Legacy

60 years.

That is the number of years shared together between these two people.

My Grandma and Grandpa.

More affectionately know as Nan and Pa. or sometimes, Nanna and Parby.

Recently a lady walked past me wearing the same 'nameless' perfume that my Nan wears. So many thoughts and feelings provoked in that moment as the nostalgic smell drifted past me. Suddenly I was 10 years old again sitting in the car with my Grandparents. Sliding around the slippery leather seats of the volvo as the familiar smell of perfume wofted through the air.


My Grandma is a woman filled with passion. Passion for life. For art. For her Family. As a child I was filled and inspired with stories of Europe, paintings, secret gardens, sculptures, and coffee table books filled with beautiful pictures of far off exotic places.

I remember my treasured one on one 'holiday stays' where it was just me and my Grandparents. Avacado on toast (like my Pa) in the breakfast room. Doing quite things in the 'formal lounge'. Cuddling in bed. Playing canasta. Sitting at the bedroom dresser pretending that the antique brush and jewlery were mine.

Lazy days swimming, then eating lunch on the patio. Pa working in the garage. Or cleaning the pool. Always doing something. Always working hard.

Stories of Pompay and Austria and dancing across the lawn of the Von Trapp family home. Photos of the great wall of china. How these stories filled my mind and inspired in me a desire to see the world. To travel and explore. Quotes from Shakespeare that continue to be my favourites. All from my Nan and Pa.

It amazes me how much my grandparents are cherished and adored so deeply by their family. I have often wondered what they have done that has bound us to them so inseparably. How have they connected themselves to each of us the way they have. Is it purely because we are their posterity. Because we are apart of them? And then I reflect for just a moment on the many memories created with them and I know. They spent time with each of us and made us feel important. Somehow they managed to have us all believe that individually we are each the favourite grandchild.

At the celebration for their 60th anniversary last month, Nan and Pa received a letter from the Queen, the Governor General and a few other 'high profile people'. And even though this seems prestigious and important, and i'm sure they wrote wonderful congratulatory words of kindness, I imagine nothing meant more to my Grandparents than the words of love and affirmation that came from their children and their grandchildren, as they were celebrated that day.

They are living proof that people can love each other and stay together. Stay together for a lifetime and more. What better legacy could they leave for their family than this.

To my Nan and Pa. I could never express how very much I love you. How much I admire you, and Nan how alike I think I am to you. Thank you for making me feel like I was the favourite Grandchild. Even if that 'title' is really shared with all the other Grandkids. Thank you for making me see so many good things in myself and for always building me up. I leave your presence even now feeling like I am 'the greatest' at whatever it is I do. Thank you for this. Thank you for the childhood stories in their dramatic glory and the 'funny' songs you sung that we so loved to hear. Thank you for holding me and letting me cry when it mattered. Thank you for telling me that Chad was the one. (and that you thought he was a 'movie star'.) You were right. On both accounts :)

Thank you above all for showing me how to love someone. And how to take care of that one. Thank you for instilling in me the desire to treat my own children so they each deeply believe they are my favourite child.

This is the Legacy you will leave for the people that have been created and touched by your union. More than prestigious royal commendations. And letters from the Govenor. This is what you will be remembered for. This will be your Legacy. A Legacy of Love.

I love you!!!!


***photo courtesy of Fiona or Adam - taken during the bridal waltz at Nan and Pa's 60th Wedding Anniversary***

20 months.....

I can't believe it has been 20 months since this girl joined our family. It feels like yesterday. She is growing up WAY too fast!!!

Discussions.....

On Monday night Rylan started taking the missionary discussions. He has a baptisimal date set.

We are confident he will go ahead with it :)



This is all very exciting for our little family :)

POST SCRIPT) I was so impressed with the missionaries. They were very prepared to teach a 7 year old. They even had a little homework sheet prepared for him. I can't tell you how happy it made us watching him discuss these things and accept the challenges that were set for him.

drinks and high chairs

I'm sure this is the very reason why high chairs were invented. So 'babies' (ok i know she's really getting too big to be in the baby category....) don't lie down on bean bags to drink their smoothies. Smoothies that are in a "pup" (translated as cup). Not in a sippy cup.



Despite the rush of cold that flooded her neck. She quickly sat up and started drinking again. like I said HERE, this girl LOVES her smoothies.

Clearly I was thrilled with the clean up. (ahhhh do i really have to empty every.single.little.bean out of that bag and wash it.........

ps) this picture really doesn't do justice to how messy she was!!

word of warning......

The activity of jumping on a trampoline, with high impact landing, is not overly recommended if you have had children.

Pelvic floor exercises are also HIGHLY recommended after giving birth.



