Christian Bloggers UK - Joining in with the Easter Tag

Amazing paintings done whilst we were at Spring Harvest last year

I'm part of a lovely FB group called Christian Bloggers UK and it is open for new members but there are three conditions to join. Can you guess what they might be? Yes, it is super easy - Christian, blogger and UK based or born. So if you fit this criteria and want somewhere to share inspiration and ask questions, then head over and request to join.

Rachel, who blogs over at Rachel Ridler: Mum on a Mission is on of the admins of this group and she has tagged me to join in with the Easter tag. All I need to do is share my answers to a set of ten questions and then tag three other blogger friends to join in. So here goes.... 

1. How are you celebrating Lent this year?

I love Easter, it is probably my favourite Christian celebration of the year and Lent is the time that I start to get excited for it. I don't much go in for giving things up over Lent as I think so many people do it for selfish reasons or through obligation rather than because they want to make space to focus more on Jesus and what He did for us at Easter time. 

This year I am getting up half-an-hour earlier each day so I can do a Psalms bible study and pray more. I'm also joining in with the #40acts movement and dong Lent generously. I'll get an email each day with a few simple ideas of how I could be generous that day. Today I have dropped what I was doing to be a listening ear for someone and given them some practical help. Tomorrow - who knows!

2. What does Lent mean for you?

Lent for me is a time of preparation for Easter. I make space to focus more on God and less on me. As well as my early morning bible study I have also been listening to Christian podcasts today and I spent some time in the prayer centre creatively worshipping. 

One Day I'll get my Lantern Roof

When we moved to East Sussex nearly four years ago we decided the best thing was to sell our house in Hertfordshire. We did this as it gave us the most freedom to do whatever we felt God was calling us to next and I still think it was the right thing to do but in typical Michelle style I do sometimes mourn the loss of that house and all it meant to us.

It wasn't the first home my husband and I had bought together, it was actually the third but it was supposed to be our forever house. It had three bedrooms, was semi-detached and sat on a good sized corner plot on a pleasant tree-lined road. By the time we left eleven years after buying it we had made a good profit and had converted the garage so we had a large fourth bedroom or a playroom depending on our needs.

We had to do lots of renovations and decorating and I can't fail to mention my wonderful Dad who did a lot of it but there was still so much I wanted to do and I'm looking forward to one day moving back into a home that is ours and we can mould to suit our family.

I have this little fantasy in my head of how our home will look. It doesn't have to be particularly big or grand but I do like an open plan downstairs. I think having all the family in one large area that is zoned off for different purposes is really appealing.

Review: Saltdean Tavern Stonehouse Restaurant, Brighton

On Saturday night my husband and I headed over to Saltdean, Brighton to try out the newly refurbished Saltdean Tavern. The restaurant has recently been re-branded as a Stonehouse restaurant specialising in pizzas and carvery roasts. My first thought was that this was an odd combination but actually upon being in the restaurants and seeing the breadth of the menu and all the big family and friends tables I could understand that there is logic in having opposites as the attraction it it means everyone in your party can be satisfied and enjoy their meal out.

First Impressions

The restaurant is situated behind the old Saltdean Lido, which is currently being renovated (over a very long term and with a few tricky issues) so the location is super easy to get to and there is tons of well-lit parking. The outside looks really smart and there is lovely wooden play equipment for the kids, I know mine would love it and we'll come back in the warmer months to enjoy the local area and a meal there.

As you enter the building you have a bar area to the left and restaurant to the right and the refurbishment is lovely. The decor looks really smart and very welcoming. You can see the chefs working in the pizza preparation area as you arrive and that looks very inviting. There is also a salad bar, carvery and ice cream factory on show too.

We arrived about 8.15pm, a quarter of an hour after our reservation but this wasn't an issue to the restaurant, which made us feel at ease. When we arrived there was not a clearly defined welcome area so we just stood in the entrance and waited and a waitress took the initiative to approach us. We told her we had a reservation and she checked this out and took us to a marked table. There was plenty of space in the restaurant area and between the tables so you could feel relaxed but the floor was full of crumbs and the menus were sticky from split soft drinks and beers. So our first impression was a bit mixed to be honest.

Feeling Fulfilled…

I’ve probably had one of my best mornings of the year today. I’m currently sitting having a cuppa in one of my favourite cafes and you can’t wipe the smile off my face. I feel totally fulfilled right now as if I’m doing the right thing at the right time.

