7 Quick Takes Friday

I decided I liked the idea of listing 7 things form the week that just happened and did not necessarily need to blog a whole post on.
So for my first time at 7 Quick takes:

1. This week has been craft week here, although that was not the plan. We have been doing other 'school' related items but craft has been the flavour of the week.

2. Some of the children have been starting to make Christmas presents. In fact some have completed some already as they actually started in July and have been working steadily on them. Still other children have not given it a thought yet. These one's had better get a move on so as not to be scrabbling around on Christmas Eve trying to finish on time.

3. We have had a technological boost in this house. We are having to go from 2 computers to 4 as both our older boys are doing University Studies and Pre Entry University Studies by Distance Education . This has meant..... oh my gosh.......trying to share the 2 computers with a blogging mother and siblings, as well as the other online Maths and "school research".
This has meant the purchase of 2 new computers from Parents who said way back then "We will never have more than one computer".
This has also been a learning curve( workong out what we actually needed) and the giving up of the hard earned cash that never seems to stay in the pocket long enough.
However there is the acknowledgment that with out the increase in technology we have that both our boys would never be able to do this from home.
Always there are the pros and cons. ☺

4. Which brings us to the knowledge that God always gives us just enough for our needs, when we need it and not before.

5. We are reinstating Family Concert night on Saturday nights - at this stage. This requires the performing children to play a musical piece, recite a piece of poetry, perform a skit or mime and to sing together or individually. We may or may not require a Science experiment as in the past, not sure about this one yet.
This had been a great success in times past and has been reinstated at the children request.

6. In our bush on Thursday we found an injured Ring tailed possum that we rescued (well Bradeon did) that we had a Ranger come and pick up to be rehabilitated. The younger children all wanted to keep the little possum and fix it's broken leg and they then hoped it would be a great pet.
However we do not have those skills and the children got a lovely close look at the possum when we had it in the box before it was picked up.

7. Picking videos for a family with wide ranges in ages has resulted in the 5 weekly movies we can get for $6 has been narrowed down into age groups.
One for the little ones,
One for the Middles,
One girly film for Mummy and Autumn and depending on the movie, Eden and Vellvin (of course if the boys want to watch they can).
And two big boy action thriller or more grown up comedy.

This of course is no easy matter to:
a) find the said movies in the required ranges that pass all the parent radars......and
b) find time to watch them at appropriate times. That is the older ones being watched after the little ones are in bed

Well that is my first 7 Quick takes. For more entries hosted by Jennifer visit Conversion Diary I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Blessings,

Small Success 28

1. I started and finished soft formed dolls for Arwen. We have called these Wynken, Blynken and Nod. They are just so cute.
2. Autumn and I watched a girly film together. Miss Potter on Friday night. With chocolate and tea and coffee but no popcorn. Eden prefered to stay in bed after I tried to wake her several times and with the thought of the new Redwall book: Doomwyte for the mornings reading.
3. We have started to make silk marionettes. I am really enjoying this and we are going well. I hope to have a set finished in the next few days.
4. We rescued a Ringtail possum with a broken leg and sent it off for care with the Rangers.
I'll post photos soon.

Bonus5. WE have been VERY diligent in getting back inot regular evening routine and have been successful in doing the Rosary each night together...... no matter how late.
I pray you all have had an enjoyable week and are able to look on your Small Successes with a feeling of a job well done.

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

Blessings

Dolls for Arwen

I have made these type of dolls for Corbyn, Moran and Myffwyn.
I made them before both Myffwyn and Corbyn were born along with a felted horse and felt doll.
I had planned on doing this for Arwen but never got around to it.
So yesterday I put these dolls together.

They really are so easy to make and I loved making the trio. They are smaller than the other children's ones.
I put a small bell inside the hat so it jingles. They are just the right size for Arwen to hold. I would have liked to put the bell on the tip of the hat but for safety reasons I put it inside.

We named them Wynken, (the one with blue hat), Blynken (the one with the brown hat) and Nod (the one with the pink hat) and I think they are really cute.
Blessings,

Book Shelf Finds for ABC and Poetry Books

On Monday while sorting through trying to find a particular piece of poetry for one of the children, I came across these books that I will be adding to our circle time with the M&M's and Corbyn.

Although A is for altar, B is for bible is Arwen's Baptism present form her Godparents I am sure she will not mind if we use it for her siblings.

