Update your blog!!

Sorry, been a bit AWOL. Got to that stage when I've been busy, then its been too long between posts, and then it doesn't really seem like all the little things are that important anymore... so I guess I just didn't blog anything!

Thought I should. So here's a few snippets of whats been happening the last 2 weeks of my life.

Have been really busy (well my brain has been) with things for Kids Church. Thankfully I don't work full-time coz I would have booked myself into a mental hospital by now. I think I have finally got to that point of taking on too much. I'm a little burnt out, over it, exhausted.

Have had Sundae Arvo at church on Sunday gone. Our now bi-annually family outreach event. It went well, but can definitely say I'm glad its over for a little while again. I guess its not a heap of organisation, but when my mind is also on other things, I think just being in charge of an event wears me a little thin. My mind has defintely been chockas with stuff lately.

I think the good I've got out of being a little 'overwhelmed' with stuff is that God has certainly been showing me this week that its just too much for me to do. No, I don't work, but I do have 2 kids, one on the way, a house and a few hours work to juggle. Lately, I've been spending much of my time sitting at the computer, searching (biggest time waster), cutting, pasting and creating things for the kids. Yep, the kids are my passion, but if I do too much I won't have any zeal left for it. So I think its really about doing a great job of a couple of things (monthly family services, Hillz Kidz, Sundae Arvo) and not being in everything. Really just picking where God wants me right now - where my heart is and maybe just giving away the other parts. For now.

So anyway, other stuff....

Greg is still at home. No job yet. I think him being here *may* just contribute to my craziness too. I need 'my space' even if that is with a 10-month old at home. And I'm really not getting any 'my space' with Greg here. So I'm hoping he finds something SOON!! He's put in his application for the Australian Federal Police finally. This will be a looooong process though, so he'll be doing something in retail until that all goes through. So now its just getting some. He's registered with an agency, and they've got him onto one job so far. But I think our problem is going to be finding somewhere that pays anywhere near as well as Aldi. They really did pay well, so it seems in the retail world, but it wasn't worth the heart-ache that business! so yeah, he needs to be a bit more picky than normal maybe coz we still need to get enough to live on! thankfully we don't have a mortgage, don't know HOW we would survive then. But I do know whatever it is, we'll probably have to take a pay-cut, and therefore have to be a little more careful where the money is going now.

Pregnancy is going well. I think I'm 27 weeks now, or maybe its 28... got my second check-up at the Birth Centre the week after Easter. Getting a bit of heart-burn again, which is my worst symptom of pregnancy usually. Also getting really sore, achy feet of a night time. All day up and down on my feet I guess. Even not working much, I'm still always running around this place.

Got a bit of a yucky cold right now. yuck. Hate being sick. Got the whole sore heavy head, sore ears, yucky snotty nose, blah! Hope it clears up soon!

Greg and I have been filling much of our days in the last week or so watching episodes of Stargate Atlantis. We used to watch this a while ago when it was on TV here (and LOVED it!), but they only showed Season 1 I think, and we forgot to check when the rest came out in USA.. until Sal mentioned it to me, so we've downloaded all the episodes now... have just finished watching Season 2... good stuff.... and the new boy on the team is oh-so-fine (Ronin or Jason Momoa IRL).. great to have a bit of eye candy too...

Eli turned 10 months old. How did that happen? Gosh, he grows up far too fast. He's a terribly cheeky little monkey. And gets into EVERYTHING. Definintely have my work cut out for me with this one. Jaidyn was so placid and un-inquisitive in comparison. And I'm going to have to deal with Eli AND another baby very soon! Yep, I'll be in that mental hospital yet... Eli is doing lots of new things, I really should get onto that 10-month letter to go in the blog for future reference.... in a nutshell... He's getting closer to standing up on his own. He's stood a couple of times for a few seconds.... getting there... probably be walking before we know it really... He's really good at waving now, and its oh so cute. In the morning when I come in to get him out of bed, he waves. He waves at everyone when we first see them and I think he's starting to grasp waving goodbye too. So cute! ... The middle top two teeth have sprouted! He's still a little vampire boy but they'll grow in before too long... ummm what else.... oh I'm sure there's lots I've forgotten, oh well, update more about the little man later!

And speaking of teeth, Jaidyn finally has his first wigglers! Thing is though, he's had two wiggly teeth for a week or more now... he's too scared to give them a bit of a yank "in case it hurts".... sook.... so we have the whole 'tooth fairy debacle' to deal with too.

We are staying home for Easter this year. Which will be a little strange coz I think we've been away somewhere for the last 3 or 4 years. So nothing planned at all really. Will be a little strange just having the Sunday to ourselves. I think many people are off galavanting with family lunches etc, but we'll just be doing it by ourselves, nothing fancy. Having coffee with Mum, the sisters and the ring-ins that are staying with Mum at the moment (exchange student, and a friend of Shanny's who she went to Holland with)... Dad will be at basketball carnival which they always hold over Easter weekend.... We'll probably do a nice little easter egg hunt when we get home from church... will be cool to do it in our own backyard... so far we've done one the last 2 years at Toowoomba and one at the Bunya Mntns where we were with church families... and I never had egg hunts when I was a child so its still exciting for me.

But i'm also really conscious about keeping the focus on Christ. We are not having too many eggs this year. We'll be at church Good Friday and Easter Sunday, nad hopefully will do some little bible reading or some kind of fun family tradition of our own too maybe - not sure what I'd like to introduce yet though!!

Anyway, enough rambling I think. I've been so tired so early at night lately.. the cold may have something to do with it, or just being pregnant and not getting any day naps lately. So I think I'll just head off to bed!

For Hayley :) Baby bump...

My gorgeous fellow preggy friend Hayley has asked me when I'm going to take some baby bump pics - and I know - about time! So while I was dressed up to go out last night with the blogger girls, I got Greg to snap a few. The lighting is pretty terrible, and I have no idea how to edit them to make them better, so these will do for now, and I'll try to remember to get Greg to take some more for me outside one of these days soon.

So this is me at 24 weeks. And Sandy, I'm NOT poking the belly out - I made sure I was standing up straight just for you!!

And this one is just for funnies. Eli got himself stuck half-in, half-out of the toybox this morning, and of course I just *had* to get a snap before I rescued him. Heehee, sooo cute!! Big nappy bum...

Hope you have a great day all. We have a rental inspection here today, so I better go do a tidy-up!

Birth Centre and dinner with friends....

I had my first appointment at the Birth Centre yesterday. Wow, I was so impressed. Had never even walked in there before, and well it hardly felt like I was even in a hospital. Have a REALLY good feeling about it all, such a blessing that I got in! My midwife, Karen, showed me one of the rooms (so big, so nice!) and we had a chat about the birth centre etc. One thing I am a bit sad about though is that I'm too heavy (read FAT!) to use the bath during labour or for a water birth. Embarrasing yes. But I understand they need to have a limit in case they need to get me out in a hurry or something, and I'd be a dead weight for sure. So next time I'll be making sure I'm trim and taut before I get pregnant (if again, and let's see if we can actually 'plan' one this time) so I can experience that water birth I was kinda hoping for. But there's plenty of other options really - showers, using the birthing stool etc.
After my appointment, I had a look at all the photos, frames, cards etc on the walls of past 'clients'. It was so lovely to see all the happy families who had such wonderful experiences with the natural birthing ways of the Birth Centre. There were quite a few amazing photos too - of babies heads half-out etc - wow!! A little graphic but you don't really mind when its in the context. It gave me such a wonderful feeling about it all and I look forward to learning some more about the centre, about active birthing and really finding out what I WANT in my labour experience - and having a midwife that knows and cares about me!

Hails, thanks for reminding me I need to take some belly shots. DEFINITELY showing now and really should have taken my first ones a month ago probably! I will get Greg to take some for me when I'm dressed up tonight.

Speaking of tonight, I'm going out for dinner with some of the old WW blogger girls. FINALLY get to meet Brookie Chook and Jade who i've emailed with for a couple of years now. Get to see Deb again and meet a few new girls too, whom I've read their blogs on and off. So I'm looking forward to that - thanks for organising it Deb! Will have to take my camera for sure.