Why? You might wonder. Has Michelle landed a fab job, secured a holiday, lost a stone (if only)? No, nothing quite so dramatic, nor so self-focused. What I’ve done this morning is have my regular one hour appointment with a child that I am coaching through the Christian charity TLGfollow. I won’t tell you any specifics about the little boy I meet as that’s not appropriate but basically he is someone who is struggling at school.

Generally TLG take coaches into school to meet with children who need someone on their side. Often they are on the verge of exclusion, regularly being sent out of class, having volatile interactions with their peers or maybe completely withdrawing. Misunderstanding and unhappiness can of course manifest differently in each child and some don’t even know why they are not happy, they just live in a loop of anger and desperation causing poor choices and negative consequences.

I’ve been meeting my little mate (that’s what I call him) since September last year. We have just one hour each week in school that is time for him. TLG have set up their coaching resources perfectly and I have a whole host of tools I can use to fill 20 minutes with meaningful conversation – exploring actions, consequences and choices and the other 40 minutes is about fun, bonding and being together. Many coaches craft with their pupil and before Christmas we did this, making gifts for his family but now we have settled into a routine of game playing. He loves Uno, cards, monopoly, connect 4 – you name it, we’ve played them all.

The value of this game playing can’t be underestimated as I’ve seen him grow in fairness, integrity and honesty over the last five months and I pray those good choices he makes when he is with me start to feed through to the rest of his life. Today, for the first time we played the Anger Solution Game and it is an excellent resource to help your child explore their own feelings, hear your model answers and keep the child focused on gaining their counters and winning ultimately, so they don’t really realise how deeply they are opening up.

Today my little mate honestly talked about both the good and the bad of his week and he felt confident and comfortable to do so. He has worked hard against his target the last few weeks and as such next week during half term he will come out with my girls and I to our local seaside and the kids will all scoot the prom, play in the park and have fish and chips. Or if the weather isn’t so great then maybe they’ll swim but I hope this helps him to believe that kids who try hard are a pleasure to be with and they get rewards.

Could you volunteer?

TLG is always looking for new coaches. Maybe you’d like to do what I do? It would require a commitment of one hour a week for an academic year and you get allotted one child to get to know and work with. There is no academic work involved and you are the master of your own sessions but be reassured you’ll be trained before you start, you have an easy-to-use recording system, you’ll have a local co-ordinator and a prayer partner and there is always someone to help or talk to if you need to. For more information head to the TLG website.follow

Review: Babe the Sheep Pig Live - Touring the UK NOW!

Last night our family of five had its first trip to the theatre all together. We've been to panto, we go to the cinema loads but we've never seen a theatre performance together and as my husband and I adore live theatre it was only the perceived cost stopping us. I've investigated seeing a West-end show together before and the cost would be around £250-300 for the five of us in decent seats and that is outside of our affordability.

I'm not sure why but I'd totally bypassed local theatre venues and how stupid have I been? We all headed off to the Devonshire Park theatre in Eastbourne to see Babe the Sheep-Pig Live, a family friendly show produced by the unique children's theatre company Polka and in general we loved it (well four of us loved it and one is a 13 year old boy with a love only for gaming! lol). And the cost for seeing this in a town local to us rather than seeing a west-end show was £81.50 full price in the best seats but in fact a special offer email was sent out a few weeks ago with all seats at £13 for the Thursday and Friday performances, so that's just £65 for five people - what a bargain!

Before I tell you what we loved about it, why don't you have a quick peek and see for yourself what the show is about -

It looks good, right? and it really is as good as those snippets make out. 

8 Positive Things to Do When You are Feeling Overwhelmed

Sometimes you don't even know what is bothering you but life just feels as if it is about to overwhelm you. You know how it is, some days you can take on the world and others the slightest thing may push you over the edge. Here I share five positive things you can do to help yourself when it all feels too much.

1.  Acknowledge it

It is so important that you own how you are feeling. Don't be too quick to dismiss the feelings as something silly or insignificant. It might be tempting to berate yourself as your life is good and there is no reason to feel as you do but it won't help you, you'll just get locked into a negative cycle.

2.  Be kind to yourself

Following on from acknowledging, it is important that you are kind to yourself. Remember that age old saying 'if you wouldn't speak to a friend like that then don't speak to yourself in that way'. You are a precious son or daughter of the most high and He would never speak to you in a negative way.

