's runners in AM and a spa eve with friends :-), Wed, WWW in AM then coffee with friend in PM, Thursday, Gov meeting in AM, Friday, music social in eve, Saturday, dinner party for friends....luckily, Bill taking kids to Daddy and Me in the morning at Church, so I can prep the dinner then. I made a commitment to God that I would regularly get together with our friends, Christian and Non, and this will be the first one. It is my version of a New Year Resolution, can't ever do those as never do them and then berate myself! Throwing it up there to God makes me far more accountable!

Not sure why you wanted to know my week, but thought it was funny when I looked at my diary!!
xx

Excitement in my life!!

2011-01-10T03:06:00.000-08:00

I've just purchased a Garmin Forerunner 110!!!!! I am so excited...it should arrive tomorrow before 2pm which means I can try to figure it out by my run the next morning....

It's my birthday present from Bill, Mum and my sis

Thanks all
xxxxxx

What a weird week!

2011-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Firstly, still no boiler....they got the part and came to fit it yesterday only to find out that the people who built the house managed to block the boiler in with a shelf he could not move!! I have rebooked them to come on weds, can you believe that was the earliest they could do. Just need to figure out how to remove the offending shelf without breaking the cabinets! Luckily, still not too cold :-)

This week has been really weird though, because Bill had Monday off, and William went back to school on Weds but we couldn't go out up till then because we were waiting for the boiler man. Mills and Jaime finally went back on Thursday and I didn't get to do much while they were away because again I had to wait in for the boiler man.....I did at least get some ironing done, the pile was getting a little bit ridiculous!

Today, was a much better day though. All the children were at school this morning and I managed to get to the grocery store to fill up on food. Wow the prices have rocketed up, my normal bill was at least £10 more than it normally is and petrol, well don't get me started on that it is currently, £1.25 per litre!!!!!!!!. I also managed to fit in a coffee with a friend which was awesome. I took the girls out for a quick lunch with one of their friends who had started 'big' school today as we realised they aren't going to have play dates as such anymore.

Bill got off to Scout Camp ok, they have gone till Sunday and as it is a nationwide get together they have loads of extra stuff planned so I am praying the weather is good for them. They did have to put the tents up in the rain today.

I have managed to get lots of running in. My new routine is working well, I have clocked up 7 miles so far this week and am going again on Sunday so will probably hit 10. It is my birthday in a couple of weeks and I am trying to find a decent sports watch that will keep a good tally of my mileage and pace etc... I am still hankering after a Garmin Forerunner 110 but it is just that wee bit too expensive. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them...

Have a great weekend one and all
xx

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T01:44:00.000-08:00

Bill has gone back to work today after a FANTASTIC Christmas break. We spent time with family and friends and a lot of time just all together....kids were a bit coldy and so were we but nothing too horrid. Our boiler broke down on New Years day and despite having emergency Homecare with our insurance we are still waiting for it to be fixed so it is a little chilly in our house to say the least. Luckily, we have a gas fire in the living room and an emersion water tank so it could be alot worse but, man I am looking forward to some nice warm radiators!!!

Kids go back to school on weds for William and Thurs for the girls... I am really looking forward to be able to do some tidying up..doesn't matter how much I try to do when they are around, it just gets messed up as I'm doing it. Need to find homes for all their Christmas stuff too and I have about a years worth of filing to do which is going to be one of my first jobs this year!! I know, you're jealous aren't you!

No New Years resolutions...learnt long ago that I am the sort of person that may make them but not keep them and then beat myself up about it so it is not worth it! I am starting a new running program though, I am still going to run with Lou 2 or 3 times a week in the evenings but another friend wants to start back up again so am going to run with her in the mornings a couple of times too. That should make for 5 days a week....lets see how long I can keep it up...I have always wanted to do that but just couldn't do it on my own so am hoping that having a partner for all the runs will keep me going....first one is tomorrow at 6am!

Not much else going on. WWW starts up again tomorrow with a coffee morning, Moore college starts back on the 14th, mine and Bills birthdays are this month and then it is the WWW retreat at the end of the month which I am soooo looking to. Roll on spring!
xx

Little Christmas Pix...

2010-12-27T14:17:00.000-08:00

Bedgebury - weekend before Christmas

Off to the Scout Christmas Party

Millie Reindeer

William Reindeer

Christmas Eve

Friday!

2010-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to the sound of William and a croupy cough. The older he gets the later in the night he seems to get it. I knew he would come down with it sooner or later as he slept really badly the night before and I thought it was going to happen then but it didn't. I don't think this weather is helping matters, it is really cold and going in and out of it never seems to help. I kept him off school today so he can fully recover over the weekend as it is the school Christmas production on Monday and I don't want him to miss that.

Bill is working till really late tonight so he was able to walk the girls to nursery while William and I took Elway to the vet to be neutered! We get to pick him up shortly which will be nice. I think we are all going to have an early night today as everyone is exhausted, you can tell it is the last week of term next week.

Plans for Christmas are going well, still haven't managed to pin a day down with my cousins and nan and gramps but everything else seems to be sorted. I managed to write all my cards the other day and am just addressing them to be posted Monday. I am trying to get a hair appt this week as I really miss having highlights and have asked Bill if that can be my Christmas present. I have found a salon in town that does a 50% offer if you find them online so I am going with them.....I'll post pix once it is done!

Anyway, better go get ready to get a woozy, sore Elway, bless him.

Snow!!!!

2010-12-02T00:36:00.001-08:00

We've had snow again this year. Much earlier than last year and still I don't have sledge....much to my children's disgust and as you can imagine, all stores are sold out and if there are any they are way over priced!!! Here's a couple of pix to tide you over :-)

Firstly, the girls making snow angels on the church green.

The view outside our front door this morning, we had even more snow last night

View from Church green yesterday, who knows what it looks like today

Pink girls in the snow

Check out the snow on the fence, this is what fell just last night!!

School is still open so Bill just gone off with William and our neighbour on their sledge. It is a mile to get there so it could take a while. I am not sending the girls to nursery but think we will take them into town later so they get out and go get a Starbucks...gotta be a skinny, decaf, toffee nut latte in a red cup!!

Not getting much running in at the mo, managed 3.2 miles on sunday in freezing temps but it felt good as it was the first run after my 10k. What do you do when it snows, I can't see how I can run out there at the min, walking is pretty hard!!

Anyway, might have to break open the Christmas decs today and start using my lovely new Christmas cups....I'll post a picture of them later

10k news

2010-11-23T01:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I did! It took me 1 hour 15 mins and 08 seconds!!!! Really slow but I didn't walk once.

I will definitely do another one, not sure when but just need to pick up my pace now. Feel sooooo good having done it and achieved my goal but today I got to see some of the official pix and I am GUTTED. To me, I look fat, old and ridiculous. I have just started to finally feel better about how I look but man this has taken me right back!!

Never mind life goes on.

10k prep!

2010-11-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Well, there isn't!! I did a 5 miler on thursday and then 3 miles on sunday night. Since then I have been slammed with chores, work, kids and everything else life entails. Bill is leaving to early at the minute for me to go before he leaves so I'll just have to wing it on Sunday!!

Catch up!

2010-11-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long, time just seems to be getting away from me. Bill was away this weekend from weds to Sunday. So I am pooped. Mum and dad are in Cornwall with my sis and bro in law and Bill goes away again this Friday till Sunday too.

I am planning on doing a 5 mile run on Thurs with my buddy. We haven't run this far yet but comfortably manage 4 miles so it should be ok. We have our 10k (just over 6 miles) on 21st Nov. It seemed so far away for so long but now it is coming way to quick. The weather here at the mo is horrid, grey, cold and wet. Praying for a sunny, calm, cold day on the 21st as we are running along Brighton beach walk!

Not much else going on here, kids doing well at school. Elway is just adorable, I have never met a cat that will put up with what my children put him through but he does and actually seems to enjoy it. Planning Christmas here already. I have been Phoenixing since school went back in Sept but this is the first time we will be having Christmas here in our own home by ourselves. We can't wait. Probably going to cheat on the food though and get everything pre prepared from Marks and Spencer!!! Well it is my Christmas too. I've also signed up for Christmas Choir Candlelight service. I LOVE this service, I go to it every year by myself. Bill puts the kids to bed for me and I just go and be at peace, I have read at it before but never sung. Anyone who knows me will now be laughing!!! I freely admit I am not the best singer but I am very enthusiastic which I pray will be enough!!!!!

Much love

Up to date pix

2010-10-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged with pix for a while so I thought I would do a quick run down of my most recent snaps! The first is Homesense! Christmas has arrived there and even though it is early as a Phoenix Trader I start my Christmas selling in August and I LOVE Christmas. I was soooo excited to see this loveliness in my local store. I saw so many things I wanted and on the way out I won £25 so went and bought some of them. Including a wonderful snow globe and a Christmas plate (for mince pies) and 2 Christmas mugs. I have wanted some Christmas flatware for ages. When we lived in the US we had bits which I loved but also had storage! We sold virtually all our belongings when we moved here so I am now trying hard to replace things. I did manage to get Bill and I a mug each though :-)

This next picture is our latest addition. Sadly, we had to rehome Mabel. We started by gifting her to the police but she didn't make the cut and they have rehomed her for us. This was a heartbreaking decision that has been especially hard on Bill. Anyone who knows any of my issues will also know just how much this has plagued me! Luckily, we know she will be in a wonderful home with a bigger garden and people who will be able to give her much more exercise than we could. Anyway, back to Elway, we/I weren't looking for a kitten but there was a flyer in school saying that there was 1 stray kitten left from the litter looking for a home. I texted Bill about it, then felt incredibly guilty as he is really allergic to cats. Bless him though, he called later and said yes as long as he could name it. Hence, Elway! Have I told you lately babe, I love you. Elway is a wonderful addition to our family, everyone loves him, Jaime especially and Bill is quite happy to have a good game with him and I just keep plying him with antihistamines!

