Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2015

2015 Catch Up

Its a long time between posts around here. Its also a long time between February and May!! Its amazing what you can fit in just a few months , and we have done our absolute best to fill our time completely. 

Time flies when you are having fun, but I have also had to farewell my beloved Canon camera (and it hasn't been replaced yet, I have to keep growing my money tree) and the ever important MacBook needed a trip to the doctors. These all contribute to not posting . But then again, so does trips away ( Coral Bay, Point Samson, Pardoo etc) , concerts in the big smoke (Stella and I flew to Perth with friends for the One Direction concert) and lots and lots of sporting and school commitments. 


The kids all helping Stella make her Poster for the concert


Stella  and I before the One Direction concert


Stella's favourite band member, Harry in the flesh (well on the big screen!!)
We all had THE BEST time in Coral Bay in April. We met my family there and enjoyed a sunny , glorious week at the best beach ever! 
Our caravan set up at Pardoo Station. Such a relaxing place, the kids are always asking to go back!
Playing tourist in Wickham
 Our new DOME cafe opened earlier this year!! What a treat and so exciting for us all! Now somewhere large enough to meet friends for meals/coffees, great for kids and convenient. Perfect !

Our girls enjoying a Dome breakfast!

I have added President of the school P & C to my repertoire and that has kept me well and truly busy. Lots of functions and fundraising events to organise and manage. 
The kids have taken up soccer and Auskick , as well as the usual dancing sessions. 
I've started a market stall business with a lovely girlfriend. We make a variety of jewellery (clay and wood ) and other home wares items. That has been a ton of fun, creating and playing!! 

My husband is still working a shift roster. Which seems to be working for us. The weekends he works aren't the best but the down time is amazing!

We survived another Pilbara summer!! Yay!! And our beautiful winter is upon us. These days are the ones we live for and make the terrible summer worth it!!  Lots of camping (glamping in our caravan more like it) to be done at this time of year. 

We have celebrated 4 out of our 6 family members birthdays already!! I turned 30 (oh dear) in March, Stella 7 at the start of April (while we were away) and Max and Lacey at the end of April (and they had a party this year , so a post on that is to come).

Heading out for a lovely meal and 30th Birthday celebration with my beautiful girlfriends, I like a bit of matchy matchy!


We have holidays planned for later in the year and hopefully family visiting soon enough so lots of things to look forward to! 

With lots of posts in mind, I have been taking snaps and trying to plan a few cool things for the blog, so lets see if I can make it all happen. Fingers crossed!! 
But for now, a catch up post and a ton of photos. Next up , a little DIY with instructions. Just cos ......

And just because they are cute! And I am loving being a proper 'soccer Mum'. Its so awesome seeing them run around, trying hard and enjoying themselves! 

Poor Max has been left for dust in the height department by his twin Lacey!  



Monday, February 16, 2015

2015 - Nourish

Oh dear, I had grand intentions of being organised, consistent and post regularly this year. It seems I am a little late with my first post (nearly 2 whole months) but better late than never, right?! Lets hope it improves from here on out!

I have so many posts I am in the middle of writing. A heap on the "To- Do list" and even more floating around in my head, so I hope I can come through with the goods this year. 

I have been on a DIY rampage lately. Nothing is safe from paint, nothing is safe from being cut up, glued or re-purposed so expect a heap of those sort of posts. 
I have been on an exercise and weight loss mission for a while now - So expect some workout shots (or at least of my funky runners hehe) and maybe a healthy recipe or 2 thrown in there.
I have also been on a 'Need it or Chuck it' journey. So much stuff, so many labels needed , so many cupboards need sorting and resorting. 

But most of all, for this year of 2015, instead of setting New Years Resolutions , I am picking a word again (last years was 'Appreciate' , see post HERE).
A word to help define my days, to strive to always adapt to my everyday life. A word to believe in. 
My word for 2015 is NOURISH.


Nourish can mean and relate to so many different aspects of life, and that is why I have chosen it.

I want to continue to Nourish my body with yummy, wholesome and healthy food. Food that is fuel for my body. Food that will help me fulfil my busy and demanding days. Food that will also help me shed some lumps and bumps .

I want to start to Nourish my soul this year. Focus more on myself than I ever have before.
 I, like so many others out there (especially the Mums), put everyone else's needs and wants before my own.  I am determined to start looking after myself more. Have my first facial. Go and get a pedicure every now and then. Perhaps even take off for a solo coffee and mag read in a coffee shop. Small things that mean big things for your mental and emotional health. Nourishing your soul in the best way.

