Happy Birthday Tom.

Today Tom turns 15.

 New Born with my dad and brother John. 

14 Months old. This photo was taken in Adelaide, just after Tom had been diagnosed. 

 Age 2 and 3. Tom and Amelia were firm friends at this age. The older children always called them the babies and I kept telling them they were not babies. 

Christopher was born when Tom was 5. He loved his brother to pieces. 

Age 6. This is probably his first bike. 

Age 7. I couldn't find one of Tom on his own. I wonder if he had started to become a bit camera shy. 

 Age 8. Tom and Amelia played soccer for the Eagles. 

 Age 9, First Communion. 

 Age 10, Another brother is born. 

 Age 11. 

 Age 12 with a new pump. 

 Age 13. Joining scouts. 

Age 14. Daniel took the 4 boys camping. 

Now at 15, Tom has started working part time at Hungry Jacks. He is our 5th child to start work with them. He will be in year 10 this year at PASS. 

Happy Birthday Tom. Dad and I are proud to be your parents and hope God blesses you abundantly over the years ahead. 

School Holidays.

Well we are into the second week of term two so I thought it was high time I did an update of what we did in the holidays.

In the first week, we celebrated my 48th birthday. Only two years till our 50th. It was a nice day. The family went to Mass together in the morning and then we had our parish priest and one of our seminarians over for lunch.

The weather for the first week was quite warm. It was a good time to start summer sewing. I sewed a few tops for me and a couple for a girlfriend.

In the second week, Steve and I travelled to Melbourne. We took Tom and Christopher to Adelaide with us and left them with Daniel and Amelia and Joseph stayed in Port Augusta with Brigette in charge.

Steve and I stayed at the Murcure in Albert Park. We had a very nice view of Lake Albert.

 The reason we went to Melbourne was to see the Musical, Once.



It was one of the best stage shows I have ever seen. I spent a lot of time listening to the soundtrack on YouTube in the weeks leading up to our holiday so knew the songs well. My favourite song would have to be Falling Slowly.



We arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday. Wednesday we had a sleep in and then went to town. We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral for Mass and then sat and prayed for a while after. After a late lunch we went back to the hotel and spent the evening there. \

Thursday we got up early and went out to see my uncle and aunt. They live in the eastern suburbs and we spent the day with them.

Thursday night was Once and on Friday we sat around most of the day at our hotel. It was nice to sit and relax and not have to do anything. After lunch, I ventured out on my own and navigated my way to Lincraft to look at fabric. they were having a sale and I would have bought a lot but I knew I had to get it back home and didn't want to have my luggage weighing more than was allowed.

Friday night we meet my cousin, his fiancée and a good friend that we haven't seen for years. We went to Lygon Street and I had one of the best lasagne's I have ever eaten.

 Here is the 5 of us. Steve, me and Daniel

Tom and Valentina. 

 Steve, me and Daniel. 

 Steve, Valentina, Tom and I. 

Valentina and Tom. 

After a nice tea we went to a chocolate shop for dessert. The dessert was very rich and filling. 

We had such a fun night this night. It was our last night in Melbourne and such a great way to spend it. 

We got back to a sick kid. Christopher picked up some bug while we were away so Sam had to take him to the hospital. We got back Saturday night. I spent the night at the hospital with him and we brought him back to Port Augusta on Sunday morning. 

It was a really nice break. So thankful that our older children are so willing to look after our younger children and give us a small break.  

What has been happening in May?

May was a pretty busy month for us. We changed to Sunday Mass to help out with leading the rosary before mass. Usually we go on Saturday night so that we can have a family day each Sunday. It is the only day we really get to sleep in so I take full advantage of it most weekends. I stay in bed most of the morning and then we usually do something with the younger children in the afternoon .

In May Amelia turned 12 and Brigette 16. Amelia had a party at Hungry Jacks and Brigette had a night out at the movies with some girlfriends. Brigette is studying on line the tests for getting her learners permit and will probably go for the test this week. She does pretty well with the on line tests but wants to do better so that she can feel confident that she will pass.

