So, this past weekend was our local show. I put a few photos in, and was pleasantly surprised with the results! Heading towards the photography section on Saturday afternoon, the first thing I saw was this photo of my younger son:

And on one corner, I could see a small red certificate:

Second place in the portrait section! Yay me, I though. Then I rounded the corner, and what should I see on Julie & Stuart’s photo, but a BLUE certificate! First Place in Weddings! I was stoked!

I’m not sure it counts towards being an award-winning photographer, but it’s a nice feeling nonetheless!

May 2009 be happy, healthy and prosperous for you all!

And being January, it’s time again for photo-a-day. Last year collapsed in a heap once morning sickness kicked in, and I was too unwell to shoot or post. But this year I have no such excuse, and I hope you will all keep me accountable!

1/1/2009 – Day #1 – Tiny Toes

Master J (3 months) was keeping me company as I made the beds this morning. Laying on his big brother’s bed, the light was just right, and he was doing his cute little “I’ve got feet” foot-claps, so out came the camera! Tiny toes make my heart melt…

…our precious second son! I do apologise for my lack of blogging over the last couple of months, but I have been busy preparing for the arrival of this gorgeous soul:

Isn’t he adorable? We are all very smitten, and Master O thinks his little brother is just the best thing ever!

We headed to the beach (Red Rock on the NSW North Coast – lovely spot) on the weekend, and I quite liked this random photo of a washed up log. I decided to have a bit of a play with textures as well – not my usual, but sometimes one has to step out of one’s comfort zone!

Winter has hit with a vengenance, so I’ve been hunkered down trying to keep warm. Add in a sick child, followed by sick husband, general day to day busy-ness, and my poor camera has been very neglected! So when yesterday was fine & mild, I chucked the boy in his gumboots & we went to play in some puddles!

A couple of new “grateful” photos for you!

I am grateful for… a tiny toddler who is a big help! After going shopping this morning, I asked O to take his shoes to his bedroom – this is how I found them:

(The black & white shoes are the ones he was asked to put away). I was very impressed by his effort, very neat & tidy!

I am grateful for… the generosity of strangers. Last week at one of my many mummy-type gatherings, I casually mentioned that O liked to try & help me hang the washing, and I was thinking of getting him a toy clothes line. Two days later, we had a lovely little surprise at our front door…

The parents of one of the other mums had this old toy clothes line stored under their house, and very kindly gave it to us! How lovely is that?! O thinks it is the best thing since sliced bread, he loves putting pegs on & off while mummy hangs the washing beside him. Keeps him out of all kinds of mischief!

What have you been grateful for this week?

A couple of things to be grateful for today…

Why am I grateful for empty bottles? This is O’s reminder to me to look & think before I speak. Whilst packing the dishwasher yesterday, I could hear him playing with the recycling behind me. I told him to stop playing with the empty bottles, and put them away. I turned around, and he’d set them up like this – I haven’t touched a thing. Next time I will make sure he isn’t perfecting his spatial skills before I tell him to stop!

I am also grateful for beautiful autumn days, and fun with small boys. The last couple of days have been just delightful, perfect weather for walking & trip to the park to feed the ducks. No photos of the ducks, as I was by myself, and a desire to keep my son out of the water takes precedence over a photo opportunity. Autumn also brings lots of falling leaves, so O had a delightful walk home, dragging his feet through piles of brown leaves that made lots of “noishe, mummy!”. I am very grateful for all these beautiful little moments with my tiny son.

What have you been grateful for this week?

Lots to be grateful for this week:

~ watching the joy of a small child chasing bubbles on a cool autumn afternoon

~ time spent with good friends

~ watching M & O have some quality time together when O just wants Daddy-cuddles

~ the promise of rain

~ a little boy’s excitement at seeing a hall full of model trains

~ a fantastic ultrasound result

~ warm days in the sunshine before the cold snap arrived

No photos though – I’ve been too busy enjoying the moments as they happen! I will try & post some photos later in the week. Also, check back later in the week for something exciting that’s in the pipeline!

I am grateful for…

Rainforests!

I am grateful that we have a large tract of beautiful rainforest so close to our home.

I am grateful that someone had the foresight to protect what was left of the Coachwood & Cedar trees before the loggers took them all.

I am grateful that my husband has taught me how wonderful it can be to go for a long walk and just listen. I always thought it looked pretty before, as I drove past, but M has shown me the true beauty of the rainforest is best appreciated from within.

I am grateful that O will be able to grow up knowing these areas, and that they are preserved for him to enjoy.

I have cheated today – this is a photo from a couple of months ago, but O was asleep as we drove through the rainforest on the weekend, and a sleeping baby takes precedence over a photo!

Tuesdays are my Bible Study days, so i thought that would be a great theme for today’s post.

I am grateful to live in a country that allows freedom of religion, so I need not fear persecution for my faith.

I am grateful to have found a wonderful group of ladies to study with on a regular basis. We are a really close group, and it is truly a blessing to call these ladies my friends.

I am grateful that older ladies from our church very generously give up their Tuesday mornings to run a creche so we can study without the distraction of small children.

And I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge & deepen my faith.

This photo is of my Bible & study notebook. I covered the notebook so it would match the funky coours of my Bible.

Be grateful!