What's New Around Here!?

Well, since I last wrote....

1) we sold and moved house.

We live in a home now that we had only dreamed of. Twice the size, beautiful, and better than we could have hoped for. Its a whole story in itself about how it came to be!

2) my miracle baby boy turned one, and then two!!

I was just cuddling him earlier today and remembering how much we are blessed to have him, hold him and love him.

3) Miss Adelaide is now 5 and at school!!

And loving life in her delightful and joyful way as always.

4) Mr A is 3 and loving kindy.

He is still full of fire and fun and testing the waters and boundaries of every and anything. He's amazing.

5) I started and finished my study in Beauty Therapy - one of my life long ambitions.

6) I started working part time

In admin. Its fun :)

7) we worked through all the crazy emotions and grief of the past few years and decided we would risk again.

Im now 14 weeks pregnant with number 4!!

 8) We overcame some serious health issues - refusing medication, by prayer, by nutrition, reducing stressors and using essential oils....

I havent been a hospital patient since March 2013. Thats a massive victory in my house!!!!

Anyway, more about some of the above another time!!

whew!

sigh. That's what it feels like just about now. a breath of relief in a momentary stillness.

We've had a hectic few weeks!

Here's my list of what has been or is about to be:

• loads of parties and functions
• packing up the house
• every one of us being really sick - the kids for over a week!
• shopping galore (I really LOVED late night shopping before Christmas)
• cooking & baking up a storm
• Christmas day
• Boxing day (with additional Christmas festivities) & seeing my brother & family from New Plymouth
• staying with my parent's in law & siblings in-law for a few days before they left NZ for 8 months (that was a crazy, fun house - 7 adults & 2 littlies!!)
• driving to auckland to bid them farewell. roughing it for the night cause of bad weather.
• driving back
• moving in to their house
• unpacking boxes, finding places for everything
• trying to explain to an incessant miss A that grandma's house is our new 'home' and grandma & grandpa have gone on a big plane for a long time
• trying to clean, get those last couple of boxes and a few jobs done on our old place
• attempting at finding tenants and becoming a landlord! eek.
• trying to catch the in-laws on skype!

Sadly, my hubby took a week less than was offerred to him and so goes back on Monday, without us really getting a break!  Gladly I'm dreaming about our next holiday already - which we've planned for later this month!

In other news, we took a break from all the work & took the kids to the pools this morning.  Mr John LOVED it and was SO keen.  His first swim - little cutie.  He's six months old. Can you believe it!?

In another 6 months, I will be celebrating his 1st birthday.  Thank you God for preserving my wee one's life.  He's been quite fiesty lately.  His dad looked at me the other day (in the middle of a fiesty bout) and I said - it's our fault for calling him "little fiery one".

The above picture - is princess Adelaide with her "microphone" singing to God.  That's what she told me she was doing, and what an adorable job she was doing.  True worship in the sight of God I'm sure.


She is sleeping in a big bed with no bars, all by herself.   That means Mr John can finally sleep in a bed he can fit in.... 

Mind you, the bassinet was very helpful with the eventful weeks we've had.

I've gained a few extra kgs after Christmas, and I think (apart from it still being in the cupboard) I no longer have an excuse to continue eating junk.  So, I'm trying to get back on my regime!


I am 100% glad to wave goodbye to 2011 and ride off into the sunset of 2012. It looks like it's set to be a beautiful ride (once all this craziness dies down!).

Some loves....

Playmates, hopefully growing up to be besties....

My little beauty....

World cup fever... and aunties who spoil nephews with official regalia!

We WON!! YAY!

Gifts from the UK

My little tiger.... ;-)

This roof, built by an accountant turned handyman.... what a clever man I married!

This garden, built by him & I - to tidy a messy corner....

Plants gifted from my mumma!

My cat, enjoying her favourite spot...

And after weeks of intense hard work, these are up....

It's a bit of a shame to be moving after so much hard work, but on to bigger & better things!  We are moving in December/January to look after my in-laws place while they are away for most of 2012.

Looking forward to some dreams coming true.....

Colour me Spring

Just a few things from my last couple of weeks.....

I love spring - and it's nearly that time again!  I love daffodils.  I need to plant some bulbs, but unfortunately this year, I'll have to buy a couple of bunches instead. 

My mum is a cancer survivor, as are many others I know.  And I've lost people to cancer.  So daffodils hold a special place in my heart.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to -

catching moments like this..... I was upstairs for a moment and left her to "look after" her brother....  I returned (and had a moment to grab my camera) to find....

and this...

there was cuter ones - with him mouth wide open and her kissing *bless*

Making these...

My dad doesn't celebrate his birthday, but I always sneak something his way on the day.  Princess Adelaide and I got busy in the kitchen.  They look a bit fancy, but are SO easy!

Delicious lunches like this...... (which I just ate today - who says healthy can't be delicious!!)

The only things I missed out on in my salad were tomato and cucumber.  But alas, I already spent a fortune buying half the ingredients for this sort of thing in this weeks shopping... looking forward to summer!

What else can I tell you?

I've lost 3kgs

I've exercised 5 days a week (for 2 weeks) alternating cardio and resistance

I feel real good

My abs are returning! (slowly)

I have a sewing machine on my table - working on a project for playcentre

I don't really sew

I'm craving warmer weather

Last night I ate a 4 course meal with Dave's colleagues

I really enjoyed myself

I tried roasted duck for the first time

I ordered tuna off a menu (I am not a tuna person)

The tuna was mild in flavour and actually quite nice

I skipped the glass of wine I was looking forward to - and traded it for my delicous dessert!