See how she has grown!

It seems only a few weeks ago that little Arwen came into our lives. For so long we were worried about her weight gain. Now she has grown so much. Check out those chubby cheeks!

Everyone wants to hold her and everyone wants a picture with her.☺
Such a precious bundle of joy, we are so blessed.
Blessings,

Hearts for Home♥ 30th June

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box)and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥I finally worked out Mister Linky: So please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition so we can all come and visit.☺♥

I also have decided I need to print out my list so I can constantly refer to it and therefore keep it in my mind. I also need to have it put up where I can see it constantly.

My list for 30th June is ♥♥

1. To be committed to making our night time bible reading, family read aloud and rosary happen.
2.To have my gentle and patient voice at all times.
3. Look for ways to increase a sense of peace and calm and loveliness in our home, so we can have a home that is a haven for all who live here.
4. Remember how much the children learn from me in their imitation of the way I do things. My speech, my actions, my contentment with situations, how much time I spend in prayer and how I respond to them when they NEED me. Remind myself I need to do better for my own improvement as well as for the good of my family.
5. Each day to one of the creative projects I have on hand, Arwen's cross stitch, smocking, Chasuable making before computer time.
6. To read all the books and do all the activites for both Story sacks with the little ones this week, including Circle time.
Blessings,

From the Land Down Under to Marilyn

Australian Resources for Marilyn:
Here are some of the books I promised on Australia, they may not be what you want but....
Some of these are for older readers and some may be out of print. I do hope you are able to get some use out of this list Marilyn.

I certainly am using your Africa list for our Geography as well as some other ideas.☺

This certainly isn't a comprehensive list, and as I mentioned before Erin has her Aussie Book Threads site which is devoted to Australian books---her passion.

I certainly am using your Africa list for our Geography as well as some other ideas.☺

Picture books and short stories:
Snugglepot & Cuddlepie -May Gibbs( I personally don't like May Gibbs work , but she is VERY popular with many people)
My place - Nadia Wheatley & Donna Rawlins
A year on our farm - Penny Mathews & Andrew Mclean
To the goldfields! - Rachel Tonkin
The first fleet - Alan Boardman & Roland Harvey
Eureka Stockade - Alan Boardman & Roland Harvey
When I was a kid - Rachel Tonkin
Papa and the olden Days- Rachel Tonkin
Days with gran - Catherine Farthing-Knight
What was the war like grandma - Rachel Tonkin
Are we there yet? - Alison Lester
Wombats don't have Christmas - Michael Duggen?

These are most of our favourite picture books especially the ones by Rachael Tonkin, Nadia Wheatley and AlisonLester.

Nature books:
The story of the platypus - Alfred G. Milotte
Steve Parrish (Nature Kids sticker books etc)
Chai the Kangaroo - Pam Blashki
Ringo the ringtail possum - Katherine Morris
Possums in the roof - Julie Morris
The best beak in Boonaroo bay - Narelle Oliver
Two thumbs the Koala - Leslie Rees
Kurri Kurri the kookaburra - Leslie Rees
Shy the platypus - Leslie Rees
Australian Bats - Jill Morris
Australian Owls - Jill Morris

Through Children's eyes series :
Early Colonial Times - Anna Ciddor
The Squatters - Anna Ciddor
The Depression - Anna Ciddor
Victorian Times - Anna Ciddor
The Goldfields - Anna Ciddor

Other resource books
Southern cross series(Australian Bushrangers)
They live in Australia - Eve Pownall
The journey of Burke & Wills - max Colwell
The workboot series (cotton, wool etc)- Kondinin Group

Chapter Books:
Cousin-come-lately Eve Pownall
By Gravel & Gum (the story of a pioneer family)- Nancy Keesing
Southern Rainbow - Phyllis Piddington
Trim - Matthew Flinders
Stringybark summer - Judith O'Neill
Gully of Gold - Mavis Thorpe Clarke
The silver Brumby Series - Elain Mitchel
Dixon of Botany Bay - Vivienne Keely
For the term of his natural life - Marcuss Clarke
The Australian twins - Daphne Rooke
Seven little Australians - Ethel Turner
Riverman - Allan Baillie
John of the sirius - Doris Chadwick

