My year that was 2010...

I wasn't sure I'd make the opportunity to do this post then I read this post from Daydream Lily and was inspired to look at my year and capture the highlights month by month...

However as there were very high highs there were some interesting lows... the most profound aspect of doing this exercise was how focused I was on family and that without a doubt has been one of the most rewarding and profoundly challenging years to date, but I will always love 2010 if not for anything else the birth of our third child and the profound impact he has had on our lives.. .it left us open for anything and boy have we met those challenges head-on... I so look forward to 2011, I can only be amazed by what life continues to dish up and there were certainly surprises I wasn't expecting (an operation) but happily it's behind me and happy to move forward...

So here it is in a nutshell or longer :-)

New bucket action...

january: the year started with us holidaying in Pambula we were there until the 14th Jan and then headed back to Melbourne. It was a magical time, perfect weather, perfect company. I was by the end of the holiday 30 weeks pregnant and relishing having time to swim, rest and enjoy stellar company in friends and family with no real commitments, we also celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday ...

february: I was 8 months pregnant and excitedly anticipating the birth. My son had started school, my daughter 3 year old kindy. There were swimming lessons and we were still debating names for our baby, which was decided the week before he was born....I also finished working part time at a job I had been in for four years and wrapped up any freelance work...

march: We celebrated my birthday, very low key. Then it became a waiting game! Our baby boy was born 9 days late on the 30.03.10, it was an such a beautiful moment and a beautiful month!

april: A period of adjusting!! Three children with all their various requirements and demands and sleep deprived, seriously a life changing month...thankfully I still had much help from my MIL and mother who were amazingly generous with their time...Lots of visitors and embracing three more friends who have their first babies!!!

may: A month of milestones, baby steps...Sebastian 6 weeks old and reaching up for his play gym. My first dates out!!! a friend's 40th, an afternoon of champagne and frippery, juggling play dates galore..

june: My eldest son turns 7 years old. We mark the occasion with a big party. He loved it and so did I as I didn't have to prepare a thing except turn up and watch the enjoyment unfold...
Commenced an online course with Kelly Rae Roberts, was enlightening and informative, notes I have been able to absorb and learn from.... Started participating in the school craft club as a way to contribute to the school fete, my life is definitely revolving around my children but I relish the experience and the new friends I have made...

july: I drove solo interstate with 3 kids. An 8 hour drive road trip, many couldn't believe I would do it, I did and it felt liberating.. It was wonderful to get away, it was wonderful to meet up with a friend of mine who I hadn't seen in 7 years!! she was coincidentally in Canberra to see family and was to fly out to Singapore later that week, our timing was perfect!
We started a new project which was bigger then we anticipated, cleaning out our study for our eldest son in to move into, we started the biggest clean out since we moved into this house 6 years ago...it felt like we were moving...

august: Social life is picking up, another 40th, movie dates and a reunion! A very special group of girlfriends whom I met through the first job I had in Melbourne in 1996...these friendships have endured with a surprise in stall for us, another friend with whom we hadn't seen in over 10 years, very emotional and wonderful timing...celebrating my niece's first birthday...my partner recording our children singing in his home studio...

september:A  trip to the city with my daughter a special date for hot chocolates, shopping and discovering  Typo... School holidays and our baby starts verbalising Da da da, Ma ma ma....

october: Birthday celebrations for my partner... the reorganising continues with the need for a storage unit apparent, we find one! Worked at my first Baby & Kids market, was great to see our loved items no longer required go to new homes...The finalising of the departure from my part time job, I will not be returning, I am wanting to seek new adventures...left on a good note.


november: Early silly season and Christmas celebrations are under way we have a full schedule the biggest being the school fete which ended up being held on not only on the Election day but also the wettest spring day on record!...and then the diagnosis that was hard to hear, yet a relief too. It was finally having an answer and have a resolution in sight...

I embroidered the kids Santa sack's inherited from my husbands family, I wanted to personalise them...

december: An ominous start to this month, an operation,  recovery which has been very testing at the best of times (did I say highlights here?) however lots of support and with Christmas looming we have a wonderfully low-key Christmas with very happy children, who could ask for more. We even make it to the beach before New Years which was liberating even if I couldn't swim this time....Yet I am have been taught the lessons of  patience, relaxation and breathing... techniques I will certainly be carrying into 2011!!!