Happy New Year

Wishing all our family and friends the most amazing New Year . Hoping that its happy and that all your dreams come true . Bring it on !!!!!!
Sadly the new Year is not going to be so good for everyone with all the flooding in Queensland there are some that don't even have a home to go to .Over 80% of the state is flooded . Kase told me yesterday that a friend has lost everything after just having a new bub the water is up to the ceiling in thier house so we will spare a thought for those that have been affected and the people that are working so hard to help them all. amazing that one side of australia is in the middle of a heat wave and we have more rain than we know what to do with .
We are getting ready for our second round of chrissy with Kase Jeremy Anabel and Ollie today haven't seen them for christmas so the meat is cooking prezzies are wrapped and everything else is pretty much done . Nats coming as well so there will be a houseful. Can't wait.

Rain Rain Rain

Well totally over the rain everything is just sooooo wet . Kasey and Jeremy and the kids arrived home safely today from Woodgate but not so for Laureena they were evacuated from Jericho on christmas eve as the town was inundated they finally got back there yesterday afternoon late to get their stuff and get out again but getting home has been a challenge they manged to make it to Warwick before they were cut off again holed up there for a few hours for the water to go down and made it to aratula before they were trapped again so a lot of backtracking and last were heard of around 30 kms or so from Ipswich so all up an 800km trip has taken them almost 1200 kms . if they can make it back to Ipswich tonight they will hole up there and try to get to Brisbane tomorrow .Stay safe Laureena . With more rain forcast its not going to be easy . Troy and Renee in Roma are also cut of with a river on either side expected to peak tonight they were trying to evacuate parts of Roma tonight . I know that they were up at 3.30 this morning moving stuff to higher ground but were expecting another 5 inches of rain so hopefully they will be ok too. Beaudesert has been cut off a couple of times in the last couple of days thankfully for now it has stopped raining but more is expected and everything is totally waterlogged.
Noels mum is still not well and pointless taking her to the hospital as there are no doctors on at the moment so I guess we will just ride it out with her and she doesn't want to go back anyhow .
Had a great christmas with our 4 boys they don't all get together at home very often so it was loud and being the only female i coped the usual stirring from all of them . missed having the grandkids home but hopefully this weather will settle and they can get here on Saturday and we will celebrate Xmas new year then can't wait .
Anabel told us on christmas day that Santa found her there and bought her EVERTHING so cute
me I am still battling along with my crocheting and am almost there so hopefully will be finished should be doing heaps more but this weather makes you lazy you can't get outside .Did finally get a chance to play with our die cutter awesome and gifted all the things I made to my neice Car so now if it keeps raining I might just pull it out and play again .

Christmas Eve

Well here we go another christmas almost here
To our family and friends I wish you the best christmas filled with with love and laughter ........if you are on the roads please travel safe with more rain predicted its going to get even wetter .
Its going to be an odd christmas with just us and the 4 boys Kasey and Jeremy and the grandkids are away having chrissy with Jeremys family . Lukes partner Laureena is also away and her return may be delayed because of the flooding . Stay safe Laureena catch you when you get back .
Noels mum is home from hospital and doing well but not totally on top of the infection yet so today was spent cooking our christmas food and her christmas food had a real production line going but all done .... the pressys are wrapped not yet under the tree but wrapped ........
Had visits from Di and Daryl and the kids and Kenny and Michelle and John and Mia .
The boys all worked the xmas eve frenzy but are now all home Nat and Luke will be here tomorrow be careful boys.
Have a Very Merry Christmas CHEERS !!!!!

December

Well december is almost done and the jolly man in the red suit will be here any day ........ Its going to be a quiet christmas here this year........well for our house .......sad NO grandkids this year but I hope they are going to have an amazing time on their holiday at Woodgate....so just us and the boys laureena is off to Jericho to spend time with her family as Luke has to work .... I just can't get into it this year have achieved not much and really don't have a desire to do it .....
Noels mum has been hospitalised for the second time in less than a month so she may not be home either ..they still don't know what it is we do know that she has Salmonela but what else who knows waiting for the results from today to get back ...
Had a water leak under the sink gross luckily Noel was able to fix it but my cupboards are warped and will have to stay that way am not fixing this kitchen when in a couple of years hopefully I can get a new one ......car troubles again but noel's brother Ken to the rescue with parts and Noel put them in so it now stops when you want it to and is not so noisy which is awesome ..........
Have to finish the xmas shopping ..... we really are scaling back this year its all soooooo expensive just put an on line order in for Laureena so hopeful that it will arrive intime and pick up a few bits for Maddie and Cass and finish the washers I am crocheting (yes Me ) I usually get Noels mum to do them for me but obviously its a no go this year ...I do know how to just rusty and not her quality but oh well handmade with love abeilt dodgy nah they look ok and crochet hairbands mother of invention am making them myself they look great made Anabel some and she loves them ......
Oliver has his beautiful curls cut off but they are just getting so long but they will grow back Kase says he looks like a little man now . Jenny lent me Cars old baby cupboard so am pleased to say that all my scrapbook stuff is now packed away in my little room and not in the middle of my dining room
Tomorrow is shaping up to be a mega lawn mowing day with the weather the way it has been it could be the only fine one for the rest of the week finger and toes.
and wrapping I haven't started yet but thankfully don't have mountains this year so it shouldn't take too long .
Big excitment on Tuesday night last week Luke has graduated from uni and is now holds a bachelor of music just 1 more year and he gets his graduate degree in education and he is done he thinks he may go back and do his masters in music but that wont be anytime soon.... Congrats Luke very proud of you .....

