November Reading...

OK... I was perhaps a little bit optimistic at the start of the month when I said I wanted to read these books...

I have managed a meagre two of them! But they have both been brill reads (and one of them was a free Kindle pick-up!) Here goes...

The Language of Flowers: Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Oh my... this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride, but it was brilliant, and I loved it and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone! It flips backwards and forwards between past and present in a seamless way as it unlocks the story of Victoria, a young woman trying to come to terms with feelings of rejection and mistrust after a childhood spent in the care system. I felt a string of emotions for her - anger at how misunderstood she was, frustration at some of the reckless decisions she made, elated joy when things started to go well for her and hopelessness when it seemed the vicious cycle was starting again. This was Diffenbaugh's debut novel, and I definitely think she's one to watch. Beautifully written, I was totally sucked into the story and literally couldn't put it down until I finished it!

The Widow of Larkspur Inn: Lawana Blackwell
This was the Kindle freebie and I've really enjoyed it. It's not a life-changer, or an eye-opener (like the one above) but just a good old feel-good, pick-me-up story of a young lady, widowed with three young children, who turns her life around and comes good. The characters were varied and loveable, and there's a golden thread of God's faithfulness that Blackwell weaves throughout the story. A good read for the holiday season!

As always, I'm hooking up with Jess from Catch a Single Thought

Next up are all the books above that I didn't read last month, plus I'm hoping to get a look into Miranda Hart's "Is it Just Me?" just because I love her and think she's utterly hilarious! There was a copy of it floating around the staff room at school and I read a couple of pages and could just hear her voice in my head. She totally makes me chuckle. Anyone else with me on that!?

Happy weekend... see you on Monday for the launch of "Countdown to Christmas"...

Countdown to Christmas...

Eeeekkk... I'm so excited! It's ALMOST December... and that means it's almost Advent. One of my favourite times of year! I love the countdown to Christmas - the preparation for what the big day is all about. Last year I posted some stuff on preparing for a meaningful Christmas as its so easy to get caught up in the festivities and hype that surround the "most wonderful time of the year". Last year, with a new baby, we were trying, as a family, to think about traditions we wanted to establish that would help Ava to enjoy this wonderful season, but also help her to understand what it was we were actually celebrating.

This year's exciting 'cos she's going to have a bit more of a clue what's going on.



So I'm very excited to introduce to you...

For the month of December, every day, with the help of some lovely creative friends of mine, I am going to be posting a creative christmassy idea... something simple, meaningful and fun to do on your own, or with the kids, or just for the fun of it! From cards, to cookies, to calendars, we'll be giving you some inspiration for making this month mean something as we count down, and suggesting some ideas for decorating your house, homemade gifts and pointing those who join your family this Christmas to what its really all about.


So watch this space - starting Monday, we will be posting a daily "Countdown to Christmas" idea!

Any suggestions for what you like to do to make Christmas meaningful, creative and fun for the family are most welcome - comment me below!

Baby update!

On Monday we went back to see our little Bubba -  for the 5th time - and...

WAHEY!

All seems well! Apparently the baby is a little "chubba" but is perfectly following the 97th centile, and my fluid levels are back to normal. Of course, they still want to do that "one more check" so I'm back to hospital in 3 weeks for another scan, but we are so grateful to God for the sense of peace he has given us throughout this, for the support of family and friends, and for a seemingly healthy and bonny (perhaps TOO bonny!) Bubba.

Hopefully next time we walk through those double doors will be the last time before I'm going in to have this baby!

Thank you so much to all of you lovely readers who have supported us in your prayers and in the lovely comments and well-wishes you have left us. We have been reminded throughout this little trial that God is good, he is utterly sovereign, and that his grace is enough to sustain us even when there are great uncertainties, whatever the outcome. I went into hospital this Monday at peace, knowing that whatever they said, I could entrust it into the Lord's hands. That's not because I have oodles of faith, or am some super-spiritual hero - but because God is faithful, he hears our prayers and he cares about our deepest anxieties. I know that he will give us the strength to cope with whatever comes our way.

We are looking forward to meeting this little bundle of joy in 14 weeks and will keep you posted...

Here's the feet view now!

It's official!

Drumroll please...

I am so excited, and nervous (OK maybe terrified is a more accurate adjective) to introduce to you...

My little shop has gone live and you are welcome to browse, peruse and even purchase (!!!) at pleasure!!! All you have to do is click...

HERE

to see what I've been working hard to produce. Anything ordered in the next 2 weeks will be guaranteed with you by Christmas!

