New Blog

I am now using wordpress.org for my personal blog. You can find it at www.wiccemother.ca.

Blessings!

Terra Spirit Pagan Fellowship

Well, the name was approved! And we have five of us that will be the first board of directors. I think we will be the first legal Pagan group in the Fraser Valley. We kept the name Fraser Valley out of the title because when we incorporate, we want to be able to have the freedom to NOT base ourselves in the Fraser Valley, but be open to a wide variety of areas. Especially if we move out to the Kootenay boarder or one of the Gulf Islands one day.
Sheila had mentioned a few weeks ago that when she was reading something that had Terra Spirit in the title, she thought it said Terra Spirit Farms. I had thought it sounded wonderful. Maybe we can buy some land at some point and do some co-farming? Who knows what lies in the future, I just know that we are taking the first steps to doing something very important. I’ve had that feeling for awhile. When I first started TerraSpirit.Org, I felt that it could be something great.

Terra Spirit Pagan Fellowship

Our Mission:

To unite local pagans for fellowship and celebration.

Our Vision:

Many Pagans in the area have expressed the desire to see more ‘community’ amongst themselves, and it is the goal of this organization to make that into a reality.

Through coffee-meets, Yarning Webs, outings and networking, we hope to make Terra Spirit Pagan Fellowship a group that grows and flourishes.

What We Believe:

We all have different views and opinions. We are all unique in the way we connect with the Divine. TSPF is not a teaching group, or a coven. It is a group where those following earth based paths, can leave their labels and differences behind and instead focus on the similarities.

Friendship, kindness, empathy, love and compassion are all traits that are not confined to one spiritual or religious path. These are traits that help the progression of mankind forward. These qualities uplift the spirit and quench the heart.

What better way to pass the time…

…when a baby is at your breast twelve hours/day.
This darling , cute beautiful baby boy has the amazing ability to screech like a baby dinosaur. (no Im not old enough to know what dinosaur babies sounded like, but I can imagine.)
I got very little accomplished round the house yesterday, I managed to make a stew out of the leftover roast, washed some dishes, put my hair in a ponytail, and then planted myself firmly in this chair playing with Blogger themes (thanks Sheila for the link).
So happy my husband was home, because he entertained our 18 month old while I sat here and nursed. I should mention that I did alot of rocking, dancing bouncing around the house with him also, but as far as domestic productivity? nope. Well, at least the little one will grow up feeling loved and secure… I just really hope he outgrows his baby dinosaur imitation.

Forming a Society

I think we have decided to turn Fraser Valley Pagan Fellowship into a society and incorporate. We will most likely change the name to Terra Spirit Pagan Fellowship, if the name is allowed. (my business name is Terra Spirit Essentials, so not sure if they will allow it or not)…

We want to do more structured events and leave the door open for unknown possibilities. A spiritual society for Pagan Fellowship.

Also, we started a Tot n’ Parent  play group through Terra Spirit as well www.terraspirit.ning.com .There are alot of church based or Christian play groups in the area, but none that are aimed toward an earth centered teaching, so this will definitely be interesting.

Simplifying

Looking around my house, I’m astounded by all the extra junk we have. What would our family need, to get by? We sure would have alot to get rid of. Each person needs a bed, a place to put clothes, a place/shelf for books….. (or cd’s etc)….

We need cooking utensils,

But we have so MUCH of all sorts of stuff that we don’t need. Other than a few meaningful pictures from the wall, the rest we would get rid of. Our photo albums are important…

But all the nick-nacks… they would have to go. From this point forward, we have a ‘no gifts’ rule. We simply dont need any more things. In lieu of gifts, a nice meal, or something of the sort would be nice.

Family is always bringing us things. Dishes sets, nicknacks, cups, items to collect dust… one day when we change our living arrangements to a more self sustaining way of being, we will have SOOO much to get rid of!

And no more gift bags…wouldnt that be nice!

*sigh*

ok, baby is hollering, that’s enough for now.

A Plan

I think we have a plan.

In a few years , when the oldest children are done school, I think we are going to move away. A bit further out. And in the meantime, we are going to figure out what it is we need to learn. We want to be able to self sustain for the most part.

So, I need to learn about raising goats. And chickens. Although I was raised on a goat farm, I was a child and I really don’t know all the things involved in running it. I just know it was a Dawn til Dusk job.

Goats, chickens, and for growing things… beans/lentils, tomatoes, cabbage, peas…herbs of course. Yep, the next few years will all be about preparation. We are just ready to get out of here.

At The River

It was a beautiful morning yesterday, so when Pablo suggested going to the river, I was more than happy to agree.
I folded up the Quattro Tour Duo for the first time, (which was the EASIEST thing!) , found warm outer wear for the boys, and off we went. Our first real outing with the two boys. (we did go for a walk with them ’round the neighbourhood, but this was our first real adventure, haha)

We got to the river, it was about 10 am, and still frosty, but the sun was shining and the birds were chirping and you could feel the stirrings of spring all around.

Dante and Demetrio

Alot of people were out yesterday morning, LOTS of peeps fishing. It will be nice when our little boys are older, and we can do some fishing. Hopefully the older ones will still want to join in as well.

