Did someone say pancakes? On a weekday?

Now before I get started I feel that I need to offer a bit of a disclosure. You see I feel that I have already written this post but I just can't seem to find it. Which perhaps means that my feeling is wrong. Maybe I didn't write it I just though really long and hard about it. Stranger things have happened I know.

Of course if the Blogger search box widget was working properly I would be able to have a really good look and know for sure one way or another but sadly that is not the case. In fact the Blogger search is so useless that I have removed it from the side bar. Which is more than just a little frustrating but what can you do? I fear I was the only one that ever really used it anyway so little sleep will be lost.

Apparently the only other time I have mentioned pancakes was here,
which was not the post I thought I had written and was looking for,
it is however a super cute photo.

Pancakes are one of our most loved breakfasts here. But then that is not really surprising. Who doesn't love a good pancake for breakfast?

A better question might be who actually has time to cook pancakes in amongst the weekday morning hustle and bustle?

Well put the mixer down and hold the phone because have I got the best news for you.

Cooked pancakes can be frozen and then simple zapped in the microwave as needed.

AMAZEBALLS huh?

I was totally gobsmacked when I first read about it. In fact I went and whipped up a batch right away, stuck them in the freezer and gave it a go. And then when I discovered that it was true I felt like my life had changed forever. So much so that I was certain I went and blogged about it right away but apparently not.

Anyway I am sharing the news now and that is all that matters. And in case you don't have a fail safe pancake recipe I am going to share mine with you.

The most awesome pancake mix ever*

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/2 cup almond meal or oats or combination of both or any other similar substance

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1 grated apple

1/4 cup golden syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Grab a large bowl and throw all the ingredients in

Get the electric mixer and mix it all together until you have a lovely smooth batter.

If you wish you can sift flour, pre beat eggs and milk and then add gradually but experience has taught me that at the end of the day it makes little difference other than mixing for a bit longer.

Heat pan with some butter and oil in the bottom. Tip excess oil and butter into glass jar to be reused between each batch.

Spoon desired amount of batter into pan and cook until little bubble appear. The bubble indicate it is time to turn. Flip and cook until golden brown on both sides. Repeat until batter is all gone.

Serve with your favourite toppings, ours include maple syrup, sugar & lemon, honey (& lemon), fresh fruit, yogurt, nutella and on some days even ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Whatever doesn't get eaten layer between baking paper and whack in the freezer till you next want pancakes. Even on a school day.

Frozen pancakes can be zapped for around 30 seconds each I think (I am fairly confident you will be able to work it out for yourself)

* I feel it would be remiss of me not to say that I rarely actually measure the quantities used I think this is about what I would use. If it is too thick add more milk, too runny add more flour. The apple can be optional as well if you leave it out put in a little more sugar.

Things I Know About Perspective

 If you were hanging round this neck of the woods on Tuesday you would have read something already about the notion of perspective. It followed on from my very first post of the year where I welcomed the start of 2014 and pondered over the possibility of selecting a word to guide me through the year.

Even now, as I type this, I am not really sure how perspective really fits as a word of the year type word but at this point it is all I have got so I am running with it.

There is something about it (perspective) that just keeps floating around the inside of my brain telling me to keep it at the forefront of my mind. Not being one who likes to ignore the rather random and nonsensical thoughts that wander between my ears from time to time I am trying to explore this whole perspective thing a bit further.

Perspective - it's all about how you look at it

original images by raZna

I know that perspective is the way that you see things.

I know that your perspective depends on who you are and what you have been through.

I know that my perspective may be different to yours and vice versa.

I know that perspective changes with both time and experience.

I know that stopping to consider the perspective of others is an important human trait.

I know that seeing someone else's perspective is not always easy.

I know that even when we try and consider someone else's perspective unless they tell us what their perspective is we will never really know for sure.

I know that sometimes we may never understand someone else's perspective, but we should always try.

I know that it is our perspective that helps to shape our life and the way it is lived.

I know that our perspective is our choice.

I know that I am linking  up the The Miss Cinders

Thankful for so many things

I am thankful I finished this hat for Teapot.
I am even more thankful that it fits and
she likes it.

