Word of the Week - 1st May 2015

This week my Word of the Weeks is...

EXCITED!

My week can definitely be summed up by the word excited!

I am excited for tonight and tomorrow.

Word of the Week - 24th April 2015

This week my word of the week is...

Me Time!

(ok 2 words of the week!)

This week has been my first full week at home on my own while the twins are at nursery.

I am "me" again for a few hours. I am able to do what I want and need to do without any other demands on my time! Please do not get me wrong I love being mummy but it is lovely being me again.

Word of the Week - 10th April 2015

This week my word of the week is...

Sunshine

I have a feeling that this word will be summing up a lot of people weeks this week. The weather has been simply glorious and at the perfect time too, the school holidays!

The children have been in the garden all week and Joseph has been out playing with his friends. When the sun is shining everything seems so much better and everyone is happier.

Word of the Week - 3rd April 2015

This weeks word of the week is...

Family

With it being the Easter holidays the hubby has taken an extra day off work which is giving us five whole days together! After the Easter holidays our weeks are going to change with the twins being in nursery for three hours a morning. So I am making the most of spending some quality time together.

Word of the Week - 20th March 2015

This week my Word of the Week has to be...

Challenging

This week has been challenging in many ways.

The twins have been challenging.

The puppies have been challenging.

My moods are challenging and we have had an awful bullying moment which has been challenging for us all.

This week the twins seem to have lost their hearing. Obviously not literally but it has certainly felt that way. However we have found that the trusty time out spot is starting to work and is slowly becoming a good deterrent. On the other hand we have had some lovely play times this week. I am even more aware that their start date for nursery is getting closer and closer so am trying to get the most out of these last few weeks.

Having two puppies is certainly a challenge. If I am honest it is more challenging than we expected. The majority of the time they play lovely together and snuggle up to sleep together during the day but there are times when they get over excited and their play turns rough. We have realised that we need some dog training help and will hopefully be getting someone to come and see us next week to spend a few hours with us telling us how to train the dogs.

My moods are challenging me at the moment. I am not too sure why this is happening. I am wondering if it is all connected to the impending changes that the twins going to nursery is going to bring. I know that they will be positive changes as the twins will be learning more and I will have some me time but it is still a change. I have found that I am having moments of anxiety again and moments when I over react about and over think situations. I am sure that it will pass soon but I do find it challenging.

This leads me to the bullying incident. Unfortunately Joseph received some awful racial bullying on Monday. This was the first time that he has had remarks about his colour. An older child, who really should know better, called him the worst, racist name that you can think of, yes my 10 year old was called the N word. We were all disgusted to hear that children still use this word to intimidate and as a form of bullying. To have Joseph come home and ask me what that word meant was heartbreaking. I have contemplated keeping quiet about the incident and not sharing on my blog to the world but then I realised that the more people keep quiet, the more people will think that everything is ok. The reason that I am speaking out about it is because I want people to know that racial bullying between children is still out there. I naively thought that these days children could see beyond colour and was disappointed to find out, first hand, that I was wrong. I long for a day when skin colour is not an issue. My job as a mum is to make Joseph feel proud of the person that he is and to feel confident in the skin that he is in. God knows I am so proud of him and I want for him to grow into a proud mixed race young man and anyone who is too narrow minded to see beyond that are not worth the time.

Wow what a week! That is why this week has been challenging!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence - Word of the Week.

Word of the Week - 13th March 2015

This weeks Word of the Week is...

Siblings

However it is not for the siblings which you would expect.

Siblings is for these two...

Yes, we have adopted one of Opie's sisters!

Meet Jax.

On Tuesday the remaining puppies got the all clear from the vet. On Thursday I took Opie for a visit to see how they would get on. We have now had Opie for four weeks. That is four weeks that she has been away from other dogs so understandably she was very wary of Jax who was full of beans and so excited to see Opie. However Opie soon stood up for herself and the rough and tumble playing began. They were having so much fun, it was lovely to see them playing.

As the RSPCA saw that they were happy together I was told that, if I wanted to, I could take Jax home. So I did

Jax still seems quite nervous and wants a lot of love, which we can and will give her. It is amazing how far Opie has come on in the four weeks that we have had her and we look forward to seeing Jax going in the same direction. I am sure she will settle in quickly.

