It official - we are on our way back to Aussie!

Well, its been a roller coaster of emotions over the last few months. But the end result is....

The house went on the market Sunday, one open home, two offers and either one or the other becomes unconditional Friday 4pm. So we have SOLD our little place. Just as it is looking so good too. My dear hubby has been busy painting, renovating and tidying up madly. Settlement date is Aug 13th. So we will have the movers pick up our stuff and get it on the boat to Freemantle. It should arrive just after us (we arrive Sept 12). We have to pick up Phil's van in Perth but our gear will make it to Gero. We will reside at Anne's for the 4 weeks in between. Then on arrival in Gero we will be back with Phil's Dad till we get on our feet. We are very thankful for fantastic parents.

Our block of land is also on the market but as the real estate market is a little slow in this area it may take a bit to sell.

Sadly, I will have to leave the job I am enjoying. Hard to believe I have not been abused once and have very rarely seen the police at work. This will be a stark contrast to back in Gero. But hopefully I may be able to work emergency back there, if not I'm sure there will be no shortage of work on the wards.

Phil, will be back to recommence our previous business. Really we had it pretty good in Gero. Invercargill is very slow and Phil has not had much work (nor have any of his competitors). So he is looking forward to coming out of retirement! Stay home Dad, whilst he has enjoyed being able to be with the boys more, will not work out long term.

I will be/ am very sad to be leaving my family again. However, more than anything we have to do what is right for our little family unit. Our happiness is paramount and given the situation here, we feel we can have a better lifestyle and be happier in Gero.

Besides I can always come home for holidays. We will be back in NZ Feb/March 2011 - seems my little sister is getting married. Woohoo, wouldn't miss that for the world!

Will also be great to be back in WA for Phil's kids. We have all really missed them - none more so than the boys.

Last but not least we have missed all our friends. I am making new ones and really loving that. But I won't be shy in asking for my spot back at Wed nite scrap! Oh how I've missed my creative, girly nites. Yay, for great weather to enjoy the water and the parks.

So it is very mixed emotions running through my head. But ultimately, I feel we have made the right decision and we may even be able to really put down some roots now with some future direction in mind. So see those of you in Gero in September 2010!!!!!

Just a little side note to life here. Our house really is quite toasty and warm with the fire going. However, seems Harry must have decided a hat was in order! Phil just checked on the boys and this what he found:

Gotta love that boy!

Anyway. as usual the pace of life is kinda fast over here and I have work in the am. Must hit the hay. Love to you all

Mel xo

Billy Elliot and the Cowboy

At times I am totally spun out. How can two boys (same parents - incredible I know) be so different!

I mean one is dark, the other fair....

one has blue eyes, one has brown....

one is solid enough the other on the lean side....

one lives for cuddles(Mr J) the other affirmations(Mr H) and quite frankly this is not interchangeable.....

one lives life as a pirate, cowboy, superman or any other costume - complete with sound effects, the other happy to just be him....

and the other night I was again reminded how different they are. Picture this....

its bed time and my two are getting to the "distract Mummy and Daddy" stage. So after watching the Wiggles on Monday - live in little old Invers( and it was fantastic as always what entertainers they are) Harry announces they are going to do a show. Now this is random never attempted by these two before and impromptu to boot.

So they get up on the bay window, hide behind the curtains and with a triumphant entrance Harry arrives, full of enthusiasm, arms in big circles with a welcome to the show as he jumps down....
and begins what can only be described as a Billy Elliot gymnast. He danced Ballet, boogied on down and rolled about the floor.

Highly entertaining before giving a short, cute wave and returning to the safety of his curtain. Applause please...

Then its Jakeys turn.... he comes out with a TAAAAA DAAAA! "Ah Holdy me hearties" (eye patch was on prior to photo) "pop, bang gun" and falls over dead!

Well thats my chalk and cheese, dark and light, two boys. Needless to say the boys were late to bed, Phil and I were crying with laughter and the boys really thought they were fantastic entertainers.

I other news, Grandad has returned to Australia. We had a great time showing him about the place and the boys just loved having him to visit.

But most exciting of all - tomorrow Phil and I are off to Queenstown for TWO KIDLESS nights away. Aunty Smidge is having the boys (I know who will be more tired come Sunday). Yummy autumn colours and some special bonding time with Hubby. Will be sure to take my camera and get some pics.

Love to everyone.

Mel xo

Autumn has arrived

I love autumn. The yummy reds, yellows, browns and occasional green. SO I was pretty excited to see the leaves turning in Queenstown this week. A couple more weeks (like when Phil and I celebrate our wedding anniversary with two nights away NO KIDS in Queenstown) it will be amazing. I love the crunchy leaves underfoot and no one can deny the beauty of the scenery up there to compliment the colours! I know you'll agree.

