This book looks like a bit of me. I can't wait to delve into it and yes I did open it and smell it. Me a self-confessed book smeller. Oh I know there is plenty of you out there that do the exact same thing....I 've been told! I have another to finish first yet and I have friend who is expecting a debrief about it.
You may or may not have read the title and maybe you thought I have titled it wrong. Yes it's a parenting book you are right there....but I am reading it to raise myself, raise myself to be a better parent, a better mum than I already am. I may not be a great mum, some might say that I am not even a good mum but I know I am definitely not a bad mother or parent. I know I can do better, be better and I want to.
I am very big on being purposeful in your parenting. To not just dragging up your kids but actually connecting with them purposefully, intentionally and respectfully. Some might say this sounds all too airy fairy and new agey to be biblically based but I say 'No'. For far too long we have been taught parenting ideas "apparently" straight from the bible but should of made anyone who really thought about what they were reading or being taught, it should of made their toes curl and feel sick to the core.
I am so incredibly pleased that books like this one and some others are teaching the truth about Christian parenting. God only knows the world needs it and he needs us willing parents to lead the way. I'll let you know how the book goes! I am so excited!
P.S. Shall I continue into March? I am thinking March Moments?
I saw this beauty this morning for the first time as we drove out the driveway on our way to church. She is standing to her sister who is only half her height. I was very surprised to see her standing there in full bloom in all her glory.
You see I had forgotten that we had planted them a while back. Ever since we held the wedding here and the end of summer is near, we have been quite busy the garden is looking a little neglected and sad. I feel sorry for it. So you can imagine why seeing this beautiful lady put a smile on my face.
Our last few weeks have been busy and difficult, we have been struggling to keep our heads above the water and to not let our struggles steal our joy and make us grumpy. When you have battles going on its easy to become focused on your troubles and not on the good in your life, your blessings and our Saviour.
But I implore to keep watch for the unexpected blessings that will and do come your way. Like the bulbs that you forgot that you planted that bless you by unexpectedly blooming....so to is the blessing, the kindness, the love or support you once planted in someone elses life it will unexpectedly and at just the perfect time, bloom and bless you in your life when and how you need it most.
So dear friends.....wait and watch, continue to draw strength from Him and your blessing could be right around the corner.
"But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary"
- Is 40:31
Well I am not going to lie to you. The day didn't turn out exactly like I thought it would. But I can say I am so super thankful and proud of my team of volunteers and my family who gave everything of themselves to make today happen.
The Day went off without a hitch and we sailed through it smoothly with no problems what-so-ever. The people that came had a fantastic time and every family went home with at least one spot prize. The weather was glorious too. Apparently next year will be bigger and better.....hmmmm let me get past today.
We know what works and we have good framework in place for next time. My faith and belief is that everyone who was suppose to be there, was. Thank you God for vision and the strength to carry it through. We will reflect on the lessons to be learnt from today and rejoice in our successes.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me encouraging messages throughout the week and today. I value everyone one of you. And I am so proud of the people, all of the people that make Loving Arms happen and believe in it as much as I do.
For now .....I am enjoying the company of family and good friends. And looking forward to being able to sleep properly now!
I never thought I would get to this point but at the same time it wasn't that long ago that our 'Walk of Fun ' was in planning stages.
So here we are looking all cool and official with our two banners. Don't they look smart?
I have no idea what to expect tomorrow or how many people will come. It's very much an unknown. I have tried not to check the weather too much and worry about. For a while there it looked to have a giant weather bomb over the country. Fortunately and rather kindly of it it might turn nasty late tomorrow evening. Thank you very muchly.
I have never pulled anything like this together....it's a giant step up from planning a kids birthday party. But one is never too old to learn new things....today I learnt how to construct a balloon arch! Go me! Very very thankful to my amazing helpers that blew and tied all the balloons together for me. There is no way I could of blown up that many balloons by myself!
So here's to Loving Arms as it continues to grow and ģain traction....May we raise our profile and raise some money so that we can continue to do what we are called to do.....that is help our communities most vulnerable, our mum's and babies.
No mum or baby left behind!
