Oh! And I forgot the BIGGEST news! If you don't know already...

RACHEL IS CRAWLING NOW!!!!!

Ahhh good times. She's absolutely loving it, and can get from one end of the house to the other in no time at all. :-) It's payback time for her, and she's enjoying stealing back all her toys. :-D

This is her very first crawl. Aren't we the clever cookies managing to capture it on the video?! :-)  Make sure you click on the "play" button and watch it! xxoo

It's so hard moving countries! Not only do I have to help the children adjust and find good friendships, but I have to do the same for myself. You think it would be easy to find friends in a large church, but much to my amazement, it's been harder than any little church we've ever been to! Anyway. It was getting me down. So a couple of days ago I cancelled everything on my calendar, and took the time to talk to the Lord and try to understand His mind in the matter. My lovely friend Tracy, who is (with her husband) living downstairs at the moment, came bounding up the stairs this morning with her Bible. "LOOK what I found!!" and she had these verses for me:

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

YES! It was like a message straight from the Lord for me. I had been struggling with trying to make friends with people who are doing things that goes against everything I know is right. But I thought I had to be friends with them, because well... just because. Beggers can't be choosers right. ;-) Now, I'm not talking about being friendLY with people. A smile doesn't cost anything, and I give them away freely.  But when my smiles aren't returned, it's not going to bother me anymore. YEAH! I'm excited about that!! I'm looking forward to taking my time and finding the right kind of friends. Those who will encourage (and be encouraged!) me to love my husband, love my children, keep my house, and walking all the more closer to my Lord.

On the flip side, these couple of days "off" have given me some extra opportunities for fun with the kiddies! Here are some snaps of them playing with playdough (made it in the thermomix, for a change. It's the BEST playdough ever!) this morning. They had so much fun, and I found myself thanking the Lord for the wonderful life He has given us!

Pictures!

BREAK MY LEASE

Lord, make me to purchase eternal abundance and no longer borrow temporary trinkets.
Grant me wisdom and currency that I might buy bread that is meet.
Lead me in the way you have gone before and cause me to dwell always in Your house.
May my heart so desire and be filled with You that other charms cannot entice.
Fill me with truth. Make my eyes see, my ears hear, refusing all falsehood.
Bring your words to my mind and speak to my heart that deception cannot stand.
Keep me from those that speak leasing. Have mercy. Your delight is my joy and strength.
Let me not rent chaff and dross. Cause me to be a purchaser of eternity’s riches.

(Judges 4:14; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 4:2-8; Psalm 5:1-12; Psalm 23:6; Isaiah 55:1-5; II Timothy 1:12)

-Written by a wise woman, who unknowingly ministered greatly to my heart.

Chocolate anyone?

Don't they look sweet?? This is us enjoying a picnic outside, when I was having one of those "Mummy don't want no mess" days.

I was sitting outside with the kiddies this morning, watching them play soccer, when Dede sauntered up to me with her little dollies. "Mum! Watch this!" she says, as she lays her new doll from Grandma on the ground. Then she pulls out a toy gun and proceeds to shoot it. Horrified, I tried to talk some sense into her "But Dede, Mummys are supposed to protect and love their babies..." "I know Mum, but this isn't a baby, it's a DOOOLLL".  Silly Mummy. What else can I expect from a girl sandwiched between two rough brothers?! :-) I've been working hard on my relationship with Dede lately. It's so easy to get caught up in doing things, going here and there, and being busy with "outside of the home" activities, and before you know it, there are behavioural problems them seem to evolve from nowhere! And they're always harder to fix than they were to break! I've learned with Dede that many cuddles and time one-on-one works wonders for her spirit, and thankfully (to You, Lord!) my sweet little girl is emerging from her Monster Skin, and our days are pleasant once again. :-)

And on the lighter side of life...

RULES OF CHOCOLATE


If you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating it too slowly.

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The Solution: eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It’ll take the edge off your appetite and you’ll eat less. ;-)

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

If you can’t eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can’t eat all your chocolate, what’s wrong with you?

If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don’t they actually counteract each other?

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? A. Because no one wants to quit.

If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.

Author unknown.

We had visitors!

Last month was a busy one for us, with the highlight being a visit from Mum, Big Sis Bex, Neice Nellie, Big Sis Kate, and Lil' Sis Wozzie. Boy oh boy did we have fun! The kids absolutely loved having Nellie around to play with, and I soaked up the days of girlish giggling, late nights, sightseeing, and experimenting with my new and wonderful Thermomix in the kitchen. I miss my family so much, and it was good for my spirit to see them again.

This group shot was taken on a beautiful summer's day, as we were just about to board the ferry to Keppel Island. What was that? Cold? Nooo, what would make you think that? Other than the goosebumps on Katy's legs of course... :-/ Murphey's Law struck, and the week my family was here, it was freezing. Like, really really cold. By the way, Wozzie...that cardi I nicked off you, I haven't had to wear it since you left. It's been like a sauna here. I'm telling the truth! You're welcome to have it back. :-)

We had a wonderful day, freezing ourselves silly on the Island, watching the grey corrals, and spotting Mr Turtle again...and again. (Won't be trying that one again, will we dear sisters??)

The Ferry Trip was a tad harrowing on the way over, but much more peaceful heading home. Even Nellie braved it and headed upstair to catch some fresh air. Mum, Rachie, and I stayed nice and cozy downstairs...spineless, but sure did enjoy the nap.:-)

There is more to come. I have hundreds of photos to sort out, so will get onto that probably tomorrow. All in all, it was a superb visit, and I was very sad to see it come to an end. I love you, my dear family!

Ok, so I thought I better start out this blog with a disclaimer:

If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared to not only retract it, but also to deny under oath I ever said it. - T. Lehrer"

I was told, about a year ago, not to write about my feelings, since (according to this person...) no one wants to know anyway. So... if you're one of those people, I wouldn't bother checking back here too often. :-)

This blog is mainly for family and friends who want to keep up-dated with what's going on in our lives, since y'all live overseas to us now. ;-)

Enjoy, leave comments, and have fun watching my family and I as we treasure our days together!