Visiting Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain with Children

Last August we took our first holiday abroad as a family and we had an amazing time. So amazing in fact that we are again this year heading back to the Catalonia region of Spain and will be enjoying a holiday with Eurocamp at the Playa Montroig Camping Resort in Miami Platja, Costa Dorada.

One place that I expect we will visit again will be the beautiful historic city of Tarragona. it is the capital of the Catalonia region and a real gem to visit. There is such variety and depth in this city that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in November 2000 when it recognised 'The Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco' (modern-day Tarragona) for its importance as a major administrative and mercantile Roman city.

Visit the Tourist Office
Tarragona is such a big and diverse city there are four tourist offices across the city for you to visit. Either plan your visit out using the internet in advance or arrive at one of the offices and let the very helpful staff advise you how to fill your day.

Make sure you check out the calendar of events in advance as there is so much going on in Tarragona from an international fireworks competition to Tarraco Viva (that looks to raise awareness of ancient Roman history) to L'Home dels Nassos (the man of the many noses) festival. In September you may be lucky enough to be there for the festival for the Patron Saint of the City - Santa Tecla,

Praying for Future Grace

 

Last night as part of my Freedom in Christ course I was introduced to the concept of praying for future grace. It is not a term I’ve ever heard spoken before but it really struck me and has sat with me all morning and I keep musing it.

I was asked if I ever pray the night before for the tools I’ll need the next day to help me through the day and whilst I do pray for situations that might be coming up the next day or things that are troubling me. I have never named all the things I’ll need to help me through the next day – things like patience, joy, self-control, wisdom etc

I like the idea of this if I’m honest and it seems really authentic, as if I’d be more purposefully connecting with God and invoking his help in my day-to-day life and particularly in my struggle areas, like that of over-eating. I absolutely know that God is willing to be involved in all parts of my life and that whatever I do He loves me the same but the bible tells me to ask, seek, knock (Matthew 7:7) and the answers will be provided and the door opened and I feel as if praying into these situations asking for what I need the next day will be actively seeking and unlocking the door.

That feels really powerful.

I had a bit of a google to see if others are using the term future grace and I came across a book of the same name written by John Piper and I’m going to treat myself to it as I feel as if the Lord has led me to this book. It appears that Pipers position is that too many Christians are attempting to be good disciples of Christ from a sense of gratitude, whereas it would be better to follow Jesus as we walk in faith and belief of the grace he extends day by day. I like the idea of this as it feels like a relationship built on heart knowledge rather than just head. Having wrote a blog post on here a while back I realised that I needed to move much of my knowledge from my head to my heart, so this sounds perfect. I really liked this quote taken from John Pipers Desiring God website

By grace I do not merely mean the pardon of God in passing over your sins, but also the power and beauty of God to keep you from sinning

How amazing if I can move from a place of feeling like I have no option but to sin (normally overeating in my case) to being confident of God’s grace and His conditional love for me being the antidote.  I’ll keep you posting.

For now, here is tonight prayer for future grace for tomorrow –

Dear Lord,

Thanks for all You do for me, I love being Your child and being able to study Your word and get to know You better.

• Please Father can I ask for time so that I may sit and wait on You to hear what Your will is and what You want me to do each day.
• I ask for self-control that I may be able to hold back from eating foods that I don’t need or ones I know are not wholesome and useful for my body
• I ask for wisdom of how to spend my time and where to place my thoughts. Please help me to use the time I have effectively to glorify You.
• I ask for humility so that when things go well I remember it is about You and not about me. I can only do these things through Your gifts and strength.
• I pray for tolerance that when I come into contact with people who I find difficult that I might meet them in the supernatural and be able to extend Your love to them.
• Even though I don’t think I deserve it, I know that grace covers that and it comes without conditions so please Lord I ask that You help me to be fit and well.  That my aches in my legs will cease, that my periods return to a normal and manageable level and that my lungs work to their full capacity.
• I pray Lord You give me a desire to move more and to exercise to help me be fitter and lose some weight.
• Also Lord, please I pray can You help me to be kind to myself. No longer do I want to label myself or call me names, I just want to see myself for what I am – an imperfect Christian trying her best but ultimately leaning on You to make changes.
• Finally Lord I pray that I feel Your peace all day tomorrow. There is a need for effort on my part but no need for striving as the things I’ll be doing are done for You and in Your power.

