It has been a bit of a Crap Week

It never rains but it pours - this last week was pretty horrendous at work - lots of dramas with parents and stuff that I can't really go into but just extremely stressful, not only for us but the kids too. Is it any wonder that I feel lousy. Still don't feel 100% - I just about get my voice back and then it goes again. Feeling chronically tired - sure it has something to do with the stress, so took the day off yesterday just to rest and chill out. I have the next couple of days off work as I go into hospital in the morning for some minor surgery. I'm told the preparation is worse than the surgery, but so far that hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I can remember from last time I had this procedure (which is 20 years ago). But then, I know a lot of the girls at Scrap of Faith have been praying for me also. Just praying that all the results are good.

We had our monthly scrapbooking get together on Saturday. It was a real effort to get there as I was feeling so tired, but am glad that I did, cause I managed to get a few layouts done. The first couple are scraplifts, as I didn't really have the energy to think for myself, but I am really happy with them and that definately inspired me to do a couple more.































I saw this on both Becky's and Sal's blog & thought I'd have a bit of fun with it and see where I've been & am going too :-



20 years ago I . . .
1. I was a SAHM with two very young children and loving motherhood.
2. I lived in Rockhampton in the same house I am living in now..
3. I loved sewing and started a children's label with a girlfriend.
4. Helped to run a christian playgroup through our church.

10 years ago I . . .
1. I celebrated my 40th birthday with a huge surprise party
2. I was working for USQ as well as working as a Teacher Aide in Special Needs.
3. I was frantically running around after my kids, I was the taxi takiing them to sport, music, youth group activies.
4. We got a boat and started spending a lot of time on the water.

5 years ago I . . .
1. I had to learn to trust God more with my older kids ( they both had car licences)
2. Got to experience the joys of our kids growing up and discovering boyfriends and girlfriends
3. Also got a bad dose of the flu and then got glandular fever. It took a long time to recover from this.
4. Also discovered scrapbooking.

3 years ago I . . .
1. We celebrated our 25th wedding Anniversary and spent 10 days on Norfolk Island without kids.
2. Our daughter announced her engagement and together we had fun planning her wedding .
3. We had a Japanese student Ayami live with us for 9 months.
4. I also got recognised for 10 years of service to USQ.

1 year ago I . . .
1. I met a heap of wonderful Christian women on Scrap of Faith who have really encouraged and supported me in my Christian walk.
2. I worked in a high needs classroom with severely autisic children
3. I joined the Gym.
4. Started taking better care of my health.

So far this year I . . .
1. have had heaps of visitors come and stay
2. Been on a wonderful holidays with very dear friends. (Kidless again, although they pretty much all came down to the Gold Coast to visit us)
3. Been to lots of weddings and still have another one to go too.
4. Been camping with our church family for a week at Easter time (over 70 of us - pretty awesome time)

Yesterday I . . .
1. Had afternoon tea with a couple of girlfriends
2. Did some scrapping.
3. Had a good rest.
4. Received a box of chocolates as a thank you (and I can't even eat them yet)


Today I . . .
1. Went to the gym with a girlfriend
2. Finished some scrapbooking I started yesterday
3. Updated my blog
4. Started this awlful preparation for my surgery tomorrow

Tomorrow I. . .
1. Am going into Hospital to have some minor surgery.
2. Will probably spend the afternoon sleeping.
3. Hopefully will come home and be spoilt by my family.
4. Get a good night sleep.

In the next year I shall . . .
1. Keep my focus on God
2. Hopefully get to meet all the girls from Scrap of Faith at their first retreat.
3. See my son graduate from Uni.
4. Slow down a little.

Thought I would finish off by sharing a few more photos or lovely flowers in my garden . Now don't get the wrong idea. I am no gardener, and these plants pretty much look after themselves, but I have just been admiring and appreciating the beauty of these gorgeous plants, and I am thankful that they are thriving in my yard and that their beauty cheers me each and every day.

















