Rick Rolled.

I have been rick rolled a couple of times. I thought it was really funny. I started to wonder how it started.

I really loved the Macys thanksgiving parade rick roll and the fox news girl.



I was thinking about doing something on my blog today to rickroll you all but couldn't find any that were as good as Macy's which everyone has seen now. I looked though at the original film clip of Rick Astley singing this song and thought boy you can see this was made in the 80's.

Here it is for your enjoyment.

quick 7.

Pop over to Jennifer's for more quick 7

1.

The heat wave continues here. We have been to the pool early for the past 4 days. It is a great way to start the day. The temps are going to be 42 for the next week at least.

2.

I love our air conditioner. It has been on from early in the morning till we go to bed at night. Our house is comfortable with it.

3.

I noticed that Faith and Family have started a new weekly meme called small successes. There are lots of these meme's doing the rounds and it makes it easier to blog.

4.

I will be starting the 5mart Martha Monday again next week since our holidays are over.

5.

Does anyone else have a problem with their boys rooms? My eldest keeps his room tidy but my other boys are a whole nother matter. It seems to me that everytime I get their room organised they manage to mess it in a couple of days. Today I am going to go in to Tom's and Christopher's room and tell them how to clean. I won't do anything except tell them where to put things. Maybe that will help.

6.

We still have lots of pumpkins. I have made pumpkin bread, pumpkin pies and even pumpkin icecream. Any other ideas what to do with pumpkins?

7.

One of our chickens keeps getting out of their cage. She got out and went and laid a heap of eggs in our shed. We now have 10 baby chicks running around the back yard with mum. They were eating from our vege garden so Steve caught mum and cut her wings. We put the babies in with mum but they keep squeezing through the fence and then chirping for her. She cannot get out so I hope they have the sense to go back in.

Can Eggplant Parmesan Induce Labor?

Greg and Jennifer are going to find out.



Greg posted on twitter that Jennifer had some contractions over night so I am hoping to get up to baby news from them.

Friday Funnies.

A lady goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two drops of water.

As the bartender gives her the drink she says,
'I'm on this cruise to celebrate my 80th birthday and it's today...'

The bartender says,

'Well, since it's your birthday, I'll buy you a drink. In fact, this one is on me.'

As the woman finishes her drink, the woman to her right says, 'I would like to buy you a drink, too.'


The old w oman says, 'Thank you. Bartender, I want a Scotch with two drops of water.'


'Coming up,' says the bartender


As she finishes that drink, the man to her left says, 'I would like to buy you one, too.'

The old woman says, 'Thank you.
Bartender, I want another Scotch with two drops of water.'


'Coming right up,' the bartender says.


As he gives her the drink, he says,

'Ma'am, I'm dying of curiosity.

Why the Scotch with only two drops of water?'

The old woman replies,

'Sonny, when you're my age, you've learned how to hold your liquor. Holding your water, however, is a whole other issue.'

Social Networks.

Through blogger I have meet many wonderful people. I have also started to meet a lot more on Twitter and connect with old friends on Facebook

It has been great. Last night I was even able to chat online with Marco I really enjoyed our chat Marco.

It also got me thinking. Wouldn't it be great to have an instant chat online with a group on a regular basis. There are chat rooms that I have been a part of but I have never looked into starting one on my own. I thought it would be great to connect with other Christian mothers and talk about life in general. We could pray together, chat together and even do a bible study or something.

So does anyone have any bright ideas of how this kind of thing could happen?

Therese

I love home school.

Today we started our day with a swim at the pool. There was one other home schooling family there and a few other families with pre schoolers. It was good to go and not have a crowd there. Tonight it will be very crowded I think.

Since the weather is so warm I am going to get tea cooked this morning so that we don't have to heat the house up this afternoon with cooking. I will just have to heat it up in the electric frying pan this afternoon.

hot hot hot.

Today has been one of the hottest days I can remember. I don't remember feeling the heat like I did today ever before.

