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?

Loving Spring :-D

Well Spring is here & I've got to say it's surely welcome!!

We live on a 1/4 acre and it's a lot of yard to mow. Mark had been borrowing a ride on last summer and I don't know what was worse spending all morning pushing a push mower around, or driving to collect a ride on, do the yard & take it back? So the other week we were sitting on the patio looking at a yard that about to explode with growth after a weeks rain and Mark said, we need a ride on. I thought about it and I said "I know you want one, but it's not a necessity so go for it if you can get what you want for under $1000" For those of you who knows ride ons, I pretty much gave him an impossible task. Mark has high standards when it comes to mechanical things and he wasn't going to buy junk. He looked at me and said "I'll never find a good one for that money!" I responded with "Well let's pray for one, God can do it". So I did, I prayed for a mower. The next week, I get a phone call from Mark on his way back from inspections and he says "I'm just popping into the mower place, just for a look". Half an hour later he rings back and says "Can you transfer $720 for me?" I quized him about the mower and he assured me it was a good one, needed some work, but the motor was great he knew the problem was in the deck. So he paid the money and waited for the guy to deliver it the following Tuesday.

That day Mark was out on inspections and the guy dropped it round. The kids and I felt bad that he didn't get it on Father's Day and it wasn't much of a surprise because he chooses his own presents. So we got to scheming. I cleared out the shed to make room for it & put it away. Mark had asked that I just get it put on the patio. All day Mark would ring and ask if it had arrived and I said "No". So just before I hid it, I got all the kids on it and took a photo. I then loaded it onto the computer as a screen saver. So Mark gets home and has to cross the patio to get in the back door. No mower. The kids and I are chatting to him and they even say, "Sorry it didn't come today Dad" I then tell him I took some nice photos of the kids today & bring up the wallpaper on the computer & there is the big photo of 5 silly kids sitting on a mower. He just beamed!!! and said "I was hoping you were teasing me on the phone, but when I got home and saw it wasn't on the patio I thought, nup, it really didn't come!" So we surprised him after all :-D That night he started working on it & again it rained all week & by the first sunny day he had it fixed. It only cost him $5 in parts too! He's now got a renewed passion for working on a project, we're now praying that God brings us a cheap ski boat to fix up :-D Mark and the boys can tinker & we can all get healthy doing a sport we all love :-D
















The September Newsletter of Scrap of Faith is out!! Read it here :-D

I saw this on Becky's blog & thought I'd see where I've been & am going too :-D

20 years ago I . . .
1. I was 11 and living a carefree childhood in Cardwell, North Queensland.
2. I lived at home with my family.
3. My parents owned a Newsagents & general store & our house was on top.

10 years ago I . . .
1. I was 21!.
2. Mark and I had been together for 1 year.
3. We had our own place at Joyner.

5 years ago I . . .
1. I had 2 little girls.
2. Mark bought a motorbike
3. We had our own business doing QS reports for a couple of years

3 years ago I . . .
1. I had 3 kids & was pregnant with our 4th.
2. We had just moved to the house we are in now.
3. I started on a slippery slope of letting the enemy in and God out.

1 year ago I . . .
1. I had 4 kids and was pregnant with the 5th!!! (when will it end LOL).
2. Was well on the path back to God.
3. Started Scrap of Faith.

So far this year I . . .
1. Have had God be a real part of our life as a family.
2. Started a Newsletter for Scrap of Faith
3. Started writing articles about Christianity for women :-D

Yesterday I . . .
1. Did some work.
2. Did some scrapping.
3. Had my SIL and her kids over.

Today I . . .
1. Slept in
2. Went grocery shopping
3. Made banana muffins.

Tomorrow I. . .
1. will have family day & rest day.
2. Go to the park to have a picnic & spot eels & turtles.
3. Visit my Grandma.

In the next year I shall . . .
1. Keep saving for a house.
2. Hopefully have some builders as clients.
3. Keep growing in the Lord :-D


It's late & DH is lying here beside me with his head under a pillow trying to sleep LOL.

So I will finish with 5 things I'm grateful for.

1. The Lord always providing no matter how trivial
2. Happy healthy family
3. A DH who can fix things
4. A DH who's my Prince & I'm his Princess :-D
5. Spring :-D

A face lift or a faith lift????

Scrap of Faith has had a face lift!! I came up with a new logo for the newsletter header and the feedback about it was good & Nattie suggested just having it as the header for everything. I like it :D
So we've had a face lift how about you come visit and get a Faith Lift :D


AND it's our Birthday!!! YEHAHH!!! Perferct pressie for our first birthday, nice new happy colours!!

In November we are having a charity crop day to raise money for Mercy Ministries. They help young women who are struggling find hope and a future. The next two weeks I'll be busy securing sponsors for this event.

