tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150671942024-03-08T14:04:19.666+10:00A Time for Everything...Snippets of everyday life of me - a wife, SAHM to 3, Christian, teacher, sewer, scrapbooker, singer, cook, sister, friend.Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-50061473820089493802009-09-08T22:09:00.005+10:002009-09-08T22:49:56.345+10:00Bags, glasses and drawings...It's amazing what a day with the computer switched to the OFF position (yes you can turn your computer off, how funny) can do....<br /><br />I gave myself a forced 'computer-free' day yesterday and was surprised at how much I got done. Actually I'd even say it was refreshing. And sad to think how 'addicted' I am to this darn thing...<br /><br />Where was I? Oh yes, I got a lot of other things done. Not so much in the housework department (much to my husband's dismay), but I got a lot of sewing done... and can you actually believe it.... wait for it... I finished a project.<br /><br />I've been procrastinating a lot (it's one of my better skills) lately with this gorgeous bag pattern I bought (Janelle Wind Collection). I decided I was going to make one for my friend Sarah who's about to pop with twins. A twin mumma needs a big bag. And this one is fantastic. 16 pockets in total. If that's not enough room for twin supplies... you need two bags!!<br /><br />Ah yes, procrastinating. I've cut bits here, bits there, I even buckled down and sewed a bit the other night. But yesterday I really got into it... and come 11.30pm last night, she was finished!!<br /><br />I'll be a little sad to part with this. (in fact I seem to make most things as gifts, and as such don't actually have many of the things I've made) But I think its created a passion for bag-making, so I look forward to picking fabrics for and making the other 3 Janelle Wind patterns I have... nice.<br /><br />Anyway, so here she is. Sarah's Nappy Bag. I made it in the fabrics (plus a few more) she's used for decorating the nursery. So it will match nicely. And suit girls, boys or one of each.<br /><br />One side...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379069678497839938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckOk3777N-HTvBJnNzk5-Nf49lmDIwgjIdRQtMURefAGJ-vAWsy-9XN-Z44C9rFcAMVZ-4VLb_wzmETGTVP3c0Y_AJUhgl4viXJ-tZDl3n3ktAvB5ur-Sr3_aRTv4DNlI4Fa1/s320/P4Y+nappy+bag+NatM+1.jpg" /><br />The other side...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379069688616524242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlySzyS5BTRAg4Zc-ewQhei_a0Z0s3_LnM0pe_pXa7Bc_6ITnnChclzIH0ZlY9zDoLGNi71b3utaRV77Ouz9OeLUK1_tg9ZFGbdUNqrbjuBSQVC-O6yOWh5089tkgXlzQrOoBN/s320/P4Y+nappy+bag+NatM+2.jpg" /><br />And inside...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-nM45pKz-R5PIyO92TGcX_hzoFUMj0lCD-gt4NHoqGxWhracBnmkr-YaFxs_GCZUo_HnRA_RQefrHy_OaTJ9DAiSSoT82qSxMzrN2wp24_zne0FaFdMWcYppwmOp5vCvBaG0/s1600-h/P4Y+nappy+bag+NatM+inside.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379069695225918530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-nM45pKz-R5PIyO92TGcX_hzoFUMj0lCD-gt4NHoqGxWhracBnmkr-YaFxs_GCZUo_HnRA_RQefrHy_OaTJ9DAiSSoT82qSxMzrN2wp24_zne0FaFdMWcYppwmOp5vCvBaG0/s320/P4Y+nappy+bag+NatM+inside.jpg" /></a><br />Storage heaven. I hope she likes it.<br /><br />In other happenings, we did our weekly cooking experience today. Ah, the simple stay-at-home life. Today we made a low-fat chocolate weet-bix slice. But the camera battery was dead, so no pics. I do love taking pics of the kids cooking though. Its so cute and they just love it. I think next week we might try something a little more healthy - maybe a quiche or zucchini slice or something...<br /><br />Here's a couple of pics I did take this morning of the monkeys mucking around on the trampoline. Lani found my old glasses and was trying them on. So cute. Eli wanted in on the funny action too. He has some crazy posing antics lately. Crazy child.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpaq-AjecicpqI9yS48toxgVl-MDzNktSVNHjZjRWEm9GdxMDGmwp_DuEzmBd0BYt8rGrXw1oummNOsELlmJGx8Dk94DOH5W45behjAMcM-rCgPQrY6AguD-H1nNFIyvSeF8L/s1600-h/Lani+glasses+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpaq-AjecicpqI9yS48toxgVl-MDzNktSVNHjZjRWEm9GdxMDGmwp_DuEzmBd0BYt8rGrXw1oummNOsELlmJGx8Dk94DOH5W45behjAMcM-rCgPQrY6AguD-H1nNFIyvSeF8L/s320/Lani+glasses+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379075573028021074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2a6gkT-TjrpwLD7YOCwO3AEsFUQ3m_y0VA4AasnXC20LQWqjeufhcBNbiDj18LZ0aYSIVD1K2USs0WR3oM-iwuWsFlnglj0xs2WHnUyp0MTyaF93FLCjzNhx03ORTil3VrnR/s1600-h/Lani+glasses+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2a6gkT-TjrpwLD7YOCwO3AEsFUQ3m_y0VA4AasnXC20LQWqjeufhcBNbiDj18LZ0aYSIVD1K2USs0WR3oM-iwuWsFlnglj0xs2WHnUyp0MTyaF93FLCjzNhx03ORTil3VrnR/s320/Lani+glasses+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379075566605450002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUczdZXBIARJHbEFpBbwdIYsjJtcHxaM73YH9EEuaA3jYG6XCEpLhvTQCLxDssq6hNAjAfN9VUWuXhq1KgRoIyiM0JQpwcwV9HP3bObUg9g3-vVaPss9Z8_h0fMFD5Ma3BjfSu/s1600-h/Eli+glasses+silly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUczdZXBIARJHbEFpBbwdIYsjJtcHxaM73YH9EEuaA3jYG6XCEpLhvTQCLxDssq6hNAjAfN9VUWuXhq1KgRoIyiM0JQpwcwV9HP3bObUg9g3-vVaPss9Z8_h0fMFD5Ma3BjfSu/s320/Eli+glasses+silly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379075558591544050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sXEIiv2nLsi4p_eFlCnP-6D_VO6mp7Rd8Um0mxe21F87mP3QmvG7jtITGsDhMHYsiL8ruwjGC3Ary77iwi2g9SsVGIlTfUO391ymlKWQ_6FotnRdGMm-uFe4WELzVfbhyphenhyphenzTo/s1600-h/Eli+glasses+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sXEIiv2nLsi4p_eFlCnP-6D_VO6mp7Rd8Um0mxe21F87mP3QmvG7jtITGsDhMHYsiL8ruwjGC3Ary77iwi2g9SsVGIlTfUO391ymlKWQ_6FotnRdGMm-uFe4WELzVfbhyphenhyphenzTo/s320/Eli+glasses+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379075549363730322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31YVvnwCqdnNIKOd8DlstMesVLo_XWKFul9IyW8QrsaBQIGJhbIjs-Gv4FmvOzuatKBgv5i1bLRWQP_KTVXpvJNKp6ktm2zNx2gxLU2QPZbXhIkarTq3bKzE7bqNE1gCumD_/s1600-h/crazy+Eli.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31YVvnwCqdnNIKOd8DlstMesVLo_XWKFul9IyW8QrsaBQIGJhbIjs-Gv4FmvOzuatKBgv5i1bLRWQP_KTVXpvJNKp6ktm2zNx2gxLU2QPZbXhIkarTq3bKzE7bqNE1gCumD_/s320/crazy+Eli.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379075543947809810" /></a>Yes... he has no pants on. This is a regular occurence around our house. At least I don't have to wash extra pants. Even if its not so flattering for photo ops...<br /><br />And yesterday... Lani had a great time practicing her cutting. I'm not sure if she's done much before (not with me she hasn't) but she had a great time making little cuts all around the edge of the paper. Actually I remember Eli starting much the same way. He's progressed a little more th cutting into the paper now, he just hasn't quite got a hold on how to hold his scissors...<br /><br />And I taught Eli how to draw a person. I was most impressed, as was he. First he drew him - head, eyes, mouth and arms and legs attached to the head. Then I showed him how to draw a girl with a dress (triangle) for a body. And he seemed to grasp that pretty well. Then he also drew me with curly hair (a bit tricky!) and he even wrote MUM. What a clever boy he is... proud Mummy moment. These are now on the fridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM8PKV_q9lI3rosAAjvcEqd4npil8aXj8O2DpFl8MW6p0kYmCvSNGa7lfgZQtR0edqslHGbbUb7ChrWz_3B5BsD_akQ8TNoEb2kYSifvjdcyu7Hh5_vvP3B_CV8wSILgUfm3u/s1600-h/Lani+cutting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM8PKV_q9lI3rosAAjvcEqd4npil8aXj8O2DpFl8MW6p0kYmCvSNGa7lfgZQtR0edqslHGbbUb7ChrWz_3B5BsD_akQ8TNoEb2kYSifvjdcyu7Hh5_vvP3B_CV8wSILgUfm3u/s320/Lani+cutting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379076964676707298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRzR9ac7onCjqs2PLSM7jcDXdT_sNMCQmy6QgP13-nDc-JqOv1gW8I6h0fIxJgEapgXqbgBOaTGw8H1qbQz3yodTGJZbj4qG81XmEF-CYthzfHdX0Owz-QtKcAqpYSKImAnZt/s1600-h/Eli+drawing+Mummy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRzR9ac7onCjqs2PLSM7jcDXdT_sNMCQmy6QgP13-nDc-JqOv1gW8I6h0fIxJgEapgXqbgBOaTGw8H1qbQz3yodTGJZbj4qG81XmEF-CYthzfHdX0Owz-QtKcAqpYSKImAnZt/s320/Eli+drawing+Mummy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379076955700461794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0RkTfAmN1mrJZijog2Igv6O0QHkixLH0i1gY4ftcbzJ4gG2Xn3MtCa2EfXPcS0bM-hJIfLRTMYup9Yu9d34ppflXZEYXJBXtGYl4NFwQ4KuJuZOby2xSgfakVAo7eMZVI5O1/s1600-h/Eli+pic+of+Lani.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0RkTfAmN1mrJZijog2Igv6O0QHkixLH0i1gY4ftcbzJ4gG2Xn3MtCa2EfXPcS0bM-hJIfLRTMYup9Yu9d34ppflXZEYXJBXtGYl4NFwQ4KuJuZOby2xSgfakVAo7eMZVI5O1/s320/Eli+pic+of+Lani.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379076950647707186" /></a><br />Well, that's all for now. I need to go to bed. Night all.Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-18531312196409918542009-09-06T14:23:00.006+10:002009-09-06T14:58:42.383+10:00Happy Fathers Day!!Hope all the Dads are having a lovely day today.<br /><br />We gave Daddy a spot of breaky and coffee in bed and pressies before we headed to my Mum and Dad's place for a cooked breakfast!<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378210147974483762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH890d9zaAHXQeqErPLQAYdW6-PAn2PyT4_0569pJg5JLC1g3NuLfycKxh_hR9I34jm6LCv_DFqAFD3DdKtZC4O96AZ7h8y-3XO5JByaBNmgwvuqtdjIEfBwPKQDpQU67kJQZ/s320/Fathers+Day+in+bed+2.jpg" />Greg got a couple of bits and pieces - a shirt, thermal flask for work, choccies and a couple of works of art from the little ones... and we bought something else special yesterday, but haven't set it up yet - a BIG Plasma! Nice (we're just on the hunt for a high TV unit before we set them up).<br /><br />It is also my sister Alissa's 25th b'day today, so we celebrated with some yummy cupcakes (with gorgeous little flower toppers that my friend Lou sent me).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378207091366545762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejNbXLDZ0f6dxaOfSBQTNorgCGok8NoBSSOkrKl3YqmPp8i0JPtIotZW5U3xN1y_l1N5TXouHnlvv9LKZlQyBN4HEZYSWVOChKMvqVsvFgVSHt9N_PXByecVPxP52fTciuACc/s320/birthday+cupcakes.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378207077775855666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJog1CtHfRxy4On6BuCIqM580Wq1fqFfJKfyTpW5SeSAgbG1iacQYkjfduOJeEUAJdLR1C2wVrdLGS3WSYXUay3p9sSbC2TtdzGeZx_fO9aNKQLIeGHlqCzVEdkqidbAbPAIn-/s320/Liss+and+Nat+1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378207081666335186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VsVmrp66npSryMcECXPQJQ5iEXjwUi4P6OQkQCPa6t1KLam5hc6VsNziwIMCn0eUfxrw4DJ_jljcOnI27INxcwyuRrvWkRX41P6nMHb7kDcdRLVs3BmpK0e2uZXyC8wNxEfc/s320/Liss+and+Emme.jpg" /></p><div>It was great to see my neice Emmeson again too, coz even though her and Liss are living with my parents, either Emme or both of them have been elsewhere when we've visited the last couple of times...<br /><br />Here's my Daddy and I! Love you Dad...<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378208868321736610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY7U8Bmq96Z9Ua8QKtz9p5T0zJvIB04nmeEB7G8owxyTQ1RIU-P6zJU3SX0hQF1jDHIgL-FcvZgYmrlJWeeBlM03YuBTA2-W1OQrE-ZMpbwU-cx0KmkjddIHdX1sDOrLqKtkf/s320/Nat+and+Dad+2.jpg" /><br />Hope you've all had a lovely day with your Dads!!Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-7544197512986209242009-09-01T16:57:00.005+10:002009-09-01T17:16:49.449+10:00Just some funny pics...I wanted to share...<br /><br />Eli and I posing and being silly for the camera (he's just like his Mumma this one!)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376390450219517554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn0iJwYURcsl_h7mMhXBsaiTwZy7JKI29fmrDoZcSANZZ1ic4_yiSB4lWcizyvieC70141Kb-mL3sVpPrcGHUPqxCYadTA8preyQv3oZ89-2jUIhNKtoIdFNyq_fD3opYg_AI/s320/Nat+and+Eli+1.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDDojOWBDZyfUFuddgd8hlVG4jxv0VWvBbre1PisogB0kdkisP_F3tXkeYvBOyslVTYRBuvI-uvVHBmSN7ui4vdrbXta2AQA62bUsS3Mk6TIu1gRvH6Re-scIluQuJyjaWPEP/s1600-h/Nat+and+Eli+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376390461023862450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDDojOWBDZyfUFuddgd8hlVG4jxv0VWvBbre1PisogB0kdkisP_F3tXkeYvBOyslVTYRBuvI-uvVHBmSN7ui4vdrbXta2AQA62bUsS3Mk6TIu1gRvH6Re-scIluQuJyjaWPEP/s320/Nat+and+Eli+2.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376391635983184242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rSneSDGWCgZu-j3j4pBWtGeCLfYCcM0zqnC8IlHpRXUQb3MAMxpjSWfZFdrYeUlu_g4y2OhxdL2FUwVYMKgWojtzjvHP-rgXMeWPtXmZ-QCoB7to7nuQN5t5ChyphenhyphenaPoDWmRut/s320/Nat+and+Eli+3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376391644338011234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPkBbigB_GZRoPg9Ae7luwNEbaPXDCpH4XiZx0XLnXEu4LtwOm5cBE_Nt2mCgKHGDB4ZIxwfl0IM5VGeY6hCHUDD13qdX6aGb6djhO-GmcfFCFDC8queEQuqWsgXc1AaCspof/s320/Nat+and+Eli+4.jpg" /></p><br />And Lani and I too, but she wasn't as obliging for the funny photos, and rather preferred to cry...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376391660511481554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSakMPuQYymnOPQsm5LVGUyMy2S3IQti4TQc3MoE5aRUSlpLyS8X4h2CfGlEJDmjm5uZIzR4g8VFfip-hidmtBBilK8KU94CVkDlq5gU5oHAfsxCjrsiN44WfFTTgVx7wNcTo/s320/Nat+and+Lani+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376391649235202258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtJo_ea601eg2sOBOcVYDzFz2jKLivnnhzDaViIQZryWnOMEXiavhyAdpVfI73B1ffty3pZcbSW8WHelgH6HwLgSynu1tBy1uqFILJj1oDvVMfQnE_TR_2D6MSE5uvIUjeYDJ/s320/Nat+and+Lani+1.jpg" /></p><p> </p><br />And we took the kids out the back for a picnic morning tea on Saturday. We took some pics, and Greg attempted to set up a family pic, but we only got this far, this kids didn't want to lie down together without kicking and trying to kill each other! (pic#3)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376390427326162690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqfkII1yDbrhbw1giQNAq1Rr43Efo6bcL8VvJFSORSGNFyXbcPftRNun8Lvoq2k_7RSryCPmkLj1YMuWQHxngP9P3pbK_0jpHMbuZKcCZkmcipDMSdCmAZGbeduAbb3IlDyRQ/s320/3+munchkins.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376390446591804098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM4xlu1qAT6k0_OMnl86HrJfwojIBFNatyNcd8S3yJOZERevvY0TnuowzSnI4u-qcVWXmLlmDe2fSFU-JXvdQ_zumziNgN3ugmvBOh1gzgIT_bkm6bQKVnYZEIVT3DVUr6Q68/s320/3+kids+and+dad.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376390436760591490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo24p9SjqIpnyO6S6gG4ZseaQwFH7w2MQbPkMzJncDCbt_k9JBhQZLR8k3YRZ008IQYDMF3CTBS6hK4VaUtq1JC6htnz4EZffUtHwmK1msT4Whg60FQJxsVIM7wmMvUBk-262x/s320/family+pic+attempt.jpg" /> </p><br /><br />Have a great night!<br /><br />P.S. I have no idea why the pics are showing up all speckled-y, they are clear when I view them on my computer... hmmm... I don't think I even made the file sizes very small either.... oh well...Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-79845491296704837812009-09-01T08:18:00.007+10:002009-09-01T13:35:15.051+10:00Play rooms, craft rooms and dragons...Hi everyone!<br /><br />Life has been busy. How's yours??<br /><br />We have our playroom back - yahoo!!<br /><br />Still working on transferring all the stuff into my craft room and deciding what gets the flick, but we're getting there and its SO GOOD to have the playroom back. This alone entertained the kids last week as they had *new* toys to play with again - things they hadn't seen in 2 months were favourites again!<br /><br />Here's some work-in-progress pics...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>The reading/puzzle/quiet play corner...</strong> (complete with number cards that are amazingly still there and haven't been ripped off the wall yet!)</span></em><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322295321643298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zdCWggK1C4QbY8F2B8r-qcX-th3hNYwAEwk9Cr4NGrelXKM5VhApCq8DebJQK-fg0kQk-1JXknx_KkXHu5h8rh6_XsxJMAgbc5MzTLCgBPc73H6CsPHOTXmvfBFZOPhKZO_3/s320/IMG_4664.JPG" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The arts/crafts/manipulatives table and chest of drawers to house everything like puzzles, crafts etc.</span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322312451392018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXhTV6oja7AvLGbFItQcNuhroDXUNFSaxA1Pd1OPwFNbAzUTmsqAJdiAaqNk4uTc5r-AqVY2z2KCmzU8MDBWNo-5fQpSt7AcplKiMKtcWln9JVTc3qtWVuZdZwwuHHX6DWXKq/s320/IMG_4666.JPG" /></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Looking across most of the room from the sliding door to backyard...</strong><br />(yes that is a giant Batman poster donning thw whole wall - compliments of Greg being an ex-manager of Toys R Us!)