embracing the camera

this week, with my 2 funny, sassy, sweet, kind girls....who wow me, floor me, frustrate and delight me - how the heck we ended up with such fab chicks, is at times beyond me.  But lotsa prayer, growls, hugs and laughter lines the path of their childhood thus far ...I guess lots more of each will be be needed...mostly i am just awestruck they get to be mine. x

she is 12...and a bit

i try to do birthday portraits of the kids...I so ran overtime with this sweet sassy girls...there are so great ones, but I'm gonna keep them all for myself, except this one...such a beautiful spirit.

boy-man

these lads of mine are such treasures- the are growing into fine young lads, I'm proud of their maleness and celebrate and encourage it everyday.  Sometimes their 'maleness'  baffles me, sometimes it frustrates me, but mostly it delights my soul...grow strong my sons, free in the very things that make you 'man'. l

happy birthday to you miss noodle

This funny, sassy, crazy, sweet, compassionate, kind and very beautiful girl of mine had a happy birthday!!  This kid knows how to reach for the stars, and capture them too.
Noo, you are such a massive blessing to my heart....we are so grateful to have you in our family.
I pray your path will be straight, and you will be blessed beyond measure - that always, you carry in your heart; our love for you, and His saving grace.

bless ya sugarplum fairycake. xx

my brave beautiful girl

this photo is fuzzy....but I like it so much...this girl of mine, is a wee rockstar...she's performing here in front of hundreds of people, auditioning with her band. She had just dedicated their performance to her friend who had been killed the night before in a car accident....she is courageous, strong and sensitive, she takes her feelings, when overwhelmed and channels them into creating with music. She fights for those who need a friend and she is loyal to those she loves.  She made me a Mama.

my anne of green gables girl....

this girl of my is sassy, sweet and oh so wonderful...I used to dream of having a girl JUST like Anne of Green Gables...who was dreamy and clever and fighting for those who need an advocate....tis funny how life sometimes serves you just what you dreamed, and adds a twist to make it even sweeter...thats my girl.

its May already -sheesh!!

HELLO...my new friend.

rugby's started...and netball, soccer x2!

april family pic....

Life has ben full and busy and tricky and wonderful...but blessed too....we have had gatherings...a sweet new one welcomed to our world and in our arms.  Marshmellows toasted and sack races with cousins, tug of war with uncles and rugby kicks with dad....
celebrating: a sweet new girl child born to my lovely sister...bless you always baby girl; my big girl being voted in as head girl of the junior school; family gatherings where all 13 cousins can play in the sun together; our first boy being given a ceritficate recogniseing his empanthy and kindness to others....

thinking: that I should be outside soaking up the sun, but really need to clean the kitchen

baking: lovely looking slices that I can't even touch...sigh

counting down: in another 4 months 3 weeks I can sample those said slices, also counting down the scales as the weight slowly peels off - hopefully never to return  -shudder

hearing: a great message at church today that stirred my heart and has me thinking

loving: having 1/6th of the winter vege garden in

wondering: when on earth I will have the time to rotory how the other half and plant the other 5/6ths of winter vege garden!

hoping: this week will be calm and the list ticked off.
and that YOU have a blessed week. xxx

birthday portraits....6 years old!

Happy birthday portraits of our goregeous 6 year old!!...hes so yummy! To get a good pic of this boy you have to get through all the silly's, which are all part of the fun!...just love this wee guy, he rocks our world!

birthday portraits

I used to be onto it with taking about a million photos a day...this last 6 months has seen that easing somewhat (working outside your home does that-pooh)...but I really am committed to birthday portraits...so withut further ado, the latest birthday boy's pics...seriously how cute is this kid!  His eye slay me everytime...just love this wee guy so very much.

happy birthday Micah

from this sweet babe, with the softest beautiful curls too....

this sweet big 4 year old...so fun!

happy happy 4th birthday sweet Micah Jack....we are so very blessed to have this pirate lovin`, gumboot wearing, 'its ok mama I can help oo' saying boy...I'm so very thrilled to have this lad as mine.  Micah you make me smile - everyday.  You make my heart scrunch up and fill with joy being with you....I love when you put you warm hand in mine and secretly squeeze it, and the way you wrap your arms around my neck and hold tight.  You are bright, funny have the cutest wee songs under your breath, I love that you are reserved and think about what you want to say, that you'd rather go visit the chickens and animals than sit and watch TV.  I love that you like helping, and that you think your brother is your best friend.  You make your sisters want to squeeze you - and seriously have the best belly laugh I have EVER heard, I love whenyou have a 'great idea mum' and your eyes twinkle.  Thank you Lord for the gift of our serious and funny boy....happy birthday my lad, you are loved beyond measure.

happy birthday boy...aha me `arties!

makin' stuff....

so, with cooler weather comes fingers that just itch to knit!....I have started and undone a beanie for my 2nd girl about 6 times, so have decied to give it a rest and in the meantime found this sweet pattern in Purl bee's book....just love that it's all one piece and so simple.....and as I have 2 wee baby neices and 2 girlfriend's just happened to have had darling little girls...I figure it will fit one of the lass's....and yes, it sure does make me cluck a little louder....I just loved having babies to knit for!...its nice to gift it tho, (I keep telling myself!!)

officially the last time...

well here's a tear jerker (for leaky me anyways!)...my 3rd baby is offically graduated from kindy....and with proudness we all (his family) gathered to help him say goodbye to his time at Kindy, and thank all the wonderful teachers for their kindness and paitence and fun....we took in cake, and handmade capes and crowns and masks to gift the kindy.... Jose was so wonderful, and so sweet....the teachers had helped him make a crown and card and playdoh cake....we sang and wished him well....such a special boy this lad of mine.....a bittersweet goodbye thats for sure....he is so excited to be joining his sister at school next term, and even though I so wanted to keep him home until he was at least 6, it is right for him....sniff sniff.....fortunately I relief teach at his school - like 2 days a week! so will see lots of him for sure.... ;-)

a birth-day

my lovely friend Sarah asked if I would come and support her during her 2nd birth - um, YES!...this gal doesn't need to be asked twice I can tell you!...such an enormous priveledge and honour, one that I will forever treasure; this sweet babe will be one I will always pray for and delight in...

