Going for the world's record of longest time between posts ;-)

I think I could almost claim that title!! Man I'm a shocker at this blog thing.

This has been a fairly big year for us, one of great blessings and also some struggles, but through all things the Lord has so graciously seen us through.

I’m not going to try and remember in order the things that happened this year but I will try to list as many as I can remember. Hmm woman with 5 children and a bad case of baby brain (yes it is a real condition no matter what you’ve heard, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it), we’ll see how much I can actually remember.

One of the highlights this year was the news that we are expecting another precious bundle to add to our wonderful bunch of little treasures. And yes 2 ultrasounds have confirmed that God has indeed given us another one of the male variety. I am seriously getting out numbered here! So around April 2009 we will welcome little Noah Benjamin into our family. He already is a much loved addition and he has 5 very anxious brothers and sisters waiting to kiss and cuddle him.

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The end of this year saw some worries with our little man Cowper. Over the period of a couple of weeks he kept passing out. Finally with an ambulance ride up to Caboolture hospital we were admitted and Cowps and I stayed 5 nights on the Children’s ward. As far as hospital stays go, we had it pretty good, a private room and a fully stocked play room at our beck and call (and 5 nights of no cooking for Mum). Dad held the fort at home and had 4 willing helpers. After heart checks etc it looks like the cause of the black outs was a condition where his bone marrow stoped making red blood cells, hence a very reduced ability to carry oxygen around his body. They say there is no apparent cause for the condition, about 0.5% of kids get it and it lasts for 1-2 months. After much praying for God to restore his little body after only 5 nights the tests showed that new cells were forming at a high rate and we could go home, Praise the Lord. He had a haemoglobin level of 65 (normal level is 130) and if we dropped to 50 he would require blood transfusions and a bone marrow biopsy. At present he’s on weekly blood tests and in January he has an EEG just to make sure the blackouts weren’t seizures, but all in all he’s happy and on the road to recovery.
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One of the big plans of 2007 was the Scrap of Faith retreat in November that I organised. The weekend was amazing. It was just so wonderful to finally meet in the flesh ladies who have become such a big part of my life. The fellowship that was shared was truly a great blessing to everyone who attended and I can’t wait to organise the next one for early 2010. I’m already plotting and planing ways to try and top this one.

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We’ve also gotten through a year of home schooling 3 kids. Holly grade 3, Hannah grade 2 & Mitchell in prep. Holly sat the National testing this year and I was just so happy for her that she did really well, above national average in all testing areas. I kind of felt like the test was not only about what she knew but also a test about our curriculum choices. Nice to know that so far we are on the right track. Next year will be full on, the work load for Mitchell increases and it’s Hannah’s turn for the test. I’ve just put in our order for 2009’s books and resources. I kind always get excited when the new books arrived, for a split second I think I might actually get organised for the new year and I’m one of those sickos that LOVE covering school books.

We’re also planing a move in early next year. Ever since Mark and I married we have longed to live in the country but never been brave enough to make the move. This year we really felt that call to make the move. After much praying about it we felt God tell us to wait until the summer of 08/09. Boy was that wait hard, but as always God’s timing is perfect! By waiting we’ve been able to take advantage of the first homeowners grant increase, the end of year cash bonus for having kids & the interest rates falling. So we’re on the look out for an old queenslander in the country. So far near Warwick is looking promising. I’m dreaming about vege gardens, chickens and wide open spaces. The girls are dreaming about ponies, the boys (big and little) dirt bikes. I’m praying that the right house comes along and that God’s timing has us moving just after bubs is born. But what is it they say… “How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans.”

We also bought some cows. Marks brother and sister have been looking after them at their farm in Gympie and our little family of 4 cows grew to 5 and we’re hoping another calf is on the way. Hmmmm I can’t wait to get my teeth into some organic beef next year. And speaking of Gympie we’ve really enjoyed the trips that we’ve had up there this last year. Hannah is really in her element amongst the farm animals and has a real sense of spunk about her. Holly just LOVES the horses. The boys really come alive too and love the animals, playing in the creek and just being farm kids.