</span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322331015069746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6N8JHQuJpp1QDLVx_YGTFvwSsmEl1pvPYGzYnpAbiOcMHMuXSyn61Tyhkj4TN7pLVueIICqS0mDUOPqNLMwNWH68DFCSkYBa8EpsV3LDgLogKCriMkv737aNNYcwGlY7m7G9/s320/IMG_4665.JPG" /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The TV... and I FINALLY hung this IKEA toy storage thing up after having it for about 4 years! </span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh, and my ABCs :)</span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322302548043730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmSZilUuX6XK0BPe7N_TZvXfgSDCLeD4eAryHWpNkVonExHckjjEyCdtVTPNl8vaI13QRMEnTRjCodprw52URZIFqFyCGnQhsrptBA7j-7jwv69ZsXkpl6XAboC_xBRsZO6KQ/s320/IMG_4668.JPG" /><strong><br />Eli's train table...</strong> (and looking through the doorway of my craft room)</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322319028188098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q94vrf91yfIJfm3RHJNwx5h2gV-8mnk69wIKtwNiDRFsm2ddZb2YonkqpSppDsUq-4UXk-c9EtX08sHAmmcjQUrth-sWO05CP-U-_ahzEV3U2IULv-fsJABsAM4OeeDdQ24i/s320/IMG_4669.JPG" /><br />The walls are looking a little bare, and so I've got some things in store for those too, but they'll come when I get around to making/buying the things I need...<br /><br />Which brings me to my craft room... which is DEFINITELY a work-in-progress right now. I've spend hours and hours this week searching eBay and my new IKEA catalogue (drool) and google for inspiration and pieces of furniture to put in here to jazz it up and make it feel crafty and gorgeous and comfortable and dare I even say 'organised'... ha, now I just need the money and the time...<br /><br />Here's what it currently looks like...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking from the door across the little room to the window with its gorgeous window covering (a baby quilt I made for Jaidyn) while it awaits me to make some curtains...</span></em><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329075594696098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcaJitU7GQPAm_QnsbWxBKGEPiga_SEpl8TRPQNk_sF816u0Cs-A6JXG-swJIil8DpkNBRmIw9xnDd8ewlvOSMSD2r2293HoiovR5IH-941WyJ7OY0qoNfm82SEFmlmoFeZya/s320/IMG_4671.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Really the only part of the room that's 'set up' - this shelf housing photo albums, scrapbooking albums (which I wasted a few hours looking back through - ahh memories...), and some special things I love. Teddies made by my Nana. Circle Journals. Tins and other BTPs I've made (most not actually finished). And some things that friends have made me too.<br /></em></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329087707237586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN4otwKypAHPhOH_pK8wiYlaqX0eBCF9AMCg5cpnYSMPk7F2cEVNNSHncdEqhgjxI3jYADmHu7D1_2cpp4uwYwxQrMws3C6RjwjaWBT8d5b4wxvJBFLUmnKT5LeYiSPluw6tK/s320/IMG_4673.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329105120403250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vvTzq1NneWAfyBz9qAsBrSJ7KwvvJ2_5C5i7ziWwfAm1kmot501XxGapswirmi2SuxbmIKQf7NK_dbZfrBwl1W4iUrzPxA7x8GzOYd4nDoj4gdeWQZRl6UZsIm3o1MoHiJIg/s320/IMG_4675.JPG" /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's my sewing desk looking a bit drab and lonely - currently its being used as a 'dump as you sort things out' desk. I actually need to use it tonight though. Yay!</span></em></p><p><em></em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329100281867890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW7niG9kEdFrq4I-c2P8wPtq85qTaixthBq3jKDJmwqsowhoEZoHNDEdplrM_WEs6CNpk-r8wvOMzwdu8TbZxWDO2YcUDwFavvCgQFLOozxwFIXemIPbNJDxkZ6NoGPdd-UuY/s320/IMG_4677.JPG" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">And here's the space where my scrapping desk used to go. We're getting rid of it coz I can't fit my legs underneath it properly (it has an annoying cut out for your legs - and well maybe I'm just too fat now, but it sucks either way.)<br /><br /></span></em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329118677987698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdKt8bhOI8EcBIvjpY-Di9F4vucM23gPkB9JhiNYy8AJXiUazLIR7zraqNcntK5Ey0vGSR4gWk6TDunkrY4mz_ZQExYN9OOzDB046W0Irdvh7B95gphQDidJvPNrjXeyukbC2/s320/IMG_4678.JPG" /><br />I'm looking to put a tall desk/table here for cutting out. I need something that is me height (which may be hard being 6ft tall) so that I can cut without killing my back and without sitting on the floor, coz there ain't a lot of that in this room! I'm hoping to get an adjustable height table from IKEA. Then these fabric boxes will fit underneath, and maybe another storage unit too. (this table will probably also double as an outdoor table when we need it, so adjustable and moveable is a must).<br /><br />AND NOW..... THIS is the room I've been drooling over. Now I know mine will look nothing like it in the end, but I'm modelling my decor colours on this - yummy red and aqua and lots of polkadots - and I'm loving some of her storage ideas too.<br /><br />So drool away...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376285727839493650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadrAcZA5LntVRA_1RRCzp8SmXj_SIEW99JUAecUCx4NPdy5I1D33uvYrJM9volkNyXb9B-HfdkmaQJPSvWeQOqAMb06RKaFH_BpqAEOCdeNQ8EohKJiXil-tbFgBfecIZ2uDp/s320/crafty+intentions+red+aqua+room.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfoI-pywMXscheoYfqdoMzaVa9gU37T_xAl9CDEDyMrM4kAX4QJEYpJ7l2tn2syZA3WpCRGIoGmi9m4FsCDERLVNXf3kbQ8OC-XC-EhFGKWTb4teh2bw_yMKVmzEK-JCksaV6/s1600-h/ribbon+rack.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376285758393155154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfoI-pywMXscheoYfqdoMzaVa9gU37T_xAl9CDEDyMrM4kAX4QJEYpJ7l2tn2syZA3WpCRGIoGmi9m4FsCDERLVNXf3kbQ8OC-XC-EhFGKWTb4teh2bw_yMKVmzEK-JCksaV6/s320/ribbon+rack.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fmvu0-t_odkwsoUTfJkQjk3lugGt7W0Vp8ozkm2jU_uUq_nXejrm14mKVQET1hyBkACWa38H4nzshWMEtPtfXd5bwgduBtF7uX-Wbr1XW5oORgB6jz6geyL3GeBZ7yxbqZSb/s1600-h/crafty+intentions+jars+and+mag+strip.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376285750658603778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fmvu0-t_odkwsoUTfJkQjk3lugGt7W0Vp8ozkm2jU_uUq_nXejrm14mKVQET1hyBkACWa38H4nzshWMEtPtfXd5bwgduBtF7uX-Wbr1XW5oORgB6jz6geyL3GeBZ7yxbqZSb/s320/crafty+intentions+jars+and+mag+strip.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wtG9eU28kucp8MR1OSt1xT77q0xxpdtqfYyHPHjG1d3XVxHNtYgXtJjmcmLlhsGFHdU8ERucANrbYAxzZ3JSNu84c11mMunTE-Mgcqm7YbiFiwXuCBEPE_uFJQXVn2lSVtPV/s1600-h/crafty+intentions+tool+holders.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376285741344391682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wtG9eU28kucp8MR1OSt1xT77q0xxpdtqfYyHPHjG1d3XVxHNtYgXtJjmcmLlhsGFHdU8ERucANrbYAxzZ3JSNu84c11mMunTE-Mgcqm7YbiFiwXuCBEPE_uFJQXVn2lSVtPV/s320/crafty+intentions+tool+holders.jpg" /></a><br />And lastly, but not leastly, here's a little guy that Jai and I whipped up yesterday afternoon in about 40 minutes. Jai is doing drama at school and they need to make a sock puppet. He was not happy with his attempt and so I thought we'd make a simple one with some felt and button eyes... well it turned out harder than I thought for Jai to be able to sew when you have you make sure you don't sew through the other side of the sock.... and well we got a bit carried away with body parts too..<br /><br />It's a dragon, can you tell... I think he's pretty cute for a quick job!! Jai loves him too...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHDmp-bFgXxFrX8TCB8dTW4h1XvXwlq8cmcaSqhK9XFWOzs9sDXz4BhqPkPuLRhH8lHhqjlMmlkjjwq4OfVoaeaddbHYG-CgR0e_QjhhVLrAH3Z2rDNoHxG78Mbs7Er28yr1m/s1600-h/dragon+sock+puppet.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376259461761530050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHDmp-bFgXxFrX8TCB8dTW4h1XvXwlq8cmcaSqhK9XFWOzs9sDXz4BhqPkPuLRhH8lHhqjlMmlkjjwq4OfVoaeaddbHYG-CgR0e_QjhhVLrAH3Z2rDNoHxG78Mbs7Er28yr1m/s320/dragon+sock+puppet.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQTuBbVv1YQzFMp1290OfXCVs4mSKa7CzmARRCV85MgI71x9snX7jkFwJnh3dAvXFz9Q9NIADmfjQjDEdCy2dtJMTrljiZD6-acyJTMkRXE1ULfOL17kxZvhSp6ps50R3L9X2/s1600-h/Jai+and+dragon+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376259449952451794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQTuBbVv1YQzFMp1290OfXCVs4mSKa7CzmARRCV85MgI71x9snX7jkFwJnh3dAvXFz9Q9NIADmfjQjDEdCy2dtJMTrljiZD6-acyJTMkRXE1ULfOL17kxZvhSp6ps50R3L9X2/s320/Jai+and+dragon+1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5m2ZB4kPhzoNDiH1SQj92B0XJFUZO2Hvmgw3a6rTNzeZTMI7ARBFY-QVY9UCvqOYnfmudECotvqRqgUXTUDYneoU_-n1tnIGCYWbQOaK7PR_6eDe0YMgeO0RmgtexCanQknx/s1600-h/Jai+and+dragon+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376259425662719618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5m2ZB4kPhzoNDiH1SQj92B0XJFUZO2Hvmgw3a6rTNzeZTMI7ARBFY-QVY9UCvqOYnfmudECotvqRqgUXTUDYneoU_-n1tnIGCYWbQOaK7PR_6eDe0YMgeO0RmgtexCanQknx/s320/Jai+and+dragon+2.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoKIuyOLfK8l53chyphenhypheneQU6dcilaVygqNMbPinvpV_1bn0a-Q3DWw0hKNRyOXsqlX-EbotY3EpFfonJIJCPFszEUR9vlXPS-FBoGksigSLxnmyF27nY1JsRQrFbaf4Nf5tFH9es/s1600-h/Jai+kissing+dragon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376259416710266546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoKIuyOLfK8l53chyphenhypheneQU6dcilaVygqNMbPinvpV_1bn0a-Q3DWw0hKNRyOXsqlX-EbotY3EpFfonJIJCPFszEUR9vlXPS-FBoGksigSLxnmyF27nY1JsRQrFbaf4Nf5tFH9es/s320/Jai+kissing+dragon.jpg" /></a><br />Well, that's all. Its been a pretty mammoth effort to post all these pics, align them all right etc etc (blogger really doesn't like me I don't think) and I've almost used up all my 'kids sleeping' time...<br /><br />Ciao!Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-46143542462379797572009-08-19T14:10:00.004+10:002009-08-19T14:33:24.896+10:00Baking, riding bikes... just loving being at home!I am really enjoying being a SAHM this week, and getting into a good routine regarding housework etc. There's still a lot I need to get in place, but its starting to get rolling, and the house is being 'maintained' pretty well now, to that if we have visitors I don't feel horribly embarrased about the state of my home! <div><br /></div><div>This week we have enjoyed a playdate with one of my besties Sarah and her little man on Monday. Sarah is 6 weeks away from having twins - how exciting! I haven't seen her in so long either, hopefully we can make it a little more often now that I'm home (although soon she'll have her hands busy with twin newborns!)...</div><br /><div>Yesterday we did a bit of this.... baking choc/strawberry swirl cupcakes:</div><div>(Eli wanted chocolate, Lani wanted pink, so we did both and swirled them together, YUM!)</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371523198673174258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwMaaLTLTZxubhm-y5yewSMKuPiqyqobvftalCUF3hv_7dpED7kxetbmQ6zrMyZIl7DaCbmfmoini_OJnW9S05ZVexss1LSRADRcVhu6ytHVhoTfxCtLAGKWvSWFeA4SzaStz/s320/choc+strawberry+cupcakes+collage.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>And a bit of this... riding bikes and trikes (changed over often) under the house:</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371523221703634722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziutX5ZSxANOU_rSvBu6meO-NwtBaSlAeSSYZQHVt8jNvlZVGovlKZWb8V-9BUe6KebuVRIQGXjpiIDj5LLaimc8PY1g-CgJ7OjZFXisAdsQB5QTIJqHY5r1UK76TLgH_T5ot/s320/Lani+on+bike.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371523207624770402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGLF3tCJ0hQq2JabQnxHlc43hyphenhyphenfv6zp-7JhKv4eA9gsW6LE7Ckhw7Siy9FuuFf02mc0OdlHVV2uSJaI-5Nv01u8G0jaChqJEQSEn8E0V5z0myYBE-aagvvTDkxWOWsOFzvwlL/s320/Eli+on+bike+2.jpg" /> <div></div><div> </div><div>And also a bit of this... Lani's favourite thing to do - jumping!!</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371523214600758066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHxlgXf5oUxjuBW6ybi4yuCPsFxqKtjkYXyI-5pjNb80AN9rrZ7rsxjD1jmQGWAyp_PUALWHpnVu18llEq8qMIqs-EYEvkgqo_8VB5YwfeqwKYKJ90V8fILczIMqiV-7yB7jf/s320/Lani+jumping.jpg" /><br />In other news, Greg and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary last Friday. We would have *liked* to have been celebrating in New Zealand, but our potential babysitters (the in-laws) were galavanting around Scotland... so we might just do it next year!!</div><div> </div><div>Greg took the day off work (the joy of being able to choose his own hours, yay!) - and the monkeys were in kindy, so we had a hot date!! We went to the movies to see 'The Ugly Truth' and then had Hogs Breathe for lunch - YUM!! I forgot to take my camera to lunch though... </div><div>Then we had a rematch of Risk (coz I beat him the first time, ha) and a cheese/bickies platter after the kids were in bed. On Sunday we went for our tradition of buffet breakfast up at Mt Cootha (where Greg proposed)... we just LOVE going up there - child-less of course, although it would be nice to take them up there some time too...</div><div>Here's a couple of snaps we took 'up top'...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371525290276812146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-nhcstQ_u3-jIex1PYgXJHBYs74w1ES6JbqyxYXsn_Me8ktDmMtH46LmgwfwLy368yB6fTxX_y9US0Jf9Exb1AnHStCA_JoMiESSBtE19PGtHu9jSH4v5xa5HTWdCLWnJ0UI/s320/nat+and+greg+on+mt+cootha+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371525302780953682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0BXdGoIlb_T2RkQP1TYGZ5lo48ejCflw93I_bQpjpRoNVvf_6ioUJptAxo8wtfoB1msoLpQHiUWXQPP0Udo6nha_tk-lr0c8C2sjjEuxx2nYHw1nLCCZ6_0x035ljRUD0o16/s320/nat+and+greg+on+mt+cootha+1.jpg" /></div><p>Love you so much honey!!</p><p>The joy of being a SAHM will see me going on a school excursion with Jaidyn tomorrow to a local environmental educational centre. I used to LOVE going one when I was in school, so I'm looking forward to being able to support Jai in his schooling and hopefully I won't be an embarrasing Mumma - too much!</p><p>Bye for now xx</p><p>Today I'm thankful for:</p><div>1. Not really losing too much money by stopping work - which REALLY makes it worth it!</div><div>2. Rest time... ahh bweet bliss</div><div>3. A mostly tidy home (just don't look too closely, ha!)</div><div>4. That our flooring will be FINISHED this time tomorrow, and we will be able to set up downstairs again - yay my craft room back!!!</div><div>5. Godly women. Love you all xx</div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-17715217087085964872009-08-12T07:59:00.012+10:002009-08-12T10:03:15.499+10:00August so far, in pictures...Was just looking over my pics from the last couple of weeks (I am taking many more now that I'm *home*, yay!). And I thought I would get some up here, just 'in review' kinda thing...<br /><br />Most are from around the house, playing and spending time together...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Jaidyn, up a tree in the backyard... he loves it.</span></em><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hvHWPqORTuwc54mbwfOfUqQvn2D4pnHqLfdZ2v4ExnszCJm1ME1wuMyT4J0na1VIJ33LuNyK0eRxbHNLlFvKSpoI6tiYmqcydp-3u8qJW2zTzCW7te_dgKaCiUtEXWwtDtqC/s1600-h/Jai+in+tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368853839611126690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hvHWPqORTuwc54mbwfOfUqQvn2D4pnHqLfdZ2v4ExnszCJm1ME1wuMyT4J0na1VIJ33LuNyK0eRxbHNLlFvKSpoI6tiYmqcydp-3u8qJW2zTzCW7te_dgKaCiUtEXWwtDtqC/s320/Jai+in+tree.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">And striking a pose...</span></em> </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368830428287748578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu6kNqtOFqRvk7eSHEIEeLzs1aMWYh81K5einO0jiKJrrRusmG5U361QoFaeX802E6pTbOFT8iouJLan1jNVwEYJFA5fXnw2HMwn0IoBLI4pAQkEireoJWPD-HnUEBjtxC6Mr/s320/Jai+strike+a+pose.jpg" /> <div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Eli having a ball at the playground...</span></em><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368830437364214866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-Cwu3j1lfAoDRrGUZhZmbXYr0AXI3lHrgNUCaoTGq-GtJFxOVnbmw8KRA5-jRI407cuhRYwbY6nvD50Qk8mFjwQXCyKk-Ahyphenhyphenii2XL9_WexhSosVW-M8nEf_F3yCR4EDiVMpa/s320/cheeky+eli.jpg" /></p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Proud Mummy moment - Eli writing his name - at only 3!!</span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JWBWRVZcSisqWJsd8jeecwKu9_sAGblew7_3B5aLxTyAAxE-2hwB2Wdx4Mov0BwqHA9-TMs-LwEeRDVUmm9buXZ8wLA4_rWnvq7o4z3zySklnLlhuCac9-mIU_PHEEp_-shJ/s1600-h/Eli+writing+his+name.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368837370830732018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JWBWRVZcSisqWJsd8jeecwKu9_sAGblew7_3B5aLxTyAAxE-2hwB2Wdx4Mov0BwqHA9-TMs-LwEeRDVUmm9buXZ8wLA4_rWnvq7o4z3zySklnLlhuCac9-mIU_PHEEp_-shJ/s320/Eli+writing+his+name.jpg" /></a> <div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Making playdough cakes and blowing out the candles...