November

Well its all finally official Luke has his teaching job contract is signed he begins in the new year as the instumental music teacher at St Kevins at Geebung he is very excited to be getting a new building and gets to kit it out his own way .

For me a week of ups and downs sooooooo need the holidays 3 weeks and one day or 16 school days to go can't wait I am soooooo tired and the kids are tooo.

Dads anniversay was yesterday so had a bit of a cry 6 years already ....wish just once he was here to talk too......miss you Dad .... I may have been the bain of your existence but I tried to do the best for you and will love you always .........I look around at all your little great grandchildren Olivia , Kaylee, Jewels , Anabel and Oliver and I know how much you would have loved them what a shame you never got to meet them ...................:(

Happy birthday to my hubby Noel for Wednesday sorry that I couldn't be a home with you that night but hopefully the cake with Jem and Kyle made up for it ....

Have to get my skates on and get Anabels kindy costume unpicked ......yeah i stuffed up so have to unpick it ready to finish on sunday when the kids arrive .
Also happy 18th to our neice Jaclyn can't wait until your party tomorrow and I know the boys are hanging out to camping out and drinking with you......Jem is upset he doesn't get to go but with schoolies starting this weekend he has to work (he works at KFC)......think of the money Jem new bike sooner than you think.... Jem has one more week of school finishes year 10 this year OMG almost done.

bits and bobs

Firstly huge happy birthday wishes to Laureena sorry we forgot Luke needs to tell us these things I have it on the calender for next year I will not forget again......
Big news this week is that Luke has his first official paid teaching job. He will be working at St Kevins as the instrumental music teacher he is very excited and starts at the beginning of the new school year . St Kevins is also the school his cousin Brookes daughter Livvy attends so small world ........
He is a fully qualified music teacher but still needs to complete his graduate degree in education so he will teach , go to uni and work at the hotel so its going to be a busy year for him .....He has prac to complete and he can't do it at a school he's being paid at so they are going to give him time off for that which is great ......he is going to be one busy boy....
Another school year is almost at an end gosh can't beleive that we are in week 6 next week only 4 to go......can not wait for the holidays and the new year.
I ordered some embossing folders and die cutters for the machine that Kasey and I bought from America they arrived this week and are awesome and soooooo cheap at the moment so kasey has ordered a heap more so now will be able to make heaps of my own die cuts letters etc for scrapbooking they get expensive when you have to buy them all the time....hopefully will actually get time to play with them this weekend ....you just never know.
Had Miss Mia for the weekend last weekend boy you forget how much work 2 year olds can be although we did have a great time but this granny was exhausted ..........maybe its the 5 year olds i work with all week.
Kasey is doing well in her invitation business and is full on and has made some amazing invites and has branched out and is making cakes.
I have been cooking up a storm in a bid to save some cashola especially for the boys lunches and they are loving it my new early morning activity ...........
Jeremy has just started his first job and is so far loving it he is working at KFC on the counter .....he can't wait until he gets to cook out the back ......keeps him busy that and his lawn mowing jobs he is trying to save up for a new bike .....
can't beleive he finishes in a couple of weeks he still want to get an apprenticeship in construction so hopefully will get a school based traineeship next year to finish off year 11 and 12 ........

