FAMILY PICTURES

Why is it that family pictures always cause drama in a family.  As soon as a photographer picks up a camera to take our family photos it seems that my girls grow horns and want to go into battle with each other.  They disagree about everything, discussions turn into arguments and I end up yelling at them to just be quiet and smile.  Does this sound familiar to anyone or does this only happen in our family?  


I always wonder why this happens and try very hard to prevent the annual meltdown.  But, in the last 15 years that I have been a mother....we have not succeeded.  I ultimately begin yelling (yes, I am a yeller) and we manage to smile our way through the photo session even though inside we may want to kill each other.  

After many mishaps, we finally got the shot that I wanted....it will be our Christmas card for 2014.  I hope my girls will remember the end product and not the bickering to get it.  Maybe when they are mothers someday (hopefully a LONG ways off) they will understand how truly difficult this can be - family pictures.

Here are a few of our bloopers....the real deal will be posted after the cards go out.  Stay tuned :)

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to go see "Sculpture by the Sea" - another first for us!

"Sculpture by the Sea began in 1996 with an art exhibition held over one day at Bondi beach and is now an annual event. In 1995, David Handley was living in Prague and visited an outdoor sculpture park in Klatovy, Northern Bohemia. He was inspired to do something similar in Australia. The works of art are spread across the cliffs from Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach via Tamarama Beach. Every year the coastal walk is transformed into a seaside art gallery. Over 100 sculptures are exhibited in the background of sea and the coastal landscape along the two kilometre coastal walk." (thank you Wikipedia)

We had a marvelous time walking along the cliffs with the sunshine on our faces and the wind in our hair.  It was a really HOT day but, we were grateful for the chance that we had to  the LARGEST art instillation in the world.

Some of our favorites are below....however, there are some that were VERY unique.  I just keep telling myself that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  :)

This was our FAVORITE!!! 

Yes, it is a EXTRA LARGE FRYING PAN - to illustrate people's obsession to always be tan.
Skin cancer anyone?

ALL B’s: BIRDS, BROKEN, BOWLING & BROADWAY

After our return from The Great Barrier Reef, life has been a constant whirlwind.  The girls went back to school and resumed homework.  However, we still wanted to pursue the hidden gems of this city and take full advantage of it’s beauty while being entrenched in everyday responsibilities.

BIRDS:  Australia has some of the most impressive birds you will ever see.  They are fantastic in their colors, sizes and calls/tweets.  You can see them everywhere you go and they are fascinating to watch.  In Sydney, there is a beautiful street by the name of Angel Place that is filled with empty birdcages.  It is tucked away from the crazy city noise but, it gives you a chance to stare at these magnificent cages that once held one of the Australia extinct birds.  We had a wonderful time in the city as we admired Angle Place and the Queen Victoria Building. 

Inside and OLD cage elevator

BROKEN:  The day before the girls were headed back into school from Term 3 holidays, Tom and I took the girls for a picnic in the park.  Our girls happen to love parks especially if there is a playground that is involved.  I don’t think they will ever be too old to play on the playground.  They were running from one piece of equipment to another and Jane finally settled on a merry-go-round.  Merry-go-grounds are meant to be used while sitting on them but, Jane is ALWAYS looking for new ways to test her limits.  She decided that it would be more exciting to try and walk/run on the merry-go-round as it spun around.  She was doing quite well until she lost her balance and flew off of it.  Her fall was very similar to one that you would see of the TV show “WIPEOUT.”  After a little embarrassment and few tears, we scooped her up and headed home.  For the rest of the day, she was quite careful with her left arm and kept informing us that it might broken.  Tom was convinced that it was NOT broken but, just feeling sore from the “wipeout.”  Because Jane is so familiar with broken bones (4 other fractures in her short ten years) she decided to wrap it up until she could convince her delinquent parents that it was indeed broken.  Long story short, two days, an x-ray and MRI later, we discovered what Jane already knew….it was BROKEN.  She broke the little bone on her hand/wrist that moves her thumb.  It is fairly critical piece of human anatomy and I am grateful that Jane was persistent in her complaining because Tom and I are not exactly the best listeners. (We are NOT in the running for BEST PARENTS).

