And Then It Hit Me

We are in the last week of school holidays. The kids needed books and school shoes before they start. So, a few days ago we headed to the shops and stocked up. New stationery, new shoes.

Mr B is away this week on a youth camp. While he is away I am painting his room. I was going through his room preparing it to be painted. There, still in the box, were the school shoes we just bought.

And then it hit me. This will be the last pair of school shoes I ever buy him. 12 years of schooling and this is it.

How am I going to cope this year? My heart is already breaking.

It Was Fun While it Lasted

There is never a dull moment when J is around.
It is pretty full on.
Fortunately our husbands are very understanding.
They didn't expect to see much of us for the next five days.

Watching 1957 black and white movies and laughing ourselves silly at the special effects

Wining and dining

Staying up ridiculously late playing Boggle Flash

Oh, the tension of coming so, so close to beating a record

Watching sunsets

A couple of firsts

First post Christmas Christmas celebration

First time ushering in New Year together

Five days was over way too soon

And then,it was time to say goodbye :(

But wait! It's only 19 more days till we rendezvous in Sydney.
Counting down.
Because there can never be too much.

A Day on the Water

If I didn't have the most wonderful Christmas mojo, things certainly looked up after Christmas.
A day on the water isn't usually my most favourite activity.

I'm not much of a water baby, but this day it wasn't too bad. Family and friends out having fun and the weather just right. Some days it can be way too hot, but this day - perfect.

But really, a day on the water was only warming my mojo up.
J and her family were on their way. 1500kms to drive and they were on their way.

Now, that was something to look forward to!!

The night before Christmas Eve friends came over for Christmas drinks and I finally felt like it was Christmas. Not a moment too soon!

As a family we had spent the day cooking meals that could be frozen and distributed to people who are sick by our church. That was our christmas community service for this year.

After Christmas Eve church service we went Christmas light looking. I love that the kids are old enough to do this. Long gone are the days of having to race home after church so the kids won't be a tired mess on Christmas Day.

We begin our Christmas Day at church celebrating the real meaning of Christmas. Then home for lunch at our house. One of my brother-in-laws was on call with work so that meant we couldn't go to Mum and Dad's because it was too far away. Gift opening first.

Chaos. No other way to describe it. Other than fun.

Lunch is always ham and turkey and salads. That's the way it's been forever. Not attempt to coordinate a hot meal for so many on what can be a stinking hot day. 25 this year for lunch. And the weather was perfect. We had had a cool, wet and very ordinary summer, but Christmas Day was perfect. Sunny, not too hot and swim weather in the afternoon. Followed by Christmas pudding, pavlova and fruit salad.

Then it was over for another year.

Hopefully next year I will be able to find the balance a lot earlier and enjoy the lead up to Christmas a lot more.

Because, in the end, it is a day of great celebration. The birth of our saviour and the blessing of knowing that we celebrate this occasion with a family who also believe this true meaning.

I have much to be grateful for.