Happy Birthday to the Norfolk Island Honeymoon Favourite Uncle: John Johnston

Today is St Patrick's Day. The history is long and firmly embedded with patriarchal and dominant discourses of phallocentric and religious dogmas. I won't bore you with the history, I'll wait until I've had too much to drink at the wedding and then do it!!!

Contemporary St Paddy's Day celebrations have swung back to pre Christian influences and revolve more around the mythical movements of small, red haired larrikans, dressed in green and pointing the way toward the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The pot of gold is in fact xxxx and several inferior beer stops along the path to the bottom of the rainbow result in the served beer turning green with envy of their Australian beer peer.

Leprechauns are funny little creatures. Mythical Irish elves or faeries that occupy a magical realm somewhere between the physical and spirit world, they love their pipe, drink and solitude. 'Tis said that on occasion they become social, dance and engage in antics designed to drive the POMs to distraction

Ummm, sounds an awful lot like our honeymoon plans for Norfolk Island. We'd discussed going to Norfolk, a place neither of us has been before, but when we checked the prices we reconsidered!!!!! And then we spoke with Paul's Uncle John: a consultant for Norfolk Island. Our honeymoon pot of gold would not have happened without the discerning advise, assistance and finger pointing from that favourite uncle, John Johnson. Like a mythical faerie, John kindly waved his magic hands and organised some discounted fares and accommodation for us. YIPPPPPPPP YAHHHHHHHHH: you the leprechaun man John.

And why is he a leprechaun? He is neither red haired, 12 inches tall, dressed in ill fitting green suits, or a beer swilling larrikan. But, he is born on St Paddy's day and therefore, according to bastardised history turning back to the truth, he is leprechaun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN JOHNSTON

and thank you from the bottom of our hearts

(I wish it was from the bottom of the rainbow - you'll just have to wait for us to win Lotto).

We Won an Award for A Wedding in the Rainforest Article.

Congratulations to all of us. We won the

GNMParents Hot Stuff Award for my article on

Children at Weddings: Acceptable or Non-Acceptable?

We've Been Nominated for a Wedding Article Award

We've received lots of positive comments on creating this wedding site. Many of our guests are saying that they love the information and the ascorbic sense of humour (that's Paul's contribution [said as I bat my eyelids innocently]).



Given that it is a private blog that only our guests can find, there's no RSS feeds or email subscriptions that assist blogs find readership in the blogosphere. However, I do on occasion raise a wedding blog on either my site (Child Protection: Serious Business) or Alexander's Home Schooling Aspergers site (it's okay, no personal information about guests goes into the public realm).



Having children at weddings has created some interesting debate, both amongst our group of friends and the wider opinionated world. I had not considered that some people don't like kids at wedding (we do!). In case I was missing something, I raised an article on whether it's acceptable to have children at weddings or not.

Well blow me down: the article has been nominated for an award.

This is what I wrote in response to the wedding article being nominated:


My greatest award and reward is my partners decision to marry me/us (six kids and me last of all). As I'm sure most people know, I'm getting married in 16 sleeps time. Our wedding is focused on the comfort of our guests, 30% of which are children. We think it's quite acceptable to have children at weddings and judging from article response, so do you.


Somebody has nominated my post, Children at Weddings: Acceptable or Non-Acceptable? for a Hot Stuff award from GNMParents. WOW! I am absolutely chuffed. Thank you to who ever it was.


The award works on a voting system. The post with the most votes wins an, "I'm Hot Stuff" button to wear on their blog site. There are four articles nominated. Head on over to GNMParents, read the posts and cast your vote.


I was also chuffed yesterday to receive a letter from one of our local politicians telling me I was nominated for an International Women's Day Award. WOW. That really blew me away. I was humbled, honoured and disbelieving all at the same time. The letter (pictured) will go into my precious box for safe keeping for ever.

I don't do the work I do for award, recognition or self gain. I work tirelessly for child safety because I want the world to be a better place for our kids. Whereas I see child sexual abuse prevention as the most important thing for me to do, I am thankful that there are other people who work to develop cures for disease, feed the homeless and starving, or protect our environment from total destruction. Without a healthy environment our kids wont have food to eat or parks to play safely in.

