Grateful For...This Week

Ever since getting married at this time five years ago,

this first week in January has been one of milestones, memory making,

miracles and magic for my little family and I.

Year in, year out -  this week does not disappoint. 

It brings us the perfect combination of life's best offerings and

so, so many reasons to be grateful.

So I am.

Truly grateful for the gift of love, fabulous friends, the beauty of life,

the treasures that are my three boys (including one canine kind) 

and the freedom of holiday mode.

The quality of life I enjoy

(which has very little to do with the state of our finances- thankfully!!)

is not lost on me.

I hope 2012 has opened in fine form for you too.

Leaping into a year of gratitude with Maxabella Loves & Kidspot's 52 Weeks of Grateful.

Shar :-)

What The?

I have admitted before that I am no green thumb.


So, I'm seeking your assistance in identifying this rare plant species we observed at the Perth Zoo this week.

I'm not convinced that it's native to Western Australia.
I have an inkling that it's unique flowers are believed to have soothing properties but can be quite venomous when proverbially spat.

Magoo and I are regular visitors to the zoo - mainly because it makes me feel as though we're on a (pretty economical) overseas holiday for a few hours - but we have never encountered this plant before.

This baby had us stumped...

Pacifus phoenicea perhaps??

It was a day for bewilderment, really.

Hubby - who is not as regular a visitor to the zoo - was bitterly disappointed to realise he had read the zoo map incorrectly for most of the morning.

His mouth had been mistakenly watering at the thought of a nice thai green curry for lunch.

Unfortunately for him, there was no 'Asian Restaurant' to be found near the picnic area. 
The 'Asian Rainforest' is quite the treat, though.

Shar :-)

I Still Do, honey

Hubby, we've come a long way, baby.

Five years today.

Often I have to remind myself that we've only been Mr & Mrs for five years.

Sometimes it feels like five decades!

Especially for you.

Although we don't always see eye to eye, or even eye to ear at times, I wouldn't swap this life we're creating for all the turkish delight in Turkey.
Honestly.


Who else would I fancy having my head & hands down the back of a toilet with?
Who else would take me into the garage and box with me when I'm feeling agitated?
Who else would continuously goad me by calling out "stop the car!", when we both know the chick on the Ikea ad says "start the car!"?
Who else would load the Mission Impossible theme tune onto my ipod when I was supposed to be working towards my first marathon goal?
You know exactly how to infuriate me and motivate me all at once.

You like to tell me that I'm responsible for those (gorgeous) greys you're sporting - but have you had a look at me lately??
I win the depreciation game hands down.
This reality, combined with the fact that I love you so intensely, mean that I have no intention of going anywhere, anytime soon - or ever.
Are you scared yet?

 Hon, you have taught me plenty about you (and countless other random subjects) - but even more about myself.
You astound me - and inspire me- with your patience and flexibility at times.
You accept me and my neurotic tendencies without judgement and only the slightest hint of confusion.


I miss you when we're not together.
Really miss you.
I love seeing your name light up the screen when my phone sparks up that annoying ring tone.
You're the first person who springs to mind when I stuff up, but also when I 'done good'.
Either way, I know you'll laugh or celebrate with me in the aftermath.


Five years ago today we signed our lives to one another as the words of Bernard Fanning filled the Basilica in Fremantle.

When trouble fills my world You bring me peace You calm me down You're my relief When walls come crashing down around my feet You light my way You're my release So say you'll watch over me When I'm in too deep Tell me you'll always be There to pull me free When the sun is beating down upon my brow You are my shade You cool me down Every time I tried to turn away You brought me 'round Your humble way So say you'll watch over me When I'm in too deep Tell me you'll always be There to pull me free There to rescue me For every time you sheltered me from harm You showed me truth Kept me warm Every time you left me on the street I found my way I found my feet So say you'll watch over me When I'm in too deep Tell me you'll always be There to pull me free There to rescue me There to pull me free There to rescue me

We pranced our first dance as husband and wife by the Indian Ocean to the soothing sounds of Jack Johnson.

There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepia-toned loving

Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

...

I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together.

Hubby, you are still my shelter, my refuge, my relief, my strength and it is definitely better when we're together.
Love. Honour. Cherish.

Shar :-) xx

52 Week Project : Wk 16

The anniversary edition.

Here I am in front of a wedding photo from five years ago.

Mine, by the way.

I love the pic because it wasn't posed, but captured.

It also happens to feature my favourite man in the entire world.

Let's play spot the difference, shall we?

How many differences can you perceive between newlywed Shar and five-years-in Shar?

Did you see...

Increased wrinkles?

- 1 point. NOT 1 point per wrinkle, so stop counting.

Less naivety?

- 1 point.

Coupla married bliss kilos?

 - 1 point per kilo.

Less patience, yet increased tolerance levels?

- 0 points as I figure they balance each other out.

Increased respect and adoration for Hubby?

- 6 points - one for every year we've weathered and one for good luck.

Motherhood?

- 3 points - one for every year.

Can't believe I didn't (need to) wear a bra to my own wedding?

- 2 points. One in loving memory of each perky... you know.
Actually, 4 points. Hubby would probably pay tribute with 2 points also.

Far less 'sparkly' teeth and jewellery?

- 2 points. One for the dentist and one for the jeweller.

