Thursday 29th April 2010

It is amazing how quickly one returns to routine and just how comforting that routine can in fact be. I am back on my feet and once again feeling strong and positive about our life here - does it mean I don't miss my mom? No ways.....I miss her every single minute but can now look at the bluebells she put in out house (picked from the garden not the woods) with a smile rather than a tear.

I have kept myself exceptionally busy over the last couple of days and have been sure to surround myself with people who now known and (I think) care for me and this afternoon for the first time since Sunday I am able to sit quietly in my lounge while Nick sleeps and feel totally at peace. I am as always sobered by just what a long and hard process this is, but am amazed at how it has made me grow and just what I am now capable of, in fact sometimes I am astounded by who I have become through this journey.

Tuesday 27th April 2010

The saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed" was never truer than today. At around 8.45 this morning I received a call from Kerry needing a lift to some of her Kindermusiek classes today and what a life saver it was for me....the day loomed long and empty and it was good to have the distraction, Nick had an absolute ball doing two back to back classes and it was so good to just sit and chill on Kerry's couch for the afternoon after we were done - am definitely starting to feel more myself and I count myself blessed to have such a good friend.

Monday 26th April 2010 - Update

Wonders what some fresh air, beautiful sunshine and spring flowers can do for the spirit - am still feeling a bit shaky and intend being kind to myself for a bit longer, but my mood is much improved and I am ready to climb back in the saddle so to speak :0)

Monday 26th April 2010

Today is officially my hardest in England so far - for some reason this time Mom's leaving has really shaken me and it is taking all my willpower to hold it together. I think as I have said so many times before, in my opinion year 2 is the hard one in an immigration and although our second year is now nearing its end it has definitely been the most challenging and this is just another example of what I mean.

I am not however one to collapse under the pressure and after a very sad morning I have decided it is now time to pull it together count my blessings and find the joy so I am off to take Nick Nick for a play in the park with his sister while we wait for Phil to finish chess - as Lin said, try not to cry that she has left but rather smile that she was there, and that is exactly what I am going to do from now on.

The fact that I now know Linnie and co are also coming for the bank holiday weekend has helped beyond measure as I now have something to look forward to and focus on and then the following weekend I am up in London with Tanya for a girlie weekend. My advice when you find yourself in these desperate situations is DISTRACTION DISTRACTION DISTRACTION.

Miss you mom.....huge huge granny size hole in the house right now xxxxx

Saturday 24th April 2010

Mom's last weekend in England for a while and after a week spent enjoying our final little bit of time together we decided on another lovely lazy weekend as her farewell. The weather was once again glorious on Saturday so after a good hearty fryup we took a drive to one of our nearby woods for a long walk.








The children loved the freedom of being able to run wild and we simply couldn't resist a little time in a gorgeous meadow to just enjoy the sun and not have a care in the world. As one of my blog buddies Joanne commented recently there really isn't much not to love in England when the sun is shining and she is so so right.

"Bucking Bronco" in the meadow

Another braai was the order of the day for the evening as wasting this beautiful warm weather just seems sacrilege and then Mom needed to start thinking about packing for her trip home on Sunday

These last 5 weeks have in some respects been so long and lovely and yet in others have flown by, having my mom in our home is a blessing like no other and I am sure that on Monday a little part of me will curl up and die knowing that she won't be with us for another year - I will however hold onto and treasure our new memories and never forget the sacrifice my dad has made by letting her be away for so long, I know he misses her like we do.

Sunday 18th April 2010

After another busy week with the children on school holidays we were delighted to see absolutely perfect weather on both Saturday and Sunday. Mom decided she wanted to just enjoy village life this weekend so on Saturday morning we took a long and peaceful stroll down to Lindfield where we enjoyed fresh goodies from the local bakery in the park while the children played.

Who says England doesn't have blue sky

Playing "peek-a-boo" in the park

Nick Nick is now confident enough to go down the slide on his own

A braai in the afternoon was an absolute must in celebration of the sunshine and of course who better to share it with than the Viljoens - such a fantastic afternoon filled with so much laughter my stomach muscles were sore when they left.


This morning Megan, Mom and I hit Sayer's Common Boot sale with Rob, Donay, Ben and Zac (Si, Phil and Kerry opted out of this particular adventure lol) and Mom and Megs where totally in their element strolling around the almost 400 stores enjoying all the treasures on offer. The weather was once again absolutely wonderful and with no planes in the air due to the volcano in Iceland there wasn't a cloud to be seen.

An awesome awesome weekend.

Sunday 11th April 2010

Spent a stunning afternoon with Andrew today.....he is very close to all my children and it was special for the whole family to have him with us for a couple of hours. First braai of the season complete with Boerewors and Lamb chops made it just perfect and Si was in his element standing over his webber once again :0)

Planning a trip to Thorpe Park....

Saturday 10th April 2010

When we opened our eyes to magnificent blue skies this morning we just knew we had to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. Loading the bikes on the back of Daisy (our new car) we set off for Deer Leap Park in West Hoatherly about 20 minutes drive from us.

Daisy with her name on the back (thanks to Tracy)

My gorgeous daughter photographed against a gorgeous sky

a family game of up and under after the picnic lunch

Soaking up the sun

Deer Leap Park is the best kept secret in West Sussex and comprises 240 acres of mountain bike trails which provided Si and the two older children with loads of opportunities to burn off winter energy and explore while Mum, Nick and I lay on our beautiful picnic blanket and soaked up the sun.

Phil riding the trails




I probably should have, but I couldn't resist giving it a go....with my trusty Phil just behind to catch me :0)

To say the wide open spaces with no crowds and warm weather rejuvinated my dh's soul is the understatement of the century and he actually made the comment that "life is good" in the car on the way home, oh how far we have come.....long may it last :0)

Tuesday 7th April 2010

This morning dawned with magnificent blue skies and just the slightest breeze which meant there was absolutely no way mum and I could resist a walk around Wakehurst Place. The children are on school holiday at the moment and they enjoyed the opportunity to get out and stretch their legs.

Meg and Nick enjoying the ducks sunbathing amongst the daffodiles

Photo by Megan

Photo by Megan

The boys caught in some rare quiet time by the lake

The very best of friends