stephsjoy

Moving to a new domain

2014-01-03T13:19:00.000+11:00

Time to move on. Check out my new blog!
Hope to see you there!

52/52

2013-12-29T18:37:00.003+11:00

Last portrait for 2013!

LM - opening presents - is there more is the catch cry!

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week, what a lovely host!

2013 the year that was

2013-12-28T17:06:00.002+11:00

or rather the year that had to be.

2013 - would not be the year I'd like to relive again.

I'm sure like many others, my year has been bulleted by highlights and low lights.

But perhaps we just had a few too many appearances of perceived lowlights or significant life milestones in one year.

It started out with moving house last Christmas, then losing a job, then losing a loved family member.

Throw in the multiple surprise visits to the ER made for a memorable year.

Don't get me wrong, it definitely has been a year of growth and getting to know myself better, of deepening relationships, of being inspired, of learning new things. I've seen my family blossom, as we have had time to engage with each other to which I am thankful.

Christmas was fantastic, the little man got into the spirit of it, and I'm happy to say that the boy is learning self control! Let's just say no presents that were not suppose to be opened before Christmas were opened.

Hosting our first Christmas held minimal drama, everyone chipped in to help. And it was delightful to hang out with each other. There was definitely lots of merriment shared.

But like I said, one can not have too much change in a year, so I will certainly be glad for 2014 to come around!

what about you, how was 2013? Was it a memorable year? Or are you looking forward to the clock ticking over to 2014?

51/52

2013-12-22T06:58:00.002+11:00

LM - happiness of a boy holding the hand of his baby cousin!

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

5 things about Christmas

2013-12-21T20:14:00.004+11:00

Been a quiet week here on the blog, with a head cold and a broken fridge taking up most of my attention. And going fridge shopping with a 3 year old is fun... perhaps not.

Over the past month, I had been thinking about what Christmas means to me. And so here are my 5 things about Christmas.

Christmas is about reflection
Christmas affords me the time to take stock of the year just past. To see how far I have come, and where I have grown; of things accomplished, of things yet to be done, and of changes to make.

Christmas is about generosity.
Not just of things or money but of time and spirit. It's about looking out for those who have little, and sharing what we have.

Christmas is about family and friends
To spend time as a family unit and reconnect. To invest time in people we love.

Christmas is about thanksgiving
The whole concept of Thanksgiving in the US is really appealing to me. And to some extent at least for me Christmas is a equivalent. It's an opportunity to be thankful for all that we have, in what ever form it may take. For jobs, or no job, for children or no children, you get the gist of it

Christmas is about celebration.
Celebrating the birth of God's gift to man

I know that for some Christmas is a difficult time of the year, either because of lost loved ones or suffering or loneliness or broken relationships or unfulfilled desires. I have been there before in the days when we struggled with infertility. So I'm sharing this that by Steven Curtis Chapman today that brought a smile to my face.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!
May your home be filled with joy!

50/52

2013-12-15T07:52:00.002+11:00

Almost there.

LM - weekly ritual of waiting for the garbage trucks to come past the house in the mornings.

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

Gift giving

2013-12-13T08:45:00.000+11:00

Gift giving seems to be a choice topic at this time of the year, and the inbox inundated with things to buy.

A few years back for Christmas, we were all getting lots of things(mostly not really useful or wanted), and there came the stress with finding the perfect gift for that person.

We decided to stop the madness for adults on both sides of the family. We do a kris kringle. We each get one person allocated to us and we are responsible for buying a gift for them within a budget.

Everyone, then usually puts a list of things that they'd like. And the giver, then goes to pick what they want to buy. And you only have to buy one gift! A win win situation really!

These days even for the kids we might chip in towards bigger gifts from the family. I much rather do that than the kid get a whole lot of crap

My preference if you are going to give me a gift - give me something that I will use, or want not something that sits in the cupboard only to be tossed out or given away. Such a waste of resources, of the materials used to make it and of the the money used to buy it.

Or give me nothing at all, I'd be ok with that too!

How do you do gifts for adults?

Linking up with Grace today.

Make a Button Christmas Tree Card

2013-12-12T06:00:00.000+11:00

It has been a long while since I last spent time crafting myself.

Given that I much more time poor these days, any craft that is quick, simple and looks great is more my cup of tea. Anyway, with Christmas coming up, I needed some Christmas cards - so I decided to make it.

With a stash of buttons, some card, glue and a sentiment stamp, a button Christmas Tree card was created.

So quick and so easy, looks pretty good too!

