Creation

I surprised myself last night when I was sitting watching television with Beloved with knitting needles in my hands. It has been months since I touched them, most evenings I have just been too mind-numbingly exhausted to even consider it. But it makes sense, at the end of each pregnancy I have turned into a mad keen knitting machine! There is something soothing about the stitches slowly coming together to create something new. There is something about carrying a child that brings out the desire to create, a small thumb print on my soul left by the Creator when He made me in His image. The same way Erin sits down and painstakingly makes list after undecipherable list in mimicry of my own list making habits, I create small, flawed items in mimicry of the Creator. And His creative power is rarely more apparent to me than now.

This is the first time I have been so big and heavy in the heat, my other babies all being winter or early spring babies. It does not bring out the best in me. I walked down to the post office this morning to get stamps after leaping about with the children during their once-a-month music session. Uncomfortable Braxton-Hicks impeded my progress. It was a relief to sit Christopher on the cool counter and visit with the post master as the children snacked from his ever-ready lolly jar (I love life in a small town!). I trundled along to the craft shop to choose the last Christmas gift on my list, fair waddling in the heat. The children were threatened with dire consequences if their chocolate covered fingers touched ANYTHING. They didn't touch, but I was on edge the whole time we were in there. I had a short visit with Jane - the kind-hearted lady who runs the shop. She once confided in me that she didn't much like children as a rule and never felt the desire to have any herself - but my children are different and they are just lovely to have around. I don't know if she has changed her mind now that Christopher threw up his chocolate frog all over her floor.

Of course, by the time we were heading home the children had fallen in to their three stooges act. They have never seen the show, but I think it is written somewhere in the DNA of young children that they must behave in such a way when it is hot, they are tired and their mother is about ready to tie them to a tree.

Phrases I never thought I would have to say:

"Will you PLEASE get your fingers OUT of his eyes!"

"Do not lay on your brother, you may be littler than him but he still doesn't like it"

"Well if you yell like that, yes he will find it funny and do it again won't he. Try not yelling and asking him NICELY to get his finger out of your ear"

"Yes, I'd like a drink too, but where do you think I will get one from? Do you think I am the drink fairy? Home is just over there, I will get you a drink then."

"Your legs are tired? Shall I cut them off then?"

So tired, hot, sore and exhausted, I sit. I have a list of things to do as long as both my arms (including washing the pram - Billy didn't quite 'make it' all the way home). I feel heavy.

And yet...

As I run my fingers over my yarn, and my swelling belly, I remember again the act of creation being completed in me. The miraculous creation of new life. The double creation of this child, and the re-creation of me, His child.

What a privilege, what a joy.

Gifts

#46 the 'ripe' feeling of late pregnancy, like a summer fruit about to burst with potential
#47 sticky fingers holding out a fragment of chocolate "just for you"
#48 rest, when true tiredness sets in. Precious moments in an armchair
#49 a small boy "quacking" to himself as he "reads" a book about ducks
#50 Blond pigtails bouncing as she runs ahead, words tumbling from her mouth with careless abandon.

Of broken plumbing, chaos and laundry victories

As I said in my last post, I am starting up some new routine and getting the rhythm back into our lives this week! Not an easy goal, but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! I am hoping to put more "margin" time back into our lives (an excellent article on Leading Little Hearts Home). I also crave going to bed each night knowing I acheived all the important things, even if I didn't achieve everything.

Erin:
has been terrably patient with the falabilities of her mother! A gem when I sleep in the armchair each afternoon (if I try and skip this I am a zombe by 6pm). We had music yesterday and the teacher singled Erin out afterwards and complemented her on being able to keep the beat very well and singing beautifully.

Billy:
had a spate of waking up in the night and comming in to see me for about a fortnight there. Sometimes it was nightmares (it is odd to have a little boy come and stand by your bed and say in a tearful voice "'scuse me Mummy, lions eating me!") sometimes it was almost sleep walking. No waking last night though and hopefully we've kicked the habit.

Christopher:
has two bottom teeth, his canine teeth and is working on his front teeth as we speak. He has also perfected the art of peek-a-boo complete with peels of laughter when he puts aside what he was hiding his face behind and hears "Boo!". It is not unusual for him to wake once at night at least but I am hoping this will drop when his teeth are through.

