Happy 9th Birthday!

Monkey Moo. You are 9 today! I feel like you are no longer my baby, and its wonderful to see you growing into a lovely handsome young man.

You still very much love hugs and quiet time

and of course pulling silly faces

you have a very strong will and so much determination.

You really enjoy getting your hair cut once you get a "man bun" aka can tie your hair up on your head with my hair ties

Donuts are a favourite food

We now have a pretty impressive rock collection

I love that we can sit with you and colour in for hours

You still love the water and wearing t shirt and shorts all year round is your clothing of choice

I love this photo!

and we appreciate all your inquisitive questions about life and your concern for others.

I couldn't image our family with out our wee tropical storm

you love to travel and of course teddy still comes too!

We are so impressed with your football skills, you have not given up when it got tough and its great for you to see results when you give it 100%

You are still Master B's baby brother but you are nearly as tall as him and have bigger feet than him.

Monkey Moo we love you to the moon and back in Jokers low rider!

xxxx

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Where I am right now- the past few months

Making : sunflowers grow from seeds

Cooking : toast + avocado 

Drinking : hot water

Reading: a stage play 

Trawling: through old photographs of the boys

Wanting: less chaos

Looking: out for nice summer sandals

Deciding: when to next go on holiday

Wishing: summer was all year round

Enjoying: watching these two grow

Waiting: for teeth to fill in 

Liking: family time

Wondering: what to make next

Loving: family road trips

Pondering: work/ family life balance 

Listening: to the sound of silence

Considering: intermediate school options

Buying: more lego

Watching: these three play with nerf guns

Hoping: for more afternoons spent at the school pool

Marvelling: 10 years with my love

Cringing: at all the toilet talk

Needing: sleep

Questioning: how long will the city will have these fenced off areas

Smelling: all the flowers

Wearing: jandals

Following: the boys while participating in tough kids

Noticing: its 6 sleeps till Christmas

Knowing: I am loved

Thinking: how awesome our family photos are

Admiring: how beautiful New Zealand is

Getting: out in the garden

Bookmarking: things to crochet

Disliking: the small part of skin I didn't sunscreen

Opening: umbrellas

Giggling: at hash tags being written in chalk

Feeling: like I blinked and we have 9 family Christmas photos already

Helping: teach my boys life skills 

Hearing: cicadas in the garden 

Celebrating: small victories

Pretending: there are no chocolates stashed in the the Santa on the coffee table 

Embracing: wonderful friends

list here

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6 years since September 4th 2010

Its crazy to even think of a time before the earthquakes and before eqc, house repairs, road cones, demolition, constant change to the city and aftershocks and its only been 6 years since it all began

6 years on I still annoyingly feel frustrated........ 

frustration over the whole repair process as we are still having our house levels and land checked from shoddy repairs done in 2013

I feel like shouting "if you had done it right the first time we would't be dealing with you 3 years on" but we live and learn to appreciate all the cracks in other people's buildings 

Some times slapping a smile on and letting it go is the best plan

I would like to think I'm older and also wiser

I have learnt to value good friends and the resources around us that are found when we reach out and have good honest conversations with friends

I would like to say I'm resourceful and confident, and more am willing now to give most things a go as I teach my boys many life lessons

I am so thankful for Mr B, he is my calm, reliable and very sensible rock

Sometimes its easy to want to get off this crazy train when its the same old rinse and repeat but honestly I don't think I would have it any other way

I am so thankful to have had time to get involved in all the things the boys do

(and it was a huge surprise to get a Coach of the year award) 

I am enjoying watching the boys grow. 

This year feels like a blur but we are trying to make sure we stop and celebrate the good stuff and take time for hugs.

I am enjoying creating a home for my family. 

A friend commented that she was worried now I am back to work that there will be less crafting and creating. 

Crafting and creating bring me so much joy and peace, I'm sure there will be another quilt, weaving, or crochet project in my hands soon enough.

Here's to progress while heading in the right direction where ever that will be.

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