Ever wondered?

Ever wondered what to do with that strip of leftover contact?  You know, that bit that's left over after all the school books are covered?

Well, my 6 year old girl has the answer.  She discovered it during her pre-rest-time-manic-creative-fest this afternoon.

Yes, you're welcome to borrow this idea to decorate your own long-sleeved denim dress. :0)  

So long as you give credit where credit's due. ;)

according to Elijah.....

...... the mind is a powerful force.  As is wriggling.

I'll explain.

Last night I went to wash Elijah in the bath when I got the usual pleading little voice, "can you sit and play with me Mamma?  Please?"  We had had a massive day yesterday, and I sat beside the bath and explained that I was feeling really tired and just didn't think I could do the whole 'imaginative character play with bath toys' kind of game with him.

His response?  "Well Mamma, you just need to get all your tiredness out!"

"Does that mean I can go have a nap Elijah?" I asked longingly.

"Oh no, you just need to wriggle it all out.  Like this."  and proceeded to demonstrate.  "You see Mamma, when you wriggle all your tiredness out, you'll wriggle........ then your eyes will adjust...... and then your tiredness will be gone!  Easy!"  Yep, he really said it, just like that.

And you know what?  The big wriggle kind of worked for me.  Or maybe it was the delight I was feeling after spending a little time with my ever-creative boy. :)

Happy Birthday Cathy!

This woman here is so precious, sweet, giving, generous, creative, clever, loyal and loving.  And I'm lucky enough to live in the same town as her, as well as be her friend!!  Seriously, Cathy is a true friend and sister and I couldn't imagine life without her.

Today we celebrated her birthday with a morning tea at my place.

Circumstances kept it from being all that I had anticipated.... Helen couldn't be here, Cathy has some really worrying things happening within her family life (if you can, please pray for her, and for her sister Ally), and we had some sickness within our own little family today.

But that didn't stop us from gathering and sharing, eating, drinking, spilling water and playing in it (okay, that bit was just William), laughing and crying and just enjoying some time together.

Nor did it stop my friend Mychel's little Ben from trying to drink the jelly. ;)

Happy birthday sweet Cathy, for today and for the entire year stretching ahead.   And by the way, you are looking so very radiant.  So very 2nd trimester-ish.  I can't wait to meet this precious baby!!!  (......... and um, when can I announce her name??? ;)). xo

Divine Worship

A page from my journal.........

"Today I sang in the worship team at church, and for the very FIRST time in my life, felt a profound connection to God while doing so.  It wasn't a concert.  I wasn't 'performing' to those in the congregation.  I was singing to God.  Straight up to Him.  There was nothing separating me from Him.  Nothing distracting me.  I was in His presence and it was breathtaking.  My voice was all for Him."

Yes, it was wonderful.  To be super honest, I didn't know it was possible to truly deeply worship and be connected to God through worship in the 'church' setting.  But today, it happened and I feel changed and just so filled with life!  Thank you Lord!

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Take the time to read through these lyrics, seriously this is an awesome song.  We sang it today and I could hardly breathe I was so caught up in worship and awe.

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

"In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand."

About Me - (a post by Saraya!)

Today  for  breakfast  i  had  cereal  and  a  banana  and  then  i  played  with   Elijah.  We  played  

Babies.  it  was  so  fun.   and  then  i  went  to  Jana's  birthday  party.   i   had  a  yummy  cake.  

  Jana  was  turning  7.  i  had  fun  talking  to   you  from  saraya.  :) 

I could get used to this!

I have had a great Saturday morning!  You remember I posted the other day about William's early mornings?  Well, Stuart has taken to getting up with him a few days a week (including this morning!) which is a new thing but SO nice for me.  We're sharing the load a bit more.  Honestly, I feel more awake than I have in years.  I really am appreciating the little things Stuart is doing for me the past few weeks. :)

SO, after getting to lie in bed dozing until 7am, I had breakfast with the family, spent some time chatting with Stuart (about real estate - what else?!) than went out and had a coffee with a new friend, Petrina.  What a sweet lady and kindred spirit!  We talked family, kids, babies, schooling options, home, housing, gardens, plans, dreams, etc. etc. and it was so so nice.  And she happens to be having a baby in about 4 weeks!  Much excitement there.

