Heart Full of Grace

KEEP CALM

2012-02-16T16:08:00.002+11:00

I love this poster.

My beautiful Sister in Law thought when she bought it, "I hope she won't be offended". But I tell you, if there is anyone in the world that needs it, it is me.

Today has been a beautiful day...but then as beautiful days go, there is still a stressful moment bound to be in there. Well mine just happened, but then, I just take a little glance up and read between the lines...its gonna be ok.

Thanks Lauren for speaking to me even when you're not around.

(p.s. Another little pic for you Rach. I'll put more up soon)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2012-02-15T18:43:00.003+11:00

Happy Valentine's Day for yesterday :) Luke and I thought we'd get a "love fern" for each other in the form of a bonsai. We chose two small ones so they could sit neatly on our desks (mine is the olive tree in the turquoise pot) and hopefully, just hopefully, we won't kill them with kindness! I have the tendancy to do that with plants at times. I am blessed with a husband who knows, even without me hinting or asking, that I needed a morning off to recharge. And that was the best present ever! Hope you had a lovely Valentine's day too.

We've been waiting for you...

2011-11-16T11:00:00.000+11:00

Congratulations dear Rachel and Joel. There are not enough words in the English vocabulary to describe my excitement for you...but here are a few to get me started...

THRILLED.

AMAZED.

THANKFUL.

BLESSED.

JOYFUL.

NERVOUS (cos i think I always get 'excited' mixed up in my mind with 'nervous'...)

GLEEFUL.

PEACHY.

SUNNY.

HAPPY AS A CLAM.

I like your baby already. And I can't wait to meet the little Cramer when it's all cooked and ready. Thank you for sharing the news. There is nothing like an answer to prayer that reminds me of the miracles of life, and makes them evermore sweeter.

Link

Spending time with Beauty

2011-10-17T06:56:00.000+11:00

When I was reading this blog the other day (my favourite), Kelle was talking about taking part in the Dove Challenge in the US. The challenge is to build up young women to have positive views about themselves; to have healthy self-esteem.

Having three daughters has really pushed me on my own journey of understanding myself, and forcing me to re-learn some negative self-talk that puts unrealistic expectations on "what" and "who" defines ME. Mainly, my main interest in helping me love who I am, is because I want to help my girls LOVE who they are and that they have the confidence and chance to have healthy and happy dreams in their lives, and I want to be an example of that. I want to be the mum that loves, listens, comforts and encourages my girls to see that beauty is about caring for yourself, inside and outside. That includes caring for your skin, hair, and health, but mainly learning to believe that NO one else has the responsibility to make you feel beautiful, it is up to ourselves to learn to believe it and remind ourselves each day, because if you are waiting for someone else to tell you everyday...you may never actually HEAR what they are saying. (BUT...it sure is nice to have someone tell you that too...)

There are a lot of things that have changed about my appearance since I have had children. Sometimes I look at the 'new' things and I love them...because they are the signs of new life, of family and of love. But I don't always feel like that. My aim is to change that. My aim is to LOVE all of me, the parts that are real but not perfect. I noticed a few wrinkles the other day around my eyes and had a reminder that there are a lot of things that I can do to help my appearance to make me feel lovely, like start washing my face more often and using toner (I know...having clear skin means that I have been a bit LAZY...) and that eating WELL and HEALTHY makes me feel great, and have energy. And that going for long walks and doing yoga makes me feel awesome because endorphins are a natural drug hit...so why not do those things? Since when I don't...I start not loving me so much because I am tired, sluggish and know that I am not looking after myself.

Even though I am not officially doing the Dove Challenge cos I think its for the US only and I didn't actually check it out...I thought I would still dedicate the entire hour with my first princess yesterday. We have lots of lovely moments together but usually not a full uninterrupted hour.

And I was reminded of some stuff.

1.) I love playing with toys. When I was pregnant I looked forward to the days of playing with dolls with my little girl. Or playing shops like my Babcha did with me and my brother which we absolutely loved. She let us make a huge cubby house in her bedroom while we sold our 'wares' (her knick knacks) for 1 and 2 cent coins. And I love having those memories.

2.) I can actually make up some cool designs by doodling with crayons that may help me expand my mind a bit when I study my graphic design stuff.

3.) Tea parties are a great way to pretend you are having a whole heaps of empty yummy calories and ACTUALLY HAVE empty calories...

4.) My little girl is smart, funny, beautiful, inventive and LOVES it when its just me and her.

It was fun. And I was a bit sad that being an adult stops you from taking more time to play tea parties or zoos for a whole hour. So I learnt that what I really want to challenge myself more, is not just being 'around' for my kids but actually BEING THERE in the moment with them, doing the stuff they love and having fun. It was good. And even though I had to play with 'babies' (Isabelle's twins) which is what I do all day anyway...it is awesome to talk to her about being a mummy and watching my little baby who has grown up so fast.

(disclaimer: I know that these challenges are marketing tools and just a way to make money...but there is truth in what these companies are trying to achieve....and I still think it is nobel to aim high and want to create a more wholesome idea of "beauty". Check out the DOVE challenge and HEALTHY IS THE NEW SKINNY...the title alone makes me happy :)

GRATEFUL FOR KNOWING MY LIMITS...

2011-08-20T17:59:00.003+10:00

Now...I don't want to bring anyone down...I don't want to burst the bubble that your Mama instilled in you when you were just a little girl that you can be anything you want and do anything that you want to...but sometimes...not everything is possible...

and what I mean is that it isn't possible that you do everything exactly when you want it and when it needs to be done...or sometimes it really isn't possible to follow that dream of yours when there's a bunch of other stuff in your life getting in the way, you know, priorities and stuff.

The clothes drawers in my house are much to be desired. The plastic storage containers are not neatly lined up and some lids are most certainly missing. The socks are mismatched. The books on my shelves are crooked. There is stuff places that it shouldn't be. My bed is unmade. I have so much study to do its ridiculous. I felt like I haven't talked properly to my husband all day and possibly a few more. I have a couple of baskets of laundry to fold and put away. I wanna blog at least once a week but it just seems to be put further and further down the list of 'important things' to do, there is powder all over the laundry (BUT, I can see the floor thanks to my awesome and beautiful sister in law)... etc etc etc...the list goes on...and there probably isn't a house magazine in the world that would like to photograph my place at how stylish & perfect it is (which secretly saddens me cos I'd really love that)...my point...I did manage to make lots of baby food, get some drawing done for my course, spend time with my girls, do the dishes a couple of times more than id like and prepare and make food for myself and my girls...I did wash their faces and do their hair today (well one of my girl's hair), run outside with Isabelle and a whole lot more that I can't really remember, I am sure...

...but why do I feel like thats not enough?!?

So...today I am FORCING myself to be grateful for the freedom in believing that sometimes...NOT EVERYTHING is possible...and thats ok...in fact, its better than ok...because even though technically, I should be able to do it all cos someone out there probably could...it makes me pretty stressed out to try and live up to that expectation. And I'd much rather be calm and happy. I hope you gave yourself a break too today :) happy being "grateful" day.

Check out Maxabella's site for some more happy moments.

Just a few of my highlights this week...

This week (& every week) I am grateful for...

2011-07-16T14:33:00.006+10:00

This is my first "I'm grateful for..." post, and I thought I'd join the band wagon...partly because last year when my sister in law Lauren, my beautiful friend Rachel & I did the 365 Photo project we learnt to be grateful for the little things in life...and I miss doing that and blogging about it...and I love the idea of reminding myself to just enjoy the moment and love what is right in front of me...but really, thats not hard for me to do. So for my first "grateful" post, it would be remiss of me if I didn't mention these three bunnies that take up pretty much my whole life, leaving a bit for my hubby, a bit for me and a bit to spare...

But what makes it so easy to get up during the night, sometimes for all three, is knowing that it is possible to get through the day with a cup of one of these...I normally have just an instant coffee with a tad of chocolate in it...but now, thanks to a treat to my hubby and myself...we have a GORGEOUS NEW FANCY coffee maker...and since we could've bought about 5 or 6 of these since we moved here to Sydney (& 2 years of being parents) with the way we enjoy coffee, I am sure it was money well worth it. And after tasting one of the Nespresso pods...it paid for itself right there and then...so I am so grateful that sometimes, my husband and I allow ourselves a really special treat, even though we don't deserve it, it does make life feel very special. Thanks for babies & thanks for the coffee that makes us energetic parents :)

Happy Saturday everyone! Have a browse on Maxabella Loves for lots more happy grateful moments this week!