You Lord are the one almighty Father and I praise your name and thank you again. My life is so much richer since I came to know you. Blessed be Your name.

Giveaway: Tommee Tippee Complete Feeding Set, worth £109

***This giveaway is now closed. Massive congratulations to Tracy K for being the luck inner. I've sent you an email, please respond within 14 days with your address and claim your prize. Thanks, Mich x ***

Look at that lovely bundle right there. If you are expecting a babe then this is perfect for you or maybe it is your daughter, your friend or a work colleague. Just think how popular you'd be if you won this amazing complete feeding set from Tommee Tippee and gave it to them as a new baby gift. 

Best. Friend. Ever! Right?

So what is included with this amazing giveaway?

Well, everything  you see in the picture above and that is 

• Electric Steam Steriliser, 
• Travel Steriliser, 
• Electric Bottle and Food Warmer, 
• 3 x 150ml Closer to Nature Easi-Vent Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, 
• 5 x 260ml Closer to Nature Easi-Vent Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, 
• 2 x Medium Flow Teats – 3-6m, 
• 2 x Fast Flow Teats – 6m+, 
• 4 x Milk Storage Lids, 
• 6 x Milk Powder Dispensers – 0m+, 
• 2 x Insulated Bottle Bags, 
• 1 x Bottle and Teat Brush 

This really is the full works and the absolute beauty is that this set will suit you whether you want to exclusively bottle feed or mixed feed. I breastfed my babes first and then expressed and introduced a bottle so my husband could do the 10pm feed and I could sleep. It was bliss and in those early colicky days it meant that I only got a six hour stretch of sleep and personally I found that if I got six straight hours I could tackle anything!

You'll notice in the picture below that the teats in the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature range have patented ridges near the teat so that it moves in a way more closely aligned to how the babe would move a breast.

Enter Now!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on here to share either your favourite memory of a time with your own baby or someone else's.

The giveaway is run through Rafflecopter and will be live until midnight on 23rd February 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Terms and Conditions (copied from Rafflecopter)
The giveaway will close at midnight on 23rd January 2017. The winner will be chosen at random. The winner will receive a Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Complete Starter Kit. The winner will be announced on this blog and twitter within 7 days of the giveaway close. The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative. The winner of the prize needs to be a UK resident and be over 18 years of age. The winner will have 14 days from announcement to email/ tweet me and provide their name and address for delivery. If the winner does not contact me I will re-draw. Tommee Tippee is responsible for the fulfilment of this prize.


Disclosure: I've not received anything to host this giveaway. Sometimes it is just nice to offer out a great prize to my readers as a thank you for your continues support, Mich x

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Parenting Expectations Versus Reality

Holding my JJ in the very early days!

I've been a parent for over fourteen years now as I believe the parenting gene kicks in from the moment you find out you are pregnant, not just when the child arrives. I loved and nurtured JJ in my womb, I was planning for our future together and I was certainly already spending money on him before he had even been born.

I can vividly remember my lunch breaks from work in Hemel Hempstead town centre making frequent visits over to Mothercare and the Early Learning Centre to buy baby vests, pastel coloured toys, nappies, cot accessories, feeding bottles, more nappies and in truth a ton of other stuff that I probably never even used. If I added up the cost of all the mother and baby magazines that I bought we are probably talking at least three figures!

It is no wonder that parents underestimate the true cost of raising a child and of course there isn't only the monetary cost but there is also the emotional and lifestyle costs too.  Truthfully as a younger woman I never thought I'd be a mother, I didn't have that desire but then for me, meeting the right man and getting married triggered that maternal want but with it came many sacrifices. I gave up my well paid job as I just couldn't justify having a child and working those kind of hours any longer, we stopped going abroad as of course the money I used to earn was now not there and I then had this little being that I had such a fierce love for and I had to let go of many of my selfish ways.

Rejection: Even Harder to Watch as a Parent

A little treat for one of my girls. After being the brunt of a nasty game at school this week and her twin being away for the night for a birthday sleepover, it is important for her to know she is cherished too. It's not always easy growing up and I recall how it felt to be the one always left out but the good news is I grew out of it and I pray she will too. How I'd love for her to have one great mate.

A photo posted by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Feb 4, 2017 at 2:23pm PST

It's only been in the last couple of years that I have realised that at the age of 43 I suffer with deep-seated feelings of rejection. The root of these goes right back to primary school and being the last to be picked for gym or being the one left out when it was play time. I can still feel the hurt of being about 10 or 11 and sitting hiding behind a curtain at a birthday party, crying as I just knew no-one really wanted me there.