Aren't they just like .....AWESOME! This photo just makes me smile a great big goofy smile. Hanging out together....second biggest brother with littlest brother! Jesse thinks the world of his big brother and loves it when they include him or especially do stuff with him.
Any older sibling knows that there are times having younger brothers and/or sisters is a bit of a pain and it's know different here either. Just like younger siblings know older brothers or sisters can be bossy and unreasonable. I am sure I was.
But one of the reasons we choose to homeschool the kids is to ensure the bonds between our kids were strong. And they are. I watch my older kids with the younger two especially and I know that they certainly wouldn't be attached or have the time, compassion or perhaps even love that they do. That to me is priceless.
A few mornings back Casey 14 took Jesse 3(pictured) for a walk down the road and spent half an hour watching the harvesters up close. His brother Tom 9 decided to pop Frankie 1 in her pushchair and go watch too. The made me smile, on my face and in my heart!
They fight like any normal siblings and it can be like WWIII around here but it doesn't last long and pretty soon they are hanging out together again. So while having more than the average number of kids, these moments make it all worth it!
It's maize harvesting season around these parts. I don't know why but I quite enjoy this time of year. I love the constant busyness of the machinery day and night, the feeling in the air and the excitement of a certain wee boy of mine whenever a giant tractor, chopper or truck rolls down the road.
Perhaps it gives me a sense of structure or security, that everything is as it should be in my world. Seasons come and go. The end of summer brings maize, a glut of tomatoes and courgette, cicadas, crickets and cooler mornings with a hint....just a hint of autumn with a fine layer of fog in the early morning. The days are hot and humid and the kids are still swimming but pretty soon this season will give way to a cooler one. *sigh* I miss summer when it isn't here.
My thoughts today while I was on my walk turned to my view and the sights I see every time I venture down this road. It is often and familiar. I am no longer surprised by much along this road. Although the black rabbit did knock my socks off! The road hasn't changed much, it is still the same. Like a comfy pair of pjs or woolly socks. But when we get that comfy we tend to take for granted what we do have and how blessed we are.
I looked around today, I mean really looked and breathed deeply of the unique beauty, the space, the landscape and the vista I had. What I have always had but so often miss. Miss because I am not even paying attention and have got so used to seeing, because I am caught up in my own head most of the time.
*sigh.
Lesson was learnt today. Thankfully.
Ok I suppose one of the pluses of not being able to sleep and instead lying wide awake listening to your husband snore oh I mean breath deeply next to you is that you now have the uninterrupted time and the peace to get up and spend some time with God.
There aren't too many pluses but this is got to be one of them. It was after midnight and I decided that I could lay in bed getting frustrated at not being able to sleep or get up and do something constructive. I decided on the latter.
I opened up my bible app (yes they have an app for that) and follow a number of daily bible readings. Two at the moment. Neither one related to one another, have the same theme nor written by the same one and I am even at different stages in them. Now get this both yes BOTH of them had the exact same message in them and referred back to the exact same passage in the bible. Ummmm do you think God might be trying to speak to me?? Maybe I should be listening and taking heed. You think!?
And you know what is even more cool?? My blog yesterday was basically pointing towards the same thing! Freakishly cool ah? So if you are inclined and want to know more open your bibles up at Judges 5 and have a read of the story of Jael.
The seemingly normal ordinary woman being used by God for something important and amazing and is now recorded down in history forever more. Tell me what you think God is saying to you!
So here is me literally walking out the door. Let me just say what a mission that is too. By the time you say goodbye and kiss seven kids plus one husband goodbye, some more than once, ......Well let's just say it takes awhile.
But anyway my excitement for today was the opportunity to head off to a couple meetings in the city. Meetings that will hopefully help change the face of the maternity service in our region. This excites me. I am passionate about this. I long to see change, positive tangible change. I pray that I make a difference.
Driving into the city takes about twenty minutes give or take five mins depending on traffic. It provides time to think and rehearse conversations in my head. Anyone who knows me knows I think a lot. Today on my way home after two very fruitful meetings it dawned on me the reality of the verse that says
"We are assured and know that all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose." Romans 8:28.
