Liked and Loved | Sep 2018

September 2018 Liked and Loved Linky

Mrs Hinch:

So I know i'm not the only person who has become a little obsessed with Mrs Hinch, be honest, how many others are there?

I got introduced to Mrs Hinch earlier in the month, and now? I'm hooked. 

I'm hinching every day, i'm putting my kitchen to bed, my cloths to bed, my sinks to bed, i've even gone and bought a Dave the Duster.. and I have sworn that once I can find them, I will be buying a Minkeh and Pinkeh. I have always loved Zoflora, but I am now using it a lot more than I was doing, finding new ways and uses for this small bottle of heaven. 

Mrs Hinch and the Hinch Army have entirely taken over my life 

BUT.... if I am being honest, in a positive way. Not only is my house looking clean, and smelling fresh, but it's really helping my mental health in more ways than I imagined. Obviously, I did clean before Mrs Hinch - with two kids, you have to, don't you? But I never went mad on it, and never had a real love for it until now. Mrs Hinch has shown me easier tips than I was doing myself, and honestly some of the tips, the quotes and the little things she does, has really helped me to uplift my moods daily. I'm finding it all very therapeutic and relaxing. Even the kids are joining in and enjoying it (I only let them dust or use some antibac wipes - nothing major) 

Lacey-Beth's Adventure Mini Break:

Lacey-Beth went off on a little adventure with her best friend, and her second family, to stay in the South of Ireland, in Co.Cavan in some log cabins in the woods. 

They went for a whole weekend, and she really enjoyed it. This girl has had so many adventures throughout the summer with her best friend and family, and has loved every single one, and honestly, it's given her some amazing memories to cherish always, and given her adventures that I probably could never give or take her on. 

Cathy (her besties mummy) kept me updated through text and calls, and sent lots of pics of the girls enjoying themselves. They got to experience new things and honestly just had a ball. 

International Day Of Peace: 

On the 21st September - it was international day of peace and the local women's group I attend along with the local pensioners group had teamed together to do a silk painting of a now abandoned Linen Mill in our local town, with the fields and river around it, and a girl in the middle, to represent the peace in our communities around our area. 

This painting was unveiled on international day of peace in the Titanic Building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Our two groups attended this event, and it was a lovely day. We got a tour of the last surviving While Star Line ship - the Nomadic, had a bit of lunch, then travelled of for a tour of Northern Ireland's parliament building - Stormont.

28 Years Married: 

My parents celebrated their 28th Wedding Anniversary last week. They were spoiled with gorgeous gifts. And then we spent the evening together as a family indulging in chinese takeaway. A small and quite evening, but enjoyed by the seven of us - my parents, both my daughters, myself and husband, and my brother. 

An Autumn Photoshoot:

I used to love taking my own photos of the girls before my mental health reached it's peak. 

I stopped doing shoots with them, when I got really bad - but as mentioned before, Mrs Hinch and her techniques are really helping me to overcome that anxiety. 

So this week, for the first time in two years, I lifted the camera to take some proper photos of the girls.  Unfortunately Lacey-Beth decided she's too 'cool' and too 'old' to do this anymore, but Lexie-Anna happily obliged. 

They don't look the best, but rememeber, it has been two years from I took photos on a proper camera, and edited any, but I still love how they turned out all the same. 

Dance Exams:

During the summer Lacey-Beth had started taking ABD exam classes in dance. These are carrying on throughout term time, until her dance teacher feels she is ready to take the actual exam. 

Last week, the girls all received their beautiful Exam Classes and Exam Uniform to wear, a beautiful purple Leotard with footless tights. 

Lacey-Beth absolutely loves it - it's her third dance uniform, so far. She's her normal, everyday dance uniform for classes, her competition tracksuit to wear attending competitions and her private lessons, and then this gorgeous leotard for her exam work. 

She feels and looks so grown up in it. 

Create your own happiness | #R2BC

Hi guys, Happy Thursdays!

Wow, the end of another week is fast approaching. 

So this week, browsing through my blog reads, I came across a new linky. A linky I knew I definitely liked the sound of. A linky I knew I wanted to join in and take part with. 

#Reasonstobecheerful 

started by host http://www.mummyfromtheheart.com/

As most people know, I love reasons to write blog posts based on happiness, so this linky is right up my straight. I've spent way to long in a spiral of depression, it's time to get lots of cheerful posts on the go, something to spread some cheer, and happiness! 

(ok, that sounded an awful lot like a quote from Elf - I promise i'm not christmas obsessed - yet) 

So - here goes! My reasons to be cheerful this week.

1. 𝓜𝓻𝓼 𝓗𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓱 

𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓷𝔀𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓜𝓮:

Being brainwashed by someone doesn't sound like a reason to be very cheerful or even grateful does it? It sounds horrific. 

But no, honestly, this particular brainwashing, I am ecstatic with. 

Recently I got introduced to Mrs Hinch on Instagram - you can follow her here

She shares instagram posts and stories about cleaning. Sharing life hacks, tips, must have cleaning supplies, and cleaning hauls. 

