{duck-egg blue and teacups too}

{refuge}

2012-03-07T10:11:00.000+08:00

Sometimes there is no explanation for an unsettled soul.

Heartsick, homesick.

His Word is my refuge.

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge."

{Psalm 62:5-8}

mine. time.

2012-03-06T13:49:00.000+08:00

time is an easy thing to become frustrated over...

I know I often have been.

So many times I've wanted to split myself into three (at least!) so I can do everything.

One to sit and cuppa with that friend.

Another to sew, craft, make, create all day long.

the other (poor) me could make sure the house was spic and span and dinner prepared.

when I clean, I feel like I am neglecting the little (and big) people in my life.

when I play with the little people, the house seems to unravel like a ball of yarn, into the big mess I'd been trying to avoid.

frustrating much?!

and I stomp my feet, internally complaining that I haven't even had any me time.

when will i get to sit down and read, or sew?!

it is always for everybody else!

so, earlier in the year when I read C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters", i drew a sharp breath reading this:

"They anger him because he regards his time as his own and feels that it is being stolen. You must therefore zealously guard in his mind the curious assumption "My time is my own". Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of twenty-four hours. Let him feel as a grievous tax that portion of this property which he has to make over to his employers, and as a generous donation that further portion which he allows to religious duties. But what he must never be permitted to doubt is that the total from which these deductions have been made was, in some mysterious sense, his own personal birthright.

...

Man can neither make, nor retain, one moment of time; it all comes to him by pure gift, he might as well regard the sun and moon as his chattels."

My time is not my own.

I can't claim it as mine. It isn't promised to me. I can't demand it.

my mind shifted...

how blessed am I to even have this time given to me.

it should be used for reaching out to others, for making a difference, for sowing into the lives of my children, for creating a [clean, tidy] inviting home to welcome others in to.

I don't have to do it all.

I can only do the best that I possibly can for the One who has given it to me.

It's freeing.

{creative space | colour}

2012-03-01T12:16:00.002+08:00

Totally crushing on this colour combination right now.

This old chair sits by my clothes line.

It was tired of it's plain white rags.

If I loved it before, I adore it now.

And that expression "a lick of paint" is rather appropriate.

I want to lick these colours, the urge sometimes overwhelming.

Anyone else get that?! ;)

I'm glad my three year old helper doesn't seem to share the same urge,

but she does share a love of getting creative.

I let her do her thing with this old ikea chair.

I've got another project which these colours will star in.

Stay tuned...

Joining up with Our Creative Spaces

friendships

2012-02-27T22:36:00.000+08:00

there are just some friendships

you know will last a

lifetime

photo courtesy of the pretty one on the left.

the other is moi ;)

{peddle peddle peddle!}

2012-02-25T13:32:00.001+08:00

We've taken to bike riding as a family, during the last few weeks of summer. In the cooler mornings, or evenings when the sea breeze is in and the sky orangey.
Baby A relaxes in style on the back of her daddy's bike.
Mr J zooms ahead, as far as he can, and waits for us at each intersection.
While Miss E and I follow along. Meandering almost.
She rarely looks where she's going, and those little three-year-old legs don't stop peddling, so I have to keep a sharp eye on her. Today's expedition found her riding straight down the curb, whilst watching another rider going in the opposite direction; or watching how fast her feet were going around and around instead of looking ahead; or holding on to a feather with one hand and trying to steer straight.
In the end, the way home found me riding one-handed, and pulling her along with her handlebars so that she could keep up, and my ears could have a break from her endless whine, "It's toooo faaarrrr!"

And I was thinking, all this time, about how life can be likened to a bicycle ride. Apparently I am not the first to think so. Old Albert agreed.

via

And I can be much like Miss E.

Too often I am watching someone else ride too closely, that I risk falling off my own bicycle.

That whole joy stealer comparison can have me even wondering why their bike is more shiny or seems to peddle so much more smoothly than mine. Why do they get to ride down the hill, when I am dying here, trying to peddle up?!

Sometimes I too am watching my feet, admiring how fast they are going, not realising I'm riding precariously close to the edge.

Or I am determined to hold onto something that isn't necessary for the journey, and it's crippling the way I ride, making me wobbly and finding it hard to stay on track...

And sometimes, like a three year old, I need someone to remind me - a quick shout from a friend; "Watch where you're going, look ahead!" is enough.

Other times, I've needed someone to hold onto my handlebars and pull me along when my legs are so tired or it just seems like too long until I get home.

I've let small distractions creep in. I have looked to the left, and the right.
This was a timely reminder, that the Still Small Voice used to whisper: "Watch where you're going, stay on track"

And always the encouragement,
"You can do it!"

You can, too. Keep peddling.

xx

the baker's wife, adventure

2012-02-19T15:04:00.002+08:00

I remember reading, in the opening chapters of John Bevere's Extraordinary :

"Ponder this a moment: the opposite of extraordinary is normal! If we're honest, I think we all want our lives to mean more or be more than what we've known and seen. Unless it's suppressed, there is an innate desire in each of us to rise above commonness. We yearn for the extraordinary.

How intriguing that the bulk of the most popular movies of all time are not love stories, murder mysteries, espionage thrillers, war movies, true life accounts, sports flicks, westerns, police stories, or dramas of friendship, family or life in general. No, the top box office draws are films that center on extraordinary characters doing remarkable feats, with a good number of them possessing beyond-human abilities or powers.

Why? Because "extraordinary" is how we were created to live.

It was God's plan from the beginning."

Thinking about a beautiful friend reminded me of this book.

She has embarked on an adventure - the kind that most of us will only dream about.

And while she is now only in the throes of packing boxes, and the unknown, and the incredible task of building a business, and supporting her husband (the baker!), she is living an amazing adventure.

I miss her. But, as well as keeping in touch with her in real life, I'll be following her adventure here too.

{my hope for her}

2012-02-13T12:20:00.000+08:00

A new season has dawned on us, baby girl.

I hope for you.

I hope for you to be strong and brave always.

I hope that I have done enough.

I know I have taught you please and thank you.

I hope that I have taught you to be kind, to share without reserve, to love wholeheartedly.

I hope that I have taught you independence, and built your self-esteem, enough so that you walk with your head held high; but low enough to be able to reach out to others.

I hope the light you carry in your heart will bless those in your new little world, the way it blesses me.

I hope we baked and played tea parties enough together;

I hope that I stopped and looked and listened and played with you enough for you to know without a doubt how important you are, how amazing you are, and how much I love you.

I know that my sowing into your life, precious girl, has not been unfruitful, for you are my harvest of blessing.

I will miss you, these days you are not here, but I love knowing that the world is getting a taste and a glimpse of your beautiful soul.

"Nothing that you have not given away will ever truly be

yours."

{CS Lewis}

creative space

2012-02-09T08:55:00.000+08:00

Why is it that, what we can't do, we want to do so much more?
My sewing machine has been off for a service, and I've never wanted to sew so much in my LIFE!
Three weeks.
It was a good three weeks for prioritising, though, and putting those things first that should be put first.
I'm forming some good habits.
And organising our home for the start of the school year!
(I am going to share a free printable, yes I am... in a day or two!)

This year is going to be good.

So, my first sewing creation (not counting my little hand-sewn buntings that I made last week, as housewarming presents for a couple of gorgeous friends) for the year...

I finally made a pillowcase dress!

Yes, they are as easy as everyone has said, and no, it didn't take me all night, which is why I had time to make those cute little fabric buttons to embellish it with!

It's a shame my 3 year old miss is not a huge fan of blue.

"I like it mum, I am just going to save it for church, not now"

is her nice way of saying "There is far to much blue, and not enough pink - it's just not pretty enough!"

Linking up with all the other creative spaces over here.

{basil pesto} yummo!

2012-02-06T13:19:00.002+08:00

My basil is a mini forest.*

*Insert smug green-thumbed grin here.

(I will not mention my parsley, or the oregano which just WILL NOT grow. Sigh)

Back to basil.

It smells divine, I have masses of it, I have been using it like crazy, and still it grows.

I think my green-thumbed super amazing home-maker friend suggested making pesto.

A pinterest/google/Taste search resulted in a bunch of similar recipes...

Here's what I did (in my super duper kitchen machine, Mr Thermomix, also known as McSteamy) but all you need is a food processor...

{Basil Pesto}

2 cups fresh basil leaves

1 cup pine nuts (or more, I only had one cup)

1 clove of garlic

(or to your taste, some recipes ask for two, but I didn't want the garlic taste to overpower the basil)

Roughly 60 grams of parmesan (I used the pre-grated stuff, but if you have a super duper kitchen machine like I do, you can grate it in that!)

1/2 cup of olive oil.

Process the basil, pine nuts and garlic together until combined nicely.

Mix through your parmesan thoroughly. Add salt and pepper if you like (I didn't).

Then, as your processor or thermomix is mixing your ingredients, pour in your olive oil. I don't think I used quite half a cup.

If you are planning on keeping it for a while, use extra oil.

It won't last long, I promise you!

It is delicious, and obviously the recipe can be tweaked to your own taste.

My favourite for an easy summer dinner is stirring this yummy pesto through some pasta, with shredded chicken and cherry tomatoes. Yum!

{Bible} in a year.

2012-02-02T21:49:00.002+08:00

I rallied the troups,

"C'MON!" (Lleyton Hewitt style)

A group of girls, my sisterhood.

I felt like I'd needed to make a real commitment to the Word for a long time.

The beginning of a new year was approaching; in my eyes, no better place to start.

But I knew I'd need help to keep it up...

I didn't (don't) want this to be something I let fall by the wayside.

So. A text was sent to six lovelies.

A unanimous yes recieved: They'd join me!

It was agreed, we would start on the 1st.

And we did!

Today is day 33.

What I know is this:

Days feel lighter. My step is springier.

