A night in the dark...

Down at the creek again with the kids and my regular meditation ritual.  Etta was in my lap. Holding my youngest daughters helps center me. I burned one of my favorite incense, Gaia. I dressed a small beeswax candle and burned it with healing intent for friend's ill cat. May his strength return and help him heal. My orange candle was lit to celebrate the upcoming turning of year and a new season coming upon us. The white represents the life force around us that I manifest in my mind as the Earth that Mothers us. I did a few 3 card readings with a tarot deck I am not 100% comfortable with yet but they did give me some clarity to my thoughts. I always try to light three candles. They have different meanings each time though.

Our day yesterday (no football)

We are not a football or really any other sport family. I took yesterday to spend with some of my kids. We played at the playground and ran a lot of errands. I am so proud of my almost 16 year old daughter,  Lyn. She started a job. She has been working as a childcare provider at church but now she is a full fledged waitress getting tips. One of our errands was to drop her off at work. It was a hot day but we had fun playing. I brought some "funky" juice to cool us off as we played. Ahh, can everyday be Saturday?

My weight loss

I haven't weighed under 160 pounds in a while. My weight has gone up and hovered around 180 and 170 with the births of my last children.  Now at 40 years old I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I'm happy with my 9 month postpartum body after my 9th baby and 12th pregnancy.  150 pounds sounds like a new goal now.

Pick of the day

The yellow flowers have been speaking to me for several days now as I drive by them. I can see them out of a window during part of my work day too. I finally picked some. The purple flowers were a nice added surprise.  I never saw them hiding. I will add them to my wreath at home. I desperately need some golden rod.

My reading today

If I can get to it during work while the kids sleep I will start this read today....

Water Communion

We celebrated at church today but since I was working in the nursery I missed out in participating.  So, I had my own water communion at home. Annika and Eliot helped.

A Saturday with the kids....

At the waterfall we played in the water and collected water for Water Communion tomorrow.  Elaina ended up getting all wet by missing her step and falling in the water. And we saw a snake. All in all a quick visit on a hot day with a surprise. 

Etta is 9 months old!!

9 months old today.....

Best security system

Don't want anyone to take your purse? Place your freshly pumped milk beside it.....

I have mastered pumping while driving.

My sweet Etta

Playing with a friend at church. Her friend is 4 months old. Etta will be 9 months old in 2 days. They come in all sizes :) .

Great day at church for children's choir retreat

Annika

Evan, Eliot, and Ben worked on their shelves

We can call them personal altars or just plain shelves. I try to get the kids to incorporate the elements and a Mother figure onto their shelves but I don't push it. I want them to find their out paths. Evan added a lot to his. Eliot cleaned hers up and added some new flowers and herbs. Evan expanded his and Ben wanted an egg Mama for his. I think they all turned out wonderful. My candle is lit on my shelf too. I need to redo Annika's shelf even though she really doesn't care. Elaina's needs to be cleaned and Etta needs one started.

Prosperity

I think I will focus on this prosperity symbol for a while. I have blessed and burned prosperity candles but this symbol is calling to me. It is American in nature. The Dutch Amish culture uses it but as far as I know they don't actually use active hexes. Our family has been lucky in that I started a new teaching job paying a little more money. But so many new bills and goals to better the kids' lives seem to take up so much of any extra money I get. And a double edged sword is that I have lost so much baby weight that my clothes are too big and I can't afford to buy new ones. Bummer right? I have lost 50 pounds counting Etta ' s actually birth. 10 more pounds and I will weigh what I did when I met my husband.  OK, back to prosperity... I should be starting a part time job a few hours a day before my main job. That should help us get our heads above water. I will never be home to see my kids though. I wish I did not want to be an attachment parent. 

Etta and Early Intervention

Etta was evaluated recently through Early Intervention.  I know, I am a certified Special Instructor.  I can provide help for her at home without others but I wanted to see where she was developmentally.  I was a bit surprised that she scored a delay in all areas. I am most concerned with her gross motor skills though. With this new information I believe the next step is a little genetic testing to rule out any physical problem in that area.

Full Moon....

My indoor candle is lit. My outdoor candles are burning down safely. I sat with Etta and Elaina under the moon for a few minutes. It is so full and bright tonight. The energy didn't feel right though and when my hurricane lamp representing the element of air broke I now have a foreboding feeling for the week. I know my husband will try and fix it but will that make it philosophically stronger or weaker especially if I allow him to do it for me. Hmmmmm.....

Sage is diffusing but my energy and mood is definitely negative right now. I honestly believe the full moon wrecks havoc with me. The new dark moon seems to bring me more peace. We shall see as the cycle continues.

Church today....

Lyn drove all the way to church today. Yes, even on the interstate. She has so much more confidence in herself than I did at her age. Sometimes I forget how old she is. Evan and Eliot were the only other kids that joined me today. We are so lucky to have a professional storyteller as one of the teachers at church. The kids always get a good story. Who said homeschooled children miss out....

Another Saturday. .. another trip to the library

As always the kids had fun. More puppets for a homemade puppet show and more books for fun and homeschooling. 

My sweet sick baby

Elaina had a fever of almost 103. I put some peppermint EO on her feet. She threw up. We both got a bath and now it is below 100......

Feel better baby.

And she did. Her fever broke and she was fine by bedtime.

The view

A good friend's son was at Children's Hospital last night. I went to visit. I was welcomed with a Greek salad hugs and good company. I should have been the one providing the support but my friend doesn't realize that just by seeing him and having someone who knows your personal history and is an ease to talk to was just what I needed during this highly stressful week.

Behold the Trees

A great read for the kids and anyone

Lyn making some dishwasher detergent

Lyn

Elemental Tarot cards on a Sunday afternoon. ...

Evan and Annika

Happy Lammas

Making bread

Herb trade.....

Plantain versus oregano. ..