Monday 31 December 2012

A Year of His Abundant Blessings

PhotobucketWhat an absolutely amazing year we have had.  We have experienced  a depth and breadth of blessing that I am still trying to wrap my mind around.

The year has been one that has given new meaning to the scripture Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] Ephesians 3:20-21 If you had told me two years ago that we would have done and experienced what we have this year I would have laughed at you.

We have seen over 7 000 km of Australian country side, experienced Hong Kong and rested in Southern Africa. My daughter graduated and my youngest started school. We have also enjoyed a Charlotte Mason approach in the 'science of Relationships' in our monthly Field trips ...

This year was a special year in my husbands family as his parents celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  We desperately wanted to fly to South Africa and be a part of the moment but financially this just was not doable.  In His grace and in His unique way He blessed us with finance and we were able to book tickets to go.

In South Africa we ...
Some of the things we did on our trip in April and May
We saw four countries in two days!
In our Homeschool we...
I have been encouraged in my homeschool journey as I joined our local Mom's homeschool support group who have been working their way through A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karon Andreola.
One of the things often spoken about is creating opportunities for our children to explore the community around them and form a 'science of relatations'. I have seen Sir N flourish with this trips and here are some that we have enjoyed this year:
In Australia we...
November was a month of exploring Australia and witnessing a Total Solar eclipse.
We traveled over 7 300 km (4 500 Miles) and experienced many more things which I will be blogging about in the new year.

Personally I have ... 

And on this blog ...
My top posts have been
  1. Tuesdays Treasures - Nature Journaling
  2. 12 Days of Christmas
  3. Tuesdays Treasures - Olympics 2012
  4. Pencils
  5. Tuesdays Treasures Look Alikes
  6. Pinning it Down - Snow Globes
Top Search Keywords
  1. 12 Days of Christmas
  2. Zoo Delight
  3. Help me be good books
  4. Gingerbread House Tutorials
  5. File Folder Fun
  6. Fireman Crafts

It still leaves me breathless when I think of all the wonderful things we have accomplished this past year. Being a single income family these things would not normally be a possibility for our family.  It's been amazing watching how the Lord has opened doors for us to accomplish these things.  I wonder what He has in store for me in the new year ?

So what have you been doing in the last year that has kept you saying thank you ??

Blessings

This post is part of a Schoolhouse Review Crew Cruise.

Sunday 30 December 2012

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Saturday 29 December 2012

HSMJ - It's a wrap for 2012

In my life this week…
 It's been a delightful week of Christmas and time with family and friends.  It's so good to know I am blessed.
I've been pondering the past year and writing my thoughts on His blessings in my life for the last year.  (Post coming on Monday)
Been resting up and planning how to attack my not so good health in the new year and what changes I need to bring about so as to see an improvement in that area of my world.

In our homeschool this week…
  • Paul continued reading The Borrowers to Sir N who thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story.
  • Nothing else happened except enjoying and exploring Christmas gifts.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I am inspired by…
  • How organized some homeschoolers are.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • This year was our turn to host Christmas so my family came over and the 17 of us enjoyed a lunch and time of fellowship together.  Next year my sister and her family will over for Christmas and it will be the first time in 20 years that we shall be together for Christmas.  I'm really looking forward to that.
  • We spent boxing day with family friends and came home refreshed and encouraged.
  • Thursday we visited another family who are always a blessing to us.
  • Yesterday we baby sat a family of six children.  Was so neat seeing just how well they all get along and help one another. My mother, sister in law and sister popped in for a cuppa.
  • Today we have another family joining us for dinner.
My favorite thing this week was…


What’s working/not working for us…
  • To many late nights. Will be attacking this from tomorrow evening.
Questions/thoughts I have…
  • ...
Things I’m working on…
  • Deciding what to use for Sir N on the math front next year.
  • My second blog cruise post this year on the year in review
On My Bedside Table ...
  •  Nothings changed because I've been reading to many things on the Internet.
In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  •  Duck.  I was surprised at how easy this was.  I put it in a glass casserole dish with some salt and onion and cooked it in a low oven for three hours.  It was gorgeous.
On Pinterest I found...

I’m grateful for…
  • The freedom I have to home school in Australia. 
  • That my children are safe.
  • New friends reaching out to me.
  • Parents who love me.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings


This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers - Weekly Wrap Up
iHomeschool - Homeschool Mothers Journal
Hammock Tracks - It's a Wrap
Homegrown Learners - Collage Friday

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Thursday 27 December 2012

2012 Melbourne Town Hall Christmas Projections

We normally never go anywhere on Christmas day other than to whom ever is hosting Christmas.  This year however we went into Melbourne to see Christmas Fantastic at Crown and the laser light show at the Melbourne Town Hall. This was our third trip in to see the lights as we missed them the first two times we went in.  We had to go in on Christmas day because that was the last day for the show. Sir N thoroughly enjoyed it.

Click on any of the photo's to see them full size











We watched it twice and took some video.  We have watched it a few times now and each time we watch it we see something different. This is the official Melbourne Town Council Video of the show.


We took a video with some close up footage of the detail that was put into the show.  Each time we watch it we find something new.

I do hope they make this an annual tradition as it was so spectacular and special. Did you do anything new or unique this Christmas ?

Blessings


Wednesday 26 December 2012

12 Days of Christmas at Crown

We had a wonderful day yesterday with family who came over to help us celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

Last night we decided to go into Melbourne and enjoy two of the Christmas shows together with Sir N.  We went to Crown Casino where they are currently running Christmas Fantastic {The Twelve Days of Christmas}.  It runs every 15 min and is free to the public. You can watch a 3 min YouTube clip on the making of Christmas Fantastic.

The Twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day and end on Twelfth Night — January 5th, the night before Epiphany.

12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas
My true love-......... God
gave to me-......... any person in Christ
A Partridge in a pear tree ....... Jesus on a cross

2 Turtle Doves .......... Old and New Testament
3 French hens ......... faith, hope and charity

4 Calling birds ........ the 4 gospels

5 Golden Rings ......... the first 5 books of the old Testament

6 geese a laying .......... 6 days of Creation

7 Swans a Swimming .......... 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit

8 maids a milking ......... 8 beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing ......... 9 fruits of the Hold Spirit

10 Lords a leaping ........ 10 Commandments

11 Pipers Piping ......... 11 Faithful Disciples
12 Drummers Drumming ......... 12 Points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

Blessings

IEW - 12 Days of Christmas ...

IEW is hosting an
IEW 12 Day's of Christmas Giving
December 26 - January 6


Tuesday 25 December 2012

Who can add to Christmas?


"Who can add to Christmas? 
The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. 
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. 
The only requirement is to believe in Him. 
The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life." 
- Corrie Ten Boom

Monday 24 December 2012

Twelve Days of Homeschool

A friend recently shared this with me and I really enjoyed it.  Be encouraged and make sure you watch it all the way to the end.



Blessings

Sunday 23 December 2012

Upcycled Nativity


Thanks to Pinterest I discovered this wonderful up-cycled activity which was first showcased on Catholic Icing in December 2009.

It's a printable DIY Nativity for Kids. One word of caution this is not an hour long activity, it took us six hours to colour and glue onto the toilet rolls on Wednesday. In future I will definitely plan to do this over a few weeks rather than one day as Sir N found it a lot of colouring in. Needless to say Mom had the pleasure of colouring in most of the pieces and together we enjoyed constructing the set.

We printed the pages and coloured in.
It took us over 3 hours to colour in the pieces

Our pieces ready to be applied to toilet rolls.
Glitter Glue
I really wanted to use the glitter that's been sitting in the cupboard but did not want glitter everywhere. I decided to make our own version of glitter glue.


  • I used a water based PVA glue.
  • Add a generous amount of glitter in a container. This is the holder for roll on deodrant from the local store. When ever I do my shopping if I see empty ones on the shelf I bring them home for glue / painting projects.
  • Next I added around 3 ml of glue to each one and mixed. I then used a paintbrush and added two drops of water to each. Do NOT make it runny. If it's runny then it spreads too thin and you don't get a solid glitter look.
  • Use a paint brush and apply glitter mix where you want it to be.
Our Nativity Up Close


This in turn has inspired Sir N to design his own take of the nativity using toilet rolls.


Elsewhere on the www

What are some Nativity projects have you done this season ?

Blessings


This post is linking with: Look What We Did

Saturday 22 December 2012

Healsville Sanctuary

This past year has been an amazing experience for us as a family.  We have been blessed with tickets to return home to South Africa for a 50th wedding anniversary family reunion, a trip to Queensland and family from South Africa visiting.

With all these wonderful adventures I've got a little behind in recording my memories and so have decided to set aside Saturday mornings to share some of the beautiful places we have had the privilege of experiencing.
 
We had the most delightful week last week.  Aunt T and Uncle G came for a flying visit from South Africa.  Their daughter plays water polo and was chosen to represent South Africa in the first World Youth Water Polo Championships and since they were in Australia they decided to come and see where we live!  It was an amazing time of catching up and showing them our beautiful city and the unique diverse wild life that Australia has. We spent a day looking around Healesville Sanctuary and here are some of our moments.

One of my favourite aspects of this zoo are all the sculptures and braille notices of the animals on display.
Bottom: Aunty T with Koala sculpture, Sir N with an Emu sculpture

 Top: Koala, Wedge-Tailed Eagle Sculpture
Bottom: Tasmanian Devil, Echidna
We took a walk up to the Australian Wildlife Center where we met a baby Tasmanian Devil up close and personal, later in the day we hoped to see Spirits of the Sky but due to renovations (enclosure upgrades) the show had been changed.  It was still great to see Wedge Tailed eagles, baby Kangaroo's and wombats.
 Top: Baby Tasmanian Devil (male)
Bottom: Baby Wombat, Kangaroo, Wedgetailed Eagle

Directly across from the arena is the new Land of parrots display where you have the opportunity to hold and feed a number of Australian parrots.

 Clockwise from top left: Sir N with a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Sunbird, Cockatiel, Cockatoo,

After lunch we explored the Animals of the Night display and Woodlands track.

Top: Echidna, Bilby
Middle:
Bottom: Tasmanian Devil, Flying Foxes

Gouldian Finch, Female Gangang Cockatoo, Wonga Pigeon, White eared Honeyeater

Having grown up in Africa (South Africa and Namibia) and lived in New Zealand I am amazed at the diversity of wildlife here in Australia. The colours, sounds and variety are astounding.  Australia may not have 'The Big Five' but they certainly make up for it with the colour and variety of fauna and flora.

What is your favourite part of where you live ?

Blessings


This post is linking with: Look What We Did