Project Love Me

I have been playing catch up for the project as I was late getting started.  So this post is all about the catching up pages I have

Firstly this week was all about laughing.  What makes me laugh.  I guess I wrote this all about my son Hayden.  He spent a lot of time laughing this week.  He was so happy to know he could ride a bike with two wheels.  You can read more about the prompt here.

Here is my page follow the link and you get the journaling up close.

All the credits and journal can be found here at Nuts4Digi.

Prompt 4 was all about words of wisdom.    Here I decided to use some of my camping photos to show my message.  The journaling can be read more easily if you follow the link.

The credits can be found here at Nuts4digi

I have more but will be back to put them on my blog.

New 52 Week 8

This week I thought that I would try a different scrapbooking style.  Using doodles...plenty of them in fact.  to add to this there is no photo and only journalling to embellish it any further.  This took me ages to create. So without any further ado here it is.

Gosh I wish I could doodle like this kit allowed me to do on the computer.  Anyway I used doodlemania kit by Dinskip and the heart from Hugs and Kisses kit from WW 

Wordless Wednesday 23 February

Here is my photo for today.  I just feel like eating something sweet so here it is.

I am linking to My Little Drummer Boys

Monday Menu 21 February

Here is this weeks menu

Monday  Steak n Kidney stew with rice

Tuesday  Chicken sausages, poptato and peas

Wednesday  crockpot chicken  on noodles

Thursday  chicken meatloaf and salad

Friday  Roast Vegetable frittata with salad

Saturday  Chicken and mushroom pies with rice crust

Sunday  leftovers

I am linking to I'm an Organising Junkie

New 52 week 7

I have been on this journey. 

Being a fit and healthy weight is really important for me. It shows me I value myself...my mind, my body and my soul (well I hope that is helped too). Without these things then the rest of my life struggles.


This year I managed to start the year at an idea weight for me. I was working really hard on my fitness through the couch to 5 km programme and even managed 3 christmas days, yes I know 2 too many, and 12 days camping to this day working on a maintenance plan.

I hope that I am setting a great example for my children about eating well not binging or the other extreme of not eating. Eating a balance of food including treats ocassionally. Showing my children that exercise is important. It makes me happier, it makes me more positive about life and ...oh....yes I feel less stressed.

So fingers crossed for the year that I can maintain where I am at. I can climb back up if I fall off the path I am on. That I acquire no injuries to prevent me exercising and I continue to love everything I have achieved.

credits can be found here at Nuts4Digi

3 weeks after I wrote this for my scrapbooking page I am still going strong.  Part of this challenge for me is too look after myself in everyway.  Today we were going to a family function, a 4 year old birthday.  I decided to hunt through my wardrobe to see what was in there.  Trust me I am on a mission to take care of my appearance.  To take pride in it.  I managed to find this cute little dress that now fits again, put on some jewellery and a little make up and off I went feeling pretty good.  When we got home this evening  I got my 7 year to take a photo.  Sadly it looks like I have been out all day at a childrens party and my hair well when you have that much hair it is difficult to stop it looking like a puff ball.  But the key for this week was that I made a big effort and that is something I have not done for such a long time.

Ok so the photo is not great but there I am.

This post is part of a challenge posed by Listgirl.  Her blog can be found here where you can read more.

Project Love Me. Prompt 3

So weeks prompt in the Project Love Me was to write about lost dreams.  So be warned that this post just could be a little heavy.

Dreams....A Cautionary Tale



Just as any new parent knows, when your child is born, it seems that those dreams you have for them begin to form. You know the ones. The ones that say that your child will lead a happy and fulfilled life in some way or rather. You never dream that anything untoward to could happen to them, that those dreams could or would be shattered. This is where my story, I hope, will help save someone from the trauma we have been through.

For us the signs were there. Albeit small signs, but hindsight is a great thing. Little alarm bells should have been ringing. Perhaps they were and I was just not listening carefully to them. Suddenly with a third child on the way I began to reflect on the little things I should have been noticing in our house and took this child to see specialists. I travelled home to New Zealand from our home is S E Asia for this to happen and was treated like a neurotic mother. Sadly now those alarm bells were being heard by me but I had been told by the medically informed that there was nothing wrong with my son. and I took this as though it was etched in stone.

