heart the hook..

I recently had a special request for some crocheted jute hearts, I didn't make any promises as I've barely had time to look in the direction of my hooks let alone make stuff! 

This morning though, I did.   Gosh it felt so good to pick them up again and get back to it.  In the end I couldn't stop.  I hope she loves them as much as I do, there's something so compelling about the ruggedness of twine in sweet romantic shapes..

More creative spaces here..

stop, enjoy the magic..

What a month it's been! Christmas is happening and I feel like we haven't made time to stop and enjoy it's magic.

I adore Christmas and all its twinkling, decorating, gift wrapping and festivites.  So this weekend I've made sure all our fairy lights are on, I hired a heap of Christmas DVD's, popped on the carols and made christmassy treats!

Yesterday we jumped on a train and ventured into the city to soak up more of the christmas spirit.  We wandered the laneways, admired the Myer windows and caught up with Santa for our annual picture tradition.

For the next week, we are going to make the time to stop and enjoy the magic of Christmas.  It's been a tough ride this year, so now it's time to reflect, appreciate one another, and count our blessings.  Because no matter how manic and beyond us this life can be, we certainly are blessed and we have a lot to be grateful for..

Have a happy, festive weekend everyone! x


   

and here we go...

I'm being completely controlled by pregnancy hormones, they've taken over the rational side of my brain and I'm taking a crazy ride on that dreaded emotional roller coaster!  Tears welling up in my eyes over nothing, snapping at my gang over everything, and a desperate need to feel things are in control and in order around here.

Alls great health wise, feeling good, heavy but good.  This little bubba is super hyper and moves constantly, which I love.  I talk to it when it moves, it's like I have company all day long, of course anyone looking on would think I was a bit crazed talking to myself, but we're bonding this bub and I.

The lead up to Christmas is always so busy and gets me a bit wound up, there's so much to do towards the end of year and I feel the need to eliminate stuff, just random stuff that we seem to have everywhere.  This year it's even more overwhelming.  With the business, the new baby, and christmas I'm on a Spring cleaning frenzy!! I've wacked a heap of things on line and sold them overnight, that's actually quite addictive and very cleansing! I've thrown away anything that lies in my path (lego beware!) booked the scrap metal guy to do a pick up and hired a skip for the weekend.

Amidst, this crazed clean out, there's life, the everyday stuff that you can't just eliminate.  Staying in tune with our boys, how they're feeling about all the changes going on around here, how this is affecting them, not to mention what's going on in their own worlds.  The big boys had a big year with lots  trying times but it all seems to be on the improve.  He wanted to apply for the chance to join hundreds of other 11yr olds from all around the world on a camp to India, and while I was excited about such an opportunity and experience for him, the quiet relief I feel that he missed out is like a weight off my shoulders and my heart.  India, for goodness sake! All I could think of was Slum Dog Millionaire! Today he's been short listed and has an interview for a school leadership position as one of next years grade 6 students.  I'm so proud of him just to have been short listed.  If this is as far as it goes I couldn't be prouder.

The middle guy, he's had an unusual year.  I can't say grade two has been his best year, in fact if it wasn't for everything else this would have been the perfect year for us to hitch up a van and take that trip around the country, he certainly would have learnt a lot more than I think he has in class.  But he does love it.  He's a cruiser, and this year has certainly been a cruise.  Emotionally though, he takes things in his stride a little too much.  He's easy to overlook because he handles it, accepts it and gets on with it.  I need to make more time for that one.

The little guy has had his best year yet.  His tempers are lessening and he's thriving at school.  To think how worried I was about him entering the big wide world of school.  He's super excited about this new baby and being a big brother.  He kisses and hugs my belly constantly, and is completely in love with baby already.        

It's all ramping up big time.  I knew it would, and I've tried to prepare myself but boy oh boy, as the pressure of starting a business and learning all there is to learn builds,  it's all I can do to keep my head above water right now and it's only going to get harder.  Of course, it's all going to be worth it in the long run, I know that too.

..excuse the quality of the above pic, I had to download it directly from IG as blogger says I've used up all my photo quota??


  

it's almost that time..

Yep, it's almost that time again, time to get ready for the festive season, YAY! 

I'm updating the shop and there'll be some random items available on my facebook page to pretty up your tree with handmade Christmas cheer..

I love this time of year, and I'm busting to get our place all christmas ready.  Just the sight of sparkly fairy lights in the shop windows and dainty ornaments dangling on display makes my heart sing..

learning the ropes, an update..

my creative space is jam packed with learning the ropes..

our official start date is only 2 weeks away, so we've spent most waking hours training, practicing what we've learned over and over, making mistakes, following our wonderfully patient mentor around and trying to absorb as much as we can.

it's been great fun, and I have to say, I know it's early days and I'm nervous as anything as our start date approaches, but this is such a great job!

the tricky part is being organised with the house keeping and meal preparation.  I think this weekend will need to be spent in the kitchen cooking up a storm and loading up tasty dishes for the freezer to take the pressure off a bit.

