Mothercare

What's new?

2012-01-11T12:18:00.002+08:00

Something entirely different for school today

The Holiday Is Over.

2012-01-09T07:24:00.003+08:00

What? Already? Did I have one?
We started back at school today since Tain forgets quickly all our hard work from last year. I really hope this year is one of breakthroughs, in language and maths. I need to remember though that we have moved forward and will continue to do so. I handed my preschool material onto one of my daughters because we no longer need them. Yay!!

New Year

2012-01-02T13:59:00.004+08:00

The flat feeling after the party is quite common I suppose but still, life seems dull after everyone has been and gone after the Christmas fun together. We had Lauren and James stay for a sleep over on Christmas eve to share Abby's first Christmas with us and then A's family visited after Christmas while in the middle of that we made a road trip south for a family reunion. I do dislike saying goodbye but we had such a lovely time seeing littlies and spending time being together. I DO love my family.

New Life.

2011-05-15T19:13:00.007+08:00

Wow, what a week this has been. So many things to do that I even forgot to take Tain to his new sporting day.

Of course the thing that made my week so busy was that of my role as doula to my lovely Lauren, and I was on call 24/7 as the due date grew imminent.

The arrival on her due date of Abby Victoria was just a wonderful experience as I was blessed to see another beautiful grandbaby enter the world. God...you do amazing things. And..You really do know how to make great babies. Thank You!!

Good fun with good company

2011-03-27T19:16:00.005+08:00

What a great day we had seeing G.O.M.A. (Gallery of Modern Art) and the wonderfully creative exhibits, that surprised me with their size and interactivity.
Danielle and I have been wanting to see the exhibit since we arrived back from WA. We were amazed that we could get so up close and T. had a ball as well. Check out the slide. We looked at the white lego interactive display, the huge arch made of cardboard boxes, the beautiful Brisbane river that is slowly recovering after the floods, and the terrific pool display which had us fooled for a bit.
We will go back as there were areas we didn't get to see properly. And amazingly, it is all free.

There are a number of places along South Bank that are closed and still struggling to be repaired after the floods, which is very sad, but as you can see our great city is moving on and doing its best.

Time to chill

2011-03-17T15:07:00.004+08:00

There is something pretty special about being with people you have a lot of history with. We spent the weekend with some long loved friends and we were thoroughly refreshed to come home ready for a very busy week. We spent the weekend chatting and encouraging each other, eating and sharing, walking and surfing and just plain chilling out. It was a lovely time for the children to see each other and it even seemed like more than just two nights. We laughed and cried together and ate an awful lot of chocolate. We did some new things like a camp oven, saw some old familiar, but well loved places, like Woolgoolga beach and enjoyed the country air.

We all need good, solid people in our lives to lift us and remind us of the way to walk, our purpose in life. Thankyou my friends.

New lessons

2011-02-21T17:14:00.005+08:00

This boy of ours is growing so big, so quickly. Well mostly he is growing up. He has a teenager sense of humour, usually cheeky, and is doing so many new things. He is shaving. Can you believe it? Way to early for my liking but it seems necessity dictates here.

He is learning to cook. D bought him a lovely apron and accessories for Christmas along with a great cook book written by a teenager. So far he has cooked spaghetti bolognese and chocolate mousse, pizza and, on the menu for this week, sausages and mash with caramalised onions. There is a theme here. They are all his favourites. He thinks he is on 'master chef'.

As he is getting older I am feeling a little overwhelmed about all the things he needs to know as a "grown up". So many things he is not aware of yet. And we are running out of years before he gets to be a grown up. And then he wants to get married....EEK!! That brings on a whole new set of lessons.

Marriage

2010-12-13T06:51:00.004+08:00

"The most important day of your marriage is the last one" Mark Driscoll. Amazing sermon from Mars Hill Church entitled "Ministry, Marriage, Mistakes" with so many hard hitting truths that should change everyone who listens to it.
Keep working hard till our last breathe.
http://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ministry-marriage-mistakes/id179237854?i=89184015

Is it too late?

2010-12-01T20:15:00.001+08:00

SETTLED: what does this word mean? Is it possible, as Christians passing through this life to feel settled?

