BORING?

Someone recently asked me if staying at home and being with my kids each day was boring. Hmmm...Let me think....NO WAY! I cant see how anyone could ever think that staying home, spending time raising kids would be boring. I am doing what God made me to do. I love being a Mom and I love knowing that I have the responsiblitiy to teach and train my kids to know, love, and follow Jesus!

On that note...today has been...hmmmm...rough! We have had Cooper here again today. 1 kid is tiring, 2 kids are hard, 3 kids are INSANE! I wonder what kind of mother the neighbors think I am when I have 3 kids all crying at once! It is pouring rain here today so we arent able to go and play outside...so Noah and Cooper are a bit stir crazy. It makes it quite hard to keep them occupied. Although, my parents did spend lots of money...and I spent 4 years getting a degree in elementary and early childhood education, so surely I can come up with something right????? I should have spent more time concentrating on "early childhood" instead of "elementary" I suppose. I guess I didnt have a family in mind when I was in college (who does?).

Yesterday was the show holiday, but Shane ended up working in the morning. Thankfully, he is coming home at lunch today to stay. I sure do miss him when he's at work.

Dave has been a bit under the weather today, he vomited up all of his milk this morning, and then he had a GROSS pooh. He must be coming down with something. Then, when I was changing him he peed all over the place! He is still happy though and smiling like crazy. While all this is going on, Noah and Cooper are going insane in the living room (which I have trapped them in with my $10 Walmart gates).

It will be nice to head off to the gym later on and then have a nice hot bath.

I have already found at least 2 people to do the Bible study! Yeah! I think I for sure have at least one more friend who will do it!

Gotta go. Cooper woke up crying and now Dave is crying too. Noah is still snoozing through it all. At least we have one good little sleeper here today!

Show Holiday

Rainy and Cold! I dont know if anyone will be going to the show this holiday! I've made some nice hot veggie soup and some good old southern cornbread! The perfect thing for the weather if you ask me!

Got a chance today to chat to my cousin, Mark, as well as my Mom and Dad. I sure do miss being home. Only 6 more months to go!

Please pray for us in regards to our future. Many things are heavy on our hearts right now.

I better run! I can hear a little 4 month old crying!

Feels Like a Friday

Feels like a Friday...

Tomorrow is show holiday! For those of you in the states...that means that everyone gets a day off of work because the fair is in town.

It's a good day today! Kids are sleeping. Laundry is done. Kitchen and bathroom are clean. Rock cakes are made. Anzac cookies are in the oven. We're having homemade pizza for tea and I'm really looking forward to having Shane home with us tomorrow!!!!

Oh Yeah...Here we are at the big pineapple and big prawn (shrimp) on our trip to visit Nan and Pop.

A visit from Cooper

Yesterday, we had a visitor for the entire day. Cousin Cooper came and stayed with us for the day. We were so happy to have him and it was nice that Noah could have a little playmate for the day. Cooper was a little unwell so instead of going to childcare, he stayed with us. It was interesting going from having 2 kids to 3...it sure did keep me on my toes! It was great. We are so thankful for the time we have to spend with our family.

I want to encourage everyone to try and spend some time reading God's Word each day. I have been doing it for awhile now and it is really starting to make a big difference. As a mom it is hard to find time to do anything. I've been getting up with Noah each morning, but now that he is sleeping in, I find that I am doing it during the boy's naptime.

I am also really praying about starting a Bible study here. At first, I found a study that I wanted to do myself. I asked around and there were a few people interested in doing it with me. Now, I have come across a new study that I think would be better to do with a few friends. Please pray that I can get a group together...or at least that I can get a few friends interested in doing it. Beth Moore is actually doing it as well through her blog (Click on Blogs I Read to check it out). She is doing discussion questions each week to go along with the study. I guess you could say that she is faciliting it through her blog. It is a study about the modern day idols in our lives. It would meet every other week...and only 5 times total. Please pray I can find some people to do it with.

4 months old

Where does the time go? Last Thursday, Dave turned 4 months old. I thought you would like to see some pictures of him. I more but I cant get them to download. He had his shots on Friday and went really well. Noah ended up having his chicken pox shot and he went good too.

