Gratitude Monday...

I am grateful for.....

... the opportunity to be able to homeschool my beautiful children that God has blessed me with.

... a daughter that blows me away with her kindness, love and servant heart and the relationship she has with her heavenly Father.

... a son that whispers "I love you mummy in the whole wide world" before I can open my eyes in the morning. His kisses, tight cuddles and the smell of his skin.

... a husband that is going to spend the rest of his life with me, through good times and bad.

... parents that love me unconditionally.

... a roof over my head that is filled with peace, love and joy.

... and my relationship with my heavenly Father.

Family day at O'Reillys...

We had such a lovely day on Saturday. I was in the middle of going through my pantry and re-organising, and Chris thought it would be a good idea to escape the house and head off for a drive. So I threw everything back in the pantry, had a quick shower and jumped into 'bluey'. You don't need to twist my arm into going on family drive. I have such great memories of going on family drives when I was a child. 

After a quick look at 2 garage sales and then a quick stop in a country town for some popcorn chicken and gravy, we were off into the countryside.

Jack started the trip with "Are we there yet?" but soon tired of that and enjoyed looking for cows, tractors and cattle grids.

Laura was the 'gate girl' and off we headed up into the mountains.

Finally we arrived at O'Reillys. We stopped for lunch, iced coffees and milkshakes at the restaurant and then we were off to feed the birds. 

Look at that handsome man. 

Sharing the birdseed and waiting for the birds to land.

What happens if you put birdseed in your hair?

A birdie lands on your head. 

(Please excuse the terrible photo of myself, I have more chins than the chinese phone book.)

I sprinkled some birdseed on Jack's head too. He squealed with delight.

My beautiful kiddies.

Time for the treetop walk. It was a looooooong way down to the bottom of the forest.

I'm not too good with heights so I clung tightly to the edge.

I didn't actually look over the edge to take this photo. I just pointed the camera that way and clicked. If I looked it made my tummy go all funny. :)

Following my family across the bridge. If I walked on the same part as they did, the bridge swayed too much for me.

The birds were so beautiful. God creation is amazing.

Illustration Friday...

Title: Harvest

Illustrator: Laura

Laura loves painting with watercolours. She painted this sitting in her bedroom using an old wooden crate as a desk.

Laura's Birthday Party...

Laura's yummy birthday cake made by her Dad. (Chris loves to make the cakes each year for the kids and he does such a great job.)

Birthday bunting made by Mumma.

Laura received so many beautiful gifts from her family and friends...

Celebrating with some of the guests...

Strawberries and Ice cream for dessert...

The party was alot of fun but unfortunately Jack got the tummy bug halfway through the party and added some decoration to the back patio. He then lay in my arms for the rest of the night, vomiting and high temperatures lasting until the following Monday. A huge big thank you to the amazing friends I have that stepped in and took photos for me, washed up and helped keep the party running smoothly. Thanks Jill, Tiff and Jules xxx

Laura's Birthday...

I can't believe my beautiful girl is 14 years old now. The time has gone so fast. Not a day goes past where I'm not thankful to God for blessing me with such a beautiful daughter and best friend. I love her so much...

We started off the day with presents. Laura woke early and found 4 big boxes on her bed. Yes, the lump in her bed is her... We can't show you her face cause she just woke up. :)

Then we surprised Laura and took her out for breakfast down the coast. We grabbed a couple of croissants and jam before we left home to keep our tummies satisfied for the half hour drive.

Mumma waiting for her morning coffee at the beach...

Jack patiently waiting for his Hash Brown and baby cino...

Daddy and son walking along the waterfront after brekky. They were heading up to the nearby park to play.

Stopping for cuddles in the clover...

The boys playing in the helicopter at the park...

"Mmmmmm..... How do I get out of here?" says Dad.

Nature journalling...

I think this photo is so cute. We didn't take it but I really like it. I like the texture of the fence they are sitting on. I wonder what they are saying to each other...

Gratitude Monday...

