You, Me & Three

Lisa - Woman of Grace

2012-02-04T21:01:00.002+11:00

I have been watching Lisa as she is living through this with a smile for the other mourners, hugs for those who are crying for HER husband and I am reminded of another strong woman, Emma Smith. Both women have lost children, and buried their husbands in the prime of their lives, yet still remain standing through it all, not letting anything break them. It blows me away really, that strength and faith.

There is a song about Emma Smith and these are some of the lyrics that I think mirror the kind of woman Lisa is and her life at this time

"With the world on your shoulders, when the nights had grow colder, you seemed to weather every storm with a Queen's grace. When you lost your husband, and you buried your children, I think the angels stood in reverence as you prayed. How much can one heart take?"

I think that angels do stand in reverence around you Lisa. And you are full of grace. We love and admire you so much, and Jalen, Harri and Kobe are such wonderful strong, brave boys because of you and Aaron.

Aaron

2012-01-28T20:53:00.006+11:00

{Photo off Lisa's blog}

Still can't believe that Aaron has headed on Home to be with Noah so soon after Noah himself was able to go. It is so hard for us to feel its true and he isn't just away or something.

Chrish called us just after 9pm on the 26th of January - Australia day. We thought it was just a 'hello - hurry up and get here' kind of call as we hadn't yet headed to St Helens for our first big family holiday. I soon realised it wasn't that kind of call as Jared's face dropped and he pointed to turn off the T.V. He hung up pretty soon and said that Aaron had been fishing and then was eating dessert and had collapsed and wasn't breathing. We were in disbelief and started praying he'd be ok. I went online to look up allergic reactions as I thought - oh he'd just been eating maybe its anaphylactic shock - he must have eating something that he was allergic to and didn't know. Chrish rang again when the ambulance got there and then we got the next call telling us he was gone - Jared and I were in complete disbelief! How could Aaron be gone. Not now, not yet.

Aaron was full of love and full of laughs. I think love and laughter best describe him, and that is how I will remember him. He was so patient all the time, and able to create a joke about anything and nothing.

Aaron's adoration for his beautiful wife Lisa was so plain to see - he was smitten! And I think treated her so lovingly. His boys were his world and he dedicated his life to them and Lisa.

What was left of him he dedicated to his students, he will always be such a loved and respected teacher who will be known for always going the extra mile and believing in his students. So amazing to see hundreds of young people there. His influence on them will in turn influence their children. He is leaving behind a massive legacy.

I don't know why he had to go just now. Its really seems 'unfair' for Lisa and the boys. We hate it that they are feeling so sad and Lisa so lonely. Wow I still can't really think he isn't sitting at home watching some kind of sport, giving Noah cuddles on the couch.I guess it isn't my reality, it isn't my life that has taken such a massive turn. I can't see that family 'do's' are going to be so light hearted without him there leading the jokes about making croutons and other family jokes. Hopefully some of us will develop quicker wits to try to keep up with his.

I am so sad for Jalen, who looked up to his dad so much, and who reminds me of him in so many ways. I feel sad that he doesn't get to have his dad take him to the Temple for the first time, or help him with his homework, or chat about his wife to be or a million other things. I feel sad for him that he has 'grown up' so soon, and is worrying about all those grown up things - when other boys his age get to just worry about kid stuff. But there is this quiet strength in Jay, he has such great faith.

I am so sad for Harri because his dad is his hero and 'gets' his sports madness like noone else ever could - indeed I think it was an inherited trait! I feel sad that he gets so scared and sad for Noah and Aaron too now, that he feels alone even when there are heaps of his school friends around. I know he will feel happiness again, but its sad that children ever have to feel this kind of sadness.

I am sad for Kobester too. He must be missing his dad like crazy, even though he is a little ray of sunshine and I am sure Aaron must miss all of his boys to - I am sad for Aaron that HE doesn't get to experience all these things on earth (though I am SURE he and Noah are having a wonderful time together!).

I guess there is nothing left to say but Aaron, you have gone ahead, but you will never be forgotten, you have written your name in far too many hearts for that to ever happen.

"when at length when I've completed all you sent me forth to do, with your mutual aprobation let me come and dwell with you"

It will be wonderful to see your reunion with Lisa and ALL your boys "some bright celestial day".

Jack turns One

2011-12-08T10:03:00.007+11:00

Can't believe how fast this year has flown by. This tiny little 6 pound something baby,

(Photo courtesy of Lisa King)

has turned into this cheeky-tantrum throwing-screeching-almost running toddler!

He is the sweetest little thing with a HUGE personality. He is turning into the bully of the family (stealing the title from his older brother) he will take things from Eamon who will in turn start crying and let Jack take them! Jack doesn't like to share his mum with anyone and gets very cross if the other two have a cuddle with me. He still wakes anywhere from 2 to 4 times a night - but is pretty good at going back to sleep after a feed and cuddle.

He started out so much smaller than his siblings but I have no doubt he will continue to stack on the chubb and attempt to rival his brother in the "brute" department.

Jack's favourite past times include making others laugh, opening the fridge and tasting anything that looks even slightly 'off ', destroying his sisters intricate games, eating rocks and all other cheeky pursuits.

We had a lovely day it was such a sunny one too! We started off taking a long time to work out that there was something IN the gift (the phone was more interesting)!

After that we headed to Hawley Beach for a play with church play group. Jakc LOVED the water and would have gone in to the deep water if not for his sisters watchfullnes and I was keeping an eye out too!
(Did you know there were mermaids at Hawley? Here are two sunning themselves on a rock!)

Then home for a bath and sleep before cake! Happy birthday to our beautiful baby!

We love Jack - he brings a lot of love and laughter into our home and we look forward to him being the 'peacemaker' that his baby blessing referred to!!

Sitting on "Old Pop's" Chair (Harry Triffitt), just before bed on his birthday - check out that face!

Imagination...

2011-11-12T11:45:00.004+11:00

"climb into your imaginary space ship, grab an imaginary wheel and steer, hold your breath for an imaginary moment and fly away from here" (Kasey Chambers)

I think my children were born with excessively vivid imaginations. I am really glad about it. they are good at playing lots of make believe games - and the older Eamon gets the more he is willing to 'join in' with Kelsea's elaborate games. Eamon will also play well on his own and tends to get into strife if left to get bored. He loves pretending to be a horse, dog, dinosaur (favourite), super (as in super giggle/super hoot), and riding his "fire" bike (not sure why its called that - perhaps it is a fire engine?). When he rides his fire-bike - he makes starting up noises as well as brmmmm etc.

{jumping his bike on the trampoline}

Kelsea has lots of different games she plays too. She loves to grab anything within reach and turn them into a family of people (could be sauce bottles, empty milk containers, hairspray - whatever is left out on the bench). Kelsea sets up elaborate shops ranging from hair dressers, to supermarkets, to cafes and bakeries. Both of the children love to play hospitals and set up tents and cubbies everywhere. I often hear this phrase from Kels "just pretend that..." like half a dozen times a day.

{a bakery}

{a water fountain}

{putting on a concert with Maddi}

Jack is starting to get into the playing stage - and though he isn't content to play much on his own ( he like me to hold him - a lot!) he prefers big kid toys and games - and well pretty much anything that is plugged into a wall - he especially likes to go for the plug when i am vacuuming or the kids aer watching ABC kids. and he LOVES the bright blue light of the computer! He is starting to be a climber - and gets into the dishwasher - climbs up stairs already and I am just wating for him to find his way to the deck and toddle off the high end! At the moment he bangs on the screen door as his brother and sister arce around the deck on their bikes. he seems to love the trampoline and isn't the least bit worried about being bounced around. I hope I get skinny running after him (as his is walking, power crawling).

{Playing row row your boat}

{Playing peak-a-boo}

I love that our children love to make games up and have so much fun in their imaginary worlds.

Poem

2011-11-09T11:16:00.003+11:00

Oh give me patience when
Wee hands
Tug at me with their small
Demands.

And give me gentle and
Smiling eyes,
Keep my lips from
Hasty replys.

And let not our weariness,
Confusion, or noise
Obscure my vision of
Life's fleeting joys.

So when, in years to come
My house is still -
No bitter memories its
Room may fill.

Celebrating Jared

2011-10-21T20:15:00.005+11:00

Jared had his birthday this week, and as he said to me "its just another day", I thought we'd make it a little more special than the rest of the year! We started by letting dad have a little sleep in - til about 8:15 am until Kelsea HAD to wake him so he could have his presents!

Kelsea decided that the present dad would love the most would be a sparkle wand! So off to Toyworld we went and found the perfect one (til it was broken half hour later by the gift giver - "dad - I have some bad luck...)

The other present we found was a Gold panning kit - and a gold prospecting book. Those who know Jared well will know he has developed a slight case of gold fever and also got a metal detector earlier in the year!

We headed off to Anvers for breakfast - was supposed to be a surprise but one excited little girl told dad we were going to Antlers - then later spilled all the beans (also spilled the panning kit beans too!). It was a pretty yum brekky - he had a bacon and eggs (fancy style) and I had like 3 croissants with heaps of choc fudgy sauce that Eamon LOVED - got the kids some expensive fruit salads - Jack got nothin'! Anvers has a beautiful garden that we had a little play in before heading home.

Jared went looking for gold and 4WD- ing on his own - an dI spent the rest of the day in the kitchen making a cake - that well kinda fell apart and Kelsea saved it and turned it into a masterpiece - making chocolate mousse - and ribs with roasted vegie wedges.

{twas meant to be a windmill but Kels turned it into a seascape complete with seaweed and Strawberry fish!}

Think that Jared had a good birthday!

SOmething I really love about Jared is that he gets really passionate about things. He LOVES his newest car because of its ability to do anything, go anywhere and that it was really cheap so he doesn't mind taking it "bush". He loves taking it up ridiculous tracks that make Eamon scream (thats why he went on his own!) and I hold my breath and grab the panic handle, though I know he'd never roll us - it just feels like it!

{I went up this track with him and the boys - it was scarier and steeper than it looks plus there was a gully on our side!}

Another hobby of Jared's is Rock tumbling. He has always had a fascination with rocks and is always looking for them everywhere we go - he can tell you where each rock has come from (he has as many rocks as Lisa does photos! Ok maybe not that many!)

Recently I have started to see the beauty in the rocks too. We picked up a rock tumbler for a steal at $40 at a garage sale and he has turned the ordinary into the extrordinary - the photos really don't do the rocks justice. Jared has a particular interest in clear quartz and has lots of quartz in his collection, and has recently picke up some beautiful Jasper specimens as well. You will often see him pick up rocks and lick them to see what they will polish up like!

Kelsea has become his little apprentice and even has her own little collection of polished rocks. Jack also loves to pop them in his mouth and speed crawls over to the mat when he gets them out of the tumblers! Eamon loves to play with them too.

I love how differently we see the world - rocks would never have gotten much attention from me before I met Jared - but there is so much beauty in such tiny little things.

{a lovely piece of Jasper in the middle}

I guess life is always like that - you find beauty in the unexpected.

Happy birthday Jared
xx

Some Bright Celestial Day

2011-10-16T16:03:00.004+11:00

I first met Noah when he was about 4 months old. He was the most adorable little baby. However I first heard of him just before Jared I began dating - our ward had been asked to fast for the King baby - and the name rang a bell. I guess the rest is history - Jared and I got married and I became Noah's Aunty! Lisa and Aaron worked tirelessly to ensure that Noah always had the best treatments for his health conditions and also so that he was included as a "normal" child in every way possible.

I think that this has always impressed me about the relationship Noah had with his family, he was involved in everything - from opening his presents to greeting new cousins - he was never forgotten on the sidelines - but included in as many family events and trips as possible.

{Check out Grandpas peace sign!}

Before Harri was born Lisa started training me up a little to help out with Noah when the baby was born - at first I was a little daunted but after a little practicing I got the hang of helping him have feeds and Meds (his grandma did most of it - i usually just was there to help :)) I also got to babysit him a few times on his own and loved having little chats with him. I think as Simone has mentioned once you start getting to know Noah - he gets you hooked - something about those big brown eyes and that cheeky smile he would give when you rubbed his chest! I remember one day i was watching the three boys for Lisa when she ducked out, and I was feeding the newborn Harri a bottle and Noah started doing this choking thing - wow I was stressing - quick I'm yelling to Jay who oh so casually goes and gets the tubes and bottle from the kitchen , without a blink as i am throwing the baby (not literally - well a little - sorry Hazza!!) onto the cushion and grabbing Noah (who was waaaay lighter then!) All turned out well - but my admiration for his parents grew about a thousand fold!

When Lisa sent us a text telling us that Noah was going into hospital - we didn't really worry - as he had been in a lot in his short years - but I called her an hour or so later and found out that things were much more serious. A little more time and a few texts later - we found out he was being flown to RHH Intensive care. I have no idea the stress his family felt and fear as they couldn't fly with him and hold his hand - I am certain it was amongst the longest of hours in their lives.

As the week went by we would check facebook - read blog entries and text or call to hear how he was doing - I kept having this feeling to go down to Hobart and see them all - kept putting it off to the weekend when we finally said - lets just head down. Lisa called us part way down and told us that Noah wasn't going to make it through the day. It was a bit of a shock for us - but Lisa did tell Jared on the Thursday that the doctors had told them to be prepared.