October already

Can not beleive that it is October already . Finally just when I thought that I was getting over this virus and feeling a bit better its back arghhhhhhh sick of being sick ....anyhoo gonna kick its butt am over it

Last night was Lukes final assessment and the end of his music degree. This was a huge assessment they had to find a venue and organise a musical evening complete with formal invitations to thier assessors . Find a backing band how lucky for him that he plays with Windsor Brass and they agreed to play. They had to provide supper have programs etc the list was huge and some of them spent massive amounts of money . Luke and Jared were really lucky that the hall was provided for free and everyone pitched in to make it cheaper for them thanks so much to Laureenas mum and dad , grandma and kasey for helping to provide the food for the night and setting up etc . The night was awesome they did 8 solos each ranging in technical difficulty so they could see thier range . Well done luke you did an amazing job and played brilliantly just one exam to go and he's done 1 year of graduate diploma in education to go.Tom also did some solos and was amazing as well . Congrats Luke so proud of you also to Laureena for keeping him sane and grounded you are an amazing girl ........
Kasey made music theme cakes and they were perfect. Highlight of the night Anabel being a ballerina to Lukes music priceless..........Anabel and Olly were sooooo good all night its a long time to sit for 2 little people.........
Finally got Kenny and Michelles wedding album done not sure if they like it or not I'm sure kenny does but she is a bit harder to please and hasn't said a whole lot so who knows ??????time will tell............

slacker

Its been so long since I posted anything very slack .Firstly to my boys Nathan turned 24 on the 21st we had a great day with him barbecue lunch that almost ended in disaster ............lets just say that jeremy will definately be keeping his bbq clean in the future but still a lovely lunch .Tom happy 18th birthday for the 30th and yes I did manage to get his album finished ........well almost have a few pics that i just can't find and i know I must have them from all the music my boys play I can find reems and reems of video BUT NO PHOTOS hahaha figures.
Tom is also now a single man Christel and he broke up shortly before his 18th but are still friends .......I think its a good thing after 2 and a bit years together time to get out and have fun and not be tied to someone.......
Also happy birthday to my nephew Josh for August
Have been trying to get back into the gardening spirit so I bought more plants my plan is fill it up and there will be no room for weeds ?????? cause lord knows scrapping Kenny and Michelle album is NOT going so well on version 2 plan B hopefully it will work out want to get it finished before the holidays .
FAT CHANCE me thinks but gonna give it a go anyhow waiting for all my lovely new papers to get here and then a rethink ........hopefully today they will get here.
Slowly picking myself up from this rotten virus .....exercised for the first time in weeks and at least i can breathe again but can't do it for long..........9 days till holidays the biggest plus side of my job gotta love them ...........so hopefully everyone will come back well and refreshed .......
Was talking to Jen and she has been soooooo sick so hopefully you are picking up too and glad to hear you are back at dancing........
Weekend saw the beauy show which i did not attend the boys did and had a good time but i refuse to pay the money they want to get in to look at pavillions.

Fathers Day was fantastic all the kids came home and we had a great day a lovely lunch and great cheesecake thanks kasey and Noel got totally spoilt and is happily wii ing away with his new games thanks guys .....

August

Firstly a great big happy birthday wish to my BIL Paul who turned 60 yesterday I know that you had a great day on your holiday . Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to my sister Jen for the 12th Hope you are having a great time in Montville.

I am madly trying to get Toms scrapbook album finished for his 18th Birthday on the 30th arggghhhhh coming along well but just not quite finished and there always seeems to be something else to be done. Not sure what to do for his bday he says nothing so who knows .
Before that though we have Nats birthday on the 21st.
Also madly trying to get Kenny and Michelles wedding album done (not going so well)

saturday Noel and Jeremy (Kaseys) spent the day making a new toddler bed for miss Anabel and yesterday I spent painting it .........blue ....sky blue to be exact because its the colour of the sky in her fav movie at the moment UP.....who can argue with that shes a little lady who knows what she wants anyhow. she is giving up her little toddler bed to Oliver who decided to crash dive out of his cot this week and now has a cut face and black eye from the experience so he gets the very low one and she gets a nice new blue bed hopefully post some pics .
Now I have to get quilting again and make her a new quilt and Ollies as well for his be his top is finished but hers is not even started .

Happy Birthday Christel have a fantastic day lots of love from all at the toddys

On a brighter note the end of today means HOLIDAYS yeah can't wait full on day but bring on this afternoon
Lucky for me its been a short week well almost went to an inservice on Tuesday very long day left here at 8 arrived home at quarter to 6 but very productive on Autism but learnt heaps of interesting stuff and the presenter was excellent brain dead by the end of the day information overload ........
Well off to work quicker I get there quicker i get everything done

June

Well june just seems to be a month of birthdays firstly to my big brother jim happy birthday for the 6th then Cath his wife today the 18th.Hope you are having a blast.......

Also sharing this days Kaylz who is turning 3. happy Birthday Kaylz hope your party is fantastic and you get spoilt rotten .......sorry we can't be there .....but.......

Tomorrow my baby turns 15 sad but true I'm sure that this means that i am really getting old or just nearing the end of our child rearing days .........Gosh 15 Happy Birthday Jeremy love you lots......where did my little boy go ????????

