Once Upon a Sketch - July: Grow

I have mentioned in previous posts here and here that we have a tradition of having a professional family photo shoot every five years; we didn't have a lot of money in the early years of our family but I made sure there was at least one professional photo taken of each of the boys at different stages of their early years. The first was taken at 6 weeks, then 6 months, 1 year etc. As each child was added they were also taken together once a year. This is the first professional photo taken of the four boys together. The youngest is 6 weeks, the next almost 3, the next almost 5 and the eldest would not be 7 for another 6 months. It was certainly a very busy time in our lives.

I remember endless clothes lines of nappies and tiny clothes, the chaos of meal and bath times and the peace at bed time. Doing the rounds at night and checking on each of them, seeing their sweet little faces at rest and covering them with their blankets and making sure their special toy was close by and thinking how very blessed we were to have them. The boys played outside climbing trees or in the sandpit, on their trikes and bikes or with friends. I wouldn't change a single thing about those years. We didn't have a lot but we were happy.

My husband needed our only car to carry his tools for work; I remember walking uphill to school 3.5 kms away in the mornings, going back at lunch time to pick up the pres-schooler and going back again the afternoon to pick up the eldest one often carrying shopping on the way back; we walked through all weather with me pushing one or more in the pram and the older ones walking beside me. We used that time as our conversation time, talking about the passing cars, trucks, plants and animals as well as the changes in our community; we practised spelling or the times tables to our step beat. It wasn't always easy; there were the very hot days where there was no relief from the hot sun except the occasional shady tree or ice cream on the way home. There were the very wet days where everyone was wrapped from head to toe in rain hats, coats and 'boggy boots' with a change of footwear at school so that they would be comfortable and warm. It was tough on the boys but we didn't have a choice and they grew up to be strong, fit, healthy, independent, resilient, hard working young men who understand the value of getting what they have from what they earn. I could not be more proud of each of them and consider myself to be truly blessed.

Thank you for looking and any comments you may leave, best wishes.

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