Sydney - Time out for Women 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last time I was in a plane and off for a weekend was - you guessed it -

 the last Time Out for Women (see HERE! ) two years ago -so sad. My friends and I lamented why does it take something like this to make us take a girls weekend? I've never had a girls weekend but these 3 trips to Sydney for TOFW have been amazing. More girls weekends - STAT!

 

We had real trouble finding affordable accommodation (apparently the Bledisloe cup and Netball championships and wrestling were also on) and were once again going to have to be at the mercy of my friends friends to put us up. Last minute blessing we found a super quaint B&B right near the Olympic Stadium where we were headed. Kevin the caretaker was so awesome to us. He fitted in an extra bed in our room and because we had to leave super early and come home late he showed us where all the food was and to help ourselves. It all felt a bit too quaint and a bit downtown abbeyish for these girls who don't get out much ;) it was such a lovely place to stay. I totally recommend Darcy's Hotel in Homebush, if your looking for somewhere to stay. http://darcyshotel.com.au/

 

Sorry my pictures are dark. We were only at the house late at night or early morning :)

 

Time Out for Women - see  http://www.tofw.com/

My favourite part of Time out for women is the spirit.
There is an amazing spirit that follows 2000 LDS women in one room. It almost can't be described.
It's fun, its kind, it's comradery , it's running into old friends, it's like you know everyone there.
It's plain beautiful and amazing. If only it went longer than 8 hours.

Each year I usually give a bit of an overview but I didn't take many notes this year.
The speakers were different this time from the previous two times.

Elaine Dalton:
You are stronger than you think
Arise to the calling that is yours. Lord asked many to arise (eg Man in Bethseda, Man with withered hand, Paul on road to Damascus). It is time to arise and be the person you are prepared to be.

Atonement is enabling power. Not just redeeming power.
IT covers weaknesses, sickness, unhappiness.

Return to virtue is always possible regardless of mistakes or what has happened.
Virtue leads you to the temple where you are endowed with more power.

** and I totally wanted Elaine's dress. HOT! I love taking fashion tips from the over 60 set :)

Sandra Turley:
Beautiful amazing singing! I had never heard of her before, but she was sooo good!
She performed in Les Miserables on Broadway.
Likened the songs from Phantom of the Opera to that of Heavenly Father - think of Me.
There will never be a day I don't think of you.
Sandra spoke of infertility and adoption and heartache and trials. She plead for an Abrahamic experience that didn't pan out as such.

Heidi Swinton:
started with the parable of the 10 virgins. They had lamp and oil. Oil can't be shared. Key about the oil is that is produces light. This is like the light within us. It might not matter what the oil is eg service to others, being kind, responding to callings, looking after our families, doing hard things.
but the oil gets the light growing. Service brings us light, fills our vessel so we can in turn be a light/lamp to others. Sometimes good things bring light but difficulties and trials can also bring oil.  We must fill our vessels/our oil so we can BE A LIGHT.

Heidi was the biographer of Pres Monsons biography. Shared her unexpected story about how he rang her up (very funny). She was blessed with power that made her days longer, work quicker, think clearer as she was on a mission with her husband at the same time.

She spoke of value. When she was busy with callings and serving others and being a good church member she felt she gave value and was a good daughter of God. A terrible accident (a fall down some stairs) left her with injuries that had her bed bound for many weeks. At first she felt terrible for having to have people help her, dependant and reliant on others, and she unable to do anything. She spoke of our value. Our value is not tied to what we do. We still have value even when we can do nothing. Lord loves you for you, not for what you do.

Lisa King:
Lisa was our lovely first time Australian presenter! There wasn't a dry eye in the place as Lisa spoke. Very moving.Lisa was recently awarded mother of the year for Tasmania.
It's OK to have questions. It's easy to have faith when things are easy But faith is really for when things aren't easy. Everyone needs to know they are loved. Even without having a trial.
Don't wait for hard times to care for people.


David Archuleta:
Even though I knew he was from American Idol I hadn't actually heard him sing before.
Be willing to say God I can't do this. Be willing to hand it over to him. Admit our weaknesses.
Take courage, show weakness, be vulnerable to the Lord.
Don't be afraid of who you are. Both weaknesses and STRENGTHS

Brad Wilcox:
If you can laugh at it you can live with it.
When does life even out? Life is more like a wave. I want smooth and straight.
His wife a nurse said nooo... ITS BAD when you have a straight line!!
Ups and downs in life mean we are alive, we are participating.
A sense of humour is an important thing. Helps keeps things in perspective.
Humour is a gift, a skill. Something you need to develop not necessarily something you are born with. There is difference in light mindedness and light heartedness. Many scriptures mention happiness, joy, laughter.