And my hunger for this daily bread is getting stronger.

Sometimes, I read in the morning, before the kids wake.

Other times, in the afternoon while Miss A naps, and Miss E plays quietly at 'quiet time'.

Sometimes, most often, it's with my cup of tea at the end of the day.

When the house is quiet, and sleepy, and most of the lights are off, or dimmed.

When everything is in it's place, and my kitchen is clean and shiny awaiting a new day.

It's my quiet time.

{Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path}

Psalm 119:105

a birthday on a hill

2012-01-31T21:48:00.002+08:00

I spent the weekend at one of my favourite places in the world - my parent's place; the caravan on top of a hill in our gorgeous south west.

Happy 50th birthday, sweet daddy of mine!

(Pictured here with my gorgeous mama, and my cutie girl!)

Loved celebrating who he is to so many.
A loyal friend (his best mates are none other than those same boys he played with in his pre-teens - now THAT is friendship!), a favourite Uncle, a perfect son (no kidding, his nickname is Peter Perfect by his brother & sister), a big brother, an amazing husband and father; father-in-law, and, most importantly (to me and mine!) a Grandpop (Baby A adorably calls him "Pop Pop") to my children.

It's ironic, on this lifelong journey of self-discovery, I have already discovered I am so much like him.
I love other people's observations about him, and recognising parts of me.

The pensive, laid back, placid me was definitely his doing.
His genes, or his example, or a combination of the two.
It's an honour to have both.

going dottie

2012-01-29T21:54:00.001+08:00

Hello. My name is Em, and I have gone 29 days without buying retail.

It's the Dottie Angel challenge, which I have mentioned (whispered!) quietly before, so quietly in the hopes that no one reads, or takes into account, that this challenge is indeed something I have decided to undertake.
In case I fail miserably!

At the end of last year I set myself a goal of 40 days. A fast. No buying, for 40 days. It turns out, people, that forty days is a rather long time! It made me ridiculously aware of just how blasé I can be, about spending, and purchasing and wanting, and all that other materialism junk.

And when I mentioned this little fast of mine to a friend, she shared with me how she is doing Tif's Dottie Angel challenge.
I thought about it increasingly, until it was that I just decided I should give it a go.
I determined to start at the beginning of the year.
And I did.

"i shall sally forth, for one year becoming a handcrafted, thrifty mama... who will try very hard to get creative with her wardrobe and her home" - Tif

I honestly don't know if I will last the year through. I do doubt it.
But when I do feel like I have conquered that "wanting, spending, materialistic" part of me, then I will stop.
I want to be made keenly aware of unnecessary spending.
Buying just because it's "nice to have", or on a whim without putting much thought and dealing with buyer's remorse later, are a couple of things I want to put an end to.
For me, it's just about thinking.
And getting creative with wardrobe and home.
And not letting those little gods of materialism have a place.

So I have gone 29 long days with no new clothes.
It may not seem like long, but it feels like forever!
Thank God for a "sister" who let me come and raid her wardrobe, and find many a pretty thing to borrow! And a couple of amazing "new to me" finds at a garage sale that I squealed over all the way home!

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are." {Matthew 6:28, 29}

Refusing to worry. There are much more important things in my life than what I own.

But I am telling you... This challenge? It's not easy! But then, things that are good for you are rarely easy...

xx

mess.

2012-01-24T16:29:00.000+08:00

As walked into my kid's bedroom (5 year old J and 3 year old E share) last week, the floor was covered with Lego. Again.
All the dolls were out, and were scattered about in various places. Again. Not to mention about three dolly prams.
The play kitchen was full to overflowing with teacups and saucers and plenty of things that didn't even belong there; like many other toys after Christmas, hadn't found homes in organised places.
And I felt my blood boil. Again.
I could barely move without stepping on something, only parts of the floor could be seen AND this was after only a few hours of being awake, despite being tidied the night before. It was chaos.

My attachment to things with sentimental value (sentimental in the way that I would think "Oh, Granny bought that for Joel for his 4th birthday" - not really sentimental!) was beginning to show, and I knew I needed to do something drastic.
I CAN NOT start a school year with this much chaos.
And I know the proven reality of how material things can weigh you down emotionally... This stuff is weighing me down!

So I got ruthless, I did!
I spent last week donating, throwing, re-organising, throwing, chucking, and more throwing! Our bins were full, and I filled up many an op shop bin, and blessed some friends' children with toys mine no longer play with.

image via

I can see the floor!

It feels SO. GOOD.

So far, the floor has been clear (other than the Lego playing, but that gets packed away at the end of each day) for a week.
Smug hat is on, people! I found the secret!
LESS STUFF!

Here's to a year of less hoarding, and more and simplifying.

xx

a new rule

2012-01-23T11:25:00.000+08:00

Phones stay here.

10 days

2012-01-20T21:17:00.001+08:00

We have been here. Felt like I lived here.
10 days (two weeks) of 8.45am swimming lessons for Mister J.
10 days of loading us up with snacks, and water, and towels, and goggles, and floaties, and swimmer nappies (fingers crossed we won't be needing those this time next year!) and getting us all out of the house by 8.30am. Did someone say commitment?

I must say it was worth it to see his confidence in the water soar.
And the girls. Just being there and paddling in the swimming pool was hugely courage-building for them both.

And we were lucky to have daddy there too for a few of those mad-rushed mornings.

Looking forward to a slower pace for the next week and a half. Until school starts!

xx

PS - Just wanted to say a massive thanks for all the love shared over my scary (for me) post the other day. Texts, emails, and your comments made me realise how empowering this community can be, and I appreciate you more than I can say! Love Em x

her thrifting adventures

2012-01-17T14:52:00.001+08:00

So I mentioned briefly on Friday that I was heading south for a little adventure!

It's something my friend Tammi and I had been talking about for the longest time, and when I saw her during the week we spontaneously decided to just GO. Another bestie jumped on board and plans were underway.
I wasn't actually sure until the night before whether the husband would even actually be able to stay home from work, but thankfully it all worked in our favour.
The husbands were more than happy for us to make a break for it!

So we packed our overnight bags, and with excitement and expectancy hit the road!

1. Karri forest, somewhere between Bridgetown and Denmark. 2. Tea stop. 3. Christening gorgeous yellow Johnson teacups on a vintage tablecloth in a cute little motel room. 4. The travel bag, and Mollie Makes mag to browse on the way. 5. A cute little (unfortunately!) closed down oppy. 4. One of my favourite second-hand stores in Bridgetown, my parent's hometown.

Tammi, a rather new West Aussie, hadn't seen the south west of our state.
I loved seeing a place I spent much of my childhood, through her eyes.

I loved the dynamic of three cruisy, placid, easy-going personalities - being able to get lost in my own thoughts along the way was quite the novelty. I think their mama's brains appreciated the break too!

I loved treasure hunting with those two, loved that there was no competition, loved being able to be happy for eachother's finds, and sharing (in particular, splitting up gorgeous vintage floral fabric, and tea sets, so that we could each take some of the prettiness home!).

Loved that we found so much goodness. Especially of the yellow variety, which we are all rather partial to right now!

Loved Tammi's delicious packed lunch of cold chicken, avocado and cherry tomatoes, eaten on the grass, under the shade. Loved our tea breaks on the side of the road (Albany is a LONG WAY folks!).

Just loved!
Definitely an adventure I'll be repeating!

xx

a little bit of fear

2012-01-15T22:37:00.000+08:00

I've had this post rattling around in my brain for quite some time now.
And it had even started stringing itself together a little, during the course of this week.
Because there was some freedom.
Let me explain.
But before I do, know that I haven't even scratched out these thoughts in my journal, and those sentences that had been strung together a little in my head, I was pretending to be unaware of.
I am going to get a tiny bit personal, open up a teeny weeny bit, and go a bit deeper than I have here, at least in a while.
And for some of you who don't share my Faith, or even those who do, I may get a little cringe, or a roll of the eyes, or an I don't even know what because I'm not thinking about you... I am not, for a moment, thinking about who may be reading, or what that who may be thinking.
I'm forgetting about you for a little bit, lovely reader, whom I so appreciate even sitting there.
Not going to think about the possible audience, not even going to think too much about me; and just so you know, I'm sitting here, not thinking, in the dark ;)

I have been struggling, really struggling over the last few years with confidence.
I would put it down to my personality type - just plain shyness.
But it wasn't shyness to that extreme... There is shy, but then there is just plain scared.
I didn't share my struggle with anyone, maybe a little with my husband, when I really felt down, or felt like I needed extra encouragement.
I've had symptoms of depression, and anxiety, but I knew I wasn't depressed.

I constantly second-guessed myself, worried what people would think if I happened to say something, analyse conversations I had with people until I felt like just an idiot about something I'd said, or done, or laughed at.

But it was all something I just lived with.
I lived by the phrase "fake it till you make it" or, in Christian circles "faith it till you make it".
I tried to rely on God, I repeated scripture like the verse in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind", which helped get me through momentarily... but nothing really shifted.
I was so stuck, so helpless... and I, for the last few years have just felt pathetic.
And it was worse in church.
I mean, what is so hard about introducing myself to someone?
What is so hard about taking a few steps and saying hi to someone I know, and making conversation?
It sounds ridiculous, but I would literally feel sick at the thought some days.
I would hide behind the busyness of juggling my three kidlets after Sunday church services, so that I wouldn't see that person who could have really done with a 'hello'.
And the times I did step out? My feet would be like anchors, my smile wavering, and my conversation like the big dork that I felt I was.
I wasn't though. I faked it pretty well, according to my husband, and one friend I shared a little with during the week. It was well hidden.
The facade painted a lovely shade of happy yellow.