BOWLING: On October 3, 2014, we took the kids bowling to celebrate living in Australia for a year and a half.  It seems to have flown by on many fronts and yet it feels just like yesterday that we arrived in the gorgeous country.  We have been on 13 trips in the short 18 months!  We are trying to see and experience all that the Pacific-Rim has to offer.  We don’t want to go home with any regrets.  Bowling was very fun and something that Tom could do given that his hand is still healing (he is a lefty when it comes to anything sports related).

BROADWAY:  This weekend Tom and I had the opportunity to see “THE KING & I” - a Broadway Musical.  The only difference is that we were able to see it in the Sydney Opera House.  Tom and I really enjoyed the show.  It was a delightfully sunny day filled with song and dancing, every guys dream - don’t you think.  Tom is always a good sport to support my love of the theatre.  Tom is happy to accompany his wife anywhere especially if it involves seeing his girlfriend (Sydney Opera House).

We are busy, happy and relatively healthy as head towards the close 2014.  The girls are finishing up their school years, seminary is getting ready to conclude for the year (Yippee - I couldn't be happier) and we are continuing to make every minute count. 

GREAT BARRIER REEF

We just returned from our quintessential trip to the GREAT BARRIER REEF!  I don't know how you can move to Australia for 2-4 years and not visit "THE REEF."   We have been planning this trip for a while and looking forward to it with great anticipation.  

Port Douglas located in the state of Queensland did not disappoint.  It is not surprising that the GREAT BARRIER REEF is a natural wonder of the world.  The snorkeling was mind blowing....TRUE BEAUTY!

In addition to snorkeling in the Reef, we were able to travel 26 kilometres up the coast to the Daintree Rainforest.  It is quite unbelievable that both ecosystems are just minutes away from each other and so diverse with their wildlife and natural setting (water vs. rainforest).

We were able to 

• snorkel with a Whitetip Reef Shark (2 metres long) & many other beautiful fish
• hold Rainbow Lorikeets
• have brekie with birds (brekie = breakfast)
• hold a Koala (You are only able to do this is Queensland)
• feed kangaroos
• watch crocodiles (fresh water & saltwater) eat Barramundi Fillets and Baby Chicks
• swim in a natural watering hole
• walk across "Mossman Gorge" on a suspension bridge
• cartwheel our way down the widest beach we have ever seen
• HAVE FUN, FUN, FUN!

Claire has made a video of our experience -- ENJOY! -- MANNINGS IN THE REEF

VIBRANT VIRGOS

This last week was birthday week.  Grace turned 13 and Jane turned 10 (it was her golden birthday).  It is impossible for me to believe that my two little beauties are getting older.  All three of my girls are in the double digits and it is bittersweet.  They are growing into amazing, clever, sweet, gorgeous girls however, I miss those days when they would sit at my feet wanting to be held.   They amaze me with their maturity, kindness, and they teach me patience.  Life is never dull with three girls however, I can't imagine our family without these VIBRANT VIRGOS! 

Per their requests, I stood in the kitchen baking and cooking for two solid days fulfilling their culinary desires. They seemed very happy and felt loved however, by the end of the two days I was EXHAUSTED!  I was over sweet, sugary treats and I just wanted to sit on the couch, eating salty potato chips to balance my sugar headache.

Every year, Tom and I put together a list of the reasons why we love the girls on their birthdays.  The number of reasons corresponds with their age.  It is pretty amazing to me that we make these lists independent of each other and yet, many of the reasons we list are the same.  

I thought I would post Tom's list for Grace - she turned 13 on the 9th.  I am going to post my list for Jane - she turned 10 on the 10th!

