Never, Sometimes, Always...

Never pretend to be something you're not.  Never lie, never steal, never cheat.  Never tell a secret that's been trusted to you.  Never part ways as enemies, you never know when today will be your last..  Never hold back on laughter.  Never be ashamed of who you are or of what you believe in.  Never be embarrassed about your family; they love you more than anyone else in this world, warts and all.  Never disrespect people of lower social standing.  Never be embarrassed by your job, your home, your car, your clothes; you are more lucky than so many to have these things.  Never forget that a smile is free of charge.  Never stop hoping, you never know what's just around the corner.  Never work too hard - nobody lies on their death bed wishing they'd accomplished more in their jobs.  Never stop exploring the world we live in.  Never forget that having a family is the most precious gift.  Never smoke. Never stop dreaming.  Never forget who you are or where you've come from, it's helped mould you into who you are today. 

Sometimes you have to give more than you believed you could in order to receive. Sometimes your decisions break your heart a little, or maybe a lot. Sometimes you can't get your own way. Sometimes, in life, you are faced with making decisions that are difficult to make. Sometimes it's better to shut up about something things. Sometimes it's better to shout it from the roof tops.  Sometimes one thing is worth fighting for more than anything else. Sometimes you have to just be grateful for what we already have.  Sometimes it's good to forget the house work and go on a picnic, or for an ice-cream and a walk on the beach.  Sometimes it's the most wonderful feeling in the world knowing you have a trip planned - travel!  Sometimes it's important to be cautious over who you choose to befriend.  Sometimes go on dates, to remember why you fell in love with your partner in the first place.  Sometimes the results you'd bargained on aren't the ones you get.  Sometimes you have to learn not to be selfish.  Sometimes it does you the world of good to have a good old cry.  Sometimes it's good to remember that negative feelings are not worth the effort. Sometimes it's good to remember that worse things have happened. Sometimes it's good to know that the future isn't in our hands.  Sometimes kids let you down.

But always... Always you have to be your best; to give your best. Always be true to yourself and to those that you love the most. Always love unconditionally and always trust completely. Always love too much.  Always live life looking on the bright side. Always take note of the little 'I love yous'. Always cherish the gift of love. Always remember the warmth of a hand in yours, especially that of  child.  Always do your best, give your best and be your best.  Always remember that the only way to keep a secret is not to share it with anyone.  Always accept compliments graciously (I'm learning).  Always be respectful.  Always plan ahead.  Always have a good will in place, you never know when it's your time.  Always be prepared.  Always accept boundaries.  Always kiss and cuddle too much.  Always treasure special moments shared with your children.  Always remember that time passes by too quickly, especially with children.  Always remember to smile at strangers.  Always stand your ground.  Always appreciate quiet time.  Always remember the wine and chocolate solve a multitude of problems.  Always be proud of who you are.  Always trust your gut; your instinct is your best friend.  Always believe in yourself. And always, always remember that you only get one shot and that you always have to give it your best.

Sue X

PS.  I wrote this more than a year ago, but never posted it for some reason.  Re-read it and I obviously like it more now then I did back then... 

So, more puppy pictures :)  Jake had a friend over for a play date on Friday and asked if I would take them to see the puppies.  I think he was just desperate to share them with someone and they were both so excited with the tiny bundles.  It was worth the drive and the hours in traffic.

Jake and Michael had tons of fun and were so, so good with the puppies.  They were super gentle and loved wrapping them up in their shirts and jerseys to keep them snuggly and warm... 

 The weather was perfect on Saturday for Jake's rugby tournament at one of our nearby schools.  He had a ball, even though his team didn't do too well.  As usual, all his grandparents were there to cheer him on... 

 Jake certainly isn't the best player on the field, he tends to hang back a bit, but he really loves it and he loves being part of a team.  He doesn't want to change to any other sport either, so we'll just have to see how it goes next year.  He loves his practise sessions and plays well in his mini-matches against his own team (even scored a tri yesterday), but in a proper match, he seems to be a little nervous.  Plus, I think these kids coaches need to give them serious lessons in ball handling.  Must be honest, I'm feeling a little relieved that this season's drawing to an end... 

