Personal goal achieved, family fun and a wonderful new arrival....what a month!

This month was fantastic, it was full of personal achievements, family fun and new arrivals. The start of the month started in a fantastic way with celebrating Aunty Ninnies birthday. We went out for lunch at a nice cafe in Caloundra.  The girls loved being around their special aunty to help her have a great day.

Pressie time....

In a few days it was time for a little treat with all us girls heading up to Noosa Day Spa for Nikki's baby shower.  Was so nice for Billie, Candy, Nik and myself to get away without the kids for a change.  I was a total bogan as always and had no class within this glamorous setting.  Billie had surprised Nik with them doing a Red Sea float together, so l headed off to the nearest cafe for a coffee and great views over the golf course.  I headed up to the beauty parlour and met the others, picking out our dream nailpolish colours before being ushered away to the change rooms were we all got into our bathrobes and slippers.  We sat around looking like true Hollywood style....not!  Nik and Billie had their hair encrusted in heaps of clumps of salt and for me, you cant dress mutton into lamb! Lol.  We had the best day being pampered with a massage and pedicure and enjoying bubbly and high tea...all in our bathrobes and slippers!  Such a great day out.....

Candy, Billy, Nik and myself loving the spa life!

Loving the salt look hair gals......

One day l came back to the caravan park in Maroochydore with the park being over run with the local radio stations 92.7 Mix FMs "Van Diesel" promotion.  We all wandered up for a sticky beak at the caravan set up and the radio hosts doing a live broadcast.  There was a free sausage sizzle, which we took advantage of, and heaps of give aways.  Boo, Meg, Brendan and Mog loved lounging around in the bean bags.  Inside the van we were welcomed in for a sticky beak, which was fully fitted out into a retro style.  The kids loved the Playstation and soon took over "their new home"...lol.  The radio announcers, Todd and Sammy got chatting to us in the ad breaks and seemed intrigued by our travelling story.  Next thing l know l'm sitting on the couch with a microphone shoved in my face giving a radio interview about our life on the road.  Felt like a total superstar!  Another tick of the bucket list....to be on radio!  After all the excitement of the interview, l went to head back home when Todd asked if he could have a look at our van.  I took him back and showed him our map of Oz with our trail on it, which left him totally envious.  So with him having the local celebrity life and he was looking at ours in envy.....

Always love a free sausage sizzle.....

Meg making herself at home with Toddy.....

Meg, Boo, Moggie and Brendan get interviewed by Toddy

Now its my turn with Toddy and Sammy

Group pic.....

Sunset pic....Mooloolaba beach

Another exciting time was Mothers Day coming up.  Meg had invited me up to the school one day for an for the inaugural Mother's Day event which was morning tea and a make over!  I had a blast having this special time with Meg, not often she has me all to herself.  I especially loved her make up skills...lol.  

Decisions at the make up table....what is mums color pallet lol

The finished product....not bad Meg x

Not all mine!  Holding the girls too....

My beautiful gift from Meg....

My two gorgeous girls.......

Meg and Boo were continuing with their awesome work at school.  Boo was doing so well, having received yet another award.  So happy how well they have integrated into the school community and the friends they have made.    

Proud as punch...

I have been on my running journey for quite some time now and have always wanted to participate in a race, however, l had a huge fear of failure so have never entered.  I came across The Sunshine Coast run series which was a fundraiser for the children's ward at the local hospital and it also encouraged kids participation with events.  I thought this would be a great experience for the girls and l to do together so l entered them in the 1km kids event and me in the 6km race.  As soon as l had entered out details l felt sick....what if l couldn't make the distance? What if everyone looked at me running and had a chuckle?  Cant believe l felt like this but it is funny what the fear of failure does to a persons mind.  I could definitely make the distance, have pulled out many 10km distances, especially lately, but most have been on the treadmill.  So with this in mind l set my training schedule up for the weeks prior to the event and hit the pavement.  Whilst on a training run at Point Cartwright l was finishing up and what did l see but Johanna Briggs filming something on the beach....l was a little star struck l must admit, having not seen many famous people in my life.

Seeing a few celebs this month....and all by chance!