Annie's one to ten....Annie Owen
A Stands for Angel... Joan Gale Thomas
A little Golden Book: A Garden of Verses.... Eloise Wilkins
A little Golden Book: Mother Goose.... Eloise Wilkins
A a Apple: Rose Isabella Stark's alphabet...Rose Isabella Stark
A is for Altar, B is for Bible...Judith Lang Main
WeeSing: Rhymes for Play...Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp

Some of them are out of print so I could not use my really cool carasel Widget that I just love using to display books.
So here is just a list...☺

A Storytellers Choice... Eileen Colwell.
I plan on using this to be more creative with planned Storytelling with the children. I do make up 'off the cuff' stories but I often have trouble remembering them. My plan is to memorise some stories and to make silk marionettes and table top puppets to use when I tell the stories.
It may be a slow process as I often run out of time to do all I plan....the story of my life. Overcommitment and Under time ability( not really correct grammar).

Poetry Friday on Wednesday.
Someone left a comment wondering which Poetry books we use. These tend to be the all time favourites and most used.....

Poetry Books:
A Journey through Time in Verse and Rhyme... Heather Thomas
A Childs Garden of Verses....Tasha Tudor(illustrator) I love Tasha Tudors Books and this is our favourite poetry book for the poems by R.L.Stephensona dn the illustrations by Tasha Tudor
Fairy Book: An Anthology of Verse... Shirley Barber
Around the Year... Elsa Beskow
The Children's Bells...Eleanor Farjeon
A Bundle of Ballads...Ruth Manning
Lavenders Blue...Kathleen Lines
A lovely book I can't find it and can't remember the name but it is Illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli
The Faber Book of Nursery Verse...Barbara Ireson
The Harp and Laurel Wreath...Laura M. Bequest

The Nursery Rhymes and Tales form ....the Bookshelf for Boys and Girls

We also use Oak Meadow's circle time verses and songs
Joyful Movement form Christophorus

Have a lovely time browsing ♥
Blessings,

Hearts for Home 28th July ♥

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.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, 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 the 28th July is ♥♥

1. To keep things simple and serene.
2. To have my gentle and patient voice at all times AND focus on the speaking person. To really be focused on being patient.
3. To support my children in helping them overcome areas of weakness and turn these into strengths.
4. To be focused on prayer and the Lords work in my own life.
5. To mark the time periods of our day with prayer...Angelus, morning prayer, Angelus, Divine Mercy, Angelus, Rosary and night time prayer.
6. To carve out a period of time for my own reflection and rejuvenation. PRAYER...CRAFT...PRAYER...CRAFT....PRAYER...CRAFT...
Blessings,

A Simple Womans Daybook-- Faith and Prayer Days

A Simple Woman's Daybook 27th July

Here is the link to Peggy's who is having a summer break. And also to Grandmother Wren who is taking up the challenge of maintaining the entries.

Outside My Window ...
Very cold -2 degrees Celsius

I am listening to...
Little footsteps moving around...who could it be?
***
I am thankful for...
Devoted husband and loving children. Praying friends and family.

From the Kitchen...
Breakfast is lovely warm porridge, hot chocolate milk, coffee or herb tea.
Lunch is salad and sandwiches
Dinner is what ever I get after shopping
Morning tea - ginger cake

I am wearing..
Floral skirt, burgundy jumper, brown boots and black tights
Makeup and hair in a snood.

I am reading...
A woman after God's own Heart by Elizabeth George.
I had read this over 16 years ago and when Erin was here we talked books and she borrowed it. Of course then I had to read it again when she raved about it along with my other favourite book, The spirit of Loveliness by Emilie Barnes

Still reading. I have been doing a lot of planning and praying instead.

Looking to the Rhythm of the Liturgical Year:
Pray the St Anne Thanksgiving Novena
Pray the Rosary with Special intentions
Prepare for Sunday's readings
Learn this week's Psalm so it is familiar
Implement the Divine Mercy Chaplet again and the Angelus
St Ignatius of Loyola

In our learning spaces...
Write up the Geography plans some more for Africa.
Read Assigned reading books
Continue on with written plans tweaking as necessary
Persist with little girls learning.
Have a look at the night sky. Familiarise with it. Build own telescope from book.
Identify planets in books and build a solar system.
Learn about microscopes and how they work in preparing for using one.
Peruse and Prepare folders for next month so they are ready before hand
I am still putting written plans on to the learning blog so I have it all at my fingertips.
The Science experiments are going really well. The children are enjoying these.
Indian study needs to be kept going longer.
Hands on activities for the middle children, making some things from July Plans
I am really enjoying the younger ones learning with Story sacks and circle time and the activities that "rabbit trail" off this.

Not much is different this week.

