got my craft on...

ive cut out about a million little circles, and sewn them up into pretty garland for the tree- the dining room, and more to come...such a simple easy quick thing to do...=love.

sunday mornings are coming....

sooooo love sunday mornings (when we aren't on music-although love that too), love that leisurely feel to starting the day.....a whole heap of these are just around the corner -whoop!

some of november in photo

we are looking at the end of the term tunnel fast approaching, and I'm thinking November might be forgotten in its wake! So a wee record of some highlights for our whanau...

1-4. My pyromaniac brother and his sweet babes and wifey visited with us a while....my pyromaniac daughter was especially thrilled ~ ahem (the wild life was not so much).

5. a wee window of chillax, at the local resort style pool...nursing a very painful back

6. time spent with mr man, just the 2 of us for a lovely weekend away- restorative and so needed

7. my 3rd babe ready for a party - as the only boy invited he was indeed 'mothered' and looked after...he presented the said wee birthday princess with roses form the garden, to which a large spider promptly jumped out and horrified all 12 girls - such fun!

embrace the camera moment

this wee fella is not too well, just a sore tummy, but enough to warrant us to be at home curled up together on the couch...work committments in my headed squashed by a lil man sayin "mama can you sit with me and huggle me?"....of course sweet, paitent, creative, giggly lad, of course.  Such a blessing. x

lately...

1. party for Sets, Japanese style restaurant at home.
2.Saye turns 15
3. Lovely girlfriends gather to celebrate mu birthday 'surprise!'
4.run with my girls to a beautiful bay near here
5. micah plans and build a planting shelf at kindy.
6. our boys ARE spiderman
7.Ollie the lamb takes out all the rearing ribbons.
8. we visit broken hills...so beautiful
9. Bubbles the calf takes out lots of ribbons!

embracing the camera

this week, with my 2 funny, sassy, sweet, kind girls....who wow me, floor me, frustrate and delight me - how the heck we ended up with such fab chicks, is at times beyond me.  But lotsa prayer, growls, hugs and laughter lines the path of their childhood thus far ...I guess lots more of each will be be needed...mostly i am just awestruck they get to be mine. x

shes 15

our eldest baby is now 15 - half woman half girlchild - its an exciting journey no?  This kiddo is truly talented,  and its so fun to be along for the ride (and providing the ride-ha!)...if there is a ball shes there, if there's a guitar or drums, or keys or mic or...(you get the idea), shes there.  At school she reflects His light, and is given so many oportunities to lead and learn.  Our family motto is to be the best we can be...as cheesy as it sounds...but hey, this kid is living up to it - so proud of this kid who made me a Mama...shes  my hearts delight.

embrace the camera

Jose's turn this time - he has a mother!!

this crazy lad of mine is growing up way too fast....he even said to me the other day "Mama, I'm growing up so fast hey?!"...indeed my son, but don't rush!

We are on the cusp of summer...we can feel it in the air sometimes...and this lad is about to start his 'rite of summer passage' -as it were- green grass stained knees are here, insect bites are starting, scrapes from going to fast on his bike, cricket and swimming about to start.  I love this lil guy - he is sunshine and fresh grass to me.

EMBRACING the camera

we climbed a wee mountain (hill) today...it felt good to hang with this kid, and encourage her to keep going, take in the magnificent view and be just a lil bit silly...

I am ever aware at the mo, that time is slipping through our fingers....and my kids have only a few pics with me, like most mums, I prefer to be behind the camera....am trying people, am trying! :-)

she is 12...and a bit

i try to do birthday portraits of the kids...I so ran overtime with this sweet sassy girls...there are so great ones, but I'm gonna keep them all for myself, except this one...such a beautiful spirit.

boy-man

these lads of mine are such treasures- the are growing into fine young lads, I'm proud of their maleness and celebrate and encourage it everyday.  Sometimes their 'maleness'  baffles me, sometimes it frustrates me, but mostly it delights my soul...grow strong my sons, free in the very things that make you 'man'. l

embracing the camera

 I've been inspired by Emily on over at the anderson crew....and keeping a record of my lovelies

me

I've been on a journey - for the last 6 months in particular - I'm still on it, and discovering various paths on it at the moment. I've left 46kgs of myself somewhere! My body is breathing great big gulps of relief and finding different ways to go about life.....I'm hugely grateful to my Mr Man for being the biggest cheerleader and sergent major when required (I don't do subtle, and he knows that - hehe)...and to everyone who has trudged this path alongside me - its not over yet - but the biggest distance is behind me now.

