Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Lazy Daisy

My most favourite thing I have read this week:

"I am not lazy. I am just incredibly motivated to do nothing".

I have no idea who I should be crediting for this amazing quote, but I saw it on facebook (surprise, surprise).

This would look great on a magnet. Or a sign. Or on a door mat. I have another few doors that needs a cool mat. My front door has one that says 'The house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it'. I think the others might be getting a little jealous.

I may be feeling a little guilty that I didn't get everything done I wanted to around the house over the school holidays. But it was hot. And worse, humid. I personally do not cope well with the humidity.

Time to focus on the positives though! We did so much fun stuff, caught up with lots of people and we did get some projects completed around the house.

First day back at school tomorrow (and dance and Guides) - wish us luck! Oh, and in case you were wondering what daisy was referring to, I just liked that it rhymed. However for the sake of completeness bouquets to all of us ... just because ... everyone needs flowers every now and again.

Monday, January 30, 2012

School Days!

Two more sleeps until the girls go back to school! I am very sad that it is the end of school holidays and very, very sad about how big the girls are getting! It is a big year for us this year. Reanna is starting high school (Year 8 here), Erin is going into 'senior school' (at their primary school years 6 & 7 are senior school and get to wear a different shirt) and Aimee is in the upper half of the school (Year 4).

Funnily enough I am not that freaked out over Reanna starting high school. I think I spent all last year and part of the year before having to think about it, because that is just how the process works so now we are finally here I have coped. That said, I was labelling their school stuff tonight and Reanna and I had lots of trouble trying to work out what she should take to school on her first day, because she can't take everything and won't know what she will need each day until she gets her timetable. I am assuring her though that everyone else will be in the same boat.

Aimee starting year 4 on the other hand has hit me hard! Not just because she is my baby, but because she is such an infant!! At my primary school, year 4 was a big deal because it meant you were old enough to go on a 12 day camp once a year that was offered to all five Schools of the Air in WA (I will blog more about my station childhood later as I have mentioned it a few times now!) I look at Aimee and just can't picture her being old enough for that! Even though I could imagine it for the other two at that age.

It is also a big year for Erin. She has decided to branch out this year. She is starting to play soccer this year rather then doing an extra dance class and is beginning to learn a musical instrument. The one dance class she is doing is musical theatre which is a new class for this year and one neither of the other two are doing. Creating her own pathway which is different to her sisters'. Very important!

Reanna and Erin are also going to catch the bus to school three mornings a week instead of going to childcare. So big changes in our house at the moment! I would like to say I am coping beautifully ... at the moment ... but we will see how I am on Wednesday.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Five seconds

Literally all that this post is going to be! But just wanted to say, I have read another book of the 100ish and therefore it is another tiny bit off my 101 challenge! If you are interested click here to read the review of 'Ice Station'.

I also forgot to say last time that I have Skype! So another thing crossed off the list. Well almost, I am still learning how to use it.

But today I have to run. I have a poledancing class to go to and I am running late. Thanks to blogging and the fact I spent the early hours of this morning painting. Are you impressed?! It is only 9am here :)

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Oi! Oi! Oi!!

For all of you who live overseas, today is Australia Day!! And we have had a fabulous day :)

We stayed at my father-in-law's last night (after a late night dessert of pavlova) so we could get up and go to the Big Aussie Breakfast put on by his local shire. Lots of the shires/councils do them, but he has been a councillor for the last few years so going to support him being a part of the community has turned into a bit of a tradition for us.

Lazy day at home. With it being over 40 degrees Celsius , this seemed like a sensible plan. Then we cooked up hamburgers with patties in the shape of Australia and went to the fireworks. Complete with Australian t-shirts, tattoos and glow sticks of course. It is one of my favourite days of the year. It isn't always the same, but is always filled with catching up with friends and family and is a chance to remember how lucky we are.

So why the mixed feelings?

A very short legal/social history: 26 January is the date that Australia was first claimed as terra nullis, an empty land. A claim which totally ignored the Aboriginal people and which was later found to be invalid by the High Court of Australia (which has impacted on land rights, but that is a whole other story I am not going into here!!)

A lot of Aboriginal people feel Australia Day is really invasion day. I can't say I blame them. There is a lot of bad history about how Aboriginal people were treated once Australia was colonised. Some of which occurred during living people's memories.

