Happy reminders...

Dear Friends and Family,

... well that is how our Christmas letter started when I decided to write an email to all the family and friends we have.  Yes I am too unorganised to even send Christmas cards to our nearest and dearest.  *Sigh!*

It is much easier to get on here and write to you, my fellow blog followers.  I am not sure why but I think it either has something to do with the anominity or the fact that you have followed my journey this year.  I'll admit I have neglected you at times but have tried to make up for it.  Has it worked?  Its been a year... that is all I can really say for it at this time.  Whilst I don't see this year as amazing overall, I have had some amazing moments.  Highlights if you will. 

Here are some favorite highlights from my year....
(In no particular order)

- Sheer Beauty Conference & The Calling Conference - both in general but I had some truly awesome God highlights for the year on these two weekends.  Not to mention the friendships and bonds I have made due to both of these conferences.
- Two trips to Townsville, whilst not happy trips (for funerals) it was really wonderful to see family I rarely get to spend time with.
- Asher being toilet trained!!!  Trust me a SUPER highlight!

There have been plenty more, but one that really stands out and brings me to tears, isn't even to do with my actual family.  It is to do with one awesome bestie!  Katherine.  Around this time a year ago both Katherine and I had our second miscarriages for the year - or so we thought.  Well, I definately had and I was desperately praying that Katherine hadn't.  I can't recall exactly when it was that she found out that she hadn't lost her baby but I do recall it being a huge relief, not just for her but also for me.  It was the one thing that kept me going for a long time.  Rejoicing in this life that she was growing.  When Zebulon was born on the 15th August this year, I fell in love! 

Even now every time I see and cuddle (oh how I love to cuddle him), this little man is SUCH a reminder of God's love and and the hope I have in Him.  Zeb, sweet boy, don't tell the girls but you are my secret favorite and I love you!  How could you not love this kid?? (Hope you don't mind I borrowed your pic Kt)

Just in case you are worried and think I will try and swap him for Asher, think again - remember Asher is toilet trained (not swapping that!).  Seriously though, the past couple of weeks leading up to Christmas have been really wonderful for my little family.  We have spent proper, on purpose, time together as a little family unit.  We do that often, but its like we are in our own little bubble, which has been the BEST highlight of my year I think.

In case I forget to tell you later - Happy Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful time remembering the true reason for Christmas and spending time with loved ones.

I will get some pics up soon of me and my boys!

PS- If you haven't recieved my Christmas email, that is because I haven't sent it.  Sorry, this may be all you get.  I still love you though!

to the one I love

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

May God Bless you today and always as you constantly bless me.

I am so happy you are my man and are in my life.

I hope you enjoy your day and all the suprises it brings.

Love your loving Wife...

D

then...

now...

(photo 2 courtesy of Asher)

Suprise, Suprise!!!

I have always loved suprises and never thought that a suprise would ever shock me or make me nervous to the point of almost tears, but last night I realised just how they could.

My hubby came home a bit earlier than usual, no suprise there cause he'd gone to work earlier. So, I made dinner and as I hadn't had lunch I was particularly hungry. We sat down to eat and after about 4 mouthfuls of food (which didn't take long cause as I said I was hungry) Brad said he heard a car at our place, I told him it was just next door as usual. Next came a loud knock at the door and after Brad opened the door, in walked my mum and dad with bags of stuff. I didn't know they were coming and on seeing the bags I naturally asked, "What are you guys doing here?" This is when Brad turned to me and said, "We are going out! Suprise!"

Shock!

I have no idea what shocked me most, the fact that my parents had just walked in, the fact that we were going out or the fact that Brad managed to organise a suprise for me!!! Either way, the thought did cross my mind, "Why did he let me make dinner then?"

THEN, he said, "You have about 15 minutes to get ready!" Ok, so I hadn't showered in 2 days, had greasy hair, no make up, was wearing an oversided chesty bonds singlet and leggins! Pretty! Lucky for him I am quick and can change fast and deodorant comes in a spray can AND I could put my hair up! So I quickly dressed in some jeans, a 3/4 sleeve shirt and some flat shoes. Then we went.

As we drove I didn't know if I wanted to cry or throw up - I was so nervous and worried as to where we might be going - he had hinted that one of the other guys from church was wanting to do something last week and I thought it may have something to do with that.