</span></em></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368830455975617218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUxBbWQpLMlefMhlxQqNXap3NXpF0A2RK3dZVJ0jg1sxi1Z-wWdMUuTb7io9dWOcD_4QMatPpIVjCyC_jiV_p-TgTpOmYUEFy-eDRavvjxq0084CcsuAGv8iTmRdVUO1weKmW/s320/Eli+playdough+cake+collage.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368830464592810818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOA6lCVRMi0e98xdmmz5eZvd7gWIBjdYspuq_vjmFP7nXw1KzR_xybQJATDhzJiruHtFVg2aYHEGeCZAynugIFxAi5EYKecFr4QBX79hp6J2rfNM6lNlBNnqao2nfLlxRh3Px/s320/Lani+playdough+cake+collage.jpg" /></p><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Lani NOT going to bed! Cheeky (but beautiful) girl...</span></em> <div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368834231040346434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGdH9iqIp7iYUwcfARqsuxMUND0UljqM7kprCitcqe0-dB6dpjioHtZT1FCwcCHpZy2ztUjoXSItQHQukbgNHm8WilnvmAAPrGMLWceUZAIKmTjck_2gsKvFOF7JjNJ1lgyfX/s320/lani+not+in+bed.jpg" /></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Eli being cute...</span><br /></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuRntgkk0O4fro6n6Ybg7zRBmCC89-wAmUEJDOZuQnAhINt9Z1oK5CURo0CYgljrU5kcAtfoCe4XBZz3gv7kbKFn0NvEv2yAgJLlJcGK566WjPSEC6d-MINgTb6Xm3li3Ldxr/s1600-h/big+smiles+Eli.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368837360045852338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuRntgkk0O4fro6n6Ybg7zRBmCC89-wAmUEJDOZuQnAhINt9Z1oK5CURo0CYgljrU5kcAtfoCe4XBZz3gv7kbKFn0NvEv2yAgJLlJcGK566WjPSEC6d-MINgTb6Xm3li3Ldxr/s320/big+smiles+Eli.jpg" /></a> <div>And my time... </div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Washing and folding...</div></span></em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368834221318231234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXEQRkgXSb3ljOsIQtMQ2VyoNAy5_Gi7IiFo0W18fqw3UHbZBirdN-iUUVATCIHBjeZmJIAPIUhT0IMKC31B12oO2H5yLkdiIoU0mvagFnYBOArLlIusVyX_VeUoxxCwx3hL4/s320/washing+to+do.jpg" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Dishes (and lots of them at times!)...</span></em> <p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368834212707785250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROzeYE8lm6bM3QBbJQvlKOWZf4e-1CrawWoZIe6jLIp0cwi0e9hTfqdhRa0Zt_c_vuS76aIivX-3hOGS4_-EpnUem_hCg6GDKu91Rait0B8OuTgD-m6PP4W4-wz03a1Mq7VWU/s320/dishes+to+do.jpg" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Baking some gorgeous black and white cupcakes for a special Ladies Pamper Night at church... and spending time with my friend Kerryanne at said Pamper Night (except thre's no more photos coz my battery died right at the start of the evening!)<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368834237120246162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDC-8xh98SYTbChSEGRRBwBGR8vyozqIGfOeGQj8Lv1uYxDGUY8OvW9lJZpVBEcTP1X4apMLx0nh25fDCLbJWiWsrBmS_mi7RMn6wrsODlGRLI06udDvy98wCSwp_iedZvJN-/s320/black+and+white+cupcakes.jpg" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3r3DgFlk9fUzLsXV4kXYxi2VQsXnYAxUlUwuVBSYKRBKm7lb03k0HNXRu4aC6PazigYs4hvHiXRcqikRad2Ba1gB6sHIu8KGfO6jsA961YrKX0ppAfV8h3VlXYDWEg-KUObh/s1600-h/KA.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368853007258341810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3r3DgFlk9fUzLsXV4kXYxi2VQsXnYAxUlUwuVBSYKRBKm7lb03k0HNXRu4aC6PazigYs4hvHiXRcqikRad2Ba1gB6sHIu8KGfO6jsA961YrKX0ppAfV8h3VlXYDWEg-KUObh/s320/KA.jpg" /></a>And a spot of sewing (I found my patterns and some fabrics!)...</span></em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368834249467901298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZIwz2qDkZbYVdFqRb4gTmdbosr1sIhZgQjQly1qkZHz9it0kE8Izsdw35Buyn2IGrPCIFBplSAeGcI3xaQKyw5tjyYkieMC_fRNGxx6Jm9G1e2GPN4Yo-FC2ea04fGzn3hJs/s320/sewing.jpg" /> <p></p><p>I made this journal cover from <a href="http://http://thejanellewindcollection.typepad.com/photos/the_janelle_wind_collecti/thelmas-day-out---pattern-photo-small.html">Janelle Wind's</a> Thelma's Day Out pattern. Its for a friend for her birthday this weekend. I really like how it turned out, just don't look too closely! I'm going to make a few of these - they will make lovely gifts. I was thinking I might even try and modify one to fit my Bible, what a pretty cover that would be.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4c63Q3jkxoKcjpzgk2UgmbS2HStDqTD1o2VUUH2Bi84e3zVI0DwvY4j7eh1UlYnmXCsjnmHqCXNP_VmjosGOGYHAtr3IVn3BYXCH0BS1IBxHoLmz0d9_ZN13goPtt2Z6KEQs/s1600-h/thelmas+journal+cover+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368838898711237538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4c63Q3jkxoKcjpzgk2UgmbS2HStDqTD1o2VUUH2Bi84e3zVI0DwvY4j7eh1UlYnmXCsjnmHqCXNP_VmjosGOGYHAtr3IVn3BYXCH0BS1IBxHoLmz0d9_ZN13goPtt2Z6KEQs/s320/thelmas+journal+cover+1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WwgVnd5jo93Do2gJWA9a1TXsDsFVJZfLBEGjWouDBltq8UVfvzezbZVZ-HDw1m3Pdy2Girnv80dHpe8XAtiQbw1U6cIv7LrwsUYsSjNXjx3o9vEztFV4c1r7jREnHe3V6GW-/s1600-h/thelmas+journal+cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368838910025739890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WwgVnd5jo93Do2gJWA9a1TXsDsFVJZfLBEGjWouDBltq8UVfvzezbZVZ-HDw1m3Pdy2Girnv80dHpe8XAtiQbw1U6cIv7LrwsUYsSjNXjx3o9vEztFV4c1r7jREnHe3V6GW-/s320/thelmas+journal+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2K6JWiBC6djmeB2QBFK3iA3veo-_DR2c7id1PYDS3Hkj6AjHvd8REh8XPGYvQkN_I3Xg0v5b6gDaVFBp3_7ZdfIzUkcYqUz66g_wwEfA0yx14CnOx1Mc1s9ubpyBbuNzvYUR/s1600-h/thelmas+journal+cover+inside.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368838906363134818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2K6JWiBC6djmeB2QBFK3iA3veo-_DR2c7id1PYDS3Hkj6AjHvd8REh8XPGYvQkN_I3Xg0v5b6gDaVFBp3_7ZdfIzUkcYqUz66g_wwEfA0yx14CnOx1Mc1s9ubpyBbuNzvYUR/s320/thelmas+journal+cover+inside.jpg" /></a> <div></div></div><br /></div></div></div>Anyway, that's about it. This post has taken me AGES to get right! (blogger is not liking uploading photos for me at the moment...ggrrrrr...)<br />We have our Brisbane Show holiday today. Greg's currently out playing golf, the kids are happily playing outside (for a few moments at a time between yelling at each other) and we're off to a friends for a BBQ lunch soon, so I better get out of my PJs and get organised! <br />Hope you're having a lovely day...<br /><br />N xx<br /><br />5 things I'm thankful for today:<br />1. A day off to spend with family (even if they are currently driving me nuts)<br />2. That I got my sewing finished, yay!<br />3. Coffee (Eli thought it good to wake up at 5am, so I'm tired already!)<br />4. Times Tables on CD<br />5. The Word of God - refreshing and renewing each day.Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-73113918165672499552009-08-08T09:15:00.002+10:002009-08-08T09:24:38.421+10:00He pampers my soul...Our church is having a Ladies Pamper Night tonight, and I've been asked to share a testimony on how I feel 'pampered' by God. I had some great God time last night, and this is what I'm going to share tonight:<br /><br /><em><strong>HOW I FEEL PAMPERED BY GOD...</strong><br /><br />There are many ways in which my God pampers me, making me feel loved, cherished and special. I know that He loves me so much, and wants me to sit in His beautiful presence and feel like a Princess. Tonight I will share 3 ways with you.<br /><br /><strong>1. His People...</strong><br />I feel very blessed by the people that God has brought into my life – people from all places (many here in this room) - and many that I would not have met without the Lord’s leading and perfect timing and ‘divine appointments’. He has brought me many beautiful strong Christian friendships with women of all ages –and He uses these friendships to strengthen me and speak to me in times of need. It might be a phone call, an email, a simple encouragement or even a spiritual rebuke. But God uses the people around me to refresh my soul, to give me rest, to encourage me, and this makes me feel very loved and very blessed. He looks after me by the people He puts around me.<br /><br /><strong>2. His Word...</strong><br />The Word of God is truly a pampering in itself. God reveals Himself to me slowly and beautifully through His Word. He shows me that He knows the deepest desires of my hearts, that He knows when I’m hurting (and reminds me that He has felt this too), that He knows the temptations that might be plaguing me at any given time… and He guides me in His ways, gently and lovingly. He also uses His Word to unlock the promises He has for me – promises to prosper me with a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), promises that He will never leave or forsake me (Deut 31:6); promises that I have been set free (John 8:36), promises that He will never give me more temptation than I can bear (1 Cor 10:13), promises that I do not need to worry about my life because He has it in His hands (Matt 6:25-34). These (and the hundreds more that are in His Word) nourish my soul, give me strength and help me to face every day.<br /><br /><strong>3. His Rest...</strong><br />As a mother of three young, boisterous and energetic children, one of my biggest pampers from God is being able to Rest in Him. He knows when I’m weary, He knows when I need some sustenance and He gives it to me if I seek Him with my whole heart. He calls me gently to come and give Him my burdens (Matthew 11:28-30) Sometimes it might be a feeling of peace that washes over me, sometimes He whispers a sweet reminder of His love for me, and at other times he speaks directly to my heart about something I’m facing. It’s amazing how different a day of mine can pan out if I give Him some time each day – time to just stop and listen. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect at this or anything, in fact, only in the last few weeks have I REALLY heard God talking to me in that still small voice. And He has shown me glimpses of His plans for me, He has given me overwhelming rest at times (sometimes almost instant even) and He has refreshed my soul and given me energy to face the rest of my day.<br /><br />And so I encourage you all to give your whole hearts to Jesus every day, so that you don’t miss out on the pampering He has just for You. I think we can all too easily just miss it. We get caught up in our day to day events – work, the kids, housework, cooking - as a woman the list goes on and on… but don’t be too busy for Jesus. He has so many treasures in store for you and me. He wants to shower you with His Love and His gifts and His presence. So stop, just for a few moments even, and give that time to Him. And you will be pampered. For we are His Princesses and He wants to treat us like royalty!<br /><br />And I want to end with this excerpt from the book 'His Princess: Love Letters from Your King' by Sheri Rose Shepherd.<br /><br /><strong>My Princess - Hear My Voice </strong><br />I am always here for you. I'm never too busy to talk to you, My beloved. If you will turn off the things around you that drown out My voice, you will begin to hear Me in your spirit. When you don't know where to go, you will hear Me give you divine direction. When you are in need of a friend, you will hear Me whisper "I am here". When you need comfort, you will hear Me call to you, "Come to me." Don't let the voice of your own uncertainties distract you from My still, small voice. Quiet your spirit, and know that I am your Heavenly Father and you are My precious daughter - and I love when you listen to Me.<br />Love, your King and the Voice of Heaven.<br />John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.<br /></em>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-39155959269157668652009-08-06T13:20:00.005+10:002009-08-06T14:30:32.781+10:00An ending, some happy snaps and a pig...I finished up at work yesterday, and it was a bit of a bittersweet day. I was very excited to be finishing work and starting my new (again) role as SAHM but I will miss all the kids and staff too.<br /><br />I had a great day though. <div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>My gorgeous Assistant Elizabeth made me a cute piggy cakewhich we all oohed and ahhed over and then devoured... poor piggy....</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Me and Liz... this girl rocks. She's so much fun and so great with the kids. I'll miss this smiling face and beautiful character.</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366687450314232194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mPmxHa9ND3PJdx3uAVCPXLoS0yxZZOmbJRtW8AQQUUXhsBaAt6JBnU_obOUenLvVXB65onixVPO27NByzlhbSJL5mcu9Q4GaoYCL8yYhRlhCvLQhe-1Uuqg02JJ99tBR6YRG/s320/Nat+and+Liz.jpg" /></span></div><div></div><p><span style="font-size:85%;">My piggy cake... (which ones the pig huh? Knew you were thinking it...)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366687440456030594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicon-YDme1Gt4hm9DkMZ4af02vNllfGzn8ngWz_CgawvBCfWPXI9HehH791uagy8xVOqHGftqHOI7v_2dAY7x07Tm4HrI_jM6EaiGSa-Cg6CZsFh8tdf98IILsZuPE7JDhFBiH/s320/Nat+and+piggy+cake.jpg" /></span></p><p>The girls (and boy!) bought me some lovely gifts too - a pretty bookmark, a perpetual calendar with verses for Mums on it, a cute packet of buttons and a voucher for Spotlight - they know me well! And beautiful words in a card too. I have loved working with these fabulous people - learnt so much about myself and each other too, grown in God together, shared parts of ourselves, even cried together - and of course many many laughs too. I have learnt so much about being a teacher, working with children, and being a Christian, and feel very blessed for this great opportunity I've had to work in a Christian childcare centre. They aren't getting rid of me totally though, and I'll be in and out doing relief work. </p><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's me and my beautiful boss, Glenda. Amazing boss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366687448465655874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9xzoiItDQLooy8KK0tod0rP1fpTlcT5TyVTlVP4lBGTsh5OsSMj2Y8KXEsFxsjpZDh0sWg6K1yQx3Xwhb9pHrazba6QIKR3R6bLGXM0qgbbK9R4GA0u3bfRof6edHyt8mWAM/s320/Nat+and+Glenda.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Me and Suzie, who I job-shared with for a while last. This woman has a beautiful passion for God and for His children. </span></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366687463932032898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsl80vjB7-QKmGH6U3hYCMgqywptn7eUV4s-SD9TzcS26yKRGEY72A9Re-zqdLIwdQr9tkv6KvSNX-DTZQSHpjaScoL47GWKOi0T3y7fsXRwyQzS_i-d3nQ8CX4VCYD8oz9D7/s320/Nat+and+Suzie.jpg" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Miss Nita and I - have loved sharing stories with Nita and learning about her home in the Phillipines. Passionate sould too, this one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366693567587388114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOImkmqXsMYoF5KHh3p6x1hwZDuO3fA3WkcE78O-sM6mgJ0L4rZbjOdpy4DTj33PwsIGXX9qrjTcy6YhbFcZV0Y0MooyfUVvGR6l5XRJ2q0vdNohOA-E0XTs7MSVO76hQChBS/s320/Nat+and+Nita.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Telesia and I - funny girl, lots of fun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366693574888785010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrnfS4QJoWLrigB-K2c2e31rbqpcBWU79XAq_-vh7CtI-Q7aCNttXo6WjLXDqEAgIAoJuwRVvRAninsCOhNoHKK4h0jYqYO7S3lfBtdz5iPPNwpdporK6XXy9njl55vmSmHPZ/s320/Nat+and+Telesia.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Kerryanne is taking my place as Group Leader. Yes, we look alike.. and have had many of the kids calling Miss KA, Miss Natalie! Ha! I haven't worked a lot with Kerryanne but we've come to realise we have a lot in common and I'm sure its just the start of a beautiful friendship - I hope so at least.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366693550651487938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2s2M64zu-Gn9if4cUt-JCslYz0UpDvl2WTPj16Z9C_ebROI1HGk9NQXsz91z5msFpcjQP6hdk4gpQ153L8wQn1icUG7lcqS4YbPEBNguI8F7JCtlELv8CgxjlkNUiwLOn_Em/s320/Nat+and+KA+2.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">And there are a few that I didn't get to take a pic with - Chloe and Teresa who are overseas right now; Mr Reece, Fiona and our chaplain Mel who has been such a blessing to me.</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I even took pics with most of my kids... and had to take some with my *real* kids too!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366693584323275282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYFy5FwenYAX9BAO-qRUs6zfH0TVkrJQ1yDKcUwSisFEjJLV3cB2sYQbY95WeyvLV1_onNmwrnb4J2wigPWb6G98L88lEu-U9jj6NQfAez0RtaEKQ0c3uyVkSKGkYqbyIzLoU/s320/Nat+and+Lani.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366693543792822130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIzBKD3uKKWYhONKS7HO1RKxhEC4GM-ELgVbaNRiQ2Ir4zX0SeZ9znAM7RI9naDwE7AEwvG2Urn1jBQ5Aj7sLWQLWfuhMFUIrdGibGp5aSjTNUIbnRd1mSiwcqcYmRJNQVKlZ/s320/Nat+and+Eli.jpg" /></span></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Ahh, I'll miss being 'Miss Natalie' but I know that this is where God wants for this season, and I know that I'm going to thrive as 'Mum'...