Helpful strangers and a New Map

Every now and then I am pleasantly surprised that there are lots of people out there, strangers even, that are prepared to do things for others than for NO other reason than to help someone that needs it.

In fact I often cross people's paths that are willing to help a damsel in distress such as I :)

Today it was the stranger with a much much bigger car than mine at the picture framing place. And thanks to his 'grandfatherly' kindness, we now have the space above our piano filled with this MAP. A picture that holds many future dreams and hopeful possibilities for our family. 

The original idea came from HERE. As soon as I saw it I knew I HAD to get one! and I LOVE it. Even if it's much bigger than I thought it would be :)

ps) I wasn't really a damsel in distress but there was NO way that the GIANT map was going to fit in my car and perhaps the stranger took pity on me while he watched me measuring the car then the map over and over again :) AND for the record, I wouldn't usually let a 'stranger' follow me home, BUT I couldn't wait another second to get the picture home and hung on the wall Chad was home, and the 'stranger' was a friend of Franks (the framing guy) and  so I felt OK with his help :)

Dear Aunty Claire,

We are in LOVE with the gorgeous things you sent us for Lily.

Especially the socks. They look particularly cute (and funny) when her chubby legs are exposed!

ps) we CAN'T wait until you guys are here in December! It's going to be SO much fun!

Deliberate

 

While I was sitting with Lily this morning, unlike her usual routine of 'feed, play, sleep', she fell asleep while feeding. Instead of quickly putting her in bed to get things done, I left her there for a minute and enjoyed her little body nestled closely to mine. As I sat there looking at her perfect little face, the thought came to me that my life won't always be like this (not a new thought but one that was particularly strong in the moment). This lovely time I have at home with toddlers and feeding babies won't always be. I got a little teary thinking about just how much I love these little ones of mine and what a privilege it is to be entrusted with them.

Recently my mum said to my sisters and I, "give your time to your babies. You won't regret it". There are SO many things we can fill our time with. So many good things we can involve ourselves in. And that 's where my favourite quote from general conference comes into play.....

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best........"

I know that BEST for me right now is being here WITH and FOR my kids (I know I've talked about this before but it's something I think about all.the.time). My kids are growing SO fast and won't always be little and won't always need me. (OK maybe they will always need me a little bit - just like I still need my mum :)

I want my mothering to be deliberate. I want to make conscious choices about how I spend my time and what my days are filled up with. I don't want to look back in 5, 10, 20 years and regret the 'good' things I chose to spend my time on (like being on the computer too much ;).  I know the memories made with my kids, and how they turn out, will be the things I reflect on the most when I'm old and gray and sitting in my rocking chair with Chad on our front porch :) These are the things that will bring me the most joy. Now and 'one day When'.

Missing

You know how you hear people say "oh I kept getting the feeling that 'someone' was missing from our family and that's how I knew I had to have another baby'. Well the last few weeks I have been getting this feeling ALL THE TIME. Infact almost daily.

Everytime I turn around, I think where's ??? and then I realise that all the kids are with me and no-one is missing. When we're 'loading up the car' I get the same feeling. When we're out in the yard. When we're sitting down to eat. When we're watching something together. OK you get the idea. It's all the time.

The other week I was at the shops with my sister and our kids. My 4 kids + her 4 kids.  Yes apparently we are quite the spectacle. (Luckily they were all well behaved. Can you imagine the people looking at us if we had 8 kids running a muck :) And even with all those 'little people' gathered around us as we walked, I STILL had that feeling that someone was missing and I had to keep checking. And this feeling is not just a little thought. It's a 'OH NO where's ??? flicker of panic that ??? could be lost kind of feeling.

After I had Lily, We had said, yeah maybe we're good with 4 babies. 2 boys, 2 girls. Perfect. (and at 2 am in the morning crying in pain while feeding (true story.....ahhh wince at the memory) I had thought - yeah I am DEFINITELY good with 4. Even the thought of being pregnant again makes me feel tired and especially the thought of the first 3 weeks of feeding.

But I can't shake this feeling. Maybe that's why Lily is SUCH a good baby. To help me forget my feeding woes and once again open me up to the possibility of having 'more'. Not necessarily now, but one day.

For now though, I am content with my four and so enjoying the loveliness that is Lily. Jazzy on the other hand, oh my. I love that girl to PIECES but. what can I say. It's been a while since I've had a 2 year old and my my my how the drama of this girl is unfolding. hahaha. luckily I love her sweet-chubbiness to death otherwise we would be in trouble :)

and now I'm looking at her cute little face in this picture and I am putty in her hands........hahaha ;)

Day 30 - Bathtime goodness

One of her favourite things to do.

ps) while playing with Lil on the bed tonight and giving her 'noodie tummy time' post bath - she rolled over onto her back. About 4 times.  She was celebrated like a star :) So.Very.Exciting.

