Living my dream

Saturday Sketch Day

Here is this weeks sketch. And an example to go with it.

 Lots of little photos for you to play with.

And my example

 and a couple of close ups

Have a great weekend.

T

Busy week

We've had a very full week. I think I mentioned it earlier. So thought I'd share some pics.

On Tues we went to my BIL's place to have a swim in their pool. Uncle Rob brought out this wonderful turtle boat and the kids had a ball paddling around in it, jumping off it, pulling it around. I was planning on getting in, but they'd had a power cut and the pool heating was turned off. So I was a total wimp and stayed dry. It didn't seem to bother the kids though, especially when they got warm under the hot water shower on the deck. So good!

Yesterday (yep in that horrible drizzly rain), M&S started their City Nipper surf lifesaving course. They had a BALL! They learnt all about slip/slop/slap/wrap, they played games and ran races. They learnt how to run in the water. It was amazing. And on top of all that they look darn cute!

Today we got a visit from an old friend Abby. She used to look after the kids, but when she moved to the South Island it was well, kinda hard. LOL. But she was up visiting and we got a chance to catch up with her. It was fantastic. The reception she got when she arrived was amazing. Huge big hugs, giggles, lots of glee. Sarah then set about face painting. She did all of them. Including herself and I recon she did a darn good job!

After that Sarah and I met with a friend and created a 4 man team to complete a fun event at the zoo (Great ape race). We had to run around with lots of clues and work out the answers, then get back to base within a certain time frame. It was really different to anything I'd ever done and neither Deb or myself realised it was going to be so sporty. But we pretty much ran between every clue. It was GREAT. The girls also LOVED it. We took buggies for them, realising it would go late, and not knowing how they would handle it, and it was a good choice. We got home much later than Sarah would normally go to bed, but I think it was one of those really cool things she'll remember in times to come. It was the inaugural event, but we'll definitely be going back!

Looking forward to tomorrow with the kids twilight fair.

I feel like I haven't done any scrapping in forever, really only about a week, but I'm going to get a chance in the weekend, so am looking forward to that. Yeah.

Hope you're having a good week!

How to feel good

Ok, so today is only half way over, but I feel good. And there are a couple of reasons. So I thought I'd share them (in no particular order) cause I've realised that these things ALWAYS make me feel good. And if I know that there are some things that always make me feel good, then maybe I can do them a little more often. How's that for deep and profound thinking? LOL.

1. Helping the planet.

Cor that sounds dramatic, and its only one little thing, but it really does make me feel better about myself. We recently brought a paper log maker from New Zealand Nature. The basic idea is that you mulch up paper, create a brick, and let it dry out, then in winter you use it in your fire with wood. It takes approx 1-2 hours to burn. It means we are recycling the paper we use, plus it leaves no ash, plus we are saving money as hopefully we'll need less actual wood. So a win/win. Yay.

2. Making a difference in someone elses life.

As I was driving home this morning I saw an elderly lady get pulled over by the dog she was walking. I pulled over and went to help her. She was a bit shaken, but ok. She didn't live too far away (a couple of streets over), but wasn't feeling up to continuing her walk, so I drove her and the dog home. I know these opportunities don't present themselves everyday, but even something like ringing a friend who's feeling down, or smiling at someone you don't know can make a difference in someone elses life. It was so nice to be able to help this lady today. I'm glad I did.

3. Catching up with friends.

I managed to chat to one friend on the phone and had coffee with another this morning. The social interaction, the exchange of ideas, the mental stimulation always makes me feel happier.

4. Helping my children grow

Helping them challenge themselves to grow and develop is one of my all time fav feel good things. To see them overcome an obstacle, work out how to do it, try something new, eat something they thought was yukky, all those little things give them a bigger idea of their world, stretches thier ideas of what the boundaries are or could be. I love that. I grew up pretty sheltered. And in reality they will too. But to allow them to make choices, and safely test boundaries will help them now and always.

5. Exercise.

I know, this one is something that doesn't happen everyday, but today I'm looking forward to netball tonight. The idea that I'm gonna run around like a mad thing later on is making me feel excited about the afternoon/evening. Its good to look forward to things. Plus its actually proven to make you feel better!

6. Having goals

Talking about looking forward to things, I find I function better if I have goals. Whether its a little trip, a girls weekend away, a birthday, a facial (hmmmm, yeah! LOL), a picnic, a day with the family etc etc. Something to keep you going when you don't want to has got to be a good thing!

Have yourself a brilliant day!

Netball

Tonight I played netball. I'm really enjoying it. But I'm sure I've already said that. Wink. LOL. Well I always thought we were playing in a 'social' grade. But tonight we were playing a team that had a silver fern in it. What the?! She was amazing. It was so cool to watch her. So graceful. Always seeming to know exactly where the ball was going to go. Pity I was marking her. I was no where even close to her standards! It was laughable! LOL! But it was fun all the same. Seems we were in a grading week. Well our team got thrashed, so I'm figuring it'll be the last time I have to mark her! Gosh it was fun.

Thank you Veronica

Veronica (or Vonny) is my sister. She's the next one down from me. We used to fight alot as children. I know why now that we're older, but alongside that we actually became friends. She decided that as I was away for my birthday, and it was one of those 'big' ones, that we still needed to celebrate, even if it was later. She organised for my family to get together for dinner - all my favourites - and then she and her family had the kids for the weekend.

It was one of those really special times. One of the things she arranged was that when we were sitting around the table, they all told what they liked about me. It was embarressing, but really lovely.

The whole evening was. I felt really special. She and the rest of the family had gone to a lot of trouble, and I really appreciate it. Thank you Von.