It was either add-ons (a game i haven't played since i was about 10 years old. or wrestling. I opted for the add-ons.







I was reminded during this little game of ours why I used to avoid most high impact jumping in my aerobics classes. Not only did I have to race to the bathroom. But I woke up the next morning and my body felt sore. Too sore for just jumping on the tramp.

I really.really.really need to reacquaint myself with the gym.

Recent Satelite

OK - I knew if I titled this post "New Moon" which is really what this is about, you may have already abandoned this post! But now that you're here (fifi) I know you will be compelled to look! :)



Yes I was one of the 'crazies' (aka fans) that excitedly gathered together in the Gold Class lounge to view this much anticipated film.

and let me just say this......twilight and New Moon really can't be compared....(but there were still bits that made me laugh because they were ridiculous....ridiculously good....hehehe. seriously i loved it. i can't wait to see it again.)




The lovely ladies that 'swooned' oh I mean watched with us......
(actually I should clarify - I AM NOT A SWOONER)



And our little 'goodie' bags - (inspired by my EXTREMELY creative and TALENTED friend Desiree who made cool noodle boxes for her midnight premier!)

I know it seems teenager-ish to have bags......but I was excited. oh so excited.





We had such a great night!!!!!!

Can't WAIT for the next one in only 6 months, 20 days, 4 hours and 10 minutes. hahaha. kidding. it's in about 6 months - yay!!!!!!

What have I done for someone today????

We are excited to have joined (undoubtedly half the mormon population) in creating our own "warm and fuzzy" jar. Inspired by our wonderful Prophet, President Thomas S Monson.

We loved his TALK from general conference and are excited to make it an official part of our dinner time ritual.



So we now have 2 'official' questions that everyone is asked while we dine. 1. What was your favourite part of the day (helping everyone to recognise the good things in life) and question #2. What did you do for someone else today.



We love hearing the things the boys 'class' as service for others. And they love putting the little 'warm and fuzzy' balls in the jar. We hope this helps them develop a deep desire to do good things for others!



to read or listen to the prophets talk click here and everything will become clear :)

Beauty

Zahn commented today that "the trees are all turning green" referring to the Jacaranda beauties that currently adorn our streets. I love that my kids appreciate nature and notice the beauty of it as much as I do.



Have I mentioned how much I LOVE spring??

The Jacarandas. The smell of Jasmine that invades my senses. Definitely my {current} favourite signs of this glorious season!

things that make me laugh.....

I found this post as a draft from a little while ago. Not sure why I hadn't posted it......but it made me laugh when I read it this morning so I thought i'd share.....

We were in the car driving home from school on Friday and suddenly Rylan announces......

RY - MUM! I have high blood sugar!!!! (said in a shocking way like he'd really just discovered that he had it)

ME - High Blood Sugar? WHAT? Why would you think you have high blood sugar? How do you
even know what that is?

RY - Well, I have extreme thirst, I'm tired and sleepy, I have dry flushed skin AND (completely
emphasised) I have blurred vision!!!

ME - (laughing now) WHAT! How do you know symptoms of high blood sugar? Did you
learn about it at school today (thinking that seems a bit extreme for year 2......)

RY - No, i'm just reading your first aid book and I have all those things so I must have it!

ME - More laughing now.....

After reassuring him that he didn't have high blood sugar (and going through some of the other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and unconsciousness) he realised that he musn't have it after all. (I think it was the unconscious part that finally convinced him :)!

Ahhhhhhh I love that these funny kids of mine that keep me so entertained and make me laugh so often :)

Happy Friday.....

After a somewhat 'rough' week in the department of listening for one of the boys in our household.....

I woke up this morning to that same boy racing around as fast as he could to get everything on his chart done. There were no need for reminders. Piano was done. Dishes were put away. Devotional wasn't rushed. And when everything was done he still had 45 minutes of playtime before we had to leave for school. It was a good morning. A really good morning.

He recognised the difference too.

(I have a 'love letter' waiting on his pillow for him when he gets home tomorrow. (he's at his schools annual father son camp).....I'm excited for him to get it.)

Quote for the day.....

"...with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days....as much as we can....with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

President Thomas S. Monson

thanks for all the photos LANI. We love them!!!

I know I said in the last POST there was danger of turning this blog into "Jasmin's blog'.....
but can you blame me......



I think I will have to side bar this pic. Otherwise I may continue to post it in various colours and shades :)

Pre-school

OK - I realise this blog is in serious danger of becoming 'the blog of Jasmin' so in an attempt to document the other 'little loves' in my life here are some pics of Zahn doing his quote, "big school work". AKA pre-school.



