| You Are a Ring Finger |
 You are very artistic, and you see the world as your canvas. You are also drawn to the written word. Inventive and unique, you are often away in your own inner world. You get along well with: The Pinky Stay away from: The Index Finger |
I just stood in line for 45mins to get Glenn McGrath's autograph on a book.
I am exhausted!! I thought I was going to pass out in line!
Was worth it though. He is a really lovely guy - and is still wearing his wedding ring. Nearly made me burst out in tears!
One of my close friends and I are planning to become prayer partners. While we try and catch up when we can (hard with me at work at the moment) we would like to become more intentional and actually pray with each other and for each other.
We are going to meet weekly, hopefully, and catch-up, and pray.
But, we’re not entirely sure if we should have some sort of structure to it or not. What are we supposed to do?
Does anyone out there have a friend that they meet up with regularly and pray together?
I have heard it said that there is power when a woman prays. I’m sure it’s like that no matter what your gender though!
We are both mothers – well I’m on my way – and we want to pray for our families and churches etc. We are thinking of doing a S.O.A.P devotional with each other and then chatting and praying.
Is that enough?
We are both really interested in what other people out there do. I know we don’t have to have a structure to it, but it’s just interesting to hear what other people do. Sometimes it can be inspiring and encouraging.
So, do you meet up and intentionally pray about things? If so, what do you do? (other than just pray….I’m pretty sure we got that bit down pat!)
I thought I would let you know what I had decided to do about work and where my convictions lay with mums v staying at home.
I was brought up with my mum at home all day every day. It wasn’t until we were all in school (2 in high school) that mum started to do a little part-time work. Even then, it was mainly Thurs nights and Saturdays that she worked.
We would come home from school to fruit plates or biscuits and sometimes every now and then caramel popcorn! That was a HUGE treat though…so didn’t happen very often.
That wasn’t the only thing that was good about mum being at home though. I was raised by a mum who included me in what she was doing every day. Before I went to school I desperately wanted to be Cinderella. I wanted to wear the apron and little slip on shoes and scrub and clean. Have I mentioned before that I might be a little deranged?
Anyway, my mum made me a little apron and I used to beg for a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush so that I could scrub the tiles in our house. I would do the dishes and every now and then ask dad to put on some Michael Bolton (whom I still love today) to sing to as I cleaned. Dad’s response was always “Cinderella’s don’t get music to work to!” – but he always put it on for me anyway.
Mum also involved me in cooking. She taught me from a very young age some of the basics in the kitchen. I was allowed to help make dinner or snacks and she never took over because I wasn’t doing it right. The one thing she forgot to teach me was how to make instant coffee. Her and dad just about bounced off the walls after one sip one morning I decided to make them a coffee!!
She taught me how to sew and spent time with me whenever I had questions about anything.
This was never forced on me though. This was where my interests lay and I wanted to be like her, so she took the time to teach me the things she knew.
I grew up learning the basics in the kitchen and some basics in other domestic duties. I’m still learning a lot of stuff today, but mum is always just a phone call away.
Being in a family of a pastor is tough, being the wife of one is even tougher. I grew up witnessing mum being a support for dad and a loving wife.
Pastors get paid crap all. Yet my mum stayed home and raised all 4 of us – with the help of dad of course! God always looked after us and I know that while we may have ‘missed out’ on some of the material things this world has to offer, what I have learnt from my family doesn’t even compare. We are close and are a tight family unit – without being oppressive (if that makes sense). We are close and have tight family values.
Now, it’s not just because my mum was a stay at home mum that I believe our family is this way, but I do believe that staying at home and being able to raise your kids has huge benefits.
Russell and I are not ‘well off’. Russell still works part-time (3 days a week) while I earn about 2/3rds of our income. I have been blessed with a job that is flexible and pays well and looks after their employees. My boss is huge on the family unit and is extremely supportive of Russ and I having our own family. My job covers the mortgage and most bills and Russ’s is good for the extra things that happen in life, like cars blowing up and bills.
With me taking maternity leave – our income is going to suffer massively. We are going to be living the most simplistically we ever have.
I don’t see the point in having a child and not being home to raise it and spend time with it. Babies are little for such a short period of time and I don’t want to miss out on any of it!
We can’t afford for me to not work completely though (unless something miraculous happens in the next couple of months). I am taking 6mths maternity leave (I get half of my normal wage for the full 6mths) and then returning to work 2 days a week.
These 2 days won’t bring much income in, but hopefully it will be just enough! I just cannot justify putting our mortgage over raising our children.
The other lady I work with who is due today/tomorrow (do you realise this was when our 1st baby was due?) is taking her 6mths maternity leave and then returning to work full time. I was chatting to her about it because she is a Christian and I felt comfortable confronting her on stuff. She said that her husband doesn’t earn a minimum of $100k a year and so she needs to return full time. I just about died when I heard that as I thought to myself, Russell doesn’t even earn $30k a year!! What the heck are we going to do?
She said they couldn’t afford for her to stay home (as much as she desperately wants to) because their expenses far outweigh income. To me I would be looking at why you are living beyond your means before returning to work and make a few sacrifices. BUT it’s not my life and they are free to live theirs as they please.
