My life has been boring, I was just thinking. Was just pondering what I could bore you all with this week. Nothing major has occured. No doctors appointments, no big photo shoots, no overly interesting family events.
Then I just read Tara Whitney's entry for this week. Wow, that woman can write. It has been a year since her beautiful daughter McKenna was badly burnt. I remember reading it a few months back. Remember searching to find out exactly what happened. Remember not finding it, but feeling a mother's pain, anguish and emotion through the weeks that McKenna was holding on for her dear little life. I read today what happened. Nothing overly dramatic. In fact, something that could so easily happen to any one of us. To any one of our precious children.
Reading this has made me reflect on my own life, my family. Its not the big things that matter. Its not the big family events. Its not the days out with friends.
Its the little moments you spend together. Its the hours before and after school when you don't do anything in particular but just spend time with them. Watch them get dressed on their own. Watch them eat their breakfast, brush teeth. Ask them how their day was. What did they learn. Its the little things.
And gosh, how we let these minutes go past. Forget them. Focus on the big things. But these are the moments that make us who we are. Who we are as individuals and who we are in our families. The special little moments that count.
Today Jaidyn is having the day off school. He's not sick. And he's not having the day off just because I was touched by Tara's post. (actually its because Greg took my car to work and I can't really be bothered to walk to school - too hot). But... today I'm going to make the most of my time with my son. Sure, I'll get the housework done, I might watch my DVD or Dr Phil. But I'm going to play with my son. Going to build some lego. Go to the park. Make a book. Do some writing. I'm going to focus on him and our relationship.
Thanks Tara for showing me the special things in life. Because so easily they can be taken away. So easily.
Nat
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Bye Bye little sis...
Well, my little sister has gone, and I won't see her for 12 months! I don't think it's quite sunk in how long that is! She's off gallavanting to Holland (and various other holiday destinations) on an exchange. We all went to the airport to see her off yesterday. No tears though, funny that. I think maybe the fact that you can't see them down the plane chute in the International Terminal, but just down an escalator to customs instead. Anyway, she's going to have the time of her life! So now it will make me the oldest daughter and the only one not to travel yet... bummer... but I guess I chose family over that for now hey.
One of the sad things about Shanny heading off for a year is that she won't even see my new baby until he/she is 6 months old. She was always around with Jaidyn (she was only 12 when he was born!) and it will just be different this time. But I'll send her lots of photos and Mum and Dad are probably buying a camcorder soon so I can send her videos too.
Gonna miss her so much! Shanny, if you read this at all (I don't you do though), have a brilliant brilliant time. Hope the plane-trip wasn't too long for you! I love you lots and lots and will miss you even more!
Nat xx
One of the sad things about Shanny heading off for a year is that she won't even see my new baby until he/she is 6 months old. She was always around with Jaidyn (she was only 12 when he was born!) and it will just be different this time. But I'll send her lots of photos and Mum and Dad are probably buying a camcorder soon so I can send her videos too.
Gonna miss her so much! Shanny, if you read this at all (I don't you do though), have a brilliant brilliant time. Hope the plane-trip wasn't too long for you! I love you lots and lots and will miss you even more!
Nat xx
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Life Makeover Challenges
I've decided to join in with Zina Wright and a whole heap of Scrapboxx girls (like 70 I think!) in the 'Life Makeover Challenges' that Zina is hosting on the Boxx website. Zina is leading us through a book about changing your life for the better, and we have a different challenge each week, focussing on ourselves, our strong points and where we want to improve our lives over the next year. I'm going to keep a journal at home, with extra bits and bobs in it, as well as the weekly challenges, plus I'm keeping up with the Boxx by posting my responses on the website, but I thought I might also keep a record of what I'm doing and thinking in my blog too. I'm trying to convince Greg to join in with me too, as he could really use some cheering up and focussing on things in his life now too, so I might just put some of his responses here too if he lets me, and we can work through it together, as well as myself with the Boxx girls.
Challenge week one was to think good thoughts about ourselves and to reflect on our accomplishments over the last 12 months, then come up with 25! Here's mine:
25 Achievements in the last 12 months.
1. Finished my teaching degree. I started this when Jaidyn was only 2 months old and feel very proud that I accomplished it while being a single mum (and some of while being married too).
2. Achieved my first 7 in my university degree. It was a goal of mine to achieve a 7 before I finished my degree and I did!
3. Made it through my first ever important job interviews – and did a good job I think.
4. Started my own business. I overcame some ‘shyness’ boundaries and did something for me. Have met some great new people in this, and while still a long way until it is successful, I am working hard at it.