After sipping coffee and being quite lost in conversation for an hour and a half, I flew home so Stuart and Saraya could head to a birthday party she was invited to this morning.  Stuart was keen to escort her and 'mingle' with the school crowd!  I am home with my boys; William is having a long sleep and I am enjoying a long "Little People" game with Elijah.  So nice to spend some one-on-one time with him. :)

So yeah, it's been an excellent morning for me!  We've all got lots of work planned for this afternoon, mostly sorting the shed and laundry, and doing some gardening/ yard work.

I better head back to the game; Elijah has just noticed I've gone!  Oh, and as an aside, the house we viewed yesterday we loved.  Seriously.  So lots of thinking and praying about that one.  I'll update when there's more to tell. :)

Our Friday

Today is Friday.  That means that for me, it's also our main housework day.  

I love Fridays.  I know I've shared that before!  There is a joy in waking up and knowing exactly what I need to accomplish, without even thinking about it.  Great natural exercise in cleaning.  Great satisfaction when it's all done.  :)  Ahhh, nothing better than fresh clean sheets!

But something interesting happened this morning.  I discovered that this little poppet is apparently now afraid of the vacuum cleaner.  I say *now*  as he wasn't last Friday- or any Friday before that.  So it seems to me he's had some sort of strange interaction with a vacuum cleaner in the past 7 days that I don't know about.  Or a bad dream, or something!  

Don't let his smiley face deceive you........ believe me, he howled every time I turned it on!!!  So what's a mother to do?  Carry on vacuuming, with the baby on your hip, of course.  Hmmmm.  

So now I'm a very happy, feeling very accomplished, Mamma - with a very sore back.   Not that I'm noticing terribly much.  After my initiation into extreme stretching on Wednesday night, everything  is sore.

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Remember we changed some rooms around during the holidays, and I promised to post photos? Well, I thought seeing as I just cleaned the entire house, now would be as good a time as any! ;)

Today Elijah helped me with an extra job (as well as trying his hand at the mopping...... have you ever seen a 3 year old mop?! :)) - we changed all the quilts from our warmer-month ones to our nice cosy  winter feather doonas.  We aired them, put the right covers on, and it feels like we all have new beds!  Elijah was literally cuddling onto the pirate on his quilt cover, saying "oh my lovely pirate man, I haven't seen you for ages!"  Don't you just love seasonal change?  We've had some nippy nights this week.  Anyway, it's been a good day of achieving lots and enjoying each other as we worked!

Now for the photos..............

The children's shared room

William was needing some cot bumpers as he really moves around alot as he sleeps!  Mum found these ones in Brisbane for us and they look so good - thanks Mum! :)

We've never before owned a tv.  We watch so little, we didn't feel we could justify it.  Occasionally we watch a show through the computer, which sits in our living room.  Here's Elijah playing an educational kids game this morning.  Well, it's all about to change!  We are becoming mainstream and getting a tv.  Yep, it's true.  There's 5 of us now and the computer is just in hot demand much of the time!  SO, the enormously messy desk that is our computer desk is moving here......

...... into this spot in what is now our spare room!

Also incorporates a day bed (come guest bed for my Mum :)).... very useful for reading and separating kids out at rest time

A work desk and littler 'work' table

And a little trolley with pouches which holds all our collage / stationary / making stuff for the children.

That's pretty much it.  Things are getting done around here.  It's interesting, when you start thinking about moving house, amazing things begin to happen.  You tidy this.  Renovate that.  Finish this.  I wonder, by the time we're done, ......... will we still want to move??!  I guess it remains to be seen.  We're still looking around; going to view another house later this afternoon.

