First Appointment

Today was my first midwife appointment. It went really well. She said I was right on with my dates as far as tummy growth and she reassured me that there was only one in there. We got to hear the heartbeat for about 5-10 secs, and then spent 10mins trying to find the little wiggle worm to no avail. The kids thought all the noise of looking was fantastic, and were happy to "hear the baby". Wesley kept commenting about how noisy the baby was.. too cute. I had my blood taken which was not pleasant at all since I am the hardest person in the world to take blood from. It only took a grand total of 7 goes, and after that we decided that we would leave the 3rd vial for next time.

I also found out then when I need to have my 19 week anatomy scan is when Judah will still be in Brisbane. We are all going over for 2 weeks but he is staying an extra week and flying back with his cousin Madi. I've tried to book a scan when I am over, but I can't get a 4-d one and it will mean having to drive all the way back into Birsbane from the beach house which we are staing at during the 2nd week of our visit. All of that combined I think he is just going to have to miss it. I will bring a video or disc so we can record it, but I think he is going to be just devasted to not be there for it. He is so looking forward to it. I was thinking about just having them both done, but at $100 each I can't really justify it. Poor little guy, I hope he takes the news better then I am imagining him taking it.

I have to admit that I was actually just the slightest bit surprised that there really was a baby in there. I just haven't really felt pregnant and in the back of my mind I thought she might do the exam and say I'm not pregnant after all. So now for the first time I am really trully excited that, yes, there really is a baby in there and it really is mine. I feel all clucky and want to go buy some baby gear... but that will have to wait for another day because I still have no idea where we are going to be setting up the nursery.

It was a good appointment and I am so thankful that we have a private mid-wife who comes to our house to do all this stuff. It was great that Heidi and Wesley could run around and play outside, watch videos and eat lunch while we did all the paper work and "baby stuff". I can't even imagine waiting around in a doctor surgery with the 2 of them trying to do all of it. So all in all, a great appointment, just the kind you like to have!!!

November

Hello all. I know I have fallen off the blogging world for a while. The truth is I have had no blogging inspiration recently, in literary fields I think they call it writers block :O) So even though I am not feeling entirely inspired I thought I should break the drought and at least write something. Today is the first official day of Summer, and I can not believe how very blessed we have been with the cool weather. Usually this time of year the weather is well into the 35-40C range (95-105 F) and yet the whole month it has sat around 25C (75F). The only downside of all of this is that it has been a bit too cool for swimming at the beach. However, with being pregnant and knowing that evetually the warm weather is coming, I am very thankful for the cooler weather. In was also nice when we celebrated our Ex-pat thanksgiving to have the cooler weather to help make it feel a little bit more traditional. It also helps when you are cooking a turkey and heating up the house for it not to be blistering hot outside. I didn't think to take pics of our Thanksgiving untill after everyone left but I did get this shot of the beautiful rainbow that was over our backyard that afternoon!!!

As for the pregnancy, as far as I can tell everything is going good. I see my midwife for the first time next week which I am really looking forward to. I haven't had any scans so I am so looking forward to hearing little bubs heart beat and to know that there really is a little life in there. I am 14 weeks now so hopfully any day I should start to feel some flutters and kicks (fingers crossed). I have lost 7 kgs (15lbs) since being pregnant which is pretty normal for me, so now that I have my appetite back I am trying to not go too silly with the junk food. I keep telling myself "eat your fruit and veggies first". We are going to find out this time if it's a boy or a girl so in January when we get back from Brisbane the whole family is going to go in for the scan. It will be good for the kids to see an actual baby on the screen and hopfully feel a bit more connected :O)

Other then that we have just been up to ordinary everyday life stuff. Here are a few pics of the day the kids made felt necklaces. They thought they were such big kids since they got to use "real" needles. What a great activity it ended up being, seeing as it kept them entertained for well over an hour. Judah made one for his Best friend Susy, so I've included a pic of her wearing hers, since I never did manage to get a pic of Judah making his.