We took the children to the pool and then stopped at Hungry Jacks for tea rather than come home and heat up the house more with cooking.

The rest of the week is going to be just as hot. We were suppose to be going on the One and All ship this Friday but it has been canceled due to the extreme heat.

Anyone have some snow to send me?

Home school carnival.

I submitted my post about our curriculum for 2009 to the Home school Carnival

Go and check out the carnival. There are many good links there.

Therese

Pay it forward.

I put my name down at Linda's blog for the Pay It Forward exchange.

Here are the rules:

Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie “Pay It Forward”.



I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the PIF exchange.



All the gifts will be made and posted out ’sometime within the next year’. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!



What you need to do in return, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs.



Would you like to join in the fun? Other comments are welcome, but only the first three will be my Pay It Forward recipients. So, leave your comment now!

The Simple Womens Daybook.

For Today 27th January 2009.

Outside my window...It is already getting hot. Heading to 43 (107) today.

I am thinking...about taking the children to the pool at some stage today.

I am thankful for...18 years of marriage and a loving husband.

From the learning rooms...school starts this week so getting all our curriculum ready.

From the kitchen...I need to get the cooktop fixed.

I am wearing...my favourite purple nightie.

I am creating...a new daily routine.

I am going...food shopping, to the high school and the pool.

I am reading...Newsflash by Teresa Tomeo.

I am hoping...that Tom and Amelia have a great time on the One and All.

I am hearing...The television.

Around the house...The children are all getting ready for their day.

One of my favorite things...meeting other mum's online and reading their blogs.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Start home school, go to Adelaide, sew some more shorts for Tom and Christopher.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Amelia in her new dress

Pop over To Peggy's for more daybooks.

18 years ago.

Today Steve and I celebrate 18 years of marriage. We started out with Mass this morning and then came home and had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Tonight we will go out for dinner.

Marriage has really changed me and helped me to grow in faith. Steve has been a great father and husband. He has been faithful and true to me always. Our children all have a great respect for him and love him a lot.

Thank you Steve for the last 18 years. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, father and role model for us all.

Therese

Sunday Silence.

This is the most powerful video I have seen this week.



Have a blessed Sunday.

Awards.

A big Mahalo nui loa to Esther for the lovely award.

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

Barb from SFO mom

+JMJ+ from Totus Tuus

Nancy from Be Not Afraid

Ali from Home Schooling Down Under

Laura O from Day by Day

Vicki from Deo Gratias

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I also received the Kreativ Blog award A while ago from Karen and didn't pass it out.

I have to say 6 things I am grateful for and then pass the award onto 6 other bloggers.

My 6 things I am grateful for.

A loving husband.

7 beautiful children.

All my blogging friends and all the ladies at Steve Ray's message board.

My Catholic faith.

Living in a Country that allows me to worship God.

Being able to home school my children.

I pass this award onto

JoAnn from The Creamer Chronicles

PFP from Elefantz

Suzy from Sailing by Starlight

HFJ from Following Footsteps

K from Nine (+) Texans

Ellie from a peek of the Peeks

7 quick take.

Pop over to Jen at Conversion Diary for more quick 7.

---1---

This week school starts. As a teacher, Steve started work on Thursday. This year we have 2 at our local State school, 2 at our local Catholic school and 2 in home school. Sam and Madeline start on Tuesday (State school). Daniel and Brigette start on Wednesday (Catholic school). Tom and Amelia will start on Wednesday too.

---2---

On Friday Tom, Amelia and I will have a day trip to Adelaide. We are going on the One and All with other home schooling families. I am looking forward to going on the ship but it will be a long day.

---3---

This Monday Steve and I celebrate 18 years of marriage. We still haven't worked out what we will do to celebrate. Any suggestions welcome in the comment box.

