love, adoption, photography, kids, me, friends, family

Friday, December 24, 2010

Caitlin Jemma Holmes 31.01.04 - 23.12.10


In tears we saw you sinking,
And watched you pass away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
We wanted you to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
So peaceful, free from pain,
How could we wish you back with us,
To suffer that again. It broke our hearts to
lose you, But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

Sweet little Cait - oh how your family will miss you. Now you are playing and running free. Rest in peace Princess

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Its Christmas time....



Today we battled the crowds and went to visit "Ho Ho" The kids loved it! I however was extremely sore and still recovery from my "grumpy bowels" as my Dr called it!!
We also finally got around to buying gifts for the KMart wishing Tree appeal. They loved choosing the gifts - so two children will be getting some exciting presents from our two children on Christmas morning. They can't quite get their head around not knowing who they are but they were excited to know that some one "needy" will be getting them

Sorry about the first pic not being turned!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesdays around the world



On Sunday we had the Christmas parade. Amalie was on her kindy float which won best Kindergarten float. The teachers had handmade all their little outfits from recycled stuff that was dropped off at the kindy. Too cute! And before you all yell "look out she s on the road!!" The road was closed and yes that is a car coming but going super slow! :)
It was so hot! I am pleased I smothered the kid in sunblock as we would have got so sunburnt otherwise.

Its so nice to see what others are doing in their part of the world at this festive time.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Tuesdays around the world



Today I am photographing this little cutie.
Oh he smells so good!


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas photo time


So I had it all planned in my head - brick wall and then old steps. The photos would be fantastic and everyone would love how I managed to take the photo and be in it all at the same time. I had my outfit picked out - and the kids. Summery looking family photos in front of a brick wall.
So I wake up - look out side - good, not super sunny. We get dressed head off, get out of the car and....during the 5 min drive to the brick wall it dropped 10 degrees!
I was freezing, kids weren't smiling photos weren't working. Ok change the spot - nope still cold and no smiles. So this is what we came up with! Not all all what I had hoped for but at least we are all looking in the right direction!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesdays around the world


Today I attended a service for Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell whose name has been added to the Feilding war memorial. There were 100's there including friends, family and military comrades.
Tim's Dad wore his son's war medals with pride as he unveiled a plaque in Lt O'Donnell's honor. It was so sad to hear him speak of seeing his name on the memorial and that it was the first name to have been added since World War II.
As always I was standing in the wrong place and ended up being amongst the military men and woman. It was very had to see them cry as they showed there respect for Tim. (but it did mean I could squat down and take this quick picture)
Here's a short post I wrote earlier about Tim.
http://thecrazynessthatisme.blogspot.com/2010/08/well-they-say-it-happens-in-threes.html

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Cake


So Mum's party went well! She was totally surprised and loved every minute of it. Here is a quick look at the fantastic cake - before it half melted! It was the hottest day here since last summer - around 26 degrees c! HOT! So the cake slowly started sinking ans the shoes collapsed. But it was so yummy. Chocolate something something with chocolate through the middle!!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Advent tree nearly complete!



Nearly finished
Just a few of the details left, hanging it ans about 4 ornaments to go as well. I am out of red thread so need to get that also. Since I took these pics I have added gold cord to each ornament to hang and finished sewing most of the pockets - just the red ones to go.

Our Nation is in mourning for our 29 lost miners. Was amazing to watch Newsreader of 30 odd years break down and cry while reading the news. One of our well known news readers, a 54 year old male, cried while interviewing the Energy Minister. The Minister was also crying. Our Nation is on hold. We want our men returned. We are just waiting for the mine to give them back.

These boys who will be forever known as the Pike River twenty nine
Friends and Family trying to cope with tragedy deep within the Mine
A loss that has brought the nation collectively to its knees
Weeping tears of sorrow along with all their Families

It is no consolation.... in this consuming time of grief
and the ability to cope will test everyone beyond belief
Your boys down there I'm sure will want you to be strong
They would have done their best to get back where they belong

What they certainly wouldn't want is for you to be so sad
Celebrate their character and the time with them you had
Try and bring all the good times completely to the fore
Then as time passes... gently show your grief the door

Lean on friends and family and remember in devastation
You have 4 million more supporters.. all around the nation
whether you're religious... or even if that's not the case
it's not hard to imagine... there must be a higher place

Maybe these boys were needed to mine together as a team
Carving miracles from rainbows or some other divine seam
There is no other reason these boys were taken in their prime
than Twenty nine top Blokes were needed for eternal overtime..

