This is a whole new adventure for me. To be frank, I haven't a clue where I'm heading with this but I guess we'll see as time goes by.

I'm a full time Homemaker & Mom to Master Henri 4 & Madam Darby soon to be 3. I've been married to my better half for seven years. Just last year, I finished work to spend time with my children. Time that I can't slow down, no matter how hard I try, but there are days when I take time for granted.. even wish it away! One thing I know for sure, time is precious.

I am the second youngest of seven, having five elder brothers & one younger sister. I never brought trouble into the home, but Mom always used to say, "give me five boys over you two girls any day.."

My Mom was my best friend & if she knew how much I hated that comment, I'm sure she wouldn't have said it so much. But after years of rolling my eyes every time she'd repeat it, I finally understand! I can hear her voice now, "I hope you have a daughter when you get married", well Mom, I have.. & I get it!

I wouldn't change my little princess for all the tea in China. I love my kids equally, but Mom.. you were right!

My Mom worked hard in the home raising seven kids & kept us & the house immaculate! My Dad taught us the importance of a good education & work ethics. He worked hard outside the home & studied at the same time to better himself, always putting us first.

I recall being around 7 years old & desperately wanting a pair of the Clarks secret key shoes because they looked so magical on the commercial. The day came when I needed new shoes, Mom & Dad took me to Clarks to get my feet measured & we came away with a pair of sensible navy t-bar's. I dragged my toes to school & back for the next couple of weeks. Mom noticed the scuffs on my brand new shoes & hit the roof. She took me by the hand & dragged me out to the hall where she picked up one of my Dad's shoes, as she flipped it over, there was a hole about the size of a 50p coin with a piece of card placed inside to protect his foot. How ungrateful was I, but that's my Dad. He'd give you his last £1 if it meant you didn't go without.

We were bought up with a healthy fear of God, in a house filled with love & laughter.

Its funny really, as I kid I never really appreciated my parents. I used to swear I'd never be like them when I had my own kids. But I was young & naive with a LOT to learn.

Now I have my own family, I strive to be like my parents & can only dream to be like them.

In 2002, I lost my best friend to cancer. I watched my Mother battle for seven years with that awful disease. "A Medical Phenomenon" the doctors marvelled just a couple of years into her treatments, many of which she opted for the guinea pig approach on new trials. It took them twelve months to diagnose the Ovarian cancer, by which time it had spread. "Its quality of life over quantity" Dr Poole said. "We can buy you twelve months at tops!" Well seven years was pretty good going, but with five sets of chemo, lost her hair three times & underwent three sets of Radiotherapy.. it really was a battle! All the while, she just drew closer to God.

Now ten years on & not a day goes by when I don't think of her, wonder what she'd think of my husband, see her play with my kids or just have a good old natta. Loosing her was the most painful experience of my life & has left a pretty big void. One that I am learning to live with everyday..