9.30.2010

Holidays...

I'm back and fairly refreshed after a short break at Centre Parcs up in Cumbria.

We set off on a wet and grey Monday morning, with a car crammed full of luggage, 2 excited girls and 1 baby who hates her car seat! Thankfully she decided the best option was to sleep the entire way - so I was a very relieved Mummy. 

We'd planned to stop in Penrith for a picnic and a look around for a couple of hours. When we got there it was still raining, so the picnic was eaten in the car, and we had a short, wet run around the castle.

The girls loved the villa we were staying in, Kiki asked if we could stay forever. There was woodland right behind us, and we were treated to spying bunnies, birds and even some baby pheasants!

G celebrated his birthday on the Tuesday, Kiki and Baya were very keen to help daddy open his parcels, and enjoyed the balloons I'd blown up at 6am. I'd bought him a gift of a session on the high ropes so off he went in the afternoon, tho to me climbing up a 40ft totem pole wouldn't be my idea of a good birthday present, but he seemed to enjoy it.

We filled our week with lots and lots of swimming (which seems to have cured Miss Baya of her water phobia), woodland walks, a couple of bbqs (eaten inside once as it was too cold and wet!) a few trips to the toyshop/sweetshop and lots of relaxing.

After a weekend spent catching up on the mountain of washing we brought back with us I'm ready for another holiday now.

And unfortunately, my hard drive decided to die half way through the holiday, so I lost most of the photos I'd taken ... did not make for a happy Polly... but here's a few highlights of our hols from the pictures I didn't loose

9.29.2010

Words of Wisdom


Always Believe in Yourself

Get to know yourself -
what you can do
and what you cannot do -
for only you can make your
life happy

Believe that by working
learning and achieving
you can reach your goals
and be successful

Believe in your own creativity
as a means of expressing
your true feelings

Believe in appreciating life
Be sure to have fun every day
and to enjoy
the beauty in the world

Believe in love
Love your friends
your family
yourself
and your life

Believe in your dreams
and your dreams can become
a reality

9.27.2010

Back online

just a quicky to catch up.... my computer crashed last week, I've just gotten it fixed today, I have a mountain of correspondence to catch up on! I had planned to post some photos today from our hols... but that'll have to wait a day or two :D Hope you're all good... and I will be back properly soon xox

9.25.2010

Saturday Link ♥ Love

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 I've been away on holiday this week, enjoying some time out. So here are a few of my old favourite links that never fail to inspire me.

Tara Wagners - The Organic Sister. She blogs about her life on the road with her husband and son, unschooling, mindful parenting.. as well as sharing her beautiful photography!

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Bohemian Shadows - Mon's art blog. I love seeing the techiniques that she's using, plus following her moon creativity prompts in my art journalling.

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Goddess Leonie's The Goddess Guidebook is an amazing site, run by a truly amazing woman. She speaks from her heart and never fails to touch mine. So much fantastic inspiration on her site, I can spend hours browsing and reading!

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and finally for now... have you seen this Etsy Shop??? Beautiful wooden toys that I know my girls (and me!) would love.

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love and blessings for a wonderful weekend

9.24.2010

list 10: things i'm learning



  • how to be sad

  • to recognize my own needs

  • to be patient

  • that it's ok to cry 

  • to not freak out if things don't work out

  •  to live for today


    • to be kind to myself

    • how to be me

    • to celebrate the small achievements

    • to stand up and say what I think


    9.22.2010

    Words of Wisdom


    For Belonging
    John O’Donahue

     
    May you listen to your longing to be free. May
    the frames of your belonging be generous
    enough for your dreams. May you arise each
    day with a voice of blessing whispering in your
    heart. May you find a harmony between your
    soul and your life. May the sanctuary of your
    soul never become haunted. May you know the
    eternal longing that lives at the heart of time.
    May there be kindness in your gaze when you
    look within. May you never place walls between
    the light and yourself. May you allow the wild
    beauty of the invisible world to gather you,
    mind you and embrace you in belonging.

    9.21.2010

    Letting go

    source
     
    For as long as I can remember, I have lived with depression. I have spent years hating myself and wishing I was dead. I have lived in a constant state of depression and hopelessness. I have been full of self doubt, and negative talk. I am my own worst enemy, constantly putting myself down, not taking care of myself, choosing to believe those negative thoughts swirling round in my mind.

