Wednesday, February 22, 2006

the little things

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

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

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!)

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

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

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.

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

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

Monday, January 23, 2006

All grown up...

My 'baby' went off to his first day of school today. (sigh...) I thought I was more than ready for him to go off to school (we've been driving each other nuts for the last week or so), but when I see him in that gorgeous little uniform, well, the emotions flow and I realise just how grown up he really is. It all happens so fast, doesn't it.

His school bag was so big for him, the sleeves of his shirt go past his elbows and his little school shoes make him taller than he is. He's 5 and he's growing up, that's for sure.

I thought I could handle the emotions. I was fine at school. It was only when I was driving to do the groceries straight from school that I started feeling empty, sad, even a little sick. I don't know whether its just today, or also the emotions of yesterday and the past week at church, but today I just didn't really want to be alone. I cried only a little. But I wanted to lots more. And if I hadn't got over it by the time I got home, I would have had a nice bawl session to myself.

I ended up coming home, unpacking the groceries, having some lunch and just going to bed. I was tired (I guess as you do get when you're pregnant), emotional and just wanted to sleep it all away. And the fact that I was alone.

Anyway, my little boy had a fantastic day. He had a whinge on the way home coz he couldn't untie his shoe-laces... something tells me he'll be in bed early tonight. Pity Greg gets home so late and he won't get much time to chat to Jaidyn about his day.

Well, to finish off, here are some photos of my 'big boy' all ready for school. I didn't get any fantastic ones, as he was too excited to stand still, and it was bloody hot and sweaty, making it hard for me to keep the camera still and sweat-free! But hopefully I can use these enough to do a nice layout.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

{Puffy eyes}

Today at church was emotionally draining. In fact the whole week has been. And this is a good place for me to let it all out. Sorry to bore anyone.

Last week there was a vote regarding the call of our Pastor and whether or not he will stay on as pastor of our congregation. Much to many many people's upset and disbelief, our beloved Pastor Craig was voted out. It's been a raw week for many. For us not so much, as we've only been there a few months, but today was full-on, and we are rather lost as to what will happen in the future.

You see, as part of the Baptist constitution, pastors can be voted out by the members of the church (and apparently a change-over every few years is fairly normal). Unfortunately for Craig, many of his supporters were either too young to be members, or were not members. He'd never lobbied for it, but it's dealt him a harsh blow. They've been in the church for 16 years. Can you imagine leaving your church, the only church your youngest children have ever known, have grown up in, leave all that you call 'family'.... it's heart-wrenching.

And the tears flowed freely today.

I hadn't cried about it before. I guess I felt a little aside from the raw emotion as we've only been there a few months. But today, seeing the ones I call my family hurting, upset, it broke my heart. I bawled like a baby at times. Hmm... maybe the pregnancy hormones are a little to blame too.

It was like a wake. The mood was sombre. Puffy red eyes all over the church. One of our core members has resigned.

Its all just a huge mess. An ugly, huge mess.

Last week at the meeting that decided the fate, there was anger and bitterness. Some people spoke hard and attacking words at some others. We weren't there and I'm glad we weren't.

But now where do we go? It's so up in the air. So unknown. Although we know God has a plan for us and for Pastor Craig and Robyn, its hard to live with so much uncertainty.

We've really felt at home in this church. We've made wonderful, deep and lasting friendships. We've been embraced by people of all ages, all situations - children, married... or not. And now a tear right down the middle like this.

I guess in all of this we must trust God. Only He knows what the future holds. Only He knows what will happen to the congregation, where Craig and Robyn will go. And He has something wonderful and spiritual planned. He has to. And we have to believe that. Otherwise, well, who knows how we can get through.

God Bless you all, and I'd appreciate your prayers for the situation. Thanks.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Photo Swap...?

Was just reading the lovely Julie Love's blog (sorry, don't know how to link) and she has been swapping piccies with her scrapping buddies and scrapping each other's pics...

I would really love to do this, and want to know if anyone is interested...? And YES, I WILL actually scrap...lol... might be just the inspiration I need, plus I'm getting some new goodies next week... yay.....

So please drop me a 'yes' or an email with some piccies if you'd like to swap. And I'll make a deadline too, so I get it done in time... :)

Looking forward to scrapping someone's pics.... and if you have a daughter, even better! I am just dying to scrap some girly and pretty and such!!

Nat xx

Friday, January 20, 2006

Rain, glorious rain...

