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10 years ago...



Well exactly 10 years ago (I mean right now 8.40pm on July 29th, 1998) I was watching Blue Heelers and my waters broke!! Nothing happened for 2 hours then finally (I think from my excitement) contractions started. After a quick two hour labour Reuben Joel was born at 12.26am on July 30th - his due date. We were so excited to have a little brother for Isaac. And just check him out...doesn't he have the most kissable lips??

5 Years Ago...

We had been living in our 'new' house we built (big learning curve) at Mt Nelson for about 10 months and we had also added a daughter to our family, 'Beautiful Bella'. It was really exciting having the first girl in the family and the boys absolutely fell in love with her. It was also the year Reuben started kinder at Mt Nelson Primary and Isaac was in year 1.

5 Months Ago...

This was a difficult month for me...I was threatened at gun point when a man committed an armed robbery at the store where I work casually. It is really hard for me to explain to any one else what it feels like, what I experienced immediately after and during the next few weeks so I wont try. Suffice to say it was something I am trying (and succeeding) to put behind me. Now I guess I'm pretty much back to normal (whatever that is!). I have to say that I am so grateful for the wonderful counsellors at 'victims of crime' for their help, the Tassie police force who, in my opinion, were faultless, All of my friends and family, but especially my patient and loving hubby, Matt, and my four beautiful kids who just love me no matter what. Family just make life so much more worthwhile don't they????

5 things on my 'to do' list for tomorrow.

• Sing Happy Birthday to Reuben
• Watch Reuben open his pressies
• make Reuben's birthday cake
• take Reuben and his buddies to the movies
• Give Reuben an extra kiss and hug when he goes to bed.

5 bad habbits

EASY...

1. talking too much!


2. leaving my hair straightner turned on


3. falling asleep watching tv (I guess if I'm asleep technically I'm not watching it!?)


4. saying 'YES' everytime I'm asked to do something - I'm working on this one though


5. forgetting to eat when I get busy - actually it's more procrastinating and then it gets too late cause it's time for the next meal. Don't do this often but it's not good!
   

5 Places I've lived

Also easy 'cause I have only lived in 5 places!

1. Savage River


2. Glen Huon


3. Launceston


4. Warrane


5. Mt Nelson

5 things people may not know about me:

• I have a Bachelor of Nursing


• I'm allergic to Mosquitoes


• I've never tried oysters


• I've done CPR on 'real' people


• I REALLY, REALLY wish I could sing (properly, not just keep a tune)!

5 people I tag

Lou Lou

Aimee

Justine

Kimberley

I guess it will have to be 4! - I'm new at this and I don't know anyone else who hasn't already been tagged

CHOOKIES

Well our lovely little chookies have been through the ringer!!! last summer we acquired four hens and a chook house from a friend who was moving. Each of the kids claimed one for themselves and promptly named them 'Cloudy', 'KFC', Brick, and 'Sophie'. Matt got to work and made them an enclosure up the back of our yard and they promptly began to supply us with fresh eggs every morning. YUM. The kids would take turns taking out the 'scraps' and collecting the days eggs. FUN.

UNTIL...one day Reuben went out with the scraps only to discover his chook 'Cloudy' with her head stuck between to timber strips on the floor of the 'house'. She had been there for some time (she'd managed to lay two eggs there)and was almost DEAD! her legs were bloody and her kneck was cut from struggling to get free. She was only just hanging on and Reuben was most upset. I told him not to worry too much because chooks are TOUGH but there was a chance she might not make it...Well she made it! phew! A couple of days later she was as good as gold but obviously the stress had been too much and she stopped laying :(

Gradually they all stopped laying (cold weather - I think it's normal for them to stop for a while over winter). Then one morning Matt came in from outside to inform us that we only had one chook left!!!!!!! We figured that someone took them and later we discovered that was, in fact the case. We knew who did it so when I was at work and the culprit came to the counter I simply said "We know you took our chooks, we really miss them so can you put them back please?". A week later they reappeared in their yard!! (minus one...don't ask, don't know, don't wanna know)).

So now we have three chookies. Only problem is they've figured out how to fly over the fence so I have spent 4 hours over 2 days chasing chooks in the neighbours yard - stressing them out (and me). I thought we were doomed to never have fresh eggs again but Isaac, Reuben and I have clipped their wings so now they stay put and on Sunday Morning we got our first egg of the season YAAAAA! And we've had another today. I'm sure the others will follow suit really soon. Is it worth it?????????? definately.

We are going to borrow dad's rooster so that we can have our own little chickies. Can't wait.

FOUR EYES

Isaac got his glasses today!!!!!

I think he looks GREAT!

We recently discovered that Isaac is a little short sighted so he now has these cool specs for when he is watching TV, looking at the whiteboard at school, at the movies, and later, when he drives (OH MY GOODNESS! I can't believe that it is only 4 years until he can get his learners permit!!!!!!!!!!).

Very distinguished Isaac xx

Appreciation Books

This Year our Stake President (President Prebble) issued our stake with several directives, they were a list of things we could (or should) set a goal to do during the year. One of these things was to get an appreciation book. A book you write in on a regular basis (weekly) to reflect on the previous week and to record your thoughts the things you are grateful for in life. It is a wonderful way of helping us to recognise God's hand in everything, but more specifically in our own, individual lives. We decided that for FHE this week we would make our own! Here they are!! They look great (well the kids' do anyway). Now all we have to do is REMEMBER to use it.

Stay tuned because next month we are having a Stake YW service activity to make 'care rugs' (knitted squares all sewn together to make a blanket) for some unwell members of our community. Also at this activity the YW will be making their own 'Appreciation Books' with the help of the very talented Chelsea Parsons. These books will be made from 100% recycled materials (well mostly). Should be FUN.

Winter Woolies

A few years ago I bought myself a cosy beanie with ear flaps at the Vic market in melbourne. I love it and so do the girls, they are always 'stealing' it so I decided it was time for me to get out the knitting needles and make them one of their own. They turned out so much better than I expected. I just made it up as I went!!! I lined them with polar fleece (so they're not itchy to wear) and blanket stitched around the outside. After these pics were taken Charlotte insisted on a pompom so one has been added and it looks rather CUTE! Not too bad for a novice knitter. Give it a go if you feel inclined, it was much easier than I thought. There are heaps of free patterns on the internet. Bella's is the same wool in different colours. These cost me about $6.00 for both and took only one night each to make. Definitely worth it. I'll post some pics of Bella in hers when I get the chance!

School Reunion

A few Months ago I attended my 20 year! High School Reunion. The Class of '88 met for what turned out to be a really fun night. Here's me and a few friends.


Since that night a few of us got together again with our hubby's/wives/partners etc for a meal at a restaurant in Huonville. I have NEVER seen meals so H U G E ! Hope to get together again soon.