We’re still in January, so it’s not too late to say “Happy New Year!” to you all! We had quite a strange Christmas and New Year’s in a way due to a few different things, but in the end it was all good and all okay so that’s the main thing.
I may write more in a Christmas post but in summary, Christmas was really different for us this year due to illness in the family. It meant we had to be apart as a family. I used to be really stuck on Christmas traditions and the importance of spending our time together as a family. As the “kids” grow up, of course things change and I know they may be spending future Christmas’ with friends, partners, in different locations and maybe on the other side of the world at one point. I’ll support them whatever they do and be really happy for them.
This year, they all planned to be home. However, that was not to be, so for the first year since we’ve been together, Dave and I ended up spending Christmas apart so we could both be there for all the kids. We swapped places, so I got to see my Mum and family for dinner and he went to his family with the girls for Christmas tea. But it didn’t feel like we were apart as we were separated due to love for each other and our family, so rather than be upset about it as I would have been in the past, I felt a quiet calm and strength from it. Also, as I was feeling poorly myself, I was grateful for my Christmas afternoon alone (with a sleeping dog and Danny), as a chance to rest myself too.
So, with Rebecca home from Uni, I was very grateful that we were all together New Years Eve. I expected the adult offspring to pop in for a drink, and then go out for the Midnight Gong, but they all stayed for that- and even our traditional NYE “run down the street” before they went their separate ways. If they ever read this- Thank you! It made me so happy to have us all together!
Sadly, I didn’t get a whole group photo before family and friends left, but here is some of the after midnight gang in the early hours of the New Year.
Just like our kids when they were all babies, toddlers and young, puppy, Ozzy was determined to stay up for midnight. The poor thing was so overtired, but he couldn’t sleep as it was an exciting evening for him. As people left, he finally gave in and plonked out on the living room carpet, bless him.
Thank you to our friends and family for a lovely New Year’s Eve! It was a calm, special evening, just what we needed as we were all still recovering.
On New Year’s Day morning, Dave and I took Ozzy to the Gann for his first walk of the year. It’s not always easy having a dog, especially one still in puppy mode, but these moments (and the cuddles) make it all worthwhile. I’m happiest in the middle of woodland, a beach or a field, surrounded by nature. I love sharing these moments with Dave when we can.
A snap of some of us together on New Year’s Day. Another lovely, relaxed family day. I watched The Sound of Music with my mum and sisters. It all just went too quickly (especially due to our sick days) and I didn’t play enough games. However, Jo bought an amazing game, Outsmarted (Affiliate link), which is an app connected TV Quiz Show Board Game, which we can play together apart, so I’m hoping we’ll continue to play together some weekends.
Then we came home to a cosy, snoozing dog. Since our chaotic year in 2022, I still really appreciate all the calm and cosy moments we get. I’d love to say, I’m hoping 2026 will be a calmer year for us all, but we never know what’s going to happen, do we? I can keep choosing to appreciate the moments of calm that I’m lucky to experience, so I will.
Happy New Year all! Thank you as always for reading!
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Happy New Year! So sorry there was illness in your family over Christmas. I hope everyone is feeling better now. Fab photos!
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Thank you! Yes nothing serious thankfully! Happy New Year to you all! 😘 xxx