We are now in the final count down days till Judah's 6th Birthday and then the last day of school. Can't believe he is going to be in grade 1 next year. Then after that it is getting ready to go to Brisbane for Christmas and New Years. I expect that the next 3 weeks are going to fly by. I will try to be a bit more diligent with the blogging, but seeing as it is silly season for the next couple of weeks, I make no promises!!! Hope all is well with you all, hugs and kisses from our family to yours!!!

Being an observer

I have to be honest that it has been very strange to be on the outside looking in on the American election. I think it is safe to say that I would certainly be classified as an "ex-pat" at this point in time, and just for the record I choose to not vote in the election because I feel that it is not right for me to vote for a President whose policies I don't have to live under. That said I have followed the campaign but mostly through the eyes of the Australian media and through the opinions and comments of my friends and families, and occasionally through on-line US newspapers. So as an outisder looking into the fish bowl I have observed several things in the forest versuses the trees that those in America might have not noticed. So just in case anyone is interested in my oppinions here are my observation

1. I think that America is a nation who worships celebrities and cares more about what Brad Pitt thinks about politics then someone who has graduated from an ivy league school with a PHD. I think the Democrats have been very smart in creating a "celebrity candidate". The people want a celebrity more then they want a public servant.

2. I think that the average American thinks that a good American woman can have it all. She can be a perfect mother, house keeper, have a super model body, and Rule the nation with a baby on her hip. The Republicans were smart in delivering Sarah Pallin as an example of that American Dream. As a side in my oppinion woman can't have it all we all choose and each choice comes with a sacrafices.

3. It seems like very few people chose to vote for McCain they chose to vote against Obama. I think that the average american, from what I have seen, has decided on the candidate that they voted for based on totally stupid, irrelevant, or uncredited reasons. Here are the most popular I have heard

I am voting For Obama because...
... he's black.
... he's young and good looking.
... he's a breath of fresh air.
... I feel good when he speeks.

I am not voting for Obama because...
... he's a muslim plant
... he's not american
... he's a terrorist
... I just don't trust him.

4. Evangelical's, as the media describes them, or christians like me, have bought into fear mongering and as far as I can see it is very unsubstantial evidence that has been used to accuse Obama of the many things he has been accused of. The Bible talks about "bearing False Witness" and I just wonder how much false witness has been thrown around by both parties.



In case you are interested this is the informtion I used to decide on my pick. I would have voted McCain for the following reasons...

-Abortion is a big topic for me and I believe that McCain has shown himself to be Pro-Life while as Obama through his lack of taking a stand as a senator falls more on the Pro-Choice side.

- In my oppinion Obama is still too "green" in experience. McCain has served his country faithfully and has proven himself to be a good leader. I trust his experience more then I trust Obama's ideas.

- As far as economy goes I think that the American economy is in such a sad state that neither candidate has any actual idea what to do about it. After experiencing the life living in what America would deem to be a "socialist" country (even though we aren't) I am reformed and believe that we all have social responsibility and it is greed and corruption that has kept america from doing the right thing by it's own people. It is propaganda that makes American's OK with it and not demand more for their leadership. After watching my own family being chewed up and spit out by the American health care system I find nothing but anger towards the whole mess... the point being neither candidate got my vote based on their solution to the very issue I believe to be what will cripple america in the end.

-And lastly I would choose McCain because he has proven himself over many decades, and I believe that one can look back at his track record and know what your getting. Obama doesn't have a track record and was too much of an unknown. McCain has done good things for Arizona and I think he would have done good things for America.

So after all of that being said, Obama is the new president, and I pray that he can deliver the neccesary changes that America is in such desperate need of. But I have to admit that I am pessimistic and in my heart of hearts don't think either candidate really has what it takes to fix the mess. I think that America has entered a new era, and that era is going to be very different then anything America, or the world for that matter, has seen.