This word is one our family has used so many times over the years. A word that conjures up peace, harmony, fellowship, stability. A word I yearn to see fulfilled in my life. Is it possible? Should I even be trying to attain it?

As a wife who believes in following her head, her husband, I see my place as being with him in all that God calls him to do to provide for the family. Sadly for me, that has meant 20 moves in our married life and I yearn to feel settled. So many times God has spoken to my heart to reaffirm what I am to do with my life but I still don’t get it.

Today, as I was listening to some encouraging music, I heard one talking about sending out workers to share the message of God’s grace. I also remembered all those years ago, a popular chorus I used to sing in earnest, “send me to the nations, send me.” I spend time with Portugese, Hindu Indians, Americans, South Africans and many others. Oh my goodness, I have totally missed it. He did and I have missed it. When will I ever learn?

fun at the fair

2010-10-25T16:04:00.003+08:00

Tain wanted a ride as soon as he saw the ponies. He was very serious. And then the boys had fun. Yay

Reading update

2010-10-25T12:36:00.003+08:00

I have been reminded that I should do an update of Tain's reading program. {Thanks Nan :-) } We have had some wonderful moments of progression in amongst weddings and moving several times this year, so looking at where Tain was last year and where he is now, I have to say that I am pleased with his progress. Of course, I come unstuck when I compare him to others because I forget that he is himself and should not be compared.

In the year since we started this new program, Tain has memorised about 80 words, although we have to continuously review them or he forgets them and I get discouraged. But... the best thing is that we are moving forward. All the things that he has had trouble with over time he is doing faster. Things like, colouring, writing, speaking, reading, are greatly improving. When once it took 1 1/2 hours to write "from Tain" now he can copy a several sentence paragraph in about 10 minutes. Constant supervision is needed if I want it correctly on the lines but that probably is irrelevant.

Eighty words can make an amazing amount of sentences and this has surprised me. Sentences such as, I can go to Bunbury if you go too. The man can read a book. It is a favourite book. He can play the game if he likes to. Do you watch the animals climb and play? I just need to be more creative.

The size of the word is really irrelevant to Tain, it just needs to mean something to him. So words like "favourite" are easy but "an" could be harder. Making sure that what we study is important in his life is the key to this program. Making him achieve was very important as it was obvious he was getting discouraged because everything is so much harder for him. I find many people like to "test" him, to check on his progress which makes him "fail".

He can read all the family names, words we see when we are out, such as cafe, food, exit, push & pull. Words that are meaningful. Some of the filler words, such as at, on and has are more difficult as there are not many clues to give him.

We have seen him changing, working and correcting incorrect speech this year so hopefully the same will begin to happen with reading. The academics don't come naturally in any form so to see improvement in all areas such as this is great.

Whilst I have been typing this he has vacuumed the upstairs rooms, washed up and packed the dishwasher, (because he wanted to) and put away everything that isn't in it's proper place, so he does pretty well. I have no doubt he will be physically capable as an adult and hope that the world of words comes along with it. The thing I have to remember is that, when one area of his life changes, lots of others do too, and nothing stays the same.

2010-09-13T12:07:00.001+08:00

2010-09-13T11:39:00.000+08:00

This was a fluke. Pun intended. We had been watching for ages and not getting any photos so I literally just "point and shoot" at the time we thought he would rise again.

2010-09-12T19:23:00.000+08:00

There were many seals surfing and diving. So lovely to see

2010-09-12T17:01:00.000+08:00

Near Sugar Loaf.

We were a great distance from these seals and we thought there was one on the rock until we got it home on the computer. Yay

2010-09-12T16:55:00.001+08:00

Cape Naturaliste

2010-09-12T16:23:00.000+08:00

What a spectacular part of Australia this is. We went for a lovely Sunday drive to walk in the sunshine, rain and wind to see this gorgeous place. Most areas are well cared for so there isn't really any hard walking where we went. I had thought we were going to see coast line, but we also had an unintentional wild flower tour as well. Hundreds and hundreds of different varieties were along what could look to most like barren, wind blown land, but they were blooming. So much so I had to stop looking so that I could notice the other sights. Truely a lovely time.

We also saw whales, and seals. Shame they weren't closer OR my photography better. Still, very exciting.

Now if I can just work out how to add photos, I will be doing well.

Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome

2009-09-18T02:44:00.000+08:00

After homeschooling Tain for so long and not having much progress in the scholastic area it is easy for me to doubt my competence and feel like I am failing him. I have looked at reading programmes and they have all said "when a child knows his alphabet then implement the programme. So for seven years we have been learning the alphabet. I guess I am the slow learner.
Just recently I "happened" on a book (thanks to Marjo and Julie) with the title "Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome" by Patricia Logan Oelwein and am amazed at the wonderful results we have received. After the first school week doing our new programme he had mastered nine sight words. After two weeks he had fifeteen. After four weeks he has a great command of twenty eight words. He is reading them in sentences and it is incredible how many sentences you can make out of twenty eight words.
"Learning to use phonics to decode words is a long, on-going process, and concepts can become very complex for some children with Down syndrome......for many of the children, learning phonics is more difficult than learning sight words. When learning words purely by sight, each word is practiced enough times for the learner to immediately recognize the specific combination of symbols as a word, without the clues of letter sounds." It really does work.
When we were reading a library book about My father's room, he pointed to a statue which had a little sign under it and read Dad. The word hadn't appeared in the text and so for the first time he could see what it was all about. Wow we are so excited and he loves the new challenges.

2009-08-11T03:23:00.000+08:00

My blog won't show up my latest post. Do you know why that would be

Rememberings

2009-08-11T02:30:00.000+08:00

This time twenty-nine years ago I was the proudest (I believe it's true) new mum in the whole world. The most beautiful bundle of joy had arrived a little early, and had a mop of black hair. I truly thought all babies had blond hair. I hadn't remembered seeing any with black hair. So she takes after her daddy, in more ways than one. He also was so proud, he couldn't get the smile off his face. He is still so proud of you, more so. He was a little reminiscent last night.

So began the journey of parenthood, with you teaching us along the way. You were so gracious to us and forgave us our sins as we learnt what it meant to be parents. We thank God you were first in our brood, so strong and honest and trustworthy. What a great life it has been. We are so thankful to God for His great measure of blessing he poured out to us through our kids.

You should have seen Ma and Pa that day. Phew, finally the pressure was off because they had the grandbaby they had been waiting for for five years. Now I understand the awesome feeling of being a grandparent too, so I know how strong the desire was that they had then.

It doesn't get much better than watching your kids grow to be beautiful, godly adults who follow the Lord, and see His plans unfold for their lives. You do us proud D and we love you.

Ouch

2009-07-30T03:35:00.000+08:00

Can you imagine going to your pastor, with the great news that you were getting married. After talking for a while with you he asked questions to discover your fiancee is not a christian. Imagine then how you would be if he "contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair," Neh 13:25. Great reason not to be unequally yoked.

Smooth sailing

2009-07-27T02:19:00.000+08:00

I have been challenged in my thinking lately that maybe I have a hangover of theology that says that a Christian has an easy life. Going over in my mind are lots of issues and I think I have failed to see that God is the one who sets our path. Of course, we choose to do certain things but still, it is He who puts before us those things we need to deal with.

So when life goes a different course to that which we had supposed, why do we then wonder if God has deserted us. I was challenged by Paul's journeys this morning as he was being transported to Caesar that his ship was tossed at sea over a large amount of time so badly that it was lost. The crew had to throw all belongings away, trying to save the ship but then God came; spoke; comforted; encouraged and protected. Why is it so hard to look at the storm and not see God. He was there all along, they just failed to see it.

I need to see His hand, for him to come, speak, comfort, encourage and protect.

There are great joyous things happening and it is easy to see God working. We think this is how God rules in our lives. I need to be reminded that all of life is His plan and for His purposes to be seen in me, then maybe a makeover is what is needed. And if I don't have the storms then the changes don't happen.

When I look back over my married years, I see the very things that gave me insurmountable grief at the time were the great stabilisers in my life in later years. I had no idea then and I have had to have a shake up to remember them now. I don't want to forget those things I learnt then.

I realise that I am still far from my best, but I do know until we are put under pressure, with struggles and strife, then we never see how much we need the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Can we see our lack if we never realise that God is using his winepress, his chisel or refining fire. If I want more patience, I have to be put in impatient situations, if I want joy in all circumstances then I need to look at each circumstance and realise.....God is there.

