I was very happy yesterday to finally gain my full Psychologist registration. It is something of a huge effort to get one's probationary conditions lifted, amounting to a lot of very detailed documentation of competencies, several thousand hours of clinical practice and supervision, a lot of logging of hours and supervised practice reports etc. It's a very stringent process. So we went out to celebrate the fact that now I am no longer under probation....a fully fledged psychologist. After almost 6 1/2 years it feels like quite an achievement. 

Celebrating..........we went out to celebrate at the little pizza place near our place in Crestwood Heights, and ran into the Doeckes who also frequent the same place. Matty Qualischefski also joined us. 

Today is ANZAC Day where we remember those who have died fighting for our country. On our way home from Beenleigh we saw this entourage, just before we stopped for one of the famous Aussie pies at Yatala Pie Shop. 

Hello Lily..........

Meet our new baby Lily. She is a pure bred Australian Mist. After we said an untimely goodbye to my beautiful "Bean" late last year, we decided that after Easter we would get another kitten.The kids have very generously dipped into their pockets as they know how much I adore cats and just how much I miss my Bean. She was such a special cat that we wanted to really do some "research" before we bought a new cat. I wanted a personality or character cat, one that would like to be near me. Since I had met Zak (Barrie & Killian's Burmese cat) some years ago and adored his personality, I phoned Barrie who highly recommended the breed. We weren't keen on getting another Himalayan Persian simply because of the fur factor, so went to a cat show on Sunday. We loved the look of the British shorthairs because they have a squashier nose (and remind us of the Persians), but loved the personality of this new breed Australian Mist. The Australian Mist have been bred from Burmese (hence have many of the character traits and intelligence), the Abyssinian and the domestic cat. In theory they have been bred to be the perfect cat!!!! Lots of character, love people, minimal upkeep, want to be near you all the time, are fairly active, not too noisy, don't destroy the curtains and furniture etc etc. We picked her up today and she is currently busy exploring the house!!!! She is very cute and adorable, but is not at all friendly toward poor Elmo. He has been banished once again. Here is Anisia having one of many cuddles to come..........

More of Lily........ 

We chose the name Lily because she is marbled lilac in colour. Lily was born on 21/12/05 so is a little bit older. and the last of the litter to be sold, just like the Bean. And how special she turned out to be.

This is proud Mum of our new kitty that we will get in about 7 weeks..... 

And here is Dad...... 

This is our new baby's sister; our kitty is the one behind. 

This as yet our un-named British short-hair kitten that we can get in about 7 weeks. Her colour is blue and she is very adorable. 

Caleb's headstone - Today we remember the birth of Caleb.....20/04/2006 - 2nd anniversary of his birth.
 

Taken from Rikki's blog......Caleb's headstone at Berri Lawn Cemetery amongst the graves of the "big people". The skies, though cloudy, remind us of a reunion one day with him.

Thanks Kerran

Hey Kerran....a special thanks for having us last night. We stayed with Kerran at Elizabeth and Rick's new unit in Adelaide before heading home after Easter. We missed you Jessie, but enjoyed sleeping in your bed. We hope we see you at Ellie and Jordan's wedding in June.

Easter 2006........pilgrimage to Berri, South Australia

A special Easter trip where we celebrated the death and rising of Jesus amongst our old congregation members and family in Berri, South Australia. Kevin, Anisia, Ellie, Jordan, Nishan and myself flew down to the Riverland on Maundy Thursday and home Tuesday after Easter. The cross pictured here is from the altar of Zion Lutheran Church, Berri.

Typical Riverland countryside....always nostalgic to visit. 

Ellie with Auntie Eileen's dog, Zoe....the only dog that Ellie actually likes!!!! 

A special picture of Joshua with his new little brother Simeon Luke. 

Me with Simeon, almost looks like he's smiling. Simeon was born on March 30th, 2006. 

Kristin, Rikki, Simeon and Rikki. Special times for all of us, and some of their last days in Berri before their move to Adelaide. Apologies for the bluriness.....

Families Matter!

Kevin, Debbie, Ross and Barrie. It's not often that all of the siblings are together.

Ellie helping Joshua look for Easter eggs in the Easter egg hunt, a tradition at Nanna Lambert's on Easter Sunday.... 

Anisia with her latest addition to her bear collection, made with love by Nanna Scholz. The bear is named Joshua. 

Joshua and Poppie were very proud of their house that they built........along with some earlier help from Dad Rikki. 

A precious moment.......Joshua fell asleep "reading" his Bible. 

Special celebrations.....

We had a party on Saturday night with friends and family to celebrate Ellie and Jordan's engagement, along with Ellie's belated 21st, the birth of Simeon and Rikki & Kristin's departure from Berri to Adelaide. Nanna Scholz made a most delicious Mississippi Mudcake, our favourite for special occasions. Thanks Nanna......