Losing the balloon.

I have vivid and weird dreams.
They range from being friends with Bill Cosby to Dr. Phil challenging me to a wood chopping contest. (I have NO idea.)

I am more than certain that Jared gets tired of hearing my detailed stories that go on for what seems like an eternity.

But sometimes, I have important dreams.

Last Thursday night, I had one of the best, yet most soul shakingly terrifying dreams of my life.

There was a big crowd around and I could see quite a few people with balloons tied to their wrists. I had one on mine and Brennan had one on his. Jared wasn't there but I am going to assume he had one too.

All of a sudden, we heard the loudest noise I had ever experienced. My knees were literally being pulled to the ground. It was so real that I can still feel that part.

My heart absolutely burst with excitement and joy as I realized that Jesus was coming back! I was so ready and there are really no words to describe the emotion that I felt!

Instantly I knew that those people with balloons on their wrists, were the ones that were going to Heaven. (I'm assuming they help us fly? :) I looked at my wrist and admired my balloon that I knew I did not deserve but I was so glad that I had it!

Then I looked to my right. Brennan was standing there and he had lost his balloon! He was crying the way any kid does when they lose a balloon but I knew this one was much more vital to his happiness. I was devastated! I knew he had it! The last time I looked, he had it! When did it fly away? What caused it to come undone?

I quickly untied my balloon and tied it on his wrist. I felt at peace. I woke up.

When God blessed me with Brennan, I promised Him that I would love, protect and teach him. I promised that I would do everything within my power to get him ready to return to his Father. Yet, in this dream that can parallel life, I had forgotten to pay close attention. The last time I had checked, he had that balloon on his wrist, but I didn't keep checking.

I don't want my life to mimic this dream. I don't want to look around me on Judgement and notice I never realized Brennan had lost his salvation. I can't do as I did and forfeit my salvation to save him.

Let's pretend that our salvation does look like a balloon on our wrist. How many do we know who don't even have one? How many of our brothers and sisters are having their balloon slowly untied by the Enemy? How do we keep it tied tightly so that there is not even a chance of it being loosened?

We can't become distracted. We can't forget to teach our kids that God IS REAL. That knowledge, faith and obedience tie us to Him.

We have to keep checking.

Don't be willing to ever let Him go.

happy birthday Brennan!!!

so wow...it's been over a month since I posted.

Life has been crazy ya know?

Family came in the middle of November! We had a vacation at the beach, the volcanic lake, birthday party, train ride, Thanksgiving, Christmas, swimming, swinging and haka 'ing' all over the North Island.

I have finally gotten things together enough to post about Brennan's party. My dad has some of the cake on face pictures so I am sure I will update with that soon.

Brennan was showered with more presents than he could even open! As a matter of fact, he wasn't really into opening them at all but he did find a book from our next door neighbors that he loved and read immediately. In the last two weeks, he has investigated every single toy and hugged and kissed them all. We are really grateful for all the gifts but more than that for the fact that some people traveled over 2 hours to come and celebrate with us! (and some internationally!)

Brennan had a robot party. Here is his cake. I loved it.

Pizza Hut was on speed dial. I told everyone one piece of pizza and then realized I had ordered enough for everyone to have...four. Oops. We had pizza for days!

When I went in to wake Brennan up that morning, I said 'Do you know what today is?' and I promise you he said 'Hap Birtday!' I have it on film somewhere.

Here is the main event. I think he knew exactly who the star of the show was! haha.

I wasn't willing to mess up his robot shirt but I promise, he does have a diaper on!

We are so thankful for our family and friends and for our healthy one year old!

Ladies Challenge 2013 'Happy If'

Wow! I haven't posted for four days. You are welcome. haha.

Just an update on Ladies Challenge.

Many of you have been praying for the weekend to go well and for all involved to have safe travels and a good time. I must let you know that those prayers were heard and answered.

We had a wonderful time with the ladies. I felt like this year, really got to spend time with the ladies and got to know them better. Last year, you could have rolled me down the street because I was 39 weeks pregnant. I wasn't really into socialization at that point!

There were several speakers who hadn't spoken before and to tell you the truth, I was impressed. They had obviously spent some time in thought and prayer about their lessons.

