A very merry un-birthday to you...

Liv's birthday is coming up in July and my head is teeming with ideas. My first thought was a tea party. But I think that excludes the boys..
So what about a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Some of the idea's I am playing with..

I have so many ideas of games, food, decorations. I LOVE the internet.

So  A planning we will go. Dad has the job of making a croquet set. My job to make the mallets look like flamingo's! Mis-matched teacups, pink lemonade, blue for the boys of course.
A craft table to make their own hats and a cupcake table to decorate their own to take home.
Cookies in the shape of bottles that say "drink me" and ones that say "eat me"
It goes on and on...

Busy week this week with cookies and cuppies, but will keep you all posted about any ideas. If you have any... shoot them my way. Would love to hear from you all..

Much love
xo

A few years ago..

My little sister was born. Of course I don't remember. I don't remember alot from my childhood.
I do remember that she annoyed the crap out of me. Always in my face.
I think for a long time we were such different people. A few worlds away. I had babies.. very young. She lived life.. very young. I know I was always proud when someone told me she was managing a store. I know I was jealous when someone told me that she was going overseas, to work.
A few years have passed. We have fought. We have made up. But I think life has now bought us both to one world.
I don't get to spend as much time with her as I would like. She is one of my best friends. I can tell her anything. Now.
There was a time when I was scared to do that. She is volatile!!. :-)
But.. she is my little sister. And as time has gone on, I feel my umbrella sheltering over her, like a sister should.
I would give anything for her...
To be happy, healthy and free..

Happy Birthday Little Sis.. Leanne.
I love you to pieces..
I hope you have a wonderful day..

xoxo

Once upon a time...

  

There was a girl. She was young and scared. Life was about to change. And did it ever. 

For the better. 

20 years ago, my baby girl was born. 20 years ago my life changed forever. I never imagined I would be celebrating her 20th birthday. I just never saw that far into the future. 

There are things that I might do differently, but never this. 

Samantha. I love you just as much today as the day you were placed into my arms. And the day you fell over and skinned your knee, and the day you said "I love you Mummy"

You have grown, matured... beautifully. 

Happy Birthday Baby Girl.  

I love you dearly

xox

What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon, than with my Mum, my Sis, Locky and my two girls.
Simply precious.
Life is... In fact.. Too short.
Live for today
Dream for tomorrow


Love to all xo


P.S. I just happen to be related to an amazing photographer :)

Up in the air we fly..

Zoom zoom a zoom...

Kell is taking off this weekend to see family so she asked me for a special order for her brother for his birthday..
We decided on 'airplane cookies' I had all these designs running around in my head and then asked how old he was. 26. Oh.. Well better make them a little more grown up..! : D This is what I came up with.

I hope both Kell and her brother like them. And they all have a safe trip there and back...

Bee safe Kell
xo

Delivery

I got a package delivered today. I knew what it was and I was excited about it. Cookie cutters.. Just 4 this time. I would buy hundreds if I could, but so that my husband won't divorce me.. It's just a few at a time!

I have a very special plan in-store for the angels. I will keep you all updated on that one. And Kelly requested the airplanes, so I am excited to be making the both of those.

Busy week ahead.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.. I plan to.
Bill's first weekend off since he has been back at work from our holiday...

Bee safe people
Love to all

xo

I'm learning...

Not to drive a car, but to be one of those "grown up older mums" lol. I am not ready to have 2 children with the ability to get into a car and drive themselves around. It scares me. To be precise, it scares the crap out of me. I know I have taught my kids the right lessons, but sometimes, being kids, they forget. They get distractions.

I know there are millions of mums out there in the world who have to let their kids go and be adults. I am just not ready.. I wasn't ready when Sam graduated. I wasn't ready when she booked a one way ticket to NZ. I wasn't ready when she backpacked around NZ either. Why does life keep throwing this stuff at me when I am sooo not ready for it? *sigh*

I know I have good kids. I know they will sometimes get it wrong and stuff things up and piss people off. I also know they know whats right and wrong and hope that they have the power to be strong and safe.
Sam and Levi, I love you both to peaces. Bee safe. :)

April is next... Oh.. My April. She's a different kettle of fish. Perhaps not even a fish. A camel.. with long eyelashes and a blank expression! lol.

So.. Onwards. I should go now and ring the insurance company..
Wish me luck people..

Bee safe
Love to all
xo

Cookie Treat Boxes

I had a brain storm the other day when I was out with the girls. I made them little boxes to put their cookies in and they looked great. But I wanted to customise them more, to suit the cookie and the recipient.

