Our boy has just turned 4 in August! We really thanked God for his goodness to us as parents. We are so blessed that Jonathan is healthy, bright, chatty, active and he loves the Lord Jesus. Here are some of the photos we took during his birthday week and Dane's parents and sister also visited us for a couple of days. It was so good to have them around!

The birthday celebration

 

Jonathan's 4th birthday cake made by wonderful daddy

The birthday boy with his present from Esther

 

Our trip to the Adelaide Zoo

  

Us at the Adelaide Zoo

We saw Wang Wang and Funi!

Aunty Mel with Esther

Jono and his favourite Aunty Mel

Esther enjoying cooking using our homemade stoves!

Jonathan the Explorer

I had been quite busy since started working again. Hence I only just have time to put up some photos we took in July.

 

Esther playing in the kitchen

Jonathan and daddy making yummy dinner

Esther playing with playdough

We started putting the kids in the same room. They slept well every night! And now we have a spare room for visitors.

I'm very proud to say that "We are finally in Adelaide!" Loving the people and the old buildings here. We are surrounded by beautiful autumn leaves everywhere and of course the cold weather. The family is so happy and we are all so glad to be able to see hubby/daddy everyday. Jonathan is most excited about daddy being around again and Esther could not wait to run up to daddy everyday when he comes back from work. And me? I'm just enjoying doing everyday things with Dane such as having meals together, bathing the kids together, and read/pray/putting the kids to bed every night. Also having Dane with me every night after the kids has gone to bed. 

All thanks and praises are due to God cause He is faithful and kind to us. He brought us to some wonderful Christian friends in a real amazing way. He also provided us everything that we need in this new place - we just have to trust and obey!

April was an exciting month. We had Easter, My citizenship ceremony and lots of fun time with Dane/daddy at the Queensland Rail Museum.

Esther getting into her Easter eggs!

Jonathan with some of his Easter gifts

Dane and Esther at my citizenship ceremony

Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

At Queensland Rail Museum. It was so much fun and very kids oriented. Jonathan and Esther both had a blast that day! Interestingly Dane's grandfather actually used to work in the rail workshop here.

One of the displayed steam train

There was lots of activities for children to explore at the rail museum. We made a few teddy bear puppets together.

Jonathan and Esther playing with trains at the 'Toy Box' in the Rail Museum

Esther was trying to cook alongside me while I was busy cooking dinner. Start them young :D

Esther has started feeding herself for about 2 months now. She is doing very well. We started with yoghurt because it was hard to miss it. :P

Jonathan playing with his Tonka truck at our backyard. He loves outdoor would stay outside all day if he could.

Jonathan had his last swimming lesson on Sat. I told him he is going to a new swim school in Adelaide. And of course a new childcare, a new house, new bedroom, etc...He was sad and kept asking why we had to move. He had been writing up birthday invitations to his friends to come to his birthday party. I had to explain to him his friends will not be in Adelaide for his birthday in August because it's too far away. Instead, he will have a farewell party at childcare on his last day there. He was sad and asked why. :(

We only have 3 weeks to go before we leave beautiful Brisbane. I can't wait to start our new life in Adelaide mainly because hubby will be with us and no more separation (at least for awhile). Jonathan asked me where is Adelaide. Well, I just said it's in South Australia. :D I am feeling sad too to leave our dearest family and friends behind. We have been very spoilt having family around and good friends to spend time with. I'm going to miss them dearly I'm sure. The children will be missing out being spoilt by their grandparents and uncles and aunties which they currently enjoy. :(

However, these things happen and I know God is with us wherever we go. We will get to meet new brothers and sisters in God's big family. It's time to get out of my comfort zone and make new friends and discover new things. Most of all, to see our faith continue to grow in a brand new place!

 

Making cupcakes

 

  

The finished product

 

Jono and his Lego house

 

My Valentine's Roses from hubby

 

Jono and Esther in the 'bin'

 

Our 1 year old Esther

 

The family

 

Our baby girl Esther is finally ONE!

I made this simple birthday cake

The Birthday Girl!

