Nitro Circus Live

We had been waiting for this family outing for six months! Nitro Circus Live! We love to watch the show on tv and were so excited when we heard they were doing a tour of Australia.

I know this probably doesn't really interest most of you, but it is one of my interests. I've always loved dirtbikes. I had one when I was 14. I wish I had kept up the interest, but alas other things took over.

It was a great show! It was officially their last show of the tour, even though they had decided to do another one the following afternoon(they kept plugging it all night). So because it was their 'last' show, it went a bit longer and had a couple of extra bits that all the other shows didn't have.

Travis Pastrana is probably the most famous motorcross rider in the world and he was challenged to do his famous double backflip. He hadn't done it since 2006 when he declared he would never do it again. Well, he took up the challenge and did it and did it very well! It was flawless.

There were lots of other shenanigans going on all night. Lots of BMX jumping, skateboards, scooters and even a guy in a wheelchair. He was amazing! Can you believe this all took place in the Rod Laver arena? This is a tennis court! They also had a thing where the crowd had to chant 'You ride it, you jump it!' whenever someone came out riding something other than the usual motorbike or BMX. They jumped an esky, a golf  cart, a  ladies pushbike they even had a guy on inline skates! Unbelievable how he landed on his feet after jumping so high. Every now and then during this past week I've heard the kids chanting 'you ride it, you jump it'. Kids don't forget anything!

The kids had a ball, but fell asleep about half an hour before the show finished. Don't know how they sleep with all that noise, but they did.

I would have been stoked to have a photo taken with Travis after the show, but with two sleeping children it was priority to get to the car and go home. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Precious Children

It was the 9th August 1973. A young family started the day like they did every other day.

"You see, Dad hopped in the car to go to work and as he was driving down the driveway, Matthew pressed his little face against the window in the lounge room waving and shouting, "bye bye daddy, bye bye daddy". I think you were playing with some toys in the loungeroom. Then he went over to the warm oil-heater as I washed dishes at the sink. He sat down on the little vinyl foot stool and said, "Come and hug me mummy" and I thought, "Oh there's so much to do and dishes to be done but what the heck." I felt compelled. I went and sat down and hugged my little son. I enfolded him in my arms and we sat just talking, and hugging and kissing. That was the very last time I would hold my child and now I have to wait until Jesus comes when his angel brings him to me." (Words from an email my Mum sent me regarding the Autumn Leaves and a Monkey blog I just posted).


Later that morning tragedy struck.  Every loving mothers worst nightmare! Mum found Matthew floating in a neighbours dam. It was no more than a pond really, but for a 3 year old it was deep enough to end his precious little life. It was five days after he had turned 3 yrs old.
 
I feel a need to share this story today because I don't always spend time with my children when they ask me to, but on Friday I did. I went out to the backyard and played with Monkey instead of preparing dinner and doing a few other chores. It struck me that I am often too "busy" doing my own thing to play with my children or give them the attention they not only want, but need. My children are 5 and 3 now and that time has gone so incredibly fast. I have decided to make a conscious effort to stop what I am doing and go and play with my children when they ask me to, otherwise that moment is lost forever. I will never have a chance to do that with them again at that age.
I've never forgotten Mum saying to me years ago that while we were growing up, whenever we asked for a hug or a kiss she would always drop what she was doing and oblige. That has stuck with me and I try to do the same for my children. Sometimes I turn them away when I am in the middle of doing something and then I remember Mum's words.

We never know how long we will have them for, or how long they will have us for. They are only on loan to us. Every moment counts! Every hug, every kiss, every I love you. They are incredibly precious!Irreplaceable!

Autumn Leaves and a Monkey

It all starts with a pile of leaves...

...and ends in a tree.

Blogs That Have Made My Day

I just have to share two other blogs that I follow. Their most recent posts have made my day. I love to look at beautiful things. Well, the photos on these two blogs are beautiful, for different reasons. One has photos of a new kitchen that was all done by the blogger and her hubby and the other has beautiful photos.
Have a look at Gina's new kitchen at The Shabby Chic Cottage. It's just so cute and was done on a very tight budget. She has some fabulous budget posts.
The photos posted on (oh hello friend) you are loved are just plain pretty. Have a scroll through to see some on her other posts.
I hope they make your day a little brighter too! x

New Blogs To Read

I have recently started following a few more blogs. I find them inspiring. Maybe you would like to have a look too.
Why don't you visit Rie at Home and Harmony. She has a passion for God, has 6 children and is such an organised person with a beautiful home.
And then there is Crystal at A Little Bit Funky. It is a very bright, happy blog with loads of creativeness.
I will suggest some more in the near future.
Happy blogging!