My testimony

Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 11:14

I grew up in a home where I was encouraged to go to church, Sunday School, Christian Endeavour and any other group that was available. I loved going and always had a keen interest in the Bible, its stories and the testimonies of others. The first time I remember asking God into my life, I think, was when I was about nine or ten. I don’t think I really understood what this meant and every so often I would ask Him into my life again.

At fourteen I remember talking to my minister at a youth event and again committing my life to God. This went on for years and after I would make a commitment I would be on a high for a few days and then this would fade and I would not “feel” as though I were a Christian any more.

During my school years I craved to be popular and unfortunately because of that I made some very poor decisions with regards to relationships. I made some mistakes that have haunted me for a very long time and that I can only say that in the past number of years I have got over.

As far as my family were concerned I was the perfect daughter. I was heavily involved in my church, youth groups and other Christian organisations and to all those involved I looked as though I was leading a “perfect” Christian life. However, in reality this was not so. With the benefit of hindsight, God was very gracious to me during this time and ensured I did not get into any lasting trouble!

When I left home and went to university I settled a little. People knew nothing about me and I could start fresh. There was none of the narrow mindedness and bigotry which I had grown up with and people accepted me for the first time for who I was and were not concerned about my family background. God again blessed me on my first day away from home by leading me to two Christian girls who have remained my best friends ever since.

Over the next few years things went quite smoothly and I graduated with an Honours Degree in English, proceeded to a year’s post graduate certificate in teaching and then went on to teach High School English in a number of different schools. I enjoyed this but again made a number of silly mistakes!

In 1996 I met Peter and fell madly in love. We married in 1997, ten months after we started seeing each other!! Again, everything went well! I had my first child, Amy, in  2000 and felt my life was complete.

 However, through all this, God was only on the periphery of my life and not in complete control. Ten months after my beautiful little girl was born I was contemplating suicide. My spiral into depression was rapid. I felt I was a terrible mother and wife and was haunted by my previous life. I felt suicide would be the best option as Peter and Amy would have had a better life without me. We sought medical help and this certainly helped.

Medication is certainly an essential part of dealing with the physical reasons for depression but for me there was more to deal with. Through the help of a Christian therapist I dealt with a lot of spiritual issues. I had totally rejected “church” at this point and felt rejected by it. In the past I had asked God’s forgiveness for the mistakes I had made but I never “felt” forgiven. Unfortunately I rely too heavily on feelings and not on the truth that when we ask, God forgives. I even doubted my salvation.

This lasted for almost three years. I finally realised that I needed God in my life and I needed to surrender total control to Him. I still have some bad episodes of depression but they are being controlled by medication. I know that God didn’t cause me to suffer this but I do know that when I have it He uses it to draw me closer to Him and to remind me who’s in charge.

I now KNOW that God saved me when I was a little girl, but my walk only truly began with Him a few years ago! I just thank Him for being a merciful, faithful and loving God.

Keeping A Proverbs 31 Heart Challenge

Posted on Monday, May 26, 2008 at 02:56

Last week I was trying to fulfill two things in the challenge.....tidy up and fix my home and spend more quality time with the kids. On the whole this went quite well. Inside got tidied although today you wouldn't think it had ever been touched. Our plumber is here fixing up the ensuite. The stairs and floor are covered with dust sheets but dust is still getting everywhere as they rip out the old shower and cut wood!! Back to scratch as far as cleaning is concerned when they leave!

I have had a great time with the children. Due to the good weather we have been outside more. We went for a lovely walk at the weekend. Whitehead is a seaside town very close to us and it's lovely to walk along the water's edge there. On a clear day Scotland is plainly visible but it was overcast while we were there so we didn't see much. I've put a few photos of the are that were taken last year..

We also spent some time at the weekend making shapes from papier mache. The children had great fun (so did I!!) playing with the mixture. Some weird and wonderful shapes were made...some recognizable, some not!!! We have had to give them a few days to dry. Hopefully then they can be painted.

How did you get on if you were doing the challenge?

Catherine

KEEPING A PROVERBS 31 HEART CHALLENGE

Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 06:48

Jeannie at Honey Milk Heirlooms has set the challenge for this week. Two areas are to be covered during the week. The two I want to work on are: Managing The Cleaning and For The Family.

