1: Yet again I've realised how amazing my husband is. He is a man of integrity. He puts our family first and I love his simple outlook on situations. I've been a bit emotionally wobbly recently and he has put everything into perspective for me, making me see things for what they are. He supports me 100% and just being reminded of these qualities makes me happy. His job situation is still a bit flaky, but our relationship has never been stronger.
2: My daughter Megan has finished university. Three years of studying Business Management and Marketing at The University of Manchester has come to an end. I'm so proud of her. She has struggled with her health whilst she has been away and has had some problems that she has had to deal with on her own outside of the protection and comfort of her family. But she has worked hard and now holds the honour of being the most educated person in our family with a well respected degree under her belt!
She has some recently had some big changes and more are on her horizon. Times are tough for her right now. The economic climate means everything is more of a struggle but she will find a path befitting her abilities, talents and her personality. She has got so much promise and potential. Whatever she ends up doing, she'll make her mark on the world. I love my daughter and am honoured to be her mum.
3: Ella has almost finished her GCSE's. Three more exams to go and she has coped admirably with her revision. Like her big sister, she is also going through a lot of changes as she is leaving the comfort of her local school to attend a big sixth form college in a town which is an hour's bus ride away. She has some lovely friends that she will be leaving behind, but they have plans to meet up every week for a catch up. Ella's not had it easy these past months, but again I am so proud of her of her amazing self-resilience. She'll be moving onwards and upwards and will have our full support as she takes on the next challenges in her life.
4: My eldest son Joe is about to move house. It's never easy! But it is exciting to think of him and his girlfriend setting up a new home with the thought of their new baby being born into it. Unfortunately Joe's moving date is the same as the date Megan is meant to vacate her student accommodation. There will be juggling for us to do in order to help them both!!
5: Our tickets have just arrived for The M Fest, Morrison's festival of Food and Music (two of my favourite things!!) It will be Freddy and Kizzy's first weekend festival and it is something that Ian is very keen for them to experience. It's also across Freddy's 3rd birthday weekend so will be a treat for us all to celebrate his special day!
We'll be postponing his birthday party for a few weeks, but it is something I'm really looking forwards to. Lots of cake baking, music, fun, friends and family. It will be fabulous and an opportunity for us to get together and give thanks for all that is good in our life and put behind all the bad bits!
6: Today I helped sponsor a child in Niger along with a whole host of other bloggers. This is another example of the good that can be done when the blogging community pulls together. I'm so proud to be a part of this! If you want to be a part of something amazing check out this post from Merry at Patch of Puddles for #ShareNiger You don't have to give a lot (I couldn't donate too much because of my husband's uncertain job future) but every penny counts. A one off donation or a monthly payment can literally change the lives of children in Niger. Together we truly can make a difference.
