A Daughter is a Little Girl who grows up to be your Best Friend

Happy 24th birthday to Megan. My daughter who gave me the strength to become the person who I needed to be, even before she was born. Whose positive attitude to life inspires and astounds me everyday. Whose strength and resilience constantly amazes me and motivates me to be the best person I can be. My daughter who never fails to fill our time together with energy and laughter.

Me and my little girl

Megan is a a force to be reckoned with and someone who gives love to the people she cares about in abundance. And she is adored in return. I am so honoured to have her and am so proud that I had a hand in helping her become the woman she is today.

You are just such a cool girl Megan. 

So Megs, keep breaking that fourth wall, and continue to bring adventure, fun and hilarity into our lives. You girls really are my best friends and that makes me the luckiest mum ever.

I love you immensely.

Happy birthday my lovely xxx

Meg with Nana and Grandad

Happy Father's Day to my Children's Daddy

Once upon a time I was a single parent with a 3 year old son and a new baby girl. Although being a 22 year old with two kids wasn't easy, being a mum defined me, giving me something to live for and to strive for. I didn't need any one else aside from my son and my daughter. With two terrible failed relationships behind me, the part of me that could love or trust again was more than a little broken. I focused all my effort and energy into doing the best for my children. Building a life for us and protecting them from the hurt I had endured.

I could never have known that I would be sharing my life with someone again so soon. That within a year someone would take my wounded heart and fix it. Someone who would teach me how to live and how to love.

You came along. My best friend for so many years. Offering me the unconditional support and friendship that had been missing from my previous relationships. Opening my eyes to how it felt to be respected, cherished and  loved. It was inevitable that our friendship would become something more and I knew that you were an honest, decent, trustworthy man with a good heart - a man that I could let into my children's lives.

So you became the father figure that they had never had. A man that they could love and trust, who would never let them down. Who would put their needs first. Who would love their mum and never hurt her.

Over the next few years we saw the arrival of a daughter. We got married and welcomed another little girl and a son into our family. We built a home and saw our love grow deeper and deeper, as we shared our lives together.

Today is Father's Day.

On this day I need to let you know just how amazing a man you are. What you have given me can never be quantified. Because you have given me myself. You made me whole and gave me the chance to be the best person I could ever be, But more than that, you gave my children the very best dad that they could ever wish for. Literally.

I have never known a dad like you. Nothing is too much trouble for you when it comes to your family. The things you have done for all five of our children goes so far beyond the call of duty. You are selfless. You are kind, fair, respectful and supportive. You love unconditionally, with all of your heart. You have fun with them, enjoying their company and time spent together. You give them the tools to be better people and let them see how a real man behaves. They are so lucky to have you.

If I could have known what life my two eldest children would enjoy thanks to me being with you, that scared 22 year old girl that I was, would have never wasted a tear , felt any regret or sorrow or feared for our futures. Everything bad that I had endured up to that point in my life was worth my suffering. Because my journey led me to you. Has led me to where we are now, with five miraculous children and a wonderful life together.

Thank you for allowing me to give my children a dad like you. It has been the very best gift I could ever have given to them. The best gift for a mother to give to her children. A role model, a hero, a shoulder to cry on and someone to trust. A strong pair of arms to hold them and the knowledge that they will always have someone who puts their needs above their own.

I only have to look at my incredible, successful, confident and loving older kids to know that your parenting has influenced their lives in such a positive way. You gave them a love that transcended biology, allowing them to rewrite the futures they may have otherwise had. Our three younger children are just as wonderful, knowing nothing but the unconditional love of two parents who are very much in love with each other. The five of them are as close as siblings can be and fill us with such pride and joy everyday.

We did this together Ian, but I am forever grateful to you. You gave me the chance to live this life and to give our children all the things that they need to be the best versions of themselves that they can be. That is a true blessing.

Happy 81st Birthday to my Mum

"No gift to your mother can ever equal her gift to you - life."

My beautiful mother

I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for being you.