 On Saturday afternoon, I spent a bit of time lazing in the garden and it was so lovely to finally see some colour...  

 On Sunday we had a family get together for Rosanne's birthday.  Jo and Paul were there with the kids and Bianca absolutely stole the show, she's just so cute right now...

 This is her showing me her new shoes...

 Jo says she (Bi) loves shoes.  Wonder where she got that from... 

 Such a happy Princess and I could eat those pigtails...

 After lunch, I took Jake for another quick peek at the puppies, which he hadn't seen since Friday.  It was late though and I needed to get home to get sorted for the new week, so we were there for just on an hour...

 He loves having them suckle his fingers.  This was the puppy he'd originally hoped that Rosie & Gareth would get, but Danie's mom & dad are taking her.  Her name is Alice (can't get that song out of my head!)...

 Puppy watching is highly entertaining.  They dream all the time and they get themselves into such funny positions and then can't quite roll over properly... 

Rosie & Gareth are probably going to be getting a brindle little boy, so, Jake and I are trying to cuddle these boys as much as possible, so that they'll love us and all children forever. The boys are quite a bit bigger than the girls, which is always nice.  Personally, I prefer female dogs, but that's just me.  It's that little jelly tot (for now) on their tummies that doesn't work for me.  The brindle boy puppy's faces are quite a bit darker than all the others, which will be better for when they're bigger and need to stay outside more. Here's one of the them.  This guy's got a diamond on his head and just a tiny stripe under his chin...

 His tongue is also too big for his mouth...

 More sleeping puppies.  This one is Alice again...

 This boy does not like going home at the moment.  He wishes we were living with the puppies and wishes that his mother was more obliging in taking him to visit.  Circumstances dictate that we don't see them as much as he'd like.  He does not like it when I tell him it's time to go home...

 Dreaming puppies...

 I see you!!  This guy's (this is the other brindle boy, if I'm not mistaken) eyes are starting to open!  Yay!  Soon they'll be doing more than just eating and sleeping.  It's a pity that they don't stay this small forever...

 Puppy love - Alice getting a cuddle from her mommy... 

 The puppies had their 1 week birthdays yesterday (without cake) and celebrated with a trip to the vet, where they were all declared healthy.  They are growing really fast now too.  They eat and sleep all the time!

Jake's going to visit his kids again this afternoon, after OT and a trip to the oral hygienist.  I'll probably take him for a bite to eat afterwards, to skip the traffic.  Yay, no cooking again!

Sue X

Happy birthday...

to Rosie,

happy birthday to you,

happy birthday dear Rosie,

happy birthday to you!!

27???  Oh my, you make me feel so old!

I can remember your birth day so clearly.  From sleeping over at Sammy's house with Joanne when Mom went into hospital to have you and the little hamburger erasers and pizza notebooks she bought us; to Dad coming into school and us being called over the intercom to come to the office to meet him.  And we knew, we knew we were going to find out "today" whether we had a baby brother or a sister.  I can remember the feeling of my heart swelling as Dad told us that you were here, our little sister.  Actually Dad told us, "it's a girl and mom said she's ugly".  To me you were perfect though (even then) and as you grew up, you became more and more beautiful, with your gorgeous head of red ringlets and your love for life.  I loved showing you off and remember you coming home when you were just a day old, to be taken with us to brownies and to visit the neighbours and going to Sunday School and school with us just a few days later.  I was such a proud big sister.

You have grown into an amazing woman who I am proud to call sister.  I love sharing life's experiences with you and it has been incredible to have watched you become who you are today.  You are the most level-headed person I know; you are honest and deeply caring and you love us all so unconditionally.

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead with plenty of love and blessings and lots of surprises and spoils for today.  Thank you for being you!!

Jake and I love you so much!

Sue XXX

So cute...

