It is Late....I am Tired...

 

Sometimes it fascinates me that I am the only person who can hang up the towels, change the toilet roll or wipe down benches! Sometimes that fascinates me, sometimes it just plain infuriates me, and sometimes it wears me out! Sometimes you just gotta be thankful for a home, a family, clean towels and dunny rolls!

It's been a marvellous week with fine, crisp weather. Warming up but not unbearably hot or stiflingly humid. We haven't done as much school work as we might have planned but we are well on track to be finished with the books in four weeks time. Woohoo....only four more weeks!

We have done a lot of nice stuff with visiting friends and the older sisters and the little grand boys. Those are precious days. When soggy towels are lying on the floor and benches need wiping down and dishes need doing I am reminded that the people God has placed in my life are the most important thing. I am so thankful for my very special and precious children, grandchildren and friends ~ especially those of the household of faith.

Have a terrific weekend!

Don't forget to hug and appreciate your family, too!

Waiting for the Bacon and Eggs

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Do You Speak Gaelic?

I don't, but even so my heart was stirred to listen to this recording!

I don't even know what Psalms they are singing and yet to hear the voices

of the people of God

raised in joyous praise in their own language is so amazing!

It appears that the Precentor is lining.

This was the practice in the churches before many in congregations could read.

The Precentor leads the tune and sings the line

and the people repeat it.

Take a moment to listen 

Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! 

(Sorry about the largeness of the video)

A Productive Day

Well, the swimming training is done and the "treat" to the Skate Park.

The school books finished and put away for the week.

There's sweet smelling, clean washing to be folded,

and some still flapping pleasantly on the line.

My little car is looking spiffy clean. 

And there is a tantalising aroma of lamb shanks in the slow cooker. 

Now that is my idea of a productive day! 

Now, I do not do anything at warp speed, so yes, there is plenty of   m e s s other domestic jobs

to be taken care of. In fact, it takes quite a lot to get me out of  b e d reverse gear

most days.

I will spare the details, but suffered from an abscess last weekend which caused me a

great lot of pain and a great loss of sleep. I eventually had a Sunday emergency

Doctor's appointment for treatment. Ah...relief.

Then I suffered a couple of days later from the terrible constipation unseemly side effects

that the anti-biotics caused!

The swimming pool where we have lessons and training as a Homeschool group is

conveniently located right by a nice park.

Lots of covered areas, tables and playground equipment for little sized kids.

And a pretty cool skate park for bigger sized models!

this is not my boys favourite place to take scooters and skate boards

but good fun, none the less.

The Home schoolers take advantage of the fact that our lessons finish at 9am

when there are no other school children about.

Spring is everywhere here!

We've had an unusual amount of rain and of cloudy days for this part of Queensland.

Everything looks lush and green and for those with flowering gardens

everything is in bloom.

Have a lovely weekend!

For my Brothers

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

(These are not pics of my own brothers)

7 Questions

Ganeida has tagged me in this little game of 7 Questions.

1.What is the one moment in your life you would love to live over again & why?

The birth of my second child (and the subsequent three!) SUPERLATIVE.


2. Which historical figure would you like to meet & what is the one thing you'd really like to ask them? [yes, I know I'm sorta cheating. lol]

Other than Jesus, perhaps his mother Mary. I think she might be the ultimate Titus 2 woman.

3. What is your Heart's Desire?

At last, an easy one. My hearts desire is to see all of my children walking with the Lord.


4. What is your most irrational fear ~ & are you game to share it here?

My fear of snakes is not irrational, it is genuine.


5.Cat person or Dog lover?

Like both. Probably dogs best.

6. If you could be a tree what would you be and why?

A palm tree, planted by the rivers of water, flourishing in old age.


7. When you meet Jesus what is the one thing you really, really want to say to Him?

 "My Lord and my God."


So friends :-) would you like to come and play? I am choosing some blogger friends who I haven't seen tagged in this game yet but join in if you are reading and want to play along, too.

1. Mum-me at My Aussie Half-Dozen
2. Heidi at Just the Words
3. Becky at Petticoat Junction
4. Stephanie at Stephanie's Pleasant Places
5. Rebecca at Goo and Titch
6. Ron at The Old Geezer Blog
7. NewKiddontheBlogg at Plant City Lady

Now, apparently I have to make up my own seven questions when I pass this game on. That means using my brain...it is late....can I do it?

1.  Where were you born?
2.  What is your favourite guilty treat food?
3.  Do you have a phobia?
4.  What is your earliest childhood memory?
5.  If you were PM or President for a day, what change would you make?
6.  You can have any pampering treatment at a classy salon. What do you choose?
7.  In retirement, where would you like to travel if money was no object?

...The Capricornia Home Schoolers Present...

On Saturday, the Capricornia Homeschool students, our local homeschooling group,

 presented their concert. About 150 turned out to be entertained by a number

of individual performers and some group items, as well as the three choirs

which have been preparing for the last couple of months.

