So In Love

I love this song. I think it will be my summer anthem x

It's been so long since a 'feel good jam' was released, this song is a breath of fresh air to me.

Quick gym update - I have been going for about 3 months I think and it just keeps getting better and while I have actually only lost about 5kgs in weight, I lost six centimetres from my butt (OMgee!) and more from my waist and thighs (but the six of my butt alone was pretty shocking) I was upset at first saying "Oh no! I still wanna be bootylicious..." she glanced back and said to me "Oh, you're still bootylicious." Praise the Lord! Hahaha. So I do Step, Pump and Kick Boxing - it rocks!

I love the Lord. I gotta say.

Psalm 20:4, 5, 7

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. 

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory 

and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. 

May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, 

but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

Just a collage of beautiful Aotearoa skies - I love where I live.

No Monday-i-tis for me!

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." 

Psalm 8:9 "LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

This could quite possibly be my Wordless Wednesday equivalent seeing as 

Monday is my day off!

I always forget about Wordless Wednesday and miss it.

Anyway today I did "nothing much"

I lay in bed till mid morning.

Had pikelets for breakfast (YUM) 

And watched a movie.

Then goofed with The Boys:

(Hmmm, young fella doesn't look sick does he... I think it was a father-son scam...)

Haha - he just loves the camera! 

Behind it, in front of it - he doesn't care as long as he's got it.

(I, on the other hand, prefer to be behind it)

Oops - clearly I missed the wordless part of Wednesday posts!

Ah - I'll try it next time!

It's a new season

I'm not a fan of Summer.

I don't like to be HOT.

I have survived balmy nights and scorching days thanks to a generous friend with an 'open gate' policy and her lovely salt water pool! I bless the Lord for Raewyn! She didn't even mind my midnight dips! (AND while beach swimming usually dreads my hair her pool jhuzed my curls - LOVING my hair this summer!) 

While I was on a Cruise to Noumea with my sisters; my husband (what a Legend!) moved our entire home! The need to move arose suddenly and we moved only twenty minutes away but My Big Fella packed and moved the WHOLE house!

I came back from holiday, voila, all done. Incredibly blessed! We haven't unpacked entirely yet but we have space for all our knick knacks and there is still room to breath!
We can sleep people marae style in our lounge! Yay!


My sweet, sweet nieces.
You know it's love when they are teething and it's 3am and you haven't gone to bed yet for pacing the lounge with them, you are due to be somewhere at 8am, but it's OK. No worries!

 

They stayed for the weekend. I cried when they left.

(What a sook, right. I think my husband enjoyed the novelty of a sobbing wife. 

I didn't mind the vulnerability)

Four of six! My two younger brothers are missing from this photo, occasions where we are all together and looking presentable are SO rare! Love that God moved me away so that I could love, appreciate and know my family better. I always thought we were close but moving showed me we were not. 

Every minute together is treasured now. Thank you God.

(Do you love that all three of us girls wear glasses the same style - maybe cos we all have round faces)

Praying Salvation for my brothers. Knowing Gods will "that none would perish" I thank Him for the day!

Television became a distant memory this Summer.

(though Facebook could do with a kick in the pants!)

I am loving board games! And parks. Snoozing under trees on warm sunny days.

Bonfires. (Oh bonfires!) Toasted marshmallows. Walking the dog.

SAUSAGES AND BREAD! Fresh fruits!

(I didn't pick strawberries this summer but BOY did I eat them)

Sharing: Life. Fully.

Getting a glimpse of Gods bigger picture.

My husband was ordained (I am a Pastors wife - eek) along with two others!

My son started at Intermediate (aaah!)

My Boss gave me an iPhone!

My sisters shouted me on a Cruise.

God is good. All the time.

All the time. God is good.

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Psalm 119:30-35

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; 

   I have set my heart on your laws. 

I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; 

   do not let me be put to shame. 

I run in the path of your commands, 

   for you have broadened my understanding.

 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, 

   that I may follow it to the end.

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law 

   and obey it with all my heart. 

Direct me in the path of your commands, 

   for there I find delight

Hymn

We had a phenomenal Women's Conference! Vicki Simpson was The Business! She said it was prophesied that she is a jack hammer and BOY was she! No mucking around, she jumped straight it and busted things up! AWESOME!! I officially LOVE Italians.

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My Mama used to sing this all the time:

I didn't come here to ask You for anything
Oh I just came to say: Thank You Lord.
You answered my many prayers that I forgot to thank You for
So I just came to say: Thank You Lord.

Maybe tomorrow
There'll be sadness and sorrow
And a thousand tear drops may fall....
But until I face tomorrows task
I have no special things to ask
Oh I just came to say: Thank You Lord....

I think in the bigness of this World we live in - with celebrity lifestyle and reality tv and people wanting more, more, more and now, now, now - we can sometimes forget the simple things...

