SICK MUSCLES AND KID SPASMS

Or is it sick kids and muscle spasms?? I dunno...



Anyhoo, on Tuesday I awoke to beautiful sound of every single muscle in my neck SCREAMING in pain. I could not move. I could not get out of bed, lift my arms or anything. Great! Now what? So Happy came to my rescue. he managed to get me out of bed and into the shower - where he had to wash my hair for me cause I was so totally useless. Pain like I cannot describe blossomed in my neck and arms with every single little move I made.



So after 3 days of self medicating myself and getting no positive response I made an appointment yesterday with the Physio Therpist. Was that ever weird? When I phoned a woman with a voice like sandpaper (you know the guy from the movie "The Birdcage" - she sounds like that) and a cough to make your nerves frazzle answered the phone. Breathing heavily and wheezing she booked my appointment. I was a little doubtful at first but then I figured - she's the receptionist, so it's cool.



Just before Happy picked me up he called saying Marke is ill and needs to get to the doctor too. "Great - another one with Mumps, there goes Christmas." Were my thoughts. But he has a tummy bug and is going to be fine. His temperature was 40 degrees celcius - very high. Shame poor kid. But a shot in the butt sorted him out quickly enough.



So I go to the physio 'round the corner and there is the BIG lady sitting on a little drum having a ciggy outside. "You the one with the neck" she rasped and got up to open the door. Ah, so this is the receptionist I spoke to on the phone. I follow her inside and she gives me the usual forms to fill out and all that then she tells me to follow her to another room. I sit down and she starts asking me a whole lot of questions about where i am in pian, how long etc etc and I realise that this IS the therapist!!



She sounds really course and she smokes like a chimney - but she knows what she is doing and I tell you, I was on the verge of falling into a deep deeeeeep sleep when she was done with me. I have just got a HUGE muscle spasm from - can you guess people - The Computer!! Yep. I work on one ALL day and that is why I am spazzing up all over. Lol. So I still look a bit like Robocop when I move around cause I cannot turn my head - but at least I can use my arms. And Happy is going to get me Spasmeds - she said I should get them. They are muscle relaxants and I know from past experience that they work.



I am still sore but feeling better. I should probably be going back there but not today i am going away with Happy until Sunday to this place: LOERIES CALL

Stunning hey?? And Yes - that's our room there. Thats where I will be sleeping tonight. The bathroom has got fluffly Gowns to wear, and super soft towels. All the luxuries you can think of - this place has. It's FIVE star!! And I cannot wait.

After the time I have had with kids getting sick - mumps, runny tummy's, vomiting - blegh!! I need to get away from it all. Marke and Sean's mom is staying with them all for the weekend and she doesn't mind having Dononvan too. But who would he's so sweet.

Happy and I leave this morning at about 10:00 am when work finishes. We are all packed and ready to go!!

Have a great weekend everyone and keep safe. I will not say this is my last post cause I said that with the last one - I might just hook up with the laptop sometime.

Tata!!

Edited to say:

Oh and have you EVER smelled what a burned dinner plate smells like? I have. I smelled it yesterday when I came home and the whole house reeked. Donovan (bless his independant soul) had put a slice of Pizza in the microwave to warm it up on a plate and then forgot about it. It was in for about an hour. On high. Cooking.

Suddenly when he saw the smoke did he rememer his Pizza. Well the plate was burned BLACK and the pizza was a little more like charcoal than Pizza - and now whenever I use the microwave I can smell the burned pizza and plate every time - YUCK!!!

KIDS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

May your hearts be filled with joy as
we celebrate the birth of our Savior,
and may you and your families experience a little of the real

Christmas Spirit this year.
Whether you are traveling this year or staying home

take care wherever you may go.
And spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone you know.

Have a very blessed and merry Christmas.

Lots of love

Spooks!

This will probably be my last post for the year. And I wanted it to be a special one. You guys are the best and I will try to get to blog while on holiday.

I'M BACK!!!

Hello!! I have been a really Bad Blogger lately - I know it. I feel realy bad, but it was not really anything I could help. Last week I ended up staying home with Donovan cause he had MUMPS!! Of ALL things at this time of the year - he gets mumps. What was I to do? No-one wanted him, and our Christmas party with the in-laws was cancelled too as a result. Not that mumps is that bad really - I found chicken pox to be much worse. But I didn't really have the "time" to take off from work cause I have SO much to do before we close on Friday 22nd. Oh me! Murphy hey!! Now I have to work like the clappers to get finished so I don't come back to a train-smash next year.

Yesterday Marke and Seans mom came through to visit. She has now moved closer to where we stay - about an hour away instead of 5 hours. And the boys are happy to see her again. She will be visiting until the 24th - and Happy and I will be going away for a bit from the 22nd to the 24th - I cannot wait!!

On Saturday night the In-laws came through for supper to give pressies etc and I kicked my little toe on the couch while rushing to the kitchen to get my Lasagne out the oven and it is now some pretty shades of purple, deep pink and blue - very painful! I don't think it is broken though. I did think that at first, but I think it is just badly sprained.

Anyway, thats all I have for now - gotta get some work done here. No time for playing this week...

FROM MY MOM...

