Noah and Cooper's Party

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH

Dressed in our Sunday Best....

Happy Valentines

Well...here I sit at home on Valentine's Day. It is pouring rain outside (and has been all week) and I am actually really glad that I am not out...but nice and dry inside.

It's been an interesting Valentine's Day...but pretty good I must say. We started off at 9 with taking Shane to a missions committee meeting at the church. I dropped him off and took the kids to the store to buy diapers. Noah is finally completely out of diapers (at night as well) so at least I only have to buy for Dave now. Then...we raced back to pick up Shane and we all headed off to swimming. We swam till 11 and then came home.

We were suppose to take the kids to Pete and Carla's house so that we could go out for lunch, but then we just decided to take the kids home instead. We got the boys lunch then we put them in the lounge room to play while we had a nice lunch of nachos! After that....nap time for me and the boys. I actually managed to have a good 2 hour sleep which was really needed! Shane spent the afternoon taking a load of trash to the dump and putting my dryer up on the wall. Now...at least I have a tidy yard and plenty of room in the laundry.

Now....I am suppose to be watching 3 children (cousin Cooper is visiting so that Pete and Carla can go out on a date)! All I hear right now is screaming...but they seem to be having a good time in the playroom. Shane is out in the shed working on his studies and is SUPPOSE to come in at 7 so that we can watch a movie together. We had thought about getting some chinese, but with this weather I think I will just eat some fruit instead!

Tomorrow is looking to be pretty crazy too...I am playing in both services and the girl that normally plays flute will not be there so I am solo tomorrow and a bit nervous about that. Oh well...I'm sure I'll get through it!

I think that about sums up my Valentine's Day. I better run as now I can hear Cooper yelling "help" and Noah yelling "mine" and Dave is just....yelling. What fun!

Brothers

Swinging....

Noah swinging on a tire swing at Granny and Pa's house.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I have 2 beautiful boys that are a real handful-Noah (3 years) and David (1 year)! They keep me on my toes and help me to know that my life will NEVER be quiet or boring!!!!
2. My favorite book in the Bible is Psalms.
3. I am constantly amazed at all the Lord is teaching me. I am humbled by His faithfulness and just cant get enough of my Bible. I am currently memorizing as many verses as I can and hiding God's Word in my heart. I feel that I have been given an opportunity to equip myself now so that I will be ready when God calls us back to work overseas.
4.I once spent 3 weeks on the island of Papua New Guinea. What an amazing time! My first time to see a tribe! We were on a missions base helping to build a fellowship hall. We stayed in our tents for the entire time and went to the toliet and shower outside!!!! I had major culture shock and I think I am just now getting over it. I can still smell the markets even now and the BO.
5. I have been engaged twice.
6. I studied music for 2 years in college. Then I found my real passion-teaching-and I switched to study Elementary Education.
7. In my senior year of college, I spent 3 weeks in Germany taking a class during January. That trip totally change the direction of my life. I specifically felt God leading me to a lifetime serving him in cross-cultural work. I also felt God speak to me about marriage and that I should only marry someone who has the same heart for missions as I did.
8. I first came to Australia in May 2002 on a missions trip where I was sent to Bundaberg Baptist Church. They havent been able to get rid of me since!!!!
9. I love Shane!!!!!!!!!!!! Shane once told me that life with him would never be boring. Since we have been married...life has been one rollercoaster ride after another! I wouldnt change it for the world. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and Godly husband who just wants to serve God! I prayed that God would give me a partner with the same heart as me for missions...little did I know that Shane was praying that same prayer!
10. I just became an Australian citizen! We all have dual citizenship (me and the kids)...except for Shane. He still hasnt been persudaded to become an American yet! That is a work in progress!
11. I love cooking! I love watching cooking shows and looking at cook books.
12. I love gardens and plants! I have my own garden here in Australia and I love eating fresh veggies and herbs.
13. When I was at home at Christmas time, I started doing Weight Watchers with my mom. We arent signed up or anything, but we do count up our points (I estimate....not too strict)! My mom looked so great when I was home and I had been having trouble losing my baby weight after having Dave...so I thought I would try it. I started at 151lbs...and now I am down to 137lbs! I feel great and I am not eating a bunch of junk. I really feel like I am on the road to learning how to eat healthy!
14. I spent 2.5 years in Vietnam teaching English, getting to know the people, and learning Vietnamese (Xin Chao Cac Ban-Hello friends)! We were there 6 months when we found out we were pregnant with Noah. We returned to Australia, had Noah, traveled to Sydney to the US embassy to get his citizenship when he was 6 weeks old, traveled to the States when he was 8 weeks old, and finally returned to Vietnam with he was 4 months old.
15. There are so many things I miss about Vietnam-but I especially miss the food-springrolls, pho, and banh xeo!
16. We have so many toys at my house....just this morning I counted that we had 55 cars!
17. Cleaning really helps me when I'm stressed...it is a good relief for me.
18.I take swim lessons at our local pool. I had started lessons when I was first pregnant with Dave, but I kept getting sick...so I have just now started back. I really enjoy learning how to swim properly instead of just splashing around and looking like I'm drowning.
19. I experience serious stress in Vietnam with regards to Noah and just having a child in that situation. So after much prayer...we decided to return to Australia for a few months break to just rest. After being home for 3 days....we discovered we were pregnant AGAIN!
20. Shane and I are really excited about returning overseas in the future-there are so many people yet to hear.
21. Shane and I really want to adopt a baby.
22. I have always wanted to go to Tasmania and every year I beg Shane to take me there!
23. I would really love an opportunity to work in an orphanage one day.
24. I abosolutely love being a stay at home mom. It is really tough sometimes, but so rewarding just to have the opportunity to spend so much time with my kids. Being a mom is the toughest job ever, but I wouldnt trade it for anything.
25. I taught first grade for 2 years right after Shane and I got married. It was awesome! 1st grade is my favorite grade to teach-I was so blessed to have a chance to do it!