The big day

How did you get to this day while I can still remember mine?

We've shared such special times these last five years

Memories that are mounted in my heart forever

Thank you God for the slow mornings, the joy of discovering together, 

watching you start to walk, talk and laugh. 

The years we had in the rocking chair

the dancing and giggling and fooling around

The kisses on the scraped knees and sore heads

the friends we have made and the lessons we've learned

I cannot wait for the next chapter of discovery with you my first born thanks for always smiling and loving me so much!

Lyttel Town Love

I have decided to start using playstation time (the time when the boys desert me to play Lego Batman) to do my best to blog and I have been eager to show you where we went on Saturday after the beach.

We went to Rapaki Beach for breakfast with friends on Saturday morning - this is a definitive must to add to your Summer to do list!

So on the way back we decided to pop into Lyttleton for a quick cuppa. We really enjoyed this harbour town before the earthquake and we have not been back for a proper visit in a while. Destruction is still very clear but so is something more special... the community

In the old  Underground coffee building spot now lies a place to hang out which is closer to the ground than ever before. This is the Lyttleton Petanque Club built by the community for the community.

With live music a place for the kids to play

and a pretty garden

What a fabulous idea! There is an atmosphere here that would never be found pre quake. Since writing this I have found the Lyttelton Town Blog here

and that projects like this one are springing up all over Christchurch through this organisation

http://www.gapfiller.org.nz/ 

What an exciting time to be in a city during such an innovative rebuild!

I encourage you to venture out to the places you love and support the communities still living there!

A Season of giving

 I felt truly spoilt over the holiday season with random gifts of love -  a lot of them handmade or very well thought through - many not reciprocated but I feel at peace about that, like the domino effect (showing one act of kindness to one person and they pass it on).

Being  new in New Zealand  (1 year 7 months) I really enjoyed giving little gifts and Christmas cards, as a bit of a thank you for the support that we have received since being here. For some people it is the only chance you have to give a special gift!

So as a bit of a thank you to everyone I decided to do a post about a few of my gifts, not self gratifying, but to show you the heart and time and effort many put in over the giving season.

And at this point I would like to mention that if I have your bowl, plate, container ect I will make every endeavour to give it back to you this year - one of my resolutions

The words above created and framed by my outstanding husband, I am really not sure where I would find myself most day's without him! He has an amazing ability to withstand a huge amount of pressure (most of it from me!) and still maintain his composure and smile. I am so glad God sent him my way!

On the subject of love Penelope (right) was beaming when Percy arrived from a dear friend who has been incredible in her hospitality since we arrived. Lesley your way of including others all the time is something to be admired!

This was from a dear friend and fabric addict, I do have friends that I almost feel guilty about inviting over when the fabric room is so close! It is always great to see Treena as she is constantly smiling even through rough times! She is so inspiring and constantly has projects on the go and she gets them done! It will amaze you what she can accomplish in one night of sewing! This is her blog http://mrsaldridge.blogspot.com/

This gift (Jewellery  roll) I got from another Christchurch blogger in our Christmas Secret Santa swap, these blogger buddies, have consistently inspired me to write. They make it look so easy to blog each day and this is what finally got me doing this personal blog! Thanks Juliet and sorry it has taken soooo long to get this out! Juliet's blog has to have one of my favourite blog names Tartankiwi go check it out here

Thanks Mom & Dad for these! We did not even get as far as pulling the 2 taped boxes apart! These are some pretzel sticks that are all the way from South Africa, along with books for the boys, a cd and lots of sewing stuff for me! What thoughtfulness!

Another special pressie from a friend, a very pretty handmade apron, cookie tin, cupcake recipe, tea towel and lots of choccies! Ruth is an amazing woman and will be teaching our sewing classes at Sew Pretty this year!

And finally I seem to be starting a collection of tins! Receiving 3 in total for Christmas, fabulous seen that I did not even know I was starting this collection!

This was of course not all the wonderful present's I received there were many more who put in tons of effort making things look pretty and sending things from across the miles, thank you to each of you, you made me feel very loved this year and inspired to get creating for next Christmas!