Boy Goes to School

It was different with the girls.
I worried about a bunch of little things.
But Zeb is ready. Physically, academically, socially, emotionally, creatively.

So there is no worry on my part.
But there is something... a little bit of jealousy.

Because there is a new lady in his life!
She will get to watch him make friends and be a good friend.
She will get to see him achieve and pass milestones.
Hear his witty, funny comments.
Praise him and teach him and remind him.
And she will see more of his sparkling smile (the one that has always felt like it was given just for me).

Of course I want her to share in all these good things (she is a wonderful teacher!), but I can't help feeling just a little sadness that he is about to branch out from our little nest of Mum and son contentedness!

You will do good and brave and compassionate things, Zeb.
I'm ready for everyone to see.
Go get 'em!

A Birthday Story

"We have themed Tess' first birthday around stories, for good reason. Story was given to her as her middle name because we loved it, because it is her Nanna's maiden name, and because it has significant meaning to us. 

Tess, as you grow we want you to remember that you are authored by your creator God. He had the vision for you, your unique personality and gifts, before your life even started. He has created you to be the protagonist, the heroine, the learner, and the preacher of your story. You get to decide how it progresses (much like a choose-your-own-adventure)! We pray that you experience passion, compassion, vision, purpose, joy, peace, forgiveness, humility, and bravery in your story. We pray that you will meet and be guided by wonderful people. We pray that you will stay close to your creator and listen for his direction.

Your first name Tess, means to reap or to harvest. And we want you to do this in your story too. Work hard, have patience and then enjoy the good and wonderful gifts you will be given. Make harvest out of all that you see. 

God has blessed our family with a harvest of gold, in you. A happy, social, affectionate, chatty little lady. We can't wait to watch your story unfold."

(These were the words spoken at Tess' first birthday and dedication to God. We held a small and delightful party themed loosely around classic books. Regency decor. Pretty afternoon tea food. Fragrant iced teas. Lemon curd cake. Handmade book invitations. Baby versions of the classics to read. Favourite lullaby (Kooks by Bowie) scripted on the wall. Prayers and a blessing. And a sweet girl in yellow.)

Make It Your Goal: Resolutions 2016

Without too much retrospecting here on the blog, 2015 was more challenging than I wished for. In fact, it was a very hard year. And after a very hard year, you tend to think about how you can bounce back, or start anew, or make things better for the next. These thoughts are well supported by loving friends and family who encouraged me to take some ‘me time’ and, in a roundabout way, look after number one. So I sat down and considered my New Year Resolutions (which is my custom. Unlike many others, resolutions really help guide me through the coming year). Lose weight (or the more socially acceptable – exercise and eat healthier)? Embrace every, moment? Spoil myself more? Save money? All good things, but none of these ever sit quite right for me. This year, I can’t move past this song by Gabrielle Aplin (but originally by Frankie Goes to Hollywood):

The power of love

A force from above

Cleaning my soul…

Make love your goal.

Yes. After a tough year where I became stoic in order to battle through.

Where my soft-heart was weighed down with practical burdens.

Where I retreated away from people with a frozen ability to give.

Love must be my goal this year.

The raw and the emotional.

The sacrificial and the compassionate.

The hard-to-give and the free-flowing.

I am completely loved so I must love onward, instead of inwards.

(Next blog post I will unravel some specifics to help me stick to it during the year.)

A Reminder for When My Children are Grown and I Feel that My Sleep is a Bit Interrupted

Sunset: Bathtime for kids and baby. In between bath and shower transfers, an attempt to finish off a birthday cake for Tim. Keep Tess happy-on-hip.
6:00: Tim home. Tess falls asleep. Dinner crazy dinner time.
7:00: Some talk, tv (the big football game is on tonight), bedtime routines.
8:00: Tess awake. Feeds, back to sleep. Need to stay awake to watch the first half at least. Nope. Fall asleep in bed.
10:00: Tess wakes, doesn't settle back to sleep. Except in my arms in bed. Tim puts her back in cot when settled.
12:00: Tess wakes, feeds, falls asleep. Zeb comes in. The cupboard doors in his room are open. Take him back, close doors, console, tuck in.
2:00: Zeb comes in. He can't sleep. Take him back, find torch, console, tuck in. Zeb comes in again. There are monsters under his bed. Tim takes him back, checks under bed, consoles, tucks in.
3:00: Tess wakes, feeds, doesn't settle back to sleep. Except in Tim's arms in bed. Zeb comes in. He's thirsty. Take him back, get water bottle, console, tuck in.
4:00: India's asthma is playing up. Give ventolin, tuck in. Zeb comes in. Don't listen to why. Let him into bed with Tim and Tess and I.
5:00: Everyone asleep. Know that I have to get up now if I want to shower and wash my hair. Get up.
6:00: Lunchboxes started. Breakfast started. Big girls up.
Sunrise: Tess wakes, feeds etc etc etc.

