a Beautiful Storm...

It has barely rained in my part of the world for nearly fifteen years.  But this week, a week of solid rain has enveloped us.  It is so beautiful.  So cool and wet, storms have been wild, which always remind me of the power of this world, and this life.

And at the same time I am facing a beautiful storm...

I can tell you my mind and my heart are both ready.  My body too, is telling me it is nearly time to give someone I know so well, and have not yet met, their birth.

Wish me luck.

Shell xx

This Here Lady...

The most beautiful day in May is always Mother's Day for me.  And this year, the mother of our little clan celebrated her sixtieth birthday.

We sat in the sun and ate homemade delicacies, played The Beatles for our Scouser heroin, loved her and showered her with gifts and hugs; and I wrote, and read out a little poem...

This Here Lady.

by Mechelle Tully

I am indeed perhaps,

{as per usual!}

in too many words & ways

to tell you all, of things

in the air, 

the character, 

the manner,

& the many graces of  

this here, Lady-

Which, in her sixty years of life to date

you would well, already know...

But how better can we celebrate?

If not to acknowledge this 

woman?

This friend, mother,

prophet, Christian,

servant, leader, 

Scouser!

lover, dancer, singer

fighter...

and keeper - of all our consciences as diligently as the Lord Himself!

Though there may have been at least twelve

verses in this poem!  

If I’d written one for each of the virtues just listed, 

But I feel, (unusually!) drawn to silence in the matter of elaborating on such points,

For fear that words cannot duly Celebrate,

the absolute, 

Enormity of this life!

And how blessed we all are, to witness her 

Living it, so… impressively.

Few, have loved her more than those gathered here...

And fewer still, I believe, 

have made more of a study, 

and a range of sacrifices - for Love,

Than this, here, lady.

The very heart,

Of such a family as this- 

is you.

(and before mine renders me to tears!)

I wish to only else to say-

a Happy Birthday-

to this, here, Fine, lady.

I'd like to also acknowledge my own mother this day - bless her soul for giving me life.  
I'd also like to thank all of the tremendously wonderful people who thought of me this Mother's Day - thank you for your messages and thoughts.


I have four children, and being Mother to them is my pleasure and my privilege.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers and mother hearts...


Shell xx

Lord, I thank you. For Sean.

 I asked Sean today; "What does it feel like being Five?" and he answered; "It feels like fun!"

Shell xx

a Belated Birthday Gifting...

Arrived as a surprise, in the mail.

From my Jamie. For my birthday.

Thank also to etsy!

Now my iPhone will stay warm this winter...

I am doing a fundraiser gig tonight for the family of one of my husband's fellow young work colleagues who passed away suddenly last year at the age of 32.

I feel blessed, to be alive enough, and well enough, to serve them tonight.

Wishing you a blessed weekend!

Shell xx

Dawn of a Birthday...

Before the dawn broke on Hillview this morning, I arose and put on my walking shoes. Determined to see the sunrise on this, the first day of my 32nd year!

And while I waited for the sun to meet me, up over the shield of Black Mountain and it's tower across the way, I made you a little video blog (my very first in fact!) ...

My voice was a little bit flimsy, being that is was 6.30am! I hope you can hear me! It was my first attempt at this new self-filmed media, & I plan to add more VBlog entries from now on.

But back to the dawn of my birthday... so, not long after I spoke to you...

Up, she started to come..

The hills were alive, and I was like an Australian Maria! On my own, with my birthday sunrise...

And two young male Kangaroos, fighting...

Balloons - (undoubtedly arranged there just for me!)

On my decline from the mountain, I felt so glad that I had gone to see the dawn break on my earthly birthday. I was light, and practically skipped all the way home!

It feels good to be 32! And to know that I am really starting to understand the meaning, of my life. Which is to love, and to serve. And any gifts I have; to sing, or to write - are tools to be used to aid in this service. I love looking back upon the years, and knowing I am so changed in so many ways. Though still a bit of an idiot, still a tragically emotional poet, and still laughing, (mostly at myself)...

Still me.

But a little more fond of my good ol' self, each year. Which too, must aid, in my service.

Thank you for coming, to my party.

Shell xx

a Happy Birthday to my Love...

By best friend Jamie, turns 33 today.

We met when he was 18, and I was only 17.

