Moments that make life magical: an afternoon at Langley Park

We should have been in hospital that afternoon, preparing for Jessica’s surgery the following day. Instead, we were enjoying spending time together as a family, and having fun at Langley Park. After a busy couple of months with hubby being away frequently, this was just what we needed. Time together to just have fun as a family; time to pause and to reconnect with each other. Soaking in some precious moments before we had to begin the countdown to surgery once again.

 

Jessica and Sophie sliding down the slide towards Daddy - "Moments that make life magical: an afternoon at Langley Park"

 

Jessica’s surgery had been postponed. The children’s cardiac ward and paediatric intensive care units were just too busy. It happens. We weren’t an emergency and we needed to wait for a new date; for a better time for the surgery to take place. Hubby and I understood that and accepted it, but having her “sleepover at the doctors” delayed was a big disappointment for Jessica. I thought going for an ice-cream at Langley Park café and then having time in the playground would help ease some of that disappointment.

 

Hubby, Jessica and Sophie enjoying ice-creams at Langley Park cafe

 

As disappointing as it was for Jessica, I think it was a good thing for us as a family. Hubby had only just returned from a big trip away and was struggling with having to step on the hospital rollercoaster so soon. A short delay meant space for him to get his head around it all again and the opportunity to enjoy some quality time together.

 

Hubby, Jessica and Sophie on their scooters at Langley Park

 

An afternoon at Langley Park was also the perfect opportunity for him to try out his new scooter! Jessica and Sophie loved the fact that Daddy could scoot along with them. I’d given it a try myself the previous weekend at our local park. It had been fun, but I was quite happy to leave the scooting to Daddy and just take photos!

 

Hubby and Jessica on the swings together

 

One of the things I love most about being out and about with hubby and the girls is seeing the big kid in my husband. The way he just joins in with the fun and silliness and so clearly loves every moment of it. Not to mention how much the girls love having Daddy join in with their fun.

 

Hubby at the bottom of the slide with Sophie sitting on him

 

These are my favourite moments of family life. Being together and having fun outdoors. A moment of feeling like we didn’t have a care in the world. We were in the limbo of waiting for a new date again. For that brief moment, there was no mental countdown going on in my head; no worry of ‘what will be happening this time next week?’ There was just the four of us, together once again and enjoying every minute of it.

 

Jessica and Sophie climbing the mound over the play tunnel at Langley Park

 

“Having a child with a life threatening condition changes you. It brings out strength in you that you never knew you had, it makes you appreciate the little things in life, it makes you fear that every memory you make together may be your last, and it teaches you that miracles do happen.” (Author unknown)

 

If I had to sum up my life as a heart mummy with a single quote it would be this one. I first came across it in the weeks before Jessica was born and it has stayed with me ever since. I’ve never appreciated the little things in life more than when the future is uncertain as it is at the moment. It makes me realise once again just how precious and wonderful those everyday family moments really are.

 

Me, hubby, Jessica and Sophie at Langley Park

 

Jessica’s surgery has now been rescheduled for 21st November. As we get closer to the new date for her surgery, I find myself appreciating those little everyday things all the more. The ordinary family moments together become increasingly precious. There’s a yearning to capture every detail and store it in my heart – the sound of my girls’ laughter as they both slide down the slide to land on Daddy at the bottom; the feel of a small mittened hand in mine; the way my girls’ eyes light up when they’re having fun. Little details that my camera will never quite capture, no matter how hard I try.

 

These are the moments that make life magical. I am thankful for each and every one of them.

 

Jessica and Sophie sliding down the slide to land on Daddy at the bottom

 

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29 thoughts on “Moments that make life magical: an afternoon at Langley Park

  1. This is such a lovely post that really celebrates family and your loved ones. I’m sorry that your daughter’s surgery got rescheduled, but happy at the same time for you as you got to spend a wonderful family day together – and it sounds like you all really enjoyed it and needed it 🙂 #SharingtheBlogLove

    1. Thank you Amy. It has been lovely to have that time together and I think we needed it to refocus before going in for Jessica’s surgery.

