One Weekend Wonder {9} Home Day

One Weekend Wonder - {a weekly link-up} - a special moment or experience captured during the weekend. One you want to cherish.

I saw on the weather forecast that today was going to be high 30's, so I sent out a text to a few girlfriends during the week, inviting them over for a Sunday afternoon of food, sun & swimming.

Chris went away on a business trip today, but before he left we still got to enjoy a morning altogether - it looked just how any Sunday morning should look. There was coffee & busy kids. Sun was streaming in the back windows and the heat was already peaking by 7:30am. So we splashed and played by the pool, and absorbed the goodness of the perfect Spring day.

Ryder was down for a nap by 9am.

Chris headed off to the airport, while the kids and I hit the local shopping centre to do a mammoth grocery shop.

The afternoon rolled on slowly and enjoyably. The girls {and baby London} came over, and we simply enjoyed good company & an easy, fun catch-up.

I love London's face here. LOVING it.

Followed by a sunset bike ride up on the local reservoir tank.

The perfect end to a fairly cruisy weekend...

Summer's coming! Yeehaah!

Ryder is cutting a big fat molar tooth at the moment, one of many, I know. It's been causing him some grief, especially at night. His sleep as been all over the place and getting him down in the evenings has been quite the battle. Here's hoping to a fairly good night tonight :)

How was your weekend? Link up if you blogged about it...

Hello Spring.

Today Brisbane was blanketed in all of Spring's glory. In fact, it could've passed as a Summer's day. It was hot!

I wasn't complaining though.

Spring is officially here, and I'm loving it.

Even the house looks prettier in Spring!

And while Ella was at Kindy today, Ryder & I spent some time outside.....in singlets and bare feet. Just as Spring should be.

The grass needs mowing, the gardens need weeding, but the air was crisp & the sky was blue. And that makes everything better, don't you agree?

And when the season shifts like this, what's a Mumma to do? De-clutter and Spring Clean of course.....

I only had one child in tow today - the perfect chance to tackle a cleaning job.

First stop - Ryder's room! I set him up on the floor with toys galore, opened the window to let in the gorgeous Spring air and got to work on his wardrobe....

Oh hello Spring Air. C'mon in. You're more than welcome here.

I sorted through draws of baby clothes. 90% of it he has well & truly grown out of. So I culled. A pile to throw away. A pile to giveaway. And a pile to sell. I cleaned baby mats and swings, and things we no longer need, as our 'baby' nears one. I reorganised and re-shelved. I folded and neatened. I culled bigtime. It felt good. As good as a season shift :)

Tomorrow, I attack her Majesty's wardrobe :) It shouldn't take too long, as we did 'de-clutter' her room not so long ago. But I'm sure I'll find items that no longer fit or a no longer needed. There's something about 'clearing out' that exhilarates me. The clearing of a physical space, seems to clear my mind too. The hoarder in me, is gradually being overtaken by the live-more-simply-ME. Less stuff means less mess and less stress. I think. That's the aim anyway.

And while I'm on this Spring Cleaning frenzy, I may even attack the windows in this house. And since we live in a house of glass....that truly is a mammothly motivated task :) Wish me luck.

Hello Spring. Nice to see you.

Hello August.

Oh hello there August, gosh you sneaked up on us ever so quickly!!

We're three days into August. And that my friends, is a wonderful thing. Coz August ROCKS!

Oh hello lovely August sky.And why am I looking forward to August so much?.....

For starters, it's the last month of winter. A big cheers to that!

It's also a month full of special birthdays!! This month we'll be celebrating both mine & my best friend's 30th Birthdays! My sister-in-law Michelle is also an August baby! We have 2 kid's birthday parties to attend! My parents arrive back home after 8 weeks in the USA. AND.....we're heading away up the coast next weekend for a few nights away....PLUS....drumroll......My little family & I are heading away at the end of the month for a week in paradise! My amazing husband has organised & fully booked a week of relaxation & family fun in the glorious Whitsundays for my big 3-Oh Birthday!!!! Lucky I say! Lucky & so appreciative!!!!

