OH MY GOODNESS

3 MONTHS!!! 3 MONTHS!!! Has it really been that long? It can't have been. SURELY NOT!
Well the last post doesn't lie. 3 months ago I last posted. Shocking bad bad blogger. After all my empty promises of updating once a week! I really really really want to keep going with this blog. It's great for me to look back and see all that's happened and remember what has been. So I am going to try again in 2010! Hey that rhymes! Trying again in 2010! My new mantra maybe!
So what has been happening - man so much to tell and so little space. Christamas has been and gone a long time ago - it was a lovely time for us as a little family. Hanging out together, enjoying Joel - he was lovely this Christmas - full of sparkle and joy. 
What else. I am heading off on my overseas trip with Mum and Dad and my 2 sisters THIS SATURDAY! That's right - 6 DAYS AWAY!! Can you believe it? I sure can't. It's so cliche but it has come around so so quickly. I'm so excited and scared all at the same time.  I am going to miss Andrew and Joel something bad and am the mummy guilt is really starting to set in. What sort of mother am I to be leaving Joel for 3 whole weeks? Will he forget who I am? Will he hate me for leaving? Oh my heart aches a little. I know we will all be fine but I can't help feeling a little anxious about it all?
But mixed in with all that doubt and guilt, is excitement - giddy school girl joy. I cannot wait. We are heading to London, Paris, Athens, Moldova (where Mum and Dad are living) and then Istanbul. Mum and Dad are meeting us in London and we'll be doing everything together. It's going to be awesome. I can't believe in less than a week I'll be in LONDON! It just seems a little surreal.
Anyway. enough gushing about my trip. We are all doing really well. Joel is growing like a weed and brings us so much joy, laughter, fun and a few frustrating moments and headaches as well. Life with a 2.5 year old is certainly an adventure and a challenge all at once. Andrew is doing well as well - life in the classroom is busy and tiring and he has a lot to do before I abandon him and Joel for 3 weeks. But I know he and Joel will enjoy the time together.  And I am doing well too. Just carrying on with life as normal - work, playgroup, music, swimming, etc.. I have also started a Biggest Loser challenge with a few friends and have currently lost just over 2 kgs which is nice. Am hoping to lose a whole lot more in the coming weeks,

Anyway,didn't want this to be a long post as I don't even know if anyone is still out there reading this - I doubt it after a 3 month absence. But I just wanted to reconnect myself to blogging and start again. I'll leave you with a few recent potos of us, Just to remind you of what we look like!!

Till next time. Maybe from London!!!!!

Decorating the Tree - Dec 2nd

We decorated our tree on December 2nd. It was a lot of fun and Joel was right into putting things on the tree. He loved all the sparkly baubles and other decos. We opted to leave a few of our more precious ornanments off the tree this year - nothing breakable or sentimental! Life with a 2 year old hey! Joel is really good with the tree though so far. He doesn't really touch it and has already worked out how to turn the lights on (first thing in the morning and they are on all day!!)
Here are a few pics of Joel doing some decorating.

Till next time

December so far

I know I know. It's been a few weeks. So much for Friday's five hey. I will try and get back to it this week.
Life the last few weeks had been busy and hectic and crazy and I am looking forward to some things finishing up for the year so we can have a bit of a break.
December so far has been lovely. We have finished our Christmas shopping which feels so good. Christmas cards still need to be made but that will happen this week hopefully!
We spent the night of December 1st with some lovely friends, the Bests and the Battens.
We enjoyed a yummy tea together and then headed up the road from the Bests house to see the light display at one of the neighbours houses. It was gorgeous. Santa came out to see the kids, and the got given lolly bags. Then the kids helped Santa turn the lights on with magic powder thrown in the air.
It was such a delightful way to start the Christmas Season

I'll be back tonight or tomorrow with a tree decorating post
Till next time

When did you grow up?

You are such a sweet and caring little boy.
If anyone is crying, you are always there to stroke their face, give them a cuddle and say "S'Alright Mummy, s'alright" You love cuddles and kisses and spending time with people. And you especially love babies. You are always wanting to hold babies and kiss them and cuddle them and just lavish love on them.
When your cousin Bradley came over one day, he was a bit upset and all you wanted to do was cuddle with him on the couch. You even managed to get him to fall asleep on you. You look so grown up in this photo - my baby has well and truly gone. You are definitely a little boy now.

I hope you continue to be so caring and sweet as you grow older.
You're such a sweet and caring little boy.

Friday's Five

So here it is another edition of Friday's Five. I'm thinking I am going to do an current Etsy faves every fortnight and then alternate it with another list on the other weeks.
To get into the Christmas mood early, i am going to share with you some of my favourite Christmas movies (nicking this idea from Tam) So here we go.... in no particular order

1. Elf
I think this is a great movie. Funny and sweet all at the same time. And I love Will Ferrell.

2. The Polar Express
Love love love this one and can't wait to watch it with Joel this year. It is so magical and fun.

3. Love Actually
This is probably my favourite movie of all time - Christmas or not!

4. Home Alone 1 & 2
I loved these as a kid and still enjoy watching them once a year. 3 & 4 are not so good though! They should have left it at 2. Love the scenes in New York in number 2. And the bird lady!

