January 5, 2014

my family and me 1/52




new year's day car selfie
we do some of our best family chats in the car
some of the best blues too.

January 1, 2014

back

I went missing. I went missing for quite some time from this little space.
Life called and I answered.
I didn't go far. I still played around and chatted on twitter. But I didn't blog.
The words didn't come and there was just too much living to be done.

Our beautiful Batsman, our eldest, continued to live awesomely with autism by starting primary school without a tear (from him) and continuing on to have a happy, achievement filled year as a school boy. It has been truly amazing to watch all the hard work he has done and we have done with him, come to fruition.





The Bowler became more of the man I imagine he will be. He is determined, loud, sensitive and funny. A force of nature and a constant reminder to live life loud and full, he has had an absolute ball at kindergarten and child care and no doubt will again in 2014. The Bowler stepped out from behind the long shadow cast by his big brother's extra needs and took big size 13 steps forward. We are so lucky to have him.





As a family we shared beautiful meals, weekends away and a week at our favourite farm hideaway, In many ways, as the boys grow and become more independent, we have become an even closer little family unit. So much fun, good stuff happened and stretches out ahead of us too. We have some wonderful friends and family to share it with. Life is so very good.







In November, this most very beautiful puppy entered our lives, our family and our hearts. I had thought that "getting a dog" was all about the kids. How wrong I was. Falling in love with our guy Buzz was a little unexpected but so very welcome. 



While I was missing there was so much and nothing to do, all at once. I needed so very much to catch my breath and find my own space after the last three years of intensive therapy for our big boy. And I did that. Yet the nature of the beast (me) is to involve myself, to do stuff, to meet people, to be busy. In 2013 I read books and listened to audio books, I drank lots of coffee and ate lots of beautiful food. I had three gorgeous weekends away with some of the best girlfriends anyone could have. I had my hair cut with a fringe. My blog was given a makeover by the equally talented and lovely Sharnee. I LOVE it! I cooked and cooked and cooked and kept finding new depths of my passion for food and creating it. I helped raise money for the autism organisation dear to our hearts. I supported other mums and dads just beginning down their own autism road. I reveled in those chunks of time where it was just me in the house. Just me. 

As the year entered its last quarter, I had the good fortune of a prize winning jar of jam in the Royal Melbourne Show. A little old order form for family and friends became 410 jars of jam made and sold. It was amazing and affirming and exciting. But more about the jam factory another time. 



For now, I'm just happy to be back.
Happy New Year and may 2014 be all you wish it to be and more xxx