Yesterday ...

My baby sister was married.

It was a beautiful day.

She honoured those we love, and those we love and miss ...




She had a day that celebrated the love they share - with a hope for a joyous and radiant future!




And she was a princess. Through and through.




And I love her.

I hope to post more pics later ... with permission.
I have honestly never seen a more joyous bride.

Why??

When I am so far behind and have about 12 hours work to do before bed do I decide it is a good time to organise and tidy my drawers????

Just wondering!

Think on these things ...

Whatever is true,



whatever is noble,



whatever is right,



whatever is pure,




whatever is lovely,



whatever is admirable—




if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.



Phil 4:8











This has not been a good week or so for me.

Not only I am I dealing with an incredibly inefficient beurocratic organisation and getting nowhere fast, but I have had a few things happen last week that were both unexpected and emotionally draining.

Finding joy right now is tough.

So today, as I blog, I am purposefully finding joy.

God never promised an easy life, in fact he promised trials, ... trials to build strength and character. In James (1: 2-4) we are told "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I don't want the trials. The child in me just wants things to go my own way. All the time.
But mature and complete in my faith - yeah - I want that. And I have a long way to go. So the trials come, and you know, I will get through them, and one day - maybe not till I am in paradise where there is NO pain,but ONE day, I will look back and see how this is part of the plan the Lord has for me.

....

In other words, as my wise Gran said - "Everything happens for a reason"

So right now - while I face trials, and while I struggle and grieve for a season, I am choosing JOY.

Everywhere I look in my home I see JOY .... and that is what I am believing in today

PS - aren't these roses incredible! I bought them as a must cheer myself up gift.
And if anyone finds a bush that grows them I will have 1 please!!!

Trying to find a doily for the vase made me miss my sweet gran a little bit ... I was so looking for a larger one ... I wish she was still around to make me one ...

But it gave me joy to use something beautiful she had made in love just for ME!

A night out with daddy!

Sometimes I'm not so organised (ok a lot!)
Like booking a ballet concert for my girl to see on the same night as I am working a graveyard shift (so need to rest!)

Sometimes my disorganisation leads to something really special - like last night.

To let mummy sleep (or try to) Daddy took Miss E to her concert.

She was so excited. She got dressed in her prettiest dress ready to suprise daddy.
And she looked beautiful.



I love my man and I love my girl. And I *adore* the daddy he is to her!

I have such special memories of going to see musicals with my dad (when I was much older). I think every girl needs time alone with her daddy.

(and it's kinda nice to see them bonding over something other than footy!)

Spring is on it's way!

My chickens are back up to their one egg each a day production ... and are going great guns at using up my scraps ...



And veges are getting planted! Hurray!

Arrghhhh! Me hearties!!

Sometimes you just can't be organised because the schools give you one days notice!

Good thing is we have a house full of fabric and we can make a dress up out of almost anything!

I give you Pirate Miss E. She says she is a girly pirate. Doesn't want a scar thank you very much. And says the dolphins will save her if she has to walk the plank.

Oh - and she gets a LOT of fun out of telling me to scrub the poop deck! (what on earth IS that!)

Bath toys ... again!

I hate bath toys. Hate hate hate.

Stupid untidy things that get all mouldy and slimey if you're not careful.

HATE them!

I did a deal with miss e today - I would buy her a set of mermaid bath toys if she got rid of all the gunky yukky ones. Worked ;) Mummy knows her girl!

To make it easier for her to pack them up where they can drain and dry I am trying this bath caddy from the 3M command range.




Just like the hooks, it adhears by tape to the tile, and it pulls off easily if you want to move it. Unlike the hooks it is suitable for wet areas.




So far so good!


Little does she know that any toy that is not put away in the bath is going to become mummy's. Somehow I think that will work when she loses her first mermaid!