I need a Label/ Buisness Name

I am getting pretty frustrated being nameless, I am giving away the things I have made and would love to have some kind of tag on it, that says a name. Kind of the start of something, a seed for the future! I sold some hair clips this week, which was actually harder than I thought it would be... anyway I need to get them to the buyer by Dec and would like to present them with my label if possible...

So here is a list of random words I like and I am offering a free set of hair clips to the person who comes up with the best response here! I might not choose the name, but inspire me! It doesn't need to be from this list at all (it's just there to give you a feel for the image I'm going for), or be a real word. Just leave a comment bellow and a way of contacting you!

Happy, Little, Toot, Squeak, Moo, Ingridients, Saraliese, Sunshine, Lilly, Poppy, Fluffy White Cloud in a blue sky, Basil, Boo, Pea, Millie, Button, Sweet, Rainbow, Watermelon, Cute, Tot, Love, Heart, Smile, Kids, Made, Buttercup, Daisy, Giggles, Tickles, Birdie, Fun...

Things I have made

 

 

The Big Blue Frog Song

And while I'm in the mood for finding out the lyrics of the obscure songs my parents used to sing, heres the full version of one my Mum used to sing! (the bits in bold are the bits Mum sang.)

"I'm in love with a big blue frog,
A big blue frog loves me.
Its not as bad as it appears
He wears glasses and he's six foot three.

Well I'm not worried about our kids,
I know they'll turn out neat.
They'll be great lookin' cause they'll have my face,
Great swimmers cause they'll have his feet!

Well I'm in love with a big blue frog,
A big blue frog loves me.
He's not as bad as he appears,
He's got rhythm and a PhD.

Well I know we can make things work
He's got good family sense.
His mother was a frog from Philadelphia
His daddy an enchanted prince.

The neighbors are against it and its clear to me
And its probably clear to you
They think value on their property will go right down
If the family next door is blue.

Well I'm in love with a big blue frog
A big blue frog loves me
I've got it tattooed on my chest
It says p.h.r.o.g. (its frog to me!)"
P.h.r.o.g.

Now I can sing it right to my girls! LOL!

I Love Little Baby Ducks

My Dad used to sing me a song when I was little (that he now sings to my girls) and it went like this...

"I love little baby ducks, pick up trucks...

And I love you too!"

I always assumed there was more to the song, and finally bothered to look on Google and discover the rest of the lyrics...

I still like Dad's version best!

What A Friend

This hymn, has so often been a great source of encouragement and challenge to me,

What a Friend we have in Jesus

"What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised 

Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship,

will be our sweet portion there."

Jo­seph M. Scriv­en

Pride Comes Before a Fall

A few weeks ago I was cocky, downright smug... I had seen some things and was feeling pretty good about myself and about my relationship, kids and life. I even remember thinking 'pride comes before a fall'... but I took no heed. I found myself somewhere, they would never have gone, few people would have been so stupid...

And soon enough I find myself being humbled... It really hurts you know. To see yourself as you are, so see your own fault and failings ... to have the finger pointed at you and after my anger fades to be able to whisper ... oh it's true! How pathetic, how vile, and to look into loving eyes hurt and the importance of my own rights and hurts fade...


To see that they (the hurts) are not as important as they felt, that I am not so important at I have any right to make him feel like that. I thought I was the victim, and then I saw I was the perpetrator...

And then this is real love that comes and holds me anyway, and exhausted we despair, that we didn't look to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, that we didn't look to him.

In the words of the old hymn...

"O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

It was a terrible night, one of our worst, but yet somehow today has yet been sweet, theres healing still to happen and wounds that would have been better to have never been made, but I am so thankful for the power of forgiveness and the fact that we both could so quickly enter into that!

And the good thing about trouble, is that what you have suffered for, you don't easily let go of. I trust that this experience, while we would never have chosen it, will bind us closer together, strengthening our bond. (but it's a fine line and you don't want to dance too close to that edge!)

Preparing for Christmas

I have been thinking lately that, while it really irritates me to see all the Christmas stuff in the shops already... it might be a good idea to follow through with the plans I make every year and start thinking about what I can do now to prepare for Christmas. To make it a beautiful and memorable time together with family, reflecting on Christ's birth, instead of a time when we are all a bit stressed and flustered and irritable with one another... collapsing on boxing Day glad that it's all over.

