It's A New Year!

Well it's a new year and I have decided to make a second attempt at writing a reflective blog.
Don't you just love summer holiday. Here in Australia they falls during the Christmas New Year period. It's a time to break routines and relax. No more early morning schedules of piano practice, reading, learning programs and lunch box making!
We have just spent the last week at the beach. We have so enjoyed its waves and refreshing cool water and the golden sand and all the digging and sandcastle building opportunities it provided.
The tribe have so loved playing outside to way past their bedtimes enjoying the extended hours of daylight saving and the warm weather. Holidays are for staying up late because sleeping in is not a problem :))
I love the fact that I have been able to read heaps having put the normal house hold chores on hold for just a little while.
Happy New Year everyone!

For The Love Of Cooking

I came across this cookbook holder at of all places the post office. Because I send my bags all over the place I am spending more time than ever at the post office. Surprisingly I found this treasure.
I love cooking and experimenting with food ( Is it any wonder that I am always struggling to stay "fit"!)
My excuse for being a little messy at times is because I am "creative"!!! When I design a new bag I need to have all colours and potential fabric, tims,and buttons combinations etc out so I can see them!. This is a chaotic process.
I find cooking the same, and my cookbooks are sometime the victim of my culinary endeavours :0!!
Not only does this stand look lovely it will keep my beloved cookbook library protected from my cooking storms :)

The Importance Of Providing Opportunities

One of the main reasons I have chosen to continue to be a full time stay home mum is to provide the extra support one of my sons needs. Spencer was diagnosed dyslexic when he was in grade 1. The specialist looked at me and said "the school will not teach him to read". "Your son has a normal IQ but he learns differently".
As you can imagine this terrified me at first and then I asked well what can I do about this.

Over the last year and half with guidance from an educational psychologist, I have been teaching my son to read. I have used a program called "The Reading Reflex" and adapted it to our situation.

My teaching degree, has provided me with a respect and an interest in education. But as I have found out, general classroom teachers are not trained in educating children who don't fit the "majority mold". I estimate that within every group of 20 children in school, 3's educational needs are not being met. Those 3 children are not being taught in the best way for them to reach their potential. A sad state of affair I believe.

That's why Spencer and I work together 4 out of 5 mornings. It is time consuming, frustrating, but so worth while. As we all know if something is difficult we tend to avoid it. Spencer is very "street" smart and on many occasions has tried to convince me why he didn't really need to read at all. But his hard work is paying off. We still have much to achieve but we continue to make solid progress.

My commitment like any loving parent's, is to help Spencer to reach his potential, providing him with opportunities that will help him grow into a well rounded person. This commitment is no different to what I strive to provide for my other 2 beautiful children, it's just more complex :))

Holiday Time

I have only just started this blog journey, and I am about to take a break :))))) It's school holiday time in Australia and we are taking off for a week to a place called Apollo Bay. Can't wait to chill out and forget about schedules and things that need to be done. Take care xx

The Importance Of Being Creative

Along with being a full time mum I design and create handbags. This is something I love to do. Creating something new gives me a real sense of satisfaction and achievement, which only relates to me and what comes out of my head.!!!
I believe we all need to discover things that makes us feel unique; discovering the gifts we have been given.
Creating bags make me feel excited and optimistic about my personal abilities it is soul food for me:))

Why?

This blog is a way for me to reflect on my life and what it means to me. Wow have been meaning to do this for ages and have finally got this off the ground.
I am a stay home mum of three children, who sometimes feels alone in the world.
I have taken a path of motherhood that is not so common in today's times.
I have chosen to stay home for the last 10 years to take care of my children. I have not put my children in childcare, I have cared and nurtured them myself, and so have not followed a career path.
Old fashioned but radical at the same time :)
Purple Heart Chronicles are the reflections of a women who loves her life but who also struggles to find her place.