Australian Authors who write books about Australia:
Ion Idriess's (the silver city, lightning ridge, the desert column, the cattle king)
Ivan Southall
Mary Claire
Eve Pownall

Australian Saints:
Blessed Mary Mackillop -
Derring-Do Mary by sister M. Margaret
Mary and Francis: A story about Mary McKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph by Eleanor Spence
Mary Mckillop died 100 years ago on the 8th August. There are major celebrations planned this year here. She was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 and there is speculation to whether the final process in her cononisation will happen prior to 8th August or whether it will take longer for the final steps in the process of examination of the miralce required for this to happen.
I am by no means an expert in how this works.

Folklore & Poems:
Where The Outback Drovers Ride(stories,poems and yarns from the bush)- Bruce Simpson
The collected verse of A.B.Paterson - A.B.Paterson
The Book of Australian Ballads - John Anthony King
The Collins Book of Australian Poetry - Rodney Hall
Banjo Patterson is another Australian poet

Finding book: like Where's Wally-
Hunt with Hoo Roo (out and about)- Murray Van


Videos/Dvd's:
The Silver Brumby
The Man From Snowy River 1&2
The Seven Little Australians
The Crocodile Hunter- Collision Course
Other Steve Irwin Documentaries

Comics books:
Footrot Flats (Stephen and some of the children love these, I personally don;t like them)
Also technically they are set in New Zealand but are very Australian throughout.

Steve Irwin(the Crocodile Hunter) From Australian Zoo:
Steve has many DVD's and I think you may get some of his stuff on the Discovery Channel(that is what I understand I am not sure)
He is(was, due to his deathin 2006) very knowledgeable about a lot of Australian wildlife particularly Crocodiles and reptiles.

People usually love him or hate him.
We love his enthusiasm and his character. WE have watched many of his DVD's. He is passionate about his work and we actually saw him in person when we went to the Australia Zoo.
Blessings,

A Simple Womans Daybook-- Learning Days

A Simple Woman's Daybook 29th June

Here is the link to Peggy's who is having a summer break.

Outside My Window ...
Night: Cold Winter night, very still
***
I am listening to...
Silence
***
I am thinking and Praying about...
When we will get a buyer for the house and can be together again as a family.
The importance of relationships, especially those between Siblings.
Remembering to pray for all the people involved in 'Hearts for Home'
Story Sacks, Reading

***
To Live the Liturgy...
Look at all the preparations we wish to make for July.
***
To Breathe Deeply...
Hold onto the hope and faith that God is in control and all things that happen are for our good.
To be thankful for each moment and opportunity as it comes
***
Towards rhythm and beauty...
To be vigilant in showing my love and devotion to my family.
To be mindful of the routine we are trying to implement and help those who need help adjusting to it.
To start my own fitness routine programme. Remember Gae --do not overdo it☺
***
I am thankful for ...
Children who have been able to keep a fairly even take on life after our disappointment last week........again.
A Parish Priest who IS very good at Pastoral care.
***
From the kitchen ...
Sausages and rice salad
Apricot Bran Loaf for Morning tea- courtesy of Saxon
***
I am wearing ...
Blue straight skirt and 3/4 plum shirt with collar, tights and boots. Standard uniform.
Hair in pony tail and makeup.

