My boy

My boy has been sick.

Four doctors visits in the last two weeks.

Twenty-four hours in hospital.

One chest x-ray.

Two parents who have been worried about their sweet wee boy.

One sister who has been so patient while not being the centre of attention (think time is up on that one!).

Three lots of medicine.

Two inhalers.

One great view of the Sky Tower (which Rangi loves!).

Five nights with stuff all sleep.

Lots of friends offering help and prayers - thank you x

BUT he is on the mend.

And we are relieved and grateful.

Prayers answered for amazing doctors/nurses at hospital and a speedy recovery.

Happy Explained:

So for those of you who read my silly Happy post, I can now let you know that

WE HAVE BOUGHT A HOUSE

And we LOVE it!

It is in the bush (kind of).

A big section.

Tranquil (til we get there anyway).

A 2 minute stroll to the local beach.

Less to the brand spanking new kids playground.

On the same road as the primary school.

I We can not wait to get there.

Apparantly we will be Westies 

(must go stock up on black jeans, leopard print tops, hairspray, Woodstock and Cola...kidding!)

We will have the space to grow our veges.

Maybe plant a few fruit trees.

Build a pizza oven.
Chickens?

Can't wait (said that already!!).

When we moved to Auckland in August last year we never saw this happening. 

Here's a couple of pics...

Wordless Sunday - a great way to end a lovely weekend...

Linking in with

Weekend love

What makes it the weekend for you (apart from having kids at home, dreaming of sleep ins that don't happen, and maybe having your significant other at home to help share the load)??

In our house Saturday mornings begin this way:

• Kids convince Daddy to get out of bed to make surprise pancakes or crepes for me. 
• I get told to STAY IN BED. 
• I fake disappointment, but happily snuggle back into my duvet enjoying having the whole bed to myself.
• The amazingly patient Jean-Claude lets the little ones help make pancake batter, even letting them crack the eggs. He then carefully picks out all the egg shell whilst telling the kids what a great job they have done.
• Kids run in and yell STAY in bed Mumma we're making you a surprise. Followed by them telling me its pancakes (they suck at surprises!!).
• Dadda bakes pancakes.
• Kids get louder and impatient. Start fighting a little.
• Pancakes cooked.
• I get told GET OUTTA BED!!
• I come to the table where two proud kids display their efforts while stuffing their faces.
• Jean-Claude puts down the biggest pancake and tells Bubble to leave it alone he will back for it in a  minute.
• Bubble gigglingly steals big pancake = hilarious.
• Jean-Claude returns to table fakes horror at pancake being gone.
• Rangi laughs til he just about wets himself (or maybe he does wet himself, but seeing as he is wearing a nappy we will never know!).
• Music gets turned up.
• Kids dance and dance. Make us get up and dance with them.
• Dance off continues for about half and hour before we start clean up and get on with our day.

I LOVE this. Makes me fill with happiness and love for my special wee family.
If you visit for brunch you will need to bring your dancing shoes.

Here's the song that started last Saturday for us (we love a huge variety of music old and new)
Turn it up:

HAPPY

WAHOO!!

I'm doing a wee happy dance.

If everything goes to plan I will tell you more soon.

Am praying it does

(and no I'm not pregnant!!!)

This weeks LOVE

Mostly am loving last weekends exploring

A sunny day in winter

Beautiful beach

Sausages, bread and tomato sauce for lunch (even when someone forgot the frying pan, thank goodness for all those survival type programmes - we found a solution!)

And these guys are pretty special too...

A week of homemade soup, homemade bread, apple sponge and other yummies

Two lots of yoga this week. Equals 3 hours me time - albeit sweating my butt off!

Pinterest - another terribly addictive computer time waster. 

These words I found have stuck with me...

Hairdressers that make me brave enough to try a fringe (a beginner fringe anyways). 

And woah you should see plans for the next appointment...exciting. (Pinterest may give you a clue!!).

And finally Yay for Vlogs (and G-logs) that make me feel awkward but allow us to connect wherever we are in the world.

Linking in with Paisley Jade

Oh for goodness sake

... not another VLog.

I suck at this. My voice is blah. But anyway, here's mine.