 For various reasons, Jake and I haven't seen the puppies since Monday.  I took him through for a quick visit after work yesterday and I can't believe how much the puppies have grown in just 3 days.  Laila is protective as ever, but seems to be getting into the swing of parenting.  She's in a good routine, running outside for a two minute loo break and even stopping to have something to eat and drink while we were there yesterday.  I love the picture above, looks like she's sharing a special secret with Jake.

So, pictures a plenty, as always.  This puppy cracks me up every time I look at it.  Besides the over-sized tongue they all seem to have inherited from Laila, the way the white patch grows and the way it's ears hang low makes this guy look like a baby goat... 

 This is a little girl (if I'm not mistaken).  Her stripe is slightly tan in colour.  She is just slightly smaller than her brothers and sisters... 

 Jake loves the fact that the puppies don't have any teeth yet and that they suck on his fingers...

 The puppies are fierce when it comes to feeding time.  They push and shove and grunt like mad.  It's amazing how they know where to go and how to get there, even though they can't see yet.  Bottoms up...

 Despite growing quickly, they're still tiny.  I am obsessed with their pink paws...

 And their long tongues and their wrinkly faces and their ears that fold back, because they're too small to hang forwards yet and their little pink noses...

 But they're hungry and demanding of poor old Laila.  It will get harder for her with each passing day, as they get bigger and more demanding... 

 She's been such a good mommy!  Look, she's even managed to lick the colour off her lips.  She looks like she's wearing lipstick, she's licked those pups so much...

 She was really good yesterday.  Jake's been dying to hold the puppies since they were born and yesterday was that day.  Jake hopped into Laila's box and after sitting with her for a bit, she let him hold her precious babies.  As long as he was near enough to her that she could reach the puppies, she was happy...

 Jake took this picture of me holding one, to try show you how big (small) they really are.  Yes, yes, I need a manicure and some hand cream, I know, but look at the puppy...

 Tiny little ball of fur...

 Pink noses, toeses and tongueses...

 It was great to get some photos of Jake enjoying the puppies too.  This one looks like he's enjoying giving Jake a little cuddle...

 Just about all the time we were there, the puppies were feeding.  I am so glad I'm not a dog!! Imagine 7 babies all at once?  And look at that suction power... 

 As they finished feeding, I was popping the sleepy puppies onto Jake's lap.  He was beyond excited...

 Laila kept close guard...

 But she was super chilled and seemed quite happy to share the load with Jake... 

 This tiny little princess has stolen Jake's heart.  She's the second born in the litter and if he could chose one for himself, this would be it...

Laila cleans her puppies constantly... 

 And she's tired.  She tries to squeeze sleep in between the puppies suckling...

 Here's Jake's fav again.  Funny how we both prefer girl dogs and how we both love the brindle boxers more than the tan ones.  Guess it's cos we've gotten to love Laila so much...

 Oh my...

 Oh, oh, my.  this one's a boy, by the way.  He's going to be slobbery...

 Bok again...

 Dreaming puppy...

 And while Laila was outside for like 1.38 seconds, I could get a photo of the whole litter without her...

 She's got a pretty nice set up in Danie's scullery.  Danie and Jake made her a whelping box (in the background) and he's put a heater in to keep them all warm (since it's like 4 degrees C here).  The wooden board in front slides open and closed for when they're slightly bigger.  Jake decorated it the night before the puppies were born...

 Mommy dog, with 7 puppies and 7 hows (hours) labour time to deliver 7 puppies...

 They all have long tongues, he was right...

 Look...

 One last quick cuddle before we headed home...

 Laila stuffing her face quickly.  Look how thin she is already!  Maybe I change my mind... wouldn't be sooo bad to be a mama dog...

Other than that, we have a busy weekend ahead.  Jake has a friend coming to play (I'm taking them to see the pups) today.  Tomorrow morning he's got a rugby tournament and then a birthday party and he's going to rugby with Danie on Saturday night.  Sunday we're celebrating a special some one's birthday.  And hopefully, somewhere in between, Jake and I will be able to cuddle up with a good movie.

Enjoy it, whatever you get up to!

Sue XXX