Happy New Year

Happy New Year, friends! Yes, I am back, after 6 weeks of non-blogging. It wasn't intentional - just a busy season of the year. :-) These are some of the things we enjoyed doing...

• the boys and I loved having Joel around for 10 whole days! 
• family days with both sides of the family and scrummy meals
• working days at home, getting things done that we just hadn't had time for earlier
• taking the boys to a children's pool and watching their happy faces as they splashed and played
• having an hour long ferry ride on Lake Burley Griffin, just the four five of us on New Year's eve
• lots of times at the play park...watching Joshua & Jonathan climb up, slide down :-)
• having time to read, something I hadn't done for awhile
• drives on dirt roads

This year, I began a 100 Day Calendar (by Ann Voskamp), in which you choose 3 things you want to do daily; and then commit to doing those 3 things each day for 100 days! The purpose of this is to create good habits, by diligently committing to these choices. As one of my choices, I committed to a Quiet-Time daily. By this I mean a dedicated time to be alone with the Lord. Not just a hurried reading and a quick prayer; but enough time to really be still before God. Towards the end of last year, I found that I would be reading, and quickly praying; but often it was in the lounge room with little boys climbing all around, or needing supervision. I found I wasn't diligently setting aside time alone to just spend with the Lord. It can be so easy with little children around to excuse oneself. When they are finally in bed after lunch or at night, the self part of me cries out, 'I'd like to do this, and that while they are asleep; and I will pray later' which then can easily never happen. Even though it has been just 8 days, I have found anew, just how beautiful it is to speak with the Lord without being interrupted! I aim to have my Quiet-Time while the boys have their afternoon sleep. Often they are nearly awake by the time I am finished and I may not have other things done; but my heart is at peace and refreshed. If for some reason, it doesn't happen after lunch; I am learning to make sure it still happens at some point each day!


Have you decided to strengthen your walk with the Lord in 2012? In what ways are YOU seeking to make this happen? Please do share some tips with us all! 

Joel, my darling man, is enjoying his work at council as Business Services Coordinator. It keeps him very busy; but with good working hours and every second Friday off - it's not exactly stressful. I am still so grateful to have him come home for lunch each day. It's such a blessing. :: Joel is such a wonderful husband...actually there is none better! He is an excellent daddy to his boys, as well. :: At the moment he is enjoying reading through a Bible plan called 'Major People'. It focuses on the lives of different biblical men; and takes several days to cover the chapters written specifically about each man. For example he is studying Joseph's life, presently. He then has chosen to read Calvin and other commentators, to gain deeper insight. :: Joel recently finished waterproofing our garden shed. After putting the shed up, we found it was leaking quite badly underneath the walls. It took him several days to completely seal it and test it. But now it is waterproofed, which is a relief. And we have been able to move things into storage there; and organise the house a little better. 


Joshua began a chore-chart this year. A very simple one, with simple tasks - using pictures to explain what he needs to do. It has been nice to see him follow it along and get excited. He especially likes the end of the day when he gets to choose a sticker to place on his chore-chart calendar! Joshua will be 3 years old in March, and he is a real delight. He is starting to heed our instructions quickly, and think carefully about what he is doing. Obviously there are still plenty of times when he takes too long to obey, or grows impatient with things. But it has been nice to see him actually decide to say 'sorry' - of his own accord; or to change his attitude when he realises he was wrong. He has a big smile and an affectionate cuddle. The other day, as I planted some seeds, he came up beside me and watched me. Then suddenly he turned to me and said, "Good job, Mum. Good job." It was so cute and heart-warming!


Jonathan is nearly 18 months now. He has such clear blue sparkly eyes! He loves to follow in Joshua's footsteps. The things Joshua does with neatness and precision, Jonathan copies adding extra gusto, and getting filthy in the process. It is wonderful to watch their interaction and how Joshua is learning to look out for his younger brother. And to see Jonathan imitating Joshua...trying to say 'Thank You" or "Please". On the other side of that, two little boys doing the same mischievous thing is 'double trouble'. It's a lot quicker spreading cornflakes all over the floor, when there is two of you to turn the box upside down and shake. ;) Jonathan has quite the gift of giving big kisses on your cheek, with the added sound effect. He is such a darling little son.


Baby is 16 weeks along, and all seems to be going well. I am looking forward to my first midwife appointment tomorrow. Joel has taken the afternoon off to accompany me. With each baby he has been able to make it along for the first visit...that way he gets to meet the midwife and hear the precious sound of our baby's heartbeat for the first time. :: I am also rather excited that a lovely friend is due with her third baby, only 2 days after my due date! She and her husband have two boys also, so we are both wondering whether we'll have girls this time! ::


Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post (which announced the baby). I enjoyed reading all the comments and it was lovely to hear from each of you!


I have read some wonderful articles recently, which I will share in another post. Oh and hopefully I'll be posting in my photo journal soon as well.


Until then,
Beth


P.S. Photos are from Pinterest