Dentist

I was so excited after a dentist appointment that I decided to run home.

Ok not exactly but I did run which is not an enjoyable thing for me.  I hadn't been to the dentist for a year and a half. Oops. I had taken the kids but was struggling to coordinate a time to go so I was nervous of the outcome.

To my surprise I did great, no cavities or work to be done! Yippee..
So I ran down Wells Road because Aaron was picking the kids up from school and I was meeting him at the entrance to our neighborhood. Its a good 17 minute walk so I ran it to cut the time in half since he was already waiting. I think I ran faster just because I was relieved.

These trees are so exquisite how they bend over the foot path. I stopped to catch my breath and gaze at it's beauty with the sun peering through.

Becca was as happy as I about clean happy teeth and obliged to take some silly photos with me. 

How many cooks in the kitchen?

Is it normal for kids to fight over who gets to help mom in the kitchen? Sometimes I question why they are actually fighting.

On Sunday we plan our week and they choose a day they get to help make dinner. However sometimes we end up with all of us in there working hard to create some delicious masterpiece.

This one occasion was beautiful. Everyone had their tasks and it turned out beautifully. All recipes were from Josh's cooking class at school. We made a Pumpkin Gnocchi with Herb Sauce,  and a Corn and Bacon Dip with Toasts.  YUM!

Josh making the fresh vegge dip, more like a spread with loads of different fresh veggies. It's his favorite.

Seppe and Rach are busy rolling and cutting out the fresh pumpkin Gnocchi pieces.

After dropping the pieces of batter into boiling water they would sink, once they are cooked they float to the top and we scoop them out and then crispen them up with fresh herbs in a pan. Rachael's favorite part was waiting for them to float to the top and then scoop them out.

Bon Appetit!! 

Love

"Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or abridge the chasms of bitterness" 

"Love is the very essence of life. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that defeats devastating friction in the home. It is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family friends and neighbors."

"Love like faith is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue. "

-Gordon B. Hinckley-

I started reading "Stand for Something" by Gordon B. Hinckley and haven't been able to get past the first 30 minutes as I keep going back to re listen to it. Already I have SO much to learn from this book.

The first virtue he speaks about is Love.  I have realized this is the answer to a lot of my problems in our home.  "Love is the security for which children weep".  We all long to feel loved and care for right?  My single most important job is to give that very thing to these 4 growing children.

Sometimes love seems like the furthest thing from my reach as with 4 kids the house is constantly full of noise.  For a pessimistic person it feels like 90 percent of the time it's full of screams, shouts and yelling. For an optimist person its feels full of laughter, smiles, giggles and words of love.
I hate to think of myself as a pessimistic person but I often feel that 90 percent is what fills our home. It drives me to my breaking points sometimes but until I can remind myself about LOVE I cannot reverse my feelings and actions.

Today we went to a beautiful baptism for 4 young girls between the ages of 8 and 15.  We were on time dressed in our best and with food in hand.  We sit down and the fighting begins all because all four of them want to sit next to me. I am not joking when I say that this happens ALL the time.
My heart stretches and tears as I can't physically let them all sit right next to me so who do I let down? Well doesn't it always happen that the oldest, most quiet children get put aside as we focus on keeping the younger louder ones quiet?
This happened and I began to feel something I wish I understood and could physically figure out. How do I possibly show all my children the love they deserve? I am one person trying to divide my love between 4 children and a husband. It is so hard but yet I am learning that it is what heals everything!

We then went to the movies and same thing, they are all competing to sit next to me. Im feeling so frustrated but yet shouldn't I be feeling so honored and loved? What is my problem?
It is hard, and I am learning. But one thing that will always help me through is that one very thing, LOVE!!

While driving to the cinemas Josh got me with one of his jokes:

Josh "Mom I bet I can get you to say black"

Mom "oh ok, lets see"

Josh "what color is that sign?"

Mom "white"

Josh "what color are the trees?"

Mom "green"

  This went on for a bit....

Josh "What color is that car?

Mom "red"

Josh "see I told you I could get you to say red"

Mom "No you said you would get me to say black"

Josh "HAHA I just got you to say black"

Mom "oh man, you got me"

I felt loved that he wanted to joke and have a laugh with me. He felt loved because I let him sit in the front seat 'next to me' and he was able to get me laughing.

In preparation to move back to the USA and for my sisters visit in a few weeks we are going through all of our belongings getting rid of stuff and condensing.  Josh decided he wanted to share rooms with Joseph and has been slowly moving his stuff in. He also gave Joseph some of his old toys.
Joseph feels loved because Josh gave him some of his things and wants to be with him. Josh obviously feels loved by Joseph and that's why he wants to share a room.

After the kids were all fast asleep in their beds I did one last check. It was lovely to see Josh setting his stuff up in his new room.

What got me with a swelling heart was when I walked into the girls rooms and saw Rachael curled up in Rebecca's toddler bed with her. Just the sweetest sight as Rachael obviously wanted to be near Rebecca as it made her feel loved and secure. That bed is tiny but she just wanted to be near her.

Rachael is constantly trying to be a mother figure to Rebecca and even had Rebecca calling her Mum for awhile. I had to end that one quick.  Rach longs to be a mother figure like I am to Becca  and she gets so sad when she wants to help and Rebecca won't let her.  I only realize now that it's another sign of wanting to show love and be loved in return.  Isn't it such a wonderful cycle if we can only keep our eyes on that?

