{Thank You- in advance}

I have been trying to sum up my feelings about spring. The weather hasn't quite set in. We still have the rain and wind chill. I came across a blog today, where the author expressed her desire to teach her children to be polite. As an example she wanted to start sending out more Thank You cards. She had some entitled "So Sorry for not saying THANK YOU"

I want to adopt this example setting pattern in my life and send out more hand written greetings. Especially for my children to follow. I'm really not much of an emailer - probably for the fact I'm in two minds and really want to say it with pen and paper and never really get round to it, but I also see the convenience of email.

I'm listening to Eden & James in the other room. Watching MULAN - a new family favourite and the most the watched is four times in one day before I sent them out for fresh air (with sticks in hand to practise). Eden is soo patience with James as he asks her a hundred q's through the film. Like "Why is she sad?", or "who's that man?" I am suprised for two reasons. One: I'm sure that James already knows the answers - he has watched it about 20 times and Two: Eden's ability to understand the film and the messages in it. She is so proud that Mulan is a Hero and wants to be like her too.

Don't worry photos to come....

{Days of Spring No.1}

Well I didn't quite manage to get through my winter photo journalling - partially because the camera went missing for a goodwhile, and the other - I forgot. We have kept ourselves busy between weddings, funerals and birthday parties. Plus all the usual ramblings of daily life raising three children.

Our biggest change for our family is that Eden turned five last friday 29th August and we have decided that we will try homeschooling her for a bit. I will update you with her birthday pics this week. This picture is Nigel telling them all a bedtime story. She had three friends stay the night - it was wonderful no fighting or crying until one of them had to leave in the morning.

Today as Spring made its appearance, we welcomed it in with a walk around the grounds and four loads of washing (which nearly all of it got dry!!). We are looking forward to the sun staying a bit longer at night, until summer arrives and all the BBQ's and outings that go with it.

We had a suprise visit from Nigel's Mission President at Stake Conference, sunday past. They had come to suprise him, he rounded them up from the back to bring them up by us, and we all managed to squeeze in.

Stake conference was followed by a sunday drive and picnic. It was nice to see the spring lambs.

Hope you get out doors more this first spring week, and if you get a chance, start a garden

{Days of Winter: No. 4}

Winter days seem to keep our family inside more. I have a friend who lives overseas and no matter what the weather they always seem to find something to do outside. Lately I have been assessing my lifestyle and one change I have consciously made is to go walking in the mornings. I also decided t take Nigel with me as it's still quite dark while the Children are asleep. The other plus side is that we get to spend time together in his busy schedule between Church and Schooling and our Family. I am enjoying the fresh air - although not so much when we go out late and cars are already filling the roads (who wants to be going to work at 7:30am!! - so glad Nigel gave it up).

On this wintersday we journeyed over the bridge to my friends to spend some time together and also let the kids enjoy other company.

As we were leaving to go home, we came out and saw our two boys sitting like this - Perfect photo opportunity.

I wonder what children really feel about being dragged here and there. Always hearing "Time to go" in the middle of great play. I guess I also recall the look of relief when they are utterly exhausted and ready to sleep in the car for the drive home. I loved going for drives over the shore to my grandparents - it alwasy seemed so long or never long enough (about min drive). I especially loved falling asleep on the way home so my parents could carry us inside to bed (sometimes I prentended to sleep because I was too tired to walk inside ).

{Days of Winter: No.3}

This winter day found us at a birthday party. Cupcake and craft making.

Eden's MasterpeiceMaking fruit Kebabs
The Birthday girl with her finished box

It was a really great, busy day. Speakg of busy, I was having a discussion with Nigel the other night about how I often hear people saying "we have been so busy latley" and I thought about this. Life is meant to be busy. Heavenly Father designed it so that six days we would labour and on the seventh we would rest. However, I think the general perspective is that six days we rest and labour for one day. In saying this, balance is the key and not running faster than we have strength. Which leads onto my next thought, Order. There must be order in all things. Boy do I know what its like when there is Chaos. Don't believe in chaotic order, as one of my friends put it. Things get done 10 times faster when there is order. Simple rule - but it back where you found it. this only workd though when things are in order to start off with. ENJOY YOUR LIFE

{Days of Winter: No.2}

One day we heard a lovely knock at the door, and there standing was this lovely young lady, Ernestine. I invited her in for lunch and then she stayed for a few hours - we had a wonderful catchup and she so willingly helped precut things for a friends birthday party I was helping at.
Eden and James decided it would be craft day for them too. So out came the beads and flowers.
Then they progressed onto the kitchen table to help out (or create more paper cutouts for the fire).
So on this winter day we had great company and great fun cutting and stapling - the kids are staple-a-holics, everything gets stapled and yes, James has tried it on other people and body parts!

