I was just sent this by my cousin, and although I have a rule that I do not forward anything on, no matter what the risk or prize, I wanted to show somwthing that brought a tear to my eye.

From the daughter of a Soldier.
Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said "hi," the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.
The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now. As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.
I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an Australian
RED FRIDAYS
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Australian's who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.
Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Australia supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Australian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Australia on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before Australia is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is..."We need your support and your prayers".
Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.
IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON
IF YOU COULD NOT CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. IT IS YOUR CHOICE.
THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- Lest we Forget, Lest we Forget.

I didn't throw up this morning!

Yes, I know that is very exciting, probably mostly for me, but what a feeling! Had a nice day yesterday, took my mother-in-law shopping for a couple of hours, and I got my new maternity work pants! Don't need to wear them yet, but wanted to get them so I don't have to worry about it when I do need them. Also picked up some maternity swimmers for half price, marked down to $35 from $70, so I can take Jules swimming this summer in comfort. I've also now passed the crucial 3 month stage, so the chance of miscarriage is lessened considerably, much to my relief. I know that sometimes things can still go wrong, but if it does, then I guess it was supposed to.
I am going to spend this morning with my husband, juist relaxing, then I am going over to my mother-in-laws to do the washing, oh I hate not having my washing machine, Peter would tell you its my favourite item in the whole house, including him! But its such a great washing machine, we got it with Harvey Norman vouchers we were given as wedding presents. My dryer is a close second in favourites, especially as in winter here it doesn't pay to put anything out on the clothes line as it never dries before the end of the day, and it likes to rain unexpectedly (not that I complain about that in this drought!) Just a relaxing night afterwards, I'm still always tired, so the resting up on my days off really helps me get through the week at work. Unfortunately I have split days off this week, because of a function on Saturday, which means next week I will be exhausted for my last week as full time. Not much I can do about it unfortunately.
Better go give my husband a cuddle,
Mel

Here it is!
sorry its taken so long but I feel like work is playing tee ball with my head! No, its not that bad, it just feels like it.! As you can see the round shape on the left is the baby's body, the little dark spot on that is the heart beat. The unusaul shape on the right is the head, and you can see the brains growing inside!! Very exciting, I was so relieved when the doctor said everything was looking normal. Next scan is at 19 weeks, when hopefully we will find out the gender. Nothing much else is happening at the moment, the renovations are continuing, and I wish they were over!!! I've had enough of the loud noises and the dust and the mess.
Have to get ready for work now, catch you later
Mel

What a week!

Had a wonderful weekend in Melbourne, didn't throw up at all!! Our friends that we stayed with made sure we had a great time, including shopping for my friend's wedding dress which we found and she looks so beautiful in it!!! I also had my first taste of Singstar on Playstation2, had a great time until my voice started to crack from singing too much! We went to Healesville Sanctuary on Sunday with my sister Cristy and her partner James, Jules loved it, and it made it so much easier to visit her there where Jules has room to run, becasue their flat is tiny and not childproof at all, so normally I need to spend my time there going crook at her for touching stuff that she is not supposed to! Jules now jumps like a kangaroo when we ask her where is the kangaroo, and as she is a big fan of dogs, thought the dingoes were fantastic!
I can't wait to scrapbook this weekend, but need to do some more updating first from our last holiday before I can do that! Jules with her mum and Aunty Cristy

Looking for the Koala with Dad

Work has been extremely suckful, I have been sick as a dog since Monday, even while we were in Melbourne, and being on the 6 am starts has been killing my energy levels. I am giving my resignation letter to my boss to today and requesting no more morning shifts for the next couple of weeks until the morning sickness is gone, so hopefully I won't be as sick any more.

Have to get ready to take Jules to Ballet, she love going dancing on Friday mornings!

Mel