MY CHILDREN ARE SUCH A BLESSING TO ME

I have been so humbled over recent years by the wisdom, love and choices my children have made.
I have been so blessed by their integrity, faith and courage.
I have had so many new and wonderful experiences through my children and I am eternally grateful to God above for blessing me so richly!

Brigi – when you got married and had an instant family of 2 dear little boys, Dad and I were so sad for you. We felt you had taken on so much for your 22 years of age and you would have such a burden from day 1 of your married life. As parents we wanted so much more for our little girl.
Well you sure proved to us that we were mistaken! We know it was hard for you all initially, but you dealt with it in such a loving way that we were amazed, filled with pride and mightily humbled! There are times when it is still really hard and I pray for you to remain as brave as you have been.
And so precious, I write this for all the step-mothers (such a harsh term) and step-grand parents –aunts –uncles everywhere!
Brigi reached out to her boys’ mother in such a loving way and included her in everything. I was going ‘WOW’ in my mind when I saw how Brigi treated the boys’ biological mother and I remember asking myself “Where did Brig learn all this stuff. How can she be so accepting and open hearted to this other woman?”
Brigi sat with her little boys in hospital when they were sick, did their speech therapy with them, helped them with homework, problems and endured their moods and trying times. She literally took them into her heart as her own BUT AT THE SAME TIME she never tried to replace their own mother. When she had her own little boy she still treated them with the same love and attention. It was because of Brigi that we accepted those 2 boys as our very own and we love them as our own – we never think of them as anything else.
What I have learned from Brigi about step-children and being the Granny/Grampa/auntie/uncle cousins or whatever, is the following:

Accept them (they are not going to ‘go away’)
Love, love, love them as your own
Be there for the step-mom in every way
Accept the new step-mom with love an appreciation

Gracious Father, Thank You for using my Brigi to teach me humility. Thank You for her faith and wisdom. Thank You for her loving patience and endurance. Thank You for bringing her family into our lives and homes and blessing us out of our boots and sox. Pour Your love and care over Brigi as she leads her family to a closer walk with You Lord. Hold her close when she feels smothered by conflict of emotions as happens with children. You are a kind and loving Father and I am so thankful that You walk with Brigi each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Brig – a song comes to mind at this moment in time, some of the words are as follows:

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant this Jesus is my plea!
When we’re walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak but Thou art Strong.
Jesus keep me from all harm,
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk
Let me walk close to Thee!

Love, love, love!

Now anyone reading this can see why I am who I am. When a Mother loves and encourages her children the way my mom does - you cannot help but love and encourage your own children in return. I thank God everyday for my precious Mom.

I love you too Mom - to the stars!!!

I am also so very blessed to have a husband who loves and supports me through everything. I don't think I would have made it this far had it not been for him. I thank God everyday for him too, for his love and understanding. Together we have learned so much about life and parenting. And although 8 years ago when we got married my parents felt a sadness for me, their faith in my husband has grown too - and I know that they know now that I married the right man.

Love you Babe - To infinity, and beyond!!! (himbeeyaam!!)

HAVE I BEEN TO BUSY?

Sadly, the answer is yes. Too busy to meet with my Lord, too busy to hear His voice. Too preoccupied to sense His gentle nudges. I have been too busy for the One most important person in my life. I have filled my heart and my mind with all that is worldly and flesh. I have concentrated firmly on me. I have allowed my emotions and my flesh to get the better of me and I feel like I am floundering in the dark.

But as I read Kim and Gail's blogs I have realized that I need to empty myself and my life of everything that is not of Jesus so I can again be filled with Jesus. I long to feel his closeness again and hear Him whispering to my heart. I need to be empty to be full.

I am coming back into His light that chases away all the darkness. Back into His peace that passes understanding. Back into His love that completely enfolds.

Thank you Kim and Gail for your honesty in your blogs – for because I was deaf and blind to what God was trying to tell me He used your words to reach me – and I am humbled and thankful.

I serve a mighty, loving all forgiving Father. And even though I sometimes go astray He is the Shepherd who will leave his flock to come and find me.

AS PROMISED: DONNY'S PHOTIES..

Edited to show/say:

I almost forgot to add these two. These were just before we left to go to the graduation.







































These were at the cermony...(sniff, sniff)

So angelic.

TO FILL YOU ALL IN....

And the prize for the most scarce blogger goes to.......SPOOKIE!!!
But I noticed it has been pretty quiet all over lately. So I don't feel that bad. Life just got seriously hectically hectic on me. LOL!!!

I have been busy. Busy at work specially. I don't get time to even finish a cuppa tea anymore. I used to phone my mother at least once a day - now I am lucky if I get to call her once a week!! And I am SO missing my blogging, I had so much I wanted to tell you all and now I cannot think of anything. I am still going to download Donny's graduation photies. Tomorrow - I promise. I also took some photos of my office (my little prison) so you can see where I sit hidden away all day too, those are coming tomorrow too - he he!!