Sheri Dew:
Questions are good. Questions lead to peace, progress, revelation and will lead you down the path.
All questions have answers. Rules don't constrain us they give us maximum freedom. People who keep covenants have greater access to higher power.

Ask for angels to help you.

Are you willing to engage in a wrestle with the Lord? Many scripture stories involve a wrestle with the Lord. How much effort are we willing to put in to find answers? A spiritual Wrestle.


God will do amazing things IN us and THROUGH US

 

Because my friends are awesome and knew some cast members in Les Mis, we got to go see a show.

I've not seen Les Mis before so it was a wonderful end to our day (esp since Sandra Sang the Songs at TOFW aswell! So much Les Mis that day!) I'm not a big theatre goer but it was nice to be able to go.

 

Our weekend was packed so tight we didn't really have any time for sight seeing. One restaurant my friend wanted to see was Ground of Alexandria. It was so cool. I would recommend a visit there if you are in Sydney. There was even a pony and pig there! IT was like 4 restaurants and markets and shops joined by LOTS of hanging plants and outdoor eating. Fun

 

A just because I rarely fly and my companions so nicely gave me window seats. I'm such a kid and love to look out the window down below. I took lots of photos to show my kids as they have never been in a plane. Seriously people will think I don't get out much. I'm a bit special.

I'm so thankful to my poor friend who had to navigate crazy Sydney traffic. Who got us everywhere alive, in one piece, on time. Who found us food, amazing tickets, hotel and car. I really wouldn't leave my house without her organisation. Mwah! kisses!


We had little sleep over our weekend but holidays aren't for sleeping.
That's what you do when you come home!

Rainbow / Colour Party

With a 9 and 6 year old - its been easy to recycle and turn upsidedown decorations ;)

 

Miss N asked for rainbows and bright colours and a piñata and pass the parcel.
{after changing her mind on a lalaloopsy party .. phew!}

I love a good theme so fleshed it out a bit, to help me with games and craft ideas.

The big colourful birthday party details.


Activities:

On arrival we had bubble blowing, drawing with chalk on concrete while waiting all guests to arrive

Rock Painting:

I purchased a 15kg bag of river rocks from Bunnings.
Everything else was left over from the Art Party

Hot dog Rock by Miss G

 

Facepainting:

 

Love older kids who take charge of party activities.

Miss G gave everyone Rainbows, icecreams, cherries, suns. $6 Face Crayons from Riot.



 

 

Spray Bottle Painting:

 

The Kids LOVED this activity. It was hard for everyone to wait their turn as I only had 4 waterbottles for 15 kids. I filled a waterspray bottle with a big squirt of acrylic paint and half filled with water. I bought a cheap white double bed sheet and hung it over the fence for them to spray. It's so addictive to spray colour out! I wanted to not share too! Will do this activity again!

 

 

Pinata:
Our first store bought piñata. I didn't have time to make one. The week he was in our house Miss N fell in love with him and didn't want to break him at first. But that didn't last. There may have been screams of smash him smash him. Kids love piñata's in my experience. The anticipation is palatable.
I have to buy a replacement for a room decoration. We got used to the little fella :)

 

 

Balloon Stands:

A lovely friend lent me these concrete and pvc pipe stands. Very handy and versatile!
For balloon towers blow up balloons and tie together in bunches of four (tie two balloons together, then tie two pairs together - no string just the balloon ends) then you just push each bunch onto and around the pipe. Keep adding bunches until pipe is covered. Easy to dismantle. Every kid wanted to take balloons home, so each got a bunch.

Rainbow Cake:

I'm no baker so I have to steer my kids to easy made cakes when perusing the internets :) This was a quick easy cake made from one round cake - my favourite types! I love it when a cake works.

 

 

Pinterest Food ideas :

 

Wafers dipped in chocolate dipped in 100's and 1000's. Easy and colourful. We also served marshmallows with choc and an M&M on top. Potato Chips and Freddo frogs and nuggets.
Miss N's favourite food.

 

 And I let the Birthday Shirts Here out early to wear for her colourful birthday.

 

Yay! And all my parties are done for the year!

 

I can't believe I said no parties this year. Kids really do love it. A bit of a stress but worth it.  I only wish we could invited all our friends and family. I'm thinking I'm going to have to start having school friends, family, church friends multiple parties!! The past couple years my kids have had school friends/class by default but I've been so sad that we didn't have everyone else. Next Time!

