A song Jolene and Adele made up and then sang for me.
"He can see us through the trees, He can see us through the houses."
"He can see us everywhere. Thats why we can't hide from God."
Sang in a random tune.
They are often talking about this subject. Trying to explain what a spirit is, is tricky. Trying to put it into words they can easily understand. I don't think I always do a great job. When the girls are scared we often tell them God is everywhere, and with you now. Which is where, I presume, the lyrics to the song are coming.
26.9.09
Likes and ambitions
Once again I am going to say how much I really, really like Freecycle. Last week I picked up a huge bag of clothes for Gideon. Sizes ranged from 1 - 3. They were all in good condition and free! What could be better.
Last night over washing dished Brandon and I started talking once again about owning a house. We would love to build a house, doing most of the labour ourselves. I have been watching a show called Grand Designs. Lots of inspiration for building your own house, making it a green home, using sustainable designs, ans so forth.
The last few episodes have really focused on green building. One family used recycled tyres filled with dirt to make walls. Another family used straw bales for the walls.
Anyway I think it would be great to do something like that and then turn it into one giant unit study for the kids schooling.
They would learn how to work within a budget, make presentations, come up with designs, etc.
Of course this would have to wait until the kids are somewhere in their teens. Maybe by that time we will have the money actually saved up!
Anyway that is our dream.
I have begun ordering all the homeschooling books we will need for the next year or two. Now is a great time due to the AUD gaining strength against the USD. I seem to spend a lot of time just hunting down good prices. I did find some of what I wanted on a homeschooling classified site. eBay and Amazon have also been helpful.
We like some of Charlotte Mason's philosophy on education as well as the classical system. So I think we would be considered eclectic as far as our curriculum goes. I like to take pits N pieces and make our own.
We have been talking about what language to focus on. Either Spanish or French, any opinions?
One last like. The Grand Final. Nothing like getting together with some friends and watching the team you barrack for strive to win the final. Go Cats!
Last night over washing dished Brandon and I started talking once again about owning a house. We would love to build a house, doing most of the labour ourselves. I have been watching a show called Grand Designs. Lots of inspiration for building your own house, making it a green home, using sustainable designs, ans so forth.
The last few episodes have really focused on green building. One family used recycled tyres filled with dirt to make walls. Another family used straw bales for the walls.
Anyway I think it would be great to do something like that and then turn it into one giant unit study for the kids schooling.
They would learn how to work within a budget, make presentations, come up with designs, etc.
Of course this would have to wait until the kids are somewhere in their teens. Maybe by that time we will have the money actually saved up!
Anyway that is our dream.
I have begun ordering all the homeschooling books we will need for the next year or two. Now is a great time due to the AUD gaining strength against the USD. I seem to spend a lot of time just hunting down good prices. I did find some of what I wanted on a homeschooling classified site. eBay and Amazon have also been helpful.
We like some of Charlotte Mason's philosophy on education as well as the classical system. So I think we would be considered eclectic as far as our curriculum goes. I like to take pits N pieces and make our own.
We have been talking about what language to focus on. Either Spanish or French, any opinions?
One last like. The Grand Final. Nothing like getting together with some friends and watching the team you barrack for strive to win the final. Go Cats!
25.9.09
Shadow of the Kremlin
I just finished a book called Christians In The Shadow Of The Kremlin.
A small book filled with strong stories of those who lived under the communist rule of the Soviet Union.
The book is written by a couple who served as missionaries for the Slavic Gospel Association. The couple write of different encounters they had on one of their trips into Russia. On the way in they smuggle two suitcases full of Bibles and other Christian material. On the way out those suitcases are empty.
The book is a good reminder of those Christians who suffer on a daily basis for their faith. Towards the end of this book North Korea came to mind. Someday when communism falls there a similar book may be published.
This is an excerpt from the very last story.
Pyotr Petrovich is speaking to a believer by the name of Fyodr (an assumed name for protection)
Although times have change in Russia you could easily insert North Korea, Cuba, etc. into that space and it all still be very real.
A good reminder that we are not alone.
A small book filled with strong stories of those who lived under the communist rule of the Soviet Union.
The book is written by a couple who served as missionaries for the Slavic Gospel Association. The couple write of different encounters they had on one of their trips into Russia. On the way in they smuggle two suitcases full of Bibles and other Christian material. On the way out those suitcases are empty.
The book is a good reminder of those Christians who suffer on a daily basis for their faith. Towards the end of this book North Korea came to mind. Someday when communism falls there a similar book may be published.
This is an excerpt from the very last story.
Pyotr Petrovich is speaking to a believer by the name of Fyodr (an assumed name for protection)
'What can Christians in the West do to help the church in Russia? I questioned Fyodr while we sat at the dinner table drinking our glasses of hot tea.
