PND handbag - some things to pack for the journey

Well, I had a lot of feedback from the last post on post-natal depression. I felt like I put my heart right out there on a platter! But I know that's how God wants to use my right now, so that's cool.
This is going to be a bit more of a practical post. If you're going through it right now, you probably want to feel that you're not alone, but I just want to share a few things that have helped me so much and I hope can help you too.

things to pack in your handbag and use when needed - some everyday:
- SUNSHINE - get some vitamin D EVERYDAY! lack of vitamin d is linked to depression, just sitting on the back step in the sun for five minutes watching the birds and breathing can help so much
- VITAMIN B deficiencies are also linked with depression. I notice a huge difference in my mood when I take vitamin B supplements regularly and when I don't.
- EXERCISE - even though you feel like crawling up in a ball, you have to make yourself get some exercise. Exercise releases endorphins which make your brain feel good, get your heart pumping. You will notice a difference after a few days.
- TAKE A BREAK - have a little 'me' time. Try and remember something that you used to do before the baby came along that made you feel good, feel like yourself and feel relaxed. Maybe you love reading a good book while lazing in the shade, or going out for a coffee and cake, or watching your favourite show. Ask someone if they can come over for a little while and mind the baby so you can go out. Or go out for a walk as soon as your husband comes in the door. Don't feel guilty! You need it! You will come back happier and more relaxed:)
- go on a DATE with your husband or partner! He needs you too and you may just have some fun! Remember what its like to just be the two of you:) We have regular date nights, whether we go out or stay at home, we make sure that we get time that's just for the two of us, without interruptions. Eat your favourite food, watch a dvd, go for a bushwalk, go bowling, whatever you love to do together - do something fun! After our first baby was born, my husband and I managed a date for about 40 minutes to eat some spaghetti at an italian restaurant up the road, until my mum called to say that the baby was screaming! Don't worry, it will get easier and the dates will get longer. Don't be afraid to leave your baby with someone who can care for them. They may cry, but they will be ok.
- A COUNSELLOR - can help with good coping strategies, and is someone who you can talk to who is outside of the situation, unbiased and unjudgemental. A community health centre may be able to help you find a good counsellor. Believe me, it won't be as bad as you think it will be - be brave!
- GOOD FRIENDS - if you haven't got someone that you feel can understand you and your situation, pray for a good friend and be on the lookout for one. It's so helpful to have a good friend that you can vent with and who can encourage and reassure you. Try and meet up with a more experienced mum whom you look up to, there is so much advice and grace from some wonderful mums out there!
- and lastly - give yourself a break! This is not the time to be worrying about cooking three course gourmet meals (unless of course that gives you great joy!) and making your house spotless! I gave up on the eternal quest for skinniness, just because I didn't need another pressure and unrealistic expectation on my life, and because chocolate makes me feel better:) Being a mummy is a huge learning curve, embrace it, learn, try and try again, but don't beat up on yourself. Everyday is a new day and you can do it! You are amazing! You're not perfect and you're going to make mistakes. But you are beautiful and amazing and strong and you can do it.

Ok, some of you may have noticed that I didn't say to pack your Bible into your handbag. I've had days were the words of the Bible were just a blur before me! What I have needed though is to be on my knees before God pouring my heart out to Him. God is the one who will get you through. Ask Him for a promise and He will give you something strong that you can stand on. He will light the path before you, even if it is just one step at a time.

Lots of love,
Sarah x

Jeremiah 29
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity...."

i make people!

ok, I'm not making anymore people, just to clear up any rumours! But I love this pic I just saw. It completely reaffirms my latest thoughts on the celebration of the mummy body! (not just the pregnant one). You made kids! You gave birth to them, maybe even breast-fed them! You are amazing! Celebrate the curves!!!!

