All is quiet in the Ingram household - sorta

We had a fantastic last day at church, we had a fantastic Christmas and now we are having a fantastic New Years Eve.

A quick update.

Leaving church:
We said our farewells on the 23rd and I am happy to say that Russell was appreciated for all his hard work. I couldn't give a rat's tutu if people cared about whether I was leaving or not, but I was hoping and praying that Russell would feel appreciated, affirmed and encouraged in the work he has done and the work he is going to continue in. We were prayed for by our fearless Elder (and great friend) Rick and received a couple of goodies!! One including a digital photo frame, how cool are those things!! Anyway, I was surprised and even shed a tear or two at the farewell service. I will miss all the creche kids and am praying they will be in good hands.

Christmas Eve:
We spent with a couple who have quickly become some of our closest friends. We met Jaye & Asher in June this year and have absolutely been blessed by their friendship. God brought them along in our lives when we felt so alone and misunderstood by many, when we lost a friendship that left a hole, and they have come along and filled and overflowed that hole! We are planning to hop into a campervan and travel up to Kalbarri at the end of January which will be fun. The four of us in a little van and a small tent. Should be FUN!!

Christmas Day:
Was the most relaxed we have ever had! We went to Thornlie COC on Chrissy Eve and spent Chrissy morning with each other. We sat in our undies (it was soooo hot) and gave each other gifts, couldn't be bothered making breaky so Russell drove down to our local Caltex and bought a sausage roll which we had. I was too excited to eat anything though. I LOVE giving gifts (it's my love language) and all I wanted to do was keep giving and giving to Russell. I was even going over all the gifts we had for everyone and trying to make sure we hadn't forgotten anyone. Then at 11 we headed to Russell's family and saw his sister and bro-in-law and spent an hour with them before heading over to my family for lunch. The 0nly ones there were Mum, Dad, Dru, and Granny and us! So it was very quiet and relaxing. We had a swim in the pool and played lots of Buzz-Mega Quiz!! Dad and Granny were soon hooked!
We were then planning on heading over to Russell's parents (again) to have dinner with them, but they called my mum to say they were coming for dinner! So for dinner we had Mum, Dad, Granny, Dru, Kate, Jos, Robbo, Kaylee, Denise & Steve, and Me and Russ. So it was a lot busier but still fun as we all told funny stories (this ALWAYS happens with our family).

We headed to Russ's parents for supper and a catch-up chat. We got home around 12pm and were fast asleep.

Boxing Day:
We headed over to spend the day with our small group. Every year our small group gets together with all our leftovers and just eats and relaxes all day. It was a great time and in the arvo, Russ and I headed over to my parents for another swim - all Russ wanted to do was watch the cricket so I swam with Kate & Jos - a little awkward since they are newly engaged and can't swim further than 2meteres apart!! It was still fun though! I feel asleep on the floor tiles in the lounge room and we decided to head off around 4.30.

With all the fires going on down near our area it was crazy!! The fires got so close to us that I was worried Jet would die from smoke! It took us 1.20hrs on a normally 20min trip! The freeway and main roads were cut off and it was an absolute stinker to sit in the car. Even when we were home, there were constant helicopters and planes going over us to get water from a nearby lake and to wet the fire. It was absolutely crazy!! It was a crazy few days in regards to those fires. They got so close to a lot of houses!

Now:
I am at work (which sucks). Why does this suck? Our small group decided to go camping for New Years and we headed over to Caversham (Swan Valley) on Sat. morning and I have had to come into work this morning. I am heading back later on and we will spend NY's eve together and head off tomorrow morning. This also sucks because my best friend, Fi, gave birth to her first born this morning at 3.46am!

Jaxon Evan was born weighing 9 pounds, (4.21kg)!!! Fi is tired ( I spoke to her this morning and she didn't seem all there!!) and Robbie (hubby) is ecstatic, but currently asleep. It is just so surreal. I have had many friends have babies, but Fi is my closest friend and I am just soooo happy for her. She was due on the 23rd so it has been a bit of a waiting game all week! All week I have been waking up at night praying for her, I'm not sure how coherent my prayers are at 2.30am, but I'm sure God understands my blabbings. I just wanna leave and go give her a HUGE kiss!

So, I am here at work blogging because it is soooo quiet, and really no point to me being here! Anyway, I should catch up on some of the things I've been putting off.

Sorry it's a boring post, and not really interesting, but I thought I should check-in with ya'll and hope you all had as great a Chrissy as we did, and that you have a great night and New Year this year!!

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz End Results

The scores from the last and final round:

Pete: 6.5
Middo: 6.5
Sarah: 5.5
Russell: 5.5

And the Grand Finale:

Pete: 19.5
Sarah: 18.5
Russell: 12.5
Middo: 9.5

Congrats Petey! Something is coming your way!!

And a HUGE encouragement award to Middo for kicking butt in that last round - you blew our socks off!!

Thanks for participating guys, you made my Christmas that little bit more special ;)

Now, let's go paaaaaaarty!

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz Results Round 3

First the answers:

1. Who was the first English monarch to have a Christmas Tree? (Multiple choice)
Henry VIII Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth II King George VI

2. How many sides does a snowflake have?
Six

3. In which two oceans would you find a “Christmas Island”?
Indian & Pacific

4. The carol “Silent Night” was first played on what instrument? (Multiple choice)

Guitar Piano Trumpet Violin


5. At Christmas, it is customary to exchange kisses beneath a sprig of which plant?
Mistletoe

6. What is the connection between “Comet”, “Cupid” and “Vixen”?
They are all names of Santa’s reindeers

(But I accepted - They are Santa's reindeers)

7. In what year was the first Christmas card produced? (Multiple Choice)
1823 1892 1895 1846

8. Finish this line from an old Christmas Carol: Oh come, all ye faithfull….....
Joyful and Triumphant

9. How many “Lords a Leaping” were there?
10

10. What one reindeer is never mentioned in “The Night Before Christmas”?
Rudolph

The odd feeling of finality

Our last Sunday at church is this sunday.

