Peace

Today was a moment of pure reflection. I thoroughly enjoyed taking it all in. I haven't been sleeping well lately as i sleep so lightly when my husband leaves for work at 4am I am disturbed that I never ever fall back asleep. But even after that habit of early waking happened last night I still managed to have a peaceful sabbath today. How grateful I am for that! I was enlightened, I learnt new things about the gospel and my children were able to as well. Asher in particular commenting on how nice the music was in our house this afternoon, he was feeling the Spirit!!

Ahhh

Love those moments.

'

But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come'.
 Doctrine and Covenants 59:23

Summer Holidays

I have had a great time these summer holidays, I am so thankful for being able to actually say that. I bumped into another preschool mum today who asked how the holidays were going for us and I could happily say it has been going well and actually slipping away really fast. Sadly her experience has been the opposite, with her saying it has been a nightmare.

I realised a few things after leaving that conversation. I remembered to thank Asher for being so good every time his younger siblings are having a nap. He simply stays downstairs while I have some quiet time and listens to stories on CD or plays with lego and helps himself to the pantry. I don't mind, and find it incredible because we're talking 2 hours of naptime most days! That one simple part of the day that occurs is why our school holidays have been a breeze. Both the 3 year old and 21 month old sleep for 2 hours a day. Sometimes
1 1/2 hours instead but that simple break is heaven.

On top of that, daddy is home so much more. Sometimes home as soon as naptime is over. Now this is an absolute first in our soon to be 8 years of marriage. I am counting my lucky stars and high fiving the guardian angels who watch over me for him having such an awesome work schedule. But I have done the hard yards to get here. Out of the last 3 years with his previous employer I only saw him for 18 months. So I am beyond grateful right now.

Generally though the children have been happy grateful and fun lately. That makes my mummy heart swell. Today was an impromptu outing and i decided to take them for lunch somewhere with ice cream as a treat. Asher said while smiling, thank you mummy so much for this lovely surprise. His exact words! Almost kipping as he said it. And kept saying it while he was eating his lunch. It made me feel glad and comforted that hard days make up for these good ones.

The house is noisy, immediate chaos when their little feet hit the floor in the mornings but little things like a grateful child can smooth it all over.

I know we have really kept things simple with easy outings rather then full on day trips anywhere and even just not catching up with anyone and just doing our own thing has made for less stress and commitment. No rush to get anywhere and stress if someone is in a bad mood and we have to cancel. Its just been us and its been easy. Maybe that's a secret ingredient. They have me all to myself, well its working out fine and sadly there's only about 10 days left!

Then onto Asher starting his first year of school...

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

1. Summer holiday community activity day - the boy loves face painting!!

2. There were 3 in the bed...

3. Jet started Primary at church!

4.The Darling

5. Busy crafting

6. Busy burning energy, diy indoor snow slide

7. My cherubs on the old church piano

x

The Gingerbread Man

I'm sitting in my car blaring my speakers listening to my favourite album of 2015 - well 2014 really....this album is the one that got me through all the loneliness of the year that has just gone. After moving at the end of 2014 to yet another town, another church ward and a whole new life ( did i say yet again!) this music is what got me through. Every track has a little trigger of a memory of a smell, a particular day or even a certain street in our town where I used to go and drive to get away from it all. The loneliness of motherhood at that time was dark and I know that the music probably, no definitely, magnified that darkness. But here we are at the end of the year and I'm still listening to his smooth sound and perfect exact lyrics to what wraps up a hard but good year. I still feel my heart rise in my neck as I remember that awful feeling when Johns car would roll away yet again, with no end in sight for a positive change. When, when, when. I'd always cry, everytime he would leave, yep never got used to it. Ever.

Unaware that I was being moulded and changed and still cared for at the same time, like a perfect ending to any struggle, all our prayers would be answered and all my wishes would come true through the remarkable gift of a dream job offer. Dream being that we would now share the same bed each night for the first time again in almost 7 years.

Dayum is all I can say to the last 12 months.

Here's to Mr Ginger himself, Ed Sheeran...

X

Dr Sears

Probably the best article on discipline I have read in a loooong time -

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/discipline-behavior/discipline-for-children

We have our fair share of not knowing which way to turn in this parenting situation. I have so many ups and downs, and always lean on prayer to guide me. Today my prayer lead me to this wonderful article from Dr Sears. I need to print this out and read it weekly. Everything - EVERYTHING fits whats going on in our house to a T. I am thankful for prayer and support in my motherhood. And for smart phones that can get you so much help in an instant!

x

1. Our collection on the way home from preschool, beautiful natural Christmas decor!

2. Mama and son lunch date

3. Lego club!

4. The tree is up and we're excited! 

Sometimes I feel like I have a lot to say, and other days I feel like I just talk too much! I'm in a mood to stop and write it all down, remember lovely things that have been happening lately to look back on and think how great my life really is!

