NaMissy!

Sorry but its been awhile since I was here. The truth is, I haven’t known what to write about that could possible be worthy of your time reading my blog. The thought of Nahlas 6 month milestones, & our new & cute residence did cross my mind once or twice. I then thought about joining the cooking bloggers in showing you some of my latest and greatest kitchen-wins. But I started to ponder about what I really wanted to share - & I came up with this.

Meet NaMissy ... a forging young friendship that I watch over, ponder on and laugh at, throughout the course of my day. Firstly, let me comment on this image, one that received quite a lot of interest. If you think that this was carefully sculpted & timely captured, think again. Watch on ... (scuse the blur factor)

 

So calm. So chilled.

These two furry tops do not exactly ooze intellectual stimulation or conversation during this at-home stage of mine. But what they do bring, is a pure innocence & stress-less vibe to my surrounding, that says “Let’s focus on right now” - & for this present tired body & brain of mine - it’s been a beautiful thing!

I thought at first, the older furry one would be a nuisance & simply put, an extra chore. But her new day-time-security-job means she spends her days "busy" laying, sitting and being walked all over by a little 8kg helmet-head who loves nothing more than to suck fervently on the TV remote control.

Although the days are numbered where the IQ level of these two remains somewhat similar, the pleasure of these two companions continues to calm and medicate my soul; & teaches me that love is a universal language for all creatures great and small.

Lastly, a shout out goes to another hairy head who is mostly responsible for this relaxed and doll-like version of Missy in which allows her to do her job. This one I speak of wakes up with the alarm of seagulls every morning at 5am (literally the alarm type is named ‘seaside’) to walk, tire out & ultimately love on our four-legged family member. If it weren’t for him, this friendship might not be as well formed. Thanks husband & pack-leader Nath ;)

Nomes xo 

P.s. I do apologise if reading this was not worthy of your time.  

Its the small things

Last time I was here - this blog space printed words of anixety and despair ... whilst waiting for the news regarding my dear Mum. But I'm now here to turn those words upside down with a prognosis that says heres the best case scenario - my mummas cancer has not spread!

Although still a journey of successful surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and, at times, emotional agitation - her scenario is as bright as can be. Still, we continue to grip onto Jesus whilst in humility we say thanks.

I am still yet to hug my Mum who presently still waits and resides in Adelaide. Tomorrow we will hear the doctors orders of therapy and we hope this will suggest that she starts in a few weeks which can see her return to Jakarta to tie up a few loose ends.

But as I look back over these days that have shaken up my world & twisted my perspective - I am left with a few sharing thoughts.

During the week in which I was waiting to hear of what was to be of my Mum - a simple sentence was playing in my head. It's the small things that will fill your heart with joy. The little pleasures. The simple miracles. The silent whisper of God that says "I'm here. Cling onto me". But I didn't find this joy whilst trying on the latest, branded pair of jeans; or in that oversized metalic lantern that I so desperately wanted to sit in my house.

But instead, I heard His silent and calming whisper through the feel of Nahlas chest raise for breath, whilst sleeping deep on my chest.

Through the freshness and smell of some newly bunched flowers.

And in the smile of these precious little people, that presently live in Jakartas largest dump site (thats a blog for another time)

It was small ways like these that I felt God hug me; and illustrate that He loves, He's there and He cares what I'm going through.

Despite getting good news from the doctors relating to my Mums prognosis, I have been trying to hold onto these humble and personal thoughts that reminds me that God often shows up in the small things - in the "small" King David; & in the "small" food trough that little Jesus once lay. It's these small things that reminds me how big He is.

In conclusion - I want to thank you for your prayers, thoughts, messages and emails. We are genuinely grateful & appreciate that you care.

See you on here again soon,

Nomes x

Fighting a battle we did not choose

It is with a desperately heavy heart, I write these words – My precious Mum has cancer. Her 16 year ago breast cancer has reared its ugly head again, & on finding out last Friday evening - we are now all fighting a battle that we did not choose.   

I’ve been anxiously grappling with the idea to write this blog – knowing that by writing these words, my grief in this moment will accelerate by somehow making this reality real. But I choose to share this news in order to gather my thoughts, inform those I know and love, & encourage friends near and far to collaborate & pray for my dearest mum.

My Dad has left today to go be with her in Adelaide where she will undergo various tests and scans this week to determine a prognosis. My sisters remain there presently & are looking after her so beautifully. And although my heart is sick with longing to be with them and with her - it is calming knowing she is so well loved and gently cared for.

At this point, in my thought process I am struggling to mentally manage anything that goes beyond an ‘over 1cm’ localised lump in her breast. We are desperately hoping for only this and talking to Jesus about a full and complete healing through surgery and treatment. But also the battle exists in enabling my thought-box to engage in a conversation with the Holy Spirit that is much louder than the conversation with the opposition (a word from Nath). Please pray this for us all.

We will know all detail this Friday after scans ... So the test comes as we humbly wait and try to work on our trust muscle whilst petitioning to our all-encompassing, all-powerful God who created all things & loves us more than the mind can fathom.

I wanna end by sharing with you a song that has continued to speak volumes to me. The title and lyrics reminds me that in allowing these battles to occur .... He still remains ever present .... And not only that - He takes the ruins of our lives, and makes them beautiful!

Love Naomi

Please note: If the above link did not work - see it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkUuA0IBE3k

One month on

Today our newest Nahla Mae turns one month old. O happy day of birth!

I’m all too aware of the fact that sometimes baby milestones and photos can mean more to the people sending them through, than the people receiving. But Nath did promise you this particular update, so for those who care, here she is.

