10 years in Birmingham

Well today marks 10 years since we officially moved to Birmingham.  I say officially, because my husband had been working in Birmingham for at least 2 years prior to us actually moving.

At the time of moving down and for quite a few years after I never thought I would have settled down, but settled down I have.

A lot has changed for us all in these last 10 years, but the best things is seeing James grow from a happy, cheeky little boy of 6

Into a lovely, handsome but still cheeky young man ...

who's getting ready to embark on his next stage of his life, going to College.

I still think as Preston as 'home' but have made Birmingham my 2nd home.  I'm fortunate enough to be able to visit Preston a couple of times a year, so I'm able to return to my roots, albeit for a short while, and recharge my batteries with my friends and some familiar surroundings.

 I have made some very good friends since I moved to Birmingham, and without these friends the journey to this stage in my life would have been so hard.  They have become part of my life, who have taken to me and allowed me to share part of their lives by being a friend, I want to thank them all for that, from the bottom of my heart.

I was talking to a friend, and mentioned that I didn't think I'd changed over the years, to which she said 'you have, well you have to me' …. I'm taking that in a good way - lol x  So I was thinking about her statement, and yes I have changed .. and I hope I've changed for the better.

I've let go of a lot of things, that would bother me, but now I feel why bother,  its not worth the hassle.  Now this could be an age thing or a complete change of environment, but yes, in this respect I've change.

I took up crafting, which is the biggest change in my life, and I truly love how much it has help me grow, starting off with card making and now scrapbooking and project life, this has been a life saver in more ways than one., and through crafting I have made some great friends.

I have lost two very important people in my life over the past few years, ones that I will miss daily and so wish that they could see James growing up.  Fortunately he remembers them as fondly and with love and we often talk about them and he can re-call events of his meeting with them with laughter and amazing detail and clarity.  I'm so glad that he remembers them.

I had a major operation 3 years ago, one that was needed perhaps 2 years prior to me actually having it  done, but one that when done, has given me my life back, and got me, to be me again.  It is true that you don't know how ill you are, until you start to feel better, and boy! is this true, and they say hindsight is a good thing.

But throughout it all, my total rock, has been my husband, Jon

(a rare photo of me and Jon has he's not keen on having is photo taken)

he is my anchor and he definitely keeps me grounded, and I love him, for loving me, for loving our son, and for making my life possible.

Marriage is not easy, and if anyone tells you it is, then they are lying, we have been together now for over 20 years,  and the both of us have had some major life changing events as a couple and as individuals, but one things that has not changed, is our love for each other.  Being married to this wonderful man is so worth it, I could never image my life without my husband and my son, no matter what heartache we endure we have each other and I have my boys.

The past 10 years have definitely flown by, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the coming years have for us as a family.

Thanks for reading my rambling.