5. Got through my first year of marriage. People say the first year can be the hardest, and we are more in love today than we were 2 years ago, so I think that makes it a success.
6. Began to ‘let-go’ of my baby boy. He was off to preschool last year and school this year, and this is always hard for a Mum!
7. Changed churches and became planted in the one we now call home.
8. Made some wonderful relationships with new people from church, old and young.
9. Lost 6kgs (but then put it back on – but still an achievement!)
10. Fell pregnant with my second child and my husband’s first!
11. Told Mum and Dad that we were pregnant – gosh, that was hard, even when married and 23, rather than 17 and just out of school like with Jaidyn!
12. Supported Greg through a new career with long and sometimes hard-to-socialise hours.
13. Grown in my relationship with God.
14. Learnt to trust more things to God. I can’t do everything in my own strength and have been able to give more things over to Him.
15. Started Scrapbooking again. Only baby steps yet, but I’m trying to get back into the swing of it again, after a long dry spell.
16. Taught classes in two local Scrapbooking store. I loved doing this!
17. Have persevered in organising classes from my own home, even if I have not had many takers yet! Perseverence, perseverance.
18. Have begun to use my own handwriting in my Scrapbooking, and spent more time writing heart-felt journaling at that.
19. Started to organise my time a little better.
20. Started to become a better housewife and take pride in my surroundings.
21. Started to work my house to routines which work a lot better.
22. Read lots of books about improving my life – mainly spiritually.
23. Learned to control my anger and temper tantrums better.
24. Learnt to listen to Greg’s concerns more, rather than jumping to my own conclusions.
25. Spent more time with Greg and Jaidyn and my family.
I think I migt revise them a little when I do it with DH, but until then, there it is.
Anyone else want to join in who isn't on the Boxx? Ultimately it will be best to join up and read the excerpts from the book too, so you can get a feel for the whole challenge and content... but feel free just to do these challenges even if you can't join up.
I'll post here every week (will give me something to post about at least!)
Challenge week one was to think good thoughts about ourselves and to reflect on our accomplishments over the last 12 months, then come up with 25! Here's mine:
25 Achievements in the last 12 months.
1. Finished my teaching degree. I started this when Jaidyn was only 2 months old and feel very proud that I accomplished it while being a single mum (and some of while being married too).
2. Achieved my first 7 in my university degree. It was a goal of mine to achieve a 7 before I finished my degree and I did!
3. Made it through my first ever important job interviews – and did a good job I think.
4. Started my own business. I overcame some ‘shyness’ boundaries and did something for me. Have met some great new people in this, and while still a long way until it is successful, I am working hard at it.
5. Got through my first year of marriage. People say the first year can be the hardest, and we are more in love today than we were 2 years ago, so I think that makes it a success.
6. Began to ‘let-go’ of my baby boy. He was off to preschool last year and school this year, and this is always hard for a Mum!
7. Changed churches and became planted in the one we now call home.
8. Made some wonderful relationships with new people from church, old and young.
9. Lost 6kgs (but then put it back on – but still an achievement!)
10. Fell pregnant with my second child and my husband’s first!
11. Told Mum and Dad that we were pregnant – gosh, that was hard, even when married and 23, rather than 17 and just out of school like with Jaidyn!
12. Supported Greg through a new career with long and sometimes hard-to-socialise hours.
13. Grown in my relationship with God.
14. Learnt to trust more things to God. I can’t do everything in my own strength and have been able to give more things over to Him.
15. Started Scrapbooking again. Only baby steps yet, but I’m trying to get back into the swing of it again, after a long dry spell.
16. Taught classes in two local Scrapbooking store. I loved doing this!
17. Have persevered in organising classes from my own home, even if I have not had many takers yet! Perseverence, perseverance.
18. Have begun to use my own handwriting in my Scrapbooking, and spent more time writing heart-felt journaling at that.
19. Started to organise my time a little better.
20. Started to become a better housewife and take pride in my surroundings.
21. Started to work my house to routines which work a lot better.
22. Read lots of books about improving my life – mainly spiritually.
23. Learned to control my anger and temper tantrums better.
24. Learnt to listen to Greg’s concerns more, rather than jumping to my own conclusions.
25. Spent more time with Greg and Jaidyn and my family.
I think I migt revise them a little when I do it with DH, but until then, there it is.
Anyone else want to join in who isn't on the Boxx? Ultimately it will be best to join up and read the excerpts from the book too, so you can get a feel for the whole challenge and content... but feel free just to do these challenges even if you can't join up.
I'll post here every week (will give me something to post about at least!)
