Doesn't time fly!?

Suffolk

We travelled to Woolpit on the 30th May to celebrate my parents 60th birthdays. We travelled via my good friends home.
James and Beccy recently had a baby boy who was in hospital with suspected Meningitis. This is the latest update that I have:

Harry's Christmas present from the Seymour family!

"Hunter update - we're home! Discharged today with the all clear. Hunter has some weight to put on as he lost some whilst in hospital and he'll be reviewed regularly to check developmental milestones. But other than that the future looks bright. Thank you to everyone for your support and kind words."

Hunter is putting on weight and we will continue to pray for Hunter, his big sister Willow and their parents. (I saw a picture of him the other day and he has a massive, cheeky smile!)
Before we left Harry was given his belated Christmas present from James... (p.s. our friendship is on rocky ground!)

One of Mum and Dad's gifts
for their 60th birthday

On Friday I met +Tim for a Coffee in Bury St. Edmunds during his lunch break... it's always good to catch up with my Big Bro!
Friday night we had a meal at Tim and Lisa's home in Haughley. We presented Mum and Dad with a few gifts at the end of the meal.
Saturday morning I was up early to allow my Dad to beat me at Tennis!
There was plenty to do at home, so we headed back to help Mum tick everything off her list!

Harry having a master
class from Josh

Mum and Dad invited over 100 people to join them in celebrating their 60th. (Dad on 21st May and Mum on 5th June)
The party was in Woolpit Village Hall. We spent hours getting the room just right!!! The band arrived for their sound check, we went home to get showered and dressed - and we were ready to P.A.R.T.Y!

It was good to be back at West Road Church on Sunday. Harry made good use of his time there and took in some tuition from the resident Drummer!

Back to work

Amy, returned to work on the 4th June, 3 days a week, after an extended Maternity leave. Although we were prepared practically for this change in circumstances I was not prepared for (and was shocked by) the significant decrease in time that I have been able to commit to university work.
The reason for my loss of time is because I have sole responsibility for our children each Wednesday (and get no work done due to the level of care that Poppy requires). On the 2 days (when I am in Liverpool watching lectures) that my Mother-in-law cares for the children I ‘take over’ at 5pm until 7pm, when my Amy returns.
This change came at the busiest time of the term and my failure to recognise the extra time restraints that would be upon me, despite an attempt to plan ahead, has overwhelmed me.

Fathers Day... 

What a blessing kids are! The best present I could have on that day was to hold both of my kids. There are plenty of people who would love to have the opportunity to be a parent or to have their Father with them on this day (and indeed every day). I do not take for granted what God has given to me and am very thankful.


Here are 2 helpful resources for parents:
7 ways fathers provoke their children

and a free online book:
Pastor Dad

Take a look at this video... Dad's are rubbish!!

Doesn't Time Fly

June 27th is the last date for handing in an assessment for the first year of my Foundation Degree in Theology and Pastoral studies. I am mentally shattered and physically drained.

June 2013

December 2012

Since May of last year we have discovered that our baby has a rare genetic disorder, I have quit my job, started a degree, started working for Grace Church, Amy has been on Maternity leave (for longer than anticipated), Harry has become a Big Brother, Poppy has had 2 operations and several Ambulance rides, We have had endless medical appointments, we are on first name terms with the Chemist staff, Amy has returned to work, I have become Daddy daycare on a Wednesday, we have attended a 'Cri Du Chat' support group weekend and I have finished my first year! (All of that in 13 months!) Doesn't time fly!?

The Future

I have submitted my module choice form for next year and am leaning towards completing year 1 (which is spread over 2 years). I will then review things after that. However, I now have a few months to think and pray... talking to trusted friends and those involved in my course to gain some perspective, wisdom and accountability.

I will use July - October to reflect and re-evaluate the plans that I had made for the future. [Metaphorically speaking] I have ripped up the piece of paper that I wrote all my plans on and have given God the pen and blank paper and am excited about the future.

Harry at Yew Tree Coffee Barn

I want to invest my time off well rather than just wasting it. I have several books to read - "One-To-One" (Sophie De Witt), "Getting things Done" (David Allen), The Explicit Gospel (Matt Chandler). Reviews to follow in my September Blog (or maybe before!?)

Harry likes the new 'Yew Tree Coffee Barn' which opened at the end of May in our Village. From this seat he can eat, drink and watch the trains zoom past the window.

'Marjorie Fair' Rose

The Rose Bush that I got in memory of my Granny is flowering again! It looks like we have had some Summer Sun, but will it last?

Cri Du Chat

We travelled over to Chester on Friday 21st June to Sunday 23rd June for the annual Cri Du Chat (CdC) Syndrome Support Group conference.
I was invited in to BBC Radio Merseyside on the Friday to record an interview that would go out on the Drive Time show. I spoke about Poppy and CdC and mentioned that the conference was in the North West that weekend.
Both of our parents and all of our siblings came to the conference. We were overwhelmed by their desire to get involved and support us as we enter this new arena of life.
The families at the conference were AMAZING. We were made to feel SO welcome and didn't stop chatting to people all weekend!
The most valuable thing that I took away from the weekend was that we should take every day as it comes and provide Poppy with whatever she needs for that day.
During the raffle on the first night my Father-in-law's number got called out. He swiftly sent me up to retrieve his prize... which was a night for 2 in the hotel... and he gave it to us! (Fair swap? He gives us the prize, we give him the kids for a night's sleep over!?)

