Where we are now.

Is it bed time yet?? This daylight savings thing has really knocked me for a six.  I mean I was wanting it to be bedtime at 2pm this afternoon!  I probably should go to bed once the kids are in bed but I can't I have a blog to write.  I must not let myself down!!!

Sorry no photos tonight,  oooooo you are in luck I found one pertaining to this post!

I get a few people every now and then that want to know what we are up to, how we are doing and where we are going.  So I thought I would give you a wee update on the daily life of the Budd family.

Its nearly been 2 1/2 years since Jamie suddenly lost his job. Two and a half years that have just flown by. Two and a half years that have been some of the hardest but totally the best years of our lives.  We firmly believe that we are where are right now is exactly where God wants us to be.  Last year Jamie took on the mammoth task of studying.  I say mammoth because it was such a task for him, for he barely made it through four years of high school.  I say mammoth because I think embarking on any kind of studying when you have a family to support and be a purposeful parent is AMAZING!!!!  He completed his Diploma of Ministry and this year we decided that he would continue with his study and complete a Diploma of Ministry Leadership.  I am super proud of him, super proud that he manages to study and complete his assignments well before they are due (unlike me who would leave it to the VERY last minute)  I am proud that he still is able to be an awesome involved Dad and loving husband.  I am proud that every time he preaches he just gets better and better. I so enjoy listening to him.

Graduation Day!!

(color co-ordination not intentional)

So in all this, me being proud of him and all tha,t there is real life.  Real everyday life. I am not going to lie to you and paint a pictures of rainbows and roses because it hasn't been.  Its been tough. I know I said earlier that its been the best years, they have but they still have been tough. Real tough.  Living off the a student allowance and family assistance (from the government) has not been easy. Not.At.All.   The word surviving comes to mind but is actually an understatement.  We have had some very hairy times. Like the time we where couldn't even afford 100g of shaved ham or a postage stamp. Oh we laughed at that, lay on our bed and laughed. I mean what else could you do.  BUT in all this we have seen and experience some amazing miracles of Gods providence.  Like the time when we had NO meat in the freezer and our food budget doesn't really extend to vast quantities of meat unfortunately.  In one day the day that we thought to ourselves 'What are we going to do?' (I kid you not) we got given three HUGE bags filled to the brim of meat, all from three DIFFERENT sources, all completely unrelated!  All sorts too, from roasts to chops, sausages to mince, beef, lamb and pork!  Talk about meat week at the Budds.  You can not deny God at work at times like those.  Yes there have been times when we really didn't know how we are going to get through the week or even the next few days. Those are the times when we have had to completely put all our strength and faith in God.  No bags of money fell out of the sky or magically appeared in our bank account but guess what - we did get through those days.  It just took some creativeness on my part in regards to meals etc.

Some maybe thinking, if you are where God wants you to be then why are you struggling so much?  Why are you just surviving??  You know I can't really say why - I am not God.  And if I am completely honest with you then I will tell you that there have been many times when I have asked God the same thing.  My conversations goes somewhat like this....
HELLLLLOOOOO GOD!!  COME IN GOD..... Are you there?
UM just wondering if you have forgotten us?  You know us....the Budds.....six kids.....studying your word...interning at church..... yeah you know THE BUDDS!"
But of course he doesn't ever forget us does he.  We may feel like it at times but he doesn't.

Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"

God is with us - I like that! I LOVE that!  So my guess to why this is like it is, is this.  We are learning, learning and growing and stretching. My guess is that through us is an amazing testimony of Gods faithfulness, love and providence.  A testimony of Gods power!!  Who doesn't want to be used like that!!!  Jamie and I prayed many many years ago  that we wanted to be used be God in a powerful way, that we wanted to be a family of faith! And we couldn't get there by being rested on our laurels and left to our own devices!  I am ever so thankful. So thankful for this journey we are on.

My hardest time is when I think my kids are missing out on things. It really gets me down. I think its a Mama heart thing.  Our kids didn't ask for this crazy life that we are living and I pray frequently that they don't grow up resenting us, God, or our faith.  Reality is though - that in the grand scheme of things they aren't missing out on anything of great importance. No we can't go camping at the beach, No we can't just hop off to the movies, No we can't have takeaways tonight all that stuff is just stuff - not essential! They aren't starving and have a pretty good life if you ask me.  If we do the best we can I have every faith that God will do the rest!!