My Little Girl

I haven't posted photos in a while, partially because I can't stand fiddling with the formatting in blogger... but that is not the topic. Today was Heidi's picture day at dance class, so she had to get all dolled up in her concert costume. It only took me 15 minutes of labouring to get her hair back into a bun, but I managed!!! It is was so much fun getting to do her makeup though. Man that girl has eyelashes that go on forever, I'm so jealous!!! Proffesional photos are always so expensive so I snapped some of mine own in case the proffesional ones were to pricey for my budget. She was so beautiful I couldn't help myself. Well I got a few gorgeous shots that I am going to get printed and framed to hang on the wall of her bedroom next to the 2 balerina pictures my grandma Mimi painted many, many years ago before she passed away. I know she would have loved to see my beautiful Heidi today and probably would have been inspired to paint a third. I don't paint but I must admit that I am quite pleased with my shots and know they will look beautiful hanging on the same wall!!! What a darling little girl I am so blessed to have.

Just on a slightly funnier note. I saw this picture today and the first thought in my head was, "Oh look, that's what my life looks like!!!" Now which of you mums out there can relate :O) teehee

My caption for this photo would be "MUUUUUUUMMMMM!!!" I guess all us mothers feel that way someitmes, even in nature. I guess it's good that we don't shout back "Would you all just SHUUUUTTT UUUPPP" , but you all know we think it sometimes ;) Hope you are having a great day. Lots of Love!!!

The Punishment Part II- The Reaction

I just had to share this because it reconfirmed to me that everything we did with Judah yesterday was the right thing. After the initial tears and carrying on he got over it and got on with the jobs at hand. He weeded the front yard for a good hour and a half and not once did he complain. Then it was dinner time and we all had cheese crisps (fajita's for Murray and I) which are one of Judah's favourite (I promised I didn't plan it that way) and ice cream for sweets. Well Judah sat there and ate his bowl of rice and not one single time did he winge or complain, but instead he happily chatted with us. When the ice cream was served and he didn't get any he just said "OK" and happily finished his rice. As Murray and I were tucking him into bed in his VERY empty room, you will never believe what he said. He gave us the biggest hug and said, "I have the bestest mummy and daddy in the whole world!!! I love you!!!!" There was no bitterness or anger, he accepted the punishment and with love and kindness took on the consequences of his decision. I am so proud of him and I have absolute confidence that many lessons were learnt yesterday, by all of us! :O)

The Punishment

Look back at your childhood? Can you remember a certain point in time where you pushed your mum too far and the fall out of discipline was so catastrophic that you can remember every detail of it. As an adult you can see why mum reacted the way she did, but then you couldn't see past the perceived injustice of it. My personal one was the day I called my mum right before she picked me up from school to see if Robin Wick could spend the night. My mum's reply was "No", which I took as, "I will conside it". Well to make a long story short I convinced Robin's mum that my mum said it was OK and so she left. When my mum arrived to pick me up and there was sweet Robin waiting to go home with us, let's just say I was in BIG trouble. The punishment for the crime was that I was not allowed to go to Holli Patton's Surprise Party that night, which of course I didn't know was happening because all the mum's kept it from us till after school to keep it a surprise. My mum took Robin, who wasn't spending the night, and I stayed home. Oh I was furious, it was the first time I ever wanted to throw something in anger, but being the goodie two shoes I was I could only muscle up the courage to throw a pillow at the door. I cried in hysterics for hours, my poor family having to deal with the noise. I don't think I will ever forget that night, or the lesson learnt.