***
I am creating ...
Chasubles for the CGS presentations I want to do and to use them on a more regular basis on our seasons table. These are coming along nicely.
Smocking a dress for Arwen while Eden learns to smock another for Myffwyn
Winter season table crafts
Hearts for Home Plans
Cross stitch for Arwen.
***
On my iPod...
Mozart
***
Towards a real education ...
Implementing Learning routines and accountability
Continue Confirmation preparation with Saxon and Eden. For a future date
Remembering that our heart attitude and love of neighbour is far more important than academics in God's eyes.
***
Bringing beauty to my home ...
Soft, loving and patient voices and actions.
Being thankful for all I have.
To be a gracious wife and mother with a soft and gracious manner.
Just spending time with family, with my whole heart and mind and soul.

***
I am reading ...
The books below are still on my bedside table and I am still getting through them BUT I have been doing a fair bit of online reading regarding the Reggio method. I am pretty sure this is already the way we educate:
Mommy teach me
You are your child's first teacher and Pocketful of Pinecones
***
I am hoping ...
and praying about our situation.
That we will see a light at the end of the tunnel!!
To do all the things on my day book lists and Hearts for Home and this day book list.
I am hoping also that the Story sacks and having all the materials ready will make it easier to get through all I wish for the week in the Learning area.
***
Around the house ...
To make sure we are working on implementing the new chore, cleaning and school routines
***
One of my favorite things ...
When one of the children just comes up and says I WILL LOVE YOU THE BESTEST ALWAYS MUMMY
***
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
To do a post on Erin's visit here. I am so overwhelmed by all the excitement of her being here and recapping it, I am afraid to start for fear of not presenting it properly.
Oh, dear the week has gone by already I MUST do this, perhaps in picture form without a heap of writing after all......" A picture tells a thousand words"
Picture thoughts I am sharing are of:
Books and reading with children and children reading
This is a big part of the education of our children.Blessings,

The Reading Mother

Continuing on with the Reading Theme I seem to be on at the moment. Here is a poem I am sure you all know but one I have always loved.♥

The Reading Mother

I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be-
I had a Mother who read to me.

by Strickland Gillilan
Blessings,

Pre-Set Picture Book Story Sack: Week 1

I loved my ABC Story Sack so much I decided To Duplicate it with some set picture books for other time reading or if we get time during 'Learning Time'♥
I am hoping it will help me achieve my goal to be reading more books to the little ones.
If I do not have a list or a plan or a grouping together of items I find I spend my time 'looking' for them instead of 'doing'.
I know I read more to our older children when they were younger so this is my way of trying to duplicate that early love of reading I gave to the older children.


Blessings,

Story Sack for the Week-

I found this really cool way of displaying the books I will use for the week with the little ones.
This Amazon carousel Widget. I LOVE how it displays the books I am going ot use.
In case no one has noticed I am a very visual person and I really like seeing what I am doing with planning, which leads to this gadget.
I plan on using this as a reminder each week, displaying different books I will use for the little ones.
These are the books I will be adding to our variation of the talked about Story Sack.
I have often resorted to putting the little ones learning in a bag like our Birthday and Christmas bags.
Sometimes it is just the books, sometimes it has other related ideas as well, or it could be just whole heap of Learning based ideas for the week.
It is a season that comes and goes. I am renewing it though and these will be the first lot of books in the Story Sack

Blessings,

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is Arwen's Baptism Saint. I had a particular devotion to her before and during the pregnancy of Arwen.
Today I would like to give thanks for her intersession for and on behalf of our little Arwen. This is a fairly recent Feast Day for us as a Family and we have no set traditions as yet, we will get there next year though.

I have been taken by surprise at the swiftness of this day and so am totally unprepared.
Therefore I have pretty much taken from Lisa at Are We There Yet her post on Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

From the Library of Catholic Devotion:

The veneration of Our Lady under this title is related to a miraculous picture of Our Blessed Lady, in the Byzantine style, which was brought to Rome toward the end of the 15th century and set up for veneration in the church of Saint Matthew the Apostle. From that time until the destruction of the Church and disappearance of the picture in 1812 the image was highly venerated. So many favors and graces were granted that it become naural to speak of "Our Lady of Perpetural Help (or Succor.)" It was not until the time of Pope Pius IX that the picture was again discovered. His Holiness warmly urged that the devotion be revived; he entrusted the picture to the Redemptorist Fathers, allowed an official coronation of the picture in his name, and established a feast for june 27th.