There is nothing like a freshly cracked magazine spine...

2011-07-15T20:41:00.013+10:00

Ok Ok...I LURVE magazines...when I see something pretty on paper...I must have it...I've always been like that, ever since I was little, I loved pretty stationary, pens, papers, journals (I have so many unused journals but they are all special), stickers, sticky tapes, bits of string, gift tags etc etc, and I know you all relate...its what we have in common. So, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite reads right now because I know you will love them too, if you don't already.

White wedding magazine is something I stumbled on the other month when I went on one of my wanders...it stuck out at me...and I NEVER buy wedding magazines...I only bought 2 when I was actually GETTING married...but I've bought two White issues already...and thats been the only two months I've seen it and as soon as they put out a new issue...Im getting that one too. Its pages are gorgeous...the paper is matte and recycled and lovely. The stories are so heart warming about oldies being married for about a'hundred years and still in love. There's cute little quotes and pre-wedding diet tips that make you just wanna become glamourous all over again. I love it. Buy it. It's so pretty.

Mollie Makes...here we go! A NEW UK magazine that I found the other day, who knows where, that is the coolest prettiest craft mag ever!!! And they have a great 40% for international subscribers right now for a limited time only...check it out! It's too cute...It is one I will surely be subscribing too next time I get my hands on some loot. This is the mag that was in the post for me today which I had totally forgotten that I bought it making the surprise, oh-so-much more sweeter!

Frankie, dear Frankie, I've been buying you since you were issue 5...I have so many of you but each one is so worthy of ownership. If you haven't bought one of these before..they are a good read, a calming bath read and one that will make you laugh, think, cry (sometimes) bake, sew and draw and photograph and do any ol' creative activity...I love how they have changed their paper too...much more "keepsake" to hold rather than yucky glossy pages. My favourite issue so far was this Issue number 41...the wedding pages were awesome, but pretty much every page inspired me.

Last but not least, Peppermint Mag...your gorgeous eco-friendly magazine filled with green products and ideas and issues. I like what the editor has done with the layout etc...it just feel RIGHT if you know what I mean? I just bought the latest issue...now I just need to find time for a quiet cuppa and a flick through.

So if you haven't acquainted yourself with one of these yet...check them out, I am sure you will fall in love...let me know what your favourite magazine is so I can fall in love too, I'm always willing to expand my repertoire!

7

2011-07-14T20:16:00.002+10:00

9.34-10.20

14.7.11

6

2011-07-12T13:54:00.003+10:00

10.00-11.00

12.7.11

5

2011-07-12T13:41:00.003+10:00

67.6

4.15-5.00

11.7.11

4

2011-07-12T12:21:00.003+10:00

67.1

4.00-5.05

10.7.11

3

2011-07-12T08:41:00.002+10:00

67.9

4.15-5.00

9.7.11

2

2011-07-08T20:39:00.003+10:00

67.2

9.30-11.00

8.7.11

1

2011-07-08T19:21:00.002+10:00

67.8

9.30-11

7.7.11

Surprise Presents!

2011-06-08T15:59:00.004+10:00

My good friend Rachel is a pretty creative lady. For gifts she usually hand makes things...but it's not the usual stuff...it's the type of stuff that is unique, *special* and made with love. This year for my birthday, she made me a "family" print, with my husband's and daughter's names, birth dates and little extra tid-bits surrounding our names that appropriately "fit" together. I love it! It now lives above my desk in our family room and gets lots of glimpses from me throughout the day. She also made Isabelle's gorgeous *I heart* pillows (below, the I pillow actually stands for Isabelle, I just messed around with it a bit!) and she takes amazing & beautiful photos, which can be bought from here, check her out. Her work is gentle, relaxing and perfect for your home. Thank you Rach for the very thoughtful gift!

Getting my "heebie jeebies" out!

2011-06-04T20:38:00.005+10:00

On Friday I HAD to get out the house! It had been raining for a few days quite heavily here, and being stuck indoors is not something that I enjoy (if I am forced to be indoors anyway!). And the girls love to get some fresh air too. For so long I wanted to take my camera out and capture some beach shots...with the three girls though...I got about 10 minutes to quickly take some snaps before they got restless (next time I'll take photos first...shopping second!) In Cronulla there are gorgeous bookstores, amazing children's gift stores, and yummy fruit smoothies and juices to choose from~ perfect beach shops. Just the thing to make me feel more chirpy, and excited about life to lay my eyes on beautifully made things (that I then feel like I can go home and make myself!...one day!) ...there is nothing like fresh air! I hope you are enjoying the up and down weather that Winter is bring to you where ever you are in the southern parts of the world, and on dreary days you can snuggle up and be creative, and on days with sunshine you can get some much needed vitamin D and enjoy God's beautiful creation. Happy Winter!

25 on the 25th!

2011-05-25T20:50:00.009+10:00

When I think of happiness...I think of my husband waking up early to make me cake...being able to have a shower very early in the morning with absolute silence and no babies disturbing me...I think of my loving family and friends who try to make my day special...I think of being able to make my cute little babies laugh at my jokes...all three of them at once.

I think of warm ug boots in winter.

I think of cherry blossom flowers for Isabelle's tea party

I think of being creative and spending time getting ready for a very special occasion

(like, paper doilies sewn together to make a festive garland)

or making party bags and spoiling little friends

or paper flowers hanging in the early morning light.

When I think of happiness I think of 25 years of being really blessed, like, REALLY blessed. Blessed with health, for BEAUTIFUL family members, for AMAZING friends, for a warm home and comfy bed, for delicious food, and being spoilt so much by people who love me just cos', for a loving God who sends His only son so that I can have true happiness, a happiness that I just can't explain, and that sustains me even when I don't feel like I can cope on my own. Happy birthday to me...it really was a h-a-p-p-y day.

To my big girl, who will surely always be my little girl...

2011-05-20T20:19:00.009+10:00

Happy Birthday Princess.

I love you more then they day I first found out I was pregnant with you,

or the day I first felt you kick,

or the day you were born,

or the day you first flashed a smile my way,

or the day you first said mama and meant it...

and that thought is just inconceivable...

because my heart already feels so full of love

and to think it can grow more is just magical.

Thank you for bringing so much whimsy, joy and happiness to our lives.

God bless you 1000 times over...

love your Mummy xx

Belle & Boo

2011-05-04T16:06:00.010+10:00

Hallo, Please help!

With some money that Ava & Sophie were given as gifts for their Baptism, (and a bit of my own) I want to buy them a belle & boo print each, however I can't decide! I want the prints to reflect them a little bit and I want them to be the same size so I can hang them over their dresser in their room.

Ava currently loves being awake lots during the day. She loves eating, chilling on a blanket and chasing light with her eyes; she is the first one awake in the morning and loves studying your face.

Sophie currently loves laughing, flirting ;P and smiling. Loves to stand up and kick her toys when she plays on the floor. She loves to sleep in longer in the morning and watch her big sister jump around.

I'm thinking: Lila Freedom together with Belle & Boo fly a kite or The two "Ava" prints, Ava with Wings and Ava and the carousel (but they both have blonde hair, and my real Ava has brown hair) these are my favourite prints but I don't think they suit my twins. I love the hot chocolate print and the poppy's puddles together I think the best. But perhaps the Belle & Boo fly a kite and one of the Ava prints would also work together. Let me know what combination you like the best! Can't wait to hear you ideas!

Lila Freedom

11 inch x 14 inch

Belle & Boo fly a kite

11 inch x 14 inch

Ava & the Carousel

11 inch by 14 inch

Ava with Wings

11 inch x 14 inch

Hot Chocolate

10 inch x 10 inch

Poppy's Puddle

10 inch x 10 inch

Pure Joy

2011-05-04T09:08:00.016+10:00

On Sunday my two beautiful daughters were Baptised into God's family. To me, as a parent, this moment in both Isabelle's young life and now in Ava & Sophie's little lives, has to be the most powerful and defining celebration. This is the day they become children of God and their eternal salvation has been secured, they now live for something greater than themselves, they now belong to Jesus. What a wonderful moment! It was a FULL ON weekend. But well worth the drama for one of the most beautiful baptism ceremonies that I have ever attended...and I know, I might be biased, since it was for my girls! But now that I look back on the photos, I think the things I will treasure the most is the look of *pure joy* written all over my family's faces when they spent time with Isabelle, Ava or Sophie. The fact that I know that they are loved so much by their family means so much to me.

Sophie Christina & Ava Joy Sunday Morning (Sophie is very excited!)

