Family Night Friday March 20th, 2009

Gary organised smores; a couple of Morning Coffee biscuits with 2 toasted marshmallows and a piece of "Furry Friends" chocolate sandwiched or squished in between until the chocolate melts - YUM. The kids really enjoyed finding sticks, turning them into "glowsticks", and making patterns in the air like we do with sparklers. I tried to take a photo of myself to prove I was there, too, but they didn't turn out at all (ahem) complimentary... It was lovely, especially because there was a nip in the air and it began to rain ever so gently - we were set up in the carport away from the rain.

It was a relaxing way to end a week, which, for me, has been full-on:
* taking Chloe to the dentist on Monday;
* spending most of the day on Tuesday doing the groceries (yes, it takes a long time but at least I can still do it - good muscle tone developing in the arms:) then a growing time at "Nurture", the ladies' group that happens every fortnight at Belinda's with Mychel as leader and Saminda there for the first time this year;
* Wednesday was 6 hours in the kids' room and 2 hours doing the play verandah and vacuuming;
* Thursday was a lovely morning with the Fern boys and Declan, giving Saminda time to breathe;
* then Friday (finally feeling awake after 12:30pm!), cleaning the toilet, washing up, doing 3 loads of laundry, bringing up one dry load, sorting and folding and putting away, supervising Declan's bodypaint, reading Max Lucado's "If Only I Had A Green Nose", after Declan declared he wanted a green nose!, feeding us both, supervising what he calls "pin play" when he takes my sewing pins and sticks them into somewhere soft - his preference was the couch but we agreed on the small red cushion, making dinner, walking to town to do some banking, pick up some school books for Chloe and a mended cushion for Gary's classroom - I might put in here that I had a protesting little boy who didn't want to walk and didn't give up his protest until we reached our first stop in Bazaar Street - 7 blocks from home:( - at least the walk home was happier:) and dozing upright while Declan watched some Charlie and Lola on DVD from Saminda (thank-you for knowing I needed this!!) and resting on the bed during Playschool - I wish that went longer!!!

Today being Saturday, I've been awake since 5- ish, breakfasted and ... am blogging -Yay!! Rock and Roll is playing through the DVD player while the kids play - Declan with pin play again, Chloe with Amy, one of her large dolls from Nanna. Gary, I think, is reading. We have a birthday party to go to from 11am-1pm and we have to remember to vote. Dinner is leftovers and I'm dearly hoping for a sleep this afternoon and maybe a well-worn girly classic this evening. Happy Saturday to all!

Face (and Body) Paint Friday

Spotlight on Chloe...and friends:)

Gary and I took Chloe to see "The Wizard of Oz" stage production this afternoon with Mr Fern as the lion and Saraya as a sweet little munchkin. It was fantastic and it has caused me to reflect on the opportunities I had as I was growing up:
* private tuition for ballet (3 years),
piano (3 years),
violin (8 years),
horse-riding (4 years),
Speech and Drama (11 years-AMEB and Trinity College),
swimming (learn to swim classes then later 3 years of intense training),
tennis (1 year, I think)

* Girls' Brigade (1 year),
Guides (4 years),
horse-riding week-long camps at Mt Tambourine,

* extra-curricular school activities: school orchestras (8 years),
school choir (4 years),
Concert Choir (combined with Boys' Grammar) (3 years),
ISCF (4 years- and including Surf Camp, Study Camp, Discipleship Camp and Schoolies),
Interact (1 year),
German dancing, Japanese dancing (2 1/2 years),
netball (which I didn't like at either of 2 schools,
softball, which I did),
ran (and lost:)) the 1500m 3 years running because my house was awarded 1 point for participation- I just had to survive and just qualify for a jogging pace- go England house!!!

