Time Out to unwind

As most of you are aware, the last month has been a bit of a struggle, and I guess I have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride emotionally. I received some news last Friday that really did upset me and so I struggled a little on the weekend. I guess the thing that upsets me is the conflicting information I am receiving and the lack of communication. The overall outcome I am at peace with because I know that I have the faith to beleive that I will be where God wants me to be. I guess, as much as I hate going through this sort of conflict, these are the times that you really know the presence of God in your life. God's word says

³³"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27


It is the process to do the right thing in regards to my health and well being that I struggle with. Even though I have a peace about this whole situation, my health has still been affected in that I have so much going through my head at the moment that I have had some difficulty sleeping and therefore I have been chronically tired and suffering from headaches, so I realize the stress has been getting to me more than I would really like.
I also realized, that in the last month my life has been somewhat consumed with working through lots of emotions that come with having to recall and relive incidents that happened in my life a couple of years ago. Incidents that I had chosen to walk away from and put behind me. It has caused pain, anger, embarassement, sadness , and these emotions have jumpred all over the place, backwards and forwards as I have had to read through notes and reports on these incidents from my past and I have found it difficult going back over these hurt, much more than I care to admit. On the other hand, I know that in the future, if these can be put behind me for good, that I will be a stronger, happier and healthier person for the fight. In saying all this I realized that all of this has been a little all consuming lately and I haven't really had any time for myself to just chill out and I guess I have been missing that. I haven't scrapbooked in months, and in the past Scrapbooking as been a wonderful way to keep me grounded as I documented the wonderful blessines that are part of my life and focus on all the good things.

On Sunday even though I had heaps of other things I should have been doing, I decided to sit and have a play. I managed to scrapbook 3 layouts. It actually felt good to do something creative for a change. Thought I would share them,
Guess what I got again this week. Yesterday at work, when I was walking back from seeing a teacher, the boss passed and said the office was chasing me. I ran them once I got back to the Library, and they informed me that something had been left for me at the office and they would send it down.
This is what I got.
another gorgeous bunch of flowers from my wonderful youngest daughter. She has such a generous heart and just seems to know when to do something kind and thoughtful. It is these little kindnesses that help to really put life in perspective. She dropped in to see me with these flowers once she finished work, but unfortunately our photocopier in the library was not working so I had to go find a photocopier in another area of the school. Normally I would have been in the library and she would have found me.
Just a couple of close ups of the lovely flowers that I received.

I had a visit to the Chiropractor this afternoon. These visits are rare these days. I can remember when I once used to go almost weekly and fornightly. Anyway whilst I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for my visit, I came accross these couple of quotes. Had to write them down so I wouldn't forget them.

In the last analysis, LOVE is only the reflection of a person's own
worthiness from other people.

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The great acts of LOVE are done by those who are
habitually performing small acts of Kindness.

Lest We Forget

The ANZAC Dedication:
For the Fallen

by Laurence Binyon

They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.

Lest we Forget today those soldiers that gave their lives so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.

What's happened in our household this week -

Not a lot, the week has had its highs and lows. Work continues to be a source of stress, and just when you think you have it all together another curved ball gets hurdled your way. Although I find going back and recalling the events of 2007 very stressful, once again it has to all be dragged up again. I will be very pleased and thankful when I can finally put it all behind me, and get on with my life again. I do have a peace that all things will work out for good.

I definately know that God is in control and his hand is upon my life and I can really take comfort from this. In the past few weeks, I have really been encouraged by some verses in the Bible from Jeremiah 29:11-13

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I have been amazed at how often this past few weeks that this verse has been sent to encourage me and it always feels as if God has been speaking directly to my heart. In saying this though, I still would appreciate prayer in regards to a resolution quicker rather than later to my work situation.

The week hasn't been all bad though, I do indeed feel that I have been incredibly blessed in my life. I have been blessed with the most amazing family who constantly show me in so many ways that I am loved and cherished.

This gorgeous girl

bought these gorgeous flowers home for me this week. For no other reason than she just wanted to tell me she loves me.

In the great scheme of things - I am blessed beyond measure - I am a millionaire in the things that really count in life.

What else has been happening in this household this week. Sarah's friend Amanda had her first week of prac this week. She has a Prep class and has loved ever minute of it and has come home each afternoon motived to prepare prepare and prepare for the following day. She has also been a huge encouragement to Chloe who really has had a bit of a rough time of it of late. She has also been a huge help to me as she oftern drops Choe off at work and picks her up as well for me. They spend lots of time chatting too.