It was such a surreal feeling being at the Hospital with Noah and his beautiful family. There was so much love - the air was thick with it. And there was such tenderness between Noah and those who love him most. It was lovely that Di and Alison could also be there. I am not sure how long Di has been Noah's carer - but for so long I can't really remember her not being there - Jared and I call her Noah's 2nd Mum. The love she has for this sweet boy is so evident. We didn't take our kids in to see Noah - I regret this a little - but am mostly glad as I know how disruptive one in particular can be - and this was not a day for tantrums and fist fights. It was amazing to feel the difference between Noahs little room and the visitors lounge. In the room with Noah it was so peaceful and there was a spirit of reverence surrounding his space - even the little ones were quieter in there. It is humbling to be in the prescence of a Spirit that is surely bound for Celestial Glory. He inspires all who know him to strive harder to be better to love more and to have hope.

Jared and I anxiously awaited the time of his death, and when we both got texts at the same time - we knew he'd gone on ahead.

We will miss Noah and I am so glad that I got to spend so much time with him when he and I were younger!

It was so lovely to sit with the hundreds as his much loved family spoke so proudly and lovingly of their Noah, I was impressed with them all - they had the Spirit so strongly there - but i was particularly impressed with Harris sure hope in Noah's resurrection - what a faith filled little boy!

I loved all the music chosen for Noah's last gathering, especially the changed lyrics to I am a child of God - so moving.

I also loved the beautiful resting place for Noah, and the sweet send off with bubbles and bright balloons and happy childrens laughter and inquisitiveness.

We are so sad for Aaron, Lisa, Jay, Harri and Kobe - we love them all and hope that the days and weeks are kind to them and that the love and laughter they always have will forever remain and sustain them.

Noah - you rest in that well earned peace - til we all meet again "some bright celestial day".

Read more beautiful thoughts by those who loved Noah - Lisa, Chrish, Simone, Alison, Becky, Toni

These Summer Days

2011-09-29T15:47:00.004+10:00

So its not officially summer yet - its actually just the beginning of Spring - BUT we have been having the odd warm day that are teasing us into feeling like summer is here!

This is the most regular view of Eamon.

Kelsea asked me if she could be a model.

{Squeaking Point - September 24th 2011}

Lovin' this about motherhood

2011-09-27T21:23:00.004+10:00

I have three children. I love playing with them and watching them and learning things with them...but sometimes what I love the most is ...... watching them sleep. They are so peaceful then - there are no frowns or growls or fighting or negotiating or pleas for food or helping to play or food or can we go to someones house or food....of course its not always like that - there are so many beautiful moments and happy times with much laughter and artisitc creation.

Its just nice sometimes to rest from chasing Master Two around, dealing with mud baths and tipped out washing powder - self toileting and the aggression only a two year old boys boy can have!

{Eamon has a bottle for bed and is usually out like a light!}

Its nice some times to rest from the 501 questions of Miss Five and trying to respond in a nice manner to the new negotiating and independant language skills she is learning, and rest from the arguments that these to innately different Spirits have when they clash!!

{ Kelsea always sleeps with that scrap of fabric her "fairy cloth" she has had it since she was about 6 months old. She is very routine based and needs to have everything the same each night - every night she calls out - usually numerous times "love you - good night - don't let the bed bugs bite - see you in the morning - noaptebuna (Romainian goodnight) plus a lullaby that i usually have to make up - followed by a song about Jesus}

So I am LOVING the peace that comes when they are sleeping!! Also love the peace that comes when Jacky boy is asleep (rare as that is!)

He is seemingly following in the footsteps of his "active" brother and Big cousins Alex and Archer! In to everything at the moment - especially if it ISN'T a baby toy! He loves to push chairs around the house and be altogether too cute !! (p.s. No pick of the baby - was not goign to risk waking him to take the shot!!) And you know what - when the kids are sleeping - its like we stop being mum and dad and get our names back again!!

Book Burning

2011-09-05T07:13:00.003+10:00

Jared completed his building apprenticeship last week. We are all really excited - but Jared is super happy as it means no more TAFE! WOOHOO - so we celebrated with a little book burning (don't worry it was just a folder with useless modules in it - so hoping he doesn't need it!!)

Congratulations to Jared - we are so proud of him xLovin this pic of Jared and Eamon - like Father like son- they could sleep anywhere - I should add like grandfather also - Nick was asleep on the couch aswell!

First Day Of Spring BBQ

2011-09-01T20:37:00.005+10:00

It was a beautiful first day of Spring - even quite warm - I think my boys got burnt heads at play group from the first burning sunshine of the season. I thought it would be a lovely treat to take the children to the park for a bbq for tea. We are lucky and have a few spots where we can bbq near by. Kelsea insisted that it was for Fathers day so Jared could choose where we went - but we had to go to the place she said! It was all good though - so we ended up at a popular little beach spot that is kid friendly and ahs bbq facilities.

It was a perfect evening - and the sea air smelt divine - here are a few pics from our piece of paradise.

Even before we started cooking these little...darlings....came flocking to us!

Eamon took off straight for the beach only to be told to waith for Dad! He is such a lovely boy - and also such a rough and ready kid - he is sensitive and really aggresive and loves the great outdoors (I had just bathed him before we left as he came into the house trailing thick sticky black mud behind him- yay!)

Jack is so sweet - he sucked on a 'rafferty's garden' tube the whole time - he is such a snuggly baby.
{With a worried look because Eamon had just chased the gulls on to the road}

Kelsea loves to have her picture taken - lucky the camera loves her! Kelsea LOVES bbq-ing and family time together - she is always at her happiest when we are out doing something like this together! She is growing too fast - wishing that we could freeze her at 5!

Jared took some scenic shots - and I did some stuff to the birds on a wire shot- dunno what I did - dunno how to make it look good - but it's like this now!!

Book Week

2011-09-01T19:53:00.002+10:00

Book Week came and went and Kelsea dressed up as a favourite character - can you guess?

Eamon tagged along as 'super' someone with his sword pipe.

Hanging with some friends in the cubby ( she was a little miffed as all the girls had on beautiful fairy dresses and she did not - still struggling with needing to be the prettiest!!)

She loved the Rapunzel story long before Tangled appeared - now both Kelsea and Eamon love to watch Tangled numerous times a week - even though its a little scratched and worn.

"mum - look - I'm Rapunzel with her long hair".

Rapunzel was also my favourite fairy tale as a child - loved the original story!

Kelsea's 5th Birthday

2011-08-25T21:05:00.007+10:00

Kelsea had been looking forward to her birthday for a while - and there had been much discussion about gifts and cakes and family. Two weeks before her birthday we made a trip to the Huon to visit with my extended family and to go to Archer's 2nd birthday party. Whilst there Kelsea's birthday started! She recieved a lovely outfit from Halle and family and a pink barbie Scooter from Tyler and Jess. the next weekend Nanna Lena came up for a visit and took Kelsea out for the morning - they went to lots of shops and Kelsea came back with lots of presents from a tiny pink sequin skirt to some sparkly shoes to a necklace and a DVD and more, she had the best time and loved having Nan to herself for a few hours. The Tuesday was such a beautiful sunny day Kelsea opened her Lego and Craft box and loved them

and she also got 'the wonky Donkey" Ï was walking down the road and I saw a Donkey...hee haw..." (got it stuck in your head now?!!?)- we spent the morning decorating the cake

and at lunch time packed up our sandwiches and walked to the beach

- we had a great time - with Kelsea chasing away the seagulls and searching for treasure. Chloe and Lachie and Hugh and Steph joined us for a little while until kels got splashed on her legs and they started hurting and Eamon got a little miserable.

We had a pretty impromptu BBQ with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunty Nicki and kids and Eden and family - Kelsea had a fantastic day and loved all the gifts and fuss. I think the high light was the balloon fight (though Grandma kept making kids cry;) )and the hot/cold game! Thanks for coming guys!
(so much for the low key birthday this year!) And sorry Kings - it was organised too late! We missed you all though x

(Kelsea keeps asking if I felt different when I got older - as she still feels four!)

FHE {WORDS}

2011-08-22T23:16:00.002+10:00

A while ago I came across an idea that really appealed to me for family home evening. The general topic was on words. We used this idea tonight in Family Home Evening - and it seemed to really work well with our 5 year old - not too sure how much younger you could make it work with - but I think you could adjust the lesson to suit anywhere up to just adults.

Materials: Cardboard, scissors, pen, scriptures, Book of Mormon reader, or perhaps flannel board characters of the people of Ammon.

The Lesson:

Read the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's or The People of Ammon - stress how they buried the weapons and would NEVER again take them up.

Then have a discussion about how words can cut us just like swords can and how it hurts etc. (and talk about all the unkind words floating around your home - if you have any that is!)

You will then produce a heap of mini cardboard swords - depending on ages and numbers - then write down the words you have come up with on a sword. (Kels was great at coming up with words - she suggested "please stop that" but we said that wasn't going on a sword!)

After you have written the swords out - explain to the family that you aren't going to use these words anymore - and as soon as they are buried they can't be used again - just like the people of Ammon buried their swords - and even if people are angry or tired or someone looked at them the wrong way - they can never use those swords again - just like the POA would never again pick up their weapons even to defend their own lives.

Then go and bury them in the garden - the kids LOVED this - and dug numerous holes - you could just throw it in the bin or burn them or something.

Hoping that this will work really well - I will post the original source asap - as it was not my idea - just loved it and am not sure where it came from!

Update

2011-08-08T10:01:00.003+10:00

So after about two weeks I am down 2 kg! jsut another ten or so to go. So what do you think of the BMI as an indicator of health? I did mine and it said I am just below obese! I don't think that is quite the case - though I also found out my healthy weight range starts at around 50kg! wow Don't think I will ever be that light - or even want to be that small - I would get so cold I think!!

How CUTE is Jack? He started crawling last week - forwards that is - he has been crawling backwards for a while now! His first word has been dad. He is super attached to me and will try to throw himself at me when Jared has him - he is eating a little here and there and is putting together a few hours sleep at a time - though over night he is shocking so I think it may be time for some sleep settling similar to the way we taught Eamon (as he is a great sleeper!!!)!

Kelsea the creator

2011-07-30T15:10:00.005+10:00

Kelsea has an artistic soul - theres no doubt about it. She sings, dances and creates the day away. she also has an artistic temperament! We have dozens of creative pieces in every nook and cranny. Even dolls get people drawn on their faces and words all over their bodies. Kelsea usually is very fast with any writing and drawing she does and I think this may be a problem with handwriting in the future but hopefully she will slow down a little before it matters so much. Her tastes are ver eclectic. She enjoys collage, painting, drawing, puppet creation, sculpture and well anything I will let her touch becomes part of her "crafting". Here are some of her latest designs...enjoy!

this is a robot - she made one for herself and one for Eamon

An example of her writing - she knows so many letters now and nearly all the sounds - she can write so many words when prompted its so crazy - I couldn't learn a language as fast as she is!

One days I was doing something and she comes around the corner - look mum I made some puppets!!

Accountability

2011-07-27T11:11:00.004+10:00

I am hopeless at sticking to anything related to weightloss - I blame this on my addiction to sugar!
Last feb/march I joined WW and lost 7 kg in 6 weeks - I felt great - was losing inches and everytime I ate something sweet I would get a headache or stomache ache. But I think losing the weight sort of fast led to a loss of milk for Jack. Well that was the excuse I gave myself to delve into the massive amount of chocs I consumed between then and now! I put 4 kg back on and was so disappointed in myself.

SO I have decided to start again. this time with a goal to lose 15kg by my birthday (I am 30 this year and want to be skinier than when I was 20!)

I have almost 4 months to accomplish this goal and this time I will be exercising as well!!
I only wrote this up so that I am accountable to someone as I won't attend WW this time - jsut go with what I learnt from it!

(photo courtesy of Lisa King)

Thought this was an appropriate 'before' photo as I am hoeing into those delicious scrolls - tut tut!!

Bargain buy

2011-07-20T08:54:00.003+10:00

I have been wanting to buy one of these high chairs that sit on a dining chair for ages.

There are a few different designs around - I was just after the base model - something cheap practical and not taking up all the room in the kitchen area - I looked around at the baby shops , toyworld, kmart etc and discovered that they all started at around $50. Thinking I could get one cheaper I then started looking on gumtree.com.au and while there are tons of bargains they did not have the chair I was after. Then I found it - posted on the bulletin board at the local IGA - I ended up getting it for $15 in excellent condition with its box and instructions! People are amazing - I NEVER keep boxes or instruction sheets after something is put together - the instructions are usually impossible to understand and the boxes become play things for the kiddos. Anyway - jack is much happier now - just got to get the food into him! We are also happier as we don't have to juggle him whilst trying to eat our dinner one handed anymore!

This is where I used to put him when making dinner - til he toppled out onto his nose!

Goings on in July

2011-07-17T20:52:00.006+10:00

Whats been going on in July?
Being 'super's' (sooopah - as Eamon calls it) it took a little while to realise its from Super Giggle and Super Hoot!

Playing Doctors "Mum - come quickly - Eamon is in the hospital a crocodile bit off his hand"

And then there was Kels laid up in hospital after a sting ray attack!!

This little fella is on the move and much prefers the jumbled toys of the play room to the soft 'baby' toys I have set aside for him.

His favourite plaything is the remote!
He is starting to eat a little finally and is so attached to his mumma that the only way dad could keep him happy while mum cleaned the kitchen was to sit him on his shoulders so he could see me! Catching up woth Owen, Jake, Alex, Ethan, Aunty Dannie and Unlce Adam for an hour or two - was great to see them all again!

We have had the normal round of illnesses - nothing serious but made for some unhappy little chappy's for a while - Asthma amd coughs and noses running running running!!

Hoping that the rest of winter will fly by with no more viruses! There has been too much cold air and rain for our liking and the children have been cooped up inside - where Kelsea has created a LARGE amount of art pieces - stay tuned for the big reveal!

