"Three girls, a man and a caravan".: March 2015

The month of March was one of the hardest times faced by our family on this trip. Usually our work stops start with me finding work really easy, and Marty faces a month of uncertainty before landing a good paying job, the longest taking six weeks. Well it's been over three months now and times in the Beeson home have been tense. There has been built up frustrations between Marty and l about the job front, me anxious about him not working and the pressure l feel having to work so much but not getting enough shifts, and Marty getting upset and frustrated as he applies for several jobs and getting no where. We are either arguing or there is silence. Unfortunately, there feels like little happiness in our lives and we are at a loss to what to do. We need money to keep moving and to replenish our accounts from the ten months off last year, but with me only working, we are only making ends meet. We have never experienced this type of unhappiness and financial stress on the road in the whole three and a half years we have been away. We have always gotten work and been able to 'cash up'.

Luckily we had distractions throughout the month to help us forget about our problems. Boo and Meg were loving catching up with their cousin Ella, enjoying and getting better with their tennis at practice after school and we had a brilliant event to look forward to, visiting our best mates from Victoria, Melissa and Corey, who were heading up to the Gold Coast on holidays. The Beeson's needed some fun and driving away from our troubles on the Sunshine Coast down to the 'Goldie' was just what we needed, hopefully this will help Marty and l out of this deep hole of hurt we are doing to each other.

Ella and Boo pretending to be 'old' people
with their walking sticks...lol

Marty grabbing another freebie at the camp kitchen..
Do you think he will take up surfing? lol

Meg at tennis practice...

Boo lining up for some action volleys!

Girls ready for 'crazy hair day' at school!

So we packed the car and headed off, so eager to see our long time mates who we haven't seen in almost 18 months! The girls were so excited to be able to see Bailey, Chloe and Josh again. When we arrived, everyone was so excited but we had to keep it to a minimum as we had to sneak our way up to their room without anyone noticing. All due to us crashing their holiday and staying for free!! Well we made it no worries, and once the door shut their were hugs and screams of excitement. We were only staying one night but god we packed in a lot. First, we hit the spa, even though it was freezing cold outside. Luckily it was well heated and if you kept yourself down low enough, everything stayed warm.

Mel and l back together once more...while the girls are never
too far away!

Boo loving being the 'Michelin" man! Bailey trying too...

The gang together...me, Mel, Corey and Marty..

Josh and Meg finding anything to climb on!

Surfers Paradise....view from their apartment balcony!

For dinner we decided to head down to Cavill Avenue and go to Hogs Breath Cafe as we had never had it before, and plus, we wanted to do a joint celebratory birthday dinner for both Marty and Corey. The girls loved going out for dinner, probably one of their favorite things to do because we hardly do it l suppose. The service and experience as soon as you walk into Hogs Breath was a credit to the restaurant. We had a fabulous meal and the kids were well entertained with their drawing packs and catching up with one another. The older kids, Marty and Corey, enjoyed themselves too with a complimentary birthday desert and everyone singing 'happy birthday' to them!

Selfie snap of me and the old fella! lol

Kids loving their coloring packs....kept them quiet for a little!

Group shot....

Great sized meal!

Our birthday boys!

It went quickly!

After dinner we strolled around Cavill Avenue soaking up the entertainment that was on show. The kids loved watching the buskers, but they were fascinated with the aboriginal man playing his didgeridoo the most.

Doesn't matter how many live statues we see, when
they move they always frighten her!

The Didge man that had our kids amused for ages!

We finished the night back on the balcony of their apartment with a few beverages and watching the young below us on the 'sling shot' ride being catapulted in the air with loud screams! Was definitely a great view overlooking Surfers Paradise, with the skyscrapers and lights.

Loved watching the night lit up and the sling shot ride going!

The following day we were meant to say an early goodbye to Mel and Corey as they were heading to Seaworld, but instead, we decided to tag along and join them. They were so happy, and the kids were even more excited. It was such a great day, everyone was happy and having fun. Marty and l were even having a laugh, which was something of a rarity lately. This mini holiday was just what we needed and hopefully it will turn our family around.... Anyway, back to our fantastic day. It was filled with family fun, the dolphin show always a winner. The kids, and even us big kids, had a blast on the rides. The sun was shinning, so getting wet wasn't such a problem, unless you were Corey who got drenched on the pirate ship water gun ride! Lol. The polar bears were having a blast of energy jumping in the water and playing. All in all, is still one of the better parks to visit due to the mix of attractions for both young and old. The day went so quick and was over before we knew it, sadly in late afternoon we had to say farewell to our old mates. Hopefully, we will see each other before too long!

Besties selfie!

Kids all revved up for the seal show!

Mel's favorite creatures of all time!

Dolphin show beginning...don't think its changed in 10 years!

Chloe had a personal dolphin experience, her
grin was so big for the rest of the day!

Time to shoot some blokes and kids on the pirate ship!

Marty firing hard to get us!

Mel never gives up!!! lol

Soaked! Wet t-shirt comp now lol

Don't think this mob stayed too dry either!

Trying to dry off.....

Hello up there....

Boys decided they hadn't had enough and took
to spraying strangers!

