And life continues...

Finally, I get a spot of time to update the blog!! The last four weeks have been amazing, really blessed and really busy! Grace and Eli have grown lots, we are so proud of them.











We were so blessed to have both Ella's brother and my parents AND my grandparents with us over Christmas. We made good use of the extra hands and made sure that the twins had lots of time with their uncle, grandparents and great Grandparents!



















Christmas day was awesome! I had the privilege to preach in the morning and then we all headed to our cottage to open pressies. Most of the gifts were for the twins - thank you to everyone who sent such lovely gifts!!!

We had 12 people around for lunch. Anthony and Nadia brought their parents and Nadia prepared all the meat (delicious) whilst Ella and Renee prepared the salads and pudding (equally delicious!). On boxing day we went to the Hopkins' new place and had another large lunch with them and their family. Then, on the 27th we had my dad's aunt, cousin and his family, and my grandparents for lunch, another roasted fare - so we did well!

My folks headed back to Oz on the 31st. That evening we hired some movies, ate KFC and saw in 2010 with Goltmans (Andrew & Renee). It was chilled but awesome, having the twins over this time was really special for us. A Christmas of firsts for all of us.

As you will know, Grace hates her bath time, still, but I managed to catch her in a chilled moment in between having her head and body washed. It lasted about 9 seconds.









Whilst 'on holiday' I had three funerals in addition to the normal Sunday services and Christmas day service. Over and above this we have renovated our church offices and this all happened over this period so I was running up and down to deal with tilers, painters, roof people, glass fitters, carpenters, alarm techs and electricians... so not much of a holiday! In and amongst this we were able to spend so much time with our children. They have spent almost every morning snuggling in bed with us and often lie quite contently next to one another, but still, their favourite place is in our arms.












Eli and Grace still continue to amaze us with the cutest faces and smiles. Sometimes we find ourselves just staring at them, quite intent to let life stop and freeze in that moment... but life continues. With that in mind, we have reluctantly introduced them to creche this week.

Ella will be returning to work in under a month and we wanted to slowly ease into and be ready once she starts. It has been hard for us, but having them at the creche at church makes it a little easier. They were very good and seem to have settled well. At the school they have been introduced to the play mat, so we pulled ours out and they seemed really interested in all the colours!



On Thursday we took them to El's school to show them off and also to meet with El's principal to discuss her options for the future. All we can say is that GOD has definitely been paving a way forward for us on that front and the school will be getting back to us next week with a final proposal, so please keep us in your prayers!!

I was back at work 'officially' on Monday and it's been a DRAINING week of note! The new offices are rocking, but it's been a mission to unpack and sort through things. We have our year planning meeting tomorrow morning and then we'll be going out for afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday.

Thank again - everyone - for your amazing support and love. El and I often feel alone here and, as blessed as we have been, it's still really hard work. But it is GOD alone who is strengthening us!