</p><p>God bless! xx</p>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-34915252993596303942009-08-01T14:35:00.007+10:002009-08-01T15:32:39.209+10:00Crafty goodness...In my frustration that I can't actually CREATE anything, what is a girl to do but search and drool and bookmark for later creative time...<br /><br />Found <a href="http://www.oneprettything.com/">One Pretty Thing</a> linked from Lusi's blog this morning, and OMGolly gosh, there are SO MANY gorgeous things to make there... its like a whole LIBRARY of tutorials...<br /><br />So here's just a few I'd like to try...<br /><br />this *gorgeous* gypsy button bracelet from <a href="http://blog.creativekismet.com/2008/09/23/gypsy-button-bracelet/">Creative Kismet</a><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364851712450164034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT4q30Eg8am-I4UCWh38x3wlQxYGf1SECbnSuVXJ3yGfCMwHI6nV5o63mdTOm2kEmi7M61-w0Z7GHrSqpwlxhKlOG3KSad5DQrSqRCEzbWHc-Elj-uwDIuUE022qbAE7S4eAW/s320/button+gypsy+bracelet+pic.bmp" /><br />And this other button bracelet too, also from <a href="http://blog.creativekismet.com/2006/07/03/button-bracelet-tutorial/">Creative Kismet</a><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364856928588061154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-6JZNV1IeSXCaLUezWrJjiDkt-hBX0qCZX8f2UG2GMQQj94WAg0R5wLU03J1-LYoh5k1UX6yeEg1yVHPSzNcfviKvSVi7aohGv7SNj6wqunqdBX04hloUy6zlwue6r8nb8EB/s320/button+bracelet2.jpg" /></p><p>Ooh and this one is equally nice... or even a little nicer, I like the leather... and the beads... from <a href="http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2009/07/tutorial-tuesday-button-bracelets.html">Hope Studios</a><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364862685748078338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZitnjLiQ7wrc5rjrl0s_BROs7u8l0LFaKWRNLw28hxT4Hjad4tyK2tGcg-qG9VPZ-Ni90A_P37lLgiaP5V_BUcoIcJt4s8vb3XRaQX1vi_FHE9fofr_jE2JtcJEhdh4LjXjxW/s320/button+bracelet+3" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364862689903162818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipttyZGYoL_QuOx_P8og_42H_mPboKPZzM9MaRPMzPy8Vl1NrORwCyeZ3b0gvDwXpxVtdWaRHIgkf56X1zx7C45xtyV6kN5BbhWfywZ9S6EX4dB0ppaDMNfFbSAtgkygVDvRds/s320/button+bracelet+with+beads" /> <p>And also this sweet little cupcake purse from <a href="http://paper-and-string.blogspot.com/2009/03/500-posts-craft-day.html">Paper and String</a> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364857898575843970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaRuFyf_04EQWQa_GG3oToW_pVm2XzlvQBq5r560mB2tPbqxENHmiXVFLEsQFcSsARjCWKRTCN1Ng3Ev2ZG5C-kkW8aqyMX4CfM4L6u_ItCfVXhwZbnfPEzNjQ_ShRd3oFnEI/s320/cupcake+felt+purse" /><br />That's gonna give my button collection a good run hey - think I might have to rally some friends and make button bracelets together - who wants to come?? Sounds like a great girly evening to me!<br /><br />Can't. Wait. To. Have. My. Craft. Room. Back. !!!<br /><br />N xxNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-88702955003433316702009-08-01T08:39:00.004+10:002009-08-01T09:30:23.522+10:00Re-decorating...Have done a little redecorating around my blog, hopefully making it a nicer place to visit :)<br /><br />I've had a nice two days as SAHM, and think I'm going to do an OK job of this!<br />I just need to remember to take some pics of our days, to share and to keep as reminders... Maybe I'll even scrap a mini-book or something with activity ideas or something... not a bad idea.<br /><br />On Thursday we had a couple of things to get at the shops first, so we went straight after dropping Jai to school - yes we were organised! The monkeys were well-bahaved, thankfully!<br /><br />Then we went for a play at the park to wear them out. Eli and Lani both climb so high on the climbing walls - above my head! Its a little scary, but I know they are both great climbers, so *hopefully* won't fall - I'll just stand below them in case though! Next time we go to the park I'll take some snaps.<br /><br />After rest-time, it was home to lunch and a little play - or did they watch a movie? - and rest time. I even got out my sewing machine during rest time and had a little sew (finishing off some nappies) while listening to my worship music and stopping a little to read some of the Word. Glorious!! I love the monkeys to death, but I do LOVE rest time!!<br /><br />They wake up not long before Jaidyn comes home. Greg was also home pretty early, so I worked on homework with Jaidyn while Greg took the monkeys outside to burn some more energy on the trampoline and swings. Homework with Jai always seems to be a struggle, esp as Thurs is currently the only afternoon we get a good chunk of time to go through it - and of course he's left most of it till then *sigh*. It always seems to end in tears of some sort. He just doesn't seem to get that I'm trying to *help* him by explaining things out properly. Definitely one thing about being a SAHM that will be good - getting into a DAILY homework routine that's manageable for both of us! Jai has been struggling quite a bit with his times tables lately. Well actually, he's never really learnt them - and that's partly my fault too for not being diligent to go through them with him each day. He's been getting barely any right on his tests recently, and so we really nutted out the 8x last week (of course the hardest ones!) and I showed him a way to work them out. He seemed to understand them, and got 4 right on his test, which was really good coz it was an improvement! He was happy when we were going through them at home, and appeared confident too. Which is a great lot more than he was the week before! And so come this week - the 9x - I knew he'd do better again. I showed him an easier way to remember the 9x (on your hands... remember?) and he seemed to get it (although I'm not sure what the teacher would think with him holding his two hands up in front of his face for the test, lol)... his Nan also sent a Times Tables CD that she bought him in London last week. Its great! Jai and I spent some of Thurs evening dancing around the loungeroom calling out our 9x tables to the music, and making up different dance moves for each answer. I think at first he spend more time laughing at his goofy mum's rap moves than actually learning his times tables ,but by the time he was in the bath, he could throw me a few answers - x2, x3, x4, x5, x8, x10...! So we'll definitely be using this CD with all of them, as we'll need to go back over all the earlier ones that he doesn't really know at all... AND he got 7 on his test yesterday!! Woohoo! So proud of my boy!<br /><br />Yesterday I took the risk and did a small grocery shop with the littlies. We are flat broke this week, but I managed to keep the weekly shop to under half our normal budget, so we'll get by. We'll eat. I know God looks after us and provides us all our needs. In fact, its quite liberating to menu plan with little sometimes, and actually doing it! Makes you wonder what you actually spend more on? Well, I'll have to get use to a little tighter budgeting as I won't be working anymore. Life is good though.<br /><br />The little ones were really good at the shops again, praise God! They can really be a handful if they want, so its fully God with us when they are well-behaved! We came home and made some playdough together and they amused themselves with that (and some buttons and paper-clips) for a little while so Mumma could hang out washing and all those domestic things. Then chicken nuggets for lunch and bed! I just pottered around this rest time, read some Word again, played with the minimal fabric I have upstairs, but not enough to really DO anything with,, ggrrrrrr...<br /><br />I am feeling really blessed by getting into His Word each day. Its been ages since I've actually done it consistently, but its not that hard right now - well on the days I've been home anyway. God's really placing the desire in my heart to just get into it and see what He has in store for me.<br /><br />I've been keeping up with the 'Restoring our Womanhood' devotions each week on the SOF blog. Its really helping to keep things in perspective, and to seek God for my answers to the weekly questions, and what He wants me to do. I still have to make a journal and actually get into a habit of writing it all down, but I'm still there reading and thinking and praying about it.<br /><br />Anyway, Saturday is running away before my eyes, so we should probably do something (get that husband of mine out of bed for starters!).<br /><br />Hope you have a blessed weekend.<br /><br /><strong>10 things I'm thankful for today:</strong><br />1. The Word - I'm reading the Psalms right now, good stuff!<br />2. Jai's new times table CD - gonna really help!<br />3. Weekends. Love that I can just do nothing if I want to...<br />4. That my sis is coming to church with us tomorrow night, that ROCKS!<br />5. Kids Craft Weekly - gonna save me being a SAHM - lots of crafty goodness<br />6. Lusi's gorgeous blog and all her encouraging words.<br />7. My gorgeous kids - even if they're fighting much of the time *sigh*<br />8. Worship music<br />9. Crafty blogs/sites - love em! Just found 'one pretty thing' today - see sidebar... yummm!<br />10. beautiful wintery weather today - gotta get outside and do something!!Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-6207346063082136932009-07-30T11:35:00.002+10:002009-07-30T11:48:40.307+10:00ThankfulnessI was really blessed this morning as I did a bit of blog-searching - coming across two little 'gems' with wonderful words of wisdom to bless your day and change your attitudes right on the spot. Check out Karen L's blog and Gayle's too.<br /><br />This little list was on Karen's blog this morning - about having an attitude of gratitude. Thanks Karen, I was really inspired as I read through this list - being thankful is such a great thing to have in life - it can change your mood, your day and those of the lives and people around you. So put into practice a few of these little treasures.<br /><br /><br /><strong>20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude</strong><br /><br /><em>1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.<br /><br />2. Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.<br /><br />3. Pick up after yourself.<br /><br />4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.<br /><br />5. Say I love you before going to bed.6.Give hugs daily.<br /><br />7. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.<br /><br />8. Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.<br /><br />9. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.<br /><br />10. Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.<br /><br />11. Encourage someone with a compliment.<br /><br />12. Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.<br /><br />13. Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.<br /><br />14. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.<br /><br />15. Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.<br /><br />16. No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.<br /><br />17. Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.<br /><br />18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards of special times.<br /><br />19. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.<br /><br />20. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>10 Things I'm thankful for today:</strong><br /><br />1. Being at home today<br />2. That my house is still clean from our inspection on Tuesday<br />3. A great night's sleep (no waking children for once, yay!)<br />4. A lovely chat with a friend last night<br />5. That my husband loves his new job<br />6. Talking about the Holy Spirit openly at work yesterday - how awesome is that!<br />7. A cup of coffee in a pretty, tall mug<br />8. The Word of God and how God leads us to treasures He has just for us!<br />9. That the munchkins are sitting quietly watching a movie (or were 5 mins ago)<br />10. My family, with all our strengths and flawsNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-90576175172713844232009-07-27T21:13:00.005+10:002009-07-27T21:42:56.452+10:00New Do... and a wedding...I spent a lovely relaxing 3 hours at the hairdressers on Friday. They had a special of 3 services for $99 so I took advantage and had a style cut, colour and foils... I only ever get colour/foils when they're on special, so it was nice to have a little indulgence. I like my hair long (so does DH), and want to grow it longer, so I have kept most of my length and just had it re-styled and a fringe cut again. I went with a chocolate brown colour mixed with a bit of red, and red foils. The foils aren't as noticeable as I had hoped, but they look good in the sun particularly! I will have to take some pics in the sun, but here's some I took the other night at my friend's wedding (yes I took them of myself, lol!)... <span style="font-size:85%;">(actually, you can't really even see the foils at all here - it was night-time!)</span><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363097614910169570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2NdiAXmDkEL-CrW8EA8SG3BBDeJCgonpW-MYml3Ilxv2_N_1I_aswJ5Y9XbxJAc91tcbB9QgQZtZHBa6XU-pDrz7DBERcjN9GamDLZIu71K0YTZ3Syv7RQS683IyPsoB3OlH/s320/nat+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363097619185791602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GIGrVxsxQkP2rXkHjHHWg44vUFqbLAWbOPAkhriv_5i2oo6f_NPqdZk78AZJCKRn9-tPnpf7aFc4ZVPdKvqgGrXpYzBuX8bMuD4SroVjVP0a_WCOGftsVYm4XrNAWxtBrdLs/s320/nat+4.jpg" />We went to the wedding of a good friend of mine from highschool - Roxy and Robin. They have been together for 7 years and finally tied the knot at The Spit beach near SeaWorld, where they first met. It was a little windy, but was still a lovely service. Here's a few snaps.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking down the 'aisle' with her Dad. What bride wouldn't wear pluggers on the beach!?</span></div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363098728391569890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtR9eEukpFe89NnvqVYDKCzjXHo9-Cur8ldntHZFuoNqKUaFDjb8vsld6JHLanWJCKnJYX_2i92fLSGeLciyjPiwlp6B2uNj4m-XiKTOaTydAcQrLg8LRtNKiBtZ6Z7sRAzhF/s320/walking+down+aisle.jpg" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Exchanging rings... (they were clever and put ribbons on them just in case they dropped in the sand!)</span></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363098726538221298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHnbbb1Ko5a2u15S_mIooCGwSB7dXZL3YNPAQTxccdKFZAd4KB7HvlwnLNzWAp1oOkCG6VnVXb8jkNheOGcR3rJoOxg4ibJq8Crq4U97f2ijP3y4ImAu_W7LY4mHChNZGjv_-/s320/rings+1.jpg" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The kiss - how cute is this dip!!</span></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363098716445303314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjG8ipe3M9prRl-UnlNqw0B0CEEd1K07v4gWzRypPWsfJKmPG-Uyl71k9MEesdinuat2JCx-kKy7sPkKp8ykeH8aC3GMk8K0Cx86jWSL2xus8vAdIra7EBdXVkNyGJF6a3T1lM/s320/the+kiss+2.jpg" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Mr and Mrs Coleman!!</span></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363098718009853634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCcDwZF5wEQxhNpuq63vOUHNi-LZ-opadLcop8rwTXjyc2WnV5QfwYzazJkPCW87zJnwoRr9-tjhRkjbRCH77Elo1PulUNHdkL8ohizLLFh85XS3dho09VChB2LJ4m8qX_mIc/s320/happy+couple.jpg" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">And a little speech at the reception...</span></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363098733854183154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tmEsJ5wDxI26_0Y9v4WnH2LgOqlUscuWnKy7y2RTMcnHO5V4a58GaYsYzLgTUZVFhavFmlJqWmCW3q4PhodV3MQwreN_HfXAAjHYXmh3Jx6yjqkfNZWnCx9t_xqS0w6dhcGI/s320/couple+at+reception.jpg" /></div> <br /><div>Roxane was a beautiful bride in a gorgeous vintage-style dress. It was so nice to share this special day with her and Robin - we have been friends for 15 years!!</div><br /><div>I also got to have a little chat with her younger sister, Jacqui who loves my nappies and wants some. She's just started her own small business making stone casts of baby's hands and feet, much like the businesses Twinkly Toes or Lasting Impressions... except as she tells me, she's cheaper! AND she also does kitty or puppy friends paw casts too - so cute! So if you're looking at getting some casts of your little one as keepsakes, and you're in the Gold Coast/Brisbane area, search her on FaceBook (Lil' Sunshine) and book an appt. Tell her I sent you too!</div><br /><div>5 more days..... I'm not counting much huh??