10 things I've learnt from having had post-natal depression, part 1

Well, I've been wanting to write this post for a while, and I think it might even be a few posts, because there is so much that I want to encourage you with.
I particularly want to write this for those who are going through post-natal depression, to give you some hope and to let you know that you are going to make it and everything is going to be ok. But also, to raise awareness for those who don't know what post-natal depression is.
I was so surprised to learn just how many people I know have had post-natal depression at some time, but it wasn't until I told people that I had it, that they would tell me. There is such a stigma about it, and before I had it I also had ideas about what it was that weren't correct, making it even harder for me to come to terms with having it myself.
So first, and this is probably the hardest part, I want to paint a picture of what post-natal depression was like for me. For those who haven't had depression, I hope that this will help you understand the darkness of depression, and for those that are going through it, I hope that you will feel that you are not alone.
So here goes ...
My pregnancy with my most adorable third child was a particularly hard pregnancy. I had some back problems, and at times couldn't walk or sit, and needed physio, I also had constant headaches, although I didn't have much nausea. We were very excited to be having our third baby, but the physical side of it was taking a toll on my body, and made it harder to pick the kids up and all their things! My husband joked, to get the kids to pick things up - that's why God made them so close to the ground:)
I was really praying and believing that I would not be induced again for the third time, and that I would go into labour naturally and continue the labour naturally. A day before I was due to be induced, I texted all my friends to pray for labour to come on, and it was only a few hours before it did! Praise God!
It was the best labour ever, 4 hours and we ended up with our beautiful baby boy, who was 11 pounds 2 ounces! He was healthy and strong but because of his weight the hospital wanted to monitor him and he was put in the NIC Unit, which ended up being for a week, after he was put on antibiotics for an infection. He was so well looked after, but I became so sleep deprived from having to go down to the NIC Unit a few times a night to feed, and not being able to get back to sleep afterwards.
Well, you expect some sleepless nights with a newborn, and really he was a healthy little baby boy. But a few weeks later I was still feeling physically exhausted, and more than that, I was feeling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. I could feel it in my brain, a sense of numbness, lots of crying for no reason (me, not the baby), an inability to do the simplest things like cook dinner, clean up, read to the kids. There was no joy in me. But I kept on plodding on, thankful that I have a husband who is so generous and giving.
Ok, this must be the baby blues, I'll feel better in a few weeks.
But in a few weeks I didn't feel better. I felt just as exhausted and so emotional. I didn't feel in control of myself and I didn't feel like myself.
At first it really was a physical thing, I could feel the chemicals in my body pulling me down and it felt like my hormones had turned completely upside-down and were not behaving at all the way they were supposed to. But it wasn't long before my thinking followed my feelings down. There seemed to be no boundary to the darkness of my thoughts.
It truly was a dark depression, and I don't think I'll go into the details of that at this time. In the mornings I didn't want to get out of bed, or even feel like I was able to. The slightest incident with the kids would set me crying and feeling like I couldn't cope. If the baby wouldn't settle I would be a mess, and at times had to just put him in the cot upset, just so I could take a breath. My poor husband was getting calls from me bawling a few times a day, just so he could encourage me, or so that I could talk to someone. He would come home and do the washing and cook dinner and play with the kids and bath them, usually I would be breast-feeding and looking after the baby, so this was the arrangement we had for a season, but I could not have been able to get through it without him.
After about two months, I realised I had post-natal depression. I took the online test at beyondblue.org.au. There is also some helpful information on there. My score was very high. I went to the baby clinic and was able to talk to a very helpful community worker there who referred me to the counsellor. I was on a waiting list, but in the meantime the community worker came to visit me every week. She was a christian lady. And she encouraged me so much. I didn't know that help was available. The counsellor ended up being a christian lady too, which was good for me, because she could understand my life view. It was free to see her as much as i needed to - that was a blessing!
But the big deal thing was, until now, I hadn't told anyone what I was going through. I only my husband knew. It was such a huge thing for me to reveal my weakness to anyone. I didn't know how they would react, would they still accept me, would they understand, would they help me? I told me mum and my sister and a few friends, all with different reactions. But the biggest reaction was that people helped me.
It had always been such a big deal to ask anyone for help. But having post-natal depression made me ask people for help, I simply could not do this on my own. Practical help, like cooking a few dinners, minding the kids for a while so I could get out, these things blessed me so much - and for a short time I felt much better, just knowing that people cared. But it didn't take the depression away.
I have so many things I want to share, but that's a lot for today.
Once I started telling people, I stopped judging myself, and decided that I didn't care what people thought about me, but I needed to be honest and transparent, hiding it would only make it worse. I was surprised by how many people could relate or had been through it before.
Asking for help is so important. You'll be surprised by how willing people are to help a  friend or even a stranger in need, if they only know that you need help. Wouldn't you want to help someone in that situation too? So don't be afraid to ask for help. Through being vulnerable with others and showing my weakness, I believe that I've been able to develop even better friendships, deeper and more real.

