Gratitude Project - 24th - 29th April

Long weekends - nothing can beat one. Except two long weekends in a row!
With the Easter weekend and then ANZAC Day following close behind, I have had a fab couple of short working weeks. And returning to work for a full five days is going to be a challenge.

Oh how quickly I adapt to being away from the office....

The best part about the double whammy long weekend, is that Mr M has been off work. It's been such a help having him at home; mornings have been easier, as have the evenings!, and we created a new bedtime routine - me reading two books to the boys, with Warrie snuggling on my lap whilst Mr M cuddles up to Mac in his bed.

The one thing that really stuck out for me this second long weekend, is how much the ANZAC day has come to mean something to me. Maybe its because I have two boys, and I can identify with the mothers that lost their sons in Gallipoli? Whatever the reason, I spent much of the Friday morning explaining (or trying to!) the importance of ANZAC day to Mac... without using the words "died" or "war", which I thought might be a little confronting for a 4.5 year old! I'm not sure how much he understood, or indeed if he was even listening to me!, but I felt like I solidified a little more in my own heart and mind as to why it is an important day for me.

When I first moved back to Australia, nearly 13 years ago, I had no real concept of ANZAC Day. I knew what it represented, and I understood the gravitas that surrounded it. But I just thought of it as a day off work and that whatever I got up to, I would be "doing it for the Diggers" - usually with a drink in my hand.

But as the years went by, and especially once I had Mac and Warrie, the value of the day shifted for me. All those men who perished in the Great War, in order that the world would be a better place, that we would have our freedom. The selflessness of those who were (are!) willing to go to war, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, just blows my mind.

But I think the importance of the day really became apparent to me three years ago, when we were in Canberra kick-starting our honeymoon. We dragged Mac around the Australian War Memorial, (not sure what we were thinking, he was 18-months old!) and stayed for the Last Post ceremony. We had been reading the Roll of Honour, and I had just found my maiden name and was wondering if the names listed had been distant relatives of mine. Then the bugle started.

{image credit}

I am not ashamed to admit that I sobbed.

Standing next to the names of possible relatives, my first born son in my arms, my new husband standing protectively behind us, on a cold, crisp and beautiful Canberra afternoon. The sun was setting, the crowd of visitors in the Memorial was silent, and the haunting sound of the bugle was echoing through the air... How can you not be touched by that?

I cried for the men whose names were on the Roll of Honour.
I cried for the men and women currently serving.
I cried with thanks that I live in such an amazing country, where everyday I take for granted my freedom to live my life the way I see fit.
I cried with fear for the world that my child would inherit, and hoped that the horrors of war will never be something that he has to experience - a hope that I am sure every single parent in the world shares for their children.

Things I have been grateful for this long weekend:

1. I think it's pretty obvious that I'm forever grateful to the men and women who put their lives on the line for their country.

2. Bedtime snuggles with my boys

3. Family time - we had a lot of it, and we all thrived!


This wasn't what I thought this post was going to be about, my intent had been "light and breezy". But I guess it was something that my soul felt needed to be told.

Do you have a particular public holiday that holds importance or special meaning for you? I'd love to hear about it!

Gratitude Project - 18th-23rd April

Well, first things first - happy belated Easter!
We don't celebrate Easter in my house, but my boys are biiiig fans of the chocolate side of things!  :)

Secondly, I had an ah-MAZE-ing night out! Here's me in the top I got from The Iconic:

It was so nice to put a face to all the names that Mr M mentions everyday... the fact that he introduced me all night as his "beautiful wife" didn't hurt either :)
But the loveliest thing I heard was, after being introduced, all his colleagues said the same thing: "whenever I ask Mr M about your kids, his face just lights up"  All together now, AWWWW!

We chatted with everyone in the pub for hours, and were then ushered onto a bus and into a nightclub - the first time I have been in a nightclub in five years! I danced and danced and danced, and was horrified when all the kids were excited to hear songs that I was dancing to when they were first released 20 years ago!
It was awesome.

Mr M and I were home at a very respectable 12.50am, not in too bad a shape. And most glorious of all was the sleep-in the next day! Once again, a big YAY for grandparents!!

