At least I got all those thoughts out!
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Projects projects projects
So the crazy sewing I was talking about?Here ya go!
I will have to take photos of the presents all together on Christmas Day.Once again I wrapped everything without thinking to take photos first! (my brain is seriously mush right now!).
We also painted the bench seat in the dining room (again I forgot to take a before photo).For some reason our landlord painted everything around it white,left splotches of white paint on the bench but didnt actually paint it...Yeah go figure!So Steve was wonderful (ahem,after me having a hissy fit because it wasnt painting how I wanted it too!) and painted it for us.It brightens the area up which is great!
Thats it for now :)
I decided our spare/sewing/washing room needed to be spruced up a bit.We put the fold out bed in there and made it into a bit of a day bed.Far too much money later,I made these cushion covers.I cant believe how much cushions can brighten a room up!
We moved our girls room around a bit (again),to accommodate not having bunks.This old tv cabinet used to be a giant monster thing of my parents when I was kid,we had it as the monster,a few years ago Steve cut it down to what it is now (just still had the black vinyl ickiness on it),I eventually stripped it down and painted it white.It was storage in the girls room for their toys and books.But with having to move things around it wasn't going to fit any more in their room.SO we took the squab that was on the bench seat in our dining area (really wood is so much easier to clean when kids are sitting on it and eating),Steve was wonderful and cut it down.I had this fabric lying around,safety pinned it on and voila!We have extra seating in our lounge!As well as more storage for my books (babe if you ever read this,you really should buy me a big beautiful book case!).
I am a bit too much like my mum,I make people things and then dont want to wait till whatever occasion to give it to them.This giraffe was supposed to be Mums Christmas present..yeah she got it a few weeks ago :p I got the pattern from a sewing magazine Steves Nana gave me!I also made some hippos (which came out like a hippo/elephant/ant eater hybrid) for our girls friends...I wrapped them all before thinking I should have taken a photo :p
My sister-in-law is pregnant with her first child (due February,yay!).I've always liked to acknowledge babies even when they are still in the womb.So I made this rabbit for bubs for Christmas!The material is nice warm flannel (I kicked myself for not thinking of using that kind of material for our girls ones!).The girls watched me make it and Isabella kept asking me to make her one...hard to answer that knowing that I've made them their ones for Christmas haha.
We chose to mainly make our girls presents this year.My mum had some wood in her shed that Steve took.I am always amazed what he can make out of scraps of wood!Anyway he made these dolls cots for the girls :) We sanded them down and painted them.I think they are pretty neat for being made at home.
We also painted the bench seat in the dining room (again I forgot to take a before photo).For some reason our landlord painted everything around it white,left splotches of white paint on the bench but didnt actually paint it...Yeah go figure!So Steve was wonderful (ahem,after me having a hissy fit because it wasnt painting how I wanted it too!) and painted it for us.It brightens the area up which is great!
Thats it for now :)
Yeah...Im a Christmas fan
I LOVE Christmas...everything about it I adore!!When I was a kid I loved Christmas but our family situation wasn't the greatest (I think my Dads name should be the Grinch :p ),but since Steve and I have been married I have really REALLY been loving Christmas.My mother-in-law is big into Christmas (decorations at least) and she was wonderful enough to start my collection of ornaments (actually I haven't had to buy anything on our tree!All the ornaments are from both of our Mums,and even the tree itself was a gift from the Grinch himself).
I have been a bit sewing crazy the last month (seriously,its crazy!In my defence Sienna has wanted to watch movies galore but wants me with her,and I cant seem to just sit and do nothing!).
I made our own Advent calendar thing. I'm not sure why I set these projects for myself,I haven't had my hands cramp so badly from sewing!But it looks pretty :) I was going to make one with pockets to put things in for Isabella and Sienna but Sienna doesn't eat lollies (wont rather).
Our Christmas tree (I say our..its really mine!)
I'm not completely mean and don't let the girls touch the tree...so they got their own tree!!!It was our old one,so we put it in a bucket,let them choose some tinsel etc and voila!They have their very own tree,that they can play with and not have mum growl at them :p (its obvious they play with it,which is why it is wonky as haha)
I have been a bit sewing crazy the last month (seriously,its crazy!In my defence Sienna has wanted to watch movies galore but wants me with her,and I cant seem to just sit and do nothing!).
I made our own Advent calendar thing. I'm not sure why I set these projects for myself,I haven't had my hands cramp so badly from sewing!But it looks pretty :) I was going to make one with pockets to put things in for Isabella and Sienna but Sienna doesn't eat lollies (wont rather).
In our entryway
Up close.The girls have bee having fun counting down the days till Christmas.
I made some friends some Christmas flag bunting,but forgot to photo it!Dang...I may just have to make some just for our house :p
Steve has 6 days off over the next week so we are going to go camp at his Nana's house out at Raglan.We haven't had a non-hospital trip holiday since our first wedding anniversary. We've told the family to stuff off (kidding,I did try to say it in a nicer way) and have decided we need some much needed family time (I am so grateful Steve has a job,but him working 50 hours a week has been hard-waa waa woe is me!haha).The forecast stupidly is for showers and rain (welcome to summer time in NZ),but we have just planned some rainy day activities for the girls,and seriously the temperature is still supposed to be in the mid 20's so will still explore rock pools and go for some massive walks.A little bit of rain never hurt anyone!
We had been hoping to use my in-laws tent but the yard isn't quite big enough for it,so we will use our trusty one room tent for Steve and I and the girls can sleep in our other 2 person tent.Seriously they think it is the most awesome adventure ever!
I'm looking forward to it!
We're even going to go to church Christmas morning with Steves Nana,shock horror!!I am looking to forward to some much needed relaxing and fun!
Friday, 23 November 2012
Tee Pee
Last night I decided I would attempt to sew a tee pee for Sienna,the poor poppet has been really out of sorts and I thought it might happy her up a bit.So off to Spotlight we went (oh turns out dowling is super expensive so we found wooden broom handles at Bunnings for half the price!)
Its really not perfect,but for a mornings worth of sewing and no template its pretty good!
Like I said,not perfect but shes sitting in it now and it will save me having to make huts every day :p
AND heres a cute photo of her playing with the bubble gun w bought her :) Just because I can
Its really not perfect,but for a mornings worth of sewing and no template its pretty good!
AND heres a cute photo of her playing with the bubble gun w bought her :) Just because I can
Thursday, 22 November 2012
I've been doing a bit of sewing lately.I enjoy it so much (in the back of my head while I typed that,I thought "I sound like such an old lady and I'm only 26!lol).
The projects I bought to do,yeah they didn't last very long haha.
I made this flag bunting for the girls room.They have so much pink in their room already that I decided to use this fabric,I love the blue and really like that its still girly with the butterflies.And the red ribbon! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out,especially for being hand sewn (don't come to our house and look at the back of it though!A little messy)Ohhh AND I paid all of $8 for the fabric and ribbon instead of paying $30 for a ready made set!And the fabric should do at least another two sets of these!
I'm going to be making some more for some friends children which will be fun :)
The other project was these cute Russian dolls.Spotlight sell panels off them,just sew them,stuff them then play with them (or the kids do haha)
So not the best picture,sorry!Cameras batteries are pretty much dead and I cannot figure out how to get photos from my phone onto the laptop (well I don't know which cord to use and none fit :p).But at least you can see how much our girls love playing with them!! I'm going to go buy another panel with some extra red fabric,and instead of making 6, I'm going to make 12 and that way I can give a set to Nana and my Mum for Christmas!Clever huh? (not really,I saw a lady had done that on the Spotlight website :p ).And yes that is our Christmas tree that is up :) I had had a hard week and decided I wanted the Christmas tree up bang on the 1st of November!When I was living at home I had to wait till December,but I decided I'm an adult and this is my home so I can my tree up when I want haha (seriously,I wanted it up in October but Steve compromised and said the 1st of November,thats how well he knows me...Im a little Christmas mad!AND our girls gave me Christmas decorations for my birthday,I was so stoked haha.On the Christmas note,if anyone knows of a child friendly Christmas production that will be on,please let me know,really want to take the girls).
I also finished the quilt for Sienna's dolls bed,but will put a picture of that up once I've finished Isabella's one.After that I only have to do the case for the mattress for it then my part of their Christmas presents is all done!Yay! (ahem,Mr Wong STILL needs to build the dolls beds!)
The projects I bought to do,yeah they didn't last very long haha.
I made this flag bunting for the girls room.They have so much pink in their room already that I decided to use this fabric,I love the blue and really like that its still girly with the butterflies.And the red ribbon! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out,especially for being hand sewn (don't come to our house and look at the back of it though!A little messy)Ohhh AND I paid all of $8 for the fabric and ribbon instead of paying $30 for a ready made set!And the fabric should do at least another two sets of these!
