Pretty Flowers

Spring is well and truly here and the days are getting more gorgeous as the weeks fly by. Yesterday I got a very special gift from one of my very special girls.

As she turned up on my door step ready for kindy she pulled the flowers out of her mummies hands and handed them to me with a small cheeky smile! Oh how I'm falling for these gorgeous little souls. Each child was quite shy when they first started but as we are getting through our third week their little individual personalities are all starting to show. I'm forming a beautiful bond with them all and I'm excited about the new relationships I am forming with both the children and their parents.

These flowers absolutely made my day yesterday and they make me smile every time I look at them!

How completely perfect!

x S.K.K x

Operation MOVE

Support brings us together and motivates us to be our absolute best selves.

It's no secret that I love this beautiful crazy online world. The main reason is because of the gorgeous unique and genuine people that I have met through these social media outlets. They inspire me every day. They inspire me to be positive, they inspire me to find the beauty in life, they inspire me to be myself and now the beautiful Kate from "Kate Says Stuff" Is inspiring me to MOVE.

I'm loving the gym and I'm loving exercise but it's no secret that I fall in and out of this love affair. When things get busy or tough I focus on those and my gym takes bottom of the list. The thing is, I love it so much when I'm there. Right now, when my Motivation is running red hot, the gym is what fuels me. I look forward to each class and I enjoy every minute of it. I want this to last. I want it to become a life style and not just an on and off rocky relationship. This is where Kate comes in. She is making us accountable for our exercise. She has organised a wonderful program called operation MOVE. we commit to a certain amount of minutes per month and we work our butts off to reach our goal. It's not just me now. She has made a massive commitment to us and in return I owe her my commitment.

I am happy with where I am. I am at my ideal body weight and I am happy with the way I look. By ideal body weight, I mean my clothes fit nice and I feel confident. I've haven't weighed myself in months. I'm not a scales girl I'm a mirror girl. I go on how I look in the mirror rather than what my number is on the scales. I go to gym to keep my fitness up and I am working on building my strength. My monthly goal for Operation MOVE is 960! That's 240 minutes per week. I'm a couple of weeks behind for the month of September. But that's ok! I'll stick to my weekly minutes and work my way into October!

So here I go...Operation MOVE.
I'm ready to rock it with the other participants and I'm ready to be my happiest, healthiest self.

Thank You Kate, you are on your way to world domination, one confident, fit and happy soul at time.

x S.K.K x

Back at the Gym

So I am back at the gym and I am LOVING IT! I had a big break when I quit my job as I only had 4 weeks to set up a home business. As I was working full time every other spare moment was spent at home working! It's done now and I finally have my life back! It feels so good to be back at the gym! The best part about my new work hours is that I can finally go to night time classes! Can I get a hell yes for that! I am LOVING the night time classes. I go to Fernwood gym and I am addicted to it's motivating, positive and supporting atmosphere.

 I've tried my hand at a few local gyms and none of them even come close to fernwood. I love going to a gym where I am recognised and remembered. The trainers and instructors remembered me, even after a few weeks, and it really makes you feel special. You are not just a number but an actual person who they care about. The ladies at fernwood are just amazing! I feel I could write a full post on them alone. I've only been at the gym since the beginning of the year but feel like I am part of something special. Everyone who is a member of this gym is there for the same reason. To make their life better. There is no competition, there are no comparisons, just wonderful support and endless encouragement!

My favourite favourite classes at the gym are body pump and body combat but last night I gave Zumba a go and omg I fell in love! It's basically just my favorite dance moves put into a sequence in a gym room! Hilarious! I could not stop laughing the entire time! Best work out ever - twisting your abs and laughing - 6 pack in no time! The room was dark, the 'disco lights' were on, the music was pumping and 1 of my favorite instructors was keeping us moving! As I wiggled my booty I looked around the room and just smiled! Here I was surrounded by women of all different ages and all different sizes having the time of their lives! These ladies were shaking their groove thing without a care in the world. I literally wanted to stand up the front and cheer them on! There is nothing more motivating than watching women change their lives by keeping active and the beautiful ladies at fernwood help us do this with a spring in our step and a smile on our face!

Tonight I was at it again. My favorite class with another one of my favourite instructors! I only pump a very small amount but I am hoping that as the weeks pass my strength will increase! I'm scared of pushing myself but I know that if I work slowly I will get stronger without injury or without pushing myself and giving up! I am so lucky to have my best friend as my gym buddy! We push each other and motivate each other to go! Tonight all I wanted to do was sit on my couch and watch tv but I knew she would kick my butt! That's what I love about having her beside me. We both love the gym and it's an awesome chance to spend some fun and active time together.

