Sophie

Is 18 today!! Happy birthday sister!! Scophie is the best sister I have and could want and I miss her loads. (miss the boys too but its not their birthday(s) When we were little Soph and I used to play for hours and make up games and all sorts that was great fun, we have some sweet (and v embarrassing) home video of us playing in our band, consisting of a drum made out of an upside down washing basket and a wooden spoon. I remember Soph always used to be the one who would opt to miss out on stuff, like seconds of desert or some kind of treat, if there weren't enough to go around. She has a really beautiful selfless spirit. Stuff wasn't always great between Soph and I. There were a few years in the teenage bracket that were quite nasty in fact. This is a source of disappointment and regret for me, that I didn't have the maturity and love to see my sister outside of how she impacted on my world, and that I failed to care for her and be a good big brother in the years it probly would have counted most. As we both started to grow up a bit, and especially after I moved out of home, our relationship got heaps better and now we are quite close. Whenever I go home or get hold of her on the fone we have great chats about things and it's like it was when we were little, just enjoying each others company. Particularly of late I have noticed that Scoph is growing in Wisdom and Spiritual Maturity. She has twice now (at least) given me very solid advice that I have found massively helpful. I love you Soph and hope you have an amazing day and a wonderful year full of joy and opportunity.

Happy Birthday Paulie!!

It's my little brothers birthday!! I called home for the first time in a couple (read: i lost track of the number) of weeks this morning to say Happy Birthday to Paul Levi Ablet Holt who turned 9 on the 21st November. Paulie's ten years younger than me and we get on really well. I think the bigger age gap has helped me appreciate him (and the other siblings) more. He's an energetic kid who brims with life and is constantly playing, watching or talking about sport which has earned him the nickname Sportboy on the Holtpress (Dads blog). Personally, the only nickname I will ever have for him is PP, because of the interchangeable meanings behind the letters (Princess Paulie, Posing Paulie, Paulie Poo... you get the idea) and because of the reaction it never fails to evoke from him. Namely him trying to pummel your arse while you are dying laughing. It was very funny when he was six, it may be getting less so as he gets bigger and stronger and moves towards the sport of boxing as his next hobby. As this is still some way off Ill make the most of it while I have the chance =D
I remember the morning PP was born because I woke up and walked out into the living room (wearing jocks but nothing else) to find our pastor sitting in the lounge room and Mum and Dad absent. I took immediate advantage of the situation and turned on the morning cartoons (something we were never allowed to do) whilst innocently not realising at the tender age of ten that maybe i should have gone and put some more clothes on with a guest in the house. Later my aunt came round to look after us (I cant quite remember but I like to think that we blagged the day off school to mark the occasion). Later we got to go in and see the new bub.
That's about all I can dredge up from the memory (and its certainly more than I could remember about Jordan and Sophies births) but Paulie is a great kid (so are his brother and sister for that matter) who I love loads (and again Ill add in the brother and sister to that bit).
Happy Birthday Paul!!