Isn't it just wonderful!! OK, not so great with a bored 5-year old, but I've off-loaded him to Grandma's for a sleepover so yay for me!! So tonight, we might get out a DVD (and snuggle), or watch TV, or maybe I'll do some scrapping...? I love the rain...

Actually Jaidyn and I had a great time yesterday when we went to the school to get his books. It was pissing down so we got drenched, even under a umbrella (it's not easy sharing with someone half your size!!). then good old Mum (me) decided when we went to the bank that we wouldn't get wet coz of the eaves over the edge of the building.. but lo-and-behold the water was streaming in there and we got good and soaked! Was fun though.. I really must get Jaidyn some rainboots and a raincoat so he can go out in the backyard in the puddles (and so I can take piccies of course!!) He's had fun walking around even with an umbrella :)

I got my boy's school uniform yesterday and OMG I wasn't really prepared for the emotions of seeing him in it for the first time. I thought I was all ready for him to go to school (mainly because we are so over eachother's constant company!) but oh, to see him in his uniform and it was a wake-up call that my baby is NOT my baby anymore.... oh he looked so cute, but so grown up... I shall take many many photos on Monday and pop some up here. How are all the other new-to-school mums going??

As I've posted about before, have been reading a book about getting over my 'Messie' tendancies... I was talking to my Dad and Gran about it today and Gran (who is the most stubborn woman I know - you DON'T argue with her, lol) was telling me I should keep things in case I need them one day... lol, this type of 'hoarding' has me where I am in my disorganised, cluttered house... and lol, it was a small realisation of another 'Glover trait' I might have... so I blame them... but I'm certainly not listening to her... I'm going to throw sooo much stuff out in the next few weeks... I'm so over hoarding... and if I need it in the future, stuff it, I'll buy a new one (which I probably would have done anyway, lol)...

Well, that's a catch-up of my last few days...

Nat xx

P.S. Oh! Went into the new local LSS today and asked about a job that I also asked about before Christmas when she'd just opened... she still seems to keen to put me on, and said she'll be organising it in February... so fingers crossed... the process for supply teaching will take a few more weeks yet as my rating still hasn't come (will in the next week) - why they hadn't already put them out so we could get jobs to start next week I don't know!! But anyway, hopefully I can pick up a bit of both for next term, and then maybe just the scrapping shop after next school holiday... we could do with some extra spending cash!!

P.P.S. I went in to see a little bead shop today too.. the lady seems really nice and does classes for $10 and $15 plus materials... now that's more my price (sorry B!)... so I'll book in for one in the next couple of weeks I think, just to get the hang of a few more techniques.....

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Down to business... that's busYness

Yep, its all guns a blaze today. Lots to do. Gotta get all Jaidyn's school supplies - new uniforms, book pack, well, mostly everything. Good ol' me leaves it all to the very last minute... maybe next year I'll be a little more organised... so today will be a lot of running here and there. And I hope it's all still available.

Yesterday Greg, Jaidyn and I went on a little road trip down the coast to Coolangatta for a swim and some piccies on the beach. Greg and I are rather nervous about using the 350D on the beach for fear that sand will get blown into every little important device... how do you all tackle it?

We saw Erica and the kids and Roz briefly at Maccas, but both of them had to run off so it was back to just us again. Was still great to see you girls!! And next time, the belly will be even bigger... hope to see a bump on you too Miss Erica.

Jai and Greg had a swim and I luckily took a mag to read on the beach. Unfortunately and although I lathered up on the sunscreen, I got rather burnt... I missed my fore-arms - ouch! - and Greg must have missed the edges of my back. Sleep was a little painful last night, but I'll recover... the arms hurt the most! Ouch!! I hate the sun!! And it doesn't like me either.

Didn't get any overly fantastic pics. We were getting tired and ready to go home and Jai didn't really want to co-operate... but here are a couple I like.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Tagged again, and new whitegoods!!

The lovely Roz tagged me with this one. I don't think these ever end...

4 jobs you've done:
Reception and check-out chick at Target
Waitress in a Function room
After School Care
Private tutoring

4 movies you could watch over and over:
The Princess Bride
Dirty Dancing
Love Actually
The Little Mermaid

4 place you have lived:
All suburbs in Brisbane...
Karana Downs
Ipswich
Greenslopes
Ferny Hills

4 TV shows you LOVE to watch:
LOST
Stargate Atlantis
House
The Amazing Race

4 places you have been on vacation:
Adelaide
Townsville
Melbourne
Condobolin (where Shannon Noll hails from)

4 websites you visit daily:
Scrapboxx
My blog list
Hotmail
ASC (usually on every other day though)

4 of your favourite foods:
Chocolate
Thai
Choc-mint icecream
Mangoes

4 places you would rather be right now:
In bed
On the other side of the world in snow
Shopping (with lots of money of course!)
In a house that is mine but looks a lot more 'organised' than this one does!

