Babys!

Jack has recently found out that his step mum is having another baby in June.. blimy.. if our families get any bigger we could fill a school..

I'm one of six and he will be one of four.. that nakes ten of us to those of you who are not quite sure.. not to mention his mother alone is one of ten children!!! yes you read correctly!!

So much to say!

Well, since I blogged last, my mother has been to stay; It was so lovely to see her and spend some proper time just the two of us.

Mum's flight arrived Thursday afternoon (after a few minor problems about her trip to Rotterdam) she arrived safe and well.

We started her stay with a walk along the River/Canal/Pond like thing and went into town to visit Jack.

On the Friday me and Mum went for the 'nicest coffee you have ever tasted' coffee shop (of course a slice of cake was thrown in there for good measure), did a spot of shopping (mum bought me a lovely purple and white wrap around dress) and met Jack for lunch.

We went to the habour at Blaak for lunch (the same place we went for mine a Jack 1 yearer)

The Cube houses at Blaak, believe it or not they are actually flat inside..

On Saturday our plan was a three hour boat tour to see the windmills in Rotterdam, however, it was fully booked (that reminds me.. i must tell you about the post office system.. ill save that one for a post all of its own..) As it was a sold out tour we decided to hit the shops. Not that i am complaining of course! The Boat trip would have been really lovely as it is something i wouldnt normally do, however, i was in desperate need of some clothes. No longer!! I now have 2 new pairs of summer trousers and 4 new tops.

Sunday me, mum, Ineke and the children all went to the Dunya festival, you can read more about it on Inekes blog (sorry about the lack of link, not really sure how to do them, however her address is on my link list).

Dunya festival

Mum went home yesterday but her flight wasn't until later in the afternoon so we thought we would make the most of it and spend the day in Amsterdam. It rained. Well not all day. When we first arrived we went on an hours boat tour of the canals. I never realised Amsterdam was Venice II.

Me and Mum on the boat

After getting off the boat we decided to head towards the Anne Frank house and stop for food on the way. Well, lets say we got as far as food. And. It. Poured. Anyway, we sat to eat in a nice little pizzaria. It was dissapointing that the weather couldn't hold out for us but still, no point in mopping around. After some serious umberella buying we headed in the direction of Anne Frank (well, her house anyway) but changed our minds half way there because of the rain. Anyway, we ended up in a shopping mall, surprise, surprise. However, only a few minutes were spent here before realising the time and heading back to the station.

Mum cried. I cried. We said our goodbyes and the train left. Although it went very quickly, we still had a lovely time.

Now before mum left she gave me and Jack some money to do something nice with, so me and Jack headed for Madame Tusaudes. The pictures say it all.

Jack playing bongo's with the one and only Bob Marley

He just couldn't resist a grope..

And yet again.. he couldn't contain himself..

England!!

OK, so its been a while!! Since i have been back from England life has been a little hectic!! Arrived home wednesday evening, had the kids all day thursday and friday and have been at Jacks for the weekend. On top of that i am trying to find a college to register for in September, along with accomadation and money!!

Anyway, the point of this post is to show you some pictures from my trip to england. So here goes.

We arrived into Bristol on Wednesday morning, was picked up from the airport by Sophie and drove down to Devon. Of course, the first meal we had had to be typically English, Jack having an English fry up and me Bangers and Mash. Good ol' Weatherspoons.

Wednesday evening we went to eat with Jacks Dad and Stepmum (Have you noticed our holiday has been mainly focused around food so far?)

Jack with his younger brother, Gabriel

Thursday lunchtime I met up with Joanna, a good friend of mine in England for a girly lunch and gossip (this was before i bought my camera so have no piccis im afraid) I had a lovely peking duck wrap and smoothie (still.. food..). Thursday afternoon Jack visited his Dad whilst i spent some time with my Mum.

In the evening Mum and Val made me and Jack the most delicious BBQ along with pasta salad, marinaded onion and home made BBQ sauce.. hmm..

Friday AKA my Birthday. Friday morning we went to Carlinos, a newly opened cafe/restauraunt in town for a coffee. After this i went to buy my rather lushus camera. I would show youa picture, but kinda hard to take a picture of a camera, have you ever tried? ANYWAY. Friday evening me and Jack went for a meal at the Hare and Hounds, where we used to work and met some friends for a drink afterwards.

Me and Jack before we went out

Us in The Hare and Hounds

Jess and Gemma, friends of ours

Jack with his Dad and Uncle

A friend of mine, Wendy and myself

On the Saturday afternoon me and Jack were taken to the train station by my Mum and Val, to catch out train to Reading.