My hubby - the bestest, gorgeousest, sweetest, lovingest man in the world bought us a new bedroom suite. It is all wood and includes a dressing table with mirror, pedstils and a beautiful big slay bed. Oh I feel like I am sleeping in hotel room - pictures of that to follow tomorrow too. It is so luxurious and beautiful and luxurious and stunning and beautiful.....(sigh)

The kiddos are on holiday - except Donovan, which he is struggling with. Marke had a SUPER report card and will be going to Grade 8!! We have baught all his text books for next year (hugely expesive) and we still need to go and get his uniform. I cannot wait to see Marke in his High School uniform and Donny in his primary school uniform. Sean brought home an ok report card - we have alot of work to do next year together - but I am willing and able and I think that if approach it with the right attitude he will be willingand able too. And Donovan - bless his lil heart is going to Grade 1 - he cannot wait. His report was lovely, but then it's a Grade R report card, it can only be lovely. And he and I are also going to be working very hard next year.

Last week was my company's year end function and it was - surprisingly - quite nice! Happy and I had a really fun time together - and we didn't get home too late either. We danced and sang songs and laughed together - and mingled with a bunch of other people too. The food was good, the dessert was yummy and the company - well it was Happy, so it was the best company I could wish for.

I have got 15 working days left this year. Count em people FIFTEEN- One Five - 15!! And then I am on holiday. WOOHOO!! I love the Christmas holidays. I cannot wait to be on leave where I can just chill at home by the pool with my boys, playing playstation, watching movies, going shopping for Christmas pressies...


I will be posting photos tomorrow of everything I promised - but until then, I am outa here!!

WEEKEND STUFF

Hello bloggerflies!! I a still here and missing my blog time so much. I have just been so busy at work and at home - it's that time of the year, you know...

Friday night was o precious. Donovan's graduation was so sweet. They all came out onto stage carrying candles and wearing gradution robes and hats over their blue shirts - he looked SO angelic I couldn't help but sit there and cry. I will put up my photos as soon as I can download them. He recieved a gift from the teachers which is so beautiful, and not what I expected at all. They each got a Bible - A5 size with a hard cover and inside they placed Donovans graduation photo. I was thrilled with this choice of gift, and he has already spent time paging through it and asking me to read him verses.

Saturday morning I went to a babyshower for a friend from church, and last night (sunday) my sisters, brother and myself held our annual sibling supper. I promise to devote an entire post to the evening, right now I am really tired (late sunday nights don't work so well) and I need to get back to work.

As soon as I have pictures of both the graduation and the supper I will post them.

GRADUATION DAY

Yup. It's graduation day for my litte Donovan. He is leaving the world of pre-school behind him and is eagerly moving on to the exciting world of "Big School".

Tomorrow night is the last Pre-School concert for him and also his graduation ceremony. He is very excited about the evening and I am too.

All his Grandparents are going to be there tomorrow night to share in his proud moment.

He is very excited to go to Big School and join the wonderful world of reading and writing and learning. And I will be doing grade 1 for the third time - not counting my own year in grade 1.

I am very proud of him and I will be sure to put up photos of his first day at school too.

My little boy. Aint so little anymore is he...

WAIT FOR GOD...

Yesterday God taught me a very valuable lesson, and a rather humbling one at that too.

I received an e-mail from my very dear friend and she was asking for a little relationship advice. Attached too was a letter she had written to another friend explaining the whole situation. I immediately jumped in with both feet and proceeded to tell her what I thought and felt - without even stopping to consider what the Lords thoughts on the situation were. I blundered on and got quite carried away. And, priding myself on the fact that I will not tell someone who asks me for my advice "what they want to hear" and I will also never "sugar coat the truth" I knew (hmph) that what I was telling her was my "I think" and was therefore correct. It was in NO way Spirit led or filled and I was quite nasty and cold in the way I told her what I thought.
When her reply came back - I instantly knew I had blundered. I sought the Lord very quickly and asked His forgiveness and then asked hers in return for being so thoughtless.
I then very gently and carefully proceeded to tell her what the Lord had laid on my heart to tell her. And I have to say His message was VERY different to mine. It was gentle and loving and encouraging, it was not forceful and demanding and commanding. I felt awful and very humbled.
My friend being the sweet loving person she is holds no grudges and told me that because she knows I care so much for her, she understands - phew!!

A little while later I was reading that little book called "Lord, Change ME!" and the author Evelyn Christenson had written the following piece:

"I Think
What I think really isn't very impressive according to God's Word. There is only one Truth, and that is God Himself. And the only absolute truth on which we can depend for the right kind of changes in our lives is found only in God's Word (John 17:17).
We have a rule about this at our house. Last summer I overheard two of our children discussing it: '"Mother always said truth is truth. It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. And not believing it has nothing to do with the fact that it is truth, and it will not change from being truth just because we choose not to believe it."
Yes whether or not I agree with something has nothing to do with whether or not it is true. My "I think"about a subject niether negates it nor insures its being true.
But we are so prone to believe our "I thinks" are very important. Many times what is billed as Bible Study turns out to be an exchange of our "I thinks". We read the Scripture portion and, using it as a springboard, dive immediately into the inner pool of our "I Thinks" and begin a discussion of whatever comes to our minds. When we are finished telling what we think about the subject other class members usually retain what they think and I keep what I think. It may have been a great discussion, but no one acquired any new truth.
A rule for Bible Study that assures us of getting wisdom from the only wothy Source, God Himslef, is that we don't discuss anything that is not answered in the portion of Scripture being studied on a given day. The teacher, and hopefully the the pupils, will have studied the actual meaning of the text and the answers no longer will be the participants "I Think" but Gods Word. Then we know that the changes we make in our lives based on that lesson are not from the "I Thinks" of people but from God Himself.

