Japan - It's a million miles away!

You know what?  This seems to be the opinion of some people, pretty shocking isn't it?  Yes Japan is a very long way but we are just one world, one human race aren't we?

I must say that I personally feel compelled to do what I can to help.  It feels inadequate and it feels like a drop in the ocean but if we all come together and do a little that equals a lot.

In times of immense need this is when we should all pull together and do what we can, or certainly that is the ethos I work with.  It is hard not to feel a bit useless when such tragedy hits a country.  What can I, just one person do to help this country?  Of course as a Christian, I can pray and I am and I will continue to do so  but I can also choose to support one of the charities which are mobilising emergency supplies for the estimated half a million people who have lost their homes to last Friday's Tsunami and earthquake.

The charity that I am supporting is Shelterbox and today the first shelterbox kits have arrived in Japan ready to be given to some of the affected people.  Over the next few days hundreds more boxes will arrive.

You will see over on the right, that I have a badge which you can click and donate to the Shelterbox disaster relief fund for Japan if you feel you would like to.  If your circumstances do not allow for this perhaps you will consider displaying a badge or banner on your own blog/ website and helping to spread the message. If you do not have a blog how about putting a message on facebook or tweeting a link to shelterbox, we all have an obligation to raise the awareness that our help is needed.  It is not OK for us to assume that because Japan is a developed nation that they do not need our help.  America is arguably the most developed nation and when the hurricane hit New Orleans in 2005 they also needed emergency help from the aid charities.  Yes these developed nations might be able to rebuild their own infrastructure once the search and rescue stage is over and everyone is in some kind of temporary accommodation but for right now their need is great and I feel it is my responsibility to help in any small way that I can.

JJ and I had a conversation about the situation in Japan over the weekend and I talked to him about donating some money to the cause.  I would love to tell you I have a perfect son and he wanted to do this but at age 7 he was more interested in Moshi Monster cards that donating to charity,  Luckily he has parents to do that on his behalf!

If you would like to know a little more about Shelterbox, watch this video clip.  I watched it with awe at seeing all the amazing life saving boxes being packaged and sadness to knowing they were needed....

A more than 1 word Thank-you

Many of you will have seen that last Friday I created a meme, the 1 Word meme and after seeing all the amazing comments on that post, I felt I needed to do write a speech to thank people and well, here it is!

I am not thanking you for the comments you left on my post though (although they are very amazing and completely inspiring)  the thing that I feel so thankful for is that dozens of people have taken up this meme and got it spreading across our blogging community.  As I said in the original post this meme was not about selfish gains it was about trying to spread a little bit of love and positivity at a time when much in the world is dark and full of sadness.

There have been moments of worry when I know that people who felt obliged to take part are worrying that not enough people commented on their post or that their comments were not as great as someone else's but this is not about comparisons or competition.  It is just about looking at the beautiful comments that people left for you and knowing you are respected/ loved/ admired.  Blogger A may have 20 comments and Blogger B may have 5 but those could be from 5 people who you cherish as real and trusted friends.  Blogger A's 20 comments could just be from casual acquaintances.  Looking at it that way, who is the more blessed?

I know I am guilty and need to learn the lesson to be grateful for what I have and to be content.  Yearning after bigger or seemingly better things often just leads to a sense of dissatisfaction.  I have to say that right here, right now I feel completely content.  Thank you all and thank you Lord.

Already there are 25 posts linked up, I know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Go and take a look at the list - do you know those bloggers? if yes, go and spread some love, leave them a comment and when it is your turn to publish your 1 word meme post they will probably do the same for you.

Silent Sunday - 1 Photo, No words

How do you perceive me? The 1 Word Meme

I was sat on my bed this morning doing my prayers and my mind started to wonder to conversations I have had with online friends recently.  Basically it seems as if there are some people out there who have some very odd (but nice) perceptions of me.  They think things about me that I would never have guessed.  In the last week I have been referred to as super-blogger, uber blogger, ethical blogger, most positive blogger.  All very lovely and have boosted my confidence a good amount but would I ever have guessed people would think such things?  Well no.

This got me thinking about an email I received a few years back, one of those circular things that I normally hate but this one I loved and have never forgotten.  It was about the power of positive affirmations and how knowing what positive things others think of you can boost your own self-esteem.  It talked of an inspirational teacher who got all her children to write one positive word down to describe the other children in the class and then they had to hand them in.  The teacher then collated all the positive words for each child into a special sheet for them and handed it to them to read and keep.  They learnt that their peers saw them in ways they had never imagined and it had an immense effect on them.  The story goes that one of them died and a number of them attended the funeral and it was found that they all still had their lists 20 or so years later as they had been really touched by this loving gesture.  Did this really happen?  Who knows, but I love the sentiment of this story and therefore it does not matter to me if it was real.

Well, what about if us bloggers and virtual friends did something similar?  How marvellous would we all feel to learn these new facets of ourselves that we did not know existed.  Someone may say I am inspirational (another one I have heard about myself a few times recently) and me being me I would say 'no not me' but what have I done there?  Rubbished their opinion and that is not right, only they know if I have actually inspired them to do something.  If people are kind enough to give us a compliment we should be gracious enough to accept it.... and why not go one step further and actually go out and ask for it?

Well that is what I want us all to do.  I am creating a meme, called the 1 Word Meme and I would love for every one of us to be able to collate all the the positive words left by our real life friends, virtual friends and fellow bloggers so that we each have a sheet of positive affirmations to treasure and boost our self-esteem.

