A Decade ...

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of my father-in-law's death.

Needless to say, it's a big week here for us with his birthday only 5 days prior.

My sister-in-law and partner arrived on Miss Tween's birthday and my mother-in-law returned home from China that morning as well. We wanted to be together for this.

The girls played truants yesterday and we all went for lunch together up on the mountain.

Gumboot Girl was over the moon at having Daddy home on a school day and the other two were just as excited to be chilling at home with the family.

After lunch, the girls and CJ went for a bushwalk and, it was in that moment, that it struck me. As I watched him walk out the door of the hotel with his three little babies. How proud his dad must be of him. And how terribly heartbreaking that he never witnessed his son become a father. To be able to share in that moment. 

So, as a tribute, I am opening up my blog. To my husband. He is going to be my very first guest post!

I know he'll do great!*

See you all on Saturday. :)

*although I may check his grammar and punctuation. ;p

Number Nine ...

From this ...

To this ...

I know I've done a lot of things wrong when it comes to this parenting gig. BUT I look at you and know that I've also done a lot more right!

It is an honour to be your mamma!

Happy 9th Birthday to the most gorgeous 9 year old I know!!! Almost double digits now but you will always be my cuddliest baby girl!

I love you a bunch of Sundays!!!

Louder than Words ...

Thought for the day ...

 As the tongue speaketh to the ear so the gesture speaketh to the eye (King James The First - 1605) 

And although I would add "And to the heart" to the end of that sentence, I think King James the First was onto something!

Just sayin'.

Oops! Seems it pays to preview the post. ;p

Mother's Day Classic ...

We got up while it was still dark outside and, as Gumboot Girl threw her first tantrum for the day, I wondered what on earth possessed me to do THIS! But the two older girls showered me with my Mother's Day gifts and made me feel very special to kick off the day!

I don't consider myself a runner. I have a friend who can run. Just like that. She started three weeks ago and can now run a lazy 6K at 8.5k/hour. Meanwhile, I'm out of breath pushing along beside her. To say I wasn't confident in my ability to run 4K is an understatement. But ... My goal was to not stop. A shuffle is still a run, isn't it?

We arrived at the beach in time to watch the sun rise. We met up with my running buddy and her family and waited.

And we ran. It was quite emotional initially as the tributes on the backs of the people in front of us were many. Dads with the their children, running in memory of their mums. Friends with more than one name on their tributes.

We found a good pace - this is where my running buddy is invaluable to me as she sets a good pace that is sustainable. Unlike me who hightails it and then stops about 500 metres in - and we ran. And ran.

We did it! Four kilometres in under 30 minutes. It felt so good!!!

I know I keep saying it but I am so lucky to be surrounded with such great friends and family! To have my family cheering me on at the finish line and to see how proud they were of me was enough. But to show my girls that anything is possible if you dare to dream! To feel so healthy and energised and supported and loved. And to know I have been an inspiration to others. Icing. On. The cake.

After my huge success of the morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the local surf life saving club and then came home and chilled on the couch before heading out to purchase my very special gift to myself! My very own Mother's Day ... Classic!

Squeeeee! I am an iPad owner. Finally!!! And it's The New iPad too. *swoon*

Next up ... There's a group of us who are going to enter the Gold Coast Airport 5.7K run!