Hannah's 1st Day at School....

Hi All,

Just a quick blog to tell you how Hannah coped on her 1st day of school yesterday and how mommy coped....

Hannah was so excited, she couldn't wait to get in the car with her bag and embark on this adventure.. We all went, Daddy, Mommy & Ethan, to go settle Hannah in at school. When she arrived she greeted everyone with a huge smile and a very polite " Hello, fine and you?" - Hannah does not wait for someone to ask how she is, she just lets them know she is fine and asks how they are....

I started crying on our way to the school already and all Hannah could ask me was " Why are you crying?" - my response " Mommy is so happy that you are starting at a new school today" and she was satisfied with that answer. Deep down I knew I can't cry when I say goodbye to her because that will make her uneasy. So mentally preparing myself for the worst reaction from Hannah, I got ready to say goddbye. Hannah gave us a huge hug and kiss and said, see you later....
It broke my heart that my little girl is so brave but I was so happy because it made things easier for her and me...

Sometimes I think that the mothers have the problems adjusting, not the children...

She had a fantastic time, learn't a new song about a frog and her teacher said she fits in just perfect.... When I got home last night she could not wait to tell me about her day and then at exactly 7:30pm she was sound asleep....

I will post some pictures tonight or tomorrow morning, I forgot my camera at home today - silly me..

Have a fantastic day and God Bless you all..

Love
Claire

Sweating The Small Stuff........

Hi All,

I have a lot on my mind lately, especially this week and I need to write something somewhere as I am scared my head will end up bursting with all the thoughts racing through it..

Has anyone ever had the feeling / experience of thinking about the little things that was said to you all at once and it feels like you can't finish thinking of 1 thing then the next just jumps into your mind?? Well that is exactly whats going on in my head at the moment, so I figured that I would blog about it.... Maybe I can then sort through my filing cabinet (my mind) and get my thoughts back on track and in order....... Shew, so here goes..

For as long as I can remember I always wondered why I sweat the small stuff, why do little things affect me so much and bigger things I tend to handle with a lot more grace and I normally take the bigger things in my stride... But the small things hurt, throw me off track, make me questions things.... if anyone has an answer then I am all ears....

There are so many things that I treasure and that are important to me for eg: a flower picked from a garden and given to me - To someone else this may seem like a small gesture or "Oh, how nice, a flower" but to me its affection, it tells me that, that person thought of me and cares for me, if you see where I am going with this...

I have never expected anything from anyone ever but yet some feel that my expectations placed on them are very high - I might not see what others see but what I believe in is what makes me, well me.... I have spent my whole life trying to mould myself to others perceptions on how I should be and behave - I have done this for as long as I can remember and always end up asking myself why? Shouldn't people just like me for who I am? Am I too afraid to let people know who I am in fear of rejection?? Ok Ok - lets not get too deep on this one, but I am sure you know what I mean..

A few things were said to me a while ago, some of it hurt and some didn't but as I continue thinking about these things I can see that it was purely a projection and not really an attack on me as a person... So the sooner I learn this lesson the better things will be......

I thought this blog would be longer but it was just a quick scribble of what is going through my mind and hey I feel better already..... It helps to get those thoughts and feelings down and out there...

To all my friends - I treasure our friendship more than you will ever know...

To My Beautiful Children - I love you very very much and I am blessed to have every single day with you..

To My Husband - You are indeed my strength and you have listened to me go on and on about all this stuff in my head - You have helped me see things from others point of view and I love you lots for allowing me to be me...

God bless everyone..

Love
Claire

Out with Old, In with the New!

Here is Bolt our other baby!

Ethan - I thought this was so cute!

Hannah dressed up for photo day at school last year!

Busy Busy!

Hannah helping decorate the Christmas tree

Hannah enjoying the pressies

Ethan doing his own thing!

Hannah climbing into the pressies on Christmas morning!

Hannah, Ethan and Bolt

Hannah & Ethan enjoying the hot weather we have had!

Swim Time

Ethan Dancing ...

Ethan in his Speedo - Cute!

Hi All,

Wow, I haven't posted in such a long time and I have really missed posting about this and that. This post is going to be a little of this and a little of that..

