South Africa in May

May this year saw us on a two week trip to South Africa for Lyle's sister's wedding. The children were very excited but I think William's age caused him to be quite anxious before we left, poor boy. Emma's excited anticipation was understandable as she remembers our plane flights to the USA but Will was left in the dark somewhat, trying to figure out why exactly he was meant to be excited. That said, he was a champ. I was amazed at the ease of our flights. The children coped beautifully in our travels (read: Emma watched 12 hours straight of Peppa Pig) and over all they did a great job of adjusting to each moment, expected and unexpected. Not to mention all the new faces they were forced to discover. The Lord was good to us on our trip. I was worried about our safety, and worried that the children wouldn't cope with the massive daily changes being out of their environment, but God is truly good and He faithfully answered every one of my prayers.

Overall it was a fabulous trip. I love being in Durban when I'm there. When I'm not all I can think is how comfortable I am in Brisbane and how "dangerous" South Africa is. So, the fact that I say our trip was fabulous is truly something for which I can thank a very kind and gracious God.

Our first flight was around 6am from Brisbane to Sydney. After 2 more planes ('a big one and a little one') we landed, exhausted and safely in Durban.

By the end of the first week we had made our way to Lake Naverone in the Drakensberg. A family holiday destination for Lyle's family (immediate and extended) for many years. Stacey very cleverly chose this location for her wedding.

Enjoying a row in a boat, just the four of us.

Buddy being either jet lagged or intrigued.

Our angels ready for their role in the wedding.

Here's a link to the wedding photos. The photographers are friends of ours - Andy and Lyle went to high school together.

http://www.knotjustpics.co.za/stacey-and-warren-at-lake-naverone-2

The children sat beautifully for me at the wedding, and I let them take photos. I have a feeling I took this one though - Emma managed to cut a few heads off when it was her turn.

Lyle officiated the wedding. Such a simple statement - the whole thing was almighty ordeal for him though. He got SO sick when were at the lake and I really can't believe he managed to stand for the hour he needed too. A very unexpected situation for us but again, God was so kind to allow him good health for long enough to do his part and bless his family.

This was early one morning feeding the ducks. 

Lyle went fishing and caught two trout, one of which we (Lyle and William) ate for breakfast.

The children watched as Lyle prepared and cooked it - such a great experience for them!

The glory of God displayed in Autumn colours!

Of course we made it a priority to see some African animals! Needless to say how great it was to give this experience to our children.  

Isn't this a great photo?! How can giraffe's not be funny?

We also visited Ushaka Marine World in Durban. The aquarium is really well done.

A little lad all tuckered out.

One sincere regret is the serious lack of photos we took of our friends!!! We love them all so much and it was such a joy to have sweet fellowship with so many (but not enough) old faces. We also went to Kerry's wedding - Kerry introduced Lyle and I to each other in 2006/2007 (new years weekend) when I first went to Africa. To join in her wedding was such a lovely highlight, it was so fun that it was the weekend after Aunty Stacey's. It didn't feel like I hadn't been there since 2009 which is nice. I like that there's a couple of countries I can't visit and feel so at home, even though they're not mine.

It was a great time for the four of us to enjoy each other. I certainly appreciate my husband, it was really fun to be all together the whole time. I suppose that's what holidays are about, but this was just a really blessed time by God's grace.

Thankfulness

After our recent family’s trip to South Africa for Aunty Stacey’s wedding, we decided to help our children understand more about poverty and in turn, thankfulness. In Brisbane, it certainly exists but is well hidden. The lesson in mind is to teach them to have thankful hearts for what we have from God and simultaneously encourage their hearts to grow with compassion for the needy and ultimately, the lost.

So we agreed that upon our return we are to have rice for dinner once a week. Rice, and only rice. Although, I realised that because they are only three and five it may be a good thought to add some salt and butter. Yeah OK, I confess, they couldn't care less about the butter and salt, but I really need it!

Little did I realise that my children’s love of rice (and I mean serious love) would preclude this parentally desired life lesson. We have only had two weeks and each night has been very pleasant as they have devoured their salted/buttered rice without complaint - and I think unfortunately without comprehension of the object lesson. A further unfortunate fact is that Emma is having a massive growth spurt and after begging for dessert we gave in and allowed her some rockmelon (cantaloupe) after her plate of rice.

Regardless, we will continue to eat rice once a week and discuss how and why we should be thankful every moment for what the Lord has given us. If anything, I'm certainly being refined by it . . . something for which to be thankful.

Bananas In Pyjamas Honey Cakes Recipe

1 cup self raising flour

2 TBS sugar

1 TBS honey

2 tsp melted butter

½ cup milk soured w/ 1 tsp vinegar

Make them the same way you'd make pikelets. :)

Initially I accidentally used 2 tablespoons of honey and they were still super tasty. They really are 'cakey' as well AND because they have so much sugar in them you don't need to top them with butter or jam.