The 2 pix below are from my Open house evening. I sold Phoenix and I had my friend who has just opened a Bead shop and another new friend who sells other gorgeous gifts too.

My beautiful girls in front of a pond which would normally have a fountain but it wasn't turned on.
The kids playing on the obstacle course at Groombridge Place. We had a blast and are making the most of our passes before the season ends on Nov 6th
More Groombridge
Even more, just gorg boy though, sitting on a log dinosaur bone
More
This was from a model village we visited with the Macnabs. We had the most glorious day and we all had a blast. It wasn't until we got home that I found out it was where my grand parents used to take us regularly!
Anyway, that is a quick update. Dad has been given the all clear which is fantastic and we are all praising God for this wonderful piece of news. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.

This weekend, weather permitting we are taking my grandparents (aged 92 and 90) up to Scotland, Braemar. This is somewhere they have been going for the last 40 years but cannot manage to get there by themselves. Bill and I are driving up there with them on Friday as long as the snow they are kind of predicting doesn't mess up our plans. They are extremely excited as are we. My sister is coming up from Cornwall to help mum and dad look after the children which is awesome of them all for doing this. I think it will be quite an emotional trip for us all but hope and pray that it will be wonderful.

I am planning on taking lots of pix of the trip so will post them once we get home

October!

2010-10-03T13:30:00.001-07:00

I love October and from what I have read recently on Facebook and other blogs lots of other people do too. Only problem here is that it starting raining yesterday at 11am and hasn't really stopped since.

I'm still running and am now trying to go with a running group on a Thursday night with Lou, my 10k buddy, and it is actually really fun. Can you believe I am saying running is fun but it is. I started off running with headphones and stopped because of an article I read and didn't think I would be able to run past a mile but am loving it. I use the time to pray and when it is a crisp cool morning I feel such peace. I've even started buying a women's running magazine which I find quite hilarious (the fact that I'm buying it and reading it) not the actual magazine.

Dad is doing well all things considered. The surgery went well and to be honest he is doing brilliantly but he is very frustrated..... it has only been a week but he just wants to be well NOW. Thank you to all of you praying and asking after him. Mum is doing ok too, she is just as frustrated and even though the kids are loud and sometimes annoying I hope that they provide a distraction for them both. They are being really good and not bothering Grampie much at all. They certainly aren't clambering all over him!

I haven't managed to do much work this summer. I am trying to set up an open house at mine for Christmas products which will be fun. I'm going to scout around for some local crafty talent to come too, it is nice to sell products next to other people. I'm still trying to find traders to join my team but just haven't managed to get out there yet at all, but I will. I do really love it and once the girls go to school I will need to make money from it too, which I know I can. I love having a team too, it gives me much more umpf to keep going.

Mum just asked me if I was putting any pictures on here and I'm not this time but promise I will soon.

That's it really, children are all doing well at school and only 3 weeks now till half term then it's all heading to Christmas!!

2010-09-23T05:58:00.001-07:00

What have I done since the girls birthday, I'm not even sure myself. Dad had his surgery yesterday and it went well. He is waiting to hear if he can come home today but sounds like he might be staying in. We are off to our friends this weekend to give them a bit of space and peace and quiet for recovery as having all the children around him is going to be a bit tough to start off with.

Fair amount of normal stuff going on here though, William started Beaver scouts last week. A friend of mine was helping out in the group and said he came in bouncing and didn't stop the whole session. He LOVED it and can't wait for tonight. He also started doing gym in the after school program yesterday and really enjoyed that too. Cycling seems to be his main passion at the moment much to his daddys delight. The girls are loving their new nursery, I'm still struggling with them going in the afternoon rather than the morning just because I don't get to see my friends as much as we are child free at different times. Also, Phoenix wise most people want parties either in the evening or the morning. If it is a good friend I can take the girls but not really to a new clients.

I've managed to get a few bits of work done over the past couple of weeks but really need to step it up a bit heading towards Christmas. Bill is doing good as well but working alot at the moment what with Freshers week and all. So much day to day stuff and not enough time to do it.

Running is going well though. I ran with a group last week which was fab.. we did 3 miles and it was really good in a group and I got to run in a place in town that I don't know which makes for a good time. I then thought I would step my mileage up a bit and planned a route with map my run that came out at 3.5 miles. I ran it and was sooooo pleased with myself. When I got back I met my neighbour who is a keen runner and she told me I had just done 4 miles!!!!!!! Can you imagine how chuffed I was. So exciting!! I ran again on Monday just a short one but haven't managed again since. I will have to go in the morning early as I won't manage with the group tonight. I am dreaming of getting myself a piece of kit that will be a luxurious necessity (if there is such a thing) it's the Garmin Forerunner 110 it's £169 here so am starting to look in the US to see if it is cheaper! Definitely can't afford it but both Bill and I would use it so it would be cool!

Hope this finds everyone well, still reading blogs and love keeping up with everyone

Birthday Weekend!

2010-09-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't believe our girls are now 4!! Here are some pix not in any particular order because however I put them onto blogger they seemed to get muddled up anyway. But, enjoy!

Sneaking some icing!Blowing out 4 candles each
Our Gorgeous children waiting very patiently for birthday cake

Lovely picture with Uncle Jim and their new music boxes

Birthday party dress cake

One of the only pix that came out of some of their pressies. They got the dolls last year and the highchairs for them this year. Jaime is still clinging onto her music box too

The girls enjoying birthday cakes at their party

Millie admiring her work! Cookie decorating

Most of the party goers colouring in their butterflies

We had a fab birthday weekend. On Friday the girls had nursery in the morning and a party in the afternoon where they did some colouring, cake decorating and pass the parcel. I didn't do a big cake for this party just cupcakes which they all seemed to like. On Saturday we all got up early, opened pressies then I snuck off for a run while everyone else had croissants. Bill and Dad then took the kids to Daddy and Me at church which was lovely because all my children have been going to this session since they were born. Mum and I pottered around the house I managed to clear out our wardrobe, mainly Bills side but I love decluttering. In the afternoon the girls had a friends birthday party to go to, a Woodland adventure. Bill took them to this and said it was a blast. They made dens, had a teddy bear hunt and then spent the rest of the time in the treehouse. Our friends build treehouses so this is such a lovely place for the kids to spend time.

On Sunday we went to church in the morning and then Suz and Jim came for lunch. It is lovely having them over especially when my mum and dad are here too. We all had a great time but the kids were exhausted so bath time was a bit fraught but we made it!

Back to school for all today, bit ratty but never mind they'll get over it.

Back to School!

2010-09-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

William went back to school today and last night my routine started! I did the ironing and was in bed by 930pm. I have been very spoilt having my mum and dad home this summer as my mum likes ironing and tends to do it when she is here so I really haven't done much recently.
Got up this morning at 545am and did a 3 mile run. I'm really starting to enjoy running now and once I'm up and out it is great, having said that so far I have had nice mornings it is now supposed to rain for the rest of the week which might not be so pleasant to run in! Just as I was coming downstairs from my shower the kids were getting up, William and I set his clothes out last night and he was a star getting dressed. The girls were super excited today because we were going on a playdate with their friend Mae who we haven't managed to see all summer. Anyhoo, our school run was lovely, we walked which was fab so by 930am I had clocked up 5miles!!

Rest of the day went well, I made soup in my new crockpot which Bill gave the thumbs up to this evening and we spent the rest of the day with our friends. I had to take William back to the docs this evening for his skin, he has developed some for of eczema on his knees, elbows, feet and pretty much everywhere else but on the opposite side to where eczema normally is. Got prescription for that and by then it was 5pm so we went to the mall for McDs. A treat for my kids and meant they would then walk home quickly as we had to pick daddy up from the station by 610pm cos his bike brakes had failed on the way there this morning.

Phew what a day! Girls start at their new nursery tomorrow and I am going to go into town for the whole 2.5 hours they are there and have coffee and mooch! How was your day????
xx

Holiday weekend!

2010-08-31T02:48:00.000-07:00

Just spent a wonderful weekend with various friends. We had planned on being away from the house over the bank holiday weekend to give Dad some space to come back to reality after his surgery but it didn't happen and we went away anyway. Mum and dad got to spend the weekend by themselves which at the moment doesn't happen and they kindly looked after Mabel for us too.

We got in the car Saturday morning and drove to my Godparents, weather was ok but Autumn/Fall is definitely on its way. We went to a food fair in town and played in the park then Uncle Jim cooked us a lovely bbq. Sunday we got up lazed around watching DVDs we'd rented from the library then had a slap up breakfast before heading out swimming. Roast Chicken for supper then back in the car to visit Jaimes Godmother and her family including our God daughter. They have just moved back from Guernsey and are now only an hour and half drive which is so fab. Spent a great day with them on Sunday exploring their new town and going to a summer fete, (must be the last one of the season). Kids had a blast and it was wonderful being able to catch up with them so easily. I look forward to many more visits to and from them.