Where do I start? December was a pretty busy and fun-filled month for us. We spent so much time with the kids, who I might add are extremely busy, although hectic was really great!
We spent a week on Tania's farm - boy oh boy - the kids had a ball... Ethan loved the open space to run around and Hannah just loved the farm animals.. She got to feed little lambs with a bottle and she got to touch a baby Makou (not sure about the spelling)... She watched the cow being milked and enjoyed feeding all the chickens... Ethan was a bit crabbly that week due to him having the MMR vaccination the previous week but all in all it was nice to be away a little...

The rest of the holidays was spent at home and taking the kids out and about....

Christmas Eve was spent at my sisters house and it was a relaxing evening... Hannah enjoyed the pool and Ethan slept - which gave me & Stephan a bit of a break to just relax and sit down..

This was the first year that we spent Christmas day on our own at home - every year is normally spent with my mom and the family but this year was a little different as everyone was away. It was a quite day spent with my little family... Stephan and I packed all the pressies the previous night so that when the kiddies woke up on Christmas morning they could see all the pressies waiting for them.. Hannah was so surprised and Ethan was not bothered - he looked at the tree and ran away to find a toy to play with... The kids loved all their gifts and thanks to everyone for their gifts..

December was a great month filled with lots of much needed family time - its amazing how fast the kids grow... I held a little baby (1 month old) in my arms on old years eve and I got all the flashback memories to when my babies were that small and you could just cuddle them... I love newborn babies, the smell the small feet and little hands - I miss that so much but do not want anymore kids, so to my wonderful friends that are going to try for a baby (you know who you are) - hurry please I want to hold a little one for very long... LOL


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! - OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW.....

To All Our Wonderful Friends and Family,

Have an awesome new year.. I have this amazing gut feel that 2010 is going to be an awesome year filled with promises from above... I am so ready for 2010 and can't wait to see what the new year holds... 2009 was a rough year for us (and i am sure for many others too) but we are NOT going to look back and worry about what 2009 brought because 2010 holds new promises, new hopes and new dreams..... I wish everyone everything of the best for this year.. May all your dreams and wishes come true and may your faith remain sturdy...

There has been lots of good things and blessings that came out of 2009 and I know that those blessings will carry forth for many years.. When things go wrong you tend to forget what you have been blessed with... I have so much to be grateful and thankful for and when I look around me I see all the wonderful things and people that have come into my life and ones that have been there all along, but I was so blinded by problems that I didn't notice......

I am thankful for:

1 ) My Children - when I look in their eyes I know I am blessed.. They love me no matter what - If i make a mistake they still love me - if I break a promise they still love me... Unconditional love is what they have for me and I made a promise to myself that I will love unconditionally this year and always....

2) My Husband - I am blessed to be loved by a great man - 2009 is in the past and 2010 is going to be our year, My love!

3) New friends - it has always been a mammoth task for me to make friends - I do not have a great track record when it comes to friends but I have made a very special friend in 2009 - the circumstances at the time allowed us to meet and now we are getting closer bit by bit.. Thanks Gill for being such a great friend and for allowing our friendship to grow - I see many years of friendship..... (Lots of hope and faith)

4) Family - I have a great family - lots of brothers and 1 sister..... Love you lots guys..

5) People in need - I am blessed with the ability to make a difference and 2010 is going to be the year that we are going to make a huge impact for many years to come...

To My Brother Sean,
Happy birthday for the 1st January - 30 - wow you getting old now - LOL...
We enjoyed the new years party with you and especially because we were able to celebrate your birthday with you.. You are very special to me and I love you lots - enjoy your 30's - I believe its all good from now on!!

Thanks for reading and have an awesome day!
Lots of love Claire

Breast Cancer Walkathon - 18 October 2009

In deep thought!

Some people walking

Doing what us ladies do best - talking!

Still at the start!

At the Start...

Walking.......

Me - doing the walk with Ethan in the pram!

( Daryl help push Ethan most of the way - Alicia helped too and Gill helped too)

Silvana, Little Julian and Silvana's Sister!

Chatting and waiting!

Standing and waiting!

Kim and Oh So Cute Aiden!

Daryl - Declan's Daddy

Gill - Declan's Mommy

Some Deccie supporters!

The Crowds

Hi All,

I hope everyone is well? We are doing just fine.. Hannah is getting so big and Ethan too..

We did the 5km Breast Cancer Walkathon on Sunday... It was great fun, tiring, but fun.. Hannah and Daddy went to walk around the Zoo and look at all the animals and Gill, Alicia, Daryl, Liesel, Silvana & hubby & sister and Julian and Ethan and Myself took on the 5km in our Declan T-shirts - I know I have missed a few names but I can't remember everyone....

