Oh My

I'm moving to Wordpress!

2008-04-13T21:13:00.003+12:00

Hi! Check out our new baby, PINKYPIE, at my new site! Ohmy!
Change your address books now!

PS i apologise for the quality of the layout over there, Rach, i need your help!!!

My first ever atcs

2008-04-11T08:55:00.004+12:00

"Oreol" and "Big is better"

These are my first ever atcs(artist trading cards). Made for a swap on Swap bot! It was a "Fat girl art swap"! They are done using gel pens and water colour pencils, the one on the left had some marker used too.

Before i did this I didn't realize how small these actually are. They are 2.5 x 3.5 inches!

Drawing is the one creative outlet i am not confident in. Everything else i have tried i feel comfortable doing, this puts me WAY outside my comfort zone!!! I have been practicing though...

Alice Revamp! #1 gel pens

Alice Revamp! #2 Pastels, marker

I am actually enjoying it! Great, another craft pursuit to occupy my time!

Karen gave me the knitting bug back! K, since i got home i finished THE purple cardie from last year!!! I will be sewing it up tonight with Rach. Pics maybe tomorrow!

Oh, and watch this space, we may have a new addition to the family! ;) Hmmm, lets see how many of you are lurking out there! I will tell all on Sunday!!!

XXX

A Relaxing week away...

2008-04-10T16:52:00.003+12:00

Well, for a weekend away, in a 3 bedroom house, with 8 kids ages 6 and under, it was quite relaxed! I wouldn't say relaxING but it was so much fun!

We had great fun catching up with our fave family!

*Joely (1.5), EJ (1.5), C(3.5), Liji(2.5), A (3.5), Roo(4 on Sunday!), O (6), Zo, (5)!!* This was the scene K and i came home to after Jamie kindly offered to babysit all 8 kids! What a man!! (And he has good legs! ;)

I had to go down by myself on the Saturday, Javi wasn't able to join us until Tuesday night, because of work. The N*****ls joined us on Sunday evening! The kids were so good together. We had 5 kids sleeping in one room, and they were pretty good! They had great fun digging in the sand hole, riding bikes, playing with balls... playing in kennels....

Who needs a dog???

Hmm, an extra 5 kids! Our fave Whanga Family comes to visit!

Elijah and Joel on the tramp, with a bike and a screwdriver. You've got to have your screwdriver you know. (I didn't know this was happening!!!)

Easter egg slice

2008-04-09T07:41:00.002+12:00

This was created after we received a cake tin full of these little eggs! 2 weeks after Easter! AGGGHHH! More eggs, we still haven't finished the original ones!

Easter egg slice! Created by....ME!

Ingredients:

4 oz (125g) butter
1 small c sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 c flour
1 t baking powder
2 T cocoa

20 marshmallow Easter eggs (or how ever many you have!)

This makes a small roasting pan size slice!

Cream butter and sugar
Add egg, beat well
Sift ( or don't) flour, baking powder and cocoa and combine on a low speed.
spread in a baking paper lined tin!
break choccy eggs in half, place in microwave on medium for 1min.
Stir
Continue to zap in 30 second intervals, stirring in between!
Spread over the top of base.
Bake @ 150 C for 35 minutes (give or take! it should look chocolaty brown and bubbling!)

YUM YUM YUM!!!

It may not be the prettiest, but it definitely tastes good!

Mmmm...fritters...

2008-03-26T09:01:00.003+13:00

In our family we love fish and chip night, sometimes at the park, sometimes in front of a family video.... This is how much Joely enjoys it....

Are you finished Joel?

An Easter holiday at Red Beach

2008-03-25T16:26:00.005+13:00

You can't go to the beach without a rugby ball! (And yes Jarrod and Jamie, it is on an angle!!!) Over Easter we House sat for some friends in Red Beach! We had a great time looking after their 11 week old puppy (mini Schnauzer, I forgot to take pictures!!!) We spent lots of time at the beach, and the rest of it at another friends place! Oh, and Jen (SIL) and i went clothes shopping... For me!!!
Liji with a starfish! I told Ruby to look cute!
Playing cricket with Drew (2)
Joel is TOO confident in the water! he just runs straight in, doesn't even bother him when he is swamped!!

We love rock pooling! We found starfish, anemones, periwinkles (we call them cats eyes) and one crab!

And next weekend we do it all again at Whanga, on our 3rd annual Family holiday! 8 kids age 6 and under, 4 adults, a 3 bedroom bach! I so can't wait!!! See you soon N*****l's!!! Oh and neither of us a pregnant or feeding this year... I don't think!!!!! ;)))

Shaving cream + 4 kids = 20 minutes time out for Mummy!

2008-03-25T16:02:00.005+13:00

Take half a can of shaving foam...
One plastic table....
Four kids....
a sunny day....
and let the fun begin!!!!

To finish, take one hose and squirt like crazy!!!!

My Mobile

2008-03-02T16:48:00.003+13:00

i have loved making the mobile for Elsie's mobile swap! (excuse the pics!) I made a hand sewn, paper bird, leaf and button mobile. Hung on copper, with a brown polka-dot ribbon tie. It was inspired by one of the beautiful packs of origami paper i picked up at the Sallies! (4 packs 4 $2, all unopened!) paintedfishstudio It is on the way!

OK, finally a picture (Really bad one) of Zozo's quilt! It is made from memory fabrics, clothes of Zoe's, mine (as a child), Mum's, fabric from Mum's duvet, fabric from my Mother-in-law, Great-Great Nanans shirt, The girl's dress fabrics...etc!!

Blog slackness, Craft sweetness!