William goes back to school on Monday and the girls start their new nursery at his school on Tuesday. I have to go on Thursday to meet with their new teacher and confirm their hours etc which will be fun for them to see where they will be going. To be honest, I can't wait for them to go back. I am trying to savour this last week but I am dying for some routine and normalcy. The kids are being great in general but there is a lot of fighting and I am just fed up with it. I also have so many jobs that I want/need to get on with but just can't manage to with them around including work!

I know though, the time soon passes and it will be here before know it and they will be all grown up and gone in a blink of an eye, but I still could do with a day off!
xx

Update on dad!

2010-08-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well he didn't have it! Mum and I took him in this morning to find out there was an emergency surgery in the theatre so there would be a wait. We left him there about 930am to wait, and wait and wait. Dad eventually called at 1pm to say that surgery was now starting but he wasn't having his because of his sleep apnea. He needs a special bed for recovery and they didn't have one. It is rebooked for the 22nd September so we will go from there. Thanks for all your prayers and comments.

The kids were good at my GORGEOUS friend Rachels so that was a blessing and it rained all afternoon so we sat in and watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks and then Peter Pan.

Also, want to say thanks to all my friends that are being so lovely about my parents. This is turning out to be a hard summer for us all and I just want you all to know I appreciate you all.
Thanks
xx

Hanging in there!

2010-08-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I still have yet to run! My sinuses are so blocked I just can't breathe but I may go out tomorrow and just see what happens.

Dad has his surgery tomorrow. He was supposed to go in today but there were no beds so he is in at 745am in the morning and my absolutely gorgeous friend Rachel is having my 3 for a sleep over tonight at hers so I can take him in. I just couldn't fit everyone in the car at one time otherwise.

Anyone reading this who prays, please keep him in your prayers, he is really nervous and mum is too so it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
xx

A cold in the summer!

2010-08-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

What is that about!!! I feel like crap right now, my nose is running and my throat is sore. I haven't run since last weds and now I am feeling really blobby!

We did have a lovely weekend though, we went to Wisley Gardens with my cousin and his wife and children on Thursday which was lovely. The kids had a great time, they always have fun getting together and this was the first time both husbands were in on the trip too. The weather was kind to us and all in all it was a great day.

On Friday we packed up again and headed off to Stoke, land of oatcakes and Jaimes Godfather and his family. We stayed with him and Emma (his gorgeous girlfriend) in their new home. Wow talk about house envy, it was lovely. They have made a great choice and we wish them happiness in it, and lots of visits from us :-)
On Saturday we visited Blackbrook Zooilogical Park and luckily didn't get rained on the kids had a good time looking at all the birds and especially the lemurs at the end. My fav were the Meerkats, they had just had babies and were especially cute. On Sunday the boys went off to play footie, Jim plays every weekend so William and Bill went to watch with some other family too. Emma, Millie, Jaime, Mum, Joann and I went off to a country park walking distance from the house and the weather was wonderful. We went in the afternoon to Chris and Joanns house for a family get together and I was so proud of the kids they were awesome and the sun shone a wonderful way to finish off our Uk staycation.

Bill went back to work today, Dad went for his preop blood work and the docs. I had the kids and I managed to do 4 loads of laundry and vacuum and mop the playroom floor and the kitchen floor before I picked Mabel up from the kennels.

Anyway that is me, no running as I just can't breathe properly right now! Back soon
xx

Still running!

2010-08-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back home and man I can't wait for the kids to go back to school, I am just so fed up with being mauled and whinged at all day. Don't get me wrong, I am loving not having to rush around in the morning and it is great being able to do what we want even though some it weather dependent, but they just don't ever stop talking, bickering, poking, prodding, annoying each other and eventually ME!

There we go enough moaning I sound like the kids!

On another note, I am still running, I ran 5k on Monday and today and I am finally beginning to enjoy it more. I am able to concentrate on running rather than breathing and that is a bonus for me which is wonderful. I run with Mabel on the lead around my waist which is better as I don't get a sore shoulder from holding her back all the time and Bill has done me another running track on my Ipod for which I am sooo grateful. I need to start adding more distance to my runs now, we are away for the weekend from Friday till Sunday evening and Bill is working odd hours when he goes back to work so will have to figure out when I can run. I really like running in the morning, I feel terrible when I first get up but once I have done the first 10 mins I feel great. Once I have done a day with the kids and they are finally in bed I just can't face then going out to run and still have to have dinner etc once I get home. Man there are just not enough hours in the day!!!!!

Anyway enough rambling on about running, can you tell I am a little obsessed yet!!!!
xx

Sand angels anyone?

2010-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Thought this picture was really cute, and Millie running up to join them too

Millie, Clarabelle and I built this sandcastle, the shell decorations were done by Millie herself and she was really rather proud of this, there are MANY other pictures of her with it.

Millie, bless her, was so proud of the fact that she had walked across the beach with this bucket of water and she didn't get her towel wet whilst retrieving it because she very cleverly hoiked it under her arms. She was slightly disappointed when as soon as she tipped it into her moat it disappeared though

This is Jaime rolling down a big sand dune, they all had a go at this but I love this picture because it looks like she has just fallen down!

You can't see them but there are bubbles out there somewhere
Knees anyone
Arty beach shot in the grass, he could be a catalogue model
This is just before take off for dune rolling
See we swam in the sea! Well the kids did it was far to cold for me
How cute is she?
All these pictures are taken by my lovely bro in law. He is just awesome and is putting them all, I mean hundreds of them onto a disk for us to take home too. Bless him.

We've also managed to fit in swimming today, Toy Story 3 yesterday. We did that because it was raining and really glad we did because down here it is so much cheaper than back home. We also went to the Minack Theatre on tuesday which even though it rained was brilliant and so worthwhile. There has been quite a few park trips thrown in too, we found a lovely one just down the road from my sis which was lovely and all the children have had a blast doing that. Not sure what we will do tomorrow it is really weather dependent and apparently there is no electricity from 10am till 2pm!!!!! Could be fun!

I've managed to get 2 runs in as well, today I managed 5k along the seafront, man it was goooooood, and if I lived here I would have to make it a VERY regular thing.

Off home early saturday morning, mum and dad brace yourself the children will be back soon!!

To Beach or not to Beach!

2010-08-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

That is what it looks like Jaime is doing right here!

This is the gorgeous beach we spent the sunniest day of our holiday on, to be honest the weather has been good just not necessarily beach weather

Obligatory family shot, we had just buried their feet which they looked rather bemused about
My little surfer dude with his bucket and spade
One of many of the pix that was taken of my gorgeous and oh so camera savvy Millie
Play ball

Hello Kitty!
Jaime took William down shortly after this shot, we have a great action sequence of it
Arty black and white picture, they were fighting over the ball not with each other

Auntie Clare painted all our toe nails and even put little decorations on our feet, and if you count them you will realise that Williams are in there too! How could I say no!

Holiday!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-31T14:01:00.001-07:00

We are off tomorrow to see my sister and bro in law in Cornwall for a week. We are soooo excited. The car is packed and we are leaving at 5am, hoping to be there by 1030am ish...
May blog, may not!
xx

Running

2010-07-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I went out again this morning. 545am and 1.87miles done by 620am! I used Mapmyrun.com last night to figure out distance and it is brilliant, I would never know otherwise. Not sure how I will ever get to 7miles but I'm sure I will eventually.

I have discovered that I am not as unfit as I thought I was. On my runs I am able to control my breathing and am not too puffed until the end but I just struggle with the will power to actually to keep going. I am really hoping that I get to a stage where this is not the case and I will want to go further each time and really enjoy it. That said, this is the most I have ever enjoyed running so far and I think that is down to the fact that Bill loaded my Ipod with awesome tunes. I have a thing about music, I love listening to it but have no idea who anyone is so if I tried to put stuff on my Ipod I wouldn't know where to start and in true husband style Bill seems to know exactly what tunes I love. Thanks Bill
xx

We took a day out!

2010-07-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Bill still working and it is the summer holidays so I decided to take the kids out for the day. We went to Groombridge Place as my gorgeous mum and dad got us a year round ticket so it was also a free day out. I am sounding so pleased with myself because I don't very often go out to such a public place completely by myself with all 3 children at once. I do normal day to day stuff but not a fun day out, not without friends usually. I also got thinking about this when I read a fellow bloggers take on it too. I took a few snaps on the way for your enjoyment!

The first one is all of us eating our lunch, the kids were so excited as they had their own packet of crisps!! I am that mean of a mummy that they only get a packet of crisps on a picnic! This is William taking part in a drumming lesson, I joined in after the picture taking and so did the girls. We had a blast and even had another go on the way back.

This was a very cool dragon sitting on its nest with eggs

Another very cool pteradactyl, you can't see it very well but its eggs are in the tree above it.

My gorgeous 3 children sitting on a dinosaur bone :-)

We had an absolute blast and the kids were great, the weather was awesome and we will definitely go back together again. I want to take Bill as he hasn't been yet either and it was just beautiful.

What are you guys getting up to on the holidays???

Running again!

2010-07-21T01:15:00.000-07:00

As the title suggests I have started running again. I am doing the Brighton 10k in November with a friend so here goes!

I've been twice this week and so I'm on a mission!
xx

Birthday Boy!!

