updates

My energy must be returning. Today had my nieces and nephews (5 altogether) over for a swim. They spent almost 5 hours in the pool! I was in with caleb for an hour or so but he was starting to overheat. We kept the snacks and drinks rolling while myles continued to play and entertain.

My 2 yr old niece and caleb watched from the balcony with my mum and i. Then we had pizza and packed them off home. They looked so wasted they were practically ready for bed!

Not sure if I mentioned it but ended up using my small christmas tree from London, it's made of twine and has a little cane basket at the bottom. Decided it was much better than a plastic tree and it's small enough to put on our dining table so caleb can't reach it :) Will use it next year too as will have 2 little ones under my feet.

Pregnancy...going well but i'm noticing strong smells more this time around. My mum was cooking earlier this week and I felt queazy. Had to go sit outside. Petrol fumes and rubbish smells just make me want to spew. Last time I would just hate the smell but my tummy didn't react. Mum thinks this means I'm having a girl.

New year around the corner - a time for new year's resolutions. I wonder what the new year will bring? I'm hoping for lots of good news and no family losses - too many deaths in my family over the last few years. This year we had 2. Just births and weddings, I hope.

Two of my cousins are having children around the same time as me - all in Sydney. One in late May, the other in mid-June and then me -end of June. Makes it all the more exciting. Except they are in their early 20s and I will be 40 next year.

A big year for bdays in my family - myles and I will be 40, and my Mum will be 60. Next year will be a year of saving. I am hoping to go to Ireland beginning of 2009 for a cousin's wedding. Taking my whole tribe. It will be our 40 pressie to each other. If baby no.2 is born in end of June then he/she will be 8 mths which is young i know but as long as we time it well he/she may sleep most of the way...caleb on the other hand...it will be an adventure!

As for my Mum, will throw a 6oth party which will be no small event. Haven't figured out how to do it, but my next house had better have big living spaces because she will invite her whole family. At least 50 people...not including all the little ones.

Oh well have a year to work that out. It wouldn't be so complicated if I wasn't sure where she plans to be in November. She's going home to Samoa sometime next year with her siblings to renovate their family house. It's one of those silly follow your heart kind of plans because none of them live at home and only one of my cousins remain. So who knows who will maintain the place. But it's something they have to do. And I don't like standing in the way of decisions made from the heart :)

As usual lots of plans but I'm reminded of that verse from Proverbs...a man's heart plans his way but it's the LORDS who directs his steps. I wonder what direction my steps will take this year, care of the LORD?