Journalling

There is this thing that I have wanted to do every year but have never got to it. People get a jar and write down all the good memories and things that happened throughout the year and store them in the jar, so that at the end of the year you can look back and remember what a good year it was.
I am doing something similar through these blogs. I am remembering the things that happen to me throughout the year that bring me joy or gratitude. And I also have this book that I keep on my bedside table called a "Mom’s One Line a Day - A Five Year Memory Book". Where everyday for 5 years you write down a good memory from each day. I was writing in it yesterday and I came across my memory from last this time last year. It said 'Watching Sienna take her first steps'. It blows my mind that my little princess has been walking for a year!

I find it fascinating to look back on things that happened on this exact day years ago. That new thing in Facebook that allows you to look back to what you posted on that day previously helps you to see how much you have grown and changed as a person from then to today.

I am so grateful that I have these memories stored to look back on. All the updates on how I was feeling throughout my pregnancy with Ollie to look back on. Remembering how we spent Sienna's first and second years of life. All the little things that we did that are special but I wouldn't remember if I hadn't them written down. And now I ask myself where the whole of last year went... I cannot believe that in about 12 weeks my baby boy will be one year old!! That just blows my mind! So I am trying everything I can to remember these times and to catch these memories of them at this age because they are just growing up way too fast!

Home Yoga Practise

Today I am starting a wonderful yoga journey called “True”.
At the beginning of every year the YouTube channel 'Yoga with Adriene' (I'll link below) does a 30 days of yoga series, and every year I have wanted to do it but have never made it all the way through (last year I was very pregnant so I couldn’t take part). But this year will be different! I am determined to see it all the way through.
Yoga makes me feel amazing!! And I am so grateful that there are things like this available on the internet to help me work towards my health goals at home. I don’t have to worry about finding a time to get down to the gym to do things like this because I can simply switch on the computer and do something active while the kids are asleep. And Adriene makes yoga so fun and doable. I know a lot of people look at yoga as a whole heap of poses that are impossible to get to let alone stay in. But with this particular channel you can do whatever level you feel you can do on that day (the theme of the channel is 'Find What Feels Good'). And everything is broken down and you work from your foundation up. The next day I may feel a little sore but it is amazing to watch and feel my ability and flexibility improve everyday.
Watching sienna join me sometimes, even though a lot of the movements are a bit tricky for her, but seeing her attempt things make me think that I am moulding her in the direction of a healthy lifestyle as well. I would really encourage you all to watch this into and give it a go yourself =)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I_Ec2FPOyY

New Direction! Exciting times :-)

Hey all you lovely people!!

I am setting myself a challenge in the new year and in doing that, my blog may take a new direction... I will still post occasional updates about the kids (which reminds me I need to put one up soon because they have both grown SO much since my last blog... yes, I have been lazy), but I will be focusing on short snippets of finding joy in every day life. I want to take more pictures and film more videos (so I can put up some additional vlogs too). I want to enjoy every moment that I am with my kids, because this age is such a special age, and you can probably say that about every age that your children reach, but at this age when they are learning and experiencing so much for the first time.... to witness that is something very special. I have so much to be thankful for and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to document it, so when the kids get older they can see how even the little things are extraordinary and that life is such an amazing thing that too many people take for granted everyday. It needs to be enjoyed!!

So in between now and the new year I will probably put up some other posts, but I really want to focus on more blogs and documenting everyday happiness in the new year!

Let me know your thoughts and ideas because I want you all to be involved too. Let me know all the little everyday things that you find joy in.

Till next time, I love you all, have an amazing day!

I Need Your Help

Hey guys and gals!!

I am looking at starting up my own Youtube channel, and I really want to know what you all would like to see on there!

When you log onto youtube, what do you like to watch? What do you search for?

I want my channel to have lots of communication with the viewers, so what you all have to say is really important to me. Please give me serious feedback anyway you want, whether it be on any social media outlet, email me at thefamilyofoz@hotmail.com I want to hear from you all!!

Thanks for you help everyone!! Look forward to seeing you on Youtube!!

Happy Easter - Something Thats Been On My Mind......

Hey Guys!! As you may have noticed, I have taken a bit of time off, adjusting to life with a newborn and a toddler has taken up most of my time. But more on that later.... this was just a quick note to wish all the readers out there a warm and happy Easter!!

Easter to me is a time to spend with family and be grateful for life and the fact that we can live with free will and love. It is a time to wipe the slate clean and start again with a grateful heart and mind. I was raised in a Christian family so it also has the meaningful aspect of Jesus being raised from the dead after paying the ultimate sacrifice so that all our sins would be forgiven. But I challenge you all today and every day no matter if you believe this or not, to show love and kindness and thankfulness to everyone around you. This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately...
If you have kids, I challenge you to make them laugh at least once (if not more times) every day. If you don't have kids make one other person laugh, your partner, your mum or dad, your best friend, or even yourself. As silly as this sounds if everyone in the world laughed or even smiled once a day, it's contagious! Imagine how much happier the world would be.
In a world that seems to be full of so much hate these days, be the ray of sunshine in someone elses dark day. BE the change you want to see in the world. Make everyone know that they belong. That they are cared for. That they are loved. No matter what they believe, no matter what colour their skin is, no matter who they love.... they belong and are loved.
I don't want to bring my kids up in a world where people are excluded because we are all in this together. Putting someone else down will not make you feel any better. But raising someone else up and making someone else feel good about themselves is the best feeling in the world.

Also, and most importantly, love yourself! You are such a unique person. There is no one else in the world like you. That's a really special thing.
A mother loves her newborn baby without reservation. Its a love that is forgiving, accepting, honest and perfect. Many people don't believe a love like that exists in our every day lives. But it does. And we need to love ourselves that way. People look in the mirror and see all their flaws and it stops that love from coming out but you need to look at yourself and know that you are perfect to someone. It may not be you at the moment. But you ARE perfect. Love yourself and embrace all your qualities, even the things that you consider to be flaws.

Whether it's Spring or Autumn where you are, it's a time of change, so start now... This Easter, give the best gift of all.... Kindness and love. Give it to all the people around you and give it to yourself. It's easy to do and it doesn't cost a thing. I love you all... Have a brilliant day. Happy Easter!!