Elf yourself a merry little Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

All I want for Christmas is..............

PERFUME
I guess not this particular brand. I don't even know what kind I would like, but I love this bottle it is so sweet and girly.


BOOKS





A pandora chain and charms.

# Gold bracelet, PAN Clasp
# (55702-17)
# Price: $1,533.00
Not too much is it? LOL. I think I will need some charms too. Keep dreaming hey?


And cute cute CRAFT stuff like this.
I found this at this blogspot http://inspireco.blogspot.com/

and just how darn cute is this. I am going to try and make one in the holidays. I will take pics if they work out.

And I would love to wake up on Christmas morning looking like this


I know buckleys to none but that is why it is called a WISH list people.

We got a tattoo, a three year old and a tent!

This is the tattoo that James got today. It is his Jesus shield with the children's initials on it and his fave Bible Verse John 10:10. He likes it but he is feeling the pain if you know what I mean. The kids are thrilled that Daddy has their names on his heart forever. How cute.
Here are the two sisters on Charli's birthday. With Holly Daisy Belle the new dolly Charli got for her birthday. They look so sweet.
Daddy and Caitlin. Catie struggled a bit on Charli's birthday. But she got over it eventually.
Look how excited Charli was at the cake that Aunty Steph made for her.
I think the hug says it all really.
And the smiling girls with the cake. Charli was so excited that it had Dora the Explorer on it.

Who can believe that our little cheeky chops is now three years old. She is such a delight and I thank God so often for bringing her into our lives. She makes everyone smile.

And before I forget this is a photo of our tent that we will be camping in for a week over Christmas. I am SO looking forward to it. LOL. !!!!!

Gold

Photo taken by
Project neXus by Thomas Solberg


Rivers of gold reflect the light
of your glory that shines on me.
It strengthens, revives, restores my soul
like a billowy giant canopy.

It reminds me again of the love you bestow
so willingly down upon me.
You guide me, direct me and lead me afar
forever safe in your arms I will be.

Charli's birthday

It was Charli's birthday a few weeks ago and at school last week they celebrated by making cupcakes. Here are some of the cute photos below. I have some from our family celebration but haven't been organised enough to download them yet.

My 13 favourite books, series or authors.

Thirteen Things about Naomi Today I am going to do my 13 about my favourite books/series. These are in no particular order, that would be too hard. 1.... Robin Jones Gunn Sister Chicks series. Read them all and love love love them. 2. Francine Rivers. I have read lots and lots of her book and I really love her writing. Especially the Voice in the Wind Series. Life changing for sure. 3. Lynn Austin. I have read this whole series about four times. Great great books. 4.Lori Wick. My friend Lynne that passed away use to love her books and lent them to me all the time. They always make me think of her. She was a wonderful lady. 5. Anne of Green Gables. Oh my I loved that girl so much. And Aunt Marila too. Oh and Uncle Mathew. And I adored the whole bosom buddy thing. 6. The Yada yada prayer group. I have this entire series and I have read and read and read them. I love them. In fact I felt almost depressed when I read the last book because I had come to know Jody so well and really missed her. How sad is that? 7. What Katy Did.My all time fave when I was a little girl and I have read it and reread it a million times. Extract “ Katy's hair was forever in a snarl; her gowns were always catching on nails and 'tearing themselves'; and, in spite of her age and size, she was as heedless and innocent as a child of six. Katy was the longest girl that was ever seen. What she did to make herself grow so, nobody could tell; but there she was - up above Papa's ear, and a half a head taller than poor Aunt Izzie. Whenever she stopped to think about her height she became very awkward, and felt as if she were all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. Happily, her head was so full of other things, of plans and schemes and fancies of all sorts, that she didn't often take time to remember how tall she was. She was a dear, loving child, for all her careless habits, and made bushels of good resolutions every week of her life, only unluckily she never kept any of them. She had fits of responsibility about the other children, and longed to set them a good example, but when the chance came, she generally forgot to do so. Katy's days flew like the wind; for when she wasn't studying lessons, or sewing and darning with Aunt Izzie, which she hated extremely, there were always so many delightful schemes rioting in her brains, that all she wished for was ten pairs of hands to carry them out. -What Katy Did, Chapter 1. 8. Little Women. I have read and reread this book as well. I cried every time Beth died. I thought Amy was a brat, Jo wonderful and Meg a little bit too grown up. Marme was just gorgeous and Laurie was the most exciting boy ever. 9. Elizabeth George. I have really enjoyed a lot of her books and they have made a big spiritual impact on my life. 10. Judy Blume. Didn't every kid and teen love her books. I think I have read them all but these are three of my favourites. Blubber. Are you there God it's me Margaret and Deenie. 10. The Secret Garden. Another childhood favourite. I could get lost in this book for hours. 11. The little princess. Such a beautiful sad little book I fell in love with this book when I was a little girl. I still love it now. 12. Helen Keller. Hers was the first full book I ever remember reading when I was in Kindy. I so admired her teacher. Was her name Miss Annie? And later as an adult I came to respect Helen so much too. 13. And of course what list would be complete without The Little House on the Prairie series. Oh I loved Ma and I longed to be able to sit in a rocking chair and knit knit knit just like her. Man this reminded me of all the books I loved as a girl. I loved the Story book girl too. Did any of you ever read her?

