Thoughts on faith

After the absolutely awful events that happened in Boston just over 24 hours ago, I feel a great urge to write. Not about the evil in the world or asking who would do such a thing. That would be like giving into the people that commited this atrocity by giving them the satisfaction of knowing how much they have shocked and saddened us.

Of course we are upset and saddened and rightly so, but it is awful situations like this when mankind has an enormous ability to show us what good there is in the world. And it is when something like this happens that people start to question the world, religion and how we are living our lives.

I read a blog post from my favourite blogger yesterday, about an hour after I'd watched the news about the Boston bombings. (Click here if you're curious). It was about faith, religion and what it means to her family. Add to this the negativity surrounding Islam which is, unfortunately, a common conclusion that people jump to after an incident like this and it got me thinking about my own beliefs and what I want you to have faith in as you grow up.

I was brought up attending church, having a strong family link to it and going to a Christian school. However, I am not what you would traditionally class as 'religious' now. I do not attend church to worship. I don't pray. The extent of my connection with 'God' is saying 'Bless you' when somebody sneezes. Seriously, that's it.

But.... I do have faith. I have faith in people. I have faith that the goodness in people will overcome the bad.

  There is so much good in the world Harry. A lot of people focus on the negatives because it's easy to see when we turn on the news or read the newspaper. When was the last time you saw a headline that read 'Everything's fine! Have a great day!'? You have to look for the good but it's really not hard to see.

 Children can see the good in people almost exclusively. They trust strangers, get along with children of all nationalities and backgrounds and don't discriminate by gender or sexuality. Adults tell us we don't understand the world when we are children. Wrong. Children know what life is about. They get it.
 I am including a photo of the 8 year old boy who was killed in the bombings, Martin Richard, to illustrate this. The innocence, kindness and purity of this boy is overwhelming.

R.I.P Beautiful boy

The good in this world far outweighs the bad. It is the small acts of kindness, showing loved ones or strangers that we care, this is what I believe in. The power of a good deed is immense. It makes the other person feel like somebody cares and it makes you feel amazing. Try it. Just something small. Like giving someone 10p when they are short of change for the bus or helping an elderly person carry their shopping. It can only take a minute, maybe ten but that person will probably remember forever.

I'm not about to launch into acts of kindness that I've done. This is not about boasting. But what I do want to do is highlight the kindness, bravery and self sacrifice of those people first on the scene in Boston.

The people who gave no regard for their own safety to help the injured

The people who ran into the chaos rather than away from it.

The runners who ran past the finish line and carried on running to the hospital to give blood.

The residents of Boston who offered up their  cars, homes, spare beds, food and water to those in need.

And the emergency services who put their lives at risk every single day.

Yes, these are huge acts of self sacrifice and bravery and that's not something we can do in everyday life. We can, however, start off small.


 This is my church. This is my God - the goodness in peoples hearts. It's not what we say or believe. It's what we do that matters. Serving others, helping, giving what we can. Not just money but time, a smile or going out of your way to show someone you care. It's enjoying the little things in life and appreciating what you have.


Two photos that made me smile and appreciate my small but significant place in the world:

Your faith that this stick really is a broomstick and it CAN fly

Little things that bring a smile and a giggle

I have a beautiful, healthy little boy and I want you to grow up having faith that the world IS a good place.

xxx

It's been a hard week

It's been a hard week. There have been tears - mostly mine.

I've been poorly and it seems as though you have been testing me, pushing me to see how far you can go. I snapped on Wednesday morning.

You tipped almost an entire cartoon of milk over the coffee table and carpet in the front room. You wanted a drink of milk and wouldn't wait for me to finish what I was doing. I didn't get to you in time to stop you and there was milk everywhere. I burst into tears and so did you when you saw how upset I was. I'm not too proud to admit that I had a little meltdown. Illness and naughty toddlers do not mix!
Thankfully Grandma was on hand to rescue us and I was laughing as I told the story to your Aunties a little while later.

That night, as I put you to bed, you grabbed my face and kissed it all over (including my glasses). I thought my heart would burst with love for you in that moment. Now I was crying happy tears.
These moments are what parenting is all about. The naughty Harry/cross Mummy moments, although frequent, are almost always immediately forgotten. But these moments of pure love, where you make me feel like the most important person in the world - these moments will be forever remembered.