I may have been faking it well, but anxiety sucks.
And to be quite honest, I was fed up, stuck and wanted to throw my hands up and give up. Give up on people, and retreat from ministry all together. All I was hearing was my head telling me I just wasn't cut out for this, maybe I should just stick to administration and leave the leading and pastoring to someone else. The ones with charisma.
You know those ones? My husband is one of them. They make friends with the guy at the counter of the hardware store. They have no problem talking freely about anything and everything, and never second-guess themselves. They make people feel comfortable, and they are usually funny. Oh how I so wanted to be one of those!

And, last Sunday, as I prayed to God about my dilemma pretty openly;
"I'm just going to talk to my Pastor, God. I'm sure she will understand. I'm just not cut out for this. I love them, I love people, I love the relationships that I've managed to make with those gorgeous girls, but I am just not a leader.
I'm really tired of this fear, and self-doubt, and insecurity.
I'm trying to live above it, but honestly, it would be a whole lot easier without any responsibility or pressure. Okay?"
I'd pretty much decided in my head. I'd call her on Monday.
And then, I don't know how I got from this place in my head, to my knees at the altar.
In between the talk to at God, and the knees situation, I was prayed for.

Now, I've always believed that God, my God is able. But in my head, and heart, He is usually a lot more able for someone else. And probably a lot more willing for them too, not so much me.
But this time it was me.

And it's inexplicable I know. And some people don't like inexplicable. They like facts and truth.
My facts and truth are intertwined with the inexplicable.
The fact is that the fear is gone.
The truth is, I have not felt such freedom in the longest time.
The inexplicable - the why, or how, the Who.

All I know is this:
It's been a week.
This week has been the first time I have felt like I was free, to just be me.
God did it. I'm thankful.

PS - I am not re-reading. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not.
It's personal and it's fresh.
I'm still not thinking about my audience... okay, maybe I am now a little bit.
But you guys still love me, right? ;) x

{loving}

2012-01-13T08:48:00.000+08:00

1. Chantelle's January challenge - a photo a day with purpose.
Some of the above are from there: breakfast, daily routine, adore... it's fun, makes me think out of the box, and inspires me to notice the mundane.

2. Miss A. Almost 18 months. Fed herself Coco Pops this morning. I'm loving her words! Car, dog, mummy, daddy, more, up, down, no (of course!), shoes, ta, aaaallll her little friends names (Lulu for Lucy! Adorable!). She's growing right before my eyes!

3. School holidays!
Mr J has almost finished a week of swimming lessons, with one more to go. Loving lazy mornings by the pool with all the gorgeous mama friends in my world!

4. Spontaneity. A mini road trip with a couple of besties, beginning in about half an hour. We are going to thrift our little hearts out, yes we are! One night away, two days on the road. Looking forward to the treasures we may find, but already thankful for the treasure I have in each of their friendships.

Thankful!

Looking forward to a year of purposeful gratitude.

Linking up with Paisley Jade when I should really be packing an overnight bag!

xx

life is a fairytale

2012-01-09T22:33:00.004+08:00

Image via this gorgeous blog.

home...

2012-01-07T21:12:00.000+08:00

Our holidays as a family remind me of my own, growing up.

We usually head south, this time just over an hour's drive.

We stayed at a beach house.

Watching my husband pushing Mr J onto waves on his board reminded me of my own dad, teaching me to surf, yelling "Stand up, stand up!"

I was so proud of him, out in the waves, laughing even, as they crashed over him!

We drove along the sand for miles, watching the ocean.

We built sandcastles, ate junk food, swam, and fished.

I lazed around and finished a book (yay! first book for the year!).

It was only two nights, but enough to feel holidayed!

Because a family who plays together, stays together.

summer holiday

2012-01-04T21:14:00.001+08:00

packing bags for a few days south

beach house, family;

don't forget to pack the toothbrushes, all 5

singing, "We're all going on a, summer holiday, no more worries for a, week or two"

reminding myself of my mother

funny to think that I'm the mother now

did I pack enough underwear?

shall I take that bag, or the basket?

snacks for the road, check.

colouring books, textas, bathers.

Bible. Journal.

I hope she sleeps. Maybe I should take one of her bottles just in case? NO. We are weaning her. Full stop. No bottles.

Oh God please let her sleep in that house full of family.

bathers.

toothbrushes? oh! yes!

blankets, pillows, comforters

hats sunscreen

"Sweetie, where's the travel soaps?"

Ugh, have to pack for him too, the fourth child.

Oh forgive my impatience.

i should mop the floor tonight, so it's clean when we get back.

what about those emails? that work?

it's okay, it's only a couple of days, it can wait.

where is that basket?!

oh, there it is.

happy times.

summer holiday.

anyway

2012-01-02T21:10:00.002+08:00

“People are oftenunreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people mayaccuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people maycheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, peoplemay be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may beforgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best youhave and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, itis between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.”

{Mother Teresa}

couldn't have put it any better

{hello new year}

2012-01-01T22:52:00.000+08:00

resolve verb
1. to come to definite or earnest opinion
2. to clear away any doubts, fears etc

resolute adjective

1. firmly resolved or determined, set in purpose or opinion

2. characterised by firmness and determination as the temper, spirit, actions etc.

resolution noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or intention

2. a resolve or determination to make a firm resolution to do something

3. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute, firmness of purpose

She loved the lead up to a new year.

New beginnings excited her, caused her to dream a little more, hope a little bigger.

Despite the brushing off that other people did at the thought of new years resolutions, she loved the real idea of a resolution.

A resolve. Strength. Determination.

She pictured her inner self jutting out her chin, clenching her jaw and her fists, and, clearing out any doubts and fears (to be honest, there are a few!), making a firm decision.

And then striding forward.

That she is me.

This me, in 2012 has refocused.

Just a little of what that means;

{1}

Not letting days slip away unused and unnoticed.

In some areas this will mean more doing, and in others it will mean less doing, more being.

Always in the here and now.

{2}

Reading.

One of my first loves.

To read, think, then write about what I've read, whether I share that here, or it stays in the journal, regardless, the writing helps it sink in.

And a reading of things that count.

{3}

Contentment.

Not comparing; not wanting, not consuming, not wasting.

More outward focus, less focus on having.

And gratitude.

I have so much to be thankful for.

So. She externally juts out her chin, whilst inwardly is resolved.

And for you, beautiful reader who has taken the time to visit here throughout my first year of blogging... thank you!

In twentytwelve

"I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers"

{3 John 2}

Love Em

PS - One of the things I have resolved to do, is read through the entire Bible this year, following the One Year Bible reading plan. I have recruited a bunch of the girls in my world to join me... I merely mention it here to keep myself accountable! I'll keep you updated xx

beyond Christmas

2011-12-30T11:56:00.001+08:00

I've found this happy place outside here.

Reading, reflecting, and a little bit of writing.

The beginning of a new year.

Who doesn't like a fresh start?!

I felt that Small voice bring a verse to mind earlier in the week.

When I read the verse, and continued to read the chapter through, it was like some jigsaw pieces in my mind suddenly fit together. Those fragmented thoughts, hopes and resolutions for 2012 that have been floating around amongst the clutter of my mind somehow fit, and made the picture whole, and de-cluttered some mess.

Breathing space in there again.

Confirmation, reminders, a shift of focus back to that race that has been marked out for me.

"THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by sogreat a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let usstrip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sinwhich so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let usrun with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointedcourse of the race that is set before us,

Looking away [from allthat will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith[giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringingit to maturity and perfection]."

{Hebrews 12:1}

We tend to start the year off strong. Strong in our minds about our resolutions, and the goals we hope to achieve... at least, I did!

I hit August, and realised with dismay that one goal in particular, that I had set myself, had been at the back of my mind for the entire 8 months, and I had not even taken one single step to achieving that goal.

It's hard not to be disappointed in myself.

I had gotten distracted.

Some distractions were warranted. Others, not so much.

I probably started moving over and trying to run in someone else's lane for a while, join them because their race looked easier, prettier, more fun.

All the while falling behind in my own race.

Which is why I love fresh starts, new years, new days, new minutes...

I'm resolving to stay in my lane, keep my eyes fixed on my own Prize.

The ugliness of comparison isn't welcome here.

The trying to 'keep up' has been set aside.

It's not hard when I'm in my own lane!

Some things need to be walked away from, but what we turn to walk towards is usually a whole lot better!

Here's to a strong 2012!

holidays!

2011-12-22T07:41:00.001+08:00

School holidays have begun!
I am loving the plod of unrushed mornings, lazing in bed until Baby A is bored in her cot and yells out for me.
Loving sneaking in a bowl of Coco Pops (a school holiday tradition since I was a kid!), sitting back with a tea and watching the three play {or bicker, or tease, or wrestle... it's not always rosy!} or suddenly finding myself standing in an empty house, when all three take the magical steps through the backyard and into the house of our neighbors.
There have been park visits, friend visits, cinema visits, and Christmas preparations.

I am trying to place a big emphasis on the real Christmas Story, with the kids. After all, it's not all about Santa.
Or gingerbread,
Or presents.
But about the greatest Present to us.
I want to instill in them the joy of giving, helping, appreciating, reaching out.
And remind myself too.

Hope your holidays are lovely!
xx

{Princess Warrior Lessons}

2011-12-13T18:48:00.000+08:00

Guess what?

I guest posted, yes I did!

Go and have a read over at Jo's blog!

I love her!

I found her blog after reading about her in an Enhance Magazine.

She replied to a comment I left on one of her posts, and became a follower of my own little blog, and a friendship blossomed!

Anyway...

Go here to have a look!

Totally blessed and honored to be there today!

{pears and pjs}

2011-12-12T13:51:00.001+08:00

Laying low today, with sniffles and a throat thing.

Ick.

I'm drinking hot Apple Cider Vinegar like tea, with honey.

It seriously helps with the symptoms...

Grandmothers are clever like that, it was my husband's Gran who told me about this little secret, years ago. It's my first go-to when I feel a cold coming on.