We have been having odd feelings about it these last couple of weeks. While we are extremely excited to be leaving and embarking on the adventure God has got planned for us, it still feels rather odd coming to a close of something.

As much as I have struggled at this church, it will be sad, and I am positive that Russell will be sad about leaving the church he has been in his entire life. He has never had to leave a church before.

He sent out his last email today saying that he can no longer be contacted there, and there was a sense of sadness that went along with it.

I guess we are feeling a little weird because we don't feel like we will be missed at all. Russell has been left out of a lot of things at the church recently and it feels as though there was no point to all his hard work over the last 4 years....so that adds to it a little.

I have no doubt whatsoever that I won't be missed, and I am fine with that. I have already moved on and am just waiting on God.

It feels as though so many things are starting to finalise in our lives. Russell is considering taking his Advanced Diploma in Theology rather than continue studying for his Bachelor, and now that he doesn't work at the church, he is looking for work. For the first time in our married lives we will have an income coming from both sides...that will take a little adjusting to I'm sure!

I don't really know the point of this post, I just wanted to put a few thoughts down.

Sorry it's not much of a read!

anyway...I'm bumbling along now, cya!

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz Round 3 - Final Round

1. Who was the first English monarch to have a Christmas Tree? (Multiple choice)

Henry VIII Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth II King George VI

2. How many sides does a snowflake have?

3. In which two oceans would you find a “Christmas Island”?

4. The carol “Silent Night” was first played on what instrument? (Multiple choice)

Guitar Piano Trumpet Violin

5. At Christmas, it is customary to exchange kisses beneath a sprig of which plant?

6. What is the connection between “Comet”, “Cupid” and “Vixen”?

7. In what year was the first Christmas card produced? (Multiple Choice)

1823 1892 1895 1846

8. Finish this line from an old Christmas Carol: Oh come, all ye faithfull….....

9. How many “Lords a Leaping” were there?

10. What one reindeer is never mentioned in “The Night Before Christmas”?

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz Results Round 2

Sorry about the long wait guys...I have been sick this week, and have only just been able to drag myself to work today. Hence, instead of doing work I am catching up on blogging and reading blogs!

Here are the answers from the 2nd round from Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz!

1. What was Rudolph’s punishment for his red nose?

Could not play the reindeer games

2. What did the Grinch use as a substitute for reindeer?

His dog

3. What carol is known as the counting song?

Twelve Days of Christmas

4. Traditionally, does the oldest or youngest family member open the first present?

The youngest

5. What country started the tradition of exchanging gifts? (Multiple choice)

Germany England Italy Poland

6. What are tiny, inexpensive gifts usually called?

Stocking fillers

7. What do most elves wear on the tips of their shoes?

Bells

8. After red and green, what are the two most popular Christmas colours?

Silver & Gold

9. What two words are normally pre-printed on gift tags?

To & From

10. Who wrote a Christmas Carol?

Charles Dickens

So here are the results for this round: (congrats to Middo doubling his score from last week!)

Sarah: 6
Pete: 7
Russ: 3
Middo: 2

And the grand total scores: (oooo can Pete take the lead? Can russell gives us a straight answer? can middo knock everyone's socks off?...we will have to wait and see!)

Sarah: 13
Pete: 13
Russ: 7
Middo: 3

Quote of the day

"Three things that never come back; the spent arrow, the spoken word, the lost opportunity."

- W.G.P.

The fish aren't bitin'

Since none of you bit when I said Russell had 10 points, I'll just have to fess up and say I was joking.

Geez...

Here are the official results:

Sarah 7
Pete 6
Russ 4
Middo 1

I wonder if Pete can catch Sarah, or if Sarah will streak ahead, if Russ can give a decent answer, and Middo prove that he truly does love christmas. (stirring you middo)

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz Round 2

Here is Round 2 of Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz. If you didn't enter in the last round, feel free to join in now.

This weeks questions are:

1. What was Rudolph’s punishment for his red nose?

2. What did the Grinch use as a substitute for reindeer?

3. What carol is known as the counting song?

4. Traditionally, does the oldest or youngest family member open the first present?

5. What country started the tradition of exchanging gifts? (Multiple choice)

Germany England Italy Poland


6. What are tiny, inexpensive gifts usually called?

7. What do most elves wear on the tips of their shoes?

8. After red and green, what are the two most popular Christmas colours?

9. What two words are normally pre-printed on gift tags?

10. Who wrote "A Christmas Carol"?

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz Results

Alright, well it seems that no-one else is going to enter my brilliant Christmas quiz, so it is just the four of you.

Here are the results:

Points

Russell 10
Sarah 7
Pete 6
Middo 1

I decided to give Russell 10 out of 10 for making me laugh. So, he is leader of the pack…you lot have a lot of catching up to do.

Here are the official answers to the questions:

1. How many reindeer does Santa have?
Nine
2. In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?
Santa
3. In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?
His heart was two sizes too small.
4. What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?
White Christmas
5. What was Scrooge’s first name?
Ebenezer
6. What carol contains the line “O tidings of comfort and joy”?
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7. What was the first gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?
Six geese-a-laying
8. In what city did Miracle of 34th Street take place?
New York
9. In the Night Before Christmas, where were the stockings hung?
By the chimney
10. What is the last ghost called in A Christmas Carol?
The Ghost of Christmas yet to come

Stay tuned for the next 10 questions in Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz!!

Last few weeks #1

First things first, I have some good news....Kate and Josiah are engaged!! They will be getting married in May next year. Congrats guys....I love you both, and couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law - good catch Kate!

Kate & Jos

The ring - ooooo pretty!!