We adopted Opie and Jax from RSPCA Bawtry the staff do a fantastic job with all of the animals there. There are still two of Opie and Jax siblings waiting for a loving home which we hope they find soon. So if you are in the area and looking for a dog I would sincerely recommend a visit!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence

Word of the Week - 7th March 2015

I know, I am a day late this week! This is due to a manic Friday combined with not feeling great. Anyway here is my Word of the Week...

Planning

This week has been a productive week in respect to our house and the plans that we have.

Last year we had the front garden converted into a drive. But since then we have been waiting and chasing up quotes to get a dropped kerb installed. This has been an up hill struggle and has felt like a battle to get some figures back. This week we have accepted a quote and finally have an idea of when the kerb will be changed!

We have been planning to have an extension built to the back of the house for a while now. We have been toying around with different ideas.

Do we go for a two story extension?

Do we have a single extension?

Do we go for a conservatory?

We have had so many thoughts and ideas flying around. At times it has felt that it has been all we have thought about. At last, after a meeting with an architect, we have finally decided what we would like to be done! I have drawn up some plans for a room to be extended for the additional bedroom that we need and an orangerie built off  the kitchen to create a large open plan kitchen/living area. At last I have submitted all of the forms and plan to the councils planning department and now we wait.

I have also been speaking to builders and asking for quotes so that as soon as we get the go ahead from the council (fingers crossed) we can get on with making our plans a reality.

We have also seen plans develop with new additions.

We are planning to adopt another puppy from the same litter as Opie. When I took her back to the RSPCA for her second vaccination the hubby told me to ask if all of the puppies had been homed. I was told that all but 3 had been adopted. After going to see them and seeing their sad eyes we have agreed to adopt one more as a play mate for Opie. As soon as I saw them I noticed how much a loving home has brought Opie on. She is so full of life and looks bigger and healthier. They are currently on antibiotics for a tummy bug, like Opie was, but hopefully on Tuesday they will get the all clear. We are planning to take Opie to visit her sister, who will be called Jax (yes we are huge Sons of Anarchy fans!) to see how they get on and if it all goes well we will be adopting her.

How could we say no to those eyes!

There has been a lot of planning this week. Planning for the future. Exciting plans which will mean a busy year making our plans, hopes and dreams a reality.

That is why planning is my Word of the Week. What word would sum up your week?

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week 27th February 2015

This word which sums up this week has to be...

ACCOMPLISHED

This word sums our week perfectly for many reasons.

My hubby has accomplished a lot in the garden. He worked solidly all weekend and has changed the vegetable plot so much. It is looking fantastic and I am so proud of the work he has done. I don't always tell him this, but I am. You can see all of his hard work in my How Does Your Garden Grow post.

I am feeling accomplished as I have lost another 1 lb this week which brings me to the 21 lb, 1 and a half stone mark! I am feeling so much better in myself since loosing the weight. I am now going to fitness classes twice a week and that in itself is an accomplishment for the person who always hated exercise. I now look forward to my classes and want to improve my fitness even more.

I have also moved the twins bedroom around and made an open area in the middle for them to play in. This has meant that they now have to space to get their toys out and they now see their room as more than a place to simply sleep in.

We have managed to teach Opie how to sit and she is (touch wood) just about house trained and she is still only 10 weeks old! She has accomplished so much during the two weeks that we have had her.

What word would sum up your week?

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 21st February 2015

This week my Word of the Week is later than usual due the the twins birthday celebrations. There will be no surprise that my Word of the Week this week is...

Three

Yesterday the twins turned three. All week the twins have been telling us how they are going to be three on their birthday. Taylor has been saying he is a big three while Isabella says she is a little three.

I still cannot believe that three years have passed!

They are growing so quickly and changing so much. Everyday they amaze me by something they'll do or say. I still look at them and can not believe that I carried them both in me for 35+6 weeks. I am so proud of them both.

As they grow they reach new mile stone's.

Now that they are 3 their next big step will be starting nursery. I have mixed feelings about this next step. I know that they are ready to take the step, but am I? It will be hard at first but we will adapt I am sure.

We will tackle that step when it comes, but for now I am going to enjoy having my not so little babies at home with me. I am going to make the most of the next couple of months with them. I do feel incredibly lucky to have been able to stay at home with them and couldn't imagine it any other way.