Happy shopping :D

 

A fun-packed Weekend!

Well... its been a busy one! All photos taken on my rubbish phone... so apologies that the quality is not my usual lovely Canon standard!!! Anyway, here's what we've been up to...

Browsing through gorgeous Scandinavian Christmas-ness at the Norwegian Christmas Market in Rotherhithe

Being amused by this hilarious Bubba who is THANKFULLY back to her normal self after a week of sicky/buggy stuff

Awesome worship at Church on Saturday night led by the lovely Lou Fellingham. Great night!

Getting ready to launch the business this week!

Busy, busy, busy! Off to the Christmas Craft Evening tonight to sell my wares! Eeeeek!

Going into business...

It's official! After much umming and aahing, lots of encouragement from my family (most of all my hub), considering, reconsidering and then considering again, I have finally decided to bite the bullet. I'm going into business...

I love to make things, and I love to be creative and we're also hitting a stage in our lives (with number two on the way) where I was trying to think of alternative creative ways to make a little bit of money on the side. I thought about so many different options, but at the end of it all, this was the one my heart was in... this is what I enjoy and love, and as long as it stays that way, why shouldn't I try it out? Scary as it seems, I can't really lose out. If no-one wants to buy the stuff, I just have my Christmas/birthday presents sorted for the next 3 years!

So, as of next week, my little online shop will be available through this blog and I'm excited, nervous and a little terrified of seeing how it goes.... "The Homemade Hütte"  will be up and running for your christmas perusal (assuming I don't sell out on the launch night at the Christmas Craft evening on Monday - one can dream?!) as of Tuesday. It will be small and I intend to keep it that way. That way we can see how it goes with two babies around...

Here's a sneaky little preview of what's coming your way...

Have a fab weekend!

On your marks...

Four days to go until the Christmas Craft Evening and here's what I've been up to...

Cutting up TONNES of felt squares to the point that my eyes feel like they're going square...

to make these on Monday...

Made somewhat more enjoyable by watching this...

...with my hub and both of us laughing the whole way through because we see so much of ourselves in these guys. Sport-mad guy gets together with workaholic girl. Dave literally chuckles the whole way through...

Interested in joining us Monday? Let me know and I'll send you the details!!

PS - I'll give the details on making your own advent calendar AFTER the Christmas Craft evening, so watch out for a little tutorial next week as we get ready for DECEMBER!

For good friends...

Today, I am so very thankful for good friends....

In friendship... we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university over another... the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting - any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances.

A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "You have not chosen me,  but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.

- C. S. Lewis -

Nothing is an accident for God. So very grateful for the people he has put in my life...

Children say the funniest things...

One of the great things about the "Blogging world" is that you get to "meet" new people and in a weird cyber kind of way, make new friendships. Jess, over at "Catch a Single Thought" is one of those people, and I've been hooking up with her Book Love Linky for the past couple of months as well as picking her brains on some general bloggy stuff...

I headed over to her blog today, and I can honestly say I haven't laughed so hard at a blog post in a loooooooooong time. So if its alright with you, I'm going to send you on over to her blog today for something that WILL make you laugh out loud at the computer/mobile/other electronic device...

This is utterly hilarious!

Click here to read the story!

A Christmas Project...

Last week, I came across this little desk in our local charity shop... for £4!!!!

I love these old flip top desks and I knew at once it would make a great christmas pressie for Little Miss Ava... yes its a bit unsteady so needs re-screwing, yes it has pen marks all over the top and needs sanding down, and yes that does mean re-painting and varnishing too...

But £4?! I snapped it up! Watch this space for project schooldesk!


Here's where I've been looking for inspiration...

1

2

3

4

5

6

This week...

 This week, I've been enjoying...

Good news about this Bubba - who is kicking like mad these days!

Time at home with my girly

Reading Colossians with some fab ladies!

Hummingbird Bakery's Oat and raisin cookie recipe!

Grudem's systematic theology! Love dipping into this gem!

I've been beavering away my evenings in front of the TV creating an array of christmas goodies. So much fun!

Homemade soup: Leek and potato - yum!!

Channel 4 in all its glory!

What have you been enjoying this week?

My little dictionary...

Language is an incredible thing, isn't it? I have been absolutely amazed, these past couple months, as Ava's vocabulary has expanded, to see how much she soaks up without me even realising it. She is literally picking up a word a day and its so much fun.

