Their Mother

The Wild Children outside, hair flying, untied and unkempt, too long even.
Climbing the tree with the ivy hanging down.  Little one yelling and now crying.
Neighbors wondering -- then sighing. A yell of frustration and then muffled whining.
Isn't there school today? Yes, but this crew is feeling free and loose. Mother is
biding her time til the next door flung open-wide ends her quiet space inside.
Boys scheming, sister longing, wishing and resigning. Not big enough to stay
and play, moping whimpering - sent away.
Whose are these? the wild children belong to ease.

Healthful Living

My resolution for this year is to be a healthy family.  Not just in body but in everything. With activities, nutritious food, hobbies for our hands and new ideas for our minds.
Here are a few ways we are setting out to accomplish this as a family:

1.  Activities:  Jiu Jitsu, Fighter Fight & Yoga for us grown ups.  Spring Soccer, Basketball, Jiu Jitsu, Swimming, Open Gym (for the little one), Baseball for the children - these activities will see us through the end of the school year.

2.  Nutritious Food:  We are including more vegetarian meals into our menu.  A variety of vegetables and fruit are always part of our kitchen fare but especially as produce becomes more abundant.  I have been drinking more tea and less coffee for the antioxidants & to make sure I stay hydrated.  We really don't buy much "junk food" our children none -the -less manage to enjoy quite a bit from everywhere else!  I can't wait to start growing some of our food again when planting season comes around, that always helps with nutritious choices!

3.  Hobbies:  The kids are into models - cars, an engine etc., they are also into building things with tools  and wood in the shop, baking is another favorite hobby.  Lego kits occupy some time as well as gaming for the boys of course! (not my favorite)  A new hobby we are just trying out is wood burning designs onto various wooden objects.  These hobbies are specifically for the Winter, in the Spring we add in things like gardening, riding dirt bikes, mountain biking, hiking...

4.  Ideas:  Reading is the most common inspirational source in our home.  A few favorites right now:  Momma - How to Write a Sentence & How to Read One, 6th grade:  One White Dolphin current, next The Hobbit & Captain Bluebear 4th Grade:  Sign of the Beaver, The Long Winter 2nd Grade:  Shel Silverstein, Preschool:  Jamberry
Of course there are always new ideas online too, via blogs (new favorite Wonder Farm Patricia Zaballos) & pinterest and recipes.  A new blog may be in the works, perhaps...

What are your healthful ideas for the new year?  Isn't health at the front of all our minds as we start fresh!?
Warmly,
Olivia

A new old way

We have a new (for us) tradition starting this year!
For the past few holiday seasons, I've been drifting away from some of the traditional elements of Christmas.  While I still LOVE Christmas, on my heart right now is the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah!  The celebration of the Miracle of Lights is an ancient tradition Jesus would most likely have enjoyed as a child!

This year, starting on December 8th, we will learn about Hanukkah and join in the traditions of lighting the candles, playing games, eating traditional foods and so on.   Most importantly, we will remember how God is faithful.  Since we have simplified our Christmas plans, gift giving, decor and such I am looking forward to have a time and space in December for this.

My own paternal grandfather was Jewish so I know it is a part of my heritage, however small.  I am hoping it will keep our focus on Jesus more throughout this season of giving!  Inspired to include this new aspect to our celebration I found a simple and pretty Menorah from Israel and a handmade wooden dreidel on etsy.   

For the Love of God (and I mean that in only the best way)

Let's see, I'm really not sure where to begin...
The story really starts years ago when I was a young mother with a two year old and a fussy infant (9 years ago to be precise).  There was the sweetest young girl who would love on my kiddos in the church nursery and she came home with me one memorable Sunday after service.  Our little one cried, no screamed all the way home (about 40 minutes in the car) which he normally did because he was not a fan of driving anywhere!

So she stole into my heart that day, just along for the ride, just getting to know us a little bit and us her.

