Merry Christmas Guys!

My apologies for the lack of communication this past week. I'll be posting all you've missed and all future advent fun and Christmas cheer on our facebook page or in our instagram album. 

I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your love, guidance and support this year here on our blog. Thanks for your comments of encouragement and wisdom and most of all thank you for lifting us up in prayer. 

This year has by far been the hardest so far in the way of motherhood and marriage but I have pulled through and am looking forward to what's in store for us next year. 

Also just wanted to praise my children for they're efforts this year! Nevaeh graduated Kinder and will be attending a new kinder next year. Jiedyn passed grade one and made some amazing new friends whom he'll be going into grade two with next year. I'm so proud of each of them and their achievements. They truly are great kids and are always willing to give everything 110% (Except for photos!). 

2013 has had us all learning and accomplishing our goals. We're all happier, healthier and have learnt to work together a lot more than last year. We've learnt to listen to each other, put others first and to share the load. We're still learning to make good choices for ourselves, each other and our family as a whole. We've come such a long way in 12 months and have a lot to be thankful for.

Thank you guys for your readership of our blog and hanging out with us here on the web. We will be back next year with more adventure, repices, wakky truths and happiness. Have a spirit filled Christmas and you'll see us again in 2014!!

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December 14th

Christmas Advent Activity Day 14.

Camp around the Christmas tree!

This is another advent activity we have done before. Last year I captured some really festive photos which you can view by clicking here..

This year I only got a few. I left it to the last minute to set the mattresses up and together we watched Charlotte's Web. Nevaeh fell asleep around half way through while Jie and I went on to watch  another movie.

For a full list of Family Advent click here..

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December 12 & 13..

Christmas Advent Activity Day 12 & 13.

Cozy up and read Christmas books before bed {plus} Eat a Gingerbread man game!

Yesterday was such a massive day. Doctors, blood tests, shopping, Jie's school finishing early, mowing the lawns, preparing for Nevaehs break up party/graduation then babysitting 'til late had my head pounding from 5pm onward. The kids were so tired after such a bg big Thursday night that we almost threw the books (I'd bought from the op shop earlier in the day) in the bookshelf just to sleep. But we didn't. We cozied up with our tired and worn out bodies all snug under my doona and read Peter Spier's Christmas and A Bear For Christmas. Then we all fell sound asleep..

Tonight was our 'Eat a Gingerbread man game' night! Uncle Anthony and Aunty Jane were meant to come over but Aunty Jane called us to let us know that they wouldn't be able to make it as she wasn't feeling well at all. We prayed for her together before playing a game of picturika! I was actually impressed by Nevaeh tonight who scored the same amount of cards as me at the end of our game. This is a personal best for her finding around 15 objects without any help! Her and I came runners up to Jie beating us by just one card. 

After a quick break for toilet and drinks I prepared the table for our 'Eat a Gingerbread man game'. I found the game back in November via this blog post.. I did plan to print out this game and the M&M's game called 'Dont Eat Pete" but unfortunately our printer ran out of ink so Jie did a great job at drawing the dice and labeling them with the instructions just like the original..

The kids and I had fun munching on our Gingerbread men, eating off heads and limbs. I won the first game and Jie won the second. We also realised halfway through that we all needed a glass of milk. 

Jie and I played two games and Nevaeh decided that she only wanted the body of her other one so we called her man a Gingerbread Nobody! We all couldn't stop laughing..

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Nevaeh & Hosanna's Graduation Night

We all had a wonderful time at Nevaeh and Hosanna's Graduation night last night. 

We enjoyed a picnic with sweets and fruit, fairy bread and biscuits.

Here are some photos from last night..

The two girls of the night!

Hosanna with her Mama Penny..

My son munching away..

Nevaeh with her friends Ella-Jayde and Lacey..

Marky and Judea..

Hosanna with her friends..

The kids in a circle about to perform for us parents..

My big proud girl!

Our other big proud girl..

Well done little ladies. 

