raising of the sweetest kind...

It's funny how your day can go as a busy Mama of 4 young children. Today was no stand out day really, took Dusty to the health centre, and as we expected, doing great and growing like a little mushroom, well not long with an overhanging head, but you know what I mean. Then Tully off to Kinder, and then home again. Cory sleeps as we go about our duties... Today's duty was to make some delicious berry and banana smoothies and then heading out to the shops to buy 2 new camping chairs and a sun shelter... The kids have made we want to cry with the sweet things they say and do, but also made me want to head for the hills to find some kind of peace... they can do that my kids, but I guess that thing that keeps me going, is knowing that I am doing my best to raise happy, healthy and compassionate beings! I have decided to introduce some sweet and hopefully not too many sour moments from our days!

Sweet - Claye hugs me and tells me not to be sad about Maddison leaving, and tells me, "she is a big girl and will be fine once she knows where she is going, but it may take her a few times to get used to it".

And he is right in his own little way.
So dinners done, baths are well underway, and Dadda works tonight, so we look forward to a cuddle from him in the morning. Love
Sometimes I have to sit back and see what I have before me, to see the beauty in each of our little creations.

today I shed a little tear... but smirked a little smile too...

Today at 4.45pm my eldest and dearest niece headed on a plane all alone to France.... She will live there for 44 weeks with another family, whom we have never met... I have been dreading this day for weeks, even though I know she will be fine, I cannot help but feel sad to not have her around... Bon Voyage beautiful girl, experience what ever it is you need! XO

2011 will bring...

a new home for us all... Lilla will be in grade 3, Claye will go into grade 1, Tully will be doing 3 year old Kinder, Maddy will be in France, Cory will progress from trainee to Tech 1, and I, well I am supposed to give up my day job as Mama bear and head back to paid work?? Let's see about that! Dusty will turn 1, My big Sis will turn 40, and we will all Love and be loved! XO

dusty elroy hick in progress...

What a little ripper he is, such a joy to be around, he is already 4 months old and smiling and laughing and already such an important part of our family... I just love watching the kids playing with him and hearing his sweet new laugh come roaring from his little belly... Lillie and Claye take the role of big brother and sister very importantly and I can see it's quite a competition to get the best laughs from him. Tully on the other hand is the protector, he likes to inform everyone that he is our baby, and not yours... he he... He quite often asks "when will he be big enough to play with me?" Soon swet boy, soon! Actually far too soon really, I am just loving the baby phase yet again, it's such a joyous and special time, but it really does fly! For this minute though, our house is quiet and all our babies are fast asleep... ZZZZZ

oh my googy eye...

My sweet little Tully says to me, "Mum, I have googy eyes". I said, "you have a googy eye?, what do you mean by that?, is it itchy or goopy?", to which he replies, "No, it's just googy." Then I noticed that the sun was shining in his eyes, and I said, "Oh, you mean you have watery eyes from the sun shining in them." to which he replies, "Yeah, these ones are watery, you need to get me some new ones." Oh you super cute little human being, how I love your innocence... There really is not a day goes by that you do not hear something so adorable that it melts your heart, being a Mother is a true blessing XO

the progression of crestwood...

OK, so with 17 weeks past since we commenced building, we have most of our home complete! Hooray you here me scream!!!!! Well we are at lock up, mostly painted, kitchen in, bathroom cabinetry installed, laundry cabinetry installed and fireplace was done today.... sounding promising to be in within the next 4 weeks one would think, but we are told possibly April??? I guess when you have waited this long, what's another gazillion weeks.. It's looking good, which is nice to say, because choosing a house from small colour samples and swatches is kinda tricky... the internal paint colour is Dulux Stowe White, with Vivid White ceilings and architraves, I guess I am telling you that so that I can always look back here if I ever need to remember... The external paint is Dulux Kahlua Milk and Vivid White, with Boral Brown Terrain brickwork, but I think we will render all the brickwork that is visible from the street??? Windows are aluminium and powder coated in White, roof and gutters are Colorbond Woodland Grey, with Colorbond Surfmist fascia and downpipes... We have Boral Silkwood timber flooring throughout 90% of the house in a timber named Tallowood and we chose rough grade so you can see the flaws that would occur naturally in a tree, it's an Australian hardwood, so we didn't go hacking into some superb rain forest somewhere exotic! It's quite tricky starting from scratch, particularly the landscaping layout... we have chosen where we will concrete and had some quotes, and Cory has drawn some garden layouts that are looking good... I really want somewhere secret and special for the kids to run and hide and play, so I am thinking of growing a hedge and putting a door into another section of the garden so that it creates a bit more interest and allows the kids their own personal space.. I am saying a flying fox would be awesome or a really cool tree house, but we will have to wait and see. It might be a bit of watch this space I think.. well that's it for now... night night

44 weeks until we can squeeze our beautiful niece again...

