As I was lying in bed this morning, I was feeling really grateful to be able to linger a little bit longer in bed today (I love a good sleep-in). I was especially grateful, because sleep-ins on Saturday mornings, have only been a recent occurence. I wonder if you can relate to my thoughts on the evolution of a Saturday morning. I wonder which stage you are in at the moment?

Unpredictable: Your baby can either wake up wide awake at 3am OR 10am!

Full on: Your toddler wakes up early and rearing to go (no matter what time you put them to bed!) They are hungry, and they want a playmate.

Risky: Your young child can occupy themselves, they can even pour their own milk BUT they may occupy themselves by making it snow over their lego….using flour! They can pour their own milk, but only half of it actually makes it into the bowl, the other half ends up on the bench. Therefore, you need to think long and hard whether having a sleep-in, is worth it.

Easier: Your child wakes up and gets so involved in playing, reading or watching TV, that they completely forget about eating breakfast. When they do remember, they quickly fix themselves some cereal and return to playing.

You get somewhat of a sleep-in (between all the visits for cuddles, questions, and requests for arbitration). You happily take what you can get, even if do get greeted by cereal boxes, milk cartons and dirty bowls on the kitchen bench when you get up.

Busy: Forget about a sleep-in, there are water bottles to be filled, snacks to be packed, sports uniforms to be found and birthday presents to wrap. Even if there was a slight chance of a sleep-in that morning, you know that you were lying there, wide awake, trying to figure out how to get everyone to their destinations on time!

Not the same: You have an opportunity to go away with your husband….overnight!! You joke with your husband that it will be great to sleep-in, and not have to worry about anything!! In reality, you spend your “sleep-in” missing the kids, and wondering what they are up to…awwwww

Oh, and I thought I would share this: (click on it to read the words! too cute!!)

Yup, today, I felt like I received a much needed virtual kick in the bum (in a loving and kind way *grin*), when I read the post “If you’ve lost your blogging mojo” by Simone at Greatfun4kids.

I have not blogged much, I have used the excuses mentioned in the post, about not having enough time, lost inspiration, and basically getting busy with “real” life.

I also have kept this blog a place where I primarily share things that are uplifting, and hopefully useful.

Does anyone really want to read about how busy life has been?

Life has started slowing down a bit now. I am on Day Two of life without a preschooler at home.

That’s right, my youngest started school yesterday.

When I picked her up from school, she said she had a “great day”!! Which is music to a mother’s ears. She is sad about being dropped off, but I know that it will work itself out, just like it did with her siblings who didn’t know a soul in their new entrants class.

Speaking of siblings, my oldest daughter left primary school last year, and is now a uniform-wearing intermediate student. She has blossomed into a beautiful and capable young girl. This was the same girl who hated me leaving, when she first started school. Now she gives everything a go and is just amazing.

I think that one of the greatest gifts that the past years of motherhood has given me, is the understanding that there are many seasons in motherhood and life. That you rarely stay in one season forever, and that it is always changing. And as you pass through a particularly hard season, you then become better equipped to help others pass through theirs. It’s beautiful…

As a blogger, I respect the readers time, and I try to write in a way that does not waste your time…..but perhaps that expectation that I have put on myself, has meant that I have left out, or neglected the other voices that want to be written. So I know that as I write, I will be having a little tug of war within myself as I fight against my expectations. So, here it goes…I am purposely posting a post WITHOUT a photo, just to stick it to my old expectation and to prove to myself, that I can do things differently, and the world won’t fall apart!

**hugs & kisses to you all**

Guess what? My friend, Leilani Rorani has taken part in the “I’m A Mormon” video series. She’s done such a great job! She shares her highs and lows, and what helped her get through them.

Leilani is one of the most down to earth people I know, and such a lovely person. I’m so proud of her!

(Fellow blogger, Shawni from 71 Toes has a video as well. You can see it here)

Hello my poor wee neglected blog…

Gosh, it’s been a while, but then again, time seems to be whizzing by lately.

Life has been really full with things that ‘need’ to be done (house stuff, Playcentre stuff, etc etc) as well as lots of fun things like meeting up with friends and family (two words: chocolate buffet! yum!) and trips to the beach.

I have a new calling/position at church. I am part of the Relief Society Presidency in our ward/congregation. (The Relief Society is the women’s organisation of our church.) I feel really good about this calling, and really excited about it!

I’m looking forward to the next 2 weeks. A break from school/drops offs/pick ups and hurried pace of life.