'You can pray for us - and you can come and visit us and encourage us,' he smiled. His voice sobered, 'But you must continue sending the broadcasts and bringing in literature. There is no other way, Pyotr Petrovich, for us to have spiritual food.'...
'There is one more thing you can do, Pyotr Petrovich,' his voice fell to a whisper. he leaned towards me, 'Tell the Christians in the West about our victories and our problems as believers here in the Soviet Union. The more people know there - the easier it is for us here.'
Although times have change in Russia you could easily insert North Korea, Cuba, etc. into that space and it all still be very real.
A good reminder that we are not alone.
19.9.09
After 150 years it was time to say goodbye
This past Monday some of the men from church got together and finally pulled out all the old pews. We are gutting the inside of the church and doing some major repairs. New pews have been bought, a new floor will be going in, new carpet, and the pulpit will be lowered.
It is a very good thing that we are doing this now. Some of the pews were cracked all the way through and it was only a matter of time before someone fell through. They are pretty old so I think they have served the church well.
The floors are a mess. Extensive termite damage was found in the joists. So much so that when Brandon and some of the other guys stepped on them they crumbled into sawdust.
In the next few years the hall, which includes the kitchen and the creche, will be redone as well. Class rooms will be added, we have zero at the moment. A new kitchen built as well as a separate creche.
All the work on the church building has been difficult to get approved due to the age of the building. It is heritage listed so everything has to go through the heritage council. The fees for all this can be quite large...which I find annoying. I find it annoying that we have to seek approval from so many people to make changes to a building we have owned for 150 years.
Here are before and after pictures.
It is a very good thing that we are doing this now. Some of the pews were cracked all the way through and it was only a matter of time before someone fell through. They are pretty old so I think they have served the church well.
The floors are a mess. Extensive termite damage was found in the joists. So much so that when Brandon and some of the other guys stepped on them they crumbled into sawdust.
In the next few years the hall, which includes the kitchen and the creche, will be redone as well. Class rooms will be added, we have zero at the moment. A new kitchen built as well as a separate creche.
All the work on the church building has been difficult to get approved due to the age of the building. It is heritage listed so everything has to go through the heritage council. The fees for all this can be quite large...which I find annoying. I find it annoying that we have to seek approval from so many people to make changes to a building we have owned for 150 years.
Here are before and after pictures.
12.9.09
Happy Birthday Gids!
Where has this year gone? Gideon is already one!
What can I say except, Gids, we love having you in the family. He really has been a happy baby, such a blessing. A few days ago Jolene said she wanted to have another baby. I told her Gideon isn't that big yet.
The day of his birthday celebration I took the girls out to buy some decorations.
This is the conversation between Jolene and Adele
Adele: "Mommy, I want to get Gideon a pink balloon"
Jolene: "No Adele, boys don't like pink. They like blue and green and black. They can like a little pink just not a lot."
Adele: "ok"
Well on good advice we bought only boy, boy toys for birthday present. A big Tonka truck, a tractor, and a 69' Mustang Hot Wheels (that was my idea, or course!).
I think Gids likes the Mustang over the truck right now. Must mean we are training him correctly.
For the birthday dinner I made some pizzas.
spinach, pumpkin, and feta
chicken, ham, and bbq
1/2 veggie & the other 1/2 caramelized red capsicum, sun dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives
The pizzas were very yummy, if I do say so myself. I am actually getting quite hungry thinking about it. Might just have to have another bowl of cereal.
There was also birthday cake, nothing too elaborate. Yellow cake with dark chocolate icing. Decorated with 100s & 1000s and gummy bears.
I think Adele almost exploded trying to wait "patiently" the entire day for cake. She has the biggest sweet tooth ever...well except for me :-/
What can I say except, Gids, we love having you in the family. He really has been a happy baby, such a blessing. A few days ago Jolene said she wanted to have another baby. I told her Gideon isn't that big yet.
The day of his birthday celebration I took the girls out to buy some decorations.
This is the conversation between Jolene and Adele
Adele: "Mommy, I want to get Gideon a pink balloon"
Jolene: "No Adele, boys don't like pink. They like blue and green and black. They can like a little pink just not a lot."
Adele: "ok"
Well on good advice we bought only boy, boy toys for birthday present. A big Tonka truck, a tractor, and a 69' Mustang Hot Wheels (that was my idea, or course!).
I think Gids likes the Mustang over the truck right now. Must mean we are training him correctly.
For the birthday dinner I made some pizzas.
spinach, pumpkin, and feta
chicken, ham, and bbq
1/2 veggie & the other 1/2 caramelized red capsicum, sun dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives
The pizzas were very yummy, if I do say so myself. I am actually getting quite hungry thinking about it. Might just have to have another bowl of cereal.
There was also birthday cake, nothing too elaborate. Yellow cake with dark chocolate icing. Decorated with 100s & 1000s and gummy bears.
