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 :)