She and her family dropped the kids off this afternoon, and we got talking about geocaching. If you haven't heard of it, then its kinda like a treasure hunt for adults using technology. A friend of mine told me about it a while back and I found one really close to home (actually there are a few close to home), but I never worked out how to find it as I don't have a portable GPS.

Anyway, today we went and found it. It was fun. The kids especially loved it. And of course it wouldn't be a family outing without a family photo....

We are so keen to find another, but will need to wait until next week as we've got a full on week coming up.

All three kids have swimming lessons tomorrow, then we're swimming at Uncle Robs on Tues after school, and then the kids surf life saving starts on Wed. Linn comes on Thurs, and the kids school fair is on Fri. Before we know it we've hit the weekend again. Whewee.

Speaking of which, must go get some shut eye. Like I haven't had enough this weekend! LOL! Hope you've had a good one.

Saturday Sketch Day

Here's a sketch for this coming week. Let me know if you use it. Would love to see how it turns out....

 

Thanks to my sis and BIL we are kid free today, which meant one of the things we did was to go fishing. Unfortunately, we didn't catch anything. We both had a few bites, but no luck otherwise. Nevermind. But I thought I'd share a typical conversation between Andy and I....

Me (getting in car): yahoo, we're off!

Andy: I've never been fishing with anyone who's been so excited to go fishing.

Me: Yeah, you have! The kids! They love it.

Andy(grinning): Yeah, but I can tell them to be quiet.

Hope you had a good day too.

T
 

Aren't these the cutest?

Aren't these the cutest summer sandals? I got them the other day when we were buying Matt his summer school sandals. I love the ruffles and can see a LO or two being inspired by them.

Talking of cute. Check out our big boy Dan....

In the weekend he wandered around without a nappy. Quite happily going to the toilet in the right place whenever he needed to. So this week, after many times of Dan taking off his nappy to go toilet, I decided I needed to bite the bullet and toilet train our wee man.

And I have to say its been easy. He was well and truely ready and it was only this mothers hesitancy holding him back. He's had a couple of accidents. But both times when he was really engrossed in play. We are really really proud of our little man!

And today I got my man back. He's been in China again. He wasn't meant to be home until tomorrow. But I got a call last night saying he was on his way. I kept the news to myself, so when we both picked up the kids today, they got a surprise. And what a wonderful surprise it was! They really missed him this time around.

Thankfully his trip to Pakistan later this month has been cancelled. Not looking too friendly over there right now.

Wishing you a fun and safe Guy Fawkes.

T

YUM

I was a bit late having breakfast this morning. I got the kids ready, took them to school, came home cleaned up and went to feed the chooks. While I was down there, I checked out the raspberry bush. It had heaps of ripe berries. So I picked some. As I was coming back towards the house, I suddenly thought about our strawberries. I wondered if we had any ready to pick. Thinking to myself that fresh raspberries and strawberries would be a great form of 'live' food to add to my breakfast. There were. And this is what I ended up having....

I added some yoghurt and tada, the perfect healthy breakfast. So lucky.

I created this LO last night. In response something that happened with Sarah and her friends last week. I wanted to keep the focus on the journaling. I hope that it might help Sarah in the future as she grows up.

And a couple of close ups...

 
Went for a short run yesterday. Only 2kms. In the past I wouldn't have thought it worth me putting on my running shoes for such a short distance. Yesterday it nearly killed me. LOL! My how times have changed. LOL. At least I got out there. Tonight its netball. Am looking forward to it.

Have a great Wed.

T

Fiji catch up - photo heavy

This is what you see when you walk into the Radisson - our favourite kid friendly resort on Denerau. You immediately feel like you're on holiday. The first thing we do, is change into togs and hit the pools. This time was no different.
 
Isn't this the epitomy of tropical? We went here for half a day to snorkel, see some fish and hang out on the beach. It was pretty cool.

 
Most nights we would meet the Lamers at this deck and have a few of these....

(that's Jane and I) while the kids played hang man, added/subracted sums, and ran around. Then we'd head to dinner and watch the sunsets....

 

The kids loved playing in the pools. So much water, so much fun.

They also loved playing in the fountain at the port.

And general playing around....

 
Face painting from Kids club

Sarah got her hair braided and it looked amazing! It hurt to do, but was well worth it. She only took it out yesterday morning (and that was under duress! LOL).

While we were away it was Sophies 6th birthday. We had a lovely day celebrating with her, especially her wonderful cake....

One of the things the kids loved the most was the fire lighting ceremony they took part in. It happens every night and as part of kids club, they can get dressed up and help light the fires around the resort....

And one shot I just love....Andy and I having some "down time"

And thats about it. Some of my fav photos shared here.

Have a great Tues.

T

I did it

This is me doing a bit of supporting after my 10.5 kms was over. My BIL and a friend were doing the full thing! And I've gotta say I'm very proud of both of them!

My BIL was doing the half, but got an entry into the full at the last minute, so decided to make it a fundraiser for the Iconz group he helps run. For every km over 21 he got people to sponsor him. And he did the whole thing! Wow! So impressive.

I did my 10.5kms slightly quicker than I thought. About 1 hour 19mins. Which is actually alot slower than I used to run, BUT, I did it. I ran the whole thing!!!!! I don't really talk about my beliefs much, but do believe that the big guy upstairs was looking out for me today. So far no aches and pains and I finished it without stopping. I was really really proud of myself. So its over for the moment. I can honestly say that I feel so much joy from running, and being part of a big crowd like that has made me feel inspired.

I missed my friend Gary who died earlier this year. He was always either doing or supporting these events. I was reminded of him constantly and missed him alot.

If you were there, did it, or watched. Good on you!

And a huge thanks to all those who supported me with encouragement and donations to the 'Set them free' charity. Much, much appreciated.

T