An update on my 10 things.

Back in December my friend Mel asked me to compile a list of 10 things that we want in the next 12 months. That was 4 months ago so I figured I should post an update…

1. We want to have another baby
2. We want Anthony to be working in a good job where he is happy Anthony has a job trial today after a good interview last week!
3. Mel wants to be confident in looking after Katie on her own I can do it!! Anthony went away for 4 nights last month and I was fine. I took Katie to church on my own twice last week!
4. Mel wants to have lost 4 stone in weight I’m a quarter of the way there
5. We want to be living in a house with a garden We are on the council list now. It might be a long wait but we’ve taken the step.
6. We want to go away somewhere hot and sunny with our family Butlins booked for October!
7. Anthony wants to have lost 2 stone in weight He is going to take up running soon
8. We want a brand new family car
9. Mel wants to publish a children’s prayer book with her mum
10. We want our own Cafe and Bistro business. We will call it Karma

So, I’ve knocked one off the list and for me that was one of the huge ones to overcome. Of those that are left three are making real progress and the others are being worked on. We have booked a holiday to Butlins in October. Not quite hot and sunny but a holiday all the same. We are really looking forward to it.

It is really exciting watching the list slowly work out. Why don’t you have a go?!

Farewell to the “Noughties”

This last decade has been eventful for me. It started off pretty badly if I’m honest. I wasn’t in a good place back then.

I spent New Year of 1999/2000 in a pub with some friends. I can remember what I wore, I still have the top somewhere stashed away! It was a very ordinary night, not as much fun as we used to have on a normal night out. I always think that there is too much expectation at new year. We used to have wild nights out but new years was always a let down. Drink prices are always ridiculous and you spend a fortune on a taxi home after waiting 3 hours for it in the first place!

This year we are staying at home. Katie will go to bed at the normal time and Anthony and I are having a meal of steak with herby new potatoes and veg followed by home-made lemon mousse. My sister and her friend might pop in at some point for a few drinks, that will be nice. We just want to spend this new year warm and safe with our nearest and dearest. It’s just a shame Robyn isn’t here to share it. She is at her “dads” until Saturday. That’s always been the deal… she goes there for new year and stays at home for Christmas. Out of the two events I know I get the better deal but I just hate having to share her 😦

I am entering the new decade with a family of my own. I am married to the man of my dreams and I have 2 wonderful daughters. I had nothing 10 years ago. Yes, I had my mum, dad, sister & nephew but I lived alone in a grotty flat. I was so so lonely and very miserable.
The “noughties” saw me have my children and get married. That makes the decade pretty momentous! It is the decade in which I grew into the person I am now. There’s lots I am glad to leave behind, glad to draw a line under. In 2005 I had what was teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. It scares me to think how poorly I was back then. I am very glad that I am not in that dark place anymore. In 2006 I had a miscarriage. That will always be in my mind but I am dealing with it better now. I wouldn’t have Katie if  I’d not suffered that miscarriage… I fell pregnant with her 8 weeks afterwards. Things happen for a reason. It’s all part of God’s plan. I believe that. It’s not always easy but time is a good healer.

So yeah, the last decade had great things and sad things. Inevitable I guess. Today I find myself really thinking about the past. I feel a bit weepy, people have come and gone, friends & family loved and lost.

What will the next 10 years hold… who knows?! Whatever happens it will be for a reason.

The hymn “Lord for the years” is one of my favourites. The words speak to me and give me comfort in times of both great joy and sorrow. I’d like to just share the last verse. It seems very fitting to quote it today as I always think it is about leaving behind the bad feeling, the luggage if you like. Leave all that behind and carry on regardless.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us-
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2010. May all your dreams come true xxx

10 Things

Today it was confirmed that Anthony has lost his job. We have been through every emotion possible from anger through to relief because at least we know where we stand.

My friend Mel called me earlier and I was so grateful. She asked me and Anthony to sit down tonight and write 10 things that we want in the next 12 months. The rules were these: it doesnt matter how silly the things sound, how far-fetched or how impossible they seem. You are not allowed to include any negative thoughts in the list. No ifs, buts, maybe’s. No saying “this is what we’d like but we’d settle for that”.

Here is what we have come up with:

1. We want to have another baby
2. We want Anthony to be working in a good job where he is happy
3. Mel wants to be confident in looking after Katie on her own
4. Mel wants to have lost 4 stone in weight
5. We want to be living in a house with a garden
6. We want to go away somewhere hot and sunny with our family
7. Anthony wants to have lost 2 stone in weight
8. We want a new family car
9. Mel wants to publish a children’s prayer book with her mum
10. We want our own Cafe and Bistro business. We will call it Karma

Suddenly seeing it written down like that doesnt seem so hard to achieve…