So, it's New Year, the time to look back on the previous year and look ahead to the new one stretched out in front of us like a big blank page ready to be filled in with all the things that happen to us over the next 12 months.
2013 was quite a good year for me. I fulfilled several ambitions, started on yet another Open University module, made a big decision and had a lot of fun times with my friends and children.
It didn't end too well, my Christmas plans went out of the window when J developed appendicitus and had to have surgery on Christmas Eve. He was such a brave little man, didn't complain too much, was really good when they gave him the anaesthetic and when he came round afterwards he told the nurse looking after him that "It hurts a bit but that's to be expected as I have just had an operation". Awwwww!!!!!
He recovered really quickly and was eating and drinking very soon after he got back up to the ward. We had to stay in two nights so we woke up on the ward on Christmas morning and being very tired and a bit emotional I shed a tear or two when I discovered that Santa had left a pillowcase of presents on J's bed overnight (I must have been fast asleep as I normally wake up at every little sound when I'm in that place). What a lovely thing to do for all the children, and he even left me a box of chocolates.
We did get a big Christmas dinner in the hospital before we came home which was nice, then it was back to the house to wait for the rest of the children to come back from their unexpected stay at their dad's and opening more presents. Three of J's older sisters and his brothers all made him get well soon cards which he seemed pleased with (his eldest sister didn't as she was at home alone keeping things running here).
We had our Christmas dinner on Boxing day and then a quiet rest of the week as I was exhausted and a bit stressed out plus J needed to fully recover as well.
So, it wasn't our best Christmas ever but I will hopefully make up for it next year with them as long as there are no more emergencies. It wasn't my worst one either though. That was 10 years ago when I lost a baby just a few days before Christmas and then the central heating broke down at 7pm on Christmas eve. Now *that* was a shit Christmas!!
No photos as they're all on my phone, sorry.
