Cath’s Story

I share our lovely little home with my beautiful husband Tim and two sweet girls aged 5 years and 2.5 years.  We are also looking forward to the arrival of another baby next March.

When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher,  photographer,  journalist,  mama,  police woman,  fashion designer, singer (not that I can hold a tune in the slightest) volunteer in orphanages and to travel.  The common denominators were connecting with people, making a difference and having fun. I feel blessed to have been able to do some of these things.  The life and heart changing ones have been travelling, teaching children and most of all, becoming a mama.

My earlier childhood years definitely contributed to those interests, heart’s desires and passions. I spent my first seven years on a tiny island off the northern coast of Australia, which I adored. My days were filled with collecting shells along wide open beaches, taking care of tiny, newly hatched turtles before releasing them into the ocean and playing with friends from our small island community. We’d frequently go on adventures, sitting on the roof of my dad’s Jeep (far from safe, but it did have a rail), to local springs and waterfalls. Of an evening we would go for peaceful walks alongside buffalo grazing near billabongs.

I recall how much I detested wearing shoes, driving on sealed roads rather than the bush tracks I was used to and not knowing everyone down the street or at the beach when we relocated to Sydney and ultimately to Melbourne.  Sydney had stunning waterways, a harbour and a large city. Melbourne is known for it’s arts, culture, music and more alternative scenes. Fortunately, although it’s no island paradise, there are beaches just minutes away.

I also had an amazing brother who lived an incredible life in his thirteen years with us. He was diagnosed with a degenerative genetic condition at four years of age. He was pronounced dead at five but an anaesthetist remained in the operating room and resuscitated him after doctors had given up and already informed my parents.  We were blessed to have another eight years with him.  Witnessing his spiritually sensitive, beautiful and courageous heart had a big impact on who I am today.

Becoming a parent changed me more than I could have imagined. I went from living for hanging out with friends, travelling,  going to gigs and just enjoying life, to being more occupied with trying to be the best mama I can be for our little ones. I did also love my job which was, and will be again, teaching children with physical disabilities, health impairments, sensory, emotional and behavioural issues. When I started out I remember having this overwhelming feeling of “this is where I’m meant to be and what I’m meant to be doing”. I would have honestly done it for free.

Being pretty chilled out, my lovely husband and I really thought that everything would somehow fall into place and that parenting would be relatively simple albeit bringing with it some obvious sacrifices.  Thankfully our first born Poppet, now 5 years old, is intense,  ‘high needs’ and sensitive in every way imaginable.  As a result we had to rethink the way we did everything in order to survive, let alone thrive. We fell into this world of ‘attachment parenting’  (which I’d never heard of) and rejected most of the norms within our society.  I’d wear our Poppet constantly, she’d sleep in our bed and I’d nurse her for hours at a time. We’ve continued down this path and I’m forever learning and growing. Poppet paved the way for our second girl, little Fudge, who happens to be far more chilled out and easy going, but we wouldn’t do things any other way now.

I ended up connecting with some beautiful women via a facebook group. These ladies stood out and I quickly trusted and respected them like some of my closest friends.  I love their hearts,  passion, integrity and honesty.  Together we have shared, cried, discovered and grown together.  From these friendships and our journey thus far Pocketful of Pebbles is born. We hope you enjoy travelling this joyous,  sometimes heartbreaking and amazingly fulfilling journey of life with us.