Nourishing my family, providing emotional and physical support to no end. Lots of cuddles, lots of kisses and lots of quality time spent with my kids and husband. 

I want to read more, study a little, cook a lot and love more than anything. 

I have a good feeling about 2015, do you?

Have you picked a word? Or set a New Years resolution? 
Care to Share? Lets do it, together! 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Lately ....

It has been a busy few weeks in our house. Lots of parties and catch ups. Meetings and big work schedules. My birthday, friends birthday's and all that life has to offer in between. 
I have so many jobs half finished around the place. Either I am struggling to get supplies or struggling to find the time , so the next Organising on a Budget post is on its way soon, or I am struggling to find the time. Life is busy but full of all the good things.

And this is a little of what we have been up to lately .... 

All of the kids have really been into puzzles lately, not the peg puzzles but 40-60 piece puzzles. So much fun for everyone!! 


Stella lost her first tooth!! She has been waiting for so long and it was wobbly for some time but she was so patient!! She was so happy and proud of herself!


Max and Lacey are loving kindy, and we are learning how to write names and different letters.


Our theme weeks that we used to have a few years ago for Stella have returned. Anything to help with the learning process. We do crafts, collect things from around the home starting with that letter, use flash cards and play games.


We took a day trip to a lovely beach and had lunch with good friends over the long weekend. The weather was warm (as usual) , the company was lovely and it was good for the soul.


The kids loved the beach, and I didn't realise just how much I missed a white sand, no nasties in the water sort of beach!


Crafting and painting. Drawing and colouring in. Always on the cards at our house. Here Lacey is making a Sun, 'S for Sun'.



Stella participated in the school swimming carnival for the first time. They had a ball and it was so well organised and run. Only in the Pilbara is there a tag relay where the kids have to put on a high vis shirt and run around cones!!



Max and Lacey's drawing and writing skills have improved so so much since starting Kindy. Max never used to draw or write anything. Nothing at all. Now he can write his name and can draw the most  gorgeous people!

He drew me this picture for my birthday. That's me with Max and Lacey in my tummy!! So cute!


I had a lovely birthday. The first one without my family around. I miss them dearly but my gorgeous friends and 'Pilbara family' really went out of their way to make me feel special. I feel so lucky to have made such beautiful friends up here. They have certainly made the move easier.
Cards and gifts, morning tea and play at the pool and dinner out at the Yacht Club.  Two gorgeous friends made me birthday cakes, one a Baked chocolate cheesecake that was to. die. for!! Best cheesecake ever ever!
Lucky Liz

I love that Stella is becoming more confident and clever with her reading and writing and I get the pleasure of finding these little notes around the house!! 



Its the big things that make you smile but all the little small things that really contribute to happiness. I want to remember all the little small things.

That's a tiny part of our lives lately ...

Monday, March 10, 2014

A list ...

Later this week, I will be celebrating my birthday. The last birthday of my 20's . Its not anything significant and it will be my first birthday away from my family. However it feels a little different to me. 

I feel like I should have a plan in place. A 'bucket list' of sorts. I know 30 is not that old. But its not super young either. 10 years ago I used to look at people in their 30's and think , they are real adults ... old even and in 12 very short months , I will be a real adult too! 

I didn't ever make a plan for my life. My plans of my future when I was a teenager was to study at university. Then nature took its course and I ended up with Glandular Fever, missing a lot of year 11, with the prospect of having to repeat the year. 
So ... while waiting to commence again I walked into a hairdressing salon and stumbled across a hairdressing apprenticeship .
I can't say it came easy. Because it didn't. It wasn't. Each day was hard work, long hours standing on my feet and a firm boss. But I am who I am today because of that time, and that lady. 

Its amazing how one event can change the whole course of your life. And every cloud has a silver lining. 

A butterfly landed on my hand in the supermarket car park the other day,
it sparked a train of thought about my 'Before 30 List'


I have fit a hell of a lot in my 29 years. I completed an apprenticeship,  I ran a business which at a point had 6 staff members, I have had 4 beautiful children who are my light , I have been lucky to find an amazing man to share my life with. I have a beautiful family, who support us to no end. They are enough family for the both of us . (My in laws are less than supportive which is a shame , their loss I say!)
We have been in our new town for 9 months now. It was a big decision but it has paid off and we are loving life. I am happy, I am healthy and I am lucky. 
I appreciate all the life has to give and has given me. 

