Things I'm LOVING... on this *beautiful* Friday!

Linking up with Paisley Jade...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Wow, I am LOVING this beautiful weather! Yesterday, Miss G, Pixie and I did manage a walk on the beach - good fun! Today, hmm, not sure yet. Perhaps we will lay by the pool, catch some rays (me) and play in the grass (G)! 

I am LOVING that exams are over! Phew! (For now anyways.)

I am LOVING that I have 'off' until Tuesday! Getting some time in the garden - planting my lettuce, radishes, peas, tomatoes, etc. 

I am LOVING that my house is getting a good spring clean while I am off (by me)! 

I am LOVING the big fruit box I ordered online. Yum! Can't wait to make up some delicious dishes. 

I am LOVING the new book I started -  A 1000 Splendid Suns. Nearly half way through it and just picked it up a couple days ago... Hmm. Pool, book, sun... Sounding good... :) 

And, of course, I am LOVING this little princess! 

And breathe...

"And breathe..."

If you are {lucky enough} to practice yoga with Nat from ZING YOGA - you would recognize the quote... She's famous for it - reminding us all to take a breath and just breathe. Release into the moment, stretch and relax...

I *FINALLY* feel like I can take a breath now - six exams. Yes, SIX, in September. {Three x A+, and three yet to be marked. Yikes!} I feel exhausted, brain drained and also relieved. Yay! I know they won't be my hardest exams in the next 2 years, but a month of serious knuckling down and studying is hard work! Esp when you have such an amazing cutie to distract you!!! So, fingers crossed on the last three. I know I put a lot of pressure on myself to get A's, but it's worth it. :)

 {Little plug for Nat: If you are in Palmy, I highly recommend Nat for an amazing class - not necessarily the most serious of yoga, but that is her wonderful style! It's serious at times - but it's also a good time with wonderful people, and a good laugh. Bliss.}

So, now I have "off" until my Mental Health class starts up on Tuesday! Yipee! Miss G is currently taking her mid-morning nap and {after I update blog} I will be tidying up the much neglected house! However, the sun is shining, there is no wind, so I'm hearing a calling from the beach... Will see how the day goes!! I can't resist a good walk on the beach with my fabulous Miss G and Pixie!

Otherwise not too much happening around here. Catching some rugby world cup games on telly when we can, Mr Ed's been working on his project car in the evenings and Miss G has been playing with Miss K (17 months and 3rd cousin) when she's in care (and I'm studying).

Quite excited to dig into my cross stitch project I started this winter {before school started up}. Knitting and crocheting are in my "to learn" pile that one day I will get to...

Well, better carry on before Miss G wakes up! Here's another adorable pix of my baby model. :)

The Memory Keeper's Daughter...

I just finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter - fabulous book. I really enjoyed the story and how it evoked a range of emotions within myself - anger, sympathy, empathy, happiness, etc. I really enjoy a good read, and this one was just delicious.

I do firmly believe that a person must be in a good head space for a book though. For example, I just can't get into a really deep book right now - The Story of Q - but hopefully I will be able to when I am on holiday. I am really looking forward to the read, but I think I have a bit much on right now. ;-)

Exam on Monday, 26th - and it's a 3-hour exam. Yipes. Have been in at uni studying this week, and have been doing ok on my practice exams for nursing assessments, pharmo, but not sooo great on the patho... Best be hitting the books some more. Plenty of time. ;-)
(Thankfully I finished the book - although, I use books as my 'unwinding' just before bed.)

Miss G is fully into her food now - which is neat. However, it is a bit tricky to be nutritious, delicious and creative for babies... Maybe I'm overthinking it - but I like her to have a good variety. So far, her favs are avocado, banana, yogurt, fish, carrots and pumpkin. (separately, not together.) Honestly, she seems to take after her momma, and really doesn't dislike any foods... (which is bad when you are older and trying to lose baby weight. haha)

Well, off to bed now - heaps to do tomorrow. Mostly study, study, study!! :)

Things I'm LOVING!

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Things I'm loving today... 

Loving that I was able to stay home with my baby this week - we had so much fun!! 

Wizard of OZ anyone?? Loving my laughs! I had a good laugh when I came around the corner and found her like this... 

There she is!! 