On the Easter Sunday, Mr M decided that he wanted to "do something" that day, so we took a road trip up through the Northern Beaches and ended up in Palm Beach. The sun was shining and the ocean sparkling, it was stunning!

{Who doesn't love the panoramic mode on the iPhone camera!}

{Personally, I think this is one of the best photos I've ever taken!}

{The last dip in the ocean for this season}

On the Monday, Mr M and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. But given that we'd had such a epic (for us) night out, we were in no hurry to have a special "date night" for the occasion; there'll be plenty more to come, I'm sure :)

Then it was back to reality and work. Mr M is currently on a production break at the moment, which is actually fab for me; an extra pair of hands to help with the morning rush, means I get an extra 30-minutes in bed in the morning! Woo hoo!

Things I have been grateful for this long weekend:

1. The fact that it was a long weekend - four days off; one awesome night out, and hanging with my boys. Heaven!

2. The weather. I hope you had as glorious a weekend as we did!

3. Fresh flannel sheets on the bed - so comfy, so dangerous; it's a real struggle to get out of bed!

4. Family. We got to see both sides of our family over the long weekend, which meant much laughter all round. I am so SO thankful for the family I have!

What did you get up to over the long weekend?

Gratitude Project - 17th April

I'm posting this early, because Mr M and I are having a night on the town tonight and I cannot be held responsible for the state that I will come home in (nor the nonsense I would write if I was to allow myself access to my blog!)  :)

A night out! On the long weekend, with the kids having a sleepover at the grandparents! I am so excited... in fact, this is how I am feeling right now - I'm gonna have me some fun!

{Image credit}

I've even bought a new top for the occasion! My first non-work item of clothing purchased in.... well, a long time!

I got it from The Iconic and had it delivered within 3 hours. It was dangerously easy, and fun.

And just to cap it all off, Mr M thinks I look good in it  ;)




So although I haven't had a full day in which to find things to be grateful for, these are the things I am grateful for today:

1. Running with my bestie - this is probably one of the best changes I have made this year. Combining exercise and seeing my bestie for a chat.

2. Spotify on my office PC. I love having access to all sorts of music to suit my mood. At the moment, if I have a lot of work to do, I've started listening to "old skool house" music really loud and just powering through my work. It's awesome

3. My Mum. For having my boys tonight and for making it work, no matter what. She's amazeballs :)

What are your plans for the Easter long weekend? 

Gratitude Project - 16th April

Today is my half brother's birthday, he's turned 14. It has made me feel wistful.

I've been doing a lot of remembering/thinking recently about my teenage years. Mostly the range and depth of emotions that were in constant turmoil.

I'm excited for my brother to be going through this stage of life (though he is a much more level headed kid than I ever was!).

First crushes, first heartbreaks. The devastation of a broken friendship and the joy of mending it.

The desire to fit in, the desperation to be unique.

The sheer delight in being alive. 

He is finding his way through teenage-dom and coming out the other side, as a young man ready to make his mark on the world.

As a young girl, I never felt like I was the right age; I had always felt 16, even when I was 11 or 12.

Then when I turned 16, I finally felt like I was where I was supposed to be (age wise!). I sometimes think I've never really moved on from that age - I can stray into immature and puerile humour at any time! Which is not really helped by my paternal side of the family having a penchant for toilet humour!

I miss the newness of life as a teenager. Experiencing so many firsts. Learning how to be grown up, but knowing that I didn't have to be just yet; that's what parents are for!

And now I have two children. Crazy!!

I my mind I still feel 16. Mr M can still evoke in me similar feelings of being a teenager in love... 

These days I tell people that yes I am an adult, but I have no intention of being a proper grown up! :)

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Sunshine! I was starting to get bored of the rainy days. 

2. Bedtime snuggles as I read bedtime stories - my babies won't be small forever, I'm trying to make the most of it!

3. Exercise. I didn't want to go today (my workout buddy has been out of the office all week). But I made myself go, and did a 30-minute weights session. I love the feeling afterwards, that good sore pain that proves to me that I've worked hard.

Did you enjoy being a teenager? What's your favourite joke?

Gratitude Project - 11th - 15th April

Woah! Got a bit of catching up to do!

On Saturday, we moved the boys into Mac's old bedroom and chucked out a pile of crappy plastic broken toys, which for some unknown reason I had been holding on to. Oh man that felt good! There's still more to get rid of (to donate), but that's a job best done without children around!