The awards though, need to go to the everyday parents who strive to keep their children safe. Parents worldwide are teaching their kids about personal safety, ensuring healthy diets, putting shoes and warm clothes on, celebrating rather than berating and loving, hugging and talking. These are the actions worthy of award.

Thank you to the person who nominated my article for the GNMParents Award and thank you to the person who has already voted for it. Even though I have no idea who you are, you guys are just the best.


To my children and my divine partner: I love you all the way up to the moon, around the sun and stars and all the way back again.

Related article and unsolicited praise from my youngest child: How To Be A PERFECT Mother

Why am I Marrying Paul?

I got back from a quick Brisbane trip yesterday afternoon AFTER Paul had already left on one of his business trips. I now have to wait until Wednesday night to kiss him. My inability to delay gratification was worsened by walking into the bedroom to discover a made bed AND a big bunch of flowers from my darling. It was just lovely.

Then I checked my email and this was the first one I opened:

Welcome back Darling, will you marry me ..

Some things:

• CDMA – 0427 781 951


• Couple of messages on the phone for you


• I have selected my ring


• Your ring is ready and has been paid for


• Check the grouse wall


• I love you

Paul Martin
IMAGINIF PTY LTD
COMMERCIAL : SOCIAL : COMMUNITY
0419 700 810 / 4032 5034 / FAX 4053 5176

Why am I marrying Paul? Because I absolutely adore him (and I like the way he makes me look when he gives me a black eye).

PS: Paul did not cause the black eye in the photograph. Sugarworld did. If Alexander can have sporting injuries, so can I!

A Picture of Domestic Bliss

Yes folks...believe it and remember you saw it here first. He even cooks (once a week and it's usually dial a take away!!).

The First Wedding Argument

Paul and I have had our first pre wedding fight. The pressure is on!

I have bought my dress and shoes and wanted to show him my shoes (he made it clear he doesn’t want to see the dress and I'm okay with that). The shoes though: he said he rather be surprised on the day by the entire attire package. BORING!!!!!

I played a trick on him. I grabbed one of Dayle’s old shoes and hid it behind my back. After a good few minutes of me teasing and him getting firmer and firmer in his negative intonations, I pulled the shoe out from behind my back.

Well…did he carry on! I handled it maturely and like any other therapist would. I, also cracked the shits and went off to bed without saying goodnight. When he tried to kiss me, I rolled over and allowed him to experience the stony beauty of my back!

Now I feel pathetic and childish. Sorry darling, it was a silly thing to do. I know how my teasing annoys you so.

However, I’m over it and am planning my next naughty trick. I need a lot of practice to be anywhere near as good as Paul and his pranks.

What Won't be in the Ceremony

AUSTRALIAN VALENTINES POEM

Of course I love ya darling
You're a bloody top-notch bird
And when I say you're gorgeous
I mean every single word
So ya bum is on the big side
I don't mind a bit of flab
It means that when I'm ready
There's somethin there to grab
So your belly isn't flat no more
I tell ya, I don't care
So long as when I cuddle ya
I can get my arms round there
No sheila who is your age
Have nice round perky breasts
They just gave in to gravity
But I know ya did ya best
I'm tellin ya the truth now
I never tell ya lies
I think it's very sexy
That you've got dimples on ya thighs
I swear on me nanna's grave now
The moment that we met
I thought u was as good as I
Was ever gonna get
No matter wot u look like
I'll always love ya dear
Now shut up while the footy's on
And fetch another beer!

Message from Megan

As many of you will know, I am quiet, shy, retiring and a homebody. Wrrrroooooonng. Start again.

As many of you will already know, I am absolutely over the moon about getting married to my darling. Our road has not been easy or traditional. There are times I could have walked away and there are times I couldn’t understand why Paul was taking so long to make up his mind. We are both determined people, deep thinkers and come together with the whole Goddamn baggage department of Myers. It sure makes for some interesting discussion!

