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- Homeschooling: what you really need to know
Services
Homeschooling
Motherhood
Resources
About
Subscribe
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Homeschool Haven

make your home your haven

Homeschool Haven

make your home your haven

Courses
- Homeschooling: what you really need to know
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Motherhood
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5 ways

5 ways to know that you ARE doing enough – FREE printable poster for ALL mamas

November 15, 2022May 31, 2023

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homeschoolhavenwithkristy

I know it’s been ages and I’ve taken erratic-n

I know it’s been ages and I’ve taken erratic-ness to a whole new level. But I wanted to take a moment to check in with you.

I’m back in hospital (yet again) with my daughter who has bone cancer and the juggle is real. Not for chemo this time - that was the past three weeks in a row.

This one’s an unexpected stay. Yup: in a week that she was meant to be at home. I’ve learned the words, “febrile neutropenia.” Combine spiking fevers with influenza, even on IV medication, and you get the picture.

So here I am, I’m torn between my three kids in different directions, yet again.

We’re caught between home and hospital, yet again.

Away from hubby, yet again.

Unable to fix what’s wrong or to control the outcome, yet again.

Life has been hard.

And yet there have been some beautiful moments to keep us smiling.

Belly laughs can be plentiful even when life takes unexpected turns. Have you ever noticed that?

All we can do is keep plodding and trust that even when life doesn’t make sense, there’s always a bigger picture.

Everyone’s hard is different.
Everyone’s highlights are different.

Will you do something for me? Let’s take some time to both celebrate and commiserate with each other.

How are you doing… really?

I apologise in advance for the likelihood that I won’t get back to this in a hurry - my daughter is pretty sick. But don’t let that stop you from giving me a 👋 and saying hi if you get a minute.

With grace (& next-level exhaustion),

Kristy x

📷 = from the trip home after chemo 2wks ago when we both came down with influenza in hospital and ended up in isolation. It never rains, but it pours, right?! 😳🤯😆

I know that many of you are wondering how you can

I know that many of you are wondering how you can help us as we face the unthinkable. So although I’m not one to put this kind of thing here and ask for anything, I’m putting it here for those of you who would like to know what you can do.

Every little bit counts, so if you feel led or able to support our family in this way - including by sharing this with your connections and communities - here’s the link to a Give A Little page that my brother has set up for us. I’ve added it to my LinkTree on my @kristycammell account so that you can easily find and click on the link there in my bio, as well.

If you’d like to help in other ways, we also welcome your support. Let me know and I can point you towards those who are helping to co-ordinate what we need at this time.

This Give A Little page also offers a little more background on what’s going on for us if you read what’s there. (Mike and I were already struggling with our medical conditions impacting our finances before this, and we can’t fathom the road ahead right now.)

Your continued thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

But God 💗

My girl has bone cancer. It’s in the strangest

My girl has bone cancer. It’s in the strangest of moments that it hits between the eyes.

Waiting in the lift.
Sitting on the loo.
Walking to the car.
Belly laughing uncontrollably.
Waking to another day.
Being in the passenger seat.
Seeing life go on around us.
While ours has come to a complete halt.

My girl has bone cancer.

Her pain is greater than even the pain specialists can understand. She has a large tumour in her shoulder and it is growing. She can’t lift her left arm.

My girl has bone cancer.

She already has had two minor surgeries. I walked her into both, and will never forget the way her agitation settled as I sang Jesus Loves You to the chorus of metallic clangs and mechanical beeping.

My girl has bone cancer.

She’s already started chemo. I am terrified. I am faith filled. I am hopeful. I am in awe of my girl.

My girl has bone cancer.

I understand pain intimately, and I wouldn’t wish this on her for the world. My days and my nights are all about advocating for her as we bridge the challenges of a child-who’s-not-a-child-but-sometimes-is in an adult world. And I can’t take it away 😭

My girl has bone cancer.

Our experience so far between hospitals has been incredibly traumatising. That hardly tips the iceberg.

I’m learning that this is a common story.

I’m learning that it’s normal to feel misunderstood. Not only by medical professionals but by your nearest and dearest. Because nothing prepares you for this and no-one is living in your shoes, except you.

My girl has bone cancer.

I’m living in grief and yet there’s no chance to pause and sit with it, because there’s an urgency and no space for that kind of slow.

Bethany has bone cancer.
And this is just the beginning.
There is hope, and there is cancer.
Both exist.

When something goes wrong in your life, yell “pl

When something goes wrong in your life, yell “plot twist!” and carry on! Yep… about that…

I’ve been in hospital with my eldest since Friday. There are more questions than answers and she’s in a lot of pain, but we’re in the right place.

Your thoughts and prayers are very welcome 🙏

Pic of an amazing mural on the wall while I sit here waiting for her to return from getting an MRI 💙

I may be around a bit, because hospitals mean a lot of waiting. But if I’m awol, now you know why.

Stay awesome,

Kristy x

It’s getting closer! 😀 Have you had your snea

It’s getting closer! 😀
Have you had your sneak peek yet?

