A very big day tomorrow

It is almost here. The day we dreamed of for five long years. The day we talked about celebrating and rejoicing in.

Mr Samoa graduates tomorrow!

Funny, now it's almost upon us, there hasn't been much celebrating or rejoicing so far. Is it part of the human spirit to forget the pain and trials so quickly and move on?

We're planning a party, but only after we move into our new place in four weeks time. And we've booked  a babysitter for this Saturday so at least I made sure we'd be doing some celebrating.

But I can't wait for tomorrow. To watch Mr Samoa, the very first person in his family to get a degree, to walk down Queen Street, decked out in his regalia, proudly wearing an emerald green sash. And then at 4.30pm I'll watch him walk across the stage and collect his certificate.

Mr Samoa you are the best! I am so proud of you, that despite the frequent obstacles, pitfalls and disappointments, you chose not to give up. It was all worth it.

And yes, Mr Samoa is VERY grateful for my support : )

Photos to come in the next few days

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