But I will make a plan. Set some goals I would like to see through in this next 12 months My "Before 30 " plan. 
Then I may even make a 'Before 40' plan. Just places to see, people to visit, things to do and fears to conquer.  
Why not? 

If you were me, and you were making a Before 30 plan, what would you include? 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Changers .....

Game changers. In the words of Beth from Baby Mac,  of course!



Lately, we have been lucky enough to have some real game changers in our household. Things that change the way you function, cope and enjoy . Whats not to love? They make a change in this thing we call life and for the better!

First off the list is a minor one, and only cost a few dollars too! 
I found this yummy scrummy Onion Marmalade in Woolworths last week. It didn't take long to empty the jar! We have been enjoying it in ham and salad wraps for lunch and even toasted sandwiches but it would be totally Delicious with some crackers and cheese too!  It seriously reminds me of those yummy relishes that you buy whilst doing a tour of the wineries etc , so some days I like to pretend that is just what we've done!



This thing!! Oh how I love it so!! 
For the last 9 months, since we had to get the head on our vacuum cleaner replaced, I have been battling with it staying on the pole. A long story short, they updated the models so the new head doesn't click into our vacuum pole so when I have been vacuuming the floor rugs, when I pull it back I have to hold the head on!! MOST. ANNOYING. THING . EVER!!
Insert extremely happy face when my husband bought one of these Dyson cordless beauties home the other day! We have been interested and researching them for a while. And finally, its mine. 
Not cheap mind you, but I can vacuum my whole house with this beauty daily. I can whiz under the dining table multiple times a day , to clean up the food and carnage from the kids eating. I can take it outside at the drop of a hat and vacuum the car. Game Changer!!




And lets not forget this little beauty!! Bought from Typo  , for just $10, I finally have music around the house again! I have been having to use the laptop etc as our iPod dock carked it. This is a great little battery operated radio (perfect for cyclones) and its cute too!
We have this Bose Soundlink speaker  on our wish/lust but a bit more saving will have to be done for that first!



So there you have it. Not a lot but enough to change a few things around our home, and all for the better!!
Have you discovered many game changers lately?


Sunday, February 16, 2014

Happy

Happy ....
Its been a challenging past 12 months, but I can honestly say that this feeling that I have, is happiness.
Contentment, joy, excitement and above all , I am happy.

Almost 9 months ago , my husband and I made the massive decision for him to accept a position in a new town. A month later , a truck and crew were packing our belongings and we were heading to the Pilbara.
We relocated our children and lives away from our family and closest friends , to embark on a wonderful journey.

Originally we set out with a 5 year plan. To move up here , work hard and save money to be able to return to our home town and build our dream home. To be able to afford the luxury of me staying at home to look after the kids and raise them, only returning to work when I want to, not because I have to. Yes they were big sacrifices to make , to leave my parents and family behind and uproot the kids from everything they have ever known but we know now, it was the right thing to do.

This move has been the making of us. We are closer in our relationship. We have had to rely on each other more than ever before. We had no one else when we moved here but that's certainly not the case anymore.
Now we are lucky enough to have beautiful caring and generous friends , life long friends. Not that we don't have those back home, but everyone is in the same boat up here.
Our friends have become our family when we have don't have any close.
Everyone is just so ..... friendly.
Friends that call me to check to see if I have lost it crying on the first day of school. Friends who offer to have our FOUR children when I need a little time out. Friends who you laugh, talk and cry with.

And we are happy.
Everyone has their ups and downs and it just so happened that last year (or more so the year before )  was a little of a downer for me (until the end of June) . I learnt some home truths about friends and friendships , unfortunately the hard way but it all makes you grow and appreciate things that little bit more.

And at the start of July, our lives changed. And as my husband says to me "the Pilbara has changed
you Morrison"and it has.
I am happy , content and loving life.
And I hope you are too! And if not, have faith that your turn will come. The future will be brighter and tomorrow is a new day. There is a wonderful life waiting for you to live it, don't miss the opportunity!


Monday, October 28, 2013

Lately ....

Life for us in our new town is a little slower paced, not as many obligations and things we HAVE to do each and every day and we are all enjoying the change.
Here are a few snippets of what we have been up to lately. filling in the days and enjoying our new home.