Has anyone else started thinking about Christmas?? 2 of my kids are born in November, so I have birthdays on my brain. (PS if you have already finished ALL your Christmas shopping, please lie to me and tell me you haven’t started! hehehe)

My sister-in-law sent me a text the other day:

Woohooo!

For us Kiwis…who remembers this ad? (and who actually tried to memorise the words?!?!)

Ok…I’m off to Maccas, to buy a KiwiBurger **happy dance**

Do you have a unique burger where you live? Here are some other McDonald Burgers that I found:

source: www.tikifish.com/titlepage.html

McDonald’s Canada

Cheese, vegetable, pepperoni and deluxe pizza

Poutine (available only in Quebec)

McDonald’s Thailand

Samurai Pork Burger – A sandwich marinated with teriyaki sauce.

Sweet Corn Pie

McDonald’s New Zealand

Kiwiburger – A hamburger with a fried egg and slice of beet

McDonald’s India

Maharaja Mac
“two all lamb patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”

Veggie nuggets (with masala and chili dipping sauces)

McDonald’s Netherlands

McKroket
100% beef ragout with a crispy layer around it. It’s topped with a fresh mustard/mayonnaise sauce.

McDonald’s Philippines

McSpaghetti – Pasta in a sauce with frankfurter bits

McDonald’s Uruguay

McHuevo – A hamburger with a poached egg on top

McDonald’s Paraguay

McMacos

McFilet

McFiesta

McDonald’s Italy

Vegetariana Salad
with lettuce, corn, olives, carrots, cherry tomatoes and more.

Marinara Salad
with shrimps and salmon in fresh lettuce.

Mediterranea Salad
with cheese and olives

Fiordiriso Salad
with rice, tuna, ham and mushrooms.

McDonald’s Hong Kong

Curry Potato Pie

Red Bean Sundae

Shake Shake Fries

McDonald’s Ireland

Shamrock Shake
(although these have been available in the past in Canada around St. Paddy’s Day, I include them because they are served in Ireland year round, and no one’s seen them here for a few years.)

McDonald’s Chile

McPalta
tomatoes, avocado,mayonnaise, onions and mustard

McDonald’s Bahrain

Veggie Burger

McDonald’s Sabah & Malaysia

McEgg

(not a mcmuffin, a BURGER)
Fried Chicken

Pineapple Pie

McDonalds Mexico

McBurrito a la Mexicana

McNifica

McDonald’s Japan

Teriyaki McBurger

Green Tea Shake

French Fries With Seaweed Flavouring (nori)
(also in curry, mexican, and barbecue)

Chicken Tatsuta Burger
(this I actually ate – It is a grilled breast of chicken with a sort of ginger-soy-mayo sauce. Very good!)

Macaroni and Cheese Burger
(I dont know what this is called but I saw it in a limited time promotion in Tokyo. By the time I got around to eating at a McDonalds, the promotion was over!)

McDonald’s Portugal

Bica
(a type of espresso)

Pasteis de Nata
(Portuguese style cakes)

McDonald’s Siwitzerland

Vegi Mac
(vegetarian burger)

McDonald’s Singapore

The Love Burger
prime cut chicken grilled to tender perfection. Smothered with the tangy taste of honey mustard sauce and topped with a delicious combination of juicy tomatoes and fresh lettuce

Kampung Burger
farm fresh lettuce, cheese, a patty of chicken sausage and a tangy slice of chicken, topped by a slice of pineapple – all packed between two old-fashioned toasted muffins,

McPepper Burger
Two beef patties smothered in a thick, spicy black pepper sauce and topped with diced onions

McTowkay Burger
an egg and a beef patty marinated in a special “towkay” sauce, crispy lettuce and mayonnaise, all sandwiched between a sesame bun.

Kiasu Burger
extra large lean chicken patty seasoned with extra spices, marinated with extra sauce, topped with fresh lettuce, all sandwiched on an extra large sesame seed bun.

McDonald’s Sweden

“The world’s first “McSki” opened in Sweden with Ski-Thru service. Skiers can ski up to the counter and order their favorite McDonald’s sandwich without missing a beat on the slopes.”

Fisk, Kyckling och Vegetariskt
Dryck
Dips�s och Dressing
Plusmeny
Presentcheckar
McFeast & Co
Stora Menyn
McFish & Co
ViktV�ktarmenyn med McChicken
ViktV�ktarmenyn med McGarden
McGarden & Co
McAroni inkl. mellanstor l�sk

McDonald’s Argentina

The McNifica
a hamburger sandwich with cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce.

Two thoughts crossed my mind when I found these photocopied $20 notes on the floor:

What are my kids up to???

and

Where in the world is the original $20 note?!?!