Change is the only constant!

Wow, my tool bar is working and I can do pics etc. So, lets get going as its catch up time!! It's been a month since I last blogged and I realised how much I miss it!!

I am praying that one day I will have my own laptop and access to internet so that I can start again!! In the meantime, I have downloaded these amazing little "tags" from the Cathy zielske sight and I can print them out and journal everyday or once a week. It has become a hands on approach which I love and I don't have to be frustrated about not being able to get onto internet etc!! A win win and I can scrap and glue mu pics on the reverse side!! great stuff!!

It has become a journal of my "things that make me smile"and "things I am grateful for" that I jot down which I foind so refreshing!!

Row leaves for Hong Kong tomorrow which is very exciting! My Mom is here while he is away and the girls are so loving spending time with her.

I have soooo much Bible school work to do and will be working until late many nights I am sure! I so enjoy getting my brain to think again.

Things that make me smile...

my mom took out her false teeth and showed the girls

Row is going to china - wow

Ugly Betty dvds from video store

late nights watching "Brothers and Sisters"

Today I am grateful for...

choices

gardening

making a new beautiful duvet for my Mom

words of wisdom from a sister

D.I.Y. projects in the house

sewing

jogging on Kommetjie beach

choosing a new book at Wordsworth

the smell of my girls skin

Rowan laughing

toblerone

a new stove

Bruno scratching mussels off the rocks at Kommetjie and eating them

the blessing of sight!!

family

O.k so I could go on - yup, I love to ponder on the blessings of this incredible life!! I will miss tapping away at the keyboard and blogging( what a great word - blog) I will try catch up when Row is back from China town!! On the weekends maybe!! Yup- weekends it is!!

Chat soon xxxx

These are the days...

I woke up this morning with this song in my head - "These are the days of our lives..." as one day rolls into the next.I think queen sings it!? Anyway - it's been hot, real hot, damn hot. Really stunning - we were on Kommetjie beach from 7p.m. until just after 8p.m.last night and yup, incredible!!

I will probably blog over the weekends as I just don't seem to find the space at nights at the moment. I am sure during the hols I will blog more often. My task bar is not working so no pics or video clips!!! Also I cannot change my layout os sidebar as the page keeps on saying error?!!

Row is off to Joburg until Thursday so I have organised a movie for myself on Wednesday night. Cool!!

Things I am grateful for...
I actually walked outside and saw a shooting star!!
the sound of a microlight going over our house
I have been in a micolight - amazing!!
We have a keyboard and I am going to learn to play again!!last time was when I was 9yrs
Talor has a watch and is learning to tell the time - and asks us what time it is - all the time!
Hope is making up songs on the keyboard
trotting on Suzies horse - my bum hurts today!!
listening to music on my mp4 player as I walk on the beach
beetle - juice( not sure of spelling) a huge star in our galaxy!!

Come and listen

I have redesigned my daily life over this weekend as I was taking on too many things and I just couldn't fit it all in to my day. I had to do the whole prioritise thing and Row and I chatted and this week is is the test.

I have stuck to biggest priority my girls and all the busy after school activities. Then there's Bible School, reading and essay - lots of time needed! The stunning books I get from Joy still, are selling really well and keeping me very busy.

My life is full!!!

Today was incredibly hot and Talor had a full day of gym then straight to dancing. Hope had a play date at our house which was fun for her. She loves to socialise like her Mom - and always needs more time to play!!

Today i am grateful for...
David Crowder Band
girls in bed early! for a change
e-sword on my laptop!
quietness and Row home
dusk
excellent health of my family

Obsession

It is totaly confirmed that I am slightly mad about just being on the beach. Always have been - I used to spend copious amounts of time growing up down on a fabulous beach with loads of friends at Amanzimtoti, Natal. then my folks moved to Knysna when I was still studying and I used to fly down and yup, get browner by the minute.

I have a feeling Hope is going to follow suit as she spends most of her days in her costume, even on a day like today!! I saw a friend walking VERY briskly along Kommetjie and listening to her ipod. Great idea - and then I spoke to a friend today who has taken up jogging and she was telling me how addictive it is (like blogging) no, not quite the same?! Row is LOVING his early morning(5am - he has moved to the girls bathroom to get ready instead of blinding me awake with our bathroom light!!!) gym session. Yup, the look on his face proves yet again - we are made to do exercise and get addicted. So - I am going to step up my non existant exercise regime and begin with regular, brisk ( ipod attached to ear and songs blasting) walking on my beloved Kommetjie beach. I might even begin with some slow meditative breathing exercises. No, man that for over 40's and I am NOT THERE YET!!!

Today I am grateful for...

soft little hands holding mine

Talor watching "Father of the Bride" and then saying she wants to wear white takkies with her wedding dress??? - this too shall pass

listening to our wedding video and hearing my dad's voice praying over us

a cuppa strong tea and paging through two new magazines with little interruption

the sound of soft rain

singing in my ears...

My girls both came home today and could not stop singing! Hope had this cute little song about, "catch a falling star and put it in your pocket..." with all the actions and cute little voice. Talor then sang all the way home in the car with loads of actions. This carried on all afternoon in between her bird project and scrabble and playing "on, on". Into the bath, yup, it continued.

