Holiday adventures....

We went away for a week recently, for a wedding and to catch up with family who live far away. 

[caption id="attachment_220" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="practising for her big day ;-)"][/caption]

Here are some highlights (haha) for all you mums out there......

It was a typical family holiday.... it rained with the remnants of cyclone Wilma the first weekend.  The wedding day it just poured, so it was quickly changed from a beach wedding to indoors.  There was flooding and slips and major roadworks along the road on our way to Hamilton then New Plmouth.  Lily vomited all over herself, her blankey and her carseat.  It was a beautiful day the next day, and she was sick... ALL DAY.  She was better the following day - it RAINED all day.  We left for home on Friday, got stuck in rush hour traffic which took 2 hours to get from South Auckland to Albany.  We left for Whangarei, another cyclone was making its presence well known, so we turned back.  We turned back again on Saturday morning, when thousands of others were trying to make the same trip north and the main part of State Highway 1 north was closed.  We finally got home at 9pm that night after a long detoured drive north.

Thankfully, our animals were all alive and well fed.   Our house was intact and tidy (thanks to my epic cleaning spree the day before we left) and our car made the trip!

We really did have a good time.  A sense of humour on holiday meant that we found most of the above chaotic things funny.  Here are some real highlights....

I got to play/dance/read-to and hang out with this princess....

[caption id="attachment_221" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="my beautiful niece"][/caption]

 

I met for the first time, and got cuddles and loads of grins from this handsome little man...

[caption id="attachment_223" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="gorgeous nephew!"][/caption]

watching cousins play...

[caption id="attachment_222" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="People actually thought they were both mine.... and that I was crazy! (they're 8 months apart)"][/caption]

we killed some time on Saturday at Auckland Zoo...

[caption id="attachment_224" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="the zoo! oh, the Harris' - at the zoo"][/caption]

 

We got a visual treat at New Plymouth's festival of lights...

[caption id="attachment_225" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="waterfall - it changed colours...."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_226" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="ultra-violet lights and 3D balls!"][/caption]

 

That's all for now... stay tuned for highlights of the zoo and the lights over the next couple of days - got some awesome pics!

Hope you're all good out there!

Weekend in the City!

oh the life of a mum!  I've been exhausted lately, no exercise being done here this week.  Miss 1 is running a fever today.

At the moment, I'm surrounded by people with desperate needs - and my heart of compassion longs to reach out and touch them all.  If only I was a super-woman.

On the weekend, we had a much needed trip away - and saw some beautiful things.  Highlights....

[caption id="attachment_175" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="My husband's client built, and owns this marina"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_176" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="a beautiful day for a child-less meander..."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_177" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I snapped this of the city from a moving vehicle..."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_179" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="a beautiful wedding...."][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="the simplicity, was breath-taking"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_178" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Istanbul street pizza... Turkey in Auckland City"][/caption]

 

 this very available, handsome man, is my brother! (in law)

[caption id="attachment_181" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I found these people.... hitch hikers....?? hehe"][/caption]

 

Summary, YUM food, great company, special family, high-rise hotel, adventures - just the two of us... good times.

[caption id="attachment_190" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="he hates it when I snap pics... I do it a lot"][/caption]

I ♥.....

I'm totally loving a few things right now - thought I'd share......

Summer salads with YUM dressing! - they are SO more delicious than unhealthy stuff - I just seem to forget!!!   Tonights tea (for me) was.....

[caption id="attachment_128" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="chicken ceasar salad - YUM!"][/caption]

 

These bronze stiletto heels..... I bought these baby's for my wedding and never wore them - but I'm loving rocking them out at the moment!!  Looking forward to them featuring in my outfit at a friends wedding soon!

[caption id="attachment_129" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="oooooohh, ahhhhh!"][/caption]

Belated birthday cards, and gifts..... one especially made by my precious friend 'Rachel Kate' - check her out and her awesome makings - right here > http://www.stephengartonismyhero.blogspot.com/

What's even better - is it perfectly (I mean ABSOLUTELY perfectly) matches my heels!!!! AND will go great for the wedding~!

[caption id="attachment_130" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="gorgeous hand-made clutch..."][/caption]

So, for this wedding, I have a borrowed dress, my stilettos and thought - I need a bag - but money is a bit tight, didn't really want to buy one - and looksee above - YAY!! 

I love how God knows the little things that are important to us, and uses other people to meet them.  It wasn't a need - just a nice touch that I wished for.  He wants me to look good - and appreciates my effort.  Totally love His finishing touch to my outfit....

This baby is a sure hit for me right now too....

[caption id="attachment_131" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="to check on 'progress'"][/caption]

And lastly (maybe best of all) another birthday gift - this incredible book.  An autobiography by an amazing man, who preaches to crusades with millions (YES millions) of people in attendance.....  what a journey

[caption id="attachment_132" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="real life - incredible story! thank you mummy & daddy in law - I know you believe in me..."][/caption]

What things are you loving in your world???