It's not easy being stuffed full of all these feelings of inadequacy and unlove for more than thirty years but the great news is that now I know about this issue I'm able to deal with it and I'm currently reading Uninvited by Lisa Terkeurst. It is proving really helpful, giving me insight into how I need to deal with those feelings of rejection that have stayed with me for far too long. I've also just started a course at church called Living Free and I had an amazing first week and can't wait to go along again tomorrow.

Thank the Lord that as I grow as a Christian God helps me to see all the issues that I have been burying for far too long and I have the opportunity to deal with them if I wish. This revelation isn't just helping me though it also enables me to see where my children might be having issues and right now one of my girls is feeling rejection in a big way.

Reasons to be Cheerful - Weight Loss, Curry and Living Free #R2BC

Morning friends, if you are over here looking to join in with the Reasons to be Cheerful linky then you need t head over and see the lovely Becky at Lakes Single Mum as she is this months host. I'll be back in March hosting.

Here are my reasons to be Cheerful this week -

1. #1GoodThing and Instagram. I really enjoy Instagram, it is such a positive and visual place, so I love to have half hour there most days. Back in December I started the #1GoodThing hashtag for Advent and the idea was to stay grounded during the crazy run-up to Christmas. I enjoyed it so much and so did @teamlloyd that we decided to keep it going for all of 2017. 

I'm loving seeing more people join in and use the hasthag and it is creating a nice little community of like-minded people. It's a bit like #R2Bc for Instagram I suppose!

This weeks picks on #1goodthing. It's only a tiny community with just a few people joining in every now and then but that's ok. It does brighten my day to see that people are seeking the good in every day.

A photo posted by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Jan 29, 2017 at 11:48pm PST

5 Months Later - Hotter School Shoes Update

Pictures taken in the Hotter Store, Eastbourne

You might recall that all three of my children were super lucky back at the end of August and chose a pair of Hotter shoes each for back to school. They have all been wearing their shoes for all of Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan and I'll let you take a look at the shoes and see for yourself how they are doing.

The Pictures above were taken in January 2017 as they came off the kids feet, so without them being polished and the ones below are today with them polished ready to wear again tomorrow.

Breaking Free from the Lies

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum)

When I was younger I had lies spoken over me.

I was told that when I was thinner I would be better.

When I was younger I had lies spoken over me.

I was told that I’d make nothing of myself.

When I was younger I had lies spoken over me.

But that is all they were – lies.

I no longer believe those lies.

Their power has been broken.

 

I don’t have to be slimmer to be better.

I am enough already.

At this weight I am accepted.

Jesus loves me and He will never love me any more than He does right now.

I don’t need to earn His favour.

I don’t need to impress anyone else.

If I choose to lose weight, I do it for me and for my health.

 

Now I am an adult I know I am enough.

It doesn’t matter what you think.

Your words, your looks, your thoughts have no power over me.

Because I am a daughter of the Most high.

I no longer live under lies.

I have been set free.

And today I choose to open the prison door and to step outside.

 

The chains are well and truly broken.

Thank you Jesus.

Planning a trip to Edinburgh Zoo & the Highland Wildlife Park

Image Credit: BBC

For a long time now I've been an advocate of giving experiences as presents rather than physical things. I tend to have friends and family around me who don't need more stuff, that doesn't mean that we are all super rich and have every gadget imaginable, it just means that we are content with what we have and don't need any more ornaments, clothes, photo frames, perfume, chocolate etc

Many years for Christmas I give my Mum a trip to London with me around Mothers day and we go shopping, sightseeing, to the theatre or cinema and enjoy some meals out. This Christmas gone was no different and we are both very much looking forward to our March stay at the Mercure hotel, Kensington and spending that alone time together. There really is a different dynamic when we don't have the kids shouting Mum or Nan constantly.

JJ was the first of my children to receive a night away as his Christmas gift, it was two or three years ago and I asked what he wanted for Christmas and he said to go to London with his Dad and to stay up there. So I booked a Premier Inn at a bargain price as it was for a January and the two of them had an amazing boys weekend visiting museums, walking the South Bank, going to the cinema and eating JJ's favourite food like gourmet burgers and pancakes.

