Nelson Mandela – A great man

Posted on December 7, 2013 by admin

My heart broke on Thursday when I heard the news of the death of Nelson Mandela. Even though i had been expecting it due to his prolonged illness I was still praying his light would shine a little longer.

I cannot remember when I first heard about President Mandela. I think I may have been just in my teens. I know at this time that he was still in prison. I couldn’t believe that the world was still punishing people for the colour of their skin. My heart ached for the injustice in the world.

So on that wonderful day in 1990 I cried as I watched the news of his freedom. After 27 years of imprisonment he was finally free.

I watched a great man teach a nation, teach the world about compassion. His heart open to those who had opposed him, those that had imprisoned him.

Equality, fairness a future for all regardless of the colour of your skin or the wealth of your family.

I watched with pride in 1993 as he was awarded the Nobel peace prize.
It was so well deserved.

Nelson Mandela was an inspiration and he will continue to inspire the generations that follow him.

We mourn the lost of a great man, but more so we celebrate the life he lived and the lives he changed.

Finding a watch that as free-spirited as she is.

Posted on December 6, 2013 by admin

My youngest has just out grown her kids watch and we were struggling to find another that she liked when we came across the Kahuna website.

She fell in love with a few straight away, taking a long time to choose her favourite. Which turned out to be this one. This one of the friendship bracelets watches that were available, Brodie struggled to tie down her colour choice as she loved quite a few of them.

The Kahuna watches have a style all of there own. My daughter said they matched her. They are extreme, surfer, aloha and friendship and so much more. I would describe them as free-spirited and yes just like my daughter.

This watch hasn’t left her arm since it arrived and she has already been browsing the website for her next one. I may have started a new obsession. Whatever happens I’m just pleased we found a watch she likes and wears.

A Kahuna watch would be an ideal gift for someone you know so check out the website. I’m hoping to get my husband one of the mens watches soon as i think they are stylish as well as practical.

*We were given the watch for the purpose of this post but all opinions are mine and my daughters,

Room to grow – Book Scheme

Posted on December 4, 2013 by admin

To say that we are a household of book-lovers is a little of an understatement my husband calls my bedroom the library and my girls rooms are not following that far behind.

Yet over the last year or so I have noticed that the girls were becoming more likely to pick up their smartphone than they were a book. Now I wish this was because they were using a kindle app but no they were mostly using social media to chat with their friends.

Now I can excuse my older two a little as they have to do a giant amount of reading for their forthcoming GCSE’s and A Levels but my little one she has no excuse.

So when I received an email from Room to grow – a book-share scheme I decided it was a perfect way to encourage her back into books.

Room to grow is a children’s bed and furniture website now you may ask what that has to do with books. Well the company was so shocked at the recent statistics regarding the level of literacy in this country that they decided they wanted to do something.

Did you know England is the only developed country producing school leavers who are worse at reading than their Grandparents? According to a recent study by the organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development adults aged 55 to 65 perform better than 16-24 year olds.
A survey by the National Literacy Trust recently revealed that fewer children read in their own time, one in five are embarrassed when caught reading a book and one in three said they only read when they had to.

How truly awful are the above statements. I hate that children are embrassed to be found reading a book. I have spent many hours lost between the pages of a good story.

I have also spend many hours curled up sharing stories with my four girls. Watching their faces and their eager anticipation and what happens next.

Thankfully the company Room to grow were shocked and that they decided to fund a parent book share scheme. The concept is super simple but super fantastic too.

1. A book is sent to you
2. You return the book using our prepaid envelopes
3. You continue to receive books over the course of 3 months (minimum)

I love this

We have already received our first book and my daughter is off on the adventure you can only find between the pages of a book.

I think as parents we have an obligation to introduce our children to the world of books. If not only for the sheer pleasure one can get from reading but for that fact that no matter how quick the worlds technology may grow you always need to be able to read be it on a screen or in a textbook.

The literacy rate should be rising not decreasing.

I’m just so thankful that Room to grow is making an step to encourage this and in the words of the companies director.

“If Room To Grow can help even a single child understand or maintain the joy of reading and create an unending affection of books, then that can only be a good thing.”

Anne Davis, Room To Grow Director

Things I am grateful for this week.

Posted on November 29, 2013 by admin

I was really excited when I read that over at Single Mother Ahoy, Vicky was hosting a new weekly linky called “Weekly Gratitude”.

I try very hard to live a life in gratitude but sometimes I fail terribly. Its that human part of me always letting me down. Anyway this is a fantastic reminder for me. It fact it is a fantastic reminder for us all. Pop over to Vicky’s blog and join in.

Anyway my Weekly Gratitude

This week has been chaotic I am so very exhausted both emotionally and physically. But yet while it has been hard it is has also been a week where I have a lot to be grateful.

