Sunday, October 30, 2011
Nature Walk
It was a beautiful day today, so I took William and Sam up the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve track which is only a few minutes from our house.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Visitors
Ben, Kate and their cute little boy James came and visited us in Canberra for the weekend. They were the first to test out our new homes 'guest quarters'.
Friday, October 28, 2011
B.F.F.
After more than 12 years together (more than 9 married) Jem and I are still smitten. Although there is a lot less 'us time' and barely any time or a break in noise to actually have a conversation, we manage to still find the funny side in most things and are still Best Friends Forever.
Dunder Mifflin paper company
Jems and I have a night time ritual at the moment of getting the kids in bed around 7ish, getting what we need to get done out of the way and then lying down in bed to watch 'The U.S. Office'. Its an awesome show about an american paper company, the people and personalities that work there. It really grows as the episodes progress. The characters get much more indepth and the story much more hilarious. I have just recently bought season 7 on DVD (from amazon) which is the most up to date season. We are usually both so tired at the end of the day, Jem from her work and Uni juggling act, and me from our energetic little men, that we end up falling asleep after one or 2 episodes. Its nice to have a laugh, chill out and share each others company after a long day, even if one of us is snoring!
Heartbeat
Sam is so into music right now. Always asking me to turn the songs up on the ipod or radio."I can feel your heart beat, you say to me"! Is what our neighbours must hear on a regular occurance. Sammy Tyler loves that song by Enrique Iglesias. He loves to sing it and even ads his own lyrics as a mix up. He makes a transformers mix -"I can feel your tranformers, robots in the heartbeat!" He thinks its hilarious! His heart is definately beating, full of life and love.
Invincible
In Basketball or any sport, you win some and you lose some. Some of the best memories I have are winning some unbelievable games, at the buzzer, in overtime, in triple overtime, amazing come from behind games you would never imagine pulling out. There was one game that always comes to mind when I think about those type of wins.
I was playing for the Townsville Crocs in 2003. We were on a road trip to Adelaide to play the 36ers. To my recollection we had a tough win the night before in Perth, so we were all knackered not only from the game but from the constant travel of those 2 days before, but still confident. We arrived in S.A. all obviously gunning for a win but understanding it was going to be tough to back up in those circumstances, as Adelaide were coming in fresh not playing the previous night. We got off to a sluggish start but were in the hunt for most of the game. By half time we were only single digits behind. By the time we got to the 4th quarter our legs gave in and we went down considerably. Think it got out to around 20 points half way through the 4th. We had also lost a couple of our more senior players to injury and being fouled out. I think there was about 4 minutes to go in the game, we needed a prayer, we were down 16. Coach blew his last time out to try and rev us up for one last push. Something just clicked. It was one of those times where as a team it seemed as if we finally got to the top of the mointain and now we could slide down the otherside. Everything started to go our way, lose balls, rebounds, referees decisions. The notoriously loud and abusive 36er crowd was beginning to get very very anxious. We made play after play, all seeming like the game was in slow motion and Adelaide were irratic and panicking. Put backs, full court passes for lay ups, dunks, amazing assists, hussle, all seem to come at ease for us as we were rolling now. Ended up winning that game by about 6, just an amazing turn around upset win. The cowd was stunned as we were dancing around high fiving and hugging at centre court.
That year we started off the season poorly and by the half way point we were 3 wins and 10 losses! That 36ers game was in the middle of an amazing 16 game winning streak that saw us finish the year with a tied NBL record for consecutive wins and a finals berth that no one expected. In that wonderful purple patch we had 3 buzzer beating wins and 2 over time wins. As a group we had decided at 3 and 10 we had to make a stand. We banned together and each said we wouldnt shave until we won 5 in a row. We won 5 staright away, so decided not to mess with the 'Hoop gods' and keep those wolf like faces going until we lost a game. We were a scrappy homeless looking bunch by the end of that year!
Lessons to learn from that game in particular and really the whole season 2002/03, was to just persist. Just stay the fight and see what happens. We rolled the dice that year, and it was an incredible feeling of invinciblity I will never forget.