Life is full of surprises and our latest one wasn't really a surprise but was at the same time.  We find ourselves excitedly expecting another blessing - due in mid October.  We are very excited and can't wait to meet this little one.  Every child we have been blessed with has just added that something extra to our family and I have no doubt that this one will do the same.  Seven children!! I know crazy times right!!! Already the kids have been coming up with names, names that no one should EVER name their children but for some reason they think they are suitable!!

I often ask God for ideas for a home business so I could at least bring in some extra money. (Especially since I have spied some funky black boots that I might like!)  So far he hasn't given me anything and I am not the crafty creative type so I can't really make anything to sell.Crikey I am still crocheting a blanket that I started weeks ago and its just a dolls blanket!!  So for now I'll continue to do what I am doing and Jamie will continue to do what he is doing and we are happy!  Thankful and happy!

My prayer for you, is that you too will feel God and see God move in your life!  You are probably reading this going No no no no not if it means going through what you are!!! No no no!  But our story will not be the same as yours could be - your will be totally unique to you and your family!

"So do not fear; for I am with you; 

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

(my all-time favorite verse EVER!!!)

On Being Sick!

I don't know too many people that would be putting their hands up wanting to be sick, but I REALLY hate it!!  I hate it with a vengeance!  I hate not feeling like I can do anything, not even the bare basics!  My house is a tip and my washing pile, the one that I have been working soooo hard at keeping folded and put away, has gone from woe to go in an instant!  Alas its back to being the Mount Washington!  Sad face for me.  Whats worse is that five out of six of my kiddies are sick too! High temps, sore muscles (which is turn means that certain little kiddies legs don't work), vomiting (for some) and coughing! OH the coughing its the worst.    My eyes are scratchy and my throat is hot (or is it the other way round) and all I want to do is sleep, sleep and sleep, which of course I can't, because did I tell you, I have the most annoying cough ever. Whats more frustrating is that I can't take any cough mixture because I am breast-feeding!  So I have to be content with sipping on warm Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey drink.  Jamie has vacated my bed at night because I am keeping him awake so much. Last night he pushed Casey over and sleep with him. Tonight he is making up the couch bed, only because Casey has been talking in his sleep and kept Jamie awake part of the night attempting to engage him in numerous conversations.

So we are well into the third week of having one of those good old fashioned 'shut ins'.  Another thing that is doing my head in (but not enough to be bother to do anything about) is that I am insanely over the TV, Computer and/or Tablet being on nearly all day and kiddies wrapped up in blankets and being sprawled all over the couch, floor and not moving. Did I say ALL DAY.  If I was 100% myself I might be inclined to wage war on this but as I said I can't be bothered.  They are quiet, well mostly if you don't count the fights over the TV channel, the pick of movie or whose turn it is on the computer or whose has had 25 secs more than their agreed time. I don't know how else I would keep entertained or quiet and rested five sick kiddies.  I am however, super super thankful that Jesse (9mths) is not at all unwell and that Jamie is able to be at home with us and is having a go at playing nurse. I say playing because it is not at all his calling in life and is doing this under duress. He is certainly not sitting bedside, spoon feeding me chicken broth and sponging my brow with a cool damp cloth but at least he is here and is coping very well with the vomiting, the whinging and the timetable for Pamol administration. Yes I did say timetable, one has to have a timetable when there is five of them all requiring various amounts of medication.  Our house is a disaster zone I tell you.

A plus side for being sick is that I finally have started and finish a book that I have been wanting to read for a while - awesome! AND I have pottered around and sorted out some clutter in 'high-risk clutter zones' at various places around the house - again AWESOME!! AND I have had some time (when I could wrestle the computer off the kids) to peruse the property market for dream homes and Trade Me for milking goats and bar stools. Come on what else do you surf the net for when you are sick?  I am hoping and I am praying that tomorrow everyone will be just that much better than they were today and that I and everyone else will sleep just that much better tonight.
Sorry no photos of said sick kids or nurse Jamie. I don't think that anyone of them would really appreciate me waving a camera in their face and you are certainly not going to get a photo of me in my current state.
Much love to you all Xxx

Ps I did find a dream house - anyone have a cool million? (I did say DREAM house)

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!

One loved cat

Around here we love cats.  Even my husband had a severe soft spot for cats, especially poor abandoned ones.

(although he may try to deny it)

This tiny wee kitty was an orphan and only 2-3 weeks old when we somehow became her owners.   She moved in last October about 4 weeks out from my due date.

This is the kitten that Jamie fed with a dropper 3hourly day and NIGHT!

