This little light of mine

Our group finished the latest study from Hello Mornings and the next one isn't starting until later in the new year.  So our fabulous group leader found a great Christmas advent study -Keeping our Hearts focused on Jesus by Good Morning Girls.  It has daily readings and some great activities to do with your kids.  I have become so much more aware of how busy things get around Christmas and am looking forward to the focus that this study will give me, especially as I prepare for what is ahead each day.

I was motivated by the first activity to light a candle and went out and bought some bits to put together a family advent candle set. It didn't take much but it has brought some great discussion to the dinner table conversations.

Rest

After an extremely busy day I am exhausted.  God is so good.  I found this gem from Brave Girls in my in box.


Dear Tired Girl,

It is SO GOOD to do GOOD things, so good! It is so good to make things happen and to help others and to cross things off of our lists and to seek out more of everything that is good.

There is a time to stop and rest, however. Rest is good. Rest is one of the very good things in life to do. Our bodies need rest, our minds need rest, our spirits need rest, our relationships need for us to be rested. Our jobs need for us to be rested. The GOOD GOOD things in the world that we do need a rested BEST of us.

Rest does not need to hold hands with guilt. We do not have to pay for rest when the rest is over. Rest is an investment and makes everything we do better, more valuable and more meaningful. WE MUST REST. Please, dear friend, let yourself rest. Rest physically by going to bed. Rest emotionally by letting go of expectations. Rest spiritually by turning over your worries, problems and anger.

In your quest for all that is good and true, decide TODAY that rest is one of the best and truest of all things. Our bodies were designed to rest. We are being true to who we are when we take the time to truly truly rest. Hear it, sweetheart?

You are so loved. Now go get some rest.
xoxo

 

Just what I needed to keep going.  I have several posts that I have been wanting to write and they haven't happened.  And always many things that I just haven't got to yet.

Looking forward to some time to rest and restore.

Made up mixed up game of fun

 It started with a piece of chalk and some dinosaurs

add more boys a stone and some bugs

and you have some wild hopscotch, jumping, bug rescue fun.

As the days get longer, the boys have headed outside to burn off energy and let Mum cook dinner.  They usually just muck about {as boys do}.  This day was a little different.  Amazing what a piece of chalk and an idea can spark in the mind of a 3 year old with a bit of creative input.

It didn't last long, but it was magic while it did.  For all my plans and ideas on Pinterest things to do with them  it really doesn't take much.

What a difference a day makes

Sunshine. It does wonders to the soul. 

This may look just like a pile of washing.  But, do you see the sunlight?  It brings new life and joy.  It may seems simple but the act of getting washing out, in and folded and away in the same day is bliss.  It has been so long wet, windy and grey I had almost forgotten what the warmth of those rays can do.

When life gets chaotic and I struggle to find breath for even the basics of life I take hold of what I can control.  Embrace the imperfection and instead do enough to make it better.  There are so many things that I want to improve around our place.  If you check out my pinterest page you will find many beautiful images that I would love to have in my space.  Until then I am content with what I have.  It is not an easy choice.  I am learning to find joy in the scratches and dings and the brokeness by holding on to what has already come to be, through time and hard work and saving for better things.

So yesterday I set about making some changes {sorting again as my darling husband calls it}.  I started with the car.  It is well used and needed a clean.  Heading in to summer calls for beach gear and hats and sunscreen to replace the beanies and jackets of winter.  It was getting into a shambles so I added a bucket for the new found bits and pieces and tidied away the old.
 

Spare clothes bag.  A set for each boy plus spare hats etc 

so we can enjoy wherever we go without fear of getting dirty or wet.
Bucket with sports gear, towels, hats, sunscreen and a picnic rug.

On to the pantry.  If you look closely into the back you will see that my pantry is actually the hot water cupboard. One day I will have a pantry.  Till then I was sick not being able to get at things and everything tipping out so I pulled it out and had a rearrange.

Lying around the kitchen I have had several boxes and bags of goodies - chilles, grapefruit and more.  So I tidied and squeezed and cut.  Now I have bench to work on again and nothing to trip over.

It may seem like a lot but it didn't take too long and everything I used I already had on hand.  When all was done I was even able to bike to the park on the way to kindy for some time with my little helper.

Even better is that today I am having a great day.  The morning get up and off was the best it has been and the cupboard is now full with groceries.  It feels good to be sorted.

Time Out

Just what I needed.  The last week or two I have had lots on the calendar to keep up with.  It's times like this that I need a bit of me time.  Most of the tasks that I do seem to be stuck on the replay button.  No matter how often I do them they will be back tomorrow.  So I make sure I do at least one thing a day that is just for me. There will always be more to do.  I know when I have done enough.  The new Stampin Up catalogue arrived today.  So while I have a list of things to complete {the biggest being a catch up on my blogs}  I took some time out and had a look through.  Great pick me up.  Now I am ready to get back to business.