Being the wonderful photographer that I am not, I left my camera on standby and

missed recording my boys performing the fun choir piece, "Chiquita Banana".

All of the children did a wonderful job.

The main organiser, one of our very talented mothers, has an equally talented husband.

He is director of the Music Department at the local Uni and so we were able to

 use the auditorium for our big occasion.

The Uni's Jazz Band which is set to tour in America, opened the concert

with a set of their pieces.

Surely the Homeschoolers' Concert is the only place where Dad has to rush up to

retrieve the baby off stage while the Sax solo is on?

No.....we see that in church on occasion too!

Or where little one has to sit beside mum while she plays accompaniment?

That's Home Schooling!

Chiquita Banana

My boys are right about centre.

Some beautiful violin pieces.

If I only had a brain.

Ah....and arvo tea of course.

A little blurry but I loved all the long hair styles!

Two, too!

My delightful second grandson turned two this week!

He was very wary of these smiley faced candles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARLING BOY!

XOXOX

The "twin" cousins enjoy the new train set.

And here is baby doing what he does best ~

looking cute! ♥

HOME SCHOOLERS

Check it out!

The Homeschool Blog Awards begin taking nominations Friday (US time)

An Old Favourite.

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

No, is not a bad word.

Boundaries revisited.

Unlike the impala, we humans like to stretch the boundaries ~  a lot!
It takes a great deal of commitment and self control and a great measure of the Holy Spirit for us to stay on the straight and narrow path which leads to life. But God provides Grace in our time of need and in our temptations.

Most who read here with any regularity will know that my thoughts tend to meander when I begin to ponder topics like this :-) I definitely approached the boundaries topic applying to myself but also with the raising of children in mind.

We are told in scripture that a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). Likewise the whole of scripture teaches us to love one another, encourage one another, bear with one another's faults. We are not to break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax. (Isaiah 42:3)

However, scripture also teaches us to admonish one another, to speak the truth in love, to correct the wayward child/ brother. This is one area where I see boundaries being blurred in our day and age and it is affecting the whole of society. These days, no one wants to speak up and say that certain behaviours are wrong, Most of us don't want to seem judgemental or politically incorrect. We are failing to use biblical principles of loving correction, which stem from God himself, instead applying the worldly idea of boosting up the ego.

Children's self esteem and worth needs to be nurtured. As a mother I see daily how important it is to encourage and motivate the child. This begins from birth as we nurture and hold our children close. We need to bless them with praise and patient answers. It is true that little hearts, and bigger ones, can be easily crushed by vile words and negative reinforcement. But some take this to ridiculous ends. My daughter worked in child care and they were trained to never say no to the child. I know children in school who do not have their work marked as wrong for fear of upsetting the child. And I have sadly observed children who manipulate and blackmail parents into supplying their every whim lest the child become unmanageable should they dare to deny them. I cringe when I hear a little neighbour girl tell her mother she hates her, when her will is thwarted.

Now you may think this is good and will build them up ~ but I do not. A responsible parent, for love of the child and for their safety will  teach them early the boundaries in their home. "No, don't touch, that is hot!" will prevent a serious burn. "Stop, don't run on the road!" will prevent an accident, at worst the loss of a life. Thou shalt not....steal, kill, commit adultery, lie, worship idols, all no-nos which insure safety of body and soul.

Just as our Heavenly and all wise God has set us boundaries for our good, so we as parents must set similar boundaries for our children. Now children, born with a sinful nature just like us, will press those boundaries day after day. This training and restraint is for their good as they grow to maturity. It does a great deal towards our sanctification, too, for sure and is a daily ongoing battle at times. Do not be weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap in you faint not! (Galatian 6:9)

We are living in a day when people are reluctant to restrain their children from doing as their hearts desire, but unless the heart is conformed to the will of God then it is the road to destruction. Do we want to stand on that great and terrible day to give account knowing that we did not use the boundaries that God expects for fear of being different, being called legalists, being rejected?

As with many of my Monday posts, the issue is very real to me. I have adult children who do not walk with the Lord. Were we too strict? too lenient? God knows.  I have two youths still at home, pushing the boundary fences every day.  The most important thing is not to give up. To continue to lean of the Lord and seek his wisdom, in my own life and the raising of the family.

Lord, help me to know your Word and accept and practice your boundaries. Give grace to train my children in your ways and not the ways of the world. Help me to do all things to your glory and not for the  approval of men. Forgive me when I grow weary and do not lead by example.

Deuteronomy 6

6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

This Week, Tonight.