Eventually we arrived (just up the road) at a local hall, where I could see some other couples from church on the front porch, I kind of sighed a bit of relief knowing there were friends there but still unsure as to what was going on. Then, as we pulled in and I looked inside the hall and saw no chairs and heap of strangers the thought hit me and I asked, "This isn't a dance class is it?" Brad didn't respond until we got inside and said "Are you ok?" Still unsure if I wanted to stay, cry or just plain run out of there, I relayed my story to my friend Anna and learnt that the other 5 girls there were all in the same boat of unknowing what their men had organised.

As the night went on we muddled our way through the mambo, wobbled through the waltz, chased our partners through the cha cha and ended up with sore feet but big smiles on all our faces! It was a really thoughtful suprise and I really did enjoy myself (although I realised how unfit I was). I'm not sure if we will go again next week but we will see.

Most of my close friends will know that I do love dancing and my darling hubby knows this but that said, I have always been plain terrified of dancing with a partner! I can dance in a choreographed dance no probs but make me dance with a partner I am terrible. This my Brad also knows. So, in light of this I told Brad that next time he suprises me - and gets a baby sitter for us to go out - he can just take me for coffee!

Just want to thank Aaron & Shelli, Pete & Anna, Calen & Stacey, Steve & Chelsea and Ben & Lena for a great night. At least there will be some of us able to dance at Ben & Lena's wedding now!

For Lisa

bourke at Easter

instant besties

sleepovers

giggles

cocktails

driving around is cool cars

fork n knives

walkie talkies

tears

laughter

dance

party

boardgames

new zealand

hugs

weddings

love

to my darling sister Lisa, happy 30th birthday

sorry I couldn't be with you for it but I was

loving you from afart.

Love Debbs

Ok, so you want more on the "Love Dare"

A few people have been asking me more about the love dare that I am doing. Well, to explain it won't do it justice but if you are interested in finding out more or want to know where you can get info from here is what I do know.

I have seen the movie "Fireproof" at Word bookstores, I am also sure you could get it from other Christian bookstores too or even off the website http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/. So, I would start there - it costs around the $29 mark and then while you are there pick up a copy of the book "Love Dare". (These retail for around $17 I think). Then go and watch the movie, either alone or with your partner and then just open the book when you are ready to start the love dare and read one day at a time.

If you can't afford the movie - you can just buy the "Love Dare" book by itself. It is really easy to read and it has spots for you to journal in what you have done each day. Very user friendly, although I can't guarantee the dares are as easy as they may look each day.

What I have learned from doing the "Love Dare" this week...

On top of everything else going on in my life, I have decided to take up the challenge of doing the "Love Dare" . For 40 days I have a Dare to do. This week has been the first week and I have already learned ALOT. I have learned that I am a VERY selfish person who can be very quick to get angry, frustrated and annoyed. Something that even alot of my close friends wouldn't know - although my poor darling husband Brad and son Asher know it all to well.

I have had to really think about what I say this week and realised my response to alot of things has been well recieved by them. Also, I have had to think about what I do that makes Brad annoyed, irritable and frustrated.

So, at the end of the first 7 days I am starting to have more paitence, watch how I respond to difficult circumstances and have realised that this marriage is NOT all about me! I would encourage all married couples to take up this challenge. Watch the movie called "Fireproof" then do this challenge, it will not only help you, it will make your marriage better and I would even go as far as to say that, if your marriage is in trouble - this could honestly save it!

365 days to do...

On a recent outing with Katherine (minus children- the best kind of outings), we were in Borders having coffee and getting lost in amongst the books. Whilst wistfully browsing the cookbooks we came across a book called "Julie and Julia". I had never even heard of this book let alone know there was a movie about to be released about it. (Katherine kindly informed me excitedly.) Rather than tell you too much about it you can check it out at the Julie and Julia website, but its about food, blogging and from what I can tell 365 days to do something. Well anyway, if you aren't into blogging, cooking or projects in general - watch it and you will!

Anyway, along with all that I have heard about the 365 project a few months back and gave that a go but forgot to take photos every day but still I do like the concept of both blogging and doing something for 365 days. After much searching on the web for things I can do each day I also discovered a site where someone named Julie is getting rid of something each day in a way to declutter - so that really grabbed me to.

So with a bit more thought I have decided that I will try it! I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but I will also write what I do in a journal each day and the days I don't blog I can catch up by looking back in the journal. Ok, this is how it works... each day I am going to do and blog about not 1, not 2, but 3 different things.

Each day I will...
~ get rid of something in my life I don't need {mostly house things}
~ think up an activity for Asher to do {this will be the hardest of all I think}
~ write about something I appreciate in my life
{I may even get a photo or two in there}

Ok, so here goes!!!

Where the wild things are...

