1 week down

Wow I've been in England for a whole week already, noooo make it slow down,  it's going to fast!

I've had such a lovely time so far, I'm loving it here. I wish Dolf and the kids were with me.

We went out to Brighton for a few hours and took noah to the park which has a little pool for him to play in, he had such a lovely time. We went to Brighton one night which was lots of fun. We went to Chessington for the day and I went on my first roller coaster wow it was fun, just a pity the queues were so long. We went on this terrifying ride that went up so high and spun around...urgh! But it was so much fun. I've been to Hever castle with my gran and had such a lovely time out, I really enjoyed the history and looking at the way the wood was carved and ceilings so fancy and the big tapestries, it was all so amazing. We had a lovely lunch there, it was a great experience and I feel so privileged.

I hope the next week goes a bit slower. But I'm really looking forward to the next week of adventure.

Flying High

My first time flying international and only second time on an aeroplane, wow so exciting. The worst part was having to say good bye to my family.  But I was so blessed to have my friend Tiaan flying with me (by chance) it made it so much less scary and left so much more to enjoy, I didn't have to worry if I was going the wrong way or doing the right thing. He even got me to my boarding gate at Dubai, I'm so grateful.

I had such a good trip, despite the fact that I didn't sleep much or that I got sore knees, but I suppose that's normal when you flying half way across the world.

But of course the best part was getting off on the other side and having my beautiful sister there to fetch me.

Beautiful Benjamin

I have been meaning to write this for a while now but I was battling to find my prayer list (the one I spoke about in the desires of my heart) well today I found my prayer list so I'm going to share another time that God answered my prayers.

When I started my prayer list for 2014 my sister had just told us that she was pregnant so after writing down my prayer to be able to go visit her when her baby was born, the obvious next thing was to pray for her pregnancy and the birth, this was my prayer "that Tarryns baby will be healthy and that her pregnancy would go smoothly for no complications and a quick labour and birth"

The pregnancy went so well for my sister, and she looked so beautiful with that big tummy, I wish I could have felt it and caught her glowing beauty of pregnancy on camera. But it felt like forever and when the little man was past his due date we couldn't wait and just wanted to meet him.

Well we got the message (3 days past due date) at 11:50 South African time on 19 June that contractions had started, needless to say my mom and I were glued to our phones waiting for the next up date, at 14:30 (S.A time) we got the message that they were on their way to the hospital, and when asked how you feeling, the 1 word answer of "sore" gave it away that those contractions were getting bad. Then we heard nothing more, wow were we waiting in anticipation. Eventually we got the message that my precious nephew was born at 15:40 (S.A time) weighing a healthy 4.1kg's.  Ah he's so beautiful.

My beautiful sister and nephew.

We found out his name later that evening(they hadn't decided on one yet) and we all love it, we think Benjamin Samuel Knight is perfect, the name and the baby.

I just want to thank God for answering prayers and for this new life. And Taz I just want to let you know I don't mind if you blame me that your labour went so quick you couldn't have an epidural (wink wink)

I can't wait, 10 sleeps and I get to meet Ben in person.

Chasing Dreams

Chasing dreams

This way that way

Any which way

Chasing dreams

Come what may

To be able to live

Without feeling bound

To the things we desire

Things that cannot be found

Which way do we turn

Where do we go

When things fall apart

And it's only worries that grow

When our plans don't succeed

And nothing goes right

Do we throw in the towel

Or do we look to the light

Show me the path

Oh father I pray

When I seek my own pleasures

And go my own way

Place your dreams in my heart

Stop me from making a mess

I need you more than ever 

I have to confess

Lord Break these chains

Please set me free

To be who you want me to be

To walk in your ways

And carry out your plan

I'll trust in you

And not in man

This way that way

Any which way

Let me chase your dreams

Oh Lord I pray

The desires of my heart

Wow, how God answers my prayers!

In 2006 my sister moved to England, I was so happy for her starting a new phase in her life, so brave to go to a place where she knew less than a handfull of people, I missed her terribly.

In 2007 when I got married, I was so priveleged that she was able to come back to S.A to share my special day with me, so many special memories. But as all holidays go she had to go back "home" the goodbye wasnt easy, and when she left the hole she filled was left empty again.

