Happy birthday, Mum!

Mum will not like me telling people, but tomorrow she is turning 50. Sadly, due to many different reasons, we are not able to be with her on her birthday. I so wish it was not so, how I would have loved to have shared this day with her. Instead I thought I would write a little about the things my mother taught me.

1. Girls who sit on the table will never get married. (I proved her wrong, but I can still hear her saying it.)

2. If you lay down when you eat you will grow horns. (Not entirely true, but I now say it to my kids.)

3. That it is worth unpicking and redoing it. It will look better and you will be a lot happier with the end result.

4. That is doesn’t matter so much how far you come in this life as long as you are in a right relationship with Jesus, and make it to heaven.

5. The being a stay-at-home mum is a honourable and God given occupation. Mum never made excuses for being home and raising us 4. She did it well, teaching and training us to love and follow Jesus. Now as adults all her children are in a right relationship with Him.

6. To always have a few dollars hidden in your wallet for those unexpected things in life. Plus it makes for a nice surprise when you happen upon it one day.

7. To keep a home that is open and inviting and to always have space at the table for one more.

8. How to be a good wife. When Jouke and I first got married I struggled to make him the first person I would turn to in a crisis. It was easier to ring mum or to talk to a friend about the things happening in my life, as this is what I was used to. Mum reminded me that that should be Jouke’s role. Mum and Dad have got a wonderful marriage (of 32 years). The love, devotion and support she gives dad everyday has been so powerful.

9. To spend quiet time with God. I don’t remember being told that daily devotionals were important, but I remember “catching” mum reading her Bible many a times.

10. To have dinner at the table with my family as often as possible

11. The rules of tennis

12. Mum is a brilliant seamstress and any bit of ability I have got I owe to her.

13. How to love my children.

14. You don't need a pantry full of food to serve up a great meal. Tinned corn, some leftovers, eggs and green beans is all she needed to feed an army in 15 minutes flat.

15. Many, many countless things. I find myself doing more and more things like you would have. I even sound just like you at times.

Mum, when I think of you I think of Philippians 4:5 that says: Let your gentleness be evident to all. Your gentle spirit draws people to you and provides a safe place for us all. You are a true Proverbs 31 women, ever striving to be more like Jesus. I will forever be thankful that I can call you Mamma. You will always the voice in my head teaching and guiding me as I now seek to raise my little ones to know and follow Jesus. I am so glad that you are their Ouma and I have full confidence that any time they spend with you will be filled with only good things.

Happy birthday mum, have a wonderful day! I love you!

Dare to discipline

Don't you sometimes get tired of hear your own voice? Of asking the same thing 3, 4, 5 times before somebody responds? I find this to be particularly true when you are a parent. A friend suggested that I try disciplinary measure that uses pegs and it has work wonders!

Here is how it works: Place 10 pegs onto a coat hanger. Explain to your child that 20 pegs are the goal and that they can be earned through positive behaviour (listening the first time, talking kindly, sharing, etc). Once this goal is reached some type is reward is then given (ice-cream in the park, small toy, etc). They should however understand that unacceptable behaviour leads to pegs being lost. There is to be no negotiation and no warnings, the aim is immediate obedience.

So far Mr T. has responded well. He likes the visual reminder and loves that he is seeing the fruits of good behaviour. So far he has dropped as low as 7 but currently he is sitting on 17 and a trip to the shops in imminent. We are very quick to reward good behaviour at the moment but plan on raising the bar as he get better at listening and obedience. I am amazed at the change in the atmosphere in our home - less yelling and a whole lot more praise. That has to be a good thing!

3 great things

I thought I'd sum up the week by letting you know 3 great things that has happened:

The snowman built on the trampoline

How Frosty died - Labradors will eat anything!

1. Sunday morning we woke to snow, in our backyard! This lead to an adventure into the pine forest looking for more and one of the most magical days in a long time. The whole day was filled with building snowmen, watching the snow fall and generally enjoying each others company. All of us can't seem to get enough of the white stuff.




2. We have a new addition to our family: a little girl Labrador, Narrah, who needed a new home. She has had very little training and is leaning toward being destructive and jumpy, but she has a lovely nature and I am sure with a little correction will be a loving pet. Toffee cannot believe his luck!


3. I got the chance to go see Mama Mia (for the second time). I just cannot get enough of that movie. It is the scenery, the music, the overacting and corniness, and the great mood it puts me in. If you haven't yet - go see it!


What are 3 great things that happened to you this week?

Smocket

I find immense pleasure form digging through other people's blogs and getting ideas and inspiration. There are some really talented and creative people in this world and I could but hope to borrow some of their genius.

