Fay's Graduation

It has been so long since I last posted and it has been such an eventful year that I could be here for a little while. I would love to know who reads my blog ... I am suspicious that I am posting to cyberspace. Anyhow, here is my big day ... Graduation in October following two years of fitting family and study around working part time. Life has been a compromise but as Jesus said ... It is finished!

Wedding of the Year

There have been many weddings this year ... at least in the boy's friends' circles, but the most important and impressive one for us was surely on April 10. Samuel John Paris married the sweet Olivia Grace Mcleod at Saumarez Homestead. The weather was beautiful, autumn leaves stunning, the bride beautiful and the day went really well. Samuel and Livi have settled in Armidale for the time being and we love being a part of their live.

So how did Jacob finish 2008. Well this shows him looking a 'cocky' at Samuel's birthday. He had a great evening as did we all. And the second is the hugely more significant and that is Jacob's baptism - a very moving moment for all. May God guide you in your journey ahead Jacob.

A bit more of Grace

Since it is so long since I posted I thought that some more shots of Grace the photogenic one were in order. The first one is at the Australian Reptile Park at Gosford. It was a very interesting place to visit and Grace was quite unphased by handling the snake.
The second one is Grace looking very studious at the Double Helix Science Club. This is a bit of a family tradition and we have enjoyed the activities with this club for more than 12 years. The focus for the evening was insects and Grace is sketching a circada.

The Little One

Now for something a little lighter - Grace is often called 'the little one' around here. It is purely a relative term but it has an endearing sound to it. Anyway... the little one had her long plaits cut off in November to add her second contribution to the family plait collection. Rather a sweet look we all figured but she is now keen to be growing her next contribution.
The second shot is not the grand finale to a sad tale but rather two days after St Mary's fete where Grace had a $3 cast put on her arm. Rather a convincing photo don't you think though!

October 19 - Samuel's Birthday

Now we are getting out of order chronologically ... but that's what happens when you have a five month holiday from blogging. In October we celebrated Samuel's 21st with a wonderful bush-dance. It was a great evening of fun with a sweat raised by all who participated. I felt really proud of Samuel and the way he can handle himself before a crowd, a little nostalgic as I reminisced on how fast those 21 years had gone by but most of all thankful to God for the great young man he has grown into and all the fond memories we have of times together.

Wow! What a year. Samuel has moved fast this year in asking Livi McLeod to be his sweetheart and then to be his wife. We are all totally blessed by coming to know this young lady, especially young Grace who now figures she has a new big sister. The bonding was completed at Valla Beach this year where we had a 'girly' day out checking out bridal gowns as well as material shops. Livi did a splendid job of sewing up a pair of pj pants ... another initiation test for entering into the Paris family. All systems go now for a garden wedding at Saumerez Homestead, Easter Saturday (if there is such a day?)this year. James Day is doing the photography and here is a link to the engagement shoot - a beautiful job, James.

She's Done It!!

What an amazing girl - raising over $5000 for the Bulrushes Babies Home in Kampala, Uganda. Ellie was inspired at the Colour Women's Conferance in April and since then has been plodding away with selling chocolates at school and a few businesses around town. She also did a couple of movie fund-raising nights and a coffee and desert night. I think the biggest challenge were the radio interviews. While she said that she could feel her legs trembling, her voice certainly didn't and she carried it very well. Anyhow, it is all finished - though we still have about 20 boxes of chocolates in her bedroom. The hair is growing quickly and the sense of satisfaction profound. Wonder what the next challenge will be? Maybe Year 11 will be enough for this year.