2013 Year in review

Wow another year, zoomed by, gone far too quick, kids growing up to quick, myself getting older to quick. *sigh*  But not all was bad, there have been loads of positive and special memories captured during this past year.

2013 was a big year for us, with a lot of life changing events, some good and some not so good, as a family we all pulled together and it made us stronger than ever. With this strength I know 2014 is going to be a good year.

Our Highlights of 2013:

• Going through the final stages of the assessment with the Social Services for us to become Summer's Special Guardians.  The assessment itself is very intense, emotional, long winded, evasive process, but we finally succeeded.

• The courts granted us Special Guardianship for our baby granddaughter. Summer came to live with us in February and she is now fully settled in and a very happy little girl.

• Late February hubby's sister, her hubby and their 3 girls (our nieces) moved out to Australia. This was their dream and wanted it very much, so we were pleased for them - they finally made it!  We were very close with them and socialised a lot with them, went on holidays together, we got together often; eat, drink, laugh, play - We miss them terribly.

• I started blogging, which I thoroughly enjoy. It has been 6 months now, and I am very proud of my blog, which is what is important, otherwise I wouldn't do it.

• Liam became a teenager - the changes over the past year for my little baby is he is growing up! He is now displaying all the stereotypical traits of being a teenage, i.e. sleeps a lot more, snappy more - though overall he seems very happy person, which is what is important to me. He has also been very supportive of Summer.

• Lewis is still Lewis, a fun loving, easy going boy, and cheeky.  Though he is 10 and quickly growing up I can see him always be a kid at heart. He discovered Marvel this year and now loves everything Marvel or DC - his favourite is The Hulk. Also he has been very supportive of Summer.

• Jacob turned 4 late in the year, and has really grown from toddler to little boy in the past 12 months - he is like a little old man some days, a bit of a bossy boots and a very caring and loving little boy.  Summer and Jacob have become very close, they act like any brother and sister, though Jacob is increasingly protective of Summer - which is nice to see.

• Hubby went on his first ever Army (REME) reunion (weekend), and he meet his fellow Army mates for the first time since he left over 17 years ago. I met him just after he left the Army, but I know how important that part of his life was to him - it made me very happy to see how much he enjoyed reuniting with his Army mates.

What this year has shown me is that we are a strong family, with loads of love, and happiness  - the way my boys accepted, supported and helped with Summer, makes me feel like I am the proudest mum in the world.

What have been your highlights of 2013? Have you experienced any major changes, positive or bad for 2013?