Happy Birthday CoCo

Look at this cheeky little smile. This photo is a true indication of who you are (lots of fun).

Hey Gorgous Girl - we all just wanted to wish you a very Happy 6th Birthday. We hope that you had a fantastic day.
Lots of Love,
The Nies Crew
xxx

Happy Birthday to Our Beautiful Boy - BenjaminToday you turn 7. Where does the time go???Here are some photos of you opening your presents. You love your Green Machine (which is really mostly blue). I love watching the joy on your face as you opened your presents.

Can't believe that it was about this time (11.00pm) 7 years ago that I was in hospital holding you. It was such a precious moment. How time flies! I love this photo taken of you. You are ready to go and watch your brother play soccer.

Here is a snap taken as you thanked your brother for the presents. You two share a really close bond. Luke too enjoyed watching you open your presents. I hope that you always remain this close.

And here is the Green Machine. I can tell that this is going to bring hours of joy. It has a water pump attached to it so that you can spray people as you go. Oh I can already hear the meighbours as you are out the front terrorising them. I think that your other favourite present were your Beados. You have already created a few little characters with them.Hope that you had a great day honey. It is hard to fit everything it with work and school and then Luke had soccer training tonight.
Love Always Your Familyxxxxx

The Difference Between a Good Week and a Bad One

My Journal - just thought that I would share some more of my journal that I am keeping. Have been enjoying doing this as I can put anything and everything in. Things such as when Luke split his head opened may not require a scrapped page but I do want to remember when it happened so that in later years when he asks about his scar I will be able to give him lots of information. Trying to keep your blog up to date, read your emails, keep up with Facebook (which I recently joined and really love), complete journal entries and generally scrapbook is certainly a task and a half. Since Luke has started soccer I have found that life has become really busy. It is a case of which bag do I pack to go where on any particular afternoon. But I wouldn't give any of it up as he is really enjoying it. He has dropped 5kg and loves his training sessions. It has built his confidence and athletic ability so much.

The Difference Between a Good Week and a Bad One
Last week was not overly pleasant. I felt stress in many ways and it had mostly to do with the care of my kids. Last week the boys had been dropped at school very early and even left at the front gate that was unopened to wait for school. Yes this did not impress me at all. Then Luke was placed on a weeks detention for involving himself in a fight with some year 6 boys and when we got to the bottom of it all he had done was run away from a boy that was running at him with his fists up. Then to top it off the person who was dealing with it before she got the full story told Luke that he had a hot temper. Anyone that knows Luke well would know that calling him hot tempered is the furthest thing from the truth. He is very even tempered!!!! A very unfair statement I felt. Boy when I heard this I was not a happy camper and I took myself off to deal with the situation as best I could. It is so difficult to discuss your children and their care when you are not happy with their treatment. I tried to be as diplomatic as possible and my aim was to walk out with my dignity in tact. The person dealing with the situation did listen and I was able to get a few things off my chest. I don't enjoy being confrontational however sometimes you have to take a stand for your child and their wellbeing. Luke was happy in the respect that he felt that he had been wrongly treated and that his mother was willing to stand behind him and suppport him. HE received an apology for the label that he received. He thanked me at the end of the meeting. I am actually considering another placement for my kids as playground issues are so out of control that kids are having to take their own action to protect themselves. Now as an educated I am completely against telling your child to hit back BUT it seems there is little else that they can do. Being a Christian being violent is not a quality that I like to promote however Luke has been bruised that badly that the bruises lasted two weeks and no consequence delivered for the other child involved. Yes very unfair!!!!! Anyway the outcome was that we were heard and now it is up to the school to make a difference.