The first night that we had her she was sleeping in our room and I got up to go to the bathroom(as you do when you are 36weeks pregnant) and she woke up.

I woke Jamie up and he shot up out of bed thinking my waters had broken but no it was just to feed the kitten.
This is the kitten that had a bed made for her complete with a hot water bottle covered in soft towels for her to sleep on.
This is the kitten that Jamie taught how to go to the toilet.
(I will spare you the details to how he did that)
This is the kitten that he taught how to lap.
This is the kitten he has bathed and deflea-ed with a pair of tweezers.

Such dedication!

 

We call her Stella.

(Stell Bells, Stella Rubella and Stella Bells)

 

All the kids love her but the one that loves her the most is Sophie.

Sophie loves her so much that Stella gets lugged around nearly all day.

I don't blame her for hiding at every given opportunity.

Thanks to Sophie, Stella gets to 'high 5' everyone that comes into our house with her paw including a visiting Financial Advisor - thankfully he kindly obliged.

Sophie plays games with her, attempts to dress her, push her in push chairs and likes to put her in cupboards.

Last week I opened a cupboard where we keep our newspapers and Stella was sound asleep in there. Who knows how long she was in there?

I do have to say that she doesn't help herself by climbing into cupboard while they are open only for them to be shut on her.

Unbeknown to me I have shut her in the fridge for a good five minutes, Silly cat!

 

Our other cat is Trixie.

Stella loves Trixie. Can you tell?

I think this is a case of 'anything you can do I can do better!'

 

 

My cat likes to hide in hats!

 

There is never a dull moment around here as you probably already know.

This time it involved dear wee Stella.

See that tree, see the very top of it.

Well that is where she got stuck!

When she didn't turn up for breakfast, Jamie went on a brief walk around and heard her meowing.

We couldn't even see her.

 

It was about here, when Jamie finally got a look at where she was.

He gingerly climbed as high as he wanted to and then a bit more.

 

Poor thing was so scared that he didn't even need to hold on to her while he was climbing down, she held on to him!

 

On the ground at last!

I hope she doesn't do that again.

 

It is a little bit of a worry though when you have pets. We have had two cats now that have been run over in the last few years (R.I.P Sylvie and Tuesday) and none of them has been loved as much as Stella.

I really hope nothing happens to her, as there will be very sad little people in my house.

 

 

In our 'school'...

We are nearly at the end of our Moon Study.

It makes me smile when I hear the kids describing what phase the moon is in.

"ooooohh its a waning gibbous moon"

"Hey Mum the moon is a crescent tonight"

We did take the opportunity to have a look at the full moon this month. It is amazing anyway but through a telescope its even better.

(sorry the photo doesn't do it justice)

 

I have even learnt a fair bit. I have always known that the moon effects the tides, the water table and the water in vegetables and fruits etc but I could never have told you why. A lot of people think that its a bit hocus pocus. BUT I now know why and it makes complete logic and sense.

 

We made Moon/night-time sky pictures too!

All you need is black paper, a craft knife and a hole making device (we used a screw driver) and

Presto!

 



We put them up on the window and the light shining through the black paper makes it look like the
night-time sky

I found this photo on my camera. 

Being dressed up and having your photo taken by your older brothers....

 



 Priceless!



In my life this month...

In my life this month...
 

We have flies!  We have had flies since the beginning of summer and I can say most definitely that I am soooo over them.  We don’t just have one or two flies.  We don’t just have those crazy flies that fly in a group of three or four in the middle of room in a seemingly pointless circular pattern.  We have FLIES!!  It gets to me after a while (can you tell). At present there is one crawling over the computer screen as I write, no make that two.  Aahhhhh!  Late afternoon in our house see families of flies having a reunion at the tops of our windows, on the floor, in the bathroom and on our benches.  As much as I HATE fly spray, it is unleashed at this time of day by one brassed off Mama who has had enough of swishing flies off her sleeping baby.  Just moments later the insane sound of buzzing and fizzing of dying flies – what a sweet sound it is and it makes me happy.  Only now I have to vacuum. Dumb.  I must be the only person in the world that vacuums her bench of dead flies.  Now just in case you are thinking that I must be the dirtiest person in the world, I’m not.  We live on a farm, a farm with cows! I shouldn’t have to say anymore.  It’s one of the very few downfalls of living here.  Fortunately they only last for three months of the year. Thankfully. And no I am not going to post a photo of flies, they don't deserve that.