Here I sit at a friends watching the 80 Academy awards, and more singing and yes the beautiful girl who played Edith Piaf, La Vie en Rose just won Best Actress. amazing. My girls will probably never win an oscar but in my heart they are winners - all the way!!They rock my world, and today very loudly!!!

Today Iam grateful for...

I love music!

Talor wants to be a singer when she groes up???

so many great movies to see!!

watching "The Notebook"with Row

gardening

kommetjie beach again - the sound and smell

the book of Ruth - amazing

In a flash!

Where did the week go? I just checked when last I sat down to blog and cannot believe it was Monday night!! Well the week at a glance and a bit of a blur - it has been incredibly hot and the only way to cool down our house is to open the kithchen door but then the wind is so strong it blows the "hell" out of everything. Anyway its worth it for fresh air. You gotta love living in Cape Town!! Big news this week is my bestest friend from Durbs and hubbie are relocating to Cape Town!! Oh, what fun that will be - we did fine art together and are definitely on the same wave length about loads of stuff. Our good friends b @ c are reconciling their marriage and working all things out which is FANTASTIC news!! Row's Mom is looking at a B @ B in Robertson and we are going to take a look at it next weekend. Yup, quite a week!!! Row has taken the girls for a dip in a friends cute little jacuzzi/splash pool and to fetch a whole car load of slabs that they have very generously given us. The house is so quiet and I am sitting on my bed and the sun is streaming through my window onto my feet. Simlpe pleasures are the best!!

Things that make me smile....

I sploke to Talor's teacher about an issue we have and she has very nicely sorted it out

I had the most amazing hair wash/massage and colour on Wed at nina's

we swam in Suzies pool early thurs evening, it was warm and soooo much fun

swimmng and water is like a vitamin to me

I bought a "loofah" plant this morning from Beau - it actually grows into a loofah that you use to scrub your back/body etc?!

bournville dark choccie

I have been planting and digging in the garden - fantastic!

Catching up!

So I am still trying to print my essay for tomorrow and still have to read the whole of Deuteronomy by tomorrrow and I am still feeling rather chipper. Things do change! I just walked outside and yup, looked up at the sky, wow it is pretty amazing tonight!! Hope is coming down with a cough and we are all looking forward to this weekend as both girls have a Mid term break - great I get to sleep in!!!No school Thursday and Friday - we will do some beach things if the weather is good.





Today I am grateful for...


reading with the girls in Talors class as the Room parenting program kicks in


the look on Talors face as I walked into her classroom and stayed to help out


realising my child reads damn well!


my sense of humour is back


the girls are getting little fish in bowls as pets - oh boy!!


I scrapped a page which is soooo fabulous I am going to frame it - linked to my essay for bible school


little bits of scrap stuff


Cathy Zielske layouts again - incredible!!


Shakespeare with friends, picnic and laughter


helping a friend go through a marriage crisis

teaching adults how to read and write - amazing!!

He's my man!

Today I am grateful for...

my amazing husband:

a father who prays with his girls every night the sweetest prayers

he gives the best hugs ( don't lose too much weight in gym, babe)

always ready for a laugh and to have some fun

together we LOVE walking on the beach and just enjoying being on the beach!

he loves art, especially mine and my clay "stuff"

he is always encouraging

he makes amazing meals ( especially our favourite valentine meal)

he has big dreams and not afraid of risks or failure!

so hard working

and tall dark and handsome!!

What more could a girl ask for - I am a lucky girl!!!

We all had a really busy day and I have loads of work still to do for Bible school but its fun. I also still need to look at some scrap layouts for tomorrow. I have some amazing photos of Talor to still do.

Night night xxx

Giving back...

They say the best thing about life is not the receiving of things but in the giving. I saw Bill Clinton on Oprah a couple of weeks ago and he has just written a new book called "Giving". I would love to get my hands on one and check it out for myself. I must say one of the most fulfilling times of my life was when we were newly married and we moved to a one horse town in the Eastern Cape called Queenstown. I taught grade R to about 20 xhosa children with the help of an assistant who was also my translator and became my friend. It was incredible - these little kids were soooo keen to learn and so appreciative of everything you did with them that it really was a rewarding experience!

This morning I hooked up with a lady at Masi library who is running a "lap programme" for adults and children. My eyes were opened once again to the HUGE need in that community and how much we have in comparison!! We actually had to explain to the women that it is important to sit with their children on their laps and to read stories to them and tell them stories and just talk about things. Wow we take these simple things for grantede in our busy days and schedules!!! Oh wow, I have cool photo's from Masi but now my task bar has gone!!!aagh!

Today I am grateful for...
the gift of being able to read and write
watching Row swim and catch a wave at Fish hoek beach
reading stories to my girls
my girls absolutely love books and reading!!!
finding photos for new scrap layouts

Finding time...

Row sent me this great quote...."Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin. ( the president of the United States during World war 2) I don't know much else about him but I know for myself over the last 7 years after having children and living in Cape Town its been hanging tightly onto God with my little hand in his huge hand!!! Bible school is so much information and realities about Jesus and God revealed in the Old Testament I am stunned. Things they just never mentioned in Sunday school!!!

