The last few weeks have been difficult for me, my moms cancer has spread to her thyroid, I was diagnosed with glaucoma, our finances are in a scary space and Duncan is doing some exciting new work, but with a very tight deadline which has resulted in a more than usual tired, stressed out husband.

From the outside you wouldn’t know that I’m an emotional wreck (My emotional outbursts I keep for my kids and my husband). I chat, I smile, I check in with friends. I look whole and complete and yet I feel broken and raw.

What I have noticed in the past few weeks is how seldom someone actually stops and asks how I am. People ask about my mom, my kids, school, Duncan, general chit chat, but seldom a direct ‘how are you Donné?’

Today when a cashier at the shop asked me how I was and I nearly burst into tears, I realised how much I needed someone to just ask.

Don’t get me wrong I do have people in my life who do check in and who take interest in me, but I guess it made me pause and think, why was I craving that simple question.

So do I take a genuine interest in how the people in my life are doing? Do they know that I am there for them, a shoulder, an ear and everything else.

A friend posted this the other day, a good reminder to stop, reach out, and take the time to let our family, friends and even strangers know we care with a simple ‘how are you doing?’

Grace’s goal for her ballet exam was to be better than last time. She got 65% last time and said that she would be happy with 66%. I thought that was a rather good perspective – just keep improving.

Well, she improved and was very chuffed – the three girls in her group all got a distinction/gold for their exam! Happy little munchkin and definitely better than last time.

Filling up bottles from the Lourens river during mountain biking at school

The children were very excited to get some nice cool drinking water straight from the river.

It requires eye protection #realmendontcry

We only get maybe one short visit with Mel in a year, but it is special time to catch up, laugh, talk (all at the same time), and enjoy the comfort of a special friend.

Selfies after breakfast at Sweetwell

Eli was very proud of his space rocket that had rooms for the whole family and a (shorter) control tower to coordinate the launch.

He said this was his design and then went off to try and build it from wood. Maybe it is time to investigate how to build a rocket…..

Adam has got the hang of this peddling thing very quickly!

Grace knew what her birthday gift was going to be, and as things worked out we had to buy it a month early. She opted for the early gift option, which did help us with what to do with it in the mean time.

https://youtu.be/bxPOa6ZWzB0

What it also means though, is that everyone gets an upgrade! Eli is super excited to be riding Grace’s old bike and the training wheels are on for Adam who got on and started peddling away.

Eli is having a burst of writing and improving all the time. He has been writing his own story which involves dictating to Donné, and then copying the story on the lines below hers.

Grace has joined in and is writing her own story too.