Robins nest

1st day back at school-

2012-02-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy day here today, With Gabrile starting prep so he is at school 5 days a week!! Then Niamh started kindagarden and she goes 3 days a week Tuesday through to Thursday. We got up on time and after we had a guest for dinner the kids didnt clean up their toys so first thing before breakfast at 6.45am they were up and cleaning their toys away. They did a good job and got it done quickly before sitting at the table for breakfast. They raced to their rooms to get dressed for school, I went out last month and got new school uniforms for them and new shoes, runners, bags and lunch boxes. We were very organised with me making their lunches the night before and they were in the fridge waiting for them. I had enough time to have my breakfast and a shower and watch the news and we were still early! The kids were on the couch waiting to go to school and asking Allen every 5 seconds "can we go yet?"
Gabriel was very excited to be in his new class room with his friends from school. He was very happy when we left and I couldnt wait to get home and get some stuff done without them and spend some time with just Hezekiah. Niamh was very happy to spend the whole day at school and bought home her first drawing and her first cut and paste picture (a fish) I'm looking for the blutack at the moment its grown legs I just have to work our who's legs they were????....
Niamh was sooooo tired by the end of dinner and was in tears because she couldnt get to pat the duck that daddy was holding, so off to bed she went ( with more tears) she went to sleep very fast. Xaviour being a prefect this year (who forgot his badge) had a good day and was organised and had left at 8.15! Unheard of in our house its usuallly running into the kitchen at 8am and trying to make lunch while having his breakfast. He came home happy and was very quiet and hungry ( being almost 16 he's constantly eating). I love that we can sit and talk when he's ready to. I know he is going to have a great year with his senior dance.
jasmine decided that today she was going to finally clean her room. She has been so excited about moving for university that she has packed everything into boxes and is literaly living out of her suitcases. Tomorrow we get to repack the stuff she actually needs right now and then store the rest. She is starting to get reality of moving and having to pay rent and buy food and make her dinner herself every night! My father is close by in case of emergency and my brother in case of "boy" trouble. Jasmine leaves on the 28th and dad arrives the same day and will take her car on the boat for her so that she has her car in Melbourne. I know she is going to have a great time and that Im going to cry at the airport when she leaves :(
University for me starts back next wednesday for a day then the follwing week its full steam ahead, with Hezekiah starting day care for the first time. I know he will be fine he fits in really well with others and plays nice with other kids.

Hospital stay

2012-02-13T00:55:00.001-08:00

Ok so on the 30th of January I woke up and was having some trouble walking.. I didnt think much of it at the time as I'd just got up. ... Fast forward till dinner time 6.30pm that night and I was having alot of problems walking my body just wasnt doing what I wanted it to and I couldnt work out why. My husband being the ever pressent pain in the butt had been waatching me all day like a hawk ready to pounce on me, he rang a friend of ours "mother Jackie" who is a retired nurse and we ring her all the time for medical advice, little stuff like "whats this weird rash on ...kid?" that sort of thing. Anyway Jackie rang (no Allen rang) and she wanted to talk to me ( no bully me) into going to the hospital. I tried my best to fight her off by saying "I'll be fine, I'll see my G.P in the morning ..." nope she wasnt taking any of that! So as I said I got bullied into going so I went begrudgingly to the hospital where they poked me and proded me they took a Cat scan and then and X-Ray then drew more blood then they tried the "stroke test" I thought I did an awesome job, allthough after the 8th time of answering "who is the current prime minister" I was ready to say daffy duck just to muck with them. I was tired and getting cranky, the seniour doctor didnt like the look of me and wanted to admitt me, there was no way in hell I was staying so after signing the relevent "get me out of here now" forms I went home with a promise to go to my G.P the next day.
I went to see my G.P the next day and my walking was still a bit "off balance" I kept leaning to the left and my speech was starting to slur, so after a 5 minute chat my G.P sent me back to the dreaded hospital.... After some debating and some more tests and a fantastic nurse who decided that a canular was a great thing to put in my arm when she was annoyed with someone else :( I was admitted to the stroke unit. By the next day my speech was terrible it was all stuttering and no words, my mind was working fine but my body was going nuts! I wa given a pen and paper by one of those very smart nurses :) I was able to communicate again allthough a bit slower. I stayed for a week seeing the senior doctor for stroke patients, and another neurologist from Hobart. After some debate between the 2 they decided that it wasn't a stroke (yay!) What they kept refering to was something I hadn't heard of before it was an "Arnold Chiari"
The doctors were saying that this may be the cause of my "incident" after another visit to the GP for more medication, I wrote this thing down and came home and did some reading about it.
I won't go into details because I'd just be repeating what the website says, but if your curious then the site is www.chiariaustralia.com Its a great site and you can see some of the wacky syptoms that Ive been having and check out what the surgery looks like after. Yeah it freaked me out! Thats a massive scar.
So Ive been waiting for an appointment with a neurologist in Melbourne and a neursurgeon also from Melbourne. I got a letter confirming my neurologist appointment is on the 21st of Feb, so thats only next week. Im hoping that after he sees me and I tell him who my surgeon is he'll give him a ring and I can see him sooner. Wish me luck!

Things on my mind....

2012-02-03T03:28:00.001-08:00

Ok so in the past 7 days Ive had Hezekiah turn 2 and have spent 4 days in the hospital, and a friends husband passed away. The one thing that has occupied most of my time has been my frineds husband sudden passing. You know when you met certain people its like you can feel their strength, feel their love for others? Thats what I get from Lisa King. We are not "best friends" but know each other and I know her parents well. I always was in awe of her and her family as they struggled at times with their son Noah who was born with hydrcephaly ( I hope I spelt that right) I remember her and her husband Aaron's testmony at church after they found out what was wrong with Noah and how even though they were upset and were grieving for what might have been for him they were both so strong and knew that it was going to be ok because they had each other. Noah passed away on the 8th of October last year 2011 and I was amazed to hear her talk about her little "cheeky monkey", Aaron spoke as well as 2 of their boys aged 12 and 7. Through my tears I kept thinking how amazing they were what an amazing family what courage, what spiritual strength they all have. I can't even begin to think what its like to loose a child, Ive had 7 ( yes 7) misscarriages and I grieved for each one its not the same as seeing holding, hearing, touching, loving, that child then loosing him/her.
The King family went to St Helens to spend some family time together, their first summer without Noah, their first Christmas without him. They were just starting to rebuild some new kind of "normal" with one person missing from their mix. Then at 9.50pm on Australia day Aaron had a massive heart attack, his brother in laws worked on him till the ambulance got there while Lisa and the boys watched on willing him to get up, to breath, to stay... It wasnt to be. My heart was so full of sorrow for them when I was told the next day, I sat and cried, in shock, that can't be? Not now? Thats not fair!
The funeral was on Tuesday, the church and every available seat and standing room was packed. well over 700 people attended. Lisa has an unbelievable strength, her love for our Father in Heaven and his plan for us all. I am again in awe of her, I can't begin to understand what she is feeling or what her boys are going through (the youngest is just 3) but if you read her story from her blog maybe you will feel the need to help like so many others have.
www.lisaking.blogspot.com
If you want to donate their is this set up for her and the boys.

www.mycause.com.au just type in Lisa king into the search it will come up then.

Updates..

2012-01-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

So after 18 months or so Ive changed the picture on the blog, the picture is of James Bond Island off the coast of Phuket in Thailand. It really is a beautiful place and maybe when Im older I can convince Allen to retire there ;)
Its getting closer to "back to school time" here with school due back on Febuary14th for the young kids and University back on the 27th. Its going to be a big year for everyone. I am back full time this year which means alot more work for me Yikes! Allens job is progressing.... Jasmine is moving to Victoria for University so she'll be on her own for the first time, allthough we have lots of family in Melbourne Im still not wanting her to go :(
Xaviour has his last year of highschool and is a prefect this year so ON goes the blazer as he is a representative of the school and all its values. He also has his leavers dinner at the end of the year which is huge for the kids, its basically a senior high graduation dinner and dance, which I hope he finds a date to before the big night!
Gabriel is starting Prep this year so he will be at school 5 days a week so hes going to be very tired for a while when he gets back. Prep is the grade between kindergarden and grade 1. Everyone goes through it its alot of fun for them.
Niamh is starting kindergarden this year and will be at school 3 whole days a week! Im sure she is going to love being with Mrs Neal who is amazing :)
Hezekiah is going to be going to daycare this year for the first time, one day with Maranda and one at the uni daycare with me... Its going to be busy and Im sure we are all going to look forward to the Easter break as soon as we go back :)

Luke Rad

2012-01-12T20:13:00.000-08:00

Last week Jasmine reminded me that her friend Luke was leaving for his mission. My reply was yes I know... Then she very casually informed me that he was leaving a day early (the 9th and not the 10th) and that I had to drive her to the airport at 5AM!!! Im sorry what? 5am as in before I have breakfast, and when its still dark outside? That 5am?
*long silence*...Umm yes says Jasmine.
*insert unhappy face*
Its always the way that when these young men leave that it has to be at some obscene hour of the morning. So I set my alarm got up and away we went.
Luke seemed pretty calm, relaxed, he even smiled a few times ;)
Jasmine and Luke have been friends for ages and she bought him an awesome pressie its a voice recorder that he can talk into then download it all onto a computer and send it through cyberspace. Jasmine had the idea that she wanted to type up their "mission letters" and experiences and then have them bound in a book for when they get home. Jasmine being who she is has even contacted a publisher about having them printed!
Jasmine has allready sent him a letter at the MTC via a group called DearElder.com.
Im sure he is going to have an amazing 2 years away in Serbia and when he gets back he'll have some great stories to share.

Lukes parents watching the plane take off

Luke going through to the plane

Luke and his mum

Jasmine and Luke... love the red tie

Luke and his step-father Matthew

72 hour emergency packs

2012-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

Ok so we have been told to keep a 72 hour pack for each memebr of the family, there should be enough food and a change of clothes, as well as basic medical supplies plus some things such as reflector blankets, candles, matches. We aslo have a copy of our marriage cert, passports, credit cards, insurance details. Ive been updating ours again I do ours once a year. I found a whole heap of nappies that wont fit Hezekiah anymore plus clothes that none of the kids will fit in! Also the cereal that was in them is wayyyyy out of date so they went in the bin. So for the next few weeks I'll be doing more updating of our packs. We have them for emergencys such as flood, fire, earthquake. Its so that we can just grab our packs and go no time wasting trying to grab all the stuff we might need. Id love to get some freeze dried food because it lasts 2 years and I wont have to worry so much but the cost gets to me (ouch). Still it is on my "wish list" :)

Christmas at the Robins house

2012-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

It just didnt feel like Christmas this year with Xaviour in Melbourne and knowing that Jasmine is leaving soon for uni. I just couldnt get into it, I still put the tree up decorated it in gold and blue this year ( yes I colour co ordinate each year). I bought new lights (that didnt get put up) and I made Christmas lunch. The kids had a ball with all their new things Niamh couldnt believe that she was getting pressents again! Her birthday being in the same week just makes for an extra fun day :) Hezekiah who is almost 2 had fun ripping the paper taht id been telling him for 2 weeks to leave alone.
Xaviour is due home tomorrow from Melbourne so he gets to open all his pressies when he gets back :) Next year ill be better with Papa, Nana coming down and my "0" birthday following that.

Gabriel enjoying his ramp
Niamh in love with her new doll
Jasmine and her GPS that she will need when she moves next month.
Yes we got her a TV Grundig so it will last and yes she was excited. We have had a rule which I have stuck by , that no tv's are to be in bedrooms. So now that Jasmine has hers set up I feel Ive caved but its only for a month.
After the unwrapping comes the cleaning up.....
Gabriel is our car fanatic he loves them so this ramp taht goes on the wall thereby aliviating the steping on cars all over the floor.
hmmm I wonder whats in this one?
Allens job is handing out the pressies
whats in this ?//
Jasmine looking more excited about the Duplo than Hezekiah
Jasmine helping Hezekiah open his pressents
Nimah and Hezekiah checking out the new car mat
Hezekiah being a bit chessey
Allen and the little kids
WOW! Niamh and her new doll and Gabriel with some new little people.

Garden update :)

2012-01-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

When we begain building 5 years ago not only was it exciting it was very daunting to think I had to fill alot of space with plants, trees, flowers etc.. It was something that I hadnt done before we had renovated 2 houses but they had a garden to start with! So all I had to do was add, subtract some and then groom what was left. To start from nothig needed a plan. I know what I wanted to do and I knew that it was going to cost HEAPs! Not to mention that I was going to do most of it myself (Allen isnt a gardener). *SIGH*.

So I thought well I'd start out the front as I see it all the time when we drive in to the house, made sense. Im not patient when it comes to getting things like this done Id rather just get it all done in a week and then maintain it. Nope cost again...... grrr. Little by little Ive added and replaced cause things just die or are in the wrong spot.... less sun, more sun.... Still I keep going. I took some snaps today so have a look and tell me what you think. Maybe you have some ideas I havent thought of yet :)

View from the side of the bock before we started building barren.. nothing except from the blackwood trees (2) and the wattle trees(3).

What it looked like before we started...

some of my herbs, lots of different ones they are all growing really well :)
more herbs..and pansys. Ohh and thats the rock that Hezekiah hit on New Years sedning us into the hospital...
Some of the deck and more plats in hanging baskets
more herbs on the edge of the deck
what do you do with a borring spot? Find a pot (which has lavender in it) then plant another hedge.
some of the vegies growing I have 3 patches plus a garden bed full of fruit and nut trees.
some of the ducks and chooks in their pen, one of the ducks is nesting so maybe we'll have some ducklings! That will add to the 3 chicks we have had this year.
This is the nursary pen for the baby chicks and the mums, the net over the top is so they dont get hit by the plums from the tree above them.
3 native trees that I planted after we took the eucalypt out because it was dead from ants
The trampoline 16ft round and my awesome path under the trampoline and around it I have more sunflowers,pansys and some succulants. Im hoping they'll spread out under there.
some of the raspberries covered by the netting to keep the birds out
more raspberries
one of the eucalyptus trees and one of the wattle
see I have been gardening, wheelbarrow as my evidence :)
the kids sandpit with sunflowers grwing in front and some native daisys on the side ,Ive got some iris growing at the back of it as well.
some of my hedge that I planted about 6 months ago they have almost doubled in size.
some of the plants at the front door
one of the patches that I love with the pansys, iris lavender and roses and the solar light :)
a few of the silver birch I plated 6 moths ago they are doing great can't wait to see how big they'll be this time next year :)
don't laugh...this is my chestnut tree..yes that a brick next to it so it doesnt get mowed over.. it'll get bigger

My yummy blue pots by the shed (ignore the weed growing next to it)
Near the front door standard white roses and then there are some hydragers, and some lavender, iris, pansys, dahlias.
one of my roses
view from the very end of the driveway
more dahlias

Well alot has changed.. I still want to do alot more, my goal for the year is to add more to the garden.