Now your bit - I would love to know how you perceive me?  I just ask for a 1 word comment please.  I'll start you off, Michelle/ Mummy From The Heart...  is -  and leave your comment below.

Because this is a meme I have to tag people and challenge them to do the same.  I know it will not come naturally to people to ask for compliments from others but I hope that you like me enough to want to make my meme a success.  Not because I will feel good or it may boost my inlinks or any such rubbish (don't link to me if you think like that)  but because I know that it will be amazing to have a whole community of bloggers who are feeling really good about themselves.

So who I am tagging to do this meme?

The Boy and Me  because she is a new bloggy friend and a teacher, who showed interest when I tweeted about this

Multiple Mummy because she is a new twin mummy blogger that I would like to know more about

Two Become Four  because she is a superstar and needs to believe it

Mum in the MadHouse because she has had a very tough time of late and needs some cheering up

Thinly Spread because everyone will have the most wonderful things to say about her

Rosie Scribble because I love Rosie, her story is amazingly inspirational

Kate Takes 5 because she is a seriously talented and funny writer, she runs a listography meme which I am crap at but would love to do...

All About The Boys because it always appears to me as if Karen is as hard on herself as I am on me and frankly she needs a break from it and to hear how great she is

The King and Eye because she is one of the most beautiful and helpful bloggers I have ever met

I thank everyone who takes time to comment or partake in this meme.  You are what make the parenting blogging arena really amazing!  Let's go share some love...

Just realised I am away for the weekend so I will miss many of the posts that come out of this meme.  Thus in the spirit of blogging I am putting a linky up.  If you link up your 1 word meme post I will come and visit and post my 1 word for you.  I do not want to miss any.... 

Reasons to be Cheerful 1,2,3 - Week 10. How grateful are you?

I am sat here watching the Comic Relief programme, Famous, Rich and in the Slums and being reminded of just how much I have to be grateful for.  We all do, even if you feel down in the dumps or that your life is tough right now you still have much to be grateful for.  I am not diminishing your problems, they are your reality but try and step outside them for a few moments is all I am saying.  It is a very powerful thing to be grateful for what you have!

For me, this week I am pleased to report that I have no problems, nothing is troubling me.  I am in a good place right now!

My reasons for being cheerful this week are -

1. Miss E being the best patient ever when she has had Chickenpox.  Some of her spots are enormous and look really sore but she is an angel, hardly complaining.  Back to school tomorrow now she is all crusty.
2. JJ has had an amazing couple of weeks at school.  His calling out in class has really improved and his teacher is so pleased with him.  JJ knows he has done well and I can see how proud of himself he is.  He is a delight to be around at the moment and we are going to enjoy a special Mummy and son trip to the cinema this Saturday early evening as a well done.
3. My abstinence. This is such a biggie for me.  You might have read my post about giving up compulsive overeating for Lent and I am pleased to report that at the moment God is holding me and helping me to refrain.
4. I am going to spend the weekend with my lovely Mum while Dad is at work.  I am so blessed to have wonderful parents who are enjoyable to spend time with.
5. I have a super evening out with my twin mummy friends last Friday and I am out with the school mums tomorrow night. Time with good friends makes such a difference

Well that was 5, rather than 3 and I could have gone on for ages.  As I said last week do not be constrained by 3 reasons, write as many or as few as you like.  Change the format for your posts if you fancy.  As long as you are happy/ cheerful/ grateful/ thankful then write your post and link up to spread a massive dose of positivity.







<center><a href="http://mdplife.blogspot.com/search/label/reasons%20to%20be%20cheerful"><img width="150" alt="Reasons to be Cheerful at Mummy From the Heart" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac230/RebaMc/reasonstobecheerfulv2-1.jpg" height="150" /></a></center> 

There is the badge, if you want to add it to your post and don't forget to take the blog hop code from below the linky and paste this into your blog so that new readers can jump from blog...to blog... to blog and also promote your post and the link up by tweeting with the hashtag #Reasons2BCheerful

..and before you go, I must remember to point you over to Maxabella's I'm Grateful for... link up.  Join up your reasons post there and make some new Aussie friends.

Of course Jen's Blog gems is still open too. Link up every other Sunday and air your archives.

Wishing you a fabulous week, Mich x

Doing it for Jesus! Lent has Begun...

Well, today Lent has begun but I started my abstinence on Monday as that felt easier to get into the right mind set when I was feeling motivated and able.  I do not think God minds if I give an extra couple of days!

This year I have decided to give up all excess food, particularly anything that I turn to for comfort or release from anything I am feeling.  If you have read my blog for a while you will know that I have a real problem with food. I consider myself to be an addict and I have the disease of compulsive overeating.  Normal eaters can have a treat and then stop, people like me have no idea when to stop, the reflex just does not seem to be there and we keep going and going....  it is very sad really.

At the moment each time I feel any kind of emotion that steps away from the norm I want to eat:  happy and excited means it is time to treat myself, sad or angry then it is time to console myself. You get the picture?  When I feel these kinds of feelings what I should be doing it turning to God and praying.  Food is not the answer for me.  In the same way that drugs or drink are not the answer to many people.  I just cannot handle the excess food, it sends me into a spiral of feeling and looking fat, being unhealthy, getting down as I look bad and my clothes hardly fit and then eating to comfort and make myself feel better for a very short time before looking in the mirror or at a photo makes my unhappy again. It is a very dangerous downward spiral.