Day 29 - Family Night

Scooter-ing, biking, walking, berry 'raiding' and smoothies. The perfect activity and treat for Family Home Evening!

Day 28 - Sharing

 

So lovely to watch :)

Day 27 - Saturday Loveliness

 

Day 26 - 3 months

ahhh sigh. I need say nothing more than LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE :)

oh and please stop growing so fast!!!

Notes

Notes taken by Rylan during conference.....

 

I really LOVE it when my kids take initiative to do something 'good' of their own accord (translation - I didn't force make them do it ;)

When I found these 'notes' in amongst Rylan's things after conference and asked what it was, he explained they were his "quotes of things I learned". Cute huh! It made me smile as I thought about how the 'good' things our kids do make us happy. Especially when those 'good things' are of an eternal nature.

I really hope that as my kids grow the messages they hear and the things we talk about, will be a big part of who they are. Especially that of being grateful. I think this is SO very important and like I said HERE, I really believe that having gratitude leads to real, lasting happiness!

Day 25 - Out and About

With my babies.....

My most favourite accessories by far :)

Sneak Peak....

For Micaela........

Ashton not Knoth :)

you're babies are gorgeous!!

Can't wait to show you the rest!!

Day 24 - Evidence of childhood

 

If the day ever comes that my kids stop leaving their "treasures" around the house, I'm pretty sure I will
miss stumbling across the little evidences of children living in my home.

In fact, I think I will desperately miss it. Especially the smile that spreads across my face when I find things like a dumped toothbrush next to a bitten tomato or teddy bears set up with someone's discarded lunch (clearly they're having a picnic ;).

{Ahh Sigh}This thing called life is moving WAY too fast!!!!

ps} hmmm on second thoughts, I'm pretty sure i'll never miss used undies dumped on the bathroom floor......

Day 23 - Morning Glory II

Day 22 - Changes

Finally I am reacquainted with the gym!! Hooray!! Oh how I have missed it and promise to visit 5 days a week from now until the end of the school year. 

Maybe. 

Definitely.

Hopefully. (can you feel my resolve here???)

(I tried a Zumba class today and was once again reminded that the 'latino moves' are SO not for me.....the 60 year old lady next to me was better at doing the 'bootie shake' than I was.......bahahahahaha. Not pretty I tell you. Not pretty :)

And speaking of fitness, if you want to be part of Australian Women's sporting history, it's not too late to register for the PINK triathlon this weekend. They have 3 different entry levels so pretty much anyone can participate. Trust me, if I can do it 5 months pregnant and finish without dying ANYONE can do it (yes even my 60 year old friend from Zumba could do it ;)

I think you can kinda see my 'Jazzy bump' under my number :)

Day 21 - Favourites

ONE of my {many} favourite quotes from general conference this weekend......

 “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best........" 

Simple and Poignant.

So often I find it is the simple words like those above, that touch me the most and inspire in me the desire to change. To be better, try harder and choose that which is BEST. Not just good.

I LOVE that we have the opportunity to watch conference together as a family and for the spirit it brings into our home.


{quote from President Uchtdorf's talk which you can read in full  HERE or listen to HERE}

Day 20 - Delicious

I want to eat her!!

Day 19 - Freedom

{for the record this photo was NOT taken while driving and I don't usually let little hands outside a moving car. But on such occasion when I forget to lock the windows this is the result. About 3 blissful seconds of hands flying free in the wind. Today the bliss lasted about 10 seconds.}

Day 18 - Spring

Evidence that warmth is coming

Such a happy sight!!

Day 17 - Rain Rain

I have been trying to convince the boys for-EVER to play in the rain. But to no avail. They'd much rather lock themselves away in their creative world of lego and sing "rain rain go away"....... 

This little lady on the other hand is happy to do whatever I tell her is 'fun'.

And she loved it. The only way I could get her back inside was with promises of a warm bubble bath with Lily.

Next time I think I might have to force the boys to join in :)

Day 16 - After......

2 1/2 hours worth of driving

crazy parking

1 missed flight 

1 new flight booked

1 new flight delayed

4 hours of waiting around at airport with 4 kids in tow and 

1 million dollars spent

.....we finally got Zara on a plane and on her way home.  After all that the boys said they wished she missed the second flight and was stuck in Sydney forever :).

They miss you Aunty Zar. Already!!

Come back soon!!

Day 15 - Home

 2 pairs of big feet in amongst little pairs! Hooray!

Day 14 - Sunday night

'Testimony sharing' by the fire with family.......

One of my favourite things to do.

Day 13 - Six years

We have a six year old in the house........

My babies are growing up WAY too fast!!!

Day 12 - Morning activities