Nov. 5, 2009 - It doesn't happen every day!

There are two incidents that have happened around here in the last week or so that I just shake my head over – it doesn’t happen every day – thankfully!  Let me tell…

The other day Pete had an early start to his day.  He was filling up with fuel at the 24hour BP at 3.00am.   As he was at the bowsers he felt the car drop down – he just thought the car was adjusting to the weight of the fuel but then the car started up and started to drive away on him.  He looked up and there was someone in his car – driving it away. Someone was stealing his car – and he was standing right there!!   He had the presence of mind to pull out the fuel hose, jump in the back seat and whack the gear stick into Park.  The car stopped.  He realised the woman in the car was so ‘out of it’ drunk that he got out of the back and walked around to help her get out of the car.  She was very drunk, very distraught and had no idea!!  Obviously she was still able to steal a car though.

I am personally very impressed with Peter's presence of mind.  I would have had no idea what to do.

Second thing happening in our life is that we have acquired a Bull – he’s not a pet bull, he isn’t even really our bull but he seems to like us.  Next to our farm there is a scrub block and it appears as if this bull has lived there quite happily for some time.  But he has since found our place and seems to like the company.  He has been right upto the house yard fence, grazes down near the chook shed, and today has been enjoying the shade of the mango trees.  We would like him to be gone!  He is very big.

Bull near our house yard fence

Bull grazing on old bale of hay down near chook shed and veggie garden

Bull near backyard play area

Oct. 1, 2009 - New Pets

Aug. 17, 2009 - Family Time out on a River Cruise

Ord River - incredible!

Daniel couldn't help himself - he had to give it a go. 
They look rather relaxed don't they!

We saw lots of birdlife but the kids love coming around the bend in the river
and seeing trees full of bats.



Right at the end of the cruise we went croc spotting.
The captain jumped overboard and grabbed this one, plucking it straight up for us to see.
Though it has a sharp set of teeth it was only a freshie.
Fresh water crocodiles are not feared like the salt water crocs we see every so often.

We had a fantastic afternoon and I reckon we should do a cruise at least once a year -
regardless of a gift voucher or not!

Aug. 17, 2009 - Peter at Work

Aug. 15, 2009 - Daniel's Darwin Experience

Though Daniel turned 10 some time ago it wasn't until just last week that we organised his 10year old special experience; some father and son time away from home.


One of the things Daniel wanted to do was eat dinner on the bed.

Off to the movies - Ice Age III

They went on a jet boat - lots of speed - lots of water!

and they got very wet.

Though this wasn't planned - time spent in the wave making pool was a must!

Of course, Ronald Macdonald was a must. 

Daniel had such a fun time, but he also missed home - and we certainly missed him!

Jul. 30, 2009 - Camping

Last week we went camping - we try to go camping at least once a year.  This time though we headed up the Gibb River Road which is synonymous with dust, corrugated roads and did I mention dust! 

This is the Pentecost River - did you see the movie "Australia"?

This was the river they drove across.

Many of the campers had tidy little set ups - not us!

We seem to ramble on - but we are comfortable!

This trip will be remembered by Daddy's resourcefulness.

We forgot the tripod so Pete improvised thanks to his

fencing wire.  The same fencing wire fixed bits of the car

that rattled and would have fallen off.

Daniel set in to do some drawing

Though we took lots of games "Take Two" was the flavour

of our time.  And yes, that is a computer you see there. 

I tend to wake early (as I do at home) so I often write

before anyone else wakes up.

Daniel learnt to play "Patience" or "Solitaire".  He was

so excited - all he thought about as we drove home was

getting near a table so he could play again!!  One week later

his enthusiasm has worn off.

We headed off for a bush walk - the idea was a

1 hour walk to a waterfall at the end of the

gorge.

The rocks on the left side of the water is the direction

we came from. It was a very rocky walk.

It was worth it!

Back at the waterhole near our campsite was great

for swimming.  Rubber Tubes were supplied.  Pete

had the kids connect to each other and then row

the length of the swimming hole - which was really a section

of the river more than a 'hole'.

We had a great time but not sure that we want to drive that far next year.

Jul. 2, 2009 - Our family collage

Jun. 29, 2009 - What has been filling up my days?