Aunty Lauren having a cuddle with her god-daughters, Ava & Sophie

Lauren has such a perfect touch with these two.

My mum with Ava

A gorgeous photo of mum having a cuddle with Ava, I loved seeing her so happy.

Luke's mum with Ava

Amidst the hustle and bustle of food preparation & Maureen looking after us all, she is having a play with Ava and loving it.

Aunty Bec with Ava

A quiet moment with an Aunty and a niece

Uncle Tim with his god-daughter Sophie

A rare cuddle moment caught on camera!

My mum with both the girls before they were Baptised

Ava getting Baptised...Awesome!

Sophie getting Baptised

A very special day having my brother as a God-parent to my girls. It was a high-light to see him again.

2 gorgeous smiles...and one about to break loose!

Aunty Rhi & Cousin Lily...my gorgeous niece and God-daughter lily, So smart and beautiful...the first thing she said to me was, HI! and then upsy-daisy! It was very special that they made the trip to Sydney.

(A picture just cos...I took this on Monday morning the day after the Baptism.

A reminder of a brand new day...a new journey and a new chapter in Ava and Sophie's little lives.)

Not everything goes to our plan, but everything is part of God's plan...a beautiful weekend of pure joy, one that I will remember forever. Thank you to my family for making the effort and celebrating it with us.

Chocolate delight...A series of Photos just cos'...

2011-05-04T06:36:00.012+10:00

No one needs instructions or a "how to" on eating chocolate...but incase you want a little help...this is how Isabelle discovered her first Easter Egg.

Step One: Open Foil wrapper and devour in un-orderly fashion.

Step two: break off tiny pieces, eat slowly, and quietly, alone on parents couch as to smear any left overs on their furniture. Best done in absolute silence.

Step Three: Pause and enjoy flavours and endorphins realising into blood stream.

Step Four: wonder where the deliciousness has gone...perhaps feel a twinge of remorse at the consumed calorie intake.

Step five: Chocolate sleepy slump...take time to have a yawn and rest your eyelids for a few moments to prepare for next step.

Step six: PSYCHO!!!!! Bounce off walls excitement.

Step Seven: try to savour last remnants off foil paper.

Step Eight: Clean up.

Step Nine: Well done for consuming your first Easter Egg.

Now...go bother mum for more.

My Goal...My weightloss Goal

2011-03-14T13:55:00.002+11:00

Beck said I should post about my weight-loss goals...Luke said, "I wish mum's wouldn't post about weight loss" when he saw this site: Fat Mum Slim...I have already "lost" 23 kilos just by having babies so this part is just for me, for my own self esteem and to feel "me" again or a little bit more "me". But as all weight loss is, it is hard...especially as I can't enjoy my meals, I seem to be scoffing down each bite before I am needed (Babies ALWAYS seem to want to eat when you are...even if they have just been fed...) and after a difficult time of parenting...usually late evening...I stress eat. I have tried to fill my home with a bit healthier alternatives this week that still seem a tinsy bit naughty, like frozen yogurt and yummy berries for smoothies so I don't cave-in each time to the high fat treats that I so dearly love (except pretty much straight after I eat them I feel bad, fat and guilty...before hand though my mind says...just have a bit, its not bad for you if you only have a bit? Soooo having a serpent and Eve conversation about forbidden fruits!) I bought this t-shirt to motivate me a couple of weeks ago and even though I was disappointed when I put it on... (The words stretch juuuusssst a bit in places they shouldn't!) I thought, I'M GONNA WEAR IT ANYWAY! Who cares if it shows the curves just a bit more or makes the words look funny (even though I'd probably stare at someone else for wearing it...) it is my personal motivation...and the colours are bold and out there...and I AM gonna get to my goal...I am determined...even if I trip up. Because I feel happier & healthier when I eat well and get out and about...I feel better than if I cave in and indulge...so good luck to me! Hopefully in a few weeks time the words stretch that little bit less...

Sweet puffs of baby breath...

2011-03-09T20:26:00.002+11:00

It's Ash Wednesday and I'm at home...I could hear Luke's voice over at Church and I would've cracked my bedroom window open a bit to hear his sermon (yes, my bedroom IS that close to the Church!) except two of my girls were crying...one because she was over-tired and one because I think she was head-banging her cot...but even though things rarely go to plan when you have babies...it's super nice just to sit still and listen to their sweet breath when they finally do calm down and sleep...and I wished for a smidgen of alone time tonight...and I did kinda get it...even if one of my cherubs is still sleeping on my bed and I doubt she will like to be shifted...anyway...that is the definition of bliss for me...sweet baby breaths.

My Mini Thesis: Diets are not conducive to parenthood & the myth of the Supermum...

2011-03-03T19:09:00.006+11:00

(legitimate ads from the 1930's-50's: http://www.methodshop.com/picts/ads-1930s/index.shtml)

Firstly I would just like to say...I am eating pretty healthily right now. I crave the right foods, a bright colored salad, chilled water, fruits and veggies...but after prolonged screaming...not mine I assure you (mostly...) but anyone of the three girls, usually two at once, (most of the time at least one child gives me a break!) I hit the chocolate in any form...my favorite...dark roasted almond... But really any ol' chocolate eaten hastily would do the job before I "go in" for another dose of mild abuse...how can one baby fight sleep for that long? Times two?!

Also...for the record, please don't ask me how I am going, because it seems I jinx myself regardless of what I say. Today I said, things are going really well! I was bright and chipper to each person that stopped me in the street, I said I had bad days but mostly I had good ones and I had very good babies... Eeeerrrrrr ... Wrong! When you say things are going well...know that for the next 24 hours you will pay for that statement...because your children heard that comment and now have to keep you in line, just in case you get too used to being calm and controlled. And if I happen to say...my life is going to the dogs...I'm so tired and life is an absolute blur...the kids will act like angels...what's wrong with that scenario you may ask? It messes with your mind!!!!! Am I going insane?! This isn't as hard as you complained about! What are you sniveling at?! Anyone can see it's a walk in the park (which I fail to remember is quite difficult these days anyway when I push a monster-car pram) and the inner monologue starts again...

Which brings me to my last and final point, the notion of the *super-mum*...a crazy and fictitious enigma in the truest sense. Contrary to popular belief, I doubt the 50's wife had it all in line...my guess is that she took her little bitty dose of speed (or PEP cereal...probably containing illegal levels of pseudoephedrine) to get through her day of ironing pleats, laying meatloaf on the table with her best china and silverware, and combing the cat's hair to perfection...and all the while her children Fanny and Stan are playing kindly and gently with their blocks in the corner...that my friends, is the black & white tv version...I say we have come along way....and I am super glad I don't have to wake up at four after a long night with unsettled children just so I can maintain a perfect household. Because seriously...that would be impossible, especially after the night I had... And then there is the modern *super-mum*...who is supposed to do all that PLUS go to work as well...sounds like hell on earth to me.

But even though that version of *super-mum* just doesn't exist, or if it did, what was the cost? I came to the conclusion about a year ago, after hearing a beautiful friend of mine talk about the difficulty she was facing with her daughter's bad sleeping patterns, similar to what I had been experiencing with Isabelle. A *super-mum* or (super-dad, since Luke soothes Isabelle these days!) is the mum who is up many times one night trying to soothe and calm a sad little child...despite needing sleep so badly her eyelids are prematurely saggy. A *super-mum* is the mum who has a toddler chucking a sparkling tantrum in the shops because she's not getting what she wants. A *super-mum* is the mum who is living a normal life, with piles of washing waiting to be folded, books out of line on the shelf and crumbs under the couch seats... (I hate those!) a *super-mum* is just a normal person dealing with pretty constant and demanding situations each day...cos there's no pride having perfect kids who are perfect EVERYDAY just by themselves...there's no work in that! (although, I sure wish they were!) in fact you make other mums feel bad if you have achieved this wonderful enlightened mum state! Be real mums, and be 'super' because of both the 'good' and 'bad' times.

Maybe I'm just writing this to make myself feel better and less guilty for all the areas that I fail in. But I know that women in general feel a lot of guilt. Guilt for not having the perfectly clean home; job; body; family; lifestyle; skills; for not having the academic record we would like or for not ringing our family more often. We wish for more rather than enjoying the here and now...the moment that is presented before us. I know I do. Every night when Luke and I have had a full on day, his work and then coming home to cyclone Spilsbury and me living with that cyclone for all hours of the day except for maybe half an hour of pure peace while the girls overlap with their sleeps (I'm working in refining that pattern) we remind each other "it's not forever..." just fleeting moment in the scheme of things really.

