As I get older birthdays take on a different feel....each build up I still get quite excited like a little kid but more and more the magic has somewhat faded. This is partly to do with not wanting to get old, a certain young boy who takes delight in opening the cards a gifts for me and a husband who doesn't always get the sense of occasion.
This year of course has been somewhat over looked due to an imminent little arrival ... Certain foods still off the menu, an inability to drink of fizz and severe LAck of energy has meant today has been very low key. However I am very grateful to my folks sacrificing a few hours to come out to lunch where we were able to eat al fresco thanks to beautiful sunshine ( and enabled Dan to run around the garden!) I'm grateful that I chose to take some leave before maternity kicks in to allow me to be off work today,mandnim very grateful to be healthy enough to see another year in. ( I do think I will stop counting now though!)
So today I am grateful for the many many people who have taken time to send texts, Facebook messages and cards. For those extra special folk who even made me feel special by buying a gift you put a smile on. A hormonal women's face and made Daniel very happy opening them !!
Sunday 17 May 2015
Monday 11 May 2015
Bowled away
Yesterday was a totally crazy day ! I experienced every emotion under the sun.
Yesterday was the last Sunday that I will work for the next 9 1/2 months, I got to,share the day with all 3 different congregations and was bowled over by their Love and care for us as a family. As much as I am feeling ready to step aside from work commitments due to exhaustion and looking forward to spending time with a new baby and more time with Dan , I'm also feeling slightly unnerved , for when you do a job like this it isn't just a 9-5 job that you leave behind each day it becomes part of your life. The people I work with, serve and minister to have become friends so that's not something you just walk away from. I shall miss the regular contact but will enjoy the extra time to actually spend with friends and loved ones.
What did move me though was the encounter at 7.30 am outside church with a couple sleeping rough. They came into church looking for the toilet and the possibility of a hot drink to warm them up. I was feeling exhausted and anxious about the 3 services to get ready for but remembered suddenly the reading I was about to talk on....Love one another...not love the ones we like, or love the ones like us or love those we want to but Love one another....everyone. This couple needed to be shown love. They stayed for the 8am traditional service and re Ioved communion in tears, it was very moving , they also returned for then10.30 service to show their gratitude to those who had shown kindness to them.nhow easy is it for us in our busy life to ignore what's happening around us and focus on ourselves.
So as I enter the last 6 days before maternity leave, feeling emotional, exhausted and anxious about all that still needs to be done, I'm aware of the need to keep my eyes open to be aware of what's going on around me...but also very excited for this time next week 😜
Yesterday was the last Sunday that I will work for the next 9 1/2 months, I got to,share the day with all 3 different congregations and was bowled over by their Love and care for us as a family. As much as I am feeling ready to step aside from work commitments due to exhaustion and looking forward to spending time with a new baby and more time with Dan , I'm also feeling slightly unnerved , for when you do a job like this it isn't just a 9-5 job that you leave behind each day it becomes part of your life. The people I work with, serve and minister to have become friends so that's not something you just walk away from. I shall miss the regular contact but will enjoy the extra time to actually spend with friends and loved ones.
What did move me though was the encounter at 7.30 am outside church with a couple sleeping rough. They came into church looking for the toilet and the possibility of a hot drink to warm them up. I was feeling exhausted and anxious about the 3 services to get ready for but remembered suddenly the reading I was about to talk on....Love one another...not love the ones we like, or love the ones like us or love those we want to but Love one another....everyone. This couple needed to be shown love. They stayed for the 8am traditional service and re Ioved communion in tears, it was very moving , they also returned for then10.30 service to show their gratitude to those who had shown kindness to them.nhow easy is it for us in our busy life to ignore what's happening around us and focus on ourselves.