This year there has also been media stories about correlations between people who fly the flag on their car and people who are racist. Sensationalist journalism, but of course it has sparked a whole heap of racist and offensive posting on facebook about migrants (and really at the end of the day we were all migrants or convicts originally) and refugees.

So mixed feelings. I have to admit I would celebrate with cleaner conscious if it was on a different day. That said, I use today as a time to talk to my girls about our past. And a day to talk with them about some of the less pleasant aspects. Also of course some of the nicer parts! Why my family came to Australia. Well my mum's side anyway. We don't actually know when or why my dad's side came to Australia. Last year we watched a Citizenship ceremony which I think was a good experience for them.

All this Australiana brings funny moments too. We were singing Australian songs today. One of them, which they all do know, was 'Waltzing Matilda'. The song has some very old Australian words in it which do not come up in everyday conversation. Ok really most of them don't come up in conversation ever and we mustn't have sung it in a while so they asked for a translation of what it all meant. Basically it is about a sheep stealer who jumps into a lake and drowns rather then be arrested. There was a long pause at the end of this. Followed by the next song request!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Training

Sushi training that is! Friday night Aimee went on a much anticipated sleepover with her grandparents. Reanna, Erin and I took advantage of the fact Aimee was not with us and went on a long promised trip to the sushi train.

This was not done to exclude Aimee in a horrible way. Aimee just doesn't like sushi and I am not sure how her vegetarian sensibilities could cope with some of the more exotic (and possibly authentic) types of sushi eg the ones with baby octopus. I barely cope with them!

So proud of my big girls. They each tried something new. Neither of them freaked out when they realised that some of the things going around in front of them were things like fish eggs. They both used chopsticks very nicely to start with then, when they gave up, ate neatly using their fingers (after checking it was ok first).

A lovely evening just the three of us. It was only marred by our extreme exhaustion after the sleepless night for Erin's EEG (which I have already whinged about. This is not a complaint, just an observation) and the fact I stupidly forgot to take photos. Damn. We will have to go back now ;)

1001 days .... an update

Of course this is one of those things I started all super optimistically and then promptly hit a life slump. That said I have started on the list and so far it has been fun. The idea of course was to blog about each thing, but as I haven't, you will have to make do with a longish post and shortish descriptions. So ... here goes!

10. So far we have been on one designated TMD adventure! To read about that you will have to check out the post in the TMD blog though ;) Click here to read about our trip with some of our ducklings to see 'Little Women' as a musical!

18. I am proud to say I am down 5kg. I have joined with a few friends for support and encouragement and have also signed up for myfitnesspal.com. Best thing I could have done! I am losing weight slowly and steadily and healthily and I feel great :)

22. I have actually read more then one of Angus and Robertson top 100 since I started this, but as I have only blogged about one of them, only one counts. You can read my review of 'Seven Ancient Wonders' here.

37. I have knitted four trauma teddies so far. It might actually be more then that, but I am only 100% that it has been four so lets just go with that!

43 & 44. Painting the house and organising all the books are not done, but they are definitely works in progress! I am anticipating a post soon on my soon-to-be-beautiful playroom/children's library. Did I say my? Of course I meant the girls' beautiful playroom/library ;)

72. Take the girls to the sushi train! Done :) And now I will do a separate blog post about this! Check it out here.

Some of the others I am definitely off to a good start, even if I haven't recorded it properly. Stay tuned for the next updates!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Running on empty (or caffeine)

Argh! I am beyond tired! So I thought I would have a little whinge. There are some good reasons and some not-so-good reasons for this.

Good reasons:
1. Erin had an EEG today (hopefully the last test she will need! She really is ok now) and she had to be kept up until 11pm last night and woken up at 5am.
2. It is really hot.
3. We are just all over the place with school holidays.
4. There was a lightening storm last night.

Not-so-good reasons:
1. I drank way too much caffeine yesterday knowing I had to stay up late then couldn't sleep.
2. I had the brainwave that if I was keeping her up until 11pm her dad should come round and do the wake up at 5am. He decided to come round in the middle of the night instead and kept me up. He is a light sleeper and while I normally sleep really well having him up and down wandering around all night with the storm didn't help my sleeping. (Jury is out as to whether it was worth the usefulness of him being here in the morning! But he tried so I figure he deserves points for that).