OK Now I Have Had a Better Week
I decided to drop my kids at school myself and then I can ensure that they are in the right place and safe before I go off to work. So that has eased my mind a little. It just adds a little pressure with trying to get to work on time. This week Luke joined the school choir which I am really happy about as I think that he had a beautiful voice. I have considered singing lessons for him BUT don't know where we could fit this into the week, so the choir happens during school time and we don't need to find extra time for it. Luke also made the school Football team to play against other schools. Luke is feeling a lot happier this week. Chris traded his truck in this week and now he is happier which makes a difference for us. With me - due to the strike I have Thursday off and that makes me happy. I have worked the last couple of Fridays and have been pushed for time so this morning I got energetic and cleaned the bathroom and the toilet. I have done heaps of washing and am generally getting the house back in order. My next task is to get some scrapbooking done so I will post some LOs when I am done. I am feeling more settled within myself and now have some time to catch up.

A Message for my Gorgeous and Very Brave Friend Belinda,
Hey there. Hope that all went well and that you are not in too much pain. I have been thinking of you lots especially this morning at around 7.00am. I am proud of you for being so brave and being so willing to do what you can. I am sure that your dreams will come true in the near future. I am about if you want company or someone to chat to.
Love Ya Long Time

Well guys I apologise for the long post but I just needed to write it all down - my therapy!! Hope that all is well in your worlds.
Love to All
Rell

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mum's out there.
I hope that you had a really special day. I had a good day. It was nto a whole lot different to every other day. I still got breakfast and made the beds, washed, ironed and did all of those other motherly things. Today made me reflect on how much Mums do and I knew that if I didn't do what I normally did then I would be picking up the pieces for the rest of the week. I guess the difference in my day was being recognised. The boys had their gifts from the Mother's Day Stalls and their hand made cards (love and treasure them) andI got some beautiful flowers. Luke had made a frame with a picture of himself in it. Yes it was a good Mother's day.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Before I was a Mum,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mum,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mum,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mum,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.I
never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mum.

Before I was a Mum,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mum,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mum.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mum.

Motherhood sure does change your life - all for the better.

Yes and I got Pandora. The boys got me two glass beads. They also got me this beautiful Mother's Day Charm. It is silver and gold vase and is full of flowers. I just love it!!!! Good choice boys. Still totally addicted to Pandora.

'LIVE your Life at it's Fullest.
LAUGH at All the Things that Don't Matter.
LOVE with All You Have and More'

My Love to ALL
Rell
XX
PS: Don't forget to leave me a message to let me know about your Mother's Day.

Welcome Thomas Andrew

Welcome to the world "THOMAS ANDREW."
Congratulation Kylie and Andrew!!!
Little Thomas was born on Wednesday and he is the most cutest little thing you have ever seen. He was born just over 5 pounds so he is tiny. He may just seem small as mine were twice this size. He is just perfect - all of his little features - just perfect (cute nose, little ears, tiny fingers). He has a nice head of hair which Andrew has already styled. I so wanted to take him home. ADORABLE!!!! I am forever amazed by the miracle we create when we bring a child into the world. I could not take my eyes off him.

I am just so happy that is all worked out for Kylie and Andrew. It really has been a battle BUT one worth fighting for. What a REWARD!! Can't wait to see him again.
(Hurry up Michelle) Cluck, Cluck, Cluck!!!
Every baby born is finer that the last.
All of my Love to the Peroni Family!!
Love The Nies Family.

An Emotional Day

Today I conducted our first Mother's Day Assembly at school. It all went really well. My aim was to let all of the Mum's out there what they mean to their kids. It was extremely emotional assembly. We had several staff members who got really emotional, kids were upset and parents were teary. All is all it went really well despite the waterworks. There were songs, talks given by kids and a slideshow. Mums are very special people and I don't feel that we honour them enough and show our appreciation all of the time. I guess that like everything we take them for granted. Thanks to Karen who put herself out there and got really emotional about her Mum and Di I apologise for upsetting you. I am sure that your Mum was looking down on you and smiling. I am sure that she could feel the love that was being sent. All of the kids really stepped up on the day and presented well. It was one time in my career when I felt really proud to be a part of my school and the children that I work with. Al I hope that you can forgive me one day - I didn't mean for it to be so emotional. It will be a memorable moment in my teaching career.
Mums Rock