We're all very proud of you!

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December 10

Christmas Advent Activity Day 10.

Write out our Christmas Cards! 

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Moments that made me smile today..

The kids watching TV together..

Jiedyn doing some writing..

and Nevaeh playing happily by herself!

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December 7th

Christmas Advent Activity Day 7.

Bake and deliver cookies to our neighbors!

Last night we baked over 100 cookies using this recipe..

We then glazed the cookies using this recipe..

We ate all the burnt ones!

And packed the others in the goldest cellophane we could find..

We eventually ran out of sticky tape..

But that didn't stop us!

We packed the cookies in pairs..

We hand wrote notes to go with our cookies..

and shared them with our neighbors today!

Today we spoke to old neighbors, new neighbors, neighbors with lots of kids, neighbors with no kids, happy neighbors, grumpy neighbors, neighbors of all shapes and sizes from all different cultures believing in all sorts of gods and goddess' but one thing we all have in common.. Love for shortbread biscuits! Merry Christmas Clarinda street and surrounds! We love you all!

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December 5 & 6..

Christmas Advent Activity Days 5 & 6.
Make popcorn necklaces and watch a Christmas movie & Play the "Don't eat Pete game"..

Day five.. Don't remind me.. SIX hours of Christmas shopping for 8 children had Penny and I Hoola hooping in Sportsco and walking around bare feet in Kmart! We stopped in to grab our Christmas DVD and popcorn but the popcorn was gone in 20 seconds flat of walking into the Shillings house. The DVD did not work on their DVD player though I did make one necklace/bracelet before the kids dipped into another batch of popcorn. Instead, we painted Hosanna's bedroom with the paint we got from Bunnings and eventually got home just after 12 am.

On day six, yesterday, I spent most of the day trying to relax which was hard seeing as there was absolutely no food in the cupboards and the kids were very tired and constantly fighting. I had no motivation to do shopping but eventually did anyway. I tried to make it bearable for the kids and just stuck to very basic instructions and remained positive. It worked quite well without any meltdowns. At around 5pm the Shillings younger four joined us for dinner before I grabbed my thin mattress and mine and kids bedding to cosy up in the lounge with the movie we were all still wanting to see. 

The movie chosen was Christmas Angel.. 

You can grab a copy here.. or if you live near by I'm happy to lend my copy out!

Here are a few photos of our night last night..

And no "Don't eat Pete" game as yet..

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December 4th..

Christmas Advent Activity Day 4.
Write angel notes for our friends!

This was so totally fun! The kids picked from 6 types of sticky note designs for 5 of their most {favorite} friends and one {could be in the future} friend. They said thank you to each friend for things like, always sharing, being kind, helping and just being a great friend. Nevaeh got really specific thanking a little boy from kinder for helping her build the biggest and best tall tower with the blocks. I thought that was so cute! Unfortunately no photos were taken but memories abundance! 

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December 3rd..

Christmas Advent Activity Day 3.
Take photo's beside the Christmas Tree!

Such a FUN photo shoot!

Which one is your favorite?

This one is my favorite.

Nevaeh on her tippy-toes to reach Jie's shoulder..

It really is the little things..

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December 2nd..

Christmas Advent Activity Day 2.
Retell the Nativity Story!

Check out The Action Bible here..

While telling the nativity story to Nevaeh, she picks up our baby Jesus ornament and says "I love the little Lord Jesus.." and kisses it. Such a sweet little moment.

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December 1st..

Christmas Advent Activity Day 1.
Put up the Christmas Tree!

Around a week before Christmas I got the sewing machine out to sew my first ever Christmas Tree Skirt. I did the whole thing free hand and used fabric I got given to me by a neighbor plus two of my old shirts. This was a big deal for me as I have always wanted one. I remember one of the foster families I lived with had one and since then I always had my eye open for them but have never crossed one in the shops. Last year I asked a friend to make one but they weren't confident enough so this year, I made one.. I did it and it turned out better than I expected. Prefect for our Christmas tree! Here are a few pictures of the progress..