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

We lost them all... 29 miners :(


A second explosion 3 hours ago has killed them all. I can hardly stand to watch the news. So very sad. My heart breaks for those families

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesdays around the world Today

Today I am thankful for two things. The first one is that I am thankful for my sisters. Check us out - me in the font in my Yellow Spot bikini! Ans the second one is that I am thankful my husband is not a miner. I can't imagine what the 29 families are going through waiting for their loved ones. No news from them in 5 days. Hang tight guys. Rescue is on the way and a nation is behind you willing you all the strength you need.
How grateful we are for the overseas support

Monday, November 22, 2010

Scripture & a Snapshot

I didn't give you the gift of life, But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real, As if it had been so.

For us to have each other Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you

We need a miracle


Some of you may have read that here in New Zealand we have 29 miners trapped under ground. there has been no contact since Friday. It is now Monday. The mine is giving off dangerous gases which could ignite and explode at any time hindering the rescue.
We need a miracle. Please pray for these men.....

The trapped miners:
Conrad Adams, 43 (Greymouth),

Malcolm Campbell, 25 (Greymouth - Scottish),

Glen Cruse, 35 (Cobden),

Allan Dixon, 59 (Rununga),

Zen Drew, 21 (Greymouth),

Christopher Duggan, 31 (Greymouth),

Joseph Dunbar, 17 (Greymouth),

John Hale, 45 (Ruatapu),

Daniel Herk, 36 (Rununga),

David Hoggart, 33 (Foxton),

Richard Holling, 41 (Blackball),

Andrew Hurren, 32 (Greymouth),

Jacobus 'Koos' Jonker, 47 (Coben - South African),

William Joynson, 49 (Dunollie - Australian),

Riki Keane, 28 (Greymouth),

Terry Kitchin, 41 (Runanga),

Samuel Mackie, 26 (Greymouth),

Francis Marden, 42 (Runanga),

Michael Monk, 23 (Greymouth),

Stuart Mudge, 31 (Rununga),

Kane Nieper, 33 (Greymouth),

Peter O'Neill, 55 (Rununga),

Milton Osborne, 54 (Ngahere),

Brendan Palmer, 27 (Cobden),

Benjamin Rockhouse, 21 (Greymouth),

Peter Rodger, 40 (Greymouth - British),

Blair Sims, 28 (Greymouth),

Joshua Ufer 25 (Australia),

Keith Valli, 62 (Winton).

Conrad Adams, 43 - Conrad Adams is from Greymouth. Mr Adams' Linkedin profile says he is a deputy at the Pike River mine.

Malcolm Campbell, 25 - Malcolm Campbell is due to marry his Kiwi fiancee Amanda Shields on December 18.

The 25-year-old Scotsman is originally from St Andrews.

His father told the Sunday Express his son had found work after traveling abroad with a cousin.

They had spent two years working in Australian gold mines before coming to the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast, he said.

The elder Mr Campbell described his son as easy-going and hard-working to Scotland's STV News.

Allan Dixon - Alan Dixon, 60, is one of the oldest miners caught up in the disaster.

He made a call to his partner in Runanga just after the blast.

He has two sons.

Zen Drew - Zen Drew is a building apprentice for a company contracted to Pike River Coal. Laurie Drew, the father of 21-year-old Zen, has voiced his concerns about how slow the rescue is.

Chris Duggan - A friend of Runanga local Chris Duggan describes him as a "neat person" and "very bright and bubbly".

Robyn McMillian says Mr Duggan, who is around 30, is a real "hard case and always laughing".

Ms McMillian says Mr Duggan has not been working in mining for very long and had previously worked in forestry, shifting industries because he wanted a change.