As I sit and look at some of the amazing blog sites on here - I am totally inspired by their beauty and am completely taken into their lovely worlds... then I snap back to reality!

You see I really enjoy beautiful, simple, clean and lovely things. But when I take stock of my life and my house and belongings, you could never tell. I am, deep down a VERY girly girl! With a hubby who's spectrum of favorite colours only hovers between light blue, dark blue, brown, and black; and a two year old boy who loves to throw stuff, (particularly balls and dirt) and doesn't like to stay clean - I am left with only one option I feel... have a house that wipes clean easy, doesn't show up dirt and has nothing too precious!

Ah, so you see my quandry now? In the book "Where the Wild things Are", Max rides away in a small boat to where the Wild Things are. My husband and son love this book, because they can imagine being where the wild things are and being part of that. But I, on the other hand want to be back in my lovely house with warm dinner waiting - out of the boat, the forest and away from where the wild things are.

I don't mean to complain about my life and make you think that I don't enjoy my family, house and surroundings, I am just yet to see the feminine beauty that my surroundings possess. Does anyone out there know any ideas on how to do this? I am thinking that I need to stick to my Spring Resolutions especially about de-cluttering more... am now looking at my tin of pens/pencils and wondering how many of them I really need.

I dream of small clay potted herbs sitting neatly in the sun, flowers growing vibrantly in my garden, and me sitting in a lawn chair soaking up the sun whilst sipping tea watching my son play contently in the garden. Ahh. Oh well, there is always heaven for that!

Spring Resolutions

I have just read my friends latest blog update and she has suggested that Spring be the time we make new resolutions, and I whole heartedly agree!!! (Nice one Katherine)

So, as challenged by her my new Spring Resolutions are...

1 - Garden more or maybe I should just say garden, as I don't do it now but I will - anyone who has seen our yard knows its needs some loving!

2 - Declutter (more) - I have started this but I need to do a full "Spring Clean". (HELP)

3 - Write to my friends both far and close - as in hand write not this typing thing - although if I had an old typewriter that would be fun too!~

4 - Get moving more! Ok well I would like to say here "Lose Weight" or "Exercise" but we all know that even the best intended resolutions (at any time of the year) to do these doesn't work. So I hereby declare I will become an outdoorsy person before Summer comes! (This includes walking places, going outside with Asher and using our QLD 3 World passes to go to Seaworld, MovieWorld and Wet'n'Wild more!

Ok, and as a side note - I will also try to be more patient with the uploading my photos on here... Next Time.

What's been happening...

We have done heaps over the last few months and much has happened. But I thought I would put a few pics up of our growing little man just showing how cute he is. He is not in his "Terrible Two's" but rather in his "Terrific (and sometimes trying) Two's".

He is so living up to his name of happy and blessed as he is both and he makes us happy and we are blessed to have him in our lives!

At the museum checking out the koala with mum.

Having fun with cousins!

Kids checking each other out.

(Below) One very happy boy!

Monday's With Katherine

Most people hate Mondays - but very rarely do I have a Monday I don't like!

How do I overcome this world wide problem?

Well, all you need is one REALLY great friend! In my case I have Katherine! We have been friends since it was originally cool to write "BF's 4 Eva"! Cause that is what we are!

We have a kind of unspoken rule that Monday's is OUR day - sometimes it doesn't alway pan out but generally it does. It helps too that we both have kids that play well together - so it doesn't matter if we go to her place or she comes to mine - we just let them run wild whilst we try and chat!

Yep, there is alot of love on Mondays for me! And I owe it all to you Katherine! Thanks!

(PS Asher talked about Katin's Bish all day today not just for the trip home - am thinking a fish in our house may be a good option!)

Asher Turns Two

Well... my very good authority I had about making bunting was right!!! I successfully made some bunting, also some not so fantastic flags as take home gifts and I attempted to bake the birthday cake but between getting milk and water mixed up and burning them I decided to buy a sponge and then ice it nicely!!! Asher had a great morning and we were all pooped by 1pm! What fun it was Two Two Two!

Will hopefully get some more pics tomorrow! (His actual birthday - there is a guitar and a tricycle to come!)

My Day

As I sit and recall the day I have had today (Mother's Day) I can only think of one word to describe the day and that is BLESSED. I awoke to my almost 2 year old entertaining himself in his room (actually just taking off his pyjamas I later discovered) then when he was ready to come out my wonderful man got up and let me sleep in (for almost 2 hours!).

