It has been a WEEK in our house. Lots of vomit (me and Sophia). 3 month jabs (Adian). Migraines and headaches (me and Nathan).

But never mind, it’s Christmas Eve and we got here! Even if I all I could manage to do today was breastfeed the baby.

Anyway, this week we’ve been to Nathan’s Mum and Dad’s for Thorpe Christmas, which was great. We’ve been to Christingle making at ASSF and the Christmas parties at boob group, Tappy Toes and Lullababy. We’ve braved Macdonalds and Lidl all together. We went to the Hub where Sophia and I had the last two bacon butties of the year. It’s not been all bad, but it hasn’t been the easiest, either.

Milestones: 3 month jabs, and Aidan is holding onto toys and kicking the things in his baby gym! He’s going through his third leap and seems to be taking it quite well, even if he is a bit clingy.

Tonight, for the first time ever, Sophia went to sleep on her own in her own room. I have prayed for this and longed for it, but tonight, I didn’t even try. We were just singing Santa Clause is coming to town in the bath, and when she was ready for bed, she asked when Father Christmas would be coming. I said ‘at some point in the night’. She asked,’Should I stay in my own bed?’. ‘That would be a good idea,’ I replied. ‘night night Mummy, see you in the morning’. I went to check on her half an hour later, and she was well away!

Other things: our dishwasher broke this week. This means that cleaning up from tomorrow’s dinner is going to be a mission. I have learned my lesson with Samsung, what with all the issues we’ve had with the tumble dryer, washing machine and dishwasher. They make great phones but not white goods.

We tried out a new meal today, called a Shepherd’s Dinner. This is where you light candles, turn off the lights and have picnic food at the kitchen table, and talk about the Jesus story. It was really special.

It is really weird not being in ministry this week. I feel delightfully calm and peaceful, and I’m enjoying not being a working Mum this year, but I’m really missing preaching. It’s the first time since 2017 that I haven’t preached at Christmas. Still, I’m so grateful to all the people who are covering my services and the team keeping the home fires burning at ASSF.

Sophia, who some of you may remember was petrified of Father Christmas from October to April last year, was the elf for her Daddy at a Christmas party. I was so proud of her! We’ve come a long way in a year.

What Sophia said: ‘I think you’ve been a good girl, Mummy’. Cheers, Soph! I’ve tried my best.

More next time x