{this moment}

{this moment} - Inspired by Soulemama
Celebrating my baby boys 14th birthday!

turning 3 with fairies and gnomes

a little fairy turned 3 in our house a couple of weeks ago.....

the night before her birthday i told a special story about a little baby who was longing to come and live in our family (this was symbolic of gracie and of a new little waldorf doll that i had made in the weeks leading up to her birthday).

the look on her face when she met her baby doll on the morning of her birthday..... so priceless. she told me "mummy, her name is lucy".

gracie had her first birthday party this year. she asked for a fairy and gnomes party -who could resist that!

one of her favourite gifts was the bubble maker.

the plans for circle games outside in our garden and a treasure hunt were not to be. the rain came to visit and stayed all day.

so the children played contently in the sandpit. the bubble maker was a big hit too.


my heart was full with all the beautiful handmade cards and gifts grace received.

the little girls were given a pair of fairy wings. i made gnomes hats for the boys and stitched the first letter of their name on each hat.

the house was filled with handmade tissue pom poms. these pretty thing are very easy to make. there are lots of tutorials on the net!

we had lots of fun decorating and making everything look beautiful. i stamped out grace's name and punched out some patterned paper scallops. she loved her cake.

happy birthday darling girl. you were born into our hearts and home 3 years ago and we are so blessed.

a blessingway for two

Today we sat in circle as women, sisters and mothers. We sang, nurtured and painted with henna. We enveloped these two beautiful pregnant women with love.

Each women bought a bead. The beads will be strung together and a necklace will be made to provide strength and courage for their birthing journeys.

My two friends will be birthing their babies in the safety of their own homes. After their babies are born - the women in their community will provide homemade meals for them. They will be supported and showered with love. Can you imagine if every women had this support after birth ...... just imagine.

There are so many ideas and things that you can do for a blessingway. For inspirations this book is perfect *Mother Rising : The blessingway journey into Motherhood

All these pregnant bellies are making me clucky!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a photo from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by SouleMama

sixteen

Life was so different before you.

I was surprised when you came,

so early, so tiny, so perfect.

I held you in my arms,

pretending that I knew how to care for you,

of course I learnt, I grew and so did you.

I still watch you,

wondering if I am doing an ok job of being your Mum.

Maybe that is how it is with your first born,

always wondering.

Together we learn a new dance everyday,

overcoming challenges.

I am learning to let you go,

to let you grow up.

And boy, I am so proud of you.

Happy 16th Birthday Whyatt,

keep shining.

Mum x

my love

(images of our wedding day, feb - 2004)

today he surprised me with a picnic. in a beautiful place looking over the beach. we wrote our wedding vows here, and were married here too.

i love this place and this guy.

christmas magic

To have a little one in the family is such a delight. I think what our family is looking forward to the most this Christmas - is the look on Gracie's face when she wakes in the morning. Tonight before I knew it, the boys and Grace had set up Santa's little table with milk and cookies and a carrot for the reindeer's! My sons this year get to experience Christmas from a whole new perspective - through the eyes of a child, their sister. We are all feeling the love and magic.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

May your day be filled with love, laughter and magic.

Blessings,

love Donna

building the christmas spirit

The Christmas spirit is slowing starting to build. Lots of hot sticky days and the winding down from a busy school term has kept my mind busy.

So there is nothing like jumping in the car and heading to a few favourite Christmas light spots.

I do love how so many people get into the spirit of things. Houses draped in thousands of lights and little old men wearing red suits and handing out candy canes.


There is also something special about having a little one in the family. She is so full of wonder and reminds us all of the magic of Christmas.

Every Sunday night our family have been sitting down together - listening as I read a chapter from the book "Advent Sunday Stories". There is a story for each of the Sundays before Christmas. The book covers the mineral, plant, animal and the human realms. I love how this little book gives a imaginary narrative of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

It is so nice to sit as a family and listen to the true story of Christmas - even my Mr 15 (after a couple of rolls of the eyes) sits and listens intently!

thirteen years ago

Thirteen years ago - you were born. With strong and powerful contractions I laboured through the night.

You arrived after 17 hours. A healing and amazing vbac birth. When I looked into your eyes, I saw strength and determination.

Today you are an incredible person. With so many amazing qualities - too many to list. To write them here would take away from who you are. For you are an amazing person - a son that I adore.

Happy Birthday Josh,

My world has been blessed with you in it - I love you.

