Mis-con-strued...

Dated: 3rd June 2011

As a part of 'home schooling' we do cooking/baking because I would like my children to have cooking skills and abilities. As part of 'be a fun mum' I like to get the children to choose things for us to cook.

This morning they chose 'ice blocks'. The kind that are like icy poles with pop sticks. While I was sitting down to feed bubba they toddled off to the kitchen to make these 'ice blocks'. They found pop sticks, got the frozen solo in ice cube trays out of the freezer, cups and 'made' the ice blocks.

Isn't it funny how they assumed the way to make them?

Yet, isn't it funny how we can read an online status and choose what we 'think' that it is about? Or how we can read a blog for a long period of time and think they really DO have the perfect life, with the perfect spouse, and the perfect kids and magazine cover interior decorating and absolute complete faith when needed? Or how we judge that scrawny hot chick with the glittery stilletos and mini-dress without realising that chick has feelings & emotions of her own?

Apparantly the words we speak accounts for only 7% of the communication process where the rest is according to tone of voice, body language, facial expressions, etc. How much less does the written word account for the true meaning?

In saying I want just 10 minutes means in absolute no way do I not want what I have, or want a heap of time to myself, or that I have PND (I don't actually), or that I am not coping with my lots.of.little.kids. Simply put it means I want just 10 minutes break to re-gather myself, so that I can get picked up, take a breather, have a rest before jumping back into what I do EACH & EVERY day, DAY after DAY, HOUR after HOUR. Just 10 minutes. Is that too difficult? I'm on call 24/7 and the only one who does the duty.

In saying that single parenting is where one parent is parenting, simply means one parent is parenting. Is this disrespectful? I believe not! Why? Because you have FIFO workers who leave their wife behind with all the kids. What is that? Single Parenting! In my case? My husband works lots of hours per week, then has church commitments, and physical exercise needs, and play needs, on top of that a whole family busy playing and waiting for Papa to get home for some time, cuddles and love. A spot of time in between the busy-ness that has become a part of our lives (again). With me as a demanding wife, really you should just feel sorry for him. The man's been diagnosed with chronic depression and believe me it isn't easy to live alongside someone who you just can't ever seem to make happy, but that's another post or two.


Considering we are on the topic of respect & my husband I'll let you in on an insiders secret. Since the man has started his new career I have paid special attention on having his work clothes washed and dried and picked up from where ever they are left, meals, snacks, complaining minimalised, house tid(ier) when he gets home so the environment he walks into his nicer, calmer, relaxing-er. I have the hearts intent on serving, providing and having all his needs. All these changes and challenges with adding a new member to our family. You'll find me racing around picking those last few items off the floor as my ute pulls up to the gate before quickly plonking myself onto the couch as if I've been sitting there waiting the entire time. The children are usually dressed in PJs ready for bed after dinner and time and cuddles. Often enough I fail to do everything that needs doing, often enough I am left flustered and tired after a busy day, what can I say? I am a work in progress. Even so, does that sound like a wife who doesn't respect her man? At least one who lives in the freedom of Grace and no condemnation. I think not.

Or how's about the *sigh* is it a good sigh, a bad sigh, a relaxing sigh?

Or the "grrrrr" clearly one is frustrated at SOMETHING but what? Unless you ask you really don't know.

Or how about the delicate words 'if you need something let me know' above the actions want me to pick something up from the shop for you? What do you really need? (I stole that off some one else's blog).

Online it is so easy to make a statement with many possible meanings. Are you being judged? Are you being heard? Is there are a hidden message? Are they serious? Do they need help? What are they pretending to be? Is that right?

And if I make it sound like my life is picture perfect, let me tell you now. It's not. I make no apologies for not having absolutely everything altogether, I am who I am and that's all I can be. For the most part, I actually like me, I adore my children and I respect my husband. This is my life, I didn't orchestrate it, I just live it.



5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Time, Even if it is just 10 minutes
2. Being in a better position nearly 2 years on
3. Kids being older and easier! Yeah! EASY kids :)
4. Not having to concern myself with thoughts and opinions of others
5. Mostly just the peace that surpasses all understanding

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TV as a babysitting device

My children were babysat not too long ago but long ago enough for me to recall the circumstances. And the consequences.

They were allowed to watch 3 hours of television straight. To keep them 'occupied', 'out of the way'.

The following days resulting in a continuation of bad attitudes, boredom and wanting to sit in front of the screen.

I've watched several kids sitting in front of the TV for hours for the same reasons.
You can't speak to them, when mum calls for jobs to be done not one will listen OR obey.

Having a husband addicted to the screen has meant deadened relationships and lack of intimacy.

Watching a bro-in-law addicted to the screen has resulted in a breakdown and separation of marriage.

What is wrong with sending a bunch of kids outdoors to be wild and creative and play? Or to their rooms to read books? Or to the lounge to play a game? Or to the hallway to build with blocks?

Is it that difficult to set up a play area/station for children to get creative without the need for electronic devices?