Things have been nice with Greg at home. Elijah is used to seeing his Daddy every morning now, and having him here, poor little tike when he goes back to work though - he won't know what's happened. Greg's even started pulling his weight around the house (shock horror!) and its much easier on me during 'witching hour' of an afternoon. And that I can just leave Eli at home if I need to go out for something. So convenient! Pity we need one of us to work to survive though!! Greg has only found one job to apply for though. starting to get a *little* worried we'll get to the end of our payout and have no more coming in :(. But ultimately I know God will provide, but we will also just have to be really careful!! Appreciate anyone who is praying for us.

Oh and I wanted to mention how cute my baby is. He's really starting to do 'random babbling' now. So cute! Since yesterday he has started saying 'Doi Doi Doi Doi' instead of just 'Da da da da'.... yesterday he was sitting there looking at a book, for like 5 minutes just chatting to himself about it all, was SO CUTE to watch! Can't believe he's almost 10 months though!! Where's my 'baby' gone :(

Well I gotta go to work shortly, so better finish this off.

5 things i'm thankful for today:
1. That I am going through Birth Centre :)
2. That Greg is home
3. That my muffler is FINALLY fixed PROPERLY!
4. That I have a gorgeous gorgeous family
5. Seeing some friends tonight :)

Coffs Harbour....

We had a nice few days away together in Coffs Harbour at the beginning of last week, Mon-Thurs. It was quite a long drive with one full-on 6-yr old and one teething baby, but we made it! On the way down we sang to Hillsong Kids, played car cricket, sucked on lollipops and Jaidyn amused himself with a few activities books I bought him. Eli likes singing to Hillsong Kids!

We got to our hotel at about 2pm on Monday. We unpacked, then headed into Coffs to do some food shopping for the few days. When we came out of the shops it was absolutely BUCKETING down with rain, which it continued to do for the rest of the day and most of Tuesday too. So we spent more time than we would have like to indoors over those two days. I did take the boys for a quick walk onto our beach at Korora, only to be rained on while walking (read now running!) back to our unit :) We went to The Big Banana on the Tuesday, and had a look through the Puzzle shop (cool stuff there!) and the Candy Store before coming home due to rain. It was really fascinating at the candy shop as we got to see them making those little round sugar candies with the writing inside them - that ppl often get for wedding bonbonneires etc. We had no idea that was how they did it and it was really great to watch them make them. And of course we got taste tests too - so yum! I said to Greg I want to get married again so I can have them! lol... and of course we couldn't leave without buying a mixed bag of fruit flavoured candies :) Yum!

So the rest of Tuesday we spent indoors playing Scrabble, Guess Who, Xbox and drawing/reading. I think we managed to venture out to our pool for a quick 20 minute swim but it was pretty cold and bleak!

Thankfully on Wednesday it fined up enough to go out. So we decided we'd cram all we could into this day! We started out by heading to the Go Kart tracks. The boys went together in a double kart and Jaidyn just loved it!! They looked so cute in their little overalls!

On the way back from go-karting we dropped in for a quick look around the Clog Barn. It was mainly a little souvenir shop with a clog workshop (no demos when we went through though) and they have this little miniature Holland village out the back. You walk through a path looking at little replicas of some of the buildings around Holland. Complete with little trainsets too. We also so quite a few water dragons!

After the Clog Barn we went back to the Big Banana to finish looking around. We had a nice lunch (complete with yummy banana smoothies!) at the cafe, then headed up the hill a bit for the Toboggan Run!! And yep, as you can see, even I went on it! It was great fun - zooming around the corners (not too fast for this pregnant old thing though!) and screaming! As you can see the boys were going a fair bit faster than I was! hehe... We both doubled with Jai - so he had 5 turns altogether! Great fun! After this and karts, won't surprise me if Jaidyn turns into a little adrenalin junkie!

And then we just went to take a couple of nice snaps before heading back to the resort. (or not so nice with the boys pulling silly faces - its so hard to get Jai to have a 'nice smile' these days - he seems to not know how to do it - so we usually just tickle him!)

For dinner we went out to SSS BBQ Barn... yum... a real Western Saloon experience! Looked great all decked out with pics of cowboys, indians and bulls horns among other memorabilia. Jaidyn was kept happy with a colouring sheet (why don't all restaurants have these?) but Elijah was a bit of a pain in the bum as he was teething, grizzly and tired but didn't want to go to sleep! We both had a steak and ribs combo - yummmmmm.... I hadn't had ribs before, was sooo good, but Jai found he liked them too, so I had to share... would love to go to a SteakHouse again sometime I think.

Thursday morning we packed up and left. We were going to go to the beach fgor a bit but Eli fell asleep in the car and really needed the sleep, plus we were pretty ready to just get home asap so just drove home. We stopped at the Big Prawn at Ballina for some lunch. But it was good to be home to just veg for a few hours in the arvo! And an early night (well for me anyway - amazingly Greg managed to stay up almost all night gaming - I think he had withdrawals, lol)

Well that was our holiday. I'm off for a little nana nap now before having to get Jai from school - and good excuse to get out of this stinking heat and hide in my air-con'd bedroom.

Hope you're all having a great week so far xx

Ups and Downs...

This week has been a bit that way.

As of Saturday last week, my husband is now 'unemployed'... stupid Aldi. They decided that something he did (that most of the other managers also do) was worth firing him for... so here we are. But you know what? It's ALL OK!! God has a plan for us, He will never leave nor forsake us, and I believe when He closes one door He opens another. So we are happy and hopeful for bigger and better things for our family! Greg was almost fed up anyway with the crap he was getting at Aldi. Funny enough his best friend actually technically resigned the same day as Greg was let go.... they both had been getting the pressure heaped on them lately so we think the company was trying to get rid of them both anyway - just coz they don't suck up to their area managers and others, and stood up for what 'they' thought was right for them and their stores. So we are all actually happy to be out of Aldi. Our pastor actually revealed to Greg that he had always felt a bad presence around Aldi so he never shopped there. Must have been the whole disregard for family, staff etc... Greg is a lot happier in himself this week without all the stress. And that's ultimately better for our family. I know that God will provide for us if Greg can't get another job before we run out of the pay-out, but I believe God will get him into the right job before then. We are actually excited to be looking in different areas. Greg is actually thinking of going into Customs or even the Federal Police, as he did a justice degree years back. Ultimately that's where he'd like to be eventually. So its just now watching out for jobs coming up in those areas, maybe getting started on some fitness training if Greg decided to go to Canberra for the Feds, and maybe getting something temporary until these jobs come up. Its a new chapter in our life and God is walking with us every step of the way.

We were going to be going down to Sydney and surrounding areas on holiday at Easter, but due to Greg's work, we can't really go then anymore as we don't know if he'll have a job, be able to get time off etc. So.... we decided to go somewhere next week!! This is really exciting! A spontaneous family holiday which we are really looking forward to. We are driving down to Coffs Harbour tomorrow now, for 3 nights. We can't go away for as long as we originally wanted to in case we need the extra $$ but this is going to be great anyway! We are staying in a little resort right on the beach. We'll go to the Big Banana, to the beach everyday and just relax and have some special time together as a family.

We are leaving tomorrow morning, early, so I should be off packing and getting organised... busy day today too - church, a worship meeting, cell group and my family for dinner - as well as finishing the packing! Phew!!

Hope you all have a great week and Happy Sunday :)

The other boy...

It just occured to me that yes, I do have two sons, and that those of you who are family living far away probably haven't heard much about Jaidyn in a long while... so this one is mainly for Sandy (MIL) and Andrea (SIL) and to pass on to the other family if you want Sandy.... a bit of a catch-up of what's been happening with Jaidyn lately.

*And please excuse, I haven't really got any recent photos of him either (since Christmas) - bad mother - but will rectify that next week.

So Jai is now in Year Two. He really really loves school. Like lots! And that's good, coz I really really love it when he's at school too! (He's a very full-on boy our Jaidyn!) His teacher is a fairly new one - I actually went to uni with her and we graduated the same time (mid 2005). Her name is Miss Pfeffer (pronounced Feffer). Jaidyn really likes her and I like what she seems to be doing with the kids. Some parents may not particularly like 'new' teachers, but being one myself I know that we are really passionate about it, and also really passionate about finding fun and different ways to teach and learn. So she's great! His class consists of 3 other boys he was in class with last year, a mixture of other boys and all the girls from of the year one classes... there are a LOT more boys than girls in their grade - 2:3 I think or something like that.

