Now That I Have Finished Uni for the Year

Hey Everyone!

What I am pondering....

1. I am now just so excited about tutoring since my sister and friend have set me up with wonderful new approaches to phonetic learning!

2. I am visiting my sisters more often.

3. I am writing the Christmas lists and doing some online shopping.

4. I am paying my ebay's and receiving fun things in the mail.

5. I am reading great books and filling my mind with positivity!!

6. I am planning better for my Kids Hope times.

7. I am surprisingly less focussed on loosing weight than I need to be.

8. I am back onto Facebook, MySpace and Red Bubble...dangerous.

9. I am making sure I read my homework for Small Group!

10. I am sending thankyou letters after my birthday.

Overall...still pretty busy!!!

Thanks for listening.

Me.

Baby Shower!

A few weekends ago my fabulous friend Megs threw me a Baby Shower! I know I have said it before but this time I will try to put photos in for you to see. We played 'guess the baby photo' and 'ping the nappy on the baby' and we also had my friends write a little note for the baby onto a calico square which I will attempt to make into a quilt one day for our baby! I am so glad that the photo worked!

I was a bit disapointed that some of my girlfriends didn't even reply with 'sorry I can't make it' but we had heaps of others, heaps of food and lots of laughs - the best was when my mum was taking a photo of Megan and I and we both went to kiss eachother on the cheek at the same time and nearly met on the lips! How hilarious! I was crying with laughter!



We have our second last antenatal class tonight. We have really had fun and learnt heaps. I am very grateful for Peter and hsi willingness to learn all of this preparation stuff together. He is already a fabulous dad. He has begun 'chatting' to our baby by getting right up close to my tummy and saying 'Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad..'. So beautiful and funny. That is the amazing man I married!!

I really need to get going and onto the cross trainer, I have found that it makes me more in control of my energy levels - and helps me sleep at night - also my little kicker is moving so much I need to rock him/her to sleep!

Thanks for listening,
M.

Ladybug, Ladybug Where Have You Been?

The other evening Yo invited me to the Rhododendron Gardens to view an installation exhitibtion by a local artist. She had been working with the Rhodo Society and the Gardens to create an exhibit that taught the 'Secrets of the Ladybug' - a reflection on the lives of women and their importance in the world.

It was really great. We followed a pathway guided by rocks painted like ladybugs which led to a lawn of flapping flags - gorgeous colours and ribbons! Spectacular. We wove among the flags and read the wisdom.

Taking stock of life and truely listening to your spirit are things I am not great at but am learning along the way - this was an opportunity to reflect on the women in my life, be grateful and celebrate our differences. Thanks God for allowing me to have truely powerful, gracious and hilarious women in my life from which I can learn.

Now That I Have Finished Work...

I did try 3 times to put a picture here but it hasn't worked sorry!!

Hey guys, thanks for visiting my blog and for the comments!

I have finished work now and am getting ready for the 'big day'. The bags are at the door and yes, though a little early, we are ready for our baby to come...just one more thing to go...THE CAR! We really need to detail our car and put in the car seat. Now that Peter is back working in the city for a little while things will go on the back burner - patience patience.

The most wonderful, exciting and fabulous event happened the other day. My friends Anna and Derrik in Adelaide gave birth to their 9.5 pound baby boy Cody Edward Ewer. He was born at home with a midwife present after a long 36 hour labour. Anna didn't need any 'synthetic' pain relief (wonder woman) and though requiring a few stitches, is perfectly healthy and so is bub. I am so proud of them for choosing their method of delivery and sticking to it. They are amazing people. For me...NO WAY! Give me the hospital and the doctors/midwives/people who know more than me, and DRUGS! He He He.

The other fabulous event was our Baby Shower! Megs I know you will read this so THANK YOU AGAIN! So many people have called me to say they had a great time and 'isn't that friend of yours, Megan, just wonderful and funny!' I appreciate you so much! I still don't know who some of the photos were of - preggo brain - but had a ball and am still eating left over scones, trifle and lollies. Just the thing for bubby. Makes them happy I hear...

I am currently reading the fantastic book by the fire that Jeanette gave Peter for the Baby Shower. I plan to get it for another friend who is expecting...the husband that is...for his birthday....keep it a secret please...I can't stop laughing and am compelled to read about the adventures of impending fatherhood of an Aussie guy who has been through it all- three times! SO GOOD! Peter might get around to reading it someday! If he can get it from me...

Anyway, back to the barefoot, pregnant woman thing I've got happening at the moment...great to be home relaxing.

