Except 2016 is a leap year.
Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
- Brad Paisley
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
2015: The Year of Limitations
I'm heading into 2016 much the same way I've been moving throughout 2015....straining.
It has been a challenging year. My physical health had suffered. The pregnancy with Flynn was just all round harder than it was with Rory. I was sicker, I was tireder (read: exhausted), my body was depleted of vital nutrients. Flynn just seemed to suck everything out of me, and I feel like all I have left is a withered shell. Next year I'll need to put in the hard yards at the physio if my abdominal diastasis has any chance of repair. I know it's normal for the body to not be the same after multiple pregnancies, but I've lost a lot of self-confidence since people have been commenting on it.
My respite this year has been my afternoon naps with Rory. Is it sad that these have been the highlight of my day? Around the time of his second birthday, Rory decided he was going to drop his afternoon sleep. I thought, Not on your life. So, I started having afternoon naps with him in my bed. He loved this and we'd both sleep for about two hours. It was the only way I could get through the day and face 'arsenic hour'. I was criticised by a few people for this who thought he should learn to sleep alone. But what was initially bothersome became a blessing. It was a wonderful time cuddling with my little boy. I'm a bit sorry it has now come to an end, and he's gone back to sleeping by himself in the afternoons in his new big boy bed.
Not only has my physical health taken a battering, but so has my mind. The two are connected and it's horrid what sleep deprivation can do. Most days, my mind feels like a scrambled egg. I'll remember someone's birthday, but can't remember why I opened the fridge door. People joke about mothers being forgetful, but it just shows why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture during war time. Due to my postnatal suffering, Duncan and I have had to make some hard decisions about family planning. This has caused me more grief than I ever thought it would.
I'm not the only one who has found this year difficult. I know of marriages that have ended and, being pregnant and emotional, this has affected me quite deeply. My cousin and her husband of 18 years split in April (they have two children, aged 14 and 12). The director of the two plays I was in last year also had her marriage end and she moved to Perth. This meant the sequel to the World War 1 commemorative play I was in last year was in jeopardy, but a friend who was in last year's cast put her hand up to direct and the show went on.
This year I was limited theatrically. When the dates for the next play were announced, I knew I'd have to decline reprising my role (it was a month after Flynn was due). It was flattering that they wanted me so badly they found a way for me to be in it. My role was pre-filmed and shown on a giant screen. So, I was in it, but not in it. I was actually in the Mother Baby Unit for the show's entire run.
There were other disappointments - the Eagles losing the Grand Final, my book being rejected four times so far, the death of my hen, Gloria.
It was not all bad. I got my Flynn.
Still, I think 2016 will be a year of recovery.
It has been a challenging year. My physical health had suffered. The pregnancy with Flynn was just all round harder than it was with Rory. I was sicker, I was tireder (read: exhausted), my body was depleted of vital nutrients. Flynn just seemed to suck everything out of me, and I feel like all I have left is a withered shell. Next year I'll need to put in the hard yards at the physio if my abdominal diastasis has any chance of repair. I know it's normal for the body to not be the same after multiple pregnancies, but I've lost a lot of self-confidence since people have been commenting on it.
My respite this year has been my afternoon naps with Rory. Is it sad that these have been the highlight of my day? Around the time of his second birthday, Rory decided he was going to drop his afternoon sleep. I thought, Not on your life. So, I started having afternoon naps with him in my bed. He loved this and we'd both sleep for about two hours. It was the only way I could get through the day and face 'arsenic hour'. I was criticised by a few people for this who thought he should learn to sleep alone. But what was initially bothersome became a blessing. It was a wonderful time cuddling with my little boy. I'm a bit sorry it has now come to an end, and he's gone back to sleeping by himself in the afternoons in his new big boy bed.
Not only has my physical health taken a battering, but so has my mind. The two are connected and it's horrid what sleep deprivation can do. Most days, my mind feels like a scrambled egg. I'll remember someone's birthday, but can't remember why I opened the fridge door. People joke about mothers being forgetful, but it just shows why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture during war time. Due to my postnatal suffering, Duncan and I have had to make some hard decisions about family planning. This has caused me more grief than I ever thought it would.
I'm not the only one who has found this year difficult. I know of marriages that have ended and, being pregnant and emotional, this has affected me quite deeply. My cousin and her husband of 18 years split in April (they have two children, aged 14 and 12). The director of the two plays I was in last year also had her marriage end and she moved to Perth. This meant the sequel to the World War 1 commemorative play I was in last year was in jeopardy, but a friend who was in last year's cast put her hand up to direct and the show went on.
This year I was limited theatrically. When the dates for the next play were announced, I knew I'd have to decline reprising my role (it was a month after Flynn was due). It was flattering that they wanted me so badly they found a way for me to be in it. My role was pre-filmed and shown on a giant screen. So, I was in it, but not in it. I was actually in the Mother Baby Unit for the show's entire run.