New Term Hair Cuts

2011-06-23T15:56:00.003+10:00

Kelsea and Eamon were excited to get their hair cut. Eamon had his "buzzed" Just like daddy. Kelsea had a fair amount chopped off. She LOVES it short and doesn't want it to grow again (sad!) She was even worried that brushing it would make it grow! She looks really cute and very grown up. Eamon is looking so much older lately and its really sad - he is talking a lot and even starting to toilet train. He is moving from toddlerhood to childhood at a pace faster than I can keep up with.

South Australia Trip

2011-06-19T14:07:00.005+10:00

Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your naaaame (dah dah dah dah dah)

And their always glad you caaaaaame....

The birthday boy

Jack and I travelled over to South Australia for our eldest nephew Jake's 18th Birthday.

Jake with girlfriend Danielle

We had a great time catching up with all my siblings (except Tyler who didn't come over - slacker! :) ) !I told stan I wanted a picture for Jack to look back and go - 'oh thats me with Uncle Stan'
This is what he came up with.

Alex playing a tune for me (Eamon reminds me of him as a toddler)

Uncle Brian and Aunty Liz were threatening to take Jack home with them (Brian was introducing him as HIS son at the bar)!

Brian being a pain so this is his best side!

Liz and Jack

And some of Jack's cousins.

Halle and Owen at the Whale museum at Victor Harbour

Lisa and I were also lucky to catch up with our old friend Jasmyn - who had just had her second little baby. It was so lovely to see her and see that she hasn't changed much in the last decade or so.

Jake was able to have a famiy dinner on his actual birthday at the local hotel - really yummy food! Love all those old stone buildings in SA. And also a party on the Saturday at his dad's.

Jack with Owen

Jack had his first real solids at Aunty dannie's - banana - and he LOVED it.

Archer was a great big cousin and introduced Jack to the dummy - which he now loves and so do I as it means MUCH less feeding - especially overnight! He also gave him a little blue beanie - as he slack mother forgot to pack one (SA winters are pretty cold).

Dannie - the hostess with the mostest...

Dannie hosted most of us in her hundred or so year old 'hall' I always feel creepy in old buildings but this one is very different and has a lovely spirit to it - and it may have something to do with all the rock salt lamps she has around. They have so many wonderful properties - I actually can't remember them now - but go look em up!! I ended up buying one for Jared - and want to get one for each bedroom now.
Its nice to be around 'your' people sometimes. And it was great to come home to 'my' people - we really missed them all and Eamon kept kissing me at the airport!

In the wars

2011-06-06T21:02:00.004+10:00

A couple of weeks ago Eamon split his forhead open running full pelt into a door jam at church. It was a really deep long cut. He was so cute though - when he saw the blood on his hands (from touching his head) he went "hurt hand daddy" and really was over it pretty soon. But the chemist told us to take him into the hospital where he had to have glue put in the wound. He was VERY brave Jared said and hasn't really complained (about that anyway) since. However it later got infected and he will now sport a tough wide scar!

Kelsea said to me the other day "mum I just have to say something to you - Eamon is in the wars!" and I said just like his daddy. She replied with " yeah daddy is in the wars at work". And he really is quite often too!

Eamon tackles life in a full on way and I hope this doesn't mean too many trips to emergency in the future.

Here is how Jack has been feeling lately unless asleep or being held!

First Day of School

2011-06-03T11:37:00.002+10:00

Kelsea had her first day of kinder back in February. It was a really exciting time for our family. She had had some full days of pre-kinder back before Christmas where all the children attend with out their parents so she had been prepared and was really familiar with the teachers and the classroom. She has really great teachers that are fantastic at bringing children out of their shells. Kelsea is quite timid around new people and even thought she wants to join in she gets very nervous, and this was the case for the first little while. Each kinder morning she would be reluctant for me to go until she had seen Chloe (her cousin) at least. Slowly though she would start to reply when the teachers would say good morning and now4 months on she has big chats to her teachers!

She looked so grown up with her hair in braids and a uniform and school shoes on. We have been lucky that there has never been any tears or tantrums about going to school ( oh except for Eamon who never wants to leave!) She loves school and has been really happy and made lots of friends.

Kelsea loves to write. She is really excited that she can write words now. The other day she sounded out and spelled "cat"! I was amazed how far she had come from not being interested in writing at all before school started to what she can do now! She also loves "crafting" at school. Each day at kinder the children do project based learning. They have to make a plan and gather their materials and then make their project. I had my first go at parent help the other week and it was full on - kinder really need extra hands every day - I was flat out helping children cut and stick and trying to stop Jack being too big a distraction!

I'm so happy my little girl loves school and learning and has so much confidence in her abilities - she doesn't get stressed about things and will often say 'doesn't matter' if something isn't quite right. Hopefully she will always believe in herself. When did she grow up so fast?!

Cross Country

2011-06-03T09:49:00.003+10:00

I know I haven't posted about Kelsea's first day of school - mainly because the pictures are on my phone and I don't know how to get them on the computer - as I raelly have NO idea where all the cords are!
But a month or so ago Kelsea participated in her first cross country event. We were told that the kinder children would be doing a smaller run than the older ones - but didn't realise it was only like 20m shorter! It ended up being a 600m race - and I am fairly certain that Kelsea ran the whole way! Which is a fantastic effort. Chloe was also in the race and Lachie also participated which was a crack up but I'll let Steph tell that story!

It was an awesome day - the school have 'houses'and the children had made up chants and had placards and flags, it was a real race-day atmosphere.

Grandma came along to watch the girls in their first big race.

I was so proud of Kelsea - she must get her running genes from her daddy as I don't reckon I could run that far these days wqith out stopping (and keeling over)! Jared said as a kid/teen that he would run forever and never get puffed out - hopefully our kids will be like that too - I never was great at long distance!

It was so hard to get into take pictures and these people kept getting in the way- so no pictures crossing the finish line (and the camera battery died then too!)

babies

2011-05-02T22:29:00.005+10:00

So I think Jack looks more like Kelsea than eamon at 4 ish months - what do you think?!

Kelsea

Eamon

Jack

The Happiest Refugee

2011-04-28T13:15:00.003+10:00

The happiest refugee. Thats for sure. Maybe the happiest Australian even.
I got mum a copy of Anh Do's Autobigraphy for helping out while Jack was born. Jared was secretly chuckling as he got the book for me for Christmas. Anh was born in vietnam - when he was about two years old hs family and some extended family fled to Australia. The going was so rough - they were 'boat people'. I don't want to say too much as its much better to read it in his 'voice'. But I'll tell you its the best book I've read in years and was so funny I'd laugh out loud. I love how he took every challenge in his life and turned it into a triumph. He has an amazing mother and its such an inspiring story. Makes you think twice about the plight of 'boat'people. How can you turn away someone who has fled terrible hardship and risked their lives - and the lives of their children- just to live on the poverty line here in Australia and then think they are living like kings!

Read it - you'll love it - anyone can borrow mine (I think like 5 people have read it so far)!

Chair makeover

2011-04-26T20:56:00.004+10:00

We have been handed down lots of awesome stuff since getting married. One of these things was a dining set from my youngest brother and his lovely wife. The chairs were in great condition but have been slightly abused by my offspring since. After many scubbings - the purple suede-like fabric was looking rather sad.

A while ago I found this fabric at spotlight (I really liked it in the orangey/yellowey/redey colours but knew Jared would not). I also used some pvc plastic stuff to cover them - so easy cleaning! They are more comfortable now too.

ANZAC Day

2011-04-25T19:58:00.003+10:00

We decided to go to Deloraine this year to participate in the ANZAC service. It will always seem like the right place to go - I think because of Jared's pop. I think there sadly are fewer people each year attending. It was hard trying to explain to Kelsea what ANZAC day was all about - she doesn't understand the concept of war - largely due to those who fought so that she could know peace. Lest we forget.

After the service - we headed home and thought we'd pop into Ashgrove Cheese Farm to try and catch up with some of Jared's old workmates. They weren't working but the children absolutely loved the cows everywhere - Eamon was calling them horses at one stage.

THis afternoon Jared got stuck into a project that has been on our minds for a while - a big boy bed for Eamon. A few weeks ago we found a cot at a garage sale with thoughts of cutting it down into a toddler bed - however it was in better condition than our cot so we thought we'd cut down our old one instead - it looks fantastic and is really sturdy for all that bed jumping that my kids love to do!

Helping dad out (after screaming about the noisy saw!!)

One happy little boy - though he was refusing to pose or smile til Kelsea teased this one out of him (oh by the way he went straight to sleep - no coming out - yet!)

Jack

2011-04-25T07:59:00.004+10:00

Jack is the sweetest baby. He smiles ALL the time. He has laughed from a really early age and his eyes twinkle when he does.

He is cuddly
Loves to play with toys
Can almost sit
Sings himself to sleep
Is starting to have long daytime naps
Has cried real tears since birth
Likes to sleep on his side
Will put EVERYTHING in his mouth
Makes everyone smile
He gets a lot of comments such as "he wouldn't look wrong dressed in pink"or "he is a good looking baby" and he really is
He has big bright blue eyes
He stops crying nearly everytime mum picks him up

We love having Jack in our home - the children really love him - and there hasn't (touch wood) been any rough play or jealousy.

Good Friday with the Triffitts

2011-04-22T20:40:00.006+10:00

Our day started early - like every day does - with Eamon up and ready to go at 4:45am - Jared got up with him and I didn't really realise what was going on - until Jack woke at about 6am, after only waking me once during the night! But strangely I was tired-er than usual. After a rare bath (Its just annoying getting out when kids want things so I just don't get in!!), I was pondering a little about why there is a Good Friday at all. I read a little from the final days of Jesus' life in Matthew and really have been struck with the thought of how very alone the Savior was during His Atonement. How his friends couldn't keep awake and even at the hardest part the Father withdrew as well. I can't really understand the love and strength and obedience he displayed to better understand all the pains of sin we bring upon ourselves so he could heal us and comfort us and be able to succor us. I guess the question for me is what will I do now and everyday to not waste this greatest of gifts.

{pic by Liz Lemon Swindle}

So we headed out to Jared's parents place and enjoyed a brunch that really turned into lunch! It was great - great food - great times. The new kitchen is a lovely place to be in. Jack looks MASSIVE next to little Hugh. Head on over to Lisa's blog for some stunning shots and more details!!
The kids had a great egg hunt with a few getting SUPER excited, its hard I think for Kelsea to get excited about chocolate - she doesn't like it as it is brown!! But Eamon is right up there with his mum in this genetic addiction!!

.

Eamon was lucky to Join Linc in getting his 3rd hair cut. It is growing so fast and thick. He was really good but got a little upset about all the hair he kept rubbing into his mouth...so he got to have a bath (his third for the day)! Thanks Aunty Lisa!

Eamon with his old curls before Christmas (so cute but he was getting mistaken for a girl - Eamon of all people!!)

I so thought this was a pic with Lorraine and Jack - even though I had already put Jacky-boy in bed!! (i'm losin' it!!) its Hugh!

Grandma got the kids some great little gifts, the girls all got some bunny ears and the little boys a Toy Story bowl. Jack got some cute Jammies also

Three little girls posing and dressed up as fairy princesses with bunny ears... or are they tiaras??

What the boys are loving to play with - dinosaurs!!! Eamon loves Dinosaurs, he watches The Land Before Time every day nearly and likes to roar like only he can!

{We also had some Easter fun in the Huon the weekend before - but I somehow wiped ALL the pictures}

Jack's Blessing

2011-04-10T20:50:00.007+10:00

Jack was blessed on Fast Sunday in February. We were lucky to have lots of family come to his blessing - even Stan, Lisa, Halle and Archer were able to come all the way from Huonville. Jack wore a little suit that lots of his boy cousins have worn before him and was wrapped in a white blanket that I made for Eamon's blessing.

Jared blessed Jack, and Jack's Grandpa, and Uncles, Eden, Aaron, Stan and Alex assisted him. I'm told it was a lovely blessing with a sweet spirit. Some of the things mentioned were that he would bring a special spirit to our home and be a peacemaker with his brother and sister. Alex mentioned later, and Chayne too I think, that his blessing reminded them of Harry Triffitt. Maybe Harry was there in that circle in spirit.

Woodgie turns two!

2011-04-08T21:08:00.004+10:00

Eamon has had lots of nick names since he was born. It started with Buddha (he was such a dumpling!!) then it went to boodie which turned to boodie pud. Then chabumpy - and its really just Woodgie or Woodgie-woo now. He has so much character and new elements appear every day! He LOVES to get around the house being a bear or dinosaur and I wish I had video footage - its so cute. He is such a rough and tumble boy and I sometimes feel like he runs through the house with both arms out stretched causing mass destruction! He is very sensitive though also. He can't stand being told off. He is great at giving cuddles - and don't be mean to anyone or he will tear shreds off of you! He doesn't like food that much unless it contains sugar then he is quick to grab it - though he loves most fruit. He is big and until recently had the cutest curls (which everyone can't help commenting on). Kelsea especially loves them and always comments on how cute Eamon is with his curls. He is a real joker and pulls lots of crazy faces and does some really funky robot dancing. He loves all 'boy' toys like tools and trains and dirt :) But also loves to p[lay pretend food and make believe games with barbies and dolls. He is a wild man and does all kinds of tricks on the trampoline - including running and ramming his head into the net (so glad trampolines have nets now)! We really love this rough, loud excitable, soft hearted little man.

He had a quiet birthday - with Grandma coming to visit. We gave him a little blue ukulele that he promptly destroyed, it is literally in pieces strings pulled off and the frets missing. I caught him using it as a hammer or something. Hmm maybe too young for musical instruments... Will have to wait a while to introduce any more! He did however love the wiggles DVD (that came with a toothbrush - double excitement as he looooves toothpaste!) He was very spoiled by all his extended family getting lots of trucks/cars/ tools/ trains/ clothes. Thanks everyone!

