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!

lately...

1. party for Sets, Japanese style restaurant at home.
2.Saye turns 15
3. Lovely girlfriends gather to celebrate mu birthday 'surprise!'
4.run with my girls to a beautiful bay near here
5. micah plans and build a planting shelf at kindy.
6. our boys ARE spiderman
7.Ollie the lamb takes out all the rearing ribbons.
8. we visit broken hills...so beautiful
9. Bubbles the calf takes out lots of ribbons!

shes 15

our eldest baby is now 15 - half woman half girlchild - its an exciting journey no?  This kiddo is truly talented,  and its so fun to be along for the ride (and providing the ride-ha!)...if there is a ball shes there, if there's a guitar or drums, or keys or mic or...(you get the idea), shes there.  At school she reflects His light, and is given so many oportunities to lead and learn.  Our family motto is to be the best we can be...as cheesy as it sounds...but hey, this kid is living up to it - so proud of this kid who made me a Mama...shes  my hearts delight.

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.

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

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.

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!

christmas in the tent

a wee bit different for us than usual, and although the kids vote its their favourite, I'm unsure yet, as I so love fussing and faffing about, with the food, decor, outfits etc....um, gulp, maybe thats why the tent rocked??!!
Anyho, we are back from a magnificent time up North, camping....in the beautiful Waipu cove...such a magical place, with bird estuary sanctuaries, caves, forests, dolphins in the sea, the beaches of course.  We drank yummy coffee everyday, slurped icecreams and wandered about soaking all the sun we got, and delighting in just being still, and with each other.  Our mega highlight was being able to go and spend the day in the Bay of Islands, watching the dolphins romp from our boat, and take in the spectacular scenery and history steeped islands.  Truly amazing. 

This year has been a roller coaster, challenging, rewarding, beautiful, devastating, filled with personal achievements and challenges for all our family individuals.  We are so thankful to those who have walked by our sides, sometimes leading, sometimes following....for His Grace who has eased us through it, and for a deep abiding love - that is family.  Bring on 2012 - we are gonna love the life outta ya!!

14

large birthday cake knife - its a tradition to use it...ahem.

sweet sisters...didn't even squabble for the night!

small boy 2

small boy 1

our biggest gal has had a birthday - a very special birthday ...well now, aren't the all?  Menu request: NO VEGES....hmmmm, trouble with that order, but given the quantity of tomato sauce consumed and homemade potato wedges, maybe I could feel a little better??  So, large homemade meat pizzas, icecream sundaes with raspberry sauce, and a big slab of mud cake later...they were are asked to go for a run in the paddock!...who would've thought we would be here, at 14!!!

our babies....celebrating life!

this gal is sassy, fun, clever, caring, logical (think McCleod daughters logic), a bit crazy, loyal and is developing a wonderful strong sense of who she is...we are so proud to call you ours sugarplum. x

being 35...

 My lovely family threw a happy birthday teaparty for my 35th.....complete with ladies in dresses, beautiful food, and all my pretty teacups out...we greeted guests with a cold glass of Rose` and everyone seemed to enjoy the sunshine and flowers everywhere.  Judy Garland sang her sweet tunes for the occassion.  So very sweet of everyong to come.

a few thoughts on tunring the ripe old age of 35....
~ I love it.
~ I am learning so much about life...and am so very glad learning never ends.
~I am far more paitient than a younger me.
~I very much admire the women who have walked before me, and those that walk along side, and look to them as a life sisterhood.
~I am as capable as my self imposed limitations....and am learning to shuck those in areas that I wasn't confident before-this is indeed a work in progress.
~I have accepted that I will never be miss-twiggy, or even a normal size...but will still strive to be a healthier me....all the time.
~I am passionate about life balance, raising children to walk with the Lord, and to grow true to who they are meant to be.
~I am more in love with my husband than when we married - sounds a bit silly I know - but we have been sorely tested, and thankfully with much learning, it has brought us closer.
~I now have some experiences to back my ideas and theories, and am happy to admit when I have no idea what I'm talking about!
~I love the sense of being able to more and more remain true to who I am and not be swayed by what others think, and I so hope give others the room to be who they are too...
~All in all, I try hard to chose to focus on our blessings, and chose to find happiness and contentment in the here and now, and in the tiniest things; for they are the things that make our days sweet - are they not?....
~lastly, I am so very blessed to have another (small!) line added to my face....it means I am able to claim another year with my babies....
is there anything you love about your age??
xx

Happy birthday Nyah- 11!!

Well now thats a shock to say - hmmmm...especially when its your 2nd kid!  So now we cover the spectrum of stages, with a teenager, a adolencent pre-teen, and new school aged boy, and a preschooler. Just need to add a toddler and a newborn to it! heheee...I can hear hubby saying "Nooooooooooo!" Heheee.

Anyho, we started off her special day with a large pile of kids in our bed (tradition ya know, and lets face it, half of 'em were already there sleeping - ahem), gift opening, hugs and kisses....

We had decide on a Masterchef theme for the party - whichin hindsight was BRILLIANT, as Nyah'sfriends camre over and THEN prepped and cooked lunch - yup BRILLANT!!  So homemade burgers, and wedges it was....and as we had a few people of course each needed a wee initial flag on top.... 

 Mr Man showing off his fine skills cutting tomatoes with an enormous knife!

 

 Then I set up an oldfashioned Icecream Parlour,,,with treats galore....

and ...my favourite part! a cupcake tree! that Josaye and I decorated the night before...such pretty fun!

Happy birthday to my sweet, loyal, funny, crazy, stationary lovin', cupcake eating girl...you rock our world and we adore you. xxxx