Hi everyone

Cant believe how quickly the month has flown by...
I would like to thank EVERYONE who supported the Melon's Cottage Mothers Day Raffle this year...we raised a whisker over $4,100 which is bloody AWESOME!...It has far exceeded our expectations...and it will go a massive way to supporting the cottage into next year...its WONDERFUL...so thanks!
We could not have done it without all those who helped sell the tickets, friends, family and local businesses, as well as all of you who brought a ticket or two! A massive thanks also goes to those who sponsored the prizes...nath, tash and their six gorgeous girls who donated the dinner party for 10 (worth around $850)...dave and tanya for helping with the mothers day hamper from terry white chemist in bairnsdale (worth $300) and to deb and gez who donated a really nice Rip Curl watch (worth $250)...we had so many wonderful comments about the great prizes...so i think thats what helped make it all happen which is TERRIFIC...

our first prize went to Mary Hamer from Lakes Entrance, 2nd prize, Peter MacDonald from Rowville and 3rd prize, tina o'donnell from Lakes...well done guys!

our next fundraiser (and the final one for the year) is coming up on 7th July...so keep the space free. We cant say too much, but hopefully it will be advertised in the paper over the next week or so...so keep an eye out. Lets say its your chance to watch a local game of footy and have a laugh at the same time...it should be a cracker. Will be more to come soon.

We are hoping that this will be the last fundraiser for us this year...but if you would like to donate to us...please get in contact with me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com OR if you would like to hold a fundraising event on behalf of Eli's Foundation, please let me know...more than happy to help!

Mothers Day was a really busy one..we were supposed to go for a walk/run, but the weather turned out to be really bad, and we had to go to hospital with Archie as he had a pretty tidy temperature that we couldnt get down...so we were sitting in hospital at around 6.30am...and home by 8.30am...and we were all EXTREMELY tired. Archie was ok...poor little thing is having heaps of issues with his ears and throat...hopefully he will get above it all soon and his immune system really starts kicking in...its bloody hard on everyone really...no sleep and grumpy child...hmmm....reminds me of melon at times.

So mothers day was very so so in our house...i was pretty sad that i didnt get a real opportunity to miss melon, but as always, we lit his candle...and i heard lots of his songs throughout the days leading up to mothers day and after it as well.

Miss you every day melon...every single day.

Anyways...best fly...got a fair bit to do as always...the cottage has gone a little quiet...but we are hoping it will pick up a bit through the holiday period.

Take care everyone
lots of love and sunshine

the simpsons
xoxo

Hi everyone...
we are so sorry (yet again!) for the long delay in posting...its been an amazing month or so with archie's first birthday, me back at work part time and pete being away a couple of days a week with a new job for the next 3 months...i guess the words adjusting and adapting come to mind!
After a wonderful cottage opening, we had our first family through...they were truly amazing...and we were so very lucky to have them as our first family...we couldnt have asked for anything more! Big kisses your way Zara...lol...hope you get better really soon!
I have done a few presentations over the last month to some local rotary groups and the lakes lions group which have had a terrific response. Its really nice to know that there is so many people out there that underpin our community spirit...its actually really humbling to be a part of now...lots of people out there to help and to make a difference...

Archies first birthday went really well...we decided to have a naming day at the same time (to save people travelling again)...it was a great turnout and we were stoked to be able to celebrate with family and friends. Of course Eli was never far from our minds but we know he looks after his little brother - in more ways than we probably realise...we all lit our candles for melon...(and had a bit of extra cake too!)

Our raffle for the cottage (which is drawn mothers day) has been a great success and fundraiser...its been sensational really and we cant wait until we touch base with the winners...not many sleeps now! So for all of you who have helped, thanks SOOOO much...there are still tickets available if you are keen...just get in contact with us at eli-simpson@hotmail.com

So thats really it for the simpsons at the moment...we are still waiting for more bookings to come through..but we are so happy in the knowledge that everything we have put into action has worked...and we look forward to welcoming more families into the future.

take care eveyone Once again, thanks for ALL your love and support...it really is appreciated!

luv and sunshine
the simpsons

xoxo

WELL WE DID IT!

Hi everyone

thanks to all of those who have touched base with us over the past few weeks. It has been a crazy busy and emotional time for us to finally have the cottage OPEN! YAY! It truly has been an amazing ride - three and a half years in the making...but we have done it!