So far though the entry is $20 and you get a calico bag full of goodies and LOTS of giveaways on the day. Check out the info HERE

Plus we finally got the August Newsletter out. Grab a cuppa & have a read

Not much going on in the Clifford house except school, work & Scrap of Faith. July to October is a bit full on with those things for us. Makes the Summer Holidays all the more blisfull! Oh the "highlight" if you call it that would be getting my wisdom teeth out!! My confession is "It has been 14 years since I have seen a dentist!" I had LOTS of opperations in my mouth as a 10 year old then braces from 11 to 13. By 17 I was SO over dentitsts. Well my top wisdom teeth came through and they were so far back and awkward I couldn't brush them properly and they were starting to hurt. Silly old me would rather face the pain then go visit a dentist. Finally I gave in and Mark & I prayed before I went in and I prayed whilst getting the needles. & I can't belive I'm saying this, but, It was actually great! Troy the dentist is really easy going and puts you at ease & I actually walked out of there laughing. If you live in Brisbane & want a good dentist, visit TROY here. If you want a wonder cure for getting over the fear of needles, check out God :D

Well that's it for now, just a quick one :-) Stay safe & happy.

Things I'm thankful for right now:
1. God
2. The newsletter is out
3. The beautiful SoF DT who work hard every month
4. The rain we had
5. My husband
6. Friends with great sponsorship advice.
7. Getting my teeth out
8. Life :-)
9. All our provisions are met
10. SCRAP OF FAITH IS ONE!!

I'm still alive!!! Really I am!!

Well time flies when you're having fun & given how time has flown since my last post I must be having a lot of it ;-)

But before go on, go and click play on my new song. I just love this song and brings both Mark & I to tears. It's called "Letters From War" by Mark Schultz. Love this one!!

Okay six months WOW!! what's been happening? I think I'll go dot point so this update doesn't go in the "to hard basket".

* I have a crawling, happy go lucky baby!!! Cowps is just such a little piece of heaven on earth!! He has been just a wonderful bubby and such a little charmer, ever so smiley & ever so snugly. He's terribly cute when you put him to bed, before he even reaches the mattress he assumes the sleep position, legs tucked under, head to the side, thumb in the mouth. Eyes are closed as soon as you lay him down. Just to cute my little darling.

* The weather has been so great and we have been going down to the park near the sales centre at North Lakes of a weekend for lunch and to go eel and turtle spotting! The kids think it's just great and all of us will hang around for ages just peering into the water for a chance to see one LOL. or trying to find them when they swim under the deck. Even Alec gets in on the action!!

* I cut my hair! Oh yeah I cut my hair!! Now for those who really know me this is a BIG DEAL! Mark loves long hair & I mean really loves long hair and after me taking 19 years to grow it long, I was happy to keep it long. I love long hair too. Mark would often joke that the only way I would ever get a divorce would be to cut off my hair. Well the hair got cut off and we're still married!! So why is it gone you ask? Well I don't like making private things public, but I am all for giving God the Glory. I wont give details, but our marriage really got taken through the fire and if we didn't love God and fix our eyes on him then we wouldn't be here today. Things happened in the past that I'm not proud of and through Christ's redeeming blood I became renewed and to show God & Mark my true heart, I wanted an outward showing that the old me is gone and only the new me is moving forward. Nothing of the old girl left so even the hair that was on my head when the old me was around was cut off. Mark was shocked to say the least, but he understood and to show he was serious about the two of us both moving forward together in Christ he shaved his hair off too!! We burnt the old hair and offered up our life to Christ to mould and use us for his service. I love my husband, he is my best mate, my true love and I am just so proud to be called Mrs Clifford and that we are in life together.

* Scrap of Faith has changed!! We now do a newsletter every month, and just did our first one & the next one is out soon!! Check it out here. We're also organising a Charity crop & a retreat!!! All details are in the newsletter! But we're moving in new directions and really excited!! I love Scrap of Faith :-) And we're 1!!! Can you believe that!! Yep we're 1 year old this month!

* I have two girls who can read!! Yeah So awesome to walk the school journey with them and see these milestones reached! I'm just so proud of my girls. They have big hearts and try so hard. Holly tells me that when she is older she wants to do "Kingdom work" for God. Hannah has started making her own song and dance routines and all of them are about her love for God. Tonight at dinner Holly, Hannah & Mitchell were saying that the kids are going to form a band and their first album is going to be called "Angel". At the moment they are all going to play guitar LOL. Alec doesn't know it, but they have allocated him the drums. Hmm Looks like that leaves Cowps to be on Keyboard LOL

* Work has just been flat out!! I prefer to be busy than have nothing to do, but this has been crazy!!! Some weeks I have no idea what direction is up or down?? But we're getting there and we're thankful for the work that is coming in and trying to make hay while the sun shines and store up for the quiet summer months. I pray this year we can really take the two weeks off, be on top of the work and not have a care in the world. We've been telling the kids that we want to save up for a full camping set up so we have the freedom to go away whenever without breaking the bank.

