Our lil home.. Week one

Our first week in our Home Away from Home, our caravan, Which will be called "WILLI-WALKERS" as its both names of our family.

We have had no drama's towing or sleeping in the caravan. Actually, today we slept in until after 9 am, never in 12 years of being a parent, have my kids all slept in until 9am.. bliss!

We are currently staying at Charmaine and Tony's house in Tamborine, in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Charmaine is Tim's youngest sister. She is very hospitable, and lots of fun! We get on like sisters, and often tease Tim..its so much fun!
CHarmy and Tony have 2 girls, Tori & Shania.. they are just beautiful, I love spending time with them!

For the record, my nieces will proberly not be happy with these unflattering photo's!

SO far, we've been relaxing alot this week. As it turned cold we relaxed by the fire alot, this is my brother in law Tony and a friend Nathan.

Our caravan is a 5 birth, it has 3 bunks for the kids down one end.

Our bedroom is down the other end.

We have heaps of storage under our bed, as well as cupboards for our clothes, We have a fridge and mini freezer as well as a gas cooktop, and an outdoor BBQ, as you can see from the photo, we have an indoor table. (we have an outdoor bathroom, complete with lil tents for privacy) All squished up in 21 feet! Although we do have an annex, we are yet to set it up.
We are off to Helensvale caravan park next week, where the comforts of home will be gone, we'll definitely be living basically, which will be our theme for the next year.

  

Tim has been BBQing everyday, I think he will be sick of it very soon! Good job babe.

We have brought Jazz, our endearing pain in the rear end dog friend :) So far, she has been very well behaved, apart from scaring Buddy, her doggy cousin. Jazz has a tendency to run away. But so far she has been good. Lets hope she is as good for the rest of our adventures!

That's about it for this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to blog every Sunday, so look out for my posts!
Bye for now :)

Our Travels around Australia

On Tuesday the 9th of October, we officially started our travels around Australia..
Here is the lead up to our adventure:- 

                                                                      For what seemed like forever, I was packing, sorting, throwing things away, and sorting some more.. I officially hate moving! It was a sad thing for me as I had to sort out alot of Josh's possession's, and most were stored for so long {tools, shoes etc} I just had to throw them away. It was time to be practical. I did however find some old photos that made me cry..I would like to share them with on here, as this is our family blog, and I want to remember when and where I found these shots.. I can't believe my babies are so grown up now!
 

Easter Break Part 2

On Friday, Tim finally came and joined us. We had been apart 2 nights, the longest we;ve been seperated since we got married 6 months before. To feel his big strong arms around me was just what I needed. The night before was tough, bumping into Josh's family, and also revisiting the Hall where we got married. I needed Tim's support, his hugs and kisses we're missed greatly!

So, with my husband by my side, we went in to listen to some music, and mostly we just looked at the markets. We all enjoyed spending some quality time together. It was beautiful weather. We were very fortunate as it almost always rains over the Easter weekend.

Over the next few days, we worked out who we wanted to see, and what time they were playing. There were 5 different tents all set up with bands playing from 12pm, to 12 am.  The highlights we listened to was Ziggy Marley (Bob Marley;s son) real reggae mon! He was excellent. I really enjoyed his performance. Another highlight, was some home grown talent Josh Pyke,( although, as a mum of small children I did'nt appreciate his swearing) and Richard Clapton. Blue King Brown were amazing absolutely AMAZING! Real talented drummers, and leader singer, just took everyone to a happy place. That's why I love music, it invokes such happiness. I was left stunned and in awe of their talent. If you have never heard of this band google them, youtube them, download there music. Pure talent!
And then there was one more.. John.

John Butler was the one act I wanted to see, from Start to finish. And I got my wish! I love his music. I loved his performance. I love JOHN BUTLER! That is all!

I really enjoyed our time away. To spend time with my kids, with no T.V. no computer games, some arguing, but no bedtimes. We had lots of fun together, I am without a doubt always going to be UNO queen, I am UNBEATABLE!  Poor Taj, he would throw a wobbly everytime he lost a round of cards. I missed Tim so much, especially trying to set up that dreaded tent! I came to realize how much we have become a team. When he is not by my side, I felt like a single mum again. And I take my hat off to single mums, but I sucked at that job. I am grateful, that I again have a loving husband to walk through the twists and turns of life.!
 I loved spending time with my dear friends. We shared drinks, we shared stories, we shared laughter, we shared our love of music, and we shared an experience that none of us will forget!
Until next year x

Easter Break 2012 Part 1..

