In My Life This Month 2.

I feel I have so much to say, so much to tell you that I have decided to do an 'In My Life This Month' post. Whether or not anyone finds it interesting remains to be seen though.  July is one of those months that I just wished it hurried up and finish. And while there are aspects of winter that is fun and unique to the season I generally don't like winter very much at all. Too much mud, too much washing, too many foggy and grey days and so on and so on.  I do however love having the fire roaring every night and sometimes just sometimes getting to sit and relax with a cup of coffee right next to it.

So anyway
In My Life This Month......

In our home school.......

Since its the school holidays no 'school' work has been done, well certainly not in the formal sense. There is no way my kids would want to do 'school work' while everyone else is on holiday. Funny thing, I get asked that question all the time "Do you do school holidays too?"  Even though we are officially on holiday (even Dad is) doesn't mean no learning hasn't taken place.  We have been Geocaching and learnt about local history, deciphering clues, co-ordinates and riddles (logic).

Possibly the worlds smallest Geocache!

 

We have been very busy in the garden too. From putting top soils into our established gardens to erecting a 'glass house' to planting bulbs, plants and seeds. All which are doing well. (Apart from the lettuce who had their heads and most of their bodies nibbled off by naughty rabbits)

 

 Sophie was so excited to be planting the crop of garlic on her own!  She is especially excited now they have poked their heads up above the ground.

 

 

Helpful Home school Tips or Advice

 

Ummm... I don't know about advice but I am currently working on Pre-planning, Preparation and Time Management.  I am currently waiting for a couple of books to arrive from Fishpond. One being 'The Arrow and the Apple' which is about the story of William Tell. I am planning to feather out a unit study based around that book since my boys are totally archery mad!  The other book is 'The Giant Jam Sandwich' is which I will feather out a unit study for Kaitlyn and probably Sophie even though she is only 4 as she hates to be left out.  We will look at Wasps, Teamwork, Map-skills, Community and of course Chemistry in the Kitchen (aka Jam making and bread making). Exciting. I am really looking forward to it.

 

I am inspired by....

 

Beautiful Women and Real Friendships,  Stunning views from my window every morning, Inspiring Blogs about 'Gentle Parenting',  'Real Food' and 'Purposeful Living'.   Newborn calves born right outside our window, bright red flowers on our Camellia Hedge,  and our three pet puddle-ducks.

 

 

Places we are going and people we are seeing...

 

So apart from our geocaching jaunts and soccer games, we have been to visit family who are in the midst of calving season.

 

And I was super blessed to be able to hang out with some lovely women at a precious friends 'Mother Blessing' or 'BlessingWay'. This is an alternative to the common Baby Shower where the focus is more on the mother and the momentous and sacred occasion that is about to happen.

 

She enjoyed a deliciously thick hot-choc while we decorated her pregnant belly with henna art!



 

This candle is decorated with coloured thread that each women chose and tied around it.  She can light this when she is in labour and know that these beautiful women of strong faith will be praying for her.   

 

 

My favourite thing this month...

 

School holidays! Our garden slowly coming to life. On-going games of Scrabble and the occasional game of Memory.

 

What is working for us.....

Bedroom inspections! Even if a bribe is being offered.  At least they are tidy.

 

What isn't working for us.....

The price of petrol!  It is such a downer.  Being on a limited income every kilometre is taken into account.

 

Questions/Thoughts I have....

I have always thought about writing a book, but would anyone read it? (ok so now the secret is out)  How do I squeeze more out of my day?  I wonder when Jesse will start eating? Is it worth hanging out my washing today? Where can I find a milking goat?

 

Things I am working on....

Eliminating the words 'Hurry up' out of my vocabulary, especially when interacting with my children. Folding my washing everyday...yes I am still working on that.  Being better prepared for school this term.   Ordering my thoughts into action and then completing them.

 

Things I am reading...

Book last read:     The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw & Eric Swanson

                              "How can your church get the attention of your community?" 

Current Book:      The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene

                              "A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated Children"

To Read:               Mission Girl by Fleur Beale

                              Heroes of the Holocaust by Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun

 

I am cooking...

We have been challenged recently by a number of sources to cut down on the amount of sugar we consume. Not that we were particularly bad but like most people we could certainly do better.  So I have been making a conscious effort to reduce by at least half the amount of sugar I use in baking.  Fortunately we do have an abundant supply of honey so I can afford to have a dollop or two of honey to sweeten things up a bit if need be.

 

I was pretty proud of this batch of biscuits which are both sugar and dairy free. I was making up the recipe as I went along replacing the butter with Peanut Butter (which happens to have half the amount of fat that butter has) and two dollops of honey (harvested from Poppa Peters hives). Best of all the kids like them, so I am pretty happy with that.