Well I need to go to bed LOL. I have an early start in the morning so I can try to get out for a coffee with the lovely Chris Millar and Co. It has been forever since I have caught up with my pals IRL so it's a much looked forward to morning.

Catch up soon. & I'll try not to make it 6 months this time.

Blown Away!!!!

Well for once in my life I was left speachless!!!!

I arrived at Nat's place yesterday for us to head out with the kids for a day of adventure. As I'm chatting away (not like me LOL) she says "This is for you, just a little something the SoF girls put together" Well I was just like I said "Speachless!!" Here was this awesome gift box full of little & big goodies for me and Cowp's and all these beautiful gift tags!! I have never felt so blessed in all my life to have such a thoughtful thing done for me!! When you have baby number 5 people are so over it, but the SoF girls have prayed over me, blessed me & surprised me like Cowp's was my first!!! So totally beautiful to feel spoilt!!! Praise God for such wonderful Girl friends even though we are seperated by 1000's of miles!!

The basket was full of such awesome little goodies; A book I wanted, is a hardback with 3 editions in it: The power of a praying woman, The Power of a Praying Wife & The Power of a Praying Parent, can't wait to read it :) A gift voucher to a beauty salon, Massage here I come!!! Lots of clothes and bubby stuff & scrapping goodies!!! And of course the beautiful tags that I will be making a special home for!!!

Also I was spoilt with more meals from my Sister & Kylie G one of the beautiful girls from my close circle of Brissy friends :) That took us to 3 weeks of not having to Grocery Shop!!! How wonderful is our Lord in providing this huge support network for us :)

Yesterday Nat & I took the kids on the train into the museum & art gallery. We all had a fantastic day & it is great that the cultural centre is free!!! I can see so many more trips into the city in our future. The kids love it, such an adventure for them!!

Love this Man!!!

Just got to love how he and the kids read stories together!!!

We went up the beach the other day to visit Karen & Steve again & to see Mark's family. Aunty Marg gave the kids an awesome bubble blowing kit. One of the "blowers" is awesome with each swish I swear we get 100 bubbles out of it!!! So we have been having a lot of fun running around the yard with it. Even the dog loves it. I have never seen a dog go so crazy about chasing bubbles. He totally wears himself out!!! So now when I don't want to take the dog for a walk, just swish some bubbles about LOL.

And now the final days of holidays.... Next week it's all systems go with school & work back on deck!! So this week I have been busy planing the lessons & covering books. Okay I will confess I love covering school books, freak I know!!! Just finished it this morning & now hanging out for the next shipment of books that I will be ordering mid term!!

Things I am thankful for:

An Awesome God &

1. Such beautiful friends

2. Innocence of Children

3. Slow cookers

4. Airconditioning

5. Family

Have a beautiful long weekend everyone :D

What's going on!!!???

Another post in just a week!!! What is happening here??? LOL Just thought I'd keep shocking you all ;-)

Well today the wonderful Chris Millar and her two beautiful girls came around for a play & more importantly to take some photos of the Mr Cowper :) That Chris is an absolute legend with the camera and baby photos. The two of us had fun mucking around with a few props and Mr Cowper was a very delightful model. A huge thanks to Chris for capturing some truly beautiful photos :)

So sit back and relax and enjoy a small sample of the photos. Oh boy do I have some scrapping material LOL.

We also had a wonderful visit from Karen & her family last week :) Was so nice to finally met her DH Steve & daughter Chloe :) They are spending some time at the Sunshine Coast this week so we are going to have a short break and spend the night at the Beach house and visit with them again before they head back to Rocky & some rellies from the Coast.

The weekend just gone was a mix of busy & quiet. On Saturday we had my Parents, Grandparents, Uncle Col & Aunty Kay with my cousin Cara & my sister Kym with her DH Michael & their kids, Grace & Connor. So Saturday was fairly full :) Sunday I took the little Man to his first Church service & the rest of the day was just hanging with the family.

We are still a very blessed little family here. Another round of meals were dropped off on the weekend so we are still sorted till Thursday!!! The last grocery shop I did besides Milk & Bread was before Cowper was born!! Man has that grocery shop gone the distance!! A big big thank you to everyone who has provided for us.

And Finally today is Mitchell's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MITCH!!!

Will post some piccies of that later on, still need to get the cake shots!!

Forgot to end my last post with the 5 things I'm Thankful for:

1. The wonderful way our Heavenly Father provides for our every need

2. The generosity of family & friends

3. A healthy little baby

4. Our life

3. A clean house

WoW Time Flies!!!!

I can't believe my last post was so long ago, that we had just found out that the little bundle we were expecting was a boy.

Well This Saturday 6th Jan at 6:36am after 3hrs of Labour little Cowper Mark Clifford entered the world! I'll share the birth story at the end of the post so those who get a bit EWWW about these things don't have to go there LOL. We are all doing great and just so blessed to have another little one in our life. I just forget each time how much I love that newborn smell and how utterly devoted and in love you and this little person can be with each other right from the first second. Oh and Cowper it's pronounced Cooper, it's a family name and is Old English.

