At Christmas time I love to get my friends gifts. It is something that fuels my soul. I take a lot of time thinking and praying about what would be best for them and what would be meaningful. This is just part of who I have become and I am thankful for it. However it means that I would also love to spend a bit of time with that person when I give them that gift. That isn't always possible around this time of year! This year my cousin and I tried to do a family dinner together. She is a mother of five and I am a mother of four. Her children got the flue and time ran out for the said dinner. We tried to figure out and evening for the two of us to meet and that didn't happen. Then I decided as I was headed out of town one morning I would drop the gift off at her house. She let me know she had to be grocery shopping and would not be home. I couldn't drop it off any other time so I told her I would find her in the store during her grocery shop. This is a crazy time of year to be in any store where I live. This particular store was over full. There was limited parking, line ups were long, people were harried as they had come early hoping to avoid the rush but too many others had had that same thought. SO! my four children and I hurried through the store trying to avoid carts and looking down aisles. I don't have a cell phone so I couldn't connect with her that way. We found her and her five children in the bread aisle. Her two youngest angels were in the cart and the other three were all around her. Her cart was full and she was nearing the end of her shop. I appeared with my four and our children visited while we exchanged our gifts trying to keep out of the way of other people's carts. It felt like a classic mom moment. Then she finished her shop and I headed to my appointment. It was great to see her and exchange gifts and hugs.
Whatever your quality time looks like this Christmas I hope it is special and fills you with joy.
Love Tansy
Sunday, 23 December 2018
Merry Almost Christmas!
Christmas is almost here! We got our tree back in November and it has been in our house a month. It has died and is a much lighter green than when it started out! Also the tree has been 'redecorated' a couple times by certain individuals. It looks pretty funny. I will be taking it down much earlier than usual! As tonight is the night before Christmas Eve it is after 9:00 and my children are all still awake. They have been tucked in, some multiple times, had their epsom salts baths and were given magnesium but the excitement is just too high! How have your Christmas preparations gone for you? This year mine have been a mix of fun finding the perfect treasures and stress and anxiety as the tasks often seem immense and too much for one person to do. I know a lot of my friends are feeling the same weight. They are mothers. They want Christmas to be special but often that seems to mostly rest on their shoulders. For whatever reasons there are not grandparents involved in ways that lift the pressure. The help of grandparents in a young familie's life is completely priceless. During holidays when that presence is not available it is felt so deeply by mothers who are trying to create beautiful memories and moments for their children. This year I really felt aware of my choices and how much I was doing. I felt like this year I needed to sacrifice a lot of myself for my family for many reasons. It has been well worth it but hard. I heard a little message today that reminded me that even when things change and times are harder some years than others that Jesus never changes and even if we have people missing in our lives Jesus is not. I loved that. I want to hold that close.
A little side note:
I am so wanting to post so many pictures and things on my blog but something has happened with our server and whenever I try to upload pictures it says that the server has been rejected. I need to call our Internet provider and try to get this fixed but there has just not been the time as calling them can mean hours on the phone on hold. I am sorry if you are checking my blog and nothing new is here! I miss writing.
Tomorrow on Christmas Eve our family does not have too many things we do tradition wise. However something that DOES happen is that we do a little family Christmas draw. That means each child has gone out and bought a gift for someone else in the family. This brings much excitement. They are so excited to go pick the gift, wrap it, and give it. Also unwrapping a gift on Christmas Eve is something they so look forward to. My four year old decided he wanted to get his eight year old sister a diamond! We have a twenty dollar limit with this gift draw so a real diamond wasn't in the cards for him. However she will be recieving the four year old version of a diamond. He can't keep a secret so she already knows :)
This week we have baked and brought the results along with cards to our neighbors. My husband and I attended a Christmas party. We don't go out much and so this was really quite special. I had such a lovely time. This week I have had times of wild tears, my body melting with exhaustion, and then there are such bright beautiful moments that give me strength to keep on going.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and there are bright beautiful moments that give you strength and keep you going,
Love Tansy
A little side note:
I am so wanting to post so many pictures and things on my blog but something has happened with our server and whenever I try to upload pictures it says that the server has been rejected. I need to call our Internet provider and try to get this fixed but there has just not been the time as calling them can mean hours on the phone on hold. I am sorry if you are checking my blog and nothing new is here! I miss writing.
Tomorrow on Christmas Eve our family does not have too many things we do tradition wise. However something that DOES happen is that we do a little family Christmas draw. That means each child has gone out and bought a gift for someone else in the family. This brings much excitement. They are so excited to go pick the gift, wrap it, and give it. Also unwrapping a gift on Christmas Eve is something they so look forward to. My four year old decided he wanted to get his eight year old sister a diamond! We have a twenty dollar limit with this gift draw so a real diamond wasn't in the cards for him. However she will be recieving the four year old version of a diamond. He can't keep a secret so she already knows :)
This week we have baked and brought the results along with cards to our neighbors. My husband and I attended a Christmas party. We don't go out much and so this was really quite special. I had such a lovely time. This week I have had times of wild tears, my body melting with exhaustion, and then there are such bright beautiful moments that give me strength to keep on going.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and there are bright beautiful moments that give you strength and keep you going,
Love Tansy
Wednesday, 12 December 2018
The Unseen
There is a constant shifting and moving in the unseen. Under the earth where our sight cannot see we know there are deep root structures, animals nestled, insects burrowing, bulbs waiting to be summoned again. We cannot see this yet we know it to be true because we see the trees growing tall, we see the flowers grow and bloom. When we dig down into the earth we see the proof of it as well.
