Updated photos from Kelli's run in the US

Hi guys

it was bought to my attention that the pics didnt download properly, so i think i have it right now!

Please have a look under the "october" month so you can meet kelli...

we have been in touch and Kelli has produced a DVD of her experience. She also asked if she could have a photo of Eli to put in it. We were so honoured, and cant wait to see the final product. As you will remember, Kelli walked a marathon in memory of her dad 'frank'. What an amazing job she did...and what a wonderful thing to do in her dad's memory.

So enjoy the pics!

Pete and i started to put up our chrissy lights today...Pete was very very lucky as he fell off the roof and onto the ladder. Thankfully he used the guttering to kind of break his fall, but he definitely had a ripper few bruises and will no doubt be extremely sore. Poor bugger! 

We wont 'officially' unveil them until thursday, so we are excited about that...good to have all the little kids stop and have a look!

we have been travelling ok...busy like normal, but good. Pete has made the 'frame' for the fence out the front, and we bought in a big load of topsoil so we are hoping to grow a bit of grass out the front. Just hope it sprouts soon!

We also have sold our farm and our cows...but the new owners have allowed us to continue to have our campsite so we can keep an eye on melons tree. I think we will definitely use it, and we will still see the cows when we go up there...all in preparation of building our new house, so we can get out of here and open up Melon's cottage...thats the main aim really! 

Nothing else to report really...pretty quiet. Gearing up for the chrissy season, and just hoping that all the families we know just do the best they can. All of these 'anniversaries' are just not the same anymore...we are there in spirit, but perhaps just not there with our hearts. Time will tell if this gig is set to get any easier...but at this stage, would definitely have to say we will just have to wait and see.

Anyways...best go and start plugging in some lights.

Enjoy the pic's of Kelli's walk, and will touch base again soon.

luv and hugs

the simpsons

x0x

Our first year without you

Hi everyone

Well, what a bloody day. Who knew how hard this year would be. To say that it has been easy would be a big porky-pie. It has taken us a very long time to be able to think about eli and not have tears (and on some days we still do, and no doubt will continue to do so). Someone said to us you dont get 'over' losing a child...you just learn to live with it. I remember holding eli just after he died and said to Dr Karin, 'how does ANYONE move past this'..'how does life go on'. Well, it just does. Sometimes we get so angry with the world and scream can we just stop for one day to remember our loved ones. Can we just not get so caught up and sweat the small stuff? But we know that this is life, and we need to adjust the best we can to what we have been given. 

Today we have been very quiet. We spent time with melon and cried a million tears. Pete has been working on the cottage and as he says, "its 'melon's house' - its an easy place to be". We will go on the walk i used to walk with eli in the pram to get the little bugger to sleep. Its been a very peaceful day and even as i write this, the tears are flowing.

We also planted 4 callistamons behind the back fence. As pete says "one for each of the boys"...Chad, Eli, Nick and now Alex. 

Its going to sound weird but in so many ways we have been blessed knowing these boys. We are still learning from their memories every day. Their strength - to be able to take their medicines, needles and pain without fear, their bravery - to be so brave in the face of death, to listen to their favourite stories and watch their favourite dvd's, and their courage - to just be who they are. 

We dont know why these things happen, but to dwell on it would be a massive step back. We still have our lives, and Eli in many ways will continue to have a huge part in it. He is our son. He is a grandson, a great-grandson, a nephew, a cousin and a mate to many. 

So melon...this is for you

Our big melon.

one year has passed but it feels like an eternity. We miss you every single day. We miss your tummy laughs, your raspberries and your beautiful smiles. 

If we could have a lifetime wish

A dream that would come true

We'd pray to God with all our hearts

for yesterday and you

A thousand words cant bring you back

We know because we have tried

And neither will a million tears

We know because we've cried

You left behind our broken hearts

And happy memories too

We never wanted memories though

we only wanted you.

We miss you bubba and love you with all our hearts

Our hearts are boxes filled with beautiful memories of a life that has been taken from us too soon. Time will tell why we were given this hand, but geez we are going to give it a fair crack to make it better for others who are walking in these shoes.

luv and hugs

the simpsons

xox

Some photos for you!

Hi guys

im sorry its been a while...sometimes there are just no words to describe how we feel, so we dont!

Ive attached a few photos of our last couple of months. You will have to forgive me because ive just got a new phone and its taken me a very long time to work the thing out!

We have just held our first market stall today to raise some money for our charities...it went really well and i think we are stoked at the support. Our next foray into the 'market' world will be at Paynesville on the 8th December. So if you are around town, feel free to call by and say gidday to the girls...and perhaps buy a little bit of stuff as well if it tickles your fancy!

Eli's 1st year anniversary on the 16 November...it will be a tough gig but as we keep saying, we are not alone!

enjoy the photos...

luv and hugs

the simpsons

xox

Samia, Rhonda & Margaret on our Challenge Retreat...thanks again challenge!

What a gorgeous view from the Trevor Barker House at Torquay!

Some of the purses we have made that sold like HOTCAKEs...

A sample of chrissy cards

And again!