The other project was these cute Russian dolls.Spotlight sell panels off them,just sew them,stuff them then play with them (or the kids do haha)
I also finished the quilt for Sienna's dolls bed,but will put a picture of that up once I've finished Isabella's one.After that I only have to do the case for the mattress for it then my part of their Christmas presents is all done!Yay! (ahem,Mr Wong STILL needs to build the dolls beds!)
Fun fun fun...camels,snails and tea parties
The last week Ive had to get pretty inventive about things to do with Sienna.We have watched a lot of movies,built a lot of huts.But yesterday Isabella was home too (had a little cold) and I realised my kids have awesome imaginations!
A camel found its way into our house :)
We ate some snails...
(I totally stole this idea from Pinterest,theirs was more detailed,I was a little lazier ;p )
We had an outside tea party,with real birthday cake even! (my husband was wonderful and this year made me a cake-complete with candle and singing-,made me cards and chose some birthday presents for me!)
I was amazed looking at this photo,you can actually tell our girls are sisters here!!!Identical little faces.Too cute!
It was such a awesome day :)
A camel found its way into our house :)
We ate some snails...
We had an outside tea party,with real birthday cake even! (my husband was wonderful and this year made me a cake-complete with candle and singing-,made me cards and chose some birthday presents for me!)
It was such a awesome day :)
Tattoo
I havent written this for a while for a few reasons.
1.This was such a personal (and massive) decision for me,and I didnt want anyone judging me (haha like I can stop what people think)
2.I just didnt feel like sharing for a while haha.
But early last month I got my very first tattoo!I have thought about this for 5 years,so it wasn't a decision made lightly.I have conflicted about it for ages,first because of my upbringing,I was taught tattoos are evil,because my body is a temple of God I shouldn't mark it (my thinking now is,that was written in the Old Testament and if that's the case I shouldn't have pierced ears,should walk behind my husband and not speak in church ;p ).Like most other things,each to their own.
This tattoo is the Chinese character for our last name,Wong.A relative asked me if I needed to get in case I forget my name :p haha no!I got it,because I would love to have Steve and the girls names tattooed but honestly,I don't want anything big.My little family means everything to me.And I love being a part of this family.I have so many issues with the family I have been born into,and marrying into the Wong family I have experienced unconditional love.They have welcomed me with open arms.And I'm not a Pinkerton anymore, I'm a Wong,its a part of me now, I'm not Asian but my husband and daughters are.AND Steve's Granddad was a street kid in Singapore I think? (may have been Malaysia),he had no idea what his name was or even how old he was.He chose our family's surname.He chose it because one meaning is 'King' and he wanted his family to love and honor God.I absolutely love that, that because of one Godly man he started a lineage of people who really do love and honor God!!!I love that I am a part of that now.
So yeah it has a whole bunch of meaning for me.
Practically wise,I got it on my wrist so that if I need to in the future I can cover it up,and its not in your face either.I never wanted to have something that I was shoving in peoples face (though if someone wants a massive tattoo that is so their choice!!I have no problem with that).For me it is something personal and for me.
Honestly its taken me a while to blog about it.I had to work through being ok no matter what peoples reactions might be.I am who I am. (oh and yes I have had to talk to the girls about tattoos!I cant just say what my mum just to say to me :p We have talked to them about how long I thought about it for,they cant get one until they are 18,and in Isabellas case letting her know tattoos hurt a LOT!Its not a light decision to make).
Anyway,I am very proud of it and love it! (thank you to the beautiful and wonderful Mrs Berge who did it for me-a long time friend!Just for those who know us and our financial situation,she charged me all of $20!haha I didnt go and drop $80 plus on it :p )
1.This was such a personal (and massive) decision for me,and I didnt want anyone judging me (haha like I can stop what people think)
2.I just didnt feel like sharing for a while haha.
But early last month I got my very first tattoo!I have thought about this for 5 years,so it wasn't a decision made lightly.I have conflicted about it for ages,first because of my upbringing,I was taught tattoos are evil,because my body is a temple of God I shouldn't mark it (my thinking now is,that was written in the Old Testament and if that's the case I shouldn't have pierced ears,should walk behind my husband and not speak in church ;p ).Like most other things,each to their own.
This tattoo is the Chinese character for our last name,Wong.A relative asked me if I needed to get in case I forget my name :p haha no!I got it,because I would love to have Steve and the girls names tattooed but honestly,I don't want anything big.My little family means everything to me.And I love being a part of this family.I have so many issues with the family I have been born into,and marrying into the Wong family I have experienced unconditional love.They have welcomed me with open arms.And I'm not a Pinkerton anymore, I'm a Wong,its a part of me now, I'm not Asian but my husband and daughters are.AND Steve's Granddad was a street kid in Singapore I think? (may have been Malaysia),he had no idea what his name was or even how old he was.He chose our family's surname.He chose it because one meaning is 'King' and he wanted his family to love and honor God.I absolutely love that, that because of one Godly man he started a lineage of people who really do love and honor God!!!I love that I am a part of that now.
So yeah it has a whole bunch of meaning for me.
Practically wise,I got it on my wrist so that if I need to in the future I can cover it up,and its not in your face either.I never wanted to have something that I was shoving in peoples face (though if someone wants a massive tattoo that is so their choice!!I have no problem with that).For me it is something personal and for me.
Honestly its taken me a while to blog about it.I had to work through being ok no matter what peoples reactions might be.I am who I am. (oh and yes I have had to talk to the girls about tattoos!I cant just say what my mum just to say to me :p We have talked to them about how long I thought about it for,they cant get one until they are 18,and in Isabellas case letting her know tattoos hurt a LOT!Its not a light decision to make).
Anyway,I am very proud of it and love it! (thank you to the beautiful and wonderful Mrs Berge who did it for me-a long time friend!Just for those who know us and our financial situation,she charged me all of $20!haha I didnt go and drop $80 plus on it :p )
Adventurous times!
Been having some adventurous times in the Wong house lately!
Last Monday afternoon Isabella (4 1/2) slammed Siennas (3 1/2) finger in a cupboard door!I did that a lot when I was little and yes it hurt,but the worst that happened was my finer nail went black and it eventually fell off (still grosses me out!).But my children even before they were born never did anything by halves.
I had thought that it was just a massive cut across her finger (well I think thats what I was trying to convince myself),a few hysterical phone calls later (thank you to my amazing friend Laura who rushed over and took Isabella for the afternoon),Steve and I rushed Sienna to E.D.The Dr looked at it,said she needed an xray and stuck one of those hideous fabric sticking plasters on her finger (you know the ones that hurt like a mo-fo to get off?).Get into the xray and the tech tells us she now has to rip the plaster off! (ok I sound like Im just mitching,but you'll get why I have come to be so annoyed about these plasters in a bit!).
Go back to see the Dr (E.D shift swaps over and we get Steve's childhood Dr!!He was so good and we trust him so much),we're told Sienna's broken her finger (the words of the Dr were,'the bone has been smooshed' ).And to top it off her nail bed had popped through her skin (so what I thought was broken skin was actually her nail!),with an adult they would normally give you a local to put it back in but with kids...yeah no way was Sienna gonna let them do that while she was conscious!The nurse didn't really clean her finger up,just stuck gauze around it and taped it,because we had to to head up to the Hospital for them to operate to put her nailbed back in (my understanding is,that if they didn't her nail would possibly not grow back).
Anywho,get up to Waikato,and the nurse at reception tells us the plastic surgeon is super busy and cant fit Sienna in until the next day.So we ventured home... (I really need to point out here that Laura was so wonderful in having Isabella while all this was happening,Steves parents fed our girls dinner with no warning and our awesome friend Alena had Isabella to stay the night because Steve had to work the next day and Sienna had to be at the hospital at 7.30 am!Also our friend Sarah who helped get Isabella to and from kindy and made us dinner!Honestly so blessed,lucky whatever word you wana use with the people in our lives who stepped up and helped out.I never expected it and honestly has made Steve and I SO glad we moved back to Hamilton!).
So the next morning (last Tuesday),my wonderful Mum met Sienna and I at the hospital (thanks Mum!),went into childrens E.D,she saw the surgeon around 10.It was awful,because they hadnt actually cleaned her hand the day before,the blood had tried (her finger was still bleeding btw),so all the gauze was stuck to not only the open wound but her broken finger!They had to pour saline over it to get it all unstuck (ouch!).I was so glad my mum was there and could at least offer moral support for me and was able to give Sienna those special hugs that only grandmothers can give.