I never researched it, I just did it, and it worked.

It's always something I have in the cupboard now, trusty Apple Cider Vinegar... but judging by the reactions I had over the last couple of days, it feels like I'm the only one - surely not?

So I googled {Google and Grandmothers are clever, it seems}

You should do research too, if you were wanting to use it... there is a whole page of information here to get you started.

I have a few tablespoons in a mug of hot water, with honey.

All I know is that it works.

My friend Tammi wrote a post about the benefits of honey.

Natural remedies are the best.

So I'm in my pj's dreaming about making some pear jam, eating the last of my own Strawberry, Apple and Vanilla Jam with a fresh loaf of bread (I am a sucker for breads, yum!), and looking at an overcast sky that is trying really hard to rain.

festive

2011-12-10T09:33:00.001+08:00

today.

baking my favourite festive cookies.

These are quick and easy to put together

(tip: COOL THE MELTED BUTTER or they will spread and you will end up with slice, rather than cookies... I do know this from experience!)

You can find the Cranberry and White Choc Chip cookies recipe here.

Listening to She and Him Christmas and Hillsong Born is the King.

{and getting teary belting out 'Come Let Us Adore Him'}

And Dean Martin. We haven't had a Christmas without Deano since we've been married!

free printable

Got teary reading this too.

adjective

pertaining to or suitable for a feast or festival: festivedecorations; a festive meal.

joyous; merry: a festive mood.

It's feeling festive here.

beauty

2011-12-09T06:13:00.001+08:00

"Mummy, do I look beautiful?"

She looks at me with her black eyes.

Those eyes are so dark, most times I can't see the pupil.

She twirls, "Mummy, watch. I'm dancing at my wedding!"

She's decked out, head to toe in costume - plastic high heels, an arm full of

jingling bracelets, neck laden with beads and a tiara-adorned head full of wild

curls.

"Do I look beautiful?"

she implores again.

"Like a princess?"

With a lump in my throat I kneel down and pull her to me.

"You don't just look beautiful, you are beautiful. You just are. Even when you don't have on this, or this, or this," I touch her 'beautiful' dress and jewels.

"You are beautiful because that's what God says you are. It's how He made you."

"And you mummy!"

She grins, pulls away, and twirls again.

"Yep. And me."

And me.

He makes everything beautiful in it's own time. (Ecc 3:11)

The way the world defines beauty is ever changing.

I don't look there.

BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--

Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]

{Psalm 103:1-5, Amplified Bible}

He beautifies me.

{pink grapefruit}

2011-12-03T12:05:00.001+08:00

I have often wished I was one of those eaters of pink grapefruit.

It sounds so whimsy to just eat pink grapefruit for breakfast.

pink grapefruit.

doesn't it just sound so pretty?!

But no matter how hard I try, I. don't. like. it.

Not one bit.

It looks lovely. Inviting. But no. I can't do it!

And nor do I like the pink grapefruit and orange marmalade I made this morning, cooling in it's pretty jars, with pretty labels (labels from here)

It's bitter. Tangy. Has an awful aftertaste.

Apparently that's marmalade.

Oh well. The older generation in our families will appreciate the gift I'm sure.

But it did get me thinking about the 'bitterness' thing.

Because that marmalade is bitter. It bites.

And off my little brain went on a tangent, lead, I'm sure by that Still Small Voice.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you"

{Ephesians 4:31-32}

When things are spoken, or implied, or unsaid, or ignored... when there's that yuk just lingering there...

Oh I so have opportunity to keep my bitterness.

But if it really tasted like that marmalade, I'd be so quick to physically spit that yuk out!

And the aftertaste! Ugh!

I don't want to be a bitter taste, or have a bitter heart, so that when people spend time with me, they have to go away and wash!

I want to be what pink grapefruit should be!

Delightfully refreshing;

kind, quick to forgive and forget...

There will be many an opportunity for me to keep that bitterness in my mouth (heart!).

But I am making the decision, over and over, to swallow it, along with my pride, and keep loving anyway.

From pink grapefruit to forgiveness?

Crazy brain!

Happy Advent!

2011-12-01T16:31:00.001+08:00

Just over a year of blogging and look!

this post shows how much my Mr J has grown in a year!

It also shows you where to go if you wanted to make the Advent Quilt, like I did last year.

And last night I stayed up late with this lovely lass and wrote our lists and filled in our tags for our 2011 Advent Calendars!

The free Santa printable came from A Little Delightful, a blog I am loving - Bianca is full of good ideas, and she is the sharing type; lots of free printables.

Like these Advent printables which are super cute, and come already done with some fun ideas for your own advent calendar.

I cut simple tags from brown paper, used doily stamps I bought from etsy, and red and white twine.

Each tag has an activity (in a rhyme! Why do I make things so difficult for myself?!)

ie. Today's activity was

"Now that Christmas is on it's way, lets write a letter to Santa today"

I know right? But they're kids, they don't care.

As long as there's chocolate.

If anyone is particularly interested in hearing the rest of my silly rhymes, I'll be more than happy to share!

But other activities include Carols, going to see Santa, having a Christmas movie night etc.

There are also activities like baking shortbread to give to our neighbours, buying groceries for the local women's refuge (something our church organises every year) and making gingerbread men for school friends.

Because whilst I'm on the subject of mercy, and giving... we all know that's what Christmas is really about right? Before anyone gets judgey.

My kids know that the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus.

But I'm not so religious that I can't show them the extravagance that I think celebrating the birth of our Saviour deserves.

And it's fun.

Rejoice, okay?

{how does yours grow?}

2011-11-28T20:04:00.001+08:00

Basil leaves are green and glossy and deliciously fragranced.

Little chillies are starting to grow - they are in the middle where little fingers can't reach.

There are masses of strawberry flowers popping out.

These are near the edge where little hands can grab easily.

The sunflowers are about to show their faces and have grown tall, all in a row.

The grass is growing, as are the weeds.

I am definitely not a green thumb, but I love being able to pick herbs from the garden to use in the kitchen.

Coriander, thyme, parsley, oregano, tarragon.

Spring!

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes. ~e.e. cummings

Linking up with Heather at Life Made Lovely

losing heart

2011-11-27T20:47:00.001+08:00

Last week I was ready to whinge.

I had a blog post on the tips of my fingers, to write about losing heart, losing hope, and what to do.

I feel like this whole year has been a roller coaster of

hope: down... no hope left... ooh, there's a smidge of hope... oh, no, wait, hope fading...

HOLD ON!!

I held on. But by what my mum would say, "the skin of my teeth"

Which, reading that now, is a little laughable! I never did understand that phrase!

But I held on.

Knowing that God is faithful, and we don't always have the answers.

It doesn't always turn out the way we expect, or the way we want.

But I trust Him.

A phrase my beautiful friend Jenelle has used often, I really love:

I trust His heart, even when I don't understand His plan.

There is a lot I don't understand.

And to be honest, this side of eternity, I can't be bothered trying to figure out.

I just have to go by what I know.

That I know, that I know, that I know.

I can't have theological arguments anymore... that part of my brain left when I fell pregnant the first time, hehe. And I don't really want to waste time arguing theories, or human theology. Sometimes, there is no black and white.

Other times, black is blacker than black, and white is stark.

I'm rambling I know.

The losing hope thing?

I didn't.

And this verse about sums it up.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord

while I am here, in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage; And He shall strengthen your heart"

Psalm 27:13-14

I believe.

I've seen His goodness.

I see it every day when I look at my children.

When my husband kisses my cheek.

I believe I'll see it in other areas of my world.

The recurring theme in my heart right now is:

Don't give up the ship.

Don't you, either.

image via

creative space

2011-11-23T21:37:00.001+08:00

I attempted jam for the very first time a couple of months ago.

Strawberry, Apple and Vanilla jam, recipe courtesy of the lovely Frankie Magazine actually.

I played with the recipe slightly, and, a few batches later (one with mulberries, yum!) I am very excited to be making sweet jars of jam for a few family members for Christmas.

Of course, they had to be prettied up.

And my Christmas theme this year, if I had one, would be that of natural linens, hessians and lace.

I am a little giddy over doilies right now.

{my husband would laugh and say, "Cough, Nanna"}

And I whipped up these little jar covers, stitched a la Dottie Angel.

Rather peachy I think, as Tif would say!

They are as sweet as the jam they contain.

There are a lot of other creative spaces happening over here, where I am linking up today.

It's always full of inspiration, I'd encourage you to have a look, especially if you are the crafting type.

afternoon

2011-11-23T21:09:00.001+08:00

we took our $5 of chips to the end of the street for tea

we played on the playground

couldn't get baby A off the swing

(without her kicking her legs and squealing in tantrum!)

chased seagulls

felt sand between our toes and warm sun on our faces

watched the sun going down over our magnificent ocean

let it go

2011-11-22T21:25:00.001+08:00

what should have, could have, may have been

the whatif's

the fear, the hurt, the guilt

the insecurity, anger;

what they did

what they didn't do

what they said

what they didn't say

let it go

(original image found on Pinterest, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find the individual to give credit to, sorry!)

{18 holes}

2011-11-10T15:53:00.001+08:00

I was blessed by some alone time on the weekend. I told my golf-loving husband that it was indeed my turn to do "18 holes" (for those lucky wives out there whose husbands don't play golf, 18 holes can take a whole day!).
I did something I've wanted to do for a long time... you may laugh, and call me a Nanna... I am more than okay with that!
I sat in a gorgeous little cafe, treated myself to a latte (and then a pot of tea!) and a slice of raspberry meringue slice... and some crochet!
My first public display of crochet.

It was bliss.
Free.

And as I browsed some antique and second hand stores, I was alone in my thoughts and my prayers went uninterrupted.
A luxury.

xx

thrifted

2011-11-06T16:01:00.002+08:00

This gorgeous bedside table.