I love wandering the streets to the delighted cries of "Au-to!" (car), and watching my daughter climb up on the chair and reach for her favourite DVD and call out "Heidi! Pe-ter! Baa!" (there are a lot of goats in Heidi!) Its so rewarding to be woken up in the morning by a little voice calling "Mama?" and hear her cute names for her soft toys "Ber-yi" (Bearli), "Gre-gor" (MacGregor) and "Baby". She calls out any version of "heit", "heiss" or "hot" at every hot drink, radiator, oven and candle...

The funniest thing we've come across with the whole trilingual thing, is that Ava seems now to be beginning to distinguish between the languages. On Tuesday, some friends came over and were asking about how its working out. I replied that Ava is able to say a few words in each language, but that she understands most things you say to her now in any of the three... I turned to Ava and said,

"Was sagen die Ente, Ava?" (What do the ducks say?")
"Quack, Quack!" came the immediate response...
I then turned round to her and said, in English,
"What do the ducks say Ava?"
She looked at me, frowned slightly and then looked away. When I repeated the question, she point blank ignored me.

I have to admit to being slightly confused by this reaction - I KNOW she knows the answer to that question - she answers to my Mum all the time, and it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps she was beginning to recognise which language she was being spoken to in and associating languages with certain people. In other words, she wasn't answering me because I was speaking the "wrong" language to her...

I turned to Rosie and said, "you ask her..."

Rosie: "Ava, what do the ducks say?"
Ava" "Quack! Quack!"

I was telling my Mum this story yesterday and decided to try it out again. Again, she answered me in German, and then point blank ignored me in English. The minute my Mum asked her, she responded happily.

How weird is that?!

It reminded me of when I lived with the bilingual family in Austria and occasionally spoke to Kaya in German (Kaya was 2 at the time). Every time I did, she would turn to me with an angry face and say:
"Claire! No! You speak English!"

This whole trilingual thing is a HUGE learning curve for us - but its so very exciting to watch it unfold and its incredibly to see how such little minds are capable of sorting out such complex stuff. I guess being secure and confident in what language each of us speaks to her has enabled Ava to figure out what it is we're saying. The moment we "mess up" the system and speak the "wrong" language to her, it throws her into confusion!

Crazy stuff!

Getting creative for Christmas and Norwegian Christmas Fair...

I have been a busy bunny these past few days, getting stuff ready for the Christmas Craft evening at our church in a couple of weeks. I've been working hard to try and get enough stuff together to sell some things on a little stall this year and so I've been a creative beaver in the evenings. David has been very patient with me as our dining table frequently resembles a production line and is gradually filling up with more and more christmas goodies - candle jars, fabric notice boards, parcel labels, felt decorations and peg labels... for those of you who live in the local area, and are interested in coming along, comment me and I'll be sure to give you the details for the big event (Monday 26th November)

In the meantime, I'm SO excited to be heading back to my favourite little christmas market in London this year. A few years back, when they were still living in England, my mother-in-law introduced me to the Norwegian Christmas Market at the Seamans Church in Rotherhithe. Its a little affair, in comparison with most christmas markets, but brimming with scandinavian festivities - gorgeous red and white, yummy norwegian waffles and no shortage of cute homemade goodies. I love it!


Ooohhh... I do love Christmas... only 6 weeks to go!

The Results

Yesterday, at 4pm, David and I hit the hospital for the 3rd time in the last two weeks... this time to find out the results of the Lucozade blood test I did on Friday, and see whether Gestational Diabetes was the cause of our slightly bigger Bubba and larger amount of amniotic fluid. After the usual tests, we were informed that my glucose levels were bang in the centre of the normal parameters...

So it seems after all the fiasco, I do not have Gestational Diabetes. That at least has been ruled out, although it does leave a couple of questions hanging which means we can't yet totally forget about this. I had another blood test today to rule out the last possible cause of a larger baby. If that comes back clear, in the words of the Consultant, "We have nothing to worry about... it seems you are just good at growing babies!"

The amniotic fluid result is something they do want to keep an eye on, as larger amounts of fluid can result in early onset of labour. We have another scan in 2 weeks, and if that shows normal fluid levels, they are happy to sign me off as all in order. If not, they will monitor me monthly.

Either way, we are so unbelievably relieved, and grateful to God for the sense of peace he has given us throughout. We are not entirely "through the woods" yet, but more confident than ever that God is a faithful shelter in the storm.

Welsh valleys and Swiss mountains...

This weekend we spent the weekend in the Welsh valleys with some lovely friends. It was a welcome distraction from the looming results we will receive this afternoon... I will keep you posted on that... and SO lovely to catch up with lovely Emma and Lewis, and of course, the multitude of welsh sheep!

