13 November 2016

4 years for the 4th child

Miss Chloe was patiently waiting her birthday turn. 
It's so hard to watch everyone else have birthdays and wait and wait...
She woke up, saw the presents and said, 
"is there an Elsa dress in there?" 
Good thing!

Still loving Emma Wiggle.
I really run out of words when I think of this girl and what she has brought to our family.
She is a perfect addition, with a feisty, musical, imaginative soul.
Chloe I love you to pieces.

08 October 2016

8 is great

Sometimes I feel like presents in bed is too quick - it's all over before you even get up!
But I think not from an 8-year old perspective.
A perfect way to start a much-anticipated day.

Party at the gymnastics centre.
Birthday boy gets to go on the bungee!

Why sing happy birthday when the cakes comes, 
just blow on those annoying noisy things!

and let's just blow out the candles with the same noisy things...

Birthday dinner x2

Happy 8th Nicko Tricko.
What a fine young man you are, we love seeing you care for others, 
you have a generous spirit and such a kind heart.
Glad today was your day. 

...and what a day it was, falling asleep at 5pm in the car!

29 September 2016

A new addition

Our family has grown.
For now at least.
Man this fostering stuff is complicated. Emotionally at least...
Welcoming a new child and spending the next few months bonding,
while never knowing really what the outcome will be.
Complicated.
Baby T was 4 days old when we picked him up from the hospital.
He's now 4 months old, and it really has been a full 4 months.
I've never felt more at capacity, more stretched on all fronts,
more continuously flowing between all the tasks/needs/people
demanding my attention. But I have also never felt more right.
Like what we are doing is somehow just right.
Hard, but the very thing we should be doing.
Loving a child into our family because that is what he needs.
Welcome to our family T. We love you very much.


coming home

wonder and awe



first smiles

sweet bond

nick is always wanting a cuddle

We don't know how long Mr T will be with us, 
it looks like he's here for awhile, but we don't know 
what that means exactly. He is smiley and happy 
and we think becoming kind of cheeky. He's growing like a weed 
and sleeping like a champ now, which is like gold!

22 July 2016

12 = Teen... right?!

I think the teens should start at 12. 
That's not entirely a bad thing, but Daniel really does seem like a teenager at 12. 
 We are trying to hold out on calling him one this year, but it's difficult! :)
Cause oh it really feels like he is.
Deep voice, growing tall, strong. So strong.
Negotiations. So much negotiating!
Sarcasm, push for freedom.
And still kind. So kind.
 

Masterchef cake decorating. 
Cause games involving food are a winner!

13 June 2016

The big 10

10 is a wonderful age. 
Like a bit of magic happens when single-digit childhood is left behind.
Books, books and more books.
Gymnastics practice beam!
Sleepover at Bruny with 4 sweet friends (seems a bit of a tradition is starting)
And of course, the ear piercing. 
Long awaited.
Capped off by a masterchef-inspired dinner, "Make me some crepes!"

girls on the way

every good sleepover includes twister

the blondes


just pierced

Anne of Green Gables series

ear selfie

totally loving the cross stitching

cartwheels on the beam

family dinner

the participants

the judges tasting

What an intriguing girl you are Laura. 
Quick and clever thinker, avid reader, caring friend, sensitive, 
brave and confident, yet hesitant to make mistakes... 
We love you more than words can say or you will ever know. 
Such fun years ahead!!

21 April 2016

40...really?

It doesn't seem that long ago I was pregnant and turning 30. Seemed such a huge milestone, but nothing was changing - I was already in the middle of what life was going to be for awhile. Sure I was having another baby, but really life wasn't changing that much. I was continuing on, just with another child. I was totally OK with turning 30. At least I think I was. I did love my 20's, but as life had evolved into being a mother, that was a very welcome thing, and 30 was a part of that.

Now 40 is here and those kids are, well, older! From ages 3 to 11. I'm not pregnant. Nope. We may do more fostering soon, time will tell what that will look like. And maybe life isn't changing that much as I turn 40, but wow it HAS changed in this last decade. Wrinkles, yeah they are coming fast! But I like what I've learned in 10 years. I like what my life is. I MISS people - the ones who are far away, the ones who are no longer alive, the ones I am not doing life with that I thought I would be...
But I am so thankful for what is: 
GOD (a deeper relationship and trust with my creator!)
ANDREW (how much and how deeply I love that man)
These KIDS (constant joy and constant effort...)
GOOD friends (doing life together in different ways, encouraging, supporting)
FAMILY here (sharing life day to day, being friends!)
FAMILY far away (so missed, but right there on WhatsApp!!)

There are so many things in my life that would not BE if I did not MISS people. It's part of it all. All the missing, all the deep, heart-burning loss - it is what makes up the whole picture of my life. Doesn't appeal logically, but I am so very grateful for the journey and for what IS, right NOW. 
So it looks as if I'm okay with 40 too.
The people I spend my days with...

10 January 2016

Christmas 2015

Probably the smoothest Christmas we've had since having 11 grandkids
in my parents' house, all negotiating for food and space for 2 weeks...
Still constant and busy, but no naps, and much more of kids
making their own fun. In the cold. Wet. Winter.
But Oregon graced us with 2 days of snow,
so that's always a bonus when we're sacrificing some of our summer!! ;)

On the flight we do anything to make them comfortable enough to watch the movies...
The tissue pack trick is an old favourite. :)


At least Mom and Dad still stand with us all around them.
There will come a day when they will choose to sit
and then we know it's all downhill from there!!

Bunch of ragamuffins on Christmas Day. 
Most of us don't like to get out of our pajamas...

Adults night out. Enough said.

Extended fam - also known as the great grandkids, 
or as our kids call them, the camping cousins!
23 at the last count I think.

I love the stage when helping is fun and novel for them.
Which is also the stage where helping is not much help, 
but it's just so cute. But don't be fooled, 
with every ounce of her being she is serious about helping!

There always comes a time when we have to say goodbye...

Our 5-hr layover to catch our international flight 
disappeared in flight delays and a medical emergency stop 
for someone on the plane, so we were stuck in LA for 2 days. 
We weren't up for Disneyland, but Legoland seemed doable - 
 U.S. kids had gone back to school, 
and the LA winter is hardly winter, so it was beautiful. 
And super fun to do it without having planned to, 
making a frustrating situation so much more fun!

This is wallpaper, but it looks so 3D!