Our Sixth Wedding Anniversary

Over the next few weeks you're likely to read quite a few posts about events that occurred sometime in the last six months. I've got a lot to catch up on!

On the 27th May, Neil and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. While this day was special, the day before was even more so, as it marked ten years since our first date. We got a babysitter to mind the girls, and went out to dinner at Shakahari vegetarian restaurant in Carlton (the scene of our first dinner together).

Our anniversary fell on a Monday, which meant Neil and I were both at work, and the girls were at their early learning centre. We had told Grace about our anniversary, so during the day she decided to draw a picture for us.

Here it is:

Daddy and Mummy holding hands, with two birds flying in the sky above them.

It is so exciting to have seen her progress from scribbles to drawing recognisable figures. And it was lovely to receive such a personal gift.

We've been through a lot in the last six years. Good and bad. There are things in our relationship that we still need to work on. It's not all perfect. But I look at our family and feel very, very blessed.

As Neil commented the other day, "We're coming up to seven years married, but I'm not feeling itchy."

Neither am I.

A Valentine's Day Gift

Tonight I made a simple little gift for Valentine's Day.

Another idea gleaned from Pinterest, I added an appliqued heart after I couldn't find any fabric with hearts on. I think I like this version better anyway!

A framed 'Love You' with appliqued heart.

Here's how to do it:

1. Take the glass out of a photo frame (I had a spare one in the cupboard).
2. Cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside the frame.
3. Cut a piece of fabric about 2cm larger than the cardboard, then iron it.
4. Iron some double-sided interfacing onto a small piece of red fabric.
5. Draw a heart shape on the interfacing paper, then cut it out.
6. Lay everything out to determine where to place the heart. 
7. Remove the backing paper and iron the heart into position.
8. Use a contrasting thread to stitch around the heart.
9. Attach the backing fabric to the cardboard, using tape or a hot glue gun.
10. Place the fabric-covered cardboard inside the frame, and secure the back.
11. Use a hot glue gun to glue the letters in place.

A close up view.

What made this gift extra special to me was the fact that the Scrabble pieces are left over from our wedding.

When planning our reception, I had the idea of spelling each person's name in Scrabble letters instead of using place cards. Neil's mother and my family all enjoyed playing Scrabble, and I thought it might give people something to play with if they got bored during the speeches!

I bought a couple of bags of mixed Scrabble pieces from Ebay, and my very clever father made little stands to put them on. The hard part was working out exactly how many of each letter I needed! 

One of the place settings at the wedding (before the flowers were placed on the candelabras).

A message made for us by a table of wedding guests.

It's nice to have this connection between our wedding and my Valentine's Day gift for Neil. And it's nice to actually look back at the details of our day, which can easily be lost in the rush of everyday life.

In a brief speech at our wedding, I spoke of the fact that the name 'Neil' means "champion". Back then, I only knew a man who had captured my heart, and the dreams that we shared for the future.

Now I know a man who isn't perfect, but is still great to have around. I know a man who is a loving and involved father to my children, and who helps, supports and encourages me. I know the hardships we have been through together, the good times we have shared, and the dreams we still hold for the future.

Neil, you will always be my champion. And I'll love you forever.

New Year's Resolutions 2013

Yep, it's that time of year again.

Time to look back on how things went over the last 12 months.

And time to look forward and set goals for the year ahead.

In my New Year's Resolutions post at the start of 2012 (found here), I set out to do four things:

• Respect my body.
• Improve my parenting skills.
• Spend more time with my husband.
• Spend more time with God.

I made a little bit of progress. I read quite a lot of 'Toddler Taming', and went on about four date nights with Neil. I kept good health during my pregnancy (it has fallen away a bit since then), and read the odd devotional. But I haven't really got there with any of them yet.

Not that it is clear where 'there' is!

These areas of life will always require attention. They're not goals I can cross off as done.

However, in 2013, I'd like to frame things slightly differently. Once again I'm focusing on broad principles. But I'll try to break it down into specific and achievable goals.

I'd like to make 2013 the year I Nurture The Relationships In My Life.

Specifically, I'd like to focus on my relationships with God, myself, Neil, my children, my family, my friends, my church, and others.

In measurable terms, I will:

• Make the gifts I give to my family and friends. I'm already full of ideas. Just expect that your present might be a little bit late to arrive - especially if you're one of the seven people with birthdays in February!

• Go on one date night a month with Neil.

• Invite someone to our home for a meal each month. No matter what the house looks like.

• Go on a family weekend away quarterly.

• Spend some quiet time alone in prayer every day. Even if it is in the middle of the night.

• Look into starting a small Bible study group with other parents of small children. Maybe mums one week, and dads the alternate week?

• Find a way to convince myself I am 'good enough'.

I'm not sure how achievable that is, but I'll give it a go!

What about you? Do you have any resolutions for the year ahead?

Brunetti is Moving

Brunetti is an iconic cafe. An institution. And a significant part of my life in Melbourne.

Brunetti Cakes began trading in Lygon Street, Carlton in 1974, but has been at the current location in Faraday Street since 1985.

Not just an Italian cafe, Brunetti calls itself "a truly authentic Roman Pasticceria". This is a place you can get coffee, cake, biscuits, chocolates, gelato, foccacia ... the options are endless.

