Two Hundred Blessings.

We have been away for a couple of weeks and then had a very busy week doing a childrens Holiday Club (VBS) as part of my job.  We have been unbelievably blessed, here are just a few:

180.  The rest and relaxation needed to allow me to go outside my comfort zone with the children while away.
181.  The sunshine and warmth in Turkey.
182.  The peace He gives me about my unkempt garden.
183.  The time He gives me to overcome a nasty summer cold.
184.  A boss (Vicar) who reassures me that the quality of my work is the most important thing.
185.  Children giggling with their friends after time apart.
186.  The quick sale of my parents house. (3days!!!!)
187.  A happy fluffy white puppy.
188.  Beautiful sunsets.
189.  The smell of home-made bread baking.
190.  Two weeks of doing NO cooking.
191.  Friends from the North coming for holidays in the South and popping in to see us.
192.  Girls playing with guinea pigs.
193.  A friend noticing how much my son is growing up.
194.  Cups of tea with friends.
195.  An unexpected small but perfectly thought out present from a friend in New Zealand.
196.  Refreshing rains.
197.  Answered prayers - especially those that I did not know what outcome I wanted.
198.  A husband who can hold the fort when my health goes into meltdown.
199.  A clean house - even if it only lasts a couple of hours.
200.  The blogosphere - it is always here even when I leave it.

'Church' up a tree and other blessings!

We did a first today - instead of going to our regular (hard to call it that really when we rarely go) Church we decided to do 'Church' up a tree in the New Forest this morning.

We simply strolled along until we came to a place where there were fallen trees that we could sit on and then my husband got out his Bible and sat down all together.  Looking for something tree related we read John 15 where Jesus describes God as being the vine and us the branches.  You can just see on the far right a holly tree, this was the perfect example to explain these verses more clearly for the children especially as it had berries growing on it.  There was an air of quiet as we looked at all the dead wood around the tree........

It also gave us the opportunity to talk about 'grafting' as in Romans 9, especially in relation to our eldest being grafted into our family.

The kids were really relaxed, it took very little to keep them focused, we said the Lords prayer together and then continued to enjoy our walk and scrambling in the trees.

There was space for us all.

Pippin was able to join in to!

Time for conversation un-interrupted.

....and best of all for me, when we walked back towards the car the pub was open and ready to start serving food, so the youngest two got to play while they waited.  Whilst the oldest firstly got mistaken for working there, which she really liked and then got to go chat to some ladies with their ponies in the car park.

Great walk, great time with God, great food to finish, nothing could have made this more perfect.

continued to count my blessings with the community created by Ann Voskamp

178.  That first cup of tea in the morning, especially when it can be drank in the garden.
179.  Being able to give the kids the 'treat' of staying up 'late'.
180.  A garden that continues to grow and bloom despite my recent weeks of neglect.
181.  The wise wisdom of my spiritual director.
182.  Meetings completed without making me feel to blue.
183.  Volunteers willing to work with me and take risks, outside of their comfort zones.
184.  30 children already signed up to attend my holiday club.
185.  Fun and laughter in the woods with the kids as we make a 'film' for holiday club.
186.  Indulging in some embroidery which (except for cross stitch) I haven't done for around 20 years.
187.  A settled week for my parents.
188.  Letter arriving that I have requested to use in an appeal.
189.  Discovering what my puppy dog needs to stop her waking up at 5.30am in the morning!

Continued Blessings.

Is there such a thing as Bloggers Block?  If so I appear to have caught it!  Most likely I am just a bit too busy at the moment.  But I am determined to never be too busy to count my blessings, big and small. (no photos though this week).


163.  Cooler nights and the feel of warm cotton sheets.
164.  The patience of others around me when I am wound up.
165.  Listening ears of friends.
166.  Rain falling on my garden.
167.  Gods forgiveness when I am struggling to forgive.
168.  Siblings looking out for each other.
169.  The sound of my little girl singing whenever she is alone.
170.  A card received when actions cannot express love.
171.  Orchids flowering at my kitchen window.
172.  Not having to fight for a disability parking (blue) badge.
173.  Emails returned when I have regretted sending them.
174.  Words to form difficult letters that have to be written.
175.  The willingness of others too help me in my return to work.
176.  A day at the beach with friends.
177.  The first supper party with friends and their kids since our eldest arrived over a year ago.

A time for us (in Paris!!!!!!).

Last weekend, was wonderful, it was the result of a very very spontaneous decision just a few months ago.

My husband had come home from work having heard of a special deal that Air France were doing to train their staff on a new plane the A380 (the super jumbo).  A little search on the internet, a check of our diaries and the booking was made, for an incredible cheap price to.