Just for the record, but "good" I meant reasonable reasons. Most scary of all is that this was my last day of leave from work, school goes back in 1.5 weeks, dance/guides the week after and uni a couple of weeks after that. A few short weeks ago I could run on minimal sleep. After today I am not so sure I can do this anymore!

The purpose of this post? Nothing really. I am just trying to keep up with regular blogging and at the moment all I can think about is sleep. Bed (oh and a book) here I come!

PS And of course the second I finished this, I thought of much more interesting topics! Now you will just have to come back tomorrow to find out what they are ;)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Memories

Some memories don't just happen by chance. Some memories are created. Well, I think they are anyway. You know, the things you did that when you were younger that you want your children to experience. Whether it be a regular Sunday roast at the grandparents' or a favourite book or holiday destination. In my case we will often have a big puzzle which lives on the main table that is an on-going work in progress. I actually don't really like jigsaws. But I love the memories of them being something we did as a family during school holidays or on rainy days. I want my girls to have those same memories of 'family'.

I can't remember if I have mentioned it before, but I grew up (until I was 13 anyway) on a sheep station in the middle(ish) of Australia. As in a 600,000 acre and 20,000 sheep type station (and those numbers are right, I double checked!). This means that a lot of my favourite childhood memories are a little, or in some cases a lot, different from lots of my friends and from my children's.

In the last year or so I have become friends with a farmer who lives about an hour and a half out of Perth. It is so very cool. She invites us out lots and my girls have now got to do some of the things that were such a part of my childhood. Playing in a shearing shed. Picking mulberries straight from the tree. Catching yabbies from a dam. Riding in the back of a ute. You get the idea. Clearly it is not the same, but it is a taste! And it is awesome. The friend has also said in a year or two when they are a bit bigger they can go and stay during part of their school holidays while I am at work and really get to do stuff. Wonderful for me, but such an amazing opportunity for the girls!

We spent the afternoon up there today. We picked mulberries. The girls got to do this last year and they have been dying to be able to do it again. Then we spent two hours cutting bulrushes out of a dam! Knee deep (or in my case waist deep) in water cutting and pulling and carrying. Real farm work! They are learning to earn their keep. I got some serious exercise in today. My friend got to do a job in an afternoon that would have taken her all week. We will all be sleeping very well tonight!

Memories. Hopefully these will be some that my girls will want to re-create for their children one day!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Road trip!!

How many of you thought I had started on the slippery slope of not blogging again? After the last few efforts of mine I would not blame you. But no, I am still here. We just had an insanely busy weekend, even for us!

A catch-up barbecue where two of my very good friends announced they were pregnant (Yay!! Sooooo excited! And by two I mean one couple. Not two different babies but that would have been doubly as exciting). A housewarming. A play (which was our Christmas present to a neice, nephew and sister). A 30th birthday and out to a country town to take the girls to have dinner with their dad.

But wait, none of that takes into account that all these events were all over the place. Not just all over Perth, but involved to trips to towns an hour or so out of Perth. Two different towns as well! I actually drove more then 500 km over the weekend which feels like we had "gone away" but no we actually hadn't! Well, we stayed the night at the housewarming but this is not really the same.

But in all that driving, we played games, listened to two audio books and sang songs. The girls also got to read and sleep (clearly not me!). And got to enjoy lots of just chatting time. It was an amazingly good weekend. We crammed so much in and I am really glad we did. Obviously it would have been nice to not have it all on at the same time, but it all worked out perfectly. And luckily I am still on leave for another week to recover ;)

I am very tired now though, which is one of the reasons you got this post instead of the long overdue update I have been planning for the 101 project! And also the reason for this post not making very much sense at all ......

Friday, January 13, 2012

Clash of the seasons

The Christmas tree and all the decorations were put away today. A little late I know, but I am still sad that they are gone. I try and celebrate Christmas for the entire Christmas church "season" ie the tree goes up on the first Sunday in Advent and goes down on 6 January. Obviously this year it did not happen! But we were a week or two late putting it up so at least we are balanced.

However we went to the shops today and they had hot cross buns. Really? In January? I told the girls no hot cross buns until Lent starts! It isn't Easter yet!! We did buy Australia shaped meat patties though. Australia Day is 26 January so I thought this was a reasonable compromise and luckily Aimee didn't click that there wasn't a vegetarian equivilent and by the time she does I am sure I will be able to do something for her.