Spotted, adored, decided against (rationally, of course... it wasn't a necessity!), dreamt about...

purchased the following day.

The scary thing about buying thrifted pretties is that, by walking away, I am risking someone else getting hold of them... second hand sometimes means no second chances!

Luckily, this little beauty stayed put.

How could I have resisted? I mean... check out those legs!

{insert wolf whistle}

She arrived home with hideous plastic pink drawer knobs.

A quick eBay search remedied the wrong - pretty duck-egg blue of course.

And I didn't need to paint her... she's the perfect shade of antique white, yay!

She's definitely my flea market find of the year!

Pretty please go and check out everyone else's finds... and send Sophie an email to vote for me! :)

{small potatoes}

2011-11-02T06:10:00.001+08:00

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more
Than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 {The Message}

it's going to be okay

2011-10-31T06:56:00.001+08:00

I am a crier.
I hate that exhausted feeling in my head when I'm spent from tears.
Just spent.
Don't worry, there is no Great and Terrible Circumstance.
Just life stuff.
It's so easy to wallow.
I can be a wallower. I find myself wallowing in self-pity and doubt.
At least I recognise it now.
And snap myself out of it.

But wallowing and crying?
It's quite pathetic really, in the grand scheme of things.
And probably more related to hormones than any Great and Terrible Circumstance.
Sad.

But, during a recent wallowing session, I lifted my eyes.
I remembered where my Help comes from.

It's all going to be okay. Really it is!

xx

tea too.

2011-10-27T08:14:00.001+08:00

I'm a rather big fan of tea.
One of my favourite stores is T2, with their amazing variety of teas, and tisane.

Although, generally an English Breakfast kinda girl (and, admittedly, for me, it just has to be Twinings!) I love a herbal tea too.

Did you know that herbs, especially in herbal teas, can have amazing healing properties?
I bet you did not know that half a cup of fresh parsley contains more beta carotene than two large carrots, more vitamin C than two large oranges and ten times more calcium than one cup of milk! Well I most certainly didn't. Until I started reading Margaret Roberts' book "Tea : Recipes for Health, Wellbeing and Taste"
It's doesn't surprise me that these healing properties are hidden in something Creator-made.
It give me a refreshed sense of awe that He would create plants like Rosemary, which research has found carries a huge amount of calcium, is an energiser, and is known for being an anti-inflammatory... Roberts states: "For the over-stressed, for depression, anxiety, the inability to thrive, to improve memory, concentration, and to restore a positive outlook, to get up and go... rosemary is the herb". Amongst other amazing properties!
Our Creator amazes me.

So, this morning I made myself a rosemary tea.

Here is my recipe, if you'd like to try (and because of the potency of some herbs, I'd recommend doing a bit of research to see if this would be suited to you, especially of you are pregnant).

Infuse a 3cm sprig of fresh Rosemary, a piece of fresh orange peel, two cloves and 1/2 tsp of honey in boiling water for 5 minutes. I used a tea bag, but you wouldn't have to.

It's subtle flavour and the sweetness of the honey was just delightful.

And knowing that it's good for me too? A bonus! (Please excuse my messy bed hair and untamed eyebrows, hehe).
I'll be experimenting more with my love of herbs, and surely adding some others to my humble herb garden!

xx

{loving}

2011-10-14T06:36:00.004+08:00

After a year of preparation.

Hard work by an amazing team...

from the vision of my amazing pastor.

It's time for our women's conference!

It starts tonight.

I'm excited!

I love that this vision includes the practical.

Meeting actual needs, not just throwing Bibles at people.

Feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, reaching out...

it's the doing of the gospel. The going.

And you don't have to go far to go. You can go right where you are.

Those legs on the right are my legs.

Yes they are.

They're ready to GO!

PS. There's still time to register. Tonight is free.

Email me if you want more details!

Linking up here :: go have a look!

{new seasons}

2011-10-13T15:39:00.000+08:00

"In light of all this, here's what I want you to do... I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any one of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences" Eph 4 (MSG)

That steady walk. That trudges through the darkness of winter, the dryness of summer, the autumn that can sometimes see things, like leaves, falling down around us. Still walking at a steady pace, holding on, {sometimes just with fingernails} into the new hope that is spring.

Lighter and easier, embracing warmth, and letting spring rain soak new life into hearts that contained dormant seeds.

I feel like a new season is around the corner.

There is a lightness, and an ease in this walk I've been walking.

Where I've previously had to work at the discipline that the above verse talks about, there is now something racing in me... the beat of my heart seems quicker even, an excitement.

Like running up a hill and feeling the ground shift, and, slowly but surely, downhill comes.

The speed increases, there is an easy momentum that just comes simply, without effort.

There are still things that need to be washed away, but prayer is suddenly easier now.

Phew.

I know it won't always last, but I am embracing this {spring} season while it does!

The afternoon sunlight is pretty here. And it's where I've retreated to whilst two girls sleep, and one boy is quietly playing.

And we are going to rug up and enjoy late afternoon sunshine, with this crisp breeze, and take our dinner to the beach down the road. Husband has promised the kids "fishing"... which really entails some dusk exploring along the waters edge, and dinner on the sand.

Maybe a fish or two?

Praying for an ease to your step too, as we walk into the spring season here!

the beat of spring...

2011-10-09T15:06:00.000+08:00

Aaah school holiday bliss!
Spring sunshine, foreshore picnics, baking, playing... holidays are simply not rushed
I love the purposeful slowing down, and freedom from routine.
I love dressing when I am ready, not because the clock demands it.

During one of these unhurried days, I had a friend drop by unannounced.
Gasp
My living room floor had been overtaken by a five year old and his Lego creations.
Amidst 3 year old dolls and prams.
One year old food-mess adorns my breakfast bar.

It took everything in me not to apologise, and excuse our holiday-mode mess, but do you know what?
It got me thinking ::
Someone has to be real.
I want to be real, transparent.

Nope, my house is not always tidy.
But it is a home where you will be welcome to sit, on a stool at my breakfast bar;
Keep company there, with a cuppa and something sweet.
We can ignore the mess, the kids can play, and we will have genuine, heart to heart connection.
About the joys of motherhood, the craziness of life, and the goodness of God over it all.

[I hope] You will not remember the toy-covered floor, or the breakfast dishes, or my messy hair.

I am refusing to succumb to the pressure to present a perfect exterior.
I have learned to be more concerned with the interior.
Oh, learning. I still like a tidy house, I do.
There is something about a freshly made bed, and shiny sink.
And if you catch me on the right day, you will find them here too.

But, [I hope] you still won't remember those.
You will remember, through our chatter, feeling the beat of those unforced rhythms of grace...
and go on your way walking to them too.

xx

stop :: smell the flowers

2011-09-22T22:36:00.001+08:00

I know these flowers are weeds, but when we drove past, and pulled into our house across the street, they looked magnificent. The whole block is covered with them.

It seems yellow is definitely the colour of the season!

Baby A is 14 months today.

Princess E is most proud of her sister's new walking abilities.

snacks and tutus

2011-09-20T22:09:00.000+08:00

She is often playing dress-ups.

Twirling in tutus.

She sits here, at the kitchen bench.

With pencils and paper;

or snacks of carrot sticks and crackers.

Endless chatter.

Whatever is going through her three year old mind comes out of her

little mouth.

And it all begins with "Mum?" posed as a question.

An are you listening? are you ready for this? "Mum!"

"You know, when I am wore [four] I will doe [go] to dool [school]"

She will.

And I will miss her, and her endless chatter.

six years strong

2011-09-19T21:05:00.001+08:00

We celebrated six years of marriage on Saturday.

With breakfast at the Botanical Cafe, overlooking the city and the river... first thing in the morning, while there was still mist dancing around the top of the building towers.

Stunning.

We reflected on our years together.

I love that guy more now.

We've shared the beginning of a good life.

I'm excited about the rest.

So much, we didn't plan.

We knew it wouldn't be easy.

But it comes down to this...

The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?

{Proverbs 20:24}

Six years.

Six homes.

Three babies.

Much love.

And still us.

[space]

2011-09-15T07:27:00.000+08:00

Crafting, creating, being creative?

It gives my soul space.

And squeezing in the creating of something whimsy and pretty, for me to look at during life's craziness, just puts a smile on my face.

This fabric flower garland adorns my kitchen window. Little splashes of yellow and grey (my favourite colour combination right now!)

It makes doing the dishes/making kids breakfast/lunch/dinner etc so much more delightful!

I found the tutorial here through Pinterest.

Then I stuck a couple of leftovers on kitchen skewers and put them in a vintage bottle.

voila!

More smiles for me!

I painted my Ikea chalkboard 'happy home' (don't you love paint names?!)

And really? When I get my creative juices flowing... it is just that!

A happy home!

Linking up here with all the other creative, happy homes!

Swim.

2011-09-13T21:20:00.001+08:00

via

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap [a harvest of blessing], if we do not loosen and relax our courage and give up." {Galatians 6:9}

Of course this was just what I needed this Sunday.

Of course, I wasn't thinking thoughts the week prior about giving up...

giving up the blogging thing, the dreams, the ministry, the housework.

I am sure we all have thoughts about giving up... don't we??

Maybe I am the only one.

Sometimes it just seems really hard.

To keep on top of everything.

On top of the washing, and the groceries; the phone calls, the bills, the immunisations (that one came to mind, because my now almost 14 month old is overdue!)

So what do you do? When it just seems hard?

Don't quit!

Don't give up.

It's a command. Don't lose heart. Just don't.

Dory's voice in my head is singing

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do? We swim, swim..."

Do you know what I do?

Just take 5. Seriously. It sounds cliche, I know. But I just set some time aside. Ask (tell!) the husband that I need a breather, and take the next opportunity to have one.