I have had this realisation for near on 2 years now that I have a problem.  I have been attending a weekly fellowship, 12 step meeting to try and get the help I need.  I have had periods of abstinence from eating compulsively but nothing sustained.  I keep focusing on the weight I have lost, which is a lovely thing to happen but the fat is just a symptom of my problems, not the actual problem itself.  It is only when I put the overeating to bed and eat to live in a healthy and moderate fashion that I will have the clarity of mind to discover what my real issues are..... and then to do something about them.  The weight loss is actually just a nice side-benefit.

So why is this time of abstinence any different to the others I have experienced over the last couple of years?  Firstly, my commitment to what foods I will stay away from this time is far wider than it ever has been before.  I have been scared before to say I will not have chocolate or such at all. I start to project and wonder how I will live my life without this drug but today I realise I just have to do this one day at a  time.  It is important to stay in the moment and not to project my worries and sabotage my own good efforts.

Secondly, this time I am not doing it for me (like I have with every past diet) or doing it for my kids (which is what the last 2 years have been about), I am doing it for Jesus.  My Saviour and the One I aspire to be like. I am very much human and being human means I am completely imperfect but I know that Jesus just wishes for me to try my very best and to pick myself up and keep on walking, one foot in front of the other.

I consider myself to be a baby Christian, I committed myself to walk with Christ back in 2002 and in many ways I have grown enormously and in others I know nothing but life is a journey and it is fun to learn and grow.  Last year was the first time I did anything for Lent and really started to understand the significance of what this time is about.  When I gave up blogging for the Lent period last year it was like my bindings had been undone, I felt so free and enjoyed the time.  It was hard at first as I my blog had become my confidant and close friend but it did not feel anywhere near as hard as this year's forsaking of comfort food will feel. Blogging was a habit of 1 year that I conquered, overeating is a habit of at least 27 years that I need to hand over to God and pray to get a handle on.

Whilst I know the next 46 days will be hard for me, there is nothing wrong with that.  Hard work is good for the soul and is nothing I am scared of. I pray this Lent will be my most faithful time yet where I reflect, ponder, pray, repent of my ill-doing, give up my comfort foods as a measure towards fasting (one day I may feel I can actually do this), take time to be with God and activley try to follow Jesus example set in the wilderness.

Wish me luck....  and if you are a person of faith, I would love a prayer!

...and what about you?  Are you doing anything for Lent?

Review & Giveaway: Orchard Toys, 3 Little Pigs Game

 {As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, any affiliate links will be marked with #ad}

In July my girls will be 4, they are growing up so quickly and one of the wonderful things of them growing up is that we can indulge Mummy and start to play board games as a family. Red Dog, Blue Dog is great for a while but it is so nice to progress onto a more complex game and for the girls to still be able to 'get' it and play along.

We have had some fun days recently playing the 3 Little Pigs Game from Orchard Toys (#ad).  The object of the game is to move around the board and make your 3 houses and get safely home before anyone manages to steal any of your house parts.  This you can do by landing on a wolf square and spinning to see if you can steal a straw or wood house part.  You should hear Miss M, 'I'll huff and I'll puff and blow your house in' as she gleefully nicks a piece from her twin.  Then when it happens to her, what do we get?  Well, tears of course and shouts of 'It's not fair'.  So this game has been very good for teaching some lessons to 'little miss highly strung' - what goes around comes around.  It has definitely helped her to think about the fact that she stole her sisters part and there was no fuss and then her sister takes one of hers and boy the world has ended.

You may have guessed already, that we all liked this game.  It is the normal high quality that you expect from Orchard Toys. The board fits together like a puzzle and is very sturdy plastic covered cardboard pieces.  I would be hard-pressed to tell you a con for this game to be honest.  What is not to like?  I'll tell you something else I spotted when on the Orchard Toys website recently, that their toys are made in the UK, how great is that?  Supporting our economy and workers and being eco in avoiding all that unnecessary travel too.

As you can see from the photo we like to play games as a little treat for good behaviour before the kids go to bed.  It makes a nice alternative to reading on some nights.

I asked JJ what he thought of the game and he said 'It's great Mum, I'm gonna win next time'.  The game is marketed as being suitable for ages 3- 6 years and JJ is 7 and very bright, so actually the appeal is wider.  I think he likes it because of the sneaky tactics of stealing pieces from the rest of the family.  He nearly leaps for joy when he lands on the wolf spaces.

The 3 Little Pigs Game can be purchased for £11.50 directly from Orchard Toys or many good toy retailers also stock their games now too. 

   

 However, you could be lucky and win a game for your family, by entering my easy giveaway.

To Enter

• Leave a comment below and a way to contact you - email address or twitter ID (mandatory)
• Like Orchard Toys Facebook Page (mandatory) and while you are there, feel free to like mine too for an extra entry.
• For a final entry (max of 3) you can tweet 'Time to #win an @orchardtoys 3 Little Pigs game at @michelletwinmum 's giveaway http://tinyurl.com/6co2y6y'

Terms and Conditions

• The giveaway will close at 12 noon Wednesday 23 March 2011
• The winner will be contacted within 3 days of this giveaway closing
• The giveaway is open to those with a UK/ Ireland postal address
• The winner will be chosen by random number generator
• There is no cash or prize alternative
• Your game will be dispatched directly from @orchardtoys

Good Luck!

I received a free copy of the 3 Little Pigs Game to review.  This post is written honestly and I was not told what to write.

Congratulations @lilysmum2008 you are the lucky winner.  Please either email me or DM your address details.  Thanks a lot, Michelle

The Parenting Grass is Always Greener!

Today I discovered that I could seriously have enjoyed just having two children.  With JJ at school how easy was it to have just one pre-schooler with me?  I don't think you need me to actually answer that question, do you?