A famous, Italian-style coffee.

Some of the sweets on offer.

Neil and I had lunch at Brunetti today with Lucinda. Why? Because it is moving.

Moving just around the corner, back to the original Lygon Street location.

It's not a great distance. But it is a big change.

Neil in the front window of Brunetti.

Brunetti in its current location has been a big part of Neil's life. He completed three degrees at the nearby University of Melbourne, and it was a favourite meeting place for the students.

Brunetti has also played a big part in our relationship. It was the scene of our first date, on Monday, 26th May, 2003.

I can remember arriving early, and loitering in the nearby Borders bookshop before walking around the corner to Brunetti. I hadn't gone out on a date for coffee before, and I was very nervous. But I saw Neil in the window straight away (already drinking his coffee!) and we talked for hours.

Neil likes to joke about the providential guidance he received when arranging our next date (for the following Monday). I told him I was vegetarian, and he glanced across the road and saw Shakahari vegetarian restaurant directly opposite. It was meant to be!

Neil in the same seat he sat in almost ten years ago.

The view across the road to Shakahari vegetarian restaurant.

We dated for four years before marrying. One of our favourite activities was going out for dinner, or even meeting after dinner, and browsing in either Borders or Readings bookshops (or both!) before having coffee at Brunetti and talking about what we'd seen.

The night before our wedding (Saturday, 26th May, 2007), we snuck out after the wedding rehearsal for a quick coffee at Brunetti, to mark the four year anniversary of our relationship.

But the memories don't end there. Among many others, I can recall watching Neil collapse over his arrancini after his first testicular biopsy; eating a foccacia caprese after one of my IVF transfers at the Royal Women's Hospital; and bringing numerous overseas and interstate visitors to marvel at the selection of desserts.

We haven't been to Brunetti so much over the last few years. Having toddlers does that! But it was amazing today to see Neil sitting where he sat for our first date almost ten years ago, this time holding our third daughter.

Lucinda is starting out early on the coffee scene.

The new Brunetti will be in Lygon Court, where the Borders bookshop used to be. They are working on the fit out now.

Neil inspecting the building works.

I'm sure we'll make plenty more memories in the new location. Perhaps Lucinda's first babycino?

(PS Sorry for the poor quality of the photographs, which were taken on my mobile).

New Year's Resolutions

Recently, I've tried my best not to make any set resolutions for each new year that comes. In the past I was far too ambitious and idealistic, setting myself up for failure.

I did break my rule slightly, and set myself one small goal last night ... to be sound asleep when the clock struck 12! Unfortunately, despite being in bed by 10:00 pm that didn't happen, thanks to some noisy neighbours with fireworks, and a little girl with three teeth coming through at once. Which just goes to prove my point!

That said, the start of a new year is a great time for reflection and evaluation, and I'm not averse to some "guiding principles" for the coming year.

When I started thinking about this last night, the first thought that came to mind was "survive"! I have friends who resolved last year to cook their way through a new recipe book. And I have read the blogs of people who do a craft project a day for a year. What fun things to do! But I don't have the time, or energy.

In 2012 I will be moving house (in less than three weeks!), and giving birth to my third child. I'll continue to work half time, and look after two toddlers. I'll work with Neil to design our new home, and sort out all our things ready to move into rental accommodation while it is built. I'll keep helping out in the Beginners Sabbath School at church, do my best to be a good wife and mother, and try to keep in touch with family and friends. I'll turn 40. I'll try to do regular blog posts (you may have noticed it slipping in the last month or two). And I think I'll be exhausted!

My resolutions for 2012 won't include any new activites. They'll be about the basics. How to do what I'm already doing better.

Here are my four "guiding principles" for the year ahead:

Respect my body. 
This doesn't have anything to do with losing weight, or even exercising. It just means I will try to listen to my body, and give it what it needs. Instead of forging ahead with what needs to be done, I'll rest when I need to. I'll be more aware of what my body is doing, both for me and for my unborn baby. I'll manage the gestational diabetes and pregnancy symptoms as best I can. But most of all, I'll be kind to myself. I'll recognise that what I weigh and how I look are not as important as how I feel and how I make others feel.

Improve my parenting skills. 
Particularly discipline. It is the one big area I struggle with. Now that Grace is approaching three, I'm finding it harder and harder to be consistent, and withstand her tears and tantrums. I'm not sure how I'll do this, but I'll try. Maybe read some books. Maybe go to a course. Feel free to offer suggestions!

Spend more time with my husband.
With all the things we're doing, and our completely opposite time clocks, it is becoming harder and harder for Neil and I to spend quality time together. But I'll try and make it a priority this year. And I'll try to make sure (oh-oh, here comes a set resolution!) we have one date night a month.

Spend more time with God.
Again, with such a busy life, personal devotional time is rare. Any personal time is (when was the last time I showered or went to the toilet all by myself?)! I could try and get up earlier, but I think the key here is to find ways to spend time with God during my other activities. Waiting until we're alone means it just doesn't happen.

So there you have it. That's what I'll be striving for this year. I'll let you know how I go.

In the meantime, I have a few posts waiting to be written ...