Spring cleaning!

Today I am thankful for a bit of time for a good tidy out of the cupboards! We have been stuck at home for a few days while my oldest boy recovers from surgery and I have totally LOVED not having to rush around to school and sports for a few days! My lovely sister inspired me to do a bit of a spring clean (she cleaned her daughters closet in 1hr and 55 minutes!) and today I attacked the hall cupboard. I got out the sticky tape and fixed all the board games, put the craft box out of reach and filled a sulo bin with junk (sorry to my neighbours!) I really am so thankful to have a few spare days before the silly season is in full swing! AND now I dont have to lay awake at night imagining an aunty opening the hall cupboard on Christmas day and dying from fright!

Nurses & doctors

Today I am thankful for doctors, nurses and hospitals, especially the ones that looked after my boy so well today! I know everyone always goes on about how bad our hospital system is, but I think it is great! Especially in the kids hospitals. The nurses made the day so fun for Oscar he left feeling like he had a great time (until the morphine wore off!) anyway my boy was so brave and I am thankful that we can send out kids in knowing they are in safe hands, in a clean environment, being looked after by people so dedicated to their job!

Freedom

Today I am thankful for my freedom, the beautiful country we live in and how easy my life is. I have just finished reading 'son of hamas' and it has really impacted me like no other book ever before. It is written by one of the Hamas leaders sons, who worked for Israeli counter intelligence and ended up being disowned by his family when he became a Christian and revealed his double life. The life of this guy is really amazing. His position of influence in such a volatile time and place is mind-blowing. I have never really understood much about the Israel/Palestine stuff but now I gave a clearer picture-although I suspect there is so much more to learn! After reading the book I have been struck with how good we have it living in such a peaceful country, we really have nothing to complain about and so much to be thankful for.

Naptime

Today I am thankful for sleeping in the day. Oscar is absolutely worn out after a bushwalk and a play at his friends house. On the way home I kept hearing him say to himself "that was so much fun!" when we got home he asked for a pillow and a blanket and his lunch on the couch, next thing I know he is fast asleep, looking so contented after a fun day with his friend. I am going to follow his lead and put my feet up with a good book!

Great food

Today I am thankful for the best meal I have ever tasted! It was pork belly with Indian spice rub, served with coconut & Ginger cabbage! Soooooo tasty! We went to fireworks in austinmer for dinner and as usual it was fabulous! Fireworks is a great little spot, off the main road, with writing all over the walls, board games to play, good music and always great food!
Gotta love date night!

Music

Last week I accidentally deleted absolutely everything from my phone. So all week I have had no music. I have also started to run.(ouch!!) No music and running......( ouch, ouch!!) I tell you what, I felt every single step! Until yesterday when I finally got around to loading some some music and off I went. I am not sure if I ran or danced 6km, but it was really fun, thanks to the music. (I was listening to the glee soundtrack)


(this is at the halfway point. I guess I look so worried cause I have to try to make it back.)

Life

Today I am thankful for my life group, we are just a bunch of people who get together and share a meal and what we are thinking, learning, dreaming about, all in relation to God. Each week I am so encouraged by the other people in our group, one of the things tonight was about the way we think, which really does impact absolutely everything our lives! If you want to see change that really is the place to start! So although I am still trying to be thankful, I am also going to try to think the way God wants me too- meditating on His word and using that to shape the way I approach life.

Family

Here Is to family! I have a wonderful family and am cherishing having a few sneaky days away visiting my sister. The kids are loving hanging with their cousin.


I am very thankful for the strength & faith of my big sis! A true inspiration!

Special moments

Today I am thankful for a special little interaction that I am glad I didn't miss. We were stuck at some traffic lights and all the boys were in the back of the car. Outside there was a cute little boy on the hip of his mumma. Israel (16months) took a shine to the kid and was smiling and waving to him out the window if the car. The other boy was looking back and waving also, it was so innocent, so friendly and so special to see how easily a kid can make a friend without the social barriers adults place on themselves. I wonder how many friends we never make because we feel to awkward to give a smile or a wave to someone we don't know.

Cookbooks you can count on

Today I am thankful for a great meal from 'jaimes 30 min meals' It is only a new cookbook, but I can tell it's going to be a trustworthy companion! After a great day (Melbourne cup lunch with some lovely friends) I was in a bit of a rush to prepare dinner for some friends......cue 30 minute meals, fresh, yummy food on the table quickly! Now I just have to go and convince the kids to eat thier greens..... That'll probably take another 30 mins!!!!!

Inspiration!

I am back!! (and still very thankful!!) having 3 young boys & working like a maniac I put this blog on the backburner, thankfully I think I am a little better at saying no to things and setting aside a but if time for ME!
So here I am! Today I am thankful for the lighthouse womens blog! An inspiration and encouragement to be a better woman


each and every single day. So here is to making time for ourselves, because really we are much nicer to be around when we do!!

day 90

Today I am thankful fur a bit if extra help. Today I booked in for a cleaning service to cone and do a spring clean. I can never get to all the extra jobs, plus I think I deserve it....so I am treating myself and bringing in the experts!! It's going to be soooo good!!
Ps.... All to often we women try to do way to much. I am not superwoman and I am finally realizing that I can't do everything..... While it's hard to give up control, just go for it!! You deserve a break!!