The families and CdC kids were all very different. The effects that CdC has on people is so broad. Some could walk, talk/Communicate, eat and use the toilet. Some needed wheelchairs, walking frames, nappies and needed assistance eating. We cannot tell what Poppy will be like, but we will take each day as it comes and trust that God knows best. We trust in Him.

The 'NEW' Cri du Chat website went live while we were at the weekend: "Cri du Chat Syndrome Support Group"
Click here for an older website with loads of interesting stuff on it for those interested in Poppy's syndrome. There are also other families stories on there.

Can you imagine what it was like at 5.50am when the Fire Alarm went off at the Hotel! Imagine trying to get your child down several flights of stairs without their wheelchair!! However, it was the highlight of some people's weekend! Harry, on the other hand, didn't even wake up and knows nothing of the whole ordeal!

On the 30th June my Uncle Andy cycled 50k to raise money for the Cri Du Chat Syndrome Support Group. It's not too late to sponsor him. Take a look at his JUST GIVING page. Thanks.

Church stuff

I came home promptly from the CdC conference to attend a Baptism at our Church where 5 young people publicly acknowledged that they loved God and explained how Jesus was making a difference in their lives.

Our Church meets in a Leisure Centre, so we hired the Swimming Pool for the wet bits but used our normal room for the service, singing and talky bits!

This month Sydney, +Jodi and I have been reading 2 Thessalonians each day and meeting once a week to discuss one chapter in detail.
I have loved being reminded that Jesus is coming again as I read statements like these:
"that day", "concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ", "with the brightness of His coming"
I am thankful for the hope that I have for my future because God is in control.
I am challenged to live each day with an urgency that Jesus might come soon.

July

• Lots of appointments for Poppy as usual.
• 6th July - Amy's brothers birthday.
• 7th July - My nieces birthday (Charis).
• 8th July - Meet the teacher for Harry's Reception Class.
• 14th July - Our 12th Wedding Anniversary... how will we celebrate? Not sure yet!?
• 21st July - we are joining up with our friends as we all celebrate God's goodness to us in giving us our baby girls. Sophie, Poppy and Faye will share a service of thanksgiving at Grace Church from 10.30am. If you are available on that day please come and join us, our Church meets in Halewood Leisure Centre (Click on the link, then scroll down the page). After the service, please hang around for some extra special treats and cake. Poppy will have to dash off quite soon as she will be hosting her first family lunch at 1pm!!!
• Harry's last day in his Nursery on the 24th.
• 26th - 2nd August we go to Salcombe, Devon for a week with Amy's family.

Prayer Points

I was glad to see Dave Riley at my parents party. He has been fighting Cancer for some time and has had lots of success but too many knock backs. Please pray that God would sustain him through this tough time of treatment and massive adjustment to his life.

Please pray that Hunter would continue to grow and maintain his good health.

Poppy:
Give thanks that Poppy has enjoyed good health and no emergency visits in an Ambulance to Alder Hey since the 6th May. Poppy is growing, gaining strength and making good progress towards reaching developmental milestones.
Thank God for the opportunity she had to meet with 28 other families and enjoyed being cuddled and loved by everyone.
Please pray that she will continue to benefit from her Physio and Play Therapy sessions and that her feeding would go from strength to strength.

Harry has found a tickle spot on Poppy!

Harry:
Thank God for Harry's wonderful attitude and patience towards his little sister and parents.
Please pray for him as he comes to the end of two years in his School Nursery and as he prepares to start Reception in September.
Harry's suffers with Eczema all over his body. It has been particularly bad recently and we have visited the GP to get additional cream to treat it.
Harry chatted to Amy in the car the other day and said:
"Mummy if God can do anything, He can make my Eczema go away. I'm going to pray right now that He will do that."
He proceeded to pray.
Thank God, with us, for his faith in God. Pray that we would take every opportunity to teach him and lead him.
Thank God for the challenge that Harry is to us that we should have total trust in God for everything - all the time.

Amy:
Thank God for the ease with which Amy has settled back in to work and maintained an element of routine on those days.
Thank God for our neighbours/friends who have continued to be a wonderful blessing to our family.
Please pray that Amy will be able to balance work, home, friendships and church and that she will be able to be more than just Poppy's mum who goes to work 3 days a week!!

Jamie:
Thank God that I have come to the end of the first year of my Uni course.
Thank God for all that He has taught me this year.
Please pray that I would be able to spend time reflecting on all that I have learnt.
Please pray that I will be able to meet with various people over the coming weeks and months to discuss my future.
Pray for self discipline to continue to read, pray and study even though I am not attending lectures.
Thank God for our families. Particularly for Amy's mum who is able to look after Harry and Poppy 2 days a week. Also for the very practical way that both families loved us by coming to the conference. Also for my uncle who did the sponsored cycle ride for CdC.

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1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing"