Joy of parenthood

This is a page from the scrapbook Erica did for us last year (October 2009) for our Anniversary. Was packing my desk and found it. Children are such a blessing!

Winter 2009

Today the kids finish Term 2 of the school year. Tim is in Year 6 which is his final year at Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School. Next year, he moves on to Sancta Maria College for Intermediate School. Erica is in Year 2.

I think we have been through the worst of winter. We had some really cold spells these past weeks - a few days of a low of 2 degrees, which was even lower than the temperatures that were being reported for the South Island. Sunny winter days however, are really nice and today we had one of those. It was actually warm and after school, the kids and I drove to the beach to soak in the sunshine which we miss so much. I thanked God to see the kids so happy and contented. Erica picked up a branch and was playing with it in the water and jumping over a little stream that had meandered its way in from the sea onto the beach. She was happy, carefree and free as a lark.

Tim had brought along his soccer & rugby balls and was trying out his new soccer boots which we bought him last weekend. It's his first pair of soccer boots and it was "awesome" he said. When he was done kicking the ball around and showing me some of the stunts he had learnt, he came to join us by the water.

I sat on the beach with my newspaper enjoying the peace and quiet of the afternoon. It was so nice not to have some urgent piece of work on my mind for a change. It was even nicer to watch my two children laughing and having a good time together, which is not always the case. PEACE is what I often pray for and today, I felt PEACE.

The Joy of Motherhood

I had my best my Mother's Day this year. It's so nice to have kids who are finally old enough to understand the significance of the day and make it extra special. Erica had planned a secret "to do list" for her father and brother. It was hilarious. She must have said "I love you" about 10 times to me during the day. I was told I must just "do nothing and relax" all day long. She wouldn't even let me carry the shopping bags. At 8.30pm, just about her bedtime, she was a bit upset and when I asked why, she said she still had something else she wanted to do. I was told to lie down and she and Tim gave me a leg and body massage. It was simply wonderful. Thank you God for such wonderful children and a fantastic husband!