**{can anyone tell me how to move pictures/text around? it just does nothing!!!}**

Jack Henry Arrives!

2011-04-04T08:57:00.004+10:00

Jack was born on the 7th of December 2010. He was 3 days early and I'd been having a few contractions the weekend before. The labour was the worst yet, but the delivery the best. I felt really good afterwards except for a sore back ( from labour) and just so tired from not sleeping through the night. We both looked at him and said oh he is SOOO cute! And he really was (is) cute. the first 8 weeks were really unsettled with Jack - reminding me very much of his big sister. He cried a lot and wouldn't sleep at all really even with me. He seemed to have reflux and colic and also some really bad colds. The other two kids got a bad tummy bug and I think he may have caught it. BUT he has settled down now and although he still only sleeps in small spurts (occasionally he'll go 5 hours overnight) he is much happier. Kelsea and eamon LOVE jack and shower him with love and kisses constantly. Eamon often goes right up to his face and goes in a sweet voice "hiiiii Jaaack" super cute. Kelsea is a little mum and has even changed a nappy already - or rather put on a clean one and his clothes! We took forever to come up with his name but we are really happy with it now! (I had a hundred names that Jared didn't like!!!)

O Christmas Tree

2011-04-03T16:57:00.003+10:00

we went Christmas tree hunting at the end of November. As usual it took a long time but twas fun and filled the air with the scent of the festive season.

Logging Contractors Hall of Fame

2011-04-03T15:57:00.002+10:00

In October I travelled to the Grand Chancellor in Launceston and met up with Stan, James, Amy, Nan, Aunty Delsa, Uncle Robert, Uncle Rick & Aunty Pam and Uncle Lane & Aunty Christine. We were attending the Australian Logging Contractors Hall of Fame dinner. Over 200 Australians were honoured with an award in 2010. Dad was one of them. There was over 200 loggers, saw millers and industry workers and their families there. It was great to hear the stories of men who' worked so hard. I was particularly impressed by an man who honoured all the wives who had put so much work and time and endured so much stress and worry.

Dad was one of a handful of Logging Contractors who were honoured with a posthumous award.

The guy hosting the event just read out every other recipients name but when he came to dad he had a huge spiel to give. It was fantastic to hear the stories from dads work mates. He said that if ever there was a massive tree that needed cutting down (sorry all you conservationists out there this isn't a tree friendly post!) that the only person in the state that could manage it was dad. Another story told of him racing down the roads to work with the chainsaw on the back seat of his charger. I Hvae forgotten most of what was said except the same guy came out with some pretty dicey jokes towards the end of the evening. And there was a general feeling of disgust surrounding antything to do with Gunns. ( sorry any gunns workers!!)

All in all I am glad I went. Dad got a big certificate and all those years of hard hard work have been remembered.

Kelsea's 4th birthday

2011-04-03T14:59:00.004+10:00

Kelsea had a blast on her fourth birthday. Some cousins came up and spent the saturday before having fun making crowns and hanging out together, while dad and Uncle James put together the masterchef kitchen that they all brought for Kelsea, she was very excited about it and has used it so much since (so has Eamon)!

The three girls - all very strong willed and they need to be with all the boys surronding them!!

The birthday cake was of course barbie. Kelsea loves barbies and anything girly/princessy. The cake was so easy really and all that didn't work was the icing - must learn how to make it correctly.

The happy birthday girl.

Hanging out with some of her ''watson" cousins. They all get along pretty well and Jarod and Liam are so good with the little ones. Kelsea has a special bond with Liam - she just loves him and thinks he is the cheekiest person in the world and often comments on his cheekiness (boy with head down is Liam).

Kelsea loved having this mini party and was so happy they came - she always is asking for people to come or to go to her friends or cousins house. Hope they are all great friends as they grow up even though they live so far away.

2010- {c} the NEW place

2011-04-02T22:40:00.004+11:00

So we moved from dark damp and depressing suburbia to bright warm and happy beach town! You can seriously just breath the serenity and living so close to the shore means that you feel like your on permanant holidays - though i avoid the beach due to one very active fast 2 year old who lOVES to run into the water and hide from his mum and dad. (can't run too fast with a tubby 4 month old!!). Dishwashers are great, i just LOVE this one, and I also LOVE heat pumps - so nice to be warm after the last two years being SO cold getting chilblains and all the viruses. We are really grateful everyday to be living here. Sometimes when its raining really hard and I am a little bit over having lots of kids in bed - I think rebecca jsut be grateful you arén't out in that rain and wind - imagine trying to sheild your kids in that. It made me think of the saints as they went west of the mothers trying to keep their babies warm in those terrible snow storms with no protection. We don't know how easy we have it hey!

2010 - {b} Last pics in old place

2011-04-02T22:24:00.004+11:00

Some random pics from the old place.... kids on swings and being cheeky at dinner.... don't miss the cold dampness there........kelsea sick again with chest infections and asthma....not missing the mold that may have caused that {and Jareds pneumonia - how random is that in January of all months?!} helping make cakes...and finding out that a "climber" not only refers to a plant!!

2010 - {a} Wood cutting

2011-04-02T22:09:00.003+11:00

Wood cutting as a family ( well mum was jsut pretty much taking photos and freaking out about Eamon touching the chainsaw - what can you do though - its in his blood!) Jared LOVES cutting would - especially if he gets to fall a tree - he gets as excited as a kid in a candy store. I don't mind chopping would either - though haven't done it for a while. Jared is really missing it - but excitedly told me he is going to be helping his brother get wood soon...something about big boys and big toys ..........

happenings

2010-10-06T15:12:00.003+11:00

I am waiting to blog til I have pictures but thought I'd record a few things.
Yesterday I was cleaning the toilets and I look around and Eamon is pretending to wash his hair in the shower - how CUTE I think - Kelsea urging him on and cooing over him. Turn around again and this time he is washing his hair with shampoo.. doing a great job..... so he got to have an early bath that night and all I had to do was rinse out the shampoo.... easy peasy. Eamon is starting to talk a little now and his words all sound so cute. Dad sounds like 'dah' kind of a german accent, bye sounds like a southern american, and most other words are just starting to become clearer - like bottle, bird, kels, hello, more.

The wet wraps that we have been waiting for arrived a couple of days ago. I was really excited to try them and had been talking about it a bit to Kelsea before using them. I thought that it would be pretty easy and drama-less....boy was I wrong - not about the easy part - just her reaction! The idea is that you put a set on wet - soaked in some bath oil (eczema friendly of course!) that you have bathed the child in - this was not taken well! Then you put on another set to I guess make them feel a little drier - though as she became quite upset I ended up with her on my lap for the next hour with me looking like I had wet myself! straight away she was going crazy saying how much it was itching her - she is usually super itchy after a bath - i just kind of ignored all the screaming etc (Think it was more fear of what was happening as she NEVER or very rarely wears anything tight and these are pretty tight!) She calmed down after a little while and then I noticed she was happily sitting watching tv with Jared while I was putting Eamon to bed. We took them off after about 1 1/2 hours ( was hoping to have her sleep in them) she was getting cold and as she didn't have the cream on ( chemist hadn't made it yet) I thought I'd just take it off and see how she went. Well WOW the difference in the softness of her skin was amazing! WE just dressed her as usual for bed and she played for a while very happily and I finally got her settled in bed - with her saying rub me I'm itchy (think thats just bad habit now not really itchy). for the first time in I don't know HOW long she didn't scratch her arms or legs while going to sleep. I woke about 2:30 feeling really sick throwing up.. so over this reflux heartburn stuff - its as bad as morning sickness!! Thought I would check the kids - you know in case it was a tummy bug and they had thrown up in their sleep (sorry gross I know - hope no-one reads this whilst eating), well both still asleep... strange but GOOD! Then I finally fell asleep feeling not good and a while later - not sure when - Kels came in. Now usually this would mean up to an hour or sometimes more of her laying down itching and me rubbing her legs/arms/back/ tummy till she fell asleep - then she would do it all again a couple of hours later. I was turning into the psycho mum from hell and she was getting kinda crazy herself... and very upset with me as I was getting crabby with her!! ANYWAYS... last night she came in - out of habit I guess - and just laid there and I rubbed her back a little and she fell asleep. No itch legs. No itchy arms. SO excited that this seems to help restore moisture to her skin. Just have to keep her face moist now to help her eyes ( they are getting super dry at the moment) we will keep doing this til there is no sign of the eczema then hopefully we can just use regular moisturiser on her to maintain her skin - well that is what I am hoping anyway!
A HUGE thank you to DONNA who told me about these suits and who has a never ending supply of knowledge about eczema and has tried and tested EVERYTHING out there.

Hopefully this will lead to a happier little girl who grows a little more and doesn't have such a pale face and big bags under her eyes!

**just a note on the last post - I watched the movie - it was pretty good - funny in parts too. I thought it would make a better TV series - but i guess there is no money in that. How do you jam all those books into movies? Was a good movie though - you should go see it**

Tomorrow When The War Began

2010-08-19T11:53:00.002+10:00

Did you ever read that series by John Marsden? I started it in high school when there were only three books in the series - now there are like 9 or something. I just happened to see somewhere on TV probably that the series is being made into films. The first one comes out in September. I LOVED the books (especially when I was younger) and hope that the movie doesn't disappoint. You can go check it out on YouTube.

Go Kelsea!

2010-08-13T07:42:00.004+10:00

8 hours. On her own. In her OWN bed. So FANTASTIC. We really don't remember the last time she slept all night in her bed. She woke once at 10:30pm (after being asleep for 3 hours) very itchy as usual. I had been asleep for an hour. JAred gave her some phenergan - like half a dose (as it usually does nothing much and I didn't want too much in her system) and she eventually fell to sleep. Of course Eamon woke about this time! But Jared gave him a bottle and then, well the night turned into the next day as if by magic! Only I couldn't sleep as I kept waking and having really strange crazy dreams and this morning at about 5:30am I woke for good and so did Eamon - we tried to leave him for a while but it seems that 5:30 is his natural waking time - maybe 6:00 at a stretch. So we had about 6 and a half hours straight in our own bed with NO kids!! This morning Jared said 'wow I almost feel normal!"

On Monday night we made a chart in FHE for Kelsea. it was a "I can sleep in my own bed" chart. I really didnt' think it would work - but the first night she came in I said - 'oh we need to take you back to your bed!" and she agreed. There is an incentive - if she stays in her own bed all night for a week she gets a barbie.... not even sure she remembers that now though as I keep forgetting the stickers and she doesn't seem to mind. So not sure if making her go to her own bed is the reason she eventually slept or sheer exhaustion from 4 years of poor sleeping but I'm not complaining fingers crossed its her new pattern from now on ( had to get her out before the belly gets too big anyway!).

Oh we are LOVING LOVING LOVING it in the new place. This morning I opened the blinds to a summer-like day (no doubt it is chilly out there though) we have views of mountains and a tiny bit of ocean, no neighbours and we can't wait for summer to go to the beach everyday. I'd go now but Eamon heads straight for the water and it is far too freezing for that!

PACKING, CLEANING & MOVING

2010-07-11T18:02:00.002+10:00

I can't say how excited we all are to be moving even Kelsea... "mum I not going to make big messes in the new house I'm gunna pack up my play dough when I finished".

It will be soooo good to move to a mould-free environment especially for the kids. AND a sunnier nicer place. it is BRAND new so no one has even lived there - it will feel like 'our' house - so hopefully we don't get kicked out too soon!

I'm not even bothered by the packing - its kinda fun - and even cleaning is no bother - its just the 'paper' areas, you know where all the old uni stuff is or under/on/around the computer that is a huge massive paper mess that needs sorting and I have kept putting it off for oh about 2 years!! But I'll just have to make a start and DO it! Looking forward to more storage and more room also - hopefully I can finally bring the piano up from mum's (tho it will no doubt get trashed by my little darlings).

EXCITED!!! (we move this week - its come really quickly!!)

7 seven VII

2010-07-04T20:18:00.003+10:00

Whoa what happened to the last 7 years!! Its been 7 years that were long and short, fun and hard, sad and Happy and crazy and did I mention crazy!?! - I guess all in all its been LIFE!!

To Jared love from me xx

{I'd show a pic of us getting married - but have no idea how to make THAT happen - but I can tell you that we looked A LOT younger, thinner, less wrinkly, no big black bags under our eyes and more energy!}

Another Conversation

2010-07-04T20:10:00.004+10:00

The following occurred driving home from church today:

Kelsea: "DAD - Eamon's picking his nose!!!!"
Dad and mum : "he he ha ha"
Dad (sarcastically) : "oh, and you NEVER do that!"
Kelsea (loud and proud) : "YES I DO!!"

Poor boy is pretty snotty at the moment....teething AND a cold :(

(Pictures are still old ones as I haven't been able to load up ones on my computer.... :( ...)

4000 years ago.

2010-06-30T11:26:00.002+10:00

Ever since we went to the UYC fireside and heard the Young Single Adults sing the theme song (don't think this is the title!!) Kelsea has been singing the song - well the chorus line over and over. The other day I happened to ask Lisa if she had a copy of the song - and she thankfully did. Kelsea is so excited about it! She loves singing and has an incredible memory for tunes and lyrics. Now thanks to Aunty Lisa we can learn all the words.... she holds open a book and 'reads' from it! Even Eamon loves it bopping and singing away. For a boy with such a deep deep voice he has a surprisingly sweet soft singing voice!

"Aunty Lisa, I love you,
And I love 4000 years ago,
Love Kelsea"

Trying to keep up with Steph!

