Country@Heart

Out with the Old and In with Contentment

2011-10-25T09:07:00.001+10:00

Having spent much of the past month and a half relocating , I have found myself confronted with so much excess that has accumulated since baby Thomas passed away. I now realize that my hoarding/collecting has inhibited my growth and ability to move on in a healthy way. However, maybe it was that i was not ready to 'part' with another thing - so perhaps it was the healthiest way to do things : FOR ME!!!

I guess that untimely cultural expectations of 'get over it', ' move on' all come into how well we mum's of small infants who have died cope. Most of that type of banter we have little to no control of at the time , well meaning people just unfortunately open their mouths instead of their ears and hearts. I guess I have learned so much from the experiences of life, it has not all been easy , but at the same time it has not all been bad either. I have begun to not hold onto reminders of our sweet little boy and the things we had hoped for him, his bath tub, his bike seat, his bath ring and the endless list...instead i am trying to cling to the belief that one day in the heavens I will be re-united with my 'too fragile to hug' little one's and will greet them with open arms.

So with Thanksgiving on the horizon in just 4 weeks time, I am planning to begin a 'new' family tradition of celebrating and giving thanks for family and friends with a special dinner. Part of my preparation is to get rid of that which has been accumulated over time and make room for new things and people in my life.

Courage...Oh Where Art Thou!!!!!!

2011-07-20T15:14:00.000+10:00

Today I begin to blog again after a break for a couple of weeks. I feel again the need to ponder and puddle around in my 'space' to find my feet.
I have come to discover that my wavering courage is a major inhibiter to my success in many areas. So I am going to begin my very own challenge today...to share things that I discover that will help me to be more courageous!

What helps you when you lack courage?What do you do to fight the pull of confidence lacking self doubt!

So far this week life has thrown me some rather enormous curve balls, however as usual ,mixed in with all lifes adventures and trials are 1000's of blessings each and everyday.
This week I achieved a major mortality feat that required a reliance on faith and in the Saviour like few times before...I think i prefer to fight for my life knocked out than concious ! That is another story .... but enough to say it had me in the grip of fear there for a bit!
My main learning point for this is...

Don't lose sight of the Saviour, HE has me in full view!

I kind of love this piccie....I took it when I visited the halls of the Relief Society building in SLC, I was so focussed on admiring the history of this amazing women who was an extraordinary women in her pioneer life...I didn't see "me" in this picture at the time....look hard you might find me!
I guess we all have a role as extraordinary women in the Church to be like the pioneers even now,even me. Their stories of courage are timeless! Although set in an era past, their example is a strength to me as are the scriptures.
I hope I can one day be viewed through my own eyes as courageous like I view the lady sitting in this picture!

Mediterranean Lasagne (Low GI)

2011-04-15T11:49:00.000+10:00

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is a big hit with the family whilst helping me to maintain my healthy diet. Win!Win!
It has been sourced from The New Glucose revolution Life Plan.by Prof Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster- Powell.Receipes bu Lisa Lintner

1 tablespoon olive oil
500g premium beef mince
2 brown onions (approx.300g) chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 x 800 g tin whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 cup (50g)of tomato paste
1 cup (250 ml) water
1/2 bunch of fresh oregano, chopped
2 eggplants (approx. 500g) cut into 1/2 cm slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 x 250 g packet frozen chopped leaf spinach, thawed
1 teaspoon nutmeg
5 sheets large instant lasagne pasta
100g low fat cheddar cheese,grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 100degrees C.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over moderate heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occassionally, for 3 minutes.
3.Add the mince and cook till the meat turns brown, then add the tomatoes, tomatoe paste and water.Season with salt and pepper and add the chopped oregano. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.Brush the eggplant slices with oil and grill till browned on each side.
5.Using a rectangular casserole dish, approx.23 cm x 34 cm, layer the ingredients.Start with half the meat sauce, then 2 1/2 sheets of lasagne, half the eggplant slices, all the spinach sprinkled with nutmeg, salt and pepper, 2 1/2 sheets of lasagne pasta, eggplant slices, meat sauce and grated cheese.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Serve with a crisp green salad (serves 6-8)

Low GI
kJ/cal 1189/284
Protein 23g
Fat 11 g
Carbohydrate 24g
Fibre 6g

Baked Tortillas with Hummus (Low GI)

2011-04-15T10:53:00.000+10:00

Another favorite recipe...sourced from Quick Cooking for Diabetes great tasting food in 30 minutes or less by Louis Blair & Norma McGough

4 small flour tortillas
1 tablespoon olive oil

HUMMUS
400g (13 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 garlic clove
4 tablespoons Greek Yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
salt and pepper
paprika, to serve
coriander sprig to garnish

1. Cut each tortilla into 8 triangles, place on a baking sheet and brush with a little oil. Place in a pre heated oven at 200degrees C (400 degrees F),Gas Mark 6 and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp. Leave to cool.

2. Meanwhile, put all the ingredients for the hummus, except the paprika and coriander, in a food processor or blender and blend until almost smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir in the coriandr and sprinkle with paprika. Garnish with a coriander sprig and serve with the tortilla chips.

Low GI
Kcals 306
Protein 12 g
Carbohydrate 46 g
Fat 9g

Prawn and Noodle Soup (low GI)

2011-04-15T10:15:00.000+10:00

Well on this fine journey to a slimmer and healthier me I have become more interested in food- good food. I thought I would share one of my favourite recipes. (I sourced it from a book titled 'Quick Cooking for Diabetes great tasting food in 30 minutes or less' by Louise Blair &Norma McGough)

Prawn and Noodle Soup
900 ml (1 1/2 pints) vegetable or chicken stock
2 kaffir lime leaves
1 lemon grass stalk, lightly bruised
150g (5oz) dried egg noodles
50g (2oz) frozen peas
50g (2 oz) frozen sweetcorn
100g (3 1/2oz) lage cooked and peeled prawns
4 spring onions, sliced
2 teaspoons soy sauce

1. Put the stock into a saucepan with the lime leaves and lemon grass, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Add the noodles to the stock and cook according to packet instructions. After 2 minutes, add the peas,sweetcorn,prawns,spring onions and soy sauce. Serve in individual bowls.