I love you so much Mum. 

xxx

Happy Birthday Megan - My Inspirational Daughter

Today, 23 years ago, I gave birth to my eldest daughter Megan.  My pregnancy was not easy.  I suffered from pre-eclampsia and was hospitalised several times.  At one point, a routine ante-natal appointment ended up with an emergency trip to hospital, because they couldn't find her heartbeat.  I was warned to fear the worst, and I went over and over in my head how I was going to explain to my three year old son, that his long awaited baby sister wouldn't be coming home.  But my beautiful baby was a determined, feisty and tenacious girl with a strong will to make it into this world alive and kicking.  And that she did.  Her determination, feistiness and tenacity have remained defining characteristics of her personality ever since.

Over the years, Megan has proved her strength of character and her determination to succeed over and over again.  At school, her hard working attitude and intelligence was recognised from an early age and resulted in her going up to secondary school when she was still only 10 years old.

University followed when she was just 17 studying Business and Management, and at just 20 years old she started an independent life living in Manchester, putting her degree to good use.

Megan applies the same positive attitude to her personal life and embraces every opportunity to get out there, have fun and experience new things with gusto, while her working life shows that she is a force to be reckoned with, and proves that she has no fear when it comes to pursuing her dreams.  She is such a people person with so much confidence that nothing holds her back when it comes to working a room or meeting a client. Whatever Megan does, she goes big!

My daughter is an absolute inspiration to me.  She personifies everything I always aspired to be, and is living the sort of life I dreamed of when I was younger.  My life took a very different path, but I do not regret the fact that I didn't get to embrace opportunities like she does.  My path lead to early motherhood and the honour of parenting my five wonderful children. Helping them to grow and flourish has been the role that has defined me through my adult life.

Being Megan's mum is something I am so incredibly proud of.  Watching her succeed and live such a full and exciting life brings me so much happiness. Knowing I helped her to get there is just so humbling and brings meaning to the choices I made when I was her age and pregnant with her.

I love hearing her stories, such as the one where she had some cheeky banter with John Hurt on the set of the film she helped produce or where she turned down the chance to date a soap actor because he was a bit dull or where her netball team won their first league match 25 - 4 and played at the Manchester Velodrome, It's so exciting to watch my little girl spread her wings, blossom and win at life.

Even though she has a rich, busy and exciting life, Megan always has time for her family, which I think is the one of her most wonderful qualities.  I am so grateful to have such a close and loving family around me.

So happy birthday to my amazing daughter.  May you continue to embrace everything that life brings and may you continue to make your beautiful, Megan shaped mark on the world.  You make it a better place.

Recreating Old Family Photos for my Birthday

I have wonderful kids who surprise me, delight me and make me proud everyday. My girls really excelled themselves this year for my birthday by making me a video, which made me bawl my eyes out.

I was aware of a 'secret project' taking place over the last week or so, but I tried to ignore it, not wanting to ruin my own surprise.  To be honest I thought maybe they were maybe taking some photos for a card or something, but their idea was far more elaborate.

They wrote and recorded an original song and made a video featuring recreated family photos.  It was just so beautiful and so very thoughtful.  They did such a great job and included big brother Joe, who contributed to the project remotely, and little brother Freddy too.  I am so lucky to have kids who understand the things that make me happy...and nothing makes me happier than them.

Just seeing how much they have all grown, but how the relationship between them is still as close and how their personalities still shine through is just beautiful.  I'm definitely going to get involved in more recreations with them and am looking forward to joining in with the posing as we re-imagine precious memories.

Here is the video that they played for me on my birthday :)


                            

What Christmas Means To Me

My daughter Megan has done me the honour of writing a post for me to publish here on my blog, about what this Christmas means to her.  After reading it, I'm feeling ready to rise to the challenge and help make this year the best Christmas ever!

"Christmas was always super exciting as a kid, for all of the obvious reasons. Santa, presents, more chocolate than you could manage to stuff into your ever- filling belly and those smoked cheeses in a log shape which for some reason became a Christmas family tradition. But as I’ve gotten older, the prospect of Christmas has only excited me more. I get at least a full week off work and I get to spend it having some real quality family time. Although many things have changed this year, including the fact that I will no longer be welcoming smoked cheese logs or Ferrero Rocher into my festive diet due to my new found Veganism, I already know the great feeling I’ll get waving goodbye to rainy Manchester and razzing my little old Peugeot down the M6, singing at the top of my voice to Mariah and WHAM!

One of the things I love most about Christmas in the McDonald household is that every year is different and every year is somehow just that little bit better than the last. I’ve loved going away for Christmas and I’ve also loved being at home. This year will no doubt be the biggest and best one yet, with four generations all under one roof in the comfort of the McDonald home!