This is how they evolved. My children asked me to make pikelets one day but very unusually we didn't have any eggs in the house. I googled 'eggless pikelets' the recipe called for golden syrup (also missing from my pantry) so I used honey instead. And so was created Bananas in Pyjamas Honeycakes!

Buddy wasn't impressed because they didn't look the same colour as the ones on Bananas in Pyjamas. Of course he gobbled them up anyway.

Fabulous and Five

Five years ago God deemed it good in His kind will to allow us to meet our darling girl. It is an overwhelming blessing to have children and to be given the responsibility to care for, raise, love, bless, provide and teach our little ones is unspeakable joy. Being a mother is without a doubt one of the absolute greatest things to ever happen to me. I seem to be in a constant state of changing emotions and whether it be joy, fear, frustration or exhaustion I am aware that having children is a great responsibility. I am so thankful that God is faithful to His word and their salvation and wellbeing is in His safe and perfect hands.

It amazes me that despite my feelings of absolute ineptitude my daughter is one of the most amazing little girls who ever lived. Yes, that is a total exaggeration, but this is my blog, so bear with me. [confession: I had to google if that was BEAR or BARE . . .it's bear]

She is compassionate, a faithful friend, funny, beautiful, clever, athletic, musical and most delightfully to us she is growing in her understanding of God.

Clearly I could continue, but I shan't.

I was allowed to stay for the morning in her class, which delighted me no end. It was comforting to watch the teacher interacting with her class and I was happy to see she has them in ship-shape order.

The classroom has a birthday chair. I haven't seen her cross her legs before - Lyle and I laughed at this photo.

I was desperate NOT to have a party and she of course was desperate to have one. Despite the wretched heat wave we have been experiencing the compromise resulted in bought cupcakes [read: extensive mother-guilt] and play in a nearby park after school.

Our dear friend Maddie is at a different school but thankfully still in the vicinity so she was able to join us.

All the little friendies who were able to celebrate with us.

[These photos (possibly due to heat stress on my part) are blurry but some the only ones I have from Emma's 5th birthday - I'm seriously considering changing her birth date to March.]

A big cheer for the birthday girl.

I'm loving this age. Five years is so very short and I am overwhelmed (but so very thankful) at the influence I have on her life. In those moments I can't only trust in God's word that He has all things planned for His glory - even my being a mum to this sweetheart.

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . .

We have a school student in our house!!

The little miss is now in grade "Prep"!

Today marks the end of her first full week. By Wednesday she was exhausted, not wanting to go because she was too tired. Thankfully her teacher is more than happy for them to sleep in on the days they do and arrive a little bit late. It's such a huge transition. She did Kindy 5 days/fortnight and now it's 5 days/week with only a very short rest time.

Apparently all the kids were sad that rest time was so short and they all looked forward to it very much.

 We have an abundance of green and yellow ribbons care of Granny and Grandpa's fabric shop.

 This is her locker. Cap, water bottle and 'munch and crunch' on top, rest time pillow and sheet next, her MASSIVE school bag and then shoes in the bottom. It's lovely to see the practical organisation that goes into it. It really is like Kindy for big kids. 

Already she's told me about which letters in the alphabet they're concentrating on at the moment, her music class, library time and of course her new friend. Her name is Hannah and I was glad to meet her mum the other day.

I'm feeling pretty distressed about the whole thing. I hate that other people can influence her for 6 hours each day. I don't think that feeling will ever go away. I'm glad that she is in an excellent school and adjusting very well to being there. I'm sure the Easter holidays will be a well needed break for us. I'm emotionally exhausted, Emma's physically exhausted and William is oh so lonely. When we walk away from her class each day he states "I miss Emma". They really are best friends and I'm sad for them that they have so much time apart now. sigh. I can be thankful that God is in control of her life and will direct her steps all her days.

Merry Christmas from us!

Merry Christmas!

We've had a wonderful month looking at our advent calendar learning of the Christmas story. It's been wonderful to dwell on the birth of our Saviour all month and the children have learned so much. I've really loved it too. Not only watching the kids learn, but reiterating the story for myself.

We've looked at why the angel said "Do not be afraid", why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, the fact that the shepherds hurried to see Jesus, that God used angels to proclaim Him. One night Lyle also read the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John, explaining the connection between John and Jesus, how the wise men knew of Jesus birth, that they gave him gifts, what those gifts were . . .

and most importantly WHY Jesus came to live on earth.

He came to earth,

He lived a perfect life

He was punished by God instead of us in death,

He rose again and CONQUERED sin and evil.

