Drawing class

Last night for Family Home Evening Donald gave us a drawing class. Out came the pencils and paper and Donald was off.  He gets rather animated while explaining the drawing, characterization process, hence the blur. 

Our drawing subjects were anything the boys chose.  Subject No. 1 Bats;  Subject No. 2 Bears;  Subject No. 3 Abominable snowman. Here are a few samples. 

 

Sam's cool bat with lots of sharp teeth and sun glasses.

Ethan's Evil Bear with really sharp teeth.  

I think sharp teeth were a common theme for the night plus lots and lots of circles from Toby.

Searching for Laura

I have lost touch with a wonderful friend, a woman I met at church while we lived in Vancouver, Canada.  She was there for me when I had my first child and was away from my family.  Her family was our family and we spent a lot of time together.  I miss her and often think about her, where she is, how her children have grown and more importantly how she is.  

I know that my blog has had a lot of visitors lately, particularly from USA and am hoping that maybe one of you may know of her, been to church with her or know of her family.  Laura & Mike Larsen, their last known contact was in Sandy or Draper Utah.  If you know anything please leave a comment, I won't publish the comment if it has personal details in it, or tell her I am thinking of her.  I would love to find Laura again.  I do miss her.

On the way home

Every year I wait for this season so I can admire the best blossom tree I have ever seen. Every week since spring started I have been waiting, waiting for the buds on the tree to pop open and reveal their beautiful pink blossoms. Every Sunday on the way home from church I remember that next week I need to bring the camera......this week I remembered.  

My beautiful boys in the car on the way home. 

My cheeky husband speeding around corners

 

and me.

Jump for joy...

....the holidays are here

it's not even 8 o'clock and already we have a robot city. 

Continue to be Inspired

If you remember my earlier post in September, Be Inspired, well have a look and see how I was inspired (yep I've got a little message for all to see)..... Click on the Nie Nie link below and go on to the next link "Nie's Proc week" or just click here.

For Stephanie and Christian's recovery and the continuing story, Stephanie's sister Courtney fills us in on life looking after her nieces and nephews click below.

The Nie Recovery fund continues to amaze me, the fantastic efforts people are going to, to help this family, online auctions, etsy sales, other bloggers auctions and wonderful people in the blogging world donating their craft, time and love to help this family.  

I dare you to open the window into their lives......it is a beautiful view.

What do people do all day....

......make busy busy town.

Things I love about Mummy....that's me (revisited)

One of my reasons for the tears today.

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Breakfast in bed, hugs, kisses, cards, chocolates, parcels, shopping, phone calls then pizza and cake.  It just about sums up my day today although there were a few tears too, just feeling the love.

 I made my birthday cake this year, my favourite raspberry, malteser ice cream cake.  

*Crush your favourite biscuits, scotch finger biscuits, mix with a little melted butter and spread over base of cheese cake pan. 

*Soften 2 litres of your favourite vanilla ice cream, Streets Blue Ribbon for me. 

*Crush a big bag of Maltesers and fold into ice cream

*Add a handful or more of frozen raspberries, crumble into ice cream and gently fold in together. 

*Spread over biscuit base and freeze a few hours.

Enjoy, or use your own favourite fruits and crumbled goodies, I've done the same with blue berries too.

Things I love about Mummy....that's me

Our Family Home Evening activity, apart from hide and seek, was decided by Donald.  Everyone had to write at least two nice things about Mummy (me) and I had to guess who wrote them.  Here they are:

Sam:  She is beautiful, kind, gets us dinner, happy sometimes

Ethan:  I love Lisha because she can cook us food, she can love us lots

Toby:  I love it when mummy makes cookies, I like mummy's cuddles

Donald: I like the smell of Lisha's hair,  I love it when Lisha sings to herself.

Then I wrote four things I love about my Boys & Husband and they had to guess who they each were.

Sam:  I love your determination

Ethan:  I love how you are such a gentleman

Toby:  I love your hugs

Donald:  I love your gentle ways

Am just recording these for posterity's sake, and for little reminders to myself why I'm here... to bake cookies and dinner, give hugs and love, have clean hair and sing to myself......oh and look beautiful and be happy.  I'm trying :+)

Trophy day

The boys finally received their soccer trophy's for the year.

Sam's team.

Sam's soccer ball trophy lights up with multiple colours, which is cool at night.

