Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

Another year has passed, and now I reflect back, but can't remember much at all! I shall try to remember the highlights and other significant events:

• So many changes for Charlie, we're starting to understand his words and sentences, his vocabulary has grown substantially, and he's mastered the art of tantrums!
• Our eldest son, Callum, left home and moved to the big city.No longer a boy, he's living a man's life now!
• Guthrie finished his last year of high school;
• Lily started her first year of high school, impressing all the teachers with her maturity;
• Freya enjoyed school, participated in the Tournaments of Minds, and won the endeavour award in her class. I'm very proud.
• Michael reached the milestone of his 50th birthday. Wow! He's still a young man to me.
• We celebrated our 20th anniversary. Boy, where did that time go?
• I enjoyed another wonderful year of being a stay at home mum. It's very definitely my vocation.

And last, and by no means least, just after my 44th birthday, I was surprised and delighted to find out I was pregnant. After the initial shock, we came to accept that bub number 6 would join our family. Sadly, over Christmas, I miscarried.

So, 2010 ended on rather a sad note for me.

But 2011 is a new year, full of promise. I've made no resolutions, no plans. I just want to take it day by day and really appreciate and enjoy what I have in my life.

Grateful List

I'm trying to be more gracious, to focus on all the good things in my life, so from time to time I write a grateful list in my head.Today I'll try and put some of it down in writing:

 My wonderful daughter Lily who is always lending a helping hand with our littlest one.

 My wonderful daughter Freya, so loving and caring.

 My gorgeous family. My lovely big boy, Guthrie, a born entertainer.

 My sister. I never tire of her company. There's always something to talk  and laugh about.

 The miracle that is is our beautiful boy...

The constant mess and chaos that says, "a busy family lives here".

• The fact that we have a roof over our heads, in one of the most beautiful places in the world;
• Always having plenty of healthy, fresh food to eat;
• Feeling safe where we live;
• having fulfilling,satisfying jobs to do;
• time to spend on the beach;
• time spent crafting.

There's so much more, but I'll save it for another time.
What's on your grateful list?

Christmas 2011

What a beautiful day we had. It was quiet, just us, and the children loved their gifts, their lunch and the cruisey time we had together. Sadly, we didn't have the camera out to take photos. Silly isn't it?I should have some lovely photos of the kids opening their gifts. Especially Charlie who couldn't quite work out what was going on, and wanted to open everybody else's presents!

 Our tree was a bit scrawny. Had to find it at the last minute in the bush on our block. It did the trick, and at night, with the lights on, it is fine.

 Pretty glass baubles bought new this year to adorn the bare branches of our decorative tree (also used at easter time).

 Solar lanterns. So pretty, but we had such overcast days that they didn't work terribly well! We need some sunshine.

 My beautiful Christmas treat for myself: A wonderful blue hydrangea to brighten the front doorstep.

And how the laundry has mounted up! Looks like I've got some catching up to do. Taking time off for the festivities has left at lot to be desired on the domestic front...I'd better go and hang out a load of washing. At least these ghastly Easterly winds we've had for days on end will dry the washing...there's an upside!

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas too.

My Happy List: Idea from inner Pickle, from Fox's Lane Blog

 Idea from Inner Pickle, from Fox's Lane Blog

 

Living in a beautiful, pristine environment. Meeting up with kangaroos, lizards, small marsupials and the odd snake, almost daily!

 My lovely, relaxed,supportive husband. Seen here relaxing in ugg boots on the deck.

 Our beautiful sunny place, to sit,relax, share time with friends and family and soak up the view.

 Happy, silly, funny children. The best thing I ever did!

Our silly, naughty, gorgeous little boy. There's never a dull moment, and so many happy times....