</div><br /><div><b>5 things I'm thankful for today:</b></div><div>1. iTunes and listening to worship music </div><div>2. Orange chocolate (thanks Marion)</div><div>3. My SOF girls</div><div>4. God's grace</div><div>5. That we have mad-cleaned the house for our inspection tomorrow! Yay, love having a clean house - pity it won't last long :( </div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-42168735413524019142009-07-21T21:20:00.003+10:002009-07-21T21:46:05.170+10:00Creating.... well sorta...<div>My sewing room and all it entails is currently in storage, crammed into our study, along with all the toys and furniture from the play room. We are in-limbo of having work done to re-waterproof downstairs - we have new walls and new paint-job, and now just waiting for the floor guy to come (was supposed to last Thurs but haven't heard from him, ggrrr)... so my stuff is in-accessible... but I'm starting to have withdrawals.... admittedly, I don't actually do a lot of crafting as I work 4 of 7 days, but I think not being 'able' to, I want to!!</div><br /><div>So anyway, in the absense of my sewing/scrapping stuff, I have been creating in the kitchen.</div><br /><div>My mate from work had his 19th birthday on Monday and he asked me to make him a police car cake (he wants to be a cop eventually)... and so on Sunday evening I embarked on the challenge to make a police car cake, which I thought would be much easier than it actually was. There was not many police car cakes that I could replicate from the Net, so I went about designing it myself. Ended up using a square cake and a bar cake and cutting and adding bits from both cakes together to make a shape that I think looked pretty good for a car (commodore style)...</div><br /><div>I used cream cheese icing, because its apparently whiter than buttercream, and the Qld Police cars are mostly white. I had a pretty cool idea too, to add pics of my mate to the front seat, then thought it would be pretty funny if I added pics of myself and the other girls from work in the backseat of the car - like he's arrested us and taking us to the station!</div><br /><div>Don't look *too* closely, but it turned out pretty good I think.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874498780000450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmFJRfrOv_RMMK_buf9thmp-Yk08ReM_PaUKZYSeTjzViBQZEypmnjfCcrFXQYOfs6rFlTKUq9UGex_0TsfSwgdpyFQDEfrgk9ijRI6cHNReZsY3pq3ZmtEmD9hJoZsMU5sZy/s320/reece+cake+1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874509339364754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-rnSGzdwGV28nNqoaGKqc0paFgoqEcB5pyTchSZJOXzs4HVHjhsZ8LU0ktnGhWr8zX4o7ifZv8cL5XtKO81deu1HAWdA2k4iG1l8zRK_JWZC5QUPI8Tv9l3uvtPhTVl9v4R8/s320/reece+cake+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874513028684434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixUW_ygM9FMLKSPARcomqNsTVzhcr_ZRzE2G_2ZrURLn1iIBcDroh9UwexvZqPKoJCDCpAQIuT8Tp4bu8-wBUNsbDsg_QXtLFENRweZnKDH7Jq8aYnnehl14rWesen-MtX2jr/s320/reece+cake+3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874495079768386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOM3RuuyOQxqbWVY9YVcDHgkx8YhlgyJyTsU1lvYkumQ4xy0HFi8Xvf2Ue0ZzezW1qt9ZiiVJPep39N4XAF4c9GmdF4EbCebLLu2XOnZ2sIUs4h3o1A1nbhZBT9NXMd1auTCt/s320/reece+and+his+cake.jpg" /></div><br /><div>He loved it, and so did the other girls from work. The actual *cake* wasn't too crash hot, and I need to work on some yummier ones - maybe mud cake or something for next time?</div><br /><div>Over at SOF, the girls are all participating in a Restoring our Womanhood study at the moment. Its VERY timely for me too, with becoming a SAHM - what I believe God has called me to be for this season of my life - again in a few weeks.</div><br /><div>Its a huge challenge to me about being the woman God has called me to be. First, His daughter: spending time with Him and reading His Word - a two-way relationship. This is something that needs a little work... Second, as a wife: serving, honouring, respecting my husband as head of our home. Loving him and showing him that love - and speaking his love language a bit more too. And thirdly, as a mother: spending quality time with all my kids, helping Jaidyn with his schooling, leading them in the ways of God, praying with and for them...</div><br /><div>That's enough personal challenges to keep a girl busy for a while, don't you think? And something that I will need DAILY help with - from God of course. I know that He will get me through these things... and it won't be all on Day One, in fact, it will take many many years, and I'll always be growing in these areas, but I have recognised that what these things are now is not what I or God wants them to be, not the PRIORITY they need to be. And so I will come to the cross each day, and ask for my God to get me through and teach me and help me to learn and change.</div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-3851778792184122192009-07-17T14:01:00.008+10:002009-07-17T15:15:25.533+10:00Knew there was something else....... I was going to post about...<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div>We took the kids to the Abbey Medieval Festival. We hadn't ever been before, and had lots of fun. Admittedly, its probably better for children a little older than Eli and Lani (Jaidyn loved it!), as there were times when they were a little unsettled - probably mostly from having to sit in the pram... but it was good regardless!</div><br /><div>Here's some pics!</div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Checking out the chainmail - its heavy!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359282963873752962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwxFoIbPwxQE7-5BpqRpp9Yr6AQgDqugMev8rp1xPHI9MLLKoMK12c-pfKj0oOh07WI3Io9xBjJxZp9r4gqF2DGVl02US08WWiIfGrzxQXUm96YZC-bh5A93J3hkd-N8yUk9U/s320/checking+out+chainmail.jpg" /></span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">A very cool tree lady on stilts who was walking around...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285294322627394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh-YYksdZOdBGebjKkwwdnCKq-JJSpL892cTJjE3UaJ_EnwwldXe50t13rWgRfE5JBdAkyvqk9LssjUTJIbr3xy5CKkcun0B82wsuiFYGqrnUqUL5rOt7wiUFeACc0jJBiMUs/s320/tree+lady.jpg" /></span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the medieval encampments out on the field...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285298473318770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ_27duLFnv-u_PkqBuhVyB31u_JUFnh0CNIcr0SLV1zj0pGMb3iM_54T7qnt0OKHzolmig048gRK8Uv0RWcDutodlRN6LC6RUVtrWfgos45czXVOf_fd6A5jL6Dh4OPAdSa6/s320/team+tent.jpg" /></span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">My handsome big guy...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359282978443641426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRI2wE5UN3LyPtneImSi2SZYrg-7mp21CWAaZGNCvP13rQXOHRBFv2GkwnOKKsRhWimA0s3aS_T_VKWdvCp_OtQgT8AxYr_i8InTKdlQehyphenhyphen-7zCyyOaiBmQX1atRwZIUK9lCx/s320/handsome+Jai.jpg" /></span></em></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Jaidyn and Eli patting the goats at the gypsy settling...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359282962712476658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H-u8q3JKIn5VSUiAv53qXEoB0qIXdFNwhEUMW8GPX9uwsk-iiC9tgU7OaiEBs4KTyMC-AP_mbfLHhfNQ3MY3tNUktv2Hkdc-4FyjbM0SOo39uJmnniNElNonx-P-DH16BLLg/s320/boys+patting+goats.jpg" /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Nuns in authentic attire...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285302004594530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry30YArvpd-SeyWv2ClZwH-9tw9knCh5Jhuyj1l7ZxsGtErQ7_1JAue9j9hq9StMRP5nhZt-Q6_H6JyvZ96JD4T4QpuF5lcWDWoMB_ex6_SVEaQ-N8-ZsCwK1yN_I3863ET9V/s320/nuns.jpg" /></em></span></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">My boys posing with some serious knights armour!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359282958882641138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR4IS96gR-gJExZXksz6RPWSCSzQg76iINgMncyu9v4omRcwoitPEWqIE1DNGNOf6e80Mr5xHDq4sxrLmSKXGMqrMSMMF646t4IEs0pIjEy6I1kpLhVDqvzsYOnbxGS8PkWKW/s320/boys+and+armour.jpg" /></span></em></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The boys in particular loved the sword-fighting tournaments. Muscle, brawn and metal - what else could a boy need?? Greg watched in awe and a bit of envy too I think... he took sword-fighting lessons a little while ago and loved it, and would still be doing it if it wasn't so expensive... so he was in his element...</span></span></div><div></div><br /><div>They had a few small fights throughout the day, and a big tournament at the end of all the knights, fighting for their ladies' love! Greg sat in the sun with the zoom lens on, loving every minute of it...</div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>All the knights' swords lined up for battle...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285306893705810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4nJ7ImTb957XReAesiiDERUPs22f2fGPjRorHS7Jo8D3fHiQ8ejhf4X8Ps7hUS-OupZwyNPNFTo_Ssf9cwPmTST7PBEgdHBenz6xw7X5M5OX6u7JCKWtSRiZznLOvWCe5-0a/s320/swords.jpg" /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Knights in action!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359290153087067330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEapktbGLBDM5w4FNYS1gfI2J2X3RS8ymb3ImsoXIcx8LV2NTE_3sRm178t2M62BIKUxI23G5mbowTHPzvJHbpA_P7SunxSbSwevjoj04ask19qtyx2waDX5xj9rbMkCTDvud/s320/knights+duel+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359290145321313522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77hGTfA6P3c6i4wezhhIQzzbmB4fgq1cMZgPhKcwwm3_fwnfGEIXuNuxl6j42GEBvfzcahUMW62sDOPeUWMXpJlacpVvl-LwCxsxCzyO7j_msvPRrISQO_CxbYhimB1J-K0Pu/s320/knights+duel+1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359290153408853730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lhgiOn-lBt_EoJRUGpBLCzbqAaF1fJjXMvza1RDesGITfocpEknhtDsjGo44xI_cksqfHojP9ZBoJdvjM4j0gFYk1Ut2HdILp0_3221atPlXdJPqwYonE0baZq-zC_MBVI-B/s320/sword+fight+common+1.jpg" /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>A noble knight taking a bow to his opponent...</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359290154328412946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgTcGCl88CabCb1sIns_LtVU2Z4M5h104G0UyHJ0iIGhh26onSqNPKaojUR_YKnt3HCZ2q_GRc4ukn3loKWnfPmj7y8V7UGOFpjGWoT-rxcpDewuHrLq74Qgo-FH6zxIgauSm/s320/knight+bowing.jpg" /></em></span></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Jaidyn in his shining armour (and later Grandad made him a sword too!)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285287413423810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2crlcFC0uMLrWRKOnDRDN6Ek_vdATO01BM5FfZvyI65EaPqH3HKhbr8K_LGNfCaOddKwNeSWVG7TBhP3wfoGKo051vmpJkGzGDbVmH4BuqizVslJ0BszyS85Cj0vWoiOLQme/s320/knight+jaidyn.jpg" /></span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;">It was a very exhausting day for little knights... he's asleep with his helmet on! Too cute!</span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359282975610799698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhh0UhIK_3RqWV2qWI32R1bNqSNWydr2gTl0IZr3thuMeKvqw-6rGxXLUboVUAk3Ijals_oYSDLIhokqL_zjHKlkYO-XeV1zcnGVLYXJz_fE_ahZCwoXXrB8KSCVjtW2QR8Q9/s320/eli+asleep+in+helmet.jpg" /></span></em></div>And if you're wondering where Lani was, yes she was with us, she just chucked a wobbly each time I tried to take a pic of her - so the only one I have, she is screaming at me!</div><div> </div><div>We decided that if we go again (maybe not next year but year after?), we'll all dress up in costume!! Fun!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-58038143679571816452009-07-17T13:38:00.003+10:002009-07-17T13:57:56.356+10:00Practicing...I have officially resigned and will be a full-time SAHM in about 4 weeks time.. Woot!!<br /><br />Have had two days this week to practice this SAHM mum thing with 2 toddlers!! And eek, its going to be tough! My two are at a 'wonderful' stage (mostly the 3 year old one) where they just pick and fight and argue with each other all day - its very draining!!<br /><br />Yesterday was tough! We don't have access to our playroom (and most of the toys) right now, and it was cold and windy outside and so it was a loooong day inside together! There's only so much movie-watching and duplo building they want to do! We did cook some choc-chip cookies together too though. They enjoyed that. I think cooking will definitely be on the program once or twice a week.<br /><br />Today was better (so far!)... we went to the shops for about an hour, which wasn't pleasant by all means (they hate being in the pram), but we managed. Then I took them to the park for a run. We maade min pizzas for lunch and now they are asleep, yes! I don't know how I'll handle the days when they don't sleep anymore - I NEED this time!!<br /><br />Anyway, I'll be needing lots of things to do with them. When our playroom is all fixed (needed new waterproofing so new floors and walls and paint-job - nice!) we'll have all our things back at least. Trainset, dolls, doll house, play kitchen and access to the scrapbooking and painting too. I think I'll try and use some of my ideas from daycare to use at home - different ways of painting, like with fly swats, spray bottles, outside etc, just to shake things up a bit... and we can have playdough on hand all the time... and I think I might be giving my Kids Craft Weekly emails and book a little more of a work-out!!<br /><br />In all that difficulty, I still really think its the right thing to do. And particularly for Jaidyn. I was able to give him time and help with his homework yesterday afternoon, and this is great. He hasn't been so good at keeping up with his homework each afternoon when he goes home with our friends, so we'll try and do it after dinner with him I think - until I finish work at least...<br /><br />We've been busy working on (well nagging Jai to work on) his science project on dragonflies and ants. He didn't do a great deal of work on it in school last term when he was supposed to, so his teacher gave him the holidays to do it too... this was a little hard though as he wasn't home a lot, as I was working so he spent a few days/nights here and there at his grandparent's, so not a lot of time to work on it at home. But, we got it finished, got the pictures put in etc, and handed in! Yes!! He did most of it himself, I just helped to put the pictures in the right place and search for them a little on google images. Found out some interesting facts about dragonflies and ants along the way too...<br /><br />Eli has his first b'day party tomorrow - well, of someone who isn't our friend! He's going to a McDonald's party for his friend from kindy, and he's excited! Fun!<br /><br />We have starting doing family devotions each night before bed. Yeah, pretty slack that we haven't done previously, but we are now. It's been pretty good so far. Well, Eli and Lani don't really listen, but we'll get there. Its the seed we're planting, and they participate in praying together so that's good enough!<br /><br />I have been requested by my mate at work to make him a police car cake for his b'day on Monday, so guess what I'm doing Sunday night? Should be fun! When I'm a 'lady of leisure' as one of my bosses said (yeah sure, you try having a 2 & 3 yr old at home - its NOT leisure by any means!! Ha!).. I plan to try out some of my cupcake recipes and cake recipes too and get a bit of a group of 'good' cakes for me to make for b'day cakes etc... I am going to make my friend a 2-tier cake for her baby shower in Sept, so that will probably be my first 'more elegant' cake... I am keep to try lots of different ways of doing things, and who knows if I might be able to get a little money on the side from selling specialty cakes too... we'll see!!<br /><br />Anyway, need a coffee, and to do something more productive (read: housework) while the monkeys are asleep...<br /><br />Ciao xx<br /><br />P.S. I'm not doing too badly at this updating thing huh?? ;)<br />P.P.S. Will need to get some pics happening too huh.Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-64345325644360833972009-07-11T21:16:00.002+10:002009-07-11T21:25:54.725+10:00Big girl bed :(<div>Now that Lani is two, and definitely not a baby anymore, we thought we'd get around to buying her a new bed. </div><br /><div>Greg picked up the last parts today and assembled it.... I picked out a doona cover today, and now she has almost all she needs for her new big bed!!</div><br /><div>Here's a picture I took just before... she's gone to sleep no problem, let's pray it lasts all night!