The biggest challenge this year will be the food. From meat eating older brother Joe to Vegan me, it was going to make for an interesting take on the traditional Christmas dinner. But, with mum being super supportive with my quest to battle my health problems and ditch the dairy, she’s suggested a Vegan Christmas all round. And I couldn’t be happier. Instead of feeling glum because of all the things I can’t have this Christmas, I have felt really inspired to embrace the new things that I can have. I’ve been on a food and recipe finding mission to ensure we can indulge on the big day. Who knew how delicious dairy free ice cream and chocolate could be?! I’m looking at you Swedish Glace and Booja Booja!

I simply cannot wait for the big day when Santa rocks down the chimney and I get to, once again, have the best Christmas I’ve ever had with my hilarious family. No pressure Mum!"

This is a guest post written by Megan, part of a series of seasonal guest posts I will be featuring over the next few weeks :)

What is a Daughter?

A daughter is a little girl....

...who grows up...

...to be your best friend!

Happy 21st Birthday To My Beautiful Daughter And Best Friend Megan xxx

A Wonderful Weekend To Celebrate Family

This weekend has been really lovely.  Megan came home so Ian could fix her car using precision instruments a big hammer to knock the front of the car back into alignment and replace the broken headlights and re-attach the bumper.  It may not look pretty but she is now safely back on the road after her accident.  I was really shocked by the state of her legs following her crash.  They were purple-blue from above the knee down to her ankles, literally covered with big bruises.  Her back has been twisted and jarred and is painful but she is a tough cookie and being so positive. I am so proud of her handling this ordeal in such a mature manner.

Megan has also just been accepted to be a member of Radio Lollipop, the radio station that operates in Manchester Hospital.  She will be part of a volunteer team who works on the long stay children's wards with the kids, planning activities and chatting to parents.  She will also be presenting on the radio doing her bit as a DJ!  I'm sure it will be immensely rewarding, sometimes heartbreaking and ultimately life changing for my daughter.  She is also volunteering as an usher at the local theatre.  Her job with the charity Hand on Heart is taking her to great places, meeting famous and inspirational people and helping raise money to purchase defibrillators for schools in the UK to help prevent the deaths of young people from sudden cardiac arrest.  I am really proud of the contribution she is making to the community and know she will go on to great things.

At The Salford Business Expo With The Aptly
 Named Manchester Giants Basketball Team.

Meanwhile, Ella is flourishing at her new college, doing well in her subjects and coping with all the recent changes she has had.  On Sunday, she played at the Bandstand at The Quarry Park in Shrewsbury.  It was a very chilly but beautiful autumnal day.  Ella performed beautifully even though she was going blue with cold!  After her performance we were approached by the Principal of the college inviting Ella to perform at some future events.  He said he loved the tone of her voice and that she was very talented, which is lovely to hear!  One of the events is being held at the prestigious Severn Theatre which will be an amazing opportunity for her and a wonderfully proud moment for me and her dad.

Ella performing her songs.

After her performance we had a walk in the park and Freddy played in the play area.  It was such a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  We followed this by a well deserved lunch out before heading home.

Catch Me Daddy!

My Girls x

Here is Ella performing a cover of Read All About It:

I love weekends with the family.  I have a lot more family events to look forward to too.  I am taking Meg on a much deserved two day break to Champney's Spa later this week (thanks Parentdish!) Then we have Megan's 21st birthday family meal to celebrate which we'll be sharing with our close family.  It'll be wonderful having my loved ones all under the same roof again.

Little Girls Get Bigger Everyday

This weekend my childhood friend Allie and her daughter Jess came to stay.  It has been a long time since we have all been together, but time just melted away.  Jess is the same age as Ella.  Allie and I were pregnant at the same time and when we had our baby girls, they were always destined to be friends. There is just seven weeks between them. Over the years, distance has meant that we could not spend as much time together as we would have liked, but when we do meet up, the relationship between us all is simply fabulous!

The first picture shows Ella and Jess when they were aged just 3 months and 5 months old.  The second picture was taken at the weekend.  Our two baby girls are now two beautiful sixteen year olds with the world at their feet, and we are so proud of them!