And drum roll……. After 12 years of wearing the same pair of glasses, Mark finally got a new pair of specs!! I can’t believe the difference a new set of glasses makes! If Mark knew the effect a new pair of specs would have on me I’m sure he would have had updated them long ago!!

And Alec & Mitch, what can I say about about those boys, except that they are super cute and your typical boys. Which means, getting into everything and learning things the hard way. But this stage will pass and we love them to bits. (We just have 2 more boys to go through this stage, hmmmm “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me”)

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We also had fun in the storms that hit Brisbane in November. The wind was blowing the water so hard it came in between the roof tiles and I had water coming through the light fittings in the kitchen and lounge. The timber surround around one of our aircons blew in with a ton of hail & we lost the shed. All this while Mark was out hunting. He drove back late that night after the storm and he said it was so eerie to drive through Brisbane with so many homes in darkness and trees everywhere. We were very blessed to have only lost the shed and be without power for 12 hrs.

So for 2008 that’s pretty much us :-) On Tuesday we head up to my Parent's beach house at Maroochydore for 12 days. The perfect way to finish the year, chilling out together with no work or school pressures. We always go the two weeks before Christmas. The beach is soooo quiet as everyone is too busy rushing around before Christmas. Then we come back home just after Christmas when all the builders and accountants are closed so we get a bit of a rest at home to do some cleaning and sorting. Perfect way to finish the year :-)

Procrastination & Creating

It's cold, it's wet, I'm procrastinating lol. I have only set myself of 1 job today, the kids are doing thier school, then were having the rest of the day off. I'm taking my laptop sitting with the kids and watching movies for the rest of the day while I digi scrap. Sounds like a cool plan. Somewhere in there will be a "little bit" of housework, but otherwise we are chillin' baby.

Holly bought home a game from Girls Brigade that I used to do as a kid. You write down a boys name, fold it over and pass it on to the next person and so on. You have a story where no one knows what came before or comes after. She played it with Mark and I and listening to her giggles as she read out the stories were priceless.

Here's what we came up with.

Josh and Penelopy were kissing. He said "I love you" she said "You're freaking me out!!" and then he fell off the bridge.

Dan & Ashley were walking the dog. He said "Stop" she said "I love you too!" and then she stopped him.

Cedric & Susan were playing he said "You're a freak!!" she said "Why" and then she fell off a cliff.

I don't know what Holly & Mark were thinking with the falling off cliffs and bridges!!

Holly and I had another turn: Dan and Francis were laughing, he said "I have a sore toe" Francis said "Keep still" then his toe fell off.

A pretty cool game to play with young ones that can write.

Look at what we got!!! A new car!! Well new for us. We are making it our mission this year to get out of debt, so far so good. Part of the plan is to sell the Fairlaine and get a cheap 7 seater. Well God provided the cheap 7 seater. We flew to Sydney to get it and drove it home. Do you think we can keep the kids out of it!! They have the choice of the Explorer or this one & they want "The Beast". We put bigger wider tyers on her and she's even more beastie! Or as Mark would say "Those tyers make her look horn!".

Last year we did some "Crown Financial Ministries" work and just knew that God's desire for us and money is to be debt free (apart from getting a home) back then we said "Right the Failaine has to go!" and then did nothing about it. With the change in the financial climate, we started reassesing and all those lessons were learnt last year and decisions made that we did nothing about came back to us. I was feeling so bad for not having been faithful to something we knew God had directed us to do. So I grabed Mark told him again what the plan was and realised why we hadn't put the Fairlaine on the market. We didn't trust God that we could find a reliable 7 seater in our price range. So I said "What could hurt to look" so we looked and as long as we were willing to leave QLD and go to NSW there were plenty in our price range. I put up a prayer request for us to find one under $5000. & This is what we found. We sent a guy to check it out for us and his report came back really positive so we talked the yard down to $4850 and did the deal. That was Thursday, on Monday we were on a plane to pick her up. A great friend Tracey who I have met through Scrap of Faith and has been such an encouragment and wise counsel for us lived just down the road from the car yard, so we were able to meet her and while Mark worked on the car (oil change etc before the big drive) Tracey and I got to do what we do best, Talk!!

