Do you wanna know some more about me?

I can just picture you saying "No, not really" but I'll go with the picture of you saying "Yes, I'd love to!" : )

I've been tagged by Cyndi at Latte Junkie to answer some questions about me. They're really fun questions to answer so if you wanna join in, please do! I've tagged some people to do it at the end

Cyndi also awarded me the Versatile Blogger award. Thanks heaps, Cyndi! I am always honoured when someone thinks of me.


Here goes:


Which living person do you most admire, and why?
I'd have to say Nelson Mandela, he's still a hero to me. But also people like Brooke Fraser, who is doing really well for herself and following her dreams while never compromising who she is and what she believes in



When were you happiest?
Probably when I was dating Mr Samoa. That sounds a bit sad, I am still happy now but then it was just so exciting and new and romantic.


What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I got up the courage to tell this guy I liked him. I'm not of the opinion that females should ever do the asking, but Mr Samoa had just asked me out and two of my friends convinced me that I needed to know if this other guy liked me (they were sure he would!). Turns out he really didn't and it made things so awkward as we saw each other quite often. To this day I wish I could take that moment back!

Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
Our car. We bought it earlier this year. It's a lovely spacious people mover type car. We love it!

What is your most treasured possession?
My photos and my journals. I have kept journals since I was 15 years old and hope one to day to give them to my daughter, should I have one! I'm not sure if my boys will read or appreciate them

Where would you like to live?
I'm happy right here! Although I would love to own a house with a big back yard with lots of trees and a vege patch. Renting doesn't quite seem to have sense of being completely settled

What’s your favorite smell?
Lemon and lemongrass, also citrusy smells and of course, coffee

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Hmmmm, once again I have no idea. Being a redhead kind of limits my options. Although I guess they could dye their hair.
The only person I can think of is Amanda Seyfried who stars in Mamma Mia because she's small and short.


What is your favorite book?
I really don't know. I have read some wonderful books but can't name just one. I love some of the older books that were my grandmothers written by Francis Parkinson Keyes or Lloyd C Douglas


What is your most unappealing habit?
I twist my hair around my finger and then when it's almost knotted, snap it so the hair breaks. I have done this since I was two years old. Back then my mom had to give me a drastic haircut because I had created a bald patch!
I guess it's not that unappealing but I wish I could stop because I don't have a whole lot of hair as it is

 What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
I think just dressing like I'm on the red carpet would be fun. I know it's not strictly fancy dress but I would LOVE it!

What is your earliest memory?
I can't tell if I'm recalling photos or family videos, or actual memories, do you know what I mean?
But I think, my first actual memory was wetting my pants during my first few days of school and having to borrow knickers from the lost property basket. Eww! Lucky I was only 6

 What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Magnums. Those new ones with the cranberries in are amazing although at $4 for a small ice cream, I won't be doing that often

What do you owe your parents?
A lot of money! I still feel bad about the year of study I did in Australia while they were still in South Africa. They had to pay fees and support me while paying 5 times the amount because of the exchange rate!

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
I have no idea, can't think of anyone which is a good thing. Maybe ask me in a few years and it might be my children! Somedays I really hope they don't have memories of how I acted that day - a bit psycho!
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Jesus, followed by Mr Samoa

What does love feel like?
When you feel like you would give your life for that person, or you wish you could take their pain when they're sick or hurt

What was the best kiss of your life?
Mr Samoa, probably quite recently actually. We're both getting better and getter at kissing!

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
It's ridiculous
Yeah whatever

What is the worst job you’ve done?
Telemarketing in my year in Australia. I was no good at all. I don't think I made one sale and my throat constantly hurt from all the talking. Followed closely by the coffee waitress job that same year.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I would follow my passion and devote my time to making music. And also study when I was young so that I would not be in the predicament I am in now where I am half way through a degree but can't go back to finish because of the cost of day care! 
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
There is no actual moment I can recall, but I know there have been times in the car when another has closely missed me and I have thanked God for his angels around me!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My two boys. I think we're doing a pretty good job with them. And having a good marriage. Relationships are the most important things to me.

