Smart Family at HOME (wherever that may be)!

Pregnant in Tassie!!!!

Hi all,

well, it has been a while since I've done anything on here.  For the last 5 weeks I've been too tired and sick to do anything, and for the time before that??No excuse, just slack.

Why am I tired and sick? Well of course I'm pregnant!! Yep,. a VERY big shock to us both, but not of course to God. I thank Him that someone knows what's happening around here.   I'm 10 weeks along, and this last week, am feeling a little bit better. So perhaps the sickness won't last as long this time ( hey, a girl can live in hope can't she?).

Enough of me.

We are all still really enjoying Tassie, although we've seen very little of it as yet. The Tamar River is just beautiful to live along, and every day we watch the goings on of the river life. Thank you God! With me being sick,  the children are not 'doing' much, so watching the tides come and go - according to the moon, watching the boats as they moor and leave, and watching the animal life- according to the tides, etc, along with our discussions of these things, have helped the children have a little interest/learning in their lives atm.  Mind you, there are times when I almost wish we were a school at home family. Atleast this way I could say, go and do...Math, or Science, or.... while Mummy has a rest.  

I am hoping to get lots of read alouds done during this time. We are up to 'The long Winter' in The Little House on the Prarie series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It would be great to get this series finished.

Even when I thnk the children aren't learning anything at all, they always suprise me.

I was sitting at the table the other day and noticed that on the dishwasher was most of Zac's magnetic words, (100 basic word list) placed in alphabetical order, eg: a, all, away... be, before, belong....  All that were there were in correct order, down to the last letter. Bre had done it.  Then there's Mab, while I've not been up to reading to Zac as often, she has been doing it for me. Her reading has soared ahead, and her confidence saw her reading 3 chapter books (Aussie nibbles) in a weekend! Never before had she read a whole book in one day. NOw she's trying to tackle her 'real' chapter books. hooray!! Zac is also learning. He reads stuff most days, often to the girls, and he has learnt to play Chess very well. He plays every day, at least once, often more. When Stu and he play, there is no giving in. Stu plays to his best ability, and only just wins. Zac hasn't beaten Stu yet, but I'm sure the day will come in the not too distant future.

So all in all, I am glad we do this "natural learning" thing most of the time. Even if my doubts get the better of me at times. Then the children shine through, and remind me why we do it. To teach them to be independant learners, regardless of thier circumstances, and that they don't only learn when they are being 'taught'. I think this is such an important life skill, that many children miss out on these days.

When I sought out how to do it, I'll download some photo's of us all. OK Donna!!

I'm happy to accept any prayers coming my way for the end of this 'morning' sickness.

NOTE: Do you know why I reckon it's called 'morning' sickness?  Because the men go to work in the morning, and by the time they get home at night we are in bed, so they think it only lasts for the morning.

Well that's me over for a while. I'll get back as soon as I have more to say.

Blessings to you all.

Untitled Comment

8:38 PM, 4 May 2007 .. Posted by DonnaLupton

Good to hear from you! Prayers for feeling better soon! Can't wait to catch up... Look for us early spring- hey when is that kiddo due anwyhows??
Thinking about doing the mountian hike from cradle- might be crazy but looks great! You'd be in on that right?! =0)
Hey! At scrapbooking today a James kiddo brought me in a water bottle from a bush out back, ya, it has your name on it but finders keepers and all that :lol:

Hey Shell

10:21 PM, 12 May 2007 .. Posted by shelso

Still thinking of you lots and hoping that the dreaded morning sickness has gone out with that tide lol. Things have settle down heaps since I last talked to you. Aint that the way though, things will settle and then we will go back to the Netherlands or something GO FIGURE. But seriously now, I hope you are feeling better and that the bub is showing itself more and more.
Love to you all!

Ps. a request

10:26 PM, 12 May 2007 .. Posted by shelso

are you able to turn on your RSS ~ it will be on your control panel. That way I can keep an eye on your blog!

Just realised you had a blog!

11:24 PM, 8 July 2007 .. Posted by JocelynJames

I've put you on as a friend on my blog. Hope you write some more on yours soon,

Shell, how's things going down there in Tassie??

3:50 PM, 26 July 2007 .. Posted by shelso

I need an update pretty PLEASE.

We are all good back in Amsterdam

love the vdBs