Things that make me smile....

my Fairlady mag is sitting waiting to be read - I cannot wait

the wind is back

Talors new hairstyle that she discovered this afternoon

my girls love soup

new rules - Talor wants to be "grounded" and not smacked!

Today I am grateful for...

second chances

fruit from woolies

marmalde

a dash of port with a friend in need

What I know for sure...

It's been a really interesting day - I sat in a meeting in Masi, with a large group of men and women this morning who all have amazing abilities and talents in the teaching field. Wow I am blown away at what is being done in Masi and the library and so look forward to seeing where I can slot in.

Hope is loving being the "big" girls to Ashleigh today and giggled her way through the day! Oh for a dose of her energy and delight in EVERYTHING!!

Things that make me smile...

my wonderful Row as he sighs and washes dishes and makes a HUGE noise in the kitchen

I got my Fairlady mag delivered to my door today and for the rest of the year - thank you my "big" sis - i love you!!!

things can change so quickly but God is really a ROCK!!

Today I am grateful for...

faith, hope and love

my husband!!

walking with the kids in the rain

family

In the fast lane...

Time is moving so fast and weekends fly past. The fire from Thursday night continued on Friday morning - for an hour we had 3 large helicopters flying over the house and then dumping buckets of water to put out yet a new fire on the mountain behind us!! While this was happening I was trying to write my essay for Bible school - I realised nothing was making any sense. I then had a "date" with friends OVER the mountain and was only going to be back at 3p.m.!! No kids and "BOOK " shopping - what a treat!!

Surprise, surprise Row and I were able to go on a "date" last night to a movie!! At our little movie theatre we actually had choices - we decided on "The Bucket List". You gotta love Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are both amazing together. It is sooo much better on th ebig screen sometimes and we both felt relaxed again as we sat for nearly two hours with no interruptions!!!!

Things that make me smile...

my bed side table with a stack of books waiting to be read!

Row really surprised me with an early valentine present with a Poetry book - amazing( I am really chuffed)

contact to cover my poetry book and my new Bible school books( I know its odd, bit I was a librarian once!)

Today I am grateful for...

choosing organic veg from Beau at Noordhoek farmvillage

chiabatta from Franc( Food barn)

feeding 3 huge fat pigs carrot tops

going to movies with Row

Sundays, rain and having no plans...

Talor survived a "foofy slide" fall with no injuries!!

Let's go...

Swim, of course - it is hot and this wind is driving me CRAZY so we had to resort to swimming with friends. It was so windfree in Noordhoek, I even jumped in and swam, as the water was 26 degrees. I almost felt I was back home in Durbs. But then we looked up and saw the incredible smoke of what must have been an enormous fire - we realised life for some is not so sweet as ours!! I am sure houses and definitely lots of animals would be caught up in all of it.

Suzie has the most amazing veggie patch outside her back door and before I left she gave me a packet full of 3 different kinds of lettuce, some leeks and spinach - all organic!! Guess what we had for supper. What I love about her veggie patch is it's not this perfect "garden" in a box but very haphazard and oh so not like Jamie Olivers well manicured garden. She has help from Beau, who is the guy who set the whole shebang up for her and maintains it every week. I so gotta get him!! To help me with a veggie patch that is.

When we eventually got home we were slightly worried as we saw those big old flames of the fire were coming over the tip of our Capri mountain.Talor was totally freaked out as we watched the animals in the reserve fleeing to who knows where?? We are still watching the power and awesomness of the flames as they have come even further down our prescious mountain.I don't think I am going to get much sleep tonight as I lie and wonder and make lists of all we should take with us if we have to flee!!

Things that make me smile...

warm swimming pool water in Cape Town

clean sheets

home made "slap" chips

toasted egg and bacon sarmies

Today I am grateful for...

In any situation Talor and Hope say, "Mom, lets just pray"

then interrupt as I am praying to add their their own little thoughts

each other - a family to care for and take care of

creativity

Changes...

I do remember when I was young changing my entire room around often. Well nothing much has changed - as I am still moving and revamping certain areas of our "little" house with gusto. My girls love it, they push, pull, sweep, and direct me as we moved Talor yet AGAIN out of Hope's room and back into her own. BUT THAT IS IT- for now!!

I have a bigger workspace, for scrapping of course and ALL the amazing paper I bought today on our trip OVER the mountain to Claremont. That's all our husbands will ever know!!

After a quick "refresher" room parenting course and "mug" shots taken so we can clock in and out of the school, I realised that we are involved in a big business of a school - but Ta is happy, really happy and doing so well - so lets enjoy it- and I cannot wait to help out in her class again!!

Things that make me smile....

Row is lying on the couch listening to LOUD music and relaxing

I am concentrating through the noise!!

Hope loved Melody's car because it had "those tray things like in the aeroplane, Mom!"

Talor is still wearing her red "mask" Jason gave her from his plane trip to sleep with

STUNNING scrap paper and bits and pieces

Today I am grateful for...

changes

organic cappacino - woolies

sharing BIG CHOC muffins

still water

my health

Hope whispering - "I really love you mom" in my ear

Way cool....