So it is in our bodies. There is a constant movement of our blood through our arteries and veins, oxygen flowing through us and carbon dioxide out, and the brain is ever sending its' silent messages.
In the Ocean's depth the constant flow of currents, the tides that go in and out, all the sea life that thrives in all the layers of the depths. We can't see this but when we investigate and search it is all there.
So many unseen movements, lives, happenings ~ unseen and yet there.
How must it also be in the spiritual realm of the unseen. The constant shifting and moving of powers struggling for monopoly. The evil always fighting to have its way ~ to ensnare and enshroud ~ while glorious good constantly waves its banner of truth infusing light and beauty, at some point, in every dark place. We feel our heart beat and yet we cannot see it. We feel the battle of good versus evil and yet it is not always obviously seen. The theme in it all is that it is indeed there ~ powerful, vital, and needing to be acknowledged. The good brings us clarity, encouragement, and hope, while the evil brings lies, anxiety and confusion.
In being aware of this we are less trapped between the tension and are free to clearly choose our course. The unseen, though unseen exists. The unseen in nature, in our bodies, in the Sea, is all crucial to our vitality ~ and this rings true with the spiritual realm as well. Being alert to more than is directly in front of our eyes will give us the awareness we need to really grow and shift and choose.
I offer these thoughts during a season of time where many struggle. Christmas time can bring up deeply buried hurts. This pain and sadness can either be faced, acknowledged, felt and processed and light can be shone to bring healing into that place inside, or it can go other ways that are more harmful and cause even more pain. Be aware of the unseen, of the whole body ~ the spiritual, mental, emotional, physical body. It is all connected. It all matters just as much.
xo
Tansy
So it is in our bodies. There is a constant movement of our blood through our arteries and veins, oxygen flowing through us and carbon dioxide out, and the brain is ever sending its' silent messages.
In the Ocean's depth the constant flow of currents, the tides that go in and out, all the sea life that thrives in all the layers of the depths. We can't see this but when we investigate and search it is all there.
So many unseen movements, lives, happenings ~ unseen and yet there.
How must it also be in the spiritual realm of the unseen. The constant shifting and moving of powers struggling for monopoly. The evil always fighting to have its way ~ to ensnare and enshroud ~ while glorious good constantly waves its banner of truth infusing light and beauty, at some point, in every dark place. We feel our heart beat and yet we cannot see it. We feel the battle of good versus evil and yet it is not always obviously seen. The theme in it all is that it is indeed there ~ powerful, vital, and needing to be acknowledged. The good brings us clarity, encouragement, and hope, while the evil brings lies, anxiety and confusion.
In being aware of this we are less trapped between the tension and are free to clearly choose our course. The unseen, though unseen exists. The unseen in nature, in our bodies, in the Sea, is all crucial to our vitality ~ and this rings true with the spiritual realm as well. Being alert to more than is directly in front of our eyes will give us the awareness we need to really grow and shift and choose.
I offer these thoughts during a season of time where many struggle. Christmas time can bring up deeply buried hurts. This pain and sadness can either be faced, acknowledged, felt and processed and light can be shone to bring healing into that place inside, or it can go other ways that are more harmful and cause even more pain. Be aware of the unseen, of the whole body ~ the spiritual, mental, emotional, physical body. It is all connected. It all matters just as much.
xo
Tansy
Monday, 10 December 2018
Technical Issues
Happy Monday morning!
I just wanted to come on here to let you know that my Internet and Computer are not working properly and have not been for a while. I can't upload pictures or get a proper connection. I am so sorry!
I hope you week is wonderful
Tansy
I just wanted to come on here to let you know that my Internet and Computer are not working properly and have not been for a while. I can't upload pictures or get a proper connection. I am so sorry!
I hope you week is wonderful
Tansy
Sunday, 2 December 2018
Happenings
I wanted to post a little update on what we have been up to lately! Life has been full to say the least! My husband and daughter just returned from a trip to Jamaica where they were visiting friends. Their trip was life giving and meaningful. They loved every minute of the experience. This was my oldest's first time leaving our country. It was an incredible feeling for me to know that they were having such a great time and that they were having a great time together. The children and I at home also did well. There were ups and downs which were to be expected. My husband is a landlord and I don't usually consider myself part of that equation. However when he was gone a furnace stopped working at one of his houses. I had to step up and find a technician. The issue was not straightforward at first and I think the tech had to come at least three times and I went to the house at least four times. In the end the furnace was fixed and it was a good learning experience for me. My husband also scheduled for our roof to be redone when he was gone. Once again, a new and good experience for me as I was responsible for things I would not usually have been. It was nice to have time to appreciate him and all he does for our family!
