The Love Of A Prince

Today a Prince made his Princess smile...
Today I watched our Prince marry his girl. The love that emanated from them was visible to all. There were moments I felt like an unwitting voyeur; the secret smiles they shared were for the two of them exclusively.
While I was watching, it was clear his lady was fighting nerves. Was, until she joined him at the alter and his steady gaze met hers. His gaze never wavered and she strengthened beneath it.
Once upon a time, I was left feeling I would never find my prince. Everywhere I turned were slimy frogs promising a swift transformation if I would just give them a kiss. I kissed some frogs...sadly there were no princes and so I gave up. I had the little ones after all; my own little prince and princess was all this lady needed.
One day I attended a ball (house party) with a friend. We quaffed champagne (jagerbombs) and I met a man. I knew then that I had met my prince. One catch...he could be my prince for 4 months only. This prince had to go to a far away land to fight for his country. If that was how it was to be, then I would take what I could. I couldn't tell how or when, or even why, but I knew when I met this man, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I wasn't ready for it, but are we ever? I tried to make every moment count with my new found prince. I wanted to remember every detail; I wrote down every love note (text message) which passed between us. Really. I still have that book now. Everything I wanted to remember, went in the book. If I couldn't keep my prince, I at least wanted to have the memories of having had him in my life.
As the weeks flew by, I started to hate chicken. Not so much hate, but more it hated me. Lordy did chicken start to make me one sick Mamma. Mamma was to be a Mamma again.
The fear I felt at that time is inexplicable. What was I going to do? My prince was going to get mad, and turn into a frog. The fear I felt at that time wasn't only for myself. It was for the new life growing inside me, a new child who would probably never get to meet its father.
After a time of soul searching, I decided if I couldn't keep my prince, I would keep his heir apparent with me regardless. I told the prince. The prince said 'Really?' I said 'Really.' He said 'Huh' I said 'Huh?' He smiled. I smiled. All was good.
As the time came closer to the prince leaving, I would go through moments of panic. I was scared. Would he come back. Would he miss me enough to come back. We had only been together for such a short time, would we last a separation of 15 months when we'd only just met? So many worries flying through my mind. My prince would hold me, his steady gaze would meet mine. His gaze never wavered; he gave me strength.
A few years have passed since this time. There have been many times where I've had times of panic, and every time he has given me his strength. His gaze never wavered.
Only since meeting my prince have I known what it means to share those secret smiles. To look at one another and know instantly what the other is thinking or feeling.
Only since meeting my prince have I looked into his eyes; his gaze steady, and felt the instant calm and strength travel through me.
And only since meeting my prince have I laughed every single day, through all the ups and downs, and thanked God that the mini prince and princess were bless to have had this prince waltz into our lives.
Today my Prince made his Princess smile...

Severing The Apron Strings...

