Resit

Today I resat my Level 6 exam. 80% to pass was on my mind as I drove to the site. I was going over things in my head my stress levels were heighten by the time I got there. I had a silent prayer and pulled myself together and made my way to the exam room. Being the only one there made me feel better as last time I felt so much pressure from the others. Meg meet me and told me to take a deep breathe, you'll be fine.

I hate exams of any kind I just freeze up and panic and before I know it I've worked myself up into a state of frenzie!!! However I managed to stay calm cool and collective (JUST)!!!

What a relief to hear the words "you passed" I got my certificate and Meg said "see ya in 3 years"

Thank goodness thats over, may the next 3 years go very slow!!!!

Movie Night

Last night a bunch of awesome ladies and I went to the movies. Although I didn't see it til the end (due to work), I really liked this movie alot. It made me laugh. As a child I remember my mum watching Julia Childs cooking programmes. I always thought her voice was very annoying and that she pretended to talk like that. What a fascinating movie on her life.

The other part of the movie, Julie was hilarious. I hope Ange you don't throw hissy fits if you don't blog daily just to keep me happy!!!!! I do survive.

The other cool thing about the night was we, (8 of us) had the theatre to ourselves give or take the two ladies up the back. No-one in front of us yeah! The treats were amazing from Maltessa, pop-corn, skittles, ice cream a sugar loading night.

I highly recommend a girls night out its cool fun. Thanks ladies xxxx

The Finnie's are on the Move

The Finnie Family by rule of thumb generally live in a house for 2 years and then we get itchy feet and move to another house. Just to give you an idea Dave and I have lived together for 13 years and we have moved 8 times. Well the time has come again for us and I'm so excited. Why you ask??? My adorable husband is going to build me a house again and whats more he is going to build it in MOSGIEL!!!!! Oh yeah I'm lucky so lucky. We put an offer on a section and its been accepted and now we have to try and sell our house. Let the buyers come forth please.

Temptation Overcome

So the last 6 weeks I've been studying for my Level 6 NZ Resuscitation Certificate. This requires alot of reading I mean alot, more than New Moon. Friday came, the exam included written and pratical, it started at 8.30am and finish at 2.30pm. Well talk about stressful it reminded me of my nursing state finals. The morning started with a hiss and quiet a bit of head banging on the desk as I attempted to complete the written part of the exam. I must say the question were very misleading and written way to small and too close together. The questions were true/false and you had to scratch a box. I generally answer the question I know and leave the others to go back too (bad mistake) Because the question were small and close together I somehow manage to miss some questions BLAST!!! So after that I had a strong feeling the written part did not go to well. A 10min break and it was straight into the practical side. We were placed into groups and given a scenario each member had to be the team leader. When it was my turn I totally felt useless and I really didn't feel it went very well. I was so stressed out and when the instructor said "Paula you look like your're going to cry" and so thats exactly what I did (how embarrassing!) Timeout was needed so hot milo and a couple of biscuits later I mange to pull myself together and continue with the scenario. NOOOOOOOOOO!! the instructor pointed to me again and said "Paula you will be team leader again, just believe in yourself" Yeah right I was thinking. The next scenario was completed and it was ok but could have been better. Another 10min break and then it was skill testing station time. Again more stress and nerves and if I have learn't anything leave the best til last not the worst. I passed the skills stations and then we had to go to the office to find out our written results and as I predicted I failed BLAST!

Our group sat down to re-evaluate the day and we all agreed it was a CRAP day. This prompted one of the girls to suggest we go to the pub and get drunk. Oh, how I was tempted, I felt so bad and disappointed and really stressed out because I have to resit it again. The idea of loosing myself in alcohol sounded great for awhile until everyone was leaving to go.

Listen to a still small voice, listen listen. When you have to make a choice. He will guide you ALWAYS came into my thoughts. I knew right then that that tune was a prompting for me to choose the right. I told the team I didn't drink and that I'll just scoff a whole cake of chocolate instead. As we departed our ways a feeling of peace came over me and homeward bound I went.

How was I blessed by chosing the right? Well that night Dave and I got dressed up as vampires Edward and Bella (although Amiee thought we looked more like Jasper and Alice) and went to a famous couples house warming party. What a great time we had love it love it!!!!