So thank you Cassi and my trainers Melissa, Krystal and all the ladies at Fernwood gym Loganholme. 

You all motivate me and inspire me to be my best self!

x S.K.K. x

Canungra Camping

Thursday night we decided to go camping. We had no reason, we just had a free weekend and wanted to get away. How very spontaneous of us! The weather has been perfect so Friday night we packed up our stuff and hit the road Saturday afternoon with our babes.

We had no idea where we were going. Beach or bush, we couldn't decide. We ended up here... 

Beautiful Canungra

Sharp Park is a gorgeous little camp ground situated amongst the gorgeous hillsides of Canungra and Beechmont. Situated on either side of the Upper Coomera river, this quiet, pretty and very welcoming camp ground provided the perfect little getaway for our weekend camping trip. We chose a spot away from the river as we wanted to watch the sunset behind the hills. We camped underneath a gorgeous little willow tree and the sheep and kookaburras playing in the fields beside us ensured we really got that 'bush camping' feel. We didn't take much as it was a last minute decision and a 1 night affair, so the simplicity of the weekend was exactly what we needed after our big week. We spent the night beside the fire and slept in the back of the ute in a swag. It was perfect! 

Our sleeping quarters for the night! Yes it was a freezing 4 degrees!

The park has beautiful blossoms all around! My favourite tree!

On our way home we stopped off at the gold coast for a walk along the beach! A bit of beach and a bit of bush! A perfect weekend getaway!

x S.K.K x

100 DAYS

The countdown is on...

There are only 100 days until 

CHRISTMAS!

Oh Christmas, beautiful Christmas! I know this year has flown but ring those jingle bells baby 'cause it's time to start prepping for the best holiday of the year! I love love love love Christmas. You all know I am a child at heart and this special holiday truly excites me! It is just full of magic. It's about joy. It's about peace. It's about love. This puts a smile on my dial that no one could possibly every wipe away. 

As we get closer, the planning begins. My most favourite part of Christmas is decorating our house. 4 years ago we started putting lights up out the front. Each year we have added a few special pieces to our display. This year I am very excited as we now have a fireplace so Santa will definitely be making an appearance on that chimney! 

Our dream is to create a magical Christmas wonderland out the front of our house. It will take time and a few years but we will get there. A few months ago my dream came true. A little boy was walking past our house with his dad. He said "look daddy it's the Christmas house, it's the Christmas house" I cried! I seriously bawled my eyes out after hearing this and seeing the excitement on this little boys face. To be known on as the 'Christmas House' fills my heart with so much joy I swear its about to burst! We dont have anything fancy, and it has nothing on the 4KQ entries but we love it and so does that little boy! That is enough for me! 

Keep coming back little boy! It will get bigger and better every year :-) 

Bring on Christmas and all the happiness it has to offer :-) 

100 days to go

x S.K.K x

My First Week

Well my first week of being a 'day care mum' was a complete success. I now know that this was the right choice. There is always a chance when starting a new job that you may not like it. That the dreaming was not the same as the reality. Well my friends, as I was dancing and singing around my kindy room and laughing with my toddlers I knew that I had made the right choice. As I was cuddling and bottle feeding a 4 month old with one hand, spoon feeding a 13 month old with the other and entertaining a 2.5 year old with my stories, I smiled and knew, this was what I was meant to be doing. I had made the right decision. This week was everything I had imagined it would be and more.

 I won't lie. I was preparing myself for the worst. Preparing myself for months of 'settling in'. Long days of tears as 11 little children took the big step from their mummy and daddies arms and into my care. A new person, a new place, a new routine...its all very scary. For everyone. This week...these children...they nailed it...I nailed it. I am so very lucky to have 11 beautiful children coming into my care and together we had a very successful and happy week. Some people doubted me and voiced their concerns. I started listening to the doubters. The questions started flowing in my head. Would I be able to handle it? Can I do this? What do I do when all 4 are screaming and I cant give each of them the attention they need? Luckily I know better. I know better than to listen to these negative thoughts. I am enough! I can do this! I was born to do this! This is my gift and I am ready to share it with these new beautiful children. I am 100% confident in my ability to look after these children and no one will ever make me think otherwise. Times will get tough. Times will get hard. I will have teething, sick or sleep deprived children come into my care, but they will need me. The calm, confident me. That's my number 1 priority, to stay calm and believe in myself. I've put every emergency procedure into place and covered all of my bases. I'm ready and I can do this!

