Friends

A wonderful, busy, social weekend. Here are some highlights:

A friend's 3rd Birthday party

Joshua and James getting aquainted boy style.

Joshua reading to Kate. These two cousins have enjoyed eachother's cousin immensly! They spent hours together outside having a mandarine picnic.

Then we caught up with a famous Bible college lecturer, theologian and author... none other than Mr. Bird himself! This is to assure his lovely wife that he is still alive and well...

oh and he had a message... and I believe it had something to do with a student...

that is what this next photo is about...

It is with a bang that this week begins -Two hospital appointments (those long ones in the waiting room) and Joshua enjoying some extra time with cousins on the coast (with a dollop of school work in-between...)

Thank the Lord for friendships which really make life so rich!

Mawwage

Some photos from a recent wedding we were invited to. We were both in the minority being white. We were told the wedding was not in traditional African style. The couple had a wedding ceremony in Africa (from what I have heard African weddings are 'official' based on the presence of a great deal of family members...but not so 'official' when then trying to convince officials in Aussie offices of the formality and genuineness of such a commitment). The couple then came to Australia and had a wedding ceremony here - which I believe was the groom's first time to Australia, so it is all so new for this couple who are starting out together.

Here are a few things that made their day unique.

• Lots of colour - (those who attended as well as bridesmaids) The bridesmaids (about 7) wore yellow and a shade of green I find hard to describe (closest colour I can name is army green... but different again... The younger girls (flower girls?) were in white/pink lace dresses... sorry the photos don't pick up on this very much (was hard to get photos over so many tall heads!)
  
• The pastor who preached was Spanish (very thick accent) though he preached in Spanglish and sermon was translated into Swahili, (though many in congregation also spoke Acholi). This pastor was quite dramatic - so used his voice that it sounded as though he might loose it by becoming hoarse! The pastor was from the church the couple attended - though the church runs an African service and Spanish service at seperate times.


• I was quite amazed by the pastor's very direct approach to the couple - turning to the husband he said - "J, you MUST love your wife... you must love her when the food is good and when it is not so good!" with constant emphasis, a thick accent (you have to try to imagine this - it really makes it even more dramatic!) and then actually asking for J to respond - "Can you do this?" to which the poor young man nodded nervously! He was also asked if he would really be willing to die for his wife?


• The most notably African influence came through with this rather loud/joyous/festive/distinct noise the women made with their tongues during pauses throughout the ceremony (an African friend since told me it is a noise the Arabic people taught them) and while the bridal cars exited. My ever-keen-to-embarass husband mentioned to one of his friends that he was keen to see his wife replicate that sound. The young man just grinned!


• There were a few more outgoing women (likely the women who had least exposure to our more conservative western culture) who freely danced and made the tongue noises to the bride and her maids as they settled into the car.

When I look at the above photo of the pastor, I can just hear that thick accent, can you?

Most importantly this sweet couple are starting out together - with the Lord's strength - we pray that the Lord would help them to keep their eyes fixed on him in all the ups and downs of married life! God is so good!

James the Jubilant!

Well, here is the handsome James when he first arrived with his Dad at our house

And a few minutes later

The two handsomes getting aquainted!

There will be more photos of big sister and the rest of the clan... only I haven't yet seen them myself, with all my running to and from the school, teaching Josh, etc...

Nice to see the cute chubby cheeks in person!

Dream baby

Eagerly awaiting a visit from David's brother and his family...

We haven't seen their newest bubs - James who is now 18mths... Coming over from USA for a visit...

a bit of scurrying around and cleaning up.

Will be fun for cousins to reunite/be introduced!

Oh why, oh why do we (families) tend to spread out across the globe/country? .... the down side to great transport, technology (hey, we can just skype and even use video now!)

Nice to dream that my sisters/brother lived down the road, too - so we could mind eachother's children every now and then or pop out together for a chat....

dreaming, I know... !

Virtual hugs will never do in my opinion!


So glad there is unhindered fellowship in the life beyond this one!

So while the virtual hugs become real ones we will try and make the most of these few short weeks together... and do our best to persuade them to move to our neighbourhood... !

What is Rosa Louise Campbell good for?

Can you remember being six?

