It is now the beginning of the end. My final semester at university (for now) has begun. In twelve weeks I will graduate with an honours degree in psychological science. For the past five years I have studied, and now there are just months until it finishes. I am SO excited. And I am more motivated than ever to work as hard as I can to finish strong.
I am reasonably pleased with the subjects I am studying, and my thesis is progressing well, although my data collection is an excruciatingly long and tiresome process. I spend one hour with each participant, asking them questions and giving them intelligence tests to complete. I have eight four participants to work through, and I've only done 11.
Kylie is getting really close to having the baby now. We only have three or four weeks left, and it is starting to show. Kylie is feeling uncomfortable, and slowing down. So we are counting the days and have begun serious preparations to ensure everything is ready. Combined with that, I am going to be putting in some extra long hours at uni over the next few weeks so that when the baby arrives I have something of a head start on all of that work. That way, hopefully, I can be more supportive at home. The baby will be born half-way through the semester, so it will be an extremely busy time in every way imaginable.
A few nights ago we decided to have a pizza and movie night with the children. We cooked home made pizza with hot hungarian salami (wow it was good), pineapple, capsicum and onion. Then we watched "Because of Winn-Dixie". It was a movie about a little girl who found a dog and made friends with it. Because of the dog, lots of lonely people were united to form strong friendships, and the little girl learned about her mother (who had left some years earlier). It was a beautiful movie. The kids loved it, as did Kylie. And I think we went through a whole box of tissues towards the end. Really sweet stuff. And good for kids and grown-ups. I give it 8 out of 10.
There are two other things that I've noticed recently too. Last Sunday as we sat in church I looked down the pew to my three little girls. Kylie had spent the morning making them look even more beautiful with hair dryers and brushes and all of that female stuff that I will never understand. I was filled with gratitude, and more than a small portion of pride. And then I noticed something: They are all the absolute image of Kylie. No wonder I feel so lucky. I have the most beautiful family.
I've also been spending quite a bit of time working with someone who wants to understand the Gospel better. He is a member of the church and have been for 10 years. He has read the scriptures religously (pardon the pun), but never really learned much. For the past couple of months I have been "coaching" and helping out. I chatted with this person in the last week. What has occurred is wonderful. He used to read a chapter every day, sometimes a couple of chapters, in order to say he had read and to get to the end. I asked if that was working for him.
"No, not really."
I suggested that what mattered more than the outcome he was chasing was the process he went through. I suggested that rather than reading a chapter a day, he read for 20 minutes. He may read one verse, one page or one chapter or more. What mattered was how he understood what he read. I showed him how to question everything, to cross-reference and use additional material to really understand. We talked about the "process".
We spoke a couple of days ago. It has taken him three weeks to get through only two chapters. Yet his understanding has improved markedly. He is feeling like he has learned more in the past three weeks than he has in the past ten years. It feels good to be part of that process, and to have helped in some small way.
Lastly, mum and dad are in QLD this weekend and it has been a real treat to spend some time with them. The girls love them and flock to them. We have enjoyed seeing them, and spent most of the day with dad yesterday. We found an incredible part at Helensvale on the northern tip of the Gold Coast. Abbie and Ella came with dad and I and played for two hours non-stop. They would have played all day if they could. The best thing was the slide. It was big, and steep, and fun. They ran up the stairs and down the slide endlessly. And they slept well last night.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Sunday, 15 July 2007
More Than We Deserve
So many things have happened in the past two weeks (since I last wrote) that I'm concerned I'll write a novel if I'm not careful. Just trying to count our family's blessings in the past fortnight has me struggling to keep up with all that we've received.
First off, I've been blessed beyond any deserving with my uni work. In fact, never would I have imagined that things could have gone so well. As I've made clear, Kylie was unwell, in hospital, and I was trying to prepare for exams and look after the children and the house. Things during my exam break were as challenging as I've ever experienced. My preparation was minimal, yet I've received a high distinction for my 4th year multi-variate statistics course. I've never had a mark like that for any statistics, so to get it for my final year was breathtaking.
