Baby bibs

I started making baby bibs the other day. There are plenty of tutorials on the web for this, and this particular idea was really easy. I bought white towelling for the backs of the bibs (nice and absorbent) and went through my stash for the fabric fronts. On some of them I added applique and on one of them I just left it blank because the fabric is pretty busy.

Before anyone asks - no, I don't know that we are having a girl yet. I just happened to make four girly bibs first. I've picked out some boy fabric too, that I will start on today. The pattern is a little small, these bibs will be good for a relatively young baby, so I'll need to re-draw the pattern and make some bigger. It is so fun!

I was thinking there is the potential to add ribbon and all sorts of stuff on there, and they work out to be super cheap and pretty quick to sew up.

I'll keep you posted of any new creations!

A little sewing project

I like to be organised. That is part of the reason why my husband and I are going to find out what gender our baby is - and I can't wait! We find out in a little under three weeks, and then look out sewing machine - I'll be sewing up a storm - creating a baby quilt, sewing some cute little clothes and creating the nursery.

Last year I made the boy version of a little raggy patchwork quilt - super easy design, out of flannels. My idea was to have a "travel" quilt that stays in the car and can be taken around the place when our little one gets cold. So, with the idea that this baby could possibly be a girl, I had to make a girly version too, just in case. I made this one out of pink flannel and a monkey design. I really love them - what do you think? They are super cuddly.

I'm now thinking of making simple little cotton carry bags to put them in. I'm really itching to sew, but I'm finding that I can't really do too much more until we find out whether it is a boy or girl. There are so many beautiful ideas on the internet and so many unbelievably creative people - it is very inspiring.

Anyway....I'm off to get some more ideas. Have a great day.

Our wonderful news

Well, I've been keeping this close to my chest for a while now, but thought it was definitely time to share the wonderful news - that we are expecting our first baby at the end of September! I am officially 15 weeks today and feeling really well.

I have been humbled and amazed by the many people who have shown such kindness in praying for this miracle - I thank you all so much. Sometimes I just can't believe that this little person is growing and forming....as I can't really feel anything yet. My tummy is getting a bit bigger and I have experienced some morning sickness early on, but I'm definitely looking forward to feeling the baby kick!

We have had several scans already, due to our history of miscarriages and each time we see our little one on the ultrasound, it just takes my breath away. During the last ultrasound it was sucking its thumb - so sweet!

Praise God!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Ephesians 3:20-21

It has been awhile!

I can't believe it has been so many weeks that I last posted a blog post. A lot has been happening, but just wanted to say that I'll be posting an update tomorrow with some exciting news!

Keeping it real

I love to read. I'm not a particularly fast reader and I have a major problem with starting several books at once and having a pile on my bedside table that is far too high. But in saying that, it is such a privilege to be able to learn from many other wise people who have gone before us. I have been considering lately how difficulties in life really are opportunities given to us from God. The important thing is how we view them and who we decide to trust and follow right in the often ugly depth of our situation.

In "Becoming God's True Woman" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, there is a chapter that is on nuturing mothers. It talks about the struggles that Hannah in the Bible faced before she had Samuel. I love the following,

"Hannah's story illustrates that wherever we are, and whatever the circumstances in our lives, God never forgets or forsakes us. That does not mean that we will not experience disappointment and loss - Scripture is clear that believers will suffer. Perhaps it is a mark of God's confidence when he lifts his hand from a godly woman - though for a brief time - and allows her to go through heartache and sorrow. I think of women I have known who have gone through great hearteaches and trials but have maintained a steadfast trust in the Lord. I, too, want to praise him , even in the dark, painful seasons of life." (p154-155)

Isn't that so true? It is only often at the end of our difficult season that we can see how God has worked and how he has sustained us - may I always know that whatever He leads me to, He will lead me through.

On the Metro Moms blog, they posted lyrics from songwriter Phil Keaggy. Great words.

Disappointment - His appointment,
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing
Though it may come in disguise
For the end from the beginning,
Open to His wisdom lies.

Disappointment - His appointment
Whose? The Lord’s who loves best.
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test.

For like loving, earthy parent
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.

Disappointment - His appointment
No good thing will he withhold
From denials oft we gather
Treasures from His love untold.

