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

Sunday girl

8 years ago tomorrow, Mark & I sped down Flinders Street on a mission to get to the hospital as our new baby was coming, in a hurry!  After a brief but intense labour there she suddenly was, our fourth baby, our beautiful girl.

And we called her Sunday Lily.

Sunday was born at a difficult time for our family. Marks mum had just died and then his father passed away just before she was born. A lot of sadness filled our lives at that time so her arrival was like a beautiful star shining in the darkness, a lovely warm angel with rosebud lips.

And why Sunday? Because we loved the name, because it sounds like sunshine and because it's the happiest day of the week.

Sunday is also a holy day and a day of rest. A day that brings people together, a day of happiness & peace.

Our Sunday girl means so much to us.

She is funny, & crazy sometimes,

she loves family time, and being together. 

She loves purple & rainbows, reading & playing,   

                                

sister time,

and brother time. Billy & Sunday were only 15 months apart,

sometimes I call them my twins.

Sunday & I share a love of the outdoors, of nature, of beauty, of birds and flowers and sunsets.

She is a thinker and a doer. An artist, a maker, a dancer, a dreamer of dreams.

And someone who loves her friends and has SO much fun with them at school.

So tomorrow my little dancer turns 8. Wow! I love the way birthdays are a time of reflection for me, as well of course a wonderful celebration. And that is one thing I love to do, celebrate!! Life is so short, and unpredictable, it's important for us to make it a special time for the ones we love. And boy do we love Sunday.

Have a beautiful, happy, colourful birthday Sunday! I hope your sleepover party is the best ever, I can't wait! See you soon lovely friends, bye for now xo

Fleamarket Finds...

I love these wooden houses. I'm always attracted to house images, the shape, little chimneys, a pointy roof, love them. I found these treasures in an op shop recently. Don't they look great against a white background?

Today I am finally starting to mend my favourite op shop quilt. I've had it for a few years now and a couple of the squares have torn & ripped. It's not sewn on or quilted all the way through to the backing so I am handsewing the new squares on. It's actually very relaxing and fun.

I found this set of six cups and saucers at the MS Opshop this week. They are made in Brazil and are so sweet. Rather simple but gorgeous. They will be perfect for an afternoon tea.

Finally a pretty pair of birkenstocks for Sunday. The colour hasn't quite come out in this photo but they are lovely and fit her perfectly. And for only $1 I'm a happy shopper! What treasures have you found lately? I'm off to have a look at Sophie's, why not come too? xo

Sweet Sunday

Yesterday was my little Bluebird's birthday. Our Sunshine girl turned 7! What a beautiful age 7 is, a what a sweet & loving daughter we have. Here she is with her birthday doll, Rebecca.

Sunday smiled all day and had the happiest time. We had presents in the morning, all the family sitting around, so lovely to be together. Sunday loves purple so there was a bit of a purple theme happening, especially with her new bunny, Lavender.

Soon it was time for her party so we jumped in the car, with some of her friends, and headed off to Ballarat for some bowling!

It was a bit of a hoot! A great place to have a party, really organised and fun and Sunday loved the Happy Birthday banner.

The girls had a ball (!) and so did Charlotte and I. Thank goodness for Bowling Captain, Charlotte, who virtually ran the party, what a superstar. It's been so fantastic having her around these holidays, I'm pretending she isn't going back to school today.

It was so fun to have this lovely bunch of girls at the party. All different, all good friends.

They enjoyed a party lunch and then cake!



Happy Birthday dear Sunday, happy birthday to you.

It's such a beautiful memory to look back to the time she was born. Rushing through the dark night to get to the hospital. The amazingly quick labour (1.5 hours) and the thrill I got to suddenly have this dark haired angel in my arms, both of us shocked and amazed. (She came so quickly that no one was looking at the clock so we had to guess her time of birth.) Since that night she has filled my life with happiness, her dear ways, her gentle & curious nature, her love of life. She really is a special girl.

Unfortunately the birthday girl became sick late in the day with a high temperature. She is in bed now and has missed the first day of school. Poor little chook, she looks quite washed out and pale. Anyway, she will be better soon and at least she got to enjoy her birthday. What did you get up to on the weekend? It's freezing here in Daylesford today, winter seems to have come early. Hope you have a happy week dear friends, see you soon xo