These thoughts also tie in with reading this blog about raising contented kids, (esp the bit about contentment starting with us) and my own thoughts about contentment and the new creative streak of late. I'd like to hand make as many gifts as I can, as well as preparing people(family members) for and sounding out how they feel about getting and giving gifts like those from TEAR, SIM and Baptist World Aid. My idea is to spend half on a gift for the person they can unwrap and half on one of these. We did this last year with Dave's Mum's side and I think it worked, I hope people will be happy with that... (best of both worlds)

It will also include a return to fly lady for her tips and ideas for getting ready for Christmas and making a plan of what I'm going to make when and how and for whom, as well as the list of those I need to buy things for. I'll also encourage my fam to start writing wish lists via last years blog, which always makes things easier (when you have a direction)

At the end of the day I want my kids to reflect back on Christmas and feel warm and fuzzy, to remember the special dessert of drink they loved, the family traditions and rituals and the love felt between us! I want them to enjoy giving to others and that to be a great focus to them and for them to be happy and thankful for what the receive! I want them to really know that Christmas is about Christ's birth and why that is important. More than anything I want that to be real and meaningful to them!

I think that being involved with things like the Christmas Child shoe boxes, getting them to make things for others and thinking about the traditions we would like to do, putting as much time and effort and emphasis on that as gift stuff (if not more)

When I think about that is it really surprising that kids focus on the presents part of Christmas, if that is what they see us putting effort into, running around and stressing about? Do you have any more ideas for helping prepare of a helpful focus on Christmas and what its really about!

My Beautiful Tummy!

Comments by Sara (aged almost 4) on my tummy:

"Mummy your tummy is soooooooo pretty! It has pink and purple on it!"
"Do you think I will get a tummy like that when I'm a mummy?"
"Pink and purple are my favourite colours!"

My tummy when Sara was still in residence

Wordless Wednesday

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Creativity and Inspiration

Well I just recently participated in the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt, it was a lot of fun and I got to see lots of fantastic businesses run by Mums like me, just making cool things to sell. It really seemed like fun! Couple that with spending time with the Cath from Ginger Crush I felt inspired! I have long toyed with the idea of making hair clips and other things that seemed within my realm of ability and suddenly I feel like before I have even done much research at all I'm on the road towards being one of those creative Mums! I'm excited, I feel like spending, I'm lying awake thinking of ideas ....

But the niggle at the back of my mind it that I'm not great at follow through. (I can't count the number of great ideas that never happened or took a very long time) I know I should just start by making them, then if they turn out any good, give some as gifts and then if the response is good THEN start thinking bigger.... but I'm already planning a store and all the things I can make in my *spare time* (LOL)

Oh and we want to have another child soon, so... yeah I'm highlighting here how unrealistic I am in hope that my brain will slow down a bit, but it's not it's just getting excited!

I have ordered some supplies and plan to go to spotlight or Lincraft this week to get more, I really can't wait!! I think it would be cool to have a name in mind now, so when I give a gift etc I can sort of have a label in prep for IF things ever get more serious.

I can't really read Dave's reaction to this, which in part I am grateful for, he is being supportive and not saying much, I imagine he has his reservations...

So any ideas re the name? I want something cute and happy and fun but not just tied down to hair clips.

All I have so far is "Sweet Ingridients" or "Saraliese designs" but neither hit the spot with me...
I also thought of "Cute as a Button" but a quick google showed that it's already taken.

Also let me know if your interested seeing what I make (I'm sure I'll post pics here when I have
made some things)

Pet Caterpillars

While Dave was away, one of the things the girls and I did, was get a pet... we found some caterpillars in the garden and decided to keep them... actually there were LOTS of caterpillars but we caught 2 and put them in a jar with some holes int he lid.

Sara showing Taliese the caterpillars

The next day I decided the jar was too small for the 5 caterpillars we now apparently HAD to have (believe me it was a hard bargain getting Sara to be content stop at 5!) So the Caterpillars moved home to a more spacious plastic container with a pair of bloomers for a lid (with the pants bit tied up! I think it also made a prettier house!



