Amanda Viviers

Posted on July 26, 2014July 26, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

‘Books that changed me’

I am so excited about the series that is to unfold over the month of August.

I have asked six of my writer friends, to guest post over the month so that I can snuggle with my newborn and be inspired along with you.

Mondays we sit with Jeff and Julie Crabtree and marvel at their world called the Zebra Collective, yesterday I introduced how much this couple have impacted my life.

Tuesdays we fold into a couch with a cup of tea and a book with a series called ‘Books that changed me’ by Em Hazeldean.

Let me introduce this amazing writer to you…

She writes often on her little piece of land on the internet at Tea Cups Too

She is a writer, she is a photographer.

Her instagram feed is beautiful and messy all in one. This is what I love. She pursues an authentic life not a filtered, sensitised one.

Her three children are her delight and she explores themes such as spirituality, motherhood, friendship and inspiration with truth and relevance in her writing.

She is a poet, a dreamer, a junk collector. Some of my favourite things in this whole world.

So each tuesday of August, grab a cup of tea and sit down with Em and explore the world of literature and her reflections on books that have changed her.

Each Tuesday there will be a link through to book depository as well, so you can buy the book with free postage to any part of the world.

I can’t wait

Signing off

Posted on July 23, 2014July 23, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

Names

We chose two names 3 years ago for our children and were very excited at the possibilities.

Maximus- The greatest
Andries- Brave, Man, Warrior
Viviers- Alive

Andries is the family name from my husband Charl’s grandfather.

Just before Max was born this scripture became my promise… From 1 Sam 1:

26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

Liberty- Freedom
Elizabeth- God’s promise
Viviers- Alive

Elizabeth is the family name of my Grandmother, her great grandmother who turned 90 this last year.

And a scripture I found as my promise for Libby as she was born was this…

Is 61:1

‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;’

I am sure our name choices are not to taste for some, but for me and my house ‘Strength, Loyalty and God’ are so important to our values as a family.

I believe the way we name the next generation, whether in nicknames or family names or dedicated ones, has immense power in shaping their sense of self for the future.

Every nurse who asked our story, because medically when they read my notes it has a twist yesterday, they were all so surprised that we fell pregnant each time without assistance and so quickly.

Little did they know the years of agony.

The 16 year old kneeling in her shower begging God for a miracle.

The 21 year old so shy that no man would ever want to marry her barren.

The 30 something who said I do, with no promise of a family to share with her new beau.

God is faithful.

Miss Libby is truly God’s promise alive to me.

Miracles.

Speak soon

Xxoo

Amanda

Posted on July 22, 2014July 21, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

first day on earth

She is here.

All the waiting.

All the crochet.

All the worry.

And now the adventure actually begins.

This little video is perfect. I’m dedicating to my little girl, on her first day on earth.

Some of my favourite parts of this video…

There’s plenty of reasons to dance. You just got to look for them. Don’t worry though. You won’t be doing this alone. You’re going to meet lots of people here. Some of them will be really nice and some won’t be. It’s not that they can’t be. It’s just – maybe they’re just having a bad day.

Being a person is hard sometimes. You should give people high fives just for getting out of bed.

Just treat everybody like it’s their birthday even if they don’t deserve it, because we all mess up sometimes. The biggest mess up? Not forgiving each other’s mess ups.

Maybe you’ll be a teacher. Maybe you’ll be President. Maybe you’ll cure every disease ever. You might even see the Grand Canyon, swim in the ocean.

Try this, take a breath. Isn’t that amazing? It’s called breathing! You’re going to do it a lot. But nobody knows exactly how much. So enjoy it.

Pay attention. Take brain pictures, because amazing things will happen every day. You’re going to do so much. But it’s not about what you do. It’s about who you are.

You? You’re awesome. You were made that way.

You were made from love, to be love, to spread love. Love is always louder, no matter what. Even if hate has a bullhorn, love is louder. So let your life be loud. Let’s shout to the world.

Things can be better! It’s okay about all the mess ups!

I don’t think I told you this yet. We’re really glad you’re here. We don’t say that enough to each other here because, well, life gets busy.

