How busy was July? Honestly, I feel like it’s been a whirlwind and I can’t really believe I have packed so much in! I was just looking through my photos thinking I haven’t taken any nice family shots this month and then realised the ones from Florence’s birthday were actually in July, it just feels like such a long time ago!
So, where do I start? We have just moved house, relocating from the Wirral to West Yorkshire, to be near to my family in the town where I grew up. It’s something I started thinking about around Christmas time, taking a few months to make up my mind about whether it was the right thing to do, and finally putting my house on the market at the end of April, selling it within a month and deciding to buy the house I just moved into on the same day.
You’ll no doubt know that with house buying everything seems to be going on smoothly and quietly in the background for ages, reaching a crescendo of stress, admin and packing as you reach nearer to your completion date! This is pretty much what happened, despite having a fantastic solicitor, removal man and estate agent on the case to help make things go without a hitch.
Looking back now I suppose it did go really well on the day, with a bit of a (Wirral) gin-fuelled send-off on the Sunday night, we moved on Monday and nearly a week later the new place is starting to look and feel like home. While my parents looked after Sam and Florence at their house, I had help from my friends at either end to do some last-minute packing and cleaning, and then after I’d made the two-hour journey, to help with the unpacking and toasting our arrival.
There’s nothing like having friends on hand to help arrange your kitchen, tell you you might just have too many mugs, and come round with a home made spaghetti bolognaise and a bottle of bubbly.
It’s been like having a great big hug this week, having so much help with the kids, with odd jobs in the house, just having that extra support has been amazing. Coping on my own has been ok, I have managed but it came to a point where I knew I couldn’t do it on my own anymore if I were to get the most out of life. I had to admit it, I needed help.
My parents have just been amazing, as ever, this week and the kids have just loved having them nearby and spending time with them both at their house and our new place. My friends, too, are just round the corner and I know we will be spending lots of time together and I can’t wait to see the relationships between our kids blossom and grow.
I saw my sister and her three little ones on Wednesday, another fab thing about moving back to Yorkshire. The cousins get on so well, and I love the fact that they will live near one another as I did with my cousins when I was young. My cousins are living near our new house too, so I’m looking forward to some more get togethers with them too. So many positives, it makes it easier to look forward and try not to feel overwhelmingly sad about the past.
I know I will miss my Wirral family and friends so much, but I’m planning to be back regularly so trying not to think about that separation too much.
With the business of moving, I haven’t been blogging as much as I usually would have done, and I have only been for one run in weeks. Both these things need to be fixed, as both are things I need to feel sane! I have written a few posts on my laptop but haven’t had time to make them look nice, so I’m sure they will come out in the next few weeks.
August will hopefully be much more restful; we are off on our holidays soon to an amazing villa in the Algarve, courtesy of James Villas who made me the winner of their Summer Love competition back in April, with the post about our last holiday abroad in Uzes.
I’m going with the kids, my oldest friend Sally and her son Joe, who is just a year older than Sam – and his holiday buddy. We went to Filey together last summer, so know they can get along in a small space! This time they’ll have a pool, pool table, table football and Wii – I cannot wait to get to that villa and relax. I just need to find my summer clothes first and get those cases packed.
August will be a month of settling in, of new beginnings, of taking things down a notch, slowing the pace and breathing out. I’ll need it after the last few days of July, as I’m currently on a train heading to Kenilworth for a friend’s 40th birthday party. Gin and slim on ice!
I hope you’ve had a good month. If you’d like to take a look at our Me and Mine portraits from the past 12 months, you can do here.
x Julia
This post is linked up with the Me and Mine project – hosted by Dear Beautiful, Bump to Baby, Capture By Lucy, Let’s Talk Mommy, Mummy Daddy Me and Tigerlilly Quinn – where you take a photograph a month of your family all together.
16 Comments
Mini Travellers
July 31, 2016 at 8:38 amIt made me tear up to read this this morning. I am so happy for you that you are getting some extra help and love. Bed always here for you when you need to come back and stay! xxx
Mini Travellers recently posted…Snapshot from Greece
Dickie felton
July 31, 2016 at 8:53 amWell done on the move Julia!
We are doing the same thing. Sold up in Crosby and moving to Lake District to be closer to my parents.