2008-02-16T23:39:00.006+13:00

Dunno how that last post made it through! Sorry Rach, i saved it as a draft and it posted the title!!

Talk about being slack with this blogging thing! I have SOOOO much to catch up on!

I have being crafting EVERY day. I made all my Christmas presents (plus Zoe's birthday on 24Dec). I have done tons of swaps over at swap-bot. I missed wrinting about Zoe's 5th birthday, christmas, Jarrod's promotion! I also missed writing about Joel FINALLY starting to walk (25 steps!!!!)

So, to start... here are a few crafty pics...

These are button fairys, swap-bot has swaps for them... EVERYONE (except Brigdy has laughed at me for making these!!!

For Lijis Christmas present... A little track in a bag. Pull the ribbon and it gathers up, had to include Duck!!

A pair of owl cushions for my brother and his partner... My own design. Sam always wanted to be an Ornothologist(spelling?) and Mel loves Freedom (Did you notice their owl theme last season?) I was very proud of these!!

I made these letters for Izzy's door, sorry they are not in order! They have the ribbons tied into bows. Also made her a cute retro donkey

Still to come.. Zoes birthday post

The silouettes of the kids i did for Mum and Dad

The etched glass nativity i did *for* Jenna

Pictures of the Kiddlets

Zoes quilt

Crafty goodness

2007-11-21T20:37:00.000+13:00

On the weekend my lovely husband gave me some time out! I have reached exhaustion point and was totally "kidded" out!

I had a lovely time, on Saturday i spent the day sewing (in between swimming lessons and lunch!) I then went to my Mum and Dad's and stayed the night, the next day my Mum and i went to the International Ellerslie Flower Show. I didn't go home until after the kids were in bed.

So what did i sew? Two of the twirly skirts from the Sew Mama Sew link (The House on the hill one!). This pattern is great! However, i would recommend top stitching where she says "don't bother!". It took me 1 3/4 hours to complete both of them and that includes making and feeding my kids lunch in the middle of it! Super fast and Super cute!

I also made myself a messenger bag. Photos to come. I fumbled my way through using a few different tutorials as a guide, but not sticking to any one in particular!

At the flower show i bumped in to a jewellery designer whose jewellery i used to sell. She spotted my button bracelet and grabbed it off my wrist, asking if i would wholesale to her!!! I am just about to send my samples off! Check out her stuff at Simplyjewels. I am hopefully going to be selling for her again before Christmas!

Here are some links i have been wanting to share!

Make sure you check out SewMamaSew this month! Awesome projects every day!

I am loving Elsie Marley's softies!

FatOrangeCat Lovely bags

The Domestic Diva's Disasters Tutorial list of things to make for babies.

Just Tutes Cool tutorials. Kids clothes. Check out the toilet roll cozy!

Zoe asked if i would show you all what she has been up to. She is so into drawing and writing. She would literally do it all day if i let her! I love her pictures, they are always so detailed.

UPDATE: Ruby's toe is still doing OK! Here it is in her lovely purple cast, sitting in her lovely red wheelchair.

Home again, Home again!

2007-11-09T17:29:00.000+13:00

After a week in hospital, blood test, lure, 8 hourly antibiotics, diarrhoea, isolation, 2 days starving, one operation, a PICC line inserted we are finally home! Complete with a bright purple 1/2 leg cast and wheelchair!!!!

What a week!!!!!

This morning i was told it would be another 3-4 days in, at lunch time the prof. came and said, "How would you like to go home?" DUH!

So out came the PICC line, on went the cast and along came the Chair. Ruby was SOOOOO excited! Within 5 minutes she was zooming her way around the ward by herself! She can turn it and dodge things like a rally driver!

She is in a cast and chair for 3 weeks, however, after 1 week she can start walking a bit!

So, what was wrong with her toe? Ruby has a VERY high pain tolerance, after the break she was back up and running in no time, climbing trees, swinging on swings and jumping on the tramp.

Her break just didn't heal. So, they have re broken it, the osteomyelitis has been successfully treated and we are hopefully only a few weeks away from recovery!

They wouldn't normally put a cast on, but she was up and running around as soon as the anesthetic wore off, so they really had no choice!

Thanks for all your love!

P.S The enforced rest was so good for my ankle. I have been am off the crutches and have very little pain left, just a little stiffness! Yay!!

In hospital AGAIN!!!

2007-11-05T14:53:00.000+13:00

Oh My, 2 posts in less than a week! It's a miracle!

An update on Ruby-Gordan...

We are back in hospital. Friday afternoon she threw a 39 C Temp. Whilst on massive doses of antibiotics. I rang the hospital and they said, "Bring her in NOW". Great.
So there i am pushing Ruby (who looked so sick) in the pram, loaded like a pack horse, crutches tucked down each side of the pram and the volunteer in the hospital says...."Sorry love, the elevator is broken!" Ummm.... Do i look like i can walk up stairs???
He finally took me on a 20 minute stroll around the hospital to find a lift that was actually working.

Ruby was put on I.V antibiotics. We are still there. She had a CT scan today and they are considering operating tomorrow. We will be in at least another 2 nights. I am home for two hours now, getting clean clothes and stuff!

Poor Roo has a lure, thrush, a cough, sore ear and runny poos!

OK, from the mouth of babes...

Mum, can i push the buttons in the... (elevator)

Cockroach???
Crocovator
fellavaita
calculator
Stellagnaita
alligator
askabaita
iskillaita

Cute huh?

Snail hunting, crafting and more hospital trips!

2007-11-02T11:27:00.000+13:00

OK, OK, i know, i know, it has been over a month!! I have excuses! Well, my main excuse is now obsolete, we now have broadband!! yay! So much quicker to post here now!

