Read all about it....

I have had a whirlwind week! Lots and lots happening at the moment.

I have an unconditional offer to do an access course at my local college starting in September, plus three more interviews for other colleges.

My conditional offer for Uni in September relies on me passing the M-SAP test on May 18th, I have been worried about it, especially as we are the first group of potential students to sit it and we do not know the pass rate.
I emailed the lecturers last week asking for their advice over the access course and if there was anything else I could do in preparation for 2014, should I not pass this test.

I then got a phone call on Tuesday from the lecturer telling me that they clearly had more confidence in me than I had in myself!!!
The reason the pass rate is no known is because the lecturers themselves decide who has passed and it is the essay section they are looking at more than the Math.
Was a very reassuring and confidence boosting conversation, all I can do is my very best, which is what I intend to do.

Either way, I am very much looking forward to returning to education in September.

In other news this week, we have some money winging its way to us, courtesy of a recent PPI claim!!
This will pay for more work to be done on the loft, hopefully enough to cover the remaining materials and we can get Owen up in the loft a.s.a.p.

And, the best news all week, is we have received notification that Mark's annulment is going through, we are awaiting the final paperwork but it looks like we are able renew our vows and have our marriage blessed in Church and are looking at next July, 2014 for this to happen, with a party to follow.
The children are very excited and are planning what outfits they will wear, especially the girls.

I have an urge to try my wedding dress on, to see which areas of my body need tweaking to get it to fit again ;-)

All in all, a week full of exciting news.

Holidays!!

So, last night, Mark and I were reminiscing over all the family holidays we have had since we met in 1999, I was struggling to remember some, so being the anal person I am, I decided to make a list!  :-D

October 2000 - Haven, Hafan y Mor in Wales. (first family holiday with Owen aged 5 months)

July 2001 - Isle of Wight, Orchardcroft Hotel, Shanklin (Honeymoon)

October 2001 - Hoseasons, Ryde in Kent.


May 2002 - Lowestoft, bungalow.

July 2002 - weekend for our first wedding anniversary in Aberdaron.

October 2002 - Salou (first time abroad)


May 2003 - Sunnysands caravan park in Barmouth.

June 2003 - First camping trip in trailer tent to Crowden.

August 2003 - trailer tent trip to Somerset.


April 2004 - Camping and caravan club at Moreton, Dorset in our caravan.

May 2004 - Camping and caravan club at Oban.

June 2004 - Camping and caravan club at Clent hills.

August 2004 - Camping and caravan club at St Davids. (last holiday before we started fostering)


May 2005 -  Camping and caravan club at Cardigan bay. (with foster children and friends)

August 2005 - Camping and caravan club at Windermere. (with foster children and friends)


April 2006 - Camping and caravan club at Walton on Thames with foster children)

July 2006 - Greenacres, Porthmadog. (Monica's 1st holiday)


July 2007 - Canterbury, furst time in a tent.


July 2008 - Greenacres, Porthmadog. (Peter's 1st holiday)


April 2009 - Presthaven Sands, Wales (holiday with a friend)

July 2009 - Maentwrog, Wales in a cottage. (holiday with Mum and dad)

August 2009 - Marton Mere, Haven site.


January 2010 - Lanzarote, self catering.

July 2010 - Greenacres, Porthmadog, back in our own touring caravan. (Martha's 1st holiday)


January 2011 - Tenerife, half board.

April 2011 - Camping and caravan club at Bala.

May 2011 - Camping and caravan club at Dorset.

July 2011 - Isle of wight, in a cottage. (10 year wedding anniversary)


Janurary 2012 - Tenerife, all inclusive.

March 2012 - long weekend at Brynteg, Wales. (for peter's birthday)

April 2012 - long weekend at Butlins, Skegness.

June 2012 - Hoseason, Talacre. (holiday with friends)

August 2012 - Camping and caravan club, Bala.


April 2013 - Short break in Garstang Preston, back in our own tourer again. (Jason's 1st holiday)

May/June 2013 - Camping and caravan club at Bala for two weeks. (one week on my own)

August 2013 - Camping and caravan club at Bala.

October 2013 - Majorca, all inclusive.

By the end of this year, 37 holidays since 2000! not including the weekends we visited family in kent.

When we first started our family, I remember saying that i wanted my Children grow up experiencing lots of holidays and i think we are achieving that, if I can find the time, I bet I could backdate a travel blog by using my memory and photographs because each holiday we went on would involve us visiting different places, exploring the local area.

We are still planning on our Europe trip, next year we have plans to take our Caravan to France, whether we go further is yet to be discussed.

Cannot wait for our next holiday!

growing pains

So, my baby girl has ended her fluffy days :-(

I feel really emotional over her growing up!

I have sold most of her special nappies and now I am grieving over never having another baby girl.

God help me when Jason gets to this stage!

Down but not out.......

I have come to the conclusion that having 5 children, specifically 4 under the age of 7 is hard work.

It has taken me a few months but I have to admit defeat!  My standards are slipping somewhat.

Washing is being washed but left to pile high on the dining room table, meaning wardrobes are looking bare.
Freezers are almost bare due to not having the time to get a big shop done.
Piles of paperwork, forms etc to be filled in, posted.
Items that I want to sell are piled up, awaiting photos so I can advertise.
Lots of jobs outdoors to be done, involving a pressure washer.
Carpets needs cleaning.
Windows need washing.
Oven could do with a scrub.
Studying for my M-SAP test in May.
Homework
Getting to School on time (impossible!)
Bathing the children

Most of the jobs can wait, they will be there when my children aren't but some 'need' to be done!  the daily stuff is just becoming more impossible to keep on top of.

Jason is having a massive developmental spurt! he is starting to sit up, showing an interest in food, which means he is hardly sleeping and when awake wants to nurse - alot!

I am so tired, I am actually dreading this coming week and my ability to actually get up for 7am and get to School, never mind on time!
I also have Peter's appointment with his Surgeon on Tuesday and two or three other appointments in the week.

Everything will get back on track, in the meantime I shall continue to be annoyingly disorganised, zombified and living in clutter.

Life

Easter over, children back to School, Mark back to work, big fat *sigh.

Martha has decided she is now a big girl and wants to wear knickers, such an independent little lady, emptying her own potty as well!

Jason is on a feeding frenzy, increasing my supply, not sleeping.

Monica is sleep walking!

Peter is still waking in the night coughing, trying to block out his up coming appointment on April 16th.

I need sleep, I need more School holidays and family time.

So much happening over the next few months, increasing my shifts at work, although no idea what's happening long term, possibility of a new job working from home, an exam to sit in May that will make or break my plans for September.

At some point I need to see the Doctor about my own health issues! something else is always more important though.

Always someone or something to worry about.

6 weeks time, I shall be holidaying for two weeks in beautiful Bala, this is keeping me going, something to look forward to!

My head is mashed, permanent tension headache.

My current situ in a nutshell.