Is He really the God who provides all my needs?
Does He promise He will never leave me nor forsake me?
Was He serious when He said, All things work together for good to those who love Me and are called according to my purpose?

If the answer is yes to all these questions, then why am I making it so difficult? Where is my faith? I will trust You, Lord.....

Why do I complain

2009-07-10T03:56:00.000+08:00

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9a
“I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble and I delivered you; Ps 81:6-7
Relying on God’s strength is something that I can only do when put under pressure; when I feel weak. If I want God to be glorified in my life then that pressure must come if God is to be seen. Grapes don’t produce juice unless trampled, olives don’t produce oil unless pressed, fine stone cannot be worked unless it first is cut and planed, precious metals are only obtained after the fire has purified it.
I want my life to be a testimony to God and yet I resent the trampling, pressing, cutting and heat that comes my way. May I see your hand on my life and sin not.
“A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

God does the funniest things

2009-07-09T13:02:00.000+08:00

Today as we were walking back from the park we heard a toot and looked around. Why did we do that? Anyway, the people in the van were waving to us. It was the lovely Russian, gypsy looking lady I had met at the concert. How good is that? Thank you Lord. You meet our needs.

2009-07-08T12:52:00.000+08:00

Mon. 6th July 2009
Yesterday we went for a lovely drive around the coast line. It was pouring rain and very cloudy. We couldn’t see Mt Taranaki at all and we completely circled it. Yet when the sun is out it is such an imposing sight. Spectacular. I let out a very audible cry when I first saw it. I have only seen it on two days. Yesterday we travelled through all the little towns around the area and I was very impressed with how neat and tidy everything is. Lovely little houses on big yard blocks (sections) and so green. It also looks as if everyone must mow on the same day. So neat. Stratford was really pretty. I was expecting something like Geogetown but it wasn’t. People seem really friendly wherever we go.
We had a trip to the post office today and I know it will take time for me to get used to the coins. The two dollar is the size of our one. The silver is small with ten cents being copper and very small and not much bigger than a one cent piece. Every time I cash in a paper note Tain does a little excited dance and calls out dollar, dollar, dollar.
The loneliness has reminded me of when we first moved away from Muswellbrook in 1976 and I spent time dreaming of the day when I would know someone in the street. It was many months, (I think 18) before it happened. I rang Ma to tell her. I haven’t changed much have I, but it has been a long time since I have felt so on my own.
I have Offerings on the computer but it doesn’t have the offering song on it. It starts with King of Glory. Have we put the wrong album name on it?
We went to Puke Ariki today which is the museum, info centre and also the library. Danielle you would move here for the library. Three floors, with the bottom floor being interactive for kids. As you can imagine, we have only passed through the other two. The museum , across from the beach, has the most beautiful little park with a stream running right out to the ocean. I told Dad I would take him there for coffee on Friday if he comes home early. Gorgeous rock walls by the sea and paths everywhere along the coast. There is even a walkway called Huatoki (James’?) which goes from our street to Huatoki Street. It takes about 1 ½ hours apparently. One way.

Tuesday 7th July Random facts
9:45. The sun has just come out after a morning of rain and the covers on the deck chairs are steaming from the moisture in them.
Permanent marker DOES come off a white board if you use the right chemical.
Asked Tain yesterday if he wanted to go down town to buy a pair of ugg boots. He said “No, howwible”. When we were down there I showed him a nice pair and he told me they were girl’s.

How lovely it was to talk on the phone today and not feel guilty about the phone. Isn’t it funny how it was costing the same on our phone yesterday but because I didn’t know what price I felt sick about it. Even at $1.50 we will still have to watch it and supplement with Skype because that adds
$45 per month just with one per day. That makes the $25 deal over here sound alright.

True

2009-06-06T07:36:00.000+08:00

Hearty friendship will stoop to anything but sin; Matthew Henry

Who says you can't teach on old gal new tricks.

2009-06-03T17:45:00.000+08:00

Well, there is not a single person on this planet that knows that I have this blog. Wow, wont D. get a surprise!

I hope that this can become something lovely for my girls to read, and maybe when all my travels are done, my doula business came have some benefit.