On December first, while putting the tree up I was amazed that it actually fit because I didn't actually measure anything. I really just roughed the whole thing.. This year, I was the one most excited about putting the tree up. The kids hardly helped at all. While they did put some bulbs on they just wanted it to be over with so they could go and watch Pokemon no matter how loud the carols were! But anyhow, the first advent activity was done. Maybe not the best start of our advent but a start..

This year is also the first year we have stockings! 

Shopping for stocking fillers have been so fun..

Do you guys do stockings?

What was your favorite thing you received in your stocking as a child?

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Jiedyn turns Eight!

My amazing son is 8 today!

Here are 8 random facts about our beautiful boy..

1. Jiedyns last hour as a seven year old was spent snuggling up to his little sister until she fell asleep while watching Sponge Bob!
2. Jie's first word was "Yeah".
3. His favorite color is gold!
4. Jie's favorite gifts were his new walkie talkies, electronic safe, metal detector and of course his pokemon movies, books & Wii game!
5. Jiedyn's last prayer as a 7 year old was spent thanking his heavenly father that his mum could afford special gifts for him for today..
6. Jie's only request for his special day was for a custard tart instead of a birthday cake!
7. He still has his cute dimples when he smiles which he has always had..
8. Jie is a fun, good hearted, smart & loving boy. He is a delightful child to raise. Never expects and never disobeys or disrespects me.. He is just beautiful and perfect for this family.

We love our Jie.. What is your favorite memory of or with Jie?

Jiedyn celebrated with his two besties Jacob and Toby..

We ate pancakes for dinner..


And had birthday cake and jelly for dessert..

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Sew Good!

Last night I had no kids.. NO KIDS!! For a whole night.. As you can probably tell that doesn't happen very often! Nevaeh went to her Dads for the weekend and Jiedyn has gone on an over night fishing trip with his Pop. Last night was meant to be my le réve girls PJ night but everyone had plans and pulled out resulting in me having to change it until this afternoon. With a whole afternoon and night to myself I started thinking of 101 things I could do. I could have gone to the movies, to get my nails done or out for tea then to the pokies. I could have gone dancing! Instead I decided to pull out my sewing machine. I bet most of you didn't even know I had one.. I don't do a lot of sewing because I usually can't concentrate enough when the kids are home but that wasn't an issue yesterday. My plan was to create a library bag for Nevaeh for Christmas using shirts I used to wear. I picked two of the ones she always used to comment on when I'd wear them and started cutting. Halfway through the bag I began feeling hungry. I was just about to put the pins away and turn off the sewing machine before I realized I  could make as much mess as I liked, get up, and walk away, and the mess would still be there! I did.. It was amazing! I decided to order in and watch a movie just after 6pm. I went back to my project at around 10pm. I added the shoulder straps and buttons and it was complete! I did it! I made a bag.. Not perfect.. But a fully functioning, double layered, pink and poker dot, fully adjustable, library bag!

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200 Questions - ANSWERED!

1: Are you ready for 200 questions? Ready as I'll ever be..

2: Was your last relationship a mistake? I don't believe so.. 

3: Do you miss your last relationship? Parts of it..

4: Who did you last say "i love you" to? My Daughter before she went to Preschool..

5: Do you regret it? No..

6: Have you ever been depressed? Yes.. But never severely like some people do..

7: Are you a boy or girl? I am a woman..

8: Are you insecure? No, I dont think I am..

9: What is your relationship status? Married..

10: How do you want to die? From old age and painless..

11: What did you last eat? Vegemite on toast..

12: Have you played any sports? A lot, but netball was my favorite..

13: Do you bite your nails? I used to have a bad habit of biting them. I dont bite them anymore..

14: When was your last physical fight? 3 years ago maybe..

15: Do you have an attitude? I have a positive attitude most of the time..

16: Do you like someone? I like a lot of people..

