Sadie Ella Chater

Beautiful Sadie Ella Chater was born on the 12th April 2010, she's my first grandchild.  When Britt, her mother, told me she was pregnant I didn't believe her.  Britt has been teasing me for years and one of her great tease lines was that she was pregnant and then she would follow up with something not that important hoping I'd be more lenient on her.  So i assumed this time was no different.  

I guess I was a little shocked once I realized this wasn't a tease .... I was in the middle of the biggest fight of my life.... the most acrimonious divorce in the history of time... and so felt a little cheated that I may not have the lime light to myself.... Thanks heavens for that... Sadie has been the greatest blessing in all our lives...Britt is the most amazing mother and we are just so excited to have Sadie and Britt back with us for Christmas this year.

Hannah Rutherford Ellwood & Emma Urquhart Ellwood

Hannie and Ems..... the two of you kind of came as a package deal.  I can hardly remember a moment when there wasn't the two of you together.  You are my saving grace, my little lights, my loves.  I adore you both and am so glad that even though I had you when I was a little older that I did regardless.  You beautiful girls have kept me sane through some very difficult times.  I love that we can still snuggle.  I love that you love all my "old" music.  I love that you are both so compassionate and loving.  I miss you when you're not around.  You are beautiful talented girls with so much love and heart.  Thank you for choosing me as your Mom.

Dane Adam Craig Wedel

Dane, was born on the 16th March 1991 at 8:30am.  It was a difficult pregnancy, but out of that came this beautiful, bonny baby boy.  I knew you were a boy Dane, I knew you'd be amazing from the beginning.  You have a specialness about you that puts you a notch, or 10, above all the other boys.  You were grown up before your time and you were born "together".  I think throughout your young life I maybe relied on you more than I should have.  You have always amazed me with your mind, although, i do think Britt and I would both agree that your mind processes things differently to us.  You have brought balance to our little family.  You and Britt and I were always such a great team.  I admire you, look up to you, trust you and love you.  You are, and always will be the "man" of the house.  You took on responsibility and wore it with pride.  Thank you.

Brittany Tamsyn Chater

Brittany, was born on the 16th April 1989 at 11:39pm.  Whilst I was pregnant with Britt, I woke up one afternoon and had the distinct impression I knew this precious soul that was about to be born through me.  I felt so strongly about this that I wrote her a letter which I still have in my journal.  From the time Britt was born she has been a source of great joy to me.  She is my greatest advocate.  My greatest critic.  Through some of her tough teenage years she pushed me away.  I learned one of the most valuable lesson in life during that period, and that was the power and value of a Mother's love is boundless and unconditional. That I would do absolutely anything within my power to protect and be there for her and my other children.  I learned that my life without my children was futile and empty. No one and nothing can ever take the place of my children.  I hope that in some small way i have been to them what they have certainly been to me... and that is unending joy and love.

Me = Grandma, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Partner, Friend

Deborah Mary Rutherford

If there's one thing I've always known, that is, that I would be a Mother.  I always assumed that I would meet my prince charming, live in my little house with a white picket fence and have my 4 to 6 children and live happily ever after. 

Motherhood has been my greatest blessing.  Sure there have been ups and downs, but there has never been a doubt in my mind since that first little soul was entrusted to my care that I would give my life for each one of these precious spirits who have enriched and blessed my life more than I could ever express.

I have been blessed with 4 unique and special children and now the most precious granddaughter.  Each has his/her own very strong and bright mind.  Each has been blessed with physical beauty. Each has been blessed with rock solid will and commitment to what is good and right in this world. They all have a social conscience and commitment to loving and protecting the rights of all.  I am so proud of each one of these amazing human beings.

I'm also a daughter, a sister and a friend to the most amazing women ever born.  I have been so blessed with a strong, principled Mother who, regardless of her personal feelings (which are sometimes too strong to handle) is always here for us.... she is the "Rock" in our lives and for that I will always be so humbly grateful.  A sister who is the most wonderful mother and wife and who perseveres to better herself constantly.... Friends who have seen me through the most torrid times and have never judged... they've just stood by me and stood up for me regardless of their personal views.... I salute you all for being the examples of women of true worth and substance... you all inspire me