Come on over, baby!

If you haven't checked out my new space, come on over!

Would love to see you there


have a FAB weekend!

Moving on

It's been a long time coming but I've finally got my new blog up and running...thanks to a little help from a friend.

I would love for all of you to join me over there.

It's been such a great journey getting to know you all via your blogs or your comments and I appreciate every one.

I may not always have the time to comment on your blogs but I do love reading them.

My Spirited Baby started out as a place to tell my tales of my very challenging and spirited first-born, Turbo.

But now he's no longer a baby and there is another little boy added to our family so I've felt for a while that the name didn't quite fit.

I may still use My Spirited Baby to record the kids' milestones but all the day to day musings and adventures will be over at my new place. Hope to see you there!!

In Real Life!

I kind of feel like I don't need to write this post.

You can read Sammy's post here, Meghan's here, Leonie's, Jackie's, Kristy's....

And seeing as I didn't take my camera, I don't even have any new photos to add!

Anyhoo...

A group of us Kiwi Mummy Bloggers met up in Auckland yesterday, for lunch.

The amazing and very lovely Meghan came all the way from Wellington!



Meghan and me



And Kristy, Jackie and Rachel from Whangarei. (Sorry if people came from other places, but that's all I know!)

The rest of us arrived from all our different parts of Auckland, and tentatively began getting to know each other IRL (in real life for you non-bloggers).

I don't have much to say other than meeting you all was amazing. Lovely, lovely people who without blogging, I would never have met. 



all of us!



Thanks for the enriching my life! Looking forward to the next time we get to meet...Wellington, is it?

P.s. Thanks Leonie for organising it and for letting me borrow your photos : )

.

I'm back!

LOVING our new house! O, the space! Glorious space!

At first I felt a little odd. We seemed to all rattle around in the big rooms and living space. I found myself missing our little unit, missing the warmth and familiarity. 

Was I crazy? No, just human. Funny how we would rather stick with what we know sometimes than move into something bigger and better .

But o, how quickly we adjusted! It's almost 2 weeks later and I feel right at home. The space has not only increased physically, but I feel it's opening up more for us in other ways. My thinking for one. The old season is most definitely behind us and I'm excited about the future.

I have something to admit though:

I didn't miss blogging

one bit in the almost 2 weeks that I've been gone.

{GASPS from all of you}

Before the move, there were a few days where I contemplated ending my blog, or at least having a holiday from it.

Not from YOU, of course, I still love reading blogs. But somehow all the OTHER blogging stuff has taken over, and made me feel pressured to post often and write something amazing. So that made me want to avoid my blog altogether.

Do you know what I mean?

The OTHER blogging stuff...like how many followers you have, or what to do to get more followers. And how many times a week you "should" post. Or how your blog should look. And how you should be commenting on this many blogs. It's all over the blogisphere!

I just don't have time for any of that stuff. And don't actually care that I don't have time. I just want to be free to write whatever is on my mind, which is why I started blogging in the beginning. So my blog may not be the most "successful" blog on the block, but it's mine. And I think a successful blog is one that the author of the blog is happy with.

My awesome sister, N, encouraged me not to stop because I do love writing and the more you do, the better you get.

So I did end up having a little holiday, due to our internet provider's incompetence. And so I want to come back fresh, leaving all that other stuff (I can think of stronger words than that ha ha) behind. Actually I wanted to start a new blog all together, but lack the time to actually do a header and set it up!

Has anyone felt/Does anyone else feel pressured by these things?

Have you wanted to stop blogging because of it?

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!

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

An actual laugh out loud

I'm grateful for things that make me laugh.

So my lovely friend, Leisl, has a blog, as mentioned in the last post. She is a witty and talented writer. And by the way, this is not a plug for her blog. Just the plain facts. She's brilliant.

Read this little excerpt:
"The next time someone tries to tell you that having children close together in age is a good idea, tell them to get lost. Seriously. They have either never tried this particular brand of torture out themselves, or they’re so badly traumatised by it, they’ve split off a personality that keeps the horror at bay.


