My week in February!

I haven’t updated this blog in over a month now... how slack! That’s because I have two other blogs to update as well.


Our Wedding Journal - http://jcweddingjournal.blogspot.com/

Palmwoods Baptist Church - http://palmwoodsbaptistchurch.blogspot.com/

Feel free to share either of these with your friends or anyone who might be interested! Also please comment if you enjoy a post. Blogging can be a pretty boring task if you don’t think anyone is reading. It’s very encouraging whenever you get comments from readers!

Because it’s getting pretty late and I have to be up early in the morning, I thought I’d give you an update on my week in pictures! Enjoy

We saw Kevin preach his first message at Church

I captured some pictures of the gorgeous birds on our feeder!

Delicious afternoon tea with Mum, Dad, Uncle Greg and Aunty Jeanette!

Flooding over the roads. The lodge got totally flooded in!

We had stacks of rain all week! But it was lovely all the same.

Kitty got herslf stuck on the roof and it took ages to get her down. Silly girl!

Mexican for dinner to celebrate Brett's 31st birthday

Bought all the shoes and belts for the groomsmen!

Palmwoods Baptist Church

Let me introduce you to my lovely church – Palmwoods Baptist Church! We are situations in Palmwoods (obviously) and meet in the Girl Guides Hut each Sunday morning at 10am for a church service. We are still growing – small in numbers but BIG in our Faith which is our main focus ‘Faith in God’. Pastor Simon Moir is the pastor of the church with the assistance of John Gadenne (Jeffrey’s father).

Each Sunday morning we start with some hymns which are lead by Jeff, have some announcements and get stuck into the message and sometimes if their lucky I’ll sing an item. The teaching is highly focused on the bible which is the truth that God has left for us to learn from. This year the main focus is on ‘Being settled in your faith’ and we have been learning a lot about what the bible says about Faith. After church we also have a super yummy morning tea where we fellowship together, chat about our week, encourage one another and always learn more about our wonderful saviour!

Palmwoods is a lovely church to attend and you always feel very involved and included. Everyone is very encouraging and I can see Christ in each person that attends. We’ve recently been blessed with some major improvements to the church. We’ve now got two air conditioners, a data projector and screen and a fantastic sound system. God is really blessing us! Jeff just last week got up in the roof of the hut to hook up the wires for the data projector, so we’re all systems go!

The church supports many missionaries and also has a ministry where Jeffrey and his dad (and sometimes I help) run a church service every second Sunday at the Diamond Valley Lodge.

So if you’re currently out of church or looking for a change or somewhere to visit, drop me a line and I’ll give you all the details you need to come visit Palmwoods Baptist Church or even attend one of the Lodge church services. You truly will be blessed. We’d also love you to keep our church and ministries in your prayers. May the Lord bless you and keep you!

PS: We are getting a website up and running so once it starts I'll be incharge of blogging and updating events so keep your eyes peeled for this!

Saying Goodbye to 2009

What was the best part of 2009?

Jeffrey’s and my engagement party was really special and planning our wedding has been a lot of fun. One of the best moments of the wedding planning was putting on my first wedding dress when Rachel, Talia and I went shopping.

What was the worst part of 2009?
You can never have good without bad. There were definitely a few bad bits of 2009 however the Lord only used them to strength my relationship and faith in Him which I’m thankful for. We press forward into 2010 leaving all good and bad behind. The memories we take with us are our choice and I plan to just take the good and of course remember the wisdom I’ve learnt from the bad!

What was the biggest surprise of 2009?
First of all Jeff and I had many surprises as we opened the gifts from our engagement party, we were very blessed. I really enjoyed surprising Brett and Kate with their beautiful photobook for Christmas and I also though the surprise Rachel organized for Aaron was pretty awesome. She bought him his puppy pug Frank who is gorgeous might I add!

What are you most looking forward in 2010?
Definitely the 9th October when Jeff and I get married at Maleny Manor. I’m loving all the planning but I cannot wait for the big day.

Is there anything you are not looking forward to in 2010?
There’s nothing I’m not looking forward too however I know there will be challenges especial with buying a house and moving out. But I have faith that all will be fine.

Which new years resolutions did you keep in 2009?
I don’t make resolutions in the New Year. However my quiet time with God was quite challenging this year, I had to read 5 chapters per night. I didn’t always keep up to date however I did finish all the readings.

What will be your new years resolutions in 2010?
I’ve written up my plan for quiet time with God for 2010 and it’s got a major focus on marriage and the Fruit of the Spirit so I’m praying I can follow through with it each night and benefit.