    I've been waiting for some miracle cure, a magic spell to rid me of these feelings. I have hoped that someone, anyone would come along and make everything OK. I haven't allowed myself to work through the reasons behind these feelings. I haven't allowed them to be important. Instead, I've created the truth in my head that these things have happened because I'm depressed, because I'm a bad person, because I deserved them. I'm slowly starting to accept that that isn't the truth. That I am depressed because of the things that have happened in my life.And that to rid myself of the depression then I have to acknowledge their importance.. and confront them face on so that I can put them to rest.

    When we are born, happiness is an innate quality that we possess. Unfortunately, as we grow and are exposed to negativity, violence, suffering and sadness, the happiness that once we took for granted leaves us. Happiness is a skill that we have to practice, to work on. It won't just reappear, we have to actively seek it out and invite it back into our lives.

    • Letting  go of depression
    It's easy to get stuck in a pattern of behaviours, feelings and emotions. To some extent, we make the decision to be depressed. Safe in what we have always known, we hold on to our depression, afraid to make the changes necessary to move on.
    Have you wondered why people who complain, all of the time, about how bad everything in their life is, yet make no effort to change things? They are thriving on their self-pity, and inviting others to reaffirm it to them.

    I've been doing lots of thinking lately, and have started being truthful with myself. One of my biggest obstacles to being happy is myself. I have grown comfortable with my depression, it's almost like a safety net, a get out clause for me.... oh I can't do that I'm too depressed... It is the only way I have ever known how to be. I'm afraid of happiness, because it's unfamiliar to me.

    • Removing Negativity and Introducing Positivity
    If you're trying to move away from depression, the last thing you need is to be surrounded by negative people. They drain your energy, waste your time and reaffirm your old habits and thoughts. Cut your ties with people who don't make you feel good, see less of them, or change the subject every time they start complaining! There are a few people in my life who fit this perfectly. They spend their time complaining about how hard everything is, etc etc... they hint at changing but when it comes to it they don't. They are not healthy relationships for me right now, so whilst it's difficult to cut ties entirely, I am cutting down on how much time I spend with them.

    Whilst cutting out negativity from your life, it's also important to surround yourself with positivity, be it images, people or what you are reading. Positivity creates more positivity.

    There are times when I can feel myself slipping back into negativity and depression. In the past I would allow those feelings to overwhelm me, to give in entirely to them. But now I am learning how to stamp them out, by listening to uplifting music, or reading books/articles online that encourage positive thinking, by painting/crafting, by reaching out to a friend.... things that make me feel good.

    • Confront your demons
    To overcome depression, it is vital that you confront the negative things in your life in order to be able to accept them and let them go. For years and years I have done everything possible to avoid having to deal with anything. I've turned to drink and drugs to block things out, restricted my eating or overate, self-harmed... all ways of trying to ignore my feelings. I am slowly starting to confront my past. I'm waiting to see a counselor... but in the meantime I've been writing it down in my journal, and writing it all down... every last little thing. Sometimes I feel as if my heart is going to burst out of my chest, my head starts spinning and terror threatens to take over. When this happens, I slow my breathign down, close my eyes and go inside myself. I repeat to myself that everything is going to be fine, that it's ok to let go of my old ways.

    The old self will fight and scream and kick to be allowed to keep on living... you have to fight back and not give in to it. Let it go.

    source

    • Allow yourself to be alone
    Sometimes I'm scared to be alone, scared that the depression will overwhelm me again. It's all too easy to cling to other poeple, to hope that they will create your happiness. While having friends is very important, and others can help you on your path, ulitmeatly it is only YOU who can create your own happiness.

    Allow myself time alone, time to write or paint or think or just be. Become aware of yourself, of who you really are, what you think, what you feel. Turn your self-pity into compassion, and then into love. Love for yourself, and love for living. Seperating the lies from the truth, and becoming aware of just how powerful you can be.

    • Know you are loved
     Yes there are many cruel humans about, but there are also tons of good people too. Open your eyes and you will see them. Let go of the poeple who have hurt you in the past, they are not important. The people who matter are the ones who see the bueaty in everything.... they are the importnat ones. 
    You are loved. Life is short. Don't waste time worrying over what may be, or what has been. You can't change the past, but by accepting it and letting yourself move on, you can change your future.


    9.20.2010

    Monday Meditations


    a meditation to guide me this week.....



    Relax, close your eyes and go inside yourself. Slow your breathing down, and feel yourself melting into the floor.

