Summer Snowflakes @ Hope House June 09

Summer Snowflakes is a day held at Hope House Children`s Hospice for children that have died in Mid Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire.
Today the family and Friends of the children were invited to attended this special day of memories.
Special songs, poems and reading rang out in memory of these special children. Many tears were shed. Daniel`s and Callum`s names were read out during the service along with Matthew, Gaynors young son.
Callum is always included now with the hospice. Baby Callum is my baby son whom died after 4 1/2 hrs 0f life due to placenta eruption in 1996. This happened when a seat belt tightened around my bump at 36 weeks pregnant when the brakes were slammed on the car in temper, when I lost my way on a map down country lanes in South Wales.
During the day. Some of the carers told us story`s of there times with Daniel when he stayed at the hospice. Recently a few of them were chatting in the dining room about Daniel, they went on to say a picture with no - one near it flew off the wall, as they chatted about him. We no he is defiantly about you can feel him at times around you and he is always up to mischief
Balloons were set off in memory of all the children, we all wrote tags out that were attached to the balloons. Music was played as we released hundreds of balloons all together into the Sky's over Hope House Children`s Hospice.
During the day we received so many hugs off all our friends at the hospice. The staff have been there for Aaron and I for a very long time now. They were even present on New Years Eve 2007 , when our precious Daniel died. They continue to support us to this present day.
Daniel`s death has devastated everyone whom truly loved our precious boy, he stole hearts all around Shropshire and Wales. Nothing could ever replace Daniel. He was such a special boy making everyone love him with his cheeky naughty ways. He was a highly intelligent child despite his disabilities, he was able to communicate via sign language and walk using aids or even holding hands. He mastered his wheelchair really well moving around un aided even able to take the brakes on and off on his own. He was also able to ride his bicycle un aided and ride a horse with just side walkers on stand by in case his slipped. A child in a zillion with a personality to match.
The down side of his life was apparent from people whom have no morals he was even referred to as a black cloud at one point. I still have the print off to this day of the vile comments made by the scum that walk the earth. To certain people he was a hassle.
To his family and all whom loved and cared for Daniel, he was the most unique, comical, well loved little boy you could ever meet. We were proud to have him as a part of our family. His memory will live on forever.
Daniel lived life to the full and I am so glad I put all my time and efforts into helping him achieve so much during his short life. Both Aaron and I can move forward with our life with no regrets. We did all we could to help Daniel throughout his life and can live happily and content knowing this. We just wish he was here now so we could carry on caring for him.
To learn more about Daniel please visit - a web site dedicated to such a wonderful child
www.danielstrustfund.com


Above this blog are photographs of both the boys

Cycle Ride Up The Mountain & Top Gear Telly

Yet another beautiful sunny day took us for a walk over the Berwyn Mountains Mid Wales. We walked the paths taking a picnic with us for lunch. Aaron took his mountain bike, as the paths are very safe for him to ride on with no cars being around.

We walked through the wooded area heading towards the stream and the mini waterfall. First stop was to wait for Fred to climb back out of the stream. He was very wet and mucky by the time he had finished wallowing in the mud.

High up on the top of the mountains the views of Bala, Snowdonia and beyond were fabolous.

Aaron really enjoyed cycling. Fred also enjoying chasing him along. Now and then Fred would stop and have a roll about in the mucky dust that lined the path ways.

When we got Hungary we all stopped to eat our home made picnic. We sat in a wooded area and settled down to eat our picnic. Ham and cheese sandwiches, cake, biscuits crackers and a bottle of juice to wash it down.

We all had a wonderful walk in open countryside with plenty of fresh mountain air to breath. Pictured above are my boys. Aaron a very happy, fun loving, fit & healthy 10 yr old and my handsome Billy who has all his own teeth, sparkling eyes and a wonderful smile.

Many people comment on how well and happy we all look. They ask what the secret is ? The answer is simple when you are around people that truly love, cherish and care for you and you can trust them a billion %, it shows in your health and your looks the answer is as simple as that.

