COMPLETELY MAD

Hi all lots has been happening as always. I'm sure you all know what it's like. I'm sitting back having a glass of red wondering if I've gone completely mad. I will have 6 boys in my house tomorrow night. It's Chayses 9th birthday. He's having 10 friends over for a few hours and 2 are staying the night. Yep mad !! Hopefully photos will follow but I've just got my new fan dangled computer and it's going to take me a while to get everything transferred over, especially while the boys are on school holidays. Thought I'd put this link up of the boys when they were in the Herald Sun Newspaper promoting the Childrens Hospital. Once you are on this page look over on the right at the stories. We are under the heading Hospital part of the Family. Click on it to check it out. http://www.goodfridayappeal.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=6669

ONE FOR THE MUMS XX

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much . I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a Mom .

XXXX (LOVE YOU BIGGER THAN THE WORLD)

CUDDLE THEM EXTRA TIGHT

Pirate Parker "love you bigger than the world" xx

Another reason to hold our precious children close today. I've been following this blog for some time now and they really captured my heart. My thoughts are with you all on the loss of precious Kayleigh. Fly high baby girl XXX

http://www.kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/

HOLIDAYS !!! Well I know it's been forever since I've blogged but 4 boys don't allow much time out for mum unfortunately. It's not half way through the school holidays and I am surviving ....just. I've found it's easier to have an outing or day planned as such than to try to have a day at home. When boys are busy they aint wrestling. I can't complain to much I guess as we have recently been to QLD for 5 glorious nights. Took the kids out of school and it was the best thing ever. No long cues to get into the theme parks and the kids found it very educational. While we we there we went to Sea World to see the new dolphin named "CHAYSE" (remember my Chayse won a comp to name the dolphin). Kids had a great day as did mum and dad. Mind you this is the first real holiday we've had in over 9 years. Yes owning your own business isn't all that great!!. We've had weekends away but never really more than that so this was blissful. It's actually made Corey realise that work can survive without him and he's already saying we should start to get away more. YIPEEE no complaint here. The photo attached is of Chayse with dolphins Moki, Chayse and Evie. (more to follow soon I promise). Love and daisys to you all I have been following you and theres so much happening (babies, babies and more babies etc) XX

SO VERY SAD

VICTORIA: The state I live in, The worst Australian Catastrophe happened here this past weekend. Over 100 lives lost so far and that's just what they've found in the cars of people trying to escape. Whole towns wiped off the face of the earth from fierce bushfires (dozens of them). It's been a record breaking time here in Swan Hill alone. Two weeks of record breaking heat not going under 40 degrees. NO relief. Sifting through the homes hasn't even begun because our state is still burning. So sad watching families look for their missing loved ones. A dad searching for his wife and three kids. We know they are gone he doesn't want to believe it and still searches. HEART WRENCHING no more words today only thoughts about how grateful I am to be here. Please take time to click on this link and remember how precious life is as you view these gut wrenching photos.Photo 27 gives me chills. Which way do you run. As I'm still learning how to add links please click your curser over these last three words (FVI) to view it. Fatal Victorian inferno

Heaven Help Me

Oh Heaven Help Me He's 3 not 23.....and this is what he was found sitting down to read (sorry study intently) the other night.

It's not unusual for Corey to lay down on the floor each night and read the daily newspaper. This particular night I watch Master Parker go and pick up the paper from the night before and flick through it to find one particular page. He walked over to the couch sat with it on his lap and looked at it for the longest time. In the end it got the better of me so I go to investigate only to be told by Parker "hhmm that one" as he pointed to a girl in a bikini. Firstly I was shocked that this had even been printed in a newspaper as 2008 hottest bodies but for him to pick that page out of all the ones there. Bizare. All I could do was laugh and get his dad to come and see. Now where would a 3 year old learn how to select which girl was the hottest??? What am I in for raising 4 boys?? So please add your name to "follow my blog". Yes I finally got around to doing it and do love comments so much. Besides I think I am going to be needing a lot of super advice with little males and their thinking.....heaven help us all.

Happy Birthday Daddy I want to say thanks for being the best dad to our boys.You are always only to willing to teach them everything they want to learn and know. I think it says it all that you are taking tomorrow morning off work (your birthday) to take the boys to giggle and bounce for a few hours to give me a break. Love you bigger than the world Mwwaahh. XXX

Happy New Year to you, Happy Birthday tooooo meeee

Yes it's New Years Eve 2008. Doesn't time fly. Just wanting to wish all my fabulous friends out there a healthy and happy 2009. I hope it is a good year for all. I've enjoyed '08 as I met up with all of you. Hopefully many more years of blogging is to follow. So take care all and party hard on New Years Eve. I myself am looking forward to tonight as I have my best friend Vikki home with her lovely family of 4 boys. Our kids play so well together so we will enjoy a not so quiet BBQ here on this not so warm New Years Eve. As for tomorrow it's my birthday. Yes I got the dreaded 1st Jan. birthday. I can't even go out for a meal on that day as nothing is opened and no one can be bothered doing anything as we are all to exhausted from the night before. It's a great date for a birthday so I guess I'II have to make the most of tonight. Love to all Kristen XX

signing off in 08 with my last few pictures of Chayse & Brodie after running around in the sprinklers.

