A Christmas Wish

May your Christmas prayers be answered,

May your New Year dreams come true,

May God be with you always

in everything you do.

Happy Christmas to you all .....

Chantal and DCO

Chantal performing with Durban City Orchestra.

This was the performance I was talking about.

Happy Birthday Michael

Happy 50 th Birthday

Michael!!!!!

We all just want to wish you a very, very happy Birthday,

Hope you have many more,

We are thinking of you,

You have hit the 'half-a-century' mark

Wishing that all your dreams come true,

Hope you have a truly great memorable day ........

Happy Birthday Mike

Lots of love

Andrew, Valmai, Andy, Chantal and

last but not least,

Mother ...................

Durban City Orchestra

This afternoon we had a lovely surprise, but not really a surprise. The Durban City Orchestra had a performance today, and we went to listen, I nearly said 'watch' but it is really meant to be heared. Chantal did mention that she had a solo part, but she has had these parts in the past at the KZN Youth Orchestra and they are normally over before it has really begun, and we would be part of the few people that would actually know that the instument being played at that moment was the flute. But to my surprise, there was a programme that reads:

The School of Music Presents (this is what the Music Dept at the University is called)

Durban City Orchestra

featuring

Jane Baillie

Sarah Baillie

Brett Alborough

Chantal du Toit

and I turn the page ..........

and the second piece reads:

Mozart Andante in C for flute and orchestra K315
Chantal du Toit ( Flute)
.... and the description .....

and so my daughter was standing next to the Conductor, Russell, playing the piece with the Orchestra behind her. It was a very proud moment for Andrew and I, and she played well, not perfect but well, and the most important thing of all, is that she loved it. They even had Biographies about the 4 of them in the programme. I even had a lady come up to me and ask if that was my daughter, and she they enjoyed it, and they were from Toti as well.

I just want to say, I am amazed that I sat through all that classical music, and I enjoyed it so much. The Durban City Orchestra is so different from the KZN Youth Orchestra, the DCO were absolutely amazing. Chantal obviously loves classical music and can tell you so much about it all, and we have to listen to it most Sunday's while cooking lunch, so from about 10h30 to 13hoo most Sundays we are exposed but mostly we don't really listern to it, it is there in the background, Andrew and Andy always can't wait to change it, Chantal does try and play classical music that I can enjoy, but when your daughter is playing all of a sudden the piece is like magic, and you sit up and take note and actually enjoy it.

We are an amazing species.
Our children turn us into some strange individual.
We suddenly do and love things out of the norm, simply because of them ..........

Wedding photos 2

Got some more wedding photo's

These were on facebook

Just want to show you guys in America

Enjoy

Charlene can show the really nice ones when she gets back.

Happy Birthday George

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE!!!!!!!!!

08 OCTOBER 2009

We would just like to wish you a very Happy Birthday and want you to know we are thinking of you!

We pray that you have an absolutely great, fabulous, fantastic, stunning day,

and wish that all your dreams are realised.

May God blessing rain on you daily

From the day that we met, you made a very special impression,

and we have been blessed that you became a part of our family circle.

We love you George

Andrew, Valmai, Andy, Chantal and

last but not least, Mother.

Wedding Photos

Charlene and Sias - 23 September 2009

Charlene and Sias - the first dance ......

These two go together, their friends did this dance with them ....

Amber is so cute, just look at her, sorry no photo's of her facing us, but the damn digital camera is so slow, I need to buy something decent ............

Amber in the middle dancing ............

Jessica - looking beautiful!

Chantal and I!

Candice doing her speach!

Sias doing his speech - look at all his friends parking in front of him, full of attention and chirping, was such fun, a very Afrikaans thing I understand. When Sias stood up so did all these guys, with their chairs and it was amazing.

Chantal playing in the Chapel, the mic is for the flute.

Mother, Andy and I, at the sound check in the Chapel.

Andy and Chantal at the reception
My stunning children!

Us! The young ones!!!!!!

The Past Week

I haven't downloaded any photo's yet, but we have just had the most awesome week.

