Motherhood

Tomorrow my son turns 14 and I quess, as most women do around their childrens' b'days, I'm feeling rather nostalgic. Where have the years flown?? I remember the tiniest details of his birth and the weekend I spent in hospital, right down to certain smells, yet I can't remember what I wore yesterday! Does this tell me something? YES! It tells me that the birth of a child is one of the most momentous in a womans' life!

This got me thinking about Mary! (Strangely enough, I visited another site last night and there was the song I have been searching for for ages! "Mary, did you know?) I have never before actually thought of how Mary felt as a MOM before I had heard this song and it really moved me deeply! This has also made me think seriously about the responsibility we have as moms! Mary knew Jesus was coming to save this world-but did she know HOW He would have to do it? As moms we feel as though our own hearts have been ripped out when our children experience hurt-especially emotional hurt! No band aid to put on and kiss it better! Was Mary equipped to raise the Son of God? Of course she was! God chose well! Are we equipped to raise our children? Of course we are-God chose us to have that particular child-no matter what! All we need to do is follow His guidance-like Mary did!

My husband asked me today (tongue in cheek) "How important was Joseph? He wasn't involved with the conception, so why was he needed?" I thought for a moment,and actually started wondering for real about Josephs' part (knowing of course that God DID have a part for him!) It was actually quite obvious to me that the part he played was the Daddy! Jesus learnt from his earthly daddy-Joseph took him to the temple regularly (in fact, they "lost" Him there once remember? :-) This reminded me that our responsibility to our children doesn't end with providing love,security,clothes or food etc.It should begin and end with His way first.If we do everything according to His will we will do a good job with our children!

Do we fall short? OH YES!!!! Sometimes I ask God "Father, what were You thinking giving me such a precious little person to raise?" Seriously, I DO! I feel so inadequate sometimes-but that is when I look to Him!(I need to do this more often!!!!)

I LOVE being a Mommy! I remember ALWAYS having a doll at my side as a child and this just proves how much I had a God-given desire for children. I am so very GRATEFUL for the two boys He has blessed me with! They are healthy,beautiful and intelligent, and I would have loved them even if they weren't these things! But most of all I am blessed because they both know and love Jesus! I may fail as a mom(and I do-a lot!) but God will never fail them and this makes my mommy-heart leap for JOY!!!!!

Fourteen years ago I received the BEST gift! I became a Mom.It truly is the gift that keeps on giving! I look forward to many more birthdays with my sons'.I look forward to many years of friendship with them in the years ahead.But I also look forward to times of trials and tears-because His grace is sufficient!

At this Christmas season , take time to think on Mary and her special baby! It has made me look at my own special boys' in a new light! The song has a line that says " Mary did you know that when you touched the face of your little baby, you touched the face of God?" I Love that line, because when I hug my boys or look at their sleeping faces, I too, feel as if I see the face of God!(And I do!!)

Be Blessed

Satisfy us!

Yesterday I was all happy Christmassy,holiday happy etc. Today I'm a little outa sorts. I've been reading another journal and Christmas,for this person,is a time of worry (about money,no gifts etc) and this got me seriously thinking about my own view on Christmas.Have I not also fallen into the trap of the emphasis being on the gifts-yes I KNOW I have as those with children often DO! My heart went out to this lady and I wanted to tell her how much I could relate to what she was saying.

A half hour ago (8pm my time) my hubby,myself and my two boys were in the pool swimming (yes, it's HOT here in South Africa!) and we had a blast! I kept thinking-we might not have money, a lot of gifts etc, BUT we have eachother and I know its' very cliche but it's SO TRUE. We have to remind ourselves about what counts in this short life! I think of a little boy I met online-Diego-who died at the age of 6!I think of an egangelist Paul Young(smallpaul) whose 2 year old died of meningitis a bit before her third birthday.... I could go on and on telling of tradegies that happen daily, so I remind myself to CHOOSE to think on positive things at this "festive" season, which for SO MANY people is NOT a time of joy!

Let's all stop on Christmas morning and think of those whose joy has been robbed.There is a beautiful verse in the Bible-"Satisfy us early with Thy mercy, that we may be happy ALL of our days" This is my prayer for all of us this Christmas! Be blessed!!!!

