Kye's facination with Santa...

We recently went to a Reptile Party located near the Central Coast for a family Christmas Party.
Santa was attending a corporate function located near us and he was very busy with the kids.

Kye spotted him and waited patiently for him to say goodbye to his crowd and make his away to leave the park. As he was leaving, Kye ran up to him and introduced himself. He asked him very politely if his elves were magic and could he please have a "Sleeping Beauty Dress".

Santa was so kind and took the time to answer his questions and confirm a Sleeping Beauty Dress was on his list for Kye.

Kye gave him a hug hugged to thank him and smiled from ear to ear. The Christmas Spirit had touched him through a kind man who took the time to speak with our boy.

I can't wait till they are a little older to show them the most important side of Christmas, the gift of giving and the gift of helping others less fortunate. However, at 4 years old, our boy Kye is in his glory knowing that his Sleeping Beauty Dress is on the way......

Eating with out guilt!

I opened up the paper yesterday to be bombarded with "How to stay thin over Christmas" campaigns! How sad.

No wonder we all eat with guilt at this time of year with the media on our backs to keep in shape, to not overindulge and to watch our waistline.

My reply - eat what you want! All year we are conscious of what we eat and when we eat it. I personally have worked too damn hard in the exercise department to deprive myself! In saying that, I have eaten too many gluten free mince tarts today and feel a little ill.

See what happens when you deny yourself of yummy treats, you binge when you have the opportunity!! Well, maybe just I do that!!

So, you have my permission to eat all you want and enjoy it without guilt. We all start a diet on 1 January (that lasts one week), so lets just enjoy the yummy Christmas food whilst we are in the festive season.

Reflection....

This time of year is the best! I love the build up, the excitement, the kids, the sound of people having a great time, all the yummy food and of course, the bubbles of champagne! This is us decorating our fresh Christmas tree. So much fun!

Its also a great time of year to reflect at the year that was. We achieve so much in a year that we deserve the acknowledgement to ourselves and a pat on the back.

Take the time right now, just to think about all that you have achieved. Its also a great opportunity to be grateful for all that you have. I was told today that the Salvos in Surry Hills host a Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day for 1500 homeless people and this is now including families who have a car and a mortgage, but no money for food or gifts because they have been retrenched. For those of us who have food on the table, presents under the tree, family to be with, our good health and a roof over our heads, we have so much to be grateful for.

Breathing Space

Don't you wish you could sit in this chair for an hour and just breath! Take 10 deep breaths. Stop and think about nothing. Now go on with a slower pace - if you find yourself rushing, come back t this picture xxx

Christmas - a time to be grateful!

Christmas is the best time of year! I love the excitement of it all, especially with the kids and all the traditional activities we do to create the excitement.

I was just recently watching an amazing documentary when Oprah visited South Africa and agve 12,000 gifts to orphaned children. She created winter wonderlands, Christmas celebrations and memories the children would never forget.

These dear little children are often left alone in their huts when their parents die of AIDS. They take care of themselves, feed themselves and are in survival mode everyday. Oprah's gifts included shoes, clothes, school books, pencils, soccer balls, dolls - all of which the children have never owned before.

The visit made such an impact on their lives, but even more so an impact on the viewers lives. I was touched by the generosity from Oprah and the gratefulness of the children. It gave perspective on the meaning of Christmas.

At this time of year, I really feel its a time of gratitude. To be grateful for what we have, for our families, for our health, for our hardships, for our great times and for ourselves. At some point this Christmas, take a moment to light a candle and be still. Take time to be grateful and enjoy your Christmas!

How is your Self-Esteem?

This is Amanda and I on our girls weekend earlier this year. Amanda is in the front of the photo. For the people who have read my book, you will know that Amanda is my rock and gives so much to our friendship. Over the years, I have watched her self-esteem flourish and develop into a strong, independent woman.

At different points of our lives, our self-esteem can be affected with or without us knowing. I believe, self-esteem is an ongoing development within us all. We need to read more books, listen to more women and really see what is going on within ourselves to ensure we have a strong self-esteem. Once we have this, decisions, focus and our paths will become easier and more natural.

Ask this question - "How do I feel about who I am".

I found this fantastic summary from a book called "How to Raise Your Self Esteem" By Stanley Gross

"Low self-esteem is a negative evaluation of oneself. This type of evaluation usually occurs when some circumstance we encounter in our life touches on our sensitivities. We personalize the incident and experience physical, emotional, and cognitive arousal. This is so alarming and confusing that we respond by acting in a self-defeating or self-destructive manner. When that happens, our actions tend to be automatic and impulse-driven; we feel upset or emotionally blocked; our thinking narrows; our self-care deteriorates; we lose our sense of self; we focus on being in control and become self-absorbed"

Will leave this one with you to think about...

I need to let it out!

I just need to let it out!! Our dog DUKE is nearly 13 years old. Cute and Scary, would not hurt a fly.

Scott had always wanted a dog, so just after we were married he found Duke at the pound.

10 years on, he is driving me crazy! And turning into an extremely cranky old man who is deaf.

When Scott is away for business, Duke plays up in every way possible.

Last night for example, he got himself stuck under the house after racing in their from the thunderstorm. It was 2am in the morning and he was crying out (he is also deaf, so you can imagine how loud he is when he cant hear himself!).

Just 2 weeks ago, Duke found himself stuck in all sorts of areas in the backyard every night Scott was away. Always in the middle of the night!!!! Is this for attention? Does he know his favourite owner is away and its his turn to get me back for keeping outside on a permanent basis?

People ask how I cope when Scott is away with three kids, my reply, EASY, its the stinking dog that causes me grief!!!!!!!

Thanks for listening! Now I feel guilty and will go give Duke a bone.

The word is spreading...

It has been 2 months since Miracle Beginnings, the book was published and launched to the public. Looking back on the past few months, it feels like a lifetime that I started writing the book.

I am thrilled to update you all that the book is selling extremely well and has plans to be around for a long time!

The best moments are when I receive emails from strangers or friends asking to buy a copy for their friend or a friend of a friend as they know they need to read the book to get through their tough times.

We have a new series coming out next year of Miracle Beginning Books - stay tuned!

Women need women

I am so grateful for my girlfriends! They make my world a better place. This week I have been very busy catching up with my girlfriends one on one for special time. I love this time, as the plan is to have a indepth chat about what is happening in our lives whether it be good or bad.

All my sessions with my girlfriends this week have been priceless. After a catch up with an old school friend in the afternoon which was so much fun, I stayed up till 1am last night with another girlfriend chatting about life. We laughed so much that we nearly had toilet issues (I am grateful I have had a Cesarean!).

Then today after catching up with an old girlfriend and loving every minute, I met up with a new friend who had text me for some advice and comfort through a difficult time in her life. We listened to each other and bonded over life experience. This special friend had read my book and felt that I could understand what she is going through with the difficult challenges she is facing in her life. It was a privilege to listen and advise my friend, who I know will make it through.

I am excited to be catching up with my soul sister from LA tomorrow night for dinner. I have known her since I was 13 years old and our friendship has evolved into a deeper level than I could ever imagine.

On Friday night, I am catching up with more wonderful friends who share a common interest in the new movie from the Twilight Series "New Moon". Don't ask! I was roped into reading the books, became addicted and now a fan!

When I sit and chat with my girlfriends uninterrupted and with honest, raw emotions, I feel so blessed that I am surrounded by women who are inspiring through their good times and bad.

Women need women! We can all, at some level, understand what we are going through. To listen with both ears is the best gift you can give your friends.