Here is some updates from the last month.

Ruby-Gordan.

This is Ruby's preferred name at the moment! Not Roobs, scoobs, RooRoo or Ruby-Doodle. No longer Cruella or Wobin Hood. Just Ruby-Gordan. WHY? You may ask? Ask the three year old!!

Ruby is now on her 6Th week of oral antibiotics and has had 4 nights in hospital, all for a broken toe! She has developed osteomalitis (?) an infection in the bone. If it is not better by next Friday she will be put under general anesthetic and have a Pick line put in. (This is a long term drip line that has a tube which goes from the inner-elbow up to the heart.) She will then have to have at least 3 weeks IV Antibiotics and up to 6 weeks. It is looking worse right now so it is looking more and more likely.

On Tuesday night i was playing Indoor netball and rolled my ankle. I have some awesome bruising, may have done my tendons and am on crutches!!

Zozo, is doing well. She is starting to read, writing all the time, and is growing up so fast! She is such a helpful girl! Always asking what she can do for me!Liji is a delight! He is starting to talk now, and this has helped him get over screaming NO! constantly! He is so smoochy! Obsessed with Thomas, and likes to carry a snail around with him. He cries when i make him leave it outside!! Occasionally he says to me "It will bite me!" But gets over this pretty quick! Joel is still not walking, although he is now pulling himself up to standing. he can say Ohoh and woohoo! So cute!! Jarrod's new job is going awesome. He is loving it, and still improving every day!

So, about the snail hunting.... Over the last week the kids and i have removed (conservative estimate) over 500 snails from our garden!! The birds around here are very well fed!

Last night i went out in the dark and removed almost 200 in 20 minutes (not including the leopard slugs!!) I WILL save my last 2 lettuces!!!

I have been getting LOTS of crafting done. Knitting, heaps of jewellery, lots of swaps. I will post pics later!

WARNING...BLOOD AND GORE!!!

2007-09-27T08:08:00.000+12:00

My poor little Ruby Anne has her first broken bone!A broken toe!!!! We have VERY heavy bench seats at our dining room table and one of these crashed on to her toe (almost 2 weeks ago now). She has a compound fracture, a big wound over the break and they think she dislocated it too! This pic was taken last night (sorry about the blurriness). It is very infected. They are going to decide today whether she needs a General to clean it out. We have been at the Docs EVERY SINGLE DAY to get it cleaned and dressed, we spent all day at the hospital on Friday and will have another hospital day in the next couple of days!

Then to top it all off Joely has Bronchilitis AGAIN, they think it is going to asthma now, so my tiny little boy has to have a puffer! AAAAGGGHHHH! It's no wonder i am dreaming about the doctors rooms at the moment!!!!

OK, here are a couple of links for you!

beautiful ordinary things Very cool site

A mouse in the house - The most amazing kids illustrations

My Baby is ONE!!

2007-09-01T10:04:00.000+12:00

Baby, Happy Birthday!

You have bought such a joy to my life, Joel. Through this past year of struggles, you have made life bearable. The bond we developed as i carried you, as we were told you had a severe disability, as we found out you didn't, as you suffered from colic and a hernia, as you had a severe reaction to your immunizations, as you have developed slower than "normal", as we lived through Daddy's sickness... You made me smile throughout it all.

I praise God for you daily, for the light you bring to our family.

It was such a shock to find out i was pregnant again with my 4 Th bubba in less than 4 years, but you were worth it! I would do it again in a heart beat.

I love you Joely-Poly-Rock'n'Rolly

xxx mama

BTW Today is also our 6Th anniversary! Jarrod has organised taking me away for the night, it is all a big surprise, he even organised sitters!!

AND Jarrod started a job this week!! It is going well, he has had a good week.

2007-08-16T17:23:00.001+12:00

OK, first things first. I AM FINALLY AN AUNTY!!!!!!! Blake and Jenna's Bubba, Isabel, arrived last Friday, after 30 hours of labour! Weighing in at 9lb7oz!!!! (That is NOT a typo, my skinny little sister-in-law had one FAT baby!) Oh, and i forgot to mention, She was 2 weeks early!!!

She is SOOOO yummy! I am able to make all those cute little girly things again!!

An update on our little Joely. Lots of you will know that we have been waiting for a paediatrician appointment to have Joely's development checked out again. Well today we had it! The Doc agreed with me that he is at least 2 months behind. He is going to see us again in 12 weeks, if there is no improvement then he will be sent for a brain wave test, because he is having periods with a blank look on his face, it is sometimes a sign of epilepsy. They are not overly concerned right now, it is just a waiting game.

I have joined Swap-bot, and just sent off my first parcel! I sent fabric, ribbons, earrings, sequins,

and buttons!

And finally, a question for you all...

How do you know you have a son??? Answer: Mud, Rock and Gumboots! Oh, and the glint of adventure in your eye!!!!

Anyone up for a swap??

2007-08-07T15:02:00.000+12:00

Zozo and her Aunty Jen!

Well, Rog and Jen have been living with us for a week now! It is really nice! Jen has offered to cook 3 times a week, Rog is FANTASTIC at cuddling crying babies and they both are great at helping out whenever we need it! Thanks guys!

Jen and i have been making lots of jewellery this week. I have lots of sewing to do, but, i have lost the sewing bug right this minute!!

Is anyone up for doing a swap? I don't mind what kind! Leave a comment. You don't have to have commented before or know me!

Also, if you have never commented before, please do! I would love to know what you think!

Jess

Crafty crafty!

2007-07-30T18:04:00.001+12:00

Man, i am so slack with this blog at the moment!!! I blame it on only having dial-up!

