Wishing on the New Year

Lighting candles and making hopes and wishes for the new year. And why purple is such a powerful color....

End of a not so great year....

We did add a new baby to our family this year but I had a lot of losses this year too. I tried so hard to help Annika with her diagnoses and spent a lot of energy on her situation. She chose to live with her father and I let her go. I accept this decision good or bad I accept it. Etta's pregnancy was difficult. We first thought she was going to have genetic abnormalities and then that she might even be stillborn. Then we were told she was going to be very small when born. None of that was true but the stress was unbelievable. Take that with the grief we were given for having 9 children (only 6 live with us) we have had challenges. I also lost my job and we almost lost the house. Lyn's biological father came into the picture making demands right at the time I gave birth which was just bad timing and unrealistic. I am struggling with feeling like a failure at everything even at things I know I am good at.

So I can't really say this was the best year. I am grateful for my new daughter but I am glad this year is over....

Nothing like dragon motivation

Pumping again..... at least I have company. Having a dragon breathing down your neck, does that increase or decrease output? Let's see....

Great diapers for newborns

Not the best picture from a squirmy 5 week old baby but take a look at the diaper. I bought this diaper off of Etsy more than one and a half years ago. I used it on Ben and Elaina and now on Etta. It adjusts down for a newborn. Ben wore it till he was over 3 years old. It is a bit of a snug fit for chunkier babies but it works great for newborns. Etta almost weighs 8 pounds and this diaper keeps her dry all night. Some of my other diapers leak around her skinny legs. It is a homemade pocket diaper. I only use the one insert that came with it at night. The pictures above show it full before I changed her this morning. I bought two and a few covers from the maker and now wish I had more pockets from her. I went to check out her store. It looks like she is using a new pattern and charging a lot more for her diapers. They look nice but I guess I will have to make do with the old ones I have. The new ones look like they would not work as well for little babies. I even have a video review of the diapers when I first bought them on my YouTube channel. There is a link to it on my sidebar. 

New Beginnings for Lyn

It has taken 15 years but Lyn has started to establish a relationship with her biological father. We will see how it goes. He doesn't live locally but it is a start.

Lost children?

 

I decided to spend a little time with ALL of my children this holiday season. I invited Danny, Connor, and Annika to meet their new sister and spend Connor's birthday which fell on Winter Solstice this year with us. The boys were definitely as uncomfortable and unhappy as usual. Annika enjoyed playing with the little kids. They missed her a lot especially Eliot. Annika spent the night with us while the boys stayed with my mother. They are still lost to me but I am trying to come out of the darkness a bit and not let them be forgotten.

Lyn said I had to post these pictures

Because new PJs rock!

Evan and Etta

Between the 7 and a half year old and the 5 week old there is a whole lot of mischief and cuteness going on.

Ooooo Himalayan Salt Candle Holders....

My new favorite of the day and night is my new salt tea candle holder. I use a beeswax tea light in it which adds to the purification effect. Himalayan Pink Salt has been know for its calming soothing effects for generations. I could not resist this simple candle holder. It warms up slowly and the light emitted from it is so soothing. I like the look of the larger electronic ones but something about real flame just calms me. And they are just plain beautiful. Raw nature at its best....

Raising the next generation of feminists

Starting with a few good books never hurts....

What I am reading today...

 

 

Let's give this one a try.... Fairytales treat girls and women as "things" in so many stories. It was a nice read to even have the evil step-mother not be so evil.

Beeswax candles are worth it....

 

 

Beeswax candles are more expensive than cheap paraffin candles or even soy or palm wax candles. But they are soooo worth it. They last a lot longer. A votive sized candle can last 15 hours. They help purify the air. When harvested in an appropriate manner beeswax is a renewable resource. In other words they are awesome!! When you need some for your home let me know. I can sell various styles to you at discount prices. Just ask....

Opening gifts at Granny's

Fun

Oldest and youngest

Etta and Lyn...

She has the whole world in her hands....

Sweet Elaina

Winter Solstice 2013

Welcome Light....without the darkness there can be no light!

 

 

There has been a lot of darkness in my life the past few months. I am working on bringing the light back. A start was to have Danny, Connor, and Annika over to the house to celebrate Connor's 13th birthday and Winter Solstice. The boys were cold and distant like usual but Annika was pleasant company.  The little kids were very excited and played with Annika and Connor real well. Lyn worked on completing the winter wreath and Annika helped light the solstice candles. So far a beginning of breaking the darkness on a lot of levels.

All 9 children

It is Connor ' s 13th birthday. I cannot believe I have 3 teenagers. On this Winter Solstice day we ate chocolate cake and watched some Doctor Who. Connor got some  Doctor Who graphic novels from me. It has been months since I decided to seperate from Danny, Connor, and Annika. With the coming of the light with Winter Solstice I decided to try to reconnect with them. We shall see what the future holds. In the least....

Happy Birthday Connor....

There is an Oil for That!!!!

Being an independent distributor for Young Living Oils has changed my life. If you have ever wanted to try therapeutic grade essential oil and related products in your life to keep your family healthy in a natural way contact me and ask how you can incorporate them into your day. Or, just go to YLOs website and order under my distributor number to get a discount. There is no limit to the ways they can change your life.

Evan's wreath of light

Evan designed this set up himself. Bring on the light.... Welcome Winter Solstice!!!

Winter Wednesdays UU style

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun at church for the last Winter Wednesday craft fun night. the kids listened to a story and made edible tree decorations for animals in the wild. Elaina was such a big girl playing and participating.

Collecting firewood

Elaina and Ben helped me collect firewood. The weather has been trying to stay cooler. We lit a fire last night and used up all of our wood. It is amazing that two of my youngest children are big enough now to help....

Working with flame.....

Winter is around the corner. The weather has taken a turn for the colder. I am enjoying it. I haven't worked with candles for a while. I stocked up yesterday and today with some new candles. It felt so nice to bring some warmth into the house. I am trying to get into the Yuletide spirit. I brought out my Winter Mother figure earl and placed her on the mantel. I need to bring some more evergreen boughs into the house but it is a start.

Almost 3 weeks old....

Etta will be 3 weeks old tomorrow.  I would say time flies but the last 3 weeks have been a little challenging. Lack of sleep and the ups and downs of breastfeeding combined with a slightly fussy baby make for a tired and stressed out mom and dad. I will say this.... I am not fond of having a baby in a cold season. I just can't seem to get warm and I hate looking for socks for Etta. I much prefer Spring and Summer babies.

Getting bigger.......

We had our WIC appointment today. Etta weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces. She was 19 inches long. Elaina seemed like she had gained a lot of weight but she only gained 2 pounds in the past 2 years.  Ben gained one pound. Elaina's iron and my iron was good. At least being a CLC got me out of hearing the breastfeeding education speech. All is good......

Just a cute photo

Lyn, Elaina, and Evan on the side....

Today at church

Everyone got to hang out in my classroom at church today. Having 6 of my kids around me.... A good day. Etta just wanted to hang out and nurse or sleep.