It's funny you know, I spend all week long thinking of what I will give thanks for on Thursday. Being someone who feels incredibly blessed in life there is always plenty to choose from. 

So all week long as my blessing fall at my feet I wonder whether it will make the cut to be included in my Thankful Thursday post. Yet here I am, nearly two hours after I would like my post to be live, with no post written and still not certain what shape it will take.

With that in mind today's post is probably going to be a collection of short sentences with no sensible segue between them. I thank you for you understanding.

I am thankful that I don't beat myself up when I miss my self imposed deadlines that really don't make a difference to much one way or the other. Though I do wish I could be thankful for being able to push myself to reach these deadlines.

I am thankful that I realise I am a work in progress so there is still hope for me to be all that I can.

I am beyond thankful that I got to spend so much time with my sister and nephew over the festive period.

I am thankful that during this ridiculous heat wave we have been experiencing this past week I have the luxury of both a pool and air-conditioning.

In preparation for our big adventure in July Mr Awesome has had to step down from his 2IC position at work. Which meant come the new year he had to hand back his work car. I am thankful that we were able to get a motor to put on his bike to make his commute easier. It was much more affordable than a second car.

I am thankful that Mr Awesome is not a mucho mucho man and has the sense to wear a helmet while on said bike. 

Tomorrow sees the return of Lovely who has been visiting family in another state for the first half of the holidays. To say I am thankful is an understatement. Though I must also add that I am thankful she could have the time away. It was something we both needed I think.

I am thankful to Stephanie for telling me about this course. I am a bit excited about the prospect of studying again. Even if it only is for a month. It will be a great motivator for other things. Speaking of Stephanie, she has a rather cool little blog and Facebook page called Wealth On A String. She shares all kinds of amazing money saving ideas. She is still in the foundation stages and doesn't have a big following yet. I know she would be thankful if you headed on over and liked her page.

Today sees the girls and I hanging at the park with friends we haven't seen since last year. I do love the start of the new year when you can make such dramatic sounding statements. I am thankful to have such people in our lives.

Last week ten bloggers joined in with Thankful Thursday, for that I am beyond thankful. And I am not just thankful that they joined in but joined with such beautiful heartfelt thanks.

So tell me, what are you thankful for today?

The Black Dog

The other day a while flitting about on Facebook a friend shared a link to an Upworthy post that offered explanation to as to what depression was like.

Personally I have managed to escape any formalised diagnosis of depression. There was an instance a few years ago (not long after Teapot was born and my father had passed away) where I think I may have come pretty close to ticking a lot of depression boxes. I am glad those days are behind me.

Anyway there was so much in this clip that I wanted to remember I decided sharing it was the easiest way to save it for later. That and the fact I hadn't yet organised a post for today and I am not yet ready to walk away from post every day challenge.

So here it is for your enlightenment and my memory later.

Perspective.

With the new year well and truly here now, most people have got their inspirational and motivational post for the year out. You know the one where they go on about all the wonderful things that they hope to accomplish and all that they hope to be the whole year through and all that blah blah blah?

Of course we all know by now that I am not like most people. In fact I wonder if most people really are like most people? You know on account of all the differences that we all have, but already I am getting off track.

Come the first of January I tried to be like most people and sat down to write a post about the wonders of the new year and all that it would hold. Really all I did was welcome 2014 and whinge about not having enough money or being able to get a dream job. Go me.

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty." Perspective defines how you see the world, and the decisions you make in response to situations which may arise.
Image found here

I know at the end of the post I hinted about maybe having the word perspective as my word of the year. An idea that I have toyed with for nearly a week now. So much so that I have even named this post (well at least tentatively while I try and get it written) with the notion of it being about perspective.

Yet something doesn't quite feel right about it. And by something I mean, actually I have no idea exactly what I mean. Which quite frankly is driving me bonkers because for the most part I am certain I am on to something (provided of course I work out what that something is)

Screen shot taken from here

Now I know that there are few sureties in this crazy old world of ours but one thing that is relatively common is the fact that we all have varying perspectives. That is not to say similar perspectives aren't shared amongst people, because they are, but to me it is the differences that need greater consideration, acknowledgement and acceptance. Which I think for me is what I want to focus on this year.

