The Von Brughan Family

Happy VaLenTiNes Day

2012-02-14T06:49:00.000+02:00

Dear World,

this morning at 05h30 Brod woke up & opened his Valentine's Day gift.

The kids woke up too!

In fact, Sophie had set her alarm for an early morning wake up call.

Can you imagine if I had not laid out their Love Treats????

Lucky for small mercies.

Brod & Phoebe have headed off to Early Morning Seminary.

She loves that she knows more than the 14 year olds in the class.

I told her something happens when you reach your 2nd puberty.

It's like your brain shuts down, and can't process all the important stuff any more.

She was amazed.

We have been having a rather Romantic Month actually.

Last week Tuesday was our Family French Date Night.

We hired Midnight in Paris.

Ate baguettes and Pizza(just think Mediterranean cuisine).

And had Lemon Meringue for dessert(we just did not make it to Chateau Gateux).

It was lovely.

Last night we had our Valentines Day Eve Dinner Surprise @ Spur :) Gag - but the kids loved it. Brod reckons he just can't do that again for a few more years. I just laugh.

Have a SuPeR DuPeR Valentines Day People of the World.

2012-02-10T07:26:00.000+02:00

Art Friday

Phoebe's version of a Van Gough

My boys chilling while the car is cleaned

Magnums in the sun:)

The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.

2012-02-09T20:01:00.000+02:00

So how did you spend yours?

Dear World.

Today I woke up nice and early & read a book to wake up.

Jo joined me.

We chatted - and then plonked downstairs for breakfast & the 1st load of washing.

Phoebe joined us.

We breakfasted together on an apple crumble.

Crumbs.

Then Noah joined us.

Got my morning hug fix and whispered terms of endearment.

Then Sophie appeared.

And our day began.

I drove off to art.

Brod went to the office - which is opposite the kitchen.

Phoebe & Sophie knuckled down to some school work & the boys ran off on an adventure,

I swam at art.

Cathy, my art teacher - has a sprawling Spanish Villa & a gorgeous blue pool.

It is summer here. Art lessons are hot - and I'm going through an early menopause - at the ripe old age of 33.

So I swam.

And smiled.

And swam.

And floated under a brilliant sun, and grey-white clouds, and listened to the birds and watched the bugs.

And laughed - and smiled, and was deliciously content.

I think I will make that first hour of the day tomorrow - even better.

So the rudder steers me in a good direction.

Even better.

I'm selling my art. By the way.

It feels time.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

2012-02-06T08:17:00.000+02:00

When I remember this, I do, and I find I am happy. It's just remembering it all the time. I have to consciously make an effort. This morning has had a different start - Brod is helping out with early morning Seminary this week - and so he was up and gone before 6am. So I started my day too. I told myself - I am a Joyful Mother - and I smile when I say it, so the message carries around my face for a bit - it's always easier to believe the 'joy' part when you smile, not so?

And even though I continue to be joyful - I did manage to submerge my poach pod in the pot - and Brod's too, resulting in hardened egg yellow's and runny egg whites - who DOES that? It's a first in our family.

And then Jo dropped my food on the floor. Plonk. The egg yellow bounced to safety on top of the toast (which I'd over toasted - rah rah, I'm on a roll today)...but I did not even shout or yell! I held my breath and closed my eyes, and asked him to leave the kitchen. He did, we had a break and we are all good again. I ate my toast and yellow egg. And had 2 cups of tea - with no sugar, since I am mostly sugar free. Except for all the cake I had yesterday. Delightful!

I will continue to be a joyful mother today.

Yes.

I will.

He still has my heart

2012-01-31T21:12:00.001+02:00

We're coming up to a sort of anniversary in Feb, on the 14th believe it or not.

I waited months for him to call - and he finally did on Feb 13th 1997. And invited me to watch the sunrise the next morning...which just happened to be Valentines day. This I do not think was planned that way. Brod is so not a Valentines celebration kinda chap. But, oh the sweet memory of travelling in his old Mazda along Kloof Falls Road to get to the view point before the sun awoke. Nice memory.

And my heart still beats all fast when he walks in the room (even if sometimes I have thrown stuff at him - ok that was when my heart was mad, so lots of bad beats were pumping then)...I get gooseys at his touch and my smile is right by my eyes when he looks at me.

My Getaway Magazine Boy for February 2012.
Happy soon to be, 1st Date Anniversary, Brod - 15 years ago.
We were mere children, now we have 4 of our own.

Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe & enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass.

2012-01-15T12:38:00.001+02:00

So, we did all that and it came to pass - through good friends of ours who offered us a holiday home for the 2011 Christmas Holidays. It was a fantastic opportunity to whisk the kids off on a 2 week family journey - and we all managed very well, except for one occasion when Noah really missed our home in South Africa:)

Brod & I have a love for the Cape - it is one of our Happy Places. If you've been there you cannot help but love it. I have grown up in KwaZulu Natal which has a gracious appeal, however Cape Town's sheer attractiveness is lure enough for me. In the words of Boyd Ferguson," In the family of South African cities, Cape Town was always the blonde, blue-eyed, long-legged, brainy one with a gorgeous boyfriend and a movie contract; just more stylish and more urban." In short, Cape Town has a pulling power.

On one of our holidays there last year Brod & I decided we'd like to take the kids along with us on our next trip - and set a date for 2012. And when the opportunity arrived, we took it and now have already done just that. And 2012 is only beginning. Lots of gratitude to the Harries family for welcoming us into their home in their absence - and trusting that it would still be there on their return:)

We piled our little kidlets in the car - with all our holidaying belongings and set off on a 23 hour long journey - not quite how I envisaged it (our original plan had been to fly - the thought of that long trip with 4 little kids scared the heck out of me) - and we did it. On many days, our only adventure was to set off for a 45min drive around the peninsula in search of 'Baboops' (Jo's word for baboons). Just chilling, drawing, resting or reading were enough. Oh, and eating. The baked cheesecake from the Constantia Alphen Spar - are delightful, we ate our way through 1 a week, the local Fish & Chips are devilishly good - the swooshing of oil in your tummy afterwards worth every bite. The frozen yoghurt delicious, and the view while eating it all - just magic.

Rock pools at low tide near Simon's Town

The Free State views are magical - driving towards Bethlehem

20 hours in the car - the kids were getting ansie

Just arrived at our holiday home - stretching some eina legs

The most delicious christmas cake I have ever had - ever.

Our first sunset in Noordhoek

Sand art

Fish hoek

Scratch Patch in Simon's Town

Rhodes Memorial

Our place of leisure

The view

Christmas morning fun

Still holidaying...oh joy!

2012-01-05T10:26:00.000+02:00

It's a gorgeous sunny day in the the Cape. I'm sitting at Claire's computer at Harries Haven in Noordhoek. We've been here so long, it feels like we're locals. Hooray! Love being a apart of a new place. I love having local spots that we love. Making friends and having our kids find friends here too.Putting down roots throughout the country - that's the aim.

It's been such an adventure:)

We've walked, sun tanned, driven - alot, eaten enough fish & chips to be fish and chipped out, swan in the Atlantic, and Indian oceans, been on a boat to Seal Island, ridden on a train, hung out with penguins @ Betty's Bay, watched the seals at Kalk Bay, celebrated Christmas with Fish Hoek Branch, New Years eve with the Taims & Greeffs, shopped, slept. Watched Tintin @ Cavendish, Brod & I even ran away on a happy date while a local YW watched the kiddies. Bliss, indeed.

We leave early tomorrow morning...all is packed and ready to go.

And it still feels like it has come too soon.

How crazy.

Home seems far away. It's going to be an eventful 2012, I feel it in my bones.

Merry Christmas All, and have a super duper 2012.

xxx

Finding Joy in Life

2011-12-11T15:58:00.000+02:00

There are plenty things that I think about. Often. A lot has to do with the pursuit of things that bring me happiness. And mostly it's to do with my actions, doing things that make me happy. My happiness is not in things, it's in Brod, and the kids, and in me. So I sit and think. I clean, and I think. I read, and I think. I walk, and I think. Think, think, think. Then I try and do. You'll see a link to the side of this post, that connects to my Smosh Art. I started it all because it makes me happy to create. And being happy, means I am a nicer person and feel more fulfilled.

Brod gave a talk in church this morning on Finding Joy in Life - and largely used the words from Richard G. Scott's talk. The words were so familiar - and rung true for me...they were so inline with the words from my Patriarchal Blessing it was uncanny.

I am thankful for a thankful heart, that sees my blessings and is grateful for them. And when the bad days come, when it feels hard just to move through the day - and can I pause here to say that 'It's ok, not be ok' all the time - that good moments come and fill me up and all the world seems brighter. I do know that Heavenly Father knows me, and is aware of me. I feel my life has purpose and potential, as do we all in this world-and when I do what I'm supposed to, and read, and meditate like I need to - I open myself up to His will far more.

Being a Deliberate Mother

2011-11-27T09:46:00.000+02:00

This year, my motherhood quest has been on being a deliberate mother. Teaching, being with them, watching them grow, laughing more, relaxing more and hugging and squeezing more. It has not been an easy journey. I've grayed more, if that's even possible. But I tell you this truth - it has been the MOST rewarding and precious experience of my life.

I have had a year that has taxed me, starting with a virus that has left my skin scarred on my legs and arms - and all the social insecurities I suffered as a result, my sister and her family immigrating suddenly & not knowing when I'll see them again-and all the hoopla that surrounded the event, my father passing away just as suddenly as you can ever imagine. One minute he was with us, 5 minutes later he was gone. And woven through all these events was my brand new expedition into the world of home schooling. A harder journey for myself I could not imagine. If I had known at the onset of 2011 that such events would have been taking place I do not know if I could have faced it. THAT is such a blessing - the NOT knowing. We are stronger in facing our trials when we just have to grin and bear them, dealing with it all as we get through them.

What added blessings that through all the difficulties - we have experienced such huge blessings. So much precious family time, holidays, laughter, discovering new skills and talents, meeting new wonderful people who encourage, inspire and uplift. Having each other - appreciating that life can be long, and all the goodness can be held onto for years to come.

Discovering as a husband & wife, that yes, for us, our joy is indeed not in things - it is in us.

And that we can create our life to be the way we choose, and welcome into our marriage more good than bad, by holding to each other - and turning to each other when we are uncertain of the future.

I heard these words (below) over a year ago and penned them in my special black book, where all my plans and hopes get written and recorded. They imprinted upon me then, and the effect has been lasting.

Julie Beck in the April 2010 Conference said:-

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

I am striving for this in my life. It is hard, but listening to the right sources for inspiration, make the task seem more possible

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.” ― Mary Jean Iron

One month till Christmas!

2011-11-26T09:41:00.001+02:00

This year, the 25th November was important for 2 reasons...1. The girls had their Dolce Piano Concert & 2. It was my Birthday.

Each year, I am overwhelmed by the special messages and gifts that come my way. The love and kindness of others is always the most tangible and memorable gift of course. Brod, precious, wonderful & amazing Brod (everyone thinks it so I might as well mention it), gifted me with what I wanted, Big Blue clothing- just as I've been linking this up to their site - I've discovered their latest ladies clothing items...grrrrr. But since I've been wearing my gifts for most of the month he did buy some token gifts for the kids to wrap up(there was even a foot scrub from 'Edward & Bella' - how thoughtful!, Check out this Zombie Song - it was our Halloween song with the sweet Twilight reference). A Black Forest Cake was the birthday cake treat - that man can throw an awesome impromptu party when he wants to, a precious Piano concert, dinner @ Cafe 99 with Hiram & Amanda, a DVD and bubble bath - and then I was absolutely SHOT.

Now, onto the really important part of the day. The Dolce Muisc Academy Piano Concert for KZN. Our little girls have been attending their piano lessons as faithfully as possible, practicing nearly every day. It has been fabulous watching them work hard and committing themselves. All their hard work paid off. Phoebe has been blessed with an amazing ability to handle all situations with ease. Sophie has great ability, but her little stomach gets twisted into a thousand knots. The opportunity to show case her talents was just up Miss Phoebe's street - she was thrilled, and had even invited her Speech & Language Therapist(and my friend), Carmen to watch the performance. Sophie got to the venue early and practiced earnestly to be ready. It was special watching Sophie overcome her fear, which was HUGE and perform so perfectly. I wonder if anyone has noted that I've been watching Mr.Poppers Penguins a lot lately:)

Life is all about the lessons that we learn.

The people that we meet.

The love we get to feel.

How special, to experience this all in just one day.

Here are some pics:

My impromptu party - little Hope helping me blow out candles

so special having friends pop by

The girls piano teacher, the lovely Samantha Clark

That's a whole lot of stress right there - nerves!

Totally chilled Phoebe enjoying the concert

She did it!

