Lately.....

This past week I've felt like Dorothy from the wizard of Oz and I've been for a ride in the house in the tornado and  CRASH!......I've recently landed again.........
Holidays are over, Fun run is over,  my phone has died , Ben has flown out, Kids have been sooo out of routine with holidays and daddy home and now the sun is going to bed later!!! and did I mention the crutches!?
I need to get my groove back!
This arvo the children were very "emotionally unstable" and  hungry and it seemed to be dinner time and so I just started cooking and we ate and  cleaned up and played out side for a little before bath time and then I checked the clock because recently I've assumed it was 7ish only to realise it was 9ish (and thus the emotionally unstable children!")  It was 4.50pm!!!  What had I done! It felt so right! Dinner was like afternoon tea and it wasn't going to be dark for another three hours!!!
This is me lately....Hopping around in a daze, routines out the window, everything taking 5 times longer to do, I've been a terrible friend, I was terrified when the tsunami warning went out to the Hawaii Islands where my parents are staying and I've been forced to take things a little slower or to do less actually.
The girls have a day at the farm for kinder tomorrow and I should be getting their lunches organised however I cannot be bothered and that means chaos tomorrow most likely but these crutches are wearing me out.....Seriously I had no idea the effort involved in hopping around all day and having to rethink the way in which I do most things eg,  Hmmm I've just successfully been to the fruit store, the children helped me by carrying a basket each, the staff brought the box of produce out to the car for me and of we went.  Arriving home sore and tired with three hungry children I wondered to myself how do I get the BOX of fruit and veggies up the steps and into the kitchen!?  I will do a post on this latest accessory of mine and some handy tips in the future.
Recently I did a post and  it was quite mmmm raw or real.  It made me edit it 5 times and question whether it was to personal, to inward,  also I had not planned it to take on the path that it did I had began writing with something else in mind and took a wrong turn.  I've still not published it and perhaps it's not that big a deal to others but to me its admitting a flaw of mine that I am quite aware of and is taking a lot of work for me to get over and accept.  I hope to be brave and publish it I've given it a lot of thought and this blog is based on honesty in the hope that it might help others or inspire them and also it's a record for my children who knows what's around the corner.....They will have this.
That's not to say that I publish everything, there are personal things that are kept close to my heart and our little family and these obviously affect me emotionally, the emotions I'm happy to write about.
So what else, I'm feeling tired and so will finish up but I am missing training with the girls and running.  Yesterday Ed and I took a milkshake and iced coffee break at the park by the lake and while we were slurping Ed looked at me and asked "Can we go for a run Mum?"  "Oh I would love to" I replied while pointing to my leg, so chuffed that he is missing our "thing" as much as me.
The other quick thing before I crash is last night I bought a Magnum ice cream (I've not had a nightly binge since the sugar challenge) and I ate it all, these things are huge and sweet and chocolaty and it was okay, I couldn't finish it, but did and wondered to my self what have I done! Anyhow Good night Sleep tight. xx

Crutches and happy thoughts.....

Sitting here this afternoon watching my children and our friends children play happily, I'm feeling blessed and content.  Conversations between adults coming and going, both fireplaces burning, pork roasting on the Webber.
This was a snap shot of our home last week after my friend and my 11km Fun run experience.  (my first of many, hopefully).  I ran it in 55mins, I crossed the line number 341 out of approx 870 participants.  However I hurt my leg in the last 100mt and hopped aided over the line.  I've been to physio for the second time  and not much has improved  and so a bone scan is next on the cards. I'm very keen to get back on my feet and today I started thinking about running and am missing it and a little worried about the length of time recovery may take, it's bloody sore at times I know that much and to be honest I thought I'd be back on my feet by now.
Ben flies out this week I was quite worried as to how I would manage but am feeling more confident now, the kids think the crutches are cool and Little Bear calls them rails, Ed shoots things with them and  I want to throw them at the wall sometimes.  I'm thankful however that Ben has been home and that it happened at the end of the run and that I'm able to drive and hop around usually pain free, it's not permanent and I will run again soon.
 Also I have destroyed another phone and have no house phone it will be 2-3 weeks before Telstra can hook me up with another phone as they're only distributing the new model that they've run out of.  So I'm not making much contact lately but am checking facebook and emails and your welcome to drop by, just ignore the mess!!  xx

Eddy Spaghetti..........

