Week 8 & 9 :)

It's been a busy fortnight in our household with so signs of slowing down for a while... and I'm sure a lot of you with children back at school are finding the same thing!! I've finally finished Week 8 & Week 9 but unfortunately when I went to print my photos the machines had just been turned off so I'm going to put the photos under the layouts so you can still see them :)

Week 8: Make Time

Like everyone these days, my life seems to get busy without too much trouble... and when we get busy we often put things aside thinking that we'll catch up later. But sometimes we need to put in a little effort and actually 'make time' for the people in our lives.

I've got a cousin in Taupo (a mere hour away) that I hadn't seen for almost 2 YEARS!!! So when I was in Taupo last weekend I made some time to catch up with him... in fact to illustrate the point of how long it's been I text him to say I was in town and he sent back a text saying 'Shell who??' We've both decided to keep in better touch from now on :)

The journaling reads: Last weekend while I was in Taupo I FINALLY made time to visit Fearnley. We had so much to catch up on!!!

It was great to see him again... and Luke has grown up a LOT! He's in Year 7 now and is definitely a young MAN rather than a BOY!

We chatted for ages and then stayed for dinner and chatting until MIDNIGHT! It made me realise that although I get caught up in my own life and my girls, I need to MAKE time for the other important people in my life... because their lives are full and busy too!

A positive outcome of catching up again was realising that family bonds can be very STRONG!

We had a great night with lots of laughs, a few tears and plenty of catching up!

Making time for the people and things that really MATTER is a bit of an effort at times... but the benefits are awesome!!!

And here's the photo that's going on my page... it was taken in 2004! Our kids have grown up so quickly!!!

Week 9: Change of Heart

Have you ever decided you really did or didn't like something or someone and then changed your mind later? I have definitely done that!!! Yesterday I got to be on the receiving end of someone changing their minds... and it was GREAT!

The journaling reads: A few short weeks ago 'Mr Smiley' wasn't smiling at all! EVERY time I even LOOKED at him he cried! It was a horrible experience that I didn't want to repeat... and with his 1st birthday looming I was feeling a bit worried!

But it seems that my wee nephew as had a change of heart... and Auntie isn't so bad after all!

After a tentative beginning there were a few smiles coming my way and I was feeling quite happy.

After him mid-day nap Reece decided that Auntie was alright after all... he even let me pick him up!

Once the ice was broken we had a great time... he's really ticklish and has the cutest giggle! After a while he came and sat on my lap and THEN we had some lovely LONG cuddles!

I was a very happy Auntie! Sometimes having a change of heart/mind can bring about really positive results! Love ya babe!!! xx

I still haven't decided which photo I'm going to use on my layout yet... but here's my favourites :)

Yep I'm a bit shocked!! LOL

Yesterday was a really awesome day... and I'm one very, very happy Auntie :)

Thanks for visiting everyone and I hope you're still enjoying the prompts... looking forward to seeing what you all come up with :) Have a great week!