After many failed attempts our very sweet niece will board a plane to France at 16.45 on Friday 28th January 2011, yes that is tomorrow.... I am feeling pretty sad after saying my see you soon's, but excited at the thought that she will have an amazing experience and will return all the better for it... not that she is not perfect now might i add!!!!! It's crazy really how fast the time will go and her host family whom we are in contact with on facebook, seem very nice and speak some English which I am sure will make all the difference in the beginning.. I just love her as though she were my own, and want to be there to ensure she gets all the right flights and trains, and gets off OK too but that's not going to happen now is it..... Life goes too fast, where did 15 years go? I cannot even begin to imagine how I would be if Lilla, Claye, Tully or Dusty wanted to experience such a thing.... crying hopelessly I'm sure. It is true what they say, we only hold their hands for a while but their hearts forever! So to our darling Maddison Jade, sweetheart, I will be thinking of you always...

the making of crestwood........

Should I sit here and tell you about the journey of crestwood?, or I just fill you in from here?........ So from here on it is! Well to date we have a site cut and some plumbing and that is about it!! Not sure exactly, but apparently something happened with the cut, and now there is too much fill, so they had to get the engineer to recheck the load bearing wall.... ramble ramble..... They are saying a slab for Friday, but with no tradesman in sight I am thinking not.... I am sure you know how keen we are to have this house, so if we could all just channel Ley Ley and say Come on house, that would be awesome!! Again will get some pics soon

introducing dusty elroy hick......

On the 15th Spetember at 13.13 we welcomed a very special new little man into our family!! He will be known as Dusty Elroy Hick, he weighed 9lb 4oz and was 56cm long..... He looks like, ummm..... well he looks like all the other kids, and just perfect to us!! He is fitting in nicely at home and is a very popular little person right now with Lilla, Claye and Tully, who are all needing cuddles! I have been very absent from here, I know, but I promise I will try to update more frequently! And I will definately post some pics too! Love to you all XXXXXX

where have you been?

pics of Claye

introducing claye heywood hick.......

I can still recall that new baby smell. Not even 1 day old and look at the size of those cheeks.

Claye was born on the 18th October 2004, weighing 9lb 13oz..... Our new little angel, just a chubby little cuddle sack, just starving too & that hasn't changed.. He was tricky as a bub, because he had reflux & no amount of chamomile tea was going to help, but thankfully for him, that only lasted 3-4 months and we all survived..He is just Divine, so compassionate & kind and brings a tear to my eye I think every single day with his sweetness. I feel so very proud of him & the way he considers others. I guess if I could have one thing for my children, it is that, they grow to be kind & compassionate, but not walked on (sounds as though I am wanting a lot), but not really, happiness really is the most important thing. About my darling boy... well he is 4 now & very much a lad, he loved mess & dirt & farming.. Thankfully for us, my parents have some land & the kids get to see all sorts of things and experience life as many others could only dream. He is off to 4yo Kinder on Friday, but he is not too sure, he thinks it would be "Ok to stay with Mama, cos' we have fun too". and yes we do, but I have decided that he will enjoy it, once he settles, & i will be there to make sure he feels comfortable. Actually 4yo is a pain in the neck really, so much too-ing & fro-ing, I can see why the kids find it hard to get comfortable. Our Kinder is just the way I like it, we have a veggie garden with 4 child made scarecrows, many chooks & there is always a koala or two dropping by for a visit. The gardens & dry riverbed were created by the children & the huge mosaic that sits proudly on the outside wall, was also loving handcrafted by past children. So I guess as far as Kinder's go, it's a goodie!!

Claye is so appealing, everywhere we go, people fall instantly in love & why wouldn't they, I feel so lucky that he chose us for his Mama & Dada.. lol xo

Just fed, thank you Mama, but i need a nap!

Everyone told me that babies don't usually smile until about 5 weeks, but I believe that happy babies smile on the inside!!Very proud big sis, and if I recall, he sometimes received a little too much attention.

Great Grandma Dordy

How we do love a day at the park, we think Mama loves the swings the most!!

what will be will be

Strange how life goes really. Today I received two lots of news, one just amazingly great & one just so tragic. The world really does work in mysterious ways, and I know that they say when one person enters the world another leaves, in this case it is true..

My family however are all well & happy. I worked today away from home, so it was lovely to see 3 smiling faces on my return, wet hair & sun drenched, apparently Dada had taken them swimming all day. I might just ad, that all 3 of our children have a very fond love of water.. must take after Dada. Work was rather painful today, but it seems distant really as there was a bath to be had (how long can I fit all 3 in one bath for?) dinner time is done, more friendship bracelets were made & a story was read, but not by Mama..... tonight Lillie was the story teller, & she decided to read a story that she enjoys to us... amazing reading for a 6 year old might I say. I am making the most of tomorrow with the kids, but 41 degrees is very hot for young skin, so craft might be on the cards... hmmm not sure yet though.

Sleep well. xo

I am no genious with the camera

I guess you had already noticed this, but hey if you knew everything, would you give up the will to learn??

after dinner dresses

I have a new project to begin tonight, so we are very excited about the new fabric in our house. I sense a dress for Miss L and some cool summer shorts for the boys, well the little boys that is. May not have much time to write today for the sewing awaits..

Quick update & the dress is complete, guess the shorts will have to be Australia Day shorts... sleep well, I sure will xo

Some dresses for my summer lovin' Lil..

more pics of Lilla..

I know that I am racing through the years a little , but my intention was to create a journey in time, not in memory, so lets see how that pans out.... my intentions are always good, but some days don't quite have the 24 hours in them they are supposed to. lol

a special email I received from my mama

BEFORE I WAS A MUM

Before I was a Mum.....

I slept as late as I wanted

I never worried about how late I got into bed

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday

Before I was a Mum.....

I cleaned my house each day

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a nursery rhyme

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous

I never thought about immunizations

Before I was a Mum.....

I had never been spewed on

Poohed on

Spat on

Chewed on

Peed on

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts

I slept all night

Before I was a Mum.....

I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests

Or give an injection

I never looked into teary eyes and cried

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep

Before I was a Mum.....

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much

I never knew that I could love someone so much

I never knew I would love being a Mum

Before I was a Mum.....

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy

Before I was a Mum.....

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mum

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mum

And before I became Nanna.....

I didn't know that all those 'Mum' feelings more than doubled!

mama's day

Peaceful Saturday for Mama. Good company, great coffee, stories with friends, lots of snuggles, fleeting thoughts of new sewing projects, the thought of Miss L returning to school (not so great) and updating my days events in my new found friend of this blog.

A must to share with you from Claye, darling boy is going to bed & says "Mama you forgot my cherry map", silly Mama...... that would be his Gerry mat, but I didn't have the heart to tell him. Such a sweet lil' boy, so loving and kind, makes me so very proud............ He is of solid build, but today when we were at the supermarket, he wanted to be carried, so I snuggled him up on to the front of me, kind of like a forwards piggy back, holding his little bottom in my hands, and for 15 minutes I carried him around, he kept kissing me & telling me that he loved me, I did not want that time to end, but when he felt right, he left my arms and ran riot around the isles..... I only hope I can still carry him at 102.. You know those Mama moments that are nothing to someone else, but fingerprint your soul......

It's quiet in our home tonight with tired eyes a sleeping, Goodnight, sleep tight, Love & sunny shining bright xo

P.S I have not forgotten ~ I will introduce the rest of my family to you soon. lol

ear candling success

note ~ ear candling seams to have released some pressure on the ear drum, so far so good! so use the drops, take the tablets & candle the ears (love ear candles).... mwah xx

why oh why??

