Catch Up Time!

It's been fairly busy here with allsorts happening, some things beyond my control and some I've ignored. At times it's felt like being on a rollercoaster, not knowing what to expect next! As for HEdding, that's been going well and at times kept me sane! Though, my own studying has suffered a little - my concentration levels have been very minimal. I've been experiencing some on-going personal issues, which have ultimately impacted on my mental wellbeing, yet I've been disguising how I feel well, by staying too occupied. However, the human body can only take so much and I've had to slow down, as well as take time out to reflect. I am starting to feel better for it over this past week. I can say I'm genuinely smiling more again, as well as my concentration levels required for my studies, increasing too!

Well on to Lillie now. She has been her usual joyous self, yet has noticed all hasn't been well with her Mum. I've received cards from her saying she misses my happiness and she has done her best to make me smile, even when she has seen me crying. She is my little Angel. I have felt guilty that I have not been myself for a while now, though Lillie has noticed that her Mum is feeling more and more happy with each day.

As for the things Lillie has been up to, it's quite hard to think back over the last couple of months and not even the pictures I have taken can prompt more than what my memory can recall, as I managed to delete quite a few from my camera, without uploading them on to my comp first! Yet, I do know as a far as HEdding is concerned that Lillie is doing more than fine. I've continued to listen to her reading, helped her with spellings when she has asked, answered her questions, had endless discussions on all things that interest her and taken part in various activities with her. I've taken her out 'n' about to our local haunts, kept to her usual GB meetings, popped along to the GB Christmas Fayre - all money made is to help towards costs for the GB camp in February. Lillie will hopefully be going in 2012, when she has moved up from Explorer to Junior after her next birthday.

Unfortunately, some of the pics that were deleted, meant so much to Lillie. They were pics of 4 christmas cards she designed for the Blue Peter Go Cardz Appeal. She waited excitedly for almost 2 weeks for the pack to arrive and sent them back well before the 18th October, knowing her cards would be sold in one of the many Tesco's, to help raise money for funding a network of Whizz Kidz Wheelchair Assessment Clinics across the UK. These clinics will mean that more children will get their wheelchairs more quickly, offering them a more active and independent life. I did save the info and templates from the pack, so have uploaded a pic, which Lillie is happy about. I think I have redeemed myself!

Lillie has also been working towards another GB badge - a 'helping at home badge'. She was given a table to fill in, as and when she had completed a set activity over a period of 4 weeks. Those activities included helping with washing up, hoovering, folding laundry and laying the table. It was optional to add more activities, so she did!

She has also helped with redecorating the hallway and chose the main colour - 'pebble'. We agreed on a complimentary colour for the gloss work - 'stone'. The walls look refreshed and provide a very warm and cosy feel now it's almost done. I've asked her to create some canvasses when the New Year arrives - she has designed one on paper already. So, I'm looking forward to seeing more of her artwork on the walls very soon.

Back in November, Lillie became an older sister! Lillie's Dad and his fiance had a little girl named, Lacy Mai. I would upload a pic of the two sister's together, but first need approval before doing so. So, watch this space!

With it being now December, Lillie and I have made our home look all festive and ready for Santa's arrival on the 24th! Though, Lillie will be spending Christmas Eve with her Dad and family this year. I have had to reassure Lillie, that Santa will still be stopping at our house too! I'm sure he will have some extra suprises waiting for her, when she returns home in the afternoon of Christmas Day!

With the festive season upon us, I have begun reading 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens to Lillie. I do have to explain certain things to her, for example - unfamiliar dialogue, words and names of food etc... As far as the meaning goes, she is coping well with that. I think her watching one of the movie adaptions, with Patrick Stewart playing Ebenezer and discussions we have had, has benefited her understanding.

Some more Christmas classics hanging around!