Ten Things to Smile About January

January has come to an end already and a part from a severe lack of sleep thanks to sleep disturbance and night terrors, 2014 couldn't have kicked off better for us. Here's 10 things that have brightened my January:

1. Midges birthday. She turned six this month and something seems to have changed in her already. We all had a lovely day getting pampered and enjoying a little party at home.

2. Jay turned 24. We had a relaxed day and he even got the day off work which was an added bonus. We had a chip shop tea as a treat and on Saturday we celebrated with his friends at a local football club.

3. I hate going to social gatherings but managed to overcome my social anxiety by attending the aforementioned event for Jason. I was pretty uncomfortable but I met some lovely people and certainly had a giggle! You'll never get the duvet and film girl out of me I'm afraid!

4. I've just registered to take part in The Big Bath Sleepout. I'll be sleeping out in Bath with my good friend Kat to raise money for a local homeless shelter, Julian House. I'm really excited and feel this is a really worthy cause. If you do too I'd love you to sponsor me here. Thank you.

5. February is a month to look forward to for me with Little A turning 3, my Neice turning 2, valentines day and a lovely mums retreat in Penzance!

6. I'm giving blood for the first time! I'm quite excited in a weird way!

7. I've had some great reviews this month. We had some lovely leggings, a chocolate making kit and a new children's programme coming up on the blog soon too. I'm always greatful for these opportunities.

8. Jay and I had a wonderful day and night away in Plymouth last week. We dined alone, had a nice room and did a spot of shopping. I don't care what some people think, quality time is essential to me.

Teenagers again!

9. I had a bath for the first time in months! In our new house we just have a shower and with my back playing up recently having that soak at the hotel was wonderful. Definetly something to smile about!

10. Speaking of backs, I've finally got an appointment through with the physiotherapist which I'm really hoping will help. I'm also going to be starting a Pilates DVD real soon which I think will be a great help!

Do you have 10 things to smile about? Why not link up with EmmyMom?

Big Smiles,

Cupcake Mumma

The Great British Budget Challenge: Are You in?

Lots of people are jumping on board the budgeting ship for February and as I love to save those pennies I'm tagging along too. In fact, I've just become a panel member with The Great British Budget, a campaign to get Britain budgeting effectively to save money for the future (or those things we'd really like sooner rather than..well never!)

The campaign, from Yourwealth.co.uk, hopes to see as many people as possible grab hold of their finances and give them a good look over. I know one area I could make savings in would be my weekly food shop as I'm just totally lazy, so this will be my focus for February's budget challenge. By signing up you'll get emails with hints and tips to help you save money and budget better in many areas. You'll also be able to view the Money Hub where, among other things, you'll be able to get help with setting up a sensible budget for the month.

You can also join in with the February photo challenge on Twitter which is just a bit of fun (that could win you £50 in love2shop vouchers!) Do join in and follow the lovely folks @yourwealthuk on Twitter too. Dont forget to use #GreatBritishBudget when tweeting!

So, who else is up for some budgeting this February? What would you like to save up for? Let me know what you'd like to achieve whilst doing this challenge!

Cupcake Mumma

A-Z Challenge: P

P is for Positivity

Reasons to be Cheerful is a great round up of the week so far which leaves me feeling positive even though some parts may have been tough. This week Midge has been off school with her chickenpox and Little A has been less than willing to sleep. I discovered the other day that he has a back tooth coming through so lets all wish that to come through quick please!!

1) Today I went to the Osteopaths in town. I have been suffering with a bad back for quite some time. My Osteopath is a really, really lovely man who took me completely seriously and made me feel listened to which can be so rare today. He got the spot straight away and found other areas which cause me pain. I even got some good back cracks out of it which was a-mazing (I'm odd, I love my back being cracked and used to get my sister to walk on it!) I'm feeling good and positive about my next appointment.

2) I saw my dentist this week and have been told my teeth are very nice and my gums are great. How's that for making you feel good? I also have a 'brilliant' spine in case you were wondering...

