Defining Personal...

Values..
I'm a little behind in the Simplify Your Life challenge prompts due to us having a family holiday and then needing to stop and take stock of what was going on with my precious girl (I'll post a little more about that at the end of this post)
Anyway before i go off on another tangent I'll stay focussed on the topic at hand!
I decided to write a bit of a list of the Values that really speak to me..you may have your own list of values and that's fabulous, but these are the ones that come to mind for me..

Empathy
Freedom
Gratitude
Honesty
Kindness
Awareness
Loyalty
Optimism
Resilience
Helpfulness
Self Worth
Acceptance
Respect
Love
Creativity

One of the prompting questions this week was
"What do you feel strongly about in life?-What things would you defend fully in an argument with other people?
For me, it's Racism..I just cannot get my head around it..I don't understand how hate and ignorance can harbour so deep in some people.
I am trying to raise my children that we are ALL Equal, we are all entitled to the same freedom..but it shocks me that even in this day and age there are people who are still racist..not only shocks me but disgusts me a little..while I'm all for everyone having their own opinion and voice heard, when that voice is spoken and it's filled with hate shouldn't it be silenced?
A lot of our "friends" that we are in contact with regularly don't see themselves as a racist, yet still choose to make smart ass remarks about asians, sudonese etc all the while thinking they are humourous..faking someones accent is not humorous, it's rude and disrespectful.
I don't find it amusing when you talk to me like you are Asian, I also don't find it acceptable to listen to you rant that "they came to our country, they need to speak our language" what a lot of rubbish..So from here on in if you're in my house, around my children and you choose to behave like that, stop and think about it first and if you do continue with it, you'll find yourself seeing less and less of us.
I have this conversation in my head all the time and one that I have repeated on many occasion..you see my dad
(actually he's my stepdad but a father to me in every sense of the word) is a Kiwi..born and raised in New Zealand. And I remember when i was at high school we were having a conversation about different countries etc and he said to me "Juice, if you are going to be a racist, you may as well include me in that because to be a racist means you cannot tolerate anyone who isn't Australian born and bred here like you, doesn't have your white skin, hasn't lived your lifestyle" I sat back and took in what he said and the conversation has stuck in my head ever since..there was no way I couldn't be accepting of him..so it was a simple choice for me..be accepting, We are all EQUAL..

So with my list of Value words chosen I had to choose 5...just 5..:O are you kidding LOL, after staring at the computer screen for what seems like eternity! (thank god for auto save blogger!!!) I've narrowed them down to 5 in ranking order!



Respect.
This speaks to me in volumes, and on so many different levels.. To have respect for ones self is so powerful, I have a quote saved on my computer that I adore..
Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it. This is a value that I'm instilling in my children..to have respect for themselves, but to also respect others.


Self Worth
Finding Self Worth can be a hard journey..it saddens me that there are so many that have no self worth. Some days I know for me it's a struggle to find my own self worth, am I enough? I question myself too that how am I meant to teach my daughter in particular that she is enough, her whole being is exactly as it should be when i question myself to often..This value is one I have on my list to work on..


Acceptance
Some of the most incredible people I know have pure acceptance of who they are and aren't afraid to let the world know..they accept themselves for what they are and who they are and make no excuses for it, and refuse to change for anyone.. I love this..
The most beautiful and powerful people in the world have acceptance of themselves and for everyone around them.

Honesty
Speaks for itself really..be honest with yourself and those around you and things are less complicated. While I may still have people in my life that have been caught out to be dishonest and obviously not valuing our friendship I haven't forgotten that honesty is clearly a value they don't hold high on their priority list. That's their issue to deal with, not mine so I let them go along with their merry selves!
Honesty is what's kept my marriage and relationship with my gorgeous hubby amazing for 17 years and if that's what I get out of holding that value them I'm hanging on to it with both hands tightly!

Kindness
I often get told by people I'm to kind...really?? that's absurd to me, how can someone be to kind? I don't understand that. The age old adage, treat people as you would like to be treated still rings true for me.. I like to be kind, it makes me feel good LOL, being bitter and angry at the world never got anyone nowhere, well actually it did, a fast track route to loneliness if you ask me! But I'm not a do gooder like out of the movies, but I do think I am kind, and I like to help people..it takes nothing to be kind to someone, it doesn't cost anything. And if I can go to bed at night and think well I did the best I could today, I did all I was capable of and I was kind then at least I'm doing ok! No I'm not a door mat like I said, I'm also not a crack whore, but it is still possible to be kind these days people!

