Joys of July Day 31 - Family

Ok so my photo today has really got nothing to do with my joy...well maybe a little. My biggest joy for today was FINALLY being able to catch up with my best friend and her family. Its been too long, WAY too long. And in all our catching up we did I forgot to take any photos! There is nothing like spending time with good friends (who in this case happen to be family as well).

But I thought I would share this pic with you that was taken of the views around our house. All taken this morning. Isn't the lighting so amazing yet so different in all of them. In one of them it looks like we are privy to lake views but thats just a giant puddle. Its rained that much! From one side of our house was sunshine and the other side was intense black clouds and a rainbow. How beautiful! Beautiful views bring me such joy.

This in the last post for Joys of July. Join me tomorrow the beginning of August. If any of you have a title for Augusts blogs let me know! I have drawn a blank.

Yay last month of winter tomorrow!

Joys of July Day 30 - Gift of Giving

You know when you were kids and your mum (or dad ) used to say that it was better to give than to receive and if you were like me, you were like "Say what???" Truth be told.....I like to receive, I think if we are all honest we all probably like to receive things, especially if its your love language.  If you don't know about 'Love Languages', have a "Google" of them. Its quite enlightening really and certainly helps your close relationships with people if you know what their love language/s are. Mine is mainly quality time and acts of service with a touch of gifts.

But as my mum used to tell me...it truly is better to give than to receive. I feel that now. I know I post on this from time to time. But every time one of our Loving Arms bundles gets selected and packed up for a precious mum I imagine what it would be like to receive one. What it would be like to open up the boxes and see what has been lovingly pack for me and my precious baby. What it would be like to know that there are people out there that care  and want to help me. To know that I don't have to worry about finding the money to buy the things that I need for my baby. Oh I would love to be a fly on the wall.

I am not going to lie. I get great satisfaction at packing up a bundle and delivering it. Not because it gets me warm fuzzies but because I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Jesus loved so we are to love also!

This was my joy!

Joys of July Day 29 - Simple Things

Yahoo! Today is Friday which is our house means its sleep in day. Excellent! Just what is needed especially when I can drift back to sleep listening to the wind and the rain pounding the house around us. I wonder if in our next house we will still be able to hear the rain on the roof? Crazy crazy weather we are having. I take comfort that officially its just over a month left of winter and then we are into Spring. Yay!

Today's joys......

WOOD. We just got another load of firewood delivered today. THANK YOU GOD! I am especially thankful for this wood as its delivery was a answer to prayer. Last week we noticed that we were getting low. Jamie rang the wood man (is there an official title to a firewood man?) expecting that we would have wood in the next day or two only to be told that there was a three week wait on wood! Say what?  That has never happened.  So we carried on very aware of our dwindling supply. Jamie rang yesterday just to check to see if there was a break through. You never know. Again only to be told (very apologetically) we would have to wait two weeks! We only had enough to last maybe two or three days if we were very very careful with what was left. I thought about asking on the local Buy and Sell site, we perused the newspaper for firewood for sale ads, nothing. Jamie prayed, I prayed....Jamie is hardly ever stressed, I stress. Jamie tells me not to worry about it///// And what do you know the wood guy rings us this morning to tell us that he has tracked down a load of week just for us!!!!  Lucky Jamie went out with the cheque or I might of kissed him! I HATE being cold. THANK YOU GOD. He is so awesome!

GAMES. The board game of the week/month is Rummikub. Everyone is playing it all of the time.  I even manage to win my first game ever this morning. Yes I was a terrible winner and let EVERYONE know about it! You have to understand that I hardly never win any game unless its the Logo game or Trivial Pursuit and thats only because I am a bit of a geek.

Whats your favourite board game? Do you win or lose mostly?

Joys of July Day 28 - Rain Play

Very few word are needed to describe this wee girls adventure. She spent a large part of an hour trying to get outside. To the point that she pushed the stool up to the door and opened the door herself. She is pretty determined. So even though it was pouring with rain I decided to just let her. She clearly was very serious about getting outside.

Cue the purple gummies and a very cute red ladybug raincoat. Don't you just want one?

Today's joys.....watching her just go and play in the rain. She spent a long time outside meandering around, stomping in puddles, squishing mud, sliding down the slide, playing with sticks, catching rain with her tongue and this....lying face down on the deck to slurp the water off of it. This took multiple attempts. Obviously she was really thirsty.

When did we stop playing in the rain? It looks so much fun don't you think?

Joys of July Day 27 - Wednesday

There was nothing remarkable about today. Today is Wednesday. Hump day if you please.  On 

the days following hump day you will find yourself on the home stretch to the weekend! It was so like that today. Bring on the weekend. I am looking forward to Sunday because if everything goes to plan and no one develops a random tummy bug I will get to see and hang out with my bestie! NO ONE GET SICK you hear!