Well the reason I am rambling on about this is because my dear sweet son Judah is having his experience. Having just had 2 weeks of school holidays, lets just say my kids have got to do SOOOOO.... many fun and cool things from taking the train to the city, going to the beach, Judah got to go to a kid's concert with a friend, having a family camp out, the list goes on and on. That's what school holidays are about, doing lots of fun family stuff. Well today is the last day of holidays so this morning we met our friends and went swimming at the pool (the coolest indoor pool I've ever seen!!! It even has a whirlpool), then we went to our friends for lunch, leftover birthday cake and a movie. Well when it was time to go, Judah threw the biggest fit, screaming and crying how he didn't want to go. BUT then he dropped the words that sealed his fate!!! Can you guess what they where? I bet you can!!! "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!" If children had any idea what those 3 words do to a mother's blood pressure they would never use them again!!!! So now my son is getting a lesson in what's fair and what's grace. He is currently bagging everything he owns in his room and carry it out to the shed. What's fair is ONE pair of pants, ONE shirt, ONE pillow, ONE blanket, ONE pair of socks and shoes and NO toys. One of the bags ripped on the way to the shed, so he is now learning that FAIR is cleaning up your own mess, all by yourself. Tonight he will be learning that FAIR is a bowl of rice for dinner. He is learning that FAIR is no TV, NO playing with friends, and NO super-fun activities. He is learning that FAIR is working for what you are given, so he has some chores to do around the house. I am praying that when we are finished with this little practical excercise that he will have learned that what is FAIR is not nearly as nice as what is GRACE. This evening when the emotions of all of it have calmed down we are having a long look at what the Bible has to say about selfishness and Greed, and then we are going to compare it to what the Bible has to say about Thankfulness.

I know some might think I'm being too harsh but I refuse to have children that grow up with this awful sense of entitlement that I see all around me. This attitude that I'm entitled to ... not because I've worked for it or have earnt it, but just because I am. The whole attitude is just plain old GREED. And isn't that whats really gotten the US into this terrible Economic Crisis that their in. An entire nation whose greed has motivated them to spend money they didn't have, and big banks greed that they would lend it to people at ridiculous amounts of interest knowing full well these people couldn't afford it. Doesn't all of this come from this disgusting sense of entitlement?!?!?!? What are we really entitled to? I think if we look long and hard at it, it's not much, and it's certainly not anywhere as much as we think we are!!!! As I write this it's a good reminder to me as well. There are so many things I think are "needs" that are just "wants". It really is a plague in the modern world... but I am on my soap box, so I will step down, and instead pray for my children, and myself and the nations of this world that we would have our eyes opened to the selfishness that is so prevelent in all of us, and that God would give us the wisdom to combat it!!! And I will pray that in 20 years, like me, Judah will see his mum really did do it because she loved him!!!

out of the mouth of babes...

"Mummy, I hope daddy gave you an X chromosome so that the boys and girls will be even in our family."

Yes, those are the exact words my five year old son had to say last night after finding out that we are having a baby. Don't ask me where he gets this stuff, but he does certainly get it and I think that the national geographic is going to be more monitored from now on. You see yesterday I had my blood work taken for the pregnancy and the kids couldn't get over the bandages on my arm. So after many digging questions we decided we would just let them in on the seceret.

I wish I had a video camera going because the looks of surprise on their faces where just priceless. Heidi's eyes were as big as saucers as she looked at my belly with excitment, folllowed by "God REALLY put a baby in there just like I prayed!!!" Wesley was washed along the tide of excitment and was very excited even though I don't think he really gets it. And Judah was beside himself with glee. As we were watching a movie together last night, Judah screamed in terror as Wesley jumped on my lap. "HE"S GOING TO SMUSH THE BABY!!!!" After some serious reassurance he trusted us when we said they could sit on my lap without worries. Judah also reminded me that I couldn't have a beer with daddy because alcohol can get through the placenta and can hurt the baby.... So if I have any questions during my pregnancy I will be checking with Judah since he seems to be the resident expert...teeheee :O)

So the cat is out of the bag, and I have a feeling I will have some very funny antics to share between now and the arrival of our little gem. Hope these ones brought as big a smile to your face as they did to mine.

And then there were 4...

Hello to all. I haven't blogged in a while. Partially because it's been a bit busy and partially because I have been hymming and hawing about rather or not to do this post. But since its all gotten the better of me and because some how some of you have figured it out already, I can't stand to not share... I would like to announce that I am once again pregnant. It's still very early days (I'm about 4 or 5 weeks along) and I know "they" say not to tell anyone untill you are at least 12 weeks along, but I just can't keep such a wonderful seceret, and certainly not for 2 more months. We are very excited and I must admit I am already enjoying the thought of a new little one joining our family at the end of May/ beginning of June. I have started to feel sick much, much earlier then I ever did with the other 3, but no throwing up yet, not that I ever have with any of my pregnancies. I have been very blessed in that way so I try not to complain about the queasiness. We haven't told the kids yet. We are going to wait untill I hit the magic 12 week mark before we tell them just in case something does happen and also because by then they can start to see the changes and then they will only have to wait 6 months instead of 9.

