It is never a good idea to make permanent decisions while hormones are active and thriving...
Against my better judgment I slipped into a stylist's chair and she maneuvered her tools around my shaky nerves. I emerged a happy fresher women feeling slightly less a sleepy mother of three and a tilt more like my older self.

Before


After

Our efforts have been spent the last few weeks painting the outdoors of our home. I am smitten with how nice it looks driving up. I can not wait for the final coats to be cast and pictures can be taken. In the mean time I have been able to set a small corner up on our front veranda. I found every piece in these pictures at garage sales. A can of white paint works wonders one cheap cast me outs! I love to sit on the veranda with my baby, reading, thinking. Do you not think it would be a wonderful place to pass some time visiting... any one of you want to come my way for some strawberry water and summer sunshine?!




P.S Great pick in colour my love...it's the perfect green!

Earth is drenched
in God's affectionate satisfaction.

Psalms 33:5 The Message

One month! One glorious month! Everything is bigger, his feet, his voice, his cheeks, my laundry pile, our love!


I meant to post these pictures yesterday on his One Month, true to the nature of newborn season, I am one full day (or more) behind on just about every detail of my life.

Have a lovely Saturday my friends!

Humbled to be on this wild ride of parenting, Roger and I frightfully aware of our weaknesses and inability to parent these three marvels, have had to face-down search our God and his lead for our family. God faithful to our cry has been teaching us step by step. One thing the Lord revealed was how he had designed the Israelite culture to be a culture of blessing. God very strategically set times in an Israelites child’s life to be blest, verbally and spiritually by their parents. Roger and I desired to bless and dedicate our baby in and unto our God, declaring his life as a gift and to speak over Lachlan the words God had given to us for him. It was a beautiful morning, with a few family, beautiful Holy Spirit lead words, songs from a father and songs from the children, many tears, an encompassing presence of the trinity.

We blest him with these words

"You're the handsomest of men;
every word from your lips is sheer grace,
and God has blessed you, blessed you so much.
Strap your sword to your side, warrior!
Accept praise! Accept due honor!
Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
Ride on the side of truth!
Ride for the righteous meek!

"Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;
you shoot sharp arrows
Into enemy hearts; the king's
foes lie down in the dust, beaten.

"Your throne is God's throne,
ever and always;
The scepter of your royal rule
measures right living.
You love the right
and hate the wrong.
And that is why God, your very own God,
poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king
from among your dear companions.

"Your ozone-drenched garments
are fragrant with mountain breeze.

Psalms 45: 2-9 The Message

Has it been over a week since I have met you here? Please forgive me but time was of the essence while I was with my dear family. I could hear time slipping away and I wanted to savour every moment. The week was splendid. So much took place… This week not only did my family come to stay but Roger’s beautiful Mother also joined us to relish in the new little man. I felt so blessed being surrounded by my dearest of dear. Those long hours of nursing were spent hearing stories as my Mothers cooked and visited and shared. I watched as the children romped through the new summer green, making play and adventure. Unlike me, my camera was hardly used. Where once I held my camera my arms have now been filled with a baby and my fingers laced with the clutch of a new-born. Though I wish I had captured every enticing moment shared with my loves. I will be content to know there are seasons in life some to cradle a baby...and thats about all!

I do hope you are well…
I do hope we can meet here most days this week, depending on mid-night feedings and daytime naps…

P.S can you imagine he is four weeks today!

My family is here! Those boys are TALL...I mean TALL (and handsome-sizzling-melting-single!) Oh they make me laugh, my sides are aching! Then there are those five little siblings of mine. All I can say I love them each so much! I can not believe I have made it a year without seeing them. We are visiting and visiting and then visiting more. My Mom has made lunch and dinner my Dad is painting my house (I love it when my parents come to visit!) I have also been planting and enjoying seeing my out doors get cleaned up.

The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
the life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.

Psalms 19:7-9 Message

Today I went to a Vintage Chicks market and picked me out a few goods...




Hope the sun is as brilliant in your part of the woods as it is in mine!

The sheets are being cleaned, floors vacuumed. Today anticipation fills the home. A triple batch mixed and baked just the way those two brothers like, added dashes of excitement from a three year old niece, bare feet upon freshly painted stools. It is a Friday in waiting...for the whole brood to make it over the mountains and into our home!

Above washes the world with its tears. Thousands drop drenching the spring greens. As the chorus patters out doors so the pattering of young feet can be heard. I wish for the lasting sun, an every day escape into the wall-less out door world. Where the noise of three can be stilled. And then you are given a moment to see something through the grey. The newly opened eyes of a babe. Looking for the first deep gaze of love, searching his world after weeks of constant slumber. A moment caught between a sister and her littlest, a kiss. Another quiet-thinking- reading in a world of her own. A mother’s heart swells, beautiful moments, gone in seconds, vanished except through memory. The seconds tick by, I hear them constant in my heart. I pray these days of young do not pass into the grey, I pray I cherish and don’t waist. I pray the wishing for sunshine and peace would not dominate my thinking, rather praise, rain or sun.

The time has come to once again think about shedding those extra layers of prego love hanging around my midsection... three kids are a tad bit busier then two and finding an extra second to 'sweat it out' is deeming impossible. While reading with the girls last night I found the perfecto plan. A trip to the moon! While I wait for NASA to confirm my travel itinerary, I will continue to snack on this healthy raw strawberry lemon 'cheese' cake. It tastes summery, lite and delicious (and it is easy to make, which is a plus with three kidlings to juggle!)




Ingredients:
Graham Cracker Crust:

*1 c Almond meal
*1/2 c Dates
*1 tbls Agave Nectar
*1 tbls Filtered Water
*Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

To make the crust, process the dates in a food processor until they form one ball. In a large bowl add the almond meal and dates and blend using your hands. Add the agave, water and salt and continue blending. Press to the bottom of an 8″ spring form pan, being sure to create a hill at the edges as show in the pictures above.

Lemon Cream Cheese Filling:

*1 1/2 c Cashews
*1/2 c Lemon juice
*1/4 c Coconut Oil, melted
*1/4 c Agave Nectar
*2 tbls Filtered Water
*1 tbls Lemon zest
*Seeds from 1 Vanilla Bean or 1 tsp Vanilla powder

Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pour the filling over the Graham Cracker Crust and smooth over the top to create an even surface.

Strawberry Topping

1 c Strawberries, chopped
1 tsp Agave Nectar

Blend the strawberries and agave in a Magic Bullet or blender, very briefly. You want to have a chunky consistency with small pieces of strawberries. Using a large spoon, spoon the strawberry topping over the top of the lemon cream cheese filling and smooth over the top.

Preparation:
Let set in the freezer for 2 hours or in the fridge overnight.

To serve, remove the spring form sides and garnish with lemon zest and a small strawberry on each slice.

Enjoy

I thought I would share where I have been hiding these last few weeks. I love how the light fills the room through out the day, creating a relaxing ambiance. It was the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate. We were happy that the only thing we had to do to fix up this room was put in the wood floors and change out the light fixture, and of course decorate...






This closet is pure luxury! It was once a little bedroom, which was changed into a wonderful size master closet. I would never dream of building a space like this, seeing as it was a 'perk' that came with the house...you won't hear me complaining!