Primary Amusement

Today in primary the juniors were there usual bubbly self yelling and jumping over everything. When I walked into the room they stopped and looked at me: Child 1: Hey sister Finnie what happen to you? Child 2: Its her hair Child 3: It looks weird! Me: Thats right it is my hair great spotting Child 4: It looks really weird! Me: Nice weird or weird weird??? Everyone: WEIRD WEIRD!!! Bless them all.

Compliment or Insult????

Today i had a pamper me day which included a trip to the gym for a great step workout. Then it was off to the hairdressers for a new look. Two hours later I leave feeling great and happy with the new hair do. Thats right Matthew Cobby its not a mullet!!!!!!!!!! I get to school to pick up Nicholas. All the mums comment on my hair ïts lovely", "nice cut", "that really suite you" and so on. By now I was feeling quiet pleased that my money was well spent. Nicholas looks at me and this is what he said:

Nicholas: "mum you look like Willy Wonka!!!!!"

I'll let you all be the judge and jury????

Trademe Bargin

Whilst Nicholas was at his holiday programme he liked playing on a soccer table (foos ball). I had a game with him and he wasted me no really I was trying hard but so uncoordinated lost to a 5 year old. Talking to the teacher and she informed me that Nicholas had played most of the day on this table.

On the way home I asked him about the game and he explained the in and outs of the game. This gave me a great idea for a birthday gift???? I went to Rebel Sports they were $200-400, my idea was doomed. Then the light in my brain turned on "TRADE ME"

I rushed home and began exploring my options and oh yes I found, I bid, and I won, BARGAIN!!!! $50!!!!

So today we went to Cromwell to pick up our soccer table. Great family times to be had YEAH!!!!!

Cheeky Monkey

So recently I have started going to the gym again to try and shred those kilos that just wont budge. I must talk about it alot because Master Nicholas was watching TV when the informercial for the AB King Pro came on. I was not in the room whilst he watched it but he ran out to the kitchen and this is what he said:

Nicholas: "mum mum I just saw something that will help you" Me: "What's that?" Nicholas: "You know that problem you have" Me: "What problem?" Nicholas: "The problem you have with your kilos? You need to buy the Ab King pro it takes just 3 minutes a day and you'll be skinny again" Me: "Cheeky Monkey" When was I ever skinny anyway???

Blast from the Past

While ramaging through the wedding photos to add to my last stories I managed to find other photos of me as a child. My school photo of me when I was 8years old. We had the coolest school and just recently through facebook I learn't that they demolished my old school to waste millions of dollars to build another one on the same site of course. Totally horrified to learn about this and yes I did cry. Why you ask?? As a child my home life was somewhat sad and school was my haven where I felt safe and funny enough loved. Where there was no alcohol, no violence, no being beaten. The teachers at my school were awesome caring and look after me and my brother gave us great support. To be honest I hated when 3pm came I would have stayed at school all day and all night. All my schooling days from 5years old til 17yrs old were spent at Kurow Area so I feel I had a right to shed some tears.

The buildings my have been demolished but the memories will remain in my heart.

Baptism Anniversary

Desterney Newton, Luke Mendenhall, Dave, me, Phil & Nicholas Fisher

That's right today Dave and I celebrate our 7th baptism anniversary. Yes married one day and baptised the next you could say it was a full on weekend. We didn't even get to sleep in, in our honeymoon suite because we had to be at the chapel by 8am to be prep. Ceremony started at 08.30am and we had to be finished before the St Clair meetings started. Mormon time is a late start and Dave and Phil held up time too because bits of Dave's body didn't want to be baptised so three dips later it was done n dusted.

At 12pm we were confirmed members and given a blessing. A magical moment and you could say I was glowing with happiness. Thus our journey began..........

What a journey it has been 7 years of blessings with a few trials along the way. The best blessing of all time is our children Nicholas and Kate. What a joy to have them in our lives, so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed us with two beautiful children. I never really realised how privileged we are to have children until joining the church. I knew that with parenting came responsibilities but being in the gospel shines a whole new light of what responsibility really is.

I have two other beautiful children Stacey and Ben who were not brought up in the gospel (although they both have joined) I feel as a mum I let them down immensely and I think it was due to a lack of knowledge and what being a parent really meant.

I feel that Heavenly Father has given me a second chance at being a mum again. Now that I have a loving supportive husband, the gospel, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on my side, surely its a great recipe for Nicholas and Kate to have a great foundation to build on.

Second best blessing being sealed as a family for eternity.