We got our Christmas tree early this year because the rain and grey weather had come and I wanted our house to feel cozy and festive. We don't have many decorations other than the tree. It has been wonderful to have it there and remind me of many happy things.
I have been doing Christmas shopping much earlier this year than ever before. I have my reasons but it is December 2nd today and I am almost done! However each weekend for the last little while and some evenings have been filled with shopping and that is draining. I also have almost all my Christmas cards written and having this done feels amazing. I often write eighty cards but this year I tried to pair it down and have about 50 to write. I am not including a family picture this year so that makes it even easier. I have to say it feels encouraging to be this organized, but this year I feel like I have to. I shop for quite a few people and I love buying and giving gifts. It takes a lot of my time and energy! As the year comes to a close I want to be able to have time to take in all the beauty and specialness surrounding this time.
The children have been helping around the house a lot ~ more so than they ever have. This has taken a long time in coming. When my husband and oldest were gone my next in line child, who tends to not ever want to try new things (fear of failure etc), was suddenly up for the job. He was amazing. He made breakfasts, did laundry, helped with the bed time routine and warmed my heart with his empathy and caring attitude. I can't express how much good this did my heart. I don't know if you are mother of special needs children but I am. Often many days are like going up a very big hill. It is exhausting and so much rests on your shoulders. To have my son who has struggled so much in his life, feel capable and calm, was like a miracle to me.
We have not been working to intensely on homeschooling lately as there has been a lot of other things going on. We did home school during the Summer months and are ahead in most areas so it has been nice to not worry about this. When my oldest came home she hosted a ladies Christmas tea. It was supposed to be at our home but my three youngest came down with colds. She ended up having the tea at her Nana's house. This involved making invitations, planning out the itinerary, baking and cooking, making gifts for each lady, finding Bible verses for each lady and writing out a speech to give. This covered various aspects of school for her for this term. She has some amazing capabilities for someone her age and she pulled the tea off incredibly. I could not attend but I know that if I was in those ladie's shoes I would have felt so respected and blessed. This is the beautiful part of homeschooling. We have time to plan and do these sorts of special things for others.
My sister who lives with us just turned twenty six and so we had a little celebration for her and my oldest turns fourteen very soon. So we are in the midst of birthday parties as well as all the other things we do. It is a busy time for me!
I hope you are doing well as the end of the year approaches. This time tends to be very busy but there is so much opportunity as it is the time of Advent to slow down, take time, and enjoy ~
xo
Tansy
We got our Christmas tree early this year because the rain and grey weather had come and I wanted our house to feel cozy and festive. We don't have many decorations other than the tree. It has been wonderful to have it there and remind me of many happy things.
I have been doing Christmas shopping much earlier this year than ever before. I have my reasons but it is December 2nd today and I am almost done! However each weekend for the last little while and some evenings have been filled with shopping and that is draining. I also have almost all my Christmas cards written and having this done feels amazing. I often write eighty cards but this year I tried to pair it down and have about 50 to write. I am not including a family picture this year so that makes it even easier. I have to say it feels encouraging to be this organized, but this year I feel like I have to. I shop for quite a few people and I love buying and giving gifts. It takes a lot of my time and energy! As the year comes to a close I want to be able to have time to take in all the beauty and specialness surrounding this time.
The children have been helping around the house a lot ~ more so than they ever have. This has taken a long time in coming. When my husband and oldest were gone my next in line child, who tends to not ever want to try new things (fear of failure etc), was suddenly up for the job. He was amazing. He made breakfasts, did laundry, helped with the bed time routine and warmed my heart with his empathy and caring attitude. I can't express how much good this did my heart. I don't know if you are mother of special needs children but I am. Often many days are like going up a very big hill. It is exhausting and so much rests on your shoulders. To have my son who has struggled so much in his life, feel capable and calm, was like a miracle to me.
We have not been working to intensely on homeschooling lately as there has been a lot of other things going on. We did home school during the Summer months and are ahead in most areas so it has been nice to not worry about this. When my oldest came home she hosted a ladies Christmas tea. It was supposed to be at our home but my three youngest came down with colds. She ended up having the tea at her Nana's house. This involved making invitations, planning out the itinerary, baking and cooking, making gifts for each lady, finding Bible verses for each lady and writing out a speech to give. This covered various aspects of school for her for this term. She has some amazing capabilities for someone her age and she pulled the tea off incredibly. I could not attend but I know that if I was in those ladie's shoes I would have felt so respected and blessed. This is the beautiful part of homeschooling. We have time to plan and do these sorts of special things for others.
My sister who lives with us just turned twenty six and so we had a little celebration for her and my oldest turns fourteen very soon. So we are in the midst of birthday parties as well as all the other things we do. It is a busy time for me!
I hope you are doing well as the end of the year approaches. This time tends to be very busy but there is so much opportunity as it is the time of Advent to slow down, take time, and enjoy ~
xo
Tansy
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