Things I love.... and am Grateful for...

I've been away for a while and blog topics keep coming to mind but then I do nothing about them, as to be honest I'm quite enjoying staying away from the (self-imposed) pressures of blogging. However, the other day on the long drive home from Spring Harvest I felt compelled to make a list of all the little things that make my heart sing.

You see I felt as if I lost my joy back in December and I havn't been able to re-find it but this time away from blogging has helped immensely and my joy is definitely returning.

So as I copied this list from my email into a blog post tonight, I thought why not make this a Reasons to be Cheerful post and share all the small things that I love and make me grateful to be alive.

Finding your Joy in Every Day

This week I'm part of a video that has been put together by Michelle Reeves, who formally blogged at Bod for Tea and now at The Joy Chaser and The Essex Barn. Michelle and I first got chatting back in 2010 when she was an expat living in China and a fairly new mummy. When I started my Reasons to be Cheerful linky in January 2011 Michelle was one of the first to join in and it was clear even then that she wanted to seek out the joy and the good in life, turning her back on old habits of negativity.

You can read about Michelle's journey to joy and how she has found her new happy over on her new blog but being involved with this project has had me reflecting on the subject of happiness and joy and how for me they are very different constructs.

I know most people use the terms interchangeably and I think perhaps my perspective is different due to my faith. I view happiness as something very surface, usually dependant on external circumstances and it is normally achieved when everything is going your way and life (or a situation) is good. Whereas joy is always achievable, even in the darkest of times because it is an internal; found in our relationship with Jesus. It is a gift that He freely gives to us, in the same way He extends His grace. All these amazing things that we don't deserve and yet He wants us to receive them freely.

I'm feeling happy

A lovely sunshiney day in the West Lawn

I was walking along in the sunshine yesterday and I was struck with this thought 'I am so happy'. I wasn't doing anything spectacular (I was buying sweatshirts for the girls to start Cubs that night), my view was not very impressive (an industrial estate in Hastings) and it was not even as if all was perfect and right in my little world (I'd just spent £100 on new tyres and I had stomach ache) but in that precious moment I felt content and happy and as I bought a burger and diet coke from a snack van I decided to embrace it and reveal in the moment, so I sat there with a big smile on my face and enjoyed before I drove back to work.

It got me thinking about happiness. I know for many it is a pursuit, something they are actively going after but as a Christian that does not feel right to me. Of course there is nothing at all wrong with happiness and it is good to enjoy the happy times but my pursuit is something different. To be happy is not my primary purpose, it is just an enjoyable by product of trying to live my life in the way God intended me to.

I choose to be thankful and it makes a difference #R2BC

Good day friends, I hope you are well today. It's time to share our reasons to be cheerful/ thankful /glad. What is making you grateful today?

As always I'm feeling blessed and knowing I'm a very lucky girl. This doesn't mean that my life is peachy and I have everything I want it just means I have everything I need and I'm safe and content. Life is always full of issues and struggles but it is how we choose to deal with those that shapes our character and attitude.

Bexhill on Sea - my favourite seaside in the UK

We moved to East Sussex just over a year ago now and there is one place that we go to time and time again. The seaside has always been a place that my husband and I love to visit together, we met by the sea and whenever we needed to get away, it is the sea we always headed to. Even when the whether is bad the cobwebs get blown away and our souls feel refreshed.

It is for this reason that I jumped for joy when I realised we were only about 8 miles from our nearest seaside town. At first I wondered what Bexhill-on-Sea would have to offer us as it is pretty old-fashioned and parts look a little run-down but actually I have grown to love it so much.  I visit here alone, with all my family and with friends too.

As I said before it is quite old-fashioned but in a quaint, times-gone-by sort of way rather than being out of date. It does not have lots of neon signs, nightclubs or arcades like many UK seaside resorts and I think more people that come here are locals rather than holidaymakers and I like that. I can wonder round the town and check out the many charity shops and grab a bargain and then go to the Sovereign Light Cafe for a good cooked breakfast.

In the last few years the promenade has been made over and it is a super flat concrete prom great for walking, running, scooting, dog-walking or bike riding. Unless there is a special event going on it is never that busy and you can walk for miles and miles without any issue. The parking along the sea front is plentiful and free too.

You'll see that the beach is a stony one but when the sea goes out you do get areas of sand and also wonderful rock pools, so lots of beach fun can be had here. You often see people wind surfing, fising or boating.

When it was refurbished some fabulous play equipment was put all along the prom and the kids adore running along and stopping to use the equipment.

One of our favourite places to visit with the kids in Bexhill is Egerton Park, this is just a few moments walk from the seafront and is full of fantastic play equipment. It is one of the best play parks I've seen and great for all ages with toddler equipment, sand play, zip wire and loads of equipment for the older kids. As well as an Adidas gym area, football field, bowls, boating lake and cafe. Also next to it is the Bexhill Museum which has some good children activities during the holidays.