Joseph Dunbar - It is understood the day of the explosion was 17-year-old Joseph's first day working underground at the mine.

Koos Jonker - The wife of South African Koos Jonker, Christelle, left a moving message on her facebook page thanking people for their support and asking to "keep on believing" her husband is OK.

Willy Joynson - Fraser Coast father Willy Joynson, 48, is an experienced underground coal miner and worked for many years in the Burgowan mines at Howard. He has been traveling back and forth from New Zealand to his home in Tinana, in Australia, where his wife and two children have lived for the past 12 months.

Terry Kitchin Terry Kitchen, 41, from Runanga had reportedly finished his shift before the explosion but opted for two hours overtime.

Michael Monk - Michael Monk is the son of Paroa Hotel owner Bernie Monk who is a local legend, and part of the well known Monk family. Michael is a keen rugby player for Blaketown and West Coast

Stuart Mudge - Stuart Mudge's father says his son is "fit, very strong and very healthy" and working in the mine gives him "an outlet for his energy".

Steven Mudge says mining is not about the money for his tough and resourceful son. He loves the industry, both the physical, hard work and the "common bond" with other miners.

"When the explosion happened Stuart was probably driving a very valuable piece of machinery. Working with that machinery and those guys is the pinnacle of his working career.

Kane Nieper - Kane Nieper is from Greymouth. Mr Nieper is married to the daughter of a local contractor and has a young family.

Peter O'Neill - Peter O'Neill is reported by the Otago Daily Times to have been involved in the rescue of miners trapped in floods at Black Reef mine two years ago.

Peter O'Neill is 55 and married. His brother is understood to be part of the rescue mission.

Milton Osborne - Milton Osborne was serving his second term as a Grey District Councillor for the Eastern Ward, a position to which he was elected unopposed.

A contractor at the Pike River mine, he lived in the Grey Valley with his family.

National's West Coast MP Chris Auchinvole told TV3's The Nation Mr Osborne is a "great guy".

"He is a very large gentleman, used to give me good advice during the election campaign. If things got a bit rough he would tap me on the shoulder and say - 'Chris, mate. You just stay lovely, that's how they want you. I'll do the nasty bits."

Brendon Palmer - Second generation miner Brendon Palmer was walking into the 2.5km-deep tunnel when he passed his father Marty Palmer, who had just finished a shift at 8am on Friday morning. Marty said he had reported gas problems when he finished his shift.

Ben Rockhouse - Aged in his 20s, Ben is the brother of Daniel Rockhouse who was one of the two miners that walked out after the explosion on Friday.

Peter Rodger - Peter Rodger moved from Scotland to New Zealand two years ago to be closer to his mother and sister, and lives with his Kiwi girlfriend Dianne Morris. A former oil rig worker, the 40-year-old made the switch to mining after sustaining a leg injury in the North Sea.

Blair Sims - A talented rugby league player, Blair is the West Coast player of the year for the past two seasons. He is the husband of a young wife and father to two young children.

Josh Ufer - Josh Ufer, 27, works for Valley Longwall Drilling and it is understood he is on secondment to the mine. His is due to become a father in May. Friends of Josh describe him as a larrikin who works hard and parties harder.

"Josh is determined and works hard. He is strong and would punch through the rock to get out of there. If anyone is to survive, it will be him," one friend told reporters.

His parents Joanne and Karl have flown to New Zealand from Australia and China, where they await news about their son.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Accidentally photographed


Have you ever found yourself in a photo - accidentally?? over at photo freak she has posted some "accidental" photos with herself in them. so I found this one! my rings and me!!!

Tuesdays around the world




Today I am scanning photos. My Mum turns 60 this year and she does not want to do anything. So what do we do??? Plan a surprise party a month early!!
My main job is the DVD which involves hours of scanning photos and then setting it to music. I really enjoy doing it but it is alot of work.
My Mum was a high fashion model back in the day so we have plenty of photos to choose from! So this is what I am doing on this beautiful sunny Tuesday here in New Zealand.

What are you doing?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Advent tree muck up!