What will you be doing on new years eve?
On New Years eve Jeff will be arriving back from Sydney so we’re planning on just spending it together away from all the crowds. Jeff’s big brother Brett told me that he believes the way you spent New Years is the way you will spend your year. Well if I was to think like that I’d like my year to be peaceful and close to Jeff and my Lord.

Who will you be with at new years eve?
Jeffrey and we might visit some friends if we have time.

Who do you want to kiss to see the new year in?
Jeffrey my very soon to be husband.

What was the best song of 2009?
Well I don’t follow music that closely these days but if I had to pick a song I played the most this year it would be 10,000 miles by Mark Schultz.

What was the best TV show of 2009?
Packed to the Rafters, Scrubs, House and of course I watch Neighbours!

What was the best book you read in 2009?
Rachel lent me a booked called Happily Ever After which was about marriage. Jan from Church lent me a book called Into China which was about a Chinese missionary and I bought a book called Intimacy Ignited which I plan to finish in the next few days which is basically about sex within marriage. All Christian based books.

What was the best film of 2009?
Hard to remember what I’ve seen but Marley and Me was the first movie I’ve actually cried in and it was a beautiful story. I plan to buy it!

What change would you like to make to your life in 2010?
The biggest change I WILL be making is changing my name from Carmen Owen to Carmen Gadenne (even feels weird to type) and I’d also like to develop more patience during 2010 as I’ve noticed this year I can snap easily.

What change would you like to see in the world in 2010?

I’d like to see people thinking a little more before they do things like chop down trees, waste water and just generally take our world for granted. Not sure what the likelihood is of that happening though.

I've added some pictures of the bigger events or things significant to me during 2009. Enjoy!

Brett and Kate's wedding

Poppy's 80th Birthday

Selling Jeff's Skyline which I was SOOOO happy about!

Our Engagement Party on the 28th February!

Home Group on Tuesday nights. This picture is at Aaron and Rachel's old house however it was also at other people's places each week.

Josh and Kate's wedding which I couldn't make it too but Jeff was a groomsmen

Seeing 2009 in with my friends and Jeff

Giving Brett and Kate their photobook just a few days ago for Christmas

Kitty arriving at Jeff's Dad's house.

My gingerbread house

Chris' graduation

First trip away with Jeff. We went to Rockhampton to visit his friends.

Simon and Jan's wedding on the 13th September

2009 was the year of Chai Lattes yummm.

We got a fair bit of flooding

And a HUGE bush fire on the coast

We explored reception places and settled on Maleny Manor

I visited the Guylian chocolate cafe in Sydney with Mum, Dad and Chris

I got acrylic nails done for the first time and LOVED them!

Was a busy year of teaching

Had the most horrible class ever

 but managed to make gingerbread men with them for Father's day!

Helped Aaron and Rachel move house

Suprised with beautiful flowers for my birthday. They smelt heavely!

Kevin gave us a coffee machine for Christmas. Thanks Big Kev!!!

Christmas day 2009

After much anticipation and counting down, Christmas day is now over. It was a really special day with my family but I did really miss Jeff. He’s down in Sydney with his family. I’ll give you a rundown of what happened on my Christmas day and have loads of pictures to share with you on facebook.

We all got up at 8:30am and opened presents around the tree. Jeff’s dad dropped by to pick up Jeff just after 9am to take him to his family. After presents we all chilled out until it was time to get ready and head over to Nana and Poppy’s house for Christmas lunch. After lunch we had our Secret Santa presents which is always fun! My Secret Santa was Poppy and he gave me a tea cup, saucer and plate with a rooster on it (bit of a family joke from years ago when I made a clay chicken for art at school.) He also gave me a framed copy of Rules for Women Teachers 1915 which is quite interesting... I’ve pretty much broken every rule though. I’ll add a picture on facebook so you can read them yourself!

By far the best Secret Santa present was from my brother to my little cousin Morgan. She’s just turned 18 and is into drinking. Chris gave her a bottle of rum which was actually a rum bottle with Ginger Beer in it. That in its self would have been funny but she carried this bottle around all day, very proud of it and saving it for shots with Chris in the night time. By the time she opened it at night every single person knew it was ginger beer but her! She added it to her drink and said ‘Wow this isn’t very strong is it?’ and added more! After Chris and my Uncle sculling after the bottle each and the horrified look on Morgy’s face, she figured it out. Really very very funny moment!

Anyway back to Christmas day, after Secret Santa and dessert we opened presents! For Christmas I got a new Canon IXUS 100is camera, $55 movie money, a DVD from Chris, dip bowl and knife, spice rack, $150 in cash, face towel, lavender soap, mortar and pestle, silk scarf, towels, wedding guest book, lottery ticket so we can win $30 million and a voucher for my uncle to Tint our car!