But what if mum is really tired? Or needs 'time out'? You know what? I get that! I get these questions and I'm often wondering the answers myself.
Here's my answer to you: (my children are currently homeschooled, 6, 4, 3 & 18 months)
# separate the children to different areas for quiet time - often. Regular quiet time results in children knowing what is expected of them and do so happily. SOME even NEED the quiet time, the time away from others.
# give each child an activity or set of activity with instructions to stay in that area. Activities I give my children are school books/coloring in books to my academic lover, blocks or cars or both to my car lover, books or science stuff to the oldest.
# practice often. It doesn't take them long to get the drift of staying in an area playing with what they've got
# observe how they learn to play and interact on a deeper level without the need for electronic entertainment

I get the whole 'you can't bubble wrap your kids' and 'when they leave home they will do everything they couldn't do' thing, but remember this...

One day I will stand on the judgement seat before Jesus Christ, my life and decisions and choices will be displayed, they will be judged, if I were to allow my children to develop screen-addictions with many negatives attached to that then I'm accountable. But if I don't allow those things to occur and they go for them when they leave my home that becomes THEIR choice! And not mine!
Which is what THEY are held accountable for, not me.

My role as a parent isn't to try bubble wrap them or expose them to negative practices of the world.
My role is to raise moral God-fearing believers to the best of my ability and allow them to make their own choices. Good or Bad.


Please Note:
This was written sometime in 2012, when my children were a bit younger than they are now. And I still agree with it!!

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What ever you call, it's the same thing

The controversies in life seem to fan out of control when being a parent is in play. I'm a parent, I'm a co-sleeper, I'm an attachment parent, I'm a baby-wise parent, I'm a blah blah blah...

I'm a homeschooler, I'm an un-schooler, I'm classical, I'm Charlotte mason, I'm eclectic, I'm traditional, I'm natural, Im steiner, blah blah blah

I'm a meat eater, vegetarian, pesectarian, octovegatarian, vegan, raw vegan, raw foodist, fruitatarian...

Why do we do this? Is it to prove that I'm better than you? That I'm doing things right and your doing things wrong? That I am doing my child a service and your setting yourself up for failure?

Or is it so I can say that I love my children more than you love yours because you do things differently to me?

Or is it to prove to myself that i am doing a better job then your doing? That my children will turn out better then yours and yours will just give you heart ache?

When you label your parenting style are you restricted to just that method or are you allowed to wander out of the defined perimeters when you feel it necessary to suit your families needs.

If your school style is classical are you allowed an excursion and to do no reading or maths and allow a child's natural curiosity to learn take place?
If you unschool are pencils and paper allowed?

If you do it once does that automatically require you to switch your label?

If I'm a vegetarian and I accidentally eat meat am I still a vegetarian? If I knew it was meat and ate it am I still a vegetarian?

Is it about conscience decision? Or accidental? Or according to what book I learnt from or who's blog I read.

Could you consider me a neglectful parent if I didnt baby wear today? What if I didn't do it all week? What of my kid slept in its own bed but I still put them in the pouch in the day time.

Attachment parent are you saying im not gentle because I don't always cuddle my children and let them scream it out?

Authoritarian parent are you telling me I'm too free and not strict enough in what I'm doing cos I do what I feel best in the situation at hand?

Where do you draw the line between the different types of styles and how can you label yourself one, two, three or four different ones? How long do you have to do it before the label is a stickable one?

If I pick one do I have to stick to it?

In the end, these arguments that take place are fruitless, they serve no purpose,.

When do we get to stop assuming that because others do it different and their kids are different to ours that the parents don't actually love their kids.. Or my biggest pet hate 'they don't deserve to have kids'.

Let's remember that bad kids can be born to good parents and good kids can be born to bad parents.

Let's remember, there's only one boat and we are all on it.

Let's remember, that everyone wants to be loved and respected and that includes parents with all labels.

5 things I am thankful for:
1. Knowing who I am and not being swayed by labels and opinions of others
2. Assuredness that comes from knowing that I love my kids and am doing the best I can with what I've got at this given point in time
3. The grace and mercy that comes WHEN I stuff up (I can admit that)
4. Being a patent to these four glorious little kids
5. Modern cloth nappies.. Random, I know ;)

Be as blessed as I am xx

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Are they all yours?????

Yeah, they are all mine... and I love it...

Am I going to stop... No, probably not... God-willing

You've got your hands full... Yeah, they've been full since I had my first, filled since having my second, now they are overflowing...

You must be busy... Yeah, probably, but I've not noticed much difference since just having TWO

Don't you have a tv... No actually I don't. I hate tv and am super glad I don't have one. But don't try give me one cos I am running out of people to give them away too.

How many do you want... I don't have an answer. How many God will bless me with?!


There are loads and loads of comments that people with large(r) families receive. You've got to be quick with your come backs, and you've got to not take it too personally given most of us "choose" or at least "allowed" lots of kids to be born from us and not to judge back too harshly.

You see, often a parent of lots of kids will state that 'atleast my children are learning respect, to share, to be kind, and considerate, to help with chores, to behave whilst out and blah blah blah.' and in lots of cases this is true. HOWEVER, there are lots of small(er) families that children are also taught these characteristics (& more on both accounts). Opportunities arise in all occassions for positive qualities to be taught to children regardless of the number of siblings they have.