Firstly my family and friends. My husband has really had to pick up the slack this week with the household chores, meals etc. I’ve been super busy with training courses and meetings. I’ve also had some health news which has worried me a little and my family and friends have been so supportive.

Secondly I am grateful for the NHS. No matter how many times we hear news of health cuts and waiting lists. I am so thankful for a health service that is free to all.

Thirdly I am grateful for my children, both birth children and foster ones. This week I have watched my daughter receive an award for all the extra curricular activities she takes part in. Recognition for her dedication to sports teams and music pursuits. My foster son also received an award for all his hard work and all he has overcome. I am super proud of all my kids.

Lastly I am grateful for a new wheelchair that we are going to fetch today. This will make our lives so much easier and make getting out and about more fun.

So see even in a chaotic exhausting week I have so much to be thankful for.

Thank you Vicky for this linky xxx

My new Livvy’s Smile T-Shirt

Posted on November 26, 2013 by admin

Over at my alter ego Livvy’s Smile we host many events that require me to wear a promotional T-shirt, both for publicity and recognition. So over the last few years I have gone through a number of tops.

So when I was asked by T-shirt Printing.net if I would like to review one of their tops I asked with a “hell yeah”.

It was easy for me to design my top with the sizes and colours the site has available and most important was the fact that I could add both the charities logo to the top but also Livvy’s photo.

The site offers a lot more that just T-shirts they have hoodies, kids-wear and workwear too.

I was really pleased overall with the ease of use with the site also the quick turnaround of the order.

Here I am modelling my new Livvy’s Smile top.

As you can see the quality of the printing is pretty good.

So if you are after promotional wear check out T ShirtPrinting.net.

I am proud of my scars

Posted on November 22, 2013 by admin

I came across this quote last night by The Alchemist author Paulo Coelho. It was one of those quotes that stopped me in my tracks as it is simply words that I could have written.

I look back in my life and the heartaches and suffering I have faced and realise that they are my scars and regardless if I want them or not they are my reminders of the life I lived and who I am today.

I’m not sure I am one of those people that believe that everything happens for a reason but I know I am a believer in the choices we have to make. Do we let our most painful moments destroy us or do we rise from them a wiser and sometimes stronger person.

I can not honestly say that I ever wished to lose Olivia but I can say that losing her has allowed me the empathy to walk along side other grieving parents.

I won’t ever admit to being grateful to be living in constant pain but I am grateful that I can understand and support others in the same situation.

These moments don’t always have to be dramatic occurrences they can also be found in the simple things. The kindness you show to others can be the example you set for your children. The opening of your heart to a friend may allow that friend to open her heart to another.

Life is all about choices and the decisions we make at the hardest of times and at the easiest of times. They become the definition of who we are.

I am proud of my scars they are what made me who I am today.

Keeping my girls safe.

Posted on November 20, 2013 by admin

My girls are growing up and as much as I don’t like it I am finding it to be something I am having to accept.

Yet with their older years I am also finding that they want to be out and about more without me or the dad hanging around. While I am happy that they are social and living life I do worry constantly about their safety making sure they have a fully charged phone before they leave and always knowing the general idea of their plans.

Even though I still worry so when I received an email regarding a new safety app I was rather excited.

PanicMe is an easy to use app which turns your smartphone into a personal safety device. It is something that you can download to your own and your child’s phone quite easily.

How it Works

Developed in consultation with local police forces, PanicMe allows you to create a personalised response network of your friends and family who will be contacted when a panic alert is triggered. A traffic light system (red, amber, green) offers three panic options depending on the urgency of the event and up to 30 contacts from your phone can be selected for each panic option.

Red Alert: high risk situation. You are in serious trouble and danger is imminent. You may be in fear of being attacked, abducted or seriously ill and urgent assistance is required.
Amber Alert: medium risk situation. You are in serious trouble and may come to harm if help doesn’t come within half an hour to an hour.
Green Alert: low risk situation. You may be lost, separated from your group or your car has broken down and you require help within an hour or two.

The app features GPRS tracking (TrackMe) which shows your panic response network your exact location and also indicates the location of your chosen contacts making it easy to identify the nearest potential responders. Data capture is activated once an alert has been triggered logging your location as well as any available Bluetooth connections.

When an alarm is raised, contacts are notified by push messages to their own smartphone at regular intervals, which vary depending on the chosen panic option, until the alarm is deactivated.

David Lindley QPM, former Deputy Chief Constable commented: ‘‘There may be any number of reasons and circumstances why people feel afraid or vulnerable. Apps like PanicMe offer a simple and practical way to help anyone who feels unsafe or vulnerable. Families and friends can be confident that they will be quickly contacted if the one they love feels vulnerable or needs help.”

The basic version of the app, PanicMe Lite, is free to download and includes the green panic option only. The full version, PanicMe Pro, includes all features including TrackMe and costs £14.99 annually. Both apps are available for iPhone, Android and Windows smartphones. For more information visit www.panicme.com or like us on Facebook

I am rather excited about this app, it will allow me to feel a little more confident of my girls safety when they are out and about. It works for them as like most teenagers they are never without their smart phones.