However, this does not mean that we cannot learn from each other. Sharing can be a profitable source of wisdom - if the wisdom shared is from a worthy source. If the source has been what God taught the person, then the sharing will be profitable indeed. If the teacher says: "I Think" the pupil may well respond "So What?" And the same holds true when a teacher verbalises his or her own feelings. They are not grounds for expecting or demanding in the pupil. But when the teacher's source of wisdom has come from God, then the "I Thinks" becomes positive wisdom.

I would retype the entire chapter here for you if I had the time - it was amazing! This was exactly what I was doing. I was giving my "I Thinks" and expecting my friend to be changed or to grow from it - but God was not the source of what I was telling her - it was my own feelings and her reponse although she didn't say it, in her heart I know it was "So What?"

Now I know we all make mistakes, and sometimes I believe God allows me to make blunders like this so that He can teach me that I can do nothing apart from Him. (John 15:5) Because I can be very stubborn at times and will insist on doing things my way and then learning the hard way. Thank goodness my friend didn't listen to me when I was giving her my own personal "I Thinks" - it could have caused her much pain and anguish. And thank God for showing me my error and then for pointing it out so very clearly in this wonderful book I am reading. It was just such a confirmation of what I had learned, and God was simply cementing it into my heart so that I will not make the same mistake again. He is so faithful!!

I learned a valuable lesson of Wating For God and using Him as my source of truth and wisdom and not just diving in with my own thoughts and feelings when somebody dear to me comes to me for guidance.

Wait For God - this phrase never meant so much to me in my life as it does today.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SQUIRRELS TRYING GET INTO YOUR BIRDFEEDER??

I don't.

I have a MUCH BIGGER problem than that......







































































Silly bear!!

Thanks Reta for sending me this e-mail. ;o)

UNFOLDING ROSEBUD

Today when I read Diane's blog I was reminded of this poem. I do not know who wrote it, but it is so true...









Unfolding Rosebud

It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God's design
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I
God opens this flower so sweetly
When in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of God's design
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my day
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me
Only my Heavenly Father knows
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.
Anonymous



Aren't these Blue Roses exquisite!?

Does anyone know if there really is such a flower?

BEARING SPIRITUAL FRUIT

Yesterday while I was at the gym I was meditating on Psalm 1. But MOSTLY on verse three of that Psalm:
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV) And then God let me have a look into my own heart at what my “tree” (spiritually) looks like, and when I saw my “tree” I was shocked and dismayed. I noticed that it had really deep roots, and He said to me that I am rooted deeply in Him and I need not be afraid of the winds and storms for I shall not be blown over and I noticed too that I have a very big tree with lots and lots of branches. These are good things.


















What dismayed me was when I saw, with great sadness that my branches were bare. There was one little fruit hanging right at the top of my tree looking very lonely and only a few little leaves here and there. And this troubled me, as well as humbled me, because I can so often be so boastful and full of myself and what I am doing and how well I am doing – but if I am not doing it in Christ or for Christ then it will not show.













I want to bear fruit. I want to be so heavy with fruit that my branches hang on the ground and when I realized that the way I was living my life was not bearing fruit my immediate prayer was: “Lord, remove my bareness and replace it with Your fruitfulness. Forgive me Lord for thinking that I was more important and for not putting You first. Give me a spirit of humbleness and joy that I may begin to bear fruits for You and be a tree worthy of standing in Your orchard.”

And God, being the faithful Father that He is has already begun a process in me. And I look forward to the next time He takes me back into His orchard to show mw my "tree" bearing a considerable amount more fruit than it is at the moment.

It is good to be rooted deeply in Christ and in His word, to be able to withstand the storms and the strong winds - but it is important – even more so that we bear fruit and that other’s can see the fruits we bear. I want to be tree that provides lots and lots of shade for people to rest under when they are weary and while they rest they can have some juicy fruits to eat to replenish their souls.

YOU GOTTA LOVE THESE!!!

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!!

SO WHADDYA WANNA KNOW??

Ask me anything you want to know about me - anything. Leave your questions in a comment and I will answer you there too.
Go for it, be creative I am not scared.
I will tell you anyhting you want to know - except my weight!! LOL!!

UGH! BLEURAGH! GROSS!!

People can be SO gross sometimes. And I know that we all carry germs around with us, they are all over and we are immune to many of them. But I can tell you I have seen and experienced things here at work that just makes my stomach turn!!

For example there is this old guy (well old-ish – but lets not get off the subject here) in the kitchen yesterday and he is very kindly (please note the dripping sacrcasm here) filling the container for the coffee. He is pouring the coffee from the big “tin” which it is bought in into the smaller glass container we have in the kitchen. But, he is using one hand to hold the “tin” to pour and the other hand he has placed inside the glass container to act as a "funnel" or "slide" so as not to spill any coffee onto the counter. So all the coffee first runs over his hand and then into the container - YUCK!!!. Now I don’t know if he washed his hands or not, I doubt it, either way I was so disgusted.