17: What is your real name? Melissa Anne Fletcher

18: Have you ever read a book? I have read hundreds of books in my lifetime. Just finished reading "The Twits" to the kids last night..

19: Are you gonna get high later? No, what kind of question is that?

20: Do you hate anyone at the moment? Hate.. Hmm.. No, I dont think I really "hate" anyone.

21: Do you miss someone? I do, I miss my Nana, my childhood dog and my friends in Brisbane.

22: Twirl or cut your spaghetti? I cut my spaghetti. My kids twirl..

23: Do you tan a lot? Look at me.. I don't need to..

24: Have any pets? Yes two beautiful boys.. Altius & Matthias.

25: How exactly are you feeling? I feel great today. Absolutely stress free.

26: Ever eaten food in a car while someone else or you are driving? Yes, usually Ice cream..

27: Ever made out in a bathroom? No not so much in "a" bathroom but a few times in my bathroom.

28: Would you take any of your exes back? That's a hard one. No, I dont think so. I believe the past is in the past for a reason..

29: Are you scared of spiders? Only ones that have the potential of hurting me. But little ones or daddy long legs I can squish with my fingers..

30: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? No, no way.. too much to look forward to..

31: Do you regret anything from your past? I'd maybe do a few things differently but I dont think I regret anything. I did the best I could do in certain situations with the knowlegde that I had at the time. I am now wiser because of it.

32: What are your plans for this weekend? No plans as yet..

33: Do you want to have kids? Jiedyn and Nevaeh. 7 and 4.

34: Did you ever kiss someone whose name starts with an M? Matthew, Michael & another Matthew.

35: Do you type fast? Not fasts.. I have seen people type a lot faster than me.

36: Do you have piercings? My ears.

37: Want anymore? Nope, quite content with just my ears.

38: Can you spell well? YES! but I do use spellchecker if something doesnt look right..

39: Do you miss anyone from your past? Yes.. too many to name..

40: What are you craving right now? A Bath with my new bath salts

41: Ever been to a bonfire party? Yes, I had one last year. But the best one was on the beach in Coffs Harbor. It was a memorable night.

42: Ever had a silly band? No, but a friend and I made up dances and changed the lyrics of songs.

43: Have you ever been on a horse? I grew up around horses at a young age but the last time.. I went horse riding on my 13th birthday. 

44: Kissed someone in a pickup truck? No..

45: Have you ever broken someone’s heart? I'm not sure, I hope not </3

46: Have you ever been cheated on? Yes, in my last three relationships.

47: Have you ever made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? Not in front of me I don't think..

48: Are you thinking of someone right now? No, not really.

49: Would you live with someone without marrying them? No.

50: What should you be doing? Cleaning, doing my dishes and pulling meat out of freezer for dinner.

51: What’s irritating you right now? Noise. 

52: Have you ever liked someone so much that it hurts? No. I don't know. Maybe.

53: Does somebody love you? I know I am loved.. 

54: What is your favorite color? Pink at the moment..

55: Have you ever changed clothes in a car? Yes. While camping.

56: Milk chocolate or white chocolate? Milk! 

57: Do you have trust issues? No. I had this conversation to a friend a few months ago. I trust. Regardless of if I think they could, would or not. I trust. Because at the end of the day, I know I am faithful and they know I am a good woman so they would have to then live with the guilt and it would hurt them more. I would believe in them until they gave me reason not to. And If they tell me than obviously they care about me enough to make it work.

58: Best friends name? Jesus

59: 2nd best friends name? Penny

60: 3rd best friends name? Zoe

61: Longest relationship? 5 years.

62: Do you believe your most recent ex thinks about you? Yes, every day.

63: Who was the last person you cried in front of? My Dad. 

64: Do you give out second chances too easily? One chance, and one chance only.

65: Is it easier to forgive or forget? Forgive.. Maybe not always easy, but easier..

66: Is this year the best year of your life? I have grown a lot this year but maybe not my best year.