Jaidyn's favourite subject is Maths. He also enjoys writing stories. His reading is coming along really well. The books they bring home in grade 2 are much more complex than last year and he's reading them well. Sometimes he still guesses words rather than using his 'strategies' so we'll have to work on that one a bit. But he really does love everything school.

They go to swimming lessons on Wednesday mornings. He says its sometimes a bit cold early in the morning (as they are first up for the day) but I know he loves it too.

Jaidyn loves getting to school at about 8.30am so he can have free-play with his friends, and I'm asked at least 10 times every morning "Is it time for school yet?" and "Am I going to be late!?" - drives me quite bonkers really...

At the moment they are learning about Aboriginals and exploring some dreamtime stories. Yesterday he was very excited because they were going to be writing 'Tiddlick' (the frog) stories in the morning. He came home saying he wrote 3 pages!

He has lots of friends at school. His best friends (this week) are Padraig (pronounced Padrake), Tomas and Josh. That really doesn't mean a lot to you or me though, just names really. I will have to get up there and meet some of these mums so we can have friends over to play.

At home Jaidyn is in his room making books, drawing pictures or playing with his lego most mornings. He also likes watching movies and playing x-box but not really during the school week so much. At the moment he's been banned from the x-box for a whole month, which I think is slowly killing him! lol... at least hopefully this time he'll look after is when he gets it back.

He loves having a baby brother, and Eli is really at an age where they can have some fun together. They play together behind the recliner (their cubby), sometimes do little wrestling games (usually ending in me telling Jai to get off Eli and be more gentle with him!), play in the curtains together (one of Eli's favourite places) among other things.

Jaidyn comes along to Hillz Kidz, our Friday afternoon cell group for kids at church. I run this so I'm always there to keep an eye on him. He's boistrous, loud and often distracted! A handful to say the least! You'd think he'd get rid of all his energy at school, but no, it seems never-ending most days! He likes to learn about God and stuff, but its sometimes hard to get him listening as he's very easily distracted (which I think comes from me!) He's pretty good at remembering things still though, so often knows the answer to the questions when we quiz them.

He still loves visiting his grandparents, and I'm asked most weekends when he can go to Grandma's or Nana's again. At Nana's he enjoys swimming, playing playstation with Shanny, drawing etc. At Grandma's he loves playing with their dog Tash, sometimes going on little outings and making things with Grandad (he's very 'handy').. he usually comes home with many odds and ends made from wood or cardboard which really drives me nuts sometimes coz we just don't have anywhere to keep them!! His room is a bombsite as it is! So now he knows he can bring them to show me but leaves most things at Grandma and Grandad's now.

Well, I cant really think of what else. I will update with some pics of him later.
So yep, that's my other boy - he does exist... lol.

9 months now Baby...

My little man,

Here we are and you’re 9 months old. Slow down a bit baby! I can’t keep up with how fast you are growing up! It’s hard to believe the 9 month mark has come and gone.

This month hasn’t seen as many ‘new’ developments as the last did, but you are growing more and more into your own personality now. You are certainly one cheeky little boy, and a cheeky little boy that Mummy cannot resist.

You do not stay still now babe. If I put you on the mat in the lounge room, you’re up on your hands and feet ‘crawling’ around everywhere, or you’re straight up to the couch and walking along from one end to the other. You have also discovered behind the recliner this month, and love to go in then and then come around the other side and surprise us! Jaidyn and you have even made a little ‘cubby’ in there from time to time.

You favourite places still seem to be where you are getting into things you should not be! Around the fish tank where the extension cord is. The computer tower (but Daddy has now put it up on the table). Our bedroom where you like to eat keys, phones, coathangers or earrings. Jaidyn’s bedroom, with its wealth of little things to stick in your mouth. The TV and receiver with nice buttons to push. And the bathroom and toilet. It seems I am forever saying ‘No!’ or ‘Get down!’ to you these days Monkey!

Mealtime is great fun, especially lunch. You love to get a sandwich and squish it between your fingers before shoving it in your mouth. Your little teeth are doing their job much better these days, and you can bite off little bits. You are also sometimes having toast for breakfast these days or a piece of apple (carefully supervised) for afternoon tea to suck or munch on. And you are getting quite good at your sippy cup too. Unfortunately you are also good at holding it upside down or even throwing it off your highchair! I love to watch you as you put it up to your mouth and slurp away.

You now have 3 teeth baby boy. Your first had appeared in last month’s letter. Your second came a week later. And your third has come through in the last few days. I would have expected it to be a centre top tooth, but no, its one of your little incisors. And to look at your gums now, it looks like the other incisor will cut in before the centre ones too. I can’t wait to get a photo of that… my little vampire! I will need to get you a little toothbrush now.

Days come and go in the life of a baby. Our day usually starts at about 5.30am, sometimes you let me sleep into 6am even (so generous of you!). I am usually woken to a baby screaming at me for some attention, then walk in and you are there in the corner of your cot standing, trying as you might to get out I’m sure. There’s also usually a wonderful pungent smell first thing in the morning! Nice! If it’s before 5.30am or I’m finding it hard to open my eyes, I will give you your bottle in your bed and pray that you’ll go back to sleep. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. However, this might just become a more regular occurrence as the mornings get darker and darker heading into winter. If it’s dark, its still bedtime! After your bottle, its time for a big play (waking up everyone in the house as you go). Mummy usually has this time on the computer before Jaidyn gets up, to catch up on emails, forums etc. So you crawl around in the lounge room, or over to me at the computer, and usually find some cords to play with on the way… It is always fun when Jaidyn wakes up and you two usually spend some time together doing something, then you try to follow him to his bedroom, but only to have him shut you out (rules are you are not allowed in there as its too messy!)… you don’t much like that, but then search for any other rooms where Mummy has left the door open for exploring..
You usually have another sleep before we take Jai to school or when we get home. Sometimes another bottle after that sleep, but I’m trying to cut you back to only 3 a day, so this is more when you have your Weet-bix or if you’ve had them earlier, maybe some yoghurt or fruit for morning tea.
You really are quite easy to take out, and pretty much adapt to whatever I am doing. You love looking around if we go to the shops, or love playing with other kids if it’s off to playgroup or someone’s for a coffee. You now ride up in the ‘big trolley’ when we do the groceries, but you squirm to reach the food or try to suck on the handle, or reach for anything that is within arm’s length! Mummy has realised that you are not really so helpful at the shopping as you usually throw anything I give you to ‘look after’ on the ground! You are still well-behaved though, just ‘curious’ really.
Lunchtime is a favourite for you. You sit up in your highchair while I’m having my lunch or doing something on the computer. Lunch usually consists of a sandwich with vegemite, jam, honey, or I’ve even tried some peanut-butter now (thankfully no allergies have reared). You drink from your Sippy cup, usually water, but sometimes a bit of watered-down cordial or juice too. And sometimes we’ll finish with some fruit or custard or yoghurt.
Afternoons are pretty much the same as mornings. You have a sleep sometime there, some afternoon tea and play around the house or if we are out. Mummy usually gets out some of the bakeware and Tupperware and you have a ball with that. And you find it rather amusing to whack yourself over the head with a cake tin! Lately you seem to be dropping that last afternoon sleep, which is not so good for Mummy because you are cranky from about 5pm! Being home by myself usually at this time of evening, it’s chaotic to get you fed and bathed before 5 (I prefer), then get you into bed. If I don’t have any vegies made up, I usually give you some of what we are eating, which means you eat later. I like to feed, then bath you about 5-5.30pm. But it doesn’t always turn out this way. For dinner you usually enjoy some mashed vegies, and I’ve started putting some ham and cheese into it too. More and more you are eating what we are. In the last couple of weeks you’ve enjoyed Tuna mornay and rice, Apricot chicken with mashed potato and you even ate some of a rissole. Yum!
Bedtime is usually at about 6.30pm. Sometimes you’ll have another bottle now, or sometimes you won’t. Come 7.30pm after Jaidyn has gone to bed too, there’s peace and quiet again, with some special time with Daddy now! Being a Mum is a tough job and long hours!

