Glen and the boys are back from thier fishing trip. they left early (5:30am)! Elijah went to bed nearly an hour early tonight with a headache. He is like his Mum! He needs his sleep! Jordan is like Glen and go on vapours for days.

The boys and I are supposed to be going to Bunbury tomorrow to take a heap of things back. Titus had a bad tummy ache after eating some yoghurt but seemed to get better and was bouncy as usual at bedtime. So I'm hoping that everyone is fine tomorrow. I feel all nervy and nauseas but that is how I am when I am going through my paranoia about sickness! Also being pregnant doesn't help.

My Aunty will be here in a few weeks. I can finally say that because she knows! I think another Aunt that lives here is going to be upset though because she can't have my Aunty stay at her house..Family dynamics! I was hoping my Nana could come over then there wouldn't be a problem about who is staying with who but my Pop is sick so that wont be happening. Oh well.

The new year is almost upon us. It is one of my favourite times because it is like a new beginning, a fresh start. Of course Glen will not be here. I don't think we have spent new  years together for about ten years! He will doing fire works with his brother as usual.

I feel like I have being neglecting my relationship with the Lord but I hope to get back on track soon. He is a forgiving God!

Well I have to be up early.

Exhaustion seems to be my new friend. I'm sure I could sleep for 24hrs straight! There are four little people that need me though so I have to keep going.

Dad went home on tuesday. The boys were a bit sad but they were fine yesterday.

It is Elijah's 9th birthday tomorrow. He wants a soccer field for a cake so I hope it will turn out okay! I made Jordan a tank for his birthday and that took forever and nearly drove me insane! Now the boys expect big things for their cakes. Our gift to him is to go fishing with his Dad and Jordan. They will leave Christmas afternoon and probably stay a couple of days. He is quite excited! My Mum is giving him a fishing rod so he will be all set.

I have my first dr's appointment tomorrow. So I will be getting stuck with a needle pretty soon. Lucky I'm not scared of needles! I've had too many to worry now. I'm not sure if the dr will want an early ultrasound after last time. In a way I would be glad so we can see that the baby is healthy but I don't want unnecessary things being done. I would want to wait until I was over 12 weeks to know it is still alive. Well it is all in the Lords hand anyway!

Well I am getting tired so I must be off.

Jen:)

It has been ages since I have been on! First it was lack of time, then the computer was playing up. I am here now though!!

We went to a city about an hour and a half away today. Talk about tiring! I am really hoping the boys sleep in tomorrow! I am letting them stay up in the vain hope they will sleep in. Hopefully none of them will be sick tonight. Elijah woke up about two nights ago and threw up. Nobody else seems to have gotten sick, so I'm hoping it was a once off. I was really trying to have 12 months of no one vomitting but it has only been 9 months. How I would love to stomach bug proof all of us!!

There is a lady on one of the message boards I am on who has found out she has a brain tumour ( please pray for Melissa and her dh adn 7 children. The youngest is 3 weeks)and apparently when there father was getting upset the girls were quoting scripture to him and talking about the Lord and I was thinking that she has given those children a legacy. They know the Word of God. They the Lord is good even in the midst of crises. What fantastic thing to have instilled in your children. Which go me thinking. What legacy am I leaving my children? If something happens to me what is left with my children? Will they know the Word? Will they know the Lord? It really convicted me to start doing something to make sure my boys know the Lord and His Word. I can't leave behind a greater legacy than that. Everything else is just stubble.

Well I am exhausted so I had better head off to nigh,nigh land.

Jen:)

Last soccer game for six weeks! . Of course I got burnt on the one place I forgot to put sunscreen on. My chest! It is ouchy red! I was in such a hurry that I just got it on our faces and that is it. Oh well I have six weeks to heal and then I will have to start remembering again. Normally I never go out in the sun. i'm afraid I have very irish skin and melanin is in short supply.Thankfully only one of the boys has my pale sensitive skin. Poor Isaiah!

Telling Mum went remarkably well. She did make a quick comment 'Is this going to be it' but other than that she was fine! I nearly did this. The Lord only knows of this is the last one!

I am being really convicted about my attitude the last few days. I need to not be so grumpy about the little things and to serve with joy. I always try to keep that little poem thing in my head about joy. Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Jen:)

The boys are over the moon as my Dad arrived yesterday. He kept the little one's busy for a little while this morning so I could concentrate with Jordan. I can't believe how well Jordan did today. He is really starting to understand and it is so encouraging. Elijah did quite well today as well. Jordan wants me to buy some more Dr Suess books as he can read them really easily and this encourages him to read more. I am on the look out for green eggs and ham!

Elijah told my Dad that we are having another baby. I'm afraid it didn't go down to well. He started going on about our finances. Than he was saying how much Jordan has to do etc etc. It was quite frustrating. The kids dont' understand how anyone could not want a baby. They are all so excited. They only see children as a good thing (as do I). Tomorrow I will have to tell my Mum. Deep breathe! We are happy and that is all that matters!