2010-07-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my boy is 6 years old!!!!! Here are a few snapshots of my gorgeous boy on his special day, the Wallee toy is from school, he has it for the weekend and has to take him places :-)

Birthday tea at Macdonalds, several of his friends came along too. Much easier than a party! William and Jaime and of course Wallee on his new scooter (from Auntie Clare and Uncle Kenny)

A very excited boy in all his kit at 615am just off to the park to try out his new bike with daddy and Grampie

Looking at a fab Scanimation Starwars book again from Auntie Clare

and Uncle Kenny

Helmet trying on (from Nannie and Grampie)

Very proud owner of his very own proper cycling jersey, it has a hammer riding a bike (from Grandma and Papaw in the US) we can't find anything this cool over here for kids!

LEGO!! from his lovely friends

His stash, I took this last night before I went to bed!

Took this piccie for my sis as she got the girls LOVELY gap pjs and William a LEGO starwars Tshirt!!

Sorry the pix loading up backwards which is a pain so you are starting from the end and working backwards!!

We had a great day, presents, very early morning, cake, candles, fun and I had the best cuddle for such a long time before he went to bed!

I love my boy

xxxxx

Such a weekend!

2010-07-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Firstly, not great news on my Dad. He went for the results of his MRI, basically hoping to get the date for his surgery and it has shown up something in his hip bone. He had an xray and bone scan that day and is now waiting for the results. For my US friends, the NHS is AMAZING, but unlike over there where there is mostly private health care we have alot more waiting and that is what we are doing again. We have just waited 2 weeks for the results of the MRI and are now waiting for the next lot. This was not expected at all so has thrown my dad for six but we are coping. Please can I ask for you to keep him and my mum in your prayers at this time.

On a much, much lighter note we did have a wonderful weekend. On saturday, Bill and my dad took my kids to Bedgebury, leaving mum and I with a morning to ourselves. We both had a few errands to run in town and of course just had to have a Starbucks!! Mmmmm tall skinny decaf hazlenut latte! We met a friend in town too for a catch up. I sadly managed to get a few christmas pressies on sale in Fenwicks which I hate admitting to but they were lovely. It was a boiling hot day so it was just nice being out with my mum. In the evening we had been invited to a private park in town for a party. It was being held in a 9 acre park surrounded by houses and you can only access it through gardens of houses surrounding it. Wow what a wonderful experience. We could certainly never afford to live in this area but it is lovely having such generous friends who extend hospitality to us. We started off in one of the gardens with Pimms ( my fave summer tipple) and they had a massive trampoline which the kids loved and it was such a picturesque sunny evening. We then moved down to the park, each house had a table and bbq set up and we all hung out eating amazing food and drinking more Pimms. The kids just ran round like loons hero worshipping all the other older children. William sat by himself right in front of the bands mesmerised....there is something sooo cool about watching live music. He particularly like our friend playing in his band. They managed to stay up till 10pm before it all became to much. But soooo worth it.
Today, we became Godparents to the gorgeous Molly Mae. Our lovely friends put on a wonderful celebration after church with loads of us in another AMAZING garden. We lazed about eating and drinking and the kids again had a ball!

What a fab time we had in a rather dark time. Mum and dad joined us on Saturday night but fancied a quiet one this afternoon so just came to church.

What did you guys get up too?
xx

What we've been up to recently!

2010-06-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

We've done lots of dog walks recently in the woods and on Saturday Bill was working so the kids and I went to the woods and look what we found! How cool!

Had to get a family shot for the family readers, I really like this one and Millie keeps saying how much she likes it too because she is hugging William.

She also likes to hug trees as you can see from the next one.

I love the woods where we walk because Mabel gets a great run and we all have fun too, we went quite early on Saturday so didn't see many people and when I looked up this was my view! So beautiful.

There is also something very lovely about seeing the sunshine coming through the trees too, it's kind of magical and always makes me feel glad to be alive .

This is Jaime walking along some tree roots which she was very pleased with and I just had to take a pic My 2 lovely girls

The next one is when I walked the dog to the park and it is just going out to the meadow but again just looks so gorg! Can you tell I like the sunshine!

This one is great cos the kids had all just cycled a couple of miles on an old railway track that is now a pathway and at the end there was the perfect climbing tree. Toby, Williams best friend, is the furthest up. William was right wuss and kept crying about getting stuck he obviously is not a tree climber!

We spent all day Sunday busy, Bill and William went cycling before church and afterwards we went to Picnic in the Park in Calverly park in town. It's an event that all the local churches do for everyone and there's bouncy castles, facepainting, fun games, bbqs and all sorts going on. We went with another family from church who spent alot of time in Japan so had a traditional Japanese picnic which involves meat, marinade and veggies......YUMMY!!!!!!!!! So much better that your bog standard sarnie! And soooo much healthier too, thanks Payne family.

We left in time to get home to watch England play Germany then kind of wished we'd just stayed at the park as they got spectacularly beaten but we had a great time with some lovely friends and surprisingly considering the weather (30deg) the children played beautifully.

We both came down with a crash this morning though as at 7am, Bill calls to tell me he has been knocked off his bike on the way to the station. He cycle about 5 miles (ish) to get the train as the ticket is so much cheaper then runs the other end to the office. But today, a CAB driver knocked him from behind not once but about 4 times and then just drove off. Bill was really shaken but ok and has been at the police station this morning! Luckily so far the house insurance has been amazing and in theory they will either fix the bike or replace it. But, he is pretty shaken up about it which is such a shame and biking really is his thing!

Anyway, he has gone to collect Williams new bike, we managed to get him a 2nd hand specialized bike for his birthday. We had looked at this one in the store but it was ridiculously expensive and then a friend said we could buy their sons as he has grown out of it. Bill is just going to polish it up a bit and the voila! William will be thrilled and he won't care that it is not brand new, in fact he probably won't even realise! His birthday is on the 9th so not long now to sort it.

There are only 4 more weeks till the summer holidays which will be challenging having them all at home constantly for 6 weeks but lovely at the same time. We will find out on Thursday what the situation is with my dad and hopefully what treatment he will be getting so please keep him in your prayers..

Anyway, I really ought to go do something more constructive! It is sooo hot and I just can't be bothered....we had such a full on weekend I just want to flop on the sofa!!

Ta Daaaa!

2010-06-18T12:54:00.001-07:00

Bubbs had sports day today, it was soooo much fun!

He is the one leaning forward in both these pix, he is doing some sort of throwing activity, one with a bean bag and another with a small ball. Bless him, he had a blast and so did we. Nannie and Grampie got to come too. The girlies were at nursery so it worked really well and the weather was perfect, sunny but not too hot.

This one here is the play field after with everyone on it having our lunch. We all go to stay and eat with our kids which was lovely.

Below is Bubbs in his new uniform and of course Jim Jam had to get in on the action showing off her princess nighty!

New school

2010-06-07T13:10:00.001-07:00

Bubbs starts his new school tomorrow, I will take a pic of him in his new uniform!

Also found a couple of new blogs so check them out see my blog list. Have a happy week
xx

Update and soooo much other news!!

2010-06-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Firstly, thanks for all the comments about the ofsted inspection. It went really well, our children and teachers were amazing and I think that the inspectors really got how our school works and how well everyone is doing. We don't get the official results for about 3 weeks but the feedback we had seemed positive which is awesome.

On other news we are moving Bubbs school. I know, weird considering the above but actually it has nothing to do with school or him actually more to do with the girls. We have been thinking for a while now about how we are going to deal with identical twin girls in the same class. When we originally chose schools we picked a school which was much bigger than the one we are in now and has a 3 form intake which would have been really big for Bubbs to cope with but a much better option for the girls later on down the line. Because of the catchment system here we didn't get any of our chosen schools and got given St B's, at first it was a choice I was completely against but once I visited and met our awesome Headteacher I went for it. I became a Governor and supported the school as much as I could. But, there is always only going to be one class for each year.

Anyway, last week just as we heard about the ofsted report I heard rumours that there were some places in another local school which is just starting to have a 2 form intake starting this sept, so the girls can be in separate classes! We went to see it friday having spoken to our Head after the inspection to let her know what we were doing and why. The school was great, the Head there amazing and very similar ethics to our current Head and to cut a long story short we took the place. It was either that or go on a waiting list for next year which I really didn't want to do. It did end up that Bubbs last day at his school was that day but we didn't tell him that till the weekend. He is being fine about it actually and seems quite excited which helps. We all received a letter from our old Head yesterday, one addressed to Hubby and I which was really supportive and then one for Bubbs telling him what a great adventure this was going to be and how proud she was of him! She even wrote that his new Head is a friend of hers so she would always ask after him. She enclosed a cute book for him too. He was so thrilled!

I plan to stay on as a Governor at St Bs as long as they will have me as I really enjoy doing that and really believe in what the school is doing and want to support it as much as I can.

So all new here. We are on half term here this week so it's been real busy, guests here over weekend, trip with school today to beach (fun and nice weather), Bubbs goes cycling with Hubby tomorrow and then my sis arrives Fri for weekend and we have the wedding on saturday! So busy and so fun.
To any other twin mums out there, what do you all think about separate classes for twins??
xx

Ofsted Inspection prayer request

2010-05-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Our school is having an Ofsted inspection. We were expecting it and are hoping we can really show the inspectors how much our school has improved since our last one. For my US readers, this is an inspection that a government agency does for all state schools and the report is available for everyone to see online. It is incredibly gruelling and Governors need to attend. So my prayer request is that the school shines like I know it can, the inspectors see just how well our children are doing and that I come across as a confident Governor, not the bumbling wanting to do good mum!!

