the story of our lives: We are back again

It has been two years since I have written on our blog. It is about time to update this! Well a lot has happened. For starters our children are so much bigger than on the last photos I have posted. Jesse is already 4 and Rachel 2 1/2. She is nearly fully potty trained! Mark and I are older as well... :-( but not feeling it... and going healthily on. Thank God!

My life has taken on a completely new direction. For starters have I done a cerficate in herbalism, after which I have started helping people through this means. I have done my certificate in Iris diagnosis, and am moving on towards my diploma in Iridology. This is such an exciting field, but SO much to know, which surely keeps one humble. I will be completing my natural healing certificate end of August, so things are going ahead. It has been an amasing journey with God, as He prompts me to read things, investigate avenues, and then I get e mails or newsleters from independant sources, confirming what I have been pursueing. He has made our bodies to be able to heal itself, and that has been taken from us. God wants to restore this ability to us! And it is up to us to take responsibility for our own health, and not leave it in the hands of practitioners. Surely there is a place to see a practitioner, but that is to get you on the right path, educate and supply you with great natural remedies, with which one can continue. There is not a place for dependancy on practitioners though... the responsibility is ours.

ON a lighter note, we had an awesome time in Transkei end of March this year. We spent a few days with my family in Cofffee Bay... uncles and aunts and my mom. It stays to me the most beautiful part of our coastline... so peaceful and tranquil, unspoiled beauty. You will see some piccies of our holiday.

Ma en Rachel op pad na Koffiebaai

Gesinsfotos op die bult voor Koffiebaai. Maart 2009

Jesse caught a frog on the lawn in front of our room at White Clay.

Rachel early one morning on the lawn.

Daddy and son with Daddy's catch of the day!

Jesse turned 4 in May and we took a few friends to the Spur. He thoroughly enjoyed it. Mother forgot to take pictures of the cake, on which they put a sparkler. He was bombed over! He wanted another Thomas!!! This was the last Thomas... the local baker already had to save my attempt! I have at least taken some pics of them in our garden after the spur outing... the theme was wild west, and our kids were sheriffs...

The salute of a sheriff???

Die maatjies by ons swaaie.

Rachel in die tuin.

We had a lovely visit from Oom Chris and Tannie Anette (old family friends) from Clanwilliam, such wonderful warm people. It is always refreshing having them in one's complany. They slept over for one night and then continued on their holiday to the Waterberg.

Breakfast with Oom Chris and Tannie Anette on our lawn.

We went on our yearly home church get togehter at Wyndford Holiday Farm on the border of Lesotho. It is always a treat to go there, as one gets 3 x 3 course meals there daily, so all you have to do is dress and bath yourself and the kids! We went for lovely walks in the mountains, a drive into Lesotho, and my two kids went down a very high foefie slide! My heart nearly missed a beat... there are photos of that as well.

Jesse coming down the foefie slide.

Rachel on the platform, about to go... the camera did not take a pic of her in action!

My vegetable garden is going slowly this time of the year, but none the less, still beautiful in a different way, still a peaceful place to be in. I can't wait though for August and September to plant all the new seeds! We have decided to expand our garden to a flat area, with more space and sun! That would make winter crops also more possible. It is wild grounds, so it will require a lot of blood and sweat! But we have never been afraid of hard work, so here we go! I am so glad this was my husband's idea, otherwise I might be accused of husbandry slavery! We should start with this soon, to be ready in August. I will send piccies once it is done...

My green cleaning is going well, and I am proud to say that I do not use any harmful chemicals in my house anymore! And my house is clean, and does not smell. I might publish a manual soon, to sell, as people from the Free State have contacted me for information. Let me know if you are interested.

On the Cassia & Clove area, things are also moving. I have had some big orders from businesses, as well as people as far as Namibia and Australia... I love my job! I can honestly say this, there is few things that excite me as much as making wonderfully wholesame products that I know will not harm people, and in fact enhance their health.