I also got a high distinction for my Applied Cognitive Psychology. Unbelievable! I managed a distinction for my clinical addiction seminar course too. So all in all, a miraculously successful first semester. Now, only 14 weeks to go and it's over. I'm taking a subject in educational psychology, and a class in health psychology. I have no real interest in either subject, but they're the best two of a really unappealing 5 subjects to choose from. I'll complete them, and my thesis over the next 3 months, and it's over.
During the school holidays I took a lot of time away from studies and work commitments and spent the time with Kylie and the children. Holidays have been challenging over the past couple of years, with "I'm bored" being the familiar mantra from the children. This time, we've visited parks, played with friends, and generally been together. And it's been terrific. The more time we've spent together, the more we've enjoyed it.
Chanel has become a real pro on her scooter, and Abbie and Ella have recently moved from learner status to provisional. They're still a little bit tentative, but they're getting it, and they love it. Seeing their faces as they play and run - the pure and absolute delight - is one of the most fulfilling things I've experienced. They are genuinely committed to being absolutely present in the situation they're in. There are no concerns about bills, dinner, car services, exams or any other interpersonal dilemma's. It's simply fun. Right here. Right now.
Being with the kids so much has been terrific for learning the importance of appreciating the moment. I don't know if I'll ever really see the world through a child's eye again. As we get older the ability to remember what it's really like for them gets harder. But I can't help but become almost entirely immersed as I watch them play, swing, get dizzy, and squeal with the thrill and delight of the moment.
It's interesting too, because I'm seeing Chanel grow so much. Now that she's nearly eight years old I'm catching tiny glimpses of that childhood eroding. There are only bits here and there, but it's starting. She is becoming increasingly independent in so many areas, and it's hard to let her. But, by golly, I can hardly piggyback her sometimes she's getting so big! And another tooth was lost a few days ago too. Pretty soon they'll all be gone, and adult teeth will be all that's left.
On the final Friday of the holidays I did something I've never done before. I was invited to MC my sister-in-law's wedding. I quite enjoyed the experience, but I won't be considering a career change. The wedding was lovely, and the couple are now back from their honeymoon to Cairns.
After a delightful holiday break, I had the blessing (thanks to Mat) to be able to fly down to Gosford with Chanel and Abbie to witness Jaxson's baptism and give him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The girls were thrilled to be catching an aeroplane and I was ecstatic to not have to drive for 10 hours through the night to be there. Saturday morning was loads of fun. Dad invited me to help him clear out his storage area under the garage. We got stuck into it, ended up filthy, but got rid of a quarter of a tonne of rubbish. Then it was time to change and take the kids to the chapel for the baptism.
It was a simple service, but spiritual, loving and powerful. Mat spoke briefly. He loves that little boy. It was very moving. And it was clear that it meant a lot to him to see Jaxson baptised. Dad was invited to perform the baptism, which I'm cetain he really enjoyed. Then we returned to the chapel and I was invited to perform the confirmation and give Jaxson the gift of the Holy Ghost. I had been pondering what the Lord wanted Jaxson to be blessed with for some time. I had many thoughts, but nothing really stuck. But that morning on the plane I had felt strongly that he should be blessed with Faith and Courage. I let go of all the other ideas I'd had and focussed there. As I did, other things came to me through inspiration. And I felt the power of the Spirit influence me. I wonder how it happens, especially to someone like me. But we rejoiced in the experience together.
That night we ate food together. I love food. Chinese. Mmmmm. Then we went to bed, ready for a big Sunday. Mum took us to Sydney for a visit to Nan & Pop Bunt's. It's always so much fun visiting them. We enjoyed the visit, ate delicious Corned Beef and Relish sandwiches. Then we had to race back to Gosford for church. After church I had another great highlight. Mat asked me to help him understand the scriptures better. He's been reading his scriptures with reasonable commitment over the past ten years but feels as though he doesn't know anything.