Its early November and just yesterday afternoon we put on the Buble Christmas album! It felt so good to be back here at this season again and now with everyone another year older. It feels like every year things get that much more enjoyable as now they're able to experience even more things that the previous year they were just too little for. Its lovely! Now our eldest is really coming to understand the purpose of Christmas more and even thinking of all the fun Christmas activities we get to do together now that he is a big 5 and a half year old. I feel like life is pretty sweet right now.

The other day though it was rough going, the boys were acting up and each one of us in the house were fed up. We all had had it! So good to now have perspective from a happy day and happy weekend to look back and think what could I do better

I definitely know it all comes down to taking things more slowly. More quiet days at home with books and just a peaceful bike ride to the park or something simple. I love that we are in a smaller town now. Not so much crazy business happening.

So the boys managed to get themselves back on track and the grown ups did too :)

Now its onwards and upwards for the lovely season ahead. I'm thinking of all the things we love to do at this time of year. Its sad that old friends and the rest of the family aren't close by but I'm hoping our same old traditions can keep the same spirit alive.

I love that Christmas is here again!!

1. Got a turn of a real life Australian Army robot that searches for bombs. Asher was obessed!

2. Happy summery children at Mothers group

3.Bunderberg Drinks means Summer!

4. A moment where they are playing altogether happily

5. Our Magic Beach

6. Some special angels surprised us and gave us this beautiful new dining setting. A luxury item we've never had - a couple with grandchildren remembering what it was like to be young parents trying to get by. How we are blessed!

Today is a good day, because I have 2 children asleep at the same time. That is normally what happens but with the move and staying with family for a bit, the routine has been disturbed. I'm grateful for a day like today!

Some thoughts on my mind right now are all jumbled around budgeting - making money stretch. I love playing and figuring out how to make money go further. We are on a small amount but somehow there is always room to play and for life to feel comfortable. It is such a blessing.

I've thought about what will happen when the children will become old enough to have part time jobs. I used to catch a bus late at night all by myself at 14 years old after the thursday late night shopping shift. Looking back I don't think I'd expect or allow my kids to have to do that, but I would like them to know the value of work. I wasn't good with money til I was married, even though I started work at such a young age. However I did have to buy EVERYTHING on my own, including school lunches uniforms and pay for camps and excursions myself too - but thats another story. I really really really want my kids to contribute to the family and appreciate the comforts we provide. I know this will come with time. Its something I think of often.

A little way we have started sharing and teaching the boys so far is by buying second hand ... a recent favourite purchase is the boys first bikes! Asher is 5 and only just got his first bike - from the tip for $5. He was soooo happy it was ridiculous. So we have been riding everywhere. Jet got one too again for $5. Perfect condition - jets was almost brand new!

I am thankful for the wisdom to take care of the money we have and to teach the little ones to be satisfied with what we have. Its a great feeling to be able to make them so happy and then for it to not cost a fortune!

1.  The new wheels from the tip!

2. Outdoor playgroup, on everyday in our new city

3. We have free water parks where we are now - summer all day everyday!

4. Breakfast in bed for fathers day - he is a diamond in the rough my Johnny. 

I get so down on thinking 'is this all I do everyday - cook clean deal with tantrums give baths wipe bottoms and noses and clean some more'. This is every single day. There is no relief in this work. There is no clock in clock off - other then a few moments in the night you are not interrupted.

But then I remember somehow that I really wouldn't want anyone else to be doing this for my children but me. Even if it sends me over the edge. I try to fix the reasons for why i could be getting close to the edge everyday with  little tweeks here and there to perfect the flow of how things go.

Right now, we have had a serious answer to prayer come our way in the last little while. Our family has been longing to have daddy home more, home each night and with us on the weekend. We are so happy that our desire for our family has been granted and are soooo happy for it. He now is flying for a company monday to friday and home every night!! I can't believe this day has actually come.

Now i don't know if all my dreams are going to come true as I have longed for this day for many years now (7 years or so its been) so I am remembering that this is a gift that might only be a short season. Right now we have a new house new job and new pre school for little asher. Its a very exciting time. All new routines and playgroups to go to and outings to explore  I love the feeling that I get to make the house my own, there's no pressure to have to go to work outside the home for me so I can potter away and take my time. It really is a lovely time in life. I hope I will be able to teach our children well how we have waited for something which has now come and it is all from the gifts our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. I don't mean to sound flowery or strange but that is an honest feeling I have. These blessings have come from Him and I am happy and grateful to know that.

Gosh the news has been keeping me up at night worrying about so many different aspects of society right now. Violence and greed, drugs and deception. It makes me never want to turn the news on. It may seem naive but I am happy to keep my little family safe from harm and innocent for as long as I can. I love that I have the power to do that right now as when they get older its all from outside my control. I know that as I work hard now the lessons and training I give these little ones will be a blessing to them for their future decision making. As I hold their hand now and as they fully trust me to take good care of them I feel honoured for the priveledge  to do so.