I have just realised that in a few short years we may be childless after 5 great kids of our own 2 surrogates(Kaitlyn and dan) and 25 or so years down the track.....the possibilities are endless........may even get that quilt finished Car lol

Ollies birthday

with one of his favourite girls Laureena

I think he approves

Cutting the cake

The farm animals

His Farm cake his mum made for him

Realised that i haven't posted pics of our little man for ages so here they are he is sooooo big now walking everywhere and he is a real sweetie and has the nicest temprement

birthdays bargains and life

Where does the time go ..........Our handsome little grandson Oliver celebrated his first birthday this week 26th happy birthday little man ....soooooo big now ,nearly walking and chatting away like mad..Love you lots Ollie
Also on the same day our nephew John celebrated his 19th birthday happy birthday John.........good luck with the new round of surgery this week and then hopefully the dialysis can finally begin and you will feel like a new man.
Have been madly sorting things to sell on ebay( listing is not going so well not enough hours in the day) and sewing sheets for the kids beds just finished some for Mia tonight which look really cute ...bought Miss Anabel some dora ones as a surprise for the bottle fairy coming and Have nearly finished making her a second set. Did make a major score this week on ebay queen size flanny sheets brand new in pack for 99 cents all because they are a surf print but they are going on Toms bed anyhow gotta love ebay . Been buying new books on Oztion for Anabel at a fraction of the price of new ones getting her the Hippopotamus on the roof eating cake series and Mr McGee and edward the emu . I really want to get giraffe in the bath for her its a great book for kids.

Went to Coles this morning and scored bigtime all the flanny pjs ,tracksuit pants and slippers were 3 dollars a pair so grabbed a few for the kids tights for anabel were 2 dollars and pj pants for jem were 2 dollars . Sadly there was a blackout here today and missed the second round of stuff for the little boys .....very happy with my score all the same

Under 8s was on Friday which was and excellent day we had about 500 kids there we did bubbles and went through 6 or 7 litres of bubble mix so it was full on but the kids all had a great day .
Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Ollies birthday and then on to mount cootha where the boys have a park gig so hopefully the weather will be nicer than today.
next week is deb of the year and then that will be all over not sure if I will go or not yet ...........

Deb ball

Christel made her debut on friday night with Tom as her partner she looked lovely and Tom looked great in his tux too . It was a great night ....late but good. Pics to come.......Deb of the year is in june no tux this time just a suit .

The kids came on Saturday for mothers day Thanks to all our kids for making Mothers day so great Kasey put on a fantastic lunch and they spoiled me rotten love you all

Bits and bobs

Well I have been super slack with blogging of late but have been super busy. Since the wedding the boys have been to Tassie where they came 5th at the national band championships . I would now like to know where is my holiday to anywhere???????????
Ken and Michelle moved house so spent some time helping Michelle pack and then Kenny move and then had Mia.Love the house really well set up with living space for john downstairs. Took her to the dawn service and she was excellent loved the lighthorse horse. Bit exciting when you are 2 going out in the dark and she was great for the day service as well .
Anzac day is always full on for days here while Tom does the last post for several ceremonies around town. He did an amazing job as always. Early morning start was a killer though.
Deb practice is in full swing and will get to see them in all thier glory friday night .
Tom in his tux and white gloves and Christel in her dress which looks amazing .
Sam and Lanas engagement party is on Saturday night hopefully we will be going congrats to you both and also to Matt (Sams brother) and Keely who also are engaged .

Well I really am starting to feel old my first born turns 25 this week on Thursday Happy birthday Kasey hope you have an amazing day and night see you Wednesday night.
Have cut our brissy travel to one night ( fingers crossed) a week so we go from Tanah Merah for music lessons and then on to the city for band practise its busy but at least its only one day and seems to be working out ok except for Queensland Transport I know i shouldn't complain but we spent months getting home at midnight and then they finished the roadworks obviously only for a while now we are back to getting held up again ....I want the better roads too but can they PLEASE wait until I get through there before they start work lol

Nat came on the weekend and did a bit of painting for us we bought a concertina door for jeremys room as the big old wooden door was really badly placed and opened over the light switch so he did all the trims so we could get it on.. went to bunnings and they wanted over 100 dollars for a door so got on ebay and scored one in the perfect colour and in great condition for 2o dollars I know I'm an addict but gees it saves a fortune. Next holidays we are painting the window sills and windows and the outside window sills and I really want to paint our room . Nat where are you ????? Really need to finish washing the house before then ................. any takers
On the quilt front not much happening and I think its almost in the work never to be finished pile if you listen to luke anyhow ...nah I will get it done soon I hope...........