2010-06-23T19:54:00.002+10:00

So I'm not so good at blogging regularly and as I can't load pics at the moment I find it hard to blog anyway!
There are so many everyday things that I'm not recording in a journal - like the many wet patches all over the floor from Eamon tipping water out of every cup I give him (gotta find one that doesn't leak!!) And I think as a result of not actually DRINKING the water he is getting a little constipated!

Kelsea is having 'night itching' again. I can't for the life of me think why it really is a problem at night and not in the day - i get it could be from sweating etc but that can't be the case the first hour or so into bed time. Thinking it may have something to do with our water or washing powder or both.

House hunting is so annoying.... Wish i had unlimited funds (hey but then I'd BUY instead of rent!) looked at a place yesterday that had an awesome kitchen ...but the rest of the house was the size of a shoe box, had no bath (my kids freak in a shower) and also was about to be sub - divided to have a new unit built ( I KNOW how much noise power tools make !!) but something will come up - hopefully sooner rather than later - Kelsea's chest is sounding bad again....well her breathing anyways.

My mum is having an operation on Friday - not sure how 'big' it is - but she will be in heaps of pain for a while - hopefully htey will discharge her with some strong pain killers - not panadol like Jared got last time (what a hoot they gave him morphine in hospital then just panadol!!)

Ok thats about all the ramblings for one night. Oh did I mention my car died!!!?!?! Such a pain - I am really not good without my own transport - I've had a car since I was 18 I think and man I don't like being without one (tho I am in town and can WALK everywhere!) Will get one soon!

A New Calling

2010-06-21T10:19:00.003+10:00

So Sunday comes as I get released from Primary - which is sad and good at the same time. I'll really miss all the people in there and the kids too. BUT life moves on and I've been called as Second counsellor in Relief Society! HUGE change - not sure how to think on adult level and really not sure what it all entails but I'm sure but ther end of the year I will get what I need to be doing (hopefully) and if not I can blame 'baby brain' or lack of sleep for any massive slip ups!!

Grandma's and Grandpa's

2010-06-07T19:31:00.004+10:00

Its always fun when grandma/grandpa comes hurray!!

(well in this case when we go to them!)

I think all the Grand kids love to sit at the bench and help Grandma with the cooking.

And she always tells the best stories.

Eamon having a cuddle with Grandpa before bed.

Catch up pics

2010-06-06T14:20:00.005+10:00

On Saturday we decided to head out to Jared's parents place to help Kelsea get better. ITs always a lovely place to stay - quiet, peaceful and REALLY dark at night (there is a street light out side our bedroom!!) Kelsea LOVES it at Gramma's (thats how she pronounces it). She gets out the pretend food and plays contentedly for days. She has't even asked to go outside (which is good coz I want her to stay in). Eamon isn't to rapt about being kept inside and I think is sick of being around me so much! So here are a few pics taken with the new camera - so far all I know what to do is use the 'auto' function so they are just regular pics! Kelsea loves to run. She plays running games at home around the yard and wants me to commentate. When she crosses the finish line she goes "YAY I'm the one-est"

Playing 'kick the ball' together....

These are mostly from home. Eamon LOVES to be outside eating dirt, playing with tools or hanging out with dad in the car.

Near our place is the 'flower park' its a huge open grassed area with beautiful gardens that is open for the public to use. Its only a 5 min walk from our place and its so peaceful and lovely there.The kids love to throw gravel into this drain and hear it splash in the water far below...

Kelsea got some long wanted Gellybaff (don't know the spelling) this stuff that turns water into goo. It is expensive though and you only get one use....it was worth it to see the kids enjoy it.....this is the only non 'rudey' shot!!
Every night Eamon has a bottle before bed and Kelsea always asks to hold him and 'tuggle' him.

mmmmmm
jjj
h
eeeeeee
aAAAAA
ac
e
cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
j
(Kelsea wanted to write everyones names, initials down - thats what all the letters are about!!!! Chrish the HUGE row of c's is for you!!)

Asthma again

2010-06-03T18:36:00.002+10:00

Two days ago Kelsea woke with a runny nose.... not thinking too much of it {Eamon's was worse} I thought it would pass in a few days. But Today i took her to our GP {had to go to Westbury!} only to find out she has a chest infection {which I suspected} and having asthma attacks. This is the third time this year that she has had an infection and asthma straight away follows. Its a pretty scary thing for a little kid to get though she is really good about it all and sits very still while having her puffers. I think she will have to be on the preventer puffer all winter long to try and ward off any more attacks. She is also on antibiotics and prednisolone for a few days. Rushed home to get it at the chemist to only wait for 20 mins then be told it would take another 20 mins for it to be ready - should have used to local one at Westbury!!

We think that our house in contributing to her bad health. ALL three bedrooms, the bathroom and the toilet {which has an open vented window} all have mould. Jared got a suit Jacket he hasn't worn for a while out of the closet to find it COVERED in mould. So needless to say we are constantly looking for a new place!

BUT good news! After thinking our health care card had be cut off - today I received a new one in the mail! {two days too late for the $300 dental trip Jared had to make on Monday - if it was today he would have had it out for free....it was $1700 to have it fixed so he couldn't do that :( }

New stuff

2010-05-29T12:22:00.005+10:00

Yesterday JAred and I got a new camera - finally! Ours has been pretty unhappy for a while what with sand, water and kids dropping it - a lot - actually I can recommend it for its resilience....but it kinda just won't really work anymore soooo.....we got a new one....only I can't load pics as it has high speed something a rather and the computer is slow speed something a rather...!!!

AND (as most know anyway) a new addition to our family will be happening this year! So I'm 12 weeks and one day. Waiting for all the yuckiness to pass but it's not as bad as it could be!! NOt sure of due date sometime in the start of December (haven't been to the doc for 6 weeks).

Family Photographers

2010-05-28T09:46:00.003+10:00

SO it seems that we have two new family photographers!! Lisa and Chrish! They are both really really good and I love the way they see the world through their lenses. Here's one that Chrish took at Sheila's funeral of Kels...

{While doing this post Eamon escaped out the back door and ran barefoot out into the puddles and rain - no wonder it was so quiet!}

I don't like slobber!!

2010-05-21T13:53:00.003+10:00

Yesterday i heard this coming from the bedrooms "happy birthday, I don't like slobber. Happy birthday, i don't like slobber! HAPPY BIRTHDAY I don't liker slobberrrrrrr"

All sung to the tune of Happy Birthday to you. Eamon is a huge slobberer (is that a word?) at the moment. With all but 3 teeth through his mouth has been having a really rough time of it all. It also means that he sleeps badly yet again :( so some more crying sessions are needed!!

With all the excess slobber Eamon has discovered spitting - kind of - which is gross and a habit that is apparantly going to be difficult to stop.... dang!! He also loves to kiss and blow copius amounts of 'raspberries' on anyone and everyone - so if you see him coming watch out!!

3 years.

2010-04-22T15:15:00.004+10:00

It's three years today since my Dad passed away. Feels like forever ago mostly, then some days it seems it was yesterday that I was a young girl riding in the truck or tractor with him

{Dad with Kelsea at about 6 months}

Last July Jared and the children and I were fortunate enough to go to the Temple with Stan, Lisa, Halle, Nan and other family to have Dad's work done and to have him sealed to his parents. Now I know he can Rest In Peace at last. 'Til we meet again xx.

We drifted back through childhood days and shared each others grief,
Realised so quickly now how life can be so brief.
When we are born we start to die its He who calls the turn, and when he called you home 'ol mate He called you Much too soon.

Oh the dream I had of you old mate forever will remain, to me you are my earthly loss,
To Him you're Heaven's gain.
As I stand beside your earthen mound no words can quite express,
Just how I feel but memories mate,
To me are Heaven blessed.

So long 'ol mate 'til we meet again, rest in perfect peace.
Your mem'ries locked inside my heart,
My thoughts will never cease.
I know you cannot answer mate but to me it always seems,
WE can live a part of life again, even though its in our dreams.

{Lyrics from "Dreaming" one of the Slim Dusty songs Tyler Chose for Dad's funeral. The other one was "The man who steadies the lead" and "O my Father"}

{At Kelsea's blessing September 2006}

what to do?

2010-04-20T12:16:00.003+10:00

So what do you do when.....
Your one year old {who is obsessed with power points} can get the little pluggie things out??

He has also recently become very interested in shoes and will bring me a shoe {this morning it was Kelsea's dolphin one} to put on his foot. He is a very cooperative little boy when it comes to putting on his shoes and will lift up his feet to help out.
But....he is a terror when it comes to nappies and it takes both of us to hold him down {I have lots of fun when Jared is at work}.

(Eamon enjoying his first taste of honey - he licked it clean off the sao!)

A day of drama!

2010-04-17T06:50:00.003+10:00

So on Thursday I was in a store with the children and pulling Eamon along he does the usual "drop" down that the Kids all love to do so much. This time pulling him back up - something pulled in his shoulder....i didn't realise this though and he became grizzly so picking him up I tried to keep looking around and he bit my shoulder! I think - oh he must have a tooth pushing through..but no amount of peek-a-booing from kels would keep him cheered for long. I soon realised he wasn't using his left arm. So when I got home I made an appointment with a new doctors surgery (mine was booked til Monday). Very greatful to get in that day I dropped Kels off with Nicki and took the little fella to this doc. Well She sent me to have an xray - so we picked up the girl and the dad and went to the hospital where he SCREAMED so bad (Jared took him in while i sat with Kels, and he hated the dark and noise etc). The radiologist chatted to us and said there was nothing broken (or dislocated - which is what the doc thought) and he moved his arm in the socket a lot with no crying. So they sent us home. Eamon didn't use his arm still - it just hung limp by his side...he just would walk around and not use it then all of a sudden yesterday evening he decided it was better and has been fine ever since. I guess kids know how to let themselves heal though! AND he slept til 6 this morning making it an almost 12 hour stint!! {so glad he figured out how to sleep again I was worried he was turning into another bad sleeper!}

Julie &Julia

2010-04-12T21:48:00.002+10:00

So we really loved this movie. Meryl Streep was SO funny!

Love in a Torn Land

2010-04-11T19:45:00.002+10:00

Nope it isn't the title of a trashy Mills and Boon novel!!

I recently borrowed this book from my mother in law and thought it would be a hard book to get into. Boy was I wrong. Its the story of a Iraqi Kurdish woman named Joanna Al-Aksari Hussain. She grew up in Baghdad as the daughter of an Iraqi father and Kurdish mother. The story tells of the atrocities that the Kurdish people were subjected too. I guess I am very sheltered here in Tassie. I knew about Saddam Hussein's attempt at genocide against the Kurds but really that was it. I didn't realise however that about 100,000 Kurds were murdered and that after they dropped the chemical bombs on the villages and cities of Kurdistan the Iraqi military went in and blew up the buildings then bulldozed them so the people who had fled the attacks had nothing to come back to. Joanna fell in love with a Peshmerga (a Kurdish freedom fighter) and after a mills and boon like start to their story (she loved him, he ignored her broke her heart and years later wrote her all these love letters, she ignored him then EVENTUALLY they got together - fairytale stuff!!!!) they lived in a Kurdish village that was routinely bombed every afternoon. Anyways after the chemical attacks Joanna was partially blinded, and her husband Sarbast and his cousin and herself climbed over the massive mountain (i am pretty vague on the details) into Iran where even more hardship awaited them. I just can't describe all the hardships, trials, terror and horror that they faced. The evil that is in the world really is frightening. I am so greatful i was born in Australia. This book made me think differently about all these refugees that seem to be flooding into our country, not that I ever thought they shouldn't be here, but we have no idea what some of these people are fleeing from - I mean who would willing take their kids across the ocean in a dilapidated boat?

ANYWAY! I recommend this book to anyone - it has so much in it and I couldn't put it down (though i had to due to the recent gastro bout!) A real tribute to patriotism and the power of Love!

Fresh FLATHEAD, Sleeping Through and vomit.....

2010-04-06T08:01:00.005+10:00

Yesterday Jared went fishing with Eden at Port Sorell. We were very excited when he came back with some flathead and some other fish that we put in the freezer. So we had the fish, bought some chips and made a salad....really yummmm. Flathead is my absolute FAVOURITE seafood.

Kelsea for the first time in over 12 months I am thinking, slept the night through. Well til about 5:30am. I can't remember the last time she woke up from her own bed. For the next hour (she came in to our bed) she kept asking is it morning yet??

AND Eamon got sick!! It was his first gastro-like illness. He threw up before bed then also a few times in the night, so we kept him with us - then we both woke up around 2:30am from a REALLY rank smell....he had really bad diarrhea. So got him up washed all the bedding and clothes and him and he had a bottle and went back to sleep. he kinda gagged a few more times but nothing too bad and woke up htis morning jumping on me like I was a trampoline......hoping it doesn't spread to anyone else ...! {my house reeks!!!}

Easter conversations

2010-04-04T16:36:00.002+10:00

My attempts to explain the symbolism of Easter eggs this morning.

Me: The empty egg is like the Empty Tomb when Jesus was resurrected.
Kels: Oh did He eat all the chocolate?
Me: Err.. no there wasn't any chocolate
Kels: Oh Maybe the Nephites ate it.
Me: Yeah Maybe.

Kelsea is slowly retaining all the things she is learning about - not all are connecting in the right places! Her prayers are really relevant now and she always is really thoughtful {unless she is cranky;) }.Hoping that one day Easter means to her what it does to me - that is more than the big bunny and the egg hunt - she already loves her Elder Brother and I hope she always will.