Ok so now I have that off my chest I can carry on.

In our home 'school' this month...

We are looking at the moon and all its glory!  Its a very interesting topic once you start delving into it.  We have been hindered by a terrible sickness though and there are some days that school gets push to the side in order just to survive.  I am waiting for the next full moon to haul out my Dads old telescope so we can get a closer look at it.  Kaitlyn is very interested in doing workbooks as is Sophie (3) who is itching for me to teach her letters. She will do school at any time of the day and will shove the workbook in my face whenever she can. Long may that continue!

 

Helpful Home school advice or tips...

Be organised. School doesn't just happen around here. As much as I love the idea of unschooling I have to be purposeful and intentional to some degree and that requires organisation on my part.  I suggestion here, an idea there and a request along the way.  If I didn't do this then I am pretty sure the boys would play Monopoly and Cricket all day everyday.

Jaydens Home-made Cricket Bat - lasted two deliveries but still good effort!

 

 I am inspired by...

 

My Children's Creativity

 

"Enjoying the Small Things" a blog by Kelle Hampton, Good Friends and Good Conversations

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

We have been in self-imposed isolation for three weeks now, due to a hideous and contagious bug. Jamie however has been away for three nights (lucky him) as part of his training.  So my darling friend came to stay with me as did my lovely brother-in-law while Jamie was away. Oh and we have seen the doctor too!

My favourite thing this month....

My wrap, a life saver for me, in a busy home. I can wear Jesse on me and he sleeps for longer than he would in bed.  He also sleeps better during the day in the lounge in amongst the noise and goings on that is everyday life.  Every now and I might pop him into bed but its always ours, obviously so much snugglier than his!

 

What is working for us...

Our prayer bowl - names of our entire family, extended family and close friends are put into a bowl and once (sometimes twice) a day everyone pulls a name out and they pray for that person. The kids love this and it encourages them to pray for other people and not just themselves.

The construction of the family "Prayer Bowl"

Our job bowl - every job that I can think of is in this bowl (I take out what isn't required at the time) and we all pull a job until they are all gone.  Today I had five jobs, clean 1 toilet, clean 1 basin, vacuum the lounge, tidy the front door area and dry the dishes. The boys had four jobs each, Kaitlyn had two and Sophie who desperately wanted to help was given the job of assisting me. Jamie was the over-seer. Result all housework done in three quarters of an hour!  YES!

 

The girls made a train whilst I was washing the floor.

Can you see the 'Stella' cat got to play too?

 

...not working for us...

Night-time!  No one is getting much sleep and that's not fun. Being housebound!  Just a little over it.

Questions/thought I have...

I am thinking about...

What to learn about after the "Moon",  Ideas for the ladies ministry for this year, A communion message,  Writing for Blogs - I have so many in my head and on the computer, but often wonder is it too much of me out there, too much to be judged, abused and misunderstood but then again why write in the first place if no one is going to read it, be inspired by it, be encouraged, entertained or challenged by.

Things I am working on....

Being Organised!  I am wanting this so much that I am frustrated at my lack of it.  I am learning!   Also getting this "post baby body" back into "pre baby shape". That too is a work in progress.                                                                                                                                                   

I'm reading...

'Galatians', Home Birth Bound (again), Books about the Moon, Alaskan Brides (yes I know - laugh if you must) and The Remarkable Women of the Bible (again)

I'm cooking...

Apart from the copious amount of baking I do, I cook.  Favs at the moment are Risotto, Pizza and Spaghetti and Meatballs! Nothing special there.

I'm grateful for...

My husband, who is willing to forgo his bed and take up a mattress on the floor next to Sophie and help her during the night while she is so sick. The Lords continual provision of our wants and needs during this journey we find ourselves on. Friends that I can share my heart with. Our country where we still have the choice as to where and how we birth, where and how we educate and where and how we live our lives. Being able to have my family around me almost all of the time and watching my children interact with each other

I am praying for...

Healing for our children. 

Gods continual guidance and provision.

"Moments of  Everyday Life " Photos

Our carrots weren't the bumper crop we were hoping for but still 'Thor' the resident rabbit got his fill!

A lesson in 'Fractions' if you will
(oh and subtraction of course)

 

Cows!
One reason for our fly problem! No make that 550 reasons!

 

 

This is Sophie watching a movie. 

Don't ask me why!

 

 

 So tell me...................

Whats happening in your life this month?