Hugs all round!

Lewis drilling Ava's finger... these two are a bit like brother and sister... very cute!

The Welsh Valleys

A walk through the national park 

Endless energy!!

All is well here. We feel peace about whatever the outcome this afternoon is... I know that God is good, and we have so very much to be thankful for in this situation.

I'll close with this video from the weekend... the absolute favourite TV programme/DVD is "Heidi" at the moment (you know, the little swiss girl in the mountains who looks after the goats! Johanna Spyri?) Ava sings merrily along with the theme tune and I thought I'd give you a sneaky peek! (This evening, she even had a go at the yodelling bit in the car - hilarious! Sadly not included on this particular version!)

'Til tomorrow!

Fasting on Lucozade...

Since midnight last night, I have not been allowed to eat or drink anything. In fact, before 10.30am, the only thing I will be able to consume is one of these...

Yup, that's right. A whole bottle of Lucozade. And I have to down it in the space of ten minutes. Two hours later, I will be sitting in a hospital room giving blood.

This is the test to see whether or not I have Gestational Diabetes. A huge part of me is just praying and hoping I don't - the hassle of moving all my antenatal care to the hospital, the thought of fortnightly meetings with the consultant, the prospect of being induced, potential complications with the baby... all of these things make me shiver at the thought of what the results might be.

But today I have been reminded to be thankful. Thankful that this little one is able to grow within me. Thankful that our health system is on the ball and has picked this up. Thankful for the NHS which offers all this extra care and monitoring for free, and thankful for a God who I can rely on, no matter what.

So whatever the outcome, I will be thankful. Because I have a great God, a great Saviour and a great hope, and no gestational diabetes can take that away from me.

My Home Planner...

OK... It's time I came clean... I have hit the ultimate level of household organisational geekiness (may I point out this is completely different to the ultimate level of household organisation).

In true teacher turned homemaker style (OK... I just love to plan - to the minutest detail... just ask any of my colleagues!) I have put together a "Home Planner".

OK. I feel the need to justify before you judge me and think...
a) I've gone completely nuts
b) I am a total control freak
c) All of the above

I am NOT an organised person. I love the idea of being organised, and therefore I need serious structures in place to make that dream become a reality. I LOVE the feeling of being productive, of feeling I've actually achieved something, of not wasting time and of working to a schedule. I love ticklists. I am one of those people who will write half of my to-do list as things I've already done, just so I can tick them off (come on... admit it... some of you do that too, right?!) And let's be honest, lots of you do it for work, right? You schedule meetings, plan your day, work through your diary and write to-do lists.... so because I spend most of my week working from home, I'm entitled to do that too, right? (Serious self-convincing going on here...)

I am not saying this is a good way to be, but it is the way my mind functions, and so over the years, I have learned to put certain structures in place to keep me focussed. I am a natural time-waster, procrastinator and idealist... I have 101 ideas, and never get further than the vision in my head. That's why I have to organise my life, because its the only way those ideals become reality, and the only way I don't waste away hours, days, weeks checking Facebook, reading Blogs, scouring Pinterest and doing things that I want to do (rather than the things I need to do).

So next week, I'm going to show you the level of my geekiness and subject myself to a lot of possible scorn and mockery and open up my new, exciting folder for you all, in the hope that someone somewhere out there will find it helpful.

I printed this verse on the front of my folder, so its a reminder that I'm not doing all this organisation to be the perfect housewife (I am FAR, FAR, FAR from that!), or to feel really good about all that I've achieved, or even to present myself as some kind of organisational guru (which would be totally and utterly ironic!)

THIS is my motivation...

More geekiness revealed next week!

PS - For some great resources on time-management, and organisation for God's glory (not our own) check out these books/websites...

The Highly Effective Woman: The Girl Talk blog have produced some great resources on keeping our perspective right when trying to live intentionally.

The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness: Tim Chester has written a fantastic and quick read on prioritising and organisation and why that will help our spiritual growth too.

Shopping for Time: A great book by the Mahaney girls which helps us to prioritise life appropriately, and gives some really helpful, practical tips on how that works out in the day to day.

Pregnancy Update...

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness"

- Lamentations 3:22-23 -

I spent yesterday morning mulling over this verse as we awaited our growth scan... for those of you who missed the previous update, there was some question about the size of our baby's tummy (its abdominal circumference was just over the 97th centile). It was wonderful to remember that God is faithful and that whatever comes, we will not be consumed by it because his love for us is great and his compassions are new every morning.