The way other people look at the world at large. Their perspective. The way they see things differently from myself. While it might just be some fleeting half brained idea, the notion that there is much to be learned from our differences keeps bouncing around my pretty little head.

My list of faults is long and tedious. I am a work in progress. As much as I am full of awesome (particularly in my own lunch box) there are some fundamental changes to my being that need to be made I want make. Things like my lack of motivation or laziness, the line between the two is thin and blurred. I need to find new ways to look at things to encourage myself to just get them done. And by things in this instance I mean boring household tasks that often feel like they suck the life force out of me.

Post by Kate Says Stuff.

To me this is the essence of perspective and why being able to see the perspective of others has it's advantages.

In this case I can see both perspectives. Yes I too show my family I love them with cuddles and time spent together rather than doing the laundry. However there is no denying that the laundry will always need doing. In fact at the end of each and every day there will be laundry patiently waiting to be seen to.

So when I have no choice but to get on with tackling Mount Washmore or Mount Foldmenow, I gently remind myself that I will do so with a happy heart and not begrudgingly because I love my family and they love clean clothes. Well I assume they do, I know I do.

Chores, whether we like it or not must be done. We expect our children to just get on with them without constant complaining and I am starting to realise that I must as well. Especially if I am going to assign myself to the whole be who you want your children to be ideology. At the end of the day it all boils down to how you look at things and your perspective.

Originally this post was called Perspective - Don't only think of yours. I had intended (hoped?) that it would be a post about the beauty of putting yourself in someone else's shoes, looking through their eyes and trying to see things from their perspective. By doing so I believe that you will open yourself up to a world of new possibilities that you may not have been able to see before. Some of which will give you a better understanding of those around you. Obviously though that is not quite how it turned out.

Mind you I am just glad this is now out, it was kinda blocking me in many ways. I am sure though that there will be another post or two about the importance of perspective for me this year.

Joining in with IBOT with Essentially Jess

I must confess I am not sure I have much to say

Well that is not exactly true.

I know I always have a lot to say, it is just sometimes it I might not know how to say it and I think that is where I am at today. But the opportunity to write presented itself, and I could not let it slip on by.

So here I am. Confessing to all manner of things as well as quite a bit of nothing.

There are a few ideas that have been rattling around my noggin regarding the new year, words and what I hope 2014 will bring for me. Only the way in which to share these with you is still evading me. Please bear with me as I work out how to get it all out. I must confess that the process will probably involve quite a few nothing posts while my brain sorts the rest out.

After being here for nearly two weeks, yesterday saw my sister and nephew return home, to the other side of the country. Heartbreaking to say the very least but at least it is only the other side of the country as opposed to the other side of the world. To help ease the heartache and loneliness that my mum knew she would feel she offered to have The Little Two for a sleep over last night.

Which was all kinds of bliss for me and Mr Awesome. We didn't do anything in particular. We pottered around the house finishing of the tidying up that just never seems to get done when the children a home, cooked dinner together and just chatted and enjoyed uninterrupted conversations.

There was no late night partying or all night drinking on account of Mr A having to go to work this morning. And the fact I was a bit excited about going for an early morning run. I must confess though the run turned out to be a fair bit of walking as my body let me know I had consumed more over the holiday period than I am willing to admit.

The main thing though was I got out there and gave it a go.

And boy did it feel awesome!

Even if I couldn't run as much as I once did, just moving amongst the fresh air did wonders. Plus noticing how much running ability I lost is just the motivation I need to get out there more often. I must confess there is something quite satisfying about being able to push my body so it hard it has to gasp to suck more air. I am currently floating around the house feeling all kinds of strong.

Ok so maybe I did have a little bit that I could work out I wanted to say, but that is all for now I am afraid folks. For more great confession posts head over to Ms Mystery Case who has stolen the confessions for today while Kirsty is away

Those rascally gremlins!!!