Naturally, three had to be my word of the week.

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence. I am also sharing my post with Running in Lavender - My Captured Moment.

Word of the Week - 13th February 2015

This weeks Word of the Week is...

Little Opie came home yesterday! Her arrival has been all we have thought about all week.

The day finally arrived and the twins and I went to collect her and brought her home. When we arrived home it was time to see what Dotty's reaction was going to be. To start with she kept fluffing up and was very wary and stayed out of the way. I am pleased that this morning she is a lot more herself.

Opie has seemed to settle in straight away and I will admit to being besotted by her, she is just adorable! She has been enjoying a lot of cuddles and fuss. When we put her in the cage for bed she just curled up and went to sleep. However 30 minutes later we could hear her crying and howling. She was gradually getting louder and louder so we both went down to check on her. She had a cuddle and we put her back but the crying and yelping started again. This time we were strong and left her to it and after 10 minutes she stopped and was quiet all night. It was a successful first night!

Opie really has fitted in with our family. It feels like we have got another baby in the house. I am feeding her every 4 hours during the day, chasing around trying to house train her and giving lots of cuddles! It is lovely!

I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence - Word of the Week and with Eco-Gites - Animal Tales

Word of the Week - 6th February 2015

Without a shadow of doubt this weeks Word of the Week has to be...

This little lady is Opie and she is going to be the latest addition to our family.

Last Sunday we decided to go and look at some rescue dogs at the local RSPCA shelter. The hubby has wanted a dog for as long as we have been together but I always said no. However after it was brought up again last weekend I said we could go and take a look. We saw a lovely Akita who we took for a walk but he really was too big. But while we were there we were told that they had some puppies who we could see from Thursday. So all week we have been thinking about what to do, looking at other dogs, researching puppy facts and doing our sums to see what everything will cost. On Wednesday we made the decision that we wanted to go and see the puppies and reserve one if we found the right puppy.

On Thursday I dropped the twins off at my mother in laws and set off to look at the puppies. It was quite a nervous but exciting journey there. I just kept thinking, will I find the perfect dog for us, will they still be available, questions were going round and round in my head. When I arrived I was told that they had some more puppies taken in since Sunday and now had 16 puppies to look at! I was directed to where they were and had a look. We knew that we wanted a little girl so I didn't want to get my hopes up until I was told which ones were girls but this little lady had already caught my eye. I was delighted when I was told that she was a little girl! I had a cuddle, she had a sniff and nestled into my neck and kept licking me so I took that as a sign that she was happy with me too. After I completed all of the paper work I had another cuddle and fell in love with her. I really did not want to give her back but as she is still only 7 weeks she needs another check up with the vets next Tuesday before she can come home. We also need to have a home visit from the RSPCA to check that our house is suitable for a dog. Then I should be able to pick her up and bring her home on Thursday.

This weekend is going to be all about the final preparations for Opie. So far we have ordered her tag and cage. On Sunday we are going Opie shopping for food, bowls, puppy pads, a collar, lead, toys and a bed.

We are all so excited about her coming home, especially me, the person who originally said no to a dog for so long. 

Opie has certainly dominated our thoughts this week, that is why Opie is my Word of the Week.

I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence and the lovely Heledd from Running In Lavender as My Captured Moment as this was the first time that I saw Opie properly out of the cage she was in. I am also introducing Opie to Eco-Gites - Animal Tales as I am sure she will feature in pictures a lot more!

Word of the Week 30th January 2015

This week I have chosen a word that has well and truly taken over everything.

That word is...

The twins loved waking up to snow everywhere on Thursday. Isabella even said "look Mummy, Elsa has been!". They were amazed by the huge snow flakes that were falling down. Once the snow stopped falling we got ready to brave the cold and have a play in the garden! I have never known the twins so eager to get dressed. We were ready in record time, waterproof suits on, wellies on and coats on. The cold didn't bother them a bit, they ran up and down listening to the snow crunching under their feet. They looked at all of their snow covered toys shouting "Oh no! My toy!" before chuckling and dashing off to the next part of the garden to examine. Even the cat came out to have a look. At first she was not sure but before too long she too was running all over the garden. After playing for about 40 minutes I persuaded them in by tempting them with some hot milk and a biscuit. 