I love you all the numbers Harry x

Silly faces with Hannah

Auntie Hannah can pull some great faces. I have some cracking photos of her that I could use to blackmail her with one day. She's starting to teach you too. Fortunately you still look adorable even when pulling a silly face.

(Click to enlarge)

Hannah - please don't kill me for uploading this. You look adorable too! And actually these photos are pretty tame considering the other ones I have which are far worse...

xxx

Just a rant from me

Grandmas shed was broken into last night. No big deal really. No sirens blaring, no forensics teams and no police dogs on the scene.

It's really bothered me though. I've only just found out about it and I'm feeling the need to vent my anger so I'm hijacking the blog to have a moan.

What makes people think they have the right to just take someone elses belongings? Things that people have worked damn hard for, things that people cherish, things that mean a lot. The people that break into houses or steal cars - what went wrong in their childhood or adult life to make them turn to this? How would they feel if their house was burgled? Or their mothers house?

They took a lot of Grandads decorating tools along with a few other things. Now, it may seem silly to get sentimental over these things but I feel a great attachment to them. Grandad touched these tools. He worked hard with them and was proud of what he created with them. They still had bits of grout, paint and dust on them from old jobs he did. Going into that shed was almost like being able to touch him or smell him.

I feel like this memory has been tainted in some way now. 

All so that some low lifes could make a few quid. How proud their parents must be!

Harry - it is never ok to steal. Taking something that isn't yours can hurt someone in a lot of ways. Whether it's dusty tools in a shed, a rubber in someone elses pencil case or a family heirloom in a fancy mansion.

Ok, rant over. I feel better already. Better prepare ourselves for a trip to Toys 'R' us to get Jess a new bike...

Happy Birthday Harry!

                 Today is your third birthday!

Some photos and a video of your third birthday:

4D movie

Holding hands with lots of Harrys.

With your light saber from Jess. Best picture I could get as you wouldn't stay still.

We went to the Sealife centre in Birmingham for your birthday. Your favourite thing about it was the hall of mirrors. Nothing to do with fish at all. You spent about an hour in there. I had great fun watching people walk into their own reflections. Here's a video of what you did in there, for a whole hour...

This time three years ago, we'd only just met you. Hard to believe that as I can't imagine life without you now. You're becoming such a lovely little boy and you're definitely not my baby anymore. No nappies, no dummies, nothing left of your baby days. It makes me a little sad but also really excited about how much you're growing and learning. We've got lots of adventures to come and I can't wait!

Happy birthday Harry! xxx

It's such a perfect day

There is only one video you want to watch and sing along to at the moment. You want to watch it on the computer, on my phone and on my Kindle. You want to me to sing it with you when you're in the bath, going to bed and even walking down the street. Our neighbours must think we're mad. I think I am going mad. I even dream about this song because I've heard it so much

Your Uncle Tom and Auntie Claire got married in 2008, before you were even born. It was a wonderful day. Daddy was Toms best man, Mummy was Claires bridesmaid and Ellie was their beautiful flower girl. As a present and as a wonderful reminder of their special day, a video was made. It includes family and friends and a lot of love and laughter. You always say that Claire looks beautiful when we watch it. Tom however just looks nice. (Sorry Tom!) You like when James winks and when Grandma Gail really goes for it at the end. I like that bit too!

You insist on watching it at least three times a day. (Stephen - this is why the views on Youtube are steadily increasing. You have a very big fan!) I can't describe what it is or why it's so good so here it is:


And here is the embarrassing part of my post.... Your version! Enjoy!

xxx

It's nearly Christmas!!!!

It's Christmas Eve, Eve. Only a few hours until Christmas eve and Christmas day is within reaching distance. I can't believe how quickly it has come around. We are all ready for Christmas in this house. Presents are wrapped, cinnamon buns are baked, The Snowman has been watched and everything is ready to be shipped to Grandmas house. That's where we will be spending Christmas this year.

This is the sleigh ride at the Co-op. It's been there for decades and I went on it as a child. We finally got to ride it together. Mummy was far too emotional.

Not keen on this Father Christmas...

Look at my snowman jumper!!

