Holidays

We are about to go on holidays for a month - the sort of holidays that require considerable organisation and forethought. My parents, John and I and the two little boys are going to Europe for a month. I think we are organised ;-)

We are flying to Munich (via a few other cities) and we stay there for about a week. We'll be visiting Schloss Neuschanstein and Salzburg (birthplace of Mozart, and scene of Sound of Music). We'll also have a few days in Munich visiting the Englisher Garten and Nymphenburg Palace. Fortuitously it is the middle of their Opera Festival and they have a free outdoor opera on the weekend we are there.

We are then going to Basel in Switzerland for about two weeks. The Australian Federal Police Pipe Band (of which John is the drum Major) is playing in their Military tattoo. (This is why we are going). We're not exactly sure what we will be doing in Basel, but as it is on the French and German border and about an hour from Lucerne and Zurich I'm sure that we will find things to entertain us!

After the tattoo we go to Stassbourg (on the French German border) for a few days and then to Paris. We'll probably spend that time at the various Musee and Jardin... before coming home.

If it gets a bit quiet here on the blog it is because I am still busy cleaning the house for the person who is house sitting for us and getting organised here. If I'm still sane after the two 24 hour flights with two small boys then I might return and post pictures of our trip.

The Joy of Bedtime

Joyful for all (including Mummy!)



Alex asked me to take this photo with his Teddy. BTW Teddy has apparently had a name change from Teddy to Sammy...

Optimism

op·ti·mism 
 /ˈɒptəˌmɪzəm/ Show Spelled[op-tuh-miz-uhm]
–noun
1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.
4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.

Origin: 1730–40;
an·ti·op·ti·mism, noun
o·ver·op·ti·mism, noun
—Synonyms 1. confidence, hopefulness, cheerfulness.
—Antonyms 1, 2. pessimism, cynicism.

Case in point: Hanging out the washing when the forcast is "cold, windy, showers. Maximum 10oC"

Just spent....

...a lovely hour playing in the park with the boys. But, oh that wind is cold!

I think a hot lunch is in order. (and hopefully a rest of B1)

Gratuitious Post of Three Month Old Baby

Please don't feel the need to watch this unless you are family ;-)

James has finally "woken up" for longer than an hour at a time and has worked out he gets better attention from cooing and aahing rather than crying. Apparently peek-a-boo is fun.

Alex's saying of the day

(After bestowing kisses on every member of the family)

"Please, Mummy, I need a kiss"

(Of course I obliged!)

No more tears, no more crying

Earlier this month was my Grandma's 91st birthday. My sister and I, and the two little boys went to visit her (it was fortuitiuosly on a Saturday and we were in Sydney).

Grandma has been in a nursing home for about 18 months since she had stroke and her dementia worsened. In the last six weeks she has been in major decline and has been unable to shake pneumonia.

She still enjoyed seeing the little boys even though she was not quite sure of how she was related to them and was very tired from the visitors she had that day. Alex sang "Happy Birthday" a few times (we had been practising in the car).

Unfortunately since we saw her she had declined rapidly and late last night went home to the Lord. My parents and aunts and uncles were able to see her yesterday.

Please pray for our extended family as they arrange the funeral.

This song, from the CD Alex listens to before bed, is a good reminder of the home that my grandmother had been anticipating eagerly for some time.

No more tears, No more crying

There's a country awaiting us

No more sadness, No more sighing

God's preparing a place for us

All our troubles will be gone

We'll see Jesus on his throne

No more tears, No more crying
There's a country awaiting us
No more sadness, No more sighing
God's preparing a place for us

Crystal river flowing by

God himself lights up the sky

No more tears, No more crying
There's a country awaiting us
No more sadness, No more sighing
God's preparing a place for us

Simone Richardson, A very very very Big God