peter pan

tonight we went to the kalamunda performing arts centre to see my crazy beautiful niece laura play the lead in her school production - peter pan! she tried out for another part and was offered peter - what a legend! it was such a fun night and she did her part so well, plus i am a sucker for a good high school play, i'm not going to lie. there was songs as well - and the cast had the audience well entertained all the way though, especially the young bloke that played the dog (nanna) and the ticking alligator after hooks hand. 

peter pan and wendy caught on the marooners rock as the tide rises steadily 

"to die would be an awfully big adventure..."

us with our girl after the play ended - nonna called from samoa and demanded that we go and buy some flower for the prima donna of the play... (which she loved mum!) it was a great night, and although kalamunda isn't just down the road, i am so glad we went ♥

grandies

i awoke this morning to find this amazing picture of my fathers parents on facebook - taken at my friends parents wedding, many years ago. it was their wedding anniversary today and they had revisited some old pictures, which stirred some amazing memories in me - and then my family as i reposted this photo.

my grandma phyllis was apparently the most amazingly talented singer, with an incredible alto voice. according to everyone i know that ever heard her sing, she was blessed with the "voice of an angel". i like to thing that i got my gift of song from her, and that it would have made her proud when i sang at granddads funeral all those years ago. she passed away when i was just 6 years old, and the only memories i have of her are fleeting at best. one thing is for sure, i cannot wait for the day that i am finally able to sing a duet with her in the next life. 

my grandfather was the most amazing person i have ever known. at 86 he was still going strong, walking to the chapel to clean and just to do whatever he could help. he was funny, slightly quirky, had an amazing sense of humour (for those of you who are blessed enough to know someone scottish, you will understand this!!) and always, always, always had time for me. everything a grandchild could ever need.

i can't wait to see you both again when the day comes x

hayleys backyard bday ❤

my friend hayley and i were born three days apart - and all through school we would whine and moan about how we had so much longer to wait than everyone else because our birthdays are in december (yeah i know, i know, that made no sense at all - we still get one every year, at the same time...) only this year we are turning 30 and hayley decided to throw a party in her backyard, complete with games (twister spray painted into the grass - which i am kicking myself for not getting a picture of, elastics, badminton with bunting for a net...) a candy bar, chocolate fondue, a cotton candy machine - a punch fountain and a slushy machine!! it was supercute and old school cool and we had a blast - especially miss maddie who was spoilt rotten with sugar overload from everyone at the party.

hayley's funky cotton candy machine, which i of course couldn't leave alone until i had worked it out...

ta-dah!!!! :) the only one that worked all night - perhaps i just need more practice...

and the choc fondue, which as you can see, jen clearly decided that the biscuit didn't already have enough sugar on it. 

backyard parties are the bomb and this one was no exception, hayley did a great job!

happy birthday bebe!

pray for the philippines

as i am sure you're all well aware, there has been terrible tragedy in the philippines as the typhoon hit and caused widespread damage. it's easy to sit in my nice comfortable home in australia and feel bad for people there without really realizing what is going on, but once i read this article online the extent of the damage and the issues it has caused really hit home.

when i finished reading (and yes, i know you all know how emotional i get, so when i finished crying my eyes out) i knew it was something i needed to share with all of you. i emailed it to my parents, so far away along with a plea for them to be careful and be safe and then started telling everyone i know about it.

i am so, so incredibly grateful for the power of the gospel - and the promptings of the holy ghost in my life - and the lives of others. the same promptings that lead these missionaries to safety and can lead each of us to safety in our lives each day. i feel so blessed to know that i can and will be lead to safety if i obey the still, small voice when he speaks to me.

(and on a side note - our beautiful friends from our ward whose son is currently serving in the olongapo philippines mission - have already heard that he is in area completely unaffected - and he is safe! thank heavens!!)

please pray for those in the philippines, pray for the people, for those who have loved and lost, but most of all for them to find strength and comfort in their time of need.

new calling!

it's official. i am no longer hanging in the relief society presidency - i have been let loose on the primary children! i am the new music director and i am excited! this past sunday was my third sunday in primary and i have to admit it's a lot of fun. 

we have been learning a song called "picture a christmas" that the kiddies will be singing at the ward christmas party at the end of this month. i had to admit too, that i am so impressed with their efforts that it's not even funny. i swear they should be teaching me the words not the other way around.

i will miss relief society though, i had a ball organising the activities (and of course the swap tables!! ohh swap tables...) and working with the lovely ladies that were by my side through it all. but on to the next challenge i go! ♥  

for the love of joy

i follow so many beautiful, talented and wonderful people on facebook and instagram - and this week had a wonderful surprise when one of my favourites - anna french from for the love of joy announced that everything currently made and stocked in her online store was going to be 40% off until it all sold. she makes quilts and quilted items to pay for her college tuition and being that she is just 4 weeks off graduating, i guess this is the final run for the finish line!

i jumped in with both feet and bought the gorgeous cushion cover and quilt pictured here and am so so stoked with my purchases! cannot wait until they arrive, her stuff is so cute and i am so excited!

i am sure they will look amazing in baby k2's little nursery :)

farewell to jahvis

today i attended the funeral of this beautiful little boy. jahvis collins. such a gorgeous little boy, full of life and personality, but taken at the young age of 6. he had suffered from very aggressive leukemia for quite some time - endured so much, but is now in the arms of a loving and kind father in heaven. we know jahvi's aunt and uncle from church, who introduced us to his beautiful family. it has been a long and hard road for them - and i know they have found comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and can rest in sweet peace.

there was a sea of green clothes, jahvi's favourite colour - beautiful words spoken and songs sung - including an amazing tribute from his big sister kavana - before she joined her mum and step-dad serena and mark to sing teach me to walk in the light. i don't think there would have been a dry eye in the church - so many people were weeping openly for this young boy who touched the lives of everyone he knew. with his big eyes and amazing smile - to know jahvis was to love him!

our love and condolences are at this time with serena and mark - as well as his father chris and his family. he may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. 

I'll lend you for a little time,
A child of mine, God said.
For you to love him while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty- two or three...
But will you, til I call him back,
Take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief-
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there-
I want this child to learn.

I've looked the whole world over,
In my search for teachers true-
And from the throngs that crowd life's lane,
I have selected you.

So will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labour vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call-
To take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say...
Dear Lord thy will be done.
For all the joys thy child shall bring-
The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we'd planned...
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes-
And try to understand.
-Author Unknown