Blessed be the name...

As fun as it is to see changes and things fixed up around the place, there is nothing like the feeling of having it all behind you!

We've had a chaotic few weeks but I have also had some real treats thrown in like a total surprise visit from my sister - and I mean I was totally surprised (my very wise husband decided it would be better that way) - poor lil' sis' came into the house to find me scrubbing paint off my feet and wearing my grubby paint clothes, with a trail of boxes stacked all around while we worked on the school room. It was such a treat to see her and have a chance to go out to coffee with my other sister too! Ah, we talked so long at the cafe that Ithink the waitress was giving us the hint to get us moving. What a little delicacy that was in my otherwise chaotic week!

We also enjoyed a couple of days with David's Aunt and Uncle from Vic. who stayed with us. Was fun to share our morning walk with them and have Great Uncle Peter (who is the absolute expert in nature studies!) give us a running commentary on what he saw as we walked. I was just amazed at his knowledge - and especially the way that he understands His Creator's awesome works in so much more detail!

I am utterly exhausted having just had a busy day with the kids at a friend's wedding while David ran around taking photos. The younger two seemed to have the wriggles, felt they hadn't been fed for months and couldn't wait a second longer and one of my lil' treasures decided to stand on the toes of the other just for fun (literally!) After the wedding I decided (somewhat foolishly) to make another excursion to pick up some storage boxes for our wardrobe so spent the time competing with my 6 yr old (who should know better) who thought it was fun to knock our stack of boxes over or constantly pull out the tape measure then 'snap' watch it disappear... in my frazzled state however I was amazed at the kindness of a gentleman who saw me struggling to carry all the boxes and watching my naughty children and offered to carry a pile of boxes to the van for me.

Isn't it like the Lord to season our way with little snippets of kindness, little reminders of his care, little pieces of His character evident in the lives of others? As I sit here I wonder how grateful my heart is - how well I see these little snippets. Sometimes I think I am so caught up in the frazzled feelings to really appreciate the Lord's hand...

Oh for eyes to see the hand of the Lord! Oh for a grateful heart when I am exhausted, when I am at the end of my patience and when I feel I could just curl up on the couch!

The Lord is kind and compassionate - Blessed be the name of the Lord!!

Pool party shots

More pool party shots

Growing Up - Joshua turns 9!

It has been a big countdown to the big day for you, Joshua. Not sure you still think you will grow an inch the night before your birthday as you did for the last few years but nonetheless you have reached 9 years old!

Our big 9 year old, soon to become an older brother to three siblings! When we told you that you were to be big brother again - you could hardly believe your ears and gave me hugs over and over in a state of shock and delight!

You are such an enthusiastic boy! You anticipated this day for some time. I watched as you and a group of friends splashed around the pool. You excitedly went from one to another, chatting away, enjoying a bit of rough boy play and splashing and having a grand time. You love to be with people and after the party is over you were just dying to go and visit someone or have more guests over!

You tend to make friends wherever you go - simply because you are brave enough to go up to unfamiliar faces and get to know them. Just love it. Our family has been introduced to so many beautiful people because of this boldness. We thank the Lord for it.

When I teach you at home I am amazed at how quickly you pick things up. Today I was trying to solve a maths question with you and you solved it before I could even get my mind around the question... As many know you have an amazing memory for dates and times and details - Daddy recently wanted to call some of your friends to reschedule an event and you had memorised the number and gave it to him just like that!

Lately it has struck me just how fast you are growing up, wanting to be more independent and try new things. Even lighting the candles on your cake was something you just wanted to do yourself! Daddy and Mummy are hoping we might be able to give you a room on your own soon so you can have some growing up space. We love you so much, Josh and we often pray together in the early mornings that you would grow to have an enthusiastic passion for Christ.

When we do our regular walks around the lake after dropping Owen at school I am aways astounded at how enthusiastically you spot insects, bearded dragons sunbaking, new ducklings and bobbing turtle heads. You even asked me recently if you could walk around the lake twice (considering the 30min. walking part isn't your favourite - you were so caught up in God's creation!)