The Dusk Feed (In Slow Motion)

She cries, and I slowly take up my position on the couch,
bring her close, fill her up.
Every emotion is magnified for the next twenty minutes.
'I am so tired', I think.
And close my eyes for just a minute.
Everything is noisy here.
Big kids bathing, playing, reading, telling me jokes.
Cars speed down the street, workers anxious to return home to their babies, their families.
Dinner cooks or the stove, or, more often, it doesn't cook yet, though it should.
I cry. I want to be sick from the tiredness.
Her long baby fingers grasp at my shirt, my skin, my hands.
I study her ears, dimpled, furry, perfectly her.
I touch her toes, smooth my thumb across her feet.
And marvel at how she has grown already.
She finishes, full tummy.
Smiles at me and coos, telling me she is thankful, and that she loves me.
I cry. And smile.
And already the sun has set.

Honestly: A New Year Resolution

Everything has changed.
We are busier.
We are sleep-deprived.
We are behind with the washing. The dinner. The garden. The paperwork.

Nothing has changed.
We are thankful.
We are together.
We are in love with the new baby. The Kelly crew. The old house. The way we roll.

This year, as always, I have just one word to guide my resolutions.
Honestly.
Because I know what is important to us, though the world sometimes makes the meaningful things cloudy, and the day-to-day sometimes gets in the way of dreams.
Honestly, is about living congruently with my values.
Making sure that my time is invested instead of wasted.

This year I have three resolutions to help me live an honest year:
Know my values;
Examine my input;
Keep my output true to my priorities.

I hope it looks a little like this:
Creating more free time
Family dinners/international nights
Making sure my middle daughter feels cherished
Replacing some daily Facebook time with inspiring blogs and TED talks
Farm time
Giving my boy plenty of boy time
Reducing multi-tasking (as it prevents thoughtful choices)
Taking time to pray, journal and blog
Broadening options for my eldest
A holiday
Reaching out to help someone in need
Daily reading
Lullabyes instead of pop songs for my baby

Keep your eye on this blog for evidence!

Welcoming Tess

Tess: meaning, to harvest. 

Or to gather, receive, collect.

For nine months we waited. Tending. Preparing.

On Friday 12/12 our sweet and sleepy girl was ready for us!

Tess Story Kelly.

Born 8:45pm.

4460g (9lb 13oz), and 55cm

Eye of blue, and ash blonde hair.

Lovely, and loved!

Wardrobe Nursery Reveal

One of my fears about having another baby was finding space in our three bedroom home. Larger families sometimes do 'the squash', though I think they more often move into a new and spacious place. Our best option was to convert our walk in wardrobe to a nursery for two years (or until baby is ready to bunk). 

It took a lot of culling, and moving precious hiking gear. 

It took a lot of planning and changing-of-plans.

It took some craftiness.

Here is our before:

And beautiful after!:

 

A fresh coat of paint.

A door removal and a curtain addition.

Baskets and fabric covered boxes.

A felt made mobile. 

New Schleich animal toys.

A watercolour artwork by my sister.

And if you are wondering where we put our clothes?

Against the wall in our room. Yes, this is the clothing collection of two people. Simplicity is wonderful!

A Pow Wow Party

This girl wanted bright and bold for her birthday party this year.

She loved the idea of a Pow Wow with feathers and face paint!

And she thought a Native American 'India'n celebration was most appropriate for her!

 She picked a design for a special dress (that doubled as a Fiesta outfit), 

 and we made feather/leather accessories for the whole family. 

India's Aunty made invitations and we used this site to find Native American name meanings for all the girls invited. This was so much fun!

Gift giving time.

 Food teepees that the kids helped make before the day. Just three sticks of dowel with a bunch of feathers at the apex, and various types of wool wrapped or woven just up from the base, and then a (light weight) plate balanced in the middle.

 Jelly cups, fruit arrow kebabs, corn chips, pretzels, potato gems...

...and arrow cupcakes made for easy fare (for a very pregnant mama).

The birthday girl wanted no games, so we instead made simple headdresses.

 And picked a face paint design to have done.

 

 Some of the little Indians at peace.

 And making some noise!

A very easy to decorate cake with fruit tingle icing.

And colouful layers inside.

And finally, filled take home jars. One with mini m&ms and one with beads and feather charms to make friendship pins for their 'tribe'!

So much joy for my Pocahontas Princess and very beautiful friends!