So besides makin' babies what else have we been up to?

- Got through 1 year of Home schooling with great results. The kids and I are loving the work we do together. Both girls got really good reports from the work we submitted and are really excited that this year they are Grade 1 & 2.

- Both Holly & Hannah were awarded all their badges for Girls Brigade and the two of them are just flourishing so much for us having Pine Rivers Uniting Church in our lives. The friendships they have made from Sunday School and Girls brigade have been so good for them & the enthusiasm for God has just blossomed. Mitchell just loves the creche there too.

- Scrap of Faith has just grown into the most beautiful little community of Christian Scrappers. It is just so inspiring to see so many people supporting each other, praying for each other & seeing how God is working in their lives all the time. Also the friends that it has bought into my life are just the most wonderful gifts from our Lord.

- Our business has been going well. At times I would get frustrated that it took me away from being a Mum, but this year because of home schooling we really got our lives structured and Mark has really blossomed by taking on more of the workload I now look at ADS as a blessing not a burden as it allows us to support our family financially and both be at home for our children.

- My Dad retired and he and Mum just today arrived home from a 7 week holiday in the UK. First time overseas for the two of them!!! My Sister & her family are living in the UK till July and are having a great time there so was great for Mum and Dad to see them and tour around. I can't wait to hear all the stories. So much better in person than via emails

- Mum also had a Melanoma scare just 2 weeks before they were due to leave!! She had the op within the week of leaving. A Few worried days there but in a fairly simple op all of the melanoma was removed and they were able to go on the trip as planed. So no more Melanoma but one hell of a talking point on her leg!!

- And we all had chicken pox. Well everyone except Mark. We were a little worried about the pregnancy risk, but with so many wonderful people praying for me and bub we got only a really mild case and the whole thing was over and done with in a week!! So healthy bub & healthy family in time for our holidays!

- We had a fantastic summer holiday at the end of the year. We had a week at Maroochydore and then a few days at Mark's Brother's place at Gympie. They have just moved out to 120acres and the kids just love the wide open spaces. We took Mum & Dad's dachshund with us and he was the best "Farm Dog" out of them all. While at the beach the weather was perfect and was wonderful to have the time together as just us without a care in the world.

So that brings us to Cowper's Arrival so those who don't like birth stories best to tune out now.

COWPER'S BIRTH

Well being number 5 you would think that all fear and doubt would be gone by this one, but no it still hangs around. On Thursday the 4th of Jan (his actual due date) I started to get contractions early in the morning. I did the wander the house, and get active to see if it would grow stronger. In the end I went back to bed, burst out crying and said to Mark that I had no idea why but I was really scared about going into labour this time. Mark asked me if he wanted to pray and he prayed for us. I had also put a post on SoF letting the girls there know my fears and asking for prayers and encouragement. I was given heaps!!!

By the afternoon because it had been on and off all day I called my midwife who suggested that I get the kids taken care of now and not wait till I was fully in labour as I may not give myself time. I rang Kym my sister not thinking that anything would happen, but she too suggested that the kids go to her place and it didn't matter for how long, but that Mark and I could probably do with a little rest before the baby came. So on Thursday night the kids went to my sisters and Mark and I went out for a Mexican Dinner. Jo my midwife rang that night to see how things were and I had had a little more, but it fizzled too.

So come Friday morning and nothing happening over night Mark suggested that it be a good day for a baby as kids were taken care of, we had both had a great nights sleep and EVE was in 24hr down time LOL. So we pottered around together all day and just enjoyed being the two of us sharing the last few days of pre baby together. Come Friday night I had had the whole day with not so much as a niggle so I had decided that if no action come Sat lunch I would rescue the my sister from the kids.

So Friday night after some movie watching we finally go to bed around 11:00pm and just as we're falling asleep the rowdy neighbours crank up a party and their electric guitar playing!!! I finally managed to get to sleep only to wake again at around 2:30am (party still going) I tossed and turned for a while and around 3:30am started getting contractions again. At 4:00am I thought I might try to get it going again, but after Thursdays effort wasn't hoping for much. At 4:15 my waters broke & that is a first for me!! So I woke Mark & rang Jo & she told me to stop talking and come in. So Mark and I made the journey to the hospital without having to worry about dropping kids off etc, just had to get the two of us there. When we arrived at the Birth Centre at 5:00am Jo had the room all set up and ready to go for us and I got straight in the shower.

A little while later Jo came in and said that the Team Leader from Birth Suite had been informed that I had arrived & because it was my 5th birth they were worried about the higher risk of hemorrhage and wanted to put a bung in my hand to allow quick access for fluids just in case. I was really hesitant about it. I felt very covered in prayer and at full peace that God was looking after Cowper and I and no harm would come to us. Jo then explained it all to Mark and he came to me and said he would like it if I had it put in. In the end I said I would have it put in. My only reason for not wanting it was worrying about the "interfering" would slow my labour and make me uncomfortable. But I thought Birth Centre midwife's don't usually push for something unless they feel it warranted.