My Mum

Forgot to put this one up. This is a clock that I did for Mum ready for Mother's Day. Since I have become a mum I have realised what special people mother's are. My Mum is just gorgeous - she is everything that I want to be. She is an inspiration. She has had seven children and did it tough. She raised us all to be the successful people that we all are today. So to all of the Mother's out there - A big Hello and know what an important job you have in raising your little treasures.Love to ALL of the MOTHERS out there. Keep doing the special job that you do.Rell

A Little Share Before It Is All Over

I thought that I hadn't done a lot of scrapbooking in the holidays but when I look at what I have I guess that I gave it a reasonable go. The above is a Dream Kaiser book created for the shop. I really enjoyed using these bright Sandylion range - easy to work with.

Benjamin my dear son you are forever pulling faces to keep everyone around you amused and you usually achieve your goal quite easily. Love these photos as they show your cheeky side. Some people see you are this quiet and innocent little boy - well these photos are a very telling sign of who you are. You can be quiet and innocent but on the other hand you can be a little ratbag.

OK the other thing that I have started is an "Everyday Moments" journal. I got my inspiration from Jen Hall's journal and I wanted one just the same. So I started back-tracking on the moments that stand out since the beginning of the year. I am not going to journal everyday as Jen does I am going to do the highlights of the month and this way I think that I may be able to keep up with it. I have told myself that every page doesn't need to be a masterpiece - just a record of our lives in 2008. I am happy with the start I have made - would have liked to have had it up to date before the end of the holidays but never mind.

My other project was to sort my albums out in Jen Hall style - however I didn't quite make it that far. I purchased some Print Blocks albums ready to go but didn't manage to get started. That might have to be a Friday job. I will keep you posted.

BOO HOOO !! Sniff, Sigh, Snoff. Well the Holidays are almost over. They have been good ones but boy did they fly (as they always do). I think that I mostly achieved all that I wanted to do. Well I have a clean fridge, freezer, oven, stove and kitchen cupboards (didn't get to the pantry - another Friday job), dusted the timber blinds and the whole house, I renewed my licence, caught up with lots of friends, did some scrapbooking, had a few family outings, shopped for Ben's birthday present, bought mum's and MIL's Mother's day presents, made a clock for my mother, made sample invitations for Sheree's wedding and generally relaxed. I also revamped the Peer Support Program, looked at PD lessons for stage 3, did some Mother's Day things for school, looked at the Writing Rescue Program and covered 40 books from it. Hmmm what didn't I get done that needs to go on my follow up list. I wanted to have Ben's B'day Party organised, wanted to get my hair done (booked in for this Friday), I wanted to buy all of my nieces and nephews B'day presents as their birthday all fall within the next couple of months. But I think that is all that I missed.

School Tomorrow - well I have been busy cooking up a storm for tomorrows lunch. I have got the Chicken Pies ready to go. Whose idea was it for us to have to cook on our last day of holidays?????? All ready to go.

Well my lovely ladies it will probably be back to weekly posts again now. The usual Friday effort. I hope that everyone had a really good weekend.
Love To All
Rell

Our Big Day Out in the City

On Thursday Chris had the day off work and we had a day out in the City. The weather was terrible BUT it didn't really bother us too much. First we went to Wildlife World and our favourite part of that was the enclosure where all fo the beautiful butterflies fly around you. It was actually a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Then we had some lunch and the boys asked if they could get some chips with the football cards in them (not for the chips but for the card). We paid $2.50 a packet which we though was nothing short of highway robbery and Luke pulled his favourite player - Hazem from the Bulldogs out.