Well our little, Czech born, cuddly, playful, burst-into-song-at-any-moment (especially with an audience) boy has just turned 6! Yes, would you believe it!? It has been a whole six years since we were in Czech as a family.

Owen, in this past year we have all seen you speak more, interact more and have more energy - climing and so very close to being able to hop with two feet together (your PE teacher has been working hard on this with you)! You have watched little sister grow up right under your nose, and now she even plays picnic and shop games with you. The two of you can be so imaginative when you play together...

You continue to hug so many you meet, try cheeky tricks on others and entertain many with your heart-felt singing! Sounds like you keep your classmates entertained with all the funny antics, mischief, drama and song! When I drive you home from school each day I often hear all sorts of chatter and then, when I catch a glance of you in the mirror, a few minutes later you are sound asleep... worn out. The next morning when you are off to school you literally run into the classroom and look out for your good friend, B... I love to watch the way you fit into the routine so quickly... I also secretly love the way you tell me to wait each time I begin to head out of the classroom - nice to know you still like having Mum around. And no shame at having Mum kiss each cheek ... or should I say eyebrows. Makes me smile to think that your favourite place to be kissed is on each eyebrow!

Well you are 6 now! No longer my little tot, my baby... This year you chose a frog birthday cake. So special to have Grampy and Nanny nearby to share the occasion with you - to enjoy their cuddles, see how you have grown and developed and to sit on the couch and snuggle up with a book. As I look on, I thank the Lord for this time, these moments, the relationships, the quiet moments (few as they are).... At times I am reminded that these busy, challenging days of parenting little ones are numbered.

How we love you, Owen!

Making memories for my Kids

A while ago I composed a list of some special memories I have from my childhood - just things that I liked/enjoyed (will spare you all my phobias/naughty moments, etc.). I thought that perhaps these are things I should incorporate more into my children's lives as special times /memories...I have had the list on the top of my fridge for a few months but thought that Mother's Day might be a special time to bring it out and look over it again.

Some memories are from very simple things - or just a feeling that stuck with me... For each child there are different things that might stand out and hey, my list is girly (sorry can't help that!) so perhaps I can ask my hubby some time what stands out to him (though he usually tells me he cannot remember much from his growing up years at all... buried somewhere down there I am sure...)

Well, here goes:

• after a bath, being wrapped in a towel, snuggled up warm and cuddled
• long chats with Mum after 'lights out'
• waking up early in the morning to find Mum on her knees in the lounge praying - she used to let me sit quietly with her
• little gifts wrapped for each day on our holidays for us to open
• being allowed to choose something in the shop (didn't happen often but when it did - wow - it seemed such a treat) I can remember Mum letting us pick out a tracksuit and I chose a yellow one with big pocket at front and picture of roller skates on front. I wore it till it was tatty.
• summer evenings with cousins laying awake at night in sleeping bag and giggling away - being rather silly, come to think of it!
• people /choirs or singing groups or any visiting speakers who came to our church (especially if they were able to stay at our house). Now this reminds me so much of my Joshua! Loved company - so like my eldest! Sharing meals with other families...
• Laying awake at night listening to Dad playing the piano while I went off to sleep - just loved this
• Receiving a puppy dog (something I just cannot bring myself to consider for my kids!)
• Prayer meetings at our house (especially when I was allowed to stay up!) I really enjoyed being around 'big' people and absolultely loved having missionary speakers show slides from strange and interesting countries
• Adults who took the time to talk to me - and not just the general 'how are you?' but who knew us a little more... I remember a couple of Sunday School Teachers who took the time to chat to me (I was quite shy and so it likely took some effort on their part to get much out of me).
• Giggling with my sisters, sitting on the kitchen benches, just the three girls and chatting about whatever (ok, ok... more silly stuff mixed in with personal 'only-for-sisters' stuff)
• Mum reading aloud to us all as a family - sometimes a missionary book, sometimes 'Little House on the Prarie'... I remember begging Mum to read just one more chapter!

Anyway, I could go on, but my aim is not to put you to sleep with my childhood history - just to share/remind myself of some things that were special...

I wonder what my kids will remember with fondness?

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mums out there. My day began in a somewhat 'normal' manner - the usual - scooping up an armful of washing, racing little bottoms to the potty and preparing breakfast.

