Cassie's Cuddles

My mother passed away this morning.

I am so thankful to God that my sister, my Dad and myself where there for her, all together. We were at the hospital for over 30 hrs, give or take and hour or two. It is such a personal thing watching someone die, someone you love so  much. There were some horrible moments, but I think she was at peace before she died. I am going to miss her so much. I called her every morning to “touch base” as she would say.  My dad has lost his other half, I hope that God will provide him the comfort and strength that he will need. Daughters are helpless..

The nurses presented her like a princess, putting a lovely red rose on her pillow. A Gideon Bible was placed on the table with Psalm 27 opened. Yes, wait on the Lord, and He will strengthen your heart..

I am up at 3am, it is the next day. It is my birthday. I won’t want to celebrate, but yet I do. I thank God for my life, which is so fragile. We busy our lives going here and there..building up our homes, and our accumulating our stuff.. Stuff that is left behind.

Acknowledge and take heart this day, that the Lord is God. In heaven above and earth below, this is no other. Deut 4 :39.

Four days later, only four. It seems like months…Today is my mother’s funeral. I hoped it would be in the morning, so it would be done, but I sit here instead..crying already. It is like saying goodbye again, but I know the truth, that she has already left us. I will miss her so much, words seem so inadequate.

Stephanie made a slide show of mum’s life, it makes me cry every time I see it. Jared just came down and told me not to keep watching it. I will have to be sneeky..

Kay Edwards, my mum.

VCE results are in! My girl was up at 6 am this morning (highly unlike her), waiting for the 7am results on the computer. Of course it crashed for about 15 min ( overload I imagine). Anyway, she recieved a great mark 87.8! She can now get into the course that she wanted to at Melbourne University, without even applying for the special consideration ( because she was home schooled until year 11 and 12), she doesn’t even need it! Way to go Steph. I am so happy for her, she is such a good worker, and I can honestly say that she did it on her own. I have been amazed at how many people have assumed that she would not do well, and they have actually said that there is no way that she will be able to get into Melb Uni because she won’t get a high enough score..I am proud of Stephanie’s character, she didn’t get upset, she just did her work, and now she has proved them all wrong. Well done!Lachlan had a birthday party last week. Stephanie arranged it all. Lachlan’s birthday is actually on the 27th of December, but we had a party early so he could actually have some friends over. They had to dress as Egyptian, Greeks or Romans. It was a good night, and Lachlan really enjoyed the effort his friends took to get there. I loved Cassandra’s costume, what do you think? Who knew sheets could be so useful? The next morning we got up at 4 am to go to Geelong Adventure Park. The Today show was hosting a free entry between 6-8am. Bargain! I dragged my Dad along too, it was a good morning. CAn you spot us? The girl in the pink is the weather girl.I know we have done more, but I have already forgotten :/  We just spent the day with some family doing an early Christmas. It was very nice. Yesterday we spent the day at Church, followed by lunch, then  tea at another church followed by another church service. It was a big day, but enjoyable. I had a lady ask me what the church was on about, and was able to answer. My heart is the happiest when I can speak of the gospel, there is no greater joy. My salvation is sure, it is not based on me, it is based on my saviour and his amazing mercy. The Bible is my only authority for knowing what God wants, who He is, who I am. The OT points to Jesus, and the New reveals Him. He died to take away my sin, He has given me all things. How can I not rejoice? Ah, it is good to share the gospel, what a privileged.

I made up some little kiddie bags for an outreach Christmas dinner for two weeks ago. The groups that the church invited are people who are good at recycling, creative etc, so I tried to reach them where they are at. I tried as part of my little bags to make up a pegdoll kit. Do you like the stickers? lol, it is a little lame, but hopefully the big bouncy ball etc made up for it.A couple of nights ago we also had a final night for the oldest three at their youth group. Jared and I and the younger two went as well, it was a hat night. They had a huge twister (no, thanks), and played “who knows the book of Hebrews the best” I am so glad that I memorised that chapter off by heart 20 years ago! Take the time to memorize it’s awesome how God’s word will come back to you over your life. ON that note, I am going to bed, I am tired.

I have had a lovely week. My sister’s friend gave Jared and I an opportunity to have a mini two day holiday in Phillip Island. Jared is very busy right now, so I took Camden and Cassandra. We had a lovely little holiday, it was so nice to focus on just the two younger ones.We went searching for seals, we went to the library. We went swimming, in both the pool and at the beach. Tough life eh?Cassandra insisted that I took this photo of the pigs from a book found in the library for Stephanie ( you now know that Stephanie loves pigs right?).Let’s just say that Stephanie wasn’t as thrilled as Cassandra was giving it to her, lol.Here are the kiddies outside of our little home.You should have seen the size of the pool! We had it to ourselves, coolness!oh, yeah, I’m still enjoying the beach….now for the pool.I have a new appreciation for Camden, he showed patience, simple enjoyment, and was able to work the DVD player when I couldn’t 😀 Cassandra tripped over at least three times on the first day (due to excitement I guess), it was a lesson in self control, she wanted to let out a huge scream, but I was able to say in a calm way ” self control, I know it hurts, but try to calm yourself” and she did. I need to do a little bit more of that I think. I enjoyed the holiday, but was very thankful to go home, I missed the rest of my family. It was lovely to come home to a clean house ( My girls blessed me so much, by putting in some hard work to get everything in order). Oh, and we ate pizza. Don’t you think that my children look tired? Yay, at last, I tired them out!!