I have been so busy op-shopping, going to the Moa fabric sale (OH MY GOSH!!!), knitting, sewing, upholstering and making jewellery! Oh, and looking after the fam!

My brother-in-law and his wife are moving in with us tomorrow! We have put Liji in with the girls, Luckily their room is big. Joel still sleeps in our room.

Here is a before and after of the ottoman i bought for $6 the other day! The fabricis a beautiful velvet i got from the Moa sale, it cost me $2 a metre!!! (My first attempt at upholstering)

This set is a customer order! I can't tell you who it is for because she may be reading!

And finally, look at my baby!!! He will be one next month, is JUST starting to commando crawl! He is sooooo cute! Look at those teeth (excuse the snot!!)Is that a record on the number of exclamation marks in one post???!!!

Meet our new babies...

2007-07-17T19:00:00.001+12:00

Much too Grandma's horror, we are now the proud owners of Fred and Ted. Two baby rats!! SOOO CUTE!!! BTW... Their eyes are that colour IRL!OK, a little catch up....

I am weaning Joel.
We just had our first weekend away, without ANY kids (and me not pregnant!!!) Since Joely was born! We went to Whanga and hung out with our friends Greg and Nik (who were also kid free!!!) We went out for every meal, had big sleep ins, and went shopping!
My best friend, Karen, is moving away!! I am so sad about this. I don't know what i am going to do without our phone calls, and our weekly get togethers! (We say it is for the kids to play, but really its for us!!!)
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!! YAY for me!!

Joely's Jacket!

2007-07-02T22:27:00.000+12:00

Here it is...

Made from the same wool as the longies (The Fabulous Fibres Company -DK Natural sheep fleece)

I don't know what the stitch is called (K can you help?) I based it on a mint green jacket i had been given at some stage, loved the design, hated the colour! (actually, i didn't mind it that much, but, everyone else did!!!!)

It looks SUPER cute on him, he asleep right now, so i will take photos tomorrow!!

Lots of completed projects!

2007-07-01T19:06:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone, I know, i know, how slack am I? Look at all my projects i have been working on though! As well as unpacking, and taking care of the Fam!

I have been making lots of jewellery at the moment, we had a visit from the lovely Lauz and her beautiful family! She had already sent me a big pack of beads to play with and i scabbed a few more off her while she was here! I have started making all my own findings too.

BTW check out all the stuff i got today! i am sensing a lot more jewellery work coming up!Next on the list, some knitted longies for Joely! He is wearing these ALL the time! They are knitted with natural undyed wool! So nice and warm! They are knitted using a Knitty pattern for baby cotton cargos!I made them without the pockets, crochet added around the bottom of the legs, waist band extended, and cord added instead of elastic!!(P.S for those of you who like visiting Karen's site, yes it is the same wool she creates with! )AND FINALLY I have been knitting my first ever jacket for Joel, WITH NO PATTERN!!!!

It will hopefully be finished tomorrow!! (If the beads don't take over!!!)

My Big 2 year old!

2007-06-09T10:34:00.001+12:00

Just so you all know, I am still alive! In the past few weeks i have been so crazy busy my poor blog has suffered! This is my first time on the computer in almost 2 weeks! BTW a big public thanks to those wonderful girls who sent me treats! I love you!

Jarrod stayed at his parents for a few weeks while his drugs kicked in and his leg healed (still not totally healed), we moved house and i have had mastitis! Woohoo!

Anyway, i will fill you all in, in more detail soon, but first...

Liji has turned 2... HERE's TO YOU BABY..

My Elijah, Happy boy. As a baby he was so cruisy i would forget to feed him! He never cried, had a smile permanently plastered on his face and was loved by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him.

When Joely was born he suddenly discovered his voice and has not come down since! He is now just as happy but DEFINITELY not quiet!

He is a constant source of joy. He loves cars, Thomas, mud, water, balls, Baby Doel (Joel) and his big sisters. He is a Carbon copy of his Uncle Blake, in looks and personality! He is cheeky beyond belief. He is the snuggliest, smiliest, giggliest little boy, an absolute joy. Right now he is sitting on the step of my craft room (YES, I HAVE A CRAFT ROOM!!!) holding a Thomas video case and kicking his feet!

I love you, my big boy!

xxx Mama

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

2007-05-15T21:10:00.000+12:00

I do love being a Mummy!!

*Jarrod Update* Javi was discharged on Friday, he is having his dressing changed by a district nurse each day. It is starting to improve. We are in the middle of changing his meds, it is a very hard time.

Thankyou for all your lovely comments, they mean the world to me. I am sorry i can't reply personally to each of you right now, but please know i am feeling your love!

Jess

Our life

2007-05-08T21:28:00.000+12:00

I have read alot of blogs lately, talking about the differences between their *blog life* and their *real life*. I have decided to share some of my life tonight for a number of reasons. I don't want my life to appear as "perfect", those of you who know me IRL know that it is far from so.

Eighteen months ago my husband suffered Burn out (we were later to find out that this is the P.C name for a nervous breakdown). He has been unable to work for this time, it has been a huge battle for us, emotionally, physically and spiritually. For the past 5 months he has been suffering from depression as well.

This week has been our hardest of all. Among other things we were given 6 weeks notice on our house last weekend. I am now having to pack and find somewhere for our family to move to. (this will be our 7Th house in 5 years!)

Then on Sunday Javi developed an infection on his knee. He went to the hospital where the Dr said it wasn't infected, just inflammed (Uh, NO!). He went to the Dr. yesterday and she said, yes it was infected and gave him antibiotics. This morning at 7 he got up to go toilet and passed out in my arms from the pain. I had to call an ambulance and he has been admitted with a major infection, they are worried about it getting in to his joint.

