Happy Easter

Easter is almost here, and we are going on a road trip this year. We plan to visit in Bundaberg, Gympie and Toowoomba in the next week. We are also excited to have Chloe visit us up here in Bowen. I think Sharlene is enjoying the 'girl time'.
I've started a garden again now that the weather has started to cool down. It is based on an old one that already existed, I just dug it up again and replanted the sweet potatoes that were growing. We've had rain the last two nights so they've taken well.
Diesel is going in to a pet motel this time. He was a pain for some friends last time we left him with them. Hopefully the professionals will make him feel better.
Praise God for his mercy and his desire to save you and I - even to death by crucifixion. Praise God that Jesus took up his life again, and that he offers it to us as a replacement for our own sinful existence.

Azariah starts to sign

We really ought not to be surprised that Azariah's first sign is 'food'. Zemiel's first sign was 'more' (food).

Azariah at 9 months and Zemiel at 2 and a half years

Here's some more recent photos of our little nippers.

Of cyclones and MAPping

Last week was a bit tense. All week Sharlene and I had been getting prepared for Zemiel's MAP (on Friday). We'd booked our flights, organised a dog sitter, packed our bags and created an itinerary for the trip to Brisbane. At the same time, cyclone Ului decided it was time to hightail it towards the coast straight at Bowen/Procerpine! So anything that might have caught the wind, or blown away or could have damaged something else was stowed away. Budgies put in a safe place and windows secured.

Zem's map went quite well. He responded well and was sufficiently recovered from his sickness to concentrate for the time period required (about 2 hours). Azi slept. He has played with his left ear a bit since the map, so we've ended up turning it down. He seems to be more content with that.

We stayed with Roseanne and Piotr each night. On Sabbath we spent time with Roni and her friend Donna. We went to Mt. Gravatt Church on the Brisbane Adventist College grounds. Sharlene and I were both recognised (we had gone there a few times about 10 years ago). After the service, we picnicked at a park nearby and Zem loved the playground there. We met another family there who had a son with 'Apraxia' and who used Makaton to communicate with him. After this we went down to the bay, but it was a bit dreary and overcast. Finally, we farewelled the ladies and returned back to where we were staying. Rose and Piotr spent the day at the boating and fishing expo.
Auntie Rosie with Azariah.

Zem getting tickles from mum.

"Look at me!"

Notice that Piotr is holding Azi - and smiling...kind of.

Roni, Shar and boys at Brisbane Airport.

The weather was on our minds the whole time while we were away. Would our return flights to Proserpine be delayed or cancelled? Would our car be alright? It was parked out in the open. Would there be any flooding at the airport? There has been incidents when Proserpine airport has been cut off from the highway due to flooding. Thankfully all these things proved to be alright. The return flight was delayed an hour and a quarter. The car was well placed and God's protection was over it - no branches landed on it. Water levels were high but there was none on the road.

The following images would be more informative rather than me trying to describe the aftermath of Ului.
These pictures were taken at the Whitsunday Airport carpark.

Poor form

Who'da thunk it? The night before our video conference, Zem tripped over and put some teeth through his bottom lip. Zem moaned through the night because of it. He also developed a sore, dry throat. His cough was such a 'bark' that Shar and I were beginning to get concerned. We had to force him to have water, and he didn't want to eat his food in the morning. So between the sore throat, runny nose, fat lip, and little sleep, it was amazing to me if our consultant 'Cindy', could find anything useful in what he did. Zemmy just did not 'perform' at all. Add to this, I forgot to bring with me the list of goals I had for Zem, so when I was asked I floundered around a bit. Sure, everyone has a bad day sometime, but does it really have to be on the first day? The facilities at the Bowen TAFE are great and the session was easy to manage. Cindy was good to talk to and we will likely be getting a pack of resources in the mail soon.

We travelled to Mackay this afternoon. It is beginning to amaze me that everytime we decide to travel to Mackay the sky opens up and drops a flood of water on the land. Another interesting thing is, just before entering Proserpine we heard and felt a heavy bump under our car. When we pulled up to look at what had happened, we discovered the pointy end of a screwdriver sticking out of the side skirting. It was just long enough to perhaps touch the bitumen and flick up. Praise to God for keeping our car safe from random screwdrivers and in heavy rain.

Video Conferencing

Zem has his first video conferencing session tomorrow. We've had to create some short and long term goals for him and also think of some props to take with us. Our first practice at video conferencing last year was a bit of a fizzle, so we are hoping tomorrow works better.

We're also heading to Mackay for the weekend. We have to take Diesel with us because it wouldn't be kind to lock him up under the house for two days. Today he broke the rope that I have used to tie him up. He has become such a common sight at the Bowen School that he was reported as being the 'school mascot'.

*sigh*

Azariah crawling

Azariah has been trying to crawl for some time now. At Christmas, he was up on his hands and knees and rocking back and forwards like a maniac. But it has taken about two more months for him to finally get the hand and leg coordination thing happening. He doesn't show it very often, but when he realises that he wants something (usually electrical wires/cords) he will turn on a burst of speed that surprises us.

This is Azi crawling (well, mostly army crawling) down the hallway of our current house.

Compliments

Azariah has been receiving some interesting compliments recently. Most notably, he gets comments about how cheerful he is, or how wonderful his smile is, or how strong he is. Today though he got one that came from a slightly different angle. While we were at Bowen Library, a mum commented on how cute (roly poly) his ankles were. Hummm... I'd never really thought about it. Oh well, some folks look at the eyes and some folks look at ankles, who am I to complain?

Also, last Sunday after hockey we went to Front beach for some hot chips. While there, some girls riding horses came along and Zem and Az got to pat them. Sensational stuff!

Photo updates

We've had our new dining table for 1 week now. We got it cheaper due to a mix-up in the store, so we have an 8 seater for the price of a 6 seater. Love God's blessings for us. We made very good use of it today - having a crowd over for the first time. We were going to be having a fellowship lunch with others in the Bowen church in the church hall, but the power went out (hense, no air con). Our house is 1 block away but we had power, so everyone came over to eat and keep cool.

Here's Azariah in some photos from last week.
"You make me laugh, dad."

"I would go over and get you, but I couldn't be bothered."

"I want that flashy thing."

Going back in history, here are some photos of Zem from last month. He's had a haircut since then though.
Just before his haircut.

This one is at the Blue Water Lagoon in Mackay.

Going still further back, I present Great Nanna's 100th birthday party photos.
Here is Zem with Grandma.

And now Azariah.

Auntie Bon and Uncle Linden with Aleena and Brayden.

Great Nanna with her two kids:  Phylis (Zem and Azariah's Great Grandma) and Tom.

Grandma and Great Nanna.

Great Nanna with her cake.

The cake.

Cousins: Benjamin, Mitchell, Nicholas, Charlotte and Trevor.

Myself, Bonnie and Trev.

Zemmy enjoying a piece of cake.

Roni and Trev.

Great Nanna with Trevor.

The younger cousins.

All the cousins!

Instant family for Trev!