Her family was in turmoil, in fact they are still in turmoil.  Early on I saw her older siblings floundering, my friend and I reached out to try and help (Leah and her husband were the youth leaders at our church at the time).  It seemed too late already (not that anyone was giving up).  This dear one (only about 13) still had shards of innocence left and I was desperate to save her (I know I'm not The Savior - but I thought maybe I could lead her there).  I remember saying to Leah I would take her right now if I could - we could stop the cycle, but we both knew her mother wasn't ready to consent to letting go of her "baby". Later her mother would ask me to let her live with us but my friend would choose not to because she was too deeply ensconced in her already crazy life.
Instead, she would come and stay a week here and there - we would feed her, love her, lecture her, laugh with her and end up losing her again and again.
She has battled uphill against poverty, against drugs, against authority, against both neglect and abuse.   She has been angry for a very long time.  She has seen too much, tried too hard and been let down too often.
Lately she has walked back in our door, plopped down in tears on my sofa with her own small girls at our feet.  I am once again desperate for answers to give.  It's not enough to give money - it doesn't get used well nor does it plug the hole.  It's not enough to feed and love them for a day and go on with life as usual.
That's why the posts about "going" FPFG has been giving are reaching into my soul.  If you haven't read them...please do.
I've been wondering beyond the immediate comforts we usually offer, a meal, some cash, love or even opportunities ... what is the key?  Are there ever any real answers that pull people out of their struggles?  That really lift them up?  What hope can I give her?  Is there any possible way to change the story before it reaches her girls?
Finally, someone has at least one answer called The Open Table.  I'm not sure it's for us but something like it might just work here.  So I'm pondering, what is the key to unlocking possibilities for my sweet friend and then others in similar circumstances.
It's not easy to put this story out for all to read.  It feels like a story of failure because there was no great rescue, there is no happy ending - yet.  It's personal to me and yet it's really not even my own story.  But SHE is not a failure.  She is trying hard, she is fighting, she loves her children and she works hard.      It seems to me I need to fill in the gaps.  Just like I do for my own children...it didn't occur to me until recently that you don't have to legally "adopt" someone in order to have adopted them.  She fills a place in our hearts.
What else can I say?  I think I just spilled my thoughts, my heart and a bit of my soul on this page.
That's what I love about Flower Patch Farmgirl - she can be funny and make you think all at the same time!  Me?  Drama and deep words will have to do;)

Climb every mountain

A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live

My girls and I love The Sound of Music and we decided to watch it over the weekend.  As we were listening to the Reverend Mother sing to Maria "Climb Every Mountain" the words of this verse caught my attention for the first time as a mother.  I realized that our lives are meant to wear us out - we are meant to find a life for ourselves that require everything we have to give.  It was so inspiring!  I love how when we read or watch classics they always have something more to offer us. 

Blessings,

Olivia

Suddenly schooling

Well, let's just say there has been a bit of a mid-course direction change around here lately.  It started with all the missed school around the holidays and then during our recent winter storms really.  Then we had a boy on our hands who just couldn't seem to transition back into the school day.  A few tearful mornings on top of a few phone calls home from teacher gave us the clue that finally our son has had enough of the traditional classroom.

It has been 3 1/2 long years in coming to be honest.  Failure to thrive.  But not on the part of anyone in particular (and especially not our son) but more along the lines of the current popular method of schooling.  It just doesn't suit everyone.  In fact, I think there are many of us it doesn't suit very well.  Don't get me wrong, our daughter loves her school, is thriving and learning and is social as a bug.  But as wonderful as school is for some it is simply painful for others. 

And so I have a new job it seems!  I am a part time teacher now and we started just this week!   Don't I seem enthusiastic?  Well...

Truthfully, this is not the plan I would have chosen for myself.  This year I thought I would have 3 older children in school and one tiny darling little helper home with me.  I thought that my husbands untraditional work schedule would mean that I would have time to work on soap & candle making, time to volunteer, and a little time to myself.  Actually, he has worked more than ever and now I have a new role I didn't expect. 

