Early Morning

I used to be a real morning person. Then I had kids - now I still (generally) like mornings but they've taken a lot more deciding to like them.

In my ideal world I'd leap out of bed, excited the day is beginning - put on my sneakers and trackies and go for run. I'd be back home, shower and start that day curled up on my chair reading. Hmmm.... well, for a start I'm actually not sure where by sneakers are. I have bookmarked the couch to 5K programme - but that's about it. As for showering, not a normal morning activity here, sometimes if the kids aren't up and about yet, but usually evening.

Mornings are more like, wake up to the baby (that's ok) then blurrily put the jug on to make DH a coffee and me a milo. Then it is job/me time until about 6.30 when the big boys start to migrate out of their room. I put milk and water together and make porridge. There is a washing machine to be filled and meat to be taken out of the freezer. Sometimes if I'm lucky I'll actually bake (this I do like doing). Breakfast is usually around 7.15 - kids may or may not be still in their pj's. The biggest boy is ok with doing his own clothes but the younger ones not yet.

And after breakfast ... that's when the fun really starts!!

But you know what ... secretly I still love mornings. I like the quiet, the fresh start to the day, and knowing that if I get a whole bunch of things done between 5.30 and 7am, it makes the day lots easier.

What's your morning like? Oh ... and happy Thursday!

Catch -up

Here are the highlights in a few brief bullet points

- ok, for some reason we're using the old blogger template
- weekend was marvelous
- I have AMAZING friends
- found two great bargains at the local second hand shop

Oh, and now I have a horrid winter virus which feels like what I'd imagine arthritis is like and looks like the measles. Not fun. So, off to take a break on the couch.

You must be busy

I read an interesting article last night

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/08/09/love-for-the-big-and-the-small/

and it made me think … sometimes we’re altogether too worried about the perfect size of our family that we forget about the actual wonder and beauty of the family members themselves. We have four preschoolers (no twins) and when I’m out and about with all of them I do get many comments, some negative, some positive, and some just downright rude. And tongue in cheek – we’re not bunnies, we do believe in family planning and yes, we don’t have a TV.

Anyway, I digress. Family and the wonder of it despite its size. I was nursing our youngest this afternoon and looked over to the couch, and the other three must have had their be-good nappies on as they were sitting tight against each other while they read stories to one another … and you know what; it made my heart sing. Sometimes I get hung up on our family size, about whether I’m short changing them, short changing my husband and our time, short changing … well the list could go on. Then I have to remind myself – God in his wonderful amazing grace has blessed us with four souls to nurture and bring up for Him. This is a blessing. It was a blessing nearly five years ago after two heartbreaking miscarriages to see another two blue lines, and it was as much a blessing twelve months ago to see it for a sixth time. And I hope, if it is in God’s plan – and we are physically, mentally and financially able, that I will see it again. But for now – my focus is to be on the family I have around me – how to be the best Mama I can be. It is a hard job, whether you have one, four or ten. And we need to remember to pray for one another – pray for our husbands and fathers, pray for our friends – and pray for our kids.

And for my friends and readers who are struggling with the heartbreak and hurt of “isn’t it time you guys started having kids yet”; “when’s no. 2 coming?”; miscarriages, any other infertility issues or perhaps you are single and waiting for Mr. Right … my prayers and thoughts go out to you also … please be gentle on yourselves – and remember you are a family and in a family – with or without children, or even if your wee ones have left before being held in your arms. Hugs my friend … from me to you.

Snow Days

Some views from our place over the last three days. I love living where I do ... seeing the amazing beauty and wonder of creation daily. Sunrises and sunsets get me every time. Added to the mix in the past week was a rainbow and of course snow!

Menu Monday

Well, menu planning is a bit part of my life.  I'm a little weird and like to have my dinners at least organized, if not partly made by mid-day so that with four preschoolers the evening witching hours go much easier ... hence a menu plan which means I can glance at it, take meat out the night before if needed and get on with it before I wash the breakfast dishes.

 So this weeks menu - somewhat dependent on the specials that were on last grocery shop, but otherwise on what meat is in the freezer.  No deer have leapt into the path of my DH's gun, so it's Pak and Save meat specials at the moment.  We aim for one meatless meal a week.  I also try and do one or two meals that I know will last two nights, so that it makes the next day easier - or if it's my town day, the homecoming less hectic.