* director / coordinator/ actress for regularly-performing church drama group,
church choir (alto),
youth orchestra and youth choir,
youth group,
co-leader of Yr 4-7 weekly group,
organising camps and excursions, interactive lessons, craft, music for them,
organising outreach concerts and events,
Youth Encounters, prayer retreats, and other youth group camps, Leadership Team for Youth Group

* Christian clowning course, and over 50 performances over 5 years in 5 towns,
amateur theatre prodution of the English comedy "As Long As They're Happy", playing a 16-year old head-over-heels with a swooner,
dressing as Sandy in "Grease" and miming and dancing to "You're The One That I Want - Oo, Oo, Ooo" :),
and as Marilyn Monroe doing "Diamonds Are A Girls' Best Friend" , (and yes, I have proof of these daring, out-of-character dramatic pursuits:)

* School play in a competition at the Arts Theatre as one of the leads in a play about the suffragettes -- I loooovvveedd this, but didn't feel alternative enough to take drama in Senior - something I regret - instead doing English, German, French, Maths in Society, and Ancient and Modern History... something else I now very much regret is not following through on sitting for my letters in Speech and Drama- I had prepared for 2 years for Year 7 and pulled out under stress in my final year of Uni, during my final prac and the graduation of the Clowning course - everything was culminating in the same end-of-year time frame, and I figured I'd be able to pick it up again later - not realising as I do now that, should one move to Maryborough, it would not be an option - I never dreamt I'd leave Brisbane - how things change!

I'm grateful to my parents for this endless list of opportunties- the cost, the driving, the $10,000p.a. for my highschool education at Brisbane Girls' Grammar, the patience of listening to practices and lines and ideas; amidst all this, I also wonder about my own children and the opportunities we'll be able to expose them to; how will they find their niche if we can't manage to find the affordable, available opportunities?
Still, they're young, and I'm sure God has great things for them...The first song they listen to as they go to sleep is "God will make a way where there seems to be no way-He works in ways we cannot see - He will make a way for me - He will make a way".. Reminder to self: have faith; we're in the palm of His Hand:)

Happiness is...

Going to school...

A cup of tea - pink or peppermint...

Licking the bowl:) ...

First real party dress Chloe age 5

Dressing up... Chloe age 4

Blessed with pregnancy

The last post (the quiz) was an experiment to see if blogger would let me back - I haven't been able to publish anything for months!!!! I'm not sure how photos will go but I'll try them later.
For now, I have some catching up to do!

For starters, after over a year of praying for another pregnancy, we have our little miracle!!
On New Year's day, I gave each of our family a gift and, unbeknownst to the others, I bought myself a pregnancy test. You see, in Toowoomba, God showed me with what I can only describe as spiritual eyes, a belly on ME that was very much pregnant. I could barely believe it- I kept looking down and saying, "Are you sure God, really? Really? Are you showing me what's in there? Really?" Anyway, I kept this revelation to myself "pondering it in my heart" - afterall, I've been through two phantom pregnancies so who would believe me? Then on Christmas day, I asked Ally to put her hand on my tummy and smiled at her; she smiled and said that it could be wind; I agreed, smiling and decided to wait to test until New Year's morning. When the day finally came, I had a feeling of utmost relief when I saw the double stripe! I was also a little suspicious if the test was completely accurate (I think I was still trying to protect myself from the rollercoaster of disappointment). Added to this was an immediate curiosity about who was growing inside of me and a sense of deep-hearted praise for my heavenly Father... and then I had to smile - I used the computer to calulate my estimated due date - 9/9/09!! How cool!
I told Gary by showing him the test in the front of my new 2009 diary. At first, he didn't understand what the stripes meant but when I explained what was going on he said a smiley "Wow" and gradually increased in mischievousness throughout the morning eg giving some ridiculous (and some possible) name suggestions, declaring that we'd have to save for a new car now and that we'll really have to clear the spare room!
Gary decided he wanted to keep the news to ourselves for a while (not even telling Chloe and Declan) which was so hard. I did ask permission to tell Saminda, though, cause she knew I was waiting on results from a test this time. She was overjoyed and declared that she'd be here for me no matter what and forever. It was really hard not to tell anyone, and some guessed because of my utter exhaustion; I slept all day for 3 or 4 days at one point and I kept having a couple of sleeps each day over the holidays - the beauty of having Gary at home with the kids. Of course, now that school has gone back, I have to fit in with that, although Chloe starts on the bus toay and even wants to walk down the driveway herself (I imagined I'd be meeting her at the gate!! I think I'll still keep an eye open for her maybe from the bedroom window - maybe with a lens in front of my face:) - we'll see). Chloe said this morning that it doesn't matter anymore if I'm still asleep at pick up time cause I'll have some extra time; she'll be picked up at the front gate by Mark Bryant (bus driver, school chaplain and church friend) at 8:15am and dropped off again at 3:20pm - that's earlier than the time I usually leave school. Mind you, I'm going to miss the mums' comaraderi and connection time, and catching up with Gary after school, before heading home... we'll see how we go, I guess.