5. Miracle on 34th Street
I love both of these movies - the classic and the modern one. Do you believe??

6. Joyeux Noel 
I know it's called Friday's FIve but I really wanted to share about this movie. I saw it last year and it is really good. The film is about the World War 1 Christmas truce of December 1914, told through the eyes of French, Scottish and German soldiers. Sounds boring but it's really beautiful.

So there you have it. Some good movies to watch this Christmas season

Till next time

Triathlon Pink

I am going to enter a triathlon. Not a crazy Olympic one but Triathlon Pink - raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. My sister Beth and I are going to do it together (although secretly I think she is going to kick my butt!)
It's happening on the 31st January 2010 which sounds awhile away but I have a lot (A LOT!!!) of work to do before then if I even want to finish this race.

We are hoping to do the long course - 300m swim, 9km bike ride, 3km run but we will assess the situation (and my fitness) closer to the date. I may opt to do the medium - 200m swim, 6km ride, 2km run (walk)
I am starting my training today. Aiming to exercise every day and eat a lot healthier. Cut back on my serious addiction to chocolate and start pumping my body full of healthy yummy foods.
Need to start working on the 3 things I will be doing in the triathlon - swimming, running and bike riding.

So it's out there. I've told you all my goal. Now to stay on it and keep accountable to you guys about it.
I'm a little scared but excited as well

If any of you are interested in doing it as well, or just want some more info, you can find it on the Triathlon Pink Website here

Till next time

Fulfilling every boy's little dream....

of being a fireman



Joel at our local Community Services Expo last weekend

Friday's Five

Inspired by my Blogging for Scrapbookers Class, I am hoping to start a weekly tradition of Friday's Five. Five things I love at the moment, five things I have seen online, five of my fave movies, five of my fave books, five things I would love to buy right now. Get my drift. It could be anything.
For my first Friday's Five I am going to share with you some of my favourite things on Etsy right now. Etsy is one of my favourite places to look and shop online. It's an awesome site where people can buy and sell all sorts of handmade stuff. Not your typical nanna knitted tea cosys and stuff (although I am sure there are some on there) but very cool things.
So here we go (in no particular order)

Crazy Sparrow Nest Necklace
This is so so sweet.

Felt Pancakes Set
This looks like so much fun

Vintage Messenger Bag
I think this would be so handy when I go overseas next year. Hmmm Christmas present!!

Green Bird Journal Notebook
Cute as. Would look great in the bag above!

Baby Pixie Hat
Oh my goodness. Does it get any sweeter than this.

So there you have it my first Friday's Five. Stay tuned for more blog posts and more Friday's Five in coming weeks!

Till next time

2.7.2007 - The day you were born

For our Day 2 prompt one of our tasks was to share a story about one of the most amazing days of our lives. I've chosen the day Joel was born (2nd July 2007)
So here goes...

I went into labour with Joel around 2:30 on a Monday morning. Your daddy and I were so excited. We tried to get some more sleep but we couldn't believe that this was happening. We had waited such a long time to meet you and soon you would be here. We got to the hospital around 9:00am and after 5 or so more hours (and no drugs) you were born. Our gorgeous little boy. They laid you on my chest and you had your eyes open. You were looking up at me. Big brown eyes and long eyelashes. And there it was. Love like I'd never felt before. You were ours. And we were (and still are) so blessed.
The next couple of hours were some of the best of my life. Just laying there. Snuggling with you. Watching it rain outside. Staying warm and safe together inside.
The 3 of us.
Can't believe that was almost 2 1/2 years ago. You are still the sweetest little thing. And we still love snuggles
Just the 3 of us.

Thanks for letting me share
Till next time

A new blogging adventure

So as you all know I am not the most consistent blogger out there. But I really want to change that so I signed up for one of Shimelle's classes - Blogging for Scrapbookers. I love Shimelle's stuff - I have done her Journal your Christmas class for the last 2 years.
So I am undertaking this new journey because I want to make this whole blogging experience bigger and better - for me and for anyone who reads it.
I am however already 2 days behind so I am going to do all the things for those days today - which means there will be 3 posts today!!
So here goes number 1 - my intentions for this class

• I want to blog more regularly
• I want to write more meaningful posts
• I want to be able to use my blog to make my scrapbooking better
• I want to inject both my blogging and scrapping with more life and energy

So there you have it. I am really excited about taking this class.

You can sign up for the class here - don't think it's too late

Till next time

Bon's Scraps

I often visit a lovely little forum and online scrap shop called Bon's Scraps.
The lovely owner Bon is having a giveaway on her blog - celebrating 100 posts.
It is an awesome prize pack worth $100. If you want to have a chance at winning go here to Bon's Blog
Good luck!

Bon is also running a competion on the forum to win a 3 month scrapbooking kit subscription. Bon's kits are lovely and always so well coordinated. If you want to be in the running, check out the thread in the forum here

I'll be back tomorrow for some more blog love!