It has been a while since I’ve blogged so here is a quick overview of what has been filling up my days…

• I’ve had a bad cough for weeks and weeks.  With that comes sleepless nights and exhausted days so that takes up time.
• The kids have had dentist appointments
• Saturdays have been spent at Netball and Cricket – this year all the ages played at the same time which shortened the amount of time we were in town.
• I’ve gone out for lunch and morning tea with a few new friends
• I’ve taught the boys to do the grocery shopping
• Josh and I went to an evening hosted by the Universities in our State.  Josh was the only boy there!
• I held an information night for parents – the topic was:  how to teach character intentionally in your home.
• Doctors appointments for myself and one of my kids
• Farewell BBQ, Sleepovers and playdates for the kids
• Oh, I nearly forgot!  I have release my book, Heart Focus Parenting, online.  That was a bit of a learning curve!
  

It has been a very busy time.

This week my goals are

• to see a doctor for a second opinion
• help my kids finish creative projects to put in the local agricultural show
• finish a digital photo album, send off to printers
• catch up with a mum regarding discipleship homeschooling
• help with the youth group progressive dinner
• attend an online short course (2 hours)
• cancel my dentist appointment – don’t think I can go to the dentist while I have a cough!

During these activities I want to teach my children

• to use our time wisely; to be aware of what we are doing, and what we should be doing
• to discuss the idea that we all have our strengths, and to encourage each other in those strengths

Jun. 16, 2009 - Join in with our family's silliness

May. 16, 2009 - This is what we’ve been doing

A friend has commented (fairly bluntly) that my blog has been a bit light on lately and they don’t have a clue what we’ve been doing so here is a summary of life at our place over the last month or so.

Easter – we picked up Peter’s folks from the airport – they were staying for nearly 3 weeks to look after the kids while I went to Sydney.  While I was gone they worked in the garden, pulling down dead palm fronds, pruning a few trees and getting rid of dead wood in our garden.    The result of all their hard work is shown here in this huge bonfire.  It will be a lot of fun the night we decide to light it.

Also over the few days of Easter Peter, grandfather and the kids began a second layer to our cubby – this time a ridgy-didge tree house – way up in the trees.  And I mean way up!  Swiss Family Robinson has had some influence here.  It isn’t quite finished yet – it needs some rails.

Then I went to Sydney.  I was away for 8 days, which is a long time to be away from your family.  I have blogged about the conference and it was a good conference – I am still pondering some of the things that were taught there.  The reason I went over east was to release my book – now, this is something I haven’t said much about but here is a bit about it:

Heart Focus Parenting is about creating the atmosphere in our homes where our children’s hearts are turned towards God.  I touch on many of the parenting “techniques” that you probably already practice – but look at how they affect our children’s hearts.

I will have Heart Focus Parenting available on my website shortly.

The other reason I went to the Growing Families Australia National Conference was to re-launch a mum’s support magazine – Facets.  I have taken over the editor role for Facets though it is published by GFA.  The current edition, #17, had a ‘top end’ flavour with contributors from the north of Australia.  Facets is available from Growing Families Australia office.

Since I got back we have had a super busy social life.

Daniel’s birthday – Daniel turns 10.  And yes, I am sorry I have been slack in not posting about Daniel on his special day – that post is still to come.  We had a family birthday party in the afternoon.  Jessica organised the party from whoa to go.  Nomi helped her out with the games.   A week later he had a friend over for a sleepover – they played with Lego and train tracks for hours.

Then before you know it – it is Joshua’s birthday as well.  Josh turned 16 – and yes, no post about him either!!    Because life has been so hectic Joshua’s celebrations are a bit stretched out over time as well.  Peter was home for a family breakfast (which he cooked) though he had to head off to work later in the day.  We picked up one of Joshua’s friends and he stayed the night.  They played war games – both computer and board game variety – for most of the time though they did head outside for some archery.

Next week we will have a family bbq with a couple of other families.  This will be pretty low key (as is Josh about most things) – BBQ and campfire and see what happens kind of night.

Not only have we had our own boys parties but our friends are all having parties too.  The kids went to a Spy party and a Medieval party, then we had our homeschool co-op which was a drama day (pretty much like a party!).   

Black Beauty

Captain Haddock, from Tin Tin

In between all this we’ve had friends drop in for coffee, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, piano lessons, homeschool lessons and homeschool mum meetings. We’ve also got a ‘houseguest’ as a friend needed a place to live for a few weeks.  He comes and goes as his work and commitments need and joins in with our family the rest of the time.  We’ve planted our veggie garden – I’ve got broccoli still to plant. 

