The Holmes Gang

Signs and Moments

2012-01-28T07:02:00.003+08:00

Hi all

Above is one of my favourite and most heartbreaking photos of me and my girl.

You see the this photo was taken on the day we found out Imogen had relapsed. I know scarey isn’t it how wonderful she looks, yet that beast was busy being absolutely horrible inside her. Yet on the other hand I am blessed to have this mummy and daughter snuggle captured in time, as I did not realise these would become non existent into the future.

I am blessed to receive a lot of cheeky and small signs from my girl. I believe you have to be open to this to really see these moments for what they are. I recent was feeling a little flat, as we had missed out going to see the fireworks for Australia Day which Imogen loved. As mother nature decided here in Perth that at the exact time of the fireworks she would put on her own show of rain, thunder and lightening. Not particular child friendly or anyone friendly, I am pretty sure no one wants to be hit by lightening!.

Anyway we came home early and I was channel surfing. I eventually decided on an Adam Hill (the Australian comedian) show. This is not something I would usually choose though I decided I needed a laugh. By the end of the show I could see why I and someone else decided I needed to watch this show.

Between all the laughs this is what Adam Hill said –

There are two types of people in this world ~ inflaters and deflaters. If you can inflate more people in your life then deflate then you have had a good life. If you continue to inflate people after you have gone from this world you have had a GREAT life.

This for me was what I needed to hear at this time, as this is what our girl Imogen continues to do each day, inflate as to the MAXIMUM. The memories we shared with her and the memories she left with us and many other people continue to make us who we are and will continue to inflate us for ever more.

Miss you my girl, Imogen, I see all your cheeky signs, you will always be my inflater ♥

Love to all

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-24T06:52:00.005+08:00

Christmas eve…wow!

I never meant to leave my Christmas wishes post till this late, but our little world has been crazy busy in the last month. I am not sure where any of the months went between July to here today!.

I have been busy making beautiful angels and cute kid ornaments, my total from when I closed the ordering was 95! 95 angels and little people! I never imagine to get a response for Imogen’s angels like that!. I can’t thank everyone who supported me in my first christmas season enough, whether you placed an order or gave words of support – a big thank you. Imogen would have loved to see all of the little people and angels lined up. I know she was there peeking over my shoulder all the way!.

Jason has been busy working hard! He has many new dreams/goals in the pipelines for 2012, for his business. His family and his close friend will be there every step of the way to support him in pursuing them. Watch this spot!

Our Boys

Kody has been busy being awesome and getting a fabulous report. He will begin at a different high school next year, after being accept into the extension gifted and talented program for art. He is looking forward to it, Though of course will miss everyone at his old high school. Luckily for us and him, he has two of his closest mates also making the transition into the program and to the new school. Gifted and talented little bunch!. It is going to be a busy little operation here for school pick ups/drop offs, as there is no public transport from here to Kody’s new school. Though I want my big boy to spread his wings and follow his dream, so we will make it work!.

Ashton has been busy learning to speak, ensuring there is a constant bruise on his head/ear/arm/leg by running forward into life at FULL speed, looking after his brother, becoming a 2 year old drama diva, and being super cute and cheeky.

Our little middle is what we fondly call Ashton, as lauched himself in the 2’s with a whole chunk of attitute and drama queeness. He can go from being the cutest kid to a screehing siren in about 2 seconds flat!. Though we all still adore and love him,. Ashton is very much Miss Immies baby. He looks like her and his tiny voice sounds like her. His speech has come forth in leaps and bounds, thank goodness as now some of the Ashton crisis’ can be resolved as we can ask him what is wrong and he can answer!. My favourite words he says are – “aha” (yes), “Baby nic” (with a cute face), high (for you lift him up), “where’s the mouse? Ah der he is!” (from his favourite books) and the all time favourite for all “Bless you” though he says it and it sounds like the guy from the movie the godfather is saying it! Love it!

Nicholas has been learning to roll, use his tongue to look like a lizard, eat and get up on all fours and rock (nooooooo!!!!) He still continues to be a content baby. Nic spents most of his awake time (he loves his sleep) smiling!. He absolutely adores Ashton and looks at him with besotted eyes and giggles at him even when Ashton is not doing anything at all. He is just too cute, chubby and absolutely lovely! I can’t wait to see what I write about him next Christmas when both him and Ashton will be able to run around everywhere together eeeekkkk!!