I go somewhere (the shops, Spotlight, the beach, wherever!) on my own.

Without any three year olds and their non-stop chatter.

Breathe.

And then what?

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

[and know, you can do all things through Him who gives you strength. it's true.]

So. Blogland. I'm back. Yes I am.

{hold tight}

2011-09-02T20:17:00.000+08:00

Where have I been, I hear you ask (well okay, I am assuming that blogland actually cares where I have been, but for my own little happy bubble, we'll go with it!)

Here I am... yep that's me, looking super glamourous in my daggy house-clothes, and my fringe pinned back (thinking about growing out the bangs again, wow, that was short-lived!) and no makeup. Okay well that's quite normal, the no makeup thing, but you get the picture right?

We have been a household full of the flu.
Four out of the five of us have been on antibiotics... crazy for us, a very healthy family with pretty good immune systems usually!
This flu has knocked us all out. Husband has had a week off work.
Mr J had two days off school.
Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.

Oh and lack of blogging has also been due to lack of wi-fi.
Our new modem will arrive next week, hurrah!
Blogging is not fun on the iPad.
And I cannot wait to come and visit all your blogs again soon.

So this has been us.
Days and days of lounging around at home, fighting flu symptoms.
About 4 trips to doctors (including waiting almost 3 hours in an after-hours surgery).
Lots of Lego building.
Lots of cuddles.
And a few tears I'll admit (yes, they were mine... Waaaaa who's going to look after me when I'm looking after everyone else?!)

And lots of days in pjs.
These are ones I whipped up today in Baby A's nap time.
Mr J has been asking for some for a while, since I made one for Princess E.
This little bit of sewing therapy was just what I needed today.

AND. There has been lots of good stuff this week too.
Like very caring friends who drop off goodies because you had to cancel a catch up with them... I will link you later, when I have some Internet happening, lovely!

Like the new Ikea catalogue to pour over during long days on the couch!

And like goodies in the mail from a beautiful blogger, simply because I happened to be her 100th follower! I will link her later too, I can't do this HTML thing right now, coughing and spluttering, and head pounding!

So that is my week, in a nutshell.
Probably the most boring, unpretty post ever.
But right now husband is making me a cuppa and I am about to spend my Friday night curled up on the couch with him watching a movie (of his choice, uh oh!).

SO looking forward to next week being one of productivity, and health and normality!

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise" Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

xx

[the] Story

2011-08-23T21:14:00.000+08:00

Do you know what one of the things that completely makes me so chuffed when it comes to my kids? When they display a love of books and reading.
When my children carried those hard or chewable or fabric books around, when they were only babies, I would think: "Oh goodie, they are going to love books, they are going to love reading"...
Of course, this probably wasn't an accurate clue as to whether they would love to read as much as their mama!
But Mister J so far, has continued his love for reading and I LOVE it so!
It is one of those things I am very conscious about spending time to do with him, to nurture in him.

The other thing that blesses my heart is when they show a love and consciousness for God.
So when the two are combined?! This mama's heart is so blessed!

And this is Joel's favourite book at the moment:

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

It is just beautiful!

I am finding myself looking forward to our bedtime story, all day!
I am tempted to read ahead... but I won't!

The illustrations are incredible.
The way it is written is poetic, and romantic, yet simple enough for my kids to understand.
And O my heart!

I will leave you with a paragraph or two.
And I am sure you will want to read the rest, like I do!
I'm already looking forward to tomorrow night!

"... He gently clothed them and then he sent them away on a long, long journey - out of the garden, out of their home.
Well, in another story, it would all be over and that would have been... The End.

But not in this Story.
God loved his children too much to let the story end there. Even though he knew he would suffer, God had a plan - a magnificent dream. One day, he would get his children back. One day, he would make the world their perfect home again. And one day, he would wipe every tear from their eyes.
You see, no matter what, in spite of everything, God would love his children - with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
And though they would forget him, and run from him, deep in their hearts, God's children would miss him always, and long for him - lost children yearning for their home."
(Sally Lloyd-Jones, "The Jesus Storybook Bible" p. 35-36)

xx

a grumpy slump

2011-08-16T13:24:00.000+08:00

I have been a grump.
Internally grumpy.
There is no other word for it.
I couldn't put my finger on why.
Other than obvious factors like notsowell kidlets and one super clingy baby, (I seriously feel like I am walking on a lean permenantly from having my very solid baby on my quite petite hip!) but even that is not usually enough to make me grump so.
My husband is amazing.
My friends have been exactly what I need.
And still this never-ending grump.

It's not an outside grump. Not one that I am taking out on anyone.
My husband didn't know.
There were no dragon mama moments (okay I'm sure there were one or two, but nothing related to the grump).
I have had some 'me time'.
I have had a date night with said amazing husband.

And still the grump!

So.
Last night, a little bit of revelation.
Just a little.

It's growing pains.
It's being required more of, and fighting that fact.
It's this constant battle with my never content soul that tells me to feed it all sorts of goodness: buying pretty clothes or nights curled up reading The Wind in the Willows, or crocheting, or making pretty things with pretty fabric.
Rather than doing what I should be doing...

Spending more time in the Word.
Studying.
Praying.
Investing in people.

Instead of in myself

It's just where I'm at.
I probably need to relinquish control again.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
{2 Chronicles 16:9}

I am going to be spending time making sure my heart is loyal to Him and Him only.
If that means putting down some classic lit, and immersing myself in the Word, then so be it.
It means sacrificing me time.
After all, there's always a cost.

Ugh.
I've put my finger on it.
I know what I need to do.
And now to stop fighting it. (...and get rid of this grumpy slump!)

xx

comfort...

2011-08-12T15:50:00.000+08:00

We had an adventure the other day.

After a trip to the doctor to check on Mr J's persistent cough, and a lovely morning tea at the cafe next door, we were about to leave the carpark to drive home when Princess E exclaimed, "Mum! My bunny!"

Retracing our steps in my mind, I realised we must have left beloved bunny at the doctor's surgery.

It is fine. The bunny has been retrieved.

Sigh of relief.

Our little adventure made me reminisce those early days, when I saw my baby girl's attachment forming to the beloved pink bunny, and how cute I thought it was!

Bunny made sleeping anywhere possible. Just a little silky satin on her face, and voila!

Bunny made the transition from cot, to big-girl bed super smooth.

And bunny made saying goodbye to the dummy, that much easier!

And now, at the big-girl age of THREE...
Bunny makes saying goodbye to mummy at daycare one day a week much more bearable (for us both!)
Bunny still goes everywhere she goes.
And is most helpful in comforting Princess E when she is tired, or grumpy or sick...
Bunny is still as attached as ever!

[craving]

2011-08-09T13:59:00.000+08:00

"...the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, craving Him as your soul's first necessity], He will be found by you..." {2 Chronicles 15:2}

While there are a lot of things that have been lovely for my soul lately - a sweet little getaway to the country, sitting down and crocheting at the end of a long day, cosying up with a book, running hard on the treadmill at the gym and listening to Sisterhood podcasts... or even my gorgeous kids... [Princess E and her gorgeous cheeks and this photo I couldn't resist sharing...]

... while all these things are GOOD, and definitely good for my soul... this verse says I need to seek Him as my soul's first necessity.

NOT quality time with my husband.
NOT tea dates with amazing girlfriends.
NOT shopping.
And while all of the above are good (VERY good!) for the soul.
They shouldn't be what I need.
Not necessity.

Nope.

A re-aligning of this heart of mine!

This morning, sitting here:

Was good for my soul.

{snap!}

2011-08-05T20:53:00.000+08:00

How good is it that I can carry a camera with me everywhere, in my phone?! It was especially helpful for this heart melting moment when, snuggled up watching a movie with my five year old Mr J, I felt his warm little hand come to rest upon mine.

Oh. my. heart.

Other loves, captured with beloved pocket-camera iPhone...

Yummy birthday cookies with rainbows drawn on. Who would have thought there were food colouring pens?!

So. much. fun!

The gorgeous little feet of the birthday girl.

Made all the more gorgeous with crocheted shoes by my very clever-cookie friend Tammi.

Also loving trips to the hairdresser for re-styles.

I am happy:

My mama likes it.

I am told it makes me look 'mature' (which is always helpful for a mama of three, who has been told she looks 16!)

And my kids said I look beautiful!

Love thrifted plates, and home-baked apple & cinnamon muffins.

Yum.

Joining up with Jeanette for Insta-Friday!

And if you're on instagram... come say hi... @mynameisem

hello sewing machine!

2011-08-04T12:59:00.000+08:00

I really love my sewing machine.

I really love this vintage sheet I found at a local thrift store.

I really did not love cutting into said vintage sheet. Which is why it has been sitting on my sewing table for over a month.

But when inspiration hit, vintage sheet was perfect!

But to cut... gasp!

Remind myself: it's a SHEET, there's plenty!

And it was definitely worth it for this cute little pouch I whipped up in no time at all.

{do I count the time spent laying in bed the night before trying to work out in my brain how I would create the inside zipped pocket, and four spaces for cards?!}

Overall, very happy with my vintage-y, lacey, pocket-y pouch.

It is now the new home to all the contents of my purse.

{Love}

Really loving the colour yellow too, did you notice?

Linking up with Our Creative Spaces

Go and check out all the other creative goodness out there!

My, oh my!

2011-08-03T21:18:00.000+08:00

I haven’t blogged in over a week.

I am rarely on Facebook.

I am a little addicted to Instagr.am, but even the excitetment of that is waning.

And Twitter? Sorry Tweeps, I haven’t paid you much attention.

Except to tweet this quote I love;

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live”

- {Henry David Thoreau}

I have been standing up, living.

An exhaustingly busy, yet entirely satisfying kind of living.

Full of reaching out, stretching where I’m certainly not wanting to be stretched, and (hopefully) touching others lives in a way that shines Truth.