Well, He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointment - His appointment
Lord I take it then as such,
Like the clay in hands of potter
Yielding wholly to Thy touch

All my life’s plan is Thy molding
Not one single choice be mine
Let me answer unrepining,
Father not my will but Thine.

Back to blogging

I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks - no real reason why I haven't. I guess I just haven't been inspired to write about anything in particular. The busyness of life takes over sometimes!

Some of you may have noticed lots of background changes on my blog lately....I've been changing my mind here and there - and decided to go with a simple black background.

Well, a lot has been happening around here - will update on past events in a little while, but for now just wanted to post about a really good book I'm currently reading. "Becoming God's True Woman" is edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and has some excellent chapters by other godly women. I highly recommend the book and if you haven't been to Nancy's website, Revive our Hearts, go there too! Her radio program is great!

Peanut butter and fudge ice cream pie and birthday fun!

Valentine's Day is my husband's birthday, so we really only concentrate on that - which is totally fine with me. We tend to celebrate our wedding anniversary as Valentine's Day anyway.

We had a small gathering of friends and family on Friday night for dinner, which was really nice. There was far too much food - but it was great. I made one of the best dips ever - tex mex. Absolutely love it!

I also made a Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie with Chocolate Fudge sauce for dessert. Boy was it rich! I think next time I would change the recipe and not add so much peanut butter. But, my husband loved it, which I was happy with!

We went out for a delicious breakfast to a French cafe yesterday morning - YUM! Then our friends Simon and Lucy came over for lunch and to play boardgames. Then, we finished of the day by going to one of the Cirque du Soleil shows that is in town. It was fabulous and such a good show to watch. Birthdays are fun! Love you gorgeous - hope you had a fun day - here's to the next year together! xx

Bushfires

I don't know if this has been shown on the news in other places, but our country has/is experiencing the worst bushfires in our history. The fires started in the state of Victoria on Saturday and they are still burning. Nearly 200 people have died, many more are missing and over 1000 homes have been destroyed.

The heat and wind are expected to pick up in the next few days, so as you can imagine, this is not a good thing for trying to control the fires. Please pray for rain (which is not forecast) or at least the authorities to get control of these terrible fires. Pray also for the victims and their families, that they may come to know the Lord who is able to comfort us in times of greatest trouble.

Babysitting duties

The other day I babysat my one year old niece. We had a great time together listening to Veggie Tales while eating an egg sandwich and then strawberries for dessert. She is quite a serious little thing, but she loved the music and was smiling quite a lot for the camera. Sweet girl!

Motivate me Monday

I haven't had much to post about this week. It has been a challenging week for various reasons that I might go into more detail about another time - so this really short 'Motivate me Monday' post is just an encouragement to you all. I saw this for the first time during the week and absolutely loved it. The song is just beautiful and was very appropriate to me. I hope you find it as encouraging as I did!

Click here for more 'Motivate me Monday posts.

Crafty update

I finished sewing a little Babushka doll for my god daughter's first birthday this coming Thursday. While I was making it, I thought it would be cute to make her a little matching t-shirt. I had a new white singlet and drew up a design and this is how it turned out. Hopefully she'll like it! It was fun to make, definitely one that I'd do again.

It is 'Australia Day' today - a national holiday for all us Aussies. My husband and I are going over to my best friend's house, along with some others for dinner and to play board games, go for a swim and hang out together - it should be great.

I go back to work tomorrow (I'm a teacher) after about five and a half weeks holiday. I'm not dreading it, but it is always a little difficult to go back after such a nice break. I work part-time, while we wait to hopefully start a family of our own very soon. I'm looking forward to meeting my new classes, and teaching some of the students I taught last year. Please pray that it is an easy transition!

A pedicure

This afternoon I had my first pedicure and it was great! A friend of mine gave me a gift voucher for a day spa and I decided to spend some of it on a pedicure. I didn't realise the attention and effort they put into one - it was fantastic and very luxurious. I highly recommend it!

Motivate Me Monday

I've been thinking a lot lately about the sovereignty of God. In the normal hustle and bustle of each day, it can be easy to lose sight of this sovereignty, or to sinfully live our lives as if we were sovereign and not God.