It's is good to be tapping away again out my thoughts after a good 3 day break! Boy I missed putting all that happened down every night. My life has changed slightly in that Bible School is the new adventure and wow, it is an adventure!! Loads of reading, which I am good at, but all the prep and research for essays is quite intense. I left it a bit late - weekend is not a good time to catch up as we have lots of chill time and socialising and "beaching" to do !!!

This week I plan to be more organised and NOT leave lots for weekend! I'll try!! Bookclub started last night - first one this year. It was fun to see new faces and we are a big group this year. Aagh - I have a pile of books next to my bed - Philip Yancey , Prayer - Leap of Faith, Queen Noor - The Dive, Pipin Ferreras - the rough guide to Europe - Let's Go Greece - rumours, Philip Yancey. That's it! When will I find time???

Things that make me smile...

Hope went to a party today where there was a "mermaid" who entertained them - she so thinks she's real and is completely in awe!!

Talor likes a boy and wants to send him a valentine's card

I am sudying again I woud never have imagined!!

big girls who dress up as mermaids as a"job"

Today I am grateful for....

I have a maid once a week!!!

being on Kommetjie beach at sunset

sunsets amaze me

dusk

sisters!!

Whats so amazing...

...about SCRAPPING, well everything from coffee with friends, hot cross buns, all Mels amazing scrap stuff, Joannes incredible scrap supplies, Michelle's huge pink box with not much inside, Levi screaming and laughing around the house and of course Cathy Zielske's layouts which I cannot get enough of! O.K so that explains it!! My layout turned out pretty much alright and I am going to squeeze in more time for scrapping. Priorities!!

I have still quite a bit of reading for Bible school to do and of course my essay, so a quick blog tonight. Talor has just watched 2 dvd's and has just crawled into bed now, Hope still doesn't want to sleep in her own room as their are "giants" in hers!? She is on the mattress next to talor's bed only she doesn't know about the sneeky cricket "giants" that are very loud in the middle of the night!

Things that make me smile...

fresh roses on my diningroom table

watching Talor dance

Today I am grateful for...

weekends!

finding Pumla( my friends maid) work

Little bits of you...

Hey, I am amazed everyday at the beauty surrounding us and of course I cannot get those images of God's awesomness as the ultimate CREATOR out of my head as the dvd, "Indescribable" still flashes in my memory. Louie Giglio, thank you for your passion and love for God and all he does for us and has done you are SOOO inspiring.

So, tomorrow I go scrap again for the first time in a couple of years. It is close to my heart and my creativity just soars as I play with paper, card and just "pretty" stuff. I love being a girl. I am so blessed!! I get to scrap my "big" girl,Talor her 2007 year. I have to sift through loads of gorgeous pics - man she is beautiful!!

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after daynthey pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world. ( my favourite psalm right now)

Things that make me smile...

Hope gets so excited about swimming lessons

Talor has the most incredible giggle

tomorrow is Friday

friends birthdays

Today I am grateful for...

walks on the beach

the smell of sun on my skin

shaving my legs!

a hot bath

Row removed the noisy cricket from the kitchen

Vitamins

What a way to start the day - I drop off the "princesses" at respective schools then drive 3km to Fish Hoek beach, and well there it is, my vitamin for the day. The sunrise is always different and so is the sea but it is always magnificent and God, you just blow me away!! Thank you!!

Talor has a really busy Wed which now includes Hope and me as we venture to drop her and Kerin at Rythmic Gymnastics for an hour( the compulsory after school sport) and then a mad grab and dash, dress in car scenario to be at ballet ten minutes later. Us Mom's and siblings were frazzled to say the least but the girls just giggled and laughed there way through it all.

Already their very gentle, sweet young ballet teacher has told them she wants them to do an exam at the end of the year!? They are so excited especially as they had on all the new gear, shoes, stockings hair accecories etc. and did endless points and twirls. Hope is just not impressed as she too wants all the gear!

Then tonight it was off to "greet and meet" the teacher and see her classroom and listen to stuff we actually know. It was fun and I am so proud of Talor and how well and happy she is. I just love the way Gavin Kellar is so upbeat and stressed the importance of celebrating your child and having fun with them. may we NEVER become too serious or push them too hard.

I feel like that guy - "Doogie Howser" a T.V. programme years ago I used to watch. At the end of each program, or day he used to sit in his room and journal his thoughts. I remember thinking - man I want to do that - and here I am however many years later doing just that. Fantastic!!

Things that make me smile...

the smell of the ocean

the smell of a cappacino

clean sink

Today I am grateful for...

an opportunity to travel

bookshops

laughter

sand stuck to my toes

Energy

Energy is eternal delight - William Blake, poet

There are three people in my life who have a load of the stuff - i.e. energy!! I am sure I had it but it seems like years ago and somewhere along the way it slipped out of my grasp! I do remember right throughout school, especially junior school I never stopped. But then I had children and life as I knew it radically changed - no, I think as you get older and there are more responsibilities you have to make a concious and determined effort to - exercise, commit to Bible school etc.

"ENERGY" - force, vigour, activity (dictionary) Row is sure abounding with this '"eternal delight" stuff as he was up at 5a.m.!! and off to gym with Darryl then back with bright red face and bouncing around the kitchen making paw paw something and I think offering me but it was all a blur as I never really wake up properly until 9a.m. the earliest. I am definitely a "night person" (owl) !

