The busy life of being 'Mum'

Lots of people have commented on how slow the blog updates have been lately.  I can only apologise and as you'll see, the updates have been 'updated'.  You can have a catch up of what we've been up to over the Spring season by scrolling down.

It's true to say that becoming Mum overnight to a 9/10 year old, we certainly hit the road running.  I also can't deny that I love it!  I love the organised chaos.  I love the every day moments.  I love the realisation of day to day moments that can be recognised as 'firsts for Lutaaya.'  I love being Mum.

So the reason for the lack of regular blogs, has simply been down to being so busy.

The reality of now being a full time worker as well as a single Mum is in full swing.  It's manageable.  Just.  With huge thanks to my friends and family.  We have many 'angels' in our daily lives who dip in and out to steer us along and give us that helping hand we need.  I am grateful for that.   

We took full advantage of the Easter school holidays and had an action packed itinerary.  So here goes, here's the lowdown on our Spring holidays!

First stop - the zoo!  Being an adoptive Mum, I need to try and enable Lutaaya to experience the things most children experience in their earlier years if they were born in the UK.  It's a tricky balancing act, as I don't want to 'simple' her by doing 'baby' activities, I want her to understand what other children have experienced so that she too has memories of these events.  She needs experiences she's missed out on as well as experiences appropriate for her age now.

But I think we all enjoy a trip to the zoo no matter how big or small we are!

There certainly seemed to be an animal theme going on this Easter, as you'll realise!  Next stop - the community farm.

We loved this little farm as it offers great hands on learning for children young and old.  It has a real family feel about it, and offers an intimate atmosphere.  Great for a little girl to explore!  I think this will be one of many visits.

Then came a Royal Wedding!  Lutaaya loved watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate on TV!  It just so happened that it was one of her Godfather's birthdays too!  So we were invited to his birthday/street party.  And look who turned up!

There is a Lutaaya hiding under there!

Uncle Cameron returned home from France, so he wanted to give Lutaaya an Easter treat.  Farm number 2 coming up!  A day out, as an Easter gift off Uncle Cameron.  Not so many 'animal' photos included in this one!  Just one little girl and one BIG kid, having lots of fun!

This is in the BIG Ferris Wheel!  Not quite sure what she expected but it was the one thing she wanted to do all day!

So there you have it!  The reasons why we were so busy, I never managed a blog update! 

Our journey continues, so I will try my best to keep the blogs coming! We should have a court date soon for an adoption order in the UK!  I'll keep you all posted.  I can apply on 3rd June so please pray that the date will come soon.  We can finally put the legal journey to rest then and know that we truly are a 'forever family'.

Easter Eggstravaganza

Doesn't this photo sum up Easter more than any words could?  Lutaaya knows that the words are true!  I hope you manage to 'smile' too, as the words are true for you too!

We didn't lose sight of the real meaning for Easter but we also wanted to add some fun.  So Easter morning, we woke up early and announced the arrival of the Easter Egg hunt.

The basket was empty when Lutaaya started and clues were scattered around the house, leading her to the next egg.  Oh my!  How she got involved quickly!

Initially Lutaaya didn't understand the egg hunt?!?  She would have preferred to have stayed in bed all day I'm sure!  But soon she realised how much fun this game could be!

Lutaaya managed to work out every clue!  All around the house, in the smallest of hiding places, she went on her hunt to find the eggs.

Its amazing where you find eggs on Easter morning!

Ta da!  Look what was at the end of the Easter egg hunt!

Lutaaya loves her scooter!  Its a lot easier than her bike, to learn to ride and she loves the freedom it gives her.  At every opportunity she scoots rather than walks. 
You may have noticed that there isn't any chocolate mentioned here!  Reason being: my little girl isn't too keen on it!  So better her have something she can stay active with, than get her something she doesn't really like! 

Loving Water! Loving Life!

Lutaaya simply LOVES water.  She loves the fact that it's in the tap whenever she needs it.  It's obviously something she is NOT used too.  After all, she spent the first 9 years of her life in Uganda, where running water is a luxury rather than a necessity.  Taps are a rare sight, and to get hot water, would need a lot of hard work, rather than simply turning the tap on!

So having some fine, sunny weather, gave Lutaaya and Granddad some fund times.  I think the photos speak for themselves and REALLY shows to what extent Lutaaya LOVES water!!!

Some quieter time trying to get her helicopter to work

From Tusker to X Factor

During our stay in Uganda, Lutaaya became obsessed with watching a Ugandan talent/singing TV programme called Tusker.  (When the electricity allowed).  Unbelievably, after our long stay in Uganda, we had to leave before the final.  So if anyone can enlighten us who won Tusker 2010, we'd love to know. 

On arriving in the UK, unbelievably, X Factor was still on TV.  There were about 4 weeks left of it.  Instantly Lutaaya saw the similarities between Tusker and X Factor, and I guess to a certain degree, it gave her a little of 'home' through a very random way.

Lutaaya placed all hopes in a black lady, Rebecca, winning.  She ended up taking second place.  Lutaaya loved the excitement and hype of the show.  So when we had the opportunity to go and see the live tour, we jumped at the chance.

What a night!  Lutaaya ended up covered in ticker tape and loved every moment.  She certainly loves her music.  Seeing her singing idol in real life, was a little overwhelming and she struggled with her emotions at one point, but we quickly talked about it and she enjoyed the rest of the show.

Ffion and Lutaaya doing the X Factor sign!

Loving being in front of the stage!