Love this age.....

Love the games....

Love the cuddles and the snuggles.....

Love the funny stories.........

Love the belly laughter.....

Love the acts of kindness...........

Love the boy things, the fascination with diggers and "fighting things" and how things work....

Love the bond between his siblings and his Dad....

Love him.........

Weekend thoughts...

School holidays Hooray!!  Our plans these holidays have already flown out the window and the weekend has flown buy in a haze of pain killers and pureed soup.
 My beautiful man is home and it's been lovely although I feel guilty as I've really done nothing accept stare at the fridge and drop my lip.  I've been a hermit since Thursday night and am beginning to feel blaa...  I think this afternoon will be a trip to the veggie shop and then hire a dvd for tonight.  Two more sleeps until Ben returns to work and it is quite normal for me to start feeling quietly anxious and regretful (Did we do enough?  Did I tell Ben I love him enough?  Did I put in enough effort?  Are there any jobs that need doing?  How will I cope when I wake and he's gone?) Yes, Yes,  Yes, One and same as usual snap out of it and ENJOY it Jodes!
 Tomorrow we are meeting friends at the Werribee Open Range Zoo it shall be a fun day,  fresh air and smiles and hopefully  undisrupted sunshine.  I'm really looking forward to it lots of holding hands and kids yelling out in delight also we will hopefully have time to visit my new niece and sisters on the way home.
  For now though the children are with Daddy out on the newest addition to our home, the Tyre swing!!  Its creating a lot of laughter in our backyard at the moment even though when I look out there from the deck I can see the empty Chook pen...sob sob...another job for the school holidays after I accept our loss.  I am such a sook, I know.  Any how the tyre swing is attached to a very very long rope from a very very high tree and gets A LOT of air!!  We actually had to chop another tree to allow for this massive air!!
In the cracked jaw department I've had no Pain Killers today and I managed to chew very carefully three piklets and they were amazing, overdosed in Maple Syrup and cream (I had no luck chewing strawberries) and even my husband commented on how good they were...No sugar honey, woo hoo!!

 To make them the children threw in half a bowl of Wholemeal Plain flour (say 4 cups), 2 tsp Bi-Carb, 3 tblsp Chia seeds, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 Vanilla bean, Two eggs and milk  (roughly 2 1/2cups) until a nice consistency.  Yummo quick and easy lemon squeezey!xx

Spring has Sprung!

I never mean't to have such a break in between posts and I've never felt stuck for anything to say in this blog so far, until recently....I think I was just quietly content, enjoying a comfortable silence.
Ben is of course back at work and we enjoyed such a warm sunny day one of three in the past weeks, blossom on the trees, our radish seedlings are sprouting, the birds are singing every morning, the sun...oh that glorious sun I LOVE YOU! and most recently and so excitingly I have a new niece Malia!!!  I'm so so excited and what a perfect time of year to be born, she is one day old today.
 Love Spring and also Summer, Autumn and Winter the beginning of a new season means change to our eating, style and activities, it changes our perspectives on our surroundings, living in the bush amongst the gumtrees I love to watch the changing colours and textures around us It's so inspiring to me and definately puts a smile on my dial.
This morning the kids have played tea sets, cubby's and block cities with basket/pipe cleaner semi trailers carting the blocks around the house.  I love seeing them play in this way and I'm so excited that my niece Iluka now has a best buddy to grow and play with, you just cannot beat it...joy.
 This afternoon the children and I are going to get muddy in the garden, there is SOO much to do out there but rather than get frazzled I will look beyond the overgrown grass, felled trees that need stacking and sticks and bark to be raked and I will do little by little and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings.  Another mission we have in the garden is to fill up the sand pit and improve the kids play area with a swing, mud kitchen and gravel pit for the trucks...we will get there.  I will post photo's of before and after, am yet to improve my skills in those areas, I shall one day have beautifully shot photo's with amazing light and juxtaposed objects!