One more pace to go until we finish for the year, yay! Saying that, Alycia will then join Camden in learning latin. Thankfully Stephanie wants to continue to learn it too, so they will have a buddy. I need some full on attention for Cassandra, because although she can read, it is not up to the standard that it should be yet. Today Alycia went to Nanas and Grandpas to stay for a couple of nights. I met up with mum at a shopping centre to “do the exchange”. We had a bit of fun checking out some glasses.We also dropped in to Ikea to pick up some drawers. Stephanie showed her rebellious side by riding on the trolley.We bought some yummy cherries, $16 for 5kg.Yesterday, I spent an hour or so sewing on buttons for Jared’s jacket. They are special buttons to commemorate the Queen’s jubilee. Snazzy huh?The children have enjoyed a nice clean pool too. Me? I’m not game enough, not yet, it’s not that warm!Now I have just finished a book on courtship, it is the second one in a series. I had already read the first one years ago. I think I have another two to go.

Yay, Steph has finally finished her schooling. After years of homeschooling and the last two years of nearly regular school, she has finished.  Stephanie has been such a good student, doing all her work without prompting, but Yet not stressing, because she gets the bigger picture.  The thing I am most greatful is the fact that she has loves the Lord, and is a lovely young lady. Only recently she said to me, that she is most greatful for the things that Jared and I have taught her, especially regarding the Bible. When she said this, it bought tears to my eyes, what more could I want? I have a greatful, sweet girl, who walks in the truth.We met Stephanie at the end of her final exam with some balloons. She likes pigs so the kiddies choose them for her. She had to have her exams at Bayswater secondary college. We went out for tea at night to celebrate. We gave her a Bible that she has been wanting.Although it was a lovely meal, I was more interested in the two fish eating a dead fish in the fish tank right next to me. One little black fish was amazingly cute, but yet vicious..Speaking of fish, our neighbour across the road gave us a huge snapper for dinner. I have never cooked fish so fresh before, it was creepy having the eyes still on it!Ain’t it big? 

Friday we drove down to Moe, Lachlan was with us, but Jared was at work. We spent the day walking around, visiting our once regular spots.  We went to some op shops, found heaps of Trixie Belden books for 20c each and beanie bears for 50c each. We bought 19 of them, half we will be giving away to a little girl who has just started to collect them.andSat. we all went and did some gardening. Our garden is out of control right now.  It will take me weeks to get it tidy. The pool needs a bit of work too, ugh! In the afternoon we went to Ikea with the younger two children. The bonus was that outside, Anaconda was giving free Kayak demos. Both Camden and Cassandra got to ride? one for free, oh yeah! Bonus.andToday we went to Church, then waited for Jared to preach in the next one, joined him for a fellowship lunch, and then waited again for Jared to have a meeting. Once home the kiddies jumped into a cleaner pool, freezing…brrr.

Yeehaw, I’m back. Wow, it has taken me ages to get my images onto my computer. After having a virus, my computer has finally accepted my pics, phew! So much to cover. I guess anyone that knows me, might be wondering how I am going with my weightloss, well I have to be honest. I haven’t done so well, considering that I am mean’t to have lost 36 kilos in two weeks. It looks like I am only going to be 20 kilos. The poor Indian Children, I have failed them. Anyway, I won’t go there tonight.Warning ugly person above :/

I am really excited, Stephanie will be doing her final exam for year 12 on Thursday, yay! After all those years of  homeschooling and the last two years at a closer to “normal” school, she will be finally finished. I am so proud of her, she is such a good worker. I was proud of her, she got a cute award from a teacher that said that she was the most diligent.See you tomorrow 😀

School has started again, so we are back to basics, and I am glad of it. Who would think that such a routine would be enjoyable. Holidays are great, but I find that housework and the like are left to fend for themselves (which obviously they don’t). I had Lachlan home, so I got him to tutor Alycia, bonus! Camden and Steph got to work on their own, and Cassandra stuck with me. As a bonus today, we made some homemade icecream. I found a recipe in a library book by Annabel Karmel. I love her children’s cook books, they are sweet and pretty. Here is the recipe.It was nom nom nom…Cassandra was very proud of herself. She got to use the mixer (hand held) by herself. It was so funny to see the cream flying all over the place.Whip, stir, mix…Then eat 😀

Have you seen these cans? My children bought one home from the reject shop for me after seeing one of their friends with them. It is an instant hot chocolate. You push a button, then shake it, and then it heats up. This might be handy to have when I wait in the car on a cold night…oh yeah!I was collecting the library books last night, and only just discovered that I had borrowed two copies of the same book!! How lame am I? SERIOUSLY!! Should I admit that I actually bought the book this week too? Do you like my bruise? I don’t know what caused it. I got it the first time I rode my bike, a week later with the next ride it got bigger. That can’t be good right? Oh well, we will see what happens next week. For two weeks in a row I have had a white van toot at me and yell stuff (thankfully I am deaf, so I can’t hear them bagging me), I hope that I don’t see them next Saturday. Maybe I will think of them as my groupies. I can get away with that can’t I?

