There have been lots of little moments of joy to focus on this week. That’s not to say that it’s all been sunshine and smiles, but it has been a week of being very thankful for the little moments and cherishing family time together.
We spent last Friday down in Southampton at Action Medical Research’s Dine with Davina event. It was a rare opportunity for my husband and me to have some quality time together while Grandma looked after Sophie and Thomas, enjoying a three-course meal and having a little dance together at the start of the evening entertainment before we had to head home. We were there to share Jessica’s story and raise awareness of the importance of medical research for children. Needless to say, it was quite an emotional day, but one that was full of joy too. I love to be able to talk about Jessica and to be able to chat so freely and openly about her is always a joy.
Being able to ride her bike to school for the first time has brought Sophie joy this week. She learned how to ride without stabilisers earlier this year, but fell off her new bike shortly after we bought it and lost her confidence. Having a playdate at the park for her and one of her friends to ride their bikes together was just what was needed to get her back on the bike, regaining her confidence and by the end of it, I felt she was confident enough to ride the bike to school. The downside is having to carry her bike back home again. I’m very thankful that we have a fairly short walk to and from school!
As for Thomas, well, he’s just a little bundle of joy in himself. A lively and exhausting bundle of joy at times, but he is such a happy little boy on the whole and I love how he takes such an interest in everything around him.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:
- Day 281 – I am grateful for the opportunity to tell people about this wonderful little girl of mine, sharing Jessica’s story at the Action Medical Research Dine with Davina event to help raise awareness of the importance of research into congenital conditions, rare diseases, childhood cancers, prematurity etc. We were lucky enough to be offered the opportunity for Jessica to have pioneering surgery before she was born which meant we got six and a half amazing years with her and it means a lot to be able to share her story to try and help other families be given the chance to see their children grow and thrive. Thank you Action Medical Research for inviting us to be with you today and giving us the opportunity to talk about Jessica.
- Day 282 – I am grateful for godmothers, especially when they help keep a very lively (autocorrect keeps wanting to change this to lovely, which he is too, of course!) small boy entertained during church coffee morning (and Sunday morning services).
- Day 283 – I am grateful that Sophie has regained her confidence with riding her bike and enjoyed spending time with her friend riding their bikes around the park together.
- Day 284 – I am grateful to have been able to plant some bluebell bulbs over Jessica’s forever bed. As it’s a woodland grave, we’re only allowed to have one wooden vase with flowers but today I was given some bluebell bulbs by GreenAcres and permission to plant them. Fingers crossed that they’ll grow! Also grateful that a friend stopped by to visit Jessica later on today and took the time to let me know.
- Day 285 – I am grateful for a glowing report at parents’ evening for Sophie. Knowing that she enjoys school so much, loves learning and is kind and helpful makes me so very proud.
- Day 286 – I am grateful for 21 years with this lovely man by my side.
- Day 287 – I am grateful that every so often I still get sent photos of Jessica that I’ve not seen before or had forgotten about.
Other things that have made me smile this week:
- Sophie dressing up in a variety of different outfits to join in with Movie Week on Strictly.
- Thomas falling asleep snuggled up to Daddy. He did look very cute. The downside though was that it was a bit late in the day for a nap and made for a somewhat prolonged bedtime!
What a lovley word. I am glad you and your husband got to spend some time together and got to do it raising awareness at the event.
How exciting for Sophie to ride her bike to school. It’s a shame that the school doesn’t have anywhere to keep the bike to save your arms.
Fab photos and how wonderful you got to plant some bluebells at Jessica’s forever bed. x
Thanks Kim, it was lovely to be able to talk about Jessica. It is a shame that the school doesn’t have anywhere to store bikes – thankfully it isn’t too far to carry it home again.
I still remember those days of carrying the bikes and scooters home from school. Thankfully, at the time we lived very close to the primary school. I’m glad you’ve had a joyful week, I’m really looking forward to Jessica’s bluebells next year.
Thanks Anne. I’m glad our school run is fairly short with having to carry the bike home again!
Sounds like you ahve a really lovely family and I’m glad you had a good week. I’ve not heard of that Davina event before but it sounds useful. I can imagine the emotions and the mood.
Thank you, it was an emotional day but it was good to be able to talk about Jessica too.
Sounds like it’s been a good week, and glad you got the opportunity to speak at and enjoy the event. Great that Sophie’s got her confidence about her bike, Such a good skill for them to have. Good luck with the bluebells growing.
Thank you. It was lovely to be able to share Jessica’s story. Sophie is really enjoying being able to ride her bike and it’s good to see how her confidence has grown recently.
Sounds like an amazing event.
Glad that Sophie has got he confidence back and hope the bluebells grow.
Thank you, fingers crossed!
So glad to hear you had a good week, It must have been very emotional to talk about Jessica, but what a wonderful event and an opportunity to share your story.
Thomas is a ray of sunshine, his smile is so cute. Well done to Sophie for riding the bike. Hope the bluebells will grow and make Jessica’s special place even more beautiful.
Thank you – it was emotional but it meant a lot to be able to share Jessica’s story and hopefully help others by doing so.
Glad you had so many moments of joy this week and that you got to raise awareness along with some quality time together. Congratulations on the 21 years and well done Sophie for getting over her fear.
Thank you, it was lovely to be able to share Jessica’s story and have some quality time together in the process.
So happy that joy has been your word of the week. Many special moments and joyful memories. #project365
Thank you Laura.