A Tuesday surprise

I haven't posted for over a week as I have been otherwise occupied with work, housework, shopping for and sending first aid kits to Uganda, christmas shopping, pumpkin carving and generic house work and cooking. 

But I thought my Tuesday surprise deserved a post of its own. 

Here's some background to the surprise:

I have been begging Luke to let us get a puppy for ages. He has said no. I tried to work on his parents too but they weren't convinced. I gave up asking. 

I've also been dropping subtle marriage hints at Luke but to no avail. 

On Tuesday Luke asked if I could walk home from the station after work as he had to work late. Slightly annoyed (it was dark and the weather had suddenly turned cold) I wandered home, did some housework, still no sign of Luke. 

You've perhaps all guessed from the above what happened but I'll share it with you anyway :)

A while later I hear a knock at the door and I go and see a Luke shaped outline through the glass. 

I opened the door and what did he thrust in my face? Nothing other than a tiny working Labrador puppy called Beau. Naturally I cried. Then he tells me to look under his collar and nestled under the puppy's fat rolls was a beautiful sparkly ring. I cried some more. 

Turns out Luke had planned this for some time. And all my hints had just been a barrel of laughs for him. He bought the ring when we were in Toronto in April. I never noticed. I hid it in the loft for months. Him and my soon to be mom in law drove all the way to North Wales on Tuesday to collect Beau. 

I had little time to believe what was happening, phoned family and friends, cleaned up dog wee, trod in dog wee, and cleaned the house for everyone to come round to celebrate. We ate Chinese and drank champagne. 

29 October 2013 is a date I will remember for the rest of my life. And for perfect reasons. 

Here's to planning the perfect wedding, and embarking on my future with my lovely man and his dog x

A bundle of joy

Where has this year gone?! 

A year ago today we woke up to the news that our niece was born and what a pretty girl she is. She came at just the right time. 

 

She brings us happiness when we are feeling glum and she lightens up any room with her sparkle. She makes us forget all our troubles and focus on the real things, not the material things. 

Naturally her arrival has made me feel quite broody but right now, she is all we need. So we spoil her and we love her. 

At 365 days old, she has a few little tooty pegs, is a marathon crawler and has taken her first few steps. She loves chicken (especially Nandos), loves throwing strawberries and other red fruit on her mom's lovely cream carpet, points and takes pleasure in throwing her buttery toast on the dogs' heads (they don't mind). She blows kisses, she waves and she is always smiling. 

 

We love you little one, and although the year has flown by a little too quickly for my liking, it has been heartwarming to watch you grow and be part of your little life. Here's to more memories.

 

Luke worked his joinery magic and knocked up this toy box, which I upholstered and painted her name. 



Happy first birthday to our darling niece, Mila. 

 



Childhood sweethearts

We spent Sunday afternoon at my parents looking through childhood photos when we came across this gem. 

Luke and I went to the same primary school, he was the year above me. Our parents knew each other, we had mutual friends growing up, knew each other to nod at in the street but that's as far as our friendship went. 

Until one day, which seems like a lifetime ago, we were both at a friend's birthday party and exchanged a few more head nods. Then the wonders of Facebook [cringe] led Luke to get in touch. 

A couple of dates later and we were an item, almost inseparable. Our relationship today is so strong, it has survived university, me swanning to Uganda to volunteer, and various other whirlwinds life has thrown at us. 

Who would have thought 18 years ago when we were stood next to each other on that school stage, in the midst of our school play, that we would be here today. Happy, in love, and planning our wonderful future together. 

Childhood sweethearts not quite so much, but still lovely all the same :)