Wednesday, July 6

Mum and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary

My mum and dad celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in March 2022. It was so wonderful to be there with the family to celebrate together. 




Dad, Mum, my mother-in-law Valerie and Father-in-law Eric March 2022


Julian (14), me (43ish!) Harry (18) and Ruby (13)



Mum and Dad sharing a milkshake at Terrigal Beach



Mum and Dad on the front porch of their new granny flat 2020

What an achievement!! As I fumble through my marriage, I truely only now understand the sacrifice and love that takes to last the distance.

 Love is a choice and not just a feeling. You 'choose' to love the other person on that day when you want to strangle him!! Or the day you question..What am I doing with him? I snap back to the original choice I made and that was to stay together forever- in richer or poorer, sickness and in health, good times and the bad. 

It may sound a little too much for some and I can only speak of my experiences and decisions but I do know that I have been blessed abundantly for sticking to my word. Jesus has watched over us, guided us and helped us through some of the toughest times. 

The road doesn't get easier because you made a commitment. It just means you have a friend to navigate life with and you are not alone!

Over the past few years that have been missing in this blog we celebrated another 10 years of marriage! 

Our Wedding day December 1999

We managed to take a quick getaway to Newcastle. It has become a little tradition for us. A few nights away without the travel. It is wonderful and a fantastic time to appreciate each other, give thanks for the fact we made another year and plan for the future. 





I could sit and watch the ships all day!!!
  

Tuesday, July 5

Best Friends




I'M BACK BABY!!

It has been a little while and I have just spent about 2 hours reading over my past posts!! 

Oh how I love to read and reflect on past years!! What a pleasure to read and think about how time flies and how much the children have grown! 

It went by too quick and I'm glad I have a little record of the journey! 

I need to begin the long catch up! I guess in a nut shell....
they all grew up!!!

This little one...my daughter Ruby, was about 4 when I last posted. She started primary school and finished primary school!!! And all the things in between!!!
She has become the most stunning girl inside and out. We are so proud of the young lady she has become. 

She is fierce, kind, caring, gentle, loving and thoughtful. 

She has a strong head on her shoulders and is responsible with other peoples feelings and hearts. She is a wonderful friend and companion to me! She is the quiet one in the family but probably the most thoughtful. 

Watching her grow is pure joy and delight to me! She has a fantastic relationship with both her grandmothers and her extended family.
Another wonderful thing to see is my two boys growing up and becoming friends. Don't get me wrong....we still have 'heated' discussions but when it all dies down, these two will be friends forever!!!
These two are a power house together! They both have strong personalities and are great young men. Again we are proud of the values and beliefs they hold. 




They will alway be my boys, no matter how short I get!!!


We have watched them start primary school, learn, grow, make friends, leave primary, begin high school and for Harry finish high school! It been a roller coaster (which I will share more pictures later) and I have loved every minute. Even the tricky times, heart break and worry, these boys have blessed me beyond all that I could imagine!




Harry finished High School and began Engineering at Newcastle University. His high school years flew by as he learn to drive, completed his HSC, found love, had a school formal and learnt the calming effect of the ocean and the waves!







In the time that has past, Harry has had two school formals. One in Year 10 and one in Year 12. Seeing him grow and wearing a suit makes him look so old!!! 



Here are a few highlights from his formal.....










Yep I'm that short!!!

Until we meet again with another catch up memory.....
















Saturday, January 28

Happy New Year!!
The year is 2017 and it has been a lifetime since my last blog post. I'm sure all the followers have moved on to bigger and better things, but I'm just happy to tap the keyboard and write a few thoughts down for myself.

I have come to realise how lovely it is to look over past entries and reminisce about the old days and how things 'used' to be. How life seemed simple. The fact is, I had pressures then too! As time passes you realise that seasons come and go. Nothing stays the same forever. That is why I love to write posts. It helps me to remember the good old days, like it was yesterday. I glance at the date and think to myself .."What!!! That was 2 years ago! It felt like yesterday!!"

My kids will probably hate me posting pictures of them as they get older. Actually....they already do!! They have found clever and naughty ways to pull faces, stick fingers up and close their eyes just so I can't "instagram" it! But I believe that the blog will one day be a fantastic record of our life. I have always tried to make my blog honest and a true reflection of our lives. I don't air dirty laundry here but rather record the fun times, laughter and milestones. They are pictures that won't offend or cause too much embarrassment in later years. Let's face it.... we all have 'THAT' photo which our parents took and we cringe every time it rears it's ugly head. The crimped hair, the mullet cut, teased fringes, hyper colour T-shirts, balloon skirts...am I showing my age?

I am trying to get back into blogging and it is going to be an effort. For starters there is a little to catch up on!! I can't go into too much detail but I will do my best to fill you in on the 'missing' years!! It has been three years in fact!! WHAT?!! Where has the time gone?

My last post was the last day of school for my boys in 2013. I have just taken a picture of the last day of school in 2016 for all the kids!! My eldest finished his first year in high school, middle son finished year 3 and my little girl finished year 1. During the past three years we have moved house, started kindy, started high school, moved schools, bought a dog, lost weight, put on weight, changed jobs, moved suburbs, cooked, cleaned, tidied the house, mowed the lawn, cheered on the sideline for kids sports, became a dance mum, taught the kids to cook, made a job roster, went on holidays, went to work, loved my hubby lots, loved my kids lots, ranted and yelled at kids, ranted and yelled at husband, driven 100,000 kms in my mummy van (or there about) and even had time to occasionally shave my legs!!

As you can see, life is BUSY!! I'm really not telling you any thing new under the sun. You guys understand. I used to reach for my laptop as a lifeline sometimes. Is any one else out there experiencing the mummy juggle too? Surely I'm the only one awake at this hour as my family sleeps soundly!!

Well I'm here to tell you I made it out the other side!! The kids are bigger and I have not had to deal with a nappy for years!!! Hang in there!! The haze lifts and you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel!! No matter how hard it gets, try to enjoy the moment. You don't want to wish your life away! You don't want to wake up one day and say "Dam...I was so tired, flustered and trying to control everything that I missed the best years of my kids lives.

Breathe, Relax and have a cuppa. Focus on the positives and the blessings you have right before your eyes. Look at what is in front of you and not what your neighbour has or is doing. We all are given a purpose and journey. Uniquely planned for you, different from others.

Run in your own lane....Now if you excuse me.....I'm of to take my own advice, breathe, relax and make a cuppa!!!

Bless you babe!!


Thursday, January 2

Happy New Year



Happy New Year: 2014, Fireworks,Light

It comes a little late but I hope you had a fantastic New Year! I had a quiet one with the family at home. We watched the Sydney fireworks over the harbour on TV. I think to experience the real wonder you just had to be there but a night at home with the family was pretty special too!!

Wednesday, January 1

Last Day at School 2013


It has been a big year. My little boy Julian started kindergarten, while my eldest began year 4. Ruby still has a year to go at home.

 I have loved watching them achieve new things and develop friendships. It has been such a pleasure and gift to be at home to be part of it all. I feel blessed that my life has worked out in such a way that I get a front row seat in their lives! 

I have to write this and it is truly my heart but sometimes when you are in the trenches, day in day out, you don't always see it like that. it is only when I take the time to reflect, I see the beauty of it all. 



These boys are great friends and it has been so awesome to watch Harry step up and be a 'big brother' to Jules in the school grounds. He picks him up from class, helps him find his way to the office and canteen and is that 'safety net'  that only a big brother can provide. Jules has been shown the ropes so that he might be that person to Ruby when she begins school in 2015. 


Proud Mummy moment... Dec 2013

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