Just The Usual

I've spent the biggest part of this rainy day at home today, the first in a week or so. I've not done much actually; some washing, some cleaning, some folding, some dog-feeding, cob-webbing and re-arranging of bits n pieces. I went into town with Mr R for a quick trip to Mitre 10 for some paint for our lounge room and some veggie punnets ... tomorrow's projects! (weather and motivation permitting!)

I had a friend pop in with a beautiful blessing of a lovely skirt and gorgeous dress for little Miss P who because of her growth spurt, is now too tall for all of her dresses. I have such wonderful friends. Little Miss P will be over the moon.


While writing this post Mr R is sleeping and I am listening to Belfast Revival ... I love Irish music! I've really not done much at all today ... so why this post? Because I am so happy to be at home, relaxed and keeping our lovely home clean and orderly for my family. Yes,  I know I hear you, it's just the normal stuff that we are to do every day with or without recognition. What's the big deal? 

There is such joy and peace in serving my family with a heart attitude of love, joy and thankfulness. That's the big deal. A heart doing the mundane things of life with a good attitude is a heart giving praise and thanks to God for the blessings He so lavishly gives.

We can scrub, wash, fold, dust, re-arrange, pick up odd socks, sweep up carcasses of sunflower seeds from our children's beloved birds, clean out the fridge, cook, mop floors, weed weed and weed again, all to the glory of God!

My heart is full, not burdened, just full to the brim of His love for me and His provision and care for me and mine. Full of thankfulness for friends who love my children as well as me. Full of thanks for this home that is ours to love in and mine to keep.


 
 
 





Everything is beautiful with thankfulness.






For more inspiration on home-making click here.

Some Favourite Books

I thought I would share with you all some of my favourite parenting/mothering books that I return to regularly and really enjoy! (Yes, with a cup of tea!)

This is just a quick little post, so here's the list for you to peruse, with links to my most favourites (you can purchase most of these from any on line bookstore in most formats):

1. 'The Power of a Positive Mom' by Karol Ladd ... this is a brilliant book!
2. 'Teach Your Children to Pray' by Denise George
3. 'Bringing up Girls/Boys' by Dr. James Dobson
4. 'How to Really Love Your Child" by D. Ross Campbell, M.D.
5. 'Words Kids Need to Hear' by David Staal
6. 'You & Your Child' by Charles R.Swindoll
7. 'Parenting; from Surviving to Thriving' by Charles R. Swindoll
8. 'Heart Focus Parenting' by Belinda Letchford ... this is a 'magazine' style layout, for quick and easy reading in small chunks of time ... very, very good.
9. 'His Needs, Her Needs for Parents' by Willard F. Harley, Jr.
10. 'A Mom After God's Own Heart' by Elizabeth George ... she is one of my favourite authors, very biblically based and positive!

I hope you enjoy these books if you purchase them, one day I'll do a post on the parenting/mothering books on my kindle for you too.

 

 

Have you read any of these? Did you enjoy them? What are some of your favourite parenting books?

 

 

Be blessed !

 

 



Birthday Celebrations!

We have had two birthdays these last two months! In January we celebrated our little precious girls birthday! It was such a great time! We went down to visit family so that Little Miss J could spend her birthday with cousins and grandparents, aunties and uncles this year ... and at the beach! I can't believe she's six!

I am completely smitten with this little princess. She makes me smile and laugh and I can't get enough of her smoochy kisses. Here's six things I love about her at six ...

1. her kind and gentle nature - she always helps people when they are injured or unwell.
2. the way she giggles and squeaks when something is really hilarious to her! she's very cheeky!
3. her willingness to help our family, she is such a kind sister and daughter
4. her love of painting and drawing
5. how small she still is ... her beautiful eyes and smile
6. how she fits perfectly into our family ... right in our hearts.

I love that God chose me and MR S to have this beautiful strong willed, quiet, yet loud little gem in our family. Love her to bits! I love being her mum.

 

 

A couple of days ago we also celebrated our oldest child's birthday. Mr S, turned 11 ... now that I find hard to fathom! Wasn't it just yesterday that I gave birth to both of them?! We intended on visiting family for him too, but with the recent flooding and road damage we have had here, some roads were closed. So, in a couple of weeks time, we will go visit family for a belated celebration which Mr S will love! We still had a brilliant day with him though, just our family, with an early morning visit to the markets, lunch at the park, dinner and a movie ... and a new family puppy. It was a fantastic day!

This boy is becoming such an amazing young man and it's such a beautiful privilege to watch and be a part of his growth. He makes me proud and yes, I still cry at the thought of both of these two a year older (you do with your kids too, I know you do!) But, I am loving seeing them grow all the same, it's an incredible journey.

Here's 11 things I love about him at 11 ...

1. his sweet heart and handsome face ... he's so much like his Dad in nature and looks, it's wonderful
2. his love of learning and reading ... this is where he's like me
3. how he protects his little sisters
4. how he plays with and leads his little brother (who calls him my 'big bro')
5. his love of languages ... a passion I don't have, but is amazing to see how this makes him so individual
6. the little 'mother/son' jokes we share and the books we love reading together.
7. his heart for the Lord ... it's evident in his gentleness
8. his love of tree climbing and farming with his Dad
9. his spazzo sense of humour ... yes he gets that from me too!
10. how he is becoming more responsible with his own chores, guitar practise, homework etc.
11. how he doesn't hug us in front of his mates ... but doesn't stop when it's just us at home!

 

 

 

Thank you Lord, for the blessing of these two children of ours. That you gave them to us is incredible! Keep them, watch over them, and grow in their hearts a deep abiding love for You.

Amen.