If you are a regular reader of A Parenting Life, you probably (hopefully) would have noticed that something on this little old blog seems to have gone a little awry over the last few days. If you are one of my lovely likers over on Facebook chances are you would have seen me having a bit of a whinge about the said frustrations I have been experiencing.

there is always hope at the end of a rainbow

For the most part I wasn't overly concerned I thought that somehow it would all just fix itself. You know on account of it breaking all by itself and all. Apparently though that is not quite how things work.

A very kind blogger had offered to have a squizz at it for me but I haven't had a chance to accept and let her in. And I liked to think that if I went looking for the problem I would be able to work it out. Tonight, many hours ago, I finally gave myself permission to have a look at it. 

Eventually I *think* I may have got a few steps closer to finding the answer. 

It appears as if the problem is linked to the InLinkz tool that I used in my Thankful Thursday post. Which is so so incredibly sucky because there were ten, yes 10!! awesome bloggers that joined in. I think that is nearly a record.

For now I have reverted that post to a draft. I am going to try and see if there is any way round it but who knows what that way may be. So in the meantime please bare with me and if you happen to be a Blogger whiz any suggestions?

Things I Know

 Gosh, Friday already?

It just doesn't seem right. I am sure that I must have missed a few days somewhere along the line but by all accounts it is what it is and Friday is what it is.

Which means that Miss Cinders is hosting one of the easiest and bestest little ol' linkies to join in with. (Which naturally I am doing and you should too)

image from here

The first thing that I know this this is that the school holidays seem to just fly on by way to fast. I am sure that it is just the whole Christmas and New Year thing but either way the thought of school returning in some three short weeks or something is just far too soon for my liking.

I know I like having my kidlets around and spending time with them. Well at least for the most part. And perhaps it is more a case of just strongly disliking the school morning hustle and bustle. Either way school holidays totally rock my socks.

I know that one of the reasons that school holidays get me super excited is because it means less driving time. I am not anti driving or anything but I do love not having to take the car out each and every day. Sadly school is just a little too far away for Zany to bike ride to and from each and every a day so we have little option but to take the car, at least for the moment.

I know I had hoped to have had this post written well before now. Sometimes however, apparently, life has other plans.

I know that my stupid side bar and footer are driving me absolutely batty. They have swapped places and I don't know why.

I know that not having the time to look into why my footer and sidebar have swapped places is also driving me rather batty.

I know that I was already batty enough without my blog adding to the chaos that is my brain.

I know that I have just loved having my sister and nephew around for the last few weeks.

I know that I (as well as Zany and Teapot) will be incredibly sad to be waving them goodbye come Sunday when they get on the plane to go home.

I know that I am just a wee bit pleased at being able to hold a pre second birthday celebration for my nephew tomorrow.

I know that thanks to all the hours I have wasted on this stupid old computer of mine, I have meet some of the most wonderful people ever. Like seriously ever.

I know that as wonderful as the internet is as connecting people it can also lead them feeling very disconnected and alone at times as well.

I know that was super pleased to discover I could make mojitos at home.

I know that because of the above statement  I should probably end this post now. You know on account of possibly having too may mojitos and all.

Thankful for the year that was and the year to come

Hello and welcome to the very first Thankful Thursday for 2014. I just know that this year will be full of awesome and plenty to be thankful for. I look forward to sharing my joy with you and am beyond thankful that you have decided to come along for the ride.

Looking for the bright side amongst the darkest clouds is just in built into my nature. And while it might not come naturally to us all I do honestly believe that if you stop to think for a moment or two, you can find a reason not to be blue.

image from here
There is little brighter than a sunflower

While 2013 was not my most spectacular year it was by no means anything to shy away from either. In fact if I am really honest there were some parts of the year that I am super thankful to have experienced.

Like getting on a plane and traveling interstate ALL BY MYSELF. In March I totally threw caution into the wind, abandoned the kids and did something that benefited no one else in the family. Attending my first blogging conference was something I was thankful for all year long.