Blogger looks good!
I like the new look of the dash board, although some of the pictures are HUGE but I seem to have my own pictures back to work with.
Now all I need is some fresh inspiration....sigh. I have had a very busy week back to school and all, and have really limited my computer time. This is always necessary when I have pressing things which need attending to. Also, we have four bodies who claim time on our computer and sometimes it can be difficult to get a moment without others looking over one's shoulder. The same goes for the telephone, which I do not use a lot. Sure enough, if I want to call someone, usually one of my sisters, the whole family will end up crowded around the telephone which really puts a dampener on any meaningful conversation. One thing for sure, it prevents me blogging or gossiping about my loved one!

School has started back smoothly and in a low key fashion. I am sad to loose our dear helper Rae but I am very impressed with both of my boys in attitude and application! I even had an early starter trying to get through book work in order to get outside one morning. And who wouldn't? The Spring sunshine is calling and when you live in this part of the country it is really important to make the most of these days before the intense heat and humidity set in. And they will.....any day now :-(



Babies, babies, babies. The birth rate may be down to 1.6 or some such but it is not going out of fashion around here! Two new great nephews (24 great grand children for my dear Mum and Dad) and Rae gave birth to an 8lb 1oz baby girl on Monday morning!!! We give praise and thanks to God for these safe arrivals and as both my nieces had two little girls already they were super excited to add boys to their families.

Boundaries was the title of my post on Monday and I have been thinking on this and many scriptures since then. I hope to get my thoughts together enough to post more on that on Monday or soon at least. On Wednesday, I also posted pics of the gorgeous cat and dog I owned in my spinster days! They were puppy and kitten and came to me within days of one another in 1984. I was single and living alone and my family thought I was becoming eccentric! They grew up together, slept in one basket while they still fitted and particularly Jep, my dog, went everywhere with me. Romance, a large dog lover and one very large dog changed our family arrangements. Ah, but that was twenty five years ago....


Jeopardy & Couch
1984

Enjoy your weekend!

Warm Fuzzies from my Single Days

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Boundaries

DISCLAIMER

I have taken this little devotional passage from the Bible Gateway site and give all credit to them for the content.

My apologises, I did not get the exact link when I first copied it and now can only direct you to their website.

I found it interesting, applying it to my own life and also as a parent in the raising of our children. I hope you might also find it spiritually edifying.

ooOOoo

I have read that the African impala can jump more than ten feet high and cover a distance of thirty feet. So why can impalas be held captive in a zoo behind a wall that is only three feet high?

It’s because this magnificent animal will not jump if it can’t see where its feet are going to fall–and beyond the zoo wall it cannot see.

Richard Innes sees a parallel between the impala’s behavior and the Biblical attitude described in Proverbs 4:23-27, which cautions believers not to stray beyond the boundaries of God’s law. When we trust God to provide for our spiritual needs, there is no need—and it can actually be dangerous—to strike out into uncharted spiritual territory.

Unlike the impala, human beings find it extremely difficult to refrain from pushing or stepping over the boundaries put in place around us. What do you do each day to ensure that you “Do not swerve to the right or the left” and “take only ways that are firm”?

Waaa...Holidays Are Over Too Soon!

An absolutely splendid Spring week!
We spent several hours at the Rock Pool which was great fun for young and old. (See Wednesday's pics). We've met with friends and a pile of kids at a skate park on the coast. Not a single broken leg or arm. Funnily enough, the only scrape was my younger son riding his scooter on the bitumen road in front of my sister's house on the way home! She and hubby have just returned from Fiji and Tonga so lots to hear about there. (That's somewhere in the Pacific Ocean BTW:-)

The Shop Lifter
My youngest son also had a lesson in justice or rather injustice this week. While shopping with me, he spotted a woman trying and bagging some products. He nudged me and kept an eye on her and then we mentioned it to an employee as we went through the aisles. He kept seeing the shop lifter around the shop and was getting agitated that no one was accosting her. By the time we went through the check out he was beside himself and I retold the lady prowling the aisles and she went to the check where the shop lifter was. Son waited at the other side and the employee even came back to check with him which woman it was, but they never actually asked to look in her bag which was a little black back pack. My boy was very indignant that this woman was allowed off so lightly. That's life.......

Gemma unveiled
Last Friday I wrote about our Muslim friend Gemma.  During the week, her mother, my friend, rang to see whether I would like to come out with my girls to spend some time with Gemma. The men folk would all be out of the house, which meant my hubby would not be coming and Gemma would be much more free to talk, plus without her burka. Hard on hubby. One of my daughters came with me and we did have a lovely couple of hours. Although there is the huge gulf which are our religious differences, it was a relaxed meeting of friends focusing mostly on old times, the children and general conversation.
She is still the same lovely girl, well woman, who carried those flowers so sweetly on my wedding day. We will never stop loving her, nor praying for her soul.

Blogger
What's up with my photos? I can't seem to download any. Is this something going round or just me?
Trust you all have a great weekend and that those of you starting back to school next week, as we are, have a wonderful final term for 2010. I does feel good to say that but......the year has flown.

Good Morning Jeanne!

 

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  TO  YOU!