My husband and I have just enjoyed three weeks holiday in some beautiful locations. I really appreciate having this time to relax and refocus, particularly at the beginning of a new year. I'm not one for making resolutions, but I always start the year with my goal to know God more and to learn to trust Him in all things. It is quite easy to trust him in the "small" things that are relatively easy to let go of. This year I want to lay all of my concerns and plans at His feet and trust Him with the results. Sometimes I don't understand the path that He leads me on, sometimes the path isn't easy - but I want to trust Him, no matter what.

John Piper explains the concept of using means, but not trusting the means, but God in the following from this article:

This sounds so simple. In principle it is. But in practice we sinners are wired to trust in means, not God. Over and over I devise plans, and then find my initial enthusiasm rise or fall as the plan seems smart or not. This is trust in plans, not trust in God. There is no doubt God wants us to use means to get his work done. But just as clearly he wants us not to trust in these means. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31). Therefore, our confidence should not be in the horse, but in the Lord. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

The surest way that I'm going to trust God is to read my Bible and to know him more and to consistently pray. The 5.16am girls have been a real blessing to me. It is so great to be involved with others who encourage me on this path. This year I want to graciously honor God in the circumstances that he leads me to. How about you? :)

To read more Motivate Me Mondays, go to Sarah Mae's blog.

Back to baking and thinking about creating...

After being away for three weeks, I've really been looking forward to getting back to my kitchen and cooking again. Tonight we are going to my sister in laws for dinner, so I thought I'd bake some cupcakes. Nothing fancy, just added chocolate butter icing and a chocolate freckle on top. Yummo!

The last few months I've been collecting pink and aqua fabric to make into a quilt for a daughter (if I have one, one day!). I love the range I've collected so far, and I'm quite surprised at how many different fabrics I've collected - now I just have to pick a pattern (and have a little girl, ha!).

The other thing I have to start this week is the doll that I am making my god daughter for her first birthday on the 29th January. Here is a picture of it, I have chosen some really sweet pink and green fabrics rather than the blue and red. Isn't it sweet?!

If you can, please pray for Kelly who has just had her first baby, Harper. Harper is having trouble breathing and has been diagnosed with serious pneumonia. Please pray for this lovely family, that they will know God's peace and comfort at this distressing time.

I'm back!

Well, after almost three weeks away, I'm finally back home and ready to post some of my photos that I took while being on holiday. My husband and I just arrived home today. We have been on a camping holiday with friends and it was truly great. I feel so relaxed and fortunate to have seen so many beautiful places.

It is summer here in Australia, and the beaches are magnificent. The last three weeks we have pretty much seen the beach everyday. We camped in several different spots, seeing some new parts of our state that we haven't seen before.

For the first ten days of our holiday, we were involved in what we call a 'beach mission' which is sort of like a Vacation Bible School, but it is run in a holiday park for the families visiting. Sort of like a really short missions trip. We run different activities for children - teaching them about Jesus and the Bible. We met lots of young people who were keen to attend each day and it was a great time of fellowship with other believers (who were on team) and sharing our faith with those people holidaying around us.

After beach mission was finished we had another two weeks where we travelled around and relaxed with our good friends Ben and Kylie and their gorgeous 7 month old little boy, Samson. My husband treated me to two nights at a beach side resort before we came home. It was very nice indeed - in fact, we spent part of our honeymoon at this resort four and a half years ago, so it was nice to go back. And after camping for such a long time, it was great to be pampered. Here are some of the photos.

Ben and little Samson (enjoying his first swim at the beach!)

One of the unbelievable beaches we stayed at - it was sooo beautiful in the water!

Kylie, checking the dinner cooking.

Shaun and Kristy enjoying their dinners.

Craig & Ben cooking dinner one night - a Jamie Oliver pasta, yum!

The boys hung the clean washing between the cars on the beach to dry - brilliant!
My husband and I at the beach near our resort yesterday

I love this one of Craig!

Another beach shot. Love it!

On the boardwalk from our room to the beach. The pool overlooking the ocean.

Isn't it beautiful?

The view from the restaurant where we had breakfast every morning.

I'm looking forward to catching up my reading of the blogs I visit, and although it was a great time away, there is something nice about being home.

*I've just heard that one of my close friends was on the plane that crashed into the Hudson River. She is visiting family in the US, praise God everyone was ok!