Kcals -187
Protein-10 g
Carbohydrate-30g
Fat- 3g

A Bad Day!!!But Grateful!

2011-04-12T07:09:00.001+10:00

Well yesterday was like a day from hell! Here we were straight from Conference on Sunday having all manner of petty things ‘fire’ the boys up. What the heck! To share an eraser caused an incident with a ruler, which in turn became a punching match between two growing boys…..AAARRGGH! And it continued all day long, “it’s his turn not mine”, “I didn’t do it” and so on …!

I continued to remain calm (at times – just) and thought I’d plan a special FHE to remind them where our attention ought be with Easter on the horizon. I had found a very cool activity on a blog where one makes and Easter tree! Perfect out came the silver paint…until it ran out and only half the tree was painted!………….So never fear off I went to print the accompanying sheets for decorating the sheets- and FAIL the printer would not print!!!!!!! With dogs then barking to be fed, kids disappointed and needing to shower, dinner needing to be cooked my Mr Lovely Husband rang to let me know he will be a few hours late getting home! Just Fabulous!

So, an ala’carte dinner of baked beans on toast became the cuisine fit for a Queen last night……….But then…..

My lovely diet sabotaging husband came home with the most heavenly tasting, visually pleasing ginger fluff sponge sandwich filled with fresh cream and topped with caramel icing. It was sitting on a doily in a little clear box all by itself…Intentionally purchased for me! What’s a girl to do but oblige. Hmm. extra swimming today- big time!

But, once they were all in bed and I reflected upon not only my day … I became aware that I have much to be grateful for…including a very special treat after 3 fairly low gi weeks :), a husband that got home safely from work and spicey kids that keep life day by day a mystery of how it is going to turn out!I am grateful to a friend who text me an invite to a morning tea today with other RS women. I am grateful to our leaders who give me ‘hope’ day to day,especially when I head their words.

Who is Thomas S. Monson?

2011-04-10T22:28:00.001+10:00

http://www.thomassmonson.org/

This is a great link to a wealth of information…enjoy!

Thoughts from Conference

2011-04-10T21:42:00.002+10:00

A link in case you missed some of it…..
http://lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng
Tonight my head is swimming with thoughts. A feeling of inspired renewal is my heartfelt lift towards my purpose in life.
Francis said when asked of his favourite bits from Conference :

*President Thomas S. Monson said, to be uplifted,be inspired as we learn during general Conference.

* “When Elder Ulchdorf said,

“Families can be stronger , like rope, if we work together”

*Also, when Ulchdorf quoted Saint Francis of Assisi as having said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words” In other words – be a good example!

Paddy’s favourite bit was:

*Thomas S Monson spoke of the importance of temples and always striving to have a current recommend and to know it is a sacred place.

*Sister Jean A Stevens said,

“Children pay tithing and grow in obedience”.

Me…my thoughts:

* my most favourite was from Richard Maynes, who said,:

“Create a Christ

Centred Home!”

*L.Tom Perry (Quorum of the 12) said,

“Make the Saviour the Centre of our Lives”…

“Be though an example…..of the believers”

*Quentin L Cook said, :

“Latter Day Saint Women are Incredible”

*Elder Ulchdorf in addition to Francis’ quote about Saint Francis which hit a chord with me, said :

“Move forward in Faith &

don’t wait too long on the road to Damascus”

“Hearken to the promptings of the Spirit &

then be Eager to follow them…hear his whisperings & respond”

“Turn down the noise”

* Paul V. Johnson of the 70 said,

“The only way to see the view…

is to take the trek”

* H.David Burton quoted David O’Mackay as having said,

“We should be interested in the temporal help people need.”

* President Thomas Monson closed the conference saying.

“May we be examples of Honesty & Integrity wherever we go & whatever we do”.

There were many more..but while we ponder these few…I will share more in the weeks to come.

These quotes are more than words to me…..for they are my ‘desire’ for me and my beautiful family and in doing so I pray we too will ‘become’.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY!!!

2011-04-08T10:04:00.000+10:00

i wrote this for my group page in Relief Society Sisters Page- but thought I'd cut and paste it into my blog here too today :) cos I guess it can apply to not just the sisters but to any of us ...male or female :)....

Random act of Kindness Day!!!! (i just declared it :)

I am not sure that we are meant to get through this life smooth sailing and all by ourselves 'just managing'...I think that we are 'meant to' be there for each other AND NOT WAIT TO BE ASKED!!!Sisters I ask you, who do you know that would LOVE to be surprised by you arriving on their door step tonight with a cooked dinner for them after a busy week, who do you know that may not be on your visiting teaching list that you could ring and just say hello to because they mean so much to you, maybe you know a couple with children who might have forgotten what it is like to have a date night-who can't baby sit. And biscuits sisters....who can you make a plate of biscuits for??I have never seen a busy mum decline such gifts of love. In an effort to teach my boys about service one day we took afternoon tea over to a ladies house....they had a bag full of cleaning gear...while washing their hands in the bathroom they locked the door and scrubbed what was already a very clean bath. Leaving nothing behind but a single chocolate rose to surprise this lady. This lady has terrible back pain (often) and although my boys couldn't change her back pain - her spirit was lifted by their little effort of a random act of kindness. Neadless to mention they had fun with rubber gloves for weeks in our own showers at home cleaning :) I think that it is through small acts of kindness (at random) that we lift each other and invite the "Spirit" not only into our life but also into the lives of those around us. So get your gloves on for cooking or cleaning etc and have fun. You might be surprised at the reaction. ps get out the ward phone bk....and pick someone who you would never ever ordinarily go or mix with!!! Love ya..hey and post how it went (no names :)And don't forget you can plan even more fun things for you Random acts of Kindness Day :) next week and the week after....be like Christ – Just do it!

"When you are in the service of each other...you are in the service of the Lord "..... what a great way to prepare for Easter.

Nearly Easter...and can hardly wait!

