Floods, Parties and a bit of Scrapbooking.

It sure has been a busy week here. Thought I should warn you that this is a long post and I have lots of photos to share this week. Our house is still full of visitors as the roads home to Emerald are still flooded. As if the floods aren't devastating enough, it is even sadder that both my sister and her husbands and Nat and Nathan's houses have been broken into during these floods. Fortunately for John and Jude, their house was not trashed and the only things that appear to be missing is Jude's cooking alchocol, Nat and Nathan, are not sure yet as they have been unable to get home to check. This is making them a little anxious to get home though to check on their house. My friend Karen has sent in photos of their place too. The TV crews were at their house this week, and they were interviewed and shown on the news. She is so thankful though because in comparison to some of their friends, their damage isn't too bad. One of Karen's friends house is up to the eaves in floodwater. Have a photo of Karen's place that we took 12 months ago, the contrast is unbeleiveable. The first photo was taken when we visited Karen and Pete this time last year, the second photos is the view from their Kitchen window at the moment, the third is of Karen's kids sitting on the kitchen benches in their kitchen. The fourth photo is taken at the side of their house looking towards the back steps and into their kitchen. The last photo was taken in their lounge. The big cleanup has already started for them, and as soon as the roads are opened, Karen's parents will be delivering their caravan for Pete and Karen to live in in their shed until the house is fixed and ready for them to move into. Although lots of houses have been looted in Emerald, there are some really great things happening too as neighbour pitch in to help and as Jude and John got back to their house to clean out all the silt and mud, a crew from their church dropped by to help them with the enormous task of cleaning. They were so grateful and it just let them know that people do really care.
Rocky is now bracing themselves to be flooded early next week. We are in a bit of a dilemma as we have 7 bee hives sitting on a property at Port Curtis. Do we shift them or not. If the river only rises up to 8mts we could leave them there, as it wouldn't matter too much if there was a foot of water at the bottom of the stands. If the river rises to over 8mts, we need to shift them. It is a huge task as they are all full and very heavy. We need to make the decision later today.

I have managed to do a couple of layouts this week which I will share. Still trying to catch up on all the photos I have at home here waiting to be scrapbooked. Took a heap more photos over Christmas and happened even managed to get them printed yet. The first layout is just photos of the kids in the pook with their cousin and dad taken on my birthday weekend. It really was the best birthday and the most wonderful surprise. The second layout is about a really dear friend of mine whose friendship I treasure. They have been a huge encourgement to us over the years, and their guiding help has helped us in raising our own kids. They honestly aren't perfect but have a real heart for God, and have done an amazing job raising their own kids, whom we are all still close too. It was their daughters wedding we attended in December.
Finally it has been a week of birthdays with more yet to come. Chloe's friend Amy celebrated her 16th birthday this week with a fluro party. If the photos are anything to go by, they had a ton of fun.
Last night we all went outto Hogsbreath Restaurant for dinner with my neice and her family as she celebrated her 25th Birthday yesterday, so have lots of photos to share of them. We came home and had a birthday cake with the children. It was great to see how excited they got to celebrate it with Nat. Chloe spent some time helping them make birthday cards for their mum yesterday afternoon, and it was really precious to see how excited they were at making something special for their Mum. They were really excited cause they knew their mum would love them. So cute. It has been great having her and her family stay this week. She really is an awesome lady, so positive, and just has a wonderful zest for life. She is a great Mum to her four kids and I just love having her and her family around. There is not too many 25 years olds who cold manage 4 children ranging in age from 9 months to 5 years, and still manage to give them plenty of time. I love watching the way she interacts with them, and how she is a real example to them of the love of God. Chloe also took a photo of Steve and I at dinner, and this is one I snapped of Chloe that I particularly liked.

On Monday it is Steve's birthday and then a couple of days later, Chloe's friend Luke celebrates his birthday, so there is a little more partying to go yet.
I went back to work this week. It is hard to beleive the holidays are over. I start in the library this year, but I am not sure for how long. The girl I am replacing took on a new job but it had a three month probation period, so she only took three months leave, I have heard on the grapevine that she may be back - really praying hard that she gets a permanent full time job, cause, I know that she really needs the hours, where school is not offering as many. I also have really enjoyed my couple of days in the library, and I would love to stay here. Just feel I need the break.
Yesterday we had a PD day, and spent the day with Sue Larkey who is an expert on Autism. She is probably one of the best speakers I have heard and very motivating. She actually spoke to the whole staff which was excellent as we have a lot of ASD children in our shcool. In fact if you have an interest in Autism and ever get the chance to go hear Sue speak, I highly recommend it.

Well I need to go do some birthday shopping and also some school shopping. Thought I would leave you with a quote today.

Happiness is not in our circumstances but in ourselves.
It is not something to see like a rainbow or to feel like the heat of a fire.
Happiness is something we are.
- Harry Wahl.

Thought this was worth thinking about this week.