I did not realise not much these small creatures both poop and eat - the bigger space was definitely a good move! I also did a bit a research on Google (this blog, this other info) and learned that caterpillars are actually very picky eaters, so we needed to give them the type of plant they were on to eat everyday - they won't eat just anything and they won't eat anything that's not fresh! I unfortunately wasn't able to work out what type of caterpillar they are, so we are not sure weather to expect a moth or a butterfly - I'm guessing a moth)

Well there was one busy weekend when I forgot to feed them, leading to an incidence of cannibalism of a smaller caterpillar, after which I convinced Sara to let the little caterpillars go and just concentrate on the two original inhabitants "Jack" and "Alisa" (sometimes "Talisa").


Two and half weeks later we are enjoying feeding our very hungry caterpillars and watching them get very FAT! (Hmmm reminds us of a favourite book!)


We are really hoping to see a metamorphosis take place - How cool for the girls to experience the reality of this transformation take place as they build cocoons and emerge a completely different creature!

In other cool caterpillar news - last night Dave noticed that one of out shrubs was absolutely COVERED in caterpillars - maybe the news got out there wasn't a lot of squishing going on in our yard? We have not dubbed it the caterpillar tree! (not sure if you can see in the picture?)


I will keep you updated when we have further developments in this little adventure. What an amazing thing it is to enjoy children's wonder and joy at things I would otherwise overlook!

ADDIT: Unfortunately while one caterpillar did form a cocoon, no moth or butterfly ever emerged (prob due to some rough handling) and we had to release the other caterpillars when we went on holidays! Will try again next year!

My other Blog

Pics have been uploaded to Wilsonwalkabout of our adventures in Tasmania earlier this year (yeah slack I know!)

Reflections on disappointment with God

I have been interested recently to reflect on both my own feelings in certain situations and a few conversations with others about their experience of God - including reflections of disappointment that God isn't doing what I/ they want Him to!

The undertone seems that I have been trying really hard to be a 'good Christian' in this area, and God hasn't rewarded me/ done what I wanted Him to! and the sypathy in me says ... "C'mon God a little encouragement would be a good here..." but I realise that this attitude really is way off...

As Dave reminded me "who are we to think God owes us anything!" HE sent His son to DIE so that we , being unable to save ourselves, could live!

God is gracious and does give good gifts to his children, He does bless us and provide beautiful moments on union and intimacy in our walk with Him and He does so much for us - but really it's not to be taken for granted!

What it comes down to for me is the state of our heart - Are we really serving him or hoping that he will serve us if we do x y z? Are we really in surrender to His will? Are we willing to suffer? Are we willing to OBEY? To walk in faith ... or are we still living in a form of rebellion to Him?

Well it is really surprising if I'm not experiencing God, when I'm holding out on Him? Thinking I'm doing this really hard thing because I believe it is the right thing and God would like it and therefore ..., but not being willing to give everything to the One who gave EVERYTHING for me?

Also if I'm not willing to grow or learn what God is lovingly and patiently doing IN me, resenting that he hasn't sent a quick fix to my problem/ made everything easier/ fixed that person already, I'm really looking at the wrong thing and it's not surprising that I'm left feeling disappointed and it's not surprising that nothing is changing.

If Dave had written this post it would be full of scripture, and I am sad that this isn't, because without the word of God it is lifeless, just my own thoughts and ideas. Just shows that I need to get into the Word more so that it flows out of me!

A Week Flying Solo

Dave is away this week leading camp for high schoolers (yrs 9-12) aimed at working with churches to equip and train them in leadership skills. I really feel very excited that he is involved with this.

So while he is doing that I am at home with the girls. Last year it was awful as both girls were very sick, but so far this time it's going great!

Several things have contributed to this: One we prepared ourselves and the girls better. I have sought support (thanks Stefan and Ali!) and thus been able to give my support to Dave more whole heartedly. We have both covered this time in prayer - and also it is beautiful to hear Sara and Taliese praying for their daddy. :) David wrote them letters and they (well more Sara) have really responded to this.
I am relying on God for my strength and am generally in a better place with Him anyway! Dave has also really blessed me with thoughtful notes and encouragements before he left!

