Life is a rollercoaster you've just got to ride it.

and ride it we did in 2009! It was a year of tremendous highs and lows in the Satterley household and it has certainly whizzed past!

The year started in uncertainty with me knowing that at somepoint I would be made redundant. We had both got our heads around the fact it was going to happen but the months of not knowing exactly when was really hard and definately the worse bit for me. Each time an announcement was made you wondered if your name was on the list and when the October list was announced and I wasn't on it and all my friends were I had really had enough! Now a month since my leaving I am beginning to get used to not having to get up in the mornings before 7.30 in the cold and looking forward to the future.

February was a low with Russ' health but I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and this experience just made us a stronger couple and brought us closer to my Parents as family which is really nice. Throughout the year the issues have continued but we have been able to work through them and come out the other side.

In May we had a big high - our 10th wedding anniversary trip to WDW and our first vacation club visit. Despite the rain and storms like we have never seen, we had an amazing time. Saratoga springs was just the perfect resort to spend our trip it was quiet and relaxing but within easy reach of all the magic and excitement. We had some amazing food and experiences which we will remember forever.


In august we had the shocking high of the year - we found out we were expecting bump. It took many many weeks for it to really sink in but we are both looking forward to the new addition to our family arriving in the spring. Having the 20 week scan in November was just the most amazing experience - it was all so detailed and clear. Nature is just the most amazing thing ever!

Mum worried me to death for a week when she had an adventure all of her own by trying to destroy her arm while in Italy and experienced a stay in an Italian Hospital along with a major operation. She has done remarkably well considering and we find out more about the likelihood and nature of future operations tomorrow so that story continues into 2010.

In many ways I will be glad to say goodbye to 2009 and move forward into 2010 with the new adventures and experiences that it holds for us however I will treasure many memories and parts of 2009 forever. Life isn't meant to smell of roses all of the time and all the ups and downs makes us the people we are and move us into future paths.

I wish you all a very happy new year and hope that all your adventures and experiences in 2010 are positive and safe.

YAY x 3

Today has been a good day!

1. Someone noticed I was pregnant while in a lift and thought I was big - the first person who hasn't thought I was hiding bump well. I know people generally take offence to being told how big they look but I have had a small an un-noticable bump for over 6 months now and I am proud to be pregnant and glad someone has finally noticed :D (please remind me of this statement when I am near the end and struggling!!!!!)

2. The christmas present shopping is complete just need to sort and wrap them now!!!

3. We finally have a christmas tree that is stable/straight/safe & is the same colour all the way down! It is also a foot taller than the previously returned trees (although more expensive - always remember not all bargins are bargins!). We just need to put the lights on it and decorate it now.

Just the finishing touches to the remaining christmas cards and christmas calm and enjoyment can rein over the Satterley household - YAY!

A bit of non christmas fun

As you will all know we are BIG Disney fans but we also love the late and great Jim Henson creations. I am quite sad that Bump will not get to see Sesame Street on a regular basis over here.

I am also a big Queen (as in the rock group although I do like Her Majesty this post is nothing to do with her!)fan and so when Russ was going on about this on you tube I just had to post it here.



We popped into town for late night shopping tonight. Newton Abbot is not the best of places for getting things but it was nice to be able to say we have been late night shopping and Russ managed to get the christmas cards for work so that is something else ticked off the list of things remaining to do. We are going to Exeter on Friday to get the last few presents and I will be finished - just the wrapping to do. We are also going looking for trees on Friday so there could be a tree update over the weekend!

Oh how I wish this was the tree in my house!!! We have had a bit of a tree nightmare this weekend so we are treeless at the moment! I had planned to get a new 6ft tree this year in preparation for having little one next year but due to 2 faulty ones beng returned and opting for a refund, we are likely to have our small 3ft tree again this year.

The possibility of having a real tree this year has been mentioned but I am not sure if Ben and a real tree will work together in the same room - we will have to see but I will post a pic of whatever we end up with.

On another note I have a large chunk of my xmas cards done and just await address labels from Russ for those that need posting (well all bar 10!!) I think that must be a record - the date is not yet in double figures and I am think of posting my cards!!!! (and the ones for america and Oz have been sent!)

Guess I should go and do some housework now - the domestic goddess in me has evaporated a little!!!

Thank you

I am so lucky to have some great friends :D

Since announcing we were expecting I have had great reactions and support. I have some very talented friends and family who have got their knitting needles out and clicked away to create some gorgeous items for "Bump" and have had other items given to us in anticipation of her arrival (which is hopefully still a couple of months away!) She is going to be a very lucky little thing to have so many talented and kind Aunties :D

I just want to Thank you all - it is so kind and looking at it all just makes me go all gooey!!!

Proper Thank you cards will be sent from bump once she is out in the world - one thing she will be learning from a very early age (like I did) is that a "Thank you" costs nothing and means so much!