The New Baby:
is no longer causing nose bleeds. After a series of overnight nose bleeds I was left so weak and tired I couldn't even get myself out of bed and dressed let alone take care of the kids. So I trundled off to the doctor and had my nose cauterised (not fun). No major nose bleeds since! It is all still healing though so if you could keep this in your prayers I'd appreciate it. Bub is moving around gently and my tum is a definate tum now.

The house:
now has bookshelves with books in them and a dining table that we eat at so it feels like the heart and mind of the family are here! We also have a busted hot water pipe under the house which will involve Jon ripping up the shower base and the floor tomorrow so no hot showers for a while. It has been leaking under there for a while and dread to think what our power bill will be. I am also a little worried about the condition of the underside of the house (we think the leak has been there since we moved in, it just got worse after some freezing) and trying hard not to stress about the million and one jobs Jon won't be able to get done tomorrow because he needs to rip out the shower and fix the plumbing! On an up side, I have conquered the washing and organised the kid's clothes. They now each have 5 pairs of PJ's, 5 'every day' outfits and 2 'good' outfits with lots of underwear and a couple of extra jackets. This fits into a basket each (except for the ironed stuff which hangs in my wardrobe ready for 'good' wear) and each basket is on a shelf in their room. It takes me two minutes to put away washing or find fresh clothes now and I am sure everything in there fits and matches something else. Unseasonal, extra or ill fitting clothing is now stored or given away. Mostly stored as it WILL get used in this house!

Exercise:
we are still walking most days (we skipped our walk on the day when rain and big fat snow flakes dominated the scenery!) and I look forward to getting time on that exercise bike soon!

Gifts:
#36 baby belly laughs
#37 little boys who vibrate with energy
#38 blond whisps escaping pigtails
#39 a big black beard that tickles the back of my neck when I get cuddles at the sink
#40 watching my children see snowflakes for the first time
#41 good books
#42 flames dancing in our heater, warming the room and my heart
#43 quiet moments
#44 the ability to start again tomorrow
#45 a growing belly with little "swims" inside

Book Recommendations:
Honey for a Woman's Heart by Gladys Hunt
A Woman's Walk with God by Elizabeth George
Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Clare Freedman

Goodnight!

#31 a HUGELY wonderful husband who accepts me as I am

#32 warm socks

#33 little boy hugs that squeeze impossibly tight

#34 curling up in a big chair with a good book

#35 the ability to create order from chaos occasionally in this home!

Gift list

#21 a rocking chair to rock my babies

#22 brisk wind, blue skies and fluffy white clouds on washing day

#23 clear direction for the future

#24 money from unexpected sources when we weren't even struggling for the essentials

#25 abundance. We are filled to the top, shaken down and overflowing at the moment

#26 being married to my best friend, lover and joint heir in Christ

#27 A little girl's games

#28 A little boy's adoration of said little girl

#29 a baby sleeping through the night, taking proper naps and being HAPPY during awake times

#30 dirty dishes that say we have had a good meal together.

In gratitude

#12 Little girls and great big lollipops (even with the sticky!)

#13 Little boys and mud (even with the mess!)

#14 Lounge room picnics

#15 Dinner and a movie - with the children sleeping down the hall

#16 Dreaming of a home we will be building (renovating anyway!) soon

#17 Dreaming of a garden that we will be planting soon!

#18 anticipation of something good

#19 Good books in front of the fire

#20 an early night

It's so good to have him back!

Beloved was away from Thursday morning until Monday night and we missed him like crazy! I have been following him around like a puppy since he got home! It's mutual too, every night since he got home we've been in bed by 11:30 - we even got there by 10:30 a few nights! This is BIG for us as usually we head to bed sometime after midnight.

Erin:
did a little craft yesterday where she took two felt shapes (the shape of a little dog) and using a plastic needle and some yarn she sewed them together using the pre-punched holes. She did a brilliant job! I wasn't even in the room for most of it and she persisted and only had a few tangles.

Billy:
is my little "Headstrong victor" (that's what his name means - William Steven) and he decided to try getting a victory at the dinner table. He didn't. As I was changing his nappy and getting him ready for bed afterwards I planted a kiss on his forehead. He looked into my eyes and said "Naughty. Sorry Mummy" He melts me 1000 different ways!

Christopher:
definitely can't eat carrot. I tried him again the other day and we had another night of yelling. Luckily he loves apple and pumpkin and everything else he's tried. Still moving backwards mainly but sideways is becomming more frequent and he swivels himself around on the spot.

