For SALE

Contact Jon for details:)

Other Stuff....

Here's a quick update on some of what has been happening in the Van Itallie's days....

Kirsty's belly is getting bigger and bigger as JAK continues to grow and get ready for his/her arrival into the world....D day is supposed to be 5th September.

Jon purchased another toy....an apple! No...not the fruit but the IPAD. He still wears a grin this big after using it!

"Daddy-to-be" gets the job done. First the portacot construction....

....then a well-earned rest!

Visiting the great-grandparents in a very cool Biloela.

Step by Step: The Making of a Delicious Thai Banquet

One of the great things we did on our little holiday was go to a Thai cooking class. Lots of fun and we learned lots of new things and then had the delight of eating our 4 wonderful curry creations. Below you'll see some of the process required to prepare and present our delish dishes, starring Masterchef JVI!

A most attentive student!

Kirsty learns a new skill....peeling and deveining prawns in one deft move!

Adding to the mortar and pestle cacophony...noisy stuff!

Hmmmmmm Mmmmmm...red curry paste smells great! 

So it should...it took a while to make:)

More hands-on work by the aspiring Masterchef.

Bubble bubble toil & trouble! But what a delicious aroma!

Plating up....

One of our favourite dishes...Steamed Red Curry of Prawns, Fish & Pumpkin...

on a bed of basil. So delicious! 

Jon's ready to eat. We do have a picture of Kirsty digging in...but it's not fit for viewing!

Needless to say, the end result of our labour's was worth it. Such a yummy lunch. 

And plenty of inspiration to have a go at home.

Ahhh.....the Simple Things....

Here's some of the simple pleasures in life we have been enjoying of late.....
warm, sunny winter days
ebay bargains
planning holidays
finishing work units for school....slowly
getting home before it's dark
visits with family n friends
super specials from the op shop
celebrating Jon's 5 years at QAL
State of Origin parties
clothesline full of baby clothes
steady rain on the tin roof
baking
hosting a surprise 30th B'day party
lap walking in the pool
movie nights
watching soccer replays...or at least the bits where they score
getting flowers from my husband
filling the calendar with weddings and other celebrations
sleep ins
watching baby JAK grow...almost before our very eyes
anticipating JAK's arrival...Week 31 has started:)

BIG weeks

And no....not just because JAK is growing at an astronomical rate...as is my desire for food:)

It has been a HUGE last fortnight and lots of fun along the way.

Two Saturdays ago I assisted my Yr 8 class in hosting an awareness and fundraiser for Destiny Rescue - an organisation that works to prevent, rescue and rehabilitate children in the sex trade. Did you know that every 26 seconds a child is groomed for this horrendous industry....making over 2 million a year? Shocking! So we decided to do something about it. It was a great morning and we had lots of people walk through the doors and purchase jewellery hand-made by rescued girls, donated jumble items and make donations. So excited to say that we sold nearly $1400 worth of jewellery and received over $1000 in donations! How wonderful to work with an enthusiastic and committed bunch of teenagers to achieve such a goal!

We have had family visiting too. Megan, Brad and Andie came north for Megan to be involved in the DR jewellery sale. She spoke as an advocate of DR telling how it all started and what exciting new things are happening. It was great to see pics of their recent trip to the US...seems like they saw and did it all in the 4 weeks they were away.

Mum and Dad Litzow also came for 3 nights and were a great help in the garden! Now it's their turn to go OS with a departure date in early July for the UK and Europe.

We continued to have a full house all last week as we hosted 3 dancers from YWAM - Peita (Aussie), Colleen (Canadian) & Jess (German). They were in town as part of the Mercy ship tour to PNG. Worth checking out what these great young people are doing to help not only families in PNG, but also, Aussie teens. Wonderfully simple ways you can help too....see www.ywamships.org We liked the idea of the birthing kits and bought a few. I'd like to know that when I am having a baby in the comfort of a clean hospital in September, there are women in PNG who might be having a safer and slightly more comfortable birth because of us. And all it took was a couple to dollars to purchase the kit.

I also had the craziness of marking and report writing last week, but with that big hurdle cleared, my days are looking a little saner:) Jon's work days continue to be very demanding as he and a team work towards completing a major efficiency project at QAL. At least we get the thrill of watching another QLD State of origin victory tomorrow night to break the week:)

The Photos to Prove It....

Jon gets in some baby practice...he's a natural!

The crowds at the Destiny Rescue J n J Sale.

To all who came and supported us....

Great family time....

Visiting the YWAM ship with Mum n Dad...

Our 'girls'....

THANKS for more great memories one and all!