"3 Weeks & 2 Days ..."

I was up earlier than normal this morning as I saw Matthew off to the airport, (Perth for 3 days on business - and he has just sent me, via email, a gorgeous photo of Scarborough Beach from his Marriott balcony window), guess who forgot his swimmers though - oh well, at least the sharks won't get to nibble on him.

Anyway, I decided with the early start and then the Seminary run, children off to school and work, that I would get a head start on the day. I threw on some laundry after doing a deep clean on the bathroom, and had set my mind-a-working on a P L A N !!! I am going to make two Australian themed mini quilts to give to Auntie Bertha and The Stokers when we go to visit. EEEEeeekkkkkk I have 23 days to do this - are, what the heck I work well under pressure ...

So I did some designing and went to collect what I needed, purchased bulk natural soap from my supplier, placed my order for the man-sized bars of Olive & Fig soap that we have a permanent request for, purchased some Easter things for the children who always come to visit us at the markets. As we won't be there in April I have decided to give people an opportunity to 'shop early'. That was after I dropped Ashlea to work as she had been called in early and they wanted her there ASAP.

Doing all that I did today (collecting ingredients for India's Science experiment due in a week), being a Mom and organising stock for the upcoming market this Saturday ... it was a lovely day though and I accomplished lots, so perhaps when the quilts are done I shall post a photo.

Make a Change for the Better

"We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history." (Sonia Johnson)

Remember Hadassah - Esther, Queen of Persia

*** 28 sleeps to go ***

Life is grand I have decided - watching hot air balloons each morning rise above our house and adorn the rising sun as India and I travel to Seminary, cockatoos flock across the sky to grab their favourite perches in the pine trees at the end of our street, and the autumn glow begins to dot the surrounding landscape.

As Gabi rode off to the station at 6.30am one morning last week, in time to catch the train to work, a small flock of birds flew frantically low across in front of her at the end of our street, and there in hot pursuit was a gorgeous reddy/orange FOX - in our street - what an unexpected and magnificent sight. I knew I should make our new OLYMPUS 4/3 Digital SLR with Pen technology (which has all the insides of a normal DSLR - ALL the benefits without the size) camera a part of my everyday attire (a missed opportunity! Of course, yes, me - running down the street after a fox ... hee hee).

As I think back over the last 5 - 6 months and all that entails, I give a big sigh of relief. There has been a major shift in our family's way of doing things, and thus it has been a LESS highly strung and drama-free household (and extended family) we are a part of. We have eliminated from our lives so many unnecessary irritants, and not so much un-recognised, but tolerated negativity, that we are able to focus more on our lives with the Saviour, and not the dramas of others. Such a weight has been lifted.

"31 Sleeps To Go"

There is an excitable vibe running through our family as we do the "Count Down" to our USA adventure. We will also be in Canada twice as we visit with family in Vancouver, (my Mom's sister-in-law and my 3 cousins). Then we shall stay a while at Niagara Falls - the room that Matthew has booked for us overlooks the falls itself.

ONE WHOLE MONTH ABROAD not having to make beds or meals, feed the pets, do housework. YIPPEEE I O KY YAY !!!

Heavenly Father has truly blessed our family through our life together - we could not have achieved (or survived) any of the things we have, without His love, guidance and comfort.

I feel for those who don't have the luxury of following a dream (travelling) and experiencing a new culture/lifestyle and people. We have worked long and hard for this and we are set to enjoy the 'fruits of our labours'. Our girls are old enough to enjoy this time together as we bond as a family, without all the looking after that little ones demand. It is also a blessing to have loved ones to share all of this with.

Mother Theresa once said that "If you can't feed a hundred people - then feed one".

This is what we are doing with our family - spiritually feeding ourselves (by attending the temple and going to General Conference in SLC) - this is one of many miracles that we've been blessed with.

a little diversion ... I loved the look on India's face today when, on her return from school, I showed her the long awaited, and much desired, 'chocolate hot cross buns' she had been wishing for, ever since they appeared in the stores.

~ Who says you have to grow up? ~

For months now I have been making lists of everything, including the places I wish to visit to feed my country spirit. I've just added another to that list - The Country Porch - in Idaho (www.thecountryporch.com). As we drive from Vancouver down to SLC we will have the opportunity to travel around this area, so I may just have to divert ... I have been searching out curtains for the house and other country accessories - me thinks I have struck GOLD with this place.