 

 

This pizza was made the other day from left over roast chicken and roast potatoes and kumara. Hmmmm was really good too. When you use up all the leftovers from a meal like that I feel like I am getting a meal for free.

 

 

 

I am grateful for....

- Our house. Its large enough to fit us all in and not be standing on each other too much during these winters months.

- Firewood. Friends with trees chopped down have kindly kept us in supply of firewood for the winter.

- Health. Up until today we have been quite healthy. Casey has had a spot of asthma and today Jesse was discovered to have Bronchiolitis (sad face here).

- Gods Continual Provision. Much to the amazement of others (and occasionally ourselves) we are still living on next to nothing.  We have been in some very scary places but have gotten through them by the grace of God.

 

I am praying for....

Healing for Casey and Jesse.

Gods continual provision

To know Gods will for us as we continue to venture forth on our journey.

Wisdom and direction for 'home schooling' and other extra-curricular activities.

 

 

Day in the life photos..

 

Biggest Brother and Littlest Brother





 

What happens when the kids have a real life baby to role play with.  Jesse happily complied and was content to lie in there for ages.

 

Someone has not only mastered the art of crawling but pulling himself up to standing. With one hand even!  So clever!

 

Google and YouTube is a marvellous thing!

Here is our attempt at making a wee stove out of a tin can.

 

The beautiful view off our deck!

I wonder how many babies will be born today.

 

Again Google is a wonderful thing....

We re purposed an old down pipe into a chicken feed dispenser and it worked a treat. 

 

 Feeling very self-sufficient indeed!

 

Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. it means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” - Unknown



 

 What has been happening in your life this July?

 

 





Sleep

Sleep is such a precious commodity! Everyone is tired.  Stay-at-home Mamas/Working Mamas, Students, Dads, Grandmas, Poppas, Aunties, Uncles etc. Everyone is tired! Everyone could do with more sleep. I tell you there is no such thing as "sleeping like a baby!"  That over used totally ridiculous phrase conjours up pictures of sweet chubby bubbas lying ever so peaceful sound asleep in a beautifully decorated room in a cot with ironed-smoothed blankets  with matching curtains. Ha that never happens, well not in my house anyway.  I have said this before, Jesse doesn't like to sleep in a bed during the day.  He would much much rather sleep on the couch in amongst the palaver and chaos that is our daily living.  Sleeps more soundly and infinitely longer this way!

 

I had to take these photos because he looked so grumpy about going to sleep!

I cannot remember the last time I had a full nights sleep. Honestly! I even got up to my 12 year old the other night. Why?  Because once he starts with one cough it leads to two and then three and then we are all awake. So rather than waiting until he calls out to me I got up and brought him his inhaler and fixed the problem.  I wouldn't say that I am anymore tired than the next person. At present Jesse is waking from 2 to 7 times a night.  Sometimes I scoot him in and feed him and sometimes I just put my hand on him or touch my lips to his head and he goes back to sleep. Oh how I love that I get to snuggle, its like having my own mould-able hot water bottle.

 Some of my children are older and for the most part don't wake up at night needing my or Jamies help. The younger ones still wake up...for drinks, bad dreams, no blankets, the night light on, cuddles, the occasional wet bed and sometimes they are even hungry.  Sometimes we play musical beds, that's not uncommon in our house.  It is also not uncommon for me to check on the boys or girls before I go to bed and find the kids have rearranged their sleeping  quarters.  At present the Jayden (10) and Thomas (7) have pushed their two beds together into one giant bed and are sleeping like that!

There was a time a couple of years ago where the three boys decided to be in "Little House in the Prairie" days and all sleep in one single bed together.  They did that for a number of nights. During that time Kaitlyn and Sophie came into our bed one night and we joked (as you only you can on nights like that) that we only needed two beds for our entire family.  It is also not uncommon for me to find the kids sleeping on the floor, sometimes with their mattress and sometimes without.  Seriously who would voluntarily sleep on the floor!

Sophie and Kaitlyn decided to sleep in our room one night!

 It is a regular occurrence for me to find the kids have made huts after they have gone to bed and they have gone to sleep in there.

Jamie will often sleep on the fold out couch or on a mattress on the floor if one of the kids are sick.  For an entire week after Jesse was born he vacated our bed for a mattress on our bedroom floor so Jesse and I could spread out and recover.   We frequently all sleep in the lounge and have family movie night. ALL the mattress come off the beds (including ours) and they are set up in preparation for movie watching.  Funny thing is, is that on those nights EVERYONE has the best sleep-ever!  There is something to be said for communal living I reckon.