</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357160422721147906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhjH1d02wVeomIXG-MhjvzHfxJN05PEgcinEP-Cyxj-xL-mGOmRdQQTm6szfsIudWBvkXuXew3XV4tNA0yC61fptX4ZTUxsNmB6AlFCco4Z5ukaf_nwUoqkexKa9w-Rv-XRR2/s320/Lani+big+bed.jpg" /><br /><div>I am actually looking forward to finishing the decorating of her room, now that all the furniture 'matches'... <span style="font-size:78%;">(she used to have a Nemo toddler bed which REALLY didn't go with the butterfly canvases and white/green curtains!) </span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div> </div><div>It was a little tricky to find a doona set that went well with the green and pink butterfly canvases and the green gingham in the curtains. I found this one, which I think will work pretty well. </div><div> </div><div>I plan to give the curtains a good wash first, and then I think I'll add a few more strips of fabric or ribbon to tie in the purple, pink and yellow better too... then a few photos around her room, a 'LANI' for one of those walls above her bed and hopefully in a little while we'll get rid of the change table (that you can't see in this pic) and I'll get her one of those open box bookshelves (Ikea Expedit style) to put in its place. I've seen a pic of one in a mag that looked lovely with bright coloured boxes and some baskets too in it to hold things.... so I think I might do that - when the time and finances come available!!</div><div> </div><div>Well, that's all tonight!</div><div> </div><div>P.S. Things still in progress with my resignation, but I've pretty much done it! Feels awesome!</div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-28973864598102874432009-07-06T19:59:00.002+10:002009-07-06T20:20:11.313+10:00Get Real Baby...<a href="http://homeschoolingmamalusi.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/AustinLusi/stuff759.jpg" t="stuff759.jpg" real="'alt=" /></a><br /><br />Well, its about time I did a "Get Real Baby" challenge care of the awesome Lusi Austin.<br /><br />Well, actually, I'm not doing her exact challenge for this week, but I AM getting real, and that's what its all about, right??<br /><br />So, REALLY, right now, I am NOT a superMum. I am NOT really coping with my too-busy life right now, and I have some HUGE decisions to make in the next few weeks.<br /><br />Really, my house looks like a bomb hit. There are clothes half-folded all over the lounge. There are dishes in the kitchen (and that's after we've already done a load of dishes tonight). My toilet and bathroom need a clean. The boys sheets haven't been changed in too long.<br />And that's pretty normal.<br /><br />Really, I don't spend enough quality time with my kids.<br /><br />Really, I NEED to spend some more time with my eldest who's really struggling at school atm.<br /><br />Really, I don't spend anywhere near enough time with my Creator. I want to though.<br /><br />So REALLY, there's LOTS going through my head right now. Over the last couple of weeks, I've felt the Lord talking to me about what He's called me to. I don't think He's really called me to be stressed out, messy and angry... do you?<br /><br />I'm reading a really inspiring book right now that the gorgeous Lusi gave me (thanks mate!). It's called 'The Most Important Place on Earth - what a Christian Home looks like, and how to build one"... and God's been using it to speak to me. There are LOT of things that SHOULD be in my 'Christian' home that just aren't. In fact, it probably doesn't look or feel like a Christian home if you popped in. AND I DON'T WANT IT TO BE THAT WAY. So yeah, God's been speaking to me about what's REALLY important...? And its my family. He's called me to be His child, first of all. He's called me to be a wife and a mother. And all the other things should come AFTER that.<br /><br />I am very blessed that I don't HAVE to work for us to live. We don't have a mortgage, and quite frankly, we'd rather not and not be under financial strain. We'd rather live, than only live/work to pay off a home loan. We know that God will provide us with that when and where its in His Timing. Greg has started his new job today and has a nice pay-rise, so we'd be quite comfortable for me to be at home... so it's REALLY go me thinking.... and thinking... and thinking.... and praying.... but I need to do a bit more of that...<br /><br />After visiting with Lusi, I know God used being in her home, with her family to speak to me about this too... her home is beautiful, loving, her family are God-fearing. Mine isn't so much. Now, I'm not comparing myself to her, in a woe-is-me way or anything, but in a 'maybe it doesn't have to be like this' way. Its all good.<br /><br />And now, I've also just read part of Psalm 128 on Lusi's blog too, which says "your wife will be like a fruitful vine planted within your house"... and boy does that say something. I'm not being fruitful in my house at all right now. 'Happy wife, happy home?'.... 'stressed out wife, stressed out home', is more like it...<br /><br />So yeah, getting real here. And in reading over this, it seems quite obvious what I should do hey. But its a pretty huge decision, so I'm going to sit and pray on it a bit more. But the desire is there.<br /><br />There are a few things I'm worried about though. One being that I really struggle being home with Eli and Lani. They are really full-on. I guess taking them to kindy is the easy way out though. So yeah, that's one thing I need to tackle head on. I guess, really, its about being determined to be a good Mum. To actually DO things with them, take them out... stay OFF the computer.<br /><br />I'm also a little scared of talking to my boss.... but that's the non-confrontational side of me. I hate confrontation. Just gotta suck it up hey!<br /><br />I was thinking of asking to drop my days, but more and more, I think I want to stop altogether. Maybe that's not the wisest 'career' move... but who really cares about my career when I only get a few precious years with my babies, and they'll be in school.... I can work then, right??<br /><br />Anyway, enough ramble. I'm just writing all the things that are going through my head really.<br /><br />But being real.<br /><br />Yeah, real.<br /><br />Well, that's my heart right now anyway.<br /><br />Please uphold me in your prayers if you're the praying type. It's a huge thing for me. And our family.<br /><br />Signing out... N xx<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolingmamalusi.blogspot.com/"></a>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-43030389142128578882009-07-04T15:56:00.007+10:002009-07-04T16:29:45.096+10:00Another cake...<div><div><div><div>Greg starts a new job on Monday. We've been waiting 5 (or 6?) long weeks until he was offered the job, so yesterday was a special day with Greg's last day as a contact centre consultant. Next week he's moving up the ranks a little, and across the departments to work in City Waste. He will be a field officer setting up and maintaining a new system of industrial recycling bins for apartment complexes. I'm sure he'll do a great job, and it seems to be a great mix of what he's learnt both as a retail manager and a contact centre consultant with Council. So proud of my man.</div><div></div><div>And so seeing as though I was home yesterday with Lani sick, I decided to bake him a cake. He's been saying for a few weeks now I could make him a bin cake... and so I did! I don't think he really expected me to, but it was fun, and quick and easy too.</div><div><br />So here it is... a recycling bin, complete with Brisbane City logo and milk bottles and coke bottles!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354481213565547234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSrVzMEJp2HcI0JXiJZzm-zRqyHoH37DnP1be4z4i0Ky-ervlNZv8VzxN2sRq9P2gwJCpO_P8xZRa1HAlnL71BeytKdmkETEsQPBbgiCjnqnO6Uf-2ad-dYXKisne21Nq6I1s/s320/recycling+bin+cake.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Eli wanted to make Daddy a red cake, so we also tried out a red velvet cupcake recipe... not too bad, but nowhere near as good as my vanilla cupcakes! The cream-cheese icing is good though!!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354481216667862002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVSauaY65GreYZvtQwY7qY2OgVOTn428e7L6A4ckYBvQBAIoXeIztjrBlbf6I8NP_O5MKsD74oWdYhMQ2FzUwR4_uHTI2jRztnBIDQk2jkTbx2kE27RLPGZ6r7XauiefGXbgr/s320/bin+cake+and+red+velvet+cupcakes.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>We even had a candle and Greg made up his own rendition of Happy Birthday: "Happy new job to meeeeee!!!!!"</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354484882152875266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqYYHuMEuxyOY-fDzunMaAP0zlBaTwBxdo93RwUtRZIgcIaJ1bI2-G25LIf3Jl8q8smvdFEW2veg1dWqiWg4-0dRmXWfDfujVP5tJVO0wPxzxDi5DBDck1YdrtKQI1JaFDB5z/s320/blowing+out+candle.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>And the traditional cutting of the cake... not sure if this is how it's traditionally done though, and Lani looks a little shocked by Daddy's technique!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354484891530569682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dFJ2AijUev2JSJH4uCG1HpTmt42gMSicCJdssCV-qkQeTH-oEbZgYovKVg81EgM5Y2ojsNKhVFbJC7MdGw4lbRoi7F9XdhqWrick2L_qkO4GzAJ-3Rc-NQ4G1FYPELpPq-Da/s320/massacreing+cake.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Having his cake and eating it too!! Yum!! So much icing on the lid there!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354484884813858338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKh5kQGS3yHwFeyl_qlvg3u-SrmbljbceXQIEhdnwWQMSwGgVcXCQGgLFkK45Du8N3cmyp63PvJNoImjHVNuKFrgERjheZsBvvtMPasSzRvevS_rCPXZk0sGwMwvQqU1eLRiZ/s320/greg+eating+cake.jpg" border="0" />The inside of the cake... I made 2 bar cakes, cut them in half and stacked them on top of each other...</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354481225866035666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX9H8KJctI3oghg7YRh2ZKUCzwOYNfnxth4t7_ZN9X213nVOls_bezHaJKe3z9EnV_4fGbgWTD46navj9fwPtzRMdwH3v6Pov3VHF5_NycgAibhcxtjBTg3rLNfjdotUkVmVJ/s320/inside+bin+cake.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>But a piece is very hard to fit in one's mouth!!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354484890227930610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uqXFJHSiNrBfbhwGc_y7HXKGc9qjivoWI1S5qTyTkcM5mdg9XLunKt5WGae2cxtidpUmP9OPOxUwynj5mzN4IRT1sQm437xWr5ajq7EwJQHklTZLBl_FLXbTdvHD15aFE6rP/s320/nat+eating+cake.jpg" border="0" />Happy Saturday! What have you been doing today? We've been up to our church this morning as we're finally moving back into out building after repairs from the Nov 08 storms have *finally* been finished... its very exciting to be going back 'home'... last night we had a 1/2 night of prayer and I went up to the church for about 2.5 hours. Was great to really seek God's words for our church and where he wants us to go next.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>We've also been clearing downstairs, as we're having tradies in to do OUR repairs after the storm from last year too.... well some parts... we need a new flooring downstairs as there's a pipe that's broken through the cement floor - BAD reno job of whoever did it!! So new lino, which means clearing out all the things in the playroom, and my sewing room (that one's a big job!) Am thinking its a good opportunity to re-design things and decorate a little down there!! I sort of just plonked things in last time, might finally get some curtains for my room and put some pics up on the wall or something too...</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>We're off to friends for a BBQ dinner soon. Nice. Life seems to be a little 'back to normal' again... we've been a little hermit-ty lately and I love being with friends and family, so I'm happy!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.</div><div></div><div><div> </div></div></div></div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-89575488957655557582009-06-29T20:55:00.002+10:002009-06-29T20:56:37.040+10:00Missing this girl xxx<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRztOBtEn-NGAhFMldEa4Gjod2JBUcapo7tPNLnUslvCIXug06p3yQ7zG_CQjEcDDsB29iA7cSXNYL4gO-ZB2sUmynhu50gbkiSVS1L1M3K7FlbMff8Ox8E0xiWMyF296HZjv/s1600-h/Nat+and+Lusi+2+bw.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352701720368795522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRztOBtEn-NGAhFMldEa4Gjod2JBUcapo7tPNLnUslvCIXug06p3yQ7zG_CQjEcDDsB29iA7cSXNYL4gO-ZB2sUmynhu50gbkiSVS1L1M3K7FlbMff8Ox8E0xiWMyF296HZjv/s320/Nat+and+Lusi+2+bw.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Love you Lus. Miss you all. - xxx -</div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-3453124815457629042009-06-28T15:28:00.007+10:002009-06-28T16:03:06.475+10:00Happy 2nd Birthday Lani!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YsVK52vBae2DOWmW8Whnnnw46mKd9ZxvNcbqZMKxJnBPvSBF4A6lHTj9xac0d4WdY5Iz8HmIb3g08eq4XqGJrmqehNHS9SrbjiZ1tOnwnpxwbXSju74KXZudYFU-KK_2HLyr/s1600-h/Lani+party+dress+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352253660642885346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YsVK52vBae2DOWmW8Whnnnw46mKd9ZxvNcbqZMKxJnBPvSBF4A6lHTj9xac0d4WdY5Iz8HmIb3g08eq4XqGJrmqehNHS9SrbjiZ1tOnwnpxwbXSju74KXZudYFU-KK_2HLyr/s320/Lani+party+dress+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yes, this is truly me... Lusi's post gave me a little 'boost' to try and keep up a little... I did say 'try' so we'll see how we go...<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Yesterday our little princess turned 2. Can you believe it? 2 years ago, we were racing to the hospital in the car, me in full transition mode... and then giving birth - while still in the car! </div><div><br />She arrived into this world in a spectacular way, and lives pretty much that way too. She's a full-on little bundle of energy - inquisitive, cheeky, often defiant, very talkative, active, and very adventurous. </div><div></div><div>She's learning to go to the toilet, and to recognise her colours, and to count to 10. </div><div><br />She loves playing with her babies - rocking them, patting them to sleep, wrapping them in blankets and giving them a bath. She got some new dolls clothes for her b'day, so no doubt now we'll be dressing and undressing them a lot too.</div><div><br />She loves to play outside, and is usually happiest jumping up and down on the trampoline, swinging high on the swings, kicking or rolling balls, riding bikes and climbing ladders and play equipment at kindy.</div><div><br />She talks a lot and is very confident.</div><div><br /></div><div>*sigh* She's not a baby anymore.</div><div><br />We celebrated her birthday with a low-key family BBQ at home. Greg's parents are visiting at the moment, so it was a great opportunity just for the families to get together.</div><div><br />Lani got spoilt with lots of lovely presents, cards and a little money to spend too. Some of these included a Tigger and Pooh flip-out sofa, trike with pedals, wooden dolls house, In The Night Garden (her favourite!) books, plastic food for the kids kitchen, hand-made (by Nan) dolls clothes, a Tinkerbell fairy dress, and some gorgeous clothes.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352254043922046306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMQQ14GaSIbGGmZJy5Ak5JoEPJFpJEY-kIDjecmOLImdoOJgKFSg_Mhc2k6CEfT4LCbMaghIFDw6XzRjNmDjwN_x2LkghhQ_O20BXA8UD6QiyE4_t357RZ2txHLyi6Pqca364/s320/opening+gift+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352251610762120290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUXIp7mCPa7n7PcyZhxI6P8eX9n2woV0jOY9eHNsmVmDLDesELI6jk4HAa0jAs5cVPUKp_ENBMSKv2xTSXPj_qs1906mdAM4aKs73pqmmfB7cFuTG_DWuMpqmdf28xCN8vSct/s320/new+doll+house.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352251611045210274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQyhIroitjbr80NXl3SiCGUbS0jhksJOuE18YpLjzfQJ5n4n0UnHwbv_VFpyZqGmBi3Lr8W3ZI14cyTBbT5oEDWr8QkmbVArVrf5g3hzZF-8oE-b-7KyfdhUcRLqJemYpn3OD/s320/riding+bike.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352252462261474130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwHXw0c6smJAucLBXYoh5WVhN2ILxXu_HaoIAO1ool6_7CdBqJPr9Dhgum4vBtJlPUsSNTJUpw1_kg0axEe5al4HuNjJ6aoJBM-xq-3R2A-ZhfRsokA_Zr-VbP3qxeFS-tr-O/s320/reading+new+books+with+eli.jpg" border="0" /> Lani's favourite character is Upsy Daisy from In The Night Garden - she now takes both her Pink bear and Upsy Daisy to bed with her. And so it seemed the logical choice (but scary one) to try and make Lani an Upsy Diasy cake. I had previously looked at a few on the net, but didn't see many I really liked (and they all used ready-made icing for the whole thing which I didn't want to do)... so I sat down with my cake tins, the Upsy Daisy dolls, baking paper and scissors and designed it myself. It used 3 cakes - one round, one square and one bar cake, all cut into different parts of her body, but in all I think she looked pretty perfect!!<br /><div></div><br /><div>Only took me 3 hours too!! <span style="font-size:85%;">(not including baking the cake the day before - thanks Nan!)