Party Boy Owen!

Owen had a blast at his friend's Birthday party recently. I was encouraged to see many kids getting involved with those with special needs - was almost an argument over who was going to wheel one boy in a wheelchair during the race. Admittedly, many of the kids there had a brother or sister with special needs so are more familiar with what to do... however, some just caught on and involved them anyway. It was beautiful to see. Talking to the Mum of A. who is in a wheelchair, it occurred to me just what what a hero she is with all the lifting, taking loads of gear, helping him through daily tasks, etc. Mums in these situations don't often get a break and definitely need a hand every now and then. Help us, as Christians, Lord to see needs more often and take the initiative. What an opportunity to share the Love and compassion of our Master of Compassion...

And you should have heard the delightful squeals from A. as he was lifted into the water in his special chair. He was having a blast, too!

Introducing Bethany Grace

Here is my beautiful fresh (born on 27th!) niece. I had the chance to duck over and see her yesterday on my own (sickness amongst kids at moment:(

Introducing Bethany Grace!

Awwwhhh - aint' she something!

Reminds me that all the uncomfortableness of pregnancy is worth it in the end!

Congrats Woodies -

Look at what the Lord has done!

Bob

T'was Book Character Day today in Owen's class. Very conveniently, a friend of Grandma's dropped into her house on Wednesday with a few bags of toys (Grandmas can never have too many toys - only Mums can:) including a Bob the Builder belt full of tools. Would you believe we had already decided to send Owen to school dressed as Bob on Thursday (minus the supply of tools) , so the timing was impeccable! And thanks Aunty Jen for the loan of Bob book ! Not a cent spent and doesn't our builder look smashing (loads more tools behind too)!

We added a bit of grub to the cheeks ... there finished! - (under normal circumstances that 'grub' appearance needs no assistance - somehow just appears there naturally:)

And for the record ... there was a Slinky Malinky, Jack (from the house that Jack built), Snow White, a Fox (from Hattie and the Fox?) A Rabbit (?) a Cat in the Hat and Owen's teacher dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood.... Lots of fun and laughs!

'Bob' with his good friend 'Slinky Malinky'

The kids each had to parade before the parents - I even scored a very passionate kiss from Bob:)

Gems

I love finding treasures - and here are a couple I have used lately...

I bought this book on the Doulos when it was in town. It is a poem written about the verses of abiding in Christ from John 15 (the vine and branches). Josh and I are attempting to memorise it as it is such a picture of life in Christ, the process of pruning and abiding...

Here's a little snippet to whet de appetite:

..."For the branches grow quickyly in every direction;

The gardener is wise as He makes His selection.

He trims needless stems with His delicate touch,

For He knows it increases the fruit very much;

And in just the same way, Jesus helps us to choose.
There's the better to gain and the lesser to lose.

For your life will be busy, but here is the test:
Can you cut something out to make room for the best?

Can you find activities dearest to Him?
He will show you the best, and He'll help you to trim.
You can ask this of Jesus: "Which way should I go?"
And He'll guide each decision and help you to know.

...And another gem. My Big sister put me onto these some years ago and I love them. We have just ordered the larger version to use with children at church. The small version are playing card size (ordered from US) and large are approx. A4 size...

They are Bible Story Cards. Fifty Cards each for Old and New Testament Stories. The simple vestion of the story is written on the back of each card. They also have a few questions on the back for kids. I particularly like the fact they are number sequenced so that the order of events can be laid out for kids to see - like a timeline. Nice way of getting a good overview of events in the Scriptures. David and I also found them helpful as an overview with the youth group back when we were involved.

Just thought I'd share...

More Weddings!

Craig and Andy (relatives of inlaws) were finally able to have their wedding - or rather reception this month. They actually married at the PA hospital during Andy's recovery. A cluster of blood vessels in Andy's brain burst and caused a hemorage in Andy's brain (apparently a condition she had from birth but was totally unaware of it until some complications on the very day of her Briday shower).

It was really a special reception and such an answer to prayer! On ya Craig and Andy - we are amazed at so many answers to prayer in your newly joined lives!

...and Digging in! Food was very yummy!

I was personally encouraged by a conversation we had with Craig during the evening. He was sharing how they had recently sold the home he had spent so long building. Craig, having studied architecture had a home built - put a tonne of effort, time and detail into the specifics of tiles, flooring, kitchen details, etc. etc. etc. After Andy's surgery she found stairs difficult to climb (actually creates pressure in the brain) and so they decided to put the house on the market. They are now living in the home Andy had before she was married, a much smaller , low-set one. What encouraged me was the way Craig was delighting in the simple joys of married life - the less complicated life (owning a new home he felt everything had to be kept just so ...) and how free he felt in terms of debt, opportunities for ministry, serving his wife, etc. Owning less, being content with the simple and enjoying life itself ... wise choices and a challenge to keep my own life in check with eternal/spiritual goals rather than shallow earthly ones!

Artist in Residence

This is my little artist....

But I will spare you the most recent photos of her artistic expression... Sunday afternoon David and Joshua ducked out while I was having an afternoon snooze at the same time as the younger two. I didn't realise David was out then - thought he had gone and come home already- the young mischief makers having woken from their sleep decided to use a green whiteboard marker all over the place, pillows, table, table runner, dolly, etc. etc. Rosa then decided to change her own soiled nappy using a mountain of wet wipes and returning the soiled ones back into the same container and then they must have both agreed that they needed a bath and managed to hop into the bath (no water, thankfullly!) and dropped a bottle of shampoo all over the floor and then themselves... I think I began to arouse about the time they rubbed shampoo into their eyes and felt a little uncomfortable (if only it was their conscience that disturbed them earlier!)

Lessons learned (from both parties) and the realisation that maybe in my pregnant state I just simply sleep too much when given the opportunity!!

So with all artistic expression there is definitely a downside:)

On the upside:

don't you just love the way she drew her little fish and the face (a monkey, I think she said).

I wonder if Picasso's mother would've recommended Dulux Wash & Wear ?

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!