The snow is now starting to melt and they have asked where it has gone and if we are getting anymore. 

The snow really has been the highlight of the week hence why it is this weeks Word of the Week. These pictures are also My Captured Moments.

I am sharing my Word of the Week with Jocelyn from The Reading Residence and My Captured Moment with Heledd from Running In Lavender.

Word of the Week - 23rd January 2015

This weeks word of the week is...

Progress

This week it feels like we are making progress on making hopes for our house a reality. This year we hope to have an extension built at the back of the house to create a large open plan kitchen/dining/family area. We started thinking about the extension last year. We have had so many ideas and thoughts but so far they have just been dreams. This week we have made an appointment with an architect to come and have a look at the house. It will be good to finally know that ideas will be feasible and which are simply not possible.

We have also made progress on getting a drop curb fitted to the drive. We were messed around by a company and left waiting so we have contacted a different company who were out the same day to measure up. We are just waiting for a quote now but again, this is more progress.

It is all very exciting on the house front. This year will be a big year. This will be the year we make our house perfect for us!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 16th January 2014

This week my word of the week is...

MOTIVATION

Yes you have read that right!

This week I have seen my long lost motivation return. 

When my depression started last year my motivation disappeared. I struggled to do a great deal. I got behind with the housework, I didn't want to go out and my love of baking completely vanished.

This week I have felt an incredible change in how I feel. I am putting part of it down to drinking Matcha green tea (review coming next week) but I feel that I have turned a corner with my depression and anxiety. I feel like me again.

This week I have caught up with housework and am staying on top of it. I have been baking again, I have got my blog posts written, we have been out for walks and I played outside with the children.

I have missed feeling like this and I am delighted that I feel like me again. I feel as if the dark cloud has lifted and I sincerely hope it says away!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 9th January 2015

This week my word of the week is...

Yes routine has returned to our house after the Christmas break. Hubby is back at work, Joseph is back at school and it is just the twins and I again.

As much as I love the holidays, it is always good to get back into a routine and have a bit of normality back.

I have also got back into my blogging routine. Over Christmas I did have a break which has done me the world of good and I couldn't wait to get started again.

Without a routine I feel sort of lost and at a loose end. So for me having our routine back is a good thing. Having the routine back means I look forward to Fridays as it means the end of work and school for the hubby and Joseph and we get our family time back.

What word would sum up your week?

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence

Word of the Week - My #embracehappy Word of 2015

For this weeks Word of the Week I thought I would make it my Word of the Year.

I have been part of a fantastic Facebook group called Embrace Happy since it started but have not been active because of my depression and anxiety. However I am now taking control of my feelings and emotions and am taking part in daily recording my #3goodthings for each day. I am hoping that this will help me start the year as I mean to go on.

My Word of the Day/Year is...

POSITIVITY

I have chosen positivity because I am going to leave the negativity behind and look to the future. Today is also a special day as it would have been my grandad's birthday and I know that he would want me to be positive.

I do not believe in new years resolutions as they never seem to last. However I am looking at starting the year better than it ended. We have had a lot of hurt during the last 3 years due to loosing my grandparents.

This year has to be better and I am sure that we will make it a better year.

I am going to get over the depression and anxiety and stop taking the medication.

We will be seeing huge changes in our home and will be starting to plan an extension to create the perfect living area. This will include extra bedrooms so that the twins will have their own space.

We have a holiday planned.

I am going to Blog On MOSI and Brit Mums this year which I cannot wait for.

There are so many positive things planned already.

The sign below is now on my kitchen wall to keep me up and to remind me that things aren't as hard as they sometimes seem.

Embrace Happy is a fantastic group of people that have been brought together by the lovely Karin who created #embracehappy. This group has made me start identifying the positive things that happen during the day, no matter how small or insignificant. All of the little positives make a huge difference. I thoroughly recommend that you check out the website or join the Facebook page.

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 26th December 2014

Without a doubt this weeks Word of the Week has to be...

Family

Christmas time is a time I always look forward to as we are all together enjoying the festivities and fun. It is also a time that we look back and remember people that are sadly not with us for Christmas. This year my thoughts are with my grandparents. This has been the first Christmas without any of them. However I know that they are looking down on us.