Dave is now 8.24 kg (about 19 lbs.) and 67 cm long (over 2 ft). He is almost off the charts. He has cut his eating back to only 4 times a day, but is still doing really well. The doctor said I dont have to start solids yet, so I may wait another month or so. Noah was 5 months when he started and he could sit up in his booster seat. Dave should be able to do the same. We didnt have a high chair in Vietnam and we dont really want to buy one here. I am starting to get excited again about making baby food! The doctor said that Dave may have a blocked tear duct because his eye weaps a lot. All I have to do is rub his ducts and it should get better.

So Dave is a healthy thriving little guy! He is the happiest baby I know. We are so blessed to have him!

Our weekend

What a weekend! It seems to have gone by so fast. I had a good day Saturday going out to lunch with a friend and then to a meeting about becoming more effective about sharing your faith. It was really good! Then we all rugged up in our scarves and beanies to go and watch Uncle Pete place soccer on Saturday night!

Sunday was spent trying to rest from having our 2 year old awake crying from 3-5am! We still havent figured out what he was so upset about, but it sure didnt make us much use for Sunday. We were so tired. We went to the beach for lunch and a play. It was really nice and a good distraction from just feeling so tired. We spent the afternoon working on our paperwork for Dave's US citizenship and we still arent done!!!!

This morning Noah and Dave BOTH slept in till 7am! Thank goodness! I had a good Bible study with the young mum's group that I go to on Monday morning. We are studying the book of Joshua. It is really a great study and I am getting so much out of it.

We have a busy night tonight. Shane goes to the doctor after work. Then I am going to the gym. While I'm at the gym, Pete and Carla are bring Cooper over and going to the movies. We are treating them to a night out to go and see the End of the Spear! An awesome movie!!!! We really feel they should go and see it. It is about the 5 missionaries that were killed in Ecuador. If you havent seen it, you must! We laughed. We cried. It is worth seeing. Later on after all 3 kids are asleep, a friend is coming over for awhile. Life just never seems to slow down.

Oh yeah...Here are some photos of us yesterday at the beach! We are having such nice cool weather. It is good to be home for this type of weather!

Whats Happening..

Things have been so crazy for us since returning home from our trip to see Nan and Pop. You have probably noticed that I have not been posting very much lately. Well, that is because (1) I have been really really busy and (2) because Noah, our sweet darling little 2 year old, managed to remove the space bar, the N key, and the M key from our computer. Didnt he do this before? Yes...and he was disciplined for it. Dont worry, he was in big trouble for doing it again. Without these important keys, it makes typing really hard. At the moment, I am down in the shed typing on the desk top computer.

Here's what has been happening in our life this past week...

Shane-His foot is doing much better. After chasing up his x-rays at the base hospital, he found out that no bones are broken. He has just torn ligaments really really bad. He still seems to think that he is going to play soccer when it is better!!!! He is in the middle of making some important decisions regarding his job. Please be in prayer for this.

Noah-"Mom! Mom! Look! Look! A Plane!" That was what he said to me this morning. He sure is talking a lot. He can be a little shy around people he doesnt know but that only lasts about 5 minutes. Temper Tantrums are quite often...typical of a 2 year old. We are getting through it with lots of prayer and discipline.

Dave-he is 4 months old today! He goes to the doctor tomorrow morning for his 4 month shots. I cant believe how fast he is growing up. About a week ago he rolled over for the first time, but hasnt done it again since. He is a good eater and a good sleeper. He is just absolutely wonderful! We are really blessed. He is starting to play with toys now. He really loves Noah too. We are in the process of getting Dave's US citizenship. Lots and lots of paperwork. We are going to Brisbane the week of the 23rd of June to get everything sorted out!

Me-I've made it a habit this week to get up with Noah at 6am. I have been reading my Bible and having a cup of tea to warm me up. I am starting to do my Bible study from 6-6:30 and then Noah and I dress in warm clothes and go for a 30 minute walk. It feels so good and we get to spend some quality time together. I'm still going to the gym, but I will see how the walking goes. It is hard to go to the gym at the moment because Dave is feeding at the same time as my class. Because Shane is crippled, I ended up taking Noah swimming on Wednesday. It was great fun and nice to spend time together just the two of us. I've cooked lots this week. We are having Aunty Marilyn and Uncle Greg over for tea tonight, and last night we had Pete, Carla, and Cooper over. It sure is nice having them live close.


Our house-Still for sale, but not sold yet. Please pray! We have another open house this weekend.