I find myself being a bit reflective of late, as I do when birthdays loom.  Being 35 has been a bit of a rollercoaster - mostly a good one.  Like lots of women in the 30's, I've loved them - you find yourself less niggly about the small stuff, able to form an opinion and not be swayed by others conflicting ideas, but also ok enough in this to allow others theirs without trying sway them, or justify yours. Sometimes the juggling act of parenting multiple ages/kids and their raft of activities, having farm animals to care for, the house to care for, relationships with extended family/friends to maintain, church committments AND working almost fulltime, can be rather tiring - but its doable,  thousands of us women do it (women are incredible creatures hey!?)..other than the working bit (and I do love my job-don't get me wrong!); I can't think of what I'd change - just the location from time to time - hehe! Doing life in Italy for a bit would be fine with me- or Morroco, or France or....Ha! I dream.
Yup, with 36 around the corner, I have deeper laughter lines, saggier boobs, and more hugs given and gotten than when I was nearly 35; I am gonna  embrace it and squeeze every bit of goodness it might offer.

right now~

:: its the very start of the school holidays- HOORAY!! We are all still in our pjs- HOORAY again.

:: yesterday ~ was brilliant sunshine - we sunbathed and relaxed on the deck; now its raining-boo.

:: listening to ~ Kimbra still, and Mudford & Sons - oh and Peppa Pig is on in the background.

::planning ~ on paper the summer vege garden looks amazing! In reality the ploughing of the paddock and     fertilizing is done, not much else

::caring for ~ our sweet lambs - one of who is very poorly; we are hopeful though; a pig, who is getting bigger daily, 14 lovely lady chickens, and a raft of wild pukeos - who parade themselves daily for us.

::dreaming of ~ long summer evenings, with a tinge of sunshine on our backs, and a happy tired feeling from working the vege garden - and report writing but a memory!

::reading ~ a selection of mild trash - yay me! Gardening journals, and lovely blogs.

::thinking ~ I should go get the kids dressed! and the day planned, and started - maybe not! It's holidays after all!

my fave people in the world

time goes so fast, these pics were taken in August at a special family gathering....these are precious, most beautiful gifts, and sometimes (when I'm not pulling out my hair, or threatening to poke them in the eye!), I find myself incredulous; that I over anyone else get to be their Mama....'mazing.

piggy fun

Today I learnt that...pigs jump out of their pens sometimes

pigs run fast

pigs can swerve and squeeze where you think they can't

pigs like to chose the muddiest soggiest places to do the above

I also learnt that ...I can run too

that my girls get dropped off home at the perfect moment, to see a ginger pig streaking thru the secret garden and understand their banshee mother enough to run around behind him to turn him

that girls work together well, even when the said pig charges in terror at one of them

that there is alot of mud in the secret garden, and its slippery and it likes you to fall flat on your face in it

that you CAN run fast on sharp stones when you have to and you don't feel much

that you have a understanding boss, and can call her mid puff/run to cancel a meeting you are supposed to be at

that we have friends with motorbikes that come at a garbled phone call

that running thru the paddocks in a large cirlce 12 times is a bit tiring

that pigs get tired too, and eventually hobble and puff their way in defeat back to their pen

that 'encouraging' a puffed pig thru a small gate, in a dark closed barn is frustrating for all -things WILL get knocked over - glad not to be one of them

that mr granger is truly relieved and grateful for his fresh water and large salad for dinner tonight...que relieved snorting

...and I am grateful that Set can build a higher fence fast

...and for girls who sacrifice their clean shoes and stockings to mud and ALOT of running

...for motobikes and determination

...for electric fences that are turned OFF

...that sloppy mushy mud makes a softer landing than could've been

...and that we got the wee (or not so wee) ratbag back....and for Pippy alerting me that he was out - good dog.

