Blogging

Of late I have spent more time reading blogs than writing them, but I feel like wandering back into the world of the random blog soon.

Not tonight though... I have a husband to go spend time with

But expect thoughts on mothering, homeschooling, food, heart and personal growth issues and other random thoughts soon!

Preparing for Christmas

I have been thinking lately that, while it really irritates me to see all the Christmas stuff in the shops already... it might be a good idea to follow through with the plans I make every year and start thinking about what I can do now to prepare for Christmas. To make it a beautiful and memorable time together with family, reflecting on Christ's birth, instead of a time when we are all a bit stressed and flustered and irritable with one another... collapsing on boxing Day glad that it's all over.

These thoughts also tie in with reading this blog about raising contented kids, (esp the bit about contentment starting with us) and my own thoughts about contentment and the new creative streak of late. I'd like to hand make as many gifts as I can, as well as preparing people(family members) for and sounding out how they feel about getting and giving gifts like those from TEAR, SIM and Baptist World Aid. My idea is to spend half on a gift for the person they can unwrap and half on one of these. We did this last year with Dave's Mum's side and I think it worked, I hope people will be happy with that... (best of both worlds)

It will also include a return to fly lady for her tips and ideas for getting ready for Christmas and making a plan of what I'm going to make when and how and for whom, as well as the list of those I need to buy things for. I'll also encourage my fam to start writing wish lists via last years blog, which always makes things easier (when you have a direction)

At the end of the day I want my kids to reflect back on Christmas and feel warm and fuzzy, to remember the special dessert of drink they loved, the family traditions and rituals and the love felt between us! I want them to enjoy giving to others and that to be a great focus to them and for them to be happy and thankful for what the receive! I want them to really know that Christmas is about Christ's birth and why that is important. More than anything I want that to be real and meaningful to them!

I think that being involved with things like the Christmas Child shoe boxes, getting them to make things for others and thinking about the traditions we would like to do, putting as much time and effort and emphasis on that as gift stuff (if not more)

When I think about that is it really surprising that kids focus on the presents part of Christmas, if that is what they see us putting effort into, running around and stressing about? Do you have any more ideas for helping prepare of a helpful focus on Christmas and what its really about!

My Beautiful Tummy!

Comments by Sara (aged almost 4) on my tummy:

"Mummy your tummy is soooooooo pretty! It has pink and purple on it!"
"Do you think I will get a tummy like that when I'm a mummy?"
"Pink and purple are my favourite colours!"

My tummy when Sara was still in residence

A tea time moment

I was feeding Taliese last night and was getting frustrated that she kept just licking the sauce of the pasta as opposed to taking it all into her mouth so I said, "Taliese will you just eat it?" Sara reached over and patted me on the arm gently saying "It's OK hunny, that's just what babies do!"

Goodbye October

Every year I wait for the end of October with 4 year old type excitement, a shining light in the year... and wonder what joyous fun and special moments are to come, and then when it is over I bid it farewell with some kind of strange medley of relief, reflection and disappointment.
Some years I am sad to realise that it is over and there is no more, other years (like this one) I am glad to move on and look towards Christmas planning and preparation and the other things that make up life, and make us feel glad, stressed and excited. I am realising that this time of the year I can be a bit self orientated, and think that while it is nice to be spoiled (it feels good that those who love me would want to do so), it would be good to approach it with less invested in it, and thus be able to care less, come what may, responding with grace and sweetness to everything and nothing!
Anyway this is my ode to October

"Farewell my friend, the deceptive light
Goodnight and bring on November
More healthy focus to my heart bring
Next year teach me contentment!"

Taliese's Birthday

I know it was ages ago, but I just downloaded the pics from the camera!

So here was what we all got up to on 21st July 2008

Happy 1st Birthday Taliese!

After opening pressies and singing to Taliese in our bed, we got up and had a yummy (healthy version) pancake breakfast!

We had a lot of fun at Kindergym!!!!

Then we went out for lunch at Bongiorno's, Taliese's first ever meal bought out!

First Babycino!
Which She didn't like that much in the end and Sara polished off for her!



Then after a nap in the pram we went on to have more fun and yummy foods at the Plaza play area


All in all I think she had a good day!

A lovely morning!

This morning I woke up GRUMPY! Taliese has been waking me up at night (think it's that little tooth I can feel coming through) and I was just tired!
I felt annoyed that Dave hadn't just decided to get up and look after the girl and let me sleep. (Hmmmm... maybe he was tired too and was enjoying his Saturday morning?) All pretty unfair, but I was feeling pretty flat tired and thin skinned!
Well I got out of bed took Sara to the loo and started to get ready with some very ungracious grumbling and generally not helping anyone else to start the morning off well.

[I hear you say ... but the title says it was a lovely morning... is it sarcastic or do things get better?]

Anyway we finally got breakfast eaten ... (actually I forgot to eat the toast i made) and everything/everyone ready for the pool and were running late. Got in the car and the battery was flat (Sara had been playing in the car and left the map lights on yesterday) The RAA was going to be an hour wait.
GRRRRRR... the day just working out to MY plans.

BUT... we had a really nice day! We ended up canceling the RAA and walking to the pool! I didn't really use the gym much when we got there - too tired and flat. But I relaxed and listened to my ipod after a brief workout, while Dave and the Sara played in the pool and Taliese slept. Then afterwards we walked home again!

We got pies from brumby's, bought a really pretty quilt for Taliese and some hairclips for Sara. We talked and just enjoyed each other. It was nice!
We think that maybe we will try to walk to the pool regularly on a Saturday morning!
It solves the problems of fitness (as the gym membership ends tomorrow), Taliese's morning nap (on the way there), quality time, and if we pack a lunch we could eat there then come home and maybe Sara would even fall asleep on the way home? (wishful thinking?)
Anyway it was really nice (even if we didn't get to go shopping for a new car seat) and I am so thankful to God for this unexpected and very undeserved blessing!
Well I am of to have a little nap!

PS Taliese was also able to stay dry all morning to boot!