(we get to dwell on that again in Easter!)

William seems to be hooked Easter, he constantly repeats (when he see's a cross on a church or anywhere) "Jesus died on the cross to f'gave our sins".

I can't resist adding this. We bought the boy a totem tennis set for his present and he LOVES it. We put it outside this morning and, for the most part, he's doing pretty well.

I love it when that camera button is pressed just at the right moment....

I'm convinced he'll improve.

Last Day of Kindy!

Today we reached the next of many milestones in our daughters life - her last day of Kindy! It's been a wonderful year - in great part due to these two wonderful women.

Mrs Male

Mrs Shearer 

Emma's teachers have been simply amazing. I don't even have the words to express how much I have loved them being her teachers. They had such lovely organisation of the classroom and yearly program that each child in their classroom thrived. William slowly became a part of the furniture in that room this year. The Mrs Shearer in particular was very kindly responsive to him as he grew. He would frequently pick periwinkles from the outside plant and bring them into her as we arrived at kindy.

Because Emma's at a Christian kindy it's been a joy to know that she has had that influence on her life at kindy. The fact that God made the world and everything in it has great impact on how we live and treat others in our daily lives. Having taught our kids this truth it has been excellent to see it followed up in her education.

For their last day the children hosted/had a Christmas party to which all the parents were invited. We had loads of fun. My favourite part of the concert was a darling boy who held the bright star. Mrs Male read his cue and a moment later he realised and said "oh, that's me isn't it?!" and raised his star up high above his head. He is an adorable little boy.

Emma was a sheep. She was going to introduce the concert along with her bestie Alex, saying "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is the activity* of Jesus" (*nativity) She was practicing all week but on the day the pressure was too much!

Here is my sheep and her fellow sheep.

The children all chose their parts. I have to confess I was slightly jealous when I saw the beautiful angels dressed up,  but she was a great sheep.

(that silly camera face smile . . .)

Here they all are (Em in the front with her fellow sheep) singing

Party food galore! They made their own bon bons, placemats, party hats, and gifts of tic tac toe for us parents! (i.e. their entire term of craft was Christmas themed.)

I thank God for the joy of being her mum,

I thank God for the privilege of watching her grow,

I thank God for the unique, amazing person she is,

I thank God for her. *sniff*

Farm Day (snapshot from September!)

Kindy does a farm day each year and not only are parents encouraged to join in, little brothers were too! which made one little brother rather thrilled. 

Emma and her friend, Ben. I couldn't have snapped a better picture if I tried. I love that she is such a sweet friend to others.

On the big BUS!

He was mesmerised (I suppose his carseat and our car doesn't allow him to see out the window so well) and he thought the 'big boy' seatbelt was very fun.

Ready for a horse ride!

He rode with Alicia's little brother, so cute!

They were both rather scared of feeding the calves. I remember doing this when I was four, I was petrified so I didn't have great expectations for them.

BUT . . . .She was very brave to feed the pig!

Holding a chick.

This was my favourite part - they both milked cows!! I'm pretty sure I pushed in, I made sure they were at the front of the line because my mum grew up on a dairy farm and I had to let them have a turn!

It was a fun day. We love kindy.

August 2013 CATCH UP!

So I have to confess. Now that I own an iPhone, I really don't get on my computer that much anymore! That to say this poor blog is lacking some love.

We've loved living in our new house. It's taken the children a little while to feel it's 'home' but they're settling in very well and we are having some very fun times.

This little man is growing up too fast. He's started sitting here in the mornings while I make my cuppa first thing.

And this big man is now officially an AUSTRALIAN

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

Oi Oi Oi!

We went to City Hall for the ceremony and it was a lovely night out.

This is Emma's bestie Maddie. Mads had her 5th birthday party. I've loved their friendship for Emma's sake. Mads is from a christian family who have connections to my family and it's a joy to see their friendship. I can see the Lord blessing me through Emma having a sweet friendship in her first year of education.

Aaaaaaand we have mischief.... yes that's toilet roll from the bathroom, through the hall, the kitchen and out on to the balcony. It stopped shy of going off the verandah all the way down to the first floor. I'm glad, it would have proved too much fun for it to not happen again.

The kids have figured out selfies on my phone.

Lyle and I had a wonderful weekend away to Sydney to visit our old pastor and friend Mark. We were so thankful for our time with him and the counsel he gave us.

(I love that you can see the waiter/photographer's shadow on me. ha!)

And these two really are besties. I'm so thankful for their relationship.

They have fun together, and they're cute!

This is kind of a sad picture actually. All the books you see in this photo were destroyed in the bath that evening - the little mischief maker couldn't stop himself and somehow all of them ended up in the tub . . . they keep me busy.