Around the house...
Keep everything really neat and tidy so the order of the day can flow nicely.
Persist in little ones packing up before moving on to new activity.

One of my favourite things at the moment...
Older children sharing and growing in their life experiences and still being willing to give as part of the family.
I will claim a moment for myself...
I will do the crafts I love to do. I will sew Corbyn's Patchwork quilt. I will do some of Awen's Cross Stitch I will do some of the crafts from the July list.

Yes I will...Yes I will...Yes I will....

A few extra plans for the week...
Helping the older boys adjust to a more intense Uni schedule.
Just enjoy being together with the children
Give the children "wiggle" room for their own activities and interests
Get outside and go for walks together.
Get family reading aloud happening again.
Early bird starting for everyone.

A goal for Myself...
To be reflecting on my role as a mother and implementing all the little "niggles" that keep appearing for me to work on.

Here are some picture thoughts for the week...
Images of the power of prayer as we are confronted with the battles of life.
The faith we have in the loving protection of our Guardian Angels.
The reliance on intercessory prayer through Our Blessed Mother and the Saints.
Most of all the love and devotion of Our Lord Jesus Christ who will never forsake or abandon us.

Blessings,

The Art of Marriage

Today my daring Honey sent me this reminder of a card we have sitting on our dresser.
We have had it for so very, very long, that I don't even notice it very often at all.

I should though, and I should remember the sentiments on it more often.

♥ The Art of Marriage ♥

A good marriage must be created:

In the art of marriage the little things are the big things....

It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is in giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is no only marrying the right partner.
It is being the right partner.

Thank you my love for reminding me of this.
You are all those things and I am very grateful to have you as my Marriage partner.

All my Love always
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blessings,

Growing and Learning

I can't resist taking photos of her,
She is growing so quickly.
This is one of the rare times she isn't being held or carried. ♥

Blessings,

Winter Seasons Tale

Here are some updated photos of the seasons table andbookcase display.

Hope you enjoy!! ☺

Blessings,

Poetry Friday

POETRY FRIDAY

As part of our lesson work for each week the children have to learn as part of their Memory work (there other requirements as well) a poem or part of if it is very long.
Today as they recited them they decided to dress up as part of the presentation.

♥ Here are their selections ♥

SIR NICKETTY NOX: Hugh Chesterman

Sir Nicketty Nox was an ancient knight,
so old was he that he'd lost his sight.
blind as a mole, and slim as a fox,
and dry as a stick was Sir Nicketty Nox.

His sword and buckler were old and cracked,
so was his charger and that's a fact.
thin as a rake from head to hocks,
was this rickety nag of Sir Nicketty Nox.

A wife he had and daughters three,
and all were as old, as old could be.
they mended the shirts and darned the socks,
of that old antiquity, Nicketty Nox.

Sir Nicketty Nox would fly in rage
if anyone tried to guess his age.
he'd mouth and mutter and tear his locks,
this pernickety Nicketty Nox.

Recited by Rogan dressed up as Sir Nicketty Nox

THE HIGHWAYMAN: Alfred Noyes

The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door.

He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, and a bunch of lace at his chin;
He'd a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of fine doe-skin.
They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to his thigh!
And he rode with a jeweled twinkle—
His rapier hilt a-twinkle—
His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky.

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred,
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter—
Bess, the landlord's daughter—
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

Recited by Autumn as the Highwasy man
(Autumn only learnt 3 verses this week and will work her way through this over a number of weeks.)


WHERE GO THE BOATS:Robert Louis Stephenson

Dark brown is the river,
Golden is the sand,
It flows along for ever
With trees on either hand.

Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating--
Where will all come home?

On goes the river
And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.

Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore

Recited by Saxon as Robert Louis Stephenson and Vellvin as A Little Dutch Girl


O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!: Walt Whitman

Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Recited by Eden dressed as a pirate.

Moran and Myffwyn as Nancy Drew and her Twin ☺

Blessings,

Small Success 26

1. We played a game of Star Wars Monopoly when Stephen came home last weekend. Which the children especially had been hoping to do for a long time.
Guess whose team won?? ☺
2. We celebrated Eden's birthday which went very smoothly and we all had a very lovely day.
3. We re arranged furniture to give the two older boys a space to do their Uni work relatively undisturbed and still be where they are a part of things (very important). In doing this we have given me back my old sewing table that was used by Braedon in the past for study. I am in the process of setting it up for my own separate area, to prepare lessons and computer stuff. It is located in the big Great Hall area, ie very large kitchen and I hope it will be more central to keeping an eye on things while doing an preparations.

