Guess What We Did Last Night

I feel like the luckiest gran in the world.

The excitement was at fever pitch at our house yesterday. You see we drove over to Hamilton straight after work. And I was beside myself with anticipation, we were taking little Major to the rugby. Dear hubby was beside himself with anticipation too, we were actually going to the rugby and he didn't have to pay. You could so feel all the anticipation, the air was electric!

I didn't get to see too much of the rugby in the end, I couldn't take my eyes off the little darling. He was so cute when he clapped his hands as the Chiefs ran on. You'd never know it was his first rugby game either, he handled it like an old pro. We taught him how to wave the Chiefs flag that the lovely Functions Manager gave him. Dear hubby complained about the price of the food, but we had a great night. The only down side was every time I did get to look at the rugby, Dan Carter was taking another kick, and man is he deadly!

End result, the Crusaders whipped the Chiefs on the Chiefs home ground, but a gran, a koro and a wee moko had an absolutely fabulous time.

TSUNAMI, PITFALLS OF LIVING BESIDE THE SEA

A couple of Sundays ago we woke to a frenzied call from a friend blasting his message down the phone "Tsunami warning, head for the hills!"

Before I was even ready to be awake, there we were, in the car, in a full to overflowing car park somewhere up in the Papamoa Hills, surrounded by mums, dads, bickering kids, pets galore, worried looking nanas and grandads and a few straggly others who looked like they'd come straight from a night on the town. And still the cars kept rolling in.

I wasn't prepared for it, it was night-mareish. Would the sea really engulf my new raised vegie gardens? And what about all the not-quite-precious-enough-to-make-it-inside-immediately stuff that's stored in the outside shed awaiting the next round of sorting to get a final resting place inside the house? There was time enough sitting in the car to envisage all my semi-treasured possessions floating around the house on the force of the wave.

We were kept up to date with the latest developments thanks to Kerre's Cafe on the clearest radio station we could receive. Thankfully she (Kerre Woodham) had put her regular show on the backburner and devoted every minute of today's show to TSUNAMI updates.

Its not the height of the wave that matters its the force behind it, some Civil defence expert droned on to us. A wave with a force of 100km behind it can travel a hefty distance inland with frightening ferocity!

A sense of impending disaster washed over me; the sea is at the end of our street. We're definitely goners if it hits - well we aren't because we are safely in the car miles from home, but the house wouldn't stand a chance. And now dear hubby is nagging me to get out of the car and walk to the top of the hill, which he estimates will take anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes.

Groan.

Thankfully I buy some time by insisting someone has to stay in the car park to keep an eye out for the nanas and grandads. "They look ever so concerned". Phew, he buys it and we go back to listening intently to the next update.

Estimated time to hit Papamoa beach deferred for a further 40 minutes, more opinion and advice for surviving Tsunami from yet another expert. Two and a half hours later and the experts finally agree: They don't really know what's going to happen, when!

Cars are starting to leave the car park now. The kids next to us have come back from up the hill and taken their totally freaked out cat, in his cage, for a stroll through the bush, to put him at ease, I wonder. The dog in the car next door is barking at full volume again - the cars have disturbed him.

"Can we go home now, pleeaase?" Ten minutes later the car park is now only half full and dear hubby finally decides its probably safe to go. Besides that we'll get better pictorial coverage from the TV. We're not mentioning that this was yet another false alarm. Remember the boy who cried wolf? Experts don't cry wolf, it just didn't turn out to be as serious as they first thought.

Now what did we learn from our little excursion?

We went straight home with firm resolve to check and update our 72 hour survival kits. Dear hubby had thoughtfully thrown ONE kit into the boot of the car prior to our hasty departure. But have we checked them? My what fickle folks we are, as soon as we discovered the RED ALERT was over, we made a promise to check them real soon.

And one day we will, in typical Kiwi style, but there's no rush eh.

I CAME BACK

Well hi there friends and family, no need for a search party, I'm alive and kicking but without decent internet access I haven't been able to post for a while.

Quick update, I've transferred from Hamilton to Tauranga and now I'm working for a different part of the Tax Dept, in a lovely office overlooking Tauranga's inner harbour, it really is lovely here, can't tell you how good it feels to be home.

There's just one thing that's missing, and I mean really missing, that's to say I'm reallllly missing and that is my beautiful moko Major, who incidentally is now ONE and he's the size of a two year old. Yes sadly, Major is still at Hamilton keeping his mummy on her toes as he crawls at an amazing pace around the house, wreaking havoc and leaving little trails of destruction behind him wherever he goes.