Jack, Me and Mum

Mum, Me and Val

The day after we arrived in Reading my Auntie Lesley came to visit with my cousin Emma. As i havent seen her for over a year this was a lovely surprise!!!

Jack and Emma

We then continued our holiday in bedford with my Dad, Jodi and Brothers and Sisters. Heres a couple of pics of our last few days.

My Father

Me and My Sister, Connie


My Brother, Patrick


The End of our Holiday

Yesterday was Monday, Today is Wet

OK, so mondays aren't my favourite day. However this one wasn't so bad, well from 3 '0' clock onwards anyway. Before 3pm was bad. To start with the computer was acting up and I had to keep reloading it to get the internet up and running. Then I watched half a film. Yes, just half because some silly numpty decided to only upload half of 'The Devil Wears Prada' onto peekvid. How annoying. Then my Mum called. Now this wasn't a bad thing of course, but it triggered a lot of emotions and I cried the whole time. Delightful.

OK, so 3 'o' clock arrives and I pick up the children from school, heave the bikes from the back to the front of the house and make our way to Judo. Now, I have to say, this went very well. The boys were so good and stuck with me the whole time. So Caroline and Time Judoed (again, is this a word?) whilst Morten played outside and very unconvincingly told me that he couldn't Judo as his back was hurting too much (kinda hard to believe whilst he's hanging upside down from a monkey bar). However, I didn't want to be responsible for any broken bones so we cycled straight home, had an early dinner and headed over to the office for a spot of spring cleaning. And that was my Monday. Really not so bad afterall. Still i am pleased Monday only comes once a week.

So today is Tuesday. Oh how I hate the rain. Today I cycled in Rotterdam to meet Jack from the Metro, what a lovely surprise. I then headed over to the Library to buy my Rotterdam pas. I was number 55 from the ticket machine. They were on 23. I waited for just under an hour in a room full of Dutch people. So when it gets to number 53 I start to get a little excited, close my book and stand up. Oh no, lets not be hasty. The little number machine skips from 53 to 56!! whats up with that!! So I had to wait an extra 15 minutes!! was not ammused to say the least. So I get to the front desk to be faced by a rather large librarian telling me that I was jumping the queue!! well, I soon put her straight.

And that was my day so far.

Off to collect the kids from school, head to swimming and return home for a rather cosy night in.

Tot Ziens!

Meet Connie..

OK, so my little sister read my blog and was quite disturbed at the fact that i had not given her a personal shout out.. so here she is.. pretty little thing isn't she..

(i am slightly concerned as i am one of six children so have an incling i will be writing a few more of these!!)

So.. I was thinking..

Well i was sitting in the car last night listening too Graham Torringtons Late Night Love (this was kinda hard to admit but i got there in the end.) and he was talking about new beginnings for a new year and stuff like that.

You see, there are so many people out there that make new years resolutions and just don't stick to them, me included. So I've finally decided that i think new years resolutions are pointless for that mere reason. HOWEVER. I have made a decision to set myself a goal, not necessarily at the beginning of a new year but at any particular point where my life seems a little boring!

I mean i have taken a huge step over the last 3 or 4 months in moving to The Netherlands but i have been totally relying on others to help me, if it wasn't for my Mum and Val i most definatley wouldn't be in Holland. Through there love, support and belief in me i have been able to do what i am doing, not to mention the financial support they have given me. Also Monique, if it wasn't for Jacks mum then i wouldn't have a roof over my head and a place to sleep at night. My friends and family have all been so encouraging to me, i really couldn't have asked for more support!! Jack has been my rock over the last few months, obviously we have had arguments and tough times, but who doesn't? we always end up laughing about it afterwards anyway. Being away from somebody really makes you realise how much they mean to you.

Anyway, now i feel like I'm at the Baftas or something!! so back to the point! My point is i am going to start setting myself goals, as although i have moved to Holland and (finally) found myself a job i have set myself no real goals to achieve. So for the time being (and until i have completed the following things) these will be my goals to achieve!!

• Firstly, I want to learn Dutch, i was never really any good at languages at school but it is so different when you actually live in that country, also if me and Jack get married someday i am really gonna have to understand the wedding!!


• I want to make at least 6 new friends in the next two months!! I know you English people must think that's easy but BELIEVE ME it is sooo not when you don't speak the language!!


• And finally (I'm struggling to think of this one but I'm trying!!) i want to try and get some more Independence, because all though i have moved to Holland, which of course is a very independent thing to do, i have been very much relying of Jacky for most things!!
  

So there you go!! My three goals to achieve asap!! Ill keep you posted!!

Until next time!!