Stop the Clock!

At the end of this week, Bella moves up to the next room at Kindy. She is no longer on the 'Baby' side and graduates to the 'Big Kids'. I never cope well when the kids have to make a transition such as this. It's as though someone is pulling them away from me.

(My sister thinks that the second photo is a good indication of what Bella will look like as an old lady!)

Croaked

We have been enjoying beautiful rain here for the last three days and everthing is lovely and green again. After growing up in the bush, I can't help but miss the croaking of frogs when it rains. You don't hear any frogs where I live now in the suburbs and it's just not the same..

Princess Playdate

Recently my friend Sus's little girl Imogen came for a play with Bella. Surrounded by older brothers, she rarely gets to do 'girly' things - (except when Kel allows her to cover him in makeup). Imogen and Bella has such a great time wearing princess outfits and putting makeup on all of their dolls. Bella will never have a sister which is sad really - I have three and even though growing up you fight constantly with them, there is an extraordinary bond. Thanks Imjim!

Nothing is difficult...

...to the brave and faithful.

This is our family motto. Over the years it has provided a lot of strength to our family when we've been through tough times. I still use it all the time. It's a bit of a cliche, but I like a tradition and it is a reminder to me that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. I'm meant to be on school holidays, but haven't had a chance to have a break yet. I've been suffering from some anxiety about work and turned many molehills into mountains in my mind. Some of the work problems seemed insurmountable, but yesterday I reminded myself that nothing is difficult to the brave and faithful and today I feel a whole lot better. (Thanks also to Nettie for the reality checks). Sometimes you just have to face your problems head on and harden up! So this is what I am trying to do. When I've complained to Kelv about different problems I've faced or new challenges at work, he has sometimes responded by saying, "you just have to be big enough to deal with it". Sounds callous doesn't it, but he is absolutely right - one of those 'Kelvinism' I can't complain about.

Enough ramblings, but I'm curious to know what mottos you resort to...

A few of my favourite people

Here are some of my favourite people.

At the top is my brother Emmanuel (Manny) and me. Underneath are brother Patrick, sister Rosemary and Mum (Robyn).
This photo was taken two years ago at the wake of my cousin Cathy who was taken from us too tragically, too soon.
Handsome bunch aren't they? This isn't all of them of course. I am one of eight children. Stay tuned in future posts for a photo of all of us.

Happy 70th Birthday Pop

Tomorrow we are celebrating Kel's Dad's 70th birthday. His entire family will come together for a party, which will actually only add up to about 16 people. (I have twice as many cousins as that alone), but it will be special. Pop has always been very committed to serving the community and has spent an inordinate amount of time in his life working for a number of local Lions club in the town, raising tens of thousands of dollars. He is also a great provider and very generous to his extended family. He adores his grandchildren and always makes sure there is softdrink in the fridge for the grandkids and if he has been to the markets he still buys us the best fresh fruit in the district.

Once he bought us a TV, when we were newly married and had nothing. He cried, then we cried and I will never forget that. His generosity is amazing, especially as he and Glenda have hardly ever had much money.

I love him dearly and hope he has a wonderful birthday.