Our stockings

Christmas Eve is my favourite day. There is so much excitement building. I remember feeling as if I was going to burst with excitement when I was younger. Watching cheesy Christmas films, eating peanuts and sweets, putting out milk and a mince pie. I remember every year asking my Mum and Dad how on Earth Father Christmas could get into our house when we didn't have a proper fireplace. (He has a special key for these circumstances, if anyone was wondering). It's so magical. I hope the day is special and magical for you Harry, especially as you grow up and start to understand it more.

Have a wonderful Christmas my beautiful boy. xxx

My little rockstar, in a snowman jumper.

You're going to be so annoyed with me when you're older... ah well, here you are rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody on your guitar whilst wearing a snowman jumper. I'll be very surprised if you're not in a band of some sort when you're older, hopefully still rocking the Christmas knitwear.

Enjoy! It gets really good at about 0:40...

 Love you, my little rockstar!

P.s. Christmas is coming.... watch this space!

Autumn 2012 - Leaf piles, Potty training and listening to Queen

I think my love of Autumn may be rubbing off on you. We both got a little bit too excited yesterday when we saw a huge pile of leaves that we could kick our way through in the park. And we did, lots. We were the only ones there because everyone else seems a little afraid of the cold. We had red noses and fingers like ice by the time we left but we were warm and happy on the inside. (You also slept like a log for over an hour and let me enjoy my coffee and trashy magazine in peace. Going out in the cold has many benefits...)

Aside from finding leaves in every possible colour imaginable, we have also been potty training. You have absolutely astounded me with how quickly you have learnt to use the potty/toilet. The first day was tricky, for both of us, but after the first day of wee-wee's everywhere, you just got it. You tell me when you need to go and you are almost dry at night too. We are slowly venturing out without a pull-up on. It's highly likely that you wouldn't have an accident but Mummy is still a bit scared. Silly, I know!

 I am so proud of you Harry. You continue to surprise me with how quickly you are growing up. I felt very sad yesterday that you are now wearing size 3-4 year clothes. That soon disappeared when I realised that means I can go shopping for you. (Although I'm not sure H&M actually have anymore stripy tops that I haven't already bought!)


And now we move onto Queen. Your new favourite band. I know Uncle Tom will be proud of you and hopefully a few other people will enjoy this video.

No doubt my next post will probably be about Christmas. I've already begun infusing our house with Christmas related things. A book called 'The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas' arrived today. A truly disgusting but totally festive book which is exactly as it's title describes. I would thouroughly recommend it. (It helps that it's written by Mcfly, experts at childrens literature and making me weak at the knees, so it seems).
I have also started Christmas crafting. It's like a disease. Once you start cutting felt, you can't stop. I will get you involved this year, you have no choice!

Happy Autumn my darling xxxx

Watch what you're saying...

'Oh my God, you soooooooooo annoying Mummy!'

This is what you said to me yesterday when I was trying to get your clothes on. There are many reasons why I should've told you off for talking to me like that but I couldn't help it. I laughed harder than I thought I could. And then you laughed and gave me your cheekiest grin.

With your speech developing so quickly at the moment, I have to very careful with what I am saying around you. I didn't realise how often I said 'Oh my God' but it must be a lot if you've picked up on it. Other variations of the above include:

'Oh my God, where's my dinner?' and,
'Oh my god, not bed time yet!'

I will make every effort in future to say 'Oh my goodness' instead, however old fashioned that makes me sound.

This is to add to the list of your favourites which at the moment consists of:
'Pack it in!'
'I'm watching you...'
'That's so annoying'

While we're on the topic of things being annoying....
This must be something I say a lot too because you keep saying it about everything. And I must apologise to Katy from 'I can cook' on CBeebies. I've said a few times that I think she is annoying and now you shout it at her when she comes on screen. Sorry Katy.


 You are saying the funniest, cutest and cleverest things at the moment. I wish I could film every single one.
You told me that your forehead is called your one head, (which makes perfect sense), but I wasn't prepared for you to tell the Dr the same thing yesterday. Dr Nagra thought you were very funny.

You have appointment for speech therapy on Monday as the health visitor thinks you need some help pronouncing some sounds. I can't wait to hear what you come out with after a little help.

 Oh, and please don't tell the speech therapist that she is annoying, or that you 'hate her toys', or thats 'its boring'. Mummys face will go redder than your favourite red jumper...

Some recent pictures...

Climbing far too high and giving Mummy and Grandma a heart attack

Climbing trees

Tired, grumpy but still beautiful

Sorry Mummy...

Love you the most my little dude xxx