In the matter of managing the cleaning the problem has been I have let the house and laundry slip over this past week. The weather has been so beautiful here that I have spent my time outdoors and ignored the increasing mayhem beginning to occur indoors. I don't regret the time spent outside as this prolonged good weather is very unusual for us and I don't want to waste it, but, I don't want the housework to slide as it then becomes an enormous task that I don't want to do. So, this week has to be spent wisely. I can still enjoy the weather but I must get up a little earlier and try to manage the tasks inside the house first.

I also need to make sure I spend enough time with the kids enjoying their fun and joining in their play. They so love it when I do this and I always notice an improvement in their attitude when I spend QUALITY time with them. I have to admit though...I sometimes find this hard.

So these are my challenges this week. What are you going to do?

Catherine

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 03:25

Wow! I can't believe it has been two months since I last posted. The time seems to be flying by.  We have been busy here at Hawthorn Cottage with spring cleaning, clearing out, decorating and gardening. The family bathroom has been decorated and we are currently waiting on a plumber to come and install a new shower and basin in our ensuite and then it will be redecorated too. It's a really tiny room so it won't take long.

Peter also rearranged our study for me. It is quite a small room so the possibilities of what to do in it are limited. I was delighted though that a desk could fit into as well as a small sofa, my bookcases AND all my craft supplies! I now have a dedicated crafting area and boy have I been making use of it! I have made loads of cards ( I have two sales coming up as well as other orders), notebook covers and decorated mirrors for gifts. I love it! Having space to spread out my supplies and work is soooooo good! It certainly beats carrying everything to the dining room table and then having to clear it up each time you need to eat!

The last week here has been beautiful. Up until now it has been quite cold but for the last few days it has been really sunny and HOT! Unusual for this part of the world and in reality not likely to last but.......we take what we get!!!

The improved weather meant I was able to get really stuck into the garden. Grass got cut, outdoor furniture got cleaned, the BBQ has been scrubbed and used (!!!!!!!!!) and I attacked the bramble hedge that grows along one side of our garden. It is about seven feet high and four or five feet deep. Peter has to do the main cutting of it but I wanted to tidy up the sides along the path. It took a few hours to do and although I say I attacked it I really think it was the other way around. I came away from the experience scratched, jagged and generally cut up!!! It was worth it though as you can now get up a path at the side of the house (not used often) without taking your life in your hands!!!

Peter has been really busy with work and the kids are still busy with school and playgroup. We got confirmation a few days ago that James has a full time nursery place next year in the little nursery that Amy attended a few years ago. This begins in September after the summer break. He is really excited. We called into it to leave off some paperwork and he was VERY reluctant to leave! I hope he has the same enthusiasm for it when it comes to the start of term!

That's all I can think of for now. Hopefully I'll not take as long to update the next time!

Catherine

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 01:51

This is a few days early but I might not get a chance next week as I am going down to visit mum and dad next week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Emerald Isle!

Catherine

I am so sick.....

Posted on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 03:33

of being sick!!!!! I don't know what it is about this winter but I seem to have been hit with every tummy bug that has been going around. I went to bed on Thursday night feeling a bit ropey, hardly slept and felt so ill yesterday that Peter had to take the day off work to look after the kiddies while I slept the day away! Of course, with sleeping all day, sleep didn't happen at night! Today I feel as weak as dish water and the headache is only beginning to subside.

Sorry about the moan. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself.

Catherine

Confessions!!

Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 01:08

A few weeks ago,  Deutschmum asked me for the recipe for Chicken Kiev. I have to confess.....I didn't cook them from scratch (pleeeeeeease don't chuck me off HSB!! LOL!!!!!). They were store bought......but they were lovely!

The spaghetti bolognese was simply cooked mince, peppers, onions, mushrooms, canned tomatoes, tomato puree to thicken it a little and Italian Herbs.

Catherine

Lollipop Kid!

Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 06:43

No words are needed....

A Week Of Fun With The Children!

Posted on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 12:54

We've had a lot of fun this week in Hawthorn Cottage! At the end of last week we had some snow. There wasn't a lot but it was certainly enough to entertain the children. They couldn't get up and dressed fast enough on Saturday morning to get out into it. They had a lot of very cold fun, chasing each other, making shapes in the snow and throwing snow at each other! We don't usually get a lot of snow so when we do they make the most of it.

I have started into clearing the children's rooms and cleaning them. I have James' toys sorted but I haven't got to his wardrobe yet........I wonder what I'll find there?!!! LOL!!