Tonight they went out looking like this

They had a bit of a girl's night out and went to the movies.

Just thought I would leave you with a couple of the photo's I took of the roses that Chloe gave me, I was kinda of happy with the way they turned out, especially the last one.

And finally I would just like to leave you with a quote that I came accross this week, It has given me much to think about as I search my own life for the lessons I can learn from the journey that I am travelling at the moment.

Crises test our beliefs, and I believe that they occur when they do as a way of showing us what we're made of; they make us walk our talk and demonstrate how far we've come since the last time our foundation was shaken. We'd much rather do without them, of course, but handled correctly, they can lift us to the next level of our growth… Sometimes the message is that we should be doing things differently. Maybe we need to appreciate certain things more. Or certain people. Maybe we're being told that our timing isn't right. Maybe we have to learn the value of patience, or honesty, or kindness, or self-love. Maybe we just have to weather adversity with dignity and faith."

End of the Holidays

It is hard to beleive that the holidays are over. I am so not ready to go back to work. I am very apprehensive about this term - it probably has something to do with the fact that I really don't know what is going to happen to me or where I will be. I saw a specialist on Friday who was very sympathic to my concerns and will have a report for me in the next couple of days. The holidays have been good, I didn't quite achieve all the goals I set for the holidays but I came close to achieving them which is a good thing. I have also had a little time for relaxation, haven't managed to scrapbook, but I have read and we have knitted.

Just a few photos from our week.
We've eaten way too much chocolateI have done loads and loads of washing
I've read a book
We've had close friends come to stay.
Steve spent three days fishing with four other guys from church. They had a great time and caught a heap of fish as well as a couple of mud crabs - Yum Yum.

Us girls - well be have been obsessed with

KNITTING KNITTING KNITTING

Amanda, Chloe and I have been on a knitting frenzy this past week. Amanda has been knitting beanies and scraves, Chloe is knitting her first scarf, and I'm knitting a knee rug. The girls are into watching "One Tree Hill" so we've spent quite a bit of time in front of the TV whilst we've knitted the last couple of days. Another of my girlfriends came over this afternoon with her son and by the end o the afternoon, Amanda and Chloe had taught him to knit also. Thought I would share the photos. Ben getting some knitting lessons

Will have to share the finished projects although I suspect that you will be waiting a while to see mine,

When Sarah was home the other week, she was keen for Steve to get our little mini bike out so that she could have a ride. Steve had it fixed last September, and both Chloe and Pete have had some fun on it in the last six months. Sarah was keen to have a ride also and of course I had to get the camera out to record the event.
Now I have a record of all my kids reverting to their childhood and riding the mini bike.
I am not the only one who has documented evidence of this. Amanda was also keen to capture the experience.

Need to head off to bed (not sure why I always seem to do this late at night) but I have an early start in the morning.

Our Easter Break

I had meant to update earlier this week but as usual life has been hectic this week. It has been really good to be on holidays but I have had lots of things I wanted to get done, lots of little things, like running around organising caterers for Chloe's 18th, organising activies for it, fixing up my super, and private health care cover, sending photos off to people, contacting the Union, - just lots of little things that seem to take huge amounts of time. Still have to organise some driving lessons for Chloe, take her for an x-ray and make a doctors appointment for Steve (it just doesn't happen when I leave it up to him - and his heart scans were due a year ago) What is it about men that they hate going to the doctors. We've had hair cuts, and also managed to go to the movies a couple of times (girlie movies "17 Again" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" all good fun.

We spent Easter at Tannum Sands with a group of families from church. This is about the 7th year that families have gone camping there and we always have a great time. It is a pretty relaxed sort of weekend with things happeneing for everyone. I know that I in particular got to catch up on a lot of sleep. With all that was going on in the week leading up to Easter, I wasn't sleeping very well, so it was really nice to have some time out to just unwind, sleep and spend time with such a caring and encouraging group of people.
We sat around and talked and did puzzles

Some of us read books
Others did jigsaw puzzlesOthers played cards

On Saturday morning the girls all went out for coffee and a bit of a shop.
Others had a wild time with the trolleys.The young guys took to riding bikes around the neighbourhood.Others went fishign but didn't score too much.

Others managed to catch a feed.
Attempting to toast some marshmallows without too much success.
Some of us just enjoyed watching the Kite surfers as they scootered accross the water and did these amazing jumps.
On Saturday night, the young girls had a girlie night and had facials.
Some were happy just to chill out with a cuppa and a feed.
Some one was very ticklish - oh the laughter.
Friends enjoying hanging out together.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and it was time to pack up and go home.