Loving her smiles - such a clever girl! 

Loving how cute she is during nap time! :)

Loving SKYPE'ing with my parents - Miss G always puts on a good show for her American grandparents. :)

Loving the windy, rainy, cool weather today - b/c it keeps us indoors and I can get some study done! 

Loving that 3 of my 6 September exams are over! 

Linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving... :) Pop on over and check out some others! :) 

I've Got Sunshine...

I've been home this week with Miss G, in two part  - 1, My friend that watches G while I'm at school, her son has chicken pox, and 2, I'm on study-leave, so good time to stay home with her. Let's just say I haven't been able to study as much as I would in the library, but it's been way more fun!!

Yesterday, we took a bit of a break and went for a walk around the village. So G was all bundled up in her stroller, Pixie on her leash and off we went!

Along the way, we stopped at the local park...

Lovely day for playing in the park!

Miss G enjoying the sunshine and swinging!

On the horse...

What is Pixie doing? 

 Very fun to spend some time in the sunshine and playing at the park. G absolutely had a blast and was laughing the whole time in the swing. Luckily this park isn't too far from our house! And, it's fully fenced in. Perfect. :)

I put G down for her nap, and heard a lot of noise from her room, so I went to investigate...

Playing is so much more fun than sleeping mommy! 

I see you!!
Note: leg is getting ready to go into standing! 

She's loving learning how to pull herself up now - so nothing is safe anymore! It's very fun to see her learning and developing so quickly! If only I could learn that quickly... ;-)

Now, off to study... Good luck to me! ;-)

Eight Months!!

Miss G is eight months old today! Wow! And, she's just so fun and amazing - I just love watching her grow and develop! Since she's been crawling for a week or so now, that must be boring for her, b/c she's now pulling herself up on the sofa, exersaucer, TV stand, cupboards, doors, ottomans, you name it, she's trying to stand up by it!

Model pose!

We had a fun day today SKYPE'ing w/ Gma, Gpa and Uncle Dan in Minnesota- she always puts on a good show! Had a bit of a laugh when she was crawling to get a hold of my laptop, and I kept pushing it away from her - until we were all the way in her bedroom from the lounge! Must have tuckered her out, all that crawling, b/c she took a long nap this afternoon! :)

Getting into trouble...

Had a good laugh this morning, when I went to check on G during her nap and found her with her pants off! I had pants on her, and she must have decided she was over them, b/c during the course of her 'nap' she pulled them off and was having a dandy time playing with them! She is soooo funny!

E and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Friday - complete with Chinese takeaways. (yum!) We've been through more than most, and have come out together and stronger. I think that's what it's all about. :)

09.09.2006

Miss G had 3 (YES, THREE) birthday parties this weekend, and we made 2 of them. She was just absolutely worn out and we couldn't quite make the 3rd! But, we did drop by and give the gift. :) It was very fun to get dressed up and mingle with all the other kiddo-s, G is quite the social butterfly!

Nearly there with my September nursing exams - 3 down and 3 to go! Waiting back on my mark for my care plan essay, but I earned a 100% on drugs calcs and 100% on my cardio/resp physical assessment. Yay! :)

Just realized I used heaps of exclamation points - so sorry about that. Apparently, I am quite excited about today. :)
xx

Peeking out!

Hello, hello. Well, I have finished two exams, and have four left to go this month. Yipes! Bring on October, that's all I have to say about that. This year is definitely a lot more intense, which is fabulous. And, more interesting.  Combine that was a wonderful little Miss and we have one busy momma. But, I wouldn't want it any other way. :)


We just celebrated Father's Day here in NZ on Sunday - Miss G and daddy-o got to spend the morning together while I was at work. The weather was *amazing* so we spent the afternoon outside gardening and enjoying the sunshine. I think the MR is going for our village 'Garden of the Year' as he is really sprucing it up! I was concentrating on our gardens that provide a bit of bang for their buck - my veggies. I can hardly wait until I can get my tomatoes in!! I have a lot of area plotted for vege this year, and I'm quite excited about that!! 

Pretty in pink!

Miss G started crawling this week - properly crawling - on all fours. She's still a bit cautious, but has stopped commando crawling/rolling to move around. Everyday she's getting that much more speed behind her... She's 8 months on the 13th - where has time gone!!??!!??

