January Thoughts

 Goodbye January, Hello February.

What a month it has been! Normally I LOVE the first week of January before heading back to work, that bit of no mans land where we're not sure what day it is and just eat chocolate constantly. This year felt a little different, I think because crossing that New Years line meant that this was the year that things would look very different for us, and we had quite a lot to do to get ready for the babies!

We spent time building some furniture we'd bought from IKEA and putting them in place in our bedroom. We then wrote some big lists and managed to get quite a bit ticked off. I went shopping with mum to get bits for mine and the babies' bags, and just generally started to get a bit more organised!

At the beginning of the month I was still feeling anxious about all things moving house because, if you hadn't noticed, we are still living in our first little home, which we love, but we thought things might be looking a little bit different at this stage...

At church there has been a lot of time spent this month in prayer and worship, where people have brought scriptures, pictures and words to the rest of the church. It's been a really special time together. I was talking to someone at one of these evenings about the house mess we've been through and how I've had to just surrender and hand the situation over to God because it's just not in my control. In this process though I feel like I've lost hope rather than handing it all over. She prayed for our situation and I had another glimpse of what our future home could look like. It again gave me hope and reminded me that this isn't a surprise to God, we just need to trust in his perfect timing and know that he is in control.

I read this in a devotional and found it really helpful:

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7

It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel that “He cares for me.” Come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. Be patient—God has not overlooked you in His providence. He who feeds the sparrows will also furnish you with what you need. Don’t sit down in despair; keep hoping, and hope forever. Take up the weapons of faith against a sea of trouble, and you will overcome your distress. There is One who cares for you. The darkest cloud will scatter itself in showers of mercy. He loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness.

If you're struggling with some hard stuff I hope this is helpful for you too!

We really do love living here and now that we've moved some bits around to feel more set up we're excited to show our babes our little home. It feels very strange going to bed each night looking at their empty cot waiting for them!

I've loved hunting on Facebook market place and Vinted for pre-loved items this month. Clothes have been washed and are being sorted which is satisfying and mad to think that they will be wearing them in the not so far away future!

It's been a tricky month with lots of sorting and preparing alongside the business of work. But there have been some special moments and I've enjoyed walking Sheppy on the frosty mornings and looking at all our tiny baby bits. I still can't believe that there are going to be two babies arriving NEXT month. Eek.

February is going to look a little different and hopefully a little more restful. I'm starting my maternity leave, getting last baby bits ready, doing some reading, sewing and looking forward to celebrating our baby shower with our people. Along with celebrating valentines day and pancake day of course! Always love a reason to get crafty.

How's your January been? Have you got much planned as we move into February?

Thankyou for reading!

Emily x