---4---

I didn't do our oamc over the Christmas holidays. I was going to do a big bake today but have decided to wait till next fortnight. I still have other things I want to finish off before school starts on Wednesday so for this fortnight we will cook each day.

---5---

When I was in my teens I read a lot of Agatha Christie books. Anyone who has read her books would know Hercule Poirot. He had an obsession with things being symmetrical. I think he would have liked my new template because it is more symmetrical than my other one. Last night I spent a bit of time adding in new blogs to my blog roll and changing the layout so that it shows me when someone has updated their blog. I noticed that the left column was quite a bit longer than the right column so spent a bit of time making them equal. It made me think of Hurcule Poirot.

---6---

Speaking of adding in blogs, if you want me to link to your blog, just let me know and I will add you in. Also if I have put some of you in the wrong list, let me know and I will change you.

---7---

This Monday is Australia Day. We have a public holiday. We were married on Australia day because both Steve and I had family interstate and we thought that a long weekend would give them more chance to get over here. I didn't realize though when we were married how much I would appreciate celebrating on a public holiday. We are always all together as a family.

What a day.

Since Christmas three major appliances have gone in our house.

Our washing machine, our microwave and stove top are all not working. We were going to get the washing machine fixed but found out today that it is going to cost just about as much to fix as buying a new one.

We will go without a microwave for a while. I haven't really missed it enough yet to rush out and buy one. We will need to get the stove fixed soon though and will probably buy a new washing machine. The upright freezer will have to wait now. A washing machine is a bit more important to me than a freezer.

The hour is late.

Great article written by Patti Maguire Armstrong. I read this at Corrine's blog. It is a long article but very worthwhile reading.

Here is an bit from the article:

May I have your attention please? Put down the birth control. You heard me. Put it down and walk away.

I don’t like to be harsh, but the hour is late. The citizens of many countries belong on the endangered species because they are dying out. Never before in the history of the world have so many countries lost so many people without disease or war to blame. This loss is by choice and it’s downright suicidal.

I'm Back.

Today Steve started back at work. I took our youngest 4 down to Linda and Bill's to pick up our books for the year and stayed for lunch. We had a great time there. I am pretty excited about the subjects we are doing and what Tom and Amelia are going to learn this year. I am so glad I have started home schooling. I learn many things along side them and get to know them both better. I think their relationship is better too.

I will post photos of all the sewing I am doing when I get a chance. I haven't finished as many things these holidays as I would have liked. I will get more done tomorrow and over the weekend hopefully.

Have a great day.

Therese

Time off.

I am taking a week of blogging. I really need to get lots organised for our school year and some sewing done for the children. I will miss you all over the next week. I will still be checking email so email me if you want any prayers or want to let me know anything.

Therese

Interview me.

Vicki was interviewed by Laura the crazy mama and I asked Vicki to interview me. Here are the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me".
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.


1. When you were a young girl, what were your career aspirations?
I remember in the 4th grade we had to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up. I drew a police women complete with pink face. I was so proud of my picture and thought it looked great. I was sure I was going to grow up and be in the police force. I also remember in around the 7th grade another boy saying to me, I want to be a vet when I grow up and I thought it sounded very posh and desirable so I started telling people that I wanted to be a vet.

2. If you had to become an animal, what animal would you become and why?
Probably a dog because I really love dogs. I might be a cat

3. If you could step back in time and have a visit with any saint, which saint would you choose and why?
Hard one. I think I would love to meet St. Therese. I was named after her because I was born on her feast day. I would like to talk to her about her little way.

4. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country?
No. I have never left Australia. I have been to all states and territories in Australia though. I went to Northern Territory when I was only just over 12 months old so I don't remember it at all. One day I want to travel and meet all my online friends. I also want to go to the holy land during easter and to Rome. I would love to be at the Vatican when the cardinals are in conclave choosing a new pope.