Netball season came to a close on Saturday with my team taking the championship of our grade! We played against our other club team and won 18-14, so a very close game! I play Goal Attack - that above is a pix of me shooting it in. :) 


Well, best get onto making dinner. Loving the sunshine and that daylight is getting longer... Spring is coming!! yay!! :)

Shhh... Studying here!

Been *really* busy with school this week, so I've been super quite on the blog. Have an essay due in two weeks, along with a drug calculations exam and a respiratory/cardiovascular patient assessment exam. Yipes! Classes have been really interesting, and I think of heaps to write about on here, but I've been knuckling down and hitting the books lately. {But I do have ideas for future blogs!}

Just a couple cute pix to share of Miss G. We managed to sneak away to the beach on Monday with a friend. It was such a lovely day to take Pixie (dog) for a run and for the rest of us some sunshine! :)

Rach and Miss G enjoying the beach!
I think Miss G is telling stories! 

Cute girl checking out the gorgeous flowers in the yard. :)

We had a bit of excitement here with the recent snow - it was in the news quite a bit and was really fun. I haven't really been around snow in quite a few years now, so it was exciting to see it falling from the sky. Even though it didn't stick!

Miss G and I taking our photo in the 'snow'...

Snowing! (It's not meant to snow here!)

Finished a book off my list - A Fine Balance. I really enjoyed the book and am kind of quite sad I've finished it. Give it a go, it's a really well written book and it was just lovely really. :)

Well, off to bed for this nursing student / mommy. Mornings come waaayyy to early! :)

Things I'm LOVING!

Things I'm LOVING!! 

I'm LOVING that this cutie is going to be 7 MONTHS tomorrow (13 Aug)! 

(Look at all that drool!!)

I'm LOVING all the studying I did this week! 

(However, I still need another week This year is full-on!)

I'm LOVING the nice lady at the supermarket today. She was behind me in the check-out and helped pushed my trolley to the car since I was carrying Miss G and struggling with an overflowing trolley! Thank you! LOVING random acts of kindness! 

LOVING the second-hand rocking chair I won for my sissy on Trade Me. Awesome buy for $26 and lovely people I picked it up from! 

It's going to look fab when it's re-covered! Any suggestion on colors? 

Linking up with Paisley Jade for 

Who wouldn't procrastinate?

When someone this sweet is distracting you? 

Watching cartoons while mommy reads!

Such a beautiful day here - loved the sunshine and great weather. Managed to get some studying done while Miss G napped - which is great! Even got to SKYPE with Gma, Gpa  and Uncle in the USA - Miss G put on a good show in her Jolly Jumper! 

Well, must carry on... Only 3 study days left!! 

Study Week!

Kia Ora!

This week, I am on a 'study week' from classes. Phew! B/c I feel so far behind and it's only week 3!! This year we have been assigned sooo many readings (most optional, but I still want to read them!) - so this is my week to 'catch up'. yay!

Unfortunately, since I am the queen of procrastination, it is also my week to tidy the house and do all the random jobs I normally wouldn't want to do anyways. Case in point: this morning, I have been vacuuming the house (Edan did it yesterday), dusted house, cleaned kitchen, took car to local garage for WOF, one load of laundry waiting to be put away, one load of laundry on the line and another in the machine... and it's only 11:45am!! Yipes! I just may get our house completely organized by the time this week is over!! Now onto the dreaded office... (The office was our 'dumping ground' when we moved and it has kind of stayed that way...)

Miss G was quite excited when I put her in her car seat this morning to take the car in. I think she was a bit disappointed we only went 2 blocks and then she was in the buggy walking back home... She's loving going to care when I'm in classes. It's probably a bit more interesting to have another little girl to play with (Miss K is 16 months)! But, it is nice to have some time to chill, catch up and re-group before heading back into classes.

Loving my classes this year - they are really full-on, but super interesting! Long may that last! :)

The biggest loser challenge I was involved in finished off on Saturday - I am super excited to say I lost 6.5 kilos (14 1/3 lbs.) in the challenge! (I didn't win, but, very stoked I'm back in my normal clothes - which was my goal!) Purely by eating super healthy and exercising daily. Sounds like everyone is keen to continue on, which is great. Group support has been wonderful for me to loose those extra baby pounds that snuck up!