On Sunday we went to my beautiful best friends housewarming party. She is amazing; not only are they in the process of renovating, but she managed to cook snacks and make delicious finger foods for 50 odd people!! I wish I had taken photos, but I was too busy stuffing my face :)

That afternoon, I went to my step-sister's place to celebrate my step-dad's birthday. She had made a Donna Hay banana cake with caramel sauce. OMFG.  I don't think I can ever exercise that cake off, but it was so SO totally worth it!

Yesterday I had to have the day off work, waiting for a tradie to come around. As he was due in the afternoon ("Sometime between 1 and 5pm"), I decided to spoil myself in the morning. I got my nails done, my eyebrows threaded and tinted and I had a hair cut! I left the shopping mall feeling like a million bucks :)

And after the tradie had been and gone, I had the ultimate experience: food shopping. With. NO. Children!! Only a parent can understand the way that feels :)

Today was back to normal, but it was all good - it's only a three day week, and same next week too!! Yay for public holidays!

There have been so many things to be grateful for over the last few days. But I'll share just this one:

There was a moment on Saturday, whilst Mr M and I were moving the cot (Warrie was trying to help, and was wedged between the wall and the side if the cot - it was freaking hilarious!), and I suddenly realised that I was happy.

Deeply DEEPLY happy.

The kind of happy that moves you to tears.

I stopped what I was doing (watching Mr M extracate Warrie from his predicament), and just immersed myself in the moment.

I let all that happiness wash over me, I let the tears prick my eyes, I let my heart be flooded with joy. And I relished in it.

So, I am grateful for that moment of happiness.

And I am grateful that I was aware of what was happening, and was able to grasp that moment with both hands and to really truly experience being happy. 

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Gratitude Project - 10th April

Yesterday, when I started the car, the radio turned on blaring out "Footloose". It was at the very beginning of the song "Been working so hard, I'm punching my card"

What a fitting way to leave the office :)

And I'm sure it makes people stare as I drive past bopping around and singing my lungs out. Hey, if my car can't be my personal pretend recording studio what's the point in having a car!

Things I am grateful for today

1. Watching Mac swim. I love watching him interact with the teacher and the other kids. And seeing him big smile every time he does a lap. Heart melting. Today he started a new class time with a new teacher, and he handled the changes brilliantly!

2. Running in the rain with my bestie - now THAT'S love! but more importantly we got some awesome laughter in for 30 minutes.

3. Tonight I put both the boys into Mac's bed whilst I read their bedtime books (Warrie is in a cot). To see the two of them snuggling together just made my heart do a flip flop.

It lasted all of two minutes... But was a beautiful moment for that whole two minutes.

Where do you like to sing a tune? What's been your "leaving the office" anthem this week?

Gratitude Project - 9th April

Not much to say about today. It was a Wednesday, much like every other. 

Although now we are officially on the descent into the weekend. So yay for that! 

I was checking in with myself today, just to see how I think I'm doing... I'm finding more brightness to my days, so I think I'm improving. But I feel like there's a sense of anxiety behind everything I do at the moment. I'm not sure what that's about, but I glad I'm aware if it - something to keep an eye on.

But mostly I'm feeling better about things, and working in feeling better about myself. For now though, I'm just faking it until I start making it :)

Things I am grateful for today:

1. My work bestie - after doing the reforecasting for a week, I've found myself a bit behind with my normal workload. She has been so awesome in taking a chunk of work off my desk. I love her!

2. My workplace exercise bestie - she keeps me motivated to actually hit the gym, rather than sitting at my desk stuffing my face with food. Which would totally be my preference. Oh, and she's an absolute crack up :)

3. Mr M was home 10 minutes earlier than expected. It made such a difference to the evening; less stress for me!

Have you checked in with yourself recently? How are things going?

Gratitude Project

Warrie is almost two and it's put me in a bit of a tizz.

When Mac was exactly this age, I was 2 weeks pregnant with Warrie - he was so small and new that I didn't even know he was there yet!

And now, he's almost two. And I don't have another bun in the oven.... and I think I'm sad about that. I've known since Warrie was three days old that my newborn days weren't over.

