Another Monday, another update.

It’s been another full on week for us: Meetings with colleagues, meetings with tree surgeons, split-shift deanery Synod meeting at St Giles (we swapped parenting/vicaring duties half way through), inspiration session, ecumenical morning prayer, trustee meeting, church council meeting, Tappy Toes, time in the Hub, Vow Renewal, Sunday worship and admin.

Our day off was Valentines Day. I took Sophia and Aidan to the Lullababy Valentines special which was really cute. Aidan enjoyed it at the start but got tired. Sophia was shy at the start but warmed up. You can’t have it all! Then we had a quiet afternoon before the vow renewal service at St Giles in the evening.

Both mum and ministry life has been good, and both worlds collided beautifully at the service mentioned above! We didn’t have babysitters for the vow renewal and so needed to bring the kids with us. The only potential problem was this: Aidan has been known to kick off if anything is out of routine. When he was born, he slotted into Sophia’s established routine so well, but that means that sometimes, when things have been different, our ears have very much paid for it! So I didn’t know what Aidan would make of a church service being slotted into the usual tea – play – bath – stories – feed – bed structure of the evening.

Anyway, I needn’t have worried. He was fine and thought it was brilliant having both Nathan and myself taking the service! We sat either side of the steps at the front of church and he waddled between us, giggling away. He only started to get upset at 7, when he’d usually be snuggling down in his bedroom. In the end, I scooped him up into his pram and took him home. He had a super quick wash and a feed and was asleep by 8.

Nathan came back and set to cooking our valentines dinner of steak, fries, peppercorn sauce and creamed spinach. It was delicious, but Aidan had woken up again by the time it was ready. When children have gone to sleep later than usual, the have a more disturbed night. It is one of the most unfair things about being a parent, if you ask me. Anyway, I ended up eating said steak and chips on a tray in bed, settling Aidan who ended up asleep on me for the whole meal.

This week, Nathan is on retreat. I had a chat with Sophia about it, saying that Daddy was going away to spend time with God. She has, therefore, been telling people that Daddy has gone on holiday with God! I love this, although I do very much hope that God is not actually on holiday…

Aidan is loving saying ‘hi’. Every time he appears around a corner, or even catches your eye, he says ‘hi!’.

Drama: after over 18 months of it being a dumping ground for all things family life, I have tidied my study! Oh yes I have! *takes a bow*.

I am especially grateful for a tiny bit of sunshine!

Coming up: half term writing week followed by the Thinking Day parade service.

More next time x