4 bloggers you are tagging:
Tam
Deb
Brooke
Hayley

And, for news..... we have a NEW FRIDGE..... nice..... very nice to have a WHITE fridge.... ours had almost carked it so we decided to get another (24 mnths interest free) before it died... and it looks so niiice... nothing overly fancy (even though Jaidyn thought we should have got the one with the TV!!)... I would have liked one of the titanium ones but they just didn't have the set-out we wanted in the budget we could still afford... so a nice white sparkly one it is!! Can't wait to go grocery shopping now and fill my new little fridge up :)

We also had a visitor last night:















He was not scared of us at all.. Greg clicked these pics with the zoom lens on, just in case he ran away though. We even gave him some banana, and he ate the whole thing, little piggy. We had heard there is a family of possums in our mango tree but hadn't yet seen them :)

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Home again...

Have been AWOL for a bit this week. Greg had to work out at Ipswich filling in for a week, so ALDI put him (us) up in a motel for the week. Nothing overly flash, but a nice big pool, air-con and Foxtel... beats being at home in the stinky heat watching the same videos over and over again!

So Jaidyn and I headed out there for 3 nights and had a nice time. Greg had 1 1/2 of those days off so it wasn't all just us. And I had the opportunity to visit a couple of friends that live out there - Carol-Lea and her gorgeous little kids, and an old friend Sammy. Jai had a great time playing with Edie and Jami and they also came for a swim and a nice cool-off, that day was stinking hot. Thanks for the wonderful company for the day Carol-Lea!

We also went out for dinner to the Brothers Leagues Club with Carol-Lea, Craig and the kids last night. Was really nice for us because its not something we do very much and the scene was also different to what we're used to. Had a really nice time chatting over a couple of drinks (diet coke!), even if at times it was hard to hear over the music :)

I will have 'eaten out' a total of 4 times this week - amaaahhh... KFC for 2 nights, Leagues Club last night and tonight Greg and I are going out for a friends b'day too. Lucky us, but not too good for the poor credit card :(

Was inspired by Carol-Lea's gorgeous house and scrap-room to get myself, my house, my life (!) organised!! It needs to happen some time! And now, its the #1 thing on my 2006 intentions list. It's not going to be easy for me as I'm a self-confessed 'messy', but I'm going to try my darndest. My house needs some order, some storage ideas, definitely some routine and a 'style'... so over the next few pays (months) I'm going to be buying up on storage, curtains, prints etc to make this house look like a home! Thanks for the inspiration Carol!

Will upload a couple of the pics from our week tomorrow. Not too many 'great' ones but will do so anyway!

Oh, and SHOCK HORROR!! I actually SCRAPPED, can you believe it! I did the first page for my 'pregnancy journal' - a double spread including the scan pics I got last week. Just have to add a few finishing touches and then I'll upload a pic.

Hope you have all had a great weekend xxx

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Yep, I'm just totally stupid.

Ali, Ali, Ali..... I *know* you showed me today how to do a banner and to put a picture of my gorgeous family into it... BUT... I just can't seem to do it. Even though I'm *pretty sure* we have the same PS program, the icons and windows etc that were on your screen are just not all there on mine... I JUST CAN'T DO IT!! I've tried and I've tried but I'm *seriously* clueless!!

Would anybody, please, anybody, please volunteer their precious time and talent into making me a beautiful banner for my blog?? I have some gorgeous pics of my wonderful family I want to use, so it's not *just coz everyone's doing it", lol.

Anyone? Please? (I'll be your best friend... :))

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Scan

We had our scan today and it was so exciting to see my baby. And yes, there is just one in there. Would have been nice to have twins, but I probably wouldn't say that once they were born as I'm sure one will be handful enough!

And, we found out we are a week further than first thought! Baby was supposed to be about 18 weeks 5 days, but the scan inferred 19 weeks 6 days, so we are pretty much halfway now! Making due date 26th May by the hospital, not sure whether the doc will change it or not - I would say so, as it was uncertain before.