This month, the Novita Physio was visiting Port Augusta and Joseph went along to see her. The local Physio is concerned with Joseph's knee and the amount he throws it back when he is standing. The physio that we do with Joseph will be changing a bit over the next month and we will work on getting him to hold his knee in a more natural position.

We also had diabetes endocrinologist up in Port Augusta yesterday. Tom, Amelia and Christopher all had an appointment with her. Their management is going pretty well but there is always room for improvement so we have made a few adjustments with the boys pumps and we are changing Amelia to having lantus insulin in the evening. She is only going to be on daily injections for another 3 months and will be starting pump therapy in August.

Steve and I finished Season two of Downton Abbey and started watching American Horror Story. It did have some scary things in it but over all I enjoyed the story line. We are now waiting on Season three of Downton Abbey to arrive. I am really enjoying spending time with Steve watching different series. In the past, most of our dates nights have been dinner and movie night. What I like about watching a series is talking and speculating about what is going to happen after each episode.

Weekend Wrap up.

Well another weekend has just about finished. Pretty soon, it will be time to get the children to do their evening chores and prepare for school tomorrow.

Friday Christopher was home sick. This isn't a part of our weekend but because he was here, I wasn't able to get food shopping done. This meant that I had to do it on Saturday. I originally planned to go the shops straight after mass and adoration but didn't get a shopping list done so didn't.

Amelia is turning 12 on Wednesday and we had a party for her yesterday at Hungry Jacks. It was great to leave all the mess behind when the party was over.

Steve and I did food shopping in the afternoon after the party and then we cooked tea. Saturday night Steve and I watched the last episode of Downton Abbey, season 1. I have ordered season 2 but it probably won't be here till the end of the week. I guess it is time for me to get on to some Poirot until season 2 gets here. I really loved Downton and am looking forward to watching the other seasons.

In May we are having the rosary before Mass on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Steve and I are going to be helping out with leading the rosary so we are going to be going on Sundays for this month. We usually go on Saturday night so that we can have a family day in on Sunday. It is the one day each week that I know I have nothing I have to do. For this month though, we will go on Sunday morning. It still we be a bit of a family day but our mornings will be full.

I  hope you all had a good weekend.

Therese.

Happy Birthday Christopher.

Today is Christopher's 8th birthday. I was going to post some pictures but it has been a long day and I want this to be a quick post. Coming this week, an interview with a new 8 year old. Post any question suggestions in the comment box.

Therese.

Joseph's birthday pictures

Joseph with his new basketball stand. He loves it very much especially when he gets a goal.

Thankful Thursday.

It is a week since I have posted on my blog and I thought I really should post on here and give thanks for all the good things in our life.

Today Joseph turns 3 and I am thankful for the blessing he is to our family.

We also found out today that he does not have type one diabetes anti bodies. I am thankful that we know this.

Tonight Madeline, Tom, Amelia and Christopher started musical theatre.I am thankful that  they have the opportunity to learn dance and mix with children outside of school.

Happy Birthday Tom

I am a day late for this. Yesterday, Tom turned 13. We have another teenager in the house. That makes 4 teenagers total. One already through the teenage years and 3 more to come.

For his birthday Tom got a remote control helicopter and mobile phone. Since he is going to high school, I want him to be able to text bsl to me at lunch and recess time so that I know he is looking after himself. High school is so different from primary school with them moving from teacher to teacher and not really having one teacher in control of it all.

Happy Birthday Tom. Dad and I love you very much and hope you have a great year being 13.

2013

It is the start of a new year and we are all making new resolutions and hoping that 2013 will be a great year for us all.

Today is also Daniel's 21st birthday. He was born at 5.50 in the afternoon. Because he was born on new years day, a lot of people ask me if he was the first baby born for the year. Being born so late in the day though, I think he probably didn't even make it into the first ten babies born. Happy Birthday Daniel. We are really proud of the young man you have become. 

So back to new years resolutions. Over the last couple of years, I have picked out a word that I want to be my word for the year. :Last year I chose simplicity and the year before hope.

Both last year and the year before, I didn't spend as much time really reflecting on either of my words. I find with a lot of things that I make some choice (like a word for the year) and it is front and centre for a few days in my life and then it takes a back seat. This is pretty typical for me. Any kind of new routine or discipline usually lasts for a few days and then becomes less of a commitment the longer I do it. With this in mind, I have decided my word for this year is to be consistency. 

I want to be consistent with prayer, the different therapies my children need and my day. I want to do everything I need to with consistency and regularly. 

I am looking forward to the new year with all the changes we have made. I know that only 18 months ago, I was totally overwhelmed with all that I had on. Last year wasn't as overwhelming but still pretty full on. This year I am really hopeful that I we will have a nice balance with all the different activities we have on. 

I hope 2013 will be a good year for us and for you.

Therese. 

St Therese

46 years ago, I was due to be born on the 3rd of October. My mother and father chose the name Therese Angela as the feast of St Therese was on the 3rd and the feast of the Guardian Angels on the 2nd. I was born on the 1st and years after I was born, the feast of St. Therese was changed to the 1st. Since my parents named me after St. Therese, I did have a small devotion to her and asked her often to intercede for me but I didn't really realise just how holy her life was.

A couple of times, I started reading her autobiography but  found it hard to read and just a bit too fluffy.  

In 2001, we moved away from family and friends for a job that Steve got with Catholic Education. The year was really tough on us. We were adjusting to living away from family and friends, Tom got type one diabetes, Amelia was born and Steve found teaching very difficult. It was a year full of challenges for us.

I was feeling quite annoyed with God and kept on asking him why we were dealing with so much. I cannot remember how I came across St. Therese's autobiography but I remember thinking that I should try and read it one more time and that maybe I could get something out of it.

The story touched me profoundly. I realised just how holy St. Therese was and that her little way was indeed something that could help me live a full life. I knew that been named after such a holy person was a real gift. I also realised just how rich the Catholic church was with patron saints to give us good examples in living the faith. They are just like big brothers and sisters encouraging us and leading us by example.

Thank you St. Therese for your little way and for being such a good example in living a life for God Thank you also for your intercession for my family and me.

Therese.

What has happened at our house in May?

Life has been busy busy busy during May for us and I have been reliant on my diary more so than any other time in my life. June is shaping up to be just as busy but I am feeling pretty confident with my diary usage been much better than it has been at any other time, that it will be manageable.

In May, Amelia turned 11. We had a Saturday afternoon party. She had about 10 friends over. It was a great afternoon.

Brigette also had a birthday. She turned 15. She decided she didn't want to have a party this year because she wants to have a 16th. I hope she doesn't want anything too big.

Joseph has been doing lots of therapy for his leg. We had a trip to Adelaide for him to see the Rehab specialist. Joseph is going to have botox treatment for his left hemiplegia in June. We are having another block of physio with a couple of physio students this month on Fridays.

Christopher has also started speech therapy. There is still a lot of sounds that he doesn't seem to be able to say clearly. At the sessions, it is really obvious that he is progressing well but I still have to remind him often at home when he doesn't say words correctly. If he has a second shot at them, he can usually say them very well.

I have meet a couple of home school families in Port Augusta. We have started to get together fortnightly for the children to socialise and the mums to have a chat. It is great to have some other families here for support. Sometimes home schooling can seem like you are all alone in the world so this group has been a gift from God for me.

Thanks for visiting.

Therese.

Thankful Thursday

Today I give thanks for Madeline and the blessing she has been to our family for the last 17 years. Happy birthday Madeline. We love you.

Happy Birthday Christopher.

Yesterday, Christopher turned 7. He had a great birthday. 

In the morning, after Brigette had been dropped at school, Christopher had his first ride in the front seat of the car. 

We went to the church to say some prayers and Fr. Paul was there. He gave Christopher a blessing for his birthday.

Last night we had birthday cake with Fr. Paul and today we went to Hungry Jacks with 8 friends to celebrate. The video above, is everyone singing happy birthday to him. Editing because my computer is not cooperating with me and I cannot get the video up yet. I will have a go at getting it up tomorrow morning. 

