Fathers Day

It's not always easy to capture beautiful moments in your life. You've almost got to remind yourself to be prepared to grab them. Camera in hand, ready to go. But most times, you forget, or you're too tired or distracted by children and the phone rings or you need to race out the door because you're running late. And so on and so on. Then the moment has passed, never to be captured. And at times, just savouring the experience seems like enough. Instead of feeling it from behind a lens, you get in there and breathe it in. And that is nice too. But chances are you won't remember it ten years down the track.  I couldn't resist the urge today and if I could have bottled this Fathers Day memory, I would have. So it was definitely worth the effort to reach for my phone, jump onto the lounge and snap my little family from above, right there, in the moment. Now I have something that will always take me back to Fathers Day twenty fourteen. 

Icy Blue

I find Winter a particularly tough season to actually get going. The idea of hibernating at home, out of the wind and cold and rain is simply far more appealing, than having to get myself and the littlies dressed warmly and ready to go out. Wednesday was icily brisk and bowing a gale. So of course Felix was set on heading out for a scooter ride and a salad from our favourite lunch stop. A little health food eatery called Melonhead. So whilst I wasn't quite as keen as he, I sucked it up and off we went.

So glad we did too. The sea was wild and furious and exhilarating. Imagine not being there to see all that raw beauty. Clouds swirled in and out, covering the sun at times and changing the complexion of the ocean entirely. But when it shone, boy did it light up the sky, reflecting like an icy blue mirror on the water. 

Birthdays Nowadays

I forget when birthdays started to be just another day to me. I think it was somewhere around the time I became a Mama. We had a relaxed dinner for my thirtieth, with close friends...and my sweet eight month old first born in tow. Each year since remains a bit of a blur. I recall my own Mama sharing a similar sentiment when I was a child. Though I couldn't understand it at all, back then. I would get ridiculously excited over her birthday and want to make her day as special as she was to me. Because after all, she made every one of mine, a warm and wonderful celebration.

And that same, beautiful, enthusiasm came full circle for me on the weekend, as the boys went about making their own little fuss over mine (and Scott's) birthday. The hand written cards, the smooches and cuddles, the half hourly reminders of it being my "special day" , had me feeling very loved indeed. The best birthday present, ever. The inclusion of our precious Bonny this year, just completed the package for this rather tired and exhausted, thirty six year old Mama. So we partied by having our favourite pizzeria for dinner and an ice cream cake, as suggested by Angus, for afters. I'm more than happy for my birthday to look something like this for a while to come.

Winter Blues

The weekend just gone was a breath of fresh air for our stale old household. Three consecutive weeks of the flu and flu-like symptoms really started to take it's toll on this usually very healthy little family. My poor sweet Felix, I haven't seen him as down for the count as he was last week in I can't remember how long. Three days of fever, vomiting and existing only on Zooper Dooper iceblocks saw him really lengthen out, losing a fair chunk of his puppy fat. It is as though he shot up overnight. Thankfully, his appetite is now returning to it's brilliant best.

The weather, in a way, mirrored the scene we've been a part of, with lots and LOTS of rain, drab skies and frosty days. Truly a Winter display right here. But on Saturday, we managed to all get out of the house together and spend a lovely few hours at the race course. A special family friendly day on offer, with some activities for the kiddies and naturally, a day of horse racing. By early afternoon, the sky gave way to thick, heavy clouds once more and rain tumbled down on our parade. That's ok, we had a ball while it lasted and felt quite pleased with ourselves for making the most of the day, while it lasted. 

Five Down

Winter. The merciless beast. I thought we were going pretty well health wise this year...and then August struck. All five of us have been down for the count this past week. In true Murphy's law style, the three littlies fell ill on the same night...while Scott was away for work in Cairns for a few days. So the usual bedlam that is my life these days, has been taken to new heights of chaos. Then of course two days later, I succumbed to a sinus infection...same day Scott returned home...with a cold. Compared with this time last year though, I should probably count my lucky stars that my body is my own. August 2013 is a month I'd like to put as far to the back of my mind as I can. Those early days of pregnancy were not kind. At all. Morning sickness and the flu are a fairly punishing combination. So when things have overwhelmed me during our bout of bleugh, I've reminded myself that it could be worse.

As for being a third time seasoned Mama when it comes to illness, I'm afraid I still don't cope well that first time my precious bubba spikes a fever. Or cries out uncontrollably. all. night. Or doesn't feed with the insatiable appetite she normally has. In fact, I struggle when any of my chickens are not one hundred percent, sparking on all plugs. I'm thinking that's just a Mama thing. One of the clauses in the contract we never signed. Needless to say I am quietly counting down the days to warm, Summery goodness and seeing the back of flu season and all it's associated lurgies.

Still a Mama of 2 Boys

It has been some time since I felt the desire to update this space. The neglect is evident from the date of the last published post...and the fact that I have completely forgotten how to manage it. But the world's kept spinning and my cheeky boys have continued to grow and thrive and keep me busy beyond words.

And then in March this year, a beautiful little something happened. The sweetest, most delightful baby girl burst into our world...and we named her Bonny Grace. She is a dream come true and a magical blessing in our lives, because it feels like we waited a long time for her to arrive.

Therefore, life is busy. Crazy. Wonderful. I have never felt so tired, yet so fulfilled. So out of control, yet so empowered. So much like I'm drowning, yet so buoyant. I'm ready and wanting to start recording the memories again, the special stories that shape our family and keep us going, day in, day out. 

I have missed the blogging community too. I've thought about all the lovely blogs on my blog roll often and wondered what everyone is up to. Hoped you're all going well. I intend to get back into reading and visiting again, looking forward to catching up on lost time.

So here I am, still a Mama of 2 boys...AND a darling girl. I think the blog called for a name change as a result. After being a full time stay at home Mama for almost three years now, I'm in a fair position to say that all I do, is for love. And I wouldn't want it any other way.