Mr M and I have talked about it at great length - yes we both want another child, but now is not the right time. We are already strapped for cash, if there was to be another nappy user in the house I think it would tip us over the edge.

We have decided to wait a little longer before making a final decision on the matter. Whether we decide to adopt or try for another of our own, my only stipulation is that any new babies arrive before I'm 40.

Things I'm grateful for today:

1. Getting works reforecasting finished today - a day before the deadline! Go me!!

2. Exercise, and the good pain that comes with it. As much as I whinge and moan about doing the exercise, I love the feeling of being strong and healthy. 

3. Picking the boys up early and playing Bear Hunt in the playground.

What was the last workout you did?

Gratitude Project - 7th April

Gosh Monday rolls around fast, doesn't it? Why are weekends so short!?!

It was a very normal and uneventful Monday in the office today, so not much to report. 

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Having a loooong laugh with my work bestie today, and possibly having created a new inside joke too. We'll have to give it a few test runs to see if it will stick ;)

2. My new slippers from Next.com. Not only are the cute and comfy (not to mention warm!), but they are machine washable!! Is it weird that I am happy about that?

3. Making milo muffins. These are pretty much my new favourite things, and so yummy with my afternoon cuppa! And they are so quick and easy to make! I'll post the recipe up for anyone who's interested :)

How was your Monday?

Gratitude Project - 6th April

What a wet and rainy day!

I was so glad to be spending the morning indoors with the in-laws (I love how that rolls off the tongue!) to celebrate my sister-in-laws birthday.

Mr M is one of four, and once we include spouses and children a intimate family get together is actually a feast for fourteen!!

As one of two children*, living overseas and away from extended family for much of my life - gatherings with my in-laws used to be quite intimidating and awkward. I had no idea where to sit, or who to talk to. That sounds silly to me now, but back at the beginning (nearly 12 years ago!), it was a real worry for me. Especially as I knew very early on that Mr M was a keeper, and I was so desperate for his family to like me too!! :)

These days, it's much easier. We sit around the table (wherever we damn well please!), and the conversations flow so comfortably; sometime you are part of two or three conversations!

They are my family and I love them all.

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Having such a wonderful relationship with my in-laws. I know that it doesn't always happen this way, and I am so blessed to have them as my family.

2. Having some one on one time with Mac. Sure it was at the supermarket (boring!), but we had such fun along the way. He was using a water pistol - un filled!! - to make sure that I was safe from Storm Troopers. What a thoughtful boy! :)

3. All my laundry is folded up. Some of it has been sitting in the basket for a week! Now all I have to do is put it away. Is there no end to laundry!!! When will someone invent Eco friendly disposable clothes?!

*I am lucky enough to now include a half brother, and two step-siblings both with children of their own, so my own family functions are expanding too!  :)

How many siblings do you have? Are you as bad as I am about folding your laundry??

Gratitude Project - 5th April

This morning Mr M took the boys out for an adventure in the car. I was still in bed, struggling to wake up after a long night with Warrie, and as he walked out the door Mr M casually threw over his shoulder "Hey you should have a bath whilst we're out..." And then he closed the door.

It took all of 20-seconds for the words to register and for me to have started the bath running.

Seriously how decadent is a long hot bath first thing on an autumn morning?

Not as decadent as a long hot bath on an autumn morning with a huge cup of tea, three crumpets and a favourite book, whilst listening to some great tunes!

{Thank you Mr M!}

I had 45-minutes of relaxed bliss before everyone came home and my day started properly, and fabulously!

Things I a thankful for today:

1. Spending most of the day with a friend who really needed it. And despite there being four boys in the house, we managed to have a good chat.

2. A sunny evening, so we were able to take the boys for a play/bike ride to burn off their excess energy!

3. A deliciously cool night; I love snuggling up to Mr M for warmth. He's like my personal hit water bottle! :)

What is your favourite book?

Gratitude Project - 4th April

Because of the dreary weather today, Mac and Warrie spent most of today. So after work Mr M, the boys and I went to a tunnel near a local park to kick a ball in.

We had a such a great time :)

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. Getting my exercise in before the rain - even though I went swimming, it meant I didn't have to walk back to the office in the rain ;)

2. Takeaway - thank you Mr M!!

3. It's Friday! Hip hip hooray!

What are your weekend plans?