On the seafront is the De La Warr pavilion that hosts loads of local cultural events and has a great art gallery too. You can go on the roof and enjoy the fabulous views and take in the Art Deco architecture. Underneath the theatre are some nice shops, a big tea room with beach front outdoor space and also some dancing fountains that the kids love to play in.

Often for the price of a donation your children can join in with arty activities. Last week Miss E spent an enjoyable hour making a collage and then she added it to the artwork on the wall, as one day she wants to be exhibited there.

Probably our favourite activity as a family in Bexhill is eating and we can highly recommend the homemade gelato on sale at Di Paolos opposite the De La Warr or fish and chips from Marinos or Mini Berthas and of course they need to be eaten with the sea in View. There is some lovely grass space next to the De La Warr which is our eating area of choice.

I used to think the sandy beach at Bournemouth was my favourite UK seaside but Bexhill has stolen that place in my heart and I'm very glad to live here and be able to sit and watch all the sailing boats out at sea as well as my kids having a ball.

Have you ever visited before? What did you think?

And while I love the beaches in the UK Liz at Cambridge Mummy has been off enjoying snorkelling with her family at the Mark Warner Levante resort.

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Happy birthday my babies..... 7 today

A letter to my little ladies....

Hello my babies,

This time 7 years ago you had just been born and you were two of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Daddy and I were so happy you had come to make our family complete. Miss E, you came out first and you squealed and made it known that you had arrived. Then our little Miss M followed, slightly more heavy and slightly more chubby and quite serene and we thought this might be how things continued.

But little did we know that each time we thought we had your personalities pegged you would swap and keep us on our toes. I'm pleased to say it has only ever been one of you at a time that has been super high maintenance. Miss E, it was you first and then once your reflux was diagnosed and you had your medicine you calmed right down and were such a cute and happy baby.

Miss M you were the one that fed well, slept through the night from an early age, talked first, walked first and frankly did everything first but you have always been our more feisty girl and you wear your emotions on your sleeve and sometimes get into trouble for being all too ready to share what you think.

I love you my babies, both so different, yet both so gorgeous.

Miss M you make me proud to be your mummy as I love how helpful you are, such fun to be with, always willing to share and put on a fun performance. You are so bright and you need to be careful not to waste your skills by getting into trouble through boredom.

Miss E you are a little tender heart and you care so much.  I have never felt such love as I feel from you and I love your tenacity, you won't give up and try so hard. Your skills in all things drawing and crafting astound me and I know one day you will be a super success in whatever you decide to do.

Don't forget my girls you are a team. Being twinnies is special and you must always be each others champion. Even when no-one else wants to play your twin sister will be standing there by your side so cherish that and nurture your special relationship instead of bickering and teasing each other (Miss M I'm looking at you here).

Anyway, have a wonderful day and I'm glad you enjoyed your party yesterday.

Lots of love, Mummy xxxxx

I like being Mum

It is all too easy to get wound-up by the little things. Yesterday JJ sat at the kitchen table once he arrived home from school and he was delighted that his Beano comic had arrived in the post.  He ripped the cover off quickly and sat there having his snack and avidly devouring his weekly dose of old-skool humour.

After about 15 minutes he headed upstairs to get changed and I suspect turn his laptop on for a short play before swimming lessons. As I turned round I noticed on the table the wrappings from his Beano and I tutted to myself and wondered why it was beyond his grasp to just throw it in the bin a few steps behind him.

I then had a choice - I could call up the stairs and ask him to come back and do it or I could just be loving and throw it away. I choose to just bin it, as in that moment I remembered how much I like being the one who is relied upon and needed to do these things. This is just part of being Mum, tidying the little things after the kids.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a mug. My kids are generally very good at pulling their weight, especially if I ask them to help out, in fact I’m really quite pleased that at practically 11 years old I don’t get any lip from JJ when I ask him to set the table or do the recycling.

This small thing did set me thinking about how much I like being Mum and what being Mum means to me. I fully believe it is different for everyone and that there is no wrong or right, only your wrong or right. As Mum I cook the bulk of the meals, do the washing, keep the house clean and tidy, put the plasters on the grazed knees, sort out the school clubs, do the shopping and generally keep things running for our family on a day to day basis and I feel immensely happy to be able to do that.

This time last year I had just given up my well-respected job and I did not know what the future held for me. There have been a fewwobbles in the last year as I have realised the enormity and changes that come with moving from being a work out of the house mum to a stay at home mum who volunteers and does a bit of paid work on the side.

I have to admit that I’m happier now, I can go for a long walk if I want to. I can read a book if I so desire, I can go to an exercise class in the day time and I can take a midday bath if that is what I fancy. I have boundaries and mostly they are school hours but within those I am my own boss and I have found that I have grown in humility, serenity and thankfulness since our life changing move last July.