Then there is this other man who works in the store upstairs, and every single tea and lunch time he will come into the kitchen and wash his hands in the sink, then he will either dry them on a dish towel, or he will just leave them wet – mostly he leaves them wet. Then with his wet hands he will open the cupboard, open the tea bag container dig right down to the bottom (???) to get a tea bag and then he uses the sugar too. So he leaves everything wet and soggy wherever he has been. The cupboard door handle, the lids to the containers fot the tea and the sugar – and who knows how many tea bags are wet after he has dug into the bottom of the container. It is so gross! A kitchen is not a place to wash your hands, and then to leave a trail of soggy prints behind you is also just not a nice thing to do.

Then today – and this is just the cherry on top for me, one of the ladies from the factory took a phone call on the phone in reception, she was just there when the call came through. I was sitting there too having a cup of tea – which is now doing back flips in my tummy. After her call I got a call too, on the same phone in reception. And when I hung up the receiver, I realized to my absolute horror, that it was WET from her sweaty ear!!! I nearly hurled!! Now I don’t know if I have mentioned it before, but I have a thing about other people’s bodily fluids – ALL of them!! And sweat is a bodily fluid – ugh, I am gagging just retelling this now… I ran to the loo and wiped my ear off with the sealed alcoholic wipes we have in there, and then I went and wiped it again about a 30 seconds later.
I don't think I will ever use that phone in reception again, and I am seriously considering bringing my own tea to work too. Luckily I don’t drink coffee at work, but the tea thing just puts me off completely!! If I allow it I could probably develop OCD quite easily. Sometimes I think that if we ALL had OCD to a small degree – we would be more conscious of germs and how easily they spread. I mean you won’t believe how many times I have been in the ladies loo and I have heard another lady come in after I have gone into the stall and then whoever she is will leave when she is done WITHOUT washing her hands! 10% of South Africans do not wash their hands after going to the bathroom, that’s a lot!! And that’s just disgusting.
I think the next time I see somebody doing something gross in the kitchen I will not be able to keep quiet. I will just have to blurt out how disgusting whatever they are doing is – and Mr. Soggy Hands – well he just needs to grow some savvy! Plain and simple. And he'd better watch out, enough is enough, I am now on the war path.
I am going to wash my hands and my ear again – BYE!

A SUCCESSFUL SURPRISE

On Friday my hubby came home from a business trip which had taken him away from home for the whole week. I had already decided last weekend to prepare a little surprise for him upon his return on Friday night.
I asked my mom if she would help by fetching the kids on Friday afternoon – as early as she possibly could*, and she got them at around four in the afternoon. I collected rose petals all week from some ladies at work and also from mom. (She threw a packet of yellow petals over the wall when she got the kids! LOL!!) to sprinkle here and there.

Now I had planned to leave work at around three on Friday so I could go home and prepare everything when Hubby phoned and said he would be home at around three!! I told him that he was not allowed home before four, and that he was not to ask questions. He reluctantly agreed – but I knew his curiosity would only spur him on to get home. So I said a little prayer and asked God to delay him in any way he possibly could. Not long after that my darling Hubby phoned me to tell me there was a HUGE road block out of nowhere with one entire side of the road stopped at a time. YES!! Thank You Lord! Needless to say he only got home at about five that afternoon and I had time to get organized.
I set the table for a dinner for two with candles and wine and sprinkled rose petals over the settings. I sprinkled rose petals down the passage and in the room and on the bed - of course. I put on some soft music and in the process I found the C.D with our wedding song on it. I haven’t listened to it for the longest time and I decided to wait until he got home to listen to it.
I also had decided not to cook as it was just too hot. I ordered a pizza and made a lovely salad. The wine had been chilling since the day before and I put in the ice bucket with some ice. Lit the candles and waited patiently for his arrival.
He already knew something was up cause I had told him not to come home before four, but he was still pleasantly surprised when he got home. It was good to see him, I had really missed him since Tuesday.
We poured some cold-drinks and sat out in the garden enjoying the shade and the quietness of the afternoon together. Then I played him our song and it brought back some very special memories for us both, and let’s just say there were some tears shed in a very tender moment. We had a wonderful romantic evening together and I know it is something I will definitely do again. I will not wait so long before I surprise my hubby like that again he deserves it and so much more.

Here are the words to our wedding song, you will see why they are so very special:

The Colour of My Love
I’ll paint my moods in shades of blue
Paint my soul to be with you
I’ll sketch your lips in shaded tones
Draw your mouth to my own
I’ll draw your arms around my waist
Then all doubt I shall erase
I'll paint the rain that softly lands on the window pane

I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears
A look to calm your fears
A silhouette of dark and light
While we hold each other, oh so tight

I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart
Swearing that we’ll never part
That’s the colour of my love
I’ll paint the truth, show how I feel
Try to make you completely real
I’ll use a brush so light and fine
To draw you close
And make you mine

I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart
Swearing that we’ll never, ever part
That’s the colour of my love
I’ll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn, so much to try

And with this ring
Our lives will start
Swearing that we’ll never part
I offer what you cannot buy
Devoted love, Until we die

Ok, even typing these words made me cry. It still echoes exactly what I envisioned for our lives together.

My Babe, I love you. You fill my heart and make me happy and whole. These words were never just pretty words for me; they speak what’s in my heart, the things I didn’t know how to put into words. I am, and always will be devoted to you; you are the love of my life.















