As I approach my 40th, I am taking time to look back at my 30’s and realize what an incredible life I have - with all it’s ups and downs and a couple of sideway slips .. life is pretty amazing.
Im sure that I have missed many events that occurred during my 30‘s and if I had the hindsight I should have been keeping a list but here’s what I can remember (I’m getting old, my memory is not what it used to be!!)... The past 10 years are ready to be logged.
Caerwyn & Cerys entered my life in 2002 and 2003. To my babies (now 8 and 10), thank you for making my life complete. You have made my soul glide; life is complete with you both in it.
Life gave us a curve ball in 2011 when Cerys was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Cerys you have accepted it and moved on. I admire you! Regardless of what happens in the future, of whether you grow out of it or Epilepsy is something you have for life, it will not change the beautiful person you are.
Caerwyn, stay strong and healthy and if you read this in a couple of years when you are a teenager, be gentle on us and remember Mum and Dad are always right!!
Caerwyn and Cerys starting school was momentous and heart wrenching at the same time. All of a sudden I was handing over the most precious possessions in my life for 6 hours a day. Now what would I do?
Keep working hard, stay focused and keep asking me those tricky questions that make me think and want to know more.
I started my photography business. My love of the camera came through the wish to capture my wonderful family. Through the encouragement of family and friends I realized that I could take a ‘decent enough’ photograph and people would want me to capture their families for them.
I love what I see though the lens. I love the moments of connection, I love the thought that someone will look at the photograph of their child or family and say ‘perfect’.
David left us for a year to work overseas (Portland, OR). This was the most challenging year ever on so many levels. It was also the catalyst for our decision to move overseas for the foreseeable future.
I (we) left Sydney in 2010 with tears in my eyes, excitement in my soul and a sense of ‘what now?’. We travelled to the USA, UK, Spain and Italy, an adventure that took me to incredible cities, introduced me to wonderful new friends and created memories that will last a life time.
I don’t know when we will be back in Australia. I keep saying it will be the year Caerwyn starts high school ....
Leaving Nan and Pop was hard. I miss them every day. Thank goodness for FaceTime!
I guess it comes with age but I realize that regardless of distance, time and the fact that Im not great at keeping in touch, my friends are still there and will still talk to me and pick up up the phone when I call.
But, traveling has given me the opportunity to make wonderful new friends that will be in my heart forever. They have taken me in and made me feel like I have known them forever.
Because we are traveling we decided that we would homeschool ... no more words are needed here!
Because we are traveling and we decided to homeschool I love a good Margarita!
No more words need here ... it’s not a coincidence that this point follows ‘homeschooling’!
In December 2011, I was diagnosed with a Melanoma on my right leg. I felt so lost and scared upon hearing those words. I was lucky thou, they got it early and cut the bugger right out. Melanoma has shown me that life is short. If you don’t like something, change it and live for the moment, not looking back at what could have been.
To think that we used to take you both to swimming lessons and you would both scream so loudly! Even Nanna got into the pool to see if you would perform better with her ... so it is incredible to see you both training 4 days a week, swimming competitively and qualifying for the State Championships. I would not have thought (ever) that I would be a swimming mum, standing beside the pool, screaming and cheering for you both.
I say it often but I am so proud of you both!
I met David before my 30’s (just) you are my rock and my love. I am grateful for all that you give our family and me. Thank you for the past 11 years (12, this October), I know that I can be difficult and hard to understand but I do love you and look forward to the next chapter together.
Also in the last 10 years ...
GPS went mainstream - thank goodness for this. Driving on the other side of the road is bad enough but getting lost is painful!
Text Messaging was sent to us - remember sometimes a call is nicer than a text!
Facebook was launched - that instant connection to friends
iPhone was released - I love my phone and panic when I can’t find it ... not sure if that’s a good thing or not ...
Harry Potter - seriously these books will be talked about even when my kids are 30!
Twilight - I put it here because it was part of my 30’s. Never in a million years did I think I’d want to be a vampire!!
Barrack Obama was elected as the first ‘non-white’ President of the USA and Julia Gillard was elected the first ‘woman’ Prime Minister of Australia.
There were many natural disasters and many lives were lost. At times it made me question the greater good.
I promise not to stress about turning 40. It’s just a number and be it large, it’s still just a number! I will look after myself, love myself and continue being a daughter, mum, wife and friend to the best of my ability.
Bring it on!
x
28/05/2012
21/05/2012
fun and games
whilst waiting for the boys to leave the grocery shop.
We had time to kill so what do I do - take photos!
15/05/2012
crazy kids
It was their persistance, wearing me down bit by bit but I eventually said yes and in they went.
The water temp is a cool 12 degrees - the outside temp a lovely 30 degrees .
And yes, Cerys is wearing white socks with her wetsuit!
08/05/2012
triathlon training ... for caerwyn
I posted on FB that Caerwyn (and his dad) did their practice triathlon on the weekend. I am so proud of them both as something like that is just beyond me.
A 500 yd swim, 5km run and 12 mile bike - the distance that he will do when he competes in his first triathlon in August.
wish us luck
just need the bloody geese to stay away and we might stand a chance!
painting
Cerys and Caerwyn have been doing some serious painting lately. Caerwyn even created a special 'mother's day' painting, he hid it away and then 5 days before mother's day - handed it over to me! He can't keep a secret ... he's just like me when I have an exciting secret!
Here's their efforts:
26/04/2012
vegas
I had the opportunity to travel to Vegas to meet up with David whilst he was working there. It took some arranging and thanks to the wonderful Susannah I was able to take a few days to myself.
I like Vegas - especially for the (crazy) people watching - I don't know what it is but people forget who they are in Vegas ...
What I loved best this time, was I had arranged to do a tour of the Neon Museum - all the neon signs from casinos that are no longer standing have been saved and are now part of the museum. I loved the colours, the light bulbs, the curves, the sun light ... it rocked my world so to speak!
A couple from the 'strip'
10/04/2012
brittany
Ok, how incredibly gorgeous is our wonderful swim coach!
love
J & L have been together for 36 years and their love is beautiful, fun and cheeky. We are lucky to have them in our lives.
