My favourite image

There are so many images that I love and will cherish forever. It is so very difficult to pick just one.

Any one of the photos from our wedding or honeymoon! Various pictures of our kids, friends and family. All so wonderful.

I think one of my all time favourites though, is this one. It is my beautiful mum holding my brother and I just after we were born. She is still at the hospital.

I only came across this photo about four years ago. It was one of many from this time that were on slides. I converted them to digital for my parents wedding anniversary.

I am pretty sure that I am on the left and my brother is on the right....I think?? I just love it though, my mum is simply gorgeous and fresh faced.

What is one of your favourite images of all time?

I am inspired by...

Admittedly, I am inspired by simply oodles of people.

People in my life. People in the public spotlight. Doctors. Nurses. Scientists. The list could go on. It seems that I am constantly inspired by what people do and achieve.

However, one of my main inspirations is my mum.

As I get older and more stories are told of her past I realise she had a shitty childhood. Her own mother was a selfish runaway flake. Her father a non-communicative spineless man. She married young and left all of that behind. She was determined to not let the first 18 years of her life, mould the rest of it.

The road forked for my mum when she became a parent, she could have followed in the footsteps of her own parents, the only ones she had ever known, or she could take her road less travelled.

Thankfully for my brother and I, she took her road less travelled and has been the most selfless, strong, committed woman for us. It can't have been easy. She was young with no support from her parents but she worked hard, and continues to do so.

It is probably only now that I am older and have children of my own that I feel the full inspiration of my mum and all she does for our family.

She inspires me to be the best mum and person that I can be for own kids, as she was the best mum to my brother and I that she could be.

The other day she said to me, "I will support you no matter what and always do my best for you". That is what parenting is all about, isn't it, un-conditional love and support.

Thanks mum. I love you.

Who are you inspired by?

What does she think about being a mum

Becoming a mum has made me appreciate my own mum even more. Don't get me wrong, I have always appreciated her a lot. But since welcoming my own two sweet little bundles into this world I look at my own mum with awe.

My mum, Brother B and me in 1976

She was 25 years old (which seems so young now) when she had my brother and I. Yep, she had twins. More power to her - and to anyone who has multiple births. I had one baby nearly five years ago and it took me two and a half years to contemplate another one.

She didn't have this luxury. In August 1976, she found out she was having twins and in November 1976 Brother B and I were born.

I found the above photo when I was transferring slides onto the computer for my parents 40th wedding anniversary three years ago. Brother B saw it for the first time this year. We had never seen photos from this time in Mum's life. She looks so young and we look so small and vulnerable.

I decided that today I would find out what my mum thinks about being a mum.

Me: What do you love about being a mum?
Mum: My children, watching you and your brother grow up over all these years has been wonderful.

Me: What is your favourite parenting moment?
Mum: When you and your brother went off to school. For some reason I really remember that.

Me: What has been your worst parenting moment?
Mum: 1994 was a stressful year. It was your HSC year and the year you learnt to drive. I found all of that very stressful. 

Me: How many kids did you want before you had kids?

Mum: I thought I would have three kids. But after having twins that was enough and I just stopped at two.

Me: What did you learn from your mum?
Mum: Nothing. I didn't have a close relationship with my mother.

Me: Did your relationship with your mum change when you had kids?
Mum: No it didn't change when I had you and your brother. 

Me: What was the best piece of advice your received about parenting?
Mum: I didn't really get any. In the old days you didn't really get advice, there was no internet, no blogs, not so much pressure as now. People just said that it was nice you were pregnant. 
One piece I did get that was good was to run my own race. I remember not letting anyone touch you when you were sleeping in case you woke up.

Me: Would you change anything in hindsight?
Mum: No, I am very proud of you and your brother.

Me: What do you really want on mothers day?
Mum: Only to be with my family.

Me:What do you love about being a nonna?
Mum: Being able to watch them grow and spend a lot of time with them. We are fortunate that we can spend so much time with them.

My mum, Brother B and me in 2013

As I continue to navigate my way through motherhood, I continually lean on my mum. She is always there for me when I need her. To come over and help out or just be a sounding board on the phone.

Thanks Mum for having us :) Happy Mother's Day.

What do you think about being a mum?