Mat and I spent between two and three hours reviewing study principles and discussing the gospel. It was uplifting and edifying. We talked about the difference between reading to finish and reading to learn. I suggested that if it was better to read one verse and learn from it, than to race through an entire chapter just to say that it was read. Mat has been averaging only a couple of verses a day since then, but he is studying for a full half hour on those verses. And it's made a huge difference, for him and for me.
Monday we flew home. Kylie had spent time with her family from New Zealand following the wedding of her sister, while we'd been in Gosford. Now it was time to reunite. It was great to be together after a weekend apart. First stop - the supermarket for roast chicken, salad and buns. Next stop - Nanny Coulson's. Our flight was to the Gold Coast, so we took advantage of that and ate food with Nan. We had a great visit, as always. Then it was finally time to go home.
I've had a couple of funny experiences this week. Firstly, I was invited to attend an executive meeting for a new organisation for young business people. I decided that I didn't want to be involved any further though, and when I told the fellow in charge he said he was glad because he didn't feel it would be a good fit. I didn't know what to think. Here I was, dumping him, and he turned around and said he wanted to dump me first! I was actually a bit hurt, and began to wonder why he would say that about me. But I got over it pretty quickly. It obviously wasn't something I should be involved in at the moment, or perhaps at all.
I also received feedback on the first draft of my thesis. Mostly good, but there is still a lot of work to do on it. It is an incredibly big project.
Work is going really well, and getting better. I am so grateful for the blessing of this job, and the way it was timed to take over from my TAFE job so perfectly. And Kylie has about 5 weeks to go until we have our baby.
First off, I've been blessed beyond any deserving with my uni work. In fact, never would I have imagined that things could have gone so well. As I've made clear, Kylie was unwell, in hospital, and I was trying to prepare for exams and look after the children and the house. Things during my exam break were as challenging as I've ever experienced. My preparation was minimal, yet I've received a high distinction for my 4th year multi-variate statistics course. I've never had a mark like that for any statistics, so to get it for my final year was breathtaking.
I also got a high distinction for my Applied Cognitive Psychology. Unbelievable! I managed a distinction for my clinical addiction seminar course too. So all in all, a miraculously successful first semester. Now, only 14 weeks to go and it's over. I'm taking a subject in educational psychology, and a class in health psychology. I have no real interest in either subject, but they're the best two of a really unappealing 5 subjects to choose from. I'll complete them, and my thesis over the next 3 months, and it's over.
During the school holidays I took a lot of time away from studies and work commitments and spent the time with Kylie and the children. Holidays have been challenging over the past couple of years, with "I'm bored" being the familiar mantra from the children. This time, we've visited parks, played with friends, and generally been together. And it's been terrific. The more time we've spent together, the more we've enjoyed it.
Chanel has become a real pro on her scooter, and Abbie and Ella have recently moved from learner status to provisional. They're still a little bit tentative, but they're getting it, and they love it. Seeing their faces as they play and run - the pure and absolute delight - is one of the most fulfilling things I've experienced. They are genuinely committed to being absolutely present in the situation they're in. There are no concerns about bills, dinner, car services, exams or any other interpersonal dilemma's. It's simply fun. Right here. Right now.
Being with the kids so much has been terrific for learning the importance of appreciating the moment. I don't know if I'll ever really see the world through a child's eye again. As we get older the ability to remember what it's really like for them gets harder. But I can't help but become almost entirely immersed as I watch them play, swing, get dizzy, and squeal with the thrill and delight of the moment.
It's interesting too, because I'm seeing Chanel grow so much. Now that she's nearly eight years old I'm catching tiny glimpses of that childhood eroding. There are only bits here and there, but it's starting. She is becoming increasingly independent in so many areas, and it's hard to let her. But, by golly, I can hardly piggyback her sometimes she's getting so big! And another tooth was lost a few days ago too. Pretty soon they'll all be gone, and adult teeth will be all that's left.