There were other disappointments - the Eagles losing the Grand Final, my book being rejected four times so far, the death of my hen, Gloria.
It was not all bad. I got my Flynn.
Still, I think 2016 will be a year of recovery.
Monday, December 28, 2015
5 Best Christmases (As An Adult)
There were too many great Christmases as a child (and my memory is getting a bit hazy), so here are the best since I've been an adult:
1. 2011
It was our first Christmas as hosts and we had both of our immediate families come to us. The highlight was the tennis match where my brother and I defeated Duncan and his brother 7-5.
2. 2009
It was just a nice relaxing day Duncan and I spent with my family in Albany. It turned out to be the last Christmas I would spend with my Nan.
3. 2006
Another quiet day with just my immediate family. It turned out it would be my last Christmas before Duncan and I got together. He rang me late that night for a chat and we both knew we were heading towards more than friendship.
4. 2002
It's always exciting to have visitors for Christmas, to spend it with people you don't usually spend it with. That year we had my cousin's (now sadly ex) wife spend Christmas with us while he was away overseas with the navy.
5. 2010
A Dunsborough Christmas and a badly needed break. We had just moved to where we are now three days prior and I was glad to escape the chaos.
Yes, I like party hats.
1. 2011
It was our first Christmas as hosts and we had both of our immediate families come to us. The highlight was the tennis match where my brother and I defeated Duncan and his brother 7-5.
2. 2009
It was just a nice relaxing day Duncan and I spent with my family in Albany. It turned out to be the last Christmas I would spend with my Nan.
3. 2006
Another quiet day with just my immediate family. It turned out it would be my last Christmas before Duncan and I got together. He rang me late that night for a chat and we both knew we were heading towards more than friendship.
4. 2002
It's always exciting to have visitors for Christmas, to spend it with people you don't usually spend it with. That year we had my cousin's (now sadly ex) wife spend Christmas with us while he was away overseas with the navy.
5. 2010
A Dunsborough Christmas and a badly needed break. We had just moved to where we are now three days prior and I was glad to escape the chaos.
Yes, I like party hats.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Santa's Prayer
I saw this on Facebook and thought I'd share. Merry Christmas!
My dear, precious Jesus, I did not mean to take Your place.
I only bring toys and things, and You bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes, and hope that they come true;
But You hear prayers of the heart, and promise Your will to do.
Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;
But You love them unconditionally and that love will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But You leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.
I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind, or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail-scarred hands, or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me in town, or at a mall;
But there is only one omnipotent You to answer a sinner's call.
And so, my dear, precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;
To worship and adore You, on this, Your holy birthday.
My dear, precious Jesus, I did not mean to take Your place.
I only bring toys and things, and You bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes, and hope that they come true;
But You hear prayers of the heart, and promise Your will to do.
Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;
But You love them unconditionally and that love will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But You leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.
I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind, or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail-scarred hands, or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me in town, or at a mall;
But there is only one omnipotent You to answer a sinner's call.
And so, my dear, precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;
To worship and adore You, on this, Your holy birthday.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Rory's Advent Calendar
I thought I'd try doing the whole Advent calendar thing with Rory this year. Due to my circumstances, counting down the last 10 days until Christmas seemed like a more feasible task. Equipped with envelopes, textas and a few Christmas stickers, I copied Cathy's idea and let him make his own. He wanted me to help him write the numbers, and he didn't quite get the concept of not sticking the stickers over them, but he seemed to enjoy himself.
Judging by other mums' efforts via Facebook, mine seems like one epic parenting fail. I didn't get around to putting any confectionery in the envelopes, except for one measly lolly banana yesterday. Nor have I put in any Bible verses. But we've read a few kids' books about the Christmas story and enjoyed the lead up to the big day. Maybe next year I can be a bit more organised.
Throughout this I'm reminded that God is sovereign over all things - including whether our children come to faith. While Christian parents have a responsibility to bring up their children in the knowledge of the Lord, no fancy Christmas craft can make them Christian. God can use even the most feeble of efforts.
Monday, December 21, 2015
5 Best Posts From Other Bloggers in 2014
Wow, I am so behind in doing 2014's best posts since 2015 is nearly over! I will have to do the best posts of 2015 early next year.
1. My Year of Less is More - No Reading at the Breakfast Table (check out Jenny's whole Less is More series)
2. To Be a Soldier - In All Honesty
3. Memories of Rwanda - RodneyOlsen.net
4. The Gap is Wider Than I'd Imagined - The Key to the Door
5. Dear Well-Meaning-Anglo-Saxon-Australian-Christians - This Fleeting Moment
1. My Year of Less is More - No Reading at the Breakfast Table (check out Jenny's whole Less is More series)
2. To Be a Soldier - In All Honesty
3. Memories of Rwanda - RodneyOlsen.net
4. The Gap is Wider Than I'd Imagined - The Key to the Door
5. Dear Well-Meaning-Anglo-Saxon-Australian-Christians - This Fleeting Moment
Friday, December 18, 2015
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