Beach activity

2012-01-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday promised a nice warm day of 31C so I decided a trip to the beach was the way to go. So after collecting all the things you need for a beach day eg towels, sunscrean, food, drink, beach toys, and Jasmine who is house sitting for some friends. We drove to Hawley Beach as its the closest to us and its so nice :) It was Hezekiahs first time in the sea swimming and he had a great day playing in the sand and eating a fair amount of it too. We made sandcastles, and played cricket, we sat and read books ( well jasmine and I did) and yes we even went in the water ;)
It was such a nice day and when we got home I was tired though the kids didnt seem to be! Bother!
Im planning on a trip to Gumleaves in a few weeks, a friend went there recently and had a great time so after checking it out Im keen to go :)

An..... eventful new years

2011-12-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

Well we started out ok with our New Years Eve preperations... Food organised ? Check! Gas in the BBQ? Check! Guests arriving ? Check! Everyone as doing great we had just had dessert the kids (17 of them) were watching the last few minutes of the "Smurf" movie when ..... Hezekiah has a fall of the deck and onto the rocks surrounding the garden bed, and he's hit his head... Crap! There blood which I always get a bit excited about and not in a good way. So Allen and I abandon our guests and make the normally 20 minute trip into the hospital (we did it in less than 15). He got seen right away (thanks to all the drunks that held off till about 2am). They had a look did some obs. Cleaned the wound, and decided he needed to stay a minumum of 4 hours observation incase he had a fit or became unconsious. So Allen abandened me and went home while I stayed at the hospitl watching Hezekiah sleep on the bed and watching the nurses and doctors. It was pretty quiet I must say I was expecting some more excitement than that at a hospital on the busy night of the year. They did have one very drunk woman come in she blew .029 but she was passed out and couldnt get a decent reading from her. Another guy was bad too and he spat on one of the paramedics and (she) was NOT happy about that!
We finally got released at 2.30am and got home 15 minutes later the roads were deserted. All the kids were in bed my house was cleaned (thankyou guys) and all the rubbish in the bin. It wasnt my best start to the new year and seeing Ive only had about 3 hours sleep I actually feel ok... Im sure I'll crash after lunch. Happy New Year people and heres to a fun and prosperous loving New Year.

"Mac" the class budgie

2011-12-22T02:20:00.000-08:00

This is Mac he's the class budgie, he got to stay with everyone from class this year, and we got a second turn, the kids loved him and were constantly trying to get him to talk, he made a heap of noise each morning singing away and our 2 cats thought he was very...interesting. Niamh actually cried when we took him back to school. It was nice having you stay Mac maybe we'll see you here next year when Niamh goes to kindagarden

poppies!!!

2011-12-22T02:04:00.001-08:00

Every year as I drive around I see the poppies growing and every year I say I'll take some photos and then their petals start falling off and I have to wait till the following year. This year I grabbed the camera when we went to Xaviours pressentation evening and I took a few quick photos. I love the way I can see whole fields full of them at this time of year. Beautiful.

Christmas carols at Kanangra

2011-12-22T01:42:00.000-08:00

Every year the children get together and sing for the elderly at Kanangra. This year was the first time for Niamh and Gabriel. They were super cute trying to remember all the words and the kids did a great job. The oldies loved it with some of them joining in. Sarra did a great job playing on the clarinet, as did Becky and Hannah playing the piano together.

Gabriel trying to remember the words

Niamh singing

they are all so cute :)

singning for the oldies

some of the Christmas deorations at Kanangra

Happy Birthday Nimah

2011-12-22T01:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is always a busy time but its even busier when you have a child who has a birthday the same week as Christmas!
Niamh had her first "friends" party with some kids from school and church invited. It was a fairy princess party and Jasmine kindly (for a 20$ fee) did all the party games for me so I could finish the food and entertain all the mums. All the kids had a great time and I was hapy that we decided that just a girls party this year and then a bigger one next time.

Some trampoline fun

Some pressies

the fairys queen and her princesses

pass the parcel

teddys in cars

some of the yummy biscuits

Teacup biscuits

yummy cupcakes with crowns :)

yes in the cups are fruitsalad I was the only one who ate it :)

Niamh and Miesha

Christmas time is always a busy time but its even busier when you have a child who has a birthday the same week as Christmas!

Niamh had her first "friends" party with some kids from school and church invited. It was a fairy princess party and Jasmine kindly (for a 20$ fee) did all the party games for me so I could finish the food and entertain all the mums.

Thailand trip

2011-10-02T03:38:00.000-07:00

this was where we swam with the tropical fish

there were alot of boats

speed boats

Coming into Phi Phi Island

me at dinner at the italian/thai restaurant :)

Dr Fish, ticklish!

Alien Vs Preditor its everywhere..

Yes I know that Ive been back for a month! I have been busy getting house and garden ready for spring ( photos will be taken this week.... maybe)

Our trip was fantastic! We ate out every night, I loved the people, the weather the smells, the sights, the lifestyle. I'd move there if I could convince my husband it is a good idea! ( he thinks Im mad) I loved it so much that I am planning to go back in the next 2 years, with hubby and all the kids! Now that I know where to eat what to buy where to go what to do and how much to pay for everything.

So if you can be bothered reading everything then here is what we did each day we were there, and the occasional photo :)

Day 1. We finally arrive in the heat! Its 10.45pm and our limo is nowhere in sight? Im too tired to call the hotel and yell, so I turn right and walk down past all teh locals who are following me asking if I want a taxi. I get to the profesional looking outfit and ask for a taxi, 15 mins later our car arrives and I direct him to our hotel. After another 45 mins we finally arrive, the receptist (who is a young guy) is very appologetic when I tell him that our car never arrived, he is also telling me that the hotel is over booked and that he doesnt have a room for us! What!? Im tired, hot and need a shower and bed, he ticks away n the computer and tells me they have a room for the night and we will be swapped to the penthouse room the next day. Finally we get to our room drop our cases and fight to get in the shower first them lights out....

Day 2 Our first full day in Phuket! We had an average breakfast (no buffet!) and head out in a taxi ( all the cars are taxis for hire) and see whats going on, whats available, where to book all our trips and how much everything costs. We walk around for a few hours we buy a fan (cause its hot! and a hat again cause its hot and my head is baking. We are the whitest people for miles I'm sure the locals can see is coming from a block away. hehehe. I have taken heaps of photos, and whats the facination with "AlienVS Preditor"??? I found a great Aussie guy who I booked all our trips with, he's been living in Phuket for 15 years now and gave us some tips on how to pay for stuff :) Had a foot spa at a place called Dr Fish, it tickled like crazy, and we were sitting in the window of the shop it was heaps of fun and man those fish did an awsome job!

Day 3 Our first trip ! We set the alarm for 6.30am ( yeah I know way too early). We went to Phi Phi island today, We set out early and went to monkey island and did some swimming with the tropical fish, lots of people were throwing bread into the water for them to eat, we swam for an hour before heading back to the boat and onto Phi Phi for lunch, we had to pay 20 baht to get on the island. Lunch was ok and there were not enough tables so we sat with our lunch on our laps before snagging a table (good eyes Jasmine). Walked around for a bit and had a pinapple slushy befor heading back to the boat. We both got really burnt! Ouch! Dinner was nice at a Thai/Italian restaurant. We saw alot of dancing dudes and I took a sneaky photo of a big one! We took a tuk tuk back to the hotel it looked like it was out of "Pimp my ride". lol!

Day4 We slept late today we were still tired but I wanted to get out of the hotel. We went in a taxi to the butterfly park, it was nice very quiet lots of butterflies and orchids, nice fish pond full of huge carp. I tried my hardest to take some photos but they are faster than they look. From there we went to the zoo... Bad move! The animals were treated so badly :( Tigers that were so thin and tiny cages :( We got to the elephants ( which have been my favorite since I was a child) were swaying they were so stressed and one walked right up to me and he was bleeding :( That did it for me I bust into tears I told Jasmine thats it we are leaving, we walked out the front of the zoo and our taxi had gone! We caught another one back to the hotel ( with me crying the whole time in the back). I got back and told the girls at reception what had happened I was still crying and my eys were all puffy and sore. Iwent to my room while they tried to sort it all out. they came by later that day and had the driver in tow they gave me my money back and the driver said sorry for the mix up ( he said he was waiting for us to call him???). I decided in my infinate wisdom that night to walk the 10km into town via the beach, good idea right? Wrong! there we were we were doing fine till we hit rocks, the locals were laughing at us climbing over these things we walked accross some guys back yard fence to avoid more rocks before finally finding sand again Yippee!! The whole walk took us 30 mins and we were both sweating like crazy when we finally got to the footpath. Mental note no more walking along the beach into town! We had dinner for about 3$ for 2 people then wandered about the stalls till we got another tuk tuk back to the hotel.

Day5. Went to James Bond Island tour today. Awsome day! We left at 9am picked up from the hotel by the tour people the ferry was a nice trip we stopped for a swim at a beautiful beach and had lunch on the boat the sun was great and we met another Aussie on the boat he was from Sydney on a 6 month trip around Asia. The day was great we saw inside of caves on a canoe we went for a walk on James Bond Island and walked around the floating village before watching the sun set on the ferry on the way back to the pier. We went to dinner at No 6 restaurant. It was nice but actually had better at the cheaper place last night.

Day 6. Elephant ride today! They are so beautiful, its really hot so they took her around to cool her down with a hose. Im on the back with Jasmine I got wet she managed to stay dry, The driver ( for lack of a better word) got off and asked if I would like to "drive" It was hot and for 45 mins we walked up and down the trail through the forest. I was glad to get back I was holding on so hard that I thought Id injured my thigh! We had an icecream and waited for the rest of our car to finish and head back to the hotel. We went out again for tea and found a great local place that sold the best ribes and spring rolls! So good!!!! Will definatly go back again tomorrow night :)

Day7. Church, and guess who forgot it was fast sunday? It was raining this morning so much cooler and we caught at taxi to Phuket town to go to church jasmine was nervous and I was just worried that we would be late. The bishop was very nice speaking in both English and Thai. It was very special with the feeling in the room that was amazing. We went to visit the budahist temple today as well and we walked around and looked in each of the temples and looked at al the pictures and statues in them, it was interesting, and I learnt alot.

Day8. yep we have been here a week and the hotel finally put up a sign telling us that there is a free shuttle to town and back 4 times a day! Lol! We went into town for Jasmine to pick up her dress that she has ordered made, we spent a long time going over differnt styles and colours before she found something that she liked. We went in to pick it up and she hates it :( Its not what she ordered at all :( I hate seeing her like this :( We did some shopping before heading back to the hotel we are off the to see Fantasea tonight.

Day9. Fantasea was fantastic! it was massive the place was like a giant theme park with a restaurant and theatre in the middle. The food for dinner was great we both had dessert first thenwent back to have everything else, the show didnt start till later so we wandered around the place looking at different shops and park rides etc, they even had a mini zoo in there! There were elephant rides here too which were great to watch and feed the animals for 100 baht. We got back really late but it was worth it.

Day10. Our last day and we spent the day packing and swimming, we managed to get all our things back into the carry on luggage that we bought with us, so we didnt have to buy another bag :) Off to bed early tonight and setting the alarm early so I can get the bill payed and the taxi is booked for us to get to the airport on time. I spent a bit of time outside today just soaking up the air and watching "ivan" doing his rounds about the pool.

Day 11. Goodbye Phuket .... I'll be back and next time I'll be more prepared :) And next time we are bringing the whole family!!

Hair cuts

2011-10-02T03:25:00.000-07:00

Today was day one. I knew that Gabriel needed a hair cut when his hair was hanging done around his ears, so out came the hair clippers and he was done quick enough. Then came Hezekiah, his hair was so long on top that I could have put it in a ponytail. So up on the stool I sat him and begain to give him a haircut. His hair is so fine that it was like trying to cut fluff. His hair has also gotten alot lighter in colour going froma red to a more strawberry blonde. He looks like a little boy instead of my baby :( Yes I know he will be 2 in January but he still has a bottle each night befofre bed, wrapped up in his "blankie" and has his dummy in while hugging his "lambie".
When I lost the baby before Gabriel I had a dream that I was watching a little blue eyed blonde boy, in my dream he turned and looked at me and giggled Ive never forgotten that dream. When I feel pregnant with Gabriel I thought well here will be my "dream baby boy" but it wasnt him. Then when I feel pregnant with Niamh I thought maybe it wasnt a boy in my dream that it was a girl? When I saw her I knew she wasnt the one either. I saw him today, that little giggling boy in my dream he looked at me today, he kissed my face and I kissed him back. Hezekiah was that dream baby, I see it now with his hair all cut short. My dream baby is asleep now. shhhh

kids phases

2011-08-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

My kids have gone through phases, be it the teddy phase or in Jasmines case the "blankie" phase. Phases with toys, tv shows food etc. My little ones (5,3) are going through a new phase. Its interesting to watch, they are going through a "Jack Sparrow" phase, yes Pirates of the Caribbean phase. We have been through the "Wiggles", and Toy Story and even Hook got a pretty good run for a while, Ben 10 is a hit still but its Jack who Gabriel has decided is his "new favorite". So once again we have the tv on and are watching the movie... thankgoodness we have 2 tv's!

Asthma

2011-08-01T04:34:00.000-07:00

With 2 people in the house with Asthma we are pretty prepared we have a heap of medication for both Allen and Gabriel and I bought a nebuliser machine a few years ago when Alle was having a tough time with all the smokers in the mall in Launceston. The nebuliser and the neb's that it takes have been used alot this winter for Gabriel, and last night I was up again. Its frightening for me as his mum to know he is having trouble breathing and he will cough and cough until he is sick, and then cough some more. Last night he started coughing at about 10pm and it was constant, every minute for almost 4 hours, he was covered in vicks including the soles of his feet. I had the humidifer going in the bedroom pumping out the smell of eucalyptus throughtout the house. I gave him a neb at 12am in our bathroom and then packed him off to bed with enough pillows that it looked like he was sitting up in bed. He kept up the coughing until finally falling asleep. I worry about his asthma and is it going to stay with him for the rest of his life like his dad Allen. Its all quiet right now, heres to a good nights sleep tonight

In sickness and health

2011-07-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Its been a very stressfull week, with all the stuff going on with our car and trying to talk to banks to get a loan to get another car (Ive never done that before we've always paid cash). Ive opened new accounts with banks waited to hear whats going on with our car (its still a the shop), waiting to find out whats going on with the loan etc etc... Thats when the kids got sick, yep Gabriel started with the vomits then baby Hezekiah, then back to Gabriel (you can see where this is going right?) Then Xaviour got sick and then passed it on to me, yep Im hoping its lucky last. Allen picks the new car up on Monday woohoo! The Kia is getting fixed then we'll sell that and buy Allen a cheap run around car that we dont have to worry about. Ive been super stressed and I think thats why my immune system failed me and Im still on the couch in my p.j's. I think I'll feel better when the car is here and I can stop stressing. We got a new Mazda MPV it seats 7 which means we can actually fit everyone in the car :o) Its got full leather seats and a dvd player with headphones for the kids. Now our trips to Devonport and Hobart won't be so noisey :o) Its got a nice size boot too to put the shopping in, and Allen got me a GPS so I dont get lost ;o) It also means that when we go over to Melbourne we can go on the boat and take our car! Can't wait to see it in the driveway.

Bad luck comes in threes

2011-07-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Ok last Easter was a DISASTER when it comes to things going wrong and things breaking or breaking down, we had 7 yes 7 items at home that bit the dust including the washing machine, the vacume and the transmission in my car grrr!!!! On Friday night while driving back from Launceston I noticed the car wasnt going into gear properly, lots of reevs no power ??? It seemed ok for the last few days..... till yesterday when I was on my way to pick up Niamh from day care and the car wouldnt go into gear at all just reeved and sat there , oh no! Allen took it to the same guy who fixed it last time who informed us that its no longer under warrenty (12 months) Big suprise (not), and he'll have a look for free! Wow how lucky for us looking isnt fixing! Considering the 1500$ price tag last year I am not happy its playing up again :o( Then this morning I knocked the dial off the toaster grrr!!!!!!!!! Only one more to go Now Id like 3 good luck items starting with a new car!