So as I enter the last 6 days before maternity leave, feeling emotional, exhausted and anxious about all that still needs to be done, I'm aware of the need to keep my eyes open to be aware of what's going on around me...but also very excited for this time next week 😜
Thursday 7 May 2015
Home Alone
if you are reading this and you are a single parent, have a partner who works away or grew up in a single parent family hats off to you!
This week Marc and my parents have been away leading a conference, something they have been involved in for several years so I should be used to it. However this time has felt especially hard. On the back of having an absolutely awesome weekend with family and friends I've suddenly felt very vulnerable this week, I think being 36 weeks pregnant has had a massive effect!
I have though, been really blessed by special folk who have text and messaged me each day and even popped over to check that we are ok for which I am extremely grateful.
What I have realised is that A) I am an absolutely rubbish housewife and cook, just getting meals organised has felt like a full time job, yet I haven't given in to the world of the Golden Arches or any other take away and Daniel has eaten every meal!!!
B) I totally and utterly hate my own company, once Daniel is in bed the house is eerily quiet and it feels very strange...Praise the Lord for social media!!!
C) there just aren't enough hours in the day! By the time I've got Dan to school and crammed as much work into those hours he is there it is suddenly 3.15 and time to pick him up.
Tomorrow the cavalry return home and I for one will be excited to see them!
This week Marc and my parents have been away leading a conference, something they have been involved in for several years so I should be used to it. However this time has felt especially hard. On the back of having an absolutely awesome weekend with family and friends I've suddenly felt very vulnerable this week, I think being 36 weeks pregnant has had a massive effect!
I have though, been really blessed by special folk who have text and messaged me each day and even popped over to check that we are ok for which I am extremely grateful.
What I have realised is that A) I am an absolutely rubbish housewife and cook, just getting meals organised has felt like a full time job, yet I haven't given in to the world of the Golden Arches or any other take away and Daniel has eaten every meal!!!
B) I totally and utterly hate my own company, once Daniel is in bed the house is eerily quiet and it feels very strange...Praise the Lord for social media!!!
C) there just aren't enough hours in the day! By the time I've got Dan to school and crammed as much work into those hours he is there it is suddenly 3.15 and time to pick him up.
Tomorrow the cavalry return home and I for one will be excited to see them!
Monday 4 May 2015
2am!
Well it's another day well technically night! and another wide awake at 2am!!! It's getting to be a regular occurance in this pregnancy and although it would probably be better if I just got up and did something I still have to function for a working week for another 2 weeks.
Things are starting to take their strain now. Tiredness has really kicked in, back aches, stomach is huge and braxton hicks come and go .
This weekend the reality of everything has really sunk in thanks to my wonderful best friend organising a great baby shower! I have to confess that I've never been keen in the idea but it was so lovely to get together with friends and family who could make it, have lots of fun and reflect in what's about to happen.
I'm going through stages of excitement and terror but each day it feels a little closer to meet our new addition. I'm also constantly aware of what a blessing it is for us to be in this position of having a child (yes even at my age ;) )
The next two difficult jobs are to agree on names and then choose Godparents... Another chance for a get together ... Exciting times ahead I just hope nothing happens too soon as Marc and my folks head off to lead a conference tomoro for a week and am not sure how good Daniels delivery skills are !!!
Things are starting to take their strain now. Tiredness has really kicked in, back aches, stomach is huge and braxton hicks come and go .
This weekend the reality of everything has really sunk in thanks to my wonderful best friend organising a great baby shower! I have to confess that I've never been keen in the idea but it was so lovely to get together with friends and family who could make it, have lots of fun and reflect in what's about to happen.
I'm going through stages of excitement and terror but each day it feels a little closer to meet our new addition. I'm also constantly aware of what a blessing it is for us to be in this position of having a child (yes even at my age ;) )
The next two difficult jobs are to agree on names and then choose Godparents... Another chance for a get together ... Exciting times ahead I just hope nothing happens too soon as Marc and my folks head off to lead a conference tomoro for a week and am not sure how good Daniels delivery skills are !!!
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