Traditions and Rituals for Families

Perhaps it's because I'm lazy.

{True Story.}

Or maybe there really is something to be said for Family Traditions and Rituals.

{Probably}

I've found I'm much more motivated when there is a reason or tradition.

Because you can't mess with tradition.


Lately I've lost my zest for most things {what!? you can tell!? I'm never here}

I never update this blog, or do anything worth blogging

Between work, Relief Society President, hours of kids homework I just don't have desire.


This week I had another realisation about traditions. For years now I've been wanting to celebrate Christmas in July. Just because. It's silly and no reason, but why not? Of course we had about 5 things to do on the 25 of July so I thought it won't happen.. AGAIN. Anyway I woke up Friday the 24th and thought just do it. Just do it tonight anyway with whatever you've got.

And you know what? There was a pep in my step. I lovingly decorated that table with whatever Christmas decorations weren't up in the roof. We hung a star light. I made a roast dinner with trimmings and dessert. We played Christmas music. A child played Christmas songs on the  piano.

I put in effort.

Lately I'm not in the mood for cooking, or preparing or crafting or doing much at all.

The thought entered my mind that I really like traditions. And reasons.

Having a timeline, an expected due date, a deadline. Without, I do nothing.

As an adult with not many {important} deadlines I think family life can really slip by.

When was our last proper fancy homemade dinner? {Easter?}
When was our last extended family get together {Easter?}
When was the last time we celebrated something {Miss G's Birthday}
What was the last thing we created together?
When was the last time we ALL sat and talked together? {Family Home Evening}
When was the last time we went on a random spontaneous outing?{School Holidays}
When was the last time we put thought and love into decorating? {Christmas in July}
When was the last time we watched the Sunrise?{Last Year}
When was the last time we watched the Sunset? {Winter Solstice}
When was my last date with the MR? {our birthdays 7 months ago?}
When was the last time we celebrated anything?


I've realised most of these things happen for our family around traditions and holidays.

Now not all traditions are good. Some traditions bring stress and hard work. It HAS to be this way because .... Just BECAUSE... it's tradition. Now I'm all for only doing what works and getting rid of stuff that doesn't. But maybe, just maybe I need that tiny bit of stress.
That tiny bit of EXPECTATION....

I really feel that tiny bit of expectation is important for me.

Life has been a little overwhelming, a bit busy, a bit in the doldrums, a bit repetitive - which will always make one lose desire {who isn't over cooking, cleaning, washing, homework?}

But give me a reason, a tradition, a ritual.

And it makes it a little easier for me to have a fulfilling life.

Might be time for me to add some more traditions to our life.


What are your favourite family Traditions?



Simple Family traditions that we use

Attending Church weekly
Monday Night Family Night
Friday/Saturday Movie Night
Watching the Sunrise once a year {used to be on Queen's Birthday or Easter}
Celebrating Birthdays with as many large candles as your age, birthday letter and crown, choosing your own breakfast and sticking candles in it
Birthday Shirts
Celebrating Winter Solstice with a fire and watching sunset
Photographing the Eating of the first mangoes of the season
Back to School Dinner
Easter Monday at the Dam
Visiting the place we got engaged each year and having a picnic with the kids
Going to the Ekka
Making Advent Calendars
Measuring Day {the same day each month we measure the girls and make a excel spreadsheet}
Its measuring day, its measuring day can be heard sung out on those days by the girls
Climbing on the Roof with Daddy
Grandparents Christmas Dinner
Sewing Christmas pillowcases and a million other Christmas Traditions

Art Party

So this year was the year I said no one was having a birthday party and could choose a fun place to go as a family instead. First child obeyed but well as the ideas got crazier and wilder, and then - how about I bring this friend or that friend or two, or as well as the family outing - we will do this too, add in visits to restaurants, but what about the pool party, can I do both? , but we've had a party (of some sort) every year, the begging and cajoling got too complicated so I caved and said it will be easier (and cheaper) for everyone to  have a party! You can have a party! And You can have a party....

So here we are...

 

Miss G is an art and craft freak so I thought an art party would be a good idea.
There are so many ideas out there, and she had a few ideas of her own, but we went easy.

I bought 10 kids an art book, letter of their name and mini easel.
We painted and decorated, opened presents, ate, decorated a paper bag to put it all in. Done.

The cake was so easy and I was happy with how it turned out.
Pretty, quick and easy. My favourite combination!
I didn't forsee the fight over who got to eat the slices with the colour blobs though. Kids!!