Thanks for listening,
M.

Can't Believe My BUMP Is This BIG!!!

Hi again! I can't actually believe how long it has taken me to write in my blog! Sorry to all of those who have waited patiently for me to actually do it...Megs, Bruce and Graeme...

I have been a little distracted...

1. Teaching Rounds - I have just completed the first stage of teaching rounds at Selby Primary School with Grade 2. My supervising teacher was fabulous, the students were delightful and though sometimes I got really tired, this was by far my favourite set of rounds!!!

2. Working Nearly Full Time - yes, still at the Bookshop until I feel I can't cope any more (like maybe last week..). They have already thrown me a goodbye party in case I just stop turning up! So funny.

3. Being Pregngnt - well, I guess you can see for yourself just how a large bump out the front could possibly distract. I actually think it distracts other more than me because other people STARE at me...Perhaps it's how I am carrying low, or maybe that my top here looks like a beach ball... oh well. We are all doing really well. Peter is so excited and just yesterday began chanting 'Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad' to the baby. We are such a team! Bubby's room is ready, and we have the car seat, pram etc.

We have been going to antenatal classes which have been hysterical...the instructor, Chris, actually brought out a knitted uterus like from Kaz Cooke's 'Up The Duff'. I almost fell off my chair! There are people I know at the same class - a chef I used to work for and his partner. It's nice to see a familiar face. Otherwise it's a great night out, we get tired but are certainly now aware of many more options for our labour.

4. What's Going On Around Me - Peter's grandpa is really not good. He is still in Rehab after numerous falls, pneumonia bouts and general old age things happening. He will most certainly go into a nursing home or hostel. I really pray that he and Nana get a chance to have quality time together before he goes.

Well, that's basically what's been happening....

Chat again soon,
Thanks for listening,
M.

Ok, Ok, Ok I'm back!!

You'd think that with as much time on my hand as I have, I'd be regularly updating my Blog....well due to the demand, I must.

No news really...WRONG!! PETER AND I ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!! We are due 3rd May 2007, our little one is 15 weeks and 6 days old, currently growing funny hair all over it's body and little toenails. We are completely excited, have layby'd a pram and carseat!! We have so much baby clothing handed down from friends that I can't wait till friends get pregnant so I can share it all - it is mostly girl stuff though and we aren't going to find out what we are having.

I have had heaps of trouble trying to put up the photo of the ultrasound (which went really well), I'll ask Megs for help later. And other than a blocked nose occasionally, a few vomit attacks and and the need for maternity trousers, I feel great.

By the way it's snowing right now in the Hills, freezing and I'm not looking forward to driving down the hill in the hail/snow/sleet/whatever. A Nora Jones song comes to mind....

My sister is also pregnant (two weeks less than me), my cousin (6 weeks ahead of me), my friend (9 weeks ahead of me), another friend (8 months and 2 weeks pregnant) and it goes on and on.....The government better get their money ready to hand out!!

On another note, had a great time with a large reptile the other day, not to metion the trainer!!! Sounds naughty but really fun - Graeme, loved the photo and wasn't the skin of the crocodile smoothe Megs!!!

Hope that Bruce and Jac are having a ball, have had no contact so if you are reading Bruce...howdy from OZ...

Better get ready for shopping, see you soon Megan.

Thanks for listening,
M.

An Oprah Ah Ha Moment...

Just wanted to log in and tell you about an interesting moment I just had. A good friend of Peter & I drove past me while I was on a walk and then stopped, reversed down the road (Mt Dandy Tourist Road!!!) and picked me up. We started chatting about normal stuff and then he stayed in my driveway for about 1/2 an hour just for company. This friend lost his brother in a motorbike accident a few years ago and is still reeling from the loss.

I was able to listen as he shared his anger, sadness and remembrance of funny things his brother did. Then he said that 'he had it coming'. What a difficult thing to hear. A 20 something year old guy with a great life - taking too many risks and riding his motorbike into a tree - dying on impact. This brother carried the coffin on his ute to the burial and cried more than I have seen a man cry before. He really is a sensitive person.

What a privilege to be God's ears at times.

I don't know if you have ever lost a sibling, friend or someone close to you. I havn't really. I just want you to know that I will never say 'I understand' or 'it must be so hard' - because I really don't know what you are going through. I didn't know what this guy was going through. But God does and he listened through me when my friend's hurt heart was speaking.