Life is really different when I just have Miss E, she is a calm and content child who is easy to have around and still good fun.  With her twin being looked after at nursery we were able to go to my work for a couple of hours, do some shopping, get the car washed, have a play at home, tidy up and I got to have some PC time while she napped - all in the name of chickenpox!  Can I complain?  No not really, yes I will need to make the time up for work but blah...  no problem.

Now do not get me wrong I am not wishing Miss M away.  I could never be without my vivacious mini minx.  She is the one that can make me blow from 0 -10 in under a second.  She has most definitely been sent to help me to learn to be a better person and parent and Miss E is my reward for that personal growth.



A moment of parenting calm at MFTH...  House, Just a moment mind!

It struck me as we scooted to school (yes me too) to collect JJ that as parents we always think the grass is greener.  When I had my twins I longed for just one baby at times so I could breath and be able to do the 'normal' things with a babe, but then I know how blessed I am to have two small people who love each other and play together so nicely.

I also today, dreamt about how fab it would be if I did not have to work, I could then potter around at home every day and do those little annoying jobs, like sort the CD's for the car.  Would I get bored of this very quickly as I would have to entertain 2 small people for vast amounts of time?  Yes, my realistic head says that I love being able to work and using my lunchbreak to get to the gym, catch up on the blog, have a cuppa with a friend and I also enjoy the stimulation of using my brain and the thrill of getting paid for it.

I think I am just a dreamer and that every scenario, except the one I am in feels like it has so many positives that I ought to try it.  Luckily I am also a realist and before I jump in, I think things through and know that the grass is most certainly not greener.  In a moment of clarity I posted recently about being a lucky bitch and actually I still stand by this.  I do have the perfect balance in my life but that does not stop me dreaming...

What about you?  Dreamer or realist?  Or bit of both like me?

I Heart Me! Wk 9 - Where am I with my Resolutions?

I am just back from Church and I had a really good night but I sat there thinking about how much I do not like the way I look right now.  I felt so self-conscious, which is crazy as I was in the safest place ever.  No one judges me there.....  well except my worst critic that is - me!

Once back home I turned twitter on and saw a tweet from Notes to Self, Plus Two and recalled that she had started a weekly link up based on loving yourself and remembering who you are.  I realised I needed to love myself a bit right now and thought I would join in this week.

The topic for this week, is around how you are doing with your new year resolutions. I hoped over to this post and had a look at what I had resolved to do this year and was a bit dismayed to see that I have completely ignored most of the good things I said I would do!  Oh dear...

I vowed to spend time with my kids and to enjoy each of them.  Thankfully I can put a tick against this one.

I resolved to re-start the date night that my husband and I used to enjoy. Whoops, not happened as yet.  OK date set for next Sunday night.  I need to try and feel a bit better about myself before then so that we can actually enjoy our night...  leading me on to the next point which I have also completely ignored.

To stop stuffing my face full of unnecessary food. I have attempted to work on this a number of times this year.  It is at the forefront of my mind every day.  Some days I choose to ignore this and other days I choose to try really hard and to give my will over to God. I wanted to beat myself up when I realised that I have not been achieving my targets but actually I have been trying, failing but trying but that is OK.  I am human and it is what happens sometimes.  If I give up before the miracle happens then I will lose out.  How many times did it take Edison to successfully create the electric lightbulb? 100's I believe, each one of them learning something for the time when he had the big win.  I often quote the phrase 'win or learn' to people, we never fail. I must take heed of my own words.

and the last thing I resolved was to ensure I was in bed by 11pm.  A mixed bag on this one, some nights (like last night) have been terrible and I have still been sat here tapping away at 1am.  Other nights (like tonight) I have turned off my PC and gone to bed.  Getting to bed at a decent hour and sleeping soundly makes such a difference to my attitude towards my children the next day.

I am very grateful to Notes for getting me thinking about this again.  In Church tonight I was praying about what I should do for Lent and I am pretty sure the answer is to do something around my food.  Not sure how radical I am supposed to go as yet though... I'll keep praying and see what comes to me.

What about you?  How are you doing with your resolutions?

#SilentSunday: Not in the Mood Today, Thank you!

The Curse of my Second Instinct!

Standing in the kitchen sorting the dishwasher, when I hear squeals of laughter coming from the garden, how nice I think.  I do love that the girls enjoy playing together, peek out the window and whoops, what on earth are they up to.  Mummy instinct kicks in and I rapidly push my way to the back door and out into the garden. 'Girls, you will hurt yourselves, get off now...',  'Oh Mum' says one of them 'but...' starts the other. 

Then, oh my goodness what is this taking over me?  It is that dreaded second instinct, I am sure you know the one.  See something funny and in kicks the blogger instinct, quick where is my camera? 'Oh all right, hang on then' I shout to them behind me and off I run to the kitchen, far quicker than I ran out in the first place, you know the worst may happen now, they might move and I may miss THE shot!

So what where they up to?  Well, the girls had decided that it would be fun to ride their scooters on the trampoline and really, it did look like a lot of fun.  Luckily once I had sent a completely mixed message I did insist that we remove the scooters from the trampoline so that there would not be any trips to A and E, well not for yesterday anyway!

Does anyone else suffer with this curse?  Darn you blogging for making me such a bad mother, who now wants to capture all sorts on camera....

See Miss M actually bouncing while riding her scooter.  Daredevil!

Come on make me feel better, are you a bad Mummy too?

When I was Small.....I made Domino Trails!

Dressed up as a clown for the Brownie Jamboree

Recently, I have been thinking about childhood play a lot. Not too sure what prompted it but it has led to this post, a great conversation on twitter and also a post for this weekend.