 It is true that some people need more sleep than others. I function on little sleep and for the most part I function well. Jamie on the other hand doesn't and will often take himself off for a nap if the day allows it. This use to (and if I am honest it still does to a degree) frustrates me, but I am S-L-O-W-L-Y accepting that he needs Nana-naps.  I don't enjoy going to bed early and would rather stay up late and enjoy some time with no kiddies wanting/needing me. I HATE getting up early, but I am working hard at getting up before 7am. Yes I know for some of you the day has started by then. Jamie can jump out of bed very sprightly indeed, be showered and dressed before I have even got one eye open! I am awake often at night, thinking, reflecting, planning and dictating essays, teachings and blogs (in my head).  In saying all this, sleep is important for everyone, its just that we all require different amounts. Sleep is essential for health, growth and everyday functioning.  All of us probably don't get as much as we should for one reason or another. (ha I just yawned - I must be tired) We ALL are busy with living our lives and could all do with a bit of slowing down, a bit less technology, a bit more activity/exercise/ a bit more of the outdoors, a bit more of 'being present in the now'.  Even God rested, so therefore so must you/I. Where are you sleeping tonight?

Goodnight lovely people!

 

 

So what are you doing this Sabbath!

Groove-less

Have you ever had one of those days, (weeks, months or years) that you feel like you haven't quite got your groove on.  Yesterday was one of those days (if I am completely honest I have been having a few in the last little while)  You know almost in an instant soon after your feet hit the ground in the morning that  perhaps at some stage during the night, you lost your groove.  I spent the whole day trying to catch up with myself.  Breakfast was chaotic, morning clean up time was chaotic, school was chaotic and bitzy and on and on and on. It effected every part of my day.  You know its really bad when you are wondering around and around the house feeling bored, tired and apathetic!  I was really looking forward to the day being over and crawling into bed and sleeping into the next day with the hope that it will be hundred times better.

I think the kids pick up on me sending out 'groove-less' vibes.  They know - oh how they know!  And boy do they milk it for all its worth.  And all I want to do is scream "Do I look like I am in the mood for this!"  Actually I do think I said that a number of times yesterday and then I went and gave myself time out for it. In other words I went and lay on my bed in self imposed quiet time. I tried to give all 5 kids quiet time but very soon discovered that that was next to impossible - and that it was far easy for me to go to time-out.  Just me, the cat and a book, door closed, ahhhhh semi-peace (I say semi-peace because I could still hear them through the closed door)

Today was a better day.  School was better, I spent time with a friend and I got a lovely surprise box of chocolates and a beauitful card left on my side of the bed from my husband.   Tonight I actually wanted to cook tea and that can only come from having a better day.

Now don't get me wrong, which is always a fear of mine when I come out and say that I had a bad day or that I am struggling, that it will come across like I am complaining and not enjoying life, my children or where God has me at the moment.  I do and I am.  But like everyone else, one cannot have it all together all of the time.  We are allowed to be groove-less at times.  I could put it down to hormones or being 32 weeks pregnant, or any number of things but hey it could be just a groove-less day.  And I give YOU permission to feel groove-less from time to time and not feel bad about it!

Anyway check out some of these photos from over the past week!

Kaitlyn (5) had collected a bunch of feathers off the side of the road after one of our chickens get runover by a car.  She wanted to make an old fashion pen to write with.  As soon as I had made one I said to Jamie, "I just know I am going to have to make four more of these"  and what happened?  I had to make four more of them!  So five broken pens later and feather clipping around the place we had five 'old fashion' pens! 

 

The strawberries are in and looking great!  We have four of these strawberry patches and are looking forward to a good harvest of them!

 

 

 

My cat likes to hide in boxes!

Just about the right size, don't you think?

 

I love what children come up to do and create when you leave them to their own devices.  Too many times I have heard parents (myself including) interrupt  childrens play, creativeness and even them just being with statements, questions or at its worst trying to create teaching moments.  For example  when a child has lined up the chairs and is playing trains/buses and the parent (with all good intentions of course) come in and say "Oh look at you!  What are you playing?  Do you know how many chairs you have lined up?  What if I took two away, how many would you have then?"  You know what I don't think they really care, they were just playing!!

Kaitlyn quite often goes away and creates by herself and I have learnt not to interrupt (just like I don't like to be talked to while I am writing)

This was one of her creations.

 

Sophie (3) just being cute!

 

Thanks to her big brother Casey taking her training wheels off and her other big brother Jayden, Dad and Poppa Peter teaching her.  Kaitlyn can now ride her bike on two wheels!  It was just a day later and she was doing hill starts! Scary for her Mum (It pays not to watch too much)

 

No its not the planet Mars, it is my (then) 31 week pregnant stomach and its only going to get bigger.  As you can see my feet are long gone!  Those chocolates Jamie bought aren't going to help either.  I did have a normal photo taken of my pregnant self but...well...not really super confident about it. 

 

It took me a while but I did it.  I worked out how to upload a video to YouTube and therefore upload on to here.  Aren't I clever!

 

 

So thats about it, a week in pictures. 

 

How is your week going?