Sara has been fine, being older she seems to understand what is going on. Taliese however, does wake up distressed and searching everywhere for her Daddy and is more clingy than normal, but it's OK. We will be OK.

Also I am enjoying the different way I an relating to the girls, not sure if it's just because it's a change or what but we have been doing different things together (like catching caterpillars and hosting a clothes swap)

We also enjoyed a Veggie-face lunch!

However, I am regretting making this week so busy though - I think next time I will use the time to just be with the girls in a different way!

So my focus for the rest of this week will be prayer and trusting in the Lord - looking to learn more from him as well and a few chick flicks and some relaxing time out!

(UPDATE: Unfortunately I didn't spend more time with God, got sick and fell apart on the last day - but the first half was really good!)

Homeschooling thoughts

Several of Sara's peers are soon heading off to Kindy, and so I'm thinking I should delve deeper into what exactly it is that we are going to do now that we have made the decision to home school for the first few years.

Do I buy a curriculum, write my own or a do a bit of both. Do I buy one curriculum or a bit from a few vendors? How do I choose which one to go with? Where do I even start this research? How do I want to structure school time? How do I actively incorporate learning into homelife too?


Jenny kindly re-lent me the book I didn't read the first time - so I guess getting stuck into that will give me some direction to some of these questions... Would probably also help if I ever get along to a home school park gathering...

I want to focus more on the love of learning and understanding instead of marks and results as such. I think this will give the girls a great foundation to achieve whatever in the future, because they LOVE it rather than because they have to. Although I will have to try to follow the government guidelines more closely year by year, as we plan to send Sara to school at grade 3, but if I were planning to go the whole way we could take a more relaxed pace. (letting them go a ahead in some areas and take their time in others)

So far my key areas would be Maths, Phonics, Writing and Bible study. (I'm pretty sure science and art/ craft will happen pretty naturally too - science more than art)

Hmm... have much to think about! Not to mention I have still to sell home school to Sara (who really has no idea what school is but thinks it would be fun to have me walk her there)

Less is more

I have been challenged recently about how consumer driven our society is... how consumer driven I am...

It started with thinking about Taliese's birthdayand all the toys the kids have... why do people HAVE to buy them stuff and NEW stuff to make themselves feel like they are acting in loving way. Do the kids really value all the stuff they have... do they really need more to make them happy, smart, contented, etc...

(The problem is I understand because I love shopping and I love buying stuff and I love giving gifts too... just gotta change my thinking about how to do this well without buying into consumerism.)

Then I started reading this blog which moved the issue closer to home. These people are trying to not buy ANYTHING for a year. Admittedly she know how to wield a sowing machine ... but it's a big challenge to change my thinking on this. (No new clothes, furniture, DVDs, sheets, toothpaste, toilet paper etc... no consuming)

This article also had some ideas in how to help the environment and make lifestyle changes that reduce the amount of stuff we use and chuck etc. And this is always a good reminder of the long term impact of it all.

The bible says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Timothy 6:6-7

I am challenged to make changes, live with less and to tear down some of the idols in my life that I simply cannot live without! (and I'm sure Dave will be happy with all the money we save). Baby steps to start with... I think the most important change will be how I think and feel about it all. Contentment.

These girls seem pretty contented with their blueberry and grape necklaces ...

Home Birth Dreams probably won't become a realilty

If you have no idea about whats happening in Australia with new legislation affecting mid-wifes and their practices read here.

Basically what I understand is that as of next year, home births will be illegal because mid-wifes won't be allowed and doctors won't do them. The only way is to go it alone with no professional support, which I know Dave won't be comfortable with.

I think that it's terrible, no matter your opinions on it, everyone should have the choice to birth where they feel most comfortable, esp as the research shows that homebirth is safe! (Some statistics here). Also here is a cool article to read if you are interested in a doctors perspective.

So realistically, given the speed of my labours, next time I may be forced to be one of those demeaning car park birth stories - I can't think of anything worse...

Just doing my bit here to raise awareness of what is going on.

Australian Experiences Quiz

Bold is been there and done that.

