Who you are to me..

To the most wonderful, caring, amazingly smart go-getter girl I know,

Your bright bubbly personality today is far from who you were when I first met you. I honestly can't believe you're where you are today. When I first met you were cautious, unsure, quiet and very reserved.. but now look at you.. Outgoing, confident and full of fun! You are my go-to girl, the friend I turn to for advice, support and guidance. In the hardest parts of my life you have kept me accountable and you always give me your honest opinion even when it's hard. I admire you for that.

This year you moved to Melbourne, something I didn't think you'd ever do. In moving here you have motivated me so much and have created a little life for yourself. Your in your own little unit, you have made amazing friends, stuck to your job even when things have been tough and are juggling full time study too. At times it may not feel like anyone notices but I notice, I see what you do and am so so proud of you!

I also see how much you miss your family. Family is something that is a big part of who you are and also something you deal with so well. The love you have for them shines if the way you speak of them and is in the little way you go about your every day. They too are a part of who you are today and I see that more now then I did back when we lived together in Brisbane.

Kel, you are beautiful, loved and so highly respected by me. I look up to you so much and you're more of a sister then my sister has ever been to me. You've always been here for me, encouraging me, believing in me and leading the way. Without you in my life I don't know who I would have leaned on to be the person you are in my world me today. 

I am so thankful for your presence in my life..

Thank you..

I love you..

&

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Our School Holiday Lowdown + Pictures

Tomorrow is Friday and is the last day of the first week back to school. Yet I haven't shared how our School Holidays panned out. Two weeks off and not one blog post.. Man, I better catch you up!

The kid's broke up on Friday the 27th of March though I gave them the day off. I can't remember the reason behind why I gave them a day off but I'm sure there was a completely valid explanation..

So Matt picked Nevaeh up for his weekend with her that Friday and so it was just Jie and I for the weekend. We cleaned up and did shopping before lounged around most of afternoon. I got another assignment finished and submitted it and we ended the night watching a video in Jie's room.

The second day of the holidays consisted of just about the same though I got through the kids school washing including their bags, hats etc.

That night after deciding that Jie was bored out of his brains we decided to go and "steal" his friend Tristan! My friend Sheena came over for a late night visit and from the Jie and I went back to their place to snatch up Trist for the night. His younger brother Gabriel also wanted to come so we ended up having a small movie night, read books and went to bed. Jie was thrilled to have company.

The next day the boys played and played. When Nevaeh got home from her Dad's she too joined in the fun. The day went really quick and so the beginning of the holidays kicked off in full swing, that night we went out for dinner to a local place just up the road from us called Stoney's Club. The meals were pretty average and so we didn't stay long but it was nice to get all dressed up for a family night out.

Tuesday I got high marks for the assignments I had submitted. Later on I organised to go out for dinner and a family movie night with Matt (My husband + Nevaeh's Father) for Easter as the kid's and I were leaving the Thursday before Good Friday to spend the Easter long weekend with my Dad and watch Richmond (Jie and Dad's team) play my team on Thursday night. As usual it was a waste of time with Matt spending all of maybe 20 minutes with us  being more worried about catching the last bus home because he was tired. I was frustrated at his effort, or lack there of and the Kids and I hired a movie and enjoyed the rest of the night together.

On Thursday we packed our bags and headed to Dad's. We wasted time here and there knowing that Dad wouldn't get home from work until after 5.30pm and I bought myself some wintry clothes from Kmart. Once Dad got home he was excited to give Nevaeh her Tiger's tee. She loved it! Richmond went on to win and it ended up being a really great night.

Friday afternoon Dad took us for a trip up to SkyHigh in Mount Dandenong, the view was stunning.

Saturday we enjoyed some family time shopping and taking the kids to the Train Park in Bayswater. When we got home we played a few games of cricket before settling in with a movie.

On Easter Sunday we we messaged our friends and family as we lay in bed. I spoke to the kids about the significates of Easter and together we chatted about Jesus for what felt like forever. We got up and had breakfast before packing to go home. Dad offered to drive us, I hesitated but he said that it will give him something to do for the day.

The two hour trip home was long. The kids fell asleep as I sung along to the radio and made small talk with Dad about the old houses we crossed and us constantly getting Red traffic lights.

Once back in town Dad stopped so I could buy milk and bread and the kids had woken up now excited by the Easter gifts they knew they had when we returned home.

Dad didn't stay long wanting to get back in time for the footy game on TV that afternoon. We made arrangement to catch up the following weekend as Croydon was playing their first game of the season and he left. As I unpacked our things, the kids hid Easter eggs for each other out the back. All together they had about 8 little eggs and a little lindt bunny, bugs and bees pack. They enjoyed them.

That night I opened my bible and enjoyed a hot chocolate while the kids slept.

The following day being Easter Monday I was eager to get back into my studies. Jie and Nevaeh hung out together playing outside and playing the wii and uno cards. We went out for dinner to a local place we'd never been to that night after a neighbour had recommended it. At the time our favourite place to eat was closed due to relocating and the place recommended had a pretty bad reputation. In nine years I remember going there once and I walked out never intending on returning. But we made a booking and I was absolutely shocked at how beautiful it was. The kids coloured at the table as we waited for our meals. It was art on a plate.