So there you have it, my 5 core value words, it was actually harder than I thought to narrow it down to 5! Values that I'm going to work on more with my babes this year.
Thanks for reading, I'd really love to hear what yours are!
Xxx

Side bar- so we got to the nitty gritty of things with my beautiful Pixie, and it was what we thought :( she looks at food and thinks it isn't healthy enough, she'll get fat if she eats to much of it etc..I know that part of her Aspie traits is that she needs to have control of things and that for the present moment it's food but it's not something I'll allow, we are getting her back to her psychologist, we've have many in depth conversations with her about her self worth and acceptance of who she is. We've also talked about her sensory issues with food and how we can accomodate that. She felt that if she was to ask for a different meal to the rest of us because she didn't like how it felt, tasted, the color etc that she was basically putting a flag above her head saying "Hey look at me, I'm already really different and now I stand out at the dinner table too" :( poor kid it breaks out heart. But that's where we are at, that's the hand we have been dealt and it's for a reason, that I'm certain of.
We can't thank everyone enough for their never ending support, the private messages on facebook, the txt messages, the pictures of beautiful quotes. It really is humbling to know we have the support.
Xxx

My heart...

Is in my throat... I've been here before, and it terrifies me. We've spent a fabulous week away, beautiful sunshine, beautiful company..happy days. But in between all this I've been silently watching, observing and taking mental notes for myself about my gorgeous girl.. Prior to her Aspie diagnosis, we started the spiral of heartbreaking eating issues, and all that comes with it. We worked through it, together, as a family.. That's the way things are done around here. But this week her daddy and I have been watching some of the traits slip back in. All of a sudden she "isn't hungry" "she will eat later" and to be honest I'm scared, really scared. This behavior terrifies me, I feel like I'm out of my depth, I have all the spectrum strategies and tips in the world, but this?! So we'll have a little quiet time when we get home, we'll have a little chat about stuff and see if I can't get t To the bottom of what's going on. Make no mistake, there is NOTHING I won't do for my kids, so if you have any tips, ideas I'm all ears. Believe me the media, the magazine moguls and their airbrushing techno guys have a lot to answer for, but that's a whole new post, so for now I'll quietly watch her nibble away at a small hashbrown that she's been hanging on to for the past hour and a half :(