To counteract the negativity of having lots of kids a larger-kid-parent might state "because those with SMALL(ER) families COULD NOT COPE having lots of kids". Some of those less-kid-parents would cope a heck of a lot better than others with lots of kids. Ain't that the truth! You see, it is not HOW MANY kids a person has that gives or takes their ability to COPE from them. There are other influential factors involved. Such as WHAT they are coping with, their SUPPORT network, HOW they are managing the issues (and non-issues), etc etc etc

See, the truth is this. Children are a blessing, but they're hard work with a mind of their own. There are parents with lots of kids who do NOT train or teach their children in positive ways and are most likely to end up in juvvy or jail in a later life. And there are parents to only one or two in the same position. And there are parents with lots of kids who are raising wonderful positive children as well as ones with less kids. Ain't that the truth!

But here is the other side: 
Some of those parents with a small(er) amount of kids are in the process of working their way UP to be a family of a large(r) family - you know... like me?!.
Some of those parents WISH they COULD have had lots of kids or more kids, but for some reason their body will not allow them to, or they don't have a partner, or [insert blank]. In fact, that SINGLE (or double) child was a complete miracle in itself. A child they are (usually) extremely extremely grateful for.
Some of those parents HAD a child but for some unbeknown reason their child died, or they had a miscarriage or something happened.
I know people on all sides of the track, and if I know that many people, you probably know people like them all too.

I don't know why people feel they can and should comment on the choice of how many children you do or do not have, your coping skills, parenting skills, and what not. But they do. I don't know why people have a negative opinion of having lots of kids or just a few. But they do. And there is nothing you can do to change their opinion. In fact they have the right to an opinion, as you have a right to yours, and I have a right to mine. We were all given the ability to think freely.


Personally, I've been getting comments since having my 2nd child. That is TWO (very) little kids. And they have never stopped. Not yet anyhow.

Actually, after the birth of my FIRST child on the way out of the hospital I came across the mother of two adult children who congratulated me on the birth of my boy and then stated matter-of-factly "I hope you don't have as many as [my inlaws - who had 9 kids]!!!" as if it was a bad thing. I don't know what propelled me to state it but I replied quick as a wink "Yeah! I hope I have MORE!" and that was the end of that. 

* At the fruit and vege shop I had two perfectly well behaved (during those moments) children sitting in a side-by-side pram quietly gazing around. The shop keeper looked at the two of them and said (negative tone) "Whoah! How the #$@# do you manage that?! I am struggling with the ONE @#@$# as it is and couldn't imagine having to have more!" I simply replied, "I love it" whilst thinking jeepers, imagine her reaction when I start showing with our third. It wasn't MY fault she was struggling with her ONE, in fact her negative comments geared towards me were not MY problem. They were hers. Does this affect me? No. Why? Because it was not personal, as in not aimed at me directly but more at her own inability to get her head around 'having' to have another child. Does this mean that I can't cope with my 2 kids 24months apart? Pfft! No. It means she is inwardly amazed and thinking I wear one of those super-mum--suits under my snug fitting clothing. If only it were true.

* One time at the bank I had four-kids-under-four (3 1/2, 18mths, 10mths, & my newborn). I had no pram (Can't get a pram up the steps and through the door so I never used it). I was joyful, using the opportunity to train my children how to behave while out and be obedient (obedience training), and continuously talking to the children and complimenting them on their wonderful behaviour. Another customer (with negative tone of voice) stated that it looks like I have my hands full. Yes, I replied while busily doing what I went in for whilst holding two babies and the hand of a very active 18month old. But she kept going. I didn't have time or energy to argue, to talk, to make statements or anything. And quite frankly I didn't care to. Why? Because I had a job to do, and I loved just about ALL those moments with caring for that many kids. And YES during that time my house somehow was clean and mopped daily... I mean nightly...  But then the amazing thing happened. The bank teller who was serving this old lady with the negative attitude who kept talking about me stated Yes, She (me) obviously looks like she likes it. To which I finally replied Yes I do, quite alot actually. I love doing this. And walked out of the bank.
You see, you can't argue with that. Why? Because it is an emotion and a feeling, and you can not argue with someone's emotions or feelings. You can not tell a person that their feelings are incorrect because YOU can not feel them. And isn't it a good thing that I love(d) doing what I was doing. Nothing 'poor' about me having to deal with 'all-those-kids'. Quite blessed actually.


Just because YOU do not LIKE something does not mean that someone ELSE will not LIKE it. We like it like that in our society. It means that all the jobs in our society are filled by people with different skills, different interests, different hobbies. It means that me, as a mum, can go to the 'market' (woolies) and purchase the food to feed my family, it means that me as a mum, can go get my car fixed by someone with skills, and it means that my husband, as a tyre fitter, can go put tyres on other peoples cars. It means that we don't have to DO everything which also means that we don't have to LIKE to do everything. I like things like that and I like what I do.