Angels watching over

This new book coming out looks beautiful and encouraged me as a mum. With my second little one starting kindy next year, I think about how she will get along without me. Have a look at the promo clip for Gabby, God's little angel - it's gorgeous! http://youtu.be/sfwhWae_h04

Beauty and other fairytales

I was watching 'the devil wears Prada' with my besty last night (what a good man!) There are some really sad moments in this movie - when her boss tells her that she decided to hire her, 'the smart fat girl'. Tears well up in her eyes - of course she is beautiful and not fat at all! But something happens that day and she begins to conform to the image set before her. Her workmate hasn't eaten for weeks so that she can be skinny enough to go to Paris - she is 'only one stomach flu away from her goal weight'. In the end the distinct contrast is seen between the image of skinny, rich, successful and the reality of alone, sad, betrayed and cruel.
For us girls, this beauty, image, skinny thing can be a big deal. I think about what I want for my daughter, especially when I'm walking past all the teenage fashion shops. Do I want her to be a teenage girl obsessed with her image and always thinking that she is not pretty enough and not skinny enough?
I remember when I was in year 6. We went on our first school camp and were going canoeing. In our group of 3 we had to decide the heaviest in the group, who would sit at the back of the canoe. This was the first time that I remember thinking that I was fat, I don't think I'd ever thought it before. Even though I was a normal weight, I was the heaviest of the three. This moment began my battle with my self image and later on a season of bulimia. 
As an adult, my weight has gone up and down. When we first lived in Japan I was maybe slightly over the weight I should have been for my height. But in the Japanese people's eyes, I was a giant. The women didn't have any qualms with telling you that you were fat, and quite enjoyed pointing it out to you. I love that my husband always loves me and adores me no matter what my body shape - pregnant, post-pregnant and all! This has certainly helped me to have a healthy body image at times. 
There is so much to explore on this topic and I think I'll come back to it. My daughter is climbing on my back and its time for an activity. I tell her everyday that she is the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Maybe that's what your daddy God is saying to you today.
I'll leave you with a verse:
Romans 12:2
²Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Beautiful

I'm really enjoying listening to Kari Jobe at the moment, especially 'You are for me' and 'Beautiful'. I'm loving taking the time to just dwell in His presence. The end of the holidays brings some business but also some time to just chill while bubs is asleep.
I'm reading a book called 'love, acceptance and forgiveness'. The last chapter has been about taking away all the rules of religion and just allowing yourself to be His, and to share His love with others naturally and organically just as you are, not because you should or because you have an agenda for people, but just to love people because you love them. I don't know how I can love others, other than simply knowing that I am loved and dwelling in His love. I make excuses too often for not just sitting with my Lord, at His feet. There's so much to do, important things, but only temporary things, the time I spend with Him can sometimes even become a means to an end. But what is wrong with being with Him and in His love simply because He is the desire of my heart and I love Him and He loves me?

holidays

Ideas for less work in the holidays:
*if you're playing inside, you can wear pajamas
*if you're playing outside, you can wear your outside play clothes - one set, washed once a week
*or dress-ups only allowed
I must admit that I have haven't stuck very well to this plan this week because we keep going out and getting dressed into adventure clothes that come back covered in sand and grass stains.
*get back into 'one toy at a time', 'pack away before you get the next thing out'. (easier said than done when you've got three running around and miss the transition from one toy to the next)
* I put out a plastic box for them each to put in their craft and drawing when they're finished. I'll sort it at the end of the hoildays and keep the good stuff (when they're at school and have forgotten about the amazing toilet roll dolls and pages and pages of practise words and stick drawings!)

One wise mum once told me that holidays aren't about mums getting refreshed, but about creating memories for the whole family. But if you can, take some time out to get refreshed, hang out with a few friends, go on a date with your man, or a quiet bush walk.
What memories can you create this week? We plan to create memories with our family and visit our favourite secluded nature retreat, go for long exploring adventures, have rugged up afternoons watching movies and playing card games, long drives and long chats and lots of cuddles. I hope you have a lovely holiday!

grace to the Joneses

(From Wikipedia) "Keeping up with the Joneses" is an idiom in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one's neighbor as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.

Two people are sitting on my lounge, one of them is Mrs Jones and the other is my best friend.