Thailand here we come!

2011-07-18T03:46:00.001-07:00

The hotel we'll be staying in

patong beach

An elephant trek

Its only 5 weeks till Jasmine and I go on our trip! We are going to be in sunny Phuket for 9 glorous days. We are staying at a new hotel its only 6 months old :o) Free breakfast and no kids to organise, no set time to get up, no washing to do, no meals to cook, no dishes to do or any housework!!! It will be my first REAL holiday :o) We are super excited and are now getting our lists together of what to take and what to bring home :o)

The main reason for Jamine and I going away on our own was the simple fact that Jasmine is moving to Melbourne next year, and we just don't know what will happen in the next few years and we may not get this opportunity again to spend together so we are going to enjoy every minute! We plan on going on an elephant treek and Jasmine wants to go parasailing ( no Im not doing that!) and a visit to pi pi island. Im sure we'll do some other stuff too and yes there will be lots of photos taken but just as a tease these are some I found on the net.

Big Girls business

2011-05-03T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ive noticed a change over the past few weeks and even though I am proud Im also a bit sad .. No alot sad. You see my baby girl is growing up a little to fast for me lately. I know that she has just turned 18 but shes always going to be my baby girl. The last few weeks Ive watched her look at University in Melbourne instead of here, Ive watched her box up her toys from her bed that have been there since she was a little girl and last night she threw away some pictures that she decided were too young for her now..
She has been talking about her big "move"and I don't want her to go :o( I watched her this morning helping make the little ones their breakfast and help get Niamh her baby sister dressed for the day and as I watched her I could see a young woman not my little girl :o( Time has gone by too fast for me and I want the time back to be with my little one with the long red hair and beautiful blue eyes staring up at me.
We are planning a trip away in September just the 2 of us together and I know that it may be the last time we get to do this before she leaves

Jasmine was in "sing Elon"for a few years they taught her alot

Jasmine at her grade 10 leavers dinner

Her first day of High school

Jasmine and "pap"he's my dad and they have a very special conection he was there when she was born so he thinks shes pretty special :o)

Jasmine at the holiday house doing a bit of body surfing and freezing.

Jasmine with Niamh just a few months old.

Jasmine and her best friend Ellie at home here for her 15th birthday

Jasmine with Gabriel feeding the pelicans at Phillip Island

Jasmine and I watching the Disney night parade (I was almost 8 months pregnant and after spending about 9 hours walking around in 35 degree heat I was kind over it)

Jasmine during our Disneyland trip this was her completing her Jedi knight training. Yes she was the oldest and yes she was literally jumping up and down!

Jasmine and Xaviour with "cars".

Jasmine and Gabriel when he was little

Jasmine at about 12 it was taken on Christmas day

Jasmine was about 10 here and looking very grown up but still giggling

Jasmine and Niamh at the green.

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Hot cross buns

Cadbury eggs yummo

The Easter Bunny

Easter Sunday means chocolate for breakfast! Ok maybe not.... At least some hotcross buns! I bought 5 packets of hotcross buns and Ive been good in NOT buying them till yesterday I mean they had them on sale the week after Christmas! So after eating 2 for breakfast we went off to church, the kids got more chocolate bunny's there and we had Niamh cracking the wobblies because she wasnt allowed to eat it in my car, I gave it to her as soon we got in the door I mean I have to pick my battles and thats not one I was willing to bother with. SO after Niamh and Gabriel had eaten a bunny and some eggs plus a few buns they went banana's and have finally crashed for the night :o) Hezekiah ate half my egg and would have eaten more if available. Jasmine and Xaviour made out like bandits with heaps of eggs and chocolate and me after eating one bunny and half and egg this afternoon am felling sickly. Maybe there is a chocolate limit for each day? Happy Easter

Rufus!!!

2011-04-04T03:29:00.001-07:00

This is Rufus, He's a paedemelon (a type of wallaby) he was orphaned after his mum was hit and killed by a car. Our friends AL and RICKI found him and bought him home, have hand feed him, had to take him to work and look after all his needs. He came to visit our house because he's leaving home and moving up the road from us to the wildlife park at Mole Creek. Jasmine loved him.

This is his BIG close up :o) He is super cute and his fur is soooo soft. We have alot of woldlife around us here and I often wonder if any babies are in the pouches. I'm going to start carrying a tourch and blanket in the car so that if I hit anything I'll be able to check with care. Rufus we love you!

Bazinga!

2011-04-04T02:33:00.000-07:00

Bazinga!!!! What more needs to be said.

St Patricks day

2011-04-01T23:49:00.001-07:00

Westbury has a large St Patricks day festival every year and this year was no different. There were more floats more food more music more morris dancers it was BIG! We had a great morning and look forward to being involved again next year The primary school children dancing around the maypole

One of the steam engines from steam world right near our house!

Tractors and everything!

Giant wolf hounds

Yep thats us on the float :o)

St Patty taking a walk down the street

Its not St Pats day with out the guys in the kilts :o)

The local horse club

Some of the local kids from the primary school yes thats Sarra :o)

Niamh in her traditional garb

Gabriels birthday and soccer game

2011-04-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

The end of March sees my Father and Gabriel celebrate their birthdays, they were born on the same day so thats kinda special :o) This year we had an early birthday with papa and nana here and he got to open his pressies a couple of days early he wa super excited !!! Then a week later when it was his actual birthday he got more pressents and a cake! He was really loving it he kept saying its my birthday again! Then on the Sunday he had another cake and candles at church! Another birthday!!! Im sure that he thought it was never going to end :o) The other thing we got to do is go to soccer! Gabriel is 5 so he gets to play the game just like his big brother Xaviour xxx He adores Xaviour even if they don't agree all the time ;o) He did a pretty good job chasing the ball around the other side did a great job and won. Im sure the next few weeks will be fun with the little kids playing early and Xaviour playing later in the day Saturdays have gone till September, they'll be back :o) Can't wait for winter brrrrrr Ok so we got this way right?

And their off! The pack chasing the ball so cute hehehe

Coach is trying to talk to them

Cheese!

Looking pretty cool in his soccer gear check out the blue boots!

Gabriels birthday cake with a big "G"on it and 5 candles

Happy Birthday buba! blow!

WoW!!! A battle ship!

Very excited

Ohh cool a crazy car robot! aka Transformer!

Jasmines18th birthday

2011-04-01T22:48:00.001-07:00

What a month March was! Jasmine my baby girl turned 18 years old, it's been a struggle at times but well worth the ride (and the grey hair). Jasmine is a well spoken charming young woman and Im so proud of her XXX Her birthday was actually the day before her party so we has our traditional what do you want for tea meal, and I always make a birthday cake with candles :o) My kids love my cake yum yum and everyone had some :o) The party was approaching fast and we had heaps of stuff to do! Allen and Xaviour spent most of the day cooking the 30kg of pork for our guests while we stayed at home and got the salads and desserts plated up. The jumping castle arrived on time and the guy was so nice, he stayed a bit longer just cause he was having fun and thought all the kids were great. Health our awsome DJ did a fantastic job with the music and smoke machine, the kids had a blast! Allen and Xaviour got home at just after 12am and I went to bed after 1am. We were all a bit flat and tired the next day but nana Sandra bought some roast chickens for us for lunch and we had those with the leftover salads Jasmine had a great time and now we all have a break till Xaviour turns 21 or Jasmine gets married! hahaha!!! Happy Birthday baby girl xx

Our beautiful daughter Jasmine has grown up into a wonderful young woman xx

Papa telling her a joke she just cracked up!

Jasmine licking the cream off :o)

Niamh is a mini Jasmine its so funny to watch them together :o)

Jasmine and making a face again hehehe

Some of the yummy desserts!!!

mmmmm fruit salad yummy yummy!!!

Get it while its hot!! The pork turned out beautifully, Thanks Allen xxx

Lining up for tea

This is how we took care of Hezekiah

Some of the photos of JAsmine and yeah we had a bare bum one :o)

The pressie table

Yvettes awsome cushion that she made for her :o)

Jasmine and Me :o)

The jumping castle it almost touched the roof!

Happy Birthday!!!

The dancing game quick grab a partner!

All smoke and mirrors, nah just the macarena

Jasmine and Alyce and Jake making a face

Jasmine and Luke Rad again with the face!

Jasmine and Dan yes he is that tall!!! With their "whateva"photo :o)

cool Morgan

Jasmine and Xaviour the next day still looking tired :o)

han

Our fairy ballerina

2011-04-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

Niamh and her what am I meant to do with this face

Concerntrating....

pulling her undies out of her butt

Niamh just loves to dance and since her big sister has finished dancing she decided that Niamh should start ASAP! So we enrolled her in "Fairy Ballet"at the local hall in Deloraine she has fun dancing in her skirt and ballet shoes, its funny to watch hehe she is the youngest of the girls so sometimes she gets things a bit mixed up which just adds to the humour :o)

fog and awsome hair

2011-02-18T00:44:00.000-08:00

I know its meant to be summer but where its summer I have no idea?? I got up last Saturday and could not believe the fog outside?!

On another note Jasmine and I were playing with Hezekiah's hair its so long and curly its heaps of fun so we wet it and combed it into a mowhawk he's so easy when it comes to his hair :o) I then got osme cute shots tonight of him sitting with me I know Im biased but hes soooo cute !

trampolines

2011-02-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago the kids were having some fun with the dressups, Jasmine put the eyeore costume on Hezekiah and Niamh put her ladybug dress on and Gabriel got his woody costume. They went out on to the trampoline and jumped about for ages,its the small things in life that are the best :o)

Hezekiah the whistler

2011-02-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

Hezekiah has learnt a new trick its fun wacthing all the new things that he is learning, I know that the next 12 months are going to be full of talking, teeth and teaching. He loves cuddling his lamb, and playing chase me around the table, he discovered yesterday that we could whistle. It was fun to watch the expresion on his face when the sound came out! We all had a turn whistling with him and he laughed at each of us in turn :o)
Its been an interesting summer with lots of learning going on, Niamh is tolit trained (day) we are still working on the night nappies, Gabriel is doing really well with his sharing and using his ïnside voice"while speaking to us. Xaviour has been doing some exploring onhis own and ridding off to find new places he would like to go fishing, and Jasmine is still working on her driving skills, as well as working hard on her last year of high school and last year os seminary! Its not just the kids that are doing the learning the adults are doing some too. Ive gone back to university after a 5 year absence and Allen is starting a new job which involves working with kids in a group home where he will be a substitute parent for these boys. He has alot to learn, including first aid and how to administer medication, and how to do the mountain of paperwork! We are all looking forward to a prosperous year with all our learning and the fantatstic grades that we will all recieve by the end of the year !

birthday books

2011-02-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Ok so I was bored and doing some internet surfing and ran accross a blog that had a link where you can put in your birthday and it will give you the list of the books that were on the New York Times best sellers week, the week you were born. So being curious I went to the site and had a look I typed in my birthdate and I thought it was funny what came up! The Best seller for that week was Jonathon Livingston Seagull, a book that I was given by a friend for my 18th Birthday and one that Ive read again and again. There were 2 other books that were on there that I thought were really funny one was called Ïm ok Your Ok"Ive seen this book before and have seen it in the movies before the other was hehehehhee "The Joy of Sex"I thought that was a scream!!! Interesting :o) If you want to try your birthday the web addy is http://www.biblooz.com/ Let me know what yours were! Hahahaha I just put in ALlens birthdate and the number 1 book was called "The love machine"and number 2 was "The Godfather"hehehe I just thought that was funny.

Birthday Boy

2011-01-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

playing with mummy

trying to get a better view with daddy

stunned again by the flash

One of my favorites

watching someone other than me

His first smile I got it!!

Holding his head up for the first time :o)

In the jumper

stunned again!

after bath fluffy hair, he looks like the mad professor

playing in the sun

Finding his toes and other cool body bits

I know in my head thats it's been a year since I had our little boy Hezekiah, I look at him I see how much he's grown and the chatter that he has started. It's sad for me as he is our last baby and NO I dont want anymore infact Allen has been threatened with all sorts of nasty things if I ever do end up pregnant again :o) Its just that knowing that I'll never have a little one again is the ending of a chapter in my life. This year is also going to see my baby (1st) turn 18 and for me thats the end of another chapter, the end of her childhood and start of adulthood. I know that this is a good thing and that moving forward is always a good thing. I just don't like this much change all at once. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to plan things, I get very upset when my plans don't come through. It doesn't have to be a big plan it can be something as simple as planning to go into town for the day and then it doesn't happen I'll be super grumpy for the rest of the day. I enjoy writting things on my calender and watching what is coming up and get upset when other people write things on there. I need to see whats going on so that I can plan aaround events. Yes it is probably a little bit controlling on my part Im big enough to admit that, I do have the information and everyone comes to me to see whats on and when so that they too can make plans. It all works out :o)

I had planned (in my head) to have a birthday dinner for my baby boy tonight when a friend who is in need of company asked us over for dinner tonight I was put out by the day but Ive decided that to go over is going to be the best for that person at this time, and Hezekiah won''t get cranky for us missing his birthday. He has opened his pressents from us and we are waiting for the others from the grandparents. I'm taking a cake over tonight and we'll celebrate as a family at lunch instead. See Im flexable :o) Happy birthday baby boy xxx

Im exausted

2011-01-24T02:40:00.000-08:00

Ok Its been a very hectic time and emotional one for the past few months. Allen got a call from his oldest girl Catlyn last year saying she didnt feel safe in her on home any more and she wanted him to help her get out. We found out that the step dad was making inappropriate comments about her body and she felt very vulnerable and scared. We packed her off and she is now staying with my sister in law in Utah. We thought things must be bad but we didnt know how bad, we went to court to get a GAL appointed ( a child advocate to look at the case ) what she has found is very disturbing. Brittany who is about to turn 11 has an IQ of 80 and is not coping at school, Morgan who is about to turn 14 this year has an IQ of 77! He is alos only reading at a 3rd grade level. We were extreamly upset by this news and have taken our legal battle from a change in visitation to an all out assault and we are fighting for custody of all 3. The thought of have 8 children in my home is scary but the thought of leaving them where they are is alot more frightening. Every parent worth their salt wants the best for their child and tries their best to help that child achieve their goals, and be the best they can be. Im astounded that this has been left to get this bad and why on earth would you leave a child who is half way through high school without the ability to read???? It makes my head spin.
The whole thing has left Allen and I exausted mentally, we are up late most nights working through stratagies and discussing the "" what if's". I get to help draft letters to the lawyer and the GAL and critique its content and add where needed. The hearing will be held on Febuary 7th (U.S) and we are hoping that with all the information that they have they will make the best a rulling that is in the childrens best interests. I have contacted the local schools here and the education department asking questions about programs to help them get back on track in the event that they do end up here. Im doing my best to keep things normal at the moment but its hard to concerntrate on everything when this is in the back of my mind. ALlen and I are getting the house ready just in case they arrive. I know Catlyn is safe and having a great time with her aunt Jody and uncle John, what I aslo know is how ALlen feels away from his kids. I know that Catlyn has said she doesnt want to come here to live and I can understand that they would be a scarry thing to do, we only want them to be safe and happy I hope that by the end of next month that we will have a good outcome for all the kids. Cross fingers

Queensland floods

2011-01-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

The floods in Queensland have hit home to many of us personally with friends and family under threat of loosing everything. One thing that I have been thinking of is what we have ready in the event that we were put in a similar situation. I have been meaning to get our 72 hour packs redone for a year and this has just made me do it sooner. A few things that are not in our packs because they are in the house somewhere else or being used are our wind up radio's they have a light a cable to recharge the mobile as well as an emergency siren. I have one for each of the packs but I can only find one! In the past 12 months in Australia we have had fires, floods, cyclones. This is why we should all be ready. My goal for the next 6 months is to redo our packs with new food supplies, more tolitry supplies, a couple of extra clothes, and some extras in our medical packs. I also need to make a new one up for Niamh. My pack incldes everything for the baby so for the past few years its just changed from Gabriel to Niamh and now Hezekiah. Everyone has their name on their pack as they are all slightly different with personal stuff for each person.
This is one lucky joey and his resuer

I love this photo with the green tree frog hitching a ride on the back of the black snake through the floods

This was an awful sight a whole family sitting on the top of their car as they were pushed through the water and debre, the father is still missing.