So when I decided to make this I saw that you were to cut your squares to 2 1/2 inches. I have no idea the size of an inch so I googled it and it told me .97cm. Easy. Sorted.
So when it came time to cut the squares I read my little note as 9.7cms. So needless to say my boxes are huge! I am dealing with it! Just means I have to enlarge any templates etc that have been offered.
Then I saw a photo of the tree (as I had no idea how big to make it) it was in a from a shop called "Pottery ... something" can't remember but it makes be a great shop as I see it mentioned lots - even on Friends if my memory serves me right.
So here it is at this stage. Way bigger than what I had imagined so now I just need some backing andt to finish the ornaments and sew it all on!! But I am on track for Dec 1st!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

This time last year I was busy doing this....


Yes, I decided at the last minute to make a Nativity scene out of Felt! So I got myself a pattern from here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61183506/nativity-pdf-doll-pattern-joseph-mary?ref=pr_shop and set my mine to it. I think I just made it in time!


So then while blog reading I stumbled across this http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/11/would-you-like-to-sew-along-with-me.html and had to take up the challenge!! I have not stuck to her guidelines! But I think it will all work out in the long run! But I do have a small problem of finding some white felt! As you can see I am getting through it and thought I would add the odd lollie or two in it for the kids to find!
So hopefully by the end of it I will have something like this to hang on the wall!

This best photo you have ever taken!!


How hard is it to pick the best photo you have ever taken.
Its VERY hard - but this is the first one that came to mind.
Over at Photo Freak she is having a little contest with a great prize and I thought I would enter my best photo.
I know - you thought it would have one of my children in it!! I did too!
Jump over and check out all the other amazing photos and her awesome examples!








Thursday, November 4, 2010

Its finally out

We never thought that it would take this long for him to loose a tooth. Everyone said - be patient they will fall out when they are ready. Will at nearly 8 he lost his first tooth!! He was so excited.
And what does the tooth fairy pay at this house?? $4!! Yip $4. He told me in the morning that you get $4 for our first tooth and $2 for all the other - I like that idea!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tuesdays around the world


Well on this sunny Tuesday I am thankful that our appetites have extended further than bananas and sprinkles.
We were all sick in the weekend. I had to attend a Catholic Schools Board course all day Saturday and then spent all Sunday in bed sick. Hoping hubby does not get it!
What a have you been doing this Tuesday in your part of the world???

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tuesdays around the world

What are you doing this Tuesday in your part of the world?


We had a long weekend this weekend - Labour weekend!! We went to visit my sister and her family who live just a couple of hours away.

We had a busy time....that is why on this Tuesday I am editing photos

We had our first taste of strawberries for this season



Why have one when you can have two... right??

We wiggled his first wiggly tooth! bottom one sticking out on funny angle!


We ate burgers that were way too big!


We laughed as sisters

We celebrated my sister and brother in laws 17 years of marriage


and we said goodbye to our dear 4 legged friend - Scotty




Thursday, October 21, 2010

Busy weekend


We had a busy weekend with the Parish Fair.
Greg made a cake for the "Dads cake competition" He made an All Black jersey of course and won second prize. The competition was stiff as first place was a replica of the Baptismal pool in the new church!
The kids made sand saucers and Amalie won her age group much to Oliver's disgust!
Mums boys sang. We call them "mum's boys" as they are from the Maori Boys college where she works. I love to hear them sing and it always amazes me how they sing with all their heart!!!
Oliver came second in the school cross country which he was happy about.
Spring seems to have disappeared which is unfair. I was enjoying the warmer weather and now we are back to wrapping up warm!!!
Come on summer!
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Friday, October 15, 2010

Mirror View






Have you ever taken a photo of yourself in your car side mirror??? I love them but have never done one so this is as close as it gets for me!! I took this at a wedding I shot in March. Just wish I had cleaned my side mirror first!!

Have a look at Photo Freaks one - its super cool


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Learning to ride a bike

First...daddy gives you a little push.

Then you ..... Pedal. Pedal. Pedal.

And hang on and keep straight!!!
(nope that's not dog poo on our lawn!! Its the chocolate cake she threw down when we decided to take her trainer wheels off!)