Some Highlights so far…

Finding My Own Rhythm

Sometimes, it feels easier to highlight the negatives — the daily challenges, the weekly struggles, the long-term uncertainties. But I’m not blind to how fortunate I am. I have a beautiful family, a loving husband, and a home that is (mostly) warm — when the heating doesn’t give up on us! But you get the point.

I know I’m lucky. And even when I’m moaning, I’m deeply grateful.

I’ll always give my all to my family, but there have been times when I’ve forgotten what I enjoy, what makes me happy beyond the roles of wife and mum. Felicity is passionate about gymnastics, Elliott loves karting and football, and Dave is obsessed with cars — honestly, I sometimes joke that they’re his one true love.

For me, this time in Lithuania has been about figuring out what makes me happy outside of our family. I say “outside” because it's obvious that we wouldn’t have moved to a country we knew so little about if we weren’t already a strong, happy unit.

This past year has been about building new friendships while maintaining old ones. A real highlight was when one of my best friends came to visit. We stayed a night in the city at Aura Spa, explored the city, chatted endlessly, and just enjoyed being together. She even discovered places in Vilnius I hadn’t come across — one standout was Amandus Restaurant, where we had the most delicious tasting menu and wine.

They were able to accommodate all our dietary needs — I’m gluten-, dairy-, onion-, and garlic-free, while she follows a vegan diet. Great company and amazing food — exactly what we both needed.

Making Connections

Making friends in a new country, especially when you don’t speak the language, is no small feat. It’s not meant to sound harsh — it’s just the reality. Lithuania has a smaller population than the UK, and without the shared language, the social pool is naturally smaller.

I work at the same school my children attend, which is lovely but doesn't always open up opportunities to meet other parents, especially when many speak Lithuanian or Russian — neither of which I’m fluent in (and realistically, probably never will be). Some days, I struggle to hold a coherent conversation in English after teaching all day!

That said, I’ve been really lucky to find a few close friends who share my values. We find time — in and around our kids’ schedules — to connect, talk, and just be. One challenge is carving out child-free time when others either have older children or none at all. Adult-only time can be hard to come by, especially when you’re a full-time teacher.

One night, I went to a candlelit concert — something I’d seen advertised for ages but never prioritised. I’m so glad I finally went. Even though I didn’t understand a word the performers said, the Coldplay-inspired music was beautiful, and the company was just as lovely.

There have been other small joys too — walks, drinks, and catch-ups as time has allowed.

After eleven years of being “Mum,” I’m finally realising how important it is to make time for me. It’s okay not to feel guilty. Everyone needs time to recharge — physically and emotionally.

I’ve found that meeting friends, reading, or just giving myself some “brain-off” time at the end of a busy week makes a huge difference. I’ve never been good at doing nothing, but I’m learning.

And I honestly couldn’t have made it through without Ruth @rkwellness — her Pilates and yoga videos, and her ongoing support, have been a lifeline.

Family

A memorable moment from this past year was when Felicity and I took part in a tree-planting event at Belmontas. It was a simple yet meaningful experience — the kind that reminds you of the importance of being present and connecting with nature, knowing we were contributing to something that would grow and last for years to come

As a family, we’ve been to Splatter Studio twice now — once for a regular session (Felicity and I went with some friends), and again for their special UV session with Dave and Elliott. It was so much fun, and something totally new for us.

We’ve definitely missed certain foods from the UK. Mealtimes here have sometimes been more of a challenge, but I’ve always loved cooking and baking — especially from scratch. It ties back to my passion for nutrition and health from my undergraduate days. It’s still the area of work I’ve loved the most. Don’t get me wrong, teaching has its moments, but my heart belongs to nutrition.

When I cook, even in the chaos of involving the kids, I love that I know exactly what’s in our food. I also love using those moments to teach them about where food comes from and why taking care of our bodies matters.

A hot air balloon ride was the most amazing experience of the year for my birthday—a real treat for all of us and one we’ll always remember. Seeing Trakai from above was unforgettable; the silence, the vastness, the forests, and lakes—all surrounded by such peace—made it a truly special moment to share.

Looking Ahead

The point of this blog, I guess, is that even in the midst of life’s chaos, there are always positives. I recently read a book that talked about how we all use our own "matrix" to define happiness — and that stuck with me.

As I write this, we’re packing up the house we’ve lived in for just over a year, ready to move 40 minutes away from school and work. I used to swear I’d never commute again. But when it comes down to living in a home that’s clean, warm, reliable — and affordable — well, something has to give.

We’re so excited to move (less so about the unpacking), and this whole process of sorting, packing, and letting go of what we don’t need has made me feel deeply grateful — for everything we have, and everything we’ve been able to give ourselves.

We’re ready for whatever comes next.

Life isn’t perfect. It’s full of challenges and sacrifices. But in between all the logistics and obligations, there are moments of connection, joy, and quiet gratitude — and for that, I am thankful.