 

So this little person of ours seems to be doing all the normal things – that is, drinking plenty, crying much, excreting hourly, & keeping her Mummy & Daddy tired! But we are enormously grateful to be a family all in one piece; and as we slowly learn and patiently transition into this new life – we remain completely overjoyed by this gift of life.

With a speedy three and a half hour entrance into this world, we were just so chuffed to meet her. So as the 27th day of the month rolls around again, we look beyond to the many more of these to come.

Welcome to our world little Nahla Mae! We love you.

xo

A note of thanks!

Hello friends and family in blog land! This is Nath.

It has been an eventful few months of which we will probably never experience again. It has included our family spending large chunks of time a part; moving house; giving birth to a new baby in a city we were visiting; and of course the usual craziness of what happens in Asia!

Nomes left Jakarta and ventured back to Adelaide just before school finished. This was due to airline regulations about flying pregnant. She flew out heavily pregnant from the beautiful Indonesian climate straight back into a cold Adelaide winter. We were supported by a number of people during our time in Adelaide. The support of these folk was crucial in allowing us to cope - & to give birth.

Many people helped us during this time and we are truly grateful. So, we would like to take the time to thank a few individually by name, for their geneorosity.

Thank you firstly to Bec and Hamilton for their constant support, their tasty meals, and for housing Nomes when she first arrived back.

Thank you to Sarah for allowing Nomes and I to stay in your place both whilst you were away, and also briefly whilst you were there.

Thank you to Ben and Megan for giving us your house during the last week of pregnancy. You purposely went on a holiday to avail your house to us during this tricky phase of the pregnancy journey. This was incredibly generous and thoughtful of you. Which to people who know you well, doesn’t come as a surprise!

To Neil and Lea - thank you for allowing us to float in and out of your house as we needed to. Your flexibility with us was much appreciated and your willingness to work around us, post baby, was incredibly helpful.

And to Nick and Robyn, who are and have been a constant support to us near and far.

We also really needed to be able to move around the city on our return and three key groups of people came to our rescue with their generous gift of a car.

This thanks goes firstly to Sarah for allowing us to use your little sky blue bug whilst you were away. Sam and Matt - your little black Mazda was vitally important to us coping with an otherwise tricky time. And finally to Bec Secombe’s mum Susan. Your white station wagon was a God send towards the end of our time in Adelaide. It competently drove us to the hospital in the later stages of labour, and was the car that brought our little one home from hospital again.

We won’t lie to you – this time has been tough - especially being in a place that we have come from, but  presently do not consider home. However, the people mentioned above made a rather difficult time, more easier; so to these greatly generous guys, we are truly thankful!

To brighten up this space, I’ll end with a sneak preview of our next blog.

Please be introduced to our Nahla Mae Berry.

Happy ten years!

Tomorrow on the tenth day of July, Nath and I celebrate ten years of marriage - TEN SOLID YEARS! That may seem long to some, & short to others. To me .. I deem it worthy of this blog.

I'm not writing in this space to espouse all my wordy marital wisdom as if I have we've got it all sorted and there's nothing left to learn. In fact, it's quite the opposite. But if there's one thing I know, it's that this specific date is not worth remembering due to my ivory dress or the pretty bonbonnieres. It's more so a proud personal celebration because of the seasons of joy, and moments of sadness and madness we've ventured through together, hand in hand. It's about the gradual, continuous journey that we are on, trying (unsuccessfully at times) to put each other first as we slowly become more like Him.

So, I'm purposely avoiding showing you captures of my straight-ironed fringe and pretty pointy shoes that walked me down the aisle. Instead, here is a glimpse of moments of our life and living together .... since the day we said "I do".

Happy ten years to my precious friend and my greatest earthly treasure. To my God for this man, I say thank you!

Love Nomes xo

Oh baby Oh baby!!

So we’re havin a baby! 30+ years of living and nearly ten years of marriage ... we thought it was about time! 

I am presently 26 weeks ... so well over half way. Of course we feel especially thrilled at the prospect of our very first baby-Berry - but, in all honesty, I'm finding this pregnancy thing not a whole lot of fun. I feel this body of mine now has a mind of its own. It grows in any direction it wants; frowns at usually-consumed foods; and decides to cry, laugh or anger itself at a drop of a hat. Anyone would think it has been taken over by someone else ;)

For Nath, well up until recently, it’s been business as usual. He found it slightly difficult to appreciate what was going on in my bod - except to suggest, at one point, that maybe (just maybe) the ‘morning sickness’ affair was a part of a “world wide female’ conspiracy”! However, after realising that the tummy fluttering and stirring was not solely a bad case of diarrhoea .... he was able to 'feel' a little more connected to the wriggling one.   

In recent days, we’ve seen our little person moving and grooving on the Doc’s scanning screen, showing up a four-dimensional smile, hiccup and yawn.  Needless to say, the expecting father's interest reached a new height at this point, and we were delivered the unforseen news that this little berry-baby is in fact a pink one.

So, for those who care and want to know more - we’ve a plan to come home to Oz to birth this little bub. I’ll be flying back early June; driving out this baby late July; and hopefully returning to Jak-city, all babied-up, a few weeks later. Nath has to dash off to start his new role at a slightly different school early August, so we’re sincerely praying that my genes are nothing to go by, and this baby delivers within good time.

I apologise to those who have been fervently requesting baby bump pics. I feel I should send one through due to being an overseas dweller ... so here it is ... all “glowing” and growing:

Thanks for those who have supported and shown interest close and far. We look forward to telling you more about our bubbling Berry baby in weeks and months to come.

Bye for now,

Nomes xo