    Imagine that you're walking down a beautiful path. A storm is clearing and there is a rainbow in front of you. You stand underneath it and feel it's warm, bright light filling you with joy.
    You are connected to all life. You are a rainbow too.

    "You are strong and safe.
    You are happy and playful.
    You are proud and confident.
    You are kind and caring.
    You are honest and truthful.
    You are clever and creative.
    You are a good friend."

    9.18.2010

    Fighting Fear

    source

    When I'm crippled with depression, I sit and look at all some people seem to achieve. They create, and connect, and live and truly seem to embrace life and all that it has to offer. Whereas I am sat, alone in my cave, unable to reach out, unable to be apart of the world. 

    And I am jealous. I want to be like everyone else. I want to do something. I do not want life to pass me by. I do not want to be an observer.

    I want to take part. I want to be involved. I want to make an impact.

    I've overcome the worst of my depression this time. And for the first time, I know that I have to make huge changes in my life if I don't want to keep having repeat bouts of depression.

    I've trying to overcome my fear of not being good enough, of not having anything to give, of not being important enough, of not being pretty enough...... I think you get the picture.

    So, I'm taking part. I'm no longer sitting at home watching the world pass by my window. I'm writing here for a start, I'm painting and creating... and being brave enough to put the photos of it online... I'm connecting with people, in real life as well as here, on facebook, on twitter and on email.

    I'm being pro active... I'm putting myself out there, and trying to create the life I dream of. I'm working hard to make it a reality.

    BUT... still those niggling fears and doubts plague my mind from time to time. I'm trying to accept that they'll always be there, trying to find a way to ignore them.

    "why are you bothering to blog... they're is so many better bloggers than you already"
    "you're paintings aren't as good as theirs"
    "you're not as interesting as them"
    "it'll never work anyway"
    "they don't really like you"
    "you're just not good enough"
    Sometimes, when thoughts are racing through my brain, it all seems to much. I start thinking maybe those thoughts are right. Who am I trying to fool? I'm never going to change anything, and I'll never amount to anything. I should just give up and go back to hiding in my hole.

    40944_1395614450080_1223783849_30993519_3338830_n_large
    source

    But I'm still here... and I'm fighting. I refuse to give in to my fears. I'm trying not to think about things to much, trying to look at the bigger picture. Remembering that I'm doing all of this for ME... nobody else.

    Screw you fear... you will not win this battle.

    Saturday Link ♥ Love

    source


    Spreading a little more link loving again this week. I love blog hopping and seeing what I stumble across! There's so much inspiration out there... tell me, what's your 3 favourite sites??


    Brandi's blog {not your average ordinary} is awesome...

    ***

    This made me smile this morning - What are you?

    ***

    There's some good advice here, in the form of post it notes - Things We Forget

    ***

    Serpent Mandalas is the blog of an Australian artist. Her work is beautiful and very inspiring.

    ***

    If you haven't seen this video of Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love author) talking about creativity, then go and check it out over here

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    Are you subscribed to the Parental Intelligence Newsletter? If not you should head over here and sign up!

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    More good advice on Simple Living over at Zen Habits

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    And finally, this article put into words some of what I've been thinking about lately.

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    Hope you're all having a good weekend

    Love and blessings

    9.17.2010

    list 9: advice to my teenage self



    • you are beautiful 

    • you are not fat

    • he will never change, he may promise you he will... but seriously he won't. 

    • Never let your guard down and think the worst has passed.. be ready

    • you are as good as every one else, no matter what you've been told

    • step outside your head, don't think about things so much. just be

    • take that place at drama school... you'll regret the fact that you didn't go

    • be kind to yourself...

    • seriously kid, you are beautiful

    • run away.... crazy maybe, but those dreams you've had of leaving it all behind? go for it... follow your heart

    9.16.2010

    Affirmation Cards


     One of the things on my 29 Things list was to make my own affirmation cards, and I mentioned it again on last weeks list of self care. I have occasionally written something down and stuck it somewhere I can see it reguarly, to help me get positive thoughts into my mind. 

    So I've created my own set of affirmation cards, and I thought I'd share them on here so everyone can benefit.

    Whenever you feel the need to use the cards, you can either pick the one that speaks to you, or shuffle them up and pick one at random and see what the universe has given you to think about...

    Here are the links to the cards, which you can download as a PDF:
    Affirmation cards


    I had so much fun making them, and using them, that I'm going to do some more with my favourite quotes on soon!

