1 What a massive week we have just survived, all the plans came to fruition. Birthdays were celebrated for Michelangelo now 15, Jelly Bean 10 and Jack Jack who turned 8.  We held a birthday party for JB and JJ with their friends. Had a couple of health appointments and attended our niece’s engagement party, over 7 hours away.  We then concluded the week by attending the Ordination to the Priesthood of our Deacon in our Cathedral city.   2 To add to the excitement our oldest two children are home from College and alas as Carpenter is only home for nine days, everyone is in party mode trying to…

1 Our ‘big boys’ (17 & 15) are away at present, down in the ‘Big Smoke’ enjoying ‘bro time’ with their big brother(19). It is College holiday’s and as Carpenter can only get a couple of weeks off work, his brothers are catching all the time with him they can. We’re very happy imagining the memories they are creating and the bonds they are strengthening, very, very important. 2 Anna Maria is already home, so with the boys away we are predominately a ‘girl house’, ratio 4:3 with all the girls (except Bella) as the oldest.  Very different, it is much quieter, the girls take up less body space, we are…

1 Sometimes life is very full and challenging.  Children of all ages and stages with various needs who bring their individual characters, triumphs and challenges to the ‘melting pot’ is our reality.  2 A major triumph yesterday, Einstein passed his driving test!  He now has his red provisional license and can drive himself about.  This afternoon he drove himself to work, PC is so very grateful he no longer has to drive back into town several nights a week. 3 I’ve invested wasted too much downtime lately, watching Britian’s/America/Australia/New Zealand’s Got Talent/X Factor on youtube. Vocalist’s are the acts I watch, I dream of being able to sing, not even…

1 Today when I set out for town it was cold enough to pull on my suede, mid calf length, winter boots.  I automatically tucked my pants into the boots and then realised it was such an 80s look.  Is it still ‘in’ to tuck pants (not jeans) into boots? Somehow it didn’t look ‘right’. 2 Though ‘late to the game’ of ‘discovering’ text messages, I’m now a fan.  It really is an easy way of communicating. Quick, simple, short bursts of communication.  I’m enjoying it so much I’ve even changed my phone plan to unlimited text. 3 I heard this week that Masters (Home Improvement) plan on building a…

1 When I shared that I alternately melted and teared over our children’s photos on my blog whilst away, Mel commented “my husband often tells me he sneaks a peek at my blog to look at the photos of our family during the day :-).”  I smiled in recognition with Mel’s comment as my PC does the same, in fact his work blocks certain sites so he had to gain special permission to change the settings, just for him, so he can look at my blog! 2 I’ve been reading and processing copious amounts of info this week about food, specifically nutrient dense food. What we should be eating and…

1 It often surprises me, in a delighted way of how supportive my husband and children are of my blogging.  As I hadn’t written for a fortnight at first it was my husband lamenting that I, “haven’t written any new posts” then our 14year old son was mournfully saying, “You haven’t written anything new”:( finally when even our 9 year old daughter sighed “Mum you haven’t written anything for ages” I knew it was time to ‘pick up the pen’ again.  Whilst I was languishing in a blogging slump thinking, “I have nothing to say everyone hasn’t heard before and who wants to hear what I have to say anyhow”…

1 Tonight’s our last night here in the City.  Heading home tomorrow with mixed feelings.  A mother’s heart is always torn once her children ‘leave the nest’, staying with our College children has been a blessed opportunity, yet at the same time I’ve missed our other seven constantly, and their daddy.  All day I’ve had butterflies in anticipation of seeing my Prince Charming, love that man!  Only one more sleep till I see them all! 2 One benefit of having a blog is when you are away you can click over to your blog and melt over the pictures of your children, downside is you start smiling and then your…

1 I and Bella of course, are hanging out in Sydney for a couple of weeks, living with our College kids experiencing an entirely different rhythm of life. They are benefiting from some Mum attention and I’m privileged to have a close up look at their City life with their day to day realities.  Bella is being an absolute angel, which is fantastic as we’ve crashed in on the lives of 4 young College students. 2 Meanwhile PC is home manning the fort with the other seven.  He is a trouper, dealing with logistics of extra curricula activities and work shifts, his work commitments, homeschooling, running the household and most…

1 Princess and I are pretty excited, we’re off on a mother/daughter morning out tomorrow, first we are attending a book sale!!!! and then indulging in a milkshake and girl time.  We asked Jelly Bean if she would like to join us for “a mother/daughter morning” ? She asked in a very suspicious, horrified voice, “Does it involve shopping?!” Obviously JB does not enjoy shopping.  When we outlined the plan she tentatively agreed to give it a go, though we know the milkshake is the draw card not the book sale. 2 Finally took the plunge, opened the bag of gluten free flour sitting on my pantry shelf and baked…