Well, Christmas Eve was fun.  We sent the kids to mums for a few hours so we could clean up, then in the afternoon we went to a carol service at a local church.  A lot of our friends were there (including non church friends) and so we had a ball.  They held a sausage sizzle afterwards, which was lovely.  Then we drove home via the christmas lights house.  It was great - a bit tacky in places - but that delicious feeling of holding both my kids hands as they stared in awe around them - delighted at the lights and sounds!  Wonderful!

We came home and began the battle to get kids into bed - by the time they were asleep i was exhausted and still had things to do - finally crawling into bed at 2.00am.  I didn't sleep well - excitement at awaiting the kids discovering their stockings.  Eventually I got everyone up at 9.00 so we could open stockings before guests arrived.  I must admit I was tired and cranky when the rellies all arrived, but once I began to relax and enjoy it, it turned out to be a lovely day.  The kids loved their presents and loved playing with their cousins.  My 12 y/o niece basically babysat my 19mth old all day and, after I had served up lunch, I could sit back and relax and enjoy.  The food was plenty, everyone seemed content and we actually talked to each other (which sometimes you don't do when things are busy).

I had a big nap after they'd all gone - and so did B.  Then we had a very late sleep in on Boxing Day before driving to my brothers to do it all again.  We were late - a big no no and they started presents without us.  However after that little hiccup all was well.  I had a lovely time with my brothers - even the one who normally races off.  The only downside was that I wanted to drop in on a friend and didn't get to. 

Today has been our quiet, rest and catch up day - for the kids to explore all their new goodies - castles and dragons for R and dollies for B.  I had a lovely long bath after breakfast and now I need to go and do washing and other hum drums - still it is nice to just potter.  Anyway, must go - hope you all had a lovely Christmas too!

The countdown is almost over and we still have heaps to do. I just pray amidst all the stress we find time to love and enjoy! And the same goes for you all!

At last I have managed to load our photo from playgroup Christmas party!  Enjoy and Hopefully I can post more soon....

I hate it when my husband is proved right.  For years we have argued over Christmas Trees.  When we were first married and lived in a small unit we bought a small fake tree and have used it ever since.  This year, with 2 kids, a bigger house and people coming for Christmas he FINALLY agreed to have a real one.  We went for a drive and picked one.  Yesterday I decorated it - putting the candy canes and breakable balls out of reach.  Of course, B started pulling balls off straight away and bouncing them.  Then she pulled the tree over - water everywhere, broken glass etc....  I cleaned up, topped up its bucket and redecorated.  Then it fell over again.....  I hate it when he's proved right!  Now the tree is up again and decorated but noone is allowed near it and no presents are under it - what fun!

Tried to load a Christmas Photo for you all but it wouldn't let me!

Had a rough night, B has a horrid green runny nose and can't breathe, plus a high temperature. R wouldn't go to sleep - had to have mummy with him, then got up early this morning. He has gone back to sleep, but then B woke up and wanted a feed (bit hard when you can't breathe). So there's me lying diagonally across the bed, a child on one arm and another child across my legs, with his head on my hip - not the most comfortable!

Get up and have to dose the dog up and then dose the child up and then think of all the things we have to do today - clean up, decorate the tree, mow the lawn, mow preschool's lawn, take the dog to the vet - AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH! Can I go back to bed now? Oh, that's right there's no room for me there - my son and husband have taken over the bed. Oh well.

On a more serious note, R has been very mummy focused lately. Mummy has to put him to bed, Mummy has to read him stories - not Daddy - even though Daddy is there and willing. he wants me to lie with him until he goes to sleep, which I generally can't do as his sister objects too much. He wants to be in my bed. Last night he was upset because I was cranky with him and he told me he doesn't like it when I'm mad at him. We talked for a bit but I have to agree I am tired and cranky and not dealing with everything. I try not to take it out on them but it is hard when they do crazy things - eg tipping toys out everywhere when I have just cleaned up.

i did take them to the pool yesterday which was a hit - and he is really a good swimmer, just lacking in teh confidence to trust himself. he gets panicky. Even at the party the other day, he wouldn't come down the slippery dip (a huge one) on his own - yet his sister would. he is too scared. He used to be so confident and even crazy at times. I am wondering what is going on - or is this normal and I am being paranoid??

Well, amazing things happen.  I have been stressing over our finances and Christmas etc...  (still am if truth be known) when some amazing things happened - a Christmas hamper turned up on our doorstep with no card and no idea who from - amazing!!!  Also some money from the government arrived this week unexpectedly.

On teh down side our lovely dog has an ulcer in her eye and needs multiple daily treatments and regular vet checks - a worry - and on top of everything else I have to do.  Very sad - hoping she recovers soon.  Must go, child awakening....

