Thoughts towards another angel

Hi guys

its with great sadness that our family said goodbye to our pa - Thomas Raymond Smith (or Ray as he was known to everyone!)...Pa passed away peacefully on 18 March 2011 and we celebrated his life last friday. I would like to acknowledge the brilliant service that my aunty jen and aunty michelle put together to celebrate pa's life...it was a great service for a very humble man. I would like to share one of the readings with you which i think reflect's pa's life beautifully.

That man is a success

That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and women and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others, and gave the best he had - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I was very lucky to have had pa in my life for 36 years. Pa wasnt just a pa, but rather a dad. Pa always made me feel like i was one of his own, and for that, i feel truly blessed. No judgements, just love.

Pete and i were married on my nan and pa's 55th wedding anniversary - coming up to our 6th year, so the 16 Sept every year we have even more to celebrate now.

One of the most comforting things is that pa is now with his 'porky', my nan who passed away nearly 3 years ago. Another wonderful thought is that Eli now has a wonderful opportunity to be with two people who are going to love him just as much as pete and i do...

With death brings life - one of those ironic things really...I certainly spoke at length to pa about our new bubs, with pa providing plenty of advice and support and comments like "geez, you look like nan when she had uncle john - all boobs and belly and nothing else!"...nothing like a pa to keep you grounded! LOL...

Pa, we are going to miss you every day. Your humility, integrity and grace will forever be a legacy in our lives. Big kisses to nan and melon for us (and go the dee's)...

luv and hugs

the simpsons

xoxox

Not the greatest pic, but one of a few we have with all three of our 'angels'...

and again...taken in early 2008

our pa...just as we all remember him...luv ya heaps pa...

A blast from the past - GO CATS

Hi guys

as i was wading through all the beautiful pics of melon, i came across one of the highlights of our stay in hospital...meeting some geelong players...clearly eli was super excited (as he was being groomed by his mum to be a geelong supporter)..however the simpson side had other ideas - thanks uncle phil for buying eli a 'baby pie' membership...pfffttt. Pete and i have always said, our children can choose their religion, but they cant choose their footy team. I think pete is in denial that eli would have definitely swayed the cat's way...will have to continue the battle when our new bubs arrives.

So...anyways...check out the pic's below of eli with a couple of champions...(Oh, and i couldnt help put one of me and my most fave players!)...

all complete with signatures of course...fancy that...we are the proud owners of signatures from Cam Mooney, Tom Harley, Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel (although we couldnt get a pic with Jimmy)...IN HEAVEN...you can see that melon is not too keen on Cam Mooney, but he loved Tom Harley..but who doesnt!

enjoy (and go cats!)

love and hugs

the simpsons

xoxox

The morning of the grandfinal 2008 - Geelong played hawks. Even though the cats lost, it was an awesome experience. Thanks Challenge for making that happen for us (well...me!)

I cant believe melon and i are holding a footy with the pies on it...pfffttt...(picture just there to 'placate' the simpson side :-)

One of the best pics like EVER! love it...see, melon really was a true cat fan..how could he not...he was born the day before geelong whooped port adelaide in the grand final of 2007!

not so keen on cam mooney!

definitely over the whole experience LOL

couldnt resist...ahhh...the picture says a thousand words - HEAVEN!

Time flies when you are having fun!

Hi everyone

well, finally started some maternity leave which has been great. Here i was thinking i can relax a bit, but there is heaps of stuff to get done before bubs is born...you know, like arranging raffle prizes, house stuff and a bit of cooking. Im almost one week down today with about 6 weeks before the big arrival...i think my body will say slow up a bit before my brain engages and tells me to!

The house, well....it started in a blaze of glory then we didnt see the builders for almost 2 weeks! Although they did grace us with their presence a couple of days ago and put the steel beams up (apparently there was a delay in the ordering)...its nice to see it all come together - even if it is slowly!

Ive tried my hand at being a bit high tech...we have had a couple of those digi frame thingy's given to us (almost a couple of xmas's ago)...but ive never really felt the need to get pictures on them! Well, last night i bit the bullet and went through a few of melon's photos (bit emotional really) and got them sorted to put on. So hopefully by the end of the week, we will have at least one of the two up and running! I think i will leave the second one for the new edition...

What i did discover was a few new pic's (or ones i havent seen in a pretty long time)...so i will post them below.

Anyways...better scoot for now...got a few more jobs to do before heading into bairnsdale this arvo.

For those that have asked, Im travelling really well and just clicked over 34 weeks. Amazing to think how fast that time has gone. Still pretty much walking every day and still feeling relatively comfortable. Feeling lots of movement which is great (and comforting)...although the kicks in under the ribs is a tad uncomfortable at times...i think bubs will be born with a few bruises as i sure do alot of poking (especially when he is positioned where he is not supposed to be!).

Anyhoo...take care everyone...and remember, if you would like to get involved with Worlds Greatest Shave, just email me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxox

Eli on his first birthday

dad and melon out and about (and proud as punch!)

mmm...mum's glasses...noice

first day after diagnosis...only 15 weeks of age...and we have all lived a lifetime.