The Sleepover!!!!

Kara's bestie slept over last night and they were sooo good. It was divine ~ I could hear them giggling and talking from Kara's room and in the morning, they got up, turned the tv on and ate roll ups .... Kara knows they are not allowed before breakfast but tried her luck LOL.

LMAO at Kara's face in this one.......

We then dropped Kara off at kindy and Evan wanted to stay ~ I am soooo happy with the pic of Monique, Kara and Evan ~ they are bloody gorgeous!!!

Smile Babe....

...... that's what I asked Kara to do and this is what I got.....

She's adorable, in a strange way LOL

We made 'muffins' today. I add the "" because they were a disaster!!! I couldn't find my recipe so googled one ~ I need to delete it from my fav list. Kara had fun though and I love this pic of her......

My Angel

There is something about watching my baby sleep ~ I just love it.

I took this a few minutes ago and adore it ~ soooo sooooo gorgeous!!!

My Happy Girl

:)

I took this late last night and even though it's not a 'great' photo and Kara's hair is a mess lol, I just love it. She looks sooo happy (which she was) and in part, that's because she was doing something she shouldn't have been and was caught!!!!

Let the Sewing Begin!!!

After much encouragement (thanks Sarah xxx), I have decided to start sewing again!!! It's been a looooong time since I have been serious about it but I really do love it when I get into it and it's inspiring me to get this house into order so I can set up a permanent sewing table. That's what stops me... having to take the machines out and pack them away all of the time, it's a PITA.

Soooo, project number one is a size 00 twirler for baby Ted :) It is going to be DIVINE (if it works LMAO) and if I am happy with it, I am making some for people who have already asked. It's all very exciting!!! It will save me money too, because Kara loves to choose fabrics and when we made an outfit for her a couple of months ago, she wanted to wear it daily :)

This will be another reason for late nights ~ once I start making something, I have to finish it that night....

The "Tagging" Game

There are a few tagging games happening atm via blogs and I was hit by my sis. Here is the deal...

I have to list:

1. Four of my favourite jobs
2. Four of my favorite local places
3. Four of my favourite foods
4. Four of my favorite international places
5. Four people who I am tagging

Four of my favourite jobs

1. One of my first real jobs was being a part-time nanny. The kids were almost 3 and 5 and they became 2 very important little people in my life, as did their mum!! They are now 16 and 18 and oh my how time has flown......

2. Teaching. I just loved it. I taught for a couple of years at uni ~ first and second year physiology in a tutorial and practical setting. At first, I was simply terrified. Most of the students were my age and it was quite a daunting experience at first but once you realise you DO know a little more than them, you learn to relax and watch them learn. I really did love that and maybe will go back to in the future. It was very rewarding.

3. Sleep lab at the Childrens' Hospital. This was a short - term placement (for my honours year) and I was there for about a year all up. In some ways I hated this job but in others it was one of the best experiences ever. Most of the children I dealt with were very ill (and consequently had sleep issues) and it was very distressing at times. I always wanted to do paediatrics though and this placement gave me the opportunity to realise that it would be such an emotionally difficult career ~ perhaps one that wasn't for me after all as I get too close to children!

4. Of course I have to add motherhood here! Nothing will ever ever compare to what Kara has brought into our lives. Yes it is challenging at times but more often, it is overwhelmingly rewarding.

Four of my favorite local places

1. Waterfall Gully. It's a local spot with falls and tracks and we love it there. There are areas of overhanging trees and mushrooms and of course, we go fairy spotting. It's great in summer and winter and just divine!

2. Beach. We live there (not literally) ~ all year round LOL. In winter, we rug up and walk along the jetty. Kara looks in all of the fishing buckets and occasionally gets the chance to pick up a fish or squid!!

3. Shops!!! I am addicted although I am trying soooo hard to curb that addiction. Actually, I have no choice at the moment!! Coffee shops are high on the list too ~ love them.

4. Our backyard. It's like a park lol. We play in the cubby a lot in winter, especially when it's pouring with rain. It's just going to be one of those memories Kara and I will always cherish I think.

Four of my favourite foods

1. Chocolate!! Loooove it ~ good old Cadbury's will do but Ferreros are a fav...

2. Pickled Octapus. OMG it's the BEST!!! I will buy it in bulk sometimes to save money but it doesn't work, because I just eat it all within a few days.

3. Butter Chicken ~ I make this heaps but love a traditional one from time to time.

4. Twisties ~ have to be cheese!

Four of my favorite international places

1. Venice. We went there 18 months ago in very stressful circumstances, so I would love to take Kara back when she is older and we don't need permission from anyone!!! We had some time on our own there and we had a ball together. I will definitely take Kara in the future.

2. Paris. Loved it. Once again, we went there but I would love to go back. It was sooooo as I expected, although nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be.