I knew I needed cardboard, light cardboard.  So this is what we found. Scrapbooking card. Light weight enough to fold but sturdy enough to hold some cookies.

True Jacqui style I have already taken them to the scrapbooking queen (MIL) and she loved them. I think they will work.

So if anyone wants a nice "Thankyou gift, or a birthday gift" Let me know. I am dying to see them filled with cookies! : D

I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday

Bee good and take care 

xo  

It's been such a long time since I posted. I thought it was about time I did, I know Leanne has been asking me to keep up the blog.
Life just sometimes takes off from you and you end up needing 28 hours a day..

I caught up with the girls today for coffee. Poor Locky was the only male presence there, I don't really think he minded tho. I finally got to meet little Immogen and I have to say shes devine. I LOVE that Kell put her "Jacqui" top on her. "Cupcakes are the new black" Love it! Miss G needs to stop growing, shes such a pretty little girly girl :) Needless to say I had a great morning despite the rain and traffic hassles to get there.

I spent yesterday making treats for the girls. Little boxes filled with homemade cookies. 2 dresses, a candy and some heart shaped cookies. To which they all informed me they are on diets! LOL next week *wink wink*

So new layout, new thoughts, new ideas. I shall try to keep posting.. So try to keep popping back.

Bee safe and love to everyone xo

Family

A few days ago I got together with my wonderful sister and my mummy for the day. We had lunch and did a little walk around the shops.
The real reason for the day was Leanne wanted to take photos. We tend to forget just how fast our children grow up. Things happen, people get lost in the world of fast moving cars, people, money and, well, just life. It's all over way too fast.
Every time I look at the images Leanne captures of my beautiful babies, I have to take time out to remember, the little things they do to make me smile.

I took Liv to the shop about a week ago, and lets just say she was a little madam. I told her right there and then in the shop that "this is the reason I never bring you to the shops, don't ever ask me again to come, and next time you can stay at home with Levi. Better for everyone!"
She stopped. Looked at me and shrugged. The typical response from a 6 year old I would guess.
Friday I had to take her to the shops to get some shoes for school.
"Liv, come on, get some shoes on we are going to the shops"
Again, I got the look. The one that kinda says to you :What is wrong with you woman!
"Mum, you said the other day you were never taking me to the shops again."
What can I say to that.
Out smarted by a 6 year old. They never...ever.. ever forget. Don't ever promise them anything!! But they are so cute., and before you know it they have traveled around NZ, and are nearly 19 and aren't too sure what to do with their life.
Take it all in, and don't take it for granted.

I would love Leanne to do a photoshoot with Levi and Sam. I need some updated pictures of ALL of my babies.

Love you all...



x

There are somethings in this world that we tend to take for granted.
The air. We assume that its always going to be clear and clean and breathable.
Water, we in QLD know that its not always avail. We are used to our 4 min showers, not running the taps and no hosing.
This morning I heard 3 things that made me stop and think about the things we take for granted.

3 birds.
Probably more than 3 birds, but 3 different sounds.
It was just on 4am, and Bill was getting up. First we heard the rooster. Now this rooster probably lives about 1 km away, so he was pushing his morning call.
Moments later the magpies wanted to put their two cents in and try and wake those that might still be sleeping. As a kid I was chased by a magpie or two, so I don't really like them as a bird, but they just have the prettiest call.
I was just lying there thinking how nice it was and just how much you miss when you sleep in early in the morning, when the kookaburra's started.
We have about 3 kookaburra's that sit on the fence and chat. 2 young ones and a wise looking 'old man' kookaburra.
Also 3 days ago, just after the storm we had 3 black cockotoo's in the trees. We have a grumpy old male koala, who grunts and groans alot looking for his lady... lol
And to make it so Australian, there is a kangaroo or two out there as well.

So next time you think you have so much stress in your life, you don't have time to sneeze, have a think about what goes by...
Stop and smile at someone..
Stop and smell a flower..
Listen to the birds..

It all goes by far too quick. Kids grow up too fast and before long we are old and wonder where it all went..

Bee safe..

Its been a while since I posted last. Lachlan is now nearly 8 weeks old and how fast the time goes. I really should post in here more often. Even if its just to get my thoughts out there.

Leanne challenged me to respond to her latest post on her site so here goes...