I noticed from the living room window that our chooks were getting very acquainted with their nesting boxes this morning.  Makes me wonder if they might begin to lay soon!

And I just had to finish with this.  Our littlest, flaked out before being tucked in bed last night.  He is the most relaxed baby of mine by far!!!!   He literally just lies down on the living room floor when he decides he's ready to go to sleep, has a bit of a cuddle, some whispers of "I love you" in his ear, a stroke on the tummy, and boom! Asleep for the night.  Beautiful.

These feet were made for dancing!

........ Well, I'm hoping!  More about that soon. :)

Yesterday was a huge day for us.  It all started with playgroup.  Yay playgroup! The boys and I really look forward to it each week.  It's just a small group of 4 or 5 Mums (plus a few spouses!) and a delightful bunch of littlies, mostly held at the home of the family across the road..... very convenient!  It's relaxed and fun and a good chance for some "grown-up" conversation for me. ;)  Also of much interest to me is that all but one of the families homeschool.  Amazing.  Hmmm.

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And as for my feet being made for dancing............ the next few weeks will reveal!  I want them to be; I SO love dance ....... I just haven't taken a proper dance class since I was 9............... but that hasn't stopped me............  starting contemporary dance classes!!!!  Yep, you read that right.  I'm 28 years old and starting a brand new thing.  Hoping this 'getting-older' dog can learn some new tricks!!!

Well, it was brilliant.   I loved it.  Not to mention the incredible stretches we do for a rather long warm-up before the dancing starts; we choreographed nearly an entire dance to the "Roxanne" music from 'Moulin Rouge'.  It's hard...... it's fast.......... it's lyrical........ it's exciting and a challenge and I hope my legs become more flexible because my leg extension and scissor kicks must currently look pretty gumby........... BUT I loved it!!!!!!!  Bring on next Wednesday afternoon!!  Hoping my aches and pains subside before then!  Stuart and I are going to run through all our stretches again tonight before the real soreness hits tomorrow!  Oh, did I mention that Stuart is doing the class too?  That's right; it's great because he's even older than me!  Makes me feel like one of the young ones. :)  And it's going to be great to do together- something to be excited about, plan for, practice in the living room....... ;).

Thank you to my sweet friend Cathy for having all 3 of my children so we could go dancing....... especialy with the afternoon you were having yesterday - you are wonderful!  And they all had a great great great time. :)  So nice to eat dinner together too!

There's a Tuesday class for little ones as well - I wonder if I can convince my elder two to join?!  Desiree is so great with children, gentle and encouraging and tasteful, which is so important with dance, especially for children!  If only she could see my boy dance......... his feet really move!  Music just runs through him.  I know, I know - I'm biased, but really it does!!  Once he overcomes his shyness for performance, oh boy.

Oh, and keep an eye out for his first album too.  It surely can't be far away. ;)

oh but it's DARK!!!

It's dark.  Did I tell you it's dark??

It's also 5:34am.  And I'm sitting in the living room.  In the dark.  Well, in the lamplight.

Why, you ask?  Who is responsible for this?  Well I won't give it away, but a very small male person with very little hair wearing blue flannel pj's covered in teddy bears just so happens to be the reason.  ;)

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After having his morning feed, a cuddle, a little chat, a look at a few picture board books............. it's 5:34am.  Well, 5:36am now.  It's dark outside so we can't go walking.  Everyone else is asleep so we can't really "play" per se.  So, excuse me while I go back to my small flanneled boy and try to find quiet things to do.  

Oh, and if you come to my house at this time tomorrow (or any day for that matter) you're very likely to find me doing just this. :)

2 stripey boys and a monkey

So yes, I did it.  I bought matching outfits for my boys last week, and today they wore them out.

We had a long but fun morning out at Mainly Music, and doing the grocery shopping.