This week proved me right! I prayed that it would go smoothly, that these children would like me and that the parents would be happy. Not a day went by that I didn't have a parent messaging or emailing me thanking me for the day. That made it all worth it. I knew the kids enjoyed themselves. I saw the joy on their faces throughout the day as we played and laughed and grew to know each other. I saw it in their tired eyes as they all waved goodbye at my front door. I had given them my all. I gave them my love, my comfort and a huge day of fun.

I enjoyed every single part of my week. From the playing, to the dancing, to the planning, to the nappy changes, to the book work. I love every part of this job and I cant even begin to tell you how happy I am. What makes it even more amazing is that I am at home. I am finished work by 5.00pm and I can focus on my family. I have loved being there for husband when he gets home from work. We've walked together with the dogs, we've eaten at 6.00pm most nights, I've even cooked a roast and brownies on a week night! It has been pure bliss and everything I have been dreaming about for the past 4 years is finally happening. I am able to be at home with my husband and have a bit of normality back in our lives.

Roast on a week night - Pure Bliss

It's only week 1 but I am happy. I am at peace! 

This is the best job in the world.

 x S.K.K x

Island 4WD

On Sunday I got to spend the ENTIRE day with my husband! That's right, from sun up to sun down he was all mine! This doesn't happen often as my husband is a workaholic is a very hard worker, so to have a full day with him is a very special treat!

 

We took full advantage of the day and decided to take a day trip to Bribie Island!

The day was extra special as my cousins and their kids joined us for their very first beach 4wd adventure! 

 This little guy greeted us at the beach entrance. This is literally how close I was! He was just amazing!

Our day consisted of driving, fishing, driving, getting bogged, driving and more driving. It was AWESOME! Seriously beach 4WDing is so much fun!

BRIBIE PERFECTION!

 There is nothing I love more than driving on the beach with him! He loves it so much and the excitement and joy on his face is just priceless! It is seriously one of FAVOURITE things to do together! Top of the list!

 You can kind of see the hint of his smile here! HUGE mackerel were jumping and he nearly wet himself! We didn't catch any...but "its the fishing not the catch that counts"....hey babe ;-)

 Miss A and Mr R LOVED fishing! Actually I'm pretty sure they loved the entire day!

What's a beach 4wd trip without the bogging! We stopped to help out a guy who was completely burried and we ended up getting bogged in the process! It was fun though as Dane got to rescue us all from the sand! His first snatch! He was excited!

 The kids...weren't so excited haha Just chilling on the side of the 'road' waiting for dad to rescue everyone!

Once we were out and STARVING we found a perfect little spot on the beach and settled in for an afternoon of BBQ's, fishing, playing, talking and relaxing!

 

 As we drove home we witnessed the most AMAZING sunset! The sun was fluro red! stunning!

It was such a beautiful Sunday! The beach, my husband and our best friends. Perfect! 

And the best thing is...there is many more days like this to come! Hello Spring and Summer!

 x S.K.K x

Hope

Hope...

When everything falls apart and you're about to give up, 

look within, dig deep and hold on to that faith.

It's all we have left.

 

x S.K.K x

Our Daily Walk

This is one of the major reasons I quit my job!  

How gorgeous is our local dog park. It is a 2.5 km walk from our house. I'm in love. It is surrounded by gorgeous gum trees, has a beautiufl lake on one side and the river on the other. Walking my dogs here and having a play with them makes me happier than I can ever explain to you. This sure is one of the main reasons why I quit and wanted a new life. I wanted time. Time to be with my loved ones, my friends and most of all my animals. I wanted to have the time to take an hours walk in the afternoons with my babes and throw a ball at the dog park. I wanted life to slow down so I could enjoy.

It is the special moments that will be the memories that last forever.

x S.K.K x

Last Day

My last day was a bit gloomy. Grey, cloudy skies. A bit like my mood. Grey and cloudy. But every time I looked up, the sun was peaking through the clouds and shining magnificent sun beams. This made me smile. I knew that even though I was heart broken to be leaving, it was time, I was ready and I was excited for my new adventure. 

As the sun set on my last day as a nanny I reflected on the last 4 years with these children. I got to capture my last sun set as I watched these 3 beautiful souls play. I knew I had done enough! 

 

4 years over. 

Our chapter is closed but they will be in my heart forever.

x S.K.K x