Balloon Festival

Even though Nate was away, I managed to get the kids up early and off to watch the Balloons over Waikato. We had breakfast at the lake while we waited for the balloons to inflate, then oohed and aahed as they flew overhead. It was a bit chilly but we had a great time.

Here's Ammon with "Mr Bup" behind him.

Prayers update

My sister made this scrapbook page of the previous post for me. She's doing him a book of his first year, how lucky am I?

Prayers

Daddy called for prayers this morning, so Ammon folded his arms. Gee, you can never underestimate what they are learning even at this early age! (10.5 months)

Change Around

Just wanted to show the girls bedroom, they asked for their beds to be put back together into a bunk. So much room now!

Ammon & Work

My baby is so much fun. I just LOVE watching him learn new things. In the last week or so he has:
~Learned to clap (so cute!)
~Bounce himself on the trampoline on his knees
~He's letting go of things more and standing on his own or walking holding on to one of your hands not two...
~He knows if he hears a *beep* outside that his Daddy has come home then he'll look at me and say "Da"
~He'll shake his head when I say "No" and
~He'll turn his head from side to side when I'm changing a dirty nappy and I say "Pooh Wee!" (as in whoa that's smelly let me get my head away from the fumes!)
I'm just really enjoying my baby and for some reason it seems this time round is a little different. Is it because he's a boy? Is it because he's number 3? Because... I have to go back to work in exactly 16 days and I have to say, I'm really not looking forward to it. After the girls I was quite keen to go to work and have adult conversation and a break from the house, but this time.... I just wanna stay home.
I'm supposed to be weaning Ammon but I don't want to, so I'm not, kinda. I took him off one feed so now I only feed him around 6.30am and 8pm, but I'm not ready to let those two go. I feel like it's too early, he's not even one. I'm really happy with the fact that my body has been able to feed my babies for so long, some Mum's aren't so lucky. Don't get me wrong I don't want to keep Ammon a baby, I love watching him grow, and no I am not going to be one of those Mum's still breastfeeding their 5 year old child (uh uh no way!)... I'm not sure how to say what I'm thinking here... I think I had it but I've lost it... I've still got baby brain!... ahhhh... but, I guess I'm just really enjoying this time instead of looking ahead waiting for it to be over and moving on to the next step.
I am loving now and wishing it didn't have to change, not just yet.

p.s. Leah had her 4 year immunizations today. I've finally learnt and so sent Daddy along this time. I asked her when she got home if she was brave and she just looked at me (you know with that look that asks Hello are you for real? duh Mum!) and said "No, I cried". Straight up is my Leah, no beating around the bush with her... Love that.

Death

We attended a memorial service on Tuesday night for a friend who passed away from cancer. We had no intention of taking the kids with us and so made plans for them to stay at Nanny and Papa's, however the girls insisted they wanted to come with us so we only left Ammon behind.
The girls have only been to one funeral before but they seem so at ease with death and being around a body who's spirit has flown home. This time Leah even asked if she could touch him. She was shown how and where but I don't think she did in the end, but for her to even ask was a brave moment. It really showed me how little fear she has regarding death.
We have tried to help them understand that although the body is buried in the ground, the Spirit returns to Heavenly Father and we will see them again. I think they are getting it.
Our friend was ready to meet Heavenly Father and even looked forward to it, I don't think I could say that right now. I'm not sure how much of that is a) I don't want to leave my children and husband yet or b) I'm not ready to be judged by my maker. Hmmm... improvements to make yet I think.... I really should work on that...

(For those of you not familiar with Kiwi culture, when a loved one passes, they lie in state in their home for usually three days where family and friends can farewell them before they are taken to the cemetery for burial.)

Pencil sketch

Why is it that you start on the net looking at one thing, and end up somewhere else completely? I wanted a new heart brush for photoshop, I now have three droplets (courtesy of pencilpixels.com) that turn my photo's to pencil sketch, toon or stained glass. How did that happen??

Anyway, I had a play with the pencil one and this is what it's like before and after:

How fun is that?

It's our Anniversary

Nine years ago today I married my sweetheart.

The time has gone by so fast but it's been the best time ever.
An O.E., nine moves, three babies, two mortgages and plenty of love and laughter ~ I wouldn't have it any other way.

Impatience

Emerson asked me a couple days in a row if I would meet the Mum of a friend of hers so that they could have a playdate. Of course I kept saying "Not today..." so Emerson took it into her own hands to organise our meeting. Yesterday A's Mum comes up to me in the car and tells me about a wonderful note she got from Emerson asking if she would meet me and asking if she could come and play! She'd given up waiting for me.

I think that's great. Sometimes impatience in children is not a good thing but I'm glad Emerson isn't going to be one of those kids who sit around waiting, but will get on with it. Who will make new friends and make things happen. That's a great quality to have - impatience. Who would've thought?