Ella and Jess/ Jess and Ella

Reasons To Be Cheerful Week 22 #R2BC

What's Made Me Smile This Week?

Another week has flown by, bringing with it a whole host of reasons to give cheer!

1:  Half way through Ian's 90 day redundancy notice, there is a ray of light.  Another employee has accepted another job in a different department meaning that Ian's role is now potentially safe!!  HR refuse to commit to putting it in writing, but this is as close to a reprieve as we can hope for.  So fingers crossed we won't be yet another victim of the economic recession.  I hadn't realised just how worried we actually were, as I was trying to put a positive spin on it all.  But the sudden sense of relief in both Ian and myself is palpable!  A huge weight has lifted!

2:  It's the Jubilee weekend and we are looking forward to the two extra days off!   Kizzy went to school in her Jubilee attire today and looked gorgeous.  She is so excited about the Diamond Jubilee and has learnt all sorts of facts about the Queen!   She had a special picnic lunch which included a gingerbread queen!  They released red and blue balloons and the choir was recorded singing The National Anthem for Shropshire Radio.

She is also very proud of her Grandad who marched in the Coronation as a Coldstream Guard back in 1952!  It has made it all very real to her having him as part of the historical event.

She showed this photograph to her class, Grandad is in the very middle of the front row looking very smart in his uniform!

3:  Ella is just four exams away from finishing her GCSEs and Megan is one exam away from graduating from University.  It is a difficult time in the year, but both of my grown-up girls have coped really well and will soon be able to relax and enjoy the summer.  It will be lovely to spend some extra time with them, I love their company.

I couldn't be more proud of Ella who has had such a tough year.  She has now officially left school (and has a signed shirt to prove it) and will be starting a new college in September.

Megan has a lot of exciting opportunities coming up...not exactly sure what they will be, but she has a few ideas and knowing my daughter she'll be embracing them with open arms!  She has also relaunched her blog Not Met Megan with the tagline:

"Looking forward to meeting all those new people who have Not Met Megan yet."


So do drop by and say hello and make her day :)

4:  My last reason to be cheerful is that it is half term next week.  I love it when the kids are off school.  No early mornings, no school runs and permanent sisterly entertainment on hand for Freddy!  I cannot believe we are this far through the school year already.  I really must try and find a nursery for Fred in September!!




That's me for this week...check out other reasons to be cheerful and link up at Mummy With A Heart!

Portraits Of My Girls #Project 52

A Daughter is a Little Girl who Grows Up to be Your Best Friend!

My Megan, my second born child, my first daughter and my best friend, is 20 years old today.  My little girl is all grown up and on a path towards the rest of her life, forging her own way in the big, wide world.  Her exciting journey is just beginning and I watch with amazement and anticipation as she makes the decisions that will dictate who she will become, what she will be and where she will go.

Being Megan's mum has not been without its challenges,  she'd be the first to admit that her strong personality  was difficult for her to manage as a young child, when her emotional intelligence struggled to keep up with her over active brain!  My explosive little girl did however become a dream teenager, open, honest and trustworthy with a maturity beyond her years.  Seeing the young woman who she has now become fills me with so much love and pride it's unbelievable.

Tenacious even as a newborn.

My daughter is beautiful, incredibly intelligent, driven to the point of being a perfectionist, she is loving, empathetic and hilariously funny.  She is also clumsy (so many A & E visits), sometimes argumentative (although she never goes to bed without resolving a disagreement) and opinionated (although most of her points are usually valid).  She is a strong young woman with a real zest for life.   She brings colour to our lives.  When she is away there is a Megan shaped hole!

Yellow Submarine Tap Dancer

At the moment she is applying for Graduate positions for next September when she graduates from the University of Manchester a year earlier than her peers, having studied Business, Marketing and Management. She will take the business world by storm...any company that rejects her doesn't know what they are missing out on!

Visiting a South African Township in Vukani

Over the years Megan has become my 'Mini-Me' and we have such a great time when she visits home.  I know that next year she will be entering the grown-up world of work, getting a house and making a fabulous life for herself, wherever the opportunities take her.  But me and her dad will be there, supporting her and sharing in every moment of her new life, proud as punch and full of love for our remarkable daughter!

Me & Meg

With Dad and Freddy

We all love you Megan.  Happy Birthday my sweetheart!  xxx


#NaBloPoMo Day 10