I am not the kind of Mum that wants to be involved with my child's play all the time. Don't get me wrong, I do not think I am neglectful, I am just not that interested in all types of childhood play and having more than one child makes this easier, as they can play together.

I consider my own Mum to be a really great Mum and I was trying to remember how much I played with her when I was young and to be honest I can not recall that much. I know from talking to my Mum that she used to do lots of play with my brother and I, and I also remember being encouraged to play independently.

When I was small my Mum worked at a local school as a cleaner and the whole family used to go. Both my Mum and Dad would do the cleaning so it would take half the time and my brother and I would play with the other kids whose Mums used to clean. My Mum must have done this for quite a number of years and I thought it was fabulous, such fun to explore the school and chat with the caretaker, who had a soft spot for my little brother. Mr Joyce would chat away about tomato ketchup sandwiches and how they were his favourite. Isn't it funny that over 30 years later I still recall this?

I do think the memory is a very strange thing. Some really important stuff is just not there anymore or it is buried so deep that I have no idea where it is but then funny things I remember, like the infants school have a middle courtyard with a sandpit in the middle that we all played in. I also remember being intrigued by the tiny child size toilets!

My favourite part of my Mum and Dad doing this job was the big clean in the summer holidays. We would practically spend a whole day in the school, while it was deserted by everyone else and I would get to explore and play any imaginary game that I fancied. I recall us taking domino magic with us and setting it up in the large hall. A massive big trail of domino's that I used to rejoice in knocking down and building again and again, ohh the pleasure of being under 10 years old. As well as domino's there was always an abundance of colouring in, playing with my Sindy dolls and of course my brother would take his beloved lego.

At this same school I attended the Brownie group and I loved this.  Thinking about it makes me think of a red and white toadstool, small brownie books, a 'pack' suitcase filled with goodies, doing my hostess badge making tiny sandwiches and tea for my Mum and being part of the Elf pack.  Such useful information that I have stored away for a rainy day!

I have such a fond nest towards my days as a youngster, I was completely blessed to have been born into a family who really wanted me and always made enough time and money for anything that I needed. As a young child my Dad was a milkman working from 4am, he then used to help my Mum clean at the school and then they would both sit and work at home making plugs in the evening. No need to wonder where my strong work ethic comes from? Thanks Mum and Dad for giving me a great insight to what it is to be a working yet attentive parent.

This wonderful upbringing is some of what makes me want to help others, you know those people less fortunate than us.  We can all do something to help, no matter how small. It is Red Nose Day on 18th March, that is pretty soon really.  Could you host a coffee morning at home? Donate a days wages? Write a blog post to raise awareness?  There is your challenge, do something!  Anything, it does not matter what it is, as long as you make one small step towards helping someone less fortunate.

OK preach over, I can't seem to stop myself att he moment!  Thanks for reading.

I have written this post prompted by Ella at Notes from Home. This week she asked us to share a childhood memory. Each week she runs a Friday Carnival with a different theme. Let me just say she is fab, such a nice blogger but also a great writer. You need to go and visit her...

Reasons to be Cheerful 1,2,3 - Week 9 (Thankful for time to myself)

I am feeling so cheerful, thankful and grateful today! I have just returned from a massage and I am all sleepy and calm.  Not long until I have to pick the kids up from school, so that could well all change but for now...

1. This is my number 1 reason this week: time to myself.  In January my girls started at nursery school 3 afternoons a week and this means I get 3 hours to myself for 3 days.  Boy have I been enjoying this, today I had a massage, another day I had my hair cut, I have given blood, I have had the dreaded smear test (shhh I know TMI), I have been shopping, had a lazy coffee in a book shop and much more  Just wait until September, I will have 2 whole school days to myself...
2. I started the Spring garden clean up this morning.  It was so cold outside but I managed an hour of weeding and tidying, so feeling very proud of myself right now.
3. It is only 3 weeks until we go to Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park.  I know I am not supposed to be excited but I adore family days out and I just know that the kids are going to love this so much.  I love being a blogger...  watch out for my review and have you entered my giveaway to win a family ticket for 4 for 2nd April 2011?

Now your turn....  tell me your reasons to be cheerful this week.  Dig deep, they could be as simple as 'it is not raining'.  Take your post in any direction you fancy, as long as it is cheerful.  Don't let me pigeon hole you into just posting 3 reasons.  Go on I challenge you to be creative this week....







<center><a href="http://mdplife.blogspot.com/search/label/reasons%20to%20be%20cheerful"><img width="150" alt="Reasons to be Cheerful at Mummy From the Heart" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac230/RebaMc/reasonstobecheerfulv2-1.jpg" height="150" /></a></center> 

Don't forget to take the blog hop code from below the linky and paste this into your blog so that new readers can jump from blog...to blog... to blog and also promote your post and the link up by tweeting with the hashtag #Reasons2BCheerful

..and before you go, I must remember to point you over to Maxabella's I'm Grateful for... link up.  Join up your reasons post there and make some new Aussie friends.

Of course Jen's Blog gems is still open too. Link up every other Sunday and air your archives.

Wishing you a fabulous week, Mich x

The Gallery: Simple Pleasures

It has been a few weeks now since I last joined in with the Gallery but this weeks prompt really caught me.  My life is filled with simple pleasures.  Nowadays I do not have to spend an abundance to have a fabulous time.  One of the cheapest and most enjoyable activities that our family undertakes each week is our trip to Church. We are lucky enough to be part of a lively and vibrant Church.  Every week is a pleasant surprise -

Adoring Daddy with his naughty minx!

