Six Years on

On Sunday Rick and I celebrated six years of marriage. Six years! I know no marriage is perfect but I feel lucky that I chose him and he chose me. We make many decisions in our lives and that is by far the most rewarding, most important, and best decision of mine. He gets me. He's good to me. He is an amazing father. And he's a worthy Priesthood Holder. That above all, is worth it's weight in gold.

We had a family picnic planned with the boys but I'd had a stomach bug on Friday that returned in full force. So my day instead was spent in bed with Rick watching the kids. Not exactly the day we had planned, but Rick has organised a weekend away for us in Melbourne so we will celebrate then!

 

Here's some of my favourite pictures from that day, six years ago ...

Back to my Roots

I feel as though my blogging of late has been getting somewhat sidetracked! Will I really care in five years time that I purchased a new table? Although I have to pause and think about that for a minute, I'm guessing I won't! So getting back to my roots, and the reason why I started this blog in the first place, it's time I did an update on my Four Little Tongans!

 

In the past few months Cassius has really come out of his shell. Putting him in for an extra day at daycare on his own has been the best thing for him! He is so much more active and involved. He is still so kind, and is even getting a little better in the cleaning department. I'm really enjoying seeing his personality grow and we have had many the interesting conversation. Just the other day he pointed to McCaw's stomach and asked 'is there a baby in there mum?'. I replied 'no darling, babies only grow in mums stomach'. He then asked 'when are you going to have another one mum? I wonder what face he will have?'. I replied 'not for awhile, and maybe he will have a face like McCaw'. His eyes lit up and he said 'maybe he will have a face like Cassius?'. Of course, this increase in understanding and vocabulary can make for interesting times. He was sick one day and had started improving as the day went on. When dinner time came around I made him eat his vegetables. I casually asked 'are you still sick son?'. His reply 'this dinner is making me sick!'. I think I could write a whole book on the things that come out of his mouth!

 

All of my boys are a little obsessed with Hot Wheels Cars, and I often have to take them off them as the arguing and bickering escalates. On a few occasions I have taken them off Phoenix and I overhear Cassius assuring him 'don't worry, you can have my ones'. He is definitely his father! On the other hand I'd like to think that Phoenix isn't his mother, but when that temper of his emerges there's no denying the Simpson genes in him! At the same time he is very intellectual (wow he really is from my side ha ha), and has an intrusive mind. He picks things up a lot quicker then Cassius, and I often see him deep in thought digesting what has happened or observing whats around him. Here's hoping he will be my doctor!  He loves to be independent too. Whilst Cassius will find any opportunity to get help with getting dressed etc, Phoenix will readily assert that 'I can do it myself!!'. Often throughout the day I will see his underwear inside out, upside down, with pants on back to front. But you can't tell him otherwise! He loves to sing too. I hear him often throughout the day singing to himself and having a jolly old time! In the picture above he was driving along in Ricks car thinking he was pretty cool singing One Direction!

 

And then there's number three - Kingston. We call him the 'ring in' cos he spends all his day trying to be part of the 'fun'. If his brothers are in the middle of watching something, he wants to join in. If they are laughing, he joins in also and laughs like he has some clue what they are laughing at! I feel sorry for him at times as he is often left out by the older two. When I voiced this to my husband he was quick to point out that Kingston is a very annoying brother. Let me illustrate this with an example. I came downstairs the other day to find Phoenix and Cassius had lined up a number of plastic cups in straight lines. Kingston seeing the cups on the floor, walked over and just kicked them all over and starting laughing. That's my Kingston for you! Regardless, I hope once McCaw grows they will stay close like Cassius and Phoenix. Speaking of McCaw he is the first person that Kingston looks for when he wakes. He almost always wakes in a good mood and says 'baby caw, baby caw'. I really should take more videos of the boys as they grow. Kingston's talking voice is quite funny that's for sure! 

 

 

Last but certainly not least, my McCaw. McCaw is my angel. I look at him and remember everything that I love about being a mother. He is my treasure. I guess I just love the age that he is at. Rick is quick to remind me that Kingston was once in that position too - so I am treasuring up my moments with my boy who looks at me with delight, who is still at that age where he listens, laughs and enjoys me. I just love him. He's a thumb sucker too. None of my other boys have sucked their thumb, and whilst my mother would beg to disagree I think there are worst things in life! It really is impossible to imagine life without this boy!

 

And that's another update on my Four Little Tongans. They are growing so fast and although it can be overwhelming at times, I think I will really will miss this time when I had all four at home, creating chaos every minute. Next year our Cassius will be going to School. Exciting times ahead!

 

Local Park Regulars

The boys and I are quickly becoming 'regulars' down at our local park. It's a short walk from our house, and has a large open field and walking tracks surrounding it.

We went down there yesterday, had a picnic and the boys played and explored the trees. I sat there observing, and really felt at peace. Quite the contrast to my feelings last week, but that's life for you!

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The Definition of Success

I wrote the following post earlier this week and was initially hesitant to post it. But I have decided to be more of an 'honest' blogger, writing about both the good times and the bad. So here goes!

Last week I had a play date with a friend whom I hadn't seen since High School. In other words, we hadn't seen each other in twelve years. Twelve years. Man I am getting old!

 

She has four kids also, so we took the kids to Central Gardens in Merrylands. What a great place! It was thirty degrees that day, but the park is completely sheltered. We had a fabulous day as we chatted, fed our stomachs, and the kids played under the sun.