Todays joys are a mixed bag seeing today was one of those days. Where things feel chaotic but you appear to accomplish no much. I did pack two boxes though. Yay me!

An AMAZING SUNRISE with amazing lighting. I need not say anymore

A KIWI FAVOURITE for lunch. The thing with having kids home all day is that if they feel like eating something for lunch they will more than likely want to cook it. Kaitlyn made us pikelets today...complete with jam and cream. Although some of the other weird ones ate them with peanut butter and cream. Now that is weird.

MY FRONT DOOR. It opens to this! Doesn't it make you happy. Every season it takes on a different look. I will miss it but today it made me smile

I have been thinking a lot about my writing. Shall I do more? Can I do more? It seems as though everyone is writing ...do I have anything different to say? I love to write even though my grammer is terrible. I write what is in my head and how I would say it, like a conversation. I want people to feel as though I am talking to them. Downside is that it often doesn't read like I would say it and people get confused.  I'll keep thinking I think! :)

Joys of July Day 26 - Scripture

I spent the day really pressing into God. To seek His Face and to seek revelation. So in some quiet time today this jumped out at me and it jolted me like I just had received an electric shock.  It was almost like the scripture jumped out at me and shouted "Ta Da...this ones for you!"

Wow just wow. It left me speechless and excited. In awe and humbled. Its no secret that we as a family are facing something pretty ginormous in finding a new home to live. We have every faith that God has a new home already earmarked for us. We believe it.  But in the opinion of the world, the odds are stacked against us. But note this "the opinion of the world"....its not God opinion at all for He is not of this world. He will make our journey smooth and victorious!

I pretty much love the first half of Isaiah 45 but its the first four chapters that really spoke well shouted out me today. God is so good.

"I will go before you and level the mountains [to make the crooked places straight]; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron. And I will give the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name. For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have called you by your name...." Is 45:2-4

What a promise! I say it again, what a promise!  He WILL go before us and level the mountain [ making crooked paths straight]. He WILL break the doors of bronze (that are shut). Amen, Amen, Amen!!

Oh I could go on and on.

My joy today......a verse straight from my God to me!

Joys of July Day 25 - Happy at Play

Hands up who still loves squishing play-doh in there hands and rolling it long fat sausages. Me me me... I do! Ok I'll admit there is nothing that can invoke childhood memories like the play-doh you by from the shop. Just one whiff of it and I am like 5 again. For my kiddies I am wondering if they will get the same sensations and flashbacks with the homemade play-doh I make. It certainly doesn't smell the same BUT you can make it any colour you want and you can even add glitter or some nice smelling essences just for fun.

So my joy today is.....PARENTING WIN in the form of home made play-doh but not only that, me the super mummy who got a big fat tick for deterring a massive three year old meltdown with the mere suggestion of "Would you like to help me make play-doh?" "You would?"  "What colour shall we make?" Gee I rocked that moment and I will say that unashamedly too. Thumbs up for me.

Purple was the colour of choice. I think it is Jesse's favourite colour because he chooses that one the most. Check out the smile on Frankie face, its what she does whenever the camera is around. I don't even need to tell her to say cheese or ask her to smile...she just does.

Joys of July Day 24 - Slippers

Today's joys are these puppies! Wonderfully soft and freshly hand knitted bed socks made by a dear friends mum just for me! Oh how I love them. I couldn't wait to get them home to put them on only because it would of looked mighty funny if I had worn them through church this morning. Every girl needs a pair of these I tell you.

Slipping my feet into these after my hot post-run-in-the-rain shower was just bliss. Bliss in a pair of socks.

Some other joys of today was being able to get out on the road for a long run....did I just write that? Me who hated running as a kid/teenager, me who developed a sore stomach three weeks out from the school cross country so I didn't have to compete. Yes me. I ran for 40 mins today and got caught in two torrential downpours and high winds but it was so good. Good that I am feeling back to 100% that I can do that. I am feeling it in my legs tonight though.

Another joy was having only my eldest son accompany me to night church where I got to listen to my good friend preach. He is so awesome even if he does pinch my phone and use it to check his Facebook account and message his friends.

Tell me...what was one joy of yours today?

Joys of July Day 23 - Family Day

What a great day it was! We had decided that we would make today a family day, to celebrate being a family and enjoy some time hanging out and having some fun.  You know what every kid wants to do in the holidays.  After a time of deliberation around the table about what we should do, and it was some deliberation too (you know after hearing 9 peoples ideas and opinions) Jamie and I retreated to discuss the options that were tabled.  We came back to the table with the options and made it known that we had allocated a set amount of money to the day, we let the kids decided how best to spend it. This is what they came up with.....