67: What was your childhood nickname? Missy Mousey.. 

68: Have you ever walked outside completely naked? Yes, while skinny dipping at a friends pool..

69: Favorite food? Chicken Souvlaki from Gorges fish shop!

70: Do you believe everything happens for a reason? I don't believe anything is coincidental so yes..

71: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night? Kissed my kids goodnight, set my alarm and plugged my phone charger into my phone..

72: Did you have dream last night? Yes.

73: What is bothering you? Bills.. Christmas and Birthdays..

74: Have you ever been out of state? I have lived in three states in Australia..

75: Do you play the Wii? Yes, played it on Saturday night by myself..

76: Are you listening to music right now? No..

77: Do you like Chinese food? Some.. But I can cook it better than what I can buy it, for a lot cheaper too..

78: Who are you texting right now? No..

79: Are you afraid of the dark? Yes.. Darkness scares me.

80: Is cheating ever okay? Never.

81: Are you mean? I can be. People say I used to be mean, I try not to be mean. My kids think I'm mean.

82: Can you keep white shoes clean? No..

83: What year has been your best? 2012.. Baptised, engaged and married..

84: Do you believe in true love? I don't know. 

85: Favorite weather? Warm weather..

86: Do you like the snow? Yes, as long as I can visit and leave when I'm ready..

87: Does it snow a lot where you live? No.

88: Do you like the outdoors? I do. I love wide open spaces.

89: Are you currently bored? No.

90: Do you want to get married? I'm married.

91: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby? No. I dont like it. 

92: Are you hungry? No.

93: Have you ever made out for more than a half hour straight? No, ewe, have you?

94: What makes you happy? Life..

95: Would you change your name? No..

96: Ever been to Alaska? Nope..

97: Ever been to Hawaii? No..

98: Do you watch the news? Never.

99: Do you love MTV? Nope..

100: Do you like subway? I do like subway. Terriakki Chicken with lettuce, cheese and onion. 

101: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? Yes, she is at preschool.

102: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? Love them too but tell them I value their friendship more than anything more.

103: Do you talk like your friends? Yes.

104: Why did you decide to do this quiz? I saw a few questions I'd have never answered before..

105: Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided them? Yes. My parents or foster parents while an adolescent. 

106: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around? It's pretty hard not to be myself.. 

107: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to? Daniel, Mark and Jie..

108: Do you feel good? yes.

109: Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? Jesus.

110: Favorite lyrics right now? Ellie Goulding- How Long will I love you

111: Can you count to one million? Yes.. do you have all day?

112: Ever bought condoms? Yes.. for myself and for my friends.

113: Ever gotten pregnant? Yes.. twice!

114: Ever failed a class? Yes.. math & science.

115: Ever kissed a boy? Yes.. my son.

116: Ever kissed a girl? Yes.. when I was 13 while playing spin the bottle in a paddock.

117: Ever used a little paper bag for lunch? Yes. I dont think I ever owned a lunchbox.

118: Have you ever had a job? Yes.. a few.

119: Have you ever slipped on ice? Haha, yep! 

120: Have you ever missed the bus? Plenty of times.

121: Have you left the house without money? Not very often now-a-days. Everything costs money.

122: Did you ever bully someone on the internet? No.

123: Did you ever textsexed someone? No.

124: Have you ever had sex in public? Yes.. but not in front of the public.

125: Did you ever played on a sports team? Yes, Catani..

126: Have you ever smoked weed? For 5 years.

127: Have you ever smoked cigarettes? For 7 years..

128: Have you ever smoked a cigar? maybe twice..

129: Have you ever drank alcohol? Wine and vodka mostly

130: Have you ever watched “The Breakfast Club”? Honestly no..

131: Have you ever been overweight? Currently obese.

132: Ever had an eating disorder? No.

133: Ever been to a wedding? Yes, my aunties and my own.

134: Ever been in a wedding? My own.

135: Have you ever made fun of someone for being fat? I have..