Alas, I was dragged like a hapless fool into believing this conspiracy theory. But here’s the thing – all that rubbish about them being best friends when they’re older? What they don’t tell you is that the REASON they’re best friends is because their mother turns into a psycho nut-job and they need to join ranks to defend themselves against her."

And then she went on to say how her husband came home to find her jumping on the bed with ther baby in her arms and...o, you better read it for yourself. This got an actual laugh out loud from me. How often do we put the famous LOL and truthfully, it's only a moderate chuckle, or a smile.

Maybe its that I know her and can picture the scene in my head. Or maybe it's because I've been there, in her shoes. O, the ridiculous and desperate things I did to get my boys to sleep at times.

And just for fun, here's a song that I just can't get out of my head. You know those ones with the extremely catchy and contagious tunes? You've been warned.



Linking up with....

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!

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!

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!

 

Recapturing romance

This Saturday I'm grateful for date nights

Lately I've been yearning for those days when Mr Samoa and I were dating. Butterflies in my tummy, thoughts consumed by him all day.

I know, I know. That's not what marriage is about...feelings.

But just a little of those feelings is good to have sometimes. You know, just a little more...zing, for want of a better word. And I'm not talking about sex.

We're coming up to our sixth wedding anniversary in a few months.

We've been together seven years in total now.

And I have heard of the seven year itch. Yikes!!!

Not being with Mr Samoa has never been an option. The D-word (divorce) is not in our vocabulary and goes against everything we stand for.

But I can see how people with different values and beliefs would go looking elsewhere when the feelings go walking. 

Like in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. I'm not a fan of it.

In these times, we choose to love and say those loving words and we know that soon the feelings will follow.

But we have decided to be a little more proactive in our date nights and inject a bit more romance into our marriage.  

I volunteered to organise the first night. So I got my mom to babysit and we set off on our romantic adventure.

I took him to Mount Eden that has lots of lovely cafes and cute shops. But we didn't do the usual and go out for coffee or dessert. I told Mr Samoa to pick the thing he would most like to eat or drink and get it takeaway.

He chose a chocolate milkshake! I, of course, got a coffee, a mochacino to be exact, and a piece of chocolate mouse cake. Yum!

Then I took Mr Samoa to the top of Mount Eden. We sat wrapped in each other's arms, drinking in the beautiful sunset, looking for landmarks, chatting about nothing and enjoying each other's presence. No kid-talk was allowed.

It was different and it was simple. Yet it was exactly what we needed.

Nights like these are going to become a regular occurence in our marriage.And we don't even have to leave our house. Candles and dinner in the garden? 

Since having Smiley, these nights taken a back seat.

We're so darn tired and busy.

But I don't want to be wishing for more in our marriage.

I want to make it happen instead.

We also realised we had different definitions of what romance was. Any guesses for what one of Mr Samoa's definitions was?

If you've got any different, simple ideas for recapturing romance, please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear them!

The winner is...

Been a bit absent from blogland. A lot's been going on.

One car down with a leak, then within days the second car died...for good. 

She had it coming but it's still sad.

So have been trying to sort out a car for Mr Samoa to get to work in next week, his very first week, while the other car is at the mechanics....which only opens on Monday.

Nice for some.

Anyway, I do apologise and hope to be more frequent again soon...both in posting and commenting.

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway and thanks heaps for following my blog!

Drum roll please....

The winner is:

Jules from Mama Wears Jandals



Well done Jules!!
Please leave me your email address and I'll organise to post them to you asap

It's official...

...I have a button!!

I am super proud because I made it and figured it all out by myself.

Didn't turn out to be that hard, but hard enough to give me a bit of a headache.

Ok, so it's not the flashest button, but it's MY button. That I made. Yeah!

Here it is:

 But I have no idea how to put the details for you to grab it in this blog post! So you'll have to go to my sidebar, on the left, just down a little, you see it?  

Hope you've all had a great weekend!