Headed up to the childrens orthopedic ward at 11am.We had been told by the nurse at reception the day before that Sienna needed to be nil by mouth (NBM) from 6am Tuesday morning so they could operate that morning.I really wasn't thinking straight,because when she saw the surgeon we were told that they couldn't operate till the afternoon because she was supposed to by NBM from midnight!!Grrrr...anyway,after waiting till 4pm Sienna finally headed into theater,and I have heard that how children go down with the general is how they will wake..yup its true!!
The surgery went well and they got the nail bed back in (should mention they haven't done anything about the fracture).All of this because of the girls playing in a cupboard!!!Headed home by 8.30 which was awesome (one nurse wanted us to stay till 10).
Siennas doing ok,she doesnt often complain of it hurting and as of this Tuesday her wound was healing well (the reason I hate those fabric plasters with a vengence now is because the surgeon stuck gauze under her finger but put one of those plasters over her wound!And that meant on Tuesday the nurse to check her wound had to friggin peel that plaster off!Honestly Sienna screamed for 40 minutes!It was horrible for everyone in the room.Poor poppet).Trying to be super cautious though as she has finished her round of anti-biotics.Am struggling a little with activities to do (such a massive list of things she cant do because she cant get her bandages dirty or wet,with having a open wound,and her finger being fractured throws another element in it all).But shes watched Ice Age 4 a gazillion times and a lot of the time just wants to snuggle in her blanket.She cant go to kindy for now as she cant do very much and I have to help her with toileting,getting dressed,drinking and sometimes eating.Would be far too much to ask of the teachers.BUT I have to admit,I am really loving having her home!!Shes great company :)
Fun adventures aye??! (as my friend Laura said 'a great story to tell on both their 21st's!' )
haha Im on the laptop and have no idea how to rotate pictures on here!Sorry.
Last Monday afternoon Isabella (4 1/2) slammed Siennas (3 1/2) finger in a cupboard door!I did that a lot when I was little and yes it hurt,but the worst that happened was my finer nail went black and it eventually fell off (still grosses me out!).But my children even before they were born never did anything by halves.
I had thought that it was just a massive cut across her finger (well I think thats what I was trying to convince myself),a few hysterical phone calls later (thank you to my amazing friend Laura who rushed over and took Isabella for the afternoon),Steve and I rushed Sienna to E.D.The Dr looked at it,said she needed an xray and stuck one of those hideous fabric sticking plasters on her finger (you know the ones that hurt like a mo-fo to get off?).Get into the xray and the tech tells us she now has to rip the plaster off! (ok I sound like Im just mitching,but you'll get why I have come to be so annoyed about these plasters in a bit!).
Go back to see the Dr (E.D shift swaps over and we get Steve's childhood Dr!!He was so good and we trust him so much),we're told Sienna's broken her finger (the words of the Dr were,'the bone has been smooshed' ).And to top it off her nail bed had popped through her skin (so what I thought was broken skin was actually her nail!),with an adult they would normally give you a local to put it back in but with kids...yeah no way was Sienna gonna let them do that while she was conscious!The nurse didn't really clean her finger up,just stuck gauze around it and taped it,because we had to to head up to the Hospital for them to operate to put her nailbed back in (my understanding is,that if they didn't her nail would possibly not grow back).
Anywho,get up to Waikato,and the nurse at reception tells us the plastic surgeon is super busy and cant fit Sienna in until the next day.So we ventured home... (I really need to point out here that Laura was so wonderful in having Isabella while all this was happening,Steves parents fed our girls dinner with no warning and our awesome friend Alena had Isabella to stay the night because Steve had to work the next day and Sienna had to be at the hospital at 7.30 am!Also our friend Sarah who helped get Isabella to and from kindy and made us dinner!Honestly so blessed,lucky whatever word you wana use with the people in our lives who stepped up and helped out.I never expected it and honestly has made Steve and I SO glad we moved back to Hamilton!).
So the next morning (last Tuesday),my wonderful Mum met Sienna and I at the hospital (thanks Mum!),went into childrens E.D,she saw the surgeon around 10.It was awful,because they hadnt actually cleaned her hand the day before,the blood had tried (her finger was still bleeding btw),so all the gauze was stuck to not only the open wound but her broken finger!They had to pour saline over it to get it all unstuck (ouch!).I was so glad my mum was there and could at least offer moral support for me and was able to give Sienna those special hugs that only grandmothers can give.
Headed up to the childrens orthopedic ward at 11am.We had been told by the nurse at reception the day before that Sienna needed to be nil by mouth (NBM) from 6am Tuesday morning so they could operate that morning.I really wasn't thinking straight,because when she saw the surgeon we were told that they couldn't operate till the afternoon because she was supposed to by NBM from midnight!!Grrrr...anyway,after waiting till 4pm Sienna finally headed into theater,and I have heard that how children go down with the general is how they will wake..yup its true!!
The surgery went well and they got the nail bed back in (should mention they haven't done anything about the fracture).All of this because of the girls playing in a cupboard!!!Headed home by 8.30 which was awesome (one nurse wanted us to stay till 10).
Siennas doing ok,she doesnt often complain of it hurting and as of this Tuesday her wound was healing well (the reason I hate those fabric plasters with a vengence now is because the surgeon stuck gauze under her finger but put one of those plasters over her wound!And that meant on Tuesday the nurse to check her wound had to friggin peel that plaster off!Honestly Sienna screamed for 40 minutes!It was horrible for everyone in the room.Poor poppet).Trying to be super cautious though as she has finished her round of anti-biotics.Am struggling a little with activities to do (such a massive list of things she cant do because she cant get her bandages dirty or wet,with having a open wound,and her finger being fractured throws another element in it all).But shes watched Ice Age 4 a gazillion times and a lot of the time just wants to snuggle in her blanket.She cant go to kindy for now as she cant do very much and I have to help her with toileting,getting dressed,drinking and sometimes eating.Would be far too much to ask of the teachers.BUT I have to admit,I am really loving having her home!!Shes great company :)
Fun adventures aye??! (as my friend Laura said 'a great story to tell on both their 21st's!' )
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
So some things I have learnt about myself today...
1.Without Steve to direct I suck at parking! Doesn't matter whether its parallel or normal,I cant get the dang car straight!
2.Even when the girls aren't in the car I listen too AND sing-along to the kids CD's that are in the car, I'm that cool haha.
3. I'm a big girl and even if my hands were shaking like I'm an old lady,I can deal with government departments all by myself (sounds so pathetic,but Steve has dealt with them for the last 7 years,not me!).
4.I am a bit project mad.Now Steve is gone 5 days a week I'm bored and have felt the need to bombard myself with craft projects!But it will be fun and worth it (I'm already preparing the speech in my head to give Steve to justify whey I spent the amount I did :p )
5. I discovered that even though at times I think I'm a slack friend,having my close friend call specifically to share some news with me,made me realise not only are other people my friends,but I'm theirs too! (oh my gosh I sound lame).
Now I'm off to do the housework (thank you two hours wandering through Spotlight!I now have to play catch up).
Have a good day!
1.Without Steve to direct I suck at parking! Doesn't matter whether its parallel or normal,I cant get the dang car straight!
2.Even when the girls aren't in the car I listen too AND sing-along to the kids CD's that are in the car, I'm that cool haha.
3. I'm a big girl and even if my hands were shaking like I'm an old lady,I can deal with government departments all by myself (sounds so pathetic,but Steve has dealt with them for the last 7 years,not me!).
4.I am a bit project mad.Now Steve is gone 5 days a week I'm bored and have felt the need to bombard myself with craft projects!But it will be fun and worth it (I'm already preparing the speech in my head to give Steve to justify whey I spent the amount I did :p )
5. I discovered that even though at times I think I'm a slack friend,having my close friend call specifically to share some news with me,made me realise not only are other people my friends,but I'm theirs too! (oh my gosh I sound lame).
Now I'm off to do the housework (thank you two hours wandering through Spotlight!I now have to play catch up).
Have a good day!
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Proverbs 31
haha so naughty me,skipping to chapter 31!
When I was in church I heard soooo many sermons about Proverbs 31!It was preached as the ideal for a wife.
verse 10-31 "A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.She brings him good,not harm,all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servants girls. She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.When it snows,she has no dear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet.She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple.Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.She speaks wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also and her praises her:Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.Charm is deceptive,and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Give her the reward she has earned,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate"
Ahh so much goodness in this!The underlined bit are things that I guess I strive to have/be/do as a wife and mum. I'm so not perfect,but man,would I love to be able to be all of this!Pretty good goals to have!
