Happy New Year

I suppose this is the time of year to make those resolutions! I think resolutions are the promises you make to yourself... most of the time they are empty promises. This year though I'm going to make my resolution, and stick to it - I have only the one. It's obvious that I hope to be a better person or a better mother, or take up new things. I don't need to make a promise to myself to do those. But this year I WILL lose weight. I am slowly creeping up the scales since I had Lauren. There's no excuse. I just need to set myself the goal! so here I go...

'I want to be a stone lighter by the summer.... by this time next year, I want to be at my target weight.'

So that is a realistic target, a stone to start with. I'm heading back to the gym, and cutting out the junk, I can do it! so here goes.... I hope I can get there...

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings. I hope it will be a happy and healthy year for us all.....

Visiting Santa - 2010

When we arrived at my Mum's house, the pictures from Lauren and Dylan's Santa visit were here, they are so adorable. Dylan was besotted with Santa, Lauren ..well.. not so much! He must have been listening though, because they both got all they asked for...

These are photos of photos... so they aren't very clear. Look at poor Lauren's face, she's terrified. After she saw Santa she perked right up, she even waved bye to him and thanked him. She reacted the same way to Santa at Derek's office party, maybe next year she'll get on better! I really love the magical expression on Dylan's face. Santa asked him to give his beard a tug, and when Dylan did and it didn't budge, he truly believed it was the real Santa. It was wonderful to watch.

We'll look back and smile at these pictures in the future I'm sure...

Our Family Christmas - 2010

We had a magical Christmas. We spoiled each other rotten! The children were blessed. We spent a special and wonderful day as a happy family. I thanked God for my blessings today. A happy family and a good day. We really missed my brother Stephen, he is away in South America. I set a place for him at the table, and we skyped after dinner. It was emotional not being able to see my baby brother on Christmas day. It was the first Christmas I haven't seen him. Although he is enjoying himself thoroughly, which I'm thankful for, at least he isn't feeling homesick.

I have so many pictures to share, so without further ado.....

Christmas 2010

The kids with me on Christmas Eve!

We carefully selected what Santa would like to eat. Dylan settled on - two biscuits, milk and a carrot and reindeer food for the reindeer. Then he placed them carefully by the fire.

He was so excited to see that the reindeer had eaten some carrot, and Santa had all the milk!

Their presents - this was a small selection!

Then we all posed for some family photos... Not so easy with the kids! and also, we noticed after we took all the photos, that the sun was shining in on top of us... so the pictures aren't so clear.

With their grandparents

The Christmas table

And all the way from South America..... My baby  brother!

We miss you...

Unfortunately they aren't as clear as I would have liked, but there wasn't a hope of Dylan and Lauren posing for more photos. Especially since Dylan had to be bribed into the first lot, hence there aren't very many of him. He has officially 'grown out' of posing for the camera. I don't care though, I'll keep on bribing him for some family shots!

Lauren was just old enough this year to really enjoy the day. She had a wonderful time, and Dylan really enjoyed his day. We were so lucky to be together today, and I remember all the families out there who can't be together on Christmas day, we are so lucky and so blessed.

Merry Christmas everyone...

Driving home for Christmas

We've arrived safely at my parent's house! The roads were treacherous, there was freezing fog and snow, and the Snow that had fallen through the day was like slush. We had to drive so slowly, and everyone was driving so carefully, it took us nearly four hours to do a journey that usually takes an hour and a half! I don't care though as long as we got here safely. Lauren slept most of the way and Dylan was a dream. So Lauren is gone off to bed now, and Dylan is staying up late to watch 'Polar Express'

The presents are all nestled under the tree, the fire is lit,  and we've already melted some chocolate and dipped marshmallows! and we've had our family dinner! Now we are all relaxing together.

I'm really looking forward to spending the next few days with my family. Enjoying our time together, and realising how lucky we all are to be be together at Christmas. We are so blessed to have a happy and healthy family.  We all have our problems and trials, but the great thing about this time of year, is just forgetting all of those problems for a few days, and focusing on what we have, and all that makes us happy. The love of our beautiful children, and a husband that I love more each Christmas, and my whole family who makes coming home a pleasure! I will also remember the true meaning of Christmas, which is remembering the birth of Jesus.