Holidays have started 11 days of bliss and after the start to the year I NEED it....hoping i don't get sick this time I hate it when you relax and then get sick and we have had kids at work dropping like flies with this spewey bug. Delivered Tom to the airport yesterday morning so he is in Tassie .Poor Kase is battling the flu get well soon chooky.
Michelle is home from hospital and I think that I have gotten almost everything packed away from the wedding less the 100 or so meters of tulle still to roll up and the table and chairs to pick up ............ next week maybe. I am trying to talk myself into getting my old silky oak wardrobe restored so that may or may not happen......
Decided to catch up on my reading so am doing ok and may just yet get to 50 in Cars reading challenge (yeah right) read so far
Cross Country
7th Heaven
The Pact
The Chosen
April Fools Day
Family Frying Pan
Angels Fall
The Dawn series by Virginia Andrews
My sisters Keeper
and am currently reading Handle with Care another from Jodi Picoult

To all our family and friends have a wonderful easter stay safe

Birthdays wedding and a christening

well its been a busy couple of months with all the wedding organising but I must say Kase and I did a great job and the wedding I think went off really well.Congrats to Kenny and Michelle .There were a few hitches michelle was actually in hospital and sadly could only make it out for a few hours before she had to go back in as still in a fair bit of pain but she held up very well. So after a few hurriedly changed plans kasey went to the hospital to do hair and makeup it was 1.30 before Michelle got home so it was a mad dash to make sure that they were ready and that Mia was dressed and ready for her christening at 2.30 The service was really lovely and the priest was great. They all looked fabulous. Got lots of pics of everything for her when she gets home cheers Feel better soon. Michelle has more surgery tomorrow or wednesday. John is getting better everyday from his surgery ......kasey and I made the cakes and i have to say for a pair of amatuers they were awesome thanks to grandma for her homemade marzipan receipe brilliant . Mia also celebrated her birthday on friday happy second birthday beautiful girl.
Only three more days of work before the holidays can't wait really need a rest. Luke and Laureena fly out to tasmania on wednesday and toms flies out on thursday for the band championships so it will be interesting getting him to the airport and then back here to work by 8am .....lucky for me i have a great boss so if I'm a bit late it will all be ok. Guaranteed i will end up stuck in peak hour grrrrrr...... Where has the term gone though gees its flown......

Bit of everything

Kasey and Jeremy picked up thier new car on Saturday brilliant Anabel classes it as sparkly drove jeremy over to pick it up FYI I do not like the ford focus who would put blinkers on the left hand side bah. Jeremy got a good laugh anyhoo when i turned on the wipers not once but 4 times hahaha.
Went for dinner for lukes birthday and had a great night Kase as always did a brilliant job on the cake it was a great night all round.
Kasey and the kids are coming down tomorrow night I am taking friday off so that we can get the cake for Ken and Michelles wedding done and the christening cake as well. Feel a bit guilty taking it off but I can not see how its going to get done otherwise.....The wedding is on Sunday but we have to go set up for the reception on Saturday and tom has to be in brissy early and then will stay with luke and laureena until tuesday before he comes home to pack and fly out to Tasmania on thursday morning ( another early morning trip before work)
Hope Michelle will be up and about before sunday she had surgery last night and will be in hospital for a couple of days so cutting it a bit fine hope you are up and about very soon. John is also recovering from his surgery last friday get well soon John once he is healed he will be able to begin his dialysis.
Wedding preparations are going well few hiccups but getting there curently working out plan B C D E and F.....but it will be fine.Have been making lots of stuff to save some cashlola made the wishing well will post some pics when it is properly finished getting pots painted for balloon trees all those little last minute things . Noel is madly reading up on and playing with our camera as he gets to be chief photographer he has taken some awesome shots of the bouquet which we incorporate into pics hes getting the new photoshop so that he can play with them we also have plans to get ome really nice pics of the kids done soon.... Huge thanks go to Kasey who has been my partner in crime lol since the beginning.....and is doing all those crappy last minute things that i just can't find time to do......
We had Anabel overnight again on the weekend she is a funny little thing and knows exactly which direction it is to her house (who needs GPS) Oliver is now crawling all over the house like a pro. He is such a cutie his face just lights up when we go there now he is such a happy little chappy.
Hopefully life can return to some sort of normal after next week and the travelling slows down won't know what to do with myself.
Nathan got a promotion so has now moved to the store at Victoria point and is loving it they had a big going away party for him on the weekend..Congrats Nat proud of you
Hope Luke is feeling better soon he is having trouble with his teeth and has an infection the doc has him on 2 lots of antibiotics but he is going to tassie too and needs to be able to play his trombone so he can't get it taken out before he goes so looks like he will stay on them until he gets back and can get it pulled.....His quilt is on a go slow so lucky for me the holidays are coming and might be able to concentrate on it for a bit........can only hope.....
Well off to bed this travelling is wearing me out (must be getting old)hahaha and have to front up again tomorrow night ......bring on the holidays !!!!!!!

