sweet strong ...and 5!

ooo mushy babe, all of 4 weeks old, and nearly outta his basket

almost 5! and growing everyday

5 arrives! and we so celebrate with all the superheros from near and far!

Micah Jack...you are so very precious to us all.  we love your curiosity, your pondering of how all things work together - your considered questions to the links of info still out of your grasp.  I love that you think before you speak, that you love to find out how things work, your compassion and slow to anger temper.  You are a lovely, lovely, lovely lad, who is super creative, making things everyday to improve some aspect of whatever thought-wave you are on.  I heart-adore the fact that despite being a busy lad, you fashion me the sweetest jewelry, thinking through the sizing and placement of jewels (this week shyly placing a tiny package in my hand during a work meeting; revealing 100 pieces of sticky-tape and wrapped; inside lay a beautiful 'diamond ring', that I have proudly worn all week).  You are loyal to your family, protective of me and my heart; your dad's buddy in all things fish/workshop/lawns/weights ...and more.  

We celebrated in style this week, inviting precious family and some of his little friends, dressing up as superheros and eating superhero style...a few games, as everyone seemed to love running and hiding and playing in the secret garden...and we all had so much fun remembering how to skip.  the very best part ...we get to hang EVERYDAY, ALL DAY; as you are now a big school boy - in MY class; so exciting! love you my treasure, to the stars and back!

better late than never?...

well now, here we are mid Jan and I haven't even posted 2012's reflections, and yet there is much to be thankful for! So, better late than never, thought I would share a few thoughts.

micah jack's brilliant portraits of mr man and I (4y10months)

in 2012....I was 

::~ Grateful, so very much, for family, and special times had, the birth of 2 celebrated and much loved nieces joining our family, making us 24 in number...a hefty team to face the world with.

::~Thinking, a lot of time spent re-evaluating things, a change of church family for us- which has being a blessing and also an upheaval. 

::~Creating, not a lot of creativity occurred when compared to previous years, but working has indeed swallowed the lion share of my days...however, knitting, sewing, crocheting, have all played their various parts.

::~Growth, in our children, in ourselves and in our relationship...stretching and changing sometimes have tears and hurts...relationships have been pulled and kneaded into a different shape, with a better result, despite initial qualms and fears.  Watching the physical growth of the kiddos is always amazing no?  Each of them is alot closer to being as tall as me, and the eldest is now taller..eek!
::~Change, this year I have undergone a journey of transformation...losing 47kgs of myself along the way - RELIEF is the biggest thing I feel, followed by WEEHEE, new clothes in a much smaller size YUS!  Lots of running around with the kids -easily now.  More to drop off along the year, but a massive chunk gone, phew...my heart says thankyou to myself!
::~Challenge, on so many fronts - but the one in mind, is running! I am officially a runner!  Yup, I slowly slumph along, but I'm doing it - YAY...once again the heart says -thankyou -to myself.
::~Explore, I have a yearn to explore our magnificent country...and have had the opportunity to a wee bit, visiting Waikauwa Bay most recently, and stopping off up the Coromandel along the way - `tis a feast for your eyes...such beauty...I so hope that 2013 is a year to explore.
::~Looking forward to, an awesome year, truly I pray it will be so! Welcome 2013, we gonna love each other!

sunday mornings are coming....

sooooo love sunday mornings (when we aren't on music-although love that too), love that leisurely feel to starting the day.....a whole heap of these are just around the corner -whoop!

some of november in photo

we are looking at the end of the term tunnel fast approaching, and I'm thinking November might be forgotten in its wake! So a wee record of some highlights for our whanau...

1-4. My pyromaniac brother and his sweet babes and wifey visited with us a while....my pyromaniac daughter was especially thrilled ~ ahem (the wild life was not so much).

5. a wee window of chillax, at the local resort style pool...nursing a very painful back

6. time spent with mr man, just the 2 of us for a lovely weekend away- restorative and so needed

7. my 3rd babe ready for a party - as the only boy invited he was indeed 'mothered' and looked after...he presented the said wee birthday princess with roses form the garden, to which a large spider promptly jumped out and horrified all 12 girls - such fun!

my fave people in the world

time goes so fast, these pics were taken in August at a special family gathering....these are precious, most beautiful gifts, and sometimes (when I'm not pulling out my hair, or threatening to poke them in the eye!), I find myself incredulous; that I over anyone else get to be their Mama....'mazing.

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

easter 2012

my fav photo of the night...unstaged candlelit guitar song writing...under the stars - sigh

the egg hunt in our rather overgrown jungle garden

mr mans idea of dressing up was adding a tie - ahem

a special feast was prepared ... a real treat

We love Easter and the precious meaning it has to our family...I love family traditions and rhythms, and Easter definately has them at our place.  We always spend time together exploring the Easter story, and egg hunt at some pojtn and a dressup dinner where we read the Easter story once again together...no ICT allowed...just stillness and reflection.  I love that our  girls are helping to lead our little boys in these rhythms....

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!

my boy -Jose

happy happy birthday baby.  A St Paddy's day birthday boy!  This year was extra fun, as we had out school Funrun to organise and go to...followed by pancakes and then off to the hugest, meanest mudslide ever!  What a brillant day to turn 6!

recieving a birthday pressi from the Funrun DJ, and the whole crowd sang for him...very touching

made it....down the hill in a last ditch sprint and into my arms...

hehehee...5 muddy bunnies - wanna hug?

slide action

one grinning happy birthday boy.

Jose, you are our ideas man...and we alternatly groan and smile when we hear "hey Mama I have a great idea!..."...you are seriously fabulous, and have a super fun sense of humor - you and I do ridiculous well!  I love your compassion and kindness, the way to hook your arm round my neck and how you have bravely chosen to give up your cuddly (cos 6, according to Mr J, is too big for cuddly's)...I love your zest for life. and contagious laugh....you inspire me son. x

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.

valentine making.....

MAKING PAPER HEART VALENTINES.

 first we cut out lots of pretty paper hearts (back and front to match)...then sewed up the sides leaving a small boy finger sized gap.......

 ....then found small boys who obligingly stuffed those hearts full of smarties.....(payment promised of leftover smarties).....

then sewed up the little gap...viola, so sweet treats (and easy) ready for valentines day.  Yay!