I am glad and sad at the same time that the Ladies Challenge for this year is over but I am excited to start planning for next year soon.

You need to be informed about the awesomeness of the ladies that I have the privilege of knowing in Palmerston North. I am so thankful for them and the example that they have set for me.

Some have asked for the poem that I wrote and used in my lesson. I thought I could post it here and then you could find it whenever you wanted! Pictures to follow soon!

Happy If...

Happy if I'm breathing

Happy if I'm loved

Happy with my blessings

from the Lord above

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow

for it has cares all its own

Happy simply knowing

I don't walk this road alone

My God is walking with me

and He likes to see me smile

but He knows the things this world can give

won't make it all worthwhile

I need his hand to guide me

from a terrifying cliff,

I tread the edge by thinking

I'd be happy only if...

Happy if I'm richer

Happy if I'm poor

Happy if I had much less

Happy if I'd more

The only way to happy

is to look to God's own Son

and realize He'd still die for me

if I was the only one

Content has overwhelmed me

I know the answer is

the only 'happy if' should be

'Happy if I'm His.'

Rachel Kyle

Palmerston North, New Zealand

2013

MG

I fell asleep last night before posting and to be honest it was the best sleep I have had in a while. By the time I get my housework done and turn on my computer to write my blog, it is ten o'clock. Then I have a hard time shutting off my brain and stay up entirely too late. I am really considering only posting once a week because of all the craziness coming up. Most people won't mind me keeping my mouth closed 6 extra days a week! :)

Today in New Zealand (and at this moment in America too) is my niece's birthday.

She is four years old today and it is hard to believe that time has passed so quickly.

I remember seeing her and holding her for the first time. I hoped she would think I was important to her and I knew that she would be important to me.

This kid has got to be one of the smartest, funniest and most creative little girls I know. She loves art, Scooby Doo, her brother and fishing and a million other new things that i will get to learn about when I see her in a little over two weeks (totally freaked out while typing that!) . She's just....cool.

I am proud to be her aunt and so grateful that I lived 6 minutes from her for the first two years of her life. I love you MG! Happy Birthday! See you soon!

Some of these pictures are pretty old but they are favorites!

cheesers.

Wow! Today was fast!

Worship this morning was great. Kent had a great lesson and my dear husband gave a good conclusion to his lessons on the book of Jude.

We went to lunch with Carl and Adeline. This couple has taken care of us even before we moved here. They mean a lot to us. It was good for them to get to play with Brennan later in the afternoon. They had some things to take care of after lunch but we met up again to go and visit an elderly lady that can no longer make it to worship services.

Mrs. Winnie is a very sweet lady. This is the firs time I have met her and taking Brennan along was a good thing. She loves kids and they made each other smile.

Pardon the middle part on his hair, it was windy today and I guess that is how his hair got that way!

Carl and Adeline came to play for a bit before they had to go. Brennan needed some frozen blueberries because his sore gums were making him grumpy. That's why they are posing with his high chair. :) Jared said 'Smile' and this is the face our little cheeser made.

Good, busy, friend filled day.

This weekend is NZ Labour Day so Jared has a holiday tomorrow.

To the gardens we go!

worlds collide

today it was as if two worlds collided!

I am in New Zealand and also listening to a very dear friend of mine share the story of Joseph with my new friends.

The ladies of Wellington held a high tea today and so Jared, Brennan, two of our awesome youth group girls and myself drove down today. Cindy Tatum was the guest speaker and it was wonderful to hear her lesson on Joseph.

Cindy Tatum and her son, Jeremiah, have been here for a few days.

Some looked at us weird when I came in and Cindy and I immediately hugged.

Most people probably don't know that i have known their family for a long time.

Jeremiah is a longtime friend of ours.

We all went to church together at Pulaski Street.

Cindy's daughter was the incredible secretary at Whitthorne where I used to teach and I even taught on of Cindy's grandsons when he was in sixth grade!

After the tea, we stopped to see Jeremiah and chatted for a while. It was so good to see them and spend quality time with them.

Cindy and Jeremiah finally got to meet Brennan!