Musical item by Michaela

Missy Phoebe

Gift from Carmen

My R25 Woolies birthday banner that I bought months ago for this day:)

Carrie-Ann knows me well - inscription on the inside, "Bringing your 'happy place' into your home".

In need of a weekend after the weekend

2011-11-13T22:12:00.000+02:00

Brod competed in his first MTB race on Saturday. We woke up super early to get him to the starting line at Inanda Dam - so my tiny little eyes in the one shot are totally understandable. I left before he started...and arrived at the pick up point once he'd already finished. Drat. So much proudness in me now:) He's a marvel. Considering after the race he had to get to a church meeting and then collect the heaviest piece of furniture ever constructed, dismantle it and get it down a narrow flight of stairs and strap it on the car and then drive it home at 60km an hour. Insane.

Noah is growing his hair - it's pretty big most days - kinda looks like a wig now - but he saw some guy with long hair and that was it. He reckons it looked so cool he has to try.

Brod registering and collecting his pack

Walking around Virginia Airport

Jo found his helicopter

Striking a pose - with hundereds of competing onlookers watching.

Whoever said large horizontal stripes are flattering - lied.

The finish line

Cheering the riders in

This is Phoebe - totally.

Today

2011-11-09T17:11:00.000+02:00

Today I woke up early.

Just as the sun was up - that's early. I lay there for a bit and then felt someone looking at me. It was Jo. He was squeezed between Brod and I. How the heck? And when??? He was happy though. And that's a good thing. Jo does not always grace us with a happy face. He looked at the ceiling.

And said.

'Today is going to be the best day, EVER!'

His cousins were coming to join us for a lesson on Coral Reefs.

So the sun continued to shine and all the world was wonderful - the promise of a new day with cousins.

We read our scriptures - the kiddies and I...Brod was exempt since we took it as our Scripture study lesson since it only started a few moments before 8am. Tardy today.

And Noah, happy little Noah, said to me - 'Mom, I want to read by myself today, you can help me if I am stuck. But I will try by myself'. So I, the amazed mother(still in her nightie by the way - but it's my favourite one that I'd wear all day if I could), sat and watched. And listened. And was amazed. He spelled the words out first, phonetically - but he read. Words. On his own without me. At least 4 of them without my help. I have taught my son to read. Me, Melissa Von Brughan. Who goes through life feeling below average at everything, taught my happy little chappie that A N D spells AND. (thankfully the BOM is filled with copious amounts of verses starting with this very word, and. So Noah and I are going to have plenty reasons to celebrate.) and lots of other words too. Happiness is a happy mom in the morning, surrounded by her children, with no make up or bra and the scriptures. Not sure it's even allowed in social circles to mention bra and scriptures in the same line. Done it again. Oh well.

And then we tidied in a flurry and readied the table for our lesson on coral reefs. I tried to do an awesome experiment with the kids - and another adult present. Which flopped. Blind - but we'll give it another bash at a later time, when they've all forgotten. The kiddies were all happy learning, listening, watching and playing - and I was happy for them.

Some more sweet things from the kiddies...

Phoebe is gearing up for a Girl Guides Garage Sale - at which she plans to almost sell all our household goods and any Smosh Art that's lying around and make millions to buy me a Birthday gift, the day after my Birthday.

She does keep checking that I'd be ok with that. The day after and all.

Can I take a moment to rant about how AWESOME this little girl is at organising and carrying out a Family Home Evening lesson. My mind boggles. She invited my mom - precious - why had I not thought of that???She drew a whole whack of fish, made her own fishing rod with a pipe she found and some wool and a magnet and wrote scriptures on the back of each fish. We sat reading all the scriptures together. Brod and I looked across at each other, with raised eye brows and felt like the teenagers with the little adult taking charge and hell bent on saving all our souls.

Phoebe has a crush on a boy. Too precious. They are in a Reading program together - he's older(which is always a plus) and is very sweet. She was late today, and didn't have a chance to go home and change and do her hair...I felt her worry. We ran into the rest room on the way, faffed and fiddled and she was thrilled. Since she's still 10, I am not worried. I can only imagine the angst at 16 when it happens for real.

Sophie watches it all.

She still loves her cuddles and hugs, makes room for her stuffed toys on her bed and sometimes even sleeps under a blanket squashed up on the corner of her bed to give them pride of place on the pillow. She draws her happy pictures of things that inspire her, she writes happy notes in her journal and dreams of freedom from the constrains of her sheltered and controlled life. The other day at Tala Games reserve, on our game drive, she joyfully hung out the window yelling - "I feel so FREE!!!". What does this say about my parenting?

I think this all begs my attention. And lots of thought.

She is, truthfully my most studious child in the house and completes any given task when asked and happily most of the time. This means the world to me. Juggling 4 grades at one time is no easy task...hundreds of extra gray hairs later confirm this fact as truth. She is willing and able and happy to help - mostly all of the time. She watches, and loves and hugs and protects and worries for everyone. She calls out to her granny every night from the bathroom to sleep well, and tells her how much she loves her. She falls asleep in a moment and awakes with a smile. Happiness is Sophie.

Brod has entered his first ever Mountain Biking race - it takes place this Saturday. How thrilling. We are all so excited for him and nervous and worried too. It's a 40km race from Inanda Dam to Durban North. He's riding with our Bishop - so he'll have someone to hang out with for the duration. I am happy that we still have a lot to talk about and laugh about together after all these years...

xxx

It's the weekend

2011-11-04T14:19:00.000+02:00

To the fairest Cape once more....

2011-10-27T17:41:00.000+02:00

Last week I stood in Studio 33, painting my little happy painting...and had a thought. It was a lovely thought. I imagined Brod & I in Cape Town, at the Irma Stern Museum. So I arrived home, and said to Brod - Let's go! And he made it happen. BLISS. He called in on some clients and I called in at Irma's house to check out her amazingly vibrant art and her special home. The lovely Harries Family welcomed us into their home, and amazing neighbourhood and I was in heaven for 2 days.

My mom watched the kids - sometimes that's all one can do - just watch as they destroy - but at least there was an adult present:) I phoned home once to check on them & chat - and boy howdy how I regretted that decision! Every single one of them was howling in despair for the duration of the call. We are together ALL the time - and so when Brod and I are away - there's a LOT of missing going on at home.

Phoebe called me alot after that, and Sophie had a few chats - but the boys were strictly on a NO chat fast.

Spot the jelly fish

Brod & I at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town

Natural nautical colours

My new crocs:)

Blue bottles - lots of them, that were thrown onto the walk way at Green Point during high tide. Everyone was popping them during their afternoon walk. Think bubble wrap - only louder

The harbour at Simon's Town

Fish Hoek Beach

Look what I found in the rock pools at Fish hoek

Colours = AMAZING!

Me at the Irma Stern Museum at UCT - that's her in the photo there

I love her portraits

Irma Stern's studio

Brod & I outside the museum

Christopher Peters, the Curator & I outside the Zanzibar doors @ the Museum

At Kalk Bay with Claire & her family looking for seals - and we saw them - lots of them

Claire & I and her sweet little ones

The Harries Family & Von Brughan parents:)

One day, I shall paint this

Goodbye Kalk Bay! And the fairest Cape.

Searching for bugs

2011-10-22T21:27:00.000+02:00

Up early, and outside in the garden is a fun treat - when you're on a mission with your dad. Searching for bugs and just plain fun stuff. These two little guys go on fun expeditions quite often. They do have a rather large garden to explore, with lots of strange & wonderful creatures to discover.

Millipede 'Shongalolo' - these little chaps are often crawling through the house.

Jo is quite the bugmeister - yet is terrified of bugs that fly. How's those nails??? Sigh, I get around to sorting that stuff out on Saturday nights.

Carl Roberts Studio Visit by the budding artists of Studio 33

2011-10-15T15:34:00.001+02:00

Carl's lovely wife, a ceramic/antiques restorer

Carl Roberts discussing his work

Carved in bone

I was there! Goofy grin and all:)

how awesome is this work room/studio

Wood and bone supplies

The Brodmeister was there too!

One of my favourite pieces

The kiddies all visited with Mother hen and her chicks while we visited with the humans

Tea & cake in the garden afterwards

Meeting Carl Roberts

2011-10-15T08:16:00.000+02:00

7 years ago - I met Carl Roberts.

Today I will meet him again. It is rather exciting. And this time, my children & husband are coming along for the excitement too. He is a local artist - and what fun to always re-discover a local diamond. Dig for diamonds in your own back yard I always say.

I shall return & report.

We are also watching the General Conference DVD's today as a Stake. Funny how in this world of modern technology, when we can listen via audio streaming(which I did this time again!), or via satellite - we are reduced to watching it 2 weeks later on DVD - like the olden days.

Bugs me somewhat - but, I will go and do.

I am getting quite a collection of my art going on the mantle piece - really thrilling having all the colour there.

And I feel like I'm home again.

Phoebe, Sophie, Noah & Jonah are busy little bees, buzzing everywhere, painting, playing, screaming and crying a whole lot too. They are generally happy, and at home in their lives too I believe. Phoebe went and climbed the Rock at Gateway Shopping Centre with the Girl Guides. She did a smashing job and loved hanging out with all the girls.

Rocking it up @ Salt Rock tidal pool & Umhlanga

2011-10-10T16:40:00.000+02:00

Perhaps you have noticed that we have been frequenting the local beaches quite a lot recently.

I've noticed all the ocean shots I've been posting.

I am just so amazed at the awesome little beaches that dot the North Coast of KZN. It's great to be a tourist in your own backyard - if you get my drift.

This tidal pool was almost lined with huge black sea urchins - so you'll note that the kiddies look a tad apprehensive in some of the photo's - the rule was - keep your feet up!

We booked into an awesome local Umhlanga hotel for the night - and at the last minute decided to take Phoebe and Sophie along as well - it was a double room, so Brod and I were just taking the boys on a date night. Great fun having the girls along - their baby sitter cancelled on us - so they happily packed their bags, climbed in the car and Sophie - my ever witty kid said - "thanks for the invite Uncle Brod". Funny girl that.

4 Little monkeys sleeping in the bed - and they did very well - no one fell out. Jo did get a tad squashed between his big sisters, and yes - there was some crazy yelling in the middle of the night - but otherwise it was uneventful and packed with happiness and fun.

checking out the habitat

Phoebe was snorkeling with Brod, this was the only spot to stand on, that was not covered with hectic killer sea creatures

Jo kept yelling, 'Mom, take a photo!', and kept posing

That's all of them, the dad, Phoebe, Sophie, Noah - with the cutest Ben 10 arm bands and Jo

Awesome little beach - we arrived, and all the other bathers were so quiet and calm - it felt so strange. The noise level rose quite nicely once our kiddies and their pool noodles were unleashed on all the happy tourists.

Proof that I was there, with my little ones

I love Noah's funky kissy lips

Jo did us proud with his great table manners

Studio 33 with Cathy Stempowsky

2011-10-07T18:45:00.000+02:00

This is where I paint. Studio 33. It's my happy place - where I can remember me.

For 3 hours on a Thursday, Carrie-Ann and I drink lots of water (which I often place right next to my bottle of thinners...hmmm), and paint and paint and paint. As much as possible.

There are whole whack of other students, each week there's someone new, a few folk missing. It's very busy and very exciting. And I love it.

Finding more bliss, it would seem.

Carrie Ann - the one who told me to return & paint again

The fabulous Cathy Stempowsky

The spanish mansion that reminds me so much of the hotel from Mamma Mia

Here's Carrie-Ann

This is my spot

Sophie & Warrick - best cousins

My lovely sister - in law Amanda, who was showing me around her garden this past Saturday afternoon. Her garden is her Mecca. Her bliss. That, and her chickens.

Hole in the Wall, Thompson Bay

2011-10-01T08:42:00.001+02:00

I'm 32 years old, and have lived in KZN for my whole life - and magically, there are places that I have never been in my own province that I continue to discover. Thompson Bay for one. Brod, the 2 little boys and I stopped in at Thompson Bay just yesterday, on the way back from one of his appointments. It was fantastic to discover. Totally worth a visit if you are local.

Call me if you need directions.

From the photo archives

2011-09-27T16:17:00.000+02:00

It's a cold spring day here in SA, overcast and raining. The weather has certainly put a spanner in the works for the kids, they just got pool noodles and wanted to try them out in some poor unsuspecting friend's pool.

Funny, they've been running through the garden playing crazy games waving their noodles all over the place.

Phoebe is off to Girl Guides, and so Noah and I are hopping off on a quick date - he's already dressed to the nines and so excited. I'm just happy to get out.

Here are some pics that I came across from the photo archive.

The boys were hanging out with their daddy one work day - Brod's a Financial Broker(he sells life insurance, does investments, and handles medical aids for clients) - so his time is his own. He needed to see a client down the coast and wanted some company for the trip.