I love that I have a husband who thinks I'm perfect (really he does,if I try and say I'm at fault with something,he tells me he doesn't think of me that way!And really I can be a complete uh female dog sometimes).I love that our girls,their favorite game is pretending to be a mummy or a wife!Isabella is always telling me that she wants to be just like me when she gets bigger.Its a pretty big compliment really.
Sometimes I think I should have been born in the 50's where it was the thing to do to be at home with the kids,to cook and sew and all that.I love it. I'm grateful that it has worked out that even though we may not have a whole bunch,I can be at home.I have just started sewing a lot to make things so we don't have to spend money.The other day I made the girls Christmas ornaments,and they love them!They aren't perfect but the girls don't care. I've been baking and tying to do things so we aren't spending heaps of money.I am so not perfect as a wife or mum.But if Proverbs 31 can be a bar I set for how I should be as a wife and mum,I think that's a good thing!
Not a whole heap of spiritual-ness that I got out of this,but I love that Gods word has goals for me as a wife and mum :)
-now I am in no way putting down mums who work or anything!I think you are awesome if your a mum and work outside of the home!I don't think I could do it!
When I was in church I heard soooo many sermons about Proverbs 31!It was preached as the ideal for a wife.
verse 10-31 "A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.She brings him good,not harm,all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servants girls. She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.When it snows,she has no dear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet.She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple.Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.She speaks wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also and her praises her:Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.Charm is deceptive,and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Give her the reward she has earned,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate"
Ahh so much goodness in this!The underlined bit are things that I guess I strive to have/be/do as a wife and mum. I'm so not perfect,but man,would I love to be able to be all of this!Pretty good goals to have!
I love that I have a husband who thinks I'm perfect (really he does,if I try and say I'm at fault with something,he tells me he doesn't think of me that way!And really I can be a complete uh female dog sometimes).I love that our girls,their favorite game is pretending to be a mummy or a wife!Isabella is always telling me that she wants to be just like me when she gets bigger.Its a pretty big compliment really.
Sometimes I think I should have been born in the 50's where it was the thing to do to be at home with the kids,to cook and sew and all that.I love it. I'm grateful that it has worked out that even though we may not have a whole bunch,I can be at home.I have just started sewing a lot to make things so we don't have to spend money.The other day I made the girls Christmas ornaments,and they love them!They aren't perfect but the girls don't care. I've been baking and tying to do things so we aren't spending heaps of money.I am so not perfect as a wife or mum.But if Proverbs 31 can be a bar I set for how I should be as a wife and mum,I think that's a good thing!
Not a whole heap of spiritual-ness that I got out of this,but I love that Gods word has goals for me as a wife and mum :)
-now I am in no way putting down mums who work or anything!I think you are awesome if your a mum and work outside of the home!I don't think I could do it!
Proverbs 28
verse 26 "He who trusts in himself is a fool,but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe"
Something I am constantly learning through reading Proverbs,is too trust in God. I dont think that if I trust Him that everything will go smoothly my whole life!After all we live in a fallen world.
But I think that if I trust God,the way I handle things will be easier,which in turn makes life a little easier right?And too me, 'wisdom' in the book of Proverbs is just referring to God. I honestly believe that the Holy Spirit is my conscience which stops me from doing stupid stuff sometimes,which I guess is wisdom right?
Something I am constantly learning through reading Proverbs,is too trust in God. I dont think that if I trust Him that everything will go smoothly my whole life!After all we live in a fallen world.
But I think that if I trust God,the way I handle things will be easier,which in turn makes life a little easier right?And too me, 'wisdom' in the book of Proverbs is just referring to God. I honestly believe that the Holy Spirit is my conscience which stops me from doing stupid stuff sometimes,which I guess is wisdom right?
Proverbs 27
I couldnt really find anything that 'spoke to me in chapter 26,so I was lazy and skipped it :p
verse 1 "Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring forth"
Something I have learnt through all the things Steve and I have been through in the last 7 years,is only God knows what our future holds.I am a planner,it drives me nuts when other people arent organised and especially if I cant plan and be organised.But I have had to learn through all the surprises that have been thrown our way,that God knows our future,I dont!Was and sometimes still is such a hard lesson for me to learn.Im a bit OCD with it really...Not that I dont plan,but I have had to learn,that if things change,thats ok,to go with it and chill out a bit.This week was a perfect time with this!I hope this doesnt sound negative cos I dont mean it that way,but the only thing I can count on in this life,is God and his unconditional love,which sometimes means things changing,but it means I can rest in and trust that He has it all figured out!
verse 1 "Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring forth"
Something I have learnt through all the things Steve and I have been through in the last 7 years,is only God knows what our future holds.I am a planner,it drives me nuts when other people arent organised and especially if I cant plan and be organised.But I have had to learn through all the surprises that have been thrown our way,that God knows our future,I dont!Was and sometimes still is such a hard lesson for me to learn.Im a bit OCD with it really...Not that I dont plan,but I have had to learn,that if things change,thats ok,to go with it and chill out a bit.This week was a perfect time with this!I hope this doesnt sound negative cos I dont mean it that way,but the only thing I can count on in this life,is God and his unconditional love,which sometimes means things changing,but it means I can rest in and trust that He has it all figured out!
Proverbs 25
Aggh so yeah,I know its November and I was supposed to do a chapter of Proverbs for every day of October...yup that worked :p
So just so Im not doing a gazillion posts tonight,Im going to share a little bit about our week before I get into chapter 25.This week has been super busy and super stressful!Monday afternoon Steve found out he couldnt do his dissertation over summer because Studylink dont see it as full time study which=no student allowance (which is our main income).So he came home,told me and my first reaction was we're going to have to move to Tauranga! (he currently works at the hospital there and could get full time work there no problem).Meltdown time for me haha.I didnt see how it was possible he could find steady,stable,full time work in Hamilton.Hes tried before and it didnt work out.I have big issues with trusting that things will work out.But he was wonderful,put up with some hideous behavior from me,applied for 15 jobs that night,the next morning had 3 companies ring him wanting him to start straight away,the Wednesday morning had an intervier and got a job,WITH a big company,full time work,good pay and even a written contract (we've been burnt before when he didnt have things in writing).So how good is not only God for coming through for us? (some pretty heartfelt prayers were sent up I can tell you!).But how awesome is Steve for being proactive and getting out there and doing something about it?I married the best man ever!
Im feeling a bit nervous/anxious about him working full time.I havent had him gone 5 days a week since I was pregnant with Sienna,so it'll take some adjusting!And a lot of play dates to occupy the girls :p
So things were feeling slightly less stressful, then on Thursday I got a call from kindy 10 minutes after dropping the girls off because Isabella was sobbing her little heart out,on the way home we drove past our cat dead on the corner of our street.Now Im not normally a pet person and Ive never been super attached to any animals,but Bill was like a dog,he wormed his way in and I miss him like crazy already!It was soooo hard explaining it to the girls,Sienna didnt really care but Isabella has talked about it non-stop since.It did however mean that I could talk to her a lot about heaven,and even about salvation,so something good came out of it.Poor poppet keeps bringing it up and telling me shes sad.We're considering getting a puppy closer to christmas,but we'll see.Im fully aware I'll have to look after it :p
Oh and on Tuesday Isabella had her first school visit which she loved!So incredibly happy with our choice of school! (will put photos up another day)
Anyway Proverbs 25 verse 21-22 "If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat;if he is thirsty,give him water to drink.In doing this,you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you".
Nice huh?!I've always loved this verse.I think how it applies to my life right now,is no matter how crap somebody treats me,no matter what someone else says,my job is to love them unconditionally! (and yes this verse does run through my head some days when I would rather not be kind and loving!).But at the end of the day,I feel like a better person,I can go to sleep feeling good about myself when I have treated some nasty person well.Not sure if thats very Christ-like,but its how I feel about this verse!
So just so Im not doing a gazillion posts tonight,Im going to share a little bit about our week before I get into chapter 25.This week has been super busy and super stressful!Monday afternoon Steve found out he couldnt do his dissertation over summer because Studylink dont see it as full time study which=no student allowance (which is our main income).So he came home,told me and my first reaction was we're going to have to move to Tauranga! (he currently works at the hospital there and could get full time work there no problem).Meltdown time for me haha.I didnt see how it was possible he could find steady,stable,full time work in Hamilton.Hes tried before and it didnt work out.I have big issues with trusting that things will work out.But he was wonderful,put up with some hideous behavior from me,applied for 15 jobs that night,the next morning had 3 companies ring him wanting him to start straight away,the Wednesday morning had an intervier and got a job,WITH a big company,full time work,good pay and even a written contract (we've been burnt before when he didnt have things in writing).So how good is not only God for coming through for us? (some pretty heartfelt prayers were sent up I can tell you!).But how awesome is Steve for being proactive and getting out there and doing something about it?I married the best man ever!