After all that, I'd like to say I'll go have some chocolate now...but its too late...I scoffed a snickers about an hour ago...

Inspired by the best of them...

2011-03-01T13:36:00.013+11:00

There are three blogs (recommended by friends!) that have inspired me over the last month while I ignored the dust settling on the top of sills, while I spent some brief but wonderful undivided attention with my first born, while I go through a cleaning frenzy to de-clutter the odd draw because it makes me feel more in control despite my life being quite the opposite at times...these three blogs have helped me be more relaxed and enjoy life rather than worry about mess, then in the same breath they have kicked me up the butt to be more organised and then they have inspired me to treat my Isabelle like a princess and little lady, just because. They may contradict each other, the idea of cleaning like a mad-man one minute and then pretending the stack of dishes and pile of nappies doesn't exist, but then my life right now is dotted with unpredictable and crazy moments and then a calm, quiet moment when all my babies are asleep and I feel rejuvenated once more, the moment where I can regain some of my life when things didn't get pulled out of draws constantly.

Firstly, I love this post on Rockstar Diaries, where a new mum tells us of her baby's bed time, 2am, and that its ok to let baby have lots of "naked time", theres nothing that a good wash can't clean up! Sometimes I love hearing the relaxed version of parenting, despite the fact that I myself struggle with the idea of letting anyone of my kids stay up until 2am...but this mum says let your child fit into your life, not the other way around...So this past week, I have given all my girls lots of nappy off time. And yes, more washing did evolve but Sophie's nappy rash did improve and the other two just love a naked bum!

Rockstar Diaries

My Ava Joy

My Sophie Christina

Then one of my favourite bloggers The Yvestown Blog did a post on organisation...which I just loved! I just had to get stuck into my kitchen drawers after I saw her lovely and perfectly alined drawers! And I HAD to photograph it because I didn't know how long it would stay that tidy...2 weeks on and the drawers still look nice and crisp!

Proof that I can be tidy sometimes!

And finally...pampering my darling daughter with a mini pedicure and massage. Isabelle loves anything girly. I had been delaying painting her toe-nails because I think I can remember something that my aunty said about painted nails being what 'unsavoury' women have...but after I saw Kelle Hampton from Enjoying the Small Things, paint her daughter's nails on a rainy afternoon...I thought...now that just looks cute! And Belle just loves them! And don't worry..we got to her finger nails the next day with the baby clippers...they needed some tidying up too! Read Kelle's blog for today about a messy house...I just love it because I am forever making a criticism about myself after someone pays me a compliment, like she does...a very funny read...in fact all her posts are lovely! Thanks Heth for putting me on to her blog!

Kelle Hampton's gorgeous photography!

Isabelle's little polished toes...might change the colour for this week to match mine?

Check out these sites when you get a free moment...they are inspirational, beautiful and do wonders for the soul to feast your eyes on pretty ideas and things. I know it does for me. If you leave a comment, let me know what your all time favourite blog is so I can check it out! I love finding new blogs to inspire creativity!

Just for the record...

2011-02-10T12:32:00.002+11:00

My day's have gotten better since my first day alone...and I have had some chances to hang out with this pretty little thing.

Should I or Shouldn't I?

2011-02-07T15:24:00.010+11:00

Welcome back to me!

Let's just say... I've been busy...

Im not sure if I should begin this blogging relationship again or not, as it always feels like another thing I can't get to and another thing that I am not doing properly... But who doesn't need a vent every once in a while hey?

So here it is...

*THE* past 6 weeks:

1.) Gave birth (both ways...naturally and via caesarean) to TWO more gorgeous and bright girls, sisters for my Isabelle, on New Years Eve 2010...the best (and most difficult) New Years Eve ever...(will post the letter I wrote to my girls the day after they were born, soon.)

2.) had a house full of guests.

3.) Worried. Stressed. Cried. Got angry. Got sleep deprived. Felt ugly.

4.) Felt pretty. Fell in love...twice...Laughed. Shopped online. Felt relieved. Took photos.

5.) Became employed as a full-time milk maid again...to two hungry babes with the joys of leaking breast-milk on my clothes so i always look like a hobo.

6.) Re-acquainted myself with cold cups of tea, Nanna panties, the birds-nest hair do...

7.) Felt empowered. Felt Scared. Felt Challenged. Felt blessed.

24 Hours in the life of Anna...my first day without anyone here to help me...all day (Monday the 7th of February):

Bed: 9pm.

9.30pm: Fell asleep by accident with a restless Ava

All night...lost sense of time and space...fed on and off all night to Ava and Sophie. Sophie very unsettled. I blame the coleslaw I ate yesterday...

5am-5.45am: feeding...got sick of being in my room where the babies can smell me. Went to husband's "bedroom" (the spare room)

7am: after passing out sometime between that time, decide I need a coffee. Luke goes and fetches us one from Gloria Jeans. Best husband. EVER.

8.30am: more feeding. Got pooed on...a liquid yellow poo. The couch and feeding pillow copped it too. Luke cleaned it. Best husband. EVER.

9.00am: Gave Isabelle breakfast.

9.00am: Made my breakfast. I think it got eaten before 10...fed Ava a top up feed.

9.30am: tidied bedrooms. Put a load of washing on. Thought I had this parent thing down pat. Put "Dora the Explorer" on for Isabelle because she asks....and I want to get some things done.

10.00am: got my new cookbook, Nigella Express and 4 new breastfeeding tops delivered in the mail.

Whoohoo! (Bec, I'm a whoohoo girl :)

10.05am: Fed Sophie (I was trying to get them to wait until 11.30)

10.30am fed them both

11am-12am top up feeds with bottle...i'm sick of them feeding off me. In between trying to get them to bed poach some chicken for lunch. Sit Isabelle down with a tub of yogurt and other snacks. A poor lunch for her today.

12 noon: Luke comes home...I haven't taken out the bread for our sandwiches...I feel bad but I just forgot...how could I forget such a simple thing?! I feel stupid...I can handle this mum thing can't I?! Can I remember to take out bread???

12.15pm: "Isabelle...stop climbing out your chair and EAT YOUR LUNCH..." "Ok then you have to go to bed!" Put Isabelle to bed...bliss!!! I eat my lunch, poached chicken & salad sandwiches...need to eat healthy to feed the girls. check.

12.45pm: Absolute bliss!!! What do I do, what do I do?! Clean? Blog? No...just sit down with a cuppa in peace...resist the urge to clean...I put away the dishes. Then sit down...phew. Watch TV with Luke during his lunch break. Babies stir. Settle them back down again.

1.30pm: Already?! Wake Isabelle up. Give her a quick cuddle and lie her in front of the TV...the girls are fussing again. :(

1.30-2.30: BLUR...I think I did something!

2.00pm Luke helps me set up a debit mastercard account...I get stressed at the bank lady and hang up...stupid idea...now I have to go through all the prompts again on the phone :(

2pm: "Luke hurry up! My boobs are getting full and I need to express before the girls wake up! Hurry!" Holding a hungry Sophie.

2.30pm: finally feed Sophie and Ava...they lasted too long without a feed..means my night will be hard.

3.30pm: put girls down for a nap. Ava settles Sophie doesn't. When Sophie settles, Ava doesn't...I just want to spend some non-TV time with my big girl...I promise to take her outside.

4.00pm: Take Isabelle outside...I should make the salad but I need to carry through with my promise to Isabelle...20 minutes of interrupted time by Ava of playing chasey...we did see the most awesome Kookaburras on our fence though. Isabelle was gobsmacked...so worth the stress of trying to get some "alone" time with Belle.

4.20pm: Quick visit to Daddy's office.

4.25pm: Ava is crying. Give Isabelle a cupcake to distract her from taking her inside.

4.15pm-5.15pm: feed the twins.

5.00pm: DADDY COMES HOME!!! Give him a big smile. I am glad you are back! We sit together with a baby each on the couch. Isabelle joins us...we probably should have sat on the big couch together. It gets squishy...but it feels special.

5.15pm: Daddy starts Isabelle's dinner.

5.40pm: Settle babies into bed while daddy gets our dinner ready.

6.15pm: We eat our dinner while watching the news. It is peaceful in our home for a short while.

I stack the dishwasher and do some light tidying. Then sit back down and sit still while I can.

6.45pm: begin feeding again...babies are demanding it...they were meant to wait until 7.15pm...I am such a sucker :(

Amongst the feeding and changing nappies this goes on until I suggest to Luke we top them up with bottles...7.45pm.

