{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!