In Black and White (just like the 50's) due to a demanding, tantrum throwing Rangi. And honestly B and W is always kinder.

Thank Gail - linking to your cool linky thingy

Dear Mrs Readalot

Dear Mrs Readalot


Please excuse Lyns for not handing her book report in earlier.
Stanley the dog ate it.  Rangi scribbled all over it. Bubble used it to make a paper mache creation...


Well, actually she is just a slacker who completely forgot that she was doing this!!


Please see Book Review below:


Yours sincerely
Ms Lyns

Water for Elephants

First off I need to say that I read books for pure enjoyment. Sometimes I crave a deep a meaningful read, sometimes something light and fluffy, sometimes a suspense, sometimes something with a life message...I like most genres thriller, crime, chick-lit, sci-fi, fantasy.

I sometimes manage to miss the symbolism. I do fall in love with characters and styles of writing. At times I feel like I am having some kind of affair with a story as I rush to get the kids to bed and do my chores so I can jump into a book. My poor husband becomes almost invisible and somewhat neglected until I sadly get to the end of the book.

So...Water for Elephants - how I liked this story!

I have a soft spot for the older generation, especially sweet old men. I have such respect for the lives they have lived and the things they have seen. I do however have an extreme fear of getting old myself. I mean I won't mind if I manage to be blessed with good health, and a body and mind that work fine. But things like a body that won't do what you need it to, or a mind that torments you with what is real and not real. And alzheimers scares the bajaysus out of me.

As you can imagine then, Jacob touched my heart. A 90 (or is it 93) year old man whose body has slowed and mind plays tricks on him as he recalls the life that he has lived and the chain of events that lead to his time in the circus.

He has a love for animals and helps those less fortunate. Falls for the wrong gal. Deals with the dramas of a bi-polar/cruel lover's husband. Works for a tyrant.

This book is sad and touching with an ending that made me smile.

A very satisfying read. Any book that makes you warm and fuzzy is worth a read.

Am looking forward to seeing the movie.

Lyns
xx

Ps am linking in with Mrs Readalot's bloggy book club

Love from me - Living Fearlessly

I have totally stolen borrowed this idea from Jodie Hedley-Ward, writer of You Sexy Mother (and other follow up inspiration books). This idea has come from her latest news letter...

I sometimes think that if I could travel back in time there are so many things I would tell myself...wear sunscreen, love my toned body (untouched by gravity or childbirth), don't light that cigarette etc

But Jodie's message is applicable to the ME in the present. About how to live fearlessly. About how we are often 'held back' by fear, apprehension, worry, judgement. If your 85 year old self could write a letter to TODAY/young you what would it say...

Here's mine:

Dear 2011 Lyns
LIVE life. Enjoy every day. Do not spend time worrying about what happened yesterday or what may happen tomorrow, to get the most out of life you need to deal with today.
Talk with your husband, and listen (he is a clever man!). Hug him, kiss him.
Give yourself to friendships that make you smile and feel loved.
Adore your kids. Giggle and play. Keep telling them how much you love them. They are miracles! Help them to be the best they can be.
Be kind to yourself. Accept that life is made of many seasons. Today's one may be tough but make the most of it.
Sometimes medication is okay.
Pray. Meditate. Dream.
Try things that thrill you even though you are afraid.
Enjoy what you have, share it if you can. Don't worry about what you don't have.
SIMPLIFY
Move your butt, daily. Dance with the kids, do yoga, walk the dog...just keep moving. 
Find something to be grateful for EVERYday.
Exercise your brain.
Don't spend time worrying about what people think. Wear what you like, sing loud (even though you can not sing), say what you feel needs to be said (with love).
Have more fun with your family. Don't be concerned about being silly, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a family play and laugh together.
Visit beautiful places.
S L O W down. Notice the small stuff.
Ask for help if you need it.
Aim high.
Eat and drink delicious things. Eat more fresh foods.
Be true to yourself. Do not be limited by your fear of failure.
Create an abundance of happy memories. LOVE yourself and your LIFE.
LOVE from 2059 Lyns xx

Now it's your turn.
If you want to join in I am attempting to do the linky thing.

Wordless Wednesday - Hmmmm