I am a good mum and I won’t let anyone make me feel like I am doing any less than what I feel is best for my own son. As a mother of an active two and a half year old I am continually confronted with people who wish to assert their authority and discipline my child, even while I’m talking to him, and attempting to redirect his behaviour myself. I don’t care how well meaning these people believe themselves to be, these people should just butt out. It is demoralizing and makes parents feel that they aren’t doing a good enough job. These people need to get off their high horse and allow parents to retain the responsibility for disciplining their own children. How are children supposed to learn self-discipline if they aren't first disciplined by their own parents?

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been nearly a whole year since my last blog entry. It's been a very busy year and things have certainly improved a million times over compared to this time last year. Brad and I are both in a much better place together. Nicholaus is awesome and an absloute treasure of a boy and can't wait to have a little baby brother or sister. We'll still have to wait a bit longer though because Brad's still not ready to go through the whole sleepless nights, new baby stage again yet. Hopefully he'll be ready soon after our wedding. We're getting married in January 09 and everything is set. I'm so excited!! I finally mailed out the invitations this morning. They're so pretty!! I made them myself with gorgeous papers and I know everyone will be impressed. On top of that I have most things organised, my dress, flowers, photographer, and all those things sorted so it's all going well. Getting back to last years' blog, I wrote of my cancer scare. I had the lump removed in December and found out just after New Years that it was benign so, Thank God I'm clear. I have a scar to remind me continually how lucky I am to be here today! On top of all that Brad is doing so much better too. He's much happier these days, especially that he started playing football this year and made lots of new friends. He's also got an even better job now, working for the mines and earning at least double what he was on before. I even got a job too! I just started last week, and although it's just Bi-Lo, it will help me save for a car so I can eventually go back to casual teaching during the days. They've put me in the deli and I've fit in really well. Because of my previous experience I find it really easy and I think they're pretty impressed. All is absolutely great, for the moment. I know that life has it's ups and downs and finally I feel as though things are looking good and can only get better.

Oh my my my What a life I lead.............. It's been so long since I last logged onto minti and for so many reasons.. but I find Minti again to talk about what I've been facing lately and hopefully deal with it all yet again........ Thanks again Minti!! ......................................................................................................................................................................................Brad and I are finally after all these years engaged!!!!! I've only waited 5 yrs!!!!!! Now we've just recently returned from a trip to Adelaide and Melbourne, our first holiday in 8 yrs to finally see my mum. Brad met her for the first time and she finally got to see our little boy, her first Grandson!!! It was an absolutely wonderful trip and I didn't let Brad's terrible mood spoil it for me............................... While we were there he had an episode and threatened that he would commit suicide, was an extremely difficut and tense night but I helped him get through it..................... Man, what he puts me through!!! He did it again Saturday night, just past..................... I really don't know where to begin in telling that story but lets jut say I had to get the ambulance here that night, he was so bad. Finally he's come to understand, yet again that he needs help ............................................................... It's beyond him. On top of all the dramas that go on between Brad and I, I've had to cope on my own with the thought that I may have cancer. I'm going to have a lump cut out in a month, out of my breast, and i'm just staying positive that all will be ok... It's all going to be alright in the end........................

I've just got to write and say how proud I am of Brad. On Wednesday last week he started a new job, making bathrrom fittings. I'm so excited for him. We've both been doing it pretty tough for a while now as the studio hasn't been doing much recording for some time now. I'm simply rapped that we don't have to be so stressed about money anymore....... it's a huge weight off my shoulders. I went and lay-byed all of Nick's Chrissy and Birthday pressies and have been able to clear all of our bills. Yesterday we had a briliant day. We went out to Nelson Bay in the morning and Brad took Nick on the toboggan ride then we went and had a BBQ sausage lunch on the beach. Today we went to the museum and Nick had a lot of fun running around playing with all the science toys in the Supernova exhibition. Now that Brad's working again we're going to be able to get out more on the weekends and I know Brad will be happier to get out and make the most of our time together as a family. Really, life if feeling so great at the moment and I feel so lucky to be me!! heheh life's not always like this but I'm going to appreciate it for what it is!