Three Things: Where am I Thankful?

It is the last link up for Thankful Thursdays. It was so great to be apart of this and helped open my eyes up for all there is to be thankful for! I wish thanksgiving was something celebrated over here so that everyone got into the thank-ing spirit!

Todays Prompt: Where

1. Australia
I am so grateful for the beautiful country I live in - Australia! I love the weather, the people, the tradtions (although I would like for Halloween and Thanksgiving to be added), the scenery, the language, how we are well looked after by many government policies. I am grateful to live in this amazing place.

2. My little suburb.
I live in a little "one road in and out" kinda place. Small suburb - only 6 streets! But it is wonderful. Still very close to everything, but far enough away that we don't get lots of tourists or anything like that!

3. Where I am I life.
I am really happy with where I am in life at the moment. I am happy. I am in love with my husband. I love my chosen career path. We have a lovely home and I have a few really wonderful friends. I am really enjoying this stage of my life.

Sunday Seven

1. Half way through prac. I am SO tired. Loving it, but waiting for that finish line now..
2. I didn't get a chance to bake any healthy treats OR walk this week, so my eating and fitness has gone way off the rails. Hoping that I will be able to fix it this week. But if not, I only have 10 days left of craziness...
3. We are starting to have our hot Australian days, you know Summers coming when it's 40 degrees for almost three days straight
4. I hate being this tired, cause I am so emotional and I cry about the silliest things. Not to mention I am quite moody... 
5. I had my first Tupperware party yesterday. The turn out wasn't thaaaat great. But I love it so much I am seriously thinking of becoming a consultant in my 2 month holiday before uni goes back...
6. Benn cleaned the WHOLE house top to bottom on Friday in the 40 degree heat because I had my Tupperware Party the next day, and due to prac 8-4 everyday, I wouldn't get the chance to clean it. It was seriously sparkling and I love him for that.
7. Did I mention I am tired? I have about an hour of work to do for prac tomorrow, then I am having a nap!!!

Creative Cooking | Raw Carrot Cake

As I am trying to eliminate sugar from my diet, yet I still cannot get rid of this sweet tooth thing I have going on, I was on the hunt for an easy yet delicious recipe! A friend of mine shared a Carrot Cake reciepe on facebook from a wonderful site called "Whole Food Simply". The recipes on there are amazing and most a pretty simple! I have totally bookmarked this website and plan to make many more of her wonderful food ideas very soon.

But first, I decided on the carrot cake. Literally all I needed was walnuts and carrots as I had everything else in my cubboard, so for me, it was an obvious one to try.

Bianca's gorgeous photo of her cake.

 

 

IT WAS SO GREAT. SO SO GREAT. Lovely and sweet, yet much more filling and satisfying! I will not write out the recipe here, because for once I actually stuck to what was written and didn't actually get to creative (okay actually I added like 5 more dates and one less carrot, but still...).

My iPhone quality photo of my cake

Click on THIS LINK to go and find the ingredients and method so you can whip up this fantastic cake! It took me less then an hour from beginning to eating, so I highly reccomend!!

Thursday Three: When Am I Thankful?

Todays Prompy for the Novemeber Thankful Link up is "When"....

When am I Thankful?

1. Each night before bed.
Like I said in my last post, I am making extra effort to be grateful this month. Each night before bed I write down three things I am grateful for in my life. At first I found it hard, but now some nights I have a hard time choosing! And it is helping me become more aware of small blessings throughout the day. Sometimes I think to myself - "Oh I can write down this tonight!".


2.  When my family has a big gathering.
Recently it was my Grandma's 80th Birthday and the whole family was together for a whole weekend. It was wonderfuly amazing. I LOVE being with my family. Especially my aunties - they are all like big sisters to me. It's not often when we are all together so I am ever so grateful when it happens.


3. When I hear or see disasters around the world.
Don't get me wrong, I am in no way grateful for the disasters happening (like floods, fires or violence), however, it does open up my eyes to be so very grateful that that sort of thing is highly uncommon where I live. Although We did have a fire very close to home last year, which opened up my eyes to how thankful I am that it is not a common occurance.

Our Story: How We Met

I thought I would finally write a post about how Benn and I met. It's nothing to spectacular, but it's our story and seeing this is all about "The Aussie Osborns" I feel like it needs to be written!

Our first outing as a couple (taken a month after we met)
We are such BABIES!!!

****

It was Friday, the 7th of February, 2009. I was 18, he was 20.

I had spent the day shopping with a friend and I had planned to go home after as I was not in the best mood due to something that happened previously in the week. My friend begged me to come out as it was a celebration for hr birthday a few days before and she had only just turned 18. I obliged.

Benn was at worked and his friend rang him telling him to come out for his brithday that night. And for once he said yes (Benn is not a fan of "clubs"). So they all hopped on a train and made the 90 minute journey up to the city.