As this little bundle grows, night time comes along and I'm exhausted.  It's getting a bit tricky to find a comfortable sleeping position.  It seems baby is seriously in training for the Olympic gymnastic team, and sleep is not as sound as I'd like, so it's nice to be able to work and train from home.

I've not picked up the hook in ages and I miss it.  I'll get back to that soon though, it's always quite therapeutic of an evening and I've gifts I need to make!


more creative spaces here...

springtime frivolities..

we enjoyed a ladies day out at a local winery, all dressed up with our pretty frocks and facinators, champers, sparkling mineral water for me of course, and lots and lots of laughs...

this sweet old bike was roped into some shenanigans as the day went on, pictures best left unpublished, though this one of my gorgeous girlfriend I can't help but share..

it was so nice to be all dressed up and lady like..

but I have to say, with the extra weight of the little bundle, my feet certainly appreciated the crisp coolness of the ocean today.  Springtime weather at it's absolute finest.. 

52 weeks of grateful...

six..

The baby boy is SIX!

Six years ago that little guy came bursting into our world, perfect as can be and cute as a button! Really, he was the most divine little being and we were head over heals in love the moment we set eyes on him.

Birthdays always make me reflect, the boys hang on every word and we laugh as we go through the traditional story telling of the day they were born.  I've said it before, I am convinced that birth stories are a reflection of their individual personalities and who they are today.

This little guy was different to the other two.  The first sign of labour beginning was the exact due date, early in the morning a slight spotting in the shower.  Mum was staying with us, she arrived the day before. I'd been over due with the other two, so we thought there would be plenty of time.  But he's punctual this one, everything is done on time and to perfection.  The day went by slowly, the odd contraction here and there, lots of cups of tea and sitting on the sunny deck.

I was so mentally prepared for the birth of this baby, I wanted to experience every moment, and was completely in touch with every breath, every movement, I could feel my body getting ready. I wanted to keep things as normal as possible for our other boys, so I still took the big boy off to kinder and picked him up as usual.  Mum kept our very busy 2yr old entertained, and he kept her distracted.

Hubby was working locally, just waiting for the call, and by dinner time we called him.  Off to the hospital I went. Upon arrival the midwives decided I looked way too good to be in labour (yes, I put on some lippy and fixed my hair, I wanted to feel good doing this I was completely in the zone), they examined me and said I was hours away, maybe even days, and that I'd be best back at home where I could relax.

My heart was telling me otherwise, I knew this baby was close, but home we went.  The look on my poor mum's face when we returned home was filled with worry and concern.  She knew too.

I climbed into bed, the contractions ramped up very quickly and within 40 minutes I knew I had to get back to the hospital, quick!

In the car, frantically driving back to the hospital, I could feel his head.  He was born within 8 minutes of stepping through the hospital doors.

To this day, when he makes up his mind to do something, he does it.  There's no faffing about, no procrastinating. He's determined and head strong, he has a temper you wouldn't wish for anyone to bare the brunt of, and he has the kindest heart, the most loving adoring personality.  His brother's are his best friends, they are his world.  He is witty, clever and capable of anything he puts his mind to, but you don't dare try to help, he's fiercely independent.

We love you to bits beautiful Eddie boy.  Happy 6th Birthday my darling!

a little getaway..

"don't be sad that it's over, smile because it happened.." or so they say.  

It seems our photos's are minimal, we were too busy living the moments.  I smile every time I look at the pictures from our brief little getaway.  Short it may have been, but it certainly was all kinds of wonderful.

Our hotel was great, the simple joys of going up and down in the lift each day brought endless excitement.  The weather was mostly kind, the theme parks were a blast, dinner's out, swimming every day..

We've come home completely and utterly exhausted and fulfilled.

...and, as all good things must come to an end, 3 out of 5 of us have now been struck with the gastro bug, so I'm spending my hours between the laundry, the bathroom and emptying vomit buckets, but boy did we have fun while it lasted! 

more grateful posts over here...

the yarn talks..

I dug out this beautiful Italian cotton I'd found on sale ages ago, felt it, admired it, sat it on the bench until it started to talk..

then it did..

it told me to make another, similar to the peachy one I made last week, this time a little shorter, more fitting as a simple shrug for the shoulders, just right for cool spring evenings..

does yarn talk to you before you have any idea what to do with it?  This is usually why I buy it in the first place, it whispers to me from the shop shelves..

more creating here..

starting now..

it's the beginning of a *new chapter in our lives, a big week here.

this is the Mr.'s last week of living corporate, he finishes up on Friday, huge!

this is the last week of ironing his business shirts, early morning goodbyes as he heads off til evening, of him travelling zillions of kilometres, of him being away for days on end..

this is the beginning of our **new venture, together.

it's going to be challenging, exciting, no doubt stressful at times and very, very busy!!

it's going to take us some time to find our feet, find our groove and get the hang of this new set up, but when we do it's going to be a wonderful thing for this family.

