So far, 2015 hasn’t been quite as sparkly as I’d like. January was tough. Despite big plans and the best of intentions, it just didn’t pan out as expected.

Those of you that follow me on Twitter or Instagram may have already gathered that last week was particularly turbulent. With Mr. LA shooting overseas, I was working flat out, desperately trying to juggle solo parenting with an array of important deadlines.

The children were both nursing colds and I was beginning to feel a little under the weather myself. On Tuesday, Jesse took a turn for the worse and by the early hours of Wednesday morning he was battling a full-blown asthma attack. I finally called an ambulance at around 4am and we were all rushed to A&E after his initial assessment.

Long time readers will know we’ve been through this a few times in the past. In fact, Jesse had all the nurses in stitches when he requested his ‘regular’ hospital breakfast.

‘I know you have Frosties,’ he insisted, ‘I had them last time and they’re my favourite.’

I know the drill, but I still found our most recent trip particularly frightening. Jesse was struggling as the ambulance pulled into the hospital. The paramedic’s concern was palpable and I could feel my eyes pricking with tears as a rising sense of panic threatened to overcome me. I’m well aware it could have been much, much worse, but it’s never easy seeing your child fight for their every breath.

We spent around 20 hours in the children’s A&E before finally being discharged around midnight. After a few frantic phone calls during the day, I’d managed to find  somewhere for Izzy to spend the night. There are times I feel I don’t have many friends here in Bristol, but the readiness with which people rushed to support me last week proved it’s quality, not quantity, that counts.

Jesse and I stumbled in through the front door at around 1am. He slept beside me for the rest of the night, obediently taking puffs of his inhaler every four hours. Thursday and Friday passed in a haze of exhaustion as I did my best to pick up the pieces and get our lives back on track.

Reinforcements finally arrived in the form of my family and Mr. LA. We celebrated Izzy’s 10th birthday on Saturday and I used every last bit of energy to throw her the party she’d been dreaming of. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I was ready to drop.

I had so many hopes and plans for January, so much I wanted to write, but in the end there was little time for creativity. It’s frustrating, but sometimes life gets in the way. February will be different. It feels like a fresh start and we have so much to look forward to.

Later this week, I’ll be heading to London to visit Heal’s Modern Craft Market. On Friday, I’ll be joining a number of my colleagues from the wedding industry to celebrate and launch the latest Little Wedding Space, a fabulous pop-up event taking place in Bristol. At the end of the month, Carl, the kids, and I will be visiting The Goodwood Hotel. I can’t wait!

What are you looking forward to in February?

Love Audrey xxx

PS. Many of you were kind enough to tweet well wishes or leave lovely comments on Instagram last week. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.