I hope that we can all band together as Australians to help our northern cousins. We don't know what next week or month will bring it may be us who needs help next.

Christmas Day

2010-12-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Ok so Christmas is over for another year phew! We had a nice day allthough it would have been nice to have some family members with us... maybe next year. We spent the morning opening all the pressents and then the rest of the morning putting them together. Jasmine and I attempted twice to put the doll house together we both got an F . Allen took over and got it done in half the time. Then Allen and I started to get lunch on the go the kids played happily while lunch was being cooked. Hezekiah feel asleep before we even got lunch on the table which was cute :o) After lunch nana Jacki came by with her famous Christmas pudding its become a bit of a tradition and we love it! Then we sat for a few hours to catch our breath before heading out to the Websters for tea. We had heaps of fun and played some great games :o) Niamh got bitten by something we think it was an ant and then to add to it her eardrum burst during the night poor thing was in a fair bit of pain thank goodness I have kids panadol in the fridge. Can't wait till next year :o)
This is what the kitchen looked like after lunch

Lunch done and all the kids dissapeared

Allen with his new pressie MP3 player

Gabriel and Niamh eating lunch

Jasmine ewww no licking fingers thanks

Poor Hezekiah was so tired he feel asleep on Jasmines lap before lunch was ready

All the food minus the dessert the kids were hungry!

My nice place settings

Me putting the pinapple and cloves in the ham prior to cooking

Allen supossed to be helping!

Niamh and her doll house it was a pain to put together

Hezekiah riding his new bike

The growing mess in the loungeroom

Hezekiah on his bike with Jasmine giving him a hand

Niamh opening another gift there was alot of paper

Xaviour opening his pressents and a smile!

Hezekiah with one of his pressents

Gabriel and his remote control car

Niamh opening her pressent very carefully

Hezekiah more interested in his beads than the pressent in front of him

ALlen and Niamh and Gabriel waiting patiently

Jasmine wishing she was still in bed

Allen trying to work out whos is whos

Niamh with her bag of goodies from her stocking

Hezekiah eating the beads with his cute bib on :o)

Niamhs birthday

2010-12-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

Morgan as a very dangerous fairy

Morgan Chey and Droy aka spiderman, batman, ninja turtle.

Spidergirl hehehe

awwww sleeping babe

Some of the boxes there were 150 packed to the brim

Some of the helpers Leia, phobe, kayla chey, Deidre.

Happy Birthday baby girl

mmmm cake!

Yes its always hectic at this time of year especially when you have a little girl wjo's bithday is in the same week as Christmas :o) This year I made 2 cakes for Niamh one was for the end of year party at playgroup and the other one was for us at home. I platently copied it from another one that I saw on another blog site, so dont think for one minute that it was my design! I did add to it I made it double decker and I added the pink musk sticks because Niamh loves everything pink :o)

We alos packed boxes for Deloriane house yesterday which was (always is) a very spiritual experience, its very humbling to see how many people in our small community are in need at this time. It makes me feel very blessed for all that we have, the kids helped out Jasmine and Xaviour did a great job and Hezekiah slept :o)

After the boxes were done we went to lunch and after a looooooooooong wait , then wehn I went to get the kids from daycare aka Maranda's this is what was out the front hehehe.

my kids

2010-12-16T18:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it takes a tragedy like a death to realise what you had or who was in your life was special. With that in mind especially at this time of year when I look back and remember those who arent here with me anymore, I have been making an effort this year to tell my dad every time I speak to him that I love him and Ive been making a real effort to say that more often to Allen too. It might seem like a small thing but for me its huge I dont say it very often (only to my kids) so when I do he knows I really mean it. Having said that Id like you to know what it is about each of my kids that I love as this is the last few months before Jasmine turns 18.
So lets start with her : I love Jasmine because she has such a strong spirit, I love the deturmination that she has the drive that she has to succeed, I love the way she can just get up and walk out of the house without an hour of doing her hair/makeup etc. I love the way she can laugh at herself and I love her laugh, I love the way she can just pick a small child up and hug and comfort them, I love her monster size feet and the way she can freakishly wiggle all her toes out! I love the way she looks when she's sleeping and the way I can just sneak into her room and still put her covers over her when she has kicked them off in her sleep. I love that she reads and that she has such a strong testimony and I love the way she treats her friends.
Ok now for a tissue *sniff* Lets see... I love Xaviour and his sense of adventure, I love the way he wakes up in the morning all bleary eyed and stunned, I love the way he looks when he's playing the way his eyes light up with joy, I love the look on his face when he is concerntrating, I love the way he curls up on the couch next to me, I love the way he says he loves me, I love it when you tell him something and he gives you that look like he didnt hear a word but weeks or months later you know he has heard every word, I love the way he dances' even when he doesnt know Im watching.
Gabriel is next, I love that Gabriel has such a cheeky smile even when you are trying to tell him something serious, I love the way he hugs you for no reason, I love that he just automatically shares his blanket/ food that he has stolen from the pantry with Niamh, I love the way he wiggles his bottom at me and giggles. I love the way he talks in his sleep and even laughs, I love the way he can pick up a spider and throw it at the chickens yet run away from a chicken. I love the way he runs to the door when people come home in the afternoon, I love the way he says mummy.
Niamh I love Niamh because she is my baby girl, I love that she is almost 3 and still has to sleep with her blankie and dummy, I love the way she curls up next to me in bed every morning, I love the way she copies Gabriel and the way she hugs him when I growl at her. I love the noise she makes when she is sleeping and that I can pick her up and put her back into bed when shes almost falling out onto the floor. I love how she thinks that if its pink then its for "nee, nee". I love the way she manages to get food in her hair at every meal (thats talent) I love that little smile on her face and how she tells me shes not tired and then sleeps for 2 hours every afternoon. I love the sound of her little feet running on the floor and the smell of her after a bath, I love the way she says "love you"when she goes to sleep.
Hezekiah well even though your only small there is alot to love :o) I love the way he smiles when I call his name, I love the way he gigles when I tickle him, I love theway he holds onto my arm and pats it when hes sleepy, I love the way he tries to talk to us, I love the look on his face when he hears the bath running, I love every cry during the night because I know hes here with me, I love teh way he crawls into the bedrooms when Im getting the little kids to bed creating giggles and screams of delight. I love his sweat curls he gets from sleeping, I love that he can find something totally engrosing (such as a clothes peg or an empty box) I love that my clothes are constantly covered in baby drool and snoot, I love those 2 little teeth and those beautiful big blue eyes.
Love you xxxxx

where has our summer gone?

2010-12-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Its summer time right? SO where is the sunshine and the shorts and thongs? Here they are in the cupboard, whats out? The fleese blankets and the track pants and slippers! The rain continues to fall and create a new moat around the house again. Up and down the east coast of Australia we have had storms and wet wet weather, this is rediculous! I am quite partial to the summer rain and I love a good storm (Ive been known to climb up the clothesline to get a good photo of the storm clouds) but this is just too much! I would really like to see the sun come out and the weather to warm up please :)

Phew!

2010-12-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

Playgroup Christmas party

Niamh eating a lolly

Ok so this is her cake the one on Mondy will look better I promise

Hezekiah playing on the see saw at playgroup

ok so this is the cake that I made for the playgroup party it was a birthday cake for Niamh its meant to be a castle

Gabriel and bear bear

ALl the kids from playgroup on the parachute

Ohh this is the wire that was in our stove top, I could smell a burnt smell as it turns out this was burnt through! dodgy electrician that I had grrr! Lucky we had Johnny our awsome friend who is an electrician come and fix it :o)

Gabriel in his uniform for next year :o)

Xaviour and his awards he also got a book prize as well :o)

The principle at the awards night

Niamh and Hezekiah eating at the playgym Christmas party

The jumping castle

and again

Its been a busy few days! We had the last playgym with a jumping castle and a visit from Santa and lots of food :o) We also have had the last playgroup for the year :o( I made a cake for Niamh it turned out ok not as good as I would have liked but Im only learning :o) We have also had Xaviours presentation evening where he got 2 awards this year, it seems like hes taking over from Jasmine who ot awards every year. I also have some photos of Gabriel in his uniform for next year at Kinda, he'll be going 3 days a week 9 till 3 woohoo!

I still have a handful of things to pick up from in town for Christmas I'll leave that till next week and into Deloraine for more paper today. Only a few more days to go till Christmas and Nimahs birthday on Monday!

Calvin ans hobbes

2010-12-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ok I got sent some of these a few years ago and the kids thought they were so funny I printed and laminated them and they go up on the wall every year at Christmas time I know we dont have snow at Christmas in Australia and I will one day make it over to the dark side where I can experience a white Christmas and hopefully make some awsome snow men like these ones to freak out the neighbours :o) hehehehe

Christmas cheer

2010-12-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Ok its finally December and time to get the tree out and find what we did with the decorations from last year and where did we put all the christmas lights??? Ok after wadding through the mess inthe shed and past the motorbike (thanks Allen) I finaly found the tree and decorations and pulled them all inside. I am fussy when it comes to decorating the tree and the house for that matter. I like things in a certain way and if you dont like it dont help! Jasmine has refered to me as anal when it comes to decorating for Christmas I just refer to it as creative.

Every year I change the colours of the tree decorations (yes I colour co-ordinate them) this year its silver and pink 2 sets of lights that have to flicker and silver tinsel. See its not hard ;o) I also ahve an array of decorations that have been made and bought over the years :o) The Christmas music was playing all day yesterday much to Jasmines dismay...hehehehe I took some photos to show everyone Im hoping that all the kids will be pox free by next week Hezekiahs are fading allready! (go the booby milk). If they are I'll be able to get the rest of the Christmas shopping done and wrapped I dont think we'll put them under the tree this year it might be too tempting for Hezekiah to rip or for Gabriel to peak and blame someone else :o) Have a great Christams season and be safe :o)

Melbourne visit

2010-12-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Allen and I took Hezekiah to Melbourne with us in October to see family and to go to my 20 year high school reunion. We tried to visit as many people as possible in a short time and I managed to get an hour to see my mum and grandmother who is still kicking and in her 90's! These are the photos that I took of them and Hezekiah it was the first time they had met him and Im hoping that mum will make the trip down here to Tassie in the new year to spend some time with the Grandkids :o)

Bathtime

2010-12-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

Bathtime has become a bit of a drama at home. Jasmine and Xaviour thought it would be funny to scare the kids about "the plug monster"so Niamh would go into melt down when she was anywhere near the plug hole and would scream if someone pulled the plug out with her still in the bath *groan* Things went up a notch a few weeks ago when Niamh accedently pood in the bath she was screaming so loud I was really worried, I ran into the bathroom where she was climbing out of the bath. Ever since that day we have tried unsuccesfully to calm her down when it comes to bath time but its not working very well... Here are some phots of pre poo bath time with all three in the bath. Xaviour usually gets bath duty as Im cooking tea at the same time these were cute :o)

2010-12-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

Chicken pox!

2010-12-01T16:42:00.000-08:00

The best layed plans of mice and mums all came crashing down when Hezekiah broke out yesterday with what I suspected was chicken pox, I had to wait all day till I could get the official diagnoses from the doctor and yes I was right its pox! Hezekiah is actually holding up pretty well he has about 5 big pox and a few little ones around his mouth and legs. He slept pretty well last night I guess the panadol worked :o) He ate some breaky today but not alot like he normally does and he had a huge breast feed! I guess the comfort of it helped. All the kids are asleep at the moment the 2 little ones were sent to their rooms for eating icecream (with their hands) out of the container! Then obviously bored they went to lie down and presto asleep! So its very quiet here right now.
I had planned to finish the Christmas shopping this week and pick up the laybys for the kids but thats now going to have to wait till we are pox free grrr I'd also planned to visit my Favorite shop Bunnings to pick up all the vegie seedlings to plant in the garden but thats going to have to wait as well hmmmm....
So we are stuck at home for at least the next 7 days watching movies and drawing pictures till the pox are over :o( I hope they never visit again!

update

2010-11-28T20:48:00.000-08:00

Ok so Ive been told how slack Ive'been updating the blog but hey with 5 kids and a house to run sometimes the blog takes 2nd place. So Ive been busy over the past few weeks getting stuff ready for Christmas and with Jasmine finishing her exams the last 2 weeks its been full. The school year is finally coming to a close (Jasmine has allready finished for the year) and Xaviour is almost done. We still have a heap of Christmas party's to attend over the next few weeks as well as secret Santas (thanks Xaviour) grrr. Not to mention all the Christmas shopping to finish and mail!!!! AHH!
So whats been happening ? Well I'll start with Allen he's had an interesting few weeks. It all started a few weeks ago when his boss Bob (who the company have been trying to get rid of for ages) up and put his resignation in after the stocktake had been done and Allen believed that there was stock missing. He sent an email to the regional manager who asked Bob what was going on. Monday morning he resigned (me thinks he's guilty). So ALlen tells me whats happened Bob is ticked off at ALlen and the regional manager John is slicing and dicing people. ALlen (who is assistant manager, and when hired was told he was next in line for manager) was looking forward to a pay rise etc. Hmmm didnt happen.What?! John decied to hire the "new guy"as the manager who had only started 6 weeks prior! Allen was ticked off and after discussing it we have come to the conclusion that he was probably hired to get Bob out and now that its done they are trying to get rid of him and he's said" no Im not going and you can't kick me out without a reason" so now they are stuck with him till he decides to go...
Jasmine has had a busy few weeks studying for exams shes done really well this year and got an english award for her good work we are expecting her to get top marks when they come out.
Xaviour has been busy with school and got a 2nd place at the Deloraine show this year for one of his wood work pieces he is also going to be recieving an award at the presenation evening this year witha 25$ prize :o) We aren't sure what subject its for but its a toss between computers which he is excelling in or maths which is he is doing year 11 standard (hes in year 8). but we'll all be there to cheer him and of course embarrass :o)
Gabriel is enjoying transition for kinda next year, at home hes ...... well here is an example. Gabriel loves playing with the hose he sneaks around the back of the house where I can't see him and turns it on spraying the dog and everything else, last week he was back round there playing away I followed him and stood behind him while he waved the hose about. I turned the tap off and after a second he relises something isnt right so he looks down the hose for where the water has gone... (very tempting)... He then turns toward the tap (head down running) and only looks up just before he runs into me! öhh mum what are you doing?" stay away from the tap Gabriel. Gabriel runs off watching behind him.. hmmmmmm boys! Lets not get into the icecream moster who keeps sneaking into the laundry to get the icecream and eat in the garden! grrrr I can't wait for school next year!
Niamh is doing well and really enjoying our time together with Hezekiah while Gabriel is at school. We are trying the tolit training again now the weather has finally gotten warmer and we are having some success finally! She will be 3 next month my baby girl is growing up.
Hezekiah is chugging along trying so hard to walk standing on his own for small periods I still think its a while off. His sleeping or lack of it is really starting to grate :o( He just has never slept well and now its teeth or something that bothers him and so Im up all hours trying to settle him, with Niamh still waking during her sleep and Gabriel who sleep walks Im surprised I get anything done during the day!
Me... Well Im all set for uni again next year Ive een putting it off for the past few years but hey Ive been either pregnant or breastfeeding for the past 5 years so I have a good excuse :o) Ive gotten over another Thankgiving this past week we had guests this year and the turkey was great and I even made a pumpkin pie I even made the pastry! what was I thinking!!! I spent 8 hours cooking and cleaning in between feeding the kids (Jasmine was at home helping hmmm well she finished her book anyway :o) ) Ive done all my Christmas laybys and just need to pick them up and dad who decided a few years ago that he ws spending heaps on postage has decided sending me money to buy the kids their pressies is the best option well that means me driving about finding the prices then emailing all the details then going back in buying them wrapping them all and hey! Im doing all the work here grrrr I think I'll add a finders fee to everything??? Im so glad we live in a small country town nice and quiet.. Lets see what happened yesterday? We had a police officer bashed here in town who after fearing for his safety disscharged his weapon and killed the offender. My good friend Simone who lives next door has a hubby who is a police officer here in town so off he went running to the scene which is not far from here. The officer is physically allright but psychologically well.... I feel very sorry for him and (on my soap box) I am amazed that officers are still allowed to go to situations that may be volitile on their own! Something really needs to be done about that.
Ok down from my box... Its getting late and dinner still needs cooking so I better get off the computer I'll upload some recent photos of the kids and heres hoping that the professional ones being taken on Saturday are going to be ok