We dashed to Hope's 15 min swimming lesson and found Grandpa's tortoise in the middle of the driveway and he was not going to move for anybody - at last something I could relate to today. He is on MY side - slow has its merits . They are not sure where the tortoise came from but he "delightfully" moves between Grandpa's house and the two neighbours and sometimes just stops, yup in the middle of the driveway?! I love that guy.

Then it was off home to say a sad goodbye to our new friends Anna Karen and Michael, who come from Norway. This is where it all starts making sense to me - Row has been hiking and talking quite a bit with Michael. He is 77 years old and only started marathon running at 56yrs! Row had to try and keep up with him on the mountain - many times!!! We have really come to know them and care for them and will miss them as they were great neighbours and friends. They will be back in November for 3 months again until end Jan 2009, as this is their third house!! They have 2 in Norway ( one is a ski cabin) they are off to ski now when they get back!!Oh, man, the boundless energy - it must be all the Norwegian salmon?!

Things that make me smile...

tortoises

Row's red face after gym

friends near and far

a cuppa tea again and again

Today I am grateful for...

energy reserves I know I have

watching the dvd "Indescribable" again - God you are really trying to tell me something!

astronauts

make up

Finding God...

Wow, that sounds so spiritual and resolute. Today I sat and finished all my homework for the first week of Bible School - its all done!! So far, loads of reading, I am actually going to read the entire Bible through which my Dad did many, many times!!! Essays start tomorrow but in all this "stuff" i really don't want to be caught up in the academics of it all but just quietly and within my own soul - find God. Each day in every detail!

Talor had her first long day at school until two, with only one break and we had homework for the first time. Hope is loving all the new little people, they have a bunch of 2 year olds now who have just started and apparently her friend Josie is teaching her Afrikaans!? It sounds more like a form of Bushman language with lots of clicking and laughing.

The girls are still in separate rooms but Hope is sure that the "giants " love her bedroom at night and between crying and loads of tears she insists she "needs" to be in talor's bed. Anything for peace and quiet at 9p.m. when our goal was for 7.30p.m.!!!!

I have to go in every night and just look at them sleeping - it is amazing!!! So young and all of life just waiting for them.

Talor's friend Kerin is in the other "girls" class but they have still stuck together. They find each other at break and are now doing after school sports together. We had some time to spare so we dashed down to "my" beach just to get rid of energy and lots of giggles. They do not stop laughing those two!!!

Things that make me smile...

I am doing Bible school this year

my big sister did the same course 17 years ago!!

scrapbooking magazines

seeing Jason on skype tonight

Today I am grateful for...

a car to "taxi" my kids around in

choices

organic veg

marshmallow easter eggs

electricity

Time flies...

I am back tapping away at Row's trusty old laptop and it feels sooo good. Boy I missed the laptop and blogging this week, I mean Row, yes ROW and then blogging etc. You see this journalling thing is so helpful for putting everything into perspective!

It was a busy week as Talor decided on Rythmic gymnastics and to be a ballerina all on the same day!!! Hope is of course swimming non stop and there is no need for clothes as she stays in her costume all day most days. Great for laundry and electricity!!

I have started the year off with a bang as I signed up for Bible school this year! So much for movies, coffee,and pizza mornings and tanning on the beach which I know my brother in law(in England) thinks us stay at home Moms do all morning!!

I have so many stunning photos from our trip to Durbs and Underberg over Christmas and New Year that some time soon all my blog will be is catch up time of holiday pics. This particular one is my absolute favourite! We stayed in Durbs at my "big" sisters house for the first couple of days and the girls shared Alison's room(their 23year old cousin who was on holiday in Mozambique at the time) The girls new that they were not allowed to wake any of us up too early (they were awake at 6 am) so they found stuff to do until we sort of surfaced. Somehow this book caught their eye and we never did ask them or Talor how they enjoyed it!!!? Talor is reading amazingly well,I am stunned at her ability and the vocab she knows.

Things that make me smile...

Row is back from Joburg safe and sound

old friends

my children swim so well

photo's

I am grateful for...

braais'

swimming pools

great food

soft bed

birds - especially owls!

A great story...

I realised why I love books so much - and especially why I love reading non-fiction. I really battle to read a novel. I find reading about someones real struggles and journey fascinating. I gain much from other peoples adventures. So Row and I have such a love for books and we are definitely passing it down to our children.

Stories told like when you sit around a camp fire and just share "stuff" is what I miss. Then there are those amazing preachers or missionaries that can relate stories that have happened in their lives or even better from the Bible and you just go "oh, wow!" Thats how I feel tonight after listening to Ron Cline a missionary from america!! So clear, simple, funny and profound. Oh, I love it!!

I now know my decision to do bible school is good as it is fulled with the most amazing stories. So I pray for a fresh look at the Word just like Talor who absolutely loves her Bible and wants to read at every opportunity.

I think thats why I love language, teaching, quotes, movies, and now scrapbooking!!! Hooray for scrapping (thanks Mel) for all the inspiration.

Memories - Oh, I am so loving just journalling my thoughts with no pressure from anyone or anything!!

