Goodbye 2012

What a year you have been 2012. I don't think much more could have happened. Honestly I LOVE LIFE!!!! I wholeheartedly do. However that doesn't mean that it's always easy for me. This year has provided several challenges that have made me stronger but most of all have made me realise where I want to be and what I want out of life.
This year started with me having to make a choice with my career. For years I wanted to work from home as a Family Day Care Educator. My hubby and I built an extension onto our home to enable me to do this. It was a dream come true and although it didn't last more than 11 months. I proved to me I can set a goal and make my dreams come true.
Due to some family issues I was unable to continue with Family Day Care. So at the beginning on 2012 I made the decision to finish my business and due to finances had to find another job, So I applied and got the job within an hour of my interview. I had already gotten another job that I then had to tell the boss I wasn't taking. I felt horrible leaving her in the lurch but I had to make that decision to benefit me and my family. My new job provided challenges. Settling in, learning the job, forging friendships. It provided me though with a very supportive workplace with highly experienced team members and the opportunity to attend 2 conferences and also to study a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment which I managed to complete in 16 weeks whilst working. It was certainly a challenge. But I did it!!!!!!!

My two daughters started at a new school. They went from a school with 50 children to a school with over 500. It was a HUGE change for them. One that, despite having obstacles throughout the year, we are happy we made. They had amazing, supportive teachers and both made lovely friends.

Our oldest daughter faced several challenges. Since 2 we knew she was quirky and a little different and after seeing paediatricians etc no one could help us. I knew the problem since she was 2 years old and finally a psychologist with over 25 years experience in the field of working with children diagnosed what we already knew. She has Aspergers Disorder. It was still a kick in the guts. I remember , we found out 'officially' on the first day of winter, the 1st of june. And as my hubby and I walked out of her office into the crisp cool air we hugged. We hugged that finally someone saw what we saw, finally someone could really help us help our daughter. So with that 12 sessions followed for both her and Us. She is an amazing help. We are faced with challenges daily but we are dealing with it as best we can.

In June I also planned my Best Friends Hen's party and I have to say it was a fun night and I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it..

I then attended her wedding which was incredible and gave me the opportunity to be in a bridal party FINALLY!!! I had only been a bride so I was very excited to be her Matron of Honor.

Around October my family and I were judged pretty harshly. Someone didn't agree with our values and beliefs and I felt devastated at the time. I reflected on this though and realised that I am a good person. I have excellent values, I try and teach my daughters right from wrong, to be respectful and loving and kind people. So in some ways this was a blessing as I realised I am going to keep living the way I do. By staying true to myself.

My hubby lost his job in November and was unemployed for a month. It was hard financially and whilst he has a new job it's not very financially beneficial but it's work and for now, it will be ok. He is finding it tough learning a new job so close to Christmas when it's so busy though so he has been a little stressed.

I have to say that as much as it doesn't seem like a lot has happened now I've reflected it has been a huge year. One that I am happy I lived through but one I am more than ready to say goodbye too. I cannot wait to start 2013.
I'll be posting more about that tomorrow.
So how was your year? What things happened and what have you learnt from it?
Looking forward to some replies :)

About to get a lot simpler

With the uncertainty of my husbands job, the way the economy has been, the rising price of electricity and insurances we have to cut our costs even more. To be honest I already cook from scratch as much as possible, buy my in season fruit and veges, op shop and reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible, we meal plan right down to the exact ingredients. We make our own laundry powder [which I am so thankful for. Although last week we ran out after the sickness in our house we had a lot more washing and ran out. By hubby brought a store brought one to get us through and it smelt potent] both of us still have it sitting there as after one load the perfume and chemicals had us feeling ill from the smell.
Back to the story........ so there are still some things I can so though. I stopped baking my own bread as my girls didn't like the thickness of it. [But they will just have to get used to it]. I am finally going to organise 3 or so chickens to lay us some eggs. I am also going to start my much anticipated vegetable garden.
I have looked at our electricity bill and recently we have started turning off all the powerpoints all the time instead of leaving them on. I am going to buy a car phone charger and charge mine and hubby's phone in the car instead of at home. We can't afford solar panels or anything but we have not got and decided not to get a heater for winter, instead we are going to use hot water bottles, blankets and dressing gowns and slippers to keep warm.
I would love any more tips anyone has to give me on how else we can cut costs. We need to cut them now and prepare for the worst which would be living solely on my income which at the moment is impossible despite our simple life.

Weekending

After days of sickness with upset tummies everyone was feeling healthy again on Sunday. So we cooked up a big batch of pancakes and made hot chocolates and cappacino's and enjoyed a delightful breakfast. It was so nice [although tiring] that the girls had so much energy again.
After a busy and stressful few days with sickness, washing, cleaning, disinfecting etc it was nice to send the girls back off to school this morning.
After having some health problems last night I decided my exercise routine would not happen so I strolled to the post office to pick up a parcel from my best friend and I was delighted with it too.