What do you do for me time?

Our Table

I came across this post by Angie at Bring the Rain. It inspired me to put together some thoughts about our table as it holds just as many memories. I was amazed at how sometimes it is the simplest of things that can have the greatest impact on us. The story is something of great worth that I want to record and pass on.

I remember when I first got the table. Going off to study I was setting up my first flat. Together with my parents we had been gathering bits and pieces of furniture. A friend of Dad's had a table he was wanting to get rid of.. It had been well used, the lines and dents all had a tale to tell. A solid piece with extensions at both ends, the table was certainly quite a find. So I took it to my Pop who always took a look at the projects we presented him. And he lovingly sanded the table back and varnished and polished it back to its former glory. A lasting memory of the love that he shared.

Now it was time for me to write it's story.

It was almost to good to be used by students. But the table held up after many cusine experiments, late night study sessions and card games. It shifted with me as I moved flats. Until when I finished my studies I decided to move to Auckland and I couldn't take it with me. So the table went on it's way with my brother as he started out on his flatting adventures. Just when I thought that the table had ended it's tale with me my brother headed off overseas. It was just as I was getting married and moving into our first home.

It was to be our table.

Whenever we moved we made room for our table, and we have moved so many times I have to keep count to remember. It fitted in the one bedroom unit we shared with our 12 month old when we sold our first house, before we moved closer to family. It even fitted in the 2 and ½ bedroom place we shared with our 3 boys with another on the way.

Seems like it was a part of the family. Our table has entertained many guests. It has held craft projects, late night homework catch ups and had playdough mushed into it and been turned about to find the perfect spot for fort building. We are gathering around more for games nights as the boys grow older. But most importantly it has held many family dinners. Gathered around we share our favourite part of the day amongst passing dishes and toddler tiredness. At the moment that is enough. I read this post at A Holy Experience. For now it is hanging there as a great thing I want to do at our table. One thing at a time.

So I wonder do my boys really know the depth of the story as they sit at this table? Do they know how much love they have as they sit around it? Like Angie said in her post I want to do more but the Lord reminds me 'Your love is enough. And when it isn’t, Mine is'. 

It is starting to show it's age, our table. There are more marks and dings than I can count and the seats are badly in need of repair. I know there is life in her yet. We have so much more story to tell. At a time when sitting around the table together as a family is becoming a thing of the past, I look forward to more love and laughter around our table.

Living Life - Counting One Thousand Gifts

I love those moments in life when everything stops and you realise that all is well. I have remained focused on organising the things in my life so I can do all the amazing things that I was made to do.   Next stop the filing cabinet and my meal planning.

thank you for 

#2 sunshine on a frosty day
#3 a chance to finish my summer photo album - great memories
#4 quiet
#5 creative time with friends last night
#6 being organised for our planning meeting tonight
#7 getting washing dry


 Joining with Anne at Holy Experience in counting one thousand gifts

How to get your kids to eat apples

Since having children I have had many differing requests for apple presentation before it will be eaten. On the go we eat them whole but, some like them peeled, some have it sliced. After having a go with a friends peeler/corer/slicer we have been looking out for one ever since. So much fun. The boys can do it themselves and they eat the whole thing.

Make a wish

i wish ......
i could do all the things that I dream of doing
i could share what I know
i had the courage to believe I can make a difference.

Reset button

Right now I am back from teaching the next session in our 'She will run' series at Mainly Music. Last week I couldn't get to writing my blog till later in the week. This week my son fell asleep on the way home so I took the chance to start writing while it was fresh in my mind. Until I took a look at what was still to do around me. A load of washing to put away, toys scattered about, washing to sort and a pile of dishes on the bench. Sound familiar? Some people can block out the things that need to be done and focus on what they are doing. I have got better at it but it definitely bugs me and I can't focus unless there is sense in the chaos. I had to make a choice. Spend a whole lot of time getting onto the tasks {and then get nothing done that I wanted to do}, leave it {and get frustrated and overwhelmed when you have 10 more things to add to list of to do's} OR

Time to push the reset button


Knowing it isn't possible to get everything done, I ask myself 'what things can I do now to move one step closer to getting the job done?' I give myself a time limit. In this case 5-10 mins. And I went for it. The dishes went in the dishwasher and the rest for washing are in a pile to be washed. The bench is wiped. The washing came off the line and now I am ready to hang the next load. The toys are off the floor and back in the box.

I have a mental list of things that I do to reset. Some of them are daily things. Some take more time. I wrote more about my thoughts in this post.


Top of my list is making my bed. A small thing that takes just moments {because I don't stress about getting hospital corners} But as it is the focus of the room I know that I feel good to have it done as I walk in. I can deal with other things that haven't been done.

What tops your list. Is there one thing that you can do that makes you feel like you can deal with things? Lets face it the day to day things we do as mums often leave us feeling like we haven't achieved anything. As soon as something is done it is just as quickly undone and more things are added. We don't get credit, often aren't thanked or rewarded. So find something that you can be satistied with and pat yourself on the back when you've done it.