Vietnam-So many people are asking me if we are returning. We do not know yet and we will not know for some time. We are in the process of sorting through everything with our home church, company in Australia, and our leaders on the field. Things need to be slow and thorough, but dont worry. We will keep you updated.


Shane and Marlana-Date nights are few and far between when you have two kids, but guess what? We are going out tonight! Yeah! We are going to see a movie for a chaplin fundraiser in town. It is about the missionary, Jim Elliot. It should be real good. I'm looking forward to having Shane all to myself for once! Our favorite Bundaberg Aunt is coming to look after the boys!


Well...I think I will leave it at that for now. I've attached a picture of us all at the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW. This was taken on our trip to see Nan and Pop. I took pictures of Dave today since he is 4 months, but I will have to post them later. We are having problems uploading photos because Shane has downloaded lots of stuff onto the ipod this month.

More Nan ad Pop

Nan and Pop

Here are some photos of the boys with Nan and Pop. We had a great time visiting them!

A Favorite Hymn

I'm sure many of you have a favorite hymn. I find that I often have different favorite hymns from different times of my life. This one below if a favorite of mine. It became special to me during our first term in Vietnam and was a great source of comfort for me. I can still see our friend, Andrew, singing it...what a voice he has!

Before The Throne of God Above
written by Charitie Less Bancroft

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless, Righteousness
The Great unchangeable I AM
The King of Glory and of Grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Waiting

by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
"Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?"
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.


You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".

ABC's of Me

ABC's Of Me

Accent: A mix of southern US and Australian.

Book that I like: Books written by Beth Moore and John Piper. I really enjoy reading biographies and autobiographes.

Chore I don’t care for: cleaning the bathroom

Dog or Cat: Neither

Essential Electronics: Computer

Favorite food: Mexican

Gold or Silver: gold

Handbag I carry most often: Nappy/diaper bag

Insomnia: Sometimes

Job Title: Domestic Diva

Kids: Two-Ages 4 months and 2

Living Arrangements: We live in a house we bought...but we hope to sell and move on to whereever God sends us.

Most Admirable Trait: dont know

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Being mean to Heather

Overnight hospital stays: I stayed in the hospital after Dave and Noah were born and when Dave tried to come at 32 weeks.

Phobias: Some

Quote: I ought to behave myself like a guest here, with all that entails. I should not stay aloof and refuse to participate in the tasks, joys and sorrows of earth, while I am waiting patiently for the redemption of the divine promise. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Religion: Southern Baptist

Siblings: 1 sister, Heather

Time I wake up: Usually around 6

Unusual Talent or Skill: I dont know

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: I'll eat anything

Worst Habit: blogs

X-rays: Broken finger, broken arm, sprained ankle...and I'm sure there are more.

Yummy Stuff: chocolate, nachos, salsa

Zoo Animal I Like Most: ummmm….I like Elephants

Traveling Home

It's Wednesday night and we are at the Best Western Motel in Brisbane. We left South West Rocks this morning at 8 and arrived in Brisbane at 4:30. The boys have traveled great!!! The trip has been a really great trip, and I'm so glad that we decided to go and visit Nan and Pop. We should be arriving home in Bundaberg tomorrow afternoon sometime. Tomorrow shouldnt be as long a trip as today so that is really good. Well...I'm so tired so I think I will make this a short update. Please keep praying for safe travel.

Southwest Rocks

Southwest Rocks...thats where we are at. We left on Thursday night and stoped in Hervey Bay to pick up Mum Elson. She is coming with us to help me drive because Shane hurt his foot. We left Hervey Bay on Friday at around 10:30am and arrived in Ballina, New South Wales at around 7pm. I drove from Hervey Bay to the Sunshine Coast and then Mum Elson drove to Ballina. We stopped at the Big Pineapple for lunch and a photo (will post photos later). Noah had a MAJOR breakdown, so we left in a hurry! We spent the night in a hotel in Ballina. Mum Elson got to share a room with Noah, and Shane and I shared a room with Dave. Everyone slept great. On Saturday, we left at around 8:30 and arrived at Southwest Rocks at around 1 in the afternoon. I drove to Coffs Harbour (It is possible that I got a ticket from a speed camera, but we will wait and see) and then Mum Elson drove to Southwest Rocks. We are staying in a nice little townhouse near the beach. It is really nice. It is a 3 bedroom...and lots of space. The boys are traveling great!!!! Dave is so easy! Noah is going really well too. He had a breakdown at 5:30am because we wouldnt let him get up. He woke everyone up crying and screaming because he couldnt get his way!!! What a great way to start Mother's Day! I got some clothes, slippers, and a cookbook from Mother's Day. We have spent the day at Nan and Pops...along with Aunty Maureen and Uncle Dave who have come up from Sydney. It has been so wonderful and really good for the boys to spend time with them. We are just relaxing and hanging out for the next few days and just spending time with Nan and Pop. We are taking lots of pictures and having a really good, relaxing time.