52 Weeks to Simplify

So it's been a while since I was here again and I thought it was fitting that my first post of the New Year entailed this.. Last year I was barely keeping my head above water, emotionally and physically...and at some points my gorgeous husband spent the night consoling me when I couldn't even explain why..No-one else knew what was going on, and to be honest I really didn't/couldn't be bothered telling them! So here I am, jumping head first in to this challenge.."52 Weeks to Simplify Your life" There's a few others that I know that are taking part in this and I'm really looking forward to reading along with them and sharing their journey on it too..maybe you would like to take part as well? I'm going to be taking part in the form of a blog post, I'd love to say I'd scrap an album as well, but I'm really conscious that while it may be a wonderful reminder it may also become a little bit of pressure to complete each week alongside the blog so will see how we go! So the following are guides to get your started as Deb said, you don't have to answer each one..I'll do my best! What energised you? I started back in the workforce in 2011, something that I've been out of for the best part of 12 years..I've been so fortunate to be able to stay home with our babes and really spend that time with them, but felt that even though our little man isn't quite at school yet, it was time for me to start finding myself again. What made you feel happy? There were a couple of things that made me truly happy in 2011, My beautiful beautiful niece was born, completely my sister's family..Life hasn't always been a smooth road for my sister, so meeting her second husband and enjoying being truly loved and cherised led to the birth of Willow..which in turn led to a wonderful family unit being completed..To watch how much joy my sister has in her life now with my nephews, my niece and my brother in law brings a huge amount of comfort to me, as the older sister I worry about her a lot, probably more than I need to but meh..that's what you do! so this all truly does make my heart happy.. What made you feel at peace? Inner peace is such a hard place to reach for me sometimes..having two children on the spectrum can for me personally make me question and second guess everything I do, am I doing enough for them? are they having every opportunity offered to them, but seeing my eldest graduate from grade 6 gave me a sense of peace that yes..hubby and I were doing something right, that we needed to follow the path we are on and everything else will just fall where it is meant to land. What positive people lifted you up? I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a lot of positive people who are always there to pick me up when I need it, and often times before I've even given a hint that I'm struggling they are there.. My best friend...she amazes me..she often has so much going on in her own life but is always always there for me, we speak every day, text every day, see each other every day..I'd be so lost without her. My sister..I wish I could convey in words the relationship we have..we are so so close..she makes me feel like an amazing mother, and constantly encourages me in anything that I do, we weren't always so close an I'm so grateful that we have reached that part in our relationship where we lean on each other for support and advice. My Mum..You would think at 36 I would be a little more independant LOL but I still rely on mum to reassure me that yes everything will be ok.. somedays the day can be just travelling along as normal and I have the need to speak to mum, not for anything in particular but just to centre me..she gives me a huge amount of comfort, and is constantly telling me that she is proud of me and how I am raising my babes..that's huge to me, I always said when I had kids I wanted to be the mother to my kids that she is to me.... My husband...my whole world..enough said ;) What worked to bring your family together? We had a family holiday in September, we drove to QLD from Victoria, a trip that allowed us to reconnect as a family. To often I sit back and watch as families including our own, get so caught up in the day to day that they start to disconnect, unfortunately we had started to do that..between work, moving house and appointments with psychologist, paediatricians, drs, school transition officers etc I felt us slowly drifting apart and I'll be honest, it scared me..my family is my world and after 18 years my husband is still my universe..he makes me heart beat happy. So having the holiday brought us back to each other, allowed us to really sit back and take in our kids and all their quirks! Seriously, kids are amazing...and kids on the spectrum..well the way they see the world is soooo different to everyone else, makes you stop and think for a while! What did you learn (positive things)? I learnt that I have a lot to be thankful for, I also learnt that it is possible for me to wear all my hats...mum, daughter, sister, friend, wife, employee and still be centred in who I am, and that I'm not to bad at all..I have a long way to go till I'm completely comfortable in my skin but I'm getting there ;) What are you grateful for? I'm grateful for my husband for loving me...it's a rare thing to find your soul mate and I'm so grateful that I found mine early in life..i have a whole lifetime to experience the world with him My children..they have truly made me a better person and have taught me to look at the world in a whole new light.. My family..Our weekly family tea, always being on the other end of the phone and basically for supporting me and my family... My friends..Seriously..I have the most amazing group of friends...and each of them is different, completely different to the other, they make me laugh and laugh and laugh.. Thanks for stopping by...maybe you'll stop by Deb's blog and join in to find your simple? Xxxx

Wow..(beware of excessive use of images!!)

It's been a little while since I swung by here!! hope someone actually still reads this!!! So what's been happening in our world...a lot actually! We moved house...that was a bit chaotic, then 5 days later went on a holiday, took the kids to QLD but decided we would drive so we could stop in Sydney, Coffs Harbour, etc on the way up! Had the most amazing holiday, we so needed the family time that came with that holiday. Leading up to the holidays we had been so incredibly busy and had so much going on that by the time it rolled around, I was counting the minutes till I could just be with them.. Here's a couple of snapshots...I'll spare you the 600+ photos I took!!!!!

just a couple of shots ;) I'm trying to start scrapping them! So we jam packed as much as we could in to the holidays, with the kids declaring this was the best ever holiday! Success!!! Arrived home late on the Saturday night, more like 1.30am on the sunday! then on the Monday headed off for a week of camping with two of my favourite peeps in the world...I adore these girls..I'd be completely lost without them! It rained, it was cold, the sun came out, but god we had a good time!!!

so there's an insight in to our little trips away!!! I've been on the scrapping hop since I got back! My time at Creative Scrappers has come to an end, time to move aside and let someone else have a turn! I loved being on the Creative Scrappers team, they have awesome sketches, which are soooo good when your mojo has vacated the building!! Here's a couple of layouts I haven't shared yet!

and last but not least a little sneeky peek of a layout ;)

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!!

Stop the world....

