Flying Start Fame



I got recognised yesterday at a children's Christmas party. Four times!

Why? Because of this blog, would you believe.

I'm going to be even more careful what I write on here since it appears that more people have read at least one post than I ever thought would. The post in question is this one last month, all about the wonders of "Play Jane," our Flying Start friend with all the messy play ideas (and materials!)

After we had our final session with Jane last week, I gave her the gift of a collage of photos taken over the months of fun we'd had with her, along with a print-out of the blog post I wrote about her, both of which were intended simply to show our appreciation and huge gratitude to Jane. I thought it said it better than any cheesy card I could write to her.

Thing is, the collage attracted some attention back at the Flying Start office and that spiralled as more people saw it and read the blog post (eek!) It got into the hands of Jane's boss, then her boss's boss. And according to the people who recognised me at the Flying Start party yesterday it is currently with the Chief Executive of Flying Start as a whole! Self-conscious doesn't even begin to cover it - the thought of all those strangers reading what I wrote, without any expectation that they would ever see it is a bit weird.

I'm incredibly glad though to know that Jane and other staff were so touched by something so simple but also gobsmacked that apparently they rarely get thanks. I would imagine they would be showered with praise and gratitude on a daily basis for the work they do but evidently our appreciation is not normal and their reaction proves it. It shows how important it is to let people know when they make a difference in our lives, I guess.

Thank you Flying Start, once again!

:)

Gratitude

“@MaxLucado: Cranky? List 10 good things about ur life. God cures grumpiness with gratitude.”

Yes, cranky is a word I might use to describe myself this week (at times, not constantly!) However, gratitude is something I feel so strongly about; I have a lot to be grateful for. Let's do as Mr. Lucado suggests and narrow it down to ten things!

1) My faith in, relationship with and experience of Jesus Christ.
2) Fantastic, selfless husband. He's my best friend.
3) Beautiful, precious son.
4) Fabulous family.
5) Wonderful friends.
6) A home and food: two bare necessities (are you humming it too?!) never lacking, however tight things get.
7) My health returning.
8) The bar of Lindor chocolate in my cupboard, just waiting to be attacked!
9) Laughter. Whether it's triggered by the hilarity of some people in our lives or entertaining programmes like Miranda or How I met your Mother, for example.
10) Flying Start and the support they provide.
11) {Yes, eleven! I'm breaking the rules.} Freedom. Sure there are big problems in our society and politics but we are a free country.

And specifically today I am grateful for:

1) Home-made mincemeat cake. Yum.
2) Calpol.
3) CBeebies. Specifically, 3rd & Bird and In the Night Garden ;)
4) That Lindor bar. Yes it is worth mentioning twice!
5) The book, "The Science of Parenting."
6) The Internet, specifically twitter, Facebook and hotmail. Keeps me feeling connected and did even when I was too ill to leave the house for days and weeks on end.
7) It being Friday.
8) NCT for introducing me to one or two very nice new friends.
9) A 40% off voucher for a shop I need to visit anyway.
10) A potential tax rebate :)

Thank you God. I am grateful.

An Advent Calendar Worth Opening

Check this out each day guys, I reckon it will be worth your time. A couple of minutes each day. The first one is a bit longer but after that, it will literally be a few minutes. Be blessed...

http://www.igniteme.org/advent-calendar/index.php#

I blinked...

...and he went from baby to proper little boy.