Here are a few "old" videos of Julia that I've been meaning to publish. Actually, this post was begun in March, if you can imagine.

These first are from when Julia was 6-7 months old and we were in North America. Jill Meerdink is the one holding Julia and I'm the one who thinks she's taking a picture until it twigs: "Oh, it's a video!"

Julia is so excited to meet Gary & Becky Neels' little girl... but gets rejected. Actually, they had a great time.

Julia still loves playing peekaboo, but now she's the one saying "boo!"

Grandma helps Julia enjoy some first tastes of solid food. Guess what month it is? *Hint: listen to the radio!

Julia was supremely entertained watching Terry's cousins play while her Great-aunt Annette reminisced about Terry's childhood.

Julia loved playing peekaboo with her gorgeous new hat we bought on Vancouver Island.

At 8 months, Julia is answering questions in an exclusive interview in the family tent at the beach.

Julia exhibited musical ingenuity at a young age (9 months here), plus lots of enthusiasm for dinner.

Julia persists in her love for water bottles and glasses - even if they're empty!

Julia at 10 months enjoys a windy walk with Daddy on Bruny Island.

At 11 months, she's moved on to bigger and better instruments.



It's amazing to look back at all the changes just a few months bring! Guess I'd better take some more videos now. She climbs around everywhere, even the open dishwasher if possible. And she says "p" or "lease" or even "plea" for food or water that she wants, with a very emphatic "no!" with accompanying head shaking and hand out to stop us when she's done.

The sweetest thing today was that several times today when I was getting her diaper back on after a potty trip, she took it into her head to clasp her hands and say "pay!" So we said a short prayer and she affirmed, "'Men!" before moving on. She often shouts out something like "Amen" at the end of Daddy's prayers or sermons. And she knows that when we "rea'" the "Bi"after meals she needs to be quiet and listen to Daddy (she puts her finger to her lips and says "ssss!"). She is a precious little girl and we pray she is brought to know and love Jesus from her childhood up.

Hurrah! First steps have been taken. As when Julia began crawling, she began walking at church. On Sunday we had a fellowship lunch, where Julia got to try new foods and play with her various friends. (She especially loves Peekaboo with Bradley, Thomas and Rohan Coles.) After lunch, Julia was walking with one hand on her cup and the other on Daddy's finger and she decided to let go. She made four steps before grabbing onto the bench.

Julia has been making other fun discoveries about herself lately, so I decided to try to get them on film. For the first one, excuse the setting; she's more likely to stay in one place and play games when she's seated securely. The second one was cut off when the battery died. Oops.

Enjoy!

The above picture was from Julia's birthday, May 5th. She loved the prezzies she got at Bible study, where we had a little party, including chocolate cake! Here she's unpacking the bag at home. It's hard to imagine she's a whole year old. It went so quickly, but so much has changed. And there's so much more to look forward to, the Lord willing!

We haven't taken many pictures over the last few months, sadly, but most have been of her.

Julia is a hair stylist who believes in the use of natural oils to rejuvenate hair... her own hair.

Check out that do! She's reaching for the Pop Tart Daddy and Mommy found in the U.S. imported food store in Hobart (Sweet Connections, I think it's called). Most of their stuff was ridiculously expensive, but tempting none-the-less. A box of Golden Grahams for $20? How much can you pay for sugar?! (...but it's such tasty sugary cereal...)

Julia tries out the shade pull thingie. Not so tasty.

Julia likes beets! She IS a true Aussie....

I work with Ruth on her schoolwork on Tuesday mornings. We also enjoy Ovaltine and some good chats... but as you can see, not pictures. Julia decided to study with us, but can't understand Ruth's aversion to the camera. Just smile and Mom will stop - that's what I do!

Julia's pride and joy, the second-hand chalkboard we picked up a few months back when it seemed like an investment for years in the future. Wrong! For the last month or two, it's been one of Julia's favorite amusements while I'm busy in the kitchen. She can play with the magnets, and even discovered the use of chalk! There's a video on that at the end of the post.