Third best blessing: having awesome friends in the gospel that love you no matter what.

I am so happy that I made a good choice seven years ago.

Luke Mendenhall, me, Dave and Phil

Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary

October is a busy month for the Finnie family with Nicholas birthday and wedding/baptism anniversaries its all rather exciting. Last year Dave and I totally forgot our anniversary because Nicholas celebrated his 5th birthday and we were too busy focusing on the big event that a week later I happen to mention to Dave I'm sorry honey I forgot happy anniversary. Stunned look on Daves face said it all.

Yesterday being fasting Sunday I bore my testimony and I happen to mention our anniversary among other stuff. When I sat down Dave leans over and said thank you!!! I looked at him with a curious face??? He leans over again I totally forgot (saved by the testimony).

Being our 7th anniversary the traditional gift is wool so I manager to get Dave a merino wool sweater its very fine and quiet lovely (I hope), Dave is some what fussy when it comes to clothes as I have learn't year after year.

Our wedding day was small and yet big in spirit. The thing I loved most about the day was our family/friends involvement Annemarie and Kate singing, Craig taking the photos, Mum Finnie making the cake, Phil our bestman, Ben giving me away, Stacey my flower girl, Kate playing the guitar while I sang to Dave. Annemarie making us a beautiful basket of treats and placing them in our honeymoon suite.

Friends/family coming from a far to share our special day. I even wrote a letter to the Mission President to ask permission for an Elder to come to the wedding. Elder Mendenhall taught Dave and I the first discussion and he was so passionate and a very humble missionary who put up with my bawling and melodramatic episodes. He was allowed to come which was a double blessing as he was able to baptise me the following day.

I truly awesome day and even though it was a typical snowy spring day it was was filled with warmth by the love of those who surrounded us.

Testimony Amusement

Today I bore my testimony I mentioned how I have a love/hate relationship with Sunday in that I love coming to church but I hate getting there. I went on to say how coming home from working night shift and everyone else is still in bed asleep (instead of being up getting ready for church) that most Sundays I'm the loud bugle that bellows and by the time we are out the door I'm somewhat stressed. I then mention that somehow I still manage to get the children dressed, fed, lunch pack, etc and Dave is still doing stuff upstairs what that is I do not know????? and so on the testimony went.

I sat down and listen to other heart felt testimonies. When Brother Hedderwick got up to say his closing remarks he manage to enlighten me and the congregation on what my husband would be doing with his time up stairs because his wife too always has that same question? The answer was "secret priesthood business" I'm grateful for that enlightenment (NOT).

Amazingly other sisters came to me afterwards and said that there husbands too have the secret priesthood business as well.

"Secret Priesthood Business"

Project 2

Organising my cupboards gave me a brilliant idea for Nicholas Lego. Nicholas has a few Lego that was given to him for birthdays and Christmas and just random and he's very good at putting them together. However, as time has passed and he has mixed some with others all the Lego objects became a big container of pieces. So I decided to buy more containers and seperate the pieces and put all instruction with the each object. What a mission!!! Thursday night I stayed up til 11.30pm before I realised it was way pass my bedtime. I mange to finish them tonight. I'm very pleased with the outcome and Nicholas has started making them up now they are in order. Project 2 completed.

Many Peices

Organised Lego

Happy Birthday Nicholas!!!

So Master Nicholas turns 6 today, time sure does fly. The day started off with us all sleeping in, until daddy woke us wanting Nicholas to open presents. At the start we were not wanting to wake up until daddy said the word presents, Nicholas leaps out of bed and as fast as Flash is was down stairs ripping into his first present.

The big truck was exchanged for a star wars Lego as daddy felt it was not grunty enough. We took Nicholas to the Warehouse so he could choose his own present and lucky for dad he got change back from the big truck exchange.

After presents it was off to holiday programme where they made him a big carrot cake and they all sang happy birthday. Then Mrs Pippety Pop came to the programme and she was a magician and made cool balloon stuff. Now because it was Nicholas's birthday she used him as her assistant and they did cool magic stuff.

Pippety Pop Sword

After holiday programme we came home and got ready to go out for birthday tea at the Speights Ale House. We had a great time and ate lots of yummy food. What a great day had by all, especially Nicholas.

Yum Garlic Bread

Bananna Cake

Ready to BLOW!!

"Happy Birthday Nicholas"