When life throws you lemons

Today was one of those days that you wish you could either get over with as fast as possible or start over. Its a good thing that tomorrow is another day. Something I shared with the boys as I put them to bed. I want them to know that Mummy makes mistakes too. I spent it trying to catch up with too much and falling way short of the mark. Combined with too many late nights it was always going to head for disaster. Unfortunately the boys seem to bear the brunt of it Still I reached the end {usually defined by getting the boys successfully off to bed} I had a list of things that I always intend to do but never actually do because I am too tired or it has got too late. Tonight a thought struck that when I least feel like it I should do something for someone else. So I made a card for a friend and it felt great. While finding some verses to share I was reminded of the annoying line that had found its way on my new bible. I have been meaning to see if I could get it off {to no avail}. Following on with my thoughts I decided instead to make something of it. So it has now become a flower. A reminder that when life throws you lemons you can become sour or make lemonade.

Where have I been?

I haven't written for too long. Not because I haven't anything to write about {the ideas keep coming} but I have been focused on enjoying the moments in between {the daily grind} One thing my boys are great at is enjoying whatever they are doing at that moment. I've been slowing down, finishing things that I have started and finding what is important. When I look back at my first post it sums it up really. I made this blog so I could have a place to pass on my thoughts and put together the wealth of resources that I refer to. Time to come back to it.

It has been awhile

I keep meaning to write. I have so many things that I have learnt and want to pass on. I have posted so many times on my creative blog. It seems easier. Its not that I have nothing to say I have just been doing it. Living life and having a chance to write about it are each a full time thing.

So when I sat down to check out some of my favourites for some reflection and inspiration I was amazed just how relevant they are for me right now. And I had to share it. I have been asking a lot of questions lately and the answers keep on coming.

I started here at A life in need of change and here at Big Mama.

One thing that I have really been wanting to post is my word for the year - be {a whole post in itself}. Reading these really reiterated why I chose this word. To know oneself and what one ought to be and be it.

What's on my nightstand?

Being the night owl that I have become since my boys go to bed so late. I have been doing a bit of reading. I love to read and relish curling up with a good book. So I thought I would share what I have been reading of late.

I started the Janette Oke series Love Comes Softly a while back and have got back into reading it. These are the last two in the series and I am getting through them at a fast rate. A great read! Part of my defining me material is thoughts and reflections on the books that I read. I have a section where I jot down things that I get out of books and movies and character qualities that I am inspired by.

When I picked up these ones at our library at Northpoint Church, Christine Cain's Stop acting like a Christian just be one caught my eye. I have heard her speaking so am looking forward to getting into this one. Especially when a recent teaching I heard reminded me that we are 'human beings not doings' Something I have been dwelling on of late.

As the boys go through changes as they grow I thought I would dig out a favourite from Ian Grant 'Growing Great Boys'.

And last a book that a friend lent me after talking about what I have been doing to get organised and here on my blog 'More hours in my day' by Emilie Barnes and Sheri Torelli. Interesting reading. Lots of things I am already doing and a number of pointers that I would like to put in place. Alot of what I want to share on my blog is about this. The things that I do to create time for what I want to be doing. There are alot of things that I wish I had known a long time ago and set up. Its taken a lot of time but I am getting there and it feels good. Love that it is from a Christian perspective

Will have to keep you posted about what comes from it

One word 2010

I read this awesome post from Ali Edwards at the start of the year. Be sure to check out the links as she explains it really well

My word for this year is

BREATHE

I chose it because I am focusing this year on decluttering and simplifying. I want to be enjoying life and I am certain that the process I am going through is going to enable me to do the things that I want to be doing. I realise just how important it is to stop and breathe. To think before I act and to slow down and take in all the things around me.

Everyday Life

Who would have thought that this would happen at our place. These photos were captured of the boys getting into their lego on a school morning! Yes thats right on a school morning. Our usual routine involves mad dashes around the house and lots of coaxing, bribing, grumping and more to get four boys out the door to do school and kindy drop offs.
So how did I they do it you might well ask. The simple answer tokens. I have had the token system set up for a while but decided to have a revamp and get it going a bit more. It all started as a way to get the boys more involved in helping out. As much as it is easier to do things yourself sometimes when you are doing everything thats all you get to do. So it was a way of encouraging them to help out so they got to do what they wanted and so did I. Up on our wall is a list of things that the boys can earn tokens for like setting the table, putting their bags away, getting ready in the morning and some things worth two tokens like emptying the dishwasher. When they have ten tokens they get to cash them in for a prize. These include having a friend over, going for a bike ride or swim, staying up late etc.

So on this morning they were up and ready to go in no time earned themselves tokens and then had time to play. It would be fab to say that it lasted and mornings are great but you have to take joy in the moments when they do. Hence why I had to capture it.