Yaaaaaaaaay, it's done!

After many problems, trying to get my computer from hubby and the kids, running out of ink, then having to retrieve the software from the old computer so I could print my photos in the sizes I wanted.......... never mind, it's done.

I've done the pages, will work on the cover tonight, while I laze around awaiting the New Year

Challenge 1 - Tree


















Challenge 2 - Food


















Challenge 3 - Gifts


















Challenge 4 - Events


















Challenge 5 - The meaning of Christmas


















Challenge 6 - Music


















Challenge 7 - Summer


















Challenge 8 - Family


















Challenge 9 - Family photo


















Challenge 10 - After lunch


















Challenge 11 - Christmas Eve


















Challenge 12 - Boxing Day


















Now my pages don't appear in this order, and therefore will not make much sense, there are also other halves missing, which is why some of the titles are only half there, but I wanted to get these pages posted for now.

ETA I've just noticed the 'd' has gone awol on the parade page, will have to find it or make another!

This time 8 years ago, I would have headed off to bed, completely unaware of how my life was about to change.

As it was the holidays, Jon had been up till about 2am watching movies, I had gone to bed quite a bit earlier, however, about 3am I woke to the start of my labour. Being a first baby I wasn't sure what to expect, so I ran a bath, but couldn't lie in it, I then paced the hall for a while, until 4, when I woke Jon to tell him we better go to the hospital, fortunately only 5 minutes down the road.

They had to break my waters, as I was ready to deliver, and Cameron arrived at 6.15am. I was very lucky to have such a short labour, although most of it would have been happening while I was asleep, and for baby to be such a happy little chappy (not that it lasted long).

And that is how my life changed so dramatically all those years ago.

'Twas the night before Christmas........ the kids enjoyed watching a Christmas movie, Home Alone, and then we went for a walk down our street to see the lights (we'd been for a drive around town the night before)

Then on the big day, the kids opened their stockings at home ...........and we went to Hamilton, to Jon's family for lunch. After lunch we just chilled, played Mousetrap, pulled Grandmas special crackers, kids played outside with their new 'ball' thingy, We then went home, and picked up FIL for dinner (he lives in a resthome)

Then......... Boxing Day, we did it all over again with my family. Lunch was somewhere around 1.30, and continued on till about 4, nice and simple, BBQ, salads, and we just sat round, enjoying each others company..... till everyone left about 7.
My Dad enjoying the kids toys..........
My neice was so fascinated with the Bubble Generator

Further proof that I am working my way through my list.

Things to do before the big day, in no particular order.

- pick up the weeds from my gardening on the weekend DONE
- make gingerbread houses with boys DONE
- finish the 'wallhanger' pages I'm giving as gifts 1 DONE, 1 NEARLY DONE
- work on my album for Janines 12 days of Christmas DONE, well, not finished, but I have worked on it, what I can, while I wait for more photos
- vaccum DONE
- buy hubbys present + 2 gift cards DONE
- cancel Skys Rialto channel (yes, ma'am, just ring on the 18th, and then there will be no charge for the months free trial, yeah, right, who remembers to do that!!!)
- put all the clothes away that are sitting in our room in rollie bins DONE
- tidy the little shed so I can get the outdoor furniture out for the family gathering on Boxing Day DONE
- paint the BBQ table
- mow the lawn DONE
- clean bathroom & wash house
- load of washing out & in DONE

mmmmmmmm..... that should keep me going!

ETA: I'm quite pleased with myself, as I've ticked some things off my list, plus I've driven half hour each way to visit my Nana before Christmas, and been to the gym, and done a bit of a tidy of my scrap area, so an eventful day.

I won't bore you with the details of this weeks details, 'cause, like the song goes.......... second verse... same as the first! Yip, we repeat last week again, so it's been eggs or weetbix for breakfast, fruit/beans/salads/etc, for lunch, and then fruit/cup a soups for dinner.

It's going extremely well, I haven't strayed at all, I've got a heap more energy, have not had any further pains, and the bonus of losing weight has been great too!

Cameron had a great day at school on Wednesday, he was chosen to swim in the house team relay. Now, he's not the greatest swimmer, but he has come a long way in the las 6 weeks or so, and I was so proud of him. They also did some swimming displays, like diving, etc, and seen here retrieving dive sticks.

Another outtake,......................









and the final 'take'!!!

A few hiccups over the last few days, just with not being home, and Christmas Parties, but I have to say, I'm rather impressed with ourselves.

This was lunch on Saturday.Friday we went to Hamilton for my ultrasound, which was conclusive for gallstones, so that is going to be dealt with in the near future.

Friday night we then had a get together, but both restrained ourselves, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I didn't even want dessert, I guess it helped that I was chatting away, and didn't even have a chance to see what was being served.

Saturday was quiet, just mucking around at home, although nothing much to show for it.

Sunday we were planning to go to the Hamilton Float Parade, but Braden wasn't feeling well, and actually put himself to bed about 12pm, and went to sleep, so Jon and Cameron went off to see it.

Today we took some family photos, so I must go and deal to them, but I'll leave you with one of the outtakes.

Day 3, and things are looking up. Keeping up with the gym, and haven't strayed from the menu, although for lunch I was supposed to have peas, and I didn't have any, so mixed veg it was (no, I wasn't gonna pick through to find the peas)

I have to go for the ultrasound tomorrow, and am not allowed breakfast, so I'm going to be extra hungry by the time my appointment (9.30am) comes and goes.

Then I am going to treat myself to some shopping in Hamilton, hopefully a little more successful than when I went shopping last weekend.

Day 2

Lunch
It hasn't been too bad, I have to admit. About 2 hours after breakfast, I felt like I was hungry, but I kept myself busy, and made it through to lunch, and felt fine.

For me, it's a mind thing, it was never that I felt hungry, it was always thoughts of 'oooh, I haven't had chocolate for a while, I'm going to have some' or 'what can I do, grab an unhealthy to eat food' type thing. So, I can proudly say, that I have got my mind around the whole thing too, as there is some chocolate in the fridge, and I haven't touched it, actually not even tempted yet,.... but, in saying that, will have to give it to the kids, to get rid of the temptation!

The hardest part is at night, when on the computer or watching TV, so I am going to have to get busy with my hands tonight, especially on those challenges of Janine's . I have ideas, just need to put them to paper!

Anyway, off to hang the Christmas lights!

I know this is soooo not the right time, with Christmas coming, etc, but if I/we don't do it now we won't start.

Whatis it, and what bought'it' on?

An 'attack' on the weekend, where I seriously thought I was gonna die, it was definately worse than labour pains.

So, after a consult with the doctor, we are participating in a 'Better Living Diet'. Now, I don't like the use of the word diet, as I think it should be a lifestyle change, not a set diet. However, we will plod away following the details, for the next 10 weeks minimum, and will have hopefully learned new habits, and broken old ones. I am determined to follow it to the T, Jon is also going to do it, but is going to have to modify it a little on the days when he is away.

I also have to have an ultrasound on Friday, yay, not, so think of me then!

So, this was lunch, day 1














Wish us luck!