We spent Australia Day on a little family outing. We went to the beach for a little while, but it was so hot that day that we dared not leave you two out in the scorching sun for long. We did snap a few pics on the beach though, and you looked so cute in your little swim set that Sal gave you. We then took the long drive home via the glasshouse mountains with some lunch at the Lookout Cafe.
You are talking more and more. No new words yet, but in the last couple of days you have hardly stopped the babble. “dadadadada…. Aaahhhhhh…. Dadadada……” is how you do it at the moment. The ‘aahhhh’ in the middle is almost a yell sometimes! I’m still waiting on the ‘Mamama’ though. L

Mummy has been doing a little bit of work again at the Daycare centre over lunchtime. This means that you have been coming along to play with me the other babies. You have really loved this so far! There is one other little boy in particular, Noah who is a month older than you, and you two have a ball together, crawling around, shaking your heads, clapping your hands. You are both doing roughly the same things, so it’s great to see you play together. You love all the new toys there and had particular fun going through the tunnel the other day! What fun! You were a little unsure about the sandpit though. You just sat there not doing much at all. Here I was, worried you would just eat the sand, but I’m sure that won’t be too far off! You don’t really like to go to sleep at daycare though, so 2 or 3 hours is our max with you in tow. It’s good to get a little money for the family and still be able to play with you, and you with other babies too.

You are starting to get more into church too. You love to sing along when we are worshipping. You are without a doubt, the loudest child at church though! But its great to hear you yelling along with the music when we sing. So cute!

And finally, you are learning how to wave. This is so so cute! Of course though, you never seem to do it when anyone else is around, so I’m sure they don’t believe me. But, I managed to get it on camera yesterday! You are so funny to watch. Here we are, waving profusely at you, saying “Hi Eli! Hi Eli!” (must look rather crazy really). You stand with one hand balancing you on the table or gate or something, and stick your other arm in the air. Sometimes you move it back and forth. Yesterday you seemed a little confused though, as you were shaking your head with your arm still, instead of the other way around! You’ll get the hang of it soon enough, and then we can wave at everyone when they leave.


Well, I didn’t think I would have this much to write about, but I’ve made it to 2 pages long! I love writing these letters, thinking about all the funny and wonderful things you are doing as you grow, and these will be so great to look back on in the future.

Love you with all my heart! Mummy xxx

Baby Kayla

Well, after a couple of days of being very patient (not really) I finally got to see Ben and Michelle and baby Kayla. Michelle looked surprisingly well for having a caesar and being a little tired... so great to see her back to mostly normal :)

Ben is just the most doting Dad... apparently the midwife said he was the most excited Dad she thinks she's ever seen.... just like Ben... he just loves his wife, family so much!

And baby Kayla! What a little cutie... but oh my, its so hard to get a good pic of a newborn isn't it!! Task and a half.. they always pull silly faces etc!

Anyway, here's a few shots:

Kayla, and with her dad

And with me and Greg

I'm definitely 'celebrating life' today!

I've just found out this morning that my best friend Michelle has had her baby! She had a baby GIRL last night @ 7pm by emergency c-section (my poor Chelle). She was 8lb14oz, and they have called her KAYLA FELICITY which means 'pure happiness'.. what a beautiful name, what a beautiful thing birth is!

So a BIG congrats to Ben and Michelle and welcome baby Kayla!

I can't wait to see them/her, but will have to wait until tomorrow night or Saturday morning as they have a LOT of family around that get first dibs... and Chelle will be more sore and weak from the caesar than normal...

Praise God for His wonderful miracles!!

I will have some photos soon, I can't wait to see her :)

Sons of Korah...

How awesome it is to listen to music and hear the words of my God at the same time!

I'm listening to Sons of Korah this morning. They write music to the Psalms.

What a great band and a great worship to my King!!

Have a great day all xxx

5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. Being in the presence of my God and His incredible might, power and love!
2. Sunday - my fave day of the week :)
3. A great time with friends last night, chatting deep into the night...
4. Family time today
5. That God is watching over every step I take...

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills -
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber or sleep.

The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forever more.

Praise God - how awesome is that!!!!

Ooh Squeeeaaalll......

That was a squeal of excitement in case you didn't realise...

In less than 2 hours (hopefully!) I will be in a small dark room with a strange instrument on my tummy....

Yep, we're off for our ultrasound and TO SEE MY BABY!!

I can't wait...

I had a dream last night that we saw a little willy.... lol... I hope we don't coz we want to be surprised... mind you, I'd be really excited if it was accidentally really obvious that there WASN'T a willy....

Watch this space...

* Edited to add... all went well! Baby is healthy and growing and was very active!! Its funny when you are trying to but also really trying not to see the sex as everything you see you think - ooh is that a little willy? hehe.. and I was listening out in case she said he or she too... hehe, but she said she didn't even see... baby is beautiful! And even a few days bigger than what we should be... so we are about 20 weeks... which hopefully means this one will come 'early' too - as they'll leave the due date the same...
I'm going to try to play with some of the photos tonight, see if I can come up with anything I like! And while the memories are really fresh :)

Re-assessing...

I've been receiving Ali Edwards' weekly newsletter, AEzine. And each week she really inspires me to look a bit deeper into my life and into my scrapbooking. This week's challenge is to create a personal creative 'manifesto' or mission statement really. By asking ourselves a few questions we should be able to see what our scrapbooking really is, why we do it etc. However, what my manifesto is and what I really want it to be are two separate things. I still struggle to create things that are 'me'. I don't even know what me or my style is. And I don't really think I like whatever it is anyways. My scrapping really is so empty. If I look through my albums (of which there really aren't many pages anyway) everything is so higglety-pigglety and it really doesn't really tell many stories. And that's NOT what I want my scrapping to be. I seem to be scrapping just for the sake of it lately, and I want to do it with more purpose.

So that's what I'm going to do. No more only-photo layouts with a nice smile or what-have-you - unless its really called for it. I want to get meaty and deep and record those MEMORIES that go with the pictures.

Erica Glover has ALWAYS inspired me with her journalling. Her layouts REALLY tell the stories - she's going to have so many wonderful things to look back on and not just pictures, but she'll be able to relive the memories too. And that's what I want.

So from now on, I'm planning my layouts ahead of time. Too many times I print pics I *think* I might want to scrap, not really thinking about colours or sizes I might want them when it comes to the actual scrapping part. And due to this, many of these pics don't end up being scrapped coz I just can't get inspired when I get em out. So I'm going to plan my sketches, photo sizes, and even colours ahead of time so I'm not just 'throwing' things together like I seem to do these days.

I want to be creative again.

I want to tell stories.

I want to capture the memories.

That's what scrapbooking is all about essentially isn't it??

A stinky surprise and sick of photocopying

Just some random bits and pieces from this week.

STILL hanging out for my girlfriend Michelle to give birth.. I'm not very patient. I'm just dying to see what she has and what they call it :) She is now 5 days overdue... when are you coming to meet us baby??? I'm waiting anxiously by the mobile for a text...

Had a not-so-wonderful surprise when I woke this morning... Eli had taken off his pooey nappy in bed... I'm sure you can guess what that meant. Yep, poo everywhere. He was rather excited and proud of himself I think... little terror... his poor teddy bear Blue didn't even escape so he went in the wash with the sheets, and is now just hanging around on the clothesline! And no, I didn't take any pics. there wasnt really as much poo smeared everywhere as you may think, it wasn't really photo worthy... but maybe I'll just take a piccie of Blue hanging on the line and can tell the story from that :) Good idea Nat!!

Spent a couple of hours at the church yesterday and a bit more at home, organising all the programs, rosters, resources for Hillz Kidz for this term - our kids ministry Friday afternoon program.... I'm sick of photocopying, sorting through papers and highlighting!

Having my ultrasound on Thursday. Really looking forward to seeing my baby :) But hopefully not 'too' much of him/her... we aren't going to find out the sex... we really enjoyed having the surprise with Elijah, even if sometimes I was a little impatient...

Finally have felt baby move this week! I was starting to get a bit worried, but a friend told me many women feel the baby later and later with each birth - something to do with a not so sensitive uterus - plus probably the extra 'padding' I have too! I'm sure he/she has a little wiggle most nights when I go to bed, but it was only because I was reading for 1/2 hour or so that I felt it I think :)

That's all for now, I think...

5 things I'm grateful for today:

1. Sunny weather for drying washing
2. The beautiful miracle of life, growing inside me :)
3. Being a christian - couldn't imagine my life without God now, such quality!
4. Time for a sleep/rest - like now
5. That I've done all the organising for Hillz Kidz - yay!!

I was tagged.... by someone!!