1st taste of Chocolate :P

We held a very simple but fun party for Esther. We invited close friends and family for a BBQ lunch. The party went well and everyone had a wonderful time. The highlight was hubby was able to come home for this special occasion. We thank God everyday for giving us this beautiful girl one year ago.

 

I can walk now!

I'm 11 months old and I love to chew everything.

I love eating cake

 

Mmmm, my favorite chocolate cake! 

  

I love my mummy more than any cake!!!!

We made cake together when daddy came home for a surprise visit.

 

Happy Birthday daddy!

 

Getting ready to swim in our pool

This is how we spend our summer - in our pool!

Early yesterday morning we farewelled Dane at the airport and began our life without him for the next 10-12 weeks. It was hard to say goodbye after 4 weeks of wonderful family time. We were worried that Jono would be upset like last time but he did not cry or appeared to be upset. We told him a few days before that daddy had to leave for his job training but we emphasised that he is coming back. Jono was able to say goodbye with no dramas. I guess he knew daddy will come back just like last time. However, sometimes during the day he was still looking for daddy and wanted him to read him books and pray with him. Fortunately, with the technology today we're able to make video calls on both our mobile phones and skype. This has certainly help to let Jono 'see' his daddy. Hopefully this 10-12 weeks will pass very quickly and we will be a family again!

Time really flies, another year had gone and now we are in the year 2010. I have enjoyed time with my family especially having my hubby by my side. We had great time during Christmas and New Year with family and friends. The kids absolutely loved their christmas presents. We only bought small items like books and matchbox car for Jono. He was just as happy and really appreciated them. However, his granparents and uncle and aunties bought him big toys otherwise. They bought him Wii, a golf set, DVD, 'Whack a Mole', and books. To be honest, we found that toys are so overrated in our society. Kids don't need the biggest, the lastest or the most expensive toys to make them happy. What they really want is our time and attention. Jono would be most happy when we read to him and play with him.

Esther's 1st Christmas was rewarded with books, toys, clothes and shoes. She was very excited to rip open those presents. She was more interested in the wrappers than the actual items themselves. I think she really could not careless what she gets for Christmas. I mean what would a 10 months old baby want? I felt that we are buying her presents just to make us happy, not her. Just like many other young kids, she is happy to just play with a piece of paper or a plastic cup. Kids are just so simple and innocent.

Our new year was spent in a Christian Camp. We really enjoyed our time there and have made some new friends. Jono was so spoilt with lot of kids to play with and Esther was giving smiles to everyone. I would say it's most excited when you meet like-minded people and gather around the Word of God. Apart from that, I also enjoyed not having to cook or worry about the house for a week.

God has been very gracious to us in 2009. He guided us through some huge changes and in all life circumstances. In this new year we will trust Him in everything we do and live our lives as we ought to. 

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

It's Esther 1st Christmas and she does not have a clue what all the fuss is about. In the past weeks, we have bought presents, put up the Christmas tree, send out Christmas card and bought Christmas food. The shopping centre is packed full of people everyday. Everyone is busy preparing for this festive season. However, Christmas celebration will become meaningless if it was not about the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He is the reason for the season. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. God had given us the best gift - His Son to be our Saviour.

It is also about GIVE and RECEIVE. You see God gave us His Son Jesus. So that He could die for us on the cross to save us form our sins. What we have to do is to simply receive it with faith. We usually buy  Christmas gifts to our family and friends and we love to see them gladly receive it. Can you see God's Love for you? Have you received His gift of salvation?

We will be celebrating Christmas with our family. We thank God for giving us a wonderful year of 2009. He provide and guide us in everything we do. We can say in confidence that we are lack of nothing because God is our everything. Let us come and adore Him Christ the LORD!

Have you heard of the term 'Married Single Mum'? Do you know anyone who is or you are one as well. I found out that I'm one when I was searching other people's experience dealing with husband working away. And yes, I'm a MSM. My husband has been away for 8 weeks now and we are missing him dearly. I have the responsibility of looking after our children. It is not easy as I have my limitation and I do need someone to share the job.