National Heritage Day

2011-09-24T08:14:00.000+02:00

So today is another public holiday - National Heritage Day

Also known to most South Africans as National Braai Day.

So we will braai.

The weather is looking dubious outside - but we shall braai non-the less with our good friends The Mays.

Here's Jo trying a grape fruit.

I think he understands me now, when I say it's sour.

About Being Gluten Free

2011-09-20T16:41:00.000+02:00

So we're officially ON the road to being Gluten Free. I just made some peanut butter cookies using Gluten Free cake flour - purchased from Dischem. Note to self...and the rest of you out there - no tasting before it's baked! Uncooked mixture = yuckiness! This week I've made chocolate brownies & peanut butter cookies, and used the flour to make a cheese sauce. Baby steps still.

Check out this blog : BettyBakeBlog

On my bedside table lies Bill Bryson's 'At Home' - A short history of private life.

Fascinating.

It's about stuff I've always wondered about.

We ran away for a weekend

2011-09-18T19:18:00.000+02:00

And it felt marvelous. Absolutely.

Sheffield Beach, for 3 days was just what we needed.

A minimum of fighting, and a maximum of fun.

<3 Heart, heart, heart this man

That's a lot of water there, Mr Von B

Oh my hat - I love this picture Noah took of us - loooove it

Footprints from my family

Sophie with one of the many crab parts that she kept finding the whole weekend

Our little ones

Have you noticed the quality of the photo's has improved? Thank you Gumtree once again for a good deal on a good camera. I am such a sucker for a good deal.

Hooray!

Life is long

2011-09-15T14:12:00.000+02:00

I've been cramming as much as possible into my life - because, well life is so short and I don't want to live with regrets. Is it though? I came across an entry on a blog I follow 71 Toes and after reading through it - it struck me...that Life is Long. And looking at it that way - makes me feel a lot less stressed. Today I went to another art class with Cathy and I sat and painted a still life of Yesterday, today & tomorrows. And it felt just grand. And I enjoyed it - because it had become just another lesson. And if I made a mistake in that lesson - then that was ok. There are plenty more canvases to work on. Less pressure = a happy outcome that I liked...a pretty and simple painting that made me very happy while I was creating it. Just marvelous.

This same idea has filtered into the house hold. We are generally all feeling a bit more chilled and enjoying life a little more every day. I am rather excited for this weekend as it holds a fun visit to the sea side - that I feel rather deserving of, and the kiddies and Brod share this sentiment. I trust there will be blue skies, warm water and little wind. And I anticipate being still and quiet a lot. This makes me happy too. Spending time with my greatest creations is the sweet masterpiece of my life.

We are all well. Jo is nearing the end of his schooling at Beehive - and we are all readying ourselves for his permanent presence at home with the rest of us. It's another big step - but we're all excited for it. Noah is up to nonsense a lot - just the way he likes it. He's a bright little tiger - with a lot of fight in him, and he loves to see how far he can push me before I snap. Sophie is enjoying Grade 2 but rather fearful of me - according to Phoebe (and I trust her judgement always). I must learn more patience in life. Sophie loves to sing and create and visit with gran (her happy place away from yelling mommy). Phoebe loves life and totally sees education as a side order - and not a main. We are working on this. But I am happy that she is happy - and if that is her most learnt lesson this year - then so be it.

Brod, my moon and sun and stars all rolled up into one - continues to be the center of my universe.

Happy days.

xxx

Jonah & mommy @ his 5th Birthday ring

Kit Kat Cake - missing a layer & some smarties- but it tasted goooood!

Big brother Noah

So Sophie :)

Fabulous Miss Sue

Phoebe helping little Jo

Jonah is 5 today!

2011-08-24T17:29:00.000+02:00

How's the scary dad in the back with the carving knife & crazy hair? Holy Cow that man cracks me up.

So our baby is 5 years old. We have reached a milestone in parenthood. It is rather thrilling.

He sauntered through at 6:15am saw his pressies on the floor all wrapped up and waiting and that was it. No happy birthday song as we carried the pressies through...no waiting for the other kiddies to rub the sleep from their little eyes. Oh no. He was all action. The paper flew, the boxes were flung, and a hungry look was in his eyes. 'Are there any more?'. Hmmmm.

That is in deed a store bought cake. I am proud to admit. No stress and nonsense in the kitchen this morning - hoping the wonky oven wouldn't burn the edges for me. Just a nice, simple cake and voila! Happy child.

A bonus that 2 of his cousins were here to sing and eat with him - it totally looked planned, I know. The things my kids put up with.

5 Things I love about Jonah

1. His adorable kissable pink lips

2. His precious voice when he croons some love songs & the odd primary hymn

3. The way he'll be adamant that I read him a bedtime story and close his eyes moments after and be fast asleep.

4. His total focus when he's puzzling at the diningroom table - and his sheer determination to place the last piece.

5. His sweet prayers - he really tells Heavenly Father about his day, and how he's feeling.

We are blessed abundantly from above. We see it, and thank Heavenly Father often for trusting us with these little people.

The fact that they've made it this far with us a miracle :)

Love to you all.

xxxxx

Being able to receive...

2011-08-18T17:13:00.001+02:00

In church on Sundays we are taught about giving.

I know we punt this alot in Primary with the little ones...helping others, making them happy and thinking about them.

I think we should be putting as much emphasis on the receiving part.

Cause I reckon as many are giving, there are plenty on the receiving line.

And mostly, they don't know how to receive the act of kindness.

A note on the side....

Two words that I hear alot - cause I also say it alot are 'Fine' and 'Okay'.

These two words have taken on a whole new meaning.

When you ask someone you know, "How are you?", immediately your internal warning system should start beeping - if their reply includes either of those words. Fine & Okay no longer mean that. They mean, 'I'm struggling but my head is above water' - or 'I'm getting by...barely'. And more often than not these words are said with a smile.

So, here's a tip. Put your arm around them, not both just one - it could look bad, and then you say...'Really?'.

And when they open up - you listen. Really listen. Don't do all the talking. I'm realising that most women usually have a break down at church and then feel much better afterwards. Just slightly embarrassed.

Here's the bit on receiving - this is what I've been learning lately...when people offer a kindness, and you really need it...no matter how hard it is to say...say YES. If it helps, close your eyes when you're saying it cause it will give you some inner strength. And then say Thank You...with a smile. Don't get all gushy and too grateful and keep saying Thank you ALL the time. A sweet personal note will do.

And don't feel guilty for saying YES. We feel guilt at the drop of a hat - but it's not normal and should be deflected with GRATITUDE. Concentrate of happy grateful feelings towards that person and reciprocate when you have the capacity to do do.

xxx

What do I want in life?

2011-08-12T15:02:00.000+02:00

I wrote that in my journal 2 years ago.

Sometimes, when you are a mom, wife and daughter - you spend all your time meeting every one else's needs.

Right?

Right.

And then one day, you sit and think.

Think. Think. Think.

What do I want?

What makes me happy?

Mostly, it's to make everyone else happy, and give them what they want in life.

There's always a sacrifice though.

Isn't there?

You don't do the things you always saw yourself doing.

Or you don't go to the places you always wanted to visit.

I have made a list.

Of all the things I want to do, experience, all the places I'd like to go.

This makes me happy. Very happy.

In trying to discover what makes me happy(and don't get me wrong - my FAMILY make me VERY happy) I discovered my Smosh Art.

That really fulfills me.

And makes me happy.

But it all started with a list, and planning, and searching. I'm so glad I found it.

Hugs to all.

Our Weekend

2011-08-09T15:22:00.000+02:00

This past weekend brought us some guests.

The Pereria Family & Granny Joan Von Brughan.

We had a very busy house - filled with very happy children and happy adults.

Cousins are great - especially the far away cousins, so when all the children are together it's just love & adoration non-stop. I love that. There's no time to get too familiar and start any nonsense.

We enjoyed a Sunday luncheon at our house, with pudding and a show - Brod sweetly entertained us on his guitar. The Slabberts, Pereria's and Von Brughan's were all together again.

Monday brought with it some shopping for Claude, Joan & I, and then lots of beach time, sand and laughter.

This morning...was departure time - which brought some frowns and tears from my little ones - but really, it was special to be together again. Family is everything.

Here are some pictures to remember it by...

Claudette, Luis & Andre(he's totally posing for this shot by the way)

Joslyn & Erlank. Jos is an amazing teacher, and Erlank is studying (he just got back from his 2 year Mission for our church in January of this year)

There's Brod strumming his way along

Joan, Vanessa & Paul - try strain your eyes - sorry the lighting was bad

Ethan, Phoebe, Sophie & Renaldo

Noah with Nana Joan

Ethan, Noah, Warrick & Jo - off to a sleepover

Celebrating Renaldo's 12th Birthday - excuse the blurry shot!

over exposed depiction of happy cousins :)

Saturday's simple pleasures

2011-08-06T20:30:00.000+02:00

This morning I headed off to our local Farmers Market with 4 kiddies in tow. Wrapped in our Winter woolies, and loaded with our pocket money - we hit the stalls and had lots of fun. Phoebe & Sophie were thrilled with their purchases, fine new clothing for 1 baby born and 1 build a bunny. Noah & Jonah proudly carved their new cheap from China plastic swords - bravely fending off the locals with their huge dogs attached to them on a leash. I purchased 4 little wooden children made by "Phresh hand made and recycled". They are part of the Jacaranda family series. Precious. They fit in perfectly with our current decor and it thrills me to no end.

Brod went on a nice long adventure up the hill on his mountain bike (since the ride there was uphill, you can imagine that the ride back was pretty quick. We both pulled into the driveway at the same time.

All the kids jumped out the car and immediately assaulted him with their brand new wares.

It's been raining, and it's very cold again - so the fire has been roaring away in the fireplace all afternoon.

There are 6 little monkeys jumping around upstairs getting ready for bed....4 are my own, and 2 have been loaned to me by Claudette, Brod's lovely sister. Tiago & Kianu are hanging out with us for the night.

It's sure to be an adventure.

It's 20h05 and my bed is calling my name (up since 2:30am so it does make sense).

We've been chatting through a plant all afternoon

Our fire crackling away all arvies

Cheerio.

Yay for Thursday & Good friends

2011-08-04T14:52:00.001+02:00

It's a gorgeous hot winters day in our neck of the woods today.

Hooray!

Today has been a better day, in fact the past 3 days have gone better than Monday - and that's a very good thing.

Monday was a stinker of a day.

I am very grateful that each day starts a new, fresh experience and I can try be better with each sunrise.

I have been drinking plenty of Rooibos Tea lately and eating lots of cake. I have been having plenty of friends popping by to visit over the past month. My social card has been rather full - and that has been rather thrilling.

Sherene, Waleska, Carmen, Samantha, and Amber to name but a few. I do feel blessed that friends care and to have a multitude of close buddies to hang with throughout my life.

Friends are the stuff life is made of.

They make me smile.

And I do get to enjoy a good cuppa in their company too.

Not a bad setup, for sure.

X X X

To Re-do a day

2011-08-01T17:19:00.000+02:00

On days like today - I wish I could push the re-wind button.

Nothing has gone well.

And it's on days like today, that I should remain in bed, with the television on and have no contact with the outside world.

Not because I'm depressed or mourning - just because it's an off day.

I said something stupid to an old and dear friend, I said something nasty to my child (of course I was just responding to a nasty comment from him - he's 5 - and I'm 32 so I should be the mature adult and bite my tongue). I did not teach my children like I should have, I should not have started cutting the bushes in the garden - because now I've left the job half done. And I should not have worn this mid-autumn top, because I'm freezing and too lazy to run upstairs and put something warmer on. I also should not have said 'yes' when my 8 year old asked to turn the television on at 12pm - I think it's still on.

Today - I declare myself an unfit mother and wish to run away and hide.

Enough said.

Going to run now. And hide.

Let it Snow!

2011-07-27T11:52:00.000+02:00

Sophie

Jonah

Brod & I woke up Tuesday morning to lots of rain outside. That meant lots of snow on the mountains 2 hours away.

Yay!

So we packed the car - with kids and blankets and extra clothes for the children and zoomed up there to see it.

We were NOT disappointed - Hooray!

Fields and fields of white everywhere. We had a white Christmas in July.

It was fabulous - and a precious memory for every one of us.

Never ever did I think that I would experience snow of that magnitude in my own country - little old South Africa. I did not have to pay a fortune in airfare and travel to distant lands.

The kiddies kept yelling - "This is the best day of my life!".

Brod & I

Exploring through the forest

Happy Family

Catch up

2011-07-25T13:52:00.000+02:00

The last few weeks have gone by in a blur for our family. We try plan ahead, but have truthfully been operating dad to day.

So here's what we've been up to lately...