We stopped for lunch at a cafe that I have always wanted to eat at. Outside, they have a petting zoo and so it was neat for Brennan to see the animals. (No these animals aren't served in the restaurant!) haha.

It was all in all a great and uplifting day spent with family and friends!

for the wife who has everything...

I look around at my life and realize how blessed I am.

I see the house, our food, clothing, and cars that my husband's used his God given talents to acquire,

and I know I am blessed.

Talk of Christmas has recently come up and lists are beginning to be formed.

I can think of a few things that I would like for Christmas, but if I didn't get them---I would be okay with that.

However, my friend Abby and I found something this afternoon that would be a perfect gift for the wife that truly does have everything.

Picture it.

A king mattress.

Just the mattress...no box springs, base or bed frame.

A king mattress made of alpaca fiber.

And a mattress that has Swarovski crystals sewn onto the sides.

No joke--they sparkle!

It was brought to my attention that the only time these stones would be visible is while you are changing the sheets!

I'm sorry but if you are that desperate for a 'pick me up' when changing the sheets, hide a Snickers in your pillowcase!

Oh that's right--I didn't tell you how much this blinging beauty costs.

$12,000.00

THAT'S A TWELVE!

Let's consider that you may change the sheets once a week,

and each time you saw the shiny crystals was worth a dollar...

It would take you 230 years of bed making to get your money's worth!

If you own this mattress, I am by no means judging you.

I do have one question for you though.

Can I change your sheets?

egg on the face

I enjoy Brennan every day but for the past few days, my joy has been increasing!

He always looks at me with that sly little grin or says 'oh thank you!' and makes sounds that sound like 'what?!'

He constantly has my laughing and tickling and running around on my knees like a little child. I LOVE this kid.

Today, I fixed him a spinach and egg omelet, with avocado and strawberries for lunch. I put it on his plate and went to fix my plate.

Literally seconds later, this is what I find...

 

No noise. No hint that anything was out of the ordinary. He had avocado in his ears, eggs on his face and his hair was sticking up in two places with egg hair gel...he looks quite pleased with himself don't you think?

walking the walk

Today I am thankful for Todd O'Donnell's manuka honey in a cup of hot water with lemon.

It is amazing. So amazing in fact that I drink it when I am not even sick. When I am sick, it is especially amazing.

I am feeling better though. Today, Brennan and I spent most of the day asleep. I think he may be getting a bit of it because we slept a total of 5 hours during the day. I was so thankful that he wasn't going to fight me on that or keep me from sleeping.

When we were awake this morning, I was laying on the couch so that he could get some play time in. He decided he would play with the dvds (he's not allowed to) and I felt so bad at that point that I just let him play! Bad mom? nah...pick your battles. He also plucked out almost every single tissue from an almost full box and ripped it in half. Wasteful? nah...I still used them! haha.

The one thing that I am most thankful for today is the last 11 months. That's right folks...he is officially 11 months old today. Here are some things you may not know about my baby boy:

Favorite Foods: Avocado, chicken, hummus and crackers

Favorite Song: He's Sweet I Know

Favorite Toy: Stuffed kangaroo, monkey rattle and Giraffe ball popper

Favorite Animal: Duck

Favorite time of day: Bathtime

I can say: Mama, Dada, thank you, ho ho ho and some others upon request.

and...

I CAN WALK ALL BY MYSELF!

Introducing our newly mobile little man!

(pardon the snuffy nosed lady in the background and the fact that he whacks me in the head)

snowbaby.

The weather has turned cold on us during my computer disaster. A cold snap is not what we really needed as it brings rain with it. I am a little sick from the quick change in weather. Sneezing all over the place. Brennan looked at me today and pretended to sneeze. It was hilarious.

We tried on his winter suit from his Auntie Leelee. While it hasn't been snowing or anything, I was going to let him wear that instead of a jacket and layers of pants...and socks that he would kick off in the middle of the grocery store. :) He didn't like it that it covered his hands, but when I uncovered them--he loved it!!

 Remind you of that kid from A Christmas Story?!

My little snow baby.

I'm headed to bed to try to sleep this sneezing away!

attack!