So finally around 6am I finally start to feel the change from transition to pushing & the doctor to put in the drip access still hadn't arrived. So as per usual with the other boys I couldn't get my head into a space of wanting to push so I tried a few things and ended up collapsing on the bean bag and just resting. I also asked Jo to double check that yes I was fully dilated and all was good. She reassured me it was & it was just up to me to when I feel ready. Well as I'm laying there trying to talk myself into getting the desire to try the doctor comes in to do my needle. I had already gotten up as I was wanting to try getting onto the birth stool again to see if that would help with the pushing desire. So now I'm stuck in a doorway between the bathroom and the birth stool and a doctor is trying to shove a needle in my arm while I'm trying to not go with contractions and hold still for her. First she grabs my right hand and I said "No, in my left please" so she changes hands, gives me a little local then sticks the big needle in. She then takes it out and Jo is gripping onto my hand like nobodies business and I asked "Is it in there?" and she said "No Darl she went right through the vein" I then look over and see the doctor coming at me again with another needle and Jo suggesting she try the big vein in the side of my arm, so I have 2 options stand there and let her have another go or jump on the birth stool and push this kid out. I decided on the second one. I just said "I'm sorry no" jumped on the stool and started pushing. (nothing like a botched needle to get you motivated!!)

So as I started to push I could feel him crowning and Jo urging me to slow down and Mark also urging me to slow it down. The only thing I could think that would stop me going so fast was to put my hands on his head. So for the whole crowning and his head coming out he was in my hands. I then kept them on him for the whole remainder of the delivery feeling his shoulders emerge etc and Jo quickly got him as he came right out and passed him straight up to me. That was the most awesome experience having your baby in your hands the whole way out!!! So at 6:36am little Cowper Mark Clifford arrived into the world safe and sound.

It was then that day as Mark and I were hanging out at the Birth Centre with the little Man that Mark revealed to me that since I came into him crying on the Thursday morning he had been scared out of his wits that something was going to go wrong with this delivery. Hence the wanting me to have the bung put in. But if he hadn't told me that I would never have known, the Thursday & Friday & all through the delivery he was strong and supportive and was there for me 200%. All this from a guy who is honest in saying that being at a Birth is the last place on earth he wants to be the whole thing really grosses him out and even after 5 he can't get used to it. Things we do for love :)

Given all was well with Mum & bub and that I was just desperate to be back with all my kids, Mark and I left the hospital the same day at 6:00pm and headed for home.

So my battle scar from the whole event was a silly swollen hand from the doctor trying to stick me. I now have bruised knuckles like I tried to punch someone LOL. So little Cowper has just been a little darling and this time I'm trying really hard to just be a mummy to a new born and not stress about other things. Will have plenty of time to do that in weeks to come. I have also been really blessed with my sister, Chris & Jac bringing us meals that we haven't had to want for anything this week. I think I can honestly say that from days before to days after baby number 5 has been the dream entry into the world. Praise be to God!! All our prayers answered by our Heavenly Father!!

My little Artist

My little boy Mitchell has all of a sudden decided that he is into drawing and colouring in. Last month he would pick up a piece of paper and just do one massive scribble, now he is colouring in neatly, cutting out shapes & drawing. This is the first drawing he has done and come and shown me. It's Cowper in Mummy's tummy. I love the drawing for heaps of reasons. He has finally made a big developmental step on the way to schooling and it shows that he is thinking about a new little brother that is going to come into the world. Both bubs and I are smiling so Mitch must be pretty happy about the whole thing :)

Alec boy is just happy & cheeky :) I have been dying to capture the cheeky grin that he flashes all the time.








And I decided to take two on the tin I did for Scrap of Faith. I will run another close at the end of the month for people who like take two :)









What else is going on? The girls and I had our first appointment up at the hospital yesterday. Would have to be the first time ever I've in and out of the RBH clinic within 1/2 hr!!! From now on all my appointments will be up at the birth center with the lovely Marg & Jo :) I just love having my own midwife :) Mark and I worked out that Marg has delivered over 30000 babies!!!!!! and 2 of those were Mitchell & Alec. It would be great if she is on call when Cowper arrives!! Marg is a pretty amazing woman, she got the Birth Centre up and running and although she still runs the birth centre and cares for 4 women a month I think she thinks she's semi retired!!! LOL she is wonder woman!!

Okay 5 things I am thankful for :) (Make it 6 LOL)

1. Never changing will always be at the top of the list - God :)
2. An understanding Husband
3. Scrapbooking
4. Crown Financial Ministries
5. Scrap of Faith
6. Sleep ins

It's a........ !!!!!!!!!