Such a lovely calm and peaceful entry into our world...such a brave and courageous Mama....

Welcome sweet Freya Emmeline Daisy.......you are such a beautiful wee blossom.

new arrival

a HUMUMGOUS congratulations to my sister, her husband and wee girl, on the sweet arrival of their next wee darling girl.....such a massive blessing for us all and such an incredible journey to be a part of. Thankyou so much for sharing it with me.

love to you all

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS. Those sweet tooties are actually one of my babies (A blue one)...but you get the idea...

Ayla Grace...

Ayla Grace arrived into our world...all pink and pretty. Welcome sweet girl, know you will be loved and cherished by us - always. We look forward, with HUGE excitement to watching you explore, grow and unfurl as beautiful as a butterfly wing.....love you sweet babe.

And not to forget her sweet as pie Mama - Kylie, what an amazingly strong and gorgeous thing you are - thankyou for the gift of sharing your sweet one with us all - to love. Congratulations wonderful brother and newphew- we love you to the stars!

Spill Cloths

I am bursting with excitment over the fact that my brother's wifey is emminently due with their 2nd bubby....tis devasting they live in Aussie; but sooooooo very exciting a wee miracle will be among us shortly. I have been making bits and pieces for this sweet treasure...which I will post pics of once I have posted them to her...but in the meantime I thought I'd post up a pic of some spill cloths I have been making and just popped into the shop. Very simple and sweet (and useful!!)...anyone could make them, but on the incase they can't or don't have time, I thought I'd do it for them ;-)....in case you'd like to peek in the shop window...pop on over to bellabree.felt.co.nz (have yet to master the button thingy!).

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

x

Snuggly pj pants

Before I show you my new (and lets be honest- slightly too small) pj pants for my wee -est boy, I have soooo many photos to post and sooo many words to share (sigh) But for today will show pj pants, I found this fuzzy cute stripey fabric at the local Opshop- for the bank breaking cost of....20cents, yup crazy huh! I so love the lil ole ladies down there! Anyho, I thought due to the pilling quality of the fabric, I'd turn it inside out so the fuzz is on the legs and the inside is outside (confused, try living in my head! ;-)...I used another pair of pjs to cut out from and voila`...sweet baby boy pants...I have the top cut out but will have to sew it seam by seam as life is a tad nutty at the mo!...so for now this wee cherub models his pjs with another oppy find, a thermal top- yay him.

More later this weekend, and Easter thanks-remembering- wishes to all those who remember.

Where the heck has 4 months gone~!

Tis been awhile....4 months to be exact. How the heck do you fill in 4 months!! I don't think I'll try!! Excpet maybe to add a few highlights....my baby turned 1 on the 1st of March- where of where has that time gone?? He's gone from being a wee plebby, chubby, stargazing cherub, to a real life boy! Tottering around being enchanted with all around him and enchanting those who watch his wide eyed wonder....he is to me - everything. I am blessed to have 4 'everything to me's'....my other baby boy turned 3 this week....now really where the heck has that time gone!! (wonder what happens to time once you have lived it and it has passed? Am wrabling will stop now). 3 is a magical 'he-man' age isn;t it? Where you are the superhero fixing thing, struttin your stuff shirtless and being 'all that'; and when you are tired of being he-man you still get to curl up in your Mama's arms and snuggle your cuddly; knowing your are indeed 'all that' to her and your family and secure in been just you. I love 3. I have loved my sweet girls being 3, teapartys and 'dotman adventures' (my eldests superhero name); cloud gazing and more sweet snuggles. sigh.

We had christmas and camping, and beaching, and surfing and sun drenched times throughout the summer...often spent with fabulous people we adore and always with each other....watching the seasons change now, it will be wonderful to 'simmer in the memories of summer' and also embrace the cool months ahead (I'll have to remember that when moaning about the rain/wind/freezy cold dumb weather!). Seriously, the first bird feeders have been made by me and the 3 year old, a bit premature it seems as the birds aren't hungry yet and eye our lovely feeders somewhat suspiciuosly still....watch out little birdys, you will be tempted to sit in our tree outside our window...oh yes you will! We can't wait for that.

I have finished the beanie for the man for winter 2009, the wrist warmer for the 11 year old (mostly for styly reasons and not at all because she has cold wrists!) and am now onto the fingerless gloves with sweet buttons for the 8 year old...oh yes cool weather is here, rock out the knitting needles! Yeeha!!

Foxgloves and bubbleblowing

well today was a busy one...we packed the girls off to school and then cleaned up round here a bit...went for a wander round our wee section, and was delighted once again to see our lovely apricot foxgloves, they are just so pretty so thought I'd share a bit of sweetness with you....while baby was napping we went on a worm hunt and found one dilegently burrowing away, so we gave him a pat (um a little to rough Jose!) and popped him back to burrow some more....bubbles occupied the wee lad for a bit more of the more till 'oh no...I spilled myself', floated in from the deck, and sure enough short of blowing on him to make the bubbles, it was the end of that game....sigh. Such a nice mild day though and when Micah woke up we went for a wee wander down the road and then was time to explore the grasss and to see what daisy's taste like...a quite day, which was lovely, as tomorrow will be 'all hands on deck'....oh finished a bag that i was making today and will pop a pic up tomorrow or so....