Trying times

As a parent you think that once they fly the nest your life will be easier. It's not. Almost two years gone and Elder Son can still reduce me to tears and tear my heart apart. Did I do this to my own parents? I like to think I didn't but I don't remember. Thinking about it they didn't know the minutiae of my day once I'd left home. There were no mobile phones, there was no internet for instant access and constant communication. There was the public payphone and letters. Looking back, it was a letter from my mother that alerted me to the what my 'boyfriend' was up to. Had I been told via a text message or IM on facebook would I have believed her? No, I would probably have cut her off and not spoken to her again - a bit like ES is doing to me now.

He's gone...

The journey was dreadful. The rain was so bad at times we could hardly see the car in front and we went through quite a few floods. We stayed overnight at a hotel and I have to say that yesterday morning we woke to glorious sunshine - even the Major thanked us for bringing the good weather with us! Yes, it was emotional when we left him. I did feel sorry for one young girl who was obviously leaving her brother behind. She sobbed so hard she set some of us off as well. Only time will tell now whether he stays there or not. He has medicals and fitness tests to pass over the next few days. All I can say is thank goodness for texts - he made contact last night and he says the food is wonderful. Typical man, thinking of his stomach!

Here goes

Number One Son is packed! We are off tomorrow. I can't believe he is really going to join the army. He keeps saying, 'It's OK, Mum - I'll be back in a few days when they fail me on the medical'. I hope he is joking, but he has a good mindset. He knows that if he has to return he is more than capable of other things. he's talked about college courses and other training. I'm sure he will be fine - but me? that's another matter

New Beginnings

It has been a long time since I posted - not because I've had nothing to post about, far from it. Life is constantly changing for all of us here. Number One Son is off to join the army this weekend. He's still only 16, but will spend his first year at the Army College. As a mum I have such mixed feelings. Of course I'm so proud of him, but at the same time I have natural fears, especially when we hear daily reports of deaths and injuries in our forces.

For me it is also a new start. I have resigned from my job and will be going back to university full time next week to train as a teacher. This is a huge step at my age and all the family are having to make huge adjustments.

News Years Eve!

Already. I've just been to the supermarket and it seems the world is stocking up for the Seige of 1st January. As for me and my family we are planning a fairly quiet night in together. Now all the boys are older we stay up and see the New Year in as a family. We've gotten a habit now of watching classic comedies while snacking on party food and this year will be no exception. Husband has purchased a boxed set of Faulty Towers DVDs. Last year it was Monty Python. Who knows what will happen over the next couple of years? Number One son is well into his application for the Army Foundation College and if he is succesful he will move away next September, and he's only 15.

New Year often makes people give thought to new beginnings and to making changes in their life. We are no exception. I hope that by the end of the year I will be training as a teacher, which means that Husband can think about retiring. Number One Son is thinking to a future with the army. I'm hoping that Number Two son will change his behaviour and not give us so much grief. Each new school term we tell him it can be a new start, and I really try to believe he can do it. Number Three son, well, he just plods on doing well academically, but I can see a naughty side pushing to get out...

Happy New Year and Happy New Beginnings to you all.

Christmas Day

And I spent most of it in bed feeling very poorly, and unfortunately nothing to do with alcohol. Managed to cook Christmas dinner for everyone, but now it is 9pm and I think I may go back to bed. Number One son has spent all day on his new rowing machine, Number Two is delighted with his mountain board and so far hasn't broken anything and Number Three has watched his new dvd on his new TV. Husband has played with his mobile phone. And me? I'm writing this on my new laptop. I love it - even more so after I managed to connect to the internet, and it only took me two hours...

Christmas Eve

Already... And the dogs have had a walk. Number Three son has been in practice for the big day and woke as some ridiculously early hour, Number One son was next with the earache that he's had for four weeks now, so back to the doctors he went, and Number Two didn't get up until 1.30 pm becasue he has now got the cold that the rest of us have got. Happy Holidays...

Following our family tradition the turkey is in the oven. It smells so good I'm not sure I can wait till tomorrow for it. Isn't it funny how family traditions start? I cook the turkey on Christmas Eve because when Husband and I first got married we only had a small oven, so I cooked the turkey ahead so we had space for roasted vegetables. Now it just seems easier.

Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.