When I get some decent internet access I've got loads of great photos to post and a few tales to tell. But for now, I'm okay and still busy settling in. Stay tuned.

We've Been Busy

Thirteen things I'm greatful for in mostly reverse chronological order:

My darling mokos

Eldest moko aka seasoned international traveller

Major loved the sea from the minute he was introduced, he squealed with glee as every new wave came crashing in

Oops slightly out of order, the back view of Jade's Church Bag, stiched with love by Gran and this applique kindly completed by Aunty Justine

A fun picnic at Papamoa Beach on New Years Day

Major's new skill for New Years Day was mastering clapping his hands

Big Cousin reading to Little Cousin

Enjoying real fruit icecreams at a Berry Farm where we got strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, yum

Opening Christmas presents on arrival at Grans

Hmm who had most fun Gran filling this Christmas box with goodies or Jade opening it?

Quality time with Uncle Cookie on Christmas afternoon

Our small family sitting down to Christmas dinner

Cheers Ears!

Today's top 5

1. The house seemed back to normal today.

2. I didn't over eat

3. Finished sewing for Jade, and everything looks great.

4. Jade arrives tomorrow

5 It was great having Michael staying with us for the past few days. I've never watched so many documentaries before. What a pleasant change from the E Channel. He's even coming back next week for a few more days to look after Jade while Justine & I return to work.

Christmas morning at our house

Merry Christmas.

We've already been up and opened some of Major's presents, since he awoke before 6am. So here are a few snapshots taken earlier this morning. Now the little angel is full of a croissant breakfast and tucked up back in bed.

I can't believe they are letting me so close to the presents, all I've heard for ages is "Don't touch Christmas"

If I'm allowed to sit this close, a little touch surely must be in order

Wow, I like this!

See Gran's lovely tree

Now this one's kept way out of reach, I can only see it when they lift me up

Yip, my first Christmas has just been great so far

Notice how tired I'm looking, well it's 7.45am and I have been up for a couple of hours

Yea, more toys to ignore while I practise turning the TV on and off, but thanks anyway folks

Compliments of the Season to one and all

As my grandmother would always say "Compliments of the festive season to you, merry Christmas and Happy New Year"

This month has flown by, and it's officially Christmas Day here in NZ however, I'm not going to bed without saying hi and we love you to all my family who are scattered around Australasia.

We are all ready for Christmas tomorrow (or rather today), it will be a small affair for our household. My youngest son Mike is coming over to join us so there will be my eldest and youngest and one moko (grandchild) and me. (Eldest granddaughter is in NZ, but she is spending Christmas Day with her Nana and Granddad Eagle, we'll see her in a few days time).

Dinner will be a splendid affair with marinated New York style roast beef, rolled roast of pork and of course the staple kiwi meat, roast lamb. These will be served with a selection of salads and kamokamo and extra sweet peas from the garden. Because Justine and I both worked right up to today, we've cheated and bought the salads and desserts.

Dessert consists of strawberry glazed cheesecake, choc cheesecake, lemon meringue pie and white chocolate mudcake.

My guess is we'll snooze in front of a Christmas movie on the telly after that lot!

Today we took Major to have his first Christmas captured on film at Santa's grotto. I don't have the pics yet but the photo above is how his mummy dressed him to meet Santa for the first time. He wasn't afraid either, staring intently at the white beared giant as he bounced contentedly on his knee. It was very cute.

And lastly, lets not forget the reason we celebrate Christmas: the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I have loved reading a few verses each night of the story of Jesus birth.

Luke 2:1-20:

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A good day

1. What a pleasure to witness such a milestone: MAJOR CRAWLED TONIGHT! And real proper crawling too, he was up on all fours as if he has been doing it for ever. It was mischief of course, that provided the motivation needed to get going. He crawled to touch the plastic sheet that goes on the floor under his bath. We of course, immediately moved it further out of reach to make sure he really could crawl, that it wasn't a one off wonder and lo, he did it again. We were so chuffed we kept moving it so he would crawl some more, until he cried from both exhaustion and frustration. But it was very cute. His mother immediately recorded the great event in his Baby Book.

2. My son phoned from Sydney and we had a jolly good chat. I miss my kids, they are so far away.

3. At work I finally nailed my monthly quality coaching session by scoring 100% for tax technical knowledge. I've been busting my gut to achieve this for months and finally got there. Yea, I might not be ready for the scrap heap quite yet.