Although this course is taking A LOT of work to set up at the website end, I’m excited at the potential it will bring. Because once I’ve made it work once, it will be easier another time, meaning that more courses could be eventually possible!

It’s a family thing…

My kids are helping with ideas and offering up their opinions to help streamline things.

My hubby is doing an incredible job of editing and collating the videos for each of the five lessons… they’re nearly ready now! 🎥

My sister is writing music for an intro that relaxes and uplifts you as you self-pace your way through my “coffee & a chat” lessons 🎶

I don’t have a release date yet, but I hope I might soon 😅

…I’m excited, how about you?! 🥰

Your turn: what’s something that you never expec

Your turn: what’s something that you never expected to find yourself saying to your kids?! 🤣

…let alone your 40s or older?! 🤣

…let alone your 40s or older?! 🤣

Help! I need your opinion!

Do I go with Set 1… or Set 2?

I’m updating my free guides and I can’t decide which covers to use! And it occurred to me to solve my dilemma by asking you 😁

So… which set would would YOU pick?
And… would you pick the same set based on:

a) clarity of intention,
b) aesthetics, &
c) appeal?

Any other thoughts?
I look forward to hearing your ideas!

Thanks in advance 🥰

Kristy x

FYI. Who knew?! 😅 Thanks Life of Fred (on Face

FYI. Who knew?! 😅
Thanks Life of Fred (on Facebook) for this tidbit!

May you and your family find ways to embrace toget

May you and your family find ways to embrace togetherness this coming weekend 💙

Today is a holiday on our New Zealand calendar. It marks the start of the Maori new year: Matariki. A time of kai (food) and whanau (family) togetherness.

(And let’s not forget: a sweet interlude from the midwinter chill 🥰)

So: may you and your whanau have a wonderful weekend ✨

Stay awesome!

Kristy x

Okay, this is too funny not to share. At least th

Okay, this is too funny not to share. At least that’s what my kids told me 😆

Check out these ‘Coffee with Kristy’ transcript drafts for my upcoming homeschool course… complete with genuine coffee stains! 🤣

Those are purely accidental, courtesy of my amazing hubby who is doing the final video edits.

(Yup, you read that right! It’s getting closer to ready to launch!!)

Want a sneak peek at what’s inside the course? Comment “coffee” 👇 and I’ll send one your way! ☕️

The voice of experience… 🤣

The voice of experience… 🤣

Finding little ways to rest can make a big differe

Finding little ways to rest can make a big difference to your day. Especially for a mama who feels pulled in all directions! Is there something that helps you on busier days? What else would you add to this list? 💗

Ever wondered how to live from a place of rest whe

Ever wondered how to live from a place of rest when life just keeps going?

I’ve come to the conclusion that this wee pup is an example of what it looks like to live from a place of rest 😂 (Apart from when she gets the zoomies, that is. Then we hardly know where to look, she’s so fast 🙃)

But the thing is, she still rests afterwards. And by that I mean: she completely zonks out in the most hilarious of positions.

I think we can all learn from that. Don’t you?

Mama, next time you get the zoomies, don’t forget to add “rest” to your to-do list.

Even if you feel like it’s an odd position to be in. You’re modelling the need for rest, and that’s a life lesson in itself. For you, for your kids, and for those around you.

Because rest matters, too.

A LOT 💗

I’m sitting here marvelling at the furry joy-bri

I’m sitting here marvelling at the furry joy-bringer curled up and napping on my lap. Seemingly without a care in the world, just with oodles of love and affection. She brings so much delight to our family! 🐶

What little things are bringing you joy today? 💛

Thanks Timeless Rewind (on Facebook) for this gorgeous graphic.

Anyone else here an over thinker? 🙈😂🤣

Anyone else here an over thinker? 🙈😂🤣

I can’t remember the last time we went on an act

I can’t remember the last time we went on an actual date. It’s not been possible. Until today, apparently 🤣

Disclaimer: while we can’t go “out” on a date, we regularly have the “at home” version. And for both of us, that’s plenty 💞

P.S. and yes, this is for real. Blood tests for the win 🥴 They’re a familiar scenario around here, but this is the first time we’ve ever gone together 😆

It’s making the most of what you have. It’s t

It’s making the most of what you have.

It’s thinking through the “why” of what you do.

It’s recognising that what YOU need matters, too.

It’s noticing what your kids need.

It’s embracing the ordinary.

And it’s so, so much more.

________________
Read the rest on the blog | making your home your haven | April 8, 2022

It’ll never let you down… 😝🧺🤣

It’ll never let you down…
😝🧺🤣

Apparently this is the best part of getting an ins

Apparently this is the best part of getting an instant pot… 🤣

So far these boxes have had faaaar more use than the appliance itself 🙊

Thanks again to all of you who have given me AMAZING tips about what works well for your family. Sorry I haven’t managed to reply to you all. Feel free to drop more tips here if you’ve got them!

I can’t wait to have the oomph to wrap my head around it and finally put them in action to make it work for us 😍

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