words to live by

It is amazing how many times a day I see signs, banners, slogans around me with the title "Words to Live By" - I myself have just posted this one to my facebook business wall from the fabulous support network Women in Business.

Many great words in there definitely and it is a given that this will be printed and on my wall in a pretty frame by the end of the day.

But are they my words to LIVE by? Are they the words I want my children to hear in my hearts and minds as they grow up and away from the family home?

In short the answer is no. They are fabulous words, powerful in emotion and meaning. But they are not the words that should sum up our life. They will promote excellence and drive, determination and competition in a culture where quality is measured not necessarily by who we are but rather what we have and what we do.

Inspiring words yes, important words to fuel self belief yes.

So what are my words to live by? If I could sum up the lessons I believe are vital to pass onto my children into a few words what would they be? I believe it would go a little something like this:

LOVE

it defines and shapes your existence on this planet. Do it often, without hesitation and regret

LAUGH

The true medicine of the soul

COURAGE

To stand up for your convictions and follow your dreams, wherever they may lead

RESPECT

For yourself and for others

DREAM

Dont be afraid to

BALANCE

A little bit of everything but not necessarily in moderation

Yes they are the 6 words I will give to both my daughters and my son. Words that create and shape who you are as a person as well as how you life your life.

What would your words be?

Love Sarah xxx

Saturday nights dont come easy

11.56pm on a Saturday night and sleep is eluding me.

Wish I could pin point the reason, truth is there are so many.

When you are a mum worries just seem to come from nowhere - everything from the mundane (are they getting enough veges?) to the extreme (future health, education, friendships - need I continue?)

When you run a business you worry about it all. Will we get enough orders? Are we heading in the right direction? What do we need to do to get better, compete, compare, stay in the game?

When you run a house there is a worry around every corner. Money, money and money seem to focus the most prevalently on top of worries about where to find the time to finish off all those jobs that never seem to go anywhere.

Some nights I can ignore the niggles, doubts and stresses.

Tonight they are playing mind games. Sleep will be a long way off.

Love Sarah xxx

This is me

I have to say that I find it hilarious that I have decided to enter the world of blogging at 11pm on a Thursday night - have thought about it for weeks, months ........ ok YEARS but right now at this absolute point in time I have found the courage to start!

I suppose the polite thing to do is to introduce myself - here goes...........

My name is Sarah and I am 33. I live in Adelaide, Australia with my husband Peter, and my 3 children Abby (9), Cooper (4) and Hannah (2). Add in 1 dog (Pepper) and 2 cats (Superman and Lillypilly) and my life, and house, is extremely full. I run my own business with my neighbour and great friend Kerry "in my spare time" and am generally never still, who has time to be!

Here are my 3 horrors - an old photo but one of my absolute favourites!

Life has changed for me a lot in the past 3 years. Our youngest daughter was born with a heart condition requiring her to need 2 open heart surgeries in her first 13 months of life. She will need surgeries throughout her entire life and the possibility of her being a transplant candidate is very much on the table when she is in her 20s. There is so much sadness, anger, stress, worry and fear around her story and I am sure that as you get to know me better you will hear more about our journeys through the world of congenital heart disease. On a side note there is so much positive to our story as well - we love each other fiercely, perspective has well and truly been given and I have had the privilege to meet some phenomenal families who walk this journey with me every day. 

That is my funny little girl with her current dummy collection. She is at her happiest undressed, unbrushed and unkempt lol

So what else is there for me to tell you of vital importance? Well my business is all about creating furnishings and useful accessories for kidlets - we work hard but are thrilled with the direction in which we are heading. It has been an incredible journey from there to here and I am proud of what we have achieved in 4 years. Lots of business talk will weave its way through this blog I am sure.

gratuitous business plug - go on click on it you know you want to!

My passion - well anything wrapped in fabric seems to be the winner these days. I am obsessed with beauty and functionality. Limited on spare money my plan is to create a house that reflects this passion. We are slow moving right now but over the course of the next few months it will all start to take shape I am sure. Lots of projects are hopefully going to be started and shared although time does run away faster and faster these days.

One more thing about me - oh boy can I talk .......... and talk ........... and talk! This blog will be an eclectic wandering through my life and my loves. I reckon it is going to be a hell of a ride!!!

Love Sarah xxx