Maddison's Naming Ceremony

Last Sunday was a lovely day. It consisted of beautiful, warm weather, calm breezes, and a family gathering to honour Barry & Nicole's baby daughter, Maddison. Maddison's parents chose to have a naming ceremony, to introduce their daughter in to her family group and extended community. And within this ceremony, we acknowledged Maddison, her parents, her grandparents and her godparents. This little child is so incredibly loved and blessed. And I was so lucky to be a part of it all. Congratulations Maddison, you are so gorgeous x

“Our Guardians”

When Angels sense you need them, and Angels always do

They come, unseen, from everywhere to help and comfort you.

They hover close beside you ‘till all your cares are gone,

Till they can see you’re ready once again to carry on.

Then some of them may fly away and take their gentle touch,

To other hearts that need the love of Angels very much.

But one, at least, stays with you as your constant friend and guide,

For Guardian Angels never leave, they’re always at your side.

Author Unknown

Happy Naming Day for Norah

I have had a lovely morning, with a naming ceremony for the daughter of a dear friend of mine. I love naming ceremonies, I love working with the parents to develop a ceremony which reflects their love of their child and their wishes for that child's future. And it is just a nice reason to get all the family and friends together to party on, to reunite, to enjoy that feeling that you only get from being with those you love.

Mother’s Heart: Author Unknown

I loved you from the very start,

You stole my breath, embraced my heart.

Our life together has just begun

You’re part of me my little one.

As mother with child, each day I grew,

My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I’d daydream of the things we’d share,

Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.

Like first steps and skinned knees,

Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.

I thought of things you’d want to know,

Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I’d need to share,

Like standing tall and playing fair.

When I first saw your precious face,

I prayed your life be touched with grace.

I thanked the angels from above,

And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,

I gently kiss your head and cheek.

I count your little fingers and toes;

I memorize your eyes and nose.

I linger at your nursery door,

Awed each day I love you more.

Through misty eyes, I dim the light,

I whisper, “I love you” every night.

I loved you from the very start,

You stole my breath, embraced my heart.

As mother and child our journeys begin,

My heart’s yours forever little one.

Sick At Home - YUK!

This week has been a week of feeling sick and sorry for myself. I have man-flu and it has knocked me off my feet. I hate feeling unwell, probably like all of you huh?? At least the weather has been reasonable (at times) and I have been able to spend time staring at it from the couch whilst watching really trashy TV (there is always an upside right, to everything?). It has been nice to be home with the animals though, they bring us all much happiness, and the orchard is coming into bloom.

Iggy and Coco

The Orchard

Remy

The Chooks

Chooks Continued.

A Winter Wedding

Last Saturday I had the joyous privilege of conducting Tam and Kenny's wedding ceremony. Gorgeous people, lovely crowd, and I actually knew some of the people attending (nice for a catch up and gossip) so it was all rather lovely. Tam's dress was beautiful, totally perfect for her, being a black full length, with a mermaid tail bottom. It was absolutely spectacular, and they looked beautiful together as a couple.

Their venue was also great, with the wedding ceremony and reception being held at The Plough, in Myrniong. I have never been there and I was just delighted at how intimate the ceremony space was. The sun even came out at the right time, which was a super bonus on the day.

The ceremony area at The Plough

And the best little gems to see and enjoy were the flower arrangements. I just loved them. Simple. Elegant. All mainly from the bridal couple's garden. The use of glass jars just made them all seem so simply perfect and congruent for the area and the couple.

And the impressive thing, the lady who designed the flower arrangements is still a floristry student and what a talent she is. She will definitely be one to watch into the future. Her name is Rachel Leonard, and she can be contacted on 0434 964 772. 

The Surprise Wedding That Was A Huge Surprise!!

Last weekend we had our surprise wedding, and it was just such a lovely day. The bride is my friend Kate, with whom I work, and her gorgeous partner Mark. The ruse for the day was their daughter's first birthday and her grandmother's 80th birthday. I went as a guest, and spent a few hours getting to meet their lovely families, and just after we had both celebratory cakes, they announced their impending wedding (just thinking of that now gives me goosebumps and a misty flood of tears, as their parent's reactions were utterly priceless: huge joy, many tears and just pure happiness). I am so honoured to have witnessed that incredible family moment. 

The fabulous bride, Kate, myself, and a very cool groom, Mark.

Kate, Mark and their children, who were so well behaved and helpful during the ceremony.

What I am so impressed with is the NO-ONE knew about the wedding plans. Kate and Mark did an incredible job on their own and I think their wedding will become one of the great moments in the history of their family. Congratulations on such a great achievement you two x

A Cute Kid's Reading.

I am writing up a ceremony for a couple with children, who really want the kids to perform a reading. There are quite a few lovely ones out there, but I just adored this one. The sentiment is sweet, and I cannot wait to hear a child read it out for their Mum and Dad. It may make me cry however.....

A LOVELY LOVE STORY: Edward Monkton

The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage.

Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur.

The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.

“I like this Dinosaur,” thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.  “Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny.  He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now.”

“I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur,” thought the Dinosaur. “She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice.  She is also a free spirit which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur.”

“But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times,” thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.  “He is also overly fond of things.  Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things?”

“But her mind skips from here to there so quickly,” thought the Dinosaur.  “She is also uncommonly keen on shopping.  Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping?”

“I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things,” thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur, “for they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual.”

“I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping,” thought the Dinosaur, “for she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides, I am not unkeen on shopping either.”

Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old. 

Look at them. 

Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs.

And that, my friends, is how it is with love.

Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together. 

For the sun is warm. 

And the world is a beautiful place.

A Surprise Wedding.

This wedding was amazing in that it was organised under a veil of secrecy, in quite a short period of time. The ruse was the groom's pending 30th birthday with the plan to marry on the day announced at the beginning of the party. Steve and Karrina did a brilliant job as most people had no idea that they were about to marry. They are also great car fans and had a brilliant old race car as a back drop, which made for great photo opportunities.

Fair Dinkum Love - written by Kim Cockerell.

Fair dinkum love isn’t about bringing in a dozen red roses,

It’s about bringing in the washing.

It’s not about standing next to your partner because they look good on your arm

It’s about standing by them even when they look foolish.

Fair dinkum love isn’t about stiff posture and smart clothes.

It’s about wrestling on the couch in your tracksuit.

It’s not about oysters and candle-lit dinners.

It’s about bringing home Chinese when your partner’s had a busy day.

Fair dinkum love isn’t about exciting getaways and fancy resorts.

It’s about being totally content sleeping-in together at home.

It’s not about gym memberships and facelifts.

It’s about growing old and fat together.

Fair dinkum love is not about romance or image or success.

Fair dinkum love is about two average people adoring and accepting each other for who they are.