We finally got on the road and needed to make it to Coffs Harbour for our accomodation & then trouble started. The car started overheating and we weren't even out of Sydney!! We pulled over and while Mark had the bonnet up I stood there with my hands on the car and praying for the over heating to be fixed and for God to show Mark where the issue was. Well straight away the car cooled and we got on with it and it didn't overheat again!! Finally we are on the highway to Newcastle and Mark realises he didn't check tyre pressure so pulls off to find a servo. The car starts stalling!! Everytime Mark hits the break it stalls!! While I had been praying I had an overwheming sensation that there was a problem in the right of the car. I had no idea why I would feel that, kind of was a bit "nervous" about that feeling and said nothing. Now that the car was stalling all the time, I looked over at Mark and said "Could there be a problem in the right side of the car that's causing this" He said "Why?" I said "Just yes or no" He said "Yeah their could be" I then told him what happened while I was praying. We finally find a servo and Mark is looking in the area I said. Another guy arrives and keeps telling Mark to look in all these other places. Mark was politely taking the advice but ignoring it. He found the problem in the throttle cable that wasn't holding a valve open properly which was in the area I told him to look. Correction WHERE GOD TOLD HIM TO LOOK!! The car has driven perfectly since then!!! Now to sell the Fairlaine!! Any body want a great sedan? The only reason we are selling it is because we want out of debt and a 5 seater car and 7 person family isn't really practical. Mark loves the car and is sad to sell, but he knows it's what we need to do.

Now that we have two 4 wheel drives, I'm praying that our dream of a the farm will be come a reality soon!

Besides The Beast I have more great news. Scrap of Faith is growing we have cool blog happening http://www.scrapoffaith.blogspot.com/ and we have increased our design team. We welcome the beautiful and talanted ladies, Katie Toland & Beverley Warwick!! So looking forward to all the things we have planed especially the retreat in November!! Keep watching the blog as we will be updating the competition details to win a free retreat package.

& I've taken up digi with a passion!! I love it! I still like traditional, but just don't have the time or space for the mess. It takes me about 2 hrs to do a traditional on a good day, 1/2 hr for a digi, and I can do it in bed!! I was going to enter a digi comp at Designer Digital, prize was guest DT for a month and free access to all the designs. I thought "Yes" perfect for the budget, but then I prayed and felt I had to wait for what God wanted not persue something that I wanted. So I let it go. A couple of days later Rowena Field from Willro&co designs asks if I would be on the creative team for her!!! "OH YES!!!" Ro & her whole Creative Team are Christians and together we are spreading the word through our work. An extension of what I'm doing with Scrap of Faith. I just love it!! So I join Gayle Smith, Terrie, Dawn & Ali Winchester creating for Ro. I think she's gonna wished she never asked, I have so many ideas for boy kits hehe.

You can find Ro's kits here:

Faith Sisters

Blue Bazzar

Country Scrapping

A Cherry on Top

Mark's in boy heaven! He finally went hunting over the Easter weekend and the three of them are already planing the next one. I miss him like crazy when he's gone, but I know that he is God's son more than he is my husband so God has it all in his care. I love seeing him when he gets back, all "tough manly" looking and I love the time out that the kids and I take together. Mitch and I did have a melt down at one point, but hey one freak out over 4 days alone with 5 kids was pretty cool I thought. We even went to Target!! I can't tell whether I am brave or insane, or perhaps living with God's strenght!!

So I'll leave you all with some recent digi creations. I'm having fun :D

Did I mention Blogger is driving me nuts

Okay this is the 2nd half of the post below. Why blogger won't keep any changes is driving me nuts. Error on page, error on page, error on page. ggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Okay so read the post below first (and please excuse bloggers crazy placement, double grrrrrrrr) and then come back to........

here. :-)

The idea behind this tag game is different from other tag games. Rather than look inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for 3 blog friends. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We're going to see how far the bloggin' blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Be sure to go to the blog of those you are blessing and leave a comment on their blog to be sure they check yours!