1. Heard a kookaburra in person.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Seen a koala.
4. Visited Melbourne
5. Watched a summer thunderstorm
6. Worn a pair of thongs.
7. Been to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). I climbed it when I was seven!
8. Visited Cape York.
9. Held a snake.
10. Sang along with Khe Sanh.
11. Drank VB.
12. Visited Sydney
13. Have seen a shark.
14. Have used Aussie slang naturally in a conversation
15. Had an actual conversation with an indigenous Australian (Aboriginal).
16. Eaten hot chips from the bag at the beach
17. Walked/climbed over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (But I've seen it!)
18. Used an outside dunny, and checked under the seat before sitting down.
19. Seen Chloe in Young & Jackson’s. (????)
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus (We'll tried to anyway!)
21. Been to Sydney’s Mardi Gras (and not interested either)
22. Have gone bush-bashing.
23. Taken a sickie
24. Been to see a game of Aussie Rules football.
25. Have seen wild camels (again maybe - but I was very young so not sure)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Had a Tim Tam Slam
28. Ridden in a tram in Melbourne
29. Been at an ANZAC day Dawn Service.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Held a wombat.
32. Been on a roadtrip of 800km or more
33. Seen the Great Australian Bight in person
34. Had a really bad sunburn
35. Visited an Aboriginal community
36. Seen a redback spider.
37. Have watched Paul Hogan
38. Seen Blue Polls in person
39. Wandered barefoot in the bush/outback
40. Eaten Vegemite
41. Thrown a boomerang
42. Seen the Kimberleys
43. Given a hitch-hiker a lift. I’m not usually the one driving.
44. Been to Perth
45. Have tried Lemon, Lime and Bitters.
46. Tried playing a didgeridoo
47. Seen dinosaur footprints.
48. Eaten Tim Tams
49. Been to Darwin.
50. Touched a kangaroo.
51. Visited the Great Barrier Reef.
52. Listened to Kevin Bloody Wilson (who?)
53. Killed a Cane Toad. (but I've been a witness)
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Have read and own books by Australian authors.
56. Visited Adelaide (Yay!!!!)
57. Know the story behind “Eternity”
58. Been camping
59. Visited Brisbane
60. Been in an outback pub.
61. Know what the term “Waltzing Matilda” actually means
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Listened to Slim Dusty.
64. Own five or more Australian movies or TV series. (If I can count a Colin DVD, then we have three - Galipolli and Man from Snowy River)
65. Sang along to Down Under
66. Have stopped specifically to look at an historic marker by the side of the road.
67. Eaten a 4′n’20 pie
68. Surfed at Bondi.
69. Watched the cricket on Boxing Day. We'll if you count a church cricket match - I've even played!
70. Visited Hobart
71. Eaten kangaroo.
72. Seen a quokka
73. Visited Canberra
74. Visited rainforests
75 Used a Victa lawnmower.
76. Travelled on a tram in Adelaide
77. Watch canefields burning. Only smelt them.
78. Used a Hills hoist
79. Visited the Olgas
80. Used native Australian plants in cooking. But my Mum has and I might have helped her...
81. Visited the snow.
82. Chosen a side in Holden VS Ford. Holden - but really I don't care that much
83. Visited the desert.
84. Been water skiing. (Good old youth group camps!)
85. Read The Phantom. But not religeously or anything - all the other funnies are better!
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Gone spotlighting or pig-shooting. Bunnies - youth group camp again!
88. Crossed the Nullarbor. (don't think so - I'd have to ask Dad)
89. Avoided swimming in areas because of crocodiles.
90. Listened to AC/DC. Probably if it was on the radio and at peoples places
91. Called someone a dag
92. Voted in a Federal Election
93. Have been swimming and stayed between the flags. but there aren't flags around as often as TV makes you think they would be!
94. Had a possum in your roof
95. Visited the outback
96. Travelled over corrugated roads.
97. Hit a kangaroo while driving.
98. Been well outside any mobile phone coverage.
99. Seen an emu.
100. Have woken to the smell of bushfires

{80/100 not too bad}

Out of the mouths of Babes

Recent prayers of Sara aged 3.

"Dear God, Thankyou that you are my Daddy. Thankyou that you can keep me and have me and not my parents" (an interesting thought from such a small girl)

"Dear God, Thankyou that I didn't want to go to sleep and now I do."