I will end my day with this circle of love today in my head hoping for a renewed Sabbath day tomorrow and a greater sense to show love rather than criticism and constantly nagging for things they may be doing wrong. Don't we learn better through love anyway?

Joshua's Blue Belt Grading

Saturday 9th May I had the privileged of attending Josh's Blue Belt Grading.
It's a grading that lasts 2 hours and showcases all of those who have achieved and earned their new belts. Aaron usually attends but I was able to go this time and oh what a treat it was.

This would be the 5th belt Josh has earned since he began Kenpo in March 2014.
He has put so much time and effort into his two classes every week. I never knew anything about karate before now and never was too into it but Josh's involvement in it the past two years has been good for us all. It teaches such wonderful life communication skills as well as defense and respect.
We love to see Josh get passionate and working hard to achieve new levels.

We see a lot of his techniques and forms at home but to watch him in action and immediately react as they are called out is incredible. It wasn't until now how alert and attentive you have to be. We are all so proud of him.

See for yourself in the video below or at this link.

Has it really been 18 months?

We dropped the older kids off at school and I told Rebecca of my plan to take some pictures down by the lake. Her response is seen below as we are loading into the car, she sure has attitude. 

It was a beautiful day for a stroll along the boardwalk.

I still cannot believe how grown up she is. 

The picture on the left is her pose of utter irritation with me, "Mom I am NOT happy with you right now".  She had just realized that we were walking on boards and she now feared falling into the cracks. This is what I said to get her to smile in the picture on the right "If you look up and give me one big smile, say cheese, I will hold your hand the rest of the way" 

Quick stop to feed the ducks. Quack Quack!

Joseph was talking non stop, sometimes I struggle to even get a thought in with the amount he rolls off his tongue.  He is adorable though isn't he!?

As much as siblings fight, the love they do show for each other makes it all worth while. Joseph is always hugging Becca and telling her how much he loves her.

Once we arrived home Becca became very playful and more cooperative when being photographed. I can't blame her, she is very comfortable at home.  

I still cannot believe how much Rebecca has grown, she is such a doll and such a diva. Not a day goes by that I don't find my high heels scattered around the house because she is constantly trying on different pairs. She loves combing my hair, painting her nails, playing with baby dolls and barbies.

I can honestly say that I am her favorite person in the world. She goes to no one but me and is completely content as long as I am within arms length whenever we are in public. It is a bit concerning for me at times and often exhausting but I am grateful for her love and the trust she shows in me. 

Active Family

We constantly try to keep our family active and outside as much as possible.
A frequent visit to the field next to our house helps to keep this activity alive.

I do love watching Aaron and Josh playing soccer together.

March 2014 Recap

Last year March was a HUGE month for us. I am excited to see how it compares to this year...

We started off by stumbling across the Mordialloc Carnival so we let the kids have a bit of fun.

Aaron took Josh to his first A-League soccer game between bitter rivals Melbourne Heart vs. Melbourne Victory. Heart won 4-0

We spent an evening at one of our favorite spots, Chelsea Beach. There is an great Park just off the beach making it convenient to run back and forth. We stayed through to sunset and watched the magic unfold.  This has become our best sunset viewing beach as we've had a couple of amazing experiences here.

Loom bands were huge at this time and we all enjoyed putting on our creative caps and experimenting with different colors and designs.

Rebecca discovered her thumb (uh oh, as cute as it was I broke that before it became a habit).
Josh learned how to make flatbread at school so he made it to go with our dinner one evening.

The first weekend of March we went into the city as a family to the Queen Victoria Market. Oh what a place that is, we could have shopped around all day.

Our ward had a talent night that we spent some evenings practicing for. I performed in a couple numbers with some Relief Society sisters, the kids performed with the primary, and I helped teach Aaron and the Young Men a dance we had learned from Jessica (Aaron's sister) a few years ago when we did a flash mob in Colorado.  It was a really fun night.

We did a lot of exploring in March and took a drive down to the London Bridge Lookout. We hiked down to the bridge and had a look around in the rock pools.

From there we drove to Rye Beach and spent the evening playing on the beach and local park while enjoying Subway sandwiches for dinner.

Rachael turned 5 and requested her favorite birthday meal, mashed potatoes and gravy.
We had heaps of fun celebrating and she loved the extra attention at school and from church friends
that day.

Attempting to get some birthday pictures on a rainy Sunday means bare feet and lots of splashing.

Joseph is such a cheeky monkey and insisted his picture be taken as well. 

Our sweet princess, 5 year old Rachael

We traveled on a plane 4 hours to Perth to visit Aaron's Uncle Matt and his wonderful family for a week. Oh what a wonderful time we had. (click link to see more)

Josh started Karate and now LOVES attending it twice a week. He has moved up through two belts and just completed his orange belt.

While Rachael was at a birthday party we went to the Moorabbin Airport 10 minutes from our house and watched the small aircraft take off and land.

Our friends got a new puppy called Milo that we had to go play with after school.

It has been great fun reflecting back on exactly a year ago. We have so much to be grateful for!