Flashback Friday ~ CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2013

Back in March Woodi and I went to our 2nd CMC Rocks the Hunter, we had such a blast the year before and booked my parents in to have the kids again straight away! This year we had our friends Kim and James join the four of us (Stacey, Aaron, Woodi and I) that went last year.

Two days before we left Stacey found out that she had won 2 VIP passes to the CMC Music Awards held the first night and she asked me to join her..... Drinks, Canapés, Mingling with the Artists and watching the awards....WOW.... Yeah ok, I guess ;)

We dropped the kids at my parents on Thursday night, and were all packed up for the 6am meet at house the next morning. Without the kids there and no real close neighbours we put CMC on TV and were all pumped getting ready and waiting for our friends to join us.

We got to Hope Estate pretty early, beating the mad rush we experienced the year before, picked the ideal camp spot (knowing the lay of the land from the year before) and set up what we think was the best site there :)  After a bite to eat we grabbed some drinks and headed on down to the festival grounds and marked our spot for the weekend.

Stacey and I went to the awards night later that afternoon, enjoyed the wine and nibbles and were a bit awe struck by all the artists right there in the room with us... Just casually standing around, drinking, chatting, getting photos with people... It was amazing. We decided to get in on the photo action and then stood right up front to watch the music Awards.

After the Awards we went back down the hill to join our group on the grass watching the performances on the Main and OzArtist stages. It is wonderful sitting/standing amongst a massive crowd of laid back people all there to listen to and enjoy the same music as you, while the artists are up on stage playing their hearts out to the masses spread out on the hill of Hope Estate. Their music travelling across the wide expanse of land, and fading into the surrounding mountains as the sun goes down behind them and the stars start to dot and dazzle the sky.....Beautiful, my kind of festival :)

We had an amazing weekend, Monday came around and whilst we were all looking forward to seeing our kidlets again decided that we were on again for next year and it couldn't come around soon enough. Can't wait for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2014, my parents are already booked :)

Celebrating 8 years of Marriage....

This weekend gone by we celebrated our upcoming anniversary (21/5) by having a romantic getaway to Cadair Cottage in the Hunter Valley. My parents had the kidlets so that Woodi and I could have a weekend away.

If I were a cottage, I would be Cadair! From the picturesque bush scenery, wildlife, the picket fence and welcoming verandah to the classic cottage feel with a modern palate of purple hues, slate greys and fresh white, the cozy fire, comfy couches and heated spa.....I loved it all, especially sharing it with Woodi.

Dear Woodi,

In you I found my other half.....

Seven years ago to the day, we had a beautiful wedding. And to this day it still remains the most magical day of my life. If someone had of told me then, that I would love you more in seven years than I did in the moment we became 'Mr & Mrs'..... I would have told them it was impossible! I believed that my heart couldn't possibly love someone more than I loved you in that moment.

I was so very wrong, and have never been happier to be wrong. My Love for you has blossomed and bloomed one thousand times over since we married. My heart forever growing to hold all the new ways in which I love you. And I now know, that as impossible as it seems, my love and heart will continue to swell in all our years together.

Seven years ago was the start of a new life together and the beginning of a family, the gifts that our marriage has given me are endless and I will forever be thankful for you and all you give me in this life. Thank you for the past seven years of loving marriage, for all the magic you have poured into my soul, for standing by me in my times of struggle and celebrating my victories.

I look forward to many more years, beautiful moments and memories together, I know that with you by my side I can make it through the darkest of storms and there will always be light and magic in my life. We are one, for in you I found my other half.

Yours in love,

Traci xoxox

"May we always find shelter in one another's arms. May we always find warmth in one another's touch. May we always find love in one another's heart." Authour unknown.

Woodi's Work Xmas Party :o)

We are part of Woodi's work social group and the main event of the year is the Social Christmas Party. This year was held at Dizzyland. The kids eyes lit up as soon as we pulled into the carpark and then the squeals of delight and excitement started!!

I however, whilst loving the kids excitement and enthusiasm, was a little less thrilled at the sight of all the really old rides that looked like they had been removed from the carnival scene for being too old..... a century or two ago! The carny staff also looked less than friendly and enthusiastic!

Despite my hesitations though, the day was wonderful and the kids had a blast! They loved the rides and went on all of them (that were running) at least two or three times through out the day. My favourite being when our little family all boarded the dodgem cars with the girls at the steering wheel.... there was heaps of crashing and laughter :o)

It's great catching up each year with the wives and families from Woodi's workplace, and sharing such a special day together. The kids get Lollybags, and we all get a BBQ lunch, drinks, ice-creams, tokens for the clowns and carnival games. After lunch there was a dance party that was followed by the arrival of Santa with a sleigh of presents.

Loo received an electric guitar with a microphone headset for singing, the box was so big that Boo got up and helped her carry it back to Mum and Dad :o)

Boo had a little chat with Santa, got to ring his Bell and received a Zhu Zhu Pet named Bamboo with an Ice Cream Truck for it to drive.

Moo got cuddles with Santa and got to ring his bell too! Moo received a Zhu Zhu Puppy with a Chinese Take-away cart for it to pull!

The girls loved their presents and it was a great day had by all!!

Things I Know - Brought to us by Yay for Home...

Yay it's Friday and time for Things I know!! I missed it last week and am glad to be back!!