Pick-a-boo!

I see you!

Yesterday I stumbled upon this smocket pattern and I just had to sew it for Miss A. It is so easy to make and brings me great joy. The original pattern had ties at the shoulders, but I added some buttons and also a pocket to both sides to make it reversible. I now hope to make it in a smaller size for baby girl and it will definitely be used for a few birthday presents in the future.

Just for show

I took come photos of Anja yesterday to show some of our op shop finds. I came home with two bags filled with wonderful things including shoes, clothes, Tupperware, puzzles and Anja's new favourite toy - Little Bear. But while I am posting I will take the opportunity to show off a little - aren't they just lovely?

Soon, soon...

Slowly I have started sewing a few things for summer. This little dress for baby girl took less than an hour to put together, but that is why I love it - simple and sweet. Oh, I cannot wait for warmer days!

Four things

Just for fun...

4 jobs I have held

1. Babysitter
2. Working in a deli
3. Cook/cleaner during a cotton harvest
4. Waitress

4 movies I would watch over and over

1. I am Sam
2. How to lose a guy in 10 days
3. Mama Mia!
4. While you were sleeping

4 places I have lived

1. South Africa (all over)
2. Warren, NSW
3. Armidale, NSW
4. Naracoorte, SA (married my sweetheart there!)

4 TV shows I watch

1. 60 minutes
2. All Saints
3. Anything medical
4. Dr. Phil ( I know, I know, but its the psychologist in me)

4 places I have been

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa
2. Kuala Lumpur Airport, Malaysia
3. Sentosa Island, Singapore
4. Rotorua, New Zealand

4 favourite foods

1. Roast dinner
2. Chocolate, in all its forms
3. Ice-cream
4. Mango and other tropical fruits

4 places I'd rather be right now

1. In bed, fast asleep. All I want is 1 night of unbroken sleep.
2. Some island, somewhere on a beautiful, deserted beach with my husband
3. At a water park, having fun with the kids
4. In heaven, where there will be no more pain or sorrow and where I will be in the presence of my Lord and Maker!

Join the fun and let me know 4 things about you.

first taste

It feels like only yesterday that I got to meet our little girl. I remember all too well what it felt like to hold her little wet newborn body and to see her little face for the first time. And even though I know from experience that the baby days are so fleeting, I secretly wished that this time the days will pass just a little slower. Maybe it is because we are starting to think that our family may be complete, or because she really is a very content baby full of smile and giggles, but I am really hating that she is getting older.

I am feeling nostalgic tonight because today she had her first go at solid food. This is in reality the first step to weaning and independence. From the day she was conceived until today my body has been providing all the nutrients she needed to grow, but solid food marks the start of a new stage. While I am not sure that I am ready for this, a small part of me is a little excited that I am getting my body back (though it is not quite the way I remember it) and that I might have a little more freedom.

Now I better get busy making some purees...

Housework

Anybody who knows me or how has spent any time in my house, knows that I am not a very good housekeeper. No matter how hard I try, my house never looks as tidy as what I would like it, there is always a cup left somewhere or a toy that is not packed way or books (piles of them) beside my bed or that one sock left laying in the corner of the room. And that is on a good day. You see while I do not put up with dirt and grime (dirty sheets and towels, dirty bathroom and kitchen especially), a little mess and disorganisation seems to match my personality and really doesn't bother me much. I would rather our house to be welcoming and comfortable, a place where people can relax and feel at home, than a hotel where everything is prestine and unlived in.

While I can justify a little mess, some jobs needs doing wether I like it or not. Washing is one job that I really don't like. In my opinion it is one of the least rewarding jobs around the house, because even if you have washed every possible thing, you are still wearing clothes and they too will need to be washed and so it means that the job is never finished - you can never have an empty laundry basket!

I write about this tonight because I am drowning in washing. You see coupled with bad weather, a broken washing machine and lots of sewing, the washing has been mounting. And so today, with sunshine and a working machine I did 8, yes 8, loads of washing! Madness. You would think that I would feel content, the job is finally done. But no, not really, because now there are 8 loads of clean washing that needs folding and putting away and I am sure that come morning there will be enough washing to justify another load. See never ending!

So, if anyone out there has got any wonderful ideas to help me get on top and stay on top of the washing it would be much appreciated. Or better still, if you wanted to drop in a help me out that would be ideal!

Let it snow!

Duck! I think he had the most fun. I love seeing him like this

About a month ago, Jouke rang from work to tell me that it was snowing Lithgow way. My sister was staying with us and it was her last day and being from the tropics, she (like us) was very excited. We set of in search of snow but after more than two hours driving (Lithgow is not that far - we took the "scenic" route - read "got a little lost") we didn't find any snow and return home very disappointed.

