Gifts

I think at this time of year it is only natural for most peoples minds to be focussed on gifts. I find the hardest part of giving gifts is deciding what to buy people, and there is always the question of 'what do you give the person who has everything?'

I do belive though that the most precious and meaningful of gifts cannot be purchased.

This time 2 years ago we had just suffered a M/C, it was my first pregnancy and Cameron and I were oh so excited to be having a little baby, however it was not meant to be.

We also found out 3 days before Christmas that I was not pregnant that month either, we were really hoping that we could experience Christmas knowing that I was carrying the most precious of gifts.

I was given many beautiful gifts that year, but the gift that I longed for more than any other could not be purchased, the gift of life.

The following month on the 21st of January we were incredibly blessed to find out that I was pregnant with our precious little girl Lily.

There are many beautiful, material possessions you can buy for someone, however I am sure that many, many, dare I say all people have a gift they would love to receive that cannot be purchased.

This year, I honestly wouldn't mind if I did not receive a single gift, I have the best gift of all.
I am surrounded by those I love, and those that love me. Most of all I have the most precious, sweet, smiley, happy, delightful little girl that has ever graced this earth. (Not at all biased! hehe)

I am so happy that this Christmas I get to sit down and have a lovely meal and share in wonderful conversation and quality time with those that are most important to me, what more could one ask for?!

Unfortunately there are many that do not get this privilege and for those my heart aches, this time of year compounds many feelings, in particular love, loss and pain.
For anyone out there that is suffering at this time of year, perhaps even your family are well but you are seperated by distance, or perhaps you are spending that first painful Christmas without someone special, my warmest wishes and most gentle of hugs are sent your way. I hope you are able to find some form of peace at Christmas.

On a lighter note, I love to look back at pictures from the same time of year in the year previous. This is a picture of Lily on Christmas Day last year, aged 3 months 4 days.

This smile melts my heart right out of my chest into a big puddle...

Grateful 23/12

Today I am grateful that my precious little family is feeling better.

For the past 3 days, Cameron, Lily and I have been sick with the gastro bug. Not a nice time at all.

Today is the first day I have woken up feeling back to normal, so I am very grateful for that. I find I tend to take my health and feeling well for granted until I fall ill and then I long to feel normal again.
So I am going to make a conscious effort to enjoy and aprreciate my health each day.
It is so lovely to wake up each morning and bounce out of bed looking forward to the day ahead.

Today is Christmas eve, eve. I cannot believe how quickly Christmas has come around this year. I have only one gift to purchase, which I will do when I finish work tomorrow.
Oh and of course, now I am wondering if I have enough sticky tape to wrap all the gifts, there is always one last minute item to grab isn't there?!

Today, because of Cyclone Laurence that has hit WA, we have extremely strong winds and 42 degrees forecast for here today. This has resulted in a catastrophic fire danger warning.

I must admit now living in a farming area with a scrub close by it does make me very nervous. I guess all I can do is be viligant and prepared and keep an eye on the CFS website for any incidences nearby.
Our neighbours told us that the locals are very helpful and if there is a fire nearby they will come and let you know and help in anyway possible.

I am quite grateful for that as most days Cameron is working at least an hour and a half from home, today is no different.

I am hoping the rain we are forecasted does arrive this afternoon.

On a lighter note I am very much looking forward to Christmas day, I am most looking forward to spending time with my family.
Plus there is s0mething very exciting happening Christmas night that only my parents and I know about, I look forward to revealing all after Christmas.

I just adore Christmas decor.

Christmas 2009

I just cannot believe that December is here already! This year has flown by so quickly, and I must say Christmas has crept up on me this year!

We put the tree up last week and I was so excited to share this moment with Lily. Well Lily was interested for about the first 5 minutes when she was handing me the branches to put on the tree, however she quickly lost interest and cruised away with her little trolley.
So I continued to assemble and decorate the tree by myself.
Lily was a little more interested in the end result, and particulary in the lights.

Christmas is all the more special when viewed through the eyes of a child.

I love Lily's excitement in the decorations, lights and also Christmas carols. I love to sing them to her, however I don't think she is a fan of my singing, can't say I blame her either!

On Friday I managed to complete the majority of my shopping which I was quite happy about, now I need to wrap, decorate and label the presents.

Last year as Lily was only 3 months old at Christmas time I could set presents down when I got home until I had a chance to wrap and store them, however this year is a different story!
Of course Lily loves to go exploring and unpacking bags is one of her very favourite activities!

In exciting news, Miss Lily is beginning to totter around, and if I may say so, is giving a whole new description to utterly adorable!
It is so cute and I am absolutely tickled pink and proud of my little lady!

Since I have no pics of our Christmas tree at the minute, here are some devine Christmas images.

How adorable is this Christmas Lego?!

And this adorable advent calendar...

Life's little treasures

My poor blog has been badly neglected of late, and it certainly isn't that there isn't anything to say, just not enough hours in the day!

I am really missing blogging, I need to set aside more time to keep my blog up to date.

Since we have moved onto land, as much as I love it to pieces there is always so much to do. Especially keeping up with the gardening, mowing etc.

Not to mention the gorgeous little girl that occupies all my waking hours. Lily is such a little treasure, much more like having a little friend and companion than a baby now. I am absolutely loving this age with her.

There is so much to catch up on, but since it is the time of year lets start with Christmas.

Unfortunately for this years Father Christmas photo, Lily wasn't at all enthused!
We went to the Magic Cave with my SIL and my 2 nephews.

This is this years Christmas picture, oh dear, not a fan at all!

Other than that though, Lily loved the Magic Cave and all the displays, especially the talking Christmas Tree.

Here is Lily with her big cousin Cooper, what are big cousins for? Helping you to stand up of course!

The talking christmas tree

Lily went on the merry go round, she wasn't sure at first, however once it started moving she quite enjoyed it.

Sorry for the picture overload, here are some other pictures from the life of Lily.

One day when we were at Mum's house, Lily was helping Mum in the bathroom while Mum was putting her make up on, she had such fun playing with all the bottles etc.

Lily loves her baths and had already had one that morning, but quite liked the idea of another!

Lily playing with Snowy, her cousins bird. She was quite fascinated by her.

I love the look on Lily's face in this picture, 'of course I didn't do it!'

My gorgeous, cheeky nephew Cooper.

I love this pic of my youngest nephew Callum creeping up on Lily, look at his expression, 'i'm gonna get her!'

Me and my everything...

I better leave it at that for now, I have a little lady milling around my legs wanting my attention.
For anyone that still stops by this blog, thankyou, I love to read your comments, and I am sorry for the big break between posts. I promise I will be back again real soon!
Love, Love