Thank you all, the inspection is being held over 2 days, tues and weds. I am meeting the inspectors on Tuesday!!!!!

Aaaagh!

Same old, same old!

2010-05-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

Bit like the title at the minute. Things are plodding along, girls nursery, Bubbs school. Me coffee mornings for school, Governor meetings and related stuff and a lot of demoralisation. It is always the same, however much you try to help, volunteer, do stuff that you really would rather not it is always the same.

I remember when I was younger both my sister and I competed in gymnastics and I mean seriously. We both trained every evening and on weekends and the gym was a 30 - 40 minute car journey away and it was just the norm for us......HOW DID MY PARENTS DO IT!! Yes we were good and we enjoyed it, but we competed most weekends up or down the country and I remember it was always the same parents that helped mine included and it must have been so frustrating for them cos no one else bothers!!!!! Bit like now, I'm really trying with certain things but still not getting results. Also, I sometimes think, well know really that too much knowledge can be a bad thing however much you think you want to know, when your children are involved sometimes ignorance is BLISS.

Wow sorry for the cryptic blog, can't go to into detail but lets just say it is hard work at the mo!

On the brighter side, half term is first week of June and Bill has got the time off which will be fab, we have friends coming down on the first weekend then on the following one my sister is coming up to visit and Bill and I are going to a wedding, on our own.....wowzers!! In London too and I have to dress up!!!!!

Calling all potential Phoenix Traders

2010-05-10T13:50:00.001-07:00

Most of you already know I sell Phoenix Greeting cards and accessories. I am always looking for new traders and you don't have to be in the UK, we are in France, USA and Australia.

I would love to hear from anyone who wants to know how to earn some extra money and run your own business.

Here is the link to my website so you get an idea of what I am talking about.

Look forward to hearing from you
xx

If you go down to the woods today......

2010-05-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

You're in for a big surprise...!
We went for a lovely walk today, Bubbs, Jim Jam, Moodle, Nannie and I! The bluebells were out if full force and they smelt amazing. Mabel had the best time and came back filthy which Hubby won't be too pleased with as he gave her a bath yesterday and she was all lovely and soft and fluffy!! Oh and white!
I am going to try to tell you what these pix are of but you may have to guess what goes where because blogger keeps moving them. Next to us are my gorg kids...I had to get their winter jackets back out again as it was sooo chilly.

The one below us is one of the lovely bluebells

The girls kept picking up all the bluebells that were laying about the ground and telling me they were for me, bless them

This one is of Jim Jam standing by a lovely fairy castle, Nannie said this one had a garden planted on top. The kids had a great time imagining where the fairies and pixies would live and sleep and have their tea :-)

Nannie also provided snacks of the chocolate variety much to the kids delight....we had to stop on this perfect log, bluebells in the background to eat them all.

Bubbs and his lovely nannie

The bluebells which this picture just does not do justice too

Ahh, group pic
x

2010-05-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Where to start....bad news always first I think.
My dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They came home for 2 weeks about 24th March and have yet to go home. They are going back to France next week for a month to pack up the house get some more belongings so they can come back here mid June for an MRI and gameplan with the consultants. On a good note, he also had to have a CT scan on his kidney but has been given the all clear on that today which is a real blessing. Please keep them in your prayers as there is nothing else I feel I can do except pray.

The rest of us are fine, the girls have the most rotten noses full of gunk and are just quite grumpy at the minute. We have had some amazing weather recently but it has turned really cold again and I don't think that is helping. They are being amazingly cute at times though, I love to just listen to them playing together and with Bubbs and they give the BEST cuddles.

Bubbs is doing well, he is getting on much better in school and has had a couple of football (soccer) lessons on a Saturday morning now which he seems to be enjoying. I am not thrilled about this but he is enjoying it so we'll see how it goes. My feeling is the he is very young and has his whole life ahead of him to fill up with STUFF and he is doing so much better at school since we have stopped doing anything after school and I just don't want to go through the tiredness again. I have noticed he is getting more grumpy already and am not sure whether it is this or the stuff with my dad. We have been careful not to go on about it too much while the kids are around but they are still going to know there is something going on and as I found out the hard way last summer with my depression he is one sensitive little boy.

Bill is doing well. He is without a bike apart from my old one which he uses for his commute at the minute so can be very grumpy on the weekends for this reason only. The trouble is even fixing bikes costs money which we just don't have.

I'm doing good. I am keeping on top of my depression which I am really pleased about. I can feel how easy it would be to slide but am turning to my faith to help prevent this happening. I also get to catch up with my therapist quite often in church which is an enormous help, just her asking after me seems to keep me grounded. (sounds silly I know).
Lots of other stuff has been going on, I was asked to be on the interview board as a governor for the Deputy Headship at Bubbs school. What an honour. It was a very long and gruelling day but amazing and a unanimous decision was made on one candidate who then accepted straight away. He gave me shivers and I nearly cried on the presentation he gave to us on inclusion in our school. He was bang on the money and is going to be such a great asset to our school. Yeah.
I've been going to Curves 3 times a week, sometimes 4 when I can and LOVING it. I have now lost a stone (14lbs) so only another stone left to go!!!!

Anyhoo, that is the small catch up I am sure there is loads more to say as I hadn't blogged for ages but the news about my dad seems to have put us all on hold somewhat.
I'm still reading alot though and always do even when I don't post.
xxx

Easter and such!

2010-04-11T23:56:00.000-07:00

Blogger is doing something really weird with pix, I have been trying to post these for ages and finally they are up but in some random order. Managed to put a pic of each of the kids. Bubbs is in our playpark as it was sunny but cold yesterday so we got out to make it fun. He is growing up so fast and all his clothes are either too big or too small! Hubby and Moodle is next. We spent Easter weekend with my sister and bro in law in Cornwall and this was taken at Lands End. The Royal Navy did a fly by thing which everyone apart from Jim Jam thought was very exciting. I think Hubbys excitement is a bit more than Moodles :-)

I think the next one is of us all, my in laws really wanted a family pic and we didn't get round to it when Big Bill was over in Jan so we hope this is ok..... It is at Lands End and we had the most amazing weather on Easter Sunday which is why it looks so lovely and blue everywhere. Man I am enjoying having spring come to visit!!

The last one is of Jim Jam and my sis. If you look closely you can see there is a squirrel on her leg and it is taking a nut out of her hand. The only trouble was she kept pulling her hand further and further up her sleeve but he got it in the end.

It's been ages since I blogged and if anyone reads this I will be amazed.
We finally went out and got the cheapest camera possible so hopefully there will be more posts to come. We are still on school hols till the 19th, Bubbs has church camp tues thru thurs morning and we are doing various other catching up bits. We spent the whole weekend in the garden in the sunshine and tidied up a bit which has made the place look a bit better. The trouble with having a dog is that she just makes a mud bath on the grass.

My Phoenix card business seems to be going well, I now have 2 traders in my team which is exciting and I even have my own website so you can place an order online which is really cool... I am so silly thinking this is cool but I love it!!

Everything else is going well here, my girls are sassy as ever. Lord knows what they will be like as teenagers. Bubbs has his moods but he is a sweetie at heart and he does look after his sisters which is so cute to see.

I am still here.....promise

2010-02-22T12:20:00.001-08:00

Since my Father in Law left it has been a roller coaster. We had a blast, unfortunately I can't share any pix as they are on my newer laptop which I can't actually get to work at the mo so sorry.

We had half term last week which was greatly needed by the kids as they were tired after this last term at school. Bubbs came home on the last day with a Star of the Week award for his behaviour this term which I was so proud of as was he. The girlies last morning at nursery was a Chinese New Year party which we all had to wear red for and they all had a blast. I loved watching about 20 2-4yr olds eating(or trying to eat) with chopsticks. Below is our holiday plans:
Monday - Minor mania play centre with friends
Tuesday - Auntie Sue
Weds - Neighbour over for playdate
Thursday - Caro and E arrive
Friday - Natural History Museum
Saturday and Sunday - no plans

Hubby went away on the sat morning for his great Mountain trip to Scotland. It was a Scout Leaders trip and he was going with his friend and fellow Scout Leader. Unfortunately, there was a tragic accident on the first day and the group had to come home. I felt so helpless for a couple of days as the group were going through such grief and trauma and there was nothing I could do. The accident happened on the Monday and Hubby finally got home on the Thurday morning. The drive from Scotland should have taken 12 hours and they left at 3pmish but they broke down at 730pm and didn't get back on the road till 230am!! This was just what they didn't need and he finally got through the door the following morning. We didn't tell the kids what had happened and luckily they are young enough they didn't realise he was home early he was just home. This definitely put a downer on our holiday.

We did all the plans it was just hard for me not to be worrying and showing the children. The trip to London on Friday was fab. E had never been and you could feel the excitement in both of them on the train up there. It was hard work though as the lines to see things were sooooo long but Bubbs managed to go past the massive moving T Rex which he has always been too scared to do before so yeah him.

The rest of the last weekend was spent hanging as a family which was WONDERFUL and I am so grateful for my family.

I did spend tuesday with my godmother and had the most lovely day with her. She is like an auntie to me and another grandmother to our children and I really appreciated having her spend the day with me when I was sooooo worried about what was going on with Hubby. If you read this Susie, THANK YOU
xxx

Bible in 90 days anyone??