I know its a long time between scraps and I working to remedy that, but heres the latest from my desk. Love the Gallery 45 papers "domestic goddess collection" thought it was very appropriate for these 3 girls. Missing our cuppas and scrap nights, but slowly I am making friends and all is good.

If any of you have not had BLUFF OYSTERS then you are deprived. They are far superior to any others and we thoroughly enjoyed them at Bluff last week with Grandad. YUMMO!!!

We took a day trip to Queenstown (with Grandad) on Tuesday. I just loved the way Harry too was facinated by the leaves on the ground. Unaware of my camera, he piled some leaves together then he danced all over them sending them flying. Too cute.

Jake as always is full of life. Never a still moment and I love this photo for capturing that!

"Mum you take a photo of me and my monster".

We took Grandad up the Gondola and down the luge. I think he thought I was nuts when I said he had to go but he loved it. As did the kids. You never tire of the view at the top.

So you ride the gondola to the viewing cafe/restaurant etc then you hop on a chairlift up to the top of the luge track.

Might I add we loved our ride and responsible Mum rode appropriately and all limbs were inside at all times.

Dad on the other hand slid out on one of the corners tipping Jake out!!!!! He reckons he wasn't going too fast but that the sprinkling of rain was to blame. But Jake was smiling and loved it so no harm done.

Like I said Grandad thought it was a bit of alright too!

Raining beautifully again today (pleasant for a day or two). We've been baking, enjoying the fire, cooking soup for tea and snuggling with the kids to watch a movie (Lady and the Tramp - the recent fav.) Off to work again tomorrow, Phil and his Dad are off to Wanaka for the Warbirds this weekend, WIGGLES Monday. SO lots on. Glad its school/kindy holidays - no morning rush. Now how to get the boys to sleep in....

Anyway, have a great week. Lots of love to of you and your families.

Love Mel xoxoxooxo

Creating and Renovating

First things first Grandad (from Geraldton) arrives tomorrow. In fact he is on the plane as we speak. The boys are so excited - so we made him a welcome banner. So we've been bust trying to fix a few things up and do a little cleaning. As you can imagine the boys have been a tremendous "help". Cleaning windows in Grandads room dressed as pirates! May I add the one spot is very clean. AS for the rest well....

WE have also finished the boys room makeover. I felt it needed a little original art. The boys were as always happy to don the art smock and get to work. I did the red base. The boys the rest. Mum's selection of colours to choose from and one coat at a time, drying in between, helped Mum to avoid the mixed up messy brown combination that usually persists.

SO here you have Jake - refusing to use a smaller brush and not really tall enough to get over the big brush we have a kind of whimsical feel.

Master Harry seems to be into blocks of colour.

But I reckon they look great up on their wall. Check them out in the Bedroom pics.

Onto renos. This is our Laundry before: Yuck.

And after. Cute little curtains with owls and birdys cover the cupboards. Fresh and Clean. Much more me.

The boys room before: Lilac just the colour for my boys and check out the gross carpet.

And after. Original art on the wall.

And while I was at it thought it was time to have a small makeover of me. Short hair! Amazing what a couple of kid free hours in a salon can do for your spirits.

Anyway, just thought I should let you know we are alive and well. Work is great, I'm enjoying the challenge. Boys are good. Now Granda will be here for 2 weeks and we are planning some daytrips about the place. Fun times ahead.

And to leave you the latest in disobedient boys.

Dear son no 1 seems to be having a hard time obeying any (and I mean ANY) instruction of late. in total frustration today I picked him up , took him to the location of the thing he was meant to do and looked him in the eye. Meanwhile I firmly placed my two hands either side of his ears and pretended to "turn them on". Now you will hear me. to which he promptly placed his hands back there turned them the other way looked me in the eye and told me "well I turned my ears off". I marched him to his room, shut the door and cracked up laughing all the way to tell Dad!

SO it true as they get smarter in some things, so too the others. BUGGER!

Anyway, take care

Love Mel xo

Kids at play....gotta laugh.

Does anyone else wonder at the mind of a four year old? What are they thinking and how on earth did they come to that conclusion? Sometimes its quite obvious - other times nothing less than bizzare. Leave it to Harry and he will find a valid reason to continue to use the umbrella despite the absence of rain.

Mum: " Harry, you don't need the umbrella, come on put it away before you break it."

Harry: "but Mum I NEED it, it is protecting my head from the sun while I weed the driveway"

Obviously last weeks sunscreen phase is over and umbrellas are in! I might add, digging the weeds in the driveway was his own doing and no child labour was enforced.

He has become sooo helpful lately. Whether its transferring the spuds from the bench by spoon to the pot ("Good teamwork Mum, I love helping"), weeding the driveway, putting shopping away, hanging out the washing (my OCD struggling with this but coping), or getting it in.....

Sometimes its not too dry (or clean after being on the ground) but he loves to do anything to help. Long may it continue into the teenage years....