I don’t care about our house. While I am thankful that we have it and that we were in a position to buy it, I just can’t place it over our children. If we get to a point where we either sell or I go back to work, we will sell the house and find somewhere to rent.
We have started putting a few things in place such as a massive veggie patch. This is going to take a lot of hard work and energy, but the benefits are going to have a huge impact. It may not seem like much, but with the price of groceries today, every bit helps.
We have already started a refreshed budget for when the baby is here, and we haven’t actually bought anything for the baby yet! We are waiting to see what family have bought us (they have already bought a few things) to see what we will need to get. We don’t want to buy an excess amount of clothes or toys and are hoping to have minimal amounts of this sort of stuff. Plus, I am part of our local Freecycle group (have been for a few months) and have already been given a few things for the baby so far! It really is a great network and I encourage you all to look into your local community for your own Freecycle. It’s also a great way to get to know people who live in your area as you meet the needs that each other have! (reminds me of something I read in Acts 2 this week!)
I know some people won’t agree with me, and that’s fine! I’m not here to judge whether you yourself should be working or staying home with your kids, but this is my conviction. If Russ gets into a position where I don’t need to work my 2 days a week, then I will stop working and stay at home full time. I have no doubt that God is going to look after us. He always has and I have seen him move in miraculous ways before! We are both trusting God in this uncertain time and while I am still worried that we may be homeless by the end of this year, it doesn’t compare to what we will have in our arms. A new little Ingram. Our own family. And a God that never forgets and never abandons, and nothing can take that away.
I don't think this post ended up being what I intended it on being about - so I'm sorry! But the main point is...I'm working 2 days a week after having the baby, and trusting that God will look after both Russ & I - which I have no doubt he will!
This is even weird for me to look at! It's kinda like a pear hanging from a tree...weird!!
"Do you think the people at work have noticed anything??"
Russ giving that baby some lovin'I keep telling Russell that I wish I could just hold our baby just once and then put it back to continue it's baking.
Have you ever loved someone so much and not been able to see or be with them? I have. When Russ and I first started dating we were separated for a year! It was torture. While I can feel the baby moving and growing inside of me, I am desperate to hold it and love it in person! I hate not being able to touch it and kiss it. Patience I know, patience.
This is starting to play tricks on my mind though. Last night I dreamt I was at work and the baby was kicking and moving around. I felt my belly and felt an arm 'part'. I grabbed it and was holding it and holding it's tiny little hand.
Then somehow I managed to pull our baby out of my belly!
It was a......................girl.
And she was absolutely beautiful. She had black hair which I styled into a mohawk and she had Russell's beautiful big blue eyes.
I was holding her and playing with her...she didn't have blood or gunk on her, she was completely normal!
Then everyone started telling me I had to put her back. That I couldn't just hold her and play with her, that she needed to go back.
But I wouldn't listen
"No, it's my baby I want to hold her!"
"You can't tell me what to do!!!!"
I was extremely frustrated that people were getting all upset over it! Couldn't they see how happy I was, how happy she was? Everything was fine!
Anyway...the dream kind of ended there and I don't think I tried putting her back, I don't really know what happened. It was kind of weird and I told Russell about it in the morning. He just gives me 'the look' and laughs at me. Kisses me and tells me "soon babe, soon"
Sigh, patience, patience
A few years ago, my Pop was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. For those of you who don't know much about the disease, it can easily be described as a movement disorder with symptons such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability, and tremor. You can read more about it here.
On Aug 31st Australia is holding it's first Unity Walk to raise money to help find a cure for the disease and to raise funds to support families suffering from Parkinson's. And my pop is going to be doing the walk!
He is raising money for the event and has his own sponsor page on the web! Which you can access here.
You need to pay by credit card and you are sent a receipt in the mail.
50% of the proceeds will go towards research and the other 50% will go towards services for people with Parkinson's , their families and carers. This will be Australia's first Unity Walk which is something one can be proud to be a part of.
If you want to know about the disease:
click here
If you want to sponsor Pop Furlong:
click here
If you just want to read about the Unity Walk:
click here
Every donation helps no matter how small or big!
This will be a big challenge for my Pop on the day as Parkinson's affects mobility. I'm so proud of him for giving it a go and for being active about it though.
Thanks in advance to all those who wish to donate to a worthy cause!
On the weekend we had an early celebration for dad's birthday. His b'day is this Wednesday, but he and mum are in Zimbabwe (now) and we decided to all get together and celebrate on Saturday night.
Dad opening his present from Kate & Jos
"What the..."
Ah yes, very nice...let's show the world your new boxers!
Robbo & Kayls - baby is only 8 weeks away and already weighs over 5lbs! He will be a big boofalada! Considering dad was nearly 10lbs and Robert wasn't far behind.
Dad likes to show everyone what he gets...even the card
Kate & Jos - looking exhausted, though I'm not sure why!
The present from Russ & I. We got his poster block mounted. 
Dad's cake which we couldn't get out of the cake tin! The springlock thing broke!