We took the kids to the fossil and mineral museum today and on our way home noticed that all the cars coming from the mountains were covered in snow. So, grabbing coats and beanies we set of in search of snow. This time we found it! We ended up on the lawn of a little church, nestled inside the pine forest, surrounded by beautiful white powdery snow. It was so much fun. The expressions on the kids faces, watching hubby play in the snow, hearing the crunch under your shoes - all just lovely.

So Heidi, here's proof, it does snow around here. And mum the photo of the little church is for you. I wish you could all be here today to join in our fun.

Sewing for summer

Yesterday I ducked into Spotlight to buy a zipper for the stripy jacket, and while I was there I couldn't help but have a look at some fabric on the clearance table. I bought a few bits and pieces to start sewing some things for baby girl for this coming summer. I got started straight away.

This little dress should fit her at about 9 months (which is only 3 1/2 months away). I can't seem to take photos that show the fabric and detail well so the last photo is a close up to show this very pretty pinky-red material.

I am getting excited about summer!

Stripy Jacket

The season is nearly over, but I couldn't help but sew just one more thing for my boy. I got this material out of the remnant bin for a dollar and so for that plus the price of the zipper he has got a jacket. I love making things like this and I am really hoping that I will be able to pass this jacket on to the girls in a year or two.

Veggie Patch

My dream of a veggie patch is starting to take shape. The weekend just gone hubby spent a good day digging the soil over with the rotary hoe before building the box. We then spent about another day raking grass and twigs out of the bed. Now all that is missing is some organic matter and as soon as the weather turns I will be sewing some seed. Can't wait!

Reversible coat

(This photo doesn't show very well but the patterned side of the coat also has little pockets )

It feels like I have been thinking about making this coat for months and now I have finally finished it. I am very happy with it and I got to use that lovely apple material again. Because it is fully reversible it means that I had to make the coat basically twice before sewing the bits together. For a while sewing the sleeves together had me puzzled but eventually I made sense out of the pattern instructions. It is obviously still a little big but with the long winter it will mean that she will get a lot more use out of it. The pattern is an Ottobre Design 1/2005

Staying out of trouble

Bathurst is known for its winters. Cold and wet and sometimes even when it looks lovely outside, its not, the wind still chills you to the bone. This winter has been no different except that I now have 2 toddlers to keep busy. I once heard an interview of Kenny Rogers talking about his twin boys. He says: "Here's what I've learned about raising boys…if you keep 'em busy, they're fine, you let 'em get bored, they'll dismantle your house board by board." This is so true and not just of boys.

So, in order to keep the house intact we have been doing our best to stay busy. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to:

Going 'camping' in the toy room

Giving Miss A's crazy hair a crazy makeover

Doing school with boy. Here he is learning about the letter 'T'.

Playing in the rain

Making spacemen out of styrofoam balls and aluminium foil

It has been a lot of fun coming up with things to capture and keep their attention. It however has also meant that I have not been able to get around to doing any sewing or craft. This was getting a little frustrating, and so today, while the sun was shining, I pushed then out the door and made a bee-line for my sewing machine. That reversable coat is finally getting some attention and I should have some pictures up soon.

Turning 2

Miss A is turning 2 this week and so we had a little party for her over the weekend. A butterfly party. Her friends arrived just as she was waking up from her nap and she was a little bewildered with all the attention, people, food and gifts. It took her a little while but soon she was having a ball. Her aunties had made her some butterfly wings which she wore all afternoon and later insisted on taking to bed with her.

This was also the first time in nearly two years since all the siblings have been together. It was lovely to have a house full of people and life. There was somebody sleeping on every available piece of floor scape and food was disappearing faster than I could describe, but it was a wonderful weekend. I only wish that it had last a little longer.

My babies

Tiaan 5 months old

Anja 5 months old

Alani 4 months old

When each of my babies were born it took me a good couple of days to get to know them. It was partly because when I first saw them they looked nothing like what I thought they would.

Boy was blond with blue eyes and I did not think this was even possible, given my dark features. So when little Anja was born, tiny and dark, I was again surprised and a little confused - weren't they all suppose to look the same? And then when baby girl was born she was dark like her sister but had features more similar to her brother.

I was looking through some photos today I realised how similar they really are. It turns out that I was wrong. They fit. They're ours. We'll keep them.

Present in the mail

Look what Miss A received in the mail today hand knitted by her Ouma! Isn't it lovely? She loves it and it will be more than useful in this cold climate of ours.

Thanks mum!