for A

is for Aunty...

On the 5th of January 2003 I became an Aunty for the first time and the joy has been bestowed upon me 5 other times since then with a total of 5 nephews and 1 niece!

 Dominic was the first and I was blessed to be there for his very quick arrival, was so sad that not long after I had to head back to North Queensland and thousands of kms away for work..

 Jack was next in 2005 and oh my he stole our hearts! Those eyes....! I was living out west when he was born so was a few weeks before I met him..

Benjamin John arrived in 2007 and once again I was there to experience the arrival! We thought we might like to call him BJ when he was first born but Dominic insisted that his name was NOT BJ, it was Benjamin! Now he's just Ben..

My one and only niece Jorja entered the world in a quick and dramatic fashion in 2009...Stand by for J for that story!

Then last year the Twinnies were born!!! Bradey (left) and Fletcher (right) were a little more reluctant to grace the world with their presence and took some convincing but arrived safe and sound in the end.

All 6 of them with my older sister (and Mum to the 4 big ones!)

Of course!

If I can't be a Mum, being an Aunty is the next best thing! 

Love all these kids to the moon and back!!

Linking up this first of my atozchallenge post with Essentially Jess for IBOT.. and if you want to check out other A to Z Challenge participants check out the official website here!

for a look back

This week at My Home Truths Kirsty asked us to link up a post from March 2013...

Scrolling through my posts March 2013 was a big month for me! It was a month of 2 major "NEWs"..

I got a New Car and a New Job!

Wowzers... hard to believe 12 months has passed....

What were you doing in March last year??
Head over to My Home Truths and link up an old post! Easy Peasy!

for my blog list

At The Lounge this week being hosted by Tegan at Musings of the Misguided, we have been asked to share our most loved blogs...

This could open a big can of worms! I am feeling the pressure to not forget anyone as I create my list. There are so many blogs I enjoy for lots of different reasons and at lots of different times. To be honest I only subscribe to a couple of blogs as I find it easier to save blogs into my favourites and click on blogs via link ups. I also feel the pressure in what order to put the blogs I enjoy so think for ease I will just list them alphabetically...

Colours of Sunset
Essentially Jess
Finding Myself Young
Five Degrees of Chaos
Have a Laugh on Me
Kimba Likes
Middle Aged Mama
Ms Mystery Case
Musings of the Misguided
My Home Truths
My Little Drummer Boys
Ness of Boganville
One Mother Hen
Over Cups of Coffee
Red Dolls
This is who I am....by Marleisa
Twinkle in the Eye
With Some Grace

Oh I really really feel like I am missing someone... If you think it's you please comment below and remind me!! There are SO many blogs I like and follow on FB!!

If there is a blog that you think I need to check out... Let me know!!!

for another edition of Wordless Wardrobe Wednesday...

My attempts at a full length mirror selfie!!

I tried Kimba I honestly tried!!!

Wordless Wardrobe link ups with My Little Drummer Boys, Twinkle in the Eye and Kimba Likes.

for another challenge!

As if my reading challenge wasn't enough (as well as my fitness bootcamp challenge and working full time), over the weekend I decided to sign up for a blogging challenge!!!


I stumbled across this one whilst catching up on my blog reading over at Over Cups of Coffee.... Psych Babbler is also joining the challenge.

So what is it and are you going to join me???

The Blogging From A-Z Challenge runs for the month of April, where you blog each day from the respective letter in the alphabet. What you blog about is up to you and some people find it easiest to have a theme. With some help from Psych Babbler I am blogging about...

I think it's kind of perfect...given that my blog is a bit of a random mix of ramblings about my life it seems to really fit. There was the suggestion that I also do stories from my teaching career so will weave that in as well.... I know what you are all thinking... "How awesome crazy is this woman?, she's always complaining about not having enough time!".. Well in response to that, I have now learnt how to schedule posts (Thanks Ms Mystery Case!) and I have 2 weeks off in April so SURELY I can get organised!

So...are you up for the challenge? I know Flood Proof Mum is also joining us...anyone else???

Linking up this IBOT with Essentially Jess of course!

for a hospital confession..

I have spent so much time in blogland today...catching up on reading blogs, commenting on blogs and researching about an upcoming blog challenge that it is now 6 minutes past my bedtime on Sunday night and I've just realised I haven't written my blog for tomorrow! My bad...

So here goes for my probably short and sweet confession this week...

I must confess.... hospitals make me cry..

I have been fortunate enough not to spend too much time in hospital as a patient but the few times I have gone under the knife I have woken up crying.... random I know..

I can't explain it and I have no idea why it happens but as I am 'coming to' I feel that big lump in my throat and tears welling in my eyes and rolling down my cheeks...I hear nurses saying "What's wrong Zita" to which all I can do is shake my head and shrug my shoulders.

During my pre-op at my most recent day surgery when they asked me if I had any difficulties with anaesthetic I told them it makes me cry, puzzled, I explained to them that there was a strong chance that when I was waking up in recovery I would be crying...sure enough, I was!

Do you have any side effects from anaesthetic? Are you a crier like me?

Head over to My Home Truths and confess or link up your Open Slather Monday post with 

One Mother Hen!

Wardrobe Wordless Wednesday..

Really need to get a full length mirror!

Wearing 7/8 length geometric pants from Katies (last season), white sleeveless top with tie at the back.

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys and Twinkle in the Eye for Wordless Wednesday and Kimba Likes for Wardrobe Wednesday! Check 'em out!!