Saturday, December 31, 2016

Celebrations











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Miss E's graduation from college/uni was the reason for my journey to Sydney (see previous three posts). Tuesday 13th December was an exceptionally hot summer day (and night), as had been forecast, so we were very pleased the graduation venue was air conditioned. Master J and his fiancé J, drove six hours that morning to be present for this special occasion. It was also the first opportunity J had had to meet Miss E.

I was very grateful to be able to attend yet a little sad that my husband wasn't well enough to make the trip too. Having several of our children there made it a mini family reunion, memorable for many reasons.

A couple of days later Miss O and I left Miss E's girls' share house and made the 10+ hour train trip home. Our few days in Sydney had been filled with meaningful sight seeing, family times, special events and appreciating the company of many of Miss E's wonderful friends.

Before we knew it Christmas was upon us and for the first time since last Christmas we had all eight children home again - definitely a time to take a family photo! Family, faith, food, fun and cricket were all part of the day!

Last but not least, this week has seen Miss V celebrate her 13th birthday - and one of the gifts from her siblings was a mini indoor cricket set!!! Once more we will enter the New Year with five teenagers in the family - each and every one of them a treasure!

May we each be able to look back on 2016 with grateful hearts for the many blessings we have have enjoyed and face the coming year with hope, peace, expectation and trust.

11 comments:

chica said...

Parabéns pelos lindos e importantes momentos... Feliz 2017 e tuuuuuuuuuuuudo de bom nele! bjs, chica

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Congrats for Miss E's graduation! What an exciting moment.

I loved the family photo of all of you!

May 2017 be a wonderful year in all areas of your lives.

Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

Giga said...

Congratulations to Miss E. This day is important to her and joyful for parents. Joy to look at the whole family at the Christmas table. These 2017 years will be all happy!

Justyna Żukowska said...

Happy and wonderful for you and your family too! What a nice summer is in your country :-)

Joyful said...

You have been through some busy and exciting time. You have a large, and LOVELY family. How blessed your children are to have such wonderful parents who in turn raised such fine children. So sorry your husband could not join you but glad to know you made the best of it. Congratulations to Miss E on achieving a significant milestone in her life. She will no doubt look back on those years of work with very fond memories. Happy New Year to you!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Thank you so much for your kind words Joyful. Yes, we do count our blessings frequently, especially the blessings of family. Miss E does indeed have many fond memories of her study time and is very pleased to be continuing at the city campus for an honours year in 2017.

O'Quilts said...

A lovely peaceful happy post...It is nice to see folks enjoy their families

diane b said...

Gosh it doesn't seem that long ago since Miss E left home to study in Sydney. Congrats to her and you for raising such a wonderful family and caring for a sick husband. I hope the New Year will bring you more joy.

Preeti said...

What a wonderful time of celebration! Congratulations to Miss E!! May your year be ever blessed and enriched with peace that passeth all understanding. Much love to you and your family xx

Cathy said...

Hello Karen,

Oh, how I am smiling as I look through your lovely photos. To see you and your beautiful family enjoying things together. And to see you are still beholding nature through the lens of your camera, and you are still sewing the most magnificent quilts.

I do miss blogging and reading your blog. It is just a grace moment when I can.

Jeanne said...

Looks as if your family had a wonderful Christmas, and congratulations to your beautiful daughter on her graduation. How amazing to see your children as they grow. Such a tribute to your mothering!

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