The story of us - Part 1

Once upon a time, in the late 1970s, a little boy was born in Middlemore Hospital. He was the fifth child born to his Samoan born mum. They lived in a suburb in South Auckland called Otara and he grew up happily there, surrounded by his three sisters and two brothers.

His family were a church going family and they attended a traditional Samoan church. He went to a high school in South Auckland but left school when he was 16 to start work. He did various jobs over the years, working in warehouses and courier driving.  

One day, when he was 18 years old, he saw a brochure advertising a Bible College at a church in the city. Wanting more for his life, he decided to enrol and for the next two years he studied there, and began attending that church. He got involved in the youth ministry and made some great friends.

Unexpected sources

Mr Samoa and I have been on quite a journey in the last four or so years. Actually, it's more like a rollercoaster that we've been on, sometimes leaving us thrilled with how things have turned out and other times taking all of our strength to lift our weary feet.

(Quick note for those who don't know: Mr Samoa has been studying for the last four and half years, and we've had both our kids in the middle of it all)

So when blessings appear from unexpected sources, we can only marvel at how God looks after us.

And breathe a sigh of relief.

Mr Samoa has been working part time while he's finishing his study at his old work. This work is in the alternative education sector so it's great during term time, but during holidays, well...you can't work when the students are on holiday, right?

So a couple of weeks back we were a little stuck. Bills and rent paid but food...well.....

One of my best friends was around one morning when I was trying to sort something out with Work and Income, a government department that can help with food. They were less than forthcoming. So my friend got on the phone to her friend (who does not know me) who had been in a similar situation when her husband was studying, to ask where she got help from when things got a little tough.

She said she would sort something out, asked for my address and hung up the phone. My friend and I thought she'd be sorting something through her church or one of the places she used to get help from.

The next day, this was delivered to my door:

WOW!

This awesome woman had paid for it herself. There must have been over $300 worth of groceries.

What a blessing this woman was to us! I hope to help someone else in the same way when Mr Samoa gets a job, pay it forward, you know?

Feeling: thankful!

Party time

My nephew turned 5 on Friday and due to the public holiday tomorrow, had his party on Saturday last week.

He's Lego mad so it was a Lego party, complete with a construction zone!

Here's a cute one of him with his 'girlfriend'

Stop! Turbo's in control

This poor bunny got roared at quite a bit by the kids

Great decorations

It's fun to balance Lego on my little cousin's head

Loving his cousin (who's not loving it at all)

 Forget Lego, we love cars

It was a great day! Well done, N, for all the organisation it took.

Dear Smiley

You are 8 months old today. Unfortunately, this day finds you sick again and you are on your third course of antibiotics in the 8 short months you've been alive. I tried to avoid them but you've been sick for a while and in the last few days, your cough has gotten worse.

Maybe that's why you don't sleep very well at night?

I wish you could tell me why!

In spite of the sickness, you are still a real happy little boy most of the time. Your smile lights up the room and you don't hesitate to bestow it on complete strangers too (from the comfort of Mummy's arms, of course).

You're a real Mummy's boy and would be happy to spend all day in my arms if you could. Recently you started to reach out for Daddy too which is nice for him. You LOVE cuddles and often bury your head in my shoulder or "kiss' me (open mouthed).

You're not crawling yet but you are really wanting to. When you're on your tummy, you manage to move yourself backwards. Two teeth have made their way through and another two are on the way.

Your big brother is very fond of you and loves to cuddle you, tickle you and try to carry you around. He still calls you bubba although we're trying to get him to call you your real name. Since having you, he has taken a real interest in dolls and puts them to sleep and cuddles them.

You still won't take a bottle and like your milk 'on tap'. You're now having three meals a day and starting to eat finger foods like bits of toast, crackers and fruit (and the odd biscuit).

Bathing is one of your favourite things to do. When you're tired and whiny at the end of the day, a bath calms you down. You love to splash! Music is another favourite and when you hear it, you kick your legs and flap your arms in excitement. You are no trouble to take out and can sit for hours in your stroller, taking in the world.

  

I could gaze for hours into your lovely chocolate brown eyes and give your velvety soft cheeks a thousand kisses a day.

You bring great joy to us, Smiley, and we love you so much.