Friday, Friday...gotta get down on Friday!

It’s Friyay!

I think everyone loves Fridays! It is the end of the working week and the weekend is here!
So before I was a mummy, my favourite way to enjoy Friday was to just chill out at home after a day at work! I would sit on the couch and watch something. It usually was date night for me and hubby too. We would go have dinner somewhere and maybe catch a movie. It was wonderful!

But that was before our little boy came along! So our schedule has changed and I’m at home for the next 7 months or so! My Fridays look different. My favourite way to enjoy Friday is to do little photo shoots with my son. He was born on a Friday so we currently are doing weekly photo shoots.

We have these milestone blocks that I use in the photos and I worked out I can go up to 32 weeks. So I have 11 more weeks left of weekly photo shoots and then I will just do the monthly ones....which I also do on the 4th of every month. I’m going to miss doing them once he is past 32 weeks though so I may have to come up with some other way to enjoy my Fridays. I guess it could be the other thing we do currently...we to go to our local library for baby rhyme time. My son loves it and I get to get out of the house! At first it was just for me but now he totally gets in to it.  Here are the past 20 weeks. I’m yet to do today’s and I’m not sure what the theme will be...but enjoy and see how much he has grown in 20 weeks!

So what’s your favourite way to spend Fridays? What did you do today, if it is Friday when you read this? What makes it special? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you! 

Xoxo Maija

Growth

One way I would like to grow this year is by becoming less selfish and secretive. I often will keep snacks and things for myself and I would like to use this year to share more. I see it as a barrier in my relationship with my husband. I hide small things from him and want to be an open book with him. I think I hide these small things, like my plans for the day or a snack I’m about to eat, because I think he will laugh at or scold me. Which when I say that is ridiculous because I’m no longer a child.

And breathe...

Everyone gets stressed at times. Some are always wound up. But even the most chillaxed people get stressed at one point or another.
I am more towards the constant on edge kind of people. My mind is going constantly unless I’m asleep...and even then my subconscious is concocting dreams that are so bizarre they give me food for thought the next day!
So what is my favourite way to relax? Well I actually have a few ways. So I’m going to mention them here...

If I’m feeling stressed out and tense from a long day(s) at work I like to draw myself a bath (weird term...draw a bath.. lol), make it all bubbly and just breathe. I like this because being stuck in water for awhile I can’t do anything about my thoughts and the sensation of being surrounded by warm bubbly water distracts you and entices you to stay so long you begin to wrinkle.

If I’m super stressed and I’ve either got a lot of work to do (reports or marking) or I’ve jut done a heap of work I like to relax by getting a massage. Positive touch, dimmed rooms, gentle music and not being able to leave for at least half an hour is like the ingredients for the relaxation recipe.

My go to relaxer when I have no option but to get the work done but still need something to take the edge of stress off is to listen to music; either praise and worship or my favourites playlist.

So those are my favourite ways to relax. Comment your tips on staying relaxed!

Proud mumma

What I am most proud of currently is my son. My precious little baby is hitting milestone after milestone...and is so healthy! We have been having issues with his catnapping but after starting the save our sleep routine for his age group he is improving his day sleeps. God has greatly blessed us with him and I look forward to seeing him grow up and accomplish all that God has in store for him.

I now know what it feels like to be a mother and I’m thrilled with it! Regardless of the hard times and sacrifices you make having kids it is totally worth it!  Just look at his grin when he looks at me! Melts my heart every time!

A letter to my future self

Dear Future Maija,

Congratulations! You are a mum! Don’t forget how special that is! Past self (me) is enjoying caring for our son. Currently he is 1 month old! God has seriously blessed you! Go cuddle Joey now. Tell him you love him and That God loves him too. Motherhood is hard as you already probably know, but you are doing a great job and don’t give up.

If you’re not already you should be going  and doing some things for yourself. Light a candle, read a book, do one of your hobbies of sewing, baking or craft. Take some time to yourself!

Don’t forget your husband. Nathan needs your love and affection. You love him because he takes care of you, he loves your son and he is simply the best. So go and give him a hug and kiss him and tell him you love him.

 I hope the future is as good as it is at the moment but if it’s not do all the above and see how you go. Don’t forget God is always there for you. Pray and talk to him. God loves you.

Lots of love from your past self,

Maija

British Royal Family in Film

I like history. I like movies. I learn visually. Makes sense to learn about the history of the Royal family through film to me! 

