.Giveaway.

My bestie MEL, is doing a giveaway, check out HER CRAFT BLOG to win her handmade creation, just leave a comment on what you want to hear more about! Simple.

.Health Habit Blog.

Just wanted to share my new project.

HEALTH HABIT BLOG

.And I Still Call Australia Home.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

Today in the land of Aus (they are a day ahead) ...
it is Australia Day - January 26th.

This is what I would consider the equivalent to the 4th July in the USA. It is in the thick of summer with lots of fun to be had.
I always, always miss Australia at this time of year... for lots of reasons but I think the cabin fever and the fact that I would give my right eye to thaw out in Australia on Australia Day is really up there!!

I thought as a tribute to all things Australian, being Australia Day and all, I would give you a bit of a look into the things I love (and miss) about Australia.... I will warn you, this might be a long post, but it is just a look, so it won't be as long as I could make it!! :)

First off, my family!

I miss them like crazy at the best of times and even more at the worst of times. We truly have been blessed to have such frequent visits!

Today, they will be together (most of them) at my sisters house enjoying this...

Where I would be getting my laughing gear around one of these sausage sangas...

After that, they would be heading here... Newcastle Beach

...to do some of this...

beaching and relaxing while the kids play...
OHHHH to click my heels and us to be there with them....

I would then be enjoying this for dinner perhaps...(if mum was up for cooking her lamb roast)

If not, we would all chip in and enjoy some fine dining of fish n chips! CHICKEN SALT please....

Then... we would all enjoy some 'oh so delish pav'....mmmm

Where we would then all watch this....

believe me when I tell you, nothing beats an Australia summer sunset! ahhh the serenity!

When Cory and I were chatting and I was thinking of all the things we love and miss, it was fun to reminise. I am so glad that he was able to enjoy the same parts of Australia I did and even more so in some ways....
I miss alot of the food and goodies I grew up with and Cory is particularly fond of these things too... here are a few...

TOTALLY top of the list... cadburys chocolate, and I mean the REAL stuff! (My favourites are Peppermint, Black Forest, Top Deck and Snack. Cory likes those too, but his fave is Crunchie)

I particularly love this little baby.... (although Nestle make him, he is a good one)

Lollies...oh lollies...how I miss you...

Weis Bars... you are just lovely...both Cory and I agree that Mango, you are our fave

Bickies...
Monte Carlos...heaven...

Mint Slice...think, girl scout mint thins on crack! They have a smooth mint center, like a york peppermint pattie in a cookie!

Now for the savory...
Cheezels...

...Burger Rings (they sound gross, but trust me... they are mmm mmm good)

Bakery items... oh how I miss you, on those cold, cold days (which are plentiful here) when I crave you daily when pregnant... ahhhh I miss you..
Lamingtons... (I use to call these wellingtons when I was a little girl...memories...)

Meat pies... HAVE to be from Bakers Cottage... THE.BEST.BAKERY.E.V.E.R!!

Sausage Rolls...with sauce (ketchup)

Apple Turnover with cream....

Chocolate Mud Cake (with King Island Cream)... THE BEST!!

Vanilla Slice...AND chocolate ecclairs..

Scones... oh you call my name almost daily!

These would be the only "cold ones" I would be slogging back on Australia Day, and any other day for that matter!! Sars and Ginger Beer are like the equivalent to Root Beer, just depends on your taste. I am partial to Sars myself, think sweet, homemade root beer...even better!

I found some really cute tributes to Australia and thought I would share...




I also found a blog that had some fun facts... some of it is a bit shonky (yeah another Aussie word)... but it was a bit of fun none the less...

I seriously could go on and on! I got to thinking of all the lovely smells and sights of the familiar parts of Australia, but thought I might leave that til next year!!

Hope you have a great Australia Day!!

.Currently.

Reading: Take Time for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson

Looking forward to: Ethan being potty trained...someday

Stressing about: Getting it done, making it happen

Craving: Coke...I am trying to quit

Wanting: A youngest boy to sleep through the night, every.single.night

Proud of myself for: Going to MOPS also taking the boys to the library today and still doing dinner!

Wearing: Jeans and a cute top

Avoiding: Filing away last years papers to make room for this years

Sick of: A little 'not quite 2 yet' boy being a 2 year old!

Learning: How to make food storage happen

Suffering from: A killer headache today

Struggling with: My want to exercise vs my lack of time and energy

Overcoming: Raising my voice, impatience

Hoping to: Go to Long Beach for a conference in March

Excited for: A nice tax return

Relieved by: Catching up with my husband after a long day at work

Splurging on: Chocolate

..What's the G.O. with you currently..??

p.s. Thanks KaLee for sharing

.Clucky.

cluck·y [ klúkee ] (comparative cluck·i·er, superlative cluck·i·est)
adjective Definition: Australia wanting children: eager to have children (slang) ( the idea of a broody hen)

Don't know why, because it's bad timing on my part and is definately going to be a while... but I am just a little baby hungry...

...I would love one in this variety aka gender...

....with this much hair please..!...

...so I can decorate this little lady, with things like...

...this...

...and this...

...and these babies...

mmmmm, dream...

.Blogoversary Winner.

(There was a reason for my slackness, ahem... delay I wanted to have a photo of the prize, made by mwah)

So without further ado... the winner generated by Random.org is my sister Al! Congrats Al babe!

Wyborn Family said...
To win that Lotto.

I don't really make resolutions - I guess to be happy, healthy and dare I say wealthy, that would do it for me.

