Finally some free time! During June, between working and studying I was doing 50 hour weeks! No wonder I was shattered. And of course that doesn't include any motherly and wifely duties LOL

So, catch up time yet again.

Me? Well I passed my CTLLS with a Level 4, which means I can go on to the DTLLS course in September. Passing that will make me a fully fledged teacher for 16's and over, but I'm not sure how well I did with the Bridging Portfolio. Watch this space, and eventually I may post and let you know what's happening! I've also finished studying for the first Unit for the Diploma in Playwork - just need to write and submit a 3,500 word essay in the next few weeks. Have had a couple of nights out, one with the Center Parcs girlies and last night with my Racal girlies! I also finally got to go to a crop at MJ's - first time this year. What else? Governor meetings - food poisoning (never had that before and hope I never get it again!) So really, apart from a couple of nights, my life has been pretty much work and study and then work and study some more. But term has finished and I can feel my whole body relaxing.

Jeff? He went away with Josh and a group of dads for a football weekend. While he was there he also got to see his dad. He's been on 'holiday' for the past 10 days, and apart from the weekend away has spent 3 days changing an engine and 4 days decorating Ella's bedroom! Some break LOL Oh, and his absolute highlight is his photograph with one of the members of the eighties band Tight Fit! But I think that had a lot to do with the blond hair, big boobs, short dress and long legs! Jealous? Me? Too bloody right. We also went to a funeral of one of his old Racal mates, Steve. He was only 50. Too sudden and too young :( But the send off was wonderful. So many people we were standing two deep and still people couldn't get in the crematorium.

Joseph? Finished college for the summer. Managed to get all his work in which we were really pleased about. College is going to give him some extra support from September. The git that injured him got away with a 5 month curfew, 1 years community service and pay Joe £100. How does that in anyway equate to what he did to Joe. Actually I can't talk about it cos i just won't stop.

Joshua? Finished his exams. He's got a place at college from September to study Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Pyschology A Levels! He definately takes after his father in the brains department LOL

Benjamin? Not a lot. Laid back as ever. You know the expression, 'if he was any more laid back he's be lying down' - meet Ben!

Ella - Same old! Same old! Bless.

We've also had some lovely visitors - you know who you are - and I have the photos to prove it, so no denying it.

Couple of photos. The first is Ben with his James Blunt hairdo; Ella with a Rachel 'do; and Jeff with a dolly bird LOL

Morning :)

Been MIA. Lots going on. Biggest I suppose was that we nearly lost Joseph, so have managed to lose a few weeks. Long story short, as lots of you already know, and relieving it only stresses me out. Joe was punched. Hit his head on the pavement. Small bleed at the back of his brain. Then the force made his brain ping forward and he had a second small bleed at the front. He is okay. Can't drive and drink for 6 months. Can't exercise. Problems with concentration - I know, that's already an issue with the ADHD, should be interesting! But he's alive and okay, so we'll deal with the rest as time goes by. Police know where one of the lads lives, but the other has done a bunk to the coast. Bloody coward.

What else? Been to Debden for the weekend for a fab girlie weekend - didn't realise how much I needed it :)

Josh's had to take 'extended study leave' from school. It's an exclusion really, but without the E word. Like we needed that at the moment with everything else.

My studying is really beginning to get me down. Maybe the reason I didn't go to Uni was because I wasn't clever enough still applies!

I have realised just how lucky I am to have so many wonderful friends that supported us over Joe's injury. Sadly also realised that some people are so wrapped up in their own lives that not even a text/message on Facebook was worth the effort. Oh, that's not you if you didn't know, this is aimed specifically at those that did know, and still choose to do nothing.

Been scrapping. Ella's been spoiled. Which I think has been good for her. She found everything a bit 'wrong'. Does that make sense? Lynn and Don had her for the whole weekend, and yesterday Lou and Mark took her to the beach for the day. Thanks so much you lovely people, I know she enjoyed it :)

How was that for a roundup!

Nearly back to the 'normal' routine and exhausted already LOL So, no time for jibber jabber. Have altered Ella's crash helmet, and another scrap page for today :)

Just a quick post. Can't believe the two weeks Easter holidays are over and everything's back to normal - well whatever 'normal' means in our house! Went to Alexandra Palace and Ikea yesterday. Didn't spend much, but was nice to browse, and I got a chance to say hello to Anna, Claire and Lily, so that was nice. I am also totally blown away with the Crafters Companion. Will start saving pennies :)

On one of my 2 fave forums we're having a week of challenges. Yesterday's was a sketch so this is my take on it :) The journalling will be about how lovely Benjamin played with Ella , but, well look at Joshua's cheeky face and I think that says a thousand words.

Better get on with the 101 things we need to do today to get back into the school - work - school - work - boredom routine!

Have a lovely Sunday x

Happy Anniversary to Me!
Happy Anniversary to Me!
Happy Anniversary Jeff and Suzanne
Happy Anniversary to Me!

15 years :) If you want details and photos feel free to check the 16th April 2008 post :)

Morning :) Did you miss me? Thought not! So what are we up to?

Jeff has had another tattoo! On his leg this time, the crest of his football team. Now who wants reminding that you're a Sunderland supporter, LOL!

Ben's in France. Robert and Jane treated him to a plane ticket. He's out there for 10 days. I know he loves it, totally different way of life. He's chosen his options - drama, performing arts and music. Notice a theme? To me he has to enjoy school, so his options might as well be subjects he's good at. He's also going to need a little op bless him.

Joe and Josh - much the same. Enjoying the Easter Hols. Josh takes his GCSE's this coming term and has an interview for the local college. Finally started playing footy again this week, that injury took ages to heal. Joe is still keen to go to Uni in America. In theory I have no problem with it, but in reality..... Well, he's still my baby and the thought of him being so far away if he needs me. I know, I'm such a wuss LOL

Ella - what can you say, she's just the same bless her, happy in her own little world :)

Me? Am loving the Easter Hols. Having a complete rest.

We all had a weekend away thanks to the Sun Newspapers holiday offers. Four days all together in a chalet/caravan and we didn't row. I know, I recorded the date in my diary as it was such a unique experience! Been to a couple of parties - two 40th and one 50th. Notice another theme? Our friends have moved up a generation, it's not 21st and 30ths any more :( But apart from that, not a lot going on. So busy with college, teaching and the allotment, not a lot of time for fun! But, working on procrastination over Easter has really helped me focus. I'm even trying to get my 10 week lesson plans done before next week so I can have a bit more free time during the term to scrap and keep up to date with my teacher training assignments.

Gratitude? Well it has got to be Easter and celebrating the life of Jesus. Ok, I know some of you that read this aren't Christians, or religious at all, but it's my blog and my graditude :)

Happy Mothers Day :) I am still waiting to be spoilt - glad I'm not holding my breath.

So were you a Leon or Rhydian fan on the X-Factor? Rhydian all the way for me, complete travesity that Leon won. But we Rhydian fans have been exhonerated :) His debut album sold 500,000 (yep, one of those was me for Josh at Christmas) copies. Leon's only sold 150,000 and he's been dropped by his record label :)

Speaking of Josh. He was out last night with Joe and a couple of mates. Some 31 year old lush gets chatting to him and puts her hand up his tee-shirt to feel his pecs! *insert shocked smilie* I wasn't impressed, but he's cool about it. Apparently 'she looked liked Jennifer Aniston and was well fit'. They even shared a cab to town. Now Josh is absolutely fine about it, but had he been a 16 year old girl, and the 31 year old was a man it would have been a sexual assault. So why is it okay?