I reckon that even a child could could make it too, so you could make this a Christmas activity for the kids!

Some words of advice that may help!

Set the pattern of the tree to the way you like it on the side off the card before glueing them down. Makes the whole process easier.

And if you had no glue, you could also just sew the buttons onto the card!

Call for help

2013-12-10T10:16:00.001+11:00

So last week, I was sharing with you the Women with Drive event. So what happens later in the week?

In an unsurprising turn of events, the car doesn't start and just when I was in a rush to get the boy to daycare! Doesn't that always happen, when you are in a hurry to get somewhere.

Now there really was nothing I could do, but to call for help as it wasn't a flat tyre and we didn't have a spare battery lying around.

The automated message on NRMA road service assistance relayed that it would take up to 90 minutes before I would be attended to. No surprise there.

Thankfully, they turn up 15 minutes later. (I did love the text messaging service that alerted me to that fact! Thanks NRMA!) But alas the joy is short lived, as the battery was really on it's last legs. And unfortunately, the battery service has to be requested, which would mean another wait. An hour later, the battery was replaced and we were on our way.

The upside of the morning, the Little Man got to see the what's under the car bonnet and watch the mechanics work - which he thought was simply the best.
What a funny thing about life!!

49/52

2013-12-08T07:36:00.001+11:00

Wow we are almost at the end of the year.

LM - sleeping peacefully, makes my heart melt!

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

our lonely tree

2013-12-06T07:14:00.000+11:00

Our Christmas tree is up, with all the sparkly baubles that attract little hands come constant reminders of "looking with your eyes only!"

But our tree is looking very lonely without presents under it. And I'm wrestling with how to resolve this

Typically BC(before child), we would pile the presents under the tree way before Christmas eve.

Now with a 3 year old, dare I put temptation in his way and so test his self control? And perhaps even been a cruel parent?

The tree would look as it should with presents under it, but then potentially have to rewrap presents. Then the reality of having multiple episodes of a child breaking into presents potentially not his, is not what I'd like to endure.

Or should I just take the safe approach, and keep the presents in the cupboard till Christmas eve?

What to do? Would you take a risk or be conservative? When do you put the presents under the Christmas tree?

Wordless Wednesday - Kolkatta

2013-12-04T07:02:00.000+11:00

A series of photos from my archives - Kolkatta India. The river photos are of the Ganges

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday with My little Drummer Boys, sakuraharuka and Twinkle in the Eye

What's what under the car bonnet

2013-12-03T06:00:00.000+11:00

This is a sponsored post

Have you ever been stuck somewhere with a flat tyre, called road service assistance to be told that the wait will be 90 minutes. So you wait impatiently and get frustrated when they turn up after 90mins, as you’re now late for your appointment.

Well, did you know that it only takes approx 15 minutes to change a tyre.

I sure didn’t until I attended a Women with Drive workshop hosted by Goodyear Autocare recently.

Women with Drive workshops are a free community service designed to educate women on the basic mechanical functioning of their vehicle and have been running for the last couple of years.

If you are like me, on most things about the car – I leave it to my other half to deal with and prior to having him around, I left it to the mechanic. So it was due time that I got to know my car better!

The workshop is designed for women and is taught by a licensed Goodyear Autocare mechanic.

During the workshop, we were shown how to change a tyre and also things about car maintenance and car safety, including how to identify a bald tyre and knowing what's what under the car bonnet.

One other thing that I was struck by was our instructor shared a personal story about her friend’s fight with Ovarian Cancer and how it had affected them. Currently there is no early detection test, women are usually diagnosed in the late stages of the disease - when the cancer has already spread to other organs in the body.

This year, Goodyear Autocare will be supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) – Australia’s pre-eminent ovarian cancer research body. Their aim is to raise awareness and more importantly funds for the development of a lifesaving early detection test at its Women with Drive workshops.

My top 5 learnings from the workshop:

To maintain your car in good working order, check the oil, water and tyre pressure monthly. Also ensure that your car is regularly serviced by a licensed mechanic.

Know where your car manual, tyre jack and spare tyre are located. Your manual is especially important, as it can help guide you to where things are located like where to place the tyre jack!

Have in the car boot – a car safety kit, a bottle of water and jumper lead with a spark arrester. The car safety is more than a first aid kit it contains a safety triangle and a high visibility safety vest.

If you use E10 petrol, then for every 2/3 tank of E10 use premium fuel to clean out your fuel system. It will give it a boost and help with fuel efficiency

If you fear being ripped off by your mechanic, when they tell you that certain car parts need to be replaced. Don’t be afraid to ask for used parts to be kept aside to check it.