Weekend pieces

Little Bears favorite thing in the world,
found like this.........

and like this.......
A naughty puppy making her mark.

Fixed by daddy with love.

Secrets shared on top of the ute.....

Miss S.....

Where there's Heidi there's a stick...

Mr Spaghetti.....

Gumboots all the way....

Plum the naughty puppy and me....

Thoughtful hubby....

Good food after hard work.....

Playtime....

My boys...sent me this while
I was at the hairdressers...

Sunday thoughts...

All is peaceful all is calm. The house is empty at this point in time.  The children are with Ben (hubby) taking Cooper my step-son home to Geelong after a lovely, noisy, excited weekend with us.  I love having a full house.  The noise and the mess don't worry me for temporary catch-ups with friends or family, it's messy love... So Ben is taking them out to lunch and then to the park by the bay, it will be warmer there and I wish I was with them although we don't all fit in the car and the solitude is so so so lovely for a while, Ben knows that I need it and this memory for the children of them with daddy on this fun day running around at the park by the bay full of freedom, fresh sea air and daddy, will be a happy one that they will remember forever....
 I'm feeling tugged at times when Bens home, I want to spend every moment with him and the children, however I also need to rejuvenate, I really do need some down time and some private time with my beautiful husband.  Saturday night I'd organised a double date night with good friends of ours, we were so excited babysitters organised, outfits chosen and then Miss S, 'oh dear' became ill....poor bubba, poor mama and papa.  Not to worry ! We've had a lovely weekend, some moments to ourselves, Miss S is fully recovered and everyone is happy.  Good food, snuggles and cuddles, laughs and dreams and some wet, cold days.  Winter will not last forever I am telling myself....
Friday I registered for the 6km Ballarat fun run and the following day caught up with a group of social runners.  Running without the pusher I surprised myself completely and am now mentally prepared to train for the 12km run instead.  I'm so proud and excited and hooked on running, the mental challenge, the physical challenge and the tight butt!!  Ben and I have a bet actually, we are both going to run and first to finish between us gets either a fishing charter or a day at the spa!!!  I've got this in the bag for sure!!!  I'ts our own little challenge...together...I'ts already so much fun and it will entertain us even while we're apart.  I'm so proud of my darling for setting this up and even though I laugh at him and my own jokes (I honestly am soo funny!!)  to much, I love him to pieces, he's so supportive and romantic and knows me so well, we are so different, complete opposites and sometimes that is hard, but we're good at getting through "stuff" and he laughs at my jokes and me his.  I get  scared that one of us will leave this world to soon, so again take note and enjoy the little things!!!! xx

Our Home

In our home on any day you may find;
There's drawings on the walls, and children being kind;
There's yoghurt in our hair and of course a bear in there.
There's a blanket cubbyhouse and cushions on the floor;
There's coffee on the stove and a knock at the door.
My beautiful son yelling frustratedly at me; "I'm able! To do it myself don't you see and I really don't mind if it bothers you and me!"
There's most likely noise and singing and  laughter, although sometimes there's roaring and a guilty mama after;
 And so I cry on the phone to my husband in Perth so supportive and loving every cent he is worth.
There's hopefully music playing and bottoms wriggling to the beat,
And me dreaming of the summertime oh I miss the heat.
There's wood on the fire and washing on the line;
 There's dishes in the sink and never enough time;
There's lifes little messes and toys all around and so many delightful moments waiting to be found.
Life is what you make it that is what they say, a home is where the heart is.... Have a happy day. x

