Maitia Shaina Mary Vano 21st Birthday

Hi Family,

Just thought that I would post the details of my daughter's 21st Birthday. It is happening on Sunday 6th December in Melbourne somewhere. The reason I am posting this on our family blog is because most of us won't be receiving formal invitations. The reason you ask? Due to the lack of accomodation ( My mum, Aunty Tatu and Aunty Urau are going ), I don't know if there is any one other than my immediate family (Raewyn, Mary, Jovan) that are actually booked to go. If there is anyone else in the family that would like to come ( Vanessa and Tino, since you are in or near Melbourne ) please let me know so that I can give the guys in Melbourne a call to say that there are others that would like to come. It is being catered therefore numbers will need to be firmed up by the end of June at the earliest.
Her official birthday is 3rd December and hopefully I will be in Melbourne by then.
I don't know how to load up photos ( will need to ask Raewyn how to do it) as I would love to put up photos of both my children.

Also, Jovan will be 22 on the 25th June ( woohoo ). He is enjoying the Gold Coast but still looking for work. It is amazing to talk to my son everyday, as he has matured to a level that I never thought that he would reach. He respects the value of money, sanity and just plain living. He has a fantastic partner in Charissa and is lucky that she is there for him. I miss him terribly and every now and then I have a cry as I neva thought my son would leave me so soon. He is my baby (even though he is the oldest ) and I think about him all the time.

I asked my mum, my brother Charlie, my son Jovan and my sister Raewyn to pick out 6 numbers for the Big Wednesday tonight. It is worth 20million plus!! If only. Fingers crossed.
What would you do with 20 million dollars????

I was also looking through what everyone has written to date and it made me reflect on all the old people that have passed on in our family and how lucky we were to have them.

Aunty Mum and Uncle Jack - Great couple who endured alot through their life. Gave heaps to their family ( food, advice, mentoring etc etc) and are deeply missed by all.

Aunty Mary Bilkey - Beautiful voice, rather vain but still someone that at times was protected alot by her sisters and always had a smile.

Uncle Albie - Quiet, reserved, always there when something was needed and always gave whateva he had.

Uncle Joe - I have had him on my mind for the last couple of weeks. I watched his DVD and couldn't hold back the tears just thinking on what he meant to me and how sad a week that was when we celebrated his life.

I take a look at my life now and think how these people have influenced my life and hope that I have done the same for others in my family. I would hate to think what it would be like not to have the family that I have grown up with ( all extended family) problems and all.
How wonderful to have a family like ours !! I really appreciate each and every one of you.

Im at work ( gee shock horror ) just taking some time out between finishing presentations for tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to catching up soon.

Lots of love always
Taki xoxox