This little girl went to wursery (how she says nursery!) school today....
....wearing her ofform (uniform) & her new pink trainers (of which she is VERY proud)...
....and a cheeky little grin! She had a wonderful time & even used the 'dreaded' little toilets! What a star! We love you AJ! :o) 
As I stand at the beginning of the journey into 2011 I can't help but look behind me down the 'track' & ponder & reminisce just a little about the year that has just passed.
So many memories of celebrations & birthdays.
Growing things to eat & learning how to help each other.
Caring for Grandma & Grandad's chickens, & enjoying the eggs they laid!
Memories of a summer holiday that will probably be recounted in family history with a story that begins 'You remember the year we went on holiday & it rained & rained & rained?....' but was fun anyway! :o)
Our trip to Gloucester in a torrential shower of rain & the puddle that Luke stood in 'right up to his middle', or so he told us! Of a lovely afternoon spent in Gloucester Cathedral enjoying sculptures & inspiring art & walking through a labyrinth as a family praying & sharing a special moment together in God's presence despite the chaos all around us.
Times spent with family & friends (man & beast!) playing & enjoying each other's company.
Continuing to see the beauty & wonder of the little things in life, as only a child can help you to see them.
Rediscovering skills & pleasures long forgotten! Enjoying adventures as a family that were not previously thought possible!
Learning new skills & being endlessly creative with whatever comes to hand. (In the photo above, Timmy is using his new love of the Frisbee as a springboard for modern art- here he is a statue of Eve from the film Wall-e!)
There are the memories of feeding a family of swans by hand. The children were so excited by it that, yes, someone did fall in!
As I ponder 2010, I know that, however idyllic particular photos may look to the outsider, I will always know in which ones the children were squabbling or remember the tantrums that proceeded it!! Aaaaaah! Family bliss!
But despite the tears & bickering, 2010 was a year of hopes fulfilled, dreams stirred into the beginnings of reality, lessons learnt, an awakening of our desire to know God more & a time of drawing closer to him as a family & as individuals.
And as I turn back from the memories of the year just gone & look towards the year ahead, I know that whatever happens God is faithful & will keep his promises to us as we walk with him day by day. And what an adventure we will have! :o) 