19 July - Brodwyn, sweet Brodwyn, the LOVE of my life, turned a new age. His birthday popped out of nowhere and was happily celebrated by myself, and our little chickens. This year he was gifted with practical gifts all bought from 1 store (the day before - yikes!It was convenient and last minute - hooray for Mr.Price Sport:)). We baked his favourite Vanilla tray cake, and sang Happy Birthday to him while he sat in a Church Meeting. Truly, we did not feel too sorry for him - he had already taken a few slices from the MIDDLE of the cake, before he left.

20th July - Phoebe and Sophie had piano with Sammi around the corner from us. They have been doing very well, and are on the Beginner level. They both scored an A+ for their end of term exam - so we were all thrilled. Phoebe will be playing "Keep the Commandments" with Sammi in our Ward Primary Presentation at the end of August.

I got to meet up with Sherene, and enjoy a hot cup of Horlicks & huge piece of chocolate cake - which I only didn't finish so she'd not think me a total piggy. It was great chatting, laughing and crying. The support from friends has been really overwhelming since my dad has passed away.

Brod and I whisked ourselves off to Olive & Oil for a quiet evening - and had a good time. Delicious Mediterranean food and delightful company made for an awesome evening.

21st July - Another poignant day in our Family, dad was cremated today.

23rd July - we lunched with my brother Nathan & his lovely wife Chrystal and their kiddies. Chrystal and I jammed to Guitar Hero for a bit before my fingers felt like jelly, and I'd had enough of my nephew and his friend laughing at me! Never grow out of embarrassment I guess.

Phoebe & Brod baked the Pioneer Pudding in preparation for Pioneer Day on Sunday. The recipe was in the latest Friend magazine.

24th July - Pioneer Day! Since the pudding had already been baked the night before - and we were still waiting for lunch to be cooked...we decided to have a back to front lunch and started with dessert ! Pioneer Pudding (rice pudding) with vanilla ice-cream was for starters with beef stew for lunch. Brod and I fell into bed for an afternoon nap. Hiram, Amanda and their 2 boys came for a long visit and more pudding next to a nice warm fire in the lounge. Nice.

x x x

Virginia Airshow

2011-07-19T09:46:00.001+02:00

Saturday was a comedy of errors. When I look at these photos I have to laugh. Everyone looks pretty happy - in reality the kids were rather fractious with each other.

But we said we were going to watch the Virginia Airshow from the beach - which we do every year, and we did it. There is at least the satisfaction of saying you'll do something and doing it. It was lovely to be out with the rest of Durban and enjoy the cold weather on the beach.

Sad

2011-07-18T18:11:00.000+02:00

I'm struggling a bit - learning how to deal with loss - loss of a close family member. This passed week - I had to force myself to hang washing on the line. I hate the wash line - it's the reason my mom wasn't with my dad when he passed. She was bringing my washing in off the line while I was out. Guilt. I get angry when I see really old folk, and think - that's so unfair - dad was so young. I am struggling to sleep and my mom is always on my mind.

I understand sad more now. What it means to be sad, and how it feels.

I am ok with his passing - mostly, I have no questions about where he is and what he's doing, but it's the missing part that's rough. And there's still lots to work through.

If I could, I would turn my phone off and go away for a long time.

Dealing with it all.

Happy for my family and friends who are nearby and loving and kind to each other and me. I'm grateful for all the hugs and kisses, and sweet words, and cakes, and dinners, and bubble bath and beautiful flowers.

I'm grateful for a good friend who watched our kids while Brod whisked me off to a movie, for the breather it gave me from my house...which is my home & sanctuary - but has been feeling quite confining lately.

I wish I could switch my brain off for a bit.

xxx

My daddy's gone

2011-07-08T19:02:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, quite suddenly, my daddy of 32 years passed away. It has left me very shocked and very sad - but I am at peace at the same time. This might sound rather strange - but I really do have an inner peace. I am very grateful for it. He was 64 years old - had lived a very full and happy life - and it was his appointed time to leave us. But I miss him, I already miss him. I'll miss his 'blasted children', 'alles die kinders', 'The Smosh', and all the hugs and kisses.

Life is designed to be fragile. It certainly can be rather inconvenient to discover this truth. But a truth it is. Mortality was not designed to be easy - however there are many moments through our lives when we enjoy the Grace of God. I do believe that this moment is one of those. So many small events took place this week, leading up to his death - that have helped my mom, my siblings and I, deal with his death in a more dignified manner. We had all seen him, we'd all been able to say goodbye(not knowing of course it would the final farewell for a while), and he died, knowing that we loved him.

What more can a daughter ask for. I have been blessed with a father who taught me the importance of making others feel important, loved and respected. He taught me how to laugh, to entertain, to accept. He gave me a special gift that makes me so happy. My ability to create through my art. I have experienced so much joy through this. I can see my father in my children. His legacy will live on through us all. I love him, I miss him, and I know that we will be re-united one day.

Families are Forever.

I love you Daddy.

Sophie's birthday, Noah's party & a temple trip- playing catch up:)

2011-06-25T13:33:00.000+02:00

Phoebe & Aunty Claude posing outside an awesome decor shop we found

On the way to Jhb - Build a bunny came along

@ The Jhb Temple - Brod and kiddies went hunting for letters they'd written & buried a year ago

Sophie Soph's 8th Birthday - the 1st photo taken of her all that day! And it was 8pm at night. She's just arrived home from her baptism

All these pics are out of focus - wrong setting on the camera - but so what

Noah's 6th party - hectic with all the family & friends there - look at that cute Noah tongue:)

Add caption

Calden Scott - my sweet nephew

My brother Hiram and I, jamming in the kitchen

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-19T13:01:00.000+02:00

What a day:)

We woke up late, Brod's eye's were still glued shut when he tried to open his present and then we were late for church.

He's really had to work today - 2 teachers were off sick in Primary and since he's the Counselor in charge, and I'm on the Primary Presidency he very sweetly taught those 2 lessons(I batted my eyelids & puckered my lips all rosey like)...and still had to do his Bishopric things.

And the kids have been yelling at him all day...joys - but through it all - he's still happy and great to be around.

In fact as I write, 3 of them are singing and playing around him while he strums on his guitar and figures out his new awesome copper strings:) Yes, a very selfish gift from me this year - I've been missing his crazy songs and awesome ballads that he has not played for months since his old strings snapped.

Music is a gift, that keeps on giving.

And we are so grateful to have him around and close all the time - what a blessing.

Happy Father's Day Brod.

And Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, Robin Hugh Austin. Who gave a lovely talk in our ward this morning and mentioned lots of stories about my grandfather that I did not even know! Yowzers - time to document before the stories are all forgotten. I am very grateful to have him close too - and to see him so often and always get my hug and kiss:) He's a great man. Any man can be a father, but not every man can be a dad.

Finding your Bliss

2011-06-17T17:49:00.000+02:00

I think on this alot.

What is my bliss?

I've found it.

It's all around me.

My favourite man.

My beautifully imperfect family.

My home.

My neighbourhood.

The colour of the trees along the road.

My friends.

The sunset.

My letters.

My Smosh art.

I've found my bliss.

It's all around me.

And so I'm happy.

And very grateful.

Phoebe's Pre-Birthday Celebration

2011-06-11T16:05:00.000+02:00

Phoebe on her Birthday Eve Family date @ The Ocean Basket

Sweet sisters

Jo listening to his dad discussing the menu and what exactly would be on the platter we had ordered. Noah was holding his tongue.

Jo looking VERY worried. He ate the chips & salad.

It was all fun and games, until the lights went out in the restaurant. They did not have a generator OR candles for the tables, so I ate all the calamari & line fish by the light of my cell phone. Brod gave up on the prawns after getting a mouthful of shells and the kids were rather disturbed by it all - so we left.

Other than that - it was a lovely evening:)

Phoebe's birthday was on the 4 June - she is now 10. Crazy crazy. We (Sophie, Phoebe and I) went to the I Heart Market in Durban with Carmen, a good friend, and Phoebe's Language therapist. Phoebe took lots of photo's with her Birthday present and was very contented.

Lovely weather in Durban - felt like Summer down there - then I drove home & slowly froze back to my original state.

Off to the movies now with the kids - awesome Saturday afternoon fun.

Cheerio

Missy Phoebe

2011-06-07T14:54:00.000+02:00

As one of Phoebe's lessons on marketing, and using the internet - she's decided to start a blog Missy Phoebe. She's JUST started it - and is learning all the ins and outs, and what is appropriate to blog about etc etc. She's been on at me for weeks now to help her get it going, and one of her birthday gifts this past week was a camera - so she's very busy shooting like mad for her next blog post. Whenever that will be-who knows.

Welcome to the world of blogging Missy Phoebe - world - please be nice:)

Today is my old man's 64th Birthday - yowzers - where has time gone? He'll always be in his 40's to me - parents stay the same age they were when you first get an idea about how old they are, as a youngster. My girls made him lunch (leftovers from the night before:/), Sophie made the salad - and we've baked him a triple layer chocolate cake. Yum yum yum. Just got to get the gift! I do quite adore my dad - and appreciate having him so close by and so much a part of my life still. Dad's are just grand - I'm so happy to still have mine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

On another note - this Friday, 10th June - I am hosting an Etsy Craft Party and am so excited:) I have 3 friends attending so far, and have space for 3 more - so if you're local and keen to craft give me a call!

I will be sanding and painting and sealing, but you can go anything you want! And even bring your own craft supplies - it's that fun.

There is Rooibos Tea on tap and there should be snacks if I get that far in preparation.

We are all well, thanks. Kiddies are happy, we are busy and still laughing alot - which is a good sign of mutual happiness in a couple I reckon.

Love to all! Come craft with me:) <3

A lesson in the sun

2011-06-03T16:24:00.000+02:00

Phoebe with her prized possession

The 2 guys to the right were trying catch a fish - you can see their concentration - they circled the poor thing for ages walking through the sea like crabs - until some sun bathers showed up(2 sweet girls in bikini's) and the poor fish was forgotten. It was sooo funny watching it all.

Helga (Sophie) hanging out

Miss Phoebe riding a foamie

We popped into see the sea again yesterday. It was another beautiful June day at the beach. No waves - so perfect for swimming. Phoebe and Sophie practiced paddling on their boards and did some snorkeling, while Jonah and Noah climbed all over the life saving beacon and used their force to scare the pigeons away.

Brod and Sophie found an abundance of sea life under the pier - and loved it - until Sophie was stung by a blue bottle. Yowzers. Phoebe caught a foamie, and enjoyed paddling around in the very calm ocean at high tide. Noah and Jonah yelled, ran, jumped, climbed and got nice and wet. I learned that when you sit on your towel a lot instead of being in the water - you get asked to watch strangers bags and take photo's for them. I met some lovely locals:) So I got wet and played and watched the kids. And it was lovely. Lovely to be warm, and wearing nothing else but a costume and shirt at 2 in the afternoon. Came home and covered up with 3 layers of clothing to try and get warm:(

Love to all.

Ode to Simon Cooper

2011-06-01T16:16:00.000+02:00

Brod's good friend Simon left this morning - and left behind some good memories for us all to enjoy.

Lots of laughter about the parallel lives we lead - and here are some pics of the big visit event.

He lives in the UK, with his lovely wife, 4 children & Opel Zafira.

On a trail through a neighbourhood forest in Everton, Kloof

Simon & Brod & little Jo @ the Wave House at Gateway after our 3D Thor viewing

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! How's the expressions:) Had me in stitches when I downloaded it. The kids spent all their pocket money on the bumper cars @ Gateway - so much fun. Brod & I were the injured ones, and we were the passengers!

I just love Jo's expression!

Matthew Cooper (Simon's brother who came to run the Comrades this year) Brod and Simon

Top Gear event - I was unable to post the pic of Brod - his is censored - he was in his cycling shorts. Just not appropriate.

Simon driving my car!

Snorkeling off Vetchies Reef

Happy times

Hope your reunion @ home is awesome Simon & Joy!

Winter days in the sun

2011-05-31T22:27:00.000+02:00

Today was a perfect winters day in Durban 25 degrees. We have been freezing up in Assagay, so decided to run away to the beach for the morning and thaw out...at Noah's request might I add. Our house is insanely cold. So we thawed, and ran and played, and others swam (not me - still too self conscious about all the scars on my limbs). It's 5 degrees in Assagay tonight. Yikes!

We've had Brod's ex-mission companion out from the UK and have had lots of fun adventuring over the past few days. Simon gifted us with copious amounts of candy - which have been hidden in places all over the house to help it last (I even asked my mom to hide some more today to stop me from getting to it:)...we are THAT bad at consuming sweet stuff around here.

I have come across a Homeschooling curriculum which makes me super stoked(excuse the slang) to teach the kiddies - and will be starting that for the new term - HOORAH HOORAH!!!! It's called the Clonard System.

The weekend that was

2011-05-24T18:05:00.000+02:00

Cape Town. Our vacation spot of choice. We do so love it there (in the good weather).

And we had great weather for 4 days - bliss:) I've tried to upload so many photo's, to no avail - so we'll have to settle for these, for now.

It was a great adventure. Spanned 4 days, 3 nights - and in true Cape Town style we got to visit the sea, mountains, and everything else in between every day.

Leaving Durban at 6:30am!!!

Rhodes Memorial - beautiful:)

Sea Point Promenade

Brod, after his hectic run up Yellow wood trail at Kirstenbosch Gardens. See the mountain behind him? Yip - that mountain.

All fuzzy - but it captures the moment perfectly! We were all soooo excited to be together again!

Autumn days...

2011-05-10T21:54:00.001+02:00

Phoebe building her Soda Can Robug

Sophie discovers the Solar System

Noah, my mathematician:)

It is still Autumn, right? It's feeling kinda cold outside - and inside. Yowzers. So, we have all been busy - trying to slow down though and take life at a slower pace. I'm wanting to enjoy the children more, and keep them younger for longer - their whole lives I've wished them older so this is a nice change.

We are also very well, thank you. Healthy and strong and mostly happy. Which is good. I keep praying for the happy moments to outweigh the 'unhappy' ones. Still, lots of yelling, screaming and tears - however I am noticing some happy mojo amongst this little pack that warms my heart alot. We are around eachother a lot. Brod works from home, and I am mostly home, and the kids too - so we tend to have many interactions. Not all of them good. But we're aiming at the good ones more. Funny moments happen - alot. Like when Brod is on the phone with a client, and Noah needs the loo - and chooses not to close the toilet door. That kid has a good aim and can hit the water smack in the centre of the loo nice and loud for everyone to hear - and he likes to sing at the same time. Happiness is!

Sophie and Phoebe are doing very well with their piano this year - and are now onto the Theory side, which gets their little faces all scrunched up at times trying to figure it all out - but they're getting there. Happy moments when they play a song with Sammy (their lovely piano teacher) and they get all the keys right. We all cheer and clap like mad from wherever we are listening from. I'm a very proud mommy:) They are plodding along with their subjects, finding unique and clever ways to learn new concepts and mostly rehashing all the old and solidifying it in their minds. Phoebe is relaxing alot and enjoying the learning process a lot more there days, and Sophie is a lot less stressed - hooray!

I have taught Noah the basics of Numeracy and the phonetic alphabet amongst some other things - and can I add how thrilling it has been to see it all click rather nicely and have him recognising numbers, writing them, adding and subtracting them? I am a happy little mother as I watch him learn from me. It is wonderful. He is sounding out his basic words; RAT and CAT and BAT and HAT and then reading the words. Bliss.

Jonah wakes up every day determined that he is to be Homeschooled. Precious little one. We go through the list every morning when he climbs into my bed; "Mom, is it school today? Is it Sunday? Is it a holiday?" His most favourite day is a 'no nothing' day which is a Saturday. He struggles with our 3 hour church services and enjoys the freedom of just being - he loves it once he's there though. He's having some issues with his right foot at the moment. Friday last week, the Temple Patron Housing sister opened a door on his foot, crushing his nail (this meant no shoes for the whole Jhb trip - and it was cold - but he is stubborn!), then he came home from school Monday with a plaster on the same foot underneath having stept on something horrid. Today he came home from school, with a nice big roastie on his same foot from one of his friends at school - who stept on him rather hard during a game. Drat - and nurse mommy had to be so charming to the little patient to get all the cleaning up sorted and lathered in the right creams. It only stays this way during the night - so hopefully the healing process is long enough then. Those germs have so much fun during the day with shoeless Jo!

Brod has been the most wonderful handyman around the house these last few weekends. Building a ceiling in his office, fixing the fire place, changing 5 light fittings and carrying furniture around a lot for me. He is skilled beyond belief, and stresses me out something chronic when he yells for my help and I botch the job up. I'll stick to painting if I can help it. I'm always up to my elbows in different projects - which is a messy business and quite mentally taxing trying to keep up with where I'm at with each job. I'm painting Phoebe's drawers white, which is a process of course - and hate having to stick to the process! I like to speed things up and just do the darn thing. So I've sanded and primed & painted 2 drawers so far, and still have a lot to do...but it's going to look great at the end. I'm also replacing the current handles with chrystal ones - so pretty! And when the job is complete - I will take a photo and display it for the world to see! And for me to remember!

My Aunt Felicity and Uncle Graham are visiting from England. It was a thrill and a half for me to have them over for supper last night. I sat there quite enthralled that they were sitting in my dear little house, and relaxing in my blue lounge. Happiness! The kids ran around screaming a lot, while I tried to be all charming and composed - and then I lost it. Drat. But the evening continued and was quite a success - hoorah!

Can you tell that I've just finished reading one of the most engaging books of all time - Little Women? Sigh. What a gem of a book! It just makes me want to be good.

Toodles!

Cause for celebration!

2011-05-05T09:12:00.000+02:00

Phoebe made this cake for Brod and I for our Temple wedding anniversary. When I say she made it - I mean it. I'm not allowed to help with anything. It was delicious:)

The official cutting of the cake!

He's mine - forever....

2011-05-02T12:50:00.000+02:00

O what a happy soul am I!

We wed 12 years ago, and it has been such a wonderful journey so far.

We have not been without difficulties or trials of different kinds,

but enduring them together has bought us closer to eachother.

I am so grateful for each little gift he has given me, Phoebe, Sophie, Noah and Jo.

They are my treasures in life and my reason for being.

Happiness is this.

If you think about what you should do for others, your character will take care of itself.

2011-04-20T13:38:00.000+02:00

One of the huge pines in our garden

Those wise words us top - said by Woodrow Wilson, are ringing true for me at the moment. I'm trying to be more aware of other's needs and helping in small ways wherever I can. It's making me so selfishly happy:) Doing good for others makes me feel great. That's probably why I do it.

I'm missing having my sister Tracey around, so fill my sad and sorry thoughts with doing good to others. She's off with her family in the USA having a huge adventure. I've spring cleaned the house, cleared my cupboards of clothes not worn in the last six months(that's gonna turn around and bite me as I enter winter now!!!!), and chucked and chucked and chucked. And it's been great. I'm passing it all on to others who might need it. The only crazy thing is...there's still so MUCH left. I walk into the dining room and all I can see is books, and papers and toys and and and. Driving me nuts. The girls are a nervous wreck when I walk into their room - with my orange Mondi re-cycling bag. They run and grab whatever they can,before I throw it in the bin. Honestly, every month, I walk out of that room with a black bag FULL of paper, old toys and general junk. I have no clue how it's getting in there in the first place.

April has turned into my best month yet of 2011. I'd like to see if May can try top it.

Noah turns 6!

2011-04-18T20:22:00.000+02:00

Noah turned 6 last week. We sat together the night before and I told him all about the special feelings I had the night before he was to be born. The excitement of meeting him and the joy at the thought of loosing some of the water I'd been retaining in my legs(I kinda mumbled that 2nd bit to Brod on the side). He was our first boy and it was going to be a whole new experience for us all.

We were all so excited! And it's been an honor and a priviledge to be his mommy.

Noah is loud. He has a big mouth, that he opens and uses A LOT. We call him our white Zulu. When you visit the local rural villages you can hear the children laughing and calling to eachother - from across the valley. Noah's voice projection is that good - that it really carries. He loves to greet strangers, friends and everything and everyone. He waves and says 'hello' constantly. Asks people's names, what they do. And everyone loves him to bits. Strangers face's light up, and he leaves happiness in his wake. This is a gift of his.

He only started speaking when he was 3 years old, he used his own special sign language to communicate with us all. That was hard. And to this day, when I watch the video footage of him at a young age, I remember clearly the feeling of claustraphobia that I carried for 2 years - feeling so frustrated for him, and anxious. Like I couldn't breathe sometimes. Because he couldn't speak. And I knew that Heavenly Father knew that I was worried, and I couldn't understand why he wasn't performing some mighty miracle in loosening Noah's tongue. And then it 'hit' me, that I needed to pray and actually ask him for the miracle and tell him what I wanted and what Noah needed. And voila. The miracle I sought unfolded and he has not stopped communicating since. His speech is still a struggle - but I'm just so very grateful that he has it, and he uses it. This a true gift.

Noah had a birthday party on Saturday night. The house was full of folk who love him and care about him - and if my house was bigger - there would have been even more people. He loved having his first real birthday party - with not only his family, but a few special friends as well.

Happy 6th year on earth Shnopesy Popesy.

Sophie is Baptised

2011-04-11T15:39:00.000+02:00

Friday the 8th April was a special day in the Von Brughan household - Miss Sophie woke up with gifts spread all over the blow up mattress on my bedroom floor. She stretched, rolled over and saw us checking her out from our bed. Her cousin, Renaldo was fast asleep in her bed - so she'd spent the night with us. She was thrilled.

Her Aunty Claudette, and cousin's Renaldo, Tiago and Kianu had driven down from Pretoria just to be with her on her birthday - and to speak at her baptism later that day. She had her 'little' gifts - literally, she likes little things - and then later that day we took a trip down to Build a Bear and she chose a charming bunny and kitted her out with satin PJ's, slippers and a robe. Very specific.

Sophie is wonderful, and we are so proud of her decision to be baptised. Boy howdy was she nervous. There were soooo many people there - and lots of family and friends. I did not have my camera with me, and also forgot the juice - for the refreshments afterward:( Darn. But the schedule of events was as follows:

Aunty Chrystal played the organ

Aunty Mandy conducted the music

I gave the opening prayer

Rob Picolo conducted the meeting

Aunty Claudette spoke on the Holy Spirit

Phoebe gave her first proper talk

Cousin Renaldo bore his testimony

Brod - the awesomest dad in the world - baptised a very nervous Sophie

Brod, Grandpa, Uncle Hiram and Uncle Nathan and Uncle Andre confirmed her

Rob Picolo welcomed her

And Granny Juju said the closing prayer.

Sigh

It was lovely. I laughed, and cried and sang and prayed and felt very happy inside.

Being a mommy is a blessing.

Family Fun

2011-04-02T18:58:00.000+02:00

Phoebe in the heated hotel pool - the children spent hours playing & splashing. I could hear them from my hotel room.

The Von Brughan children

One of our rooms - when the children weren't swimming, or eating or shopping - they were chilling in this spot

Our Superheroes - striking a pose

Breakfast time! Yay!

See mommy - eating all on her own? Good for the digestion.

And who is that couple in the back??? Granny & Grandpa! Acting cool - "we're not with them. The noisey bunch at that table".

Umhlanga - saying cheers to the sea for the next week

This photo was taken just before Jo got mad with dad

The boys at Speech & Language Therapy - we party hard when we're waiting! That rose bowl on the bottom right usually has a whole whack of peppermints that drive the kids crazy - there's a constant stream of 'can I have another one?' - and the magazines are my happy release:)

Last week - we took the children and my folks for a holiday. It was lots of fun - we all had a happy break from reality (which is pretty wonderful anyway, so we really didn't NEED a break from it - but it's good to get away). We went to the Garden Court, Umhlanga. It's new, and clean, and Green - and just a block away from Gateway - yay!

And holy cow did we chow down:)

Lovely being together, somewhere else.

3 for the price of 1

2011-03-24T15:35:00.000+02:00

3 weeks ago I climbed in my car, turned the radio on and Ben Harper's laid back, chilled voice crooned away. As I enjoyed the tunes, I found half a gift box lying forgotten on the floor and pieced all the clues together. Brod had bought it for me, but decided on his way home from the store that he'd give it a quick listen & make sure it was suitable.

He changed his mind. And decided to take it back & exchange it for another Ben Harper CD. This time, it was handed to me in Woolies, by the fridge section (he'd quickly gone to exchange it). It was back in the gift box - and had a note attached;with an awesome message that made me all goofy and got me feeling rather romantic. Ben Harper's songs are featured on all the surfing DVD's that I buy Brod - it brings a good feeling into the house...that and Jack Johnson. So we pop it into the radio when we climb in the car, and take a slow drive listening to our feel good music.

Clearly Brod didn't feel too good about the music, as he has since returned that CD and handed me a movie 2 days ago instead. Letters to Juliet. He got me a treadmill last week - to whip my butt into shape - and reckons I'd enjoy walking more while watching my chick flicks. So how's that? 3 presents in 3 weeks - and they only cost 1 price. Clever boy. He's thrilled me 3 times over.

Our Ode to Michaela Marie

2011-03-19T08:22:00.000+02:00

Miss Micks & I in our Sassy colour coded outfits @ the Family Farewell Braai

I forgot to take photos that evening, till the very end when half the guests had gone. This is Tracey, Amanda and my mom

Miss Micks catching a foamie - Brod took the 3 girls for a morning @ Durban beachfront last week.