Babies Babies everywhere!!!

My beautiful friend Jacqui has just given birth to a precious little angel Emily Deborah. Mum and bub are both too beautiful and doing really well. Also the much anticipated Scrapping Bubbies of Evana & Trina made their late entrance into the world. Congratulations gilrs on Joel & Daniel!!! None of theses babies were under 9lb 6oz, wow you girls breed em well!!!!

We had our 19wk scan with some more of my beautiful friends. Penny did the scan & Chris was there as fantastic support & offical photographer. I now have some great "Scan" photos and Penny has some brilliant "me at work" photos. So we are adding to the Male population!!! It's funny as soon as you find out the sex that name that you just couldn't think of all of a sudden just fits!!! So we have to wait til January to meet our little Cowper (pronounced Cooper).

I finally got to met and have copy with the gorgeous Nat Mardon!! She is a super sweet girl, such a beautiful soul and full of such passion. I keep thinking she is the 6ft version of me LOL. The kids had a great afternoon playing in the fantastic Playground of the Everton Park Hotel while Nat & I could sit and chat and drool over eachothers scrap books. I just love Nat's style. It is so fresh and funky and I really wish I could capture some of that in my own work. So Scrap of Faith is so lucky to have Nat on the DT!!!

Mark & I have been doing a finaincial course through our church and have been having some really big "wake up" moments that can only benifit and strengthen our family. So lots of seeking God's counsel and planning happening here :)

Okay I'm going to Join Nat & Lusi in listing 5 things I am grateful for:

1) My faith
2) My family
3) The new friends that Scrap of Faith has bought me
4) My Friday Cropper Girls
5) Healthy babies & Healthy Mummies

What a week!!!

Well I got my classes done for my Scrap of Faith website!!!

Here's a sneak peak of the tin & LO that you can get aPDF of instructions and an on-line class on how to do these projects!!! And you get to support charity too!!!

A tag & catch up :)

Okay the beautiful Nat has tagged me :)

1. How old are you? 30
2. How many kids do you have if any? 4 beautiful cute & cuddly ones and one in the tum :) Holly 6, Hannah nearly 5, Mitchell 3 1/2, Alec 1/2
3. Are you married, single, divorced, widow? Married to Mark 7 yrs (together 10)
4. What is your occupation? I am WHAM Quantity Surveyor doing Tax Depreciation reports & Home School mumma :)
5. What are your passions? God & all that goes with my faith, my family, scrapping & Scrap of Faith (all my close friends I met through scrapping :) ).
6. Are you a dreamer or a dream seeker? A mixture of both half my dreams I seek out :)
7. Are you happy with the way you life has turned out? Yep totally. So far life couldn't be more beautiful I have such a beautiful family, God meets all our needs and we have our health. I've done some dumb things but why dwell or regret them all have contributed to being here today.
8. Are you a scrapper and if so how many hours a week do you scrap? YEP :) I go from nothing to 15 depends on the week and what I got to do.
9. What do you want to do before you die? Live a long healthy life with Mark and still have the love of my children.
10. What are is your favorite food? Strawberries, chocolate, salads. And right now I'm craving a warm friand with fresh cream.......
11. What is the food you hate the most? SEAFOOD!!!!!
12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? I guess a caravan toilet exploding on me.
13. What is the happiest day of your life thus far? Oh getting married (or the day Mark agreed to go on a date, that was the start of it all :) ) all the kids births. The days I really feel God talking to me and guiding me.
14. Are you a neat freak? Or a dirty house cleaner? OK no neat freak here. I love a clean house, but just can't get into cleaning it LOL. Perhaps my goal before I die should be to have it in the budget to afford a regular house cleaner. I almost need a full time maid to keep up with the kids!!!!

Thanks for that Nat :)

I tag Chris, Roz & Mel M.

So this week I have been really busy with the usual stuff plus trying to get things happening for Scrap of Faith. I think this month will be a biggy then it will be pretty cool sailing after that. I just am so touched by all the people who have shown their support and help :) Mandi for doing the banner, All the girls who leave comments and keep me going & everyone who as emailed me and said hey wow thanks for this how can I help. You all know who you are and you all mean so much :) What wonderful blessings you all are.

Check this out

Another post before the month is out, what has gotten into me???

Well I want you all to go check out this site that I got inspired to create. It's a work in progress but hopefully the work and the progress will happen quickly and we'll have it looking mighty flash and inspiring really soon.

http://scrapoffaith.typepad.com/

Can't have only 1 for the month!!!!

Okay there is no way I am going to let July go with only 1 post so I had better get this one in!!!

Okay so what has been going on for July?? well let me think

- Did my entry for Masters, yep left it till the last weekend
- Did an entry for Memories & More Search for A DT comp, left that till the last day!!!
- Started going back to Church
- Had a glorious blessing way for Jacqui's new baby due in August
- Started volounteering at Girls Brigade as a Uniform Shop Lady & floating helper in the classes.
- Finally my morning sickness left!!!
- Got in trouble from the doctor for being too relaxed about this pregnancy!
- Back to School with kidletts!!!
- Oh and got more school texts and work books, very exiting in this house LOL.

