Summer?!

 Hello May!! and nearly goodbye too! Its been a few nice days I guess summer will arrive eventually in this country. May has two bank holidays in this country and the first one was the Sweeps Festival for which occasion we visited St Margaret Church's tower which is one of the tallest in Rochester. It was amazing views.....behind Jonathan's head you can see the castle and the cathedral ....both ones the second oldest in Britain.

 Reuben taking in the sights from outside St Margarett's Church. I love the old graveyard stones...there is a real sense of tranquillity and peace in that garden. I really do feel so blessed to be attending this church...also to think that the author of the beautiful heart searching hymn (one of my favourites) amazing grace is buried here is pretty amazing too.

 I don't always get the Sweeps festival, I understand WHERE IT comes from and its necessity but somehow it goes into Morris Dance and some pagan celebrations where I get a little frazzled but one thing I do like is the Art of a MAY Pole dance. What a beautiful dance and such art! Reuben was equally fascinated and really excited to be asked to come and dance too....I guess he is a little shy here.

Bank holiday also meant a fayre at the Castle Grounds and the visit to the Edith May Barge which was built in 1906 and still in use....The boys were ecstatic and Cheyne was loving it however R is a little grumpy as we got there pretty late and the man said we will have to come back for a proper tour!

 The best part of May was we could finally enjoy some outside picnics

 We also made it to our favourite Sea Side Romney Sands. Flying the kite and running along the sea....was just beautiful and pretty simple but THE BEST! these moments are like taking BREATH of FRESH AIR!

 The obligatory ice-cream:))) I loved how they cuddled up. Great friendships do come out of ice-cream and seaside fun.

 May also meant I was taking part in my first ever RACE FOR LIFE! This is an event organised by CANCER RESEARCH and allows people to walk, run and make a statement while raising money for HOPEFULLY stopping this horrible disease taking away our loved ones. I could tell you loads about this event. It was great to be part of it. I felt sooo excited I buzzed for days and I was able to have some real thinking while surrounded by people who have displayed some truly sad and deeply personal messages on their T shirts....! I saw a lady who had a picture of her and her husband dancing at their wedding and the message under the photo said: "three weeks after our first dance together as husband and wife....you were taken away from me....I RACE FOR LIFE and ...." the message was sooo moving and bold I had to stop. There were many amazing messages. I mainly walked but read many messages.....while walking and I was thinking of a few people that marked my life and no longer are with us. Katie Millar was one of them....we RACED in memory of her especially but remembered during the walk all those we loved and lost to Cancer.

 Reuben was my biggest supporter...he brought along his best friend Nicholas and his brother Andrei and off course my little boy Zac. They were very proud of me and don't know how to put it in words but it meant to  much to me to see them take in the excitement of doing something like this. I hope they will join me next year! Reuben and I will def run it....

 Before the race! my boys were enjoying it...so much.

 And nice weather also meant a little something different. I had made a pledge recently to try and bring back some of the simple and creative ideas of my childhood. I know we are surrounded with amazingly technical gadgets and less and less people seem to see the value in some good old fashioned but very useful games. Someone here in UK has recently been told by police they could get in trouble for playing hopscotch....how crazy is that?! On the other side....if kids do not explore their surroundings fully and make use of their resources the best they can how can they become creative, responsible and fun people!?- everything has its place so while my children love technology and have plenty of it...time to fill in the small gaps and get that Vitamin D in our bones and brains all while having fun.

Reuben had learnt this term about famous artists and homes, houses, dwellings in different cultures and climates. I was so excited as he had experienced already life in other countries....to name a few, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Uk so we had many great chats about homes, houses and off course dwellings in general. He even designed his own house with daddy's help ....well it helps when daddy is a Master Planner, Urban Designer Architect....and what better way to mark his learning then calling a few friends, George (he lives in the development) and Georgia (who is also in the neighbourhood and in his class) and have a house drawing competition...it was close.... everyone won!:)))
Reuben has now finished another term at school and is looking forward to his half term....he has not got much planned we will just chillax and enjoy our home and surroundings with some special visit from Anna and Peter (English cousins) and hopefully visiting a vineyard and at the end of the week we are all hoping to celebrate June 1st (which in Romania is national children's day) with a trip to Thomas Land with his best friend Nicholas and his family. he deserves a lot as he has been particularly hard working at school, brilliant at his swimming, and even learning to play the recorder...and generally showing a lot of maturity through some of the things thrown at him....! I am extremely blessed....and words can never say how much I love both of my sons and their really brilliant daddy. THANK GOD FOR FAMILY.

APRIL?! update

This is a little video of Reuben progressing really well with his swimming. I am particularly impressed with the way we really did continue with swimming and the fact that he really did pick up so well.

