The end of the year approaches, and I have not blogged for a while. A number of reasons, being far to busy the main one.
When I say busy I mean busy with lots of things, it has been a year of busy-ness - Friends and Family haven't seen us as much as they usually would, the teens no longer being in education have affected our ability to do much given they lounge around most of the time, and little 'un has found his stride with what I like to call "being himself" - kicking, punching, meltdowns and the like. That, as well as a damned busy work life means that my Friends and Family suffer. Hubby has had to finish work for good, given the pressure of it all on our little nuclear family - often nuclear is rather an apt description.
For me - my friends and family will be there when I need them - and vice versa, but for now my little family are my priority.
The upsides of 2016 are often forgotten as the above takes over. I have had some really amazing experiences this year, I have met hundreds of other adoptive parents, who live the same life as us - some have it a lot worse than I could ever dream of. Those brief encounters have become friends - and important friends, as they get what we all go through on a daily basis. I have learnt that our lives have changed from the adoption of our older two sons, we got away quite lightly early days, and on reflection we have witnessed the good the bad and the ugly over the last few years.
Oldest son turned 18 years old.... We thought that was a positive milestone which we celebrated as no one was pregnant, he hadn't been arrested - despite what we had been assured on placement. Let's just say, we have learned that despite being 18, this is literally just a number, and he is still 12 deep down. I am parking that one!
This year, I turned 40 years old..... I think I already said that a few times on twitter. I could not have asked for any more from my friends and family for the occasions, all flying half the way around the world to surprise me. I am and always will be grateful to them for doing this. I had more cake and more champagne than I could EVER know what to do with - but the people that meant something to me were there when I needed them.
We have had a number of holidays and breaks away, and it always interests me with the questions "how do you do it?" - a two part answer - 1) it is our #selfcare and helps us reform as a family and 2) my hubby is a wizz finding great deals to nice places - who wouldn't? (Note: He has is own FB page for enquiries, and can typically save hundreds of pounds for you, with no direct charge!)
I am honoured to have met the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex, Ed Timpson, and some other public profiles this year, not to mention my new Podcast friend - Mr Al Coates.... He deserves a mention, because he is an amazing man who I learn from every day! Our podcast goes from strength to strength and I am really excited by our plans for 2017 with it.
Oh, and finally, I also won an award this year (and met Clare Grogan!). I meant what I said - we are all Champions of adoption just by being a family built through adoption - regardless of how positive or not our journey has been.
The last few days have been had for us, as I am sure they have been hard for you - Christmas is that time of year we all tend to agree on.
If you are reading this and got this far - then firstly thanks, and secondly, we are a community, we are all living our individual lives getting through each day/trauma. I have and likely always will find some great support on social media - as I can access you all at the click of a "tweet" button.
I thank you for being a part of my 2016, and hope you will be a part of my 2017.
When I say busy I mean busy with lots of things, it has been a year of busy-ness - Friends and Family haven't seen us as much as they usually would, the teens no longer being in education have affected our ability to do much given they lounge around most of the time, and little 'un has found his stride with what I like to call "being himself" - kicking, punching, meltdowns and the like. That, as well as a damned busy work life means that my Friends and Family suffer. Hubby has had to finish work for good, given the pressure of it all on our little nuclear family - often nuclear is rather an apt description.
For me - my friends and family will be there when I need them - and vice versa, but for now my little family are my priority.
The upsides of 2016 are often forgotten as the above takes over. I have had some really amazing experiences this year, I have met hundreds of other adoptive parents, who live the same life as us - some have it a lot worse than I could ever dream of. Those brief encounters have become friends - and important friends, as they get what we all go through on a daily basis. I have learnt that our lives have changed from the adoption of our older two sons, we got away quite lightly early days, and on reflection we have witnessed the good the bad and the ugly over the last few years.
Oldest son turned 18 years old.... We thought that was a positive milestone which we celebrated as no one was pregnant, he hadn't been arrested - despite what we had been assured on placement. Let's just say, we have learned that despite being 18, this is literally just a number, and he is still 12 deep down. I am parking that one!
This year, I turned 40 years old..... I think I already said that a few times on twitter. I could not have asked for any more from my friends and family for the occasions, all flying half the way around the world to surprise me. I am and always will be grateful to them for doing this. I had more cake and more champagne than I could EVER know what to do with - but the people that meant something to me were there when I needed them.
We have had a number of holidays and breaks away, and it always interests me with the questions "how do you do it?" - a two part answer - 1) it is our #selfcare and helps us reform as a family and 2) my hubby is a wizz finding great deals to nice places - who wouldn't? (Note: He has is own FB page for enquiries, and can typically save hundreds of pounds for you, with no direct charge!)
I am honoured to have met the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex, Ed Timpson, and some other public profiles this year, not to mention my new Podcast friend - Mr Al Coates.... He deserves a mention, because he is an amazing man who I learn from every day! Our podcast goes from strength to strength and I am really excited by our plans for 2017 with it.
Oh, and finally, I also won an award this year (and met Clare Grogan!). I meant what I said - we are all Champions of adoption just by being a family built through adoption - regardless of how positive or not our journey has been.
The last few days have been had for us, as I am sure they have been hard for you - Christmas is that time of year we all tend to agree on.
If you are reading this and got this far - then firstly thanks, and secondly, we are a community, we are all living our individual lives getting through each day/trauma. I have and likely always will find some great support on social media - as I can access you all at the click of a "tweet" button.
I thank you for being a part of my 2016, and hope you will be a part of my 2017.
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