Comments

Just so you know -  I find comments fascinating! They amaze me all the time because you just never know which posts will attract them! Sometimes you post something that you think no one will really take any liking too but then you get heaps of comments and other times you post something really exciting and think  that everyone will make a comment - but they don't!! There a lots of things to factor in when you are thinking about making a comment... like sometimes you would like to comment but don't have time, or someone has already pretty much said what you were thinking so you don't bother. Sometimes you enjoyed the post but don't really have anything to say about it and sometimes the post just didn't relate to you at all - therefore no comment! Sometimes you think you had better not comment because you don't want to look like a drop kick by commenting on every single post that someone puts up and sometimes you just can't think of anything to say. You may also enjoy being a  phantom reader and making a comment would just put you out there! There are also lots of reasons to make a comment. You may just want to say hi or let someone know you are thinking of them... (and reading their blog) or you might find a post relates to you so much that sometimes you feel you have written it - this defiantly deserves a comment! Other reasons may be you liked what your saw or found something funny. You might also like to comment if no one else has or if everyone has - just so your not left out. I guess it goes without saying that you should always make a comment if there is a giveaway at stake! Anyway... so what are your thoughts about comments? Any comments!?

A Quiet Night In... Or Was It?!

Last Sunday Mick and I attended a meeting out at church where Lindy Prebble read this awesome story to us, it's called 'A Quiet Night In'. Not sure if you have read it before or not - but next time you are in the library, have a look for it. It's about the Large Family, a family of elephants who seem to have some very familiar things happen to them!  

 

There are so many things you could get out of this story - and it was really funny, but for me, the biggest thing was that 'sometimes our days just don't turn out as planned'. I feel like I really needed to be reminded of this! No matter how organised we are, how much we want it and how much we plan for it - sometimes things just don't happen like we want them to. This has been on my mind all week - especially because this week has been one of those weeks! 

On Monday I was feeling really quite good, refreshed from having some time away and ready to take on the next few weeks leading up to Micks exam. Tuesday comes and I'm off to the gym... well to the car park! Mum and I get out and I move sleeping Emily from the car to the pram - and this is where it all begins!!! 

Emily vomited everywhere - it was really quite gross and I was dry reaching from the smell!! So off I go back home only to spend the rest of my day cleaning up sick and washing loads of clothes and towels. Wednesday night comes and I'm looking forward to Thursday, getting out of the house for a while, and what do you know - from about 1.30am I'm up every hour or so chucking my guts up! I thought I was going to die! I was so bad all day Thursday I could hardly move, so Mick had to take the day off work to look after the girls. I spent the day, which I was grateful for, in bed - however it was no restful day - my body was aching all over and the trips to the bathroom seemed endless!! On the other hand the girls had a very special day - getting to spend the whole day with their dad, Leilani loved it! And Mick did make me feel special when he said 'I don't know how you ever get anything done!' He is always appreciative of what I do - but it is nice to see them sweat the day out on their own and then come and tell you how wonderful you are for doing this everyday! (We are talking the whole day too - breakfast through to bedtime - none of this 9-5 stuff!) You did a great job Mick - and you did have me to look after too, so I will give you that!! (I will have to post pictures later of the girls day with their dad - at one stage, Mick says to me 'We built a cubby, and you have probably never seen the lounge room look like this before!" I thought it best that I didn't see!) Anyway... back to my story... so Thursday night I'm still not feeling that great, but much better considering, until 12.30pm when Lani wakes up crying - I hear the door open, take one look at her and grab the bucket next to me just in time to catch what is coming out of her mouth!! She ended up sleeping in with me, as she spent the next couple of hours vomiting. The poor thing, you could tell she was in a lot of pain as every time she was being sick she would cry "I want some panadol! I want some medicine" and believe me, she doesn't normally ask for it!! If only there was some medicine for that! Today wasn't too bad - Leilani woke up at 7.30 and ripped the towel off her pillow and said in a very happy voice "I'm not sick anymore"! The day was of course spent at home with a sore tummy, rather than hitting the craft fair with Nikki - who was actually really sick as well, so we cancelled on each other! So I guess it kinda sucked, but even though it's Friday and I have done nothing at all this week, I'm reminded that life just doesn't always work out the way you plan it. I think it's important to plan and set goals and know where you are heading in life and what you want to achieve, but it's also important to take each day as it comes and be ready to deal with whatever life throws at you. Tonight, I'm just grateful that I have the strength to sit up and do some blogging! 

P.S Very sorry to our special visitors on Thursday - Jac, Ange, Will & Meea - who got turned away at the door!  

Our First Garden!