4. Got out in the garden tonight and sprayed up lots of weeds, it bothers me when our yard looks unkempt so I am grateful to get this done.

5. One of the sisters from our ward phoned tonight to ask about a recipe I gave at our All Things Christmas workshop. It is a good buzz to know that someone was listening and is actually going to make gifts from the kitchen, from the workshop and that in some small way I might have helped, taught or inspired someone.

Todays 5

1. Had fun decorating at my workplace for the big competition that the teams go all out to win. My work looks more like Santa's grotto than the tax department.

2. Fresh asparagus, I love it and I had it for my lunch today.

3. Planning the Christmas menu, we have so many favourites we can't possibly have all our favourites on the menu, so which are the things we don't have often, that we especially look forward to hmmm

4. Poring over my project that I'm making Jade for Christmas, imagining her face when she sees it and hoping that my gifts will help her to understand how important the gospel is to me, and in some small way hoping that they will help to nuture her testimony.

5. Pondering over what I could prepare for a really meaningful Family Home evening lesson since we will actually have the family together on Monday 28th Dec. Yea, this is a rare thing for 2 out of 3 kids and both grandkids to be in the same place at the same time.

Top 5 from the last 4 days

I've been a bit busy the last few days and didn't get a chance to post so I thought I would just round up my best five things from the last four days





1. Went to the final concert at Church College of NZ. The college was built by Labour Missionaries before I was born, it sits nestled close to the temple and amid much discussion and speculation, it has been closed down marking the end of an era. The farewell concert was a wonderful tribute to all that has been achieved over the last 50+ years. I spent a bit of time taking my glasses off and wiping my tears during the concert, it was moving and special.





2. Yesterday I went to a Christmas workshop called Time Out for Women, mixing with lovely sisters, learning lots of great new christmas ideas, trying lots of yum christmas treats and coming home full of inspiration of more things I'm gonna do when I get around tuit





3. Modern Communication technology, I've just been speaking with Luke sorting holiday plans for eldest moko and only granddaughter, sounded like he was just down the road!





4. At Church today I learnt 3 things: well at Sacrament I felt the Spirit - really strongly, it was a special meeting, a special way to wind up testimony sharing for 2009.





At Sunday School I took up a challenge from our teacher to work on something this week that will strengthen the spirituality of our family - I am going to practise using a SMALL VOICE as I often use a big voice which I know isn't great.





In Relief Society I learnt that we should consider the gifts we are giving and realised that some of what I had in mind for my granddaughter, although chosen with a gran's love, are not appropriate because I have placed an unrealistic expectation on myself to have them finished on time. It is inappropriate to choose gifts that cost so much they place a strain on the christmas budget, it is senseless to pick a christmas dinner menu which will have you in the kitchen all day instead of enjoying the day with your family. I'm good at doing all of that, so I am going to try and be more sensible about the choices I make and hopefully be less stressed as a result.



and finally



5. Major's new thing, he had us in fits of laughter tonight while having his bath. He's developed a fascination with lifting his leg up til it touches his forehead and he dedicated his whole bathtime to showing us how good he is at it.

for Dec3rd

1.Justine got really sick today so I got to be of service. I helped by collecting Major from day care, feeding him his dinner, washing the big pile of dishes in the kitchen, drying the big pile of dishes in the kitchen njbhmmmmmmm\

Ha ha this is as far as I got before I fell asleep at the computer the other night, by the time I was finished being of service I was pooped. I even went to bed without dinner because I was too tired to make it.

Day four, the 2nd Dec

1. Last night my stepson, well perhaps not officially stepson, although I am still legally married to his dad, well anyway Tane arrived home from his mission. He's been serving in Sydney South and he's worked really hard. I spoke to him on the phone and he sounds so grown up and so much more refined in his language. His dad says he grown heaps. Well we are proud of him, completing an honourable mission is one of life's BIG milestones.

2. On a completely different note, I love a gripping TV show. Right now I've got one eye on this and one eye on a show called V. Not sure if it's a mini series or a new regular show, but it's got my attention.

3. I'm really greatful to have a job. Everyday I take calls from people who have been made redundant (retrenched), I often see lists with large numbers of staff affected by redundancies. I think the business climate in NZ is still depressed regardless of how much/little growth the government say we are experiencing.

4. Living close to the temple is such a blessing. We have a Stake night every Wednesday and I get to attend regularly, but not tonight because tomorrow I am going with my cousin and her son as he goes through the temple for the first time.

5. My cousin's son has received his Mission call, he is going to the Phillipines next year. It's such a thrill to have family members serve the Lord.