This week I know:

* At this moment I am supposed to be showered, getting dressed, jumping in the car and meeting my hubby at a friends place to pick him up and get some shopping done as I will be car-less from 1pm

* The above is less important than making sure I don't miss my Things I know post this week..... not sure Woodi will agree :o)

* Waking up one morning and finding wrinkles have crept in and must be dealt with IMMEDIATELY has lead to the realisation that just cleansing morning and night isn't enough.....

* The above has also led to numerous deliveries from Mr Postman and a new morning and night regime`

* It is difficult getting used to putting effort into your own appearance when all your time goes into your kids and a beauty regime` was thought to be something for models, celebrities and older (yes I'm in denial about my aging) women.

* News from my Brother in QLD has me wanting to move back..... like yesterday!

So what do you know today..... other than if I don't move my butt I'm going to have one crank hubby on my hands??

Belated Slimming Down Sunday...

Well I had a shocker last week :o( I'm disappointed to say that I didn't achieve a loss - although my pants and tops are all a little roomier. I am relieved to say though that I didn't gain any weight, meaning I didn't break my promise to myself of NEVER tipping those scales over the 100kg ever again.

The week started off well until we hit Wednesday evening, we had spent the day at a funeral and the wake into the evening. I was fantastic there, stuck to my water and protein..... but in the car on the way home the weight of everything fell on me and I caved - BIG TIME! And then of course I fell into the usual patterns of negative attitude of failure. "Oh well, I've stuffed this week up anyway so we may as well...." you can insert just about anything not good for you in there and I probably had it :o(

I know I was just being weak and using events and emotions as excuses for my bad choices! But I am owning and acknowledging and hopefully going to overcome this flaw in myself. I have decided to start this week with a 3 day detox again on the Body Trim System. For me it's a horrible time to be starting this, Woodi is away from early this morning until Wednesday afternoon on some 'Team Building' thing for work.... more like drinking, eating and having a good time if you ask me.

So this week is going to be hard for me, and such a BIG part of me was saying "It will be too hard this week, I'll just have (another) week off and start again when Woodi gets back". But I knew that this was just giving in to my weakness again and letting events be my excuses for bad choices. I have started the detox today and am willing myself to succeed, knowing if I can get through this, I will be stronger in the face of future challenges! It honestly doesn't help knowing Woodi has left 2 chocolate bars and a bottle of coke in the fridge... 2 of my hugest weaknesses right there! I know he would have been thinking it would be good for me to have something on hand for a parental meltdown moment while he is away, but I am using them as inspiration to impress him when he gets back and see's they're still there - fingers crossed!

I wish you all strength and success on your weight loss journeys this week and could really use some myself xox

Grateful for..... brought to us by Maxabella loves

Hello and Happy Saturday! Im' playing along with Maxabella loves Grateful for, won't you come and play?

This gloomy and overcast Saturday. I'm Grateful For:

♫ The sound of my 3 little girls playing so nicely together, music to my ears :o)

♫ The fact that I am still in my Pj's, in bed on my laptop after brekky in bed, Love you Woodi xox

♫ That I have someone as talented as April from A Mommy's Blog Design Studio designing my blog, can't wait for the finished product, not long now!!

♫ Another beautiful day spent with my Gran, each moment is precious and a memory to hold onto ❤

♫ Another loss on the scales this week, certainly not the loss I was hoping for, but still a loss

♫ Meeting new people and forging new friendships

Even in the worst of times and the roughest of weeks are there things to be grateful for, you just need to look for them. So what are you grateful for this week?

Grateful for you stopping by,

Grateful for..... brought to us by Maxabella loves

Playing along with Maxabella loves on Grateful for Saturday, go link up and join in :o)

This week I'm grateful for:

<3 A morning spent visiting Gran

<3 Loo finally being back to herself after a whole week of spiking temps, tears and being very needy of mumma

<3 An amazing supportive Mumma that is always there for me in my times of neediness

<3 A strong, healthy and loving relationship with Woodi that never stops flourishing and growing and getting better & better.

<3 Every time Woodi and I are told what beautiful and well behaved princesses we have <3

What are you grateful for?

Things I Know - Brought to us by Yay for Home...

I know:

* Bunking all my girls together in one room, removing all toys and putting them into a "toy room" has been a huge success and has helped to restore some serenity to our home and sanity to me!

* Owning our own home seems like a whole life time away and being addicted to all these home renovation and interior design shows is just torture!!

* My Gypsy blood has been boiling and I have once again been dreaming of far away places, country towns and being closer to my QLD family.

* I have noticed the above seems to occur during or just after a bout of the blues.

* Every time I think I couldn't possibly love Woodi any more than I do, my heart and our relationship proves me wrong - and I like it <3

What do you know? Link up with Yay for home and let us know :)

Things I Know - Brought to us by Yay for Home...

I am participating in Yay for Home's Link in of.... Things I know!!

Things I know this week:

* It is almost a certainty that as my besties family recover from an illness my little family will fall ill with one - meaning we don't see each other for several weeks :(

* I am very, very lucky to have a Hubby as sweet and supportive as Woodi!

* I never want to forget or take for granted the above statement!!

* Woodi and I are to have yet another Anniversary with no money to do something nice together or splurge on gifts.... but after 6 years we are still together <3

* Mumma having to leave her canteen duties because she is not well, will result in crying and very upset girls when they get home :o(

* One cream lamington is NEVER enough....

* I need to get my camera out and start taking more photos of my family

* No matter how much I doubt and question my parenting abilities, there will always be something that shows me just how good I'm doing and how so much worse it could be.