I'm sure someone tagged me with this one, can't for the life of me work out who, but anyways.... something to do huh...

A - Available/Single? sorry boys, I'm happily married. lol
B- Best Friend? I have a few - probably Lusi, Sal and Michelle (oh and course my hubby, he'd be number one, but you need your girls too)
C- Cake or Pie? CHEESE cake
D - Drink Of Choice? coffee, banana milkshake or smoothie
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? a shower!
F - Favorite Color? pink and green
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? worms, love the sour ones!
I - Indulgence? Greg getting up to the kids? Nah, never happens...
J - January Or February? not really sure, don't prefer either really
K - Kids & Their Names? Jaidyn and Elijah and 'peanut' or 'jellybean' (manufacturing!)
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My relationship with God; family and friends
M - Marriage date? 14th August 2004
N - Number Of Siblings? 2 younger sisters
O - Oranges Or Apples? apples
P - Phobias/Fears? Spiders
Q - Favorite Quote: scripture - I can do all things who Christ who strengthens me - Phil 4:13
R - Real Hair Color? medium-dark brown - as it is now, haven't dyed it in a while
S - Season? definitely NOT summer - all the others are good
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? anyone who hasn't done it and can be bothered to :)
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I had a mild type of epilepsy as a child (don't remember a lot of my childhood either)
V - Vegetable you don’t like? brussell sprouts
W - Worst Habit? Laziness and procrastination
X - X-rays You’ve Had? just ultrasounds for pregnancies :)
Y - Your Favourite Food? chocolate, tacos, beef casserole, roasts!
Z - Zodiac Sign? Taurus but I don't beleive in that ho-hum

Found this...

In the KMart catalogue... looks like it would be a nice addition to my scrap space - in REAL need of some way to organise my stash, this looks perfect! I'm looking at the big one I think, or even the 3-drawer! The drawers would be 12x12 wouldn't they?? Not a bad price really either, is it??

Might go for a lookie at Kmart today and put it on layby :)

Well, its back to school. Must say its good to have a few hours of peace and quiet around here again.

Well there is SOME peace and quiet. Eli is teething a bit lately, driving me a bit bonkers. I don't have the energy for a whingy baby.

Heat is taking every ounce of energy I might have out of me. Been a real struggle to even do my housework this week. Much prefer to hide in my bedroom that has air-con.

Having my 18 week ultrasound on the 8th Feb. Surprised they got me in though, but a blessing none-the-less. Means don't have to fork out for a private consultation. Looking forward to seeing my baby :)

Am hoping its still alive in there actually. I haven't felt it move yet. I'm 18.5 weeks and I had definitely felt it by now with the last one, so praying that its just a bit lazy in this heat too maybe.

In the progress of planning a holiday. Have decided to postpone New Zealand for just Greg and I for our 5 yr anniversary (2.5 years time - enough to save?)... not disclosing where we are thinking of going yet, till its a bit further down the pipeworks.

Well, better go make Jaidyn a toasted sandwich. Can't be bothered to cook tonight.

Last week of the holidays

And well its really seemed like holidays to us around here, as Greg has had a week off too. So things have been super lazy around here! They always are when Greg is home, even on weekends.... the washing is even mounting up, oops!

Anyway, what have we done. Not a great deal as we're trying to save for a holiday to NZ in a couple of months, so we haven't much to spend...

We went to the movies to see 'Night at the Museum' last week. Spent most of our holiday budget there, with movie tickets for 3, then lunch at maccas and oops, Greg and I had coffee too.. lol. But was a great day together. We don't get a lot of days out together so I really do treasure them. And don't mind spending the money when we do get to go out together. It was a really enjoyable movie too!

We went for an afternoon swim and then a yummy dinner at Mum and Dad's on Tuesday. I don't have ANYTHING to swim in though so I always miss out... but the water was *too warm*, like a bath, a bit yuck. The dinner is always good though!

Jaidyn has had a couple of days at vacation care this week too. He's a great kid, but soooo full on and *loud* and we need our quiet time too!

I actually got a few shifts at the childcare centre again (did relief there when pregnant with Eli) so that was good. Greg babysat Elijah while I was there, bit of a funny role reversal - I cracked jokes about being a Stay-At-Home-Dad with him and all the things I need to get done in my day... of course I came home to a mess though!! Men!!

Yesterday Greg was given a day to himself as I trecked into the city with Sal and her kids (minus Alec)... was a great day out! The kids loved it all, there's really so much to see and do... and as kids do, they took so long really to get around everything so we'll have to go again to finish it off! Jai and Sal's kids (even 4yo Mitch) get on so well, so its a pleasure to take them together - no fighting or anything... and we'll definitely have to do it more often!

Also finally gave Sal the gift that the SOF girls put together for her and baby Cowper. She was so stoked! Here is a pic of the gift basket. Sal is such a wonderful friend, such an awesome woman of God and encourager and I feel so blessed that we could 'spoil' her a little. Enjoy it babe!

Oh, and this is the 'baby bouquet' and card I made for my friend's baby shower last Saturday. Thanks to Carol for running me through it step-by-step and to Ali Russell for some floristry tips too :) I'm pretty chuffed with how it turned out, but it was tedious work really, not quite sure if I want to venture into business there anymore, ha!

Last night Greg and I went to the Third Day concert! Rocked!! I was really tired from my huge day though, and was starting to flake early, lol. But they are sooo good live, and it was just so awesome to see so many people worshipping God together! Nothing like it! Makes me cry with happiness sometimes :)

This morning Greg went off for his first surfing expedition with a friend from church. So the kids and I drove up in the morning and met Greg up there. It was sooooo yucky yucky hot though! We went to the beach and decided to only have a quick dip as it was the middle of the day. We went to Currimundi Beach where there's a great inlet/river thing. So it was nice and shallow in parts, great for Eli to just sit around, and he even attempted crawling around in it a bit, but got a few mouthfuls of water too. I didn't get many 'decent' pics unfortunately - I thought there might have been some good ones but doesn't seem it :( Here are the only good ones, lol.

And I've *just* spoken to my friend Jayde from church, who informed me that her man finally popped the question yesterday - we've been anticipating it for a couple of months, wondering when he would!! So congratulations to Jayde and James!! They are looking at having a June wedding (ype, in 5 months time - plenty of time, lol!) so I'll be heavily pregnant - hopefully its earlier on in June and this baby doesn't come *too* early!! I'll have to get something cute to wear... not sure if my other good dress will stretch quite to 38 weeks!

5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. Cooler weather today - thank God, its been SO HOT here lately...
2. Spending time together as a family this week
3. Coffee
4. Good friends
5. Air-conditioning in my bedroom

Grrr, stupid blogger won't let me upload photos... again... how annoying!!

8 months old...

My darling Eli,

Well, somehow 8 months has come and gone. 8 months! Before too long we'll be celebrating your first birthday. You really are growing up just a little too quickly for my liking. Poor daddy somehow still thought you were 6 months old (silly Daddy!)... Mummy has been a bit naughty and didn't get around to writing you a letter at 7 months, so boy do I have a LOT to catch up on now. It's phenominal how much you have learnt in the last 2 months!

You have mastered crawling. This took a little while as you experimented with different ways to get around. For about a month it was a 'caterpillar' crawl where you would shoot your arms out in front of you, then get up on your haunches, then down again and then shoot your arms out again - well thats not a really great way of explaining it, but you looked like a caterpillar. You had not quite got the hang of moving your hands alternately yet. But you finally got the hang of it and then nothing could really stop you! Every now and then, you also crawl on your toes instead of your knees, or your own rendition of it with one knee and one foot!



















Then came sitting up. You mastered this after crawling. I knew you'd get it soon. First you were a little wobbly, and leaned way forward, but slowmy your back strengthened and straightened.

After that it was only a week or so of crawling before you discovered you could also pull yourself up on all the furniture... and this is really where all the injuries start with a baby I think! Now every morning I am greeted with big smiles peering out from between the bars or over the top of the cot... you stand in the corner and wait for someone to walk past trying to sneak into the toilet (that's me!) and then you make lots of noise just in case we didn't see you there!! Then of course smiles all round! (and usually a nice smelly nappy to boot too, hehe) It was funny there for a while when you'd worked out how to get up, but not how to get down, and you'd stand up against something (most often the coffee table) and whinge until I helped you down. But you have not got the hang of it, and crawl, pull yourself up and get down on furniture all over the house!