JJ wants in on the act, so Daddy obliges

The congregation enjoy some flag waving and exuberant worship

The little ladies love their flag waving too

No pictures of mummy, what a shame!

Pop over to Tara's gallery and have a look at this weeks other entries.

Have a good day, Mich x

This is Me, Filling in the Blanks...

I have been tagged for two meme's, so I am being a bit crafty and combining them into one post!

Here goes with the first one, I was tagged by Scribbling Mum for the 'This is Me' meme.  I have to get my kids to draw a picture of me and share it with you all.  So here I am as seen through the eyes of my kids - watch out for me at Cybermummy!  If you spot me from one of these - there WILL be a prize!

Miss E's (age 3) drawing - see my large bottom?  and it looks like I have a curly willy!
Drawn in pink because it is my favourite colour apparently...

Yep, Miss M (age 3) does well with capturing my apple shape.  Bit worried about only 4 fingers on my left hand and the spikey lesbian hairdo - not for me...

Oh JJ (age 7), if only my legs were that slim and long! I like my big smile though... but the arms are a tad Mr Tickle!

Then the other one I was tagged for by Mummy Beadzoid and I have to 'Fill in the blanks' and help you learn a little something about me...

I am many things: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Christian, Employee, Boss, Blogger, Compulsive overeater and only when you put all these together do you get Mich.  No one thing defines me.

The bravest thing I have ever done is tell the truth. If I think something needs to be said or shared then that is what I do, be it here on the blog, in real life to friends or at my overeaters meeting.  In the last few weeks I have been called brave by more people than I can recall.  I do not necessarily think I am brave but if my being honest and forthright helps others to do the same then marvellous.

I feel prettiest when I am not thinking about it.  If I start to look too closely or pay too much attention to my shape, size or appearance I can always find fault.  When I am carefree with the ones I love and who love me I can glance in the mirror and see myself and think yes I look good!

Something that keeps me awake at night is the injustice in our world.  There is enough wealth in this world for every person to live a decent life.  Everyone deserves to be warm, well fed, feel safe and to have their health cared for.  It is wrong that those of us living in the Western world have so much when other countries have nothing.  I am not prepared to say it is that countries fault as previous leaders overspent or anything similar.  I do not know what I can personally do about this as yet but one day I am confident that I will be able to make a difference.

My favourite meal is not a discussion I should be having.  If you know me you know I am a compulsive overeater and that food is my drug of choice.  If I sit here and dissect my favourite meal it is a fruitless few minutes that will send me to the fridge looking for food.  So I long for my favourite meal to be a healthful and abstinent one that I eat to keep me alive rather than to suppress any feelings I am having.

The way to my heart is to perform kind and simple gestures for me, without my asking you.  Preparing the vegetables, letting me have a lie in, tidying the play room, baby sitting.  All these things make me feel loved and cherished.  Sure I would love a new diamond ring but I do not need it and probably would not appreciate it half as much as you making some effort for me.

I would like to be working for God.  One day I believe I will do a job which will actively be Christian.  I am not sure what it is as yet but I am open to guidance and I sit and wait on God. For as with everything, it is in His time and not mine....  Thy will be done.

So did you learn something?  Or was I just spurting the same old rubbish?

Now of course in true meme style I have to tag people and as I have been lazy you get to have 2 for the price of 1.  Of course you can be slack and just do one or if you don't fancy then do none!

Mumrablog
Kellogsville
Me and My Shadow
Mummy Mishaps
Bod For Tea

How to have a Great Holiday at Home...

For the second year running I have enjoyed a holiday at home for the February half-term.  Have you ever tried to holiday at home?  I would sincerely recommend it.

What constitutes a holiday to one person is another person's version of hell so I won't be offended if this is not your bag and to be honest I would not do it as my only holiday in the year, but holidaying at home holds several benefits -

• Comfy, warm house with all the home comforts you could ask for
• No packing or unpacking
• No opportunity to leave the beloved teddy at home, the kids have every toy they could possibly want
• Wi-fi connection and cable TV
• No massive petrol costs
• Hot shower and plenty of water
• Safe outdoors space

See, sound tempting? Of course it may not suit you as you might not like your house but I love mine and I especially love my big comfy bed.  So in case you do fancy giving it a go, I thought I would share some of my tips on how to have a great holiday in your own house without it costing the world -

• Get the house fully cleaned prior to the start of your holiday.  I visualise this as arriving to a clean holiday house that I will then just maintain a basic standard of cleanliness over the holiday week
• Keep the computer turned off during the day, so you spend the waking hours with the kids, keep away from any smartphones too!
• Keep cooking to a minimum. We have tended to either go out or buy M and S prepared foods, that also has the bonus of keeping the washing up down.
• Save vouchers for times like this.  We have used Tesco deals for a Pizza Express meal and Necter points for a meal at Ask. Tesco deals are also excellent for days out such as London Zoo, Chessington etc
• See what your local extended schools service are offering.  JJ has been to a Spy School day for £1 and been to play at a local park for a couple of hours with the play rangers for free!
• Investigate your local theatre/ cinema to see what they are offering.  We went to see Animals United with the kids for £2 per ticket.
• Check out the local shopping centres, they often have events for half term.  Today the kids went to a free craft session and were very proud of their makes!
• Pick up a couple of Argos catalogues and a cheap scrapbook and cut and stick 'rooms' with the kids. 
• My kids always think it is a real treat to get the face paints out.  Here are our efforts from one afternoon.

The girls wanted to be Puppy Dogs!

Army JJ

Oh my, look what they did to Mummy!