This August truly is gonna ROCK!! I can't wait!

And although it's going to be a busy one, I'm also making an effort to tune down the pace in other areas. I'm declaring August as 'calm month' :) I'm trying to be more organised, so that I don't feel rushed or stressed. I'm saying no to certain things & some jobs so I'm not overwhelmed with gigantic to-do lists. I'm changing priorities, and making decisions. I'm allowing myself some time to sit & relax....watch TV every now & then....actually finish the 2 books I'm currently reading.....have a bath.....blog & write.....sip coffee in the sun! I'm going to do these things and not feel guilty. I'm sick of feeling too busy, too rushed, and always guilty! I've returned to a fitness class {Mum n Bub class} and loving it! I'm making sure I'm eating during the day & attempting healthier options! I'm going to stop stressing about how fast this year is going & that my baby is almost 1. And in turn for making these changes this month, I hope to enjoy it more....and more importantly be more present within each moment. Actually BE with my family, and not so distracted.

Spring is just around the corner....I can feel it :)See, I told you. August is going to be FABULOUS!!!

Happy August everyone!

Coffee in the sun. Enjoying the little things!

Closing Doors. Moving On. And Living Life!

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” {Alexander Graham Bell}

Last Friday, I closed my classroom door! 3:30 that afternoon, I switched off the lights, grabbed my final box & closed the door behind me! It was the last time I will be 'closing that door' for......1 year, 2 years, forever.....who knows?! I've taken 15 months leave, but have no exact plan on when I'll really return! I'm on Maternity Leave.....yahoooo!!

And I love that about life......you can plan, you can organise, you can imagine & you can dream.....but there's no definites! I like the feeling of not knowing what the future holds for me....for us! It's kind of scary & exciting at the same time!  

Closing that door actually felt symbolic! Last time I started Maternity Leave {when pregnant with Ella}, I left work knowing I would be back part-time after a year off and that was a decision I was happy & content with....something I had to do to help support my family whilst also fulfilling my career aspirations! But it felt different this time as I shut that door. With the contentment that I can return whenever I need/want to, I also felt liberated that closing that door would allow new doors to open to me....new opportunities to cease.....new dreams to chase! 

We're going to have a new baby soon & that's really cool! But I also have goals & aspirations to use this 'time off' as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to focus on being ME....being a MUMMY....being a WIFE......changing & growing Scissors Paper Rock.....focus on my writing, my hobbies, my friends, my home.....MY life! It feels good! 

I have a feeling that things will be ok! They always are......it just depends on how you look at the situation! Coz closing one door in life isn't always doom & gloom & goodbyes.....it's a chance to open a new door, walk through & move on! 

I turned 29, three weeks ago :) I was spoilt by Chris with a new dishwasher & washing machine & gorgeous flowers delivered to me at work.....but more importantly, I was spoilt with Love & Hugs & Support from my amazing family & friends! We celebrated that night....MEXICAN style :) I wonder what the last year of my 20's will bring?? Life is Good! 

{Ella with the giant Tequila Worm.....haaaa.....looks suspicious I know!!!! Haaa! And it was even more suspicious when it burst & shrivelled up LOL FUNNY!}

Another door we closed.....was a goodbye to my car! With Chris being a 'car lover', we go through cars regularly! In fact, I never get 'attached' to a car.....because usually we only have it for about 6 months! BUT....I've had my recent car for almost 4 years. We bought it 10days before Ella was born! Besides my first ever car when I was 17......It's the longest I've kept a car. And being the car that we bought Ella home from the hospital in....the car that has driven us to some amazing places over the past 3.5years.....the car that Ella & I live in some days as we run errands...I think some attachment may have been made :) We had tossed up with the idea of selling it....but after 'the crash', both Chris & I decided it was time to close that door & move on! Good bye Bluey :)

Spring is officially here!! And I love it!! The weather is clearing up, the air is warm & full of hope that a new season always brings! The grass {and weeds} are growing again, blankets & winter trackies are being stored away and we're enjoying beach trips & long park plays again.....