We headed home near Tea - time, we all settled down in front of the TV and watched Top Gear. We had such a laugh watching the top gear team heading off for a camping weekend in Dorset. After causing mayhem on the roads they eventually ended up accidentally setting the caravan on fire along with the tent and caravan next door to it. It was such a funny episode. What a way to end the day.

Shrewsbury On A Sunny Saturday VW Show June 09

A beautiful sunny day saw the family heading to Shrewsbury. As a treat we had a McDonald's breakfast, we don't eat these all the time as there not good for a child`s health. Aaron is a very active swimmer and footballer so always has a proper nutritional diet. Being a proud mum he is well looked after and fed well.

it was the annual Shrewsbury VW show. We had a look around but with it being so hot we didn't stay long. Heading home as poor Fred our dog was starting to boil. Nana was also hot and bothered. Tired out we chilled out. In the evening we had a family stroll in the evening sun along the lanes near our home.

Scouts Summer Barbecue June O9

A beautiful summer evening took us to the annual barbecue at the Wynnstay Hotel in Llanrhaeadr surrounded by the beautiful Tanant Valley views.

Here is a link to the hotel web site www.wynnstay-arms-hotel.com.

This evening the annual area scout barbecue was being held.

We sat in the beer garden along with the other mums and dads who`s children go to the area scout troop.

Aaron really enjoys the scouts and has earned a few badges with other badges already in the pipe line. He learns allot at scouts including survival skills which is very useful. Aaron is in the area scout group but also has links with the Ellesmere Troop due to a good friend of ours being the scout leader there.

There were many faces from school at the barbecue plus many old faces I have known for a long time but havent seen it was lovely catching up on all the gossip.

The children played during the evening and the barbecue food was delicious. We had a lovely time. Billy made many new friends and is a proud dad to our lovely boy Aaron. Lots of people commented on how they get on and many a friend says -

"Any man can be a father but it takes a special man to be a dad" Billy sure is a special dad to Aaron.

Here is a link to the official scout web site - www.scouts.org.uk

The Lost Dog June 09

A springer spaniel was found wandering on the road outside our home. we brought him in an gave him some food and water. His eyes were glazed but apart from that he looked fit and healthy.

I rang around the local farms, vets and the police to report a dog had been found. We had him with us for most of the day Fred our cocker spaniel pictured below was extremely jealous and growled most of the day.

We later found out the springer was on holiday in the area and he escaped from the garden of a local house. The cocker was called hook and was 12 yrs old nearly blind and deaf. He was a lovely dog and came to a house he new he would be safe at till he was reunited with his frantic owner.

Daniel`s Oak Tree June 09

I am please to say the little oak tree that was planted last October 2008 by Llangedwyn School in memory of Daniel is growing well. This is a lasting living tribute to our wonderful brave soldier who is missed so very much.

This tree is an apple tree that was planted when Daniel was a baby in his first year of life. The tree has been grown from a seed. It is now over 11 yrs old. the tree no produces apples and blooms with blossom during the summer months.

Both these tree a wonderful living tributes to such a precious boy who sadly lost his life on New Years Eve 2007

Rainey Weekend & Pro-Active Adventure June 09

It was a very wet weekend here in wales. This weekend we took a trip to the shops, then caught up on a few jobs around our house. We love owning our own home as money is never wasted paying hundreds of pounds of rent out month after month on a house that will never be yours. The house has been decorated from top to bottom over the last few years and is very cosy and comfortable to live in. We all adore living in the beautiful countryside with views of the Tanant Valley to die for. Home surly is where the heart is.
After doing our chores we chilled out and watched a couple of movies. It was a relaxing weekend as Aaron was off on a school trip on the Monday for a few days. All the children from KS2 went on a pro active adventure. They visited Tyn Dwr Llangollen Activity Centre. Click here for web link. www.uclan.ac.uk . The children went canoeing, rock climbing, team building, gorge walking, orienteering and BMXing. They were away for a few days on the trip. Aaron intends to write his own blog entry about the trip at a later date.