Mrs Jones says, in a posh British accent, 'these walls are ghastly! bright yellow walls! who ever heard of a thing? You really need to redecorate with neutral subtle tones. Have you swept these floors lately? You must clean up those toys, you can't just leave everything lying around. When will you be finished these renovations? This house looks positively trashy!' And on and on she goes, noting every flaw, every possible improvement to my home.

My best friend smiles and says, 'thank you for inviting me to your home. I love sitting here having a chat with you. Don't worry about your house, whether you have enough, or where you are going to get it from. I know everything that you need, its already sorted, I'm taking care of you.'

Mrs Jones butts in, 'have you even brushed your hair today? You look a mess! What will people think?'.

My besty always know what to say, 'who cares what people think? I think you are radiant and beautiful! And I'm not even talking about your outward appearance, I can see right into your heart.'

'But what are you doing with your life?', interrupts Mrs Jones, 'and what do you have to show for yourself? What have you achieved? What are you planning to do next? What about when the kids go to school, what will you do then?'

'You are doing exactly what you are meant to be doing. Hang out with me, and I will take care of you. You are my pride and joy. I love the way you love me and the way you love our family. Don't listen to her. I will show you a more wonderful way to do life. I love you just the way you are.'

I say, 'thank you Jesus, I needed to hear that.'

'Its my pleasure Mrs Jones,' he says.

iphones and nutella

The above are two things I know I'm going to regret giving to my 14 month old yesterday! Already I can't take a photo of him without him crying for the phone. I had to secretly place it on the lounge this morning just to get some video of him.
One of my first nutella memories is my brother and I hiding under the dining table demolishing a whole jar. My kids seem to keep on forgetting it is in the cupboard, but I'm sure I will find them one day with nutella all over their faces and hands. I think I'll probably grin, take it off them and find a hiding place to lick out whats left!
Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

Cute nutella kid (of course, not mine, because he'd be crying and trying to get his grubby hands on my iphone!)

one hour of supermum

In the past hour I have single handedly cooked a yummy dinner, while feeding the baby, teaching my son how to sew, and directing my girl through cleaning up a creative mess, bathed and pajamed them all, and homeworked the eldest. Suddenly I have nothing to do while waiting for hubby to return and have a few minutes to write a blog. It feels pretty good to have juggled so many things and to come out smiling - so far.
Mums are amazing! well done for making it almost to the end of the day:)
Stay tuned for the next post - "Excuse me Mrs Jones, can you please stop being so perfect!" 

hot cross rocks

Don't you just love that yummy cinnamon bready toasty buttery smell of hot cross buns? All my family has been indulging in them, toasted with butter melting on top, or fresh straight from the packet, or smashed in your chubby fingers and shoved in your mouth like Simeon is doing. yum yum yum. Of course, my gluten free diet doesn't allow it, so after suffering for days of wanting, I decided to make my own gluten free version (with choc chips instead of sultanas, because they are evil), and gluten free flour. 
Now this is a tried and true recipe, for someone else. But actually, I think its the first time I've ever used yeast in a recipe. Of course I didn't think it would matter that the yeast was out of date. Maybe when it didn't froth up in the cup, like the recipe said it should, when mixed with sugar and warm water, maybe then I should have thought twice about continuing. But I continued nonetheless and put those yummy cinnamon dough balls under a tea towel in the warm sun on top of the tv. When they didn't rise... at all... I still had faith and put them in the oven. Timer on, ducked out to do some errands, leaving trusty husband to take them out at the bell. 
I was soooo looking forward to eating at least half a dozen of them on our train adventure with nana and three munchkins up to the mountains that day. And when I came home from the shops, there they were ... beautifully smelling, small, hard, hot cross rocks. With a carving knife I was able to save a soft morsel in the middle of a few, but it wasn't quite satisfying.
Who knew that yeast was so important? I had thought that at least the baking powder would work some magic, but those buns really needed that yeast to be alive and growing and forming bubbles, bringing lightness and breadiness and air.
Well, I am still yet to put my lips on a hot cross bun this Easter, but I came across something that Jesus said about yeast and thought I would share what it spoke to me. I was surprised that Jesus knew much about yeast, he obviously had a great mum who taught him stuff about cooking and other 'women' things. I've also been thinking about lately, how much Jesus spoke to women and about women. For his time, that would have been unusual, counter-cultural, revolutionary and emancipating. It certainly makes me feel a sense of value from God.
Jesus was always talking about the kingdom of heaven. He wanted people to see what he could see about God and heaven and he would bring it down to simple everyday things that people could relate to, like yeast.
"The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a woman mixes a little yeast into three big batches of flour. Finally, all the dough rises."
Something so little, like yeast, when it is alive and active, can make something grow to double, even triple its size. It can make something that is heavy and dense into something light and airy. It can make the difference between rocks and buns, the inedible and the delectable.
I think Jesus is saying that when you get just a little of the kingdom of God inside you, it grows and multiplies, it brings life, it brings softness to hard places, it brings dead things in your heart to life. It takes the heavy things, like worries and stresses, and makes them light and momentary.
For me though, personally I was thinking about why Jesus talked about putting the yeast into three batches of flour, and then finally all the dough would rise. I've got three children, and I couldn't help thinking that the woman putting yeast into the three batches of flour was like a mum putting the kingdom of God into her three little kids. Each day she seasons their lives with the word of God, with the love of God and the truth of God. She can't always see the yeast doing its work, but 'finally' all the dough rises. With time and warmth and love and patience she begins to see the kingdom of God forming in their hearts, she begins to see the word of God taking the place of authority in their minds, she begins to see them grow in love for others and for God.
The word of God is an amazing thing, alive and active, when it gets into little hearts in can't help but grow.
I love sharing bible stories and verses with my kids. They are full of wisdom, adventure and excitement. I can already see the kingdom of God forming and growing in them, and I can't wait to see how it is going to multiply in their lives.