Me & Russ on the way to Carrie & Eric's wedding

On Russell's b'day in our favourite spot - the kitchen!!

Russell looks so old, donchya think!!?

Russell getting the Christmas tree ready while I just watch

My help - entertainment

Oooo pretty - and yes, I did eventually help!!

Russell doing the honours

oooo....pretty lights

kissy kissy

A little decoration we have had since we got married - it say's 'Our first Christmas'

Last few weeks #2

Every year our small group throws a 'dodgy christmas party' where we invite friends, put on a feast and give dodgy christmas pressies. Basically pressies that you would hate to receive and would re-gift. It's always a huge laugh

At our small group's 'Dodgy Christmas party' on Fri. night.

Me with Jaye

Russ & Asher - feeling the love

The 'Dodgy present' pile

Russell got handcuffs - 'purrrr'

Pete, the pillow says 'Time spent teaching is never lost'....DODGY!!

Evan got 2 little wreath candlestick holders. Asher said they could make breastfeeding Merry...so Evan gave us a demonstration

Jet before he got the zing (shaved)

1/4 of the way there

Mum helping zing him

He wouldn't let us anywhere near his head, so now he really does look like a doofus. He is a mini lion. He really looks stupid, but if that's how he wants to look , then fine. He has to deal with it, not me.

Then Asher decided he would like a zing.

Side shot - verrrry nice

Lovely Asher, lovely

Paper Scissors Rock

My cousin sent this to me last night. Ah, it made me laugh this morning :)


"I understand how scissors can beat paper, and I get how a rock can beat scissors, but there's no way paper can beat rock. Is paper supposed to magically wrap around rock and leave it immobile? Why then can't paper do this to scissors? Screw scissors, why can't paper do this to people? Why aren't sheets of college ruled notebook paper constantly suffocating students as they take notes in class? I'll tell you why, because paper can't beat anybody. A rock would tear it up in 2 seconds. When I play rock, paper, scissors, I always choose rock. When somebody claims to have beaten me with their paper I can punch them in the face with my already clenched fist and say, oh, I'm sorry, I thought paper would protect you..."

What's wrong with you lot?

'Cmon already people! I need more entrants in my BRILLIANT quiz!

I can't just have 2! Thanks pete and Sarah.

But seriously people, 'cmon!! It's absolutely brilliant and fun and not really that hard.

I promise I won't laugh if you don't get any right. I may have a brief giggle, but honestly, please enter my quiz people.

I'm on my knees begging you to join in with my festivities...for once I can consider myself semi-smart for coming up with this, and if you don't enter then I will be forced to plunge into the depths of my doona and I may never recover.

I don't know what's up with me this morning, I think I'm losing it.

But seriously, enter and be amazed!

Age defying beauty

I need a vent. Not an angry vent, I just need to get some things off my chest.

On sunday we had a hymn service.

Yes, you read me right! A hymn service.

Now, I am not against hymns. I actually enjoy some hymns. I don't give a rat's tuu tuu if certain people wish to gather one night a week and have a hymn service.

I do however, give a rat's tuu tuu, when that hymn service is pushed onto other people.

I do not appreciate being told that I should attend the hymn service, that I need to just enjoy it. That, to me, is like telling Russell to just enjoy having his nails painted or something, "you'll see, you'll like it!"

I do care when Sunday morning is altered to suit certain people's needs. I do not push for my style of music every sunday, I do not push for my own wants and needs, and I would expect that those who are (apparently) more mature in their Christian faith, to do the same.

I am not trying to be all 'holier than thou'. I am just frustrated when people constantly think that church is for them. News break...IT's NOT!

I was told on Sunday that the service had been designed for a certain age-group. I asked would our age group then be catered for next week? To which I was responded with, "It is every week isn't it!?"

I'm sorry, but songs from the 60's doesn't really cater for my age-group. Anyway...

I was then asked "What is a youth service?" My response was "maybe having songs from the 2000's would help."

However, after thinking things through and chatting with Russell, we decided that the following (in our own opinion) is what the youth are looking for/would enjoy. Keeping in mind that church is not set up for our own wants and needs.

• Feeling involved/engaged in the service
• Understanding the words that are being sung - this aids towards feeling engaged
• Things to be done well - not tacky
• Sometimes newer songs, but not necessarily. We have the ability to enjoy hymns if they are not done in some monotone tacky way.

The youth don't necessarily want loud music. It doesn't have to be loud, just done well, engaging and inviting. Being told before a service that this music is for a certain generation and to just try and enjoy it DOES NOT invite or engage anyone else in that service. Obviously this music is for certain people, not me, therefore they switch off.

I also don't think it is wise when you have the most visitors I have ever seen come in one service to have this sort of stuff going on. It is not inviting or engaging the community that surrounds us.

So, my question to all of you out there is"

"What is a youth service - what do you think it has/involves?"

I'd be interested to see what other people think. I may be way off with how I perceive things at the moment...I seem to have lost my perception somewhere along my journey's. Am I correct in some of my thoughts on what a 'youth service' has? I hate saying 'youth service'. I don't want a service dedicated to a certain age-group. That's not what church is about....but don't get me started on that!

So, get crackin'!!

Russell may need to upgrade me soon

It’s true. I’m falling apart.

These last 2 months have been very trying and I fear that Russell may need to get an upgraded wife soon if I keep heading down this track.

Last month I had 3 doctor’s appointments, 5 blood tests and lots of stress. This month I have had to go to the podiatrist to get my feet sorted out. I have my father to thank for the ingrown toenail gene (ugh I just hate even saying it) and my mother to thank for my ‘broken’ arches.

I have only had one ingrown toenail on my left foot (my big toe) and had it operated on in 2001. I was worried that my big toe on my right foot was going to go ingrown because I got a pedicure in Thailand and she cut my nails in an odd way. I’m a little paranoid about these things and thought I would just head on over to the podiatrist to make sure everything was ok.