Seeing 'TMNT" live!!! Girls screamed their heads off...

Water ski show.....

Time for some polar bear action....

So graceful under water...

Meg and Boo were fixated!

Sea life touch pool...don't know if Bailey enjoyed
the star fish texture!

Chloe and Josh so inquisitive,,,

Shark pool.....ew!

Great day out....now time to head off home :(

Back to the Sunshine Coast and back to reality. The distraction of the goldie, although welcomed, had still not taken our troubles away. Everything was starting to get on top of us both. With Marty not working, we don't know what we are going to do and it seems to have taken a huge toll on both of us, but especially Marty. He is feeling worthless and hopeless and that he has no purpose. I, on the other hand, am feeling for him but also frustrated with thoughts that there can't not be one job out there for him?! Sadly, the kids cannot be hidden from this strain and have witnessed way too much than they should. The difficulties with living in a caravan with no doors to hide the sounds of heated arguments. This month has been so difficult and at first we thought it would all work itself out, but during the end of the month things went from bad to worse...

Marty had lost his will and thoughts of hopelessness consumed his mind, while l was left shut out and frustrated. One day there was a monstrous argument between us, luckily while the girls were at school, which left both of us in such a bad place that separation seemed the only answer. We both had said hurtful things which we couldn't overlook. So l packed some things for the girls and myself up and l left the van and headed over to Nik's, not knowing what would happen. When l picked the girls up from school they were heart broken and confused, so upset. Even though l hated what impact this was having on the girls, we knew that it was better than living around both of us fighting.

The next few days were tough, trying to stay strong for the girls and shelter them from what was happening, whilst trying to juggle work and school drop offs. Marty would pick them up and l would call into the caravan park to collect them. This single parent life just didn't feel good, for both of us. The week had been the longest, hardest, emotional week of our lives, lead alone on this trip. Eventually, Marty and l opened the lines of communication thanks to the love and support from our mates, Cam and Ton and from our wise sister in law, Nik. Marty and l met up and took a stroll along the beach, opening up like we hadn't in ages about our thoughts and self struggles. Thankfully, we found our love for one another once more and knew that this family was to continue growing together. We definitely had a lot to work on but at least we had a common goal, the keep the Beeson's strong, in love and together! When we went to collect the girls, they were so happy. I hated seeing what we had put them thru but at least they could see that their mum and dad still loved one another and that happiness and family take work, not everything is easy.

Still trying to make life normal....Boo cooking
us breakfast at Nik's,,,

Ella enjoyed it!!!

I am so grateful that things got sorted when they did as the following week after all our dramas was Marty's big "40th" birthday. This was just what we needed too. To take focus off our troubles and have some fun in our lives and bring us closer. Marty is a pretty easy guy who doesn't like fuss, so there was definitely not going to be big party. Instead l arranged for a group of close family and friends on the sunny coast to meet us at Buderim Tavern for dinner, drinks and cake. We had heard good raves about this place, meant to have awesome atmosphere and the view was meant to be spectacular. After a few phone calls l also found a lady to make a cake for the big night, l had decided that a 4WD mud terrain tyre would be just perfect for Marty...

Sneak peak at the cake!!!

Marty's actual birthday, whilst the girls were at school, we both headed out for lunch together. It was nice, walking hand in hand and having a meal together without the girls, we would have to do more of it. Take some positive out of this 'no work' thing and make our time together count, not many couples get the opportunity to hang out alone a lot these days. We had a great burger at 'Grilled' and even some laughs. Marty forgot to take the stick out of the burger and bit into it, piercing his chin! Even drew blood....l was in stitches with tears down my face!!!

Birthday boy....

Beeson tradition lives on with the lolly icecream
cake!

On the Saturday night we made our way up the hill to Buderim for Marty's birthday dinner. Nikki, Boof, Ella, Ton, Cam, Jordyn, Riley, Billie, Dale and Soul joined us to celebrate his birthday and it was a real lovely night. It was also a cramped and loud night with all the tables close to each other and the room just seemed to echo with people talking loudly. The kids had a great time though with getting their face painted and playing in the games room. Our meals were great, our company of friends and family greater and l think Marty had a really wonderful time. We are so blessed to have these amazing people in our lives and they have helped us through our tough time, l don't think we would be together without them. I also think Marty was impressed, on the inside, with his cake. This bloke doesn't show his emotions really, but l could see that he loved his cake! Boy was it big! The evening was the start of happy times to follow, thank god for birthdays hey...

Everyone for Marty's birthday....

Cake time....

...he looks impressed! You can see the smile!

Family shot!

Cuddles....

..and kisses!

Ella and Soul loved their face painted...

View of Sunny Coast from Buderim!

The last week of this struggle of a month was great. Things are getting better between Marty and l, we are more aware of each others issues and problems and the girls are happier without the worry on their faces. Boo has been practicing on her trumpet a lot, and we think she has got a wonderful gift with music. Meg continues being a crazy character as you can see below of her new fascination with drawing bright colored elephants pooping! We are enjoying the great outdoors on the beach with each other and family. Hopefully this month with be the last of tough times for us for a while and we can grow from the experience and make our family be even more closer than we already were! Here's to greater times in our future....