Long time no see

It's so hard to sit down to write a blog when I haven't written for so long... Where to start? There is so much to say or sometimes so little, that I keep putting it off to another day! So today I'm just going to write whatever comes into my head, just to get the ball rolling again, and hopefully next time you have a look I will have written something much more substantial!
Well, march was eventful month! Mark took me On a wonderful date where we were looking out over the river while having dinner and chatting and watching an awesome thunderstorm over the mountains the whole time. When we got home, we lay on the trampoline, stupid, to watch the thunderstorm until I thought we were going to get hit by lightning, then we went inside and our house did get hit by lightning! Which conpletely freaked us out, made mark need to change his underwear, and fried our belOved Mac! now my wrist is seizing up from typing my blog on my phone! Other events of march, and hugely more important, Simeon has started walking and can say "go" and "Jesus" which is so much more delightful than high pitched screaming:)
I also went to Colour conference and got hugely encouraged, so I will share some of those thoughts soon.
I'm just loving being a mummy and I'm even more aware of what a great privilege it is to raise 3 gorgeous champions. If I did nothing else with my life, I would be so blessed to be able to raise these three, and to champion my amazing husband.
Well, next time I will return with some grace and truth and insight. Technician is coming today to fix the internec connection, so may be able to blog from the toshiba laptop, hopefully it will be just as romantic as blogging from my Mac:(

baby caught drink driving

Random Fact: In 2003 a woman was arrested for breast-feeding... while driving!
Crazy! But it just goes to show the lengths us mums will go to to keep everyone happy and to get there on time. 
Sometimes life with little kids is crazy crazy crazy! You just get one down to sleep, you'd love to have a rest, but you'll just do that little bit of washing up first, you're about to lie down when the other one needs some help in the bathroom, then the first one has woken up early from their nap screaming. The chance for mummy to rest is gone and on with the rest of the day.
This morning I woke up feeling shocking, with a bit of a cold and muscles aching all over. Mark was kind enough to do all the housework and take the kids to the park so I could get a rest, seriously! What a man!
It hasn't taken him too long to learn that if mummy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, and that giving me a rest is really going to be a blessing, not just to me, but to the rest of the family too.
Mums are truly the heart of the family. We bring the warmth, the love, the energy, creativity, joy and vision. If we are running like a machine, we get worn out, tired and cranky - you know how it is.
Its funny how spilt milk, crying babies and fighting siblings, can seem like I walk in the park when I'm feeling refreshed and full of energy. Mum clicks her fingers like Mary Poppins and everyone hops into line. On other days, Mum's mood spills over onto the whole family, everyone's in tears,walking on eggshells and looking for a place to hide.
I've really only learnt recently how important it is for me to have rest and time out, in a variety of ways, to keep my heart in a good and healthy place. Sometimes it takes asking for help from someone to mind the kids so that you can get some time for yourself, and also taking any help that gets offered.

def. output: "the energy, power, or work produced by a system or device."

def. input: "the power or energy supplied to a machine."

