Jar of Words

One of my goals for this year is to spend more time with my children and if you read my post last week about my word of the week, you will know that I am keen to create more lasting memories with my children.

I took on the challenge at the begininning of the year to join in with project 365, taking a picture every day of the year, well actually I am taking atleast one as I am trying to get images of all my children each day. The trouble is that a photo can only capture so much and I think sometimes words can mean more.

Just before new year, an image popped up on Facebook, it basically said to write down something that happens each day, whether it be something funny said, an achievement made, whatver you like. Once you have written it down, fold it up and pop it in a jar.

So I decided to take on this challenge too. I mean with photos to look and words to read surely my poor not working brain will be able to remember atleast some of what we have done by the time the year ends.

I have a pad of paper and a pen in my bedroom and at the end of the day I sit and think about what has gone on and what stood out in the day for me. I write the date on each one so I can remember exactly when the moment occurred.

Lasting Memories

Last week I joined in with a new linky from The Reading Residence called 'Word of the Week'. I really enjoyed writing the post as it gave me a chance to really sit back, think and reflect on the week that had just gone instead of just letting it pass by so I've decided to join in again.

My word for this week is :

On Tuesday Daddy Hazelden and I attended the funeral of Nan Russ (my husband's nan). Although a sad occasion, it gave us a chance to look back on her life and the memories she had created along the way. There were lots of photos documenting just what she had done when she was alive, amazing to see the timeline from baby right up to adulthood. 

Before You Were Born Meme

I've been tagged in a fantastic meme by twinmummyanddaddy. This meme makes us think back a little bit and asks about some of the things we used to do before our children were born.

In honestly it is tricky to remember a life before kids because once you have given birth, it feels like they have always been around!!

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

See this is the good thing my favourite holiday destination is actually somewhere where we have only ever been as a family, Ibiza. We have been there 3 times as a family now but they great thing about this destination is that it is suitable for both families, couples, single people, anyone really.

There is plenty to see and do, whether you want to explore the old town, experience the clubbing night life or enjoy watching the sun go down.

What is your funniest memory pre-children?

This is a tricky one because I was pregnant after being with Daddy Hazelden for four months so I'm hoping it still counts when I was pregnant but my funniest and also one of my best memories would have to be Daddy Hazelden's 24th birthday. This was the day that he got extremely drunk and the end my poor old mum had to help get him in the bath and tuck him up in bed, funny for me, not so funny for him :) This was also the day that he proposed to me, not on one knee but two because the poor man couldn't balance on one knee by this point. Good job I love him otherwise I might not have been laughing.

What was your favourite thing to do in the evening?

My favourite thing to do of an evening pre children had to be take a long hot soak in the tub, you know the one, candles lit, nothing but silence to be heard.

These days I'm lucky if I even get the bath to myself. Even if the kids don't jump in, they are sat on the toilet next to me asking me all sorts of questions!!

What hobbies do you have that you can no longer do?

Now since having children, I haven't had to give up any hobbies. I like to read, I like to attempt to knit and I like to blog. All three things I still do, they just take a lot longer these days.

What do you think you took for granted before having children?

I think I took for granted our time as a couple. I love my kids and I love all the time we spend together as a family but I do wish there was a few more opportunities for Daddy Hazelden and I to spend together as a couple.

We struggle to not only find a babysitter but with Daddy Hazelden working in London, there aren't many days left because our free days are for family time.

I always say it but we really should make more of a conscious effort to spend quality time together as a couple because our relationship is important too.

So who am I going to tag next?

Deborah who blogs at Super Busy Mum
Gemma who blogs at My Mills Baby
Jocely who blogs at The Reading Residence
Gina who blogs at Cold Tea and Smelly Nappies
Jo who blogs at Sit Still Monkeys

xxxx

9 years later....

Well some years ago I met a certain Mr Hazelden now .....

Who knew that nine years later we would have been married for five years and have four beautiful children. And surprisingly enough I still have a drink in my hand ;) 

xxxx

10 months of loving you

The saying really is true, time does fly when you are having fun!!

Can you believe that Layla is 10 months old already, it feels like yesterday that I gave birth to her.

Now I'm going to put my hands up and admit that I am a naughty mummy. When my eldest was born we took lots and lots of photos, when my second and third were little, I got a bit slack on the photo taking, smacks my own hand. So this time round I have been trying to capture moments when I can, this is when my trusty iPhone comes in handy.

I thought I would show you a few pictures of Layla through the months, newborn to right now.

It is scary how quickly our little ones seem to grow up. I wish I could find that magic pause button sometimes!!!

Do you take a lot of photos, if you do, have you managed to print them all out and put them in photo albums??

xxxx