Will and Kate: a modern day fairy tale (1 and 2)

The Queen 2006

Diana 2013

A Special Relationship 2010

The Iron Lady 2011

The Crown 2016

A royal night out 2015

Darkest Hour 2017

The King’s Speech 2010

The Four Feathers 2002

Mrs Brown 1997

Edward the Seventh 1975

The Young Victoria 2009

Lady Caroline Lamb 1972

Amazing Grace 2006

The Bounty 1984

The Duchess 2008

A Royal Affair 2012

Belle 2013

The Tale of Two Cities 1989

King of the Wind 1990

The First Churchill’s 1969

The Draughtsman’s Contract 1982

Charles II: The Power and the Passion 2003

The Devil’s Whore 2008

A Field in England 2013

Cromwell 1970

To Kill a King 2003

Elizabeth 1 2005

Elizabeth 1998

Elizabeth R 1971

The Virgin Queen 2005

Elizabeth: The Golden Age 2007

Lady Jane 1986

Gunpowder, Treason & Plot 2004

Young Bess 1953

The Other Boleyn Girl 2008

Anne of the Thousand Days 1969

The Tudors 2007-2010

Henry VIII 2003

Monarch 2000

Princes in the Tower 2005

The White Queen 2013

The Shadow of the Tower 1972

Tower of London 1962

Tower of London 1939

Richard III 1955

Henry V 1989

Richard the Second 1978

The Dark Avenger 1955

World without End 2012

Black Death 2010

Ironclad 2011

The Life and Death of King John 1984

Robin and Marian 1976

Robin Hood 2010

Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves 1991

The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938

Ivanhoe 1997

Richard the Lion-hearted 1992

The lion in Winter 2003

Becket 1964

The Devil’s Crown 1978

The Pillars of the Earth 2010

The Last Kingdom 2017

If Money didn't matter...

If money was no issue for me I would definitely have fewer worries.
I would be doing what I wanted to do instead of had to do. I would be free to follow my passions and dreams. But I feel that having money does keep you in check of your behaviour. It curbs you to work; to make things worthwhile.

5 Years Time

Before I look forward to where I want to be in 5 Years time, let's take a look at the last 5 years.

2013.
-I became engaged in February
-My dad had a heart attack and bypass surgery and survived
-I graduated University
-My brother graduated from school too

2014.
-I worked at a school campsite for a term
- got my first teaching job (presently still there)
- married the love of my life
-moved out of my parents home
-my father broke his leg before the wedding!

2015.
-moved away from the Sunshine Coast
- my nephew was born; became an Aunty for the first time!
- bought a new(ish) car
-drove all the way to SA from QLD!
-turned 25!

2016.
- had an ectopic pregnancy
-hosted Christmas at our place

2017.
- went to Japan!
- had a miscarriage
- found a new church family locally
-my sister got married! gained a brother!

So looking back at my last 5 years I see some wonderful memories and some horrible ones too. Life is certainly full of ups and downs!
The next 5 years I will go into my 30s! Ever since I was little I have associated 30 year olds as parents. My parents were in their 30s when they had me and so I expect in the next 5 years I will become a mother. I also expect that in 5 years time I will be saving towards buying our own home. Probably be no where near affording it but at least putting money aside for it!
Most importantly I hope that in 5 years time I will have grown closer to God and my husband. Those two relationships are so essential to my survival! Whatever horribleness that may come my way I know I can get through it with them!

So here's to my next 5 years! May they be filled with love, joy, peace and prosperity!

Broken Rules

Recently, my husband and I watched 'Arrested Development'. Every episode contains entertaining characters who tend to break the rules to get what they want.
As a teacher, I am all about rules of course. My students must abide by the rules in order for our class to not be complete chaos...which Arrested Development tends to always have!
By nature I am a rule follower and very much dislike it when I have been found to break a rule as usually I am not aware of this rule or like everyone else I just plain don't like being found out! lol.
It may not be the last time I broke the rules but it is the last time that was most memorable.
Playing a game against Nathan we got near to the end of the game and Nathan was about to win. It depended on a choice that Nathan made. He wanted a particular choice which would lead him to  win but I persuaded him to choice a different option which then lead me coincidentally to win. I should have let him to make his choice and accept that he was going to win but I truly wanted to see what would happen if we went the other way.
I will never live this down as Nathan always reminds me when we play a game together. Learnt my lesson to mind the rules in games...at least when with Nathan! ;)