I gave my friend a hug and he said 'that's the best hug I have had in ages'. Little did he know that it was God's arms wrapped around him and understanding where I didn't and couldn't.

I have been reminded today that people everywhere have hidden pain. They close themselves off from the world and don't allow others in. It is our job to be God's ears, arms and hands when they need to speak, a hug or help. This was my Ah Ha moment.

Thanks for listening,

M.

ABC's and Bugs in Wood.

Love this photo of the bugs on our wood pile outside. Makes me think of how creative God is! I really am amazed at the beauty of this world. And I have a wonderful home. From inside when I look out any window in my house I can see trees, flowers and not many buildings. We have scary days when the big gum trees bend and sway in the wind - it was very bad a few nights ago! Thought one would come crashing through the window! At other times it is majestic watching the mist and cloud lift and reveal the most beautiful colours in the trunks of the trees. WE are so blessed!

This got me thinking about how imperfect humans are by comparison. We get pimples and bad hair days, want to get rid of hair or grow more of it (Andrew!). We doubt ourselves and forget how precious we are. Look at these little beetles...how amazing and yet fragile. God put so much effort into these little creatures and yet hardly anyone would get to see them or appreciate their beauty. Then look at humanity. Really we are amazing. The ability to love, be loved in return - way more intricate a design than these beetles...Just something I have been thinking about.

So I looked back at my blogs and thought about what I have written that really matters. I suppose that this is an opportunity to talk about serious, funny and strange things. The thing that stood out the most was...BAD SPELLING!

Have you ever published a blog that you haven't proof read? Well I just did and the spelling is terrible! Sorry to all my readers who have to put up with my tired brain and typing fingers from writing lots of essays about music history, middle years literacy and social education units of work for children with special needs...

I suppose there is more to life than to worry about splleing!!! (on purpose for you who doubt! LOL!)

Thanks for forgiving me,

M.

For Megs & Bruce...

I've been tagged by the beautiful Megan and I really owe it to myself and Megs and Bruce to begin blogging again - after a long siesta (is that how you spell it?)! So here goes...thought I would follow the same format as you Megs!

1. How old are you? 28 (29 on the 19th October - think I might have an "I'm not 30 yet party")
2. How many kids do you have if any? None at the moment.
3. Are you married, single, divorced, widow? Married, to Peter for 4 years in November.
4. What is your occupation? I am currently a student at Deakin, studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) with hopes to do a Masters in Special Education later on. I am working at Vermont South Primary School now - as an SSO.
5. What are your passions? God, Peter, my family, friends, reading and encouraging people to be all they can be.
6. Are you a dreamer or a dream seeker? I am definitely a dreamer. Oftern people say that I should jsut get out there and DO things, but I find myself dreaming of endless posibilities. You can become stuck being a dreamer.
7. Are you happy with the way you life has turned out? I am completely blessed in life. I am so proud that I went back to uni as a mature age student - even when it's hard to balance everything. I have amazing friends who love me and Peter is my best ever friend.
8. Are you a scrapper and if so how many hours a week do you scrap? A scrapper? It would be cheating to call the 5 pages I have ever done in my life 'scrapbooking' because they don't make up a whole book! he he.
9. What do you want to do before you die? Have children, see my family saved and worshipping, visit my sister in England, properly learn the piano and sell a painting.
10. What is your favorite food? Bircher muesli with Jalna yoghurt and chopped up pears, banana and dried apricots - my breakfast every morning (well, on the days I spash out and buy banabas!)
11. What is the food you hate the most? Hot pineapple - don't you realise that it is a tropical fruit People (?) and shouldn't go anywhere near pizza or tuna dishes??
12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? Running away from boys inthe street because I was wearing toggs (swimmers, bathers etc..) and tripping over a rock and smashing my face against the concrete step at home...no pretty photos from that one!
13. What is the happiest day of your life thus far? Peter proposing to me...we both looked terrible and he was about to go and fight bush fires in NSW but I can't remember ever feeling so loved and blessed by God.
14. Are you a neat freak? Or a dirty house cleaner? This will tell you a lot about me. I am untidy - not dirty, but go on cleaning frenzies at times to 'order my world'. I feel better when things 'look' good at home and get house proud occasionally... I think it is mainly about procrastinating though!

Thanks for this opportunity!

5 things that I am grateful for today:
1. A poppy just about to open up in the garden at my front door.
2. Wonderful news about my sister in England - another baby in the family.
3. School holidays.
4. Great friends who challenge me to be a better person.
5. Finishing essays.

Thanks for listening,

M.