As much as I may have struggled at times (both before, after and during the event) I really am glad I didn't sit at home wondering  what it would like to be there like I did the year before. Sadly I doubt that I will make it to DPCON14 but I am pretty ok with that. Well I have a few months to make myself pretty ok with that.

Other exciting bloggy opportunities presented themselves the whole year through. I think though the one I am most thankful for is being able to spend a few hours with Samuel Johnson and the Love Your Sister crew. Having said that though I must admit that I was pretty thankful that Miss Cinders asked yours truly to babysit Things I Know while she had a little break and even more thankful that Francessa passed on this little old Thankful Thursday linky.

But enough reminiscing of the year that was, because let's face it I have probably done more than enough of that the last few days.

Fast forwarding to the current moment and I could not be more thankful for all the blissful family moments we have had over the last day or two.

On New Years Eve we treated ourselves to a trip to the movies and dinner. And even though the restaurant was closed and we just ended having popcorn and lollies for dinner there was so much love and laughter our bellies were more than full.

I am so thankful not just for having such wonderful children and husband but being able to go out and have a night out with them as well. I know for so many families that is just not a feasible option. And I must admit it is only a feasible option for us once in a blue moon which does help to make it all that little bit more special.

Heading home to watch fire works on TV and play a new card game from Christmas with Zany was not just the perfect way to end the night but also the year. I am so thankful that the pressure to go out and get blotto to see the new year in is now so many years behind me.

New Years Day was greeted with a sleep ins for everyone and a lazy morning to boot. I started to beat myself about not doing this and not doing that but then remembered I had made no real resolution to anything so there was no point getting worked up. I am thankful that I let myself off the hook at times. I am even more thankful for making sure I got most of the jobs out of the way the day before so that I could enjoy that time guilt free.

So on this second day of the new year, what are you thankful for?

*editor's note*
For some reason when I originally posted this post it got a broken code somewhere and mucked up all kinds of things. I have been able to get the post back without it mucking up the blog anymore but the comments are another thing altogether. Apologies to all who left a comment I will see if I can work it out at a later date.

*editors new note*
Oh yeah! All sorted baby. Will blog it all out someday

Welcome 2014

Yep, that's right 2014 is here as planned and scheduled. 

image from here

What is not here (not surprisingly mind you) is a plan or schedule for me to hold in my hand as I enter the new year slightly unprepared and unsure of how to reach my desired destination.

Come July this year we are supposed to be embarking on the adventure of a life time. We are packing up, hitting the road and exploring this great nation in which we live. All sounds very surreal and exciting really. I skipped through most of 2013 with the belief if I just acted as if we had it all under control then the trip would just manifest itself somehow.

With our departure date now a mere six months away I go into a little flurry of panic wondering if that really will be the case. There is so much we wanted to do before we left. So much we thought we needed to do before we could leave. So much that we just haven't even really tried to make happen because it is just too overwhelming and we don't know how to start.

In order to rent out The Shoebox it probably needs a new kitchen and bathroom. A few running repairs on cupboard doors in the bedrooms and new flooring probably wouldn't go astray either. Oh and then there is the minor detail of what we will live in while we are on the road. Is it really feasible to think  a standard cheap as chips tent from K Mart is adequate housing for twelve months?

It's all about the money though. 

Or rather the lack of.

At this point we have maybe just enough to do the absolute bare essentials to the house or get the absolute bare essentials to travel with.

I need to get a job. One that involves writing from home would be beyond perfect. I would happily take anything that involved a computer and working from home though. That's not too much to ask is it? And that's all I have to do isn't it?

Alas, if only it were all that simple.

Much like last year, and unlike almost every other blogger I have come across, I enter this year without a word or phrase to guide me through. My Happiness Jar managed to only accumulate forty two entries. Which when you divide between the five of us means it didn't last for very long. Since we still have all the post it notes we will try again this year. 

Every one was a fan of the idea, it's just was are so lackadaisical about most things they often tend so just slide on by the wayside. All of which is amplified by my ability to make excuses for absolutely every thing.

However, 

It never is as far as I am concerned because for all my faults and shortcomings that I may internally beat myself up with there is but one thing that I know and hold onto at all times with both my hands. 