Michaela reckons this is true art.

A happy Michaela on her wave

The three girls in their element

Born to be famous:)

Wimpy lunch, photo taken by some 'random' guy.

Swimming 'illegally' in a local hotel pool:-)

View from the hotel pool

A happy Miss Sophs. Awesome morning.

So, friday, a week ago - we were sitting in the lounge discussing our weekend plans and Michaela, my lovely niece pipes up that she wants to see the sea before she leaves for the US of A. Sorted. Brod took the 3 girls down the very next morning and they had a fantastic time. They all came back very red(we only found the sunscreen when they had already come home!!!), very tired, but totally stoked!

We love and miss you Miss Micks:)

Playing dress up

2011-03-17T21:34:00.000+02:00

We're posing - like on a Jane Austin set, you see. We like to have fun on a Saturday afternoon.

Temple Trip with the Nells & Picolo's

2011-03-16T17:47:00.000+02:00

In our private 'jet' - the Picolo mobile

Mike's Kitchen - the usual Temple Trip dinner spot

Melissa and her elfish Prince, Brod the Magnificient

My special sister & I, at the end of a VERY long day.

The Nells, last JHB temple visit for a 'while'.

2 weeks back, Rob and Cindy Picolo, good friends of ours - invited us to join them on a trip to the Johannesburg Temple. A trip with the Picolo's is always a treat. Good company, great discussion and good food. It was also an opportunity to hang out with the Nells, who had been invited too - as it was their last trip up there. They left for the US yesterday. A bitter/sweet trip I suppose. Very special, and some lovely moments in the Temple - it was wonderful to "remember" it all again.

Thanks to a special Granny who looked after the Nell 3, and my wonderful brother Hiram, and his special wife Amanda - who watched the very busy Von Brughan babies.

Josh Update

2011-03-03T12:25:00.000+02:00

My nephew Josh, the LDS Missionary in the UK - is awake. His good parents, Llewellyn and Annette Von Brughan are leaving SA today and flying across Africa to meet up with him in the hospital and will finally be able to meet all the good members of the ward he's been serving in, who have visited him daily and watched over him. Very exciting.

The KZN Museum of Natural Science Research Centre

2011-02-27T11:40:00.000+02:00

2 weeks back, Amanda(my sister-in-law), Hiram (my brother) & their 2 boys, Tracey(my sister) and her 3 kiddies and yours truely, with my 4 monkeys set off for the KZN Museum of Natural Science Research Centre. What thrilled me the most about this trip? 2 Things. 1. Entrance is free (which goes along with my theory that Education & therefore knowledge of any kind should always be accessible and free) and 2. Since it is a Research Museum, there were bound to be rows and rows, and drawers filled with creatures being constantly researched. The 2nd point excites me alot. A LOT.

The kids all love each other, and LOVE being together - since they're all cousins, and that always gives me goosies, and makes me happy. So I also get a thrill from just watching them interact. The girl cousin's are generally more sedate and composed and can be trusted to ask all the questions and make all the observations. The little boy cousins (Rogan and Jonah) made the most noise and ran around more than anything, and Noah worships his older cousins; Ethan, Warrick and Liam - to the point of cetain hero worship that I believe we will need to have a chat one day about that whole,"If your cousin's says jump off a cliff should you really???".

There were plenty funny moments. I laughed alot. Our guide, Lee Richards, took us all over - we saw bugs of all sizes and types, trays and trays of them pinned down and numbered and studied, and documented. Spiders, ants, moths, bees, flies(yucko for sure - who cares how many flies there are and what type and where they were found - a fly is a fly and should always be destroyed!).

Then we went into a very stinky room. With floor to ceiling shelves of preserved fish, birds, insects, mammals, arachnids. They had bottles of fruit bats, tiny baby whales (that were found in their momma's when they were killed at the old whaling station in the Bluff), lambs, baby leopards (it's mommy was killed in the early 1900's and it was sent to the museum then - I LOVE HISTORY),snakes, moles, rats, you name it - they probably have it. It was a very stinky room. And the kids were instructed very sternly that they were to walk in single file with their arms folded and not touch a thing! Like that worked. I gave up eventually and waited outside.

We headed upstairs to a secure location where the children were again instructed to not touch anything and all animals had been treated with very specific chemicals to help preserve them and protect them from happy little bugs who like to eat their flesh. Gross. Warrick wouldn't go inside when he heard that. He slumped on the floor outside - paranoid that something terrible would happen to him. Jonah kept running up and down the stairs - that's Jo, he runs constantly and struggles to concentrate at times. Noah declared after a while of standing and listening to Lee, that it smells like his room in there so he wanted out (Hiram & I almost cried with laughter - I was of course also slightly embarrassed - who wants to hear their son publically declare that he has a smelly room??? By the way - I have since entered his room many times and can state that it certainly DOES NOT smell bad). Noah also got to show how 'obedient' he can be when Lee said:"Now, please promise me that you won't touch anything. ANYTHING". He put out his hand and stroked the closest animal fur. All the adults in the room yelled, "No!!!". I just smiled.

The last room we walked through was for the study of birds. You should know by now that i LOVE birds, and may possibly one day enter the field of Ornithology. They had some birds up on display, a couple of Maccaws, an African Fish Eagle, pigeons, a common Mynah(no longer called the Indian Mynah btw), penguins etc, and then they had endless rows of cabinets - and in those dear sweet cabinets were drawers and drawers of birds. Lee opened one up for us to see, they were stuffed full of black eagles and fish eagles, and every type of beautiful eagle you can imagine. Thrilling. I did sigh a lot - I will admit. A sigh of having found my niche in life.

The tour over, we headed over to Mac Donalds for their famous R 2.50 cones, and then had an easy drive home - Durban has become so much easier to negotiate through these days, thanks to the 2010 World Cup - nice new freeway that bypasses all the crappy parts. Lovely.

And that, my dears, was or trip. Good memories.

xxxx

Elder Joshua Von Brughan

2011-02-26T02:04:00.000+02:00

I have a sweet nephew, Josh, who is on a mission for our church in England (for 2 years). He is the one in the old photo up top with the cap on. He really is sweet - and kind, and good in every way. Our children love him and Phoebe almost talked his ear off when they stayed with us that year - he just kept listening, so she just kept talking. As of right now - he's fast asleep in an ICU ward in hospital after having a bicycle accident. He hit his head on a curb and has had severe head trauma. Exact details are sketchy, and we're all far away - it's hard not being able to see him, and visit him...so he's in our prayers and constantly in our thoughts. What a good and precious lad.

Dish washing thoughts

2011-02-24T17:19:00.000+02:00

Goggle girl Phoebe

When I'm standing washing the dishes every night my mind starts firing in all directions and it keeps coming back to a common thought. My kids don't really know me. I'm the moaning, nagging, firey mommy who yells alot and frowns a lot and is always tired. That's not fair. When Brod and I go away together - and it's just us - I'm really happy and keen for lots of adventures and every little thing excites me...there has to be a balance between responsible mommy Melissa & carefree wife and adventurer Melissa. I wonder if this is a common lament amongst other mothers. It does seem unfair. I'd like my little ones to see a happier me. The other night I was running around the house with a little painting I'd produced a while back considering getting it framed, and where I'd hang it...I was happy and excited(aka.being me) and Sophie leans over to Brod, pats him on the arm and says,'Mom's in a good mood tonight'. Nuts. I need to train myself to be in a good mood more often.

Update

2011-02-01T16:56:00.003+02:00

Jo went back to school on the 19th January. Contrary to popular belief by the rest of us, he was excited and happy to go. In fact his 3 older siblings made such a fuss of him that morning. All 3 walked him down to his classroom (mommy sat in the car, with the motor running), and made sure he was happy. He has been all smiles every morning since. It has been a pleasure. Homeschool has been HARD. Yes, I have not had to worry about labeling stationary, uniforms, bags, sports kits and 7am school runs - but it has been hard from an emotional and mental side. I knew it would be. Perhaps I should have envisioned it as being easier? Law of attraction and deliberate intent and all that jazz.

So, I'm working hard. HARD. In case anyone out there thinks I've taken an easy lazy path. This has been anything but. I find that I doubt myself alot and my decision - and that bugs me the most. I have to constantly remind myself WHY I'm doing this and how I felt all those months ago when I happened upon this path. I am at peace more when I remember how I felt then.

We're all working hard. My mind boggles when I come across folk who have nothing to do all day. I think REALLY? Nothing to do? Unbelievable. One of the perks to this new lifestyle is that Brod & I are making even more of an effort to hang out together away from the home and responsibilties there. Those have been really fun moments, and we have some good memories already at the start of 2011. Living bigger than before. In every area of our lives I hope.

Phoebe and Sophie started Piano this week. It's Phoebe's 2nd year and Sophie's first. They are thrilled be back and Sophie can't believe her luck. She wore the most awesome outfit for her first lesson. Her swimming costume. She is a very chilled child. Noah and Phoebs have the most wonderful Speech and Language therapist who adores them as much as they adore her, Carmen. Not sure how she feels about the rest of us, eating all her peppermints in the waiting room, all the loo visits, and general chaos that takes place while she's working with one of the 2.

The girls are still doing their swimming training, I use the term 'training' very loosely. They amble across the pool in such a ladylike fashion it's quite enthralling to watch. They really don't care if they are slower than everyone else and laugh and have huge chats with eachother. Too funny(when I don't think about how much I'm paying their trainer to teach them!!!!!). I sit in wait in the car these days. I can't handle it - I'm the queen of impatience. I used to sit there yelling at them to speed up.

Yesterday, we popped into the Kloof & Highway SPCA to pass the time between Language & swimming. The kids played on the jungle gym and I sat for 5 minutes. While we had some hot chips - made to kill us off of course - Noah and I sat chatting. He was wondering why one of the young women in our ward told Phoebe that she adores him. He asked me why? And then asked if she was a kid. He's learning all about appropriate age behaviour I think. He asked the same thing of their hair dresser yesterday. She was telling him that her mom had to fetch her. "Are you a kid?" he asked. She laughed so hard. She's in her 20's. I love listening to my kiddies. They say the funniest things. Wish I wrote them down more.

A happy day to you all. I need to go chat with my girls' Zulu Tutor quick. I am not brave enough to teach a third langauge my self!!!!

xxx

P.S Brod is well if anyone is interested. He leads a very mundane life. Work, church, the occassional wave, dates with me:) and the odd cycle to play tennis or teach seminary. He does play with the children a lot and makes them answer copious amounts of questions to test their knowledge - and then has a good laugh at their answers. He is wonderful. I love him even more than yesterday or anytime before.

PPS Sorry there are no pics, still having problem uploading them. Urgh.

The importance of doing nothing

2011-01-21T16:13:00.000+02:00

I am naturally VERY lazy. I have in my teen years, spent entire days lying on my bed reading books. ENTIRE days. I think of that now and am amazed that my parents put up with that - and must remember to allow my kids that leisure when they're into that. I do not do this anymore. I simply don't have the time to spare. However - I still think that doing nothing for a little while can allow some very creative thoughts to start blasting their way around in my head. So sometimes, I do like to just sit. Because it's wonderful how much I can create - by not doing anything.

Take Wednesday afternoon for example. I sat for 10 minutes reading a magazine - a deor magazine. I sat looking at the pictures, enjoying the colours - the artwork...and something started banging away upstairs in the right hand side of my brain. The creative moment only hit me yesterday at 4pm - a day later. But it hit with a happy force that sent me creating for an hour. It was a wonderful moment and made me inexplicably happy - that's what being creative does for me and that's why I do it.

Sometimes, it's important to do nothing. It's amazing how much you're actually doing.

The world through Sophie's eyes

2011-01-09T18:51:00.002+02:00

This is Sophie. She loves taking pictures. I love looking at the pictures - I get to see her world through her eyes. She takes pictures of what matters most to her. Favourite toys, Meow Meow, the other kiddies.
Here are some of her pictures...

Mr Jo hanging out in my room

Von Brughan wall of fame

Phoebs doing some revision

View from the stairs inside

Papa (my dad) coming down the stairs and telling Sophie to be careful as she hangs out the window taking this shot!

Michaela (cousin) dancing on the deck with baby Jo

My Brod

My 100th post!

2011-01-04T16:36:00.000+02:00

I have really enjoyed blogging through the past year. It's such a special way to remember our lives together. So happy 100th Post Day to the Von Brughan Family Blog. And Merry Christmas to the world from Noah.

Birds

2011-01-03T14:03:00.000+02:00

Since we moved in here 3 years ago,I have encountered my fair share of baby birds. 3 x at the paws of cats and others by happenstance. A baby bull-bull was was the first sweet friend to arrive literally at my front door. A chubby little fellow fluttering all over the place, his parents were creating such a fuss. I picked him up, put him back in the Willow tree above our house and he hopped back up to his nest. We were not associated for long - so he was never named.