Tonight, we went down for a lovely roast pork dinner at our friend Jeana's house in Foxton. They also held the Foxton congregation mid-week lesson at their home tonight. It was nice to be out of the wind, out of the rain and gathered with friends to study God's Word.

Brennan's friend (and Jeana's son) Titus makes awesome clay figurines. When Brennan was born, he made a mama and baby turtle. For Christmas last year, he added the daddy turtle. When I came in tonight, he had created and amazing Christmas tree for us. I like to show these gifts off because Titus is such a caring and creative person and also because I am jealous that he is so awesome!

He challenged me to make something cool with clay. I made a pancake. Apparently, that wasn't impressive enough!

I kept trying. I handed him a footprint and even an ear but to no avail. I must make something cool.

So I finally created this...

Unfortunately, my fantastic creation was promptly attacked by his medieval warrior creation!

 Haha! Don't mess with me!

 ah!! sharp clay weapon to the head. Titus took the next few pictures which is why his warrior eventually conquered my sea monster. :(

I am glad that Titus thinks I am cool enough to play with and also that I can have an excuse to play with clay. I love good nights, good food, good fellowship and good friends!

biltong.

Today was a ponytail and gumboots kind of day.

It has rained and poured all through the day, finally letting up around dinner time.

We waded through the parking lot and luckily didn't have to swim!

If you have seen the latest episode of Duck Dynasty, you would have seen Willie receive a package of jerky called 'Biltong' from  Africa.

Well looky looky what I found today...

Should have just come to New Zealand!

Off to watch the premiere episode of the Walking Dead...and never sleep soundly again.

gutz.

In New Zealand, the term 'guts' refers to someone who eats a lot. I don't know this from personally experiencing the name calling by the way. :)

Seeing as how a lot of pictures that I post of Brennan look like this...

(loving the thinking hand)

...he could be considered quite the guts. I have received a lot of questions about how he eats so much and such a variety for a 10 month old. Some of you may have no interest, but if you do: read on.

We waited on solids until after we came back from America seeing that it would be easier to travel without baby food plus formula. He didn't need any more nutritionally than what he was getting from that, so it was a good decision for us.

I had heard a lot about 'baby led weaning'. Usually, I write these things off and try my own thing. Which is kind of what I did.

I am not typically going to sit down and read a book about a strategy to feed my kid. I wanted him to be able to experiment with food (within safe limits) and decide when he was full. He raises both arms above his head when he is finished. He may have eaten everything or very little, but I personally think that he is learning to know what full feels like and stop eating. (wish I knew that!)

I did start him on purees but we both quickly tired of spoon feeding. It was a power struggle.

We both wanted the power and we both got the struggle.

I gave him a spoon full of food in his hand and he promptly put it in his mouth. I knew that he was way ahead of this puree thing.

I liked how the fact that he did eat them for a while, let me know things that he would react to and that he would get full.

He was showing all of the signs of wanting to be an independent eater and I was cool with that.

My first divergence from purees was puree spread over toast. May not seem like a big deal but to him, it was independence gold! I still serve this as a snack. I consider it a 'vegetable spread'!

From there, we tried anything that he seemed interested in. We still spaced it out to watch for reactions but within a month, he was eating what we were eating.

Using this way of feeding, I was able to hand him a slice of steak and he would gnaw it to death. He learned to chew instead of just swallowing. It was this fact that enables him to not choke on the more complex foods.

It's extremely important to never leave a child alone that is eating. If they are fatally choking, you WILL NOT hear them.

If Brennan does have trouble, I am right there. I watch him closely and give him a second to figure it out. He has only had one time when he didn't. He was eating ground beef mince and started laughing. It went down the wrong way, but after some assistance he was fine. 

Sometimes,it totally freaks guests out that he is eating everything we are eating but it makes life SO much easier. We can begin our routine of a family dinner table instead of eat when you can dinner table.

A typical food day would be:

Breakfast:

Banana, blueberries, avocado and sometimes oatmeal or small pancakes

Snack:

Toast with hummus

Lunch:

Chicken, corn, avocado (his favorite) and crackers (snax/Ritz)

Snack:

Seedless grapes cut in half, rice cake

Dinner:

Whatever meat and veggies we are having for dinner. His favorite nights are the nights we have couscous!