3) We all had a lovely day today. I went out for some lunch, did some food shopping and bought the children some clothes for our holiday to Cambridge in June. Our train tickets arrived on Monday which was incredibly quick so all we need now is a big suitcase and some tips on keeping 2 young children happy on a 7-8 hour train!

Hope you have some Reasons to be Cheerful this week to.

CupcakeMumma 

A Very Public Prayer

It's not often I'll post something like this to my blog, but a few lovely bloggers have come together to help spread some positive thoughts and energy to Kerry, also known in the blogging world as ''Multiple Mummy.' She suffered a hemorrhage in the brain following a ruptured aneurysm in August. Since then Kerry has suffered some setbacks is unable to speak, move her right side or feed herself. Of course, I like to pray sometimes. I have a 'prayer book' and praying for Kerry is already something I have done. 

Dear Lord,

I pray you hear me and many others in this time of need. We all need someone to turn to and for me, that's you. I know a lot of people who don't turn to you in their time of need, so I like to pray for them too. 

I don't have to worry about feeling silly when I say this. A kind, loving and truly wonderful lady is very ill. I don't know her, her name is Kerry, she's a blogger but she's friendly and thoughtful and has the most lovely family. I used to always read her posts on her blog. 

Maybe one day our paths will cross? 

I pray Kerry can heal. I pray that she can keep fighting this tragic illness that has taken her so suddenly and still continues to test her. I pray that she can talk to her husband and her children again. That she can hold them again, and tell them how much she really loves them.

I may be crazy Lord, but I really pray she could be home and warm for Christmas.

Please watch over her Lord. Please keep her family, her loved ones safe and strong. She needs every single one of them right now. 

And they need her.

Amen.

I'm a Happy Cupcake...

I am feeling good tonight so I thought I'd do a post that wasn't a moan or wasn't a meme. How many memes is too many by the way? I worry about driving my readers away.


Anyway on to my day. Well it all started yesterday actually something just clicked. I am feeling, dare I say it? Positive. For the first time in a long time. I went to sleep planning my meals for the next day, I had done all the chores bar the washing up which I figured was okay because I knew that it would be done the next day anyway. I organised my day pretty well, so well that I missed some TV shows I hate missing (because i'm sad like that) and did my exercise DVD instead!


I'm doing Kirsty Gallagher's workout DVD. It's fairly old I think because I picked it up at my local charity store but I can't believe how gentle but effective the work out felt. It wasn't her dancing around showing off this, that and the other but she was doing the work out with a personal trainer who was still correcting her when she say, didn't pull her stomach in, or her back wasn't straight. Another thing to add was she seemed so down to earth and relaxed which was much better than watching some hyperactive, super fit woman bounce around my screen that I can hardly keep up with. In conclusion i'd recommend a look on Play.com or even Ebay..Hey, maybe the DVD is in a charity store near you?


I woke up with renewed energy this morning. Other Half and I got up together (I still slept through my 7.30am alarm but who's perfect..?) had a good breakfast and both the children were happy which is always a big bonus. 
I took Little Miss to school at lunchtime with her scooter and left promising myself that I wasn't going to shout or loose my patience with her, or swear in my head about how slow she's going, how late we will be. I'm glad I did this because we had a lovely walk to school and she was actually much better on her scooter today than yesterday. 


I left her behind and nipped to do my money bits. I have also felt ultra thrifty now the new season of Super Scrimpers has begun and last night I signed up for their Revolution to get saving my pennies. I'm not sure how useful this will be but even if I save a few pounds it's better than nothing! 
I did spend the rest of my day at home because I messed up with the play group times. I'll make up for this by going to the library group again tomorrow. 


Tonight I am leaving my laptop downstairs and swapping a night of good television for watching a Gavin & Stacey DVD in my bedroom while finishing of my wedding invites which need to be done ASAP! 


Until tomorrow you lovely lot
X