Moving time

Shane and I have almost been married for five years and these walls contain the first chapter of the story of our life together.

We have lived in this two bedroom apartment for almost four and a half years, and it has been lovely. So many times I have sat in the living room of our first home together and just felt fit to burst with pride and joy. To have our own home ( ok, rent our own home!) as small as it is, to look after it and the people who dwell within its walls; What a privilege! Yes I struggle to keep things looking neat and nice and in order, but I still take great pride in my home. I have loved living here. I love its retro tiles and high ceilings, the large bedrooms and the pretty back yard. The unique stone front fence, where I hid easter treats for Esther's first egg hunt. I like our little front steps and the memory of carrying home our two babies from hospital. First smiles, first steps, first sleep-through-the-nights again. Heavenly dry season nights and (losing it) hot, muggy wet season days- we survived without air-con!


We have slowly filled up every square inch of wall space of our once bare apartment with furniture. So many tears and so many moments of hilarity and happiness here. Memories of friends and family coming to stay, tenting in the backyard or camping on the living room floor. New born baths in the kitchen sink and baths in laundry tub, yummy creations in the kitchen, potty training disasters, a thousand time-outs, dinner parties (ok, only one of those) and birthdays, the family of rats living in our stove, the possums in our roof, the frogs in our toilet, the cockroaches in the corner...Good times!

And now it is time for us to move. I will certainly feel sad and sentimental when we walk out this door for the last time to call it our home, the only home our girls have known. The season we have had here has been sweet and I will be sorry to turn the page on this chapter- BUT I look forward with eager anticipation to our new abode- wherever that might be, I am trusting the God who has provided for us so generously to lead us where he wants us. Wherever that is we will flourish! I am so thankful to our heavenly father who looks after all our needs, so we don't have to worry. Wherever we are we are at home when he lives in our hearts. I am ready to move forward with him thanking him for what has been and what will be! To him be the glory!

So no time for this...

Well, I am writing a blog. I am also wondering what makes me think I have time to be doing this when I am preparing for a birthday party in 3 hours and packing for an overseas trip, departing tomorrow! Also beginning to question the logic of having a party today when the sanity meter in my head is already beginning to go akilter as it does in preparation for a major trip... Half the time I feel like there is not that much left to do, the other half of the time I am on near melt down... Weird! But I figure, I will get it all done somehow and I would like to document this moment as it is a significant day.

My baby girl is one! Hard to believe that this time last year I was cradling this gorgeous, fresh faced, darling girl in my arms for the first time. What a sweet addition to our family she is. Looking so like her big sister and yet such a distinct and delightful personality. It has truly been a joy watching her grow this last year. One thing that stands out probably the most about her is her smily-ness. She loves to smile and make people smile at her. She is a real charmer and, I believe, has melted the hearts of many, not least of all her own parents.

Its been really special to watch Esther and Charlotte as sisters, relating to one another. I especially love it when they are laughing at each other. I think that sound (especially as opposed to them both crying) is the most amazing and addictive sound in the world! I love their laughter. It's also beautiful to see how Esther loves her little sister and babys her. 'oh what a little sweetie heart, my darling baby girl' she will coo in a sickly sweet voice. I love it! So hilarious and lovely.

Hard to believe too, that it was only a year ago that I officially became a 'domestic goddess' as Shane wrote that on the birth forms and the government approved my occupation as such forever more. Inscribed permanently on Charlotte's birth certificate! Ha! It was interesting as what started out as a joke has turned into a life calling! Well I am only half serious, the whole domestic goddess is of course very tongue in cheek, but I do desire to be the best mum, and wife and housekeeper and woman of God that I can be. Domestic goddess is just scratching the surface!

I was really freaked out about looking after two children. Didn't know if I could cope. I was really emotional and fragile (and overtired!) for the first few weeks. I am sure many mums can emphathise with me here. It was during this time that I really began asking God to help me, in a desperete sort of way. I just knew I couldn't do it without his strength. I couldn't do justice to the awesome task of parenting without his supernatural help. So I asked, and he has answered me and continues to answer me whenever I ask. I ask for eyes to see beyond today, for hope and encouragement for enthusiasm, for love and patience. I ask that I might enjoy each day and enjoy my children. He is helping me do this, and it was really through becoming a parent of two I began to understand dependence on God. Charlotte's middle name is Faith and I think that is perfect. I pray that she will grow into a young woman who puts her trust in God and I thank him for trusting me to mother this beautiful little girl. Happy Birthday Charlotte!