And just to prove that I am all for celebrating any given opportunity (as long as they are seasonally appropriate) we had (icecream) spiders tonight in honour of Friday the Thirteenth.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Words of .... wisdom?!

I would just like to say, I wish I had written down some of the stuff the girls had said when they were younger. Now to remember to pass this word of wisdom to my babies when they have babies of their own. I just had to share a few gems they gave me today though.

********************


Scene: We were discussing whether to catch a bus into Fremantle while my car was being fixed or to walk to a nearby McDonald's and then kill some time at Bunnings.

Aimee: We should go to Bunnings. Then we can play on the playground and Mummy can look at gnomes.

(Um ... because I look at gnomes so often! Although this is what we did end up doing, not for this reason and I did end up buying a (ceramic) snail for the garden!)

Erin: We are going to go play on the playground, but you have to go and look at stuff Mummy* and not stand around and watch us play.
Me: Um ... sure, but why not?
Erin: Because it is embarrassing to just go in and use the playground.

*Possibly to look at the gnomes?!

******************

Posted the above conversation on facebook and a friend asked about the "rules" of leaving your child in the creche at Ikea.

Me: Erin, can you leave your child in the creche in Ikea everyday?
Erin: (thinks for a minute) As long as you don't sit and watch them play. And as long as you buy something every week or so.

Information was duly passed on to the friend who was concerned about the social etiquette in the world according to Erin.


*****************************

Scene: Later that day walking back to get the car.

Aimee: I am as hot as a sausage.
Me: I like that saying!
Aimee: Well you can't use it. And if you do use it you have to say that I thought of it.
Me: I don't think you can copyright a saying.
Aimee: I don't care about the copyright, but you can't say it unless you say I made it up.
*pause*
Aimee: How hot is a sausage?**
Me: It depends on how long you cook it for and how long since it has been taken off the stove.
Aimee: Is it hotter then a pie? I am as hot as a pie.
Me: It is the same for pies.
*longer pause*
Aimee: I am as hot as a pie that is burnt and has been in the oven for fifty years. That would be really hot wouldn't it Mummy?
Me: I liked the sausage saying better.

**particularly funny when you remember Aimee is a vegetarian and hasn't eaten a sausage for over four years.

Oh, and the girls are all planning on getting me garden gnomes for my birthday now!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

It's a small world after all

There are many, many things that serve as a reminder as to how small the world is these days. The fact I can sit in my kitchen in Perth on a hot summer's evening, type and share this thought with people all over the world in an instant is clearly one of them. Especially knowing there are people out there actually reading them. Some of whom are in places where it is snowing at the moment. I know you know this. Clearly you know this if you are reading my blog but sometimes it just hits home!

I got a facebook message from my sister's friend this morning (she is travelling around NZ) to say my sister was in emergency (she was ok) but their phones were playing up and could I please let our mum know. Mum was able to get hold of her a few hours later, but I could facebook message back and at least they knew that our parents had the information.

My friends from interstate and overseas can get news and updates on my family at the same time as people who live locally.

TV shows are the same. I can order books from the UK. Transfer money within minutes.

Such a small world.

What prompted this post? I was reading a blog post from another blogger who had bought the same bin (well it looked like same one!) from Ikea for her almost-born baby that I bought for my girls last week. It wasn't until I read the term "diaper" rather then "nappy" that it even occurred to me that she lived in the USA.

Ikea is apparently on the list of the great world-wide uniters too!!! Have I mentioned recently that I love Ikea? I bought new bookshelves from there yesterday. So happy! There will be a very, very over-excited post this time next week because I am having a few friends around for a bookshelf putting in party (ones who can drill stuff).

End of happy, random blog. Feel free to stop reading here before it changes to D&M type blogging.

I intended the post to end the loving Ikea (which I do), but as I was typing all I could think of were the ads that used to be on tv (probably about 20 years ago now. Argh!) about how it is not the "Third World" it is all one world. Which I strongly agree with. It should be one world. It is one world but the gap between rich and poor seems to be getting greater by the day. And I think that as the developed world gets more and more unified the gap gets even bigger. It just made me think.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Sunday randomness

One of my facebook things that I like to do is post in a 'Thankful' group. Friends of mine got sick of the constant complaining and negativity and created a place for people to remember to be thankful for things, both big and little.

