Look who as in th Dalby Herald!

Bethany, Joel & I attended the school's Biggest Morning Tea function on Wednesday and our photo appeared in the local paper yesterday! Jas tells me it is a nice photo- for a paper photo.

School Report Card time

School Report Card time- that time of the year that students dread and parents anticipate with a mixture of fear and joy. Kaleb is very studious and it was no surprise that his report card reflected the things we already know about him. It is amazing the depth of information they provide in a report card for grade 1. I guess it is a reflection of all of the things the students need to be learning. Great work Kaleb!

Sports Day Ribbons

Kaleb received 2 ribbons for Sports Day today. A 2nd for discus and a 3rd for 70m sprints.

A great saying...

I heard this on Vision Radio today and really liked it. Hope you do too.

When Satan comes and reminds me of my past...

I remeind him of his future in the lake of fire...

he scatters pretty quickly.

Michael Yussef

Cooking up a storm

Someone very special is having a surprise 70th birthday party this weekend so I am busy baking up a storm. I will post photos later if the baking is ok.

I have made-

• pear slice
• lemon slice
• blueberry yoghurt crumble cake
• chocolate brownie swirl slice
• oat caramel slice
• cheese ball

How cute!

Playtime with the Coates's

Coatsey had a job out here on Friday so the girls came for a visit. It was so nice to be able to kick back and catch up while the kids had fun playing. Thanks so much for coming to spend time with us.

Aunty Toya & B

Eden & Joel with the Wii Tennis Racquets

Maeve & Eden in the toy cupboard

2 more lost teeth!

We noticed last week that Kaleb's 2 front teeth were getting loose. By Friday morning one was ready to come out and by Friday afternoon the other one had come out. It was bittersweet for us as we had put so much effort into saving those teeth after he had dental surgery and not it was time for them to fall out anyway. Jas think's we should send the teeth back to the dentist for a pro-rata refund but I think Kaleb is more interested in keeping them for show and tell.

Aunty Tracey is so clever!

Aunty Tracey made this beautiful hair clips board for Bethany. It is just gorgeous and matches Bethany's green and pink room perfectly.

More things I am thankful for

73. my bible
74. Salon Only Curl Magic
75. pay day- it comes only once a month but it is a great day
76. Washing Machines

School Award

Kaleb came home with an award today. He received it for reaching sight word list 20.

7 months old today!

Bethany is 7 months old today. She has 2 teeth and one more on the way. She can sit for a little while and just loves being attended to. She is yet to roll- but why roll when everyone comes to her? Or when Joel rolls her over? She is adorable and we love her very much. She chats alot and says (in baby talk of course) mum and dad.

Today I put her hair in pony tails for the first time. She wasn't all that impressed and hopefully I get better at doing them. It makes her look all grown up.

She loves blowing bubbles, eating milk arrowroot biscuits, and the tv show 'The Hive'from ABC for Kids.

Dinner with Grandad Max

We had yummy Chinese for dinner with Grandad Max to celebrate his birthday. The kids had so much fun- as they always do- with Nana Daisy & Grandad Max.

Grandad Max & B

Max, Daisy & B

Aunty Trac & Kayla

Kaleb, Joel & Nana Daisy on the organ

And yes, the rocky road did make it to the intended recipient.

Things I am thankful for...

1. my Saviour and for the hope my life has because of Him
2. my Husband
3. my Children
4. my parents
5. my brother, sister-in-law and niece
6. my parents-in-law
7. my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and 2 newphews
8. my grandparents- on both sides
9. our time in Toowoomba- my foundations
10. our time in Goondiwindi- it changed my life
11. our time in Warwick- an opportunity to serve
12. our time in Dalby- a great place to grow
13. my best friend and her beautiful family
14. my beautiful friends- near and far
15. Old but true friends
16. my Thursday ladies bible study
17. our Friday night home group
18. our Pastors from Goondiwindi- they changed my life and faith
19. our Pastors from Warwick- for their belief and trust in me
20. our Pastors in Dalby- for their belief and trust in me
21. hot chocolate
22. dark chocolate mint tim tams
23. a warm home
24. electric blanket- so I can get into a warm bed
25. electricity
26. hot running water
27. music- oh how I love to worship and sing
28. Christian education- the one I had and the one my children will have
29. Frappe Friday- thanks C x
30. Audio SMS- thanks R x
31. SMS- making keeping in touch with everyone everywhere so easy
32. Sunday Roast- especially Dad's Roast Pork and mum's trimmings
33. Sight, taste, smell, touch and hearing- that I can enjoy everything God has blessed my life with
34. Forgiveness
35. my Sunbeam Mixmaster- it's bright blue
36. my Magimix Food Processor- the most expensive appliance I have ever bought
37. desert times- they have made me who I am today
38. my jobs- the ones I have had- they have made me who I am today
39. Cameras and photos
40. Our cars
41. Mircho's Prime Beef- when you need a second plate for vegetables :)
42. Clean running water
43. the ability to be generous to others
44. the Holy Spirit's ever presence in my life
45. Noosaville- Twin Quays- a little piece of paradise
46. Billy Goat Soap products- the apricot milk bath is divine
47. Baths
48. Eyelash tinting- thanks T x
49. my mum's sewing machine
50. 4am feed time- a special moment with B (and with K & J too)
51. my past
52. my present
53. my future
54. my eternity and salvation
55. Hillsong & Jesus Culture- their music opened my eyes to a new world of worship music
56. John Bevere's Affabel- I will never see eternity the same
57. Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind- what a great book
58. Tupperware- where would my life be without Tupperware
59. my Tupperware Happy Chopper- my newest and most favourite piece of Tupperware
60. the Internet- it does have it's positives
61. Cuddles with Joel- my precious little man
62. the special bond with B- an answer to prayer- my heart's deepest desire fulfilled
63. K- for teaching me how to be a mum and for being so forgiving- and for making me so proud
64. toilet training- the end result not the process
65. Internet banking
66. Internet shopping
67. Hot Glue Gun- where would any craft project be without one
68. Coles- for prices down and the awesome job J has with them
69. Snapfish photo printing
70. the smell of freshly baked bread
71. the joy of hearing my children laugh
72. Koorong