Last week, we were in Hobart for a funeral, a presbytery meeting, and the opening of SPC Hobart's new place of worship. They're renting the Moonah Chapel (in the suburb of Moonah, thus the name). Julia liked the roses at Iain and Mary's house, and even was persuaded by Mary to smell them repeatedly... even though they're not real! :) I tried for a good picture, but none of them turned out very well.

Hey! Julia here - let me show you what I like to do in an evening. First, unpack the plastic bags Mom keeps in this old pitcher.

Next, try to escape when Mom opens the sliding door. Didn't work, but I'm not too sad about it.

Then, help Mom unload the dishwasher. Sometimes I even climb up on there, stand up and hold onto the rack.

Now it's time to inspect the measuring cups. They're up to snuff tonight.

Off to the bathroom! I like unpacking the bottom drawer. Mommy doesn't mind if I reorganize a little and I love to help!

My favorite is the toothbrush! Mom turned on the heat lamp cuz sometimes it's chilly in here.

The stacking boats are great!

In my room I get to use the comb and mirror. Sometimes I even get to comb Mommy's hair! Someday my hair might grow long like hers; it's such fun to stick in my mouth, but a pain when my fingers get caught in it!

I've got lots of books in my room and love to READ! I often say "read" when I look through my books because I like Mom and Dad to know what fun it is to read just like them!

I often help Mom reorganize the bookshelf too.

Curious George is a perennial favorite, especially since I have a stuffed Curious George toy from Grandma Knaut. I give him hugs and kisses sometimes.

Mom sometimes puts hair clips in my hair so it won't go in my eyes, but I like pulling them out. I chew on them, especially since my molars are coming in. Sometimes I try putting the clip back in, though.

Reading some more.

This is what I look like when something's in my mouth. Mommy always knows and says, "Take it out," so I do.

I had a fun evening, don't you think?

Upward and onward - time for bed!

Sorry the video gives you a crick in the neck to watch. I'll try to remember to take it the right way next time. Until then!

Almost all the way back

We all seem to be over our cold/flu/virus/gastro experience. Martha and I both occasionally feel little more tired, and a bit of nausea kind of comes and goes in waves, but things are back to operating status.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

Here are a few pics from earlier in the month.

Daddy and Julia in the study

"Hey!!!!"

Our family...the Lord Jesus has amazingly blessed us!

IMPROVING

Marth and I are doing quite a bit better now. Thank you very much for all your prayers and an especially big thank you to our church family for all their support and offers of help over the past couple of days.

Martha and I can both keep food down now and can walk around for a while with out feeling dizzy and risking falling. We both stopped vomiting and the diarrhea is a lot less frequent.

Julia is very well. She had the same thing two days ago and was over it just as we both got it. However she seems to be having new teeth coming in as a little grumpy sometimes.

Thanks again for your prayers and please keep them coming!

Please pray for us.

Martha and I very sick.

Taking care of Julia is hard with both of us out of commission.

Thanks

BRUNY ISLAND PART II

While we were on Bruny we took advantage of an amazing opportunity. Seeing a friend had generously provided the cabin for us we spent some money and went on a cruise. Bruny Island Charters offers a cruise around the southern part of Bruny Island. This cruise was classed as one of the 100 greatest trips in the world and some of the folk we have spoke too (that had made it a point to try and see as much of Tassie as they could) said they had always wanted to see this part of Tassie. So after some thought and prayer we took this rare opportunity.

Above is a picture of the boats we took. They we reworked, high speed, ultra manuverable, coast guard pursuit boats. Totally awesome boats!!

Everyone one was given full body red rain coats. The boats were almost entirely open so rain and waves could come right in a soak us. We were ready for the wet but it was a very clear day and the ocean was calm so we stayed pretty dry.

Setting out for the ocean

Julia was really into it.

There were several sea caves and some blow holes.

The water washed up along the edge of the rocky coast and when it recedded left little water falls.

The color of the wather was just amazing!

Going alittle bit faster!

We stopped and saw some seals while we were out.

South Pole this way!

Staying warm and cool!

Heading back to port

It was a great trip and we saw quite a bit of God's creation we would not have seen otherwise.

Going to Bruny was a great opportunity and a blessing.