We took the boys to the Agriculture show this weekend. The face painting was free and they did a fantastic job don't you think? Very funny.... Jake gets up first what does he want - Spiderman, Harry - PINK! (Hmmm I might add at our first dental nurse appointment he also wanted a pink balloon and Strawberry Shortcake sticker!!!) Given Dad was there we negotiated and got a tiger face.

As for Master Jake he continues to amaze me with his conversations. SO much so I forget he really is only 2.5yrs. He's quite relaxed having a chat on the phone..

We go to Playcafe at a local church on aTues am. Its fantastic. He woke up excited he could again be Superman (costumes with capes!!!). AS we arrived one of the other wee boys who also usually dresses up for the duration arrived. "Look Mum its the other Superman!!" So cute. They played so well together. This morning he woke up. "Mum, who will I play Superman wars with today" I like playing with ....." Crazy making up games.

Jake : " Oh look theres a fire, (picking up a pretend phone) quick I'll call Fireman Sam. Fireman Sam there's a fire, come quick and bring the hose!"

Harry: (hiding in the hall also phone to his ear) Okay, you've got a fire, I'm on my way with the hose" "Weeeooooo Weeeeooooo Weeeeeoooo" (as he runs into the living room)

Both boys now have pretend hoses aimed together "Whoosh shshshshhshshsh"

They make my day light. Who can't smile and laugh when they can be so adorable.

Harry is now in Morning Kindy. Jake asked to pick Harry up 3 times the first morning only once today. I'm still looking out for two kids everywhere we go but I am getting better. Harry - well he is loving it.

We have started (and actually finished) the first minor make over. The boys room is now painted (Huka Falls colour) do you like it? The carpet layer came this am and I've just started a couple of canvases for the boys to do to complete their room. So heres a sneak. (Actually photo isn't really that close to the real colour. Will post more when everything back in place.

First night shift in 5 years starts tomorrow night. So as you are wrapped up in your wee bed think of me eating from the 4 main food groups (chocolate, biscuits, chips and lollies) and staying awake all night. Aaagh - I loved casual. You never know the night may fly.

So love to you all, sorry its been a while between posts. Sadly no crafting to show:( Hopefully life will settle down shortly as work hours decrease.

Love Mel

Who would have thought....

Who would have thought I'd have two handsome boys? Who are angels when they get their hair cut, sitting still, looking straight ahead and loving the praise from the hairdresser. THEN.. she started something, she put gel in their hair! Well, they were on cloud nine and it took a while to come down. Did they think they were something? They skipped out the door "wow Mum that was fun at the hairdressers" ran out of the car to show Daddy and posed for this pic. Now we drive past the hairdressers almost everytime we go out and I hear it all again...

Who would have thought Harry would love have taken to Kindy like a duck to water? He loves it and is most disappointed on Thurs/Fri when he doesn't go. He is so excited for March 4th to come around where he starts 5 full mornings and he's talking about school lots too. Where have those years gone?????

Kindy has a Mums craft time out once a month and I did this layout amongst cups of tea and laughing.

Who would have thought a knife would be soooo exciting? "Look Mum its my knife..its beautiful" Needless to say he's learning to use it and Jake thinks he can too!

Who would have thought they could coordinate road works? I peeped out my kitchen window and saw this it was so cute. Jakey would bike up the "road " Harry was making, until he had to "wait for the roadworks" before he could continue! Harry remains industrious (rocks, water, gardens, wood piles) and Jake just casually joins in. So happy to see them starting to make up "games" with rules and a plan.

Unfortunately it often includes water ("so my stones will grow into rocks Mum" - Thanks Dad for tampering with his science experiment!!!!) which means washing ++ but they are having fun.

Check out the sweeping bend.

Who would have thought we would be here and settling in? Seems like such a long time ago I almost let go of the thought of ever returning home. But I believe this is where we are meant to be. Work is improving (I'm not COMPLETELY useless as I felt in the first few shifts). I start in ED on Monday and I am looking forward to the challenge, to learning and expanding my knowledge. I got our first paycheck in 4.5 months today. We now have our block of land so we can start planning what we will do with it. We have people coming around for quotes to fix up a few things needing done to our place. I've started to get out and about meeting other Mums and kids. No great (new) relationships yet but they take time and I've met a few Mums that seem nice. We have started back at church for the first time in 8 years and feel that we have found a church where we need to be for now.

So slowly life is sorting itself out. Good things take time and I guess it will always be a work in progress, but we have started. Life is good.

Love always

Mel xoxox

Project 12

Hi all, this is just to put it out there so I complete the challenge. You may see I've put a new link on my blog to Project 12. I can't work out how to get it to go to the right post on the blog but basically its a double page a month. You are given a sketch and complete it related to each month. You are meant to then upload it by the 20th of the month(I'll just be happy to complete it for my albums.)

I thought it was a great way of recording the important and quirky things each month. So I'm off to prepare the page.

xo