Then when I awoke to the sound of the door opening my bright eyed, little Asher came bursting through with a paper, homemade card and a very proud look on his face. He had made (with some help from daddy) a very colourful card. I don't know which I loved more the card or the look on his face when he gave it me and I told him just how proud I was of him.

Next, I was shown that on my bedside table was a pencil with a "Breakfast Menu" and I could choose anything I wanted off it (all of it even, if I was that hungry). I chose eggs on toast and an apple and guava juice.

Then came the presents - New slippers and a dvd (The Lakehouse). Plus, many hugs and kisses.

I got to play with bubbles outside with Asher, also with the ball up the hallway (a fave thing of his) and I got to read my book and relax. We also chatted to my mother-in-law and father-in-law via webcam.

To end my day we had dinner with my mum and dad and gave mum a card and some lovely photos of her adorable and (so far) most loved grandson. (He's the only one so far)

All in all it was a beautiful day and I felt very loved and cherished my my little "Sing"let and my darling husband.

Happy Mother's Day

This is a little note from Asher to his Grandma

in Bendigo for mother's day. But I do hope all

my mum friends have a happy Mother's Day!

An amazing discovery!

I recently discovered something so amazing that it almost brang me to tears to discover it!

It is pretty silly really, and it shouldn't have been a shock discovery. Well, it wasn't really a shock, more of a realisation of sorts!

Last week I spent some rare one on one time with my long time friend. After getting on to the topic of our friendship we discovered just how "long" that long time friendship was. THIS was the amazing discovery! With some quick calculations we discovered that we had in fact been friends for... wait for it... 18 years!

OK so you are maybe thinking that 18 years to be friends isn't really that long - but I kinda think it is and therefore this makes her my oldest friend (in friendship years not age)! I have known others for this long but none as a true friend like her.

I love all of my friends sooo much but today I want to just take a moment and put this here for my dear friend to read and you too...


So I want to just say a bit of a thank you to you, with this little trip down memory lane...
Remember...
Those short little dresses, the Valley, PopScene, driving lessons, Jimeon (near dropped and smashed the mattress!), dancing lessons, dress ups, the hairstyles, our little box, Christmas lights, the times I would check you were still breathing on sleep overs,the double chins, the trampoline (ok so not all of these may be fond memories), the elephant cake, the cow party, children, the nights away from the children, the trip to IKEA!

Looking forward to many more memories with you KtK!

The Ones We Love

After talking to my Secretly Favorite Aunt (you know who you are) tonight, I got to thinking about the people I truly love (yes she is one of them).

They say that you could only count on one hand your truly closest friends, but the person who philosophied that didn't think of family!

You see, although we don't get to choose our family, we do get to choose to love them. Like anyone we choose to love really. But the difference with family is that they have to love us back because they are family - so getting to know them and knocking the rough edges off the relationship with have with them is just easier because you get over things quicker.

This may not be true for all but I have definately found it true for myself. When I look at my family (both immediate and extended) I look at their lovely sides and see how they love me and can't help loving them back!

So to my family, I want you to know that I love you - and to my friends who are reading this and instantly put themselves into my "Family" category, to you - I want you to know that getting to know and love you the way I do was well worth it!

Colourful living!

The question isn't whether it's true,
The question--"Is it working for you?"
Marshmallow skies
And custardy pies
And nothing's too hard to do...
Aint it grand living in a LaLa Land!
(All Star United lyrics)

This is one of the few things that picks me up when I am down and out! Listening to a fun band and singing my lungs out. Yes I get a few odd stares (ok just one from Asher) but I love it!
Don't you love the days when things look bright and all the colours are out!

No I have not lost it, and Yes, I may not make any sense. But I am writing as a woman who is joyful! God has blessed me and I am reveling in my blessings.

Asher and I had a colourful day yesterday playing with friends and paint and today we played with more friends and ate biscuits galore!

Thank you Lord for colours, biscuits and friendships!!!

Missing the point

Ok, so today, I have been missing friends who are far away. Most who are in Melbourne and one in Sydney and one in Czech Republic. I miss being able to just call them up and go for a coffee or go to the markets or just be silly with them. Why is it that the dearest friends seem to end up so far away? Ok, now I know that my friends who live close are reading this saying -"What about me?" And rest assured I totally love and appreciate you very much. I think that with each of my friends I have a different and special relationship and am so greatful for the uniqueness of each one. They are the greatest treasures I have, my relationships.

So, as I ponder the relationships I have with my beautiful friends, I look heavenward to my God and say, "Thank you". Also knowing that the best relationship I have with any of my friends is my best friend who knows me better than any - God.