Joshua, grabbing a briefcase he borrowed from Daddy (which reads "Do not open briefcase - PRIVATE...thankyou!") had stowed away a few secrets for the occasion! He womps it down on the coffee table, enters his secret number code and announces that there are some goodies for Mum. He hands me a pretty picture he painted, a block of indulgent Lint chocolate (mint) and a bag of goodies Owen purchased all by himself (well kind of) at the Mother's Day stall at school. I would have loved to have seen Owen choosing something - he is usually quite adamant about what he likes!

I managed to finish the mother's day gifts for Mums for church last night (without ushering in the new day to finish them:) David and Josh headed off to church early to set up (Dave led worship/song time this morning). I took the leisurely (ahhkhemmm...) option of coming later with the two partners in crime.... nothing too eventful ... as I managed to race to the scene just in the nick of time - first suncream oozed out onto little hands - just about to provide a nice white coating to the Sunday attire... I jumped in to insist "hands up!" to which the criminals actually responded immediately. I had no hand cuffs so I simply washed them off and sent them off on condition of "good behaviour!" Just prior to that they had found the remains of Joshua's shoe polishing job and the leader in crime was just pointing out to his partner that they could disguise their action by making themselves look like "black" vagabonds by simply rubbing the shoe polish brush in the demonstrated manner.... again Mummy saved the day (or rather the need for a last min. bath).... and we arrived in church just in time (or maybe a min. or two late:(.

And now as I sit here and type away - my eldest is at the hospital with Daddy - nothing serious, just an adult tooth he has been working at wiggling away and is about to come out ... thought we ought to get some advice so it doesn't rot and go black....

It all seems so comical - the centre of motherhood! Little bodies with mischief oozing out, little feet swinging back and forth on the church pew, blue, creamy icing from morning tea positioned perfectly under the nose to make a gorgeous blue moustache, running out of the church with a squealing child who was upset that her brother had pinched her little tag with a picture of Pooh Bear on it (she managed to salvage it after it was cut from clothing item and holds it near and dear), eldest sharing his dental history with others at church and asking over and over what they might do to him at the hospital - in great fear of needles or stitches or something nasty!

Life really must have been so simple and boring before these humourous chocolate smeared faces and cute little tootsies entered my world.

Oh how I love these precious little monsters!

I might just make the most of a quiet moment and munch some of that yummy chocolate!

what happens when i am not blogging

So here are some recent photos - seems I have a sluggish blogging mentality lately... just keep reminding me iffin' you want to hear what is happening... just find it hard to face blogging for some reason... and have felt a little more pressed in other areas...

Nonetheless my Czech friend, Martina has been hanging out for some updates - so this is especially for you, Martina!

Over the long weekend we went to a special 82nd birthday party for a dear friend.

Owen stole the show singing happy birthday, Owie style!

This is such an Owie look!


We spent Labor day with Aparna and one of her new flat mates while the children played in the park.

Joshua had great fun using made up sign language to communicate with a Swedish boy he met. Fun to watch!

Other happenings:

• Changed Bible study - started reading great study book and working away at questions (very challenging and spiritually encouraging)
• Trying to fight entropy (I know - it is a loosing battle - somehow I just gotta ignore that fact and try anyway!)
• Started an evening 'Auslan' course - Australian Sign language. Thought it might be a good skill to have 'up my sleeve' should anything more happen to Owen's hearing or even just to keep future (long way off) job opportunities open.
• Home schooling - looking at Knights and Castles - am enjoying learning some things on this topic myself ... while we're on the subject - does anyone know any good reading books about character from Medieval time period that would be fun to read together? Will have to investigate Christians living during this period...
• Saying goodbye to our local church pastor and his wife who have retired from the ministry... and praying through the changes that lie ahead for our church...
• Cooking a mud cake to freeze, ready for Owen's birthday next week (I can smell the aroma of choc. cake drifting from the oven... are you drooling?)

So, there -

I actually blogged...

and it wasn't all that hard after all!

promised photo

Oh, and just a quick post to show you the promised photo of my completed (ah, it feels good to type that!) quilt...

Was great to learn 'proper' tricks from my good friend, Jill. I must admit the best part about making it was spending time chatting with her.

Thanks Jill!