Accurate, sort of.

Whoever wrote that must know me. 

So I feel kind of stalked.

Except for one thing.

They got the chocolate thing wrong.

That's not my thing.

I have yet to figure out what you should throw at me.

Ask Andrew, I'm sure he'll know.

Time

This last week is easily summed up with one word.

Time.

My grandfather lived nearly 95 years - that's a lot of Time.

I'm about to go on my second ocean-crossing flight to return home - that's a lot of Time sitting in a seat in the air.

I've been without any children of my own for the last week. Time!!

Time to be with my parents, my nieces and nephews and my sisters.

Time to sit with and care for my grandmother a little bit, who still has precious Time left on this earth to be loved.

Time to myself, which has meant so much to me. 

So although it was a sad occasion that made for all this Time, I am grateful to have had it, and grateful to all the people who generously gave their Time to help look after the kids in my absence (and more so than they actually bargained for, since Andrew broke his finger and ended up in hospital just to get some Time off!! ;)

Thank you Andrew for so willingly sacrificing your Time so that I could do what I have always really wanted to do.

Forever and a day is a long Time. 

A wooden heart made by Grandpa for Grandma.

Skyping with everyone back home

 Photos and flowers at the funeral.

Nephews that I love.

Nieces and nephews that I love.

Me, Grandma, Mom.

Only one more year till 10

Happy birthday to Daniel, the boy whose whole face smiles, who is such a great big brother, addicted to football card collecting/swapping, loves soccer and all things factual and geographical, and has a huge measure of compassion. I love him more than I could have imagined, and with each year I enjoy his company more.

Never change that smile Big Dan!

See ya later

94 years old is an okay time to go. It really is. But it's never a good time to be the one saying goodbye, because the finality, the farewell, it's never something we are built to be ready for. At least that's my take on it. I'm okay with Grandpa dying, but I'm not really okay with not seeing him again. And I know my mom didn't want to say goodbye to her dad. But today I woke at 5.30am, got up and looked at my phone because I knew the time was close, and as I was standing there half awake, holding the phone, it started ringing. I knew it was my parents calling, and then the news was real in my world. 

See ya later Grandpa. I will forever count steps and think of you. And Andrew and I will "forever" count our marriage months because of you. Just for the record, I usually win that one. We're on 174 months, which is nothing on you and Grandma at 878 months. Seriously, every month?!! Hats off to you for that, and for a life of faith, love, hard work, dedication and fun. 

Your legacy will live through many generations.

See ya later.

bits and pieces

a boy addicted...

a 4 year old who wrote all his numbers 0-50 

without me knowing. you'll have to try hard to see them, 

but they're all there, backwards and all!

then he needed to sleep. :)

a little school baby, miss C is a hit in class. 

she's tired of being cuddled by all the kids, 

but she loves this attention!

first snow of the winter. don't know why I always 

take a picture of this, but I always love it.

a morning of stamping and making cards. they loved it. should do it more often.

a sweet smiling nephew

 three tiny people trying to make a tiny snowman 

out of a tiny bit of snow

watching an early winter sunset while playing on the beach 

and looking at the snow on the mountain.

Late nights

My dad told me a few years back that he had long ago made a pact with himself to talk whenever one of us girls wanted to talk. So if it was late at night, he'd never say "oh gee, I'm tired, let's talk about this in the morning." Or at least that's my memory of what he told me. I've never forgotten that, and I can remember countless conversations at the past-midnight mark. Most recently on the last night of my trip home in April, I got a text from Andrew (who wasn't there) at 11pm, saying, "enjoy your last night, I'm sure you're up talking with your Dad." Yes in fact I was up talking with mom and dad.
Thanks to them both for all the years of time and late nights they have given,
and particularly today, on Father's Day, thanks to my Dad,
who luckily doesn't need that much sleep anyway! 

I love you!

Seven!

Laura's birthday always makes my head spin. I think it's because Daniel turned 8 almost a year ago, which means he was 7 this time last year, and now Laura turns 7, so even though she's really 2 years younger, it seems like much less when I think of him being 7 this time last year. Get it?!! :) 

Anyway, I tried making a leotard cake (but when everyone wonders what it is, perhaps that means my efforts were all heart and not so much skill).

Oh well, I think she liked it anyway.

I'm sorry Laura, but some things about older brothers just never change. What's the same in the pictures above and below? And no, it's not how young I look!

At the local gymnastics centre birthday parties, the birthday girl/boy gets a ride on the bungee seat. What a hit! This girl loves a thrill. And so does Laura. ;)

Glad she chose a '7' for this cake! 

Happy birthday girl. 

We love you to bits and are proud of the daughter, friend and sister you are.

You go get 'em.

Lately...

Cuddling Josh, lookin pretty cute with his chin resting on his hands. 

Nick's 1st cross country run at school

Daniel doing a Hobbit film with his class

Before school, Daniel entertaining C while reading Garfield. 

Gotta love a boy who can multi-task!

 Daniel boarding the plane on his solo flight. He says he loved best the feeling of getting off the plane and meeting his friends all by himself. 

An egg-laying bird. 4 eggs this time. And heaps of pregnant attitude to go with it! Not that I have ever had pregnant attitude nor do I know any pregnant woman who has had it, just the bird........ 

Just looking back at old photos. No words needed really...

SuperNick and SuperJosh! 

Just playing around...

Growing up

 Andrew and Daniel did a very father-son thing and ran in a 2.7K fun run last weekend. 

Kids grow up so fast!

Meanwhile C was so tired as we were trying to 

get out the door to meet them at the finish line. 

I laid her down on the floor and she promptly fell asleep.

*it's been over 6 months that we've had this beautiful little girl. I wish I could put sufficient words to the complicated set of emotions and thoughts that have been a daily part of my life since she arrived. The feeling of starting to become her mum without knowing yet whether she will stay with us... the privilege of being able to look after someone's child who cannot do so themselves... It's the beginning of a very interesting journey for us all.