Last weekend our church held an "Out There" Sunday where various teams went out into the community on outreach projects or to pray in the surrounding villages. Having chatted with the family, we decided to join the team working in a very poor community in one of our neighbouring villages and it was one of the most amazing mornings I have had in a long long time.
The aim of our morning was three fold, a small sub-team got on helping an elderly lady paint her newly acquired (but severely neglected) council flat, Megan and my group manned the free furniture give away and Phillip's group wondered around offering help and assistance where ever it was needed.
One of the most touching moments of the morning for me was watching a tiny boy (not very much older than Nick Nick) put his hand lovingly on a small bicycle that someone had donate and being able to tell him that he could take it home with him....the expression on that child's face defies words but the impression it had on my heart will be there a very very long time.
As a result of the impact that that little man had on me, Phillip and I have decided to try and organise a "Bicycle Recycle" over the coming weeks where we will collect bikes that kids have grown out of or no longer use and then in the days before Christmas we will go into another nearby impoverished area and offer them to the local children.
Christmas is about sharing love and kindness, not about expensive gifts, indulgent food and credit card debt and last weekend really put that into stark reality for me, so maybe this year the Robertson family can give a little more than we receive and really change someones holiday season.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Sunday 27th November 2011
We have been having the most incredible Autumn this year (the driest since 1976 apparently) and have only had one morning of frost so far. Nick, Elizabeth and I have been able to carry on enjoying our days out at Wakehurst with friends and have been making a habit of walking too and from Church on a Sunday morning. Temps have been averaging a very balmy 12 - 14 degrees during the day and considering we have less than a month to the longest night it is incredible that we have only needed our heating on a few occasions.
All the children have continued to thrive this term and Meg's has had the most amazing report with the equivalent to B's across the board. Phill has attended an able writers seminar and taken part in a Math's competition as part of the Able, Gifted and Talented Children's program at school. Nick is loving his school and talks the hind leg of a donkey and Baby Bee is growing like a little weed and has started saying "da da da da" to anyone who will look at her.
I have been busy busy with the Alpha course in the evenings for the last couple of months and we really feel like we have found a church and minister we can relate to and are enjoying becoming part of the community at The Point. I have also been working hard on launching a positive communication program for parents called "Tuned into Talk" and this Saturday was our debut workshop (thanks to the support of my wonderful friend Kerry).
Parenting is something I feel so so strongly about and I am so grateful for the hints and tips that I have picked up over the years. I feel like this is a real calling for me and with 4 kids I am trusting that I am as qualified as anyone to lead workshops. As many of you know I launched a photography business not long after moving to the UK and while it was great fun and I have had a brilliant learning curve through it I have decided to let it go and return to photography as my passion where there is no judgement and I can continue to take photos from my soul and record this incredible journey we are on as a family.
As we approach our 4th Christmas here, our tennis bracelet of life is filling up with some amazing diamond moments and I am grateful everyday for the people who share this adventure with us both in the UK and from afar.
All the children have continued to thrive this term and Meg's has had the most amazing report with the equivalent to B's across the board. Phill has attended an able writers seminar and taken part in a Math's competition as part of the Able, Gifted and Talented Children's program at school. Nick is loving his school and talks the hind leg of a donkey and Baby Bee is growing like a little weed and has started saying "da da da da" to anyone who will look at her.I have been busy busy with the Alpha course in the evenings for the last couple of months and we really feel like we have found a church and minister we can relate to and are enjoying becoming part of the community at The Point. I have also been working hard on launching a positive communication program for parents called "Tuned into Talk" and this Saturday was our debut workshop (thanks to the support of my wonderful friend Kerry).
Parenting is something I feel so so strongly about and I am so grateful for the hints and tips that I have picked up over the years. I feel like this is a real calling for me and with 4 kids I am trusting that I am as qualified as anyone to lead workshops. As many of you know I launched a photography business not long after moving to the UK and while it was great fun and I have had a brilliant learning curve through it I have decided to let it go and return to photography as my passion where there is no judgement and I can continue to take photos from my soul and record this incredible journey we are on as a family.