Having 4 changes a lot of things. We are going to need to trade in for a people mover, Judah and Wesley will have to share a room or our study is going to turn into a nursery, we are going to have to get all the baby stuff again because we don't have any of it anymore, and we have to subject our marriage to the stress of choosing a name again (yeah we don't agree at all on names!!!) I already have a list that I like, but we won't even go there yet, 9 months is a long time to fight about names :O)

So that is my news. I am glad I can share it with you. Please be praying for a little one that God would keep him/her safe and sound and that he would be preparing our other 3 chickens for the BIG change. Lots of Love to you all!!!

Doing dishes

Hello all,

You know I am constantly amazed by how quickly children grow. I remeber Judah being a baby and when he was about 5 months old a friend said to me "Diana don't you think he's big enough to turn the car seat around? They only have to stay backwards while their new borns." The funny thing is that it never occured to me that he was big enough yet. Well tonight we had one of "those" experiences again.

Judah is 5, actually he will be 6 in Decemeber. Most children his age earn pocket money every week by doing their jobs around the house. Well it never even occured to me that MY 5 year old would be old enough for chores, let alone pocket money, unill today. We threw out the idea to him that he could earn $2 a week for doing his normal responsibilities without whinging or complainig PLUS a few extra little chores. Here's the catch we gave him though, for every time he brings out the "bad attitude" or cry's for not getting things his way (2 issues we have been having LOTS of problems with recently) he looses 10 cents. He agreed this was fair and so today we started.

Well I must say so far this is the best idea I have had in a very long while!!! We had NO attitude today, and the few time he started to throw a fit he caught himself and pulled it together without us having to say a word. PLUS for the first time he got to be in charge of doing the dishes after dinner, but only the plastic ones. (Unfortuantly for him his mother sells Tupperware so we have a lot of plastic :O) He did them with such a cheerful attitude and was genuinly proud of what he had accomplished. I am so proud of him.

Today was one of those days where he seemed to grow up right before my eyes. All the sudden he had the maturity to have responsibilities and take care of them. I am starting to wonder if some of the attitude was stemming from his need to have a little bit more space. We are still in early days with this new system, but I think that it is just what he needed. So today Judah this post is for you and the hard work you accomplished!!! And to all the rest of you reading thanks for humoring this bragging mum, and if you could be so kind leave a little comment for me to read to Judah to encourage him in his new responsibilities and priveledges. Thanks so much, and I hope you are having a fabulous day!!!

Ps: The pictures are courtesy of Murray's new iPhone, and as you can see in the reflection he is having lots of fun playing with it. :O) TeeHee

First Day Back

Today was the first day that we ventured back to the beach and we were not disappointed. Granted our toes never touched the water but spring is most certainly here. It was so windy when we first got there that I had my doubts, but by the time we had lunch and got down to the sand and surf the wind had died down and no other word could describe it besides GLORIOUS. It was GLORIOUS to sit in the sun. It was GLORIOUS to listen to the dull murmur of the waves and the gulls. It was GLORIOUS to watch the 2 littlies play in quiet contentment. It really was just GLORIOUS!!!! We made sand castles and let sand sift between our toes, but I also took the chance to dabble in my secret passion of photography and was able to capture some really special moments. Now the hardest part of my day is picking which photos to share here... what a problem to have :)

The Very Hungry Catepillar

Last week Judah came home and said "Oh yeah tomorrow is dress up for book week". Now I have to admit that I received a letter weeks ago about it, but totally forgot. So I asked Judah what storybook character he wanted to be, figuring that I could use one of the many, many costumes my kids have in the dress up box. But of course my son being my son wanted to be nothing other then "the very hungry cateprillar". Not one of the bears from Goldilocks, not a tiger, or a prince, but "the very hungry catepillar"!!!! So off to the fabric store I went hoping to find some inspiration. Well I did. This cute floro green fabric was on sell for $10 for a remnant piece, so with that, a green towel, a couple of felt squares, a few buttons and a green jumper and trakky pants (sweats for you americans), this is what I came up with. I have to say humbly speeking I am quite impressed with how it turned out!!!! Not only did Judah love it but he also received the most original costume award for the whole school. Not bad for a throw together the night before. Now I wondering how in the world am I going to top this next year!!! :O) So out of curiousity, since those who know me know that I have a complete love affair with children's books, what character would you or your kids want to be for book week?!?!