Four things I did today:

1. I got a very big cuddle and smile from Lachlan at 5.30 this morning, always a bonus start to the day, and with the rain it really made the sunshine.
2. Rang Telstra again.. only to find out that the problem that I thought was on their end was infact on our end. Love you Billy.. for making me look like a goose. Note to self.. always check passwords!
3. Went shopping for food. Not very exciting.. but along the way looked at the damage that the storm did around our house and neighbourhood.
4. Kissed my husband goodbye, only to watch him leave for work knowing that he will be working in the rain.... Poor baby.

Four things on my to do list:

1. Clean the garage out.. Well, maybe try and massage the huge amount of collectables that my lovely husband is collecting so that when the next storm passes over we will have room for my car.
2. Buy a BBQ
3. Think of what to buy the inlaws in christmas... (My head hurts)
   
4. Go to the gym (4.1. Really.. truely.. I NEED to go to the gym!)

Four of my guiltiest pleasures:

1. Chocolate. My all time fav was Raspberry River. But they took it off the market. Do they have any idea what they did to me?
   
2. Time alone with Bill.. Not really happening at the moment, but I love Sunday morning sleep-ins and breakfast at Manly.
3. Getting my nails done. Makes me feel girly. I am a girl afterall....
4. Watching cooking shows. You can't really talk to me when they are on. Forget it. Didn't you know that Nigella got her name from me? I am the origianal Domestic Goddess....lol

Four random facts about me:

1. I love children. I guess thats why I have 5. I had a few problems with Lachlan (pregnancy) and stright after he was born Bill asked me if I would "go again" I took one look at Locky and said yes. Looked at Lachlan and said "this is what you get at the end of it" He thinks I am nuts.
2. I threaten to send the kids to the fairies or the gypsy's. I love them to death.. but some times...................................................
3. I met my husband on the internet. We chatted for a while and I always thought I would have nothing in common with him so I made excuses not to go for coffee. He was a mountain climber, ski instructor, personal trainer.. what the hell would he see in me. I fianlly gave in and when he turned up I thought he was an old man! LOL
4. I paid for the coffee!! Twice. He knows he owes me. I tell him alllll the time.

So there you are. Some interesting crap about me.
One thing to add. Lachlan is sleeping 7-8 hours at nite. Such a good wee man.

Meet Lachlan Thomas....
6lb 2oz for the old school people
2730 gms, 47.5 cm.

Its pure love.....

Its 5.10 am. Bill has left for work. (very happy at the thought of getting a week or so off work soon)
I should be back in bed resting and sleeping, with the thought that sometime on Friday we will have our little bubba here. But I can't.
Lots and lots of emotions go through your head when you are pregnant, but the minute you know you ARE going to have the baby, it turns to pain.! I have been pretty lucky over the years. I think I come from good breeding stock, designed to "Live off the land" but you still get worried a bit.
This pregnancy has been different. They all have really, but this one more so.
I am older, my body has twitched a few times. I have a husband who likes to make it look like hes 'doing fine' when all the while hes waiting for a quiet corner to have a crisis in. :) Life has changed alot since I had Liv, for the better and its so much more comforting to feel secure and safe in a marriage. Bill is excited. Liv is just beside herself. Can't count the sleeps fast enough.. its very cute.

So in a few more sleeps (which have lately been anywhere else in the house where I won't distrub Bill and let him get a good nite sleep) (I have actually slept in the bath!) we will be off to the hospital. Bill might need more drugs than me ( I don't plan on using any )
But I know it will all be fine...

Watch this space for news and a picture..

Love and kisses to everyone... Bee good.
And to my baby girl... Please be careful, take loads of pics, but most of all..... enjoy...
I love you so very much


xoxo

This will make you smile!
My sis sent me this.. its so funny and soo do-able!



This one is for everyone who...
a) has kids
b) had kids
c) was a kid
d) knows a kid
e) is going to have kids.
I guess that means all of us!!

DADDY'S GONNA EAT YOUR FINGERS

I was packing for my business trip and my three year old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed. At one point she said, 'Daddy, look at this' , and stuck out two of her fingers.

Trying to keep her entertained, I reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in my mouth and said,
'Daddy's gonna eat your fingers,'
pretending to eat them.

I went back to packing, looked up again and my daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face.

I said, 'What's wrong, honey?'

She replied,
'What happened to my booger?'

