This time last year we were living in a 5 berth caravan on a campsite. The summer of 2013 was mostly hot, hot, hot with extreme flooding in between. After 7 months the camping season was (finally) over and we moved into a property made of bricks, a strange little place located out-in-the-sticks on … Continue reading
Filed under Faith …
Ups and Downs of 2013-14
These past 18 months have probably been the most ‘normal’ that I’ve experienced since being diagnosed. Apart from a couple of manic highs and one short-lived low, things have been constant and manageable. I’m less worried now about people’s reaction to my bi-polar. Mental illness doesn’t have the stigma it used to have thanks to … Continue reading
Brrr-illiant
Although it’s not even been a month since moving into the caravan, I’m pleased to say that we are still really enjoying it (although that may be different once the novelty has worn off!) There are a number of things that we’ve had to overcome or learn about, for example: Too many appliances cause the … Continue reading
William’s Nativity Play – Timsbury Preschool 2012
I love William’s preschool, it has such a friendly, family feel to it and we are blessed with lovely staff, all very happy to chat, support and laugh with parents at any point. This was William’s first nativity play and he was a sheep. After much battling and bribery, he eventually wore his costume and … Continue reading
Helpful Christmas Magic for Mums
I’ve found a number of websites that really get me into the Christmas spirit and offer great ideas that help me teach my children about giving, thinking of others and the birth of Jesus, as well as experiencing the wonderful magic of Christmas. Here are some of my favourite sites and ideas that I’d like … Continue reading
Summer 2012
Now that Autumn is here and Summer seems to be well and truly over, I feel it’s the right time to sumarize what we got up to during the school holidays of 2012. In all honesty, I felt very anxious before the holidays, worried about what to do with the children and how to keep them … Continue reading
William’s Dedication – 30th September 2012
This was a really special day for us all and it turned out to be a lovely occasion. The bible verse read over us was Psalm 91 ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I … Continue reading
Leavers Party 2012 Tots ‘n’ Tinies
Today was the end of an era for a number of mummies and children at our lovely church toddler group. It was Charlotte’s last day, along with half a dozen other boys and girls, who will be starting school or pre-school in September. Today was an opportunity to say goodbye, present a gift and have … Continue reading
Eurocamp – France 2012
I can understand why people go to Eurocamp year after year. We had a wonderful time in Clary’s Plage in the Vendee, France recently. We stayed in a tent, which was new this year so very nice, clean and fresh, it had all the mod-cons, such as a fridge, cooker and real beds – quite … Continue reading
A change of direction
We have been carefully reviewing our plans about moving to France and, for a number of reasons, we do not feel that now is the right time for us. Too many doors have been closing, too many bible verses keep speaking to us which has led us to believe we are to stay in the … Continue reading
My Anxious Easter Holidays
They didn’t get off to a good start; what with rainy weather and me developing stupid anxiety/panic attacks about going out! ( I think this was partly a reaction to my new bipolar medication and not very nice to experience). However, we did manage a few trips to Paulton’s Park; which the kids loved and … Continue reading
What does Easter mean to YOU?
Well, it’s a bit like Christmas isn’t it? Except instead of Father Christmas, the Easter bunny comes along and hides loads of chocolate eggs for children to find over the whole of Easter weekend. Plus, nowadays we give each other cards and expensive presents like at Christmas-time and Birthdays. We even have days off work … Continue reading
Watch this horrific death end in a miracle!
I was moved to the point of tears and felt very defensive and angry when I first saw what happened to this man, but as I started to understand the reason why this happened it gave me a peace and joy I’d never experienced before. If you haven’t seen this before then get your tissues … Continue reading
France visit
The warmth of William’s sick seaping through my clothes and covering half of the cabin was enough to make me chuck up big style. It was possibly the worst ferry crossing ever, I had to wrap a bed-sheet around my body and visit reception to request a new, clean cabin……..while lorry drivers made their way … Continue reading
Valentine’s Day – Something Spicy!
Jez and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day any more, not because we are a boring, old married couple (which we are but that‘s not the reason!), we find it‘s so expensive, the price of anything coloured red is inflated for about a fortnight. Also, I know it’s a cliché, but we don’t need to be romantic … Continue reading
There’s no school like Jo’s school!
It is sometimes hard to fully embrace the roll of being a Mum and difficult to find a sensible balance between motherhood and wanting your own identity or “me time”. As I check out Facebook, eBay and type away on my blog simply enjoying my adult time, I also know that God’s plan is for … Continue reading
Finish the sentance: “Bipolar and bingeing on ………..”
You can enter anything really: shopping, eating, drinking, smoking, drug taking, working, Facebooking(!) etc. Bingeing is described as “Unrestrained and often excessive indulgence. An act of compulsive consumption.” There are times we all do things to excess, fortunately for most it is a short lived thing or it can be controlled with some will-power without … Continue reading
Where was the abundant life Jesus promised me in 2011?