Im feeling a bit nervous/anxious about him working full time.I havent had him gone 5 days a week since I was pregnant with Sienna,so it'll take some adjusting!And a lot of play dates to occupy the girls :p
So things were feeling slightly less stressful, then on Thursday I got a call from kindy 10 minutes after dropping the girls off because Isabella was sobbing her little heart out,on the way home we drove past our cat dead on the corner of our street.Now Im not normally a pet person and Ive never been super attached to any animals,but Bill was like a dog,he wormed his way in and I miss him like crazy already!It was soooo hard explaining it to the girls,Sienna didnt really care but Isabella has talked about it non-stop since.It did however mean that I could talk to her a lot about heaven,and even about salvation,so something good came out of it.Poor poppet keeps bringing it up and telling me shes sad.We're considering getting a puppy closer to christmas,but we'll see.Im fully aware I'll have to look after it :p
Oh and on Tuesday Isabella had her first school visit which she loved!So incredibly happy with our choice of school! (will put photos up another day)
Anyway Proverbs 25 verse 21-22 "If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat;if he is thirsty,give him water to drink.In doing this,you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you".
Nice huh?!I've always loved this verse.I think how it applies to my life right now,is no matter how crap somebody treats me,no matter what someone else says,my job is to love them unconditionally! (and yes this verse does run through my head some days when I would rather not be kind and loving!).But at the end of the day,I feel like a better person,I can go to sleep feeling good about myself when I have treated some nasty person well.Not sure if thats very Christ-like,but its how I feel about this verse!
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Reading :)
I probably wont blog again for another week!
Last week Isabella graduated from getting single letter books to read at kindy to books with whole words!She was so excited to show me,and proudly reads the whole book!I am so proud of her!If you know me at all (and Steve) we LOVE to read,and its kind of evident in our home,the girls have a gazillion books and so do Steve and I (I am constantly asking him to buy me a big bookcase to put them all on so I dont have a bunch of little ones and still needing to find places to store the over flow :p ).We have tried our hardest to encourage our girls to love books and reading too,and its paying off!
Again,I am one proud Mum!
Last week Isabella graduated from getting single letter books to read at kindy to books with whole words!She was so excited to show me,and proudly reads the whole book!I am so proud of her!If you know me at all (and Steve) we LOVE to read,and its kind of evident in our home,the girls have a gazillion books and so do Steve and I (I am constantly asking him to buy me a big bookcase to put them all on so I dont have a bunch of little ones and still needing to find places to store the over flow :p ).We have tried our hardest to encourage our girls to love books and reading too,and its paying off!
Again,I am one proud Mum!
Music Class
Last term our girls had been enrolled in dance class.They got chicken pox right at the beginning and it would have worked out they would have attended a total of 2 classes!No way I was paying $120 for two classes haha. Steve and I had been a bit iffy about them doing dance as it was (negative body image,super duper strict classes,that kind of stuff).Isabella went more to play with her little friend and cousin then to actually dance.I got sick of before every lesson talking to her about her needing to listen and actually dance!
So we made the decision that this term the girls could try doing the Junior Introduction to Music Program at the University.Last Saturday was their first class.We arrived a few minutes late (the university is confusing,and dragging two pre-schoolers trying to find a class was a little hard haha),but Isabella happily said hi to the teacher and sat down with Steve after getting her name tag and instrument.Sienna on the other hand yelled her little head off!We had been so convinced that she would be the one to LOVE the class!Yeah...I had to take her out to the hall half way through and have a few words with her and after that she stopped yelling and crying,didnt want to sit with the other kids but at least watched .Im hoping that it was just because she was super tired (no more play dates on Friday afternoons!Will be early nights from now on.Did I mention the class starts at 8.30am?).
The class was really cool!They played with instruments,did some dancing,singing and rhythm work.I am really glad we swapped to this class!
I couldnt get many photos as Sienna was clinging to me like a barnacle,but heres what I got (of Isabella anyway :p )
So we made the decision that this term the girls could try doing the Junior Introduction to Music Program at the University.Last Saturday was their first class.We arrived a few minutes late (the university is confusing,and dragging two pre-schoolers trying to find a class was a little hard haha),but Isabella happily said hi to the teacher and sat down with Steve after getting her name tag and instrument.Sienna on the other hand yelled her little head off!We had been so convinced that she would be the one to LOVE the class!Yeah...I had to take her out to the hall half way through and have a few words with her and after that she stopped yelling and crying,didnt want to sit with the other kids but at least watched .Im hoping that it was just because she was super tired (no more play dates on Friday afternoons!Will be early nights from now on.Did I mention the class starts at 8.30am?).
The class was really cool!They played with instruments,did some dancing,singing and rhythm work.I am really glad we swapped to this class!
I couldnt get many photos as Sienna was clinging to me like a barnacle,but heres what I got (of Isabella anyway :p )
They were doing rhythm work here :) I didnt manage to get any of her face.
Sienna thought that climbing sculptures at Daddys school was way more fun than Music class!
Sewing love
ha ha last post,yeah right!
Nah I just wanted to put this up while I was thinking about it (and Im bored,my ankle has grown a golf ball on it again :p )
I mentioned ages ago that for Christmas Im making the girls calico rabbits.Well I finally finished both of those last week!
Over the weekend I made the girls a skirt each (and a matching one for their rabbit) and a spare for dress ups for their rabbits.Its not perfect,but I've put a lot of love into it all and hope that in years to come the girls will enjoy playing with them.
Nah I just wanted to put this up while I was thinking about it (and Im bored,my ankle has grown a golf ball on it again :p )
I mentioned ages ago that for Christmas Im making the girls calico rabbits.Well I finally finished both of those last week!
Over the weekend I made the girls a skirt each (and a matching one for their rabbit) and a spare for dress ups for their rabbits.Its not perfect,but I've put a lot of love into it all and hope that in years to come the girls will enjoy playing with them.
Isabellas rabbit.I havent taken a photo of Siennas yet,but they are pretty much the same.
Isabellas skirt and her rabbits.
Sienna chose this material,I managed to cut and sew it in front of them without them asking what I was doing!
One of the rabbits spotty skirts.Was going to do the other but twisted my ankle and cant work the treadle on the machine!Next week hopefully.I wanted them all to be poof-ier like this one but had to use what material I had on hand :)
Steve is hoping in the next few weeks to get the cots made for them.And because Im laid up with my gammy ankle I'm going to get him to give me measurements for the base part of the cot and I'll start hand sewing quilts and sheets for the bed :)
On a different project...I had purely forgotten to get around to putting these photos up!Bit lazy really :p But a few months ago I 3/4 hand sewed and 1/4 machine sewed (courtesy of Grandma giving me a sewing machine lol) a quilt for our bed.I really am just learning all this sewing business and none of it is perfect,but definitely made with love!
I was a nice wife and let Steve choose the colours and material.I figure its his bed too,and its not fair to him if I make it all girly :p Like I said not perfect lol.
I had some left over material so made this breakfast cushion cover!Some days it does actually remind me to be more loving :p
Last post for the day (I had 6 verse of Proverbs to catch up on!).
I've been hearing a bit about Halloween lately.As a kid Halloween was a giant,massive no,no in our house!I never dressed up for it,never went trick-or-treating,nothing.I never knew any different so it never bothered me.A lot of Mum's reasoning for us not joining in were religious.But I'm now wondering whether our girls should join in or do anything for it?I wouldn't do trick-or-treating,not in NZ anyway.Steve never did anything for it when he was a kid either.So do we or dont we?
I've been hearing a bit about Halloween lately.As a kid Halloween was a giant,massive no,no in our house!I never dressed up for it,never went trick-or-treating,nothing.I never knew any different so it never bothered me.A lot of Mum's reasoning for us not joining in were religious.But I'm now wondering whether our girls should join in or do anything for it?I wouldn't do trick-or-treating,not in NZ anyway.Steve never did anything for it when he was a kid either.So do we or dont we?
Just something I've been pondering,and one of the things,as a parent,I worry about which decision to make!
Proverbs 24
Well I couldnt articulate any thoughts from this chapter that would have made sense to anyone,let alone myself!
But through reading Proverbs I am beginning to be a lot more appreciative of what I have in my life.Of the good things.
And yesterday I was so so SO grateful for Steve.He has like a gazillion massive assignments due this week (well not a gazillion more like 2 this week and 1 next week.But 2 this week were 3,000 and 2,500 words and next weeks is 6,000!) and he took the time yesterday to look after me :) On Monday night I was a dork,and in taking the rubbish out, completely twisted my ankle.I thought I had had bad sprains in the past but no!I couldn't walk on my foot yesterday at all,so Steve had to not only be my errand man but he had to get the girls ready,do kindy runs,do housework,dinner,bath time,the whole lot!And he didn't complain once.I married a great man huh?!