I love my boys, and I have to say I love their matching stripes!  (oh, and that face of Will's in the last photo 

does indeed mean "get me outta here! I'm DONE". :))

A lazy Sunday afternoon...

....... at

.... the

...... beach.

Feeding the ducks and looking at houses

The afternoon that the children and I arrived home from our *break away*, Stuart took them out to Ululah Lagoon to feed the ducks and geese and black swans, while I unpacked and got myself resettled.  I love the simple beauty in these photos Stuart took that day.  It makes me wish I was there with them!

A few friends and family members have been asking me how we're going.

Firstly, thanks so much for praying for us and loving us!  I have really felt so supported during these tricky few months.  Friends and family can do so much for helping you feel heard and understood and cared for.

And I'm happy to say that we are doing well.

It's different to how I imagined coming home might be, in my idealist mind.......... we haven't had the deep emotionally connecting conversations I'd hoped for........... but I am feeling so much more positive, and God is using all this to teach us both so much about each other.  As of today, I feel closer to Stuart than I have in a long time.  I put this down to God's grace, prayer, plus a concerted effort from the two of us over the past 2 weeks.  We've been on Autumn break which has helped so much- lots of time to just *be*.  I know for sure that I love him more than I can say, and we are both dedicated to making our marriage the best it can be!  Lots of hard work ahead, but I now know that that's the case for most couples....... we are normal, I am normal.  And I am so thankful for him.

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What have we been doing over the holidays?  Well, pottering mostly. :)  Saraya announced two weeks ago that she really really doesn't like sleeping in a room on her own, and would like to move back in with the boys!  We thought it through, and decided to shift things around again...... lots of mess for a few days, but we got there and it actually looks good.  I'll try to post some photos soon.  The spare room is now "spare" again, and will be used as a guest room, craft room and study.

Today we all spent a few hours looking around at houses.  It was great fun and interesting too (I'm so voyeuristic :))......... lots of thoughts running through our heads!  Oh, the possibilities. The children were so good, and really enjoyed the whole process too.  We're going to be working hard over the next few weeks, sorting and purging and tidying and finishing etc. etc. - just to be prepared to list our home if and when we want to.   It's emotional and overwhelming - and somewhat exciting too!  What an adventure!

Tomorrow is the last day of the holidays. :(  This makes all of us a bit sad.  Even as I sit here and type, Stuart is sitting and doing class planning.  Saraya especially is quite adamant that Monday is most definitely NOT a school day......  hmmmm.  We'll see how we go. :)  Uniforms to iron, schoolbag to air out, lunchbox ideas to run through my head, etc tomorrow.  And then, the grand final of So You Think You Can Dance tomorrow night - yippee!!!!  Go Ben!!!  Go Amy!!!

Have a great Sunday everyone! :)

The photos!

I said last week that I would give you more information about the photos we had taken here at home.  They were done by a friend of ours, Connie Neilsen, who I did Oklahoma with at the Brolga Theatre last year.  I was pregnant at the time, and she always said she'd like to do photos of "the baby" once he/she was born!  It took us a year nearly, but we got together and I am SO thrilled with how these turned out!!  I can't wait to get some on our walls. :)

Anyway, here are a few more of my favourites.  How I"m going to decide which ones to get framed, I don't know!  Let me know which ones you like.

Anyway, Connie is so sweet, so clever, and SO good with kids, if you live around the area here and are interested in doing a 'session' with her!  She spent nearly 3 hours here, just hanging with us, letting the kids play with all her props, and catching some gorgeous shots while we were at it. 

And a little plug for her............  She is actually a country music singer who writes the most beautiful songs...... and happens to be a young Mum of two sweet children as well, and works full time!  I don't know how she finds time to do all she does.  She's one of those cleverly gifted multi-talented people I've always found intimidating but admired!  She is just coming into the country music scene, has recorded her first album and made a couple of film clips with Bob Chambers (Kasey Chambers' Dad).  Go see her Myspace page here if you're interested.  Go Connie, and thankyou!!!!!