Life with a sick partner is not easy, add 4 little kids in to the mix and it is extremely hard at times. I love my husband today more than i ever have before. I know one day i will have my best friend back, i will see his eyes light up and hear his laughter, i know one day my kiddies will get their Daddy back, but until that time i will keep praying for him everyday.

My Boys

2007-04-27T09:08:00.000+12:00

Yesterday Baby Joel started to interact with his big brother for the first time!

I was holding Baby-Joel and Elijah was blowing a dandelion! Every time Liji blew the dandelion Baby-Joel cracked up laughing! When the dandelion was all finished, Liji started talking to Baby-J and making him laugh! It went on for about 10 minutes! SOOOO CUTE!!!! He has never laughed without physical contact before (tickling!!)

Kate, Whip-lash is an online craft competition, each month there is a different *task*. This month you had to make a *cozy*. Check it out, it is lots of fun. Whipup. (or click on the Whiplash button!)

My first ever Whip-lash entry!

2007-04-25T16:22:00.000+12:00

Dummy (Binky) and Diper Cozy.
Dummy Cozy, hooks on to your key chain. Measures 8cm x 7cm when closed. Just big enough for a dummy (or a few coins, or whatever else is filling your pockets!)
The nappy cozy measures 16cm x 20cm. Just big enough for a folded disposable and a small pack of wipes!

The last ice-cream of summer?!

2007-04-16T20:39:00.000+12:00

The kid's enjoyed an ice-cream this afternoon as they watched *Kevinthelawnmowerman* mow our lawns.
Last night i sat up until after 11.00, in a desperate attempt to finish Roo's quilt. I DID IT!

Here are the pics, just for you Dad!!! (I picked up the pink and gold cushion cover for $2 at The Sali Army!)

I have been encouraged by the studio/office pics going round at the moment, tonight I have been changing my dining room/entrance way/lounge all around! I have set my sewing machine up permanently! Yay! Where is Karen when i need her!!!

I will be posting photos as i go!

Nature Journals and Teetering towers!

2007-04-15T18:47:00.000+12:00

I made the most exciting discovery yesterday! I was at my Mum and Dad's house and i was telling my Daddy about Charlotte Mason and her nature journals. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Charlotte Mason, she was an educator in the late 1800's. She wrote many books and manuals talking about home education as is still considered a *must read* for those wanting to home school today!)

Anyways, I was telling Dad about the nature journals and he jumped up, ran up the hall and came back down carrying two books.

The first one, printed in 1885,has the delightful title of, BOTANY Designed to cultivate the observing powers, (The first book of Botany.) It is a teaching book for young children, with beautiful pen drawings.

i found this wonderful quote in the front...

.....Not that more is taught at an early age, but less; that time is taken; that the wall is not run up in haste; that the bricks are set on carefully, and the mortar allowed time to dry.
LORD STANLEY.

The second little book, simply titled, Plant Life, was presented to my great-grandmother in 1908, at Sunday School in Leeds, England. It has flowers pressed by my great-nan nan still between the pages and the most wonderful chapter titles.

How plants eat
How plants drink
How plants marry (?!)
various marriage customs (??!!)
More marriage customs(???!!!)
What plants do for their young (????!!!!)

Tonight we have our first fire of the season! It wasn't quite cold enough, but it is so nice to have a fire burning and to sit under Roo's quilt hand stitching the borders!

I walked into to Roo's room tonight to tuck her in and discovered a teetering tower of toys beside her!! you can see her new Giraffe (chosen by Roo and Nana on a special birthday date) and her giant pink hippo (from Uncle Jake!)

My Little RooRoo is THREE!!!

2007-04-13T13:57:00.000+12:00

Happy birthday to my beautiful little girl, Ruby!

Ruby came into the world in a hurry, think, 25 minutes from the very first pain to her being born!!! She has changed our lives in so many weird and wonderful ways! She has the cheekiest sense of humor, loves to pull funny faces, is so compassionate, is a natural little Mummy! She says the funniest, cutest things. She loves her baby doll (but only if it has no clothes on), she loves cold spaghetti, she is SOOOO imaginative!So far in her life she has been, Cruella Daville (101 Dalmatians), Robin Hood and at the moment she is Jessie the Cowgirl-monkey(????!!!!) When i say she is these names i mean she IS! If she sees a photo of herself she says, oooh look, there is Jessie-the-cowgirl-monkey, if someone asks what her name is she says, Jessie-thecowgirl-monkey!!!When Daddy is sick she asks if she can pray for him.

Please God, be wif Daddy, give him the peas of your Holy Spirit, help him to come to know you one day. Amen!

When she says grace

Sank you for the Israelites and Gideon. Amen!

She is so YUMMY!!!

She is a very *precious* little girl. Likes her routine, has times when all she wants is a Nug-Nug (snuggles) would still have a bottle and Dummy if we let her!

Ruby-Anne, you are such a special part of our family. We love you so much, we love your joyful spirit, your drama-queen nature! Have a very happy birthday, Love.
All my love and hugs and kisses,

Love Mama

Thursdays...

2007-04-09T11:48:00.000+12:00

I have been asked what kind of things K and I do when we get together each Thursday.

Originally we planned to spend the WHOLE day together, right up to cooking our dinner together. With all our pre-schoolers, this hasn't quite worked!

One week we meet at my house, the next at K's house. By the time we get our selves organized it is usually 9.30-10ish before we arrive!

The kids all play together. We bring some toys in to the lounge, if it is fine they might play outside. At my house the kids often play in the bedrooms, at Karen's they often play on the covered deck.

