Fathers Day

To the two most wonderful men in my life. You both share such similar characteristics; you are humble, talented, modest, genuine, hard-working and loving.

To my Dad, who raised two little girls single handedly for the most part; Thankyou. My memories are filled with sharing football festivities, DIY adventures in the shed, learning about astronomy and you teaching me to draw.

To my partner, I am grateful. Grateful for all that you do for our family, grateful that you have taken Stella on as if she were your own and grateful that you love our girls unconditionally. You give them all they could ever hope for.

To the two most wonderful men in my life; Happy Fathers Day.

 

Letters of Love

I recently acquired a Step-Mother, (although not as casually as it sounds, I didn't just find her on the street) and it has been the loveliest, most heartwarming experience. My Dad married last October, bringing Janette into our family. Since then she has become a Mother, a Nanna, a listener, a mentor and a friend. I am so very proud to have her take on our family name and become a close loved one.

I often don't know how to respond to affection or know how to best show it myself and as a friend pointed out recently..."You're the kind of person who has a bit of an affection bubble". So, getting the right words out when they are needed and felt can be challenging. Slowly, at the end of a phone call here and there the words "Love you" have flowed easily and a big Hello and Goodbye cuddle has become natural, and I feel as though I can call this lady my Mother. Although the title 'Mum' still feels a little strange to use and will probably always be a word I'd rather avoid, I know that Janette is just that to me; A mother figure.

A week ago, a sweet little document found it's way to my inbox and it caused tears all round. I just had to share with you the beautiful words Janette sent us. She even added cute little photos to the text, cue the 'Awwww!'.






No matter how unusual, dysfunctional or alternative my small family is, I love it all the same. Accepting this new-found love and affection has been a journey, but one I will never look back from.

In celebration of family!

From us to You.

Merry Christmas

I hope your day was full of quality time with family and friends. I hope you ate until you couldn't eat anymore, and laughed until you rolled on the floor. I hope your babies slept and your toddlers smiled.
From my family, to yours.

Romance and Roadtrips.

It was a whole month ago that we ventured to the capital of our state for my Dads wedding. I can't believe, 1) How quickly time has flown and 2) How slack I have been (again) with my blogging. Someone needs to kick me, or give me an extra pair of hands or an extra 3 hours in my day. Anyway, does the saying "better late than never" still stand in this instance?

Lets pretend it does, and without further distraction, delay or procrastination here is the long-awaited post about my dear Dads wedding.

We packed 5 bags full of clothing, baby bowls, nappies and dress shoes and managed to fit it all in the family size car with a little push and shove. We headed on over to my Sisters house and picked her and my Niece Ruby up for the trip. I was hoping that Stella would sleep for the entire two and a half hour drive but was secretly enjoying the chit-chat coming from the back seat. Her and Ruby held hands, shared snacks and conversed in babble for the first 40 minutes of our trip. Soon enough Stellas head became too heavy for her little shoulders and her eyes gave in to sleep.
 

The end of our road trip was taken up with applying fake nails, talking outfits and sipping chai lattes. We arrived in our families homes and shared many a cuppa over old photos and reminisced.

The wedding day was just beautiful. Dad and Janette exchanged vows in their home with a small gathering of family and friends. The atmosphere was casual enough to be comforting and formal enough to be exciting.

I feel I must mention the significance this wedding has on my family...My Dad has always been a caring, humble and honest man, yet never managed to receive anything but grief and hurt in return. Until he met Janette. They exude Love. You can see it in their eyes, see it in their embrace. They constantly talk of one another when separated and avoid being separated at all costs. Since having Janette by his side I have seen my Dads face change with the imprint of smile lines and seen his figure fill out with content. Seeing him so incredibly happy, has in turn made all around him incredibly happy. 

I held back tears whilst hearing them declare their love in front of all. I was so lucky to have my own little family there by my side for the day.

It just goes to show, that no matter what age, no matter what life journey you have taken...love never dies. 

...Plenty of love...

MILS and FILS

Today I experienced the less talked about side of marriage, the MIL (Mother-in-law) and FIL (Father-in-law). It isn't often that MILS and FILS are discussed in a positive tone, how many people do you hear complaining about their in-laws? Avoiding family get-togethers?

Well, there is not a negative tone to be heard here, not a moan or grumble, nor a worry or a trouble.

Today, I spent the day trawling the craft fair in the sunshine with my Mr, his Mother and his Father and we had the loveliest day ever. We were able to share a joke, talk about family history and my partners childhood.

I am so very lucky to have this family be accepting of me, and also my daughter. They have welcomed me into their lives and see me as being the light of happiness in their sons eyes. They are tolerant and understanding of my situation and have never once made me feel an ounce of guilt, shame or awkwardness. This is what family should be about, I am not only marrying my soul mate and creating and developing our own family, but I am sharing in the family that has always been.

I feel as though my MIL is perhaps offering me the support and happiness that I did not receive as a child and young adult without a Mother. We can gossip about wedding venues and cakes, and plan rose bouquets.

I cannot wait to bring these incredibly beautiful people more grandchildren of their own. The talent and motivation that their son holds will be projected through to his children. They will mirror the same great strength, wisdom and morality that was instilled in him as a child.

What greater gift than to create, develop and share in family!

What kind of relationship do you share with your in-laws? The stereotypical tension stricken relationship? A casual and relaxed relationship? Do you have any crazy MIL and FIL stories to share with me? I'd love to hear them all!

...plenty of love...

sweet gratitude

Sweet words and congratulations from sweet friends and family make this very special time of my life even happier. I am so grateful to have the unconditional support and love of a very special few.

Cousin love.

A few days back, Stella and her older cousin Ruby spent a day in the park together. It was beautiful to watch them laugh, run and play together.

One of my earliest and happiest memories as a child is playing with my best friends. My best friends being my younger Sister and my older Cousin. My cousin and I rarely fought and experienced many a family birthday party, BBQ and Christmas together. The days before school yard politics were bliss. Friendships were simple and almost always pleasant.

The close relationship between cousins is irreplaceable. It is the first bloom of friendship, and one to be cherished. I can't wait to see these two little girls grow up together and play the same games I too played with my cousin.