Here are a few piccies of our special weekend.

Our plane coming in at Heathrow, my husband is a HUGE aero enthusiast and this is the first time he has been on a new plane type so soon after it has been put into service.  The journey was definately his big treat!

Leaving Blighty, an amazing view over Brighton you can see the pier and the marina amazingly well.

And relax, what a treat to find an incredible vegetarian restuarant just around the corner from Notre Dame Cathedral.  After a very leisurely meal we were then able to wonder over to the Cathedral which we were surprised to find still open.  We took the opportunity to light a candle and pray over all that we had been discussing over our meal, sealing our hopes and thanking for where we were.

We were able to linger and read some of the love messages that folk have engraved onto padlocks and affixed to this bridge - how unique and beautiful.

The under chapel at Saint Chapel in the courts of justice, my favourtie place in Paris, but not for this downstairs, for this view, which is well worth the very difficult stone spiral staircase to get to.........

This 13th century church just blows me away, it is soooo majestic, to see the results of those spiritually convicted to build something to Glorify God all those years ago is magical.

Who could this gorgeously handsome gentle man be?  My husband?  Really?  He's mine?   WOW!

We stayed in an old Parisian hotel very close to the Louvre, treating ourselves to a luxury room (after getting such a good deal on our flights).  When this photo was taken I had fallen alseep in the jacuzzi bath after a hard days walking.

On our way home again.  This was the first time we have been abroad alone since having my children 10 1/2 years ago.  It was quite a big deal, the last time we tried this was for my 40th birthday 18 months ago when we had planned to go to Prague but had to cancel it because of my sister becoming very sick and then dying.  It might have been a very quick couple of days but to be able to spend that uninterupted time with my husband was just what we needed.  Hopefully it is not going to take us 10 1/2 years to do it again!

Attachment Disorder

My bedside reading for the last few weeks has kept me very busy, hence the lack of blogging.  I have been on a steep learning curve about attachment disorder - a category given to children who have experienced trauma and/or neglect (purposeful or not) in their early years by their parent figures.  The result of this is an inability to form healthy attachments to others and a whole host of other psychological difficulties which result from them feeling the need to control their whole environment.

My neice for whom we are full time kinship carers has recently been put into this cateogory by her psychologist.  She was initially referred because of her challenging behaviour especially at school which was being put down to her grief at losing her mum and all the changes she has had to go through.

It's a very painful realisation for me, I am having to face the fact that my mum and dad and my sister were not able to prevent this from happening and because of circumstances were unable to provide her with the structure that would have prevented the harm that probably stems from her dad leaving her and her mum before she was 3.

We are being supported by professionals in this, though it is not a common problem to find in children of her age (13 years), therefore they are learning as we are.  It was suggested that we got a copy of Edward Hughes' book Building the Bonds of Attachment and though it was very expensive I am so pleased that we did.  It is written in a very unique way following a fictional case study through  therapy sessions and family life.  After initially feeling quite dispondant on finishing it, as it made me feel very inadequate and not able to do what I felt I was being required to, I am now starting to be able to put some of the tips into practise!

This in no way means that things are getting better, actually they are getting worse, in many ways we are having to treat a 13 year old like a 3 year old in emotional matters.  The resultant rebellion to new boundaries is difficult to handle, but handle it we will.  I am so very thankful for my faith, without it I don't think I could dare to have any hope for this little girl.  The majority of children with untreated attachment disorders go on to develop a whole host of personality disorders as adults.  But FAITH I have, and FAITH I will hang on to, I do beleive that in Him ALL things are possible and if I can be a tool to help this young one then so be it!

Catching up with Gifts.

I know it isn't Monday, I might not have been writing down the gifts I have been enjoying the last few weeks, but I have been counting them:

152. Making cupcakes for a picnic with friends.

153.  Trombone enthusiasm (practising Christmas carols).

154.  Home-made beading onto a fairtrade cotton t-shirt for my mother.

155.  Home-grown strawberries.

156.  Unexpected growth in the garden.

157.  Seedlings sprouting.

158.  A trip to the theatre with friends.

159.  My girls enjoying some time together.

160.  A pattern found to make a fairtrade cotton dishcloth.

161.  My first ever home-baked cheesecake, home-grown rhubarb and ginger - mmmm.

162.  More beading completed.

A Little Catch-Up.

Time runs doesn't stop.

6 months have rushed away.

Much has been achieved both practically and in relationships.

There is a life-time of work to continue, but continue we shall.

In the meantime I am going to try and add a little extra by returning to work.

Just 10 hours a week for the next 3 months.  Then hopefully back to 20 hours come September.