I was playing for the Townsville Crocs in 2003. We were on a road trip to Adelaide to play the 36ers. To my recollection we had a tough win the night before in Perth, so we were all knackered not only from the game but from the constant travel of those 2 days before, but still confident. We arrived in S.A. all obviously gunning for a win but understanding it was going to be tough to back up in those circumstances, as Adelaide were coming in fresh not playing the previous night. We got off to a sluggish start but were in the hunt for most of the game. By half time we were only single digits behind. By the time we got to the 4th quarter our legs gave in and we went down considerably. Think it got out to around 20 points half way through the 4th. We had also lost a couple of our more senior players to injury and being fouled out. I think there was about 4 minutes to go in the game, we needed a prayer, we were down 16. Coach blew his last time out to try and rev us up for one last push. Something just clicked. It was one of those times where as a team it seemed as if we finally got to the top of the mointain and now we could slide down the otherside. Everything started to go our way, lose balls, rebounds, referees decisions. The notoriously loud and abusive 36er crowd was beginning to get very very anxious. We made play after play, all seeming like the game was in slow motion and Adelaide were irratic and panicking. Put backs, full court passes for lay ups, dunks, amazing assists, hussle, all seem to come at ease for us as we were rolling now. Ended up winning that game by about 6, just an amazing turn around upset win. The cowd was stunned as we were dancing around high fiving and hugging at centre court.
That year we started off the season poorly and by the half way point we were 3 wins and 10 losses! That 36ers game was in the middle of an amazing 16 game winning streak that saw us finish the year with a tied NBL record for consecutive wins and a finals berth that no one expected. In that wonderful purple patch we had 3 buzzer beating wins and 2 over time wins. As a group we had decided at 3 and 10 we had to make a stand. We banned together and each said we wouldnt shave until we won 5 in a row. We won 5 staright away, so decided not to mess with the 'Hoop gods' and keep those wolf like faces going until we lost a game. We were a scrappy homeless looking bunch by the end of that year!
Lessons to learn from that game in particular and really the whole season 2002/03, was to just persist. Just stay the fight and see what happens. We rolled the dice that year, and it was an incredible feeling of invinciblity I will never forget.
Staying connected
It has been a roller coaster 12 years or so of professional sport that has left me with a whole lot of memories, experiences, vivid recollections of amazing games, the highs and lows, the fans. Sometimes I miss that mad life and also the friends I met on the way.
The professional team environment is a strange seperated world. We come together in pre-season, we learn, we bond, we fight, we sweat, we become friends and then almost brothers going to 'war' against our opponents every weekend. We train every day sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, we become ultra fit without knowing it. All of this together as a unit striving for that common goal. Our lives are dedicated to doing whatever we can to be better than the next team.
There are so many stories and experiences that you look back on, good, great, bad and horrible, with so many different teams where you and your teammates become a close nit unit that see more of each other than your immediate family. Unfortunately I can only say among those dozens of players you become so close to, I keep in touch with a handfull. A small handfull at that. Its a shame but as you move onto other teams and develope bonds with the next team you put all your energy into, you lose that friendship you held for those amazing and life changing times.
Why is staying connected in an ever increasingly connected world sometimes so hard?
The professional team environment is a strange seperated world. We come together in pre-season, we learn, we bond, we fight, we sweat, we become friends and then almost brothers going to 'war' against our opponents every weekend. We train every day sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, we become ultra fit without knowing it. All of this together as a unit striving for that common goal. Our lives are dedicated to doing whatever we can to be better than the next team.
There are so many stories and experiences that you look back on, good, great, bad and horrible, with so many different teams where you and your teammates become a close nit unit that see more of each other than your immediate family. Unfortunately I can only say among those dozens of players you become so close to, I keep in touch with a handfull. A small handfull at that. Its a shame but as you move onto other teams and develope bonds with the next team you put all your energy into, you lose that friendship you held for those amazing and life changing times.
Why is staying connected in an ever increasingly connected world sometimes so hard?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Questicon
Sam and Lucas love our trips to the 'Questicon' science centre. As we have a 2 year pass, we make the most of it and go fairly regularly. There is a great 0 - 6 years area that is perfect for them. Its all hands on stuff and also very wet!
"Potty" mouth
Lucas has a new favourite thing he likes to say and repeat over and over. "Go away poo-poo head!" We try and ignore him. Think he learned it off Jacob when he was having one of his fits of rage in time-out one day. You wouldnt think it looking at this photo would you, Bless him! Kids are hilarious. This was taken after his bottle of milk, given in totally to sleep. He also doesnt like his left sock at the moment.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Playing
Our boys are not only brothers, but SOMETIMES show signs of becoming really good mates. Here at home just hanging out in the yard after school.
Home Mummy
You know what I find funny?
That people find it hard to understand that a father can look after his kids. People praise me for taking my kids to do the groceries when Jemma is just expected to. Jemma says she has on occasions been out with the boys obviously struggling with something but no one would give her a hand, as she is expected to manage being the mother. I bet if I was in the same position people would jump to help me as I'm the 'incompetant' male.
I have been asked many times if im babysitting my own kids?! Confused I just reply "I'm not sure what you meen? I'm their dad!." They would say things like - "If your wife works full time who looks after the kids?" or "Wow your cooking dinner!?" and my favourite comment would be "Are you playing 'Mr Mum' today?". Society still isnt sure what to make of a father being a primary carer. It used to make me so angry. Although still annoying, now it just ammuses me more than anything.