2011-04-05T14:33:00.000+10:00

2011 hit us with a BANG! After a sweet Christmas and New Year Holiday in the Americas. To come home to floods and cyclones was a little disturbing to say the least. But for us the MODEM we so heavily relied on (and only bought last year) became and obsolute model....and our major telecommunications network failed us dismally to restore our network....after 3 continual months of modem problems with this network and 5million hours of my time used on the phone to rectify it ...we changed networks. Within 3 minutes of the 'southern phone' modem arriving the children were once again hooked up to the internet and their classes and friends :) best bit - we no longer pay line rental yay! So goodbye major network and hello to a government initiative opposition in the market place.
The boys have puddled along with their school work. I am enjoying the grade six program more than the year five because it seems to 'change' things up a bit more.
Swimming at the start of the year saw little mate achieve a certificate towards his bronze medalion whilst his older brother (the artist) achieved a certificate level at the end of the year (2010).
So with Easter on the horizon I am indeed glad to have made the switch to home school through distance education. I belieeve the boys are becoming more intrinsictly motivated as opposed to extinsictly motivated learners in life. Have a Happy Easter and remember - the day was never meant to be about celebrating the 'chocolate rabbits'... HE paid a price for all of us...if we can just learn the importance of that - then we will begin to understand the 'purpose in life'!!!!!!!!

I am....

2011-04-05T13:46:00.000+10:00

I am...
... a choice daughter of God with infinite worth, goodness &potential.That is who I see. (G.P)

• ...Blessed (Vicki- Ann Lammi)

• ...BEAUTIFUL (Dallis Dromgold)

• ...A beautiful daughter of God,with many of his virtues.(David B.Baker)

• ...going to come for a swim anytime! (Jennene Lammi)

• ...fantabulous!!! (Wendy Merrill)

• ...sending messages on the phone(Jennene Lammi)

• ...Righteous, blessed,charitable, and lovely:D (Candice Houston)

• ...LOVED! (Margaret Morrison)

• ...a very good friend to both the young & the elderly. (Jennene Lammi)

• ...A true Christian. (Jennene Lammi)

• ...probably on Facebook (Jennene Lammi)

• ...maybe reading the ensign (Jennene Lammi)

• ...Ah but most probably looking through Rosie’s Quilts.(Jennene Lammi)

• ...And Yes, very beautiful (Jennene Lammi)

Diet drama!

2011-04-05T13:42:00.000+10:00

Well again the balance in life became too much! First I became so time poor that I had no time to blog...but i kept my eating on track However, with rain that prvented me swimming and walking and fluid too bad to do inerval training...couch potato i became again. However, I have still maintained my weight loss and even lost one more kg...total of 5kg in two weeks gone. 45kg more to go!
water has been a big downfall area over the weekend :( so i back to countin glasses to make me have 'em. stress levels have been worstened with less exercise.

Woop,Woop,Wednesday!!!

2011-03-30T20:23:00.000+10:00

Breakfast saw me enjoy one poached egg on one piece brugen low gi bread
i then did an interval training workout! Sweat dripping off me....i crunched on a very small apple and drank water big time.
Lunch saw me have grilled salmon and green salad with roman tomatoes sitting at a cafe sipping on a bottle of water overlooking the river with two friends :)
grabbed some fresh fish and veges/salad at the shops before heading home - pooped!
so time for a snack...mmm a small serve of special k with a little trim milk....but then a nanny nap!
tea was steamed flake with a small serve of veges.
no added sugar icecreeam with a sprinkle of milo was a nice sweet treat.
then a water based milo with a dash of trim milk.
hmm.learned today that i gotta balance things better!the how .? but still trying.
water x #1#2#3#4#5#6

Terrific Tuesday!!

2011-03-29T21:46:00.000+10:00

Awoke early and devoured not only my special K with trim milk i munched on some really scrumptious brugen weight loss toast x 2 with homus dip on it!!!Then i hit the pool (cos i needed to make up yesterdays exercise lacking day) i did my usual 12 laps. However, this time i did lots of kickboard kicking and breaststroke as i asked a friend who swims heaps of the best strokes things to do for legs and tummy areas. After this fired up start to my day, I then went visiting teaching with my much loved companion. It was a very special morning visiting ....followed by my companion and i enjoying the most yummy lunch at sizzlers :)
I had one triangle of cheese bread,
one ladel full of tomato,basil and capsicum soup that was simply heavenly.
then the traditional plate full of salad. (i only had crab as meat) and most salads were kinda mediteranianish...one had some penne and one some cous cous. But i did stop at the one plate. only drank water.
afternoon tea i ate 2 whole sticks of celery with some more of that yummy hommus.
then went for my two lap walk :) for 20 mins. followed by a game of ten pin bowling for Family Home Evening Outing :)
Dinner tonight was a steam/fried chicken breast and mixed veges
milo made on water with a dash of trim milk.
Water consumption today cups #1#2#3#4#5#6
i ate a few 'naughty' things today - eg the piece of cheese bread etc however, i am happy cos i really increased my exercise for the day ...so wins and loses........but feeling blessed and more comfy in my own 'shell' :) xoxo

Monday Muchings!

2011-03-29T09:07:00.000+10:00

very quicky: cos i a day late to blog and i gotta go swimming and visit teaching :)
special k n trim milk for breakfast...then....had to get all dressed up and look like a professional 'mum' at a teaching pd day! I have been out of the game for just over 6 months due to hooping cough, pre cancer surgeries and phnemonia..so i was quiety 'terrified' and if it weren't for a friend that i could text prior - i probably would have sat in the car too scared to go in. 4 schools were gathering. I went and I learned and I excelled socially (which is very un-me) i received about 12 compliments about how great I was looking :) so considering I still have 46kg further to lose....i was in a happy place...amidst a very young and fit crowd who are not forthcoming usually with the positive and uplifting messages to suppy/contract teachers. I felt BLESSED for my weeks efforts even if sunday was a bit wobbly!
morning tea: while the teachers downed coffee like it was scotch...I drank water....but i did partake of a piece of healthier looking slice - but i am sure it would not be low gi!but it was a yummy!
lunch- catering was provided with very limited ability to pre order as a suppy tchr - i ripped down the road to the bakery - found a yummy prawn and pasta wrap - again not the most 100%low gi but i did manage to sit with two male tchrs I have worked with as they ate the most feral looking bacon,egg and steak burgers washed down with their 'mother & coke drinks' i was really repulsed at the site to be truthful. but it was good to catch up with these two dads and here about how their lovely families are growing with new babes etc.
i ate a peach for afternoon tea
and consumed flake fish/vege stir fry with watermellon for dessert.
one cup of milo made on water with trim milk.
i had much foot pain (fluid) from what i think was all the 'sitting' and despite every good intention i physically could not weight bear last night so going to town pool to do yesterdays exercises this morning! and hopefully that will ease some of the fluid.
Water #1#2#3#4#5 drank (one short)but hey no decaf for a week!

