I am Trouble!

Miss Molly is now nearly 10 weeks old and is so adorable, but trouble with a capital T - she loves chasing Bella and also creeping up behind Abby to jump on her tail.

This morning I caught her digging under my pot plant - the face says it all - "I am Guilty"

Celebrations

Yesterday we celebrated my remission with a party for friends and family that have supported me on this 20 month journey. 

Waiting for our guests

 I made the decision yesterday that I will begin to abandon my turbans - my hair is growing back really strongly and I am loving it.

The many friends and family who have supported me and joined me in our celebration

 It was the most beautiful afternoon of laughter and sharing with this amazing group of people who have loved and supported me through good times and bad.

Another great photo of the group.

Kay, Kevin and me

 Despite me telling everyone not to bring any gifts - I was overwhelmed with flowers, wine, chocolates, a silver necklace from Kevin and Kay and a gift card from Robyn, Allen & Ryan.

Happy Birthday and Congratulations

Yesterday Matthew passed his driver's licence.  It has been a big couple of celebratory days for him.

It was wonderful to see him arrive back from his test and have passed - the tester even wrote on his test sheet - "Good Drive" - so two qualified driver's in the house now - and only Sarah to go.

Matthew's new car with its "P" plate -  Provisional Driver for 2 years.

A very happy boy.

And today it was his 20th birthday. It is wonderful to celebrate his birthday with him - he has brought our family so much joy - I am so proud of you Matthew.

Matt had work today and when we dropped by the Newsagency where he works  - Granny and Grandad sang Happy Birthday to him in front of the whole shop.

After work - we celebrated with a cake and some presents.

Blowing out your candles

Thanks Granny & Grandad for framing my picture

A GPS for your new car - so that you will never be lost and will always find your way home.

Presents for the birthday boy - let's hope those lottery tickets win that $20 million

The kids!

Pain Free

This morning I woke up pain free for the first time in weeks, no probably months.  Since my cancer was diagnosed 18 months ago I have lived with a low level of pain. However, the past couple of weeks have seen my pain increase day by day until yesterday I saw our GP. 

A prescription of some strong pain medication has resulted in my first pain free evening and a morning waking up pain-free.  I love modern medicine.  Now I can begin to heal.

Little notes

Yesterday morning I woke to a lovely note on the kitchen bench.  It was from Ivan. 

Ivan gets up at about 5.30am every morning and lets the dogs out, feeds them and gives them fresh water.  He then gives Hazel (the bird) fresh food and water in her outside cage - ready for when she goes out later in the day. He also brushes Cleo (the Persian cat) and gives her a treat and a drink of water from the tap.  All of this before he even has his own breakfast.

Yesterday he left us a note to tell us what he had done and also to send us all a special message for the day.  It was such a lovely thing to wake up to.

So ..... this morning - we left him a note in return - we all wrote him a message.

And then he left us another note!

This has been a great bit of fun between our family.

Another family member

Today we fulfilled Sarah's dream - to finally get another dog.

Now we already own 2 dogs - Abby and Bella; 3 cats - Cleo, Greyson & Mae and a bird - Hazel.

But ever since we had to put little Max to sleep last year - Sarah has wanted and asked for another puppy. 

After getting my good news last week and finally making the decision to take Sarah out of school (she is home schooling) - it seemed the perfect time.

So Little Molly joined our family.  She is a Maltese x Poodle and is just 8 weeks old.

Little Miss Molly

The smile says it all

Introducing Molly to Abby and Bella

I think I will sit next to my Mommy

Abby looks so fierce, but is such a gentle dog and a real mother - she took to Molly straight away

The big and the small of it all

Sarah my love, I hope Molly fills that space in your heart that is missing.  Take good care of her my Angel and she will love you forever.

25 Years of Wedded Bliss

Today Ivan and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  We are both so very blessed to have found each other and to have developed a friendship that has not only lasted, but grown over the 25 years we have had together.

Twenty-five years ago we were just 25 and 29 years of age - and both felt that we had found our soul-mate.  I think that the years have proved us right.

15th March, 1989

We have had so many ups and downs, from the loss of our first miscarriage and the following two. To the amazing birth of our three healthy children. We have lived in eight different houses in our 25 years and on 3 continents. We have planted a rose garden in every house and seen floods and drought.  We have enjoyed snow and the seasons of North America and sweltered through humidity and heat in Brisbane.

1990

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

These photos are a small snapshot of the wonderful years of fun that we have shared.

And now today we have celebrated together with our beautiful children and my  Mum and Dad.
Thank you everyone for making today so special.

Ivan & me this morning

Feeling fantastic - I am in remission

Looking good

My handsome fella
 

Cooking together

Yellow roses for friendship

With Mum and Dad

 

Twenty-five fingers for twenty-five years

A beautiful photo of Mum and me

And my lovely Dad

Turkey is cooked

This is love

Wedding bands of love

Family photo

And another

Messing around  - love Ivan's face!

And our gifts for each other.

And so at the end of a wonderful day - I thank God for my life, for the love of a wonderful man and the blessings of an amazing family.