Christmas photos and merryment!

One of my favourite things about Christmas is when the kids are all asleep and the tree is surrounded by gifts, the lights are low and the wine is flowing! Our tree always looks so small compared to the amount of gifts under it. (Then i think of "Octamom" and "Boy Mom" and smile at the thought of how their trees look!!) So here is our tree before the children woke on Christmas morning.

The Tree.

Then there is the childrens faces when (if) they get the one gift that they wished so hard for, the gift they did the dishes for (in December anyway) the one prize that would make this Christmas the best one "ever".

Rachel and the "new coat"

Becky and the "grown up make-up set!"

And David the "Clone Trooper" with "Gordon" the monkey puppet!

Then there is family! Since Christmas day we have now spent 2 days at home, yesterday and today! On boxing day we visited Rich's family (no pics i forgot my camera..aaaagh) and then on the 27th we visited my family. It is always so great to see the cousins together and here the all are..

Back - Becky, Elouise and Rae.
Front - Jack and David!

So yes it is pretty safe to say that this was their "best Christmas e-v-e-r". With all gifts opened and peace restored the children are playing with their toys, or watching new DVD's, reading new books, applying make up or bathing with bath bombs! Lego all over the place and go-go's under foot we can now sit back and enjoy the gifts we recieved...until our next Christmas...Jan 01. 2009 when we visit our "best friends in the world" for the day, a tradition we started around 3 or 4 years ago. We stay away from each other over Chrsitmas to allow family and other friends to visit and new year is our day. I am looking ofrward ot it very much particularly this year as K has been seriously ill recently and we were all worried that Christmas may not go ahead as planned with them. All is well now though and we can look to 2009 without worries and concerns for him. (K - i am so glad you are better we love you tons!).

I'm back

from the limbo status i have been in this month!
So much has been happening here that i do not know where to start. I am seeing a specialist at the hospital on the 20Th Jan '09 for a few girly issues i have going on. The down side is after a week of running i was told i can't do any more until the specialist gives the go ahead. But i will go back to it!! Becky has finished her show of The Wizard of Oz in the theatre in Guildford, although she was quite poorly and had to withdraw from 2 of the performance because of it. Rae sang a solo in the Church carol service (yes i cried) and it was so lovely to have people tell me how she has the voice of an angel! She also sang and played her sax in the school Christmas concert (Becky missed it due to being ill).
So with Christmas drawing nearer and nearer my life has been a whirl of hospital appointments, sick child, shopping, school concerts and more sick child!
So now i find myself halfway through the day on Christmas Eve trying to play a quick catch up and do justice to my disappearance from you all. Thank you for all your comments lately.
So from my corner of the world to yours i wish you all a Very Peaceful Christmas and a Wonderful New Year for 2009.
Blessings to you all.xx

The run!!

So many of my blog buddies are runners or have been nothing but supportive towards me as i embark upon a new part of my life, as a runner!
Well today was/is the start of the new improved, slimmer me!
I ran 1/2 mile in 7.09 minutes! I may not be setting records but it's a start..and i am glad i did it even if my legs aren't too impressed with the new plan. I guess i forgot to warn them!
Still i made that move today, it took 7 minutes out of my evening and i am still alive..what doesn't kill me does make me stronger right?
And yes, i do plan to run tomorrow night too..and knock at least a second off my time!!

Thanks for inspiring me and supporting me everyone.

December already?

It seems everyone is getting ready for Christmas and stepping it up a gear! Decorations are flying up everywhere and towns are having Christmas Lights ceremonies. I feel i am letting the side down a litte, with the advent calendars on the door and cards recieved early in the holders on the wall...I'm done! LOL
I wont be putting the tree up until the children beging their school holiday,
I wont be wrapping presents (not that i have bought any) until at least Dec 20th and
I wont decorate the cake until Dec 22 when i am sure i cannot put any more brandy in it!
I'm not a scrooge though, not by any manner of means! This is how we do it in our house! Since we got married, since the kids could give input on when they want the tree up and since we are big on our own traditions!
I am in awe of everyone that can do it this early and not get fed up of it all by Dec 15th! I wish i was more like that..so i made an attempt on the blog and will add more decorations soon! LOL

I spent 3 hours studying today and am looking forward (kinda) to my run tomorrow! I will post to let you all know how it goes if it doesn't kill me! hehe.

Pick n Mix post.

Bit of a mish mash post here, lots of little bits going on around here.
The girls auditioned for the school show of Bugsy Malone last week. They have been told that they both have parts, but which parts are tbc! Becky made me promise to tell you all that she is only 1 of 3 year seven children given a part! She is so pleased with herself! So *yaaay girlies!*
They are also both auditioning for solo's in the school Christmas concert. Rae will also be playing her sax, can't wait to see that, singing and playing, haha!! (she didn't find that funny either!)

David is playing the Christmas thing BIG this year! Lots of star wars and lego, so when i said he might not get it all he replied with:
"oh it's not all from you Mum, I'm asking Sants Claus for this and this, and you and Dad can get me this and this!"
Darn that kid is far too smart!
He is hoping to be a narrator in the school play, one with only one line please! For a child who is so confident at home he sure plays a shy lad at school really well!

I have been psyching myself up for Dec 1st and the FIRST run! As well as that i have a confession to make!
I worried myself sleepless for two nights trying to decide if i really am capable of being a good teacher, will i qualify etc etc. Self doubt, gets you every time there's something big to do and i have enough self doubt to go round all of us!
My parents say i can, my hubby says he believes in me, the kids think it's awesome, i have two friends that teach both say I'd be great. So why don't i believe it all? Is it because if it all goes wrong i wont be too disappointed?
I spoke to M and J today and they both told me to behave and put my mind at rest. So M and J i thank you from the bottom of my heart and i WILL take you up on all offers of help (which have been duly logged!).