 Although this was March, at granny Smith's 80th bday ...I am sharing this as its one of my favourite photos. I hope Reuben will always know he will have me backing him up 100% and I hope he will learn to know I am just one step behind him to help him be who he was intended to be.

 A very sweet moment....something that is becoming more and more normal in my house....sharing and learning from each other.

A day at the beach! Its been such a long long winter it feels as though summer has never been and will never come...!!! Reuben even managed to get a crab....and he was so excited about it...too!

 As we missed an update in March of granny Smiths 80th bday here is one of all the Smith side cousins. Reuben was sooo happy he really was sooo excited that he was together will all cousins. I must say I also thought it was a rather emotional moment. Natalie and Matt are now in their 30s and Zac has only just turned 3 in Feb. I wish they were closer and we could see them more...what a gorgeous brood they are:)))

 With Anna and Peter Harrison! Never get enough of the cousins.

 Part of April also meant TATA and MAMA was here from Romania and we got to play and enjoy time with them. I will admitt it saddens me greatly that I did not pour more effort in teaching my children hungarian or romanian (which wierdly is closer to my heart) however I am delighted that Reuben gets to translate all he wants in sign language to his grandparents. I must admitt they have such an azmaing connection. ONe evening while had a bath Reuben came down from his room and asked mama if he could have a sandwich (all in English) he got himself down to mama...took her hand and showed her what he wanted ....my mum was delighted to spoil the grandson....and she was so excited...Reuben also explained he would like to fly back with them to Romania for a while...and was really rather happy to do so....ohhh my little clever boy soon able to do that....

 he is so attentive in many ways...Reuben is often misinterpreted and missunderstood only those who pay and give him carefully their attention will truley get my son....! He knew it was granny;s bday and he insisted in buying her a helium HAPPY BDAY Baloon and as it was her bday she also could chose which game to play and also she could start the game and have a first go! Yes, because he really loves his granny too.

 Another face of Reuben;s the great adventurer and entertainer!! I love his courage, his determination and I suffer greatly when he is laid into or asked to hold back because these early experiences are sooo important. I always try and temper him but never hold him back as I believe trying to reach and fullfill curiousity and while being observed is soo very important...
I read once about an adult who in his letter to his mum who was no longer with him said: Thank you that you said YES as many times as you could and made the world a possible place to exist and embrace. I was moved to tears....as today's kids already have massess of limitations and are being constantly repremanded and held back, their freedom and imagination is being stopped and tuned into computerised and preloaded information and technology and while that has its place I do feel there is a massive lack of spacial awarness of experiencing the world around us in order to develop and learn life saving skills and lessons. I could say a lot about this...but I will try and post some links soon about some of the particularly worrying facts about today's world.....whileoff course back to Reuben I am thankful to God for giving me such a little explorer!

 My entertainer and my atheltic and facinating gorgeous son!

 The Bible says many things about children this is one of them that I love and its indeed true I feel: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward"  Psalm 127:3

The boys that I live for and the boys that were given to me by GOD! I love them dearly and I pray that will know that and will treasure that....always.

Zac Zac Zac March April update

Its been all go here at Smiths! - Every time I say its the last post but then something happens and needs recording. So far I can say Zac is having a massive growth thing on all levels...he now has personality crises and generally looks like he means busniess...most times. He has a routine and gets annoyed if it gets spoilt in some way. Does love copying Reuben and he knows R hates it so he does it anyway. He also figured out how to make things happen and I don;t just mean demanding but literally tormenting us...with no possible regret or sorry for us....

 Not in cronological order but R has lost a tooth which caused a lot of interest from little brother!

 While tata and mama (grandma and grandad from Romania) worked hard to make our side garden more updated we had worked on the back garden...I tripped the sandpit cover and before redressing it I had let the boys pain to their hearts content....they loved loved being out. All together I think I can count on my fingers the ammount of dry days this year...so boys were happy.

 During the 2 weeks Easter holiday I took the boys to Hop farm which is one place we all love. I am not sure what it is about it but we do.

 And we also been walking into Chatham...where the boys just have to climb onto these cannons muts be the tostesteron.

 Back to hopefarm we had cuddled rabbit for a total of 2 tokens probably about 2 punds this generally annoyed me as my sister has plenty of farm animals incl rabbits that we could just chase around but no...here we pay for the priviledge. But I am sure its still better than when I was young we ate the poor rabbits for main meals...that was a little naughty but its how God intended it and I am glad I had that experience....

 Yap Zac was in his element and he loved the playarea which is free and off course his train:))) oh yeah trains remain our daily and most important activity and play ...."make quack peees" meaning make track please.