Some weeks we do lots of odd jobs, we hang and fold washing together, we have sorted cupboards together, tidied book cases, de-cluttered lounges among other things! Other weeks we just sit, knit and chat!!!

We generally just *do life* together. We know what the other person expects of their kids. The kids are getting to know the *house rules* at each place.

A huge benefit we have found is that the kids are *used* to the other house. Between us we have three little clingers (kids who like to be around Mummy). The kids are now happy to spend time at each house even if their Mummy has to pop out for a while. If we have to go out to an appointment it means we have that freedom.

Our families friendship has deepened so much since we have started doing this. This past Saturday Javi went and helped J. paint their bedroom,, while K came over with the kids and helped me re-arrange and sort my kid's rooms!! (Thanks, Karen!!!)

Karen and I can talk honestly about our lives, our ups and downs, joys and sorrows.

Please, if you have friend you could do this with, try it!!! It has been SUCH A BLESSING!!!

Visit this site to read the article that inspired us!

A very creative day...

2007-04-05T22:36:00.000+12:00

Lauz, you asked the question, *what is a ripple blanket?* Well, it is a crocheted blanket in a squiggly design!! I started this one for Liji's bed (when he gets in to a bed!) 3 weeks ago. The first photo is at Whanga, the second is taken tonight! I generally try to do one or two rows a day!On Thursday mornings K and I meet up (we visit each other's houses week about). The kids love playing together. And it is nice to have company and another set of hands! I got given a big bowl of organic apples yesterday! so i spent the morning peeling, chopping and stewing and chatting to K! I recommend finding a friend to do this with! Being a Mum is a BIG job, it is so neat to have someone to talk to who is also dealing with the same kind of issues!

I decided at lunch time today that i wanted to make a quilt for Roo's 3rd birthday. Her birthday is next Friday!!!! I went up to Spotlight and found the coolest shabby chic fabrics! I managed to get it cut out tonight, so, the next few nights will be full of the rumble of the sewing machine!!!!

Whanga week one!

2007-04-03T20:04:00.000+12:00

Our first week at Whanga was cool! We went with some of our best friends ... and their 4 kids aged 5 and under! We stayed in Jarrod's Uncle's bach. A tiny 3 bedroom bach (very modernized!). So in total we had... 4 adults, one 5 year old, one 4 year old, three 2 year olds, one 1 year old and two babies!!!a trip to the beach took an hour to prepare for! (sunscreen, togs, snacks, nappies...) and only lasted about an hour! The kids had a ball, they spent ages making sand castles, running from waves, eating sand, crying, finding *treasures*! The kids spent the rest of the time riding their bikes, scooters and go-carts up and down the foot path! The day before we left we got Zoe a new two wheeler bike! As you can see, it is VERY PINK ! She loves it and has picked it up very well!

K and I spent the week crafting (i was working on my ripple blanket!) shopping at the op shop and eating WAY to much chocolate! Jarrod and J spent the week fishing, playing golf and also eating WAY to much chocolate! Mm mm! Check out K's view on our holiday here!

I'm FINALLY home!

2007-04-01T14:12:00.000+12:00

So, I know most of you didn't even know i was going to be away, that is because i was only going for a week, and what with Liji being sick, Joely being grumpy and packing, i was too slack to post before i went.

Our *week* away suddenly turned into two when our car broke down on the way there... AND the way home!!!

I will be sharing my holiday over the next few days, (think sun, beach, fish, op shops, hundreds of kids, torrential rain!)

But a quick catch up...

My Joely is now seven months and has just cut his first tooth!!! He is so YUMMY! He has actually been pretty unwell the last two weeks. He has a chest infection and is very sad. :(

Our little Liji Warning: Possible TMI!!!!

2007-03-13T13:55:00.000+13:00

It must be the season for hospital visits, every second blog i visit at the moment seems to have a post about their hospital drama! Here's ours!

Late last week i got a vomiting bug. It was short and sharp, I am still feeling drained, but i was only sick twice. On Friday night, however, Elijah started vomiting and didn't stop. He then got the *runs*. The poor little thing couldn't keep anything down. So yesterday it was off to the Dr's we go! I spent from 10.30am til 3 sitting at the Dr's trying to get fluids into him. We tried EVERYTHING, all the brands off electrolytes, juice, water, syringes, cups, bottles. As a last resort the Dr decided to send us home and see if he would take a bottle of milk at sleep time. From 7.00am - 8.30pm last night he only passed 1 TEASPOON of wees!! Anyway, i knew he would fall asleep in the car so i gave him the bottle in the car, he didn't even have 10mls before he vomited it all up, all through the van!

So, Jarrod took him off to hospital. They tried getting fluids into him there (including ice blocks) with no luck so they put a Nasal-gastric tube down. From then on he started to improve, he kept the fluids down, ate crackers and even had a yogurt! By the time he got home at 10.30pm he was a different boy!

Today my happy little boy is back, he is pretty weak and pale still, but, he actually ate breakfast!! Woohoo!!!

Party Gifts!

2007-03-08T20:54:00.000+13:00

OK, I have been wanting to get an over locker (serger for you American Folk) for ages. The other day my bestest friend in the whole wide world (i have known her since we were 5!) arrived home from 2 years in China. We caught up for dinner and were chatting about my sewing and stuff. Yesterday she phoned me and said her Mum wants to lend me her over locker!!! Oh my goodness!

THEN... I was driving home tonight with Javi looking at the inorganic rubbish on the side of the road and i saw...................... an over locker!!!! It had no cord but apart from that looked in really good condition! I got it home and plugged my sewing machine cord in to it and it works!!! Perfectly! I am going to get it serviced and try to get a new cord for it! talk about a blessing! (If anyone has a spare cord for a Janome, let me know!)