Slimming World Butternut Squash Lasagne - Syn Free

This delicious lasagne is easy to make and will provide a filling meal. It is also syn free when you count a portion as half of your HEX A choice and you still have 20g of low-fat cheese to use that day in any way you fancy!.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

• 500g Lean (under 5% fat) minced beef or Quorn
• 1 Pack Butternut Squash lasagne sheets (Sainsburys)
• 1 500g carton Passata
• 1 Onion
• 250g Fat-free Natural Yoghurt
• 250g Low-fat Cottage Cheese
• 100g Spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 80g Low-fat Cheddar Cheese
• 4 tbsp Tomato Puree
• 2 Cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp Parsley
• 1 tbsp Mixed Herbs or Basil
• 1 Egg
• As needed - Low-cal Spray oil
• To suit your taste - Salt and Pepper

8 Fab Ideas for Healthy & Delicious Packed School Lunches #LunchBoxHeroes

My children have always had a mix of school dinners and packed lunches and whilst the lazy part of me would love them to have school dinners every day the sensible part knows that a packed lunch is often a much better idea in terms of both nutrition and cost savings.

It is easy to get boring though and give the same foods every day to your kids so every once in a while we all need a shake up and a reminder that you can make lunches fun without it being a right hassle.

Let me be upfront now though before you read on, I don't do all these amazing bento box style lunches for the kids (well not very often anyway) as I just don't have that kind of time or inclination and nor do I make my own yogurt to ensure the kids don't get to much sugar. I am all about an easy packed lunch that will fill the kids and offer them variety whilst being nutritious and meeting the government guidelines for a healthy packed school lunch.

Reasons to be Cheerful - Home, London and Singing #R2BC

So glad the fog is clearing here. The last few days have been just awful but look how gorgeous home normally looks in the winter sun. Today's #1goodthing is being able to live here

A photo posted by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Jan 25, 2017 at 2:37am PST

Hello friends, how are you?

1. Love where you Live
What is it like where you are? It has been super cold, foggy and plain nasty many of the days this week in East Sussex but there have been glimpses of bright blue skies too and some enjoyable times to get outdoors and enjoy the amazing landscape here. So that is my first reason, that I get to live in the most amazing place, just look at that picture above, pretty cool - right?

2. Trip to London
Last weekend, my husband and I got to have a one night, two day stay up in London whilst our lovely friend Annie stayed with our kids. We saw Wicked the musical, had fabulous Chinese food, walked the Thames, looks round the Tate Britain museum and I loved it. It was so good to spend time just the two of us.

Renewing your wedding vows, would you?

{This is a collaborative post}

I've often wondered why people renew their wedding vows after a number of years being married. I just asked my husband what he thinks about it and he gave me a nervous look and said he thought it was a bit weird. I wouldn't say that's my thoughts but I think it does need thinking through before you rush into it. 

We've now been married for fourteen years but have been together for twenty-two. I Suppose because we waited quite some time, we were able to have the wedding we wanted rather than one we felt we ought to have. Our actual marriage ceremony was just perfect and if I'm honest I can't imagine recreating that as it was so incredible and surely a once in a lifetime event?

We were new Christians and truly felt the the power of the words that our vicar said about us now being in an eternal relationship together with each other and with Jesus supporting us. We are like a three legged stool and our marriage won't work if the third leg (Jesus) isn't part of it. That ceremony and the car journey afterwards to the venue were for us probably the best parts of the day, the times when it just felt like the two of us I suppose.

Review: Wicked, the Musical at the Apollo Victoria

Images courtesy of the Wicked Musical website

I'll start off by being totally upfront with you - Wicked is an amazing West End show and we absolutely loved it. In fact last week was the second time I've seen it. A show doesn't run in a theatre that seats 2,300 people for over ten years if it isn't good, does it?

I found the Wicked story line so very clever, it isn't a prequel, nor a sequel to the Wizard of Oz, it runs alongside it and some of it does happen before the classic story that we all know but I love the way the two stories intertwine together, it is very, very clever. The story keeps you hooked from the moment it starts right through to the end.  I easily could have watched for another hour.  Needless to say the show ended with a standing ovation from the crowd.  The performances were absolutley sublime.

I really don't want to tell you too much about the story line though as that would take away some of the fabulous surprise elements. Although having said that, I saw it in 2011 with my mum and then this time with my husband and I didn't recall the story line at all, how bizarre is that? I know I loved it first time round though as I have the evidence here on my blog.