5. Do you like beef liver?
I really don't know. I cannot remember tasting it ever. I don't think I ever will taste it though because it looks too awful. I really couldn't bring myself to buy something that looks like that and if someone did, I couldn't bring myself to cook it and eat it. So probably when you consider all this the answer to my question is I don't like the look of beef liver so will never cook it or eat it to see what it tastes like.

So anyone else want to play along. Email me or leave a comment in the comment box. I will send you 5 questions.

Test your logic.

I got 93% for this. I was very surprised because it is late here and I was a bit tired. I was thinking while I was doing it that I probably should do it tomorrow morning.

Have a go here

H/T Sarah

My new look.

I had my hair done this morning. This is my new look.

Happy Birthday Tom.

Nine years ago today, I gave birth to our 5th child, Thomas Peter. He was our third boy and a healthy 7#6 oz (3.1kg)






We bought Tom some meccano for his present. It has been a hit. He also got the movie Narnia which the children all watched this morning.





We celebrated Tom's birthday by going to Whyalla for bowling.






After bowling we went to Hungry Jacks for lunch. (total carb overload for Tom with 75 carbs in his meal) Just as well he is on a pump and we can input the carbs. He was shocked though at the insulin he needed.




While we were in Whyalla Sam bought Guitar Hero for the Wii.

Happy Birthday Tom. We hope you have a great day. You are a blessing to our whole family.

A great read.

This morning I read a post by Karen at Karen's Catholic Journal on feminism. She says exactly what I believe about feminism and how supposed sexual freedom actually stifles our freedom rather than creates it.

Here is the link to Karen's post. Pop over and read it.

Therese

43 (109) for us today.

Super hot in Port Augusta today. The temps got up to 43. The children had their last swimming lesson for vac swim.

The photo is of Christopher. Even though it was so hot, he still complained that he felt cold. He sat on the side of the pool with us wrapped in his towel for about 5 minutes and was then ready for another swim.

Humour break: Confession.

H/T Esther



H/T Adrienne

Two awards.

Thank you to Karen from Karen's Catholic Journal for the lemonade award and the Kreativ blogger award.


The lemonade award is given to 10 others who show good attitude (the good kind!) or gratitude.

my ten for this award are:

Lisa Lisa is a mother to 10 here on earth and one in heaven. She has a great attitude to children and is inspirational to me as a mother.

Laura is always a great laugh. She is a teacher and if she was ever to move to Australia and teach at our Catholic school, I would send my children there to be their teacher. I would ask specifically for her too.

God has a great attitude. After all, he puts up with all us sinners.

Alexandra also has a great attitude. She always posts information about great deals and hints on being frugal. We all need that now.

Jennifer who loves chocolate almost as much as me and my huband. I am sure it is the chocolate that gives Jennifer such a great attitude.

Esther has a great attitude and it really shines through on her blog. She will not compromise her faith and stands up for the unborn and less fortunate.

Margret in Minnesota has a great blog and always makes me smile. I think if I was to meet her irl she would make me laugh a lot.

the pomegranate apple is a blog I have only just come across. Ruby is a great supporter of traditional marriages and pro life issues.

Shelly is an amazing mom to 7 and just as inspirational as Lisa.

Laura is such a crazy mama and another blogger that makes me laugh. I love visiting her blog and reading about her family.

I will get to the other award tomorrow. I need to go to bed now.

Therese

The A meme.

Laura has the fancy P assignment and I asked her to give me a letter. She gave me A. I have to come up with 10 things I like that start with A.

1. Avocados are one of my favourite things to eat.

2. Apple pie is another thing I love.

3. Aeroplanes. I don't get to go in them often but I love the fast travel.

4. Awards. I have a couple that I have won but haven't posted about. I really do love getting them. For those people that have given me an award over the last couple of weeks, I thank you and I will pass them on soon.

5. Aussie Coffee Shop. Yes I am a bit self absorbed and I do suffer from narcissism to a degree.

6. Amelia My lovely daughter. She is just gorgeous.

7. Aprons. I love making them especially. This year Tom and Amelia are going to learn some basic sewing and one of the patterns I have got for them is an apron pattern.