Monday, February 13, 2006
Another week down
Well, it seems I have again been neglecting my blog. Possibly due to the fact that my life is not that interesting really.
So what have I done in the last week? Nothing of significance springs to mind really. Although I did seem to have a rather social week actually.
Oh, we visited friend's new baby girl, Elara Kate last Tuesday. Beautiful and very quiet (she was asleep even with Jaidyn hoo-haa-ing around their lounge-room). 9lb 10oz, ouch. But made us really clucky and wanting out baby to come out NOW! Lol... only another 3.5 months to wait huh.
Had a nice long coffee with my close friend Michelle this week too. We see eachother everyweek at church and cell group but not so often by ourselves, so it was a great time to catch-up.
Had my beautiful friend Clare over this morning for a coffee. She is 35 weeks pregnant, and oh-so-beautiful. I just love her baby belly, although my 25 week belly doesn't look a great deal smaller... lol... yikes... she is on maternity leave not so we've vowed to see eachother more often in the next 5 weeks. Even go baby shopping - she only lives 5 mins away!
I had my Jewellery party on Friday night. Most of my friends cancelled or couldn't come (seems the usual with me) but I still had a few ladies from church come along, and I managed to score a free necklace with the sales percentage from the night. I just love jewellery. Kept thinking how much I would love to do jewellery parties, but was a little turned off seeing how long it took the lady to set up and pack up - 1.5 hours to set up and about an hour to pack up - no thanks! Still absolutley beautiful stuff though. My poor back and baby belly couldn't an hour and a half of walking around a couple of tables and bending over though like I did a couple of months ago.
I've been spending some time working out my class timetable for workshops this week. While I haven't really had any bookings yet, I guess I still like to play around and plan classes, and just hope someone takes a bite. This time I've printed out lots of flyers with lots of info that I'm planning on dropping in local letterboxes. Fingers crossed for some interest please ok!
Oh, I'm also thinking of going back to study while I'm home with a new bub. Seeing as though I won't be able to work at all, probably for at least 6-12 months, it seems a good time to start on a Masters..? Only external and perhaps part-time though, but I have to look into the options a bit now.
Well, that's my boring week. Don't have a huge lot planned this week. My baby sister (shanyn, 17) is heading off on her exchange to Holland for a year on Thursday. I'll miss her heaps and she won't see her new nephew or neice for 6 months! But its going to be such a great opportunity for her.
Take care all, nat xx
So what have I done in the last week? Nothing of significance springs to mind really. Although I did seem to have a rather social week actually.
Oh, we visited friend's new baby girl, Elara Kate last Tuesday. Beautiful and very quiet (she was asleep even with Jaidyn hoo-haa-ing around their lounge-room). 9lb 10oz, ouch. But made us really clucky and wanting out baby to come out NOW! Lol... only another 3.5 months to wait huh.
Had a nice long coffee with my close friend Michelle this week too. We see eachother everyweek at church and cell group but not so often by ourselves, so it was a great time to catch-up.
Had my beautiful friend Clare over this morning for a coffee. She is 35 weeks pregnant, and oh-so-beautiful. I just love her baby belly, although my 25 week belly doesn't look a great deal smaller... lol... yikes... she is on maternity leave not so we've vowed to see eachother more often in the next 5 weeks. Even go baby shopping - she only lives 5 mins away!
I had my Jewellery party on Friday night. Most of my friends cancelled or couldn't come (seems the usual with me) but I still had a few ladies from church come along, and I managed to score a free necklace with the sales percentage from the night. I just love jewellery. Kept thinking how much I would love to do jewellery parties, but was a little turned off seeing how long it took the lady to set up and pack up - 1.5 hours to set up and about an hour to pack up - no thanks! Still absolutley beautiful stuff though. My poor back and baby belly couldn't an hour and a half of walking around a couple of tables and bending over though like I did a couple of months ago.
I've been spending some time working out my class timetable for workshops this week. While I haven't really had any bookings yet, I guess I still like to play around and plan classes, and just hope someone takes a bite. This time I've printed out lots of flyers with lots of info that I'm planning on dropping in local letterboxes. Fingers crossed for some interest please ok!
Oh, I'm also thinking of going back to study while I'm home with a new bub. Seeing as though I won't be able to work at all, probably for at least 6-12 months, it seems a good time to start on a Masters..? Only external and perhaps part-time though, but I have to look into the options a bit now.
Well, that's my boring week. Don't have a huge lot planned this week. My baby sister (shanyn, 17) is heading off on her exchange to Holland for a year on Thursday. I'll miss her heaps and she won't see her new nephew or neice for 6 months! But its going to be such a great opportunity for her.