the end

happy birthday to you miss noodle

This funny, sassy, crazy, sweet, compassionate, kind and very beautiful girl of mine had a happy birthday!!  This kid knows how to reach for the stars, and capture them too.
Noo, you are such a massive blessing to my heart....we are so grateful to have you in our family.
I pray your path will be straight, and you will be blessed beyond measure - that always, you carry in your heart; our love for you, and His saving grace.

bless ya sugarplum fairycake. xx

WOP...yay

yay for school holidays and a wee bit of headspace...we have been adventuring with our sweet cousins and sister/hubby...I love them so....but now tis time to get my sewing going on..I have knittingon the needles and crochet on the hook - so yup - its holiday!

my brave beautiful girl

this photo is fuzzy....but I like it so much...this girl of mine, is a wee rockstar...she's performing here in front of hundreds of people, auditioning with her band. She had just dedicated their performance to her friend who had been killed the night before in a car accident....she is courageous, strong and sensitive, she takes her feelings, when overwhelmed and channels them into creating with music. She fights for those who need a friend and she is loyal to those she loves.  She made me a Mama.

my journey...thus far.

I am on a journey...to gain health and fitness, to be a better example of a healthy strong woman to my girls.  Its hard work.  Sometimes it feels like its hard work every moment of everyday...and sometimes I can 'surf' the trickiness of it all.  I have lost 28kgs today. I usually wouldn't mention such a thing; but lifes shifting sands at the moment make this more momentous than 27kgs...its a milestone as I have officially lost 4 (much loved) pregnacy's weight. I now have myself to lose.  Its freeing.  I pray it will continue to be so...I have ALOT more to go....but am feeling more positive about it than anywhere else on this journey.  I have had to redefine some of what's important to me, I have had to find other ways to show I care for others (making treats for others being important in the past).  I have never been stretched and disciplined in this way, for so long or so hard.  It is hard to put oneself at the front of the que - as every mother who may read this will know! I know gaining health and wellbeing is worth the effort. Today I am thankful for so many things...

my anne of green gables girl....

this girl of my is sassy, sweet and oh so wonderful...I used to dream of having a girl JUST like Anne of Green Gables...who was dreamy and clever and fighting for those who need an advocate....tis funny how life sometimes serves you just what you dreamed, and adds a twist to make it even sweeter...thats my girl.

its May already -sheesh!!

HELLO...my new friend.

rugby's started...and netball, soccer x2!

april family pic....

Life has ben full and busy and tricky and wonderful...but blessed too....we have had gatherings...a sweet new one welcomed to our world and in our arms.  Marshmellows toasted and sack races with cousins, tug of war with uncles and rugby kicks with dad....
celebrating: a sweet new girl child born to my lovely sister...bless you always baby girl; my big girl being voted in as head girl of the junior school; family gatherings where all 13 cousins can play in the sun together; our first boy being given a ceritficate recogniseing his empanthy and kindness to others....

thinking: that I should be outside soaking up the sun, but really need to clean the kitchen

baking: lovely looking slices that I can't even touch...sigh

counting down: in another 4 months 3 weeks I can sample those said slices, also counting down the scales as the weight slowly peels off - hopefully never to return  -shudder

hearing: a great message at church today that stirred my heart and has me thinking

loving: having 1/6th of the winter vege garden in

wondering: when on earth I will have the time to rotory how the other half and plant the other 5/6ths of winter vege garden!

hoping: this week will be calm and the list ticked off.
and that YOU have a blessed week. xxx

easter 2012

my fav photo of the night...unstaged candlelit guitar song writing...under the stars - sigh

the egg hunt in our rather overgrown jungle garden

mr mans idea of dressing up was adding a tie - ahem

a special feast was prepared ... a real treat

We love Easter and the precious meaning it has to our family...I love family traditions and rhythms, and Easter definately has them at our place.  We always spend time together exploring the Easter story, and egg hunt at some pojtn and a dressup dinner where we read the Easter story once again together...no ICT allowed...just stillness and reflection.  I love that our  girls are helping to lead our little boys in these rhythms....