Christmas Surprise

Christmas is ALWAYS the most exciting time of the year when you have children. One Christmas when Rachel was young she wanted the a doll. She was so excited. She had a high pitched squeak she would make after she would say how excited she was. This Christmas was no different. On Christmas Eve she reminded everyone what day it was tomorrow and let out a big squeak. Her enthusiasm was contagious and as parents we loved every bit of it.

Christmas day came and presents were opened. Joey got a new Nerf gun which he was really excited about. Rachel received the latest baby doll. The illustration of the baby doll isn't my finest work. Looking at it now it looks a little scary, so you'll have to take my word for it, it was the latest childs doll and she loved it.

Her excitement and optimism soon met with a challenge. Joseph, in his enthusiasm to use his new gun chose her as the target and let off two Nerf rounds straight into her eye. Joseph thought it was fantastic! On the other hand Rachel was not impressed.

The Dynamic Duo

There is a big gap between the two younger boys, Joey and Mikey, and their older brother, Hyrum (about 8 years difference). Sometimes this can be a nuisance to Hyrum and often it will result in him getting double teamed. He's a good sport however and enjoys the rough and tumble.  

Before Hyrum grew into the strapping lad that he is now, the boys would often be successful in their objective. On this occasion I remember laughing at how easily Joseph and Mikey were beating their brother. Maybe they were empowered by the Batman and Robin outfits they wore, who knows.

This last illustration is pretty much spot on. "I'M BATMAN!" was the shout of triumph exclaimed by Joey as he sat on his brother's chest, while Mikey clung for dear life around his ankles. The look on Hyrum's face was one of annoyance with a dash of submission. The embarrassment of defeat as well as the the humour of the situation was evident as he was released from their control.

Never a dull moment.

Where has the time gone!

You may have noticed that I haven't posted a blog for a while! Apologies firstly, and secondly an explanation is needed.

For fifteen years I hadn't had the time for being artistic, creative yes (six children is what I call being very creative) but not necessarily artistic. As you can tell during those years work and family took a priority and I put time for myself way down on the 'to do' list. 

Back in 2015, I rediscovered a love of drawing. I had almost forgotten how my imagination could be set free as I sketched and drew images on the paper. It made me feel younger, happier and more real. It was as if I was rediscovering myself, that person I was before life got in the way. I was no longer going through the mechanics of surviving life in an increasingly stressful world, my focus was elsewhere. As my thoughts turned from the fiction of the imagination I recalled the experiences of those fifteen years. The laughter and joys, of which my family were the biggest part, came flooding back. 

Lately, I have allowed myself to slip back into life, forgetting to bring 'time for myself' further up the to do list. Well lets see if I can turn that around again and take some time to enjoy life more fully and develop my talents further. 

Here's to 2017!