The kids have started netball and cricket.  Jess was unsure if there would be a netball season for her this year as there weren’t many girls interested.  But they have made it happen so that is good.  It isn’t really a competition but rather learning the skills and practicing.  I think last week they played a ½ court ‘game’.  The boys are doing cricket and there isn’t anything for Joshua’s age – so he is helping out with the junior boys.  He is with Daniel’s group.  It is a good opportunity for him to give back to something that he has enjoyed for so many years.

So there you have it - It has been an exhausting time!

Mar. 9, 2009 - Do you Remember Woody?

…from Toy Story?  There’s a snake in my boot?

Well, this week for me it was “There’s a snake in my drawer!”  I was putting the laundry away, lifted a shirt up and there lay a snake, curled up in my drawer.  Even though I knew it was a little children’s python, not dangerous, I screamed.  Josh removed it for me.  It is nice having big boys around the house these days!

Well, I haven’t been doing so well at blogging lately.  I’ve been finishing off my first book and it has taken all my writing time.  Here’s a sneak preview – here is the cover.  It is being released mid April.

Yesterday I went to a baby shower – lots of girl talk!  As you do at these types of things I started to remember my kids own birth stories (though we weren’t allowed to say the word ‘birth’ – I’m sure you ladies know that game where you aren’t to say certain words!)  A baby being born is quite special. My kids always like to hear what happened, when, how etc.  Then they want to know if they were the cutest (as if I’m going to make that distinction!) or the naughtiest (now that one was obvious!!), or the biggest, or the ….. it is a lot of fun, brings back memories.

Last week was all about getting Nomi and Daniel back into a study routine.  They have been fairly light, and doing lots of creative play while I've been writing over the last month.  We started Auslan lessons again, and FIAR.  Last Monday I started a course on Money with Josh and Jess.  Lots of things still fell through the cracks last week, so we'll be trying some more this week!  The key is for me to be preapred - to know what lessons I have to teach, to know which kid should be doing what, and to have the lessons objectives clearly stated before the beginning of the day.

We'll see how we go at blogging this week!

Feb. 18, 2009 - Our daughter's surprise

Just before dinner last night we (Peter and I) found the office full of kids all waiting for Nomi to deliver a surpirse.  She insisted that we walk out to the dining room with our eyes closed and holding hands.  When we opened them we saw …

Nomi had set a table for two, decorated with candles and flowers (including flowers sprinkled on the placemats).  The lights were all dimmed and music playing. 

We sat down and she served apple cider (leftover from dinner with friends last week!) and our dinner.  (Which Joshua had cooked.)  The kids then served their dinner and took it off to the family room to listen to an audio story. 

As we sat there we had to have a chuckle…. The reason I asked Josh to cook dinner, and gave them permission to eat in the family room was so I could skip dinner and keep working in the office.  But here I was having a candlight dinner!

Feb. 10, 2009 - We've done a lot in two weeks!

We have been home from holidays for 2 weeks now and I can’t believe how much we’ve packed into that time – it seems as if we’ve been home for at least twice that long.

I’ve sorted, planned and a course of study for the older two and in particular typed up their assignment sheet for the next 10 weeks.

I’ve been writing lots – but more about that another time.

A friends invited the girls and I for a helicopter flight to see the waterfalls.

We took a couple of hours off last Friday and drove off to find a swimming hole.  We went to Valentine Springs which was well and truly flowing.  We had a great time in the water and climbing rocks.

Valentine Springs

We’ve been to a whole day seminar about lay pastor ministry in the local church.

Then of course, there was the Reading Celebration which I wrote about yesterday.

The one thing that hasn’t happened, that I had planned to happen in February, is a serious effort in decluttering.  We may get our focus on that this week…. Maybe!

Feb. 9, 2009 - Reading Celebration

When each of our children have learnt to read we have celebrated with a “Reading Celebration”.  As we live far away from family the children have a close relationship with one of my closest friends; she is like a surrogate grandmother.  Aunty BeeBee has been to each of the reading celebrations.  Sad news – A.BeeBee is leaving town!  So we decided that though Daniel isn’t reading at the same level the others were, his journey is different and we wanted to encourage him in his efforts so far.  We also wanted him to have the joy of having Aunty BeeBee with him.  So today we had our Reading Celebration.

We had our traditional milkshake and chips

Daniel read to everyone

We gave Daniel a new book – his next book to read

 We had a good time!

Daniel – we are proud of the hard work you have put into reading and know you are going to love reading books!

Feb. 8, 2009 - Finally! Time to blog

Well, this blog has been on holidays.  Not because I didn’t have anything to write about but simply my focus was else where.  Let me give you a catch up.