Still perservering with all those little alarm bells I went back to our home in S E Asia with child 3 in tow. Don’t get me wrong, all the milestone were being met, it was the little things, his white blonde hair, excessive thurst and urination, reluctance to eat food, Diabetes had been ruled out along with tropical deseases.

Sadly for our son these little things did mean something and in February 2006 he suffered a serious and life changing medical event. I have written about this time on other pages so wont go into it now, but my sons brain was damaged significantly, his life hung in the balance for days and from that moment things would never be the same for us again.

I could write about the should and should not ofs, aportion blame but that is not what this tale is about. Wind the clock forward about 8 weeks and we find out that those little alarm bells really did mean something. This something was not an everyday occurance but a rare and significant medical condition. Yes the past blood tests, in the before times, showed that there was something wrong. I couldn’t believe it. My alarm bells were ringing true.

So if there is anything to learn from my little tale then it has to be, listen to your alarm bells. They could just mean the difference between being able to dream or not.
 
Here is the page I made with these words on it.
 

The credits for this page can be found here at Nuts4digi

Residential Respite Care

Wilson Centre is the place that I love to hate.  I know hate is a strong word but I really mean this in the best possible way.  It simply is that I hate that we need to use this kind of service.

When the disabled services of New Zealand offered us respite care for Hayden I have to say I was so relieved.  The constant and significant behavioural issues, the medication regeim every 6 hours morning and night were and are placing a strain on our little family.  It was a chance to give us a break from the life that we had been thrust into.

When the reality hit then a new set of emotions raised themselves.  Was I a bad mother to want my son to go away for the weekend?  What will people think of this choice we had  made?  You know the questions we really nagging.  I even asked myself what would we do when we didnt have all the issues to deal with?

Now two years down the line I am happy to say that I am past those questions.  Infact who cares what others think.  The rest of the people in my little family need a break and we are not going to feel guilty in any way.  We are going to embrace this moment and enjoy life just like we should.  I am happy too that Hayden loves his weekends away.  I trust implicitly that Wilson Home knows how to care for Hayden and all his special needs.  I have to really, because without that trust it would be difficult to relax and just for a moment forget that this is how it is for us.

So this weekend Hayden is 'on holiday'.  This is him helping with all his luggage for two nights.  Thank you all those wonderful people who care for him so that for just a moment we can forget.

Wordless Wednesday 16 February

A photo taken by timer on Valentines Day.  DH and myself

I am linking to My Little Drummer Boys

New 52 Week 6

With all that has happened in the last few years a glass of wine has really come a thing of the past for me.  Not that I ever drank a lot of alcohol anyway but now, with the demands of Hayden and me on the healthy weight and health exercise lifestyle I have finally decided that I can have a drink or two every now and again.  I can still manage to get up in the middle of the night for the nappy change and medicine run for him, especially if I know that he is well.

So here's to last night and two small glasses of wine.  I reminder to me that I can do this, enjoy a glass or two as a treat and still manage to get up to Hayden and go for a run this morning.

Here's too to the reminder that life is all about balance and I should remember that always.

Monday Menu 14 February

For the next few weeks I am trying to empty my chest freezer so am trying to use up what is left in the bottom.  Trust me this is not going to be pleasant because there will be lots of stews and corned beef.  Hmmm

Anyway on to this week.

Monday  Sausage potato and green vege

Tuesday  Grilled Vietnamese Steak and bok choy

Wednesday  corned beef in the slow cooker and paked potato and green salad

Thursday  meatballs and spaghetti

Friday Curry chicken pasta

Saturday Chicken Fajita

Sunday  pizza made with leftovers

I am linking this page to The Organised Junkie so if you want to see more great menu planning then pop on over.

Project Love Me

I discovered this challenge which I really like.  Project: Love Me.  It involves journaling which I love to include in my scrapbooking and also will provide a source of inspiration for photos and blogging.   So I started at the beginning today using the first weeks prompt of Dreams.

Here is what I was prompted to write.


