Happy Mothers Day

I was spoilt today. Snuggled and covered in sweet soft kisses from my three favourite little people; overwhelmed with treasures secretly drawn and notes written unaided in a childish hand.

I received breakfast in bed, brought on a tray... a delicious treat prepared by my fab husband (bless him). Stories were told of adventures and mishaps that went into finding me gifts; things didn't go all to plan but in the end I was presented with carefully thought out items that represented the hearts of the givers.

This was the first Mothers Day where the kids have really gotten into it and the gifts and cards have come more from them, with just a nudge from daddy.

One of my favourite parts of the day was how my daughter was stuck to me like glue, whispering "I love you so much...!" in my ear and really wanting to make my day special. She sat with me while I ate my special feast; we snuggled and took photos of each other, enjoying each other's company.

And then tonight Dash unexpectedly wriggled into my arms as I lay on the couch, and whispered in my ear, "Happy Mothers Day, mum!" and gave me a great big kiss. Out of the Blue.

Magic.

With all the warm fuzzies flying round, I thought I'd write a list of my favourite things about being a mum...

• The sweet kisses
• The morning snuggles
• The feeling of soft little arms around my neck, and velvet cheeks on mine
• Whispered secrets
• Silly dancing and other random stupidity
• Listening in to their conversations with each other (hilarious!)
• Observing their unprompted kindness and generosity towards others
• Knowing that I have so many things to look forward to in life: watching these precious children develop into wonderful human beings

Happy Mothers Day to you. I hope you were blessed today... you deserve it!

What are your favourite things about being a mother?

Berry and White Chocolate Muffins

These yummy muffins are super-easy and delicious. They're a flavour variation on our favourite Banana Choc Chip muffins and are the kids hands-down favourite. Who doesn't love berries and white chocolate as a flavour combo??!

INGREDIENTS
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup frozen berries
2 handfuls of white chocolate buttons, roughly chopped
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups plain flour

• Beat together egg, oil, sugar and milk. 
• Scatter in berries and choc chips, Stir. 
• Add sifted flour and baking powder.
• Mix just enough to combine. 
• Spoon into lined mini-muffin pans and bake at 180°C for 15 minutes or until golden and firm.

Dust with icing sugar and gobble down for afternoon tea with your hungry little munchkins while enjoying scintillating stories about their day. xx

What Do You Think I Am?

This morning it's cold. Autumn-turning-to-winter kind of cold. Yet there's Dash sitting in the lounge wearing a t-shirt and shorts. It's 6am and the baby has been up for half an hour already. I got to bed just after midnight, so I am walking in a fog.

Mr G did nappy duty and now it's my turn to microwave porridge and turn on the TV for the ones who are awake.

"Brrrr! I'm cold, mum," Dash says to me. "Can you get me a blanket?"
"No way, you can get it yourself!" I reply indignantly (hey, it's 6am on a Saturday!)

"Ohhh, I'm too tired!" he whines.

"Tired???!!! What do you think I am????" I retort.

"A Mother?"

Huh.

I Need Peace!

What I crave most in my life is Peace. Generally life is noisy and busy and there are endless demands and cries of "Mummeeeee...?!" But especially lately with my heightened sensitivity to noise; all I want is stillness, calm, soothing tones and soft music, perhaps the odd bird chirping or some rain on the roof. You get my drift.

Recently I felt compelled to find that place of peace. I put on some Christian music and sat on my window seat with my art book and some pens, something I haven't done in far too long.

I started doodling to the music, just writing the words that stuck out to me from the songs that were playing. I wrote them pretty, made them fancy. I coloured bits in and let the music sink into me.

I breathed deeply and felt a sense of that warm stillness start to settle over me.

My husband walked in and commented on the lovely atmosphere of peace that was thick and tangible in the room.

A few days later I came across a random Psalm where the writer talked about longing for God. I thought to myself, I can't really relate to that.

Probably because when I picture “longing for God”, I get a feeling of anxiety and strain. I remember sitting in an empty room and squeezing my eyes shut, trying really hard to connect with God by thinking of inspiring stuff. Remembering the brain strain, I am repelled.

But then, a thought hit me like a flash... actually my longing for peace is really a longing for God. I just never realized it.

When I am craving stillness, calmness, tranquility (oh how few and far between those moments are!) it's actually something deep inside me hankering for the peace I find in those moments when His presence fills my room as my music plays and I doodle while drinking coffee in the sunshine.

That deep breath, that sense of contentment and "I'm-ok-ness", that's His presence. I have been longing for it for so long. I just didn't realize it.

All of a sudden I get it.

And I want more...

Wordless Wednesday: Who Left the Door Open??!!

"Ohhhh... but it's such fun splashing in here!"

Broke Heart

My six year old son just had his heart broke for the first time. Yesterday he told his sister that his "girlfriend" (a girl in his class who last year said that he could marry her "if he wanted") had "broke hearts with him".

I have just come from giving him a snuggle and hearing all about it.

He's a sweet boy. He wrote her a "love" letter during the school holidays; made me post it and everything. He never heard anything from her. She never mentioned it to him once school was back.

I worried, was I wrong to post it even though he begged me to? (Mr G thinks I should have just pretended to post it). It was such a sweet letter, I photocopied it before I sent it. He told her she is "lovely and beutithol"...

He admired this little blondie for being pretty but also brave. He told me how she was winning the cross-country (sportiness also impresses him) but she fell over right near the finish line... and then got up and carried on, coming in third.

So anyway, Dash tried to sit next to the object of his affections and she didn't want him to. Then during Reading today he told her "I like you..."

....and she said, "I don't like you, you're not handsome. I like Henry* now."

Oh! The pain! My poor sweet boy! His first rejection! How would his fragile little male ego cope??? And how could she say he's not handsome??

"How did you feel when she said that, honey?" I asked him gently.

"Not good," he replied, "I felt very sad... But it's OK," he says. "I have another one..."
"Another one what...?"
"Another girlfriend. It's MaryAnn*. She used to play soccer... she said I'm handsome."

Oh, well then. That's OK! As long as your broke heart aint too smashed or anything, son! I guess he's gonna be alright!

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent

How About Some Good News???

I don't know about you but I have stopped watching the News. It's all bad! At the end of a long stressful, tiring day, the last thing I need is more doom and gloom and stories of how the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

I think there is some room for a new News channel, a media group which collects stories about good things, miracles, acts of amazing kindness, generosity and stories that inspire hope.

Where are those stories??? I'd like to hear them.

Well, I may not be a Media Mogul, but I am a blogger, so I am going to start a one-woman campaign to spread good news. I'd love you to join me!

So, if you post a good news story on your blog, email me the link, or leave a comment and I will feature you here next Monday, on a "Good News Round-Up" Post (my favourite Good News stories will get given the Lighthouse Award).

Tell me if you (or someone you know) has experienced outstanding kindness, generosity, small miracles... Tell me about people who have had great ideas to help others, or a bad situation that has been turned around. The kind of stuff that can put a smile on our tired, discouraged, fed-up faces.

I think we could all use some good news at the end of the day, don't you??

.......................................................

Here's a story from PaisleyJade: YarnBombing

And here's TWO great ones from Kathy at Strawberry Seeds: Swine Flu and Piglet Too and See Things Aren't That Bad

Here's a great recycling story posted by Erica from But Mommy: Guiness World Records and National Geographic

Here's a truly inspirational Mum: Shelley took a problem faced by her 4-yr-old daughter (wheelchair bound) and made it into a mission to create playgrounds where all children could play together, regardless of their abilities. I am inspired, Shelley! Some Kids Dream of Flying While Other Kids Dream of Just Playing at the Park...