Jumbo-Dylans 8th

We were stuck out of town and so we decided to make a differnet cake with what ever ingrdient we sould find so cup cakes was the choice and and so much fun baking and licking the spoons then the icing and decorating. We went to Jumbo's god mothers around the corner so that we felt we were going somewhere away from the house and had a little party with a few of the neighborhood kids that were all flood locked with us. If you look sideways you can pick out the happy 6th birthday Jumbo

We didnt have wrapping paper so we jus used one of our thai bags I think the bag was a big hit too.

"Happy Birthday my baby boy"

Jarryd's 12th birthday party

the sargent major Gary

the mini me army Ben, Jumbo, Anna and Harry

The birthday boy

Just cant wait to start they were so excited thank goodness they were just big toys LOL

Well my big boy turned 12 and it has taken a few months and a flood for me to catch up with my blogging. We organised for all his school class and Aussie rules footy mates as well as some dads and siblings to join us at Laser Skimish. Which to the uninformed is war games with lasers (not paint ball) so no-one gets hurt except for the normal falling over trees and snakes etc out in the bush. It was a great morning lots of dad's and siblings joined in too.

So fast do they grow it seems only yesterday that we were carrying him in from the car sound asleep and now its reminding him to go to sleep and removing the Ipod from his bedroom LOL Before he looked up to me & now I have a cric in my neck from looking up at him.

Too big for cake just roughed it out bush with watermelon cheerios and cordial I wasnt even allowed to make a cake "too big for that mum " they all talked about the party for months after which was the best as memories like these are so much fun.

the road to town is open

the big news for the day is that the road to town has opened after 2 weeks of isolation on the farm woo hoo the boys and I will hit the shops running tomorrow only one week till school goes back and we have nothing yet! Although they think it will be spending the day looking at toys that santa didnt bring LOL just dreaming I tell them

they have really enjoyed the break living for the mornings when the rain stops so they can ride there bikes.

Adoption another word for Love

My boys with nana of xmas day pretty excited with there bike armour.

"A mother is likened unto a mountain spring that nourishes the tree at its root, but one who mothers another's child is likened unto a water that rises into a cloud and goes a long distance to nourish a lone tree in the desert."

Was given a lovely little book with quotes about adoption and just love that one so thought i would share it.

Just love our boys to peices and think that I have watered them pretty well but we have a dam of water and are almost bursting to shower our girls with love so bring them on universe we are ready.

We are having a great school break being stranded at home due to the flood waters, haven't been able to get to town for 14days now but the pantry has made the distance and tomorrow or monday is looking good so hopefully the self's have some food.

the joys of living on the land

Wow what a shock today when I went to feed the chooks. I thought the dogs had a big branch that may have fallen from a tree only to have a second look and my goodness my heart did a double skip. So glad it wasn't alive then all I could think of was I hope the dogs didn't get biten. But no they were fine and after I took the pics they contiued to finish their snack yummy. NOT

new chickens

I had to put them back in with the other eggs so that I knew thay were safe!

safe and sound I was so happy to see both hiding in the long grass

This is Rosemary mum's chook lays every day for the last 2 yrs but never gets clucky like the smaller hens. Maybe she doesn't like the rooster he is alot smaller then her and I think she is still the boss of the run. LOL go girls

Life is great and new life is so precious. We had our first new chicken yesterday and the boys have been going out morning and night to check if there were any hatching and yesterday we watch this little one. "so mum your a midwife help it out of the egg" says my big brave Jarryd who was so enthralled with the process he couldn't possibly touch the egg. LOL I had to explain that it was a no touch process and that the chicken would do it all by itself "Clever little chicken."

Then Jumbo started adding that it would have so much more energy if we helped it so mummy got in and helped it out of the last bit of the shell. I dont think it matters whether it is a baby person or a baby animal witnessing the first breath of any creature is such a wonder. the boys were difinately not impressed when we had to keep miving along with our morning chores so we would get to school and work. they were both sure a day of was needed to be with our newest addition. LOL

Then today as I am washing the dishes I see a crow fly past with a baby animal in its clutches I was sure it was going to be our new baby and I was so happy when I checked minutes later to see our little black chick still in the pen with its mum. So I shut the gate up and put them both back in the hutch with some food and water so that they don't have to go far and so mum can sit back on the other eggs.

The last hatching a few months ago was a duckling which one of the chooks hatched and it lasted 3 days and we were all sad when i dissappeared so this time we are being more cautious with our precious ones.

Farewell Jackie

Posing for a good shot to show the kids at Bangkok dance show Here is a couple of pics from our Girls week in thailand so hard to imagine this bright sparkling person having died.

Up the top of the Baiyoke Sky hotel ont the revolving viewing platform

That morning coffee and chat

I got as sad email last week telling me that one of the girls that I went to thailand with last Oct died suddenly. Although I only met her on the journey it really shook me up. It was the 2nd death of a younger person that I knew in a week. I remember Jackie talking constantly about her children and so full of life and the changes she was undertaking. After getting over the shock of the loss of this good soul it made me really look at my own life and lifestlye and the things we put off so often.

So mentally I made a list of things to improve especially with the kids. I have always talked about and tryed to be there for them in these early years as I often remind others that you can not buy back these years. Dropping down to 2 days a week and making an effort to be with the kids in class at least once a week. The smile on their faces when I make the effort to pick them up and come into their rooms at school. Jarryd(11) still gives hugs and kisses in front of his mates, which is so great when I hear others talking about having to drop the kids up the road so that they look grown up hope mine never grow out of it. Jumbo just wants me there every day so I can help with the reading.

Jackies 2 children are the same ages and just adds to committment to enjoy them and show them the joys of the world together. To all those friends out there keep safe I would like to enjoy all your company for many years to come.

Cheers

Sue