Then today,a lovely friend made me biscuits!And shes right,delicious biscuits help with sore ankles!Hahaha.I think its more the super kind thought that does.But I am grateful for both my old friends,who I can call up,and even though their baby is only a month old,listen to me sob my heart out and still love me and dont think Im crazy!And for the new friends,who are just friggin amazing and awesome,and yes make me biscuits! (but more than that,these friends who actually want to spend time with me and my family!Sounds super clingy and whatever,but today this is what Im grateful for!)
And for our little girls,who in my books,are the best little girls ever!Isabella made me a necklace yesterday,and even though I was told she tried to give it to her friends at kindy,bought it home,gave it to me and told me she hoped it made my leg feel better!And Sienna who is constantly climbing on our bed and the sofa and just snuggling with me,I mean how can that not make me feel loved and warm and fuzzy?!
Trying to be more appreciative of the good things in life at the moment.Makes for a happier me :)
But through reading Proverbs I am beginning to be a lot more appreciative of what I have in my life.Of the good things.
And yesterday I was so so SO grateful for Steve.He has like a gazillion massive assignments due this week (well not a gazillion more like 2 this week and 1 next week.But 2 this week were 3,000 and 2,500 words and next weeks is 6,000!) and he took the time yesterday to look after me :) On Monday night I was a dork,and in taking the rubbish out, completely twisted my ankle.I thought I had had bad sprains in the past but no!I couldn't walk on my foot yesterday at all,so Steve had to not only be my errand man but he had to get the girls ready,do kindy runs,do housework,dinner,bath time,the whole lot!And he didn't complain once.I married a great man huh?!
Then today,a lovely friend made me biscuits!And shes right,delicious biscuits help with sore ankles!Hahaha.I think its more the super kind thought that does.But I am grateful for both my old friends,who I can call up,and even though their baby is only a month old,listen to me sob my heart out and still love me and dont think Im crazy!And for the new friends,who are just friggin amazing and awesome,and yes make me biscuits! (but more than that,these friends who actually want to spend time with me and my family!Sounds super clingy and whatever,but today this is what Im grateful for!)
And for our little girls,who in my books,are the best little girls ever!Isabella made me a necklace yesterday,and even though I was told she tried to give it to her friends at kindy,bought it home,gave it to me and told me she hoped it made my leg feel better!And Sienna who is constantly climbing on our bed and the sofa and just snuggling with me,I mean how can that not make me feel loved and warm and fuzzy?!
Trying to be more appreciative of the good things in life at the moment.Makes for a happier me :)
Proverbs 23
Verses 22-25 'Listen to your father,who gave you life,and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it;get wisdom,discipline and understanding.The father of a righteous man had great joy;he who has a wise son delights in him.May your father and mother be glad;may she who gave you birth rejoice.'
I never quite know how to take any scripture that mentions parents.I love mine,but they are far from perfect!But you know what, I'm trying harder with them.I have tried my hardest (doesn't mean I succeed all the time!) to not talk badly about my mum anymore,because I am realizing now I am a parent myself,that no mum is perfect!And some of the mistakes she made,has made me a better person and a better mum.So some mistakes do work out for the better. I'm trying with my Dad to figure out how to have a more normal father-daughter relationship with him.Its not easy after nearly 16 years of wires being crossed constantly.
But the point is,I love them and I'm trying.
At the end of the day,I want them to be proud of me.
I want my Mum to know that what she taught me about God when I was a child and teen has stayed with me,I want her to be proud of how she raised me and how I have turned out. (and yes,I have thanked my mum,quite a lot actually,for being the reason I have any relationship with God!)
I want my Dad,well I just want to get to know my Dad and for him to know me!
But I really hope (and need to work on),being a daughter that makes my parents proud! (I cannot believe I am saying that!I never thought I would see the day when I would want their approval lol).I want Mum to see what she taught me,shining out and I want my Dad to see it and want it himself....
I also want to raise daughters I can be proud of.Heck I already am!They aren't perfect and can drive me a little bonkers some days,but I love them and have never felt prouder of anything in my whole life!I hope that our daughters will not only want to emulate how I am as a wife and mother,but also how I am as a christian!Its kind of scary how much our little girls copy me and want to be like me so much,it has definitely made me pull my britches up and try and be a better role-model for them!
So this scripture makes me not only want this from my parents for me,but for me with our girls. (not sure if any of what I have written makes sense!)
I never quite know how to take any scripture that mentions parents.I love mine,but they are far from perfect!But you know what, I'm trying harder with them.I have tried my hardest (doesn't mean I succeed all the time!) to not talk badly about my mum anymore,because I am realizing now I am a parent myself,that no mum is perfect!And some of the mistakes she made,has made me a better person and a better mum.So some mistakes do work out for the better. I'm trying with my Dad to figure out how to have a more normal father-daughter relationship with him.Its not easy after nearly 16 years of wires being crossed constantly.
But the point is,I love them and I'm trying.
At the end of the day,I want them to be proud of me.
I want my Mum to know that what she taught me about God when I was a child and teen has stayed with me,I want her to be proud of how she raised me and how I have turned out. (and yes,I have thanked my mum,quite a lot actually,for being the reason I have any relationship with God!)
I want my Dad,well I just want to get to know my Dad and for him to know me!
But I really hope (and need to work on),being a daughter that makes my parents proud! (I cannot believe I am saying that!I never thought I would see the day when I would want their approval lol).I want Mum to see what she taught me,shining out and I want my Dad to see it and want it himself....
I also want to raise daughters I can be proud of.Heck I already am!They aren't perfect and can drive me a little bonkers some days,but I love them and have never felt prouder of anything in my whole life!I hope that our daughters will not only want to emulate how I am as a wife and mother,but also how I am as a christian!Its kind of scary how much our little girls copy me and want to be like me so much,it has definitely made me pull my britches up and try and be a better role-model for them!
So this scripture makes me not only want this from my parents for me,but for me with our girls. (not sure if any of what I have written makes sense!)
Proverbs 22
Oh gosh,where do I start?!!!
Im not going to go in order here,so verse 6 'Train a child in the way he should go,when he is old he will not turn from it'
*sigh* I love this verse!!
I am far from a perfect parent (ok,insecurities coming through there :p recently someone mentioned I needed to do a parenting course,feeling a bit paranoid now).In the last week Isabella has been asking some hard questions ie: 'why doesnt Poppa love Grandma anymore?', 'Are Grandpa and Uncle Simon in Heaven together?', 'how are they in Heaven with Jesus,but Jesus is in my heart?', 'why is Grandpas body under a stone?I thought he was in Heaven?'....yeah.....It amazes me the things that she thinks about.Its awesome!But this week I was grateful that one day my Mum was here and able to help me answer some questions,particularly about God that I couldnt figure out how to simplify for a child to understand.At the end of it all,I realized we must be doing a good job of teaching her about God and about our faith for her to even think about those things!
Part of the reason we are even considering going back to church is so that our girls can make some friends with the same beliefs.That and I want them to experience Sunday School,Sunday School plays and a little part of me thinks sometimes,maybe a Sunday school teacher may have better words to answer some of her questions.
I know our girls are only 3 and 4,but I hope that what we are teaching them now about God will last them through their teens and adulthood.I hope that like Steve and I,they develop a love for God and even through all the hideous temptations that come with growing up,they will hang on to that love and *cross fingers* remember all the little things we are trying to teach them now.
verse 2 'Rich and poor have this in common:The Lord is the Maker of them all"
Pretty self explainatory!!Love it though!!!Wish more people in this world would read this and store it in their hearts AND minds!We are all one and the same arent we?All equal in Gods eyes :)
Im not going to go in order here,so verse 6 'Train a child in the way he should go,when he is old he will not turn from it'
*sigh* I love this verse!!
I am far from a perfect parent (ok,insecurities coming through there :p recently someone mentioned I needed to do a parenting course,feeling a bit paranoid now).In the last week Isabella has been asking some hard questions ie: 'why doesnt Poppa love Grandma anymore?', 'Are Grandpa and Uncle Simon in Heaven together?', 'how are they in Heaven with Jesus,but Jesus is in my heart?', 'why is Grandpas body under a stone?I thought he was in Heaven?'....yeah.....It amazes me the things that she thinks about.Its awesome!But this week I was grateful that one day my Mum was here and able to help me answer some questions,particularly about God that I couldnt figure out how to simplify for a child to understand.At the end of it all,I realized we must be doing a good job of teaching her about God and about our faith for her to even think about those things!