It pleasantly surprises me how much Zahn is enjoying doing his lessons on the days he's home. It's true that he LOVES maths and numbers much more than 'phonetic training' but thanks to the $1.95 books purchased at ALDI (love that shop) he is even getting 'excited' (used quite loosely) about doing the english books too!



Generally he has a really good attitude and level of enthusiasm about doing the work and is the one to say "it's time for my lesson mum". But there has on a couple of occasions been complaints and protests.

Yesterday was one of those days where there was complaining. So what better way to encourage and teach a mis-understood (frustrating-almost-resulting-in-tears) principle of number patterns than by using household decor that is usually 'off limits' for little hands.



Not only did he learn and understand the principle, but was thrilled to tell 'Dad and Ry' about using the 'ball things' during his lesson.



I am really going to miss this boy next year.

Nappies and Singlets......

I could not possibly love, and I mean LOVE these pictures anymore than I do. Even if I wanted to.

Who knew early morning jumping on the trampoline could be so beautiful. Even in a nappy and a singlet.

addictions....

we have many addictions in our household. Our favourite (almost) summer one.......



drinking smoothies.







Don't even think about messing with this girl while she's drinking hers. she too is addicted.

Life

3 words have been on my mind a lot lately. LIFE IS SHORT. Sometimes sadly too short.

An old friend of mine tragically died a couple of weeks ago. And last week, my sisters Bishop suddenly died. I can't stop thinking about their families. They were fathers. Husbands. Sons. Friends. I can't even begin to imagine how their families must mourn their loss. How long each day must seem to them right now. Even with the knowledge that it's not the end. Even knowing they are not left comfortless.


It seems everywhere I turn I've been hearing heart breaking stories. Particularly involving children and families. Parents pleading for prayers to heal what is broken. Pleading for miracles to occur. These stories particularly effect me. How can they not when I am a Mother, a parent myself.


So in this swirl of thoughts, 2 things have been in the forefront of my mind.

One. The power of prayer is REAL. People are healed. Comforted and strengthened. Miracles happen when prayers are offered.

The second prominent thought is the overwhelming feeling of GRATITUDE I have for the blessings in my life.


All this heartbreak has made me reflect on what is really important. The things that really matters. I feel so very grateful for every day that I have with my children and my husband. Grateful even for the less-than-perfect-sometimes-crazy-days. I don't want to take any of these things for granted. Not for a second. They can be taken away so very quickly.


I am grateful that my children are healthy. Safe and happy. My heart hurts for those that cannot say the same. I have shed many tears for these Mothers/families and asked why?

Sadly, I don't know the answer to that question. But I do know that God's hand is in everything. I trust in that. Even when life takes unexpected turns. Even when life is tragically taken away much too soon. Even when heartbreaking things happen. God's hand is in everything and one day all will be made whole again.

So at the end of another day where my heart is full of gratitude for what I have. I am going to kiss my sleeping babies and say a prayer. A long prayer. For all the mothers and families that are suffering. A prayer for my own family.

I am going to resolve not to waste a second on things that are simply NOT important.

I am going to remember how good life is and how blessed I am to have these beautiful people around me.

book addict

100 pages in 1 day - man this boy LOVES to read!!

school holiday catch up......

The holidays finished over 2 weeks ago now so I better get this post out before it becomes too old to put on here (like half of our Japan pictures that were never posted :)

some of the things that occupied our time......

• we had our boys book club get-together (we didn't have our 'book chat' this time but the boys and I still read one of the Zac powers books)

• hours and hours were spent playing lego......

• Jazzy joined the world of 'doing crazy faces' to make people laugh. It works. Everytime. The boys think it is hilarious. She loves their reaction and loves to entertain them!

• The boys were thrilled they got to play the computer! I love it when Jazzy watches with them.....and I love her little hand resting on Zahn's shoulder - oh so cute)

• we ate pancakes galore.......

• and ate lots of delicious fruit to try and compensate for all those pancakes

• we played games. a lot. (and the boys were happy to keep playing games while I had my little sleeps during the day thanks to my crazy bout of sickness). There may have been bribes involved....I mean rewards if they played nicely and didn't fight.....or wake me up :)

• breakfast in bed = the best day ever......the pic with jazz in the background cracks me up - so hopeful that somehow she'll get over that gate and share the food.

(as you can see zahn still wears his costumes pretty much every day. you'll notice he even wears them to bed. they are washed more than any other item of clothing in our house).

Jasmin is still the.cutest.baby.in.the.world (she may also be the loudest and craziest :) but cute none-the-less

• we had friends come and play
• sleep overs with the Degaris's and the 'boy cousins'
  
• movie nights with treats!
• Went to little A's
  
• Rode our bikes and scooters and.....

relaxed @ home! We love the holidays!