    9.15.2010

    Words of Wisdom

    Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
    Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
    I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
    But when I start to tell them,
    They think I'm telling lies.
    I say,
    It's in the reach of my arms
    The span of my hips,
    The stride of my step,
    The curl of my lips.
    I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    I walk into a room
    Just as cool as you please,
    And to a man,
    The fellows stand or
    Fall down on their knees.
    Then they swarm around me,
    A hive of honey bees.
    I say,
    It's the fire in my eyes,
    And the flash of my teeth,
    The swing in my waist,
    And the joy in my feet.
    I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    Men themselves have wondered
    What they see in me.
    They try so much
    But they can't touch
    My inner mystery.
    When I try to show them
    They say they still can't see.
    I say,
    It's in the arch of my back,
    The sun of my smile,
    The ride of my breasts,
    The grace of my style.
    I'm a woman

    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    Now you understand
    Just why my head's not bowed.
    I don't shout or jump about
    Or have to talk real loud.
    When you see me passing
    It ought to make you proud.
    I say,
    It's in the click of my heels,
    The bend of my hair,
    the palm of my hand,
    The need of my care,
    'Cause I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    9.14.2010

    parties, fun and one to cross of the list!

    Number 21 on my list of 29 things to do before I'm 30 was to have more parties! There was a time when we'd have people round several times a week... while I don't want to go back to those days I do miss having folk around. The last years been a tough one, and I've isolated myself somewhat. 

    It was our 8th wedding anniversary at the end of August, we decided to have a bbq party. We had around 40/50 people in the garden, and had  a fantastic time! It was great to catch up with people I hadn't seen for a while, and remind myself of all the lovely friends we have.




    After having had so much fun, we decided to have another (smaller) bbq this weekend. A couple of friends hadn't been able to make the last one, and we're trying to make the most of the nice weather before winter sets in! It was a tamer affair this time, and we didn't sit up half the night... but I had a fantastic time again.



    I'll definetaly be throwing more parties very soon! In fact.... I'm thinking of throwing a big fancy dress party for my 30th next March.. I can hardly wait!

    9.13.2010

    Monday Meditations


    a meditation to guide me this week... 


     Make yourself comfortable and relax. Close your eyes and go inside yourself. Breathe and know that all is well.... repeat softly (or silently) to yourself:

    "May I be safe and loved.
    May I be happy and healthy.
    May I be kind and caring.
    May I know that all is well."

    9.11.2010

    Saturday Link ♥ Love

    http://whi.s3.prod.lg1x8.simplecdn.net/images/3800725/tumblr_l8gltu6ntw1qc0fo9o1_500_large.jpg?1284001796
    source

    Spreading a little more link love again this week.... here's a few sites that I've been loving this week.

    • Firstly, a super exciting collaberation between Julianna at Shakti Mama and Mon at Holistic Mama. There's are two blogs that I adore, so I was excited to see their new joint blog Spiral Sisters
    Spiral sisters was born out of many women currently choosing authenticity, asking questions, wanting depth, seeking personal growth, and wanting to spread love.

    • Also  I made a new friend, Debbie at The Loving Path. Debbie lives in Ontario, and her blog is a reflection on the life that she lives and everything that goes into it. I love it when I come across a kindred spirt.
    • I discovered photographer Gypsy Rae.I've been doing some reading of her journal and looking at her photographs... I'm a little bit in love.


     I've also been inspired by:

    • this article from zen habits
    • the beautiful poems here by Maya Stein
    • I've discovered the joys of hooping! I've just about mastered my first two tricks, I've been spending alot of time on Hoop City picking up new tips. 
    • and finally for now this manifesto made me smile! 

    love and blessings xox

    9.10.2010

    List 8: Self Care Habits

    Unbenannt | Flickr - Fotosharing!
    source

    Autumn is in the air, and I can hear it calling me to nurture my mind, body and soul.
    • drink lots of water
    • daily hooping sessions
    • simple, whole foods. No dairy, no white bread. Just lots of fruit, veg and whole grains
    • daily painting/crafting time 
    • lots of fresh air
    • yoga
    • listen to my body
    • early nights
    • make and use those affirmation cards that are on my list

    9.09.2010

    Friendship

    http://whi.s3.prod.lg1x8.simplecdn.net/images/3383224/tumblr_l6nh1flrNh1qbgff8o1_500_large.png?1281841805
    source
    So, Monday I was feeling a little raw. Maybe much of it was imagined, or over-exaggerated in my head. Feeling excluded. Wondering what had been the point of the last few months. It seems that every time I manage to get back on the right path, start taking baby steps away from feeling so low.. .something comes along that makes me doubt it all.