As good news goes her boyfriend proposed to her and the best news was they wanted to get married in South Africa...I had the privelege of planning their wedding and making sure everything went smoothly. I got to meet my crazy inlaws and my brother in law (who was scared of me...before even meeting me-if you saw him youd laugh at him being scared of me). We had the best time ever, and i made promises that i would save like mad and go visit them. On the day that they left I went to the gym so I didnt really have to stand there with all the family and say goodbye. I said a quick goodbye and cried all the way to the gym. My sister hole was empty again, and the saving never materialised.

Then came the biggest suprise of my life, on this particular saturday my mom and her husband told me they wanted to do a walk the next day and needed to borrow my car. It was a normal Sunday we got up and went to church came home had brunch and were going about our day. In the early afternoon I heard my car coming into the driveway and thought to myself "shoo moms home early" shouting to the kids "granny's home" coming down the passage turning into the kitchen MY SISTER WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR!!!! I covered my face and burst out crying! I was so...so...so shocked,excited,happy,emotional. She was actually in my house. Wow! We had the best 3 weeks. Then it ended, we had to say goodbye, again.

End of December 2013 I get a message can we facetime? Ofcourse! Ring ring...yay 2 grinning sisters one happy mom (oh how I love technology) chat chat chat then the sister says "you gonna be an aunty and a granny again" whaaaaatttt?!?!?! Wow! Yay! Congratualtions! I looked at my mom and said "this time its my turn to go visit when the baby is born, I dont care if I beg borrow or steal im going to England in July" the call ended and my brain started working overtime scheming and planning how im going to save enough money in 6 months to go visit my sister. I came up with a plan, I saved like a lunatic (thanks to my hubby for making it possible). I applied for the visa, it was approved, I booked the ticket! Im going to England baby!!!

But thats only part of the reason im writing this post, in the beginning of each year our church has a prayer and fasting week, this year I fasted from my phone, this year I made a prayer list its titled things im praying for in 2014, this is the first thing on my list as its written:
To have enough money to go to England in June/July (tick) for God to provide in whatever way he sees fit for me to have enough money (tick) for the visa approval to be quick without any hiccups (tick) for God to bless my time with my sister and make it memorable. For me to have no problems on the flight that everything will go smoothly. For favour to get a reasonably priced flight (tick).

He's answered the first thing on my list, He cares, He hears every prayer, He knows every heart. He gives us the desires of our heart.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.

All the days of my life I will give Him praise honour and glory.

Revelation 5:13
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Half 'n half

I am so content at the moment, for the last few months I have really been missing being a stay at home mom, I stayed at home with my children for 4 and a half years and then I started working again, I have been working full day since 2011, and I really have missed the freedom.

In the middle of last month my boss told me that I would have to start working half day, the company ive worked for has recently gone through some changes and we now only have one shop so my workload has been cut in half this resulted in me having to stay at work but alot less to do.

I rejoiced, I was so happy, so at the beginning of June my half day started, I love fetching my daughter from school and even getting home to a messy house that I have to clean, I love having my own time in the afternoon, for running and walking and baking. I am in half day heaven.

I am so content at the moment.

Slaying The Sugar Dragon

A few months ago I wasnt really happy with my body, I was gaining weight and feeling sluggish and unhappy, I wanted to start eating healthier but each day id make a promise to myself, not to eat sweets or rubbish yet every day id break the promise. I was in a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows and I just didnt know how to stop the cravings. Id buy a slab of chocolate that was meant to last a week but then id have 2 rows and id say to myself "tomorrow you have to eat healthier so u cant have a chocolate on your desk, just finish it now so there's no more temptation tomorrow" so I'd eat the whole chocolate (insert blushing face here). And so it would continue day in and day out.

I started searching on the internet about the ingredients of fast food (mcdonalds) and sweets and the effect they had on your body and I was horrified. And it put me off of fast food but the sweets and chocolate, well, lets just say it wasnt enough.

In searching all these ingredients I stumbled onto blog about healthy eating and while reading the post I became intrigued and clicked on her link to the whole30. I read all their info and decided there and then this is exactly what I need.