I was born and grew up in PNG. My father was a career soldier, an Army officer, and he did three tours of Vietnam. These early military and war experiences are what shaped my personality, my aspirations, my career and my determination. We moved back to Australia (Sydney) when I was 12 and then moved to Cooktown when I was 13. I went to boarding school in Townsville and because I was so unhappy (okay, naughty) my parents bought me home to finish by correspondence.

I am a Social Worker and my area of expertise is sexual assault counseling. Post graduate, I concentrated on kid’s sexual assault issues and I now operate my own protective behaviour consultancy. Without Paul’s help, I would never have developed my business to where it is today. Apart from being madly in love with the lunatic, I am also eternally grateful to him for all the support and business guidance he has provided me.

My adult life has been neither easy nor happy (I’m not proud to say that I’ve been married and divorced twice). When I met Paul I HATED men and I had no intention of ever being in a permanent relationship again. But, Paul was my match. Although I despised him at first (on first meeting he said, “I didn’t know you had to go to University to be a Social Worker.”), his quirky sense of humour, intelligence, strong social justice streak and penchant for talking absolute shit won me over. He became my best friend. Never, had I met someone who fitted so well with me. I quickly reached the stage where I realised that what we shared was more than a very deep and strong friendship. I was in love with him.

Unrequited love is painful. As much as I tried to place distance between us (I wasn’t big enough to just remain friends), I was unable to stop the aching call of my heart. While living and working in London, I gave Paul an ultimatum: either commit to a relationship or I cannot stay in contact with you. I time framed the ultimatum to fit with my surprise flying visit home for Jade’s 21st birthday. It was a positive response and I couldn’t wait to get back to London to resign and pack up.

Well, the rest is history. I have come to appreciate that Paul takes his time to make decisions. He carefully considers everything but once his decision is made, it is final and lasting.

I have never loved as I love Paul. He is my nutrient, my fellow Captain, and I would do anything (legal) for him. I’m not naive enough to think that there won’t be rough patches, or that I’m such a rosy cherub that I’m easy to live with. I am prepared though to unconditionally support Paul, to share my life and my self with him and to remain his best friend. I’m also prepared to kick his arse when he needs it and to work on my idiosyncrasies that drive him to distraction.

I love Paul and I am really looking forward to sharing our day with you. Given that we are such a large, blended family, we want our day to be family focused. We want you to have fun, to relax and to wish us well on our journey of life. I am saddened that my father won't be with us physically (he died while I was in London) but I know he will be happy. He liked Paul very much and thought that we made a good team. We do, Dad, we do.

Message from the Best Boy about the Buck's Party

My name is Alexander and I am the Best (man) Boy. I am organizing the Buck’s Party. My idea was to have Laser Tag because it is my favourite game and because Mum won’t let me go to a pub with Paul’s friends.

The Buck’s party is also the Hen’s Party. It’s going to be Laser Tag. Don’t get your thoughts up about Laser Tag being a violent, horrible game. It’s a fun game that involves lasers. The people there will teach you how to do all the stuff. They’re nice people too.

We’re playing over four to six acres and we’ll make sure that we bring a first aid kit. There are no snakes.

Contact Paul (exclusivecoverage@bigpond.com.au) if you want to come. I hope to meet you at the game and at Mum and Paul’s wedding.

I've been to weddings before. I went to my Dad's wedding and I was Page boy at my sister's (Jade) wedding. I like playing with kids at weddings and giving out glow sticks. I'll try to have some glow sticks at Mum's and Paul's wedding so that we can light up the rainforest. They're cool.

Paul is my cool step dad. I like him. Megan is my Mum. She says she is a gentle flower but we joke that she is a dragon. Mum always says, "Can you hear that cracking sound? It's the thin ice you're skating on!" One day she said it to my brother Rhys, "Can you hear that cracking sound?" He said, "Yes mother, it's your scales." It was really funny and now me and Paul tease mum all the time.

This is a photo of me with my arm in a sling. I fell over at Laser Tag and hurt my shoulder. The doctor thought it was cracked or dislocated, but it was only bruised.

Before Christmas I made this sculpture of a dragon. We call it Mum's brother.