The British Homemaker - One day at a time

I meant to post this on 1st December to see if it could be added to and/or altered for other fun crafts. My teen isn't huge on crafting but the dude is, he will sit for hours making, drawing, designing, writing, colouring and creating something from almost nothing. Add that to the fun of Christmas crafting and it makes for a happy mommy! Every year we have our own little routine in preparation for Christmas, quite simple really and it keeps the kids happy on the colder days and longer nights. Goes something like this: 1st - Tree goes up and decorated 2nd - Decorations around the house From here on we have a rough sketch of what we want to do each day up to Christmas Eve: Make window decorations paper chains operation Christmas child boxes {between 2 ad 6} paper bunting felt ornaments bread and pastry goodies soap/hand lotion gifts teacher/church teacher gifts salt dough decorations personalised baubles chocolate and marshmallow chocolate gifts cookies, cake...

The Lds church don’t believe that Jesus Christ was born on 25th December but we do celebrate the day for a few reasons. One being that it’s an opportunity to share in the birth of Christ with other religions and non faith people, two being that we love to have a good time when it is good and uplifting and three because it’s an event that very often brings people together. Our church is all for unity; unity of people, of faiths and of hearts. Today, in our Branch Council Meeting I was deeply touched by the vision our recently called leaders have for the coming year. We have been called the ‘happening branch’; we are well liked and respected by other wards/branches in our stake and I  know from experience we give the warmest welcomes to visitors, members and non members. Our activities are driven by the spirit (I know cos I am the activities leader!), we are driven to include anyone that wishes to come along and take part. We do not ‘bible bash’ and preach. We are friendly, bus...

Remember the last post when I said I have so much going on that I won’t have time to blog? Well I have decided to hold myself accountable and blog my daily to-do list over on The British Homemakers Diary . Today is day 2 and so far I’m doing pretty ok, but lets see what happens in a week or two! Lol While all is good and well here, the kids are busy doing their to-do list to ensure that when Jay, Tara, Bailey and Scott arrive they are organised and ready for the best Christmas ever. Me, I am determined that this year, while busy now, come Christmas Eve it will be the first day to relax and enjoy all the wonderful blessings that I have. My philosophy this year is ‘’preparation & organisation’’. So far, though I have a little more on my plate than I’d like, I am happy to actually have so much stuff going on. I am meeting more wonderful people, doing some things for the first time and having a ball with it all. I love that my friends know my talents and want to include me in ...

You understand why the family unit is so important Becoming a teacher of all good and healthy things feels like you should earn a degree by the 10th year Giving up is not an option, simply because the Lord has made it clear on a load of occasions that He will get me through Being so tuned in to your children fuels your sense of worth and purpose Quitting on your kids is not an option Knowing that the kids have security, faith and acceptance from me is priceless Cooking and baking becomes second nature, especially with all the activities we and the kids share in Some days its hard to remember that we have a deeper understanding of parenting, some days its just so very overwhelming Accountability becomes another title Faith and gratitude override all the downsides, the tough days and the worries. Debs

Get life going so much that you end up burning out. Why? It’s a harsh world out there, we have mortgages to pay, cars to maintain, children to care for and a whole other range of things but let me tell you something… It is more in your control than you think. Shocking? Shocked that I’ve just simplified life as a mother/partner/friend and all other titles we have? You’ll live. I promise. And deep down you know I am right. I used to blame living in a city on how crazy my life was. I dreamed of living in the country to have the slower pace, the nature all around me. I believed once I had all that my life would be idyllic. Cr*p. It' doesn’t work like that. We do. In my time out I had many conversations with so many different people from all walks of life, one in particular, with a local radio show host (more on that soon as its related to The British Homemaker) and off air we talked about how he felt relaxed and inspired talking to me. He proceeded to ask me the s...

Twice a year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hold a General Conference where we get guidance and inspired revelation from many of our church leaders. For those that are not in Salt Lake City to be there in person, many watch it via satellite broadcast at their Stake Centres or, like me, at home. However it is listened to or watched depends on what works for the family but it is an event that really should be prepared for in advance to be able to get the most out of it. We watch most of the sessions online whilst in pj’s, eating a range of nibbles and lounging on my bed! Charley will either play with his toys and raise his head occasionally to ask a question about what he’s just heard or, in the last session, he has worked through the various GC packets that have been available to download. The next General Conference is 2nd and 3rd October and now is the time to begin preparation if you haven’t done so already. If you want a totally awesome website to go to with...

Sometimes I wish I didn’t feel things. Sometimes I wish I just didn’t care about people or situations. Sometimes I wish I just didn’t care. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have a ‘care in the world’ in the literal sense. I’m told, so often that I care too much, or I should not care so much or better yet that I should control my caring. Umm. Well, when I think about this in the quiet of my room my heart is turned to Jesus Christ. He cares. Unconditionally. He wants us to care. Unconditionally. He was vulnerable, he hurt, he was abused, ridiculed and tortured. But He still cared. To me that is unconditional caring. While I don’t think for one minute that I should be treated as He was, I do think that to be more like Christ I should not condition my caring to conform a ‘what if’ strategy. Neither should I condition it to only care when I get something in return. So that leaves me vulnerable, or does it? No, it leaves me open to upset, hurt and being let down and that is the risk I take when I ...

Becoming a Nanna has been a great thing for me so far. Being a mom I have always enjoyed that role and felt it is truly best area in life. That’s not saying I’m the best mom or I get it all right or that I or my kids are perfect, I am just continuing to do the best I can and never unwilling to try new ideas or methods if it means my kids benefit and grow the be the best they can be. Now I have a baby granddaughter to add to that mix. I have a new role to move into and for as much as I love that little girl I know I will play an integral part in her life so I want it to be appropriate, fun, strong and as supportive to her parents as possible. Bailey makes me feel things that only my children have managed so far in my life. She is a perfect gift from a loving Heavenly Father to me as well as my son and daughter in law. It’s time for me to review my relationship with the Lord to be sure I get His approval of the things I hope to do and share with Bailey. Checking my email I found o...