Here is an explanation of this famous image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the Catholic Tradition site:

As one looks at the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual help, it is important to remember that it is an Icon, painted by an anonymous artist, in the style of the Virgin of the Passion that represents the Christian mystery of Redemption.

The icon shows four holy images: The Virgin Mother of God, the Christ child, and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. These personages are identified by the letters that appear in the icon. Only half of the Virgin's body is depicted but the impression is that she is standing. She wears a red tunic, a dark blue hooded cape with a green lining, a cobalt blue head dress that covers her hair and forehead. In the center of her head on the hood, there is a star of eight golden linear rays; next to it is gold cross in the form of a star. The circular halo around her head, typical of the Cretan school, at one time had a jeweled crown, that has been removed in the original but retained in some reproductions.

The Greek letters are thus: MP - OY [O is really the letter theta] = Mother of God, on the two sides of the upper part of the icon; IC - XC = Jesus Christ, to the right of His head; OAM = Archangel Michael, above the Angel on the left as you look at the icon; OAT [the Greek letter tau] = Archangel Gabriel, above the Angel on the right, as you look at the icon.

The Virgin's face is slightly inclined toward the Christ Child whom she holds in her left hand. Her larger right hand [its long fingers typical of images that indicate the way], holds the hand of Jesus. With a sad tenderness, she looks not to her Son but appears to be in dialogue with whomever gazes upon her [the universal perspective]. Her almond-shaped, honey colored eyes and emphasized eyebrows impart a sense of solemn beauty.

Detail of the Christ Child: Original Image

The Child Jesus is shown in full proportion, resting in the left arm of the Virgin while His hands clutch her right hand. He is dressed in a green tunic, a red cincture and cloak, he is wearing sandals but the one on the right foot is loose so that one can see the sole of his foot. We have no definitive knowledge of what this loose sandal represents but traditionally there are three explanations, artistic, medical, and cultural:

Artistic: In many icons, to show the sole of the foot is equivalent to depicting the human nature of the Person [person] in the picture, and this is the one generally accepted by the Church.

Medical: The degree of a person's consciousness can be perceived according to the reflexes in the sole of the foot [Babinski's Reflex]. A sudden movement in the nape of the neck causes a movement in the sole of the foot.

Cultural: In ancient Israel, when someone wanted to cede their rights to another, he would take off his sandal and give it to the beneficiary [Ruth 4; 7-8].

Christ has brown hair and the features associated with a child. His feet and neck position appear to express a brusque movement caused by something that He suddenly senses, perhaps His coming Passion, represented by the cross and nails in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel. The Archangel Michael presents Him with the other instruments of His Passion: the lance, the pole with a sponge, and a vessel containing vinegar.

4. The Mystery of the Redemption

The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is not a decoration so much as a message, a dissertation about the central mystery of our Catholic Faith. The different elements in the icon tell us about God-with-us, the Way of the Cross, the loving intercession of Mary and the glory of the Divine Light - the golden background.

In Mary's body the promise of salvation became a fleshed reality when the Son of god took on our human nature. When His human life ended on the Cross, she was there as His first disciple. It was in those last moments that Jesus designated her to be the Mother of the Church: "Behold your Mother [ John 19:27]."

The largest figure in the painting is Mary, but she is not the focal point. The center is rather in the joining of her hand with those of Jesus and the manner in which she points out that her Son is Jesus Christ, the son of God Who offer His life for the Redemption of all and the Salvation of repentant sinners. Mary points out and directs us to Jesus our Savior.

