August has been full on.
There are some things about August though,
that you should know.

In August the small sausage dog came off cage rest.
His hips and pelvis healed well and he went back to chasing kids around the yard and chewing up anything he could find.
He doesn’t like cars anymore.

In August
this good looking guy won a $200 spending spree after one of his photos was chosen for a promotion nation wide, at Gumboots.
If he had his way he would have spent all of it on cowboy hats and yellow rimmed John Lennon sunnies.
He enjoyed being the centre of attention.
He ended up buying things for his sisters too.
I smiled alot that day.

In August we received a surprise package from Natalie at Moederkip.
She has a program called under the wing.
The lovely Kim was involved.
It brought sunshine to our rainy day.
Our parcel included a beautiful green coat for Noah
and a stunning red riding hood cape for Ivy.

In August, Immy and Maddy were in a school musical.
Its performances fell exactly when Ivy found herself back in the hospital
and I thought that we would have to miss it.
The girls were devastated and angry
but the nurses pulled every string they could,
juggled medications and consultations
and managed to give Ivy and I two hours gate leave to go home and see the show.
The performance was fabulous
but the best moment was
when the girls saw that Ivy and I were in the audience,
their smiles lit up the whole hall.

The girls made the nurses their “to die for” caramel slice and equally decadent brownies
to say thanks.
In August we met some amazing young people, who donate blood on a regular basis.
I was in awe of their selflessness.
I told them about Ivy and how much they were helping.
We were in the newspaper
and on the radio
and I felt thankful for the positives that I could find.

August saw Lily off to the Gifted and Talented camp.
She struggled to find her feet.
She stepped out of her comfort zone.
She learnt alot.
I was proud of her (I always am).

August has been very full on.
There have been lots of bad days, yes
but
there have been lots of good days too.
There have been day trips,
night trips,
trips to the hospital.
New friends, old friends
and lots of wonderful opportunities.
Times when I have felt so very alone
and times when I have felt carried.

and I am grateful for every single day,
all that I learn,
every chance to grow
and the amazing people I meet along the way.
I am thankful for the journey.