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?

8 go Bush!

For the past four years its been a yearly excursion our trip to the bush...one that takes a great deal of prep, list-making, baking, cooking, shopping, and packing.  Every January we pack up the car (or in our case two) and head off into the back and beyond to a place called Clements Clearing.  It is truly isolated - no cell phone coverage (unless you hike up the hill, stand in a particular spot and hold out your phone until you get a bar or two), no power, no running water and a long drop for a toilet.

 

 

Not sure why, but it seems as though we are always the ones with the messiest campsite.

 

Its summer time here but here it still gets F_R_E_E_Z_I_N_G over night.  We are talking thermal underwear, woollen hats, winter pjs, thick socks and that's just to sleep in.  This year we had the added challenge of taking along our newest addition to our family, seven week old Jesse!   Finding winter clothes for him proved to be a bit of a mission in the middle of summer but we got there in the end thanks to my find of woollen jerseys in the local op-shop.  Once asleep though he just got to snuggle in bed next to me!

There is three families that make this annual trip now. Jamie's brother and his family and Jamie's Mum and a brother and a sister. That's 16 in all. So we take up a bit of space.

 

 

 

There is not much to do here but that is the beauty of the place.  Just peace (well until we turned up) and tranquility.  A place to connect with each other, a place where the kids can de-tox from all technology and get their fill of nature and all its glory.

It looks a little boring at first, very bland and dull but if you look closely the bush holds a rainbow of delicate colours.

 

 

Thanks Uncle Mike for hitching up this awesome swing in the trees. It provided tons of entertainment

 

Camping with babies presents itself with a number of challenges, bathing being one of them.

But camping with little people cannot possibly happen without the 'having-a-bath-in-a-bucket' photo!

He doesn't look very impressed by it does he?

 

We are very blessed to be a family of 'game players'.  The bush provides numerous hiding spots and great opportunities for games like 'hide-and-seek'  and family games of 'capture the flag'. I really don't know what the people camping near us thought with 15 people (Grandma included) commando crawling, stalking, sneaking, hiding, pretend shooting, yahoo-ing and running through the bush - all after the elusive 'flag'. 

 I am thinking they either thought we were all nuts or they desperately wanted to join in.  I'll go with the latter.

 

Summer Fun!

 

Thomas's hiding spot, camo gear is a must!

Check out the grin on this wee girl!  Its the anticipation of roasted Marshmallow I think!

 

 

One of our newest traditions is having dessert camping style! 

Beautifully cooked Apple Pie served with Dairy Whipped Cream!

DIVINE!!!

 

Jamie took us all on a bush walk, he told me that it was ten/twenty mins on a 'yah-wide' track.  Well, I just have to say that it was hardly a track!  Over and under giant fallen logs we went.

Jesse and I did very well I thought!

 

Just to be clear this was not the track but the road to get to the track!

 

Now does this look like a track to you!

 

 In saying all that the walk itself was heaps of fun and very energising.  It was so nice to be out in the clean fresh air!  I loved it.  I did however palm Jesse off to Jamie to wear on the way out.

This is what we walked to, an old forgotten log splitter huts from years ago - 35 years at least!

Since it was a bit of a hike in we were wondering if Jesse was the youngest person ever to have visited the old hut?  Maybe.

 

 

To mark the occasion of our holiday and a new addition to the Budd family, we took this photo!

We have a Budd children photo from the time when there was only three of them!

I love this photo!

Standing Row: Casey 11, Tahlia 10, Jayden 9,
Sitting/Crouching Row: Amber 12, Jesse 7wks, Thomas 7. Sophie 3, Kaysha 15 and Kaitlyn 5
 

 

Holidays are all about fun, rest, family and memory-making.  They are all about getting out there and doing it and being together!

Bring on next year!

 



2012 - the year of 'BIG'

Here we are on the cusps of 2013 and I just need to say “What a year it has been!”  I think for me/us it has been one of the biggest, with the biggest changes, the biggest challenges, the biggest growth and a year of the biggest blessings (in more ways than one).

Of course our biggest blessing would have to be the birth of our sixth child, Jesse. Born at home on the 5th December 2012, in the midst of family and some of the people that will love him the most.  Biggest being ‘our gift from God’ and our biggest being a rather impressive 9lb 15oz!  He was also a surprise breech which makes his birth all the more amazing.

Father and Son meeting each other for the first time!

   He is so adorable and he is VERY well loved by all his siblings who fight over who is going to hold him first, who got the longest cuddle and who is going next! 

 I am so in love with this little man and I can only wish I realised the short amount of time they remain so small and dependant when I had my first and second.  Being number six he is getting so loved on and I recognise in myself that I am so much more relaxed, I know how I want to and should  parent and  pretty much no one tells me to do it any differently.  This is me. And if I am going to cuddle him all night long then I am going to do it.  “You’ll be making a rod for your own back if you do that” has been tossed into conversations with me in the past.  And now my response would be (even if it would be in my own head)  “My rod, my back - now leave me alone!!”



Every year our traditions on Christmas Eve is to give the kids one present to open just before bed and its always brand new PJ's (all washed and ready to wear).  The older ones of course know what the present is but never say anything to the younger ones for whom it is still a surprise.  The photo below is the first photo we took of all six kids together.  Aren’ t they a good looking bunch?