Other News

Kasey rang on Saturday with the news that they had been in an accident .Thankfully they are all ok the car however is a write off and can be replaced ...Wish people would just slow down and it wouldn't happen.......

Happy 21st Luke

Gosh now i am feeling old baby number 3 turns 21 today ......
Happy Birthday Luke hope it was a great day......
I know your plans have changed for this evening but enjoy your night with Laureena .....Love and best wishes Mum Dad Tom and Jem

Happy Birthday Precious girl

A Huge happy 3rd birthday goes to Anabel love you little one. Gosh the time has flown seems like yesterday she was a little bub and now a big girl . She had her party yesterday with a Dora theme and got lots and lots of gifts . we bought her a vsmile motion as she loves the wii but this one is made for littlies and of course the obligatory new books which she tells me last night one was scary so its been put up for a while . Lots of new clothes and dress ups . She loves being a ballerina and does not like kase to wash her dress in case she wants to wear it. She has a fantastic imagination its great to see....
Her cake of course was made by mum (will post pics tomorrow) Dora of course . Nice but very rich Kasey has been trying out recipies for the wedding cake. But nice all the same.
She had a great day with Mia Maddie Cass zooming around.
Anabel and I made playdough on wednesday night and had a ball. She loves to get in and mix everything and can almost make cookies by herself now.

Oliver is getting to be big and gets excited when we go to visit now.He claps hands and laughs like mad. And of course the biggest smiles and laughs are for Anabel he trys to say her name Anan its beautiful to see how much they care for each other.

Took Friday off work to help Luke move from his share house into a unit so is now all done...Laureena got all her things moved yesterday and they are loving it and are all but unpacked.

Also on the Birthday front a Great big happy 6th birthday wish goes to Hannah can not beleive how fast all these little moppets are growing up love and hugs Hannah great to see you are loving your new school.....Yet again Laine has been slack i will post your pressy very soon....

Bit quiet of late I know but lots happening . Settling back into work we have 23 kids some interesting ones in amongst them but we are getting there must be getting old gees they wear you out. Toms music lessons have started again for the year as of next week we start going in to brissy 4 times a week (really looking foward to that LOL) Just gets a bit much some weeks after work but hopefully things will settle after they have been to Tassie after easter...and then Nationals in May .......arghhhhhh...

Luke is moving this week from his share house after a lot of problems with some of the other new tenants eating his food etc so we will go in again thursday and take some of his stuff in to him. Moving into a unit a Cooparoo with Laureena ...it will be really nice for them to have thier own space and feel comfortable in thier own place not living in thier room like they are now...so a little further away from uni but close to where he works and also close to Kasey they are about 5 minutes away now so thats good for me....

Very happy birthday to Sandra for today hope the girls are feeling better next week poor little buggers missed all week at school cause of this tummy bug going around.

Anabel also has her birthday this week and is having a party on Saturday . Hard to believe that she is turning 3 this year . She is really excited about everyone singing hip hip horray to her . Gotta love little kids small things make them happy. Before we know it Oliver will be one. We are so lucky to have these 2 little ones in our lives they really do brighten our day..They came and stayed with us last weekend while Kasey and Jeremy went out for thier anniversary.

The plans for Ken and Michelle's wedding are going well and I think that we are close to having it all together just waiting for a few things to arrive ( gotta love online shopping) and I think its done (hopefully) Kase and I are going to go and do a hair trial the week before .. oh and the wrap remains unfinished on my table so need to get that done this weekend. Mia is also being christened on the same day ...Now I need to get some stuff listed to pay for it all lol.
John is doing well and looking good just very tired and begins training for his home dialysis this week so Kasey is going to have Mia every day for the next three weeks....we still want to do a practice cake somewhere in all this. Lucky there are 2 birthdays before the wedding. Kasey and I are going to do the cakes for both the wedding and the christening on the Friday (yes I am taking the day off work but still need to go in and set up ) otherwise we are going to run out of time to do them....the day before we want it all set up...

