We're in!

****I thought I had published this post a few weeks ago when we first got into the new house but I've just discovered it failed to work. Sorry if you thought I'd gone quiet!***

Another one of those quick posts where I don't really have time to write much but want to let you know the news :) We're in the new house and things are slowly taking shape. The move itself went quite smoothly - the new house was not cleaned which was a bit upsetting but generally in an ok condition. The main thing which bothered me is that it smelt of cigarette smoke which was not very noticeable when we viewed it. But with lots of scrubbing the walls with water and vinegar and keeping the windows open, I think it's starting to go. There are also other annoying little things that need fixing/cleaning/replacing but we always knew this would be sort of a project. I am still very thankful for this move.

Things I'm enjoying: a lovely, big, enclosed garden, a bigger room for the girls and making the house homely. I do still feel a bit wobbly when I think about never going back to the old house and im not sure this feels like 'home' yet. But I hope we'll get there soon.

Thinking and praying for my friends who have difficult house situations and who would love to own their home. God is such an amazing provider. 

A choice

Today it was that time again to say goodbye to my parents, as they fly back to India. I don't think it gets easier. I still wish they were here all of the time (whilst being very proud of what they're doing out there too). It's been such a special summer with them too! So I've been thinking about today with a heavy heart.

We met my grandparents at a restaurant between our two towns, about an hour away, with both my brothers for a meal. It was a lovely way to get everyone together before saying goodbye.

Despite feeling really nervous in the car before the moment of 'goodbye', I'm ok. It still hurts but I was sort of on the edge of getting upset and decided to choose not to give in. I could be miserable the rest of the evening and take it out on J and the girls. But that's not fair and it doesn't help anyone. Instead I've prayed, listened to some worship songs and put it back into perspective. As God gives me peace, He's reminded me that mum and dad have gone out so that more people can experience that relationship with God. It helps a lot.

I have so many wonderful memories from their visit and Christmas is not far away!

'One thing God has spoken...'

Psalm 62:11-12

One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love."

Our life has continued it's crazy busy-ness of the summer with a church camp down in Devon. I blogged about it last year (sorry I'm too lazy to add in links) and I would say this year was even better. I think last year I was still a little shaky after the PND and found it difficult to be around people all the time. But this year I really enjoyed being a community with my church and felt I had enough 'head space' for letting God speak to me.

I felt challenged by lots of things but the talk which most struck me was by a guy called Phil Moore on praying through the Psalms. I have been having a quiet time (almost) every day but, to be honest, I've not been making much time for God and just reading a few verses of the Bible and then rattling off a list of things I'd like God to help me with. Not a great relationship really. 

I feel very inspired by Phil's advice to start with the Bible (especially Psalms) and read until you feel inspired to pray. You'll then pray about God and pray His way, instead of shopping list prayers. I am going to make a conscious effort to put this into practice. I also think I'll have to do this without J in the room because I concentrate so much better by myself and praying out loud, with no-one there to hear. I'm still working out the practicalities of when I'll manage this! It can be difficult to find a good time with little ones, whose wake-up times vary so much. But I'm determined not to make it an excuse.

The verse at the start of this post was one which Phil picked up on. He said that the Psalms can teach you how to pray even in difficult circumstances. The Psalmist often pours out his anger and confusion to God over troubles he is facing. But he still gives glory to God. In Psalm 62:11-12, he says that God is both strong and loving. In tragedy and hardships we can doubt whether God can intercede for us or whether He cares enough. These verses say that God is both strong and loving and these two truths are really one. I love this, and will definitely hold onto it when things get tough. I hope you'll find it helpful too.

Dust!

We had such a lovely time away in Cornwall. I can't believe that it is well over a week since I wrote saying we were on our way there. Although it was a bit mad going away just before moving house, it was nice to be forced to take a break from planning the move and packing. All we did was play on the beach, explore caves/rock pools, look around cute, Cornish towns, have meals together, watch films and read books. I also had quite a bit of head space to work in my novel. Lovely.

Now I've returned to a whirlwind of boxes, clutter, sorting things for the charity shop/tip and two little ones trying to undo all my good work! Oh, and dust! How does so much of it accumulate in a reasonably well-cleaned house? I feel covered at all times and because it's been disturbed, it resettle on all the formerly clean surfaces in the house. Sigh.

It's actually quite a relief to be at the stage of packing where you know you are leaving in a few days, so you can start to pack away essentials. I'm sure I'll regret some of these decisions when one of the children in sick and needs a completely clean set of sheets but everything will need packing at some point! I'm past the stage of caring too much.

My parents are helping us out with looking after the girls for some of the week and J's mum will have them the night/day of the move so I think we will be ready. I reckon this will be my last post in this house so... see you on the other side! 

Here are some photos from our holiday :)

And the packing (sob!).

Off on hols

Hello! This is a quick post to say that we are currently in the car making the 4 hour journey to Cornwall for a holiday with my family (parents, one brother and grandparents, phew!). I'm really looking forward to escaping the bombsite that is our half-packed house. I remember writing a very similar post last year when we were travelling down for the same holiday, so I'm not going to go on in case I repeat myself. The holiday house has no internet or 3G, therefore I won't be posting for a week. Hope you're all having lovely summers x

Good things (day in London)

There are days when Chloe can be in a 'wind up mummy' mood and she doesn't seem to care what the consequences are. There are also days when Livia is getting into EVERYTHING (including drawing with a Biro on the TV!). These are days when I feel like saying, 'God I need a break from these children!'

But then there are days like today, where I feel so full of pride and appreciation for my two girlies. ...Hmm maybe that doesn't sound quite right; I always feel proud of them, but today was a GOOD day, behaviour and attitude-wise! I hope I'm making sense (this is a late night post after an insanely busy day, can you tell?).

We spent the day in London with Jon's family. It wasn't hugely exciting for youg children: lots of walking or sitting in buggies and looking at big buildings which didn't mean much to them. But the girls did so well, with very little moaning. Livia kept pointing to everything and saying, 'Whassat? Whassat?' She also would say 'Herro!' to random passers-by. She was generally her usual gorgeous, smiley, funny self.

Chloe ate well, walked well and chatted to me in a really lovely way ('Mummy, when I'm a grown-up, I won't have to hold hands will I?', 'Mummy, I think I must be nearly 4 because my legs are massive' etc!). She took an interest in what we were doing, like copying the marching of the soldiers at Buckingham Palace. And there was no fuss when we had to leave Hamleys without buying anything!

I don't want to make this blog about telling you how wonderful my children are but sometimes it's nice to celebrate the good things. I don't always report on the bad days but, oh my, they do happen! Please let me know your thoughts on this and warn me if I ever start to sound too boastful :) I hope you've had a good day too.

Time, please stay still.

I feel like I'm having a flashback to last summer and wishing time would just stop. I'm feeling so happy with lots of family round and things feeling 'comfortable' in our lovely (small) house, with Chloe still at home. It's daunting to think about setting up a new home, saying all our goodbyes (to J's brother and family and my parents again) and then sending our daughter off to school. Even going back to work after the summer holidays; I'm enjoying having so much time with my girlies. I'm doing my best to trust in God's promises about new seasons. He is going ahead and preparing the way.

18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43