I won't be around now for a week or two, as I am in hospital tomorrow and then at the end of the week, I head off to Toowoomba for work for a week. Always a really hectic time as we go from early in the morning until late in the evening, but great to catch up with all the other RLO's. We are scattered from Melbourne to Cairns, and only get to work together on campus for one week each year. Should have some interesting photos when I get back.

Action Packed Fortnight

What an action packed fortnight. So many photos to share. I must admit, I have not done a lot of scrapbooking at all - too busy, but I did semi scraplift a layout I saw on 2Peas (not sure who did it) but thought it was appropriate for one of Chloe's baptism photos. Also finally finished the CJ for Scrap of Faith. (It was only supposed to have been posted a couple of weeks ago).












Have discovered cards too, and have made a few more. Thanks for the challenge Gayle. Gayle challenged us to make a card from our scraps everytime we did a layout. Must admit I am quite enjoying making them - they are simple and quick to make, so have a few more to share.




























I have been tagged by two wonderful girls, Anthea and Lali with the Nice Matters Awards. Thanks girls, you are both wonderful scrapbookers and I love checking out your work. It is a real honor to have been tagged with this award by you, and now I want to pass it on and nominate


Chrissy

Chris Miller
Michelle Grant
Rowena Field.



I love checking out your blogs and am always inspired by what you do.

"PAY IT FORWARD"

Some of the girls have been playing "Pass it Forward" and I have been chosen by the very lovely Chrissy to receive a random gift from her. I feel tickled pink and deeply honored that I was selected.

I also *love* the concept of Pay It Forward, so in keeping with its spirit I'll also choose 3 of you gorgeous girls who comment on this post to send a little gift to as well. I'm going to make it a random draw though and will draw out some names this weekend, but remember you have to keep it going forward too, so you will need to post it on your blog if it's YOU!


Family News: - Steve had a great Father's day with both his girls. They spoilt him by bringing him breakfast in bed and waiting on him hand and foot. We had lunch at the farm with friends, and nearly everyone played cricket. We came home mid afternoon, did a photo shoot, and just enjoyed each other's company until it was time to put Sarah on the plane to fly home to her husband. I also want to thank Colin so much for supporting her in coming home to spend the week with us. We had the best time together and it was so nice to spend that time with her. Colin also flew home and spent Father's Day in Mackay with his Dad.


Last weekend we were in Brisbane for a wedding. One of Pete's flat mates (and life time friends) got married on Saturday. Pete was groomsman at the wedding. We have been friends with the Avenell Family ever since they arrived in Rocky 20 years ago and it was nice to be invited to help celebrate Josh and Erica's wedding with them. Nice to see Pete looking so spiffy all dressed up. It was nice to catch up with friends and meet new people. It was a pretty hectic weekend though as we left straight from work on Friday afternoon and didn't get into Brissie until almost midnight. The wedding was at 10am on Saturday morning and it was almost 5pm before we got home that evening. Long drive home yesterday so am feeling quite exhausted tonight. Think it will be an early night.






























Just wanted to share some photos of the wedding. It's not often that I get to see my son all dressed up and looking so handsome so of course I had to take plenty of photos of him. Also took a photo of Pete and his partner for the wedding Bethany, as well as some photos of the boys on the couch. These guys all shared a house together whilst they were at Uni, in fact Chris the middle guy on the couch is still one of Pete's house mates. Then there is the photo of the happy couple cutting their wedding cake, Josh and Erica Avenell.

It is Spring at our place so thought in closing I would share a couple of photos of some of the beautiful plants out in flower at our place. I marvel at God's goodness and his creation. What beauty and the colours are so vibrant. I am so thankful for my sight, and my sense of smell. and all the senses I have. I am also forever grateful for the beauty that surrounds us every day, the little things we often see but take for granted. I love this time of year.















Love for you all to share some of the beauty you see at your place.