And that my friends is,

So much so I didn't even need to create the above images because I did so way back in November 2012 for this post. I am now trying not to obsess over the fact how much in life has not changed since then, for of course there is so much that has. 

Right now as I type there is no washing on the couch. There are no overflowing baskets of washing waiting to be washed, folded or put away. There is one load sitting scrunched up in the dryer waiting for me to iron and put away and there is a folded basket that also needs to just be placed in the appropriate cupboards. 

There are also cupboards that are currently holding some ironed garments and just between you and me it is a kind of nice feeling. And yes I can't believe I really just said that. Since I am the proud wonder of a rather cool iron I feel obliged to take it for a spin every now and then.

It's all about perspective. Which if I was going to choose a word for 2014 I think that is the one that I would go with. But by now that is a whole other post.

The Greatest #IBOT Hits of 2013

Having developed the headache from hell last night and then being out of action all day long, sitting here right now is probably not the most wisest of moves. Especially since by out of action all day long I actually meant Mr Awesome having the day off to tend to the needs of children while I lay in a darkened air-conditioned room of bliss. But given this is not just the last IBOT for the year but, the actual last day of the year I couldn't not try and get something out.

image from here

Of course if I was the super organised blogger (or even person for that matter) that I constantly dream of this post would have been written at least a week ago and be all scheduled to go. But alas I am not and while I may have thought a lot about sharing my top IBOT posts for the year until now I have not actually done anything about it till this very moment.

As it turns out I have some thirty odd posts from 2013 that are tagged with the label of IBOT. Which I must say is a little less than I expected. Given that there are fifty two weeks in the year and my dedication to blogging on a Tuesday it is hard to think I missed twenty odd Tuesdays, but apparently I did. Alternatively a much more feasible explanation is that my tagging of posts leaves a little to be desired. Not that it really matter either way I guess.

So what were my top five most read IBOT hits this year?

Well apparently there are lots of people out there who want to know how to make buttons for their blog, because that is by far my most read post. Ever.

There are also quite a few people interested in that infamous Pig in Mud cake and how it is made. And nearly as many who want to make their own chicken soup.

Back in August I went a whole week without blogging. It was mainly a result of being hit by man-flu and by all accounts everyone was interested to know what I had been up to. The most interesting thing out of that post for me was how many cricket supporters I had amongst the ranks.

Lastly but not least, rounding off the top five IBOT posts for 2013 is my hints and tips for throwing a fun and easy stress free party. At the last minute no less.

Though just between you and me this list doesn't excite me all that much. I mean sure they are great posts but they are not up there with what I would term my favourites. And given that I got the chance to hang out with the one and only Samuel Johnson when he was in town it is pretty clear that that would have to be my all time favourite blogging moment to date.

Joining in with the Essentially Jess for the last IBOT of the year

The top things I have known this year

So here we are on the very last Friday of the year.

image from here

I know that I have said it before but by golly I will say it again as well. How did the time fly past so fast?

I know that the regular host for Things I Know, Miss Cinders, is off enjoying time with her family but the opportunity to blog presented itself so here I am.

I know that through out the year I have written a total of thirty Things I Know posts. Some have joined in with other linkies like FFS with Dear Baby G and FYBF with With Some Grace. Others have been where I myself was the hostess with the mostess. Which just quietly I loved and thanks for all the support from those that joined in.

I know that out of the thirty TIK posts for the year these five were the ones that were read the most.

Things I know about reality, holding on to it and having it slap you in the face

Things I Know About Breast Cancer

Things I Know About Help

Things I Know About Time Flying

Things I Know About Banjo Paterson

I know that for the most part I am pretty happy with that list. Sometimes when I make these lists or look at this type of thing I cringe because the posts involved are (only in my eyes) not worthy of being there. 

I know that I am working on being less critical of myself.

I know I am going to join in with some blog flogging over at With Some Grace

Thankful Thursday - The Christmas Edition

I know that for the most part the blogging world has taken leave on account of Christmas but after what could well be the most wonderful day ever, I couldn't not stop and give a bit of thanks. So here I am giving thanks for all that I have been blessed with. Because just between you and me, right now I can't help but feel like I am the most blessed person on the earth.

