Tanat Valley Parents and Carers of Children with Additional Needs Group Meeting 1

Today saw our group meeting for the first time. It was well attended by lots of lovely ladies. We had 2 Guest Speakers Maria From the STARS Project and Caroline From Open Doors. Both organisations are great for support in different ways. Open Doors is good for Support and meeting people they run many different events as well as providing Good quality Child Care. The Stars Project Supports Current and former Carers helping them to develop themselves by providing a wide range or courses and help in a huge range of subjects. 


While The Mummy's Enjoyed some breathing space and a natter, The children were entertained with a wide range of toys and Crafts. 


We now have an agenda in place for the months leading up to Christmas  but if anyone has any idea's do contact us. With them. 


DON'T FORGET : Tuesday Night is Chat night the group's facebook page has a Chat facility so we shall be meeting up on-line for a good old natter on a Tuesday Night so feel free to join us. http://www.facebook.com/groups/tanatvalleysupport/


If you have a Powys Post Code there are lots of Benefits to joining our group so please feel free to come along to our next meet on September 28th. FREE Child Care is Provided along with Tea Coffee and Biscuits and Next Month Sees the start of our courses. 


Myself  & Clare Look Forward to Meeting you. 

County Of Salop 50th Anniversary Steam Rally

 We all woke up with so much excitement. After Breakfast, i prepared us a picnic and off we headed to Shrewsbury stopping to collect Granddad along the way, The 3 Children were bubbling with excitement as we drove into the show field. We were there for opening time so the were not many in the cues.

 We walked in and were greeted by the line up of of Wonderful Steam Engines, The two eldest were amazed Ceienna especially. I couldn't wait to see Fred Dibnahs Engine, I watched this on the Television many times.

 There was just so much to see here we were all very happy, especially as we entered the Working Field. Granddad and i couldnt wait to see the Tractor pulling. The adrenaline pumped around my body once more as the roar of the Cumins engine echoed around the Beautiful Shropshire Countryside. Many Memories came back to us, As we listened to the commentator i had to be restrained from leaping over the fences to do it properly as he knew nothing about this fab sport, Which My Dad and i were involved in for so many years, We travelled all around the country both following and later working for the sport.

 After watching the Grand Parade of the Steam Engines We walked around the Trade stands, As time drifted on the children were very tired so we head back to the car and on to Cousin Max's Birthday Party with the rest of our family.

Happy Half Birthday : )

Excitement echoed through the house this week as we celebrated Arrianna's Half Birthday, Yes our Beautiful Baby girl is now 6 months old. We have done so much with her recently she has done lots of travelling she loves going out in the car, Her communication is now really good, Arrianna is very vocal and is able say lots of words really well. She is becoming well known for the chunner and lots of people we see look forward to her talking. She seems to be a very intelligent girl She likes lots of input and does not like to be ignored.

For her Half Birthday i brought her some presents, a Hugh Jemima Puddle Duck and Peter Rabbit which now sit proudly on the bottom of her cot they are just so cute. 

Llanymynech to Four Crosses Walk

 Today we headed out for a walk around Llanymynech Heritage Site and then along the canal to Four Crosses all in all 4 miles. The weather was against us today but this didn't stop us.

 Arrianna loved looking at the trees and Muzzy loved having a run. Llanymynech is so rich in history defiantly worth a visit if you like that sort of thing.

Steam Road Run

Acton scot Victorian Farm Church Stretton

 After our camping trip we headed to Church Stretton to Visit the now very Famous Acton Scott Victorian Farm. The children were chuffed to bit cause Nanny and Granddad joined us. With our new car its fab getting out and about as there is room for the family and our dogs, fab very chuffed with it.

 When we arrived the children both collected their quiz sheets and looked through what had to be done. They were so excited and couldn't wait to get started. Nanny and Granddad had never been before so Kellyn and Ceienna were acting as tour guides and they made a fantastic job together.