7.45 until 9.30pm: we spend the nest few hours trying to settle the girls with a concoction of feeding and Mylanta and holding...I said I was going to help them "self-soothe" tonight...but alas...they are babies and don't do what we want.

9.30pm: take their bassinets to my room...feed again for half an hour before they fall asleep... They are happy until 10.45pm...

A full on 24 hours...but each day is a new adventure...hopefully each new day will bring more peace!

Crocheting Fun

2010-12-14T10:23:00.004+11:00

In the past few weeks I have spent a lot of time mastering this crochet pattern that I bought online. My first attempt in my 365 photographs did not work out as planned, but this effort crocheted in pink and brown is nearly perfect! I am so happy with it, and I was even more happy with it when it fit my friends 9 week old baby. She seemed to like it too :) Now I am working on a brown and powder blue one and eventually get on to a gender neutral beanie too, just to cover my bases! I am making them for photography only, but I may get around to making some of the beanies without the tail on them depending on how many weeks I have left before the twinnies arrive! My mum arrives today so I am hoping that I will get more time to just sit and crochet :) What have you been making lately?

Whats been going on lately?!

2010-11-30T14:42:00.012+11:00

(Annamoa fabric (in blue, multicolour & yellow (I didn't get the yellow one with bird cages, I wanted to but it was out of stock): and the MALM 4 draw chest in black-brown IKEA)

It's been a bit of a hectic month or two it seems and time is rushing by me so quickly that often days go by and I think "what have I done?" or even "what day is it today?". I lack so much of my usual energy and so I have settled with just taking care for Isabelle and enjoying the last few weeks of just "her & me" time, and on the days I can't even do that...it's her, me and the TV time.

In the last two months my in-laws have visited and enjoyed Isabelle's new developments, I have stopped being a Sunday School teacher (although nothing official completed it, I'm pretty sure people have started realising that I am no longer doing it :) I have stopped going for walks and taken up sitting on my bottom and crocheting, which I have thoroughly enjoyed getting my head around patterns and figuring out what it is *meant* to look like! Although lately I have been dreaming of going for a lovely stroll once the twins have arrived. I had a beautiful baby shower thrown to me by my beautiful and generous sister-in-law and mother-in-law and since then have slowly been making thank you cards, and looking dreamily at all the gifts and letters people so lovingly gave. I also got my hair done which was in need of some sprucing up and about 5 hours off from being mum (although the twins sure kicked me enough to remind me that they were still in there). Luke and I also converted Isabelle's cot into a little toddler bed which she loves and took to really quickly, and now I am starting (slowly) to introduce the potty just for number 2's...she is growing up very quickly and loves doing 'new' things and I am sure she will be a wonderful big sister.

I have also been thinking about the nursery/guest room and how to decorate and have only started seriously getting the extra things I needed and beginning the decorating part, but it is going slowly, because of dwindling energy & Isabelle liking to 'help'. So far the room will eventually have the two cots in there (but we will move one into our bedroom for the first few weeks/months after the twins arrive); the change table (which will also live in our room for the same time the single cot does) and our queen guest bed, and a chest of drawers MALM in dark brown from IKEA. I also got extremely excited when I was last in IKEA (as you do) and saw their range of fabrics which I have used to cover some canvas and make some bright and cheerful art pieces for the twins to love. Even though I love neutral colours, it seems babies do prefer the stuff they can see :) so this time around, the nursery is going to be quite bright, which I think will work well since we can't paint the walls. (The Annamoa range from IKEA is so cute!) The next few weeks I hope will bring a little more energy (but I know that resting is actually a lot better for the babies) & some lovely memories with Isabelle. I hope to have some nicer pictures of the baby nook soon to show but until then, here are nursery rooms from Apartment Therapy that have inspired me so far.

Fraternal Twins at 28 weeks

2010-10-30T21:17:00.000+11:00

Fraternal twins at 28 weeks:

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-twins-images-28-weeks

28 weeks with the twins...

2010-10-30T20:37:00.004+11:00

28 weeks/possible 8 to go...

Some people say I am small for carrying twins, others say I am huge and won't be able to fit into any clothes. Right now, I feel just right for me thanks :)

I'm a big girl now...

2010-10-26T20:53:00.003+11:00

Its the little things in Isabelle's life (to other people) that seem to be massive milestones to me...and I chuckle when new mums get excited when their babies first smile or say 'da' even though it is the proudest and most wonderful moment EVER. I remember when Issy first rolled over at 3 and a half months and then after a week of rolling over on my command, decided she hated it and still rarely does it (she obviously did not like being treated like a pet for amusement)...or the first time she slept through 6 hours straight, but I didn't because I was so excited, and the four hours that I did get felt like heaven...or when she decided she didn't like to be swaddled anymore and that night she slept better than she ever had...or like today when I deliberately put her in her cot to sleep without her grow bag as it is getting hotter (and it gets very hot in our house over summer) and it is probably about time that she sleeps without one. But all these little things are a reminder to me that time goes so quickly...and one day I will remember these small insignificant moments fondly and ask where all the time has flown, just like my mum does. I love being a stay at home mum. It is easier too if you fill your time with "very important" tasks (like dusting and rearranging...it helps being pregnant again to get extreme motivation!) between the play with stacking blocks and endless reading of Upsy Daisy in the Night Garden (that book has been hidden for now...). I am so thankful for my new camera and a little disappointed I didn't have it earlier when Isabelle was tiny, because these small moments will be priceless to me one day. Anyway, get used to the Isabelle updates for a while since she really is the most fun to photograph and I feel compelled to do it everyday anyway...

Peek-a-boo

2010-10-25T21:03:00.005+11:00

25th of October 2010

The two I love most

2010-10-25T20:19:00.006+11:00

24th of October 2010

MY NEW CAMERA!!!

2010-10-22T22:49:00.007+11:00

Photos of Belle on my new camera! A Canon 500D...I bought it interest free and now get to pay it off with my pocket money instead of waiting to save up the complete amount. It gives me enough time to get a bit more comfortable with it before the bubbies arrive and I need to document their lives! I am very excited if you cannot already tell?! I had a lot of fun messing around with it on the automatic settings today, just seeing how clear the camera captures my fast moving Isabelle! Looking forward to progressing up to the manual settings and now I kind of wished I listened in my photography classes at uni... :( I am sure it will all come back to me soon.

Lauren, these pictures are for you xx

Busy making gifts :)

2010-10-02T12:26:00.005+10:00

Over the last few weeks I have been busy choosing fabric and making gifts for my friends and their new babies. I have only finished one in time for a new Baby's baptism at Church but still have 3 to go. I designed the cushion myself, a monogram theme with the birth details embroidered around the edge to make it a keepsake. It was a lot of work (and I dreaded making more!) so I have had a little break but I am on to the next two. I am happy with the finished product although I have made a few changes as you will see over the next few weeks with my new ones. I am considering putting them on my etsy site as a customised item. What do you think?

SQUEAL!

2010-09-10T20:43:00.002+10:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AisforAnna

It has begun...

Please have a browse.

I'm pretty excited :)

Help me!!!

2010-09-09T15:37:00.003+10:00

Hi everyone!

I am having a dilemma...just a minor one...but it doesn't feel quite right so I thought I'd be like Rachel and put it out there...what should be my etsy name? So far I have two accounts. One is 'A is for Anna'; and the second which I opened a few years ago is 'Anxious Anna' (I was pretty anxious at the time...but not so much anymore...especially as I am trying to sell calm stationery items! lol!) The problem is there is already an unused account called A is for Annabel and the name Anna is completely overused in etsy titles: check some "Anna"s out though on etsy, there is some really nice stuff! So please....help! If you think of a name that relates to my blog title or is a reflection of me and what I make that would be even better.

Thanks! Off to play with my 15 month old now and stop thinking about it for a bit! Bye!

Sigh it really is " slovely"...

2010-09-09T13:57:00.002+10:00

I just wanted to share this with all my bloggy friends *all three of you* whom I love. How utterly sweet is this little cherub knitting a scarf? You can find more of this illustrator's works here, but none of the others popped out to me as much as this one. I found it while trawling through pictures for my Biblesong class this Sunday...totally irrelevant but cute none the less.

Better than a Hallelujah...

2010-09-05T07:49:00.007+10:00

Today is Father's Day. A day that families spend together, eat food, celebrate being alive and what it means to be a family. In my family, while it might not be the most 'comfortable' experience, when you are not around to celebrate with your loved ones, you realise how much more you appreciate and cherish the moments that you do have.