The scan revealed our baby's tummy is still just over the 97th, which is a huge relief, because it means its following the same line and is therefore hopefully just a big baby. However, they are now wanting to check me out for gestational diabetes, as a large baby and lots of amniotic fluid (which I have both of) are common signs of GD.

We are so relieved and grateful to God that it seems the baby is absolutely fine. The downside of all this is that it means a lot more scans, appointments and meetings with consultants over the next few weeks as they try to get to the bottom of it all. And I can't pretend I feel totally calm and collected about the whole thing. It's pretty scary having these question marks floating around our heads, but as Dave reminded me tonight, its an opportunity to trust God and lean on him.

And I can trust completely, wholeheartedly that we will not be consumed by this; God's love is great, his compassions never fail, and they are new every morning. He is faithful.

Homemade paper lanterns

One of my favourite experiences, when I was living in Austria (was it really 7 years ago?!), was taking part in Laternenfest - the lantern festival, celebrating St Martin's day. The festival is celebrated big style in Austria and Germany, and involved all our little Kindergartners making their own lanterns and then going on a lantern walk in the evening together, all the while singing...

"I'm walking with my bright lantern,

and my lantern's walking with me

Above, the bright stars are shining

And down here its us you can see.

On Martin's night, a sea of light

Dum-diddle, dum-diddle, dum-dee"

Oh so very cute! I just loved crunching through the autumn leaves with my lantern in hand, accompanied by wide-eyed children just soaking it all in. There was something very special about getting out in the great outdoors with children wrapped up tight in their winter boots, hats and scarves and walking through the forest with lanterns alight. There was a real sense of wonder and excitement...

So a couple of weeks ago, in preparation for our own Lantern Party, Ava and I had a go at making some of our very own homemade lanterns for displaying during Laternenfest!

Here's a VERY easy how-to (and quite a cute craft to do with small children!)

All you need is paper (plain or patterned), glue and scissors... can it get any easier?

Paper needs to be rectangular (A4 is ideal, or if using larger paper, as I was, cut it in half...)

Fold each strip in half, and then cut slits into it, leaving about 2 centimetres at the bottom

To turn it into a child friendly craft, simply go for plain paper, and allow children to decorate with
pens, glitter, sequins or stickers - age appropriate (we're just getting the hang of colouring pencils in our house!)

Open out your paper and roll into a circle, gluing along the side edge. Add a few
tealights and you have one satisfied customer... And a bit of seasonal decoration!

Voila! Beautiful paper lanterns!

Happy crafting!

Life...

We have, over the last year or so, at Church, been working our way through the book of John. This past weekend, I wrote this article for our Church newsletter, and thought I'd share my reflections on what we've been looking at...

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name

-John 20:31-

Life. It’s a loaded word. It’s a word that signifies so much for so many. For some it means freedom; the wide outdoors, fresh air, God’s creation… for others it conjures up images of rosy newborns, nestled in their mother’s arms, for others still, it brings pain, as the word reminds them of what they have lost. Life that was once vibrant and so very alive, is now gone.

But the life Jesus is talking about here is a different kind of life. Its so much more than enjoying God’s world, so much more than the physical start of a new human being in the world… so much more than the opposite of death.

This is life in HIS name, and as Jesus reminds us in John 10, it is life in all its fullness.

This life… the life we know and breath… is just a foreshadowing of what will one day be ours if we believe. This is a life that is marred… yes, it gives us glimpses of the life that God really meant for his people – the joys of time spend with loved ones, walks in the grand outdoors, marvelling at the breadth of the ocean as your toes are licked by the tide… all of these things are little glimpses, but they are tainted. This life is, at times, painful, lonely and hard…

Jesus can promise us abundant life because he knows it: he sits at the Father’s right hand, knows a perfect relationship with God, has the promise of a people of his own who will inherit God’s kingdom with him. He knows what its like to be in a place where there is no suffering, no taint of sin, no guilt, fear, pain or death. And you know what? He left all that. He gave life in all its fullness up, to know life at its worst…a refugee on the run from birth, he was born in a cow-shed, raised in the backwoods of Israel, spent his adult life roaming from town to town enduring peoples adulation one moment and their scorn and mockery the next, and then he was hung on a cross; a painful, agonising death that proclaimed him to those around him not only as a rogue criminal, but an enemy of God.

He knows life – because he has lived it, he has lost it, and he has given it to us. And now he’s been restored and waits to give us his life in all its fullness…

So as we study John together, let’s probe, let’s dig, let’s search and let’s believe… because its when we believe that we can know real life – abundant life – in His name.

Hallelujah: what a Saviour!