For me it has been great! There is nothing like the challenge of thinking of something everyday and the mindset of finding things to be thankful for can only be a good one. A bit modern-day Pollyanna of course, but really I think we could have worse role models.

This morning I woke up incredibly stiff. I went to a polefitness (aka pole dancing for exercise) class yesterday for the first time in about two years. Then, those of you who read my post from yesterday will remember, I walked to the baseball last night. Not far, but I don't think sitting in the cold helped (and it was very cold considering we are in the middle of summer).

But back to me being thankful. We went to church this morning. My poor sore thighs were not dealing well with having to sit then stand then sit then stand (you know how it goes), and all I could think of was that I was thankful we don't kneel! If that had been part of the agenda for the day I don't think I could have made it.

What are you thankful for this week?!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Take me out to the ball game

This post is for all you American people out there! The girls and I went to our first baseball game tonight and had a great time. I am now feeling very multicultural. Sport in general isn't my thing, but I like supporting local events and watching anything live is more fun. Plus someone else organised it which is always a bonus!

Here is Australia, baseball isn't that big, but there is a .... um ... I am actually not sure of the word to use here? Stadium? (It doesn't look big enough to be a stadium). Field? Anyway you know what I mean, and there is one near us. Our state won! Which was very considerate of them for our first time.

We went with a few friends. One of whom had organised a barbeque beforehand and we all walked down together. I still have no idea what was going on though. Luckily a few of the people we went with did and answered all the girls' questions (mine too). Funny moment was when one of girls answered something I'd asked and when I was sitting there flabbergasted, she (I think it was Erin) calmly told me she'd learnt it from playing WiiSport! Apparently it is educational.

Things I have learnt tonight:
1. Always ask what the colours of the team you are supporting are prior to the match to avoid children having a panic attack. (In case you were wondering they ended up being red, black and white. This was lucky because Aimee had lots of red stuff. Otherwise there may have been tears).
2. Google basic rules in advance or take someone with you who knows what is going on.
3. Doesn't matter if it is the middle of summer, better to take a blanket with you then to not.
4. Things aren't always like they appear on tv (but they did sing 'Take me out to the ball game'. I was so, so excited).
5. Possibly actually something about baseball. We will have to wait for next time thogh to find that one out!

So that was the new thing we tried this weekend and I think we will go back :)

I hate this question

I feel today is a landmark day. I went to a second-hand bookshop and didn't buy a single book for myself. Probably less remarkable because thanks to my cousin moving interstate I have one and half boxes of books to read, but still this is very impressive. Normally there is at least one book in the bargain book for a dollar or two that I just have to get.

Naturally I had to post this groundbreaking news on facebook. Probably not surprisingly someone commented they don't know when I get time to read. I hate this question. I never know what to say. Honestly, I can't *not* read.

Example: As I type, it is just after midnight. I have just got home. And I am about to go to bed. I might only read a chapter or two, but I know I won't be able to go to sleep until I have read a page or two ....

PS Hmmm ... halfway through writing this I have a feeling I may have posted a similar post before? Argh! I am too new a blogger to sound like a broken record already.

PPS Before you are too impressed, I did buy each of the girls a book. Including Reanna who wasn't with us. Her sisters insisted she would like the particular book ... and I wanted to read it too. But this doesn't count! Does it?!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Grandma duties

I would like to begin by saying that I do not have any pets. I do not need any pets. I have three children and an ex-husband. I am pretty sure this is enough for any person. I am not against the idea in principal. I think they are great for kids and I think I would like one, one day when my nest is empty.

The girls however have a rabbit (Misty) and goldfish (assorted names). My ex has a budgie (Boris) who lives with me (short version of a long story, we used to babysit the budgie when the ex went away and one day he just moved in. The bird, not the ex. There was slightly more discussion before we moved in together).

I am very fond of the pets overall. It is nice coming home and finding Boris there being very excited to see us. Misty is very cute and I have always wanted goldfish. But they are not my responsibility. The girls do a great job of looking after them and I think I have posted before about them leaving notes for me to remind me what to do when they go away. This is fine! Grandma duties :)

We went away for a few days. I arranged for a friend to come and feed and water them and to play with the rabbit and talk to the bird. I even left him in front of the TV so he didn't get lonely. He didn't talk to us for about three days when we got home. Seriously. When we spoke to him he put his head under his wing (and I have never seen him do that before!) or would turn his back. For three days we all, me included, attempted to get him to speak to us. He did. Eventually. But not before I felt bad! Isn't mother-guilt bad enough? Now I have pet-Grandma guilt!