Can you tell ??

Yes that's right the boys received their letters from Santa. Super excitement through the house would be an understatement. Must admit this year was different for Chayse as some lovely boys at school told him that it's his mum and dad that bring the presants, not Santa. He held back tears while asking me about it late on Sunday night. He must have stewed over it all weekend but finally got the courage to ask me if him and I could have a private chat. We made a deal that if he kept the secret from his brothers he was grown up enough to receive an extra gift. He's done such a great job at hiding it . Really proud of him. Anyway here are photos as promised of my boys doing the "happy dance" all along to Logan chanting "oh yeaha, ahh haa, ohh yeaha, ahh haa"

I WON.....NOW MY BABY IS A DOLPHIN

Many months ago I entered a competition and completely forgot about it, until today. Today I got a phone call from Warner Brothers Movieworld asking me how I came up with my entry name. You had to name Seaworlds new baby dolphin. It was on the internet and I'd come across it while booking flights for our March family holiday. I WON !!!! out of thousands and thousands of names suggested.

I rushed to tell Chayse who was home sick in bed about this baby dolphin that was now the owner of the name "Chayse". Yes I put down my sons name. He was thrilled as were his Brothers when he told them. We won free family entry to the theme park and a special closed tour of dolphin cove to meet all the dolphins and have photos taken with the new little swimmer "Chayse".

Sooo excited for the kids as we've booked to go to Queensland for a week and do the theme parks. Of course the boys don't know yet as they'd drive me crazy waiting and counting down. So they now know tickets are on their way here for when mum and dad think they're grown up enough to fly over to see dolphin Chayse. Great bribery materail to be good in March I think.

Well Xmas is nearly here so I bought myself a pair of "I love Billy" shoes. I seem to be buying myself a gift every Xmas of late. Oh well whats a girl to do when she has all boys. I have to buy something girly for someone so it may as well be me.

Yes we are still around. Very busy as I'm sure you all are too. Don't you just love Xmas. I know I do. I love watching the excitement building in the boys. They received their letters from Santa the other night and it was pure joy watching their amazing expressions as they read what he had to say. I will post photos soon (promise). For now here is our Xmas card to all of you and your families. It wasn't without drama as Brodie fell off his bike just before having these taken and had to have 5 stitches in his leg. He was hysterical but my gorgeous friend Cassie still managed to get a great photo of the six of us. Mine you Brodie refers to himself as accidental Brodie as last Xmas he'd just broken his arm. OHH boys ... so Merry Chrissie to all you lovely people. Looking forward to being in touch through 2009.

click to enlarge photos

13 GREAT YEARS Yes Dani i am back. Life is sooo busy aint it. What's been happening. Well Corey and I celebrated 13 blissful years of marriage. Wow how time flies. We'd been together for 6 years before we were married so it seems like forever. Still happy to report that things are going just as smoothly as back then. I do think having kids with their everyday dramas makes you appreciate life and each other more. We decided to take the boys out for tea last night and were having a nice time until all of a sudden Parker threw up, YES threw up all over the table!!. OMG talk about embarrassing. It was out of the blue and gastro has been going around like wildfire. So thankful to the girl sitting behind us with the napkins but did notice they'd moved to another area to chat as we were leaving. We all know what kid spew can smell like don't we. HOW EMBARRASSING. We quickly let the boys eat as their meals were now ready while I cleaned up Parker. Luckily we left when we did as he did it again when we got to the car. My poor boy dry reached every half hour until 4 am. Such a good boy he grabbed the bowl everytime and said :I sick mummy, rub my back" Corey is on the couch today unwell so I'm hoping I don't end up with it to. Below are a few quick snaps of last night just because we haven't done it for a while. Also Happy Birthday Emma !!

YOU MAKE MY DAY Many many weeks ago my hair dresser sister in law cut my below the shoulder hair into an easy to manage short cut. The boys haven't said too much until today. Well I'm taking todays comment for the hair because I can't think what else it could possibly be about. Every morning while I'm doing my hair and make-up etc Brodie jumps into my bed, school uniform on and just watches. This morning I noticed he was really studying me when he said "mumma bear (as he affectionately calls me), can I ask you a question" pause *gasp* ahh "sure Brodie what is it" "WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE A TEENAGER?' *sigh* You know just the right things to say Brodie bear. Even if I am 35 going on 18 I'II take it.