8. Australia. The land I have always been in. I love living here.

9. Acrobats. I love watching acrobats jumping and doing amazing feats with their hands and legs.

10. Lastly, all my blogging friends that start with A. Adrienne, Annelisa, Anne, Abbey, Angie, Alexandra, Alison, Amy and last but not least, Annie

So, if you want a letter to list 10 things about, let me know in the comment box and I will give you one.

Therese

Yofed has her C list up

H F J has her T list up

Grace has her B list up

Ave Maria.

I love this song. Have a blessed Sunday.

Therese

Tonights family movie

Mary Poppins. This is one of my favourite movies.

7 quick take.

Head over to Jen's for other quick 7.

---1---

I really need to clean up our bedroom today. My sewing table is a dumping place when the children and Steve are cleaning up. I think when I get it cleaned up I will put a note above it saying:

This bench is for mum's sewing. It is not a dumping place. Anything dumped here will be dumped in the garbage bin. Maybe that will stop them from dumping.

---2---

We have ripe eggplant and lots of tomatoes. What is a girl to make with so many? Eggplant parmigiana. I put the eggplant in flour, egg and milk mix and then breadcrumbs. We cook them in a frying pan. The tomatoes are cut up and cooked with onions, tomato paste and spices. Put the fried eggplant in a casserole dish, pour the tomato sauce over and put melted cheese on top. When the cheese is melted it is ready and really yummy.

---3---

We have about two weeks of holidays left. I have a long list of things I want to sew before the holidays are finished.

---4---

This week Tom will be 9. We will go bowling and out for lunch to celebrate.

---5---

This week I did my 700 post. I wonder when I will get to my 1000?

---6---

I am thinking that Amelia may need to study a different saint for her RE this year. There just isn't any information around about St. Veronica. I am thinking of St. Elizabeth Seton because I know of a couple of books about her that Amelia will enjoy.

---7---

Last night I took 5 of our 7 to see Bedtime stories. I didn't really want to take them. It was a great movie and I was glad I went.

Therese

Our curriculum for 2009.

I have picked most of our curriculum for 2009 so thought I would share.

OUr timetable for home school is usually like this from Monday to Thursday.

At 8.15 the school children have all left so we start with morning prayers, a bible story or a saints story and then do an activity related to the bible/saint story. The main resource I use for this is Catholic Mosaic

At 9.00 we start our reading and spelling. Usually Tom starts his spelling while Amelia reads to me and then Tom reads to me once Amelia has finished. Once they have both read, I help them with their spelling activities.

The spelling words come from Essential Spelling I prepare several activities that they both have to finish by the end of the week.

The reading program I use is Fitzroy Readers The 10 books come with an activity book and I found it excellent for both Tom and Amelia. I also started using the words from Amelia's readers for her spelling words in the second half of the year last year and will continue to do that. She really needs lots of repeating to take things in.

Usually spelling and reading takes about half an hour to 45 minutes. We then move onto Maths.
Last year we used Signpost Maths and it was great. I will use it again this year.

After maths we have recess. I usually send Tom and Amelia outside to play for about 45 minutes. I have a coffee break and then do some housecleaning.

Then it is time for literacy.

I plan something different for each day.

Monday we do journal writing.
Tuesday we do our Voyages in Language for Amelia and Voyages in Literature for Tom.
Wednesday is Copywork or writing.
Thursday is voyages again.

Our last lesson after literacy is a different one each day.

This year we are doing:

Technology. We are going to do some building in first term with K'nex

Science: Last year I bought Great Science Adventures My mother gave the children the complete series of The magic school bus. Since we did The Magic School Bus last year, I will do the Great science adventures this year.


History. This year We will continue with The History of the World

Geography: We are using Galloping the Globe. I am looking forward to learning this.