Take care all, nat xx
Monday, February 06, 2006
I'm on a roll.....
Can you believe it - I ACTUALLY DID SOME SCRAPPING!!
Wow. I can't believe it either. But I hope it has given me the motivation and inspiration to get some more done now. I really enjoyed it too... good to be back in the swing of things...
Anyway, here's what I did:
I just looove these new pics of my belly! I am so loving being pregnant! Its all such a wonderful experience.
and this:
Well, hope you all had a great weekend, and have a great week ahead! I'm off to do the groceries, then hopefuly come back and scrap! nice semi-rainy weather for it.
Nat
Wow. I can't believe it either. But I hope it has given me the motivation and inspiration to get some more done now. I really enjoyed it too... good to be back in the swing of things...
Anyway, here's what I did:
I just looove these new pics of my belly! I am so loving being pregnant! Its all such a wonderful experience.
and this:
Well, hope you all had a great weekend, and have a great week ahead! I'm off to do the groceries, then hopefuly come back and scrap! nice semi-rainy weather for it.
Nat
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Would you look at that belly!!
Well, we took those photos I promised today. And this is my new fave maternity top. It's pink and it hides part of my fat arms, lol. My awesome Mum picked it up for me on special (she's bought me more tops than I have). 
24 weeks pregnant
I also just wanted to say a special hello to Shari. I'm thinking of you mate, and I know that giving up your 'baby' (ASC) will have been a hard thing to do. I hope it all works out for the best and that it was the right thing for you and your family. Thankyou for being the one who gave me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful friends and so many inspirational scrappers. You hold a special place in my heart, and I am praying for you and the family each and every time.
24 weeks pregnant
I also just wanted to say a special hello to Shari. I'm thinking of you mate, and I know that giving up your 'baby' (ASC) will have been a hard thing to do. I hope it all works out for the best and that it was the right thing for you and your family. Thankyou for being the one who gave me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful friends and so many inspirational scrappers. You hold a special place in my heart, and I am praying for you and the family each and every time.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Tagged
My lvoely friend Kathie tagged me :)
The rules for this particular tagging are as follows: Remove the blog name in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add yourself to the bottom slot.
Ngaire
Charleigh
Samantha
Kathie
Natalie
Here are the questions:
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Going through puberty! I would have been going into Year Nine at highschool. Had to make new friends as I did Year 8 in a German Immersion class and it was rather segregated. Probably most things that a normal 13 year old girl did - boys, friends, and more boys.
What were you doing 1 year ago?
This time last year I was getting ready to go back to uni for my last semester. My boy would have just started preschool and we would have recently moved into our house at Greenslopes. Greg was still working night-shifts at Woolworths and I would have just finished working at Vacation Care for the holidays. Probably filled my time much like what I do now - a whole fat-lot of nothing!
Five snacks that you enjoy:
Biscuits
Chocolate (or anything sweet really!)
Grapes or sometimes mangoes if I remember they are in the fridge
Toast
Rice crackers and salsa if I'm feeling healthy
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Most of the songs from 'Dirty Dancing'
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Travel around the world
Buy a house somewhere beautiful and a house-maid to go with it!
Buy a scrap-shop maybe?
Study photography at an expensive institute
Give lots of money to our church
Five bad habits:
Terrible time-management
Messy and disorganised
Walking while talking on the phone
Lazy
Nail-biter
Five things you like doing:
Scrapbooking
Surfing the net
Reading
Fellowship with friends
Shopping (with lots of money to spend on me!)
Five things you would never wear, buy, or get again:
A bikini (sad sad I know, but stretch marks will prevent me from ever having a bikini-bod, even if I was think enough)
Short shorts that show off my fat arse
A long gym membership because I never finish them and end up wasting money
...can't think of any more...
Five Favourite toys:
My 350D
Computer
Air-conditioning
Our new bigger TV
My new car when I get one!! lol
5 People I am tagging:
Deb
Brooke
Ruthy
Hayley
Sarah
The rules for this particular tagging are as follows: Remove the blog name in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add yourself to the bottom slot.
Ngaire
Charleigh
Samantha
Kathie
Natalie
Here are the questions:
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Going through puberty! I would have been going into Year Nine at highschool. Had to make new friends as I did Year 8 in a German Immersion class and it was rather segregated. Probably most things that a normal 13 year old girl did - boys, friends, and more boys.
What were you doing 1 year ago?
This time last year I was getting ready to go back to uni for my last semester. My boy would have just started preschool and we would have recently moved into our house at Greenslopes. Greg was still working night-shifts at Woolworths and I would have just finished working at Vacation Care for the holidays. Probably filled my time much like what I do now - a whole fat-lot of nothing!