Well, better attempt SOME study today!

Haere ra!

Grateful Sunday...

Grateful Sunday...

Grateful for bubbles!!

Isn't she just so gorgeous!

Linking up with  for Grateful Saturday (Sunday for me - I'm a bit behind this week!)

Random blog...

I'm still a 'novice' in the blogging world, but I'm trying to get into it. Mostly to keep our friends/family updated and possibly to meet some more fellow mummies/mommies out there. :)  So, bear with me as I adjust my page, title (- note: new title), and photos. I'm still learning!

My first week of being back in school has gone really well. Classes are super full-on this year (which is good, I suppose!) - no slacking at ALL this year. Miss G is LOVING going to care - which is a huge relief for me. :) I'm in the mid-year intake, so it's a much smaller class size - went from 100+ students to 35ish. Much better learning environment. ;-)

Funny story about my first week. A girl I just met, said to me, 'Do I detect an accent?' "Yes, I am from Minnesota, USA," I said. New classmate: "So, do you have permanent residency?" Me: "Um, yes?" Conversation kind of ended there b/c we had to go into class... Not sure if she was from immigration? Haha. Kind of giggled to myself. I'm guessing she was going to keep moving w/ the conversation, etc, but we just had to quit talking and never carried our conversation thru at the end of class.

This is my last week of doing the 'biggest loser' competition with some (new) friends. We've all been trying to loose weight, and for the most part, it's been successful. So far I'm in the lead (barely), and $300 is up for grabs! I'm not super concerned about the money, but I am very happy to be down 5.5 kilos/12 lbs so far! Group weight loss is the way to go - very encouraging - and super excited to have some new friends as well! :)

Well, I better get back to the homework I've been putting off - funny how much random things I can get done instead of doing home work... Wrote on Degen's blog, wrote a poem about Gretchen, cleaned off the desk, decorated kitchen... Yep, procrastination is my middle name!

Haere ra!

Things I'm LOVING!

Linking up with Paisley Jade

Loving how excited Miss G is about food!

Loving her super-cute, food-covered smile!

Loving her energy to bounce and bounce and bounce!

Grateful Saturday...

Grateful for the sunshine and that we live near the beach!

Grateful that Miss G is going to a dear friend while I'm in my second year of Nursing School.

Grateful that my husband and I can afford for me to go to Nursing School.

Grateful that my husband supports my decision to give up a successful (well-paying)10-year career in Marketing & Communications to follow my passion.

So, so so grateful for Angel D for inspiring me to pursue Nursing. Wish you were still here with us buddy, miss you so much each and everyday!

Grateful for my amazing family and wonderful friends. So blessed. xxoo

Linking up with Maxabella Loves.

Things I'm Loving...

I'm loving that Miss G is over her cold - she had a *very* high temp on Sunday eve and Monday, and thankfully it came down and even her stuffy nose has gone away.

I'm loving catching up with friends for a Friday morning tea! So fun to gossip, have yummy baked goods, coffee and revel in good company!

I'm loving my new rose brooch. So gorgeous and handmade! Some people are just so talented! (If you want a rose brooch, pm me and I will give you the TM sellers details - only in NZ, sorry!)

I'm loving that my wonderful hubby brought home a trailer load of dry wood to keep our home nice and warm! Growing up in Minnesota, I just *hate* being cold! And, thanks to the wind from Antarctica, it's a tish chilly!

I'm loving that my sissy will be back in New Zealand in a week! Can't wait to see her and her hubby after their month-long holiday in the USA (back home!)!!

I'm loving that my pre-preggy jeans fit loosely again. It's been a bit of work, but the weight is finally coming off. yay!

I'm loving my cross-stitch project I'm working on!

I'm loving that I'm back in Nursing School on Monday! And,  loving that Miss G will be going to a good friend during the day. :)

Linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving...

Winter Wonderland?!?

Growing up in Minnesota, winter to me is lots and lots of snow, freezing temperatures and outdoor activities where you are massively bundled up so just your eyes are barely showing. Climate of Minnesota

Winter is *not* insane amounts of rain, hail, flooding and wind - like it is here in the Manawatu region of New Zealand. Winter has officially 'hit'! Current Weather

Maybe I am just looking through rose colored glasses, but at least you can semi do something in the snow. IE: Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, downhill skiing, snowboarding, etc, etc. 