{ Thanks Lisa for the photos ;) }

This Boy

2010-03-31T20:25:00.002+11:00

Is getting teeth so fast i can't keep up! I think number 10 popped through last night - maybe number 11?? And it feels like two more are on their way. His teeth are really big and I think they give him a lot more pain than I remember Kelsea having. He is pretty good though - just needs medicine, bonjela and a little bit of milk to settle him. He is such a lovable little boy. Really affectionate and cuddly. He kisses and pats on the back and ducks and tilts his head to the side when he tries to get our attention. I also LOVE that he has spent more time in his own bed than in ours (apart from a horrendous 2 months where he literally was feeding every single hour through the night- you get THAT hey Aimee!!) He sleeps through the night now for the most part and has at least one goodish day sleep. He is loud and aggressive and such a BOY. We LOVE him so much.

Argh!!

2010-03-28T17:46:00.005+11:00

I am so SICK of these!!!
WE have tiny brown ants that materialise in SECONDS! I got up this morning and looked at a cake I'd made last night - it was moving - I was SO annoyed - as it was really nice and my oven usually burns everything - plus I had run out of butter for the icing :( SO today we went to Jared's Folks to Pilfer some MINT from Lorraines lovely Herb garden....she gave us some to plant - which is just awesome as I love the smell of fresh mint. OH the mint is for the ants - my mum told me she used to use it in her cupboards when we were little....

Ants are amazing creatures. A few months ago I caught sight of a teeny ant pulling a spider which was MASSIVE in comparison - not sure what his plans for it were - didn't know that ants were carnivores!! (sorry its not that clear!!)

YAY

2010-03-26T09:38:00.003+11:00

Never Thought I'd get excited by a couple of THESE!

Now I can use my car again! My thinking-outside-the box husband found two chunky tread tyres at the TIP for $0 !! BARGAIN!!!

SICK

2010-03-21T20:19:00.004+11:00

So its been a yucky half week in our home! Both Children have been ill with a mixture of viruses/ infections/ asthma/ teething and temperatures. Its been pretty full on during the night especially sponging down hot little heads and trying to get the little ones to settle. Kelsea so good in the night - although she is also sick she will say to him "oh its all right darlin, mummy and Kelsea are here" etc. -very cute. It is such a pain as Eamon was starting to SLEEP through the night - no small thing for one of OUR kiddies!! Hopefully he will sleep again now that the temps have gone!

Kelsea is on a preventative puffer now. Which I actually think is working - as she isn't wheezing nearly as much. She has it three times a day. So glad it isn't Eamon who has to take it - it would be impossible!

Kelsea has become SO bad at sleeping. She doesn't sleep in her bed at all at the moment. Falling asleep on the couch where we often leave her then she comes in when she wakes to us.

Jared also has had one of the worst weeks health - wise that he's ever had. Lots of pain and illness.....going to see a specialist this week hoping to finally get some answers!

Sorry no pics (would have just been of tired looking people in a GROSSLY messy house!!)

Eamon can say a FEW words now
- Mum
- Dad
- Hi
- Ta
- Boo
- Lots of screaming and yelling :)

OH he also is DANCING so cute - wish i had a video camera to show you!

Uncle Chrish

2010-03-15T19:55:00.003+11:00

Kelsea is such a bubbly excitable LOUD little girl who loves to SING and DANCE and ACT ( kinda like Jalen !!). But get her around ANY adult (bar mum, dad, and grandparents) and she clams right up. She won't even make eye contact with adults when they speak to her let alone speak to them. The occasional aunt may get a nod or whispered "please" and Uncle Stan used to get a lot of attention when she was very small, and for a little bit we thought Uncle Eden was going to get spoken to more than once!! We have often said 'oh she is shy' to explain her to people. But I now wish we hadn't as I have had her say to me "I a bit shy aren't I mum!" So its not a word i like to use anymore!

BUT give her half an hour with Christian and she is chatting and sitting with him. Playing chasings or tickling him. He is a natural with kids, and all his nephews and nieces adore him - i reckon if you asked each of them they'd all say HE was their FAVOURITE! Sorry we didn't see you much Chrish the week went too fast - you really should just move over here ; ) (are you sick of everyone saying that yet....well just do it and we will all be quiet!!!)

Liffey Falls

2010-03-10T19:58:00.005+11:00

Today Eamon, Kelsea and I met up with Lorraine, Christian, Lisa, Kobe, Nicki, Maddi, Alex and Lincoln and went up to Liffey Falls. Its a lovely drive and not nearly as far as I remembered. When we got there we were a little early so the kids, Lorraine, Chrish and I went for the 1 minute walk to the "Big Tree" . It certainly was big - especially for where it was. Eamon and Kelsea played chasings around the tree with Grandma.

Kelsea is really protective of Eamon and wouldn't let him wander around - i told her to let him be for a bit then of course he went to the one spot he could fall and he fell and whacked his head on a bit of wood. (so glad Kelsea isn't old enough to say 'i told you so'!)

After everyone arrived we started down the track.

Nicki was really kind to lend me her backpack to carry Eamon in. It was a little uncomfortable on the way down and he felt really heavy - but I adjusted the strap on the way back up and though it was uphill it was MUCH easier.

It's so good to go to the rainforest again. I really miss going to places like Liffey and I'm not really sure why we haven't been doing more of it. I love the Myrtle and Sassafras trees and the MASSIVE Manferns. There are so many different little ferns also. I think that temperate rainforests would have to be my FAVOURITE type of vegetation - that and the Cusihion plants (they are so awesome).

The Falls were full of water and were glorious. Eamon got quite excited by all the water - and played spot - uncle - Chrish a couple of times ( he was darting everywhere - getting in the falls and all!)

Kelsea and Maddi had a fantastic time looking for fairies in the undergrowth. They were excited to find some purple Fairy jellybeans and collected them to put in the fairies cave.

All of the kids were soooo good. I was especially impressed with the three little boys. Kobe stayed in the stroller almost the entire time and was so good, Eamon was in the backpack and the only naughty thing he did was to throw his shoe in the river (he throws EVERYTHING at the moment - he has a strong arm too!) And Alex walked down and back up all on his own - no small feat for a two year old!

Thanks everyone for a FANTASTIC day :) (Check out lisa and chrish's blogs for AWESOME pics coming up)

OH Kelsea mastered the art of doing up her buttons on her pajamas tonight. Very proud mum and daughter :)

(how tired does she look - our resident NIGHT OWL!)

Risotto

2010-03-10T18:31:00.004+11:00

So this is the FIRST ever risotto that I have made or even eaten. It was a chicken, mushroom and roasted tomato one. It was very time consuming and as I was making it I was wondering if all i was doing was a drawn out fried rice - it just looked like gluggy over cooked rice! HOWEVER I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome - the aborio rice is really nice and though it looked like it would be gluggy it wasn't at all. It was creamy and firm. Go figure. SO are there any Risotto making masters out there with tips on better flavour or technique (not sure HOW it should look or taste!).

A Trip To Glen Huon

2010-03-08T15:16:00.006+11:00

On Friday afternoon about 2-ish we decided to go to Glen Huon for the long weekend. So while Jared was finishing at work I washed and dried all the clothes and got us ready as quickly as possible. I was so glad I'd done the house work that morning and the dishes were all done!
So about half past 3 we got away - only to be stopped at the very same police check as LISA! ONLY our car - unlike Nans - wasn't quite up to scratch - got in trouble for the muffler having a hole and a slightly smooth outer tyre (Jared was CRANKY!) ANYWHO! We luckily didn't get a fine - just a defect notice telling us to repair the problems in two weeks or our rego could be cancelled. There were HEAPS of Police and transport officers there -we even saw Simon Triffitt ( he had on some lovely blue gloves!)

SO we finally got going again (with a pretty cranky husband and Children who had WOKEN grrr and only went to sleep at Hobart!) We got out at Campbell town for them to run around and have some dinner. Then we stopped again at St Peters Pass so by the time we got to mums it was after 9 PM!! nearly 6 hours in the car! The kids were really good as usual though!

On Saturday we went to Salamanca Market - it was Soooooooooooooo HOT and Kels was really quiet and scared the whole time.(No wonder she was scared - this is the view she had most the day!!)

Eamon loved all the people but got sick of being confined to the pram. I found a ten dollar neclace that I loved but may alter - and Jared got some rock candy. That was about all our ourchases though i could have spent hours on my own and hundreds on goodies!

On Sunday we headed after church to Emma and Joels place at sandfly. They have a 20 acre secluded bush block. Their house is right on the edge of a 50m cliff over looking some river.

Emma and Joel

We all went down (Aunty Wendy, Uncle Rob, Zach, Seb, Annie, Em, Joel Tess and Hazel and US) the cliff to the river it has an AMAZING water hole one of the calmest and best i've seen. Emmas girls are so confident and natural in the water.

Our water baby!

Saturday night we all had tea at mums. She made her fabulous Lasagne (sorry all you fab cooks im sure yours is nice but it would never be this good!!!!) I'm slowly trying to do it the same...not there yet!! Lisa and Stan Halle and Archie came as did Jess Tyler James and Amy.

Eamon (13 months) Nana (56!!!) and Archie (7 Months)

Unfortunatley Jarod Liam and Ella were at their nans so Kels was fairly disappointed! Lisa made a choc cake to celebrate mums birthday and the girls loved it singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles!

Being Cheeky climbing Uncles James' fence

Kelsea (3 1/2) and Halle (2)

After The dinner we left the children (one sleeping the other hyper) with their nan and headed to Andrew's and Donna's where Andrew gave Jared a "practice" massage - he was really good and we had a great night! Was so good to go down - and I am slowly warming Jared up to the idea of living there ( it used to be a flat out NEVER!) Would LOVE my kids to grow up in Glen Huon.

Mum can we make a FAIRY cake?

2010-03-04T16:31:00.004+11:00

This is a common request from Kelsea. I always say - "oh i need to clean the kitchen first" But she usually persists in asking til during Eamon's sleep we sometimes make one.

HOWEVER our oven is temperamental at the moment - and a cake that takes 50 mins usually in an ordinary oven BURNS after 15 mins.... the bottom was black and some of the top and sides so I had to "trim" it a little to make sure it didn't taste of charcoal.

Kelsea has taken after her mum in that the ICING is her favourite part (it tasted pretty yummy this time round - butter icing is the BEST).

Of course after our attempt tp use the tupperware piping concertina ball to decorate (the icing was too runny) we needed to put in a sparkly candle and light it and sing happy birthday to Kelsea!

Kelsea LOVES to help cook - she even cracked the eggs - saying she wouldn't drop them - and she didn't - hopefully she will end up a better cook than her less-than-gifted mum!!

(Oh by the way can you see the dryer in the back round? WE paid $10 for it at the op shop - almost NEW it had a missing clip on the lint filter - one mans trash is another mans treasure - at least this winter we will have DRY laundry for once!)

He Slept All Night

2010-03-03T08:06:00.004+11:00

You good boy Eamon - think we'll keep you now!!

Of course Kelsea still made her regular midnite trip to our room - but by some strange stoke of luck spent the entire night on Jared's arm (usually she wants me) so poor Jared had a rubbish sleep (sorry Jazzy!!) But I was surprised as I still didn't sleep well - going to blame the bed for that!

k

Apple Pies and playing with "Mad"

2010-03-02T15:49:00.004+11:00

They call each other "Mad" and "Kels" and they both call him "bhud" .

Today Maddi Came to play - Kelsea has been asking everyday to see her cousins - "mum when is Chloe and Maddi coming - they coming today" as soon as she opens he eyes its one of the first things she says - along with Good morning and where's daddy?? (the confusion that comes from having a daddy home for two weeks sick!) the girls got on really well and Eamon wasn't told off by them TOO much :) he just doesn't get the finer art of playing mums, dads and kids.

They ate and played and had a trip to chickenfeed and eventually crashed in front of the TV.

"Mad"

"Kels"

"Bhuddy"

In between all this wonderful play i baked two apple pies. Even macerating the apples before baking (sounds like I'm an accomplished baker hey!!) Wasn't happy with the pastry - rolled it too thin so hope the kids don't mind tonight!! (no pics of these as i don't want to embarrass myself ;)

Thanks for coming to play Maddi hope you guys are still such good friends when your 13!

A Hospital trip and ALMOST sleeping the night through!

2010-03-01T08:14:00.003+11:00

Last night about 8 I rang the after hours Doctor as Kelsea's breathing was really fast like she'd been running flat out and she was wheezing aswell. The doc on the phone said to take her into emergency as it could be anything and to hard to tell over the phone. She threw the word Pneumonia in so I was immediately a little worried!! We waited a little while - which was ok for me as BONES was on :) SO after being assessed we waited for over an hour ( she had a temp at this stage too) in the ER when a doctor finally saw us and said she most likely had an infection (Chest or something why is it they never clarify anything at hospital?!?!) that had brought on asthma. SO they gave her ventolin - which she freaked at at first and then by the third time she was a pro! And also some prednisolone (not sure of spelling) to open her airways also antibiotic to take home!! so she is all drugged up! She was so good and actually happy playing lots of make believe games with me - even using the heart monitor clip as a "beeper" for library books and singing (when the nurse wasn't with us). Kels with all her drugs

The other news - put Eamon to bed at bout 7 last night - he slept through til about 3:30 am when I went into him and got him up - i gave him a drink of water - which he turned his nose up at and tried to rock him - but he was blowing raspberries on my arm. I wasn't in the mood after 2 hours of sleep to put up with another hour of that so i said good night put him in bed and shut all the doors. He screamed for i don't know how long as I fell asleep! THis morning I heard him wake just before 8am. Happy and excited to see me. HOWEVER he was BLUE with being COLD!! and his lips are still blue an hour later - even though he is rugged up. Need one of those all over sleeper suits I think!