I really want to be a light.

Full of tea dates with friends, playdates with our kids – the kind where, over a simple cuppa (and something sweet of course) heart connections are made… and the Sisterhood is strengthened.

I really want unity in our Sisterhood.

And full of family memories and momentous occasions!

We celebrated our baby girl’s first birthday on the weekend.

The last of the first birthdays – the thought brings a tear to my eye!

Happy birthday beautiful Princess A.

You are our delight, the completion of our family, a promise.

A rainbow.

And what better way to celebrate than with a rainbow party?!

Complete with rainbow cake (decorated with a rainbow bunting!) of course.

Aaah. Reminiscing. Our baby girl, you are growing before my eyes – faster than your older brother and sister, even though I am in much less hurry for you to!

My baby bump, with her older brother & sister. It seems like forever ago...

Labour - yuk!

But all worth it for this little pink bundle, only hours old!

So thankful to be her Mama!

You have a quirky sense of humour, a cheekiness that makes us laugh, which is fully your intention of course.

And you are the friendliest baby I know. You reach out for strangers to hold you, and love their attention when they do. Amazing girl, I want to keep you this way forever… but I know you won’t be so I’ll savor every moment!

And lovely people who take the time to read this humble blog of mine… thank YOU! I’ll be sure to stop by and say hi soon… ‘tis lovely to sit down to write from time to time!

{rest}

2011-07-23T15:52:00.002+08:00

The last weekend of the school holidays have arrived.
Mr Husband is on a guys weekend, motorbike riding and sleeping in swags in sand dunes... so my three little ducklings and I headed off in the opposite direction to visit my parents.

I slept next to this old stove, and find it hard to drag myself away from it's warmth!

Except to venture into town, and do a spot of browsing in some antique shops on the main street. And oh! My heart did skip a little beat when I found these beauties!

{"She shops around for the best yarns and cottons..." (Proverbs 31:13}

And a couple of gorgeous {blue} books! The bottom copy of 'Peter Pan' was published in 1951! I cannot tell you how much I adore old books... the smell alone... aaah!

And in my nice warm spot next to the stove, I have been reading, and crafting a little.
My mustard yellow beauty is complete - I am loving bows at the moment, and the navy looks cute against the yellow, I think!

And I made a little flower garland to hang in my parent's caravan.

It is beautiful here.
My soul has space.

It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (Psalm 127:2 MSG)

xx

{here and there}

2011-07-16T18:51:00.000+08:00

My mama is usually here:

A gorgeous, sleepy country town. My parents live atop a hill there, overlooking a valley, with a river, and views to the next set of rolling hills. It is misty and cold in the mornings, until the sunshine rises over the valley and their little home is filled with light.
I love that place.
I was born there, it holds a special place in my heart.
But this weekend, my mama has come to stay here. Away from their little place in the country, to come to our little place by the coast.

Today Princess A showed off her new tricks; dancing and clapping and cheeky smiles, we had lunch and coffee and a spot of shopping, and I am actually loosing my voice from all our chatting.

It has been lovely.
I hope yours has too!

xx

[true colours]

2011-07-14T22:49:00.000+08:00

“You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do it’s work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought."

{James 1 - The Message}

I've been pondering lately what the 'true colours' of my faith-life are.

I haven't been full of faith lately, and I seem to spend more time looking at my circumstances, pretending not to be afraid, rather than looking The One who is telling me to ask for help.

I often don't know what I'm doing, but, the last thing I do is 'pray to the Father'.

I flounder along, pretending like I know what I'm doing, fooling myself into thinking I've got it all together... and "worry my prayers".

This verse in James goes on to say those who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.

I think I've been like waves lately. Just being tossed around by my circumstances.

Nothing will change that way.

My faith-life is being forced out into the open.

It's staring me in the face.

God is real.

He is able.

Now. To start living that, internally.

A nose in a book, or 5.

2011-07-09T09:38:00.000+08:00

{Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers} ~ Charles W. Eliot

I have always been a reader. I have happy memories of school holidays spent devouring books from my local library - and then the not-so-local libraries, once I had chewed through the selection once or twice! I started with books by Enid Blyton (Cherry Tree Farm was a definite favourite, The Adventure series, The Famous 5, The Magic Wishing Chair - they bring back so many memories!), who I can thank for my love for the written word! I would read out on my trampoline, on the top bunk, in the car, in the cubbies we would make, or under the covers with a torch when I was supposed to be sleeping. I don't even know how many books I've read in my lifetime, so for lovely Jo to pose the question "5 Books that changed who I am" seemed near impossible!
I didn't know where to start... so I started with my bookshelf. I figured if it really 'changed who I am' it should be lurking in there somewhere, no?

So out came 5. And I don't really know if they actually changed who I am. Can a book (other than the Bible, which certainly is continuing to do so) really do that? I don't think any really did change who I am but the books I chose definitely enhanced, revealed and inspired what already was within me.

So we'll start with the top...
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
I found this in our bookshelf at home when I was 11.
I remember being immediately captivated by the period in which it was set, and I've had a fascination with both the period and the setting (the deep south of America) since.
I also have this book to thank for my love of language. I studied it at 16 in my English Literature class, and re-read it a few years later. I think it's time to read it again!
"The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash." (Atticus) Chapter 23

2. "Extraordinary" by John Bevere
God wants us to live extraordinary lives.
Unfortunately, Christians don't often live up to the call, and most of the time we are the opposite - ordinary and lifeless... but it's His plan for us to live beyond a normal existence! And John Bevere wrote this book to help us embrace the extraordinary life we were created for:
"How intriguing that the bulk of the most popular movies of all time are not love stories, murder mysteries, espionage thrillers, war movies, true life accounts... No, the top box office draws are films that center on extraordinary characters doing remarkable feats, with a good number of them possessing beyond-human abilities or powers. Why? Because "extraordinary" is how we were created to live. It was God's plan from the beginning."
Brilliant.

3. "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren
We recently read this as a church, and I think it was about my third or fourth time. It's so good to get back to basics, totally necessary for a perspective shift - my life is not all about me, me, me.
Every time I've read it, it's been like depositing gold nuggets into my heart - read it, I dare you!
"Sometimes procrastination is a legitimate response to a trivial task. But because love is what matters most, it takes top priority. The bible stresses this repeatedly. It says, "Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone." "Use every chance you have for doing good" "Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbour to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now" Why is now the best time to express love? Because you don't know how long you will have the opportunity. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up. You have no guarantee of tomorrow."

4. "Blue Like Jazz - Nonreligious thoughts on Christian Spirituality" by Donald Miller
Donald Miller is hands down one of my favourite authors. 'Blue Like Jazz' was there for me when I questioned the basis of my faith. I questioned God, and the reality of Him. This book was like a breath of fresh air to a stale Christian existence. I love this book. A lot.
"If you would have asked me, I suppose I would have told you there was a God, but I could not have formulated a specific definition based on my personal experience. Perhaps it was because my Sunday school classes did much to help us memorize commandments and little to teach us who God was and how to relate to Him, or perhaps it was because they did and I wasn't listening. Nevertheless, my impersonal God served me just fine as I had no need of the real thing. I needed no deity to reach out of heaven and wipe my nose, so none of it actually mattered. If God was on a dirt road walking toward me, He was on the other side of a hill, and I hadn't begun to look for Him anyway."

5."Meet Me at Mikes" by Pip Lincolne
I remember the day I found this book. It was a rainy, wet day, and two of my gorgeous friends and I caught the train into the city. We ended up in Borders, downstairs browsing. When I spotted it, it was like a rush of "Ohmygoodness I love this stuff. I used to love crochet, and sewing, and embroidery... what happened to me?!" I hadn't had much time, with having babies and the like, to do anything crafty. Not since the quilt I made before my first baby was born. This book was like a reawakening of the creative side in me. And it's so good to be back!

xx

beautiful soup, rich and green

2011-06-27T20:44:00.001+08:00

Okay, so this SOUP doesn't look super appetising... and even the thought of broccoli soup doesn't appeal straight away... {And I know this especially by husband's reaction when I informed him that this was what we were having for dinner, the first time I made it!}

But I promise it's good! Give it a chance!

And I picked up my broccoli for 69 cents each.

Bonus.

Anyway... this is the recipe, for those of you who are game enough to try!

Cut up 1 large onion into chunks (it doesn't have to be perfect remember, it's gonna be soup) and put it into a big saucepan over medium heat with a bit of olive oil. Add about 3 cloves of crushed garlic and stir for a bit until it starts to smell like you've done something really clever and been in the kitchen all day, hehe!

Throw in two broccoli (also cut up chunky) stalks and all, a cauliflower (yep, cut this up too) and I put a potato in too, but this is optional.

Cover your veggies with liquid stock - I used chicken the first time, and vegetable stock this time, whatever you prefer.

Bring this to the boil, with the lid on, and then turn it down to a simmer until all your vegetables are soft.

To be safe, don't blend until it's cooled down a bit. Although I don't take my own advice on that one, I am too impatient.

Serve with some crusty bread, and a generous dollop of sour cream...

Yummy!

The lovely lady who shared the recipe with me also uses curry powder or curry paste to give it a bit more flavour, but I'm a salt girl, and just put some extra sea salt flakes in... yum!

"Beautiful soup, so rich and green
Waiting in a hot tureen!
Who for such dainties would not stoop?
Soup of the evening, beautiful soup!
Beautiful soup! Who cares for fish
Game, or any other dish?
Who would not give all else for two
Pennyworth of beautiful soup?"
Lewis Carroll, ‘Alice in Wonderland’

{loving}

2011-06-24T07:05:00.001+08:00

A week full of {love}... here's a taste...

A gorgeous cupcake from our women's event... I can't wait till this friend has her website up and running so I can link to it. She is amazingly creative with her cupcakes. They look and taste amazing.