136: Have you ever been on the computer for 5 hours straight? I have..

137: Have you ever watched TV for 5 hours straight? I have..

138: Ever been late for work? No.

139: Ever been late for school? Yes.

140: Ever kissed in the rain? Yes.. not as romantic as tv though!

141: Did you ever showered with someone else? Yes. My husband and my kids.

142: Did you ever fail a driver’s test? No.

143: Have you ever run a mile in less than 10 minutes? Nope, who does that?

144: Ever been outside my home country?  Nope.. Why would I want to?

145: Ever been on a road trip longer than 5 hours? Yes.

146: Have you ever gotten your heart broken? Yes and it hurts.

147: Ever had a credit card? No and never want one..

148: Ever been to a professional sports game? Plenty of times..

149: Have you ever broken a bone? Yes, my nose bone.

150: Have you ever been unhappy about your weight? Yes.

151: Have you ever won a trophy in your life? Yes.

152: Have you ever cut yourself for no reason? No.

153: Have you had an STD? No, never.

154: Ever got engaged? Yes, last year.

155: Have you ever been on a diet? Yes, the Keto diet.. It worked.

156: Have you ever been on TV? Yes. Studio audience for burgos catch phrase and also BTN.

157: Ever rode in a taxi? Every week sometimes twice a week.

158: Ever been to prom? Nope.

159: Ever played a drinking game? Yes, beer pong..

160: Ever stayed up for 24 hours or more? Yes, the joys of having kids.

161: Ever been to a concert? Yes, Missy Elliot, J-Wess and Britney Spears. Also went to Sonfest.

162: Ever had a three-some? No, and never willingly will.

163: Have you ever had a crush on someone of the same sex? No. I do perve on good looking girls though..

164: Have you ever been in a car accident? Yes.. Not a severe one thank goodness.

165: Ever had braces? No..

166: Did you ever learn another language? French, Italian & Indonesian

167: Ever killed an animal? Yes, chooks

168: Ever been to a Japanese steakhouse? No?

169: Do you wear make-up? not often.

170: Did you ever talked to someone via webcam? Yes, my uncle and a few friends.

171: Did you ever have wisdom teeth taken out? Nope..

172: Have you ever lived with someone with a different race than yourself? Yes.

173: Did you ever sneak out of your parents house? Many times..

174: Have you ever bought porn? I haven't.

175: Ever had a virus on your computer? Yes.

176: Ever dyed your hair? Red.. only ever red.

177: What was the last thing you brought? Petrol for my besty and a 2ltr milk for us both to enjoy a cuppa this morning after dropping the kids off at school and preschool.

178: Have you ever graduated from college? No.

179: Did you ever wear someone else’s clothes? I did..

180: Ever rode in an ambulance? Yes, for an asthma attack.

181: Ever rode in a helicopter? Yes, when I was 11 at my Dad's Christmas breakup party.

182: Ever caught the stove on fire? No..

183: Ever got in a verbal fight? Yeah, who hasn't?

184: Ever meet someone famous? Yes. Ian Thorp, Michael Klim, Matthew Richardson, Matthew Knights, Missy Elliot, J-Wess, Robert Dipierdomenico, Dave Hughes, Ryan Fitzgerald, Kim Clijsters, Michael Beaven, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Sam Childers, Nick Vujicic etc. 

185: Have you ever been on vacation? Yes. 

186: Ever been on an airplane? No.

187: Ever been on a boat? Yes. A glass bottom boat, a few ferries, a few paddle boats etc.

188: Ever broken something expensive? No.

189: Did you ever have surgery in your life time? Yes on my nose.

190: Did you ever kiss someone before you were 14? Yes. 3 boys..

191: Ever beat a video game? Crash Bandicoot, GTA, Mario and Alex the kid on the Sega.

192: Ever got in a fist fight? Of course.

193: Did you ever find something valuable on the ground? No, I found $50 once.

