Last night 2012

Posting because I have the time ... not sure if we'll stay up that late, but the wee one often wakes around 11ish, so might wait up.
Had a wonderful evening with friends ... so thankful for life right now, thankful for an amazing husband, kids, friends and family.
For the knowledge of knowing that "I am the righteousness of God in Christ"
For the simple blessings of health and happiness

For the things I take for granted most days, water and technology to connect with friends overseas and up country and even just up the road. 

For a space and freedom to write my thoughts.
The freedom, space and time to read others thoughts.

Life and living it all the more abundantly.

My 7 children, although two never made it into my arms, I still remember them and all those couples who have angels babies.

Amazing thankfulness for special online and telephone friends who have had their arms filled this year - miracles do happen!!

May your memories of 2012 be happy ones, may 2013 bring you grace and favor.

Things I'm loving

Playing along with Meghan at MNM's

Things I'm loving ... no photos but I am loving the amazing gentle rain that has come over the last three days ... yip, hard with five kids and us inside more of the time, but so needed and thankful for it!!

Things I'm loving

Summer Time

Well, it has definatly arrived.  The past week has been above twenty five pretty much all day.  The mornings have been spent mooching around at home, and after naps we have been heading down to the school pool and swimming.  G is loving this and really into it, he can touch the bottem and the week of lessons just before school ended has given him amazing confidence.  B isn't so sure, we have a swimsuit for him that helps him float, and we stay within arm's reach.  L likes it, but only with us - she doesn't like the float suit.  C doesn't come in, we don't want to force it, and he's not ready.  He gets a big bucket of water to muck about with.  It is great family time.  A is usually fed when we get there and then dozes in the buggy ... great to cool off in the afternoon like that.

Last night we put the fan on in our room for the first time, it's attached to the ceiling (otherwise I would have moved it into the kids room) ... but it was AMAZING the difference it made. 

We're heading towards the end of the year ... I have some things in my head that I would like to type about, but need to get them organised there first, before I try typing. 

Main thing is that in this coming year I want to learn how to be more comfortable in my own skin.  No second guessing myself, grow in confidence and self-esteem.  I am a beloved princess of the KING of kings ... I am the Righteousness of God in Christ!  No matter what ...

On a physical level ... I'd love to complete a half marathon.  But that might have to wait till I've weaned A ... so we'll leave that open.

Secret Santa

I'm a sucker for a seret Santa ... I love being able to buy or make something for someone and just pop it in the mail and know they'll love getting a surprise in the post.

One of the forums I belong to does this each Christmas time.  This year I took part in a couple  ... thought I would share what I was blesssed with. 

 One of my secret santas gifted me a photo frame with rustic farmy type letters spelling out the word GRACE.  This is a word that has had amazing meaning for our family over the past year.  It suits us perfectly and is hanging above the fireplace in the lounge. I popped the card that came with it on top, as I'm planning on framing that later as well and bringing it out each year, it's a work of art on it's own also.

The second swap was a homemade gift swap. This is only half the parcel (the bits I could collect this morning after my darlings had been helping me.  The owl is a wheatie, which Miss 3 has adopted.  I am thinking I might actually make some more similar - such a brilliant idea - to pop in the freezer over summer for bumps and bruises - much more fun that a packet of peas.  The rose is a wee pin cushion, which despite all my sewing I didn't have.  It is going to come in super handy.  The sugary goodies were some peppermint fudge (not photo as I had kids trailing me and I didn't want to reveal it's hiding place) and some candy canes with a marshmallow on the end.  There were three felt ornaments which are currently in B's bed (mine mama!!) and also an apron, christened the day it arrived and in the wash already. 

Thank you to the amazing ladies and their families that have blessed and bought cheer to our house!!