Well last night was interesting indeed.. Cors went surfing as I posted,but had a minor hick up along the way.. Needed to get the boat back in and discovered that the anchor was stuck on something and would need to cut the rope.. as you do when you don't have a knife, you smash a beer bottle and use the broken glass to hack through the rope & your hand. You then spend 2, maybe more hours waiting in Rosebud emergency department for a doctor whom has no idea about much to see you. You also in your travels, get bluetac stuck in your ear (make shift earplugs) so you ask him to retrieve that, at which he is unsuccessful, surprise, surprise!! Cory then gets home with a bandaged up hand & still a sore ear, but now very tired and agitated! All for a surf, hmmmmmm now I ask you, "where is the fun in that?"
But today is a new day and we have some excitement in the ranks as Lillie is heading out to a 6 year olds birthday party at Girls Town as I mentioned yesterday... Very exciting indeed. We have picked the party frock and we have gone with the frilly black number that has the most 'twirlability', because we all know that this far out ways the actual look of the arrangement! Mama is happy though, because she is wearing the red shoes.... All feet need red shoes!!!
Tully is still just adorable and amazes me every minute with his actions and learning about this place called earth. He has waved to the trees and they gently wave back, maybe with some help from this delightful breeze.. For the first time today he said "bay" which is of course baby for "bye"... Its growth in his speech and I love hearing him try to communicate.
Claye had a wet bed last night but one out of four is great! He is just his usual cuddly self today, already had a hit of cricket and a ride on his bike, so his day is just perfect.
Mama is peaceful today... no real plans, but to enjoy what she has.
Ah yes, Cors will need ear candling, so I will do that. Actually I can do that now and keep typing, of course I can, I am a Mother!! Yes, lit the candle, now need him to lay still.
Dada will be doing not a lot today, healing I would presume.. so for me its all said.
Take care and may your Saturday give you all that you need. xx

what's been keeping us busy

• a world of wooden trains and an ever changing track
• backyard cricket til dark
• cuddles & play
• sand, sand & more sand
• water (especially the dogs drink)oops!
• mama's shoes
• birthday parties
• dreaming of travel in 'Franky' the caravan, seeing the sights our land has to offer

dada's home..

Hooray Dada's home and now the house feels complete! I have just had the most luscious cuddle with Tul and now my world seems right... Happy weekend ahead! And now for that ice cold drink.. I still have so much to tell you, you haven't even met my other darling boys, which right now I am snuggling tight.. Claye is definitely mister snuggles.

Sometimes Dada being home is short lived and he is beckoned away by the waves... apparently quarantines was the place to be on this wondrous day.. but we will await his return and the excitement can begin all over again.

Dada has not returned yet and the babes are asleep, I guess he will have to kiss them goodnight whilst they sleep (favourite thing to do). His surf was OK but he cut his hand, so off to the emergency department for him for the long wait........ and we will wait too!

Good night xo

more pics of Lilla..

snow bunny

our little artist

glorious sunshiney days....

Hmm what a great day to be on earth... The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing & the babes are all entrenched in activities.... All I need now is an ice cold drink.. but at 2.12pm, that seems a bit indulgent (maybe not) Not much a happening today, PJ's till 11.00am, late brekky, soaking up the last days of the school holidays.. Been fiddling with the super duper camera, see if I can work it out yet! One day & hopefully I have plenty of them left..
It feels so Friday today, very relaxed.... no work Monday, gee shame. Lillie is extremely excited about tomorrow, she's off to a 6th Birthday Party at Girls Town, whoo hoo, don't they just love a party. Claye is just hanging about, riding the tractor, Skateboarding & it's been 3 nights without a wet bed... My little man is growing up.. Tully is just clunking around, trying on all my shoes, because that's what he loves, and drenching himself in sun.... Oh yes, and playing in the dogs water, that's also a passion. I just love this age, he is so interesting to watch as he finds his way around this world... He discovered a blowing leaf today & that bought a sack of laughter his way... Ahhh the simple life..
Well, might go and play with the camera... Happy sunshine to you & your family. xx

more pics of Lilla..

Bath time..
Bag Lady but at least she has pink ted.






Around 19 months.... what was I thinking with that hair!!

introducing cory & max..

These are just 2 of the many very special people in my life... My husband and long time love "Cory" and our sweet dog "Max".

1st day of our blog.

Today is the first day that you will read about me and my life and all the very special people & places that exist within it. I am at home today with my 3 littlie's & my niece & nephew, whilst my Sis works & figured that there would be no better time to start such a thing.
A wise women once told me to start a journal and keep even the things that don't seem too important at the time in it.... Guess what Carmel? I have finally started, it may be 8 years later but your words did not go unheard.