It's not what I pictured...it's taken a few days to get used to the idea...reframe my expectations.  Realize I am still much needed by the little people in our home. 

And of course then I remember this is absolutely part of the dreams I have for our family.  The hobby farming, the gardening and soap making and children raising and homeschooling are a beautiful fit in this country lifestyle we have chosen.  Most of all, it's the children who are the blessings that make everything else worthwhile.  So we will do whatever it takes to see them healthy, happy and thriving and we will in return be blessed beyond measure. 

The Boys

While the girls are away the boys will play!  They didn't catch much but look at the sunshine and clear skies in mid-January!  Just a little glimpse into the calm before the storm that recently overtook our area for 8 very loooooong days!  So glad to see normal Pacific NW rains today (who says that?!)

Soccer Jamboree

It's about time for a post about the boys!  Soccer season has officially begun and these two energetic boys are keeping us busy with soccer 4 days a week!  We started out with a bang, at the fields by 8:30am to notarize medical release forms and up for the 9am game.

Casey, who was on fire, scored 5 goals!  When I yell "Nice Casey!" & give him a thumbs up he gives me a little grin.  It's sweet with a little bit of "cool guy" mixed in.

Aiden was goalie for the first 2 halves of the 2 games he played.  He did awesome & even got an assist from the goalie position!  He kept both teams at bay so they couldn't score against us! 

Aiden is less aggressive than Casey when he plays but he is pretty accurate and he's also quick. 

Can you tell I'm a bit proud of my guys! 

It was fun to watch but quite exhausting and hot in the 85 degree weather.  Whew!  I'm glad we're back at home again!  I guess it could have been cold and rainy though and I personally will take the heat any day!

Memories with my girls

There's a funny thing about having two precious girls who bookend rambuctious boys in one family.  Time spent with each one is amazingly fulfilling and beautiful but in completely different ways.  This momma is feeling pretty blessed right now to say the least. 

Last night Anna & I had the most memorable evening together at a Taylor Swift concert.  Out on the town enjoying the lights, glitter and glamour of it all with my eleven year old girl.  (Well, first we stopped off for a burger ~ you know, kid food)

The show was impressive from the elaborate sets and special effects to the dancing and instrumental aspects.  It almost had a broadway theme.  Taylor made a point to come out into the middle and perform up close and personal to the crowd!  Anna was able to shake her hand as she came by in front of us! 

We both dressed up in our country best with cowgirl boots and such!  (She is even wearing a Taylor Swift dress!)

And then there is another kind of sweet, a kind of memory made of pure goodness and joy with all the simplicities of home.  A quiet morning after a dazzling night.   A gentle breeze and pretty light shimmering through falling leaves.  AND... a lovely angel adorned with curls and a pretty smile softly swaying on a swing, to and fro.

Goodness in the evening and goodness in the morn.

Blessed.

An unusual 1st Day of School

This is a very normal photo of Casey eating a classic afterschool snack - it even says so on the bag.  Not exactly classic for our house (we rarely have chips here) but you know, classic for the rest of America! 

The day wasn't what I thought it would be though, isn't that the way it goes!

 

For starters it was super warm like in the 80's and it's only supposed to get hotter (very unlike the PNW). 

Second, I thought it was going to be quiet around here.... except Aiden was home sick (had a fever and sore throat last night).  Seriously missing the very first day?

Third, my husband came back and keeps giving me more work to do on top of working on taxes (extension), getting the kids set for school, payroll, a mountain of paperwork to deal with.... (what does he think I am a secretary or something? he he)  I thought I was just the caterer's wife. 

Hmm... instead I'm working my tail off!

Finally, seeing the stress written all over my disapointed face (because I thought I was going to enjoy his company and rest a bit) he took the two kids out of the house for a little while so I could work in peace.  Once I was able to get something done I ran errands by myself (which hasn't happened in a long time since he has worked practicly every day since the beginning of July.)  Whew!

