And the Mother of the Year Award goes to...

... well someone else I'm sure.  Though, I must admit, my kids tell me I am 'the best mum in the whole world' on a daily basis (true story).  If you ask me it reflects more on their little characters than it does mine.  Ask my hubby and he'd tell me to stop putting myself down because I do OK.  Anywho, my kids are loving and amazing and just plain wonderful to be around (when they're not driving me nuts) :O)  Me - well I just like to be realistic. I'm not one of those Super Women, who (even though they wear their underwear under the rest of their clothes like the rest of us) daily put in a superhuman effort with *everything*.  Those people just make me feel tired - 'bless their cotton socks' - and I metaphorically 'take my cap off to them'.  Despite all of (what I see as) my massive under-achievements and daily failures I have come to realize that other people in actual fact have these too - and I'm OK with that.

This holidays has gone by like something I've zoomed passed and only just started taking notice of in the rear-vision mirror.  Scary how quick those holidays fly by!  They started out with Joe's birthday and Bible study at our house and we saw Cars 2 3D with the kids and the Buds and then everything sort of flatlined (busy-ness wise) as everyone (except Zeke - who went to Halls Gap with Nan and Pop) got sick, a few at a time.  This, of course, ended with me and I'm probably no more a trooper than I am a Starship Trooper, off what I now know to be, from Star Wars (I think).  So whilst being sick we have stayed home and kept fed and warmish and loved and... the kids have been awesome at playing together and amusing themselves (with occasional parental intervention).

Aside from loving my kids - I adore my husband.  He works so hard and puts in long hours and loves me and the kids and does an awesome job of looking after us all.  Having said that, the poor man did not get a lot of sleep with my night-time cough and he still had to get up early for work as I was sleeping in our nice warm bed.  I know Bren was more concerned about my well-being than his, but when he finally did make me go to the doctors I nearly said to the doctor "I'm just here for annoying my husband and depriving him of sleep".  I didn't, however, and it actually turned out that I had a chest infection.  I know Bren was just concerned, but I was annoyed to have to see the old quack... good thing I did!  Thank goodness for a caring husband.

Being unwell has really made me appreciate my home and the people in it.  My lounge room is warm and comfy with all my little hobbies and diversions thrown in (knitting, computers, iphone... I know, I'm super spoilt).  I just feel so loved and cared for *sigh*.

Today at church we ended up staying for lunch and the wonderful Penny and Nicole put on a super spread.  Thank goodness for friends.

I guess I can only end with the following...


"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God," - (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV)

I daily fall down and stumble.  I mess up and muck up.  I get sick and tired and cranky.  But you know what?  I have a God who loves *me*; who died to save *me* and, through it all, He is there.  He knows all, He sees all, He can do all.  By grace He not only made me and saved me and loves me but His love and His grace go on each day and into eternity.  He has blessed my life more than I ever could have hoped or wished for - with the people I love and hold dear.

Guess what - He can do the same for you!