I tweeted and posted a photo on instagram and friends who lived locally were just as surprised as I was. It even captured the eye of a local photographer who is now looking forward to doing some photography for his Flikr (photo sharing) page..

The following day I caught up on the housework and study, helped Kel move furniture into her unit. Later on we went out for dinner with Aunty Kel before she came back to ours  for a movie night.

The day after that we did some Easter shopping and went to visit some friends and family. For those who werent home we left bunnies and flowers at their doors. We shouted Uncle Al (my brother whom I hadn't seen since Christmas) and his partner Bel dinner and ended up staying the night there Wednesday night.

Thursday Nevaeh had a friend from school come over to play and on Friday Matt again picked her up and Jie and I were excited to go to a massive protest in the city (more on this in my next blog post.) before again going to my Dad's for the weekend.

After the Rally in the city we caught the train to Dad's getting in just after 11pm. Dad was half asleep when we got there and Jie and I pretty much crashed straight away. It had been such an exhausting day/night.

Saturday morning was non existent to Jie and I with Dad waking us just after 12pm. We got ready and were soon pit stopping at the TAB to put our bets on, at Cellarbrations for our preferred drinks before arriving at the footy oval at Croydon for the first game of the season.

We didn't stay long but I was wrapped to be able to see my grandfather.

Dad invited a friend back to his house just before half time and we drank, watched footy and the races on TV pretty much the rest of the day.

Saturday night I took Jiedyn to the movies to see Sponge Bob's new movie as I knew Dad had planned to watch Saturday night footy and to be honest I was sick of footy and so was Jie. So we hit the local cinema instead and ordered Pizza for Dad.

Sunday was a slow day. We made our long journey home via train. We met Nevaeh at Aunty Kel's on the way home and spent our last afternoon of the holidays throwing our boomerang around Peppertree Park.

So there you have it! Ever single moment of our Easter School holidays..
Because we were so busy I haven't had a chance to catch up on my favorite blogs, so how was your Easter break?

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ALL MY LOVE 2014

Thank-you all for being a part of it..

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Christmas Advent December 24th

Christmas Dinner with Aunty Kel!

This by far has been the best Christmas dinner I have ever hosted.

From the table setting to the food itself we wanted to give Aunty Kel a Christmas to remember and surprise her with gifts and a beautiful elegant dinner. She absolutely loved it.

Everything went amazingly well as we all sat down together to enjoy a Roast Pork and Trifles for dessert. Merry Christmas Aunty Kel.. We love you!!

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Melbourne Cup 2014

What an incredible day! 

Not only was today Melbourne Cup Day but also our precious grandmothers birthday. Nana (in Heaven) was remembered and honored this morning by the kids and I with our traditional Cup-Of-Tea with breakfast. It was a bit of an emotional morning for me waking up at 6am and reflecting on and sharing so many things I miss about her on Instagram. She is still so very loved and missed.

At around 9am, after Matt picked up Nevaeh, I threw on some daggy clothes and with the form guide in hand, headed to The Courthouse Hotel to place mine and the kids bets.. It was a bit of a different but nice vibe as I walked the streets of Bacchus Marsh this morning. People, men mostly, were all walking towards the main street with Form guides in their hands just like me. It gave a positive start to my day..

After placing my bets I bought home Win and Place tickets for Kelvene to fill out. 

Kelvene is a friend I met while in foster care in Brisbane all of 10 years ago. We went to high school together and from then until now have maintained an unbreakable sisterly friendship. It's still so sureal to have her here staying with us and being under the same roof again after all this time but I'm loving it big time.. And sharing her first Melbourne Cup experience in Melbourne was such a privilege..

Before we left to go out for lunch Jie and I took a few selfies..

As you do..

While Kelvene put her bets on I helped one of our precious elderly neighbours place her bets. I loved her theory. She backed the favorite.. The youngest horse.. and the oldest! I thought that was kind of Cute. 

Before the big race we went to The Loot Garden Cafe for lunch Kel's shout! Jie had a bowl of ice-cream and topping!! Kelvene had a burger with (not) the lot!! and I had their famous Hot Potato!! Highly recommend you visit them someday soon if your local. It's a family fave hot spot to wine and dine! 

This year Jie picked his horse based of the horses last 5 starts. 

Nevaeh picked her horse out purely on fashion, "the one with the lightning bolt.."

I picked mine based on the trainer and Kel picked hers on.. Well I don't know.. Maybe I should have asked her before she went to bed.

I also put one in each of the other races putting my money on David Hayes (my favorite trainer) and his nephews horses all day.

I got one third place.

But the day ended well with Kelvene having her money on the winner and winning her first ever Melbourne Cup race.. Although I was incredibly happy and excited for her, I was envious. She has been down here just over a week and is already doing so well in all she's attempting. Work for her is great, she has been getting amazing feedback from her study trainers and won the Cup! She has, is and forever will be my greatest inspiration..

Love ya Kels xx

*All photos were slightly tinted blue is honor of our Nana (in heaven). Her favorite color was blue <3

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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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