Tasmania

At the beginning of last year Nana asked if I wanted to go on a holiday with her, 'sure where we going I said?'
'Tasmania' she replied 'I've always wanted to go'

With dates booked, itinerary sorted and flights payed we were off.

After a long flight we saw our first glimpses of Tassie. Such and amazing place.

We spent the first two days in Hobart, visiting the Salamanca markets, and exploring.



We popped over to pt. Arthur for an arvo then headed off to cradle mountain.



We visited the Tasmanian Devil sanctuary while we were there learning all about these fascinating creatures watching them feed and we even got a pat :)



Then on the way to Launseston along the road I see this little fella waddling...


Then he decide to hide when I came over to say hi.

While in Launseston, we visited a little boutique shop called the old mill, I loved it there, we found heaps of cute handmade things. It was amazing.
Then we went for a walk through Cataract Gorge. I was very proud of my Nana who hates hights and scary looking bridges.


Needless to say I went on the chair lift by myself, it was a long way down.



And once I had conquered that I looked for something a little more daring... Cable handgliding...
I felt like a bird...



All in all I loved Tasmania, and I loved being on holiday with my Nana




Xx

The Yarak family.

This last year has seen me change and grow as I suppose most have, but this one had a particularly big change...
My address...

I move in with the Yarak family (which was a blessing from God) I left the comfort of my family to gain more independence as an individual. Moving just 4 blocks away from my parents I had a good set up :)

In moving I adopted five beautiful girls as my own little nieces. These girls started of as a cute novelty that came along with living in the upstairs room of the Yarak house and the quickly became way more then words could express. I love those girls as if they were actually my nieces. These adorable girls each with such unique personalities stole my heart.

To Maya, stand strong in what you believe. Your a beautiful young lady that one day will change the world with your love smile and laughter. Thank you for sharing your love with me.

To Rasho, I love you more then you will ever know. I love that you are always thinking of others, continue to share your heart and mind with other people. God has given you an amazing gift and it would be a shame to hide it from the world.

To Hannah, never stop being you. Your such a cheeky chicken-wing, your smile, your laugh and your love make everyday brighter.

To Gracie, I watched you grow up over the last year. Your become such and incredible little person. Continue to let your enthusiasm and happiness make people smile. Stesi truly loves you.

And to Sophie, your such a precious gift from God. You have shown us all how miracles work. It was so cool to see you at just a few hours old, dress you for the first time and hold such a tiny bundle of life, and see you now independent and determined to catch up to your sisters as quickly as possible.

And their incredible parents, the people who so willingly opened their home to me; their family and their everything.

To Rita, you are a truly incredible woman I am so blessed to call you a friend and to have been able to spend this last year with you and your family. You have been a listening ear a wise voice and such a big part of my growth this year. Love you so much.

To Charlie, you are an incredible man, husband and father. Thank you for letting me into your house. Your someone I really respect.

This chapter of my life is closing, I'm moving out but I am not moving on... You all will always be a part of my life. I will love you for ever and ever, and the impact you had on my life and heart and will continue to have on me, will never fade.

Love to each and every Yarak
From one that owes you so much,
And loves you all more than you will ever know :)

Choices

Choices are a big part of our lives, I think we can all admit that; but when you start to talk about choices most people think of the big choices that we have to make in our lives, the real fork in the road kind of stuff; but lately Gods teaching me the importance and impact of the little choices I make. The choices I make in my attitudes, and responses, and even the choices I make that seem to effect no one but me and how the effect of that choice can ripple on.
It's been a real blessing to be able to talk to one of my closest friends about my struggles with this concept, and she continually reminds me to choose to rejoice in everyday...

'For this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it'
Psalm 118:24

Who are we to judge what a bad day is? Or a bad situation or circumstance?

'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.'
Romans 8:28

Are we not mere humans? How can we even consider knowing better then our almighty God?

Just to throw you some thoughts that I'm currently mulling over, reminding myself of a d hopefully putting into place.




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In this time of silence

So it's been quiet a while since I last posted; and to be honest my life has changed a great deal in that time... Mostly for the better, but not always for the easier...

So why haven't I bothered to share with you what's been going on???

Well I guess mostly it's because I have learned to lean on and rely on my friends around me and God more, therefore I feel less need to vent on my blog. Over the years this blog has seen much of me venting, my anger, frustration and sadness; but it has also been highlighted with my happiness and joy. I think it was important for me to find a way that I could portray all this emotion that didn't see me glue to my computer.