The majority of my dealings with people have gone along the lines of:

• You look like your hands are full (Couldn't deny it - they are)


• You look busy (ahh, yes... cos you always see me OUT)


• How many do you want (I Always answer 10 with a shrug... it spins them out, and then they wont be shocked at the next pregnancy announcement)


• The occasional "how do you do it?" (Do what?!) 

I think for me most people KNOW who my in-laws are, and/or they KNOW that I am up for a big(ger) then 'normal' family, and they KNOW that nothing they do or say is going to impact the desires of MY heart, or my heart convictions. Why would they? And what does it matter to them? How does it influence YOUR life if I was to have more kids then you think I should have. You don't have to look after them, or raise them. Heck! Your on the internet you don't even have to LOOK at them!

Bottom line is this: 
If you've birthed a child, are raising a child, would like to raise a child, no matter how many you have or how many you want... Really, wouldn't it just be wonderful if we could get alongside one another and encourage one another, build each other up, and love one another. But let each other make our own mistakes, wrong choices, and do it our own way without the negativity that comes along with advising other parents.

I LOVE being a parent, I don't think I'd even be alive still if I wasn't a parent, and my life would definitely be worth a lot less without my four little blessings. I love being the parent of lots of little kids.

To those of you who had, and have lost a baby either in-utero or after birth, to those of you who want and wish you could/will have more, and to those of you who wanted and never had... I want to honour you tonight... Because I know, & understand slightly of what that feels like... Through loss and fears of my own... From she who has lots of little kids...



5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Support Network
2. EACH of my little kids
3. That I have the opportunity to be a STAY AT HOME kind of a mum
4. That I have my special and individual convictions so that it doesn't matter what you think about me
5. Having my hands full, cos it means my HEART is even fuller

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What. A. FORTNIGHT!

With the pile up of regular house hold jobs, an unexpect sudden crisis, & the begining of sick husband, kids & myself, an urgent stirring in my spirit & a couple of all-nighters, a "call" to begin youth (again), discovering nits (again), AND having a rent inspection (that they failed to do so it is happening in another two weeks?! NOT HAPPY!!), two kids having night mares in their sleep, on TOP of my regular busy life as a mum to lots of little {home schooled} kids I was sitting on the verge of exhaustion. Yet I had no time to do what needed to be done. I was barely sleeping, and not eating (much). On the verge of exhaustion meaning ... if I don't get some REST or some SLEEP very very soon then I am going to crash and the crisis will become in-house.I needed something I needed it fast.

Sharing that 'news' created new stresses in those that I shared it with, knowing that if *I* crashed that there would be 4 little kids in need of a bit more care then I could give them.

But low & behold...

Prayer.

One kid being out with Papa, Two kids attending church with in-laws (on a Saturday!), left me home alone with just my happy giggly baby. But what to do? (I had a bath).

Then when Papa & kid got home we headed out for some lunch & quality time with that SINGLE (plus bubba) child. & a random trip to the pet shop organised by the Papa (& a bird bite HA HA sorry hunny but it was a bit funny...)

The children were still away so I had a nap. A real sleep. For hours. During the DAY.

Then the kids got swapped over. My two returned and my one left. One went to bed? & I chilled with the other.

It was an extremely relaxing day, a refreshing time for me. Back to reality and not sitting on the verge. What an awesome feeling!!

The nits are under control, the rent inspection is over (for now), the children are back to normal, home schooling is about to commence, house is mostly tidy, I have solved the problem to my carrying and controlling lots of little kids by buying an expensive strider plus pram with toddler attachment thingy PLUS one of those 'back pack restraints' for my runner-trying-to-get-hit-by-a-car child.

I've even been encouraged in all the areas that I need it. 

A new week, a refreshed spirit. Ready to go. A new season of life.
The fortnight is a reflection of the Power of God in my life.

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Organisation...

Yesterday I posted about laundry. How exciting right! Just what you want to read when you click on someone's blog. Well it is if your a house wife, a maid and a mother. How to do it quicker, less work, less effort, more washed, blah blah blah. In the end no matter how much reading you do you still have to stop the reading and do the washing. Although I am getting a workable system happening.

I have noticed that feeling of 'whelm' has just about gone. The OVER whelm I am talking about. Where you look around and see work, and jobs, and chores, and things that need doing, tidying, throwing out, de-cluttering, putting away, hidden, lost, etc. That is amongst all other things that need doing on a regular basis.

I must admit it sure felt like all I was doing was jobs jobs jobs. Now that I have been getting into 2 jobs per week they hardly need doing as time goes on.

Like the bathroom. Now that it has been scrubbed shiny white and clean with the grimey stuff gone and we have a new plug and I smashed open the drain pipe (no joke - it broke when I hit it with the hammer) the bathroom is finally looking clean(ER). & it took me maybe 5-10minutes to do a WEEKLY clean (new development). It gets tidied daily but not cleaned often enough for a tyre fitters bath tub.

The kids room just need/s toys picking up, beds made and a vacuum. Instead of the monstrous task of sorting toys, packing toys, finding place to squish toys. Amazing what 8 52L tubs will do to a room! Although not having any clothing or wardrobes in that room sure helps with mess and clutter also.