Our Girl

We finally pieced together Miss Imogen’s new plaque it is beautiful, totally fitting for our incredible pocket rocket beautiful girl. I have included a photo, what do you think?.

It was a heart breaking milestone, yes she now has a beautiful plaque but it was the finality of completing it and the fact that whilst I can take a million photos of the boys when I take a photo of her now, this is what I am left to take a photo of – her plaque. Since beginning making the angels I have felt a deeper sense that Imogen is all around me. Imogen loved to craft, whenever we checked into hospital aka resort half our luggage would be craft supplies. I am glad I am able to feel her spirit more easily as this is what I wanted to happen, I wanted to do something to honor her. I can hardly believe next year she would have been turning 8 and she would have been in year three. Imogen would have now been our big girl, learning to do more tricky reading, writing and numbers – WOW. We are lucky enough to still get visits from her best friend Dakota, instead of it being heart breaking to see someone the same age as Immie, its amazing to see her and imagine Imogen as big as her now!. I am still not sure how we would feel about returning to Imogen and Kody’s old school and seeing her whole class again though. It may be time to start at a new school when Ash and Nic get to that age, we have a few years to mull it through our heads…Anyway I am sure Imogen is with us everyday and even more right now in this festive season time. She loved Christmas and all its excitement!.

We hope you know how much we love and miss your excitement Immie,

Merry Christmas baby cakes, our second without you, the pain that thought brings is unbearable.

We just hope you are lighting the heavens with christmas lights and your laughter.

Lots of love

Mum, Dad, Kods, Ash and Nic

To all our blog likers and readers

Thank you for support and love over the last year,

We love that you continue to check in on us.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fabulously safe festive season,

Big Love

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

Days

2011-11-24T13:45:00.003+08:00

Well Angel Immie and me have been very busy with our new venture, Imogen’s angels.

I have been sneaking in making angels all over the place, most so when my new dynamites go for their afternoon naps. I have made and sold 50 plus angels now.

We had a few teething problems at the start with Australia Post not being so gentle with my little angels. This lead to the new more robust, more australia post friendly version of Imogen’s Angels.

I am loving all the stories behind the purchases and also loving people getting into the Christmas spirit!.

Imogen would have loved that!.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imogens-Angels/191413810935653

Everyone here at the Holmes Gang is looking forward to Christmas and the holiday break to Denmark. Yes this year we are returning to Imogen’s second favourite place in the world. We all couldn’t handle going there last year without her, and now we think its time to return. We are all counting down the days till we go! Yippeee!!.

Nicholas is getting more cuter everyday and has started to roll everywhere…eeeekkkk.

Ashton is an adorable, cheeky, temperamental two year old. Just the other day he walked into the family room and exclamed “what a mess” with his hands on his hips…aahhh and who made that mess. YOU ASHTON!

Kody is an awesome typical teen, counting down the days left of school and dotes on his brothers.

This weekend we are delivering a new plaque to Miss Immie it is beautiful and totally Imogen, will post a photo of when we put it there.

Well must go do the post for some more angel orders,

Love to all

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

Miss Halloween

2011-10-31T09:13:00.007+08:00

Happy Halloween

To all the

Little witches, ghosts and bats.

We know Miss Halloween would

be having A blast today.

She constantly asked throughout The year

“is it Halloween today or even soon ? “

Hope you like the pumpkin candles, halloween stamp and lollies we left for you yesterday our little bat.

Missing you like crazy.

Love Mum, Dad, Kods, Ash and Nic

Imogen's Angels

2011-10-27T21:46:00.005+08:00

Hi Beautiful People

I have wanted to do something to remember our angel girl Imogen for quite some time now.

Now I am not the sort of person to jump out of a plane to raise awareness to kid’s cancer. I totally take my hat off to everyone who has the stomach to do that – YOU ROCK!!!.

My talent involves pretty much what my angel girl loved to do…….craft, on any level. I remember at one stage Imogen went through a ‘craft’ that most would not consider craft but she loved it and she made it into many shapes. It was sticky tape wrapping or medical tape wrapping (care of PMH’s medical tape supply, thanks for that!!).

Anyway, so I knew my way of giving back and remembering our girl laid in the land of craft.

Just last weekend I released into the world, my small venture –

Imogen’s Angels

For many years I have received personalised polymer clay Christmas family ornaments from our friend Karen. One year I even got her to order one of Imogen and Milly (her cat). This year when I went to place my order to America for our 2011 variety. I thought why am I buying these when I could make them….