I wish I had a magic wand and turn back time.  Not to make a fortune or live the silver spoon life.  It would be a chance to take action sooner so Hayden, my son would not become disabled.  I guess hindsight gives us that perspective on life.  I dream of what might have been and how things could be different.  How dramatically that dream changed and no I just hope that someday Hayden will be able to learn things that will enable his life to be more than it is and less of a burden.

The credits can be found here at Nuts4digi.

Ten - An interview with my DD

It has been a couple of months since McKenzie turned 10.  So I thought that I might just interview her to find out what she was thinking about the world now that this auspicous moment had arrived.

I decided to interview her and try and understand all bit about what she was thinking.

What is the best thing about being 10?

(Interview of McKenzie today)

I am a double digit.
I am an even number that means I am even
I have a zero in my age
I am old enough to have sleepovers
I get to wear whatever earings I like.(thats what she thinks)
I am trusted so I can do some things by myself.
I get to make decision for myself
I can depend on myself
I get more challenging work at schook which I like
I am trusted with more valuable things, my ipod.

Definitely thoughts to scrap.

Credits can be found here

P365 2010 Finally

Finally after much deliberation I have made a front and back cover for my P365 2010 book

Here is the cover page for the front.

The credits for this are stitching, flowers and swirl come from SS 4 kit from Weeds and Wildflowers, ribbon and alpha come from SS 6 kit from Weeds and Wildflowers and finally the wordart from Suddenly Artistic.

The back cover is rather more simplistic.

The credits for this page are the paper from SS 4 kit, word art from SS6, the heart a blog freebie, the stitching and staples from Life 365 Attachit 2 all from Weeds and Wildflowers

A Miracle has happened

As many of you know my son Hayden has a port a cath.  This device sits just under the skin and  that gives hospital staff direct access to his veins for IV fluids and taking blood.

(image sourced from smith medical site as linked above)

Since it was discovered that Hayden has the medical condition Cystinosis it has been and incredible challenge to take the necessary blood from him on a monthly basis.  Not only was/is he needle phobic but his veins are very small and seem to wriggle around everytime the needle came close enough.  Maybe, looking back, it was Hayden wriggling and giggling (and screaming ) as the needle came closer.

A port a cath became necessary about two years ago because he protested so much that we were no longer able to get blood out using a needle and finger pricks were being done.  When 10 mls or more of blood are needed that is not an easy task.

So winding the clock forward, the port a cath is inserted, the nerves quarterised and we are set for painless blood taking and IV moments.  How wrong could I have been.  The needle phobia was still ever present and Hayden was still requiring three adults to hold him still while his veins were accessed.  He protested so much that the Communtiy nurse (she) who was supposed to collect the monthly bloods was nervous everytime she came to see us.  Then it was the case that he knew she was nevous and she knew he was nevous.  The nervous child and adult both became really nervous with the nurse shaking as the needle go closer to Hayden and Hayden protesting even more.  Oh no I am thinking, another solution is required.

Now I take Hayden on a monthly basis to Day Stay at Starship hospital.  This is New Zealands first build hospital for children.  These nurses are very practised at accessing port a caths and while Hayden still protested and required three adults to hold him down blood was alway gathered.

Now that leads us two years on and to today and our miracle.  During the 30 minute drive to Starship I remind Hayden that he is giving the nurses some blood today and it does not hurt.  Today he happily followed the nurses to the room, happily took off his shoes and shirt, sat on the bed and two minutes later the nearly 20 mls of blood was collected and were were on our way home.  Hayden had not protested, not needed any adults to hold him.  It was a miracle.  Long may this miracle moment continue.

Of course this post would be complete without a photo of Hayden showing off his port a cath.

 



Wordless Wednesday 9 February

Here are two photos of DD.  Now I know they are quite dark by DS2 (just 7yrs) was the photographer.

I am linking to My Little Drummer Boys an Austrialian Wordless Wednesday post.



New 52 week 5

So here I am blogging for the third time today.  I am playing catch up incase you are wondering.

