Lacey's Backpack

This is the Hello Kitty backpack I crocheted for Lacey. Don't know what I'm going to work on next. I might look at doing some pieces to sell on Etsy and see how that goes. I was going to start with some small things like fingerless gloves and socks as they seem to sell well. Maybe a few baby things as well. What ever I decide I need to get on with it. I like having something to work on, especially at night time when watching tv.

He Is Risen

If you have read any of the old posts on here you'll know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints (Mormon). I take my religion seriously and so today, Easter Sunday, is a time for me to really reflect on my Saviour and the sacrifice He made for me. I understand the doctrine of Atonement but I never really thought about how it pertained to me. For many years I just accepted it as part of my beliefs and never really explored it in any detail. Then I dropped away from my religion, started living a life that wasn't in keeping with the gospel of Christ. I enjoyed that life for many years but then I was pulled up by the bootstraps and made to see the error of my ways and that was when I really got to know about the power of the Atonement.
All the wrong things I'd done, all the bad decisions I'd made could be forgiven, could be forgotten if I was prepared to repent and follow the teachings of my Lord and Saviour. Repentance is an ongoing blessing for all of us. It is the chance to say sorry, to right our wrongs, to make restitution for our sin and benefits us by opening the road back to Heaven. This is such a blessing to know that I have a path to follow that will lead me back to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Some may say that God and Heaven don't exist but I know they do and I also know that the purpose of this life is to prove ourselves worthy to live with Him in the next life. And that is the point of the Atonement, without it we would never get that chance, our life on earth would be totally worthless. Because of the sacrifice of a perfect man who suffered and bled and died for me I get to have a life full of beauty and joy and if I just do the things He has asked I get to carry that on for eternity.
Not much to ask is it?

A few photos

These are my flowers from Craig, for Mother's Day.

Roses are my favourite flower!

This is the hair bow that I knitted for Lacey and Ellady. Lacy wanted a pink, Minnie Mouse bow so I found a pattern for the bow and sewed black circles on. I croched it onto a hair elastic and voila. And if you do it for Lacey, you have to do it for Ellady so had to make two.

The swans on the waterfront in Lincoln. We had a lovely trip out for our dinner. Sat on the waterfront watching the swans while we ate then had a wander round for an hour. We couldn't get over how warm and sunny it was for the end of March.

I loved this spiral staircase stuck on the side of a building, coming from nowhere and going nowhere.

Couldn't believe it when these traveller's stepped out of the stretch limo. Proof that they dress like this in real life, away from the cameras of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

I'm Back!!!!

I haven't posted for a couple years because , well just because. Lots of things have happened including another grandchild, Ellady Paige, born on Sept 30th 2009 and me turning fifty. I've taken a photography course and started my knitting again so I'm going to use my blog as a place to post my photos of my creations and other subjects. I might write the odd post as well, ha ha!
Anyway, since this is the eve of Mother's Day I thought I'd write about my kids and how I feel about being a mum. I always wanted to be a mum, I never had any ambition to be a teacher, nurse, whatever, I only ever wanted to get married and have kids. Thankfully I achieved that, four times. Each pregnancy was different as was each birth but one thing they all had in common was the rush of all consuming love that I felt when I looked upon the face of the baby I held in my arms. From the moment they were born, I loved each one in such an intense way that I knew my heart would always belong to them. And it has.
Motherhood isn't an easy journey. It is filled with pot holes, twists in the road, mountains to climb and canyons to cross but is the greatest adventure a woman can ever take. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's unrewarding, sometimes it's downright frustrating and your purse will always be empty but when your child smiles at you, hugs you, kisses you and tells you he loves you, it hits home that all the hard work is worth it for the reward that money cannot buy, a heart full of love.
I have loved my own adventure and continue to do so even though they are now grown and don't need me as much. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I probably would have been richer in monetary terms but I'd rather have an empty purse than an empty heart.

Don't want to say Goodbye

My favourite aunty goes home on Saturday. Lana will be flying back to Australia and I am really going to miss her. I know she's in a quandry because as much as she wants to go home to her family she doesn't want to leave her English family. It will be hard for all of us to say goodbye.
Lana is very special to us because she lived with us when we were children and was like a big sister. She had a big influence on our lives for many years and we loved her dearly.
She taught me how to put my makeup on properly, how to dress with style and told me never to refuse to dance with a boy because it took a lot of courage for them to ask. That piece of advice meant I always had a partner for the last dance at school when many of my friends had to sit it out!
When Lana left to go to Australia, thirty two years ago, it was like losing a limb. She was a confidante, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, to tell secrets to and the best friend I'd ever had. Then came the wonderful invention of email and we could keep in touch regularly again. But nothing compares with the opportunity to meet her again. I've realised she is still that funny, big sister, best friend, beloved aunty she has always been in my memory, that the years may have changed her in some ways but in all those important things she is still the same.
I will miss her all over again but I wouldn't have given up this chance to get to know her again for all the tea in China. We love you Lana, God speed till we meet again!

Here Comes the Snow!

We've had some snow! We haven't had snow this often for a long time. Apparently, it's the coldest winter since 1992. All I know is it's COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD. I hate snow, I really hate it. I hate driving in it, I hate walking in it BUT I love to look at it, from behind the window in my warm, cosy house. There's nothing quite as pretty as a winter snow scene before anybody's walked on it. I've always wished I could paint because I've always wanted to have a painting of a snow scene. Anybody out there who can donate one? No? I'll have to be satisfied with my amateur photo's then, I suppose.

Another Year

Well. we're into another year again. It's true what they say about how the years pass quicker as you grow older. I can't think where this last year has gone.

Anyway we had a great christmas. Jim and the kids stayed with us for four weeks. It was so nice to have them here and get to know some of my brother's kids, who were really great. Jamie loved them being with us. Our aunty Lana came over with them. She is mum's youngest sister and has been in Australia over thirty years now. She is still here, staying with mum until March 5th. Having her here is such a treat for us. We love her so much. She was like a sister to us kids when we were growing up and we miss her a lot.

Mum and dad celebrated their Golden Wedding on 27th December. We had a party, a really fantastic family occasion. Most of the family attended and we had a proper knees up.

The Douglas/Mcgovern clan

Mum and Dad, cutting their cake

John had his eye operated on but had to go all the way to Cambridge to get it done. He's still got a long way to go with healing. He still can't open his eye and any light shining in it causes him pain. His healing process will be long but at least he is healing.

He can see blurry images which is a good thing so he may just get some sight back.

Hopefully this year will pass without any mishaps!