Finding joy in the everyday

My eldest son, Tristan texted me on Saturday from a shop that sells bears.  I knew he was there as he told me he wanted to buy his fiance a teddy bear for Christmas.  He asked me what I thought of Paddington Bear.  I said I loved Paddington and thought his fiance would too.  Later that afternoon he called in to show me his purchase and he handed me the bear in the photo above and told me he had bought me Paddington Bear!!!  I was so touched.  What a very dear boy I have.  Paddington now stands proudly on a pile of small books wearing his wellington boots, duffle coat, suitcase and hat. He is no longer lost and can live a very long bear life in my house. Tristan also bought his fiance a beautiful soft cuddly bear as well.  When bringing up children, parents are never quite sure how they will turn out.  Tristan has had his ups and downs - it has been quite the journey.  But at the age of 22 (almost 23) I am so proud of him.  He work...

I am half asleep and in need of a hot cup of Jasmine tea - but I wanted to write this blog tonight before I settle into my comfy chair with the tea, mint chocolate and a DVD (The Proposal). My husband has gone to bed and the children are out with girlfriends. Tristan started his new job today - thought it was great - covered in ink as he learnt to fill cartridges (the sort that go into printers and photo copies).   Caius has finished his first week at school - he is feeling very happy - therefore I am feeling very happy.   Steven spent a week with his parents - his mother has gone home from the hospice - she looks very sad and frail but so glad to see her son.  She only has weeks to live.  At least she is going home to heaven which is such a comfort. Me - had a good week at work - being researching the statistical limitations of suicide statistics (under counting) in case you were wondering.   The dogs have been wonderful while Steven was away...

Exciting news - today Tristan went for an interview (10:00am) today and by 1:00pm he had been offered a full time permanent job (in our nearby retail centre).  The work will be in retail but along the IT line - with standard hours and an opportunity to earn a bonus each fortnight if doing well. He had been hunting for months with no success (getting more stressed and unhappy), then on Monday I opened Seek.com (employment website) and the first job I found was one I thought he should apply for (which he did).  He was contacted yesterday regarding the interview.  Only on Saturday we had searched the newspapers with no success. Some would say this was just good luck - not me - after months of prayers (from me and others), our prayers have been answered.  Only yesterday I wrote two verses in my bible study book " With God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27) and " In the Lord, I put my trust " (Psalm 11:1).  The Lord has been wonderful - but didn't answer tho...

My eldest son turned 22 today - wow - where have all the years gone.  The photo above is Tristan at 6 days and now 22 years later he is an independent man (well almost - I still need to wash his clothes otherwise he forgets).  Below is a drawing Tristan drew of himself when he was 12 (for school).  The teacher was so impressed she asked me to come into the classroom to see it.  It is now framed and hanging on the wall.   It is a very good likeness. Tristan has decided that neither I nor his girlfriend (Kat) would be able to bake his Chocolate Mud Cake properly so he is cooking it himself and icing it.  I can't wait to see it - he is decorating it with a picture of a computer part (using icing) - did I tell you that he a computer nerd!!! I took both my sons and their girlfriends out for lunch today - I will post some photos when I take them off Tristan's camera.  We went to a very nice Italian restaurant "Bella Vista" that cooks great pasta an...

So glad to see the end of the week - and relax over the next few days (2 to be correct).  Thought I would give a quick up date. Tristan still hasn't heard about the ICT apprenticeship - so I made contact and was told they are running a little behind and he should hear from them by the 11th December - I am not very good at waiting, but don't really have any choice! Only 3 weeks and 6 days to Christmas - so I have started my shopping and Steven and I have put in our leave - something to look forward to (even though it is quite short!). Hope those in the US enjoyed Thanksgiving - Nick your meal sounded very nice. On Saturday it is my parents 51st wedding anniversary - not something that is very common any more. AND summer starts next week - even though it feels like it has been summer all of November!!  We received rain last night (it was so heavy it woke me up) - after days of being promised rain, the Bureau of Meteorology finally got it right.  the garden is lo...

Tristan's interview went well this morning. He said he could answer all the questions without difficulty and was only nervous at the beginning - for a boy who didn't like public speaking and who lacks confidences in himself, doing well in an interview is something he should be very proud of. The funny thing was I was probably more nervous than he was - I even had the sweaty palms!!!:) Below is the outfit he wore - Kathleen took some photos of him clowning about. He won't hear the results until the end of November. Will keep you posted.

This Friday Tristan has an interview for a 2 year ICT apprenticeship, in the Public Service. Please pray that he gets to the location with out any difficulties (we have already done a trial run), that he finds a car park (we have looked at different options) and the interview goes smoothly (I will give him some coaching tomorrow). This job/training would be perfect for him, however I will leave it in the Lords hands to decide if this is the best option for him. He has bought a new outfit and the haircut is planned for tomorrow. " O my God, I trust in Thee " Psalm 25:2