*Thanks Mom & Dad for your help, the evening was very special

TRUST

This was the first thing I thought of when I saw this picture. Trust, the trust I have in Jesus. I really trust Him implicitly, and because of this I don't fear for anything.

I know that my family will never go without anything and we will always have enough - even more than enough. I know that my children and my husband and all my other family will be safe and cared for wherever they are. I know that I am where god wants me to be and if He decides to move me somewhere else He will. I know that He has a plan and a purpose for my life, and for all those around me too and I canot wait to get deeper into what He has for me.

He is the source of my strength, and He is the strength of my life (to qoute from Michael W. Smith's song). he is the author and finisher of my faith apart from Him I an do nothing and He goes before me, He will be with me and he will never leave me bnor forsake me. He is my protector and He sets His angels charge over me. I will trust Him with everything and in everything. I trust Him implicitly!

So what thoughts and feelings did this picture invoke within you?

THIS IS MY REVELATION...

I don’t spend enough time in prayer. I don’t enter into the prayer meeting of heaven nearly as often as I should. If you consider Jesus life on earth, and I think I have spoken of this before, but if you think of His life on earth. Ask yourself "What was His life on earth about mostly?" Answer: Christ’s life on earth was a life of prayer. Luke 5:16, and many other verses in the Bible will give reference to the fact that Jesus spent more time in prayer alone or with his disciples than he did in teaching. The secret to His public ministry was His private ministry in prayer alone or with His disciples. Jesus “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”

In Luke 9, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Why? Because they saw him always praying and they realized that was the answer, the “secret weapon”. They saw Jesus was always praying and that was the only time they asked Him to teach them anything because they had revelation of the importance and the power of prayer.

And if you ever wonder what Jesus is doing now, in heaven, I can tell you – and you probably know than answer by now too – He is praying. There is a prayer meeting going on 24/7 in heaven (neat little rhyme there hey?). And whenever I drop to my knees or I cry out in prayer – then I am entering the prayer meeting of heaven – the never ceasing prayer meeting. Jesus is still praying.

You see satan doesn’t really mind if we go to church every Sunday, or if we become actively involved in serving on church teams or going to home groups. He doesn’t mind if we are on the choir or the worship team or even if we read our Bibles everyday (which is not bad things to do) – as long as we don’t pray, he wants us to get so involved in things, anything that will keep us out of prayer. We can do anything as a “Christian” and satan will not really be worried about us – but when we pray, when we become active prayers living prayer filled lives, then satan worries, cause then we are plugging in to that prayer meeting in heaven. Prayer is so important, prayer is so powerful and without it your life as a Christian will be an empty one.

That is why I have been battling to hear what God has to say to me because I haven’t been praying – not as I should be. I haven’t been plugging into my prayer meeting with Jesus and I have felt a definite lack and emptiness in my life.








Thank you Lord for revealing this to me today. I am going to spend time in prayer right now. I would want someone one day to ask me to teach them to pray – simply because they see me praying ALL the time.

FLUFF

This is my new favourite animal!! It's called a Dolphant. They are so cute! And I have heard that they are as intelligent as Dolphins too. I want one!!




Yesterday I was getting ready to go to gym. I took my track pants out of the closet and put them on but while I was walking around in my room getting my shirt and socks etc something really felt funny in my pants leg, right at the bottom. When I stopped to check what was going on I found my pink g-string sticking out the bottom of my pants. They abviously got washed with my pants and got stuck inside them or something - but can you imagine if I went to gym before the fell out? I could have been on the Orbitrek and my g-string would have fallen out - people would be thinking "how'd she do that??"
I would be mortified, I don't think I could have shown my face at the gym again. Thank goodness I checked what felt so funny before leaveing!! LOL!!

Oh gosh, I realise my writing is a bit fluffy lately, but that's because I am expecting a revelation. I can feel something happening within me - but it's not clear yet what it is. As soon as it becomes clear I will share it with you. Things are just a bit hazy right now, and I don't know if it's because God wants to reveal it to me slowly or because I am not quite as tuned in as I should be (probably the latter). I will be spending alot more time in His presence so as to discover what it is He is waiting to reveal to me.


This is an Eletee, much bigger than the Dolphants, but they are very closely related. and their trunks are very useful for breathing, they often use it as a snorkel.




An interesting fact for you, today, the 31st October in 1517 Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the church door. He wanted the people to be taught the truth and not the doctrin that the church was teaching. And he put it on the door so that the people going to church would see it, not so much as a provocation - which ws pretty much how the Church leaders saw it.
"Luther" is an excellent movie, and it is one of my favourites! If you get an opportunity to watch it - please DO so.

SATURDAY

Today was a really lekka day. I woke up at about 8:00 and then we went to gym. When we came home we lay in the garden soaking up some lovely sun. We both need a bit of a tan, it's been a loooong winter. Then we went to my mom's so she could adjust my jeans and a pair of pants which are all to big for me. It's so cool to have clothes that fit nicely again. Thanks Mom!!!

When we got to my mom's place my younger sister Madam was there too! So she and I took the kids for a milkshake, on our way we phoned Angel to come and join us quickly. It was realy fun to hang out with my sisters a bit again and we did a bit of planning for our sibling supper etc too. Madam wanted chinese takeout, so after the milk shakes we went with her to get that and we each got a fortune cookie too. That was fun.