I somehow managed to score hours and hours of guilt-free/no jobs/child spending time with the children where I didn't have to LOOK or SEE things that needed doing. Just sitting. Cuddling. Snuggling. Playing. Giggling. While still having that satisfaction that jobs had been done, rooms tidied and clutter gone. I often play and sit with the children but in the back of my mind is the thoughts that there are things that need doing.

The children will remember the times that we spent together.

While the most important things to do is sitting it is a nicer feeling to do so guilt-free, burden-less, job-less.

But I guess the real test is how it all comes about tomorrow :)
When I try do the same thing xx

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Daily Schedule

A Darling friend (Hi Em) with two little kids wrote up a 'daily schedule' and it made me think. Wow, so organised, scheduled, routinish (In a positive way). But then it made me want to nut my own schedule out. Because, I don't have one. Really, I am just so blah bler bla!

With (my) lots of little kids the day varies depending on a good night sleep, who got it and who didn't.
The next part of the day can depend on what happens where and with what kind of attitude. A screaming, crying, "neh" attitude can mean without correct intervention a terrible morning for all in the house will follow. Sometimes with or without correct intervention a fight will ensue whether you want to be a part of it or not. Being the parent of lots of little kids you are usually brought into every fight. But the good thing is your also brought into all the wonderful things that go on... like that moment... you know the one? Where one child will so lovingly and adoringly hold another child's hand and speak softly and quietly and gently before swipeing that child in the head with a duplo hose... Just sayin..

Which brings me to wonder why it is there are so many different kinds of 'parenting' books that handle the 'text book' kids but not quite the reality ones? If every child is different why are parenting books so... so... conformist like.. I degress.. It worked for my first not with my second. It worked for the second but not for the third.. I'm over it, well I was over it before it began. Hey! I was born a natural parent until he hit about 4 months of age. Go Me! A Pro for FOUR WHOLE MONTHS! But those days are over. Just sayin..

With lots of little kids I have discovered that a flexible attitude and behaviour plays a key role in keeping up with everything that needs doing at our place. I'm not called spagetti brain for nothing you know! Although we do have set 'things' that happen at 'set' times of the day. Like bed time. Bed time always happens at the END of the day, usually after dinner. And lunch time. Lunch occurs (usually) between 12 & 1pm when the Papa is home for lunch. & Breakfast. That happens before lunch time. Because our days vary an exact schedule is quite simply not possible. 

So. Our Schedule:
We begin the day. We wake up and make sure everyone else in the house is awake whether they want or need more sleep. The man of the house gets up, has his shower, finds his clothes and leaves but not without kisses and saying Good Bye, More kisses, and I Love You's.

Next we (generally) start by clearing up the kitchen for breakfast. The children are just-about-trained in this area. They need to clear the table, wipe the table, set the table and then we get to eat breakfast.
Children get dressed either before or after - Fairly flexible/No set rules. Except the toddler who messies his pjs with cereal and milk before getting dressed into clean clothes. Cos I am smart like that.

After breakfast we (usually) get stuck into cleaning. We clear the table (again), wipe the table (again), stack the chairs, sweep the floor, pick up the stuff off the floor, wash dishes, fill the water container, feed the chickens, dog, cat, and sometimes put the dishes away. On a warm day we might head outside for a bit of sunshine while I hang the washing up or just play and watch.

On occasions while still in PJs we might lay on the floor and do a bit of home schooling academic work, or lie in bed and do some. We are flexible like that and sometimes I can predict this to be the BEST time to some of our official school stuff. It works for us but not every day. We can start this at 7:30 and by 9am have finished a whole days worth of school work before getting stuck into breaky & loads of playing or an outing.

School work is *always* ready to do at the drop of a hat. It sits out of the way in its 'spot' until needed but it is sitting their waiting. Actually lots of our education stuff is like that. At any given time we can suddenly stop what we are doing if the conditions are right and do our 'formal' school stuff. And then put it away. Actually I don't think I've been 'caught' with home school stuff out very often.

So during the clean up I might put some washing on, or do a weekly clean in one section of the house. (Monday is master bedroom & washing, Tuesday is Kids room & bathroom, Wednesday is school room & Toilet, Thursday is washing & list writing (for groceries/menu planning), Friday is shopping, errands and our new development KINDY GYM). Of course the children help in all these areas according to willingness and abilities. The children sing alot during this time. I am often asked to put "One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture. It's their current fave song atm. Hosanna was the last favourite song.

Around 11am I pull our academic studies and an activity. The activity is to keep the 2yr old occupied, while the 3 & 5yr old 'does work'. The 5yr old I "focus" on while the other two just do their 'thing'. Sometimes we bake, or I prep dinner or prep lunch. Sometimes we color in, or do an activity.

Around 12 noon the man comes home, and we have lunch. Together.