Last week Saturday, we had a braai for Chantal's friends, and we had a ball. Normally we would not hang around with the 'young ones', we normally retire to our room and mind our own business, but Chantal had invited, Pauls Mom and her friend. Andrew and Andy were on best form and between the two of them had everyone in stitches most of the time. An amazing evening, and I think a memorable one for Chantal.

Sunday morning we went early, 6 o'clock, to Port Shepstone, Andrew and Kevin were playing golf in Port Shepstone, Andrew has not played in 4 years. It was alot of fun, but most of all I rode the golf cart and had a ball. We laughed alot.

Tuesday we went off to Johannesburg, and Kevin and Tracy had another braai for Chantal, just to make her day a little special, I bought a cake to round it off. Some more fun was had by all, and you know that at Kevin and Tracy we always have a good time.

Wednesday was the wedding, and just to say, that Charlene look absolutely stunning, the whole venue was stunning, the chapel was soooo nice, and the bridesmaids and flowergirls, also looked so beautiful. The food was absolutely great, and the music was a very good combination, we had some for the older folks, some for those of us that can 'sakkie sakkie' and then there was music for the young ones. So a very good combo. Mike and Rina were also there, obviously, so it was nice to spend some time with them as well. Tony Beech was invited, but he did not come, Dawn and her husband came with Lukas, Heathers husband, but it is a bit sad for him as Heather passed on a short while ago and just 2 weeks before that his daughter died. So he was a bit sad, good for him to get a bit out, I think. Mother sat with them. We had alot of fun, and it was an absolutely stunning wedding, Charlene did well with all her choices, could not have asked for a better day. Charlene and Sias looked so happy, the minister that conducted the ceremony was good and spoke so nicely, Amber was such a little 'card' she was to precious for words. In the chapel she was just to cute and at the reception she danced and danced and danced. She was really so cute.

Thursday, Kevin, Andrew and Darren played golf again, and had fun, we just did all sorts of things, and in the afternoon, we went to visit Michael and Rina on their little plot. It is finally registered in his name, he seems to be doing just fine. Glad for him, and he is happy. The place has alot of potential, I hope Mike can realise all his dreams for the plot.

Friday, we came home, so most of the day, was packing driving and then unpacking, and last but not least, doing the washing. More washing was done on Saturday, but Chantal and I just relaxed in the morning and watched DSTV series channel, the Bachalor, and other such shows, the guys had to go work. Natasha Gorrie-Nuttal, came to visit and braai with us last night, she had come to Durban with some friends as she was going to participate in the Triathlon that was being held here in Durban, but her coach told her not to participate. But once again, we had alot of fun again.

Today has been preparing lunch and I had a nap this afternoon, and I thought I needed to just let you know what has been happening here, Wilma Willemse is coming now to fetch Charma's wedding album, so I need to end off, and tomorrow is back to the grindstone. Will post some pics later on.

Birthday wish

Chantal du Toit - 22 September 1989

20 years ago, this precious tiny little human being became part of our lives. She has filled our lives with so much love, care and thoughtfulness, it is quiet unbelieveable. We have truly been blessed with a daughter who can give so much, has a wicked sense of humour, and who has always kept us on our toes. A daughter that always bites off more than she can chew, and yet always gets done, what needs to be done. A daughter that is always willing to help me, never a moan or a groan, whether we are washing dishes, cooking Sunday lunch, doing the washing, helping at Gravtech or just going to the shops.

I just want to thank you for always being such a special person in our lives.

Our family has a very special bond, that I will always treasure and cherish.

You are a truly amazing person in our eyes.

We love you lots and lots and lots and hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Dad, Mom and Andy

Theatre Supper

On friday evening we were treated to a most enjoyable evening. A Fundraising Supper Theater hosted by the KZN Youth Orchestra. Their performance was absolutely lovely and condsidering that alot of the members have left or are busy with their matric exams and did not perform. This 'A' orchestra has only been together for a month, and most of the members are still scholars, only a few of them are over 18.