{I love SPRING in Australia!}

{ABOVE: and as I rested my swollen feet.....this is what I saw! My girl....happy....enjoying the park, the fresh air....LIFE! What's not to be grateful about that? Life is good.....just depends on the way you look at it!!!!}

{ABOVE: and this is my view when I look down at the moment! a BIG round belly with 2 little pudgey, sore feet poking out the bottom!}

I'm 34 weeks pregnant! WOW......not long to go now :) And to be honest.....I feel big and very sore and VERY uncomfortable, but I love having a life inside me, a life that is growing & blooming & very-much-loved! He moves a lot....more than I think Ella did at this stage, but I like the constant reminder that he's there & he's doing ok! I'm excited about his arrival & curious as to how life will be with TWO little souls to love! Ella has been MY EVERYTHING since she was conceived & I am ready to have that equal love for another little life! EXCITING TIMES ahead I think!!! New doors to open!!

Life for us has been crazy lately.....unpredictable & busy. Lots of changes happening. Lots of doors closing & new ones opening. Friendships breaking down, yet others getting stronger! Big decisions to make and being made. Exciting opportunities being presented. Hard work being paid off. Kicks-in-the-guts being experienced {literally & metaphorically}. Amazing memories being made & love and happiness taking the lead. But, I feel calm & optimistic & happy! 

BTW: I will continue our USA holiday posts soon. The Canada leg is next :)

Also, welcoming new blog sponsor VISTAPRINT. I get all my business stickers, labels & postcards from them....they rock! Check them out!  I feel honoured to have them here.....paying me to write :)

Happy Days Everyone! 

What doors are you closing & opening lately?

This Saturday, I'm Grateful for......WEEDS!

I'm joining in with Maxabella's GRATEFUL Saturday Linky again, as it's a lovely reminder to look for beauty in everyday life....and to acknowledge things that we're grateful for & make us smile :)

Today, on this Saturday, I'm grateful for the sea of yellow in our backyard!

YES, they may be WEEDS....but this sight of sunny yellow goodness each morning truly makes me smile! I love SPRING!!!

We've had quite a lot of rain on & off to kick-start this Spring & in result, our garden is over-growing quicker than we can keep up with it's maintenance! But it's all good....because it gave Ella & I the perfect excuse to get outside today in the gorgeous morning warmth & spend some fun time together. Her with my old camera in hand & me with my fave new toy hanging from my neck, we both snapped away at the yellow overgrown garden :) It was nice! And I'm glad we did, because it lead to discussions on the sun & bees & spiders & bindies.....and of course our dandelion-blowing-wish-making tradition :) I will post Ella's photo's that she took on her blog soon, when I get the chance.....but here are my weedy happy snaps from today.....

A lone flower against the retaining wall made me smile :)

Ella in pyjama's, gumboots & camera in hand....now what's NOT to be grateful about that? heee!

I'm glad our weeds are dandelions & yellow flowers...coz they're so damn pretty :) However....we must tidy up....and this afternoon Chris is mowing :) But to add a little balance....I also love the look, feel & smell of freshly cut grass...our yard looks so inviting & new when it's been mowed :)

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."  ~Vincent Van Gogh ~

What are you grateful for today? Remember it can be the smallest of things...hidden in the most random of places!

Happy Saturday All!

JOY.......

Yesterday started with pure delight.....we awoke to NO RAIN & SUNSHINE...yahooo! After a weekend of pretty much non-stop rain, it was heaven to see a perfect day ahead of us! Ella & I began our usual morning routine, of her sipping her warm milk & me my coffee.

I asked her what she wanted to do for the day & was given a confident response "THE BEACH please Mummy!!!". And just at that moment as if my friend & I were listening to each other's thoughts, she pops up on Facebook Live Chat with "Do you want to do something today?" Ummmm...hell yes :) So....off to the local beach {ok bayside} we went......

Let me tell you.....this day was PERFECT: 

And having good friends in life truly makes the day's brighter & our hearts warmer!

Spring has definitely kicked off with a BANG!! I'm already anticipating the magic Summer will bring!