One completed marathon?

- 43 points. One per kilometre and one for the brag mention.

Massive scar where the sun don't shine?

- minus all points. Seriously, where is your respect?

How did you score?

Linking with My Mummy Daze and her 52 Week Project.
(Being hosted this week at Sonia's place @ Life, Love & Hiccups.)

Shar :-)

The Loooong Weekeeeend...

It only dawned on me yesterday that the previous few days had actually been the weekend.
A long one, even.

This is because I'm lucky enough to be on one perpetual, never ending (well, not yet anyway) weekend here.

Since wrapping up school in December, I've struggled to keep track of the days and have been permanently switched to holiday mode.

I like it.

I like me, liking it.

Our 'official' weekend kicked off on Friday with our annual street party to celebrate Christmas, New Year, fabulous neighbours, sunshine, food, alcohol, clean air, clear water or anything else you might like to toast.

On Saturday we sang hymns of praise (that may have included some profanity) that Magoo was indeed a well boy again and we could venture down to join friends at their holiday home for New Years Eve.

Once again, we celebrated all the goodies life has to offer - including shiny ones like sparklers, fireworks and glow sticks. We continued to consume enough food and drink to cater for a small nation and laughed ourselves stupid with great people who were embracing 2012 with open arms.

Sunday was an extension of Saturday, really -  with some down time back at home in the mix to recuperate.

On Monday, we had ourselves a gorgeous little family day at the zoo, some driveway chalk graffiti action (with plenty of H), a quiet bbq and the 'de-Christmassing' of our place.

I think the best part is - we don't have to wait another five days to do it all again.
Holidays are heavenly.

Are yours treating you kindly too?
Linking with Mandy's Sentimental Summer series.

Who doesn't want to soak up these Summer days - and thooooose Su-u-mm-er ni-ig-hts?!!

Shar :-)

H

I have a confession.
You may well be blown away to read about this sensational betrayal of your trust, however, the time has come.
I must reveal that my son's christian name is not actually Magoo.
Heartbreaking, isn't it?
I'm sorry. Truly.


In fact, it doesn't even start with 'M', but 'H'.
As Magoo has so cleverly cottoned on to lately.


The boy can recognise his name around the place (see, those bulk order label stickers were good for something) but he is particularly fond of the first letter.
Like, ridiculously besotted with 'H'.


As with any newly acquired skill, Magoo's 'H recognition' is in overdrive.
Magoo can spot an 'H' at considerable distance.
He can see 'H' all through books, newspapers, catalogues, signage...


He is typing H over and over into his various kid technology and his Thomas laptop.
He is scrawling H H H all over his blackboard and etch-a-sketch.


(Fellow early years teachers - I know, I know, I know.
The capital form. H not h. I didn't teach it. It's what he has picked up.
I am doing my best to teach the remaining five letters of his moniker in lower case. I am, honestly.
Capital letters (and letter names)are the first grade teachers mortal enemy. I knooooow.
Hey, you should hear him pronounce it in an American accent like his computer too.)

Recently, Magoo and Hubby were out helping a friend with some 'man's work' when they emailed me this pic.

Would you have a look at that face??

(But not at the lollipop Daddy has given him!!)

I'm waiting for the fallout when Magoo realises that other children also have names beginning with his beloved 'H' and he does not have a monopoly on one of the 26 letters in our alphabet. (You know, being an only child and all that!)

I'm also waiting to find his name penned lovingly on all manner of household treasure.
After giggling at a friend's daughter's handiwork last year (her newly mastered name scribbled so cutely on any and every surface - in texta) I will have my day in the sun soapy water soon, I'm sure.

Shar :-)  
(Starts with ssssslippery sssssnake, but doesn't make that sound.
And, yes, that is my real name!)


P.S.
Don't even get me started on the joys of number recognition.

Now that Master Magoo is the ripe old age of three, he refuses to wear anything that bears the markings of a size 2, telling me that "ackchly that sez for tooooo yolds".

Begin Again, Finnigan.

Hello 2012.
So... I may not be Mum on the Run With a Ton  (of cash) today after all,
but after last night's indulgences I'm definitely on a winner if I'm 'worth my weight in gold'.

Hello 2012.
A new year to embrace.
I love the anticipation and excitement that surrounds the beginning of a new year.
I love the blank canvas that will be filled with appointments, celebrations, occasions and memory making.
All that possibility, potential and uncharted water.

Hello 2012.
A chance to start over for many people.
A chance to close the door on negativity, turmoil or grief from the previous year.
A chance to turn dreams into reality and plan for brighter days.

Goodbye 2011.
It was a mixed bag of a year here.
There are moments I hope to never live again, there are moments I will do everything in my power to recreate and there are issues/dreams/goals in the 'unresolved' basket that I will carry into this new and exciting year ahead.

While I love the rejuvenation and celebration that a new calender year brings - and any excuse for a sparkler or twenty - I also wonder why we can't harness this energy for positivity and change all year round.
Why do we wait for a date to dictate when we will become proactive and energised about our lives?
Why is today a more fitting day to count our blessings or determine our self worth and resolve to actualise it, than last Sunday was?

Hello 2012.
Take a seat, put your feet up, rest awhile.
But not too long.
We've got a big one ahead of us.

Shar :-)