Monday: Fish Curry on Rice - veges Peas/Mushrooms in the curry
Tuesday: Mince Pasta - Mixed Veges ... also make Shepherd's Pie for next day with other half of mince mix - freeze
Wednesday: Town day ... Fresh fish and oven chips - I grab the fish from the local fish dealer when I'm in town
Thursday: Vege Quiche with Coleslaw
Friday: Shepherd's Pie from earlier in the week - make meatball soup for Sat lunch and Sunday
Saturday: Fish Cakes with Veges (not sure yet which ones - will see what's left in the fridge, otherwise mixed veges)
Sunday: Meatball Soup

So that's my week ...
Feel free to link to your own menu plan and play along ... perhaps I'll find some new ideas for next week and you will too.

Menu Monday

Look out for Menu Monday ... a time to share your menu plan for the week.  Hopefully I can figure out how everyone can add links, otherwise you're stuck with just seeing mine for the week ... can't wait for you to join in.

Fences

Living on a farm we have numerous fences around.  This shot is of the fence around the house - the other fences are your average 8 wire fence.  My kids love scaling fences - so whenever they're outside I (try) and keep and eagle eye on them.  Anyway ... point of the whole thing ... I was thinking about the fences we as women put up about ourselves.  I know I have some ... I get awfully defensive about a number of issues, the difference between clean and tidy for example, or the amount of time I spend on the telephone.  Then I thought some more ... am I so defensive because I'm in a space where I need to address these issues ... probably.   

The other thing I love about this photo is the sparrows.  I have a (pet??) flock of sparrows.  Last count about 30.  They gather together around the deck around lunchtime every day.  I think they know I have kids who don't eat their crusts.  And yip, I feed them every day ... I have been known to give them bread if there aren't any crusts.  I love that they keep coming back, regular as clockwork.  In my figuring - the Lord said we weren't to worry as he even provides for the sparrows - and He's using me to provide for them - how cool is that?

My Spaces - the Ugly, the Beautiful and the Fun

The living room as I found it this morning ... we had a town day yesterday and I came home, did the feeding, bathing, bedtime brushing and then conked out myself.  This picture is here to remind me that life happens ... but also to remind me that it's ok to leave a pile (once in a while) but when you do clean up quickly after your self the rewards might be even greater - such as not having to face it in the morning.

This was the sunrise this morning - stunningly beautiful.  It made me stop and think that you know ... there is beauty all around us.  It might now be seen in the state of my living area right now - but I was going to stop and capture it right then and there.  It is amazing seeing these - and it always gives me hope that it will be a great day.  And while the majority of my day today has been spent tidying messes (mostly of my own making) such as the above ... it has been a good day.

This is butter - about 100g.  We get milk from a farmer from church which always comes with a good two cups of cream on the top.  I rung my friend and she gave me instructions on how to make butter.  I'd never done it before, so was stoked it worked out.  I was glad she told me 10mins in the blender otherwise I would have given up.  Good lesson in patience.  Tomorrow I will attempt it with the cream from the freezer - note to self, take out of freezer tonight.  I will use this in a banana cake tomorrow ... will let you know how it turns out.

Jabs

Three out of the four of my darlings had their jabs today ... albit delayed jabs but none the less there were needles poked into soft baby and toddler skin.  I was thankful we could get them done here at home - and I was equally thankful for the extra nurse who came along to hold them while the other one entertained/distracted the others.  We have ummed and ahhed over which jabs (immunisations) to get - and I'm still not 100% sure we've made the right or wisest choices but I think that is part of being human.  As humans, and I know I do especially in parenting, we do second guess about many thing.  As for now ... I have one little person who needs some extra cuddles.

Cookie Time Cookies

I love cookie time cookies ... only problem being, they're a bit pricey if you want to buy them all the time.  That and the middle one is now gluten free ... so I was searching for a recipe that might come close ... and I found it.  Scroll down till you get to the post that says 'Cookie Time Bikkies'.    I used a gluten free baking mix and a mix of dark chocolate drops and white chocolate buttons (being in the house as said middle one is also toilet training and needs wee treats) and it is nice and crunchy, just like i prefer.

Anyways ... other than an onslaught of baking, not much else has been happening.  Must go and stop taking a break and tidy the house!!

Reading

Not something I've done alot of lately, unless you count the short updates on Facebook or my bulletin board.  I do miss it.  We have invested in some non-fiction books, but DH has got first dibs on reading them.  He seems to have more reading time - well, evening time - since I crash into bed earlier than him.

Most of my reading these days are blog sites, or internet articles on family/parenting sites.  Mostly for interest sake, but somewhat for instructional interest as well.    A couple of interesting sites that I have found are:

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/
http://www.aboverubies.org
A list of blogs by Christian women
Radical Womanhood
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/
http://www.feminagirls.com/

These are just a few that I have found on my break times.  I don't always agree with everything the particular site or person has to say, but most of them have some solid food for thought.