Family life with 4 little treasures, in Melbourne Australia. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 4 Jan 2009 21:03:00 -0600 Sun, 4 Jan 2009 21:03:00 -0600 Much has happened since I was here last.  There has been 3 birthdays, Christmas, New Year and there is another birthday coming up in a little over a week.  Anyway, I won't be updating this blog much, if at all, this year.  I need to focus on other things which means reprioritising my time. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and safe New Year. Until we meet again, ~Grace go with you!   NOTE: Michael still hasn't gone for his colonoscopy (*sighs*), but he hasn't had any further problems either.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/641294/ Sun, 4 Jan 2009 21:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/641294/ I don't even know where to start with this post.  I feel like there has been so much happening lately and I just can't keep up.  We have really done nothing toward Christmas this year.  We haven't even put up the tree.  *sigh* Michael spent a few hours in the hospital on Thursday.  Here's the story: On Wednesday we took the kids to one of the local skate parks to ride bike / scooter / skateboard.  As Michael is still not working, he was simply enjoying being with the kids.  He was riding on the scooter and as he went up one of the ramps, the scooter knocked the top and slipped out from under him.  He fell and landed heavily on his rear. The next morning (Thursday), he had a relatively large bleed when he used the toilet.  When he told me, my first emotion was panic*.  Michael thought that perhaps he had done some internal damage when he'd fallen the day before (which I hadn't even thought of!), so we organised for the kids to be looked after by a friend and went to the hospital. At the hospital, they did a couple of tests and basically said it was nothing life-threatening so he could go home.  The doctor gave him a letter to take to the GP to get a referral for a colonoscopy. I really wasn't happy when we saw the GP.  He didn't even really read the letter we gave him.  His whole attitude was to simply get us out as quickly as possible.  He basically re-wrote the form for the feacel test and said to wait for the results before getting a referral for a colonoscopy.  Michael asked if the GP thought it may have been caused by the fall.  The GP's response?   GP: "What fall?" MIchael: "Oh, didn't she [the doctor from the hospital] write that in the letter?" GP: "No." Me: "Yes she did" GP: hastily begins to read letter again..."Oh, well I guess I should give you a referral for the colonoscopy." *sigh*  I had read the letter previously.  I was upset.  I was (and still am a little) scared because of the family history (see *).  I just felt like this GP didn't care one ounce.  Anyway, we have a referral and Michael just needs to book in.  Of course, he's in no hurry!  LOL I know the men in Michael's life group prayed strongly for him and my ladies life group prayed too.  I know that whatever happens is in God's hands.  Whether an answer for the bleeding is found or not, I still want him to get the colonoscopy done.  Whatever the result, at least I'll know! This is only one of the many things that have been going on in our lives lately, but that's all you're going to get!  LOL  It's getting late and I need to get to bed. Please pray for us! Until next time, grace go with you! *Michael's uncle died of bowel cancer.  My grandfather died of bowel cancer and both my dad and my uncle have had polyps removed. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/629339/ Mon, 8 Dec 2008 04:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/629339/ Conversation between Jeremiah and Michael: Jeremiah: "You not a man anymore!" Daddy: "Oh...  well what am I then?" Jeremiah: "You a Daddy!" http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/623404/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/623404/ We took the kids to McDonalds for breakfast this morning. Elijah: "Mummy, Jesus made McDonalds?" *LOL* Precious Moment: This afternoon I was changing Naomi's dirty nappy.  Bethany came to help and upon seeing the -  ummm - mess, she said: "Ooh, painting". Ah, no Treasure!  Wouldn't want you painting with that!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/622191/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/622191/ It seems that rolling is just not interesting enough.  Naomi has only rolled a couple times since that first time at the beginning of November.  It's as if she's saying, "Okay, I've done that.  What's next?"  LOL If she is on her tummy on the floor, she either pushes herself backward until she runs into a wall or under the couch, or she's up on all fours rocking away and getting frustrated that she can move the way she wants to!  Sometimes she will manage to move her legs forward and, as a result, her arms collapse under her and she just about crashes her nose into the floor.  It won't be long before I'm chasing her away from the staircase!  LOL Jeremiah is doing fabulously with his toilet-training.  His challenge is the "number 2s".  There have been a couple of accidents there, but "number 1s" are right on track...or in bowl, whichever way you want to look at it!  I really think that he'll even be out of night nappies soon - he wakes dry so often!  I just have to pick up a few more mattress protectors.  I've only got one at the moment and that's on Eljiah's bed as he wets occassionally - although he hasn't for some time now. The final day for FDC has been set!  December 1 will be the last day the kids attend FDC.  I'm excited about it!  LOL  Today Elijah spent the day with Michael, Naomi and I instead of going into care.  Next week Jeremiah will stay home and the following week Bethany will stay home.  Then, they will all stay home!