Holiday

Well I had a wonderful holiday but feel I need another holiday to get over it :-) I was rushing around here there and everywhere, trying to see everyone and do everything in the short time I had. It was so lovely to see everyone and to catch up on what has been happening. The things that struck me most is nothing has changed, apart from the children I know getting a little bigger all is the same, in the time I have been here my life has changed dramatically, I have managed a baby home for 8 months, in the process of starting my own home, rented the first place I could call my own and more importantly become the mother to three beautiful babies, all the while nothing much has changed at home.
I am so thankful to all my friends and family who really spoilt me and made my time at home very special, I am also thankful to the sun which shone most of the time I was there.

My time at home went a little like this...

Thursday 10th May: Arrive home Am, spend the day with Nan, Grandad (below) Mum, Dad, Auntie Sally, Uncle Colin and cousin Sarah. Have Fish & Chips for dinner...yummy!!

Friday 11th: Spend the day with my dear friend Kelly, meet her children Bryony & Joshua from school who had no clue I was coming & see her husband Lee in the evening.

Saturday 12th: 'Surprise BBQ' organised & prepared by Kelly & cooked by Lee, attended by Kelly, Lee & their children Bryony & Josh, Mum, Dad, Nan, Grandad, Auntie Sally, Uncle Colin, cousin Sarah, good friends Aileen, Guy & their son Arthur, cousin Alix & her two children Amie & Lucie & more friends Angelique & her children Bella, Amy & Nesta. We had a bouncy castle which the children had lots of fun beating me up on, lots of wonderful food including a chocolate fountain, such a wonderful memorable day.

Sunday 13th: A yummy roast dinner at my mum's house with Mum, Dad, Nan, Grandad, Uncle Andy & Auntie Kate. Followed by surprising my friend's at the pub & sleeping at Krystina's.

Enjoying desert at the pub

Monday 14th: Went shopping for the children with my friend Krystina, brought lots of goodies :-) Below is what Krystina brought the kids.

Tuesday 15th: Spent the day with Kelly, we went to Poole where we had a Starfish for lunch (Starfish is the best sandwich shop EVER!*!) Picked the kids up from school with her then spent the evening with Aileen & Arthur, stayed there the night.

Wednesday 16th: Spent the day with Aileen & Arthur, in the morning I took Arthur into the Forest whilst Aileen worked for a couple of hours, we splashed around in the stream (below) when Aileen got home we went for lunch followed by a shopping trip at Toys R Us, we then popped into my Nan & Grandad's for a cup of tea. Spent the evening with Aileen & her friend & stayed the night.












Thursday 17th: Spent the morning with Mum followed by the afternoon with Kelly, collected the kids from school then took them to their after school activities, watched Joshua do his swimming! Went to Bingo in the evening with Mum, Kelly, Krystina & her partner Ollie then two friends Valerie & Jackie, I won £30 :-)

Friday 18th: I spent the day with my Mum packing and sorting followed by the evening at a friend's house where we were joined by a few of my other friend's, had a few glasses of wine & enjoyed the evening :-)

Saturday 19th: To Moors Valley a local country park with lots to do for all ages, joined by Mum, Kelly, Lee, Bryony, Josh, Guy, Arthur, Alix, Amie & Lucie. After Moors Valley we all went to Aileen & Guy's house for lunch where Aileen had made a lovely picnic style lunch, we just chilled all afternoon with the kids playing lovely together.

Arthur

Joshua

Bryony

Lucie

Amie

Sunday 20th: Attended my Dad's church where I spoke to everyone about Neema House. Went to Kelly's house and later that day we went to Devon to her Mother's caravan where they often stay at. Chilled at the caravan, visited by Lynn, Kelly's Mum & went to the beach where we had chips!

Monday 21st: In Devon all day, spent the day at Creely which is a children's adventure park, went on all the rides & in the play park, lots of fun was had! That evening headed back to Kelly's house where I stayed the night.

Tuesday 22nd: Kelly, the kids & I went to Honeybrook farm, a couple of years ago I gave them my giant rabbits who I was unable to take care of any more, I had since heard that the female had been mauled by a dog & died, we went to the farm only to find out that the male has since died too having to be put down! Late afternoon Mum &  headed to Southampton where my Uncle Andy & Auntie Kate took me out for a very nice meal, I then stayed at my Auntie Sally & Uncle Colin's for the night.

A blossom tree which I just thought was beautiful

Wednesday 23rd: Auntie Sally & I headed off on a road trip, first going through Basingstoke where I popped into my old work place and met a few friends of mine. We then headed to Worcester to collect something for my cousin, then we headed to Middlesborough where my cousin & her boyfriend are at Uni, we went out for a meal that evening & stayed there the night.

Thursday 24th: Spent the morning with my cousin then my Aunty & I headed back to Southampton, stayed in Southampton for a few hours then Mum & I headed back to her place in Ringwood.

Friday 25th: My two very good friend's came to see me at my Mum's house in the morning, we took their dogs for a walk then Mum, Dad & I headed to the airport.

Saturday 26th: I arrived home to three very excited children :-)

So during those two weeks I went from Kilimanjaro to Amsterdam to London, in England I went to Southampton, Ringwood, Christchurch, Poole, The New Forest, Basingstoke, Worcester, Middlesborough then I went from London to Amsterdam to Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, I wish I had counted the miles as I know it was very many.

I had a wonderful time but I have two regrets, the first is that I couldn't take my children with me, I so wish for everyone at home to meet my family but I guess that will have to wait until next time!! The second is that I didn't take enough photographs, I guess I was just having to much fun x

A huge thank-you to all my friend's and family for making my trip home so special, I had a fantastic time and am so glad that I made the very hard decision to leave my children and fly all the way home. I have come back to Tanzania feeling refreshed and ready for Neema House. A massive thank-you also to Aubree & Jason for taking care of the children, without you guys my trip home would have remained a dream and also to Mama Musa & Michael for helping them. x