</span></div><br /><div></div><div>Lani loved it though! And I even made a special little gluten-free cupcake for my sister who is a coeliac (sp?) - also Upsy Daisy of course.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352251600701528082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErV1Bz1WXUtsWKVxooN8JZnSKRmsOVil9wUBpa4z78srKw8Yn3wGACyAFfQxI1iGZmiLfVPtPeGOProjVm_yDguzwzLzF1Rw7niPIvU0e6FNFp0tqCli1P68q9qrh56Hjg29h/s320/lani+dad+with+cake.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352251602165666610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQbhjKlnsAsXNtorkYhYLcElD6s7Pwvwbu8kv1WYM48xcP3S5o37ZnajmvMO0abOdy5r5QATswuzTwZ5UVOmyaW5VcrXPLIvjT_mvfdPk7Hl9epqbCWfqP7rWskubKYBCiqXP/s320/blowing+out+candles.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352252457980790994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLL66P1RcSk53bl1fcZqIiAnhcjqyTexgHhYQDoJL0kFabiKxoHbxNcBu80BJDB13h0YTBdKjAbXQutoizoTJXs3iG6fpUJP-9UI1Y0AOwYmLbuiNsHRZDvw0ECwQkYn6m7FO/s320/cutting+cake.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352252457808169378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh4ceiPExzeV-WDFisD_qfbWRVXnFNSt6Cdp3YGvWq84vfeHRRACedF0__LL05W8iZxDD28_59DILdX_Md7t6oqmZ_nyaRdOAphQqGklHczNA_bEyIjdKgdewjNvpjS2AZEqC/s320/kiss+daddy+bw.jpg" border="0" />We had a lovely busy day celebrating our Princess's special day... love you darling!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-59251029564889160502009-06-21T00:56:00.003+10:002009-06-21T01:10:36.328+10:00Hey everyone :)It's Lusi here, one of Nat's bestie's :)<br /><br />She has come interstate here to my house and I thought I would hijack her blog on her behalf (with her permission of course!) because I'm wondering if anyone else out there checks in here to see if she has updated it :)<br /><br />I think Nat is awesome (she told me to write that) and she is teaching me tonight how to make a modern cloth nappy! She is also telling me to add that I think she is gorgeous (which i of course do) :)<br />Did you know that her beautiful daughter Lani is going to be 2 next week? And that since she last posted here Eli has turned 3 and Jai will be 9 in short months time? Wow time flies hey.<br />I'll leave you with a little ditti i made up for my special Natti :)<br /><br />There once was a cutie named Nat<br />She did not own a cat<br />She visited me here<br />And we shed a tear<br />When she had to go back<br /><br />ok so that last bit was a bit lame but still :)<br />I've just read it aloud to her and she said very sarcastically, 'yeah that was great. but what happened to (and this is her own song i might add)<br /><br />Nat is awesome<br />Nat is great<br />She ate chicken schnitzel<br />Off my plate<br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br />Well with it being after 1am now, I will sign off and say this was the only way I could get this blog updated :) Sorry to bore you!<br /><br />Love you Natti!<br />Lus xNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-3019926218977001052008-12-27T06:01:00.012+10:002008-12-27T07:39:06.719+10:00Merry Christmas 2008!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Well, Christmas is over for another year. I hope you all had a great one.</div><div></div><div>We hope you all had a lovely time, and that you might have remembered the reason that we celebrate this special holiday - the birth of Jesus Christ, son of God come to the Earth in humble and meek form of a baby -to live among us, and eventually to die for us. </div><div>We all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus while at church, and reflected on the wonderful things He has done in our life this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas this year was a little different for us. Instead of having Christmas Day with my family as we do most years, we were very blessed to have Greg's parents visiting this year, and so we had a Mardon Christmas. Jeremy came and my sister Shanyn also slept over and spent Christmas with the Mardons, as Mum and Dad were in Townsville this year. Shanny and I had fun watching and singing to the Carols and wrapping presents Christmas Eve while Greg was downstairs setting up one of the kids presents. I think Shanny enjoyed having all the fun of opening and playing with new toys with the kids - except maybe being jumped on at 5.30am coz she was sleeping in front of the Christmas tree!! It was really special to have her with us - love you Shan.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284203399451063234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmw3-Olcio6Ru4VF6A_c5ql-FNy7aEzGpwthuH3AfOgB5PPufUcQG7zw_YtkIbNPG1w9rmIjnPNPfgz1X3wm88Ycd0fcICiUf1ZNcX0vbZoiuyb6foLvy66TAUSHJ6nx68c6a/s320/Shanny.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The day started with the kids looking at the Christmas tree, and being allowed to play with a few things that were unwrapped. They were then allowed to open one present before church. At church I was singing, and we had a birthday cake for Jesus. After church we came home and I prepared most of the lunch (a new thing for me!) while the kids played, and while Sandy & Chris were picking up Jeremy from the other side of town. When they came back, we got out some nibblies, and sat around the tree opening presents together.<br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284201696963674130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHCDhgXLWDTh6ahAYSLkK6Hm9OvFaoUseKmzyilyoNDWtynr3pcI1u-FixMZxI9rRpdG7LV0Flwf9Lb82zN7pd37v4IzGEM3A1J7dzsiNIU9c5fhKVqO8ZqVr4VEJYPFs-i-_/s320/xmas+tree+%26+presents.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284208724706974818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7DnawC7lCxek9pEQfJCXySZ4GlXcX2Qg2hlTrwEffr8oPEHgYFTXcRY5VYUL8C5BzQZrDnTnQ5IudADiAIRo9Lxmi4fBXyS7ArzvahO1y72S-MaC7xo5iLsUhmEdRIBwcn8_/s320/kids+checking+out+xmas+tree.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284200871446753026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFfDKom7Wmk0Gtr7df_4l1n3G-bm98C1SoRk9f1YfwRey4jZvyaFzy4Qm1mJQgDBWO-1mwXWhKNHybKEehPMXcaNUXoev7APkWR4EDQKd3qNJ_KehF1xOKtaPcIvb3IrKR2Ju/s320/lani+baby+bath.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284200849971135474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBs97bq77fZyNswl4VaDV_tMu9xN7kYXfHBVgyH89UfqePSjHJ_pL5idzQihJrVIkmqxmtC9CGGLYKuqJ3bVR-ONhaQxGv7y8u_QhXBwvK4VY8525HhT5fuX72j6SKE0CsF8X/s320/Jaidyn.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284200862708886834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjuPk1289d1zx5mNnyYU4UR0B4FWqd-bJssCkFADmIwa1zcy9BCwgBaoIqu_5cyHoXOZvCXtUD9XJfe6pXmzXaeu34O9EbzDayyFjqmvfOTYvy8W-18K59ztnrNoDfMlwURElFA/s320/Lani+big+present.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284203399116480114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeFM7HrpsEY_7a1DcNPIEANaP34VFrjoCmnesxcxnUlNBzQZF1s2ibx_11vMjKbgIt4hE2zAuNZiLyJBI5vHPQ5PMdHnIj5KKE43fvT9LohfHil9p2JkGtcfXZeJCsPJy1Hj8/s320/Eli+opening+presents.jpg" border="0" /> Then came lunch - nothing too fancy, but we certainly didn't go without - we enjoyed cold turkey and Christmas ham, crunchy noodle salad, potato salad and roast pumpkin & feta salad. And a little bubbly too - well for the adults! For dessert, Sandy and I decided to take the easy way when the Home Icecream van came by on Christmas Eve - perfect! Icecream! and Sandy made a beautiful Christmas cake too.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284200844675143298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4XjvzQcC2E2sySeA07XFVWkFo8ae7DgtZXmFeJwnb1QVzPcnNtu3IdZydQ4FaEaC6LcYkhXCEVY7BGpudA1-vgV2mxqcFem61c44NftnPoNYlwrbRsLfrhnbxHg5MGgWoMJU/s320/christmas+table.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284203388956366546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaBH4AcDovx51qudhBuhN_p2sJOhHY5oiyMPG0yYYjLbm3bVze4mBGT0M7hQgs_88pFfr-GIlnpmZtN23XUV58x_hlf0MtY_IET1qIeW4nZ74GwB8Ud4Kue33XHODHiNnc-j_/s320/Sandy's+christmas+cake.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Then we did it all again on Boxing Day at my parents house, after they'd just returned from Townsville (poor Mum was pretty tired!). We feasted on BBQed steaks & sausages and a few gourmet salads, plus I made banoffie pie for dessert, and my sister made cupcakes.<br /></div><br /><div>The kids gathered around the tree, this time with my gorgeous neice Emmeson too. We did a Secret Santa with my family this year - for adults - so it made it easier to just buy for one person. I ended up wanting to make something for my sister and Mum too, so spent most of the day beading them bracelets and earrings!! Was fun though. :)<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284209717539682242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwdB4k8VRkYaZCPfTTGXo4fvByJusgUyBmW37jr8PIkh6IMx7h2fkmZVkY1Q7jga8G8OyJgdu3MXq3SxQRLC8bpEtvfg1hgyuC1Po3PhB0lfmm-huc91GEUqpNP5z89GeInTi/s320/Christmas+tree+at+Nana%27s.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284209735001107906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur4VwljWLWTTLghk6ScWd_32vk_13jkztKOcatLUiM7tcVSqnPxUJSqtBWyNJ1IyJarLoLFW0kFNI3uFYTktN7LxUyELUPeK5l8Ea50qH7EnO4uAaCwokbaUq0YUeTaV0lF_m/s320/Jai+playing+Santa.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284209726047207970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWVoGqFQ4KkKIdNrrBoZ4ap54QB0Nu-4uj1l-PSyBVxYZMXA-SsHw56MEV7nFxIG3TdczWsSUpAPilSIgztA-GodLYVJXXCd-ZhzFymNOoWAJ6ZQgHPa6uk8IqF9WtlJF6Oh0/s320/Eli+presents.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284209722019970530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sb0IUH3IACel9r8CQ4A6B3W-b-L4cEI5K9RasF4Qq9OSTo3zEWgfAZ_S3OCGAVk40UiBkpt3C-M-5kTobRSF4WOTnRzrB8SPeCk1sdhX9fRd7ZSgyNwXhxrctSAOyFHbuP-N/s320/Dady+Lani+opening+present.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I bought Lani and Emmeson matching dresses and hair-clips to wear for Christmas, and oh they looked so beautiful together! Pity Lani was having a patty when I was trying to take photos!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284201687602139858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSmIE1XzMVHV4T011GgIkCYkPfy1uhwZCijXsT9RKvz-t7LXG9hc6IZmGHxmhvluhETRS26mkvx970_PEFaCivozsXqjU2HVk-2cemD4BWPsv5ojvvL-PWBOslbcmNfN1iq3S/s320/Liss,+Emme,+Lani,+Nat+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284201684392316210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY93mpXP31imiQnu-danxpI6ZYWvxZ5xACDi1JSUECChRyQfQOxnHgDmM0GKRBrhgpZsVilLUyLuLMkGrEnnySwvWngmWPOCH11E4K1z85N2PBmggdBHauk5nddhBiUUz4-SX/s320/Lani+%26+Emme+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284201683950129858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH5D6BwwUDIXMOBmjmaNUXjS3F47Pm8ARRvyhnPiWyeeBKCzJwB1IM-6Qaeh_sRAs-Sksqg_2-f89JyWd0rMHxbwMrjeHGa5zaEY_c6EaONKyFb5Pwu4SPmwSy-zKmB-FcIAt/s320/Lani+%26+Emme+1.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284202176784700402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbq9GSRDVGrEacZMLZpiFaYOaAPzKGN7MrD09-maPTvh1cCwte7gVoP_FboGbMna85x3wk9AIgfbGAvcrZA0BFVHqmAqkMviiYzEOLnYhHqhHzr3TnweHZ8PlYj3d7UcxdaBU/s320/Emmeson+1.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284213428107244850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8YnKrImzK2-zmzY5H6191GoVdgknowQf2EHD3NDcFXTNMY6MZo9kULdMq7ZHNEhuGKkjaBeBvnB9fMrHEE3j598zHXzSaWGzSd_acSQHmmBt6XfbbbwBJJQnbnLboD_GPOr5/s320/lani+xmas+dress+carols+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The children received some lovely gifts (but not too many). Greg managed to get a big play kitchen on clearance when he worked at Toys R Us, and its been sitting in a box downstairs for about a year, but as my BIL was living with us last year we couldn't set it up. It turned out to be great this year because Lani is now old enough to enjoy it. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284200882887809490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmsz1aVFT5LidAvisMCs04IkM8C_Ajb41b_YmbVTsIaDQ30YRI3TUG3cL1YeHWq6vu0O1TuGN9nRdIfawQqALITO0E_NGATLVHeZiH24OsToFihtXqmVMjDvNahgwNUjke1Yq/s320/kids+kitchen+2.jpg" border="0" />Jaidyn received just about everything I think they possibly make in Wall.E merchandise. Well, maybe not all, but a lot! I will have to take a 'group shot' of all his Wall.E stuff today! He was very happy :) He also got some books and clothes.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284201680215035074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TugcGy-Sbdl73eyV-M4CU07KBqmcHFD6qRxfEPLfnMxnkEMqF3juHF5JeUqFOlkulrecgWHNOU48sECoTqx5MicjAzcCo2KJJLLqq_cz1gn86F4x6pLy_g96bk-FNM-LNsV3/s320/Jaidyn+%26+Wall.E+gift.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284213411184602642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOTBhAP8Y8t-6az9OAt2Y4ZpSlL7Yn1xU7ExXKEeEmvJhkrd8WBIyvm_VnqRGR6Nuu9zeb5vK3BxfDsEdVee5l-3iq490RvjLeF5Td5A98w_6lLksDqjyBolvvoEYjSGEmk1Q/s320/Jai+%26+Wall.E+stuff.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284213421775766626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KoX-uID_uDEpU2CCOcY9TeQqhvo_EQJ_7_pQwLRFNoA7lnbgf0AZcawuA4B7VNNG3SZ4AHlxa1ry1rlpHLZJQIDinQHs9GscO48k9zKxxEQpswfrZA6qucvU3bnShwPdR221/s320/Jai+new+Wall.E+bowl.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Eli received various things - some duplo, and various books, puzzles, toys from In the Night Garden figurines, The Wiggles and Tigger & Pooh. He loves all these shows/characters so he was happy too. And some clothes & shoes too.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284214576889814706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQv9Rzn-q-1ck_ftMWOX11wT0Uz_rRTnuAQP65U63uugaVSFf8Ee7N535A13Dn5Ya2LM128c5s992q12XjwuXoiL024nsxPkh4MEum_eNA65ENbn6SVJjT0eABzPmiB79Jq4E0/s320/Eli+tigger+puzzle.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284213411621771810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZrpFdtHQj_l6aA5jOGi59fHnR6VL0p6ogLP1ZU7B-jL79daElEJwyNovA1uqlqi5I1cOqWrtYoRSlEboIodgV4puE8AJA-PplAVkjK2yJaWOFVoOhTTSPd7OvLrSHHebA-s2/s320/Lani+Eli+new+breakfast+bowls.jpg" border="0" /><br />Lani received lots of doll things - much to my delight! Now, I know I bought these for Lani, but after 8 years of boys toys, I am going to LOVE playing and dressing dolls!! Woohoo! Mum bought her Cabbage Patch newborn twins - so cute! Rory and Caroline. Takes me back to when I had CPK when I was younger... I want one again! Greg's mum is going to make Lani some dolls clothes, so we can have more fun! I might copy the pattern from her so I can make some too if the urge and time present themselves! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284214585773399394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YECFufOds5AihWmNv9-Z9FrpTrYSptETBAj8vfwwvEqS6LOYmfKz8nNrehyphenhyphen0kQ1tl0tJ8UZZp69pEKbunXeqTzT_S8ASdDjB0JyWFzkaQYlVPPhBTH6SRPJDqfQSJZ3vhXVA/s320/Lani+with+doll+pram.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Greg and I didn't fare too badly either. We bought each other perfume/cologne - I got Ralph Lauren Romance, and I bought Greg Hugo Boss Energize. We also received 2 'How to Hose a Murder' games, which we LOVE, and can't wait to play with our friends again - hopefully they will oblige again. Some clothes and PJs too, and a bottle of chivas Regal for Greg and Baileys for me - nice!</div><div></div><div>We have a busy few days ahead too! We're off to Greg's Aunts for a swim and BBQ tea this afternoon, and then my gorgeous neice Emmeson's 1st birthday party tomorrow!! Its her b'day today, Happy Birthday beautiful girl!! Phew, we'll be busy!!</div><div></div><div>Hope you had a great one, and a big hello and 'we missed you' to my SIL Andrea in England!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-43486407503158875742008-12-24T05:45:00.004+10:002008-12-24T06:08:12.718+10:00Jaidyn...<div>So I've just been reading a friend's blog, and realised I need to adopt her method of posting...<br /><div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Short and sweet. One kid at a time. Then I might actually get some posts actually posted (instead of sitting in my draft box half done coz I don't have time to finish them!) So here goes...</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">JAIDYN...</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283076596609780706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HJVYfSAYpGdyDUlcB4xuBv8-z_C48Qx7hNxZzVp5T6I4BR_QSY5rA2kJluZ7LMK1Sx22vWV6aPxCMoajSDuqCHZntQyEX8bcwZjYFiYLOYK23w73Kp4e742r_pjuJmavndIQ/s320/pirate+Jai.