  2. This is such a wonderful post – & I can identify with every point you make.

    Your relating of your hubby on the scooter reminded me of Andre pushing Cerys so she could pretend to try out her broomstick! I’m also the one taking the photos lol!

    Store up these precious memories, & use them to cheer up Jessica if needs it at any point after her surgery.

    Good luck, and here’s to many more precious family moments when it is all over….

    1. Thank you so much Donna. It’s lovely to watch dads having fun isn’t it? I’m quite happy to be a big kid every now and then but hubby does it better than me and I’m quite happy behind the camera trying to capture it all! x

    1. Thank you Laura, it is hard waiting but lovely to get to enjoy that time together before we step on the hospital rollercoaster x

  3. Oh Louise, I absolutely love these photos of Daddy and his girls, they’re so sweet. It’s so clear how much fun they’re all having, and although I know it must have been so disappointing to have the date postponed, it sounds like it was just what you needed as a family. I’m glad your new date isn’t too long to wait though, and I really hope it all goes as smoothly as possible for you. I’ll be thinking of you all on 21st and in the days coming up to it too. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

    1. Thank you so much Katy. It was lovely to get that time together and watch hubby having so much fun with the girls. Just what we needed to help us refocus x

  4. Shame about the postponement but at least it’s not too long a wait. Looks like you all had a lovely day at the park. Some lovely family photos #sharingthebloglove

  5. You really do make the most of capturing the small things in life that make everyday feel special, it’s so lovely to see you all together and the girls big grins prove how much they enjoy their time with you both too. I can only imagine how stressful it is, getting everything ready for the run up to a big operation for it to be postponed, but I’m sure in the long run it’ll mean everything’s in the right place when Jessica needs it. I hope you get a couple more family days in before the 21st and that everything goes well!

    Thanks for sharing the magic moments with me on #CountryKids.

    1. Thank you so much Fiona. We’re looking forward to having time together this weekend and will be making the most of it x

  6. That’s a lovely picture of you all and whilst it is hard for Jessica to have the date changed, it is good if your hubby needed that little bit of breathing time before it. Simple time out like this, all together in the park is fabulous. Mich x

  7. It does look like a lovely time connecting together, but having been a paediatric cardiac nurse in a former life I can empathise with your situation, it isn’t easy once you have geared everyone up for a set date. I hope it goes well when it comes around. Lots of thoughts and best wishes to your family #countrykids

    1. Thank you Sonia. It is hard to have to go through all the build-up again but was lovely to have some unexpected family time x

  8. I’m a believer in things happen for a reason and it sounds like the delay was just what your husband needed. I hope this family time has given him and you all to prepare for what’s ahead. Adore these photos. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove and thinking of you all x

  9. Wonderful post that perfectly sums up making the most of the precious time we have with our families, especially those mad Dad moments! Funny how children get so used to the hospital merry go round and actually get disappointed at cancellations. Do they have the Beads of Courage scheme at your hospital? We’ve had a year with childhood cancer so I feel your pain. Wishing you and your supergirl all the best for the 21st. #CountryKids

    1. Thank you so much. It is funny how they just take the hospital merry go round in their stride. I haven’t come across the Beads of Courage scheme. So sorry to hear that you’ve had a year with childhood cancer. So glad to see from your blog that Caroline is in remission x

  10. Wonderful post that perfectly sums up the importance making the most of the precious time we have with our families, especially the mad Dad moments! Funny how children get so used to the hospital merry go round they are disappointed with cancellations. Resilient little beings. We’ve had a childhood cancer battle this year so I feel your pain. Wishing you and your supergirl all the very best for the 21st. #CountryKids

    1. Thank you Mary. Unfortunately the surgery has been postponed again. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for us x

  11. This post says it all really, these are the important moments, so much else is just noise. I’m so sorry that Jessica’s surgery was postponed again, it must be so hard waiting x #countrykids

    1. Thank you Sara, it is hard to have it postponed again but nice to have a little more family time before we have to go through it all again!

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