Five snacks that you enjoy:
Biscuits
Chocolate (or anything sweet really!)
Grapes or sometimes mangoes if I remember they are in the fridge
Toast
Rice crackers and salsa if I'm feeling healthy
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Most of the songs from 'Dirty Dancing'
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Travel around the world
Buy a house somewhere beautiful and a house-maid to go with it!
Buy a scrap-shop maybe?
Study photography at an expensive institute
Give lots of money to our church
Five bad habits:
Terrible time-management
Messy and disorganised
Walking while talking on the phone
Lazy
Nail-biter
Five things you like doing:
Scrapbooking
Surfing the net
Reading
Fellowship with friends
Shopping (with lots of money to spend on me!)
Five things you would never wear, buy, or get again:
A bikini (sad sad I know, but stretch marks will prevent me from ever having a bikini-bod, even if I was think enough)
Short shorts that show off my fat arse
A long gym membership because I never finish them and end up wasting money
...can't think of any more...
Five Favourite toys:
My 350D
Computer
Air-conditioning
Our new bigger TV
My new car when I get one!! lol
5 People I am tagging:
Deb
Brooke
Ruthy
Hayley
Sarah
Update
Oh gosh, it's been over a week since I blogged. Bad me.
So what's been going on in my life this last week? Hmmm....
Most exciting news to report is that Greg felt the baby kick last night!! I've been getting him to put his hand over my bely for days now, just to see if he can, and last night he felt it! It was so exciting! Bubby moves around heaps, so I'm sure it will be a recurring and common thing now for my boys to be able to feel the joys of our baby moving inside.
My belly is growing HUGE!! I'm going to get Greg to take some photos tomorrow when he's home in the morning as it will be a month since we last took pictures, and I'm 24 weeks this Friday. I think this baby is going to be a BIG one!! I'm only 6 months now, and already its rather big!! Ouch to having a baby over 8 lbs...
We've had a VERY lazy few days. Greg got 5 days off this week. Starting Australia Day, we did a few odd jobs taht day and had friends over for a BBQ that night. Since then though, I really don't know what we did! It certainly wasn't the jobs we had marked down to do - oops... I think much of it was spent watching the Family series of The Amazing Race... and we spend all day Monday watching half of the second season of LOST... ooh, sooo goooood..... now I just have to wait again to get some more off Greg's brother as he gets them from USA.... I loooove LOST.
I've been getting a fair bit of heartburn/reflux lately. A few friends have told me some foods to avoid - onions, spicy stuff etc.... but if you have anything to add to that, please do. Also, if anyone has suffered from this during pregnancy, what have you taken for it? It gets sooooo uncomfortable! Ouch!
Well, I better get upstairs and keep cleaning. For some strange reason, I have actually started clearing out the spare/junk room and I want to make it a baby's room asap.... nesting period isn't meant until then end of pregnancy is it?
Nat xx
So what's been going on in my life this last week? Hmmm....
Most exciting news to report is that Greg felt the baby kick last night!! I've been getting him to put his hand over my bely for days now, just to see if he can, and last night he felt it! It was so exciting! Bubby moves around heaps, so I'm sure it will be a recurring and common thing now for my boys to be able to feel the joys of our baby moving inside.
My belly is growing HUGE!! I'm going to get Greg to take some photos tomorrow when he's home in the morning as it will be a month since we last took pictures, and I'm 24 weeks this Friday. I think this baby is going to be a BIG one!! I'm only 6 months now, and already its rather big!! Ouch to having a baby over 8 lbs...
We've had a VERY lazy few days. Greg got 5 days off this week. Starting Australia Day, we did a few odd jobs taht day and had friends over for a BBQ that night. Since then though, I really don't know what we did! It certainly wasn't the jobs we had marked down to do - oops... I think much of it was spent watching the Family series of The Amazing Race... and we spend all day Monday watching half of the second season of LOST... ooh, sooo goooood..... now I just have to wait again to get some more off Greg's brother as he gets them from USA.... I loooove LOST.
I've been getting a fair bit of heartburn/reflux lately. A few friends have told me some foods to avoid - onions, spicy stuff etc.... but if you have anything to add to that, please do. Also, if anyone has suffered from this during pregnancy, what have you taken for it? It gets sooooo uncomfortable! Ouch!
Well, I better get upstairs and keep cleaning. For some strange reason, I have actually started clearing out the spare/junk room and I want to make it a baby's room asap.... nesting period isn't meant until then end of pregnancy is it?
Nat xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