Being Mum

Today was the most beautiful sunny day so we loaded the kids up in the car and went to the most wonderul park called Fantasy Park. We had so much fun being outside and it was the perfect opportunity to click some pics of our cute little chickens. I thought I would share them along with some nice pics of some Australian flora I took today.

On a slightly different note today was also the day for the first birthday party that Heidi has been invited to. So this morning I spent 2 hours making a little dress to give to the birthday girl as a present (cheper then buying plastic kids crap marketed as toys). But as I put up Heidi's hair and tied a pretty yellow bow in and helped her get her party shoes on I felt this little knot develop deep in my stomach. As I helped her get in the car and did up her seat belt the knot grew. By the time we got there and she ran off to play with her sweet little friends from dance class the knot grew even bigger. And as I hung around secretly hoping she would freak out, and instead she gave me a kiss and waved good bye, the knot grew almost unbearable. Then being the good mum that I am, I gave her a big smile and said "have a lovely time sweetie, I love you." I got in the car and drove off and just prayed and shed a little tear. I don't know why this event of all the milestones she has hit recently was harder, but it was. I know that this is one of many, but it was so hard to just leave. I wasn't there to keep an eye on her, or make sure no one was being mean, or make sure she didn't eat too much cake. She had to be a big girl and I had to let her. Needless to say at 5 I called Murray from my Tupperware party and with just slight desperation made sure she was home and OK. Of course she was, and except from a little minor potty accident she had a wonderful time. It makes me think on that day when instead of tying her hair in a yellow ribbon I'm tieing the strings on her wedding dress will I be able to bear it? Will I be able to not break down in a pile of tears and beg her to stay with me forever? These are the things no one tells you about when you get pregnant. Maybe it's because it wouldn't do any good, or maybe it's because there are no words to describe it, or maybe it's because it's just part of the joys and tears of motherhood. Whatever it is, it certainly must be one of the hardest parts of this job called "being mum".

Pillowcase Dream

I saw the cutest idea the other day and I just had to try it. It was the most beautiful little girls summer dress made out of a pillowcase. They used pretty embroidered ones from the thrift store or antique shops. So before I hit the thrift store I thought I would try it with one I had in the cupboard. The whole project took just over an hour, but I'm sure it could be done quicker as I did a fancy scallop edging along the neckline and was a little bit creative with the sleeves. Anywhere here is the link for any of you with little girls that are crafty and want to give it a go. http://annamariahorner.com/pillowcase.dress.by.annamaria.pdf

I had to take pictures to share and in the process came up with some of the most adorablly dreamy photos of Heidi and Wesley playing in my curtains, so I now I have to share those too. And while I'm busy posting pics I thought I would post some of my bedroom makeover. I did the whole thing for less then a hundred dollars (yeeaahh for bargain shopping) and I'm just in love with it. Our room has always been the dumping ground for clutter and has really never been given it's own decorating attention. But no more!!! It's our beautiful retreat now, and once we get a little extra cash I'm going to find two old wooden chairs and paint it the same colour blue and upholster the seat cushion in black fabric with big white polk-a-dots. Then we will have a little place to drink our tea and read together at night... doesn't that sound wonderful:O) The finishing touches will be a crystal lamp on each table, a white painted wooden wreath for the middle of the wall and, if I can find one, (maybe Ikea) a pretty crystal chandalier for the ceiling... untill then it still looks fabulous compared to what it was before!!!

Hope you are having a great day, lots of love from the Henederson Circus!!!