The hostesses had gone to so much trouble, and we were told it will be a light dinner, we had so much to eat.

The Ha!man was absolutely brilliant in my opinion, he improvisers all the time. He played and recorded a piece on his keyboard. Then sat down and played the cello with that piece. He whistles and makes all sorts of sounds and it is all according to him 'on the spur of the moment' stuff. Was really good. He had the concert master on the stage and had Reinhardt play a piece on the keyboard and recorded it, totally unrehearsed, and then Reinhardt improvise with his violin and he then played his cello as well, even making vocal sounds to it. He also uses some kinda whisle and he also played on the recorder. Was simply amazing how he puts it all together.

Find the shortest person and you will find Chantal!

She is so much older than most of them, and she simply looks so much younger than them.

Side view, sorry the photo's are not great, had a blonde moment and did not take the camera, so the Cell phone had to do.

The Sandpiper

The Sandpiper

by Robert Peterson

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.

"Hello," she said. ;

I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.

"I'm building," she said.

"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.

"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."

That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.

A sandpiper glided by.

"That's a joy," the child said..

"It's a what?" "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy." The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.

"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.

"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."

"Mine's Wendy.... I'm six."

"Hi, Wendy."

She giggled. "You're funny," she said.

In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.

"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day.."

The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.

"Hello, Mr.. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.

"I don't know. You say."

"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."

"Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked.

"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.

Strange, I thought, in winter. "Where do you go to school?"

"I don't go to school.. Mommy says we're on vacation" She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.

Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.

"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.

"Why?" she asked.

I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child?

"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."

"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!"

"Did it hurt?" she inquired.

"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.

"When she died?"

"Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there.. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.

"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."

"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies."

"Not at all --! she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.

"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia Maybe she didn't tell you." Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.

"She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?" I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:

A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY. Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide.. I took Wendy's mother in my arms.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together.

The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand -- who taught me the gift of love.

NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson.

It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less. Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis. This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses. This comes from someone's heart, and is read by many and now I share it with you...

May God Bless everyone who receives this!

There are NO coincidences!

Everything that happens to us happens for a reason.

Never brush aside anyone as insignificant.

Who knows what they can teach us?

I wish for you, a sandpiper.

The Dancer

I came across this, and thought it very news worthy. It was an artical in the Local Nigel Newspaper. See if you can find the familiar face.

I know that this is an achievement to be proud of, and would like to share it with your family. I know this is what memories are made of. As we age, we tend to look and remember the wrong things, and I need to say that achievements like this are easily overlooked and forgotten, but yet they are part of the person. I look at all the photo's of you as a child, and all I see is a happy, smiling child.

Golden Oldies

Thought I would post some more golden oldies! Hope you all enjoy.

My Grandfather, my Father and I think that that little child is myself, but Nanna is not sure, when I look at the one or two photo's of me when I was little, it seems to be me.

Nanna, has an itch that needed to be scratched!

Michael John Beech.

Sharon and Garry.

Nanna, Garry, Michael and myself.

Nanna and Garry

Sharon

Sharon, at the Convent.

I just find it so amazing, and let this be a lesson to all parents, there are alot more photo's of Sharon and Garry, but very few photo's of Michael and myself as little children. I have so many photo's of Andy and a lot less of Chantal, what helps today is digital camera's, they are very cost effective. I try now to take as many photo's as possible.

Andy and Chantal

At Charma & Grants wedding, here are Andy and Chantal looking ever so charming! Everyone was asked to pose under this arch and photo's were taken. They really should have a photo of everyone at the wedding, which is always a nice momento, and we got the photo's of us as well. In America everything is so amazing, with these photo's was a thank you note and the postage stamp has their wedding photo on. So much to offer in America.

Happy Birthday Nanna

For Nanna ...........

on your 74 th Birthday .............

We are wishing you

the happiest of birthdays,

Mother,

because you mean the world to us

just for being

the wonderful person you are!

We love you lots ..

We missed you lots ..

We are happy you are home!

Enjoy your day ..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Memories are made of these .....................

and some more .........................