Brummies galore

Can't quite believe its been 5 months since my last post! Mad! But then things have been!

We are now moved to the West Midlands, and I get to see Craig every evening again! It has been a rough road to get moved we ended up having 2 days notice as the chain was about to fall apart. Also because of people putting ridiculous deadlines completion fell on the day we were going away! So we moved out 2 days b4 (moved the entire lot of stuff our selves!) and I stayed with the in laws for 3 weeks before we could get chance to move down there (again moving ourselves!) Then the hard work began totally redecorating, but we are really getting somewhere now and it definately feels like home.

Its hard work getting to know people again... (and undstanding the accent is tricky!) but we have wonderful neighbours which is a great start!

the unknown

Its all too easy to become comfortable in life isnt it. Yes, there are always things that come to try us in all areas of our life but its easier to overcome those things from the stability of a settled home life.

I guess as a Christian I have always been aware of the need not to become 'comfortable' in my faith or life for that matter. Its easy to slip into the blinkered approach to those in need and I never want to be in that category of people.

I've been thinking such alot about this whole issue recently. With our house now sold it feels like my world has been turned upside down as we don't have a clue where we'll be ending up! Its easy to say that it'll work out but at the moment my job is to be at home raising my daughter so my home is really important, and I think the nesting instinct is still very prominent!!! It feels alien to be uprooting and starting afresh. But despite some set backs in finding a place to live, I feel excited about what is in store. God has his hand on our lives, and we were reminded by someone reading out the passage in Matthew about God taking care of the birds in the trees and the wild flowers, so what is there to worry about. Of course God will take care of us! Putting that into practice is difficult sometimes, but isnt it amazing!

Some one said that "courage isn't the absence of fear, its the mastery of it."

Its time then to move on, to start afresh and to follow God's leading. BRING IT ON!

A New Year, a New Me???

Happy New Year to you all! (all 3of u who actually read this blog!)

I've snatched a few minutes to myself and have decided that a new year requires a new look blog. While sorting the new blog layout I've been pondering the whole thing of new years resolutions! Many a year I've made resolutions to work harder, to be on time, to budget, to lose weight. Some I've kept to in some shape or form... others really not! And in some ways although I wouldnt call it a resolution I will be joining a slimming club tomorrow night!

So I was musing... is this going to be a new year, a new me? There are many challenges in the year ahead. Yes, losing weight is one. Making a good progress in physio to get good strength and mobility back is another. We'll be moving house to a new area sometime soon hopefully so many a challenge comes with that, but with it much to look forward to. Also I have the immense privaledge of seeing my daughter grow and develop everyday... she is such a blessing and brings me such alot of happiness.

So in some ways, yes there are many challenges and things to bring joy in the year ahead... but a new me? Maybe I'll look better once I shed the excess pounds (which Id like to blame on having a child, but they were already there!), and maybe I'll live somewhere different... but I'm afraid folks, I'm resigned to the fact that it''ll still be the same old me... like it or not! All the faults will still be there what ever resolutions are made, so lets forget striving to be someone we're not and embrace all that is good, bad and unique about us all!!!

All the best for 2008, i hope it brings you much fun and laughter, love and happiness xxx

taking for granted...

Do you ever sit back and take stock of things, or get reminded by someone and realise that there is SO SO much that we take for granted?

This has happened to me over the last week, actually prompted by the sermon at church on sunday (even though it was pretty unrelated!). There are so many things that I have been taking for granted, having a house, a baby, a wonderful husband and loving family. But the main thing that I realsised was that I totally have been taking for granted God's amazing goodness to us. Dont get me wrong, I have been constantly aware and thankful for all the ways he has been working, but I havn't been acting on that thankfullness. And this is something that has to change.

Christianity is not a passive faith, it is dynamic, and although faith and love of God doesn't require us to do anything as such - if it is a real faith then it COMPELLS us to action. Thats the key, if our faith is real it causes a stirring in us that compells us to act. It gives us a desire to hear and learn more about God, to find out more about His character, about His will and His love for His creation.

So it is not something to take for granted, as I have been reminded of once again. And my thankfullness for all things good is continuing even in the midst of the tired haze of today!

Ug Boots and 60 minute makeover!

So things have been a bit busy recently.... but I finally have a spare few minutes to spend on the net and thought I would blog for the first time in ages!


Today has been good so far. I got a record sleep of 7 hours last night! Incredible - then Rebekah slept for a further 4 hours which meant I could get all my jobs done!
Then I walked slowly into town (slowly due to pelvic problems from delivery) and got some Ug Boots as my others had fallen apart. Toasty Toes for me this winter ;)

Then I have done more jobs, given my baby a leg and foot massage (have been doing a course in it) and am now gearing up for a cup of tea and an hour of 60 minute make over! What a fab show! Its a joy that Rebekah is calm today - the last few days have been a tad trying to say the least. But the massage has zonked her out and she is fast asleep.

Friends too far away...

I had a fone call last night from one of my closest friends.... and I realised how much I miss my friends from uni. Most of my best friends live in either Watford or further into London and Northern Ireland! I miss my lovely friends so much - and due to the hugeness of my bump and being so ucomfortable during pregnancy I havnt been able to travel to see anyone and have been reliant on ppl coming here. But thanks to the wonders of Facebook, keeping in touch has never been easier!

We are hoping to get across to N Ireland before Christmas if I ever get organised and get a passport for Rebekah- and then I have a friend visiting in 2 weeks which I cant wait for!!! And in the meantime Im going to stay at my folks for a few days and catch up with some lovely ladies who I've known since I was born!

All good stuff.

Rebekah Lucy!

well its nearly six weeks since my last post, and I can't belive how different things are now. Even 4 days before my due date i was insanely uncomfortable - and Rebekah eventually decided to make an appearance 10 days late! To say that I was desparate for some1 to intervene would be a major understatement! Everyone knew I was having a big baby coz my bump was HUGE and nearly off the measurement scale at the midwifes, but even I didnt count on just how big she would be!

As it happened labour started naturally but was soooo long. From beginning to end over 36hours. 17 of which I was in hospital for. It was a difficult time and I don't remember a great deal of what happened due to the effects of diamorphine and 3 cannisters of Entinox (fabulous stuff!) and drugs to start contractions off again! I was as high as a kite! Craig was a rock throughout and was fabulous... even holding me on a birth ball for the best part of 3 hours because I couldnt stay upright! (I dont remember much of that!) And apparently I came too at one point and had forgotton I was in hospital and forgotton I was having a baby!

Eventually Rebekah Lucy came into the world weighing a whopping 10lbs 8 ozs! She is an absolute angel - and I cant believe she is ours. Its such a miracle and I can sit looking at her for hours. Motherhood is hard work of course but there is so much to marvel at, and sooo much to look forward too.