With the start of a new year, new month and a few new faces and followers around here – I thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself and this little blogging space of mine…

Hello, I’m Caley and it’s nice to “meet” you.

I’m a thirty-something child of God, living on the sunny East Coast of South Africa.

I’m married to my one true love, MC. We have been together for 11,5 years (since 2006) and have been married for 7,5 years. Our dating years were spent enduring long-distance between London and South Africa – he was there playing professional sport whilst I was home studying and then we traded places for me to try my hand at working there and he came home to start a business, and then we traded one last time for me to further my career and work at home while he went back to the UK to complete his Post Grad degree. The sunny coast is now our home, in our forever house that we built four years ago and hope to grow old in, together. MC is truly my other half, my biggest supporter, the most loyal husband and doting father and I hit the jackpot with this man of mine.

We have three precious daughters.

Our oldest, SJ is about to start Grade R and will be six this year. She is a special soul and has the most beautiful green eyes (in a family of blue eyes). She is friendly, out going, confident and can hold herself in any situation or conversation. She loves to sing and dance, and she is swimming like a fish. She is a smart cookie too and observant and mature beyond her years. She is my min-me and a real mama’s girl.

Our middle babe, EN will be four this year and she is our sunshine child. She has the cheekiest grin that melts hearts, and an infectious giggle that will make even the grumpiest grinch smile. She is introverted by fiercely loyal, and she has a warm and caring nature that protects and cares for those closest to her. She is has a small group of favorite family members and friends but she loves and adores those few. She loves ball skills and getting lost in imaginary worlds and her favorite song lyrics but she is meticulous and focused when doing puzzles, painting or cutting. It is no surprise that EN’s favorite person in the world is her hero, her first true love – her Daddy.

Our sweet baby girl, ZB is the newest member to the family and the missing piece to our puzzle. She has completed us – and it breaks this mama heart to admit that she will be one in a few weeks time. This little pudding with her adorable fat rolls and little dimple has a smile that brings pure joy and delight. She is calm and content and she just fits in. She loves her food, her sleep, her siblings, her mama and most of all, her Daddy. She is the happiest babe we know and we cannot wait to watch her grow and develop into her own little personality this year.

A few favorites about me…

I am an OCD, A-type, organized person. I have a to-do list for every day, a planner and calendar to keep our lives n check and I follow a routine each and every day. I struggle without it! My home, car, wardrobe, and laptop desktop are all neat and tidy, in folders and color co-ordinated. It’s just who I am. I may strive for perfection – but only to be perfect for myself. And I’ve learnt a whole lot about Grace.

I have always believed and followed our Lord, but this past year – I found Jesus – in my heart and in my life. My faith has been renewed and I have connected with Him, found myself on my knees in prayer, we found our new and amazing church home and have met the most enriching friends along the way.

I have always dreamed of having a full home – filled with love and laughter, special friends and a place to make memories. And for this reason, I love to open our doors and invite people in – to socialize, to meet others and to make and share happy memories. I will find any excuse to host a function and I love throwing parties – from adult birthdays, friends bachelorettes and baby showers, casual dinners and fun kids parties. I love planning parties, getting creative and then watching the good times unfold…

I was introduced to the online blogging world over 8 years ago and I was intrigued by people all over the world sharing their lives their stories and networking with other students, newlyweds and then mamas as the years have gone by. I was an English major and have always loved writing – and now this little online space is my baby, my online diary and the reason I have connected with so many beautiful women across the world.

I grew up in a very small family and we weren’t particularly close so my friends became like family – and still are. I have been blessed with the most amazing group of friends from school friends, university friends, old friends, young friends, church friends, mom friends and bookclub friends. This group of girls mean so much to me and truly enrich my life each day. I pour my heart and soul into these friendships and reap the rewards of so many treasured friendships.

Congratulations if you made it to the end. And if you did, please introduce yourself in the comments – tell me who you are, where you are from, what you do for a living, one of your goals for 2018 and what makes you smile…

x