Part of the reason we are even considering going back to church is so that our girls can make some friends with the same beliefs.That and I want them to experience Sunday School,Sunday School plays and a little part of me thinks sometimes,maybe a Sunday school teacher may have better words to answer some of her questions.
I know our girls are only 3 and 4,but I hope that what we are teaching them now about God will last them through their teens and adulthood.I hope that like Steve and I,they develop a love for God and even through all the hideous temptations that come with growing up,they will hang on to that love and *cross fingers* remember all the little things we are trying to teach them now.
verse 2 'Rich and poor have this in common:The Lord is the Maker of them all"
Pretty self explainatory!!Love it though!!!Wish more people in this world would read this and store it in their hearts AND minds!We are all one and the same arent we?All equal in Gods eyes :)
Proverbs 21
verse 2 'All a man's ways seem right to him,but the Lord weighs the heart'
haha kind of confirmation for what I thought about chapter 20!
Glad I serve and love a VERY understanding and loving God!99% of the time I try to have my heart in the right place but believe me,when it isnt,I know about it!So often I joke to Steve about doing or saying something nasty (let me explain,I feel like a doormat for others to wipe their feet on quite frequently,and sometimes I day dream about not being nice and polite for once and really doing and saying what I want too!),but more often than not,even though Im kidding,Im given a big ol' prod by God that that behaviors not loving,kind or what God wants from me or what I should want from myself.He knows my heart thats for sure!And I hope that most of the time I really do want to do what is right! (again,it is a good thing that God knows my heart at the end of the day!).
Something that made me laugh a little in this chapter was verse 19 'better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife'.At first the feminist in me thought 'hey!thats not fair!men can be like that too!' ,but Ive chosen to take it as a reminder (this may not be how everyone takes it,but its how Im choosing too) to be happy with my husband,to make more of an effort to not nag (he is not one of my kids,he is my equal and more often than not,my better half.Nagging him is not ok),to not take offense to everything he says (when PMS hits,the poor man gets a good 2 weeks of this!And lets face it,I can be quite serious,Steve can more often than not find a joke in everything!Times when I think he is being hurtful,hes not,its just his idea of a joke!Lighten up Natalie!).I need to remember he really is my partner in life,not a nuisance to just be put up with.I need to remember that God chose Steve for me,and me for Steve.It wasnt just a coincidence that we met,for me I honestly believe we were made for one another.I need to enjoy life with him more,to take time to enjoy him.I want this marriage to last the rest of our lives,and who wants to stay married to a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife?I wouldnt want to be thats for sure!
Good things to keep in mind and for me to work on :)
haha kind of confirmation for what I thought about chapter 20!
Glad I serve and love a VERY understanding and loving God!99% of the time I try to have my heart in the right place but believe me,when it isnt,I know about it!So often I joke to Steve about doing or saying something nasty (let me explain,I feel like a doormat for others to wipe their feet on quite frequently,and sometimes I day dream about not being nice and polite for once and really doing and saying what I want too!),but more often than not,even though Im kidding,Im given a big ol' prod by God that that behaviors not loving,kind or what God wants from me or what I should want from myself.He knows my heart thats for sure!And I hope that most of the time I really do want to do what is right! (again,it is a good thing that God knows my heart at the end of the day!).
Something that made me laugh a little in this chapter was verse 19 'better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife'.At first the feminist in me thought 'hey!thats not fair!men can be like that too!' ,but Ive chosen to take it as a reminder (this may not be how everyone takes it,but its how Im choosing too) to be happy with my husband,to make more of an effort to not nag (he is not one of my kids,he is my equal and more often than not,my better half.Nagging him is not ok),to not take offense to everything he says (when PMS hits,the poor man gets a good 2 weeks of this!And lets face it,I can be quite serious,Steve can more often than not find a joke in everything!Times when I think he is being hurtful,hes not,its just his idea of a joke!Lighten up Natalie!).I need to remember he really is my partner in life,not a nuisance to just be put up with.I need to remember that God chose Steve for me,and me for Steve.It wasnt just a coincidence that we met,for me I honestly believe we were made for one another.I need to enjoy life with him more,to take time to enjoy him.I want this marriage to last the rest of our lives,and who wants to stay married to a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife?I wouldnt want to be thats for sure!
Good things to keep in mind and for me to work on :)
Proverbs 20
verse 27 'The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man;it searches out his inmost being'
I've mentioned this before,but for me its obviously something I need to keep thinking about.Sometimes I think 'God knows me,He knows every single thought' and some days that freaks me out,because my thoughts aren't very nice.Its kind of odd to think that He knows every teeny tiny thought...and that alone makes me realize I need to work a bit harder on 'love others as you love yourself' and 'love the Lord your God with all your mind,heart and soul',because if I focused on those things a bit more,if I operated out of love for others and God more,my thoughts would be a lot purer,a lot nicer and a heck of a lot more pleasing to God!Because if I could follow through with those two things,I really would be a lot more loving and my 'innermost being',I hope,would be a lot cleaner inside!
Lesson-nicer thoughts!Makes me nicer and happier.Others happier and most importantly,God happier (I hope!)Im not perfect,but I should probably try a bit more :)
Proverbs 19
Verse 2 'It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,nor to be hasty and miss the way'
To be really honest,this is the only verse that I could relate to my life right now.Maybe I'm just tired and cant think deeply enough about all the other verses!
So,the first half of verse 1 'It is not good to have zeal without knowledge',I have mentioned in other posts about what happened when we left church.Now when I was a teenager,like a normal teen,I thought I knew everything!For some reason I thought I knew it all about God and religion too (though let me point out,Pentecostal churches don't like the word religion!But thats what organized faith is,religion!).It has only been through not going to church (and no Im not saying people shouldnt go to church!This is just my experience) that I stepped out away from all of the hype and really took time to evaluate my beliefs that I came to understand and love God a whole heap more.I actually read my bible in context and not just the little bits that were preached on,and I got a far better understanding of God,and what God wants for me and from me.Once I could think through it all without others telling me what to believe and do I began to have a real relationship with God.And I learnt,I dont know everything!Shock horror!!!And thats ok,and it is good for me that every day I learn something new about God and my faith,and ya know what?I would rather have that,where I can appreciate God and what He has given me,then think I know it all in fell swoop!
'nor to be hasty and miss the way'.There have been countless times where I haven't taken the time to pray and really see whether I feel peace about a situation,I rush in and it turns to poop!I have learnt (and still have to be reminded of this quite a bit) that is ok if someone asks me something,to ask if I can get back to them,to not rush into something.Steve and I strongly believe in letting our yes be yes and our no be no.So when we say we'll do something (outside of getting sick or something),we try our best to stick to doing it.But Ive learnt through the times where Ive rushed in and said yes,and not actually thought (nor prayed) about it,that I end up digging myself a much larger hole then if I had just told whoever that I need to think and I'll get back to them.So for me,this part of the verse is a awesome reminder!
Lesson from this-reading Gods word and getting knowledge is a very good thing (and not doing it just because at some hyped up event they told you too!),and that taking time out to think and pray can save a lot of heartache and misunderstanding!So reading Gods word and praying is good (who knew? :p )
To be really honest,this is the only verse that I could relate to my life right now.Maybe I'm just tired and cant think deeply enough about all the other verses!
So,the first half of verse 1 'It is not good to have zeal without knowledge',I have mentioned in other posts about what happened when we left church.Now when I was a teenager,like a normal teen,I thought I knew everything!For some reason I thought I knew it all about God and religion too (though let me point out,Pentecostal churches don't like the word religion!But thats what organized faith is,religion!).It has only been through not going to church (and no Im not saying people shouldnt go to church!This is just my experience) that I stepped out away from all of the hype and really took time to evaluate my beliefs that I came to understand and love God a whole heap more.I actually read my bible in context and not just the little bits that were preached on,and I got a far better understanding of God,and what God wants for me and from me.Once I could think through it all without others telling me what to believe and do I began to have a real relationship with God.And I learnt,I dont know everything!Shock horror!!!And thats ok,and it is good for me that every day I learn something new about God and my faith,and ya know what?I would rather have that,where I can appreciate God and what He has given me,then think I know it all in fell swoop!
'nor to be hasty and miss the way'.There have been countless times where I haven't taken the time to pray and really see whether I feel peace about a situation,I rush in and it turns to poop!I have learnt (and still have to be reminded of this quite a bit) that is ok if someone asks me something,to ask if I can get back to them,to not rush into something.Steve and I strongly believe in letting our yes be yes and our no be no.So when we say we'll do something (outside of getting sick or something),we try our best to stick to doing it.But Ive learnt through the times where Ive rushed in and said yes,and not actually thought (nor prayed) about it,that I end up digging myself a much larger hole then if I had just told whoever that I need to think and I'll get back to them.So for me,this part of the verse is a awesome reminder!