One thing that wasn't so nice and kind of got tensions running a bit high was that some lady left her little girl in the car - and she was crying terribly. It was very upsetting, even though the car window was open - last week a 17 month old baby died cause it was left in the car. I think the granny saw us all gathering around the car -another lady joined us too. She came running telling us it was ok, and that she had been crying all the way to the mall in the car.
I still don't think it is very wise to do something like that, specially with people like Madam around. She'll just call the cops on yo ass!! LOL!!
Anyway, we headed back to mom's and Angel and Madam went home. While mom and I were busy in the sewing room Donovan came to see what we were doing and he was fiddling with moms nik-naks, one of which is Do-Do, I told him not to fiddle with the Do-Do, and he sid "It's not a Do-Do, it's a Pelletduck - meaning Pelican!! We laughed at him, poor lil thing. But he is funny.

When my pants were all done we also headed home for supper and all that. The kids are watching tv at the moment and Marke is playing Playstaion.
I am feeling tired now and I think I will be going to bed soon.

Enjoy your weekend further whatever you're doing. Keep warm if it's cold and keep cool if it's hot.

THIS AND THAT AND OTHER BLESSINGS

So the highlight of my day I would say was seeing my brother's photo along with his beautiful baby boy and his wifey, get this, On The Front Page Of The Local Newspaper!!!! Remember I said Nathan won that Baby Competition - well they put the picture in the paper. It is such a lovely photo of them three too. WOW! It is exciting stuff I tell you - exciting!!

It is so cool to be blogging from home. Happy is playing his playstation for a while and I am blogging. There seems to be some hectic weather brewing outside - lots of wind and all, but iy is nice and cool. A relief from the heat of the day.

I was just over at Angels blog, and she is typing up her's and Damiens's story of how they got to where they are and I suddenly realised how incredibly strong she really is and I also realised that the first few years of Damiens life - I wasn't really a part of her life. She went through SO much and I didn't even know half of it. It must have been really hard to be such a young mom and then still have to face such challenges with Damien too. I really admire you sis - you are a wonderful mom, and I just know that all your hard work and tears will all be rewarded someday. Damien is such a sweet child and I really love him lots too.
Love you!!!

And to end off, on Tuesday I was meditating on stuff about people. People like my husband, my children, my family and mostly my colleagues - and I was sort of unconsciously focusing on the negative things that they can do sometimes. (I don't have any negative points - in case you didn't know, which is why I can focus on other peoples negative points.) And I was praying silently for God to change them in this area or that area and that attitude and those mindsets and God spoke to me said, "Sweetheart, you should be praying 'Change me, change me,change me' not 'Change him, change them, change her.' "
And I realised that the only way other people in my life will change - in any little way, is for me to change me first. I need to change my mindsets and my attitude. I was really struck by this and I can tell you, since I have praying "Change Me" - I have seen some major changes!! It is so wonderful how God teaches me things in His own gentle and loving way. I would never have thought of asking Him to change me if He hadn't shown me. He amazes me all the time!

So that's about been my week. It is very windy outside and I am hoping it will rain. It has been extremely hot and the rain will be a big relief.

DON'T BE AFRAID

What are you afraid of? What are your deepest fears that you never even talk about?
I used to be afraid of going to jail. I know it sounds funny - but I was terrified I would do something or screw up in some major way and end up doing time. Silly I know, but there it is. I don't fear that anymore, lol. I do have a terrible fear of confrontation. This one I am still working on, it's a very difficult one to beat - trust me. I am so afraid of confrontation that when I have to confront somebody on something my mouth gets dry, my heart beats so hard and so fast, my mind races, I cannot get my thoughts or words to make any sense and I get the shakes. It is crippling, and confrontation is actually such an important thing to be able to do. But God is working me through it, and I know I am getting better. The other day one lady at work was very rude to me and put the phone down in my ear. So I phoned her back and told her - nicely, but firmly - that there was no reason to be so rude, and she hung up again. Lemme tell you, phoning her back that one time was a HUGE accomplishment for me. Huge. I didn't phone her again, but I know God was testing me to see how far I would take it. Well I wimped out. But I know I will get on top of this thing one day, and then I will be a force to be reckoned with.

Any way, the point I actually trying to make here is that in Christ we don't need to fear anything. You see the enemy (satan) uses fear to trick us into believing we are powerless. I mean I used to be so afraid of spiders that even if there were pictures of them in a book or magazine I wouldn't be able to read any further. I would just freeze up or freak out. But when I had the revelation one day that God put us on earth in control of EVERYTHING I realised how silly my fear was. I mean how much more scarier am I to that poor lil spider??
And so God removed my fear - without my even realising it. I only realised I wasn't scared anymore the next tme I came across a spider. I was fine. Now, I don't go around picking them up or "loving" them - that's Angels favourite thing to do, but I don't freak out the way I used to. And it's wonderful to have that kind of revelation. If you read Psalm 91, you will see it is Psalm of protection, and that God will give His angels charge over you. When we live in Christ we need not fear anything. Go and read that Psalm - it is actually so amazing.

