Would you love $30 off a Kelly Moore camera bag??!!

I do!!!! I have ahd my eye on these for such a long time and I also absolutely love Kelly's photos. Maybe getting the bag would help me take more and better quality photos?? They come in lots of gorgeous colours and styles that is would be hard to choose just one! She is super talented and I know she had to have been very near the front of the line when Heavenly Father was giving out photography ability. She's a natural. Check out the link

http://kellymoorephotography.com/mooreblog/images/kellymoorebagpromo.jpg
Check out the website at http://www.kellymoorebag.com

This will make a great accessory to our new baby born late in December.

Enjoying the simple things in life

Today we picked up another food order from Coles online - it was a day late due to the tides they first stopped off on another island. The kids love playing with the empty boxes and helping to unpack the food and see all the things we used to take for granted (and what most that haven't been in this situation are probably still doing, as we would have also:). Loving the greek style yoghurt and it seems like Christmas every time we get the boxes. Tonight we plan to make a picnic of the things and take them to Green fort hill to watch the sunset and then Christmas carolling. Pic of Jacob on his 2nd birthday. Other simple things in which make me smile and warm my heart is when Jacob takes my hand to lead me somewhere to tell me he wants something - his hand is so small and sweet or when he comes over for a cuddle or when Jordan says she wants a snuggle - the things that don't cost anything but which I wouldn't want to live without. I have so much to be thankful for and feel so blessed to have the life I do even if I get tired of doing dishes and washing. The other things make up for it!

See the good in the world

We have been tuning into BYU TV and there are awesome talks and discussions on the scriptures. It has BYUTV - See the good in the world. Very important if one is to be optomistic. Whenever something seems a trial Jordan will come out with things like "the ocean looks lovely and blue" - very positive. Don't change a thing Jordan.
Here are some points from a talk in the August Ensign 2010 by President Uchtdorf at www.lds.org
"Temples are an unyielding witness that goodness will prevail. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency, once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”1

While each temple increases the influence of righteousness in the earth, the greatest blessings, of course, come to those who actually attend the temple. There we receive further light and knowledge and make solemn covenants that, if followed, help us walk in the path of discipleship. In short, the temple teaches us about the sacred purpose of life and helps us get our true physical and spiritual bearings."

Here are some pics of the kids last Thursday with a turtle. I was glad I took my camera. How has your week been?

Our true identity

Ugly duckling or of infinite worth? Do you understand who you really are?
Check out this talk/video and can look to see the full one

A long way from home....

This is our view from the balcony. My husband calls it a million dollar view - perhaps it is but I miss home. There's no place like New Zealand. There are so many good things about here too (Thursday Island a.k.a. TI). The locals are very friendly and helpful. A man asked us yesterday if he could carry something for us. I think it's because the pace of life is slower so people have more time to do service for others? The kids have just finished off a bowl of rice each. Jacob has sticky fingers he is using to climb the couch. He has wanted his sheepskin more since we left home. Jordan started calling me Mother as of yesterday. It sounds funny. She did call me Mama before that.
It is strange living somewhere so hot. The air con is on whenever we are home almost nonstop. It reminds me of stepping off the plane in Hawaii with Marena and feeling the heat - then it took a while to get used to. What else reminds me of there is the frangipanis and hibiscus flowers - they are gorgeous. We have a coconut and banana tree pretty much at our doorstep - wonder how you get bananas down?????
Everything is different - the taste of the water, even the bottled water tastes strange to me!! The products on the shelves are different to what I am used to in general - apart from the generic things like weetbix, rice, vegemite (sadly no marmite. Jordan has adapted to vegemite. It's like a foreign place - kind of but it's going to be home for a bit. I will settle in, but it's going to take some time:)

11 April 2011

They had first look pics prior to the wedding - I loved the beach here - it was magical - sadly we didn't have time to enjoy it as the second morning one of our car seats got jammed. This is one of my fav b&w's with the veil of my sister. The other pics are of our brood playing around. He has much more hair now:)

Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn

Quote by Terri Guillemets

Another I like - Dancing is like dreaming with your feet! ~Constanze

and this ....Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is not mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself. ~Havelock Ellis

I am trying to write this as my dancing queen passes me chewed on pieces of mandarin that are yuck after I generously gave up over half(have white pieces however miniscule on them). I took these this morning after she rustled around in the bedroom and found some pink shoes to go with the dress she had eyed up last night to wear. I love watching her dance (what is the definition of dance?). The preschoolers do look very cute as they attempt to look as graceful as their teacher. Some mean feat. The one that comes the closest in grace is her daughter in the class - who either has a natural ability or practices at home??? Their enthusism is instantly contagious. Her little brother wishes he was old enough to participate.

A good woman

"There has never been a greater need for strong families and homes."
"Life is not calm for most women."
Yes!!!!!! People get it.

Jordan's first experience with makeup

 

Getting ready for Auntie Rena's wedding - a little bit of lip gloss and blush. Wish my skin was as soft and beautiful.