I can’t believe that three weeks of holidays ( private schools have three weeks) have flown by. I didn’t really achieve much. The first week, I wanted Lachlan to work, and not nag for the computer so job number one (which was very well paid by the way) was to clean all the windows. I was so happy that he worked well, it took him ages.  The second week I took three children to a Church Kids club, which they really enjoyed. I did a bit of shopping each day at different shops, so I didn’t have to drive home and back again. So I ended up buying some new clothes…I hardly ever buy new clothes, so I think I am now making up for it.. (sorry Jared).  I have lost 21 kg now, I still have a long way to go, but I can tell the difference…so cool.I saw someone yesterday who has lost heaps of weight, and looks great. As she said, there is no secret to loosing weight, you just have to not eat as much and exercise.  Um, what else have I been up to? Oh, I ordered from on an online shop linked to Cosco. You don’t have to be a member, and they deliver for a flat rate of $15 within Melbourne. The website is found here.http://fairdinks.com.au/www/home/ I bought 180 eggs, 25kg sugar, 16 kg of flour.  180 eggs? yeah, I know, a little crazy. I have given a few away, but I have a lot of cooking to do. I will make a lot of Gingerbread and freeze it ready for Dayspring Day. I am going to have the children decorate gingerbread men, fun eh?On a Saturday morning Jared and I found ourselves without any children, so we attempted to go for a bike ride to Boronia. Evidently it is 8km there and back. I really enjoyed it, although I had to walk up some of the hills. Jared didn’t enjoy it so much, he is behind me somewhere. We were testing out his new bike, that we picked up the night before. The money for the insurance, finally came in. This week, I rode to Ferntree gully with the three oldest children. That was more difficult, I think I will stick to Boronia for now. I felt proud of myself. Later that afternoon I caught up with some ladies at a craft group in Cranbourne. If you live around there, I recommend it. Just contact the Presbyterian church there for the details.I have to show you this little Thor that Stephanie has made. How cute is he? She made it without a pattern for a friend. Now if my swap buddy is having a look at this, I haven’t forgotten you. I have been reading your blog too, I just haven’t left a message. I went to Pakenham with the sole purpose of buying something “Tilda” for you. I am so excited about putting a “Friends” package for you.

Although it was a sad time for us as a family, we could also appreciate the fact that Jared and I have been married for 20 years. It amazes me how quickly the time flies. Jared suprised us with booking us to go to the Cuckoo for lunch. We haven’t been there for over 15 years. Cassandra nearly had heart failure when she knew she could go and get anything she wanted for lunch. Camden wondered if they would count our plates..I had one very excited little girl. Can you see my necklace in the picture? Jared bought me a ruby necklace. He went very overboard, as we don’t normally buy things for each other. He had just bought me a lovely handbag too. Yesterday he gave me a David Jones voucher as well. What did I get him? Nothing. I have been spoiled. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks, considering it has been school holidays. They have gone so fast….I’ll tell you about that later.

Last Monday night I got a call from a friend to say to call his sister Sandy because she was having trouble breathing and she might not be alive for too much longer. I called straight away. I was able to speak to my friend who I have known since she was 13, she is now 38. I am so grateful that I got to speak to her, because it was the last chance that I had to say goodbye. I guess I didn’t really believe that it would be the last time that I spoke to her, I don’t think she truly realised either, although she was a little aware of the possiblity. But you know how it is, you think that a cancer sufferer will go into hospital for a few days and be back out again in an instant. I was able to say that I loved her, that she has been a wonderful witness to everyone of God’s goodness, despite her sad circumstances. I encouraged her not to fear, and said that one day we will all see our wonderful saviour face to face. By the time I woke up in the morning, I discovered that she had died peacefully with her family around her. She died, and out the window of the hospital room all that were there, saw the sun rise. I can’t believe that she has died..My Facebook page has her commenting on everything that I have posted, her face is everywhere…but yesterday I watched her being lowered into the ground…I mourn like others, but not without hope. Just as the sun rose on the earth, she too rose to be with her saviour. Our bodies die, but our spirit never does. At this very moment, she is worshiping Christ face to face…awesome. I feel for her two children, even my children hurt, but I know she is not lost. Jared took the sermon, it was encouraging. We need to know that Christ rose from the dead, and so will we. I loved you Sandy, even though you frustrated me, tested me, and made me love you.   This is a pic of her little memorial ( she was buried before her funeral). In case you can’t guess, she loved shoes….really loved shoes. The next day we celebrated our 2oth wedding anniversary. As you can see from the first photo, she was one of my bridesmaids, so it felt so wrong to celebrate….but we did.