Mum xx

our carols

this is my boy - and his violin. he was acknowledged, as the longest member of the school orchestra.

he played a little solo - "away in a manger". it is one of my favourite christmas carols.

it was beautiful - his playing and the whole evenings events.

i hope everyone is enjoying this special time of the year.

celebrating two

Last week we celebrated . Our littlest one turned two and simplicity was my mantra. The table was prepared the night before with her little gifts, a birthday spiral and a few flowers.

Grace's birthday was a lovely day. Our hand made gifts were lovingly received. I have to say - it has bought me great joy watching her play with her new treasures. The many hours of doll making was well worth it and this sweet doll is now named Lulu. Her Daddy spent many many hours building this minature kitchen - Gracie has already baked a few dozens muffins and many pots of soup for us all (hehe).

I made a simple gluten free cake with butter icing and a beetroot coloured heart. Gracie knew exactly who this sugary cake was for and lovely devoured a piece in 2 seconds flat.

The birthday spiral was lit and we all sang happy birthday including Grace herself. Some more sugary goodness was consumed - homemade cookies made by her big brother.

Time has flown by, I can hardly believe it has been two years since my little girl was born - gently and peacefully in our home. I remember just after she was born, looking straight into her eyes and feeling such awe and knowing for her. She had visited me many times, even before her conception. One visit still sticks in my mind (2 years before I conceived her).*Be patient, I am still here, I am a girl and I will be called Grace*.

This little one of mine is a lively character who has a love for teddy bears like no other. She also loves making cups of tea for anyone who pops in for a visit. The sandpit it is a favorite hangout where daily sand pies and other concoctions are created.

Our days are filled with her sweet little chattering and I love hearing her speak in sentences. Day nappies have vanished and the little white potty is a constant companion. "I'm a big girl now, I wear nickers", is one of her favourites (so sweet).

The fact that she still sleeps in our bed and has her little breastfeeds a few times a night is special to me. I cherish this connection and no matter how tired I may feel in the morning - I certainly don't tire of her little face looking up at me every morning saying "I'm awake now - porridge with tarnies please".

Happy Birthday sweet girl. There are no words to express how blessed we feel to have you in our world.

monday can be mother's day

This wonderful passion fruit cake was so lovingly baked for me as a belated Mother's Day treat. My sweet 12 year old son was stressed about not having it baked upon arriving at his Dad's house to pick him up. "It ok", I declared "Monday can be Mothers Day too", - a big grin shot across his face. If there's one thing I have learnt about motherhood it is about being flexible and creative. So, on this lovely Monday afternoon our family sat around the table and all enjoyed a piece of my Mother's Day cake.

my mother

You were born the last child of three. You had a strict upbringing but not a fairy-tale one. You were determined to do the opposite when you had children. To allow us to be free individuals. You always let us choose our own clothes to wear. You let us co-sleep with you until we could not all fit in the bed any longer -Dad worked most nights making this possible. You never complained when we built cubby houses all through the house or when we had your favourite sheets all tied in knots and hanging out the window. When we dug holes as big as swimming pools in the back yard. You were giving - the times when we had foster children staying with us. Taking your friends young son under your wing when his mother died of cancer. A young boy that would end up staying with us on and off for many years. You even wallpapered and gave him his own room. You were the Mum that everyone loved.
Life was not easy for you with our Dad, you never complained- you were like a single parent raising three very strong willed girls! You were always a hard worker, working in less than desirable jobs to put food on the table. You would often say that you felt like you didn't do enough for us .... but throughout the hard times we always knew you loved us. You never smothered us, you always let us express ourselves. Yes, we all learnt how to stand on our own two feet from an early age. That has made us who we are.

Today you have three daughters who are caring, giving, loving and happy individuals - we are the essence of you and you of us.

Today you are an incredible women, mother, partner, nan, metaphysical counselor, celebrant, writer, gardener, student of yoga and a loving friend to many.

Thank you Mum

I am glad I choose you
I love you

Happy Mothers Day,

Love Bee x

Easter morning

Last night I set up a little Easter table for Grace. She was so excited to see the table with the felt bunnies and wrapped books. For decoration I placed 3 little pink chocolate eggs on the table too. I foolishly thought she would not know what they were....

This Easter fell on the weekend that the boys go to their Dads house. So of course a trip to visit them was a must. Chocolate eggs were hidden all over the house just waiting to be found. Grace watched with amusement as the boys raced around looking for these secretly placed eggs.

By the time all the little chocolate delights were found and being consumed, Grace wanted to be part of it all! So after some tug of war, we gave in and let her have some chocolate.I hope yours was a lovely Easter too.