Thank you Jesus, that you have given me this time to just be and to allow me to rest and restore ready for the great adventure that I feel you have next in store for our family.

I’m listening and I’m ready. Call me when the time is right, your time.

Mich x

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How does your garden grow - May 2014 - An explosion of colour

We are not that far into May yet but I'm loving it already, everything feels so fresh and the grass is so green and lush. There seems to have been a explosion of colour over the last few weeks and it reminds me of a magnificent firework display. As one colour fizzles out another arrives and takes its place to delight me.

I have far too many photos to share but I just could not help myself!

Starting in the West lawn -

All the Irises I'd ever seen have been the dark purple so these light ones took me by surprise.

The wonderful hankerchief tree, it really is a super sight with all its white flowers hanging down.

I love the chequered lawn, it has been brushed in one direction and was in the process of being cut in the other to make a massive checkerboard.

Down by the stream where the wild flowers are growing beautifully, my girls and I enjoyed a weekend walk

In the walled garden where there are fruit trees, poly tunnels and veg patches -

it is all coming along magnificently and boy do I enjoy eating all those salad greens when I'm up a the main house.

Thanks for hosting Annie, I'm happy to link up with How does your garden grow?

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19 years ago today...

A guy that I was not that keen on picked me up from a very wet pier that I had just fallen over on.

He then saved me from dancing with a very creepy guy at the nightclub on the pier.

We had our first kiss that night and the rest as they say is history.......

Now here we are 19 years later with three small people to call us Mum and Dad and a life very different to the one we might have imagined all those years ago. I'm happy where we are and what we are doing and I'm happy to be with you.

Love you babe xx

I thought it might be fun to track through the years of photos of the two of us and see how we have changed.

1995 - on holiday

Christmas Party - 1996

1998 - on holiday

1999 - At a party

Our wedding - 2002

2006 - End of year ball

2008 - Family wedding, girls aged 1.5 years and JJ was 5 years

2010 - Another family wedding

2012 - My birthday

Christmas eve - 2013. Very blurry but I love the happy faces!

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Autumn Bucket LIst

I was over at Claire's earlier today and I felt inspired by her Autumn bucket list. I've never done a bucket list before (that's pretty shocking to have reached 40 and not done one isn't it?). So it was time to rectify that and here is what I plan to get up to over the next three months -

Bring it on - I'm looking forward to all these things and I actually (for once) have the time to do them. Thank you Lord.

What are you planning for this Autumn, anything fun?

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Reasons to be Cheerful - I love my handbag (week 37, year 3)

I feel in love last Saturday. JJ went up to the post room and came back with a box for me emblazoned with Hotter. 'New shoes Mum?' he asked. 'No babe, I'm expecting a handbag, it's a prize I won in July'.

I hadn't expected that much to be honest, the over the body bag that I fancied had sold out and I had not seen anything that really tickled me in the autumn collection but Jenni at Hotter recommended the Astor style bag to me. I choose chilli red as in my book red and leather are a combination made in heaven and to be honest I forgot it was even on its way to me.

Then I opened the box and first off the packaging looks good, you start to feel a little excited when you see something so lovingly wrapped and as I ripped it open my heart literally skipped a beat and I declared to my kids 'I love it'.  I kid you not, I absolutely adore this bag. It is the best delivery I have had in years.

Straight away my summer Cath Kidson bag was emptied out and my worldly goods moved over to my stunning new red Astor Hotter bag. It smells so good as well, really expensive and at £65 it looks as if it should cost far more. I love the chrome buckles, the handy zip pocket in the bag for my mobile, the fact that it fits everything I need it to and does not look bulky and it stays on my shoulder without slipping off every five minutes.

This bag is a big winner, thanks so much Hotter!

You can probably tell how much I like this bag as I do not normally hand over my Reasons to be Cheerful post to one thing! lol

#R2BC blogger of the week 

This week it is the turn of Nikki from A Mental Mummy to be featured. I couldn't tell you to be honest how long she has been joining in with #R2BC now but I do know she is a faithful joiner these last few months and always seem to go out of her way to leave thoughtful comments, which is really appreciated by me, thank you Nikki.

What has made you cheerful or grateful this week?

It could be something massive or it might just be the everyday simple things that happen. If you are new to Reasons to be Cheerful then take a look at the background to this linky and my rational for starting it 3 years ago. Write a post and link it up, no rules, just as long as you have written about something which is adding a smile to your face or rocking your world then I’m happy. Then link up the post, add in the blog hop code to your post if you fancy and then people can go from post to post nice and easily. Visit a few other people and leave a comment and I pray they will come do the same for you. 