What I love even more was that we had over 180 women - our church almost full of us chicks!

And love that after a day summed up by this photo...

... Daddy had a taste of it too!

I love this boy, and the fact that we got an opportunity to go out together, just the two of us. His sisters are noisy, and demanding. They take up a lot of time. So it was so lovely to have a date, with my biggest little man. It consisted of bubblegum ice-cream, and a stroll down to the jetty. And anyone with boys would know that a stroll consists of climbing, balancing and jumping...

Don't so much love the 'before' but {LOVE} the after!

These two decided they were sleeping together on the floor of their bedroom. And they did... until about 10pm when we carried them back to their beds. They are best friends Mr J & Princess E.

And my favourite LOVE of the week has got to be my little apple cosy. Inspired by A Mouse House last week. I just had to try! I am in LOVE. Husband looked at me rather strangely when I gushed over my little well-dressed apple... but it is the cutest apple I have ever laid eyes on!

xx

Linking up over at Kristy's Things I'm Loving. Go and check out all the other loving... or join in! There is always something in your world to be thankful for! I know it! xx

Also being cheeky and linking up here with Jeannett... am I allowed to do two linkys in one post?
Oh well... killing two birds... it's how I roll. ;)

take heart.

2011-06-22T21:22:00.000+08:00

Something profound came from my pastor a little while back… and I’ve not been able to get it out of my head since:

“It’s dangerous to assume that your world is the world”

He spoke regarding finances and gave us some statistics. One I remember: did you know that experts have estimated that it would only take 20 billion dollars to feed and clothe the entire third world?!

This is the same amount of money America spends on ice-cream in one year.

Yep. It’s mind boggling.

But this statement has crept into my head at every given opportunity.

Bring perspective.

Relief.

Gratitude.

Look up. Look out.

To a neighbour I have recently met.

Only one house separates us. We are similar in age.

We have similar aged children.

Yet our lives are worlds apart.

Her youngest, a beautiful two and a half year old is autistic.

Non-vocal. Sometimes unresponsive.

Her weeks are filled with therapy. Her laundry is overflowing.

Yet she took the time to invite me in, and make me a tea.

My heart broke for her, and immediately repented of my internal complaining about my three year old’s endless chatter.

My world is not the world.

The beautiful woman I had the privilege of meeting on the weekend.

She was a pastor alongside her husband for 20 years.

Of the biggest church in our state.

Her husband became ill. It was a tumour on his brain.

She is now his full-time carer as he continues the long road of rehabilitation.

She is nothing short of graceful.

She has a gentleness, a heart for people, and a transparency that shone steadfastness.

A faith, and a trust – not in her circumstances, but in her God.

Her world has changed completely.

My world is not the world.

To the women in my world who daily struggle with depression.

The ones who’s husbands work away weeks at a time, who are left with households to manage, babies to care for.

Those of us that are desperate for marriage, or babies, or both… and it just doesn’t seem to be happening…

Each of us have our own daily struggles.

If I am honest, I’ll tell you that mine are more internal struggles than external.

Circumstantially, things are pretty sweet in my little nest. But internally, my feathers can be a bit ruffled from time to time! Anxiety can creep in. The dark cloud seems to loom threateningly in the distance… BUT:

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Josh 1:9

And despite what is going on in my world… with eyes lifted I will remember:

“Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.” (Prov 3:27 MSG)

{capturing a moment}

2011-06-17T17:44:00.000+08:00

I really love my iPhone camera. No, it's not the best quality, but it's always there! Always in my back pocket, or on the bench, or in my bag. Not like super big Nikon D5000 (which I really should be learning to use!).
Little iPhone camera captures EVERYTHING. And instagram makes the pictures look pretty. I am addicted. I LOVE it. So imagine when I found a link up purely for instagram photos?! I'm sure there are many, but I'm fairly sure I found the best one!
So it's my first:

Yay!

It seems the girls are featuring:

Princess E and her daddy on the couch the other night. Miss 3 year old woke up with a sore ("wore") tummy. Daddy soon fixed it. Daddies are comfy.

I LOVE this next pic. Baby A.

She's getting all clever and crawling all the way out to the backyard to see what all the noise on the trampoline was about.

She got brave. It was a long way crawl.

But by the cheeky grin and clapping of hands, I'm guessing it was worth it!

{my creative space}

2011-06-16T09:46:00.000+08:00

My head space has been happy enough for some creativity lately.
It's been a while, I've often been too overwhelmed at the day to day running of a household; organising lunches, dinners, baby sleep times, activities for toddlers, and housework (ugh!) that I have spent months just staring longingly at beloved sewing machine!

But, creativity is returning, ever so slowly. And the weather has been most agreeing for nights of crochet and crafting. I feel a me returning slowly!

Cheeky tea towels, machine appliqued... these were fun! And I love this waffle fabric in yummy yellow (you should look at Tammi's yummy yellows too, her buttery mugs are delicious!)

And aaaahhhh, crochet. My release after a long day. Lovely husband made me a cup of tea and I hooked to my hearts content...

And some more yummy yellow, testing out pretty coasters!

xx

Joining in with Our Creative Spaces for the first time today!

Afternoon Delight

2011-06-15T09:16:00.000+08:00

In the quiet of Baby A’s naptime, yesterday afternoon, Princess E and I made Honey Drop Biscuits (Thanks again, Donna Hay ‘Seasons’).

With only the rain on the roof, and the whirr of the tumble dryer as background noise, we filled the house with the aroma of home baked delights, and sounds of three year old chatter.

Delicious!

I love having just one little voice to give attention to.

One little face to admire.

And I love that times like those, I am filling my children’s senses with happy memories.

What do you like to do on cosy, Wintery afternoons?

{on my heart}

2011-06-13T20:36:00.001+08:00

I decided to read through the gospels a while back. Really read them. Study, and… selah [stop and listen, pause, ponder, think, muse, chew over] Let God speak.

I didn’t get very far through the book of Matthew before I had a whoa moment. Chapter 4 specifically, verse 20.

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, menting their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed Him.”

Now. I was struck by the immediately thing.

These guys were just doing their thing. Living their lives. And they gave it all up at a single call. They left their careers for a start, and their families (their father!), to become a disciple of Jesus. Madness! To follow a man… It is crazy they would trust him. It’s crazy they would hear his call and be lead. It’s crazy they just believed.

And then there’s me. I know the end of the story. I’m not hearing the voice of a man, but of the Son of God – the one who rose from the dead. So why then, does it seem so hard to follow?! To just trust?

Don’t get me wrong, I believe. I know, with complete surety who my God is, who Jesus is. But sometimes, just sometimes, I have trouble trusting.

I avoid disappointment by holding back – or so I think! I would rather be disappointed in myself for not having enough faith, than disappointed in God for not coming through in the way I expect Him. I know without a doubt that God can, but my uncertainty lies in the question, “will He?”

And the answer is still a small ‘I don’t know’.

I don’t know if we’ll get the miracles we’re needing right now… or if God’s hand will be motionless, so that we put our heads down and work to change the circumstance ourselves.

But I came to a point the other day where I thought, “What have I to loose?” If I believe hard, if I put to faith what I’m believing for, and am disappointed? I will still trust Him. But I can’t stay complacent. I need to fight a good fight. And a good fight is one that I fight my absolute best.

I don’t know the answers to all my ‘Why?’s’, but I know the answer to the ‘Who’, and that’s all I need.

I suppose that’s all the disciples needed to know too, when they immediately dropped their nets, and followed Him.

{linking up with Casey at The Wiegand's}

{loving}

2011-06-10T11:53:00.000+08:00

"Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts" Psalm 36:10 (Message)

"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." Proverbs 18:24

So loving the 'Sisterhood' of girls in my world who are there to share the ins and outs of my life.

The Pastor who cheers me on, with her mama's heart, seeing in me what I fail to.

The neighbour who, just like a sister should, offers "this, or this, oooh or try this, this will look gorgeous" to go with an outfit. (As well has sharing her Chai tea and company!)

The real friend who doesn't sugarcoat, or feel the need to fake: her life is transparent and true, and an inspiration to me!

The online friends, who don't feel so far away because there's some sort of online, global sisterhood we got goin' on and I love the encouragement!

I am not the most perfect friend, I'm sure all of mine will be the first to tell you.

But I LOVE each and every one of them. I love that they love me (and I'm sure it's not me, but He in me!)

The other thing I love? That HE calls me His friend... corny, but true folks.

"I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me, I chose you..." John 15:15

(And of course all this LOVING is being linked up with the lovely Kristy at Paisley Jade... go check out the other loving too!)

{duck-egg blue and teacups too}

{refuge}

mine. time.

{creative space | colour}

friendships

{peddle peddle peddle!}

the baker's wife, adventure

{my hope for her}

creative space

{basil pesto} yummo!

{Bible} in a year.

a birthday on a hill

going dottie

mess.

a new rule

10 days

her thrifting adventures

a little bit of fear

{loving}

life is a fairytale

home...

summer holiday

anyway

{hello new year}

beyond Christmas

holidays!

{Princess Warrior Lessons}

{pears and pjs}

festive

fes·tive

beauty

{pink grapefruit}

Happy Advent!

{how does yours grow?}

losing heart

creative space

afternoon

let it go

{18 holes}

thrifted

{small potatoes}

it's going to be okay

tea too.

{loving}

{new seasons}

the beat of spring...

stop :: smell the flowers

snacks and tutus

six years strong

[space]

Swim.

{hold tight}

[the] Story

a grumpy slump

comfort...

[craving]

{snap!}

hello sewing machine!

My, oh my!

{rest}

{here and there}

[true colours]

A nose in a book, or 5.

beautiful soup, rich and green

{loving}

take heart.

{capturing a moment}

{my creative space}

Afternoon Delight

{on my heart}

{loving}