Rocking My World Friday - Moments that Mattered in 2013

I know, I know. I'm late again. Not a lot to report this week - I have been immersed in the Soul Food class and also following the prompts of the 7 Day Creativity Challenge which sees my Shedio in upheaval as I try and get organised. Post about that to follow when I finish.

So I thought instead of doing a look back on my week, I'd do a look back on 2013 like I did last year. It's easy to miss the moments that make up the bigger picture. That's why I love Rocking Friday so much, it's there on record for me to look back and think "oh yeah!" and, of course, smile.

Lots happened last year. Lots. We had 3 big birthdays... Devon turned 16... Blimey - where has that time gone?

She left school, had prom - my heart still aches when I look at the pictures! My baby! Craig's hair is falling out at a rate of knots now! I think he is definitely experiencing anxiety over having a (gorgeous, talented, kind, intelligent, wonderful) teenager in the house. A kind stranger on Facebook helped her find the bag to go with her dress. She wanted a fur one and after a call out on FB a friend of a friend sent it as a gift. How wonderful?

She had worked so hard towards her exams, stayed behind after school to revise and was rewarded with the grades she needed to secure her 6th form place. She volunteered to be a teaching assistant at the school during the Summer with a Summer School they ran. I was so proud of her. Their theme at the Summer School was Harry Potter and at the end of it they took all the kids and volunteers to Harry Potter Studios. When she left she was presented with the first Harry Potter novel and a card from all the kids. It was something really out of her comfort zone but like she said it was a great experience and really gave her confidence.

Since being in 6th form she's worked so hard. They advised the kids to only take 3 subjects but she took 4 and it has been such a heavy workload. She's knuckled down and worked and worked. I'm so proud of that girl - I might have mentioned before ;)
***
Phoebe turned 13 - a proper teenager!

She's also been working hard at school - this year has seen her getting a bit more independent. We see glimpses of the young lady she's becoming. Obsessed with Superman, cooking, science... working hard on her drawing every night. Less of a tomboy this year. It's strange watching them grow... change and yet in some ways stay the same.

*** Logey is one year old!

He's changed so much this year. He learnt to crawl, to walk, run, to climb... he talks a little. We certainly know we have him. He's such a character! I can't imagine him not being here now!

I actually picked up the form to register him with nursery the other day - how can it be that time already?

Ruby would like to inject at this point, that turning 6 is pretty special too and so it is.

She's had a busy year too. She learned to ride her bike without stabilisers... not only that but one handed too! She's learning trick jumps on her scooter and her shyness is a thing of the past! She can now attend friends parties without us having to stay. She earned 'Friday name' just before Christmas for overcoming her phobia of people dressed up and going to the pantomime with the school - albeit glued to the teachers side. Her reading and writing is coming on in leaps and bounds and her baby brother idolises her.

* * * 2013 was a Scotland year! Woohoo! Anyone who visits this blog will know that although I was born in England, I have a tartan heart through and through. I lived there for 10 years growing up and I miss it so much. So every alternate year we holiday there... and save up in the between years. This year was bittersweet as I had agreed that in 2015, the year that would have been the next time we go - we'll go somewhere else! *Gasp!* We haven't decided yet between Wales, down South maybe Devon or Cornwall or what. Somewhere we have never been before. But what it does mean is I wont get to go 'home' until 2017! 2017!! Devvie will be 20! So this year, I soaked up as much as I could while we were there. Man, I love that place! If I could move my Dad and Craig's Mum up there - Craig would have a tough argument for staying here.

Next up has to be my shedio. Bless that man - he knows the way to this woman's heart. I used to have a little set-up in the workshop but Craig needed it back for work and boring stuff like that. He spent ages getting his old shed ready and presented it to me, even lugged a solid piece of beautiful sideboard up the road, in the rain. My Shedio. I love it out there.

Not quite that tidy at the mo - am in the middle of my January purge. If you are easily horrified - look away now...

Meeting up with this bunch in April really put a smile on my face. We have been online friends for a long time now and it was so lovely to properly meet up.

L-R Sarah, Jo, Susie, Me
We're hoping to meet up again this year and with the rest of our motley bunch that couldn't make it, if circumstances and time allow. What fun that would be.
Another moment that sticks in my mind for this year was when I wrote a book review for one of my favourite reads of last year and both the authors commented on it, one blogged about it and the other friended me on Facebook! Authors and artists are to me like TV celebrities are to other people. To say I was starstruck and over the moon is an understatement . I still smile about it now.
Silver Crow was spotted around our house quite regularly. He's getting big now and not entirely silver as he gets older. I keep hoping maybe to spot some speckled silver babies seeing as we first noticed him as a baby. We've already seen him near our back garden this year. It does make me happy - my little good luck omen.

There is so much more I could mention. The days out we've had, picnics or the museums up in London. The community of people online, visitors to my blog - lurkers and chatters, a lot of who I count as real life friends - it all goes to show you don't have to have money to count yourself rich.
Thank you everyone. I hope you have a wonderful 2014. Thank you for stopping by today.
I'm linking up with Virginia for Rocking My World Friday - a weekly reflection on the positive things that made us smile.
Also with Oh So Amelia, Miss Lucy Loves and Lloyds Bank who are holding a lovely "Moments That Mattered" giveaway.