Now - as a mum, I had to have a clean house - raising kids you have to keep up with the housework. But never to the extents that Mrs Hinch has shown me. She has shared some life changing life hacks on her insta page that I am eternally grateful for, and such simple little tricks they are to. 

I have definitely been hinched, and I am loving it. To be honest, so is L-A - she was been having so much fun, wiping down the kitchen cupboard doors when we're putting our kitchen to bed. 

2. 𝓐 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝔂 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮:

Whilst doing our weekly clean up this week, I came across a little outfit my favourite little boy left at my house when he was visiting. I haven't seen that boy in almost two weeks, and to be honest, I probably won't be having him over for a visit anytime soon or in the near future, which in a way is heartbreaking, BUT - I have grieved that already, and now? Well now, I am just happy, grateful and cheerful about the fact, I was able to spend time with him for a few weeks - I appreciate the fact that his Mummy did trust me to look after him. And I may not get to see him now as much as I'd like, but I will always love him, and always be forever cheerful knowing he was and always will be a huge part of my life. 

3. 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼

This week L-A sold her go-kart as she outgrew it and it was less than a year old. She received £60 for it, so she went into town, and treated herself to some new Autumn clothes, and a new series LOL doll - the Underwraps, Eye Spy, Series 4 - then, with the money she had left, this little girl of only four years of age, bought her sister some new Heelys and an LOL doll also and some Unicorn false nails from Primark. No-one asked her to do this, out of the kindess of her own heart, L-A didn't want to use all of her own money on herself, but wanted to share it with her big sister. 

This made me burst with pride, and made me realise, I must be doing something right, to have raised such a kind hearted little girl. 

Living Arrows | 38/53

 
 Kahlil Gibran, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”

We have been having a rather difficult time of things with Lacey-Beth at the moment, BUT, despite the challenges we face daily with her, deep down, there is still her sweetness, and this week proved that. 

This young lady, took her sister under her wing, walking her up to her line in the playground, whilst I stood at the gates, to help boost her little sisters confidence. 

Sooner or later the time is going to come, when the teacher asks us Year One Mum's not to walk the kiddos up to the line, and to drop them off at the gate, it happens every year. Well, Lexie-Anna, has been so reliant on me lately, and won't let me leave her at the gate - Lacey-Beth witnessing this, every single morning, took her and helped her get used to it, without me one morning. I stood at those gates, watching my eldest, act like a little mummy hen figure to my youngest, and knew then in that moment, I must have done something right, for them to show that much love, support and encouragement towards one another. 
I couldn't have been or felt more proud than I did.  

(I wish I could have napped a quick snapshot of such a beautiful moment - but due to the playground being busy, it was impossible)

The Sibling Project | September 2018

 It's hard to believe we are now halfway through September, but it's scary to think that Lexie-Anna is now halfway through her first month of her first year at Primary School. Lacey-Beth is now in Year Three, and will turn seven next month. And in literally a few short weeks, Christmas will be here. This year, sure is going by in a blink. 

We've been having a sort of rough September. I'm not sure if it's tiredness due to school starting back, but it's been pretty hectic around here. 
Lacey-Beth has been throwing some massive strops, sometimes I swear i'm already raising a teenager instead of a six year old. There isn't a day goes by that we don't have a meltdown on our hands, sometimes over the silliest of things too, like the seams of her socks touching her toes and irritating her.. Do seamless socks even exist??  if so, where can I buy a pair? or five. 
On the other hand, I don't want to paint her out to be this big bad wolf, that is six going on on sixteen with a serious attitude problem, because whilst she may be like that, there still is a huge part of her can be that angelic little girl she once was - I know that girlie is still somewhere deep inside, we just need to encourage her to bring that side of her out more! 

David has also stopped working night shift this last few weeks, and is now working day shifts - which we are finding rather difficult adjusting to atm. 
He starts at 7am, and due to the travel he has to do, he needs to wake between 4 and 5am to get ready and set off to be there on time. So by the time he gets home, he gets a wash, has his tea, and pretty much crashes to sleep. 
The girls and I have barely spent any time with him this month, and it is starting to take it's toll. 
With night shift, he started at 11pm and finished at 7am - so he would have slept when the girls were at school, then got up, and we'd of spent the day together as a family. 
But yeah.. i'm rambling on now when this post - Is technically all about the girls as sisters. 

Well - they still have their moments together, they fight, make up, and play, as all or most sisters do. 

Lacey-Beth is loving:

Playing on her go-kart and pretending she's driving a real car

Getting out to play with her friends

Returning to Dance, and receiving her new dance exam leotard

Squishies and LOL Surprise Dolls 


Lexie-Anna is loving:

Making new friends in school 

Sequin Pets and LOL Surprise Dolls

Playing her her best friends 

The Haschak Sisters 

My Sunday Photo | September 16th 2018

This week #MySundayPhoto definitely has to be this little snapshot I grabbed of Lexie-Anna whilst at the park. 