One reality in my life that I have to face right now is the joy of having twins, but the realisation that this makes it more of a challenge to spend time with my extended family. My mum and dad, and Spilsbury side of the family still have enough leeway to travel and come visit us, but my brother Peter and Rhi and my niece Lily are more restricted in time and budget. My Aunty is having her first baby in November who I am not sure when I will be able to meet, and the same goes for my relatives and how and when they will be able to meet our babies after they are born. Luke's grandparents too have only met Isabelle once and it breaks my heart knowing that the people in my life who I care about the most are able to spend the least time with us.

So, after my more recent trip to Adelaide, and one night of praying and deep pondering ;) I remembered to listen to this song, one of my new favourites, Better than a Hallelujah, by Amy Grant. That even though a little part of my heart lives elsewhere, back in Adelaide, and back with family members wherever they are, my cries and prayers are precious to God, as small as they may seem to other people. And I especially asked God to abundantly bless the family I see everyday, my husband and babies, and to help me appreciate the blessings I can see right in front of me, rather than look back to what I am missing out on. I am still sad about these things and I think I always will be, but I am hoping and praying and trusting that God knows the very best for us, and that his love endures through all these things. His plans are ALWAYS for our good, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (TNIV)

So to the father of my babies who I see everyday, and I know who is such a rock for me, Happy 2nd Father's Day! Sometimes I am unsure whether you realise how grateful we are for all that you do for us, because life sometimes seems so ordinary and the same, but you are wonderful and we are blessed to have you as a husband and daddy :) Thank you. All our love, Anna, Isabelle and the twins xoxo

Better than a Hallelujah

Amy Grant

God loves a lullaby

In a mothers tears in the dead of night

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

God loves a drunkards cry,

The soldiers plea not to let him die

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,

The dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done,

The silence when the words won't come

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,

Better than a choir singing out,singing out.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Making Room

2010-09-03T11:27:00.002+10:00

With the idea of an expanding family, Luke and I have been looking at ways to cut the clutter. Two weeks ago we began our team effort (mainly Luke's effort ;) and made my 'old' desk 'new' with a good sanding & a couple of coats of paint. I love white furniture...if I had it my way, every piece of wooden furniture in our house would be painted white or very dark brown, like our new twin cots. I think Luke did a great job and it was fun to actually carry through with an idea that I had wanted for this desk for ages. Now there will be a lot more space in this part of the house and I get my old desk back! Here are a few pictures of what we did. It took about 5 days all up...if it were my choice we would have done it in 2 and I am sure it would have looked quite poorly! :) Luke finished off the desk, sanding it back along the edges to create that rustic look that my two other pieces of white furniture have.

Being Mummy

2010-07-30T13:07:00.002+10:00

Isabelle has been sick for the last few days with what I suspect is hand, foot and mouth disease (not nearly as sinister as it sounds) basically in laymen's terms, a childhood virus. I was warned by a friend that a boy from a playgroup I went to, had it last week (after not knowing) and the past few days have been quite yucky to say the least, for me and for my dear. She just wants to be close to me at all times, except for this morning when I put her to sleep at about 11.15, she went, most exhausted and thankful to be placed in her bed. When she did, I thought, what can I do with my time??? Sleep, no way, what a waste!!! Even though I am tired after having a slightly disrupted sleep beside Isabelle last night (she wouldn't sleep alone). I really wanted to make something, but I don't have the energy to make something or to clean it up! All the odd jobs? Nope...they can wait...the house is actually quite clean...weirdly enough...Isabelle didn't have the energy to walk around making a huge mess. I settled with a lovely hot shower and washing my hair, waxing my eyebrows and making sure I look human again. Then a Mocha, a piece of vegemite toast, a juice and mineral water and replying to a few emails to lovely friends...and spending time with my other friends via blog and seeing what they were up to...what I really wanted was to be creative but I guess for today, to be inspired and to relax will have to do! Please get better soon my darling...even though you are so cute when sick...I prefer your happy and healthy self. Love Mum.

Getting big...and only 14 and a half weeks...

2010-07-26T09:37:00.005+10:00

(My Baby bump: A few photos taken in the last week.)

I have earlier ones but my bare belly is showing...I think they will be kept for private viewing only. I guess genetically, I do start showing very early, but in this case with twins, thats double the size I would've normally expected. There is no doubt that I now look pregnant to all the other folks around. Nicely enough I don't feel pregnant which is absolutely lovely, and I am relishing that feeling, as I am expecting to feel not so good towards the end. I guess the 2nd Trimester has that effect, which just makes me feel full of energy. I should really start designing the nursery while I feel motivated! Speaking of the nursery, I have ruffled a few feathers by not putting all our children in the same room (Grandmother's??? Way too old school for my liking) and now not having a guest room. The fact that I care shows that I am still very hormonal and therefore pregnant, that and the belly are sure giveaways! One great thing is that despite when family let on that having twins is going to be terribly hard and I may not cope without their help, I feel more determined to rise to the challenge and I know that with God's help I will be a better problem solver, better time manager, my relationship with my husband will grow and deepen through the struggles and joys and I will learn that there are times in my life that what I want isn't as important as what my children need at the time, which seems kind of contrary to what parenting magazines display these days. Sometimes a half and hour a day with a cup of tea is all I'll get...if I am lucky. And thats ok. Because it won't be forever, Isabelle already lets me do more now on my own (like sitting at my computer now while she plays) and she is only 14 months old...

I am making sure I am using this time with one baby to enjoy going out to playgroups, for walks that only take a few minutes to get out the house with a stroller, sewing beautiful things, blogging and rearranging. Because I now realise that these things are so precious to me and I really enjoy these parts of my life, and I am not sure what to expect in the future.

To see a link on how a 15 week old baby is going click here and times two. For the record, I have gained 5 kilos since finding out I was pregnant 9 weeks ago. Most of it is babies, some of it is ice-cream :)

2010-07-20T13:41:00.003+10:00

As you know I am excited about changing my room and making it more relaxing and pretty. Here on Apartment Therapy (second image) there is this glorious and whimsical looking room (with very limited space) with an interesting use of colours. The clash of reds and pinks, the window playing a large role in the drama of this room. Not all the elements are my cup of tea, but I love the wall paper... unfortunately I won't be able to be that dramatic. What this does enlighten me to, it that to make a real impact, I have to be a bit more daring than I am used to. Right now (while I have the most gorgeous bed sheets) the room still needs drama. I am a bit scared to do some art on the grand scale that the room needs...but it is in the back of my mind constantly. One thing is for sure...birds definitely need to be involved...at least pictures of them do! I saw this lovely painted robin on ETSY (first picture) which I just think is so charming and very Secret Garden appropriate! I think Isabelle would like it too!

The Secret Garden:

2010-07-15T15:55:00.004+10:00

After following Making it Lovely and her plans for transforming her bedroom, I have been meaning to do the same. Our bedroom is the most neglected room of our house. Its the last place I'll tidy and spend money on. So we budgeted money to get new bedlinen to start. I had been wanting to get some really nice linen for a very long time (we just got pretty cheap stuff when we first got married). Just in time for the stocktake sales too!

Stop reading now if details bore you to death cos I am going to go into the finer points! :) From Adairs we got this green quilt set, and the matching cushion and European pillow cases. From David Jones we got our new King size quilt which hangs dreamily over each side of our bed nearly touching the floor. (I know I am *gushing* over my quilt!) And 2 new firm and high pillows (which take a bit of getting used to according to Luke) and from Target for a third of the price than at David Jones, 1000 thread count bed sheets...so we are truly spoilt! I feel like a princess every time I climb into bed at night now. Although that sounds like a lot (and I suppose it is...we saved a lot, which it seems that sales really are the only time to go all out...) It has all really given our room a kick start into looking glamourous!

*The Details are over!*

Over the next few months I am aiming to transform my room into a place that both Luke and I want to go to relax when we get the time (from our up and coming expected 3 child family). Luke mentioned an arm chair for the corner of our room and moving the bookcase beside it. The first two images show just how scattered and random this space is and that it isn't utilised properly. Making it not the nicest space to relax in...(mostly my fault I guess) :-/ I also need a painting above our bed or some beautiful artwork that I aim to make (I have a million projects in my mind at the moment though for all sorts of things!)

My muse is going to be "The Secret Garden"...which was my favourite book and movie when I was eight years old. Luke says thats gay...but he is a boy...and everything romantic and pretty is 'gay' to most boys...and I think that a garden theme will go well with the new bed sheets.

Budget: will be what is required but I assure you...the main expense will be the chair and I will use existing furniture and collected items for the artwork and ornaments. I have the jewellery tree so I want to make that a feature. I won't be painting the walls or anything so the challenge will be to change the mood of the room through art on the walls.