Yesterday I finally had the chance to finish the little house album we did at Chelsea's on Friday. Chelsea, Sarah, Nikki and I had a great day and were so grateful for Annette keeping the kids entertained all day. I decided to do mine about our developing garden. When we moved into our house in September 2005 the landscape was non existent, the backyard was a muddy clay mess with a few horrible pine trees around. But with the very skilled help of my father, we were able to turn this into a great, safe backyard for the kids. Well Mick and Dad were - I just got the drinks! Mick still has nightmares about moving all that dirt and mixing all that cement... and waking up to Dad knocking on the door at 8am ready to start another day! But once all the hard work was done I was able to start my very own garden! I then spent many hours around at the Fork In The Road Garden Centre and not long after we had FLOWERS! I learnt a lot about gardening- especially from Mum and Dad, and really enjoyed it. I'm sure I'll do a better job next time, but for my first go I think I did okay! Dad and Mick also put in a front path and I did a bit of gardening out there as well. There is still so much to be done around our house, but it all takes a lot of time and money - hopefully we will get there one day! But once again a big thanks goes to you Dad for all your hard work. For a full before and after look, check out my facebook! Anyway... back to the album... here's my finished product.

Our Date With Michael Buble

In February we booked tickets to see Michael Buble live in concert on June 17th and the only place we could get seats was in Adelaide. We were very excited as going to concerts is not something we do often. We did see Richard Marx at Wrest Point about 2 years ago, and my only other concert experience has been Bardot! When we booked them it seemed like ages away and we thought the night was never going to come - but guess what? It did!!! 

On Tuesday morning we packed the kids up and dropped them off at Grandma & Grandad's house. What would we do without you Mum, Dad and Aunty Elle? We love you so much and are SO thankful for everything you do to help us. Leilani and Emily were so happy to be staying there 'the whole night' so it wasn't a worry for us at all, we knew they were in good hands! Then we were off! A quick trip to Adelaide to see the 'Irresponsible Michael Buble!!!' What a fantastic concert. He was SO entertaining and we had a great night - surrounded by almost 10,000 other screaming fans!!! We were very lucky to be entertained by 'Naturally 7' first. These guys are amazing, and so talented - every sound is created by the human voice, and they sound like a full on band! We did the real concert thing at the end and bought their CD and got it signed by each of them! I was so tired by the end of it - I'm not good at staying out late - I feel like an old woman! 

We stayed at the Sebal Playford on North Terrace, a beautiful boutique hotel which has won a lot of 'Best Luxury Hotel' awards over the past few years and had a big buffet breakfast in the morning. 

We thought (well I thought and just told Mick to think also!) that it would be a good idea to go and get a 'Buble Bead' for my Pandora bracelet so I could remember this special occasion! So we spent the morning searching for that!

We arrived home to two very excited little girls, one of which had already decided she had so much fun that she would like to stay another night at Grandmas (Grandma had other ideas I think!!) and mum was very kind and had dinner ready for us when we got there so we were very spoilt. 

One thing I like about going away is coming home! As much as I loved being away, its a nice feeling to be back home with everyone under the same roof again!

I feel very spoilt. It was so wonderful taking some time out just for us, being able to be together for 2 days thinking about nothing but us. (well Mick did study on the plane!) 

I am so grateful that we were able to do this and will remember it forever! 

 

Locke Really Is Leilani's Hero!

A Very Sad Night

So I am feeling quite nervous about watching Brothers & Sisters tonight. It's the season final and I'm really really not coping too well! What Am I going to do without it? In fact - I'm getting too emotional blogging about it so I have to end it here.... 

Light Entertainment

If you would like some light entertainment visit Elles Blog to hear Leilani singing I am a Child of God! If you can't get in, email elle at carmichaelsuomi@gmail.com and tell her you are one of my fans! Well worth a visit to this sight - you can also hear Elle scream like you have never heard before after a very bad prank! You should also check out Mums Blog for a very funny conversation between Locke and Leilani today! 

A Big Day for Lani

Leilani was so tired by bed time tonight that she didn't even ask for more books! She was a very lucky girl today because this morning Will and Meea came for a visit, (Sorry I didn't get any photos) and brought along their homemade biscuits to share! Leilani was so excited to have them come and play and had a wonderful time being the host. Although not always a very good one - sorry about Will and Meea. I think at one stage they were seeing who could laugh the loudest because they were all laughing so hard and there certainly wasn't anything funny going on!!  Jaclyn is always saying her kids are strange - now I know why! :-) I had a nice time with Jaclyn, even amongst all the noise! It's always nice to have someone to talk to and she brought some really yummy cake too! But Lani's day didn't end there. After Will and Meea said there good byes, Lani went and had a play at Grandmas because Jenna and Locke were over there having some holiday fun! And what did Lani get greeted with when she arrived.... home made biscuits and cupcakes! What a lucky girl! So more playing went on until finally - for Grandma and Aunty Elle, it was time to go home. What a big fun day for such a little girl. I think she was a little hyperactive for most of it, but hopefully she will sleep that off tonight!