Melting moments

My darlings are in bed,  they've been asleep now for nearly two hours I've just been down to check on them and they've not moved.  Last night Mum and Dad came for dinner which was lovely and relaxed although Mr S did not want to go to bed he's so stubborn and yet so gorgeous.  When he's fighting the idea of sleep we have a little routine,  if that fails  I put him to bed once again and then after closing the door  (he sleeps with it closed) I wait in the room with him until he gives in and snuggles into bed.  I usually sit in the rocking chair trying not to count the minutes although I've had to stand lately as  he's been getting on my lap, I don't want to get into the habit of rocking him to sleep no matter how lovely it is.  So Mr S is snuggling into my legs as little ones do, chatting away and eventually asking "why aren't you speaking to me mummy?" followed by  "mummy I love you, I love you, why aren't you answering me" so once again I repeat that it's time to sleep and once he's in bed I'll tuck him in.  Three times he walked towards his bed and then turned away at the last minute "stubborn!"  Eventually he snuggled down and we had our kisses and our "how much I love you's"  and then half asleep my three year old said to me "mummy I'm sorry I hit you before" tears welled up in my eyes as they are now.  My beautiful boy did throw a tantrum earlier and did whack me gently though surprisingly in the face as a result.  Now just before sleep he's thinking of what he'd done and is saying sorry to me, oh melt my heart I would go through it all again for that moment with my handsome boy.
 It had been a funny few days before this highlight, I've mentioned before at times I feel as though the children are getting a little cheeky, not listening or doing what is asked of them, and Mr S seemed to be crying in protest more regularly, I was lacking patience and tolerance at times.  I wish I was always my calm, happy self  that's how I would describe myself although some days its as though I've run out.  I'm now recording these days to see if it's hormonal.  If so can anything be done? Damn those hormones honestly don't we women have enough to deal with!

Anyhow my point is that today compared to the previous three was easy and flowing, a normal good day.  And this is how it began....I was awake lying in bed wishing I could make the children breakfast and myself a coffee and crawl back under the covers with my book, although I had my group training session that I do love.  Right at that moment "bang crash!!!!! Time to get up.  As I got to the kitchen the girls almost started crying worried looks on their faces "mummy it just..."   Oh those angels, they'd decided to put away  the groceries that had not yet been put away and after a few to many heavy items on the top shelf of the fridge the shelf slipped out, ooops....  I hugged my darlings what a sweet sweet gesture,  I was so proud of them and as I looked up from our cuddle I noticed the large box of fruit that they'd unpacked high into the fruit basket a beautiful colourful prism. Bless them...

I am often upset with my efforts as a mum I find some parts come easily and other parts or times are such a struggle, sometimes I'm so riddled with guilt and other times I'm cruising along dreaming of another! Looking back on moments like these though I'm thinking at this moment that its okay and that they are beautiful, caring children and Its not so bad the job that I'm doing, at this moment.....x

Shake things up a bit

Morning all!  The days are getting slightly warmer and we've even seen the sun for a moment or two recently.  One cannot help but think of sunny happy days ahead where lifestyle turns to outdoors, bare feet and sun kissed cheeks. Oh I cannot wait, have recently begun feeling a bit of cabin fever, I feel as though we are watching to much t.v, we need to get outside for an entire day and play and play and play.  I'm also over colds and such bugs....yuck!!! so over it although I have noticed this month that bugs are short lived, our immune systems are finally gaining some strength.
Earlier this week I was reading Planning with Kids  Nicole gave an overview of her routine during the week, I love getting insight into other women's days how do they manage? What do they let slip from time to time? Which are the main priorities within that household and most importantly I always come out with a handy tip or two.  The thing that stood out for me in this blog was that playtime with the children was included, it's obviously an important part of the day and one that I sometimes find tricky to include each day.  So after reading this blog I felt inspired and changed things around in my routine, we usually have play time in the arvo and usually its after the cleaning or a busy day out of the house and before cooking dinner and bathtime, looking back now I'm thinking "der Jodes!!!, tired, busy, hungry time of day!!!" what was I thinking???  So last week we changed things, after breaky and clean up we played (it worked out well as Little Bear was recovering from a bug and we weren't planning on being anywhere all day) It happened naturally actually the children were asking for me to join in and so we built towers and Mr Spaghetti the dinosaur knocked them over, we built leggo houses and castles and after an hour or so I set up a little doctors bag with bandages and syringes etc and the children went on to play nurses while I began on the house work.  I couldn't believe the calm through out the house everyone happy and satisfied, and in giving the children the full attention for that hour they were content on letting me do my thing for an hour before lunch.  After lunch we made muffins together as a yummy treat.  The girls made rasberry and chocolate (cocoa) and Mr Spaghetti and I made Date and Sultana, all without sugar and packed with oats, almond meal and chia seeds, a drizzle of Maple Syrup before putting them in the oven and fingers crossed.  Wow, these were great!!! I am still getting use to this old oven and create more disasters than wholesome goodness in the cake department, but these worked a treat I forgot to mention we used Jalna Vanilla yogurt (no sugar) also and it gave them a lovely moist texture. MMmm mmmm, we were very proud.
So what is on for today, well you wouldn't believe it Little Bear and I came down with sore throats last night and Little Bear a temp also, so today another day at home no ballet or kinder.  A light  lunch lots of fruit and I think a bush walk afterwards.  We fed the kookaburras on Sunday it looks as if they're building a nest in a tree at the front of our house we shall take the binoculars out with us for a closer look.  And a bit of house cleaning ....of course.
I went for a 4km run with Mr Spaghetti in the pusher yesterday, my leg felt great and I noticed myself smiling half way through.  It felt so wonderful,  a beautiful day at the lake, still and misty and not as cold as previous mornings and Mr Spaghetti and I were just happy.....Such a lovely way to be and jogging 4kms I had time to enjoy it,  a lovely distraction for the hard work of my legs and lungs!!
I hope you all out there are enjoying your happy days and if your missing out on them lately hang in there and  perhaps shake things up a bit.  x