I found the afternoon really worthwhile. I left the workshop more knowledgeable and confident about how to take care of the car. I sure don’t have to rely on the Mr so much.

You could do this too! Free workshops are being held across Australia through to June 2014, and you can register your interest here.

48/52

2013-12-01T08:18:00.001+11:00

LM - learning the alphabet is soo much fun!

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

47/52

2013-12-01T08:16:00.003+11:00

Catching up on last week's portrait.

LM - pretending to be a meercat!

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

Finished

2013-12-01T01:06:00.000+11:00

The whirlwind of the the last two weeks has dissipated.

This evening, my last major commitment was completed. Did I mention that I was running a gingerbread event at our church, during my last week of TAFE. Gladly I can say that the weight of two weeks has been lifted.

TAFE is finished! My assignments are all in.

Gingerbread event is finished!

I am looking forward to December.

There are a whole bunch of things - fun things on the list to do before Christmas for Christmas, there are also the not so glamorous like cleaning my desk and doing the filing, but I am looking forward to it.

Are you excited about December? I am !

Alive

2013-11-26T09:37:00.001+11:00

With all the things that have been on, and the assignments that I had left to complete, Sunday was it for me. I worked all night through to the morning.
I could have stopped, as there would have been time in class to complete it. However, adrenalin took over and I kept powering through and finished my assignment!

I am surprised that I held up pretty well through the day for my class, there were a few moments when the brain did not engage with the mouth, but all in all I got through the day.

The other thing was that I did not looked trashed at least no one mentioned it. Or is it because I already look like that from sleep deprivation in general?

So last night I was tempted to skip Zumba again!
Thankfully or fortunately I didn't. I felt like I had to go, you see I usually drive a friend there, and I did feel bad that she'd miss out again for the second week in a row. So I dragged myself there.

It was a good decision! An hour of moving my feet to the music, waving my hands in the air and jumping up and down was invigorating.
I was pumped and felt ALIVE ! Those endorphins really got me going, you know that moment when you feel so vibrant and full of life, that you can take on the World!

Sometimes we do stuff we don't really feel like we want to do at the time because we say we're too tired or it's too hard, but it always yields far greater benefits than we can imagine. Last night was it!

So today, I'm just going to do stuff I don't want to do and see what happens!

Linking up for IBOT with Jess today!

PS - I ordered the wine!

Five Minute Friday - FLY

2013-11-22T21:49:00.001+11:00

Five Minute Friday today!

If you want to join in, here's how to play!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link to www.lisajobaker.com and invite others to join in.
3. You need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Todays' word is FLY

It seems like just yesterday, we fed you spoonful by spoonful. Today, you make choices, picking up the tongs to serve yourself and even me.

"what would you like mummy?"

"some chips please"

"okay" comes the reply

and is closely followed up by action. The chips are picked up and placed onto the plate.

It's hard to imagine the little baby boy, so dependent once, now helps with the laundry, unpacking the dishwasher and even with washing the car.

You are growing up so quickly with a mind of your own, picking the books that you want to read, the things you want to watch. These days are filled moments of sweetness and moments of full independence displayed with defiance. Moments that tell us that you are learning to fly, and growing your own character.

Wordless Wednesday - Elevate Everyday Part 2

2013-11-20T06:30:00.000+11:00

Looking for beauty in the everyday. Some of the things in my life documented as part of Elevate the Everyday with Big Picture Classes!

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday with My little Drummer Boys, sakuraharuka and Twinkle in the Eye

Exhausted

2013-11-19T01:02:00.002+11:00

Is it just me or are you feeling it too?
It seems like the year is moving way to fast with just so many things to do and get to. Then throw in a child that wakes in the middle of the night. Makes for one exhausted mum!

Admittedly some late nights were self inflicted - like watching a chick flick was good for my sanity right?

Tonight I was suppose to head out for a zumba class, I chose to ditch it instead. I opted to have a nap. I know that going to the class would have been good, but the sleep was needed.

2 hours later, I am up and writing this. Am very thankful that it was Daddy's night to put Little Man to bed. Am feeling refreshed though

There were other plans for the blog tonight, but truth be told, I ditched it too.

I've just looked at my diary and already feeling the weight of events scheduled in the next two weeks, alongside trying to get all my assignments done, and making sure our household continues to run. The to do list keeps growing, and it looks like I am just going to have to focus on the urgent things - and not the important just to keep my head afloat.

Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel, I just have to get through the next 2 weeks. I am just going to have to do one thing at a time, and hopefully everything else will fall into place.