Then the children came home with 85 papers for me to complete and sign (this part I knew to dread expect) and both boys had homework (they managed to get Aiden's to me thru Anna, Yay!) 

Is the universe upside down for anyone else besides me?  Or maybe I just thought school starting up would be less work somehow?

Any compassion would be appreciated!

Blessings,

Olivia

Did I mention I'm not a happy camper?!

But my husband & children are!  This was the camping trip hoped for & looked forward to all summer!  Motorcycling in the woods thru trails & up a mountain side!  I'm glad I don't know too much - I would have been even more nervous than I already was!  They had a blast ~ my husband had a few much needed days off!  And.... momma got a quiet house!  Well... almost quiet - I did have one little person who is not quite big enough to ride!

A little glimpse into our summer life...

Our oldest daughter at her first overnight horse camp ever!  She is growing up so fast!  She just celebrated her birthday & she is ELEVEN now!  Suddenly she seems so different.  She has her own agenda and she wants to go go go!  Thankfully this summer family has joined in to make her summer happenin'!  She's been vacationing at the beach several times and out to a special broadway show!  To overnight and day camps and down to Woodland to stay with childhood friends!  Whew!  We have been busy! 

This darling little one however is pretty content to just be along for the ride!  Wherever that ride may take her!  She is always asking to "doe bye bye"!  Cute and spunky little thing!  She loves to talk and sing all day long and loves to gain everyone's attention!  She is really quite easy going most of the time even though she knows what she wants! 
I don't have any great photos to post of the boys who have been playing furiously with friends from Woodland and boys down the street!  They are so much happier when the two of them are distracted from each other!  More on those two later! 

Now I have a fun new post to do about my candles.  So pop on over to Lily White & Clean when you have a chance!
Blessings,
Olivia

Searching for new inspiration

Right now I'm inspired by searching for inspiration.  I'm reading up, asking questions, taking one step forward every day in search of what is next for me! 

Already life is pretty full with our business and our family.  The thing is, the business is based on the talent and passions of my husband, it's his gift!  Our children too have interests and school and things going on in their lives and I know I keep the heart of the home.  Yet, for their sakes and mine too I want to have my own passion!  I could easily make my life about them.  When someone asks "What's new?' I could say Anna is doing camps all summer, the boys are finishing up with baseball and starting soccer soon...... the list goes on.  But for some reason I want to be able to answer that question about me.  I mean, they are asking me right?! 

I also don't want to be the mom that wont let her children have some freedom.  They are already who they are meant to be.  I feel like my role as a mom is to stay nearby to offer guidence as they figure it out for themselves.  We all have purpose in this world.  Theirs has nothing to do with my ideas for them and everything to do with what God created them to be.  So, as I use my instincts to follow my passion I hope they will also learn to use their own insticts and hear their calling(s).

For this mama, already, I know I love farm life, at least dabbling in it!  I love being a farmgirl, with country music playing in the air whilst I garden or care for our home.  I love cuddling up with my toddler to read, laying in bed at night with my 10 year old chatting about all her ideas and giggling like a school girl.  I love play fighting with my boys and scrubbing their faces clean several times a day!  I love summering at the beach with our family making memories together to last a lifetime!  I love partnering with my husband in everything - even when it's a little crazy around here! 
Life is good, so full of opportunities, so abundant. 
Please do share with me how you found your own passion in life and how you work in all the things that make your heart sing!
Blessings,
Olivia

They're growin' up!

The kiddos are growin' up right before our eyes.  I realized over the weekend that the 3 older ones are each capable of helping around our house a bit more.  Sure they have had some chores, they take turns bringing in firewood in the winter, they sometimes feed the dogs & chickens and more.  However I finally realized they are old enough to rely on. I've been pondering what kind of adults they will be and I have high hopes for them!

