India turns 7

Dear India,

I tucked you into bed tonight and read you a special poem that your Grandma had sent me to read to you. It read:

When I have said my evening prayer,

And my clothes are folded on the chair,

And mother switches off the light,

I’ll still be __ years old tonight.

But from the very break of day,

Before the children rise and play,

Before the darkness turns to gold,

Tomorrow, I’ll be __ years old.

__ kisses when I wake,

__ candles on my cake.

We reread it again and again and filled in the blanks with 6’s and 7’s. And we practiced for when we would read it to Reeve in 5 sleeps time for his special day too. You began to cry. I asked you why you were upset and you told me it was because you were sad about growing up too fast. You said you wished you were turning 3 again and pined to be 3 forever. I asked you what it was about being 3 that made you miss it so much. You told me it was because you were free. At first I wondered what you meant by that, but tonight as I sit here and write you this birthday letter I think I know exactly what you mean. You have always been a beautiful hurricane, spiraling inward and upward. You are powerful and emotional.  And your feelings are big like a storm. When you are learning and gathering you seem frenzied but just like the eye of the storm you are calm in the middle of this process. I am often left in your wake as you reach new conclusions or find deeper understandings. Tonight you felt heavy because you miss a time when you were home with me every day, and we could paint or cook, read books or nap. Your brother was still little enough to adore you and be your captive audience without asserting his own spin. I think you realized that growing up means losing some of the freedoms that childhood innocence allows. It breaks my heart to know that you can already grasp this concept of being homesick for time well spent. But it also fills me with awe as I see your old soul growing with insight. You are a deep thinker. You are smart and you work hard at your goals. If you can master these two gifts, intellect and persistence, than anything is possible for your life sweetheart. You are worthy of all the good things, even when you fall short. Making mistakes is really hard for you to cope with, but it is also really important. Its ok to make mistakes so long as you learn from them and fail up.

You have learnt a lot this past year. I have been impressed with your transition into the big kid section of school. Year One is going extremely well. You love your teachers Miss Pearson and Mrs McComb. I feel blessed to have had these strong, kind women to help shape your view of this world and yourself. Keep working hard Indi, you are worth the effort you put in.

You have lost 6 baby teeth and had your first visit to the dentist. You were a little anxious before but handled the whole experience very well. I think not needing any work done and the sticker helped ease you into it. Perfect teeth! You also had your first xrays on your wrist for a suspected fractured hand/wrist. You had to wear a brace for 2 weeks but all results came back clear of a break. You handled all these medical procedures with courage and I think you are beginning to overcome some of your phobias regarding medical/clinical things so that is progress.

You have made new friendships at Millars Well Primary School, even though you desperately miss your Madeley girls and talk about them often. Your closest school friends are Jorja, Abigail, Rosie, Alyssa, and Miss Jessica Day. Jess was your first school friend in Karratha and I love that you are still making your friendship work even though you have been in different classes and have strong personalities. Your friends have all told me how excited they are for your party, this is because you are an exceptional friend. You are very thoughtful of others. You are generous, compassionate and kind. You have made a mini BFF in our little Choggy bub. (always remember “India, a Buuuuub!”). you are a good friend to your church friends too and such a good carer of the babies. You will make a great babysitter one day just like Sonja!

You still love to create dances and performances and recently won a merit award at school for your efforts in your class play for assembly. You did a great job Indi and I believe this is one of your talents. It makes you feel good when you make others feel happy and laugh, whether it be from a joke you tell, a prank you pull, or a dance off. Don’t let your fear of what other people think of you stop you from reaching your highest heights! You have a talent and I hope that as you grow and resources become available you can develop those talents. You have a beautiful singing voice and love music. We dance in the kitchen a lot and you tell me when I get too crazy or my singing is terrible J one of your favourite songs right now is Whip Nae Nae. You also like to make up dances to Annie’s “Hard Knock Life” jayZ version.

You still love Animals and would like to maybe be a Vet when you grow up.. or help rescue endangered animals. This shows you value life and your compassionate nature would be well suited to your current vocational aspirations.

You told me tonight that my body was soft, just like your plush toy and that’s ok; because there will be hard days and there will be good days I want you to know that I will always be a safe, soft place for you to land. I love you India. You have taught me the most about who I am, what I am capable of, and who I want to become. Your brother and you are my greatest teachers; you hold up my clearest mirrors, and I will love you forever with a love that cannot die. It is unconditional and helps me to understand the nature of God a little more.

Do not worry so much sweetheart. Growing up is a gift that we should cherish. Let’s learn together how to be present in the moments we are blessed with; let the good soak into our bones and the bad roll off our backs and let’s never stop dancing!

