Junk Journal

New start to a junk journal. Thanks to the kindness of a few unknown friends, I can make and give away some  journals. 

Let's start.... 

First signature  done and dusted.

Quilt for baby boy, Aiden.

                                                               Baby Boy Quilt.

 

                                    The quilt I made for the new addition to our family.

 

 

The legs belonging to Grandpa are not part of quilt pattern. LOL.

 

 

Meet our grandson Aiden Roy Burger.

Born on the 5th of February 2017

 

 

In the end the quilt turned out quite big.  It will fit on his first bed in a year or two.

I still need to embroider his name  and birth date in the square with the baby booties.

Tribute to our mom.

 

 

                                                    The best mother in the world.

 

 Maria Magdalena Cilliers.(Venter) born 31 August 1940.

 

My mom passed away early in the morning on the 25 February 2017. It was not easy to see her pass on from this life to the next. I wish that I could rid my memories of that clear  and vivd picture. Please don't read this the wrong way, the wish wasn't  for not being with her through her suffering, no, not at all. I am so greatfull that I could have been there, taking care of her and loving her. It just was not easy to see her struggle to do the small things that we take for granted. It is just hard to forget the vividness of those struggles, especially when you just want to remember her the way she used to be. Enough about my sadness, this is to celebrate the wonderful mother  and grandmother she was for my brother and I, our spouses and our children.

 

To my Mom, always willing to do her best for her family, children and grandchildren. She was giving, kind and loving. We miss her gentle still way of just being there. The conversations we had. The love she radiated. The times we walk togetter. I'll always remember seeing her with a book,  being it a book to read, a magazine, a crossword or sudoko puzzle book. Some needlework or knitting close by. Her hands were never still or empty.

 

With her around there was always,always nice things to eat, nice food, milk tart or homemade sweets and biscuits. Sunday lunches will always be remembered by all of us as the best day of the week. We  gather around my moms dinner table and ate our fill on delicious dishes, puddings and salads.

 

To her, her children were everything, she protected and loved us with her whole heart.

  

She new how to hang on to life even when the journey got rough. Sometimes her journey was really rocky. How I admire her for her strength. I don't know if I shall ever be as strong as what she was.

 

She was loved by many children and adults alike. Her grandchildren adored her. Daniela, Lukas, Edmarí, Danika and Joshua will miss you. But they have lots of memories of her visits with them.

 

What wonderful memories you leave us with Mommy. Memories of wonderful picnics at the Vaaldam, enjoyable holidays at the sea. Traveling around the country. Visits with family. Camping at Hennops Pride. Sightseeing. Games and braais in the back yard. Playing tennins with you was endless fun. Making clothes and baking biscuits. Shopping. All the gardening we did together as a family. We have been together as a family spending loads of time together enjoying each others company. What a privilege  o have had such a rich and full life with you.

 

Mommy, all of us really misses you a lot, especially me. We shall love you forever and forever you shall live in our hearts. You not walking this earth any more left a big empty space.

 

We thank you, God, for the gift you granted us, of time spend with a very loving mother.

 

Till we meet again. We love you Mommy.

Day out driving the coastal road in Cape Town

The value of time.

This is the time that you realise the value of time. We have to make every minute count, before we know it the girls will be all grown and standing on their own two feet. Almost done with their studies and almost twenty two years of age. It gives you that proud feeling and at the same time makes your heart ache.

Edmari and Danika at Clifton.

(More photos under sightseeing)

Who can spot the camera shy boy hiding behind his mom.

Such a nice, warm, lovely day to spend together as a family, making memories to last a life time.

Days like this makes you wonder why we want to disagree with one another, why is the desire there to bump heads and hurt feelings. Why can't we just enjoy every second with endless joy. But life goes on and so we are back to the normal grind of things, rubbing each other the wrong way, running out of patience. We can wish can't we....

Family visit

Family visit from Melbourne and Meyerton

What a blessing to have my whole family together.

 

The photo was taken at the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Ivana and Dirk on the left. My mom, Marie and Oom Jan on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

My brothers children: Daniela (12) and Lukas (8).

After seven years of not knowing them intimately, I fell in love with them all over again.

 

 It is amazing the big gap that was left with them all returning home. They are dearly missed. They had a fun filled holiday in South Africa, dragging my parents all over with them. From O R Tambo  airport to Pilanesberg, the Eastern Transvaal, from there to the airport for their flight to Cape town, to visit us, visiting the Kirstenbosh Gardens, Hugenote Monument - Franchoek, eating fish at Houtbaai and a visit to Cape Point. They also went for a couple of days to Knysna for a short visit.