The doctor checked my toe – all is good – YAY! Then I asked her to check my arches.

“Major dodgy-ness” were her exact words!

She then proceeded to tell me I would have to book another 2 appointments to get my feet moulded and scanned and all this techno stuff done to get these fibreglass innersoles thingys. I don’t even know what the heck you call them, but I know what the heck they cost! $1300 smack-a-roonies!

I thought I was covered for this stuff under my health insurance, but it turns out I’m not. So either we cough up the $1300 – though I’m not sure where we can cough it up from, or I end up with my knees around my back and hobbling like a 98 year old!

*Sigh*

I told Russell yesterday that I’m just falling apart and that he may need to upgrade soon. Funnily enough, he didn’t agree. (awwww)

I wouldn’t be surprised if my boobs fell off next!

Bek's Brilliant Christmas Quiz

I am going to do a Christmas Quiz for you all! I can tell you are just all so excited about it! I will keep a running tally of who is in the lead, but we have a few simple rules!

A) NO GOOGLING!!
B) NO Phoning a friend

Please try and answer the questions without cheating...it's a real tester on your knowledge (if I may say so myself!)

Here are the first 10 out of 30 questions! I will post the next 10 next week. Post your answers in the comment section....and remember....NO CHEATING!! We are using the honor system here people!!

1. How many reindeer does Santa have?

2. In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?

3. In How the Grinch stole Christmas, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?

4. What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

5. What was Scrooge’s first name in A Christmas Carol?

6. What carol contains the line “O tidings of comfort and joy”?

7. What was the 6th gift my true love sent to me on the 6th day of Christmas?

8. In what city did Miracle of 34th Street take place?

9. In the Night before Christmas, where were the stockings hung?

10. What is the last ghost called in A Christmas Carol?

I will also post the answers in the next couple of days! Enjoy!!

Movie Quiz

Can you all have a shot at this?

I've got 17 so far, so if you could give me your answers, that'd be great!!

Thanks!!

Oh, and enjoy :)

This is a boring post

Ugh! I have a bit of news but I want to wait until I have photos to post about it.

So in the meantime, can you guess what it is?

One hint, it's something that has happened in my family :)

A day in the life of an email of our small group

A little insight into how our small group interacts and organises things…

I thought the following email trail was really funny:

The emails all began from Ali, our fearless leader. We are planning to go away just after Christmas into the new year. Here is how we try and communicate what is happening. We ended up off topic...but, that's us for ya!

Initial email: (Ali)

“…Also looked up prices for Woodman point and coogee caravan parks. Cause it’s peak it works out to be $38 a night.(per 2 people) (couldn’t find prices for club Capricorn)
*Should I book it for 4 nights from the 28th ?
* Are we all happy with that price?
* Will we need 4 sites?
Here is links if you want to have a look. www.aspenparks.com.au/
Could you let me know your thoughts
Thanks Ali”

Response: (Rick)

“Hi all,

Since small group didn't happen tonight and since I wasn't there last week (and we all know how well Sanda relays info to me...don't tell her I said that) here is where I am at. Are we all discussing camping in tents? That's fine but I'm a little worried if it is 40 degrees for those 4 days. What happens with Bella and Zac (and Felix and Lochie for that matter). Sanda said we can just come home...is that a viable option? I know what you're all thinking...what a girl Rick is but after spending a holiday at a caravan park that was the precursor to Hell (Esperance anyone??) I get a little nervous about "roughing it". Anyhoo, I'm just discussing what I would have said had we been together. I'm still all for going away and out of the two I think they are much of a muchness (although one did have a recreation room with a pool table). I'm still up for tenting but you realize I'll be hiking into Freo everyday for an affogato and calzone. So what say we??
-R-“

Re: (bec 2 in our group…not me)

“im so excited about the camping...only thing is i wont have a car :( cos ruth is still here
so i have 3 optioins
1. ruth can dump me there
2. someone can give me a ride
3. i can stick my thumb out on the motorway hahaha please dont say option 3
anyways missed u all last night...sanda and i went shopping...was heeps of fun!!
hope u all have a great day :)
from becs!”

Re: (Ali)

“Here is latest
1. Rick is a wuss
2. So far no-one has come up with any other options except yanchep but I can’t find anything on that.
3. We can’t come on Friday 28th and neither can Cricelli’s so will come Saturday. Do the rest of you want me to book for the Friday or will you come on Saturday too?
4. Otherwise Monday I will book 4 sites for either 3 or 4 nights.
5. If it is hot I’m happy with a visit to Freo anyway but for gelato rather than a latte.
6. Have a good weekend.
7. Rick is still a wuss
Ali”

Re: (Pete)

“Here’s the latest from Pete
1. I’m happy to fit in pretty much around the rest of you lot because my life is not complicated by a family, kids, wife, grilfriend, or in fact anyone else that may love me L
2. I’m happy to come on the Saturday.
3. I’m happy to visit Freo (but surely there’ll be plenty of ferals at the caravan park. Why travel all the way to freo to see more?)
4. Rick is a woos
5. With Labor now in charge you’d better start getting used to living in a tent Rick.
6. Does anyone have the technology to keep drinks cold? I’m just thinking of my friend Mr Beam.
7. Have a good weekend and see you on Sunday!

Pete”

Re: (Ali)

More latest
1. We love Pete and are happy to make his life more complicated if he wants.
2. We will take our caravan and have technology to store important items like Miss Cruiser and Mrs Peach Wine Spritza
3. We won’t be there on Sunday as we are going to Moora for Another Bec’s 30th.
4. C U!
Ali


Re: (me)

“Pete!! I/We love you!!!!

You can sleep on the floor of our van if you like :)

We have a fridge in the van which is a decent size if needs be!”!