This verse says it all really. Everything and I mean everything in my life has helped me and equipped me to get to this place. My nursing, being an ambulance officer, my gifts (things I am good at), my recent and not so recent struggles and disappointments, my journey of difficult and not so difficult births, home births and hospital births, raising seven children and my founding and overseeing Loving Arms all feeds into this. Every single bit of my life and the things that makes up who I am feeds into this. Isn't that so exciting!
I love it and still so amazed when God's Word comes to life. I want to share it with the world. This is something I can make a difference in and can be a bearer of his Love.
So dear reader...whatever life is throwing at you right now, whatever you struggles or your experiences, whatever your passions and life stages, God is orchestrating a symphony, creating something exquisite, something only YOU can fulfill. Keep on keeping on dear one and watch for something beautiful.
This is what a very impromptu dinner looks like. This is what an impromptu dinner looks like when friends who have eight boys join our seven children. A finely tuned production line. Organised chaos! Isn't it grand?
I know for some having a family of nine people turn up for dinner would scare the living daylights out of the average family but you probably know by now we aren't a average family. So much fun, so much noise and so many laughs.
We get them and they get us and we can laugh at each other and ourselves and it's good. I love it. We joked tonight that we were like a classroom on a school camp or sonething. It just works.
From 14 all the way down to 10 weeks. 15 children.....12 boys and three girls. Fun all the way. How was your evening? Did you have friends for dinner?
What is with having a photo taken? Some of us love it some of us hate it. I think I am now in between. I use to hate it with a passion. I never ever thought I looked any good in pictures. I was more than happy to be on the other side of the camera clicking away, capturing memories for others.
Now that makes me sad I was like that. I am now trying really really hard to be ok with having my photo taken. I certainly don't want my kids especially my girls to have hang ups about having their photo taken.
So now while I don't hate it I certainly don't love it. I'll sometime have to take the same photo many times to get a photo that passes strict criteria I have set. No neck wrinkles, no extra fat rolls, no weird eyes, hair looking good oh and let me stand on the side that way you don't get the hips in. I know some of you the same. We our own harshest critics. But it's a journey probably a lesson in pride too.
So here is me... no make up and slightly sweaty. Looking happy and having fun with some if my kids and out walking the course for the 'Walk of Fun'. Thought I'd better make sure its doable for kiddies.
So I am determined that I'll have some photos with my kids, my hubby and even my bestie! (We recently discovered we had hardly anything to mark our 17 year or so friendship ) I will change that. I can't guarantee you will see them all but they will be there. Definitely.
Do you have many photos of yourself? Do you have a screening process before you keep any??
I don't know about you but I find my kids, no matter what age or stage they are at, so fascinating. Especially when they are this young everything is so new and exciting for them. I just love watching them, their expressions, how they work things out and how they experience things.
Frankie is obsessed with babies at the moment. She loves them. Seeing as we don't have a baby of our own, we gave her some twins for Christmas ( dolls not real ones). Today she put them to bed and we all had to shhhhh and kiss them goodnight. This is handy seeing we see a lot of babies through my role with Loving Arms. We have had the privilege of looking after a brand new baby boy. Lucky her! She spent the day covering him in kisses and cuddles. All she just wants to love and kiss them.
All my kids are all so different and so passionate about very different things. Jesse loves trucks, tractors and diggers. Cool as we have road works just down the road at the moment. Graders, rollers and diggers. He knows them all.
Casey loves surfing and building stuff. Jayden loves food, to cook and to eat it. Tom loves computers, coding and has an interest in science. Kaitlyn is right into designing fashion and clothes while Sophie loves to sing and dance and desperately wants to become a Loving Arms lady. Bless her.
All born from the same two parents but so different. I figure its our job as parents and especially home schooling parents to capture their passions and interests and make things happen for them, even if it just for a time. Sometimes I rock at it and sometimes I suck at it. Money of course can be an issue especially in the season that we are in but its only for a time and we are ok with that.
Crikey I love them all so much! Do you find your kids fascinating? What passions are they into at the moment?? Care to share??