Nesting

I am nesting (and I am lucky enough to have my husband helping me)  Phew! At this moment I have this intense need for my bedroom to be a peaceful sanctuary of cleanliness and freshness. I imagine fresh white chiffon curtains billowing and the sweet calming scent of lavendar wafting through out.  I close my eyes and I can almost feel the crisp, line-dried-in-the-sun cotton sheets on the bed. Perhaps something like this...

But alas my bedroom is FAR from this!  In all honestly I could never do white, off white, near white or cream in my bedroom because it wouldn't be that way for very long.  Not when you have five kids that use your bed as a tackling arena, sneak in your bed in the middle of the night and are expecting a newborn who will probably spend most of its time in there.  sigh  Oneday maybe but probably not, then there will be grandkiddies

Two-ish or so weeks, maybe more maybe less to go until we meet this sweet and precious blessing.  We wonder what he or she will look like, how he or she will fit into this precious, crazy, noisy, totally awesome family we have.  Sometimes I can't imagine our family being any better than it already is but I KNOW that this wee bundle can only enhance what we have.  For this I am excited and thankful.  No one can ever tell me that babies/children aren't a gift from our Lord, they are true treasures. It makes me sad that not everyone sees them like that but more of a hinderance, costly (in more ways than one) or even a mistake.  So sad!

I am definately not one to want, expect or try to go into labour early.  God has ordained an appointed time for this blessing to be born, my job is to be prepared.  If I am completely honest with you these last few weeks have been hmmmmmm long, tiring, emotional (I am finding it hard to put my feelings into words)  As I said above my NEED for peace and tranquility has sky-rocketed and as you can imagine that is not entirely easy to get when ones entire family is home all day.  Now don't get me wrong I would not have that any other way and I am ever so thankful that Jamie is home with us.  I laugh as I called this post 'Nesting' when in all actual fact I have a list (you know the one - where all the things on it NEED to be done BEFORE you have a baby because you couldn't possible have a baby until everything on it is complete)  So I was saying, I have the list and Jamie has been ticking jobs off it for me.  So in effect he has been nesting for me. Bless him!!

So I am working on getting in to the right head space for this momentous occasion before us, not entirely sure how one does that BUT I am sure I will get into the zone!!  The kids are VERY excited and we all have taken a guess at when this baby will be born and put it on the calendar.  So far the dates range from the 15th Nov and the 28th Nov. (actual due date is 23rd)  Winner may get a cake of chocolate or the like!

So anyway lets take a look at what we have been up to these past few weeks...

 

Have I introduced you to our second latest member of our family,

'Thor'

I really wanted to call him Carlos but was severely out-voted!

 

My mid-morning treat, a cup of De-Caf Coffee with

a splash of cream!

 

Check out this wee Diva! 

 Yes, she is wearing her swimsuit OVER a long sleeve top!

 

And then there was this face,

the 'you-caught-me-playing-with-make up-face' !

 

Creativeness with food.  Not entirely sure what prompted these creations but

I thought they looked cool and kept them entertained for a long while...

 

Co-parenting at its most basic.

Seems as though this chicken decided to keep this 'mama duck' company and help with the

incubation of a dozen or so eggs.

A week tomorrow we should have some ducklings!

 

 

Operation Baby!

Kaitlyn giving her Dad a hand with one of those tasks on MY list!

 

My boys have been looking for ways and means to make money....

here is one, they had picked the last remaining oranges off the tree and tried juicing them...in the kitchen whizz.  Through much trial and error, twas decided it wasn't going to make the cut!

 

Taste - testers!!

 

A pretty 'new' dress was cause for a spot of tea (or milk in this case)



 

Another one of the boys business ventures...

Painted Rocks!

Good for door stops and looking great in the garden!

...and painted blocks of wood!

I have to admit I was highly embarassed that they were doing this but was quickly told by Jamie that they were fine.   Through out their time of business, a number of people stopped by and I think they made a total of $9 !!

Thank you to all the obiliging people!

 



 

and finally the latest member of our family,

'Stella'

A three week old orphan kitten that was found on the side of the road and brought to us.

Three hourly feeding through an eye dropper plus other motherly duties!

Fortunately we have her sleeping through the night now,  thank goodness for that!

 

Oh....someone needs to hide the face paints!

I thought Kaitlyn did a particularly good job of her tiger face, don't you?

 

Sophie...um yeah well...she said she was a wild dog.

Yeah I can see the resemblance!

 

Enjoy your week!!

And I will keep you updated...promise!