When did you last cry, and why?
Last week when I was so sick and emotional. Smiley threw his dinner off his tray and it splattered all over the floor, walls and chairs. It was the last straw. I felt a litte silly afterwards.

How do you relax?
Watch my favourite TV shows, blog or email, go for a walk, have coffee with a good friend.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More money. This may sound shallow but it's true. Mr Samoa is just starting out as a teacher and I am a stay at home mum. Enough said.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That things don't always turn out the way you would have liked but that doesn't mean they're not the way they're supposed to be. And to have patience, and to trust. O and that suffering makes you stronger than you would have ever been if you had only had good things happen to you.


I'd like to tag:


Sammy at Cherished
Meghan at MNMs
Lyns at Once Upon a Time
Simone at Greatfun4kids
Leonie Kiwi at Heart
Lyn at Lynieloo
Rebecca at Becca4love
Creating Childhood Memories

Go on, do it!

Dear Turbo

Three years have been and gone, and still we feel like we're getting to know you. New aspects of who you are emerge every day, especially now that you're learning to express yourself more. The conversations we have with you are very cute and you like to pretend you're the boss of us! "Wait here, Mummy, ok? Wait!" is a frequent one, with your little hand help up, palm towards us, fingers firmly together.

You still challenge us with your full on and intense personality, but as always, we love who you are and wouldn't change you one bit. I frequently have funny stories to tell, like when, a couple of weeks back, you ran yelling into a nice cafe and nearly gave the waitress a heart attack! All eyes were on us, which I don't actually like but seems I better get used to. You would think I'd be used to it already.

You show us you're growing up all the time by achieving a new skill. A month or so ago you started drawing "people" (round blobs) with eyes, a mouth, arms and legs. And when you colour in, you don't just scribble anymore, you try to stay within the lines and colour the little details, like flowers for example.

Your third birthday party was small, indoors because of the weather, at our little place. Surrounded by family, you and your three big boy cousins ran crazily around, stepping around and over Smiley and Blossom. You loved your dinosaur cake and all your presents, although the highlight had to be when Grandpa presented you with a bike.

You went from not knowing how to pedal or ride a bike to fully pedalling, braking and steering in less than a week! You've always been amazing in this way, Turbo.

We love you, amazing boy, and pray you will be all that God has made you to be.

Excuses

And the award for the most slack blogger goes to ME!

I've been avoiding you, blog. And the longer I stay away...

In all seriousness though, I have been sick...and busy. I have taken a while to recover from last week's sickness and then about a week ago, started feeling nauseous on top of it. Talk about hitting me while I'm down! And no, I'm not pregnant.

In all seriousness (again), I did get an award a week (or two) ago from the lovely lady at Creating Childhood Memories (still just LOVE the name of this blog!!)

Thank you! I am always so honoured when somebody like my blog. Here it is:

 I was supposed to write 10 things about me and pass it on, but I think that boat has well and truly sailed so we'll move on.

 

And I've been busy because, over the Easter weekend, we had an 

incredible conference, Shout conference, at our church with

Israel Houghton and Newbreed!!

They were flippin' awesome.

Israel is from Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

You just gotta listen to this song! And I heard it LIVE

My mouth was open at times. Ask Sammy. She had to close it once.

So it was full on and busy but TOTALLY worth it. I still feel like I need time to stop and download some of what was said. And Turbo had a ball. The kids conference was so well run and well thought out with heaps to do. Happy Turbo = happy me.

On Sunday we headed over to Sammy's house to catch up with family and do an Easter egg hunt for the kids. My other sister organised a game for the grown ups too, which got a little, erm...competitive. Picture Mr Samoa forcefully restraining Sammy from getting her next clue and my mom flat on her face after trying to run up the stairs in slippers!

To top off the lovely weekend, my parents took me and my two sisters to the movies last night. We nearly died of boredom during the movie (do NOT see Another Year!) but it was nice to get out.