Where is your power coming from?
Here are some of the things I do to refresh my heart, body and mind.


Go for a walk in the crisp morning air
Have a bubble bath when all the kids are in bed
Spend time on the deck reading my Bible and praying
Reading a good book
Having a coffee & dessert with good friends, without the kids
Going on a date with my hubby
Having a home date at least once a week, if we can't get out, cooking a yummy dinner for two after the kids are in bed
Watch some comedy with my hubby
Play musical instruments
Write my blog
Get a massage
Go window shopping in a cute country/mountain town
Have friends over for dinner
Go to a concert/movie/show


Once I'd realised that my life was being consumed with kids and housework, it took me a while to realise the things that I'd really like to do. What do you like to do to get refreshed?

good mum bad mum

I just thought I'd let you know that the whole 'supermum world changer' title of the blog is a bit of irony. If you hadn't already figured it out, I don't in anyway think that I'm a supermum, just an ordinary mum, and I'm much more of a nappy changer than a world changer.
I think when I started the blog, I wanted to go on a journey of discovery in how to juggle the many desires of being a great mum and the balance of achieving something monumental with your life with your family - that is outward focused, not just inward focused on the family. In saying that, yes, being a mum is the most important job you can ever do, but in me there is a desire to do something more than just being a mum, and also leading my kids to do things that are others focused.
However, having this idol of the supermum world changer in my mind has often made me feel like I'm not quite making it. I could make a huge list in my head of all the ways I've failed - that I've yelled, or said something not nice, or I've been too cranky or too tired, or encouraged too much fun and games til somebody got hurt!
But rarely have I made up a list of the things I've done well, or the many ways that I have loved the kids today.
Every time one of the gorgeous ones hasn't been behaving so well, we've thought about what we could have done better, or the millions of possible things I've said or done or haven't said or done to cause this behaviour. Maybe you've never asked yourself if you're doing a good job, 'am I a good mum?', but I have on more than one occasion.
Mark and I started to joke, whenever the kids did something so amazing and cute and beautiful or kind or loving, that they must have good parents - we must be doing something right! Afterall, if you can accept the blame, then you can take the credit too!
In the end, kids are kids, you didn't put the foolishness in them, but you have many opportunities to train it out of them.
There are so many ways that us mums show our kids that we love them everyday - and that's the truth - and something worth thinking about. That list is worth celebrating. And the naughty mum list - well thank Jesus for His grace!
I know it sounds silly, but maybe you could think about or even write down all the ways in the past 24 hours that you've shown your kids and hubby that you love them. I'm sure you could fill a few pages. I did this today, and filled a page! I didn't do it so I could boast, but so that I could realise the truth and throw that other list in my mind away. 

.... here's some examples to get you started...

- I woke up earlier than I would have liked to, to pack school bags
- gave cuddles and kisses
- said 'I love you'
- made lunches
- drove to school
- carried bags for them!
- spoke encouragement to hunky husband (even saying 'have a good day!' passes)
- prayed for them
- laughed at their jokes
- said 'wow' lots of times (even though I might not have been listening... shhh)
- said 'aren't you a good boy!'
- didn't go completely nuts and mental when someone didn't move fast enough
- made pretty pigtails with red ribbons
- said 'you're soooo beautiful!'

... well, I think you get the picture ... enjoy making your list. Let me know how it goes:)

Sar x

navigating follies

<sup>I bought myself one of those flicky women's calendar things that have a new verse for each day. I have it sitting next to the stove top and meditate on the day's verse while I'm cooking .... and its aqua, so it matches my aqua splashback ... which is refreshing to me. Yesterday, I really meditated on the verse for the day, and put it into action.


Do you ever worry if your kids are going to turn out ok? Maybe some unnoticed impatience on your part scars them for life? But this verse really encouraged me about something to protect us ...</sup>


Proverbs 4:6-7
'Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.'


This verse was so pertinent, because just the day before I had judged incorrectly. Somebody had lied and wasn't giving in. It's just that it was a new skill for one of the kids, so I naturally assumed it was the other one!


It all ended well in the end,.. for me at least:)


When this sort of thing happens it always makes me think of the story about Solomon and the two mums who both had babies. One accidently rolled on her baby in the night and it died. Then she swapped the babies. The women argued about who the babies belonged to, and came before King Solomon. In his wisdom, he asked for a sword to be brought so that he could cut the baby in two - causing the real mum to beg for its life and to relinquish the baby to the other woman. Then he knew who the real mum was, and gave the baby to her.