Sundayitis!!!!!!!!

2011-03-28T03:36:00.000+10:00

Wins and loses today....... i ate :
special K for breakfast along with its portionary milk,
:S I did NO exercise today - massive fail!!!!!!!!!!!!
I enjoyed a talk at Church by a fella called David that I had not met before........his wife appealled for someone to play golf with her on Friday.....and I sat like a mute- why did I not take down her number and say yes!!but can you teach me how to play? :( another exercise opportunity missed -fail!!!
Once home from Church i ate:
Medium GI taco shells filled with low gi salad and meat that was eaten 'sparingly' (about 2 tablespoons in each) However, my epic fail here was that I did not stop at just one or two...i feasted on four :( FAIL in the portion department........I think next time i will need to take some low gi snack to church to 'keep me going' so i don't come home and just snort my way through food like a PIG! I also had drunk no water until 2pm -not good! although i did get trough my 6 cups for the day of H2O...I have been up all night to the loo FAIL!
Dinner was some stir fry low gi veges with side dish of lantina low gi pasta on the side, with watermellon and low gi yogurt for dessert.
but then...........NO EXERCISE - FAIL!!!!
So apart from spiritual exercise today....I really did not reach my goal in more ways than one..need to lift my game tomorrow.What exercise do you do on a sunday ??please comment!

Sluggish Saturday

2011-03-26T23:28:00.000+10:00

My day began at 2.40am due to barking dogs :( not a good thing when I had gone to bed around midnight! So Sluggish to get going Saturday came at me like an unwelcome inconvenience. The boys were eagre to get to their silver smithing class so that meant down the special K super fast...with trim milk (about a cup and a half ).
I then called on a friend to see if she wanted to join me at the Quilting Shops grand relocation opening. Wow did I score some bargain patterns :) then it was a hurried trip back to collect the boys. Before going home and devouring a can of baked beans and a low gi norganic flat bread, and an apple for lunch. But then, the sleep deprivation hit me...and i had to have a nanny nap. waking very unenthused to do excercise or anything much,,,, i decided to go for a spa and very minimal lap swim at a friends pool. But walla! By the time I came home i felt totally fired up and completed an aerobic interval training session following a dvd. By the end of it I was really glad to do some serious cool down exercises ! It obviously works!
Evening dinner was a piece of fresh flake steamed with dill, onion, tomato and lemon juice that tasted heavenly, with side of mixed veges and corn cob.
water #1#2#3#4#5#6 all drank...dogs asleep, kids asleep..my turn ...goodnight!
ps i had a tiny bit of philly lite (80% fat free) on the corn!!!gotta be honest..even if it were a bit naughty.oops and watermellon for desert.
ok bed time...hope you are enjoying my blog..some comments would be heartening as have all the emails of support been :) catch ya

My Conversion Story & Testimony

2011-03-25T22:17:00.000+10:00

As you will discover by my blog i am not some 'articulatedly (if that's a word)gifted member' such as yourself. But still learning and pressing forward in faith.

I suppose this is a good challenge to me to reflect back on not only the past few years when i came into contact with Church members for the first time but to look further back knowing that Heavenly parents sent me here with a divine mission in mind. I was born into a Christian home with rich traditions and values, I am one of 5 children to a family. Family was essential to me right back then as was the rich knowledge that God's love was 'unconditional'. As i grew, i discovered very painfully that love like that was often not my experience in day to day life. But with every hurt, abuse and violation experienced i continued to know that Heavenly Father's love was -unconditional.

It my early 20's I entered formal religious life with a congregation based on being like Mary and serving God with a wholehearted "Yes".The congregation I was most closely drawn to was one that was imaged on the "Family Tree", in that it had Priests,Sisters,Brothers,Missionaries and the Laity all working, living,serving and growing in the charism of Mary (Jesus Mother). However, despite my deep love for the sisters and this congregation I knew deep down that I could serve the Lord better without taking vows. So press forward i did, leaving behind a depth of gratitude, love and respect for my 'religious life' companions thus far.

It seemed like seconds after that transition that my darling dad began a fight with Leaukemia! I was totally gutted. My dad had been a sheep farmer for most of his life and a wonderful example to me of the 'good shepherd' ... a friend, a guide and a spiritual example to me throughout my life. I then met my now husband who I married feeling a sense of stability and love that I had long thought impossible from anyone other than God himself! We began our family with two beautiful sons. I don't think i had fully appreciated what a 'miracle' was until giving birth.God's hand was definitely involved in bringing these babes into my arms - how else can you fit something the size of a watermelon through a key ring!!!!!! My beautiful dad died three weeks before my second son was born. A bitter sweet moment for me...but i knew then like now that my dad would be with me still - just from Heaven! We then had a miscarriage whom we call (Joy) followed by a beautiful little boy whom we named (Thomas) who was stillborn whilst he saved my life...i could not save his. Grief and loss seemed to surround me...questions about the eternities were not forth coming from my Church I had always known and grew up with.......yet i had a reassurance like never before that my babes and my dad were indeed in Heaven and that Mother Mary would help dad with those babes until it was my time to join them!

I began to quilt...trying to make something beautiful from scattered pieces of fabric seemed like therapy that reflected my struggle of life and my new found desire to "Know my purpose for being here". In a Church that could not acknowledge my sweet Thomas(because he was 6 hours too young in womb, to be given a full birth certificate!) I was sent home to bury him myself on Mother's Day with my husband. A Church who believed a life is a life from the moment of conception, I was now faced with a search for 'truth' like never before...which Church is true???whilst trying to continue raising two boys and loving two babes in heaven and a husband as Christian. We visited and were fellowshiped by other Churches during this time of 'ecommunical' searching. I then had phnemonia and passed it on to my husband and nearly killed him with it....

It was time to prioritize our health like never before...we began a home delivery run of 'organic' fruit vegetables and groceries......and strangely enough i started to feel like i was coming alive again. One of our customers was Sister and Brother Stevenson and their family of 10 (mostly male) clan. Sister Stevenson and her ideas of provident living matched mine, she too knew that my 'angel' children were in HIS fold in heaven ...we became great friends. Brother Stevenson was a fishermen with stories of faith through trials that would capture all of my families attention and appreciation for 'truth'. One day, that I am moved to tears at fondly remembering...Sister and Brother Stevenson sat me down (as they often had at the end of a busy delivery run), however, this time was different! This time they acknowledged that I had come from a Church background and that they respected me in my search for truth. They told me how much they would like me to read a book and ask the Spirit to testify if it was true...but above all not let the book come between our friendship. (i think i failed 'em on that last one- cos i think it kind of built a bridge between us but i guess that wasn't what they feared). I folded the book in my arms and assured them i would read it. Why wouldn't I ...this family had some of the most amazing teens I had ever met - i wanted my boys to be like that!

Well please don't ask me what my family ate that week... I just thank heavens that I did come home with not only the Book of Morman but also with several boxes of organic produce that kept the family all nourished as I chewed my way through the book...I read it cover to cover...not stopping ...night and day...with the exception throughout - i paused to ask what Brother Stevenson had said "ask the Spirit to testify of the 'truth'"...................Walla! I was balling, reading, balling,reading (in australia balling is when we cry enough to break the even the worst drought) ....it was true...it matched everything i knew from life's experience to that point...even the unexplainable events......Thomas and Joy did have a heavenly purpose....to get me to search for "truth". We had wonderful missionaries, who had times taught us much more than the Plan of Salvation! David my husband was baptized two years ago on Joy's birthday(this past week) and in turn baptized the boys on their birthdays and me on Thomas' birthday.

It didn't happen over night...we took 18 months to begin to learn from a 6 week cycle of missionary talks...but I wasn't going anywhere - I KNEW like i have a nose on the end of my face that this book is true and that unlike Pinocchio...my heavenly babes "were REAL" children and they like the Stevenson Family and so many others were great missionaries that helped get us this far...as did our "FAITH". I will be 'eternally' grateful for the courage and Faith it took for the Stevenson's to share this little book with such a HUGE impact on our family!

In December of last year we went on our first ever international trip...to UTAH........we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple after taking our endowments. It was the most beautiful day with my family all sealed and aknowledged as a "Family Forever". Our life leading up to and even after the temple has not been smooth sailing.Indeed there have been times when if it were not for 'taking the Saviours hand' I like Peter would surely have drowned. However, faith moves me forward through those trials when I place trust in HIM and 'not look back' i feel HIS reassuring Love and Companionship again.

To catch a glimpse twice of our beloved prophet along with Elder Ukdorf and Elder Eyring was like seeing the snow and how beautiful things are clean...beautiful people are of God!

I testify that we do have a living prophet and of the prophets since Joseph Smith that have so truthfully restored the Gospel. I believe that when we too share this Gospel in our lives and how we live in Faith knowing and learning of "truth" that My Redeemer Lives! I testify that the blessings of the atonement are real and that when we take the Saviour's hand we can have the Holy Spirit's peace and our Heavenly Father's love with us daily. My name is Tanya Boylan and I am a Latter-Day Saint who writes this testimony and story of my conversion in the name of Jesus Christ.

Fantabulous Friday!!

2011-03-25T14:43:00.000+10:00

i awoke with an unusual weariness today...and reflected that even my 'insomnia' (inability to sleep) has been greatly improving in it's decline. i kinda was surprised myself...so i guess like fuel and oil to a car diet and exercise do effect the efficiency of how we function (or not).
My trusty bowl of Special K in hand with some fantabulous trim milk followed by a quiet day reading. My thoughts today have been a bit mixed with a good friend having yet again another miscarriage :( Life is indeed a fragile gift that we must value daily!
Ok, now for lunch i had the other 50grams of salmon with a very green salad with the exception of a mushroom and some beautiful cherry tomatoes. i also had a low gi 'norganic' wrap with skinny hommus on it.
For afternoon tea i have managed to have a juicy Red Apple.
The boys are dead set keen workers today because i have said we will go to the town pool again today. I need to do some arthritis /stretching too before and after my swim today i think. Having fun...and beginning to feel more interested in people and the things around me too. So that has to be good. I have lost 4 kg in the past 4 days and I really ok with the fact that many will argue 'but that is just fluid'- yep - it is...4kg less of it that i have to walk around or swim carrying :)very happy....(that is the weight of more than 9 cans of baked beans)So feeling FANTABULOUS!!
Water #1#2#3#4#5#6 all done!

Off to the pool!
several hours later........
12 laps and the strenching achieved 25 mins.(50 m. pool) followed by a muscle relaxing spa at a good friends house. I truelly think i could hear my muscles screaming "THANK YOU" to her even though she wasn't home!haha
Dinner became a quick omelette full of (2 eggs/ 1/3 cup trim milk, hand full spinach, mushrooms, capsicum, cherry tomatoes and canola spray was used for the pan ) YUMMY! Watermellon and low fat low gi yogurt was the order of the day for my dessert.

A good day topped of with the most magnicent sunset on the way home from the pool (driving west) a sky of pink, orange, and blue...just beautiful!How blessed we are :)

########I have changed some settings so that comments can be left easier by friends! Tired tonight :)

Thursday otherwise known as OUCH day!!!