Anyway...I'll keep you updated. I'm excited about making the space somewhere I wanna be!

SHOPPING IN SYDNEY

2010-07-15T13:04:00.005+10:00

The other day mum, Isabelle and I went for a little excursion to Newtown after we drove past all these lovely shops when we went to the markets. Made590 is a little treasure trove that is exciting for anyone who loves weird woodland creatures and collectable funky clothes or ornaments. To me it just makes me want to create! Another shop was the button shop...I can't remember the name but its seemed like one of those places that was once a dream to a button lover that turned into a beautiful reality...it was just exquisite with art work revolving around the button theme and thousands of buttons of every design to choose. (not really my cup of tea though since I have a teeny phobia.) And the last image was an empty shop for lease...of which my mum commented...there is our shop Anna! A great little arvo.

A DAY AT WINTERLAND...

2010-07-14T09:25:00.007+10:00

You know when you go and do something or experience something, and you realise that these are the things that make life so enjoyable? Just the simple things. Like smelling fresh homegrown fruit, taking a bite out of a sweet pink lady apple; seeing how brussels sprouts REALLY grow (no they are not tiny cabbages in a tiny cabbage patch like I previously assumed, though I never had really pondered it properly!!); or seeing dogs and children everywhere wearing little warm jackets...yes both the dogs and children were wearing jackets!; or just enjoying the fresh air and fresh produce with family. I just love markets. And on Saturday last week (the 10th of July) my Mum, Luke, Belle and myself went to go to Winterland at Carriageworks in Newtown, and while we were waiting for the doors to open, we relaxed and had coffee and treats at the market next door. Winterland on the other hand was a bit of a disappointment. I had been looking forward to it for months and there were about 7 stalls (all beautiful & exciting) but not nearly as thrilling as I had expected and how they had advertised it. Nevertheless, my mum, bought me this GORGEOUS handprinted cushion which I just adore! Thank you for the spoils mum! whenever, she visits I get the most pretty gifts.

Amy Butler's Portfolio made into a Journal Cover

2010-06-28T13:49:00.001+10:00

For my friend Anita's birthday I was deliberating over what to make for her. I think I was surfing online for Amy Butler stockists and came across her free patterns online. After finding a gorgeous journal at Nook in Brisbane last year, I always wanted to make my own. Amy Butler had a portfolio design that I just adjusted slightly to fit the journal that I bought ($4.95 Quill ring bound journal from a local Newsagent) and then made it into a cover instead. I am pretty happy with it and am going to perfect it more so it can be a handmade and lovingly created gift for friends. This one I made out of ink and spindle fabric (thats where your bird fabric is from Lauren) that I got from the Stitches and Craft show last year in Sydney (I hadn't even used it yet!!!) and a basic yellow and white polka dot fabric from a lovely new fabric store I found, because I just love natural and yellow fabric together. I bought some beautiful bright Amy Butler fabric last week so I am going to make another for a friends birthday! Hopefully it will be even better than the first! Try it out for yourself. It is very easy...although for me it was a bit like reading a map at first...I'll get back into practice!

For you Lauren...

2010-03-21T21:17:00.000+11:00

I'm Gonna Play too Lauren...5 Things:

2010-03-01T19:42:00.000+11:00

5 Things I am looking forward to:

My Mum coming to stay; Eating Homemade Chocolate Brownies and Vanilla ice-cream (but I might save that for another day); having a tidy kitchen; getting my creative me-time back (one day..obviously not in the nearer future unless of course I get off the computer and start making!!!) Going to Hillsong's Colour Conference with my sister-in-law Bec.

5 Things I did yesterday:

Drove 45 minutes to meet a new congregation who fell in love with Isabelle; Went to my lovely church friends' house and ate yummy zucchini quiche and fresh green salad; played with toy trains; ate chocolate brownies and ice-cream for dinner...hence the continued craving...; showered...which was a bit of a first for a few days...

5 Things I wish I could do:

I wish I could write for Frankie; I wish I could design my own stationery and sell it, I wish I could get up every morning at 5am and run like there was no tomorrow, I wish I could drive to the supermarket by myself so my hubby and I wouldn't get cranky at each other every time; I wish my loved ones lived closer...

5 Places I'd like to travel:

New Zealand; France (particularly Monet's Garden); Rome; Bethlehem; Adelaide :)

5 Cool things I've found online lately:

Imprintables

HØNEPØNE

Graphic Art School...

Thats all I've got...haven't done enough searching lately :(

Thanks Lauren & The Red Velvet Girls

How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk...

2010-02-27T16:10:00.000+11:00

When I step through my local library doors...I feel a sense of mystery...enticement...a similar rush to when I have money to go shopping...and also a tinsy bit of guilt as I know the library staff can sniff it on my clothes that I have heavy pending fines...but in a library, there are books ABOUT EVERYTHING...yet you rarely find exactly what you want...

The "how to in relationships" books are an interesting section. They were conveniently bracketed between the section about cheesecakes and raising children...obviously the dewy-decimal system senses that women who are in need of relationship advice are also in need of a sugar hit and their relationship breakdown could very well be blamed on their growing family. Sad, but most probably true. Clever library mafia...

But then my eyes wondered aimlessly over this fascinating title..."How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk"...written by a man whom I can only assume is, how do I say it... a jerk. Now, even though this title is clearly wrong on so many levels, it makes me a little disappointed to reflect on what society has become and how it treats marriage. Some questions that flitted through my mind when I read this title was, when did the man that you married stop being the man that you fell in love with, and turn into a "jerk". Maybe the title should be, "How to stop YOURSELF being a Jerk" . I find it ironic that in a society that is so selfish and inward-thinking, people fail to diagnose their own shortcomings, but can see every single fault in someone else. I am not saying that people don't change, or that people enter into relationships with rose-coloured glasses, but I guess thats what makes being a Christian and marriage such a compatible combination; whenever the couple becomes in-compatible because someone is simply in a bad mood, faith in Christ allows room to forgive each other for being jerks...because I guess, who isn't a jerk anyway, at least sometime of the time?

Anyway, I scoffed and smirked when I saw this book, but then it made me think of how lucky I was to have a relationship not built simply on the foundation of loving feelings, but on the foundation of God who equals 'real eternal love' to catch us after all our mistakes, and to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit when we can't possible be kind and loving on our own...

Understanding the man that I call Saviour...

2010-01-24T21:38:00.000+11:00

It is Day 24 of my new year...a new year to be creative and a new year to learn more about my Saviour. Each year I begin my year with the intention of reading the whole Bible cover to cover. And each year from about age 14, I have got to about the beginning of February and then slowly life creeps in...little by little, day by day, my readings get more scattered, shorter and eventually my Bible sits on my desk and doesn't get read until I think to myself, "I feel empty...what am I missing out on again?!" And then my wonderful husband asks me...have you read your BIBLE lately? I am not very proud of writing that...especially as February looms and I can't yet boast that I am past my nemisis month! But so far so good...I have learnt in the past few days from reading some of the most seemingly droaning books of the Bible...aka end of Exodus and beginning of Leviticus that Jesus...the man I call Saviour...truely is completely RADICAL...INCREDIBLE...AWESOME...why? Because before He came down to us...the Law that God put in place so that His children could be redeemed was hard, difficult and demanding...because the wages of SIN are a lot greater than Christians today realise...you had to sacrifice another life (an animal) so that YOUR sins could be atoned; blood had to be shed so that your own life could continue to go on it's merry way. And it is not because God is a cruel God either! It is just because we don't seem to understand these days what sin actually is! Or how horrible and destructive it can be when we don't have God's grace and mercy. The Jesus that I love and am learning more about each day through reading through these Old Testament books is one who touched and healed a leper...a person who was an outcast; disgusting and unclean; someone who couldn't be in the presence of his/her family or friends; a deeply lonely person. Jesus was a man who let a bleeding woman, unclean for 12 years touch Him even though He is holy and pure...who hadn't been able to worship her God in the synagogue, or have a sexual relationship with a man, maybe she even had a husband who she couldnt be with, and no doubt she wouldn't have been able to have been blessed with children because of it...but Jesus allowed these barriers to be broken down. He makes us pure, holy, clean and new...so that when we want to come before our God in prayer, we can...because we are no longer blamed. Jesus takes it away. He is blamed instead. And even though God remains the same, perfect, Holy, wonderful, and Mighty, we now have the oppertunity to have a relationship with Him without anything that we have done or need to do..it is all because He made the ultimate sacrafice...His Son. We may or may not need to be healed physically every day, but spiritually, we always need Jesus to be our intercessor, to make our wrongs right before God. And He does. But what a wonderful thing to have the freedom to ask our God in prayer anything that we need. I know I should never take that easy task for granted, because we are truely blessed and honoured to have that freedom.