Well worth taking a look at, isn’t it. It will certainly help bring me a little more peace of mind.

KEEPING MY GIRLS SAFE

I need my coffee

Posted on November 19, 2013 by admin

Its a well known fact in my house that mom needs her coffee. With many late nights and too many early mornings I honestly believe I survive on caffeine alone.

Over the years i have in my husband’s words become a “coffee snob” liking only the richer stronger blends.

So when I was approached by Beanie’s I wasn’t sure as I simply haven’t a taste for flavoured coffee’s but I did decide to give them a go as their reputation for quality coffee preceded them.

Personally I didn’t enjoy them but I know that this is just my view as the teenagers really enjoyed them. Especially the carmel flavoured one which was described as naughty but nice. Even my husband who isn’t a coffee drinker enjoyed a mug or two.

The quality of the coffee is evident in the taste and for anyone who enjoys their flavoured coffee I recommend them.

They have a variety of flavours, we tried the Caramel, the Amaretto Almond and the Winter Warmer but there are many more flavours in the range for you to try if these are not to your taste. My girls have already requested I get the Double Choc.

I do really recommend the brand and I think they are perfect to have in your cupboard especially with the forthcoming season. A bit of variety for your Christmas visitors.

My Christmas Hero.

Posted on November 14, 2013 by admin

I love blogging but never more so than when I get the opportunity to love on someone I respect and admire.

So when I was asked by Thorntons to choose someone to be my Christmas Hero I seriously jumped at the chance. It was so simple to know who I was going to choose, as this lady is not only my hero but the hero of hundreds of children.

Let me introduce you to my dear friend Ros

I met Ros about three years ago at our annual camping trip with Special Kids in the UK. Straight away I knew we would be friends but I never expected the impact she would make on my life.

Ros is one of those ladies that tells it as it is but while this may seem straight forward to some her honesty is always full of love and compassion.

She is a mother,grandmother and a foster parent to children with special needs too. She is always busy either involved with family, church activities, special needs or with her charity work.

Yet while she has a super active life she has always been there for me over the last few years.

She is the person I turn to when I am feeling low.

She is the person I look to for strength.

She is my dear dear friend.

But the reason I have chosen Ros to be my Christmas Hero is because of the tireless work she does throughout the year filling shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child. Each year Ros tries to send as many as she can to children across the world in need. From the moment the van leaves with this years boxes she starts on those for the following year. Last year Ros and her family and friends made a 1000 boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse. A thousand boxes how incredible is that. When I asked Ros while she does this her answer was simply “Every box is a child’s smile”. A pretty amazing reason from an amazing lady.

So its easy to see why I choose Ros as my Thornton’s Christmas Hero.

To be honest Ros is my year round hero. I think she is simply wonderful and I am blessed to call her my friend.

Enjoy your chocolates Ros.

Don’t pity me for being a blogger.

Posted on November 12, 2013 by admin

I am getting so tired of seeing the look on the faces of people when I tell them I’m a blogger. It’s as if in that single sentence I have become a second class citizen. As if my writing is nothing but a little hobby that I have taken too far. As if publishing my words is a cry for attention.

This makes me angry probably more than it should, but I am still working on those self belief issues.

You see I don’t write as a hobby.

I don’t write as a cry for attention.

I write and I blog simply because I love it.

When I first published a blog post it was in determination. I wanted to show that raising a child with Special Needs was hard yes, but that it also brought you a lot of joy. I was tired of people feeling sorry for me for having Olivia. I wanted them to see what a gift she was to me.

I wanted to share my ideas and experiences with anyone that was willing to read.

After Olivia died I considered giving up blogging. I felt that I have nothing left to share. Then somehow I found myself writing about my grief and my pain. I expected these posts just be shared between family and friends but then I found other grieving parents contacting me telling me that my words were helping them. That they were finding comfort and strength in my posts.

So I carried on writing

In the last 6 years my blog has become my friend. Its a place I bare my soul and times yes I may over share but I do wear my heart on my sleeve and my writing shows this. I cannot make apologies for who I am.

This blog has been on a journey with me. As my tagline states “a journey through this chaos we call life”.

This blog has brought me some amazing opportunities. I have attended some great events and received the opportunity to write some fantastic reviews.

It has also given me a platform to educate and inform people about Special Needs and Rett Syndrome.

This blog has brought me into contact with people who have become friends, dear friends.

But beyond all this, on this blog I have found freedom.

Freedom to allow the words that have been running around inside my head a place to fall out. The endless journals of bygone days are now being filled here in my virtual diary.

I can accept some may never understand why I blog. But please don’t pity me for being a blogger. I am blooming proud of this piece of cyberspace I call home.