Poorly House

Oops, sorry for the gap, we have all been ill for the last week or so. Oscar is sick for the 2nd time. Ah well, in lieu of a real post here are some pictures of things I have made.

knitted fairy lights

a fairy mouse

yarn for some knitted baubles

a festive cushion

a small table runner

And some other bits which are gifts so need to be shown later.


The latest round of soiled bed clothes have just finished spinning in the machine, so its time for me to sort the laundry, drink some herbal tea and possibly eat a mince pie for elevensies at 9am.
Things can only get better?

Thinking About

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Oh Christmas Tree

And its finally up ! My friend had offered to take me for a real one after work tonight but I had already decided, and bought this one from Argos yesterday.

Oscar was more interested in the mince pies than the tree decorating, which I suppose is a sign of him getting that little bit older. He did tell me it was beautiful though.

Next weekend is a full one so my plans for this Saturday night are to snuggle up under the twinkly lights and relax.

Show Night

This was a busy day with work and shopping and out for dinner, after I had dropped Oscar off at the theater for his 2 hour rehearsal right before his Christmas show.

No photo's of the show allowed of course so here is a wee picture of my boy and his certificate.

He was very nervous my little thespian however he seemed less nervous than previous years. I of course was biting my nails every time he was on stage.
The Stage School owner informed us that they have something 'special' lined up for next years performance, so I am wondering what it will be.
Oscar chatted all the way home in the car, asked to watch a movie when we got in (about 10.30pm) and promptly fell asleep.
I am so proud of him, for what he does and who he is.

Busy Winter Days

Ten days already! How did that happen? Two weeks left until Christmas Eve. Being involved with church means that this can be a busy and fairly social time of year. I have my evening dresses and pearl choker dusted off in readiness.

We were babysitting for friends after school and although I am quite happy to help I was not at all sure I was up to the challenge of 4 kids at once, especially when one of the brood has extra care needed. Anyway as it turns out bless his little heart he was tired and cosied up beside me for most of the time. As for the other 3, some very expensive toys or computer games could not have kept them more occupied than some cardboard boxes.

After that we went to my Mum's for dinner, and since it was totally, totally, totally freezing outside we were extremely pleased to find hot mince and tatties ready for us when we got in.

Oscar was watching 'Home Alone' for the first time here

I finally made a decision on the Christmas tree and went to Argos after work and bought an artificial tree. No time to put it up tonight or tomorrow though, so its going to be Saturday evening at the earliest.

When we got home Oscar and I put on our onesies (his is Scooby Doo and mine is pink and white polka dot), got in to my bed and cuddled up with a Christmas story.

This is a lovely book, not least because it actually tells us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and we are all free to have The light shine inside us forever. I cant fail to see that light shining from my little one as we cuddle up with sweet stories on a cold winter night.
Valerie

The Festival Of Light

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
This is our first year celebrating both religious events. Oscar was pretty impressed with the Hanukkah stories, especially when he got to take the shamash and light the first and second candles in the Menorah.

I think tomorrow we are going for the tree (a real one this year for sure), but in the mean time there is always the advent calendar to be opened.

I am not sure how much of the Faith based aspects the kids take on board, apart from the baby Jesus being born. But no matter, it will come in time as they become much loved and long used traditions.


Enjoy the festival of lights dear chaver's and chavera's

Welcome To December

The day started with Oscar opening his Advent Calendar. I do the chocolate thing, but the same as last year I found M&S do a Nativity Scene one, which is exactly how I think it should be. Barbie, Peppa Pig and Spiderman are all well good, but the more we can bring our Savior into our celebrations the better.
And speaking of celebrations, we are going to be trying a little bit of Hanukkah this year. I have ordered a simple Hanukkah kit from Amazon (due tomorrow) and for Oscar, this lovely little book.

What I like about this book is that it covers both Hanukkah and Christmas. I find a lot of the Jewish customs very comforting for some reason. Perhaps its as simple as feeling closer to our Lord, and trying to understand the world he lived in. Slightly off topic but our women's group intend to celebrate Passover in 2016 so that will be a new and exciting first for me.

Anyway, today was a work/school day so not much to say on that front, except I made myself a skirt at work. Its somebody's birthday this week (me, me, me) and I am being given an 80's themed birthday party (and why not?), pictures to follow.