 And as Zac's Godparents had a cottage at the seaside for a week we also ventured out to the seaside ....Broadstairs....and we loved hanging out with Ollie Dog too still amazed at hoe Zac is not bothered about dogs ....in fact ge managed to get him to sit twice for him to give him a sand bath....

 I was so pleased daddy was able to come and rest with us and enjoy the sea....he has worked so much lately and often goes before boys are properly up and then comes home just as they gone to bed or when they are about to go to bed....its alwasy sooo nice to be around daddy....especially for Zac who really does love and thrive on the attention daddy gives him.

 A happy two monkeys...

 Yeah...we went to Monkey Bizz at 5pm and it was not manic and boys had a workout as you can see:))) Although lady on the phone said they were busy when we got there loads of peole were going....we loved loved it and boys enjoyed the monkeying around. (Zac calls the place "monkey house")

 We also celebrated granny Smith's 80th bday....it was low key but such a wonderful occasion. Boys enjoyed it too as the venue had a great kids room with many toys and entertainment. I really was so pleased the boys were so happy there. Granny and her guests also enjoyed peace and quite and time for chat and such so everyone was happy.

 Thanks to Alex who did so much that day for us. Alex and Elena Vasile have been our best friends for a few years now. this year we had asked them to be the boy's guardians and they said yes! I know if something ever happens to me and Jonathan these amazing lovley people will love my boys and look after them the best they can. Real true friends. And our boys love each other which always is a +.

 Some of the MEN in my family. My two boys I love....I would die for them....in an instant. Also my husband without whom.....I would be lost, lonley and nothing much. He is my perfect half. Also below my wonderful dad.....a man I truley admire....4 of his own children in a cruel communism....then he adopted another child...while having his house open to soooo many. Now that I am a parent I understand the sacrifices he made....the massive undertaking and the life he gave up to give us it all...THANK YOU DAD.

 Tata and Zac!!! I am soooooo  excited these two have got to be in the same photo!!! Although I think Zac looks like my mum .....and Jonathan;s dad especially around mouth area....he has my dad's character....:)))

 He was absolutley shattered!!! Too tired to get up but thanks to MATT WATT (Jon's nephew) we had captured him here in a really cool moment.

And one photo I LOVE!!! I will have to blow this up big and frame it for the boys! These are the 7 cousins....on the Smith side. There is Simon (left to right) he is 19, Peter (15), Matt Watt (30), Reuben (5 and half), Anna (14), Natalie Watt (32?) and Zac (3) ha:)) I love that Nat made it here and she could hold her little cousin Zac!!it was such a serene and happy moment. Thank you Natalie and Michael for comming...and thanks to all cousins for cooperating. They are all lovley people. My boys are so blessed to have these fab older cousins.

March Update

Despite the cold and freezing weather we did have a good March! Boys loved Red Nose day and we did talk about all those children who have so little and how we could help more.

Zac got in the spirit tooo!

At school we had a fantastic School Assembly where Reuben's class has produced a fantastic display of their created toys and Reuben has made from scratch all by himself a brilliant spaceship with cotton wool clouds it was cool well for me and my Mr. Smith we were very proud that he did it all himself and was so confident.

Reuben and his buddy Noah having a little moment of fun while someone else was talking I have to say he was so funny so confident and so excited to show off his ROBOTic moves when dancinig etc.

And then just Monday the 25th March he showed me his super wobbly tooth (to my surptise the bottom one not the dark grey one at the top which dentist said will be first one to get out) so well, we went swimming and just as he was getting ready to get in the water he decided to put his goggles in his mouth and somehow managed to end up with the bleeding mouth ...no tooth.....which meant I had to quicky find water to wash his mouth out and then find that damn tooth...because what would the toothfairy say?! I resorted to saying she will understand but just as I finally was thinking well will make up our own kind of story I found the lost tooth at Swimming right by the pool. So we had the tooth and the fairy came and gave gim two 1 pund coins....so now we are broke:))

It was cool to watch Reuben showing off his tooth to Zac! He:)) How interesting Zac here looks like he was ready to steal it but what he really said was: Reuen WOWOWOWOW:)))

Its hardly believable is it?! Yeah we had snow and some more snow....and that after I managed to do my gardens up early March when we had fab weather (to the point that end of march seemed to take us to believe to wear T shirts ) but noooo we are back in snow suits....and its a shock to the system. I am looking out my garden and I see iceicles and I freeze.

All in all we had a bad school term Reuben has missed twice a good week of school  and seems Reuben has been very ill. Everywhere there is viruses and illnesses and it feels so strange but just keeps bugging us. Both boys have been good and took it in their strive but I am really fed up and need "spring" I want to be able to sit in the garden and enjoy some sunshine and the boys to enjoy their scooters and bikes and all.