Today little Tay-Tay started pre-school. Any Mamma who knows...I could end this latest post after that solitary sentence and that be enough. No other words necessary. For those that don't, I will continue... Way back when, when Kooks and Squash came along, I was very young and pretty much took a backseat to the million other people in our lives. I lacked confidence and knowledge, and so, decisions were made for us. Looking back, I know I could have done a thousand times better as a Mother, but then, I'm sure every Mother thinks this way. Always room for improvement; always could have done better; our best was never enough. Now, I settle for being a 'Good enough Mum'...something which came from an article I once read. I don't hope to be the best; I hope to be good enough. Suits me fine, and neither the kids or I are disappointed. Everybody wins. When Kooks started at the very same pre-school in which Tay-Tay has just started, the manager offered me a position to work there. Kooks was 3 years old; Squash was 1. Because Squash wasn't old enough to attend the pre-school, he started at a Day Care. He found it hard adjusting, but we made it in the end. He actually went through a stage of terrible upset, which meant my sister had to take him for me. Neither Squash nor I could face the anguish. Fast forward 18 months, and he came with me to pre-school. All was good. The difference between 'way back when', and now, is, I am softer. I feel more, and I am connected to all of my kids in many different ways. When Kooks and Squash started pre-school, I had no issues regarding separation. I knew they were well taken care of, and should they come to any upset, they'd be absolutely fine. What harm, in all honesty could come to them? None whatsoever. If they cried; they cried. Tears never hurt anyone. Fast forward to present day. Divorce, guilt and new beginnings have made me into the person I am today. The Mamma I am today. As I said, I feel more. And I would actually like to think it's made me into a better person. A better Mamma. If my kids cry; I cry. If my kids are hurting; I am hurting. They laugh; I laugh along with them. They get mad with me; I get mad with them... This morning, while I was rushing around like every other Mother does to get out out of the house on time, I took a time out. I stopped and watched all of my kids. Kooks catching up on iCarly with her bag on her back, eeking out every last second until she had to run for the bus. Squash squeezing in a round of Petville while munching a waffle. Tay-Tay running around naked trying to avoid having her heels caught under the baby walker in which Logi-Bear was chasing her in. And I had a panic. 'I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this'. I was absolutely not ready to take my youngest daughter to pre-school and leave her. I wobbled and fought back control. I was not ready. We arrived at pre-school where Tay-Tay promptly left me for the other 20 knee height people. At that moment I was surplus to requirement. I left. OK, I instructed every teacher I came across to call me if she so much as looked as though she was missing her Mamma, then I left. She wasn't missing me, and they didn't call. The time came for me to fetch her. I drove like a (sensible) bat out of hell thinking of all kinds of reasons as to why they didn't call me. I wrote my mobile phone number down wrong. Their mobile phone was out of battery power. They were so busy dealing with my sobbing child, the couldn't get to the phone. I arrived to find my child laughing with her new friends. The first teacher told me she had a great time. The second teacher told me she never sought me out once. The third and forth said they were delighted she settled in so quickly and easily. I waited for my heart to plummet. Nothing. My heart did, however, soar. Little Tay-Tay heard me call her name and came running at me with her lower lip wobbling and fighting tears. The little one did indeed miss her Mamma. Unexpectedly it came to me. I am a Good Enough Mum. I don't allow for the 56 million people to influence my choices or tell me how best to raise my kids. I raise them how I see fit. And I think I do a good enough job as a Good Enough Mum. And in doing so, my kids are ready to face the big wide world knowing that Mamma will always be there cheering them on. (Albeit whilst having a minor panic attack.)

Many a reason to be thankful

Every holiday I come across all nostalgic. I realise how good I have it...truly. And during the holidays I always feel we owe it to ourselves to give our grumbling a break and count our many blessings. Every person I know has a roof over their head, food in their tummy, clothes on their back and money going into their bank on a regular basis. Yet we still think we have it bad.
Which is clearly why I had the mother of all grumbles at the FFALWL this Easter Sunday morning. Fabulous. Let's backtrack...
All was well in our little bubble. We got up, we drank coffee and we laughed. I caught up with my emails; the man played a hand of Poker on his iPod. Very civilized. We got ready; the FFALWL bathed the babies whilst I had a shower. I saw to the babies while the FFALWL showered. So far so good. Then I came back downstairs. There were toys littering the floor. Breakfast dishes to be washed. Floors to be vacuumed and cleaned and bins to be emptied. The red mist descended. I got mad. I resented that on Easter Sunday, a day ideally spent with family enjoying the day, was going to be spent with me cleaning. I told the FFALWL how I resented this. He couldn't see why I was upset. He would help; the job would get done in half the time, and we are free to move on. Whilst in the Red Zone, all reasoning escapes me. I am the victim, and everyone else gets a holiday. Perfect. So whilst scrubbing little Tay-Tay's  breakfast plate with unnecessary force it came to me. I remembered all the previously mentioned reasons I have to feel thankful. I have a roof in which toys can messily reside under. I'm scrubbing plates because we are fortunate enough to have eaten the food which had dirtied them.
Here was me with four healthy children and the FFALWL (who also happens to have a good, solid career). We live in a nice home; we're able to have nice things. And actually, in the grand scheme of things, I have practically nothing to moan about.
And so it was time to eat a slice of humble pie. Ugh. I told the FFALWL that I would like for us to not argue anymore. 'Uh Jen...I never wanted to argue in the first place.' Ugh. I told him I would 'appreciate a little more help around here'. 'Yes Jenni. Which is exactly what you get. When I'm not at work.' Ugh. I told him I was sorry. 'I'm sorry Jen. I love you.' Ugh Ugh Ugh...how do they do that??
So after my 10 (30) minute wobble, I was back to being thankful for the life which I have been blessed with. And a promise to myself that the next time that red mist descends, I will try harder to see that I, along with all of you, have it good. Happy Easter, guys.

My name is Jenni, I'm 28 and I have issues with food...