We went to CLUB (I won't mention the name, due to privacy and embarassment - it's a silly name, okay fine it was called "Fanny's"). I decided that night that "I had a boyfriend" to anyone that asked to buy me a drink, because I didn't want that I just wanted to dance . So danced I did. A lot. I danced with my friends for hours, actually enjoying myself (I do love a good dancing session) and at one point I went to sit down by myself and catch my breathe.

Benn and friends were on their way to another club when at the last miniute the birthday boy changed his mind and decided to go to CLUB. They went straight in and found a spot to dance/drink/check out chicks (thats what boys do right?).

So, after taking a breather and fiddling on my phone I look up and see this boy with blonde hair walking directly over to me.

Boy: "Want to go our for a smoke?" (not realising that it is 2 minutes to curfew and once you go out there is no coming back)
Girl: "NO GO AWAY" (What a creep, asking me ou for a smoke so I get locked out with him!!??).
He walked away and after a few minutes came back..
Boy: "Can I buy you a drink?"
Girl: "No you can't. Leave me alone". So off he went.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that I looked around and I couldn't see any of my friends. No one sitting, no one dancing. It was at this point that I realised I knew no-one in the room except for this boy who had offered to buy me a drink. So I thought why not? On the way I can look for my friends.

So I walked on over. I remember all his friends looking at me and pointing "OI SHE CAME BACK". And he turned around. "So do you still want to buy me that drink?"

We went to the bar then found a spot to sit back down again (still couldn't see my friends). And chatted for ages. I don't know how long it was for but we talked right up until his friends came and found him to catch the train home. One of the major things we talked about that sticks out in my mind is the whole "when is your birthday" convo.

Benn: Mine is in May.
Girl: Same! What day?
Boy: 9th
Girl: Um, WHAT!?
Boy: 9th.
Girl: Your lying cause SO IS MINE.

It was pretty cool to say the least.

Before he left we swapped numbers and didn't stop texting and talking on the phone from that day forward (he lived about an hour or so away). It actually took us two weeks to meet up again but I'll save that story for another day....

 ****

So that is how we met. CAN YOU FEEL THE ROMANCE? haha. But seriously, I remember telling mum and then saying to her "imagine if we got married, I'm going to have to tell my kids and grandkids that we met in some club hahaha". Looks like I will be telling this story after all!

Stay tuned for next month, where I will be writing about our first year together...

Sunday Seven

1.  Prac has been amazing thing week!! I am so in love with every part of it. I am learning and experiencing so much it's wonderful.
2. I am taking charge of the class this week too! I have already written up lessons for every session of each day and I even get to work out a different kind of positive behaviour thing! I'm excited!!
3. The only thing I'm not loving, is the fact that it has been so hard to go for walks each day! There is zero time in the afternoon. And I only made it out two mornings, all the rest I was just way to exhausted. Hopefully this week my body is a bit more used to it and I will be able to get back out there :)
4. Mind you, I have been in bed by 8:30pm every day. Being a teacher just really takes it's toll!!
5. Benn finished his last uni exam yesterday. Which means he officially has completed his first year of uni! I am SO SOO proud of him!!! Such a great blessing. He has done so well!
6. I have one month till I'm on holidays!
7. Last night I made "Brownie Toblerone Cheesecake". So yummy. Yet so naughty. No sugar diet starts again tomorrow (cause I am eating the leftovers today! haha)

How was your week?? 

 

Three Things: What am I Thankful for?

For my "Three Things on Thursday" today, I thought I would link up with Hot Tea and the Empty Seat, The Celebrating Momma and The Bitsy Button for their "Thankful Thursdays". This month, I am writing down three things in my journal each day that I am thankful for - and I can't repeat any throughout the month! It's really opened up my eyes even more to how much I am blessed and how many things I have to be grateful for, even on my worst days. So for the rest of November, I may be altering my Three on Thursday into Three Things I Am Thankful For, but don't worry, I have more posts lined up so you can continue to find out more about me from December onwards! (And I have even got something lined up from Benn, so stay tuned....).

Todays prompt is What...

Three Things: What Am I thankful for?

I was going to write My Family as number one (because derr), but I figured that one was pretty obvious and I have decided to think a little harder..

1. My Degree - Bachelor of Teaching Primary / Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood

I know I've said it before (and I will probably say it again), but I am so in love with my degree. But I am also so very thankful for it. Not only will it allow me to get my dream job (in less then 12 months!!), but it has opened up my eyes to so many different things. Obviously I get taught all the core subject stuff (like maths, yuck), but I also have alot of subjects that focus on; social Justice, equity, diversity, educational psychology, leadership, policies, procedures plus more. Teaching is so much more then just learning your ABC's and 123's. My thinking and past actions towards how I learn, how others learn, how I perceive myself and how I perceive others have all been challenged. And I have really grown as a person. I can apply the things I learnt to so many different situations in my life and I am so thankful for this.

2. Music

Totally sounds cliche, but I am so very thankful for music. It has "been there" through almost all of my best and worst moments. Birthdays, Christmas', funerals, weddings and everything in between. Music has a way of taking me to a whole other place and I can feel inspired, uplifted, loved, hopeful, fearless, strengthened and powerful all at once. I like so many different types; country, pop, rock, indie, acoustic, "emo", loud, soft and all the others. For those of you that know me, would know that Christina Aguilera is my all time favourite. I can listen to her no matter what mood and any time or place. I even went to her "Back to Basics" concert in 2007 and I was 2nd row, I was literally 5 METRES AWAY FROM HER!! You get the idea. I have recently grown to love many of the EFY tracks that my church releases each year. Very inspirational "gospel" music, that just sounds like stuff you would hear on the radio! Anyways, Music - I am so thankful for you.

3. Scriptures

More recently this year, I have become very fond of and thankful for the scriptures. More so The Book Of Mormon. There was a challenge proposed by the Prophet earlier this year placed on all LDS's (is that right?) out there to read the Book of Mormon twice this year. Well I have been reading for about 15-30 minutes each morning and am currently up to my THIRD time! So proud of myself. It really sets a positive and uplifting tone for my day, it helps me receive revelation and answers so many of my prayers. I am very thankful for the word of the Lord written in the Book of Mormon.

Did you link up with Thankful Thursdays? What are you Thankful for in your life?

Mr and Mrs Osborn!

Alex and Vanessa get married

On Saturday the first of November, we attended Benn's older brother, Alex's wedding. He (finally) wed his beautiful girl of 9 years, Vanessa. It was such a beautiful day, along with some rain, thunder, lighting and a touch of hail. But don't worry, the sun still shinned (sometimes) and it was nice and hot. But none of that bothered the gorgeous couple as all that mattered to them was GETTING MARRIED!!

The ceremony was cut a little bit short as the rain started to come down heavy just before the "I do's". We all rushed undercover after the new husband and wife had their "first" kiss. Vanessa looked flawless in her dress, such a perfect bride. And Alex looked very handsome with his massive smile waiting for his beautiful bride to come down the aisle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all went off to the Surf Club for "cocktail hour" before they arrived and we were lucky enough to be able to watch them run out to the beach for more photos. And then unfortunately they were un-lucky enough to have the heavens open and the rain pelt down right at that moment!

But don't worry, the weather made up for it by giving them an amazing grey sky display and a double rainbow!! 

How perfect is this!!??

The speeches were so great, we all found out that Alex worked at Supre (and we'll never forget it now). All the bridesmaids were in tears throughout the speeches. Including my good friend from uni, Jaclyn (in the middle). It was so lovely, yet a little funny too! haha

 

Benn's Brothers, Jay (the best man) and Alex (the groom!!).
Vanessa, her sister and Maid of Honour and Jaclyn.

 

 

 

Of course after dinner and all the formalities were over we danced the night away!

For our wedding gift, I asked my good friend Bec from Chasing Cottons to make them an anniversary cushion - 01 11 14 - Bec does amazing work so please go and check her out if you would like one! (Trust me you want one).

 

 

 

All in all a wonderful day for the Osborn family! Another sister for me and another daughter for Benn's parents. Such a magical day for a couple totally meant to be. I am so blessed to be married into such an amazing family. I love them all so dearly. 

Osborn Parents and Vanessa's Mother :)

 

 

 

Congratulations to the newest Mr and Mrs Osborn!!

Prac Begins Again.

 Image source

Today I begin a four week professional placement within a Primary school, the second last placement I will do for my degree, however the last one in a Primary school. As you are reading this now I am in a Kindergarten classroom (they are so cute!) attending to their needs and learning how to teach another stage level all over again! (Unless you are on the other side of the world, then as your reading this I am probably sleeping after my first day as no doubt I will be EXHAUSTED).

My last placement was on a year three class, I LOVED it and cannot wait to really get to know my new Kindergarten students! I love that I have a huge difference of age and ability level from last time, it will be a rewarding challenge!

Even though I love my placement experiences, I have to say, I am a little bit excited to get this 4 weeks out of the way. It has been a huge year for me and I kinda just want it to be Christmas holidays already (but who doesn't right?).

I have a few scheduled posts to come over the next four weeks, however, if I am a bit absent it is due to my busy placement life (try writing and organising minimum 4 lessons a night, PLUS update a blog - can't be done). And the weekends no doubt will be filled with sleep and hanging out with my hubby, as he gets push slightly to the side during my placements (sorry Benn!). 

Image source

I really really do love my studies and chosen career path, and I am so blessed to be able to get some "on the job training". So here's to an amazing four weeks of teaching!!