Anyone that knows me well knows I have a slight [I say that sarcastically] obsession with OWLS. In fact the owl is my toten animal and I even have an owl tattoo. So when I opened this package from my best friend I was immediately in love with her hand made felt owl. There is something so special about hand made items. You know that someone has poured their heart and soul and precious time into what they have created, and that itself is so so so special. I was also excited by the gorgeous greeen owl bangle and the 5 cute owl necklaces. How very lucky am i?

How was your weekend? I hope you enjoyed it and had gorgeous weather to match.

Sickness

My poor Husband and little Mia have been sick the past two days which has left me having two days off work. Usually I would jump up and down but all the cleaning and washing and everything has left this poor Mama exhausted.
I am hoping for health and happiness as we come into the weekend........................

I'm Back

After a long time blogging I am back with a renewed enthusiasm for sharing "The Simple Life of Us" with others. I anticiapate to blog at least weekly if not more as a way of documenting my family, how we choose to live and the joy that we create each and every day. I have been meaning to blog for a while now but with starting a new job and having limited time it has been impossible. Unfortunately my Husband has been very ill with a stomach bug so I had to take today off work to look after him. I have not seen him this sick ever. I am praying that no one else ends up with this horrendous tummy bug. So what's been happening? Well after a very unsettled 18 months things are getting back on track. Sometimes these so called 'things' in life mess us up, mess up our routine, our joy and our freedom. That being said, it teaches us lessons along the way. Lessons that I am glad that I have had. Things are settling more around here now. We are slowly finding our groove again, slowly setting into life in a blessed, joyful way and I look forward to sharing our new journey with you all.

Beyond Avoidance - #Reverb10

What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

I'm not one that usually procrastinates. I jump right in when things need doing and just 'do it'. This usually relates to things at work or at home. I have to say though that I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to doing things I love. Things that fill my soul with contentment and joy. I always procrastinate when it comes to me.
This year I missed a few opportunities due to fear. I am shy and definitly an introvert. I worry too much about the 'what if's' and not jump in and do what I would like to do.
I am such a kind soul. I try to give more than receive and I try to help others as much as I can. One thing that I feel I should have done this year but didn't was some sort of voluntary work. I work now, as a child care worker and it takes a lot out of me. Anyone that thinks we just play with kids all day has never worked a day in the life of a child care worker. There is so much more to it. So usually I am exhausted after working. However I know if I managed my time more I would have found time to do some sort of volunteer work. I want to work with children and families in a volunteer role. I would love to provide an extra pair of hands to parents that aren't coping. To go into their homes and entertain their toddlers and preschoolers or to rock their babies to sleep. To do some simple household chores that they can't get done, to help with the grocery shopping. Anything like this would fill my soul. I know for a fact in my town there is an organisation that needs volunteers to do all of this.
So in anser to the question: will I?
If I can continue to only have to work part time when my youngest daughter starts school next year, I will ring this local organisation and find out what I need to do to committ to this volunteer work either weekly or fortnightly next year.
Wish me luck!

The older you get, the less you worry what others think

I'ven been thinking lately how as you get older you tend to worry less about what other people think of your dress sense, your decisions, your actions and your life choices. I know I have changed and I know a few of my friends that really don't worry about what others think. I guess it really is all about growing up and maturing. I k now many people have looked at me when I mention I make my own laundry powder, have a strict budget, menu plan, cook from scratch etc as if I am mad. A few people ask me how I find them time and others have asked why I do this when other things are so much more convienient.
My answer is "Because I want to. Because I enjoy it. Because this is what I am meant to be doing".
I have chosen to live like this. I have chosen to bring up my children in a simple, loving family home without a massive amount of luxuries. I want my children to grow up with compassion, understanding, self-worth and most of all without having to "Keep up with the Jones'". I want them to have to work for things. To earn things themselves and save for things. I do not want them to be greedy. I do want them to be spoilt, just not in a consumeristic [is that even a word lol] way. I want them to discover the values and appreciation for the simple things like a walk on the beach, a kookaburra singing, whales diving out of the water, the simple rub our cat gives them. I truly hope I can, to some point influence them to not worry what others think and to choose their own authentic life.
I do feel guilty when they are upset they can't have all of those pre packaged, full of preservatives meals. But then I remind myself they will be healthy and strong inside and out and they don't need them.
I do feel guilty when they ask for things like plastic crappy toys and I refuse but I want to teach them that they can't always have what they want and spending a little more on something of value is more beneficial.
I have to say my guilt doesn't last long which is good.
And there is one saying I say to myself all the time and try and use as an affirmation for my children. It is a quote I used in high school when I had to get braces. I kept it beside my bed to read every morning and night. It is by Author Helen Glisic
"What other people think of me is none of my concern,
Only what I think of myself concerns me".