194: Did you ever stalk someone on facebook/ MySpace? Yes.. That's how I got back in contact with my besty and also how I found my cousins whom my uncle hadn't seen or heard from in over 10 years. Now they have been united and he now enjoys time with his grandchildren.

195: Have you ever prank called someone? Many of times.

196: What are your top 3 favorite colors? green, pink and teal blue..

197: What is your number 1 favorite sport? To play - Netball/To watch - AFL

198: What’s your favorite singer/rapper? Missy Higgins.

199: What is your number 1 favorite animal? and why? Giraffe.. I just find them so beautiful.

200: Did you think this looked like fun to do? Yeah. I learned a lot about myself.

For Shaynia Foley

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Melbourne Cup Day 2013

Today I ..

How beautiful was the weather today? I don't think I remember a Melbourne Cup Day being so beautiful and warm. This morning I printed out the form guide of all the horses, they're names and numbers along with a few other bots and pieces to make picking a winner exciting for the kids. For the last 4 years Jiedyn has always picked color's just as Nevaeh chose to do today and has done the last two years. But today Jie changed tactics making his selection based on the horse with the most amount of wins in it's last 10 starts. Just a small reminder that he is now getting older and understanding the bigger picture to what is going on around him. Nevaeh picked a purple and orange uniformed horse while Jie found a horse with 4 wins out of 10. I picked mine using my all time favorite tactic at looking at the horses who have placed the most in their last 10 races because I think they are preparing and/or are ready for a win.  

After the horses were picked out and breakfast was done I was soon packing a bag for the kids to go over to their Dad's for a few hours. Because I don't have a TV I wanted to watch the race but didn't want to take the kids to the busy pub so Matt offered to have them while I went providing I'd pay him and have some lunch in their bags. I did just to have two hours (not even) to myself.

When the kids got picked up, I got ready and headed off to the local pub. I enjoyed just sitting and watching a game of pool played by a few mates while I sipped a scotch and coke. My friend Kelvene and I were sending texts and photos to say "cheers" to which I must have looked weird taking photos of my glass then laughing out loud and smiling at my phone. It was nice to have a bit of fun.

The race surely did stop the nation this year. As the horses took to the track the crowd gathered at both ends of the lounge area within the pub and focused their eyes of the wide screens hanging on the walls. Everyone got excited as the race started and there was a few "Good luck mate's" as the horses made their first lap. Jiedyn's horse was coming second in the first 500 meters. I thought of how excited I knew he'd be. Again I was smiling. Another few sips and people were pumping their fists yelling out the names of their chosen horses, hissing and spitting and cursing and shouting "Get up!".. As the horses crossed the finish line the pub fell silent. I kid you not it felt awkward as people just stared at the TV's blank faced. It was strange. I had been raised around pubs more than 50% of my life. To be honest, I love the atmosphere of a pub as it's familiar and brings back crazy and fun memories of my childhood. But never in my whole life have I felt so awkward. It was bizarre. I sipped the rest of my drink as chatter started to fill the room again. I got up and left. It was totally totally weird..

I called Matt on the way home to see how the kids were. He said he'd meet me at my place. I had at least another 10 minutes at least on my own if I dawdled home, so I made the most of it and got my favorite ice-cream. One I haven't had in a good while that I actually forgot how good they actually were!

Just as promised, Matt was there with the kids. And stumped for ideas of what we could do for the rest of the day I told the kids to get their bathers/togs on. I skipped next door to grab a nozzle for our hose before dousing the kids in sun cream until they were both whiter than they are. 

For half an hour they played and squealed around the sprinkler. I found a shady spot to sit and just enjoyed watching them interact. Life really is bliss. We have it good in this country but we also have it good in this neighborhood. We have amazing neighbors, we're walking distance to shops, hospital and medical centres and schools. God knew exactly what he was doing placing us here. He sure does provide for his children. I so appreciate this life I have. And with this warmer weather and Teflon ordered for our BBQ I have a feeling this summer is going to be one of the best! 

Blessed

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