Do you know how hard it is to get EVERYONE looking at the camera all at the same time AND smiling!  Near impossible!

 Our biggest change and the biggest challenge this year would be Jamie been at home for a whole entire year.  I am not going to call it being ‘out of work’ anymore because that isn’t where we are anymore.  For the first half of the year we were trying to make sense of all that happen and grieving for the loss of job (and income) and were busy looking and trying to replace what we had loss with the exact same thing. The money, the car, the position and the responsibility.  We prayed hard for a new job for him, believing that we couldn’t survive much longer but GUESS WHAT we have!  I feel quite triumphant about that but also very humbled by it.  There is no way that we could of survive and survived well without the blessings and provisions from God.  Yes we have had to make some changes, big changes.  What we buy, where we go and what we do has all been effected. But our vege garden has NEVER looked better! 



 

 

 

I am not saying that it has been easy because it hasn’t.  At times we have been discouraged and down about not being able to have or do the things that we think we need and want to have and do.  But we used to have those moments when Jamie was working.  By the second half of the year we both really felt Jamie is to attend Ministry Training next year and once we decided that we felt there was a great weight lifted off our shoulders and the last six months of the year has been a time of preparation and rest.  I know that the coming year is going to be a huge adjustment for us all, a huge shift in thinking and it will more than likely be filled with its own kind of hurdles and bumps in the road to overcome.  But we will just take one day at a time, put one foot in front of the other and keep on walking.

2012 has been a year for growth for me personally as I have had to put all my trust for everything in our Saviour.  I have gone deeper in not only in the Word but in also in some of my relationships with people.  Growth is inevitable when you open yourself up and have a determination to learn from whatever struggles and challenges come your way.  I now know more about myself than ever before.  My friendships have grown deeper and stronger because that’s what happens when you are in need of the strength and encouragement of others.    
 

 

 

So as we close the Chapter that has been this year I can say that I will look back on it with fondness and gratitude. I will cherish the year forever.   I am also ready to receive 2013 with open arms, an open mind and an open heart - as scary as that maybe.

 

Photo by Kaysha Leigh Budd

 

 



"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit". - Dawna Markova

Happy New Year!

Tears for Time

For those who know me, you know that there are a number of things that can reduce me to tears.  Sad stories, Happy stories, Christmas parades (parades of any sort actually) Bag pipes, Medal Ceremonies, New Zealand Post Ads, Happy endings, other peoples tears....my list could go on and on!  Some are rather embarrassing and I would rather not mention them.  Some tears are on public display but some are private and only share with a few.  And at the moment tears come easily, especially when you are an over-reflector/thinker like me.  Oh I am so an over-thinker.  Normal people, think, feel and then move on. But not me. I think, think, reflect, analyse, analyse some more, feel, feel and them FEEL some more. Sometimes I write this process down, sometimes I pray and sometimes I just need to talk.  Thank you to the person that listens.

Time is really getting to me.  We don't have much and it goes far too quickly.  I mean my little man is TEN days already!! Where did the time go?  Casey is 11 now and I know that it is such a cliche but where has the time gone?  I may have only 7 years left of him being at home.  SEVEN short years - that's not long enough!

Time is relative to whats going on in ones life.  Time in the past has gone quickly. But if you are a kid, this time of year will be going at a snails pace.  The end of pregnancy can go slowly. A deadline can loom up at an impressive speed.

We all have the exact amount of time in the day and some people can pack a lot into their day, others plod through it.

The speed of which time is going, makes me very aware of how I spend it. Am I doing the things that really matter, things that are of lasting value?  Or am I just going through the motions just doing the things that steal moments or memory-making opportunities.  I am really trying hard to be better organised. I wouldn't say I was dis-organised I just feel I could be better at it.  Being disorganised is a time stealer.  I am making an effort to fold my washing AND put it away on the same day ( this is such a biggy because I REALLY hate folding washing).  In the past washing would pile up for a few days until I would reluctantly fold it!!  I am getting better.  So if you come to my house and fold some washing - I'll love you forever!



 

I am making an effort to have my bench clear by the end of the evening - I don't know why but my bench is a dumping ground for poor homeless objects! I am determine to win the war on bench-dumping practice!

I want to soak up the moments and time spent with my husband, my children, my family and friends!  Time with good friends is absolutely  priceless and I can't get enough of it.  It leaves me refreshed and uplifted.

 

Birthday picnicking in park with special friends!

 



 At the moment I am basking in the precious moments I have with Jesse, nourishing and nurturing him.  Especially at night where I can have him all to myself (during the day I have to share him with 6 other people - and just sometimes I don't want to share).  He oozes snuggly-ness and by golly I love it when I can lie in bed at night and envelope him into me and he suckles away and then drifts back off to sleep making all those delicious noises that only wee babies make.  Only God himself can make moments like that so delightfully precious!

 

 

 

Very VERY proud big sisters!

(although I have heard Kaitlyn pray on a number of occasions for a baby girl!)



 

 We have a poor wee sick Sophie at the moment who hasn't left the couch since yesterday morning.

As sick as she is, she loved having her toes painted bright pink!

 

 

 



We can only make a conscious effort to spend our time wisely, on people we love and things that matter!  To live intentionally!  To do away with time and moment stealers.  To be more organised!

Now I am off to get the washing in and FOLD it! 

 

But I might just have a cuddle with this wee little man first!

Isn't he delicious!