2010-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I've got a few days catching up to do but if you wanna join in look here

Surprises Surprises!!

2010-01-25T03:26:00.000-08:00

Just to say sorry for not blogging recently...

It is my husbands 40th birthday today and his dad flew in on Thursday as a surprise and man was it one!!

Will fill you all in once visit is over, it is madness here at this house!!!!!

xxxxx

Just a quickie

2010-01-17T14:10:00.001-08:00

William started throwing up again in the early hours of sat morning so we didn't do much for the day....Hubby went for a long bike ride with his group, it is his birthday on 25th but mine is on 23rd so he didn't want to be doing his ride on my bday. bless. It rained all morning so rather him than me but he still came back sooo happy.

I finally got out of the house, I went into town for the essentials ie nappies... I managed to do my grocery shopping online and it is being delivered on tuesday which is a relief we will have food to eat woo hoo. I even got to have a coffee with a friend which was wonderful I felt human again.

It looked like I wasn't going to get to do Day 8 again, but I babysat for a friend and did it at her house with their dog watching me just like Mabel does. I also got to watch Bride Wars which was fab.

Today, I got back to church. I took the girlies and put them in their Ark group and settled down to concerntrate on the sermon for once. I feel like I haven't made it there for ages and it was so lovely being there again.

William woke up completely normal today so yah!!

I am going to try to work out again next week. I think doing mon thru fri working out will be the best idea cos weekends don't work very easily.

I'm still loving it though so keep you posted

xxxx

2010-01-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

I should be doing Day 8 today, but am going to have to put it on hold as Bubbs has a horrid tummy virus. He is the last of the 3 to get it, but I have had all 3 of them at home today and just haven't managed to do it and I MUST go to the grocery store tonight as we are running out of everything including nappies, I only have enough for tonight now!!

Shred is going really well though and I am a bit gutted that I haven't fitted it in today but such is life I can't beat myself up. I love the fact that lots of my blogging buddies are either doing it too or have done it. No one over here seems to have heard of it yet but I think it is awesome.

Not much else to say as I am still fairly housebound due to sick kids now rather than weather and I haven't been out for ages so am feeling a bit rough around the edges!!!

Hope I get to do Day 8 tomorrow instead

As I was saying yesterday!! UPDATE

2010-01-12T03:44:00.000-08:00

Well, nursery is closed today due to the heating not working so I didn't get my morning off in which I was going to do all the stuff I didn't get done yesterday, but........we did do this

Swings in the snow

Sledging

Oops and a bit of falling over!

Mabel loved this and we met her friend too so the dogs had a blast.

I even managed to do Day 5, with the girls watching but they were fab and even gave me some encouragement woo hoo.

WW weigh in tonight so we will see how that goes - Lost 2lbs woo hoo

BUT Moodle threw up in the snow in the playground....my school run is cursed. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow now at all

A Day to Myself

2010-01-11T03:36:00.001-08:00

It is 1130am and I am sitting down with a cup of tea and a packet of go ahead biscuits (worth 3 points) and I'm in my Pjs....but get this:

So far this morning I have got everyone to school on time. Jim Jam slept well and had a massive bowl of porridge with us all and was desperate to go to nursery so I sent her. I have walked the dog, the meadow is still looking beautiful and I have done Day 4!!!! I could actually now go back up to bed and go to sleep but don't think I should, why I have no idea as I didn't sleep well last night due to a wake up call from both girls at 2am and no sleep at all the night before but I'll see how I get on.

This is my first day off without any of the children in a LONG time and it is set to continue because the girls are now going to nursery all day on a monday and mornings on tuesday and friday. I had all these great plans that monday is going to be house work and Phoenix day but today I am just too tired to do it so I'm giving myself the day off!!!!! Shocking I know.

Got WW tomorrow, debating what to wear as it is freezing outside but don't want to wear my jeans as they weigh soooo much. Isn't it ridiculous how we worry about that but I know it is not just me.

Feeling good right now, and looking forward to what this new decade is to bring us. The girls start big school in 2011 so I don't actually have them at home for that much longer (even though it feels like forever) and we are planning on going to DisneyLand (the Florida one) with my in laws in the summer of 2012...the children are already talking about it but we figure we need to wait so they can really appreciate it as it will be a once in a lifetime thing!

Baby steps though, my main goal this year is to get to my WW goal weight and maintain it. I have reached goal 3 times now but never managed to get back to it after the children but there will not be that excuse again so this is it.

Off to do some paperwork now, Hubbys birthday is in a few weeks and it is the big 4 0, we are all going out to lunch at a yummy restaurant in town which will be lovely there will be 36 of us in total all for a Sunday roast! Yum

Snow Sick and Day 3

2010-01-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

We still have snow!!!!

The sick started at 2am with Jim Jam and carried on every 30mins or so till 8am!!! Nuff said, she was wiped today but finally managed to keep some fluids down but has not eaten all day. Nursery is open tomorrow but I have to do a three quarter mile walk each way with all 3 kids starting at 8am which I am dreading. Moodle and Bubbs are both puke free so am sending them in but will bring Jim Jam home.....I am soooo dreading it. But, just think of the exercise!

Nicely leading into Day 3, I did it even though I was pooped and only did it at 7pm once all kids in bed.........yeah I am actually proud of myself

WW on tuesday I really hope I loose what I put on over Christmas

Day 2

2010-01-09T04:09:00.001-08:00

I've just done it, my body is burning but I did it. Thanks Hubby for keeping the kids upstairs for half an hour especially since we are all feeling a bit of cabin fever since it snowed again last night!!!!!!

Here's to tomorrow

Snowy days

2010-01-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

This is our new mode of transport!! We have had a massive amount of snow and this was Bubbs and his friend T going to school yesterday!! They loved it, not so sure about Ts dad who was doing the pulling!!!

Spot the Dog!!

Our Beautiful Park

The massive Iccicle hanging from our conservatory (specially for you Anne :-) )

How gorgeous does this tree look

Aside from all the snow, I have finally managed today because all the children are at school, to do my 1st day of my 30 day Shred....my legs are killing me but I am going to really try here, got to shift those pounds....keep an eye here and keep me accountable....

Christmas 2009

2010-01-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas in Guernsey again this year with our good friends the MacNabs....and boy do they do it well. We went last year and it was even better this year. Here are a few random shots below of the kids. All I can say is Thanks so much guys we had a blast xxxxx

Jim Jam above opening her stocking

Moodle above opening her stocking

All the kids sitting on Tim on morning

Bubbs opening his stocking, don't you just love his bed head

Carolyn reading to all the children

It was amazing and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. We got to go to church on Christmas eve and Christmas morning which was lovely and the services we wonderful. The New Year is upon us and we even managed to stay up till midnight...we were watching tv in bed but that is beside the point!!

Everyone is back to work and school starting with girlies and Hubby on Monday and Bubbs on Tuesday, then it is back to normal for me....woo hoo

xxx

Thanksgiving and all its loveliness!!

2009-11-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

I am just laying about having cooked and fed 12 people today!! Oh and done the ironing..

I made Thanksgiving lunch for my lovely American Hubby who even though we have lived here since 1999 still misses home so I thought a bit of traditional US fayre would be nice for him..He does so much for us that it is the least I can do.

We had turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy and sausage and sage and onion stuffing balls. For dessert we had pumpkin pie, pecan pie, whipped cream and ice cream....now I think that should be what all my fellow americans had too.

I have never made pecan pie and oh my goodness I will be making it again it is soooo yummy. I had a nightmare trying to find canned pumpkin too, but eventually 2 friends of mine showed up with 2 a piece so I now have enough for next year too. We all had a wonderful day everyone ate well, including the children eventually. I love that my children like pumpkin pie as it is something that just doesn't exist over here and our friends children liked it too, yippee.

That is all for now. Hubby away tomorrow night so by myself with the kids as long as I get them in bed on time we should be fine. I do have to take Bubbs to the doctors tomorrow though as he has a horrid rash on his face, I think it is a reaction to something but really not sure what, bless him he looks like he has a terrible case of acne!

New week and hopefully healthy!

2009-11-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

Just to update, WWW christmas fair went amazingly well and I had such a good time.
Kids seem to be a bit better so looking forward to a normal week starting tomorrow
xx

Christmas Fair

2009-11-18T02:51:00.000-08:00

All is sick in the house, or at least 2 of the 3 kids are.....Bubbs and JimJam got horrid coughs and intermittent temps so off school today!

I am gearing up to do my first big Christmas fair at our Womens group evening...I am really excited, spent last night pricing up things and putting them all into nice display baskets. I just love this fair as it really starts the ball rolling on the season.

Not much else to report but want to try to start posting more regularly now as a fellow blogger and loyal reader commented the other day that I really ought to!!! So here goes....

Babysitting for a friend tonight and get to watch 'Last Chance Harvey' which I am looking forward to as Hubby wouldn't really like it so get to have a girly eve at someone elses house which is always good cos you can't do any other jobs apart from relax..... woo hoo

December is coming up and I have just been filling up my new replacement diary and man we are busy, I tell you once the kids start school it goes mad there are fairs, lunches, plays, discos and all other number of things that I have got to remember and before that I am actually hosting Thanksgiving lunch here after church (in honour of Hubby) on the 28th and so far I can only find canned pumpkin for 2.87 plus shipping (that is GBP but stupid computer won't give me the sign)....I am going to have to go for it as you just can't have Thanksgiving lunch without Pumpkin pie!! How much fun will that be though as we really do have so much to be thankful for even if we aren't in the USA!!
xx

Beautiful friends and beautiful bag!!!!

