^Summer days are for water play!
Happy February, lovelies!
What do you have planned for this month?
I have started setting small goals each month...
A few days before a new month begins, I sit down with a cup of coffee and review the previous month.
I check off the items I managed to achieve and move things I didn't get around to on to the new month's list. I also think about any new things I want to do...
Here are a few things I want to do in February...
- Clean out and organise passage cupboard (I am not looking forward to this task...it looks like a haunted house with all the cobwebs!)
- Find and purchase new tyres for Nicholas'pram
- Try a new recipe
- Write out 3 favourite recipes in my recipe book
- Make a baby gift for a friend
And there are quite a few more, but I'll leave it there. I also have things like publish 1 post a week, have a regular quiet time and journal at least twice a week on my monthly goals list.
~
I can't remember when last I shared what has been going on in our corner of the world...
In December last year we actually moved to a big 1970's style house on a farm about 30 minutes drive away from where we were living...
^This was taken the day before we moved into our new house.
It was such an answer to prayer to be able to rent this house! My husband now has a double garage which he uses as his workshop (he is a bladesmith and works from home making swords, daggers and some art knives. If you are curious to see what he does, visit his website here), there is an outside flat which we hope to do up to accommodate students (my husband offers knife making courses from time to time as well), and there is a massive garden for our Border Collie to run around in...
^Misty mornings and playtime with Fletch. These two are living their best life here on the farm.
There is plenty of space for me to have a vegetable garden at some point, and maybe even keep a flock of chickens. The house itself is far too big for us, and at the moment we don't even use the lounge and dining room area!
^Honestly, Nicholas would always rather be outside, and a simple stick keeps him occupied much longer than any of his toys!
There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a big kitchen with a pantry, and a stoep out the front which overlooks the valley.
^Walking along the gravel road that leads to our house...
We are so happy in our new home and can't get over how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place. It is usually very windy here as we are quite high up and close to the mountains, but as a result, it is also usually cooler than anywhere else - a major plus for us as the heat of summer does not agree with us.
Since moving to our home, my sister, Gabrielle, has been coming over every Tuesday to play with Nicholas for a couple hours and give me time to rest or do something I love to do to, such as blogging. She is actually here at the moment.
^I love spending my days with this cutie.
I wrote about filling my cup and how I practice "self care" as a mom last week, and one thing we have done that has made a huge difference for me, is to have regular help with Nicholas.
I feel so refreshed after a couple hours of not having to constantly juggle doing everything with a busy toddler and I get to do something I wouldn't ordinarily be able to do.
I still do arts and crafts classes each week back in the town where we used to live. Some mornings I have six little ones attending the class, which is so much fun! These classes are a highlight of my week, and I love planning a new craft and getting everything together for it. It is so sweet to see the children enjoying the process and being so proud of what they made! Usually Rucus watches Nicholas while I am busy which is such a blessing.
^This is what happens when Daddy watches the baby so Mama can take a shower in peace!
I feel like I am finally getting my life together after a few years of life being very upside down...
My family moved out here in 2020, and I moved again shortly after that to work in the next town which is where I met Rucus. We got married in April 2021 and I fell pregnant with Nicholas shortly after that. And once he was born, I barely kept my head above water for his first year!
I have started implementing a daily routine and making a weekly meal plan...
Being intentional about what I hope to achieve each day and not wasting valuable time wondering what to do next or what to cook for supper, has made a big difference in how productive I am each day.
I also find I have more time to sit and play with Nicholas or do things I enjoy such as writing in my journal or reading a few pages from a book while Nicholas naps.
^Rucus made me coffee and flapjacks for breakfast on my birthday while I enjoyed sitting outside under the trees and (attempted) to journal while Nicholas wandered around the garden.
January saw me turning 26. It was such a lovely, peaceful birthday. Gabrielle was here to play with Nicholas and I had a wonderful time going through mementos from our engagement, wedding and Nicholas' first year (I am a hopeless romantic). I sorted through and organised everything which was really fun to do from start to finish without interruption!
Nicholas turned one on the 21st of January, and we celebrated his birthday with a tiny party for my family and a few friends. It was a simple affair, but so special. I wanted to do something for his birthday as I felt so proud of us for making it through his first year!
And I think that brings us to the end of this little (and pretty picture heavy!) update...
What have you been up to lately, friends? What are a few of your goals for February?
Share in the comments below!
With love, Kelly
Do you follow me on Instagram? I hop on there fairly often to share a peek into our daily lives... You can find me @the.handmademama
Dear Kelly - always lovely to hear what you're up to. Great to hear you have moved and that Gabrielle often helps with Nicholas. We send our love to your family x. It must make life easier with Rukus being able to work 'next door' - that's a commute many would love! Our g'g'son is almost walking....really finding his balance and so adorable 😍. I do enjoy your posts....glad you still get time to add to them...much love to you and your little family ❤❤
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your move, Kelly! Your views are absolutely stunning. I have no doubt Nicholas is going to thrive in such a beautiful countryside- it's just perfect for little boys.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have moved closer to family and that Gabrielle comes over to help. We live on the same property as my father-in-law, and every evening that he is home, he comes to pick up the boys and take them to check the cows. Sometimes they are only gone 15 minutes or so, but it gives me time to catch my breath, and the boys love it.
Happy late birthday to you and to Nicholas! I know the first year is filled with incredible love and blessing and "firsts", but it is also very much a "survival mode" year. Motherhood is the best job, but it is also very difficult. It looks like you are doing well setting enjoyable yet realistic goals for yourself in this season. ❤
I will be doing some decluttering this February as we prepare for a garage sale in March. I also hope to get back into crafting (which is like therapy for me!) once I get my crafting loft cleaned up. I have some sewing projects I want to get started on and, eventually, work my way towards opening my Etsy shop (papercrafts) back up.
Have a lovely February, Kelly!
Dear Kelly-Anne,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have moved to a beautiful, comfortable spot. Stunning views and sounds more pleasant with cooler weather. So many blessings for you to have a loving sister who can spend some time with Nicholas each week and give you a little breathing space.
It is always a pleasure to read your posts. Thankyou for sharing your faith and a little of your day to day life. May God bless you as you live each day bringing glory to His Kingdom.
Love, Caroline