Re: (Pete)

“Thanks Bek,

;) and I’m definitely not sleeping on your floor, especially as your trying to have babies, that’d be weird J

I may get you to store drinks for me though.”

Re: (me)

Just so you all know...my work mates are having a great laugh at all of your emails.

We are all wetting ourselves :)

Re: (Pete)

Excellent, what little I can do to brighten peoples lives ;)

Are any of them pretty and enjoy camping??


Re: (me)

hehehe....no, the closest to our age is 200kg and 34

I can see if she's interested??


Re: (Pete)

My sleeping bags not very big ;)

Re: (me)

STOP!!! my tummy hurts from laughing too much :)

Re: (Pete)
:)

Farting Preacher

This is great!

Click here

Update

Hhmmm…I’ve been holding off from posting about this for awhile, but it may just explain a bit of the moods I’ve been in recently.

About a month ago I went to see my doctor to make sure that I am healthy and that I wasn’t dying of some hidden disease in my body, etc etc.

She told me my weight (less than what I originally thought) told me to gain some weight, then forced me to do girly things that girls hate doing. While she was doing all her checks and what not we were talking about falling pregnant as Russell and I have been trying since we got back from holidays. I wasn’t talking to her because I was worried that we hadn’t ‘fallen’ as I knew it would probably take a few months. It wasn’t until she started to ask questions and make certain comments that I started to worry.

She told me that she didn’t think I had ever ovulated in my life, and that there was a high possibility that I wasn’t ovulating at all. Now for those who don’t know, you need to ovulate to get preggers (I know it’s pretty much common knowledge, but just in case).

She then sent me off for a few blood tests and told me to come back the following week.

At first I was in denial.

“Yeah right, she’s just got it totally wrong. I’m completely normal”

Then when I got home after work I broke down.

“Yeah right you stinkin’ formed me in my mother’s womb. You didn’t form me properly, that’s what! I’m broken goods. I don’t even work right. Why me!?! Why does this sort of crap always happen to me. What about all those people that have sex ONCE before they get married and fall pregnant, yet I play by the rules and look what happens!”

I’m allowed to go through that ok!! Don’t preach to me about how God did form me right, blah blah blah. I’m allowed my moment of weakness.

So, I got depressed. That whole week I was surrounded by pregnant women and babies. I went to a women’s night to hear my mum speak and there were 6 pregnant women surrounding me!! I couldn’t escape it. Plus, two girls in my small group have just had kids, and it was really depressing.

Why is it that when other people start trying for kids it just happens. Yet, when we start trying we are only faced with troubles. Granted it’s only been 2 months, but when you find out your ovaries aren’t working, let alone even there it gets hard.

I went back to my doctor the following week and she told me that

“Any normal person would have ovulated on the day that you had the blood tests done, but you didn’t so you need to get some more blood tests done next week to see if it happened/happens or not.”

So, after all that waiting, I had to wait again. It was at this stage that I just gave into the fact that it mustn’t be happening and that we were doomed. I broke down in our interim pastors office and embarrassed myself completely. They asked if I had anyone I talked to and I said no. I don’t. I have a couple of friends, but not any that understand. They’ve got their babies, how can they relate?

I had my next set of blood tests done and waited another week for the results. Finally my doctor called me at work and said that I did in fact ovulate that month. However, I may only ovulate 3 times a year.

She has given us 4-6 months to fall pregnant. If it doesn’t happen then she will step in and see what’s going on.

I never in a million years would have thought about the possibility that we might not be able to have kids. But, it doesn’t surprise me. God tends to do this sort of stuff with me.
I’m trying to get out of that mindset, but it doesn’t help when it doesn’t seem like God is ever on my side.

So, just so you all know, I am a little sensitive about it right now, so no preaching, just listening.

Is creation falling apart?

Article taken from AIG

Many people ask, “If God is an all-powerful Creator, how could He let His creation fall apart like this?” The implication is that God somehow has lost control of Earth, that He is not sovereign.
But the Bible tells us exactly what God the Creator is doing. He has removed some of His sustaining power—but just temporarily. When God judged Adam’s sin in Genesis, He also made the earth to begin to decay. Romans 8:22 tells us that the whole of creation is groaning and travailing in pain. Everything is running down because of sin. God has given us a taste of life without Him—a world full of violence, death, suffering, and disease.

But the Creator’s hand is still obvious. The book of Romans tells us the invisible things from the creation are clearly seen, even His eternal power and Godhead. Our very presence on earth is evidence of God’s sustaining power.

In fact, if God withdrew all of His sustaining power, the creation would cease to exist (Colossians 1:16–17). Instead, the Creator is allowing things to fall apart as a consequence of sin. But Jesus stepped into history to die on the cross to save us from what we did, promising to restore His Creation and return us to a perfect relationship with Him for eternity.

So, let us remember to:
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)

For more information, see “Why Does the Universe Continue to Exist?”

Friday Funny

To my main man

It was your birthday yesterday and I wasn’t able to post anything, so here it is a little belated.

You are my everything! You accept that crazy twisted mind of mine, you accept the chaos that entails me and yet you still love me! I am amazed! You are kind, sensitive, wise, funny (yes I admit it! – but only sometimes), everything I’m not (except I think I am hilarious!). You complete me! I know it’s a bit taboo to say that, to make yourself completely vulnerable to someone, but it’s true. Your strengths uplift my weaknesses, you listen to me, you care about me, you dance with me in the kitchen, you carry me to bed even when your back is breaking, you drop me off and pick me up from the bus stop EVERY day, you never cease!

If I am only blessed with one thing in this life, I consider that blessing to be you. You came into my life at a time when I most needed you, you support me and you are patient with me. I still cannot believe that you married me! I cannot believe that we have been married for 2.5yrs! I cannot believe that God saw fit to bless my life with you!