Baking is always on the agenda here. I feel like I can't keep up with the demand!

I have just about finished my first round of the Michelle Bridges 12WBT and have loved all the yummy food, especially this Ginger Salmon stir fry!! 

The kids love to collect "treasures" from all around the place! 


And Pick flowers for Mummy


I was inspired by a gorgeous friend to give the kids little manicures one Sunday morning. They loved every minute!

We have been exploring and enjoying the warm weather and water

And I have been getting my craft on and made a few cute necklaces  for myself and gifts for friends and family!


As you can see, plenty to keep us busy and new experiences all the time. Life never has a dull moment, why would we want that?!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Lately .......

Lately....
Its the school holidays, and I am loving it!!
The kids are busy playing, I am busy cleaning up after them and I am finding it hard to get back into the swing of things after our seaside holiday. Totally 'Go-Slow' mode and I need to shake it off.
A virus struck the kids and I last week. A migraine, lethargic and a cough that is just annoying, Then Angus got croup. We were a happy bunch, not!! But we all seem to be on the mend and I am motivated again (even managed a fridge clear out, made some jam, some vege stock and all in the last 2 days)

But a few snapshots of our happenings lately;


 I have caved to the 'Green smoothie" craze. To be honest, I just felt like a detox after Christmas, loved all the summer fruits and veges in season and need to start the journey of losing some serious Kg's. 4 kids in 4 years with no break, and boy does my body show it!!


Darling husband and I celebrated being together for 10 years. I shouldn't say celebrate because we didn't do anything and actually forgot the date until the afternoon but I do hope to go out , just the 2 of us at some stage. 10 years ago I would never have thought my life would be like this, I am very blessed.


The kids are loving their Christmas present from their Uncle, a bouncy castle/water slide. Hours of fun and lots of energy burnt off. Perfect....


The sewing bug has bitten me again and seeing as though we had a few days with Noel still home when we returned from holidays I was able to whip up a few things, like this dolls bedding for a dear friends daughters birthday. 


And some simple table clothes for our dining table. They are so expensive in stores and I have a heap of material that needs to be used!


Summer lunches and snacks are quite simple yet so delicious.


Sometimes, just sometimes, all 4 cherubs will be found playing together and peacefully. It may be short lived but it does still happen!! (Playing with Max's Christmas Present, the Plan Toys Eco Town)


Angus has managed to work out how to open doors!! I swear the other kids were 2 or older when they learnt this fine yet annoying art. He is one tall and very clever little man.


Hot days and new toys from Christmas have made perfect inside play moods. Lacey loves to retreat off to her sisters room and plays with her precious goodies!! Typical little sister really!



There you have a snippet of life for us lately.
Next week I will start a back to school series, with a few guest bloggers thrown in!! SO EXCITING!!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Lately.....

Another busy few weeks have passed. The blog front has been relatively quiet but rest assured, there is A LOT in the works at the moment, and I dare say you will be sick of me and my posts soon enough!!

We are busy preparing for Stella's dance concert this weekend, with 2 rehearsals this week, full dress rehearsal on Thursday night then 3 concerts over the weekend.
We have had Home Opens and private inspections, ice block day at school, play dates, sporting commitments (for us not the kids!) and this week also brings Parent help , a school excursion and that is all as well as dancing.
No wonder I am quiet on here hey?
Its just the silly season I guess!
So here you go, a few snippets of life lately,  to bring you up to speed .


I MAY, ok I AM the most spoilt wife EVER!
My husband surprised me with a special delivery!!

A Thermomix!

They are totally expensive, but also TOTALLY worth it! And with him being Gluten intolerant , this is making our lives so much easier, and yummier of course!! So lots of playing has been happening of course!


Our Littlest boy is growing so fast right before our eyes! He loves to sit and read, play blocks and puzzles and LOVES playing with cars!

He also loves to climb! On everything!


Poor Lacey fell over last week, severed that little bit of skin under her top lip. Biggest, fattest, blackest swollen lip you ever did see. A trip to the dentist and a few wobbly top teeth, the poor poppet. But we are anxiously waiting to see if they will go grey yet!



I realised I forgot to share some Halloween dress up pics!! The kids had a ball!! Loved it!




And of course, the general day to day playing and learning as always. Here Stella is showing Angus how to do his new puzzle.



Don't  you just love chubby baby/toddler feet? I sure do!

Stay tuned, lots happening in this space soon!