Children's Chapel

I brought some decorations for the Spring Children's Chapel at church and got drafted to help out. We talked about Eostre and the meaning behind the Easter symbols of eggs and rabbits, Fertility all around. I finally got to use my Spring chime candle holders.

My new favorite carrier oil

This carrier oil is a new favorite of mine especially for therapeutic essential oils that I use for physical health reasons. I use Young Living ' s AromaLife blend to help with my genetic high cholesterol. I like to support Young Living when I can but Edens Garden has some products that YL doesn't carry. I am pleased with their quality. Meadowfoam is mild and seems to carry an energy of its own. It acts as an amplifier for me. Not so much in a physical medical type way but in a more spiritual way.

Elaina playing in my class

 

With Elaina in the classroom next to mine I get to play with her a little during the day. There is nothing like watching one's child flourish....

Annika my lost daughter

I have had several conversations with my daughter Annika in the past few months that have distanced us. I have tried to cultivate some type of relationship with her but she is just lost. Her father who wanted his children to not have a mother (so he told me years ago) has won. My eldest sons and my 2nd daughter are lost. I have nightmares all the time about Annika's traumatic birth. That saying that is said "as least you have a healthy baby" does not hold true. First, she is brain damaged and has several diagnoses and second I don't even have a 12 year old daughter anymore. I want to leave Danny, Connor, and Annika's pictures up on my sidebar because they are a part of MY motherhood but they are not mine anymore......

My heart has holes in it that will not be filled.

I have her tree planted in the yard, her weeping willow, that I will treasure but I think I need to take down the rest of the things I have of hers up in the house. I took them down once and then put them back up. I believe it is time once again to take them down. I may give them to my mother or maybe her 16 year old sister. I just can't bear the weight.

Etta is 16 months old today....

 

While Etta was visiting her Granny she decided to pull up. My mother did not see it happen but she snapped a picture. We haven't seen a repeat performance yet but I am looking forward to some new tricks from this little girl.

My class....

Working in a childcare setting that use the typical cookie cutter system is challenging sometimes. I try to bring nature into my class. I try to offer the children opportunities to hear music they may never hear and to listen to stories that may be hidden from them. I try to just be who and what I am. I am a teacher who tries to provide knowledge  and then let children decide how to use it.

Whirligigs in the Small Small Pond

 

The kids in my class had so much fun swirling the toy beetle around in the blue and green paint. This has to be one of my favorite books.

Happy Spring

We had a nice welcoming ritual tonight. I called the 3 children on the phone who weren't thete. Annika was happy to have a candle lit for her. The older boys didn't really care. Lyn was such a big sister helping the little kids light their pink Spring candles. We chose pink this year to symbolize friendship and the blossoms we see blooming all around us outside. Eliot shared some purple flowers from her redid tree in the front yard. I placed them in my yoni mortar and pestle. The herbs I chose for the table for purification and home blessing are angelica, chamomile, burdock, and anise....

It was a lovely ceremony. My Spring Mother came down from her shelf to join us. All elements were represented...

Getting ready for Spring

My meditation stone eggs in their wooden bowl look like they are sitting in a nest.

I have had a affinity for amber for years now. I wear an amber teething type necklace myself plus a deep red amber bracelet you see in the photo pretty much all the time. As such an Earth spirit I feel amber pieces are pearls of the Earth. They just feel right to me. I have tried amber incense and halfway enjoyed it but this oil I ordered on sale with some new herbs has made my evening. It is just wonderful. The amber bracelet wrapped around my Mother figure is actually Etta ' s but she has only worn it once. I am still coasting from this scent.

A supplement to try

Etta

She is as sweet as can be. Etta is almost 16 months old and in 6 month clothes.

Elaina at preschool

One of the best things about working in childcare and having children is the fact that you can at times have your children close. I wish I could be a stay at home mother especially since I have adopted attachment parenting but being the sole financial provider of my family has its downfalls. I am not Elaina's teacher but she is near me. Her class is next door. She has a nurturing teacher and I get to see her on the playground when the toddler classes combine. This is her first opportunity to attend preschool full time. So far overall she is enjoying it even when she has her stubborn moments.