You’re going to be important and you’re going to do a lot and you’re going to smell great. But don’t get too busy.

Remember to let everybody know you’re glad they’re here. You don’t have to remember all of this right now. You’re going to need a pep talk sometimes. And that’s okay.

For now, remember this:

You’re awake. You’re awesome. Live like it.

Her name means;

Liberty: Freedom

Elizabeth: God’s Promise

Viviers: Alive

Born: 22nd July 2014

She’s our miracle and God’s promise revealed.

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — 4 Comments

stay-cation

This last week has been an unexpected surprise.

Last Saturday night we were sure that little miss v, was ready to be born but she has proven to be quite stubborn and is enjoying her time inside.

Strong women definitely run in my family!

Each day we have prepared and got ready like a little baby could be born. Then waited and excitedly soaked up the opportunities as a family of three to enjoy our last days as the three amigos.

We have been on a stay-cation.

My little man Maximus, had been on 27 planes by the time he was two, so staying home wasn’t something in our vocabulary.

We didn’t plan our stay-cation but it kind of owned us and we loved it.

We went on little outings in our town, we turned our phones off, we ordered take out instead of cooking, we read, we watched a new television series with abandonment.

I put down the crochet hooks, we slept in, we cancelled all our plans, we had long mornings in our pj’s…

Max performed little dance concerts, we played on the swings at the beach, our afternoon naps sometimes went till 4pm and beyond.

My mum cooked us soup, my 90 year old Granma made us carrot cake, we ordered our groceries online.

Took our laundry to the laundromat.

Ordered pizza.

Ate pies for lunch.

We literally shacked ourselves up and have had a stay-cation.

No baby moon for us, we celebrated and loved life as a little family and enjoyed every moment.

The most special of times.

Now tomorrow I am booked to go into the hospital and little miss v, will be coming to earth.

This last week has been most spontaneous holiday I have ever had. With moments of impatience, but many moments of pure bliss.

I can say we are now ready.

Now how am I to sleep tonight?

Posted on July 18, 2014July 18, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

taking stock July

Making: Little Baby Girl Bloomers out of old embroidered tablecloths.

Cooking: In my slow cooker, my favourite this week was Lamb, spinach and mushroom brown rice and quinoa. Yum!

Drinking: Water, a coffee a day and all kinds of tea.

Reading: The fault in our stars by John Green. I am still reeling from the movie.

Wanting: Some Hubble and Duke moccasins and a new candle.

Looking: for any sign of Labour. Anything.

Playing: With Lego, my son has just discovered its brilliance.

Wasting: wool on little things, trying to stay busy while I wait.

Sewing: Baby Rompers. I have seen a few I like and am going to have a try for some outfits for Summer.

Wishing: My sister would come home. Her being in Amsterdam last week is too close to home for my liking after the MH17 tragedy.

Enjoying: Chicago Fire, a new TV series to help me bide my time and the new album from hill song.

Waiting: The obvious. 39 weeks.

Liking: being online less. I have made a big effort to not have my phone in bed and to do more with my hands so that I am not flicking around social media all the time.

Wondering: What is going to happen in the world at the moment with all the imminent war and conflict.

Loving: Velvet Acorn. I cannot get enough of her patterns at the moment.

Hoping: For miracles.

Needing: More inspiration to keep on going with my current book.

Smelling: New Perfume from my beau.

Wearing: My maternity clothes waiting desperately to throw them away!

Following: The free woman.

Noticing: That there is always an invincible summer in the midst of winter. Sunsets, walks on the beach, they are all a choice no matter the weather.

Knowing: That God is faithful.

Thinking: A lot about giving birth and know many women have done it before me, but it still freaks me out.

Feeling: a little scared actually, lots of tragedy around me and trying to stay brave in the face of adversity.

Bookmarking: Pinterest is a lot of fun at the moment.

Opening: Presents from friends who are visiting excited about our little girl.

Giggling: Not much, maybe that needs to change.

(I found this Taking Stock idea first from Em here)

Somedays all it takes is a little bit of time to celebrate the ordinary to feel perspective shift.

Amanda’s quotes