I think Adele almost exploded trying to wait "patiently" the entire day for cake. She has the biggest sweet tooth ever...well except for me :-/
The morning after: Trying to play with toys but big sisters getting in the way
Playing with the Mustang
Gids trying desperately to retrieve the stang.
4.9.09
Conversations with a toddler and preschooler cont.
Jolene: "ello"
Me: "Hello"
Jolene: "I can say hello in a different language...ello, ello"
Me: "I think you are watching too many British kids shows"
Australia tends to import as many British kids shows as American ones. One of our favorite British kids shows is 'Charley and Lola.' Adele is definitely Lola. So cute.
At dinner we were talking about how there are vitamins in our food.
Adele holds her broccoli up to her face.
Adele: "I don't see vitamins"
Adele: "Vitamins, where arrree youuuuu?"
On dancing -
Jolene trying to tap dance/clog as fast as she can.
Jolene: "Look, my feet are singing"
Jolene: "My feet are singing!"
On learning maths -
Jolene: "I can do one math"
Me: "Oh yeah? Like what?"
Jolene: "3 + 3 = 6"
Jolene: "Mom, my lung really hurts"
Me: "Your lung?"
Jolene: "When I eat food it hurts."
Me: "You mean your tongue?"
Jolene: "No, my lung" (points to her gums)
Me: "Your mean your gums?"
Jolene: giggles "I was confusing"
Me: "Hello"
Jolene: "I can say hello in a different language...ello, ello"
Me: "I think you are watching too many British kids shows"
Australia tends to import as many British kids shows as American ones. One of our favorite British kids shows is 'Charley and Lola.' Adele is definitely Lola. So cute.
At dinner we were talking about how there are vitamins in our food.
Adele holds her broccoli up to her face.
Adele: "I don't see vitamins"
Adele: "Vitamins, where arrree youuuuu?"
On dancing -
Jolene trying to tap dance/clog as fast as she can.
Jolene: "Look, my feet are singing"
Jolene: "My feet are singing!"
On learning maths -
Jolene: "I can do one math"
Me: "Oh yeah? Like what?"
Jolene: "3 + 3 = 6"
Jolene: "Mom, my lung really hurts"
Me: "Your lung?"
Jolene: "When I eat food it hurts."
Me: "You mean your tongue?"
Jolene: "No, my lung" (points to her gums)
Me: "Your mean your gums?"
Jolene: giggles "I was confusing"
Can't think of a title right now...
Brandon was in Adelaide yesterday. He didn't get home until really late. Late evening means sleeping in and making us breakfast the next day...which I like very much. Worked out well for today. I had the ladies Bible study over this morning. It was nice having Brandon feed the kids while I was preparing food and the house for company.
Brandon just found out that the Brisbane contract he has been working on was excepted. This is very good for them. He will be finishing up all his other projects and focusing only on this one for a while. I suppose that means lots more trips to Brisbane for him, perhaps we will join him on one of them. All those frequent flyer miles shouldn't go to waste.
Tonight we are all go shopping for Gideon's birthday. What do you buy little boys? I was thinking a Tonka truck...a metal one that will last 50 years. Any other good ideas? I am more experienced with girls right now.
Tomorrow my soccer team is in it's first finals game. We made it to the first round but are unfortunately playing the top team. If we can beat them tomorrow then next Saturday we will be playing in the grand final. I am hoping I get a few more penalty shots. Easy goals.
Brandon just found out that the Brisbane contract he has been working on was excepted. This is very good for them. He will be finishing up all his other projects and focusing only on this one for a while. I suppose that means lots more trips to Brisbane for him, perhaps we will join him on one of them. All those frequent flyer miles shouldn't go to waste.
Tonight we are all go shopping for Gideon's birthday. What do you buy little boys? I was thinking a Tonka truck...a metal one that will last 50 years. Any other good ideas? I am more experienced with girls right now.
Tomorrow my soccer team is in it's first finals game. We made it to the first round but are unfortunately playing the top team. If we can beat them tomorrow then next Saturday we will be playing in the grand final. I am hoping I get a few more penalty shots. Easy goals.
2.9.09
I'm an aunt!
Imogene was born on August 31st (my mom's b-day...good b-day present) to Shannon and Josh Soma.
They are all doing well.
This is a conversation I had with Jolene about it.
Jolene asked me "You have a sneeze?"
Me:"What? No I don't need to sneeze"
Jolene"No, you HAVE a sneeze."
Me:"Oh, you mean do I have a niece?"
Jolene:"Yes"
Me:"Yes, Imogene is my niece."
They are all doing well.
This is a conversation I had with Jolene about it.
Jolene asked me "You have a sneeze?"
Me:"What? No I don't need to sneeze"
Jolene"No, you HAVE a sneeze."
Me:"Oh, you mean do I have a niece?"
Jolene:"Yes"
Me:"Yes, Imogene is my niece."
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