Beyond the Edge of Adventure

I realised I haven't told 'the story'.......about how little 'Twinkle' came into existence. I've been praying big time about our family and our fertility. During December, I realised that if we were to fall pregnant in that month, we would be expecting in September. So, I prayed - "God, if I could just have this year off to get the house in order and settle our family, then I'll happily have another baby for you....just next December.....I'm just so tired...." and blah, blah, blah....... He said 'No.' Little did I know, that despite following all the 'family planning' rules, I was probably already pregnant by the time I was rather arrogantly praying that prayer. The thing is, I'd LOVE a September baby. September 1st in one of my favourite days of the year: spring arrives! Matthew was due in late September and I stupidly expected him to arrive on his due date. He was ten days overdue. In my pathetic way, I've alwa...

Two things happened recently which reminded me that sometimes, you just need to swallow the complaints, whinging and excuses and get on with it. I was at church on my own with all the children and feeling blargh (I was pregnant but didn't know it at the time). Had to wait for ages for someone to get something for me so I could go home. Had the baby in the pram, fourteen.....oh, alright.....it was about four, bags hanging off the pram, plus my three eldest children, whom I always make hold onto the pram when we go near the road. As I walked out of church, huffy, tired, hungry and sick, I heard everyone else sipping their coffee and having a great time chatting. Suddenly, a shrill voice in my head blurted out, "Why doesn't someone HELP me?". I limped out of church with all my encumberances feeling dejected, flat and quite honestly, jealous. Then, my sweet Lord, who is always so gentle with my tantrums gently reminded me, "Julie, it's your choice to have the...

Today did not start well. I felt like I was sitting in my smug happy-Christian blanket on a jetty, enjoying the 5am sunrise.......and next minute I felt like I'd been knocked into the icy water and left clinging to the side of the jetty, gasping for breath and wondering, "Where in the heck did that come from?" It's not a big deal. After the baby woke me at 5am and I couldn't get Woollies online to work and then I read a blog post that dragged up a heap of emotions all at once and then I had to make breakfast while feeling nauseous but not able to get time to feed myself to relieve said nausea and after our prep girl wee-ed her only remaining pair of school skorts, I was a little cranky. Just a little. I had a bit of a rant. Kicked a toy....... ....and wondered why I was being so horrid! Normally I can talk myself out of a funk. Not today. I had to go grocery shopping (since the stupid online thing wasn't working!), so Ben offered to come with me, despi...

I love being strong I love being busy My days are long Sometimes in strife Under attack For awareness of life Politeness around Nothingness done Heads in the ground Misunderstood Labelled Well, good Tried Worthy? Cried The one whom I love By my side Like a dove Shelter He brings Strength and grace In His wings Till dawn finally breaks And at last See His face Until then work is set Compass swings, turns Sights up high, do your best 31/1/2012

When I was young and I used to day dream about being married and having babies and keeping house, there was one idea that alway stuck in my mind that I liked the best. I was reminded of it today because I actually did it! I used to imagine that I'd be hanging out the washing.....with a chubby baby sitting in the pram or on the grass babbling away near my legs while I worked. Then, I'd imagine making dinner.....with a gorgeous little chubster on my hip, pointing at different things and exclaiming. There was just this recurring theme of having a baby sitting at my feet, a gorgeous round little upturned face with full little eyes that saw only me, the mummy. So, over the years, I've worked out that having babies around your feet isn't always the most comfortable (or safe) thing. But occasionally, I'll realise that I'm doing it ! I'm living my day dreams from so long ago...... .....today Miss Neve sat on the floor while I folded the washing and we had a ...

Before you read my post, you need to read the article up for discussion on this blog: http://community.wegohealth.com/group/womenshealth/forum/topics/sex-education-for-young-wives?commentId=2028394%3AComment%3A75506&groupId=2028394%3AGroup%3A1051 ......isn't it a HOOT?! :D So, since I'm a bit of a fan of sex (hey - you don't have four babies in five-and-a-half years because you're a fan of Scrabble!), I just wanted to comment on it - because some parts I agree with and some I don't. Firstly, the bit about 'not pressuring him into stimulating intimacy' - whatever. I think it's a huge blessing to a husband when his wife gives him the come-on, rather than him always having to ask! Secondly, I'm pretty sure God made sex for mutual enjoyment and I'm pretty sure, after reading Julie Sibert's wonderful blog (intimacyinmarriage.com), that men prefer their wives to enjoy sex, too. So, 'registering your reluctance by silence' and ma...

Y'know what I love about Mr Darcy? No, it's not a trick question! I love that bit in 'Pride and Prejudice' when he says that he abhors disguises and always seeks to tell the truth. This is proven later in the narrative when his sister, Georgiana, says that it is indeed so to Lizzie when she suggests that Mr Darcy may have over estimated her pianoforte playing abilities. Mr Darcy comes across at first as rude, arrogant and fairly well up himself........but as the story progresses, we find that he is indeed a truthful, kind and honourable man. He just tells it how it is! Although he loses a few friends (or good opinions from some groups of people, such as Mr. Wickham's friends), he ends the story with a gorgeous, witty wife, great friends and the honour of being swooned over by zillions of women throughout history. It may cost him some small discomforts along the way, but in the end, truth and honour win with much better long term benefits. I want to be like t...