• Buy a couple of cheap DVD's to watch during the week.  A two pack of Underdog and Beverly Hills Chiuowa were picked up for £5 at Sainsburys.  Then some microwave popcorn and the lights dimmed and the kids think it is a real treat!
• Get the board games out and just enjoy some old-fashioned fun with the kids.
• Other suggestions for cheap fun at home with the kids is to bake, play with play doh, make a collage and do some sticking
• and lastly re-discover the great outdoors, even though it is wet, windy and there is mud in abundance! My Mum has been here with her dog so we have been out walking and playing in the local parks and the kids just love being outdoors.  The cleaning up afterwards is a pain but frankly it is worth it for their joy at the time.

The week is drawing to an end and by the time you read this I will have returned home and fully cleaned the house!  Then Sunday is to be a day of joy, just my three gorgeous kiddies and me before Daddy returns home about 9pm.  It will be fab to have him back - I'm looking forward to the cuddles.

What were you Born to do? It's a Big Question!

Right now I am sitting here with a big lump in my throat, I am on the verge of tears and I can hardly breath.  What I want to do is cry my eyes out at the injustice in our world but I won't do that, as although it may make me feel better, it will actually help no-one!  So what I will do is tap away at this keyboard and put my thoughts out for all to see......  and hope that my tiny inept mutterings will affect even just one person and make them think about our world and what they can do to help.

Today there was a conference in London for bloggers, held by Save the Children and I was unable to go as right now my husband is in India. Mumbai today I believe but he has been in an area called Latur, he has been living amongst some of the poorest people; playing with children in a  local orphanage, being with people in a Leprosy colony and meeting widows and people outcast who need help.  I fully expect him to come home a changed man and through this my life may change too. As Christians we believe it is our duty and honour to be able to give to those less fortunate in any way that we can.  I know that many believe charity starts at home and take it back 10 years and I may have felt the same way but I have changed and I am so glad I have. Since we changed our thinking to give first we have been blessed in so many ways. It takes some faith to give before you meet your monthly obligations but from my experience you are richly rewarded for your faithfulness.

Before dh went away he looked at our finances and felt there was £200 he could take with him without us being in dire straits.  You may be thinking, that is OK for you, you can obviously afford it but let me tell you we have a hole in our bathroom ceiling at the moment and a suspected leak causing it but how does this compare to the 3 courses of medication for 12 months that this £200 will provide for some unfortunate people suffering with Leprosy?  It is a no brainer to me, human life has to come before a decorative matter in our warm and safe house.

Save the Children's campaign Born To is really touching my heart at the moment.  How can it possibly be right that in this day and age 8 million under 5 year olds die needlessly every year?  Doesn't that make you want to scream?  It just rips my heart in half.  I feel so small and insignificant and I could feel defeatest and say 'well what can I do, I am just one person' but if we all join together, we are more than just 1 person, we are a very big and powerful voice and we can make a difference.  Sign up to the Born to campaign and find out what you can do.  Yes you can donate but there are lots of other things too.  Raising awareness is also very important and many of you reading this will be bloggers and you have the platform to be able to help with that awareness.  Write a blog post, put a twibbon on your twitter and facebook profile and start conversations with people, ask them what they were born to do. Simple things...but when we all come together and join forces we can make a difference.

Watch this, please watch this....  don't just turn it off and think it does not affect you.  It will take just 3 minutes and then I ask you to take time to think about what you were born to do?



Were you born to teach, run, sing, organise events, look after children, cook, make things?  Whatever it is, think about using that skill to make some money for Save the Children in the next month.  Every penny counts.

No child should die needlessly, every child is born to shine - they just need the chance!

As for me, I am sat here thinking about what I was born to do and I do not really know.  I pray one day I will work for God and do something really worthwhile, but for now I know these few simple facts:

I was born to ... Care
I was born to...  Give (money, time...)
I was born to...  Speak up

What about you?  Think you can join me for those 3?

I Love You my Children, So Much!

Ella at Notes From Home runs a carnival every Friday and I have joined in once before and always mean to join in more, as she is one very lovely blogger but I forget and get distracted and all those kind of things........ but this week I saw her theme of '5 things I would like my children to know about me' and I have been thinking on it all day.  I am a really open person, even with my kids I will admit my faults, I'll say sorry and as they get older I will tell them about all the silly things I have done in my time so I am having trouble trying to decide what 5 things I would like them to know about me but I'll give it a go... and I am writing this to my children -