We are also decorating the bathroom. I know, I know.....one room at a time.....but.......! Anyway, while I was painting it the children wanted to play beaches. They used towels for the sand and a blue mat for the sea! Then they found their sun protector swim suits (for all the sun we get in Ireland....NOT!!!) and wore those. They had hours of fun out of something so simple!

Surfing!!!

The only problem with the above game is that James has grown attached to his suit! Since the game he has wanted to wear it everywhere! Difficult in the cold weather but...there are bigger battles to fight!! LOL!! Today he appeared in the suit with his swimming trunks over it (!), a froggy shower hat of Amy's and his sandals! Does he know something about the weather that we don't?!

 Frogman!

I hope you all have had a fun week too!

Catherine

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 01:13

I awoke this morning to my two children singing "Happy Birthday" to me. What a lovely way to wake up!! They presented me with my cards and gifts and then I got breakfast in bed! What a treat!

Once the children went off to school and playgroup I went along to see my friends at Cactus Crafts. We had our coffee and a lovely chat. Peter had given me money to have my hair done so I went off to that. It's so lovely being pampered (it's also nice to be able to see through my fringe...bangs....again!!). He is taking me out tonight to Tony Roma's so it's nice to feel that I will be looking respectable again!!

This afternoon I am going to spend a little time crafting before I get ready to go out.  What a super day! I couldn't have asked for better!

Catherine

Weekend Wanderings

Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 03:16

I'm glad it's Friday. It has been quite a busy week. I began by helping a friend strip wallpaper from her bedroom. She doesn't enjoy this job but I love it! it must be the destructive nature in me?!! LOL!!! it didn't take long to do it and the next day she was able to buy the paint and get started with that.

The rest of the week was taken up with sorting some things around the house and visiting a few friends I haven't seen in a few months. This morning I went to Cactus Crafts and had some time there chatting and drinking copious amounts of coffee (Hello Jacqui!!). I normally call in most mornings but it has been over a week since I had been there and I was feeling withdrawal symptoms!!

This afternoon has been spent clearing up the house and getting packed. We are heading off for the weekend to visit my parents. They live about two hours' drive away from here. I wish they lived closer so I could see them more often. We will spend our time catching up and having some fun. The kids are really excited and ask every five minutes when we are leaving!! LOL!! Hopefully a DVD will keep them occupied on the journey or the inevitable question of "Are we there yet?" will be asked!!

I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Catherine

Flu!

Posted on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 07:20

Have got hubby's flu! In bed feeling totally yuck!!

Catherine

Under the weather!

Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 12:51

Last night Amy wanted to "camp" out in the living room so her and I did just that. However, about 1am Amy woke feeling unwell. She was subsequently sick and didn't get a lot of sleep. To my shame I cannot cope very well when someone is being sick...I get sick too. I think I got about an hour's sleep all night all told. So today, Amy and I are wrapped up in quilts and lounging. Hopefully tomorrow will be better....after all "Tomorrow's another day"!!!

Catherine

Comings and Goings in Hawthorn Cottage

Posted on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 04:16

We have had a lovely time over the last week or so here in Hawthorn Cottage. Christmas passed over very peacefully. The kids had a great time and Santa made his usual visit. Amy and James loved their pressies...a Bratz bus and a Thunderbird 2. They got lots of other lovely stuff from family and friends. It has been lovely because they have really sat down and played with their toys this year and are getting a lot of fun from them.

"Santa" also came to me (he might have been in trouble if he had not come!!!). Peter's mum got me a Big Shot for my card making and Peter got me some die cutters for it. I have had a great time cutting out designs for my cards.

Peter also got me a couple of books that I had been interested in...Beginnings by Kim Vogel Sawyer and The Parting by Beverly Lewis. I've already read the first one...it was brilliant. I have a couple of other books to read before I start the Beverly Lewis book. I am keeping the best one to last you see!! Does anyone else do that?

The piece de resistance though for Christmas was my new Kenwood chef mixer which my mum bought for me. I have wanted one for a very long time and just before Christmas mummy got a really good deal on one. With the busyness of the last week I have only got to use it once but over the next few days now that all has quietened down it will be put to the test! The one thing I made in it was a chocolate pavlova. It came out beautifully. Unfortunately I left it in the oven to cool and last night when I was about to cook some party bites for the New Year I forgot it was still there and switched on the oven to heat. My friend mentionned the lovely smell drifting from the kitchen but still it didn't click with me until I went to put the food in the oven. My beautiful pavlova had a burnt, crispy surface!! My friend and I performed some open heart surgery on it and thankfully it made a good recovery with the help of lashings of cream and chocolate decorations!!!