So I am going to encourage my kids to share stories always, I know Row's grandfather has loads of incredible stories and Row is busy writing his life story for the girls. I am so glad to be tapping away every day on my blog - memories, and then scrap away too more memories of last year and "happenings" this year.

We all take a deep breath as Row heads off for a week of meetings in Joburg. He is back on Friday night - we are sort of getting used to it as we are onto year 3 now! We are doing well. The girls will all crash in my room and I won't have the laptop as I thought so will only blog Mon and Wed when I gatecash a friends laptop!! Then Friday night as Row walks in the door I will grab his laptop and run for "time out"! I will be watching dvd's every night , I have them all lined up!

Things that make me smile...

Row is shining his work shoes

a great story

Talor is wearing my silk gown

Today I am grateful for...

I can hear

dvd's

aeroplanes

art

colours

clothes

Every second counts....

It really feels like like "every second counts" when I am trying to juggle putting the girls to sleep, dealing with hope popping out of bed and creeping next to me to just watch me type so that she doesn't have to go to bed, and me trying to type something coherent and well - hopefully meaningful!?

Time is just so damn prescious and "expensive" when you have little people around ALL the time.

Just got to kiss Hope goodnight again - I'll be back( hold that thought ,please!) O.k. Where was I?

No clue, lost all train of thought - Oh, I have been sooo desperate to blog and catch up! I have not been sick, in fact I feel really well - why am I so surprised? I have crammed in a movie - "The Jane Austen Bookclub" - very sweet, chick flick and such a treat to just sit and "blog" out of the real world for 2 hours. Great actors, cute story and I am hoping the Video Bar will work I am trying to download of a clip/trailer of a movie. So got to do more of the movie big screen theatre thing.

I admit the movie did make me want to read "Persuation" - so I grabbed it from the library, it's nice and thin - I just need to find those prescious seconds!!! Is it because I am celebrating my "Big" milestone birthday I feel so pressured to cram stuff in to my life?? What was I thinking before I had kids? I did not realise how much free time I had!

It's all Lance Armstrong's fault. He got me wanting his book about the enormity of seizing the moment. That got me to start a bookclub so I could get the book - and yup the rest is history.

I don't know if any of this is making sense - because Row is now waiting for me to finish up and watch a movie with him. Tomorrow I have the whole day with the laptop - who am I trying to kid. Maybe I need to wake up early before the rest of the household and seize the seconds.

Things that make me smile...

books piling up next to my bed waiting to be read

a really hot bubble bath

bathing with candles

full moon

Today I am grateful for...

genuine friends

braais

laughing until your tummy hurts

swimming pools

books

my girls LOVE books and reading

Freedom 2 be...

I realised again today how different my girls are and their unique little characters are beeming through. I really pray they stick with who God created them to be and just enjoy!

Talor is all systems go at school but still no homework - I did all the covering of books and putting names on all stationary etc. We are ready and waiting! Talor has rediscovered her barbies and has been so busy making a "double story" house using a bookshelf (very creative - I wander who she takes after?)

She really does not enjoy going to bed at 8 pm and "huffs and puffs"so loudly that honestly Row and I hold our breath for the house to - well come to a stand still as we negotiate!! She is like me when I was young - as my Mom always used to say - a "night owl". She so wanted to read her Bible, it is sooo cool she loves it so much.

Hope on the other hand is all about finding fun and laughter anywhere she can. She started her swimming lessons with Hillary and 3 other little friends and that smile has not left her face since. We did redo the cap as well she did her best at getting it straight on her head, but, moms know and do best!! It was so cute though!

My first entire morning without the girls was slightly frustrating as I dashed off to catch the early movie - "The Jane Austen Bookclub" but it starts TOMORROW! aagh! and my maid was all over my little house with the vacuum cleaner and mop!! The joys of being a stay at home Mom!? I am looking forward to all the great new movies coming out and will definitely be sneeking off to the theatre alot!!

I really cannot wait for a laptop during the day as the late nights are catching up with me!! I am not as young as I used to be - ah, shame! Row is leaving his laptop when he goes away on business next week - hooray(for the laptop - of course)

Things that make me smile...

Talor wants to move her bedroom around again!

Bruno is still exhausted(day 3)

I will get faster on this laptop

its amazing what you can find on the internet

Today I am grateful for...

the taste of wine

old friends

telephone

chocolate!!

freedom to be me

Boys will be boys!

It is official, Mia is on heat and Bruno's maleness has kicked in or should i say jumped in/on and he is EXHAUSTED after day 2! I am learning about the birds and bees in "dog" land as I am not sure how long this will go on for!!! I hope for Bruno's sake it is quick. Hope has become very interested in the whole shebang and continues to ask many long winded questions, "Mom, how does Bruno know he is a boy?" I was sure daddy would fill her in on all the details during story and bed time as after all he is - a boy and gets exhausted!

My girls afternoon play date with their "girlfriends" was rudely interrupted as the FOUR BOYS from next door were adamant that "Grade 2 sucks!" Talor was horrified as she actually had a fantastic first day back at school. She sat for ages when she got home unveiling to us all her new books, pencil crayons etc.