Thank goodness the weather held off for us - one of the very few days without rain! A massive thanks to the chookies, the CWA ladies for catering, Pete Murray for MCing, Darren Chester and David Rogers who said some lovely things...and for all our family, mates and local business representatives who came along on the day (and also for those who didnt make it - thanks for your thoughts).

The great 'unveiling' of the cottage sign was fab...and everyone seemed to have a very lovely time. There was no real fanfare...just a crowd of awesome people who certainly felt the love that we have for melon. Its just so amazing that one little person can have so much of an impact on us all - its truly special.

So we are well and truly all set to go...the cupboards are filled with toys and board games...the beds are made...the draws are set with the latest sandwich makers and pots and pans...and the garden is ready for a visit! We truly cannot wait to host our first family...

Thanks also to all of those who have donated either their time, monies or goods to support the cottage. Your generosity is humbling...

I will try and get some pics posted a bit later...so keep an eye out.

As said in an earlier post...we are selling raffle tix for our Mother's Day raffle...if you can help in any way at all with selling a book, pls let me know at eli-simpson@hotmail.com. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

anyways...best fly. Like everyone, there is always something to do, with very little time. Archie is going really well. We think that Eli definitely keeps a close eye on his brother and perhaps entertained sometimes! We would love to hear your thoughts/stories on melon...pls share with us (just drop us a line at our hotmail address)...its always nice to hear when someone is thinking about eli!

Congratulations are in order too for cousin casey and her partner chris. There goregous girl keahli paige was born 11 March. Awesome work guys.

Our hearts also go out to Jarrod and Briony Lyle. We hope the birth of Lusi Joy will help ease your pain just a little as you face a tough road ahead.

thats about it in the world of the simpsons. Stay in touch and thanks so much for reading our blog. We never knew that we will still continue to have so many people follow us! Im glad we made the decision to keep the blog going!

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxoxox

hi everyone

hello everyone

Our cottage opening is getting closer and closer...amazing really...less than 3 weeks to go! Our first family will hopefully be in by 13 March...

We have been so busy...now the cottage is basically taking care of itself (apart from some gardening)...its been down to fundraising...which has been AMAZING...check these out for our MELON'S COTTAGE MOTHERS DAY RAFFLE:

1st prize - Dinner Party for 10 (massive thanks to Nath and Tash from Duart Homestead)...there are a few conditions with this one...but its a RIPPER! (value $850)

2nd prize - Mothers Day Hamper from Terry White Chemist Bairnsdale (value $300)

3rd prize - gorgeous Rip Curl Watch from Sandbar Surf (value $250)....

We are just in the middle of getting tickets organised, but if you can help us sell some PLEASE LET ME KNOW...this is going to be one of our bigger fundraising efforts for the year and we need all hands on deck! Please let me know if you can sell a book by emailing me on eli-simpson@hotmail.com and we can get you one or two organised!

We also have a brochure which sets out the basics but most importantly, ways you can donate to Eli's Foundation. We have set up a direct deposit, or you can send through a cheque or cash donation...the best news is we can NOW OFFER A TAX RECEIPT for donations over $2. That is what we have been working towards for such a long time and we can finally say its come through! YAY. A massive thanks to MinterEllison for helping us through the tax world maze...its been a long time coming but gee we are just so proud...its such an onerous process, but one we are glad to have sorted...we are just so keen to be as transparent as we can and this is the one way we can do it...and help you guys willing to donate as well...

If you would like to donate, please let me know on the eli-simpson email and i will give you details...we are still getting our receipt book sorted, but hopefully it will be right to go next week! we are just so excited.

i better go, i only have had a few minutes to update...more exciting stuff to come!

We are just so proud to be doing this for melon...we are nearly there mate...nearly there.

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Some stuff for sale to help the cottage

Hi gang

ive facebooked the goods we have which has melon's cottage on it...and then i clicked and thought we should probably do the same on the blog as well! So...here it all is...well, not a huge amount, just stuff that i thought you might like....some stuff may seem a bit pricey, but because we have not ordered huge amounts, it keeps the cost fairly high (like the pens)...but the otherstuff i reckon is pretty good value...

If you would like something, please contact me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com...please note, that where we can we will deliver it for you, but if we cant and have to post, there will be an extra cost!