I am not going to apologise for the way we have chosen to raise our children. I am not going to apologise for wanting to have more babies. God has blessed us beyond measure and it is only Him I am accountable to. Most people are coming from a world's point of view and do not understand and I can talk to i'm blue in the face adn they still will not see were I am coming from because they just don't get that just being good people isn't the point. Living for Christ is and if that isn't were you are coming from, then no speach I am going to make will make anyone understand.

Well I was going to go to bed early tonight!

Best be on my way

Jen:)

As seems to be way to usual for me lately, we didn't get much done today. I have told the boys things are going to change though. They weren't to happy about the new restictions on the playstation but they'll get over it.

My Dad arrives tomorrow. So I probably wont get on the computer much while he is here. He tends to wont to look things up that are not on secure sites and he has a hotmail email address which I have had warnings about. We have had so much trouble with pop ups and virus's (still do) that I just don't want to risk it. Dad will try to make me feel guilty though but after thirty years of it, I think I have become a bit immune!

Glen told the boys at tea tonight that we are having another baby. Elijah had a grin from ear to ear. I think Jordan understands the risks now and was happy but reserved. Isaiah wanted to call it Fire! Titus couldn't care less:). Glen also told the boys the names we have picked out. Joash for a boy, this was greeted favourably, Phoebe for a girl. This one on the other hand was not greeted so well!! That was a bit of the reaction!! I am pretty sure that no one will like it but there is a distinct lack of original biblical girls names that haven't been used to death.

Well I suppose I should be off. Lots of work to do tomorrow and generally there is very little energy!

Jen:)

The boys had soccer today. You wouldn't think standing around for two hours watching soccer would be tiring, but it is!!:) Elijah's team won 6-0. They don't keep score of the little ones so I have no idea for Isaiah. Jordan's team lost by one. Dh coaches them. I wish I knew the rules but after three years of watching, I still don't know what is going on half the time!!

I still haven't told the boys about the baby yet. I feel a bit nervous to. I think tonight might be the night though. They are going to guess soon enough!

Titus decided yesterday that he wanted to wear unnies, as he calls them. We ahve had a few accidents but I think that is really my fault because I forget to remind him every half hour to go to the toilet. I am still putting a nappy on when he needs to poo as he is quite freaked out about sitting on there. Unfortunately I put a nappy on when Mum was here because he was trying to hold one in and it has been two hours and nothing!!. Hopefully we will get a result before bed! I can't believe he isso grown up though. Time has gone so fast!

People decide that having kids is so hard and I can't possibly handle anymore, but the time when they are little goes so fast. It's tough having lots of little ones for sure, but in a wink, that time of being able to have babies is past and you get to enjoy the fruit of your labour, so to speak. God doesn't give you more than you can bear. If you focus on God and realise there is nothing in you of any good He will strengthen you and get you through that minute, hour, day. Listen to the Lord and He will give you ideas for how to change things or send someone  just to talk to you and maybe help. What a priveledge to be able to raise these people for Him!! I really hope I don't mess things up! I have to lay down my life and realise my flesh is dead and stop dragging that stinking corpse around!!

I just wanted to say today that I am soooo blessed. I have four healthy children, a dh who loves me, a roof over our heads, food on our plates, a new little blessing growing, God willing, to be born next year, more things than I can even mention! How blessed am I?!.

My cat just came in and reminded me I also have a great cat and I great dog!! Although Diesel the cat has decided that sleeping on my clean clothes is a good idea, so we may have a new rug soon in white and orange!!.

Well that is all I have to say at the moment, except that I hope i can get rid off these pop ups.

Jen:)

17: Though the fig tree may not blossom,

      Nor fruit be on the vines;

      Though the labour of the olive may fail,

      And the fields yield no food;

      Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

      And there be no herd in the stalls-

18: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

      I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19: The Lord God is my strength;

      He will make my feet like deer's feet,

      And He will make me walk on my high hills.

I saw that on someones avatar and i looked it up and I think it is just wonderful and really challenging.

The boys are having some trouble going to sleep tonight. Having all four in a very small room doesn't help! Some nights end up a bit like this. At the moment Elijah is laughing and I just love his giggle. I will be going in soon and putting a stop to it though!.

I think I have officially started nausea! It's only now and then but it's definitely there! My father arrives next week from Sydney and the boys are very excited. He will be here for two weeks.

I have been reading 'An Encouraging Word' and it is soooo good. Full of really good meat. I will be reading Homeschool digest soon. That has even more in it.

Well they are still not asleep so I had better go!

Ohhhh, so tired! Growing babies is hard work! Saturday we went to a gala day at one of the primary schools. The kids had a great time. My friend and I went and had a look at old school photos.

Sunday just hung out at home and caught up on things which was really good. I love days like that. Monday I didn't get anything down which is my own fault because I am giving into laziness again and I don't know why. I need to lay down my flesh. I just get caught up thinking about the baby and hoping it is okay and all that. I am not doing my kids any favours that is for sure. I need to take up my authority as parent too.