Corn and Rain

2010-02-28T13:17:00.004+11:00

I went to stake training yesterday and was very excited to have Grandpa (Nick) give us some tomatoes and corn on the cob from their garden. I LOVE corn on the cob especially fresh from some ones garden! Kelsea also got so excited and asked "Mumm can I peel it - thats ok mum" Sure I say lets go outside though! She did a great job - with Eamon supervising!

Later that evening it grew dark suddenly and then the rain came hard and fast and Kelsea ran to the screen door and yelled "Boody (Eamon) come see the rain" He ran to see what his big sister saw! She is always so excited to show him the world.

12 months later......(don't fall off your chairs!)

2010-02-25T20:43:00.005+11:00

Well I would love to be a regular blogger but it takes me FOREVER to upload pictures and just think of something interesting to write.

Eamon is 13 mths now - and such a boys boy. Its amazing how innately different he and Kelsea are. They were definitely born a sterotypical boy and girl!

Eamon loves : Cars, tools, rough play, tools, breaking things, tools.... oh and did i mention tools? (His eyes literally light up and he gets sooo excited about them) and WATER!

Kelsea loves: Singing, dancing, pretend food, playing mums, singing, dancing, babies, riding bikes, singing.

Here are a few latest pics of them. They are really cute together and usually get along quite well - if Eamon doesn't disrupt Kelsea's play things :)

Pics of the kids in the pool - eamon got in clothes and all he loves swimming. Kels "dinking "him on her trike (by the way she can now ride a two wheeler with training wheels) Eamon's first birthday - lazy mum didn't even make a cake. i was so lethargic and washed out that weekend. Oh well it was so much fun at the beach having a bbq and hanging with mum james Amy and co. They are so much fun and Kelsea cracks us up everyday with her one liners and antics...Eamon is also very funny and adorable :)

Intoducing Eamon!

2009-03-23T14:11:00.003+11:00

Well Eamon is now 9 weeks old and growing sooooo fast! He is just adorable and so placid and calm. He weighs over 6.5 kgs already - Kelsea didn't weigh that until 6 months so I am a little stunned! But we love his chubb! We are getting lots of smiles and a few laughs out of him now. kelsea loves him and smothers him with love. she is very gentle and sweet. telling him its all right in her best mummy voice ;)

Can you guess?

2009-01-01T14:59:00.002+11:00

.....When this baby will be born?

.....What it will be?

.....What we will name it?

.....How big it is?

Kelsea!

2009-01-01T14:35:00.005+11:00

I know I really only write about kelsea - Thats coz she is the one that changes so much!

Here is a pic of her at Christmas.

Kelsea is not a big fan of sleeping. In fact she hates going to sleep with a passion. But she usually would sleep a night or two in a row just when we were going insane from sleep deprivation. BUT taht hasn't happened in along time and I think we are almost insane..!! We have tried a lot of different things but mostly I guess it is our bad habits and Kelsea's strong will that are the problem. Its hard to know what to do - with jsut two weeks before this baby comes I am just hoping she will figure out that sleep is great. Well I guess she will have to just get over it as feeding a new born every three hours is going to have to come first! Not taht I am too worried about night wakings this time - JAred and I are so used to beign awake at all hours and getting like 2 hours in a row. poor Jared is always so wrecked for work and has a constant headache that is more often turning to a migraine. but despite all this Kelsea is usually so chirpy and happy - we can't figure out where her energy comes from - we are like zombies and she is bouncing off the walls! and she has started saying "luz you mummy" and "luz you daddy" even my belly gets a cuddle and kiss and a luz you too!! oh the joys!!!

with her daddy on Christmas day at triffitt grandparents! kelsea had a great day - was a bit whingy coz she hadn't had much sleep but I was pretty impressed she wasn't worse! Lots of great food gorgeous weather and seemed like a hundred kids all running about!

2 weeks to go!

2009-01-01T13:54:00.003+11:00

How fast and how slow this pregnancy has gone. Fast because I am so distracted by Kelsea and slow because i feel so tired and drained and sick all the time - just from heartburn/reflux. Here are a few photos courtesy of lorraine's NEW camera!!

this is me getting really fat. I actually keep thinking I don't look like that as from my perspective my belly isn't that big! But when i walk past people and bump them i guess i'm just not dealing with reality!!

So much happens in between my blog posts it is difficult to say them all!

Kelsea is getting older everyday. Her personality is so much fun to watch develop. She is very strong willed... very....! But also really sensitive and soft. She loves being a little mummy. And is often coming up to me if I am lying down saying "whats matter mummy? You k?" and "want tuggles? (cuddle)" She gets a hair brush and sits behind Jared on the arm chair and brushes his hair and says "that better daddy?" we often hear her walking around the house talking in this high falsetto voice to her dolls and "babies" saying there you go baby etc etc. its very endearing! She also loves to sing... a lot. Kels sings from the moment she is awake til she is asleep - which is rare - so we hear a lot of singing. turbo versions of old macdonalds farm and wheels on the bus. different lyrics to twinkle twinkle and I am a child of God - depending on the activity she is pursuing. Dancing and dressing up are other favourite games. And playing with her toy animals and prams and handbags where she has all her things... " thats uh sea's stuff mum!" mostly screwed up paper and bits of tupperware and little doo dabs!

Kelsea also loves to help Jared in the garden..........hmmm or hinder??? she keeps picking half ripe strawberries and little green tomatoes! I don't like tomatoes...there is just something about the texture that bothers me - but I LOVE the smell of tomato plants! like wet ashphalt and mown lawns and sea breeze....Anyway better stop this is getting a bit long. ! Having trouble with pictures.... so slow probably something about being to big or something I have no idea how to fix ;)

12 hour days and 12 hour nights

2008-09-08T11:01:00.002+10:00

Well what to say! The last couple of months have gone by so quickley. I'm not sick anymore - which is great - just tired and the doc said that is low blood pressure - at least I'm not fainting like Nicki was!! Getting fat now....!
Kelsea has had a really ...umm...interesting.... couple of months too. All of a sudden she has become really erratic and emotional and cranky... I know she just turned two - but I think its more than that!! She doesn't want to sleep in the day - which is a pain as she is so tired and gets soooooooooo cranky by 4 pm. But at least she is sleeping 12 hours at night at the moment! So I am taking her to see "super Mario" is that what your boys call her Lisa! Hopefully we can figure out her "issues" (does a two year old even have issues???) Its interesting that Marlo mentioned something about an abandonment thing as that is Kelsea all over! In the middle of the night we hear "muumy gone" "daddy gone" in a mournful tone. Then during the day if i go outside she frets or even in the bathroom........argh!! What she does is called bioresonance therapy.....

So what about the rest of us? Jared is busy busy at work - building a two storey house at the moment just 5 mins from home which is great less fuel and Jared gets up with Kels for like an hour before he leaves and gets brekkie and lights the fire too! Kelsea is a real daddy's girl at the moment. I get to "sleep in" or just lay there anyway til 7:30...

Kels and I are excited to be comign down south for a week at the end of teh month.....heaps of ppl to catch up with....everytime I usually go down I end up just going to family functions then back home.

Kels gets to be a big sister!!

2008-06-07T11:35:00.003+10:00

Oh no - poor little thing I can just see Kelsea bossing the life out of it!! Oh well she LOVES babies and will love it to death too!

oh dear it seems I have been a little slack!!!

2008-04-13T18:44:00.002+10:00

Well its been such a quick year so far for us full of lots of intersestign times and things!
It would be impossible to write them all down here - but I'll jsut write a little of whats been happening!
Mostly jsut day to day living, Jared goes to work - comes home - sleeps - goes to work etc! and plays with Kels! We go on family trips some weekends - up teh NW coast. We are headign down south again soon and we are going the west coast way - maybe (kels in a car that long is an experience that i could prob do without!!) it si so beautiful down the west coast. When i was in UNI we went on heaps of field trips. once it wasa week long trip to Mt. Field and the surroundign areas. we got to see all teh cusion plants - which are amazing and so fragile - and we went to a place called Tim Shea which looked like a scene from Lord of teh Rings. Also to a little place called Growling Swallet - you hike through an ancient myrtle forest (HUGE TREES) and come to this deep cave with an undergroung river - and i guess it growls like a swallet (what do you think aTHAT is??) I also want to see the deciduous birch up in the mountains it is the only native one in tassie.......and it would look sooo pretty up there especially if it was snowing.

Kelsea is growign and changing and it so amazing to watch and we are so blessed to be part of her life. she is charmign and witty and really smart (don't we all think our kids are geniuses!!!) beautifula nd caring and affectionate, teh world is so interestign to her now. she loves discovering the world around her. she loves rocks and all things that can stow away in her many hand bags and buckets. the other day i found a pencil the dental floss, rocks and chalk and a little book in her bag!
She LOVEs Dorothuy the dinosaur...... i swore i would never let my kids watch teh wiggles - but now I must confess - it is sooo good - even i have watched Wally the Great many a time!!
Sleeping is erratic as always, eating is fussy and a strggle at tea time - most ends up on the floor - on purpose!!
Kelsea talks - alot - mostly in her own language - she is very expressive and sensitive.
she LOVES music and I think she is really good at singing and dancing
She helps with the jobs and loves to brush her teeth!!
ok gotta go!!

Small update - havn't quit blogging!!

2008-02-02T12:58:00.000+11:00

Well I am just putting this on here for You lisa!!
I have to figure out a way of puttign my pics on as I lost the cord thingy - and most printers dont' have a memory card thingy on them!
We have been really busy over january - going to the beach, the wildlife park and hanging out with Friends and family. We ahve also started back with our Hey Mum's group - which is fun and also Mums r us church group. IT can get really busy for us durign the day if we go to all the activities - and it feels like we are out most days! I love it when we stay home totally for the whole day - kelsea loves beign home - but she also loves gettign to go out - and brings me her sandles and goes "soos" its so cute!!
kels has jsut the is last week been sayign so many more words - i can even get a please and thankyou out of her (tees and ankou) if I am offering a bikkie or her milk! UNFORTUNATLEY she is sleepign REALLY badly. LAst night was a horror - took me back to 6 months ago when she really didn't sleep at all. But now she also has this massive temper! I say its a Triffitt thing - Jared swears its a Watson thing - he may be right ;) But then I think i have such an easy life full of blessings - I was readign a book my good friend Elissa lent me called Fire of the Covenant - or soemthing like that. it was about the Willie and Martin Handcart companies going across the planes in the middle of a terrible winter. ppl say tassie is cold - but I dont' think it begins to compare to the freezing temps in the US. I have NEVER seen a river or creek frozen over here- maybe the odd puddle or small pond!! It is a wonder that any of them lived to tell teh tale.
So last night she is head butting, slapping scratching us! IT si frustration and she is REALLY itchy from eczema. I thought the "magic cot" at Grandmas might work. no - she is in hysterics!!
Its really ahrd to discipline an 18 month old. I know she understands most of what i say to her - and she often will do something she is not allowed to do - then look at me as if to say what are you going to do about that mum?? Mostly i try not to laugh - oh it fun though hey!

Jared has been flat out at work - he got til new years off - which was really nice. He ahs also been making heaps fo things from scrap wood from work. so far he has made a toy box and book shelf for Kelsea's room. and he has nearly finished a letter box. He is in the process of restorign a rocking horse also.

Well grandma and Grandpa are here now so better go.

Christmas Time is here.

2007-12-24T18:48:00.000+11:00

Well Christmas time is here again. We Started our season by going and "borrowing" a tree from some plantation. We tried to pick the fullest and nicest shaped pine tree - but they ALWAYS look better BEFORE you cut them down! But we were happy with it.

Kelsea loved getting into the decorations and even helped put some on the tree. With a hand from her daddy!!

This year we are down in Glen Huon for Christmas and it has ben sooooooooooooooooooo wet and cold!!!! FINALLY we finished our Christmas shopping and Mums lounge room is filling up - no doubt it will get fuller after Father Christmas comes tonight!!

kelsea loves being with her cousins again and it is even better this year as Stan and Lisa's newest addition Halle is here to help celebrate as well!

It is now after midnigh - so technically i is Christmas!!! Better go to bed before father Christmas finds me sitting here!!!

Oh Kels loves the cows and chooks here too - they are pretty tame and she isn't that worried by them!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

SHE"S WALKING!!!!!!!!

2007-12-03T01:05:00.000+11:00

For the last two weeks Kelsea has been attemptign to walk. The first time she walked 4 steps as I was holdinga bunch of teddys and enticing her to follow me. It seemed that she was takign a LONG time to just keep walking....she has amazing muscle tone... her calves are ripped!! She does squats all day whilst dancing but jsut wouldn't take many steps! ANY WHO! This weekend she jsut decided to do it! I think watchign Maddi gave her confidence and she jsut took off! She has already tried to start running - not so successful though!!
so cute and so sad my "baby" is now technically a "toddler"! Kelsea is the busiest child - always occupying herself - when not tired - mostly she likes to put things in things - for example putting our mobile phones in a glass that we have finished using - or putting little nativity pieces in her dump truck or bag. Aunty Lisa Watson will be glad to know that kels is startign to acceserize - she puts my hairbands on for bangles, puts on a necklace and carrys her bag over her arm - kind of like the queen does. Funny that she also waves like the queen...