I sat down to write 20 things and got to 72. I wonder how many you could get to?

Grandad Max's Birthday

My very special grandad max turns 82 tomorrow. He loves home made rocky road so I had the pleasure of making some for him. I got the recipe from my favourite food website Exclusively Food http://www.exclusivelyfood.com.au/2006/07/rocky-road-recipe.html. I took these photos- just in case the rocky road doesn't make it to Victory Street for birthday dinner tomorrow night.

Sometimes...

Sometimes they fight
Sometimes they yell
Sometimes they hit
Sometimes they cry

Othertimes they hug
Othertimes they share
Othertimes they play
Other times they laugh

But all the time they are brothers and best of friends.

I captured these photos on Friday of Kaleb and Joel in Kaleb's bed with Kaleb reading a story. I couldn't help but smile. It was a simple moment- a gift from God.

Happy Birthday Aunty Tracey!

A very special Aunty is celebrating her 25th Birthday today!

Hope it's a wonderful day. We love you lots.

B having aunty time at Lisa's wedding in April

Morning Tea at Jondaryan

This morning we headed out to the Mirtschin's Farm at Jondaryan for morning tea. Sharon Schultz and her 4 kids were there so it was a great chance to catch up. There were 6 little boys running around having alot of fun and a few arguments.

B having quiet time while the other kids play outside

Miss Verity- look at her pointy tongue

Kyle M

Zach M

Farmer Joel- he had to wait a long time for the tractor to be free

THE BOYS- John S, Zach M, Eli S, Kyle M, Micah S & Joel

Friends come to visit

On Saturday Katrina, Minique, Phoenix and Imelia came from Warwick for a visit. It has been quite a while since we have seen each other so it was lovely to be able to sit and chat and let the kids play together. It made me miss them all the more though.

Kids on the trampoline- looks like serious business

Imelia

Imelia & Bethany- she didn't realise B isn't a doll

Katrina & B

Phoenix & B

The kids- don't they look super happy...

More Sports Day Photos

Thank you to Lester Baird for these photos of Kaleb from Friday.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I couldn't believe how good this Lemon Meringue Pie turned out. We are having friends from church over for lunch and I baked this for dessert. Hopefully it tastes as good as it looks.

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

180g biscuit crumbs

90g melted butter

1 tin condensed milk

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

3 eggs

1/2 cup caster sugar

1. Preheat oven to 160degrees. Grease pie plate.

2. Combine biscuit crumbs and butter. Press into pie plate base and sides. Refrigerate.

3. Combine condensed milk and lemon juice, add egg yolks. Pour into pie base.

4. Beat egg whites until soft peaks, gradually add sugar. Pipe or spread over lemon filling.

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool before serving.

Making bibs!

I have been eyeing off some beautiful bibs on ebay for quite some time but at $10 each I couldn't justify buying them. Yesterday I decided to have a go at making some myself. I got the pattern from http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/juicy_bits/2009/03/85-baby-blanket-gift-set-part-2.html. I found all the material and things I needed around the house so these cost me nothing to make. What do you think?

School Sports Day

What a glorious Dalby day for the sports carnival- it was even quite warm in the winter sun. Kaleb had a great day and competed in 70 metre race, long jump, shot putt and discus. He came 2nd in the 70 metres and 2nd in the discus (throwing 5.9 metres), and did just as well in long jump and shot putt. He was even part of the Taylor House relay team in the Under 8's relay race. He had a great day and showed excellent sportsmanship. He placed 3rd overall for the day and we are just so pleased of him- I tell him he is amazing.

Thank you to Nana & Grandad who came for a sleepover and spent the day with us. Hope you had as much fun as we did.

The boys born 2005 after their 70 metre final

Waiting patiently in the sun at discus

Getting the instructions for discus- what a struggle it was to walk 'behind'the circle

Kaleb's turn to throw