I have taken up the challenge from my blogging friends to blog on a Monday about things I am thankful for...

Well today I feel so thankful for my beautiful children...


You see, a few weeks ago I came across a blog where they were praying for a little boy that is Jack's age, his name is Cole. We have been following his updates and praying for him. Below is his story...

"Cole is a 3 year old little boy who has been a blessing from the start to his parents Aaron and Moireen Ruotsala and his sister Chaneille. He has been a daddies boy always, and his favorite thing to do is play 'corners' with his dad. A game he invented by chasing his dad around their fireplace. He is always wanting to spend time with dad and loves to go fishing and loves airplanes. He is the sweetest little boy who loves his family dearly and loves his baby sister so much! On thursday night July 24th he started complaning of stomach pains. He was up most of the night off and on screaming in pain. His stomach had appeared to be enlarged and rock hard by friday. After Moireen had talked with her mother they decided to take him into the emergency room in ironwood thinking that his appendix might have ruptured. He was checked into the hospital and the doctors ran tests on him most of the night. They new something was wrong but ruled out appendix. At 5:30 this morning, July 26 the doctors thought it was cancer and immedietly transfered him by ambulance to St. Josephs Children's hospital in Marshfield WI. There he was seen by Dr. Mcmanus where he did confirm that it is cancer, possibly Neuroblastoma, (not confirmed yet) the tumor is the size of a man's fist and it has overtaken his left kidney, penetrated his spleen, is moving into his liver, and traces of it have now showed up in his lungs. The tumor is inoperable because it is wrapped around his aeorta and wrapped around his spine. The doctors will be starting more tests on monday to find out what type of cancer it is and then will procede further in trying to figure out the right treatment. Cole is on pain medicine right now and that is their main concern right now trying to keep him comfortable. please pray for Cole and his family, for strength, for wisdom for the doctors and for the lord's presence to flood their room and cole's body. Aaron ask's for prayer that Cole can be comforted and be healed. He also said to cherish every second with the ones you love, especially your children! Thank you so much for the prayers and i will do my best to keep this updated as best as i can."

This photo of Cole was taken last month...

This is a photo of Cole after his surgery...

Well...

On Laura's birthday, little Cole went home to be with Jesus. No more suffering, no more pain.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in other things but we need to stop and realise how blessed we are to have our children...
I'm off to hug the kids.

Illustration Friday...

Title:  Auntie Pauliina

Illustrator:  Jack 

Jack drew this picture when Darran was here last week. We sent it back with her birthday present to Hong Kong.

We miss those Mullers heaps.  xxx

BLOG ABOUT TO BE LOCKED...

If you view my blog and would like to still see it, please send me a message so I can allow you access. I don't mind if family, friends and friends of friends see it but after getting other comments from total strangers that have nothing in common with me I have decided to go into an 'invitation only blog'...  

Photo that made it into the finals....

This is my photo that made it into the Smile Photo Competition at Centro. There about 18 finalists and you can view them at Spingwood Centro Shopping Centre. I was rather surprised to see my photo blown up and at the shops.  It made me smile...

New book arrived in the mail...

I've always loved receiving things in the mail. Last week I was so excited when my Amazon order arrived from America. I have been really looking forward to getting this book. I love Amy Butler's patterns and fabrics. Now I need to pick what I am going to make first with Laura...

Mini Mates Farm Excursion...

Jack had a great time with his mates...

After a little bit of encouragement, Jack decided to have a ride on the pony. He told me he was bringing in the 'wild brumby's'. He LOVES the Australian Outback Spectactular...

Slipping in a little cuddle with one of his girls...

Posing for Mum as a real cowboy....

Enjoying another cuddle with one of his girls...

Visiting the donkey...

Time for wheelbarrow races. These were alot of fun.

More mates...

Enjoying a yummy iceblock after a warm spring day...

Patting the Alpacas and feeding them carrot...

Feeding lettuce to the chooks...

Checking out the goats with big sis...