After lunch is "quiet time". It is the time where little kids have their afternoon nap (by order since birth) while the Mumma rests. Sometimes with morning sickness, other time from sheer exhaustion, other times just because it is Quiet Time. For the non-nappers of which I now have THREE they have to be QUIET, on their OWN, with NO playing. Some days one might get to watch a "Living DVD" (if your in-the-know of what a 'living book' is then a 'living DVD' is the same thing except a DVD). They always have adequate morals, a message and are relatively educational unless we are talking about "Auslan" Australian Sign Language. That is FULL ON Educational - but now you know I'm just showing off. Surprisingly musical DVDs are a hit but children wont often be quiet. Other times they might get a puzzle, small quiet toy, or a book. Lately they are loving Duplo.

I am not sure what we do after quiet time. Perhaps because it varies from day to day. Some days we might bake, or prepare dinner, others we might go out. Some times we have afternoon tea or a quick snack and others we don't. Some days we just play, other days we do more home schooling stuff and others we might just keep on resting. Some days we all watch a movie together and just cuddle.

Around 4-ish it gets REAL busy at our house. I have to prep dinner and prepare for Michael to arrive home and prep the whole bed time / evening thing. I guess it is busiest because it is often my 'down time' as in my energy levels drop and I don't WANT to do my jobs. PLUS it seems that EVERY baby I have had wants feeding and cuddling and communication right around the time I need to get our evening meal prepared. I've lived through it this far I can only imagine I shall continue doing so. Although I am just about desperate for a better back sling carrier so she can sit behind me and pull my hair. Children are instructed to get PJs on, clear up home schooling stuff, pack away toys and pick up anything that needs picking up. Often they are outside playing, or playing together.

We often play together and we often work together. I like it like this.

Michael returns home anywhere between 5 & 6pm. We eat, sometimes clear the table, have a tiny bit of family time and the kids get put to bed. Hubby leaves and I'm alone with a cuddly bubba until late. Most nights. We don't do 'jobs' after dinner because at this stage in our families ages and stages I suck at putting little kids to bed. Actually INTO bed. Because they wont stay there for me. The 'after dinner jobs' get done 'before breakfast'. UNLESS I do them all on my own at night. By myself. With a cuddly bubba. It doesn't often happen. But it does happen.

So there you have it. A very shortened version of what MIGHT happen in our house on a relatively regular basis. I told you it was flexible. Flexibility is a MUST at our place in their ages and stages. They work well with flexibility which means that they adjust to change quickly and introducing a new baby is fairly easy as well as sudden outings, and fun things. Yet they also know what is expected of them and what needs doing. They're good like that.

I am often curious of how it works in other people's homes. In particular how it WORKS when you had/have LOTS of little kids. Or just a few.. like me.

Bless Ya xx

5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Flexibility of home schooling
2. Time spent working, learning, and playing together
3. Organised school stuff
4. New Job Lists
5. Hubby at work (means routine-ish stuff is easier and set by actual real times!)

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Home Schooling: Who?

Here I am "homeschooling" lots of little kids and all the time I am learning a great deal myself!!

Today I learnt about how Tally Marks come about. Through the racing field. But lots of strokes would get confusing so its in bunches of 5.

The other day I was learning about the Hebrew Language (& Yes Isaiah wants to learn it, but obviously I showed them this) More importantly *I* want to learn it (about 8?years now). It is rather fascinating really. Let me teach you this... Ab-bah means Father & is 3 hebrew letters. E-mah means Mother & is also 3 letters. Whilst it is not the 'rule' lots and lots of babies say the word 'dad' first. In whatever language they are in. Eg. Daddy/dadda/dad/abba/father, etc.

For some reason, I have NEVER been able to draw. Except I watched someone else draw the simple outline of a tree, and another person the simple outline of a house, and another bricks. That is about all I can draw. At times I've done stick figures. But seriously, there is no exxageration or modesty when I say that I lack drawing skills.
So, I pick up an "art" book for little kids and suddenly I can draw a stick person with a *DRESS* Such progress!! The children really enjoy drawing. Isaiah adds all sorts of things into his drawings. As in today he draw Avigail... standing up... then added in a door... and the jolly jumper with all the different bits that is included in the jolly jumper!
I am not really sure what Amalia drew but it looks a bit alien-like and really rather freaky. Think I might have to bin that one so I don't have to see it again. My instructions? Draw your family. (What does she think we look like?)

I am learning that 'academic' studies and natural learning (aka living) are really rather different. I have one child who happens to not WANT to do academic studies and another who does not WANT to do natural learning.

I am learning that diligence helps. Not in the training/teaching/demanding it RIGHT NOW! but in the future the consistent, concise training that occurs in the everyday that pays off in the future. That the "reward" is not always within reach, or within sight. But think about the child/ren that isn't taught consistently to lets say clean up after him/herself. When older they really struggle to do so.

I am learning that I want to teach my children these wonderful concepts, behaviours, etc that I don't even DO myself!

I am learning, that if I want my washing kept "up-to-date" that means I have to do so EVERYDAY! 

So. Here I am. At Home. Home Schooling lots of little kids. & I am learning more than they are! & you thought I was just so amazing... Ha!

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Right Now...