Congratulations to Caroline

Congratulations on passing your exams Caroline! I know how very difficult this was for you to do and want you (and all our journalling friends) to know how proud I am of you! Well done!!!! All our online friends-please drop Caroline a line of congratulations as I know she is so modest that she would not brag- SO I WILL!!!!! Congratulations also on your new job for next year! God is so AWESOME!!!

Holiday Happiness

At last ! I am on holiday for 6 glorious weeks!!! I don't know how I would recharge my batteries without this break! I know my friends in America only have a short break at this time and I can't help thinking that you need to change things HEEHEE.I know you also have a long break at the end of your school year, but I would personally not like to have such a short break over Christmas! I LOOOOVE Christmas time, and I really would do just about anything to be in America for Christmas! You guys sure know how to decorate!!! Please put many pics of the houses lit up for Christmas as we don't have that over here!(Well, last year one person,that had been to USA,had done up her house and the cars caused traffic jams during the whole season!!!!)I LOVE to see these!! So pretty! My house looks "very American"-as my son calls it! (I love decorations!!)You guys would be proud!!!

While I really do LOVE Christmas(especially the excitement my boys have over their gifts), I can't help becoming very nostalgic too.Christmas is also a time when I really miss my parents (they are no longer living on earth, but I know they live in His glorious splendour).I am almost 40 and I still long for them-does this ever change??? It is a time I remember my own childhood traditions and long once again for them! Having my own boys to start new traditions with, is wonderful and they are truly gifts from God! My eldest son was born on the 18th of December 14 yrs ago and he was my best Christmas gift I ever received!(I also got married on the 21st of December 16 yrs ago so THAT was a good gift that year as well :-) Maybe we could share with eachother,the best gifts we've ever received?Could make for interesting reading!

Talking of gifts! Don't you agree that the BEST GIFT EVER was JESUS!!!! I really do go overboard with the commercial side of Christmas,BUT, I make sure my boys know and understand whose special day it REALLY is!Without Jesus coming to earth as a humble human, we would not be able to experience His wonderful grace and mercy and FORGIVENESS!I want everyone who reads my journal to please say a prayer of thanks to God for His Son, Jesus.If there are unbelievers who read this, please pray anyway because He WILL hear you ,cos He made you and He LOVES you!HEEHEE

On that happy note, I shall leave you now to go and switch on my MANY many pretty lights!HO HO HO

Yay!

Yay! I was soooo happy to see (Gasp!) 10 whole comments!!! Thank you so much! Natalie-especially,for sending so many along!

When my husband heard me (yes I admit I shrieked out loud:-) He LOL as well and asked me with a smile (do you feel loved now? Hee Hee -that was a dig at me-I am always asking "Do you still love me?" I have given up asking "Does my butt look big in this?" as the deafening silence hurt!

It (my response to your comments)just made me realise that we do look for affirmation from others- I guess that was a big reason I became a teacher. I LOVE being able to boost poor self-images (battled with that myself) and make even my "weak" pupils feel good about themselves. I guess journalling is a bit like that too. I have always loved writing and I suppose this is the closest I ever get to publishing (grin).

For now I am spending more time doing what I also LOVE doing -reading- your journals,that is! SOOO if I don't write as often , you only have yourselves to blame -for writing so well!

PS We don't celebrate Thanksgiving (obviously:-) but I trust you all enjoyed the break! See ya!

I think I must have known when I started this journal, that it would be in "bits".What started out as a pun(did you get it???) has backfired on me as the pun is on me(weak I know:-) I have tried to be regular(in my journalling that is) but before I know it, another week has flown by! So I have decided to keep the name as it turns out to be most appropriate! I initially wanted to contact other teachers to compare but have read so many different journals that I spend more time reading than writing my own!

Thank you to my dearest friend Caroline, for sending a link to my journal!!!I have found the remarks sooo encouraging THANK YOU !!!

We had our prize giving at school today and it was so very rewarding to see the little faces beam when they received their certificates! Our school has 500 pupils and each child receives a certificate.This is really nice, as next year (grade 4 and up) only those with merits (85% overall 8 learning areas or in a specific subject!)will receive certificates.I had a really great surprize this year as my class won ten of the 16 trophies!(None I can take credit for!!!) They were for outstanding courtesy,best Afrikaans speaker,sportmanship,cricket,swimming,tennis and basketball!What a blessing to see the smiles-and best of all-the friends' that were smiling too(no sulks because they didn't win!) This is an area which we as a staff have addressed strongly(as well as "making mistakes" is OKAY!!! That's how we LEARN!!!) That's my own personal hobby horse :-)

Gotta go-reports to finish up-one more week before closing so admin is at max!!!  

