Happiness is...

(Because some days I just need a few reminders)

This smile.

This smile.

This day.

This day.

Slow dancing in the kitchen with my husband.

Family cuddles.

Having a big, round, pregnant belly

A coffee and a chat with one of my favourite ladies.

Elderly people eating ice cream cones.

Laughing til I ache (or almost pee)

Pink and green.

My fathers stories.

When our best friends come to visit.

Thunderstorms.

Family cuddles.

Long drives with my husband.

Cooking something for people and watching them enjoy it.

Bunny binkies!

The smell of the first drops of rain.

My comfy bed after a long day.

Some time spent with one of my many fandoms.

Swimming.

Hearing my daughter laugh.

The beach.

Movie popcorn.

Watching my daughter learn, and gradually master something new.

Long walks.

Seeing a happy animal.

Chats with God.

Ducks.

Fruit salad and ice cream on a hot evening.

Moscato.

Tequila.

The feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a project.

Thinking of more projects to spend my time doing.

Growing my own produce.

Baking

Music of all kinds.

Comfy pyjamas.

Being able to relax and do something I enjoy without feeling guilty.

Bubbles!

 Winter.

Spring.

A really well made banana smoothie.

Bunny love.

Cute animal pictures.

Christmas.

Photographs.

Hugs from my closest friends.

New tech.

Strawberries and cream ice cream.

A good book and no interruptions.

A little post full of a lot of love

Tuesday this week was the birthday of a dear friend of mine, Paige. Paige and I met several years back through a mutual love of all things house rabbit. We spoke online a lot, eventually met in person and hit it off right away.
Paige was the nutter wearing motorbike boots with flames on them at my wedding. The persons house that is so inviting that my husband falls into a coma on her lounge every time we visit. She's just a little bit crazy and sometimes I'm sure she's the female incarnation of Peter Pan.
But most of all she's someone who is a huge inspiration to me in so many aspects of my life.
Despite having so many health problems, and not much understanding from others about them, she is always smiling, always ready to laugh, always filled with loving words. She is a defender of those who cannot defend themselves, and one of the biggest animal lovers I've ever met.
Paige and her husband Phil cannot have children, so they have spent their lives fostering kids, and eventually adopting their son, Joshua, who has Down Syndrome. Not that Joshua's condition defines him in any way, shape or form. This is one young man who is absolutely rocking that extra chromosome.

In Joshua you can see the model of a mother that Paige is, and just why she is such an inspiration in my own mothering of Ellie. She was such an obvious choice to be one of Ellie's Godmothers, she is the epitome of what a Godmother should be.

She spoils her "Ellie Bean" rotten, every time we see each other she is armed with clothes, toys and a million cuddles. There are so many attributes of Paige that I would love to instill in Ellie as she grows up - her compassion, her ability to laugh when she wants to cry, her strength of character, her love of animals. Maybe not so much her potty mouth and naughty sense of humor, however.
Paige is loved by so many people. When she was in a car accident recently her Facebook wall was FILLED with messages of love and well wishes from right across the globe. She has touched so many lives and hearts, but is so very modest and humbled by the love she receives. I've never seen her take anyone, or anything for granted. She is always thankful, and always generous with whatever she can share.
Happy birthday to a very loved friend. You are such a wonderful part of our lives, Paige. Thank you for sharing your huge heart with us.

To Sydney and back again!

Road trip! I love road trips so much! 
Hubby is a Sydney boy originally, so this means we try to make a trip back at least once a year.
It's always been a fun thing to do, but it's even more special now we get to take Ellie to spend some time with her YeYe and NaiNai. She is their first grandchild, being as Rei is an only child, and although we video call them every Sunday, they do miss out on a lot of seeing her grow up. So it's always a special time seeing them together in person. I absolutely adore my in-laws, which helps. I can't imagine what it must be like for people who don't get along with their in-laws.

Reading a bedtime story with NaiNai

Come on YeYe, let's go outside!

As well as Rei's parents, a trip to Sydney also means seeing Rei's school friends, who are absolute barrels full of awesome.

Ellie with Aunty Minyi and Uncle John (who is one of her Godfathers)

What do parents do when they get to catch up with friends sans child? MINI GOLF!

Rei and John.

High Tea. Hooray!

Cheers!

And I get to catch up with my cousin and her little family, who are obviously amazing because they're related to me. This time we visited the aquarium!

My lovely cousin and I.

Look Mama, fish!

I'd like this in my house.

Touching all the shells. Very exciting stuff.

 

I also got to meet a wonderful group of ladies and babies from the Sydney region that I met via the Huggies website when I was pregnant with Ellie. I've already caught up with the Melbourne girls and bubs twice since having Ellie, so it was nice to meet some others. The group has been an amazing source of advice and support for me and we've all become quite close via our Facebook chats.

Us and our July 2011 bubs at Olympic Park

.

Weeeee, horsie!

We also got to enjoy some sunshine while away, which was nice after Melbourne's artic winter this year. Although I must admit, Melbourne weather has lifted it's game upon our return. Perhaps it's worried we'll leave it for a sunnier city?

And we had to do something touristy on the way home and visit The Dog on the Tuckerbox. Rei and I stopped there back when we were making our very first trip to Sydney together in 2008 for me to meet Rei's parents for the first time.

Rei back in 2008

Rei and Ellie 2012

How times have changed!