Kerry and Stephen's Travelling Blog: It's The Big 3-OMG Birthday for Elliot

Today is Elliot's Birthday, my eldest and only son...he's 30 today. I thought it would be nice to have a post especially for him.

With your dad, probably taken the day after you were born and still in hospital

When you were born I felt so much love for you I thought I would never be able to love anyone as much as I loved you. You made the perfect entry into the world with no complications and weighing 6lb 7oz.

I remember waking up the morning after and wondering where I was and then they brought you to me. I felt so special to have you. When we got home you made life so easy for me by sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, crawling by 5 months and walking by 9 months.

Living in Wickham for the first part of your life you thrived, loving the outdoor life, going to the beach and fishing with your dad. You made friends very easily and you have always had lots of them. You ~~were~~ are a 'real' boy always outside playing with your mates even though it may have been 52 degrees in the shade. School was a different story, struggling with having to sit still all day, it just wasn't you!! Your main reason for attending was so you could be with your friends and have a kick of the footy at recess and lunch.

Bianca always tried to tag along with her big brother and most of the time you let her. Looking after her, trying to keep her from getting into trouble. I remember the day dad and I decided to have a sleep-in...bad move!! I heard you say to her quietly, we better go and wash our hands. I thought I better go and have a look at what was going on, I found the two of you in the bathroom with clubs as hands made from flour and milk. When I got out to the dinning room there was a 2kg packet of flour and 2lts of milk all over the kitchen table. All we could do was laugh!! That's what big brothers are for......

When you were 8 we moved to Perth, again you made lots of friends. One of the most popular kids in school and also one of the more mischievous. Perth wasn't the place for us so within two years we were on the move again and this time to a place where we would make our home for quite a few years. You loved living in Greenhead and Leeman, fishing, surfing and spending time with your friends and family. Unfortunately this was also the time that our marriage failed. You found it hard going for quite a while and eventually went to live with your dad in Busselton. For a couple of years Bianca, Georgia and I missed you terribly but it seemed the best thing to do at the time.

When you returned to Leeman, you were all grown up and ready for work, you were just 15. One of your first jobs working as a labourer for 'Spaggs', helping build his units out of limestone blocks, it was hot and hard but you kept at it. You then went to Kununurra with your uncle to help him start a catfish business and that was even hotter and harder. I was told after the event that they had had a search party out looking for you when you tried to 'save' everyone when the boat broke down. My little hero.....that's just the kind of person you are Elliot!! You had a few jobs working on cray boats in Leeman which I think set you up for life on the sea, just like your great grandfather.

Elliot and Bianca in Leeman

You've had some hard times in your life but you always manage to get through them. Now back in Karratha for the second time and ready to start again. Working in the maritime industry is where you found your niche. I have been told by people in the industry that you are an excellent seaman and very good at your job. You're a pretty good fisherman too...