It's a simple picture yet describes her so perfectly. 
That cheeky little smile, shows that she is so filled with adventure, mischief, and lots of excitement, yet at the same time is one of the most sweetest little girls. 

Her smile lights up the darkest of rooms, and no matter how down you are in a day, getting a glimpse of that gorgeous, big smile is definitely a good pick me up. 

Living Arrows | 37/53

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” – Kahlil Gibran.

C E L E B R A T E 

I absolutely love this photo, so of course I had to share it. 

From left to right:

Lexie-Anna (my youngest) Lacey-Beth (my oldest) and Yasemin (my adopted daughter lol) - she's practically part of the family, she's Lacey-Beth's best friend, and sister from another mister. 

Last week, Cathy (Yasemin's Mummy) turned the big 40, and little did she know, her hubby and family had organised a surprise birthday party for her. 

It was such a lovely night, and was lovely to meet all of Cathy's family and other friends, who have all taken my eldest daughter under the wing as part of their family also. 

We went for a lovely meal, in a lovely small but local restaurant. 

Her family had booked a private room, which we got to ourselves, so the kids all had a ball, running about, dancing, and playing with the balloons. 

My two girls made such precious memories with Cathy, and her little family, and we all made some new friends that night. 

Cathy had no idea either, which made it all the better, her face was priceless when she walked into the room, and seen the decorations and everyone waiting to celebrate her big birthday with her. 

The food was delicious, the staff were super friendly, everyone was getting along, laughing, giggling, and looking through all of Cathy's photos from childhood, right through to her mummy days. 

A lovely, relaxing night, with great company, and my girls enjoyed themselves just as much as I did.  Definitely a memory to cherish forever, with our new found friends, and adopted family! 

#MySundayPhoto | September 9th 2018

Ok, so I know #MySundayPhoto for this week, isn't of the best quality, but in my defence, it was taken on my phone camera, which I didn't zoom in on,  and snapped from a large screen.

The quality of the picture was also very dark, so I've had to use an insta filter also, which hasn't really made it any better - but you can just about see it properly! 

This morning, my beautiful mother - got Baptised in her church, and I was very much the proud daughter, getting to witness this. 
I am so proud of her for standing up there, infront of a packed church and going ahead with giving herself to God. 

Now I am not a Christian - I currently am in two minds over what I believe in - But my mum is a strong Christian, and got saved maybe around a year ago, after having started to attend a new community church for a number of years. She also takes my own two girls with her, every week without fail and they both love and enjoy it. 

Just because I am currently in two minds about my beliefs, does not mean I will ever discriminate against my mum, or my children for what they believe, or for them choosing to follow Christ, and become Christians. 

I have so much respect for my mum, as I know today was probably pretty nerve wrecking for her (and the other five people who got baptised alongside her) - but she did it with so much pride and dignity, and served God in the best way she could today, and I am so proud of her, for not letting anyone dictate to her about what she should and shouldn't believe in. 

The girls really enjoyed watching their Nanny get baptised also, and it was lovely having my Aunts, Uncles, Dad, Brother, Little Cousin and Daughters in Church, all there to support my mum! 
t was a lovely service, and I really enjoyed it! 
I love you mum and I am so proud of you! 

#LivingArrows | 36/53

I have really started to take a huge liking, and enjoyment for linkys recently, so the more I find to join, the merrier. 

This morning, I have just come across, this new linky "living arrows" 

and decided to give it a whirl. 

So, I'm posting two pictures for my first week, because I couldn't possibly have chosen a favourite. 

This week, it was back to school - I have posted about it, so much, but my girls went into P3, and P1 - Lexie-Anna's first year in primary school. She seems to be enjoying it, however we're getting tears in the mornings dropping her off.. And for my other picture - My gorgeous little nephew Charlie, came for a sleepover over the weekend with us, and it was the best. He is such a content little man, so course I had to share a photo of his smiley little face spending time with his Auntie Stacy and both his big cousins. 

#MySundayPhoto | September 2nd 2018

#MySundayPhoto this week, is my beautiful little nephew Charlie. 

This morning, for the first ever Sunday, I woke up to his beautiful little face, after babysitting him last night. He is such a happy, content little chappy. 

Seven weeks old, and just babbles away, filled with smiles, laughter and lots of baby babbles.

My girls loved having him sleepover, as did I. 

And his mummy, got a well deserved break for a night. 

This little man has really made me appreciate being his Auntie. 

Biologically, we are related - he is actually my cousin's son - therefore my second cousin. 

BUT.. Stephanie and I grew up as sisters - and as the chances of my brother ever having children of his own, are very slim due to his personal reasons, this little beauty is the closest little human i'll ever have to a niece or nephew of my own - and the closest little human that will make me feel like an aunt. 

I would move mountains for this little boy. He has completely stole my heart, and my girls hearts. We all love him unconditionally, and I would do anything for him and his mummy. 

So yes. We most definitely enjoyed our sneaky little sleepover, and waking up not so freshly this Sunday morning, and we look forward to making more memories, and having lots more sleepovers.