Usually on Friday we have our fun subjects. We will do home economics first. I am going to teach Tom and Amelia basic sewing and cooking. We will then do art. Last year we did a few big drawings and collages on a big roll of butcher paper. We also did painting and paper mache.

After recess we will go to the swimming pool for sports and then after lunch we will have a library lesson.

Friday Funnies.

Help with some curriculum.

This year for RE I wanted to follow the liturgical calender and teach the children about the patron saints they have been given for the year.

Tom's patron is St. Vincent De Paul and Amelia's is St. Veronica.

Does anyone know any good books aimed at 7 and 8 year old's about these two saints or have any online resources that I can use to help them learn about their saint?

Thanks
Therese

Twitter.

I joined twitter this morning.

Kathy invited me. Looking at it, it seems similar to plurk without the karma. I liked plurking but the karma made it a bit obsessive for me.

So if you want to follow me my user name is the same as here. Aussie Therese.

Therese

Embryonic stem cells and diabetes.

Today on facebook I started reading a page about juvenile diabetes. They are trying to raise money to find a cure. Only problem is the money raised on this page is going to jdrf and since they support embryonic stem cell research I cannot support them.

On the page I was reading someone put an idea forward that diabetes care is such a big money maker that really drug companies and corporations don't want a cure found.

I really have no idea if this is true or not but I do know that there has been a huge cover up by the msm when adult stem cells have been successful in curing someone. Dr. David Wilkie gave a talk once that Steve listened to telling people that a huge press confrence was called to tell of a cure using adult stem cells. Even though many journalists and reporters were at this press confrence, not one of them reported on this. When I am aware of things like this I suppose I start to become a bit suspicious that many a cure really isn't been looked for.

I pointed out in the thread at facebook that I would be more willing to believe jdrf was interested in a cure if they were giving more money to the research that was showing more promise. The research that is showing the most promise is adult stem cells. I am not sure how much money jdrf gives to each research now but I know in the past they were giving more to embryonic research.

Adult stem cell have produced 72 cures and embryonic stem cells have produced none.

This web site has lots of interesting information on it and presents the facts about both embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Wordless Wednesday

Daniel with his birthday cake

A new year and a new look.

I have been a bad mum and neglected all my children and chores this afternoon and spent time changing my blog template. I really like the three columns and wanted to make the colours bright and happy.

Also, I have changed my posting name (in case you didn't notice).

I have been following along Therese from Musings of a mom for a while now. Therese goes to many of the blogs I do too and everytime she was replying and I was getting an email about it, I was thinking, is that what I wrote?

I am also aware of a couple of other bloggers that were getting us mixed up.

Amy from a Word from the herd started calling me Aussie Therese (to differentiate between us) and I thought that is the perfect user name so that Therese and I don't get mixed up anymore.

One other thing I did today was meet Tania from Outback blog. It was great to finally meet. She has also given me a heap of home school books to use this year. I am really looking forward to going through them.

Hope your Tuesday was good. Now I need to go and do some housework.

Therese.

A simple Womens Daybook.

Outside my window...the sun has risen. Another beautiful summer day here.

I am thinking...about what we will do today.

I am thankful for...Tom's pump arriving and the good management we have with it (usually).

From the learning rooms...I am making plans for 2009 curriculum.

From the kitchen...still cooking with zucchini's and pumpkins.

I am wearing...my pajamas.

I am creating...Tom and Christopher's pajamas.

I am going...to see if I can get the children in the vac swim program.

I am reading...Chicken soup still.

I am hoping...to get to Adelaide soon and see my sister and her new baby.

I am hearing...silence. No noise here yet today.

Around the house...the children are sleeping. Daniel had some friends stay over last night and I think it will be noisy here when they wake up.

One of my favorite things...my morning coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Swimming lessons, sewing for Tom and Christopher.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Christopher playing the wii.

Marriage.