Ethan & Donald's team.  


Ethan just wants to drink out of his cup trophy.

Saturday

Blue sky with rippled clouds

Wisteria blossoms

Bike rides

BBQ's

smells like summer to me.

Whenever I do this...

I hear this...

 "Muuuuuummmeeee"  

"I need some toilet paper"

Or somebody else comes along....

because they have to work....and earn us some money.

Our Marriage is a teenager

It's been 13 years since we had our lovely garden wedding in Queensland.  It was a simple garden wedding, just what I had always wanted.  My Dad walked me down the aisle to the wedding march played by Donald's brother Lindsay on the trumpet.  To where Donald was waiting most patiently and calmly with his three brothers by his side.  It was peaceful, serene and a little breezy, so I don't know if anybody actually heard our wedding vows as they were whisked off in the wind.  It was one of those days where everything went how we wanted it. A very relaxed atmosphere, set in the garden of an equestrian center I once had riding lessons at for my 14th birthday.  Everyone had a fun night with lots of dancing and fun speeches, even one by Donald's younger brother Campbell, who was 11 at the time.  All of the rellies and friends were there to celebrate the day with us.  I had my three girls by my side, Gabby, Christine and Toni, as well as my tearful mum.  


My face ached by the end of the night from smiling so much.  Our getaway car had been accosted and strewn with crepe paper, shaving creme and blown up balloons (that weren't really balloons, if you get my drift, wink, wink).  Donald's dad had a hard time keeping Campbell away from those "balloons".  Confetti had been sprinkled, by the handful in our overnight bags as well as all through the car.  For days I'd be finding confetti in my clothes and toiletry bags, in the car air vents etc.  What a laugh.  

We finally rattled down the road (cans dragging behind us) and made it to the Radison on the Brisbane River, with many looks of ooohs and aaaahs at the bride, and pointing and laughing at the car.  It's been fun remembering our first day as husband and wife and I'm glad I found the right one to be with forever and all eternity.  Donald's still the best kisser. xxx

Where's the fairy queen?

I really like this photo (see post below "An orange sky"), it reminds me of an Arthur Rackham picture, minus the fairy queen.  One of my favourite childhood artists.

An orange sky

Summer came with a bang on Saturday, hot, hot, hot.  I'm not ready for summer yet as Spring had only just started two weeks ago, I like to keep cool and enjoy the sweet smells of spring.  We spent the hot day gardening, weeding and mowing.  Sunday was still warm and late afternoon brought in a storm.  I looked out the window and everything was orange.  

So I went out with the camera and investigated.  I was supposed to be getting dinner....... the clouds were calling me.........dinner would have to wait.

Everything was orange, the back fence, the trees and the water on our driveway was reflecting the light from the clouds.  So I watched the colours unfold as the storm clouds passed.  The clouds rolled and rolled from orange to pinky orange to purple. 

 

Then as the colour left the sky I watched as the dark clouds slowly revealed the full moon. I'm afraid the photo doesn't do the moon justice. 

 It was so peaceful and the colours just magnificent, one of those moments that put a joyful smile on your face.  Then it was back into the crazy house to make dinner..........it was a late dinner.

A date, balloons and....crystal??!!

Saturday night Donald & I went on a date.  A real proper, get dressed up and go out to dinner, "date".  A rather rare occasion for us.  It was the Tigers soccer club annual dinner.  We have never been before but were persuaded to go this time.  A delicious three course meal with talks in between courses.  Two of the speakers this year were two women from the Matildas soccer team, who were interviewed in a rather relaxed, candid manner.  They were both two very interesting and talented women.  The Ball room of the Epping Club was decorated with white linen table cloths, white linen napkins creatively folded with a yellow or black paper napkin and yellow and black helium balloons floating off the tables (the colours of the soccer team).

Donald did get a special mention for coaching the mini Under 6 teams so well this year.  He was head coach in charge of about 7 mini teams and their training.   Later on in the evening they were presenting awards for long service on the team as well as service being recognised.  Donald was a little surprised to be called upon by the Club President, Ian Kendal, with an award for the outstanding work he did coaching the Under 6 teams.  Donald blushed like I've never seen him blush before.

  

We are now the proud owners of two beautiful crystal glasses etched with the Tigers logo. I must say well deserved Donald.

You know it's been a busy week when.....

........you can't keep your eyes open while you're eating your noodles.