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

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!)

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 :)

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 )

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.

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!

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!

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?

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!

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!