This year we decided to go away for our Easter break. I usually do everything possible not to go anywhere, because of the busy roads and the amount of people that are out and about. But last year in August my friend Rach and I decided to "surprize' our men by buying Bluesfest tickets. For those of you that have never heard of the Bluesfest, it's a 5 day festival, with all sorts of music genre, anything from Rock, Blues, Reggae country and western to mainstream pop.

Everyone that went had a fantastic time. We had to camp, which is a novelty for my kids. Just as it was getting easier with our kids, to go and do things like that as a family, Josh passed away. And I'm not the type of person to invite myself with others, as I don't really know how to set a tent up. Tim was at work on Wednesday, so I still needed help, Just as well I had Jason (Rach's husband) and my very cool friend Lise.. They put up our tent in no time!

On Thursday, Lise and I took the 3 kids into Byron Bay. It is a diverse and interesting town. It's full of alternate lifestyles. In years gone by, I would have turned my nose up at these kind of people. But These days,  I'm more tolerant of  how others live. It's not wrong, just different to the way I live. I even got into the "spirit" and brought a tied dyed dress!

On Thursday Night we attended the Memorial of Jesus Death. As according to the Jewish Calender, it was Nisan 14. Getting into nice clothes in a tent, and literally getting dressed in the dark was a challenge. But we did it! We were patiently awaiting Jason and Rach, when we get a frantic phone call from Jason "Can you give me a jump start, my battery is flat" Talk about  cutting it fine, time wise! But we made the 7 o'clock start.
As soon as I sat down, I started to cry. Not because we were a smidge late, but because this Hall we were attending, {Brunswick Heads} was where Josh grew up. It's where we got married, and its where we had Jordan and Larni. It was not a sad cry, just a moment in time that I'll never forget. Josh's Uncle Denis gave a prayer, and there were lots of cousins in the audience {who gave me beautiful cuddles after, thanks Bec and Darren, and lil Jack } Thank goodness I had such good friends around. During the talk, Lise held my hand, and stroked my arm. She did'nt have to say anything, but I knew that she was there for me. I feel so very blessed to have her as my friend. And after, Jason and Rach listened as I talked through emotions, and feelings that I never thought I would feel by just entering a building. Again I feel very blessed to have beautiful friends, who let me be "me" Not the funny Barb, or the goofy Barb, but the real Barb, that sometimes just needs to vomit out words. So thanks Jas and Rach for listening to my verbal vomit..lol
 The whole meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus' life means so much more to me now. The children and I look forward to the time when we can see Josh again, and I thank God everyday that we will have the opportunity to welcome him back into our lives.

Until then, we will continue to listen to lots of music, cause it makes us happy :)

To be continued....

My little Ray of Sunshine

Larni means "princess" in Indian.

My baby girl Larni Shay, is  beautiful inside and out. She is a very talented artist, singer and she also is learning two musical instruments.

Larni aged 6

When Larni started preschool, she was just 4. She could write all the alphabet and started to read early. Larni could also count to 100, all the normal things you want a child of that age to be able to do before they start grade 1. I was worried about her going to school as she was so Tiny! That and she had just turned 5 two weeks before. Her teacher, Mrs B, assured me academically Larni was very ready for school. Which looking back was true. Although, my fears came to fruition when a big kid fell on Larni in the first week of school and broke her collarbone!

This week Larni has come home from school everyday and has been crying. She is 10 now and in grade 6. The curriculim this year has changed so dramically. The school work is HARD!
and my poor lil one is not coping. I have decided to take Larni out of school, to homeschool her and let her repeat grade 5. Which is the grade I believe she should be in.

Beautiful happy Larni

My baby girl needs to start smiling again, and not worry too much about life at the moment. Her grades do matter to me but her happiness and state of mind are much more important!

A time to reflect

 The 17th of February is a sad day for Williams family. Three years ago, the police were waiting for us to get home from school to tell us That News.. The news that changed our lives forever.

The policeman asked me to take the children inside. I was feeling very nervous, as I had a feeling that this wouldn't be a happy conversation. He told me that there had been an accident and that Josh was involved. Just as he was about to say something else, Jordan poked his head out the window, and asked "mum, whats for afternoon tea" "fruit" I said. I really wanted the policeman to take me to the hospital to see Josh, why were we waisting time, chit chatting out the back. Josh needed me to be by his side.