{Days of Winter: No.1}

Our Little Drummer Boy, practising for the ward talent night. Entitled "Blockhouse Bay's Got Talent".

Eden was actually the one most excited about it and asked if she could do a performance. So Papa decided it would be a Cook Island one and out came the drums and this little guys serious face.

He is loving having his Aitutaki Drum sticks, and even tries to mumble the chants. I wish I had as much enthusiam for creating music as he does. This is Nigels stress release, after work he comes home, gets out his sticks and drums. (Mostly on the bed or blanket box)

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Rain & The Cemetery Part II

Today I had the blessing of going visiting teaching without any children. Now that Nigel is doing postgrad studies and is home for the most part. It was wonderful to sit and talk and drink a nice hot chocolate. Especially on a day like this, Rain and Gray skies, instead of flying in and out with the kids. The weather also got me thinking about my commitment to go and clean my Great-Grandparents graves. This is something I really want to get on too. Must write that in Nigels to do list. I'm really enjoying him being at home more - being able to accomplish things together as a family.

The second home we visited found us telling family history stories. It got me excited again, knowing that I will be able to go to the Family History Library during the daytime . I can't wait to become a sleuth again!

{Seeing Life Everyday}

I have been re-inspired by a fellow blogger. She put out a challenge to capture the everyday moments. So the past week has found me behind the lens of our camera, trying to catch these fleeting moments. It's a cheap camera without all the latest trims that they seem to come with these days. However, I am going to do my best to see life through the lens.

Stay tuned to my 30 Days of Everyday.

{bABy PhOtoS}

This past week Nigel has been showing everyone that comes over his baby photo, to prove that Isaac looks like him!!!!! I thought I'd post these up for you all to enjoy.

(Nigel 9 months)

(Isaac 6 months)

{Comparison}

So we showed Isaac the picture too. What do you think his reaction was?

He thought he was looking in the mirror!!! He started laughing as soon as he saw it.

notice Eden trying to get into the photo's. She was upset that Isaac was the model this time.

{BestFriends}

This is my Best Friend. His name is Nigel, he is twenty seven years old (seven weeks older). He graduated from the University of Auckland in September 2007. The tassels was worth the hassel. We both learnt so many things from this experience.

{KOOL Kindy Kid}

Eden's kindy bag has disappeared and is nowhere to be seen. So we dug up (out of the archives) one of aunty Ann's. The jacket too came out of the archives and is 25 yrs old, and I think the fabric is too (on her dress). Thanks nan for the kindy dress!

So out came the camera and the POSES! What a hoot. Every time I would say one, two, cheese. On "cheese", she would strike a pose - and James would copy.

This was Eden telling James to get out of her limelight!

Maybe she is jealous of his purple socks and green basketball outfit!

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{EDENS SANDWHICH}

Monday lunchtime Eden taught Nigel and I how to make a real sandwhich (we looked on wondering why we didn't think to make our bread go further)

and then how to eat it

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{A GOOD PLACE}

I am in a good place, mentally and physically (who wouldn't be with the sun on their back). I thought, it's been a while since I took a photo of myself - so here it is. Twenty Seven years old, Three children and One wonderful best friend who also happens to be my husband.

I am reminded of a scrapbooking article that I came across. In essence it told me to take more photos of myself, not worrying about how I look and what I'm wearing. Looking back at her childhood photos with her mother, the author writes that she loves the way her mother is smiling and interacting with them. This is more important than her clothes or hair. So I want to be the same, when my children inherit their scrapbooks and albums, they would see a mother who was happy to be her and to be with them.

{Pen & Paper - and a bit of stampin}

On Friday I was really in a "Do It Now" mood, so I decided to write three letters. I hear people put it down as one of their "to do things", so I added it to mine and finally accopmlished it. I have to admit that the beautiful weather helped me get inspired. So with pen & paper in hand I wrote and wrote, and three days later I am going to put them in the mail (I finally have addresses for them all, and stamps). One is to Uncle Stevie serving in the Melbourne East, Australia mission. This coming month he will have been out one year, and it'll be my first pen & paper letter to him. Otherwise he only gets quick emails. And for those of you reading my blog, the other two are going out to a family member and a dear friend. So check your mailboxes ENJOY....