Bonus 4. I caught up on some of the Blog posts that have been 'roaming' around in my head and tweaked the colours on the blog as well. Did anyone notice or is it too subtle?
When I asked some of the family members if they noticed anything different, some of them said "what differences". Need I mention most of them were male!!! Need I say more. ☺

I pray you all have had an enjoyable week and are able to look on your Small Successes with a feeling of a job well done.

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

Blessings

Our Role as Mothers ♥

Some time ago I found this article on Motherhood . I put it aside to ponder later. ( I have copied it below to read as well)
Well now I am ready to ponder.
There really is so much to meditate on.

When I think of all the challenges below, I sometimes become overwhelmed by how much faith the Lord has placed in me as a mother and my Honey to direct and guide our children in the paths he has set before them and us.

We have so little time to impart the wholeness and goodness of life we want them to have as they leave our home. We want them to be strong in their Faith. We want them to be strong in the path of righteousness, following the guide set before them in being close to and open to the voice of the God they serve.
We want them to make choices based on love of their neighbour and not our own selfish desires. To put themselves out to help each other and those people they come across in daily life.

We want them to be"In the world but not of the world".
Our desire is that they would be willing to stand up and be counted for the things they believe in. To resist the pull of the crowd because they know that their strength comes from faith in Our Lord, who is with them and us through out our lives.

So much to achieve is so little time.
There is no time for complacency and we must be dedicated in the task.

I know I can only do this with firm faith that God is in control. That My Lord is there to help me every step of the way, and yet I fail so often.I become distracted by my own desires and wants that I forget my Mission in this life. Yet God loves me as he loves our children and He forgives me my weaknesses and helps me on the road again
What is that road you may ask; the road that will lead our children to Heaven. The road that allows me to fulfil my Mission in life: to raise Holy children who would love and serve the Lord in all they are asked.

So little time, so much to do.
I ask that you would pray for me and all mothers who desire to commit to this great Commission of raising Saints for Heaven.
God Bless you all


True Christian Motherhood


How should a Christian mother view children?

1. As a gift and miracle from God and not as drudgery.

2. She has been entrusted by God to care for them for their time on earth.

3. She delights in them and is thankful for them, even on hard days.

4. She is protective, never bad-mouthing her children to others or slandering them.

5. She understands that they are the next generation entrusted with the Gospel.

6. She knows their souls are precious to God and He knows the number of every hair on their head.

7. She knows she is accountable to God for how she raises them so she faithfully sacrifices her love, her patience and her life for them.


8. She understands that even as they are in a state of infancy now that this precious season is quickly fleeting and in a blink of an eye they will grow up---so she savors the moment.

9. She welcomes the number of children the Lord gives her and treasures each one in her heart because she knows the He has a purpose for each and every single one--- even if the world doesn't see it that way. She rejects the lie that children are a burden.

10. She understands and embraces the future--she knows her job is not done when her children graduate from high school or when they turn eighteen, instead it continues on until she takes her last breath.

11. As she cares for a crying infant or sick child she realizes it is part of God's great plan to mold her into becoming a nurturing mother and into the image of Christ.

12. She acknowledges that she is the best one to take care of them as God has chosen to give them to her. She understands her children in a way that a stranger cannot. She realizes that mothering is her sacred work and is careful not neglect her responsibilities. She is protective over who cares for her children.

13. She recognizes her season with little ones and uses wisdom. She tries to surround herself with like minded women who are going through the same season or have been through it and can encourage and support her.

14. The Christian mother does not rely Oprah, Dr. Bob or the latest trends in parenting magazines for wisdom but instead searches God's Word to help her raise her family because it is the source of all truth.

15. She clearly understands that her and her husband are an undivided team when it comes to parenting their children and respectfully allows him to lead the home. She knows that if she is dominating, controlling or manipulating she would destroy her home so she purposefully learns to trust God on matters of submission.

16. She wisely spends her time in prayer---for herself to be a godly mother, for her husband to be a godly father and for children's salvation and their futures. She knows her time in prayer is never wasted time.

17. The Christian mother seeks to educate her children about the Lord so she wisely invests her days teaching them all she knows about Him and His Word.

18. When her season of raising her children has passed, she looks forward to investing her time and love into her grandchildren as they arrive. She doesn't try to move far away to 'begin living her life' but instead she considers them a blessing and her love for them evident. She considers it an honor to take part in their lives. She is loyal encourager and faithfully supports her children in raising her grandchildren.

(The Christian Mother Series, Part1)
Hope you enjoyed this post and are encouraged by it as I hope you to be. ♥ ♥
Blessings,