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not confident in the kitchen.  I have been spreading my wings a little lately and trying out some recipes.  I am accutely aware that my children won't be confident in the kitchen when they are grown unless they are taught to cook.  And to teach them to cook, I need to know what I'm doing myself!  LOL  A few of the things I've made lately (without the packet mixes) include: Chow Mein Curried Broccoli Soup (I gave some of this to my parents and it got a glowing report   The kids loved it too!) Homemade Sausage Rolls Vegie Dip with Crouton Shapes Blueberry and Banana Bread Smartie Biscuits The kids helped me with some of these.  They are always asking to help in the kitchen.  Even little Bethany!  She loves to stir whatever is in the saucepan or decorate the biscuits...  I'm wanting to start baking more.  I figure if I make snacks for the kids instead of buying them we can save some money.  (We always have fresh fruit hanging around for snacks too.) Please be praying for us.  Michael is not working now (that will have to be another post!), and things are uncertain for us.  We don't know...but God knows. Until next time ~ Grace go with you! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/620316/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/620316/ It was my birthday recently so Michael organised a weekend away.  He booked two nights at the Abbotswood Motor Inn.  We arrived at 1930 and, after being shown to the room (honeymoon suite) and freshening up, we went to the shops to collect some groceries to get us through the weekend. I couldn't believe that I woke at 0230 missing the kids!  *lol*  Even Michael admitted that he woke up and thought, "Gee, the kids are quiet".  hehe Anyway, on Saturday morning Michael got up, cooked breakfast (eggs, ham, tomato, mushroom and english muffins) and successfully set off the smoke alarm.  *LOL*  Seeing the idea was to simply relax, we spent the morning looking through a large second-hand store we had passed on our way to the motel the previous night. After heading back to the motel for lunch, we went for a stroll through the nursery that was a couple doors down and chatted.  We just had a really simple day together and it was great! Michael had to leave by around 1500 to get back to the kids, so I read for a little while and being totally unaccustomed to the silence, decided I needed to get some fresh air.  I asked the gentleman who was at reception for a map and went for a walk through some local parkland. When I returned, the spa bath looked very inviting, so I had a good, long soak before heating myself some dinner.  Again I needed to combat the silence (it was sooooooo quiet!) so I switched on the TV and watched a couple of movies that were on whilst working on a sewing project I hadn't touched in months.  I really enjoyed being able to do some stitching.  I find it relaxing. I slept well, and didn't even get out of bed until 0900 Sunday morning.  Michael had organised for me to have a late check-out (1100), so there was no need to rush.  I had some breakfast, washed up, packed my things and Michael arrived with the kids about 1030.  We showed the kids around and headed home.  All in all a really lovely weekend. *I didn't have the camera with me, so I didn't get any photos.  :( http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/616317/ Wed, 5 Nov 2008 03:50:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/616317/ My kids are growing up too fast!  Remember Jeremiah's gorgeous curls???  Well, now they're gone!  My little boy is "a big boy now".  And as a result is toilet training!  (Oh my...what will it be like to have only 2 children in nappies???)  2 days ago, on November 3rd Naomi rolled from her back to her front.  On November 4th Naomi rolled from her front to her back.  I haven't been able to get a photo or video of her rolling.  She simply refuses to perform on cue!  LOL  This is all I have: Naomi preparing to roll And today...this is what she did: Where did the time go???  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/614761/ Wed, 5 Nov 2008 04:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/614761/ Things have been hectic...and I can't even explain why!  LOL  Can you believe it is almost the end of October already???  Where did this year go? I'm hoping to get my act together soon and get some updates posted, but I need to focus on other things at the moment. Until soon, grace go with you! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/610151/ Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/610151/ Mandy came to visit for the second week of school holidays and we decided to do some baking with the kids.  I bought some new biscuit cutters recently and the kids had been itching to try them out.  LOL  I didn't think to pull the camera out until the very end though   ...and I only thought about it then because Bethany was so cute icing (or 'painting' as Elijah would say) her teddy bears!  Icing: Coconut: All finished: Alphabet Bethany contemplating the lemon Bitter "I can improve this with icing and coconut" http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/603878/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/603878/  Becky came to visit for the first week of the school holidays* and our entertainment one of the days involved paint...   I must tell you that these photos don't do justice to the day at all.  I stopped taking photos because I wanted to join in!  You should have seen us all by the time we were finished...  We had so much fun! Becky - I apologise.  I didn't get them posted within the week...but enjoy them! *Two week break between third and fourth term - 22/09/08 - 03/10/08 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/601082/ Tue, 7 Oct 2008 04:33:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/601082/