I am thankful to your parents for doing what they did to create you! It’s amazing! After all their longings for a baby, you came along! As I said last night, who knows WHAT sort of Ingram I’d be married to if you didn’t come along! (Bit weird I know)

I hope that yesterday was an ok day for you. I know that I am hormonal at the moment and not the easiest person to live with, but I hope you had fun anyway. I love you my prince!! xoxooxoxomexoxoxoxoxo

Carrie & Eric's Wedding - 11/11/07

These photo's were all taken by my brother-in-law/love, Chris. Thanks Chris...they are great photos! You can click on the photos to get a bigger pic.

Bridesmaid 1

Bridesmaid 2 - Carrie's sister

Bridesmaid 3 - Carrie's next sister

Maid of Honor - Ainsley (I think that's how you spell it)

Carrie & her Dad

Carrie - I loved her dress!

Carrie & Eric

Exchanging Rings

Smooching

The girls all looked beautiful

Signing of the Registry - this old church is beautiful too

They had stretch hummers! How cool is that!!

My absolutely fantastic small group

Back Row: Dodgy Pete, Felix, Ali, Lachy, Sanda, Isobella, Bec, Jamie, Zac

Front Row: Eliza, Rick, Me and Russ

My complete support network

All us small group girls...Isobella isn't too young to be counted...but Zac can't join, cos he's a boy :( (we still love him though)

In bed with bek

I always have, for as long as I can remember, talked in my sleep and also made out the actions.

I forgot to mention this to Russell before we got married and at first I freaked him out a little, but now he is getting used to it.

The first time it happened it was quite an ordeal. We had only been married a couple of weeks and the following occurred late one night.

Bek: *lying on stomach with hands on chin chatting away to the wall* - I thought I was talking to a friend who worked at “The Good Guys”. I turn around and ‘think’ I see Dodgy Pete standing at the end of our bed with a stereo in his arms

Bek: Russell, Russell (urgent whisper - and poking him in the side). Russell, You need to go talk to Pete because I can’t. I’m talking to Georgie.

Russ: Huh, what? Just waking up

Bek: Pete, he’s here, you need to go speak to him. He’s buying a stereo.

Russ: *looks around aimlessly* I can’t see him! (still confused)

Bek: *sound asleep on pillow*

That was the first of many times that I have been awake but still dreaming at the same time. He always tells me about them in the morning.

Like last night –

Bek *lying on stomach and looking around the room – leaning over Russell to see*

Russ: What are you doing

Bek: Looking for something

Russ: What are you looking for?

Bek: A cutting board

Russ: What for?

Bek: To cut things

Russ: What are you wanting to cut?

Bek: *sound asleep on pillow*

I kid you not, these are all true stories! I will let you know of other funny ones. I will never forget the one where Russell was grappling with a curtain one night….ahhh yes…many stories!

Russell really had no idea what he was getting himself into!

Steer clear

Ugh…I have been in the foulest mood ALL stinkin’ week.

Female hormones, I tell ya…pfft. Usually I’m only moody for a couple of days, and then I’m fine, but this has been one hellofa long week.

I’m even in too foul a mood to blog. And all the men I work with got away relatively unscathed yesterday.

Poor Russ….

You will hear from me when I’m possibly a little cheerier…maybe.

I tell ya what...

I am sick of society constantly trying to screw everyone over. Can we not all be honest and decent people and still make a living.

I am sick to death of zero customer service, businesses screwing over the 'little man', and people who honestly don't give a damn.

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay clear of me today...I've already threatned all the men I work with to stay clear if they wish to keep their balls intact.

*breathe breathe*

Question

Does anyone know how to get superglue off your fingers?

Oh, and I'd like to keep my fingerprints please

Quote of the day

"Wit should be served in small portions like caviar and not spread like marmalade"

- Anonymous

Bek feels like a rant

1. If you’re a Christian and you’re going to vote this year, please, please research the party you are going to vote for. Don’t just base your decision on one advertisement or base it on “oh, he looks alright”. Research people, RESEARCH! It’s not that hard to look up a Party’s website and go through their policy! For goodness sakes, I am sick of hearing Christians go on about politics and making “informed” (being sarcastic) decisions, but never ever, look into the party they are going to vote for. I can’t stress enough how important it is for us to research and look into these things. Also, we as Christians can’t always rely on the government to do the right thing. We can’t continually wait on the government to do the right thing, and do nothing ourselves. We cannot continue to pass the buck. Stand up and take responsibility for goodness sake!

2. Churches really don’t handle “singledom” very well. I know too many young Christians who are fed the lie that there is someone out there for everyone and that you just have to find him/her. What if that is not in God’s plan for them? Why do churches continually pump out the promise of marriage and happiness, and then don’t know how to deal with those who slip into depression because it hasn’t come true for them? If you’re not married by 21, you’re an old maid. Placed on the shelf and left to your own devices which really only include trying to find someone on some cheesy online Christian dating service. We need to get real about the fact that not all of us will marry. We need to start providing and including those who remain single. AHHHHH!!! I’m sick of it…and I’m MARRIED!!

3. Hmmm…all things come in 3’s. What else is there? I am sick of the delay in the train coming south. All of us on the bus this morning watched the test train go past, and break down over the bridge. AHHH!! Alana McTiernan has a lot to answer for!! Us southerners are not a pretty bunch, and I’m sure she wouldn’t like us knocking on her door tonight.

Sigh…

Like Sands through the hourglass so are the days of bek #8

Wow! You get two of these chapters in one day! Now I won't have to write another one for the next 6 months!! Try not to fall asleep on your keyboard while you read...its a longy...and you won't look to good with the letter 'L' imprinted on your forehead!

Our Story

Friend: Russ this is Bek, Bek this is Russ

Bek: Hi *smiles*

Russ: Hi *looks away*

Bek: I think I’ve seen you around before, but never met you. How old are you?