I remember when Steve and I were engaged a friend asked me why I was marrying Steve. I said because I love him and want to be with him for the rest of my life. Both these were true but I don't think I really understood what love was then. When I thought of love, I thought of something that made me feel nice and warm inside.

Over the last 17 years the emotion that I felt when I thought of Steve was what I thought love was. In reality, the feeling I got was some sought of emotion rather than love.

I think many people don't understand really what love is. When you watch movies you get the impression that love is some extra special spark that happens inside when you meet Mr./Mrs. right. The person you have been destined to be with from the very beginning.

Right from the start I had an attraction to Steve and I am pretty sure he had that to me too (since he asked me to be his wife). Over the years of our marriage though, that attraction that I felt has faded even though I am more in love with Steve today than I was when we first meet.

Marriage has changed both of us and the children have too but the most important lesson I have learnt is never will another human make you complete, be it a spouse or children.


I am sharing all this because I have been reading a lot in the news about allowing same sex marriage. Some people do have same sex attraction just like I had the attraction to Steve in the beginning. From experience that initial attraction doesn't last. I know that statistics show people with same sex attraction are much more likely to have more than one partner. I think that many of them believe that the person they are attracted to will make their life perfect. When this doesn't happen, the blame the other person rather than think their expectation is too much.

I also am aware of many people pushing for same sex couple to be allowed to adopt children.

I think if we as a society accept same sex couples in the same way we accept a husband and wife, we really do them a great diservice and any children they adopt too.

Recently Secular Heretic did a post about a book written by a women that was raised by a homosexual father. Reading about the affect of being raised in this kind of environment makes me believe even more strongly that children should not be raised in this kind of home. Read about Dawn Stefansowicz here.

Thank you.

Yesterday I received an email from Heidi and was so touched by it, I wanted to pass it on to other bloggers and friends, both online and in real life.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to let YOU know what a blessing you’ve been to ME this past year. Fellow bloggers. Writers. Dreamers. Friends. This has been a year of change and opportunity. And I want you to know that, because of you, 2009 is looking even brighter!

Lord, thank you for these, my friends.

Some with oversized hearts, some with bright minds,

And still others with enlarged funny bones.



Some I’ve only met once or twice,

Or even never at all.

But all of whom have found

A permanent place in my heart.



This year, may their lives be as enriching

As their friendship has been to me!



Amen.

Sunday Silence

The feast of the Epiphany.

meme: A year in review of Aussie Coffee Shop.

I found this fun meme over at Amy's and told her I would do it.

The rules are:

How to Play. 1) Look back to your archives for 2008.2) Collect the first sentence you wrote every month for the whole year. (This doesn't have to be the literal first day of the month--just the first post.)3) Entertain us on your blog, link back here, and post a comment here with the link to your blog. (And if you're blogless, just remember the first sentence you spoke every month for the whole year and post it here.

So here goes:

January:Link
This time, 16 years ago, Daniel was about a hour and a half old. My first born was born on the 1st of the 1st.

February: Link
I just got an email from Tom's endo. His hba1c is down to 7.2%. His last one was 10.3% so it is much better. To put it in perspective, a non diabetic person has a hba1c of 5%

March: Link
Tom is now home. Ketone's are now negative and he seems much better.

April: Link
I haven't done a recipe for a while so I thought I would share this one. (This recipe is for Potato Pancakes)

May: Link
Since it is the first day of the month I am putting my list together for my oamc.

June: Link
Today I changed our home school and housework routine and it was great. The children seemed to like it too.

July: Link
Thanks Jean for tagging me for this meme.

August: link
Many of you probably recognise the title of my post. It is the opening chapter for the book, Please Don't drink the Holy Water.

September: Link
Thanks Annelisa for emailing this to me.

October: Link
I turn 42. My mother has come up to stay with us and took us out for tea tonight.

November: Link
I have come across many new and great blogs over the last month.

December: Link
So it is time again for 5mart Martha.

So that is a year in review for Aussie Coffee Shop.

quick 7.