As we approach our 4th Christmas here, our tennis bracelet of life is filling up with some amazing diamond moments and I am grateful everyday for the people who share this adventure with us both in the UK and from afar.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Tuesday 8th November 2011
Our little time waster is now 5 months old and is the sweetest little girl imaginable...she is patient and cheerful and loves nothing more than watching her older siblings going about their business.
Some may remember a post I did about a year ago in which I described my children in colours, Megs was purple, Phill yellow and Nick Nick blue, well the more time I spend with our little treasure the more I see her in tones of pink.
I know pink seems a bit cliched for a girl, but it is because she is sweet and friendly, her eyes light up with excitement every time the people she knows and love come near her and she is as delicious as candy floss and strawberry ice cream :0). As tiny as she is she already has an ability to draw people to her, and like her older brother, Nick Nick she is a firm favourite with all who come into contact with her.
Some may remember a post I did about a year ago in which I described my children in colours, Megs was purple, Phill yellow and Nick Nick blue, well the more time I spend with our little treasure the more I see her in tones of pink.
I know pink seems a bit cliched for a girl, but it is because she is sweet and friendly, her eyes light up with excitement every time the people she knows and love come near her and she is as delicious as candy floss and strawberry ice cream :0). As tiny as she is she already has an ability to draw people to her, and like her older brother, Nick Nick she is a firm favourite with all who come into contact with her.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Catching Up
The last few weeks have been exceptionally busy and filled with lots of the stuff that make the days hectic but add very little value to the life experience....the end seems at hand now and I am hoping to be able to settle down to a more normal pace again, since living in England I have become positively "rush phobic" and am looking forward to a little peace in my life once more.
Some of the highlights however do include:
Phillip's 11th Birthday Party - Delta Force: Crawley (23rd October 2011)
Phill hasn't really had a party in the last couple of years and finally this year he felt in the right space to get out there with some special mates and celebrate. We booked 18 spaces at our local paintball centre and 12 boys and 6 Dads spent the day running around various themed arenas doing what boys like to do best....shoot the hell out of anything that moved lol.
It was lovely to watch Phill with his friends and see what a confident young man he has become, the party really rocked and seems to have set the tone for the remaining parties this year as we have already had an invite to another party at the same venue because "it was so so cool".
Tom's Naming Day Ceremony - Whitley Bay (30th October 20110
Now that we are living in the same country, Tanya and I are once again in each other's daily lives (even if we actually only see each other in person a few times a year) and I was thrilled when she asked me to be God Mother to her youngest Son Tom.
On Saturday 29th Beth and I jumped on the train to New Castle and once again I simply can't rate this method of transport highly enough. In hours it took me almost exactly the same time door to door as it would have to drive (6 hours) but instead of the stressed wreck I would have been had I driven, I was able to sleep, read and feed Beth during the trip and arrived relaxed and looking forward to a weekend of celebration and time spent with Tanya's boys.
The naming ceremony was lovely and filled with words of strength and affirmation that I know Tom will cherish when he is old enough to look back on them with understanding. It was stunning to spend time with Aunty Gail (Tanya's mom) and to finally put faces to the names of many of Tanya's closest friends. The remainder of the weekend was spent chatting and walking and playing and eating...some of my most favourite things....I so cherish time with my oldest and dearest friend.
Aside from the above two lovely distractions, school hunting for Nick has been the order of the day and I am really relieved that all the schools in our area have me feeling positive especially considering the council gets to decide which one he will attend.
Some of the highlights however do include:
Phillip's 11th Birthday Party - Delta Force: Crawley (23rd October 2011)
Phill hasn't really had a party in the last couple of years and finally this year he felt in the right space to get out there with some special mates and celebrate. We booked 18 spaces at our local paintball centre and 12 boys and 6 Dads spent the day running around various themed arenas doing what boys like to do best....shoot the hell out of anything that moved lol.
