eli simpson: xmas, birthdays and HOUSE!

Hi guys

wow...i cant believe its been 2 months since we last posted. Like everyone, our lives have continued to be extremely busy, with lots of things to do...

Xmas was a fairly low key affair really. We put up our lights again (with no mishaps this time!)...and i reckon they looked great...we had heaps of cars stop and have a peek! I remember how much i loved xmas lights as a girl, so its nice to do something for the local kids! I think our place is on the 'xmas lights map'!

Santa was extremely kind to us both this year...As with every year, pete and i went to kmart - to the wishing tree and bought something for a little boy Eli's age in Eli's memory. Its always a tough gig really, because you never know what 3 year olds are going to like...i just hope whoever received the gift loved it...I think its a tradition we will always carry now...and nice to do something for someone less fortunate at xmas time, as well as remembering melon.

The excavation on the house block FINALLY started just before xmas...it was a real tease actually because then we had to wait until 17 Jan to see some posts go in the ground so the concrete man can lay the concrete. We are very much hoping to see more action this week.

So things are FINALLY moving on the house front. It would be wonderful to see Melon's Cottage open for all and sundry by around October this year...we are both really hopeful it will happen!

Pete and i went to melb on 9th Jan to participate in the City to bay Fun Run which supported Challenge this year...apparently, just over $52,000 was raised at the event...bloody fantastic. It was so lovely to catch up with Micka (who we spent alot of time in hospital with)...I volunteered for bag duties (along with another 8 or so ladies)...and pete did the run. It was so lovely to be a part of...Bit hard with a big pregnant belly, but we got there...and everyone looked after me! Pete was happy with his run (although had never really run with almost 3o00 people, so that was a test for him!)...it was a great weekend away really.

My birthday has come and gone for another year...and we have started getting ready for our new arrival - "nesting" is probably the best word for it! Again, some really difficult decisions to make (as the cottage only has 2 bedrooms, ours and Eli's)...Eli's room has been pretty much left until the last month or so, but the time has come to get some stuff sorted. We bought up some stuff from the shed and repacked the draws with what we could...and we bought a new cot for the new edition...something we wanted to do. There have been many tears over the past 6 weeks, and i really empathise with parents who have lost children...where do you start to pack up memories...what do you hold onto, and what do you let go. I guess i go by my own rule, if it doesnt feel right, or I dont know what to do with it, i wait until the time is right, that way i will have no regrets...boy oh boy its a real test though...making room for number 2, without losing Eli's memory. Anyways, i know we will get there in the end and we will make the right decisions for us as a family.

We are also gearing up once again for World's greatest Shave...so if you would like to sponsor us, just go to

"www.worldsgreatestshave.org" and sponsor a team/individual. Like previous years, we have kept "Melonhead" as our team name, or you can sponsor me - Jodie Simpson from Victoria. I know its a tricky time this year, with so many people needing $ due to the horrendous floods we have experienced. There is absolutely no pressure, just if you can...

If you would like to join team Melonhead and shave, please let me know at eli-simpson@hotmail.com

This year, eli is very lucky to have his 3 cousin's support - Kyle, Blake and Connor. Connor starts school this year, and after speaking with them yesterday, they are all very keen to shave their heads at their school in memory of melon...It should be a ripper day.

We are also running a raffle this year...so if you would like to help us sell raffle tickets, please let us know...the more the merrier...we are just trying to secure our first and third prizes, but they will be rippers...

anyways...best sign off for now...

will try and get some pic's posted, and get some regularity in my postings...i promise!

Thanks all so much for your continued support of the simpson family, and may they year 2011 be a ripper for you all.

love and hugs

the simpsons

xoxox