After going to the river, we did Lacrosse registration for our 14 year old, then hung about at home, doing some clean up to the downstairs patio. I got some nice pictures of Pablo and Demetrio relaxing in the afternoon. Did I mention Demetrio was 11bs 2 oz at his one month appt? 3 pounds in 4 weeks!

The First Month

Has passed.

All I can say is… Thank Goodness for The Wiggles!

Dante loves the Wiggles right now, and they are my best friends. He loves to watch them, and I can sit with him, while nursing baby and sing along, point out things taking place on the show etc. They dont babysit him as much as help to provide a bit of entertainment that we can both enjoy. Much easier than holding Demetrio, or nursing him while Dante is building and throwing blocks. (though we do that too)

So, Im still having a ridiculous time putting Dante down for a nap. Trying to rock and cuddle with him does not work with Demetrio crying in my lap, nor does it work with Demetrio crying in another room… and Im really wanting to have an hour to lay down during the day. Im still dealing with postpartum flow, possibly because for the past two weeks I have been picking up 30lb Dante to cuddle him, or put him in his highchair or into bed….that and dancing around the living room holding Demetrio to calm him, not sure if any of that is contributing or not.

I’m really wanting a haircut, but not sure how to do that when this lil monkey is nursing hourly.

Screamy and Shrieky

Well, when Demetrio screams, (80% of his waking hours), Dante shrieks.
The day goes something like this:
17 month old Dante wakes up at about 7:15, I get up to go make him his morning bottle. He still has three a day, never to go to sleep and never during the night…
As I walk into the kitchen to make his bottle, I hear Demetrio begin to squawk in protest at being alone in the King Sized bed… squawks turn into screams. I get my teenage son to pick up Dante from his crib before he has to take off for the school bus and bring him out to the living room because I still have a few more post c-section weeks to go before I am allowed to pick up 30lb Dante.
Once Dante is established behind the long baby gate in the living room-put there to assist him in staying away from our laminate covered stairs that go down to ceramic tile below, and out of the kitchen, away from the dog etc. etc., I go get Demetrio.
Demetrio is growing well, and it’s no wonder, as all he does is eat.
If Demetrio is not being fed, he screams. He hates the soother, hates my finger, just screams and roots for the breast.
I spend all day trying to find time to spend with Dante. I can usually get five minutes here or there to play some blocks with Dante before Demetrio starts screaming. Its like 24/7 colic.
When Demetrio starts crying, Dante starts shrieking at him, and omg its enough to get me pulling my hair out when combined with lack of sleep.
I try to make Dante’s meals while Demetrio screams away in the wrap, or sling, or stroller that I keep upstairs to put him in while Im trying to do things.
While Demetrio screams, I coo and sing to him, sometimes pushing the stroller back and forth with one foot while trying to wash a few dishes or get a meal prepared.
In the meantime, Dante is shrieking because he just can’t figure out what Demetrio is… he only knows that he makes alot of noise and is similar in size to our cats, but smaller.

So far, twice I have got Dante down for a nap, Demetrio decided to take a snooze round lunch time, so I seized opportunity to whisk Dante off to his room for a nap. And no sooner did Dante nod off in my arms than I heard Demetrio awaken. Quickly deposited Dante into his crib, (bad me, im not supposed to lift him up – oh well) scooped up Demetrio, then retreated to me bedroom to resume position of nursing Demetrio. I can not allow him to cry and fuss much at all, or Dante will awaken, whether it be day or night. The laminate floors carry Demetrios screams perfectly.. so rather than get housework done while Dante sleeps, or have comp time etc, I hide out in the bedroom and chill out with the little guy.o start an episode out in the kitchen or the rest of the house, nap time would be over for Dante, so I use it as a time to rest and sit or lie in bed nursing Demetrio, (most effective way of keeping him happy it seemds)
Bed time is the same. Pablo puts Dante to bed for me at night because he is home from work at dinner time. But once Dante goes to bed I have to banish myself to the bedroom to keep colicky Demetrio from waking Dante.
By the end of the day my ears ring from all the noise and I almost welcome the cluster feedings because at least all I am required to do is lie in bed with a good show and feed the little guy.
I know it will get better, but if one more person reminds me ” Well, YOU were the one who wanted another one” I’m going to snap.
I love all my kids, and Ive been thru this trying newborn period 4 times before, just never with another child so young also. Maybe I’m just old and lack the ability to adjust as well as I used to?
Either way, I still get moments during the day where my heart is touched by something adorable that the boys do. A coo or funny cross eyed look from Demetrio… or the clasping of his tiny hand around my finger while he nurses… or Dantes love of saying his new word “cra-kor” (tractor.. lol). Theres much to appreciate.
Just wanted to share a rundown of my day as it is before dinnertime when my teens come home from school and husband comes home from work… LOL
I have yet to get a nice family picture. Will have to work on that!

One Week Old

I am a mom of five now. Wow. It still amazes me.

My oldest is 19 and starting his second term at University, but lives at home with us, my youngest is one week old. My daughter will be 16 on the 12th of January, Anthony is 14, and little Dante is approaching 17 months old. A full house indeed.

ok… some Demetrio pictures: