Sunday

When I heard I was pregnant with our fourth baby, I cried. I didn't know how I would cope with four children, one who was nine, and then three little ones under three. I didn't know that I could be stronger than I realised, that I had more than enough love to go around, that somehow is would all be ok. I didn't know then that a beautiful

angel was coming into our lives.

Sunday was born at a time when our family was under a lot of stress. Mark's mum and dad had both died of cancer, quite suddenly and both far away from us. Mark was studying and we had a busy time looking after Bill who was still a baby, Lucy & Charlotte.

It's Sunday's 10th birthday today and I have been remembering the time when I was pregnant with her. How after the initial shock of finding myself having another baby so soon after the last one I quickly began to look forward to her arrival, and adding to our growing family.

And in the end she came in a rush! I remember seeing the midwife on Sunday's due date and she predicted that the baby would be born that night as I was already three centimetres dilated. Sunday had other ideas. During the week that followed I mowed the lawn, looked after the kids, did the school run, and all the things that mums do. Finally a week later, after only an hour of labour, our little one was born. And she was so lovely, I couldn't stop looking at her little rose bud lips, her fancy hair style, her bright little eyes.

And any tears I had became tears of joy as I realised how lucky we were to have another beautiful baby to love and to share our lives with.

                           And like all our kids she has given us so much happiness and love.
                                          And of course some mad and crazy moments!

I love the way birthday's help us to reflect on the people we love, to think more deeply about who they are, what makes them special and what they give to us. It's always a significant moment for me when my children turn ten, it seems such a solid number, it marks a turning point in their life. They are really growing up, and changing from a little child and moving into the next part of their lives.

Now suddenly Sunday is ten, and she is such a funny and loveable girl. She loves to dance, play netball, to play, to write, to draw. She loves her friends, she loves her family. She is a kind person,
and thoughtful. 

And we love her. 

Happy 10th Birthday Sunday, don't grow up too quickly xoxoxox

Seven

Tonight I'm baking cupcakes and wrapping presents and thinking about the seven years ago when I was just about to have my fifth baby, my last child.

I've been thinking about how sick I was during the pregnancy. How cold it was that year. About being in hospital at 36  weeks with pneumonia, how scared I was for my baby. 

And how thrilled I was that she arrived safely after a tricky labor.

Are there actual words to describe the joy you feel when you are finally holding your baby safe in your arms? I don't think so. But you can see in my eyes the pure happiness and relief. The wonder of birth, it's so truly amazing isn't it?

I really treasured every day with Rosie as a baby, I tried to make the most of every minute, every new stage. I knew she was my last so I wanted to  enjoy it all. My precious one.

Rosie was born in the depths of winter. She likes me to tell her the story of how the heaters broke at the hospital and the nurses had to put eight blankets on us! She likes the way the pink camellia's in our front garden always bloom around her birthday, I do too.

I've been thinking about how Rosie grew from a little baby into a cheeky, funny little girl.

This shot is from my very first blog post ever!

                           Rosie became a ballerina at three. She danced every minute of the day.

I've been thinking tonight how Rosie has brought so much happiness into our lives. Of course there have been times when  it hasn't been easy, when I've felt impatient and tired, but there has never been a dull moment since Rosie arrived. She fills our lives with colour, energy and love.

It was such a big step for both of us when she finished at kinder, a whole new world was beginning.

 It's been so fun looking through photo's, it has reminded me of so many happy and crazy family times we've had. 

It's made me think about who Rosie is, and the things she loves, like animals, science and school. She likes to dance, to play netball, to draw & make things. She wants to be a doctor, a teacher. She likes old houses, ice cream, skipping & looking at the stars. She loves her family, her friends. She is funny, sometimes loud, often thoughtful and always colourful and loving.

 And tomorrow she turns seven! Wow! Rosie has been counting the day, the hours, the minutes.

Today we had some time together, just the two of us. It was lovely to have some time just on our own. When we got back in the car she said "Mum, I'm just so happy".

And I was too.

Happy Birthday, beautiful one, our cart wheeling girl, 

you make everything brighter.

And don't grow up too quickly ok?! xo

Fifty, twelve, seventy five

Mark & I passed this building on the way through Malmsbury the other night, it always fascinates me. I love that the words are still there, the pale blue paint and the crazy brick work & bluestones. Isn't it cool? Imagine what it looks like inside..

We were on our way to celebrate with Bruce & Kathy at Small Holdings, have you been there? It's a great little wine bar set in an old church, similar to my mum's one actually. Inside there are lots of antiques and interesting things..it was an excellent venue for a party. We had a really fun night. Highlights were: listening to Bruce's niece singing, what a superstar! And only 13!

Kathy's speech, amazing, thoughtful, touching, funny, clever and loving. And it was just the best being with a lovely bunch of people, all brought together to celebrate Bruce's birthday. Fun!

The next day was Lucy's 12th birthday party! Woo hoo!

Her actual birthday is next Monday but she decided to have it early as one of her good friends is going away. The girls had heaps of fun, they went to see The Hunger Games and then came home for cake.

I made a vanilla cake with chocolate icing, baking it in my step father's cake tin.

It's funny how those little things mean a lot isn't it?

Unfortunately I didn't get to see her blow out the candles as I was heading back from Melbourne.

Thank goodness for my beautiful family who all pulled together to make this crazy birthday heavy weekend work out. My dad had his 75th birthday party yesterday too and I couldn't miss that. (We'll have a special birthday tea for Lucy on her real birthday..more cake!) Bill was a good fella and kept me company while Mum & Charlotte took the girls to Ballarat & Mark had a picnic with the younger two.

My dad had his party in Northcote in his studio. It's a pretty cool place. Bill and I had fun exploring it and looking at all his treasures, collections and his paintings.

This little tableau is so Muzz. His teabag, empty cup, glasses and old tuna can with a squashed out fag in it.

I was going to give a speech but in the end we left before the speeches had begun. I had worried and thought all week about what I would say and wrote and rewrote it a million times. It was hard to get it right. Relationships are tricky aren't they? Perhaps when you sit down and try to write a speech like this for someone so pivotal in your life..it can be hard. It was for me. I love my dad, but he isn''t your average dad I guess. It's complicated! Anyway, when I got home and found the scrunched up speech in my bag I pulled it out and felt a great sense of relief. Almost like a burden had lifted. Maybe writing down my thoughts & not speaking them was the best part of it, maybe that was enough.

I really enjoyed being in my dad's studio. It brought back a lot of memories of childhood. Good memories. I like the smell of oil paint, it's comforting somehow. Like the smell of a my Nan's kitchen or  my Mum's perfume. It took me to another place.

It was good to see my dad and his wife and all their friends, eating and drinking in the sunny courtyard. It was good to be with Bill. It was good to make the effort, to be a small part of his day. And it was really, really good to get home to my own family. My beautiful Mark who had tidied up our chaotic house, washed the floor and cleaned the bathroom before Lucy's party. To my gorgeous Mum who happily helps us in so many ways. To my lovely Charlotte,  who spent Saturday night with us & took the girls to the movies. And driving home with my super ace son,  to my almost 12 year old Lucy, and dear Sunday & Rosie. Back to beautiful Daylesford which is just so magical at this time of year.

Birthdays and celebrations always make me emotional. I'm also a bit sick with a dumb cold so I'm a little fragile today, a bit teary and blocked up and snuffly. But happy. Happy & lucky.

Anyway..I better go and check on the quinces that are boiling away on the stove top. Ready for jelly making tomorrow!! Woo hoo! 

Hey, have you entered my giveaway yet? It's not too late, pop over here and you might win this little blue bunny.

Hope you have a happy week lovely ones, see you soon xo

Woo hoo!

Just a quick post today as I am off on a trip with my son Bill. He thinks we are going to Melbourne for some mother/son time to celebrate his 10th birthday but we are really going somewhere else.

Can you guess? I'm so excited!!!

See you soon lovely ones xo

Today

Today I'm feeling a million things, middle aged, happy, young at heart, warm, unmotivated, cheerful, slightly down, satisfied, lucky, loved, busy, relaxed...and on it goes. Oh the burden of being a Gemini. Funny how you can feel all those different things at once isn't it?  I'm just going to try and ignore myself a bit, honestly, I do carry on sometimes...

It's easy to be distracted. A hungry cockie, stealing the chooks scraps just about flew into my head this morning.

My birthday skirt. One of two. 

Lovely, adorable skirt. Australian made, merino wool,

The love affair has begun.

Books, have you discovered the Book Depository yet? I'm hooked.

Free postage gets me every time.

A birthday read which I have just started. It's not quite grabbing me yet but hey, I'm patient (and middled aged, grumpy, happy...oh shut up!)

My new, wonderful cushion which I just love and adore!! Can you see it there, nestled on the couch? I received it in Vic's cushion swaporama, from the very talented and super sweet Zippy Zippy! It's one of those special things that is destined to be with us for a lifetime, gee it makes me smile. I'm thinking too of our little niece Tova, who turns 5 today! How I wish we all lived near each other so Rosie and Tova could play, so we could share cake and celebrate together.

Do you like my new painting? It's finally paid for, and home where it belongs. "Amigo's" is the work of local artist, Moya. Love.

Two other little doggies have been distracting me today with their fancy pants hair cuts. Who would have known Daisy was really a white dog??? Amazing what a bath and a bit of a snip can do.

Max is such a handsome devil. Here he is, pondering his upcoming birthday (tomorrow) and all the treats he so rightly deserves.

Messages in my Inbox..they are driving me crazy!!! Are you getting them too?

"My name is miss Adera Mohamed.I wish to communicate with you through this medium and i hope my meeting you will not offend you in anyway.I will like us to know  ourselves better,so we can exchange pictures too.Moreover i have very Important issue which is giving me lot of concern to discuss with you for assistance.Thanks for your understanding,i will be expecting to read from you soon.
Yours Adera."

Rack off Adera!!

So there you go! I haven't shown you the other distractions, dirty dishes, food prep, washing, forms to fill out, chooks to feed, etc. Better go and tend to them now. Hope your inner voice is being kind today, and not to muddled up.

The sun is shining here and the week is off to a good start. See you soon lovely friends xo