Friday, July 22, 2011

This is One Proud Momma!


Yesterday I got a phone call from the school to invite me to the Girls' school assembly this morning. I had already planned to go because Ashies class was hosting the Assembly (that's why she's not in uniform), and Janique was becoming a Library Monitor, which is quite a thing let me tell you!! LOL

So I watched Ash perform and watched as my Nix got her Monitor badge and certificate. I thought is was all over, when the Sport H.O.D gets up and announces the 2011 Hockey Captains..... My precious Ashies is the Junior Hockey captain!! It was priceless watching her reaction, and mine too I suppose. I whooped so loud the mommy sitting next to me jumped!!

This is just was my Ashies needs to boost her self confidence!!












Gosh I am so proud of my girls!!

Have a super day

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ashies Wonderful Day

Yesterday my Precious Ash had her 11th birthday!

She woke to her family signing to her



Then she was showered with gifts (^^,)




And then off to school...

When the girls were little, Ian and I started a little family tradition. Whoever has the birthday, gets to choose where the birthday dinner will be. Ashies chose a buffet restaurant at the SilverStar Casino complex.




During supper we watched the musical water fountain...




Then ended the evening off with some fun at the games,




Not a day goes by that I don't thank Abba for all my blessings. When I think of the precious Girls that He has entrusted to Ian and I, I am so humbled that he would choose me to help in raising His precious girls.

I am so very grateful that He chose these three in particular! I love them so very much.

To My Ashies, the Sunshine Princess, this Mommy loves you so very much! Thank you for all the sunshine smiles you give me. You have taught me so much!!

Thank you Abba for Family!!


 Have a super day

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

It's Almost Birthday Time


Pressies have been wrapped, birthday cake has been baked...

I'm sure that our Ashies will be awake bright and early tomorrow morning
(^^,)


Night Night

Niqui xx


A Cry for Help

Dear Friends

I have a friend called Adeye. She lives in the States, and honestly is the most amazing woman. She inspires me daily!!

I urge you please to go and read her latest post on little Teri-Lynn on her Blog.

As the body of Christ we need to pray for this precious little poppet. She is in DESPERATE need of a family to love her.

Much love

Niqui xx

Monday, July 18, 2011

It's Party Time

Ashlynn celebrates her 11th  birthday this week. And this year she has decided to celebrate with a few friends, with a bit of ice skating then a supper afterwards.

So for the invites, I decided to make them this year. The last few years it's been text invites, but I was so inspired by Margie's pages that she did of Mackenzie. That I decided to get my scrapping stuff out and give it a go.

I haven't scrapped since Kenzie was born. So while the house was quiet last night, everyone in bed... I sat quietly in my study and destressed....sigh... Sitting with all my bits and bobs, and odds 'n ends felt like I was catching up with an old friend! I love to create. I just love it

So here's what I started off with...




And this is what I ended up with...


These ones were made for her school friends, and I finished off the job this morning, and will hand deliver the rest.

What fun!!

Have a super day

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Sunday, July 17, 2011

America here I come!!

As you may know, my Momma lives in the States.She lives in Northern Virginia. Over the years, I have come to really love the States, and the beautiful people that I have met along the way! I have a second family in America (^^,)

Mom and I have the most amazing relationship. We are very much alike, and see eye to eye on many things. I suppose it should be that way, because I was born on her birthday!

The cry of my heart for the last few months has been to visit Momma over our birthdays. Financially things have been tough here in the Mansfield house hold. But my Abba has none of these constraints!My family and I have been standing in faith, for God to make a way for me to go and visit.

Then on Friday, my Hubby gave me the most wonderful surprise early birthday present.... A ticket to the States, and to spend 16 glorious days there!!!

Hallelujah!!! Thank you Abba

After phoning Mom, and the rest of the world to spread my awesome news, I sat with my Abba. It always blows my mind, that He takes such pleasure and interest in our lives. All the small and important things are important to Him. He knows how special it is for me to spend time with Mom, and also to spend time alone, and refuel, and get perspective.

He reminded me that I am the apple of His eye...sigh

This love is so awesome, and all consuming!

He loves us so much friends

Have the most wonderful Sunday, as you spend time with our Most Awesome and Precious Abba

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Breakie with Dawn

What a wonderful way to start the week-end..


Sharing a cuppa, and a breakfast at 'The Mugg', with one of my Besties,


After a scrumptious breakie, we mooched around the mall, having a fabulous time!

Spending time with the special people in my life, makes my heart happy.

Have a wonderful weekend

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Scrapping from Marg's

Look what my wonderful friend made for me...


Thank you Margs I absolutely love it!

Isn't it gorgeous? She is such a talented lady!!

