Heart Reflections Live

Labels: family life, Zara

Labels: child's play, Easter, Poem, Talitha, Zara

I couldn't resist posting this one! This is our 4 year old Zara, who, by her own admission, LOVES TO WORK!!!- both outside with Daddy, and inside with her Mama. "What can I do to help?" or "What jobs have you got for me?" are 2 of her favourite questions.

When she plays, she plays work- cooking, picnics, feeding her babies, or her newest thing "playing homeschool" and teaching herself outside homeschool time.

You know I was thinking just the other day what an asset our children are, and yet so many consider them a stress or a liability. During my last ante-natal visit, I was discussing with the doctors my extreme weakness, breathlessness and lethargy this pregnancy. The doctor said, "It's probably a combination of being 40, carrying twins, having a low blood count and heamaglobin, oh, and of course you have 2 at home."

I had to disagree with the last phrase. Yes, our children aren't perfect, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have days when they stress me out (especially while pregnant!), but they are such a blessing and a help and a joy! I love home-schooling them and watching them learn, and at the moment being so weak and not being able to keep house to the standard I'd like; sitting down and schooling them makes me feel that my days are not being wasted. My doctor looked shocked when I told him my 4 year old vaccuums for me at the moment. I didn't mention the dishes she wipes or the laundry she folds and helps me hang on the line. ( The sight of Zara turning herself head-first and up-side-down into the washing machine to unload it for me is SO funny! BTW I don't ask her to do that and I try to stop her, but her heart to help is tremendous!). Some people find it odd I guess to find a 4 year old who's not glued to the TV or computer screen or off having fun at daycare.

I may be having a difficult pregnancy, and walking the path less chosen being a Stay-at -Home , homeschooling Mother, but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way!

Labels: child's play, keeper at home, motherhood, parenthood, pregnancy, Zara

I had my first dental appointment in a long time last Tuesday, and having had major work done in the past it was no big deal to me, rather I eagerly anticipated it.

As I was getting ready to leave, hubby had a sudden change of plans, so I was to take the children with me, and he would most probably be there to meet me by the time my appointment rolled around. I must have be called in a little early or he had been delayed, so I asked if there was room to bring the children into the treatment room with me, while I waited for my husband. Both the girls had a few small books in their bags and they sat down in the corner and started to read- I prayed they'd stay good as I hopped into the chair for a scale and polish, checkup and to get some broken bonding fixed.

As, in the past, I had to have some teeth ground down a bit to fix a major problem, they can be quite sensitive during a scale so I'm usually offered happy gas for the duration of the procedure. I specified that I only needed a little bit, as I don't like feeling spun out and I knew I'd have to keep an ear out on the children.

I breathed in, started to feel nice and floatly, but not too spun out and the procedure began. As the scaling machine had a break, I became aware of another rhythmic sound in the room- Miss 6 was singing "Shalom, Jerusalem" joyfully and quite loudly! I nearly laughed out loud, in spite of the equipment in my mouth, but since I couldn't ask her to stop and neither the dentist or nurse blinked an eyelid, I let her sing away.

Hubby soon arrived, checked that the girls had been good, and the dentist said, "They've been great, hardly knew they were here. One of them sang a mantra? to keep Mum relaxed..."

As I rinsed and rose from the chair I said, "That's the first time I've ever heard Talitha sing "Shalom Jerusalem" while under happy gas- that was weird! I'm so glad I don't do drugs!"

He laughed.

And the really good news- besides the girls being good during my appointment- I Had NO CAVITIES!!!

Labels: family life, funny things, Talitha, Zara

And she BLEW those candles out!!

Here is Zara Hope with her flower cake. My husband asked her specifically what cake she would like for her4th birthday, and she said- a Flower... Must be the budding (pardon the pun) gardener in her!!

My husband and I made the cake together. I baked it and mixed the icing, and then my creative hubby got busy cutting the flower shape, mixing the colourings and completing the creation. She loved it!!

I can't believe little Zara is 4 already!!

Labels: being at home, family life, Zara

This has to be one of my all-time favourite photos of Zara. I call her "My little Curly Top".

Her favourite things at 4 are Being a Princess, gardening with Daddy, playing cooking, and helping with cleaning, and reading -especially Bible Stories.