the weekend that had to end

2010-10-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

It started out fine :o) Id booked the tickets packed the bags remembered everything (which I never do!) and we were on time :o)
We got up early Saturday morning for our flights to Melbourne the trip was to 1. Go to my 20 year high school reunion and 2. To finally have mum see Hezekiah.
We picked up the hire car nice new corolla (red) and off we went to dads. WE got directions as I was to nasty as to not pay the extra 30$ for a GPS. Dad got us lost with his directions he knew where he wanted us to go he just didnt pass on ALL the information so after another phone call we eventually got to Glen Waverly. WE had a fantastic lunch that Robyn made and then settled down for a chat and catch up, before leaving with dads GPS to drive to Traralgon for the reunion that night. WE got to my friend Melanies house with thanks to the GPS and did a quick makeup touch up before driving to the reunion, I wasnt impressed with the "finger food"that my 40$ payed for (2 plates of mixed sandwiches and a couple of plates of reheated mini quech from the supermarket). In the end the money that was left went on a tab for the bar which didnt benefit us as we dont drink! ALl the cows from high school were there still the same as they were back then sad to see that things hadnt changed that much. I would have thought that the benefit of age would have matured some people but it didnt, such a shame really. We left at about midnight and went back to releave the baby sitter, she was a loverly young girl. Mel and I stayed up till 1.30am catching up before baby crying put an end to that.
We got up early the next morning for our trip back into the city with several stops on the way, first was my aunt and uncle (they were caught still in bed :o) ) after spending an hour with them we hit the raod again to Hastings to see mum and my grandmother, mum still hadnt seen the baby and nan well shes still hanging in there it perked them both up to see him :o) I took some photos which I'll add later tonight. After that we went to Frankston to see my friend Lisa she looked fantastic and is doing great :o) then it was off to Mordialloc to see Jason and Sarah, I took a very belated baby pressent for there gorgeous boy Joshua and some hair clips and ties for Mac Kenzie. I would have loved to stay longer and catch up with them some more but time was getting away from us so back in the car to dads to drop off the GPS before heading to the airport I gave us plenty of time so that we could relax before getting on the plane.
We waited in line like cattle for our turn at the counter before it was pointed out that they couldnt find us on the system??? hmmm lucky I had printed a copy! The lady checked again with no luck .... whats going on? Ohh wait here it is your early... by 3 days!!! WHAT!? Yes thats right I'd mucked up the booking and had us booked to fly home on Wednesday! Holy COW what to do???? I'm starting to feel sick and starting to cry thinking of what Id done :o( I get to the help desk only to be told that yes we could fly back on the same flight no worries only that its going to cost 600$ to get back!!!? Panic attack imminent! Im crying telling her no can do lots of tears by this point and feeling less and less confident about getting home and worrying about the kids at home expecting 2 parents home in and hour.... The lady waived the fees and I payed the difference and yay we were heading home... I was a total mess thinking about what a terrible mother I was and how I cant even book a flight without creating a huge problem I was crying and stressing myself and bub. We got on the plane with me still crying (the flight attendant handing me some tissues) I stressed bub that he spent the entire flight crying with me. He fell asleep leaving me (still crying) the rest of the way home :o( Im so grateful for the people from VIRGIN who helped us out next time I think we'll book together that way I have an extra set of eyes to check the dates!

getting organised

2010-10-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

Ok so with a trip to "the big smoke" happening on Saturday it means that I have had to get organised early. That means for me "lists" A list for what to do for the week a list of what I need to take to Melbourne a list of all the jobs that I need to get done before Friday. Phew Im tired allready. So to date I have all the lists done plus my talk for relief society done a week a head of time. I still have a fair bit to do but hey its only Sunday! Packing will be done last a nd heres hoping I can find something to wear before I go!

service on super saturday

2010-09-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I planned the day ahead of time. I needed to as its Grand Final day! SO I went to the spermarket yesterday to get all the supplies for the day (bugger the diet for 1 day). I also organised to do some service for Maureen today to move some rocks from her garden. SO at 9.30 we were in Deloraine digging up rocks and throwing them in the back of Allens truck we got them home just as it started to rain and ALLen Xaviour and I were throwing them off the truck into a pile nest to the remaining tan bark pile.
Jasmine took the little kids inside and we came in a few mins later. I did all my Sat cleaning and then it was time to get lunch ready in anticipation for the start of the game! Im not a Saints or Collingwood supporter I actually support Carlton but when your cousin plays for the Saints I felt I need to support the family :o) So decked out in my saints gear we sat down to watchthe game.
It was a real hard game with my heart in my mouth on more than one occasion, but to end in a draw?! Everyone was stunned now its time to do it all over again next week!?! Carn the SAints! I do think BJ took the mark of the day awsome fly!

kids

2010-08-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the ward activity the other night with Gabriel winning the"" no sew blanket"" he has been carrying it around with him since that night and him and Niamh have been huddling under it looking very cute. The little kids have been having fun with Hezekiah putting him in anything that will hold him and trailing him around like a doll. Im glad hes so calm he doesnt worry about it at all. I'll load some pictures when the camera stops being stupid.
Also been doing some more work in the garden, I planted 250 bulbs in the garden bed in the turn circle as well as a nice magnolia. It frustrates me that its still not all done Id love to have 20 thousand just to get everything I want finished lol! In the meantime I'll get a bit at a time. Im still moving all the wood chips that are left from the load I had delivered it was alot! Maybe if it stops raining this week I'll get some more of it done.
Other than that nothing much happening our trip to Melbourne has been postponed due to difficulties with accomodation so maybe heading over in October we'll see Im not going to say yes to anything yet its just too hard other wise.

home brand paparazzi

2010-08-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

Its kinda funny looking at the photos on the camera when they have been there for a while. Gabreil loves the camera and always wants the photos of himself shown to see what he looks like :o) Thats why I thought it was so cute when Im uploading the photos off the camera and I come accross these pictures. They were so funny I had to add them :o)

Back to work!

2010-07-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had a very slack week last week with the washing and cleaning really been neglected with me doing the bare minimum for the day. ALlen was fantastic getting all the washing done for me over the weekend and that takes forever with 5 kids! I do 2 loads a day pretty much just to keep up with it, so it doesnt take much to get behind.
We had a whole day at home yesterday just having a family day at home playing cards and just being together instead of running somewhere. The kids really enjoyed it plaing Phase 10 and Uno, then watching Toy Story 3 in the afternoon :o)
Today is the start of another week and beack to work I go... @ loads of washing done, slept the floor emtyed the dishwasher and restacked it. cleaned the benches down and washed the kitchen table after breakfast, gone to playgroup and gave the kids their morning tea and lunch, folded 2 loads of washing and about to put 2 kids down for a nap. phew! Then theres afternoon tea after their nap then we start the tea time routine of bath, dinner, book, bottle for Niamh then bed.. and inbetween I still have the baby to feed his lunch and breastfeed, and change his nappy :o) Can't wait till Tuesday when the kids are at daycare !

sleep deprevation

2010-07-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

Its official Im so tired my eyes are hanging by a thread. I can understand why sleep deprevation is used in was as a tourturing devise. Its been 8 weeks (9 this week) since Hezekiah has slept properly and Im exhausted :o( Im living off about 4 hours of broken sleep a night and my body is not coping very well at all. Im living off chocolate at the moment just to keep me awake and some what functioning. I say somewhat because Ive been grumpy and a pain to live with this whole time and I can say that with no guilt what so ever. At times I have been so tired that I have cried and cried because my body is screaming for sleep.

As mothers we can be our own worst enemy when it comes to talking to each other we all believe that everyone else is doing fine and that we have the only child on the planet who isnt sleeping or eating their vegies or who won't tolit train or clean their room. The fact is we are just part of a giant club that no one wants to admit being a member of. "Hi my names Katherine and my baby refuses to sleep". "Hi Katherine"..... I was listening to a friend today talk about the sleeping problems that she is having and I told her your not alone and just because your doing things that the ëxperts" say not to do doesnt make you a bad parent! It just makes you a good one it menas you have recognised that there is a problem and that you are doing whats best for you and your baby and you have recognised what works for that individual situation! Don't berate yourself for not getting the washing done, or tea is late because the baby is crying all day giving you enough time to dash to the bathroom and back and thats it. Just relax and set some goals hey lets try and do this today and if that gets done then great but if it doesnt then who cares ! We'll try again in the morning. I myself am going to be trying something different this week and I'll let you know if Ive been successful Im optimistic but not going to flog a dead horse if its not working. Wish me luck... and hey text me if you up cause I'll probably be up too :o)

Relief society notices

2010-07-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ok as promised ; I tried to post on the RS site but it wont let me hmm???

So check out what we have on this month.

8th Play group at suzannes 10am

9th Monster Youth Challenge at Deloraine Chapel 7-9.30pm

15th Sewing at Phylis 7pm

16th Family reunion dinner with the Young Women and RS please bring a dish related to your heritage 6pm

21st Cooking at Suzannes ; Bread/ Flour

22nd Playgroup

23rd Bush Dance at Chapel

24th Temple Fireside with Elder Hoare of the 70 and pressident Lobey the temple pressident.

Phew!

We also need VT reported please.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

5th Valeria Tolputt

7th Yvonne Dunthorn

9th Emma Porter

10th Rachel Brown

11th Luz Bellchambers

13th Zuleika Buck

31st Beverly Scott.

Monday Bliss

2010-06-30T02:43:00.000-07:00

Ok so lets start this again. SO on Monday my awsome next door neighbour took Gabriel with her son Oliver to see the new Toy Story 3 movie. They left at 8.45 so I had to be organised ahead of time and I was sort of.. I had all 3 kids feed and dressed i had made lunch for Niamh to go to playgroup and the only one who wasnt ready was me who wa still in her jamas when Simone came to get Gabriel. Hey its not the first time shes seen me in my p.j's hehehe Niamh and I finally got to play group a little bit late and it was so wet that we stayed in the kinda room most of the morning. I love going to playgroup as it wears the kids out so when we got home Niamh had a bottle and went down for a nap. I ran around and got some washing done and the floor done while the little ones were asleep.
Tuesday is always a day I look forward to as its DAY CARE DAY! I love Maranda she does a great job with them and they love going over. It gives me a chance to get some stuff done without all 3 tagging along behind me too. So off to get the groceries done and then wiz home t get a doctors appointment for Hezekiah who has been coughing alot, it turns out he has Bronchitis so we just have to watch him.
Then as if that wasnt enough Monday morning the phone rings and its Catlyn Allens oldest, shes having some major issues with privacy and trust and safety issues at home and needed some help and advise. Allen has been busy for the past few days trying to get all the kids some help.
I also had my very talented friend Jackie come over today and help me make a tote bag it looks AWSOME! Thanks Jackie your the best! And yes I will post a photo of it as soon as I get some batteries

Some days are like that...

2010-06-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so the last few weeks have been horid for me. The school holidays gave us a chest infection for Gabriel and a dose of nasty croup for Niamh (shes still coughing). Then to top it off Hezekiah developed an infection which made him feel yucky which meant he wanted to be feed more which was every 2 hours that from the start of a feed to the next feed. Then he started to loose weight a total of 1.5 kg in 2 weeks. Then he came out with a rash from head to toe that we spent 2 days at the hospital having checked and as it turned out was just the virus at its tail end. So Allen is still sleeping in the guest room (dont feel sorry for him as he has a queen size bed and a electric blanket without the noise of kids waking him!) Meanwhile baby and I are sharing the bed inbetween getting up to deal with Niamh and her coughing and Gabriel falling out of bed and his midnight tolit run. I've been getting maybe 4 hours of broken sleep a night for 5 weeks now and starting to take its tool on me especially by early afternoon. Very tired with all the other things that I have to do during the week. I tried this morning to get us all ready for early learning at the kinda and it tured pear shaped when no bag could be found Niamh had a crying attack for what ever reason and I just spat it and put everything away and made the executive decision that today was not going to be a good day and I was going to staay home. Would it have been better to take them probably.. would I have pulled my hair out trying to find a bag that is who knows where? probably.. would I have enjoyed speaking to some other mums have a crappy day themselves yeah but hey... some days are like that

Hezekiah

2010-05-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ok Im in trouble for not putting enough pictures up of the baby so here are some of him that I took just a few days ago plus some cute photos of Niamh in her doll's cradle and some of Gabriel just because he loves having his pic taken :o)

catch up time

2010-05-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been super slack when it comes to my blog and I have some photos to put up now. Jasmine turned 17 back in March so I have some pics of that and the cake :o) Then I have some of Gabriels 4th birthday party his first with some kids from playgroup so that was fun. And of course what do you do with all the balloons from the party? You cover dad with them while he's napping on the couch. Gabriel had a great day.

Things are getting back on track

2010-04-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

Ok so the past few weeks have been crappy to say the least with everything dying on me. The bonus is that everything that has had to be fixed or replaced has come in less than anticipated. The toaster was on sale and is a 4 slice which is nice when the little kids decide to have toast for breakfast a minute after you give them their cereal. The dentist that I went to (thanks Simone) was a heap cheaper than I had thought woohoo! Then today the mechanic rang to tell me that the car is ready and has been fixed the cost of which is half as much as I had believed it was going to cost. Next will be Allen's bike tire. I"m glad that everything is better now I did have a big cry when the car went :o( I do have the best neighbour who has let us borrow their car while mine is being fixed, ( I have been extra careful driving the local police man's car!)
Im hoping that all our bad luck is now out of the way for a LONG while. Here's hoping that the good luck starts seeping in now

Busy days

2010-04-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy few weeks and the gremlins have been at it again.