This morning the girls were talking to our neighbour, Kevinthelawnmowerman, they were talking about his sunflowers, next thing you know he had cut one each for the girls! Beautiful!!
P.S plus a couple of random kiddie photos!

Come join our POOL PARTY!

2007-03-06T14:19:00.000+13:00

Today we are having a pool party! Sunglasses, slip'n'side, ice-cold Coke! Maybe even some ice cream (Hokey Pokey of course) We even got a real-life parcel in the post! (pooh bear singlets for Joel)

Dinner will be a BBQ! Steak and sausys anyone?

And what would a pool party be without a game of *RainRainGoAway*! (Jump on the tramp giggling hysterically while Mummy Squirts you with the hose!!!)

Come join the Party!!!

2007-03-03T20:41:00.000+13:00

Have you joined the Ultimate Blog Party yet? Click on the link on the left and join the fun! It isn't as hard as it looks. Mr Linky is on the Main page of the site. If you look at the last few comments it provides a link.

Look what I made last night. (i know the photos suck, sorry!) I found a wonderful site, here, Applehead

It has awesome tutorials. I LOVE the twirly denim skirt, and these felt boxes are so sweet!

I made mine from some black felt i got at the Op Shop (a Metre and a half!!!), embroidered simplistic flowers on it then lined it with some funky floral i picked up cheap at Spotlight! I love this! I completed it in one evening. (at the last Undie Makers Meet!) I am already on to my second one, the next one has different embroidery.

Hi to all my new visitors. I love your comments and e-mails!

What I am making...

2007-02-26T21:33:00.000+13:00

Here are a few pics of my WIP's...

1. Aprons! (This one is for you Ammy.) They are made from a set of funky sheets my Mum and Dad got as a wedding present 30 years ago!!! I found the coolest green grosgrain (?) ribbon, it has little white dashes along the edges. One down, 18 to go!!! (Excuse the wrinkles! I forgot to iron this first!)

Check out Ruby's very cool wrists bands! I made them out of the sleeves of a thrift ed jumper i was re-fashioning. Ruby LIVES in them, she even wears them to bed! Such a Style-Queen, my girl!

2. I have made my first ever top WITHOUT A PATTERN! It is a plain black top, with a waist band, a hood lined in BRIGHT pink, stitched with bright green! I really like it. I just need to finish the arm holes. I don't know if i should put little sleeves on or not. What do you think?

We have no water today, we discovered at 8pm tonight that our outside tap was gushing water! We think it has been doing it for a few days. We had noticed the sound of water in the pipes but, couldn't work out what it was. So tomorrow i will be calling the landlord about that AND the broken dish washer! Oh man!

Hair cuts all round!

2007-02-24T18:40:00.000+13:00

Yesterday the girls, Javi and i all had hair cuts. Javi's and mine were quite extreme, the girls just trims...

Ruby... before...after...during!

Zoe... before...after...during

Me...before...after...

In case you can't tell, mine is assymetrical, quite short on one side, sharp layers, longer on the other with soft curly layers!!!

An my SPUNKY SPUNKY husband! He haden't shaved since Joely's birth! Almost 6 months! Oooh I love him!!!

And one more pic to leave you with, my lovely Zozo, dressed up to marry her Daddy!

I'm going to be an AUNTY!!!

2007-02-21T09:07:00.000+13:00

I can finally tell... I'm going to be an aunty! My kids are actually going to have cousins a similar age!!!
Javi's little brother Blake and his wife Jenna are having a baby, and, it is due a week before Joely turns ONE! (due date 24Th August, Bday 31st August)
Zoe keeps on talking about *our* baby. I don't think she has realized that baby won't be living at our house! When Joely was born, we didn't tell the girls what *kind* of baby he was. They came up to the hospital and had to check his nappy! They have asked to do it again for this baby!
This is Jenna with baby Joel... She suits the look, Huh?

Last night Zoe had a little friend to stay. O aged 5. They are the best of friends and have had great fun playing *Kings and Queens, Mums and Dads, Vets, Dr's, jumping on the tramp*

Last year we went away to Whangamata with O and his family. (It is about to become an Annual event, we are off again March 17). There are now 4 kids in his family too. All about the same age as our four. Our relaxing holiday is going to be ... 4 adults, 1x 5yo, 1 x 4yo, 3 x 2yo's, 1 x 1yo and 2x babies!!! All in a small three bedroom bach!!! What fun!

OK, here's some more summer photos for you to enjoy...

This is a pic of Zo and O at Whanga last summer, checking out the surf!

Here is my Ruby having a slide... Roo playing *house*...

And i just had to share this FIRST EVER pic of my boys snuggling! Aren't they yummy?

Summer fun

2007-02-18T22:06:00.000+13:00

The girls and I spent ages today watching a cicada stuck in an Orb Web spider's web. We had arrived home from a lunch at Nana and Papa's, just in time to see this HUGE cicada fly into the web. A large yellow spider then ran out and we watched over the next couple of hours as he wrapped and then winched this big bundle (twice his size!) 60cm up to a branch, before settling down to have a meal!

Now, as you all know, I do not like spiders!! (for obvious reasons) But i was fascinated watching this little guy at work. He was so careful, diligent, creative and determined! All things i could definately use more of! I could really appreciate the beauty of this ugly, scary little creature!

It is the height of Summer here. Full of cicada noise, beaches, icecreams, freshly mowen lawns, sprinkler rain, togs, sunscreen, slip'n'slides... all the wonderful sights, sounds, smells of summer. I love the brightness of it all.

