Life IS Busy. But God IS Good.

Isn't Spring just a beautiful season! These warm, sunny, delightful days are flying by though, and opportunities to blog have passed also. I have meant to keep my blog updated more; but sorry people, there are actually more important things to do! ;) 

We had a couple of months of sickness...children with tonsillitis, chesty colds, and Jonathan was/is teething. Day after day went past, in which I nearly felt sure that the crying and grumpiness just would not end! It can be so difficult to get housework done with a 1 year old hitching a ride on your left hip (rubbing his runny nose and teary eyes across your clean blouse), and a two year old lying on the grass outside screaming asking for 'more water?' in his bucket of dirt. Dishes, and washing, and ironing, and toddler beds needing sheets straightened, and a highchair needing cornflakes wiped off, and bathrooms calling out my name. 

Clean Me!

On those days, I try to forget about the extras. Such as the filing cabinet that needs re-organising; the bags of books from friends, that need sorting and placing on bookshelves; and the veggie garden that needs planting, etc. Because otherwise it can become very overwhelming. I remind myself that this is THE NORMAL. Life will always be busy...in different ways, yes, but certainly still busy. I need to learn how to utilize my time around the Lord, first and foremost, and then my hubby and boys. They need to come first. I am learning day by day to take time to enjoy my husband and sons; actually spend time with the people I love; enjoy little things like the new buds on the silver birch; praise the Lord for His goodness in every thing; and calmly keep carrying on with the housework. By God's grace, accomplishing something each day; even if it is "only" playing ball with Joshua and hearing him giggle as Mummy tries to chase him. But usually {I can be thankful} I am able to keep up with the basic housework, cooking and washing. And every so often, as a bonus, I achieve another 'to-do' item, as well!!

Anyhow we have all been well for several weeks now,
and the boys are playing a lot more happily! As I said in the title
- Life IS Busy. But God IS Good.
And He blesses me in more ways than I can number.

New growth on our Silver Birch 

Here are just a few things that I am grateful for, in this busy season of motherhood:

~ a wonderful man who helps out so much and is so considerate.

~ sisters popping around..'just to help out for an hour before dinner'

~ my mum's encouragement 

~ the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, 

...which I am slowly getting through in my spare time ;) !

~ bright cheery days, meaning the boys get outside and play happily for sometime

~ a friend nearby, who has 2 little boys and understands because she is also very busy

I love my little family so much. I have done a series of catch up photo posts. 

You can click right here to go to my photo blog home page,
or just follow the individual links below. 

{If you do not yet have access, please read here.}

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*Joel, Dad, and a friend prepared and laid a concrete slab
for our planned Garden Shed.

*The boys are nearly always together, when they play. So cute.

*Joshua and Jonathan having an afternoon of water play

*We met up with Bede, Jemima, and the boys for a picnic last Sunday.

*Jonathan loves mud and gravitates towards it

*A picture post on 'The Life of a Camellia' :)

*Sepia shots of the boys
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Joshua likes to watch the insects and ants that move along the ground

Concrete getting poured

Water Play

To finish off, I wonder if you would be willing to leave a comment in response
to one or all of the following questions? Thank You! 

~ How do YOU make spending time with the Lord, a priority?

~ What are some practical helps for juggling the housework 

and little children who need you to hold them in your arms?

~ What things are YOU grateful for in your busy life?

Love in Christ, Beth