Happy Birthday Christopher. We love you very much and are so happy God blessed us with your life. May you have many more happy and blessed birthdays. 

Mum and Dad. 

Weekend Wrap up.

We have had a great start to the holidays here. On Saturday it was my 45th birthday. When my mother was pregnant with me, I was due on the 5th of October. She wanted to call me Therese Angela after St. Therese and the guardian angels. Back then, the feast for St. Therese was on the 3rd of October and the feast of the guardian angels, the 2nd of October. Since then, St. Therese's feast day has been moved to the 1st so now my patron saints feast is on my birthday. 

For my birthday I am getting a new pie maker and bread maker. Daniel asked me during the week what I wanted and I said a pie maker. They come in two and four. The two was cheaper but I asked him to give some money towards the 4 and I  ordered it. I am hoping it will come early this week. It will be great if it come tomorrow. 

I also ordered the bread maker from eBay. This is from Steve and our younger 4 children. When Steve was studying, we made our bread every day. After many years of use, the belt broke and we decided that we had had enough of bread making for a while so never replaced the belt. I don't think we will be making our bread everyday but I will make hot cross buns, yeast buns and pizza dough with it. 

Since it was my birthday, Daniel cooked tea for the family last night. He cooked Apricot chicken and it was delicious. We haven't had Apricot chicken for a long time. I think it will be one to put back onto our regular meals. 

I have a couple of video's to share from our weekend. 

here is Joseph, our star basket ball chapion. 

Here he is this morning in his new overalls. These were given to us by friends last year and I put them away until they fitted him. I had forgotten them until I cleaned out the storeroom this week and found them. Today it was a bit cooler here so I put them on him and took this video. 

In a couple of weeks, Steve and I will be having a joint 45th birthday party. We went out this afternoon and delivered invitations to friends that live locally. 

This week we will be on holidays. I have lots of sewing planned. 

I hope you all have a good week. 

Therese. 

Happy Birthday to the Church.

Today is the churches birthday. Over 2000 years ago, the church was born at Pentecost. We had an ecumenical service with the Anglicans in our church tonight followed by cake and drinks.

Happy Birthday to the church.

Happy Birthday Brigette.

Today Brigette turns 14. She is home from school though. Brigette has a grass allergy. When she touches grass, she gets some pretty awful rashes. She woke up this morning with two rashes on her leg. We have some cream to put on but she doesn't like putting it on because it burns. She put some on so hopefully they will disappear soon.

Happy Birthday Brigette. We hope it is a great day for you even though you are not feeling well.

Big weekend.

We spent the weekend in Pikina for a Catholic home school camp. It was lots of fun. On Friday, I left here just before lunch time with the children. Steve had somethings to do at home so he didn't come till Saturday at lunch time.

It was a great weekend. We all had a ball. We went to Magnetic hill and Appila Springs. Saturday we spent time just hanging around together in the morning. In the afternoon, Steve and I took 7 children off to Peterborough for a drive and then to the park in Orroroo. Today we had mass, clean up and then drove home.


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10 years today.

Today is Amelia's 10th birthday. We bought her a basket ball ring and pink netball. Amelia is doing netball this year for the first time. She is playing for Magpies. She really loves going to practice so I am sure she will love playing the games too.

Happy Birthday Amelia. I hope you had a great day. We love you very much.

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Happy Mothers Day.

To all the mothers out there that follow my blog. I hope you all have a blessed mothers day. I had a great day and got lots of great presents. I really love being a mother and feel very blessed to have all the children I have.

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Oh and in other news, Steve also fixed my computer before he joined us at the camp. Now both our computers are running smoothly.

Therese.

Happy Birthday Madeline.

16 today.


Birthday girl.

Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday Madeline.

The chicken dance

Our children insisted on Joseph's birthday that we had to have a party and play some games. Here they are doing the chicken dance.

Happy Birthday Joseph

It all started with this post a year ago.

It lead to this post and this picture.

And here he is today:

And a cute video from a couple of days ago:

Happy Birthday Joseph. We love you very much.