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Jaidyn turned 8 in November. At times I find it really hard to believe I have an 8-yr old! And at times I realise that the teenage years are not too far away... now that will be scary!! We didn't have a big party this year, just a little BBQ lunch at my parents house and an awesome b'day cake of course! One of Jaidyn's interests this year has been dragons, so I searched the net for the perfect dragon cake to make. We iced her blue so she could be a 'frost dragon'. And her name is Sapphira, named after his frost dragon toy, who is named after the dragon from the movie 'Eragon'... </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283075677366232834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHFx3-mQ8c1qmXUlaoujyPsfbk-EkBZ8HnNEsatjP4w7IJD0nSxscuEtnbGNMiGWS78nXm1c0ruePOVJvf7NytD-IGLOOjBJRG92YwseIgAczXRTxuPZIkBH35q-3HHSNbBk1/s320/dragon+cake+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283075676617445058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3IZChyphenhyphenJq5ZYOjmcduLA-uQweKynXltL_Di6kXStuvDzBdfrAYTyudYhnMDZi8_ua6ShoUSh74BnZ7BIUAnF_T1BR3BE7j_0p5PeBHYxUSmool9v3kodV3IOyUpk3yBuKv-hd/s320/Jai+blowing+candles.jpg" border="0" /> For the last few months, Jai has been OBSESSED with anything to do with the movie Wall.E, which came out a few months ago (I think even last school holidays it would have been that he saw it). His obsession has not paled yet!! I don't know what it is about Wall.E that he loves, but he's completely hooked. He never tires of drawing Wall.E and the other various characters, he got a Playstation game for his b'day which he almost finished, then accidentally wiped, so he's going through it all again. He's also got a couple of figurines, if which he pretty much always has in hand, or making play-worlds for (usually out of my cups, placemats, books etc!). He has the novel, and the 'Intergalactic Guide' to everything Wall.E. Oh and we watch the movie from time to time too! He's hooked, and has asked for more Wall.E stuff for Christmas. He even turns into a Wall.E robot each night when he sets and clears the table. Its a bit strange... but cute... lol.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283075679920031666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXMfG14lmS1DSw_xI0mR9DcY9gV1-ZPkZbdH8J-ahe_Kfkmq0Gg6uQu1_eHZTfCNqT7mN73wQOJHjGKBNuiF76JVq2QPyAGMjMI8BEO2X1mjij0qJSTzyLYWRw8dZCgm8oiXm/s320/Jai+WallE+present.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>Jai did well at school this year. He's particularly good at his English (just like his Mumma was) and he acheived well above average in the English parts of his National Testing earlier this year, and still average or above on his Maths aswell. He got mainly Bs and As (effort), and Sounds and a High (academic) for his report this semester, and he was VERY proud of himself. And so are we. Wow, grade 4 next year, he's growing up so fast.</p><p>Having a little brother has it trials for Jai. They are at the stage now where they fight ALL the time. Poor Jai gets quite frustrated at Eli for wrecking his things sometimes, and Eli just wants to play most of the time. And they wrestle (play!) a lot.. but that's boys huh. Then there's those beautiful moments when Jai sets up a train set for Eli and they play nicely for a bit... before Lani comes and destroys it... lol.. never a dull moment in our house!</p><p>Jai has been a part of Boys Brigade this year and is enjoying it a lot. I think its really good for him to have that thing 'just for him', and the Christian program is great too. He's been away on 2 camps this year. A 'parent and son' camp earlier in the year with Greg, and more recently the State Camp... was his first time at a camp by himself. And he had a ball. His award ceremony was a few weeks ago, and we went along, as well as his grandparents and aunty Shanny, and he was so proud to receive some badges for his uniform. They performed their figure march that they did in a competition earlier in the year, and it was really good! I had a huge 'proud Mummy' moment watching them!!</p><p>I will need to get some new pics of Jaidyn. As he doesn't grow as fast as the other two, photos are scarcer around here... but I WILL get some over Christmas.</p><p>Love him xx</p><p> </p>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-22969382013856306032008-09-20T06:43:00.004+10:002008-09-20T07:43:30.327+10:00Hair clips and Boys Brigade<span style="color:#000000;">Not much to report from me. Life is really really busy, but really really normal too. Work, sewing, cleaning, washing, feeding kids, changing kids, having fun with kids. Same old same old.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I've put the kids in daycare one extra day so I can catch up on my nappy orders. I'm swamped and it really wasn't going anywhere... so an extra 5-6 hours - depending how diligent I am - will help. That's an extra 2 nappies a week roughly. So I'm hoping I can get back up to 5/6 a week, and get through these orders again.... I'm very sorry to any of you who are still waiting!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">School holidays are now upon us. To be honest, I don't really like holidays, the two little drive me nuts enough!! lol... Jaidyn is going with my Mum up to Hervey Bay to stay with my sister and neice for 2 nights, while I'm at work this week. She might even take him whale watching - lucky boy!! There won't be much room for much stuff to do with Jai, but he's going to get stuck into some craft on Thursday while I'm working from home and the kids are in care. Hopefully I can help him a little too.</span><br /><br />Jai had a figure marching competition for Boys Brigade last weekend. We couldn't really go coz it was right over dinner and bed time (almost impossible with two littlies) but his grandparents took him and they did a good job. Jai really enjoys BB... they have a State Camp coming up, which he'll be going to. I'm looking forward to it for him, some time just for him and doing something he likes, and hopefully will help instill a bit of responsibility...<span style="font-size:85%;"> or he'll only come back with half his belongings...</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">We have a couple of big weekends coming up - in fact, the last few months of the year are already looking busy. Next weekend I'm meeting a group of the girls from the Maternal forum, should be fun. Sunday I'm off to a baby shower.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">My school friend Louise is getting married in a few weeks time too!! That's on the 18th Oct. Her hen's night is on Friday 10th, but I'm not sure if I'll go yet.... its dinner and a show, a bit on the exxy side, and the dress code is dress-up - 'naughty girls'... oh dear... little conservative Christian me can't dress up like that!! Not to mention how hideous I'd look... to me 'naughty girl' requires showing lots of leg... ewwwww..... we'll see... I wouldn't be very comfortable I can tell you now. But also don't want to let Lou down by not going. Will have to see if we can afford it - its getting to the expensive time of year for us - Christmas coming and a few family birthdays to add to that - my sister in Oct, Dad and Jai in Nov, and Greg and Emmeson in Dec!! Phew!!</span><br /><br />The SOF retreat is getting closer - yay!! 2 nights just for ME, with NO KIDS!!! BLISS!! Can't wait... I think I might have to start prepping Greg for a weekend with the kids on his own though...? Hmm, yeah, maybe I should go out on my own a few times over the weekends in the lead-up... purely for him of course!!<br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Oh, and Lani seems to be getting closer to mastering this walking thing. In the last few days, she's actually been walking around more and more, rather than dropping to her knees (even tho its a lot quicker!)... yay!! So proud of my little girl!! <span style="font-size:85%;">I really want her to walk so she doesn't dirty the knees of her clothes and babylegs anymore!! Oh, and we have bindis everywhere in the backyard, so it will be better if she can walk!</span></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Anyway, found this little quiz on Mel Goodsell's blog, thought since you've not really heard from me in a while, you might like to see this....</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATRE? KungFu Panda with the kids last school holidays... might go and see 'Wall-e' today though...</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?None, don't have any time!!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">3) FAVOURITE BOARD GAME? Cluedo or Pictionary</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">4) FAVOURITE MAGAZINE? I don't really buy any, but I like Spotlight's 'Get Creative' coz it has bits of everything in it.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">5) FAVOURITE SMELLS? Rain... coffee when you first open the jar... </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">6) FAVOURITE SOUNDS? My children's laughter... worship music...</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Fear</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">8 ) WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE? Usually, why are the kids awake SO EARLY!!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">9) FAVOURITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Fasta Pasta or Subway</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? I have always wanted to call a daughter Esther but Greg won't have a bar of it... I also like Ashton for a boy, but it sounds kinda funny with our last name.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D……hire a cleaner!! And someone to help me sew nappies...</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">12) DO YOU DRIVE FAST? Not much.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">13) DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? No.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? I LOVE storms.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? A white 1990 Holden Apollo</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">16) FAVOURITE DRINK? A large hot cup of coffee</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD… do a lot of things!! Sew myself the skirts I bought the patterns for for Spring... sew Lani some dresses... sew gifts for Christmas.... make Xmas cards this year... do more for other ppl.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?Yes</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? I love red, but moreso highlights I think. I'd do a few more red highlights than I have, if I had the money!!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN? West, North and South Brisbane... lol... adventurous aren't I!!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">21) FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? None, don't really like any. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">22) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? Nothing because our bed goes all the way to the floor - its a waterbed frame (with a crappy foam mattress that needs replacing, in it)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">24) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN? Strange question...</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?I used to be a morning person, but nowadays that usually means the children are awake too... so I prefer some time to myself at night these days, and I've become a night owl, don't usually get to bed untill 11pm at the earliest.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? Sunny side up please :)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">27) FAVOURITE PLACE TO RELAX? In bed, sitting on our front verandah with a cuppa (prefereably watching the rain) or on holidays somewhere without the kids (lol, like that every happens!)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">28) FAVOURITE PIE? Hmmm... don't eat a lot of pie really... I had pumpkin pie once and it was to die for! </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR? Choc-mint, but closely followed by Cookies N Cream.</span><br /><br />Oh, that's the end!! I was on a roll there!!<br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Just a couple of pics to end the post.... not much really... and I never seem to get many of Jai, but then being older, he doesn't change much in a month or two...</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I have another new obsession - gorgeous hair clips for Lani... add that to MCNs and BabyLegs.... oh dear... anyway, these are the first of my collection... cute huh!!! I will take some pics of her in them soon - possibly today... </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">... <span style="font-size:85%;">the cupcakes and cherry ones I bought for the purpose of motivating me to make the matching nappies for Lani - I have some gorgeous cupcakes and cherry fabrics.... so far I've cut them out!! lol...</span></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247845708468542930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ojp6fqN_baqmCqsABLhHvOV5-Lw1JeYs6aGlE3UDpH-k2gm23h0mLKbPmnZofNrS1doz9v7rOv4MNjwppAkjDBdmN7YluMsXC85IB9TKAC9GwBD7Az2nuiInTMrze8Dusu2m/s400/clippies.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>My gorgeous boy looking like a model I reckon!!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247845712360092450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZ_HwXT_KXvVYRuRAlqnZ4Sxi5klKUNga0vfHI2IF5r88GSeBSfNqj8zTbQcNC9i-qC95ZNKbguH23baK_Kc0zLo4sd4XpKOwLar8-4Kn_NKl2T9vfJFCszm7aMBNBeeZe1G/s400/Eli+posing.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Miss Lani with her new outfit all ready for church :) I love black right now!!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247845714485644002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfrqJtJmA3d5nRXheu_nsR4TDS5Z3yUVc-xupogssHl64op3Q-OG7QrpKTewznc5SqrlF9-ZalRbYLMCqXbLt_e9tvv4LTOq9BKwYOcZpj_bIwmpv1FHPaGFgx701h8tjnKFM/s400/Lani+outfit+2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And another of Princess wearing a pair of Babylegs...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247845717861301666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtnPP4GeJ2pihyphenhyphen-QaFa1P_8rlgXi9cGXpVsGFE1WsDndO4jmuY0qERl7U2_g4pLQEJ5O5CWXcEpbra2u2-Q73_ylB3d4w7-LFjk8xYClVM5NF8cVeFeUIKw5EjL0uYzZs2MTv/s400/Lani+purple+strip+BL+collage.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And just pretend there's a pic of Jaiyn here... isn't he handsome!!</p><p>Well I guess for 'not much to report' that was kinda longish....</p>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067194.post-13514911093291752402008-09-05T08:20:00.003+10:002008-09-05T08:39:15.194+10:00Quick updateNot really much to report - life is pretty much same old same old.<br /><br />Greg is enjoying his new job. Has finished training and is now on the phone all by himself - what a big boy! LOL<br /><br /><br />Lani is still not walking much. She's lazy! Only does it when she feels like it. I guess she doesn't see the need for it. Not like Eli and Jai, they were off and going as soon as they worked it out... maybe a difference between girls and boys...?<br /><br /><br />My job is getting better. I am now working with a girl who knows childcare and what we need to do, so its helping me to gain confidence in myself and my teaching and most importantly, to get organised.<br /><br /><br />Still way behind on nappies... ggrrr..... I'm finding it hard to get motivated to sew right now. But just gotta keep plugging along.<br /><br /><br />Am going to have my nails done tomorrow... nice!! Greg and the kids gave me a voucher for Mothers Day, which expires next week, so thought I better use it... I've been growing my nails nice and long.... but of course one would have to break wouldn't it!! I accidentally 'grated/peeled' it when I was peeling an apple the other day, how annoying.....<br /><br /><br />Have been a little obsessed with BabyLegs or leg warmers for Lani lately... I know, its spring now, but they are sooo cute with a MCN.... I picked up a few pairs from BigW on clearance yesterday, and some knee-high socks that I'm going to make into leg warmers... I also bought some off an etsy store last night (and some gorgeous hair clips for Lani), but some for gifts too.... well she's just going to have to wear them while its still a touch cool... and then next year too I guess.... here's some pics of her in one pair from Wed...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242298835611484338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel-0L3LrTYfCu4WPQgNtnl0DvL6gWqBA9uvfwaVQRFCQzjI_OpnZlkKLS_eRcFRmGOYpYxACkU1NtLWYCixdtCVMabA6NngdfE3mraGg8i2kmZtqNG-HoRc9j6x7sOj1VDiIJ/s400/Lani+cloth+tushie+bl.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242298839078463058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay_h3vVYPDpqii5jfUtQR3Xk2EIOkIVgv1FZX6ULNYF8F1BFkF0PFkmX59b20ZhRr9Ml8YOteKaCa-XisFROlDZvUnkwm2RVNswLH3oIeGUWE2cEWpDGiVgp8j_IX0MiP6S62/s400/Lani+cloth+tushie+bl+2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Too cute!!</p>Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916842172714172750noreply@blogger.com5