A trip to the pools as a family with everyone swimming. Lunch at McDonald's. Snacks and treats from the supermarket to eat while watching a movie and sleeping in the lounge after dinner. Which by the way happen to be a very yummy roast pork even if I do say so myself. So here is our set up for tonight. A chaotic mess complete with its fair share of fights about who is sleeping where and next to who, and its fair share of bed bouncing accidents. Jamie and I have long since been resigned to the fact that this is just how it is and that they won't sleep until late tonight. So seeing we are all prepared for that we can't get too stressed and frustrated with all the goings on. Everyone always has fun and everyone always seems to sleep really well. Perhaps its out inner Mongolian coming out in us....you know sleeping together on the floor. Perhaps we should invest in a yurt next.

Today's joys.....my family!

Joys of July Day 22 - Dinner

Today was the first day off that we have had together as a family where no one has been sick in what feels like such a long time. It was pleasant, very pleasant. We had a nice slow start to the morning and I slept in until 845am can you believe! Oh sleep is such bliss.

The rest of the day we managed to sort and pack some more stuff, sort and tidy the garage and clean some walls in the girls room and deconstruct some furniture. I managed to get some baking done as well....although judging by the empty muffin and biscuit tray a good portion of it has already been eaten. That is the thing about baking... it ALWAYS gets eaten.

My big joy for today is Jamie and I spent a lovely evening with the most loveliest of friends at the local Thai restaurant.  Good food and excellent company made for a wonderful evening. I had the yummiest Thai Green Curry, not too big and not too small either.

Don't you just love company that you can laugh with and yet share your hearts with? Everyone needs people that you can do that with. Life is not meant to be lived without good people in your life.

Joys of July Day 21 - Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday! Did you have a good day? Oh my goodness today I had some time out of the house BY MYSELF. Somewhere quiet. It was good. So good.
I have a number of joys but only a few photos. I always forget to take the photos.
BOYS in the KITCHEN. Two of the boy's have friends over tonight which means serious amounts of food is needed. So when the two big ones come sauntering into the KITCHEN and tried to talk me into making dessert for them.....in which I pleasantly declined the offer, here we see the two of them whipping up dessert for themselves. Good for them. Always nice to see boys in the kitchen.
GODS PROVISION....Today we were blessed. We saw God move in an amazing, tangible and mighty way. We had been praying for a necessary item for a while now and today our prayers were answered. My joy is seeing God move in miracles and blessing in our lives. My bigger joy.....is that my kids are witness to it too.
MINISTRY. My time in the quiet was packing up these bundles for local and not so local mums. Every time one of these is delivered I am blessed to know that there is one less sweet baby or babies that will not go without. That they have the necessary items to be happy and warm. That there mums know that there are people out there that care and want to help. Such a joy!

So how is your Friday looking? Got any plans for the weekend? 

Joys of July Day 20 - Smile

Today's joy is this. A moment shared with my two youngest at the painting table. These two got to experience something that most kiddies do everyday. Early Childhood Education. Thanks to Creators Child Care of Te Awamutu who provided the childcare for the preschool kiddies while their mums and dads were at a movie next door.  As you can see by the look on Frankie's face she is enjoying it and Jesse is too busy concentrating to look up at the camera.  Frankie has come home with the back of her hair painted orange and the insides of her ears and beyond painted a nice pink colour. Again...what is with wanting to put things in her ears?  Jesse loved and I mean LOVED the drums and xylophone. Why is it my child who wants to be the noisy one?
Anyway short blog tonight as I need to put these too cherubs to bed, The others should be home shortly. They spent the evening at the local pools and gym centre.

Todays joys....Watching my kids at play and being creative....with a cheesy smile thrown in!

Joys of July Day 19 - Cows and Clothes

Yeah baby! I am feeling quite a bit better today...almost a functional human. Thank you God. I don't know what I would of done if I had woken and was still unwell. Today was a much better day.  I don't think you really know how unwell you have been until you feel 100%. I was feeling so good I managed to do some sorting and cleaning out of the cupboard above our wardrobe which is used for things not used, very rarely needed or "I don't know what to do with this just now so we will put in up here" things. Things like Christmas decorations and kids shoes to grow into.  I had mentally prepared myself to tackle a mammoth job that I had been putting off and putting off.....clearing out the baby clothes. So here are today's joys.

BABY CLOTHES - A bittersweet task for me as there are so many emotion attached to not just the clothes but the moments and the era they represent. BUT I did it. I have only kept about eight things of sentimental value the rest is earmarked for different places and people. I am pretty sure I could of clothed ten babies at once in what I had. As much as this has been a tough time for this mamas heart it has been a joy too. Thinking about how blessed I am to have been able to conceive, grow, birth and nuture seven babies. SEVEN babies. Now that is my JOY. I am so blessed beyond belief.