    I've spent most of my life shutting everyone out, not letting anyone get too close so that they can't hurt me. I've pushed people away and lost friends rather than risk being hurt. Of course, by pushing them away and losing friends, I've hurt myself anyway. 

    Anyway, 6 months or so ago, when I was right down there at rock bottom, I 'confessed' all to a couple of people, a few others knew a little of what was going on but not all. They all knew I was crying out for help and in need of some good friends. They all assured me that they were there for me. 

    Yet actions speak louder than words, and there for me they have not been. On more than one occasion, I have been excluded from gatherings. Later it's been claimed that a text was sent... not one that got to me. It was made out to be me, who had opted not to go, then changed my mind... so not true.

    I spent all day Monday fighting against my feelings... feelings of not being good enough, of not being liked, etc. Not new feelings, but ones I've been working hard to suppress and ignore. Trying to ignore the voice in my head telling me there is something wrong with me... same things keep happening over and over and over... it must be my fault, right?

    With a couple of days perspective, the lack of invite doesn't hurt so much. It's time to move on, accept that what will be will be, that they are not my tribe. 

    The truth is I'm a little lonely. Sure, I know a lot of people, but I don't have many close friends. No one who calls me up to see how I am, who drops by for a cuppa, who's just there. I know it's my fault. I've pushed everyone away, kept them at arms length. 

    What I don't know is how to change that? How to let people in? How to let the people around me know that I'm different now? How to find my tribe??




    9.08.2010

    Words of Wisdom

    Desiderata



    written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s


    Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
    and remember what peace there may be in silence.
    As far as possible, without surrender,
    be on good terms with all persons.
    Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
    and listen to others,
    even to the dull and the ignorant;
    they too have their story.
    Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
    they are vexatious to the spirit.
    If you compare yourself with others,
    you may become vain or bitter,
    for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
    Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
    Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
    it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
    Exercise caution in your business affairs,
    for the world is full of trickery.
    But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
    many persons strive for high ideals,
    and everywhere life is full of heroism.
    Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
    Neither be cynical about love,
    for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
    it is as perennial as the grass.
    Take kindly the counsel of the years,
    gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
    Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
    But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
    Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
    Beyond a wholesome discipline,
    be gentle with yourself.
    You are a child of the universe
    no less than the trees and the stars;
    you have a right to be here.
    And whether or not it is clear to you,
    no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
    Therefore be at peace with God,
    whatever you conceive Him to be.
    And whatever your labors and aspirations,
    in the noisy confusion of life,
    keep peace in your soul.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
    it is still a beautiful world.
    Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


    9.07.2010

    Moving Forward

    source

    "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
    Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. "

    --Goethe 





    I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately. Trying to work out what it is that I've been doing wrong, why my depression keeps coming back, sucking me in to it's black hole, taking away my joy, my energy, my self. For some reason, I got to thinking about the Wizard of Oz. It's one of my favourite movies, I have watched it countless times. I was thinking about how Dorothy spends the whole movie searching for the wizard, only to find that the power of the wizard was inside her the whole time.

     


    The power to change and grow is inside all of us too, we just have to remember that. I've spent most of my life searching for someone, anyone who will make everything alright. Someone to stop the hurting, and make all the bad memories go away. Someone who could make me into the person I want to be, who could give me the life I dreamed of. It is only now that I'm beginning to realise that the only person who can do any of that is ME. A lifetime's search to find who I needed was right here all along!

    In a way I feel some relief... that I don't have to search any long, trying to find the person who can magically make everything better. But the knowledge that it all lies with me is quite scary. The very fact that it's taken me nearly 30 years to work this out, years that have been difficult. Years in which I've struggled to stay alive, to find a reason to keep going.

    “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar” --Thich Nhat Hanh.

    I think that I have used my suffering as an excuse to not have to change, to not have to move forward. I could always pass everything off on the things that I have gone through, thereby deflecting any responsibility away from myself. I've avoided living the life I've wanted, avoided being the person I could be, all because I was too scared to move forward and leave the suffering behind.

    The person I am today is the result of all that I have been through. Yet I am not that little girl or that vulnerable teenager. No longer am I someone who will let others treat me however they please. No more is that me. 