I'm Back

I simply cannot believe that it was August that I last blogged. That is shocking. I doubt that anyone still even checks this little place but I am going to pick it up again. I just went through a patch where I didn't feel I had anything to share and if I did I really couldn't be bothered. BUT i'm making the effort to blog more.
So what's been happening. A bit. We've had 2 weeks of school holidays just finish so it was lovely to have Andrew home. We did a few outings - the zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, the Silvan Tulip Festival. All lots of fun.
Joel has been going great guns. His speech is going really really well. Putting together little 2 and 3 word sentences and chatting away lots during the day. He such a sweet little kid. Very kind and affectionate. He does have his fair share of tantrums though. We are in the thick of the 2s at the moment. So that can be a little frustrating for all concerned at times, but we are blessed to have him in our lives.
I am doing well. At the start of September I became a Learning Ladder advisor. I am really enjoying it. I love the range of books and games that they sell and I am enjoying doing get togethers to share the stuff with others. Also nice to make a bit of money to go towards my overseas trip next year which is fast coming around.
I was also chosen to be on the Design Team at a local scrapbook shop called The Scrapbook Scene. I am very excited to be part of the team at this shop. It is such a great little shop with so much great product. I have done my first few LOs for them and am looking forward to the next challenge that comes up.
Oooo and I turned the big 3-0!! I've been 30 for almost 2 months now and don't feel any different. I had a party which was lots of fun and i am getting a Digi SLR soon with the money my lovely family and friends gave me. I cannot wait!
Andrew is doing well too. Looking forward to the end of the year but not so much the reports he has to do before that comes around.
Not a whole lot else to tell. Just wanted to do a little catch-up before I get stuck back into sharing stuff on here.
Can't have a post without a photo so I will share a few

First 2 LOs are ones i've done using my own stuff


The next 2 are DT LOs for The Scrapbook Scene
This one using the new Allison Ellis Christmas papers.

This one using the new Imaginesce Christmas range. These papers are really cute!

This is a photo of Joel and his cousin Jessie at the zoo in the school holidays.

These were taken at the Silvan Tulip Festival.
Joel loves rabbits at the moment. I really want to get him one. Just have to convince Andrew!


Aren't the colours delightful!


Hope you made it this far. It was a bit picture heavy but I don't care.
Till next time.

A cybercrop tonight!!

Just wanted to let you all know that there is a cybercrop on tonight at Bon's Scraps. They are always so much fun. Lots of chatting, great challenges and lots of inspiration

If you get a chance, why not pop over to the forum and sign up. We'd love to see you there.

Click here to get to Bon's

Bon's DT Call

One of my fave places to hang out online is Bon's Scraps. The girls on the forum are awesome. Always lots of fun and inspiration there.
Well the lovely Boss Lady Bon is having a Design Team call which is starting this Monday (24th August). Here are the details if anyone is interested in having a go

Bon's Scraps DT Comp will commence on Monday 24th August!

If you are interested in applying make sure your name is in the DT registration thread here:
http://www.bonsscraps.com.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7606

First and foremost forum interaction is a big part of being on the DT...

Whilst the competiton is running please try to interact on the forum the amount that you would usually...

There will be 2 spots up for grabs each with a 2 month trial leading to a 12 month contract.

The comp will run for 4 rounds.

If you make the design team you will recieve an exclusive monthly kit and also a store discount, in exchange you will create an average of 3 set pages a month.

Full Design Team expectations will be posted shortly.

I'm giving it a go. Why don't you!

Back later with some 30th party photos.

A catch-up

Well it's been awhile (seems all my blog posts start with a similar theme) Our time with mum and dad has been and gone for over 6 weeks now and I still haven't shared photos. There are so many and I just don't know where to start so I keep putting it off. I'll get there eventually.
So what's been happening. Not to much. Firstly and most excitingly (is that a word, i'm not sure) my sisters and I have booked tickets to go overseas next year to visit mum and dad. Very exciting. We'll be going in March/April next year for 3 weeks. No kids, no hubbies, just us!! We'll be visiting London, Paris, Venice, Moldova, Athens and Istanbul. Sounds awesome, doesn't it. Now the countdown is on - 31 weeks to go.
Other than that, life is cruising along the same. I am turning 30 in a couple of weeks and am having a party on Saturday so I'm getting stuff prepped for that. Should be a fun day. Lots of food and good friends to share it with.
Been doing a little bit of scrapping when I find the time. Here are a couple of my latest LOs
This was for a challenge at Bon's Scraps

Using June's Studio Calico kit and my gorgeous niece

A sketch challenge at Bon's Scraps

Using a kit from Bon's scraps

Thought I'd share a couple of pics of Joel as well. He is lots of fun at the moment (and can be a handful as well - all about being a 2 year old I suppose!) He loves his trains, The Wot Wots (a show on ABC kids, Elmo and playdough is also a daily request. He also has a thing about hats - loves wearing them around the house. Starting to get into dressing up - i feel a trip to the local op-shops are in order for some dress-ups.

Snuggling with Elmo and some toast under a blanket

A bowls hat that Andrew had for a dress-up party. It's now Joel's!!!

I think that's enough for today. Really want to share some holiday pics. Might get on to that after my party.

Till next time