You experienced your first Christmas at 7 months old. As most babies do, I think you enjoyed the wrapping and boxes more than your presents. We opened our family presents at home before going to church, but you only made it through a couple before you just *had* to go back to bed - you could hardly keep your little eyes open darling! So of course we opened the rest for you. You enjoyed present-opening time at Nana's though, where we went to celebrate with lunch. And of course you got spoilt rotten. Lots of new toys, and you especially love the ones that make noises or songs...
Christmas time was extra special because you met your Aunty Shanny for the first time too, as she finally came home from her trip to Holland. It was so great to have her back and she is so smitten with you.



















My, there is so much to mention. You have just learnt soooo much lately. So what else?

You have started having sandwiches and other finger food. Sandwiches at lunchtime are a huge hit and its great to see you feeding yourself and making a huge mess! Nutella sandwiches are particularly messy - like in this photo. It was so funny to see, you had it everywhere!!


In the last week you have learnt to clap your hands and you are so chuffed with yourself. We were practising for a little while there, with Mummy holding your hands for you, but you have now got the hang of it yourself and love clapping now! You also get a huge kick out of the fuss we make when you do - its still quite a novelty.

You are starting to talk more and more, and I think we can almost say you are saying 'Dada' now. While its more in a long string of "dadadadadada", it is clearly 'da'... and of course Dad thinks its great!! No sign of 'mum-mum' yet though, :( You also seem to be trying to engage in conversation - if only you knew the words hey? You look at us and say 'eh?' like you're asking a question. Sometimes its to get our attention, sometimes after we ask you something.

You have sprouted your first tooth this week! I almost didn't notice it there. The second one is just there under the gum too, so won't be long. You have been a little cranky, grizzly and today even a little sick (cold-y, extra tired, extra cranky), which I think must be from the teething. For comfort, you stick your finger (sometimes your thumb) into the side of your mouth and chew on it.

You and Jai still love playing together. He blows raspberries on your tummy, or plays peek-a-boo, or shows you how to build something. You love climbing all over him (in fact everyone!) and you love pulling hair or noses or mouths - ouch!

Little tantrums are starting to make their way into your personality. And its usually if someone takes something off you that you shouldn't have (which you know!). You will chuck a little screamy tanty. Not quite the throwing youself on the floor just yet, but who knows if that will come - hopefully not!

Getting into things you know you shouldn't is one of your favourite games. You squeeze through the gap between the lounges (sometimes you have a scream if you can't fit!) and go for the power cords near Mummy's laptop; you seem to always get yourself caught in and underneath the dining chairs; you love the tower of the pc; you love to pull out the board games in the bottom of the bookshelf; you love to play in the curtains; you love playing under the coffee table or under your cot; and also the dirt in the potplant is great fun for you - sometimes you eat it, sometimes you just like to play with it in your hand and put it all over the floor. But you are learning the word 'No'. Gee, we have to use it enough. Doesn't stop you though. I can just tell you know what it means, but you ingore it and push your luck just that little further. Sometimes if we yell it a little loud you get a bit scared and have a little cry. Then of course we have to pick you up for a cuddle coz you're too cute.

Bathtime is one of your favourite times of day. And its so much easier now you're in the big bath. You love to splash around! You do this thing where you look like you're swimming or something, with your arms and legs flailing around. You are so intent on what you're doing, and we can't help but laugh! Then you chase your little floating toys around the bath, and shove them in your mouth! You still seem to think you can crawl in the bath, and dunk yourself or bang your head or something quite often. Daddy even has one particular one on his phone (he should have been watching you not taking a video huh!) Jaidyn often hops in the bath with you, but he doesn't get much room, poor thing!

I'm sure there are more things I've forgotten too. You are just growing so fast right now. But I better get this finished before you are 9 months old my darling! We love you more and more each day. xxx

Making me happy...

Just thought a nice happy post would be great.

Things that are making me happy today:

* That we are going to an old friend's engagement party tonight, and I have a new top!

* That right now, Jaidyn is out at a b'day party and the baby is asleep, so there's peace and quiet...

* That today is overcast (yet hot :() so a good day for creating, which I have a bit of to do.

* That I have an awesome Father that provides everything I need in life.

* That I got a place in the Birthing Centre to have this baby - you can't imagine how relieved it makes me feel - what a good God!

* That I have made my bed, lol. Simple things huh.

* That I have so many wonderful friends that love me and support me.

* That my baby is amazing me everyday with things he does.

* That tomorrow Greg will be on holidays for 10 days!

* That I get to organise the games for a friends baby shower - fun fun!

Just a few bits and pieces, random but still making me smile and feel great today!

What's making you smile today? Feel free to share.

Nutella

I made the mistake of putting nutella on Elijah's sandwich for lunch today... and this is how he ended up...


(Can you tell we don't have a highchair yet, hehe, think we're getting one on loan this weekend hopefully!)
It's so cute watching him get it all over him, shove it in his cute little mouth. Nothing like your baby starting to eat big food! Oh, he's growing so fast!! Somebody stop him!

And this one just makes me laugh every time I look at it - just shoving it in his mouth! Heehee...

Today my boy learnt HOW TO CLAP! Oh its just so cute. I've been clapping his hands with him for a little while, and today he finally worked out how to do it himself. And he's just so chuffed with himself too, I can tell!

Ciao!!

From Tam

Stole this from Tam's blog (darn, I've forgotten how to link again). Was meaning to do this when I read it on hers, but then I forgot and just found it again. Even though its now the middle of January - gee, time flies doesn't it!! Anyways...

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Saw my Mum in ICU (scary!), gave birth without drugs!, lead a ministry at church

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Most probably not. From what I remember there was (always is) losing weight. Well I was on the way with that after Eli was born, then I got pregnant again, so that one has to move a year - or just whenever I get there... there was being a better housewife - I think I'm 'improving', lately anyway, but I have highs and lows, so this one will be there again too... can't remember what else there was...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Lots of people! ME for one; Karen, Tam, Erica

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but we came close to losing my Mum.

5.What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Organisation skills; a clean, decluttered house; a thinner waistline.

7. What dates from 2006 remain etched in your memory and why?
May 14 - Mothers Day, my b'day and the last day I spent with Mum before her op; May 21/22 - my labour and birth of my beautiful baby; May-July - my Mum in hospital.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Labouring and birthing with no drugs (unheard of for me, was never in my birth plan!); leading the kids ministry at church.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Weight loss

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
thankfully, No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Would say my camera, but that was JUST before 2006; ahhh... baby stuff probably - had fun getting bargains on ebay.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Dad (oh, I'm gonna cry thinking about it!) - he just made me so proud of him and to be his daughter - the way he held himself through 3 months of hell while Mum was stuck in hospital, the way he stuck it out for friends and family, I won't forget it in a hurry... really need to scrap that actually...

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Not sure.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Oh, who knows!! Nowhere in particular, and definitely not to our savings account where more should have gone, so we can go on afamily holiday this year!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having a baby.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Don't know.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, but also more stressed, lol; fatter or about the same considering I was preg then too; probably poorer, although now we are saving some... lol.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time with God, exercise.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Yep, same as Tam - time on the computer, eek... eating bad foods too...

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent it with my family at my Mum and Dad's house - both sisters were home too, which wasn't meant to be so...

21. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost.

22. What was the best book you read?
Ummm, not sure. Probably 'Black' by Ted Dekker, which I've just picked up again - good vs evil fiction - lovin it... but had forgotten it so reading it again...

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006?
The christian band Third Day - going to see them in concert next week - yay!!

24. What did you want and get?
A new fridge, some awesome new friends

25. What did you want and not get?
A clean house (lol yep same here Tam), a scrapping style lol, a smaller waistline.

26. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was Mothers Day also so spent the day at my Mum and Dad's. I turned 24. It was just before Mum went into hospital.

27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Maternity and plus size :( :( want that to change!!

28. What kept you sane?
The internet, Scrap of Faith, awesome friends like Lusi who just know what I'm talking about and let me vent (like yesterday, thanks a lot babe!), God!!

29. What political issue stirred you the most?
Don't really follow it. Blah.

30. Who was the best new person you met?
My baby Elijah, followed by great new friends, Sal and Lusi (but haven't really 'met' her)

One little word...