Sleep overs and Christmas trees

2007-12-02T17:56:00.000+11:00

I seem to blog alot about Kels and maddi!!
Friday night Nicki and I went to Sarah's tupperware party - well i had to "work" - so Grandma and Grandpa looked after the two girls. It was a great party - thanks Sarah! We had a relaxing night - til Sarahs oven started billowing out white puffy smoke - it si brand new and they could't figure out what ahd happened - the meat pies were still frozen!!! the girls were complete angels and went strtaight to sleep.
On Saturday night maddi stayed with Kelsea and I - Jared is STILL away!! Again maddi slept all night and Kels was awake all night - hmmmm i think she needs more "controlled" crying. Its anything BUT controlled!!! its so Funny - Lisa is out there tryign to get Maddi and Kelsea kissing!!! We are all puttimng up the Christmas tree!! yay blogged that before Lisa!!! see Lisa's Blog........lisajking.blogspot.com...........to see pics - and loads more details!!! The kids were all screaming and out of control!!! oh it was fun though.

Kelsea enjoying her first candy cane - care of Grandma!!

We are really missing Jared. It sux that he has been gone so long. After kelsea goes to bed it is really quiet. they have been working flat out to get it done.

Engagement Party, Baby Shower and Amy's Birthday/Housewarming Good bye daddy!!!

2007-11-30T15:11:00.000+11:00

Wow what a full weekend we had last weekend!!
Jared Finished work at about 11am and we headed into Launceston. Let me just say - i really don't like Launnie. Its hot in summer and freezing in winter - but it does have lovely parks - and People!! it was so hot and sticky - and i had to go to Tupperware to get some, well tupperware!! it was good to finally head down south. We had a long drive - with kels not being very happy - she only slept for a little while and is now over the whole car thing! We got to mums at about 6 and pretty much had to head off to Uncle Ricky and Aunty Pam's for my cousin Cassie's Engagement party. it was a lovely night - one of those perfect tassie summer evenings when the sun doesn't go down til about 9 and you can smell all the hay beign cut and the river. Cassie's Fiance Jared is a nice guy - they look stunning together (will put pics on later - it is such a hassle for me as I am really slow at it!!). Cassie is such a sweet warm hearted girl and Jared is lucky to have her (i'm sure the reverse is true also!!) this will be Jared number 5 for the Watson Family!! Teh more teh merrier!

Ok the next day we had a baby shower for my sis in law Lisa. She is due in about 2 weeks. lots of people came - mums lounge room was packed - sorry no pics of this "lost" my camera again! Lise got heaps of pressies - some cute little knitted things - lots of nappies and all things baby - which are all so adorable!! We played a couple of games - a drinking one that amy one - no surprise there!! hehe joke - it was just cordial!

On sat night was Amy's bday and James, Amy, Jarod, Liam and ella's housewarming. We had a yummy bbq - Amy and James always put on a great feast! Heaps of laughs and good to catch up with people. Kelsea adores her three cousins - and they her - they just flock to Kels and she laps it up!! The party went on into the wee hours long after we headed back to mums place. Mum had the kids with her for the night. Lisa and I were chattign in their lounge till late then we wenrt to bed - mum said she fell asleep on the couch and Ella was still up playing - it was after midnight!! THEN Jarod had a blood nose and bled all over the bed (the kiddies were in her bed 3 in the bed and the little one said..... I can actually see ella pushing the boys out!!)

We headed home early Sunday - as jared had to go on the Boat sunday night to Melbourne - his bosses kidnapped him and still haven't returned him - he thinks now he will be there till next week!!!

I keep gettign tonsilitis and it is really annoying me - and it hurts too!!! But the doc said that I can't have them out - bummer.

Playing with Maddi

2007-11-15T13:52:00.000+11:00

Since moving to Devonport, Kelsea has been lucky to have lots of "play dates" with Maddi Mae! The girls get on really well and it is great as both Nicki and I can do stuff without our little angels tagging along!
Kelsea bosses Maddi a fair bit - but Maddi seems to just take it in her stride! A lady at church commented that you can tell Kelsea is an only child (the "mine" attitude and bullying the other tots!!!) I hope she grows out ofS it! But it is great that she has a strong personality! The other day at Nickis the two girls were sitting in an armchair and Maddi had her head on Kelsea's shoulder - soooo cute - til one got kicked in the tummy and the other clawed!!

checking out kelsea's new bath toy

Kelsea EATING the rose petals!!

Kelsea and I have been spending heaps of time outside in our backyard. Kelsea LOVES picking and tasting all the pretty flowers! We have had a few picnics with me occasionally winning the leave-the-hat-on battle!! It is great when Jared comes home from work when we are outside - she just claps her hands and goes dada!!!!!

Hmm not too sure what to put here!

2007-11-03T15:54:00.000+11:00

It is so much fun being the mum of a 14 month old. Kelsea is a joy to have around. it is even nicer now that she sleeps all night - til abtou 5 or 6 am anyway!! The other nigth we thought we would have home made fish and chips - so we went to Petuna seafood on the eastern shore and got FLAT HEAD!! yummmm my favourite. I actually am not a big seafood fan - hate lobster, prawns, scallops and all those slimy gooey things. But a nice piece of flathead goes down well. So i made wedges and salad to go with it and we were enjoying our meal when we look around and Kelsea has her hand deep in teh Tartare Sauce bottle!! squishing it between her fingers!! I wish I took a picture - but I was more concerned with cleanign her up - wish she wasn't already in her pjs!! It was so funny though!!
On the way home we dropped into Elissa and Aaron Woolleys' place..... for a quick visit. they have jsut ahd their 4th baby in 4.5 years!! Elissa is definately a supermum! When we got there she was washign up and mopping!! like a week and a half after givign birth!! She is a wonder!
Lisa King is a supermum too! She always has everythign under control (well looks to have!)
Ok better go stop beign anti social! I am actually at family tea!! Oh well Lisa will eb happy to see I have written another blog post!

Grandpa Nastase's 80th Birthday

2007-10-26T15:06:00.000+11:00

Last weekend Jared Kelsea and I flew to melbourne for my Grandfather's 80th. he was born in Romania and because the communists took over the country during the war he left (illegally) and crossed the continent til he got to germany. i actually think he was arrested in czechloslovakia. But anyway he ended up in a former POW camp in Germany that was transfomed into a refugee camp. There he met my grandma and married her. they looked like old time movie stars!! THAT explains my good genes!! LOL joke!
So after comign to Aus they eventually settled in Melbourne, where my mum and her older bros Peter and George grew up. So everyone flew to melbourne - well Danni and her lot drove - as did Catherine Levon and Abel. It was sooooooooooo hot for us poor tasweigens!! we are used to the cool tassie spring and it was over 30 degrees the whole time. Kelsea loved the plane - especially looking out the window when we were all tilted - she didn't like sitting still however!!
It was great to catch up with everyone and meet Abel who is abotu 8 months old - and already bigger than Kelsea! Grandpa loved the little ones and Kelsea really loved him too. We had a party at the Matthew flinders hotel - do not recommend staying there!! very noisy niteclub!
Ok i hear Kelsea beating up Grandma!! better go save Grandma!!

We did it!!

2007-10-12T15:41:00.000+11:00

Kelsea has always beena terrible sleeper - every now and then she will sleep through the nigth - but she ALWAYS stops this as soon as it starts. Well we knew the main problem was she kept waking up for her dummy. Well yesterday Kelsea had a bad day - didn't want to eat - didn't want to sleep just unhappy really all day. ALst night was no different - at about 10:30 i got her up and gave her panadol thinking - well it can't hurt!! It has never really made her drowsy- so no good for sleep aid!! then i put het back to bed - after jared ansd i both trying to settle her - J ared made me stay out and let her cry it out - well i actually fell asleep!! and 1 and a half hours later so did she - THEN jared! she threw out her dummy and tshirt (like a blankie) so we thought Right! no more dummy. i threw them all away this morning....and she actually went to sleep - after only 15 mins of crying. so we finally did it. it is a little scary but also exciting - hopefully soon the little tacker will start to sleep!!! sorry now i think i lost the camera - so no pics....... shame 0- she is sooooooooooo cute asleep!!

Me and my daddy!!!

2007-10-01T13:25:00.000+10:00

Kelsea loves her daddy alot. In fact the word that she says the most is dadadadada!! and daddy~! Even when she talks to me she calls ME daddy!! We discovered that Kelsea loves riding on Jared's shoulders

Kelsea also goes "running" into the bathromm whenever JAred is in the bath and screams at him and throws everything in the bath - she likes to slap his head too and gets a bit concerned when ever he washes out the shampoo. This morning when we woke up - JAred had left for work and Kelsea kept looking to his side of the bed and going dadadadada and laughing - coz she always attacks him!!

New House

2007-09-28T12:56:00.000+10:00

Well we have finally moved in to our new place. It is in Devonport and we are really excited to be in our own home finally. Kelsea has her OWN room and we are currently teaching her how to sleep - yet again! there have been lots of screams and tantrums but she is getting there - only woke up up twice last night - but was up at 5:45 am for the day!! But that is ok - i still got to go to sleep all by myself!
ANyway back to the house! THe kitchen is new and it has 3 bedrooms and a fire place. The back yard is all fenced in and large with lawn and lots of rose bushes. There is a HUGE shed/garage that Jared loves!! and a carport also.

The funny thing about moving is that something is bound to go wrong! Well our TV blew up about 2 days after we moved in - much to Jared's horror! (Oh well - he just has to talk to me now:) ) OH! and our move cost us $300 more than we awere anticipating - as a tree collided with the passenger side of the truck.......ahhh!!!!!!!

PHOTOS

2007-09-19T14:44:00.001+10:00

yay have pics now - you will haveto scroll down as I have updated some posts!!

Cousins!!

2007-09-19T14:36:00.000+10:00

Kelsea is blessed to have many cousins!! she has 11 all up and 3 more on the way by next April!It is so wonderful for her to have lots of girl cousins - both our families have lots of boys in fact out of nans 39 grandkids, only 11 are girls! But Kelsea also loves her boy cousins and Jarod and Liam especially love her!! (they all do)! When Kels goes to visit the kiddies Liam is so sweet - he will take off his jumper or dressing gown and drape it over her shoulders or lap and go "there you go kels!!" Liam is 4, Jarod is 6 and Ella is 2. Jarod is such a big brother to her aswell as his own siblings - he is a fantastic help! Ella loves kels - but sometimes she will get upset and go "mine" "ellas" "not for Kels!" But then she makes up for it with hugs and playing with her!! ever goHere are some pics the night before we left Glen Huon

Straight after this photo Kelse fell head first off the couch - ouch!!

Horsing Around!!

2007-09-19T14:31:00.000+10:00

There are two fantastic horses at Nanna's house!! Kelsea just loves to rides them, especially the yellow and green one!!

Mum found this rocking horse for $20 at a market in Glenorchy - bargain!! All the grandkids love it!!

Mother's Group

2007-09-19T14:22:00.000+10:00

Kelsea and I have been lucky enough to attend a couple of Mother's Group activities with the Mums and kiddies from church (at Devonport). Kelsea loves the other Kids and loves all teh space and toys that are so different to her own! (the poor deprived girl has no bike!!!) These are a few pics that Nicki took of 4 of the girls !!

Starting at bottom left; Oifa (not sure if spelling is right!) and Maddi in conversation. And Kelsea and Azhure having a chat!! How cute! The 3 girls are all very close in age and will all be in Nursery together very soon!!

Notice how all the drink bottles are the same!! sheer coincidence!!

The Magic Cot

2007-09-11T17:31:00.000+10:00

Sounds like a good title for a children's book hey!
But this magic cot lives at Grandma and Grandpa's house! It is clled the magic cot because it has this strange effect on unsttled babies - it puts them to sleep (well occasionlly anyway!)
We first discovered it was magic last summer when Eden and Steph brought Chloe to meet everybody. Prior to the cot she fed every hour or so around the clock. i think the first night in the cot she slept 13 or so hours straight. Not sure that that is still the case wit Chloe! Also The first time We moved in Kelsea slept all night. The reason i bring this up is because for the last two nights Kelsea has slept till about 7 am. she has woken a couple of times - had a bit of a scream then back to sleep. wow this is like amiracle for us!
Kelsea seems happier and so are we!!!

She is so excited to see Jared when he comes home - she looks up and goes "dada!" She is a real comedian.

It's a beautiful day

2007-08-30T15:25:00.000+10:00

It is such a beautiful day today - actually the whole week has been so summery. It is still officially winter until saturday - but I feel like going camping and hiking and swimming now!Yesterday i took Kelsea outside to placy on the grass - she hasn't really played on it for about 4 months - it has been a soggy boggy mess all winter. So she was a little unsure of it at first - but soon was plucking grass and eating it! We went out to pick the first of the daffodils - the really nice smelly ones - and as we were playing on the grass - Kelsea kept throwing her arms around me and giving me a big hug! It was so sweet!! (though today at Kmart she clawed my face and drew blood!!)
I also put her on Jarod, Liam and Ella's swing set - and discovered she is a dare devil! she LOVEd it! the higher she went the more she giggled!!

Kelsea on the swing set!

This photo was taken about Christmas time with Jarod, Liam, Ella and Aunty Amy. Still can't upload recent pics so this old one will have to do!

JARED THE BUILDER

2007-08-27T16:54:00.000+10:00

This afternoon as he was filling up the car Jared missed a call. When he checked his phone - it was Nixon - the guy who jared had the interview with! He thought "this can only be good!" so he ranga nd Nixon said - "well we want you on and we will start you as a 2nd year apprentice - you start in two weeks!" Well Jared was so excited - and he didn't even ring me! just told me when he came home!! He hasn't been able to wipe the smile off of his face! We are so excited. we both really like Devonport and are looking forward to having our own home! it is great to finally have some good news!!

Ok better go finish practicing how to make this tupperware cake - Kels is awake - and fretting a bit. she just had a 3 and a half hour sleep - if only that would carry on till the night time!