A fresh blogging start - i hope!

It's been a while since my last post and i figured i could incorporate my pregnancy journal and general blogging all in one!
So yes, i am pregnant again with our second child! We are very excited! At the moment I am 15 weeks along and feeling well.
I had a bit more nausea in those early weeks than what I had with Ava so that took it's toll a bit! It's a lot harder being nauseous with a toddler and having to look after them as well as yourself. I mainly lounged on the couch in those weeks and got up when I had to.
Chris was amazing and so helpful and lenient on me with housework and cooking so that was a massive blessing. 
We are also very excited to find out if this baby is a boy or girl! We both think a boy but we'd be so excited still if it was another little girl! Chris' sister Katie is pregnant with number two as well which is so lovely! They found out another little girl is on the way for them! Kate's 4 weeks ahead of me. It will be so nice to have newborns together.
At the moment our family is a bit sick with the cold - all runny noses and sore throats.
We have just got our backyard paving done which we feel totally blessed about! It looks great and is nice to not have sand right out the back door - and somewhere for Ava to play! The rest of the yard is still dirt - we've decided to do the landscaping ourselves and go slowly in completing it (as we have the money). This will be rewarding and we will save a lot of money! I'm excited though! We would love for it to be finished before baby number two is here (EDD 24th January, 2014).

I must say in regards to labouring and birth the second time round I am a bit nervous. Only because i remember what the pain is like. I think I'll just have to suck it up and go through it - hopefully without the drugs I had last time, but if it comes to it (which I think it will) I'll take them! I'm hoping this labour is a bit shorter too - and praying for it!

Right now it's 12.30pm and my Ava Rose is having her daily nap. Nanna came and took her grocery shopping for a few hours which was lovely for me! A nice break! 
I'm hoping to get this spare room a bit more organised. This is where the new baby will be so we need to de-clutter and re-organise the space! I'm excited - as I always am about change :) 

I better be off - try to get as much time alone to clean up before the bear wakes.

xo

big deep breath in, and out.

thankful for the Cross

disappointed with myself and my selfishness - [all the time]

encouraged by friends who shine the torch on Jesus & His ways

wanting to be filled to the brim by the Holy Spirit

enjoying reading [and nearly finished] A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers

loving having an old friend home from a season of life - yay for this new season. REFRESHED!!

prayer list started. Word Document. Tea. Prayer time with the glorious Maker.

baby sleeping [ahh]

rest and peace

As i reflect on the last month I have been noticing a trend.

I have stayed home so much more than I usually do! The funny thing is i just feel so relaxed and rested. I think I've needed this. My week usually looks like this:

Monday: Job day/ home day
Tuesday: Community Mums group
Wednesday: Food Shopping Day
Thursday: PRAMS (Church Mums group)/ Ladies Bible Study (they rotate each week)
Friday: Go visit someone day/ have someone over?

Too busy!! I don't know, is it? Is life meant to be like that for a stay at home mama?

They are all great things in themselves but when collided, where is the time for rest and peace? Relaxation? Just being in my home with Ava? Just being. Just living. Just teaching each other things.

I guess it's not the things that make you tired but the driving there, getting in and out of the car, talking, learning, driving home, then cleaning up the house when returned home.

I've really enjoying just being at home more. Now my weeks looks like this.

Monday: Job day/ home day
Tuesday: Community Mums group (important)
Wednesday: Food Shopping (also important)
Thursday: Ladies Bible Study (every fortnight)
Friday: Home day. Can have someone over every few weeks

I think I need to be at home more, and I have been. I've had time to think more about our home and how I can look after it and make it more of a haven. I've had time to think more about God and just rest in His thoughts and His Kingdom. I've reflected more that I ever had on God in general and what His plans could be, possibilities with Him, Heavenly things. 
It's been really great and I'm thankful He has provided this season for me.

I'm stoked to say I've never been in the Word and devotions as much as I have in the last few months. I've just been so encouraged constantly by Christian women bloggers and emails i've subscribed too. Reading Kingdom things brings about so much peace in my life. It also makes me yearn for the Lord more, for His presence in my life, for the Holy Spirit to make His home in my soul, mind, heart. 

I want to know Him even more. How do YOU seek Him to know Him better? How do YOU pray for that?

Thankful for quiet times, for home times, for the opportunity and honor it is to be a stay at home mum and a helper and wife. 

I long to be homeward in my orientation and to serve my family. My prayer is that the Lord might create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me, so that I may teach transgressors His ways. I pray I might use my gifts to encourage and train my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. (moreso sisters).

Oh that's the bebe crying out for her mama, 
will return soon.
xo

Ephesians and Paul

Ephesians. Encouraged. Spurred on. Reminded. Being taught. She Reads Truth.

Paul doesn't really like fullstops. Commar's are more his thing.

Thanks for writing Paul. I love how God has used you and inspired you. Looking forward to glorifying God together in Heaven. Will be great to meet you.

encouraged.

Continuing to find myself so encouraged everyday as I'm beginning to consistently soak myself in mind, soul and heart in God's Word through #SheReadsTruth. It's a site that encourages women in their daily reading of His Word. 

Here, we 'Do it Together' 
http://shereadstruth.com/

We are going thru Galatians atm, and i'm learning heaps!
So far i've learn what the word 'annuls' means (declared invalid), been reassured that 'I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me'. (amen!!)

I've been browsing thru more blogs as well (becoming addicted...and i'm serious when I say that.) I love the DIY blogs, the GODLY WOMEN, WIVES AND MOTHERS blogs the INDIE blogs and so many more!!

Man, i just love it when i'm constantly encouraged. so many prayers being lifted to the Lord this past week of thanks!

My beautiful friend, Sarah. She's just amazing. And continues to encourage and amaze me. I wish she had a blog. 

I think i need to pay someone to make my blog look pretty. Does that cost lots of mulla?
Hoping to do more blogging these days, about how i'm being encouraged, who is impacting my life, inspiring me to grow in holiness and godliness.

Thanks for this life, Heavenly Father!! I love you completely and endlessly!!

xxxx

then there were three

our 7 month old // 5 months at the time

Ava Rose Van Kuyl

butter chicken

Made butta chicken for dinner tonite! can't wait to devour... pappadums and natural yoghurt.. DEEEE LISH!
Chris and I watched 'Courageous' last nite... I totally encouraging Christian film. We wanna watch 'Facing the Giants' tonight which is written by the same people who did 'Fireproof' and 'Courageous'. 
Excited about hanging with Chris tonight and chilling out... He's worked so hard lately and i'm so proud of him! 
On another note, Ava bear wasn't the most cooperative today.. crying lots of the day and not going down for her sleeps. Doesn't prevent a headache, i'll tell you that!
She is 3 months now, and growing so much - definitely not underweight at the least!!
Have been doing some sewing today for My Sister and Me... trying to get a stock pile/box full of stuff...Was sewing door stop wheat bags today. Looking at doing a nappy holder tomorrow but might not get the chance as I have community mothers group so will see how we go. Ava also needs to get some good sleep or I won't be doing anything but nursing the kinder!
Blessings x