Russ: 17 *looks away*

Bek: WOW!! I thought you were heaps younger!

Russ: *silence*

Bek: You’re boring *walks away*

And so began the grand adventure of Bek and Russ.

That was the first time I had met Russell. I had seen him hanging around some friends who were 1yr younger than me, so that’s why I thought he was younger than me. I had never met him, and we were both at ‘Undercurrent’ a night the Thornlie Youth had put on at the end of the school year 2001 at Thornlie Swimming Pools. I was chatting to some people and Russell was standing there with his backpack and beanie on (looking cute might I add) and someone introduced us. He was so shy that I gave up trying to talk to him. Yes, you may think I was rude, but I am a stirrer, I will stir people who I have only just met for a laugh! I don’t know…it’s just a bad habit.

I didn’t see Russell for a few months after that. It was at Easter Camp ’02 that I saw him next. I was singing at the camp and Russell was drumming. During practice I would stand on his ‘drum carpet’ and spin his cymbals around. I thought it was fun, he wouldn’t say anything, but now he tells me that it was so frustrating! He kept watching me thinking ‘get your hands off my cymbals’. This was when I discovered just how good a drummer he was. I would watch him drum and just see him worshipping God. It truly was and still is an amazing experience. He is going to drum for our babies while they are still in my belly I tell you! At this camp I met a young man from a ‘northern’ church and went on a couple of dates with him. Russell had also met a chick from the same church, so we started going to their Sunday night services together. Russell would drive a group of us up and we would hang around at supper and what not.

Suffice to say, it didn’t work out for either of us.

This was all happening while we went to State Youth Games (2002) also. I’ll never forget the Fri night before the games started. I was with some friends on a basketball court (outside) and Russell was there with some friends skateboarding. Like any typical chick, I wanted a turn, but just made a fool out of myself. I then saw him (them) the next morning at the banner parade. I helped them get their banner sorted out. It was the year they went with Jarrod McKenna and they had the “Cheesy Christian T-Shirts” theme. They had Steve and Scott in their boardies and had the banner wrapped around them so it looked like they weren’t wearing anything. Russell and I helped them wrap it around them. I think the slogan was “I was naked and you clothed me with ….a cheesy Christian T-shirt”…something along those lines.

During SYG, we didn’t see each other much, and we were too interested in these people from the other church anyway.

It wasn’t until those ‘relationships’ (not that you can really call them that) didn’t work out that we started to hang out a little more. It was later in the year and heading into summer. This was when ‘the group’ started up and we fast became good friends.

Russ and I would do most things together, however I never saw it more than a friendship. The whole group were purely ‘just friends’. I never had feelings for him – and I don’t know if he had feelings for me, I don’t think he did anyway. We spent the summer watching DVD’s and having BBQ’s. We went to Fire It Up as a group (where I met Gaz) and we all had a pic taken of us as a group – Russ and I still have this picture…we love it!

It was at that camp where I realised that Russell may have overstepped the ‘friend line’. He just came to visit the camp on the dinner night because he hadn’t been there all week. We were all having dinner and he was refusing to come outside and have dinner with everyone else. I came inside to tell him to stop being a pansy, and to get outside with everyone else. He still didn’t want to (didn’t want to steal someone’s seat or something) and I stalked past him, disgusted he wasn’t listening to me, and he grabbed my arm. I turned around and saw the look in his eye that was so…apologetic. I will never, ever forget that moment. It was when I realised he wasn’t looking at me as a friend anymore. I quickly went back outside and a few people went inside to eat with him.

+Before we went to Fire It Up, Russell had told us that he was heading off to QLD for a year to drum in an YFC band. They would go up and down the coast and as far as SA ministering in schools with music. We had gone shopping to buy him so clothes to take and while we were all sad we were going to be losing our mate for a year, we knew he was going to be coming back.+

A week later (after Fire It Up) we were at a party and Russell asked if he could speak to me. I knew exactly what was coming. We headed outside and sat on the gutter of our friends place.

It went something like this…my memory is a little fuzzy of the whole conversation

Russ: So, I care about you

Bek: mmmhmmm

Russ: Like, care about you more than a friend

Bek: mmhmmm (in head thinking, OH MY GOODNESS – THIS IS WEIRD)

Russ: *waiting waiting*

Russ: Is there anything you want to say?

Bek: mm mm *shook head*

Then we headed back inside.

It was the most uncomfortable conversation I have ever had with anyone!

From then on I refused to speak to him. I had had this before. I find out someone likes me and I go into super hermit mode. I completely withdraw from the person and just don’t want anything to do with them. I would get so uncomfortable and frustrated that in the end, the relationship (friendship) wouldn’t make it. You could call it destructo mode.

I didn’t want to talk to him, it made things weird, plus, he was going away for a year, why the heck would he tell me something like that 2 weeks before he left?

The first week I wouldn’t talk to him. We still had our ‘group’ nights and I remember one night I was doing the dishes and Russell grabbed a tea-towel to help.

Bek: Get out of here, I’m a woman, I’m in my place, the kitchen, that’s where all you men want me. Just let me be!!

Russ: *slowly puts down tea-towel in plain sight and backs out of the room*

I really was horrible to him. The whole week was uncomfortable. Then, something happened. In the second week I just snapped out of it. I don’t know what happened. Russ offered to take me to see Dave Andrews speak because I had just read ‘Christianarchy’ and he was speaking in Perth somewhere. I went with him and shocked Russell’s jocks (or is it socks?) off by accepting the offer!

That week we chatted quite a bit and all weirdness melted away.

I will never forget the night we drove him to the airport. Russell’s parents drove his car, and Russ and I sat in the back. I was crying and was refusing to look at him because I didn’t want him to see that I was crying – play it calm. He reached out and grabbed my hand and held it until we got to the airport. It was really awkward and weird (again) but it was a nice gesture.
We said our farewells and promised to call and write…not just me, the whole group.

