Autumn Fun

This week is half-term which means that the kids have the week off school. It has also turned VERY cold here, and isn't much fun to be outside. We've had a day of entertaining guests, and helping out another family by watching their kids. Today we went on a pumpkin hunt. Yes, we've left it a little late to get out pumpkins and after striking out at 2 stores, Abigail spotted some pumpkins outside a small fruit and veg shop.
We don't celebrate Halloween as a rule, but we do find carving pumpkins an enjoyable activity. I do encourage the kids to be creative with their designs and not do 'scary' faces...although boys will be boys. Here's a few pictures of the kids working on their masterpieces.

Later today I enjoyed a moment of pride as all three of my kids independently sat down to play a game together. Oh, the joy of motherhood!

(The pictures aren't where they should be, there was a problem when trying to edit them, but I'm sure you can figure it out.)

Long time comming

Again, I have to apologize for the length of time between updates. Dean has added a few things of his own and I do hope that you have been able to view them and enjoy them. Part of the delay has been no batteries in the camera, and the other part is that I am definitely slowing down as this pregnancy progresses. As you may notice, I am 33 weeks along now, and I must say that having 3 other children uses up my energy quite quickly.
Here is a little snippit of our English 'crazy golf' experience. We went for Dean's birthday, and it was a beautiful day. Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery and memory all at the same time so I was only able to get a few shots!

One for the wives

Some might argue that my last post was biased towards husbands so here's one for the wives. Men how are you doing on this score? Do you protect your wife physically, emotionally and spiritually? Are you working to provide for all of her needs? It is not manly to keep quiet just because we aren't doing so good the true manly thing to do is admit it and confess it to God and to our wives and take steps to correct things. I find myself needing to do this often. Any way here is a clip from my boy Mark who is kind of talking about the same thing in his usual Mars Hill way. (I recently heard him say he classed people into two groups 1.People who have been offended by something he has said and 2.People who have never listened to him preach!) I hope it causes you to think about your own life. Blessings Dean.

Engedi (from Dean)

Here is a video clip from a Pastor who I admire and look up to a lot. He may not be for everyone, (he was a way of putting things that sometimes ruffles a few feathers!) but he loves Jesus and wants his church to love and follow him too. He speaks about everyday things in everyday language – no holds barred! About real life, how to have peace with God through the death of His Son and living in light of that gospel, being good husbands a wives, raising God honouring families, enjoying God’s good gifts being good husbands (did I say that one already? Oh yea I did but I’m gonna leave it in anyway because he hits on it so much! He’s a man’s man and he rarely minces his words even when it comes to sensitive issues like sex. (Oh yea did I mention that he says most of this stuff when he is preaching to the church he is pastor of) Well here is a clip for the wives that read this blog I hope it blesses you and your marriages. If you want to hear more of him you can download sermons from http://www.marshillchurch.org - fellas let me dare you to listen him on being a dad – it’s dynamite.

This clip is from a series he is preaching on the Song of Solomon! And it might not be very wise to take it too out of context. Enjoy. Dean.

Potty Training Success!

Well it seems that we have conquered the Potty Training trials! True success what achieved on Friday morning! After a week of half-hearted training...due to Aleah being quite ill, it seems that she doesn't need much guidance from me! Here's what happened:
Friday morning Dean was out early due to his first day of his new part-time job (details to follow). This left me to get the kids ready and off to school by myself. I also needed to get back quite quickly because I help run a Parent/Toddler playgroup Friday mornings as well. So...because all this was going on I wasn't going to bother with the whole 'big pants' fiasco. I put Aleah in a nappy (diaper) and headed out the door. We got the bus to school, and was rescued on the way home by Dean who had finished early. Then it was off to playgroup which runs from 10 -12. I hadn't even bothered to ask Aleah about the toilet but continued with the duties of the morning. After playgroup had finished we were tidying up and Aleah came running out of the church toilet saying 'Look Mommy, Leah did it!' When I looked she was carrying the potty - full of pee to show me. She had gone independently into the toilet taken off her trousers, and nappy and successfully used the toilet without my help! Her nappy was bone dry...she had been waiting all morning!!! AMAZING! My friend who was helping looked at me and said...'I think she's done it!'

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Aleah's 2nd birthday - pictures.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook