Catching up on news!

Hi there!

Well … it has been a busy time these past few days. I am keen to pop by my favourite blogs for a visit … but there are a few things that I need to get done first! One of them is to share a few happenings here at the Lowcocks! I want to say thank you to my blog friends who show so much interest in what is going on in my life! You bring a smile to my day … when you take the time to comment and encourage!

My latest exciting moment was on Friday at Sandy’s Yr 6 graduation. You may remember I said “Sandy will get his little certificate” … but it ended up being a little more of a thrill. The year 6 teachers take the opportunity to share some thoughts about each of the kids when they get their certificate … and it was so lovely to hear about how Sandy takes the time to help others in the class room with their work … has stepped up in leadership … and not only does he know what God wants him to do … he seeks to put this into practice. Wow! I was so proud! After all the graduation certificates were handed out … there were a few certificate awards for “reliability” or “service” or “Christian Life”. But … imagine my surprise … when Sandy won the Rotary Award for “Selfless Acts of Service” (the BIG one)!

This was voted by the teachers … and included his name on a perpetual trophy … a $25 gift award (from Rotary) for Angus & Roberston … and a lovely certificate. I think my intake of breath when his name was announced was quite “loud” … and then I couldn’t help it … but a few tears escaped and rolled down my cheeks! Aren’t I just pathetic! 🙄 I was just so surprised! There were probably 5 or 6 other kids that had been mentioned during the grad certificate presentation for their kind service to others … so I was imagining one of these would get this award! It was such a special moment! And … I think Sandy was quite surprised,  too! It was a huge encouragement to me as a mum … to know that he is does think of people other than himself!

Another exciting piece of news … I was voted in the “Stamping 411 Showcase” (top 5) for the last challenge! I was thrilled … totally excited … and this is my 2nd Stamping 411 win! A BIG thank you to the Stamping 411 Operators for choosing my card! I was so happy to arrive back from our weekend away to discover this FAB news! (Click on pic to view the other top 5 winners!) I can’t wait to play along with the new sketch challenge … and I also noticed that there is a gorgeous colour challenge happening over at Stamping 411 too!

 

Yes … the boys we visited are typical boys!

Our weekend was simply lovely. We had such a wonderful time with our friends (2 families who used to belong to our church here in Wollongong). One family had moved down there 3 1/2 yrs ago (and Rick is now the pastor in the church there) … and the other family moved about 2 years ago. They are both lovely young families … and it was so nice to catch up … even if it was just for a short amount of time. Rick & Rachel have 4 boys under 7! Yes! It was a busy and noisy weekend … but the boys just LOVE our Sandy … and he was very tolerant with all their antics! It was pretty full on for him for the whole weekend!

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Submarine at Holbrook – Skye, Shane, Murray & Sandy

The 4 older kids (my 3 + Murray – Ree’s boyfriend) stayed with the other family who also have 2 boys (3 & 3 mths) and Sandy, Gav & I stayed with R&R. Wang was hot and muggy. They have also had lots of rain … and we did see heaps of “lakes” on the trip there & back! The flood waters from Wagga did stretch almost to the freeway … but we had no trouble getting through. It was really lovely just to spend time catching up with these special long-time friends! And … we did see a little of Wang … a picnic in the park … church on Sunday morning … and a lovely BBQ tea altogether! It just went all too quickly.

Well … I think that is all my latest news! Yes … I have been naughty … and done this post before even starting the newsletter!!!!! (I am hopeless!) I was trying to distract myself … a legacy of the weekend – 34 HUGE mossie bites which are driving me insane today … they are sooooooo itchy! 😯 And … I also suffered again with hayfever  on the weekend (almost from the time I hit the Victorian border) … to the point that my right eye got really swollen with an infection from rubbing it so frequently.  (It is a little improved today!) I still have to show you the pic of my tree (as promised) … but I also want to share some of the traditions that everyone has mentioned in their comments recently … so will do that separately either today or tomorrow! Make sure you leave your comment to share your Christmas tradition on THIS POST … so I can add them to my next post!

Anyway … I can’t keep procrastinating! 😀 Off to do the  newsletter NOW!!!!! Yippeeeeee! Last one for 2010!!! 😉 😀 Stampin’ hugs xxaxx PS … DON’T FORGET to check out the latest “25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS” card that I added earlier today … (SCROLL DOWN!)