An atmosphere of faith… an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, humanness is understood‚ communication is open, and preferences are flexible… an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding, where the frailties of the individual are overlooked while seeing the potential and the possibilities and coaxing those out. That’s faith, real faith, great faith, patient faith.

(ML #3642:146; Choose Unity)

Both her brothers were so sweet to her today. Evan even laid off his new habit of big-brother teasing & spent the day randomly saying sweet things like ”I love you, Ella.” Emmer suprised me with his kindness and generosity: his second-cousin, Richard, had given him two bags of little cars last night and this morning, all of his own doing, Emmer went and picked out his favorite car and gave it to Ella for her birthday. Then when he saw how happy she was with his gift (Ella said, “Thank you Emmer! I DO LOVE cars!”) he went and picked out his second favorite car and gave that one to her also. Later Evan gave Ella one of his cars that had been his “for a very long time”.

Ella showed her gratefulness to her brothers by telling them “I love the blue and yellow cars that Emmer gave me because they go really fast. And I love the orange car that Evan gave me because I can clean my fingernails with this part of it here, –just like this!” :-) 

It was a simple day, kind of busy for us parents, but happy for Ella because she had a holiday from school. Timna set her up with some art projects and she got to play with Evie and Katelyn as much as she liked.

Later in the afternoon Grammy saved the day with a “party” by inviting Ella and the kids over for ice-cream and a beautiful present for Ella. And around dinner time auntie Mishy perfected everything with a birthday carrot cake and the birthday song with Ella’s friends, & Mishy gave Ella $10 as a gift to go in Ella’s new wallet. Thank you auntie Mishy!

Ella has grown up so much this last year & I’ve grown to love her and understand her more as I see so much of myself in her.

Do mom’s get birthday wishes too? I wish that I will go slow enough to soak up and enjoy every smile and laugh and moment this year that I am privileged to spend with Ella. You’ll probably never read this, but happy birthday my darling girl! I love you!

I used to have a bad habit of turning to my blog when hard times came, when there were troubles or I had a heartache. I’d post these quotes or poems that hinted at sorrow and troubles and breakings. But sometime just a little over a year ago I had a change and turned a new page. I think it was something that I read that changed me. And I determined that I’d only shine the spotlight of my blog on the blessings in my life. I’d post the bright spots. And if I felt sad or hurt or angry or sick or troubled –I would make an extra happy post at those times. Hopefully my blog has been more of a joy to visit since then. I know it’s certainly been more of a joy for me to post.   And for today’s post I’ll get to what I really wanted to say. Which was this: I am the mother of four beautiful children who are eight, and almost six, and three and a half, and six months old. THESE ARE THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE!!

Mel is a great cook and treated us to a delicious barbeque of lamb, steak, and sausages. We also enjoyed their fabulous red wine picks and fun chats that went late into the evening. Ben and Mel, it was fantastic visiting and getting to know you. We can wait until next time!

We found this quaint cafe where I immensly enjoyed this mocha latte (sooooo much better than the Starbucks variety), and we sampled their meat pies. Darren wanted me to try meat-pies because he says they are one of the few items of a true-Oz cusine. These two were tomato-onion-meat, and steak-mushroom-cheese varieties. Delicious.

The other pics below show the kids enjoying the beach (it was a bit overcast but we made due), and Evie enjoying her nap.

The Diana exhibition -a celebration of her life- held pictures, movies of her childhood, pieces of her wardrobe, her wedding gown, family tree, personal books and letters, and documentation of her work for others left a very big impression on me, especially viewing her charity work and the things she and her family wrote about the very personal and inward suffering and rejection she had that motivated her. I never knew or realized, that the causes she embraced, championed and promoted, were always “difficult” ones -politically incorrect or unfashionable to be concerned or associated with. For example, she was the first public figure to be seen touching an aids victim, and she fought to bring awareness to the fact that 60% of aids victims were women and children, apparently a little known fact at the time. Yes, I was impressed and motivated myself. There were also testimonies/ interviewsof others who she inspired to devote their lives to giving to others. She really did leave quite a legacy.

There was plenty of fun stuff for the kids also.

…And the museum’s newly acquired Uggs boots worn by the main character in the Aussie movie ”The Castle” were priceless. Darren and I felt they must have been there just for us.

We rode a train into town (a first for the kids, and on pretty top on their “must-do” list), and rode a light-rail (tram) around the city back to the train station, on which we got to take in more sights. –That was fun! We got to see Paddy’s Market, Market

Tomorrow we fly to Brisbane to visit with Ben and Mel, and God willing, to spend a day at Steve Irwin’s “Australia Zoo” on the Sunshine coast. We’ll see the Gold Coast too, God willing, and if Darren can manage to drive us right on the wrong side of the road (in a car rental). I’m determined to try it out too, so pray for me, and I should be able to have “able to drive on both sides of the road” on my resume. heh. I’ll have to post pics later. cuz my battery is about to die. No worries, I’ll post, I have some good ones.  

Dad caught a fish today in the pond of his back yard. It was a big old carp & the highlight of the day. We released him, so he lived to be caught another day.

Later, we went to visit Paul, Joy, David, and friends in the Home nearby here. The kids enjoyed their pool. Thanks for having us guys! It’s great to get to know you all! xx

It reminded me of Boston -culture, design, style, beauty, business & pleasure –only bigger.

Our bus driver (on the ride back home) also told us that there are more than 10,000 wildlife species in Oz that are not yet named.

A six pack of native beer costs $12-15.

A head of iceberg lettuce at a regular grocery store costs $3.39.

I wonder what Wallaby tastes like.

All of the kids are loving it here and have quickly attached themselves to Grandpa and Grandma & their uncles and aunts. It’s worked out so nicely for Evan, who is sandwiched right between two uncles who are just his age. –Gavin who is seven years old and born the same year as

It’s been so good to see Phil! –And Theresa, Justin, and Anne’s little “pink” girl Allie, is a sweet thing.   We’re very much enjoying the relaxed pace, and the accepting, welcoming spirits of our family here.  Tomorrow we’ll visit some friends (Paul and Joy and co.) and the day after that we’ll travel into Sydney by train and begin to visit the list of places we have tagged as “must-see”. It should be very educational. We’re excited. But whew, tired.  (Thanks Mishy and Mom for driving us to the airport, and thank you dear Nana for making it possible for us to make this trip. Thanks to our loved ones at Home, also! We miss you!)  

It’s almost paradise here. We’re having fun. The kids are having a great time playing with their uncles and aunts.

I’ll post some pics.

Change comes to every thing and every one. It just helps and comes easier when you’re looking for it, expecting it, and willing to embrace it. It helps me to state it, as well.

Welcome, change! I have been expecting you!