A glimpse into what is going on RIGHT NOW... 2:28pm

Michael is at work
I am getting all worked up about not being able to do anything
Isaiah has gone out with miks mum & aunts & uncle
Amalia is disobeying me. She will not rest for quiet time
Jarah has been put into bed for the 100th time in the past hour and a half because he is OVER TIRED & stayed up half the night last night. His door is now shut & he's asleep already.
Avigail cries if I put her down or let her go
Daisy (dog) is chasing chickens

Bubba who sleeps all night wants close body to body contact with me only.
I have so many things to catch up on its not funny.
I just cleaned the fridge out to find the clean drying drawer now has an egg cracked into it (cos I've been with bubba).

I can blog coz bubba is on my chest but I can't do the dishes or clean the kitchen or pick up toys or prep dinner.

This sort of stuff happens when you have lots of little kids.

Thankfully I did the homeschooling early at the breakfast table while still in our PJs and the other children were busy eating their cereal and pouring milk on the table.

Now at 2:39 (yes it takes that long to type the above one handed with kids)
Jarah is asleep, Isaiah is gone, Avigail is sleeping on me & Amalia is finally having her quiet time. Think it is time to get up, get dinner ready, get the kitchen tidied before I run out of time and the kids wake up.
xx

ETA: Jarah is teething which explains the highly sustainable tantrums... poor kid...  Plus I got dinner made, kitchen tidied, dishes put away at a pay increase of 3 jelly beans instead of 1, hall semi-tidied & a child returned. On another note my permanent fixture has temporarily been removed and is now giggling, squealing and talking on the bed a whole 15cms from my body. *grin*
I {heart} My Job :)

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i hate to say it... but I hate...

I hate the moment that you've slipped and fallen down with a baby in your arms, you can feel the pain searing up your knees, your ankle, your elbow and your wrist and your wondering "oh no! How hurt is she?" As you look into her face that says "Yep, I'm going to scream and howl" & you wonder do we need an ambulance or did I take that fall?

& I hate how you were just thinking Grrr, I need to wipe this water spillage off these stupid floors BEFORE someone slips again and hurts themselves...

& I hate the feeling of needing to learn how to do the splits to fall a bit more gracefully so you can reply "yep I did that on purpose".

I hate not being able to get up when your crumbled on the ground still wondering if the howling baby is okay or not, call for help? just stay put and comfort the baby? home with 4 small kids, what are the options?

I hate the pain that continues and spreads down your leg as you do move because you know you need to get to a safer, comfier position to assess the damage and work out if your body is still in good working order.

I hate that children use THAT moment to get out of bed and annoy you when they've been put to bed and told to got to sleep. I hate that if you don't get up and see to them they'll use it against you at a later time.

I hate that you have to get up before your ready to, using and moving those painful places.

I hate that it either happens when your home alone or when your at the front doors of a busy shopping centre with lots of witnesses.

I hate lino in kitchens, and everywhere else!


But I love how our bodies were created to fall in such a way to protect the innocent of sudden impact, the fragile bodies from severe injury, and how so close to the mothers body an infant can be comforted.

Tonight I am Thankful, 
Thankful that the only impact was occured by me,
Thankful that if bubba did get 'hit' it was ever so slightly on her cushioned bottom,
Thankful that there is no lasting damage
Thankful for the snores I can hear
Thankful for the sudden and automatic reflexes saved our baby from what could have been very very bad.
Thankful that my body pulled and held her in tight on the short yet speedy way down
Thankful that this time 'splits' were unnecessary.

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I woke up wrong...

The begining of this day... well... let's just say I'm not a proud mother, or house keeper, or wifey...

I didn't have Michael's work uniform washed, nor did he have socks, nor did I get him any breakfast. In fact I didn't even get out of bed! I am fairly certain I may have grunted a remark or two.

The children ate chips for breakfast, as in hot chips that were now cold. Which I know is a bad thing because it means that in half an hour to an hour they'll be begging for food which is rather irritating for them and me but if it doesn't happen they just get cranky.

I was trying to do everything, but nothing was getting done. The lounge needs a make over, the kitchen needs renovating (or just cleaning up), the hall way was overgrown with dirty laundry baskets, the laundry needs cleaning out and tidying, washing put away, the toilet needs a clean and a mop, the bathroom floor is flooded (permanently), the school room has been piled high with junk that needs sorting, the clothes room (Cos Yes! I DO have a room dedicated to our clean washing!!) needed clothes put away, socks paired,  hangers removed, and I do need to pull the babies next size clothing out of the box & put a heap away, AND the children's bedroom is in desperate need of toys being packed away correctly and removed from their room!!

If you've been in my house you know that is EVERY room in the house! & that isn't even putting a foot outside. It usually doesn't take long but when you've got a demanding pretty princess baby and two kids who want to do their own thing without helping you and one toddler that just wants to throw things it is really hard to grab hold of that motivation and just do it. 1. because you are occupied with sitting down feeding, & 2. because when your not feeding a baby your dealing/playing with other children.

If you've had a meal at my dining table you'll know that tidying the kitchen involves removing the kitchin table, chairs, high chair and booster seats and pulling the mop, bucket and scrubbing brush out. It involves washing dishes, drying dishes, putting dishes away. And it also means preparing for the next meal. Which was hard work because we have little food left in the house (shopping in half an hours time). But I managed.