2011-03-24T18:55:00.000+10:00

After waking pleasantly early i actually 'felt' like breakfast (major change- cos i usually HATE breakfast) so much so i bet both boys out of bed and to the special K cupboard and the cup of trim milk on it. But despite my renewed enthusiasm for the day ...i also have discovered today that i have muscles in arms, legs etc that I had forgotten ever even having.So to look at it positively - the exercise is working. 10 king prawns and a mixed salad with a piece of Brugen weight management bread ...n there was lunch done . oops forgot to mention a deliciously juicy pear for morning tea. Then to make us 'feel' like exercise i used up free vouchers for a game of ten pin bowling :) and i won!!!Immediately followed by our two laps of walking the lake again like tuesday. however, the boys used their ripsticks which make for a faster pace for me to keep up...i shaved 1 minute and a half off tuesdays effort :)Home to a cool shower and rest afterwards. Followed by watermellon and 3/4 of a cup lof gi yogurt. Dinner time involved some Chargrilled eggplant,ricotta & Basil low gi 'latina' pasta and 1 cup stir fry veges.
WATER #1#2#3#4#5#6 #7 all have been enjoyed today!
Pressing forward...think hydrotherapy day tomoz

2010: MAY YOU HAVE.... enough faith, hope, peace and light.

2011-03-23T22:45:00.000+10:00

Tuesday..day two!

2011-03-23T13:10:00.000+10:00

I have reflected much this morning about how all this effects my family...and our being a 'forever' family...I need to remain on this goal to strengthen me as an individual so that i can be a strength to them as a mother and a wife.
I was moved to near tears when in an ajoining room today i heard my oldest son correcting his younger brother by challenging him to 'think' (CTR but without saying it) ...you see little mate as he is often known was about to copy his father's long embeded habit of pouring honey all over his other wise healthy weet-bix! I heard "Do you remember how nuts you went at mum yesterday after doing that...do you really think that it's a good idea to do it again?" I was so heartened by this suggestion to 'reflect'/'ponder...indeed it was a fleeting moment when i felt LOVED by a child who rarely expresses 'with ease' his affection.
He made me wonder not about my hubby's habits but that of my own that i am teaching my children - good and bad. I think that my commitment to losing this weight is a way of teaching myself that 'i can do hard things' and that not only am i worth it- but so are they :)

Today i have had:
special K with low fat milk (about a cup each)
a medium gi whole peach that just tasted heavenly.
water #1,#2,#3 &#4 already so that i don't spend half the night in the loo :)
lunch-
10 king prawns...yummo, with one piece of low gi weight loss brugen bread spread with cottage cheese,with a large (2 cup salad) cosisting of mushrooms,spinach,lettuce,1tbsp avocado,3 cherry tomatoes,cucumber. All generously covered in half a lemon squeezed (mmm yum my mouth waters just at the memory of it all :)

I am going to swim laps for 20 mins/hydrotherapy exercises today to ease the inflammation of arthritis.
vegan stir fry for dinner (about 2 cups), with some apple and watermelon for dessert.
because i am writing this paragraph ahead of time - i will not highlight things/food until achieved.

off to get ready for my swim :)
back again...12 laps in 20 mins of town pool (which i think is 50 metres)water #5 #6 drank ad that not even counting the pool water i choked on!

TOFW: He Sees the Beauty Beneath

2011-03-23T10:55:00.000+10:00

This has inspired me today...hope it does you also...indeed the beauty HE created within people is beautiful,despite the surroundings of them!

Time for Change

2011-03-22T15:28:00.000+10:00

It has been ages since i last blogged...and that in itself tells me much! Life has been it's usual busy full of blessings and trials to help me learn what it is i am needing to learn. However, I am working on a PLAN... I would like to lose weight and lots of it...i figure i am carrying an extra 50kg and it is time to get rid of them!So in an effort to 'face up to the facts' i have decided to blog this journey because i figure it won't happen over night but it will be a slow and steady goal achieved by grit and determination.

The need to adjust my diet to a low GI is a choice for now but if i don't lose weight i figure that it will be a necessity with time to fight diabetes from obesity. For too long, i have eaten to mask and hide some very ugly and painful scars from life's educational rollercoaster. However, unlike on a rollercoaster at times i could not scream or cry....at times i could just hang on and chew my way through emotions until i can no longer recognize myself.

Rule no. 1 to learn and remember: I am not my body!!!
Rule no. 2 to be applied: when i fall down i need to get up and finish the race...failure is to not try!!
Rule no. 3 exercise is not the enemy it needs to be a habit!
Rule no. 4 Be true to myself and those around me!

ok here goes:
today began with the usual 'don't want to face the day kind of feeling' but having worked out my plan last night it was time to begin!line upon line precept upon precept!
Tuesday:
i began with a pear, skipping my usual decaf coffee. within about two hours i needed an apple...note to self buy some cereal (special k) and yogurt.
i enjoyed reading 4 chapters of a book titled " I hate it when exercise is the answer- a fitness program for the soul" by emily watts . It arrived this morning from deseret books (oh what timing)!!
With the usual busy school day routine at home i managed to squeeze in some laundry to be folded and some to be washed- gotta love sheet day! It didn't take long for the dilemma of lunch to be upon me...hmm need to plan ahead better for tomorrow........
but i ate 53grams (half a small can)of pink salmon (major coo for me cos i really can't eat tinned fish without a major intolerance rearing it's head.) spinach, lettuce,capsicum, cucumber,avocado and about a tablespoon of cheese.(about a cup of rabbit food in total)
i replaced my usual decaf with a cup of water #1, realising that my sipping was going to make drinking 6 cups by the end of the day a to be improved on area!
i downloaded some inspiring talks onto my phone to 'enthuse me' to go for a walk later today...sipping cup of water #2. I have come to relise that if i try to include the saviour in this plan i might have a hope of 'growing- whilst slimming down'
Some supportive texts from a friend and an email from a friend in the states has inpired me to 'share this goal journey' in an effort to remain true and at the same time feel the loving support of friends (when the going gets tough)
ok that is enough for now, i am off to listen to my inspirational talk and walk the botanic gardens before picking up some fish for tea at the cold stores. :) love ya
...a few hours later...
i managed to walk around the lake twice in 20 minutes and consumed water #3 at the end of it, whilst feeling quietly pleased with myself. I immediately felt pain in the ankles so i think some swimming tomorrow will be good.The kids had lots of fun keeping up the pace whilst taking in the enjoyment of ducks and lizards of the gardens...we had many a laugh together.So maybe exercise is a good cure for depression :)
To go to the cold stores straight after made for some magnicent 'cool' down from exercise. Fitted in some quick low gi shopping...then home to tuck into 8 king prawns and two cups of salad mix (capsicum,lettuce,spinach,mushrooms,carrot,cucumber,half a tomato) topped of with fresh lemon juice from half a lemon. two slices of brugen low gi bread with low fat cottage cheese saw me as full as. ( the bread was an after thought cos i realised i had no dairy or grains during the day ).
water #4 is now being swallowed while i scribe and reflect on the day. My idea to listen to the talks whilst walking proved to be really helpful in keeping me going as well as zoning out the distractions of motherhood which allowed me some time for myself whilst enjoying the company of my little men.water#5 now on the go!Better look into how many king prawns would be a 'sparingly' serve..cos they were yummy!
And with the promise of water #6 having been poured ...i will drink it after a refreshing shower! A good day one...proving to me I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!