When we told Chloe and Declan after my doctor visit to confirm it, Declan didn't really understand but Chloe thought Gary was up to his usual joking way and said, "No we're not?!" It took a bit of convincing that we weren't joking and when she finally cottoned on; she was smiling and a bit shocked. Since then, the questions have been coming regularly and Declan has asked if there's really a baby growing inside my tummy, so I guess he's processing it in his own time and way.

A mothering-type quiz

My type is the INFP mother and, yes, I agree with so any of my friends, this is quite accurate - it's based on a the Meyer-Briggs personality test:

“Inside our children, I believe, is a truth that tells them what’s best for them. I am always listening for that truth.”

Aware, astute, and understanding, the INFP mother is sensitive to her child’s needs, feelings, and perceptions. By observing and listening to the cues of the whole child, she is “tuned in” and naturally develops an intuitive feel for what he or she needs. Responsive and helpful as well, she tends patiently to those needs as they arise.
The INFP mother is comfortable letting her children follow their own course of development and make their own choices. She offers encouragement and uses her insights to head off trouble and difficult issues.
The INFP mother takes vicarious pleasure giving her children good experiences and watching them enjoy childhood. She’s happiest creating pleasant, memorable times for the whole family.
Learn More about Your Mothering Style andHow to Use Personality Type Day-to-Day to Enrich Family Relationships!


http://www.motherstyles.com/quiz_results.asp

A good belly laugh!

I just had to share what made me laugh, and laugh, and laugh today!

I had escaped to the bedroom this afternoon to ostensibly "read and relax" for 10 minutes before taking the children for a bike ride with friends around what Chloe started calling "the Daddy park". Gary came in to read, too, and I made the comment that, although I hadn't told the children where I was going, they hadn't missed me yet and that I had been there for 7 MINUTES:) The sense of sneaky freedom made me smile!!

Then came "foghorn" aka Declan, yelling from the other side of the house, "Mummy... Mummy... where are you Mummy?" I had to laugh a little and, although the thought crossed my mind about not answering, I ended up telling him and he came racing in. (Mental note: I LOVE it when my kids come rushing to welcome me home after market day morning shopping, or I pick them up from Grandma and Grandpa's, etc).

"What can you do with me Mummy?"

"I'm reading for 5 minutes"

"My will lie here with you, 'cause my cold. My be warm here, next to you!"

And this is where I started to feel a giggle wiggle up from my middle..."You need to lie still" (I knew I was asking the impossible but I thought I'd give it a try anyway!)

"My will lie still right here... Move over Mummy... more!"

"Please."

"Please move"

The window was open and I was in short sleeves and I was a bit cool, so my thinking was that it would be nice to have a snuggle with my 4- in -15 -days'- time- boy. Hmmmm, it lasted all of four seconds and the cheery chatter was on. This is an excerpt:

"It hurts my eyes when my shut them."