Who's going to marry me?

 

Ever since Jordan found out Auntie Rena was getting married she would ask "who's going to marry me?" about herself. It was very endearing. She then decided that she would marry Jacob, her baby brother because she loved him. Whoever it will be I would count very blessed.

To all mothers -

I hope you feel what we have is a privilege.

I found this on my friends blog and found it really inspiring. I love how she
Despite how much pain she has been in and all she still says things like this -
*I prayed to my Lord and thanked him for my life. I am so happy.* *But I also remind myself that I am a perfect spirit enduring this imperfect world.
No matter how abnormal I am on this earth, my spirit knows no boundaries of any type.*
She really has the right perspective on life. Despite how hard life has been since the accident she feels blessed to be here and I love feeling the love Steph and Christain have for each other - it sounds out of this world, but it's very real. Their increased faith in Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ since their trials are an amazing inspiration. He heals our souls if we allow him to.

Life seems so easy sometimes and not so easy at others - this was a reminder of how we all go through different trials. Ours is quite small today - we have been invaded with the stomach bug - it has invaded our home but it will leave soon - here's hoping. Small trial in the big scheme of things. But I really hope it passes. I love being a mother and never imagined it could be so wonderful - with so many different emotions.

Professor Robert Whitfield said
We are not born with love. We have to be given it. Every child needs one person who is irrationally committed to their welfare. We are no one without a committed someone.
I hope that every moment of your time on this earth is treasured.

photography inspiration

Wow, a little birdie told me about a blog where the photos are just incredible. I want to take photos like that! What is stopping me? If only I knew - I take photos anyway but I would enjoy even more the result and the concept if I could get something that was anything like Ralphies with the lighting and composition - practice, practice, practice and more money invested in equipment?!!!!I know thou shalt not envy but I really wish I was at least behind Ralphie in line when they were giving out photography ability! Or only a little further back. Just a little.

Teach them truth

A snippet from General Conference a few weeks ago.

Teach them truth and teach them to live it.

Giving up is not an option. Turn to the Lord.
Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually.


It is nice to get some perspective sometimes amongst the everyday wear and tear:)

Remembering

It seems so long ago now - Hape and my wedding day but it was about 7 or so years ago - time has flown and in the meantime we have two precious children. We thank God for you every single day (at least 2x). We didn't have as much to organise as Marena and Rob so things were a bit less complicated - they did an awesome job of bringing it all together - can't wait to see the professional photos. Here are a few pics of our day.

My little sister's wedding day

Wedding day 11th April 2010 - it was really special to be a part of her special day. Jordan our daughter was the flower girl and I was maid of honor. It was special to be there as unfortunately Marena was in Utah studying when we were married. I felt emotional and it was a special moment to share with not only my sister but my daughter as well. Ever since she heard Auntie Rena was getting married she kept asking "who's going to marry me?"

While you were sleeping

Today while you were sleeping
I admired you and your cuteness
I couldn't resist a couple of shots,
testing to see if I could take one that wasn't blurry,
I put in your cot,
tidied up,
did dishes,
put out the washing,
hung out and snuggled with your sister on the couch
and thought about how much I love you both

Prima are giving away 2 more prizes

Be in to win the chance for two more great giveaways at Prima - and look out for their big secret to be revealed soon.
Check out their Blog
Prima

http://prima.typepad.com/

see if this works? prima has a secret

Prima have a secret

Yes, it's true - what will it be?
What is your guess? I am still trying to get my head around their new products and trying to source all I can:) hope we don't have too long to wait
Check out their blog - http://prima.typepad.com/

you and your sweet tooth

Glee

You are such a sweet boy - this morning your sister was upset so you came closer and rubbed her back. You love each other and it shows. I know you try and help by the little things you do like try and carry a bag out to the car. Just as your sister gets prettier each day your seem to get handsomer too. You have such a deadpan expression on your face at times even though you are enjoying yourself and other times you squeak and smile with glee.

The little things

Your laugh and smile are so endearing - you look serious so often but sometimes I am able to get this expression on film. You love to laugh at your sister over such little things - the ohter day you were both throwing blueberries on the carpet at grannies and were in hysterics over it. Love the little things you do

life with you is beautiful

"The experiences of the first three years of life are almost entirely lost to us, and when we attempt to enter into a small child's world, we come as foreigners who have forgotten the landscape and no longer speak the native tongue." Selma Fraiberg

Life with you is beautiful sounds so cliche but I love spending time with my kids - they are so much fun - she comes out with the funniest things sometimes. My favourite times with her is when she just wakes up in the morning - never know what she is going to say first to start the day. Here are some pictures of her taken over the last week.

Blessed - blue skies

Happy 2010 - amazing to think another year is upon us. Funny how things like that pass some of us by - they are both pretty unawares except that I mentioned it to her. I hope to stress less, worry less, enjoy my children more, get more sleep and enjoy each moment life throws at me - hope I notice the blue skies. I don't tend to make new years resolutions:) Some photos of memories of this year...