The children ended up helping, getting dishes done, rubbish put out, bins brought in, vacuuming the house, and picking up toys. The kitchen floor got mopped good, and swept twice. Clothes got put away.

Amongst the busy-ness which involved routine home maintenance it is somewhat distressing that so much of my time is spent on housework, and child training. Except in my case today was more mummy-crankiness & children knowing to get on MY case today. My poor kids.

It led me to thinking about their attitudes, their servant heart attitudes, their obedience attitude, their level of happiness... Which made me feel so inadequate. I still feel inadequate. The house is still a mess, I'm still cranky, the kitchen needs cleaning again, there is more washing to be put away, more washing to wash.

Some days, some days you are hoping for a wonderful day, great training, wonderful attitudes,.. and then it hits me. It is these days, that trains the character, trains the attitude, trains the servant hearts. Every little day, habits are formed, lessons are learnt, and we grow. But we do not see the growth occur until we look back and think wow, look how far we came. We used to be that little now look how big we are, how much we've grown. IF ONLY, I was so diligent in the RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, then in 6 months time the right here right now would be 6 months more growth than now.

I take the children to dancing once a week. I've thought what the point is. Just an hour. But it becomes lots of hours, lots of training, lots of learning and shock horror those kiddies can dance. The journey is a ton of fun, and lots of laughter, more for me then them. 

And so, in the midst of a day,

I soldier on, working for the Lord, with only little eyes to watch and see, with no promotions, or big pay packet or recognition from the outside world. Just that He sees, He knows, He hears the silent screams within the heart.


Resurrection - Check this out!!

Tomorrow, Let us hope that tomorrow brings with it the deep inner feeling of peace, and joy, and above all Love...

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too much i want to remember

I've been thinking often about the past... Too much bad stuff that controls the majority of thoughts and means that I've forgotten the smaller, most delightful, totally meaningful, heart fulfilling moments that can get lost amongst the day to day trials of life. Too much has been stolen, too much not cherished long enough, too much forgotten.

Those begining steps, the first rolls, trying to crawl. The first sight of your newborn baby. The innocence of small children. The delight in their faces when they see you. A smile that lights the entire face. The hilarious 'one sided' skips from a three year old.

Sure, it is easy to take a photograph, a picture tells a thousand words (or a zillion if I'm the story teller), but nothing can capture the heart-felt pure joy that grasps your inner being with gusto. Not fancy words, or delicate pictures, not a memory box or blog post. It becomes a distant memory that I hope never fades away, never completely disappears. It is a hope to hold onto for better times to come, for more of those moments, that remind us that we love, that we are loved, that we can feel joy, that we can feel peace, that we are important to other people. It is the moments that are occurring right now before our very eyes, are we not grasping? are we not paying attention? are we too distracted? do we have too much on?

I have too much I want to remember that happens everyday times 4 children and not enough time to blog (record) any of it. Well atleast that is how it feels. At times I have ridiculously blurry, out of focus, what-the-heck-did-the-light-do, photographs that are all I have to capture that perfect moment, and to me... it tells a story, a glorious story, my story...

5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Stupid phone cameras that are really no good for anything
2. Blog, specifically MY blog
3. My body remembers the feeling, the glorious feelings
4. Memories, triggered by others
5. I dunno... but something..

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He gave me the man I asked for...

I asked the Lord for a husband to be my beloved mate...
He gave me this one...

{the one on the left... the one on the right belongs to Vicki}

A bible college student, A youth group leader, oldest of 9 children and semi-homeschooled. Most of all he had all the time in the world for … ME … He could answer most of my questions and didn't grow weary in answering them. He listened to me when I told him his study book was a subjective load of bull and he helped me do my dishes. We even recall an awful time of him holding me down while dropping eye sting (eye drops) into my desperately trying to close eye lids and him telling me my beloved new chocolate eating 'silly' rabbit was making me desperately sick. Oh and the time he decided I needed to eat vegetables and so cooked me tea. Uhm I no longer LIVED at my parents I didn't HAVE to eat vegetables!! But he made me and I ate them. We hung out with several friends all the time. There was the other night I invited him over for pancakes (pink, yellow and blue ones?) with a bunch of other people and I am pretty sure I started a mini-m&m fight (DO NOT TELL MY KIDS) I found those things for months afterwards.
He was there when my adorable baby bunny rabbit died... In his hands... and we had to drive somewhere to bury her.... And he was there when I cried over it...

It has not been an easy road for either of us. Hit with family tragedy after family tragedy. Personality conflicts and character-building-moments. It has been a sure long hard tough bumpy horrible road for this married couple. The Lord has made us stronger within our marriage and within Him. Our rough edges have been pushed, shoved, scraped, dragged, forgotten, remembered, forgiven, resisted and handed over to him. I do not think we are now shiny glorious diamonds cut from our rough but we are so much further ahead then we were over 6 years ago. Phew!!

Thank You Lord for your discipline and that you loved me so much you sought to give to me the rough man to make perfect for you... and I spose thank you for making me so much better then I was--- It has hurt... For all that refinement Lord I Thank Thee...

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