You forget things as you get older. Ha. The joys. But one thing I would have thought a woman that has had a baby would never forget. Contractions.
At this point, they would be Braxton Hicks. So named after Mr Hicks. Some say they are false, some say they are real contractions. Hrmmm. Typical they are named after a man. What the hell would he ever know about false contractions!!!
LOL. No serious. They seem to have started, and me being me just dealing with them. They are supposed to be short, just tightening of the uterus. Me.. well you could time mine, and they peak.
Something that 'real' ones shouldnt do. But I can deal with it. Everything is still in place. Bill on the other hand. I forget sometimes that this is his first baby, while I am all calm and relaxed saying don't worry about it. Hes in a mad panic. "Ring the midwife"! Perhaps she shouldn't have told his just how to deliver a baby should the need arise.....

I am sure that it will happen when this bub wants out. Early or late.. (note to baby~~ If you are late... trouble will surely come your way *wink*) lol
No.. everything is fine. Its just getting closer and my poor old body has had enough already.

So ladies... can I get a little caring sympathy sent this way Woohoooo.. fanks..

Take care people ... Hugs and kisses..

For Sammy

I Can

Did is a word of achievement,
Wont is a word of retreat.
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can't is a word of defeat.
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is a word for each hour.
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
I think I can
I know I can ~~~
The little engine
that tried
then could
and did!

We love you Sammy. Be strong.
Remember ....fly....

Happy Birthday Tomorrow.

Cupcakes Cupcakes everywhere.

I made cupcakes last week to celebrate 100 days at Prep for Liv, and this week its her birthday. So for school tomorrow I made cupcakes. Mini ones cause its Maddison's birthday too and I am not sure if her Mum will do something. You can have too much cake you know. Especially if you are a pre-schooler!

So I thought I would post a pic of the cupcake. The birthday girl's cupcake.
Then off to get the bike out of the car, and fumble for the next few hours to get the darn thing set up. Maybe I should wait for Bill to get home from work.... ?

Fairy wishes and kisses to all....

Well hey everyone,

Its been a while and in true Jacqui fashion, I usually don't post until there is something to talk about. Hahaha! Nothing really to talk about. Oh. we did move house. Into a nice brand new house, 4 beds, 2 bath, you know the average family style home. Levi loves the dishwasher. And the girls love having their own rooms.

Ohhhh... Sammi left us. Shes left the nest for a little while, gone to stretch her wings and see whats out there in this big big world. Shes in NZ with Nana and Granddad. I am sure she is having a ball.
I will say tho, that morning was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Let my little girl get on a plane, and say goodbye. For how long no one knows.. and I guess thats one of the hardest things.. She will come back when shes ready.
We all miss you Sammi

We are now at the 28 week stage, and my poor old body is starting to notice a change. I can no longer hide my "bump" and I am starting to "wobble" . I tell ya, its a sight. But all is good, check-ups this week, another scan next month.
I haven't started nesting yet, I feel it coming on tho. I think once I get the car seat and the pram off lay-by, it will kick start me into gear.

Well... I guess in the end I did have a few things to say...

Hope everyone is well, take care everyone one
All my love

I recently had a conversation with a friend from school who has a sweet, darling little girl who always smiles, always happy. Mum and baby both seem very content. I know she has 7 children (bear in mind some are step-children) and shes always smiling.
This day, she wasn't. Something had happened to her at home that would scare and send chills up the spine of any parent out there.

She has a daughter around the age of 3, who on this day slammed a door in the house. This would normally wake her little girl ( approx 4 months old ) from her sleep. On not hearing a cry she went to investigate. As she walked into her little baby's room, she knew there was something wrong. And when she walked over to the cot, her worst fears were confirmed. Her daughter was not breathing and had turned an awful shade of greyish-blue.
As she was telling me this, the tears were forming in my eyes, as were hers. I know she lost her dad just before she gave birth, and this would have been far too much for anyone to bear.
As she picked her little girl up, it was enough to "snap" her out of the incredibly deep sleep she was in and she took a huge breath. Needless to say she rushed to hospital to get her checked out.

All was fine. She was told by the medical staff that she had saved her daughter from SIDS. A disease that all parents fear. Some experts believe that children, like adults, fall into a deep sleep. Because babies don't breathe while in the womb, when they fall into this sleep, they just forget to breathe.
Its a very scary prospect for any parents. She told me that they rushed out that night and bought a baby monitor. Not just a noise one, but one that lies under the mattress and alerts you if there is no movement for 20 seconds. If they stop breathing.. an alarm goes off.
She said it was expensive, but her babies life was priceless. What parent wouldn't say that.
I have since had a look online and for my peace of mind we are planning to get one.

http://www.angelcare-monitor.com

Thank god for technology.

So with Red Nose Day fast approaching, I would encourage anyone and everyone to support this cause. 27th June, buy a red nose!