3. Malta. My father is from there, so I have always been curious about it.

4. Ireland. No reason really ~ just want to!!!

Four people who I am tagging

Still working that one out, as everybody has been tagged lol.

Too Important for words.....

Kara and I are very lucky......we have 2 very special people in our lives (more than that LOL but 2 ESPECIALLY important people LOL) who both of us would be lost without.

Tanya and Evan have been friends of ours since Kara was 12 weeks old. They bring us SO much support, happiness and friendship and we are just truly fortunate to have met them 4 years ago.

Tanya ~ your little man is such an important member of our 'family' and you equally as important to me. Thanks for EVERYTHING you do for us ~ I can't even begin to explain what that is.

For those of you with a true friend, let them know how you feel because I don't think we let each other know enough.

Meet Violet!!

Well, we now have a zoo LMAO.

Last week, we got a budgie from Kara's kindy ~ a friend had a spare cage and the kindy was giving Lilac away, so Kara was soooo rapt she got her :) Within an hour though, she announces "all I need now is my rat Mum".

Well, being the patient shopper that I am NOT, we went looking at cages and when Kara discovered rat cages came in hot pink, her little face errupted in smiles. She stood there begging for the cage and it was on sale, so we grabbed it. Then the hunt began.....

When I had my rats a few years back, they were everywhere. Just about any petshop had them. Not so now....... we drove around for hours and Kara suggested we just go home and ring some places. We ended up finding a shop nearby with live rats (after being offered a few frozen ones PMSL) and Kara was doing happy dances when we found a baby one. She just adores her ~ more than she ever has the cat, dog, fish and bird :)

She has named her Violet (she decided to ignore your suggestions Eden :P) and is taking care of her so well.

Edeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen

:P

How many days now??????? It's getting close.....

One of my Weaknesses.....

..... and yes there are many!!! At least I can admit that lmao.

I read something tonight which instantly hit a nerve.... it was the term 'Welfare Mum'. It wasn't so much the words as they stand alone, but more the connotation that came with them... it's always the same ~ negative. My reaction is always the same too ~ frustration at the stereotyping!!

For me, I suppose it means that I have chosen (as I have mentioned on here previously) to raise my child MYSELF and try to provide her with what I feel is the most important thing any child can have ~ a loving, constant environment in which she thrives. Why then, do I feel guilty when I read those 2 words strung together in a negative light? I shouldn't, I don't want to but I do.

It's funny. I believe that the formative years are the most important in a child's development. I believe that if a child is happy and confident they are more likely to grow into happy, independant adults who rely less on the government for money. I know that in 2, 5, 10 years down the track, I will not regret being a 'Welfare Mum', as I will know I was there for my girl when she needed me most. In addition, I will be paying it all back in taxes when I start work again next year (and my Mum has paid enough taxes for me to be on Welfare for at least another year :P)!!!! Even so, many make 'Welfare Mums' feel guilty for the choices we make for our kids. We love our kids as much as parents with money!!! Sure, there are some of 'us' who could do better, but there are also some working parents that could improve.

OK ~ I have released now and I feel better for it!!!!

I'm so Lucky...

....to be able to celebrate tomorrow!

My gorgeous girl went shopping with my Mum last week and of course, Kara couldn't wait until tomorrow to had over what she chose. When they went into the gift shop, Kara walked straight up to the flower soap and said "this is it ~ I want to get Mummy this" or words to that effect. My mum persuaded her to look at some other things as well and I ended up with soap, a beaded notebook and lipgloss. I also got a hand made decoration (which is in the car and it's too cold to get lol) and a card ~ I just love getting cards from her.

Kara bear ~ I am proud to be your Mummy....I will always be here for you, even if we are not together. Like you always say ~ nothing will ever part us. Love you SO MUCH baby. xxxxx

:(

Those who know me know what is happening in our lives at the moment and it's the most challenging situation I have EVER been faced with. I just don't know what to do. I don't know if I can do anything but I need to try.

I am in a space at the moment where everything just seems so pointless. PLEASE please send some positiveness our way ~ I believe it has to help some way.

My Baby Girl

I've been a little reflective of late (just a phase....) and I was looking at Kara's photos today ~ pre-digital. I decided to scan some into my puter just in case and then did a quick montage. I stopped at age 1, as after that, we have thousands of digital images..... too hard to choose.

I cannot believe my daughter is 4 1/2 now ~ it's gone so so fast....

My Favourite Mug....

The other night, I was reading Sue's blog and Kara spotted a picture of a mug. Soooo, it has been requested that I post a pic of mine :)

Last Christmas, Kara went shopping with a friend to choose me a pressie and she came back all excited, as she chose this mug and some divine body creams all by herself. She insists that every coffee I drink come from this cup and I must admit, I do love it :)

Good Luck Mum!!!

I know how much this new job would mean to you and I am sending HEAPS of positive vibes your way. xxxxx