 

The finished products.

 

I had lots of ideas for fancy foods but when the birthday girl said she wanted calippo iceblocks and chips and drinks I thought I'm insane for trying to talk her out of it.
She wants calippo's? Give em I say. Sooo easy!! 
I gave up on fancy food and attempting pinterest perfect parties a while ago.
I did throw in some nuggets cause I felt bad.

 

We painted this sign from an idea on pinterest though.

Wasn't as good as the pinned one but effective nonetheless.

 

 

Helping me set up.

Friday afternoon parties are becoming my favourite.
I find Saturday parties harder to clean for and organise with everyone home 'helping' or messing.
They seem to take ALL day and the party always goes overtime (which is ok, but still)
Friday parties from 3:30 till 5:30pm everyone is always gone by 6 latest and its done.
Kids spend the preparty time hyper at school and not at home underfoot.
I set this party up Thursday night as I had work Friday.
Anyway it seemed a lot easy than a Saturday party. And that's my party tip.
I feel silly sharing our parties sometimes as they are pretty simple but I like real parties with realistic price tags (I have about $100 - 150  budget per party) and even though I love and get many of my ideas from party blogs most are done in a studio and are ideas to share online, not at real parties.

and an art party is the perfect place to wear your arty number birthday shirt.

Winter Solstice 2015

 

As per tradition ~ a little Solstice celebration.

 

This time we had hot chocolates in hand to watch the sunset.

Sadly the sun was hidden by the city. Then the clouds cleared.

We saw the Moon, Venus and Jupiter all in line.

We came home to marshmallows and fire.

 

Happy Longest Night of the year.

 

 

 

Its pretty crazy that its mid winter and we were doing this on Saturday and a few even swam.

 

 

Previous Solstice Celebrations Here: 

 

2014

2013
2012
2011
2008

Fabric Marker {Number Birthday Shirts}

I saw this idea this week for a Personalised Letter Shirt and thought perfect for our birthday shirts.

Which is lucky as I was just thinking this week I need to get onto that.

There are birthdays coming up!

And how lucky that we could use the same stencil. We have a 9 and 6 year old!




Buy a plain white Tshirt.

Print out a number

Use a Stanley knife to cut out the number.

Stick Stencil onto shirt

Use fabric markers to decorate

I didn't have any contact but laying a piece over the hole and then cutting the number out leaving a small border so it will stick onto your shirt would be perfect. I used sticky tape to create a little sticky border to help it stick on the tshirt, as I knew the kids wouldn't be able to keep the stencil on the shirt without moving. We also used double sided tape to stick down the circle in the middle of the 9/6

We placed a piece of cardboard between the layers of the shirt so it didn't bleed through and to give a hard surface to draw on.

Using Fabric markers (our local store was sold out of felt markers, so we had to use fabric crayons) draw lines all over the stencil. Our tshirt stretched a bit - catching on the crayons. I helped by keeping the tshirt firm in place.

When you lift off the stencil you should have a lovely number left behind.

When I said I wanted to photograph them the girls went and styled themselves like this:

Previous Birthday Shirt Ideas:

 

Paint Stencilled Birthday Shirt

Letters {ONE} Birthday Shirt

Felt and Fabric Birthday Shirt

Ribbon Birthday Shirt

Reverse Applique Birthday Shirt

Zig Zag Stitched Birthday Shirt 

Spotty Reverse Applique

2 Birthday Shirt

Recycled Corderoy Pants 5 Birthday Shirt

Felt and Fabric double layer 10 Birthday Shirt

Felt Cat and Reverse Applique 11 Birthday Shirt

Felt Snowflake and Stitched #6 Birthday Shirt

Bleached Out Number Shirt

FHE Lesson {Be spiritually Full}

Opening Song: Teach Me to Walk in the Light #177

Opening Prayer: child


Lesson:

As soon as I heard this object lesson in the General Womens Conference I knew we would do it as a FHE lesson. Filling our Homes with Light and Truth by Cheryl A Esplin :  {Preread }

The concept of being filled with light and truth became particularly important to me.

Many years ago I attended a meeting where members of the Young Women general board taught about creating spiritually strong families and homes.

 

To visually demonstrate this, a Young Women leader held up two soda cans.

In one hand she held a can that was empty and in the other hand a can that was unopened and full of soda. First, she squeezed the empty can; it began to bend and then collapsed under the pressure.

Next, with her other hand, she squeezed the unopened can. It held firm. It didn’t bend or collapse like the empty can—because it was filled.

