Have any of you mothers found that there is a certain time almost daily when chaos erupts in your house? Usually in my house it's that hour before dinner - when I'm trying to fix dinner, someone is trying to finish up their homework and needing help - immediately, another one is practicing piano, hunger is setting in along with that comes a bit of grumpiness, and usually there is at least one phone call...at least one!

Then, finally we sit down to eat. With four children this can also mean that there is a bit of competition to be heard as we go around talking about our day. One interrupts, another gets frustrated because they were cut off.    My picky eater is shuffling food around on his plate and has to be reminded again and again that the food has to go on the fork and into the mouth. A bit more conversation ensues. Another reminder to eat the food, and another. Children who are finished waiting to be excused from the table, while one sibling is still thinking about eating.

Needless to say that I was feeling a bit stressed and drained by the time dinner had finished. Knowing that we were having Bible study at our house, I also knew that dishes had to be done, pronto! Bed time routines needed starting, and I hadn't had a chance to read the chapter of the book we were studying yet.
My lovely husband have me a 'time-out'! I was sent to my room to read and have a break.

Aleah instantly piped up with - 'Mummy, I'm going to make you a card while you are upstairs. I'm sorry we've made you tired!'

 When I came down (after fighting off sleep, and reading the chapter) this is what was waiting for me.

 Outside:  It reads...'To Mummy we all love you very much, from Aleah, Daddy, Levi, (Sam and Abby are there somewhere I think)

Inside: Levi, Aleah, Abigail, Sam














Things like this completely wipe away all stress and frustration, and God reminds me how much of a blessing my little ones are.

It's me...again!

Ok, I know a lot of people have just about given up on this blog (mother) - I am asking you to bear with me yet again. The longer I leave putting up a post - for whatever reason- the more there seems to post and then I get blogged bogged down. There is so much that I want to share, especially with those living far away from us!
So here's my summary of what's been going on:

July: My mom's visit came to an end along with the school year.
Glory Hunters Children's Holiday Bible Camp with help from some great people from First Baptist Church Mt Washington, Louisville KY!

We signed a contract to rent a 4 bedroom house in Roehampton and started our next adventure in our journey with Christ.

August: My birthday (30...again I think.)
Family camping trip to The Forest of Dean including 15km bike ride and rain of course!

Contagious Youth Bible Conference - awesome and challenging time studying the life of Christ with approx 180 teenagers!

THE BIG MOVE - moved from our 3 bedroom flat at Twynholm Baptist Church (where we've lived since we were married) to a 4 bedroom Council Estate house in Roehampton.

September: School started again. Abby - Year 8, Sam- Year 6 (last year of primary school), Aleah Year 1...and Levi is at the school of life with Mummy!
We celebrated Abigial's 13th birthday - yikes - I am a mother of a teenager!

We handed over the ministries that we had been doing at Twynholm to teams of great people who God will use to further the ministry there. We had a celebration evening with the people of Twynholm (past & present) in which we felt very loved and blessed.

October: Officially began ministry at New Life Church!
Dean celebrated yet another birthday!
We celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary!

I do have pictures to post for some of these events, but they are currently on Dean's laptop and he is busy 'sermonizing' for church tomorrow - so it is a 'no go zone'! Stay tuned and I will have some photos for you within the next few days...I promise!