The biggest stress I have carried around with me the majority of my life is...my weight. Now, I'm not huge; just overweight enough to feel uncomfortable with myself sometimes. I moan about it, I whine about it and it is on my mind all day every day. I whined so much one time that the FFALWL said to me 'Jen, if you're so miserable, do something about it.' That shut me up. I mean, how dare he? How dare he not be sympathetic to the one thing which was ruling my life? What I hadn't appreciated was that in fact, it was ruling our life. Really.
Now, the FFALWL and I have an 'open' policy. We try and be as honest and open with one another. Even it it inadvertantly causes offence. Which means that more often than not, the poor guy has to hear me bleat on and on. Not this time. My man of so few words let me know that I upset him, I offended him, and he's sick to death of hearing about something, which to him, seemed trivial. I got mad. I told him how this effects me as person. He basically told me to get over it. He finds me hot, that's the most important thing. Typical guy. But he had a point. I think. And you know how us ladies like to talk about weight and such; well the one thing I hear every single time, is 'Jenni, you have such a pretty face...You really are a pretty girl...You don't need to lose that much weight, it doesn't matter', and I know these people mean it. They're not being condescending; they're being honest as good friends should be. I look at most people and see their true beauty, and if I mention it to them, they're shocked. We just don't seem to see our best qualities; only the bad. Shame isn't it?
I started a weight loss group, ate salad, drank water and lost a total of....2.5lbs. If I had had a big fat jackhammer, I would have smashed those stupid weighing scales to smithereens. But I persisted and the following two weigh-ins, I had lost 2lb each time. Clearly, that wasn't the weight loss regime for me. Now, please don't get me wrong, I'm not the type of person who sits around and eats rubbish all day. As I said, I think about my weight All. The. Time. My problem is, as I am running around all day long that I forget about myself. I don't eat three meals a day...I eat one. First mistake. I don't drink anywhere near 8 pints of water a day. Second mistake. Because I Don't eat three meals a day, I'll grab a 'healthy' snack bar. 'Healthy' if part of a healthy diet. Third mistake. I could go on and on and on...I have a terrible relationship with food, and my weight issues are my fault.
To make sure there wasn't any other reason for being unable to lose weight (under active thyroid runs in my family) I went to the doctor. All came back clear, but the doctor requested I go in anyway. She got the impression that something more was bothering me and wanted to make sure all was OK. And out it came, the poor woman. She looked at me with a world of sympathy in her eyes and said 'You have four kids, you're busy all the time...why can't you just be happy? Jenni, you're not even big'. Needless to say, I get this all the time. But this time, for some reason, it hit home. We talked about how the body works and how I am not looking after myself. We talked about how I am one of those people who will have to watch what I eat, probably for the rest of my life. About how, 'do you really have the time to put so much time and effort into counting calories and watch your food intake?' It gave me alot of food for thought (pardon the pun). The long and short of it is, I was super slim before kids, and after having four of the little blighters, my metabolic rate got screwed. Well and truly. The kind doctor offered me some weight loss pills which I thought sounded terrible. They stop the body from absorbing fat, which means it basically comes straight out the other end. Euch...NO! She congratulated and told me that was a wise choice. Referred me to a Dietician instead and I am to look forward to being taught from square one on how to look out for myself sometimes too. Well now, there's a novel idea...
And so a new chapter shall begin. I feel a little daunted and excited all at the same time, and I promise to keep you updated in later posts. Now, please excuse me, I have to go bury my head in a box of Muesli...

Same again?

Last night our little Logi-Bear was up with teething pains until 2am. When I say teething pains, I mean, all out squealing in pain. To say my heart broke a little more with every passing minute would be an understatement. My jiggling up and down, hushing and murmuring, stroking that soft blonde hair of his and praying for a break in his discomfort, almost became frantic. Mamma could not make baby better again. Daddy could not make baby better again. But having cried himself out of steam and an aggressive face rub with his burp rag (his doing, not mine), the little man fell asleep in my arms on the sofa. Having already resigned myself to a long night ahead, the Fiance-for-a-little-while-longer had made me a strong, sweet coffee. And having a great love for Latte...I was certain I'd last the night and be there to welcome the new day with a watery smile, content in the knowledge I'd sat by my baby and jumped at his every movement and snuffle. This lasted 20 minutes. Because, and I have no idea why, but that coffee...Knocked. Me. Out. So the Fiance-for-a-little-while-longer took a sleeping baby from my arms, deposited him into his cot and led me sleepily to bed. All was well with the world, and all in our home were sleeping like babies.