On the final Friday of the holidays I did something I've never done before. I was invited to MC my sister-in-law's wedding. I quite enjoyed the experience, but I won't be considering a career change. The wedding was lovely, and the couple are now back from their honeymoon to Cairns.
After a delightful holiday break, I had the blessing (thanks to Mat) to be able to fly down to Gosford with Chanel and Abbie to witness Jaxson's baptism and give him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The girls were thrilled to be catching an aeroplane and I was ecstatic to not have to drive for 10 hours through the night to be there. Saturday morning was loads of fun. Dad invited me to help him clear out his storage area under the garage. We got stuck into it, ended up filthy, but got rid of a quarter of a tonne of rubbish. Then it was time to change and take the kids to the chapel for the baptism.
It was a simple service, but spiritual, loving and powerful. Mat spoke briefly. He loves that little boy. It was very moving. And it was clear that it meant a lot to him to see Jaxson baptised. Dad was invited to perform the baptism, which I'm cetain he really enjoyed. Then we returned to the chapel and I was invited to perform the confirmation and give Jaxson the gift of the Holy Ghost. I had been pondering what the Lord wanted Jaxson to be blessed with for some time. I had many thoughts, but nothing really stuck. But that morning on the plane I had felt strongly that he should be blessed with Faith and Courage. I let go of all the other ideas I'd had and focussed there. As I did, other things came to me through inspiration. And I felt the power of the Spirit influence me. I wonder how it happens, especially to someone like me. But we rejoiced in the experience together.
That night we ate food together. I love food. Chinese. Mmmmm. Then we went to bed, ready for a big Sunday. Mum took us to Sydney for a visit to Nan & Pop Bunt's. It's always so much fun visiting them. We enjoyed the visit, ate delicious Corned Beef and Relish sandwiches. Then we had to race back to Gosford for church. After church I had another great highlight. Mat asked me to help him understand the scriptures better. He's been reading his scriptures with reasonable commitment over the past ten years but feels as though he doesn't know anything.
Mat and I spent between two and three hours reviewing study principles and discussing the gospel. It was uplifting and edifying. We talked about the difference between reading to finish and reading to learn. I suggested that if it was better to read one verse and learn from it, than to race through an entire chapter just to say that it was read. Mat has been averaging only a couple of verses a day since then, but he is studying for a full half hour on those verses. And it's made a huge difference, for him and for me.
Monday we flew home. Kylie had spent time with her family from New Zealand following the wedding of her sister, while we'd been in Gosford. Now it was time to reunite. It was great to be together after a weekend apart. First stop - the supermarket for roast chicken, salad and buns. Next stop - Nanny Coulson's. Our flight was to the Gold Coast, so we took advantage of that and ate food with Nan. We had a great visit, as always. Then it was finally time to go home.
I've had a couple of funny experiences this week. Firstly, I was invited to attend an executive meeting for a new organisation for young business people. I decided that I didn't want to be involved any further though, and when I told the fellow in charge he said he was glad because he didn't feel it would be a good fit. I didn't know what to think. Here I was, dumping him, and he turned around and said he wanted to dump me first! I was actually a bit hurt, and began to wonder why he would say that about me. But I got over it pretty quickly. It obviously wasn't something I should be involved in at the moment, or perhaps at all.
I also received feedback on the first draft of my thesis. Mostly good, but there is still a lot of work to do on it. It is an incredibly big project.
Work is going really well, and getting better. I am so grateful for the blessing of this job, and the way it was timed to take over from my TAFE job so perfectly. And Kylie has about 5 weeks to go until we have our baby.
Sunday, 1 July 2007
An Ordinary Family
The new financial year has arrived! This is always an exciting time for us, because it means we can start to look forward to tax returns. Hopefully this year will be no different! We're counting on it. Things will be a little different though. I've had to register for GST, which means that every 3 months I'll be completing a Business Activity Statement (BAS). Not looking forward to it, but if I want to provide for my family, I have to earn the money. And if I earn the money, I have to do the paperwork.
