Spending...

Thought I had better fill you in on our free gift card spending!! There were quite a few things I would have really really liked to get... but none of them were practical to pack in a suit case and take with us... so I was a little sad about that! We went to Target first and the girls each picked out a DVD to buy each other for Christmas and they had fun doing that. I then went and got a few things off lay-by in Myer which I purchased at the big late night shopping sale a few weeks ago. (A few books and little things for Christmas presents). They over charged me so I ended up getting some cash back... which was great as I wanted a new wallet - didn't need one, but saw one in Polly that I really liked ages ago... so I took the cash in there and was very excited to find my wallet still in there and on sale!! (had to pay a little extra here.... but very excited about my purchase!)

 

A few more days went by and we still didn't really know what to do with the rest of the money... Mick really really wanted to get an ipod.... but we sort of thought it was a bit of a want and not really a need (like my wallet!!) so we put it off for a while.... until we came up with the idea that we could put all our songs and all our photos on it to take away - then we wouldn't need to pack any cd's or photos! So it was now a need and not just and want! So we went and got one.... which was pretty exciting! Mick was very happy and it was nice to have a present on Christmas Day because we had decided not to get each other anything because our trip is costing plenty enough!!! 

So that's what we spent our lucky $500.00 on!!! I think we did good!! 

One Month to go....

Yes it's true... we only have 1 month until we are out of here! Well that's if our Visas arrive, other wise we might be around for a few more weeks! And we all know what luck the Carmichaels seem to have when waiting for a Visa! 

Can't believe we are really going to be gone this time next month... and I haven't even packed 1 thing yet!!!  Very scary! 

My Myer vouchers arrived today.... so I was VERY excited.... especially to find that they are not just Myer vouchers but they are Coles Group & Myer which means I can use them at Myer, Target, Kmart, Coles and best of all Liquor Land!!! So I feel very happy about that... think I'll spend most of them at Liquor Land though. 

Still don't know what I'm going to get with them... there are just too many things I would like!! What would you buy??

Now At Peace

So many memories will stay with me forever, we love you Aunty Shell. Thank you for your kindness, your love, your faith, your courage, your humour, and your great example. Thank you for giving me 4 wonderful cousins who I love dearly. Thinking of you Mel, Jac, Dean & Ange.  

".... whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day...." Mosiah 23:22 

".... For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. O remember, remember these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." Mosiah 2:41

"... Believe in Him and endure to the end, which is life eternal." 

2 Nephi 33:4

Like mother like child

Also like father..... but that's not how the saying goes!!! So anyway, I just wanted to point out that I didn't actually rearrange anything from our lovely Christmas tree! Our kids just obviously have many of their mother and fathers OCD traits!!! Admittedly they did more dancing and singing and playing with the one bit of tinsel we own then actually putting stuff on the tree - but what they did hang they did a pretty good job of!!! I did remove a few very old paint chipped foam balls that got put on by mistake, but other than that - the kids did a pretty good job with finding a good place for the decorations they picked out!! But yes... Mick and I did do alot of the decorating!! 

Thanks for all the comments on our tree though everyone - it's nice being able to share what your tree looks like because usually we are all so busy at this time of year we don't actually get around to see many other peoples trees. 

Our tree has come along way in 5 years!!! Our first Christmas together our Tree was decorated with 12 Gold Baubles, 12 Red Bauble and 10 small stars from chickenfeed. Add a little every year and it starts getting quite full! I love it!! Although nothing competes with a real Christmas tree - which is what I grew up with. The day we would go out looking for one - best day ever!!! Pity they were usually dead by Christmas though!!

Here are some snaps I took today just before we were heading out!!

 

Season for JOY

1st of December means Christmas Tree time for us... the kids were so excited! Christmas is such a special time of year - for so many reasons. I love getting excited about all the decorations, the music, the gifts etc... But I hope I will take time to remember the true meaning of Christmas this year, amongst all the glitter and glammer! Because of Christmas we can feel real Joy!  

Destination...

After about a 20 minute drive we arrived at the top of a hill at this old Anglican church ruin. It was apparently built for the convicts and a perfect setting for some family photos. 

Next time we are all together, but with no one missing, (and who knows when that will be)  we are coming back for sure!

This last one is at great Bay... the kids are calling out to Grandad, Aunty Elle and Bek who are in the boat fishing for our tea!

Thanks again Leigh... you make us all look really good!!! 

So I just looked up a bit of information on the old Church up there... quite interesting! Doesn't say anything about convicts.... so either that came later or Bill has his story mixed up!! hehe 

Here is the link .