love is in the air

I always wanted to get married on Valentine's Day. Really, we should have gotten married then. I think we didn't end up getting married that day because i had the strange notion that we would be selfish and spoil everyone else's valentine's day celebration...so strange. Anyway, I like February because it sets the romantic scene for our anniversary, which is coming up in a few weeks. I tried to get into a romantic mood and decorated the mantle with some cardboard hearts.
I loved Valentine's this year. Hubby and i had an especially romantic evening (after kids went off to bed). We watched a romantic film, ate scorched almonds and exchanged gifts.  Definitely not an expensive evening, but we loved being together to celebrate being together. I love being married, especially to wonderful man like my Valentine.

We've done some painting lately, and here are some pics. Don't have the before shots, but just imagine all the walls covered with the most dull, and unimpressive wallpaper available in the 70's (the type of stuff that sends people into spontaneous depression), and boring carpet. We're still to work on the floors, but the painting is almost done.

I was also lucky enough to inherit some outdoor furniture which we painted and put outside.

Yeah, i know, i don't think it's possible to get a brighter blue than that. And i totally love it! It gives the outside area a lift. You may be able to see the book on the table. A nice romantic novel. Finally, went to the library, paid those overdue fines, and got that MOST WANTED poster taken off the walls. I.LOVE.THE.LIBRARY. But i must stick to the limit: no more than 2 books borrowed per family member (including the dog), at any one time. I will not accrue any more fines. EVER. Okay... i'll re-phrase that... I will TRY not to accrue any more library fines.

"I very, very know"

Michael is just so cute with his expressions sometimes. While playing an animal board game this afternoon after church, he kept saying "I very, very know" every time he knew the answer to a question. So cute. And so bilingual. Ah, the perks.
Sienna is truly worried her tooth won't fall out, so much so that i suggested that tomorrow at school she conduct a little survey of which kids are in the same boat as her. I wonder what she'll report. I just hope this doesn't blow up in my face. She could be the only one in her grade that hasn't yet lost any teeth. Yikes.
Today was a little bit of a miracle at church. We made it through all of sacrament meeting without exiting the chapel once (mind you we had a couple of huge outbursts like "THEY"RE MY STICKERS, SIENNA!!!"). But it was nice to be able to bear my testimony, and even better when Sienna bore hers. I tell you, kids are so honest sometimes. Like when they say things like "sometimes i like to choose the right". In front of the whole ward. Ah, the perks.

I'm into baking right now. This isn't an actual picture of what i baked, but believe me, it came pretty close. Blueberry cake is just so yummy. A little expensive (125g fresh blueberries $3; top quality strawberry yoghurt $2.50). But the recipe is ultra easy: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9524/blueberry+cake
Here are some pics from our recent trip to the Otway Fly experience.

On top of the world among the huge, tall Mountain Ash that grow in the Otways forest. I think the tree top walk is 50m high.

Carried Joshy in the best baby carrier ever made for wanna-be active mummies: The Ergo Carrier!

Sienna and Michael with their adventure backpacks. And that day we had an adventure! Not only did we endure a 2 hour walk, but Joshy fell on his face and Michael grazed his hand, all before we even started the walk. Note to self: I must show more compassion to my kids when they hurt themselves. Saying things like "Michael, what have you done to yourself now?" doesn't really help. Must sing the get better song more often. It's a little Spanish song, but i'll do my best to translate it to English:

"Get better, get better,

little frog's bottom,

If it doesn't get better today,

It'll be better tomorrow"

Bilingualism. Ah, the perks!

Back to school!

It was Sienna's first day back at school. She's now in Grade 1! She was totally spoilt by Nonna, who came to visit all the way from Greenvale (almost 1 hour's drive) and went with us to drop her off.
Sienna was very excited about her new teacher, whom she described as "awesome". That was comforting.

Also, today Sienna discovered her first ever wobbly tooth! She is very, VERY excited (and i think relieved that she's catching up to her toothless friends )

And what was Michael doing while her sis was at school? Catching up on some zzzz - as well as Collie, the color-changing dog (He was almost all black when he was born, and now his coat is a gorgeous silver-grey).
Well, now that the power has gone out for the second time tonight and we had to cancel our movie night (doing this on battery power), better go and make this night one to remember. In El Salvador every time we had a black out (almost one a month), we used to grab the candles, sit around the table, and listen to scary folk-stories from the mouth of Mama Nila. I don't think i'll do that tonight - i'm too much of a scaredy cat. PLUS, i really don't want to accompany my kids to the loo forever.

Our day at the beach

Finally, we experienced a little bit of summer at the beach last week. The kids were so happy to have gone that they continued to thank us for the little trip for days afterwards.

Joshua loved playing in the sand, like any other tiny tot

Sienna couldn't believe she finally got to play with her new boogie board

All the monkeys aboard the mother ship :)

Michael dazzling his dazzling smile

Sienna getting a ride on Daddy 

Eastern Beach, Geelong. Nice place for families with young kids. 

The saltwater pool, adjacent the protected beach and the huge playground.

Us joining in with the lifesavers

And another view of the area

Something of shelters, evacuation centres and other make shift homes

I really feel for the devastation caused by the floods in our country recently. The most affected has been the state of Queensland, where many have lost their lives, their homes and their livelihoods. However, I'm thoroughly impressed with the emergency relief efforts of our country. And grateful to know that this nation really does look after their people. I know many are still in evacuation centres and some are isolated completely from other towns. There is still uncertainty, ache and loss. But lives will, however slowly come back together again...My friend Leona, who is musically minded wrote a song and dedicated it to the flood victims. Here's the link...i highly commend it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl2eqmDXBpY

I know something about being forced out of your home and having that overwhelming uncertainty of not knowing what you'll find when you get back. I was 9 when the civil war broke out in my country. Still, we were blessed, even in my war-torn native El Salvador. We were blessed with helping hands, ready to protect, feed and comfort. When we finally returned home after living for 1 week in an evacuation centre (it was a school - turned shelter for those who'd left their homes after the war broke out), we did find our home, mostly intact. Many only returned to rubbles. How can an experience like that be turned into a positive experience, even a blessing? Every time i remember living through war and being evacuated from our home i realize how much good there is in all of us. Some are strong enough to bear other's burdens. Some have leadership they never knew they had. And although a small few can take advantage of others' misfortunes, a fair few rise to the task in a way they didn't know how. We can be strong, and we can survive and push on, through the floods, wars and other catastrophes of life. Life will go on.  

My first blog entry - EVER

Well, I really don't know what I'm in for, but I love writing and communicating my ideas and experiences to those around me, so here it goes... my very own blog.
I guess I should start by explaining my blog title "my happy lines". It has two meanings, or connections. The first refers to the literal lines that I will be writing. I am tired of complaining about the things that go wrong every day, and I'm slow to remember the good things in my life. I want to find the best out of every situation, see the blessings in my life more readily and be more appreciative for my life and the people that comprise it.
I aim to literally write happy lines, even if it takes  a while to get there.
And the second connection to the title.. well, recently i started noticing some 'happy lines' on my face. At 31, i guess i shouldn't be surprised to see more lines (i'll just say it, wrinkles), but lo and behold, there they are. All those years full of laughter, joy and happiness finally took their toll! So, to whoever will read from now on, hope you enjoy these happy lines : )