my life

First Aiding

Today was a long but fun day catching up on First Aid. Last time I did a course it was DR ABC!! Now you follow the DRSABCD. It's certainly something you never wish to have to use but it's so important to have the knowledge and to be prepared for a situation if it was to ever arise. We went as a group from Evolve MMA so no doubt some shenanigans were bound to happen. We had fun practicing our bandaging skills! I'm lucky I had Bec to look after the kids and they had a great day with her. I missed them being away all day but it was really nice to have a day off mummy duties- something I haven't had in a very loooong time! (Yes, insanity almost kicked in).

easter

I couldn't find tin buckets anywhere so I settled with some white bags for the kids to decorate to use for their Easter egg hunt.  Minol was so excited that the Easter Bunny had left him and Estella chocolate and was especially excited that there were even more chocolate eggs for him to find.  It just sucked that Estella had been up the night before with a terrible cough and spent Easter Sunday with a high temperature.  She still managed to open all her chocolates and offer most of them to me.  I totally over dosed on chocolate that weekend and am only just recovering.

before and after

 This was Estella before Minol's party... while I was cleaning the house a putting together a bookshelf this girl was rolling around having a grand ol' time making a mess.  Lucky she is so cute and helpful and offered to help wash up AFTER the party.

The Boy, The Birthday, The Party

Minol turned 4 on the 29th of March.  

 Big Minol bought a BBQ so we HAD to have a bbq/birthday party for Minol Batman- we had it on Saturday the 31st.

 I absolutely love these pics of Estella.  She is always the last to leave the food table at parties!!

 Our good friend Edwin...

 Who loves Estella cuddles

 

I just had to make a Batman comic banner

 Cleaning up after the party...

 Minol was so excited that his cousins could come to his party... especially little Batman Baby Henri!!  CUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!!

To think about Jesus

Today has been crazy day for me.  Estella has been sick and has had some terrible nights which means no sleep for me.  Today she has been clingy and high feverish and plain old sooky.  I did get a chance to watch some Easter messages in between caring for my little munchkin.  What really stood out to me today was the resurrection of the Saviour.  I feel such joy knowing that my Saviour lives, that he suffered, atoned and died for all-but still, he lives!  And especially at this time while I was watching, I thought of all those who have died recently and those of my family members who have passed from this life, and I feel such joy to know that they too will rise from their graves and be resurrected and we can indeed be reunited with them again.  I am so grateful that at this time I can reflect on Christ, how He is a part of my life and blesses my life now, but also that because of Him and through faith in Him all can receive the blessing of Immortality and Eternal Life.

Bastian came to play...

It was soooooooooo lovely to have Jess, Kyle and Bastian come for a visit not too long ago.  I enjoyed catching up with Miss Jess who is like a little sister to me after practically living at the Gibson's house in Launie when I went to uni with Collette!  We reminisced about playing SIMS on the computer!  Haha.  Funny days.  So it was Estella and Bastian's second date.  Estella was a bit shy and clingy.  But Minol had a BALL with Kyle playing with all his Batman figures.  I don't think Bastian knew what to make of Estella really as she is a bit of a tomboy- always playing batman with Minol.  Talking about Estella and Minol, they have been playing heaps more together lately.  Estella pinches him less and plays more which is really nice.  Tonight after bath time Estella was running around without her top on and wouldn't let me put in on her.  About an hour later she comes out of the bedroom with Minol and he had put her pj top on her and had even done up the buttons (only a little crookedly).  

This is Bec.  She is an absolute champ.  She is my first student here in Melbourne (she had even contacted me before we moved to say that she was looking forward to my classes)!  But not only is she great to train with, she actually volunteered to babysit these two monkeys as she calls them so that I could go to Minol's BJJ class and train for myself on Monday night.  It's a lot different taking a class for other people than training. As I was driving to class (Minol was already there) I realised that it was the first time since being in Melbourne that I had ME time.  Just me, no kids, no husband, just a 20 minute drive in the car by MYSELF, music cranked!  Loved it!  So I am very grateful for this girl Bec who gave up her Monday evening to play with the monkeys so I could feel a little saner. 

Oh, and I got to training last night just in time to see Minol get his GREEN belt in JUDO.

Batty

My days are mostly filled with Batman... and sometimes Batgirl.  It has been so good to start Minol back with swimming lessons as I was able to get out of the house and away from playing Batman on the playstation!!  EVERY day Minol wakes up and it's the same thing "can I play Batman today?"  Still waiting to see if he can start Kindy this year too so that will be great for him.  So we're getting settled now.  The kids aren't too crazy anymore.  I'm feeling a little bored not having friends and family close and with Minol working during the day now I don't get a lot of adult conversation!  I just love Estella's poses in these photos.  She is funny.  And still crazy.  She leaves a trail wherever she goes, always getting into things she shouldn't and touching everything.  But she is oh so cute and oh so cheeky.  And I am oh so tired so off to bed.

2011 Tavares Tutida Newsletter

I started this post last year... it's now 2012 so HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I suppose there is a lot more I could/should add about 2011 but that's ok.  Got too much packing to do right now so struggling for time!


As the year is coming to an end I have been reflecting a LOT on the year and its happenings.  Of course I look back and wonder where the year has gone yet as I reflect I can't believe all that has happened this year!  Better write it all down!!


Estella Ruby Tavares Tutida.  