COWS - I took this photo just as I had finished hanging out my washing on the line.  It appears that I am my neighbours source of entertainment this afternoon as they all came up to the fence and were watching me occasionally mooing at me. Not deterred by Frankie kicking the soccer ball up to the fence and climbing the fence to get a better look at them and their babies. Cows are fascinating especially these ones seeing the paddock is the maternity ward at present.

Did you keep any baby clothes? Was it difficult passing on the baby clothes of your children?

Joys of July Day 18 - From my Front Porch

I know you are probably sick of me waaaaing on about being sick, I don't blame you I am sick of me being sick too. Tomorrow better be a flippin better day because this mama bear isn't happy. Not at all what I had thought the school break would look like. Not at all.

In the midst of feeling sorry for myself and still caring halfway decently for my kiddies I have tried to be purposeful in looking out for some things that bring me joy (although eating and feeling good would be so joyful around about now). So my joy for today....

A NAP - In a moment of exhaustion my hubby came home for few hours and I was able to sneak of for a nap. Oh the joy of being able to do that in the middle of the day....unheard of!

MY PORCH - I took a moment to sit on the front porch just as the sun was setting behind the neighbours tree. Even though it was quite chilly I stayed there and watch the light change all around me and steam come from my breath and listen to the birds start to bed down for the night and calves calling for their mamas.  Simple JOY!

What was the sunset like where you are? Or sunrise?

Joys of July Day 17 - Rest

Still not 100% today. I was not happy about it either. I meant that not only did I have to feel sick all day with no energy but more importantly I had to stay home from church and miss my hot hubby preaching what I hear was a totally awesome message.  Granted I heard the nuts and bolts of it two or three times but still its nothing like actually hearing him deliver the Word of God on a Sunday morning. I was not happy.  Today he was speaking on family and I know he was using the ins and outs of our own family in his message and I can imagine that not only he would of been on point but he would of been pretty funny....cos we are a pretty funny family if you didn't know. Messy, noisey, chaoitc and funny. Its not too often that peace reigns in our house. So I was left to meandering around the house and hang out with the four youngest.  Really though...not at all bad.

Todays joys....

SITTING in the sunshine (and wind) on the deck watching my to littlies play on the swing set. We actually spent a lot of time outside or at least looking outside as we were watching some of the mama cow have their babies. Watching the kids play reminds me how short time like this is and how precious it is. I was savouring it today.

DESSERT. I highly doubt that I will be eating some of this tonight but Jayden the family's up and coming foodie just felt like chocolate pudding tonight so thats just what he made. I get so excited when the kids are capable and just get on with doing things and do things well. This gives me such joy.  The rest of the family will be very appreciative too I bet.

KNOWING my husband was sharing Gods message today always leaves me proud and filled with such joy. He truly is a wonderful man of God and he is my husband. Joy right there!!

I hope no winter lurgies have plagued your household.....seriously they are not cool at all!

Joys of July Day 16 - Outside

Well wasn't yesterday a totally right off...well it was for me anyway. Last night I didn't have the best sleep. My whole entire body was so sore and it felt like my bed was made of bricks. But we got through the night and I woke to feeling better.....no more vomiting and feeling sick but a doozy of a headache and such a sore body. I felt like I had been doing a workout with 20kg weights.  But oh it was so so good not to feel as bad as I did the day before.

My joy for the day was being able to walk outside and see this remarkable view with this amazing lighting. I will miss it. My joy was to be able to enjoy the kids, cuddle and have them climb all over me. I just didn't want to be around anyone yesterday. My joy was to be able to potter around the kitchen and do some baking and get outside and hang the washing out.   There is a big lesson in this for me....all the things that I take for granted and often get frustrated by I miss when I can't do them.

A big lesson don't you think??

Joys of July Day 15 - When Mums Get Sick

I am finding it hard pressed to be joyful today. Ever part of my body is in pain......and no it's not from a workout either. I have been bedridden for the day with a tummy bug.....so been isolated down the other end of the house.
It hurts to type and to lift my head. So I have been feeling sorry for myself. The only joy is that my hubby was home to be with the kids. I thought I might of had some joy at the chance to catch up on a series on Netflix called called Chef's Table but no. It hurt my head.
So very short blog tonight....I am going to lie here and listen to my family joyfully eat pizza! (Dads cooking obviously )

Joys of July Day 14 - Boxes and Time Out

So even though tonight is technically date night.....I am off out for a bit. And even though some of my kiddies aren't 100% I am leaving them with their very capable dad and off out to support a friend and maybe even score some new (free) clothes at her annual clothes swap. I am wondering though....do I take a bag? I sorted out my wardrobe a few weeks back as part of our preparing to move drill and was able to pass on a whole box of hardly worn clothes. So my wardrobe is looking a little sparse so hoping to ferret out some finds for myself. Don't worry we are having date night on my return!