Allen as some of you would know did some work for Richardsons Harley Davidson in Launceston. 2 weeks before Christmas was the last time he worked for them and they left us with no money for Christmas (nice). At the time Allen was working with them he had to get a new rear tire for the bike 350$ later GRRRRR... ANyway I thought well that will last for a bit. Wrong! It turns out that the tire was defective and when he took it to have it checked yes he was told it was in fact defective BUT because the people who fitted it didnt put down the millage of the bike at the time they wont replace it!!!!AHHHH! Ohh but hey what else could go wrong? Why do I bother to ask? The week went on to reveal that the vacume needs a new motor (189$) he toaster dies and I had to buy a new one! (39$ on sale). ohh and then today as we drive to Burnie the car starts playing up hmm? On the way home we loose a gear and have to do 80K's the whole way home AHHHHH!!!! It better be covered on the extended warranty thats all Im going to say! And to top it off I have to go to the dentist on Tuesday :o(

Makaylas 18th

2010-02-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we all went to Makaylas 18th birthday party it was an 80's theme party and we dressed up as KISS. All the kids decided to dress up too which was great as last year at the halloween party they piked out. WE had a great ttime with lots of fun and dancing. Next year Jasmine turns 18 so we are starting to plan now as its probably going to take us that long to work out what she wants and get some booking done. I dont think it will be a home party. Maranda and Heath booked the Deloraine complex for Makaylas party and it went well there. We have 13 months to plan...

Baby Robins

2010-02-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

He's finally here! After my third attempt at the hospital he was born on the 27th of January at 1.30pm. It was an interesting week to say the least, I was told to come into the hospital on the Monday 25th at 3pm to have my waters broken but instead I was told that the labour ward was full and I got given some panadene forte for my pelvic pain and sent home to come back on the Tuesday morning at 8am. So we rocked up at 8am with bags and people in tow we waited an hour before the midwives came and told us that because it was a public holiday there were only 3 on and then one woman had a breach and the other was sent upstairs for an emergency c section, so I was sent home again. GRRR! I wasnt happy to say to say the least, but I took my pain killers and went to bed, knowing that it was the last night I would have to be pregnant.

Day 3 Wednesday morning I was deturmined to not leave the hospital without a baby. They broke my waters which was super painful and then put a canula in my wrist for the drugs. I spent most of my labour on the fitball in between contractions and 4 hours later Hezekiah came into the world.

Jasmine did a great job she cut the cord and watched everything from the "business end" while Allen had my hand. SO here are some photos... Ohh and I apoligise in advance if you didnt want to see so much flesh.

pregnancy

2010-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Its finally coming down to the wire. Yes we are only days away from the birth of our last baby boy. The feeling is definantly one of "we are done". I have everything set up for him in bedroom, the cot is set up the change table is ready full of nappies and blankets. The cupboard is full of clothes and the capsule is ready to put in the car. Dad is busy this week looking at the car that we hope will be ok to buy, he's my car expert. The car is in Melbourne so he's driving up to the country for the day to have a look at it and if its ok then bring it over for us then we can sell the Kia.

The pregnancy has not been good but then I havent had one that was. Im very much looking forward to getting some of my body back and holding that little boy. Everything is hard to do right now, walking hurts as the baby is sitting so low that his shoulders are gratting agaist my pelvis. Sitting hurts for the same reason and driving is becoming an issue as the seat is so far back I can only just reach the peddles! I'm kinda over the swelling to my feet, legs and hands. its sore just to touch and bending hurts a its so swollen :o(

The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that this will be our last baby and so Im concerntrating on that. Gabriel and Niamh are talking about the baby and when he will get here. They are touching my tummy and Gabriel kisses my tummy "for the baby".

I know that I'll be relieved when he is here and Jasmine is getting excited about coming in to see the birth then the fun starts :o)

Boys!

2010-01-04T21:43:00.000-08:00

Last night was a testerone overload here we had the missionaries stay over then we have ALlen and his friend from that states and Gabriel! Thats way too many boys in one house for me. Then when I though that we had gone down back to an acceptable level Gabriel decided to try and eat yes eat a light globe! Nimah had some fairy lights around her bed that I took down because she kept pulling them out and there was one lone bulb on the bench in my bathroom and yes I think he though hmm its yellow must be worth eating, wrong! He came out spitting and complaing that his mouth was sore I rang the hospital and they told me what to do. Grr what a doppy thing to do?

My 2 year old girl

2009-12-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

Niamh feeding the ducks

Niamh playing in the sandpit at home

Nimah and her beautiful beads playing at the beach this year just before winter set in.

Niamh fully clothed in the water we just weren't quick enough.

Niamh and Gabriel in the bath with way too many bubbles!

Niamh and papa having a snooze (1 year old)

Niamhs 1st birthday I made a caterpillar cake for her.

Opening pressents on mum and dads bed is a special treat for birthdays. These were some of the ones she got for her 1st birthday

Niamh and Gabriel and daddy. Niamh was only a few hours old her brother was very impressed with her.

5 days old on Christmas day

3 monhs old having a bath

2 months old having a nap on sissys bed

aww getting some love from my big brother Xaviour

Niamh on her blessing day she was a wee bit tired

nana and Niamh on blessing day

Niamh at about 7 months old having fun in the car

Niamh playing with Sarra

Niamh and me and my mum at 6 months old visiting Melbourne

Niamh, me, mum and my nana (6 months). 4 generations of girls

Niamh and my nana lynch.

Niamh and Jasmine at 3 months

Niamh and papa just a day old and so little

Niamh and myself only hours old and still so new

Niamh at a few months old

Newborn Niamh

Its been 2 years today since our little Irish girl was born. Niamh was born at 12.30 am on the 20th of December wieghing 8pd 2onces (she has been my smallest so far). She was a quick birth in the end we only just made it to the hospital before I had her. She is a joy to have and we all love her alot so without further chit chat here are some pictures of her first 2 years.

Leavers dinner

2009-12-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

Its been on our minds all year and its OVER! Jasmine had her leavers dinner last Thursday and it was the only day that it poored with rain! Jasmine had jus enough time to get a hand full of pictures taken outside before it pelted down again. All the girls looked fantastic Jasmine looked beautiful she was wanting to look like a Disney princess and I think she did a good job. The parents were invited to predinner drinks before their dinner but all they had to drink was full strength beer and a few salty snacks, I wasnt impressed with that at all.. The hall was decorated fantastically with a "winter wonderland" theme. We left and Jasmine got back home at about 11pm. She didnt want to go to the after party as there were going to be drinking etc so she had some of her friends come here and they sat up watching spooky movies and then headed to bed. Im glad her friends are sensible :o)

SO here is a picture she did look so grown up *sniff* I cant believe she is going to be 17 next March!

Its begining to look alot like Christmas

2009-11-30T01:49:00.000-08:00

Its almost December! Where did the year go? We have sooo much to do over the next few weeks its amazing! Im deturmined to get the Christmas tree up and decorated tomorrow Im very fussy and I colour co-ordinate all the decorations on the tree. No the kids are not allowed to help! I know that sounds mean and yeah it probably is but hey its my mean thing they can blame me for later when they are in therapy :o) Jasmine is on work experience all this week and set off this morning to catch the bus into Launceston where she is spending the week with "TasDance" Tasmanian dance company. She really enjoyed it today and got to spend a bit of time with the director of the company. She also informed me today that next week is her leavers dinner!!! She has been super exited about his all year its there one big night to dress up and look fantastic, she has her dress and shoes, her hair is organised as is her makeup and car and date :o) We are so lucky to have so many talented members of our ward that are willing to help her with her big night and all will get a mention on the night. I also have a week to get my very first ginger bread house up. I baked all the pieces last week at Suzannes house and they look ok a bit wonky but it is only my first attempt at this. I actually dont like gingerbread so this is really only for Allen and the little kids. I have another dr's appointment next week (yuck) I will have to mention the contractions that Ive been having I know Im going to get in trouble ohh well it wont be the first time ;o) Then I have dad flying down for 3 days to see the kids and give Niamh her Birthday pressie. She's going to be a big 2 year old and dad bought her a Harrods bear from England when Robyn went over this year. Jasmine got one when she was small so it will be nice that they both have the same bear :o) Then just after dad flys home to Melbourne hes on another plane for New Zealand for Christmas with Robyn and her mum so hes going to be tired. Then Erik, Allen's friend from the states arrives on the 20th. Its just one thing after another!! ALl the days are starting to blend into each other now, Im sure it will settle a little after the new year only to begin hectic in the January when the baby is due!(thats if he makes it that long). Phew! Im tired just thinking about it all!

Im also getting Niamh a nice new big girl bed it wasMakayla's and will fit nicely in Niamh's room, so Im off to get a mattress tomorrow. Then I can raise the bed level in the cot move it into Gabriels room along with the change table then I'll be ready when the baby comes :o) Still plenty to do :o)

we're off to see the Wiggles!

2009-11-15T03:06:00.000-08:00

Today we went to see the Wiggles in concert at the Silverdome in Launceston. I had booked "hot Potato seats so I knew we were front and centre on the floor seating (go me!). We left home at about 9:30 and got to the Silverdome just before 10am as the concert didnt start till 11am. I thought we were theere early but there were allready about 300 people ahead of us! We (Jasmine, Gabriel,Niamh and myself) went to have a look at the gift shoop first and I bought the kids a wags tail, a dorothy tail and a feathersword each. they looked very cute with their tails on :o) We waited for the doors to open and then were led into the stadium and down a million stairs to the floor so we could find our seats. We were seated at the end of a row so we had a great view of the stage. They had music playing befor ethe show and Jasmine took Gabriel up to the stage and sat him on it to have his picture taken. The show satred on time with a circus theme which included accrobats and juggling as well as some nifty trampoline stuff. All the Wiggles came out on the stage one by one and introduced themselves. Jeff was first out followed by Sam then Murry then (my favorite) Anthony. they started with "rock a by your bear" and we all sang along. Gabriel was in awe of them I dont think he comprehended till then that they were real!

After the first song ended the Wiggles all got off the stage and walked up and down every isle (and I mean EVERY isle) to say hi to all the kids they shook hands possed for pics and played a huge game of frisby to each other and a fair few parents who helped join in :o) Niamh got a pat from Murry when he was passing by us( she was standing in the isle). ALl the charactors were there as well Dorothy, Wags,Henry, and Captain Feathersword. There were never less than 2 performers from the group on stage at one time and most of the time (unless doing a costume change) they were all on stage for the full 90 mins. They sang all their hits and some groovy new ones that the kids really liked too :o) Jasmine was having as much fun as the little ones were if not more I mean she has grown up with them watching them since she was born! She was excited to come and sang just as loud as the ones on stage :o) All in all it was a fantastic show! The kids really had fun (all of them) and if I could go again next week I think I would they were great!

*photos to follow Jasmine has them all*

Black tie

2009-11-13T14:15:00.001-08:00

Allen and I were invited to a Black Tie dinner a few months ago and all I could think was what the heck am I going to find to wear??? I know this is a common thing for women it made it more difficult when Im almost 8 months pregnant! So the task of finding something that was A> affordable and B. Something that would pass for Black Tie? Tricky.... I had a quick look in the maternity stores and decided that paying for anything that expensive was just out of the question I just cant justify spending huge amounts of money on an item that might get used once... So off to the Op Shops to see what I could find there, I have got lucky in the past in finding some super bargins so I did the rounds of all the ones that are decent. No luck there double bum! The question was were to go next? I had a look through the big stores Myer etc no luck and again to pricey when I did find something so on the way back to the car I go throguh Target and I found a black and white maxi dress teamed up with a dark red shiffon jacket I thought that should pass.(I did find some awsome shoes huge heels Jasmine loves them too).
After settling the little kids we headed off it was interesting to see what others considered Black tie, some guy was wandering around with black jeans and a black shirt it was a bit of fun to watch. Some of the women werent much better! I mean you get only so many oportunities to wear something really nice and some of them were shockers! Some young irl turned up in a "dress" that was nothing more than a T shirt with some elastic around the base to hold it under her backside. hehehehehe
We left early so we could still order a pizza for us to eat :o) We had a great time and Grant and Jan who were our hosts for the night did a great job. Yes there were pictures taken (not by me) and yes they did manage to get one of me ( I hate having my picture taken when Im pregnant) I'll get a copy and put it up as soon as I have it.
Ohh also should have a great day tomorrow as Im taking Jasmine and the little kids to the HUGE! Wiggles concert in Launceston in the morning Jasmine is so excited to see them she's been watching them since she was a little girl :o)

Big girl undies

2009-11-11T00:51:00.000-08:00

The day has come! Ive been putting it off for a few weeks because the weather hasn't been great. Yesterday we went into town and bought some "big girl undies". She has been wearing them very proudly I'm glad I bought a ten pack as we have already gone through 5 pairs in 2 days. The mop is now my best friend as I follow her about cleaning up after her accidents. I'm confident that this will end soon as she has been telling me when she has "gone" and waits for me to change her. I'm hoping that by the time the new baby comes that she'll be done toilet training and I'll be able to just use the "magicalls" reusable cloth nappies.

Billicart challenge

2009-11-07T03:44:00.000-08:00

Today we had the annual Billicart challenge for church. We had East and West wards from Launceston, Burnie, Devonport, and Us from Deloraine ward. The teams are broke into boys and girls and each have their own cart that they have to help make and design themselves. Our girls from Dloraine won last year so they had to try and retain their title.

They had 3 races one was a cross country challenge where they went half way down the hill round a cone then up the hill to the finish line. Both our boys and girls tams won their event. Then they had to push a member of their leadership up the hill again Deloraine girls won and the boys just got through by a fast finishing Burnie team. The main event is the down hill run, this is a fairly steep hill and this year we had a left turn to manuvor at the bottom of the hill (tricky). This left alot of room for overtaking if your game... The Burnie team got a bit close to the Deloraine girls and they almost crashed "Morgan" who was doing the driving did a fanastic job and we came away with the win! The boys did a great job too by winning their race!

It was agreat day with sausages in bread for lunch for everyone after the main race had been won. It wasa fantastic day weather wise with lots of sun and Im sure more than a few people getting burnt. Gabriel and Niamh drank all the cordial I bought plus more and ate all the bikies I bought for them to eat. Niamh sat with everyone at one stage or another during the day, Thats what I love about being at one of the church activities even if the kids wander off I know that someone will be watching them even if I cant see them :o)

I was more than ready to go home by 1:30 (we were there at 10am) so after sitting in the sun and baking while trying to watch the races and the little kids was tiring and I was glad to get home and have a cool shower.

Well done Deloriane champions again !!!