We then went to the IMAX theatre and watched a Dinosaur Movie. It was brilliant. None of us had ever been to the theatre so it was something different for us all. Luke kept trying to touch the dinosaurs. It made me laugh that an educated little cookie could still think that the 3D effects were real. I think that he knew that he couldn't touch them but that didn't stop him from trying and trying and trying. The dinosaurs were HUGE!!!! Very enjoyable. The boys enjoyed having their dad around for the day. It is not often that he has time off and we made the most of it while he did. I love the above photo of the boys with their 3D glasses. We had a top day. There need to be more days like these.
Luke thanked us for the great day out and said that this was the best day of his life. Trip to the City, visit Wildlife World and Imax Theatre - getting the Hazem Football Card PRICELESS!!
Love to All
Rell

A Day Out at Tic Toks

We spent the day with Al and the kids at Tic Tiks. The kids had a great and were completely exhausted at the end of it. Luke spun the tea cup that fast that I thought at one point that Ben might fly out. It was hilarious watching them. Al and I sat and covered 40 books for the Writing Rescue program and then I looked over the program so that I would be familiar with it for next term. Bel I think that we might chat because as you implement PM Writer I am going to implement this. So many people stopped and talked to us about the book covering - Al and I tried to recruit a few helpers but no on was interested. Tic Toks owner asked me if I wanted to work in January and cover kids school books while the kids played and parents drunk coffee. I declined the offer.

After the big day out I cooked us a yummy dinner. Chris and Luke both love T-bone steak so we had that and onion gravy with some vegetables. After that I checked the kids winter uniforms and then become completely inspired and cleaned my oven. I would have posted before and after photos but I was too embarrassed. It may have made a few of you feel better about you own ovens. I really hat that job. I hate it even more that I hate mopping. So tonights job is to clean out the fridge and defrost the freezer. I feel like I am running out of time (the days are flying).

Today I was at Mc Donald having lunch with some friends and one of them was whinging about only having a sister and how she doesn't like to play soccer with him. Then when I got home and both my boys went out to play happily I realised how lucky we have two boys. They are great company for each other and generally get along really well. They keep each other occupied.

Anyway I will try to get some scrapping done so that I can share.
Love to All
Rell

Our Romantic Night

OK so we organise for the boys to have sleep over with their friends. Ben went to Michael's and Luke went to Jayden/Dylan's. It started off with me feeling really nervous about Benny sleeping at someone else's house without Luke to look after him. But he wanted to - guess that he was ready and that you have to let them go at some point. I knew that Luke would be fine as he is a little older and sleepovers are the done thing-although he still hasn't slept at anyone's house except Aunty Shu Shu's house. So I do the drop off and then go for a little shopping outing with my sister. You know I should have really enjoyed the peaceful shop but it wasn't the same without my boys.

Oh how I wish I could relax and enjoy those few moments when they are not around.

Chris and I decided to go for dinner (nice and romantic). Well it was far from that as I spent too much time texting to make sure that Ben had gone off to sleep OK. There were no dramas - he was fine. It was me who wasn't coping.

On return home I felt a little under the weather with the flu. I had a shower and when I come out to the kitchen Chris was sitting doing his paperwork. I went to bed and didn't hear him even come to bed. Then I woke up early the next morning and couldn't go back to sleep.

Realisation!!!! I thought that my kids were a big part of my life but what I realised is that they really are my life. They are "My Everything." Yes my life has changed dramatically since they have been in it - all for the better.

What I have promised myself is that the next time that they go that I WILL enjoy my time more!!!!!!!!!! Maybe alcohol will help.

So no big Romantic Night (sorry Chris)- just a mother counting the hours until her kids were back under her roof where she could hear them breathe and tell them to brush their teeth and greet them good morning and do all of those things that only a mother does.My dearest family, you really do mean the world to me.
Love Rell

Happy Birthday to My Sister

Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday Maryann. Hope that you have a great day!! Wish that we were up there to celebrate with you. You are probably gettting ready to take the girls shopping. Hello to my beautiful nieces. How cute are all of you???? Hope that you are enjoying your holidays and that you are being good for mum. The boys want to know when is Uncle Nick coming to Sydney again??? Maybe the family can plan a trip to the big smoke.
Love To All
Rell
xx