around here these days

sharing breakfast together.

i am enjoying the process of "decluttering" my home. (it actually only looks decluttered before i go to bed at night, and by breakfast you would never have known!)

reading this. "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.." exodus 20:5. He is jealous for me.

listening to this.

children happily playing. (always makes my heart glad!)

i am coveting time to stitch.

and look at my clever husband.

come thou fount of every blessing

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God He,
to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

never let go

i am listening to this song a lot. i am so glad Jesus has never let go of me. it has been a long time since i have walked with Him.

what is important

i have to admit that i have deliberately avoided all media coverage of what has happened in Haiti. it is part of this new place i am at right now. i have chosen to avoid the things that before would preoccupy my mind. i haven't watched the news since before Christmas. it may only be for a season but i find these things overwhelming, and i need to work at getting my mind to a new place. this is not to say i am not saddened by what has occured. i hold my family closer. i try to be the wife and mother that i should be.
i know of one person who died in Haiti. i did not know him personally. we did not work on the same project, but Emmanuel worked with three of my colleagues. he and two of his three daughters died in their hotel during the earthquake. his third daughter, aged 2, survived because he lay across her. his wife, from New Zealand, was at work at the time and also survived.
i can't imagine what she is going through, but i am sure she is holding that little girl tightly right now. a tribute to Emmanuel can be read here.

a revelation

this week i seem to have my momentum back, my enthusiasm. it waned somewhere around October last year! it's nice to feel energetic and inspired again. confession: i think working part time might make me a better mum. it may have taken 4 1/2 years to come to this, and i certainly would not like to be working any more than i am (2 days would be ideal). a number of things has brought me to this conclusion, and finally, i am at peace with it!

this has been my first week back at work since Christmas time, and it has felt more normal than being home! i've managed to stay on top of housework, so hopefully that doesn't slip, because i come home feeling good, instead of burdened with mess. and before i went back to work and moved through each room in the house decluttering. not that people would probably notice if they came to my house., but i removed any excess photograph, candle and trinket from every bookshelf, buffet or other shelf. i really don't need 6 half burnt candles sitting on my bookcase waiting for the next time i want to light one! i still have to tackle Nicholas and Audrey's room.

Nicholas has asked to make lemonade today, so dad is bringing soda water later when he comes past our house and Nicholas has the lemons and sugar ready. it reminded me of this book, which i have been wanting to buy. i love making chutney's and preserves. i've only ever made a few, but i get a lot of pleasure out of them. cooking for anyone other than my family stresses me, but to me this is therapeutic.

and here is another book of handmades i am waiting on. i can't wait for it to arrive in the mail. :)

the party

we had brunch in the park for Audrey's birthday. there are a few little girls Audrey's age, so we thought it would be nice for her to have some friends to celebrate with her.

Melanie made the cake and Lisa took some gorgeous photographs ! i am spoilt!

happenings around here

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y A U D R E Y! ! !

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y D A D! ! !

holiday excursion to the Dinosaur Museum...

a building project taking shape...

and for me, a visit to my university anthropology/archeaology lecturers house. oh, how i miss it all...

and it is now countdown until i return to work.

* * * * * * *

I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have

recued me.

I will sing to the LORD

because he is good to me.

Pslam 13:5-6