This little girl celebrated her 1st Birthday in January.  My little placid, easy going dolly has turned into a crazy, cheeky, but adorable little girl.  I think her first trip to Brazil earlier this year taught her some defence tactics.  She spent most of her time in Brazil fending off "in your face" Brazilian women (mostly her Brazilian Grandmother) by pinching and biting!  She now uses the pinching on her brother to make him cry.  In August she had surgery for her hip dysplasia, wore a cast for 10 weeks, a brace full time for a month, then was allowed 4 hours a day and now whoo hoo for Christmas- she only has to wear it to bed!  Estella has been such a little trooper and has shown such resilience and determination.  She has shown that she will be the type of person who never lets things stop her from doing what she wants to do!  This year I've also seen her show more interest in books and she has the cutest little pencil grip, enjoying drawing and painting.  She is also more interested in baby dolls and cute little bears.  She absolutely adores her Grandparents.  Grandma is always first choice but as the extended family have been together for Christmas she is getting more familiar with everyone else and enjoys socialising.  I think she has a little soft spot for Uncle Mick!  She also has a soft spot for the Sayers family.  Jacoba and Kaea started coming over once a week after school to entertain Estella while she was in her cast (and to give me a breather) and every now and again Ezra and Max would join the party too.  And on Sundays Rachel would help out with Estella in Nursery.  What a blessing this family has been!  Absolute champs!  

Minol Sebastian Tavares Tutida.  My 3 year old going on 16.  This kid has an amazing memory.  He loves learning and often surprises me with things that he knows.  He loves music and dancing (kinda breakdancing) and has learnt to do cartwheels (lots of hanging out with the Sayers clan who he TOTALLY LOVES).  He has progressed in his swimming lessons.  He is now confident to dive under the water (took him long enough!!) and loves the water.  Shame he doesn't love to have baths as much these days!  Still loves Batman.  Minol had his 3rd birthday in Brazil this year.  He started speaking portuguese while in Brazil but since he has been home doesn't speak much.  Daddy tries to encourage him especially when skyping Brazilian family.  I try to encourage him too by getting him to teach me!  Minol is very mature and thoughtful.  He was especially very mature when he went in to have his second surgery on his lip.  And since then he has also been prescribed glasses to wear as his right eye is weaker than his left so to even them up he will need to wear glasses probably for only 4 years if they do the job.  He is eagerly awaiting their arrival as we chose black batman glasses.  Might prove a problem when he wants to wear his mask though!!  He is such a big boy during his visits to primary.  Only gets a bit frustrated when I can't pay him all the attention!

Minol Tavares Tutida.  Daddy Minol.  This year he enjoyed spending three months with his family in Brazil.  He got his second stripe on his black belt (so he's a black belt 2nd degree now) and loved training with Master Wilson and his students in Brazil.  While we were in Brazil Minol was asked to teach BJJ at a new gym in Melbourne as they were looking for an instructor and someone suggested Minol.  So seeing this as a great opportunity we decided to go for it and move to Melbourne.  But because of Estella and Minol's surgery we decided to wait until the new year to move so in the meantime Minol has been flying to Melbourne once a month to take classes at the new gym- EVOLVE MMA.  Minol will be leaving Paul to continue the club here in Tassie.  Minol competed in the Melbourne International BJJ tournament in November.  He won both his weight category and the open weight.  I feel very proud of his efforts as I know he doesn't get the chance to train as much as he would like but he did so well despite that.   Minol turned 30 this year!

some of the Tassie gang

the Melbourne gang

Esther Kay Tavares Tutida.  Me.  This year has been amazing for me.  It has been a trying, tiring year but I have been blessed beyond measure.  My testimony of my Savior has grown as I've had to rely on Him through my trials.  I've had to rely on an eternal perspective to get me through.  In Brazil I received my black belt from Master Wilson- that was pretty awesome. For me three months was too long but it was lovely to spend time with Minol's family.  It was also nice to have mum and dad in Brazil with us for a visit!  It was a year of turning 30.  I hit the big 30 just over a month before Minol so I got a lot of slack from him until he turned 30 himself.   One of my favourite things this year has been serving in Primary.  It has been the best and I'm going to miss serving in Rosny ward Primary so so so very much.  I have just loved getting to know the children and love the teachers who are so dedicated.  And I have especially loved serving with Nikki, Chris and Anna (who when first called as secretary was computer illiterate!).  I have been so impressed with those that I serve with and have learnt so much about SERVING, and leadership, and loving.  

I have also loved teaching my girls only BJJ classes.  This group of girls have become such good friends and are very much like family.  It's such a wonderful thing to see each student learning and growing and improving.  Since I first started the classes we now have 4 female blue belts and another not too far off.  
The end of the year has had me busy while Minol was taking trips to Melbourne I was making invitations, engagement decorations, at one stage had a talk to prepare and give, a video to make, more decorations for the ward christmas party... all of which I totally enjoyed doing and feel blessed to have so many opportunities to serve.  I have to say that serving for me is such a privilege.  The blessings that come far outweigh the time and effort it might take!
Anyway, another highlight of the year was to witness the graduation of Miss Collette Gibson receiving her Masters Degree... cough cough... what am I talking about... the highlight of the year was witnessing THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR... Miss Collette Gibson to Mr Hayden Bell!  Was pretty awesome.  __
As crazy as this year has been I have been so overwhelmed at such love and support from all those around me.  Whether from family, friends at church, friends from training, friends on facebook (haha) I have been so strengthened.