I think the hardest thing is I had relied heavily on Dane before this and I was lost without him.  When he was still here I could call/sms him whenever I need him during the day and he is never too far away. When the days got tough I would just look at the clock and knew that Dane would be home at 5:30pm. He would be here and give me a break. He could lend me his shoulder and give me a hug. 8 weeks I haven't seen him and so do the kids. It took me a few weeks to get the routine right and settled down the kids and myself. No more waiting for Dane to come home so I can cook dinner or go out to do some shopping. There's no other person to bath/shower the kids, to change them, or put them to bed. I have to do it all by myself. Even though I'm staying with my in-laws but they are both working full-time and they are very busy. Ultimately I'm the parent so I do it all. Also I better get used to it too because once we're posted to Newcastle, Adelaide or Darwin I will have no family or friends (hopefully to make some new friends) around. However, God is my strength and He is with me. Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

 

Even though Dane is not physically with us but he is still one of us. He is still the head of this house and we love him.  I think I'm still learning to find the balance and not to make my children feel that they only need mummy. Wisdom I really need it so much. Know how to involve Dane to still be part of our lives is the thing I have to put effort in. I started to talk about daddy and what daddy would do if he was here. I tried to talk  to Jono about the things that we do together with daddy. We wrote letters to daddy and we took photos so we can send it to him. No doubt there's time when Jono wanted to be with daddy and he was very sad that he couldn't go to training with daddy. However, he has been very stable and settled in the last few weeks. At the same time, I have become more independent and learnt to do many things by myself. Even though I know I could do it all but having Dane to share the load would be better. After all marriage is a two people's business. We also have built our family together and it's never complete without him. around. I really missed him last night when it was all quiet and I had no one to share my thoughts/feelings with. By that time we had not talk for 2 days. Thankfully we had about 10 minutes tonight on the phone. It 's so comforting to be able to hear his voice again.

I thank you Lord for giving me strength and comfort when things are tough. Thank you for your daily protection and provision. I can do nothing without you. When there's no one else around I know I have you. You have promised that You will never leave us nor forsake us. I prayed that my life reflects you and that my children will see how mummy's God is a living God. Help me to be an example to them and show them what being strong and courageous mean. Let them learn about how mummy and daddy trust in God and live their lives according to the Bible's Truth. Thank you for everything and I know I'm a happy and blessed 'Married Single Mum'.

Esther is 8 months old. She is growing up too fast and I can't keep up with it. She has been crawling since 6.5 months and loves pulling herself up since 7 months. She is a chatterbox too. She likes making joyful noise and can say dadadada, duck and tada. Notice the similarity? Yes the D sound, babies can make this sound very easily. Another sound they can make easily is bababa sounds. It's just amazing to see how babies develop and grow, day by day they learn different things and become a little person of their own .

Jono sometimes can get really rough with Esther and he even said to me that he doesn't like Esther. :-( He seems to think Esther is taking over his territory and he is not happy with that. Aaahh the joy of sibling jealousy. Pray that Jono will come around soon enough to know that Esther is not going anywhere and she is part of us. :P

Thank you God for my two beautiful children who continue to amaze me and bring me lots of joyful and tearful moments. They are part of Dane and I. Even though I cannot see or touch dear hubby Dane for few more weeks but I'm able to hold mini Dane and mini Josephine. I can see us in them. :D

Dane has finally been enlisted today (6/10/2009). It was very hard to say goodbye. We will be separated for 10 weeks. It is so far the longest separation we have to go through. In fact, we have never been separated since we're married 5 years ago. No doubt, there was tears of joy and sadness. Joy because Dane is one step closer to realise his dream. Sadness because I will be by myself and  the two kids will have no daddy around for 10 weeks.

                                               Special Enlistment Ceremony at Anzac Square              
          
I pray for strengths each day that I'll be able to look after the kids and with stand the loneliness. I feel lost and as if part of me is missing. However, with God all things are possible. Praying for Dane too as he will be going through some tough military training.