 

My Words

If only I was a writer, a designer, a photographer... I could do so many things! But, as you can see, I'm not. But that doesn't mean I won't try! I have just written a few words about my little girls. They're my thoughts and feelings as I look at their beautiful pictures. I know they don't sound all wonderful and rhyme and probably don't even make sense! But to me they do - and that's all that counts!!! 

Leilani Hope Challis, what would we do without you?

You are growing up so fast, once just our little girl who would do as we would ask, now our big girl with a mind all of your own! You have a wonderful imagination, you like to sing and dance. You are smart and kind and caring, and happy to lead the way. Your hugs are so tight now, and you say some very funny things. You watch and learn and listen and try to do what's right. You want to be around those you love to play games and laugh and smile. You are a creator, and a drawer. You get excited over the little things and love to ask, ask, ask!  You are a very special little girl, with still so much to learn.  Every morning when you wake me, I know I need more sleep, but I'm glad you are here to stay and help me spend my week. When I listen to you sing to me, I know that I am blessed, for you came to me from a better place to learn and take the test. I will try and help you learn the way, because I know who we should follow. Leilani you are a heavenly flower, my shining star, my angel from above. I know that I'm a better person because I have your love.

Emily May Challis... life wouldn't be the same without you.

You Emily, are a real little thinker and you love to watch everything that is going on around you. You watch and listen and learn fast, and have a sweet little smile that will always last, within me forever and a day. 

You love to follow people around and do as they are doing, but just as much and if not more you enjoy being on your own. You can entertain yourself quite well, give gorgeous cuddles and kisses. And when I look into your beautiful big eyes, I see so many wonderful things.

I see beauty within, love and warmth. I see a little girl and wonder what she will become. I know that you are mine and I love you more than you will ever know, but more importantly I know that you are a child of God. You will learn to hope and dream and dance the night away. And you will learn to have faith in things you can not see. Without you my gorgeous little Emily, life just wouldn't be the same.

 

When a Mother gets Sick

On Friday I woke up with an instant head cold. There was no slowing working up to it - it was like BAM it hit me and hit me hard!! I shouldn't complain - compared to some people and what they have to go through a little cold is nothing, but we all know that when you're a mum and you get sick - there is no boss to call! There is no temp to come and do your work and most of all there is no rest! Well I did rest a little and that's why my ironing pile is so huge!! I won't show you the rest of the house because that would just embarrass me more! 

But to make a sad story end well I was very very lucky when Dad - who actually had it quite bad himself, said to me on Sunday night that he would take the kids somewhere for me on Monday to give me a break! My eyes did light up and all of a sudden I was feeling well again! All the things I could do! Dad suggested going shopping or something..... but I had a much better idea! I would spend the day cleaning! ( I think I have problems!)

So not only did Mum and Dad take the kids out for the day - but they took Leigh and his family with them - and brought home about 400 really great photos! (Dad and Leigh both have really good cameras!) So I was very happy! Thanks Mum and Dad xxx (And Leigh!)

By the way - I didn't get all my ironing done but I did get LOTS of housework done. And I do have to confess - while I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the bathroom floor I thought to myself.... "Hannah, you are a freak, there are so many more creative things you know you would rather be doing while you have the house to yourself.... why the hell are your scrubbing the floors!?" I just had to do it though - I knew my week would be better if I did... that's me!!! 

I'll post some of the good photos soon! 

Baby Girl Mini Acetate Album

Last Thursday night I talked Mum into doing a scrapbooking class with me. We made - well started a Baby Girl Mini Acetate Album. I saw them in the shop just a day before and thought they looked really good, so I was happy to find that the class was on the next day. The class was pretty full on and you had to do quite a lot of 'hurrying' and 'concentrating'! But I think it was well worth the effort. We came home and finished them over the next few days and I think they look great. The Acetate looks good but it takes a bit of working out how to use it best. Next time will be better! I really wanted Mum to come so she could make one for Lani and I could make one for Emily, and I was glad I asked her to come because when we first got there and the lady said here's your stuff now cut 4 x 15 x 15 of each paper, my heart started going really fast and I thought 'what the hell is she talking about!!??' 

Gorgeous Gus

Here's a few pictures of baby Gus, what a gorgeous little boy! We still haven't met him yet but we are thinking of him a lot. We are very grateful to Poppa for sending these photos through - apparently Matt wouldn't let him zip Gus so he could email him to us... all I wanted was a cuddle!! He's a very proud dad we hear.