 After a morning of wondering round we were all ready for our lunch, We were joined by some very hungry Chickens, It was good remembering when we had chickens when i was little, I still miss them even now as they make such lovely company. As we wondered around Nanny and Granddad also shared their memories of their childhood with the children, so it was really nice for them to gain this knowledge. The day slipped away fast and the two older children were growing tired after their adventures, so we headed back to Drop off the grandparents and head home.

http://www.actonscott.com/ Acton Scott we found was very reasonable there is lots to see here as it is a working farm. The girft shop is also very reasonably priced, I even brought a book i have wanted for years. The site is mostly accessable for pushchairs however there are some parts which are upstairs.

2nd Camping Trip 2011 Pembrokeshire

This weekend the family headed off to Pembrokeshire for another camping trip. on the way down we had many laughs, cracking jokes and spotting various different things on the way and singing along to our favourite music. 

It didn't take long to get set up and the children enjoyed the new cars and car mat i had brought for them. Soon we were joined by other children from the site and they were diving in and out of each others tents having great fun. Kellyn especially made a good friend, and i got talking to his dad. 

Later on we went out for the afternoon and the Evening to Pendine Sands, We had so much there. When we got back to the campsite, We were soon joined once again by Kellyn's new friend so i took all the children off to the play ground. Later on we were joined by Kellyns Friends Dad. We talked long into the evening watching the children having so much fun, It turned out we had lots in-common, We were interested in the same things and shared lots of interests. It was wonderful sitting having a drink and a chat actually having someone taking an interest in me. He was also great with the children too, Picking them up when they fell down. We shared lots of parenting ideas too which again made a refreshing change. As night began to fall, we headed back to our tents and settled down for a good nights sleep before the day ahead.  

Ellesmere Summer 2011

After visiting Colemere we stopped off in Ellesmere to Feed the ducks, Ellesmere is another great place to visit. It has easy access to pushchairs, a brilliant playground, and beautiful gardens. However Parking can be tricky on busy days.

Also around the town there are a some lovely walks if you are looking for more of a challenge. The canal is a suitable pushchair walk and very pretty,  If you don't use a pushchair the is a circular walk which takes you right the way around the town, which i have also done in the past and defiantly recommend.

While here we visited the Charity shop and other shops in the town, This is a lovely small country town and very enjoyable as all the people are always warm and friendly and very welcoming. This time we didn't have as good a find as we have had recently, Still very chuffed about that. lol

Colemere Country Park

Recently the family headed out to Colemere Country Park, Just outside Ellesmere, Shropshire. We had a lovely Day just right for walking to we were determined to make the most of it.

Colemere Country Park is Great for walking with the Pushchair as the Ground is nice and flat. Dogs are Welcome and there is a Free easy to access car park, However to get there there are narrow lanes with few passing places but its worth it afterwards. There are picnic tables available for snacks after your walk.

http://www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/pdf/EA%20colemere.pdf

Mothers - A Beautiful Poem i Found on Facebook xx

Mothers

Most Women become Mothers by accident, some by choice, a few because of social pressure and some by habit.

This year, many women will become Mothers of disabled children. Did you ever wonder how Mothers of disabled children are chosen?

Somehow I visualise God hovering over us selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his Angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

“Armstrong, Beth – Son; patron saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Majorie – Daughter; patron saint Cecilia
Rudledge Carrie – twins; patron saint … give her Gerald. He’s used to profanity”

Finally, he passes a name to an Angel and smiles: “Give her a child with a disability”
The Angel is curious, “Why this one God? She is so happy.”

“Exactly,” smiles God. “Could I give a child with a disability to a Mother that does not know laughter? That would be cruel”

“But has she patience?” asks the Angel

“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a Mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world and that is not going to be easy.”

“But Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”

God replies “No matter, I can fix that.”

“If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realise it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never consider a ‘step’ ordinary. When her child says ‘Mummy’ for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it!