Getting used to being pregnant again

2009-10-21T03:22:00.000-07:00

Being pregnant is hard to describe when you havent been there before but its kinda like someone has taken over your body and mind. Ive been nesting like mad lately which is driving Allen and the kids nuts. They go to school etc and the furniture is in one place and when they get home everything is different! I cleran every day vacume, washing etc. This nesting thing is getting out of hand with me moving the furniture and of course it goes back in a different place when it goes back :o) Im also tackling the garden outside (nowhere is safe) Ive been pulling weeds and trying to get the vegie patch ready for planting this weekend. I still have a heap of stuff to do and I need to get a few things for this new baby before he gets here. The baby will be sharing a room with Gabriel (that should be fun) and so Im ordering him a new bed with draws under it. It gives me more space to play with when bub arrives as Gabriels bed will be painted (by me) and then put in Niamhs room for her and then the cot and changetable go into Gabriels room plus his new bed and draws :o) The only downside is that this baby seems to be in a hurry to get here! It could have been all the work Ive been doing but I was having contractions for over 30 mins this afternoon.... Not a good sign. I called ALlen but he wasnt near his phone grrrr. I waited till 5pm to call the hospital but the pains had subsided by then so all is good :o) I do have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I'll remember to let her know whats been going on. I'll also get all my test results back so cross fingers that all is well :o)
Well I better get to bed I need some more sleep, shopping tomorrow and a trip to Bunnings! zzzzzz

Sick Papa

2009-10-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me or my family knows that my father never gets sick! When he does which is so rare (Ive only seen him sick twice) it hits him hard. This is the case at the moment my dad AKA Papa has Benign positional vertigo. Its got so bad that he was vomiting every time he moved and has to lie still to get any relief from the dizzyness. He went to have an MRI scan on Tuesday and ended up in the hospital , after colapsing in the car park and couldnt move....
I spoke to him last night in the hospital he says hes doing ok and feeling fine wih a drip in his arm to rehydrate and giving him medication to stop the nausea. He finds in difficult when he isnt in control of his body and was a bit emotional on Tuesday. Im keeping in contact with him and up to date with his progress I'm hoping he'll be released maybe today. Get well soon dad :o)

Being a divorced kid

2009-10-04T02:10:00.000-07:00

When I was 9 my parents seperated, I was young and I was very confussed and hurt. I was very close to my father and could not understand why my dad who I loved with all my heart could walk out on me and my brother and sister. I remember going around to the womans house who was having an affair with my father and I yelled at her through her fence to come and talk to me, to face me to explain to me how she still had her family and I didn't. It took a long time before I could see my father again and when I did I was angry and lashed out at him.
Years later I still wonder what my family would have been like if my parents had stayed together, what I would be like.
The fact is we are who we are because of the experiences we have. I am the person I am today because of the past I have. I wasnt responsible for the divorce nor did I want it. As an adult you learn that things are not black and white. There are things we dont know as children and things we should NEVER know about our parents.
I know because Ive been there, that it hurts to want your parent and he/she not being there. I know that when things are bad at home and you want to talk to the other parent and you can't that its frustrating and hard to deal with. I know there were times when I was younger whenit was too much for me when I felt pulled in one direction or another being forced to choose between parents. Who was right? Who was wrong? Who do I love more?Do I love the other one less? Its hard even now thinking of that. The fact is I love and will always love BOTH my parents they are who they are I can't change who they are nor would I want to. They are not perfect neither of them but they are good people who just could not live together anymore, and that wasnt because they didnt love me or my siblings its because they loved us that they realised that being apart from each other was the Best thing for us as their children.
When I had a man ask me to marry him I was 18 and I did love this man but I was scared. Scared of getting married to the wrong person at the wrong time. Would I end up having children and then would my children end up like me? Hurt and wondering why? I said no to this man, he is a good guy I just wasnt ready nor was I wanting tomake a mistake for either of us or my future.
When I did get married it was to someone who hurt me long before we got married, it was the wrong man and the wrong reason and I got divorced. I've tried over the years to have a civil relationship with my childrens father I don't talk bad about him to them I just waited for him to show his colours and let them make their own decision.
As a divoced kid you need to make your own decision but it has to be an informed one and without prejudice. As a divorced kid its hard to be civil sometimes when your hurt, but as a kid you need to respect the parent. It doesn't mean you have to like all the decisions they make or who they are with or what they have done in their past. What you have to do is understand that they are human too and they make mistakes just like kids do, just accept them for who they are and be happy that they have done everything they can for you. Stay in touch.

sunshine,plants and more work to do....

2009-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

It was such a nice day yesterday that ALlen and I got out and did some work outside in the sun. We have been lucky enough to scrounge some second hand bricks from Grant next door who is taking down a wall in the shed. Allen was busy laying those in the drive way so that the car is on solid ground when the moat appears. We plan on getting some more gravel for the driveway when Allen has finished. I got the steps and railing and door painted and finished so I was happy with that. I also got some more painting done on the container as well.
I also bought a few more plants from my favorite store Bunnings I got 3 olive trees, a new orange tree as my other one is looking ill, and a kiwi fruit plant. Im deturmined to plant food that the kids like to eat and that will produce large amounts so I can either sell the remaining or store them. My raspberries have gone crazy and are flowering allready so Im hoping that we get a bumper crop this year last year was their first season and we got a few punnets. The blueberries are looking good too with the bushes looking really healthy so Im hoping that they produce more this year too :o) The plum tree has gone crazy and Im hoping for a few fruit this year but it is its first season so Im not going to let it produce too many. The hazlenut tree is doing well and Im hoping for it to do well this spring and do some serious growing. The passionfruit vine is doing well and climbing up the lattice really well. I'm looking forward to seeing it flower for the first time this year :o)
We still have more to do.... Allen is going to put up a roof over the sandpit and we are going to a paving auction this Saturday to see if we can get some pavers and some retaining wall blocks for the turn circle. I still have heaps of plants to buy to fill out the garden Im trying hard to propergate some myself I've got one rose to grow which is amazing since Gabriel tipped most of the dirt out of the pot! I'm also lucky that I have a friends around who have great gardens who are happy tp dig stuff up when there is too many of something and Im happy to take freebies.
I had planned on painting some more outside today but the rain is coming today so it will have to wait.... Still heaps of work to do

sometimes I just want to be ALONE!

2009-09-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

I had a super busy day yesterday and I thought getting up early would put me in the right frame of mond and get me going... Wrong! I did get going but I was late for everything all day??? I did my visiting teaching with Peggy then went to a late lunch with Maranda which I really enjoyed, before coming home to find the house trashed so I spent an hour cleaning up all the kids mess and ALlens mess still sitting on the bench from lunch time grrrrr!!!!!!!!! I hate cleaning up after someone who is more than capable of doing it themselves.
Today was meant to be my dentsit appointment I was geared up to go when one wrong comment from me sparked Allen off and we had a fight, we're still not talking to each other and I just wish he'd go away for a few hours. The rain is back again (which is adding to my crappy mood) its been pooring all day so the moat is back in the driveway.
I'd love a day of just sitting at home reading and napping on my own... Yeah right!

School holidays

2009-09-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

Its that time of the year again, school holidays where I get to listen to the older kids tell me how bored they are and that they have nothing to do! Jasmine spent most of the first week at work which is good because she owes me money for her shoes being fixed (42$) and a spending spree at Kmart where she had to get me to pay for because she didnt have enough in her bank account....
Xaviour has spent the past few days asking to use the playstation or the computer, I told him to GO OUTSIDE! Its working he went for a ride and even kicked the ball around for a while yay :o)
I had my Big Ultrasound last Friday when we found out that everything is fine the baby has all the right amount of fingers and toes, and is looking good and yes we are having a BOY! Which is a great thing and a hastle as I gave all my boy stuff away after having Gabriel... Ohh well back to EBay I go.
The little kids and I have been enjoying the sunshine by doing some gardening, and lots of playing outside in the sandpit and on the trampoline.
Everything else is pretty much the same, just kicking back enjoying the warmer weather. I love Spring time

You chicken feves!

2009-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

I was thinking that yesterday was pretty boring just a bit of dad day shopping and to Bunnings for some straw for the chickens. Little did I know that there was a storm brewing.....

Our neighbours Hannah and Russel have left their house for a year and have gone on holidays till December and are then moving to Burnie in the new year for 12 months. Their house is being rented by some friends of theirs who are getting married at the end of the month so they will move in then. Since they were leaving Hannah asked us if we would like to have any of her chickens I said yes please and that 3 would be great! So Hannah thrw 3 of the chickens over the fence a few days ago just before they caught the boat to Melbourne. The chickens being crafty flew back over the fence So Tuesday night I walked next door after the sun went down to retrieve the said chickens. I cut their fethers so they couldnt fly back, or so I thought.... 2 of them made a break for it so yesterday when I noticed I just thought ohh I'll just get them afet dark again. The problem with that was the neighbours accross the road from Hannah saw Allen and I and accussed us of Stealing the chickens! The woman who was doing the yelling has a screw loose and was yelling at ALlen F*** this and that for a while. I finally got him to come inside but she continued making threats and called the police.

Enter the police.... We saw them driving our way and started laughing being so close to the station (next door) means we know most of the officers by first name. I showed thema note that Hannah had left for me asking me if I wanted any chickens and they left. Honestly it was so funny!!! Allen stirring up the local nut job didnt help but he had his fun she was screaming F*** Mormans at him and he was asking her to come over for tea. I half expected dead chickens this morning but they are all there and in the pen. Justice prevailed :o) I love this town hehehehe

sock monster

2009-08-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

I never have worked out how this happens but every couple of months our sock population seems to get halved literally! I have at the moment 15 odd socks, most of which are Niamh's. She has to wear socks pretty much all day, with her boots at night we go through 2 pairs a day but I'll be buggered if I know where these socks have gone to? I checked all the cupboards and draws and went through all her clothes and no luck...??? On the other end I have Gabriel who I swear eats his socks he had at last count 8 pairs of new socks, yesterday after compleating all the washing he had 2 and a half pairs? grrrrr!!! Kids socks are so expensive! I'm waiting patiently for summer and then socks wont be such a big issue.

40!

2009-08-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Yes the day has come :o) Allen turned 40 yesterday and because he has a regular gig every Tuesday night with the young mens group we decided to go out on Monday night instead. We went to dinner which was ok Allen had his favorite duck. He complained that it wasnt very fat I comented that we are in drought and thats why the duck was so scrawny.hehehe Afetr dinner we went to watch "Inglorious Bastards" at the cinema. Im not a Brad Pitt fan at all but the movie was good. It finished late and we got home after midnight so we were very tired. Yesterday he got his pressies and was happy so I did good :o) He also got his regular cheesecake for a birhday cake :o) Happy Birthday Allen

nasty weather

2009-08-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

I know we need the rain but this is just rediculous! Our front driveway looks like a swimming pool again and the chickens had a wadding pool in their pen. I made a very stupid decision to hang some washing out before it raianed againand yes it ended up all over the yard and now I have to wash most of it again AHHH! The kids are going nuts being inside all the time they cant go out as the rain just hasnt stopped for days now. The loungroom which was cleaned up is now a sea of toys again. Im glad tomorrow is Thursday and they can go to kindy gym :o) Its also really cold again so the heater is running all day grrrr..... I have plants out the front that have been waiting to be planted for 2 weeks now.... Im seriously considering flying to Brissy just for a chnage in weather. Cheak out the pictures of the gorge in Launceston (thanks Helen) its so flooded and getting higher. We have had flood alerts for ages now Im glad we are not on a slab!

Calista Renee

2009-08-16T00:10:00.000-07:00

I know I didnt mention it in my past post and I guess I didnt because it really does need its own space. Allens niece Calista lost her battle with cancer 3 weeks ago she was 20 years old. She was an amazing young woman who lived life to the fullest. I was lucky enough not only to comunicate with her on the phone and net but we met when we were over there 2 years ago. Her husband Ben was very sweet and looked afetr her right up to the very end.

Jody and John her parents (my sister in law) are both so strong and were positive about her condition through all its ups and downs for thepast 2 years. She was first diagnosed when she was only 18 with a rare cancer on her left shoulder joint they took it out replaced it with a titanium one gave her some chemo and she was sent into remission :o) Everyone was very happy and she married Ben that year with a head scalf on covering her bald head she looked beautiful. It came back again this time with spots on her lungs and back to chemo she went it was tough on the whole family but everyone was really supportive. She went back into remission and everyone was happy and Cali and Ben talked about starting a family. Then it came back this time leukemia blood cancer, she went back into hospital and went looking for a doner match. Luckily for Cali she has 4 brothers all with a 25% chance of being a match! Both Frank and Andrew were a match WOOHOO!! Everyone was on a super high but something was wrong Cali was getting worse and her doctors told Jody she was to sick for the transplant and was sent home. She was home less than 2 weeks and passed away peacefully and without pain.

Allen and I ( me especially) am gratefull for having known her and were sad that we could not have attended the funeral in Utah. Ive decided that if we are having a girl that I'll honor Cali by naming the baby after her as her middle name. We will miss you "bossy boots".

blogging update

2009-08-10T23:02:00.000-07:00

Yes I have been told how slack Ive been ( thanks Jason). I have been both a combination of busy and sick.
I went to visit my mum and grandmother (who is 91) in May/ June I havent seen them in about 12 months maybe longer so the guilt was really starting to set in. I spent 10 days with mum and even had a day with dad where we spent the day at Healsville sancturary. The trip was marred by 2 visits to my sisters house which I cant stand going to. My sister is filthy dirty and her home fits her well. I know what its like to have kids at home and how long it takes to clean my house ( which is twice the size of hers!) and when I was working and still keeping my home clean, I see no excuse for why my sisters house should look like a pigs pen. She is also very negative and I find it hard to talk to her when she twists everything into something negative so I generally dont say anything. I was glad to get home and sleep in my own bed without having my wiggly son sharing with me.
It wasnt long after I got home that I was wondering where my monthly visitor had gone to? So off to the chemist to but a pregnancy test I went. I waited a while not really wanting to know and took the test it was positive... All the memories of past pregnancys started to invade my thoughts. Ive never had a "normal" pregnancy Ive always had complications of one or the other. I told ALlen when he got home from work and he was thrilled I was apprehensive I man hes done the hard part of getting my pregnant now all he has to do is sit and wait. I on the other hand started having morning sickness (why they call it that is a mystery to me as I have it all day and night). I started loosing weight and couldnt stand the smell or sight of food. My migranes which I normally take daily medication for begain to get worse as I can't take my medication while Im pregnant. I ended up in the hospital where they treated me and sent me home, this was to become my weekly trip. So to and from the hospital we went for 2 weeks. Then, just when I thought the danger period had passed my uterus prolapsed, it in turn cuts of my urethra and I cant void. Its very painfull and needs immediate attention. I went in and gave them all the details (its happened the last 2 pregnancys so I knew what was going on and knew what needed to be done). The nurse was sypathetic but the doctor was hopeless. They put a catheter in to drain my bladder then sent me home. I was still unable to void on my own and knowing that the more I drank the more my bladder would fill and thus be in more pain so I stopped drinking any water. I became dehydrated and still in pain so back to the hospital we go. This time Allen is about to do his block as he doesnt like seeing me in pain ( hey Im not thrilled with it either!) This time Im not only in pain from the prolapse but Im having contractions and Im getting upset. They give me a room finally and some pain relief and into la la land I slip for a few hours. When I come rould I find I have a drip and they are pumping me full of fluid because Im dehydrated. After several hours they decide they want a urine specimine from me so in I go only to find that I still cant void. I panic as I know I now have 2 litres of fluid thats going to want to come out and cant. They send me home and the next day Im back to have a catheter fitted again, Im still sore and Im upset at all the coming and going I asked to be admitted but the doctor says no and tells me to come back the next morning in the out patient ward for obstetrics. I go in with Allen and they put another 3 liters of fluid into my arm with the catheter still in Im not as worried but I dont want ot go home again without being well. The doctor admitts me and they put me up in the labour ward where I share a room with a woman in labour all night, yep lights on monitor on and off all night not much rest for me at all. The following day after breakfast the doctor comes by asks how Im feeling I say a bit better and she says "good you can go home". I asked her "what about the canula and the catheter I have? What about my prolapsed uterus? " She says "You have a Catheter? You have a prolapsed uterus?" I replied "yes a urine catheter". She says "ohh" and leaves the room. I ask the nurse later in the day whats going on? She says as far as she knows Im leaving I informed her that I had not even got an examination and that the doctor didn't seem very informed. She goes to cheek whats going on. At 4.30 the doppy doctor comes back by this time I have very little confidence in her ability to do anything positive for me. She tells me I have to leave that they need the bed and Im just not sick enough to stay another night. I loose my cool and told her she didnt examine me didnt even know what was wrong with me when she came by that morning and that I didnt want to go home with the catheter again. She argued with me lied to my face about knowing about my condition and told me I still had to leave. By this time I was getting loud and very upset and was crying the doctor then tried to console me and offered to then do the examination I told her "dont you touch me!" I asked for another docotr to examine me and was told he would when he could get to me as he wsa in the birthing suite. I was happy to wait, at 7:30pm I asked the nurse again to check what was going on and she came back to me saying he was too busy and I could stay till morning when he would get to me.
Allen was getting irrate at home about the situation, he made a complaint that night to the hospital about my treatment and that of the offending doctor. The next morning the complaints person called Allen back and asked him some question s about what had gone on. They agreed that he had a valid complaint and that calls were being made to "fix things". Again after breakfast I dissapeared from my room to sit in the breakfast room where there is some space and I could be comfortable on a couch. The doctor came by and she was nice and informative she asked me what I wanted and what I thought would be the best plan for me. I told her what I neededand what I wanted and she agreed that that sounded like a good plan so we did that. She did a thorugh examination checking where my uterus was sitting and talking about the removal of the catheter and canula. I did a trial void and could manage allthough it was numb. By 6pm I was home, sore but home. Im still a bit sore and tired but Im on some great medication for my nausea, its expensive so we have to get it from the hospital and they pay the bill. I still have a long way to go in this pregnancy but Im hoping that the worst is over and that the next time Im in the labour ward its with a healthy baby in the crib.