Fear can come between us and God's plan for us if we allow it too. I know how it feels when God suddenly has a message that He wants me to share - or a song He wants me to sing - if I am too afraid to go up or speak up and do it, then He cannot use me, and He will use someone else. But if I am bold and I obedient and I share what He has layed on my heart - then someone who needed to hear what I am sharing will be blessed by it, and I will be used more and more effectively by God.

I know that all my fears will soon be gone from me, my fear of confrontaion especially - and when it is, then I will be able to do God's will far more effectively than I have been able to up until now. Ask God to show you what yor fears are - and then ask Him to help you get over it and become stronger, He gave us the holy Spirit to do all these things through, lets take hold of the power He has given to us and lets advance God's kingdom. Without any fear.

So, don't be afraid. Be bold and be strong, for the Lord thy God is with you!!

CHECK THE PHOTOS

I don't have much to say today - too busy at the moment. But check out the photos on my photo blog - I manged to put some up there for you all to see.

BYE!!

WOOOHOOO !!!!!!!

I have internet at home folks!!!!! I am sitting on my bed typing up a post while the kiddos sit with me and watch "Ghost Busters" How exciting is this!! I am so happy to finally be able to sit at home blogging!!!

Now I can actully blog a bit at home - and the Dawn Unplugged Patrol cannot bust me for blogging at work anymore - lol!!

So what's been happening with me in the lst week? Well not much, Donovan has a bit of an ear infection and I had to take him to the doctor on Thursday, but he is fine now.

Today we went and watched Nathan take part in the Cutest Kid competition and - of course - he won!!! We were all very excited to be there to watch him and support him and cheer for him. And he was so chuffed with his lil self too. He's the sweetest kiddo around - I swear!!!

Then when I came home Happy and I had a nap and then we went to gym. I have lost almost 10 full kilograms!!! I am SO excited about that too!! That'a about 20 pounds!! How cool is that??

Tomorrow we have a family day after church and that is going to be fun. We will braai and fellowship and there will be games to play and a jumping castle and a volleyball court. The kids are going to love it!!

Happy is actually home this weekend - another bonus, he has been working so late these last two weeks and I have missed him. At least he is at home this weekend. I missed him.

Anyway - I just wanted to share the happy news that I can blog a bit from home now - YAY!! Gotta go, I will pop round to you all in the week.

Your Celebrity Baby Name Is.

Liberty Fuchsia

What's Your
Celebrity Baby Name?

Your Personality Profile

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's
Shortest Personality Test

You Are 72% Lady

Overall, you are a refined lady with excellent manners. But you also know when to relax and not get too serious about etiquette

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of
Cookie Are You?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Musical Intelligence

Every part of your life has a beat, and you're often tapping your fingers or toes. You enjoy sounds of all types, but you also find sound can distract you at the wrong time. You are probably a gifted musician of some sort - even if you haven't realized it. Also a music lover, you tend to appreciate artists of all kinds. You would make a great musician, disc jockey, singer, or composer.

What
Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

WEEKEND FUN !

Howzit!
Had a good weekend – a crazy lady in America phone pranked me on Saturday night, she and my sister were panning it all evening while I was busy with visiting in-laws etc, etc. At first I thought I was in MAJOR trouble folks – I kid you not. But when she said she was with the Dawn Unplugged Patrol – I could hardly believe who I was talking to.
Dawn, Dawn – it was so good to talk to you!! It was a really big surprise. It made my whole weekend!! You actually had me going there for a second – LOL!! You have become a very special person in my life, really. I am so glad we (three) have become friends – I really am. Now I KNOW I gotsta get me down to your place to visit!!

And other news, Donovan had a friend visit him for the weekend. The sweetest little boy. His name is Marius and he and Donny just balance each other so perfectly. I am so happy that my lil’ boy has finally found a tjommie who he can play with at school – and who will be going with him to primary school next year too! I never heard them – not once. The lugged all their toys in and out all weekend and played and played and played. I mixed some icing sugar with water and we had a “Bak ‘n Brou”* in the garden – that was a hit! I took them swimming and we went to church all together on Sunday and he just loved that too. They were really so good – I honestly thought I would have a “madhouse” for the weekend – but, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Seanie was sick the whole weekend, he had a fever off and on and slept quite a bit. He was not impressed I can tell you cause he missed the box-car racing at school and he couldn’t swim on the weekend either. I felt really sorry for the poor kiddo. But he’s a tuffy and he bounces back from setbacks very quickly. He was at school today, and I phoned him to remind to take his meds for his flu/cold. He is such a sweet kid.

What lies ahead this week? Let’s see, gym tonight Wednesday is prayer meeting and music practice, Thursday one of the relating leaders will be coming to do some input into our little church – so I really want to go to that. And on Sunday we have a family day! Jumping castles, braai**, volleyball, fellowship and good fun.

I will be stopping by your bloggy’s this week, I promise. Thanks to all of you for sticking around while I have been so scarce. I really appreciate it.

I better run before the Dawn Unplugged Blogger Patrol catches me blogging at work – hee hee!!

* Bak ‘n Brou – it’s what the pre-school kiddos sometimes get to do in school with cookies and icing and sprinkles and sweeties etc. The decorate and eat their own cookies – it’s lots of fun!!
** Braai – it’s the same as a barbeque – almost…