Hi, I’m Mika. My husband and I are raising 4 children in beautiful New Zealand.
Every day is never the same. Sometimes I am a nurse, a teacher, budget advisor, artist, chef, driver etc etc. The roles I treasure the most, are my roles as a wife and a mother.
Currently, I am trying to master the art of slowing down, so I can embrace and treasure the blessings in my life. (It is a work in progress!)
I am grateful for the perspective I have gained on life and motherhood over the years of raising 4 children.
Some things I know for sure:
- There is a time and a season. The difficult times in our lives often feel like they are never going to end, but they do eventually pass. Often it is through going through the tough times, that we gain the talent of recognising and supporting those who face a similar trial.
- Never compare. Often we compare our weakness to another’s strength – which is so unreasonable. We have to understand that what we are seeing, is never the full picture. Be the very best you
We are all made so differently. It would be like comparing apples with oranges! - Pace yourself. We always seem to want to do it all now, and perfectly. But perhaps it may be better for us to pace ourselves and thoughtfully take on new commitments at the right time, rather than piling more and more things onto an already overflowing plate. When our plate is too full, things will either drop off accidentally, or the plate will break!
- Never loose perspective. If our goal is to have a happy and loving family, we need to be making changes in our lives to make that happen. We should be aiming to align our hopes and dreams with our actions. Tricky…but oh, so worth it!
- Try, try again! As parents and as humans, we are going to trip up and make blunders (sometimes HUGE blunders), but we have to just pick ourselves up and try again!
I certainly do not feel like I have everything figured out, that’s for sure! Some days, I crawl in bed at the end of the day and I have no clue why things just all fell apart all around me. Other days, when I am at the beach with the kids, when I hear a genuine heartfelt child’s prayer, when I see a brother cheer on his sister, when I feel a child has understood something I have taught them, when I watch my kids laugh uncontrollably (they each have a unique giggle, which I just love!)…those days, those moments, tell me that maybe I’m not messing things up too much.
So, sit back and relax, and see how chaos unfolds in a family of six enjoying life in New Zealand.
xo Mika
Hi! Thanks for your comment on my blog! I look forward to browsing through your blog!
Thank you so much for dropping by and letting me know the new Chocolate Fish has reopened. I visited the blog you mentioned and the review is everything I anticipated. I can’t wait to try it out at the next possible opportunity. Sounds like they’ve been very creative and are serving up a very ‘Kiwi’ experience.
Good morning! (For me, anyway!) I’m so glad you stopped by and commented on my blog, I’m very glad to have found yours – I’ve visited a few of your ’5 links’ (LOVE them!) and the chin photo idea made me laugh – I’ll have to try that with my four
I love meeting other families with four around our kids’ age, it reminds me that we’re not the only ones going through this mad whirl.
Thank you for stopping by & I’ll be back soon!
ok…so your in new zeland! so you know how i talked about my brother that lived in japan on and off for the last 2-3 decades? he also lived in sydney, australia and spent significant time in new zeland as well…small world.
We’re coming to Wellington in 3 weeks… you’ll have to give me some ideas of things to see and do
Hi! Thanks for commenting on my blog last night. I look forward to reading through your blog and learning a little about you (and seeing more of the gorgeous pictures you’ve posted!).
You been given an award!
http://www.mommysideabook.com/other-stuff/my-first-blog-awards/
Thanks for all the hard work you put into your blog.
Amanda
Mommy’s Idea Book
Great blog! you’ve given me some fab ideas for Kapiti kids Connect. I was just wondering too if that quote you’ve got a widget? I love those cards and hugs and think it would be a great widget to add to the website.
Keep up the good work!
Maryanne
Congrats for this great blog. Im a recent mother, from Buenos Aires, Argentina… i got here through zenfamilyhabits.
Its so great to hear about family traditions, keeping it simple, creativity, gratitude, nature…its so fullfilling!
all the best,
Maria
Hi! I love your site! What a great blog!
I’m playing a little catch up (I was out of town all weekend) and noticed that you left a comment on my blog regarding the Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies…In a Jar. I wasn’t able to find your email address on your blog so I thought that leaving a comment might be the best way to reach you.
Please feel free to email me and I will be more than happy to send you the photo to use!
Thank you,
Jen (How To: Simplify)
Hello there!
Thanks for stopping by my lil blog! I have been poking around your blog and so enjoy it!
We have some things in common too…I look forward to getting to know you even better!
One of the many projects I have planned to do is to start a blog about being a busy Dad. In fact I talked to a colleague about it yesterday. Seeing your blog has inspired me to get my blog set up. I’m working on a home school curriculum in collaboration with some people in the US. Do you home school or regular school?
Keep up the good work. Awesome.
And here it is finally
http://onlyadad.publishpath.com. You get a mention on the about page.
Evon and I love food shows too! Freebies are the best, we always think it is good to go on an empty stomach and be filled with all the amazing foods that your kids and even your husband normal would turn their nose up at since it is DIFFERENT!
Hey Cuz, i really enjoy reading your blog and looking at your photos. You’re getting very good! Plus it’s cool seeing what your littles ones are up too…even though i don’t get to see them much i feel like i know them well haha. Take care!
Hey, love your blog! What a great idea sharing your best finds, always great to hear about the best bargain or clever creations. I look forward to reading more
Just found your Blog through Planning with Kids and seeing as your description sounds like me and the lovley post about Volunteering – I am SO like you! I will bookmark you and look forward to reading a kiwi mummy blog, I am a reluctant kiwi in oz, but my heart is back in NZ, I lived in Wellington for 4 years. Good on you. Cheers! THERESA