Have other photos to share but will leave that to another post. This has taken me ages to upload tonight and I need sleep - desperately need some sleep.

Trying to catch up

Well unfortunately I left work last Thursday non the wiser where my work future was concerned. I will be speaking with the Union again tomorrow so they might be able to enlighten me a bit more, but it has been good to take the last four days out and just try and relax. There is nothing that I am able to do at the moment so I have spent the last four days catching up on the sleep I missed earlier last week, and also just enjoying the break. Lots of sleep, lots of chocolate and lots of time with family and friends. Will post more about the weekend later. I really want to share the photos from the weekend before. Anna (one of Sarah's bridesmaids) and Barry were married and the wedding was gorgeous. So want to share the photos from it. (Warning there are heaps, but Anna was a beautiful bride and I want a record of this wonderful day)Sarah with Anna and Amanda (both of these girls were bridesmaids for Sarah when she got married 4 years ago)Anna with her two sisters, Amanda (in blue) and Katie (in pink)
Love this photo o Anna.Anna and Amanda

Anna has an amazing voice and has studied Opera at the Qld Conservatorium of Music, and at the reception she sang an Italian love song to her new husband. It was just beautiful.
Love this photo of the happy couple.
The happy couple hits the dance floor.The bridal party hits the dance floor.
The real highlight of the weekend or me though was having this pair home. It is ages since both Sarah and Colin have been home, so good to have them, wish they lived closer cause I would love to spend more time with that daughter of mine. Shopping is never the same without her.

Meanwhile, whilst we were all off at the wedding, Chloe and Sarah's other friend Amanda (who is living with us for six weeks whilst she does her prac teaching in Rocky) went 4WDriving to Five Rocks. Here are a few of the photos from their afternoon.
Three car loads of us.
A view from the top of the sand dunes. Looking down along Five mile beach.
A bit of fun on the beach.
Some Kite flying - can I get it up.
Oh drat
Lets try again - a little more success this time.
A view of the famous "Five Rocks"Awesome views for as far as the eye can see.

Air in the tyres to go home- plus one last photo.
Heading home after a full day on the beach.

Well that's about it for tonight, will be back in the next couple of days to post about our Easter weekend away. Sorry bout the huge photo post, but these are for my benefit.

Emotionally Exhausted Tonight

We went to a beautiful wedding on the weekend and I have some lovely photos to share but just don't have the energy at the moment. This last week has been emotionally draining and it looks like it could could go on for some time yet.

Two weeks ago, I was perfectly happy in my job - no inkling of what was ahead. Today I just feel a little jagged and very burnt out. I do feel peaceful knowing that GOD is in control though, but I also feel a little resentful that most of my weekend was spent putting statements together for a meeting that was only called Friday afternoon for this morning. I also resent that in the next couple of weeks I need to spend a lot of time going back looking for incident reports to support my request for a compassionate transfer. I should have been able to spend more time with my daughter who was up for the weekend and I should now be spending time preparing for more important things like my daughters 18th.

Will be back in the next day or so with heaps of photos to share from a beautiful wedding .

Feeling a little flat

Feeling a little flat here at the moment. Lots of stuff going on at work at the moment - either way the outcome won't be that good - so hate it when you are just sitting in limbo like this. I am thankful though that my God knows all about it and ultimately it is in HIS control. I may end up back in Special Ed but at least I keep my hours, if I get to stay where I am now there will be a big drop in hours - either way it is a no win siutation. It is the not knowing that is hard - CHANGES CHANGES - we don't like them do we, Although I am feeling flat, I am at peace in that there is nothing else now that I can do - I just have to leave it in God's hands, and I know that he sees the bigger plan and that he is ever faithful to meet any of the needs that we have. I just need to trust HIM.

What has the week held here

Last Friday night we had a girls night out. A group of girls from church got to gether for a game of Botchie and then went out to the Coffee Club for coffee afterwards. Have a few photos to share.
No real scrapbooking done this week and no photos taken either - just don't seem to much mojo to do much at all at the moment.
I am though looking forward to Colin and Sarah coming home this weekend. One of Sarah's bridesmaids is getting married this Saturday and we are all going to the wedding. It is sure to be beautiful and I am sure I will have heaps of photos to share with you next week.
Also this weekend, Sarah's friend Amanda is coming to stay for a couple of months. She is doing her prac teaching here at Heights College. Chloe is looking forward to her visit.

Well think I better call it an early night - I need to be up at 6am in the morning for a swim.