Today we had Tacos for tea which was YUM! the boys had great fun at soccer training. Two of the mothers there where telling me that there was a tummy bug going around last week. I hope we don't get it.

I will write more tomorrow as I need to go to bed now.

Jen

Yesterday was homeschool meeting at a place called the Timber Park. The boys absolutely love it. We don't have planned activities (something we all hate!) the kids just sll run around playing soccer or exploring. Us Mums' all sit together discussing curriculums and other things.

Today the boys and I went to my Mum's house and them to my mil's house so not a lot was achieved this afternoon!

It is interesting talking to people who have RADICALLY different views on christianity  and all that goes with it. youth groups for example. I personally believe they are a massive waste of time and it only reinforces the youths belief that life is all about fun and games and no responsibility. Don't get me wrong, I am all for having a bit of fun but I don't think that kids necessarily need MORE fun. And I have yet to see a youth saved genuinely and permanently from a youth group. Yes there may be exceptions but that doesn't necessarily prove the rule. Anyway, someone was trying to convince me that Jordan should go next year, that he will need to socialise etc etc. Honestly I felt like I was doing this. If people aren't going to get it, they just aren't going to get it. Our sons' will leave home one day to raise there own families. Until then we have the responsibility to keep them from harm and hanging out with kids we know nothing about and that are questionable characters is not going to make my son grow in the Lord.

Okay, Uncle Vince if you are reading this PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO MUM!!!!! We have found out we are expecting again!. After losing the last one at 15 weeks we are a little bit nervous. I am really having to trust in the Lord and just rest in His will. Really hoping for a little this time! My eldest wants a sister bad!

My friend is due end of May and I will be due beginning of August so the way I get huge we will have big bellies together. We will have to get photos together A!

Well I have to go and get organised for soccer tomorrow so Goodnight!!!

Had a strange day today. I'm feeling a bit unsettled. There is something in the air but I can't say anything yet. A few more days and I will be right!

The boys have been  okay today. Although Titus was his usual charming self. When he is happy he is the most charming child but his mood can change sooo quickly and it is hard to take day in day out. I think I will have to bring it up at the Woodshed. There is a lot  of wisdom there. I have been going there for nearly two years so I have no excuse for the behaviour of my children. I am just to lazy to implement what i know to be the best way.

Dh will be back from bingo with his Mum soon so I had better not take too long!!

Jordan showed his love of onion tonight. We normally have sausages and onions Wednesday nights because Dad isn't home adn Jordan can cook. Well we didn't have any onions and I had no money, so Jordan used his own two dollars to go and  get onions for himself and his brothers!!! That boy surprises me sometimes. Sausages and onions and tuna and pasta are his specialty recipes. If I am ever unable to cook, I know what we will live on:)!!

Well I must be away. Read Jude last night and it has a lot of meat in it for such a short book. Still deciding about CS Lewis. I don't want the boys to start on the fantasy road as i know where it leads. I said I was going didn't I!!

'I have no greater than to hear that my children walk in truth'

This scripture got me thinking about how I am raising my boys. I am not to raise them to be anything. I am to raise them for God so they can be used by Him. No other reason. That is all that counts. It doesn't matter if they are doctors, dentists or garbage men, if the Lord can't use them, then there is no point. I have to teach them His Word and develop a desire for them to know Him for themselves.

I saw two young girls crossing the street today and their skirts were about the size of a belt! It crossed my mind that if they (my boys) don't have that inner check of their spirit and the Word to back that up how are they going to know that they are ot treat girls as sisters and to avoid temptation? I haven't fully developed this in my mind, the depth of it, but it something I will thinking about more.

I have gotten into a nasty habit of being lazy again. I will make a confession. I didn't get dressed out of my jammies until 12pm!!!. I make a commitment to not do that again unless deathly ill!

I want ot start getting up at 5am or 5:30am but I can never seem  to get to sleep at night. I have been praying about this. I know that i have to stop getting sucked into the rubbish that is on TV. Someone keep me accountable!! I also have been reading about how to be a good wife and mother on the computer and not actually doing it! So I have a lot to work on! My goodness it is going to be relief to get to heaven when we wont have this nasty flesh to keep getting rid of!!

Well I'm off to bed. Enough of my ramblings. I had a glass of coke so I hope sleep!!!

I wasn't very organised today and of course Titus ended up being a pain! I have to be prepared ahead of time if I am going to get anything done. Elijah doesn't seem to have any memory retention at all. I am finding it increasingly frustrating that he can't remember anything I have taught him. i and e seem to be a sticking point for both the older boys. Jordan was having trouble with it today.

I cannot be melt down Mum anymore. Consistentcy is my biggest thing. And spelling by the look of that!!

Well it is late and I must be off to bed! Night!!

Wow! I have my own blog! Not quite sure how to work it all yet but I will hopefully get the hang of it soon! At the moment I am being very lazy but I will be getting organised soon. I must get to the business of raising my boys! 

Jen