Other news from the simpsons - bugs and i are off to brisbane to visit cousin casey for a few days next week which should be great fun...pete is staying home to hold the fort! I figured if we can look after a child in hospital, I can survive a plane trip for 2 hours YIKES! We also have a busy month ahead with a couple of exciting things happening - but i will blog those when it happens...

Lots of 1st birthday parties coming up for us which should be loads of fun for archie. He had his first day in childcare yesterday and survived much better than i did! I figured we should probably start the 'weaning' process now (him off me and me off him)...before i head back to work which is in around 6 weeks time...i cant believe how quickly that time has gone...archie is 9 months already...astounding. It will also give me a chance to be at home with archie if he picks up some cooties from care (massive probability). We very proudly managed to breastfeed until a couple of days ago when he said he had had enough...i must admit it was really hard for me given i had such a wonderful experience with melon...but archie was a different ball game and i had to convince him that he should stay breastfed lol...but he finally removed himself much to my sadness...but happy for him because he has his independance.

Anyways...again, if you would like some goods to help the cottage, pls email me and we will get it sorted for you.

much love and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Melon's Cottage pens - $7

Melon's cottage key rings $6

Melons Cottage magnets (size of a postcard) - $4

Melon's cottage totebags - $12

melon's cottage mugs - $12

Melon's Cottage opening draws closer!

Hi everyone

Ive just been reading through the blog again...and i have tears pouring down my face...who would have guessed that even after 3 years those words would mean so much to us. After reading the blog, it feels like it was all yesterday. And to be honest, im kinda proud of us for being able to share such an intimate time with you all especially knowing how hard it was with what we went through...

but...we are so very close now with the cottage, and that is FANTASTIC....just another 6 weeks to 'spruce moose' the place. A fair bit of gardening work to do (mulching and pruning)...the new herbs have been planted, with the inside basically complete. AWESOME...we absolutely cant wait to have the first family through, it will be bloody terrific and something pete and i have waited so long to do...

anyways...just a short hello from the family...we are doing well...Archie has 8 teeth now and is commando crawling - not too fast thank goodness...he is a cracker of a kid...and our little 'rooster'...5am starts are starting to get a bit better, it still hurts a bit though LOL.

anyhoo...take care everyone and we will keep you posted...

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

One step closer!

hey everyone

happy new year and we hope everyone had a brilliant and very safe xmas....again, our xmas was bittersweet...especially having archie on board and no melon...we lit all our candles (archie has one for melon too)...and reflected on what should have been, but we knew melon was with us...

Christmas was a bit overwhelming for archie this year...he woke up in a terrible mood which slightly improved when we went to stratford for our wonderful and traditional xmas tea...lots of other little ones to play with which was exciting.

Pete and i are glad we had xmas at home with our own traditions...will have to wait and see what this year brings...weird saying this year already...geez...time flies...

So, update on the cottage...we are so bloody excited...we have the cottage pretty much to where we want it...and it is basically ready for families...our grand opening is 6th March, so it will have families from then onwards...we still have a little bit to do...we have to keep on top of the garden and grounds...but the inside looks an absolute treat and functional...we are aiming to have some new bunks in by the opening...it will have a single bed on top, with a double on the bottom. Extra room which will mean we can fit 4 in our old room...with a family of up to 6 if needed. Not bad really!

We are just so bloody excited...it has been such a long slog for us all...and to have the dream realised is amazing...I have been invited to do a couple of presentations for lakes rotary and the rotary "inner wheel" group...so hopefully that will lead to some volunteers giving us a hand here and there...

The cottage itself doesnt really need anything...we will just update things as we can afford them...first will be a new flatscreen tv... LOL...

For those who are keen to donate $ to Eli's Foundation, pls email me on eli-simpson@hotmail.com...i can give you the bank details directly but please note...you wont receive a tax receipt - we are still waiting for that to come through (hopefully in the next month or so)...All monies will go towards the running of the cottage, including paying for bills (electricity, gas, rates and most importantly insurances)...at this stage, i think if we can raise about $5000 a year, it should cover everything...but i guess we will need to just wait and see. Our aim really is to keep the overheads as low as we can, but with the cottage being used up to 48 weeks a year...it might be a bit tough!

anyways...best toodle...it was just a quick update...

luv and hugs

the simpsons

xoxoxo