No More Soccer!

I had my week all planned out. On Wednesday night, I wanted to sit and listen to my cousin, Mark, preach. I listen on the internet, and he is a really good teacher. Then, on Wednesday, I planned to put Noah in trainng pants all day and try to work with him on going to the toliet. That WAS the plan. In the middle of listening to Mark's sermon, Pete and Scotty showed up with my injured Shane!!! I couldnt believe it. It seems that Scotty kicked the ball...which Shane caught in the face and then fell and hurt his ankle. I can just imagine it...Scotty kicking, Shane getting hit in the face, flying through mid-air, and landing on his foot. He was in a lot of pain I tell you!!! So now...it seems that I have 3 children. Pete took Shane to the hospital on Wednesday morning, and then Shane went to the physio in the afternoon. The verdict? We know that it isnt a clean break. The base hospital (public/free hospital) didnt have a radiologist working on Wednesday so he will find out in 3-5 working days!!!!!! However, the doctor didnt think it was a clean break. The physio said that it is possible he will only be off his foot for 2-6 weeks. I think I am realizing how much Shane actually does help me out. It has been a rough few days for me without any help from him. It has been such a blessing having Pete and Carla around though...it is great living close to them!

Meanwhile, Shane's Nan is not well. Please be in prayer for her. I'm not sure about all the medical stuff, but she has had a few strokes in the past week or so and is in the middle of many tests, etc. Nan and Pop have not had a chance to see the boys yet, so...we are off tonight to travel down to Southwest Rocks (half way between Sydney and Brisbane...I think it is a 10 hour drive) where Nan and Pop live. Shane is unable to drive because of his foot...he hurt his right foot and that is his driving foot. So, it looks like we are picking up Shane's Mum on the way so that she can help me with the driving. What a crazy week!

Please pray that we will have safe travels and that Nan will be well when we arrive in Southwest Rocks. Pray for patience with 2 kids in the car...especially the 2 year old with ants in his pants!

Well...I must be off. I have a million things to do before we leave!!!

Some Pictures of Dave

Random Pictures of Noah

Dressed for Swimming!
Playing with Playdough
Snuggling in Mom's bed
Being Silly!
Playing with Dave.

Noah and Dave

Here are some photos of Noah and Dave in the rocking chair. Noah really does love Dave. He is a great big brother. I just love my boys so much!

Happy Birthday Shane!

Yesterday, was Shane's birthday. He is now the old age of 32!!!! Our friend, Cheryl, made him a delicious birthday cake. I thought I had candles, but I realized that I didnt. I only had a 2 that I used for Noah's birthday cake. So Shane just blew out a 2 for his birthday. It was a great day just spent with family and friends.

For Sale

Click Here to see more photos.

After lots and lots and lots of prayer, we really feel that God is calling us to put our house up for sale. It may not make sense to any of you why we are doing it, but it makes sense to us because we feel that we are doing what God would have us do. We have lived a life outside of this materialistic Western world, and to be honest I dont think we will ever be the same again. Trust me, we've tried to and it is just not working!!! The house served the purpose that it needed to, and now we feel that God is telling us to move on. We have many personal reasons for selling the house, so do me a favor, and trust that we would not do this if we didnt feel called to do it. Are we going back to Vietnam? I dont know. Are we going to live in Australia forever? I dont know. Will the house sell? I dont know. We are just looking to God to open and close the doors in regard to His will for our lives. We actually feel like we are on some sort of adventure ride with God. We dont know what the future holds, and we dont really know the next step, but HOLD ON....THIS RIDE IS GOING TO BE AN ADVENTURE YOU'LL NEVER FORGET.