What a week...

Scott tries to turn Emma into Yoda when she put my cardigan on.

Dilly-dallying on the way to the car, dancing with her shadow
Tuesday, Melissa and I discussing costumes for her Halloween party. I got out my bridesmaid dress and let Emma try it on!
Toby loving Lucy, Emma's puppy
Just chillin

On Friday Toby got a haircut - Daddy came to hold him...
It was not easy!
This is Emma's Sunday school class, with Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Angela

As you saw, we put the kids in little costumes on Saturday. This was to go to Melissa's Halloween party. Scott and I have agreed that our kids will not be participating in Halloween activities, for a range of reasons. However, since we were going to a costume party I conformed (just for Melissa!!).

Emma loved dressing up, as she should, but I don't think we'll be taking them to any more halloween parties - Emma was terrified of Mel's boyfriend who was dressed as the Joker!

Tonight, I went to visit Ashley and the baby at the hospital, while Scott bagged some candy and church invites to give to kids who were trick or treating. Apparently lots of kids showed up (the door was open and lights on!) and Emma loved seeing the kids in their costumes and giving them the bags. Toby was watching from his chair, sucking a lollipop - the toddler pacifier!!

When I got home Emma told me about the fun but also said "there was a scary costume - I was afraid. It had teeth."

I know parents want their kids to have fun, but am I alone thinking it's weird for kids to think this creepy nasty stuff (which often represents evil or violence) is fun?

Anyway, we're moving on - next stop: Emma's birthday!! Technically November 13th, this year we are having her birthday a week early on November 6 as I'll be away next Friday night.

Last year we had a huge bash at the church, but I don't think she really got the concept. this year she has been telling me every day it's her birthday!! She wants a Dora balloon, and Dora Princess cake (she chose it when we looked for Toby's!). I'm going to oblige, and also surprise her with a princess dress to wear from Nanna and Pops, and a tiara!

With their birthdays so close together and close to Christmas I would like for their birthdays to be the day they are the 'star' and get all the gifts. Then for Christmas focus in on Jesus, love and family. Hopefully that will reduce the gift-envy at Christmas!!

What? You want to see the baby? Okay!! Here's Rafael
He's almost 6lbs now, and as light as a feather! What you see below is more blanket than baby!
For comparison, with Emma at the same age and ever so slightly bigger (I'm bigger there too!!)...

Putt-putt

This is the mini-golf hole that Scott built in just a few hours, with a little help, for the church Fall Festival. He brought it home for a basement putting green!

I know the golfers in my family will be impressed!

This is Emma as "Dora dressed as a cat for halloween"!

This is Toby as "David Beckham"!

Turn Around

The more time I spend on this earth, the more people from all walks that I meet, the more I clearly I see things.

Now on our third lay-off in two years, I don't see lack of money (or visible source) as a problem any more. God has more than put His money where His Word is!

But I have also noticed that where lack of money is not a problem, many people still seem to see accruing money as the solution for what ails them! And it is there that money, or the pursuit thereof, becomes a problem.

And all around me I see people pursuing intangible things to satisfy this desire, most often money or possessions, but also sex, success (in whatever area) and other "desirable" things. And they do satisfy, for a few minutes, months, years - but you always end up needing the next level. It sounds kind of like a drug addiction, right?

We all have needs, most fundamental of these is a desire for identity, belonging and purpose. They were put there by our creator, like a deliberate defect, so that we would one day turn back to Him to meet those needs as only he can.

Unfortunately, many are still seeking identity (who am I?) by performing as many roles as they can take on, such as father/mother, doctor/lawyer, best friend/volunteer. Often perfectionism creeps in to this so that we beat ourselves to death trying to be the perfect "[fill in the blank] and get validation from those the role serves. As parents, you must know by now this is an exercise in futility!!

We also struggle to answer the question of "where do I belong?" by joining all kinds of groups and clubs to feel that sense of belonging. Both gang members and country club members seek the same exclusivity and fellowship that defines there membership. The same as many young people who join the military/criminal underground with a sense of no other place in society left for them.

And "what am I supposed to do?" is often answered by those we emulate in our roles or the rules of our membership. We may not agree with the activities or views, but we fear our isolation and segregation far more than making a grievous mistake.

It shouldn't take you too long to appreciate quite how simple God made the answers to these questions, and provided the fulfilment of those needs.

You are a child of God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, loving, forgiving, merciful Father.

You belong in the Body of Christ because you have a purpose. That means God created you for a reason, His reason, that you will only discover when you turn to God to lead your life.

This is not a complicated procedure! As soon as you realize that you do not have a relationship with God, for whatever reason, and that you need one...

...ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins (and He will wipe them off your heavenly 'criminal record' - even the ones yet to come!)...

...and then ask God to deposit a new spirit in you (sounds kind of kooky, but if you've met someone who has 'changed' since becoming a Christian - bingo!!) and He will.

(No, you do not need to stop doing that thing you know you aren't supposed to do, before you become a Christian. That new spirit thing, well that takes care of it without you even realizing. I'm not kidding, things I never wanted to give up, or thought I could, just gradually faded away and I do not miss them!!)

