Love from Canada

The lovely Dawn of Puzzle Pieces decided a few months ago to send 3 people a gift, just because. And I was one of them. Beautiful aren't they? Especially the personal touches and the handmade cards.

They took 3 months to arrive...hence the little Christmas goodies.

Thank you, Dawn!

It's so lovely to receive something in the mail, especially all the way from Canada.

And especially when so much has been happening here in New Zealand.

Check out her blog. It's awesome!

A long road ahead

I am so heart sore for the people of Christchurch. With non-stop media coverage all day, we see the events unfolding almost as they happen. It's going to be a long road to recovery for Christchurch. A long, long road. And the people will need all the support they can get. Gail from Delightfully Diva-ish has organised a sponsored walk  

Please click to sponsor this awesome initiative if you have not donated yet. I know I will be getting behind them.

Thank you

 

Earthquake in Christchurch

If you live overseas and have not heard about the earthquake here in the South Island of New Zealand, please pray.

It's devastating to watch the TV coverage and think that this is happening in our own country.

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Pray that those still trapped (over a hundred people) are rescued soon.

Pray that those who have already lost loved ones (65 confirmed dead so far) find comfort somehow.

As I lay in bed last night, warm and safe, my kids tucked up and asleep, my heart was sore.
Imagine not having a place for my boys to live. Imagine not knowing if they were safe. This is what some people are facing right now.

Thinking of you and praying for you Cantabrians!

For updates:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708163

To make a donation:


- Phone 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation
- FreeTXT 'QUAKE' to 555 to donate $5 or FreeTXT 'QUAKE' to 333 to donate $3 from any Vodafone mobile
- Donate online at redcross.org.nz
- Donate in person at any branch of NZ Post, Kiwibank, ANZ, National Bank, ASB, TSB and BNZ across New Zealand.
- Mail a cheque (made payable to New Zealand Red Cross) to: Canterbury Earthquake Appeal, Freepost 232690, PO Box 12-140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.

Dear Smiley, you're one!

My little, sunshine boy. You, who bring warmth and light into our world, with your chocolate brown eyes and toothy smile. With your long, deep cuddles where you bury your head in my shoulder and wrap your chubby arms around my neck. I love the smell of you!

You are one adorable little boy. In every way.

You're walking so fast now, and often lean forward with the speed of it. Your legs can't keep up and so often you land up on the floor! But in no time at all, you're up and on the move again.

You love being around your older brother and miss him when he's at kindy. It warms my heart to see you two starting to play together and enjoy each other. 

You're a feisty little thing and hate not getting your way. We have to watch our heads because you show your disapproval by 'hitting' whatever or whoever is near you. Turbo often gets a hard smack on back of the head, using whatever is in your hand. Ouch!

You're sleeping much better now, thank goodness, and often sleep 10 to 11 hours straight at night. You're now completely drinking formula and have three cups a day. You really love your milk. And Mommy feels like a new woman now that you don't want it from her!

You've still just got your six teeth you had when I last wrote about you at 8 months old. Although I think some could be making their way through soon.




You're fascinated by birds and love to watch them in the mornings with a piece of Marmite toast in your hand. But you're very scared of dogs and scramble to get away from them, yowling loudly when they bark.

Your Daddy loves your cute character that is emerging and the way you giggle when he chases you, or throws you up into the air.

You came into our lives, unplanned, at a time when we felt we couldn't handle any more. But you have been an absolute joy, Smiley, and I am so glad you're mine. You came at the right time.

We love you more than words


Love Mommy and Daddy  

P.s. Your party is on Saturday, but Nana came to celebrate with us today. Lucky you, Smiley. You are so loved.

Dear Mr Virus-Maker Man

So you managed to bypass our anti-virus software and give our computer a virus. Good on you. Give yourself a pat on the back.

We were without our computer for 3 days, (quite a nice break actually) and had to visit my clever brother-in-law to fix it. It only took him a couple of hours.

So the inconvenience to my life was not that great. But I'm sure contriving the virus and getting it right took you a long time.

They say people like you are very clever. I disagree. Why would someone who was so clever, spend their time trying to bring inconvenience and disorder to other peoples' lives? Don't you have a life of your own to get on with? Obviously not.

So I pity you. And implore you...please get a life!

Wordless Wednesday: the epitome of manliness to me

An award!

Finally getting some computer time!

I would like to thank Sammy at Cherished for giving me this award:

Yeah!

Here's what you gotta do: 

1. Thanks and link back to the blogger who passed this award onto you

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award other recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Now I have to tell you 7 things about me:

1. I'm only 155cm tall. People sometimes comment how Turbo almost looks as big as me.

2. I wanted a girl both times I fell pregnant but I now I love having two boys.

3. I had never had a boyfriend before Mr Samoa...that's not counting the silly ones when I was 13 and 14.

5. I like to be accomplishing something all the time, even if it's just keeping the house clean...and I love lists.

6. One of my greatest fears/insecurities is that I'm not quite good enough.

7. I adore love like coffee quite a bit. Trim mocha is my drink of choice at the moment. The 'trim' part is a recent addition to a healthier 2011.