A friend in need.....

I have a friend who is in financial need. She is an artist with an Etsy shop. She is a mom of 5 children. Her husband is looking for work. I have ordered from her shop several times. I particularly enjoy Goddess dolls. I have ordered some for church auctions, for meditation purposes, for my daughters, and even "won" one when I sponsored her last homebirth (they had to pay out of pocket for it). She is a painter also. Take a look at her shop and if you feel called to order something from her it will support her in supporting her family. She is a strong beautiful spirit and I am privileged to have her handmade objects gracing my home.

Here is a link to her Etsy shop...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LillianaPress

Supernatural book find

OK, anyone who knows me knows I enjoy the show Supernatural. I also love to read. This book just feels good in my hands. It has been years since I read it but the first line in it clenched the deal for me. It goes into my bag of reading material.

It is a Bible...

English Standard Version

Any version of Celtic knot artwork speaks to me. The cross and corner markings are beautiful. 

Sleeping (mama wants you to wean) Etta

Etta is 15 months old but still needs her Mama Milk. She is eating more and more food and drinks some cow and almond milk but breastmilk is her go to food. I am struggling with my desire to wean her myself. Since she is special needs I feel she has the right to breastmilk as long as possible even longer than the average child even longer than my other children because of her specific nutrition needs. She will not go on Pedia -sure!!! But man am I tied of the velcro routine. Because I work away from home for at least 12 hours a day when I get home she latches on and stays put. The same with the weekend. If she is with me and we aren't actively playing or in the car she wants to nurse. That is all wonderful and beautiful but I am tired. I am not complaining exactly. Well, maybe I am a little. I know what she needs and I know I am the only one that can provide it. I am still human and want my body back though some of the time. She is probably my last baby so I should enjoy it......

To the library again

We visited the library again this Saturday.  I only had 4 kids in tow. They spotted a lizard trying to sun himself. He let Elaina touch him several times before he jumped away.....

Rough evening

The snow day and having to leave work early threw me totally off my game. Yes I got to leave work early. But I lost wages. Yes I got to spend extra time with my kids but they were fighting most of the time because they are off schedule too. The thing is we are not a super scheduled fsmily. We just have natural routines that have evolved. Today they were disrupted. I am now hiding in the bathroom with my Harmony candle with White Angelica diffusing. I am soaking in the tub and hoping I will be able to work tomorrow.

Blessings....

The universe has been kinder to me this week than it has been in a long time. My job is going well. Ben and Elaina are starting preschool. Eliot and Evan went back to public school. This gives Dad a break to help Etta with her goals. Her disability and his tendency to be a home body were just not conducive to homeschooling right now. I have some more hours at work so I am able to afford daycare. Things will hopefully get into a smoother routine. Our house will physically get in order and the kids seem happy with all the changes.

Blessed Be......

An oil order

 

I was happy to add a small personal touch to an essential oil order. Pretty on the outside and lemongrass EO on the inside....

Happy Winter full moon

Bringing a more natural feel to my class

I am enjoying working with my toddler class but I do miss the outdoors. I also really like to work with wood and non plastic toys. These birch rings and wooden nesting chicken with baby chicks in the eggs are a great way for the children to practice fine motor skills. The kids explored the wood and they had to open the eggs to get to the baby chickens. The kids really loved this activity. I think I may get some blank nesting dolls to color and use in a nesting / color center. I also brought some stones into the class for the kids to explore. They really enjoyed them. I think I am going to bring in some cotton I harvested last Fall for them to explore.

Lactation support home visit

 

I had the privilege of visiting a mother today for a second lactation support visit. I met the family when the little one was just a week or two old. Today at a weight check she had almost doubled her birth weight. The mother needed encouragement to know she was making enough milk. I left the home with a happy mama and a well fed baby.......