Happy thoughts before bed

I'm on my way to bed, I feel drained and sleepy and am going to bed earlier than usual which is another of my little challenges this week.  It has been a long day, very emotional and I've thought way to much, am sure that I shall sleep well tonight and a new day should be there waiting in the morning.  I did go for a run today which of course helped but I later realised that my phone is not working at all and so have missed my husbands little message's throughout the day which always give me strength.
 So happy thoughts before bed, I have a beautiful little life that I'm very in love with, I am still challenging myself and growing as a person, meeting wonderful people, my beautiful husband is home in 3 or 4 sleeps, I found words of encouragement and although written by a stranger I'm sure they were aimed at me, my 3 little angels are safe and well tucked up in their beds dreaming of their special places and I remembered to lock-up the chickens  tonight (Jack frost has been out of late). Nighty night. x 

A little bit of Saturday....

Beautiful day at the beach today, fresh salty air, gorgeous company and envy over those lucky few on there boards in that glorious swell.....ooooohhh to be free to be free!  The children kicked of shoes and built sand castles while we sipped on lattes and milkshakes.  Lots of cuddles and daydreaming out to sea, that magical sea!  The children  and  I will awake in the morning revived from the salt air and the sun and I shall sneak out for a run as I missed out this morning.  Hopefully another sunny day and  outside again we can play!
No sugar now for SIX days, I'm proud to say that little in my cupboard  actually contains sugar apart from the sugar (which I've left on the bench) and the honey  and that chocolate which is still in the cupboard and not been touched since Sunday.  Each night I've fought my sugar cravings and by night two I ate and ate (sugar free), searching for the hit.  Tonight I've not even flinched, I don't think I want it, wow....
Today my phone is playing up, I cannot be heard when I make calls so it's like I've been prank calling people all day and I can hear them and their worried, confused voices.  The timing is perfect however as on Tuesday I ordered myself a new phone as the camera and often the touch screen don't work on my current one, to often man handled by kiddlets one, two and three!  Hubby also has the charger for our big camera and  he's away so I am having  big happy snap and hubby withdrawals! Watch out  happy snap blog coming up!! x

The Sugar what?????

