#MeAndMine - A Family Portrait (May 2014)

This month has been a little hectic for various reasons but it's been a good one.

I can now share some news!

The month started off with lots of exciting holiday planning. A break away over half term (which ends today) and a third trip to Orlando, Florida! It's not until next year and we aren't going for 3 weeks this time.

No, this time we are going for a whole month!

To say I'm excited is an understatement.

For the first week of our holiday we will be staying on-site at Disney for the first time. Not only that, we will be joined by my parents, Matt's parents and my brother-in-law for that week too. Then we will be retreating to the condo, just the four of us, for the remaining three weeks.

Those of you who know me know just how much Matt and I have fallen in love with Orlando. If it wasn't for my family I'd happily move out there. We both would. We often talk about it.

The last two trips have been booked within 4 months of departure so this is quite a long wait for us but it means we have plenty of time to plan it all properly and I'm already very excited about our plans.

Anyway, back to this years break away! Oops. *shakes off the desire to waffle on about Orlando love*

We have just spent the half term week down in East Sussex. Camber to be exact. We booked a lovely cottage just a 5 minute walk from the beach. We've been really lucky with the weather as it's only rained one afternoon and that didn't spoil our fun.

We've been to the beach a couple of days enjoying some periods of sunshine. We've explored pretty towns and villages. We've been to Drusilla's Park which was great fun. We've also explored some great historic sites. One of my new favourites in fact.

Bodiam Castle.

It's a 14th century moated castle, now owned by The National Trust.

It is, quite simply, stunning.

Just look at these photos of the castle.

If you ever get the chance to visit. Go!

This is where I finally asked someone to take our photo yesterday.

It's not a perfect picture as TC had just fallen over and hurt his knee (at the exact moment I handed the camera to the lovely gentleman who was to take our photo). I then had to pick him up. TC that is, not the gentleman! So I'm very much striking that 'hip stuck out propping a child up' pose. TC had a really bad tummy bug at the start of the holiday which hasn't helped and he's not been himself all week. Plus, I got a touch of it too.

Also, Matt is full of a cold and neither of us had a great nights sleep the night before. Actually, if I'm honest, I'm looking forward to getting home to our lovely super-king bed at our own house. This week we've been in a double so it's been a little snug. We've also been woken by mating marsh frogs in the night and disturbed by noisy sheep at our front door at 6.30am!

Still, it's been a lovely break and despite illness (and wildlife) we've had plenty of fun and special memories.

As you read this we will be packing up to leave our holiday cottage but stopping at the Baby Tilda Barn Dance on the way back home. The perfect way to end a great week away. If you're coming along, we will look forward to seeing you there.

For those of you who remember my Me and Mine post last month. I quote myself…

"My homework for May is to try and get at least three photos" 

Well, before you say anything. I did! I did!

They are iPhone selfies. The first when we just arrived at the cottage after a mammoth 7 hours in the car and the second riding Thomas The Tank Engine at the fabulous Drusilla's Park the other day.

Now head over to Dear Beautiful to check out all the other fabulous family portraits this month.

7 Years

7 years of happiness

7 years of love

7 years of fun

7 years of desire

7 years of laughter

7 years of amazing!

7 years on and I still feel exactly the same as the day I said I do.

18th May 2007.

A small intimate wedding ceremony (performed by my sister) at the registry office followed by a meal.

It was perfect for us.

The engagement proposal just 3 and a half months earlier. These words spoken over dinner out, celebrating 3 years of the say we first met.

"You must know how much I love you, Heather. I can't imagine you not being in my life. I want to spend it with you. Will you marry me?"

"You're shitting me?" was my reply and we both laughed hard. I was a bit shocked!

Then he said "I'd like a marriage, not a wedding".

Another reason why I love him so much.

They call this time the '7 year itch'. Well, I'm not itchy in the slightest so no scratching needed either.

7 years

7 years!

It feels like so much longer - in the best possible way.

It feels like Matt has always been in my life.

7 years of perfect.

Here's to the next 7.

Time

Time seems to be flying by at the moment.

Time is something I seem to have very little of.

I find myself wishing for more time.

But time is something that my friend Jennie wishes she had more of with good reason. She wishes she had more time with her beautiful daughter Matilda Mae.

It breaks my heart to think of Baby Tilda but I do.

Every single day.

Even on days when I'm busy there will be at least once that I think of her. And I think of Jennie. I think of how little time they had together.

A mere 9 months.

No time at all.

Today would have been Tilda's 2nd birthday.

Today SHOULD have been Tilda's 2nd birthday.

But it wasn't meant to be.

There is absolutely nothing that anyone can do to bring Matilda back to Jennie's loving arms but there are little differences we can make. We can be there to support Jennie in person or online when she needs us. We can be sympathetic to how us moaning about how bad our days are would upset Jennie.

We can also continue to raise lots of money.

In the 15 months since Matilda Mae passed away and well over £30,000 has been raised for The Lullaby Trust.

How incredible is that?

The Lullaby Trust are a small charity but their work is invaluable is helping support bereaved families and helping to promote safer sleep for babies.

This month there are two events that you can get involved in. I've already posted about the 'Mile In Memory of Matilda Mae' (Sat 17th May) and the 'Baby Tilda Barn Dance' (Sat 31st May) with details of how you can help. Even if you can't attend the events in Warrington, Cheshire and Egerton, Kent then you can still make a donation to The Lullaby Trust in memory of Matilda Mae.

Those of you who are coming along to the events, I look forward to seeing you.

And remember...

Hug your little ones tight tonight.

And always.

Time goes too fast.

Time can be cut short.

Time is something Matilda did not have enough of.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

Photo credit: Jennie @ Edspire