It was lovely to watch Phill with his friends and see what a confident young man he has become, the party really rocked and seems to have set the tone for the remaining parties this year as we have already had an invite to another party at the same venue because "it was so so cool".
Tom's Naming Day Ceremony - Whitley Bay (30th October 20110Now that we are living in the same country, Tanya and I are once again in each other's daily lives (even if we actually only see each other in person a few times a year) and I was thrilled when she asked me to be God Mother to her youngest Son Tom.
On Saturday 29th Beth and I jumped on the train to New Castle and once again I simply can't rate this method of transport highly enough. In hours it took me almost exactly the same time door to door as it would have to drive (6 hours) but instead of the stressed wreck I would have been had I driven, I was able to sleep, read and feed Beth during the trip and arrived relaxed and looking forward to a weekend of celebration and time spent with Tanya's boys.
The naming ceremony was lovely and filled with words of strength and affirmation that I know Tom will cherish when he is old enough to look back on them with understanding. It was stunning to spend time with Aunty Gail (Tanya's mom) and to finally put faces to the names of many of Tanya's closest friends. The remainder of the weekend was spent chatting and walking and playing and eating...some of my most favourite things....I so cherish time with my oldest and dearest friend.
Aside from the above two lovely distractions, school hunting for Nick has been the order of the day and I am really relieved that all the schools in our area have me feeling positive especially considering the council gets to decide which one he will attend.Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Monday 17th October 2011
Today my beautiful Phillip turned 11, the beginning of a new decade and final stage before becoming a teenager. As I sat watching him open his present with his baby brother on his lap I was moved by what a wonderful young man he is becoming.
Always ready with a joke and up for almost any kind of mischief, Phillip is at the same time kind, compassionate and thoughtful, his patience with both Nicholas and Elizabeth is endless and he is always the first person in the family to offer help if I am tired or under pressure.
Phill has come a long way in the last 3.5 years and today I got the first real glimpse of the man he will one day be....the baby has gone and I am so so proud to call him my son.
I love you Philly D....you rock B3WB2
Always ready with a joke and up for almost any kind of mischief, Phillip is at the same time kind, compassionate and thoughtful, his patience with both Nicholas and Elizabeth is endless and he is always the first person in the family to offer help if I am tired or under pressure.
Phill has come a long way in the last 3.5 years and today I got the first real glimpse of the man he will one day be....the baby has gone and I am so so proud to call him my son.
I love you Philly D....you rock B3WB2
Sunday 16th October 2011
On waking this morning it didn't take long for me to realise that little Miss E wasn't herself and by mid morning her fever was rising and she was a very quiet, lethargic little person.
A call to the NHS direct (a 24 hour medical helpline) soon resulted in an appointment with our local emergency doctor (complete with an offer of a home visit if we would prefer) and due to her age a further referral to the Royal Alex Children's hospital in Brighton for a consult with a paediatrician.
As there appeared to be no focus for the temp and she didn't have an ear, throat or chest infection it was decided that blood tests would be necessary to rule out some of the more sinister causes of temperatures in children.
Wonderfully all came back clear and we were eventually discharged 5 hours later with a large quantity of ibuprofen and paracetamol. The hospital was amazing and the staff out of this world, they were friendly, efficient and left no stone unturned even though there were children there much sicker than Beth at no time did I feel marginalised or less important.
I am so so grateful for the care we have available in West Sussex, and after what I saw today I am even more hopeful that the coalition government will be able to save the national health system and that this incredible service where no matter who you are or how much money you have, outstanding health care is always at your disposal.
A call to the NHS direct (a 24 hour medical helpline) soon resulted in an appointment with our local emergency doctor (complete with an offer of a home visit if we would prefer) and due to her age a further referral to the Royal Alex Children's hospital in Brighton for a consult with a paediatrician.
As there appeared to be no focus for the temp and she didn't have an ear, throat or chest infection it was decided that blood tests would be necessary to rule out some of the more sinister causes of temperatures in children.