Chat soon

Niqui xx

Ash's Hockey Tour to Durbs

Oh my word!! I cannot believe that it is Saturday already, where has this week gone?

It seems to have past me by, this is the first time since last Thursday that I have actually sat down in front of my PC!! (shock horror I know! )

Last week end was so special, so I wanted to share it with you.

Ashlynn plays club hockey. And it is something that she loves to do, and she's pretty good! She comes alive when she plays, her coaches call her the little tiger. I love it.

So when the opportunity came along for her to go on a hockey tour, of course we jumped at it.

But when it sunk in that it would be in Durban, and I would be at home. All of a sudden I was not so very excited! She has never been that far away from home! So naturally {wink} I would HAVE to go along.

Ian said it would be a better idea for Janique and I to go, and he stay at home with our Kenzie Mae.

I was so looking forward to spending good quality time with Nix. After all we were going to drive to Durbs, a solid 6 hours in the car together....

So with Ashies bags all pack, Ian took her to the airport, where she caught the plane down to Durbs. Her excitement levels were off the charts!!


Nix and I jumped into the car, and were off on our adventure.

Our journey took us 7 hours, we got stuck in a monster traffic jam leaving Jozi... Anyways we arrived safe and sound. We stayed at such a lovely B&B called Bogain Villa


After settling in, we headed off to my cousin's house for a much needed cuppa, and then Nix and I headed out for supper.

Nix felt like seafood, and I was desperate for a chicken curry... Durban has a large population of Indian people living there. So to go to Durbs and not have a Durban curry is a crying shame! So of course we headed out to Cape Town Fish Marked, on the beach front, and to my absolute delight, they had a chicken curry on the menu!! Oh bliss... I love curry!! I so wish I could make an authentic one... (any recipe ideas would be most welcome!!)

By the time we reached our accommodation we were bushed, let me rephrase that, I was wiped out, Janique sat up and watched DVDs till I have no idea what time. hehe

Up bright and early on Saturday morning, we had our beakie, and headed out to watch our Ashies play






Ash played like a champion, she scored 2 goals!! Whoop Whoop









Janique on the other hand was counting the minutes
till it was finished 

Thank goodness for BlackBerry (LOL)

So we said good bye to Ash, she wanted to spend time with her team {sniff}


And Nix and I made our plans for the arvie.....

But first lunch!


We decided to spend the afternoon at uShaka Marine world.

Janique loves marine life! It was so special to spend this time with her. I loved watching her face...

First stop the Dolphins (^^,)
 


The Dolphins were amazing! After the show we made our way to the aquarium. They have really done such a wonderful job of it. The aquarium is set up in an old, massive ship!

  

  

  


We eventually came up for air. We made a dash for the ice cream shop, Mozart's, they sell the most sublime ice cream! We shared a walk on the beach front. It was so special to watch the sun set over the ocean together.


After the sun set, we decided to make tracks, but first a stop at the spice emporium...


We said our good-byes to uShaka...


By this time, folks I was feeling my age... my feet were on fire from all the walking and running about, all I wanted to do was grab take out, and head back to the accommodation and have an early night...sigh.
But when one has a tween on her hands, with loads of energy, that was not on the cards.

So instead we shared a pizza at Mimmos at the Pavilion, and decided on a movie, well at least I would be sitting...

Half way through our movie, we had a black out. After sitting in the dark cinema for a few minutes, the manager came in and evacuated us, we were given complementary tickets, and then asked to leave. The entire atrium was filled with smoke!!!

Oh sweet Jesus! God of small mercies, thank you, thank you! I got to have an early night after all!! hehe

In the morning we found out that one of the sub stations at the Pavilion had blown up!! Oh my...

So after a hearty breakfast, we packed up, and Andrea the owner gave me 2 slips (of 2 plants that I fell in love with in her garden)



 
Then we pack up, and started our journey home...



On our drive home. I was able to let my mind wonder, and revisit all the wonderful memories that Janique and I had shared on this week end away. I honestly had such a special time with this young lady. At times I had to pinch myself, and remind me that she is my daughter. We were able to touch hearts. It was so special to spend this quality time together. We had such special chats, and were able to laugh with each other.

I think sometimes, we get so busy raising our kids, and get so busy doing life, that we kinda forget to touch base with them. Spending quality time with her, showed me that I want to be able to carve out more time and make precious memories with my big girls. Raising Kenz, has showed me, that Janique and Ashlynn have also had to make a sacrifice. Being a Mommy to a little person takes a lot of energy, and they are at the age when they understand that, and they are so gracious with me, and give me time to catch my breath, but I think sometimes it costs them allot to do that.

The Holy Spirit showed me, now is the time, to make special memories with them.

So watch this space for more of our exciting times, making special memories together!

Chat soon

Niqui xx