1. I love you, my children so much.  Yes the really obvious one but where else would I start to be honest?  I never thought I would have children, I had no interest in them and had hardly even held a baby before JJ came along.  It just shows that when you are with the right person nature takes over and you want to reproduce. My babies you are the heart of my heart and I would be lost without any one of you.  Each of you completes me and brings a little something different to my life.  You each have taught me important life lessons and helped me to develop as a person. My increased patience, my tolerance, my ability to love and my kindness have all improved due to you special little people and in the same vein I love each of you equally.  This amazing concept still baffles me. Once I had JJ my heart was filled so full of love for my gorgeous boy that I did not think there would be room for anyone else but then along came you girls and my heart space grew.  Each of you is so different and unique and it amazes me each day how much I love every one of you.
2. You need to know that I will never judge you. I empower each one of you to fulfil your own potential, whatever that may be.  You are free to make choices and make mistakes, I hope you will learn from them but it is your personal journey and what will be, will be. If you make any choices in your life that mean you do not follow what society holds as the norm that is not a problem to me.  I hope you will stay within the law and that you will be kind and respectful people but outside of that, knock yourself out - just go for whatever floats your boat!
3. That as much as it may hurt me, if I need to take the hard line in parenting I will. If you are going off the tracks and need reigning in, that is Daddy's and my job, we are parents first and friends second.  Parenting is not supposed to be easy it is supposed to be rewarding.  Watching you develop and grow into adults will be an amazing journey for me and one which I am totally loving thus far.
4. That my faith is incredibly important to me and that I would love for each one of you to grow up and choose to stay with the Christian faith.  However, you need to know that if you do not I respect that and you will be treated no different to your siblings no matter what each of you choose.  Daddy and I chose to marry as Christians and this means we believe God is a part of our loving marriage.  Daddy and I have committed to spend our lives together and a big part of the joy of doing that is you three. I hope to grow old with your Daddy as much in love with him when I am 70 as I am today.
5. When you are older I will tell you about my battle, the demon I fight with every day.  The one that I sincerely pray you will avoid.  I love each of you too much to know that I have passed my food obsession to you.  It is painful being an addict and watching the harm you do to people as you try to sooth a craving. At the moment my recovery journey is a painful one but this is because I am working and I am discovering and I am trying to mend my ways.  All this I do with the hope of being content and happy in my own skin and I long to be able to pass this legacy of being content on to you.

I leave you my babies to look at these pictures - can you tell how much Mummy loves you?

So there we go, not as hard as I feared actually.  Those are 5 key things that I would like my children to know about me, at the right stages of their lives of course.  Thanks Ella for making me think about some important stuff today.

Reasons to be Cheerful 1,2,3 - Week 8

<center><a href="http://mdplife.blogspot.com/search/label/reasons%20to%20be%20cheerful"><img width="150" alt="Reasons to be Cheerful at Mummy From the Heart" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac230/RebaMc/reasonstobecheerfulv2-1.jpg" height="150" /></a></center> Oh my!  Just typing that - week 8.  That is two months practically.  I said I would run this linky for at least a year to give it a good go and see if people liked it and wow, I am already one sixth of the way there - how times flies when you are having fun!  and I am having fun....  Thank you all.  Some weeks I get to every post linked up and others I don't, life gets in the way, I know you forgive me.  This week I aim to make it one of the weeks when I get to every post.  Even if the link ups exceed all my dreams, I am going to come and stalk you all!

This week has been a great week as we have been having a holiday at home (I'll do a post about that tomorrow) and I have a multitude of reasons to be cheerful, here are but a few -

1. The weather has been much better than I expected. I  often hear people moaning about how cold or wet it is but I am just grateful it has not been snowing here and that there have been days dry enough for my kids to get out and do this


2. My JJ has been having a swimming lesson a day during this half term.  He is normally one of 6 in the class and this week he is one of two, I can see what a difference this has made to my little un-confident man!
3. I have been opening my heart on the blog the last couple of days and the comments have really encouraged and inspired me to keep going, Thanks x

So now it is your job to share your gratitude and joy.  What are your reasons to be cheerful this week?

Don't forget to take the blog hop code from below the linky and paste this into your blog so that new readers can jump from blog...to blog... to blog and also promote your post and the link up by tweeting with the hashtag #Reasons2BCheerful

..and before you go, I must remember to point you over to Maxabella's I'm Grateful for... link up.  Join up your reasons post there and make some new Aussie friends.

Of course Jen's Blog gems is still open too. Link up every other Sunday and air your archives.

Wishing you a fabulous week, Mich x

I want to be a Firework!

The last couple of weeks I have had a post going round and round in my head.  I keep wanting to ask you dear readers, How do I learn to love myself?  Do not get me wrong, I do not hate myself and there are no worries about me doing anything rash like self-harming but I have realised of late that I do not love and treasure myself as much as I should.  I can easily find fault with myself and when I am not performing at my optimum I am very hard on myself and seem to find it impossible to accept that my best for that day is good enough.

I am completely a woman of contrasts, I will happily tell you all that it is right to try your best and that good enough is just that but apply that logic to myself and I go deaf.

What is even more sad is that I know this, deep down I know this and am able to write it in this post but I just do not feel it.  I have wondered if I need to look in the mirror and start to tell myself that I like what I see.  I like my hair, I like the colour of my eyes.... there is a start!

I think I am a bit lost on my journey through life at the moment if I am honest.  I am not necessarily unhappy and certainly not depressed but I just get confused about what is right and what is good enough.  Many people would say that I need to give myself a break.  I am not interested in comparing myself to other people, I know I measure up on that count, it is about how I measure up to my own standards and expectations that I have a problem with.  Of course, realistically these are too high and it could be that character defect 'perfectionism' at fault here.  The great ED (Eating Disorder) workshop that I went on recently was titled Progress not Perfection and I do think that is an excellent sentiment, if only I could buy into it with my heart and whole being.

So there I was pondering this today and I sat down for 5 minutes to fold the washing and Katy Perry came onto the music channel.  She started to sing and I thought 'ohh I love this song, I had no idea it was her or that those were the words'.  What really struck me though was watching the video that goes with it.  It is truly amazing and I have now been inspired to be a firework.  What particularly struck a cord with me was the curvy young woman stripping off to her bikini and joining in with the fun at the pool party.  Life is for living and in that split second she seemed to realise that and put all her self-conscious feelings aside.

Now, if only I could follow suit and know that I am a firework and love myself enough to stop stuffing my face with unnecessary food.  I kid myself that it is a comfort or a treat but I know that deep down I eat to stay fat.  What I do not yet know is why, but one day I will find this out and for now I know that progress on this journey is enough....