Karakia

The destruction of Christchurch has hit Kiwis hearts all over the globe , as motions be it natural or people power around the world are changing this earth we all call home may it remind us all our Lord is near.

A good friend brought this version of the new zealand national anthem to my attention and you might find you cant help but follow the words and sing along its proved what a beautiful country New Zealand is. Remembering our last visit and hopefully another one very soon this is for our NZ friends where ever you may be.

Download Cindy Ruakere's version of the National Anthem here.

God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat, 

God defend our Free Land.  

Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face
Asking Thee to bless this place
God defend our free land
From dissension, envy, hate
And corruption guard our State   
Make our country good and great
God defend New Zealand

Peace, not war, shall be our boast
But should our foes assail our coast
Make us then a mighty host
God defend our free land
Lord of battles, in Thy might
Put our enemies to flight
Let our cause be just and right
God defend New Zealand

Let our love for Thee increase
May Thy blessings never cease
Give us plenty, give us peace
God defend our free land
From dishonour and from shame
Guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame
God defend New Zealand

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea
Make us faithful unto Thee
God defend our free land
Guide her in the nations' van
Preaching love and truth to man
Working out Thy Glorious plan
God defend New Zealand

Make a purchase at LUKE THURLBY PHOTOGRAPHY proceads go to Christchurch earthquake relief fund

Happy Valentines Day

 

Happy Valentines to all my followers. xo

10 MONTHS!

WOWSIES only 2 more months and Yasmine will be 1!

Her latest achievements are her delight in the art of pulling oneself up to standing position using anything she can reach to do this.

Problem number 1: she cant work out how to get down once she is up
Problem 2:  she wants to be up all day because its now more fun than sitting

So that means we have officially entered the bumps and bruises stage
with already her accidentally biting her lip and scratching her nose
Shes full of beans like always and talks non-stop

7 teeth
enough hair for a clip

my beautiful baby is grown up into a beautiful little girl. but i guess all mothers still think of their children as their little baby.

(Fresh Design Play suit find out where to get yours here -FreshDesignsAustralia)

Goat Island

Goat Island Marine Reserve  is on the coast at the small town of Leigh, approximately 90km north of Auckland, New Zealand.

For more than 30 years marine life has been fully protected from any form of fishing. For the marine enthusiast, the experience is one you will never forget.

Fish seen include snapper, blue maomao, parore, red moki, goatfish, leatherjackets, sweep, blue cod, spotties, kelpfish, marblefish, eagle rays and stingrays. Some of the snapper for which the reserve is famous, are a metre long and have lived in the reserve for many years.

Snorkel, Dive, take a glass bottom boat ride or just relax on the beach side.

  

Gourmet Sculptures

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail near Matakana showcases an ever-changing exhibition of around 45 contemporary sculptures

 

Gourmet grazing platter and fine Wine on a warm NZ summer day is Bliss

Going somewhere guys?

would love to take these home

Peek a BOO!

LIVE WIRE

ollie ollie ollie

Priceless moments with a favourite Uncle , we love and miss you!

(Yasmine styling fresh design bloomers from Katie and gorgeous top from Sarah Lux)

cousin mania!

Yasmine had no idea the people she would meet in NZ and the relations on her mothers side , there really are no words for these beautiful girls, maybe action packed sums it up!

Yasmine's first cousins -once removed...

If someone walked up to you and said "Howdy, I'm your third cousin, twice removed," would you have any idea what they meant? Most people have a good understanding of basic relationship words such as "mother," "father," "aunt," "uncle," "brother," and "sister." But what about the relationship terms that we don't use in everyday speech? Terms like "second cousin" and "first cousin, once removed"? We don't tend to speak about our relationships in such exact terms ("cousin" seems good enough when you are introducing one person to another), so most of us aren't familiar with what these words mean.

Cousin (a.k.a "first cousin")

Your first cousins are the people in your family who have two of the same grandparents as you. In other words, they are the children of your aunts and uncles.

Second Cousin

Your second cousins are the people in your family who have the same great-grandparents as you., but not the same grandparents.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Cousins

Your third cousins have the same great-great-grandparents, fourth cousins have the same great-great-great-grandparents, and so on.

Removed

When the word "removed" is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations. You and your first cousins are in the same generation (two generations younger than your grandparents), so the word "removed" is not used to describe your relationship. The words "once removed" mean that there is a difference of one generation. For example, your mother's first cousin is your first cousin, once removed. This is because your mother's first cousin is one generation younger than your grandparents and you are two generations younger than your grandparents. This one-generation difference equals "once removed."

..... according to the genealogy website.