So don't delay, go out and write today!!!

{Big Sisters}

I just came across this photo, while searching for pics for a scrapbook. Once again it reminds me of my first post. I wonder what it would be like to have a big sister. For the rest of our lives Eden and I have something in common, being a BIG SISTER.

{Our REAL Son???}

The other day someone so kindly pointed out that Isaac is the only one that looks like us (nigel & I). It's strange for us too! When we had Eden, we actually hadn't thought about what our new baby would look like, but when she came out Red-haired, blue eyed, we were thrown back. Then James was born, a deeper red hair and deeper blue eyes. So people started to think that we were bringin home the right babies from the hospital. Then came Isaac, we were sooo use to these fair features that this dark hair and deep dark eyes was a shock to us. His is the brownest of us all, and right now the loudest (crying in his bed- just glad Eden & James are over that!!) Despite all that, they are all really ours. Gotta love Genetics!!!

better check on this little guy now!

{The Result}

As promised, here is Adie's feelings on her new hair do, or the stylist. Take your pic.

just couldn't keep it straight long enough. Maybe next time use more product.

This week has found us busy with a new convert baptism. It was wonderful to be there, although it was mostly in Tongan, I could see a change in his countenance and the atmosphere was wonderful. Despite the record amount of times I had to stop the kids running in an out. Thanks to the missionaries who guarded the door too!

Well Isaac is calling out for bedtime. Till next post.

{Cousins}

I have come to realise that cousins share a special bond. Almost like siblings, including the rivalry. WE were fortunate to have cousin AdiE come and stay for a whole week, with Aunty Lissa & Aunty Ann. I wish we lived closer to them, but alas my siblings are calling Australia home for now. Oh well, makes these "getting together" moments more special. Notice how we are holding on to all the kids. They kept trying to make a dash & run around the Temple Grounds. Yep even Isaac!!! Egging each other on!

This is cousin Adie singing "old mcdonald".

"Old McDonald had a farm e i e i o, and on that farm he had a JOB..."lol seriously this was hilarious and then she would get up and shake her toosh too! Oh we miss her! The kids sTiLl set her a place at the dinner table - in case she comes from Australia!

Here Eden decides she wants to play hairdressers, cos Aunty Lis and nana are hairdressers. So Adie puts in her request.

Do you think she was satisfied. Stay tuned til next post when I reveal her new look.

And how could we forget AUNTY AnN

Thanks for the help - in return we gave you a workout - no gym required!!!

Til next time....

{Chocolate & Wrinkles}

Here's a saturday morning conversation between nigel and I;

Kerstin: Wow, look at these. (pointing to my eyes). Wrinkles! Do you know how you get these?

Nigel: Yeah, from eating too much chocolate!

Kerstin: (rolling my eyeballs) No, you get them from smiling a lot. And just because I talk about chocolate nearly everyday doesn't mean I eat it every day!!!!

Isn't life grand. Seriously, that is probably Nigels standard response to nearly everything!! These aren't really my wrinkles and I looked in the mirror this morning and they weren't there. Must of had some happy dreams that night!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL

{Rain at the Cemetery}

Today found us at a funeral for Nigel's family. He was asked to lead the funeral services. I was happy to stay in the car with three sleeping kids (if we were home there would've been an extra sleeping body, myself). All was well until James awoke and cried, so his sister awoke and then lucky last, Isaac awoke and it was mad fogging going on in the car. Unfortunately rain kept all four of us inside, lest the kids get sick and my hair gets frizzy! The later eventually occurred when James needed to use the bathrooms!!!

Seeing as my hair had gone frizzy I decided to venture out and look up my great-grandparents headstones. We eventually came across them (half a cemetery later), and now have the chance to clean their stone. Will be a first for myself, so let me know if you have any great tips for cleaning it. Perhaps I shall "google" that.

Wish we were back here - Beautiful Cook Islands. My husbands calling, we are off on a date.

{Seeing Life}

I've been inspired the past two days. I want to see life through grateful eyes. It's worth living that way.

I Love this picture of Eden & Isaac. It reminds me to slow down and enjoy the "doing" instead of the "getting it done".

It's another autumn day in Auckland. The sun is streaming through the trees and the kids are asleep and growing at the same time!

Now if only I had the fire going in our home, then maybe there would be fire in my imagination!

I love to create. There truly is joy in CREATING. Better get on with it before the chance pases.

"Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart."
Joseph B. Wirthlin