Singing and kissing :)
I was exhausted after taking so many shots that I collapsed in front of the heater and stared off...Kate stole my camera though
The boys did the washing up and drying up! How sweet!!!! They did it without having to be asked
I thought this was a cute shot of them all. They are probably wondering what the sponge is for or something! :)
Next day Jet was exhausted after playing with Jackson (Kate & Jos' dog) all day Saturday and so he slept all day Sunday.
So tired daddy could put him in any position and he would still sleep :)I haven’t stopped thinking about you and I don’t believe I ever will.
You hold a piece of my heart that will never be taken or replaced.
I feel so guilty these days for being so excited about our next one on the way. I feel like I don’t deserve to be happy and that I haven’t mourned you enough yet. My heart still grieves at the loss of you, my child, our child. I still feel that I didn’t do enough to look after you. That I didn’t protect you enough like a good mum should. I feel that I let you down in a big way.
You never let me down though. You taught me so much about myself, my life, and my family. You brought me closer to God. You helped heal our relationship. You taught me how to love my husband better, you taught me compassion, mercy, and empathy, lessons that I will never forget. I will take you with me throughout my life.
I promise that one day I will give you the hug from a mum that you never got to experience. I will kiss your soft cheek for the first time and nurse you and spend eternity with you. Your dad will carry you around on his shoulders and spoil you with his sloppy kisses and big bear hugs. We will all be together as a family in the presence of our Saviour.
I promise to never forget. I will love you always, my cherished one.
I received a message on my phone yesterday afternoon saying that the cost for Jet's grooming would be double what we thought. A) because of the condition of his coat, B) because of his behaviour!!
I was so embarrassed! I knew he wouldn't really be a helpful dog, but I didn't expect them to have to muzzle him and spend an entire day trimming him! He was fine with the clippers....until they turned on! Then he became a nasty piece of work! They had to shave him in stages.
But now look at him! He is like a different dog! He got a shave, nails clipped, ears cleaned out, shampoo & condition and a flea treatment! The lady who did it all said we are lucky we came to her as no other dog groomer would have done it with they way he behaved! I think we need to do a little work on our little man. He is going to have to learn who's boss around here, because it is no longer him!
He sulked all night last night. I don't blame him. I couldn't stop laughing at him! He looks like a totally different dog and he looks hilarious! All he has left is a moustache and tail. Cutey. I'm sure we've all been there done that with some of this stuff!! Except for maybe the last one!
Jet is off to the dog groomers today! His hair is so long and mattered it's not funny. I hate patting him because it's just big balls of matted hair! Poor thing, it is just so bad that it is irritating his skin and he is constantly trying to pull his hair out.
Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to see his beautiful face and give him lots of kisses and pats! I just hope he doesn't get banned from the dog groomers for life! He really doesn't like people trying to cut his hair...though we're trying to help him!
At our wedding we had 3 massive posters hanging at the reception. We got 2 of them block-mounted and they arrived yesterday! We still need to get the 3rd one block-mounted, but thought I would show you these 2. I love them!! My favourite is the one of Russell hammering it out on the drum kit and with me blocking my ears. Love it I tells ya! We just need to find the perfect spot to hang them now!
I made Russell stand next to the posters so that you could see just how big they are! He wasn't very impressed (as you can tell by his face!)I've realised that some photos are missing, but the ones I have below show a bit of what we got done during our busy bee day a couple of weekends ago.
We are so blessed to have a family who are so willing to give up one of their weekends to help us out!
Jos with one of his many tools chopping some wood for our new patio!
Jos starting on the new patio after ripping out the old one!
We also got him to remove the 'wagon wheel' that was attached to the front of the house! I'm glad it's gone....drove me mad everytime I saw it because it was hung so off centre!
Jos whizzing away!
The patio has disappeared!
One of the holes from a tree that was removed. 6 trees all up were removed! Pesky trees
Some of the gardening crew. They did a massive and amazing job!
Asher attacking the lawn that hadn't been mowed in over 6 mths.
Me in deep concentration...steady, steady....
Me and baby did the cutting in on almost every single wall in the house.
Hallway before shot. The blue on the bottom half was in all the rooms, bathroom & laundry. It is now a lovely 'Manhattan Beige"
Hallway after shot....sigh I'm in love!
The wall which you see when you first walk into our house. This was the first coat and mum was just getting ready to apply the 2nd.
Feature wall after! I love love love it. It is our 'wedding wall'. It will slowly accumalate a wedding photo from every family member. It only has us, and Robbo & Kayls for now, but we will be getting parents and all sibling wedding shots up eventually
The 'drum room' - for some reason I don't have an after shot of this room!
Our bedroom getting the 1st coat of it's feature wall. 
Our bedroom after....ahhhhhh
With a flash on to see the colours better
Baby room. This was ALL blue too. It's now the beige and has a feature wall of 'Limesicle'
Mum & Dru preparing the bright green to be applied
This is the same as the drum room. The drum room has beige and a feature of the green.
I LOVE it!!!
This is our kitchen/dining room. This is where the hideous 'Rainforest' wallpaper was. After the wallpaper was removed we were left with strips of green and yellow!
It is now all ONE colour....beige.