Garden update

2009-04-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Dahlias at the letterbox

The roses and petuna and dalia's at the turn circle

One of my new clibling roses I planted 4 of these 2 on each side of the house I'm hoping that they grow up and out so they close off the space under the house.

The sandpit all built no prebuilt stuff! Allen has done a really good job setting this up the kids love it. The rope at the back is for the little monkeys to climb on its doing really well :o)

Yes we did put a cover on it we have alot of cats in the neighbourhood, we used some shade cloth and a piece of wood the hold it down securely. We have heaps of Tonka trucks for them to play with.

The Sunflowers, pumpkins, tomatoes here self seeded its where the old chook pen was.

This is one of my baby pumpkin plants

As you can see the toms went mad this year and the zucchini has done a great job

more zucchini plants and my baby nectarine tree plus all the raspberries along the back near the fence. The middle of the garden bed did have seedlings in it but the snails got to them so will need replacing this week grrr hate snails!

Th Super chook pen we are planning on getting 10 more from a local chook farm Allen still needs to put some tin on the other sides so that they saty dry and on the left you can see Charlie our neighbours rooster hes over for a play date :o) Our chicken "henny" has been clucky so we thought he could help her out

After looking back at some of the blog pictures I noticed that the last garden pics were a bit sad so I went out yesterday afternoon and took some new ones, as you can see Ive done a bit of work putting in some new plants and I know it will pay off later its just that right now it still looks bare. I have a lot more work to do and alot more plants to buy but I'll get there..... I'm alos wanting to put up a new fence (hopefully before winter hits) across the back of the garden. Still heaps to do in the meantime.

I have a huge busy day with a trip into town to visit the vampires, yes Im giving blood today a group of us are going even Jasmine said she would come :o) Allen has 2 job interviews and Niamh has to go to the hospital and get fitted for her new boots and bars. Phew! We are taking all the kids minus one Xaviour is in Melbourne for a few days :o(

I might try to take my hand vac back Ive only had it 5 weeks and now it wont go at all!!!!! Not happy! Will see how we all feel after lunch we may just pack up and come home.

After Easter we are hoping to get Allens papers signed off so we can hand them into court regarding the child support order from the states. We have been trying to get this done for a over year now, we tried to get it done ourselves but we didnt get anywhere so we hired a lawyer here and hes been sorting through it all for us. This will mean that he will be seen as an Aussie by the Aus child support system and they will take over the case and the payments which means it will get adjusted properly and then he can afford to make the payments. I mean the current order is 1275 US dollars a month! Thats just silly and to be paying that here under Australia's child support formula he would have to earn over 100K a year. So we are looking forward to that being dealt with, its just a shame that the other parent is not willing to give any in this case, as the step father yelled at us when we were last in court "We just want the money" hmm what does that tell you? I thought it was whats best for the children?

whats been going on?

2009-04-11T04:10:00.000-07:00

Its Spot! Finally after an extra half an hour wait.

Spot doing the hokey pokey

poor Spot was having trouble getting through the crowd

Whats this? Reading a story to 300 kids ?

No microphone no way we could hear anything..... And we were up the front!

ahh ha! I found it!

ai my maties ... pirate loo

monkey girl testing her climbing skills

mum will never notice me climbing up here

After a hard day you just needa nice place to have a nap...zzzzzzz

I know Ive been increadibly slack with the blog of late and as punishment I now have to catch up! So looking back we have had our little girl who has discovered that she can climb as well as her big brother and has been experementing by climbing on our bed on the couch's and the table! Yes I found her sitting on the table one morning then a day later she had progressed to dancing on the table while eating an apple ( and spitting the peel all over the table for me). We have a tolit trained little boy finally! and I managed to take some super funny pics of him on the "loo"

Then in a moment of INSANITY I decided to take the little kids to the town library to see "Spot" if you have small children you will know who I am refering to, for those who dont he is a book character and is very popular. I didnt think he would be as popular as he was the day we went it was a nightmare! Kids everywhere parents cracking the sad's because they are getting squashed. I dont think the "powers that be" thought it was going to be such a big event. Check the pics AGH!

Beach trip

2009-04-11T02:44:00.000-07:00

Im a sea princess

Gabriel building his rock collection

uppie high mummy! Yes its a plane Gabriel

sand yummy!

the little tykes watching out for each other

Gabriel and Niamh watching the seaguls

Gabriel testing the water temperature

Niamh saying who cares the water is nice :o)

Niamh before we could strip her off went in fully clothed, and with the bling on too

As the kids have Easter holidays for the next week and a half we decided to take a drive to Port Sorrel, and Hawley Beach. The little kids love the beach having spent some time at Papa's beach house on Phillip Island. Gabriel wasnt real keen on getting in the water right away but Niamh just wandered in clothes and all! She cracks me up hhehehe Gabriel managed to wander in too he wasnt as enthusiastic as Niamh but hey they still had fun. We also stpped at the local hall for the "Market" day we bought some beads for Niamh she has had them on all day but hey for 2$ who cares... We packed a lunch so we didnt have to buy anything it was a fun time and will try and go again before all the nice weather leaves us for winter.

Sustaining a positive relationship

2009-03-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I have been thinking about the different relationships I have with friends and family. Today Allen also got a letter from his father about his relationship with his parents and his children in the State's.
I have got alot of friends who I care about in different ways I have friends who I learn from, friends I know I can count on in times of trouble, I have friends who I know will make me laugh no matter what situation Im in. I have friends who have wisdom in many areas that I can listen to and learn from, I have family that I can rely on when things are bad and when I need to vent. The thing about each of these relationshipe is that they are alive theya are an entity and by that I mean that they need to be nurished to be sustained to keep them alive. This means that I have to see each of these people, I need to know them and what makes them who they are, they need to know that I care for them too. I need to love them for who they are at whatever time that is in their life. I need to accept the chooses they make as they are theirs not mine. This is part of what it means to have a relationship. Its not a one way street it needs to come from both people. It annoys me when family think that One person has to make all the effort, make all the phone calls invite them to all the events do all the running around. Thats not a healthy relationship! For it to be worthwhile to both parties them information, love and respect, and acceptance for each other and their beliefs needs to be mutual if its not it ends up poison and will hurt people.
Allen and I have a good relationship we work on it every day, he tells me he loves me every day, we spend time with each other every day even if thats only a few minutes alone in bed before the kids wake up. We talk to each other and we accept each other for who they are FAULTS AND ALL. Im not perfect and neither is he we know this and it doesnt mean that we dont argue from time to time because we do we can agree to disagree with each other on topics but we respect each others feelings and points of view, and dont try to dominate each other. I think some people get so worked up about SMALL things that they fail to see the big picture. I laugh at my mother in law she doesnt like me for my un spoken-ness. Hey thats her choice I'm always going to be a part of her family like it or not, and my children will always be her grandchildren weather she decides to take the time to know them or not.
I decided a longgggggg time ago that if I felt a relationship was TOXIC then I would end it, I have people who I have known over half my life and I have people who I am friends with who I'm just starting to get to know, The one thing thats the same with all these people is that they all accept me for who I am and love me anyway. Thats what healthy relationship should be like, a bit of GIVE AND TAKE.

What are those rabbits up to ??!

2009-02-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday Allen picked up some "supplies" for us and left them in a bag in our room. He then took Jasmine and Xaviour to young mens/ and young womens. While they were gone I did what I always do and cleaned up after tea then got the little ones ready for bed and cleaned their toys up from the day of playing, while I was doing this I could hear peels of laughter coming from our room. I was wondering what those two little rabbits were up to but their laughter was so cute I couldnt stop laughing at them from the other room. Finally after hearing a ripping sound I decided to investigate what they wre up to. Gabriel had found ALlens "stash" of condoms and was frantically ripping them apart from each other and Niamh who was watching this was laughing at him as well it was such a funny sight to see a 2 year old ripping these apart and scattering them all over the floor hehehhe. I wonder why we spend so much money on toys whenthey get as much fun from a pot from the cupboard and a wooden spoon and a paint brush with some water to paint with. Or..... just a packet or two of condoms.

kids back at school

2009-02-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well I know its a bit late but yes the BIG kids are back at school for the year woohoo!!! The only change was that Xaviour started high school this year :o) We went to the school the week before they started and I picked up their books paid their fees and got a new jumper for Jasmine. I had managed to get the majority of Xaviours uniform in Town but the jumper for Jasmine had to come from the school.

They are both enjoying being back at school and Xaviour has been great at getting his homework done as soon as he gets it. So here are some pics of them before they caught the bus on their first day back.

How hot?!

2009-02-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

Last week was just too hot! Even here in Tassie were it just doesnt get that hot during summer got to 39.6 here in Westbury infact it was 40C in my neighbours kitchen EWWWWWW! We bought the kids a small pool for Christmas just for cooling off in its ony waist height on Gabriel so its not that deep and its 15 feet wide, we spent a bit of time in it last week as well as trying to keep all the animals cool the kittin spent the whole day sleeping under the table. The dog spent the day in the shade under the deck and unfortunantly 2 of our 3 chickens died.

It was very hot so hot that this poor koala came into a back garden looking for relief, its super cute, aslo shows you that even the local wildlife found it too hot!

Victorian Fires

2009-02-08T04:39:00.000-08:00

Its been an upsetting few days for me with the fires in Victoria. With now over 80 people confirmed dead and 700 homes lost, the devatstation of whole towns. The pictures are sad and the flames hights and speed frightening. I like to think Im prepared for an emergency if it happens, we all have back packs with enough food and water for 3 days (thats how long the emergency services ask you to have). We have a change of clothes, wind up torch with radio and siren.We also have other bits. They sit in the linen cupboard ready to grab, I always thought we would never have to use it but the more I see on the news with fires in one state and floods in another it makes me realise the importance of having these packs. SO Ive put here a list of what to pack if you decide to make one up you may never need it and I hope you never do but lets be smart and be ready... just in case.

Food and Water
(3 day supply of food & water per person
when no refrigeration/cooking is available)
Protein/Granola Bars
Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
Canned Tuna, Beans, Meat, Vienna
Sausages, etc (“pop-top” cans might leak/
explode & Jerky can “flavor” other items)
Canned Juice
Candy/Gum (Jolly ranchers can melt &
mint gum might “flavor” other items)
Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters per person)
Bedding and Clothing
Change of Clothing (short and long
sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)
Undergarments
Rain Coat /Poncho
Blankets and Emergency Heat Blankets
Cloth Sheet
Plastic Sheet
Fuel & Light
Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps)
Extra Batteries
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Water-Proof Matches
Miscellaneous
Bag or Bags to put 72 hour kit items in
(we use cheep back packs and it holds everything make sure there is one for EACH member of the family)
Infant Needs (also when you have kids try and put in a toy eg a stuffed aniaml, if you have to leave fast they will be upset and may need something to cuddle )
Can Opener (or get tins with the pull tops on them)
Dishes/Utensils
Shovel
Radio (get a wind up one )
Pen and Paper
Axe( you can get a very small saw instead which is made of wire and rolls up very small)
Pocket Knife
Rope
Duct Tape
First Aid Supplies
Toiletries (roll of toilet paper—remove
center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock
bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc)
Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer,
soap, shampoo, dish soap, you can also have baby wipes they are great and you can get small packets)
medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen,
children’s medication, etc.)
Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage
Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
Insurance Policies
Cash
Credit Card
Pre-Paid Phone Cards
• Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure
that: all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, personal
documents and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged.
• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and
entertainment during a stressful time.
• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open.
Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

I hope I never have to use mine but it can't hurt to have ..... Stay safe

more photos

2009-01-30T13:23:00.001-08:00

This is Gabriel having some fun with my camera the little monkey!

Gabriel and Niamh playing together

Niamh watching Gabriel play on the drum

Ohh yes this was the cake that Allen made for my Birthday I know it looks super wierd but thats what he wanted it to lok like. It still tasted good :o)

This is Lisa isnt she just glowing! Shes engaged to Shane (see next picture) I cant wait for them to get married!

This is Shane he's so sweet and is going to be a good dad check out Niamh she just climbed into his lap :)

Niamh and her talking dog she loves it, she got it for Christmas from Grandma :o)

Awww see she loves it! She wont share this with Gabriel she screams when he picks it up.

Gabriel and Niamh eating chocolate frogs and trying to watch Nemo at the same time.

Niamh and her "blankie" she wont sleep without it even when its too hot!

Bath time again its a nightly event not always with bubbles they tend to eat them hehehhe

ITS TOO HOT!

2009-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

Man its been hot here for the past few days! The kids have spent the past 2 days in and out of the pool (its only a small one don't freek out). The animals have been too hot poor shadow our little dog was too tired and hot to bark yesterday. It got to 39C yesterday which is unheard of in Tassie (thats 102 F) we might get the odd low 30's but yesterday was disgusting! The little kids are having a really hard time trying to sleep even with the airconditioner on, I put the fans in the little kids rooms just to cool them off. Gabriel didnt go to sleep till after 9.30 last night which was painfull for everyone, Niamh went down ok but the heat kept waking her up and at 4am she refused to go back to sleep so I stayed up with her till 5.30 am before she went back to sleep.

It was also way too hot for our fethered friendsthe chickens with 2 of them dying yesterday afternoon, the laying pen was that hot that it cooked all the eggs they had laid! So now we have 1 left with a hope that a friend can get us a couple more soon. Its going to be hot again today 35C. Im trying my best to keep the plants alive with late night watering in the vegie patch. Hey it could be worse I could be in Melbourne where its been 40C and over! EWWWWWWWW!