I've just eaten a spinach, beetroot and goats cheese salad with chickpeas and lemon yogurt dressing, whoo hoo!  Mrs Spunky is doing a two week sugar free challenge, absolutely no sugar, no honey, nothing, zip, not a trace, she's even checking the ingredients on breads etc WHOO HOO!!!
 I decided to see if I could cut out the tsp of sugar I have in my coffee twice a day, It somehow was quite easy, I don't miss it at all, very surprising.  So as The Sugar Challenge date neared I somehow decided to see how I would go.  I'm still deciding if this was a good idea or not.  The timing was as good as it could get, the new fitness routine and step up from walking to jogging has really increased my confidence and enthusiasm.  Also my diet to date is quite balanced and contains minimal processed foods.  The real challenge for me, oh golly! "the kids are in bed and I'm exhausted, if I just fold that pile of washing and tidy up I can treat myself to 1/2 a block of top deck" challenge.........
It's day four and I'm coping, a little surprised to see what they sneak sugar into these days but going well.  It's quite amazing actually by challenging yourself how you end up looking for healthier alternatives rather than simply omitting sweet.  My downfalls in the healthy eating department are not enough fruit, not enough water and too much Chocolate.  While I've not yet found a replacement for my nightly binge (Mrs Spunky told me to try fruit, an orange perhaps, well last night I wanted to throw an orange at her! )  I've replaced honey on my porridge with dried and fresh fruits and afternoon snacks are now natural yogurt and fruit and nuts rather than well no yogurt and probably not enough fruit.
So these changes are okay, the one thing I've not omitted is the soy milk of which I probably drink 500ml a day, it contains raw sugar.  Everything else is gone. Yay!  I think I'm feeling better and I seem to be sleeping better, as the weeks progress I will notice more of a differnce.  Some of the girls are doing the challenge for weight-loss others for a healthier lifestyle, the idea is to make the challenge a couple of times annually to create a healthier happier you.  Have a look at  fitness food and style a very inspirational blog where Danny keeps a daily record of her diet, including photographs of the food and also before and after shots of her pregnancies.xx

Simple and sweet

 Siting here in our backroom looking out into the surrounding bush watching the heavy clouds rambling through with each gust of wind, I've a moment to stop and enjoy one of the most rewarding yet simple things in life....A peaceful cuppa.
 Little Bear and Miss S (who now prefers to be called Little Rabbit) have had an exciting dress-up day at kinder and Mr Spaghetti has had an unexpected nap  and so now after healthy snacks in the car and warm milk at home they're content on being content...yay!!!
So in this moment of calm I'm looking out at the view and thinking back over the last few days and looking forward to the weekend ahead. We are now on holidays, we've a relaxing weekend approaching, I'm feeling happy and not drained as is often the case (new work-out routine to thank for this),  and my big accomplishment this week running the local lake 6km non-stop!  The thought however that is lingering in my mind at this time is when my darlings came to my bedroom recently requesting that I hop back into bed while presenting me with a bowl of  Weetbix and cold milk a glass of water and three beautiful smiles....Breakfast in bed! Melt my heart and how I cannot wait until they're old enough to use the stove and make me a coffee.
Simple little things that when taken note of  can be delightful and add difference to your day.  Letting a smile from a stranger reach your heart and uplift your mood, chatting with a neighbour as people generations before us did, complimenting someone knowing you may have helped turn their day around, catching up with good friends who make you feel great, three empty plates at the dinner table veggies and all, seeing the dining room cleared of ironing, a beautiful bird call that can be heard over everything else, a party invitation, listening in on a sweet imaginative conversation between children, romantic text or compliment from a loved one, chivalry and beautiful manners, and of course the smell of fresh washing that has dried on the line. Ahhhh.....Take note and let the simple things delight.x

One month to go

My three year old is on the couch.  He'd been put to bed 10 minutes earlier, tucked in tight, warm milk and a kiss.   This had lasted long enough for me to sit down with a cuppa and blanket also tucked in tightly.  He is now looking at me from the couch while crunching on lolly-pop left overs, I should be over there quick as a flash removing the sticky mess and straight back to bed for him.  I'm not, obviously, I'm here writing.  
My husband works away, I usually do not bring it up  however he's supposed to be there now on that couch looking at me.  We were supposed to have one more night together before he's three am departure for four weeks.  We've been robbed of twelve precious hours together and it's a shock to my system. I miss him.  So it's time to keep busy, the first few hours are the hardest.  My girls had tears in their eyes today saying goodbye to daddy and tomorrow my son will call out excitedly to dad before realizing  that he's not here and that he misses him.  I will feel lonely and hope that he's okay without his family.  One week of keeping busy  and time will heal, daily life will take over and before we know it one week to go! xx