So Many Of My Smiles Begin With You Layout

Yesterday afternoon while rearranging my craft space I came across two photos of Frans and Gerhard that were taken during a family photo-shoot a few years ago.

Looking at the photos made me smile and made me think… These two-so much JOY-so many memories-so many stories to tell-and it also made me think just how much they have grown.

We still cannot believe that they will be going to high school next year and as our friends so eagerly reminded us over the weekend, before we know it they will be going to university!

Today I wanted to share a layout I put together yesterday, where I used a bunch of things that have been sitting on my table.

Here’s a look at what I came up with:

My intention with this layout was to keep it simple.

Supplies

• KaiserCraft Scrap Yard Collection P1831 – Loft
• KaiserCraft Mix & Match Collection P1601 – Tiny Hearts
• Black & White Card Stock
• Multi Surface Chalk Ink – Midnight Black
• 3 x Black Brads for the win!

 

And Just Like That They Are 12

We celebrated Frans and Gerhard’s 12^th birthday last week. I honestly can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we were blessed with one of the most amazing blessings we could ever have hoped to receive in life.

I remember their 1^st birthday like it was yesterday and through the years the birthday traditions in our home have always been pretty much the same, but this year the celebrations started a day earlier which was really great. I actually thought why haven’t we started celebrating a day earlier before.

Birthdays have always been a big deal for me. It’s not just another day; to me a birthday is a celebration of life.

We had a surprise dinner for the twins at Piatto with family on Thursday night and the boys loved it. Wian saved a special seat next to him for his aunt Riani which I thought was so cute. Dinner with the family was very special; it’s always so awesome to spend time together. There were lots of catching up, making jokes and lots of laughter – so loved that!

When we got home I waited for Frans and Gerhard to fall asleep so that we could sneak balloons into their room. On Friday morning Frans, Wian and I woke the twins up by singing happy birthday to them, which was followed by chocolate cake and of course opening of presents.

After we took the kids to school Frans and I had coffee at one of my favourite places, Vovo Telo. These coffees’ and breakfasts on our kids’ birthdays have also been a tradition and there is always that moment when we start talking about our kids and how blessed we are to be their parents. How great they are, it feels like yesterday that they were born … you know those kinds of conversations and I love them.

Mom and dad came over in the afternoon and the rest of their birthday were filled with family, loads of conversations, hugs & kisses, one of their favourite foods, presents and chocolate cake.

Frans and I always say that our three boys are so blessed to have so many people that love and care for them. It was really a great day.

Hey Frans and Gerhard

Happy Birthday! You guys are awesome.

We will always, always, always be there for you and we will love you guys forever.

We are so proud to be your parents!

A few specific things I want to remember:

• How surprised the twins were when we got to the restaurant and they saw the big table that we reserved for their birthday.
• Gerhard enjoying his very first ‘non alcoholic’ cocktail.
• The smiles on their faces when the family arrived.
• The joy on their faces when they got ice cream with a sparkle and all of us were singing happy birthday to them.
• Wian that couldn’t wait to give his brothers their birthday presents on Friday morning.
• How happy the kids were when mom and dad came over.
• The awesomeness of family & friends.

10 Questions for Frans

1. If you could travel anywhere right now where would you like to go?  Holland, to see the rich history I have heard of so often.
2. What is your favorite song right now?  Fallen kingdom.. a Minecraft song. 
3. What are you looking forward to right now? School holidays.
4. What book are you reading at the moment?  Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The long haul by Jeff Kinney.
5. What do you like to do with Gerhard and Wian? Play Minecraft.
6. What does Gerhard and Wian do that you don’t like?  They irritate me sometimes… (he says eyes rolling).
7. What do you love most about being on holiday?  Seeing new sites.
8. What is your favorite thing right now?  Collecting precious stones.
9. If you had a time machine where would you go?  To the year 1711 when the first Labuschagne came to South Africa.
10. What are you thinking about most during the day?  Not doing any homework, playing with Bulla & Luke (our dogs) and our friends.