To dummy or not to dummy

So I haven't blogged in a bit, been hectic getting things ready for our overseas trip and with little Stellah not sleeping so well we've been pretty tired. I spent literally days of my life on the internet looking for tickets for us and when I found some real beauties I bought them very quickly, as the prices fluctuate from one day to the next. In my haste to bag a good deal I left us only a month to get passports and visas sorted and for those of us who aren't EU citizens, travelling is rough:) My family does get to travel with me for free though, just need to get the paperwork done at the German embassy.

So this leaves me very superly excited about going to Germany in 2 weeks!!!! From the sounds of things Thom has a wicked trip planned for us touring all the way from Berlin down to the South of Germany where we will fly from Munich to my Dad in Madeira (Portuguese island) for almost a week. I'm a little nervous about flying so far with our little bundle and trying to keep her quiet and occupied for 6 plane trips! I have been praying about it though and trust God will give grace when it is needed :) I'm also really looking forward to seeing my Dad and family there and introducing them to Stellah Faith, the first grand and great grandchild on my side of the fam!
It is a total bonus that Madeira is in fact an amazingly beautiful island, picture crystal clear water with a myriad of blue shades and lovely summer weather, yup, indeed a hard life to visit fam there. With about two thirds of our trip paid for by others this is a huge blessing from the Lord!

Things with Stellah are taking on a new form, I'm trying to rid her of her dummy. It is a new plan I came up with as the dummy was waking her up to 5 times in the night when it fell out, and naturally she would want us to put it back in and cried until this happened, after nearly 5 months I thought let me try some different tactics, this night shift just isn't fun. Well, after extensive reading on the internet, I thought I was ready and we went cold turkey on the dummy, well yesterday was the second day and in the eve she cried for 40mins straight and I caved and gave the dummy thinking it is perhaps a bit too harsh, the cold bird thing, and found that I am not able to listen to her cry for that long, so we are trying a more slow approach, like when we NEED IT and will see how that goes. I'm thinking the plane will be one of those we need it things. I am definitely a mouse and not a man when it comes to crying, so back to the dummy we go!

Other news on Stellah she has started to laugh, I just LOVE her laugh, I tickle her just under her chin round her little shoulders and she shuts her eyes and gives this cutesy chuckle that is one of the most awesome sounds I have ever heard! She is so lovely :)



She also, or rather I have, discovered the jumper, oh boy is this an amazing invention, its up there with toilet paper :) She just loves it and toddles around in the door, happy as a clam, during her niggle-time now and again.



Prior to this I have in fact turned a whopping 29, last year of the 20's and I must say that I actually love getting older! My walk with the Lord is maturing me, teaching me diligence and wisdom I could not even think of 10 years ago, whilst getting baptised. I have so very far to go though, each time I'm squeezed by God, out comes the nasty ink of sin from my heart and I realise this again but God is faithful and He will perfect me. He gets the glory!
We had such a lovely bday braai on the Saturday and had a couple of peeps around, praise God for a beautiful May day and a big garden! It was such fun, definitely up there on my good bdays list.



Charl bought me roses and chocies on my actual bday to make it feel more bdayish which was so cool of him



and I'm still loving my bday CD from Charl here is one of my favs:

C.S. Lewis song by Brooke Fraser

If i find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the felsh that i fight is at best only light and momentary,
then ofcourse I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am i lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming

All day to day & journal like

Saturday the 8th of May was Noah's third birthday party, Kim did such a great job! The theme was Mickey Mouse & all the decorations were so cute! The cake was beautifully done and really delicious. So precious, Clint prayed for Noah, one of the pics on the right with his eyes tightly shut for the whole prayer! Cait had fun trying to make Stellah smile and we kinda caught a few on camera.


Sunday (May 9th) was my first offical Mother's Day as a Mommy! How fun, thanks to Clint's, already been there know how, Charl bought me a gift on Stellah's behalf, it was this cutesy pic in a frame!


My husband knows me so well! I am thoroughly blessed by the Lord.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

(10th May) I just love Mondays, as its our day off and this Monday was no different..Just had such a cool day hanging at home -I fell in love with my fantastic hubby all over again, such a hottie!



(11th May) was Stellah's four month birthday, time sure is flying by. She's started to do this cute kind of talking thing, like she's suddenly found her OUTSIDE VOICE, yeah its pretty loud, she likes to do it anytime we leave her alone for too long (for her liking) and around 5 in the morning. If you've watched finding Nemo, you'll understand what I mean when I say, she speaks whale. Dad usually goes in to swaddle & dummy, as a subtle go back to sleep reminder, she often gives him a big gummy smile - we just love her so!


Charl gave me my birthday present early as he has exams coming up, it was a Brooke Fraser CD called Albertine, it's stinkin good! He chose it out online and everything. She is a hillsong singer and this album is not strictly Christian but there are tons of subtle references to the Lord. If you'd like to have a wee listen:
http://www.brookefraser.com/
I then also got to go with him to the Pav (our only decent Mall - but I love it that way) and buy a clothing item, always fun:)
Yikes 29, almost 30! May my life not be wasted. My prayer for the coming year is that these scriptures would bear fruit in my heart and life, He is Lord of all, 'all things were created through Him and for Him!' May my love for Jesus keep me walking on the narrow path, by His grace!

1Th 2:12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Col 1:10... so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God... Col 1:13-23 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast,not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

May I not shift from the hope of the gospel, please keep me stable and steadfast Lord!

