Sunday Thoughts with a Wine

I am currently in my happy place [Harry Potter, crochet, glass of wine and cookies in the oven] so thought I would take a moment to pop in here and leave my mark.

Here are my random thoughts from a Sunday evening on a long weekend:

• I'm very grateful for all the emails, advice and experience I have received on this new hitting phenomenon. I don't even like to type that word, it feels so dirty. We are giving Milla lots and lots of positive attention, firm and direct leading when situations turn to custard, chanelling her mothering and gentleness into her Dolly and trying to live a great day at a time. I think it might be working / helping. She is certainly responding to it well! 
• I've been busy lately, my family, home and personal self have suffered because of it. Thankfully, its all self imposed busyness, which means I have the power to control it. Say no to the Rushing Woman! 
• I have had a 14 year relationship with Harry Potter. I still enjoy it as much as I did back in Form One (year 2000) when all the cool girls were reading it. Mrs Drower, if you ever read this, I still have your Chamber of Secrets book I never returned!!! 
• I've started a new crochet piece of art. It's fabulous, and I'm learning SO much about crochet in the process. It's filling my hands and my mind with colourful happiness and its good for the soul.
• Milla and I are attempting to grow strawberries. I don't know if they do already, but society should promote growing things as a help for depression. Watching these little plants grow has brought me immeasurable joy and wonderings into the fullness and meaning of life. Another good for the soul activity.
• I can't believe its nearly the end of year! My birthday is approaching, along with Christmas. I'm already pondering advents, activities and things to be done with Milla regarding the whole Jesus being born thing. Any fun ideas?!
• Christmas gifts this year are being bought from local or small NZ businesses, I've already started online purchases. It feels good knowing i'm also being able to help someone else local buy their Chrissy presents! 
• I miss you all. What have you been up to lately?!

Sister Files: Sharing Bedrooms

The girls have been sharing a bedroom for the last few weeks now, if you had asked me a few days ago how it was going I would have said perfectly. Everyone told me they would share fine, that they wouldn't wake up to each other, and everyone was right. They do share and they don't wake. 

Even though we have a room for Katie to potentially use we decided to keep it as a spare room / sewing area / office / Sisterhood storage area. Also there's a big possibility we'll need to down size to two bedrooms next year so we wanted to get the sharing a bedroom thing in from the start.

Milla loves to have her sister in her bedroom, she whispers whenever she goes in there, and I'll often find a blanket on Katie that wasn't there in the first place.

Katie has transitioned from the basinet in our bedroom into her cot just fine. Infact, I don't think she even noticed a change. I'm still figuring out how to tuck her in, I'm unsure if I should be wrapping her, sleeping bagging her or just letting it all flow. Whatever I do, she gets off to sleep just fine, usually with a thumb in her mouth (adorable). 

These last few days Milla has suddenly struggled to keep her hands to herself. It caused problems last night where every 10 minutes we heard a shriek from Katie, only to rush in and find Milla with her fingers in her eyes, nose, mouth, hitting her, pulling etc each time. Oh my heart, it broke for little Katie. I felt so bad for her, and sad for Milla. Katie ended up in her basinet last night to give Milla some space.

Unfortunately this trend has continued today, so i'll be spending today cuddling my biggest, letting her pour the washing powder in the machine (such a treat!) and giving her lots of attention. I'll also be praying for lots and lots of patience. 

The trouble with sharing rooms is there's only one place to send them, and if they can't be together then... whats the back up plan?! 

I do love this arrangement though, and for the most part I'm glad they have each other. It'll be nice when they're a little older and can have a chat before they go to bed! Cute!

Whats the sleeping arrangements like in your house? Any tried and true recipes for success? I'd love to hear them! Leave a comment and let me know :) 

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Sister Files

2013 Ninja Bake Weekend Complete

This weekend hundreds of women pulled out their cooling racks, put on their ninja head gear and prepped the hubbys on the best places for a drop off and getaway.

Some waited in cars for the kids to come running down the driveway, others had a getaway vehicle running ready to go.

But at the heart of all the excitement, it was hundreds of women baking in secret for hundreds of others. Some were known to them, others were nominated and they were trusted to bless other peoples loved ones. But whatever and whoever, we all know one thing - it was a heartwarming, belly filling weekend of blessings, kindness and love.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this weekends Ninja Baking drop. Over 400 batches of baking were delivered in stealth (or not so stealth). Some were baked in the dark of the night, others with a group of cousins or work mates, or with little kiddo fingers pinching dough.