We moved up here Thursday but a depressing last minute hitch involving solicitors and ten tons of stress, means we have been dossing down at my parents’ for four nights.
Three in a bed. It’s a bit like the Charlie Bucket home in Willy Wonka.
Anyway, we are told we get the keys to our new home tomorrow. So fingers crossed.
We will then get all our clothes and belongings Tues. they’re currently in a Liverpool lock-up. We travelled to Kendal yesterday to trawl charity shops for emergency clothes! Good fun!
Glad to see you and the family have settled in to your new life. We avidly follow your adventures.
Good luck with it all
Dickie felton
(Worked with Roger on the Daily Post for a few years early 2000s)
Tessa Roberts
July 31, 2016 at 9:06 amGood luck in your new home and your new job and your new life. Glad to see its all going well. You deserve it. Missing you in the Wirral. Love Tesxxxxxxxxx
Mackenzie Glanville
July 31, 2016 at 10:24 amoh honey I am glad you are so close to everyone now and you have the support you need. Cousins are so great for our children too aren’t they! My brother is moving closer soon and I look forward to my children and his children spending time together. good luck with everything xo
Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…Create a life that you are passionate about
Katy (What Katy Said)
July 31, 2016 at 12:06 pmAh you are in!! House buying can be so so stressful so I’m glad you’re in and settled- and can enjoy the rest of the summer in your new house. Lovely photos xxx
Katy (What Katy Said) recently posted…Me & Mine: July
Emma Plus Three
July 31, 2016 at 12:13 pmGreat photos and I love your outfit! x #meandmine
Jenny
July 31, 2016 at 8:32 pmAhhh congratulations on the move. It’s so stressful no matter how smooth it runs selling /buying at the same time. But glad you are getting settled in and it’s amazing to be closer to family. Family is so important and I would do anything to be closer to my family and have a little more help. I bet it’s going to be amazing for their bond too being so close to family and friends too. I hope it slows down for you and you can relax and enjoy your new adventure in life. #meandmineproject
Carie
July 31, 2016 at 9:40 pmCongratulations on the big move, it sounds like it was as straightforward as these things can be and it must be a lovely feeling to be settled (ish) in the new house with so many exciting plans still ahead for the summer!
Carie recently posted…Me and Mine 2016: July
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
July 31, 2016 at 9:54 pmSo glad to hear that you are now closer to your family and that support and hope that you settle in to your new home soon. Love the photos of you on Florence’s birthday and it looks like she was having a lovely day. Hope August is a good month for you and that you enjoy your holiday too.
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…#366daysofgratitude – Week 30
Heledd _ Running in Lavender
July 31, 2016 at 10:32 pmYou continue to amaze me Julia, taking everything in your stride. It really sounds like you’ve done the right thing for you and the kids – sometimes you just need help and now you have it just round the corner! And you have an amazing summer ahead of you, including a holiday, which you deserve more than anyone I know. Lovely post hon #meandmine xx
Heledd _ Running in Lavender recently posted…A Family Portrait in July {The Me and Mine Project}
Mary Smith
August 1, 2016 at 9:11 amI am so happy that things are working out for you and a huge welcome to YORKSHIRE! whoop! We are in West Yorks too and I sincerely hope we bump into each other at some event or whatevs. I love Yorkshire and look forward to seeing your families story continue up here! Hope you have a great August with things to look forward to and this new chapter is good for you all x
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Carol Ramsay
August 3, 2016 at 4:28 pmI’m so happy for you all that the move went smoothly and that you have your family and old friends surrounding you now. That’s such good news.
Best of luck in your new home xx
Natalie
August 3, 2016 at 9:47 pmIt’s lovely to hear that you have settled in. I hope it all goes well for you all. Enjoy your holiday together you definitely deserve a break after a stressful time xx
Natalie recently posted…A trip to Formby
sarah christie
August 9, 2016 at 9:47 pmI am so glad to move went smoothly you deserved a break, and it must be fab to have your Mum and Dad around. I know you are going to be so happy her Julia and have a bit of breathing space too x
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Katie @mummydaddyme
August 9, 2016 at 11:01 pmI hope you are having a lovely time in Portugal Julia and congrats on the new house. I wish the three of you every happiness and love in your new home. x
Jo Hutchinson
August 17, 2016 at 11:33 amBrilliant photos, congratulations on the move.