Gratitude Project - 3rd April

Just so you know, the assumption for my gratitude list is that I am always grateful for my two healthy, adorable, rambunctious, funny, irritating, happy, loving boys. Every day. No matter how much they tick me off, or make me long for the days when I could afford nice clothes/shoes...

Yes I can imagine life without them; but I don't want to ever be without them.

They might make me want to punch walls with their constant "Mummy. Mummy. Mummy. Mummy." But then something like this happens:

Today was Mac's swimming lesson, so I dropped Warrie off at day care before hand. As we were walking in, he stops, looks over his shoulder and says, "Where Mac? Mac gone?"

"Yes darling, Mac has a swimming lesson. He'll be back in a little while."

Cue a devastated face, tears and clutching my leg from my normally very independent little boy.

After swimming, as I pulled back up outside the centre, I turn to get Mac out of the car. He has a very sad expression. "Sweetheart, what's wrong!?"

"Mummy, I miss Warrie. Can I give him a cuddle when I go in?"

My heart melts with the love these to boys have for each other. And I know that I am blessed to have them.

And so it is a given that at the very way far top of my gratitude list is my two boys.

{Seriously, these kids break my heart with their gorgeousness. Every. Single. Day}

So, apart from my babies, the things I am grateful for today are:

1. Running with my bestie today. Well run-walking really, and mostly lots of chatting :)  We've decided to make it a weekly thing, and I'm already looking forward to next week!

2. My slow cooker; so little effort for so much delicious reward!!

3. A decent TV series. A few of my favourite shows are: Rake, The Moodys, Offspring, Walking Dead, The Spoils of Babylon. 

I am currently obsessed with the show Vikings... Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) really floats my boat. 

We don't watch a lot of TV (mostly because there's never anything good on!) but thanks to Mr M, we're up to date with this fab series, and I am loving it!

What's your current favourite tv show? Do you have any recommendations?

Gratitude Project - 2nd April

It was a gorgeous warm sunny day today, the kind that makes it hard to believe that winter is on its way. The kind where all you want to do is find a little quiet patch of grass and lay on a blanket all day long with an awesome book and delicious picnic. Snoozes optional ;)

But despite the glorious weather, I somehow forced myself to be more productive today; still can't quite work out the secret. Why is it some days so bad and others it's so easy to power through??

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Mac sleeping in until 6.45am! That's  a whole hour longer than usual!

2. Today was hump day, so yay for the approaching week end!!

3. Picking Mac and Warrie up early from daycare and taking them to the playground. I had to time them racing around all of the equipment and going down the slide (high fives on the way downwere not optional!)

{Warrie}

What was the weather like where you are today? 

Gratitude Project - 1st April

Today was a good day; I completed two big items off my work to do list, and rewarded myself with a cuppa and a homemade muffin.

I'm struggling with procrastination at the moment, so that was kind of a big deal :)

I have so many things in my head that I want to action, but I think I'm getting lost in the overwhelmingly BIG "big picture". I'm going to have to set aside some time to write everything down and start to break them into bite size bits. Maybe then I'll actually feel like the tasks will be achievable, or even better maybe I'll actually start doing something!!

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Having prepped daycare lunches the night before. Starting this habit has really relieved some of my morning stress!

2. Hitting the gym. I used it as a reward for completing a boring task today, and it was worth it! I felt so much better and was more proactive in the afternoon. 

3. Autumn. I'm loving the cooler nights and snuggling under the doona!

What are you grateful for today?

Do you have any tips for beating procrastination??

What's in a name?

Well, as I've decided to make a concerted effort to be better about posting on this blog, I think I'm going to have to rename a few things....

Firstly, my Little Monster and Even Littler Monster will be changing.
I was SO convinced that I was going to have a girl the second time around, that I thought Little Monster and Little Princess would make referring to the kids so easy. Yup, cue two boys and the original monikers are not so easy.
From now on (until I decide to change them again!), they will be referred to as Mac (my oldest) and Warrie (my youngest)

Husband has become Mr M - its just so much easier, down from 7 letters to 3 letters plus a space! Result!

I shall remain Melissa or Mrs M - unless I can come up with something better!

Looking forward to starting my Gratitude Project tonight!