19 weeks into this new way of life, and I’ve finally had a few minutes of quiet this last week.

That being said, I’ve still… done a funeral visit, been to the Hub, volunteered at Breatfeeding Support group, took the big funeral of a wonderful man, met with colleagues, taken Sundays service, taken the decorations down, manned the church carpark, cleared my emails, rearranged the play room, attended a new course at church, taken Aidan to Tappy Toes and celebrated being with Nathan for 10 years.

Mum life has been pretty good, with Aidan settling really well into his new setting.

Ministry life has been mixed. I adore ASSF, the rhythms and daily challenges there. I’m so privileged to be their Vicar. But sometimes the wider Church of England and the various systems within it come into sharper focus, and I am so disenchanted with the whole thing. I find this is a feeling that comes and goes.

Our day off eve involved a trip into Liverpool to celebrate having been together for 10 years! We went to an old favourite, Cote, which has started doing unlimited fries and sauces with their steaks since we last went! We had a great time. Thanks to Polly and Martin for having the kids for us.

On Saturday we went swimming. It’s been a while, and Aidan clearly has no memory of when we last went. After being quite unsure of the changing room, he was delighted to find us all in a huge bath together!

Upon noticing Nathan teasing me, Sophia said ‘just in-ore him, Mummy’, raising her eyebrows and shaking her head. It was rather cute and very funny, and I’m wondering which adult has said that in which context!

Aidan is trying his very best to say ‘Sophia’ over and over again. The thing is, there are a lot of sounds in Sophia, so he’s been managing something more like this: ‘zz-zz-ee-ah’.

Drama: I took the decorations down on Sunday night. On Monday morning, Sophia went downstairs with Nathan as usual. Within a minute, she was back upstairs stairs, running into our room, saying ‘put the tree back up, Mummy!’. I do feel bad for that one!

This week I’m especially grateful for ten wonderful years with the gorgeous Nathan Thorpe.

Coming up: hopefully, some more calm!