Week 5 n my New 52 project, a project about me is another self improvement thing.  I have always struggled with having finger nails that I would not be embarrassed about.  Yes you know what I mean, I bit them especially in times of stress or unhappiness.

This week I am pleased to say things are looking up in this department.  While I have a couple of broken nails this is the best sent of nails I have had since I decided acrylic was the answer for me.

So proudly (not looking at the short stumpy fingers and wrinkles) here are my fingers.

Now maybe I need to go and get them groomed properly.  I guess that could be a new thing for another week.



Beetroot Relish

This was my best find of last weeks menu.  We had it on our burger and while the children were not so keen on it I think that they will need to be given time to acquire the taste.

Beetroot Relish
(Souce Weight Watchers Magazine Feb 2011) no online link to this recipe

1/2 cup of cider vinegar
1 tbs of brown sugar
1 tsp sea salt
2 medium beetroot peeled and coarsley grated
1 medium green apple peeled and grated.

Put the cider vinegar, sugar and alt in a small saucepan and bring to the boil.  Add the beetroot and apple, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally for 6-8 minutes or unti lbeetroot is tender when checked.

That is all there is too it.

Monday Menu 7 February

I know that I am late posting this but I am still going to link you up anyway.

here is the plan for the week.

Monday  Chicken, new potatoes and mixed vege

Tuesday  Chicken curry pasta

Wednesday  pot roast with new potatoes and salad

Thursday  Beef Fajitas (with bbq sauce, cummin and chilli sauce)

Friday  Aussie Hamburgers

Saturday  Indian lamb cutlets with sauteed potatoes

Sunday  Leftovers

Rounding up January

I am taking a leaf from Katie The Scrapbook Lady and am going to round up at the end of each month. I have not yet refined what I am going to round up but thought that I would use the list in the link from this blog as a prompt to start me off.

Books

I have taken  up a reading challenge.  It is something I have been meaning to do for some time and now that the children are at school I will be able to dedicate some time to this activity.  I love drama style books so watch out for my review in the next couple of weeks as I will be finished the book I am reading.  So I am currently finishing Hot Blood by Stephen Leather.

What fun things did we do as a family?

It is the summer holidays here.  That means 6 weeks break from school for the children and a time to rest, recover and enjoy each others company.  I booked Hayden into Wilson Home for Respite care and we packed to go camping at Hahei on the Coromandel Penisular.

Our site has no electricity and we make use of the flushing toilets and short hot showers (the bare minimum I require) provided by the camping ground.  barbeque  and gas cooker for heating food, a chilli bin for providing coolness and one fantastic solar powered lantern for night time light.  Our best camping finds for this year of course were the memory sponge for on top of our air bed and the tent we bought the children which they still need to learn how to assemble.

Of course our days were filled with

Visiting Hot Water Beach ...hear is a photo of the very hot water bubbling out of the sand at the waters edge.

Kayaking on the esturay at Cooks Beach

Of course the time in the water.

Playing volleyball with friends



Rock Pooling

and generally having a fabulous time.

Giving Gifts

This month was Andres 7th birthday.  We were camping for this and he had a fantastic day.  He was very spoilt and got gifts from all family members who had remember to send them away with us as well a few special things from us.  He shared his day with our friends.  We had party food from the shop and an icecream cake... You know the sort when you buy one block of icecream in cardboard place candles on the top.  Then sing happy birthday and serve to all children in a cone with sprinkles and chocolate.  Finally the children got to light sparklers on the beach.

Here is McKenzie and her friend.

Accomplishments for the Month.

This month I achieved a goal of being healthier and fitter.  I have been working at my diet and exercise habits.  I am so pleased with what I have achieved in the last 8 weeks I now am focusing on doing this while working and rushing everyone around everywhere.

Monthly Tasks

I wish to be able to say they are done but no so plant to work on this tomorrow where I will report back.  So the backing up etc etc will be done.  It is diariesed (if there is such a word)

Wordless Wednesday 2 February

Can you believe it is February already.

Here is my photo which I am linking to My Little Drummer Boys

These three are Kayaking at Cooks Beach Estury.  On the front is a friends son Kai, DD McKenzie is paddling and DS2 Andre is pretending to fish off the back.