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Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Naomi


This week I decided to do 13 of my most enjoyable or memorable movies.

1…. Gone with the wind.

Love love love this movie. Don't really like Scarlett that much or Melanie she is WAY too good for my liking. But LOVED Rhett. But him and Scarlett were so bad for each other.


2. Girls just want to have fun.
This was my fave as a teen. I knew all the words. All the dance steps and watched it faithfully at least once a week.
3. The sound of music. I watched this every year on telly with my Nanny. But only found out as an adult how the movie really ended. She sent me to bed after the family sang at the concert. I remember as an adult watching it and getting the biggest shock as I watched them be chased by Nazi's and leave the country over the mountains. LOL.
4. Fame.Another movie that I could have watched at least once a week and probably did. Knew all the songs. In fact I sang one of the songs for my HSC in music and did very well.(If I do say so myself)
5. Beaches. Now I have seen this movie a lot and it still touches me every time. So so sad.
6. Miss Potter. If you get the chance to see this one. I accidentally flicked it on one night and just fell in love. It is like movies should be. Innocent. Enjoyable. Lovely.
7. Center Stage Some absolutely fantastic dancing in this one. Have seen this one a lot too.

8. Steel Magnolias. Sally Field was so great in this one. I love her acting.
9. Bring it on.A family favourite. My hubby knows all the words and even some of the dance steps which just cracks me up.

10. The Princess Bride. A cult classic and if you haven't seen it you will love it. My kids adore it.
11. Pretty Woman.
12. Fried Green tomatoes.
13. Anything with Anne Hathaway in. I think she is great and does some really lovely work. Princess Diaries and the Cinderella one were great movies.

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For Today...

Outside my Window...It is sunny and beautiful clear blue sky. There is a light wind blowing that is cool now but I think will heat up as the day develops.

I am thinking...about Bailey on his camp. Hoping that he is settling in well and that he doesn't get sick again.

I am thankful for...healthy happy children. Food in my cupboard. Good friends.

From the kitchen...Nothing but a whole pile of dishes and mess as far as the eye can see.
I love trees. Whenever I see them I have this urge to paint them. Now I can't paint but I long to be able to paint a tree. LOL. I think they are just so beautiful. I love this picture because of the sun, it gives me hope, a brand new day, a fresh start.

I am wearing...Still in my PJ's although I need to hurry up and get ready for work.

I am reading...another Danielle Steele book at the moment. But the important thing I am reading is Isaiah. It is such a comforting book and reminds me again of how much God loves and protects me.

I am hoping...To get my life in some kind of organised fashion. Get into a routine with the housework. Get the kids into some kind of routine. I think the house will run so much better and we will all feel so much more relaxed.

I am creating...all the wedding activities for work for our wedding memories week. I am going through all the traditions and superstitions. Finding dresses, garters and stuff. Craft stuff for them to make. Making memory cards with questions to prompt discussion. Finding wedding music. You get the idea. I am really excited about this project. I love seeing my clients happy.

I am hearing...the telly on in the background. The kids are watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and singing along with the songs.

Around the house...lays disarray and disorder everywhere you look. I really need to get into it but it feels so overwhelming. Sadly the more I ignore it the worse it gets. It is a vicious cycle.