Love always,

 Mama xoxo

Mothers Day at Kindy Red

Today Reeve's class invited all the Mothers to stay for a special pamper session in celebration of Mother's Day. Before the activities were explained we sat and observed the children sing their morning song "Good Morning Mr Rooster". They took a roll call and then figured out the day and date for today. It was interesting to see Reeve interact. His little voice strained as he proudly sang the words. He continually looked back to me for an encouraging wink or thumbs up. 
For mothers day there were different stations that allowed to kids to paint nails, apply makeup, style hair, create jewelry, and paint a mothers portrait. Reeve was so excited as we stopped at each table and he took control of making me feel special and loved. From carefully selecting different colours for my nails to making sure I checked the mirrors as he did my makeup Reeve was so kind and nurturing. His answer to the questionnaire "about mum" were hilarious and his explanation of cooking spaghetti in his class cookbook was even funnier. As he painted my portrait he asked me to pose with my fingers in a peace sign, he was meticulous about which colours to use and explained each stroke to me. We sat together and beaded a new anklet for me to wear everyday. His fine motor skills are really improving. I was impressed with his confidence. As his personality develops I just can't help but feel excited about who he is becoming!
It was a great morning and as Reeve ate my chocolate muffin he looked up at me and smiled, saying "I love Mother's Day!". Me too son.. Me too!

the finished product

my new anklet

apparantly im 400yrs old and drink coffee

Kindy cookbook designed by the kids

Reeve's take on my spaghetti... interesting!

YW's and Micah's baptism

Late last year I was asked to fill in for Young Women's a few times and got to know Micah Rogers (13) and Te Whenua Erickson (12). They were the only young women in our branch who actively participate in the program. When i heard that Micah was not a member and was to be baptized i decided to go and support Micah on her special day. It was a beautiful service and Micah was happy and her bright bubbly self. After the baptism was finished President Pilkington asked to meet with me in his office where he extended me the call of Young Women's President. I had a flood of mixed emotions. On one hand i felt excited at the prospects of helping these gorgeous girls, and on the other hand i was terrified and felt completely under qualified for the responsibility. I immediately decided to accept the invitation and called Erana Halls as my 1st Councillor. What a God send Erana has proven to be. Our program would not run as beautifully or as creatively without her amazing gifts and talents. I feel so blessed to work with her and learn from her.Erna is a gentle soul.
Our very first activity was to bake and drop cookies off to our less active friends. the 2 girls enjoyed themselves and India loved feeling like a big girl when she was allowed to join in on the fun.

I feel like our little presidency is enjoying the opportunity to work with building faith amid an amazing group of young women. Since my call last year we have witnessed the numbers double with the addition of the Dimitrov family. Sonja (15) and Deanna (15), who are the sisters of Serena Grant, have breathed new life in our girls and add to the fun and tenacious times we share each week in both Sunday lessons and Mutual activities. We recently called Noeline Palalangi as 2nd Councillor. Again, I am humbled to work with Noeline, who has a wealth of gospel knowledge and an incredibly strong spirit. I  truly love the girls and feel a strong sense of responsibility to help them discover how to become the best version of themselves as they face the many challenges that beset the youth of this time. It is a blessing to me to understand that they are teaching me much more than i could offer to teach them.

 A few of our activities thus far...

 the hidden Walrus

 the YW made this for a activity with

 locally sourced wood, shells and hot glue guns!

 The gorgeous Erana!

Sonja and Micah rockin the mike

 Singstar battles at Erana's

 Sleep over Shenanigans 

 more dress ups

 a Native Sonja looking uber cool!

 Photo shoot from our sleep over

(Me, Deanna, Serena, Bella, Micah, Sonja, Te Whenua, & Erana)

 Micah and Deanna stole my phone and left a dozen selfies.

Christmas Day

This was our first Christmas experience away from both sides of our family. I have to admit that it was nice to be able to take the day at our own pace and allow the children to play with their new goodies without the rush to be somewhere else.

The kids woke up early and bust in excitedly! We sat with them and as they opened their stockings and unwrapped the gifts under the tree we took the time to talk about what Christmas really means, We talked about our Saviour and the greatest gifts He gives to us. Once we had finished with the majority of gift opening Kent and I gave the kids their gift from us. It was a small box each that they opened to find a series of home made gift certificates. Each certificate was something they could redeem on their surprise trip to Perth! We told them we would be leaving very early the next day to drive down and spend a week with family and friends. They could not contain their excitement. The hardest part about living in a remote town is being so far away from the ones we love so much, our children miss their special people and talk about them all the time. It was exciting to anticiapte our road trip. We then took some family photos in our new jammies and our mugs of hot choc or eggnog.

We enjoyed a sit down breakfast with muesli cups, coco pops, and croissants. We spent the day playing with new puzzle, reading new books, practicing on my new ukelele and the kids wheelie shoes. India helped me set the table and was very particular about what should go where. Turns out i was too but again, im trying to let go of the stuff that really doesn't matter. Indi continued to help me in the kitchen while we prepared, chicken & salads, and a pavlova. Once all the food preparations were over we really took the time to relax and enjoy each others company.The kids had received a PS3 game from Grandma and Grandpa Baker called Just Dance. It was so much fun to watch each other attempt to keep in time with the music and perfect dance steps. Even though the kids took turns to cry from defeat it was a fun game and one that will get a lot of use in our house.