  After such a long night, one could be forgiven for laying the days plans aside and catching up with rest. No such luck. We had plans to visit a National Trust Park where there is a fabulous Manor House and an adventure park in the woods. We were meeting with friends, taking a picnic, and planned for the kids to run wild in the sunshine and woods. I now had a new worry...we had arranged to meet at 1130am. I was tired, wired (caffeine) and could see a to-do list growing at an alarming rate by the second. I'm also always late for everything. 6 people to get ready, an ever growing list and a tired/wired mum. There was only one way I was going to get through this...Delegation. In 3 hours the FFALWL and I managed to bathe/shower/dress all of us, made and packed the picnic, I baked biscuits (American style) for breakfast, washed the dishes, tidied the house, made the beds, sterilized/made up baby bottles and still had an hour to recover from the post-traumatic stress and give each other a high-five. We met as planned at 1130am. On. The. Dot.

So apart from our Logi-Bear struggling with his teeth, I can only hope for tomorrow...Same Again...?

Ah hello there. Let me introduce you...

Ok, I've stumbled through the basics of setting up my blog; I think we're finally ready to move onto second base. The Family. The very core of the little bubble in which I reside. Now, when doing my many hours of research (1 1/2, tops) I was told over and over to hide my childrens identity, don't give too much away, yada yada yada. But I have to say, I'm firmly on the fence on this one. I see no harm, within reason. However, one thing I read that sealed the deal; 'don't give away your kids name...if you can think of a name which would truly embarass your kid in their late teens...use it!' Perfect. (I will use the names to which they answer mostly, anyway...)
Kooks, my pre-teen drama queen. The girl is her mamma's daughter through and through. We lock horns occasionally. We laugh and love regularly. Her laugh is contagious, and the young lady she is growing into is astounding. Truly, truly beautiful. She, ah, she get's it from her Ma. Ahem...
Squash, my blue eyed mammas boy. No-one can tell me they love me in the same way he does. I prey the kid never grows out of it. (If you're now thinking along the lines of future wives, forget it. We'll talk more about that in later posts.)
Tay-Tay, I don't even know where to begin with her. They only made one of her is all I can say. She was put here to entertain the masses, and she makes people laugh wherever she goes. Our very own beautiful comedienne with the big blue eyes. Music is her biggest love. And Peppa Pig. Ugh...
Logi-Bear, the smallest of the bunch, he's the most bashful and smiley baby I have yet to come across. My little blue eyed panda bear who has ladies swooning from every direction. He's so placid he puts his Daddy o shame...
Which brings me to the man in our little world. The man who is my Fiance for a little while longer, who I cannot wait to marry. The Fiance-for-a-little-while-longer is responsible for preventing my crazy little world caving in on me most days. The calmest and possibly most patient person I have ever come across. And he's hot, to boot. Makes you sick doesn't it.
This is my world, and these are the people which make my everyday living so rich and filled with colour. There are days when I am run so ragged, I am struck mute my the time the kids have all been safely deposited into their beds for the night. There are days when I have had to deal with a million requests, half of which I really could care less about. But EVERY day, I have laughed with my kids, laughed with the Fiance-for-a-little-while-longer and gone to bed thankful that I was blessed to have these people in my life.

I think I get it now...

Ok, after putting down the laptop (calmly,and without slamming the lid. Yay me!) I have come back, and I think I may get it after all. A few adjustments here and there, and so far so good. Right now the babies are starting to scream bloody murder for nap time (God bless naptime!) so I will post my first proper entry after actual bedtime (yup, God bless that too!) I will pour a glass of wine and introduce you to my family and begin our slippery slope together during a few Stolen Moments...

Hello, and welcome! Bear with me...

After falling somewhat unwittingly into the murky waters of blogging, I have decided, hell why not; lets give this a try. Couldn't be easier, right? WRONG!! 4 hours in and I'm still figuring out how to 'build your own blog'. This very well may be a works in progress, so please spare me some patience while I earn my stripes in this crazy new world of the inter-web. Somewhere on this page (yup, I am yet to find it) I will have a little introduction to myself and the crazy (not so little) family you will be reading more about in coming posts.
P.s...Whilst we're all new and gently tiptoeing around one another and sniffing each others backsides, I would like to say that any feedback would be fabulous. I am no writer, nor have I ever proclaimed to be, so a little constructive (read: constuctive, not all out 'you suck') criticism will be greatly recieved.