I will permit her to see clearly the things I see…..ignorance, cruelty, prejudice…and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work.”

“And what about her patron saint? Asks the Angel
God smiles: “A mirror will suffice.”

A VERY Proud Mummy

As i lay on the grass today with my 3 wonderful children i couldnt help but think how wonderful they where and how lucky i am to have them. Having been a single mum now for nearly 2 years, i look back with pride i see how far we have all come from being so low, beaten up from our peoples hurtful words, Harassment and threats to the family we are today, Full of life, love and Happiness. After all the bad time this family has been through from being at rock bottom living with a 1 month old baby ( Kellyn ) in a caravan on an industrial estate after being forced away from our lovely home we are now truely blessed with having a special baby our lovely Arrianna who is the light of our lives.

When Kellyn turns 5 this year he will officially become a young carer, He has took on the responsibilities  brilliantly of being an older sibling of a Sister with Disabilities and proudly shows her off. He has thrown himself into learning Makaton and helps me with Arrianna's Physio. Arrianna responds so well to Kellyn its very special to see. I am so Proud of him, He has done so well and is doing well despite the knock backs he has taken, but now i have had the strength to protect me family and make sure that the people who have hurt him in the past NEVER get the chance to do it again any any attempt will not be tolerated. When Arrianna has appointments Kellyn always remembers and what's to know what is happening no matter what.

I look at the children and think WOW, This is what i have achieved, i run my house and my family well, Totally on my own. I have full control and have no help in anyway, not that i need it, Even though i know certain people have been saying things about me well to those of you. Least while you are slagging off my family you are leaving others alone, But i know were good now.  The only thing i miss from a relationship is affection but seeing others rush into relationships and seeing how badly they can go wrong has left me with reservations and when ever i feel a bit down i just look at Arrianna she gives me that special smile and all is well again. I know i dont need a man and if ever i get into a relationship again it will be because i want to not because i need to. This year i have gained so much self respect and for the first time in my life i feel i can say no, which is fab. For me being Single really works i am Flying High with my Children Flying behind me. As some of you may also know we had a bit of a win recently and so were soon off on Holiday to enjoy it. This family has had to go through so much hurt and darkness to appreciate the Good and God are we enjoying it. Keep checking our blog for more of our Good Times to Come, Especially now we can plan for the Future with Arrianna firmly Centre of all our Hearts.

Product Review Mothercare My 4

Mothercare My 4, There is also a similar My 3 available which has 3 Wheels. I must confess i use this for Arrianna, They are great all rounders (Great Off Road and in Town. )

They are bulkie when folded and the shopping basket isn't great and the tyres require maintenance.
Otherwise lovely pushchair light to push easy to use when you know.

Dearnford Lake Whitchurch

Recently the Children and myself visited Dearnford Lake just Outside Whitchurch its a very Beautiful place, which we really enjoyed and will defiantly be going again.

http://www.dearnford.com

Powys Castle Summer 2011

The Children and i headed up to Powys castle earlier this week. Firstly we went into the beautiful gardens.

This Cottage is actually a holiday home and available for anyone to stay in.

Powys Castle is a National Trust Property, I find having the Membership very handy as Kellyn and i love the gardens and it provides a safe place for the children to run around and enjoy. 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-powiscastle_garden/

Product Review - Kiddiwalks Book

These Books are available for various places through out the UK not just Shropshire, Me personally wishes they would bring out a few more, They are very informative giving estimates on how long walks will take you as well as their suitability for Pushchairs. Priced around £6.99 they help provide Cheap fun and adventure for all the family. 

http://www.countrysidebooks.co.uk

Special Thank You xxxx

A Huge Thank You to Everyone who sent Messages, Text and Tweets today

For Wishing Arrianna well and Keeping her in your thoughts, It means so much to me to know so many of you out there care about her so much. We can now look forward to the future.