After  dinner (chili, rice, sour cream and tortilla chips), we got to work on some artwork for the party.

Oscar, of course was covered in paint, and his school clothes are rolling around in the washing machine right now. Its very rare for us all to craft together these days and honestly, despite having a numb bot from sitting on the floor, I really enjoyed myself. We had an 80's music play list on in the background and we were all singing along.

We were late for a week night coming home so after some cuddles on Mama's bed Oscar went off quite happily to bed (tonight's bedtime story was Samson and Delilah. A good bible story if ever there was one and a welcome change from Noah's Ark 73 nights in a row (I may have exaggerated that a little)

And finally I can report that my bed is getting in to the festive spirit.

Super cute, right? I bought this bedding set for a few £'s in the sales last January (from Asda). And I am off to test it out right now.
Night night and thanks for reading Blogmas Day 1
Valerie

Hey ! Its Been A While

When I was a stay at home Mama I thought a lot about blogging, and if anything 'blog worthy' had happened that day. Often I would take a photo 'just' for the blog. Nowadays, I simply forget. Spending most of my day away from Oscar means I often haven't much to write about, except dinner with a tired grumpy 6 year old followed by a very reluctant boy thrown in the shower, some computer time, usually followed by a melt down right before bed, and then my little guy crashed out later than I would like.

I am willing to accept this is a 'season' of our lives, I couldn't stand it if this was the new normal. I haven't been doing ANY baking of late (except for 2 Betty Crocker cakes for a baptism), and my creative pursuits have not been for leisure, rather all geared for the shop.

I hope to change this pattern and being more conscious of it is surely one way to identify where we can change things.

We have a house guest for the next week and partly because of this a very full calendar, with either invitations out or people for dinner almost every night of the week.

I have a few projects in mind for the new year (including learning a new language, gulp!), and I already have a to do list as long as my arm. Next year is going to be an exciting year on a personal level, and I hope also for my little household. I would like to be able to record our journey here for all posterity (or until I change my blog name, again!).

Today in church one of the Brother's asked, 'what does the Gospel mean to you?' and I answered,
'Ask any mother what is the most important thing to you, and most of them will tell you its her children. I would be hard pressed to split a knife between the importance of my children and the Gospel. They are tied in very tightly. My children are my world, however its the Gospel that dictates how I raise them and how we survive the highs and lows as a family'. Life without purpose, work, eat, sleep, would be a life severely lacking in the joy that only children and loved ones can bring.

I started this blog as a documentation of our life, and I have felt sad its gone into decline. So, for December I am going to try a post a day. It will be difficult, since I haven't even managed a post a week lately. But I know that in a few years time I will be thankful for the evidence I have laid down the Christmas Oscar was 6.
Thanks for the messages saying you missed us, I wondered if anyone was actually reading !

ps. we have settled in to the flat well, the view is not as dramatic as a grave yard, however its not bad.

Valerie

Monday 29th December 2014

The view from my window in the morning

Faded flowers in the church foyer

A View Of The River From Church

A Cheeky Little Cat On The Garden Wall

Candles And Our Savior

A Selfie In My Dressing Gown

My Bedside At Night

Merry Christmas 2013

We Made It

We did indeed make it out on Saturday night for the first time in years, and you know what? It was great fun. Oscar was safely ensconced on the sofa under a duvet with a huge pile of sweets and popcorn and 2 movies (new time him) Disneys ANASTASIA and Dreamworks JOSEPH KING OF DREAMS. We have not left him with his sister Aimee (who is 22) before, because Aimee was anxious about being in charge, but he was very well behaved, despite still being up when we came home at 11pm.
I think 2014 may see some more little trips out for Mummy and Daddy (alone!).

Don't even ask what they were up to in this photo

Valerie

xxx

The Son

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God's relationship with humanity and the way of salvation.

I thank The Lord My God for the precious gift of His Son, every day. I have 2 sons of my own and to make sacrifice of one of them, even for the saving of humanity seems a burden too heavy to carry. Well, perhaps it would be too heavy for me as a mortal mother without the view of all time and eternity, like my Beloved Father in Heaven.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, with presents and trees and parties and food and merry making. In amongst the swirling joy that surrounds us, I will remember My Savior.

 

John 3:17

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Valerie

xxx

Lights