We went away for just over 4 weeks for our family holidays.  We went down to Victoria to catch up with my folks, and my brother and his family.  We celebrated a belated Christmas together.  It was nice for the kids to play big-cousins.  They enjoyed their little cousins so much.

This holiday was really an educational trip.  Though we don’t usually have holidays that are so chok-a-block full, this time we did it that way.  It certainly wouldn’t be our preferred way to have a holiday but it is what happened this time.

We caught up with family

We went to a Science camp

We saw the history, science and political things at Canberra

We caught up with friends.

It was a very full 4 weeks.  By the time we flew back into Darwin the road was flooded and we were stuck in Darwin.  Yes, the National #1 highway gets cut off every year!!  We spent the first few days catching up with friends in Darwin but then we started to turn our hearts towards home – and we couldn’t get there!  With the weather looking more like rain than sunny skies Pete put myself and the kids on a plane to get home so we could sort things out and prepare to start our year first week of Feb.  He was going to stay till the river went down and drive home.  By the next day he wished he’d caught a plane as it didn’t look like it was going to go down but there were no more tickets!!  Three days later the river was down and he got through with 3 hours to spare before it was up and over again!

So we have been home  now for two weeks and a full two weeks it has been.  But that is another post!

You can see some photos over at Jessica’s blog, and read about what she saw as highlights.

Dec. 15, 2008 - Story behind the photos - The Masked Man

Dec. 9, 2008 - What's been happening around our place

photo: ABC TV
Here's Pete doing the social thing before the showing
man on the right is  the Fedral Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull
and man on the left is David Newry, who was the language consultant on the movie.

I wasn't free to go that night as I had a Ladies Friendship night happening where I was teaching the ladies how to make Christmas Bonbons (Crackers).  But a few local businesses sponsored another 3 free showings of the movie, so a girlfriend and I had a girls night out at the movies.  I am going to tell you a little secret - it was the first time for me at the movies here in town, that is in 16 years!!! 

My take on the movie - I walked away feeling like I had watched a feel-good movie.  It wasn't deep, it wasn't powerful, as Pete puts it - it was just a good yarn.  I enjoyed seeing it with a crowd.  It was nice to share the jokes, the Australian attitudes with other people, to be involved with a whole theatre having a laugh!  We were both concerned about the aboriginal spirituality and how it was elevated to be a good thing.  Chrisitians have to be very aware that the spirit world that led these people was not the Holy Spirit.   It had a political story to tell, which in my opinion, is only half the story.  A lot of the movie was filmed around here so the scenery is special to the locals and we picked up things that no-one else will.  I wonder if that is how people usually feel after a movie is made in their home town!  But I thoroughly enjoyed my night out.


Mango Season this year was a little weird; the mangoes came on real slow, not a lot of them, some trees did well, some trees produced nothing.  Here is our biggest mango for the year.

It is Christmas time.  We usually have a tree decking / thanksgiving party with our friends.  But this year December kind of crept up on us and we decided we would just do the tree as a family this year. 

This tree used to look so big, with our little kids standing under it! 
Now it looks like a little tree!

Nov. 8, 2008 - This is what our Saturdays look like

Oct. 19, 2008 - Story beheind the photos - I've had frogs, birds and snakes, but never a....

I had a goanna in my house - a big one.  Can you see it under the coffee table?

We called a neighbour to come and help get it out.  Though it was fairly docile at the time, we were aware that if we scared it too much it could cut us up pretty badly.  We just let it explore the lounge room, hoping it wouldn't climb (read shred) our lounge chairs!

And then it turned around and found its own way out...

We had a very full day on Saturday, this was just one of the events!    I've had frogs, birds and snakes in my house before and now I can add goanna to the list!

Jess wrote a bit of a story about it, based on "We're going on a bear Hunt"  over on her blog. 

Sep. 27, 2008 - Story behind the photos - Jess turns 14

12 days old!!  She is dressed ready for a trip into town.

I remember Jessica's baby days with two strong memories - crying and giggling!  She did both well!

As she grew up she was very much into making other people happy, a real servant heart.  Here is our princess at 6yo.

Jessica is into being a lady -
and to celebrate her birthday this year
she invited her friends to a Princess teaparty

And now she is 14 years old.  She is a beautiful young lady - a girl who loves God, seeks Him daily, who is loving and caring and who goes out of her way to get things done and bless others.  She is someone I giggle with, talk with and rely on greatly!

Happy Birthday Jess
We love you heaps!