I hope you had a lovely Easter! And hope to check in with you all soon

A little bit glad it's all over

Warning: this is a long, rambling post. Probably indicative of the state my head is in. Stick with me if you can.

It's been a huge weekend with our 6 year wedding anniversary and Turbo's third birthday. And I have been as sick as a dog. Seriously. I haven't felt this sick in ages.

It started on Wednesday with a sore throat, and as I was going to the doctor for something else anyway, I got her to check me out. "It's viral," she declared, "so gargle with salt water, take some Panadol and you'll be ok in a few days." Great. I actually hate that virus word. It means there's nothing you can do about it so suck it up and get over it.

Thing is, I didn't get over it but got progressively worse over the next couple of days. Now I can handle a sore throat, blocked nose and foggy head. I can even handle a bit of a hacking cough. As mums we have to be a little bit tough and carry on. The kids do not wait for anything. But this! This was way worse. I felt like I had to lie down all the time, and on Thursday, I spent a large portion of the day on the couch while Smiley played around me and on me. Thankfully, Turbo was at kindy for the morning. Although, I nearly cried when I realised I had to drag myself off the couch to go and get him.

This sapped me of all strength, I couldn't talk very well and oh, the pain in my ears! On Friday morning, the pain in my ears was unbearable and Panadol was doing nothing. Back to the doctor I went, thinking she'd take one look in my throat and ears and prescribe me some strong drugs. "All clear, " she said. "Sometimes when your throat is sore, your ears get sore too." No kidding. She gave me some stronger pain relief and a precautionary script for antibiotics and sent me on my way.

By that afternoon, I was feeling no better, maybe even worse and I was starting to cough a very painful, hacking cough. I got Mr Samoa to come home early, get Turbo from kindy (I could not even get myself to the car) and go and get the antibiotics and some fish and chips for the boys.

In all of these happenings, I also had to managed to bake for Turbo's birthday morning tea, which was happening on Saturday at our house. That said, the baking was a disaster. Anyway.

After a night of fitful sleep, as you tend to have when your throat is killing you and you can't breathe through your nose, Turbo woke up at 5am. How can you tell him off when it's his birthday though? So around 6am, we put on our happy faces, grabbed the balloons Mr Samoa had blown up the night before, and entered his room singing Happy Birthday. He opened his presents and the long day began....cleaning the house for the party (which thankfully was just my family - 14 adults and 6 kids!!), cooking popcorn, decorating and getting the garden ready. Didn't quite manage everything. The balloons didn't even get tied up and were all over the floor, but the kids all had fun kicking them around.

Turbo had a ball, which was the main thing. He got a bike from his Nana and Grandad and got to blow out his candles on his dinosaur cake. The 4 older boy cousins (which includes Turbo) ran around, made a mess and had fun. A successful party! I, however, was feeling terrible and sat down for a lot of the party, barely managing conversation. Check out some photos here...thanks Sammy!

After the party, my awesome parents cleaned up and then took Smiley home with them for the night. My first night away from him in almost 14 months! My mom was a bit apprehensive but knowing Smiley, all he needs is someone to cuddle and give him some attention and he's happy. I was right. He was totally fine, slept 12 hours straight during the night, gave them a two hour day nap (which is more than he gives me!!!!) and was all in all, "a delight" - my mom's words.

After a brief appearance at Scrag's awesome Toy Story party, (I thought I might just pass out during the treasure hunt, fun as it was), Mr Samoa delivered Turbo to his sister's house where he was spoiled and adored by his two older girl cousins all of the rest of Saturday and today.

Yes. It's true. We had a totally kid-free night ahead! After a long afternoon nap, I dragged myself out of bed, still feeling no better. I pulled on some jeans and flat shoes (Mr Samoa was lucky I even got out of my pyjamas) and we headed out for the long-awaited dinner at local restaurant. From what I could taste, the food was lovely. Mr Samoa loved his so I guess that's what counts? Instead of living it up, we headed home straight after where I crawled into bed and ate the delicious dessert my friend K had made us...even in my sick state I could taste this was good! Chocolate mousse cake with a biscuit base.
Mr Samoa = one piece.
Me = the rest. Yeah well, you gotta eat something when you're sick, right?