So now it's the end of the month. Feeling seriously lacking in Iron, tierd and lazy when I shouldn't be LOL. So far we have been spared winter sickness in our house, only Mark has been affected and that was only mild, so hopefully August wont bring any nasty surprises.

And now I sit and wait hoping that I might be one of the lucky 100 to get a phone call from Scrapbooking Memories!! If not I can finally share what I did. I hate doing stuff and not being able to share it any where!!!!!

So as for sharing here's my last LO I did.















I Just love a cooked breakfast, don't have time for one every day, but around 3 times a week I'll have one.

Shameless Plug

Well here I am blogging to get in two shameless plugs. 1 for me Yeah!!! and 1 for Ngaire Bartlam's fantastic fundrasing efforts for Breast Cancer.

So first of all my shameless plug. Click here to check out my contribution to the SN newsletter. Both Lib Morris and I got to be Guest DT this month and the two of us had such a great time creating for the newsletter. I am sooooo jealous of anyone who gets to do DT stuff every month. Guess a regular spot is my next 2006 scrap goal. Here's a sneak peek, but really get over to Scrap Needs check out the other awesome work done by the DT and get inspired. And while you're there have a shop, Kell has the freindliest service and fastest turn around on orders I have ever seen and such a beautiful range of product in her shop.


Next get yourself over to Ngaire's blog and check out the amazing fundraising effort she has got going on for Breast Cancer. She has got some awesome talant in Australian Scrapping donating prizes and some wonderful product up for grabs also. Do me a favour and check it out. My wonderful DH and beautiful children are without a Mum and Grandma because of this horrible disease called Breast Cancer, so just for me go and support Ngaire's efforts in trying to raise money to beat this disease.

Oh Pooh Bum!!!!!

Well my little photo challange is going to have to wait. I can't get that photo up no matter how hard I try!!! So I'm going to have to wait for Mark to post it on a hidden page on our site and link it. So that challange to come.

So this week I have been working really well. I have given myself detention and set up my laptop on the spare desk in Mark's office so he can make sure I don't procrastinate, so so far so good. I actually like being in the same office with Mark so looks like my office will become even more of a cropping room. Just have to tidy it up now.

There are two things in my life that I am ashamed of, my bedroom & my office. They are total disasters, even the kids tell me to clean them up. I read a book about different personalities and what it said about mine was, I am often well groomed when going out and look like a really together person, but if you saw where I got changed you would freak. Well yep that's me to a t "Sparky Sanguine". I just really really really hate house work!! It's not fun!!! Who want's to do stuff that is not fun after a day of work??!! Now if there is anybody out there who cannot understand my loathing of housework then you're just freaky!!! But you can come and do my house any day!!!

Okay while I'm at it I'll divulge my other secrets that I shouldn't really be too proud of.

1. I'm an email addict send/recive, send/recive, send/recive
2. I like to drive FAST!!!!!
3. I procrastinate
4. Will send Alec to Mark to get a his pooey nappies changed. "What he's done a poo again??!!! You're kidding me!!!" hehehehehe.
5. And I think every other scrapper shares this one, I spend more on product than what I actually need!! Although this year I have really been good on that one.

So this leads me to wonder what would you spend $27 Million on if you won last Saturday's million. Here's my wish list.

1. Gift some to family
2. Buy a house
3. Buy a property out west
4. Invest
5. Trust funds for the kids
6. Keep a little aside for a few luxuries, new car, home theatre, ski boat, caravan, clothes, scrapping supplies, and wardrobe systems for all the cupboards in the new house oh and a holiday. If things were invested properly then when all the kids were older we would do a big overseas trip with them. And I forget I would love to be able to afford a house keeper/nanny.

So that's my mega wish list. What's yours?

Oh well I am procrastinating right now. Work is calling so must answer LOL.

Take care all

OKAY STOP NAGGING!!!!!!!!!`

Oh Boy how many death threats can a girl get for not updating her blog??? So for fear of my life here's an update!!!! But in all seriousness it is flattering for people to email me and say "Can we have an update please". Okay no, sorry I was being polite there, they really go more like "UPDATE YOUR BLOG!!!!!"

Okay so I really really do have a good excuse for not being a good blogger and now my Mum knows I can tell you all, yep I'm pregnant. I have just been sooooooo unmotivated to do anything, things I love doing I just look at and go "Nah, later"... This is so not me & I must admit I'm having a hard time dealing with this!!! So does anyone know how to get Mojo Back & no not the team on the Amazing Race I would like to loose that Mojo, but my Mojo for life??? The only thing I can muster the energy to do is flop in front of the TV at night & I HATE TV!!! I even know the people's names on Big Brother!!!!! What has my life come too?????