Wonderfully all came back clear and we were eventually discharged 5 hours later with a large quantity of ibuprofen and paracetamol. The hospital was amazing and the staff out of this world, they were friendly, efficient and left no stone unturned even though there were children there much sicker than Beth at no time did I feel marginalised or less important.
I am so so grateful for the care we have available in West Sussex, and after what I saw today I am even more hopeful that the coalition government will be able to save the national health system and that this incredible service where no matter who you are or how much money you have, outstanding health care is always at your disposal.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Friday 14th October 2011
Today a year ago my precious family (less little Elizabeth) were boarding our connecting flight to France on our way back to South Africa to visit. I know it is an ongoing theme of this blog but at the risk of repeating myself yet again I cannot believe that 12 months have passed since I last saw my Dad, our extended family, all the Robertson's in JHB and some very dear friends.
Some of the things that have happened in the last 12 months
Some of the things that have happened in the last 12 months
- Bought a house
- Survived a difficult pregnancy and delivered a precious baby girl into our home
- Nick Nick has started nursery
- Phill has entered his final year of primary education
- Found a church that the whole family is excited to be a part of
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
The miracle of life
As I lay in bed this morning giving Elizabeth her early morning feed I found my mind wandering and contemplating the miracle of the little life in my arms. A few short months ago her whole body could fit comfortably across my stomach as she fed and now her legs are hanging down and she is trying so hard to sit for longer periods having mastered the art of rolling from her tummy to back and back to tummy.
What amazes me the most as I look at her is that she is alive and growing on my milk alone....she is yet to have water never mind any other form of sustenance and with only a feed every 3-4 hours she is absolutely thriving. I feel so blessed to know that my body can sustain life in such an incredible way, so privileged to have had 4 beautiful, perfect children and I only hope that just as my milk has sustained them all as babies, my love can sustain them all as they grow to adulthood and beyond.
What amazes me the most as I look at her is that she is alive and growing on my milk alone....she is yet to have water never mind any other form of sustenance and with only a feed every 3-4 hours she is absolutely thriving. I feel so blessed to know that my body can sustain life in such an incredible way, so privileged to have had 4 beautiful, perfect children and I only hope that just as my milk has sustained them all as babies, my love can sustain them all as they grow to adulthood and beyond.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Saturday 1st October 2011
England has been experiencing an unexpected heatwave over the past few days and Nick, Beth and I have been blessed to take full advantage of it with visits to Wakehurst Place and Tulley's farm with wonderful friends.
With temps forecast to again reach 28 degrees today Si was keen to try out some "wild swimming" in one of the rivers about 30 mins from home in the picturesque village of Barcombe Mills. Arriving at the Anchor Inn we soon realised we were in for a real treat with great open meadows for people to relax in and boats on hire for a gentle row up the River Ouse.
Kerry, Donay, Ben and Zac joined us for the afternoon and although the water proved a tad chilly for swimming, it wasn't long before Si was heading up stream with all the children for an hour long paddle while Kerry, Beth and I lay on a blanket under the trees chatting and soaking up the dappled sunlight.
A magic day made all the more special by the fact that it is the first day of October and we so so shouldn't be having the amazing warmth that we are....going to make the Winter so much more bearable when it arrives.
With temps forecast to again reach 28 degrees today Si was keen to try out some "wild swimming" in one of the rivers about 30 mins from home in the picturesque village of Barcombe Mills. Arriving at the Anchor Inn we soon realised we were in for a real treat with great open meadows for people to relax in and boats on hire for a gentle row up the River Ouse.
Kerry, Donay, Ben and Zac joined us for the afternoon and although the water proved a tad chilly for swimming, it wasn't long before Si was heading up stream with all the children for an hour long paddle while Kerry, Beth and I lay on a blanket under the trees chatting and soaking up the dappled sunlight.
A magic day made all the more special by the fact that it is the first day of October and we so so shouldn't be having the amazing warmth that we are....going to make the Winter so much more bearable when it arrives.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Sunday 25th September 2011
Where has this year gone, I can't believe that we are already starting to see Christmas decorations in the shops and before we know it there are going to be Father Christmas jingles on the telly and the silly season will be well and truly upon us.