My day described in 5 words

GOOD

FRIDAY

SWEET

CHOCOLATE

RELAXING

6 Favourite Things About My Town

When I think of where I live,  I think about how I never imagined I would live here. See, the place I live isn't known for a great reputation, in fact it is know as one of the worst places to live in Queensland. And the place I moved from is about half an hours drive north and is known as one of the best places to be in Queensland.
It is a place with a high crime rate and many people who move here don't stay long. But if you are born here it seems they never leave. I have lived here for just over two years now and I actually have come to like the place I live in. Although in saying that I live on the outskirt and northern side of the town where it isn't too bad for the crime and horribleness. I can see the local government are trying to improve things in the area to make it more welcoming and I think it's working to a degree.
So here is a list of all the things I like about living in my town:
1. The library - it is newer than the ones from the town I came from and much nicer to be in.
2. The local park - although it sometimes needs a good clean up, the park is beautifully laid out, with duck ponds and many walkways.
3. Our medical centre/gym - I haven't heard of a medical centre with a gym attached to it before, I love going with the peace of mind knowing there are medical staff on hand when something goes wrong.
4. Factory Outlet - There is a certain company's factory outlet in our town and it is awesome cause we get great deals on their products!
5. Closeness to the Highway - I used to be about 10 minutes away from the highway, now only 3! It is great to be close so we can head north, south, east or west!
6. Farmers Markets - Every Sunday we have farmers markets about a 3 minute drive away. I would walk but it is on the other side of the train tracks that are nearby. These are great for produce or household items!

So I want to hear about your town, what are some of the favourite things about your town?

I believe...

This is what I believe in:


1. I believe there is only one true God and He is a triune God (God the Father, God the Son Jesus and God the Holy Spirit). I believe that the Father sent His Son to earth, to save us from our sin and from the evil one. I believe that this one true God was the one to create our whole world and universe. He is a miracle worker, a creator and an amazing friend! He loves me so much, just as much as he loves you!

2. I believe that everyone has good in them. We all have the ability to love and that is because God created us in His image, an image of love.

3. I believe that God has a plan for me. I trust in Him that my life will be wonderful because he is guiding me to everlasting life.

I'm trying to think of other things I believe in, but to be honest after those three things everything is moot and insignificant!

Let me know what you believe in, in the comments!! Would love to hear from you!

TRAAAA...DITION!!!

If that title didn't put in your head the song from 'Fiddler on the Roof' than go find a copy and watch this beloved musical so you do!!! 

So the question on my mind at the moment, leading up to Christmas and every year around this time, is 'What tradition do I want to have with my family'?

Coming from a very conservative Finnish and close Australian family, traditions are integral to life. You could almost say family is built on traditions. The fondest memories I have with my family are those of times we were upholding our traditions. Traditions like the birthday person choices the cake flavour and choice of meal for their birthday dinner or opening gifts on Christmas eve instead of Christmas day. Putting up the Christmas tree early is one of my favourites, along with our special Christmas eve nights. 

The ones I can see my own family having are the opening gifts on Christmas eve and having a special sit-down dinner. I would like to also make it a tradition to have an advent calendar each December, which we focus on the Christmas story with.

My husband's family tradition is that everyone gets to put in their order of their favourite foods for Christmas lunch/dinner. They also open gifts on Christmas eve. 

So what tradition(s) do you have in your family? Tell me in the comments! Would love to hear from my readers!

Bad Habits

For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23

Thankfully God forgives our sins when we ask and we then can receive his mercy. 

But seriously we all have faults and have sinned. I see bad habits as continual happenings of a certain sin. My bad habit is involving the sin of greed. My weight does not disguise this sin. I know of this sin and regularly ask for forgiveness for it. I'm working on being so greedy and glutinous but it is a long journey and I have my ups and downs, just as everyone has problems with giving up their own bad habits. 

I can see this habit developed when I was young, being told from a young age to eat what is put in front of you and then growing up in a family that enjoys socialising with lots of food around did well to develop this into a habit of eating lots of food. I enjoy food and am blessed with plenty of money so I can afford plenty of food. I hope to retrain my brain to add in the concept of enjoy food but less of it, only enough to be healthy and not overweight. 

So what's your bad habit? Are you open enough to yourself to admit and confront your bad habit? Self-improvement comes through admitting something is not right and then doing something to change it for the better.   

What I'm REALLY good at

I asked my husband what I'm really good at because right now I can't think of anything I'm good because I feeling down and out.
His response was:

- Your job
- taking care of people
- keeping the house looking good
- cooking
- making people laugh
- kissing and hugging
- waking up and looking beautiful 5 seconds later
He finished with, 'Honestly, you are good at a lot of things!'

Very flattering and loving of him to say those things. I also can agree I am good at those things. Well almost all those things.

Right now thinking is difficult for me. I have known I've been pregnant for the last 11 weeks. Yesterday, my husband and I found out our little one has no longer got a heart beat and has grown past the 7 week size. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly until yesterday morning when I woke up to find my underwear the wrong colour.
This coming after last year's ectopic pregnancy. You would think that this would just break me. Well it hasn't. I don't know how but I am at peace and of course upset but somewhere in my mind I have this reassurance that God has a plan and He knows what He is doing.
I know that I will one day have at least one child. I don't know when but I will.
That is reassuring to me.
Now I suppose after writing this and forcing myself to think, I can realise that something I am really good at is, trusting God.
I hope I never lose the ability to do any of those wonderful things I am really good at. They all help me to pick myself up again after a tumble.