A hug
A wave
A smile
A laugh
A please
A thank you
A hand to lift
An ear to listen
A shoulder to cry on
even
The place you rest

...they matter to me... they should matter to 'we'....

I have moved into the spare room.
This is probably not a good idea and it may not last long but I am loving my space and the bed (a queen) to myself and the quiet. I get to have my 450 thread count sheets with my too soft pillows on a too soft mattress. Our bed (a super king) was made, perfectly, for my husband. It is rock hard and I really don't like it - so mini, pointless I might add, protest is on the cards and I am in the spare room. So far three nights, last night The Boss Man joined me. I like to think he wanted to be near me, however, it has also been really cold in these parts so seeing as I am a walking hottie (lol) I think there is other selfish reasoning.

Ok, what is on my heart at the moment:

My marriage: We are very busy. We hardly see each other AND he is really... irritable and irritating. Next weekend we are spending time together, not doing Church (though I think we will, we both love the house of God) but I'm praying God will breathe a fresh appreciation into my marriage - I don't want to be stale.

My future: I have not completely let go of my Waikato roots. I miss my whanau so much, miss the ease of their company, the laughter and hilarity that only comes when you know someone inside out. Anyway, I know I am called here but I would go home tomorrow if I could.

I need to load photos soon so much has happened that I am not adding... see you soon.

She's very crafty

Cracks me up the double meaning for the word 'crafty' and the care you must have when using it in 'mixed' company.

Anyway - I have a fabulous friend who is very crafty and seeing as I am a Craft-Amateur, I leap on every little thing she deems 'simple' but this one has step by step instructions with photos and even the photos are gorgeous. So here I share: The Purl Bee

We have a Women's Conference next weekend - probably should've posted this a long time ago - but should you find yourself at a loose I would love to meet you! Come on down!

Equippers Women

While I cannot guarantee you will meet Crafters, you'll definitely meet Gifted women, passionate, with a heart after God.

What else is happening at the moment...

TODAY - two of the sweetest people I know are getting married!! About time many would say, but God's timing is perfect - they were made for each other in the sincerest sense of the words... I love a good wedding and am determined not to cry (seeing as I have to sing shortly after the Bride arrives and knowing a runny nose will do me no aide!) 

And the sweetest engagement too: They had agreed to no presents for their anniversary and decided on a picnic dinner at the beach... then he surprises her with this box.... a photo of his hand, with the engagement ring sitting on top, two glasses filled with her favourite sweets, yummy grape juice - who knew romance was still so alive and well!

Hm, wedding anniversary next Weds - not sure if we'll do anything - nine years seems a little flat to celebrate - never know maybe I'll get a surprises too! Haha.

Ok, I better get going - usually I leave the Getting Ready too late and then I'm in a flap!!

Hugs to you!

Uh oh!

How do you keep up when you have subscribed to a lot of reads? (is this the time consuming part of blogging...? Geez I'm an amateur.) 

I went and checked out Widge and then I looked at what she reads and found bliss in a tea cup and there I found Small Town Stories which I couldn't figure out how to follow so I guess that slays that one for me anyway BUT THE LIST WAS NEVER ENDING and so I find myself here asking the question: Should I quit while I'm ahead?

Anyways, life seems to be getting back to 'settle' 

I've thrown a tanty lately, like a spoiled brat, though (again like I spoiled brat) I think it was well deserved of it's receiver... I think we have made progress.

Also I am trying to relax a bit. I love the  REALity of fellow bloggers and sometimes I actually am a little over cautious I think. Sometimes I completely clam up and say kaka, blah blah blah, nothings. Other times I have been like a tap with no off valve!

So expect me more relaxed (cos that is what I am praying for) 

I complained to a friend about the complaining of my friends and she said to me 

"Sweetie. I think it is about calling." 

to which I replied 

"What are you trying to say?! I need to suck it up?!" (can you hear my annoyance...)

she (with a deep sigh) replied 

"Yes. You do."

.

.

.

So apparently I am a 'Carer' My attitude can be pretty average when I say to God "But I can't be bothered..." I know now, I need to get educated! People talk to me for a reason (and please hear me - I love to be here for my friends, for anyone but don't complain to me over and over and over and over and then tell me you didn't ask God or attempt any of the things I suggested - that is about the point when "I can't be bothered") but I need to be on my game if I am to be any help to anyone! And you know what else... I need to get back to loving me. Busyness leaves little me time - so now, my new word is NO. Honestly I am not good at NO. Knowing I am busy I try and squeeze people in everywhere I can, but it is not good for me (or my family - no one likes a cranky wife!) So.... maybe I'll be on here more, maybe I'll watch more movies MAYBE I'll read some books (haha - I am actually reading the Chronicles of Narnia, I am a book behind my boy and he is loving having someone to discuss the books with - it's nice for us)

Anyway - again - I appreciate the eye-opening the blogging has done for me. Thank you Ladies!

xx

I love worship.

Air I Breathe

(hm, I'm not sure how to post a video from youtube not sure if this has worked)