So my first blessing goes to Nat. She's been such a dear and wonderful friend to me since SoF started. I'm just amazed at how many beauitiful people have come into my world since starting it. But Nat has been there right from the start with encouragement, friendship, support and help. We don't catch up often enough, but the time between visits dissapears. She has such a heart for God and her family and is just a great girl :-)

My second one is for Ro. Ro is another gal who uses scrapping as a ministry. She's part of a team that organises GREAT retreats and scrappind days in NSW (There's one in May/June) and she has such a talent for photoshop and is designing the most beautiful digi kits and spreading God's word through them :-) She's also been such a support on the SoF DT and is a great friend too. I can't wait to meet this girl in November :-)!!

And last is Ali. Another great gal I've met through SoF. Ali always amazes me in what parts of her life she see's God in. Rough days, great days, her heart is always with God and seeking him in ALL she does. Her Christian walk has really inspired me and although some days I'm not sure what to say when she posts, I'm always deeply touched by her life and is another girl I can't wait to meet in November :-)

And I want to bless everyone who is popped by or is part of my life right now. If you read this, you're blessed. There are so many special people in my life that to just bless three is a hard ask. A big blessing to all the SoF girls and especially the SoF HQ team for their constant support and friendship :-)

Have a very blessed sunday everyone!!!!

She actually Scraps!!! Digi that is

Well I have finally done some scrapping!!

After a drought I have finally done 4 in 2 days. I'm really enjoying the digi stuff, they have come together really quickly and just love the NO MESS. Or should that be no little fingers in the supplies lol. I won't totally give up "traditional" but enjoying this for now :-)

Just want to add, blogger is driving me nuts with photo placement. grrrrrrrrrrrr. Why it can't place a line of photos down the side is beyond me! So all over the place it is...

Also I have been tagged, by the beautiful Karen :) I would love to tag her back because she really is a very special person in my life. I'm sure everyone who has met Karen knows how encouraging she is and I know a few of us girls look up to her as our "Christian Mum".

So now for me to Tag some beautiful girls and keep it going :) Nothing Like blessing some beautiful girls :-)

Exciting stuff

Things are changing a little over at Scrap of Faith.

We are currently busy creating a new blog so we can do regular updates and have all our exciting projects and articles in one cool place :D We also want to have more challanges, prizes and oppourtunities to make quick posts without having to overhaul the website.

Part of the changes is expanding the Design Team/Ministry Team. If you think this if for you then check out the details here.

On the home front life is full swing again with, school, work, Girls Brigade and now Boys Brigade. The kids are loving it :-D Lucky me has two camps to go to in March and April ;-)

Cowps has decided that working is the way to go and has been getting around the house with the cutest little waddle. He has to be our funniest walker yet. Here's the cute little guy on his first birthday :-) He's determind to be different from the others at this age. At one they were only just cutting their first tooth. Cowps is cutting Molars!!! And he's a shy boy, only cuddles from Mummy, Daddy and Grandad are allowed when we have visitors.

On the scrapping front nothing has been happening :-( I've become a little addicted to sewing nappies in my spare time and a little to addicted to this computer. So I've decided to give digi another shot. I am just LOVING Ro's creations. Check them out on her blog, those poppets just have to be the cutest. And I'm loving this pack by Krystal Hartley. I have to hang around at boys brigade tonight, so might just take the laptop for some fun :-D

LIke Mother like daughter :-)

Everyone is always saying how alike Holly & I are. Well the two of us took the "personality test" I did mine and then she came along and said "Can I have a go?" We did it together, all the responses were her's occasionally she asked to explain a bit more what they were asking. We'll it's true Mother like daughter" We got the same result :-) I must say, I'm happy with that ;-)

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flowYou love to kick back and take in everything life has to offerA total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity.Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's doneYou're passionate - just selective about your passions

http://www.blogthings.com/doyouhaveatypeapersonalityquiz/"Do You Have a Type A Personality?