Next up was 'Birdie'. Ben, my neighbours cat - was having a fine time licking him and wacking him all over my garden - so was dutifuly rescued. He was a baby mousebird - absolutely adorable and stayed with us for 3 days, until his quiet little trembling death in my hands. He was too cute - even joined me at church. He would snuggle in my shirt and climb onto my shoulder.

Then I met a pigeon. A juvenile, he was still quite fluffy. I sighed at first sight. I find I sigh a lot. Well, I reckon it's because I feel a ton of responsibility on my shoulders 24/7 and then feel terribly responsible for these little creatures too. I sent him home quite easily, his nest was in my neighbours tree - and he now dive bombs me every once in a while while I'm walking down my stairs.

The baby egyptian goose...he was stranded under my tramploine at the bottom of the garden. His mom and dad and numerous siblings had gone for a stroll that morning and then been seperated. I would have left him until his folks returned, but all 4 of my own children were yelling at me to save him - talk about kiddie pressure, so down I went. Tricky. Geese can MOVE. Very quickly. In the bottom of our garden we have a marshy area. Home to Mongoose, snakes, dassies, vlei lourie(and also remembering the predators from the sky - Viktor, the Yellow billed kite who thoroughly enjoys feasting on the smaller birds, I constantly find bird carcasses under his kitchen tree) - all happy little predators. And little Mr Goose was making quite a fuss, he even had an ugly old hadeda have a go at him. After enjoying a very refreshing run along the bank of our marsh together, and a quick sprint through our neighbours fence and through their stream we decided we were quite done. I was covered in mud and said goose's heart was beating up a storm. He was safely re-united with his quacking family later that afternoon.

We had a terrible storm one Tuesday afternoon, heavy rain, loud thunder and hectic lightening. The kids and I were huddled on the couch downstairs while Brod was upstairs getting dressed for a PEC meeting. We all heard a terrific clap of thunder, and then a loud crack just outside. The pine tree next to our place was hit. And down spiraled a very dead hadeda. Poor thing. He was dutifully buried the next morning by Brod, and the 4 children. It was a short ceremony. He was not well known. And since he was generally suspected to have pooped all over our stairs and ransacked our bin outside, he was not going to be missed.

I'd always wondered what a baby hadeda looked like. They are generally ugly birds. The common ibis. They have the most amazing cousins - sacred ibis and the scarlet ibis. But the common ibis - hadeda(nicknamed after their honking call that they make mostly when startled) is the common cow of the bird species. They are numerous and widespread. And then one day, in the garden, I noticed a hadeda flying up into the pine tree with a very long and awkward looking stick. I realised said hadeda was building a nest - and felt I would finely be able to see first hand what the juvenile would look like. Which I did a few weeks later - but all I really saw was the head. And by that time, their neighbours, a nesting pair of yellowbilled kites had hatched 2 babies which of course were far more intriguing for our little family and we spent hours gazing through our binoculars from our bedroom windows amazed at what we were witnessing. This was during 2009.

In 2010, the nesting hadedas returned, as did the yellow billed kites. They both hatched some more juniors, and this time I had a real close up view of a baby hadeda. It was the last week of school, first week of December. Phoebe had a sweet red haired friend from school come visit - James. They were playing outside, and came running in to tell me there was a baby hadeda on the trampoline. Would you believe that this dear little creatures nest, which by anyones standards is horrendously large and badly built - they have crazy long beaks so delicate weaving is just not an option - was positioned just above the trampoline?! He'd fallen out but was saved by a very well placed safety aid. He'd been there all day, was soaking wet - it'd been raining the whole day too, and was walking in circles. He was very cute none the less. He looked like a kiwi actually. He was gone by the next morning - to what end, I know not.

My final bird story took place just yesterday. We have a nesting pair of Cape Robin Chats that come and collect their worms in our garden and sometimes sit and chat to Meow Meow - our ginger cat. No lies. They literally talk to each other, Meow Meow at the window, and Mr/Mrs Chat at the fence. Yesterday, it was insufferably hot. A storm was brewing. The wind picked up and I glanced outside, and saw Mr Meow Meow playing in the big garden. He was playing with something that looked like a bird. A bird? And it seemed to be looking at him. It reminded me of a chat, and sure enough, in the trees above and swooping down were the parents. Darn. So out I ran, grabbed Meow Meow - had a quick squizz at baby bird - who was adorable and chubby and eying me too, checked out the parents and ran inside. Cute bird, but I did not know where the nest was, and by this time thunder and lightening was all over. The kids and i(and a very ticked off cat) watched from the window as the dad flew down from the tree and led his little one all the way back down the garden, hopping very sweetly. I felt as pleased as punch to have witnessed that. I love nature.

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-24T14:42:00.000+02:00

Our 2010 Christmas is around the corner - just one more 'sleep' away:) Mom (Granny Juju) celebrated a happy Birthday today - Nells, Von Brughan's and dad were here to sing and share some cake. Brod and I had an opportunity to spend the morning shopping for some lovely friends and being Santa's little helpers and delivering it all to them. That was a very special date for us. And really set the tone for our Christmas this year...and then we walked into the house and were met by 4 chaotic kiddies, each with their own problems that had to be sorted out RIGHT AWAY! And a leaking toilet, and lots of laundry and and and. Sigh. Christmas is all about giving though - and this year in particular we've been focused on just that.

Merry Christmas everyone!

xxx

The Von Brughan Family

Some catchup & a word or 2 about Blessings

2010-12-15T08:35:00.000+02:00

Miss Phoebe at her friend Lucy's party

Sniff sniff, horsie got a nose! Sophie as close as she was prepared to get

Righty o - so it's well and truely December and I am now ready for it. It still feels a bit early.

We are preparing our household for our 2011 adventure of Home Schooling.

Can I just mention here that I love South Africa (as per previous entry) - Brod & I also do believe that travel and adventure throughout the world are vital and fantastic and need to be experienced by this little family of ours. In case you were wondering - the entry on Gratitude was greatly edited - I removed a lot of angry words - having just experienced a bout of slurs against the people and the country by a fellow South African - who was visiting in our home at the time. This happens a lot over here - a truck load of ingratitude gets dumped all over social events and get togethers. It's highly frustrating. There seem to be 2 camps - those joining the rush to leave, and those committed to staying and trying to make things work. I've had a lot of friends looking down their noses at me with disdain when I mention staying and working through the tough stuff here. But I reckon as much as people feel inspired to leave, there are also those who have been inspired to stay. And hooray for that, else we would get pretty lonely. One of the major reasons for Home Schooling is the opportunity it provides for travel and adventure when and where we want...it may only really take off in a few years, but it is one of our family goals.

So much has happened in the past few months - we really have been blessed with both the good and bad. And although the bad is not so hot to experience it is still vital for our growth, and as we have been plotting our course through life we have given much thought to where we are now - and are filled with gratitude. We could never have imagined that we would have all we had wanted as a young couple, walking along Garvies beach in the Bluff - driving in the old beat up white mazda with no working windscreen wiper or working indicators.

We still have eachother - this is a HUGE blessing. We have 4 precious children - each comes with their own little issues of course - and we have already experienced some major experiences in this department. A cute little house in the country, a beat up Opel Zafira in the garage(thanks to the 4 sweet kiddies) - we lead a simple life - yet compared to the vast majority in this country - we have a roof over our heads at night, and walls around us made from bricks and not cardboard. We have running water on tap, our own vehicle (no crazy taxi experiences), my children each have their own beds, and are not squashed onto one mattress on the floor in the same room as me. They have had access to a lovely education so far - let's hope I can keep that going:). Oh, and we have legal electricty (even if it costs me R1000 a month) - need a light? Flip a switch. All great blessings, and these are only a few.

Off to start my day. Cheerio!

Gratitude

2010-12-07T20:39:00.000+02:00

This is my family - in no particular order - we're all over the place with kids muddled up. It was a crazy day

Sweet memory

I love my country and am pleased as punch to be here. I have a huge debt of gratitude for the people, places, experiences, education and opportunities that have come to me from being here. It has been said that one of the greatest sins is ingratitude. So I remind myself daily of the good that is in my life - and look for things to be grateful for. Above all, of course, I'm grateful for all the people in the photo's in this post - especially for the 1 man and 4 children sitting with me up top.

November so far

2010-11-19T16:05:00.001+02:00

I love November.

Today has been extra special cause I prayed last night for a sunny day for my babies- and boy did I awake to lots of sunshine:) Noah & Jo had a rough night last night - it was cold and wet and they have been ill, and all I wanted was sunshine to come along and make us all feel happier. The sun soothes and calms me. Plus - it helps dry all the laundry on the line...mr.Tumbledryer is clankety clanking away in the scullery, like we need more noise around here (we've all had to shout extra loud to be heard - poor old neighbours). Mr. Tumbledryer's days are numbered I believe. And that's a shame, as he's been one of my most reliable and important non-human members of the household for the past few years.

He may have to be replaced by a clothes horse. It is almopst Christmas after all and my budget has been drawn up and must be stuck to to ensure happiness for us all. Ho ho ho.

Noah graduated from Beehive on Wednesday night. He looked every inch the sweet little gentleman that he has become this year. His mortar board kept falling off his head - mommy did not measure, merely cut ,stuck and hoped for the best(20 minutes before we left for the ceremony). And then mommy and daddy giggled away happily watching their sweet little boy give them the thumbs up every time he shoved it back into place. He loved having us all there. His Juju, Papa, daddy, mommy, Jo, Phoebe and Sophs. We sat in the third row, on kiddies plastic chairs(ow) behind some goliath parents - but no matter - he saw us, and shone. I love being a mommy.

We also trapsed off to Joburg again this past weekend. We had another Temple trip with some other families in the ward. The children loved being there - loved playing with their friends. Sammy Clark organised a Treasure hunt in the Temple gardens - and sweetly taught the kids about the Temple and what it offers us and what we do there. I, the very unspiritual mother, followed after them all - in a dwaal as I felt the arrival of some flu symptoms. There has been lots of sneezing, wheezing and coughing around here since then, but it was still lots of fun, and we loved being away together again. Our germ friends have not gotten the better of us:)

Phoebe and Sophie are winding down to the last few days of formal education - and are enjoying their friends and cousins. Phoebe has her Prize giving ceremony in a weeks time - she is thrilled, and will have a part in the play that the children are doing for the parents. She is still loving her piano lessons, and loves playing her latest songs for the children to sing along to - yet mostly they are running riot at the same time, screaming and laughing so there just seems to be a big noise...all the time really. Sigh. I am considering ear plugs - I would like to seem serene and peaceful amidst the chaos. Phoebe loves to be The Boss. Make the rules, change the rules. This makes her happy. She loves being independant - and is thrilled when left to create and make different things, scrap booking to baking. Wonderful. She loves Nancy Drew Mysteries, and especially loves it when we read together into the late hours - while her siblings are fast asleep. She also always calls for her hug and kiss at night after I've tucked her in.

Sophie is Sophie. Entertaining and wise and rather quick witted, and often the spitting image of her Granny Gail that it shocks me. She had a school trip to the Botanical Gardens in Durban on Wednesday - loved the bus, hated the rain and the wet and the grass - but loved being away from school for a few hours. She goes there all the time, so the novelty was a bit lost on her. Sophie has a habit of falling asleep as soon as the car engine starts on a long journey - I wondered if she'd stay awake on the bus this trip - she fell asleep last time. I was there to welcome her back to school - she will sit and wave to me for ages, so thrilled to see us. She generally is in bed before everyone - and is the 1st up in the mornings to come and give me a hug and kiss and tell me about her dreams. She has inherited Brod's uncanny ability to annoy - and can send Phoebe into a rage at her indifference and quick retorts.

Jonah is still my little baby. He's 4 now - and very independant but still loves his hugs and kisses. I watched him play tennis with a little girl at school yesterday. His little face shone with excitement as he wacked the ball with all his might (which is tied to a tree branch by the way). He loves to run, and always seems amazed at how quickly his legs can get him around as he's constantly looking down at them watching them. He loves sweets - which is not so great - and loves fruit and raw vegies - which is great. He hates having his hair washed, STILL. Fights when it's time to brush teeth. Loves swimming in the bath, but won't swim in the pool or play in the sea too long. And will happily walk around for ages carying Mr Meow Meow in search of bugs for him to eat. He loves to change his clothes (constantly throughout the day) - and likes clothes to be fitting - he is my left handed child and likes to wink at me.

Noah - a realy mommy's boy. Tells me all the time that he loves me, and missed me so much when we are apart. He has a Teddy, he calls him Teds. Teds is till around. Less so than before. Noah loves to sing and dance. He likes things to be just so. And still cries from a 'broken heart' when his sisters are sisters and are mean - as sisters will eternally be it would seem. He's ace on Playstation, and any other games he comes across - and can compete favourably with his big cousins. Liam is his special big cousin - who invites him to sleep over(which is his special treat) and will even play Star Wars games with him still.