After a manic Christmas day Boxing Day is a more relaxed day for playing with new toys and spending yet more quality family time together.

For the first time this year we are going away for a couple of days. Tomorrow we are going to one of our favourite places, Sherwood Forest Center Parcs for a mini break just the 5 of us. I am sure that the weekend will be a relaxed one with trips to the pool, cycle rides as long as it stays dry and walks in the forest. Perfect for this time of year!

As this is my final word of the week for 2014 I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year. Here is to a fantastic 2015!

Word of the Week - 19th December 2014

There is only one word that can sum up this week. That word is...

Indecisive

This is the fourth time that I have written my Word of the Week post. After changing my mind a lot as I was writing last night I shut the laptop down and decided I would write my Word of the Week this morning.

The words that could summarise this week are exhausted, traditional, Christmassy, anxiety, pride and accomplishment! Wow that is a lot words and a lot of emotions. Now do you understand why I chose indecisive?!?!

I have felt exhausted this week after a few late nights. Not late nights because I have been out but late night because I have been blogging until late and then struggled to sleep as I start thinking about what I need to get done.

Traditional as we have chosen a traditional, real Christmas tree this year instead of our usual artificial one. I have always wanted a real tree and on Sunday the hubby surprised us all by suggesting we all go out and choose our tree. It was a lovely family outing and we are going to make it into our family Christmas tradition to go real tree shopping each year.

Christmassy (if that is a word!) as now we have our tree the house is finally decorated. The children love the lights and the decorations. This year the twins understand Christmas a lot more which is lovely.

My anxiety has been up this week. I am assuming that it is because I am thinking about what needs doing before Christmas and the list does seem endless. However, today, I am feeling good and I can see that I am getting through the list and everything will be ready by the big day.

Pride sums up how I felt yesterday. We went to watch Joseph's Christmas service at the church. This year Joseph stood up and spoke his lines with more confidence than before. He does often lack in confidence but it is lovely to see that it is growing.

I feel accomplished as my Center Parcs Winter Wonderland is now live and includes my first blog video. I am also up to date with my reviews and collaborative posts which means I can truly relax over Christmas. I am planning to have a few posts scheduled so that on Christmas eve, or even the day before if I am lucky, I can shut the laptop down and leave it until after the weekend!

This week has been up and down and I have felt a mixture of emotions. Today is Joseph's last day at school before the manic few days before Christmas.

I hope you all have a....

As always I am sharing my word of the week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 12th December 2014

This week my word of the week is...

Romance

Anyone with children will understand how this is a word which is used less once the little one arrive. With three children is is hard to find time out for the hubby and I.

However, tonight, we are having just that!

It was going to be a surprise for the hubby but he guessed where we were going and as I am such an awful liar he knew he had guessed right! I planned and booked a night away for us as a thank you to my hubby for being my rock. He has been incredibly supportive over the last 6 months. As you will know we lost my Grandad last year, followed by my Nanna in July. This hit me hard and I sunk into depression, which is still being treated but I have improved so much! Throughout it all my hubby was there unconditionally. He is my everything and I wanted to say thank you to him. 

I have booked us the "romance" package at a local boutique hotel and restaurant San Pietro. We will be greeted with a bottle of Prosecco on ice waiting for us, a 3 course a la carte meal and a continental breakfast in the morning. We adore the food at San Pietro so I knew that the hubby would enjoy the evening. Plus it will be lovely for us to both have a drink as we won't have to drive home. The last time we had a night away from the children was back in May so we really will make the most of a lie in!

Oh and a quick update on last weeks Word of the Week, the shopping trip was a success! I was right, it was the car for us and it is now parked on our drive!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.

Word of the Week - 5th December 2014

This weeks word of the week has to be...

Cars

This last week we have decided to change my car. Now that the children are getting bigger they need more room in the back, also our car is due its full service and MOT which will no doubt cost us more money!

The hubby saw a car on Monday that we went to see but after an appalling experience with some very rude sales men we returned home to continue our search. We have found another car that we are going to see tomorrow. But this week my mind has definitely been on new cars, making telephone calls about cars, making appointments to see cars and checking cars online!

I am really excited to see the car tomorrow, but I  am going with an open mind to look at other ones. But I think we may have found my new car!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.