For us Christmas was a somewhat simple affair. With Lovely elsewhere there was just the four of us here to celebrate with my mother, sister and nephew coming and joining us. And when I say that my sister came to join us, she did so from almost the other side of the country. I am so thankful she was able to make the trip.

It has been a few years since I have had a Christmas with my sister and the first with her son. I just love love love watching my girls with their cousins. I am sure they treasure time almost as much as what I do. I am thankful that we had the opportunity to make these memories.

Aside from the most wonderful company ever, there was all kinds of wonderful fare. 

From a beautiful glazed ham, (even if I do say so myself)

if only I had thought to take a photo without the food net on

to yummy salads,

there was absolutely nothing we were left wanting for. Not that anyone had any room for anything more anyway.

All washed down with a tropical non alcoholic punch

 I feel beyond blessed to be able to put on such a delicious spread for some of the people I love with what feels like more than my heart. I am thankful that mum chipped in with some turkey and potato salad. Both of which were delicious and would probably have proven to have been too much for me to handle. There is something comforting about knowing your limits and allowing people to help when you know you are reaching yours. I am thankful I didn't go beyond my limits today.

It's funny, until I had children I had no idea it was possible to love as much as what a mother parent loves their child(ren). Until my siblings had children I had no idea that I could love someone else's children nearly as much as what I do my children. I am thankful that I have the chance to not only be a mum but and Aunty as well. Just as I am thankful that my children get to have such incredibly awesome Aunts and Uncles.

So many times today I wondered if my heart was going to burst from all the joyous moments it was witnessing. Nearly as many times I tried to etch into my memory these precious moments.

Some of them I was able to capture in a photo. 

 I am sure I can see a smile as she sleeps. The most content little being snuggled under a beautiful hand made by Grandma blanket. There is so much to be thankful for right there.

 And then as if things couldn't get any better, Mother Nature decided to shower us with an almost constant drizzle that maintained a pleasant and cool atmosphere.

For which we were all a bit thankful for I think. Even if it did mean the girls missed out on a swim. No one really seemed to notice on account of not being hot and dripping with sweat.

Anyway I could probably go on for another ten pages on all the things I am thankful for today but I won't I want to know what you are thankful for.

And so Jesus was born

The carols are a rockin' and I'm a bloggin'

Yes I am well aware of the fact that it is Christmas Eve and that the rest of the world is busy running around like a headless chook with no time to read idle blog posts but it is Tuesday and I really do like to blog so here I am. And yes I know that Essentially Jess said we shouldn't blog on Christmas Eve but there is so much I should be doing blogging seems to make the most sense right now.

image found here

Ideally the computer shouldn't even be on, but for a whole range of reasons it is. Everywhere I turn on social media I find people turning off and saying goodbye for a few days. Given some mediums are lucky to see me every few days at the best of times I haven't really worried about any down time. Which I guess is probably why the computer is on and I am here.

There are other reasons though. Like the fact that the computer is the only music playing device that can play Christmas carols. Given that it is Christmas Eve (and I love carols) I feel kind of compelled to listen to have a few belting out. We have even managed to find a few rather modern renditions with quite the techno beat behind them so it is not as painful on the ears as one might expect carols to be. 

The other reason that brought me to the computer is a bit secret squirrel for a friends birthday next week. Something I was meant to have done weeks ago MUST get done today. It just must, else I will be sent to the bad friend list forever and a day.

So the carols are a rocking' and I am a blogging, trying not to get overwhelmed by the three hundred and seventy five million things that still need to be done. Some within the hour as by then it will be time to collect my beautiful sister and nephew from the airport. So much excitement about being able to have them spend the big day with us.

I guess on that note I should go and get on with all that needs to be done. Or at least some of it. There will always be plenty of time later to share the many wonders inside my head at the moment.

For now I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, filled with lots of love and laughter and plenty of fairy wishes and butterfly kisses