Brod is Brod. He does love the Blog - but does seem to want to always feature in it too much. Perhaps you've wondered about that. He still makes me laugh like no one else can - and can fetch a glare from me like no one else can too, in an instant! We are well suited, and I thank God for that.

It is the weekend, at the end of a busy week. And the weekend brings no respite. We have lots of activities planned for tomorrow and hope to fit it all in with room to spare.

Tonight - Harry Potter. A Date. I do love a date with Brod.

Happy Moments from this week...

2010-11-04T11:00:00.000+02:00

I love moments like this one - quiet, peaceful and contemplative - and look at the morning hair, too cute.

Nose shot of Brod taken Tuesday 2nd Nov...at Table Mountain. Our happy place:) Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Cape Town?? Perfect day, perfect weather - imperfect that I was NOT there. I do appreciate Cape Town clients.

Some picture memories from October part 1

2010-10-31T11:42:00.001+02:00

Claudette, Phoebe, Sophie & Nana Joan @ Claudette's place

The Young Women stopped by with a bag of Halloween candy for the kids - they were thrilled:) All of them:)

Miss Phoebe ready to set off on another adventure while camping

These two were so thrilled to be camping - the leaves kept them busy for ages

Catch up...again

2010-10-30T15:23:00.000+02:00

I'd like to begin this entry, by mentioning that I'm not ready for October to be over. I'm not ready yet to put up my Christmas decorations, or play Christmas carols in the morning to wake the kiddies up for school or have it playing in the car when I'm fetching them afterwards. I'm just not ready. This year has FLOWN by. And it keeps flying. And my mind is still trying to play catch up. Where did 2010 go? So many fantastic things have happened this year, I have such special memories from it all - its just gone too quickly.

We look set to be Home schooling in 2011. This decision was reached with lots of research, lots of prayers, lots of dialogue with friends and family, and lots and lots of thinking. In fact, all the thinking has been driving me mad. So now I'm trying NOT to think about it. Or talk about it too much - since that gets the thinking about it started all over again.

We decided to unplug DSTV(cable TV) this month. A pet hate has been watching the kids turn into zombies over the past few months as they tune in to TV and out of real life. Tragic. So TV time, and content is being tightly regulated once more.

A weekend camping was the kick start to the months adventures, and got us in the holiday mood just before the start of term 4 of school.

We took off on an impromptu Temple visit and family visit this month and had a good time laughing (this does tend to be accompanied by screaming and crying too of course) and hanging out with big cousins (Renaldo, Kianu, Tiago & Sebastian) and special aunts (Claudette & Annette) and uncles (luis & Llewellyn).

A brief spate of illness knocked Miss Sophie off her feet for a few days - she does enjoy the excuse to sleep all day and stay in her PJ's so not too many complaints from her! Phoebe and Brod have been competing on the key board in a game of 'I am better than you!'. That little game has suitably exhausted our ear drums. Noah & Jonah are still addicted to Playstation - sigh - they play as I type. But since they've not played for the past few days, an hour or two today should not do too much damage?

And I've been walking a lot, talking a lot, listening, eating and sighing...a lot. Painting, cleaning, working, sanding, thinking, washing and chatting alot.

Brod is surfing right now, for the first time in what seems like months. He certainly deserves his afternoon off:)

A pity that there's still a glitch with the picture uploader thingy on this blog - one little photo will have to do for now.

Noah, belting out a song at the recent Beehive School concert - he was VENUS (the love planet) - look at the size of that mouth! Yip, the other kids didn't stand a chance - he WAS the loudest.

Family & Temple trip

2010-10-15T07:54:00.000+02:00

The 'naughty kids pose'(photographer dad's request) @ the Patron housing

We took these little kids to the Temple last weekend. They loved it. It was really great just hanging out with them again. 2 weekends in a row - of just us. I really want them to be used to being there.

We also got to visit Claudette & Luis (Brod's very talented sister in Pretoria) and their 3 boys - photos to follow - having problems with the image uploading application this morning!

I love this garden of theirs

More updates to follow - I've seriously run out of time.

xxx

Update

2010-10-08T08:30:00.000+02:00

This entry will have to remain photo-less for now. All my pics are...you guessed it STILL on Brod's phone & he's out for the morning. This past weekend we took the kids camping. They LOVED it. I am generally not a camper - I love the outdoors but the evenings...enter darkness, exit Melissa. I feel claustraphobic and struggle with the loooonnnngg nights that camping generally bring. So this time, I maximised the daylight hours so I could just crash at night. And it worked - on the 2nd night. We hardly saw the girls - they spent almost the entire time cycling (and the evenings moaning about sore bums from the seats), or exploring, and the boys were doing their usual - getting full of dam mud, being super heroes and playing in the water. Brod & I, well we worked hard. It was great. So special being with the kids, watching them discover new things, enjoying the freedom of the dam, and being together.

This weekend we are off to Jo'burg to catch a session or two at the Temple, and visit family, family, family. The kids are itching to see their cousins, and aunts and uncles - and so, once again - I will spend my Friday morning preparing for our trip. Of course, as of right now, none of the family know we are coming, so this could be interesting.

Phoebe and I are discussing Home Schooling.

Sophie, Noah & Jonah are in on it too.

It is a very appealing subject in our household at the moment as we contemplate all the ins and outs and if we are REALLY ready for it. Phoebe has been on at me for 3 years now to do this, and next year - it may just happen. Possibilities are endless really. Brod is supportive and wonderful about it all as always, just watching with a weary eye though.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by such supportive and special friends and family who are keen to see us succeed at whatever we try. Their wise counsel has really boosted me. Brod, my wonderful Brod. Gina - my Homeschooling Guru (one of the mom's from Beehive who is homeschooling her older kiddies) and who always brings me back to a calm place when my mind is boggling about all the possible stumbing blocks. Tracey, my sister, who has given me her approval and go-ahead :) Amanda, my sister-in-law and walking buddy(on a Tuesday & Thursday-I do love a fresh Kloof morning walk) - who always supports & encourages me. Sammy, my other walking buddy (just not today :( since I'm here packing and blogging so can't be out there walking the roads of Winston park), who is the one who directed me to the Focus on the Family..."Your Family Talk" radio station where I downloaded all the Homeschooling talks from(and purposefully DID NOT listen to those ones herself because she knew how it would make her feel! Thanks Sam!).

This weekend is decision time - so I'm taking my thoughts to a Higher Power and will go from there.

All in all life is good. We are happy, being watched over, and meeting new and exciting moments each day. 2010 is definitely on my list of AWESOME years. And we are surrounded by a really great support structure, which makes it all so much better.

uShaka Marine World

2010-09-22T05:45:00.000+02:00

Monday night 6pm for FHE the Von Brughan family took a trip to Durban. Mom & dad were feeling exhausted(crazy day), the kids were amped and the weather was hot & windy. The Von Brughan family were the ONLY people that night up for the adventure at uShaka...and the kiddies ran wild through the aquarium - laughing, shouting ( a lot ) and enthralled by the weird & wonderful creatures. I must apologise in advance for the poor quality of the photo's - camera phone again. Sigh.

kiddies getting their access bands attached

wind blown mama

Melissa & her potato bass AWESOME

It's Springk!

2010-09-15T10:35:00.000+02:00

Last night at dinner, Jo announced very matter-of-factly that his teacher, Miss Charmaine says that it's 'Springk'! What a cutie pie. These kids make me smile alot, with the funny things they say.

Thanks to our personal hair stylist Nikki Lewis Higgs 5 out of 6 Von Brughan's got their hair cut yesterday. They loved it, and all 3 boys are looking extra cute and ready for Summertime.

Phoebe was in tears in her bed last night, worrying about her school outing today. She's gone to Shongweni Dam to the Spirit of Adventure camp to have some fun in our Spring heat(very hot & very dry again today - my nose is burning inside). She was worried about the bus trip - no safety belts, airconditioning, and she HATES being so high off the ground in that big old bus...my kids are used to some comforts it would seem. So we chatted about it, reasoned everything out, and I'm hoping all the little extra treats I packed for her have made the trip even more fun.

A couple of weeks ago, she mentioned she was having some 'trouble' with a girl that sits at her table. So we decided to invite her over for a playdate, so she could get to know Phoebe & then perhaps the 'trouble' would end. It would seem that this same little girl offered to sit in the window seat of the bus to help Miss Phoebe with her fear of heights in a moving vehicle.

Works every time.

Brod has been cycling up a storm lately - he bought an awesome mountain bike a few weeks back and has been all over the neighbourhood on it - and further a field too. Every now and then one of the kids will get plomped on the cross bar and is taken off in a flurry of screams for a quick trip around the garden.

Off to clean house...

The bugs are back

2010-09-14T13:39:00.000+02:00

Spring has sprung here - and with it, the bug nation too. So another season has begun, winter always passes too quickly for me. We took a drive on Saturday to see the Spring colours everywhere, and ended up at Umhlanga beach walking along the promanade and playing on the rocks. Noah & Jo loved being so close to the lighthouse - we walked all the way around it looking for another door, and eventually gave up. It was a cool day, Saturday, overcast & drizzling.

We also stopped in at Gateway - lots of folk, everywhere - great to see. Pizza from Scooters never fails to impress, and the busy day ended with a rented DVD for Brod and I.

Yesterday, Brod gave Phoebe a piece of paper. On it, she had to list 10 things that she wanted to achieve in her lifetime. What always amazes is her vision. The majority of the items listed were family orientated - and involved travel. I must find that list. I do believe we would like to have a family holiday this month, we have a weeks break coming up and need to get away. I can help her achieve one of the items on that list.

We are in mayhem as we contemplate changing schools next year, uniforms, deposits, stationary...and it's only September. I'm holding thumbs that ALL the kids get a spot in the SAME school (except Jo - who has one more year at Beehive). Sophie and Noah went for interviews with the HPS Principal yesterday, as part of the admissions process. It went well, Noah was especially pleased to be there - and it is always enjoyable watching the reactions of people when they discover that we have 4 kiddies in the family. Their mouths open and close and their eyes get all big and round. Kind of like a fish out of water. After all was said and done, I still don't know if any of the kids have a place yet - but boy did Noah go out with a bang! "Good-bye Sally!" he said to the Principal with a smile & a wave. That kid melts my heart.

I have run out of time AGAIN, so will have to do some more catch up later. Off to fetch Phoebe for Speech(Hooray for Miss Carmen & my bi-weekly magazine fix:)) & Piano(thanks to a very talented and lovely Sammy Clark!). The kids have haircuts lined up for this afternoon & then it's tea & cake with the stylist (Niki Lewis Higgs), bath time, dinner, stories & bed.

xxxx

The Von Brughan Family

Happy VaLenTiNes Day

The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

He still has my heart

Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe & enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass.

Still holidaying...oh joy!

Finding Joy in Life

Archives

Being a Deliberate Mother

One month till Christmas!

In need of a weekend after the weekend

Today

It's the weekend

To the fairest Cape once more....

Searching for bugs

Carl Roberts Studio Visit by the budding artists of Studio 33

Meeting Carl Roberts

Rocking it up @ Salt Rock tidal pool & Umhlanga

Studio 33 with Cathy Stempowsky

Hole in the Wall, Thompson Bay

From the photo archives

National Heritage Day

About Being Gluten Free

We ran away for a weekend

Life is long

Jonah is 5 today!

Being able to receive...

What do I want in life?

Our Weekend

Saturday's simple pleasures

Yay for Thursday & Good friends

To Re-do a day

Let it Snow!

Catch up

Virginia Airshow

Sad

My daddy's gone

Sophie's birthday, Noah's party & a temple trip- playing catch up:)

Father's Day 2011

Finding your Bliss

Phoebe's Pre-Birthday Celebration

Missy Phoebe

A lesson in the sun

Ode to Simon Cooper

Winter days in the sun

The weekend that was

Autumn days...

Cause for celebration!

He's mine - forever....

If you think about what you should do for others, your character will take care of itself.

Noah turns 6!

Sophie is Baptised

Family Fun

3 for the price of 1

Our Ode to Michaela Marie

Playing dress up

Temple Trip with the Nells & Picolo's

Josh Update

The KZN Museum of Natural Science Research Centre

Elder Joshua Von Brughan

Dish washing thoughts

Update

The importance of doing nothing

The world through Sophie's eyes

My 100th post!

Birds

Merry Christmas!!!

Some catchup & a word or 2 about Blessings

Gratitude

November so far

Happy Moments from this week...

Some picture memories from October part 1

Catch up...again

Family & Temple trip

Update

uShaka Marine World

It's Springk!

The bugs are back