I'll add our Christmas story and pictures after Christmas. I'm looking forward to Santa coming and watching the children enjoying their Christmas.

I'd like to add some of the beautiful photos captured around Ireland, from the RTE Website - which is our national station, they are stunning and moving...

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy new year. I look forward to reading all of your blogs in 2011, and welcoming you back to mine.

Merry Christmas...

Christmas on Ice - Dundrum

We had a really great weekend! We went Christmas shopping, and out to lunch. On Sunday, there was the best bit. Derek took Dylan and mommy ice skating! It was absolutely brilliant, we had a great time. Derek and Lauren watched us going on the ice. Poor Dylan, he was all over the place, his legs were sliding in so many directions! but his cheeks were bright red and he had an amazing time, so that's all that matters! I was quite proud of myself, because I managed not to fall at all! I actually did really well. It's quite tricky and your ankles start to hurt. It was so much fun, I don't think we laughed so hard in ages. We had a great time!

Derek got some photos of us on his phone, so here they are!

 So we started the countdown to Christmas.... it's getting closer!

I love this time of year...

God's Lent Child

I don't know about you, but I know us. I know that we take for granted every day, when we go into our children's rooms to find them smiling back at you. We take for granted their hugs and kisses.We don't mean to, but we do. Some days with your kids can be so hard and draining. You can be exhausted and feel worn out, but then you must remember what a precious gift they are, and be grateful for every morning you walk in to that room, and for every kiss. We fold their clothes and tuck them in, we wash their faces and kiss their noses, but after that, we have no control. Anything can happen at any time, any moment, a split second can steal them away from you, a freak accident, a brief illness..and... they are gone...

One of the blogs I read asked for prayers for a friend of hers. A family who's 20 month old daughter went to bed and died in her sleep. She left behind her twin sister, and he distraught parents. It just broke my heart. Even though I will never meet this family, or even know them now. The death of that little girl, only two months younger than my own, has dug a whole through my heart. It is awful and sad. It reminds me of this poem...

God's Lent Child

I'll lend you a for a little time
a child of mine, God said.

For you to love the while he lives

and mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years

or twenty-two or three.

But will you till I call him back

take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you

and shall his stay be brief.

You'll have his lovely memories

as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay

since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there

I want this child to learn,

I've looked the wide world over

in my search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd life's lane

I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,

nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call

to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,

"Dear Lord, thy will be done,"

For all the joy thy child will bring

the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness.

we'll love him while we may.

And for the happiness we've known,

forever grateful stay.

"But shall the angels call for him

much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand.

by Edgar A. Guest

Take a moment in your day and spare a prayer for this poor family. I took today 'off ' I didn't bother with the house, and I played with my with my son and daughter. Lauren is now nestled snug in her cot sleeping, Dylan is gone to the cinema club, This poem makes me realise that all children are ' lent from God ' and he can whenever he wants, take them back again. I appreciate each day, and I thank God for allowing me this day, this moment. It's like I always say, every day, every moment, is heaven sent.

God bless this family, and may his little angel rest in peace....

Ornament Swap 2010 {part 2}

As I mentioned in my past post  I'm taking part in.. The 2010 Ornament swap...

Yesterday I posted Jayme's Christmas Ornament. I spent ages trying to find one I liked. I finally settled on a lovely silver ornament with the cutest little silver tag attached to the top saying 'Merry christmas' I really love it and hope Jayme will too!

I hope it arrives on time for Christmas. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been to the post office, and forgotten it! I hope she'll like it!

Merry Christmas Jayme...

UPDATED 19/12/2010

Yesterday morning, the postman brought me a lovely gift! My beautiful, hand crafted Christmas ornaments from Jayme I opened up my package to see beautiful red tissue paper, surrounding the most beautiful handmade snowflakes. Dylan was nearly as excited as me, we couldn't believe how intricate they were. It's amazing to think that someone I don't know, sat down and went to the trouble of making them for me, It touched my heart. Isn't the spirit of Christmas still alive! Here they are...

Dylan decided we should put them on our garland, so that everyone could see how pretty they are. I think they look really beautiful, I'm going to move them to my Christmas tree today. I still feel so touched, that Jayme went to the trouble all for me!

Thank you Jayme, Merry Christmas...