Wishing you a blessed week ahead, Mich x

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New school cheer = Reasons to be Cheerful week 36, year 3

Hello all, how are you? I had the most fabulous day yesterday and as such it is the basis of my Reasons to be Cheerful post.

Yesterday the children started their new school, we could tell how nervous they were and I don’t think they were even really aware of it. In the last week we have had JJ with an unexplained bad tummy multiple times a day, Miss E crying and saying she hates it here, no she loves it here and Miss M just generally acting out and disobeying any kind of instruction we give her.

We got everything ready in the couple of days before and each of the children were moaning, they seemed to have forgotten how much they all enjoyed their trial day in July. Apparently they don’t like blue uniforms, their new teachers are not nice and there are lots of bullies at their new school – excuses, excuses!

Wednesday morning dawned and dh had agreed to go into work late so he could be there to drop them on their first day. He set them each the challenge to enjoy their day, to really enjoy it and the one that could give him the best reason at tea time of why they had enjoyed their day would win a prize. To peak their interest he got them all to tell him why they had enjoyed breakfast and the one with the best explanation got 50p, the next got 20p and the last got 10p. This certainly whet their appetites and they started to speculate what the prize later might be.

This incentive worked a treat and two of the kids got a tenner each and the other learned a valuable lesson about listening to daddy and doing as she is told! I'm super pleased to report that all the kids came out of school happy and each had enjoyed their day and scrambled to tell me about what had happened.

As for me whilst they were at school, what did I do? Well I went for tea and home-made cake at a nice local tea room with dh. I then took an hour stroll around the lake and enjoyed some time with God and lastly caught up on a bit of blogging, I was worried that I might not enjoy their first day at school, that they would be teary as they went in and I'd have pinned all day but dh really sorted that out for me and I had a fabulous glimpse of my future here in East Sussex as a SAHM.

#R2BC blogger of the week

This week I have chosen Maria of Tiger Tales to be my #R2BC blogger of the week. Last weeks #R2BC post was her 65th time joining the linky, how is that for dedication and she has been joining up since 2011. I like to visit Tiger Tales as it is a blog of such love and it has been wonderful to watch her little Angelo grow up over the last couple of years and more recently become a big brother to Valentina. Here is a recent pic of Maria and Angelo.

What has made you cheerful or grateful this week?

It could be something massive or it might just be the everyday simple things that happen. If you are new to Reasons to be Cheerful then take a look at the background to this linky and my rational for starting it 3 years ago. Write a post and link it up, no rules, just as long as you have written about something which is adding a smile to your face or rocking your world then I’m happy. Then link up the post, add in the blog hop code to your post if you fancy and then people can go from post to post nice and easily. Visit a few other people and leave a comment and I pray they will come do the same for you. 

Wishing you a blessed week ahead, Mich x

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Reasons to be Cheerful is the best linky ever - fact!

That is quite a big claim - isn't it? But this isn't about me and how great I am, this is about YOU and how fabulous you are.

Two and a half years ago I created a linky, one that I knew I needed. It was to help me focus on what is great in life and to remind me to stop and be thankful for all the blessings God bestows on me.  Not content with doing this alone, I invited you all to join me and over the last 124 weeks so many of you have done that and that in itself makes me really grateful.

Reasons to be Cheerful is not one of the BIG linkys, I can't boast of ever having 150 or even 80 people linked up in one week.  If you join in, it won't give you 100's of page views or masses of comments. This linky was never meant to be one that people joined in with to boast their stats and get an easy win.  Oh no, this linky is not what I would call a 'blogging linky'.  #R2BC is about self-awareness and about you as a person, our blog is just the way we are expressing ourselves.

I suppose I ought to substantiate why I feel #R2BC is the best linky ever -

+   I know that one woman used it as a way to stay focused on the future and the positive in life when her husband was made redundant and had no job for quite some time

+   There's another lady who has continued to cite her reasons to be cheerful even when grieving from the loss of her father

+   Then there is the super strong lady who joined us when she was going through two (yes two) different types of cancer

+   Not forgetting the woman who has always had a downer on life, she recently emailed to tell me that #R2BC had changed her outlook on life and she now sees hope in each day

+   Just on this weeks post someone told me that #R2BC was a comfort blanket to them and they could come back to it when they needed it

I could go on, there are plenty more stories and so many people who keep coming back and joining in and that is why I'm so pleased to be here when they need my little linky.  At times I have wondered why I do this linky, it is a big comment to keep something going for such a long time but like with everything God has a plan and a reason and this week I really see it.

Not only has Reasons to be Cheerful helped me to see the good (or God) in things but it has helped so many of you too.....

Thanks for joining in.  Sorry if I sound a bit soppy, I am genuinely wiping a tear away as I type this. Thank to every one of you who has ever joined in with #R2BC, long may it continue.

Love this community!  Mich x

Image Credit

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