The House:
I bought a book called "Speed Cleaning" and read the first chapter last night. I have a feeling it will revolutionise the way I do things! It is well worth a read if you can get your hands on it. While Jon was away I really got stuck in, but I need to tweak the way I do things again. Some old habits and techniques are no longer effective with the demands of three little ones, homeschooling, fitting in prayer, Bible study, exercise, reading, conversation with the husband and sitting down every now and then!

Exercise:
I found every excuse in the world not to do this over the past week. Then yesterday, I got on the exercise bike and felt a million times better for it! When will I learn!!!

Jess

In gratitude

#8 quiet winter mornings praying and reading in front of the fire before the house is awake

#9 the total absorption in a story as we lay together on the floor, pointing out this and that

#10 welcoming Beloved home after he has been away for a while

Well, our big news. No we are not pregnant (that I know of) in spite of my use of the word 'expecting' last Friday - some people got a little excited!

Our big news is - we are buying a house!! Just waiting on finance now, please pray for us that our paths and choices be directed by the Lord! It needs a fair bit of work but finally we will be able to set down some roots in a community without fearing that a landlord will sell and move us on (has happened three times in the last three years). I must admit I do feel a little trepidation at the idea of moving again (I LOATHE packing and moving with the fire of a thousand suns!) but the idea of having our own home is so appealing to me.


Erin:
is becoming so baby mad it is a little unsettling! Every time she sees a picture of a baby or a baby on TV she has to comment on it and ask me when we are having another and if it will be a girl. I think she really wants to even up the numbers! We had a relaxing Sabbath at home on Saturday and she really enjoyed all of us spending time together as a family. She's a real Daddy's girl at times! She impressed the community health nurse greatly when she knew all her letters for the vision test and 'helped' check Christopher over (Erin passed her various equipment from the ever-present toy doctor's kit - if that kid doesn't do something medical I will eat my hat!!)

Billy:
is thrilled with the fact that we have about half a dozen sheep in the paddock. He was quite funny telling Christopher (who was a little upset and yelling) "Shhhh! Quiet! Horses sleeping, sheep in bed!" LOL His speech is just amazing now, it is as if one morning he woke up and thought "Hey, I'll use grammar now! Whole sentences here I come!" He is also flirting very heavily with the idea of toilet training. I am not that keen on it to tell the truth because it will be difficult to maintain during a move (L plate toilet users can't just 'hold' for ten minutes until you get home!) so we will see how he goes.

Christopher:
is over 10 kg, wolfing down any food that comes his way (carrot makes him uncomfortable and 'farty' and too much banana makes his skin break out) and he's contemplating teeth (usually between 2 and 6 am the poor love!). He is still moving backwards but can roll over and over sideways as well and spin on the spot. It is just forwards that he has to master! He is just the sweetest baby on earth and I want to milk each moment of this precious early time in his life.

The house:
First comes the crisis, special event or series of crises and special events, that tear you out of routine and set you in survival mode. Then comes the denial "oh it's just a bit messy, I'll get on top of it soon. After all spending time with the kids is more important! What does it matter if the kitchen floor is adhesive?". Then comes the depression and bleakness. Then comes the shame and guilt "if I was more organised.....I am just too lazy.....I need to prioritise better.......why can't I fix this? I am an intelligent woman??? Aren't I??????????" Then comes the avoidance through seeking other projects, spending more time online, reading more books, going outside more etc. Then comes the surrender "OK, I am in crisis. I can't fix this on my own. I am embarrassed to have people in the house. I feel guilty most of the time. Lord, I need your strength.". Then we crisis clean, grab the home management book and climb out of the abyss, step by step, prioritising each day according to the Lord. I am part way through the last one!

Exercise:
still doing it, only just making the goal this week. I feel SUCH a difference though, it is amazing. Should have done this years ago.

In Gratitude

#7 A surprise Sweet Alice blooming hidden in the overgrown lawn

#8 A husband patiently waiting, keeping the bed warm for me

#9 the hush of sleeping children





Jess

One Thousand Gifts

#4 Bare feet and wet grass


#5 The expression of sublime contentment in the eyes of my baby as he feeds


#6 Blond wisps escaping pigtails



PS Jon has need of the study at the moment but I have much to tell you when he's done!

One Thousand Gifts

....a random list of the gifts I already have.

#1
The gummy grin, moist and unabashed, that greets me in the morning

#2
Being folded in my Beloved's arms

#3
The smell of wet grass after the rain