How do you know?

Chris and I are the blessed parents of 3 beautiful children...

Once upon a time, due to personal circumstances, I thought I would only have 1 child...just me and my girl and that was fine...


...then I met Chris and he adopted Jess...so 2 became 3...and soon after we were 5, when Max and Eva came along in quick succession.

We decided a long time ago that 3 was enough for us (probably when Eva had had her 5th tantrum of the day!) but we never got around to making things 'final'.

So here we are 5 years later, and we have finally decided to really get things 'sorted'. And Chris (reluctantly; as he hates hospitals) has said he would bite the bullet and get 'the snip'. It was what we both wanted.

I feel like I am finding 'Me' again - I am no longer only "Mum". We are after all entering a new phase in our family, where we can all go to the movies, play boardgames together or just hang out - I love it.

So why when, my husband calls my mobile to tell me that he has an appointment to see the doctor, do I burst into tears in the supermarket?

What's that all about!?

I am done with bibs and bottles and teething and potty training...

I am done with sleepless nights and early rising...

But I am that woman who can't hear a baby cry without her womb contracting.

I can't help cooing at an infant in a restaraunt or bending down to talk to a toddler in the mall

I am eternally broody.

I am not saying I am even thinking about having another baby. I know that from my reaction when we've had 'scares' over the passed 5 years - and there have been a few! Apart from anything else, we can't afford another child. At the moment we are putting one through college and 2 through private schooling - all on my husband's salary. Something I know he could do with a hand with; not possible with a new addition to the family...

...But the thought of there being no possibility of ever having another baby, frankly, scares me.

So, my question to you lovely ladies (especially those of you who have already been down this road) is...

...How do you know when you're done?

B x

(I don't know where I got the image from; sorry)

Who's wearing their catcher's mitt?

Not quite sure what's up with my family, but we've been sick...again!



First me and the oldest 2 got flu, with a dash of vomiting thrown in for good measure, at the same time as I was having the living room and dining room decorated. Then Eva joined us, maybe she was feeling left out!?


By the end of last week I'd had my fill of paint fumes, decorators, sick bowls and snotty tissues! However, my house is starting to resemble a home; pics to follow...



Then my babygirl turned SEVEN...

(picture taken summer '09)


SEVEN...how on earth did that happen? We celebrated modestly (the party happens this Saturday) the 10ft trampoline is still waiting to be erected.


And Chris and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We had all kinds of grand plans of taking a train into Paris and having a blissfully romantic weekend - sans kids. But given the week we'd had, we decided to stay closer to home and spent a fabulously luxurious night at this gorgeous local hotel.

We enjoyed a lovely romantic dinner, champagne cocktails in the bar and after waking up to this view...

(taken with iphone)



and soaking in this bath...

(taken with iphone)



...I was treated to a calming facial the next morning in the spa.




All of this was just what I needed before returning to the humdrum (I mean joys) of school runs and cleaning house. Now to get on with arranging a party for 25 6 and 7 year olds. Joy.

Have a really fun weekend - whatever life throws at you!



B x

My name is B... and I am a 'dump-diver'...

...it's time to confess. I have taken to frequenting my local dumps/recycling centres on the lookout for pieces that will fit in my period home but without the 'antique' price tag...

...And here is my first find...








I was sure that this little chair could be totally cute with a little TLC...






I started by gently sanding it down before beginning to paint...






....I used tester pots of paints that I already had in the house and followed up with a little *distressing* and then 2 coats of clear varnish...It took about 4 hours in total and I made dinner and put the kids to bed simultaneously!

And here i the end result....















This chair cost me....NOTHING! And I couldn't be happier with the outcome! I'm very proud of my chair from the dump... now I just need to find a desk to go with it...hmmmm....