Daddy: "Then don't close them so tightly... no, don't squeeze them, just let them fall like this...yes, that's better (the facial expressions were, meanwhile, cracking me up!) He put his head down for another few seconds -no exaggeration- then it was on again...

"Mummy, my going to lie on top of your tummy"

"That's how you used to go to sleep when you were a baby" (Can you tell it's that reflecting-upon-4-years-ago kind of time..:) Declan liked this idea and proceeded to try and get himself comfortable, while using me like a beanbag (how do I explain that there are bits of me that really hurt when he uses his knees, elbows and chin to prod- I say it so often I feel like a broken record!!)

He chopped and changed positions umpteen times, with such funny faces while he tried not to squeeze his eyes that I finally bubbled over and laughed. He laughed with me, and locked my gaze with those engaging eyes of his, which made me laugh and laugh. I was just treasuring the moment, when ..."Laugh again Mummy" caused a bittersweet reaction on my part; I obliged and, returning the intrigued gaze, enjoyed the belly laughs (keep in mind , by this stage, he was lying across my belly!!)

Later, though, as we rose to get ready for the bike ride, looking for shoes, drink bottles, and all that mundane, necessary life stuff, I was thinking about what a precious moment I had just enjoyed. I remember that there have been times like this with Chloe, too ('though Chloe will lie still on the bed for a snuggle:) ) And, there have been rare occassions when I can remember being in uncontrollable silly sessions with Gary.

I want to laugh more with my husband.

I want to laugh more with my children.

I want to laugh more.

Wordless Wednesday

Guess who!

I still love gingham, though not in my wardrobe:)

What an oval-shaped, milk chocolate and an orange-filled truffle say about me:)

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You


You are sweet, mellow, and easily satisfied.You don't like anything too intense and dramatic.Deep down, you're a kid at heart... and you're nostalgic for the past.You are mellow, spiritual, and philosophical.You are a true humanitarian. You enjoy helping people.Your heart can be too open at times. You sometimes over-extend yourself.You love to be the center of attention. You enjoy entertaining your friends.You feel lost when no one is interested in you... You're too interesting to be ignored.

This was fun -it was from www.blogthings.com/thechocolateoracle/

One-handed post:)

With one precious princess on my lap having a nurse-mummy hug, I need something simple!. So here goes, a one-word-answer challenge .................
1. Cell phone? Unused
2. Significant other? GG
3. Hair? needing colour!
4. Mother? strong
5. Father?doctor
6. Favorite thing? time
7. Dream last night?housework!
8. Favorite drink?peppermint tea with half tsp of sugar
9. Dream/goal?lots
10. Room I'm in?breezeway
11. Church? journeys
12. Fear? trust
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? fireplace with rain on iron roof
15. What I'm not? extrovert
16. Muffins? Texas
17. Wish list item? Panasonic Lumix (the new one released in Feb)
18. Where did you grow up?Daisy Hill, Brisbane
19. Last thing I did? talk with my children
20. What are you wearing? favourite red shoes
21. TV? Friday night movie
22.Pets? Golden Retriever adult girl one day
23. Computer? want to know how to use it better
24. Life? joy-full
25. Mood? content
26. Missing someone? Nanna
27. Car? old but reliable
28. Not wearing? jumper - Brrrr!
29. Favorite store? 2nd hand
30. Summer? homemade sorbets
31. Love someone? sooo many
32. Favorite color? Red
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? this week
35. Who will repost? Theresa?

Wordless Wednesday

The view from a window

I spend so much time in the kitchen that this is one of my greatest, yet simplest treasures: a peaceful view from the kitchen windows! This is the window behind the kitchen sink (I'm not responsible for the peacock in stained glass but it is an arty addition!) Washing up, for me, is a time of reflection and "looking out", even if it's only for a couple of seconds at a time, when my little Mummy helpers are volunteering (and chatting incessantly:) I might add). The view is of the Community Garden being constructed next door and the Baptist Church behind the fence. It's awesome on Sunday mornings when we can hear the church starting at 9am - often the songs are the same as what we'll sing half an hour later when we start our own service half an hour later in town! It's also a great reminder as we're busy getting ready for church as to why we're actually going and creates a sense of anticipation (for me anyway; Gary has already left to go to Prayer Meeting at 8:30am:).

