The New Year is in Full Swing!

Its the first day in March and its taken me a while to get into the swing of things in terms of my blog, but believe me, we’ve had a full on year in the first 3 months.

First and foremost, we our daughter Sharquille is going to be having a baby. It wasnt something that we had planned for quite so early, but still, our first grandchild is on his way and so we are looking forward to another chapter in our lives.

I had to have a giggle after the initial shock, but here I was thinking that our children are getting older and will soon be leaving home. Not quite the case here. We still have all our children at home and in the next month or so we will also have a new grandchild!!

We also have a new boarder, Toni, Leo’s girlfriend, moved in about a month ago and so I feel its time for our family to start looking for a new place to live … something alot bigger then what we have now. If you know of anywhere that would be ideal for our family, send us an email at roseanne@4my11kids.com.

Our 3rd eldest son HoRoymana started High School this year, and to date I am very impressed with his new College. HoRoymana didnt pick the same high school as his older brothers, much to their disappointment but im sure his Dad was beaming with pride since the first of his 3 sons had decided to go to his old High School.

The school camps are well under way, Fanatanu Ieremia just returned last week from a week of fun, outdoor activities and adventures, and what stories he had to tell. We’re quite blessed in New Zealand with the range of activities our children are able to participate in during their school camps. Next up is Kaneihana, with a slight difference in her school camp. Its a week long, but they wont be staying at any camp location, they will infact be spending a week of activities, fun and adventure in good old Windy Welly. Shes excited about all the weeks upcoming events and its a great way of her getting to visit places in and around Wellington for some fun and new experiences. HoRoymana will finish out the camps this year with his Year 9 Camp, and is looking forward to spending some quality time with his friends from school for a 3 day adventure.

As for our teens … well, Isiah has gone from Youth Worker to his first year in Uni. We both strongly believe in the skip year for our children, to experience life a little before committing to University, so its good to see Isiah start off his University years. Hes had alot of great and positive support from his employers, Challenge 2000, and what leaps and bounds they have taken him through over the past 6 months. Isiah has been exposed to so many different lifestyles, situations and experiences over this time that Challenge 2000 has played a huge part in helping develop the man that he is becoming.

Sharquille, 16 and pregnant has also recommitted to study and is completing her High School education at He Huarahi Tamariki, an alternative school for young mothers and mothers to be, and she has found a new zest for learning and is loving. The daily reports I get from my daughter are real gems, I love that she has found that dedication to learning that she once lost. Shes also making leaps and bounds in preparation for her baby in April, and we’re all excited about her next phase in life … being a Mother. I’ll definitely be there to support her, but she knows well that ive had my family and this is her child, so she will be raising her baby, with our support and help. No late nights and early morning wake up feeds for me, thats a responsibility that Sharquille is going to have to cope with as a new Mother .. alongwith all the ups and downs that come with it. But we’ll all be there to help when the times get tough and to share our love with the new edition. Im very excited!!

Leo has finally found something that he loves to do as a Labourer. He had initially started working for Ieremia and I in our home business but his love of the outdoors and physical work, to compliment his Rugby League training, led him to labouring and he loves it. My Dad was a Carpenter and I had not seen any of my children going into this trade, but it looks like Leo may follow in the footsteps of his Grandfather, and a proud Grandfather at that! Part time he’s still helping out with the home business but Labouring ensures he comes home to a shower, dinner and then out for the night!

The little ones are all getting much bigger. Danii Malu’aute and Paese Sivai are starting to develop their own dress sense and the arguments over clothing and accessories have begun!

Miah Caroline will be starting school in April, so she is enjoying her last weeks at Kindergarten before she joins the school “walking” bus to primary school, with her 2 older sisters and brother.

As for Troy and Tiana, life is grand, they are the golden children of our family. I know that we have endulged them alot more then any of our other children, purely for the fact that they are the youngest, but for me, I do this in the knowledge that these are the last pitter patters and terrible 2 stomps that I will experience with any of my children. Each day is a new experience for us both and although the lack of an age gap between them can sometimes be extremely trying, my patience perseveres and the day ends with a sense of “that was a great day” feeling.

My family is in the full swing of the new year, all working towards our own goals for a happy, great and successful 2010.