Ok, so I'm a little behind now on this one, but it really plagued me for a good week before I really sat down and worked it out.

Ali Edwards' AEzine last week involved us thinking about and picking a word that summed up what we want for the year, or what we want to do, or want from ourselves for the year.

I thought about this a lot, as I really wanted the 'perfect' word, something deep and profound, lol. But in searching I also realised that everything I want to acheive this year is diverse and cannot really all fit under one word.

(Sorry SOF girls, this next bit is pulled almost word-for-word from my post on forum)
So after some time in the Word, and asking God what He wants me to focus on, I really felt Him challenging me to make GIVE my word for 2007. To be honest, it WAS the first word that came to my mind about a week ago when I read about this on Tam's blog. It's the word I keep coming back to, or moreso God keeps pulling me back to.

So I did a few scripture searches. The best of the lot comes from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
'Remember this, whoever sows sparingly, will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctant or under compulsion, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.....
11 you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. this service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God...'

So through giving, we are thanking God for the indescribable gift He gave us of Jesus Christ.

I believe God is particularly talking to me in this scripture about my giving to Him, by honouring my tithe. Of late months, we haven't tithed, and we know that hardships with finances only follow this decision. And we KNOW that in giving we receive and receive abundantly.... so God is telling me to honour that tithe with thanksgiving in my heart and with a generous attitute to Him...

Another scripture: 2 Cor 8:9 - 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.'
Wow, what a challenge that one is!! Through my poverty, I can make others rich..??

Anyway, I beleive this how I need to address GIVE:

1. GIVING to God....
... my tithe
... my time
... my burdens
... my fears
... my petitions
... my praise and thanksgiving
... my prayers
... my ALL

2. GIVING to Others....
... financially, who are in need
... my time, building on my friendships
... my love and support, who need a friend
... encouragement in their Walk with the Lord or their self-worth
... gifts, that show I care and I appreciate them

3. GIVING to my Family....
... my ALL
... my time
... my dedication
... my appreciation
... my attention
... my God-given gifts and as a Mum and Wife
... my LOVE

4. GIVING to Myself....
... time with my Lord
... permission to not be perfect
... 'me' time
... freedom to discover my own scrapping style
... acceptance for who I am
... strength through Christ Jesus

WOW! That was awesome!! It seems GIVE really IS my word. That all just tumbled out of my spirit. I'm so excited to embrace this in 2007.

So my question each morning to the Lord will be: Father, how can I GIVE today??
Today's answer to that question - Give time, dedication, energy to my kids today & Give time to God through some devotion time.

Have a great day. Would love to hear what your 'word' for the year will be... if you've done this task, if not, check out Ali's blog, www.aliedwards.typepad.com

The cuteness (more pics)

My little man is now well and truly standing up on furniture and in his cot, so yesterday while I saw him happy and standing in his cot, I thought I'd take the opportunity to take some snaps.

He's just cute enough to gobble him all up!

And a couple of him crawling too:

A big Saturday!

Had a rather huge eventful afternoon and evening yesterday, and lots of pics to share too.

Yesterday afternoon I had lunch with two of my old highschool friends, Kim and Jem. Jem now lives in Melbourne and is up visiting family over Christmas break; and Kim I had lost contact with and finally managed to find her again after 2 years! I'm so thankful for that! Had a wonderful afternoon with these two girlies, talking about what's been happening in our lives recently - lots, with babies, boys, new love and parenting issues! It was so wonderful to catch up, and laugh and laugh over funny memories of days gone. And the wonderful thing was, that even though I hadn't seen them for a while, things hadn't changed (Even after 2 years!) We could still talk like before, still laugh, still share. Such a wonderful 4 hours (the people in the restaurant I'm sure thought we were a little strange!!)... here are some piccies:

With Jem:

With Kim:The 3 of us:

Last night we went to a friend from church's 21st party. The theme was 'night at the races' so we got all spiffed up - girls in dresses, heels and fascinators, and boys in spiffy suits. We bought Greg a new pinstripe suit (which he needed for weddings, functions anyway) so he looked super sexy!!

Here are a couple of pics - didn't really get a great deal of good ones - crappy lighting really... and Happy Birthday Jayde!

Greg and I:

With Michelle:

Congratulations Sal and Mark!!

... on the safe arrival of little Cowper Mark!!

Born at 6.36am this morning. But he's been anticipated for a couple of days now. I'm so very excited and happy for you guys and cannot wait to meet this little man!! (hopefully tomorrow!)

Photos to come. I will definitely be taking my camera - and well hopefully he is awake.

Both Mum and Bub are doing well.

He's learning so much

Well, after reading Kathie's blog mainly, I realise that I really do not record enough of what's happening in the growings of my baby.

And well this month has been HUGE so far and really its only half-over (he's almost 7.5 months old). So I though I should put a few little updates here.

Well he finally started crawling 'properly' a couple of weeks ago now (so that will make the 7 month letter when I actually finish writing it - its half-done..). But boy, what a difference a crawling baby makes to the household. Gee, I have to be on my toes all the time huh. Thankfully there is nothing dangerous or really bad that he can get into, but being the inquisitive baby (and boy!) that he is, he gets into anything that doesn't look like his toys. And I'm suress he knows he shouldn't be touching it, in fact, yep I'm convinced he knows! And I guess that makes it all the more fun for him.

His favourite places to go are:
The computer - with the tower on the floor he loves to go straight for the big power button and the cords hanging out the side... hmmm, might have to do something about that...
My bedroom - if the door is open he likes to explore there, and as Greg doesn't really keep the floor on his side of bed clean, who knows what he'll find there!
When the Christmas tree was up - on a coffee table - he liked to get in under it and find the power cords for the lights. Oh, you would move him back to the mat with his toys and he'd get straight back under that table!


To anything - plates, cups, remotes etc that get left on the floor! He especially likes remotes and it seems we have like 100!
His rocker - he likees to crawl all over it, get legs and arms stuck in the handles straps, get under it (and stuck there!)
Oh, and the board games on the bottom shelf of the bookcase - he particularly likes to pull out Cranium and Guess Who (the smaller boxes) and crawl all over Guess Who.
Oh - and this i edited to add that I forgot the indoor plant! Oh my, little terror - today he got into it twice and ATE the dirt! Eek... as Greg said when I told him, I don't think we can have a plant indoors anymore!!

Its so funny really, the places he goes. I think I will have to get some more pics and have to do a layout on this actually!!

This week he has also mastered sitting up. Back is almost straight now, not quite, but he can sit without using his hands on the floor for support now. And its so cute.

ALSO, he's started pulling himself up on some of the furniture... Oh dear!! Already!! And as we have wood floors, this is more toruble than good, as he falls over much of the time. Have to be right there with him when he's exploring in this manner. He now likes the teachest/toybox the best - best height for him I suppose. He pull himself up no problems, but then I think he realises he can't get down so he whinges there (or he falls). He's fine when there's someone right there with him though. He has also tried the couch but its that little big higher, and he hasn't quite got it yet.

When we were at my Mum's on New Years Day, he discovered their stairs (that go up from the living area) and decided he wanted to climb them! Well of course Dad got his new camcorder out and we have it on video. He got up 4 stairs! He's only 7 months old!! Growing up far too quickly this one! And no fear really. Yikes.....

His favourite toys right now seem to be his tower of rings that come off and on. He likes to chew the top of the pole, lol. And the rings seem to always get stuck under the couch... gggrrr... and he also loves a couple of toys that make sounds. A caterpillar that has buttons you press with numbers, shapes, letters etc and say the name of each. Jaidyn likes that a little more than Eli though I think... and a set of keys with a few sound buttons too. The keys are detached right now and the sound part seems to be in his bed. We often hear it when he wakes up and is playing by himseslf in there. The other night, when he was asleep, Greg went past to the bathroom and heard the lady's voice say 'car'... he said it gave him a bit of a fright and didn't quite know who was in there with him! Lol, he rolls onto in his sleep sometimes I guess... but I do try to move them all out of the way.

He is getting a very cheeky boy indeed. I tell you, ther personality really shines from about 6 months old! He smiles like all the time - unless he's whinging, which he's also developed well - and its this cute big cheesy grin too. In fact, even when he's grizzly its cute coz his little mouth stretches to a long line almost and his little cheeks chub up - so cute!!

Oh well, now that I'm started I could go on forever with my boy! Oops. But I'll stop now. I really must take some new pics though!