Sometimes we need so much wisdom and good judgement to navigate the follies of our children. All it takes is stepping back for a moment, as long as you need, and asking God for wisdom. He doesn't hold back wisdom if we ask. We just need to take the time to listen.


James 1:5 'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.'

the princess, the knight and the snake

This morning after going for a contemplative walk I did this activity with the kids. I gave them some paper and pencils and while I was cleaning up the kitchen I told them a story that they could draw all the pictures to as we went along.
My kids drew beautiful pictures and I think they learnt something special.

Once upon a time there was a wonderful king, and he was the king of the whole world. He had a beautiful huge castle. His most special people in the world were his princess and his knight.
Everyday, he would tell them he loved them and speak kindly and nicely to them. He would tell them how beautiful, handsome, strong and brave they were. And as he spoke words of love to them everyday, they became more beautiful, they grew taller and stronger. Every time he told them he loved them, they would grow taller and their hair would shine brighter.
The King had a beautiful garden filled with beautiful trees and whenever he said loving and kind words, more and more plants and flowers and fruit and veggies would grow. The princess and knight loved the garden, they would run and hide and play and pick fruit and veggies and eat them.
One day, while they were playing, a snake came into the garden. It was a beautiful snake, with a sweet voice, but sneaky and dangerous. It told the princess and knight that they weren't beautiful and strong, but that they were weak and ugly. Since they had never had reason to disagree with anyone before, they believed him, and he showed them in his mirror that it was true. And they did believe that they were ugly and weak, and not beautiful at all.
As the snake spoke with them, he began to plant seeds in the garden, and scatter them about. It wasn't long before thorns and weeds were growing everywhere and tangling the beautiful plants.
The sneeky snake slithered away when he heard the King coming.
The King saw the weeds and thorns all over the garden and he knew that the snake had been there. When he saw his beautiful daughter and handsome son he told them, as he did everyday, that they were beautiful and lovely and strong and brave. But now it was so much harder for them to believe. He began to pick the weeds and thorns out of the garden as he led them to the edge of the pond. He showed them their reflection in the water, and told them that he loved them. Then they truly saw that they were beautiful, handsome, strong and brave, just as the king had always said.
.....

I sort of just made up the story as I told it to the kids. And they had lots of questions. They were so shocked when I said that the princess and knight believed what the snake said.

What do you want your kids to believe about themselves? What do you believe about yourself?

Grace and Truth

Mark just went back to work today. It's funny how in the holidays, most days, I can be pretty relaxed about housework - it doesn't matter if there are piles of clothes to be folded, a few toys lying around, washing up to be done, we seem to be able to take a bit of a relaxed view to life. But as soon as Mark goes back to work, this bizarre thought comes into my head that by the time he walks in the door again, everything must be picture perfect. Maybe its to show that I did something today, and because I want some praise, or to show that haven't been completely lazy while he was working so hard, or because I need to feel that I'm doing something valuable with my day. 


Or maybe its from reading some 1950's housewife book about making sure children are bathed and dressed for bed, dinner is cooked, and all the housework is done by the time your husband walks in the door. And to make sure you take some time to hear about your husband's day, don't bother him with the boring details of yours, while your children play silently in another room.
I had such a laugh when I watched Mary Poppins recently to hear Mr Banks singing his 'on the way home from work' song:
The Life I lead - Mr Banks
(have a look at this youtube link)


This is one of my favourite parts:
"It's 6:03 and the heirs to my dominion
Are scrubbed and tubbed and adequately fed
And so I'll pat them on the head
And send them off to bed
Ah! Lordly is the life I lead!"


Anyway, whatever that feeling is and wherever it comes from, I've squashed it on the head, and going to continue in our holiday mode for today.


I really feel to focus my blog this year on 'grace & truth' for the supermum. There are so many lies we believe and expectations we feel we need to live up to (our own and others), many things to feel guilty or inadequate about - but to all of that there is the truth of God's word - tried and tested ancient proverbs, that bring grace and truth to every aspect of life. That's the domain that I want to live in. 


I'd love for you to come along for the journey as I explore some of the lies we mums come up against, and as I find some grace and truth for those. But mostly I'm doing this blog for me, because it's a journey I need to go on this year.


Grace and truth to you,
Sarah