Yesterday was our Christmas Party for playgroup and we had a great time.  We booked a kids play centre and had food & Santa come.  It astonishes me how accepting kids are of Santa.  My son was concerned that Santa woudl not have read his letter, but somehow (!) he knew exactly what to give him - a pirate puzzle!  The kids whose grandad had dressed up as Santa didn't recognise him and none of the kids screamed at him which was good. B was a bit wary but was OK. 

Then later we went to the shopping centre and there was Santa taking photos.  R climbed right up there and started telling Santa all about his puzzle.  He wasn't the slightest bit concerned at how Santa looked different or was confused about the puzzle - belief is a powerful thing I guess.  B was very wary and took a long time to sit next to him.  Then we could not get a photo with the 2 of them looking at us and smiling - even after taking about 20.  Still, teh wonder of the digital age is that she can retouch and mix the photos to get ne good one (I hope)!  Great fun.

R is adamant he wants to put the decorations up, but we haven't picked out a tree yet. We have a fake one that is quite small (bought in our days in a terrace house in sydney), but I have worked on DH for months to get a real one.  We are surrounded by them, living near a pine forest and he refused as they are a weed and a pain.  Still, one less weed, I said!  Anyway he has not been home to get one for us, so we may resort to teh fake on in the end....

Got this today on email and thought I woudl share:

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? 
Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? 
Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels.  However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what's mportant.
 
 Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.  I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station.  We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!
 
The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.  My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
 
 Many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it.
And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.
When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.  
You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
You'll be happy you did.
 
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."
 
I began to see garbage trucks.  I see the load they're carrying.
I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.
 
One of my favorite football players  did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled.   He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.  
 
Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.
 
The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.  

Well the advent calendars are going well - however we keep forgetting to light the candles, the house is STILL a mess and the decorations are not up - maybe I'd better get off here and get my butt moving!  I think the presents are just about done (though not wrapped) and I just need to worry about food.  I've been asking around for ideas on feeding on a budget and I think we'' ll get there (I may even write some advice about it).

Amid all the stress two things have put it all in perspective - one the death of a friend of my husband's (see blog earlier this week), leaving his family one short for Christmas and reminding me that life is not eternal and we need to be aware of the wider picture.  Take joy in every day with your family and friends, keep in touch and express how you feel.  Be mindful of those who have lost as Christmas can be very painful.

The other thing was one of those chance events that remind you that there is a purpose in life.  A friend called me and asked if I would come round and read the Bible with her.  We didn't know what to read and decided on Esther - a very powerful story and one of the books of the Bible that never mentions God - weird!  Anyway the short version - a nasty man full of hatred and pride condemns the jews to death and through Esther they gain a reprieve.  They are full of rejoicing and celebrate.  They determine to make their celebration (purim) a national celebration that will remind them of their salvation - they feast and give gifts.

And I thought, is that not what Christmas is - a celebration in our "rescue", the joy of no longer being under death sentence, of being loved by the almighty God.  That is how we should rejoice & celebrate - and remember!  Not bitching about the expense and who goes where and all the other things (real though they are) that bring Christmas down to a nuisance or a difficult time. 

So I for one needed a change of perspective and a new lease of joy in this season.  Now I am trying to think of ways we as a family can make it a joyous time of celebration.  So I am determined to relax, give thanks and try and make this Christmas one of joy and remembrance.

For lovers of Ginger Meggs, the artist who has drawn it for the last 24 years passed away last Monday from Motor Neurone Disease. He was a highly respected artist, a beloved husband and father of three - our thoughts are with his family....

Well, today starts our official countdown to Christmas.  We started the advent calendars - all four!  (one R made at school, a chocolate one each and a christian one - overdoing it, I don't think!).  I made a wreath (bought the round part at a florist 6 months ago and covered it with ribbon, tinsel and balls - oh and white poinsettia leaves/flowers) and set up the candles to light - one for each week.

Monday we might put the decorations up but the room is still too messy to do it.

However we have been very busy - mum and dad arrived back on oz on monday.  So we spent the weekend tidying up and finishing off their house, then a few days catching up over dinner etc...  They now live about three blocks from us which is lovely after having them overseas for the last nine years.  Though they will be travelling and doing some short term work so they won't always be there.

Then I have been preparing for a market/fair tomorrow where I have a Fair Trade stall.  First stall I have done in a while so I have spent a lot of time getting ready and desperately hope it doesn't rain.  On top of that I have been organising our playgroup end of year do and Christmas craft (after the stuff we ordered in October didn't arrive).

i think I have done most of the Christmas shopping, so it will be nice to spend some time at home tidying, cleaning and preparing.  We now have 20 people coming for Christmas lunch which is the biggest we have ever done and I am a bit freaked out!  However, one day and a time and see how the stall goes tomorrow first....