2009-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Where do I start! I had a very good friend come round late on in the afternoon last night with an amazing surprise. She gave me a gift card for our local mall with money on it which all my amazing church friends from my wednesday group had given her to buy me a new bag! Well, can you imagine how excited I was.....anyone who knows me in real life will know I am not really a shopper especially for myself I just don't enjoy it. But, when beautiful friends tell you to go spend you go spend!!!! I bought myself a gorgeous bag and a new keyring and I had such fun doing it! I can't wait to show it to them next weds xx

Everything else here is good, the weather here today has been awful...it basically has been blowing a gale since last night and raining so hard it was sideways at times. Hubby worked from home today though which was a lovely surprise and makes for a long weekend almost. My mum is here still and we have managed to knock out quite a lot of christmas shopping while the girlies have been at nursery which is good as it spreads the cost alot. I managed to find Bubbs a small box of Lego Starwars which he should be so pleased with, he is too scared to watch the movie but is obsessed with them so I can't wait to see his face when he opens it. Girlies are nearly sorted and so is some of my family just a few to go now.

I have a Phoenix card stall at our Www (womens bible study group) evening christmas fair next week. I can't wait, I am nervous as have never had a stall this big yet but it should be really exciting and hopefully will mean I can do it year on year...it is a really good way to start to get into the spirit of things and a good way to build up my business. I have managed to do a couple of parties this year and have donated some to charity too which is always nice.

Not much else going on at the mo, kids are doing great, weather hideous, hubby gorgeous, mum here and well, dad bored on his own in France and above all, God loves us allxx

Thiefs, you are not going to get me down!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

Firstly, thank you for all the lovely and supportive comments left for me, it is so nice to know people do actually read what I write especially as I hadn't done for so long.

Mentally, I am doing great. I still get cross with the kids but with CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which I am still learning to get to grips with and all my outside worries etc still being there I am feeling BETTER, woo hoo. All my children are being great. The girlies are playing together beautifully when Bubbs is at school now without nearly as much fighting. Anyone who reads this who has twins with older siblings will relate as when all 3 of them are together it is much harder work than if there is just the 2, be it the 2 of them or 1 of them with Bubbs. I am sure that is nothing to do with twins just 3 siblings. This is making life much easier though because I don't feel like a boxing referee all the time and the house just feels lighter.

Bubbs is doing better at school which I am really happy about and we got his school pix back today which is just so cute!!!! He is doing really well, no extremely well at his swimming lessons too and can pretty much swim. We did quite a lot of nothing over the half term school break. It was nice for all of us not to have to get up and out by 810am for school and we had a couple of PJ days. We saw no one from school and just really connected as a family. Hubby was off from the weds till tuesday which was awesome! Weds, Hubby and girlies went to the beach with the dog and had a blast and I spent the day with Bubbs. We were all supposed to do the beach thing but Bubbs said he didn't feel well so we stayed home but when I suggested doing something just the 2 of us he perked up....I am thinking he just needed some mummy time (bless). We walked into town for a couple of errands and then I took him to lunch which was lovely. Because of this, Hubby and I are now going to make a conscious effort to do things with all of them individually more often, esp Bubbs at the minute. However guilty this makes me feel saying it, I think my mental state over the summer affected him far more than I realised or even thought about. We always knew and had planned that we would be doing this but for some reason just didn't seem to think about doing it when they were so young...but I guess they are not actually that young anymore

Friday we went to stay with my Godparents, suzjim...that is what the kids call them. I love going there as we are thoroughly spoilt and it is like going on a mini break with the kids,who get equally spoilt. We went to a water park pool, you know the ones with wave machines and tubes and all had a BLAST, staying really late and just having a great time. All of this was marred by the fact that my hand bag got stolen!! Luckily, they didn't take the car but very kindly did leave the keys in the front seat (bizarre I know). The whole thing has cost me a fortune as we had to change the locks because my house keys and driving license were both in there! Also, our house insurance doesn't cover it as personal possessions is an 'optional extra'. But, it is only material so I have to let it go.

Saturday we came home, changed the locks and lazed about. Spending tea time having a KFC floor picnic watching family TV it was like something out of a movie and just as cool as it sounds.
Sunday we got back in the car and headed back to my grand parents after church, it was Church parade so Hubby was in his scout role and Bubbs joined him. He loves doing that it makes him feel so grown up. We had a lovely day with the grand parents and all in all this was the best school break ever. Made even more perfect by the fact that my mum came home sunday night too and is staying with us for a couple of weeks......I love her and having her here is a God send, literally.

Monday was back to school for Bubbs which was fine. Hubby was off too as it was our wedding anniversary....13 years! I love him more now than I ever did and cannot and wouldn't want to imagine life without him. He is my rock and however crappy I am with him he still loves me and after the year I have had mentally that is pretty impressive. I love you babe. We went out for a pretty crappy lunch with the kids and mum but still had a lovely day.

All back to normal now, everyone back where they should be and everyone happy. It's been a long time since I was able to say that and yes, I am relishing it.
xx

Catch up, catch up, catch up!

2009-10-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

So I've been having counselling, figured out I have been depressed since I got fired when I was pregnant with Bubbs...so going on nearly 6 years, I have failure issues, an eating disorder of sorts and many other things too, even though I really don't remember much of my childhood at all....a fact that my sister finds hilarious! But, I am feeling better.

Everyone is doing well here, I had a weekend off with my sister in Penzance which was lovely and Hubby had a good time with the kids. We are all of down there for a few days next week which will be great and the kids can't wait. It will be nice for hubby too as he hasn't been there or seen K for ages.

Beginning to realise that I really miss my parents now that they are truly living in France. (I know you read this mum and I am not saying any of this to make you feel guilty just airing my feelings.) I went to my Aunts for a little party for my nans birthday and took the children for the day and just had such a good time spending it with her and my cousins and their children. I felt quite envious of the fact that Auntie H is around just down the road from them all and they get to see each other regularly and can just pop in. I can understand why my parents are doing it but it still doesn't make it any easier, sometimes you just need a bit of mum company.

Kids are doing well, Bubbs is having some issues at school as he is really young in his year group and just can't seem to concentrate in a group and gets very easily distracted but when he is working individually does really well. So that has been playing on my mind alot but realistically he is still fine. The girls are loving nursery although I can't wait to get the government grant for their fees come January as I still have half a term to pay for which comes out at 217 pounds and that is only for 2 mornings a week. Once the grant kicks in though I am putting them in 9-3 monday and 9-12 tues and fri.....I am looking forward to catching up on keeping house as it is a tip and there is so much filing in our bedroom we are finding it hard to move now!!

Hubby has started helping in the local Scout group at our church and is loving it. He hasn't had much chance to cycle recently but I am sure he will be out on his bike this weekend at some stage.

That pretty much catches us up. I have been reading blogs and commenting but should be back now. I am acquiring my sisters old laptop next week which should mean I can put pix back on again too.
xx

Absence

2009-09-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry, just can't do this at the mo. Really struggling mentally and just can't keep up
xx

France pix

2009-07-28T00:57:00.000-07:00

Just a few random pix from our holiday so far! This is the girlies getting ready to go for ride Bubbs and the girlies having a cocktail in our friends bar!!

Feeding the chickens and ducks at the same friends house Dad in his pride and joy Austin 10 Dorothy...great for going round the country lanes in...the kids loved it

Our first pool shot, this was taken because they had both put their hats in the water and had them back on their heads but it doesn't look as funny in the picture

We are having a great time apart from Hubby has now gone home which is a bummer. Will keep you posted with more soon

France

2009-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo after a 15 hour drive we arrived. Man it was long but worth it.

The week is going incredibly quickly as Hubby goes home on Sunday without us as he has to go back to work!! Not sure how the children will react to this but we have another 4 weeks here without him!

Stupidly forgot the wire that connects my phone (camera) to the computer so will have to rely on pix from mum and dads camera. So far just hanging at home in paddling pool and have been to my cousins house.
Will keep you posted...oh I have fallen down a step and put 2 massive gashes in my knee....oops hopefully they won't get infected but we'll see
xx

Computers don't you just love um!!!

2009-07-10T03:22:00.001-07:00

Bubbs birthday was amazing, firstly let me say that and he had a great time as did we all.

I found the lead for my computer but it now won't let me upload pix from my phone which is really annoying especially for the grandparents!!!

I am so tempted to just go out and buy a new lappy as there is one on sale at mo for £299 at a local large superstore but we are in so much debt with flippin nursery fees I just can't...that is why I am not blogging much though as it is just tooooo slow!!!!!

Hope everyone well, I am still reading!!
xx

We are still here

2009-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry haven't blogged in forever and not going to say much here as we are getting ready for Bubbs 5th Birthday tomorrow. I will post pix then as at the minute I can't find my phone cord to transfer the picture of the cake I have just finished making....it is a guitar!!!!!

See you tomorrow
xx

Going to Cat Heaven in a cool car!!