Despite all this, I have been thinking about my girls' winter wardrobe! I have been so inspired by the beauty and creativity that is out there. I have fallen in love with the romance of the dresses at portabellopixie . Such amazing designs and craftmanship. Beebeemod has the cutest little onesies. TinyHappy , A new Zealand designer, makes the cutest little clothes. I love her wrap-dress tutorial. I'd have to have a baby girl though!!!

I found a very cute little skirt pattern at the Sallies the other day (.50c!) Uncut! I also raided my Mum's stash of vintage patterns. I don't think I am quite up to making my own patterns yet! Now, if only i had the time...!

A good friend of ours has also commissioned some fingerless gloves (black with red racing stripes!). He has just moved to Invacargill and is freezing already, so, i need to get these done as quickly as possible!

A day of baking and making

2007-02-15T21:50:00.000+13:00

Having a whole day of making and baking is so much fun. Yesterday *the girls* and I had great fun all morning baking in the kitchen. We started off baking bread, then moved on to the choc-chippie biccies! There was plenty of taste testing going on, and of course, the wearing of aprons!
My lovely SIL, Jenna, made me THE coolest apron for Christmas (we did a *make or bake* Christmas). It ties around the waist, has 4 pockets and is made from grey denim and grey fabric with skulls on! Very cool!

At nap time i got busy on my dress, it is now finished up to the hemming. I love it! However, i have realized it is quite see-through!!! It will be perfect over leggings with boots in winter. Or over jeans. I am saving the pics for after the meeting of the *Undie Makers* tommorow night.

I also made the first of the pencil rolls. I was so happy with the way this turned out, as i just made it up as i went along!

Today we went back to the Op Shop to pick up the wardrobe i am planning on restoring. It cost me a whole $15!! It is painted an ugly green. Javi is not convinced on it yet, but, i think it will work!

When i saw this...

...I just had to take him home. He had no ears and no eyes, so, i raided my stash and whipped up some ears, and sewed on square, pearl button eyes! He is to become *the girls* new dress-up box!

Hospitals and Op Shops!

2007-02-12T17:21:00.000+13:00

Update on the spider bite. I was admitted to hospital Sunday night (along with baby Joel) because the infection on my leg was still spreading and my chest infection was getting worse. We finally were put in a ward at 1am! I was in the coronary ward because it was the only place we could have a room to our selves. The nurses kept coming in to coo at Joely cos they never get to see babies in there!

After 3 more doses of Iv antibiotics, i was finally released in the morning with a very swollen hand (from the lure getting knocked) a sore leg and a slightly better cough! Hopefully i won't have to go back again.

The girls each went to stay at a grandparent's, so, Javi and I spent the day watching Collateral (Tom Cruise, I don't rate it) and crocheting dish cloths. I also spent a fair bit of time snuggling this beautiful little boy!

Today I went Op Shopping. Zoe was still at Nana's, so i thought it would be a good time to get out and about.

I picked up some pretty mean deals! For $12 i got
*6 full balls of 100% cotton, 8ply (more dishcloths)
*A very cool carpet bag, perfect to use as a knitting bag
*3 beautiful fabric napkins, destined to become pencil rolls*A plastic dolls car seat, for Ruby's *Pinkbaby* *2 vintage books for the kids - The Little Golden Book Bedtime Library (Full of Margret Wise Brown!!) and Friends Old and New (Basic Reader.)

A 'relaxing' weekend at the beach!

2007-02-05T17:22:00.000+13:00

We have had a crazy, busy week, starting with a weekend at the beach. A weekend spent running round after the kiddies, multiple trips to the park, ice-creams everyday (Jelly-pips!!) and swimming at the beach. With 4 kids ages 4 and under a trip to the beach lasts for an hour at the most!! Luckily we were staying 5 minutes walk from the beach. (OK, i admit it, we drove!! you try carrying 4 kids, towels, beach toys and snacks!)

I did manage to get a little sewing in. Well, i took my machine but only got as far as cutting out the pattern!

I then got bronchitis and another spider bite! Last night saw me sitting in hospital having IV antibiotics. I have a drip in still and i am about to go back to hospital for another dose - and people wonder why i hate spiders! I then have to go back to the Doc tomorrow for chest x-rays and more blood tests. What fun!

Anyway, everyone is asking what I am working on at the moment...here goes...

1. Piles of pre-folds for Joely (made from thrift ed flannelet cot sheets!)

2. Crocheted cotton dish cloths (aran weight cotton from my lovely friend at Patootie (blog coming ) :p

3. My first dress! (for myself - I have made plenty for the girls) It is McCall's M5137.

I am saving the pictures for when it is finished! Hopefully by Friday night.

I will be posting more frequently from now on - i am finally getting the hang of it, so feel free to drop on by!

Welcome to Oh My!

2007-01-30T12:14:00.000+13:00

Well, it has finally happened! I have been talking about "Oh My" for months!!!

I have finally taken the first step!

My plan is to use this site to document my walk as a Wife, Mama, Christian, Homeschooler, Crafter and whatever else comes to mind at the time!

A little introduction, I am 26, i have been married to Javi for 5 years and we have 4 beautiful kiddies. Two girls and two boys. (Zozo, 4, Roo, 2 1/2, Liji, 1 1/2 and Joely 5 months)We are trying to move out to the country, we want the whole dog, chickens, vege patch thing!

As I develop this blog it will grow to include links to my favorite sites, photos and possibly even tutorials! Everything i love in a good blog.

You are welcome to come with me on this journey. I apologise in advance for my lack of "blog Tech Knowledge"! I promise i am a fast learner!