After another fitful night's sleep, slightly improved by nose spray, we woke up....by ourselves...not woken by kids....just by our own body clocks, at 7am. We sat around for a long time, amazed at all the time on our hands. My mom on the other hand informed me later that having Smiley with her and all that that involves made them late for church.

Mr Samoa then headed off to church while I raced over the bridge to pick up Smiley, thinking he'd be pining for me by now. He wasn't. I got a very mild welcome actually. Anyway, by then I was feeling awful again, totally sapped AGAIN so I had a little snooze on the couch. Don't you love moms? You can do that when you're at their house.

And this afternoon we picked up Turbo, who had had the time of his little life. And now, my two blessings are  tucked up in bed, back him, safe and sound. Ah, a night away certainly does make you a bit more grateful.

So I am thankful for the weekend, but also glad it's over. I am starting to feel a bit better now. The antibiotics must be kicking in. Mr Samoa has one more all day meeting tomorrow and then it's holidays for him. Looking forward to that.

Did you manage to stay with me all the way to the end? I'm not usually a person of so many words. And some photos might help but I don't think I'm up to it. So this is it. I'll stop now.

Love - Wordless Wednesday

LOVE

My Teddy

And my brother

Things I'm loving and grateful for

The people in my life ♥

Being a SAHM has enabled me to build an incredibly supportive and positive community of other mums around me.
Friends and sisters, I am so grateful for all of you.
The relationships I've formed in these last few years will last a lifetime!

Here's a snapshot of my week.

(P.s. these are not photos of the actual events this week because I'm a slack blogger at the moment and forgot my camera.

In fact, I forget my camera most of the places I go nowdays. Losing my blogging mojo? Eeeek!)

Monday

Tuesday

Please excuse the blurriness! 

Wednesday

Thursday

photo from here 

Friday

These are not all of you that are special to me, of course.

But, flip, how blessed am I?

Linking up with: 

Misunderstood.....again

To be great is to be misunderstood.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm beginning to think this is going to be Turbo's motto for the moment. At least until he can gain full control of his strength and his emotions. I've lost count of the number of times he's been misunderstood lately.

He likes to roar. As a lot of boys do, I think. And he is VERY loud and vibrant. Asking him to be anything other than loud is impossible. It is how he has been designed. Part of who he is.

Today, as he ran past a little girl who was standing near her mother's leg, he roared at her. And because he has absolutely no concept of personal space, it was quite near to her face. The mother looked in horror from me, to Turbo to her daugther, who had started to whimper. And I have to admit, I pretended I had not seen a thing.

You see I am sick to death of apologising for who Turbo is. "I'm sorry, he didn't do anything to your child, he's just loud.." or "..he's just being a little rough, sorry." When in actual fact, he's really just being a boy.

We were at McDonalds playground, my frequent afternoon hangout of late, and a little girl walked in, took one look at Turbo, who was zooming around and yelling in excitement, and ran out scared. She brought her dad back in with her, who, by the way, was very nice. But this girl was in a school uniform. Don't they have boys at her school? Has she never seen one before? Maybe not one of Turbo's kind?

Turbo's not often mean. He's not one to hit or shove or bite unless provoked. And this same full on, roaring, strong boy, will take another child's hand, saying "Come, come, I'll show you", and lead them gently down the slide if they're scared. His confidence is astounding. He'll make friends wherever he goes and climb high up ladders and towers at playgrounds.

These 'misunderstandings' happen often. You would think these mothers had never been around other children sometimes. But it's so nice, every so often to meet someone who not only understands, but has one like Turbo. The children click instantly and hoot with laughter as they roar in each other's faces and yell at the top of their voices. Ah, a kindred spirit.

I do think Turbo is an amazing little boy, with great capacity within him. He's just a little misunderstood at the moment.

What about you? Have you experienced what I'm talking about? Have you got a child like Turbo?