So many themes are explored as part of this theatre show- friendship, falling in love, being disappointed, being different and learning to accept yourself, not being one of the popular kids and standing up for what you believe is right to name just a few. Probably my favourite angle to the show is that things are not always what they seem, so you mustn't judge a book by its cover because bad isn't always bad (or wicked in this case).

Less is More

Having a wonderful time in #London with my hubby. Great food, lots of laughter, a very long walk & soon Wicked at the theatre. #1goodthing

A photo posted by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:04am PST

I've just got back from a lovely overnight trip up to London with my husband. We went up to see Wicked the musical and enjoy a meal in China Town, which was his Christmas gift from me. I'm very into giving people experiences for their presents rather than something physical that they don't actually want or need. Of course the added bonus is that I get to enjoy this gift too. Clever, right?

Whilst we were away together I was reminded that less really is more in so many ways. We only had one night away due to our children and finances but because we had that limited time we made the most of the time we did have and really enjoyed it. Also because we go away on our own so infrequently nowadays, again is it that same thing, that we relish the time. We have far less time together and certainly less breaks away but I think we treasure and embrace them more now than we ever did in our twenties.

On arrival in London we didn't want to have to rush to our hotel to leave bags so we decided to pack light and managed with just my handbag and a small rucksack that my hubby carried. This was comfortable for our two mile walk from China Town to Vauxhall, where we had booked a Travelodge for a good price of just £59 for the room. Thus providing another example that less is more as it was at least £40 cheaper than anywhere else and that difference paid for our Chinese meal and very good it was too.

Simple Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC

I just spent the most enjoyable 2 hours (yes 2 whole silent alone hours with God) in the prayer centre. I'm so thankful to live somewhere I can just take time out. Oh and by the way if anyone is suffering with feelings of rejection then this book I'm reading is amazing. Uninvited by @lysaterkeurst. Highly recommended. This is today's #1goodthing X

A photo posted by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Jan 5, 2017 at 3:06am PST

I sat down Tuesday night (getting ahead) and wondered what on earth I'd share as my reasons to be cheerful this week. What are the things that have made my heart sing this week? Where have I found my joy? So I grabbed out my gratitude journal and had a look at the kind of things I've been recording in there and they were all super simple. So here are a few -

1. I'm reading Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst and it is amazing. If you've ever suffered with feeling of rejection, loneliness and a sense of not fitting in then this is for you. Have a read and know that you are loved and accepted by the one who matters.

2.  I'm also reading chick lit. I love feel-good, happily ever after kind of books. You know the sort, they are written by Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, Phillippa Ashley, Jenny Colgan, Cathy Kelly, Debbie Johnson and many, many more fabulous story-tellers. My current read is Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain and I'm about six chapters in and loving it. I just adore the fact that I can pick these kind of books up for 99p on my Kobo.

6 Great Slimming World Blogs to Encourage You

Some of this weeks yummy meals

Hey friends, it is week 2 on my Slimming World Journey and it has been a bit of an odd week. My usual weigh in day is Saturday and I should have been weighing today but I'm volunteering at the night shelter and then doing a first aid course so I couldn't go. This meant I had to weigh at the other class which is a Tuesday evening, rather than my Saturday first thing and I was a tad sad to see the scales said I'd put on a pound.

I'm not sure what made it say that but I had been being good and my perseverance will pay off, it can't not! So I am putting ti down to an evening as adverse to a morning weigh-in and that you can't really accurately judge anything after just 3 days. I have to weight in again this coming Tuesday as we are away next weekend so that will be a truer reading.

I'll be honest with you, I haven't found it massively easy to stay on track. Thee is just so much I enjoy and want to eat but I know I have made such progress, so it is good and I'll keep at it.

Reasons to be Cheerful - Volunteering, Panto and Looking Ahead

Happy Thursday friends, I hope you are well today. I’m good, just having a busy week but some of the things that make up that busyness add into my reasons to be cheerful this week –

Volunteering 
This week I have worked a couple of shifts in reception/ group bookings at the conference centre where I live as some staff are away at a conference and I’ve been reminded just how much I enjoy working there. I hope I can help out more often.

I’ve also taken a team to the food bank warehouse last Sunday and we had a super productive couple of hours sorting stock and getting things ship-shape. Then today, perhaps as you are reading this I’m at school coaching the little boy I see each week and tomorrow it is food bank again but this time meeting our customers and giving out the food and a cuppa. Saturday I’m off to the Snowflake night shelter to help cook/ serve breakfast and pack up the temporary shelter for the day. I love the variety of roles that I get involved with and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be able to help so many people.