My son Jayden has been super keen and very busy and has been packing already. Already he has made a pile of boxes that have been packed, labeled and taped! He is so amazing. We had a bit of a break in our day where him and I popped off for an appointment this afternoon. Feeling blessed because we came home to a super duper clean and tidied house....vacuumed as well!
Feeling blessed on today's joys!

Joys of July Day 13 - My Sophie

My joy today is a big one! My Sophie (7) spent the day at a friends house today. It was a momentous occasion as she has always been too shy to go anywhere by herself and would only stay places if her big sister was there too. She didn't last long at kindy for that reason. 

She has always been a shy wee mouse drawing confidence and strength from her siblings and from us, her mum and dad. But slowly yet surely over the years she has grown more and more confident and is getting more and more brave and today she spent the day with her friend all by herself and wasn't even shy or worried when I left. I am so proud of her and I got such joy out of her achieving this milestone that has been a biggy for her. 

It also is such a joy that as her parents and family that we have been able to give her the length of time and space that she has needed to develop and grow in this area. No need for us to force her or bribe her to be any different than she is. She could just be herself and know that it was ok that she is who she is. We trusted her to develop and grow when she was ready. I realise this is a luxury these days for some and I am forever thankful for that. 

I have just picked her up and she had a great time playing all day with her favourite friend.
I know today's joy probably isn't that big in some people's eyes but for me I am on cloud nine! Thank you God!

Joys of July Day - Surprise Selfies

These things ALWAYS make me smile. Surprise Selfies. You know where you are scrolling through your photo reel or swipe open your phone and SURPRISE you find selfies of your kids doing what they do best...being funny and having fun.  This little munchkin is so funny! And everyday she is showing more and more of her personality. She is a crack up with a crazy sense of humor.  The challenge that she is presenting to us at the moment is that she has a thing about trying to stick things in her ears and up her nose. What is that about? None of my other kids have ever done anything like that and yet she comes along and what do you know.....in the space of two weeks I have already had to fish things out of her nose twice and caught her trying to put things in her ears. Things like seeds, little bits of plastic, stickers and the heads of lego men.  I am truly at a loss. How do I stop her from doing that? But even though she has presented me with a whole new level of crazy to work out how to deal with...everyday she provides us with such immense joy and laughter.

We love our Frankie pants!

Tell me....did any of yours stick things in their ears and nose? What am I to do??

Joys of July Day 11 - Home

I love this view! Love it so much. Every morning it can look completely different from the previous morning. This view has provided so much joy for nearly eight years. We moved in on the day my dad died. I wasn't here for the move and the unpacking. Our awesome family and church family helped Jamie and the then four kids move in and unpack an entire household full of stuff.

So it is sad to say that our days have been numbered here....yep last night we were given two months notice to move out. Very sad but very exciting at the same time.  You see a few months back Jamie felt that God had told him that we would be moving house soon. That our time here was coming to a close and to prepare ourselves. So we have......slowing but surely cleaning out, sorting out, biffing out and praying.  We had no inkling from our landlords that they would be giving us notice we just felt that this is where God was leading us. A few days after Jamie and I decided to pray for and thank God for our new home (where ever that is) Jamie saw that the land lord had put their house on the market. Not at all remarkable in itself as they had been trying to sell their home for seven years on and off. We shared with our kids that God is wanting us to move but we didn't know where and they were excited and of course full of questions But a few weeks back we felt that we were to step up our efforts at preparing and set about restoring bits and pieces back to how they were things like gardens and the yard, replace some light bulbs etc.

So here we are......on the move, still here in Te Awamutu we are 100% positive about that.....sad we are leaving a place where there is so many memories, three babies have been born while we are here (two of which have been born right here), family Christmases, oodles of birthdays, dinner parties and even a wedding. But oh so exciting...to know that we are being lead my our God to better and brighter things and definitely warmer!!  Watch this space...just another beautiful crazy faith journey that we find ourselves on! The Way of Faith ......not for the faint-hearted!

Joys of July Day 10 - His Word, Flowers and Hugs

All day I have been battling with a very bad headache. I don't usually get headaches and certainly not this bad. I even had a nap well a two hour sleep today. I NEVER do that. I feel like its a waste of day. But I had to.  But inspite of my headache there are moments in my day that have been 'joy' moments which of course make everything so much better.

Today's 'Joys'....

HIS WORD - This morning I got the privileged opportunity to share Gods Word in a communion message. I love sharing what God puts on my heart with people especially when it is coupled with testimony which is super powerful way of expressing the awesome work of God and His amazing Love for us. I spoke out of 136:1-3.....His Love endures forever!

FLOWERS - Having fresh flowers in the house is a super rarity in my house, so these are very much a joy! Gifted to me by my friend for last nights Mother Blessing. I love these and every time I see them I think of her and her sweet baby girl that we will meet soon.