We took the boys to the markets one Sunday morning. We went up to a stall where an Asian man was selling jackets. As William was in need of a nice thick jacket for winter, Jemma bought one. She got talking to this man when he asked what I do. Jemma replied "He looks after our kids." This nice Asian man responded in a thick asian accent, "Oohh, he is a home mummy!" We both thought it was pretty funnny! We still refer to it today.
I cant say it has come natural for me to step into the 'traditionally' mothers role, but it has never been an issue, you just get on with it. I pride myself on raising our kids healthily and with love and guidance. For what its worth I think I'm the best dam 'home mummy' there is!!
That people find it hard to understand that a father can look after his kids. People praise me for taking my kids to do the groceries when Jemma is just expected to. Jemma says she has on occasions been out with the boys obviously struggling with something but no one would give her a hand, as she is expected to manage being the mother. I bet if I was in the same position people would jump to help me as I'm the 'incompetant' male.
I have been asked many times if im babysitting my own kids?! Confused I just reply "I'm not sure what you meen? I'm their dad!." They would say things like - "If your wife works full time who looks after the kids?" or "Wow your cooking dinner!?" and my favourite comment would be "Are you playing 'Mr Mum' today?". Society still isnt sure what to make of a father being a primary carer. It used to make me so angry. Although still annoying, now it just ammuses me more than anything.
We took the boys to the markets one Sunday morning. We went up to a stall where an Asian man was selling jackets. As William was in need of a nice thick jacket for winter, Jemma bought one. She got talking to this man when he asked what I do. Jemma replied "He looks after our kids." This nice Asian man responded in a thick asian accent, "Oohh, he is a home mummy!" We both thought it was pretty funnny! We still refer to it today.
I cant say it has come natural for me to step into the 'traditionally' mothers role, but it has never been an issue, you just get on with it. I pride myself on raising our kids healthily and with love and guidance. For what its worth I think I'm the best dam 'home mummy' there is!!
Air time
I had to put this photo in although it was taken a few weeks back. It took a few tries to get this right!
Trailing to the shops
A problem I faced when basketball had finished was trying to stay active during the day whilst also looking after and including Sam and Lucas. Excercising is not only good for physical fitness, mentally I feel so much better afterwards. I bought this kiddie trailer a couple of months ago. Problem solved!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Jet Fountain
Just a short walk from Floriade is the scenic Lake Burley Griffin and its massive water jet fountain.
Larry Legend
Just watched a documentary on Larry Bird. Seeing unbelievable basketball players like that at their very best gives me goose bumps and inspires greatness. Makes me want to go and shoot hoops on the driveway again like when I was 12.
Tent
In dreaming of one day escaping the urban 'rat race' lifestyle we all seem to be living, I had to set our tent up that we have owned for a year, but havent opened until now. Although not as big as I thought it would be it still consumed our backyard! We will definately be making the most of it once little Lucas is a bit more easy to keep still. I'll keep dreaming now as its back in its bag.
A little different
Pre-kids, hanging out at the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Seems like such a long time ago now.
I have decided to jump on the blogger band wagon. This is my first post, not really sure what I'm doing but here it goes.
Jem and I have settled a bit now after years of travelling with Basketball. She has a steady job and I'm stepping into the stay at home dad role. Both seem to be going well. Jems blitzing her work as an I.T help desk annalist (I.T. nerd, who would have thought?!). She is juggling almost full time work, Uni and being a devoted mum, she is awsome.
I also have my hands full in what has turned out to be a very busy time in our lives. William and Jacob are at school now and doing so well. Trying to be unbiased, they seem to me to be dream students for their respective teachers. They have had nothing but praise so far for our big boys.
Samuel and Lucas are at home and becoming good little mates. Sam has a real loving way about him and is always looking out for his little Lucas, got to do something about those tantrums though! wow he can be impressively stubborn. Lucas is in his very inquisitive part of his life and is into everything, anything in his reach is tossed to the floor. Power cords/TV cords/phone chargers are a personal favourite of his. They are all wonderful in their own ways.
We have 'settled' here in Canberra for family reasons. Canberra is a great spot to bring up kids, it has jobs a plenty and its central to our family. Although not near most of them its only a drive away and easy to get to. (Apart from you dad, sorry!)
We have also just last week moved to a bigger 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house which is a much nicer fit for us and the kids. Having prevously only had 1 toilet, we now have 3! Great place for visitors from interstate. Hint hint. Although after moving all our stuff over here, just me and a friend, my back isnt liking me right now.
Well thats a start anyway, more to come...
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