As a recipient of baking, I know that what you did was a good thing. You made someones day, or week. You released tears and brought about smiles and heart flutters. Thank you!

Here are a few photos and quotes from the weekend - photos sent in by bakers, and quotes pulled from comments left on our Facebook page over the weekend. Thank you for joining in on the Facebook page over the weekend too, there were lots of visitors and you welcomed them so well!

Check out our Facebook page here because this is just a very very small selection of what is on there!

"We've just received some lovely baking in our mailbox! Thank you to whomever nominated us, and thank you to whomever baked for us! It's been a big year, with the arrival of baby number three, a business to keep pushing and volunteer work to keep going. Knowing that we've been thought of in this way by someone is really appreciated." -Erin

"Oh my gosh! I just got ninja cookie bombed! Except the lovely ninja stayed and I got to give her a hug. Thank you!!!!" - Holly

"What a lovely surprise I got yesterday! It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much " - Louise

"Ninja Baking received after I had just received a phone call about my mum being rushed to hospital.....so the importance and meaning is always, ALWAYS more than baking....the note meant everything too, and knowing the effort and love that went into the baking.....and the effort to drop it off!....made it all the more special. Can't thank everybody enough." - Andrea

What might have been the trickiest Ninja drop of the weekend (hehe! would you believe they got in and out without being seen?):

Find out more information about The Sisterhood here

Honorable mentions go to Treena-Marie for helping me so much with emailing and behind the scenes admin, to Katie for asking to ninja-bake for all the other bakers in her city and to everyone who registered as a baker or signed up a nomination! Thank you for caring beyond yourself and reaching out to bless someone else. You make this world go 'round, no doubt. 

Love to you all.

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Here's what some bloggers have said about the Ninja Bake weekend:

Ange from Tall, Short, Tiny & a Pickle

Lauren from SAHM I am

Treena-Marie from Creative Mama

the 2012 Ninja Bake weekend

Find out more information about The Sisterhood here

Meet The Sisterhood: Cyndi (*LJ)

The Sisterhood is made up of so many beautiful women, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning. I wanted to introduce them to you as they mostly stay under the radar and behind the scenes but they are so very important to me!

I've asked them all a few questions, and they replied! I hope you enjoy getting to know a few more Sisters! (I'll be posting these interviews each week. Make sure you leave a comment and some love for them!)

Introducing Cyndi (also known as *LJ on our FB page)!

I first met Cyndi through blogging a few years ago. I sent her some coffee through the post and hooked her into The Sisterhood foreverrr. I knew the way to that ladies heart! Hehe!

Cyndi helps me admin the Sisterhood facebook page, and chimes in every now and again to give me advice on my hairbrained schemes. She has a beautiful boy, Monkey, who is probably the smartest kid I've ever heard of, and Cyndi has to be the strongest woman I have had the pleasure of knowing as I have watched her blog her way through divorce and hard change this last year. 

She is a blessing to The Sisterhood, and its a joy to finally introduce her as she has been know as *LJ for so long!!

How did you first hear about The Sisterhood

I received a care package from you before The Sisterhood started officially. It was a simple gift of love and I treasure the memory of it. The simplicity of the idea made it appealing.

What initially made you get involved? How did you get involved?

I got involved by sending some things down to Sisterhood HQ and then nominated two deserving mums I know and had a ball getting them some local treats. After that I got in touch with bigger companies to get larger donations... Especially some cool things from The WotWots for our Christmas parcels.

How did that make you feel?

I felt like I was able to help other women and families in the smallest way, which would make continuing to contribute easier. Knowing that they would feel special and loved and, above all, SURPRISED is a great feeling too!

What is your favourite part of The Sisterhood?

That it's accessible to so many people. It's not just "rich" people giving and "poor" people receiving. It encourages a richness of spirit that allows us to give what we have to complete strangers who are in need of something. It also allows for paying it forward which is amazing!

What would you like to see us do in the future?

I'd like to see us do more "Love Bombs" and maybe set up some local chapters once the Sisterhood becomes a charity ;)

If you want to make friends with Cyndi, you can find her here:

www.lattejunkie.com

Want to meet more?
Angela's Interview
Hazel's Interview

Gina's Interview

Deb's Interview
Treena's Interview