2009-06-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

That is what my girlies said Gizmo is now doing. We had to lay to rest my parents/our cat on Monday after a really sad weekend of him going downhill. I have now had to draw lots of pictures of Gizmo and Heaven Car on our etchasketch!! Bless. When Bubbs finally realised Gizmo had gone the girlies answered first as to where he was and he took it completely in his stride (I was dreading telling him). Bubbs promptly told me that Gizmo was playing with Dizzy (mum and dads old dog)

Not much else has gone on here, I got the bill for the girlies nursery today, £250(they go twice a week for 3 hours!!! termtime only). I also recieved our bill for having our US taxes prepared, another £200. If you can believe it we have lived over here since 1999 now and still have to file each year and get the indignity of it, if we earn over a certain amount, bearing in mind how much the dollar can be worth in comparison to the pound, we would have to pay US taxes too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We also need to book our chunnel ticket so that we can go over to see my parents for the summer, aaaaargh where is it all supposed to come from!!!!!

I have also joined the EA active 30 day challenge which is great fun but and it's a big one, my wii controller seems to not work all the time and it drives me crazy cos you can't move on to the next exercise or save what you have done so far so it looks like I have only done 2 days!!!!!

xx

Where do I start?

2009-06-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I am doing brilliantly without my pills. I am still struggling with my eating (currently eating McVities plain choc digestive) but I am trying to cope with one thing at a time. I still haven't managed to do any decorating but that can wait.

The children are all finally back at school, I had my first morning off for 3 weeks today and I know it sounds really selfish but man, it was soooo good! I went back to Curves, ran some errands, tidied up the house a bit (not that you'd notice) and then went back to collect the girlies. They did really well in pants today and didn't have any accidents at nursery and only had 1 each at home this afternoon so all in all good. I hardly spent anytime with Bubbs today and really miss that. I need another day by myself with him. I seem to be constantly telling him off or nagging him and I don't want to be one of those mums.

I now have a team member for my card business which is fab. I have known B for a while now and she has run her own business before so I know she is going to do brilliantly and also the money she is raising is going to be going straight back to her daughters school which has got to be an incentive for her customers. I am loving all the new cards they have at the minute they have such great illustrators.

My sister has now moved to Penzance, I am going to miss her terribly as she is now 6 hours drive away, I feel like I am back in the US again. On a good note, they have settled in well, she sent me a pic of the front room and it looks fab. They have had a great week weather wise to have moved to the sea and I can't wait to go visit her. I am trying to finagle going down on Fathers Day weekend if I can make it. Mum and Dad are there right now and they were with us here last week. We had a great time with them, we visited my grandparents, went to Leeds Castle and just hung out. They bought Bubbs a new pair of sandals too which was wonderful and such a help for us.

Anyway, I think that is it. I'm off to bed and my book. I am finally reading Twilight. I have not heard any of the hype for this, not sure where I was as apparently it has been huge. My sister gave them to me and I am on book 2.....wow loving it!!!!

Ooh also, managed to get to Osteo - going back again on Friday and got a hair cut. I am now sporting a short short do and loving it

xx

xx

And so it goes on....................................

2009-05-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Moodle's not been well the last couple of days, there is nothing particular just a temp and a massive infected spot on her chin...she is looking particularly cute but rather gross at the same time. She goes to have her bandage off tomorrow which will be great, she is really protective of her hand so not sure how much she will love it but hopefully it will all be fine.
***UPDATE, Had to take Moodle to Docs this afternoon as she has developed thrush in her mouth. This means more meds for her too which is really sad and it is something she has to spit out too!!!!! Try that with a 2 year old! Also, got a call from the community nurse today which seems to indicate we are officially on the 'at risk' register since visiting the ER. How guilty do I feel.
On a positive, I did book a hair appt for sat and am now off to search for a new do, I fancy cutting it all off and starting over.!***************

Everyone else is doing well, Hubby is not in the best place at the moment as he had his bike stolen from outside of work, and before you ask we hadn't taken out the pedal bike premium (in error) so it is not insured. He is really struggling within his faith to be able to forgive these guys and it has been a real hard few days for him. This also effects his Capital to Capital race too as this was the bike he was going to ride.......he is riding for charity and for City Uni from Edinburgh to London in August. Check out his blog to find out more. I am really proud of him for doing this and I am sure he will have a bike to ride as we have no way in the world of buying him a new one!

Not much else going on I don't think, I am desperate for a haircut and the osteopath so hopefully will get to do both next week at some stage. Also, my sis moves to the other end of country next week, so feeling bit worried about that. I pray that they have a safe and happy move and nothing goes wrong
xx

Race for Life

2009-05-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

I did it, I ran my 5k Race for Life. This is a real achievement for me as I had not managed to train (apart from going to Curves) since signing up and I swore to myself last year that I would run it this year.

Anyway, thanks for anyone who has sponsored me and just so you know I didn't push the twins....I only just made it round by myself can't imagine doing it with them too.

The girls are doing well with their potty training, we are having accidents but not loads and we have ventured out without nappies. I did it so differently with Bubbs, it took me ages and I remember having nappies hanging around for ages. This time they have all been put upstairs in their bedroom for night time and I just have a big bag of pants downstairs for them to put on if they have an accident. Funny thing is, they love to wear Bubbs pants, no cute pink panties for them just Bob the Builder ones, bless them.

We spent a lovely afternoon today with our friends at their daughters birthday bbq. They are really good hosts and it was such good afternoon. Thanks guys.

This week starts over again. I am doing ok without my meds. I am not sure quite when they completely leave my system, I am still getting weird side effects that affect my sight. It is hard to explain, when I turn my head quickly I feel as though my brain is being left behind for a split second. It used to happen if ever I missed 2 or more pills so I can only imagine it is while the medication is leaving my system. I am finding my temper is extremely short with my children but I think that really is just normal at the stage we are all at. One of my biggest problems that I find really hard to cope with is my negative self image and how much I put upon myself, which when I don't get everything done I feel hideous in my own skin. Extreme I know but that is how I feel. The list I have in my head of stuff I want to get done, either for myself ie: lose weight, exercise more, pray more consistently, have complete faith in God for my life (that is a real hard one) etc etc. Or for my home ie: decorate the bedroom, which would lead to setting up our office, which leads to organising my Phoenix stuff and home accounts, which leads to the kitchen being tidier as most of the paperwork is in there, which leads to being able to reorganise under the stairs, and the list goes on. Can you see how messed up my head is now. Realistically, how am I going to get even half that done with 3 children around, especially as Moodle is going to nursery this week again till the bandage comes off on Friday.

Wow, what a great feeling it is to put all this on paper well screen at least. I do wonder fellow bloggers what it will be like to come back in 10 years time and read our posts. So many of you that I follow are so open and expressive in your blogs and I just love reading you all
xx

Potty Training

2009-05-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

Yes that is right I am potty training. The girlies have seemed keen on it for a while now, to be truthful they could live in the bathroom. I was having to lock the downstairs one as they would just trash it constantly - I can see my family laughing about this now. So we have gone for it. Nappies/diapers are put up in the bedroom for night time and pants are out. Had a fair few accidents so far but suppose that is just normal, there is now no going back!!!!! The funniest thing is that they don't want to wear all their lovely pink cute girly pants, they found some of Bubbs old pants with Bob the builder and Thomas the Tank engine on and really want to wear them!! I have such tomboys.

Moodles finger is doing well, we get to go back on 22nd to have her bandage off which will be great as bathing with a bag over her hand is getting tiresome now and she hates it.

I seem to be doing ok without my meds, not sure how med free my body is yet as I don't know how long they stay in my system for but I took my last actual pill on the 7th May so I can't have much left in me....who knows but all in all it's good.

Next thing I need to work on is losing weight. I fight this issue always, like so many women in the world. I comfort eat when the children are stressing me out and that then makes me feel so bad. So once all the weeing is over diet is on!!
xx

Party of 5

Kinect, A&E and they are not related!!!!!!

A non valentine Valentine

Snow day xx

40th Celebrations! - Post long overdue

Transition!

Random updates!

Paris!!!

So it continues.........

A little bit of moomin

Wow, it been ages!

Wedding Days - part 2

Wedding Days!

Half Term madness!!

Dukan update

A week on!!

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!

Day 4!

Day 3!!

Dukan Day 2

A date with Dukan!

Feeling better for the weekend!!

Sick, sick, sick!!

Sunshine and New cards!!

A job done!

First full day and I'm full of good intentions.......

Friday!

Birthday Princesses!!!

Day off!

Strike One!!!!!

School, Autumn and a new chapter!

Williams 7th Birthday!!!

Blogger Frustrations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Holidays

My ABC's

Bikers in the family

Wow has it been that long!

Excitement in my life!!

What a weird week!

Happy New Year!

Little Christmas Pix...

Friday!

Snow!!!!

10k news

10k prep!

Catch up!

Up to date pix

October!

Birthday Weekend!

Back to School!

Holiday weekend!

Update on dad!

Hanging in there!

A cold in the summer!

Still running!

Sand angels anyone?

To Beach or not to Beach!

Holiday!!!!!!!!!

Running

We took a day out!

Running again!

Birthday Boy!!

Such a weekend!

What we've been up to recently!

Ta Daaaa!

New school

Update and soooo much other news!!

Ofsted Inspection prayer request

Same old, same old!

Calling all potential Phoenix Traders

If you go down to the woods today......

Easter and such!

I am still here.....promise

Bible in 90 days anyone??

Surprises Surprises!!

Just a quickie

As I was saying yesterday!! **UPDATE**

A Day to Myself

Snow Sick and Day 3

Day 2

As I was saying yesterday!! UPDATE