I have finally gotten back to Lukes quilt .....not finished but have manged to get a bit more done on it anyway its looking good still don't think that it will be anywhere near ready for his 21st though and I need to get cracking on Toms scrapbook album for his 18th ......All I can say is that its not looking good. Arhhh well I will get there...He is also partnering Christel at her Deb Ball in May so he gets to dress up in a tux this time and dancing lessons and Deb practise take up Friday nights now as well...He is also starting driving lessons this week he has well and truly got all his hours up but all in an auto so needs some manual lessons ans then he can get it....(and then hopefully I can stay home a bit more)

It was great to see Troy and Renee and the girls today they have moved to Allora now and are really happy there Hannah loves her new school and Sharlette can;t wait to ride the poddy calves at the show next year she needs to practice first though she told us today. Renee says that Amelia copies everything she does so they will probably both be doing the campdraft circut with them....

Congrats also go to our nephew Matt and Keeley on thier engagement.....heres hoping that Keelz is feeling better soon too poor thing ....

Fingers crossed for Elly who has been having tests done for a nerve disease she has been having a really rough time been on 15 pills a day for the pain in her face when she had a drug reaction and stopped breathing and was rushed to the mater well whatever happened when she had the reaction and the coughing fit that followed for 8 hours has cured whatever was causing the pain in her face ..the doctors are baffled and can just say that the brain works in funny ways .Heres hoping that it never comes back its a lot for an 11 year old to deal with...

Can't wait until Anabels birthday to catch up with everyone see you all then

John

Pleased to say that John came through his surgery ok poor bugger is sick everytime he stands up and the site in his stomach where he will get his dialysis is very sore but he is doing alright. Michelle says that he is looking better not anywhere near as yellow as he has been. So hope its up and up for him and that they find a donor very quickly for him. He's home and resting . Love and hugs John......XOXOXO

Back to work

Well finally am back at work and boy am I exhausted. You really do forget from year to year how much the little ones need steering in those first couple of weeks. Kym said she went home and crashed in a chair .......me nooooo we had to go to brisbane so I finally got to fall into bed at 11.30 or so ......so I dragged a chain today and definately will be sleeping very soon..thanks god this week is only three days mind you next week will be the killer 5 fulldays.....
Don't get me wrong I love going cause I get to catch up with Kase and the kids and Jeremy and Nat but after a long day its tiring. Kase also has Mia for a couple of days as John had his surgery today to get ready for his dialysis.He is out of surgery and seems to be doing ok hopefully home tomorrow.
Kase and I are madly in the throes of wedding plans for Kenny and Michelle's wedding and Mia's christening on the 28th of march.Kasey has done a fabulous job of the invites and cake designs so we are madly trying to get the decorations bought and have some kind of plan going. Its going to be a simple church wedding followed by the christening and then after at thier house. But still have to make a bolero to go over Michelles dress and make a bouquet.
Jems arm is getting better by the day still very sore but he can move it a bit more which is a plus.
Kase is also working on some paid jobs for invitations for weddings and trying to get Anabels done for her birthday and organise her party as well so she is a busy beaver....Me I can not beleive that she will be three this year
Olly now has 6 teeth he is a champion teether and such a happy little fella he is now 8 months old and a real little chub he gets so excited to see you when we go there now....
We are hoping Tom gets his licence very soon even if his car isn't on the road next month we begin 4 nights a week in Brissy ..2 nights wear me out so I can imagine that after 4 I'm going to be really cheery lol
Viks little grandson Casey is still in the mater childrens and not expected to come home for a while yet.They can't figure out why he can't keep any bottle feeds down he has 30 mls every three hours but brings it back up but seems to be ok with tube feeds poor little fella so they are doing test after test to try to figure it out .He is 18 days old now and has only spent one day at home. keeping everything crossed hoping he is well soon and can go home.

Jeremy

Well half of yesterday was spent at the doctors. I got home on Friday from work and Jeremy told me that he had hurt his arm after he fell off his bike going to Aunty Jen's. I had a look and it looked ok but he complained that it hurt but he could still move it. Gave him some panadol and he went off to bed. Well he gets up yesterday and the arm is swollen so we head off to the docs and of course she sends us to the hospital with his arm in a sling sure that its broken.......well if anyone knows Beauy hospital you would not want to be in a hurry.....3 hours and one cranky mum later after seeing the sister and the doctor the x ray guy rocks in does the xray goes again we wait to see the doctor again.......finally the result its not broken........severly bruised and is now still in a sling he still can not use it so probably better if he had broken it......arghhhhhh

Casey

Viks little granson Casey is still in the mater still being tube fed they are trying to give him 30 mls every three hours but he keeps on bringing it back up. Hes had more tests but they still can't find anything else. Poor little mite just one day at home in the weeks since hes been born but she says that he is a getting a little more alert everyday and is starting to look for food even if he can't keep it down. All our love little man and heres hoping you can go home to your sister Belle very soon.

projects

Well finally finished Mia's tinkerbell quilt which ended up a little dodgy in spots but is super cute and bright and perfect for her little white toddler bed. I also made her one for her dolly cradle that her Nan picked up for her Very cute. Car i need help with wadding i don't know whether its too thick or what I'm doing wrong.