What a wonderful miracle child-bearing is! It was so amazing to see the little angel moving around inside me, putting her (hoping!) hands up and down, stretching her legs in and out. Towards the end, I think she was getting fed up with being poked and prodded though because she tucked her face right in and wouldn't co-operate... lol, yep its my child alright. Stubborn and difficult even before birth. Jaidyn came with us too, so he was pretty amazed that he could see his baby sister/brother inside my tummy, and he wasn't 'too' much of a pain.

I have 5 scan photos. While they aren't really good ones, I want to do something with them anyway, so I really need to clean/organise the scrap room a bit and buy lots of new products and get stuck into some scrapping. Now I have a few belly pics and scan pics, so no excuses anymore hey. I really just got to stop procrastinating (my strength!) and do it.

Oh, and we didn't find out the sex as you can tell. We want a surprise. Lol, I kept expecting to see a little penis or something when I didn't want to, so was careful not to look too closely around that area. LOL....

Can't wait till Eck has her scan. I'm guessing she'll find out the sex, but I think that backfired last time didn't it Eck? Was meant to be pink and came out blue! I hope you get what you and Matt are hoping for :)

Nat :)

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

A to Z of me...

Found this while cruising the Weight Watchers girls blogs tonight... from Sarah (don't know how to link!)

A is for age: 23
B is for booze of choice: Bourbon
C is for career: Early Childhood teacher
D is for your dad's name: Nev
E is for essential items to bring to a party: Camera and something to drink
F is for favorite song at the moment: Hey Mama - Black Eyed Peas
G is for favorite game: Pictionary
H is for hometown: Brisbane
I is for instruments you play: none, but I'd love to play piano one day
J is for jam or jelly you like: Ginger marmalade
K is for kids: Jaidyn, 5 and .....
L is for living arrangements: renting with husband Greg and son
M is for mum's name: Gail
N is for name of your crush: my husband Greg :)
O is for overnight hospital stays: only when I gave birth
P is for phobias: spiders....ewk....
Q is for quotes you like: dunno
R is for relationship that lasted the longest: 4 years, but this one's forever!
S is for sexual preference: Straight.
U is for underwear: anything comfortable, hipsters or boylegs usually
V is for vegetable you love: broccoli, potato
W is for weekend plans: nothing yet
X is for x-rays you've had: only ultrasounds
Y is for yummy food you make: Salmon cob loaf dip
Z is for zodiac sign: Taurus

So, can I tag someone?? How about Rozzie and Brooke!!???

N xx

Monday, January 02, 2006

Baby stuff...

I finally got around to it yesterday and took the first pics of my 'growing bump'... I just love it so much! And seeing as though most of you wouldn't have seen me (if at all) since I've been pregnant, thought I might just show you all how I'm going.



Here I am, dated 1 Jan 06, 19 weeks pregnant.












Greg and I have our first scan on Thursday, the 18-week one. We're very excited about seeing our baby, and its so great that Greg can come too! Shall let you know how it all goes, whether there's one or more in there and if I am indeed 18 weeks pregnant, more or less (I doubt any less, looking at that belly!) We're not wanting to find out the sex and I hope a little doodle doesn't decide to make itself obvious, in fact, we're hoping there isn't a doodle there at all, lol.

Nat :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a nice night, whether partying hard or having a quiet one with some friends or family. We had friends over for a nice quiet night, lots of chatting and laughing, and lots of food! It was also Greg's 25th birthday (Happy Birthday Baby!) so we had a caramel cheesecake and sang Happy Birthday as you do. Lol, we were almost ready for bed at 10pm though! Maybe we'll have a quieter one next year, no party... maybe...

Looking back on 2005, I thought I'd sum up what it was for me and my family.

* * *

2005 was a year of... new beginnings, with Greg starting a new career at ALDI.

2005 was a year of... accomplishment, with myself finishing my early childhood degree.

2005 was a year of... exploring, with myself venturing into my own craft consultancy business.

2005 was a year of... failure, with me attempting again to lose weight and being unsuccessful, again.

2005 was a year of... belonging, when we changed church families and now feel at home.

2005 was a year of... new friendships, with all the wonderful new people we've met at our new church.

2005 was a year of... growing up, with my boy turning five and getting ready to go off to big school

2005 was a year of... wonder, excitement and anticipation, with the discovery of our pregnancy.

And 2006 is bound to bring us many more wonderful adventures!!

I have been thinking about my 'goals' or 'intentions' list and hope to scrap it soon and will post it also.

Wishing you all the best for the new year. Hope its full of new beginnings, success and wonderful times for you and your families.