Kent gave me a few books, a Polaroid camera, and a ukelele. I was so happy with all the gifts and in return i surprised Kent with a trip away to the Hilton without he children once we got to Perth. I also gave Kent a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit. My amazing friend Erana had made survival kits for the men in her family and i fell in love with them. I asked her if she would make me one and then i added a few extra things myself. Erana did an amazing job! the kits were made from old tobacco tins. Inside each tin were a number of useful items from fold away knives to water purification tablets. Other items like waterproof paper, a stock cube, a condom, and metal ropes. Kent enjoyed checking out his new gizmos. I hope he liked the Walking Dead theme.

We went to bed early for our early start the following morning. It was truly a beautiful day, despite the heat (45*c) and i drifted off the sleep feeling overwhelmed by my many, many blessings. Next year we go to Adelaide.

 before

 after

 my gifts

 table setting 

 India taking orders

 Reeve covered in tattoo stickers from his stocking

 India trying out my Uke

 India using her colouring pack from her stocking

 The Kit

 inside the kit

Christmas Eve and the Elf Box

One of our most loved traditions occurs on Christmas Eve. The children place the empty "Elf Box" on the front doorstep in the morning and await a knock at any time of the day. They enjoying running out to try and catch the elves and eagerly anticipate the arrival of the goodies. The elves fill the box with a new pair of pyjamas, a Christmas book to read before bedtime, a movie to watch together - with accompanying popcorn and hot choc mix, and a new mug. There is always a sqeual of delight when they find the box full. This Christmas was no exception.
Once the kids were bathed, popcorn popped, and hot chocolate prepared, we snuggled down to watch Free Birds. the kids loved this movie and so we did Kent and I. Afterwards we helped the kids set out cookies and eggnog for Santa, and carrots and water for Rudolph. It usually takes us FOREVER to get the kids to sleep, but they settled really fast and awaited Santa's imminent arrival. Kent and I also drifted off the sleep quickly once we had ensured the presents were delivered safely, excited for our first Christmas alone as our own little family.

Preparing for the Fat Man

We have a few traditions in our own little family each Christmas season. Kent and i have taken a few from each of our families and combined the best of both worlds. We decorate the Tree, put out our precious Nativity sets, hang lights, decorate gingerbread cookies (my friend Chelsea Robinson gave me the best recipe for soft delicious gingerbread!), decorate Gingerbread houses for their school classes, a photo with Santa, opening and constructing their Lego Advent calender each morning, as well as opening our homemade advent calender each evening, which has a joke, scripture, activity and chocolate to share, and waiting for the elf to fill the elf box on Christmas Eve.The kids look forward to these traditions each year and so do I. This year we decided to try making a Fireplace/mantle out of left over packing boxes to decorate and hang our stockings. first we stuck the boxes together, then we covered it in paper with papermache glue, then we painstakingly traced outlines for each individual brick, and lastly we mixed the paints to get the colour we wanted and applied it (next time i will use a piece of sponge cut to size.... thanks to Romney Granger for the tip!). I learnt a lot about myself during this process, the most enlightening was that i need to lighten up and not be such a control freak! Once i realized it didn't have to be perfect to be beautiful or to be something we could look at and feel pride it was a more relaxing experience. We were happy with the result and the kids loved showing it off to people who visited.
We went to Kmart as a family to pick the lights to hang out in our trees. the kids liked the blue ones so we let them decide. I also bought supplies for the gingerbread creations and we spent the following week ticking off our list of holiday traditions.
Out trip to visit "Santa" was an interesting one this year. We went to the local Harvey Norman on a Saturday morning and the kids visited with Santa. He was kind and attentive. He offered the kids a candy cane after hearing their request (wheelie shoes) and it wasn't until we got the photos back that we noticed he was missing a hat and some glasses But we live in Karratha so i'm not going to complain. I had to return a week later to collect the photo and then the kids and i framed it along side their previous years and added it to the mantle for decoration.
Here are a few pics from our traditions that we captured...

 making a fairy garden (one of their activities from the advent calender)

Dampier Christmas by Glowlight

Up here in the Pilbara at Christmas time, Dampier put on a community Christmas Carol night. We decided to go with the Snows and have a picnic dinner. The towns people and select choirs from all the local schools put on the items and lead the audience in a sing along. It was a really nice evening. The Children loved running a muck on the oval and enjoyed the glow sticks and wands Clinton had brought along for them when the sun went down. It was nice to have a laugh the Sarah and Clinton and to watch our kids make memories together. Even little Alissa and I had some bonding time and enjoyed a game of hide and seek with her crackers. She is a divine girl and i just love that we are here sharing all these experiences with our beautiful friends.

The church who ran the service had an interesting way of expressing their faith and devotion. They read from the Aussie bible which was amusing, if not a little irreverant, but it put a smile on our faces. it was nice to be with a greater community that was diversified in their beliefs. It was refreshing to see the gospel from the eyes of others and to hear how they interpret this time of great meaning. The spirit of Christ is Christmas and no matter how the message was delivered it was simply that Christ is the gift.

We left on the earlier side of the night in order to miss the traffic and for the kids to get some rest before their last week of school but i think it will be one of our traditions while we are here.

photos courtesy of Sarah Snow