If it is edible, he has tried it within what is safe. HONEY is not okay until after year one, but I know you know that. We have strayed away from peanut items, but he has so many fruits and veggies that he barely has time to eat what he has!

No more boring menu but if you want some more ideas, you can look HERE!

WARNING: These recipes are fancy schmancy. I look at them and think...right...pancakes, meatballs, veggies, etc. Don't get too fancy when the whole purpose is to make life simpler.

It is important to note:

Feeding this way can be very messy. I am constantly cleaning the highchair. If you get a catcher bib and strip them to their diaper, clean up is pretty easy. In public, I use the same bib and he eats things without any form of sauce, etc. That way, I don't have to strip him down in public.

Hope that answers all the questions.

If God blesses us with another, we will do the exact same if possible. Starting at 6 months, gave him the time to get the skills needed to explore his food. Starting with purees allowed us to allergy test. We may do purees for that reason with the next but who knows.

Tomorrow--back to the regularly scheduled shenanigans.

uzzlepay.

I thought I mentioned in a previous post about going to check in with Ms. Marie. I can't find it so I will tell you that she said she has been watching those who walk by her house in hopes that it would be Brennan and I. I thought that was super sweet and let's me know that I am not imposing on her too much by forcing her to be my friend! Haha.

We went by last Wednesday to have afternoon tea with her. Brennan had just woken up from a nap so he was ready to play. He investigated every corner of her house. This isn't a terrible problem because he knows that he isn't to touch certain things and typically listens when I say no. He didn't touch her china cabinet, her purse, her plants or anything too dangerous but what did he head straight for?!...her ALMOST completed 1000 piece puzzle.

She wanted me to help her with the harder bits of trees and bricks. These just happen to be all of the pieces that look exactly the same. I am not a good puzzle putter togetherer. She said I had to at least add a piece before I left. She even made the repairman that came earlier add a piece before his job was complete. See why I like her?

Well, as we sat and discussed the puzzle and her recent trip to see Phantom of the Opera, Brennan honed in on the puzzle board.

It's one of those moments that goes slow motion. She had divided all of the different colors onto small pieces of cardboard that were hanging off of the edge of the table. I won't say more except to say that I must've momentarily had the reflexes of a cat.

After fitting in a few more than my initially promised piece, we had some tea. She bakes all sorts of wonderful things and sets out plate after plate. Brennan likes to try it all of course! When he bit into one of the muffins, he spat it out on to the floor. Not sure what his problem with it was, but he hasn't done that before or since. Luckily, it was quite discreet so I could distract from the fact that he didn't like that particular item. I loved them all and felt like I had earned it after the puzzling brain workout.

Little man is getting some more teeth. He also must be growing as he eats everything in sight and took a four hour nap yesterday before he ate and went straight back to bed for the night. This is what worn out looks like!

souvenirs

When we took Brennan on his first trip to the beach, I wanted a souvenir to commemorate the occasion!

I looked a while before I found the perfect piece of driftwood.

Now I didn't want just any random piece of driftwood, because we have plenty of those. I wanted something that I could paint and make into an actual memento.

Here is the finished product!

It's a whale in case it doesn't look like one. ha!

While in Queenstown, we were walking along the shore one morning and I was looking for rocks. I found this one which already had the outline of the mountains in it. 

So I picked it up and decided to paint the scene from where we collected it. 

The mountain range isn't identical to The Remarkables but it works to remind me of how much fun we had on our first family vacation!

If there are rules against taking things in NZ at the beach or Queenstown...I didn't know!

 I'm not the most talented painter, but it is fun.

It is a neat tradition for us that I think I will continue.

What do you think?

BK and I don't mean Burger King.

Where has Brennan been this week?!

Well...

He's been busy catching up on work you see...

 It takes a lot of effort to eat all of this healthy food (which he did) and stay in shape!

He's been hiding things in the toy box and getting caught...

and then using his good looks and stylish hair to try and get out of it...

He tried to tell mommy the candle was too close to the wall...

and in the down time, he stares out the window at the rainy days, while waiting at 5 p.m. for Jared to come home.

(or stares and waits for his friend Jeana to arrive.)