We've had the privilege of growing up together, and remain best friends to this minute. So upon his earthly birthday I decided I would write him a dedication/celebration song.

Handmade music, right here...

I hope it conveys to you, my love and my message.

Shell xx

Birthday on the First Tuesday...

The delight of turning Twelve is wondrous. I think it is that time before you cease being a child, but still enjoy becoming that little bit older...

My first baby has enjoyed her Twelfth birthday on the day of the Melbourne Cup! Which meant we were to sip tea, eat cake and drink pink soft drinks under the sun at home in our best dresses and wide rimmed hats.

I fetched flowers, and baked all the sunny morn determined to enjoy every moment!

Because I know that time is as fleeting a thing as petals from the blooms, which we mostly cannot understand...

I know that my Lord is outside of it - and that the counting of our years seems to be in place to teach us and grow us, so we can be better at loving Him for the sake of our souls, and the dear souls near us.

And today, none dearer, or more impressively wonderful is that of our precious, precious Emma.

The Lord gave her to us when we ourselves were only children. And it is an honour to count the years with her; to sip the tea, and with the passing days give her the best of ourselves for her own salvation and happiness through her life.

Happy Birthday darling girl. Who gave us life, with your birth.

Shell xx

Frantically Wonerful

It's been one of those frantically wonderful weeks. I have been glued to the computer screen trying to finish the new Tullys website, two of my babies have had Birthdays - so I have done nothing but bake goodies, blow up balloons, and ponder with disbelief that Campbell is Nine, and Tara is Four. Where have such years gone?

But they were wonderful.

I can hardly believe it was in the year 2000 that I was given Campbell Maurice Tully. I never could have imagined what a gentlemen and a true Prince Charming he would become. I am honoured to be his Mother, and now need to be excused so that I can go and do some of that sentimental crying Mothers do, from time to time, at the end of frantically wonderful weeks - wowed by where such years have gone...

{sniff}

Shell xx

for Sean...

Children's birthday parties in my opinion, can get way out of hand.  I think parents can fall into the trap of over saturating the whole affair, when to me, all a child needs is love, family, a couple of 'beaut things', and of course, cake...

My sister in law did go all out however, sporting a devotional T-shirt in the birthday boy's honour!

And other than that it was a sunny afternoon, home, laughing with family, having cupcakes, whipped cream, strawberries, pots (note the plural!) of tea...  

Making time to thank the good Lord, for Sean.

Shell xx

Seany Boy

My chubby, bubbly, funny baby Sean, turned four today.  I can remember the midwife weighing him in a baby shaped basket when he was three days old (only because she forgot to bring it the day he was born)!

Tahiti baby;

New York baby;

Always with wild hair, 

And cheeky faces;

This day has had me running around, baking and entertaining to industrial levels!  So I must go now and relax with a cup of tea.  Tomorrow I shall post you my creations, and the fun which was shared by all!

Shell xx 

April first...

It's a wonderful day!  The first of April marks many things in my family.  It is our dear little sister Anna's birthday, and this year she is sweet sixteen.  It is my job to make sixteen cupcakes for tonight's dessert.

And I promised to tell what else Jamie brought back from China for us all, and here is one of the two items...

Anna is a gifted photographer, unlike me (hence the finger print on the corner of this shot)!  So Jamie brought her back one of these beautiful Nikon COOLPIX P90s, and I commandeered one for myself, but as you can see I have much to learn!  

After a whole lot of research I did on digital cameras, I found this little Nikon to be a fabulous gadget for those wanting something in between a point and shoot, and a serious SLR.  I am delighted with it, and had to wait until Anna's birthday today to tell you incase I spoilt the surprise.  She too is delighted and we are going to have a lot of fun with these babies!

And here April is, today.  2009.  I can hardly believe we're already here...  

I must also wish a Happy Earthly Birthday to the author of one of my favourite blogs, Miss Emily.  I am smiling at you today, glad to know, and be inspired by you.

Wishing all a plentiful, beautiful, April.

Shell xx

Birthday girl...

My first baby was born eleven years ago this day.  I am proud of her.  She is vibrant, loving, passionate, sensitive and beautiful.

Her big present this year was a sewing machine!  She is ultra keen to learn how to sew, and I think it's a great skill for girls and boys to learn.  She is pictured here sporting her new birthday dress, and a little something I bought from a reputable seller on etsy!

Happy Birthday Emma.

Shell xx