One of my favorite things...is hoping into bed at night with a good book and just reading and relaxing. Lazy bum.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Hamish go's to Nannys house today for a little holiday. The girls will be at school Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday the girls and I will go to Nannys house and grab Mooey and then head up to camp and pick up Bay and Loughie and head home again. Round trip of at least 150 kms. Yuck. On Saturday my dear dear friend Jennie is coming up from Tassie and we are planning at this stage to spend the morning together.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
I love trees. Don't know why but their beauty just always grabs me. I always long to be able to paint trees. Now I have no ability but that doesn't stop me longing to paint one. I know someday I will.

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Places I want to go to one day

1. Haunu`u Ho`opai, 2. Great Wall of China (Dec 2004), 3. Aurorus Reflectus Colosseo, 4. New York City Skyline

Where do you dream of going? Leave me a comment.

The happy camper returns.....

Well he came home but he wasn't that happy. He had a great time, did lots of exciting stuff that really stretched him but that he ended up loving. Low ropes. Giant flying foxes, canoeing, swimming, hiking, putting up tents and taking them down again. Cooking their own food over a camp fire. He returned filthy dirty, they hadn't had a shower for the three days. Gross. His bag smelt like a teenage boys. Euuuuuuu!!!!! Apparently he was very homesick and had a cry each night. That made me feel sad. I really missed him too. Well he is home and we are getting ready for the next camp which he leaves on tomorrow. He will love that one for sure too.

Some of my thoughts

I saw this on a lovely blog called Footprints on the fridge and thought that I would like to try it. I hope that is ok. Here go's.

For Today...

Outside my Window.. it is still quiet and dark it is only 5 30 AM but I guess the day is getting ready to start.

I am thinking... about Bailey and how he is going on a two day camping trip with school and anxious he is about all the activities. I know that he will love it once he gets over the initial nerves but it is still hard for this Mumma to think about.

I am thankful for... the fact that we were able to get and pack every single thing for Bailey on his camp list.

From the kitchen... At the moment my only plan is a nice big cuppa to kick start the day. For dinner I think we will have tuna casserole.

I am wearing... James 15 year old track suit pants, a red T shirt and an old old cardigan. Comfort sleepy clothes.


I am reading..a Danielle Steele book that I just happened to pick up about a Japanese family that were taken into custody during World War 2 in California. Quite good really. But I just finished a book called One more Sunset by Michael Landon Jr and Tracey Peterson. It was such a lovely book full of hope and forgiveness and Gods mercy. Loved it.

I am hoping...to get some housework done when I get home from work and that Bailey has a great time at camp.

I am creating.. a few little skirts for the girls with matching t shirts and scrunchies. A crochet christmas stocking for a swap that I am sending to Canada and another Magic Ball Swap where you wrap all kinds of cool things up in the yarn and send it off for another swap.

I am hearing... Peace and quiet in this incredibly noisy house. The only sounds are the computer and my fingers typing on the keypads.

Around the house... so much to catch up I don't know where to begin.

One of my favorite things... A hot cup of tea with a shortbread biscuit to dunk in. Ok 10 biscuits to dunk in. LOL.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... start packing Baileys bags for next weeks camp. Making cupcakes with the kids who didn't go camping. Cleaning the house. Watching Make me a supermodel.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

We are going to be having a wedding memories week at work soon and this is an invitation I made inviting some of the older ladies to bring their photos and any memories they have of their wedding and share them with my clients. I am looking forward to this day. A LOT.

Ok I am have done some research and here is where this lovely idea first originated from. The simple woman blogspot

Haven in the storm

The "Haven in a Storm" image above in the Psalms reflection reminded me immediately of the incredible Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm." I don't know what it is about all these storm songs on the radio that are resonating with me lately - Mercy Me's "Bring the Rain" being my current favorite song - other than I know this: It's not a matter of "if" storms will come in our life. It's a matter of "when." Storms will come. And when they do, we have the option to try to weather the storms all on our own. Or we have the option to invite God into the storms with us. Well, I believe God's already there with us in the storms even if we don't realize it - so, I think we can simply open our hearts and praise God in the storms! He will never abandon us or leave us. Even in the midst of the worst storms this fallen world might bring, God is there with us. Will you praise God in the storms?

Taken from September 20, 2008 One year bible blog