its been a while..

....18 months in fact.  Long enough for a new job, new house, new dog...but thankfully the same Mr Man and kidlets...just a larger version (of the kiddlets...ahem), in fact 2 of them a taller than me...I'm just as shocked as you, for sure!
Let's get into this space again...hmmm? All cosy like even.  If nothing else, and for no one else, the odd thought and memory will be forever stored in space; who knows even maybe my kids in a few years might look back a these ramblings, and know again, they are thought of, loved and my universe....I loved the list from Green Valley, so have adapted it a wee bit.

Making : drawing with ink again, very occassionally
Cooking : 3 meals at once...my theory of cook 1x eat 3x is a sunday tradition now
Drinking : lots of freshly made vege juices
Reading: education mumbo jumbo
Wanting: more time
Looking: lilly's on my table...heavenly
Wishing: longer weekends
Enjoying:  the sunny spot on my cape cod chair on Sunday arvos
Liking:  long lunches to celebrate special freind's
Wondering:  when I'll fit my jeans waiting for me in the wardrobe...sigh
Loving: red polka dot napkins 
Hoping:  forever for world peace...hmmm
Marvelling:  that my 8 year old son gives awesome head scratches
Needing:  quiet...pft not likely this year
Smelling:  fresh baking
Wearing:  my fave red skinny's
Following:  all my old faves
Noticing:  i should moisturise my hands more often
Thinking:  I'll try the zebra stripes on my finger nails soon
Feeling:  like I have had a weekend...love it

who know's, I might even get back here this week...no pressure
x

sweet strong ...and 5!

ooo mushy babe, all of 4 weeks old, and nearly outta his basket

almost 5! and growing everyday

5 arrives! and we so celebrate with all the superheros from near and far!

Micah Jack...you are so very precious to us all.  we love your curiosity, your pondering of how all things work together - your considered questions to the links of info still out of your grasp.  I love that you think before you speak, that you love to find out how things work, your compassion and slow to anger temper.  You are a lovely, lovely, lovely lad, who is super creative, making things everyday to improve some aspect of whatever thought-wave you are on.  I heart-adore the fact that despite being a busy lad, you fashion me the sweetest jewelry, thinking through the sizing and placement of jewels (this week shyly placing a tiny package in my hand during a work meeting; revealing 100 pieces of sticky-tape and wrapped; inside lay a beautiful 'diamond ring', that I have proudly worn all week).  You are loyal to your family, protective of me and my heart; your dad's buddy in all things fish/workshop/lawns/weights ...and more.  

We celebrated in style this week, inviting precious family and some of his little friends, dressing up as superheros and eating superhero style...a few games, as everyone seemed to love running and hiding and playing in the secret garden...and we all had so much fun remembering how to skip.  the very best part ...we get to hang EVERYDAY, ALL DAY; as you are now a big school boy - in MY class; so exciting! love you my treasure, to the stars and back!

organising the corners...

I so love a little bit of re-arranging, nothing serious but a freshen up here and there make things seem brighter, no?  I love my pantry door blackboard...the kids, not so much, as all their chores are there plan to see!

better late than never?...

well now, here we are mid Jan and I haven't even posted 2012's reflections, and yet there is much to be thankful for! So, better late than never, thought I would share a few thoughts.

micah jack's brilliant portraits of mr man and I (4y10months)

in 2012....I was 

::~ Grateful, so very much, for family, and special times had, the birth of 2 celebrated and much loved nieces joining our family, making us 24 in number...a hefty team to face the world with.

::~Thinking, a lot of time spent re-evaluating things, a change of church family for us- which has being a blessing and also an upheaval. 

::~Creating, not a lot of creativity occurred when compared to previous years, but working has indeed swallowed the lion share of my days...however, knitting, sewing, crocheting, have all played their various parts.

::~Growth, in our children, in ourselves and in our relationship...stretching and changing sometimes have tears and hurts...relationships have been pulled and kneaded into a different shape, with a better result, despite initial qualms and fears.  Watching the physical growth of the kiddos is always amazing no?  Each of them is alot closer to being as tall as me, and the eldest is now taller..eek!
::~Change, this year I have undergone a journey of transformation...losing 47kgs of myself along the way - RELIEF is the biggest thing I feel, followed by WEEHEE, new clothes in a much smaller size YUS!  Lots of running around with the kids -easily now.  More to drop off along the year, but a massive chunk gone, phew...my heart says thankyou to myself!
::~Challenge, on so many fronts - but the one in mind, is running! I am officially a runner!  Yup, I slowly slumph along, but I'm doing it - YAY...once again the heart says -thankyou -to myself.
::~Explore, I have a yearn to explore our magnificent country...and have had the opportunity to a wee bit, visiting Waikauwa Bay most recently, and stopping off up the Coromandel along the way - `tis a feast for your eyes...such beauty...I so hope that 2013 is a year to explore.
::~Looking forward to, an awesome year, truly I pray it will be so! Welcome 2013, we gonna love each other!

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