Just rewrote my todo list, am already feeling a bit less daunted by what I have to get completed.

What tips do you have for an exhausted individual? Are you feeling exhausted too?

Linking up for IBOT with Jess today!

46/52

2013-11-17T07:33:00.005+11:00

LM - something about puddles and boys.

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week

Five Minute Friday - Tree

2013-11-15T21:30:00.002+11:00

Life has been pretty chaotic here, but I have been looking for to Fridays and writing for 5 minutes. The sentences are but a few but the words they are mine.

Feel free to join in. See more at: Lisa- Jo Baker

The topic this week is Tree.

With the warmth of the summer sun as I stand from the deck at the back of the house, I see this massive tree in the distance. It's leaves are full and strong, bright green shimmering in the sunlight.

As Autumn approaches, I stand watching the leaves turn that beautiful autumn gold, and slowly one by one as each day passes the leaves fall and the tree begins to loose that vibrancy of life.

By the time the cool of winter arrives, the tree is almost barren, yet somehow as I stand looking at this massive tree, though barren is striking in the winter light. It's imposing statute against the winter sky speaks as life and hope of the Spring to come.

Discovery: Song of Australia

2013-11-14T10:02:00.000+11:00

One of the things that I've discovered since becoming a parent is youtube. Our household is on youtube consistently throughout the week, as we have a boy who loves machines that move.

Anyhow, I discovered this on you tube this week and thought I'd share, as I loved it. It's the Song of Australia by Colin Buchanan with some other famous singers. Check it out!

Adoption

2013-11-12T09:50:00.000+11:00

I do not profess to be an expert on adoption, but I do have a personal perspective to share. And my experience is clearly biased as adoption was the means to which we became a family of 3.

After years of trying without much such success. It became abundantly clear that we could never add to our family naturally. Infertility would win, or so it would seem.

But ever being the planner, in the last year of IVF treatments, I had already been investigating alternative options to form our family.

It would be fair to say, that we did not get to this place willingly or easily. It took time to get our heads around this , and eventually M and I ended up in sync. We would go down the adoption route.

For various reasons that were important to us, we chose to adopt through international channels. From our perspective, we felt that we were able to offer a child a loving home and stability.

After months of form filling, interviews with social workers, we were finally approved. Paperwork seemed to be an inherent part of the process alongside waiting. In the end the waiting would be worthwhile, our child today is happy and greatly loved by his family.

One thing that did surprise me when we shared our news upon my son's arrival, is the number of people that we knew unbeknown to us that were touched by adoption.

This week, November 10-17 is National Adoption Awareness week.

In Australia, the number of adoptions finalised during 2011-2012 was 333 of which 149 from intercountry adoptions, 59 local adoptions and 129 from known child adoptions. Adoption has been on decline and we have one of the lowest adoption rates in the world. At the same time we have the a disproportionate number of abortions in the country.

In 2012, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare there are 40000 children in out of home care. Children who are unable to live with their families due to neglect or abuse. Yet the adoption has not been seen as an suitable alternative to create care for children in the system.

You hear of kids that are in care that move from foster family to foster family, can you imagine how unsettling would that be.

I recall in an adoption seminar that I went to, a teenage boy who had been in long term care with his foster family, shared that all he wanted was to be adopted by them.

You hear of the shortage of foster carers. I can rationalise why that would be, who would like to care and love for child and know that at some point in time the child would move on.

It is heartening to me that here in our state of New South Wales since late 2012 that there are moves to change the current policy and consider adoption as an option for neglected kids that are in care.

I know that adoption is not a black and white issue, it is not clear cut. Throughout out history both here and abroad there have been issues with this; forced removal of children has left bitter memories for those impacted. I feel sad about that.

Practices have changed. Today, adoption is an open affair, where birth parents know who is adopting their child and provide their consent. Contact can be or is maintained. And at the heart of it, is the what is in the best interest of the child.

From my point of view, adoption offers a child a secure place, it gives them a sense of belonging where they can flourish. The image I have in my head is that of a child learning to jump into the water, waiting for the outstretched arms of their parent. As they hesitate, they are reassured and knowing that there is someone to catch them, they leap into the water into their parents waiting arms.

To me adoption has been the most marvellous way to love!

Have you been touched by adoption?

Joining IBOT today

45/52

2013-11-10T08:26:00.000+11:00

LM - eating a squeezie yogurt

A portrait of my Little Man, once a week, every week in 2013"

Inspired by Jodi - 52 a portrait a week