But wait ... there is more! Our rabbit may or may not be pregnant. Sadly through the girls being responsible pet owners and taking her for a play in the backyard. Unfortunately the next door neighbours rabbit was there too. My colleagues thought it was hysterically funny listening to me trying to work out what was going on when Erin called me at work (my little sister was babysitting by the way).

And in amongst all this, my ex is talking about buying a dog ....to keep at our house. Hmmm ... my theory here is he can foot all the bills! But I have been broken into several times in the last couple of years so I am not actually totally against this. However I take pet owning seriously and this is a big call.

His latest plan is thinks the girls might like chooks. The might. But all I am saying is "I don't think so!!"

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Freedom of speech

Told you I am back :) I am still busy catching up on blog reading from the last few months, so don't be surprised if you get random comments on posts you made a while ago.

Being back aside, today I need to have a bit of a rant. (If you don't want to read, come back tomorrow! Otherwise continue at your own risk. You have been warned).

I love blogs. I love facebook. I love the internet. But I have to admit I sometimes find it very hard to bite my tongue (sit on my hands?) about some of the stuff people post. Sometimes I am ashamed to admit I can't restrain myself. My Dad had a favourite quote when I was little (and probably more importantly when I was a teenager): "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". I have no idea who's quote it really is, but in my head it was Dad's*. In his head he meant it, even though I am not sure how well he really applied to teenage daughters. Now I have almost teen aged daughters I am a lot more sympathetic about this too. Remind me again why it was a good idea to teach them to think for themselves? But I digress!

I do agree. I really, really do. But it is hard when people are saying things that are racist or sexist or ageist or classist or just plain ignorant. Sorry, but some things are. Where is the line? At what point does it change from respecting their view to it being *me* assisting to perpetuate the biases by keeping quiet?

Thanks to things like facebook this is a whole new area of etiquette that not only we have to learn as adults, but also that we need to teach our children. Another minefield!

All this aside, there are so many wonderful people out there, who look at things in ways that are different to mine. Who have had different lives, different beliefs and cultures and experience and I feel so privileged to be able to learn from others and expand my understanding of the universe. And, most of the time, this makes it all worthwhile.

*According to Google it was Voltaire who said it originally. I wonder if he had teenage daughters?

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Tales from an absent blogger

31 August 2011 since my last post?! Wow. Really?! .... I am way too embarrassed to read the last blog I actually *did* post. I am sure it was full of promises I wasn't going to stop again. So if I repeat my excuses it will either sound very genuine or like I am totally waffling ;)

I have really missed blogging and I have missed reading blogs, but it did just fall off the radar. Uni got insane. I decided it was irresponsible to blog at work (how grown up am I getting?!) and my darling daughters' dancing schedule takes up so much time! [Side note, after swearing black and blue I was not goin to put up with the same dancing timetable as last year, this year has gone from 4 days to 5 days! Not sure how this has happened, but I actually think it will work better. Strange but true - I hope so anyway!].

My big thing was Erin getting sick. Quite sick. It has all been resolved now, but I seem to have spent months in doctors' surgeries, at the children's hospital, waiting for test results, organising baby-sitters and updating people whether it was by text message, phone or email. Some lovely people just got the "she is fine, but can I tell you in person? I am too tired to explain it all again!". Short version she is fine now and hopefully will stay this way. It was huge for us and our family, but through the whole process it all just made me feel so, so lucky that overall my babies have been happy and healthy. So many people are not this lucky.

We also had an idealic few days down South with one of my sisters and her family. Had a visit from another sister and my nephew who lived interstate for Christmas. Survived another semester of uni and I am now entering my final year! (Admittedly I will be completing it over 18 months, but this is not the point). Reanna graduated primary school (with much crying, mostly by me but she had her fair share of tears on her last day).

I am sure more has happened, but these have been the key points in a nutshell. There may be a few later posts with retrospective tales!

Happy New Year everyone and I am looking forward to much blog reading and writing in 2012.