A Big Week

Littlest KAT started big school yesterday.

Her bravado over the holidays had lulled us into a false sense of security...she was actually nervous!

We thought Daddy wasn't going to be able to make it but he surprised us:)

This is the face of apprehension.

Luckily she had a smile on her dial more than the anxious face.

 

As if that's not enough of an emotional roller coaster we have also had another momentous occasion this week...

Oldest KAT is off to high school.

I am so proud I could burst!

To say its been a big week would be an understatement!

Let's not forget my little fish Middle KAT. She has been the most supportive of sisters to both her older and younger sibling and has allowed them to be in the limelight without even a hint of resentment.

I am a very lucky mummy to have such a trio and Saint Mike.

 

My New Blog - Revamped by Libby

I have started a new blog.  It's called Revamped by Libby.  In my usual style of adopting acronyms I will be referring to it from here on as RBL (does it matter if it's a capital B in the acronym?)

I'm going to combine my love of revamping discarded and tired furniture with the need to generate a bit of income for the house of KATcapers.

I was inspired by the above card that I saw at Kikki K the other day but truth be told I've been toying with the idea for a while. 

There's a store in our neck of the woods that is rarely actually open but I peer through the window and admire the items that this lady has in it....things she's reconditioned and repainted.  Some days I've been fortunate enough to see her there, paint brush in hand working on a piece of furniture.  I can do that I've said to myself.

On the interweb I've admired the work of people both local and international who transform furniture items for themselves or for others and revamped them into items to admire and add charm to some lucky person's home.  I can do that I've said to myself.

No more procrastinating.  I'm doing it!

I'd love it if you'd come across and join me there and follow my journey. 

 

Even better, if you need help with revamping any item of furniture that's been sitting in your shed/roof/under your house/in your spare room and want to discuss it with me I'd love to hear from you!!!!

Uptime and Downtime

 

Unlike previous school breaks these holidays have been free of any "organised" activity.

Instead spontaneity coupled with plenty of down time for all of us has been our modus operandi.

Youngest KAT is off to big school and these holidays have been about spending lots of time with her big sisters....annoying as that can sometimes be for each of them:)

Oldest KAT remains preoccupied with her elevation to high school and the natural apprehension that it brings.

Middle KAT has been practising her basketball skills in the evenings with daddy whilst I constructively critisize Saint Mike's coaching technique and play with the other two in the adjacent park.

Two weeks to go. Shopping done, labelling underway. The excitement for a new school year builds.

Balancing the Bumps with the Blessings

2012 was a mixed bag for me. On an individual level it was a year of stumbling. I want to say failing but I've done enough years of cognitive behaviour therapy/mindfulness training to know that's not helpful self-talk.

I don't mention these stumbles to dwell on them, it's merely to document:

1. My history of yo-yo dieting continues...the "yo" rebounded with a bang - all weight lost in 2011 regained. Not enough words to convey the self-loathing that's ensued.
2. Work was sporadic, a few good months to be followed by a hiatus when the stair tumble occurred and my confidence is now so low that I feel anxious just thinking about the prospect of ever working again.
3. Like many men his age, Saint Mike has been struggling with a minor mid-life crisis. Fortunately as the amazingly resilient bloke that he is the impact has been confined to our intimacy suffering a few low points but with focused attention all is well in that garden:)
4. Illness and injury were a factor in 2012 for me and also for family members. Sadly the end of the year meant the loss of my brother-in-law, leaving behind twin girls our middle KATs age which breaks my heart. Added to this my lovely mother-in-law is being wracked by the relentless progression of Parkinson's and my heart is heavy with the burden this puts on her.

Fortunately these challenges are outweighed by the blessings of my beautiful KATs and Saint Mike along with the pleasure and respite that comes from having constant contact with my amazing siblings and their partners and children and my lovely friends near and far that fill my heart with love.

 

1. Oldest KAT graduated from primary school receiving the Dux of the school award. It was a wonderful moment. She is apprehensive about high school but that is to be expected:)
2. Middle KAT is our very own sporting prodigy....she made the rep teams in both basketball and netball and is a very promising swimmer to boot. Even better she has emerged from year 4 as guileless and effervescent as she entered.
3. Youngest KAT amazes us with her maturity and intelligence...she is truly the 3rd child. We went to the pool yesterday and she was distraught to be without her flippers which we had assumed SHE would pack! We both agreed that this is typical of the high expectations we have for her at 5 compared to the other two who would no sooner have even got their towels out than pack their own goggles and flippers!! She is off to big school next year and my heart is heavy to lose our special times together.

The dawn of a New Year this time round is not about resolutions and turning over any new leaf. It is about being thankful for the blessings and moments of joy that I was fortunate to have in 2012 and being hopeful that these will continue into 2013.

 

I love my family and I am grateful to have these blessings.