The race day had arrived and l woke with nerves.  Marty, although supportive, had to have a big nudge to come with me and the girls for support.  We got their early to get our bearings and park....butterflies in my tummy running rampart.  I had written my goal time of 36 mins in texta on my forearm as inspiration during the race to push me on.  There was such a great vibe and atmosphere as we walked thru it was a good distraction rather than thinking of the race.  It was time to line up, the girls and Marty giving me a great big hug and kiss and words of encouragement.  I did my warm up stretches, set my runkeeper app and plugged my earphones in.  The start gun went off and so did everyone, so many people and such a scramble.  I did everything l said l wasn't going to do and sprinted off with everyone, well ahead of my usual pace.  Eventually everyone got into their rhythm and groove, l zoned out in my music and tried to block my thoughts out.  I was half way thru and had started to take a few people over, l could see the bloody Point Cartwright hill in sight, determined to run up without stopping to walk.  I had only three goals to my first race, to finish in 36 minutes or under, to run the whole way and to conquer that hill!  So up l went, slowing as it got steeper, but l got to the top still running!  With my first goal achieved, l got a new lift and leg my jelly legs take me down the hill, going onto a downward steep hill on dewy grass which l saw a few people slip over.  Taking my time l got down without ending up on my ass and made it back on the path.  Noticed l was slightly behind my pace time but couldn't for the life of me speed up, the sprint at the start of the race had used all my adrenaline and now all l could do was just keep running.  I was slightly out of breath and bloody hot, not used to the outside heat of running.  As l neared the end and saw the finish line in front of me l sped up at the sight of Marty and the girls cheering me on....l crossed the line and stopped my runkeeper app.  Looking down, saw l had crossed at 36mins and 36 seconds....distance 6.03kms....pace time 6.04min/km. My heart sank but then l saw the faces of my proud family and l immediately felt great and accomplished.  I finished my first race!  Never thought l would ever say that.....completed a race!  

The girls and l before the race.....nerves present!

Taking my mind off my nerves....girls loving the entertainment

Hula hoop fun....

Nerves are building...

My focus is to beat 36 mins!

Its race time!

Marty's shot of me sprinting at the end......

Huge proud smile at the finish!

After l got my breath and free fruit for crossing the finish line it was time for the kids to line up. They were so excited.  The amount of kids was crazy.  Off with the start gun and the frenzy was on.  Boo being the polite kid she is let everyone pass her while Meg just went with the crowd.  In an instant they were lost in the swarm of kids and around the bend out of sight....l ran around to the finish line to wait their arrival.  The first kid came sprinting around the bend....and then the next....felt like an eternity then Marty and l saw Boo in sight...as soon as she saw us her face lit up and not actually having a feel for what a race is all about, she just cruised across the finish line, no sprint at all!  Lol.  After another bunch of kids, we saw Meg and as soon as our eyes met, she started walking with a look of anguish in her eyes.  We screamed out to run, the end was near, she eventually started running, crossing the line and bursting into tears.  I felt horrible that l had signed her up to do it, asking her why she was crying, she said she was so hot and her chest burning.  Poor pet....eventually she calmed down with a cold drink and some cuddles.  Marty and l were so proud of our girls having a crack at a running race and both completing it, not giving up.  Overall, we could tell by the girls faces that they were so chuffed with themselves.  Afterwards, we walked around and got some freebies from the stalls and the girls were entertained by the hula hoop chick.  Love that l got to experience my first race with the girls, and Marty came to support us all.  Will forever be in my memory....

All ready to race!

Warm up time...

On your marks, set, go!

Here Boo comes at the finish line!

Great race....so proud of their effort and support

Here comes Meg down the straight!

Even overtaking at the finish...super race!

After some tears there were smiles at the end.....

So happy to have completed my first ever running race and to do it with my girls and Marty's support....

Another clam to fame....found this in the paper a few day later.....lol.

The month was passing so quickly and it felt like forever since we had done anything as a family together.  I had been working as much as l could while Marty was still looking for work, with nothing much coming about.  I could tell he was down but at least we were communicating well and still in a great space.  We had seen that the Moscow Circus was coming to town so decided to surprise the girls.  We told them to get dressed up because we were taking them out for a surprise.  When we arrived and they saw the huge tent, they screamed with delight.  We had a magical time, all getting wowed with the extraordinary show that was being performed.  The girls especially loved their Dagwood dogs and lollipops!  The show was fantastic and well worth the money, a great night out for us all.