I wanna get off!! Ok not really, but seriously life?? Slow the hell down!!!
Life is insanely busy at the mo! We're busy packing up the house to move in 4 weeks and then 5 days later we're off on holidays!! I can't wait! the kids are beyond excited! The weather will be warmer than here! The sun will be shining, my kids will be beaming...ohhh yeah..its gonna be awesome! I just need to get through the next couple of chaotic weeks!!!
So in the order of getting all prepared for the sunshine ;) I present you with my latest layout for Creative Scraps Sketch #169..
How gorgeous is my pixie...so free, so happy to be cartwheeling on the beach...remember those days? when life was so easy, so free and to cartwheel on a beach was super awesome fun!

Side bar..is it just me or do you think this Sass Lass Paper is just divine too! I'm ordering more because I am so in love with it!!

And a couple more shares for you :)
Head over to Wicked Princesses to check out the sketches :) Have a go and you could be in the running for a prize too!!



I'll be back with some more shares soon! Promise :)
Xoxo

Punky, Creative, Wicked Scrapping :D

Hidey Ho peeps!!
How's tricks?? whatcha all been up to?? I've been scrapping my little toosh off and loving every minute of it! Well in between the chaotic pandemonium of my life!!!!
I have a couple of shares for you :) and some that I have hidden cos I can't share them yet ;)
First up is the current challenge for Punky Scraps, I'll say it again, loving these challenges!!
The challenge is called "Get Picky" and here are the requirements :)
Michelle - Use photos of items, no people.
Camilla - 3 circles
Elin - Use Turqoise
Mandy - Stitching (real or doodled)
Nat - Use Red.
Jess - Use 1 or more staples
And this is what I came up with :) I'm really pleased with how this one turned out :)

The picture was taken from our spur of the moment decision to get out of town for a night over the school holidays :)

Next up is the current sketch for Creative Scrappers :) Love these sketches!



And this is my take on the sketch :) Flipped it on it's side and used these pics of my uber spunky monkey nephew...handsome isn't he?? ;)

Rockstar is his nickname that I call him, no-one else calls him this, and if anyone does he quickly reminds them that only I can call him that! I'm totally smitten with both of my nephews, they're cool little people who make me feel like I'm the coolest auntie to walk the planet!!

And my last share is the first sketch for August over at Wicked Princesses :) I love Krissy's sketches..(totally luvs her too.. ;))


And here's my take :) It's not very often I actually get a photo, good bad or ugly with my precious pixie actually looking at the camera, so was rapt when I came across this one from my niece's Naming day :)


So there ya go! Plenty of inspiration to help get your mojo flowing! Why not play along at any one of the sites :) We'd love to see you stop by!!
Xoxox

Punky & Creative!!

Hiya!!
So I'm a whole lotta special, and wrote down that the date of the last Punky Scraps as July 26th instead of the 16th grrr...that's what happens when you rush I guess..
So I missed the upload on the Punky blog so here I am to share with you and tell you to head over, not mosey over RUN over to the blog and take part in the challenges that are offered up...totally cool challenges, totally awesome chicks...go on, dare ya..check it out!!!
Anyhoo...here it is..my take on Challenge 22 :)
Isn't he just the spunkiest little kinder man around?? Gorgeous little hurricane he is! Not so much of the hurricane at the minute, he is bordering on pneumonia :( so flat and so miserable, poor little darlin.



Told ya he was cute!!!!

This next layout is my example for sketch 165 over at Creative Scrappers! the sketches are very cool to work with, and offer lots of room for interpretation.
This layout is quite simplistic for me, and a little bit tounge in cheek..My spunky hubby and I are often told that we are what people wish for, which honestly melts me..he truly is my best friend, my everything, the other half of me so to speak. We're not perfect but we fit, we're in my eyes an amazing team when it comes to our kids, and particulary because 2 of our babes have specific challenges that needs attention we really are a force to be reckoned with, we refuse to take No for an answer when it comes to our kids, we refuse to believe that this is it, that their challenges are hurdles are the best there is for them..we refuse to believe that they will achieve anything less than greatness for their life and their chosen path..so hence the Title.."You, Me- A total force to be reckoned with" was born..
there ya go, bit of background about why I created the layout, I don't normally let people in on the "behind the layout" story but every now and then it justifies the explanation :)


Not to mention I think he looks totally smokin in those glasses!!! bahahaha!
Thanks for stopping by, be sure and let me know you were here!!
Xoxox