|| old fashioned dirt ||

Liesl just ran in with her first mudpie. It made me laugh because I'm pretty sure I never had an interest in playing with mud. At summer camp when I was a kid, we were REQUIRED to go on a mud hike and I'm pretty sure 80% of the girls hated every second of that afternoon. The part I hated the most was the smell, and now, I wonder where in the world was this mud hike? 

One thing I'm thankful for as a parent is for the old-fashioned, outdoor childhood that my kids are getting. We don't have a ton of toys on purpose. Mostly because the kids are outside so much, they really don't play with toys. 

A Scottish friend and I were talking about how in Scotland, kids are sent to sensory playgroups. Here, they play outside in the dirt. I have to say, initially as a new mom, I was quite squeamish with the idea of Liesl getting purposefully dirty. But today, [progress], I stood and let a calf suck her fingers over and over and over again. [Yuck!] Jules begrudgingly touched the calf's ear -- mirror of my own opinion! haha!

Although, Jules has eaten a fair share of play sand and beach sand. Job well done, son! Way to strengthen that immune system!

The concept of germs isn't entirely new to me. I read an article way before marriage was on the scene about cutting out antibacterial soap. Our bodies need good germs. Living here, our kids need to be exposed to lots of home or farm germs to strengthen their immune systems. Although, Jules could have skipped drinking out of the [dirty] mop water bucket and the toilet, too [I caught him in the act - blech!]

NOW, we are careful when we go out and about. There are obvious sicknesses [meningitis and other scary sicknesses] that they very well could contract. But washing hands with good 'ole soap and water rather than hand sanitizer has carried Leon through a lifetime of living here, and we try to do the same. 

So I'm wondering how you moms in first world countries feel about your kids getting dirty?

|| typing ||

(completely unrelated picture to the post)

For a while, I've been praying and looking around for an online job that I could do from here that pays in dollars.  For whatever reason, I never really found any solid leads.  Then, while on holiday, thought I'd do another google search.  I came upon a company that does transcription.  Now, this particular company is entry level.  I'm definitely not going to make millions.  In fact, I joke that each week, I make enough to buy a cup of coffee on holiday - haha!!

BUT.  It is a start into a field of work.  My long term goal is to take an online transcription course that I have found and then branch out into marketing my skills independently rather than working for a company.

Since, I spend a lot of my "work time"waiting for files to come through, I did another google search the other day and found yet another transcription company.  Now this company's entry test was considerably more difficult than the first company I applied for.  So, I'm hoping (and praying) that I get this second transcription job with (hopefully) better files.  This second company has a stricter quality code for its typists and also offers support on the files you type.  This first company I'm currently with, basically sends me files with no feedback on how I perform.  

I like the transcription, though.  It's not easy.  Lots of files are distorted, plenty of background noise,  etc..But, in my advantage, I feel like I have a wide knowledge base of accents.  :)  So, that helps.  And because I'm a nerd, it's strangely addicting.

As a work at home mommy, I've figured out time slots for myself to work.  After Jules naps in the morning, the kids go outside to play for an hour.  Then, one to two hours (if I'm lucky - like today!)  in the afternoon; then an hour after I put the kids to bed.  So really, I'm not doing tons and tons of work but every little bit is a super help.  Since there's not a continual stream of files coming through for me to type, I typically have my farm bookkeeping or Sunday school things to keep myself busy while I wait.  

If you're interested in something like this, here's my typist referral link.  :)

https://typists.quicktate.com/transcribers/signup?referral_code=1a318a90a362fbd77296155ffa276756 

|| my girl ||

Oh, my precious, precious, spirited girl.  So much like your mother, bless your little heart. Friday afternoon, you put this (too big right now) dress on and said proudly, "I wear a pretty dress like you momma." That nearly broke my heart in two. (So convicting!!)  Even when you were not even two years old, you insisted on wearing a jean jacket so you could match momma.  You want to bake like momma.  Crack eggs (in the office) like momma.  Help clean the house (high five, that's my girl!).  

And your momma, precious girl, is just a sinner saved by grace.  Plodding through her faults and failures one day at a time!!  But because I have little blue eyes looking right up at me every single day, I beg God for His redeeming grace to pour through me so that I might be a picture of a gracious woman to you.  It's hard work.  But so worth it.  Being a mommy is sanctification and I praise God for the opportunity to grow in my Christian life because of you and your brother.  

Today, I made you sit and fold your hands (just so I could gather my thoughts) after you had been tearing apart your foam mattress to make a "desen island", aka a desert island.  (who knew?!!)  You obeyed so nicely and sat patiently.  Then when I praised you for obeying you said, "That made Jesus happy!" Why YES IT DID!!  

Your Papa and I are so proud of you.  We love you so much.