Countin' Sleeps!

2010-11-09T10:39:00.000+10:00

Where has the year gone???We are now counting the sleeps until we fly to Salt Lake City to celebrate "Family Forever" :) and Christmas in the snow. It is hard now to contain my excitement let alone the children's.

This having been our first year at homeschooling has been full of benefits for our children, despite the occassional hurdles with health, growth spurts , massive work load etc etc to cope with. I feel that the boys in years to come will be able to feel the appreciation of having been taught through distance education.

This will be my first Christmas away from home........and the first non summer Christmas Dinner. So many traditions ...hard to forego. I have always had my tree up and my house adorned in decorations and lights. It seems almost unlike our home right now. I like tradition and am struggling to let go....but I also realise that what we hold onto can hold us 'back'! Maybe we will still get to make some ginger bread men so the house at least smells of Christmas.

After a rather sudden and alarming brush with my mortality again I can only say I feel very blessed to be here. I know that life is full of trials but with faith comes the sure sign that we are never alone. I really do not know how people go getting through day to day life without faith in God.

I don't know if anyone ever reads my little blog ...and that it makes a difference to anyone .......but it does make a difference to me :)

Love, Peace n Joy of Christmas 2010
xoxo

Once upon a time....

2010-08-29T07:38:00.000+10:00

Here goes.... a time to dare to reflect on life!The good , the bad and the ugly...I do tend to find it helpful on the 'get real' facts of life!

Well upon reflecting on things I have come to realize that 'once upon a time' .... I was young, confident, fit,.......... the list could go on but i'll try to move on....i have come to realize that anxiety (however unrealistic)holds me back.....an invisable scar from 'life'! I want my childhood me back - mind, body and soul!...so press forward I must....in patience and trust in exercising Faith.

Not sure of anything much now....I just know we are on the right path. I need to become humbler, meeker, .......why? to become the me I want to be!

When confidence is shattered it is like picking up fragments of glass that one needs to rebuild...there can be pain and beauty in every splintering part - just like life!

The Power of Words: 50 words that lift, motivate, and inspire from a LDS...

2010-08-28T21:33:00.000+10:00

I LOVE THESE WORDS....I MIGHT TRY TO MAKE THEM INTO A QUILT, WHILE I PLAY TUG A WAR WITH A COUPLE 'IN LIFE' :)

We attended our first ever Ball 'TOGETHER' in 2010!

2010-08-27T12:38:00.000+10:00

Changi Prison

2010-08-27T12:16:00.001+10:00

This sketch was created whilst in Changi prison.It is of my nanna's brother Patrick Quirk. Puddling around doing family history brings to life not only the names of ancestors but the stories of their lives. I can recall how nanna told of the story of when as a small child she hid behind a chair hiding from the man in a uniform who made her mother cry...it was Pat on the day he had enlisted coming to tell his mum he was off to the war.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

2010-08-27T10:32:00.000+10:00

13 th Article of Faith came to my mind whilst viewing this....

"We believe in being honest,true,chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men: indeed , we may say we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Joseph Smith

out with the old & in with the new

2010-08-23T16:28:00.000+10:00

Here I sit beside the lily filled dam at dusk of a magnificent day. We enjoyed a busier than usual day of homeschooling with everything from mask making,money trading,reading,narrative writing and even some interviews by phone.

Kookaburras have just broken into song and the birds are like that of a world class avery...I do love our little tree house in the bush!

With the year passing us by so quickly I am puzzled by how much we need to fit in before Christmas this year.

I feel like I am more settled at present than I have been in a while. I think good friends have greatly enhanced our lives here and I hope we never have to move away from them or visa versa.

The flowering begonias remind me of fond memories gardening with small babes years ago...while now those babes whip past me on the ride on mower with an air of confidence and love of fast toys!The glow of the now fast setting sun is near blinding me but it's warmth is somehow comforting at the end of this Monday.

I wonder what Tuesday will bring? I can say that living day by day is a nice way of life for me. Being overschedulised is just not my thing!

But I do tend to like to know what is coming too...before it is on my doorstep.

Oh well that's my ramble today.....Hope i get back sooner next time :)

What happened to May?