Gale force winds and down pouring rain = indoor activities by the fire. ;-) *HOWEVER* I will have a massive shock when I get back into a MN winter - because the temps here rarely get below freezing! (BLISS!) Plus, we get our fair share of snow when we go up  Mt Ruapehu for skiing. (Active volcano we ski on - good fun!) Can you believe my last Minnesota winter was 2005-2006!?!? How quickly time flies!

So tomorrow is a big day for us here - tomorrow Miss G is SIX MONTHS!! Where, oh where, has the time gone!?!? 

Our little princess is just so adorable and such a delight! We love her to bits! I'm planning to take her into Plunket at some stage this week for her weigh and measure - I know she's grown heaps this month! Her pants are becoming 3-quarter pants now... 

She's right into food now - loves apple purees, not into pears or baby rice just yet (but has fun blowing bubbles with them!), and loves pumpkin! So fun watching her learn all sorts of new things - like crawling! She was off on a mission last week at mommy/baby yoga and has been moving since. However, I have slowed her down a bit by putting her on a blanket on the floor. Mean, I know, but she just can't quite get the traction... On the carpet and she's slowing doing a commando-style crawl. It's super cute, but very frustrating for her. ;-) She wants to go! 

Until next time... 

5 Months!

Weighing in at 6.2 kilos (13lb 11 oz) and 67 centimeters (26.4 inches) Miss G is in the 21st and 91st percentiles respectively. So, she's very tall and lean and doing very well. The Plunket nurse was very happy with her and says she is doing very well for her age!

I went up to the resthome I work at part-time last week, and of course, Miss G was an absolute HIT! The residents absolutely *loved* her and of course, she put on a good show for them - smiling and cooing. It was so neat! I will have to try to take her up there more often b/c it was so great seeing the smiles on the residents faces! :) I'm going back to work one shift/week for now, on Sunday am's. Will give us some extra $$ and Edan will have some father-daughter time as well. :)

I'm starting back full-time at nursing school at the end of July - and I am actually really looking forward to it. I can't wait to be back into nursing classes, although I know it is going to be a lot harder this year. Miss G will be going to a good friend of mine when I'm in class, which is *awesome*. I was so nervous about leaving her in group daycare, but am very excited for my friend to watch her. (She has a girl 9 months older, so she will have fun playing I'm sure!) My classes are only 2-4 hours/day, so nothing is "full-time" in the classroom until I hit placement time at the end of the year...

Congrats to Amber @ Life on a Stick on the birth of her beautiful twin boys! (Amber is a ND native.) They are absolutely gorgeous!

June bug!

Wow, can't believe it's *JUNE* already! Where does the time go?

Tomorrow Miss G has her Plunket 5-month weigh and measure! *Five* months! WOW! She is doing all the wonderful things a 5-month old does. Babbling, sticking everything in her mouth, chewing on EVERYTHING possible, grabbing toys, rolling over, etc, etc. She still loves her musical gym, but I can hardly get her to sit in her bumbo chair! She is just plain not interested in sitting - she wants to STAND. Yipes!

Love my exersaucer! 

We've been enjoying an Indian Summer here in NZ, which is great! Yesterday I took Miss G and Pixie out for a walk and I only had a tee-shirt and jeans on! yay! Although, once again, I can hear the cats squishing as they walk across the lawn - it is so wet and boggy! It would be very nice if the gardens and lawns could dry out a tish so my vege can grow! :)

Quick shout out to my cousin Heather - congrats on your wedding! I heard it was gorgeous! ;-)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my precious Angel Degen today - 27 May! Two years old - how time flies! We miss you so much and wish you were here with us on Earth to celebrate - although we always know we are with us in spirit.

You continue to be such an inspiration for so many, especially for your mommy and daddy, in your short 6-months here on Earth. Thank you for enriching our lives, in everything we do, we think of you. We love you sweetheart!

He greeted life with a smile, lived it with determination and said farewell with a fight. 

Beloved son, cherished friend, eternal inspiration. 

Love,

Mom & Dad and your sissy Miss G

xoxo

Degen's Story