On Christmas Day we had my parents and Peter's parents visiting with us. it was lovely to have everyone there. We had a lovely day chatting, eating and opening presents. Mum, Amy and I had gone to the Christmas morning service in our church. With all the fuss and commercialism of Christmas it was good to get grounded and focused on the true meaning of Christmas. Amy put it very well when she said Jesus was the best present she had got.

The next few days were spent just chilling out with my parents. They then went to spend a few days with my brother and his family. On Saturday we all met up at a local hotel to have a celebration meal for my dad who will be 90 next Sunday. He is a truly amazing man. He still works part time driving the hearse for the local undertaker...his theory being he's better sitting in the front than the back!!!!

Last night our friends came to visit with us and celebrate the new year. The kids all went off and played together. We only saw them when the food was served! Actually one didn't go home, deciding instead to stay overnight with Amy!

While the kids played the adults played a game of Quiddler. It is a great card game although I have realised I am very competitive when playing it as it is really like Scrabble...one of the few games I ever have a chance of winning!! The game belongs to our friends but Peter now will have no trouble wondering what to get for my birthday!!

Peter is back to work tomorrow. The kids don't start back to next Monday so we have still a few days fun left yet!!

Catherine

Ikea is here!

Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 06:56

Last week was considered a very important week in the land of Ireland.....the Swedes arrived!! Ikea finally made it to this part of the world! Belfast has the only one in Ireland...ten minutes from my house!!!YIppee!! This storage mad woman finally has her favourite store close at hand (hubby's not sure it is such a good thing?!!). I was in it twice today as a friend wanted to go this morning and I had to be "dragged" along!! Then this afternnoon Amy had her swimming lesson across the road from it and we had to go again to return something from this morning. The kids also wanted their tea there and who would I be to refuse!! LOL!!

So this evening probably for all the wrong reasons I am a very content woman!

Catherine

Tuesday

Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 07:30

Today has been a fairly busy day. James was still home from nursery. His cough is still quite bad although the antibiotics are certainly starting to work. I was able to notice an improvement in him already.  Thankfully he was able to occupy himself most of the day. A friend had asked me at the weekend to cross stitch a little wall hanging for her to give to someone she knows who is emigrating to Australia in January. She wanted it this week (?!!!) so while James sat beside me today playing, I sat and created the wall hanging. I have one in my home and I think it is lovely. It is from a Lizzie Kate pattern.

This evening my grocery delivery arrived so at least that's the Christmas groceries in. Just the perishables to get at the weekend. You would think there was going to be a food shortage with the way I seem to have stock piled food or that the shops were going to be shut for weeks instead of a few days. My mum and dad are coming for the holidays (not that they eat a lot either?!) so that is my excuse!! I finished getting them packed away.....is there anyone else out there who hates that job or is it only me?

Tonight once the children are bathed and in bed I think I'll soak for a while, read my book and then go to bed. I am looking forward to sleep!!

Catherine

'Tis The Season To Be Busy!!!!

Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 11:31

Is anyone else up to their eyes getting prepared for Christmas?! Life has been really hectic here in Hawthorn Cottage.

Last week Amy had her Christmas performance at school. The 4 - 7 year olds put on two plays: the Santa play and the Nativity play. They were really impressive. It always amazes me how children so young can remember all their lines. Some of the little ones had a lot to remember. Thankfully Amy had a non speaking role so there was less pressure for her. Instead she was  a Russian skater in the Santa play. She had to pretend to skate up the middle of the gym and glide up on to the stage. She was really beautiful. I was so proud of her. She looked so grown up standing on the stage in costume with her makeup on. She's no longer my wee baby!!

She was exhausted by the end of the week as they had a dress rehearsal on Monday, an evening performance on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and a final performance on Thursday morning! Phew! And they still had to go through their normal school day! No wonder she was tired!!