HUGS FROM MY CHILDREN - Hugs...they just ooze joy! And Jesse (3) gives super big hugs. He never lets me go anywhere without giving me a hug and a kiss and then another hug and then another kiss. Its just what we do.  This afternoons hugs from Jess were especially lovely seeing as I was feeling so crap.

How was your day? Did you enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap?

Joys of July Day 9 - A Mother Blessing

I have so much to share with you and so many joys of today. I can't share them all with you as its late and its cold and my bed is calling me. I am scraping in by the skin of my teeth by getting this posted before midnight. My biggest joy today was facilitating a friends Mother Blessing. I have to admit I was a little nervous as I didn't know most of the people there and was wondering what everyone would think of the evening as it is so vastly different to the traditional 'baby shower'.  I will do a seperate post later on about it properly but for now just leave you with some tidbits.

Joys of today....

BABKA - And I am going to say so myself but I did a great job of baking this and it turned out just like in the picture and its was divine! 10 out of 10!

BEAUTIFUL HENNA BELLY ART - Totally a new experience for just about everyone there this evening. Guests were invited to decorate the mama-to-be beautiful pregnant belly. Her precious wee button housed in there made it difficult as she decided to join in the party by dancing.

FAIRY LIGHTS - How can anyone not feel joy over fairy lights!

HOMEMADE GIFTS - A lot of love went into some of these gifts tonight. Gorgeous handmade booties, snuggly handknitted slippers for the feet of the mama-to-be and delicious homemade meals ready to be popped into the freezer for when baby comes. This mama was feeling the love.

Now all we need is a baby!!! We are all waiting sweet thing!

Joys of July Day 8 - Quality time and a Recipe

Wow its so windy outside!  I have to use my muscles just to open the back door. Whenever its windy out here it mostly always comes driving in the backdoor. Which makes for putting anything in the laundry a hazard seeing our laundry is in an outside room.  Today has been a great day. I am really excited to be able to host/facilitate a friends "Mother Blessing" tomorrow night so I have been preparing for that. I am such a last minute kind of person...then go hard out to get it finished. I often wondered what would happen if I started weeks out.  Its just not me...the more I ponder that. Did you have a good day? Last day of the term here, which means HOLIDAYS and also means no in and out and in and out into town again.  Yeah baby!

So todays joys are....

MY HUSBAND - Some fun quality time with my hubby.  Our weekends usually consist of Friday and Saturday seeing our Sundays are pretty busy. We had a day in town with most of the kids today, doing odd jobs and spending the kids birthday money. Plus we had a lunch treat at McDs to celebrate the end of the term. Today was a joy!

A TRADITIONAL RECIPE - I am so excited about tomorrow night! I am making this delicious looking treat for tomorrows night Mother Blessing. I love recipes that are traditions and have stories to tell and a whole heap of deep history behind it.  Usually those recipes are terribly laden with fat and sugar and yumminess but who really cares when it comes to celebrations. I am sharing this recipe tomorrow night because of it depth and history. Its called Babka...an orange chocolate braided bread with Jewish and Eastern Europe origins.
I hope to share some more on the Mother Blessing in the days to come because it truly is a very special event somewhat new to our western ways but still very special.  PS this photo is not my bread but the recipe illustration....lest you think I am some kind of kitchen diva! Food is a joy!

What is your go to or favourite recipe? A recipe that has a bit of soul or history to it? I would love to know!!!

Joys of July Day 7 - Another Son, A Friend and a Privilege

Just a quick post tonight because tonight's date night.  I want to get blogging out of the way so I can put away my technology and just hang out with the hubby, who by the way is cooking me dinner and has poured me a glass of cider. I think I will keep him on. I have only two photos tonight because my super amazing friend wasn't around for me to snap a shot of of.  Lucky her???  Anyway here we go...

Today's Joys

MY SON - Check out this handsome guy. He is my eldest son who is rocking his very cool hair.  He saved my bacon today because as I was driving around the petrol light was on and I knew I needed petrol but kept putting off going until I was on my way home so I could get the discount at the petrol station on the way home.  I pulled in to fill up and found that I had no CARD which meant NO PETROL. Fortunately for me, well for all of us, he pulled out his newly acquired EFTPOS card and was able to pay for the petrol for me (on strict instructions that I would be paying him back)  He even did the whole put the petrol in the car for me. He ROCKS!

MY FRIEND - She is coming to my rescue and doing some decorations for a mother blessing I am hosting on Saturday night. I am a complete plonker when it comes to that kind of thing but not her...she is amazing. I can't wait to see what she comes up with.

A PRIVILEGE - I am really privileged to be able to pack up a newborn baby boy bundle and deliver it to a local mum who is due in a few weeks. It truly truly is a great thing to be in a position where we can meet the needs of mums and their families. I love that our community can see our vision and shares the urgency and donates and gives of their surplus baby items. It is a true joy.  Loving people until they ask why!

