:: Memories of reuniting my children after years apart {in our worst sibling rivalry moments, I hang on to memories of their reunion this summer lol}.
:: Time off work, with my whole department gone, so no real pressure to work {self-induced pressure I might add}, though I do a sneaky check in each day so that things are dealt with before I go back. But there is something special about time off when everyone else is off, it is like an imposed rest. And this Mama certainly needs it!
:: The knowledge I spent only $15 on Christmas gifts for my children {honestly!}
:: Seeing the gifts provided by others {most of whom were not in my life until 8 months ago} for my children. Someone I don’t know even decided to be our Secret Santa. We were very blessed this year by people who heard our story and were moved by it.
:: No pressure from school each day at pick up and no homework needing completing!
:: Knowing a massive thing I’ve been working on will be done by Friday night and I then have 4 full days off with my children no stress/distractions!
:: Hope I can establish a budget for 2012 that actually balances {will put it on the blog for accountability!}
:: Teaching my daughter to knit, with great plans to begin teaching my son this weekend!
:: My UCB Word of The Day. A lovely reminder of the beauty of scripture, just when you need it!
:: Seeing a village emerge! And yes, if any of our blog friends would like to be an auntie from afar, you would be ever so appreciated!
What are you loving right now?
Single mum of two, auntie to two boys, uk residing, always time for a couple more.
Thanks so much Emma!
Auntie to 11 (!), Mum to 2 little boys. Very happy to be an Auntie to 2 more children & the boys could be “cousins”
Enjoy your time off – your Christmas sounded wonderful x
OOoh lovely, thank you!
Yes it was. Quiet and wonderful!
I’m currently auntie to 7 nephews and 2 nieces (one of whom I have started giving knitting lessons to). There’s always room for more auntie-ness in my life.
Thanks Liz!!!
Nice to see you blogging more often, FT!
I’d love to be an “auntie from afar” (even though I’ve never been anyone’s aunt)! How do I start? What should I do?
I think being an auntie is looks different for each one. Let’s start by emailing! Will get on email tonight
Happy New Year Lora!
Thank you! Happy New Year to you & your family!
Merry Christmas FT and I wish you and your family a wonderful, prosperous & healthy New Year.
I appreciate your honesty and reading your previous post about the frustration of not having family to help you. This time last year, my husband, son & I moved about 130KM away from family & friends to live in a more rural area. It’s been a challenging year and a blessing too. This past year hubbie & I have strengthened our relationship and son has learned not to be too dependant on his grandparents, it has also been very good for my career. Our son has flourished here – so many children to play with and a nice safe neighbourhood. On the negative side, hubbie cannot find work that is safe for him to do with his deteriorating vision. We knew it would be more difficult to find work, but we didn’t expect it to be as challenging as it has been. We have decided to move back to where we are from. It`s a scary choice to make, and I hope financially we do not suffer too much for this choice as we will have to sell the house we bought last year. I hope we can at least break even on the sale. With the eye condition hubbie has, his vision could change anytime and it seems to be getting worse. I realise that I will need to have friends and family to count on if it gets much worse. I just hope that they will step up to help when I do need them. Being away from each other has made us all appreciate each other more.
Melanie, I do hope your husband finds something safe soon. And I hope as you begin to need them, a village will come forward.
Thank you FT xox
I live in Louisiana and my family lives in Europe. My husband died 4 years ago and he had no family to begin with. I have 3 kids and I am all alone. Nobody to help, no aunts, not grandparents. Just friends. It would be easier to have someone to watch the kids every now and then but living alone has its advantages. It taught all of us to depend on each other and to be strong for each other. It does not matter how tired, or grumpy, or sad I am. I need to take care of my children and love them every minute of their life. And my kids know that they need to help each other, help around the house, and not assume that whining is going to bring attention. We all needed to grow up when we were left alone but it is not necessarily a bad thing.
So yes, it is hard but it makes you and your kids stronger.
Hana (((hugs))) I think, knowing the feeling of being alone, gives one a gift towards others that is very rare. I am sure you will have that gift.
I’ve recently discovered you blog, and enjoy reading your thoughtful posts. Right now, I’m just loving having time with the family and having eldest daughter back from college for Christmas (even if she did bring all her washing home with her!)
I hear you, Tawney! My daughter came home for Christmas with a ‘BIG’ laundry bag full of clothes to wash – Merry Christmas, Mum!… but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I’m laughing at both of your comment. One of the things my mum used to say to me when I came home from Uni was “do NOT bring your laundry home”. lol If my children choose to go to Uni, I will certainly welcome their laundry anytime!
Loving the thought of being Scottish auntie to your treasures! Ready when you are… let the fun begin!
Morag xox
Soooooo wonderful Morag! Will email you tonight!!!
I have a Christmas card here for you too, just could not get my act together this year.
I am loving having my girl home from the city, barbecue cooked pizzas tonight finished off with brandy snaps, a quiet day tomorrow before NYEve then off to the beach on NY day with a crowd of friends.
I’m loving
…being on holidays
…so many red hibiscus flowers blooming on the bush after so much rain and sun
…the sun is out
…time to surf the internet
…finally putting the whipper snipper together (after a year) and cutting the small patch of grass I have, even if it is a little uneven
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Dear FT and family
I would love to join the honoured band of aunties! I am a mother of two adult children, (hopefully there will soon be grandchildren too). Also aunty to four nephews.
Anything I can do, you just have to ask. I think you already have my e-mail address, but let me know if not.
Happy and blessed new year to you all.
love Stella x
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