Lesson from this-reading Gods word and getting knowledge is a very good thing (and not doing it just because at some hyped up event they told you too!),and that taking time out to think and pray can save a lot of heartache and misunderstanding!So reading Gods word and praying is good (who knew? :p )
Proverbs 18
Verses 2 'A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions',4 'The words of a mans mouth are deep waters,but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook' and 10 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower;the righteous run to it and are safe',all popped out at me today!
I feel like Proverbs,so far,was specifically written for me,for right now in my life! (funny how that works,guess God did know all this bible stuff would help :p ).
Sometimes I find it really hard to be positive when speaking to others,my life can get pretty boring (housework,kids,more housework,doing more stuff with the kids lol),and in the past I have felt that complaining gives us something to talk about!Not cool aye .I've started to learn (as in,really learn,not just because someone has told me,but because it is true!),that verse 21a 'The tongue has the power of life and death' is completely true!Even in friendships,yeah you have times where things are just crud and you need to talk about it,but remembering the positive things are even better!Its ok to have a whinge and a moan (who doesn't ) but for me I need to have a bit of caution and watch what I say.If I constantly complain (that being a negative thing),chances are negative things are going to happen,even if its that the person Ive been complaining too,getting fed up with it (and me!).
So for me that's where verse 2 and 4 come in.I think listening to God and His wisdom,and even if I just simplify it,where if I try and speak out of love as much as I can,that that will make a positive difference. Dont want to be a fool!
Verse 10,gosh in the last few weeks I have really learnt (not saying I'm righteous!) just how much of a strong tower God is in my life.I need to rely and lean on Him.It doesn't make life perfect,but it makes life easier knowing there is an Almighty being who is right next to me for me to lean on.I am so so SO glad that I serve a God who is there for me,and who somehow had all these things written down so I could try and have a happier,more peaceful life.So I could be a happier wife,mother,friend and relation.
Yup,thats what I got out of verse 18 :)
I feel like Proverbs,so far,was specifically written for me,for right now in my life! (funny how that works,guess God did know all this bible stuff would help :p ).
Sometimes I find it really hard to be positive when speaking to others,my life can get pretty boring (housework,kids,more housework,doing more stuff with the kids lol),and in the past I have felt that complaining gives us something to talk about!Not cool aye .I've started to learn (as in,really learn,not just because someone has told me,but because it is true!),that verse 21a 'The tongue has the power of life and death' is completely true!Even in friendships,yeah you have times where things are just crud and you need to talk about it,but remembering the positive things are even better!Its ok to have a whinge and a moan (who doesn't ) but for me I need to have a bit of caution and watch what I say.If I constantly complain (that being a negative thing),chances are negative things are going to happen,even if its that the person Ive been complaining too,getting fed up with it (and me!).
So for me that's where verse 2 and 4 come in.I think listening to God and His wisdom,and even if I just simplify it,where if I try and speak out of love as much as I can,that that will make a positive difference. Dont want to be a fool!
Verse 10,gosh in the last few weeks I have really learnt (not saying I'm righteous!) just how much of a strong tower God is in my life.I need to rely and lean on Him.It doesn't make life perfect,but it makes life easier knowing there is an Almighty being who is right next to me for me to lean on.I am so so SO glad that I serve a God who is there for me,and who somehow had all these things written down so I could try and have a happier,more peaceful life.So I could be a happier wife,mother,friend and relation.
Yup,thats what I got out of verse 18 :)
Last week one of my amazing friends told me she had this sitting in here garage!Asked how much she wanted,said $50...and this is what I got!
I am so incredibly stoked!!!!One of my aunties had an old sewing machine when I was little and I loved it!If I had the money I think I would buy all our furniture at an antique store :p It needs some tender love and care,but I love it! (and yes,for now it is partially a bookshelf :p I have too many books,and the machine doesnt work for now,so why not?!)
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Proverbs 17
verse 1 it says "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting and strife"
I read through the whole chapter and had far too many thoughts about them all,but going over it again,verse 1,for me,sums up the whole chapter.
Im not sure about the quiet part! (two pre-schoolers does not a 'quiet' house make!),but having peace in our home is so incredibly important!
But I reckon peace comes in different forms,I feel more at peace when Im listening to God and that involves so much!
Our home is full of peace when Steve and I are good in our relationship (amazing how much that one relationship can affect!),when we are both spending some time with God.All of that seems to go hand-in-hand though.If Im not feeling good in my relationship with God it affects my marriage,which affects the girls and means there isnt much peace.We arent perfect and there are definetly times where things arent hunky dorey,and Im not sure why I had neglected/forgotten the importance of not just my body or mind but my soul as well.That any one of those things affects the others just as much.
Something that Steve and I have placed a huge importance on is quality time with each other and as a family.Even before we had kids we knew it was important.For us it has meant I stay at home with the girls,partially so that I can get stuff done around the home,so when Steve is home we can spend time as a family (btw again not judging anyone else!This was our choice and each to their own).It means that the girls are getting a lot of positive attention instead of both Steve and I being tired by the end of the day and just wanting them in bed (though some nights I do still want that :p Kids are hard work ok?!).Hahaha we have literally lived the 'dry crust' instead of the 'feasting' ...Im not sure that any of this was Solomons intent when he wrote these things,but it is what I am getting out of them.This is how this verse particularly relates to me and my life.I really think our life would be a lot more stressful, full of "strife" if we didnt do these things.Gaaah not sure if Im making sense,but honestly these are my thoughts on it all!
So I guess,even just the word 'peace' made me remember again the importance of it!Just that one word!And what I need to do to have it in my life,and in my home.
(oh and again,the whole chapter is a reminder of being more Christ like,following God's wisdom and keeping my mouth shut!I think God knew how stubborn and thick headed humans could be and knew we would need to be constantly reminded of these things!)
I read through the whole chapter and had far too many thoughts about them all,but going over it again,verse 1,for me,sums up the whole chapter.
Im not sure about the quiet part! (two pre-schoolers does not a 'quiet' house make!),but having peace in our home is so incredibly important!
But I reckon peace comes in different forms,I feel more at peace when Im listening to God and that involves so much!
Our home is full of peace when Steve and I are good in our relationship (amazing how much that one relationship can affect!),when we are both spending some time with God.All of that seems to go hand-in-hand though.If Im not feeling good in my relationship with God it affects my marriage,which affects the girls and means there isnt much peace.We arent perfect and there are definetly times where things arent hunky dorey,and Im not sure why I had neglected/forgotten the importance of not just my body or mind but my soul as well.That any one of those things affects the others just as much.
Something that Steve and I have placed a huge importance on is quality time with each other and as a family.Even before we had kids we knew it was important.For us it has meant I stay at home with the girls,partially so that I can get stuff done around the home,so when Steve is home we can spend time as a family (btw again not judging anyone else!This was our choice and each to their own).It means that the girls are getting a lot of positive attention instead of both Steve and I being tired by the end of the day and just wanting them in bed (though some nights I do still want that :p Kids are hard work ok?!).Hahaha we have literally lived the 'dry crust' instead of the 'feasting' ...Im not sure that any of this was Solomons intent when he wrote these things,but it is what I am getting out of them.This is how this verse particularly relates to me and my life.I really think our life would be a lot more stressful, full of "strife" if we didnt do these things.Gaaah not sure if Im making sense,but honestly these are my thoughts on it all!
So I guess,even just the word 'peace' made me remember again the importance of it!Just that one word!And what I need to do to have it in my life,and in my home.
(oh and again,the whole chapter is a reminder of being more Christ like,following God's wisdom and keeping my mouth shut!I think God knew how stubborn and thick headed humans could be and knew we would need to be constantly reminded of these things!)
I mentioned I wanted to try the 'clothesline' photo idea thing (yeah eloquent aye?!).
I got the ribbon and craft pegs for $8 from a $2 shop,and already had the pins.(you cant really see the ribbon as its white on white,so one day I will buy some colored stuff)
Excuse the messy side tables!Im really stoked with how it turned out,and I saved us $72 on frames! (though I will eventually put some in frames).I did the same in the lounge but am feeling a bit too lazy to take a photo and upload it and all that :p
Gotta love other peoples blogs and giving you great ideas!
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
What happened to my hair?
Just a quickie as,yikes,I have spent the last 2 hours on here!
Last night Sienna saw this photo and said to me "What happened to my hair?It looks like Daddys!"
I love this girl!And watching her grow and come out with gems like that are just so awesome!!!!!
Last night Sienna saw this photo and said to me "What happened to my hair?It looks like Daddys!"
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