How was your day? Ever rocked up to a shop to buy something and have no card?

Joys of July Day 6 - A Son, Chocolate and a Run

I think that I am pretty much 100%. Yuss!  Feeling unwell makes everything so much harder so when I feel better I am so appreciative. I am praying that my children that still feel under weather will have a good resting sleep tonight and wake up chipper, not grizzly and snotty like they have. My on fire son that I posted about last night is still going strong. Today he cleaned the pantry from top to bottom and boy was he ruthless. The result is a sparkly clean pantry that is looking rather embarassingly understocked.  But thats not who I am writing about tonight even though he deserves it.

Todays "Joys"

MY 3 YEAR OLD SON - Poor wee Jesse isn't very well so he has been a little challenging. I mean really who has patience and manners when you are sick. I too want to grizzly, whine and shout commands at people when I am unwell. Let me assure you that it takes every bit of self - control in me that I don't. So I can understand his mood but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Tomorrow is another day. So when he found some colouring in to do for a spell and I watched the look of intensity on his face......it made me happy. He is mine and boy do I love him.

JAFFA CHOCOLATE - I am not sure that they have this anywhere else in the world but its back on our shelves! I am so excited.  Up there as one of my favourites of all time. Actually chocolate is chocolate its nearly all my favourite. But this is so good and my wonderful husband brought it home for me! Bless him. He is mine and boy do I love him too.

A RUN - Because I am feeling better I managed to squeeze in a wee run after a workout today.  So thankful about that. I find it amazing that even though its only been three days since I last exercised I certainly feel withdrawals from not doing it.  Plus seeing as Jamie brought home chocolate I thought I better get back in to it.  I don't want to feel too guilty for indulging. Such joy to be had in a bar of chocolate! Pure yumminess!

Tell me your favourite chocolate? Are you even a chocolate lover?

Joys of July Day 5 - Tractor, Memories and a Son

Praise God! I am feeling mostly better today.  Certainly an improvement on yesterday so my frame of mind was a lot better. Thank you God. I think my children appreciated that. We are winding down to the school holidays which start this weekend. Even though we are homeschooling family...yes we do observe the school holidays.  That is a question I get asked all the time, whether or not I school in the holidays. I think this is a little odd....like my children would let me get away at doing school when everyone else is on holiday.  Holidays of course means no 'formal' learning but we as a family know that 'learning' takes places everywhere and anywhere and at anytime. We are all constantly learning whether we know it or not.

Today's 'Joys' are a bit random probably because I had one of those days, a bitsy kind of day. So here they are....

A BIG BLUE TRACTOR - OK so this isn't directly MY joy but Jesse (3) who is tractor mad.  So his joy was my joy when one drove up our driveway and parked and proceeded to split firewood out of a fallen oak tree log. Oh the joy on his face to see one at his house and up close too! His joy was my joy.

MY SON JAYDEN - This guy never ceases to amaze me. He worked non-stop today for about 5 hours, detail cleaning his bedroom that he shares with his two brothers. He even sorted all the board games out and the Lego box. Pull all the beds and drawers and the bookcase out and vacuum underneath and behind. What a guy! I no...I did not ask him.

JEWELRY - Feeling energized by Jayden fervent cleaning I sorted out some of my stuff too, namely my make up case and jewelry box. I don't have a lot of jewelry but I got rid of odd earrings, bits of broken necklaces and old brooches that I had acquired somehow. My joy....all the pieces that I do have remind me of someone or mark an occasion. They all have a story. The $2 shop ring that Jamie proposed with, My favourite earrings from my bestie, two necklace pendants that hold so much meaning given to me by a precious friend, The necklace I wore on my wedding day. You know pieces like that, that remind me of the people and the times that are most precious. Such Joy!

What are your favorite pieces of jewelry? Do they have stories to tell?

Joys of July Day 4 - A Book and Gorgeous Blue

I haven't been well today. Not sick but not well either. All my kids have been complaining of a sore throat and not feeling great off and on for a week and it probably only seems fair that I get my turn.  I can't feel sorry for myself like the kids do and they are as forth coming with sympathy like I am.  Sad face.  Like all mums we have to and do soldier on.  When I feel like I did today everything seems tens times harder and ten times bigger than it actually is. I couldn't even manage a workout either which of course compounds everything. I felt like I was failing this mum thing as I can never seem to get on top of all the washing, the baking, the dinners and how the hang do people manage to get away with vacuuming once a week. MY vacuum cleaner almost lives permanently in the lounge. We vacuum that often.  Anyway tomorrows another day....its bound to be better. Here are two of my joys......