Enough said, the girls declared war - and from that moment on weapons were drawn. Respective Moms hosepipes were laoded and children took their positions. Nicholas on top of gate post(good spot) with one mighty powerful hosepipe and 3 brothers flanked on his right with another loaded hosepipe.

The girls way out smarted the boys however as although they only had one weapon(hosepipe) they had many other weapons of mass destruction - hysterical laughter, boogie boards to sheild bodies and faces, a bucket and of course a clever Mom who jumped over the wall to switch OFF the weapons! The boys faces as the water trickled to a standstill was priceless!

Soaked, still full of hysteria they dripped inside for pampering( long showers/baths) and padkos!

Things that make me smile...
I saw and spoke to Gail(my niece) on skype (England)
the look of exhaustion on Bruno's'face
the "little" new grade ones

Today I am grateful for...
my girls are happy
the laughter of children
cuppa tea (regular 5 Roses)
digital cameras

"F" is for...

FIRST day of Grade 2 tomorrow, wow. A FANTASTIC FACE God gave my "big"girl. She looks so happy and content and she really had a stunning day.

Row on a whim decided to take the entire day off!

So it was Food glorious Food, as Hope chose the whimpy for breakfast. FABULOUS!!

FUN with dad at the blue route as he bought talor a new "pink" Life Application Bible, and Hope got Bible songs on DVD. Me, well I got F....... freedom for 2 hours. FANTASTIC!

FIT, is the name of the game for Row as he starts gym on Saturday!

FISH and chips for supper - Row is onto a health kick, I am not a fish FANCIER. Give me my steak!

FOOTSPA, hooray, for the 3 girls after dinner as we all rubbed, scrubbed and pampered those cute little FEET. FROGGIE Foot products were used in great quanties that my "big" sister gave me for Christmas.

FOOTLOOSE andFANCYFREE ... apparently is what us Mom's will all be as from tomorrow.

"What a FREAKING life I have!" - Michael buble ( I toast to that)

FOREVER grateful...

my new gas stove is coming soon

my 12 year old little stove is hanging in there

beautiful cardstock I bought

Row washed the dishes

FUNNY things today...

Hope showed us how people "kiss"on the movies !

Talor played with her lego and barbies that she hasn't touched in months

Talor seems so calm about school tomorrow

Silence

As I woke up this morning the first thing I was aware of was the wind from yesterday had stopped - silence! Will I ever get used to the wind here although after coming back from Durbs a few days ago I am relieved I don't have to endure the heat/humidity!

I have amazingly grown to seek and find places of silence since becoming a Mom!! Row comes home at the end of his day and dashes for the lounge to put on his music, then turns the volume up really loud and leaves it playing for what seems like an eternity for me! Aagh!!!

I don't think the girls are ever silent - no I lie, while watching TV , feeling sick and yes when they eventually fall asleep at around nine !!! Summer for them means staying up late as they cannot understand how it could be bedtime when it is still so light! You gotta love cape Town!

Aagh - at last the house is silent, Row is reading his book, a dog is yapping in the distance and I am tapping away at the keyboard. I know I won't always long for such silence but right now in this season of my life - I revel in it. Oh, it also could have something to do with the fact that I have such large ears and Row is always amazed how I can hear soft distant sounds so clearly!!

I am definitely going to be a fantastic bird watcher/ spotter!Well hearing it anyway!

So we are down to one day and then Grade 2 begins. Last check tomorrow of all school "stuff".I am sure it is going to be an adventure!

Things that make me smile...

West coast national park reserve!

My girls want to share a room only at sleep time and chat sweetly to each other

Row is going to start gym after 20 years!

Today I am grateful for...

a brown tan after many years

freedom of choices

silence

Indescribable!

I have this really old dictionary which I love and in there the definition of INDESCRIBABLE is "beyond description"! Pretty cool, hey. Where am I going with all this fancy stuff, well I kinda had an amazing day when I was given three hours of freedom to "do my own thing".

Browsing around second hand book stores then off to simons town to my favourite coffee/interior shop, The "Meeting Place". I sat on a comfy couch with my cappacino, laptop on a little cute red table and "blogged" away. Everyone who came in had such a look of envy on their faces, it was lovely. The best of all N0 INTERRUPTIONS for a solid hour!! INDESRIBABLE!!(you Moms of toddlers and young ones will relate)

Then it was off for a bite to eat from an amazing pattiserie with the cute name, "The seetest thing", the pastries, cakes , tarts and quiches are like little works of art! Then some browsing around art/interior shops and finally a brisk walk on Kommetjie beach. It was one of those clear, breathless, indescribable Cape days.

I was so refreshed and revitalised - "thank you" Row!

At the end the day we watched an amazing dvd - which got me thinking. A man who is passionate about the Lord and astronomy, takes you on a slideshow of the wonders of the Universe. INDESCRIBABLE!!! I love looking out at the stars but when last had I taken the time in my day to stand on the patio and just "look " and marvel at the splendour. Amazingly I was tidying my desk and found last years Selwyn Hughes daily devotional and I turned to Sat, 13 Jan. The very scripture was , "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth." Psalm 33:1-22

As I put my girls to sleep I stood in awe of the greatest of all his creation - mankind, and gave thanks.

