Home Sweet Home

My girls got home last night and it is so nice to have them back - lots of excitement and chatter as I am told all the news and the highlights - again and again:)
I couldn't stand all the washing so i stayed up to 1am to wash everything, including the shoes they took with and their sleeping bags - now all is back to normal - clean!!!
Downloaded all the photos they took, some sweet, some very random - teenagers:)
So I had to pop out for a mini grocery shop this morn too, as according to my girls, there is 'nothing that they eat in the house' and so we are all happy again:) they are lying in front of the tellie, catching up on all their stories that they missed while they were away - I want to quickly work a little on my December Daily and then I think i will have run out of excuses and might well have to study a little:(
Chat soon
Love Helen:)

Missing my girls...

.... even though its just been 3 days and 3 nights - I am missing my girls terribly. I have spoken to them on the phone but the signal is so bad that the conversations were only made up of broken words and 'pardon' 'can't hear you' etc. Anyway, the sms system works better but I only seem to get news early in the morning or late at night - they are having a great time, its just the heat that seems to be hectic, but they seem to be getting a lot of swimming done too. They travel home tomorrow after lunch and will be back in Roodepoort around 9pm?? Can't wait to see them and hear all the news in detail. Michelle, Mercia and myself had a study session yesterday, but didn't actually get to the studying - we had copious amounts of coffee and worked out all the things we have to study with a timeline - now i have to actually just sit down and start with the studying, but there always seems to be something else that has to be done - enough complaining. My dear friend Juliet is coming for tea tomorrow morn, and then we can catch up on all our news.
Next week, I have to finalise my Christmas shopping and luckily my girls can do the wrapping for me - which reminds me - while they were on camp, my Hubby and I bought their Christmas gifts, wrapped and hid them away. Can't say what they are in case my girls check out my blog - hee hee:)
Chat soon
Love Helen:)

A lovely Sunday .......

........ with a lovely lunch. Visited with our friends Henk and Hayley in Pretoria, and Hayley went to so much trouble today with lunch. She made us a lovey Lasagne with a delicious cabbage salad. Her daughter, Rachel baked us a yummy apple pudding, which we had with custard. Many mugs of tea and coffee later, we took some Christmas pics for our Christmas albums. Seeing as my daughters are on camp, Rachel spent the afternoon chatting to Hayley and I. This doesn't happen often as normally the girls are off together doing their thing. So, it was lovely to have some time with her to "share" - it made me realise how quickly she is growing up too:) Tomorrow she leaves on her own summer camp too, so I'm sure Hayley will be missing her chatterings:) Angelique has been texting me regularly and all is well with the girls at camp and sounds like they are all having fun:) Now, off to do some washing:(

Chat soon
Love Helen:)

Off to Summer Camp!

What life and vigour a whole group of teenagers can display at 4.30 in the morning. Sigh!! The joy of youth and the carefree days of teen years - a blessing indeed:) Well, the girls are off on the much anticipated Summer Camp and excitement is running high. We had all the kids up by 4.30am, dressed, sleeping bags packed, eating chocolate croissants and drinking tea by 5.00am. Cars packed, teeth brushed, last loo round and on our way be 5.30am, only to wait for the buses to finally depart by 7.45am. Nevertheless, all round excitement. My hubby prayed for the bus drivers, I prayed for the children and I'm sure most of the other mothers did too. Now, I trust they will have an unforgettable amazing experience on this camp and that it will draw them closer to God:) Back at home, tidying up and packing the dishwasher, I realise how quiet it is without the girls at home. No word from them yet, but seeing as the bus trip is 8 hours long, I'm sure i will at least get an sms or two before they arrive.
Back to tidying up now and maybe I could fit in a wee time to work on my Christmas album.
Off to have lunch at my dear friend Hayley tomorrow, so hoping I will have something to take with to show her - hmmm, wonder how her Christmas Album is shaping up?
Have a peaceful weekend and chat soon, love:)

Busy, busy, busy - another busy morning running around getting all the last things that the girls need to pack for Summer Camp.... Well, in between all of that, I have managed to get all my Christmas cards, written, decorated, stamped and posted - Phew!! Glad I managed to complete that little task as I needed my eldest daughters help - she had to check names, addresses, paste stickers, etc.
Tonight the girls go to their last Youth session for the year and then I will be having 8 teenagers sleeping over here tonight as they all need lifts in the morning to the buses - I'm way happy to do that - as i get a few days peace - however, my dear friend Kim, the youth leader, will be travelling with 22 young people and spending the next 5 days with them - literally day and night. She needs an award of sorts - I'm sure!!
Have a listen to my Christmas music on my playlist - don't Christmas Carols just put one in the mood for Christmas and at the same time bring back such warm Christmas memories? I love Christmas music:)

Blessings 'til we chat again:)

Well, the last couple of weeks have just flown by and we still don't seem to be slowing down. Well, first some awesome news - our eldest daughter was made Headgirl of her school - we are so proud of her, and trust that she will be able to fulfill her many duties with pride and efficiency:) She also received an Academic scroll for having maintained 4 distinctions throughout the year in English, Afrikaans, Biology and Maths Literacy - Way to go girl! - you deserve your reward for your hard work - We are so proud of you:) Our youngest daughter has also achieved so well and we are just as proud of you sweetie - Coming back into a very academic school, she has achieved so well - Well done girl - you rock!! Well, the girls are on holiday, but are preparing to leave for Summer Camp with their Youth group on Saturday, so we have been doing Highlights, pedicures, costume shopping, shorts and t-shirt shopping, shoe shopping and did I mention shopping!!!! Girls, girls girls:)