Ohh how tired do I look uughghh

Part Angel, part devil

Love you bigger than the world. mmaahh xxx

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Yes Corey and I have found ourselves to be the entertainers when it comes to watching the Grand Final for Aussie Rules. This year we had 7 families here for the day. We did it last year and they kind of all invited themselves back for this year. Most of our circle of friends live in town whereas we have no neighbours and acres for the kids to run around on. It was a good day with too much wine and a great tea to top it off. Everyone pitches in and brings a salad or dessert and we cook up a BBQ. With each family having 3 or 4 kids there were plenty here. The weather was beautiful on 34 although with the wind and the heat the kids were exhausted running all day. It didn't end here till 1 in the morning with all the guys. I think I snuck off to bed at 11 and still paid for it the next day. (actually yesterday was a bit of a weary day to I must admit). Corey still can't figure out how the 5 guys left managed to finish off all that scotch!! Below are some photos of Chayse with his beloved Sascha doing what I felt like all day, lazing around...

Well the boys have enjoyed the holidays so we are all happy. I was dreading them thinking 2 weeks with 4 boys HHMM. I've found that holidays can either be hard work with winging kids that are bored or fun if you schedule something every day. Nothing big or expensive mind you. Like yesterday by about 3 o'clock they were just starting to get to each other so we jumped in the car and headed to the park for a play. Grabbed them an ice-cream on the way home and the mood was very uplifted when they got home.

Today I needed a day at home to catch up on all those dreaded chores. We played a game of soccer in the sun and they are now all having a turn on the X-box. They think this is great as it usually only goes on every now and them on a weekend. Tomorrow we are meeting my mum for lunch and a day out. HHmm only Thursday and Friday to get through and Friday is show day here so we should be set. Yes I can survive 2 weeks home with a house full of boys, although one day last week Chayse and Brodie each had a friend come over for the day. 6 boys!! How will I ever survive when they all want one each and I have 8 ????????

Bestest day ever Well on a normal Wednesday when the boys are at school I run around and do the groceries, pay the bills and basically get some shopping done. It's my one day to myself as Parker is in creche at ABC learning that day. Logan has kinder in the morning but the afternoon is his time with me until I pick Chayse and Brodie up from school. I did that with them when they were doing the kinder year. We shop then go out for afternoon tea etc. Just one on one time. Being school holidays now I try to make Wed. a day when we can all go out and do something. Today the boys took their pocket money and shopped. They only had $20 each so it was an interesting learning curve for them about what things cost. They browsed for a long time and couldn't decide but were most happy when they paid for their items. We had lunch at the Carriages (an old train done up as a restaurant) and just enjoyed the day together. My mum came with us. I was most impressed that they all used their manners. When the boys were going to bed last night Chayse and Brodie said it was the bestest day they've ever had. I'm really beginning to enjoy going out with them more now they are getting older. They are so much easier. Having my baby be three is also making things better. We still do have the odd tantrum but over all it's better now that I'm over the baby stage trying to manage 3 other boys. Another 12 months and I might be able to get the four of them on the plane to Queensland. If they'd sit still long enough!!!

Four happy boys. They bought Parker a spiderman toy which much to my delight woke me up at 6.30 this morning smoothering me in kisses. MWAA MWAA (thanks for that Parker)

Chayse and Brodie had footy dress up day on the last day of term. Of course Logan had to get out his long socks and came out of his room like this. Socks over his Pjs. When he did go to get dressed he put on his boxer shorts with them to be like the boys.

WISHY WASHY DAZE Well the past few weeks have been exhausting to say the least. I'm well and got over my surgery but sit here tonight in a daze of tiredness. Chayse woke Sunday morning complaning about headaches and sore eyes. Eventually Corey carried him into the emergency department and he was admitted to go on the drip and flush his body with antibiotics. He has had meningitis apparently and was released yesterday from hospital. I stayed the night with him and got absolutely no sleep. The alarm for his drip went off every hour and had to be topped up for the next 60mls of meds. Talk about annoying!!! 1am, 2am ,3am etc etc. I woke each hour as the nurse came in. It was like a torture system. Anyway he's back at school today running around fit as a fiddle. I really think as sick as he was he enjoyed the one on one time with mum. He kept reaching out to hold my hand all night saying "thanks for staying with me". Today he told me he enjoyed it just being us. So hard when you have 4 kids to give quality time to. So for my wishy washy day (brain wise I think as it's not functioning yet) I've added my favorite pic of Parker and more of him doing his favorite job in the house. The washing (watching it go "round and round" mind you) He is obsessed.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY Happiest of Fathers day to you my Corey. I know you don't go for all this being spoilt stuff but I still know you enjoyed being with your boys for the day. A wonderful one we had to. Sitting at the river watching the boys ride around and sitting around the fire toasting marshmellows. You are the type of dad that doesn't want any fuss and still insisted on cooking for us as you always do on Sundays. Pampered is what we are with you. The boys eargerly wait for you to come home every night to kick the footy and every weekend you want to take them somewhere or do something with them. Even a drive to the tip is fun for them because they are with you. Thanks for being the best dad a kid could ever want. Fun, Active, Generous, and most of all There. We are not complete until you are here with us. Love you heaps. Happy Fathers Day . And Corey "ditto"