Assessment is over

At last!!! Assessment at school is over for the year! With two weeks left before we break for six weeks,I can get down to just relaxing with my children and do more fun activities than usual! Lots of Christmas things YAY!

I have no children that need to be retained this year-this makes me SOOO very happy! It never is an easy task to explain to a little child why they have to repeat a year! They usually take it well (depending on how the news is told and how their parents react!)

I had a girl that really battled the year through and I prayed her through most of her tasks! I could only have done it with Gods' help! She has passed! Some of the boys' in my class have been a challenge this year-poor parental supervision has led to undisciplined behaviour but what they truly need is routine and structure and LOADS of love and attention! This required pray too! My class received a compliment from our headmistress for being a well-behaved class! They beamed-especially those "naughty" boys! Not enough positive reinforcement at home I guess! I have 31 in my class this year, but will have 35 next year.Think I'll post a photo of my class next time.

It would be nice to hear from different schools across the waters!

I have been SOOO busy with reports, admin etc etc that I haven't journalled for so long, that I had considered giving it up! Just couldn't do it! We are a prep school so we are busy rehearsing for the Grade 3 final assembly and also our annual prizegiving.

My boys are calling-better go-think I'll journal when they are asleep!!! :-)

 

 

My boys and I

This was taken at the beach about 2 years ago.I really don't like being photographed,but realise that its important for my boys' who one day might be looking for photos with mom.My mom died of cancer when I was 16 and sadly I only have five photos of her and I together! We were very close,but not many people were into photography in my family.I think that is why I am a photo FANATIC!! They capture memories! I LOVE looking at my boys' baby albums and sometimes find myself quite emotional when I think how much they have grown! Where have my babies gone?? My hubby says "LET GO!" but I battle with that!I often feel like I'm trying to be the mother my mom couldn't-when she was dying she often said that she would be missing out on so much of my life. I especially miss her when I look at my children-she would have loved them so!My sister has just become a granny for the first time and I love watching her with her granddaughter!I can't wait to become a granny!(I think I'll have to be patient for a while longer!)

More later

Happy Day !

As you can tell, I have had a good day! One of those productive and rewarding days!(Don't they always go hand in hand?) Anyhow,I thought I'd share my happiness with someone else!

We also experienced a bit of a (financial) miracle today! We always seem to have more month that money and things have been a bit tough lately as my hubby started a new job( and has not been on full salary yet) and three hungry boys really put a dent in the larder!!! BUT God has ALWAYS provided and NEVER have we ever gone hungry! We received an unexpected amount today!I don't put much value to money normally(that's a whole story on its' own!) but I just had to share what can only be described as a miracle! (And we've experienced this before on numerous occasions!) I just had to share that, in case any of you doubt that God is in the miracle business(still)

I had a wonderful day at school and got through to a really weak pupil today and seeing her smile made my day! I LOVE my job (most days!) I have taught for 16 years and though it is a stressful job, I believe God called me to do this work!

Gotta stop now(sure I could use up all 25,000 characters)or I'll go on all night! This is fun!

Here are my boys,Travis(9),Chris(13) and my foster son Hennie(17) Aren't I blessed???

A little bit more

This journaling is addictive!(also frustrating as I once again typed a lengthy piece only to find an error on the page again!) Oh well, at least I'm learning to become more patient!! A good thing!

I think what I like most is that I can "talk" without being interupted! Moms you know what I mean! Don't get me wrong-I ADORE my boys.I have been very blessed by God! However,sometimes I feel as if I've lost myself! Lost in making lunches,feeding,washing dishes,laundry,feeding,carpool,did I say FEEDING??

I guess this journal is an outlet! I have always enjoyed writing.My best friend(who is living in the USA now) got me interested in journaling.http://caromarls/A new Adventure She would love you to visit her journal.I can highly recommend it! This is a great way to keep in touch and also to make new friends!!

Well, I have to go and feed the hordes :-)

 

First Entry

Finally! I actually started my own journal! I have tried on three occasions to start one and each time I've written a looong  entry only to have an error on the page! Needless to say, I gave up! That's the first bit about me! I tend to be impatient!(With myself mostly! :-)

I am keeping my entries short (and hopefully, sweet) Hence the name "bits" of me!

Well thats' the first "bit" done!