We have a new chore list and I thought I would share it here:

Anna (age 10) - before school, cycle through one load of laundry, make her bed, bring down dirty laundry (get ready for school)

after school, chick food, water & clean bedding - feed rabbit

(homework)

Aiden (age 8) - before school, empty the dishwasher, make bed, bring down laundry

(get ready for school)

after school, take scraps to chickens, check for eggs

(homework)

Casey (age 6 in May) - before school, feed dogs, make bed, bring down laundry

(get ready for school)

after school, feed dogs

(homework)

These chores do not earn them money, they are expected as part of being a family!  Once the chores are done though, there is another list of money earning chores they can do!  They have been very enthusiastic about helping out, earning money and knowing what is expected of them! 

Everything is posted so we shouldn't have to constantly remind them of what to do!

What does your family do to teach responsibility and sharing the work?  I would love to hear!

Blessings,

Olivia

Somebody's Two! Can you guess who?

Make a banner, say a cheer it's Carolyn's birthday, our little dear!

It started out at home, in the cozy comfy cottage but we soon ventured out to celebrate at the beach...

Little miss opened presents and announced "Yay" each time and after the birthday song!

We all gathered driftwood on the beach and enjoyed the lovely view!

I puttered around (my favorite thing to do) straightening and fluffing the nest!

(I'm looking for the perfect hardware for the hutch)

We also went swimming and bowling and played outside in the sandy front yard!

Our little trip made this momma's heart so full! 

Adventures in Farm Life

I go through phases, as I've mentioned before!  About this time of year usually I start feeling really expansive!  Wanting to dream big and live more adventurously.  This year that need is being met by a new wave of fitness mania (not my favorite subject really but I'm working on it!)  In previous years it has been adding a menagerie of animals to our lives.  Carmel the calf was among the first!

Too cute to resist right!  He lasted around here about the shortest (only a month) as we wondered how much trouble he would be as he grew!

We've added a small crew of kitties, none of which decided to stay around permanently.  That's okay, apparently the mice in the barns around the neighborhood and the wild life speak to them! 

There have been the chickens!  And even a horse or two!  A few dogs, a couple rabbits, several goats.

And last but not least a few babies! They count as animals on a farm right?

This year there will be no such additions!  No new animals, definately not any new babies!  Four of those have been blessing beyond measure!  So I'm wondering, what adventure in farm life will we focus on this Spring!?  Maybe I'll finally get back to the gardens?

Oooh I hope so!  
Blessings,
Olivia

Work mingled with life

We work all sorts of hours with our catering business.   But, it's a dream really. 

When I married a chef I didn't realize how difficult it would be to raise a family while he worked restaurant hours.  He would be at work by 10am and come home after 10pm usually Monday thru Saturday. 

It was lonely!  I would feel like a single parent often and we celebrated many holidays without daddy.

By 2004 we were done!  Couldn't go on!  So we took a risk and opened a business from scratch.  It helped that he was very qualified and had many contacts in the profession including eager clientele.  We haven't exactly gotten "rich" like the song choice might suggest!  But I cannot complain, we have had success and have always been able to provide for our family!

Now all these years later we can truly say we are partners in everything.  I started this post meaning to talk about what our children learn by working alongside us! 

But, I realized it may be good to give a little background! 

Maybe I'll get to that in the another post!  Here is my littlest helper working at the computer I use daily for client emails, invoicing, balancing accounts and all that good stuff!

Today the older ones are at work with daddy helping to prepare for a Valentine's Dinner he is catering at the Wine Shop in town.  So it won't exactly be a romantic day for us even though I will be there, tasting and visiting with customers, staff and friends! 

Wishing you all a day of love tomorrow and always!

Blessings,

Olivia

Special Night, Movie at the Pool

In our small town life, the community pool hosts movie night once a month.

Our little water bugs are gonna love it!

 

The movie? Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2!

  I'm sure they'll see lots and lots of friends.    It will be loud, they will turn into prunes, they will remember it for the rest of their lives!  That's the plan for this special night that we celebrate every Friday!  What do you like to do on family nights at your house? Please do tell!

Blessings,

Olivia