Happy 25th Uncle Al..

Last night we celebrated my brother's birthday here at home. 

Pizza and birthday cake were consumed.

 A card and money given.

Kids happily played out the back.

Laughter and love warmed the living room.

It was amazing to see my brother looking so well.

And happy!

Thankful he came so we could spoil him a little..

Happy Birthday Al..

We love you.

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The Wait is Finally Over!

As of 10 days ago I am now again a student!

After completing a course in community services last year I was was so excited to finally do something for myself away from my kids. The day the course was completed my trainer pulled me aside to let me know that she really believed that Youth Work was a great goal for me and that she believed that I could achieve it. She told me to skip the certificate 3 in community services and to go straight into the Certificate 4 in Youth Work. Still today that means so much to me as I now believe in myself more than ever before. I'm finally able to continue making my dream of working with youth homelessness a reality.

So as of the 14th of October, I became a student of Australia's largest online course provider when I enrolled into their Certificate 4 in Youth Work! The course is completely delivered online with a large online and offline support base. I am studying through Open Colleges and all their certificates are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The course is a 18 month course and is self paced which means that I have the opportunity to complete it before the time frame or it can be extended at a small fee. Everything is completely done online so I can study anywhere at anytime providing I can connect the internet. So far I am enjoying the first module and perfer to study at night.. I'm yet to advise a study plan to stick to but it's something I'll definately be investing in. So there you have it..I'm on my way towards a career I've been passionate in doing for longer than you've known me and I'm completely motivated and loving it! 

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Last Weekend with the Cousins..

Photo's from last weekend spending time with my nieces and nephew..

McHappy Day ♡ Movie Nights ♡ Uno Cards

Snuggles with the cats ♡ Trampoline Fun 

Unlimited Internet ♡ Snapchat ♡ Junk Food 

Wii ♡ Car show ♡  Nova up loud

Jeanette ♡ Janai ♡ Hiram

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My Sons Bedroom Reveal

For four days last week I had been hard at work. After finishing my daughters bedroom two short months ago.. Photo's here.. I lost a little motivation to get stuck into my sons room. It took a lot of work and time and patience to plaster, tape, cut in, paint and fiddle around with the high gloss enamel (which I have a love-hate relationship with) for the trims, door and window frames and door itself. But I got there in the end. Interior decorating is something I love to do and with Jie wanting a beached themed naughtical/fishing room I sure had my work cut out. Living far away from the beach in a small country town I was surprised I found anything. But find things I did! and let's face it - Ebay came in handy too!

So here is a look at my 8 year old sons brand new Bedroom!

Plastering and covering holes.

Before walls.

Before walls.

Nevaeh painting Elephants and Rainbows.

Jie's New Room!

Jie's Space

Mirrors.

Spare bed space.

World Map (He wanted)

Cork Board.

Two tone furniture, Bag hook and New TV*

Boat Bag Hook.

Toy Box and Book Case.

What do you think guys? 

Anything you see Pin worthy?
Jie doesn't mind sharing..

*Special thanks to Mark Shilling for Jie's new flat screen TV!

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Thankful 4

Tonight I thought I'd share 4 things that I am totally thankful for beginging with my Dad.

My Dad is my rock. His advice, opinions and thoughts really matter to me. I am so so thankful to have him in my life. I love that I have a Dad who cares so much for me and my children, who actually goes to great lengths to protect my heart. He is so genuine and the amount of love he has for me is felt even though we may not talk daily. He is a blessing in disguise and I don't think I give him enough credit for how much he makes me feel as though I want to be a better person and make him proud. So tonight I am thankful for him.

The second thing I am incredibly thankful for is the time I have spent able to be a stay-at-home mother these past 9 years. It hasn't always been easy and I have grown and changed these past few years but the rewards are in my children being able to have me there for them, to see their firsts, correct bad behavior and to be able to give them expectations which coincide christian living. I would like to thank the tax payers for the ability to be the one raising my children and to able to have the money to provide them their needs. I am wholeheartedly grateful.