So what's been neglected that I normally love due to pregnancy hormones-
1. My hair and clothes, I look like a slob!!!
2. Blogging
3. Scrapping (and now is not the time to be Mojo Less with a DT job this month!!!)
4. Sex!!
5. Exercise (sorry, I used to go running and skiing... REALLY???)
6. Schooling (just doing the bare necessities no extras)
7. Going out.
Things I don't Love but must do that have slumped.
1. Work (not good!!! jobs coming in, but I have to get them out!!!)
2. House work (Who cares LOL)

So Baby I'm telling you know "STOP SAPPING MY MOJO"!! and hey you had better turn out to be one cool kid, from all this Mojo sapping you are doing buddy. The little blighter is even due on New Years Eve!!! So what's a bet this is the first bubby of mine that ever arrives on it's due date. Now I could handle that if it get's the First baby born in 2007 title, then it could be forgiven.

So My first plan of attack is to clean up my office, get it a bit organised so work won't look like such a huge Mission. I think I might ask my Mum if I can palm the kids off to her for a couple of days next week so I can just get my head around work without worrying about them. I'm also thinking I might have to move my work stuff to the spare desk in Mark's office so I don't spend my time procrastinating with temptations, such as the Forum, email & stuff.

So there you have it I have been a slack blogger due to a Mojo Sapping Baby!!

Oh and email me baby names, after naming 4 kids Mark and I are totally at loss on even thinking of names that we remotely like for the 5th.. Can I just be like Michael Jackson and reuse a name, Perhaps Holly the 2nd or Mitchell the 2nd, or hey Blanket is a winner!!!!

So photos to share, I'm going to set a weekly challenge to everyone who reads this blog. I want you to share the following photos and tell us a bit about it. First week I want a photo of you pre 10, Week 2 a photo 10 - 15, Week 3 Senior High school, Week 4 18yrs, Week 5 21yrs, Week 6 your wedding. So I will start with my Pre 10 photo. Sorry about the quality, but old scanned photos aren't the best. It's of me and my sisters at the Lookout in Cardwell where we grew up. I'm the yongest & just gotta love those tight tight shorts and knee high socks, I was sooooooo cool LOL.

Sorry I cannot for the life of me get that photo to upload. I'll try putting it as it's own post. ARRGGHH!! Blogger!!!!!

I've been tagged!!

Okay Miss Millar has guilted me into being a slack blogger this last week LOL. And as punishment has tagged me so I’ll update my blog. I know I have been a slack blogger this week, sorry everyone who has visited and gone “Dang, same stuff, bugger!!”.

So last Friday the girls school teacher from Groves Mr Healey came for a visit to see how we were doing. Well we passed with flying colours and was so reassuring to know we are headed along the right path. He made some origami fish with the kids and on Monday we gave them scales and eyes to finish them off.

I had a little bit of an embarrassing moment on Wednesday. I was having one of those silly mornings of having wonderful plans but not getting any of them achieved. I had a massive pile of washing on the rug to fold, I still hadn’t vacuumed under the table & the sink still had the breakfast dishes in it and the table was piled high with school work. At 11:30 I still hadn’t made it out of my PJ’s. I thought there was a chance to salvage the day so I went to get changed to tackle the challenge. Thought if I was at least out of my PJ’s then I was off to a good start. Well in the middle of getting changed the phone rang, so I’m sitting in my office in just a T-Shirt and undies chatting on the phone, when my neighbor decides to pop over. Well she’s not one to really knock and just waltzes in the back door right into the disaster zone and the kids tell her I’m in the office. So next thing I have my neighbor come right into my office me sitting there only half dressed and the two of us looking at each other like dear caught in the headlights. The quickest visit she ever made LOL. I told Mark when he got home and he laughed and said she probably thinks our household has gone to hell in a hand basket. I just thought, well that’s what you get for not knocking!!! I also think the back door might need locking during the day LOL.

Okay so I’d better do Miss Millar’s tag.

What’s in my……

Fridge –

Marinades
Breakfast spreads
Butter & Milk both real not fake stuff
Fruit & Veg
Fresh batch of cupcakes

Closet –

Cothes
Shoes
Belts & Handbags
Books
Safe

Handbag –

Wallet
Keys
Phone

Car –

Street Directory
Chamois
Kids shoes
Snatch ‘em
Shovel
Winch

DVD / Video Player –

Into The Woods
Snatch
Arlington Road
Blackhawk Down
All the Pixar Films
Ice Age
Other kids ones.

I’m Tagging…..

Kelley and Kirst.

This weekend we have a big Picnic with the other Groves' home schoolers & Mark's birthday on Sunday. So should be fun weekend :)

Well that’s it for today. Better organize lunch for the masses.

Take care everyone & a big thank you to all those who have left comments. Sorry I don’t reply individually to them all, wish I had more time to do that, but they do mean a lot. Thanks & Hugs.