---1---

Today I am taking the girls to Spotlight in Whyalla. We will buy some continuous curtains and I want to get some patterns for aprons and some bags.

---2---

I am sewing a dress for myself. It is a very simple pattern so hopefully when I get home from spotlight I will be able to finish it. I want to wear it to church tonight.

---3---

We have been going to Mass on Saturday night. Steve is a part of the music ministry and sings in the choir.

---4---

On the 26th of January Steve and I will celebrate 18 years of marriage. I am thinking about what we should do to celebrate. Maybe we will go out for tea.

---5---

Yesterday Steve put new fly wire in our flyscreens. The window and door in our lounge/dining room has been painted and the room looks really good. Once I get the continuous curtains up, it will be finished.

---6---

We haven't been to the pool for a while. Hopefully we will get there this weekend.

---7---

Having teenagers and younger children is great but sometimes it seems like Steve and I never get anytime alone. Our older boys are often still up when Steve and I go to bed and the younger children are up when we get up. I am making more of an effort this year to organise date nights. Usually we just go out for a coffee or sometimes we go for a meal.

Pop over to Jen's for other quick 7.

Some random photos from yesterday.

this is the base I made for Pumpkin Cheesecake The recipe has a pie shell but I wanted to make my own.

this is the Pumpkin Bread I made. It was so yummy I wished I had doubled or even quadrupled the recipe. At least I have the carb ratio worked out for Tom. Next time I will definitely make 3 or 4 loaves.

This is the photo Tom snapped of me reading my favourite blog updates in google reader.

Here is Steve saying "no. Don't take a photo of me and put it on your blog".

Here are Christopher and Amelia sitting on the couch watching Swiss Family Robinson. They enjoyed it at first but it was a bit dragged out so they went out for a jump on the trampoline before it was finished.

Madeline playing computer and Tom looking on. Tom loves computer games so much that if he isn't playing he is watching someone else play.

family saints

Our family saints in 2009.

For me it is St. Anne.
Steve has St. Francis of Assisi.
Our children have:

Daniel - Saint Nicholas
Sam- Saint Matthew
Madelaine- Saint Therese
Brigette- Saint Claire
Tom- Saint Vincent de Paul
Amelia- Saint Veronica
Christopher Saint John the Baptist

Do you make New Years Resolutions?

Last year I had a couple of new years resolutions.

My first was to cut back on our spending. I decided that cooking ahead once a month and having meals prepared was a good way to do this. It was successful and looking at our budget from 2008 and comparing it to 2007 I have made my goal.

I also wanted to get serious with running a budget and knowing exactly how much money we have spent and how much we have left each pay. I was also successful at this and we are much better off finacially than we were at the end of 2007.

My other goal was to declutter a room a month. I started with decluttering the children's clothes. I did this to a degree but not fully and no main room has been started. I think when I make a resolution like this I have in the back of my mind that I will be able to do it later and it just never gets done.

So my commitment this year is to stick with this. I have written out a list and assigned a main room a month to decluttering. I have also bought a note book. In the notebook I have written a couple of goals for the year and things I want to change. I am going to write in this book each night and reflect on what I did to meet these goals. I am hoping by writing down what I have done or neglected to do that I can motivate myself to do something now rather than wait till tomorrow.

What are your new year resolutions?

Therese

Happy Birthday Daniel.

17 years ago today, I gave birth to our first child, Daniel.

It was so wonderful to give birth to our first child on the first of the first. He changed us a lot.

Being the eldest of many children isn't easy sometimes. Daniel though has been an excellent example to all his siblings. He is a hard worker and his siblings all have a great respect for him. Steve and I know we can rely on him to look after the other children when we go out.

Happy Birthday Daniel. We hope your day was good and that you have many more.

Mum and Dad.

Happy Birthday to Adrienne.

Happy Birthday Adrienne. I hope you enjoy eating this cake and here is a little song just for you.