Some favs from the trip

 

Pretoria & Chris & Meg - a decade in the making part 3

Sunday was mean't to be a church day but we overslept as our little alarm clock that does not have a snooze function also overslept, so we didn't make the morning service. We then had a lovely lunch at the Brink home, yeah, always good food there too. Belinda brought little Reece, so that made three cuties born in the same week or so of Jan this year! Had such a lekka time bonding with Jacolien again, was special sharing the 'oh she/he does that too' chats.

By Sunday eve I was all peeped up and was ready to go home but we still had two rather busy days to go, God gave grace after I repented of my selfishness and I did make it to Wednesday alive. We had dinner with our special Bimmies (aka Charl's sister and broda-in-law), at Ruth's home and they then practiced the worship songs for the wedding. The coming together of this group was sweet to hear! Like putting on an old pair of comfortable shoes, they didn't even need to practice! Everyone could just 'telepathically' feel what the other was going to do, Stellah couldn't sleep with the ambient noise so we listened and I swung her around, yeah, fun time had by all.

The day of the wedding finally arrived and we witnessed the union of our speical friends Chris and Meg, after dating for about ten years!! What a special beautiful day, Meg looked thoroughly stunning! Such a great venue! Charl was the worship guy, the mc and a groomsman, so I was grateful for friendly faces at our table and a very edifying time. Plus Stellah got to meet lots of our Grace Fellowship friends too. I am so incredibly happy for the new Pinkers, such a special time ahead of them, dating is so for the birds. God was magnified in all, now that's a wedding.

Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Just when I felt at the end of my metaphoric tether our flight was delayed, in actual fact all the flights were delayed - yup one big messy mess! BUT..
1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

We made the trip back to pta with my Mom after being in the car from 7 30am we arrived at the Bakkes home round 11 30am to stay the night and head back to Lanseria in the morn. Was actually pretty cool, however, spending a tiny bit more time with our special peeps. So lovely how the girls just love their little cousin and argue over who gets to hold her first. Steg & Liesel gave us their room so we could pop our noisy bundle in her carry cot on cushions, in the bathroom for the night, so gracious of them! My mom also gave us her room for the week, we were so spoilt by the generosity of our fam.

Now after a few days at home we've all been ill with a cold, shame, Stellah's first cold! I've been enjoying home and so thankful for it and being able to be home with my family and care for them, what a privilege! I was meditating on Henry Lyte's hymn today, Jesus I my cross have taken...so powerful!

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.

3. Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

5. Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

6. Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Pretoria & Chris & Meg - a decade in the making part 2

Andre, Anne, Magriet, Annerie and her boyfriend came for a dinner on Thursday. Was so great seeing them as the parade of Stellah continued, yes they loved her too, I doubt that one cannot be taken with her, as Annerie kept mentioning 'sy het slim oggies' - Stellah was particularly taken with my exciting cousin and started chatting away to her in goobledy gook.



Charl was at Chris's bachelor's on Friday and he said that was nice - christian bachelors are so cool, no nasty, half clad girls jumping out of cakes etc. On Saturday we went to Charl's Dad and Gransie. More special memories were made as Stellah met her great Gran and saw her Grandpa, Aunty Liesel, Uncle Steg, not to forget her special little cousins, Ashelle and Lael. Charl's cousin Dylan also popped by and interesting discussions on carbon footprints evolved. Excellent eating was done, as Dad whipped out a fantastic stew, he doesn't even need that Jammie Oliver cookbook!

Pretoria & Chris & Meg - a decade in the making

Our trip to Pretoria, to view the joining in matrimony of our good friends Chris and Meg, this last week, was really great! Nothing like a hectic schedule & little sleep to push my nasty buttons though. Aside from being monster-am I even regenerate-Nina, at times, it was so wonderful to see our family and share our precious Stellah Faith with them.

After a super quick flight to Lanseria we had finally arrived, wow, hectic packing for all of us - we even remembered everything! We caught sight of my Mom but she only had eyes for the little person in my arms, to see how crazy my Mom is about Stellah just warms my heart, the way she squeezed her so tight as we walked out of arrivals was a precious moment. It made me remember the first time my Mom held Stellah at our home and watching her as tears of joy flowed down her face. As we walked out of the airport I stared at the Uno and then at our luggage, thinking how is this going to work? But after some good maneuvering, we three, my mom and all our luggage piled into her feisty Uno, the emergency bottle of water under the seat in case she overheated caught my eye and I remember thinking, mmm.

Driving through Pretoria is a bit like a distant dream - my life here in KZN seems so settled, as if we've been here much longer than a year. Many, I must remember this, moments passed as we walked into the home where so many of my other memories linger. My Ouma's face was one of these moments, as she saw Stellah for the first time and held her. She made her frail arms into a strong support around 'klein ding', as she would refer to Stellah for the rest of our stay, totally enamoured. It was wonderful to see my Ouma come to life and call down the passage from her room for us to bring Stellah to her. Charl's Mom was also there shortly after we arrived, another memory was made, as Stellah met her super-animated, fun Ouma!



The Thursday and Friday of that week were so awesome, after we discovered on the Wednesday eve that Stellah CANNOT sleep in the same room with us, sheesh, we were up most of the night! Every little grunt from our little munchkin and up we were, like the house was being attacked. My Mom was super shocked at my suggestion to have her sleep in the bathroom near us (sleep deprivation makes a person extreme), and convinced me the study would be better at night and our room during the day, when the study was very busy. We also met up with Charl's Uncle Piet and Hannes and had a meal with them at their Milky Lane - always lovely chatting with them. Piet told us about his hectic accident - not many times in your life that you live to watch a car bounce on the highway and land on top of your volvo!

My Mom has the most amazing house for inquisitive eyes and her and Stellah-Bella explored, a mobile-looking thing made of wood and porcupine quills (true story), fish-shaped wind chimes, flowers, fountains...they had a ball!