I also enjoy the bougainvillea when it's in bloom over our carport (although the Community Garden committee don't appreciate it's shade casting qualities and keep chopping it back. Nevermind!

Another thing about this window is that my kids and I sometimes go next door to the garden (with their permission) and they play on the swing or climb the tree or admire the vegies or play in the sand or with frisbees and balls (we have a very tree-y ard so not ideal for this kind of play) and , if I need to return home to check on dinner, I can still supervise.

Sometimes, we even take the bikes and the "rocket" over to the tennis courts behind the Community Garden. (The Community Garden is using the land next door that also belongs to the Baptist Church, as do the tennis courts) There's something I really like about all this community feeling. We're made quite welcome by the church to pop over etc (my husband has taught the pastor's son for a few years) and I love the idea that my kids are going to grow up with these fun-loving memories of living next to a church that welcomes them... I also have similar memories of hearing hymns etc emanating from the Baptist Church down the road from my Nanna's house at Upper Mt Gravatt (My Mum walked to her wedding with red carpet down the footpath!)

All this from one window! Phew!

The simple pleasure of drinking water from a beautiful, lady-like glass! I don't know what reminder techniques others use to help them to keep up their fluid intake, but this is mine; it's become a real association- I never drink anything else from it and I don't let anyone else use it; perhaps that's a bit immature or selfish but it really is a simple pleasure!!

There's something incredibly satisfying about cannisters, isn't there!

I've started baking fruit cakes for lunchboxes (at Chloe's request) and the brown paper in this tin brings back fond memories of my Nanna's baking, too:)

Speaking of simple blessings: a drawer full and overflowing with fresh fruit and vegies from Market day causes me to feel I'm doing a rewarding thing for my family when I go to the markets before school rain, hail or shine or billowing gales!! I love Thursdays!! I try to cook/bake on Thursdays, too, when everything's fresh and then pop prepared meals or part thereof into the freezer until I need them! No wonder Declan loves to "help make" -we do a lot of cooking together and he's really quite skilled, now, at pouring, sifting, mixing (gently Bentley!!:))

Gingerbread house

Finally... a photo of one of my gingerbread houses (2007):)

Happy Snaps

Here are a few of my latest Happy Snaps (I'm not sure why they've gone higgledy-piggledy, out of order:( Sorry! The photo of the newspapers is actually a Chloe/Declan creation of a campfire to go with their tent which you can see in the background with the pink cushion as the comfy floor.

This week, Declan has declared that he wants to grow up to be Daddy; not just any daddy but his Daddy! He wants to "talk like Daddy" and "do everything Daddy does":) I don't know who's more chuffed!

This photo was taken after we'd washed Declan's hair and he was enjoying his slicked back look. Add to this with what he calls his "groovy" sunglasses and he'll tell you he looks "like a rockstar":) There are some older sister influences there!!

And, as for this older sister, this is Chloe being presented with a special first-week-of-winter dessert... a marshmallow snowman. These are fast becoming a tradition after we made them for a Christmas in July gathering a few years ago. We skewer a giant marshmallow, then a regular one, then a mini "mallow bake". Sometimes, I sneak another half marshmallow in as the brim of a hat under the mini marshmallow :).

'Tis a gift to be simple...

I love taking photos of simple everyday pleasures. I wish my grandparents had been able to do this, too. I'm really interested in what I guess is called "social or domestic history"; things used around the house, what bedrooms look like at different stages of our children's development; favourite books and movies, the price of food and what food packages look like, views from windows, the changing facades of local streets, favourite play spaces, parks and games, etc.