Here are the recently(ish) discovered blogs I would like to pass the award onto:

Lyns of Once Upon a Time

Meghan of MNMs

Sarah of Catching the Magic

Elizabeth of Lizzy's Letters

Naomi of the Strange Little Happenings of Us

Latte Junkie

 Hope you're having a fab week!

 

Things I'm loving

Linking up with Paisley Jade today

I am loving....

Making my own bread. And not in a breadmaker! In the oven like our mothers would have done. It's yummy, although quite stodgy dense at the moment. Have some tweaking to do me thinks.

That Smiley is such a great eater. Turbo, my eldest, is THE most fussy eater. So it's so nice to have a boy that eats well and tries most things.

Devouring pasta

That Turbo has started kindy for two mornings a week. It is quite wierd having all this time with Smiley, and I have to admit I have been a little bored. So used to the busyness of two I think.

What you can do with all the free photo editing software out there, like Photoscape. This ordinary image now looks so much better with a few tweaks. Would love a better quality camera but hey, gotta go with what I have for now.

A bowl of chips and coffee (yes they go together fine. Coffee goes with anything don't you know?) with Sammy last night at the Belgian Beer Cafe. Exactly what I needed. Some amazing company and some time to just be me and not a mommy. When I was driving there it felt strange not to have Smiley in the car seat behind me. Like someone was missing.

What are you loving right now?

Taking care of ourselves

I ♥ NZ's Rhema (radio station) as I have mentioned on my blog before. Such great topics that are relevant and often exactly what I need to hear that day.

Everyday they have a marriage segment and today I happened to be driving when it came on (I only ever listen to the radio in the car).

The woman on the radio, who has been working with married couples for over 30 years and written several books, said that when we, as women, stop taking care of ourselves, it translates a message to our husbands that we don't care about them!

She was not talking about having to be supermodel gorgeous, but about taking what we have and making an effort. You may be a little overweight, not like your legs (like me!), be unable to get a tan (me again!), have non-existant eyelashes unless you wear mascara (um, me again), or whatever it is...that doesn't matter. He just wants to see you making an effort. Doing your hair, a little make-up, dressing well.

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I have always been a firm believer in taking care of myself, not only for for my husband but for me as well. Taking care of myself is a legacy my mom passed on to me. She never left the house without makeup or doing her hair. She always takes care with what she wear and tries to look her best. And so I do the same. And when I got married, somewhere in my subsonscious I knew this was important to my husband.

The speaker also mentioned that when we stop taking care of ourselves, our husbands feel powerless to talk to us about it. I mean, it's one of the most senstive issues for a woman. So instead of adressing it, they go silent.

So tell me what you think. Do you think this is true?
Have you let yourself go since getting married or having kids?

Fancy pants

I took Friday night's opportunity to take some photos and finally link up with Kym's Fancy Pants linky on her blog A Day in the Life of Us. Love this blog by the way!




The date night was wonderful, although a little bit sabotaged by me. When I found out what the plans were, I decided I wanted to do something else and we ended up spending way over our budget. Mr Samoa was not happy with me. Lesson learnt. The one who plans the date calls the shots.

I don't wear dresses often but it did make me feel so feminine!
Totally forgot to take close ups of any items...like my shoes which are one of favourites.
I also forgot to wear any jewellery...do you ever do that? So busy getting the kids organised that I can't remember anything. Anyway.

Wearing a $20 (on sale) dress bought at The House of G (otherwise known as Glassons).
Mr Samoa's outfit mostly from Farmers.

Reasons to be cheerful and what I'm grateful for

So many reasons to be cheerful and grateful in my life.

I love living life seeing the bright side, and although I don't always succeed, a post like this can really help you see what you do have

 1. Mr Samoa started work officially this week and is enjoying it. He's a bit tired at the end of each day but still, he's getting to do what he loves (teaching) and being paid for it 2. Smiley has had a 'virus' this week. That's the word the doctor uses when they have no idea what is wrong with your child but they are quite obviously not well. Anyway. He's been attached to me and in hysterics if I try to put him down. This face all week:But he's finally showing signs of improvement today after being unwell since Saturday. Yay! 3. We bought a car! A few weeks back I posted how both of our cars broke down in the same week. One for good. So we've got a bit of a loan to pay off but it's heavenly to drive our spacious new car 4. Turbo starts kindy next week. We had two visits to the centre this week and of course, Turbo, being Turbo, has taken to it like a duck to water. 5. I over heard my wonderful hubby organising for his sister to come over and babysit tonight. Woohoo date night tonight! 6. And the most wonderful news....(to me, that is - I'm sure other sleep deprived mothers can identify)...Smiley has started to sleep thorugh the night!! After this desperate post, I was at wit's end. Not coping. And after just 2 nights, he now sleeps for most of the night, maybe waking once. Can't count my chickens, though, as Smiley is very random and could change anytime. I have to stay consistent. But very grateful all the same. Linking up with these two:
  

Why don't you join in?