    I know that moving forward and leaving my past behind will not be an easy road to navigate, but I know that I have the power inside of me. I'm trying to take one small step at a time, to not expect everything to change all at once, and to be patient. 

    I want to be the person I know I am deep inside, I want to live the life that I dream. Life is too short to sit and watch anymore of it pass me by. It is time to stand up and take action, to show my daughter's that I am a strong woman, that we can be and do anything our heart desires. 

    9.06.2010

    *8Things: Warning Signs

    *8Things icon




    Playing along with Rachelle over at Magpie Girl - "Today at *8Things I’m thinking about all the little clues I carry around that show me when I’m not standing in my own power. If any of these show up, it’s a sure sign that I need to stand a little stronger. I use them as a warning sign to help me clue in and change my approach."

     1. Ignoring my phone and hiding away from the world.
    2. Saying "I don't care" way too much.
    3.  Agreeing with someone rather than speaking my mind.
    4. Buying convenience foods.
    5. Give in to feelings of being hard done by.
    6. Stop painting.. when I'm feeling insignificant I stop painting because I don't think I'm good enough.
    7. Being jealous of others.
    8. Opening that bottle of wine.


    If you haven't checked out Rachelle's site then you really should hop on over and check it out. Rachelle Mee-Chapman is a beautiful soul who offers support, wisdom, E lessons, inspiration and love to creative souls.

    9.05.2010

    Super Easy Carrot and Courgette Muffins



    2 cups flour
    4 tsp baking powder
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1 medium carrot, finely grated
    1 courgette (zucchini) finely grated
    1/4 cup oil 
    1 1/4 cup milk

    Mix dry stuff in a bowl, wet stuff in a jug. Then combine the two and mix quickly, mix should still be a little lumpy. Spoon into prepared muffin tins, bake at 200 degrees C (400 F, Gas mark 6) for 20 - 25 mins.


    I use this basic muffin mix alot. Remove the veg and cinnamon, then add whatever you fancy - a tbsp cocoa powder and some chocolate chips, a little cinnamon, ginger and pinch of nutmeg and some grated apple... or whatever you want!
     
    The girls love helping me bake .... mainly I think so they can lick the bowl out at the end!

    9.04.2010

    Some Link ♥ Love



    I wanted to share a few links that I've discovered this week, some sites that have really brightened my day and made my heart soar.









     Check them out, and let me know of any other's that you think I should/need to discover!

    9.03.2010

    list 7: things i've learnt as a parent

    • It's all about the bubbles! I wish anything made me as happy as blowing and chasing bubbles makes my girls!

    • Being there for your children is worth more than anything money can buy

    • they grow up far too fast, so enjoy them while you can

    • they don't need expensive toys, give them a cardboard box and watch their imagination get to work

    • follow your intuition... accept advice but ultimately learn to trust yourself

    • turn the volume up, the lights down and dance like crazy in the living room

    • listen... everything can be worked out if you take the time to listen to what they're trying to tell you

    • read, read, read....every single day

    • offer chopped up fruit to make 'fruit faces' for a snack and they'll devour the lot

    • there's always time for a hug and an 'i love you'

    • create your own family traditions

    • sometimes cake for breakfast is ok!

    9.02.2010

    a few words of wisdom

    read this late last night, and it called to me. It's been in my mind all night long, speaking to my heart and telling me to listen.

    “I allow my life to unfold naturally. There’s a time for being ahead,
    there’s a time for being behind. There’s a time for being in motion,
    there’s a time for being at rest. There’s a time for being vigorous,
    there’s a time for being exhausted.”
    Tao Te Ching

    9.01.2010

    Gratitude List


    This morning I'm feeling a bit down, I haven't slept much and the baby's had me up early again. When I'm over tired then my mood starts to plummet again. So instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself, I thought I'd a list of some of the things I have to be grateful for right now.

    •  I am grateful to have 3 beautiful daughters, who love me for who I am, who think I am amazing just the way I am.
    • Today I am grateful that the sun is shining already, and it looks like it's going to be a nice day again. Sun really does brighten my mood!
    • I'm grateful that I have this beautiful space where I can say what I'm thinking freely... and that through it I'm making some connections with like minded souls.
    • I'm grateful that we're off for the first meet of a exciting new home ed group. We truly are lucky to have so much on offer here.
     What about you? What are you grateful for this morning?