Al, be expecting these little lovelys in the next little bit! Hopefully Chels will like them too!
...

And just because I don't have a child of the pink variety, Ethan was my model (and loved every minute of it...sorry Daddy!!).

With new resolutions on my mind, I am planning on hosting a 'Resolution Party' at my place on January 25th! I am hoping to make this really fun with some fun gals joining in, please come along and I will post an invite in the next couple of days.

Blogoversary

Happy New Year!

To celebrate the new year and my blogoversary, I am doing a little give away!

Just something simple and handmade by mwah!

What you need to do is share your inspiration for your new year! Whether you make resolutions or not, share what you desire to do or improve this year of 2011!

Simple, easy!

I will be closing this little bit of fun on Wednesday the 5th.

Loves

This might be slightly morbid, but I have had a full heart lately and have got to thinking of life and the lack of it for some. I have known of 3 young children who have lost their lives 5 and under in just as many months and it really has touched me and made me think, probably more than I have wanted to on the fragile state of mortality.

I love, love this song. I have requested that Cory have it play at my funeral if something were to happen to me.
Katie Herzig - Wish You Well by Podcast:Music

I have some wonderful (for me) resolutions that I am setting for myself and to sum these up in a three words ... SIMPLE. HEALTHY. FOCUSED ...

I am so going to achieve this, in every area of my life. I have been awful at goals and setting a clear path to reach them, but this year.... good things people!!

What about you? Resolution maker? Resolution keeper?

Merry Christmas 2010

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Letter 2010

Family and Friends,
‘Tis that time, when the year end if fast approaching and we get to reflect on the year that has been 2010! It has been an eventful year for us, with lots of changes. Cory graduated in May and accepted a job and started the Management Training Program with Sherwin Williams that same week. We were relocated to Cheyenne, WY and after being there for 4 months and having 13 different positions open up for placement, they chose to place us back in ...... ! Apparently ...... is not done with us after 7 years so we are back in the thick of it. Cory is now the Assistant Manager and they want him on to bigger and better things in a year – 18months. He is enjoying it and never thought he would be in the business of paint but we have been blessed! Kathryn has been busy with the boys, and sharing Juice Plus+ through workshops and just started back at work part-time at the bank she previously worked at before Cade was born, and she is really enjoying it. She has just fit right back in and they have so appreciated her help and the fact that she did not have to be trained. It was a true blessing for us that Cory’s schedule is able to work around Kathryn’s so he is home with the boys when she is not. The boys are doing great! Cade just turned 4 and is a ball of fun. He has such spunk and personality and we just enjoy him so much. He tries hard to be a good boy and enjoys wrestling, creating whether with blocks, crafts or drawing and telling you long stories and loves primary. Ethan is 20 months and is just a sweetheart. He melts everyone’s heart with those big blue eyes. He is really starting to talk and loves to play whatever Cade is playing and enjoys music, singing and reading books. The boys both adore dogs and would love a puppy for Christmas, but I think, not this Christmas! We have been spoilt again this year with visits from Kathryn’s family. Kathryn’s sister Annette and brother-in-law Ronnie came at the perfect time and Kathryn had no clue (Cory was in on the secret). Then we were fortunate to have her mom came in October followed by her sister Allison. We were so grateful and enjoyed all their company, fun and laughs. This year has been one of ups and downs but we are thankful for each other, our families and their continued love, support and prayers and are so thankful for the peace the gospel brings to our lives.
May your Christmas season reflect all the happiness of the year that was, and that the new year holds great opportunities, the best of health and the happiest of blessings!
All our love, Cory, Kathryn, Cade, Ethan Anderson

(for privacy, the location has been left out)

If you would like a card and I did not get you one, or if you want to receive one next year, shoot me a message and I will get you added! Sorry I did not have everyones address.

A Few Questions

Just had my thinking hat on today....

1. If you were to choose a new profession or select a career, go back to school etc, what would you do?

2. Could you/would you ever run a day care from your home?

3. What is your biggest pet peeve about a loved one (child/husband/parent)?

4. How do you name your children? Lists? Names in a hat? Have to see the child for final decision?

5. Do you ever have reoccuring dreams?

6. If you could live anywhere, perfect circumstances (with job etc), where would you live?

ME...
1. I think about this every now and then, I think about nursing alot. I would like to be a post-partum nurse I think. I met a beautiful girl at MOPS and she is becoming a doula and that sounds like something I would totally be into. Nutrition is also something I am super keen to get into further. I met a great speaker who is a clinical dietician and she has dealt exclusively with late stage cancer patients etc. That would be great too, to see the benefits of good nutrition. I personally would like to do childrens nutrition or elderly nutrition I think.
2. I always thought I would, but I don't think I could do it. Just at this point in my life, I perhaps could take on one child, but think that would be it.
3. I would have to say, when my boys want to be in the kitchen ALL.THE.TIME I forever am saying, "Out of the kitchen boys!"
4. Right from the get go I am thinking names. We never agree and talk the whole pregnancy about names, I have lists gallore, but usually we have it nnarrowed down to 3 or 4 and then there is always a wild card thrown in at the end. We need to see that baby as I have, both times, had a dead set front runner and have not liked it once I saw my boys.
5. I sometimes have this dream about tidal waves. SCARES.THE.POOP.OUT.OF.ME kind of dream. I think it's cause I lived by the beach my whole life pretty much and nearly drowned at a young age? hmmm not sure.
6. Perfect world, we would live 6 months in the USA, 6 months in Australia. Not sure where in those countries, I would say close to the beach in Australia and near the snow in the USA.