Goodbye 2014

Goodbye 2014......it was nice doing life with you.....

But the time has come to say goodbye and make way for 2015......

Happy New Year from us to you.... 

Thanks for the birthday wishes.....can't believe I wait all year and she comes and goes just like that....watching another disappear with  the ticking over of another years end.

Christmas 2014

We shopped, we cooked, we wrapped , we decorated, we tidied, we waited, we "churched", we opened our doors.

We celebrated and shared our thankfulness as a family for the gift of Jesus. 

We shed that tear ( or in my case ,more than I knew what to do with) for those we love and that are not here.

There was laughter, merriment, excitement, surprise and a little bit of stress and weirdness....

They came....most of them........and we gave....

Memories have been made...filed away....

And that was Christmas...... 

But can I make a confession.....

What I love even more than any of that is these days between Christmas and New year....

The expectations have gone, the stress has dissipated ( a little) . We give ourselves permission to relax, hang out, do what ever you like or do nothing at all, there is no office needing our attention, the new years resolutions are not needing to be set just yet and there are plenty of treats hiding in the cupboards ........

It may even contain a birthday as well....

It is a period of time to breathe....

I feel like I haven't had a chance to breathe deep in a while....

How about you..these days sweet for you too?

52/52

Him: I never tire of watching him use his mind.

Her: Loving the celebrations

Well that is it.....52 photos of our two......for 52 weeks......

so many great moments recorded for them each to remember.

I am in two minds about next year...I want too but not sure about whether it is right....we shall talk.

Have loved the years pics - My 52 weeks project

Joined in with Jodi 

Thanks for popping by and leaving sweet words for my two.

3 more sleeps

The last of the presents have been bought and wrapped

The seafood is in the fridge

We have taken a little drive to see the lights

The house has been semi cleaned

The lists are coming to an end

One carols service gone and one more to come

One and a little bit days to head to work

Time to breathe a little slower

51/52

Him and Her: They are more alike than they would like to admit.

 Can't help wonder what this picture would look like with the three of them there together....

One more week to go

My 52 weeks project

Joining in with Jodi's project 

In a spin...

This girl of ours has had us in a spin this last month......

 There has been Year Formal celebrations...

Ballet concerts...

 Traditional Hungarian dancing...

Contemporary and Hip Hop.....

Pieces from "Chicago" for her Year Ten dance graduation...

There was an audition in there too.....she has been successful in the next part of her dream...an inclusion into a premier state dance company.....

So I guess if I thought this year was fast......We are so proud of her.....so passionate and committed to follow her dreams.

A new stage....a new set of beginnings for us as parents....oh my she was just two, dancing in her little tutu just yesterday.......sigh

Whatever is in store for her we are proud of her and will be cheering her on loudly. xxx

{End proud mummy post - thanks for indulging me}

50/52

Him: There is no where better than hanging with cousins.

Her: It has been a huge couple of weeks.....

My 52 weeks project

Joining in with Jodi's project

Ten on Ten - December

Ten photos on the tenth day  

* Someone had been unwell during the night....he thought it a good idea to stay home....sorry buddy you're Ok

* Presents wrapped for my work colleagues

* Smatterings of the season around the house.

* The bees are loving the pumpkin

* Looks like it is going to be a nice day

* Books purchased for a Kids Church Graduation this Sunday

* The school bits and pieces are starting to make their way home

* Someone's buddy needs a little stitching attention

* Must find time to string up the bunting

*Anything goes when decorating our humble little tree.

December tenth been and gone now.......joining in with Rebekah.

Pumpkins

It has been a little hectic around our home in the last few months....

so there are many pockets of our garden that are a little neglected.....but sometimes that works in your favour don't you think?

Take one of our raised veggie beds... we have planted some tomatoes.....but the chickens must have left some pumpkin seeds behind.....

 

 There is something quite pretty about the ramblings of a pumpkin vine and it's pretty yellow flower....

Looking forward to carving that pumpkin and secretly hoping for a few more.

Thankful list

* Finding the day to finally pop up the tree

* The opening of the decorations box and have memories come flooding back

* That the kids love to put Taylor's memories front and centre

* All the beautiful moments in our week

* Top accolades for our dancing girl

* The most proud mumma moment watching our graceful girl in her tutu

* The bottle stayed on and wowed the audience

* A successful end to our playgroup year

* Sharing tears as I farewell families who have been in our midst for three years

* Handsome haircut for my boy

* The delicious tea experience every evening

* A "mental health day" on Friday...restoring calm and peace to the mind and body

* Sparkly lights popping up everywhere

* Sharing moments with family

* My 4 year old niece in her hermit crab ballet costume

* My 8 year old niece in her peal ballet costume

* Watching Meg with the girls and embracing their excitement

* Friends who support and encourage

* A few bags more decluttered from the cupboards

* The appearance of a pumpkin on the vine

* The first cherry tomatoes

* The first presents wrapped under the tree

* The relief of letting some things go

#895 The sanctuary of home

My counting to 1000 thankfuls

49/52

Him: Enough with the photos OK mum!

Her: How awesome dancing in the same ballet company as her tiny cousins....came in handy when the red lipstick needed going on.

My 52 weeks project

Joining in with Jodi's project 

Hope

Do yourself a favour and buy this tune......

Do it for these precious little ones

An Advent Gift -Tea Advent Box

I was given this very lovely gift by a very lovely family that attends our playgroup....

A Tea Advent Box....... 

 

I have decided that the perfect time to enjoy my teas is in the evening when all is done....

So for the first two days of December I have had two "new to me" brews ......

Ceylon Orange Pekoe and Rose with French Vanilla.....

I am sticking to the lucky dip idea and giving myself a little surprise each evening as to the tea I will enjoy.

My pact to myself is I will be adventurous and try all the teas contained in my 

Tea Advent Box

This is going on my to do gift giving list for next year.