Whole30 is basically eating only whole food for 30 days...EEK! No sugar, no carbs, no dairy, no grains, no legumes and no alcohol. Only fruit, veg, meat and healthy fats. I immediately called my mom and said this is what we doing for 30 days, she hopped on board (insert thankful face here). I am so grateful she joined me, I wouldn't have been strong enough on my own. 

So a few days into April we started our challenge. The first few days were tough, but better than I expected. My cravings werent to bad (except for during easter-that was tough with 2 small children), we survived a trip to the game reserve whith our family who was still eating normal foods. We cooked healthy whole meals and we didn't kill anyone (I came close a few times). The feeling of accomplishment was huge especially when the jeans are loose and your husband is commenting on how good you look. I felt so healthy and happy,

Then it came to an end, the 30 days were over and the challenge was done, I had lost a total of 5.1kgs in 30 days, WOWZERS!! My sugar dragon was slain.....or so I thought, without the strict rules of the whole30 I feel myself slipping slowly back into the sugar cycle, 3 weeks after completing my first whole30 it turns out the dragon isnt slain he just had a nap and is now fully awake! So what to do, what to do?

Another whole30 I think. No I know! And this time my husband and children will join me. (Heres to hoping). Tomorrow I am buying the groceries and preparing the meals. Monday its time to get my whole30 on.

Lets kick this dragon in the butt!

Results of my 1st whole30...

I Heart Photography

One of my passions as far back as I can remember has been photography, when I was younger I remember snapping away, before digital cameras were available, eager to rush the film to the photo shop to be developed, that hour spent waiting for the photos, it seemed like forever, the anticipation to see how they came out, nervously opening the envelope and wanting to get the first glimpse before anyone else, just incase I looked like a dunce...ah how times have changed, now we can preview them on the screens of our digital cameras and smartphones deleting and editing as we wish, before you have to show anyone and risk the embarrassment. The joys of technology.

A few months ago I decided to get to know our (my moms that ive adopted) canon a little better, determined not to use the auto function and set the aperture, shutterspeed and iso myself, so after a little research and alot of practice (and deleting) I am finally getting the hang of things, and my passion has grown, my desire is to be a professional photographer one day, I want to study it, get to know it better, practice it, perfect the art and create beautiful images that hang on peoples walls, that capture the beauty of love, of life.

So I started offering to do photos of friends and family, and my kids are my main experiment when it comes to photos. I love capturing their laughs.

Untill the time comes when I can take photos professionally and quit my day job I will continue to practice on willing friends and family.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This is me

I am a 27 year old mother of 2, my first born is the beautiful Liah, I cannot begin to describe the way my heart swells with pride when I look at her, she is beautiful, kind, smart and loving, she loves to save things...insects, geckos, moles, you name it if its hurt she will try to nurse it, if its drowning she will try rescue it if the dogs have caught it she'll save it. She has a heart of gold. My second born is a handsome little boy who's ethan, he got the nickname effie-beefy at school, I dont know what the teacher was thinking but it stuck, the helpers at his school call him shorty because he is a head shorter than his peers (which he unfortunately inherited from me) and he is my little prince, hes everything boys are made of...frogs and snails and puppy dogs tails, mischief and naughtiness but oh he gives the best cuddles and he tells me I'm pretty, hes talkative and smart and has the most beautiful laugh that comes from deep inside. I dont know what my life would be without them.
My husband is Dolf, I met him when  I was 12 years old, we started dating when I was 14 and I feel like ive loved him forever, we know eachother so well and I dont think anything could seperate us, we've stood many trials and still stand. Our love continues to grow.
Most of all I love Jesus Christ I believe he died for me, hes set me free from bondage and hes forgiven my sins. I want to grow closer to Him and although I face many troubles and heart aches and pains I know he is right beside me He will never leave me. Oh for everyone to feel His love, how my soul longs for my friends hurting and broken, my family striving and doing life in their own strength, how I long for them to be swept away by the fathers love.
So ill leave you with one of my favourite verses
Jeremiah 29:12-13 ESV
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.