In the night time we headed over to my cousins house and all jumped straight in the pool for an hour or so. It was so nice! It’s my Aunties birthday on Christmas day so we had a birthday dinner and cake before Sarah and I had a second swim. By the time we got home I was exhausted but really happy. I also got to chat to Jeff a few times during the day, he’s bring home MORE presents for me wooohooo! He’s had a lovely Christmas too!

Christmas eve and Christmas day 2009 were just great and I’ll always remember them especial since it was my last Christmas as Miss Owen and most likely at home! Very special!

Last day til Christmas!!!!!!

On the last day til Christmas... I was still awake from our night of shopping. Jeff had a nap at my house while I made him some breakfast and lunch for work. I also did some washing so he had plenty of clean clothes for Sydney. After he left for work I watched some TV and napped until 1:30pm.

In the afternoon I sat on my bed watching The Santa Clause whilst folding church brochures. While I was folding I hear over a loud speaker ‘Merry Christmas’ so I raced down the driveway with the camera to see Santa on the fire truck. They do it ever year, in 2005 we water bombed Santa... maybe again next year hey!

Uncle Greg and Aunty Jeanette came over at about 5am so I sat around with them having nibbles and chatting. They gave me an award, ‘Facebook Fanatic!”. I love it, think I should frame it above my computer hahaha! When Jeff got back from work we opened our last advent presents and he got a fire extinguisher and fire blanket while I got a $50 voucher for Pure Indulgence! Love it!

In the evening we dropped off to Jeff’s dads to give him a Christmas present then over to Brett and Kate’s for the family Christmas eve party. We had dinner, chatted, did the family circle and opened presents. I got a candle holder, incense and jewellery but I must say that giving is so much nicer then receiving. Jeff and I gave Brett and Kate a photobook of their wedding photos and they just loved it! In fact everyone did. They loved it so much that there was even tears! Was a very special moment with them!

After the family dinner we visited Kevin and then headed back to my house. It’s now 2am so I’m heading to bed before it’s light outside. Looking forward to Christmas morning! So I hope you’ve enjoyed the 12 days til Christmas as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about them.

Have a very Merry Christmas and don’t forget the true reason we celebrate, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2nd Day til Christmas

On the 2nd day til Christmas... I got up at 8am to get ready to head out with Rachel and Frank. I love spending time with my best friend and with her adore puppy! First we went to the vet then we met Jordan and had a very healthy lunch of salad rolls with him. As usual Jordan tried to feed me meat but he failed!!!

I must mention the cutest moment was when Rachel shut the glass sliding door and Frank ran straight into it. Too cute for words!!!!

On the way home we got caught in a big traffic jam on the highway, think there was an accident and the highway was closed off. Despite the delays, I got an extra long Frank cuddle! I wasn’t planning on it, but when I got home I had a little nap before dinner. I also folded another 300 church brochures.

When Jeff got back from work we drove down to Chermside Westfield for the 24hr shopping. We had a few things to get (not Christmas presents) and weren’t planning on staying too late but we didn’t get home til 4:45am. Jeff is working so he’s going to be one sleepy boy in the night time.

On our shopping adventure we managed to buy a doona cover on sale, latte glasses, a thermometer for our coffee machine and Jeffrey got new pants and socks for Sydney. We also had coffee and Vanilla Slice at the cutest coffee shop called French Twist! What a full on and great 2nd day it has been! By the way it’s Christmas eve eve!

3rd Day til Christmas

On the 3rd day til Christmas... I decided to have a cooking day. I wanted to make vanilla slice and lamingtons. I started with the vanilla slice and what a disaster it was! The pastry puffed too much, I burnt the custard filling, the icing was too thick and when I went to cut it up the whole thing was like concrete and wouldn’t cut. I was very patient with it but in the end it didn’t taste good and wouldn’t cut so I just threw it away.

The lamingtons worked out just fine and tasted pretty yummy. I’d like to figure out how to make lighter sponge cake though but I imagine it just takes practice. It pretty much took me the whole day to finish cooking and I was feeling pretty yucky when I was done so I lay down to watch TV for a bit. I used a bit of my foot soak, scrub and cream which made me feel really nice along with my new facial products. I’m REALLY loving the results of using these, so worth every penny!

When Jeff got back from work we headed over to Bekky’s house for home group. We had lots of fun chatting and playing bible Categories. We were also blessed with some Christmas presents, thanks everyone we love them!!!!

I can’t believe it’s the 3rd day til Christmas!!! Jeff and I have some very busy days ahead of us so stay tuned!