Thirdly I am grateful for the opportunity to give back. While being a mother had been amazing in every area of my life so far, I am looking forward to being able to work and study towards a career in which I've wanted since before I had my children. I see so many friends achieving so much and I feel like having children has held me back from me being able to accomplish my goals. But I am thankful that with this new year I will be able to study my way towards a career I've always wanted and work so that others can have the same opportunity of raising their kids as I have mine.

And finally I am so thankful for the opportunities I've had so far this year. Highlights like being able to turn my house into a home for myself and my children, to become closer to my neighbors and to just take time to thank God for the little details in every day life I took for granted. Long distant phone calls with friends, being present at my Uncle's wedding not long ago and being able to spend time with my nieces and nephew and hear they're hearts. Life is bittersweet but I'm so thankful for mine. I have a lot to treasure and praise Jesus for!

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Putting Me First!

If I have learned anything these past two years of being separated it's to put myself first. And I have. I have learnt that its okay to say no to my kids, family members and commitments to make time for myself. Sometimes us Mums/Wives need that time. And sometimes we dont realise we need it until we are actually given the opportunity. 

I mean, don't get me wrong. I love being a Mum. I have amazing kids and I enjoy being a parent. I am so grateful for the opportunity to greet my children as they get up in the morning and to be able to send them to bed smiling and full of joy. Nothing can describe a mothers love or my love for them. They are my greatest gifts and I am honored to be called Mum. I never ever take that for granted. Even when I'm struggling.

As much as I love Jiedyn and Nevaeh, I don't just want to be defined only as a mother. And I am. That's all I am right now and I love that, but I have goals I'd like to achieve for me. I have to be realistic and prepare them for a life of independence one day. Independent from me and totally independently dependent on God. I am honestly looking forward to them creating lives for themselves and making choices to achieve their own goals. 

So with all that said, I am focusing on me this month. 

Some hard decisions are coming up. Some sacrificing and skim and scraping through these next few months are in order to achieve a few things I've always wanted for me. 

Looking forward to keeping you updated!

But as for right now, I'm just enjoying the moment. 

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Currently..

listening:  to Nova.

making: Muffins for the kids lunchboxes this week.

cooking: Parmesan cheese drumsticks.  The kids love them.

drinking: Ginger Ale.

wanting: More sunshiny days. To complete the painting. An antenna. 

looking: for a new vacuum cleaner. 

singing: Ed Sherran - Thinking out loud 

playing: on the trampoline daily with the kids.

wasting: a lot of money on take away.

wishing: My best friend lived closer. 

eating: Lindt Chocolate. My absolute fave!

enjoying: The school holidays with friends and family. 

reading: Nothing right now, comment something you'd recommend.

waiting: For Christmas. I can't wait for Christmas this year..

growing: Beans, Capsicum, Tomatos, Carrots, Strawberries, Raspberries, Beetroot, Corn and Herbs. 

liking: Who I am today. Snapchat. 

wondering: What to do with myself next year. To work or study or work and study..

closing: a chapter no longer worth fighting for.

dreaming: Of a love that could last forever.

loving: Instagram. Sleep ins. My kids being home for the holidays. Late nights. The color BLUE!

hoping:  My besty enjoyed her night out tonight.

rating: 1980's and 1990's movies as some of my all time faves.

marveling: at our seeds growing. 

needing: a good girls night out! Cuddles. 

smelling: People having BBQ's. Bring on Summer!

smiling: At how he makes me feel.

wearing: My nightie at night. (fake) Gold.

following: #BBAU

protecting: My heart. My children.

knowing: Lifes too short.

thinking: so much I can't sleep.

feeling: Confused and unsure.

bookmarking: Christmas Advent activities for this year

noticing: My son growing up.. Christian friends distancing themselves.

opening: up and letting people in. Then getting scared and shutting them out again. Sorry.

giggling: at how hopeless I am on the trampoline these days and some song lyrics.

praying for: answers.

needing: clarity. 

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