My Dream Job

I think my dream job would have to be a librarian...sounds a bit boring but it is what I love!
Organisation. Books. Quiet. Structure.

I loved spending my lunchtimes in the library when I was at school. I found it a comfortable and welcoming place.
Now that I'm a teacher, I only need one and a half more years of teaching experience before I can go train to be a 'Teacher Librarian'!
This will combine my current job with my dream!

When I was in Year 6 I wanted to be a missionary. I still feel passionate to give to missions but I know it isn't where God has led me to be....yet.

My mission in life is to show God's love to children and I can do that through teaching and I hope to one day do that through the books and service that I provide in a library.

So what's your dream job?

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Like Dorothy was afraid of lions, tigers and bears...I am afraid of a few things.

Being physically alone in the unknown darkness. I do not like to be left alone in the dark as I have watched too many scary films and scenes where it is out of darkness the scary happen.

Spiders. Only if they are on me though. They are all nice and peacefully a good metre away from me but if they begin crawling towards me suddenly then I freak and panic!

Crashing my car. I am constantly on edge while driving and it is often I think about what may happen if I suddenly drift onto the wrong side of the road or off the road/bridge.

Rest assured I am a safe driver and I think of this as a healthy fear to stop me from doing anything reckless.


But despite these fears I am comforted in the knowledge that God is with me wherever I go. He is in the darkness and created those little creepy crawlies (for knows what reason!) and he is with me while I drive.

So what are you fears?

My Best Friends

I have a small circle of best friends and I'm sure everyone does but I reckon mine are the best! :P

So roll call! Her are my besties and why I love them!

Nathan - My hubby who loves me and understands me! He always has time for me and listens to what I say.

Steph - One of my oldest best friends. We have been friends for over 13 years! We get each other and enjoy doing similar things like crocheting and watching Chick Flicks! I remember fan girling over 'Kind Peter' in the Narnia movies together. Also we love shopping together!

Joanne - Married to my husband's best friend and totally awesome! We love doing crafts, baking and reading together. Part of a book club together and love catching up!

Kaisa - Missing this gal heaps because she is so far away in Hong Kong! Also one of my oldest best friends. Met around the same time as Steph. We are both teachers and love our Finnish heritage! Kai taught me to love dancing!

Emily - went through uni together and I miss her heaps as she lives in country QLD. She has a great faith and always keeps praying for those around her. She loves to sing and play guitar. Love to hear her sing. She was there for me when I was grieving, I wish I could be closer in this season when she is.

So why do you love your best friends? What makes them awesome?

Favourite Books

Books are a wonderful part of being a human! Think about it. We get to read what others have creatively written for entertainment and enjoyment.
My favourite books and why I love them are as follows:

The Bible - I hope to read it in its entirety before I die. If I had to hazard a guess i think I have read about 40-50% of it. So many wise words! I have full faith in God and His word. I know it sounds crazy to love a book that you haven't read entirely but I just do.

Bookends - I love the relationship between the main characters. A true love story.

Books by Jodi Picoult - She truly does her research on the main topic of her books and varies her narratives. Very interesting reads.

My Free time

I love routine and I have a 'timetable' for my personal life as well as my work life.
So naturally for me I schedule in my free time as well.

I rotate through my list of free time activities so I never get bored of the different things I like to do.

Here is my list of activities:

• challenge (On pinterest I have a board of 'challenges' I could do when I'm bored, my current challenge is to do blog posts on 52 topics. This is actually what I'm currently doing for free time!)
• work (This means I complete some task for work when I'm at home. I try not to bring work home with me but sometimes it is helpful to get something done in my free time.)
• craft (I have many craft projects and this means I get to work on them)
• bake (I love baking, and baking for others is always great!)
• pamper (This means I get to do a facial or anything else that I feel will pamper me)
• game (Play a boardgame or videogame by myself or with Nathan!)
• TV show (watch some more of our current favourite TV show)
• gardening (potter around my pot plant garden!)
• colouring in (get to complete one of my adult colouring pages I have.)
• exercise (get moving!)
• bath (enjoying a luxurious bath time is so relaxing!)
• movie (watch a movie at home)
• nails (I love doing my nails with Jamberry or nail polish!)
• nap (because why not?!)
• listen to music (and dance!)
• write a letter (I love writing letters to others. It's so nice to receive a written note/letter because it means someone took the time to sit and hand write to you.)
• call a friend (catch up with someone I haven't spoken to in awhile)
• candles (light a candle and relax!)
• read (I always have a book I'm reading, especially because I am part of a book club!)
• cuppa (and the last of the list but by far my favourite! Have a cup of tea!)

Today in my free time I read and had some ice tea (T2's Apple Crumble) and I watched 'Frozen'. 

So what do you do in your free time?