2010-06-09T07:54:00.000+10:00

Here we are mid June fast on the horizon and winter upon our door step. I love the cold weather for everything except arthritis :) . The pumpkins from our orchard are plentiful along with the passionfruit whilst i begin to rebuild my new vege patch. I transplanted a tomato from our little farm and am joyed to see just yesterday the new green shoots of new life after a great many weeks where it struggled alone in the elements......I couldn't help but liken it to life in my mind,however we are not alone we are blessed to have a much more - the presence of God in our lives!
During May I had both my Mum and my Father- InLaw (Pa) visit. It was a busy time of tourist things and sewing things, jam making with our home grown 'rosellas' but best of all my lovely hubby progressed in Priesthood so now he can give us blessings as a family amongst many things!Very special! I kind of feel blessed just thinking about it...having more than just a main stream typical bloke(which he is) for a husband and a father is worth every challenge to become all that we can become. Having all living 3 generations of males gathered during all this made it all the more memorable.
One thing our recent branch conference taught me was "No man is an Island - it has a ripple effect!....Let your ripple be for good not bad" Elder Dirk Smibert June 2010
I have reflected on things that have strengthened me through trials in my life .....and without listening them all (as everyone has them)...I have come to know it is in the trials we grow 'not just in the good times! So true was this revelation to me I was reminded that often in the pitfalls of my life I had moved further and further away from God in my life...maybe i skipped Church for a week or two before it became a habit, maybe i stopped with prayers and reading my scriptures daily until that became a habit........I know that God never left me- I left God during these times. I am glad that..."there is no habit,no addiction,no rebellion,no transgression, no offense.......exempted from forgiveness"Elder Boyd Packer
Well, as a family we began to try to improve in our daily prayer times and scripture study as a family.......i share this not as an advertisement of "We are so GOOD"...quite the opposite "churches are full of sinners not saints- that's why we go!"We are just simple people trying to live a better life in these times when so much in our world is the opposite to good. We are blessed to have found many like minded people at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
ok back to why i am telling you this - a great website which i have a link to on this page 'scriptures4kids' is holding a BOM scripture reading challenge for families...now most people have a bible..........well if you read as a family 8 pages a day I know your family will be blessed.....if you wish to read the Book of Morman which is a book written many years after the bible(new testament) ( a bit like the time gap between the old testament -like Moses times stories and the new testament - Jesus times stories) i know that if you read it the Holy Spirit will reveal to you that it is in fact a true record of God's Word and promise available to us......the Book of Morman is illustrated on 'scriptures4kids website' or if you would like a free copy you can order it through any Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day saint Church or buy a copy through Deseret bookstore = DeseretBook.com
One thing about this Church when we joined 12 months ago is I was blown away at how many kids and young teens came along to Church with their families....not just to be a spectator at Church but how active they are in all Church activities. It is not a Church for the faint hearted- it is based on the life and teachings of Christ so - I guess like him we too are not meant to be passive spectators but active participants . All ministy is laity , all unpaid,some say we are conservative- but we prefer to think of it as "Being In the world not Of Worldly things" i hope that makes sense.
Ok so i have rambled today, what can I say...but May came and went but I know if we plant spiritual seeds in our lives that great things will grow and bring 'fruit' in our lives and family. Looking forward to that harvest whilst labouring in the trial of planting and change..........we begin again to read our Scriptures and to grow stronger as a family and individuals. Happy Gardening to you one and all!

Perfectionist Derailed

2010-04-28T14:34:00.001+10:00

today has taught me how to let go of things, of people, of memories,of pains...........and although i may struggle to achieve this process all in a day.......i have begun. I am trying to 'let go ' of being or striving for perfectionism........it is at the root of controlling behaviour and a key to my unhappiness, weight battle, loneliness....and much more.
you see an example of this is I would love more visitors/friends.........but i don't ask them over as my house may not be perfect enough! i self-sabotage....sometimes i try too hard- not to try to out do someone else but to try to live up to my own unrealistic expectations. These traits are 'learned' from one generation to the next- i want to re write the script.........i want friends to love me as i am even if i am in a mess.

Wouldn't have it any other way!!!

2010-04-15T12:21:00.000+10:00

Today is a rather usual day in paradise.........we began the day however with scripture time as a family...and it was wonderful. i discovered a website with lds scriptures animated,read and pondering questions...i will try to get a link on this blog to it as a favorites button. scriptures4kids.com

Anyhow, ready to face the day after that.........kids sniffling, lessons waiting, dogs barking,crock pot loaded, washing drying, then it's raining,hubby driving (i worry about road safety),folding to be done,must find where they have taken my mop.........the floor is crying "mop me-today please",phone rings,mail to fetch and send,goal to keep unpacking the sewing room,home-storage to rotate,bin needs emptying,put couch covers back on cusions,mark boys assignments to post,and the doctor says REST hahahaha

Of course i will - I wouldn't have it any other way!

A Credo -For my relationships with others

2010-04-14T08:53:00.000+10:00

You and I are in a relationship which I value and want to keep. Yet each of
us is a seperate person with unique needs and the right to meet those
needs.
When you are having problems meeting your needs I will listen with genuine
acceptance so as to facilitate your finding your own solutions instead of
depending on mine. I also will respect your right to choose your own beliefs and
develop your own values, different though they may be from mine.
However, when your behaviour interferes with what I must do to get my own
needs met, I will tell you openly and honestly how your behaviour affects me,
trusting that you respect my needs and feelings enough to try to change the
bahaviour that is unacceptable to me. Also,whenever some behaviour of mine is
unacceptable to you, I hope you will tell me openly and honestly so I can change
my behaviour.
At those times when one of us cannot chang to meet the other's needs,let us
acknowledge that we have a conflict and commit ourselves to resolve each such
conflict without either of us resorting to the use of power to win at the
expense of the other's losing.I respect your needs,but I also must respect my
own. So let us always strive to search for a solution that will be acceptable to
both of us. Your needs will be met, and so will mine - neither will lose, both
will win.
In this way, you can continue to develop as a person through satisfying your
needs, and so can I. Thus, ours can be a healthy relationship in which both of
us can strive to become what we are capable of being. And we can continue to
relate to each other with mutual respect, love and peace.
by Thomas Gordon,PH.D.
Founder & Effectiveness Training,Inc.

HOMESCHOOLING - One of the best decisions ever!

2010-04-14T00:25:00.000+10:00

2010 began with a jolt like no other....we began to home-school our family, through 'distance education' along with over 3000 Australian families!!!I believe we are growing together more as a family by being 'with' our kids as they face learning and lifes challenges.What's more we now have more family time....HOORAY FOR HOMESCHOOLING!!!

Family is..... a work of HEART!!!

2010-04-13T23:37:00.000+10:00

Somedays my life is like a base thread in a good stitchery, it weaves and winds it's way amidst family life...I think that gradually I have come to realize the true purpose in my life....

FAMILY CAN BE......

FOREVER!