A NEW BOOK - Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE books. I smell them. I open them up and sniff deeply as if all the contents is being inhaled. I am a little weird I know.  I am so looking forward to reading this book as I have heard fabulous things about it.  A precious friend and encourager gave me this as a gift last night.....I am blessed and full of warm fuzzies. I'll let you know how it goes.

GORGEOUS BLUE SKY - After a super super frosty night we were gifted this BEAUTIFUL day. The colour of the sky is so inspiring and stunning. Its so crisp and clean. Don't you think it just oozes newness and opportunity.  If I was feeling 100% I might of been led to go for an extra long run or take the kids for a walk around the local lake. Jamie and the kids managed to get some all important weeding of the veg gardens in though.

Yes only two today......I was in a funk, a sore throat, feeling-only-75% kind of one.  What color was the sky where you are today?  What are you reading? Tell me....

Joys of July Day 3 - The Word and a Cuppa

Today was COLD!!  I don't think I have been fully warm all day. But it is winter so we should expect it.  How was your day?  I have a very rare moment of peace and space at present. The rest of my family have gone off to the night service at church and I am at home with my wee girl who isn't feeling very well and has already gone to bed. Poor wee poppet...I think she has a sore throat.
So even it has been a very cold and foggy day and its hard to be inspired when you look out the window and all you see is white fog, there are still somethings to be joyful about.....here is a few of mine.

SWEET WEE GIRL- Even wee Frankie isn't well she still manages to be funny and cute at the same time. She still showered me with kisses when I came home from a friends birthday party this afternoon. Poor wee thing. Isn't it so hard to see them sick. But she has a warm bed and loads of mama love coming her way tonight. She is pure joy.

A FAVOURITE TEAPOT - This teapot is one of my favourite gifts that I have ever recieved from my husband. I still love it years later. I saw it in a shop window (Trade-aid) and briefly mentioned it to him and low and behold he bought it for me for Christmas one year. It has made many a cup of tea for friends and family. Many a deep conversation, many a laugh and many a tear has been shed over cups of tea that has come out of this teapot.

THE WORD - Tonight as I enjoyed a hot cuppa (out of my teapot) after my family had left I spent some time in the WORD. In Mark to be specific. I love it when I get unbroken time in it and I can drink deeply from its scriptures.  I would not be the women, the wife, or the mother without His WORD. It brings much joy and freedom into my life.

How was your Sunday? Did you have fog or were you treated to a sun shiney day instead?

Joys of July Day 2 - Frost and Mac n' Cheese

Day two of documenting my Joys of July. Its started off F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G and really it didn't get much warmer than that. How was it in your neck of the woods? But with the freezing temperatures we also got treated to another corker of a day. A real stunner! Jamie was away all day today so it was just me and the kids to spend the day however we wanted. Only one soccer game today and the girls went a a birthday party in the afternoon. So here are some of my JOYS of today....

FROZEN - and not the song either.... I am a sucker for beauty in nature and when the frost falls around here it makes everything glisten like crystals. The deck was no exception either. I took this photo before my crazy kids went skidding around on it with BARE FEET!!

LOVE - Frozen outside furniture was a great blank canvas for a wee bit of artwork.  Everyday I am grateful for love.  The love of my husband, the love of my children and especially the love of my God.  On days like today where it has been a bit tough going I need to remind myself just how much I am loved and cherished.

MAC 'N CHEESE - There is a bit of a story about this. I had a huge craving for this and was planning on making it for dinner. Casey wanted me to make pizza instead saying that everyone would eat that more. Disappointed that my craving wasn't going to be fulfilled I then got a call from my sister 'n ;aw saying there was a dinner leftover from her stock-take and did I want it. Can you guess what it was? YES MAC 'N CHEESE!!!  Even Casey was blown away. So all was happy with tonight's dinner - pizza and mac 'n cheese!  God is so good!!

How was your day?  Care to share any joys - big or small??

Joys of July Day 1 - Hello Sunshine

Wow can you believe that we are in July already??  So welcome to 'Joys of July'! I thought that I would do something a little different this month and mainly share with you the joys of the day. Come on isn't reading about what people find joyful so inspiring. It helps me look around to find the wee joys in my own life.

Today's Joys

SUNSHINE!!! I woke up very early this morning, (6am) thanks to a rather cute alarm clock. Lucky she is so cute. I opened up the dining room curtains to the most beautiful sun rise! Oh PRAISE God!! I was so over that awful unrelenting rain. Thankfully I don't live in Bangladesh or other places where they have rainy seasons.

DRY TOWELS!! Obviously because of the stunning day I got a whole line full of towels dry without using the dryer!!

FIRE!! Because it was such a beautiful day its destined to be a rather nippy frosty kind of night.  SO this toasty fire is doing a good job of heating the house plus we have one going in the boys bedroom crackling away. Tom has made his bed on the floor in the firelight.

There you have it...the first of Joys of July!  What were your joys today?