I finally got cards and parcels posted. My Christmas preparations are basically complete. My groceries are arriving tomorrow. This means only veggies need to be bought at the weekend. Mum and dad are planning to come up on Christmas Eve and stay for a few days. It will be lovely to have them with us. My in-laws have not decided whether or not they will come over on Christmas Day for dinner. (By the way..please pray for my mother in law. She fell yesterday and banged her head badly. She had to get stitches. She is feeling very weak as she lost a lot of blood. Pray that she makes a speedy recovery)

Hopefully by next week James will have got over whatever bug is annoying him. It seems to be going on a long time!! Three weeks ago he had the tummy bug which is rife here at the moment. Although his tummy settled he was left with a terrible cold. It has moved into his chest and he is feeling very poorly again. he was even sick again tonight, although I think it is coming from the chest infection. He started a course of antibiotics this afternoon so hopefully we'll see an improvement soon. My poor wee man!

As James is sick it is hard to stay on top of the housework as he wants constant attention and wants to be on my knee all the time. There's only so much you can do with a child attached to your knee!! There has also been little sleep so I'm tired and on that note I'll say Good Night as I'm off to bed!! ZZZZZzzzzzzz!

Catherine

Just a Quick One....

Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 12:40

i don't know where time is going. I can hardly get a breath never mind blog!! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. We had planned to do Thanksgiving again this year but due to hubby's work committments and sick babies it had to take a back seat. Maybe next year.....

As I have said before I have a craft fair coming up...tomorrow night!! I thought I was totally perpared but someone told me my little notebook idea was really popular so I had to make more! I think I am NOW ready. Part of me is looking forward to it and part of me is getting really nervous! I hope people like what i've done. None of the things I do are very fussy...I like my ideas to look simple and uncluttered. Let's hope the shopping public feel the same!! I plan to take some photos and post them at the weekend.

James was ill over the weekend so for the last few days I've been pretty yaken up with that. There have been a lot of tummy bugs going round at the moment and lots of kids have been off school. James missed a few days but was able to go back today. He still has a cold but thankfully is much better. I hate seeing my babies suffer!

Today is Amy's swimming lesson. Her new class is brilliant. I am so glad I moved her. Her confidence is really growing and she has only been attending this class for a few weeks. Last week they were working on the breast stroke. I really laughed as the first part of teaching it was to make them swim on their back?!!! Apparently it helps them to work on the leg movements without having to worry about their breathing! It really worked. By the end of the class Amy was doing the breast stroke properly....over a short distance. I was really proud of her.

I need a little advice regarding Amy. In school Amy's Maths is very strong but she struggles a little with her reading. Any ideas to help her? I have tried many different ideas....teaching English is what I did before I had the kids....but maybe because it is with my daughter I am struggling to think of new ideas! Any help would be appreciated!

I'd better go as it's time to pick Amy up. Have a lovely day!

Catherine

Catching Up

Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 09:05

I have been away for a few weeks from the computer although thankfully not quite as long as I thought it might be. These weeks have been really busy. At the end of this month I have a craft fair so I have been really busy getting ready for it. I have made a lot of cards, some card toppers/buttons for those who wish to make their own cards, and some little notebooks. Actually, the notebooks have been such a success already that I am constantly having to restock my supply!! I should have enough for it now but I will probably continue to add to my supply right up to the sale itself. I do want to make some Christmas Shortbread to sell as well but that will have to be done closer to the time.

I only realised tonight that Thanksgiving is so close. I thought I still had a few weeks to go. I am going to have to get busy over the next week. As you all know we obviously don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Ireland but as a family we decided last year to celebrate it and so enjoyed it that we are doing it again this year and possibly having friends join us. I can't wait!

The kids have also been busy. James is really enjoying Nursery School and Amy is doing well at school. She is starting to get ready for the school Christmas production. She doesn't want to be in the choir. She wants to have a speaking part or to dance. Let's hope she's not disappointed! I don't care what she does in it as I'll be the proud, doting mummy anyway!

Amy is starting swimming lessons again this week which I am pleased about. Neither her daddy or I are strong swimmers and I want Amy to be able to swim well. James should be starting in a few weeks, hopefully.

Amy was also really excited last night as her daddy brought her to the driving range at the local golf course and gave her her first lesson. I think she believes she has the makings of Tiger Woods already?!!LOL!!!!

Peter also had good news on the job front. At long last he got his well earned and deserved promotion. He is now a Senior Lecturer. I am really proud of him. He works really hard for everyone and really deserves the recognition in work.

Anyway, that's the main news caught up on. Hopefully I'll be able to drop in to HSB a bit more often in the next few weeks!

Catherine :o)

Off Line

Posted on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 04:46

I'll be offline for a few weeks as hubby has to take my computer into work. What will I do?!! Maybe more housework......?!!LOL!!

Catherine

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