It was great to see her with Ken and Michelle on friday night she is becoming a very busy little toddler. She is off to spend the day with Kasey and the kids next week while John has his op ready for the dialysis best wishes go to John heres hoping you are feeling a little better very soon.... The girls will have a ball together. I have to get some paint and playdough ready for them and work.

Can you believe I go back to work on wednesday arghhhh.

Ken and Michelle are getting married on the 28th March.........finally . Its going to be a dual christening for Mia and the wedding as well so preparations are in full swing. Kasey is working on decoration invitations. Its going to be a beautiful simple wedding they have been together for 21 years this year. Congrats to all of you.

Have been madly washing, sorting, listing stuff on ebay so I can get it all posted before I go back to work . When this lot is finished I need to get going on the winter stuff.

It was great to hear that Viks little grandson Casey is a little more alert and managed to drink a whole 70mls of formula. Here's hoping that there are no lasting side effects for him.

I have finally managed to make some progress on my dining room cupboard almost done on the sanding side now need to finish it off and varnish . It will be going into the dining room with no doors to start with until Jeremy gets time to make me some doors and I can get some leadlighting done. I wished I had taken pics of before because its taken forever and a lot of stripper to get the old paint off......and some of it was really old. I think that i might get some cane baskets to slip into it for now not sure. At least i might have some room for tupperware instead of half of it living on top of the fridge.

Get well soon Casey

Sending all our best wishes to Vikki after the joy last Sunday of a new grandson the poor little mite was back in hospital by Tuesday. Been at home for just one day. Glad to hear last night that he had a bottle of formula yesterday he had been tube feed mostly until this. His mum is on medication which is still experimental and apparently concentrates in very high levels in breastmilk so basically the poor little thing was drugged to the gills. By Tuesday when the midwife came she could not wake him or get a response so she called an ambulance and now he is at the Mater chrildrens. He is also now on formula and getting a little better everyday but will probably be there for a few days yet.

Bits and Bobs and Babies

Have just had Kasey and Anabel and Oliver home for the weekend .Its great having them home and I love spending time with the kids. Anabel will be 3 in a few weeks .....seems like yesterday that she was born.....She is such a clever little girl and has her own mind for sure but she brings us endless joy this little girl is definately here for a reason.... And little Oliver is the most precious little boy he reminds me of a little old man some days he just watches everyone ....if only he could talk...lol. We are so lucky to have these 2 grandkids...They went home to Daddy this afternoon and boy our house is quiet now.......We also had Mia overnight as John had to go in for his tests to get ready for his Dialysis which he starts at the end of the month .He goes on the donor list now as well to wait for a kidney to become available,hopefully very soon.

Jeremy has arrived home after spending 2 weeks in Hervey Bay lucky thing.

On babies Congrats to Vikki on the arrival of her second grandbaby a boy Casey Martin a brother for Isabelle and son for Peta and Wade he is adorable.

Can not beleive that i go back to work next week amazing how quicky the holidays go by...still a ton of things to achieve. We go back 7 days before the kids but then get 4 days off with the Australia day holiday so it makes the first week back very short kind of eases us back into it. The first day is a killer as its filled with seminars that I usually find I want to sleep through....I hope that this year will be great but there is still a lot of things up in the air so apart from the fact that I will be in Prep don't know much else ar well guess will find out next week.....

i have been doing a ton of reading so I may even take Cars reading challenge on this year I just might make it to 50 and have been catching up on a few dvds ..Still no progress on Lukes quilt but have almost finished Mia's tinkerbell quilt and need to get a go on Lukes for his 21st in March and I want to get Toms music quilt and his scrapbook album done before his 18th in August.

R.I.P Brendan

It was with a very sad heart that we heard of the passing of my lifelong friend Kath's boy Brendan. Brendan was born with Cornelius De Lange syndrome and had a lot of problems.But Kath Gary and Ben got him to way past the early teen stage that the doctors had predicted. She fought for her boy every step of the way and Brendan the beautiful boy that he was passed away peacefully at the age of 22. Our deepest sympathies go out to them all and we wish we could be there with you.

Happy New Year

Well a bit late i know but heres wishing our family and friends the most amazing year in 2010 .....my goals for the next year are to try to chill out more..lol get some more of our house painted .....finish my cupboard for the dining room ......longest work ever in progress......but i will get it finished....read more....sew more ...hopefully spend more time at home and definately whatever the new school year brings I am flat out not going to stress about it.