happy 2006

Happy New Year one and all!

I believe you people deserve an explanation as to the absense of the Babbage wit that usually resides in this blog. In other words - where has Duncan been?

Well, a different computer fad has him in its grip and it is anyone's guess when he will return to his first love... It is a site called istockphoto.com which you are welcome to investigate and buy one of Duncan's excellent photos online. [Duncan comments: You really shouldn't buy anything—it's intended for a commercial market, not to make money off friends. But you can see my iStockphoto portfolio here.] He has even had a gallery named "Gallery of the week" and if I knew how to do a link on this thing I would put one to it. [Duncan: You can view that public lightbox here; as of this evening, 11,667 views and counting.] As for me, I am nolonger a teacher of adolescents 24/7 and therefore have time to update the blog occasionally. Sorry there isn't a photo in this one - I don't know how to do dat.

What has been happening around here you ask. The answer is a whole lot. the Firstly we had Grandpa and Grandma Babbage come and stay and to meet their new grandson in the first part of December. What a nice time this was. What lovely inlaws I have. We took the birthday boy Humphrey to the Chocolate Fish cafe in Scorching Bay and I for one got sunburnt. What a spectacular view. Another highlight was together enjoying seeing the new Tuataras at the Karori sanctuary. Eden also really appreciated his Grandpa wheeling him around the mall while Mummy got her haircut... plus all the cuddles and smile practice!

During Mum and Dad Babbages' stay, James and Anita got married. The wedding left Duncan and I feeling a bit like chumps. Firstly admiring the awesome people we know and secondly, it seems that these days people are so mature when they get married and their speeches so eloquent. I could burble on about them for a while. A highlight was hearing James' best mate announcing that he loved James and was stoked that they were about to become brothers-in-law (figure out that one). I don't think I have ever seen someone so pleased to welcome someone into their family as Mrs Edgecombe was to welcome Anita, it just oozed.

By wedding evening I was a bit of a wreck emotionally. Tired, keen to catch up with people including getting to know this bloke my sister has married, worried about the fact that Eden wasn't feeding or sleeping much at all, plus weddings are emotional events for goodness sake. I found myself in tears with parental feelings I had not experienced with such intensity before - it was overwhelming. I hate to think what it is like when your own child is actually unwell!

Eden was absolutely fine, he just became so tired that he could no longer smile and got a bit zombyish. Needless to say he did a lot of sleeping in the 12 hours following his big day and then was back to his smiley wiggly self.

It was fab to have the company of Stephanie and Michael for the weekend and we are hoping for much more.. hint hint...

We did the Christmas thing up in the Waikato which was a bit Wellingtonish in its weather so we did not make it to the beach unfortunately. Fortunately the company was excellent and we didn't notice the weather. Cousin Fin is fab with his crop of white hair and his joy at standing proud unaided. Christmas day lunch at Megan and Tims with their relis in Hamilton (I will savour the memory of the Barbequed Terakihi) then tea back in Pirongia with the Halse clutch.

How very cool it was to hear my Dad say "Well I didn't do this last year" about numerous things including walking rock to rock at the edge of Hamilton lake. We again give thanks to God for my Dad's return to health. My health hasn't been great with a bad bout of masitis and then a kind of boil under my arm. My sister Carolyn and I played a halarious game of hairdresser and client roleplay as she kindly washed my hair for me when I was not allowed to shower.

For New Year's eve we graced Robyn, Carey and the twins with our presence and the girls beat the boys at Cranium. Thanks Carey for playing even though if you were honest, you hated it! We talked about our hopes, dreams and aspirations for 2006. A big one for me is that we will become connected with a Christian community/church sooner rather than later. I thought we had pretty much settled on this but according to my dear partner it is up in the air again. Please pray for this if you are the praying type and if not - well there's no harm in having a go anyway. May as well pray for yourself while you are at it...