You are supposed to discover and deploy your spiritual gifts, for God's purpose. This purpose thing might sound confusing, but I have many good examples. I became a Christian at 24 years old, so for 24 years I did many things which contributed to my abilities and talents.

For example, as a young child I was the narrator in school plays. Now I speak in front of my church 2/3 times a month, without fear or hesitation. My training in sales and marketing enables me to listen to people, and also help write announcements for events. I also read a lot growing up, which by far is the biggest contributor to my writing abilities!

However, these are talents God has given me, but spiritual gifts, that have only emerged since I became a Christian include teaching and administration. There are many spiritual gifts, as listed in scripture, that I don't have - and I'm okay with that! That is why there is a "body of believers" with various gifts, to support and complement each other.

Why am I writing this now? Why not? There's no doubt that when you realize you've been missing out on something, or heading in the wrong direction, you wish you'd known sooner. If any of the above struck a chord, maybe it's time to look a bit deeper.

The good news is it's never too late to turn around and make it right. In fact, there's no better time than now. If you don't know where to start, I'm right here...

Gotcha

I finally got a picture of Toby free-standing!! Of course it is 6am,
so not my first choice of timing!

Sick and tired

Last night I went for dinner with a friend. When I got home at 10pm I
found Emma and Scott sleeping in the recliner!

He said she flipped out when he put her to bed and complained of bell pains.

I put her to bed but after several trips to vent her I brought her in
with us. Her belly needed constant venting so I tried to sleep with
the g-tube in hand.

Emma's heart rate was double it's normal rate at sleep (you better
believe I put the pulse ox on her!), and she was nit comfortable.

I decided to try the recliner, and soon noticed her temp - a fever of
101f. She could not sleep so I laid her on the sofa and put the tv
on.

I put the other sofa cushions on the floor to sleep next to her, put
soon started to feel nauseous. I got Scott to help me bring Emma back
up while I threw up in the bathroom.

Dinner did not taste good the second time!

Getting into bed, Emma was still awake wanting to watch tv. I thank
God that Playhouse Disney now starts at 4am.

Emma fell asleep for a couple of hours but is back up to 101f. I feel
as sick as I have ever felt, throwing up a couple more times.

And Toby, the carrier of this bug, is doing better and tearing the house apart!

Lord, help me!

Toby Time

Taking pictures of Toby is hard because he is rarely still long enough and has not yet learned to pose! So here are some recent candids that I snapped with my phone...

Cheesy grin!

So cute!!

Chillin with Mummy

Draining a 20oz coffee! (Yes, I did have to ask Scott if the cup was empty!!)

Getting pulled around be Emma (vs pushed around like normal!)

First time in the motorized cars

Sweet Dreams

Emma woke me up at 5am this morning by calling for me. she was awake and "all done sleep." In my fatigued stupor I agreed to let her come and sleep with me, after telling her to go back to sleep!

As I laid her in our bed I heard some strange noises from Toby's room and went in to find he had thrown up all over his bed. I stripped him and the bed and brought him into sleep with us, but just like Emma, he was all done sleep!

At 6.15am I gave up trying to sleep with Toby chattering incessantly regardless if Scott or I was holding him. I brought the kids downstairs so Scott could sleep, having worked until 11pm.

After breakfast (and a toxic diaper) I put Toby back to bed, at 7am and crashed on the sofa while Emma watched TV. I started to get us ready to go out, Emma to Nanna's and Toby on errands with me when Toby woke up. He'd slept for a while, but threw up the breakfast I gave him. (That's two sheets to wash - he only has two!!)

I put him on a liquid diet for the day and although he has no temp and is otherwise fine, he is a little subdued so I think he probably feels crappy.

Emma was fired up to go to Nanna's and had a great time as always. I knew the early start could mess with my schedule (noon - lunch, 1pm - nap) so I picked her up at 11.30am, where I would normally have been able to drive home with her after lunch at 1pm. She made it home awake and even ate half her grilled cheese sandwich before...
If Emma's eyes are closed, she's asleep!!

So, both kids are already asleep, and I'm going to take a nap too!

All I want for Christmas...

Yesterday one of the women at church brought her 6 week old puppy. The nameless chihuahua/pomeranian mix was the cutest little thing! Emma, very nervous around new dogs, soon took to this one - quite a manageable size!! In fact she could even hold him herself!

I have always wanted a little dog, that would stay puppy-size. I don't think we would be able to handle it now, but maybe in a few years when the kids are in school!!

Museum Memories

You might think I'm going crazy when I say this, but there is something quite enjoyable when Scott gets laid off (and has private work)! There is a more uncertainty, but Scott gets to work where and when he wants and be his own boss.

This week he's been working until after 10pm most nights, so he's getting up with me and the kids. We're all enjoying the family time in the mornings. He's also able to come home and eat lunch with us.

On Friday we decided to use the free tickets we have for the Please Touch Museum. It was a lot of fun and we had lots of fun. Check it out...

FAIRYTALE / NURSERY RHYME KINGDOM (for 3yrs & under)

TRANSPORTATION



CHILD-SIZE SHOPPING





INDOOR CAROUSEL




THE POND (for 3yrs & under)


This one's for Grandad!

PIANO TIME