What an INDESRIBABLE day. I will get that song by Chris Tomlin and put it on my blog!!

Things that make me smile...

Modern technology - seeing Tracy and family on skype!!

my kitchen clean

my new "workspace"with pretty desk in the diningroom

clean sheets

Today I am grateful for...

time out

the smell of cappacino

beach sand stuck to my toes like glitter

God's word

Hope knows...

That''s my little girl, she is only four but she already has it all together. She makes me laugh so much most days my stomach hurts which is great! I love that.

She knows what she wants and doesn't look back saying "maybe"or "should I"- she just goes for it! It 's sounding like I envy her, yes I DO. !!I wander if it's in the jeans(sorry genes) because her father is very similar.

Hope decided in a second that from the money Jason and katie gave her for Christmas she wanted a swimming pool, the one Mom can spendtime blowing up and cleaning and refilling every couple of days. She KNOWS how to have fun with the simplest of things and enjoyed taking the hosepipe and spraying the neighbours bedroom windows(they were open too) our roof, neighbours roof, anything but in the pool and as high and far as she could go! The look on her face of pure delight was incredible.

She also has this amazing insight into her big sister's' ups and downs( and there are many). Yesterday Talor was "having a moment" and I was trying to ignore all the noise and tears when Hope came and sat next to me and looked at me and said, "Mom she is not easy" in a very calm and matter of fact way.

So being at home for the last 7 years with these two amazing human beings we are blessed with is my greatest achievement in my life, I think, maybe? No, dammit, it is!!!

Thank you Hope and Ta;or for all the amazing moments we share together everyday!

Things that make me smile...

Tembeka is back after a 3 week holiday and my house is spotless(for a coule of hours at least)

Mia is on heat(lovely) and Hope is very concerned that we take her to the vet to check herbabies? I will leave Row to explain!

Talor has one video song on her mp4 player and she knows all the words and can dance just like the girl on the video( I will video clip it soon and put it on my blog) Oh, I am so clever!

I have been writing a blog for nearly a week and haven't given up yet! (Those who know me well will understand).

Gratitude today...

Friends

Friday night dvd night for the girls

magazines

being able to read!!!

Revamp!

That is all I can think about today as I headed off to Nina for a hairdo "revamp"and hopefully came back looking fresher,calmer(head massage is awinner) and sexier/i think not, just '"me ".



Talor is on a roll of redecorate her room, I swore NEVER to attempt sewing my own curtains again but here I am trying to pin and cut her order of white curtains that can tie back please Mom. The things we do for our kids!



I love to lie in bed at night and dream of my ideal bathroom, bedroom etc. especially afer a dose of my new "house and Leisure"magazine(which no one must touch until I have touched and scanned every page)! So, yup I am going to repaint a wall of the bathroom in a cappacino colour and reframe some black and white pics of the family we took while out on one of our many ädventures". Or maybe even scrap my favourite poem by e.e cummings!



I smile because...

Row is snoring and I am still awake!

Today we saw loads of dolphins swimming in Kommetjie ocean

I realised I love to scrap

I am learning how to use the laptop!!



Gratitude 4 today..

Hope has discovered her "dolls"house book and is actually playing with it

Cathy Zielske's new scrap book



Quote of the day...

Owns Crap....

I play with my memories. I record life. I preserve a sampling of this life,I am so incredibly privelidged to live. Hopefully I will be doing it for many many years to come. So "Scrap now"! and you will end up as someone who OWNS CRAP. Cheers to that!

- by Cathy Zielske

As good as it gets

So, I longed and missed my daily or sometimes weekly "vitamin" while we were away in Underberg and Durban! But its been 2 days since we have been back and at last I get to go for a walk on Kommetjie beach with my Bruno!! Yup I left Mia at home, I think she is still sulking (such a girl) The best part - alone with my thoughts. As usual the sunset was incredible and the surfers were out catching small "swells"- but hey, they just are addicted, pretty much like me.

Row was left to sort out the girls at home. They decided no early to bed for them, they want a"picnic"in the lounge! So I returned home to Talors mattress on the lounge floor, a bowl of popcorn, made by chef Dad Row being devoured as they sang and watched High School Musical again for the second time today!! (I really need to get to the video store)

maggie and milly and molly and may

maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach to play one day

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couln't remember her troubles, and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays fire languid were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea

e.e.cummings

I walked in the door to my world right now and realised ...this is - as good as it gets - for now, and that makes me smile!

just today

Welcome to our life...

We hope to share our best moments and will share pics from our daily life.

I have wanted to journal all my life, butI get the beautiful journal book and of course a great pen and start with great gusto and never follow through!!

So here goes to a new year, new beginnings, better discipline, lerning to navigate around the computer and the amazing world of internet and now Blogging! Thanks Mel, you are my inspiration. I have never been up this late for years - I'm hooked!!Lets hope I sustain it. The last time I was up this late was when I was breastfeeding Hope!!

I am still sorting out all the pics(we have so many) and figuring out how to add etc - so cool, it's like scrapbooking only much cheaper!

So I hope you enjoy the "virgin"page and sleep tight.(Row is snoring in tune to my keyboard tapping) I better go xxx