With that said, it was this time away that has enabled my to grow closer in my relationship with God. Instead of leaning on the advice and comments of people I rested in His truth from His Word. It has been an amazing time and I hope to take you on may journeys with me as I reinstate my blogging, and write you posts about my life, my relationship with the Lord Almighty and all the other random things that come my way...

So I guess welcome back!

Socks

I like most girls, wished for a pony every time I blew out my birthday candles, and like most girls I was disappointed when I wish didn't come true.

Well I might have waited 10 years or so but my wish has finally come true... Ok so I didn't close my eyes and then magically a horse appeared in front of me, but I am lucky enough to be he proud owner of a horse.

Ok so he's a big pet I get that but he has a big heart and a lot of love to go round.




So this is socks. He's a 13 year old, chestnut thoroughbred gelding that stands at 16.1 hands. He has a white blaze and 4 white socks, which is how he got his name.

Socks arrived at my friends house (where he lives with her mere Megs). Just a few days before Christmas.



Megs and Socks meeting for the first time.

I got a bunch of horse stuff for Christmas so I went riding with my mum and sister on boxing day.

The more I go out riding and the more time I spend with Socks the more I learn about him and his personality. He is affectionately known as he BFG big friendly giant.

I took my friend Shelby and her girls out for a ride the other day, and Chloe and her daughter Tori came down as well. He all loved it took it in turns. And Socks was great, he wasn't even fazed with the kids up and down on and off.




I love my horse and want to grant the wishes of kids giving them a chance to come and have a horse riding experience.



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Christmas Day

We were lucky enough to open our gifts Christmas Eve. See my Mum's a nurse and she was working Christmas day, so we had a quick dinner, sat around the Christmas tree and handed out gifts. It was lots of fun, thank-yous, hugs and kisses were exchanged... Then off to the Christmas eve service we went.
The service was great, there was a few performances by the kids which were way too cute, and lots of carols just as it should be.
Christmas morning we were off to church, we saw our friends enjoyed a good service, then my sister Erin and I headed off to see our family down south for lunch.
We were on our way when we passed Mums work, both Erin and I both thought at the same time we should pop in and surprise Mum.
When we got there we were greeted by our cousins, bombarded by hugs from the kids, it was wonderful.



Erin, Miah, Charlotte and Me


Elias and Me



Me and my Sis

So we headed home ready for Christmas dinner at our house. More food, family, corny bonbon jokes, paper hats and presents.
All in all, it was an awesome Christmas full of family, friends and fun.

P.S. Happy Birthday Jesus!


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My beautiful cousins

When I was growing up I used to sleep over my cousins houses, or they would take me out shopping or to the movies or something. And I LOVED it. They were all older and cooler then me and I thought it was awesome that they took an interest in me.
Well now the tables have turned... My cousins are all married with kids, and I'm the older 'cooler' (even if I do say so myself) older cousin. And I LOVE having them sleep over and taking them out.
Just the other weekend I had Charlotte and Miah stay with me I loved it. It's all fun from the minute I picked the up to the final kiss and hug as I leave.
The drive home was full of conversation laughter and lots of singing. Then a squishy night the three of us all tucked up in my not so large bed. The next day was a little shopping trip, where we bought lots of crafty things for our... da dah da daaahh, scrapbooking afternoon. We commandeered the dining room table and scrapbooked a bunch of awesome photos of all my little cousins.
The kids pages turned out really well...




By Charlotte





By Miah

A movie night with a few friends of mine Emma and Rachel, and there nieces and nephews watching Toy Story 3 and eating loads of POPCORN.
P.S. A big thanks to Ethan, you were awesome to let my cousins come over and watch your movie with you guys, and they were girl cousins at that!
So Sunday morning and our last day together, I show off my beautiful girls at church, :) not really; but they were really well behaved, thanks girls. Then I decided to spoil them with a trip to Maccas for lunch with my sister, before the long drive home (to there house that is).




I love these crazy girls... all three of them.

So just before I have to leave these gorgeous girls I hung out with them and their families at the carols night. We had fun, face painting, jumping on the jumpy castle and singing. I also got a chance to hand with Bec and Craig (my cousin and her husband) and their boys Ezekiel and baby Elias.




Zek and his 'scary dinosaur face paint'




Elias chillin' with his big cous Steph.


I love, Love, LOVED having the girls for the weekend. xx

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