Merry Christmas!

Just want to wish you all a very happy Christmas! I need to go to bed soon otherwise Santa won't stop by and my kids will not be happy :)  

Phew!

I just got back from Asda and it was crazy busy!! Obviously everyone else thought that going grocery shopping at 10.30pm would be a good way to avoid the rush. Not so.  Anyway, I didn't need too much to I wasn't so stressed.  I was planning to go to my parents when I'd finished to visit with my new nephew (and his parents!) who were coming up this evening, but my sister rang at 10.00pm to say that they hadn't even set off yet. So I'll just see them tomorrow.

So tomorrow I need to finish cleaning the kitchen. Finish wrapping a few gifts. Make some oreo truffles. Visit my parents, SIL and BIL and new baby! And get excited with the kids for Santa coming :)

Lockerbie 20 year anniversary.

21 December 1988.

Unfortunately I remember it all too well! 

We were living in Scotland at the time (I was 15) and were heading down to visit family in England for Christmas. After a while we were backed up in traffic and then the traffic stopped dead. People were getting out of their cars to find out what had happened. Someone in front of us said they had seen a fireball in the sky. Then a guy in a truck at the side of us said that he had heard on his radio that a plane had crashed on the motorway. We were all confused and anxious. Then all we heard were the sounds of the police and ambulance sirens. We all had to move to the edge of the road to let them through. After a while we were diverted off the motorway and had to go over a bridge that crossed over Lockerbie. The sight we saw will haunt me forever. All we could see was fire. Everywhere. We were just in shock and disbelief. Still not sure what exactly had happened. When we finall found out we were stunned. If we had been a few minutes ahead of schedule...... it doesn't even bear thinking about. On our return home after Christmas we had to drive past that same stretch of motorway. There was a huge crater in the road. So so sad and tragic. I can't believe it has been 20 years. My heart still goes out to the families who lost loved ones.

SURPRISE!

Erm, yeah, I know - it's been a while.  It's just been SO busy  - I'm sure you'll all agree!!

But first - the most EXCITING news!!

I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister's baby wasn't due until 3rd January but it looks like he didn't want to miss out on Christmas!  Helen's waters broke on Tuesday so she went to the hospital. They examined her and said that she wasn't in labor yet so to go back home but to come in on Thursday if nothin had happened.  I actually spoke to her yesterday about my experiences of being induced so she knew kind of what to expect.  Anyway, this morning I got a call from my mum before I took the boys to school to say that Helen's hubby had called them at 7am to say that they were at the hospital.  Helen's contractions had started last night so they went to the hospital at 1am.  When Adam rang he said that Helen had just been examined and was only 3cm dilated so we expected it would be quite a while before we heard news.  Well I was in school this morning and work at lunchtime so didn't get back home until 1.30pm. I had also left my phone at home!  I called my mum and she said that Helen had given birth! At 9am!! How quick was that!!!  And it was a boy (they didn't find out the sex before hand).  They haven't chosen a name yet.  He's a tiny little thing - 5lb 15oz.  How cute!!  My parents have headed down to the hospital to see them so I'm hoping for news again this evening!!  I'm so excited and so pleased everything seems to have gone quickly and smoothly.  I know Helen was very anxious about labor and birth. Especially since she's still recovering from ME.  What a relief that it was quick!!  Looking forward to meeting my new nephew in the next few days :)

Knowing I'm on the street where you live......

Today is an exciting day as my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and baby nephew have moved into a house on my street!!  We can both stand on our front steps and wave to each other :)  My boys are so excited that their baby cousin is so close by.  They are looking forward to walking home from school and calling in to visit on their way.  Zach has even said that he's going to take care of baby E while Auntie C gets his milk ready :) How cute is that for a 5 yr old!! :)

Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day :)

Can't wait for my Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Yummo!!

Books

I went to the Charity Shop in our town today to look at the books section, as I do everytime I'm in there.  They are 5 for £1 so well worth a look!

I bought a colouring book for Nathaniel - it's actually called Doodle Patterns so rather than having pictures to colour you have patterns.  I love colouring books and think this is quite age appropriate for a 7 year old. Something he can do in Sacrament meeting at church!  I got Zach a book containing 5 Hairy MacLary stories.  We have one book already called 'Hairy MacLary and Zachary Quack (my mum got it for him since his name is Zachary!).  Zach is our little reader.  He loves books and it makes me so happy to see him pulling books off the shelves to sit and read.

I bought myself this book as I might get some good tips and advice from it! I'm going to have a peruse of it later while the kids and David watch 'You've Been Framed'.

I also bought 2 novels.  I don't mind buying used books at all.  But I do prefer then not to be too bashed and worn.  I got two that look like they've not been read, but at the same time have got good recommendations on them.  The first is The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields and the second is The Two Pound Tram by William Newton.  I think I will start with The Two Pound Tram.  I'll let you know how I enjoyed them once I've read them.  Then, since I only read books once, will happily send them on to anyone who may like to read them.  So watch out for a RAK in a little while :)  I really should sort out all my other books.  I have so many - ones I've bought but not got around to reading yet. And others, lots of others, that I've started but not finished.  Why do I do that?? 

And it's good to know that while I'm paying only £1 for a selection of 5 books, I'm doing my little bit to help my local Hospice!

Oh, I was actually frivilous today - because I spent 3.99 to buy the Sew Hip magazine at my local newsagent.  Don't want to even think about the fact that this £4 would have bought me 20 books from the Hospice shop!!