*Carpenter’s College Graduation
#All photo credits to Jenna, Campion College Photographer of the day. December last year, our eldest son, *Carpenter graduated from College!!! He now proudly holds a Degree in Bachelor of Liberal Arts. The Graduation ceremony opened with the Celebration of Mass, presided by the Bishop Emeritus of Parramatta and con-celebrated with the College chaplain and several local priests. Afterwards dignitaries, faculty and student representatives addressed the; Graduates, faculty, families and friends of the Graduates with the key address given by Miranda Devine. Then the big moment when the graduates receive their degrees! Three years of study working towards this moment, this achievement! We are so proud of our lad! The application, diligence, perseverance and sheer work that…
9 Tips For A New Homeschooler From An Old Homeschooler
We’ve been parenting/homeschooling for over two decades now, doesn’t it sound like a long time, not sure if it feels long or not 😉 One of the gifts of having several children over a twenty year span is our hard won wisdom doesn’t ‘go to waste’, our younger children benefit from our earlier experience. We’d like to share 9 tips with you that we’ve learnt along the way, in this parenting, home educating journey, come along and travel with us. What have we learnt along the journey, where are we now focusing our energies, what pieces of wisdom gained are we implementing? It’s All About Relationships Focus on nurturing relationships; your relationship with…
A Week with Only Our Littles
Last week was an unusual week due to an unprecedented event, the only children we had at home were our youngest two, who are 4 years & 21 months. Our middle four children were away visiting Grandma and cousins and whilst our adult daughter and nearly adult son were in residence, the focus was on our littles. To adjust to the sudden loss of the majority of playmates we added some ‘extras’ to our week. We participated in a Lego competition and enjoyed a morning at a local park in town. We slowed down and concentrated on our little ones and experienced rather a relaxed week. It was…
Parenting Roles As Children Mature
Many months ago Bron from Maxabella Loves commented “I would love to hear more on your thoughts about the changing role of parenting as children grow older”. We are so far from finishing this parenting journey, not that parenting will ever be finished, that I’ve been hesitant to answer, I certainly don’t want to sound as if ‘we know it all and have it all together’. Whilst considering how to answer I’ve come to realise I can only tell our story so far. How we parent may be different to how you parent and that’s okay, we each have our own journey to travel. Our relationship with our older children doesn’t ‘magically change…
10 Reflections on 2014
The conclusion of a year always brings forth reflections on the closing year for me, I tend to think along the lines of ‘what do I take from the old to the new year’. Maxabella has posed several reflection questions which I thought worth pondering upon. 1. What word do you think best summed up 2014? Savour and nurture, as I can never say just one word;) Ten days before the dawn of the New Year we were blessed with our baby daughter Bella, she is also our tenth child. We could be considered ‘older parents’ though we don’t really feel like we are, yet in some ways we do as…
Before I Had A Seven Year Old
Kate has asked mothers of older children to share what it was like ‘back in the day’, back when all their children were under seven. So heading down ‘memory lane,’ sharing a few recollections of those years. We are blessed with ten children and one whom awaits us in Heaven. Our girls are; 21, 12, 10 & 8 months. Our boys are; 19, 17, 15, 8, 5 & 3. Once upon a time, many years ago we only had little ones, they were special years and they were stretching years. When our oldest was six we had four children, they were 6, 4, 2 and a baby, and life was…
Interview With A Husband
Introducing you to a very special guest here on my blog, my husband PC, my Prince Charming himself. PC is my biggest fan, not only does he read all of my posts and all of my comments, he complains pleads for more posts when I take ‘too long’ between posts, then supports me in practical ways so I have time to write. The ‘man behind the scene’, he’s rather awesome, anyhow Renee’s interview with her husband, was so entertaining I thought I’d ask PC if he was willing to play along. Unlike Renee I didn’t spring it on him as he walked in the door;) I emailed him at work…
Regarding Fertility for ‘Those Who Ask’
Seven weeks ago we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Our little darling fills our hearts with incredible joy and awe, we daily wonder at how blessed we are. She is so beautiful, content and loved. Oh how loved she is and we constantly give thanks for her. Every child has their own unique story to weave, and the story of their birth is one of their first stories, one day our precious girl will ask to hear hers and at the moment there is a large blot on the fabric of her story. No it wasn’t a traumatic birth, indeed the labour was rather quiet and peaceful. Like…
Advent Reflections Whilst Awaiting the Birth of Our Babe
On the weekend we began preparations for our new babe, the baby is due in only three weeks so it was indeed time. We’ve set up the cradle, nappies are on the line and neutral clothing is piling up in the laundry. (We’ll wash either boy’s or girl’s clothing after the birth.) I have been struggling in deciding which to prepare for first, the baby’s birth or Advent/Christmas and consequently had begun no preparations towards either. Upon reflection I realised that expecting a baby at Christmas (due on the 18th) provided me with a wonderful opportunity to fully embrace the Birth of Our Lord. I too am travelling on a…
Overcoming Social Awkwardness
We’re firm believers in community involvement. Community involvement may look different for each family/individual, reflecting interests and beliefs. It may include Church, homeschool groups, sport, drama, political groups, volunteer, work place etc. Studies support that people are much happier when they belong to and are involved in a community. Not only have we seen the importance of putting down roots within our smaller, comfortable groups but we have seen the benefits of participating within the wider community. Social skills are taught at home and through interaction with the family and the wider community, we have a duty to ensure we model, instil and insist on good social skills for our…
Our Tapestry of Sorrow and Healing
Ten years ago we began our journey along the Via Dolorosa, not a road we would have willingly choosen, the pain was intense and yet from the suffering our relationship with Our Lord changed and intensified, He does indeed carry you. Admidst our pain we were also blessed with incredibly precious moments. Ten years ago today I was 18 weeks pregnant, it was the day we discovered that our sweet babe had died. Two days prior whilst at my brother’s 21st party I had begun bleeding, I whispered to my husband what was happening and we sat quietly hoping and praying. We left as soon as soon as possible, putting myself…