I don't think people can quite believe what we're doing.  Leaving a good secure job, with three kiddo's and another on the way, taking a leap of faith.  Their reactions are a mixture of bewilderment, confusion and utter disbelief.  But we can't wait to get started!

First things first, we've cashed in all our flyby's and rewards points and we're taking our boys on their very first holiday!  Ssssh, they don't know it yet, but we are jumping on a plane and taking them on a whirlwind trip to Queensland to visit theme parks, those gorgeous Queensland beaches, to stay in a plush hotel with a pool!!

I'm busting excited, and I can't wait to see their faces when we get to the airport, eeeek exciting!



*do you remember this post, I can't believe how quickly this has all happened since then..

**real estate photography is our new gig, it's funny how after all these years, career choices and life experiences, we've somehow managed to come back to where we started, a simple, mutual love of photography.  We're very excited about the possibilites this presents, the ability to branch off in other wonderful creative directions, and the opportunity to follow dreams..

peachy..

a peachy little something..

a loose, drapey, springtime piece..

a shrug..

a scarf.. 

a cowl..

I wasn't sure where I was going with it when I started, but I'm mostly happy with the result.  I think perhaps I should have made it a bit longer, maybe, maybe not..

It's light weight and versatile, and easy to throw on when theres just a slight chill in the air. I'm thinking it'll be a handy piece to have this spring and summer time..

more creative spaces here..

eleven...

he's eleven today, I can't quite believe it!

I still remember like yesterday those bouncy Mr.Magoo cheeks

your busy little ways, always with tool box in hand no matter where we'd go

your no pants phase, just undies and gumboots thanks!

your song and dance in the living room, you'd never participate in the toddler music group but you'd sing your heart out all the way home..

your quirky little mannerisms 

when you'd be Jamie Oliver helping Dad in the kitchen

your gang of imaginary friends, Piglet, Christopher Robin and Tigger..oh the number of times I'd drive off and you'd scream out for me to stop because we'd left one of them behind.

Nemo! you wore out the first dvd and we had to buy another.  I think your daddy read that book to you a bazillion times every night for a year

there was always business to attend to when you started school, you'd come home and be one of the office staff making announcements and getting things done

your imagination has always been one of your most special traits..though it was a bit stressful at times when teachers and relatives would question me about my leaving you in charge of your baby brothers while I went out to shop, how we lived above the fish 'n chip shop, or the travelling the world in a combie story..

now, look at you, growing up and we are so proud of who you are

your writing blows my mind, it is a gift

when you loose yourself in your drums, it's sounding really good!

that wacky sense of humor, its a bit beyond your years..

when you laugh so hard at something, usually your dad, you can't breathe and I can't help but laugh with you

the way your brothers look up to you and lovingly hang off everything you say

your random hugs, I love how you hug me so often for no reason at all

your plans to travel Europe

your dreams of what you might be when you grow up, the possibilities are endless, truly

you are always right by my side at the moment, like you're keeping watch, looking after me, and I am treasuring every moment.

Happy Birthday beautiful boy, we love you! x

52 weeks of grateful..sunshine

this week I am forever grateful for sunshine!

(my bob and mabel skirt from here)

the sun has been shining down these holidays and oh my goodness does it feel good!  Last week we revelled in our first real beach day of the season, feeling soft sand between our toes and cool (icy cold, actually) crystal water splash over us.  It was the little guys first time back since the 'crab attack' last summer, so he was taking things very carefully, thoroughly checking waters before he'd take a step.  All was clear, at least of crabs, we did spot a stingray..

watching teenagers hurl themselves off the pier, wishing they could join in, but knowing they'd be way too scared, not to mention the sign says 'no jumping off the pier!' they're sticklers for rules, law abiding little folk..

quiet moments under shady trees, contemplating, dreaming and picnicing, we've had so many picnics..

days and days of fun in the sun..

These two crack me up, best of friends, they have so much fun together.  They fight, they make up within minutes, they 'get' each other completely.  Hubby always says they remind him of the two crazy possum brothers from Ice Age, Crash and Eddy..he's right, they really are just like them!

So it's sunshine I'm grateful for this week, feeling rejuvenated after a very long, cold winter.

More grateful posts here...

  

my creative space...nesting

I've been hand stitching the details.. 

busily sorting through long packed away pieces to be washed and re-used once again, buying a few new fresh itty bitty bits.. 

taking some pretty pieces off the shop shelves and keeping them for myself...

moving furniture out, cleaning up others and bringing them in... 

its still ages away, and the whole room needs re-painting after the little guys' boisterous and somewhat artistic endeavours during his time in there, so I'm getting a bit ahead of myself really, but I can't help it!

I haven't been able to stop myself nesting this week.  We received our long awaited results which were all good news and music to both heart and soul..

more creative spaces here.