This began the thought process and beginnings of

Imogen’s Angels.

On Sunday last week I set up our facebook page –

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imogens-Angels/191413810935653

as well as my selling place on eBay –

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120798434141&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

My idea behind this new venture is simply to get as many Imogens Angels and Little People out there spreading the word about our Imogen’s courageous battle.

I will be making a ‘ end of season’ donation from my profits to one or more of the many worthy kids cancer charities.

Though I do not want to use this as the main reason for why I am selling the angels or for why people want to purchase my angels. Hence I won’t be meintioning any charities on my facebook page.

My number one concern is awareness, because without it Kids cancer will never have the voice for the medical research it needs.

So I am starting little, hoping that my little business idea can have a huge impact on everyone’s awareness on all childhood cancers.

Right now I am happy to craft, model little people and see were it takes me.

This quote sums it all up for me right now –

We can do no great things,

Only small things with great love.

~Mother Teresa

This is how much love I feel for my small dream right now,

Much Love

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

Cherish

2011-10-20T10:22:00.004+08:00

The two little monkeys

Brotherly Love

Just wanted to share a darling photo of Kody and Imogen’s littlest brothers, Ashton (2 years and 1 month plus a bit) and Nicholas ( Almost 5 months and 2 weeks).

This keeps my heart full of love and happiness All of our delights give me the courage to move forwards.

Love always

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

P.s If anyone is wanting to comment and having a problem finding the comment page. There is a ‘comment’ link at the end of each post (it maybe at times hidden by the post divider).

P.P.S So glad you were able to find it and post our friend Anne, I always appreciate your posts they are one of the main reasons I have continued to post and share xxxx

Inspiration

2011-10-13T09:29:00.003+08:00

I know another blog post, its amazing how a good spring clean of even a blog backgrouhd can inspire me to write a bit more.

Though really I couldn’t not share with you all an amazing comment I received the morning here on the blog. The way in which Imogen continues to still touch people amazes me, I received an email/comment from a lovely lady (whom we have never met officially or even knew she was a holmes gang blog friend xx ).

Her name is Felicia. Felicia shared with me how much Imogen’s courage through all of her illness had amazed and inspired her. She even made a beautiful slideshow containing some of Imogen’s photos and some very inspiring words. Felicia also shared with me a dream she had – “I had a dream (though), and I saw Imogen. Dancing and smiling and playing with not a hurt or a care in the world.”. Felicia sharing this with us means the world to us as after all it’s all we ever wanted for our girl. In the past 16 or so months I have learnt to except that if Imogen being an angel means she is no longer suffering or in pain, I am grateful for that. Well today I am at least. It does not mean I would not move heaven and earth to get her back here with us. But really no one who has watched a loved one suffer would want them to suffer for any period of time be it a minute, weeks or years.

Felicia we are so grateful for your email/comment your slideshow moved me to tears (no surprise there!!!), I am inspired that you were inspired by our girl : )

Thank you so much for sharing.

Love always

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

P.S I must also share Felicia is the founder of an incredible foundation check it out by clicking the link below –

http://www.inspirationthroughart.org/

The heart

2011-10-11T07:04:00.005+08:00

‘the heart wants

what the heart wants’

For some reason this quote has been popping into my head a lot lately. Not sure of why and after googling it and finding out that is quoted by Woody Allen about one of his love affairs (eeekkk) I am even more confused.

Either way it seems to resonate with me right now about how I feel about my girl.

I thought I would share a the picture above which I found whilst sorting them out for her book.

It just how we love to remember her.

Love always

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%

Laugh

2011-10-05T12:27:00.001+08:00

I know two blog updates in two days!!!

But I just had to share the best part of my day yesterday.

I am in the process of making books that have our pictures in them for my two little boys. I wanted to included a little clipart on the side to brighten the page up. I ask Kody what picture or thing represents me. He replied you need a picture of a laugh.

I replied “Uh?”,

Kody said “ because you always laugh so easily”.

To which I started laughing!!.

When I thought about it later I was stoked to think that when my big boy thinks of me he thinks of me laughing. How lucky am I?

Enjoy life people, this ain’t no dress rehearsel and give your kids the best gift – the gift of remembering you laughing easily.

Love always

Fiona

And The Holmes Gang %%