Sisters Heart to Heart

I am so blessed to have 2 sisters (and 4 sister in-laws) and I'm so glad that Leilani and Emily have each other as sisters. A special bond is shared between sisters like no other. I know that I am most happy when all my family is around me, this isn't always the case though so I'm glad that I have happy memories of being with them, special times we have shared together, and in this case especially my sisters. 

 Sisters Heart to Heart

A shoulder I could cry on, a helping hand in times of need, a cheerleader to lift me up, my angel in both word and deed. 

We told each other secrets; we giggled and we cried. We shared our joys and sorrows - we were always side by side. 

We have a special bond, I knew it from the start. You'll have my love forever - We're sisters, heart to heart.

- Joanna Fuchs

Two more quotes I like...

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. 

 - Clara Ortega

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child!

-Linda Sunshine

Rolls Of Film & Waiting For The Sun

I miss the old rolls of film sometimes. The waiting to see what was on them - sometimes after months and months of taking them - was always fun. Remembering the event when you got them back and laughing at  the funny pictures. It's just not like that anymore, especially now I blog - I seem to put my pictures on the computer within a day or two of taking them. We still use films every now and then and I found a full roll the other day so I took it in to get developed - which I must add that I don't miss the price of getting a roll developed! I had no idea what was on it so it was kinda fun. I found out it was a roll from Christmas and we found a few good photos on it. This was one of them: 

Leilani, Jacoba and Kaea hiding in a box! 

Lani has been talking non stop lately. It drives me nuts sometimes, but at least I have someone to talk to I guess! Sometimes she says things just to say something, but other times it's like she has been really thinking things over for a while and then asks about it. She has been very interested in how old everyone is lately.

At about 6.30am the other morning she came into us and I was telling her to go back to sleep for a while, she was really quite and then all of a sudden she says, "Mummy, how many was Emily when she was in your tummy?" And then last night while eating dinner she asks me "How many is baby Zak?" I've been trying to explain that your age is how many birthdays you have had, and when I told her that Zac isn't 1 yet she said, "Oh, but soon he will be 1 like Emily!" It's quite funny really, but she loves knowing what number everyone is and she loves it when she finds out someone is 3 like her! 

Last night I got a bit of a shock actually, I went in to check the girls before I went to bed, like I do every night, but when I opened the door Lani was laying there looking at me - I tucked her in and told her to go back to sleep and she sat up and said "I'm just going to sit here and wait for the sun to come up!!!" I'm like 'okay!' So I left her and in a few minutes she was asleep again!!  Weird Child!

Gus Patrick Challis

Welcome Baby Gus! We are very excited about the arrival of our newest family member - Gus Patrick Challis. Born Friday morning the 6th June 2008 weighing 8lb 13oz and 53cm long. Congratulations Matt and Kristy we can't wait to meet him. Well done Kristy on a very long labour! This is Uncle Matt a few months ago getting ready for fatherhood...

Oh, by the way - Lani has been asking when we can go and visit 'Aunty' Matthew, Kristy and the new baby!!

Cousins At It Again!

Another outing for the cousins - no shopping this time though - today we braved it out at Fit'n'Fun - it was pretty crazy there because of school holidays, but it didn't really seem to bother us. The kids had a fantastic time. I'm so glad I have lots of cousins to hang out with, we are very lucky! 

Beanie Day

This afternoon we rugged up and went to Dru Point to have a play with Emma, Tess and Hazel - oh and Will!!! Everyone that has been to Dru Point knows how fun it is for the kids and how relaxing it is for us! It's such a good playground because there's not really anything they can fall off, and there's so many things to look at and so many paths to follow! Tess was fascinated with Emily and pretty much followed her around the whole time while Lani was fascinated with Tess and kept calling out to her "Tess, come over here!" Emily didn't really know what was going on and was just happy to be out side I think! They had a nice afternoon and it was great to catch up with Emma. I have been meaning to do that for soooo long. I love going to the park with other people and hate going on my own, so it was nice to be able to call on Emma at the last minute. 

Look At Me!

Emily Can Ride A Bike!

Last Monday was a very exciting day!! We have all been patiently waiting for Emily to learn how to ride the little 'yellow and red buggy' all by herself! We have been pushing her around on it for a while now and would try and show her what to do - but these things can only be self taught I think! On Monday she just got on it and all of a sudden it was like it just clicked for her - she knew what to do to make it move! She was SO excited and so was Lani! I was pretty impressed too I must admit, and we couldn't wait to show Daddy her new trick. 

She has been riding it around all week now and is getting better and better each day. It's so nice because it now gives the girls one more thing they can go off and do on their own!  I love those bikes! So many hours of entertainment!