i'm grateful for . . . 'little changes making a huge impact'

Greetings all,

Spring is a great time to turn-out-your-life & turn-over-new-leaves . . . warmer weather is inspirational, that said, it snowed at the supermarket yesterday!!  I loathe the expression 'busy mum' & 'juggling family' as it sounds like you're too busy for life because of your children or you're on the brink of dropping someone.  If you schedule & make time, you can do everything, truly.  I was a full time working mother back in the 90s with a husband overseas, i did it all for 2 years, everyone was happy . . . cloth nappies, breastfeeding, homemade puree food, exercise . . . . i wanted it, so i dedicated myself to making it happen.  Fast forward 11 years of being a housewife . . . running my family is my full time job & i cherish the opportunity, so i do it with gusto - we make our own pasta, juice, herbs, vegetables, chickens laying eggs & i maintain the house.  Above all, my family comes first no matter how much time they need, which is why i tear around during the day ticking off my chores, errands & exercise so i'm available in the afternoons/ evenings/ weekends.  Having my husband home for these 6 months is making life SO manageable with 4 children, as he cooks the weeknight dinners, yay!!

High school is the business end of parenting, you have to be undistracted & dedicated.  I love the time i'm alone with my daughter, often in the car, to gauge where she's at.  Teenage moods can change like the wind, no warning, we've had smooth sailing, yet are prepared for the outbursts & inexplicable drama sparks.  Over-reacting because i'm too busy, is the worst way to handle them.  I thank her for being so normal & easy, to remember she is loved, it makes such a difference in how much she communicates & responds to my advice.  I couldn't resist this LOVE cushion for at TYPO this week, i told her she can scream, punch or cuddle it, depending on how she feels.  She rolled her eyes, that means "thanks mum, i love you too."

 On the 12 Week Body Transformation programme, the pasta suggested is wholemeal, so i tried my hand at making some - 350gm wholemeal flour & 4 fresh eggs, fantastic results.  I bake with wholemeal flour & we always make our own pasta . . . so why hadn't i combined the two & made wholemeal pasta before??  Delicious!! 

 A lot of my girlfriends are turning 40 & finding hormones & age = diet disaster so they're trying various diet & exercise programmes.  I went into the 12WBT with a calm mindset, i don't feel like i'm denying myself anything, like baking these goodies for my children's recess, i actually feel like i'm feeding my body & soul better with thoughtful nutrition.  I'm ready for this, it's working & i will stick with this mindset approaching my 40s. 

 I would often treat myself with sushi, treat??  Honestly, the calories in one sushi roll are almost an entire meal, i was eating 2 for a snack or lunch on the go??!!  I figure the money i save on sushi, i can treat myself to a pedicure every other month.  I went with OPI Greenwich Village polish, not quite the rich apple green colour i had hoped for, it will be orange in October!!  FYI the pleasure of a relaxing pedicure lasts way longer than a sushi roll!!  The chicks peck at my toes if i don't wear gum boots in the coop.

 My middle daughter would have to be our easiest child, under the radar, perfect school reports/ sports results/ class captain/ beautiful behaviour/ lovely friends/ incredible hair . . . i'm very careful not to be so grateful that i ignore her . . . the invisible child who doesn't cause any grief.  We pair up & do her favourite things together, like braiding her hair.  Sounds so old fashioned but with requests like this swirling hair do, we're braiding for an hour or so.  We talk, we tickle, it's fun & she knows she's special.

Next week i will be grateful for my next two darling children, they both have tonnes of personality!!  For more Gratefuls, check out Village Voices, love Posie