Rain!

Have woken this morning to beautiful, glorious rain. Its just gorgeous. I'm sitting out on the balcony, just watching the rain and web-surfing on the laptop - how relaxing!

I didn't have much planned for today, so I think I'll have a look through the scrapping supplies and see what I can come up with. I'm in need of some new papers, so I'm not sure I have much that matches - or even any photos really, but its the right weather for it huh!

Shall sit Jaidyn down with some craft, a DVD or his computer game and should be able to create something today! Have ideas about the New Year swimming around in my head, so might be a good place to start and I think I have the paper for it too.

Had a nice lazy day yesterday - so lazy the washing didn't make it to the line, again, oops.

Chatted to my two lovely girls Lusi and Sal. Unfortunately my chat with Lus was just not long enough, but I just called her to thank her for the beuaitful gift she sent me, just coz she loves me - a Joyce Meyer book and tucked inside my Elsie autograph... maybe I can plan a way to scrap that too huh. Talked to Sal for 2 hours - I think that's a record, gee Sal, do you ever shut up? lol We had lots to talk about though and I love talking God stuff with Sal, she's so zealous about it all!

So, not much to report really. I have a half-finished letter to Elijah for his 7th month which I should really finish too.

Hope you all have a nice day!

5 things I'm thankful for today (gee I haven't done this in a while):

1. Beautiful rain!
2. That I have made so many wonderful friends through blogland and SOF
3. That I will be doing a class again soon for SOF, and I look forward to creating again.
4. That Jesus is my best friend and only a conversation away (or a thought!)
5. Scrapping day!

Goodbye 2006, Hello 2007

Well, a Happy New Year to you all.

I must make a terrible confession - I didn't make it till midnight last night. Yep, I'm getting old huh! I will blame the pregnancy... hehe... we went to friend's for a nice quiet night (the mens decision really) - we had a great BBQ dinner, then cracked out the Poker - Texas Holdem style. I'm not really 'into' poker, I find it a little boring, but I think I lasted an hour or so at least. But by 10.30pm I was bored of Poker and tired as. Something that 5.30am starts and a couple of Midori Illusions didn't help! So I piked! Yep! So to Tam and Lusi, I didn't even make it to your New Year - Greg told me I had two texts when he woke me at 2am to drive home (of course he had far too many drinks to drive!).. but thanks girls :)
So hope you all had a good one. We had a good time, but yep, I didn't make it to see the new year in. I haven't missed it in many years, so must be getting old!

Well, I guess I'll use this post as a bit of a wrap-up of 2006 and a lead-into 2007.

2006 was a HUGE year in my family. It seems they get more 'eventful' each year... so here's a hopefully quick run-through:

2006 was a year of new community... as we had just moved to the Northside of Brisbane, to our new church family. And I think the best move we've made. We are so at home in this church and this community. Love it here!

2006 was a year of new milestones... as my first baby Jaidyn started at big school. He looked so grown up in his uniform first day, oh my! He loves school, and putting him in this year was the best decision ever, he was so ready (although he seems to have my not-so-attentive, a-bit-to-talkative trait!).

2006 was a year of adventure... as my baby sister headed to Holland for a year's exchange. We missed her so much in the 10 months she was gone, but she got such a wonderful life and travel experience - went to so many places! Lucky duck!

2006 was a year of stretching the heart-strings and bonds of my family... as we went through almost losing my Mum in an operation-gone-wrong. Then came 3 months of her being in hospital. Frustration was one key emotion felt at this time. I will never forget the strength of my Dad though, and my respect and love for him grew so much stronger seeing him be so dedicated and unselfish for Mum. It was a hard few months, but our family pulled together and we made it through. Mum is now at home and well and truly in recovery mode. And we hope she has no more hospital stays in the near future!

2006 was a year of new life... as we welcomed Elijah Christopher Mardon into the world on Monday 22nd May @ 6.15am. What a beautiful thing the birth of a baby is and he has brought nothing but joy to this family. I love nothing more than being a SAHM to him and watching Jaidyn and Eli bond and play together. Eli was born while Mum was in hospital, and she didn't see him until he was 6 weeks old. It was a little unfamiliar and sad not having Mum around when I first had him and came home etc. I really look forward to that again with the next one.

2006 was a year of promotion and new responsibility... as Greg was finally promoted to a Store Manager for ALDI. We had been waiting a short while for this, so it was greatly appreciated when it finally came. In saying that, it's been a tough few months with Greg working long hours, having many staffing problems and I guess all the sorts of things that managers have to deal with. But he is really good at what he does and he thrives on the responsibility and leading his team. I am so very proud of him!

2006 was a year of visiting with family... In April we travelled down to Mt Gambier SA to stay with Greg's parents for a while. It was a lovely relaxing time, enjoying family and the little 'sights' of the town. On the way home we stopped in at Melbourne to see my cousins and also a couple of friends. In July, we had visits from both Greg's parents again and my Nana, to see Elijah (and Nana to see Mum too). Nana has been down again for Christmas, so its been a pretty good year with family. My BIL Jeremy is living with us at the moment, so its great to spend some time with him too. The only one we didn't see was Andrea, hopefully won't be too far between seeing her again...

2006 was a year of new challenges... as I stepped into leadership in our church, heading up the Children's Ministries. I still have much to learn about organisation and the 'business' behind it all, but God is certainly taking me through all that, teaching me new things and beign with me all the time so I don't fall too hard. I've found it very challenging at times, but also love it, and it is such a need in our church, so I just pray that God dontinues to bless me in this, and take it to the next level this year!

2006 was a year of new friendships... I have met some of the most amazing women this year. First of all was my wonderful friend Lusi, whom I just stumbled upon through a blog we both visited. Who would have known that God had such a rich friendship in store for us both. In no more than 6 months we have laughed, cried and prayed together, sharing each others lives, families and testimonies of what God has done in our lives. I love this girl so much and I hope that 2007 brings us together to actually meet in person. Love you Lus.
One other amazing friend I've made this year is Sal. We were brought together in July, so again, less than 6 months ago, when she started the Scrap of Faith community, again through a mutual friend. Sal and I have got rather close this year, and our friendship is rooted very deeply in God, in the SOF community and in sharing the gospel with others. I love you too Sal, and look forward to what God has in store for our friendship in 2007.
I have also made many new friendships at Scrap of Faith. This is 'my home' now, I can't go a day without visiting the forums, and seeing what's happening in the lives of my christian girls there. We have all grown quite a close bunch and I know these girls are always there for me, for prayer, for guidance and for spiritual advice or building me up in my faith. Love you girls too!

2006 was a year of new depth in God... as I've seen my walk with Him and my spiritual life grow more than I could ever have imagined. Where I am now, and where I was this time last year seem so distantly apart. I have truly learnt so much, laid so much at the cross and grown so much in every aspect of my christian life. I feel so much fuller in my God, so much closer to Christ Jesus, but of course still so far from the perfection that He is. I am excited to see where He takes me in 2007. What an honour it is to be in the kingdom of my God and in Christ Jesus. More love in Him than I could ever have imagined anywhere else.

2006 was a year of exciting milestones for friends... I've seen one of my highschool girlfriends, Erinna finally get married this year to a wonderufl man Scott. I've seen two more old school friends get engaged, congrats to Lou and Jordan and Roxy and Robin. Hayley, a friend from uni is pregnant with her first baby, how exciting, as are Ben and Michelle who are to welcome their baby in only a month. I've had many friends have babies this year - Karen with Jacob, Tam with Diesel, Erica with McKenna, Katherine with Elara and more. What a wonderful year!

And finally, 2006 was a year of new excitement for us... as we found out we are pregnant AGAIN! We are so overjoyed though, and know this is God's plan. Two babies only a little over a year apart. I'll probably go a bit mad, but I'll love em so much and I know God will get me through it! We are so excited for July 1 to come around and welcome a new baby into this family.

What agreat year my family has had. Ups and downs. Hardships and joys! But that's what life is all about isn't it. I really look forward to life in 2007. And, if you've made it this far, good on you, and I wish you the very best to come in 2007 too and hope you acheive all you set out to.

My Mantra this year - With God, all thing are possible!

(Well blogger doesn't seem to want to let me upload any pics - again - such seems the story of blogger - maybe I should switch users.... so can't upload any sorry!)