You'll only cherish the memories...

Something has popped up from different angles recently, so I thought I'd blog about it. It is about the things we will remember of our children when we are old.

Firstly, Nate and I were reflecting not too long ago about what it is that older people say about their lives. I've never heard an elderly man say "I wish I spent more time working or making money." I've never heard an elderly woman say "I wish I spent more time outside of my home." I have heard elderly people say "I wish I spent more time with my children."

Secondly, when our family was indulging in a special brekky at McDonalds one Sunday (Nate's choice) an elderly woman was asking us about our girls and said a couple of times "They're beautiful, enjoy them." As we were leaving we waved goodbye to her, and she almost urgently called after us "Enjoy them!"

Thirdly, in a class for seminary wives, I was learning about how to redeem the time by being organised and taking care of the house and family well. On the last night of class, the older ladies who were teaching us said "Keep everything in perspective. You won't remember the work undone, you'll only cherish the memories with your little ones."

Lastly, I heard "Cats in the Cradle" come on the radio the other day. It brought tears to my eyes and made me run to my girls to cuddle them and enjoy them. May I not take for granted this blessed season of being able to stay at home with my girls and make many memories together. I'm abundantly thankful to the Lord for enabling me to be able to stay at home with my children and I am abundantly thankful I have a husband who is all about making memories with us!

Survival

The four of us Schoens were battling the stomach bug over the weekend. Here is one way that we survived :)

Mozambique - full steam ahead

Praise the Lord! Last Thursday we were voted in by our sending agency to go and work in Mozambique! May the Lord continue to path the way for us to arrive on African soil in June or July this year.

Winter projects

Warning: Knitting is addictive! I've tried my hand at a few more things since my first knitting project, the tea cosy. Project #2 barely made it to the blog - I made a coffee cup cosy to practise what is called cable knitting (the twisted strands below). I discovered that I need to practise the basics of knitting a bit more to improve at the more adventurous stitches!

Winter project #3 was learning crochet. I made this easy head band and flower that I would like to name "the popsy daisy"...that is, if it was my own idea. But, alas, I stole the instructions from here and here. I would name it so, because you can pop off one flower, and pop on another. Pretty cool, huh?

The above head band was wrapped in that pink tissue paper and given to Eliana's friend for her 2nd birthday. I liked it so much that I made one for Lilah. Look at her sweet face. I get the privilege of planting a million kisses on those pudgy cheeks every day.

Winter project #4 was to practise the basic knitting stitch while making a coffee press (plunger) cosy for my love. I couldn't help but add in a new colour and practise what I think is called Intarsia knitting, or perhaps it's called Fair Isle (adding a pattern or picture with a different yarn). The heart can either represent my love for Nate, or his love for coffee :).

These projects are all being achieved because the girls go to bed at 7 and Nate and I have declared January to be a no tv/movie month, with the exception of a few Grid Iron/American Football finals. We are loving it so far!

For you, Mum.

My mother bought me a few things to get me started on knitting while we were in Australia in July. Six months later I picked up the needles to make my first project - a tea cosy. It's definitely not perfect, but we've got to start somewhere, right? One of my favourite things to do with my hubby in the morning is to sit down and share a hot pot of tea and read the Bible. We've tested out the cosy and it keeps the tea extra hot for as long as we need it.

I got the instructions to knit the tea cosy from here. If you're a beginner knitter, like me, you need to search the web to learn the basics of knitting (You Tube is helpful). Even better, you could spend time with your Grandma, if you're blessed enough to be able:) I also borrowed an excellent book from the library which explains some mechanics of knitting - it gave me a lot of 'aha!' moments :)

Knitter's Lib by Lena Maikon.

Thank you, my dear mother!

Caroling

Last night we went caroling with friends from Church. It is the first time I've ever done caroling outside in the cold - and it was everything I dreamed it would be.

Don't believe Eliana's face below - she loved being snuggled up to her daddy, going from house to house singing. I especially loved singing about the birth of our glorious Saviour to neighbours.

Lilah thought the singing was ok, but slept through most of it :)

Sewing fever

Sewing that crayon roll ignited in me a passion for sewing again. So the next day I finally made some new cushion covers. I learnt that I could use things in my home to create a cover, so it didn't cost a cent. I used the never-fail 'Google' and 'You Tube' combination to search "sew cushion covers" and used this tutorial.

For the first cover I used left over material from the (awesome) nappy bag my mother made while we were in Australia:

For the next cushion I attempted creativity and used scrap material, a belt and an old t-shirt. I used an old thin towel for the back:

For the third one, I used two different scrap materials and an old nighty for the white band:

Eliana seems to like them - she pretends they are new friends :) I'm now on the hunt for more things from our house that I can revamp in order to brighten things up over the winter season!