"13 Reasons I Love Grace" by Daddy
13.  Very Strong - knows what you want.
12.  Intelligent & Driven - I am very proud of what you are doing in school.
11.  Funny - wicked sense of humour making people laugh all the time.
10.  Confident - committed to family motto: "Be strong, Be confident and Be Happy."
9.  Friend to All - you light up the room when you enter.
8.  Baby Whisperer - kids of all ages adore you.  You will be a great mother same day.
7.  Lovely Daughter of Heavenly Father - Glad that you participate and lead in church settings.
6.  Great Sister - Good example to both Jane and Claire.  Love you for that.
5.  Fashion-ista - You Know fashion and you strive to always look your best.
4.  Loyal - you are loyal to those who really matter.  "Family" means something to you.
3.  Adventurous - willing to reach out and see/learn new things on our travels.  Have embraced current situation with grace (no pun intended).
2.  Still Love me to tuck you in at night.  As my girls grow, the fact that you still ask me to say prayers with you and tuck you in is wonderful.
1.  Because you are MY child and a lovely person above all else.  You care for others, you care for yourself, you believe in yourself and you respect yourself.  You beam goodness.  I love you for all of that and for the love you continue to give back.  Just because you have turned "13" does not require you to act "13."  Love you - Daddy.

Jane's Turn to CELEBRATE!!

"10 Reasons I love Jane" by Mummy
10.  Your beautiful LONG blonde Hair!
9.  Your Cuddly Nature - you are never too old to cuddle me.
8.  Your Athleticism - you enjoy anything that pushes your body.
7.  Your Craftiness - you believe everything can be beautiful even old toothpaste tubes.
6.  Your "NUN" attitude - you always want to be "GOOD."  You inspire us to live up to our potential.
5.  Your Beautiful Smile - you light up a room with your smile - Shear Happiness!
4.  Your "Mother Like Nature" - you are very happy to take care of little ones.  You are a great nurturer.
3.  Your "Independence" - you love to help me, play independently, do the "BIG" things.  You will always be happy no matter what is asked of you!
2.  Your Kindness - always looks out for the under dog.  Willing to serve them.
1.  Your "Tender Heart" - Your love for life that allows you to always be in the moment and experience new things.

Opening her "Golden" gift - she was very excited!

PATIENT

Shortly after returning home from the USA, Tom had to have surgery on his right hand.  Tom has a condition that is associated with Type 1 Diabetes called Dupuytren's Contracture.  He grows nodules on his palm and fingers.  These nodules if left alone will compromise the joints of the fingers and eventually cripple the hand.  So they need to be removed however, you can't just open the hand surgically anytime without the worry of infection.  Expert hand surgeons try very hard to time the surgeries when they are absolutely necessary.  In the last 18 years of marriage, Tom has had the left hand done twice and the right once.

Since marrying Tom 18 years ago, surgery has become one of our life's adventures.  Many times they are routine and some times they are not.  He is very accustomed to going under the knife and I am STILL a massive worrier.  I stress myself out with worry and he is very calm, collected with modern medicine and surgeons.  Maybe it is due to his line of business but, I am glad that one of us can remain so calm.  But, it should probably be the caretaker that is offering support and positive thoughts. I need to work on this....

The surgery went very well and the surgeon is very happy with the results.  In the past with his left hand he had about 180 stitches in his palm and about 20-40 stitches on each of his fingers.  It was ghastly looking but healed pretty quickly.  This time around his hand will be healing for quite a well due the fact that they could not close the incision on his palm.  The right palm had quite a bit of scar tissue under the top layer of tissue and so the doctor was not able to close it.  Apparently it will heal itself from the inside out....see what I mean about things not always being routine. We don't like ordinary in this house.  We strive for extraordinary or RARE!

Tom is a very busy, hardworking guy.  He likes to be active (no couch potato here) and the thought of sitting on the couch/bed for entire week following hand surgery is like torture.  He would much rather be burning the candle at both ends than being confined to a bed.  Needless to say this last week has been difficult on both of us.  Retirement will probably never be part of HIS future even if he is just a ranger at a golf course.

I am so grateful for modern medicine.  I am grateful for skilled surgeons who perfect their craft so that they can help us to life longer and with FINE working parts.  I love my Tommy and I am very grateful that he is able to have tune-ups from time to time.  I wish I was not so familiar with hospitals and surgeons but, he is definitely worth the WORRY.

12 days later and his hand is feeling much better.  He has a long way to go but, he is smiling.