Lots of the comments on Facebook last night were from people who were happy to see the back of 2011, it certainly was a year that brought a mixture of happy and sad times for many and it’s encouraging to see that people are looking forward with hope and expectation of a better year in … Continue reading
Rodney the Stable Rat
Charlotte didn’t sleep much last night, as she was so excited about her forthcoming appearance in the school nativity play. Yes, it’s that time of year when every proud mummy announces that their child will be on stage, regardless of their role. Well, I’m one of those mummies and I was as proud as punch … Continue reading
A weekend of visiting friends (new and old)
We know Sue and Matt from our old church in Eastleigh, they now live in Baud, just south of Pontivy. It lovely to catch up (we’d not seen them for several years so had plenty to talk about). We were treated to some wonderful home-cooked food and had a chance to discuss LBV as Sue … Continue reading
A proper way to remember
It was Armistice Day and we observed 2 minutes silence at 11 o clock (well, as silent as you can get with two little ones!) We saw several groups of people gathering to lay wreaths in numerous villages in memory of those lives lost in World War I and to commemorate the ‘armistice’ signed by … Continue reading
St Paul’s response to the people
I was listening to UCB this morning and a discussion came up about the Anti-Greed/Capitalist Protestors (Occupy Wall Street demonstrations) outside St Paul’s Cathedral. I was horrified to hear that the Cathedral officials decided to close the cathedral doors due to health and safety risks to visitors caused by protestors. The decision to close is … Continue reading
ME and JESUS – check out this clip
I’m currently working on my ‘testimony’, but when I came across this clip from an LA Nightclub it summarised what I could not describe in my own words. I know you’re thinking “I’m not clicking on another link” but I urge and challenge you to watch this.
every woman, every man; join the caravan of love…
….well….sort of. We are planning and only planning at this stage to live in a caravan. It may be the wrong thing to do but we won’t know unless we try! Come March next year (possibly sooner) we will be moving out of our beautiful, warm, spacious house and into a caravan. We have found … Continue reading
5 oxymoron’s and 1 tautology
Today has been rather strange; it consists of 5 oxymoron’s and 1 tautology (oxygenius!) Today’s Oxymoron’s: Too much sleep A successful weigh-in A relaxing toddler birthday party Lots of dry washing Quiet afternoon tea with a mummy friend A blessed trip to A&E Today’s Tautology Answer to prayer I woke with a splitting headache, probably … Continue reading
Home-Working, Home-Making Mummy
Yesterday, I launched my own business, working from home, called ‘The Virtuous VA‘. Over the past 3 years, I’ve had the wonderful privilege of starting a family and being a very busy stay-at-home mummy. I’ve gained a wealth of new (and sometimes strange) skills that I never imagined possible a few years ago. I thought … Continue reading
Muffin Top Challenge ii – Wk4
How I managed to cheat only a handful of times on holiday last week I don’t know. I was surrounded by cream teas, fish ‘n’ chips, pasties, pastries, ice creams, chocolate cake, marshmallows etc. etc. I even went to the best chippy in Weymouth and ordered cod and chips for Jez, Charlotte and William………..and just … Continue reading
Muffin Top Challenge ii – Wk3
Out of the mouth of babes oft come gems! “Mummy pick me up, I like sitting on your belly” and “Mummy do you have a baby in your belly?” and “Mummy what’s that in there?” – Thanks Charlotte, I know she’s only 2 but….. This week we went camping, so a lot of the food … Continue reading
Muffin Top Challenge ii – Wk2
It has been a tough week, no carbs, no alcohol, no fruit, no wheat, no cereals, no sugar – just industrial amounts of meat, cheese and veg (plus about 6 supplement tablets a day) and gallons of water. When you need to avoid all the goodies they seem to be everywhere, people offering you homemade … Continue reading
Muffin Top Challenge – Wk7
So, Monday 23rd May, week seven progress……………. You may have noticed that there was no week 6, that’s because there was just nothing ‘positive’ to write about. After my knees started to play up I just seemed to give up on my Muffin Top Challenge. I’ve had zero motivation to exercise and turned to eating … Continue reading
Muffin Top Challenge ii – Wk1
Welcome to the re-launch of my Muffin Top Challenge. Having identified reasons behind my eating habits and listened to God’s warning of the Devils devious lies (see Muffin Top Challenge – Wk7), I’m hoping that following a proper programme will be what I need to keep me on track. So, I am using Neris and … Continue reading
Charlotte’s 1st day at pre-school
It’s arrived, the big day! My little girl is growing up and we are entering a new ‘season’ of our lives. I am excited, nervous, scared, proud…..and a little sad. My heart is bursting with joy but it hurts too. I hope I’ve provided her with all the things she will need to do well; … Continue reading
5 answers to prayer
I can not find the words to describe the blessing that have been poured out on me, I feel a little like Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother). (Luke 1) Elizabeth said,25 “Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.” Elizabeth’s … Continue reading
My battle with bi-polar
Following the recent news about Catherine Zeta-Jones suffering with bi-polar disorder, I felt it was time to share my story in the hope of helping others with mental health problems. My struggle with bi-polar disorder began when I was about 10 years old (although it was not diagnosed until much later). It escalated at about … Continue reading
Proverbs 31 for 2011 women
I was thinking about Proverbs 31 and how I’d love to be like a virtuous woman. I see the Holy Spirit working in many of my friends and they are amazing role models to me. The way they calmly juggle the demands of running the home, being an amazing mother, loving wife and child of … Continue reading
Our evening
The TV was turned off, the housework abandoned, the lights down low, it wasn’t going to be a quickie, we hadn’t done it in ages, just me and Jez……..oh, and God. We spent an evening in prayer. It was lovely to spend time with God and time just ‘being’. No pressures, no motives, no deadlines, … Continue reading
Does God heal?
A week before I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder I received a healing from God. It was a healing that lasted just 7 days, a big reminder that we live in a fallen world and a glimpse of “the age to come”. Although it was only temporary, the healing installed me with hope and joy, … Continue reading
William – pregnancy and birth
When Charlotte was 6 months old I felt I would like another child and a sibling for Charlotte. It took me a while to convince Jez, but when she turned 1 year old I fell pregnant. Jez was very shocked and it took a while for things to sink in. I found pregnancy with my second … Continue reading
Crazy Christian Mummy 