Let the circus begin....

Take a bow....

Spectacular horse show.....

Sweet....

.....Savoury......

We had a fabulous family night at the circus...

Mother's Day was here and Boof and l had decided to enter the Mother's Day Classic 4km race for breast cancer research, with Marty, Nik and the girls doing the 4km walk.  I was a little nervous as l don't like running with anyone, especially Boof who was fairly competitive and a faster runner than me.  As we took off l was fairly nervous but as we got into the run l found l was really relishing the experience of this moment with my brother.  I could tell he was pretty chuffed with doing this with me too.  The worst thing was that he was a talker...now l can barely breath when l run lead alone have a chat with someone.  So l just answered yes/no and let him have his chat while we kept passing people.  I felt worse on this run than on the first race, and we were running at a slower pace.  Oh well, it was all for the fundraiser and something to remember doing with my baby brother.  We came around the corner and had all our supporters cheer us on, Marty, Nik, Boo, Meg and Ella.  Boof and l sprinted off, being the good brother he is, we crossed the finish line together!  We collected our medals and got to the side, getting a big hug from everyone.  Next was the walk for breast cancer, and it was a good way to cool down.  Billie, Dale and Soul joined us too.  Great family get together on Mothers Day.....Everyone had a lovely stroll along the water canal, great to see all the people dressed up for the occasion.  Was a great way to spend the morning.  Could not believe Nik came and did the walk being nearly ready to pop a baby out.  There was no way that l would have done it at 38 weeks pregnant!  After we all finished the walk we headed back to Boof and Niks for a pancake breakfast.  I was totally loving this new experience of sharing occasions with family, something we had not experienced for quite sometime!

Boo's handmade card

Meg's card...

Did well from the school stalls....

Mothers Day Classic run.....nearing the finish line!

Wahoo....another race accomplished...and this time with my brother Boof!

Girls ready for their walk.....

Boof, Nik and Ella

Billie, Dale, Soul and baby Raff

All the crew....

Gorgeous views to walk by....

Meg and Soul....

So crowded!

Selfie time!



Family snap...

Yay were finished!

As the month was passing we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Boof and Nik's baby.  One morning l set out on my morning run, half way receiving a call from Boof which l ignored as l was wanting to finish the run uninterrupted.  When l got back l must have been distracted then after a little remembered my missed call.  Listened to my message which was Boof stating "where are you when l need you, Nik is having the baby and we're at home, l need you!". I was beside myself, calling them with no answer.  In a panic l got in the car and headed over, when l arrived l found Billie there, but no Boof and Nik.  They had literally just left in the ambulance moments before.  I broke down in tears, so upset with myself for not being there for Boof and Nik.  Billie settled me down, reassuring me that they were all safe and sound.  Eventually when l got over my emotions, Billie ran me thru the details.  Nik was getting her hair done, while having contractions mind you, and near the end they were coming fast, having to wash her hair dye out early.  Then apparently, there was no time to get to the hospital, the baby was coming now.  So they called the ambulance, while Nik was in the shower going thru the motions of labour, when the ambulance arrived the baby was just crowning, next minute a baby was born in their bathroom with Boof snipping the cord.  Wow is all l could say.  A beautiful baby girl was born and Indie was her name.  I met Marty at the hospital and then we got to meet this precious new arrival, such a gorgeous and healthy little girl.  Boof forgave me, thankfully, as inside l would hold the regret for the rest of my life that l could have been their for the birth of my niece!  After school, we picked up the girls and told them the news.  They were so excited to meet their new cousin.  They had proud cuddles and couldn't wipe their smiles off their faces.  So happy we were here for the birth of this gorgeous girl and we could be there for Boof and Nik to help out.

Gorgeous mamma...Nik

Proud dadda....Boof

Welcome to the world beautiful Indie!

Girls super excited to meet their new cousin!

Meg being a copy cat.....

Hello Uncle Martin....

Meg couldn't take her eyes off Indi...

Ella taking a peek at her new baby sister.....

On one of my few day's off there was a huge storm brewing, so what do you do but go down to check it out!  The wind was fierce!  The photos don't really picture the veracity of the ocean that took place.