Day 11: Nook: 19 Browning Street West End, Brisbane

2010-01-11T20:54:00.000+11:00

Only THE BEST SHOP ever...I had mild heart palpitations today as I walked through this door...the cutest part was the shop cat who welcomed us as we walked through the door and then went outside for a little drink from his bowl. So cute. Visit nook for more excitement!

1-9 Daily Clicks

2010-01-10T15:53:00.000+11:00

DAY 1: My little girl...always a hug for mummy. She is growing up so fast. It wouldn't be right if I didn't have a picture of her since my life revolves around her journey.

DAY 2: The first night at our holiday place. Eating with family. Chillaxing. Blissful.

DAY 3: It was so nice to be able to relax in our beautiful holiday home...with a quiet moment

DAY 4: My second run on the beach...it was sooooooooooooo gorgeous...it was my only thing I wanted from my holiday was to be able to run along the beach... and then walk back along the shore resting my tired feet in the cool water. It was perfect.

DAY 5: Like a candle in the darkness...what I learnt from my daily devotion.

DAY 6: The Eumundi Markets...a crazy, hellishly humid place where people try to get a touristy bargin...I did...I found my holiday hat which I love...

DAY 7: My Babies...playing in the sand...one of the nicest things on my holdiay was seeing Isabelle discover the sand...it's taste, texture, smell and what its like to get it in your pants. It was beautiful.

DAY 8: Lauren & I ran to sign 44 with two breaks inbetween on our holiday along the beach...it was great to have a running buddy and wish we lived by the beach so we could get super fit together :( but, I cherished the moment anyway...it was great while it lasted. Thanks Lauren.

DAY 9: Just one of the little treats that Maureen, my mother in law makes...they are delicious...

hence the reason why I ALWAYS without fail put on a kilo or two when I stay over.

One of my 2010 New Year's resolutions was to begin my 365 project to capture a moment each day which encompasses my feeling, activity, love...basically anything that I apprectiate...for whatever reason. I am so excited about seeing my life through my own camera lens (or in my case my iphone lens) after a whole year of disciplined photography...so far I kind of like my poor quality clicks...there is something intimate about them, as I haphazardly snap away at random moments. I can't wait to make my handbound book to put all my piccies in too...so look out for images of that as well on my blog. I guess what will really keep me going though is the fact that some of my closest friends are a part of the project...and they dont live all that close...so i will be able to see their snippets of life, making me feel just that little bit closer to them. My first photo is of my Isabelle; a girl with a lot of character and the person my life revolves around...mostly for good times but often moments where I would rather sleep, but have to entertain her...like right now for example! :) (Luckily she doesn't mind looking at her own toys while I blog!) I have been on holidays so I have to catch you up to my images...and I won't be able to upload them everyday until I get home...but here are the first 9...and I am yet to take my number 10 for today...but enjoy. Especially to all my fellow clickers xoxo

2009 and The Whirlwind...

2009-12-26T16:23:00.000+11:00

As this year prepares to close and start a new and exciting journey, I am amazed at how much my life has evolved and bloomed. At the beginning of this year I was still pregnant, and at the end of it I have a 7 month old daughter who brings so much joy, intensity, laughter, mood swings, exhaustion, fun and delight to my life. I now also live in a different state! A place that I love despite being quite far away from all those that I rely on for support and encouragement. I have gained and lost 26 kilos and still working on losing more! I have made some new friends, although I still miss my old ones more and more as time goes on (which probably shouldn't happen, but I have learnt and reaslised the value and depth of their friendship). I gained another beautiful sister in law in July and another very special unofficial sister in law, who will be having my first niece in the new year. What will the new year bring?

For myself I hope that I will be able to read the whole Bible in a year...this is always my New Years resolution but this new year, our Church is going to go on the journey together and carry each other through it! Perhaps this is the only way I will be able to succeed!
Along with Lauren and Rachel (and anyone else who wants to join in) I hope to take 365 photos, one photo a day...for my creative outlet, which isn't getting nourished very well.
I hope to get my drivers license FINALLY...something I need to do for my own sanity!
Continue to eat well and live well by exercising everyday!

As I look back on this past year, it is easy to see how God has blessed and provided for all my needs despite at certain times, life looked dismal. What have been the milestones in your life in the past year and what would you like to change at the start (and during!) 2010?

"She gets up while it's still dark..."

2009-12-01T11:40:00.000+11:00

I am sitting here listening to my favourite childhood music, the Boney M Christmas Album, using a clean desk, my mineral water beside my hand...and just a little bit scared about starting a new blog...It has been a while...

I felt like I had to start afresh with a new blog, a new way to be creative, a new perspective to match my new life that has changed so dramatically over the past year.

To welcome you ALL back (all three followers that I asume that I will have! :) I will begin by sharing with you the journey that I embark nearly every morning. Somewhere between 5-5.30am on a good morning, I wake up to go out on my back verandah to exercise. Some may call that discipline, I call it a necessity...it is probably the only time of the day when I am guarenteed my quiet time, when Isabelle and Luke are still sleeping. Just after 5, after the sun starts to peak its warming rays over my part of the world, fruit bats fly over my house, heading towards the ocean and sunrise. I am not a huge fan of bats :) but I love the silence, the chilled air, the peace of the morning. I am still a little tired at this time, but at the beginning of my workout, I have the chance to glimspe a small part of God's beautiful creation. This is an important part of my day, as seemingly small as it may be. While I am still trying to figure out why I have woken up so early, I am conflicted between the idea of trying to 'get fit' and 'be healthy' with the call from God to focus on strengthening and beautifying our inner-selves, the more valuable and treasured part of our bodies to Him, but often the overlooked attributes in society.

My devotion that I read this morning focused on how to cultivate and rejoice our femininity. Proverbs 29:10-31 is an illustration about a woman of noble character. Rather than comparing myself and noting my many shortcomings, I tried to open my eyes to what a noble woman is able to do, many of these things that I enjoy doing myself! She selects wool and flax and CREATES beautiful things! She gets up while it is dark and prepares food (I do half of that part...still need to work on the delicious cooking part for my husband!) She is a wise business woman, who would've thought that a woman of the Bible could earn money! (add sarcasm here) She cares for the needy and speaks with wisdom. Charm and beauty fades, but a woman of God is to be praised...thats the part I need to remind myself everyday...work on the inner (and a little bit of the outer) but do it to the glory of God, remembering and rejoicing that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

"Everytime you reach out in love, perform a deed of kindness, soften your heart in forgiveness, show a little extra patience, and follow through in faithfulness-other people experience the character of God through you." Elizabeth George ~ Remarkable Women of the Bible

Heart Full of Grace

KEEP CALM

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

We've been waiting for you...

Spending time with Beauty

GRATEFUL FOR KNOWING MY LIMITS...

This week (& every week) I am grateful for...

There is nothing like a freshly cracked magazine spine...

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Surprise Presents!

Getting my "heebie jeebies" out!

25 on the 25th!

To my big girl, who will surely always be my little girl...

Belle & Boo

Pure Joy

Chocolate delight...A series of Photos just cos'...

My Goal...My weightloss Goal

Sweet puffs of baby breath...

My Mini Thesis: Diets are not conducive to parenthood & the myth of the Supermum...

Inspired by the best of them...

Just for the record...

Should I or Shouldn't I?

*Crocheting Fun*

Whats been going on lately?!

Fraternal Twins at 28 weeks

28 weeks with the twins...

I'm a big girl now...

Peek-a-boo

The two I love most

MY NEW CAMERA!!!

Busy making gifts :)

SQUEAL!

Help me!!!

*Sigh* it really is " slovely"...

Better than a Hallelujah...

Making Room

Being Mummy

Getting big...and only 14 and a half weeks...

The Secret Garden:

SHOPPING IN SYDNEY

A DAY AT WINTERLAND...

Amy Butler's Portfolio made into a Journal Cover

For you Lauren...

I'm Gonna Play too Lauren...5 Things:

HØNEPØNE

How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk...

Understanding the man that I call Saviour...

Day 11: Nook: 19 Browning Street West End, Brisbane

1-9 Daily Clicks

2009 and The Whirlwind...

"She gets up while it's still dark..."

Crocheting Fun

Sigh it really is " slovely"...