The girls have their clothes shopping and the adventure parks in Orlando FL., Matthew has his cars (Detroit), Smithsonian and aerospace museum, and I have my country/scrapping and quilting stores - WE'RE ALL CATERED FOR!!!

Our first night though, in LA, will be spent in the Baptistry of the Los Angeles Temple with a group of other young adults, doing baptisms for the dead. India has also been invited to be a part of this group even though she is not yet 18.

What a BUZZZzzzzzzzz ... What a way to begin our trip ...

'LIFE MUST GO ON ...'

As the time draws closer for our family get away - the daily routine must proceed. I am so thankful for the blessings in my life. It goes without saying that my membership in the gospel of Jesus Christ is top on my list and my strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, followed extremely closely by my gorgeous husband and daughters.

One thing I am particularly grateful for today, is my hearing. I could hear the magpies calling to each other this morning as I drove India to early morning Seminary. Now as I sit and write I can hear our two cute budgies chirping away to each other (and the other birds outside) as they swing back and forth, and peer at themselves in the mirror in their home. They are so affectionate especially Bubby, the blue male, as he loves to sit upon my shoulder and give me kisses. Boris, the yellow female so named by Ashlea, is getting more confident with us and her navigational skills are so much better - no more bomb-diving into walls, mirrors or windows.

Well it is time for my ever-loving puppies, Buddy and Cookie, to go get their facial hair clipped and butts scraped at the dog parlour. Definitely not something I am looking forward to but, 'someone has to do it!' These two little imps decided that the coolest place to be while the hot weather raged this past week, was smack-bang up against the rainwater tanks in the dirt (but mostly clay) - thus the dog parlour trip today. Hmmmm well - at least in doing this, I know that they are still alive for me to cuddle and enjoy their companionship.

"We're All Going On a ... U.S. Holiday"

Time to freshen things up with

"Parsnip Corner"

(blog)

I did originally start my blog so as to have another outlet for my art work, but with many months of inactivity with the blog (due to starting my own business), I have decided to combine both the selling and the personal side, for now. SO, it is time to re-decorate - the previous decor was B O R I N G ... so stay tuned for more changes.

Until such time as I get my website completed, I shall combine business with pleasure. My handsome husband, Matthew, has been the driving force behind the business side, and I suppose I am the head of the Creative & Production Teams.

After many years of blood (labour), sweat (dirty nappies) and tears (being part of many wonderful Parsons' family Temple occasions) our family is off to the Americas (and British Columbia - CA) for a month long holiday. We are truly blessed, and are taking the opportunity to visit with my Aunt and 3 cousins while we are in the vicinity. I've had a number of conversations with Auntie Bertha, and she tells me that her and the family are soooooooo very excited that we are coming. Auntie Bertha has been gracious enough to pay for our accommodation - what a true blessing that is. The time is going so very quickly!!!

Ashlea will turn 21 in October 2011, and we feel that this is the ideal time for our family to have a last *** BIG HOORAH *** holiday before she will put her mission papers in. This will be our quality family time together without any dramas or distractions. As I pondered on Ashlea's up coming mission, I was reminded of the fact that I am the only one in my family (that is the Kidcaff's) who ever served an honourable full-time mission and as far as our immediate family here in Sydney goes, Ashlea will be the first out of her sisters to serve a full time mission also. Her and I can be trend-setters. Of course she has many cousins on the Parsons side that have, and are currently serving full time missions, but she will be the first female.

Even as a pre-schooler, Ashlea's favourite News Time items were to sing one of two songs - "I Am A Child Of God" and "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission". The first being her favourite and she has not changed - she loves to share the Gospel with anyone, and was a driving force behind her Ancient History Teacher (Jeff LUMB) coming to have a better understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as far as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints goes.

As we traverse America from West to East we are taking the opportunity as a family to do temple work in each of the cities we stay.

There have been a few challenges over the past months, and I want to let all those people who genuinely love me (and mine) know, that they help me (us) to grow, and to all those who (shall we say) don't like me (or mine), I need them to know, they force me (us) to grow.

Thank you to both, growth (change) is always GOOD.