 

As the day came to a close my friend turned to me and said  'I must say, of all the people from school who I thought would end up with four kids, I didn't think it would have been you. But motherhood really becomes you'.

 

Later that day, I got to thinking. Would the person I was when I went to High School be happy with the person I had become today?

 

The more I thought about it, the more my thoughts turned pessimistic. I began to wonder if being a mother was enough for me. Yes I still work part time and have a degree, but there was a time when I would have aspired to so much more then that. What had I done with my life over the past twelve years? Had I achieved anything? In a way, I felt that somewhere in those twelve years, I had lost that girl from High School, and had become very ok with mediocrity.

In hindsight, I know I was being quite dramatic. Very dramatic really. But thoughts turn into action. And I know I wasn't a very good mother or wife that day.

 

I told my husband how I felt and where my thoughts were taking me.

 

He listened, let me vent, and then simply replied: "I think you need to re-evaluate your definition of "success".

 

So I ask myself what is my definition of success? I'm still trying to figure it out, but there are a few things I know. I know I want to be educated and that education is a lifelong journey. I know I want to live a good, clean and righteous life. I want to be a good wife. And most of all I want to raise good men. Men that value work, and men that are kind. That's not too much to ask right?1?

So I wonder, what is your definition of success?

 

Kahlia's Blessing

This past Sunday we had the blessing of Kahlia Ruby Manu.

 

We ate until we couldn't move (that's the polynesian in us!), caught up with family and friends, and the kids played with their cousins. It was a beautiful day, but I would expect nothing less!

 

Here are some photos from the day:

 

Pacing My Purchases

 

I have a long list of things I want for our new home, but I am 'pacing my purchases' for no other reason then a lack of funding! I really enjoying setting up my home. I keep the set up somewhat minimalistic, but four children under five kinda does that to you. 

 

Yesterday we picked up our new table. I am in love (again) and that area is now my favourite part of the house! I had seen it at Freedom Furniture and rather then buy on impulse, I went on ebay and found the same set, 3 months old but in top condition! I will use the money I saved to go towards the zigzag rug I am currently drooling over!   

On another note, I ordered these from stickygram. The cost is $14.95 (including postage) for nine of your chosen instagram pictures to be transferred to fridge magnets. Seriously is there anything that can't be done these days?!

 

 

The Tenth Commandment

I think I may be coming down with a mild (or not so mild) dose of 'blog envy'.

Having spent the last half hour reading other blogs - 'designer home blogs', 'perfect parenting blogs', 'great photography blogs', not to mention 'well written blogs', how can you not be envious?

I am reminding myself of the tenth commandment: 'thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not covet'.

Maybe if I say it enough it will start sinking in!

Ps - this post was initially titled 'blog envy', but I thought of a better way to write it and updated the post. I really need to stop re-editing my posts!
 

A Pleasant Suprise

Although I could rant on all day about moving and how much I hate it, I am loving our new place! The living room is rather small but other then that the new space is ideal! The additional space makes for a much more organised home, and the boys spend most of the day outdoors so I no longer have to hide ipads and other electronic devices. Heaven!
 

At the same time a bigger home means additional furniture, and given my bank account is running low I am 'pacing' my purchases. One room I decided not to spend on was McCaw's nursery. I set it up and decided to make use of what I had and that I wouldn't be buying anything new. I was pleasantly surpised when the room actually turned out looking not too shabby. I think it's the rug that makes the room - it's old and I got it from Ikea about 5 years ago. I was going to throw it out when we moved but when the carpet cleaners came I got them to clean it for $15. A good investment I say!

 

 

The Best Photo Tip

The title of this post may be a slight exaggeration, but I thought I would share a tip I read online that I think is by far one of the best and most simple ways of making my photos (especially around the home) look a little better!
 

It's simple really - get rid of the mess! It takes barely any time, and makes for much more appealing photos. It also gives the illusion of cleanliness, which for me is an illusion I like to portray!
 

Here's an example of a photo I took the other day of my Flavorstone Cookware (yes I am a sucker for infomercials and will write a review shortly). I put the cookware on my bench, moved a few things around and took the following picture

 

But the following picture is what my kitchen really looks like. There were dishes drying, my laptop was out as I was reading up on some recipes to try, and I had taken the food out to prepare dinner. I simply moved these things to the side (out of the range of the photo!), and then took the new picture.

I think the first picture looks alot better, don't you think?

 

A Girl Can Dream

I hate to admit it, but I'm a Kardashian fan. It's staged, overly dramatic, and everything in between, but I am hooked. The show is a marketers dream, because people like me watch the show and pay close attention to the furnishings, clothing and the like.

 

 

In the current season of the show I recently saw the 'Bloom Frescho Chrome Baby Chair'. Isn't it stunning!  Imagine my excitement when I saw that Babyology were running a promotion and giving one away. It had to be a sign! I don't usually enter any competitions because I never win, but I entered this one. I sat in anticipation for the day the winner was announced. Well, I didn't win.

 

I could sit here and go on about all the benefits of the chair, but you can go to their site for that. For me, it just looks beautiful! I shouldn't be suprised, Bloom Baby have a beautiful range. If I could afford it, I would set up my whole nursery with their collection. I have their Stylewood Baby Rocker (another 'Kardashian inspired purchase'), and it is by far one of my best 'baby' purchases. I'm guttered that McCaw is getting older and too big for it!

 

But as for the Fresco Chrome, given it retails for $899 in Australia, I won't be getting one anytime soon. But hey, a girl can dream right?