Monthly Check In | January | 2020

Feeling like it's day 282 of January? Yes, me too. For this month has seemingly dragged so much so I have no idea what the actual date is or indeed what I have even achieved this month. I started the year feeling positive and fairly carefree, whereas now I'm feeling pretty miserable - and it ain't no January blues but we will get to that in a moment.

Something I wanted to do for 2020 was get back to my “roots” with blogging - going back to that diary format that I have slightly drifted away from in recent years. I love that I get to write about all sorts of things on here, exploring my passions and working with some great brands. However, I have missed that kind of brain/memory dump (perhaps that’s the wrong word!) that my blog used to be and recently I went back and read some of my earlier posts and loved looking back at different points in my life. I want to get that back. So, each month I’m going to write a little “check-in” - a place where I can spill all my thoughts, special moments and woes!

A Magic Monday at The Cosy Club

You will all know if you've followed me for the past year that Monday's are my favourite. Since dropping my hours it has literally revolutionised my work/life balance and I'm so thankful I made that choice. My husband and I dubbed it a Magic Monday as both children are at school/nursery and we get to be us for a few hours.

On Monday, we decided to head to Norwich for a mooch around the shops and basically coffee shop hop! It's something we used to do all the time when we were first dating - finding random spots to people watch, chat, daydream and of course, drink coffee (although back then it was pots of tea, I think becoming parents hardened us!).

Roarr Dinosaur Adventure Park | Review

Over the half term, we were kindly invited to visit Roarr Dinosaur Adventure Park in Norfolk. They were having a fantasy-themed week and as we know the park is so well loved, we couldn't turn down an opportunity to visit.

The Ordinary Moments - A New Saturday Routine

It’s been a long time since I joined in the “The Ordinary Moments” but being in the here and now and appreciate the little things is truly important to harbouring a positive mindset and promotes wellbeing. Through last years struggles I’m determined to improve my mindset and capturing and reflecting on our ordinary moments will no doubt do just that. So apologies if this is a little too boring or personal, but this is something I would encourage everyone to do, be it in the form of your own blog posts or in a journal. Take a moment and remember just how wonderful the ordinary is.

Autumn in Woodbridge

The colours are changing and the weather is definitely starting to cool, autumn is well and truly here and whilst it may be cold outside, it brings me so much warmth and joy. It really is my favourite time of year.

30

In September I turned 30. I'm sure I could write a whole blog post dedicated to how I'm supposed to feel. I'm sure I could have come up with some amusing analogies and motivational quips about entering this decade but, in all honesty, I feel slightly meh.

Then There Was Ten #TheGerbilDiaries

This week, well past two months, have been incredibly busy. As a teacher, it's exam season and so work has been so full on, Jamie has just got a promotion which was a very stressful and long process in order for him to get it and of course the mortgage drama, which is now complete (yay!). So on Thursday night when I was putting Darcie to bed I was not expecting the events that occurred.

Darcie was emotional. Overtired but trying everything in the books to get out of going to bed on time. Through her tears and the list of reasons she couldn't possibly go to bed, I began to get a little distracted by some lustful gerbils, which amused me greatly because they're boys. I had never seen them behave in this way and was getting a little concerned when I heard lots of squeaking, I thought one of them was getting hurt! Then I saw something moving in the sawdust and what I saw had me stunned.

Six

And so she is six. My beautiful baby girl turned six this weekend and to say I haven't been emotional would be a lie. I don't know if it's because this year has been a hard one or because six just seems really old, but there have been a few moments where little tears have been shed.

Our Easter Sunday

It's raining, in it's true British Bank Holiday Monday style but you know what? I'm not the least bit bothered. We've had the most wonderful weekend and no amount of rain or negativity can take away from the memories we've made and to me, that's exactly what Easter is all about. Making memories and spending time with family.