Then the policemen went on to say that news. " I am sorry Mrs Williams. But Josh has passed away"

I let out a scream. I think. The neighbour said it was a blood curdling noise, and she came running. My children came running. I seen them, and took them inside, and said "Sorry guys, the policeman just told me Daddy was in an accident. He's in hospital, we might go and see him later."

Stuff the fruit, I thought, they can have ice cream. So I gave them a billabong, and went back out side.

The policeman was still there. I didn't believe what he said. I told him that. In fact, I said, "it could be Nigel, he may have drove home."

But with that the policeman pulled out Josh's business card. It had his name on it. He told me he had spoken to Nigel, and that he was OK. I knew then it was Josh driving. The policeman told me there was 2 trucks involved, and Josh's car. Josh was the only fatality.

I waited to my friend Alicia came, then my mum and sister and niece Rebecca, before I even thought of telling the children. That was the hardest job of all. How do explain to your young boys aged 3 and 8 that Daddy is never comin home. What about his little princess Larni, who idolised her dad aged just 7,  how was she going to cope with out her beloved daddy..I just held them all together and told them what happened. They all sobbed, and everyone in the room turned there heads away, even the two policeman. We were all crying. It was incredibly hard then, and incredibly hard now to even remember that afternoon.

The next few hours are a blur. People came. They sat with me. They sat with the kids. Someone took the kids out to get them McDonald's. Later I found out they had coke with there meals. That was the first time they had EVER had coke. They were very hyper after that!

Finally, the policeman told me that it was time to identify Josh's body. I wanted to do it, I needed to do it, as I didn't quiet believe it. It couldn't be true. Josh was a healthy 32 year old man. He couldn't just die. Surely this was a joke.

The walk down the back corridors of the Nambour hospital, felt like the longest walk I have ever walked.

Finally, I got to see my sweetheart. He was lying so perfectly still. He hadn't been cleaned up. The doctor, policeman and a few nurses tryed getting me to wait, while they did this, but I needed to see him. He looked,as he looked as he died. So very surprised. His beautiful blue eyes still opened. I identified him. And I spent some time with him. I stroked his face, and kissed him. And I promised to look after his babies as best as I could on my own.

I am writing this post, so I don't forget what happened that day. As the years roll by, there are things I have forgotten. As hard as this post was to write, (and even for some of his family and friends to read) I needed to write it down, its almost therapeutic. also its for our children, who have asked many times what happened that day. The inquest has not been held into his accident. Its still on the waiting list. This is what I do know. Josh was travelling on the road, doing below the speed limit. When he screamed out, and his workmate Nigel looked up he seen a bull bar of a truck coming through the windscreen. The truck ran over the right side of Josh's car, and hit the truck head on that was travelling behind Josh. The truck that was at fault was coming down the hill at speed, on the wrong side of the road. Nigel told me Josh was dead on impact. I believe this to be true.

As much as this post is about Josh's death, I  want to remember him when he was alive, to keep his memory alive, so his children never forget the person he was.

xx

Blast From the past Roxette and 1927

On Tuesday night, a group of friends met Tim and myself at the Entertainment centre in Brisbane. We were awaiting to see Roxette and there opening band 1927.. anyone who has to ask who they are are too young to read this blog!!

Trying to find friends amongst thousands of people is'nt fun, but we managed! We missed a few 1927 songs {tim reckons he never heard of them, and that there music wasn't played in New Zealand} silly kiwi's, you don't know what you missed out on.. We heard all the most popular songs," Compulsory Hero" "That's when I think of you" and lastly my all time favourite song of 1927  "If I could" was there last song they sang. Erik Weideman the lead singer was fantastic, he hit all the right notes~~ I was transported back to my teenage years, as they strummed their guitars and harmonised their voices. I can rave all day about them.

After intermission, as we were waiting,  the crowd decided to do the Mexican wave.. It was so incredibly funny.. we were like excited three year old when it came around to our turn..we sort of squealed like baby pigs, as I say we were ALL  very excited!

Roxette were awesome. They sang all there hits, and a few songs I had never heard of, but it didn't matter. The swedes definitely know how to entertain, and they certainly can sing! "Listen to your heart" was belted out as well as "Fading like a flower" and "Dangerous" When they sang "joyride" the audience song most of the song..
Roxette did'nt just do one oncore, it was more like 3! The last song was " Nah nah nah nah nah nah, She's got the look!"

Great night with great friends, and a concert to remember!








s came on, everyone knew the words..