 

We likened this demonstration to our individual lives and to our homes and families. When filled with the Spirit and with gospel truth, we have the power to withstand the outside forces of the world that surround and push against us. However, if we are not filled spiritually, we don’t have the inner strength to resist the outside pressures and can collapse when forces push against us.

Satan knows that in order for us and our families to withstand the pressures of the world, we must be filled with light and gospel truth. So he does everything in his power to dilute, distort, and destroy the truth of the gospel and to keep us separated from that truth.

 

 Have two soda/softdrink cans prepared. One full, one empty.
{I knew my kids, so we drank the drink at dinner, so each kid had an empty can}
 

Ask a child to come forward and squeeze an empty can

Then get them to squeeze a unopened full can.

 

We led a family discussion around these two cans:

 

 

What is the difference between the two cans?

 

Why is one easier to squash?

 

How can we be like these cans?

Explain:
even though they look the same from a distance -
one can is strong and cannot be bent or changed or damaged.
the other can is empty and therefore weaker and can be changed by outward forces.
Like these cans we need to fill our lives with important things that make us strong
- strong spiritually, physically and emotionally

 

 

How do we become strong like the full can?
 

What things can you/our family do to make sure we are filled?

{prayer, scripture reading, being kind to our family, spending time together, going to church, eating healthy, learning, etc}

 

What are some examples of outside pressures that could collapse us if we are not spiritually filled?
{peer pressure, stress from school or work, people being mean etc}

Remember it is important to be filled from the inside and not just a empty can.


Closing Song: Seek the Lord Early #108

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat: Spiders! Ice cream floats with your soda.

 

 

 

FHE Lesson {Mothers}

Mothers Day is coming up and I think we can all do with a little reminder to love our mothers more.
 
Opening Song: Mother Dear #206

Opening Prayer: Mommy

Lesson: Daddy

Scripture:And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. (Alma 56:48)

Lesson:
Have your family take turns sharing favourite memories about their mother or grandmother.
What do you love most about your mum?
If you have them, look at photos of the women in your family.


Why do we have mothers? 
Why are mothers so special? 
Did Jesus have a mother? (Show gospel Art picture kit picture 242) 
How did he treat his mother?
How can you (child) show your mother you love her? 


What special day is happening in one week?
Go through ideas or plans on how you plan to celebrate.

How can we act like it is Mothers Day all year round?


Activity:
Write/draw on a heart shape something child/husband will do for mother this coming week.
OR
Share the poem My Mothers Hands from May 2010 Friend Magazine. 
Cut out handprint shapes and write on things/service the children can do to be like mothers hands


Closing Song:  The Dearest Names #208

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat:
Mum's favourite dessert

Music: “Dearest Mother, I Love You” (Children’s Songbook, 206)
Music: “I Often Go Walking” (Children’s Songbook, 202)
Music: “Love Is Spoken Here” (Children’s Songbook, 190)
Music: “Mother Dear” (Children’s Songbook, 206)
Music: “Mother, Tell Me the Story” (Children’s Songbook, 204)
Music: “Mother, I Love You” (Children’s Songbook, 207)
Music: “Quickly I’ll Obey” (Children’s Songbook, 197)
Music: “The Dearest Names” (Children’s Songbook, 208)

***

Mothers in The Scriptures May 2008 Friend Magazine
Mothers in the Scriptures

There are many mothers mentioned in the scriptures. Can you match their descriptions with their names and the names of their sons? If you need help, turn to the scripture references provided

1. The Lord told my husband in a dream that Jerusalem would be destroyed. My sons went back to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates. (See 1 Nephi 1:18; 2:5; 3–4.) {Sariah Mother of Nephi} 

2. I promised the Lord that if I had a son, he would serve the Lord. My son grew up in the temple and became a prophet. (See 1 Samuel 1:9–11, 20, 27–28.) {Hannah Mother of Samuel} 

3. I did not have any children until I was very old. My son baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. (See Luke 1:57–60; Matthew 3:13–17.) {Elisabeth Mother of John the Baptist} 

4. I was called “blessed” by an angel of the Lord. My son became the Savior of the world. (See Luke 1:27–28, 31–32.) {Mary Mother of Jesus} 

5. My husband, Abraham, was commanded by the Lord to sacrifice my son. (See Genesis 21:3; 22:1–18.) {Sarah Mother of Issac} 

6. I saved my baby son from the pharaoh by putting him in a basket in the river. He later led the Israelites to the promised land. (See Exodus 2:1–9;3:1–10; 6:20.) {Jochebed Mother of Moses}