In the year that came we spent every single night on the phone. We would talk from 6pm to 2.30am. I can’t remember half the conversations we had. On our first phone call we promised to each other that we wouldn’t date each other, but we wouldn’t date anyone else. We reserved our selves for each other pretty much. I still include this year when people ask how long we dated for. It was a tough year. All we had in our relationship was communication. All we could do was talk. However, now I am eternally grateful that we had that year separate. We built our relationship on communication and I believe that we are beyond our years in that department. Though, we stuff up quite regularly, I believe we have learnt some lessons that some of our married friends are yet to learn.

For my birthday in April, mum and dad’s gift to me was a trip to Cairns – my old hometown. They organised with Russell to find out when he would be up there and off I went to visit him! It was great. I got to meet the members of his band and I got to catch-up with old family and friends and my old church. It’s also when we started to officially date. Russ took me for a walk down to a park one night, we were chatting about our relationship and where we were heading. We decided that we were both ready for it and that we would date with the intention of marriage – neither of us wanted to date just for the sake of it. We were in it for the long haul.

Bek: You have to ask me properly though…

Russ: *sighs* Will you go out with me?

Bek: *singing to the Relient K tune* Do you …know what you…are getting yourself into?

We both just laughed and that was it…it was official! YAY!

Russell got to come home for one week in the middle of the year – a holiday you could say. That week we were too shy to do anything, and it wasn’t until the night or two before he left that we started to hold hands. I remember also, the night before he left, we were sitting on the lounge at my house, everyone had gone to bed and we were sitting there talking. I had my head on his chest and was listening to his heart beat. He was wearing a big old red jumper and had a beanie on. We were quiet for awhile when he whispered, “You know what? I think I’m in love with you”. I can’t remember if I responded or not, I’m pretty sure I returned his declaration, but I will never forget that moment (his part anyway).

He then had to head off again and I was crying once again, but this time I let him see it.

We then hit a bit of a rough patch. For some reason we started to argue a little bit. I think the stress of trying to maintain a long distance relationship played a part. It was hard for me to go to supper after church and see all the couples together. I would get so bitter. Couples were popping up everywhere, I couldn’t avoid it! I would sit there on my own watching them all cuddle away. All I wanted was Russell to come home so I could cuddle him and prove to people that we had a real relationship. It was as though people didn’t realise we were a fair dinkum couple, just because he wasn’t around.

About a month before he was due home, I broke it off with him. We had a huge fight and I said that I wanted to end it. It was a rash decision and once again I said something without thinking first. We ended up, but the phone calls didn’t really stop. We would call each other to see how we were going and that was about it. It was really hard, but don’t people say that every great relationship goes through a break-up at some stage? I don’t know if that’s true, but it was what we both needed. I remember my mum saying to me after the ‘break-up’ phone call that “love isn’t always easy, it’s hard work”.

Russell came back and it was weird all over again. We didn’t know what to say to each other and I felt that he was avoiding me all together. It went on for a couple of weeks like this. We didn’t see each other much, and he was busy catching up with a lot of people.

I eventually had enough of it and called him so that we could catch up and decide what was going on. I was sick of the “are we or aren’t we” questions going around. We met up in a park and we just caught up with each other. Things still weren’t going that well and there were a lot of uncomfortable silences.

One Friday night I offered to drop Russell off at home after youth at his church. We got as far as his driveway and just started talking. We sat in the car from 9pm till 4.30am the next day. We talked about the year as a whole, some of the stuff he had to go through while away which he had been forbidden to speak to anyone about, we talked about stuff that happened at home, and we talked about us. By the time I got home I was exhausted but it felt as though all barriers we had up had been broken down. He messaged me at about 6.30am that morning and we haven’t looked back since. We started dating again and it was fantastic to finally have him around! After 6 or so months I would still look at him and say “I can’t believe your actually here, home!” I was amazed! After a year of waiting and longing, he was finally home!

We would go out for dinner – me pushing him to try Asian, Mexican, etc telling him to “live a little” and he also started studying at ACOM.

Then in August of 2004 we went over to the Gold Coast for a friends wedding. While we were there I stayed for one night at a hotel with my granny. Russell came over; as he had told me he needed to have a chat with me. All 3 of us were sitting in the hotel spa and it was uncomfortable again (our relationship is full of uncomfortable situations it seems!) so granny said she would go make some lunch. Off she went leaving us to spa away. I asked Russell what he needed to chat about (I knew full well what it was about) and he said he needed to get something out of his bag. So off he went to the hotel room, got his bag, explained to granny he had a book or something to get out of it, came back down to the spa, and with balled fists (for fear of dropping the ring in the water) came over and proposed.

Russ: Will you marry me?

Bek: Will you make me iced teas in the middle of the night when I’m pregnant?

Russ: Yes (trying not to laugh)

Bek: Ok then, Yes!!

We called family and friends straight away and as I sat on the plane home later that weekend, Russell asleep drooling on my shoulder, me staring at my ring, I couldn’t believe just how blessed I was to have Russell…drool and all.

We then came back and hopped into wedding preparations. Russell’s best mate had gotten engaged a couple of months before hand and didn’t want us to get married before him, but we couldn’t wait as long as they wanted so we got married in 10mths, rather than 20mths that was being suggested. The friend wasn’t too happy, but soon got over it. My advice to anyone out there getting married…do not wait for other peoples perfect timing, rely on Gods timing and everything will work out.

Then the rest is history.

The other week I was laughing with Russell over how when we were dating we thought we knew everything there was to know about each other. I would say that we had only scratched the surface. I’m sure I’ll be 90yrs and Russell will tell me something new. Our journey really wasn’t a very long one, but God has been with us every step of the way. It’s not really the most romantic story, but it is our story. I wouldn’t change any part of it for the world!