Your enthusiasm for nature means that even simple activities like the animal farm

still excites you - you spent the majority of your time at Owen's Prep reunion, simply patting animals and trying to chase a chook around the pen.

There will always be new challenges, new experiences and disappointments ahead but we pray that as you grow, you would learn to cling to the Saviour who loves you, that you might see His hand always present even when the going is grim or when you are alone, doing tedious jobs you don't enjoy or frustrated at new challenges. He loves you dearly, Joshua, and more deeply than Daddy or Mummy ever could!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Cornelia and the Gracchi

I just sat down this evening to prepare some school work for Joshua who is to be at Grandma's for a few hours tomorrow while we attend a funeral. The chapter in 'A Child's History of the World' I read in preparation discussed the rise of the Roman empire - the aqueducts, the amazing way the Romans built roads, created long-lasting infrastructure, etc. While shocked again by reading of their gladiatorial, blood-thirsty appetitites I continued reading on and learned about a lady I have never heard of before. I will quote from the book, and though I know little else about this woman and her sons I just loved the picture of motherhood it conjoured up in my mind and told me of this woman's heart.

One day a very rich Roman woman was visiting Cornelia and showing off her rings and necklaces and other ornaments, of which she had a great many and was very proud.

When she had shown off all she had, she asked to se Cornelia's jewels.

Cornelia called to her two boys, who were playing outside, and when they came in to their mother she put her arms around them and said:

"These are my jewels."

Apparently these two sons (known as the Gracchi) grew up and set to work trying to help the poor in Rome to survive and be able to afford at least a small plot of land where they could grow crops.... Their attempts to help the poor lead to the death of one (hated by the greedy rich in Rome).

...and isn't there a children's Sunday School song called "Precious Jewels" describing children as jewels to Christ?

Credit to Australian National Gallery

Silly Putty

How to make slime (or "silly putty as it is called on youtube)


You need:

• Borax
• PVA glue (non toxic)
• Water
• Food colouring

Just click on this link for proportions and method:


My kids have spent a lot of time watching this goo, causing their mother to panic about where it went and just poking it and letting it creep over the edge of cups, etc.





And there you have it!


PS - No, Owen it is NOT edible though the colours might look yummy:)

Sprung

Just gotta love those huggy moments!

Bad blogger

The bad, bad blogger is back! I seem to avoid the computer at the moment with renovations and jobs around the house to put extra effort into. Either that, or I just colapse in bed at 8pm as soon as the kids are in bed. Big, round and tired at the moment but very thankful for my little tribe.

Well here are a few snippets:

It is mulberry season again at the Campbells.

Daddy made mulberry icecream. I think we have decided the only safe way for children to eat mulberry icecream is outside in an old tub of water with an rag to scrub them over afterwards:) Or maybe a fire hose:)

Considering it is just straight, frozen mulberries put through our ice-cream fitting on our juicer, I guess the stain factor is at its peak!

Invited friends from church to join us for lunch before convoying together for a wedding in the city. Here's the happy couple

Enjoyed a day at the beach with our new pastor, his wife and their grandkids who they were minding for a few days in school holidays. Joshua made great friends with their grandson so the two of them enjoyed playing and digging in mud!

Were invited to celebrate a friend's joy at her husband finally arriving in Australia after waiting 2 1/2 years. Her hubby was finally able to come face to face with his little boy whom he had never seen before.

Any guess which child is not theirs?

Here is the cutie, himself on his 2nd birthday!

We also recently received news that a friend of ours passed away in much the same way David's father did, from skin cancer. He was a Godly man and so we rejoice though we feel the loneliness and sorrow his wife faces as she continues the journey alone.... but yet, not alone!

It seems there are many more things we did during the holidays - Joshua had spent time with his friends, time catching up as well as days were we did very little, but just pottered, visited the library or ran wild outside.

I do feel my posts have been somewhat boring for outsiders, just factual and lots of unfamiliar faces... have always felt a little vulnerable getting into deeper subjects on my blog, though I know that those type of posts are the ones I enjoy the most when reading friend's blogs. A spiritual challenge, a call to think more seriously about life/parenting, etc. and personal struggles that have helped me to grow...