Having been ill Reuben has worked very hard both in his maths and spellings. I can see he is now getting the reading bit and although he still prefers to do something creative he does also like to read....

His favourite thing of all right now is animals (and we have to play him videos from National Geographic you tube and NINJAs....)

We are currently looking forward to see MAMA and TATA who are gona spend two weeks with us for Easter. Its been a very difficult year already with Zac having a full on operation and then Reuben being ill.Jonathan works long hours and pretty far from here and I have also started work.... a lot of changes and the boys have really taken it into their strives. I am thankful for my two boys to God and I am nothing but content....I love you Reuben more than I can ever ever describe I really hope you can feel my love always and forever.

 

Mothering Sunday!

 Incredibly proud today! Not only because I have never imagined to be a mum yet alone two times....but because today (and for the past week) I have been able to reflect of just how blessed I AM! Admittedly, I never really wanted to be a mum to start with (there are many reasons behind it and most of them are nothing to do with me being selfish believe me) and then one day it dawned on me WHY NOT?! and thats the story of Reuben. And in many ways LOVE brought him into this world. I am incredibly blessed....for although I have never ever imagined what motherhood is really like.....I have survived it and enjoyed it a lot. And now looking back at the many sleepless nights and the terribly active child he was (and still is) the massive challanges his little life threw into our married life and family life....it was all worth it! And he remains all that and so much more. I love this particulat age because he is now able to argue and to hold a point:)) - and we can see his personality and character developping so well.

 Here Reuben (Ninja) is telling his class....with the help of a wonderful lady his story that he worked hard to make. Its all about Ninja visiting the zoo...

 During Half Term we had aunty Ellie and cousin Maria here and they shared many many happy moments....He has picked up a new hobbie that of Stamp collecting and here they are sorting through for different countries. He is massively facinated with ATLAS's. World Maps, Countries, Cities and off course needs to know what animals live in which part of the world.

 Aunty Ellie was cuddled and kissed and loved...thats my boy. He understands how distance works....and does have one wish...that everyone from Slovakia, Romania (our close relatives) and some from Canada will come and live here close bye because one thing he misses is cousins and aunties who can spoil him...and be his playmates.

 But Thank God we do have granny....Reuben loves granny a lot. He does ask for her and often if need to run errands or shop he asks if Granny could babysit. Granny loves it too...here they are trying to sort out his new LEGO stickers book.....

 Before bedtime...Reuben practices some Grafic Designes while brother Zac does read a book outloud....:)) I think he loves his little brother a lot even though right now he wishes his little brother would be dead...cause he can get terribly annoying. I know he loves his brother as often he sits down and talk to him...explains him things and cuddles him even.

 It was sooo good to see London twice this last few weeks and despite the weather they had enjoyed seeing again the many attractions....they scooted around happily and showed cousin Maria the London sightings:))

 Yes this is South Bank and as you can see Reuben (forever ready for an adventure) is truley in the bubble world...embracing it fully...same for his brother....and aunty Ellie and Maria too!!!

 We had a few parties too...this one is the last one we attended....Reuben was asked to be a superhero and here he is as Mr. Incredible (which he is....)
I particularly like this one....he is soooo sooo up for his party!

NOw remember I was telling you about this surprise Valentine Day card from a gorgeous girl?! She is the beautifull EVA the one that stole his heart for now. He is a bit shy but he does love her really. I think she is truley beautiful and you only gotta see her how lovley and serious she is....She will be a good influence on him thats for sure. I know its early days but I am so flad good relationships are being established.....I hope they will be friends for a long long time....!!

 

And back to that feeling that I never thought I'd expetience of MOTHERHOOD it is true that nothing compares to it. That one does never get to comprehend it as its really not something you can unless you are blessed to be a mum. I am sorry for all those times I have casted judgement or pretend to understand or know motherhood before I become a mum. I am glad and thankful to God for my two cherubs and although its incredibly challenging....its worth every little tear, every little scrape of the heart and every every heavenly moment showered with kisses, hugs and enormous feelings of being loved and loving til you burst!!

 

I want to take a moment to thank the incredible GODMOTHERS of my son Reuben, Cheryl Bartlett and Tina Salter for being incredible friends and great support in being a mum. Thank you for overlooking my shortcommings and for letting me be the mum I should be!

 

And finally THANKS to my mum who has been THE MOTHER that sacrificed, loved and cared in such a way that did not hold me down but set me free to be who I was intended to be and did not ever discourage me when I failed or got it wrong, I am one blessed person thats for sure but I am an even more BLESSED MOTHER and the BIGGEST THANKS goes to GOD. The giver and sustainer of all LIFE!