So Enjoy the pics...

Love

Claire

Bandana Day Today!

Hi All,

I am finally able to sit and do a quick blog before my day gets real hectic...

Today is Bandana day - so if you have not purchased your bandana, go and get one - the proceeds go to The Sunflower Fund.... to read more about The Sunflower Fund go to http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/

We must remember and celebrate the lives of those that are fighting cancer, those we have lost to cancer and those that have survived cancer:

So here is to the precious lives of:

Angel Declan Du Toit - A dear baby very close to my heart who passed away from cancer at the tender age of 8 months.. He fought a brave fight and received his miracle finally in heaven. We celebrate his precious life - those beautiful blue eyes and smile!

Deqlan Ross Higgins - A brave survivor of cancer... Deqlan is extemely near and dear to my heart. Deqlan was diagnosed with cancer and fought so hard, he won his battle and is now NED (No Evidence of disease)... He celebrated his 3rd birthday on the 11th of September 2009. Deqlan opened my eyes to the world of cancer - Since I started following his story - I have met very brave children and adults alike that are fighting this monster.... We celebrate you today too, Deqlan!

Reef Carneson - A dear baby that is currently fighting, was diagnosed with Leukemia and has had a bone marrow transplant... The marrow is working and he now needs lots platelets.. We celebrate your life today, Reef !...

I have just put three names up here, but there are so many fighters out there.... We celebrate all the lives of the Cancer Survivors, Warriors and Angels!

God Bless Everyone and Keep you all safe!

Lots of Bandana Love

Claire

CHILDHHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Deqlan Ross Higgins - Cancer Survivor

Declan Du Toit - Brave little Angel

Hi All,





For those of you that do not know - September is childhood cancer awareness month. My dear friend Samm is honouring a warrior, angel or survivor of cancer each day and I would like to follow her example by honouring these children.





I am going to be dedicating the entire month to two very dear children that are very close to my heart:





Declan Du Toit - Angel



I followed Declan's journey by reading his blog from when he was diagnosed with cancer at a very young age and continued to follow until now, even though Declan is no longer with us, he lives on in spirit guiding everyone to do good work in his remembrance. Please go read Declan's story and go and see what his parents are doing in his memory on www.all-hands-on-dec.co.za



I was and still am amazed at the strength of a small baby, Declan had unbelievable courage and fight in him. Although Declan is sorely missed by many, he lived his purpose and left a huge imprint on everyones life. The most gorgeous little baby with the most wise eyes!



This month we thank the Lord for allowing us to be part of Declan's life and to follow his story.. We remember and honour Declan this month.



Deqlan Ross Higgins - Survivor



What more can one say about a Brave little boy! Deqlan was diagnosed with cancer round 8 months old and he fought a avery brave fight - he was determined to beat cancer and he did. I followed his story every step of the way and continue to follow his story as he goes full steam ahead, with the help of his wonderful family, to overcome his Autism. Deqlan ahs made wonderful progress and I urge you all to read his story on www.deqlanhiggins.blogspot.com



Deqlan, we are so proud of you and we can see all the strength and determination in your eyes - you are here for a divine purpose and I can't wait to see you grow up and fulfill that purpose. You have a very special place in my heart always and forever!



This month we thank the Lord for Deqlan and his continued health, we also honour you Brave Deqlan!





We also think of and continue to pray for all those little ones fighting this horrible monster. We pray that the Lord holds them in palm of His hands and heals them. We also think of and pray for all the families who have lost children to this horrible monster!



Lets stand together and create awareness for Childhood cancer!



Love

Claire

Happy Brithday Ethan!

Ethan making his entrance a year ago!
Mommy finally meeting Ethan!

Sleeping in his hospital cot - so peaceful!

Ethan at 1 year!

Happy birthday big boy!

To Our Gorgeous Baby Boy!

Time has passed by so quickly and you are growing so fast. I can remember your birth day so clear, it was a cold day, storms everywhere - there had to be big events happening beacuse the most special little boy was going to be born. I was so excited to meet you and I was so happy to see your tiny face all safe and sound once Dr Miems finally got you out!

There is never a day that you don't smile - when I walk throurgh the door everydasy after a long hard day, you are so excited to see me and smile from ear to ear.. What more could a mother ask for....

We love you so much and wish only the best for you.. We love you tons and tons. God bless and keep you safe our precious baby boy!

Love

Mommy, Daddy and Hannah