The Christ Child appears as a victim to be offered, much the same as in the Presentation in the Temple [Luke 2:22-40]. Mary's attitude reminds us of the Gospel words: "Mary stood at the foot of the Cross" [John 19:25], not collapsed in pain but erect, strong and valiant. All the elements of the composition accentuate the reality of suffering, as noted in our Mother Mary's face, the movements of the Child Jesus, and the instruments of the Passion. At the same time there is an emphasis on Christ's triumph, represented by the golden background and in the way the Angels carry the instruments of the Passion, less as weapons of death, than as trophies of victory, as if they were taken from calvary on Easter morning.

It is understandable why the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help draws us to pray: it is the synthesis of the mysteries of Salvation. One can understand why some many like to say the Rosary before an image of this icon.

Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of every grace that God grants us in our misery; it is for this cause that He hath made thee so powerful, so rich, so bountiful, that thou mightest assist us in our miseries. Thou are the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, if they but come unto thee; come once more to my assistance, for I commend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation; to thee I entrust my soul. Enroll me among thy most faithful servants; take me under thy protection and it is enough for me: yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not from Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost. My dear Lady, obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins, love for Jesus, final perserverance and the grace to have recourse to thee always, O Mother of Perpetual Help.
Hail Mary, three times.
(Indulgence of 500 days.)

Blessings,

Blackout ☺

Last Thursday we had a scheduled blackout from 8:30 am till 3:45 pm.
We received notice of this on Wednesday 24 hours previously.
Due to the fact it is Tasmania and it is the middle of winter and that means 99/100 days are very overcast it was a fairly dim day inside.
Did I mention it was raining, but only enough to prevent the washing from being put on the line. Not enough to fill dams or produce ground water for bores.

So after lunch, about 3pm it was so dark and cold we decided to cuddle up in the family room with our lunch time read aloud, The Heroic Messenger.
Of course this was not a quick thing to initiate.
First we had to get the candles and light them, not for atmosphere ( which we do a lot of) but to be able to actually read the book.
Then some 'bright spark' suggested they get their quillows and pillows. OK you say, but I am sure many of you are familiar with the "jocking for key positions' routine that usually goes along with this type of reading. This did not just occur in the setting up stage but constantly through out the reading time.
Then of course the second 'bright spark' said hey what about some marshmallows, we could roast them on the fire. To this request I said yes to the marshmallows but no to the roasting.
How did it turn out you may ask? Well we did get through a chapter, we did enjoy the time together and as finished reading the power came back on thus ending another episode of enjoying the journey together.
Blessings,

People Pie?

What do you do when playing with puppets and kitchen props.
Of course you make a people pie to serve up to yourself and brothers and sisters.

Who could resist such a tasty dish Hm mm?
Perhaps something a little less piratical next time Rogan.

Blessings,

Small Success 23

1. I actually framed Arwen's name cross stitch. Hooray.

2. We are going really well with the chore and cleaning routine. I have tweaked it a bit but so far it is all good.

3. I started to help Vellvin learn to finger knit and to crochet this week. We are off to a shaky start BUT we are starting.

Bonus 4. I have been keeping a record of my reading to the little ones and am pleased with what I am seeing. The older children are going really well with their lessons. This is once again due to detailed lesson plans I have done for them. Not really my success but theirs.

Well that's my take on Small Successes for this week. For other stories visit Faith and Family

Blessings

Arwen's Cross Stitch

For all our children I have made a cross-stitch of their name after they were born. I also make a Handprint Sampler with a poem(the same one) a character, their name and of course their handprints.
I am still working on the Handprint one.

I had this one done for Arwen 2 weeks after she was born.
It has taken me till today to actually frame it.

I am so proud. ♥

Blessings,

♥ Sweetheart

These were just too cute to resist!
I love hearts♥ and I love pink.
I also love to dress my sweet little girl up, so what could I do when I saw them?

What any other heart loving, pink obsessed adoring mother would do.
I bought them and put them on her as soon as I got home.
Aren't they adorable?
Blessings,

Boys will be Boys

Our Boys have a very interesting sense of humour☺
Blessings,