Day 89

Today I am thankful for some quiet. So the chicken soup did work a little, but I still felt a little sick when I woke up. So my lovely husband took the older boys to work with him for the day. Then when he came home he picked up "littles" as well and took all the boys to the beach. That meant for the first time in 9 months I had a bit of ME time! I relaxed in the bath and had a lay on the lounge and generally just enjoyed the quiet!! By the time they came home I felt 100%! I think maybe I was just totally exhausted, it was almost worth it!!

day 87

Today I am thankful for chicken soup. Chicken soup really does fix anything.......it's a scientific fact!! My tummy is a bit funny......I think from way to many hot cross buns, so I am about to sit down to a nice hot mug of jewish penicillin. Hope it works!!

day 85

Today I am thankful for dinner. Not only did my loving husband cook dinner, he also shopped for it and cleaned up. (I have actually noticed the dishwasher has been turned on......a true miracle!!) we had really yummy pizza, on organic sourdough bases.

Our fridge is full, so full I am trying to work out how we will eat all the food.....and our tummies are too, which sadly is not the case for so many people out there tonight. I wish I could solve the worlds hunger problem. I have no idea how a mother can put her children to bed still hungry, I truly think it would kill me. I wish there was something I could do that really would make a huge difference.

day 84

Today I am thankful for Jesus. It's Good Friday and here are some of my friends facebook status from today......

Happy Good Friday Girls! You are LOVED, You are LOVED, You are LOVED!

He came (from Heaven to Earth). He conquered (the power of Sin and Death). We are free (it is for Freedom that Christ has set us Free!)

Today girls lets expand our revelation on the power of the cross, and the finished work of Jesus. He came that we might have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows!

'But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace of God He might experience death for EVERY individual person.' Hebrews 2.9

'my words could not tell, not even in part, of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart... You deserve my every breath, for You paid the great cost, giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross' (Matt Redman, inspired by Jesus Christ).

How many of your friends would die for you even when you dont know or like them just to be your friend? "YET WHILE WE WERE STILL STUFFING UP JESUS DIED FOR US"" ?

Chocolate is great and I shall be eating lots of it! But the easter bunny never gave you anything more than a big butt, Jesus gave you his life! (THINK ABOUT IT XOXO)

He came to pay a debt He did not owe, because we owed at debt we could not pay.

On Friday, instead of talking about how awesome the iPhone is, we'll be reflecting on how awesome Jesus is. On Saturday, we'll return to selling iPhones, before resting again on Sunday and Monday because the events of Easter are probably worth more than just one day's reflection. Then on Tuesday, we are back selling iPhones... Because at the end of the day, if Jesus did have a mobile phone, it would definitely be an iPhone. But he'd probably have the new one already, as he is not constrained by time or space (something he shares in common with Steve Jobs).

thankful to God that he sacraficed His Precious Son, Jesus Christ, for me and for you ... so that all who believe in Him will have eternal life ... may we reflect on His suffering, rejoice in His resurrection and marvel at His amazing Love ... to God be all the glory and honour and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, be praise and thanks forevermore!

Thank you Jesus. Thanks for everything.

Jesus is cruising around heaven today wearing his T-Shirt that says "I'm kind of a big deal".

day 83

Today I am thankful for a bit of cheap advertising. Ok, so maybe this is more classified as child labour.......but we were busy in the shop and Oscar was hanging around and was getting a little bored. He had already 'helped' with a batch of sausages pushing the leaver for the apprentice, but once that was done he was at a bit of a loose end. So I sent him out the front of the shop with some leaflets to hand out, with the promise that we would pay him $1 for all his hard work. Well, who can resist a 5 year old handing out leaflets???? NO-ONE!! He handed out hundreds! I did pay him a little more since he was out there for about an hour melting everyones hearts!! He loved it so much and wants to go back for another round tomorrow!!

P.S. Possibly the cutest part was that he sat down and ticked each one of the first batch so that everyone would know that it was 'good'
PPS. The other really cute part was that he wanted a tray so he could collect some money of the passers by (as if he was busking). I assured him that no-one would pay him for handing out leaflets and it might be better to learn guitar if he wanted to busk. He was not convinced and is sure I cost him some money since I didnt let him have a tray outside today.

Day 82

Today I am thankful for our life group. Our life group is a group of people within our church who we meet with every fortnight and chat, catch up, help and encourage and do a bit of a bible study. I am so thankful for the people in our life group, they are such an amazing bunch of people, so encouraging, so funny and inspiring!

day 81

Today I am thankful for a few hours to get organised. It's a busy week and I am taking some time out to get totally organised. I am thinking this will help with the hecticness that comes with public holidays!! I am so thankful for a bit of time to tidy up and it feels like the calm before the storm. I am so thankful for the calmness......it helps to be prepared for the storm.

day 80

Today I am thankful for Grandparents. It was grandparent day at school today & my Mum came down to visit Oscar and watch the Easter hat parade. I am so thankful that the boys get to see their grandparents often. The kids love their grandparents and they share a lovely bond with them.