With the arrival of Autumn and the changing of the leaves I can feel the family already starting to slow down for the winter and our annual "hibernation", Si has started working on the DIY around the house that was put aside through the glorious warm weather and the children will be going into Winter uniform soon, not to mention the clocks falling back in the last weekend of October.
Elizabeth is growing well and flourishing, she will be 4 months old soon and is really working hard at learning to sit on her own. She is an incredibly alert little girl and a standard comment from all who meet her (friends and strangers alike) is that she looks like she is taking everything in and wants to contribute to the conversation.
Nick is starting to settle to his new routine of school 3 times a week and although he has his moments of frustration he is coping as well as can be expected with Elizabeth's burgeoning cuteness and although we have had a few more demands of "carry me" he is once again showing his amazing capacity for change and acceptance way beyond his years.
Phill is loving being top of the school and is taking up just about every sporting opportunity presented to him. We have made his application for secondary school and although it will mean me having three children at three different schools for another three years we are really hoping we get a space at our first choice school as we really believe it will be the best option for Phill.
Megs has started year 9 in fine form and commented just the other day that things are going really well for her at the moment. Hormones seem to be settling down a bit and she is back spending more time with the family and more willing to chat about things that are going on in her life.....long may it last, those early stages of puberty took HUGE courage from all involved :0)
Si and I are doing well, he is still enjoying his job and has loved the summer and his long lunchtime walks along the Thames. I am in a good place at the moment as well (thanks in no small measure to my happy tabs I am sure), I have been referred to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and am hoping that that will help equip me in the long run for 4 children and all the demands on my time.
I have found a church that I am really enjoying and have started the Alpha course on a Thursday night for the next 10 weeks. Since arriving in England I have had more time to explore my faith, and I have a very strong feeling at the moment of thanks giving. I feel that God is really calling me to give something back now and I am eager to explore the possibility of getting involved in parenting courses and other life enrichment workshops, so watch this space for more updates.
With the arrival of Autumn and the changing of the leaves I can feel the family already starting to slow down for the winter and our annual "hibernation", Si has started working on the DIY around the house that was put aside through the glorious warm weather and the children will be going into Winter uniform soon, not to mention the clocks falling back in the last weekend of October.
Elizabeth is growing well and flourishing, she will be 4 months old soon and is really working hard at learning to sit on her own. She is an incredibly alert little girl and a standard comment from all who meet her (friends and strangers alike) is that she looks like she is taking everything in and wants to contribute to the conversation.
Nick is starting to settle to his new routine of school 3 times a week and although he has his moments of frustration he is coping as well as can be expected with Elizabeth's burgeoning cuteness and although we have had a few more demands of "carry me" he is once again showing his amazing capacity for change and acceptance way beyond his years.Phill is loving being top of the school and is taking up just about every sporting opportunity presented to him. We have made his application for secondary school and although it will mean me having three children at three different schools for another three years we are really hoping we get a space at our first choice school as we really believe it will be the best option for Phill.
Megs has started year 9 in fine form and commented just the other day that things are going really well for her at the moment. Hormones seem to be settling down a bit and she is back spending more time with the family and more willing to chat about things that are going on in her life.....long may it last, those early stages of puberty took HUGE courage from all involved :0)
Si and I are doing well, he is still enjoying his job and has loved the summer and his long lunchtime walks along the Thames. I am in a good place at the moment as well (thanks in no small measure to my happy tabs I am sure), I have been referred to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and am hoping that that will help equip me in the long run for 4 children and all the demands on my time.
I have found a church that I am really enjoying and have started the Alpha course on a Thursday night for the next 10 weeks. Since arriving in England I have had more time to explore my faith, and I have a very strong feeling at the moment of thanks giving. I feel that God is really calling me to give something back now and I am eager to explore the possibility of getting involved in parenting courses and other life enrichment workshops, so watch this space for more updates.
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