Wander & Glow

I always knew I was meant to be a mum. I didn’t know exactly how that journey would look, but deep down, I always knew motherhood would be part of my story.

Then, one week before Christmas in 2016, a beautiful little boy came into the world and changed mine forever. He stretched my heart, challenged me in ways I never imagined, and taught me more about love, patience, and strength than I ever thought possible. And I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Then in May 2022, our world grew again. I remember wondering how it was even possible for our hearts to hold more love… and then our little girl arrived. Gentle, beautiful, and somehow exactly what we didn’t know we needed. She filled spaces in my soul I didn’t even realise were empty.

And just like that, our family felt complete ❤️

I'm so grateful to be their mummy. Their safe space. Their home.

To the Mum's out there who are struggling to hold it together - I see you.
To the Mum's living without their children - I hold you.
To the women out there who desperately wish they had children I see you.
To the women who step up every day without question when Mum's aren't able to for whatever reason - Thank you.

Thank you my children for choosing me to be your Mummy.

I love you to the moon 🌝 and back ♾️ and twice around the sun ☀️

Normally on ANZAC day I speak about how proud I am to come from a family that has Veterans past and present. I speak about how privileged we are to live in a country where we are free to live our lives without worry of war or invasion. 

And I am proud. 

I truly understand how lucky my family and I are that we live this beautiful, privileged life we lead. 

But today the actions of a small few in Sydney and Melbourne have me absolutely appalled and disgusted. 

Watching the Melbourne Dawn Service on TV the Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner was booed by a small group of hecklers while acknowledging the Bunurong people of the eastern Kulin nation.

Apparently that wasn't the first time these 'Australians' had interfered in the ceremony either. 

The ABCs coverage was a little delayed in beginning but apparently those who booked the Governor also booed Uncle Mark Brown, the Aboriginal Elder who had spoken the Welcome to Country. 

Then to find out that no less than three RSL's had hate speech written all over them in the early hours of this morning..... 

I'm disgusted, sad, and above all EMBARRASSED that there are people in this country that believe that this behaviour is ok. 

It is not. Never will be. 

ANZAC day is SACRED. It is a day of mourning. A day commemoration, reflection and paying RESPECT to those men and women who never came home. To those who came home but were forever changed by the scenes they saw. 

And it's not just White Australian's and New Zealanders we remember. Our First Nations people and Maori brothers and sisters fought proudly along side us too. 

Today is not a day of protest or to air ones opinions.

In short - shut your mouth, bow your head and show some damn respect!

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

In honour of Earth Day 🌍 (okay… yesterday here in Australia, but we’re rolling with it 😅)

These were taken on my trip to Tanzania with back in 2018—and honestly, it changed me.

It was raw, eye-opening, and completely out of my comfort zone… but in the best possible way.

Moments like this remind me just how incredible our planet really is—and how important it is to protect it, not just today, but every day… especially for our kids 💛

Here’s to chasing Earth joy, moon joy, and every kind of magic in between ✨

And then it was Easter… but make it at sea 🐣🌊✨
Different location, zero routine, and a whole lot more chocolate before 9am… but still the same little moments that matter 💛

Our day kicked off with the very impressive Easter egg hunt. Honestly, the bunny deserves a raise—hiding eggs (and ducks?!) without waking anyone? Elite stealth skills. CIA-level stuff.

Naturally, breakfast was just a polite follow-up to the chocolate appetisers. Then came Easter trivia… where Hamish absolutely humbled us and made it very clear who the real brains of the family is. We’re just here for moral support now.

Next up: scavenger hunt. We ran around the ship like contestants on a game show and came second—which, let’s be honest, is just first place without the pressure. Also… not last, so we’ll take it.

Before lunch, we checked out the Easter displays and WOW. The chefs did not come to play. Handcrafted chocolate eggs, jelly art, full Pinterest-worthy setups. Meanwhile, I’m proud if I remember to buy eggs before Easter Sunday 🙃

Then it was time for the kids’ Easter festival—aka every child’s dream and every parent’s sugar-fuelled nightmare. Chocolate fountain, lollies, sprinkles, games, face painting, glitter tattoos… and of course, a VIP appearance from the Easter Bunny. Chaos, but make it magical.

After a quick recharge (for us, not the kids), it was Kids Club time so they could burn off the 47kg of sugar they consumed… while Mum and Dad escaped to the spa for some much-needed peace and quiet.
Ahhhh… bliss 😌

We didn’t know what Easter at sea would look like—but safe to say, it delivered. And then some.

No one talks about this part of cruising with kids…

The overtired moments.
The meltdowns.
The need for downtime

The times where you have to just slow everything right down

Travelling with different needs and a toddler means being flexible, adjusting plans, and knowing when to pause.
Sometimes we missed the mark and there were tears, other days spontaneous naps.

And that’s okay 💛

Airlie Beach.... What a beautiful little seaside town you were!

If you've ever wondered whether Airlie Beach was worth a visit... This is your sign to visit!! ✨

I don’t think photos even do this place justice… when the sun was out it was HOT and the colours were VIBRANT, then when the storm came in the colours muted and everything became weirdly peaceful.

It’s one of those destinations that just makes you stop and go

“Okay wow… This is what a seaside holiday is supposed to feel like.”

I don't say this lightly either might I add! I grew up on the Mornington Peninsula and had the beach just a few hundred meters away from every home I lived in... It felt like home but away from home.

So if you're looking for somewhere to visit that's vibrant and funky, yet relaxed and peaceful, maybe check out Airlie.

Port Douglas...

Port Douglas might be one of the most underrated stops 😍 we've been there a few times for land based holidays and loved!

Palm trees, warm weather, and the kind of relaxed vibe you don’t realise you need until you’re there.

This is the kind of stop that just feels easy with kids.

Even though it absolutely bucketed down we managed to have a ball and we'd do it over again. We'd just wear our bathers though so we were more comfortable in the wet weather and take some towels with us!

So if you're in Port Douglas and it's wet - trust me when I say your holiday is not ruined. It's only just begun!

Travelling with kids isn’t always aesthetic…

For every nice photo, there’s about 10 moments of chaos 😅

Tired kids, snack negotiations, big feelings… all of it.

But this is real life—and honestly, these are the moments that make the memories too 💛