Easy Guide to Choosing your Overseas Family Summer Holiday

{This is a collaborative post}

When Winter really hits and the gloomy weather arrives there is always one thing I want to do and that is book a holiday to look forward to in the Summer months. Up until last year that had meant a UK based holiday as we felt (at that time) it was the easier and more affordable option with younger children. Having now holidayed in Spain last year I think perhaps we had our blinkers on and should have been considering holidaying abroad with the kids from a much earlier age, as it truly was the best holiday ever.

Of course, this means that we can't go back to UK based holidays because as much as I love our coastline and think we have some magnificent places to visit you just can't guarantee the weather and seeing the joy on the kid's faces from spending every day in the pool last year is too much for me to ignore.

So this year we are heading off to Playa Montroig Resort on the Miami Platja, Costa Dorada, Spain with Eurocamp and we can't wait. I've heard so much about Eurocamp over the years and I hadn't investigated them as I didn't think they'd be for me as I don't do camping but wow, they have so much more than camping available. We are heading off to stay in a rather luxurious mobile home with a decked terrace for al fresco eating and drinking on those balmy evenings. I just can't wait and I'll be sharing more about our holiday choice in the months running up to our holiday in May but for today this post is about helping you select your ideal summer holiday too.

What I learnt on my First Week on Slimming World

Last Saturday morning I joint Slimming World, it isn't the first time but I am determined it will be the last as I am going to lose weight this time (even if it takes me a decade) and keep on going to ensure I stay slimmer and healthy.

I'm not kidding myself that this will be easy but I genuinely believe that Slimming World is the best plan to follow. Once you have learnt what to do the plan is simple, no food is banned and you can literally stuff your face if that is what makes you happy - but of course it has to be the right foods. The ones that give life, rather than the fatty, sugary rubbish that steal it.

If you want to know all about the Slimming World way, then check out their website as they'll explain it better than I ever can and no this post is not sponsored in any way, I am paying for my classes and there independently.

I thought it would be helpful for anyone considering this journey or just starting it like me to see what I ave learnt in my first week on the Slimming World plan.

1.  You need to make time to get to know the plan
It is different nowadays, I recall going to a class back in the 1990's and it was all about red and green days and I hated the idea that I couldn't have carbs and protein together. Forget anything you ever heard and investigate it yourself.

Once you join, your leader will give you an introduction to the plan and you'll have plenty of material to take home to read and digest. Make sure you do this the same day - read it, highlight it, keep referring to it and in the end live it. I friends now that are four or five years post weight loss via the Slimming World way and it is all in their head as a healthy guidance plan for life now and that is why they are staying slim and healthy.

A Beautiful Day for a Dog Walk on the Beach

One of the biggest benefits of having moved to East Sussex is being close to the beach. It is my go to happy place whatever the weather but especially when the sun is shining.

Earlier in the month my Dad joined my girls and I to take the dog for a walk down on Bexhill seafront and then have a bacon sandwich and cuppa at Kerry's cafe (you guessed it, it was pre-slimming world!). We had a wonderful couple of hours together before he had to head off on the long drive back home.

Both girls were wearing their new ECCO boots with built-in GORE-TEX technology to keep their feet dry and warm in these wet and wintry months. This meant when they walked on the stones, run towards the waters edge or climbed and ran I didn't bat an eyelid about how their footwear would hold up as I know I can trust any pair of shoes or boots that GORE-TEX have approved to work with. Their checks are super intensive and they only work with the best and most trusted shoe-makers.

Happy 2017 - Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC

Happy New Year friends, how are you? Has 2017 started with a boom or just a little fizz? All is well here and here are just a few of the things making me super cheerful and grateful this week -

1.  Catch up time

My kids went back to school on Tuesday and Wednesday so I am now sat here alone and enjoying being able to catch up on some blog work, there is tons to do and it could easily overwhelm me if I let it, but I won't. Balance and perspective are the order of the day for blogging nowadays.

2.  My house is in order

I really don't function well in a house full of mess and with things out of place. So slowly whilst the kids were still off I started to gut some of the rooms and then yesterday I did the last of it whilst they were at school and now I feel as if I have cleanliness and order back in my house once again, hurrah!