Dalli Cottage: Thanks 2012

The past twelve months have delivered such a smorgasboard of events, emotions and achievements. As I look back, I marvel on how much Macie has blossomed, how big William has grown and how our marriage has strengthed and bonded over sleepless nights and vomit-covered shoulders.

I find it difficult to digest the fact that twelve months has passed and we are entering into yet another year to ride the exhilarating, scary and often challenging rollercoaster of life.

2012 has made us laugh so hard that we cried,

cried so deeply that we sobbed,

smiled so broadly that our cheeks ached,

and as always, has made us grateful for the life we lead.

It has taught us how influencial a piece of chocolate can be when potty-training is failing,

or how two children can successfully make a white couch turn beige.

It has taught us that all arguments can be solved by a simple three rounds of "Paper. Scissors. Rock",

and that a cold rum and a debrief at the end of every day is just like paying for therapy.

In February, our lives were blessed doubly when William James decided to join our family. After a serene and drug-free birth in our local town, we walked out of the hospital less than 24 hours later to go home as a family of four. He has completed our family.

He has taught us a lot - but the biggest thing he has taught us is that our hearts don't ever stop loving. Every single day as Macie and William awake, we fall in love with them that little bit more.....and especially at night when they are peacefully sleeping in their beds - fully content with their worlds that we have created for them. They teach us how to love each and every day.

We have had christenings, weddings, beach visits, and have created many many special memories.

We have watched Macie grow and blossom into a delightful little girl. It's hard to believe that she will be starting Kindy in 2014 and next year will be her last year at home. She is such a beautiful and caring big sister to Willsy and he absolutely idolises her. I see so much of me in her. She is fiery, determined, independent and has attitude. She gets cranky when she is hungry which I do, and she sings like I do....which isn't exactly a trait that she will be thanking me for later on. She is our free-spirit. The life of the party (when things are going her way) and she has more confidence than some adults do in a lifetime. I'm intrigued as to what 2013 will bring with our Big Girl....

And as for the husbo....we have survived a very busy, hectic and often chaotic year with a newborn, a very busy toddler, my photography taking off, a very demanding farmlife schedule and life in general. We have had our arguments, our mexican stand offs at 2am in the morning as to whose turn it was to get up to William and our disagreements - but we always come out of it stronger, happier and more in love than ever. Life will continue to test us - throwing us curveballs, hurdles and bends in the road - and I am very thankful that I have such a compassionate, strong, stubborn and funny husbo to hold hands with along the way.