I've had a super week. I completed the first draft of my thesis introduction and gave it to my supervisor to preview and provide direction. She has so much on right now that we won't be meeting for another week! This is wonderful as it forces me to take a break from study. There's little I can do until I receive it back. As a result, I've had nothing to do but spend time with Kylie and the children!
The past two days we've explored parks in Brisbane that we've never been to before. We came across two parks that the kids couldn't get enough of. Places to explore, run, climb! These were not your regular parks with a slide, swings and a basic fort. These were huge wooden structures with mazes and tree-houses, nets, slides, chains and more. We've spent lots of time together and it has been fun plus! And remarkably fulfilling. The kids have been happy, and they've gone to sleep fast at night too.
On the way back home from the park one afternoon we decided to have a look at some car yards as we'll be needing to buy a new car in the coming months to accommodate our enlarged family. I had a serious discussion with the children about being on our best behaviour, not jumping on the car seats and staying where we could see them. As we walked toward the dealership we continued our discussion until Chanel surmised, "So you want us to pretend to be an ordinary family Dad?"
Our ordinary family are doing great! And with another week off this week, we're looking forward to some more great fun together.
Ella is really improving with her speaking. We've begun to understand the occasional full sentence. Pleasingly, Ella is eager to practice and work on it too, there's no despondency.
Abbie is a pleasure and a joy. She has the most delightful personality of any child I've ever known.
Chanel is enjoying the school holidays and getting really big. It's amazing to watch, and see how fast the years are vanishing.
I probably won't be writing next week. There's heaps to do too. Kylie's sister, Estelle, will wed Friday. Saturday we fly to Sydney. We're in Gosford for Jaxson's birthday. He's 8, and will be baptised. I'm taking Chanel and Abbie, while Kylie remains with Ella in Brisbane. Kylie really wanted to be there, but with only 8 weeks to go we didn't feel it was safe for her to be flying, particularly with the challenges we've already faced.
So here's to a week of fun with my extra-ordinary family.
I've had a super week. I completed the first draft of my thesis introduction and gave it to my supervisor to preview and provide direction. She has so much on right now that we won't be meeting for another week! This is wonderful as it forces me to take a break from study. There's little I can do until I receive it back. As a result, I've had nothing to do but spend time with Kylie and the children!
The past two days we've explored parks in Brisbane that we've never been to before. We came across two parks that the kids couldn't get enough of. Places to explore, run, climb! These were not your regular parks with a slide, swings and a basic fort. These were huge wooden structures with mazes and tree-houses, nets, slides, chains and more. We've spent lots of time together and it has been fun plus! And remarkably fulfilling. The kids have been happy, and they've gone to sleep fast at night too.
On the way back home from the park one afternoon we decided to have a look at some car yards as we'll be needing to buy a new car in the coming months to accommodate our enlarged family. I had a serious discussion with the children about being on our best behaviour, not jumping on the car seats and staying where we could see them. As we walked toward the dealership we continued our discussion until Chanel surmised, "So you want us to pretend to be an ordinary family Dad?"
Our ordinary family are doing great! And with another week off this week, we're looking forward to some more great fun together.
Ella is really improving with her speaking. We've begun to understand the occasional full sentence. Pleasingly, Ella is eager to practice and work on it too, there's no despondency.
Abbie is a pleasure and a joy. She has the most delightful personality of any child I've ever known.
Chanel is enjoying the school holidays and getting really big. It's amazing to watch, and see how fast the years are vanishing.
I probably won't be writing next week. There's heaps to do too. Kylie's sister, Estelle, will wed Friday. Saturday we fly to Sydney. We're in Gosford for Jaxson's birthday. He's 8, and will be baptised. I'm taking Chanel and Abbie, while Kylie remains with Ella in Brisbane. Kylie really wanted to be there, but with only 8 weeks to go we didn't feel it was safe for her to be flying, particularly with the challenges we've already faced.
So here's to a week of fun with my extra-ordinary family.
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