She melts our hearts...

Labels: Milestones, Zara

Here is a photo of the girls together as we celebrated Talitha's 6th Birthday at my parents' place. She is holding 2 of her gifts- a "Princess" bag and the "Hans Christian Andersen" DVD.

Zara, aged 3, in the photo looks deceptively tall, but she is kneeling on a chair.

Our girls are such a blessing to us!

Labels: family life, Milestones, Talitha, Zara

Little Zara, aged 3, had gone outside to play and since she was being especially quiet, I thought I had better check on her.

I opened our front door, saw her shoes and socks on the steps, and there was Zara sitting very quietly, barefoot, knees to chest, peacefully gazing around.

"What are you doing, Dear-one?," I asked.

• Zara replied, "I'm looking at the ants, flowers, clouds, birds and all the beautiful things God made. And I am having my quiet time."

I left her gazing reverently around, my heart full and thankful.

For those who know us personally, doesn't this sweet print look so much like our Zara Hope.

Labels: everyday life lessons, Faith, family, Zara

In July, we began, with the Lord's leading, a small Church in the town where we live. (And God is blessing us mightily!).

The week after we began, our little girls built.... A CATHEDRAL!!!

Out of Duplo! And they played "Church" with it for a couple of weeks.

It is my earnest prayer, that our family's Faith in Christ would truly enlarge and deepen with every generation...

Labels: church, Faith, family, family fun, family life, generations, Talitha, Zara

Labels: family, Talitha, testing times, Zara

As you may have seen on the news, last Tuesday was Bindi Irwin's 9th Birthday, and in the usual Australia Zoo tradition, it was a grand event with all children FREE!

Hubby thought it was a great reason for a Daddy & Daughters day out, & it was greatly anticipated by both our girls, especially Talitha, who got a day off school! While not an official public holiday, many children from all over the Sunshine Coast often go, as it is a much more economical way to enjoy the Australia Zoo experience and the Irwins are like the Royal Family of the Sunshine Coast.

Talitha & Zara had a ball! with both girls getting to hug Bindi & wish her Happy Birthday (Talitha twice!). Talitha got Terri's autograph, Zara had a pony ride & they enjoyed some of the extra events schedualed for the birthday- that is except for the Aussie rock group , The Veronicas!

The music started while they were seated in the grand stand & Talitha covered her ears & said, "This music is yucky! I don't want to hear The MORONICAS!! & yes I'm serious she really did say this!! Our girls have good taste in music!! They escaped & headed out for lunch, where they rang me to give an update.

Anyway apart from the music, a good time was had by all. The picture of Bindi was taken by my hubby, as she was making candles.

Labels: Australia Zoo, family fun, Talitha, Zara

We've not long finished schoolholidays & it was such a delight to have Talitha home with us every day for 2 weeks, now she is back at school, Zara is missing her already, but this past saturday, they had a wonderful time playing together.

We'd promised to take them to see the Flaxton Minature Village, if they were good- and they were. They were both dressed up in pink dresses with long sleeves underneath to go out, & imaginations flowing freely, they discovered if they tucked paper napkins into the back of their dresses near the sleeve hole, they could have angel wings!! And "fly" they did, pretty visions in pink & white. One of Talitha's wings fell off & she decided to be an Aussie Mozzie for a while & then experimented turning some of her rag dolls & teddy bears into angels too!

How glad I am that we don't buy our children many of the things we see in toy catalogues- everything is so commercialized. I agree ( & so do our girls) with Anne of Green Gables that there's more scope for the imagination without them...

Labels: child's play, Talitha, Zara

Labels: art, Zara

Labels: being at home, Talitha, Zara

I was up early reading my Bible, Good Friday morning, when little Zara (aged 3), decided to join me. She'd been getting me to read her "The Legend of the Easter Egg" & "The Easter Story" nearly every day for about a week, so I thought I'd read her one of the Good Friday accounts from my King James, with a little commentary from Mum.

She was listening diligently, when I said with excitement, "What happened Zara after they laid Jesus in the tomb?"

Zara pondered for a moment and said, "He got an egg?"

Not quite the answer I was looking for!!

Labels: Easter, funny things, Zara

Labels: The Lord's Day, Zara